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nHomuryeon was turned upside down.

nLast night, Homuryeon was literally played around with.

nEven though the manor, where Cheon Chu Shin Ui and Il Chim Gui was providing treatments, was attacked, they were not able to take appropriate countermeasures.

nAt the same time, the perpetrators raided the two doctors, they also tried to lure the next generation prospects staying in Homuryeon away.

nA large number of people disguised as warriors of Homuryeon approached each of the prospects and lured them away under the pretext that someone close to them wanted to meet them.

nThey wouldn’t have known what would have happened to them if they didn’t respond as quickly as they did.

nThe Homuryeon had their hands full with investigating those who tried to lure the prospects away and the destination they were trying to take them to.

nIt wasn’t until later that they realized all of that was just groundwork done in order to attack Cheon Chu Shin Ui and Il Chim Gui.

nAnyway, because of all that the Homuryeon was turned upside down.

nThey traced the reason how those who disguised themselves as Homuryeon warriors were able to contact the prospects in the first place.

nStarting with that, they gradually expanded the scope of the investigation.

nBecause the situation turned out like this, even the Homuryeonju had no time to rest. A lot of things that he had to deal with, worry about and make decisions for had suddenly appeared.

nTo make matters even worse, because they raided the manor, the patients that were being treated there all died.

nFortunately, most of the patients had returned home after the first diagnosis, so the damages were minimal, but it still wasn’t easy taking care of the aftermath.

nAnyway, after dealing with some of the really urgent stuff, he finally had some breathing room to take a proper look at the incident.

nThe Homuryeonju sat face to face with the Jeokmyeongdanju and was listening to his report on how far the investigation had progressed.

n“Their skills of covering up their tracks is impressive. I found most of the people who participated in this attack, but that was it, I couldn’t find anything further.”

n“Wouldn’t there be someone who had approached them?”

nThe Jeokmyeongdanju made a serious expression and shook his head.

n“All of them are dead.”

n“Sigh. They really aren’t ordinary guys.”

nIt seemed to him that they must have put quite an effort into this attack. The preparation was thorough, and there was barely any trace left.

nIn addition, it was still unclear how they were able to annihilate the entire Black Iron Room, and how they were able to move all the merchandise and corpses away.

n“What happened to the investigation of the hostel near the dock that Byeoktaesan’s group told us about?”

n“There was no hostel there in the first place. It was part of their deception.”

nThey had highly interrogated the guy Byeoktaesan had caught at that time. But he really didn’t know anything.

nAll of the others who approached the other prospects died, so he was the only one who they could extract information from, but since he didn’t know anything the situation was frustrating.

n“He really believed that there was a hostel there. It seems he was also deceived.”

n“We caught one more guy other than him right?”

n“Yes. But… he suicided.”

nThe expression of Homuryeonju distorted.

n“You mean you couldn’t stop him from killing himself?”

n“We were thoroughly prepared, but we couldn’t stop it. We honestly haven’t even figured out what method he used yet.”

n“Ask Cheon Chu Shin Ui and Il Chim Gui for a favor. Have them take a look at the body. Wouldn’t things get more complicated if something similar happens later on?”

n“Yes. I’ll personally go make a request.”

nAfter thinking about something for a while, Homuryeonju spoke.

n“By the way, we need to prepare a countermeasure against those half Kang-Shi. Have we made any progress?”

n“The two doctors have been trying to figure something out… but it looks like even they are having a difficult time.”

n“That is probably the case.”

nHalf Kang-Shi was the name given to the people who attacked the two doctors that day.

nThe biggest problem with them was that they were created with people who haven’t even learned any martial arts.

nHe did not know how tricky the production was, but if the proper conditions were met, wasn’t it a force that can be infinitely produced?

nIn addition, even if they were only half Kang-Shi, they are still Kang-Shi. They were fast, strong, and never got tired.

nAccording to the judgment of the warriors who fought with them at the time, a lower level Homuryeon warrior would have a hard time winning against just one of the half Kang-shi.

nThe only reason they were able to be on toe with those half Kang-shi was because their level of swordsmanship was lacking, so should they come with half Kang-shi with a higher level of swordsmanship, things would get really complicated.

nIt was a really serious situation.

nIf they had the capability of mobilizing just a thousand warriors at that level, it would be possible to wipe out a reasonable Moorim household with ease.

nSo they had to find a countermeasure against them before it was too late.

nHowever, there was still hope.

nThe hope was Cheon Chu Shin Ui, Il Chim Gui, and Byeoktaesan.

