“I need the head of the Young Master you serve.”
‘!?’
At the words of Ha Chae-rin, the Flying Kill Sect Master, Guard Go Chan was momentarily speechless. He had wondered for what purpose she sought to enter the Lotuswood Sword Manor, but this was nothing short of bewildering.
“Wh-what do you mean by that?”
“Exactly what you heard. I’m here to take the head of the man called Mok Gyeong-un.”
Go Chan’s mind grew complicated. Assassins had several rules. One of them was that as long as they belonged to an assassin sect, killing without a commission was forbidden.
That applied even to the Sect Master. Go Chan swallowed dryly and asked, “... Have you received a commission?”
“No.” “What?”
At the swift reply, Go Chan furrowed his brow. She hadn't received a commission, yet she came for Mok Gyeong-un’s head? What was this all about?
To the puzzled Go Chan, Ha Chae-rin said, twirling a strand of her hair, “A piece of information came in from someone at the Lotuswood Sword Manor.”
“Information?”
“Intermediate-level Assassin Number Twenty-Nine.”
Thump!
Go Chan’s heart pounded in his chest. Intermediate-level Assassin Number Twenty-Nine.
‘Senior Brother Gam.’
It was the assassin number of his senior brother, Gam I-cheong. Stroking the chin of the stone-faced Go Chan, Ha Chae-rin said, “I heard that Number Twenty-Nine, no, Uncle Gam, was killed by the Mok family’s third young master, Mok Gyeong-un.”
“…”
“It was unexpected. That the third young master of the Mok family, a mere third-rate, could kill a first-rate master who was once an intermediate-level assassin of the Flying Kill Sect with a decent track record.”
“…”
“But there’s something even more puzzling. As I recall, Uncle Go’s mentor was Uncle Gam… so why is Uncle Go still by Mok Gyeong-un’s side?”
“…”
Faced with her question, Go Chan was at a loss for words. He was in an incredibly awkward position, not knowing how to answer.
If he said he had submitted to the man, it would seem like he had turned his back on the death of a fellow sect member, even if he was retired, and he would likely be harmed by her. Yet, if he remained silent, he would find himself in an equally bad situation.
‘Damn it.’
After a moment’s deliberation, Go Chan finally parted his lips.
“…I had no choice but to wait for an opportunity.”
“An opportunity?”
“It has been quite some time since I retired, so with my skills, I couldn’t do anything to the Mok family brat who killed my senior brother right away.”
At Go Chan’s words, Ha Chae-rin, who had been looking at him with suspicion, broke into a wide grin. She then placed a hand on Go Chan’s shoulder and said, “That’s our Uncle Go. I knew it.
No matter how long you’ve been retired, a nominal assassin of the Flying Kill Sect wouldn’t just turn a blind eye and submit to the enemy when his own mentor was killed.” It felt as if a dagger had flown and lodged itself in his chest. But for Go Chan, this was the only way to escape the current situation.
Though she was young, if she had become the Sect Master and inherited the title of Flying Kill Flame Assassin, her martial prowess must be at least at the Peak Realm or higher. If he couldn't run, he had to use his head.
“How could that be possible? My senior brother cared for me so much.”
He cared so much that he tortured me with the Muscle-Separating and Bone-Dislocating Torture out of suspicion and cut off two of my fingers. I don’t know how much more he could have cared. That’s why he felt no particular desire for revenge or sense of loss, even though he was dead.
But his words seemed to have an effect, as Ha Chae-rin nodded her head. Soon after, Pluck!
Pluck! Pluck!
She pulled out the flying needles that were embedded in his chest. As the needles were removed, his stiffened body could move again, and the breath that had been caught in his throat could be drawn properly.
“Haa…”
“Don’t feel too bad. I needed to confirm whether Uncle Go had submitted to the Mok family’s Young Master or if there were some other circumstances.”
“…”
Silently catching his breath, Go Chan finally asked her, “... But, Young Miss… no, Sect Master.”
“Yes?”
“This matter doesn’t seem significant enough for you to get involved personally. Why did you?”
“Why not?”
“What?”
“Is there some reason I shouldn’t get involved myself?”
“O-of course not.”
There was no reason she couldn't. It was just a bit strange that someone who had inherited the title of Flying Kill Flame Assassin, known as one of the Four Great Assassins, would personally take on a matter related to a retired assassin, not some special commission. Of course, considering her personality, it could have been a whim.
Ha Chae-rin grinned at Go Chan and said, “They say to strike while the iron is hot. Let’s head to the Lotuswood Sword Manor.” Seeing her overflowing enthusiasm, Go Chan’s expression darkened.
‘I have to let that guy know, somehow.’
If not, his life might truly be in danger.
Pak! Papapapak!
Mok Gyeong-un had been practicing the footwork that could be called the basis of the light body technique for nearly six hours. It had only been four days since he started proper martial arts training, but at a glance, his posture was as precise as if he had trained for several years. Watching Mok Gyeong-un, Blue Spirit clicked her tongue.
‘What kind of man is this?’
