CH 9
Sahaeryeong has no chance in this succession war...
"Why?"
"While it may seem the Dragon Lord currently supports former Lord Narak's faction, this won't last. The First and Second Princes will be first to overthrow her."
A soft sigh escaped. Chwi Hongran had been renowned since childhood for her exceptional intellect, even within the Moyong family. Her predictions carried significant weight.
Jang Yi-seo shared this assessment. Six months at most - Sahaeryeong would be the first succession candidate to fall within that timeframe.
'But only until I intervene. She must remain our shield until the Seventh Prince consolidates power.'
The challenges ahead were numerous, each formidable yet not insurmountable.
"How's our troublemaker?"
When Jang Yi-seo changed subjects, Chwi Hongran subtly glanced toward the curtained window. Parting the drapes slightly revealed their subject clearly visible nearby.
"What're you staring at? Wanna die? Hahaha!"
The drunken nuisance roared through the night streets - a hopeless delinquent acting like spoiled brat.
"Mao..."
Jang Yi-seo's lips curved.
Exactly. The Seventh Prince, Mao.
His extended stay at Chwiseonru wasn't solely for awaiting Jinsan Papa.
Swish - Jang Yi-seo closed the curtains and lifted an empty cup. Hongran promptly refilled it.
"Though royalty, he consorts with thugs. The Cult Leader revoked his access token and cut support. We still feed him here, but... the establishment suffers considerable losses."
"Keep accommodating him. We'll collect every copper owed eventually."
"Yes. I'll compile a detailed report on the Seventh Prince shortly."
"Reliable as ever."
As Jang Yi-seo gazed windowward, Hongran hid her fidgeting mouth behind bowed head. She burned with questions - his sudden interest in Mao, his casual blasphemies against the Heavenly Demon Cult's leadership, yet their pact forbade inquiries. She understood - even this restraint served to protect her.
"Soon I'll become that fool's advisor."
He answered her unspoken thoughts. Hongran's head snapped up, cheeks flushed with poorly concealed excitement.
"Is that feasible?"
When she smiled with childlike eagerness, Jang Yi-seo mirrored her amusement.
"Three days. I'll infiltrate his palace."
"Gasp How?!" Her genuine astonishment pleased him. Even after years, he remained an enigma - his influence surely extended far beyond Chwiseonru.
"First, proper introductions are due."
Jang Yi-seo's eyes glinted.
The final match against Mao approached.
Seventh Prince's Palace, Wolha Village, Demonic Cult
South of Chwiseonru past Hongye Bridge lay dense bamboo forests concealing a mid-sized estate - the forbidden Seventh Prince's residence. Fewer visitors came than ants, only Sahaeryeong's occasional cleaning crews.
Naturally. Why else "delinquent prince"?
Today's middle-aged messenger delivering Third Princess's edict clearly wished himself elsewhere.
"Repeat."
At twenty, Mao's noble bearing could rival any great family's heir - towering frame, Mount Tai shoulders, piercing gaze, and flame-red hair swept back from his forehead. A peerless handsome rogue.
"Who's coming?"
Sans decorum, he lounged in the hallway having kicked open the door, leaving his guest stranded outside.
"T-Two days hence... Third Princess commands you welcome an advisor..." The messenger stammered, turtle-necked with fear.
Mao sprang up, arm-locking the man's head in a vicious armpit hold.
"Advisor? Repeat!"
"Ghkk- Third Princess... sends advisor..."
"Ludicrous! My sister? Assigning me help? Hahaha!"
"Ca...n't... breathe!"
Thud - The messenger crashed into a corner, Mao's brute strength impressive sans internal energy.
"Positions!"
Sniveling, the messenger scrambled back as Mao sprawled cross-legged.
"Name?"
"Jang Yi-seo, my lord."
"Jang Yi-su? Unknown."
"Yi-seo, your highness."
"Whatever. Family?"
"...A commoner outsider, my prince."
"Commoner? Heaven's child? Hah!"
"Not that 'cheon'- Your joke humbles me. Surely he possesses inheritance?"
"Assets, my lord. Not inheritance unless..."
The messenger paled at Mao's glare, kowtowing.
"Position then! Advisors need credentials. Faction leader level?"
