"Uaaah!"
"Run, run!"
No one had expected such a situation.
Blood sprayed from all directions, accompanied by sharp screams.
The terrified crowd pushed and tripped over each other in their desperate attempt to flee.
"Calm down!"
"Don't move recklessly!"
Instructors and martial artists tried to restore order amidst the chaos, but on the other side, there were those who only fueled the confusion.
"It's poison! Who released the poison?"
"Explosives are set in the audience!"
Assassins with distorted voices shouted from all around, further inciting panic.
In the extreme chaos they had created, the three leaders of Heilin gave orders to their subordinates.
[First group, continue the incitement and confusion.]
[Understood!]
[Second group, block the disruptors.]
[Understood!]
[Third group, eliminate the target.]
[Understood!]
After issuing commands to all the assassins, the leader moved alone.
He hid among the crowd.
"The ones who attacked us. It wasn't the Blood Sect."
At first, he thought it was the Blood Sect.
But the more he thought about it, the more he realized it wasn't their style.
Sure enough, he discovered that even the Blood Sect was being hunted by unknown assailants.
"Is it the Silent Killers?"
For a moment, he had that suspicion but quickly dismissed it.
The proud Silent Killers would not resort to such underhanded tactics.
If they had decided to kill them, then by now, all of Heilin's assassins would either be dead or the Silent Killers would have perished.
Thus, there was only one conclusion.
"It must be the work of the Shadow Guard. They have quite a few collaborators."
By the time he figured this out, he had suffered too much damage.
The assassins he brought from Heilin had been reduced by half, and the target was still taking the exam unscathed.
Normally, he would have given up and retreated.
However,
"Under no circumstances can we let others take the target."
If he returned empty-handed, the lord of Heilin would not forgive him.
Moreover, this commission was not the kind that could be easily abandoned due to significant losses.
"I must kill the target, even if it means exhausting all the assassins I brought."
Thus, he devised a bold plan.
If he could kill Gongson Su, then the powers in the imperial palace would cover up the deaths of any humans present.
"Uaaah! Save me!"
With his face pale from fear, the leader was pushed through the crowd toward Gongson Su.
Yet, his eyes were colder than ever.
"I will end this with my own hands."
He was getting closer to the target.
"Protect the elder!"
The moment Baek Su-ryong's shout echoed from afar, or perhaps even before that, Heon Won-gang had already leaped into action.
Heon Won-gang blocked Gongson Su's path and shouted,
"Grandpa! Stay behind me!"
"What is this...?"
"Elder."
With a rustle, the hidden Shadow Guard also revealed himself beside Gongson Su.
He judged that showing himself was more advantageous for protection than hiding.
Seeing their expressions, Gongson Su quickly grasped the situation.
"... They are targeting me."
"You have nothing to worry about."
"Did you already know?"
"..."
"Why didn't you tell me?"
The Shadow Guard bit his lip as he watched the incoming assassins.
"I will accept any punishment later. For now, please trust me."
The rushing assassins simultaneously unleashed their weapons.
The Shadow Guard and Heon Won-gang stepped forward to deflect the attacks.
Clang!
Just as they deflected the weapons, the first assassin charged in.
A long, slender spear aimed straight for Gongson Su's heart.
"Where do you think you're going!"
Heon Won-gang deflected the spear upward, and the Shadow Guard swiftly beheaded the exposed assassin.
Swoosh!
As blood gushed forth before his eyes, Heon Won-gang shuddered.
But there was no time to be surprised.
More assassins were rushing in, and if they didn't stop them, Gongson Su would die.
"Haaah!"
Heon Won-gang shouted as he fiercely swung his weapon.
He deflected the incoming attacks and blocked those he couldn't with his body.
Thud! Thud! Thud!
Several daggers and shurikens lodged into Heon Won-gang's arms and legs.
Just as he staggered, three assassins charged at him simultaneously.
"Grandpa!"
Wei Ji-cheon, who was on the fighting stage, flew toward them.
He unleashed his sword energy, forcing