Watching Jisaeng force down the poison, Daegu secretly felt relieved.

One more person had fallen into the same fate as himself.

‘They’re handling the Sado Alliance’s second-in-command Yaryulhan’s subordinates like this?’

It was truly a sight hard to believe, even while witnessing it.

Naturally, curiosity grew. Who exactly were these people?

Geom Mugeuk told Jisaeng,

“If you don’t take the antidote daily, your internal organs will melt, and you’ll die. You’ll likely suffer the maximum pain a human can endure. So if you want to scream, scream all you want.”

Geom Mugeuk released Jisaeng’s acupuncture point. Jisaeng’s tightly clenched mouth didn’t open.

He was so shocked and confused that his mind seemed empty. He shared the same thought as Daegu.

‘Who exactly are these people to treat me like this?’

The next moment, a single thought crossed his mind.

‘Ah! Could this be a test of loyalty?’

Thinking so, he felt it might be true. They might torture him and test his loyalty by extracting secrets of the alliance.

But his gaze then turned cold toward the four dead subordinates.

‘They’d sacrifice those men just to test me?’

No way. Then why?

At that moment, Geom Mugeuk approached and unexpectedly presented a box.

“Open it.”

Jisaeng opened it to find three top-grade Night Glow Pearls inside—the same pearls Geom Mugeuk had received when saving the Golden Chief and his daughter and grandson.

Jisaeng couldn’t understand the situation at all.

Geom Mugeuk then said,

“Take this to the real Jisaeng. Your driver knows the real Jisaeng.”

The fake Jisaeng was too shocked to say anything.

“You tried to kill us and steal this, didn’t you?”

True, but he never imagined receiving it like this.

“Either deliver this as we say, or reveal what happened here while handing it over. The choice is yours.”

“Why are you doing this?”

Why give him the choice?

“Know this when you choose. The poison you took has no antidote anywhere else. Only that man has it.”

The Poison King sat back down, calmly fanning himself, uninterested in this matter.

“Oh, one more thing—think about how your master will react if the truth is revealed. Do you think he’ll risk danger to negotiate with us? He’d have to return these three Night Glow Pearls and probably hand over more.”

Jisaeng’s expression hardened as he listened. He knew best what the real Jisaeng would choose.

“Swear loyalty and die, or give the pearls and live. We’re not telling you to kill him—just give the pearls.”

“Are you trying to harm the Elder?”

“Wouldn’t that be better for you? The headquarters will likely install you in Jisaeng’s place.”

“!”

If he hadn’t thought of this situation before, he’d be lying. It was the opportunity born from the worst situation, and the words sounded tempting.

“Take your time to decide.”

Geom Mugeuk gave him no time.

‘They’re saving me? Giving the pearls to the Elder? Why?’

Flustered, his mind didn’t work properly.

Jisaeng was pushed out of the building and walked to the carriage in the yard. The real Jisaeng sat at the driver’s seat as usual, gazing blankly at the night sky.

The fake Jisaeng climbed into the carriage.

“Let’s go!”

The carriage departed. The real Jisaeng didn’t care that his usual direct subordinates were not visible. He thought they stayed behind to handle the Iron Sword Tigers’ corpses.

A message from the real Jisaeng arrived.

—How did it go?

—It was resolved well.

Jisaeng handed the box through the small window near the driver’s seat.

He knew the real Jisaeng would never lose assets to save him. No matter how long he worked under him, that truth would not change.

The Jisaeng at the driver’s seat opened the box of Night Glow Pearls and smiled brightly. His eyes seemed drawn into the pearls.

At this moment, the fake Jisaeng was still troubled.

‘What exactly are their intentions?’

Why give the pearls away like this? Why?

But the moment he said it was resolved, the matter became irreversible.

Even if the truth was revealed too late, he would die simply for having even briefly thought of betrayal.

Thus, the carriage returned to their dwelling, carrying the opposing hearts of the two Jisaengs.

There comes a moment when Jisaeng returns from the driver to the real Jisaeng.

It was like when he met Yaryulhan, and now.

A secret place prepared beneath the stable.

A space barely ten pyeong in size, holding all his possessions.

A small chair was in the center, and around it, dozens of the highest-grade Night Glow Pearls were displayed.

His lifetime’s fortune.