The messenger hesitated before cautiously replying.
“Not quite the sect leader, but a step below that.”
“What? Vice sect leader?”
“Not the vice sect leader either, slightly lower…”
“What? Hahaha! Just like my status – endlessly sinking. What, a grand leader?”
“Not quite the grand leader…”
“What… Don’t tell me it’s a sub-grand leader?”
“Not the sub-grand leader either.”
“Hey, you little shit! What’s lower than that?!”
“A squad leader. Third squad leader of the anti-espionage unit.”
Aaaagh! Mao screamed as crash! The wardrobe collapsed. The lion clamped its ears shut and squeezed its eyes closed.
How much time had passed?
Mao, now fully enraged, finally exhaled and spoke.
“But since my sister sent him, I should at least take him in, right?”
“Yes, that would be proper.”
“Right. Exactly. That’s how it should be. You make sense. Fine. I’ll accept him… then strip him bare and toss him out.”
“Huh? Isn’t that robbery?”
“Who cares? He’s my aide. Everything he owns is mine. Right?”
Yeah, you’re right, you little shit.
The lion nodded dazedly. This man was beyond reason. Nodding vaguely and escaping was the path to survival.
Seemingly satisfied, Mao waved his hand dismissively – a clear “get lost.”
The lion retreated cautiously, fearing a change of heart. Just as it turned to leave:
Mao stared blankly at the ceiling and added,
“Tell my sister I’m grateful.”
“Huh? Yes.”
“And leave it.”
“Leave what…?”
“The pouch in your clothes. Drop it and go.”
Damn it. The lion grimaced and reached into its robes. Pulling out a coin purse, it removed a few coins and asked,
“How much…?”
“Want to leave naked?”
“No…”
With trembling hands, the lion set down the entire purse. It then fled the bamboo grove like a hunted animal.
He’s even madder than the rumors.
What baffled me most was how this lunatic refrained from casual murder. If he didn’t…
The lion’s trembling eyes turned glacial upon exiting the forest.
“He’d have died by my hand long ago.”
Schhlick! The lion ripped off its face.
A human skin mask.
More exquisite than even the Third Princess’s.
Few in the Demon Sect could craft such masterpieces.
No – likely only one.
“You thieving bastard! Stealing my money? The siblings are both deranged!”
Jang Yi-seo – Murim Alliance spy who breathed money.
No, now Jang Yi-seo the aide.
He’d come disguised as a lion earlier.
“Right. Never thought you’d be easy.”
The Dark Edge’s mission wasn’t to become an aide, but to make him sub-sect leader.
But this rotten-brained madman was hopeless.
Only one path remained.
“You need lessons from your brother.”
Jang Yi-seo’s mouth twisted into a vicious smirk.
Mao – Seventh Prince of the Demon Sect, the lunatic.
Jang Yi-seo – Dark Edge’s top operative.
Their bloody coexistence began now.
– Murim Alliance, Hubei Branch – Dark Edge
Jeongal Somyi sorted through letters in a cramped, lightless room.
Messages varied in content and encryption – braille, ink-reactive powder texts – all covert reports from field agents.
None came directly, having passed through countless relays.
‘Why no lamps? My eyes are dying.’
She sighed deeply. Her martial arts enabled reading in darkness, but without even a night pearl? Appalling working conditions.
And why the mask mandate?
“Suffocating.”
Only she and her grandfather Jeongal Sang had headquarters access. Yet they walked home unmasked, hand-in-hand – absurd.
“Maybe transfer? This’ll ruin my marriage prospects.”
A valid concern. She was growing weary of this stagnant job anyway.
“Hm?”
Her fingers paused on braille characters. She removed her mask, tracing the dots intently.
Two characters shocked her:
【Palace Infiltration】
From Agent 103 – his first report since the mission.
“Infiltration? He entered the Seventh Restricted Palace already? So soon?”
Unthinkable. The mission was recent, yet he’d breached the forbidden inner court.
Thudthud. Her bored heart quickened.
“Is he actually making the Seventh Prince sub-sect leader? No way. Could it…?”
The “impossible” mission she’d assigned… was moving.
#Needs Lessons From His Brother (3)
