The Hunt Begins (1)
After Director Jo left, Jang Cheon immediately called Bishop.
They had tracked Director Jo's car leaving the HT Group Residence via satellite.
"Director Jo checked into L Hotel, thirty minutes from the Residence."
"Don't lose track of his movements."
"Understood. I'll also analyze the airport CCTV footage from the Intelligence Agency to look into this Hunter guy."
Since he'd entered the country with Director Jo, they could secure Hunter's face and gait from the footage. With info on his face, movements, and tracking expertise, Bishop could identify him.
After ending the call with Bishop, Park Gwang-cheol rang Jang Cheon.
Park Gwang-cheol roughly grasped the situation.
"You're up against another scary bastard, huh."
"They're crawling all over the place."
"Doesn't living that dangerously wear you out?"
"I'm used to it now, so it's fine."
"Yeah, meeting you really drives home that humans are creatures of adaptation. Oh, right—I made a formal scouting offer to Ms. Lee Yeon."
"Good call."
At Jang Cheon's unflinching response, Park Gwang-cheol asked cautiously.
Who was it that turned his own fun life upside down? Lately the epitome of diligence, Park Gwang-cheol occasionally missed those carefree days of indulgence.
Life was life, one way or another—what was wrong with just enjoying it?
Those wild days powered by that unbeatable mindset of living it up.
Ah, the good old times.
Lately, Lee Yeon had several people she could consult about her worries.
But she went first to her team leader, Kwon Hyeok-su—the one who'd known her longest and understood her best.
"Park CEO made me a formal scouting offer. Should I go for it? What a ridiculous dilemma, right?"
"You'd be great at it."
"Huh?"
His quick, unhesitating answer threw her off.
"Don't joke around— this is serious for me."
"You think I'd joke? I'd have to run SGC without you."
Lee Yeon realized he meant it.
"You really think I'd do well? Why?"
"For starters, your looks."
In her white blouse, black pants, and sword at her waist, she exuded beauty laced with boyish sexiness. No angle failed her appearance.
"I've never acted before. Kids these days start lessons young."
"Some actors grind it out, some are born for it. You might be the natural type."
"Fine, say talent's a lottery win. What about star quality? That entertainer spark?"
"Plenty from our chats. You make me laugh subtly, and conversations never drag. That's the spark—nothing fancy."
Lee Yeon pouted, incredulous.
"Lee Yeon."
"Yes."
"Live how your heart leads. Everyone regrets not doing that. Do it while you can."
"Scared it won't come back?"
"Think you won't have options? Why plan a return? Forge a new path."
"You really think I should?"
"Do it."
"I'd miss you, team leader."
"Hire me as your manager. Bodyguard-slash-manager."
"Leave SGC to manage me?"
"Why not? Just pay well. I was gonna open a coffee shop anyway."
"I'll make bank and set you up with the biggest, flashiest chain downtown!"
Her bold promise was sincere, but she hadn't decided yet.
"Show me the contract first. I'll have a lawyer friend check for poison clauses."
"Thanks, big bro."
"You got it, little sis."
Exchanged in jest, but to Lee Yeon, Kwon Hyeok-su was truly like a big brother. To him, who'd grown up lonely as an only child, she was a little sister.
He hoped she'd be happy. Hoped this world let good souls like her thrive.
Then his own kind kids could too. What more could he want?
Atop the HT Group Residence, Jang Cheon listened to Geum Sa-cheon's final words—on the Sohyeon Ilgi-gong.
"…At 4th Stage, wield your inner energy powerfully, like a wild horse galloping. At 5th Stage, let it flow like water. At 6th Stage, heighten your senses to the extreme. At 7th Stage, make it flow like the wind."
Without these words, the Sohyeon Ilgi-gong's 4th Stage would've been meaningless. Unknown, breaking past it would be a massive hurdle. Even reaching 5th Stage by luck, surpassing to 6th or 7th would be near impossible.
Following Geum Sa-cheon's guidance, Jang Cheon surged his inner energy like a thundering wild horse.
