Chapter 583: Nice to meet you. (2)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 583: Nice to meet you. (2)
“Gasp… Hah!”
In a back alley near Henan, a man was running as if his life depended on it.
Drenched in sweat, he sprinted through the sweltering midsummer heat.
“Keuk… Gasp…”
His breath was ragged, coming in short, desperate bursts. He felt as though he might collapse and vomit at any moment, but he forced himself to keep moving.
If he stopped, he would die.
That cold, hard fact was the only thing keeping his legs churning.
Where… Where should I go…!
His mind raced even faster than his feet. Where could he flee? Which direction offered even a sliver of hope for escape?
As he panted, his eyes suddenly widened.
The Alliance…! I have to get to the Murim Alliance.
The Murim Alliance. He had to reach them. It was his only chance at survival.
Having made his decision, the man poured the last of his strength into his legs. He kicked off the ground and sprinted, weaving through the labyrinthine alleys as he calculated the fastest route.
Just then—
“Kyaa!”
He collided with a woman who had just stepped out from a side street.
“Out of my way!”
The man didn't have a second to spare for her. He ignored the fallen woman and ducked back into the shadows of the alley.
“...”
The woman watched him disappear, her expression twisting into one of clear displeasure.
“Gasp… Hah…!”
He plunged deeper into the alleyway, his lungs burning. Just a little further. This area was deserted, but the Murim Alliance was just beyond the next turn.
Just a little more… just a little more…!
He could make it. If he could just break out into the main thoroughfare, he would live. Just as that hope began to swell in his chest—
Thwip!
“Keuk!?”
Something sharp pierced through the man’s leg.
Agony flared, and his balance shattered. He stumbled, his momentum carrying him forward as he rolled across the dirt.
Thud!
His heavy body skidded to a halt. The man clutched his leg, his face contorted.
“K-kugh… Ugh!”
He tried to stifle the sound, but a strangled scream escaped his lips anyway. Daggers were buried deep in his thigh and ankle.
“Hk… Hhhuhhh.”
The pain was dizzying, a white-hot throb that threatened to black out his vision. Even so, he tried to crawl forward. If he stayed here…
”Muk Doseok.”
“…!”
“Is the game of tag finally over?”
The voice came from right beside him, making the man’s breath hitch in his throat.
Step.
Footsteps drew nearer, slow and deliberate.
“Your desperation was amusing, so I played along for a bit. But this is where it ends.”
“Hhh… Hhh…”
“Did you really think you could live?”
Figures wearing masks emerged from the shadows. Seeing them, the man let out a cry of pure despair.
“S-spare me! Why are you doing this?!”
“Hmm.”
At the man’s plea, the leader of the masked group narrowed his eyes.
“I believe I told you. If you cause any unnecessary trouble, your life is forfeit.”
“I-I didn’t do anything!”
“That’s not something a man who was captured by the Murim Alliance should be saying, is it?”
“That’s…!”
The man’s body trembled violently at the accusation.
“That was… because some strange guy got involved…!”
“Excuses are unnecessary. Besides, we were reaching the limit of our patience with you anyway.”
“P-please!”
Muk Doseok tried to shout one last desperate plea, but—
Shunk!
“Kurgk!”
Before he could finish, a dagger plunged into his throat.
A moment later, the light faded from Muk Doseok’s eyes. Confirming the kill, the masked man yanked the blade free and wiped it clean.
“Erase the traces.”
“Yes, sir.”
At the command, several more figures appeared and began moving with practiced efficiency. Within moments, not even a drop of blood remained where the corpse had lain.
The masked man sheathed his dagger and clicked his tongue in disappointment.
Did I expect too much from trash?
The man had been an outsider, but since he was rumored to be first-rate, they had thought to use him for menial tasks. It had been a futile effort. He had almost made things worse. It was bad enough that he’d been caught by the Alliance because of that incident at the inn.
To think he almost got entangled with the Heavenly Dragon.
That could have been disastrous. They couldn't afford to get involved with such figures just yet.
Thankfully, it was handled well.
But problems could still arise. Thinking of this, the masked man turned his head.
I should report to the Captain.
It wasn't just the Heavenly Dragon. One or two irksome variables had been popping up in Henan recently. While they weren't worth obsessing over, there was no harm in being cautious. The Dragons and Phoenixes tournament was less than two months away.
Before that…
We need to set the stage.
The masked man turned to leave, whispering in a voice so low it was barely a breath.
“Everything for the revival of the Zhuge Clan…”
With those words, the masked man vanished, leaving behind nothing but the slowly cooling air where Muk Doseok’s body had been.
* * *
It was noon.
