Jade Sword Flower: Namgung Som-in's Pursuit
Before Namgung Som-in set out on her killing spree, Hyeon-eum-gak visited the Haomen Xuchang branch first, following orders from the higher-ups.
Due to the Black Brush Party incident, Haomen had shrunk back and restrained its activities. The Xuchang branch was filled with weary members exhausted from the paranoid pressure of the Murim Alliance, but they didn't abandon courtesy when receiving the man who had come to rescue Baek Won.
"Assassin of the Human Killers, Hyeon-eum-gak."
"Xuchang branch leader, Yonghyeon."
Hyeon-eum-gak spoke to Yonghyeon, who stared at him with his head held high.
"To rescue the fourth disciple of the Haomen Lord, we must kidnap Baek Su-gyeong. I request your cooperation."
"We intend to cooperate to the fullest."
"Have you secured a map of the Murim Alliance interior?"
At Hyeon-eum-gak's words, Yonghyeon nodded and turned to his subordinate.
"Bring the map."
"Yes, branch leader!"
One of the Haomen members hurried off and returned with a large leather map, which he unrolled. Yonghyeon spread out the map of the sprawling Murim Alliance headquarters in Xuchang—as vast as if an emperor were residing in a detached palace—and pointed to the location of Yeun Pavilion.
"Yeun Pavilion is at the center of the Murim Alliance, slightly biased toward the south, but it's guarded by warriors from the Dark Shadow Pavilion, so breaking in won't be easy."
"That's not a problem."
This wasn't some other sect; these were assassins from the Dark Killer Division. Before a master who could have already risen to Earth Killer with enough achievements, the Murim Alliance's Dark Shadow warriors posed no obstacle at all.
Yonghyeon ordered a subordinate to fetch a new map and handed it to Hyeon-eum-gak.
"This marks the shortest path to Yeun Pavilion. Memorize it and burn it."
"Got it. Are there no formations protecting Yeun Pavilion?"
"There are, but it shouldn't be a big issue. Our main branch agents are already infiltrated inside the Alliance, disguised as fire tenders or maids."
Hyeon-eum-gak chuckled as if amused by his words. Yonghyeon continued.
"Yeun Pavilion is protected by the Anti-Demon Bewildering Illusion Void Formation."
"The Shaolin monks' formation, huh."
"Yes. I assume no further explanation is needed, so I'll skip it."
"Do as you like."
The Anti-Demon Bewildering Illusion Void Formation was a Shaolin qimen formation that trapped intruders entering Yeun Pavilion in illusions, making them wander lost. Anyone harboring even the slightest malice upon entering would be unable to escape its phantasmic illusions.
Yonghyeon said, "Precisely at the promised hour, we'll halt the Anti-Demon Bewildering Illusion Void Formation protecting Yeun Pavilion. Note that full disassembly is impossible."
"Why is that?"
"Even mobilizing all our formation experts from the main branch, we couldn't unravel it completely. We can pause it temporarily, but not disable it."
"Disassembly should be easier, no?"
"They say it's structured so that mishandling it would turn the entire Murim Alliance into a beehive. Temporarily nullifying its effects is our limit."
Hyeon-eum-gak nodded as if convinced.
"Execution time?"
"Tonight. We'll clear out as many Dark Shadow Pavilion warriors from the path as possible, but any leftovers you'll have to handle yourself."
"Good."
And so, Hyeon-eum-gak's infiltration of the Murim Alliance was decided.
'If the enemies were still in place, the security would have been insanely tight...'
Hyeon-eum-gak narrowed his forehead as he gazed at the halls that should have been densely guarded by Dark Shadow Pavilion warriors, per the intel from Yonghyeon. Spots where a considerable number of presences had vanished. He had no idea how Haomen had lured them away, but now, the presences guarding near Yeun Pavilion barely exceeded five.
'This should be straightforward.'
Melting into the shadows, Hyeon-eum-gak raced through the darkness using the Shadow Concealment technique of Black Night Pill. Even as he blatantly slipped through the shadows, the Murim Alliance warriors failed to notice him. Similar to illusions but fundamentally an eye-deception, to the enemies' eyes, it would feel like mere shadows flickering in the moonlight.
The combination of an assassin's completely suppressed presence and the Shadow Concealment was excessively compatible.
'They halted the formation ahead of time. Competent, those Haomen bastards.'
As promised, the formation's effect was paused. It meant they were going all out to rescue their imprisoned Baek Won. Normally, Hyeon-eum-gak would have been caught in the formation's effect the moment he neared Yeun Pavilion, but thanks to whatever Haomen had done, it didn't activate. The upright faction warriors fooled into thinking they belonged to the Dark Shadow Pavilion probably never imagined someone slipping in under the moonlight all the way to Yeun Pavilion's interior.
'Stuffy fools. That's why you can never fully defeat us.'
Disdaining the upright faction warriors, Hyeon-eum-gak entered Yeun Pavilion and headed inward, sensing two presences.
'Annoying.'
Gazing down from the ceiling at Baek Su-gyeong, who slept soundly with a first-rate warrior of lower attainment as his guard, Hyeon-eum-gak dropped silently like a lizard and struck the blood point of Gang Yu-pyeong, who stood watch by Baek Su-gyeong's side.
