Chapter 24
The Worm Within the Lion’s Body (4)
This is baffling.
‘Why is he acting like this all of a sudden?’
Kang Yong-woon was utterly perplexed.
Of course, the Red Dragon King had his own hidden intentions.
‘There’s no way I can just let this mysterious brat slip away. Absolutely not.’
He wanted to keep him close by, no matter what.
‘His martial arts may be shabby now, but that won’t last long. He’s bound to grow explosively.’
Even in the middle of battle, he had witnessed it clearly.
Yong-woon had held out against a martial artist who was clearly the leader of the renegade spirit summoners. Then he manipulated Pungundae as if they were puppets on strings, easily subduing them.
‘Ah, such a shame. If only I had a granddaughter around his age, wouldn’t it be great to pair them up while he’s here in the Lotus?’
That would have been quite the solid and comforting alliance.
“Did you say you were twenty, Kang Dae-hyup?”
“Ah! Yes, twenty.”
Noticing something in the Red Dragon King’s demeanor, Yeom Gi-jin immediately stepped in to support him.
“Then since I just turned nineteen this year, that makes you my elder brother. Nice to meet you, hyungnim. I am Yeom Gi-jin. Hahaha.”
“Ah, ha, haha—. N-nice to meet you, little brother.”
How could anyone spit on a smiling face?
‘As expected of the Grand Heir of the Black Lotus. His awareness, brazenness, and ability to act are all exceptional.’
Even while grasping what the two were up to, Kang Yong-woon simply laughed it off.
‘Anyway, they’re showing goodwill toward me. Why should I nitpick?’
Besides, there was something more important to handle now.
“Lotus Lord.”
“I told you, call me Grandfather!”
Good grief—!
Calling him that wasn’t going to make him part of the Black Lotus, you know?!
“Yes, Grandfather.”
“Good, speak.”
“Since Brother Gi-jin has woken up, shouldn’t we begin?”
A spark flickered in the Red Dragon King’s eyes.
“Yes. It’s time to begin.”
He leapt up and strode to the foot of the sickbed.
He tugged one of the cords hanging at the headboard. A bell chimed in the distance.
A moment later, a heavy voice called from outside.
“Are you there, Lord Lotus?!”
“The Grand Heir’s illness has reached the crossroads of life and death. Go at once, summon the Young Lotus Lord, and tell her to bring every medicinal herb I requested here without delay. Go—!”
The Red Dragon King’s urgent voice rang out.
Heehee.
Kang Yong-woon and Yeom Gi-jin glanced at each other and grinned.
For in the long conversation between the Red Dragon King and Gi-jin earlier, Yong-woon’s plan had already been shared.
“Do you think the traitor will take the bait?”
“The news that the Grand Heir stands at death’s door is enough. If there is a traitor within the Black Lotus colluding with the renegades, their desires will already be at odds.”
“Indeed. The renegades wanted to keep my grandson alive and return him to the Black Lotus, while the traitor here must have thought the exact opposite.”
“Exactly, Grandfather. Which means at least one of the herbs will have been tampered with, won’t it?”
“Hrm—!”
The Red Dragon King’s face hardened grimly.
“I hope such a thing won’t come to pass… but if it does?”
A chilling aura swept through the room in an instant, so cold it made goosebumps prickle.
It was the killing intent of the Red Dragon King.
How much time had passed?
“Gi-jin—!”
“My son—!”
With anguished cries, the Young Lotus Lord and his wife rushed inside.
“Your father has brought the medicines!”
“It’s Mother, Jin-ah! Sob…”
Tearful cries and sobbing.
But the moment they entered and the door closed, their faces shifted.
‘How was my acting?’
‘Convincing enough, Father?’
The couple even gave the Red Dragon King a thumbs-up, beaming.
Indeed—
His earlier message had been their cue: Gi-jin was already recovered, and the operation was to begin.
“It’s done. I’ve blocked all sound, no need to keep acting.”
