Chapter 84
Chapter 84
Translator: Penny
Chapter 84
One Strike, One Kill (2)
After returning to my room, I sank into the bathwater.
The steaming hot water seemed to melt away all my fatigue.
Suddenly, Chilho's earlier appearance flashed through my mind.
Her expression and eyes were as cold and indifferent as ever. After all this time, she hadn't changed at all.
I remembered her last words:
"I heard lotus flowers bloom from mud. Is that really true?"
The faint smile she wore when I answered yes resurfaced in my memory.
What brought her to Wuhan this time?
Judging by her watching Yeom Hwa, it must be something related to him.
Was she monitoring him again, like during the Ma Jeongsu incident?
That didn't seem likely. The way she looked at Yeom Hwa was clearly different from before.
After finishing my bath and sitting down to eat, Jin arrived with a report.
"Yeom Hwa told the Alliance Leader that all the Ho-yeon Family disciples who attended the negotiations that day should be killed. The rumor has spread like wildfire within the Alliance."
"That madman."
"Indeed."
The fact that this rumor was spreading at all was the problem. It meant that Alliance Leader Ma Bonggi was at least tacitly condoning Yeom Hwa's actions. Otherwise, such a rumor would never have leaked out.
"He has Ma Bonggi's trust."
"He's been handling all sorts of tasks since his days at the Heavenly Blade Gate."
No wonder he earned the nickname "The Butcher."
"Be careful when monitoring him. A third organization is also watching him. I don't know who they are, but they're clearly a massive operation."
"What exactly do you mean by 'immense'?"
"I believe they are at least on par with the Martial Arts Alliance, if not superior."
Jin was visibly startled.
I nodded once to emphasize the truth of my words.
"We must be cautious."
"I will keep that in mind. I will monitor them carefully from a distance."
"Also, Mae-rang and Ho-yeon Suk-jeong have visited the Martial Arts Alliance. Investigate their movements and report back."
"Yes, I understand."
With a respectful bow, Jin withdrew.
Though half my meal remained, I set down my chopsticks.
Mae-rang's image surfaced in my mind. I couldn't simply ignore her as a stranger. The memory of that little girl, shouting "Oppa!" as she burst into our home, was too vivid to forget.
The next day, Yeom Hwa once again occupied the central seat at Wuhan's Premier Inn.
As expected, there were no other guests. The innkeeper, whose business was ruined, wore a pained expression but dared not voice his complaints.
A crowd gathered in front of the inn, drawn by rumors of Yeom Hwa's lavish spending the previous day.
Of course, many criticized his actions behind his back, calling it arrogant and a cheap attempt to buy favor with money. Some even avoided the inn altogether.
Yet the reality was that even more people had gathered than the day before.
Yeom Hwa reveled in the attention of the crowd, but his mood had soured recently. Ever since Ho-yeon Nam's surprise attack, he had been deeply unsettled.
Even if ambushed, Yeom Hwa should have been able to defeat someone like Ho-yeon Nam with ease. Yet he had nearly died.
This was a crushing blow to his pride.
Damn it!
He wouldn't find peace until he had gouged out the eyes of every Ho-yeon Family member who had witnessed him being stabbed that day.
Of course, he knew this wouldn't be easy.
But this was the only way to show the Martial Arts World that he wasn't someone to be trifled with. In this world, anyone who appeared weak would be swarmed by every kind of scum.
As Yeom Hwa drank, his eyes fell on Il-u's empty seat.
"I don't see Il-u."
I-u cautiously replied to Yeom Hwa's question.
"The Boss hasn't been seen since he left yesterday."
"Yesterday?" Yeom Hwa asked, his expression puzzled. He had never spent the night away without contacting them.
"Where did he go?"
"He left without saying where he was going."
"Idiot!" Yeom Hwa roared, startling the three men into flinching and bowing their heads.
Fearing his wrath, I-u quickly interjected, "Could it be because of that old woman yesterday?"
"The one who claimed to be Ho-yeon Tak's grandmother?"
"Boss left immediately after that incident yesterday and hasn't returned since."
"Do we know where they went?"
"Of course. I had someone tail them after hearing what that old woman said yesterday. I suspected they were planning something troublesome."
"And?"
"They headed straight to see the Alliance Leader yesterday."
"The Alliance Leader?"
Yeom Hwa's expression twisted sharply.
"But they say they couldn't get permission to see you and had to turn back."
"That damn old hag!"
