Chapter 53
Chapter 53
Translator: Penny
Chapter 53
Closer (2)
The Night Merchants' headquarters was thrown into chaos.
The identity of the man Gucheol had killed was finally revealed when his identification tag was discovered belatedly, confirming he was a Si Gon from the Heavenly Blade Gate.
"You crazy bastard! What were you thinking, killing him?" Yacheon roared.
Gucheol protested his innocence. "I never intended to kill him! But what was I supposed to do when he charged at me with bloodshot eyes? Ask the kids—they'll tell you!"
"Still, that bastard!"
Fearing a slap, Gucheol quickly retreated.
Yacheon sighed, his worry palpable. "It just had to be the Heavenly Blade Gate!"
"Don't worry. No one saw anything. Besides, we completely disposed of the body, right?"
"Someone knows about this."
"What? Who could have seen us?"
"The one who told us where to find him!"
"Ah!"
Yacheon's grave expression stemmed from this very fact: someone knew. This was an even more serious problem than Si Gon's death.
"That bastard has us by the throat."
"My apologies."
Gucheol finally grasped the gravity of the situation and bowed his head deeply.
Yacheon didn't reprimand him further. This wasn't Gucheol's fault; it was Yacheon's own fault for sending him to a place he shouldn't have in the first place.
The informant who revealed Si Gon's whereabouts had used Yacheon's own hand to eliminate him.
Why?
The fact that a bundle of medicinal pellets was found in Si Gon's possession meant that the person who contacted them about the theft was the same culprit.
What kind of person would steal the Shandong Merchant Guild's funds and set up such a trap?
Couldn't they have eliminated Si Gon without involving Yacheon? But why go through the trouble?
Gucheol quickly asked, as if struck by a sudden realization.
"Could they be targeting us?"
"You little shit, you figured it out early. Of course they are."
"I'll take care of whoever it is."
"First, we need to identify them. Something's definitely wrong with Ma Jeongsu. Investigate him discreetly."
"But can we really mess with them?"
"Now that this has happened, we have to take the initiative. Just sitting here like fools, getting screwed over and not even knowing by whom? Anyway, focus on Ma Jeongsu first."
"Leave it to me."
Gucheol left the room.
Yacheon walked to the window. Something was definitely happening that he wasn't aware of.
For the first time in ages, his heart was racing and his blood was pumping. But it wasn't an unpleasant feeling.
After all, resolving dangerous situations always came with great rewards.
Ma Jeongsu paced the room restlessly.
The next day, Si Gon still hadn't returned. At first, Jeongsu was angry with him.
To leave home over something so trivial? What childish rebellion! How utterly pathetic.
By afternoon, when Si Gon still hadn't returned, Jeongsu began to worry.
He tried to shake off his anxiety by telling himself that Si Gon wasn't the type to be easily defeated, but in the process, he smashed his desk again. He'd lost count of how many times he'd broken it.
When Si Gon hadn't returned by evening, Ma Jeongsu concluded that he must be dead. After all, Si Gon wasn't the kind of person to leave without a word when angry.
Ma Jeongsu felt a chill run through his veins, his blood turning to ice.
"You bastards! You think you can crush me? No matter what you scum do, I won't back down!"
His fury was directed at his own brothers. He was utterly convinced one of them was behind this. Their motive, their capabilities—it could be no one else.
Ever since childhood, he had hated them. They had tormented him relentlessly, calling his mother a "maidservant." No, they weren't brothers—they were sons of bitches.
"Just you wait and see how I'll get my revenge."
At that moment, someone was watching him from the half-open door. It was the Mysterious Woman.
"Look at this!"
The Mysterious Woman remained expressionless, as usual, despite Ma Jeongsu's furious outburst.
"Report everything. Every single detail. How am I supposed to turn this situation around alone? Do you understand?"
When she didn't respond, he roared, "Do you understand?!"
In the end, the woman left without a word.
"You insolent bitch! You emotionless block of stone! When I become the successor, I'll wring your neck first!"
Every word echoed through the open door, reaching the woman's ears as she walked down the corridor.
At least the claim that she was emotionless was false.
The woman's usual impassiveness grew colder after hearing those words.
The next day, Ma Jeongsu immediately sought out Jeong Yeo upon waking.
With even Si Gon defeated, he couldn't remain idle any longer.
"What brings you here?"
"I came to discuss a matter of urgency with Association Leader Jeong."
Jeong Yeo inwardly tensed at this sudden visit, but she maintained her composure and greeted him calmly.
"Please, speak."
"I assume you've already heard the news. The alliance with the Shandong Merchant Guild has fallen through."
"Multiple setbacks have compounded. But I remain confident that Young Master Ma will overcome them."
"In that case, Association Leader Jeong, I need your assistance."
"How can I help?"
"We cannot abandon the martial arts school establishment plan now. I need your support, Association Leader Jeong."
Jeong Yeo hesitated to answer immediately. What did he mean by "assistance"? It would undoubtedly involve a request for funds, as well as borrowing the Yang Association's influence.
"I fear that my humble Main Association might only get in the way of Great Hero Ma's grand endeavor."
Though he politely declined, Ma Jeongsu refused to back down.
"Isn't the Yang Association truly the foremost in Shandong, in both name and substance? If Association Leader Jeong would lend his support this time, I would be eternally grateful."
Ma Jeongsu was desperate to establish a martial arts school in Shandong to lay the foundation for the Heavenly Blade Gate. Failure would mean a humiliating defeat in the successor trials.
He just needed to get past this critical moment.
