Book 19 Chapter 18

"Die for me!

—Gungsang!

"No, why can't you release him?"

Yeomdo asked in an angry voice as he visited the office at Muwondae, where the current investigation headquarters was set up.

"That's… I…"

Yeomdo cut off Cheongheun's words in the middle.

"I don't want to hear any excuses. Despite having a suspect in custody, another victim has appeared. So, isn't it safe to assume that the person locked up in prison is innocent? Then, release him immediately."

"That's impossible!"

"Why impossible? Isn't there no evidence that he's the culprit?"

"There's no evidence that he's the culprit, but there's also no evidence that he's not. Until it's certain which one it is, he cannot be released."

Cheongheun's attitude was different from that of Hyunbin, a mere prison guard. He carried more responsibility on his shoulders, and thus, had an obligation to withstand more external pressure for the sake of fair proceedings.

Yeomdo was so frustrated he almost pounded his chest. He couldn't help but dislike someone who, when he was trying to proactively save them, would reject the lifeline.

"May I ask why?"

"Of course. It's true that the attack happened again, but we can't be sure if it's the same culprit as the previous incident. There's a high possibility it could be a copycat."

The answer sounded like, "We want to shorten our lives as much as possible with all our might."

"A copycat? Is there such a crazy person who would imitate that?"

It was murder. And it was indiscriminate murder of innocent people. It was obviously a bad thing. Yeomdo doubted what benefit the culprit could gain from it.

"Humans do things they know are crazy."

"But if that's the case…"

If that's the case, only one word remains to describe it.

"Yes, a madman. Why else would they do it?"

The inability to make even the simplest value judgment could only be seen as a serious mental illness. It wouldn't take multiple instances. Even switching perspectives just once would allow one to imagine the pain and discomfort the victim would experience. The fact that they didn't do even that… Perhaps an unfounded belief that they would never be subjected to such a situation fueled such misjudgment.

"Besides… they didn't die."

Cheongheun's words were decisive.

"What?"

Yeomdo retorted with a confused look. This was the first he was hearing of it.

"The victim is not dead yet. They were only injured. That's one of the two significant differences from the previous incident."

The argument was that these two differences meant it couldn't be the same culprit.

"I can accept the first difference, but what's the second one?"

He hesitated for a moment, wondering whether to say it or not. But upon reflection, he had no desire to become well-done bulgogi. So, he decided to just say it. His skin was already good enough and didn't need to be grilled any further. Although he liked delicious food and prided himself on being quite a gourmet, he had absolutely no intention of becoming delicious food himself. What meaning would a dish have that he couldn't taste!

"The person attacked this time wasn't a student, but Hwanggeum Wanjang."

"Hey!"

"Hey!"

"How are you doing?"

It was a simple, everyday greeting that could be used comfortably in daily life, but it wasn't a very fitting greeting in a place like this prison. Especially when the recipient was a prisoner.

"So-so!"

Bilyeon replied briefly.

"Wow, uncle, how did you get in here? I heard ordinary officials aren't allowed in?"

The only person he had met so far was Yeomdo, who was from Musabu. Binggeom hadn't come. It seemed he hadn't given up teaching Namgung Sang yet. Therefore, Jang Hong, who was entering with proper procedures, was met with unusual gazes.

"Ah, I pulled some strings!"

Jang Hong replied, scratching the back of his head. A sheepish smile played on his lips.

"How is it outside?"

"It's almost a festival atmosphere. A festival to send you to the execution grounds."

"Is the reaction good?"

Bilyeon asked nonchalantly.

"It's almost ecstatic. I've never seen people unite with such a single heart before. It's truly magnificent. Hundreds of people gathered, passionately demanding the end of one life, a rare and extraordinary spectacle."

When the human heart unites, it can bring about miracles beyond imagination, experience, and history. However, if the direction is slightly off, it can turn into a whirlpool of madness comparable to natural disasters.

"Ahem, it's all because of my charisma!"

