Book 9 Chapter 22

There are human rights in the Biyeongak too.

Hyoryong, feeling despair from the useless friends scattered around him, saw Eun Seollan as his only lifeline.

Eun Seollan was too busy to accept Hyoryong's plea for help.

She had just discovered a clue. The clue was surprisingly close to her. The key to solving the Muguangsan incident! The clue was none other than Biryuyeon, who was responsible for her personal protection.

It was always after Biryuyeon's name was involved that unusual developments occurred, factual statements became absurdly contradictory, and testimonies became jumbled. Before that, the case statements were not significantly different.

'What is so great about this insignificant man?'

It was a mystery to her. An investigator's job is to literally investigate the questions and suspicions. And that investigator was herself.

She began to carry out her original mission.

As expected, investigation fundamentally starts with inquiries. Inquiries are the entire act of probing and questioning unknown rumors or facts. The basic of inquiry investigation is the most basic of basics: hearing testimony from the parties involved in the case.

Eun Seollan had no intention of breaking this rule. She had other concerns.

What she intended to do was a kind of internal investigation. That is, investigating those who were in the same group, there was a high risk of them covering for each other. This, in turn, directly relates to the question of how much the opponent's testimony can be trusted. She did not overlook this and always paid attention.

After meeting with Hyoryong, her suspicion deepened rather than being resolved.

'What on earth happened that day for this young master to hide the truth from me?'

If anyone else did, this young master should not have.

'What is the truth that cannot even be told to me?'

Something that cannot be told to me even while weeping profusely!

She had to start the investigation to shake off this suspicion. She felt that her heavy heart would only be relieved by thoroughly investigating the case and uncovering the truth.

However, as she had expected and prepared for, it was not an easy task.

"Is it Biryuyeon first?"

It was the unusual existence of Biryuyeon that had been bothering her mind all along. Even Eun Seollan herself did not know the exact reason. Moreover, what happened a few days ago further fueled her suspicion.

The freedom to walk on public roads is a universal right that everyone possesses. Public roads are absolutely not private spaces created with individual money. However, Eun Seollan's sacred personal rights and freedom were now being violated by others.

"This is unsettling!"

Eun Seollan said softly. Thinking about it again, it was indeed unsettling.

"Did someone drop money?"

Eun Seollan said to Biryuyeon.

"What? No, who dared!"

Biryuyeon retorted with a grave face, as if asking who had committed such a heinous act. Eun Seollan, who had asked the question, was surprised. Eun Seollan's face broke out in a cold sweat at the unexpected aggressive reaction.

"Ho ho! No, it's like someone is trying to pick up money that wasn't dropped."

Eun Seollan's gaze shifted slightly behind her. Only then did Biryuyeon clearly understand what Eun Seollan meant.

"Ah~ that person! They're working hard, but they're not as skilled as the person from yesterday. Their stalking is so clumsy… It's not a mirror, but it's so blatant and visible… Tsk tsk tsk!"

Biryuyeon clicked his tongue. And the content made Eun Seollan's eyes widen like startled pigeons.

"So, you mean there was a stalker yesterday too?"

Yesterday, she hadn't felt any presence behind her. She had been completely followed while off guard.

"Of course! It's not such a big secret that I would hide it. As you may know, Miss Eun is quite popular among spies these days. You've never truly been alone."

Eun Seollan was stunned by Biryuyeon's explanation. The content within it was too meaningful to dismiss as a joke.

"What should we do now?"

"Let's step on it first. Of course, if you wish!"

Biryuyeon smiled faintly.

"I wish!"

Eun Seollan nodded.

"Then, as you command!"

Biryuyeon's steps, which had been moving forward, abruptly stopped. Biryuyeon straightened his body and tapped the ground with his toe.

*Shh!*

At the same time, Biryuyeon's body stretched backward.

The beating began. Trying to solve things blindly with fists and violence before conversation is a very bad habit. However, paradoxically, most bad methods have the common characteristic of being very effective or very convenient.

However, the Biyeongak team member Palbi (八秘), who fell victim to this method, which is recognized by everyone as very effective, was having a miserable time.

"Gyaaak!"

Palbi, who was always loyal to his mission, was now on the verge of death, beyond a work-related accident. However, all channels for requesting help were blocked.

A sense of crisis washed over him. He didn't want to die at his young age and bring a condolence payment to his family. Thinking that, he blurted out on his own without being told.

"Gyaaak! No! No! I told you it's not me."

Palbi's scream echoed in the high autumn sky.

"What did you say?"

Eun Seollan tilted her head.

"That's right. So, please clear up the misunderstanding."

Palbi's face was a mess from his work-related injury. Palbi was worried about whether he could even claim treatment costs properly.

"So, it wasn't me they were after?"

The one who asked was Eun Seollan. The fact that the stalker, whom she thought was following her, wasn't targeting her was bound to raise suspicion. Palbi quickly spoke before the remaining fists could fly.

"Yes! Of course. If you still doubt me, I can prove my identity."

The badge he took from his waist clearly indicated that he belonged to the Biyeongak of Cheongseong Hakgwan. Clearly, Palbi's actions were disqualifying for a spy. It was shameful. However, the result of his actions was immediate.

"Then who were you tailing?"

This was the most pressing issue.

"Th-that person."

Eun Seollan, Nayerin, and Moyonghwi's eyes widened. Palbi's finger pointed at Biryuyeon.

"Then who asked you to do it?"

"I cannot tell you that. Even if I die!"

Although Palbi showed a glimpse of his secret agent demeanor, he had already lost all his points.

Eun Seollan's gaze turned to Biryuyeon. Her gaze was filled with suspicion.

'Does this man have enough importance to be followed?'

He was certainly a peculiar and unique individual.

