Chapter 27
Chapter 27
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>Translator: Ryuma
>Chapter: 8
>Chapter Title: Death Aura (2)
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This was Mok Eun-pyeong's residence.
*Slurp!*
Mok Eun-pyeong gracefully sipped the renowned Gun Mountain Silver Needle tea from Honam Province after finishing his morning meal.
His first-rate expert escort warrior, Jeon Yang-pyeong, cautiously addressed him.
"Young Master."
"What is it?"
"From Gam Escort's reaction earlier, it didn't seem like he was lying. Do you truly believe he's deceiving you as a desperate measure?"
*Clack!*
Mok Eun-pyeong set down his teacup and replied curtly.
"No. It's half and half. There must be something even Gam Escort doesn't know about. Even if it is a desperate measure, would he do something to arouse suspicion in just one day? No matter how much of an idiot Mok Kyung-un is, he'd have at least one hidden trump card."
"Pardon? Then what..."
"Did he say that if Jo Il-sang isn't found within two shichen, he'll take your life?"
"Yes. Weren't you hoping to claim Gam Escort for yourself?"
Mok Eun-pyeong had long desired to make Gam Escort, the third young master's guard, his own.
Even after learning the man was from an assassin group, his mind hadn't changed.
He had even remarked that it made him all the more useful.
"If you had investigated separately and shown trust..."
"That can't be done."
"Why not..."
"Showing unconditional trust would make him grateful? No, he'd see this young master as a pushover or too soft. That's why I needed to instill the right amount of tension."
"So you're saying..."
"Do you think this young master would easily discard talent like that?"
Mok Eun-pyeong grinned.
Even if two shichen passed, he had no real intention of killing him.
"After showing how demanding and strict this young master is, once the truth comes out, I'll show forgiveness. People respond best when you treat them harshly and then do them a favor once."
That was Mok Eun-pyeong's way of handling people.
Though Jeon Yang-pyeong inwardly disagreed, he feigned admiration.
"As expected of you, Young Master. To have such insight."
"So just wait quietly. It's easiest to break someone's spirit when they're desperate. It's regrettable to lose Jo Escort, but out of a sense of responsibility, he'll serve even more loyally."
"Wise words."
"Flattery suits you."
"But don't push him too hard."
At this, Mok Eun-pyeong raised one eyebrow.
"What?"
"Didn't you learn about Gam Escort's past during the investigation?"
"Ah... that?"
"Yes. Gam Escort might be from 'that place.' If he truly is from 'there,' even if retired, provoking him needlessly could lead to... well, it might tire you out."
He changed "danger" midway.
Because Mok Eun-pyeong had subtly strong pride.
Assassins from such groups were quite dangerous to use as subordinates.
Especially if from 'that place.'
*Slurp! Clack!*
"It's just a possibility. We don't know for sure if he is or isn't."
"Yes."
"More importantly, think about what to do with that bastard Mok Kyung-un. If he really touched Jo Il-sang, I can't let it slide."
"........."
From his reaction, he seemed already offended.
Continuing the topic would only displease his lord, so Jeon Yang-pyeong dropped it.
It was then.
The sound of someone rushing over came.
*Knock knock!*
"Young Master. It's Han Saeng."
"Come in."
Han Saeng.
He was one of Mok Eun-pyeong's three escorts, the weakest in martial prowess.
Like Go Chan, he was merely second-rate.
Thus, he handled most of the odd jobs.
Mok Eun-pyeong eyed the hurriedly entering Han Saeng with puzzlement.
"I sent you to check the situation not long ago. For you to come rushing with that expression, something must have happened?"
"W-Well..."
"Speak."
"Gam Escort has disappeared."
"What?"
Mok Eun-pyeong's face hardened at the sudden news.
What nonsense was this?
Jeon Yang-pyeong asked incredulously.
"What do you mean? Gam Escort disappeared?"
"W-Well..."
"Did he defy the Young Master's order and flee?"
"No, that's not it."
"Then what the hell is it? Explain clearly!"
Under Jeon Yang-pyeong's urging, Han Saeng spoke awkwardly.
"There's big trouble right now."
"Big trouble?"
"Yes. I couldn't get close because Outer Hall warriors were guarding it, but from what I heard, Gam Escort killed three workers in the Medicine Compound, then tried to kill the Third Young Master too. He got injured and fled."
'!?'
Mok Eun-pyeong was dumbfounded.
What the hell did that mean?
He had ordered him to find his missing escort Jo Il-sang, so why would Gam Escort suddenly try to kill Mok Kyung-un?
'Could it be...'
Was he trying to prove his loyalty that way?
Or threatening Mok Kyung-un to find out where Jo Il-sang went?
It was impossible to guess.
Then Jeon Yang-pyeong asked in the same disbelieving tone.
"Is that confirmed? Why would Gam Escort do such a thing?"
"I don't know either. But they say Mok Kyung-un's injury was so severe it threatened his life, so it might be true. The problem isn't that, though."
