The Melee (5)
Sama Hyeon's eyes deepened.
Yeon Hojeong spoke with a face that said he had slipped up.
“My apologies. You are not the Shadow God at present. If you help us eliminate the current Shadow God, you will become the Shadow God then.”
“You speak of dangerous things without preamble.”
“It is not something the one who first reached out to remove his master should say.”
From the very first meeting, quite sharp words passed between them. At least, Sama Hyeon could not help but feel that way.
But Yeon Hojeong was different. So it was you. Unlike someone called a genius assassin, Sama Hyeon, dressed in an old-fashioned white robe, looked every bit like a noble young master.
Yet Yeon Hojeong knew well how many vicious blades he hid behind that handsome appearance. The first disciple of the previous Shadow God? Then even back then, it means you killed Yayul Jeok and rose to the position of the new Shadow God. Yeon Hojeong's expression grew strange. He is certainly a remarkable man.
Trampling the weak is, aside from being morally condemnable, an extremely easy act. But suppressing someone stronger than oneself and seizing a new throne is bound to be a grueling task.
Sama Hyeon was the man who had accomplished that. In the era when Yeon Hojeong had lived as the Black Dark Emperor. Perhaps even then, he might have sought outside help just like now. But what matters is that he ultimately succeeded in the rebellion and became the new Shadow God, seizing the underworld of the Central Plains.
Though Yeon Hojeong would never admit it himself, he viewed Sama Hyeon quite favorably. Perhaps it was because, in the end, Sama Hyeon had eliminated the spies of the Saeum Sect. To Yeon Hojeong, the Saeum Sect was a group that had to be destroyed one way or another.
Thud.
Yeon Hojeong set down the Mad Dragon Axe.
“That aside, you seem to have quite the nerve. Ordinarily, it is proper etiquette to attend such meetings without carrying weapons, yet no restrictions were placed on you.”
“I am the type who does not concern himself with trivial matters.”
Yeon Hojeong shook his head.
“Do not take this the wrong way. The more urgent the situation, the more dire the circumstances, the more thoroughly one must move. I do not know what kind of relationship we will have going forward, but it would be best if you paid attention to these details.”
His voice was quite heavy. Anyone could tell he was speaking from the heart.
Sama Hyeon neither accepted nor ignored Yeon Hojeong's sincerity.
“There is no time, so let us get to the point.”
Yeon Hojeong shook his head.
“Though the purpose of this meeting is clear, let us not rush too much. It seems we would miss too many things.”
Sama Hyeon felt strangely tired.
“Do as you please. I will hurry along on my end.”
“Very well. Let us do that.”
Eventually, the two sat facing each other across a single table.
“There is no time, so I wish to speak directly. But before that, there is one thing I must address.”
“Speak.”
Sama Hyeon's eyes deepened.
“This Guangdong region has been seized by thousands of assassins. It may be hard to believe that such a vast area was taken with only a few thousand, but beneath them, unimaginable numbers of unorthodox fighters have taken control of Guangdong in a cellular structure……”
“I believe you.”
“……”
“That is why the Martial Alliance dispatched us—to resolve it.”
“If you believe me, then this will go quickly. In other words, it is highly likely that every single one of your movements has been caught in the eyes of our assassins.”
“That would be the case.”
“In fact, our Dark Shadow Unit had a clear view of when the Martial Alliance's relief force entered Guangdong and where it was headed.”
Sama Hyeon's eyes flashed.
“Until the Beggars' Union became involved.”
“They are capable people.”
“I understand that the Beggars' Union's intelligence network is excellent. Even so, I must ask. On your way here, were you not spotted by the current Shadow God's eyes?”
Yeon Hojeong shook his head.
“There is no way for me to know that. I can only trust the Beggars' Union informants who are helping us.”
“……As expected, it seems we must hurry.”
Sama Hyeon spoke directly.
“I know you came to eliminate the current Shadow God.”
“It seemed that way.”
“What I know, the Shadow God also knows. In other words, the Shadow God has prepared thoroughly against an attack from the relief force. He has built walls that will never fall.”
“And?”
“I am the first disciple of the current Shadow God. He and I share everything. I have in my head all twenty-six paths and secret passages leading to his residence.”
“……”
“I will help you. Let us capture the Shadow God together.”
Yeon Hojeong was silent for a moment.
Sama Hyeon continued.
“I know it must be bewildering to receive contact from the first disciple out of nowhere. You must be wondering if this is a trap, and even if it is not, you may think we are the kind of people who would stab you in the back without warning.”
“……”
“There is no way for me to prove my sincerity to you.”
“That is the problem.”
“……”
“No matter how urgent the situation, you should have racked your brain to convince me somehow. Even if this is only a temporary alliance, without some degree of trust, our partnership will be nothing but a fleeting illusion.”
Sama Hyeon nodded.
“Your point is valid. However, what is done is done. Rather than regretting the past, it is better to strive to make the choice already made a success.”
“That is your circumstance.”
“It is not a bad proposal for you either. Just now, you told me that if I kill the current Shadow God, I will become the next Shadow God.”
“I did.”
“I have no interest in building a faction. I have an intelligence organization and comrades under me, but they are merely the minimum framework necessary for assassination activities.”
It was a truly strange statement. Though he was an assassin, he referred to his colleagues as comrades. Setting aside the immorality of assassination itself, it was proof that Sama Hyeon was not a demonic man who committed indiscriminate killings.
That was precisely why Yeon Hojeong thought it was even more of a problem. There is nothing more dangerous than an assassin with conviction. The Sama Hyeon Yeon Hojeong had met in the Black Dark Emperor era and the Sama Hyeon of now were the same person and yet different.