“Hahaha. I nearly burst out laughing, Father.”
“Thank you, Father. Without you, our Jin-ah truly would have been…”
Yeom Jung-ho, the Young Lotus Lord, shared his father’s icy gaze. But his wife, Yoo Young-hwa, could not hide her trembling voice of gratitude.
“Father. Mother. I am sorry, your son…”
“Ahem. You are safe, that is enough. From now on, focus all the more on training so such a thing never happens again.”
As expected, the parents’ reactions differed.
Yeom Jung-ho wanted his son to use this ordeal as a spur to greater cultivation, while Yoo Young-hwa simply rushed forward and threw her arms around Gi-jin.
“My son—!”
“Mother—!”
“…Carry on. Ahem.”
Yeom Jung-ho could only watch awkwardly as mother and son embraced.
“Enough for now.”
The Red Dragon King settled the matter.
“This child here is Kang Yong-woon.”
“Ah!”
“He claims to be a strategist for the Martial Alliance’s Army Division, though I doubt it.”
A wry smile crossed Yong-woon’s lips.
‘So he’s already figured it out.’
No surprise. His interactions with Jegal Hye-ryeong and Pungundae had been too distant and suspicious for them to truly be comrades.
But the Red Dragon King seemed unconcerned.
With the same warmth, he revealed his decision.
“I have taken him as my adopted son.”
Yeom Jung-ho had remained calm even when the Martial Alliance was mentioned. But at those words, his eyes flared.
“I see.”
Though his reply was plain, his gaze swept Yong-woon sharply from head to toe.
And then—
‘What?!’
His eyes widened, just as the Red Dragon King and Jegal Sun-hu’s had.
‘How can his aura be so pure? Yet his martial skill is only at the edge of first-rate?! This makes no sense!’
Truly fitting of the Black Lotus’s next leader, he saw through everything at once.
But—
“Young man, may I call you ‘Un-ah’?”
Yoo Young-hwa was different.
Leaving her son, she approached Yong-woon, grasped his hands, and welcomed him with unexpected warmth.
“Thank you for saving Jin-ah.”
“No, I only—”
Her grip tightened.
With deep sincerity, she spoke.
“As one of the Martial Alliance, how much resolve must it have taken to throw yourself into the affairs of the Black Lotus? I cannot imagine.”
“Ah! I, well…”
“I know you risked your life simply to save another. Even without my father-in-law’s words, I would have regarded you as family. Welcome, son.”
She pulled him into a tight embrace.
Yong-woon was flustered.
But only for a moment.
‘With someone like her…’
The warmth was overwhelming.
Having neither parents nor siblings, Yong-woon suddenly recalled his childhood memories of his mother’s arms.
“Let us save the joyous talk for after this business is finished, my wife.”
“Yes, of course, Lord.”
Yeom Jung-ho grinned smugly, as though thinking, ‘What a fine wife I have.’ His gaze turned back to Yong-woon.
“Here, take this.”
He offered the wooden case.
Inside were the very herbs Yong-woon had whispered about to the Red Dragon King before they set out.
“They’re not so rare that everyone would know them, but each is worthy enough to make anyone nod in approval, yes?”
“Yes. Ku-yeop Seoncho, Cheonjong Ginseng, Hundred-Year Hsu-oh, Ji-ryeong Root, Golden Fruit. As you requested, I had each one gathered by the most suspicious individuals.”
Yong-woon’s voice grew heavy.
“Then let’s begin.”
“Yes, let us.”
The Red Dragon King’s eyes gleamed as he rose, exuding a frosty aura as he strode outside.
“Shall we start, Lord?”
“Where to first?”
Outside stood the Red Dragon Captain, the Red Dragon Guard, and even mysterious warriors cloaked in black from head to toe.
Yong-woon’s lips curved into a satisfied smile.
‘Honestly, what do I really know about herbs?’