nAt that time, he was told that they couldn’t even touch Byeoktaesan, so if they found out the reason why, they might be able to work out a plan.

n“I wouldn’t be so anxious right now if we were able to just figure that out…”

n“Perhaps it has something to do with his constitution?”

n“Constitution? What constitution do you mean?”

n“I heard that the lord had some serious illness.”

n“I did hear about that as well but… If you met him in person, you wouldn’t be able to think that.”

n“Didn’t they say Cheon Chu Shin Ui and Il Chim Gui had been treating him? So, because of his constitution perhaps it was having some type of adverse effect on the half Kang-shi?”

nThe Homuryeonju stroked his chin with a serious expression.

n“Hmm… well that’s not the important part. Cheon Chu Shin Ui and Il Chim Gui will probably figure that out on their own. We have no choice but to trust them and wait.”

nWhat he was saying was correct.

n“Oh, and I would like us to make an effort into keeping a good relationship with Gold Wall.”

n“I will do whatever I can.”

n“Please tell the general manager as well. It wouldn’t be bad to have a few contracts with Gold Wall either. If possible, sign contracts in favor of Gold Wall and also contact the patrol leader who was dispatched to Wuhan.”

n“Yes. I’ll take care of all that personally.”

n“Alright. If you can please. If we just work hard until we find the perpetrators, things will get easier after that.”

nThe Jeokmyeongdanju bowed his head and left.

nThe Homuryeonju remained by himself and pondered about the identity of the perpetrators behind this incident.

nThe flow of thought naturally led him to Cheon Chu Shin Ui and Il Chim Gui.

nHe must hold onto the two doctors. In order to do that, he would have to hold onto Byeoktaesan.

n“It looks like… I’m going to have to personally send a request to the Gold Wall merchants.”

n* * *

nThe next-generation prospects summit ended.

nIn fact, there was still more time left before it was supposed to end, but in the current situation, it was deemed wiser to end it prematurely.

nIncluding the fact that a tragedy could have befallen the prospects as well.

nAnyway, all of the prospects were notified to return to their respective families as the official event was over.

nThey were also notified to be extra cautious on their way back as well.

nThey had no idea what the perpetrators would do or what their purpose exactly was, so it would be better to be cautious.

nIt would have been nice if Homuryeon provided support to the prospects on their way back, but they weren’t in a situation where they could afford to do that.

nThere was also the fact that there were too many prospects and the fact that most of the warriors belonging to Homuryeon were busy.

nStill, since each of the prospects brought their own family warriors, there was no significant problem for their safety.

nAnyway, one of the people who was notified that way was Yeonharin.

nOn the other hand, Byeoktaesan did not receive any notice.

nOf course, regardless of whether he did or not, Byeoktaesan will return when he wanted to return.

nBut Yeonharin wasn’t able to do that.

nAs soon as she heard that Byeoktaesan had not been notified to return, she visited Byeoktaesan.

nByeoktaesan stared at Yeonharin, who suddenly came to him.

n“Will you remain here, my lord?”

nByeoktaesan didn’t answer and pointed to the chair in front with his chin.

nYeonharin quickly went to the chair and sat down.

nByeoktaesan sat face to face with Yeonharin with a table in between them.

n“I heard that only you will remain here among all the prospects. Is it because of the two elders?”

nByeoktaesan tilted his head.

n“I’m the only one left?”

nIn fact, he had not known that the other people were leaving. It was the first time he had heard that.

n“Have you not heard the news yet? A notice was sent to all the prospects telling them to return to their homes.”

nByeoktaesan nodded.

n“True, they aren’t really in a situation where they can continue with the meeting.”

nBut soon he tilted his head.

n“It would be much faster if they had the prospects participate in the investigation as well, are they trying to not take things that far?”

nThe investigation would be much easier if the prospects and the warriors each of them brought were included.

nThe basis of all investigation was manpower after all.

nIn addition, it was a chance for the prospects to get some experience.

n“If they did that and something happened to the prospects during the investigation, that might make things difficult for Homuryeon to handle.”

n“You mean they don’t want to be responsible? Well, I suppose that’s a matter of choice.”

nByeoktaesan, who muttered that, looked at Yeonharin.

n“Then are you going back today?”

nYeonharin shook her head with a slightly sad expression.

n“No. Tomorrow.”

nByeoktaesan looked at Yeonharin making that expression. Byeoktaesan’s eyes flashed.

n‘Come to think of it… A person similar to Soso was right next to me all along.’

nIn fact, he hadn’t looked at her in this detail before.

nWhen looking at Yeonharin, her beauty usually grabbed most of the attention.