Sudden acupoint strike. Gang Yu-pyeong offered no meaningful resistance and fainted on the spot. He wouldn't wake unless subjected to major shock.
"Who...?"
Baek Su-gyeong stirred, rousing at the presence. Simultaneously, a heavy voice like a lump of iron pressed down on his chest.
"You'll have to sleep."
"Who the hell are—!"
As Baek Su-gyeong tried to shout, Hyeon-eum-gak's fist slammed into his abdomen, sealing his mouth with a short gasp. He swiftly struck the mute acupoint to prevent any voice, striking the mute acupoint again for good measure. Against Baek Su-gyeong, even paralyzing the meridian points wasn't necessary. If he woke, just knock him out again.
Now, just escape the Murim Alliance like this, and the mission was complete.
'Gotta hurry.'
Deploying the Shadow Concealment of Black Night Pill to envelop himself and Baek Su-gyeong, Hyeon-eum-gak vanished from within Yeun Pavilion. He swiftly exited Yeun Pavilion and moved along the pre-planned route. Just pass the rear garden and hop a few more walls, and success.
Elated at thoughts of lavish rewards, Hyeon-eum-gak leaped for the rear garden wall—when sword energy resembling moonlight slashed toward him, as if to cleave his entire body.
Ka-ka-ka-kang!
A terrifying metallic clash erupted, revealing Hyeon-eum-gak's right arm, covered in iron armor, to the night air.
"Kuhk."
A groan escaped as he was pushed back. Heavy footsteps approached, and beneath the moonlight, a woman appeared with beauty like an ice sculpture.
A star-like ornament dangled above the tassel on the sword in her hand. Hyeon-eum-gak knew what it was.
"Damn it, a wench from Namgung Family!"
The Lone Star Sword, symbol of Namgung Family. The icy-faced woman wielding it could only be one from Namgung Family.
Jade Sword Flower Namgung Som-in.
Her gaze turned to Baek Su-gyeong slung over Hyeon-eum-gak's shoulder.
"Put him down. Assassin."
'She saw through me...!'
"If you refuse, I have no choice but to cut you down."
From the darkness, Namgung Som-in's eyes gleamed with golden killing intent like a fierce tiger's.
The Lone Star Sword cleaved the darkness.
'Damn...'
Seeing Namgung Som-in's eyes flash like yellow lightning in the dark, Hyeon-eum-gak swallowed dryly. No matter the famed Lone Star Sword forged with care by Namgung Family, the chain armor gauntlet on his arm could shatter ordinary weapons effortlessly. Yet, after clashing with his signature weapon, not a single tooth was missing.
It meant she had protected the blade with inner energy to prevent direct contact.
'A master!'
The aura rising from Namgung Som-in's entire body was extraordinary, resembling pitch-black storm clouds overwhelming a pure white sky. Even for Hyeon-eum-gak, at the peak of first-rate, she was no opponent he could face for long. Her emanating presence proved it. Sweat beaded on his forehead unbidden.
'At least early pinnacle realm. How at that age?'
She seemed not yet twenty, maybe nineteen at most. Rumors said the upright factions bred monstrous geniuses, and Namgung Som-in appeared to be one.
"Cha-at!"
Shattering the silence, Namgung Som-in's cold voice rent the rear garden.
Rumble...
Thunderous roar trailed belatedly behind the thrusting blade. Desperately retreating with Baek Su-gyeong on his shoulder, Hyeon-eum-gak wildly unleashed his right hand. The chain armor gauntlet flowed down, transforming into protective gloves, overlaid with pitch-black energy to counter Namgung Som-in's oncoming sword.
Boom!
An explosion like lightning incinerating darkness. As their attacks collided, Hyeon-eum-gak gritted his teeth while retreating; he felt the Shadow Concealment enveloping his body tear away like a ragged cloak, scattering everywhere.
"Damn, Heavenly Thunder Emperor King Divine Art?"
Namgung Family's proud ultimate technique. Hyeon-eum-gak hadn't expected their strongest divine art, alongside the Emperor Sword Forms, to bare its fangs here. His expression hardened coldly as he glared at Namgung Som-in.
"I hear one of the Dark Killer Division's great laws wraps the body in Shadow Concealment. That must be it."
The golden glow lingering at the tip of her sword aimed at Hyeon-eum-gak came from eyes chillingly cold.
Heavenly Thunder Golden Eyes.
A unique phenomenon appearing only in those who mastered Namgung Family's secret art with the strongest destructive power, the Heavenly Thunder Emperor King Divine Art. The aftereffect seemed profound, her eyes fully golden.
No half-baked practitioner skimming the surface.
Hyeon-eum-gak's eyes narrowed.
'She recognized one of Night Emperor's Ten Absolutes, Illusion Fog Concealment?'
Catching him mid-escape with Black Night Pill deployed was impressive enough, but a pinnacle master blocking the way who had even mastered Heavenly Thunder Emperor King Divine Art. Moreover, discerning the Night Emperor's Ten Absolutes of the Dark Killer Division's master, Night Emperor Dark Fragrance Blood Mark. Jade Sword Flower was no ordinary warrior.