The fellow was training in martial arts by himself. She had expected him to ask for help to some extent, but there was none of that. And yet, he had already become so proficient.
‘…It’s astounding.’
In her lifetime, she had seen numerous martial geniuses. But she had never seen one like this. Usually, when one starts martial arts, they practice the basic forms.
A form is a type of shape, and as these forms connect, they develop into a single move. That is why learning forms is important.
‘The reason for repeating the same posture is to make the body accustomed to it.’
In the martial world, life-and-death duels are frequent. In those moments, the outcome is often decided in an instant. Since one cannot calculate many things in that instant, how accustomed the body is to the movements completely changes the direction of the fight.
Thus, martial artists continuously repeat postures during their training. And yet, ‘…Except for the very first time he took the stance, he hasn't made a single mistake since the second time.’ There was not the slightest error in Mok Gyeong-un’s posture.
He repeated that posture dozens of times for six hours without the slightest mistake. This was possible because two conditions were met.
‘An unbelievable memory, and a body that can perfectly embody what the memory dictates.’
It was no exaggeration to call this phenomenal. Even if one remembers with their head, realizing it with the body is a separate issue. But this fellow could do it.
He could move his body precisely as he had learned or intended. And there was almost no error. There were sections where he needed to repeat and adapt because the necessary muscles hadn't developed, but if not for that, long hours of training would be almost meaningless.
Huuu.
The smoke grew thick. She just kept packing her long pipe. Watching this fellow stirred a desire to teach him something.
But she suppressed it. Her own arts could only be learned by one who was qualified. And in any case, the fellow had once obtained the Eight Arts of Shattering Thought, which could be called the ultimate enlightenment.
That alone was a tremendous stroke of luck.
Papak!
Mok Gyeong-un, who had been stepping through the postures of the light body technique, finally adjusted his stance and caught his breath.
“Huu.”
"How long are you going to keep this up?"
Blue Spirit spoke to him. It was no wonder, as the sun that had been at mid-heaven was now about to set.
“You’re right.”
After dealing with Guard Gam and the Demonic Monk obtaining Outer Hall Master Sang Ung-baek’s body, Mok Gyeong-un’s movements had become somewhat freer. Having also obtained the basic arts of the Lotuswood Sword Manor, he had been engrossed in martial arts training for four days straight.
Since his purpose here was martial arts in the first place, he was simply being faithful to it.
‘The conditions are good.’
It was perfect because there were no interruptions. Of course, Mok Gyeong-un guessed that this wouldn't last for long. The moment the Manor Lord's breath stopped, it would probably be a series of troublesome events.
‘It wouldn’t be a bad idea to leave at the right time.’
After all, he had obtained the martial arts. There was no need to stay here. In any case, his purpose was singular.
Crack!
To make a wine cup from the skull of the man who killed his grandfather and offer it on the ancestral rite table. Mok Gyeong-un smiled brightly and said, “Shall we go in and have a meal then?” At these words, Blue Spirit’s lips curled up as if he had been waiting.
Munch, munch!
Across from Mok Gyeong-un, who was holding a book, a female servant sat engrossed in her meal. The female servant ate the Sweet-and-Sour Pork, then downed a cup of wine with a blissful expression.
“Keeu. This is the taste.”
Watching the female servant, Mok Gyeong-un let out a small laugh. At this, the female servant refilled her wine cup and said, “What are you laughing at?”
“You just look very happy.”
“Eating is one of the three pleasures of the living. One day, you too, mortal, will realize the saying that it’s better to roll in a dog’s dung heap in this life than to be anywhere else.”
The female servant was none other than the possessed Blue Spirit. She would enter the body of the servant who brought the meal at every mealtime. For four days, this had been her pleasure.
Tutuk! Tutuk!
The only problem was that it didn't last long. Blue Spirit, who had taken over the female servant’s body, clicked her tongue as she looked at the back of the hand holding the wine cup.
“Tsk, tsk.”
The veins were turning black and bulging. An ordinary body could not withstand her vengeful spirit, which had risen to the rank of evil spirit monsters. Four days ago, she had tried to possess any body she could find, entering a pretty female servant, but that servant had nearly died.
“This one can’t even last a quarter of an hour.”
“Well, just be a little patient. Until a suitable body is found.”
“Hurry up and find one for me.”
At her words, Mok Gyeong-un smiled. In truth, he had no intention of finding her a body right now. Blue Spirit, with her high rank and ability to always stay by his side, was his trump card.
“Don’t you smirk.”
“Yes, yes.”
“By the way, you’re too interested in occult arts.”
“Because they’re fascinating.”
The book Mok Gyeong-un was reading was an occult arts manual called the Six-Person Spirit Summoning Art, which had belonged to the deceased Occultist Sak. Mok Gyeong-un had asked for all of Sak’s belongings to be brought to him. He had obtained more useful things than from Occultist Myo Shin.
Among them were several talisman arts and a considerable number of related talismans. These were enough to pique Mok Gyeong-un’s interest.
“There are quite a few interesting techniques here. For example, the dead…”
Flinch!
