Chapter 223

**Season 2, Chapter 137:** Yang Jeonghak sits down for a snack and drink, and has a conversation with Soh Jinhong. The swordsman asks Jeonghak on his true identity and why he keeps following him. At that, Jeonghak just says he's the captain of intelligence for the Baekma Valley and is helping him on orders of his leader. However, Jinhong remains unconvinced and after a moment of silence, Jeonghak wonders why he is so adamant about it. Jinhong mentions that any stranger is a potential enemy to him and the same holds true for the leader of the Baekma Valley. Jeonghak then finally reveals that before being a man of the Murim, he was an official from the "Grand General's Command", a military organization under the direct command of the Emperor, though his position is a perfunctory one.

Yang Jeonghak further explains that the main task of his illusionist agency are to manage the imperial library, tell fortunes, and collect ancient relics and documents by travelling across the country. He also reveals that the agency originally belonged to the internal court but after being involved in some kind of conspiracy, jurisdiction was turned over to the Grand General's Command (something that happened before he was born). In addition, one of their main duties are to identify organizations involved in sorcery as well as to manage them. When Jeonghak's superior retired due to ill health, he took over his duties and his identity in the Murim is fabricated using connecting in the Grand General's Command. Jeonghak then notes that since he spent such a long time with his fake identity, he is conflicted on whether he is truly an imperial official on a mission or a captain for the Baekma Valley.

When Soh Jinghong wonders what his background has to do with Yang Jeonghak following him around, he answers that there was once a young genius sorcerer (Hwan Sa) who used a forbidden spell to bring a dead animal back to life, and though it was very small and died the next day, that kind of incident could throw the world into confusion so the agency was shook up about it. They were ordered to arrest everyone involved immediately but had to go through formalities due to the pact signed between the imperial house and the Murim. When they finally went to arrest the perpetrators, Hwan Sa's clan was already annihilated. Jeonghak further explains that one agent was on a secret mission and found traces of Hwan Sa's and Chamberlain Huang's (the Old Man) whereabouts but became ill in the middle of the investigation and handed the mission over to him. Jeonghak ends by revealing to Jinhong that the young genius sorcerer was Hwan Sa and Chamberlain Huang is the Old Man.

After Soh Jinhong wonders why Yang Jeonghak hasn't arrested him yet, the latter notes that he is holding back for him to get his revenge. Unconvinced, Jinhong accuses Jeonghak of holding back because the Old Man is too much for him to handle. Jeonghak admits he was no match for Hwan Sa but thankfully Gang Ryong took care of him instead. However, he also notes that the Old Man is no problem for him to deal with in illusion or martial art skills. Jeonghak mentions that the Old Man is not a martial arts master and was only able to survive the Thousand Sage Flash Sword due to his illusion throwing off Jinhong's aim. He further notes that the Old Man is only avoiding Jinhong instead of using his formidable illusions to overpower the latter due to the presence of Jeonghak who can break them instantly. After Jeonghak explains that the Old Man wasn't being considerate out of sympathy and is a master at manipulation, Jinhong replies that he knows. However, Jeonghak mentions that in his opinion, it seems like Jinhong has already been tricked by the Old Man since he had several chances to make a move on him but didn't. With Jinhong refusing to explain why, Jeonghak says that the young man kept him from from dealing with the old man and that even if it was unintentional, he will have to consider Jinhong an accomplice and thus marked for death. At that, they glare into each other's eyes and Jeonghak comes to a realization. Getting up, he tells Jinhong to keep in mind what he said before leaving.

Withdrawing to his inn, an unknown person asks Yang Jeonghak if Soh Jinhong gave a convincing reason for his inaction, and the former says that he did.

## Appearing Characters

* Gang Ryong (flashback)
* Hwan Sa (flashback)
* Old Man (flashback)
* Soh Jinhong
* Yang Jeonghak