The 31st Piece Turns the Tables

Chapter 253

“L-Lord Tae Yul…”

“It’s Lord Tae Yul…”

The Dragon's Stones, who had been watching the situation excitedly like a fire across the river, began to disperse at Tae Yul's appearance.

For a moment, they had forgotten that Jin Ryeo was a subordinate of Tae Yul, the highest-ranked individual in the succession order.

“Finger… the finger…” stammered Jin Ryeo as she continued to falter in Jang Du’s arms.

Tae Yul simply observed the situation as it was.

Step…

Step…

Tae Yul walked toward them as if he were gliding on the floor.

Behind him were the usual Dragon’s Flowers, who were bootlickers, and his other subordinates.

This was Tae Yul’s current status.

“What are you doing in the Dragon Emperor’s Palace?” asked Tae Yul.

Everyone fell silent, unable to answer.

And with the clear red mark on Jin Ryeo’s forehead from Seol’s finger, they could not give an excuse.

As Seol and Jang Du thought about what to say next, Jin Ryeo slowly planted her feet.

“Urgh… Lord Tae Yul.”

“Jin Ryeo, what is that on your forehead?”

“A wound for the person who lost the gamble.”

“...What?”

“I apologize for causing a commotio—”

“No, that’s not what I’m talking about right now,” said Tae Yul, looking around. “You lost a gamble?”

“Yes…” answered Jin Ryeo, biting her lips. “Embarrassingly, yes.”

“Who did you lose to?”

“W-Well…”

Jin Ryeo, unable to look at Seol directly, sheepishly tried pointing in his general direction with her eyes. In fact, she even took a few steps away, worried that she might accidentally meet eyes with him.

Tae Yul rubbed his chin in response, thinking to himself, before smiling.

“Jin Ryeo,” said Tae Yul.

“Y-Yes…?”

“You didn’t forget the promise you made, right?”

“Promise…?”

"Remember, you promised not to gamble without my permission if you lost a big bet?"

“Haah…”

“You won’t break a promise with me… right?”

Jin Ryeo looked around before letting out a deep sigh.

“Of course not. I will keep the promise.”

The Dragon’s Stones gulped, thinking it had all resolved.

Tae Yul then looked at Jin Ryeo’s forehead before turning back around.

“How unsightly,” said Tae Yul.

“I apologize…”

“Let’s go.”

Tae Yul’s flock quickly chased after him as he left.

The Dragon Palace remained silent for a while, even after he had left. The silence persisted until his carriages arrived, and it wasn't just a single carriage that came.

With a number of people following Tae Yul, there were enough carriages to fit them all and more.

One of the carriages looked like something an emperor would ride. Not only did the horses seem exceptionally strong and full of energy, but the carriage itself was also luxuriously made.

Step…

Tae Yul entered the carriage with his subordinates, while his Dragon’s Stone entered a different one.

This action alone clearly demonstrated how much Tae Yul trusted his subordinates.

“Jin Ryeo.”

“Yes, sir.”

“So, did you do as I ordered you to?”

Jin Ryeo thought for a second, her head still bowed.

‘Ordered…? Ah!’

She had forgotten, but Tae Yul had given an order to his subordinates earlier.

“You were able to blend in with them exceptionally, as expected.”

“Haha… They do say that it is much faster to learn a man through gambling than spending a night with them…”

“I’ve always recognized your usefulness in that aspect.”

Jin Ryeo’s heart began to pound quickly.

She had completely forgotten Tae Yul’s request to approach the rumored man who defeated Phantom alone and uncover the truth behind it.

Tae Yul’s subordinates then looked at her with admiring eyes.

‘I wasn’t, though! I was just having fun…’

With Tae Yul having multiple subordinates and Jin Ryeo satisfied with her position, she was simply trying to have fun while gambling, thinking that one of the other subordinates would take care of it.

Simply put, Jin Ryeo did not approach Seol intentionally.

She was upset.

If only Jang Du didn’t bring him along…

‘Hold on… Is this an opportunity?’

It was an opportunity for Jin Ryeo to meet Tae Yul’s expectations.

By doing so, she could silence more of his criticisms and continue having fun without taking responsibility.

After all, that was the real reason she was following him!