Mok Gyeong-un frowned and turned his head to the side. Seeing Mok Gyeong-un’s reaction, Blue Spirit’s eyes glinted as she said, “You’ve really become sensitive.” At those words, Mok Gyeong-un closed the book and rose from his seat.
Half a quarter-hour earlier, in Guard Go Chan’s room. Go Chan brought a set of clothes and placed them before Ha Chae-rin.
“These are the clothes worn by the female servants.”
Lifting the clothes to inspect them, she smirked and muttered, “Tacky. A Courtesan’s clothes would be better.” Go Chan glanced at her.
He needed to somehow inform Mok Gyeong-un about this, but she hadn’t given him an opening. As a last resort, he thought of the female servant’s clothes. He planned to sneak to Mok Gyeong-un and tell him while she was changing.
Go Chan bowed his head slightly and said, “Sect Master. I will step out for a moment while you change.”
“Why? Don’t you want to watch?”
“O-of course not.”
“The chance to see a naked body like this doesn’t come often.”
With those words, she subtly showed him her cleavage.
“Keum, keum.”
Her mischievousness hadn’t changed either. It was amazing the previous Sect Master had passed on the position to someone still like this. Go Chan, bowing and waving his hands in refusal, was about to leave.
Just then, Ha Chae-rin smiled and said to him, “Uncle Go.
Thank you.
Thanks to you, I was able to get in here easily.” At her words, Go Chan felt a bitter taste in his mouth. He had been forced to bring her in against his will, yet this was not a situation to be thanked.
“Not at all. Then I will be on my w–” Before he could finish his words, Pupupupupupuk!
‘!?’
Needles pierced his paralysis points. They were the Spirit Needle. Go Chan stared at her with a bewildered expression.
Ha Chae-rin sneered and lowered her right hand, which was wearing a wrist guard. Then she approached him and opened her mouth.
“There’s no need for that.”
“Wh-what is this?”
“Your job is done here, Uncle.”
“What?”
“I said, you’re done here.”
“S-Sect Master?”
“Did you really think I believed such a clumsy excuse? Ha.”
‘Damn it.’
Go Chan bit his lip hard. From the beginning, she hadn't believed a word he said. She had just used him to easily bypass the Lotuswood Sword Manor’s security.
“To remain quietly under a man after your mentor was killed obviously means you submitted." "A piece of trash who retired because he lacked martial genius, spouting nonsense about enduring for revenge. Pfft.”
Ha Chae-rin mocked Go Chan. At her laughter, Go Chan ground his teeth. Her sociopathic personality hadn't changed at all, making his teeth ache with frustration.
He wondered how someone like this could have passed the Hundred Days, Hundred Kills and become the Sect Master of the Flying Kill Sect…
‘!?’
Suddenly, Go Chan frowned and opened his mouth.
“Could it be… are you in the middle of the Hundred Days, Hundred Kills?”
The rite of passage to become the Sect Master of the assassin sect, the Flying Kill Sect. It was a test called the Hundred Days, Hundred Kills. At his question, Ha Chae-rin silently raised the corners of her lips.
It was a sign of affirmation.
‘Ha.’
Something had seemed off. It was strange for someone in her position as Sect Master to personally handle such a matter. Unless she was undertaking the Hundred Days, Hundred Kills, there was no way she would personally take on such a task.
Ha Chae-rin, still smiling with the corners of her lips raised, said, “Looks like you’re not a complete idiot after all.
That’s right.
The sixtieth sacrifice of my Hundred Days, Hundred Kills is the third son of the Lotuswood Sword Manor, Mok Gyeong-un.”
“…”
Go Chan felt drained by his own powerlessness. When did things get so twisted? Everything had gone wrong since that fake Mok Gyeong-un appeared.
Or was it because he himself was so weak, unable to even surpass the second-rate realm at his age, that he was being pushed around like this? Just then, Ha Chae-rin drew the dagger from Go Chan’s waist.
“Wh-what are you doing?”
At his question, she sneered and said, “You, uncle, will have killed the Young Master you served to avenge Uncle Gam, and then taken your own life.
Got it?”
“F-from the very beginning…”
Tatatatak!
Ha Chae-rin even sealed Go Chan’s mute point. Then, she brought her index finger to her lips and whispered, “Shh.
Be quiet.
You should be grateful I’m letting you preserve your honor as a member of the Flying Kill Sect, even if you are retired.” With those words, Ha Chae-rin moved to slit Go Chan’s throat. It was at that very moment.
Pat! Hwiririk!
The dagger in her hand flew from her grasp, pierced through the paper door, and sailed away.
‘!?’
Pak!
Through the hole in the paper door, someone could be seen holding the dagger. At this, Ha Chae-rin’s eyes widened.
‘Huh… Controlling objects from afar?’
Thwack!
While she was still in shock, that someone kicked the door down and revealed himself. It was none other than Mok Gyeong-un.
“Guard Go Chan. Were you in a crisis?”
For the first time, Go Chan thought this demonic man looked cool.