Drip, drip, drip.
The amber-colored liquor filled the precious glass, clearly standing out in the rather ordinary room.
Under heaven's finest, the scent alone revealed the quality of the liquor.
But even after the glass was filled, the liquor continued to pour. Eventually, it overflowed, spilling onto the tray.
Some of the onlookers seemed uneasy as they watched. It was evident they were nervous.
The old man, Ji Sang, who was sweating unconsciously, cautiously spoke up as he observed the person holding the bottle.
"My lord..."
Zzzt!
As if the voice were a signal, the bottle shattered into pieces, spraying fragments in all directions.
"Sir Palace Lord!"
The old man exclaimed in alarm, but the person who caused the situation showed no change in expression.
"It's been several days since the war ended, hasn't it?"
As he poured the liquor with rough hands, he watched the liquid flow silently.
"I've shed enough blood, and victory has been secured perfectly. But... to be stuck in this shabby room, drinking alone. It's pathetic."
"...I apologize, Sir Palace Lord."
"Such nonsense. This is a mockery of myself. Is this why I came here?"
The eyes of Jin Pyeong, the South Sea Sun Palace lord, twisted ominously.
There was not a single corner he found pleasing.
He felt like this glass of liquor. Just as the glass seemed out of place in this shabby room, he, too, was not meant to be in such a place. If he wasn't going to tread the Central Plains' land boldly, there was no reason for him to have come all this way.
Yet here he was, wasting time in this shabby room. If the royal family members who hoped he would trample the Central Plains knew about this, how much would they ridicule him?
The Palace Lord emptied the glass in one gulp.
The scent filled his mouth, but he couldn't even properly taste it in his anger.
"Is this the way of the Central Plains? To be so weak and indecisive?"
The more he thought about it, the less it made sense.
After a great battle, there was supposed to be a period of peace, but this didn't seem like peace to him.
It was simply irresponsible silence. Nothing more, nothing less.
Trying not to touch the deeply uncomfortable thoughts, the old man cautiously spoke up.
"It's only natural to feel frustrated, Palace Lord."
"...What do you mean?"
"The Central Plains may have more power than Linyi, but that's only when comparing countries and regions. How many individuals like Palace Lord are there among them?"
"...."
"It's only natural and fair that the shortcomings of these inadequate people do not catch the eye of Palace Lord. So please don't be too frustrated. They are survivors of the previous chaos, where the unworthy fought among themselves. How dare they discuss deeply, even though they have gained power and fame?"
It was sweet.
It was natural. After all, their existence value was solely that. Normally, Jin Pyeong would have immediately relaxed and laughed heartily at such words. After all, what would those lowly evil sect people or foolish righteous sect people know to satisfy him?
But now, even with the drink, such words did not come out.
Perhaps it was because he knew that his situation was no different from this glass. Occupying a place where he didn't belong, yet unable to do anything himself, like a glass waiting for someone to pour the drink.
The Sun Palace Lord's eyes sank heavily.
- What a kind child.
The glass trembled.
A kind child. Had he ever heard such words in his life?
As a child who couldn't even speak properly, he had been a figure who received reverence from everyone since he was born. If he hadn't entered the Sun Palace, he could have at least gained a position as a nobleman, if not something greater.
And yet, the Sun Palace Lord, born into royalty, to be called such a thing by a mere mortal...
"Palace Lord. There's no need to concern yourself with them. Right now, they are just ignorant."
"Quiet."
"Before long, they will realize how brilliant and magnificent our Palace Lord is, and they will bow their heads in humility..."
Bang!
With a loud thud, the old man stumbled backward.
Thunk. Thud.
A jade cup, filled not with the amber liquid it previously held, but with a crimson substance, crashed to the ground.
Thud.
The sound of Sun Palace Lord's steps echoed sharply.
"I told you to shut your snout."
Those present, overwhelmed by the clear killing intent, quickly lowered their heads, afraid to even meet his gaze.
Sun Palace Lord rubbed his face with trembling hands.
'Tyrant...'
Had anyone ever brought him such humiliation in his lifetime?
What was more humiliating was his current situation—unable to even confront Jang Ilso for his incomprehensible actions.
Why?
Sun Palace Lord groaned. He was angry, and he was desperate.
Because he knew the answer better than anyone.
"Bring more alcohol."
"..."
"Immediately!"
"Yes! Yes, Palace Lord!"
The ones bowing their heads hurriedly rushed to the door. As they competed to be the first out, they flung the door open in their haste.
"Huh?"
Everyone froze in place. There stood one person at the door.
"Pai..."
With a splendid aura, a face as fair as snow but with a touch of wrath, jet-black hair, pale eyes, and unnaturally crimson lips.
As they faced Jang Ilso up close, they stiffened like mice encountering a snake. Jang Ilso's gloomy gaze swept over them as if examining insects.
"Hmm."
