CFZ

As soon as morning came—though it was technically still dawn—I stepped outside.
It didn’t matter whether it was dawn or morning; I’d be busy either way.
“Greetings to the Division Leader!”
The members of my unit saluted as I passed by, their greetings helping to ease my fatigue.

Having gone several nights without sleep, the exhaustion was catching up with me. It wasn’t physical fatigue but mental.
‘There’s too much to deal with.’
Even though I had completed one major task, plenty of work still remained. My head ached constantly, forcing me to make it a habit to use my energy to dispel ◈ Nоvеlіgһт ◈ (Continue reading) the discomfort.

Ssshhh—!
As I circulated my qi through my body, the pressure and pain subsided. Only then did I feel somewhat better.
“Are you all making good progress?”

“Yes, Division Leader!”
Most of the unit was busy packing up supplies, likely in response to the sudden orders issued in the middle of the night.
We were set to depart for Hanam by the next day, and I’d given the command to be prepared.
It must have been an abrupt order, yet the members packed without complaint.

Of course, this was expected.
‘They know better than to grumble and risk getting beaten.’
After months of traveling together, the lesson had been thoroughly drilled into them: when I said jump, they jumped.

‘Not that there’s much to pack.’
We’d arrived with barely more than the clothes on our backs.
Even food supplies were usually taken care of through hunting.
Given their high cultivation levels, they could go days without food without much trouble.

This time would likely be no different. They’d push themselves to their limits, but only just enough to endure. That was how I preferred it.
‘Watching them struggle to endure is always satisfying.’
The brink of exhaustion and the determination to overcome it—it always led to growth.

“Will you be ready by noon?”
“We’ll be finished well before then, sir!”
Their confidence was apparent. For a moment, I considered pushing the deadline forward by two hours but decided against it.

“Good. Where’s the Sub-Division Leader?”
“Oh, the Sub-Division Leader should be at the northern quarters. I heard there’s something he needs to oversee there.”
“Understood.”

I turned to leave, but a member suddenly stopped me, looking startled.
“Division Leader, you’re heading south. The Sub-Division Leader is in the opposite direction.”
“I know.”
“…Pardon?”

“I said, I know.”
I deliberately chose the wrong direction.
After what happened yesterday, I wasn’t quite ready to face Tang So-yeol or the others.

  
   ******************
   
Later
I headed to the back of the quarters, to the southern fields.

It wasn’t as though I had intentionally chosen to go south just to avoid them. My actual destination happened to be in that direction.
When I arrived at the grassy plains, someone was already waiting for me.
As I approached, I greeted him.
“Have you been waiting long?”

“No. I just got here.”
“You’re lying, aren’t you?”
“No, I’m not.”

Standing before me was a pale, stoic man with one arm. The Shadow King.
Even as he denied it, I didn’t believe him.
‘It’s obvious.’

He had probably been here for a long time—perhaps even since the middle of the night.
The Shadow King was like that: always present, yet seemingly nowhere at all.
His presence remained faint, even now.

‘Not easy to detect.’
Despite my heightened senses from cultivation, his presence was still elusive. I could find him if I tried, but if he truly hid himself, could I locate him?
The answer was immediate.

‘No. Not yet.’
But I knew it wouldn’t take much longer for me to reach that level. It was just a matter of time.
“I’ve brought what you requested. It’s stored in the food wagon, securely protected by a formation. Be cautious when handling it.”

“Thank you.”
The item he referred to was none other than a wooden box containing the Yeouiju—the legendary Dragon Pearl.
‘Even with the schedule disrupted, I have to keep this secured.’

I hadn’t had the chance to use it properly yet. The only person it had been used on was Seong Yul.
I had planned to use it for the others in two days, but recent events had derailed those plans.
Once we returned to Hanam, I’d have to prioritize it.
‘And there’s still research to be done.’

Not only the Dragon Pearl but also the water from the underground pond—I needed to determine their exact properties.
Of course, I wouldn’t be handling that personally.
‘I’ll leave it to the Divine Doctor.’

He might be irritable, but he always followed through when asked. I was confident he’d do the same this time.
While I was at it, I could learn more about his techniques.

The knowledge would be invaluable, especially for the techniques I’d been trying to master.

‘For months now, I’ve been attempting something, but… nothing.’
Despite repeated efforts, I hadn’t made any progress.
I had to admit it.

‘It’s impossible for now.’
Even though my cultivation in the Nine Flames Firewheell Art had reached its peak, it wasn’t enough. But I was certain it would be, eventually.
Why?

‘Just a gut feeling.’
I didn’t know why, but my instincts told me so. And my instincts, frustratingly, were often right—especially when it came to bad premonitions.
To achieve what I wanted, I needed deeper knowledge of sorcery. That much was clear.

“For now, let me ask: will you be coming with us?”
The Shadow King remained silent at my question.
As expected.

“…I apologize.”
His eventual response was a refusal, and I wasn’t surprised.
‘Would he come if I framed it as an order?’

The thought amused me for a moment. If I insisted, would his refusal vanish?
But I didn’t test it.
“Understood.”

It wasn’t worth straining our relationship over idle curiosity.
Besides, if he was staying behind, it likely meant he had something important to focus on—probably related to Yeon Ilcheon.
It was disappointing, though.

The Shadow King was a massive asset, arguably the strongest force at my disposal.
Even without fully restoring his demonic energy, he was a tremendous help.
But still,

‘Some things have to be let go.’
“While you’re here, could I ask for a favor?”
“Of course.”

There was no hesitation in his response, as always.
“If you’re staying in Sichuan, people from the main headquarters might arrive in a few months. When they do, I need you to slow their progress.”
“Slow them? To what degree?”