Bilyeon said, as if talking about someone else, even after hearing the forecast of a storm of madness about to consume him.

"It's good to have a lot of charisma. I'm truly envious to death!"

Jang Hong was fed up with his friend's nonchalance. Naturally, his words became blunt. He didn't like the impeachment fever that had been spreading like an epidemic in the past few days. He thought there must be a more graceful way to go mad. There seemed to be no need to cause such a noisy and bothersome disturbance.

"Everyone wants to see the serial killer get chopped on the executioner's blade."

He meant for Bilyeon to worry a little, but it didn't work.

"I want to see that too."

Bilyeon chimed in, as if it had nothing to do with him.

"Speaking of which, were there any other interesting events?"

"There were."

"Hmm, let's hear it. Judging by your reaction, it sounds like good news?"

"What did my expression look like?"

"It looked like I had just bitten into a dried worm."

"……"

"Let's hear what bothered you."

"It appeared again."

Jang Hong replied with a sigh.

"What appeared?"

Jang Hong replied.

"The midnight assassin!"

"Huh? Again?"

"Yes! Again! Do you have any guesses?"

"A little."

"Is that true?"

Jang Hong's ears perked up.

"Of course."

"I'd like to hear your wise opinion."

"It's expensive!"

"Don't worry. I won't disappoint you."

"Alright, I'll tell you! From what I see, this incident is the work of some young master. He must be the heir of a so-called noble family."

"What could such a person possibly gain from doing something like this?"

"He's itching to test his strength."

"So, he committed such a ridiculous act?"

"It might be important to him, don't you think? Although it seems trivial to me."

"There must be something else he's aiming for… Because the actions over the past four days give the impression of being very systematic and planned."

"This is like a rehearsal, before the main event. He's preparing something with great care."

"So, you're saying it's not the same person?"

"Absolutely not. The problem is, what is he aiming for…"

Since the target cannot be clearly identified, a certain method must be chosen.

"What can I do for you?"

Jang Hong asked directly. He didn't even ask Bilyeon if he had committed such a terrible act. Bilyeon didn't offer any excuses either.

This homeless-looking, or perhaps actually homeless, friend had confidence that his friend hadn't committed the act, and his friend believed he wouldn't. Isn't that what true friendship is?

"Release me. Then I'll resolve it within a week."

Bilyeon replied as if it were a very simple matter.

"A week? Is that really possible?"

Before shouting "That's impossible!", Jang Hong asked about the possibility.

"I dislike bounced checks. So, I dislike empty promises. Have I ever made an empty promise?"

"Huh? You haven't? I thought you had…"

Jang Hong desperately sifted through his past memories, trying to find a situation where it was plausible. After a long while, he discovered a surprising fact.

"This is unbelievable… It's not there. I can't find any. I thought there must have been one or two instances."

It was truly mysterious. The fact that Bilyeon, known as the biggest braggart at Cheonmu Academy, had never made an empty promise was a stark paradox.

'It means he has made absurd things a reality…'

Bilyeon had also made many statements that others would consider empty promises or boasts. However, what set him apart was that he actually made those unbelievable things happen. When someone succeeds at something everyone else has given up on, those who had given up tend to feel an urge to deny the fact of its realization. And most of what Bilyeon had done fell into that category.

"What do you think of my proposal?"

"A week…"

It was an undeniably tempting offer. Jang Hong, finding himself tempted by his proposal for a moment, shook his head.

"I'm sorry, but that's beyond my authority. Furthermore, public opinion is very unfavorable right now. If I were to release you in this state, the academy would have to bear all the blame. That's not something the academy would welcome."

"Cowardly."

Bilyeon grumbled.

"With such a timid, chicken-hearted courage, what can you achieve?"

"The larger the organization, the more rigid it becomes. Please understand."

"Why should I?"

Jang Hong tried to placate Bilyeon, whose sharp words were naturally coming out, but it was useless.

"Then, there's only the second-best option."

"Is there a second-best option?"

