Chapter 100
Exposure (10)
Th i s wa s co p i e d f rom k i ng m t l . o r g
The man’s face seemed familiar, but it was his attire and the mask he held that really caught my eye.
T h is was c o pi ed fro m k i n gm t l. o r g
Upon recalling, I realized it was the large-nosed mask that had been sitting at the chief seat of the Supreme Council for hours, observing but not participating in the heated debates.
However, what caught my attention even more was someone else standing behind him.
Her slightly bitten lower lip, her eyes darting up and down, and her repeatedly glancing gaze.
Though she stood neatly with her hands clasped, it was clear her emotions were in turmoil.
Her gaze was fixed directly on me, standing behind the Heukryeon couple.
Yet, I couldn’t fathom why she was looking at me like that.
“…”
We had crossed paths at Jeokhwa’s mansion just days ago, but the situation then had been too urgent for any interaction.
After Yeon Jeongmun unleashed the Plague Magic Formula, I hadn’t seen her at all.
But now, in this calm setting, facing her was a struggle against the storm of emotions within me.
The pain from this lingering, bittersweet feeling was… honestly, exhausting.
I turned my attention away from her gaze to focus on the conversation between the Heukryeon couple and the man.
“So, it’s been a while, hasn’t it?”
“Indeed. Wasn’t it fifteen years?”
Unlike the calm demeanor of the Heukryeon couple, the man seemed genuinely delighted, speaking with enthusiasm.
Had I met him elsewhere, I might have thought he was quite sociable.
The man continued speaking with a bright smile on his face.
Th i s w as c opi ed fr o m k in gm t l . or g
“But goodness! It seems even the Black Lion cannot escape the passage of time. Seeing the frost on your hair, senior, it’s quite an adjustment, haha.”
“And you seem unchanged. I hope it’s not just your appearance that remains the same. Surely you’re not still dreaming?”
“I have no idea what you mean.”
As Sa Daeryong casually threw out his remark, I saw a slight crack in the man’s ever-present smile.
He paused briefly, patched up the crack, and continued in a friendly tone.
“Everyone dreams. Even animals are said to dream…”
“Enough of that. I must admit, I was surprised by your swift movements once Senior Hae Wolhwa stepped aside. Were you waiting for an opportune moment to strike down your rival?”
Sa Daeryong pressed with pointed questions, almost as if accusing him of knowingly allowing things to unfold just to exploit the situation when the time was right.
From his perspective, Paechun had been on the verge of securing a basket full of ripe fruits.
They could have risen to the pinnacle of power by destroying their rival and seizing all their holdings.
If only Heukryeon hadn’t stepped in to protect the successor and declared their return to the Supreme Council.
His superhuman patience, masked with a smile, was almost admirable.
“Waiting for the right time? That’s a rather harsh statement. How could I let personal feelings influence matters concerning the future of the nation?”
The man shrugged it off with an amiable gesture.
“Besides, I only learned of this later. When my daughter enacted emergency measures and reported back, you can’t imagine my surprise.”
“Your daughter?”
“Oh, I apologize. I haven’t introduced her.”
The Heukryeon couple finally turned their attention to the person behind the man.
He stepped aside hastily, as if he had forgotten, revealing a modestly dressed young girl in full view from the shadows of the pillars.
“Go ahead and greet them. They are the seniors who guided your father during his days at Cradle.”
“Nice to meet you. I’m Baek Seoyeon. It’s an honor to meet the esteemed Heukryeon couple.”
At the man’s gesture, she stepped forward and bowed.
For the first time today, the Heukryeon couple nodded, appearing to understand something.
“I see… So you had your reasons for defending her so staunchly.”
“Haha, perhaps it’s my age, but I find myself more attached to my daughter than to the rugged young men. However…”
The man then turned his gaze towards me.
“Hmm, the second son.”
Though still smiling, his eyes were sharp and piercing beneath the mask, making me feel a slight nausea sweep over me.
“Well, the harmony between you two was renowned even back at Cradle. Nothing surprising here.”
But the probing gaze quickly dissipated.
“Congratulations, senior. You’ve produced yet another Category 1 mage. And both of them male. Heukryeon is still Heukryeon, after all.”
With a congenial expression, he extended his hand towards me.
“Nice to meet you. I’m Baek Ilyong.”
“…”
T h is w a s c op i e d f r o m k i ng m t l .o r g
The moment I heard his name, I understood why he had seemed familiar since the beginning.
He had a flawless first impression.
His handsome appearance and seemingly genuine smile.
His unassuming demeanor and dedication to public service made his overwhelming popularity and support from the masses seem inevitable.
With a solid business foundation and loyal retainers, Paechun had been on an unstoppable rise since his inauguration as head of the family.
But upon hearing his name, what came to mind first was a conversation with the headmaster when I first arrived at Cradle.
‘The head of Paechun is a dangerous man. Everyone knows he harbors ambitions beyond his means. His daughter follows his path with unparalleled fidelity.’
The headmaster had shared this while asking me to support Yeon Minha.
He had also mentioned that Baek Ilyong held an especially deep grudge against the commander.
This was the decisive factor that led me to accept his request and engage with Yeon Minha, leading to today.
Th i s w as c op i e d f r o m k in g m t l . o rg
The headmaster must have had reasons for leaving such a warning. It’s clear why the Heukryeon couple regards him with caution.
Thinking of him as someone who bears a deep grudge against the commander, I had to suppress the urge to crush his head on the spot.
T hi s w a s c o p i e d f ro m k i n g m t l .o r g
I instinctively raised my hand to check if my mask was secure.
Paechun’s retinue frequently visited the village, so they likely reported on my presence there.
At the time, I was close to that girl.
‘So I decided to erase that nightmare. You know? For a family like ours, that’s not a big deal.’
‘I was never in that village. I’m a cherished daughter receiving the head’s devoted love, never having left the capital.’
‘No one will believe a word you say.’
‘Naturally. Who would believe the boasting of a country bumpkin like you?’
With just a small spark, memories of that day vividly resurfaced as if they happened yesterday.
Each word, a thorn, stabbing at my heart.
“…”
If he discovers that the boy from then is now me, it won’t end well.
That girl admitted it herself.
No one who remembers a past they wish to forget is welcome.
She might even think it fortunate that the village was destroyed by demons.
Fortunately, as long as this mask remains, they won’t discover my identity.
T h is w as c o p i e d f r o m k i n g mt l . o r g
No traces of that time remain.
Not my height, voice, or identity.
That child… died in the flames long ago.
Thi s w a s c o p i e d fr om k i n gm t l .or g
“It is an honor to meet the head of Paechun.”
With that thought, I steadied myself and shook his extended hand.
There was no reason to reveal my hostility now. It would only ruin things.
Especially when someone stands before me, smiling while confronting an enemy.
I don’t know the nature of his grudge against the commander, but those mysteries can be solved in time.
“…Welcome to the Five Families.”
With a peculiar smile, he shook my arm slightly.
With two people I found difficult to confront, I was about to retreat behind the Heukryeon couple.
Unexpectedly, a voice called out to me from an unforeseen direction.
This wa s c opi e d f r o m k i n g m tl . o r g
“Uh, excuse me…”
T h i s wa s c op i e d f r om k i n gm t l .o rg
“…?”
With the clicking of heels, a sweet fragrance suddenly wafted over.
I questioned my hearing multiple times, but it was unmistakably directed at me.
Long, silky black hair swayed before my eyes.
“So…are you feeling okay?”
Even as I pondered her intent, the questions continued.
Standing before me was a girl, her cheeks flushed, head slightly bowed, but her eyes meeting mine.
End of Chapter