Jisaeng added three Night Glow Pearls to his collection, his hands trembling. After amassing such wealth, he should have been indifferent, but he loved this moment.

Each new pearl brought a thrill of being alive. Nothing else gave him such joy. Especially when the pearls glowed in the dark with the lights off, he’d sometimes scream madly.

For this joy, he lived ruthlessly. Because he had to pay Yaryulhan, he had to be more vicious and cruel. Guilt? He never once felt it. If anyone mentioned guilt, his first thought was, “Who told you to live like an idiot? If you’re resentful, live like this yourself.”

While immersed in ecstasy, Jisaeng sensed someone behind him.

Startled, he turned quickly. Standing at the door was the fake Jisaeng.

Only then did the fake Jisaeng understand.

Why they had given the pearls to the real Jisaeng—he had been baited to bring them here. To learn where this secret vault was hidden. How had they found out he was collecting Night Glow Pearls?

The real Jisaeng was also shocked.

This shabby secret place beneath the stable was a location no one could have guessed. Who would think treasure was hidden here?

Moreover, to enter, one had to operate a series of secret mechanisms scattered around the stable correctly.

Of course, before entering, Jisaeng carefully checked his surroundings many times. Surely no one was there. The fake Jisaeng’s skill was not enough to approach so closely. Unless one had night vision like a beast, even seeing wouldn’t reveal what was done.

‘Damn it! Fuck!’

He was overwhelmed with self-blame for having become careless after so many uneventful years.

One thing was certain.

Betrayal!

If they had planned long to steal his fortune, they might have infiltrated this secret place.

Instead of asking how and why they entered,

Shh!

A dagger suddenly flew from Jisaeng’s hand. He was a master of hidden blades. Since he didn’t need swords or sabers, disguising as a driver was easier.

The dagger aiming for the fake Jisaeng’s neck stopped midair.

Someone behind caught it. It was Geom Mugeuk.

The fake Jisaeng was filled with rage.

He had devoted loyalty for over a decade, yet was to be killed without even one question. At least ask why I betrayed you before killing me!

Geom Mugeuk appeared behind the fake Jisaeng, followed by Seo Daeryong and Daegu.

“You bastards!”

Seeing Daegu, Jisaeng mistook the newcomers for the Iron Sword Four Tigers. Under these circumstances, it was natural to think so. The fake Jisaeng and the Iron Sword Four Tigers had colluded to steal his fortune.

Swish swish swish swish!

Daggers flew again from his hands.

But all, despite his perfect aim, were caught by Geom Mugeuk.

Jisaeng was horrified. This was no attack the Iron Sword Four Tigers could have stopped.

Geom Mugeuk didn’t allow him to throw another dagger. Slashing through, he subdued Jisaeng’s vital point. Frozen in an instant, Jisaeng stared in terror at Geom Mugeuk standing before him.

“You’re not the Iron Sword Four Tigers!”

“Of course not. How could those trash handle you?”

Geom Mugeuk passed him and inspected the cabinets behind.

“You’ve collected a lot.”

“Who are you? Who are you!”

Geom Mugeuk didn’t answer, and anger flashed at the fake Jisaeng.

“You pathetic fool! You idiot!”

The fake Jisaeng shouted back,

“I’ve loyally served you like a dog for fifteen years! Yet you throw daggers without even asking why? You should have asked if ◈ Nоvеlіgһт ◈ (Continue reading) I was threatened or forced, you damn dog!”

The previously good relationship shattered in an instant. The dignity and composure of the Elder vanished.

“You shouldn’t be here!”

“Why not? This filthy fortune was stolen and deceived and collected. Why can’t I come here?”

“Did I do that? You did.”

“That’s no excuse!”

Their voices rose.

“You pathetic fool. Do you think they’ll save you?”

“I’ll replace your position.”

“Do you think the main alliance is so naive? They wouldn’t spare you, and even if you survive, the alliance won’t keep you alive. Since I’m dead, why leave you lingering? It’s better to wipe the slate clean and start anew—just like remaking the immortal dish.”

The fake Jisaeng couldn’t argue. Deep down, he unearthed the fear he had long buried.

“In the end, you’ll be eaten. You were so cautious to avoid this fate.”

Sighing, Jisaeng lamented. Then Geom Mugeuk stepped forward.

