“This is truly troubling.”
Grand Strategist Sagong Ui looked from Kwak Yeon to Hu Gae, then turned his attention to Jin Cheongha.
“More than that, I never expected to face the Young Castle Lord of Ghost Night Castle in a place like this.”
“Grand Strategist, I am deeply sorry.”
Hu Gae had been the one to bring Jin Cheongha into the Martial Alliance, after all.
“Hu Gae, you have nothing to apologize to me for. Still, this is undeniably a difficult situation. In any case, Young Castle Lord—no. There may be listening ears, so I shall call you Lady Jin.
“At any rate, thank you for showing such courage for the sake of the Martial Alliance.”
Jin offered a clasped-hands bow.
“No. I should apologize for causing turmoil within the Martial Alliance.”
“Lady Jin, coming to the Martial Alliance despite your position alone took great courage. In any event, thank you for revealing such vital information.”
SWISH.
As Grand Strategist Sagong Ui flicked his crane-feather fan and looked at him, Kwak said,
“The matter was urgent, and the Alliance Leader has abruptly entered closed-door seclusion. I have placed a burden upon you, Grand Strategist.”
“A burden? What are you talking about?”
The Grand Strategist lightly shook his head.
“Chief Secretary Kwak, you are fulfilling your responsibilities as the Chief Secretary acting in the Alliance Leader’s stead. Of course I should help. In fact, I was already planning to summon you regarding the Right Military Strategist.”
“...?”
“The Gamcheon Corps Commander reported that a gap, made long ago, had been found in the eaves of the Right Military Strategist’s hall. I had an ominous feeling about it. Then Lady Jin arrived and confirmed my suspicions. It is difficult to believe, but... Hah.”
Grand Strategist Sagong Ui let out a low sigh.
“As a precaution, I instructed them to keep that discovery from the Right Military Strategist. You need not worry on that account.”
Kwak said quietly,
“Thanks to your prudent handling, a troublesome development has been prevented.”
If Right Military Strategist Baek Ri-gi learned that the route used by the infiltrators had been exposed, something unforeseen might happen.
With a bitter smile, Grand Strategist Sagong Ui said,
“Chief Secretary Kwak, what do you intend to do about the Right Military Strategist? You came here with such determination that I assume you have a plan. Tell me.”
“I do.”
Kwak nodded readily.
“There is nothing to gain by delaying. Since we have not captured the infiltrator, we do not know when the hidden mastermind may try to cut off its tail.”
“You mean the hidden mastermind may eliminate the Right Military Strategist?”
“I cannot be certain. But judging from the hidden mastermind’s conduct so far, I believe the Right Military Strategist is in danger.”
From the hidden mastermind’s perspective, Baek Ri-gi’s identity had been exposed. He had outlived his usefulness. Worse, he likely knew too many of their secrets.
“That seems likely.”
Grand Strategist Sagong Ui nodded.
“So you came here to suggest subduing the Right Military Strategist without delay.”
“It would also be a way of protecting him.”
The infiltrator was still on the run and likely had not yet contacted the hidden mastermind. For Baek Ri-gi, this was one of the few remaining moments in which he was safe.
“Chief Secretary Kwak, then what do you propose?”
At the Grand Strategist’s question, Kwak calmly laid out his plan.
After hearing him out, Grand Strategist Sagong Ui nodded.
“A way to finish this quietly and decisively. Let us proceed that way. Before that, though, there is one thing I would like to ask you.”
“Please ask.”
“There is something I want to show you. I will step out for a moment. I sent it to the Martial Affairs Pavilion for appraisal because there was something I wished to confirm.”
When Grand Strategist Sagong Ui left the hall, Hu Gae and Jin looked at each other and blinked.
“...?”
“...?”
Neither could make sense of it. Hu Gae turned to Kwak.
“Brother Kwak, do you have any idea what this is about?”
“I am afraid I do not.”
“What a strange situation. Whatever this object is, it must be important for him to look for it in the middle of all this. And he even sent it to the Martial Affairs Pavilion for appraisal.”
“Brother Hu, what does the Martial Affairs Pavilion do?”
“It investigates and analyzes martial arts. By examining a martial art’s traits and the traces it leaves behind, it can determine its origins and sometimes even identify the person who used it. Since the Grand Strategist called it an object, it is probably a weapon. The Martial Affairs Pavilion keeps records of martial weapons as well.”
“I see.”
Not long after, Grand Strategist Sagong Ui returned carrying a roll of plain cotton cloth.