"If not that, what?"
"Forgive my impertinence..."
"Speak quickly!"
Under Mok Eun-pyeong's urging, Han Saeng finally spoke.
"It seems Mok Kyung-un told the Outer Hall investigators that you, Young Master, ordered Gam Escort to betray him and kill him."
'!!!!!'
Mok Eun-pyeong's face twisted ferociously as soon as the words ended.
Jeon Yang-pyeong hurriedly soothed his enraged lord.
"Young Master, calm down. Even if that bastard Mok Kyung-un spreads such rumors, the Outer Hall won't believe them."
*Bang!*
Mok Eun-pyeong slammed the table and raised his voice.
"It's not about believing or not. I'm not even selected as successor yet—if I'm tangled in scandals, how will the retainers view this young master?"
Mok Eun-pyeong trembled with rage.
The Clan Head might not pressure him over this, but the Outer Hall wouldn't overlook it either.
That could weaken his retainers' support.
"That damned Mok Kyung-un!"
*Thud!*
Unable to hold back, Mok Eun-pyeong shot to his feet.
He couldn't endure without going to Mok Kyung-un and turning things upside down right now.
Jeon Yang-pyeong restrained him.
"Young Master, please calm down!"
"Calm down? You think I can calm down now? That wretch has stabbed me in the back twice—Jo Il-sang and now this—and you want me to let it go?"
Especially this time, it truly infuriated him.
"But going now will only arouse more suspicion. And with the Outer Hall guarding him, all the retainers' eyes will be on you."
*Grind!*
Mok Eun-pyeong ground his teeth.
He was furious, but Jeon Yang-pyeong was right.
Venturing to Mok Kyung-un to lash out or harm him would harm his succession bid.
Yet letting it slide made his chest feel like it would explode.
How smug that bastard must be feeling.
The eldest young master Mok Young-ho or Great Madam Seok might mock him.
As Mok Eun-pyeong failed to calm his anger, Jeon Yang-pyeong spoke softly.
"Young Master. Since it's come to this, why not move 'them'?"
"Them?"
"The group Gam Escort belonged to."
"......That place?"
"Yes."
"What do you mean, move them?"
"From what I know, they have strong pride in assassinations and strict rules."
"Rules?"
"Yes. They don't tolerate failures by assassins from their sect, retired or not."
"And if they don't tolerate it?"
"They complete the kill one way or another."
Mok Eun-pyeong's hardened expression softened at those words.
"Didn't he say with his own mouth that Gam Escort tried to kill him? Then it's perfect. I'll leak it to them."
At Jeon Yang-pyeong's words, the corner of Mok Eun-pyeong's mouth lifted.
* * *
Mok Kyung-un sat cross-legged, eyes closed as if meditating.
He was currently trying something called the Breath Control Method.
No matter how strong his recovery was, having daggers lodged between his ribs and in his thigh wouldn't heal in an instant.
So, with this opportunity, he decided to attempt forming his dantian.
'Otherwise, how could I handle this?'
Below Mok Kyung-un's navel gathered a cold, yin death qi—the death aura—from the deceased Jo Il-sang and Gam Escort that he had absorbed.
Though absorbed, unlike the internal energy he had taken via the Attunement Technique, it merely pooled in his abdomen without moving.
Thus, he was experimenting to see if forming a dantian with it might work.
However,
'Is it supposed to be like this?'
The Timber Transforming Heart Method detailed the Breath Control Method—breathing techniques.
It also included corresponding qi circulation methods and key circulation formulas.
To properly circulate qi, one must intake ambient qi through breathing, gather it at the dantian to form a small seed.
Yet something felt off.
'Why does the qi taken in through breathing scatter away?'
The qi gathered via breathing was minuscule.
Far smaller than what he'd absorbed via Attunement Technique, but the manual stated this was normal.
So, thinking dust gathers into mountains, he guided it below his navel.
*Shhh...*
But it scattered the moment it entered.
Just like the internal energy absorbed via Attunement Formula naturally dispersing, it simply vanished.
'Why?'
He couldn't understand.
Was qi supposed to scatter easily by nature?
With no one to ask and only the manual to follow, Mok Kyung-un had to proceed as instructed.
"Huu... Huu..."
He gathered qi while reciting the heart method's key formulas via the Breath Control Method.
He did this for half a day, until dusk approached, but the faint incoming qi scattered every time it reached below his navel.
'......What is it?'
Why?
The manual said forming the seed—no, the dantian—was extremely difficult.
From that perspective, yes, it was difficult.
But it never mentioned it scattering immediately upon gathering.
It said it gradually disperses.
'It vanishes right away.'
Unlike the manual, it disappeared instantly upon entry.
What was the reason?
Could martial arts not be self-taught alone?
'Hmm.'
Mok Kyung-un glanced sideways at Go Chan, who lay asleep like the dead on the adjacent bed.