Yeom Hwa's anger surged as he recalled Mae-rang's face, screaming about fearing the heavens. He had let her go because of the many eyes watching, but this was all she could do?
"Il-u went to meet that bitch and hasn't returned?"
"It's not confirmed, but it's possible."
"Bring those women here immediately."
"Yes, sir!"
Sa-u darted out of the room.
Beyond Il-u's situation, Yeom Hwa needed to intimidate them into abandoning their attempt to see the Alliance Leader. The rumors surrounding Ho-yeon Tak's death served him no good.
Yeom Hwa slammed his empty cup down irritably.
"My luck's been fucking awful lately."
"Grandmother, please get up and eat."
At Ho-yeon Suk-jeong's words, Mae-rang turned her back on the bed.
"I have no appetite. You go eat."
"You shouldn't skip meals. You need to keep your strength up."
Yesterday, the two had visited the Martial Arts Alliance and pleaded with the Gatekeeper to see the Alliance Leader.
But they were denied. No matter how desperately they begged to be heard about their injustice, it was futile. Given the gravity of the matter, one would expect someone other than the Alliance Leader to at least come out, but they met no one beyond the Gatekeeper.
They were told that if they left a written record, they could request an official meeting, but the process typically took one to two months.
"Grandmother, you need to eat and regain your strength. Only then can we go back."
Mae-rang remained motionless, her back still turned.
Ho-yeon Suk-jeong resorted to her final tactic—one that always worked on her grandmother.
"Then I'll starve myself too."
As expected, Mae-rang slowly rose to her feet.
"You wicked girl," she muttered, turning around and stepping down from the bed. Tear tracks glistened on her cheeks.
Ho-yeon Suk-jeong knew better than anyone how her grandmother had raised her and her brother.
Though they were of the Ho-yeon Family bloodline, they belonged to a distant branch—one of the weakest and poorest among them. Their father and mother had died early, and the family's already meager fortune had completely collapsed.
After that, their grandmother had raised them by doing all sorts of menial jobs.
Ho-yeon Suk-jeong still vividly remembered the day Ho-yeon Tak's talent was recognized, and he became a disciple of Ho-yeon Nam. Her grandmother's joy had been palpable.
"Grandmother."
Ho-yeon Suk-jeong was deeply concerned about Mae-rang's health.
The two descended to the inn's first-floor dining hall.
As they settled at a table and prepared to order, they spotted someone.
"Oh? Young Hero? You're the person we met yesterday, aren't you?"
They recognized me and greeted me warmly.
Though it might seem like a chance encounter, I had deliberately come here and waited to see them. Jin had discovered that they were staying at this inn and that they had been refused an audience with the Alliance Leader.
"Elder Mae and Ho-yeon Maiden. Since we've met like this, would you care to join me for a meal?"
Ho-yeon Suk-jeong glanced at Mae-rang, who nodded and said, "We owe you thanks from yesterday. This old man will buy you a drink."
"Thank you," I said.
The two women joined me at my table.
We ordered more wine and dishes.
Mae-rang, clearly agitated, began to drink one cup after another.
"Grandmother, please take your time," I urged.
"I feel like my chest is about to burst from frustration," she replied.
Pretending ignorance, I asked, "Forgive my intrusion, but would you mind telling me what's troubling you?"
Having stood up for them yesterday, I had completely earned their trust. They seemed relieved to finally have someone to confide in.
Mae-rang began to recount her story. She spoke of growing up in a remote village, of her chance encounter with a descendant of the Ho-yeon Family, and of their love. She told me how, even after going to the Ho-yeon Family and insisting that her lover hadn't taken his own life, no one would listen to their pleas.
As Mae-rang finished speaking, Ho-yeon Suk-jeong, her eyes glistening with tears, turned to me and said, "My brother would never take his own life."
Mae-rang, her face flushed with drink, chimed in, "Of course not! Absolutely not!"
Ho-yeon Tak must have been both capable and strong-willed. That was the only way he could have become a disciple of Ho-yeon Nam.
"Then why have you come here?"
"To meet the Alliance Leader and prove that my brother's death wasn't suicide. My brother..." Ho-yeon Suk-jeong trailed off, unable to finish her sentence. If he had been murdered as part of a conspiracy, the Ho-yeon Family was the most likely culprit. The mere thought of such a possibility was terrifying.
"Don't worry," Mae-rang said earnestly. "If they refuse to see us, I'll lie down at the main gate of the Martial Arts Alliance until they do."