“My apologies for making you wait.”
He unrolled the cloth across the table.
A thin black rod lay inside.
“...!”
Jin flinched at once. She knew the object better than anyone.
Grand Strategist Sagong Ui addressed Kwak.
“The Martial Affairs Pavilion judged there was more than a ninety percent chance that this was the Black-Iron Needle, the signature weapon of Sa Gwirang, First Kill of Hidden Moon Forest.”
“...!”
“A Martial Alliance pursuit unit found it at the site of the Dragon King Hall fire in Golden Sand Village. I also heard testimony from the rising talents of Guanzhong that Chief Secretary Kwak was there. Perhaps I am getting ahead of myself, but I thought it might be connected to this matter and had it brought here.”
Kwak nodded.
“As you suspected, Grand Strategist, it is connected.”
“I am relieved my suspicions did not embarrass me.”
SWISH.
Grand Strategist Sagong Ui flicked his crane-feather fan once.
“Chief Secretary Kwak, can you tell us what happened?”
“There is no longer any reason to conceal it.”
Jin Cheongha, the Young Castle Lord of Ghost Night Castle, had just testified to what she had overheard. Sa Gwirang’s account now served only as supplementary proof.
After hearing Kwak’s explanation, Grand Strategist Sagong Ui said,
“Sa Gwirang claimed that the one who shot her carried a black bow. You know who that man was, do you not?”
“Geoncheon Corps Commander Jwa Ye-geuk.”
The Grand Strategist nodded at Kwak’s answer.
“The Geoncheon Corps Commander serves directly under the Right Military Strategist. This weapon is clear evidence as well.”
A bitter smile returned to his lips.
“Chief Secretary Kwak, there is no longer any need to investigate further.”
*****
STEP. STEP.
A bluish dawn was beginning to brighten the eastern sky, but the heart of Right Military Strategist Baek Ri-gi grew darker as he walked the corridor leading to the Grand Strategist’s hall.
Only four words had been written on the red calling card resting on his desk.
Sever a Troubled Heart with the Bow.
Right Military Strategist Baek Ri-gi naturally understood what they meant.
He could not imagine what might unsettle his heart, but he had no choice except to make the preparations demanded by the owner of the red calling card.
Of course, Baek Ri-gi knew of one thing that might trouble him.
He suspected that Hidden Shadow was the one responsible for the disturbance in the middle of the night.
It was difficult to believe that someone who had entered and left without leaving a trace for more than ten years had been exposed today and caused such an uproar.
CLACK.
Baek Ri-gi opened the doors to the Grand Strategist’s hall. When he saw Kwak Yeon standing beside Grand Strategist Sagong Ui, his heart grew darker still.
“Welcome, Right Military Strategist.”
Kwak greeted him as well.
“Right Military Strategist, welcome.”
Baek Ri-gi returned their greetings with due courtesy.
“So Chief Secretary Kwak is here as well. I suppose attending meetings of the Strategists’ Office has become only natural for you now.”
Kwak answered respectfully,
“As the Alliance Leader’s representative, it is only natural. Please, have a seat.”
Baek Ri-gi found their excessive politeness unsettling, but he kept his expression composed and took his usual seat.
An uncomfortable silence settled over the hall. At last, Baek Ri-gi spoke.
“Grand Strategist, it seems the Left Military Strategist is running late.”
SWISH.
Grand Strategist Sagong Ui flicked his crane-feather fan.
“The Left Military Strategist will not be coming.”
“...?”
Baek Ri-gi flinched.
“Grand Strategist, what do you mean? How can the Left Military Strategist not attend a council of the Strategists’ Office?”
“The council was called to receive you, Right Military Strategist.”
Baek Ri-gi tilted his head.
“The events within the Strategists’ Office are bewildering enough, yet now even the Grand Strategist is speaking in riddles. It seems today is a truly strange day.”
“Indeed.”
“...?”
“Right Military Strategist, I too never imagined that a day as strange as this would come.”
“Grand Strategist, I do not understand what you mean.”
SWISH. TAP.
Grand Strategist Sagong Ui flicked his crane-feather fan once, then set it down.
“Today, I met the infiltrator who entered the Strategists’ Office.”
Baek Ri-gi’s eyes flickered.
“Remarkable. Every warrior in the Martial Alliance’s Inner Fortress has been searching and still failed to find that person. Where did you find the infiltrator?”
“The infiltrator came to the Grand Strategist’s hall willingly. Naturally, you would not know.”
“That is even more surprising. An infiltrator came here of their own accord?”