After finishing my morning training and grabbing a quick meal, I was walking through the streets of Henan with Tang Soyeol and Seong Yul.
The reason was simple: I had received word from the White Flower Merchant Association. Mi Hyoran herself was looking for me.
What’s going on?
It had been a month since I arrived in Henan. Although Mi Hyoran had also been staying here during that time, she had never called for me separately. In fact, it was extremely rare for her to summon me directly.
Isn't this the first time?
She had come to see me before, but I think this was the first time she had specifically asked me to come to her. I didn't overthink it. She called, so I was going.
Tang Soyeol had tagged along the moment she heard I was going to see Mi Hyoran, and since Seong Yul happened to be there, I brought him along as well.
On the way to the Henan branch of the White Flower Merchant Association, I walked slowly while maintaining a telepathic link with someone.
[Did you find anything?]
A reply came back instantly.
[We have deployed our personnel throughout Henan to investigate, but we have not found anyone matching the description you provided.]
[Hmm.]
Right after parting with the Heavenly Demon in front of the noodle shop, I had immediately sent the Dark King’s assassins to search the area around Qinghai.
But…
As expected.
I had held onto a sliver of hope, but just as I’d thought, they couldn't find any trace of her. Not only was she not the type to leave traces behind carelessly…
Even if they did find a trace, they wouldn't be able to get close.
The Heavenly Demon would likely perceive them long before they even realized she was there. If that happened, it would only put them in unnecessary danger.
[I understand. Stop the search for now.]
[Yes.]
Not much time had passed, but it was enough for them to get a grasp of Henan. There was no need to create any more risks.
In that case…
Does the Dark King have to come himself?
That seemed like the safest and most accurate method.
Just then—
[However…]
My eyebrows twitched slightly at the follow-up message. Was there something else?
[During the search, we did discover one rather incongruous detail.]
He just said they couldn't find anything about the Heavenly Demon. What "incongruous detail"?
[What is it?]
[It’s nothing major, but it seems an ambush took place in an alley leading to the Alliance.]
[An ambush?]
[Yes. One of our members discovered the scene but was unable to approach.]
The Dark King’s assassins discovered it but couldn't approach? That meant their opponents were considerably skilled.
But—
[What’s the problem with that?]
What did that have to do with my request? Ambushes were a fairly common occurrence in the Central Plains. Of course, the fact that it happened in an alley leading to the Alliance was a bit chilling, but it wasn't exactly unheard of.
[Is it related to the task I gave you?]
[No. It’s just that when we arrived to check for traces, the fact that there were absolutely none was strange. That is why I am reporting it.]
[No traces…?]
That meant they didn't even find a body. It implied the cleanup was so perfect that even the most renowned experts in the world couldn't detect a struggle.
Who was it?
Who could it be? Or rather, which group? Carrying out an assassination in Henan, the very heart of the Alliance, was impossible unless they were exceptional.
I was a little curious.
[Do you have any idea who it might be?]
[We are currently investigating.]
I hadn't even asked, yet they were already looking into it. As expected of the greatest assassination squad in the Central Plains.
[Just give me a heads-up when you find out.]
[Yes. We will be sure to find out.]
"Be sure" was a bit much… but hey, confidence is good. I didn't voice any objections and simply nodded.
After finishing the telepathic conversation, I looked ahead. In the distance, the building of the White Flower Merchant Association was coming into view.
Perhaps because I was talking on the way, it felt like we had arrived too quickly.
Hmm, what should I do? Should I kill some time before going in? Just as that thought crossed my mind—
“Y-Young Master, what should I do?”
Tang Soyeol’s voice trembled with anxiety. What was wrong with her now?
“I-I haven't bought a gift yet…!”
“Huh? What gift?”
“A gift for Lady Mi…”
“Why… are you preparing that?”
I asked, bewildered, but Tang Soyeol looked at me as if I were the one who was crazy.
“Last time was a sudden meeting, so I couldn't prepare, but… it’s different now!”
“No, I mean, why are you preparing one at all?”
Sudden or not, what was the need for a gift? I was about to ask her for a logical reason when Tang Soyeol, who had been right next to me, vanished.
What the—where did she go?
Maybe it was because she was learning martial arts from the Dark King, but it wasn't easy to sense her presence when she moved like that.
“Young Master!”
As I was looking around, Tang Soyeol reappeared.
“What is it?”
I blinked as I looked at what she was holding.
“Flowers?”
She held a small bouquet of vibrant flowers, a mix of white and yellow. I wondered where on earth she had found them, and then I noticed a flower shop behind her.
A place that sells flowers for money. Henan really did have everything. You can find piles of them on any mountain, yet people here sold them for coin.