nSo, unlike when he saw other people, he had never looked into her spirit in detail.

nTo do that, he would have to concentrate, but he never thought of focusing when looking at Yeonharin.

nHowever, the situation was slightly different now.

nThanks to the enlightenment he gained a while ago and the spiritual power absorbed recently, his eyes were much better.

nThanks to that, he was able to take a closer look at Yeonharin’s spirit.

nThe foundation was pure so it was similar to Soso. However, the spiritual power accumulated in her spirit was a little different from Soso.

nStill, he felt like he would be able to get a similar result. No, it was almost certain he will.

n“You are going back tomorrow huh… … .”

nByeoktaesan muttered and looked straight at Yeonharin.

nWhen Yeonharin saw Byeoktaesan staring at herself, her face turned slightly red.

nCome to think of it, Byeoktaesan has never looked at her so carefully.

nShe swallowed without realizing it.

nThere was a moment of silence.

nWhen Yeonharin’s tension had reached its peak, Byeoktaesan spoke.

n“Come to my room tonight.”

n“Excuse me?”

nYeonharin was amazed.

nShe didn’t know he would speak to her directly like this. Of course, it wasn’t like she hated that.

nYeonharin calmed her heart beating like crazy with her hand.

nAnd she nodded without hesitation.

n“I will. Tonight, uh, when should I come over?”

n“You can decide the time. Just don’t be too late.”

nYeonharin’s head moved eagerly up and down.

n“O-okay, then I’ll leave for now.”

nYeonharin got up from her seat. She felt like her heart was going to explode if she had stayed any longer.

nByeoktaesan stared at the back of Yeonharin, who was quickly going out the door.

n“She’s definitely pretty alright.”

nBut maybe tomorrow she will be prettier than she is now.

nHe was a bit curious about what would happen.

nByeoktaesan smiled.

n* * *

nWhen night came, Yeonharin was restless.

n“My lady, what’s wrong? Are you uncomfortable somewhere?”

nAt Yoo Seo-yeon’s question, Yeonharin wiped her eyes and shouted inside.

n‘It’s because of you! You! Why aren’t you leaving yet!’

nIt wasn’t possible to go to Byeoktaesan’s room because of Yoo Seo Yeon, her bodyguard doing her job and not leaving her side.

nHowever, it was a little embarrassing to say that she was going to Byeoktaesan’s room proudly.

nEven though, everyone will end up finding out when tomorrow came.

n“My lady?”

nYeonharin took a deep breath and smiled brightly as she looked at Yoo Seo Yeon.

nFor some reason, Yeonharin’s bright smile looked terrifying and made Yoo Seo Yeon flinched.

n“It’s gotten late, so shouldn’t warrior Yoo go get some sleep too?”

nYoo Seo-yeon said with a determined expression.

n“I’ll be fine leaving after confirming that you went to bed.”

n“It’s not like anything will happen here, so you don’t have to work so hard.”

n“But how can I possibly do that?”

n“I told you, you can? Since I know the heart of warrior Yoo, you can stop now and go get rest. Okay?”

nThose words stabbed Yoo Seo-yeon’s intuition.

n“My lady, are you… … !”

nYeonharin was amazed and shut her mouth.

nYoo Seo-yeon’s eyes widened. As if she could not believe it.

n“How… How did my lady….before me…”

nHearing that Yeonharin got a little ticked off.

n“Hey, are you saying that to me right now?”

nYoo Seo-yeon looked at Yeon Ha-rin with warm eyes.

n“I am just proud of you. Seeing that you have grown up like this…”

nYeonharin quietly turned her head with an embarrassed expression.

nYoo Seo-yeon gripped the shoulders of Yeon Ha-rin.

n“You can definitely do it. Go ahead before it’s too late. Wouldn’t it be bad if the lord ended up falling asleep while you were lingering here?

nAt those words, Yeonharin nodded heavily with a determined expression.

nYeonharin opened the door and sneaked out.

nThe hostel was quiet and serene.

nYeonharin moved quickly and quietly and entered the room of Byeoktaesan.

nByeoktaesan was sitting on the bed.

nYeonharin looked at him and gulped.

nShe walked slowly.

nAs Byeoktaesan tapped the bed with his palm, she quickly ran and went into the blanket.

nByeoktaesan laughed when he saw that. The action that Yeonharin just did was the exact same as when Soso came.

n“Okay, then…”

nYeonharin looked at Byeoktaesan with a tense expression and closed her eyes.

nByeoktaesan then pulled out her spirit.

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