Though their names and natures were the same, their abilities and positions differed. And people can change beyond imagination depending on their abilities and positions.
That was why Yeon Hojeong had no choice but to be cautious. If he carelessly assumed they were the same person just because he had met them before, he would make a fatal error.
“In other words, once you kill the current Shadow God and rise to the position of the new Shadow God, you intend to hide back in the shadows?”
“That is correct. And that was originally the tradition of the Shadow God passed down through generations. My master was the one who broke that tradition and turned the assassins into his private army.”
Yeon Hojeong's eyes deepened.
Though he believed an assassin with conviction was more dangerous than one who committed indiscriminate killings, in truth, it was no different for martial artists. In some ways, martial artists were far more lethal than assassins. At least assassins moved on commission, but martial artists had only vague practical rules.
That was why the orthodox sects had emerged. To live based on clear rules and norms. To avoid causing even the slightest harm to the world.
In the end, martial artists and assassins were the same. The only difference was what values they lived for and what future they dreamed of.
Yeon Hojeong, who had been quietly observing Sama Hyeon, asked casually.
“There is something I would like to ask. Ah, even if it sounds somewhat rude, I ask for your understanding.”
“Speak.”
“Do you like being an assassin?”
“……?”
Sama Hyeon frowned.
“If you intend to discuss moral condemnation of my profession here……”
“If that had been my intention, you would not have survived. I would have picked up my axe before even speaking.”
“……”
“Do not overinterpret my question. I am asking in complete sincerity.”
“I do not know.”
“……You do not know?”
“That is correct. I have never properly thought about that matter.”
Though he seemed impatient, sincerity could be felt in his voice. At least, Yeon Hojeong felt that way.
So he asked.
“Then, if an opportunity for a new life came to you, would you be able to cast aside the position of Shadow God without hesitation?”
“I cannot understand what your question means at all.”
“Just take it at face value.”
Sama Hyeon's eyes grew cold.
“Is the answer to that question important enough to affect this alliance process?”
“It is not. However, if the alliance is formed, it could influence the direction afterward.”
“I do not know if you are aware, but I did not arrange this meeting to be questioned. I have no intention of receiving teachings from you, nor do I wish to discuss my future with you.”
Sama Hyeon interlaced his fingers.
“There is only one reason I arranged this meeting. To discuss whether you will join hands with me to eliminate the Shadow God or not.”
Yeon Hojeong smiled.
“You are right. If my unnecessary question has offended you, I apologize.”
It was a rare apology from Yeon Hojeong.
Yet even after receiving the apology, Sama Hyeon felt his mood sink somewhat. What is this? Sama Hyeon looked into Yeon Hojeong's eyes.
Clear and deep eyes. The gaze was so good that one could hardly believe it belonged to the owner of an axe that reeked of such terrible blood. ……He is not trying to probe me. Nor is he looking down on me.
Though he had not yet reached twenty, Sama Hyeon's assassination experience ranked among the top ten among all assassins in the Central Plains. He had undergone such harsh training and carried out assassination activities without rest. Thanks to that, his ability to read people's emotions was unparalleled.
He is strangely relaxed. As if he has something to rely on. Sama Hyeon, who had been staring into Yeon Hojeong's eyes, shook his head.
“Now I would like to hear your answer. Will you join us?”
“Let me think about it.”
“There is no time to think.”
“Then make your move first. Once I have made my judgment, we will follow.”
Sama Hyeon's eyes grew cold again.
“You intend to use us as shields?”
Yeon Hojeong chuckled.
“It is ten thousand times better to watch whether the other side suffers losses or not than to proceed with a dangerous task alongside an untrustworthy ally.”
“Regrettably……”
“Let me be clear. As I said from the beginning, you have made no preparations to earn our trust. That is your fault, and therefore we have no intention of stepping into unnecessary danger.”
“……”
“If you wanted to make a deal, you should have at least made the minimum preparations for that deal to succeed.”
Yeon Hojeong rose from his seat.
It was a remarkable response. He stood first and turned his back without the slightest hint of regret.
Whoosh.
With the Mad Dragon Axe slung over his shoulder, Yeon Hojeong looked at Sama Hyeon and spoke.
“We will proceed as we were. You should move according to your original plan as well.”
Sama Hyeon spoke in a sunken voice.
“If by any chance you interfere with our work, we will attack without hesitation. I hope you keep that in mind.”
“……”
“The conversation is over. You may leave.”
“……”
“Do you have anything more to say?”
“……Let me ask one thing.”
Sama Hyeon was about to reply when he suddenly flinched. Yeon Hojeong's eyes, looking down at him, were filled with a murderous pressure unlike before.
“You arranged this meeting without the Shadow God knowing, correct?”
“A pointless question. Of course……”
“Then how do you explain this beastly stench coming from all directions?”
“What?”
At that moment—
Shuuuung! Thud!
From outside came the sound of a sharp arrow followed by a gruesome sound of flesh being pierced.
Soon after, Muk Bi's urgent voice was heard.
“Young Master Yeon!”
Yeon Hojeong's face instantly turned vicious.
“You brought a tail with you.”
“……!”
Sama Hyeon shot to his feet.
Then Muk Bi's voice rang out again.
“There are many of them! Be careful! They will be here soon!”
Crash!
The ceiling of the building collapsed, and dozens of assassins poured in.
Yeon Hojeong ground his teeth.
“If you keep handling things like this from now on, you are dead, you bastard!”
Whoosh!
The Mad Dragon Axe tore through the air.