'This man might be the key.'

Come to think of it, Biryuyeon is the only one still hidden in the Muguangsan incident. Only Biryuyeon's role in that incident had not been clearly revealed.

From this point on, Eun Seollan began to care about Biryuyeon's value for the first time.

'I need to investigate more.'

There were too many things that didn't make sense. She definitely needed to dig around more.

They say autumn is the season of high sky and fat horses (天高馬肥).

The sky was incredibly high and blue.

Nayerin quietly looked up at the autumn sky.

Lately, for some unknown reason, the surroundings felt too chaotic. She had readily taken on a bodyguard role that wasn't in her original plan, attacks by assassins, her lips had been stolen again! Her meeting with Maharyeong! The incidents continued one after another. She felt like she was being swept away by the flow of fate.

She had never felt so troubled in her mind as she did these days. Her mind and heart were clear, cold, and calm like still water. No stray thoughts or desires could invade her. But lately, Nayerin keenly felt that she had been thinking a lot. This was not something that could be resolved by denial.

She knew the cause. The one who was creating ripples in her heart and causing confusion was none other than Biryuyeon. Why he was causing her so much confusion was beyond her realm.

A pair of birds chirped and played in the sky.

'I am alone.'

She said softly to herself.

'Men…'

The boundary and distinction were blurred with beasts. Except for standing on two legs… at least for her.

No one around her viewed men positively. Of course, it was questionable what advantages could be found in men who were absurd, sometimes childish, and extremely destructive on a very frequent basis…

Her past bad experiences further fueled her distress.

'Ughhhh!'

The man's tightly clenched fist trembled with rage. The rage, as if burning his soul, consumed his entire body. He was none other than Wi Jicheon, the rising star of the Qingseong Sect and the leader of the Bingbong Yeonghwa Suho Brigade (Guardian Brigade), the Whirlwind Sword Dragon (Seonpung Geomryong). He persistently stayed by Nayerin's side today as well, watching her from a close distance. Of course, regardless of his subjective beliefs, his actions were a huge nuisance rather than help to Nayerin.

"You bastard!"

*Grind!*

Wi Jicheon ground his teeth so hard that they felt like they would shatter.

Having always watched Nayerin from close by, he was one of the few who noticed Nayerin's changes. He hadn't told anyone, but he couldn't help but realize it painfully, even if he didn't want to. The fact that Nayerin's condition was not the same as before! And he had to feel, and dreadfully watch, that a change was coming to her due to some cause.

What was even more unbearable was the fact that he belonged to the same Black Sword Group as that guy. Of course, the fact that Nayerin belonged to the Black Sword Group was incredibly joyful, but the eyesore Biryuyeon diminished that ecstatic joy by half.

'If only that guy didn't exist!'

Wi Jicheon repeated the same thought dozens of times a day.

Lately, Nayerin seemed to be in turmoil. Certainly, the inhuman aspects she used to show were disappearing. Nayerin, who was gradually breaking down the thick walls she had built and approaching reality, but Wi Jicheon could not be happy at all. This was because he had a strong suspicion that the cause of that change was the damned human, Biryuyeon.

The thief of the world who stole the lips of the woman who was his eternal idol and fairy in his heart! Son of a bitch! A human scum! The name of that damned child was Biryuyeon. That damned child had boldly snatched away the radiant red jewel that he could not even dream of, and now, under the guise of protecting the beautiful investigator, he was sticking close to Nayerin. In reality, while the distance between him and her was over 5 jang (about 15m), the distance between Biryuyeon and Nayerin was less than five ja (about 165cm), so he couldn't help but be furious.

As expressions gradually appeared on Nayerin's face, which was once like carved cold moonlight, Wi Jicheon felt his heart being torn to shreds. He was so ashamed of himself for not being able to keep the oath he made that day to rip out Biryuyeon's tongue, chop it into pieces, and make it into sashimi.

"Hoo…"

A sigh escaped Nayerin's beautiful lips again. It was a sigh so mournful that it made the chest of anyone who heard it sink into sadness. This was a sight that could never have been seen in her before. Nayerin maintained her sculpted expressionless face even when she was alone. That is, until that guy, Biryuyeon, appeared.

"Yo! Miss Na!"

A vibrant voice that instantly shattered the clear silence of Unhyangjeong. Then, more expressive emotions appeared on Nayerin's cold face. Wi Jicheon gritted his teeth.

'Kreeeeeee!'

That was the voice of the damned bastard that Wi Jicheon would never forget.

"Let's go quickly! What are you doing there? Everyone else is waiting! Hurry!"

It was Biryuyeon, who shouted at Nayerin, whom others were afraid to even talk to properly, without regard for the surrounding gazes.

"I'm going now."

Nayerin replied.

"Quickly! I'm going to die waiting."

Biryuyeon's feigned cry was heard again.

"Yes!"

Nayerin replied again. It seemed she didn't dislike Biryuyeon's urging.

Nayerin, who had glanced at the sky with a wistful gaze, finally turned and left Unhyangjeong. Only Wi Jicheon was left alone in the quiet and silent space.

"I will kill you. This guy… I will definitely kill you. Bi… Ryu… Yeon!"

*Grind!*

That guy was trash. He was a cancerous existence. He was a boil. The flames of uncontrollable anger engulfed his entire body.

"You… trash! You damned maggot!"

He burned with hatred, shedding tears of blood in his heart. As if wishing for someone to respond to his feelings… And a response came.

"Are you that indignant? Is it that hateful? Then don't hesitate!"

"Wh… who are you?"

Startled by the unidentified voice that approached him from behind without a sound, Wi Jicheon exclaimed in surprise.

"Y-you are!"

Wi Jicheon's eyes widened.

"Do you want power?"

The person said with a grin.