Book 9 Chapter 20

Chisan was afraid of the Grand Prince.

It wasn't just the Cheonmu Academy that was working hard towards the Hwasan Guild Convention.

The Macheon Pavilion, which had to compete with the Cheonmu Academy for supremacy at that venue on that day, was also putting in all its effort.

Up until now, the competition had always been a fiercely contested parallel line. Neither side had been able to completely overpower the other. Therefore, both establishments relentlessly pushed their participating candidates and never let their guard down. However, among those who cared about the Hwasan Guild Convention, not everyone was solely focused on improving their own skills.

"We absolutely cannot lose. Defeat is absolutely unacceptable at this Hwasan Guild Convention. We must win this Hwasan Guild Convention by any means necessary. What we desire is not defeat, but only victory! Do not forget that."

The person giving strict instructions to his subordinates in a stern voice was the one called the Grand Prince of the Macheon Pavilion. He was slowly scanning the room with a sharp gaze.

"Of course. How could a subordinate forget such an important matter? I have already made arrangements."

"You have?"

Chisan, who considered himself a confidant, couldn't help but flinch at the somewhat cold reaction. His intuition had sensed that his master's mood was not in a state of exhilaration.

"I have already sent orders. The invisible hand I have planted on the other side has already begun to move. Do not worry. It is absolutely impossible for them to participate in the Hwasan Guild Convention in perfect condition."

Chisan replied quickly.

"Hmm! Then I look forward to the outcome."

It wasn't a satisfactory response, but he had to settle for this much.

"Please wait with enjoyment. I will never disappoint my lord."

Only then did a satisfied smile return to the Grand Prince's lips. Chisan could finally breathe a sigh of relief. He was now in a state of reassurance.

'Phew~ That was a close call.'

It felt like he had aged ten years. Everything had been going wrong lately, and his heart had been filled with anxiety. He had to show results as soon as possible. The Grand Prince was not a lenient person who would keep an incompetent subordinate around for long.

"What about the next matter?"

The Grand Prince checked to see if there were any remaining agenda items. There was still one important agenda item left.

"Yes! The next is the matter of dealing with the investigator sent to the Cheonmu Academy to uncover the truth about the Blood Sect of Mt. Wudang."

The word "investigator" caused a slight reaction even in the Grand Prince, who had been like a stone statue. The man who seemed unshakeable even if the sky fell was clearly agitated at this moment.

"An investigator, you say… surely…?"

"Yes! It is Sa Junghwa, Eun Seolan, the fiancée of Gal Gyo Bong of the Blood Flow Sect."

At Chisan's answer, the Grand Prince's straight eyebrows twitched with displeasure. It happened in an instant, but Chisan's sharp attention did not miss it.

'Seolan…'

The Grand Prince suddenly felt a bitter taste in his mouth. He felt extremely displeased.

"A fiancée… it doesn't sound very good."

That one sentence was enough.

"Yes! I will remove her immediately!"

Chisan replied, startled, assuming a rigid posture.

Based on his experience, the wisest course of action in such situations was to obey unconditionally, regardless of the reason. However, he compounded it with a foolish action.

"Shall I eliminate her? Just give the order."

The Grand Prince raised his head and gazed at Chisan. Faced with the myriad of thoughts contained in that gaze, Chisan couldn't help but flinch. That gaze was saying:

'Are you out of your mind?'

What Chisan could be sure of was that it was certainly not a kind gaze. How could a gaze that subtly contained a murderous intent be interpreted as kindness? That would be absurd.

"…Let's see how the investigator's matter unfolds for now. It's not yet time to decide on her treatment."

"Yes! I understand."

This time, too, Chisan answered obediently without raising any objections.

"Good. You may leave now."

The Grand Prince gestured for him to leave. Chisan gladly departed the heavy, tense space. His heart, which had felt like a thousand pounds, felt as light as a feather.

"Phew… I survived."

Confirmation of survival!

Perhaps due to being in a state of extreme tension, his heart was still pounding.

The Grand Prince's terror lay in the fact that his true feelings could never be guessed from his outward appearance. Even though he had been assisting the Grand Prince for so long, there were still moments when he felt a chill. It was like holding a cold ice sword next to him.

Therefore, his true intentions could not be fully grasped from his outward appearance, expressions, or tone of voice, as if he were shrouded in fog. However, it wasn't entirely impossible. This was because humans possess intuition and instinct.

The reason Chisan's back was now damp with cold sweat was precisely the warning of that instinct. A loud alarm bell ringing in his mind! That alarm bell, as always, was very useful.

The Grand Prince was always calm, always sharp, and always flawless. Everything about him was perfect. That perfection was so thorough and meticulous that it was almost terrifying.

'He is someone I absolutely do not want to make an enemy of!'

As he felt every time, the Grand Prince's eyes were like deep darkness devoid of light. Whenever he met those eyes, his soul felt like it was falling into an abyss. It was a very strange and terrifying feeling, a dreadful sensation he wanted to avoid experiencing again. Since then, Chisan had made every effort to avoid making eye contact with the Grand Prince.

Eyes that could instill fear even in someone as seasoned as himself! This was a purer kind of fear. It was not a fear based on calculation, but a primal fear that stimulated instinct itself!

'It's not human…'

Chisan had no desire to be in an adversarial relationship with someone whose defeat was already certain. To avoid incurring the wrath of that person, he had to rack his brain as much as possible. That was the quickest way to preserve his neck.