What a useless product, I thought.
“…And you actually bought them?”
“I-I have to give her at least this much.”
“Flowers?”
“Yes.”
“What’s she going to do with flowers? It’s not like they're money.”
I voiced my opinion on the uselessness of the gift. Hearing my words, Tang Soyeol’s expression turned strange.
“Young Master… if you say things like that in public, you’re going to get hit.”
“Who’s going to hit me? I’d fold their spine in half.”
“...”
Would it just be folded? I could even shape it into a bird or a bear, whatever pretty shape I wanted.
Well, if she’s already bought them, there’s nothing to be done.
It was a waste of money, but since it was Tang Soyeol’s money, it didn't matter. The real problem was…
I don’t think Lady Mi will like them very much.
The Mi Hyoran I knew wasn't the type to be happy about receiving flowers.
But my prediction…
“Oh, my.”
…was shattered to pieces when I saw Mi Hyoran smile as she accepted the bouquet.
“…Oh, my…”
Lady Mi, who carefully took the flowers I offered, was smiling. Yes, she was actually smiling.
…Lady Mi can smile?
It wasn't a radiant, beaming grin, but it was definitely a smile. To see her react like that just from receiving flowers was baffling.
I had simply taken the flowers from a hesitant Tang Soyeol and handed them over to break the ice. I was about to quickly clarify that they were from Tang Soyeol, not me, when—
“Young Master Gu and I…! We bought them together.”
Tang Soyeol cut in, intercepting my words.
What do you mean, "we" bought them? When did I buy them?
Far from buying flowers, I had just finished lecturing her on why they were a waste of money. I was about to correct her and say that Tang Soyeol had bought them on her own, when—
Squeeze.
“…!?”
Tang Soyeol pinched my thigh with a hand hidden from Mi Hyoran's view. It didn't hurt much, but the intent was clear: Shut up.
What the?
I didn't know what was going on, but I closed my mouth for now. If I spoke up here, I had a feeling Tang Soyeol would look at me like a ghost for the rest of the day.
“…Thank you…” Mi Hyoran said, looking at the flowers affectionately.
I had never seen such a soft look in her eyes before. And all I did was hand her some weeds.
“…They are truly beautiful…”
“I hope… they are to your liking.”
“I will treasure them.”
I scratched my cheek at her words. She really seemed to like them. Seeing this, Tang Soyeol shot me a look that clearly said, ‘See? I was right, wasn’t I?’
I guess so.
What was it about flowers that made her so happy? I didn't quite understand, but I just nodded. There must be some feminine logic I wasn't privy to.
While Mi Hyoran was gently touching the petals, I decided to move things along.
“I heard you had a reason for calling me.”
I tried to subtly get to the main point, but for some reason, Tang Soyeol’s pinch on my leg grew even stronger.
What now?!
It actually started to sting a bit; she was putting some real force into it. What on earth was she so displeased about?
“Ah, right. I should talk about that.”
At my words, Mi Hyoran nodded, though she still held the flowers close.
“The reason I called for you is simple.”
“Yes.”
“Do you remember when I said I would have a favor to ask of you?”
“I remember.”
When I first came to Henan and visited the White Flower Merchant Association, that’s what she had told me—that in the near future, she would have a favor to ask.
Is this it?
I had been wondering what kind of favor she would request, but it seemed I would find out sooner than expected. I listened attentively as she continued.
“It’s nothing major, but a job has come into the merchant association.”
“A job for the White Flower Merchant Association, you mean.”
“Yes. Normally… it would be a job for the Murim Alliance. But the client specifically requested to connect with our association.”
A job the Murim Alliance should have handled? And the White Flower Merchant Association was taking it instead?
I didn't quite understand. Why would a merchant association take on a task meant for the Alliance? Their spheres of influence rarely overlapped. Moreover…
To be able to change the recipient just because the client wanted to…
Even if it was a job the Alliance should have done, the fact that the client could bypass them and entrust it to a merchant association meant they had significant leverage. The Alliance wasn't stupid; they wouldn't have just let a contract slip away without a reason.
“Who on earth is the client…?” I asked, my curiosity piqued.
Mi Hyoran, still holding the flowers to her chest, gave me the answer.
“The Ice Palace of the North.”
“…Pardon?”
A rather unexpected yet familiar name popped up. The Ice Palace of the North? Why were they appearing all of a sudden?
“The Ice Palace of the North?” I repeated, my voice full of doubt.
“Yes,” Mi Hyoran affirmed firmly.
Before I could even process my bewilderment at the sudden mention of the northern power, I had to frown at what she said next.
“It’s about their Young Lady.”
Somehow… this already sounded like a massive headache.