"Just because there's one destination doesn't mean there's only one path. If you can't go, wouldn't you need someone to represent you?"

"Then who would be good? Moyonghwi?"

Jang Hong named a young man who was competent, exemplary, and unlikely to fall for Bilyeon's tricks.

"That friend is problematic. He's a real target. Moreover, he lacks improvisation. Although he's much better than before, his thinking is still rigid."

"Not exemplary? I heard he's not yet too corrupted?"

"The very act of trying not to deviate from the norm is rigidity. He needs to become more flexible."

"Then what about Yoon Junho?"

Jang Hong named someone who was timid but unexpectedly held a lot of potential.

"That guy lacks courage. And he's not very capable of solving this problem. However, his clothes might be useful. He might be able to serve as a decoy."

Bilyeon calmly said that the clothes were more capable than the person himself.

"Clothes? What kind of random talk is that?"

Suspicion welled up, but he decided to set the question aside for now and move on.

"Then who's left? Are there any people left in your small circle of friends? Su… Surely not me?"

"You just rest."

Bilyeon said coolly, shaking his head.

"Thanks for thinking of me. Then who would be good?"

"Namgung Sang!"

"Namgung Sang? You mean Gungsang of the Vermillion Bird Clan?"

Bilyeon nodded.

"Was there another Gungsang besides him?"

No.

"Young Master Gungsang… That's an unexpected person for me. If we just call him, will there be a clear solution? I didn't realize he was such a possessor of exceptional ability."

Jang Hong looked at Bilyeon with keen interest. As far as he remembered, this friend, however absurd, didn't do pointless things. But Jang Hong was mistaken about something.

"If you call him, you'll find out."

"Alright. Wait a moment."

Jang Hong clearly had strong backing. As soon as Bilyeon asked, he immediately sent for Namgung Sang and brought him before him. His speed was so impressive that even Bilyeon marveled at it.

"Fast."

Bilyeon admired him genuinely. He liked such professional execution. It was because there was no waste. With no waste, savings could be made, and more profit could be left. It aligned with profit.

"It's basic."

Jang Hong said modestly. Namgung Sang just stood there silently. It wasn't time to speak yet.

"Could you leave for a moment?"

Bilyeon said, glancing at Jang Hong. Their relationship was still a secret from Jang Hong.

"Can't we whisper our secret words where I am?"

Wouldn't that satisfy his peeping hobby, making it a double win?

"It's an interesting proposition, but I gladly decline."

"Tch!"

The two of them left Bilyeon's side with an expression of extreme reluctance to leave, their footsteps conveying their eagerness to know what they would discuss.

After a while, Bilyeon spoke.

"Hey, uncle! Eavesdropping is a bad habit. Your body is hidden, but your ears are still stealing our conversation. Can that really be called truly leaving?"

Then, a voice came from beyond the stone wall.

"Tch! Alright, alright! I'll leave! You two live happily ever after."

Click, click!

After a long pause, Bilyeon finally sent a signal to Namgung Sang through the prison gate. Namgung Sang looked at the flimsy prison gate with anxious eyes and cautiously approached. Then, he asked,

"Why?"

Thwack!

For a moment, bright starlight poured into the prison, illuminating the darkness.

"You… You summoned me, senior disciple!"

Namgung Sang replied in a disciplined voice. The fact that he didn't raise his voice suggested he still had some discernment. Bilyeon, who had briefly worried about Gungsang's loss of common sense, was relieved and could stroke his chest with his right hand, which had just struck someone's head.

He seemed to think that not being quiet would be disrespectful to Jang Hong, who was still straining his hearing to the maximum from a distance. He didn't want to amuse Jang Hong, who was still enduring the pain of pressing his ear against the cold stone wall.

"There's something to do."

Bilyeon said briefly. He meant to get straight to the point, skipping the introduction.

"What should I do, senior disciple?"

Bilyeon spoke slowly and clearly in a serious voice, as if warning not to mishear him.

"You must die for me!"

The secret conversation through the prison bars was not as sweet as rumored.