Killing intent thickened in Hyeon-eum-gak's eyes as he gauged the distance.
'Alone, I could handle her... but...'
Human Killers of the Dark Killer Division could assassinate even pinnacle masters, but only leveraging their secrets. The problem: his mission wasn't assassination. And he had no intention of dying like a dog here.
'Can't use Violent Spirit Soul Refining. Can't die like a mutt here!'
Violent Spirit Soul Refining was a last-resort secret taught to Dark Killer assassins. It explosively drew out the body's potential for immense power, but duration was short—limited to about one ke (15 minutes). Beyond that, meridians burst, rendering one unable to live as a warrior, slowly suffocating to death.
Moreover, Hyeon-eum-gak now carried Baek Su-gyeong as dead weight. In a frontal clash, he absolutely couldn't beat Namgung Som-in. He'd confirmed it deflecting her sword several times.
That said, only in direct confrontation.
"Kuhk."
Gritting his teeth, tightening his tension, Hyeon-eum-gak saw Namgung Som-in's sword falling like a lone star splitting the sky.
A strike of Lone Star Sole Illumination loaded with Heavenly Thunder Emperor King Divine Art's aura force. As Hyeon-eum-gak retreated deploying Dark Killer unique divine movement enhanced by Illusion Fog Concealment, a black afterimage lingered—only to be shredded by her swing, scattering.
"Cowardly fleeing!"
"I'm an assassin."
Hyeon-eum-gak smirked bitterly.
"'Cowardly' is the highest praise."
The distance between him and Namgung Som-in had widened considerably. Of course, among martial artists, less than ten zhang was practically nothing, but Hyeon-eum-gak was among the swiftest lightfooters in the Human Killers. He judged he could escape if he widened the gap enough.
Not that it'd be simple, but he had confidence. How many times had he survived on fast feet?
"Stop right there!"
Hyeon-eum-gak felt no obligation to reply. The goal of kidnapping Baek Su-gyeong was achieved. Just slip out of Xuchang and the Murim Alliance, go into hiding. Rendezvous could be leisurely, as instructed.
Illusion Fog Concealment overlaid with Black Night Pill's Shadow Concealment rippled black shadows. Not one or two, but dozens engulfed the surroundings, grotesquely dancing to disrupt Namgung Som-in's vision.
"Pathetic trickery!!"
As if responding to her icy shout, Heavenly Thunder Emperor King Divine Art flared from her dantian like boiling rage. Surging like reflux, the art raced through her great meridians in an instant to her sword tip.
Lightning-like golden sword aura dyed her Lone Star Sword brilliantly, exploding as if to blast away the night.
Rumble...
Thunder trailed the swung blade. Golden sword aura soared, incinerating the night's silence like bolts.
The Thunder King's footsteps savagely pound heaven and earth.
"Kuhk!"
Like a massive wave crashing, the exploding aura force bore down; Hyeon-eum-gak ground his teeth. Was she set to blow away even his hostage?
Hyeon-eum-gak cried out in horrified alarm.
"You crazy upright faction bitch!"
Kwarrr rumble!
Heaven collapses, earth overturns. As if the sky caved in wholly and the ground flipped upward. Golden sword aura flowed like seaweed, crushing blocking shadows space itself. Dozens of Illusion Fog Concealment phantoms wiped away by the golden sword aura like ink in water.
Behind the surreal scene.
Boom!
A terrifying explosion devoured even the delayed thunder. In one strike, the Murim Alliance rear garden's encircling walls crumbled to dust; night winds fled in terror at the power.
A belated groan trailed.
"Kuhk."
Hyeon-eum-gak's voice. Kneeling, blood gushing from his severed right arm—but curiously, no scratch on Baek Su-gyeong slung over his shoulder.
As Namgung Som-in flinched at that fact.
"Kh, heh heh. You lot gonna crush esteemed Teacher Su-gyeong with me?"
"What...!"
"Hup!"
The arm seemingly severed rose as Hyeon-eum-gak sprang up, swinging his right arm. The moment she saw it, Namgung Som-in knew: Tricked.
"Shadow Concealment...!"
To think he'd deployed it in that split second to deceive her eyes.
"Hahaha!"
Pfsh!
Amid his triumphant laughter, black mist rose, blotting even faint starlight.
Black Mist Bomb.
The tool assassins used for hasty escapes revealed itself. Namgung Som-in, reading his intent, swung desperately to cleave the mist—but Hyeon-eum-gak was gone.
"He's vanished..."
She'd let her guard down. She'd thought one strike of Vaulted Sky Swordless Swordsmanship loaded with Heavenly Thunder aura would suffice, mocking her assumption.
Namgung Som-in's eyes chilled at the bloodstains left where the black mist smoke dispersed after being slashed.
Dotted blood trails. He'd feigned composure, but the enemy was hurt too.
"I won't let you escape."
The enemy had named Teacher Su-gyeong. Meaning the one he'd carried was indeed him.
"Absolutely not."
Like flames devouring the night, Namgung Som-in's eyes shook with golden fire. She kicked off into the darkness.