“What is your assessment of him?” asked Tae Yul.

“He…”

Jin Ryeo explained exactly what she felt.

“...was unusual—no, he was special.”

“......”

“I did not want to get close to him at first, because of his gloomy and dull appearance, but I felt something the more I talked to him.”

“Was he an eloquent speaker?”

“Not like that, just…”

What was that bastard like again?

Ah.

“His words weren’t light.”

“They weren’t light?”

“Because he proved everything that he said with his actions.”

“Which means that his actions weren’t light, either. Were you really able to tell this much through gambling with him?”

"Gambling could make even those on their final journey burst into laughter. Catching the tendencies of someone as young as him is simple."

“I am relieved just by the fact that he isn’t a frivolous individual. It is easy for someone who becomes powerful at a young age to become like that, so… What did you think? How strong was he? Do you think the rumors about him defeating Phantom are true?”

Jin Ryeo shook her head, causing Tae Yul to scoff.

“So they were rumors, huh?” said Tae Yul.

“No, I simply could not tell,” responded Jin Ryeo. “It wasn’t as if I fought him, after all. Still… I did get the feeling that it could be possible. He is at least stronger than Jang Du.”

“Hm…”

“I would like to ask you as well, Lord Tae Yul,” asked Jin Ryeo, a serious expression on her face. “Are you planning to kill him?”

“...That is not a matter for you to be concerned with.”

“If you have already made a decision, I will not stop you. However… in my eyes, he is a necessary individual.”

“There is nothing more I need,” sharply responded Tae Yul.

“No, he is not necessary to you, Lord Tae Yul,” continued Jin Ryeo.

She then told him the truth.

“He is necessary for Khan.”

“...I will keep it in mind.”

Translator - goguma

Proofreader - Karane

* * *

A man was seated in a dark, suffocating room. Beside him stood another man resembling a catfish, his stomach protruding.

Even at a glance, it was clear that the seated man had a much higher standing than the catfish-like man.

“So this is the room you guys worked so hard to prepare, right? It seems normal.”

The greedy man chuckled before responding.

“It is good because it seems normal. Everything in this room, including the walls and the door, is made out of Insulating Steel. We made it out of Insulating Steel, and covered it with other materials.”

“Insulating Steel? All of this is Insulating Steel?”

Insulating Steel.

This metal is a nightmare for martial artists due to its unique property of absorbing not only ki and mana, but also Daoist spells.

Not to mention, it is also nearly impossible to detect until the individual comes into contact with it.

Though it seemed like a material straight out of legends, the metal changes after absorbing energy, making it ill-suited for long-term use as a weapon. As such, it was mostly used for assassinations.

But the catfish-like man had created an entire room with the material.

“If all of this is Insulating Steel, then…”

“Yes, even the renowned Jang Du won’t be able to escape from here quickly.”

“And we can take care of that during that time, right?”

“Precisely.”

“But even if we manage to secure promises from Shin Yo and the other Dragon’s Flowers… How can we enforce them? Wouldn’t they try to assassinate me once they’re freed? And what if the archivists take action?”

“There is no need to worry about that, the archivists will never take action. Those are the rules, after all. Furthermore, our plan does not go against the Dragon Emperor’s will.”

“Hm… I’m still scared of Jang Du, though.”

“And that is why I had also prepared a safety net.”

The catfish-like man pulled out a scroll before unfurling it.

Unfurl…

“Blood Oaths.”

“...Isn’t this from the Crimson Blood Sect? Didn’t they disappear a long time ago?”

“It’s something that frequently pops up in the underworld. Though it’s not abundant, we have managed to acquire many of them through extensive effort.”

Blood Oath.

It was a cursed scroll used by the notorious Crimson Blood Sect. By writing one’s name in this book, the individual was compelled to become loyal to the owner of the Blood Oath.

This effect persisted even after the owner’s death, causing many to tremble in fear at the mere mention of it.

"But I’d need to defeat them to make them write in this, wouldn’t I? Even if you trap me in here with them, I wouldn’t be able to beat any of them. Although… maybe I could beat Seol Hong?"

“Hahaha… That is why I prepared them as well.”

The catfish-like man then handed over a scroll with people’s names listed on it.