I stared silently at Mae-rang. Her deeply wrinkled face was etched with stubborn determination and unwavering resolve to uncover the truth behind her grandson's unjust death.
Fate had brought her to me.
Should I just send her away because I'm busy? I didn't want to.
I smiled at the two of them.
"Something good will surely happen."
I rose from my seat and bid them farewell.
But before I could even leave the inn, something terrible occurred.
Sa-u, who had hurried past me, approached Mae-rang and Ho-yeon Suk-jeong's table and barked:
"Come quietly if you don't want to die."
The crowd gathered in front of Wuhan's Premier Inn parted to make way for three figures: Mae-rang, Ho-yeon Suk-jeong, and Sa-u, who had brought them.
Those who had seen the pair the previous day began to whisper among themselves. Even those unaware of the situation cast pitying glances at the elderly woman and young maiden being dragged along.
At that moment, I-u stepped forward and scattered silver coins in all directions.
"These are a special gift from Great Hero Yeom!"
"Waaaaah!"
The crowd erupted into a frenzy, scrambling to snatch up the coins.
Watching the chaos, I-u curled his lips into a mocking grin.
Meanwhile, Mae-rang and Ho-yeon Suk-jeong were led inside the inn. Sa-u seated them not far from Yeom Hwa's table.
Mae-rang glared fiercely and shouted, "Why have you brought us here?"
"Old hag, don't get so worked up! I brought you here because I have questions to ask."
"If you have questions, you should come ask them yourself. What right does a greenhorn like you have to summon an old woman like me?"
Yeom Hwa frowned, but Mae-rang remained unfazed.
"What? You think you can beat an old woman like me?"
"I don't hit the elderly."
As he spoke, he glanced sideways at Ho-yeon Suk-jeong standing beside him.
Mae-rang flinched. She didn't care what happened to herself, but her granddaughter was different. She had originally planned to come to Wuhan alone to avoid this very situation, but Suk-jeong had insisted on accompanying her.
"What do you want to ask?" Mae-rang asked, her tone softening slightly.
"Did anyone come looking for you yesterday?"
"Who are you talking about?"
Mae-rang and Ho-yeon Suk-jeong wore expressions of genuine confusion, showing no signs of deception.
Yeom Hwa irritably gulped down his wine.
Damn it! Then where the hell did Il-u go?
Far in the distance, Chilho stood with her arms crossed on a rooftop overlooking Wuhan's Premier Inn.
Beside her stood another figure—a man who appeared short and young, almost like a child at first glance.
But he was an adult. This diminutive figure, resembling a dwarf, was The Ghoul, who had descended with her for this mission.
The Ghoul was an assassin within the organization.
Among the four assassins recognized as the best by the organization, The Ghoul was one of them. The identities of his past assassination targets remained an absolute secret.
The order to bring The Ghoul to handle the matter meant one thing: eliminate the target.
Chilho said softly, "Eliminate him as quickly as possible."
The Ghoul turned to her and asked, "Are you sure the order is to eliminate him?"
"Yes, that's the order."
Their relationship was somewhat peculiar. Chilho issued the orders, but The Ghoul held a higher rank within the organization.
"An order to kill The Butcher of the Heavenly Blade Gate? Our organization truly is remarkable."
He wasn't saying this out of disdain. He was genuinely excited, like a beast salivating before a delicious prey.
The Ghoul's gaze shifted from Chilho to the inn.
"Huh? What's going on over there?"
Chilho's eyes followed his to the inn.
Someone was entering the inn.
I strode purposefully toward the inn's entrance.
"Halt!" I-u blocked my path. Over his shoulder, I could see Yeom Hwa drinking wine, and Mae-rang and Ho-yeon Suk-jeong sitting a short distance away.
Wearing the Human Skin Mask and having altered my voice, they failed to recognize me from the previous day.
"Who are you to barge in here so rudely?"
"Isn't this an inn?"
"What?"
"Did you rent the entire place?"
I glanced at the Innkeeper, who remained silent, paralyzed by fear.
I-u stared at me in disbelief. Outside, the crowd continued to mill about, peering inside.
They couldn't tell if I was simply oblivious to the situation or if I had come with some ulterior motive.
Just then, Yeom Hwa spoke from behind.
"Let him in. A guest has arrived; we should welcome him."
I-u glared resentfully but stepped aside.
Leaving the murmurs of the onlookers behind, I slowly entered the inn.