“If you were truly worried, you’d reduce your greed, not your caution.”

Geom Mugeuk unleashed a flurry of wind strikes. He subdued the vital points of the fake Jisaeng and Daegu. From now on, it meant “shut up and listen.”

“Today, this will happen here. You hired the Iron Sword Four Tigers for the immortal dish, but they betrayed you. They were after your fortune from the start.”

Geom Mugeuk looked between Jisaeng and Daegu.

“Of course, your martial arts levels differ, but this can solve that problem.”

Geom Mugeuk opened a small bottle right before Jisaeng’s nose.

Hiss—

Smoke forced into Jisaeng’s nostrils.

“You’re affected by Paralysis Powder. You know? The one your underworld folks use. It leaves poison in the body after a postmortem. You’ll stagger and fall.”

Geom Mugeuk manipulated him like a puppet.

“Now, Daegu stabs him in the back.”

Seo Daeryong also moved Daegu’s body. Giving Daegu a sword, he moved his arm so the sword pierced Jisaeng’s back.

Jisaeng grimaced in pain but could not scream, his vital points subdued.

“Poisoned and stabbed, but you’re not one to take it lying down. You throw daggers back.”

This time, Geom Mugeuk took a dagger from Jisaeng’s bosom and threw it.

The dagger struck Daegu’s heart precisely. Daegu collapsed and died.

“You succeed in killing Daegu, but your back wound was fatal. You fall and die here, watching someone steal your lifetime fortune.”

Seo Daeryong began collecting all the Night Glow Pearls from the room.

“Isn’t this worse than death for you?”

Jisaeng’s eyes reddened. He tried to shake his head to deny it.

“They all took from you like this.”

Though it wouldn’t relieve the grudges of many youths tortured by the immortal dish, it was the maximum pain they could give.

“Yaryulhan will send men for your death. Eventually, it will be revealed that the Iron Sword Four Tigers were involved. Your subordinates’ testimony that you hired them will exist, and Daegu’s body will be left here.”

Jisaeng seemed to want to say more, but Geom Mugeuk did not release his acupuncture points.

“We’re taking everything you’ve gathered. We’ll use it well. Thanks!”

Jisaeng trembled all over, filled with anger and injustice as he died. Geom Mugeuk wanted him to die like that.

Now Geom Mugeuk turned to the fake Jisaeng, who stared back with hope in his eyes—hope to survive and become the real Jisaeng.

But Geom Mugeuk shattered that hope completely.

“But there’s one problem with this plan. The Sado Alliance won’t believe Jisaeng was defeated by the Iron Sword Four Tigers. So we need a plausible mastermind. Someone who knows his identity, can poison with Paralysis Powder, and find this secret vault. What do you think, your right-hand man of fifteen years?”

Confusion and anger flashed on the fake Jisaeng’s face, but what followed was even more despairing.

“Yes. The one who took these pearls will be you. And they’ll never find you.”

Geom Mugeuk’s fist struck his chest, shattering his insides and killing him instantly. He never intended to spare this man who had committed countless evil deeds. He would be buried where no one could find him.

The dying Jisaeng looked at the fake Jisaeng’s corpse with a wicked smile, blood dripping from his mouth. Though grotesque, he was not destined to die yet.

At that moment, Seo Daeryong, having gathered all the Night Glow Pearls, sighed exaggeratedly and said,

“Is this always the fate of a right-hand man?”

“My right hand is smart enough not to end like this, I hope.”

“Keep flattering me like that and I can’t quit this dangerous right hand.”

“That’s why you all keep getting caught.”

After joking, Seo Daeryong approached the dying Jisaeng.

“But why did you keep looking there? You’re dying, yet you keep staring.”

Jisaeng was startled and spat blood.

“That makes you even more suspicious.”

Anyone else might not have thought much, but Jisaeng’s regretful gaze toward the wall caught Seo Daeryong’s eye.

Geom Mugeuk and Seo Daeryong nodded to each other and began inspecting the wall.

When Geom Mugeuk’s fingers caught on something and a crisp metallic click sounded—

Jisaeng felt despair like the sky had collapsed. It was a deeper despair than losing the pearls.

His mouth couldn’t speak, but his lips formed the words,

‘Not that.’

Ziiiiiing—

The floor in front of the wall opened, and something began to rise.