The herbs were merely bait—
to lure out the enemy within.
“Are all preparations complete?”
“Yes, Lord. The Red Dragon Guard and the Discipline Hall have already cut off every escape route for those who brought the herbs, and secured their bodies. We only await your command.”
The Red Dragon King strode forward.
“To the Medical Hall.”
“Yes, Lord!”
At the Captain’s firm reply, everyone—including the Red Dragon King and Kang Yong-woon—marched toward the Medical Hall.
‘Hoo—! Hopefully none have learned renegade martial arts…’
That was the very reason Yong-woon had joined this plan, despite his lack of skill.
Others might be fooled, but once someone used internal energy, his eyes would not be deceived.
‘That disgusting red aura… If they practice renegade martial arts, even if not identical, it will surely resemble it.’
Still, the enemy within might be a mere traitor, not a renegade.
Hence this method—brutal but certain.
Soon, the Medical Hall came into view, surrounded by Red Dragon troops who tightly controlled entry and exit.
“Greetings, Lord Lotus.”
“Lord Lotus…”
The Red Dragon King ignored the greetings, striding in.
“Lord Lotus! What is all this?!”
The Medical Hall Master looked startled. The Red Dragon King handed him Ku-yeop Seoncho.
“You procured this herb, did you not?”
“Yes, but…”
“No excuses. I order you to eat it before me.”
“W-what?!”
The Master’s eyes widened—then narrowed as he realized the Red Dragon King’s intent.
“Lord Lotus, do you suspect me?”
His face flushed with anger.
The Red Dragon King was cold.
“No. I merely seek to confirm our long friendship. I will apologize later in detail. But eat. Right. Now.”
There was no way out.
He had to eat the herb.
“Very well. I’ll eat it.”
Eyes burning with fury, the Master shoved the herb into his mouth, chewed, and swallowed.
“Are you satisfied?”
“…!”
The Red Dragon King said nothing, staring at him as if waiting for the effects to show.
‘Hmm. He isn’t circulating his qi.’
Yong-woon saw the man’s dantian was calm.
Shaken with anger, yes, but he was not suppressing the herb with internal energy.
‘More importantly, there’s none of that foul aura the renegades had.’
His qi was rough, fitting for a Black Lotus martial artist—
but not repulsive.
The Red Dragon King glanced at Yong-woon.
‘He’s clear, Grandfather.’
Yong-woon nodded.
“My apologies for the suspicion. I will ensure full explanation, apology, and recompense for today.”
“Lord Lotus—!”
“When you hear my reasons, you will understand. Please bear with me.”
Though still angry, the Master’s expression softened somewhat.
“Fine. I’ll wait.”
“Thank you.”
That was it.
The Red Dragon King turned and left.
“Next!”
“Yes, Lord. To the General’s Office.”
And so the Red Dragon King began his tour.
From the Medical Hall to the General’s Office, and through all others whose behavior during Gi-jin’s abduction had been suspicious.
Fortunately, all were clear.
They consumed their herbs without issue, and no traces of renegade qi were seen.
‘Hoo—! Only one remains…’
The last herb, the Golden Fruit, was for the Patrol Hall Master.
He had reduced Gi-jin’s escort forces drastically during the abduction, diverting them to unnecessary disputes.
‘If even the Patrol Hall Master is clean, then I’ll have stirred up a hornet’s nest for nothing.’
Yong-woon felt his cheeks flush hot.
‘Still… it’s for the best.’
Though it might have planted seeds of mistrust toward their subordinates, at least this gave them an opportunity to thoroughly inspect the inner circle.
At last, they arrived at the Patrol Hall.
There, alongside the Red Dragon Guard, more than a hundred warriors of the Black Lotus’s elite corps, the Black Dragon Guard, had surrounded and secured the place.
But then—
‘Hm? Something’s off…’
Yong-woon narrowed his eyes.
For right before him was a scene undeniably suspicious.