The Martial Arts School Establishment Contract had been canceled, but with sufficient funds, negotiations could resume. The cancellation had been due to rumors of his bankruptcy; money would resolve everything.
Initially, he hadn't approached the Yang Association because there was no need. He'd also heeded Elder Flower Fan's advice that lingering within the Yang Association and asking for favors would look unsightly to outsiders.
But now the situation had changed.
If the Yang Association helped him through this critical moment, he would pass the first test.
Then, when a new challenge was presented, he would handle it even more brilliantly. He would gather new subordinates. Having been proven right this time, next time he would strike his competitors where they least expected it—not just a stumble, but a blow that would send their heads flying.
"I understand exactly what you mean. May I have some time to think?"
"Very well. But don't keep me waiting too long."
"I'll come to you soon."
As Ma Jeongsu left the room, he sneered inwardly.
Hmph! I want to find a way out of this, but it won't be easy.
He intended to use everything he could. Once the essence was drained, he'd crunch the husk before spitting it out.
Just you wait. I'm not going down that easily. I've come too far to end up like this.
After sending Ma Jeongsu away, Jeong Yeo came to my room. After relaying Ma Jeongsu's demands, he spoke with concern.
"What should we do?"
It was certainly a worrisome situation. That greedy bastard, once he started helping, would drain the Yang Association's wealth like a sponge absorbing water.
"He's determined to sacrifice the Yang Association for his own gain."
"That's right."
Jeong Yeo looked like he wanted to spit out a torrent of curses. So I did it for him.
"You want to beat him black and blue, then put a bullet through his head, right?"
"I want to grind him under my heel."
Only then did his anger seem to subside.
"Don't worry. His end is near."
I had already devised a grand plan to eliminate him by linking him to the Night Merchants. The only remaining details involved a few lingering issues, one of which was the Mysterious Woman.
"Perhaps this is for the best."
"What do you intend to do?"
I smiled with satisfaction.
"If he's determined to dig his own grave, we should light the fuse."
The next day, I accompanied Jeong Yeo to meet Ma Jeongsu.
Jeong Yeo calmly presented his prepared words:
"As you know, I've only recently become the Association Leader. Shamefully, I haven't yet fully established control over the Main Association. Therefore, I can't personally oversee all its affairs. That's why I'd like to introduce someone to assist the Young Master in my stead."
Ma Jeongsu scrutinized me intently.
However, disguised with a Human Skin Mask and speaking in a completely altered voice, he failed to recognize me.
This was a top-grade mask. Unless you were a mask expert, there was no way to identify it. Though expensive, the importance of the mission meant we couldn't afford to be careless.
"He's my most cherished martial artist. Skilled and quick-witted, he'll be a great help to Great Hero Ma."
I bowed in greeting as Jeong Yeo introduced me.
"It's a pleasure to meet you. My name is Galpyo."
Galpyo was a courtesy name derived from Gal Saryang's title and Baek Pyo's name.
I considered this to be an excellent opportunity to learn more about the Mysterious Woman.
In the Martial Arts World, there's a saying:
"Keep your friends close, and your enemies closer."
As a flicker of displeasure crossed Ma Jeongsu's face, Jeong Yeo quickly interjected.
"Of course, the Main Association will actively support this financially. Don't worry."
Only after hearing this assurance about financial support did Ma Jeongsu's expression soften.
"Very well. If Association Leader Jeong personally recommends him, I'll trust him."
"I appreciate your trust," I replied.
Jeong Yeo turned to me, her tone severe.
"You're a distinguished guest, so we must treat you with utmost care. There can be no mistakes."
I bowed deeply in respect, replying solemnly:
"Yes, I will uphold your command."
I was assigned to the room where Elder Flower Fan had stayed.
After quickly unpacking, I stepped out into the hallway and encountered the Mysterious Woman. She was walking toward me from the end of the corridor.
I stood by the door, watching her approach. Though I was quite nervous, I made no effort to hide it. After all, it would have been strange not to feel some tension during a first meeting. I was fully in control of my body, projecting the aura befitting Galpyo himself.
Up close, her face wasn't delicate or striking. Perhaps the coldness of her bare, unadorned features contributed to this. She had a slightly androgynous air, yet this very quality lent her a peculiar charm.
Our eyes met.
Her gaze was utterly emotionless.
I had seen eyes like that before, long ago.
Elite assassins trained by the Unorthodox Factions or the Demonic Cult. Raised from infancy to be emotionless killing machines, their sole purpose was to carry out missions.
Those eyes... they were just like the ruthless killing machines I'd seen before.
Could this woman be one of them?
Did Ma Bonggi raise her? If so, when did he start planning this? Judging by her age, he must have begun training her at least twenty years ago. It was hard to believe, given what I knew of Ma Bonggi's past.
Or was it just the impression her eyes gave off? You can't judge a person entirely by their eyes. It could simply be a coincidental resemblance.
When she came within inches of me, I spoke first.
"I'm Galpyo."
She glanced at me, but that was all. Without stopping, she walked past me in silence.
"Hey! You greeted me, so I should at least get a response. What's your name?"
The woman turned the corner and vanished.
I saw her again that night.
Unable to sleep, I went out for a stroll and found her standing by the pond.
Was it because of the moonlight flowing over the pond like a green stream? Or because she was staring down into the pond with such endless longing?
I sensed her loneliness.
But it wasn't the kind of loneliness that made my heart ache just looking at her, the kind that made me want to embrace her.
It was empty loneliness.
A hollow loneliness so devoid of anything that there was no way to comfort her.
I watched her from a distance for a long time before going back inside. I couldn't tell if she noticed me observing her.
From the next day on, I began watching her.