“Are these all…?”

“Koeng Hong the Leech, Wang Zhang the Glutton, and Dang Seong, the Thunder. All assassins we have paid a hefty sum to hire.”

“I’ve never heard of them before, though?”

“It would be stranger if you knew the names of the assassins, no?”

“Then how do you know them?”

“I established a connection with them in the past.”

“Hm… will they be able to fool Jang Du?”

“Though it might be possible if it were anywhere else, it would be impossible in a room surrounded by Insulating Steel. In fact, we have also prepared customized tables for them.”

It seemed as if the catfish-like man had prepared a lot.

“...You’ve prepared a lot,” said the seated man. “You are quite useful, Yu Gyeong.”

“Haha…” laughed Yu Gyeong. “It is still not nearly enough to repay you for taking me in.”

“I wonder why Chancellor Bang Hyu punished you? You are quite useful.”

“He must have been envious of my initiative and willingness to disregard conventional methods. He was undoubtedly afraid that I might take his spot one day.”

“Hm…”

“If only things had gone right in Yocheon, I wouldn’t have to endure this humiliation of wandering through Khan. Gwak Seong’s Warrior’s Heart would have been mine as well…”

“Alright, I’ll trust you. If I become Dragon, I will make you my chancellor.”

Thud!

Thud!

Yu Gyeong kneeled on the floor, slamming his head against it in response.

“Hahaha!” laughed the seated man. “Are you trying to test how sturdy the Insulating Steel is?”

“If you command me to, I shall! I shall follow any command, even if you order me to die!”

“...Yeah? Is that so?”

Yu Gyeong looked up and smiled, blood dripping down his forehead.

“If that is your will, Lord Zhe Gak, yes.”

Zhe Gak answered Yu Gyeong’s laugh with his own.

That was two days ago.

Now, two days later, a man arrived at Seol Hong’s room. Naturally, he spoke to Cheon Ju first.

“What is this?” asked Cheon Ju.

“Please deliver this to Lady Seol Hong.”

“Would it be alright if I checked the contents of the letter first?”

“Of course. Please, go right ahead.”

As the man was about to leave, Cheon Ju quickly stopped them.

“But who sent this…”

“It is written in the letter.”

“Grgh…”

Cheon Ju quickly broke the seal to read the letter. She sensed something ominous in it, though it might have been due to her age, which made her more cautious.

“Ah…”

After reading a few lines, a big smile formed on her face, she then immediately ran to Seol Hong.

“Lady Seol Hong! Lady Seol Hong!”

“What is it, Cheon Ju? Why are you so…”

Seol Hong started to worry when she saw Cheon Ju rush over so quickly, fearing something drastic had happened.

“It’s important!”

“Im-Important?”

“Yes, so please read this letter!”

“Wh-what…”

“Quickly now!”

Unfurl!

Seol Hong quickly began to read through the letter, a worried expression on her face.

However, by the time she reached the midpoint of the letter, her thoughts began to shift.

It was as if every syllable was carefully considered, with sincerity evident in every word.

Smile…

[Hey, girlie.]

“A-Are you calling me?”

[Yeah, why do you keep smiling?]

“I-I’m sure you are mistaken.”

Seol Hong then closed the scroll.

As Agony, Seol, and Chi Woo looked at her questioningly, she responded with the following.

“F-For the first time ever… I was invited to a banquet.”

It was as if Seol Hong’s face was malfunctioning, her expression changed by the second.

“Wh-what should I do?”

Agony picked its nose as it responded.

[Who cares…]

“No!” shouted Chi Woo, shooting down Agony’s claims.

In truth, a part of him felt saddened that Seol Hong had never properly enjoyed a banquet before.

He had wanted to remedy that, and now, he finally had his opportunity.

Chi Woo was determined to make her first banquet the most unforgettable experience possible.

“This… is… yeah, that…”

Chi Woo looked around at the people beside him.

Seol and Agony were… well, they were just them.

Chi Woo then turned to Cheon Ju, who immediately nodded in agreement. Finding an ally who shared his determination, Chi Woo shouted, “This is a competition, Seol Hong!”

Cheon Ju chimed in, adding, “You must shine more than anyone else!”