His left ring and pinky fingers severed, subjected to Tendon-Severing Bone-Dislocating torture, he had passed out and been confined to Mok Kyung-un's annex.
Mok Kyung-un had asked the Outer Hall warriors to bring him here.
He considered letting him sleep, but it was time to wake him.
"Go Chan Escort."
"........."
"Go Chan Escort."
"........."
"Hmm."
*Swish!*
Mok Kyung-un raised his palm over Go Chan's face.
Then,
*Smack!*
Go Chan snapped his eyes open, bolted upright, and urgently replied.
"Yes!"
"Wow. Impressive. Weren't you sleeping?"
"I-I was sleeping."
In truth, Go Chan had woken about one geng ago.
Unsure of the situation, he kept his eyes closed to assess.
Thus, he realized this was the Medicine Compound and Mok Kyung-un was right beside him.
He couldn't bring himself to open his eyes.
It was a form of escapism from reality.
To him, Mok Kyung-un whispered.
"I had something to say once you woke."
"W-What is it?"
*Gulp!*
Go Chan couldn't hide his tension.
It made him uneasy.
Mok Kyung-un chuckled softly.
"Contrary to expectations, you have quite a tight lip."
"......Haa."
Go Chan exhaled in relief.
Honestly, it felt like death either way, but dying by Mok Kyung-un's hand seemed the worst torment, so he had endured.
"You're starting to grow on me, Go Chan Escort."
"Th-Thank you."
What a relief.
His choice seemed correct.
'......Wait. Is this something to be happy about?'
He felt like he was being tamed by Mok Kyung-un.
Realizing it filled him with self-loathing.
Then, recalling something, he paled and cautiously apologized, glancing around.
"Um, Young Master... I'm sorry. I got caught by Gam Escort midway and lost the item you entrusted..."
"Ah, I got it back."
"Pardon?"
He got it back? What did that mean?
To the puzzled Go Chan, Mok Kyung-un smiled faintly and whispered.
"Keep this between us, Go Chan Escort. I killed Gam Escort and took it back."
'!?'
Go Chan's eyes widened at Mok Kyung-un's words.
Did he hear right?
He killed Gam hyung?
A mid-level assassin from the Flying Killer Sect, one of the Central Plains' three great assassin groups—even if retired?
"H-How..."
"Shh."
Mok Kyung-un gestured toward the Medicine Compound entrance.
Shadows of about four warriors were visible outside the paper window.
Four more guarded the opposite side.
They were Timber Sword Manor Outer Hall warriors.
"They think Gam Escort attacked me and vanished. So pretend the same, Go Chan Escort."
At Mok Kyung-un's words, Go Chan whispered lowly.
"Is it true?"
"Why would I lie about this?"
"........."
Go Chan swallowed dryly.
This demon-like guy wouldn't boast emptily.
'Unbelievable... What the hell is this guy?'
He clearly hadn't learned martial arts.
Yet now he claimed to have killed even a first-rate expert?
It defied common sense.
Was this even possible?
To the still-doubting Go Chan, Mok Kyung-un said.
"I have a question."
"Y-Yes? What is it?"
"I want to form a dantian, but it's not going well. I thought I had good comprehension, but I must not understand the manual properly."
"......A dantian?"
Go Chan furrowed his brow and repeated.
This guy still wanted to learn martial arts?
But at Mok Kyung-un's age, starting martial arts was on the late side.
'Seventeen... Waste buildup in meridians makes intaking qi via Breath Control Method difficult.'
That's why one starts young.
Regardless of comprehension, forming a dantian would naturally be hard.
How to tell him this tactfully?
'I hate to say it, but you're too late for martial arts.'
He couldn't bring himself to say it.
After pondering, Go Chan spoke.
"Uh, could you tell me what's difficult?"
He'd help for now.
Talking alone would just upset him.
Better to let him clash with reality and realize it himself.
Unaware of this, Mok Kyung-un explained his issue.
"...So no matter what, the qi scatters."
"........."
Go Chan blanked out momentarily at Mok Kyung-un's words.
Did he hear wrong?
He just started Breath Control Method, yet he sensed qi, even gathered it to the dantian area via circulation path?
Even if it scattered?
'No. He's joking, right?'
A guy ignorant of even the word "martial"—even with a heart method manual, reaching that alone?
Impossible, no matter how you sliced it.
Even the most basic Three Fundamentals Heart Method required foundational training to grasp qi's concept easily.
"Go Chan Escort?"
"Y-Yes!"
"Why that face?"
"W-Well..."
"Is something wrong?"
"No. Rather..."
"Rather?"
"Young Master... Did you really sense qi through breathing?"
In less than half a day?
"Yes. So what?"
"Young Master, this needs confirmation..."
"I felt it, so I say I felt it. Why would I joke?"
"........."
This is insane.
That's exactly how Go Chan felt.
It was as if Mok Kyung-un was declaring himself a once-in-a-millennium prodigy.
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