A slight smile played on Jang Ilso's lips as he spoke.
"Could you step aside?"
However, not a single person moved. Though they heard his words, they couldn't interpret them as 'intent'—only fear.
When Jang Ilso furrowed his brows slightly, a voice came from behind.
"Let him in."
Barely regaining their senses at Sun Palace Lord's command, they turned to look back. They quickly stepped aside, creating a clear path. Slowly, Jang Ilso entered the room.
Squelch. Squish. Thud.
His crimson shoes tread upon the ground, staining it with mingled blood and spilled alcohol. Jang Ilso glanced briefly at the fallen man and then raised his head.
"Such... such violence..."
His gaze then shifted to Sun Palace Lord.
"Feeling stifled?"
"Thanks to someone."
The response was curt.
"Well, it's understandable. But... would you rather relieve your frustration on your subordinates? Tsk tsk. How pathetic."
Sun Palace Lord clenched his fist tightly.
Whether he had an aim or if the mere presence of that person turned everything upside down, each word, each expression, stirred up turmoil within him.
"Perhaps. But wouldn't it seem inappropriate to listen to someone who, despite grasping victory, indulged in debauchery and wasted time?"
"Hmm?"
Jang Ilso's eyes glimmered with a subtle killing intent in response to Sun Palace Lord's rebuttal. However, for this moment, Sun Palace Lord met his gaze without flinching.
Yet Jang Ilso's eyes soon softened. His tone seemed mocking, almost provoking.
"Debauchery... No, no. Let's call it refinement instead. Doesn't that sound more dignified?"
Sun Palace Lord unconsciously bit his lip.
If only Jang Ilso had openly expressed anger and resentment, it might have been better. But now, Jang Ilso was laughing incessantly. As if Sun Palace Lord was not his opponent. As if he were dealing with a spoiled child, not the esteemed Palace Lord. It was like facing a fully grown elder against a new, inexperienced child, deliberately avoiding a direct confrontation.
Such a gaze was unfamiliar to him. No, it was something he couldn't get used to, and shouldn't get used to.
"It seems you have many grievances against me. Well then... what does our esteemed Palace Lord wish to do?"
Sun Palace Lord's eyes narrowed.
"Do you not know?"
"Then why ask if you know?"
Sun Palace Lord was left speechless.
Retreating at that moment was understandable. That was certainly the right decision.
But with the defeat of the enemy and the collapse of the command structure itself, attacking in such a vulnerable situation was only natural.
Due to Jang Ilso's unexpected betrayal, the Four Tyrants Alliance had missed the opportunity they had worked so hard to seize. It was a perfect opportunity for victory slipping away.
Yet Sun Palace Lord's silence was because he believed Jang Ilso would not be unaware of this fact.
When Sun Palace Lord nervously bit his lip, Jang Ilso let out a faint laugh.
"Victory... don't worry about it. The victory you fear hasn't disappeared. In fact, you could say there's now an even clearer opportunity to grasp victory."
"...What are you talking about?"
"Would you like to know?"
Jang Ilso took a step closer to Sun Palace Lord.
At that moment, Sun Palace Lord, Jin Pyeong, felt a sensation as if his breath was being cut off.
'This person... something...'
It was different. Something was clearly different from what he had seen before.
What should he call it? If the previous Jang Ilso was like someone hiding a dagger in their smile, now it was like someone holding that dagger right in front of his throat. The tension was palpable, as if one wrong move could result in his throat being slit.
"It's not difficult to tell you. But before that, there's one thing I need to confirm."
"W... What?"
"What do you want?"
Sun Palace Lord's eyes filled with suspicion at the meaning behind the cryptic words.
"Tell me what you want. Then I'll tell you how to get what you want. In exchange... you just need to give me something very small."
"Alliance Lord..."
"We don't have time."
The words brought a brief silence to the room. It was a momentary pause, as if time itself had stopped.
And in that moment, Sun Palace Lord saw it. The raw, unrefined keenness in Jang Ilso's face that was usually masked by his laughter. It was as if he could strip away everything with his gaze.
"Now, we must hurry. Before it collapses. Before everything I need, everything you need, disappears."
"Wha..."
"Isn't it better this way? There's no need to think about the future. Even if we lose everything, there won't be anything to regret, right? Isn't that so? Haha. Hahaha. Hahahaha!"
As Jang Ilso's words poured out rapidly, Sun Palace Lord's face turned pale.
'Who is this person...?'
Jang Ilso was smiling a ghostly white smile. Unlike usual, he looked precarious, somewhere between nervous and anxious.
He looked at Sun Palace Lord as if examining him.
"Go ahead and speak. You need to be the one to start the fireworks of this beginning."
Sun Palace Lord's mouth slowly opened as if bewitched.
Hu Jiaming, who had been observing the whole scene from the threshold, felt a heavy weight settle in his eyes.