“Just enough to delay their investigation. But if necessary, you can kill them.”
“All of them?”
"Hm."

After a brief pause, I quickly gathered my thoughts and continued.
"Only those who truly deserve to be killed. I'll leave that judgment to you."
"Understood."

No further explanation was necessary.
It was a somewhat vague standard, but the Shadow King didn’t press for more details.
‘If I had to guess why…’

It was probably because his standards and mine were similar.

   *******************
   
As I returned to the quarters, I saw that the preparations were nearly complete.

‘That was fast.’
They had said it would be done by noon, but they were well ahead of schedule.
Efficient, as expected.

‘See? People improve when you push them hard.’
Just like a broken tool responds when you hit it, people also become competent when you apply pressure.
“Eek?”

“What’s wrong?”
“N-no, it’s just… I suddenly got chills.”
“Ah, well, it has gotten colder lately.”

One of the unit members, visibly shivering, muttered with a nervous tone. A perceptive one, that guy.
Smirking, I surveyed the area. As mentioned earlier, the preparations were already in their final stages. Once finished, we’d either leave immediately or wait briefly before departing.
I wanted to leave as soon as possible, but—

‘If I have a little time, I should meet the branch manager and report to the Poison King one last time.’
It was important to tie up all loose ends before leaving.
I was mentally organizing my priorities when—

“Division Leader.”
A soft, melodious voice reached my ears. At the same time, a faint floral scent teased my nose.
My expression stiffened slightly as I turned my head.

The first thing I saw was golden hair shimmering under the sunlight.
It was Wi Seol-ah.
“…Oh…”

“The preparations are complete.”
“I-is that so? Good work.”
I tried to keep my tone calm, but my voice betrayed me, trembling uncontrollably.

It was because of what Tang So-yeol had said.
Wi Seol-ah’s gaze didn’t falter as she looked at me. Her eyes were steady—so steady that meeting them made me feel unsettled.
“Division Leader, are you feeling all right?”

“Y-yeah, I’m fine.”
I forced myself not to look away, but she must have noticed that my eyes kept trembling.
“…Division Leader?”

“Ah, fuck.”

The words I meant to mutter internally slipped out.
Wi Seol-ah’s eyes widened at the sudden profanity.

In this life, I had never cursed in front of her, not even once. But this time, I couldn’t help it.
Honestly, it was her fault.
“You’re absurdly beautiful today. Stop making this so damn hard for me.”

“…What?”
“…Why are you doing this to me?”
“N-no… I mean… I…”

My impulsive confession left Wi Seol-ah visibly flustered. She was old enough to know how beautiful she was.
She had probably heard it a hundred times from others by now.
And yet, such simple words left her shaken. Even her reaction was—

‘Shit.’
My hand twitched as the thought crossed my mind.
I almost slapped myself but barely restrained the urge.

‘This is so messed up.’
Ever since the incident, I’d felt like my emotions were spiraling out of control.
Right now, I wanted to grab her cheek—or maybe something else entirely.

Smack!
Unable to stop myself, I slapped my own face.
“Division Leader—!”

Startled, Wi Seol-ah grabbed my arm, her voice trembling. Even her usual respectful title for me had shifted.
“Why… Why would you do that?!”
“I’m fine. I just needed to pull myself together.”

“What are you even saying…?”
I had to regain control.
‘What the hell is wrong with me?’

Thump. Thump.
My heart was pounding wildly, as if urging me to give in.
This was pure greed—a hunger to claim what was mine. It whispered, Why hesitate? Take it.

‘I’ve always had a possessive streak, but this is different.’
Something seemed broken inside me, making my body riot against me.
Tang So-yeol’s words echoed in my mind.

She had said I was overly possessive.
I didn’t want to admit it, but it was true. Not just strong, but overwhelming.
Suppressing the surge of emotions, I asked,

“…Where are the others?”
“Ah… Sister Bi-ah is finishing her preparations, and Sister So-yeol should be here soon.”
Namgung Bi-ah was still recovering, and Tang So-yeol was likely finalizing some tasks elsewhere.

“I see.”
I exhaled deeply. My breath carried an undeniable heat.
‘This is dangerous.’

It truly was.
As one’s cultivation level rises, so should their patience—but my state was like that of an animal in heat.
In heat?

‘Crude, but accurate.’
That was exactly what this was.
Pitifully, that was the state I found myself in.

“Division Leader…?”
Wi Seol-ah looked at me with concern, her clear, beautiful eyes filled with worry.
Her lips, soft and inviting, only made it worse.

Before I realized it, my hand moved toward her lips.
But—
Flap! Whistle!

A bird suddenly landed on Wi Seol-ah’s shoulder, breaking the moment.
“Huh?”
Startled, Wi Seol-ah glanced at the bird, and I followed her gaze.

‘A messenger bird?’
Anyone could recognize it instantly.
Squinting, I leaned in to examine it, but the bird pecked the back of my hand as if to warn me off.

Yet, it sat calmly under Wi Seol-ah’s touch.
“There’s a letter tied to its leg…”
Wi Seol-ah carefully untied the letter and handed it to me.

As soon as I saw the emblem stamped on it, my expression darkened.
There was only one organization in Zhongyuan that used a flower emblem of that color.
‘Baekhwa Trading Company.’

It was the company led by Mi Horan, my mother.
And this emblem—
‘It’s the direct seal of the Head.’

Meaning it was personally written by Mi Horan.
‘What’s this about?’
A sudden message from the Baekhwa Trading Company was unusual. Tilting my head, I opened the letter.

“…”
As I read the contents, my body froze.
 

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"Your father has committed a crime against the Alliance and has been imprisoned."
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The fiery pounding in my chest was extinguished, replaced by a chill that spread like frost.