'Like a wild horse galloping'—interpretations varied. Lacking exact intent, Jang Cheon went with his own.
Circulating qi through one full revolution, then two, repeating the heart method.
Upon hitting 4th Stage in Sohyeon Ilgi-gong, it changed distinctly. Before, it lagged behind his prior methods. Now, it surpassed them.
Depleted inner energy recovered faster; that gathered in his dantian grew purer.
No longer just a vague path to second marrow cleansing, Sohyeon Ilgi-gong held deeper meaning.
Even better: time to next stage shrank.
Unlike prior arts—where practice dragged—this shortened progressively. He guessed a final hurdle before great completion. Maybe not.
Finishing hours of practice, his body felt feather-light.
Afternoon brought Bishop's update.
Jang Cheon viewed Bishop's sent photo.
"He looks familiar."
A memory surfaced.
"The Manchu Wanderer?"
"You recognized him. Famous tracker on the market once."
He'd vanished suddenly—scouted by their organization, it seemed.
The Manchu Wanderer was renowned for two things.
First: his Haomen origins.
The old Haomen comprised society's dregs—thieves, pickpockets, courtesans, bellhops, coachmen.
Modern Haomen evolved into an info guild. Disciples spanned jobs ripe for intel: taxi drivers chatting fares daily, bartenders, lounge girls, waiters, net-surfers, telecom workers, reporters, stock investors—frontline info gatherers.
Thus, Haomen lacked martial might. They sold intel, open to it but insular with outsiders—knowing their weakness, they stayed hidden.
The Manchu Wanderer mastered Haomen's tracking via info.
But his peak fame came second—from his nurtured Manchu Hori.
A golden-furred fox, famed spirit beast tracking scents ten thousand li. His moniker stemmed from it.
Once offered billions for Manchu Hori—he refused, setting its value. Later trillions—still no. Value soared beyond.
"Our data included that rooftop address, right?"
"Yes."
"Baek Sang-du's clothes and stuff are there. They let Manchu Hori sniff for sure."
Sending Baek Sang-du's data triggered the hunt text—signaling tracking start there.
"With Manchu Hori on the trail, Hunter will find Baek Sang-du."
"Yes."
Director Jo's confidence made sense.
But even finding him, Jang Cheon doubted Director Jo could handle Baek Sang-du.
"Guess I should prep too."
Manchu Hori dashed down a narrow path.
Weasel-small, golden-furred, red forehead dot.
No mere beast—a clever, swift spirit fierce enough solo a tiger.
Hunter followed on motorcycle.
Manchu Hori ran tirelessly. How long?
Checking time, Hunter blew his whistle.
Manchu Hori halted, returned.
Hunter fed it from his bag. It sat, ate.
He dismounted for break. Perfect sync—the smart beast stuck to motorcycle paths.
Hunter checked phone for route.
Not mere tail—he prepped terrain, predicted city, planned rests, fuel stops.
After full rest, resumed.
Manchu Hori and bike raced like competitors.
Jang Cheon visited The Bullet.
Master Shan greeted warmly.
"Back again."
Last with Lee Yeon, he'd said no return—she'd replied:
That's why we eat—world's unpredictable. You know.
Indeed.
"What do you need today?"
"Haven't caught him yet, Master."
"Ah, that sorcery!"
Phone's prior Anti Black Art Set purchase clued her in.
Shan smiled.
"Sorcery cheats martial artists. Need counters, naturally."
"This foe's top-tier—standard gear fails."
"Special stuff then."
"No—basics."
"Pardon?"
"Tactical backpack, one crate each of smoke grenades, flashbangs, tear gas, incendiaries."
Shan blinked wide; Jang Cheon grinned mysteriously.
"If needed, I'll play sorcerer too."
Meanwhile, Hunter parked his bike in an alley, eyeing a building. The priceless spirit beast had stopped.
A large structure loomed; entrance bore a sign: Bit Sseum Teo.