Kwak, who had merely watched their exchange, abruptly spoke.
“Right Military Strategist, why does that surprise you?”
“Chief Secretary Kwak, what sort of absurd question is that?”
“You spoke as though such a thing could never happen.”
“An intruder would naturally never do such a thing. That is why I said it.”
Kwak nodded.
“You are correct. And as you presumed, that infiltrator did not come here.”
“...?”
“Another infiltrator came instead.”
Baek Ri-gi stared in open surprise.
“...Are you saying there were two infiltrators?”
“That is correct. Which is why we invited you here.”
“Chief Secretary Kwak, I have no idea what you are talking about.”
Grand Strategist Sagong Ui looked at Baek Ri-gi.
“Right Military Strategist, the Gamcheon Corps Commander found a gap in the outer wall of the Right Military Strategist’s hall today. It had been made long ago. I am told that concealing the opening by fitting the removed section back into place is an infiltrator’s trick.”
“...!”
“It seems the infiltrator who came here today discovered that gap by chance and entered the Right Military Strategist’s hall. Right Military Strategist, are there not times when accidental events reveal truths we never expected?”
“...”
Baek Ri-gi’s eyes widened, but he said nothing. Grand Strategist Sagong Ui shook his head instead of raising his fan.
“Right Military Strategist, let us stop this. How long have we known each other? I have cleared the Grand Strategist’s hall, inside and out, so only the three of us are here.”
“...”
“So tell us plainly why you had to do this. People make mistakes. Is that not so?”
Baek Ri-gi’s face had gone pale, yet he remained stubbornly silent. Grand Strategist Sagong Ui lifted the crane-feather fan and flicked it once more.
SWISH.
From this point onward, he would deal with Baek Ri-gi in an official capacity, without personal feeling.
“This does not resemble you, Right Military Strategist.”
Grand Strategist Sagong Ui rose and placed a box on the table.
“This belonged to the infiltrator who had been entering and leaving the Right Military Strategist’s hall.”
CLACK.
Inside the box lay the charred remains of an arm.
“...!”
Then Grand Strategist Sagong Ui placed another roll of cotton cloth on the table and unwrapped it.
RATTLE.
The thin black rod rolled across the tabletop.
“The Martial Affairs Pavilion identified it as the signature weapon of Sa Gwirang, First Kill of Hidden Moon Forest.”
“...!”
For the first time, Baek Ri-gi’s expression twisted.
Kwak, who had been waiting for this moment, spoke.
“Right Military Strategist, we will summon the Geoncheon Corps Commander here and question him about the Aju Unbinding Operation.”
Baek Ri-gi shook his head.
“Chief Secretary Kwak, there is no need. The Geoncheon Corps Commander merely followed his superior’s orders.”
After speaking, Baek Ri-gi raised his head and looked at the ceiling for a moment.
Kwak remained silent, knowing that the Right Military Strategist was gathering his thoughts.
“Grand Strategist, may I have a moment?”
At last, Baek Ri-gi lowered his gaze from the ceiling and addressed Grand Strategist Sagong Ui.
“I would like to feel some cold air and clear my muddled thoughts.”
“Please do.”
The Grand Strategist agreed readily. Baek Ri-gi walked to the window at his back and opened it.
WHOOOSH.
After gazing outside for some time, Baek Ri-gi slowly turned around.
“Grand Strategist, I am deeply sorry for everything.”
He bowed deeply.
“I have always felt guilty toward you. Perhaps it is fortunate, in a way, that I may finally cast it all aside.”
Grand Strategist Sagong Ui returned the clasped-hands bow.
“Right Military Strategist, thank you for finding the courage to admit your wrongdoing.”
Baek Ri-gi turned to Kwak.
“Chief Secretary Kwak, I bore you no personal grudge. And on a human level, I have long been sorry.”
At that moment, Kwak felt an unfamiliar surge of Honwonmusang qi.
It was hollow, almost empty.
Kwak realized that the Honwonmusang Technique had resonated with the emptied heart of Right Military Strategist Baek Ri-gi.
At the same time, he saw the wide-open window behind Baek Ri-gi. He suddenly understood the meaning of Baek Ri-gi’s words about casting everything aside and apologizing for the past.
It was a final farewell!
“Right Military Strategist, no!”
Kwak sprang toward Baek Ri-gi with a sharp cry.
BANG!
With a brief, piercing crack that tore through the air, a black arrow punched through Baek Ri-gi’s chest and burst out the other side.
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