Chapter 98

Translator: Penny

Chapter 98

Golden Grand Banquet (2)

Now I was free to move about the estate as I pleased.

Ma Lingyin imposed a single restriction: I must never approach or attempt to open the room across from hers. She warned me that it was equipped with a deadly mechanism that would kill anyone who tried to open it.

I agreed, but it was a promise I knew I couldn't keep. That room was the most intriguing place in this underground chamber.

"Even if that room were piled high with gold, I wouldn't care," I said, and immediately entered Im Yeonjeong's laboratory.

"Let's start the research in ten days. Until then, let's enjoy ourselves. There won't be any distractions then."

Im Yeonjeong, who had already heard about me, shook her head.

"You're being such a nuisance."

But her expression didn't quite match her words.

"Men are naturally inclined to bother women."

"Listen, if you're acting like this because of what happened that day, you're being incredibly naive and foolish. That kiss meant nothing."

I looked at her, a hint of disappointment in my eyes. She gave me a look that seemed to say, Are you an idiot?

I chuckled softly and replied, "Isn't everyone in this world trying to be cunning and shrewd? There has to be room for people who choose to live naively and foolishly too."

"If you can say something like that, you're not as foolish as you pretend to be."

"Ha ha. Thank you for thinking so."

Im Yeonjeong returned to her seat and picked up her book. But she soon shook her head and said, "I can't concentrate with you here."

"How could someone as insignificant as me possibly distract you?"

"Are you going to be petty about this?"

"Ha ha, no. I didn't mean to interrupt your work. Just one question before I leave."

"What is it?"

"Why are you conducting this research?"

"Are you asking because you don't know? To eliminate the fatal side effects of the No Regrets Demonic Spirit Pill. The fact that you only have a year to live is also due to those side effects. You're the only one here who should be praying for this research to succeed, aren't you?"

"So, why try to eliminate the side effects? This research had been ongoing for years before I even took the No Regrets Demonic Spirit Pill, hadn't it?"

She didn't answer, but I continued.

"Obviously, it's to cultivate Martial Artists with immense internal energy. That's what I want to know. Let's say you succeed in creating a large number of Martial Artists with extraordinary internal energy. Then what? What comes next?"

She remained silent.

I looked her straight in the eyes and asked bluntly, "Are you trying to take over the Martial Arts World?"

Im Yeonjeong turned back to her desk and said coldly, "Get out."

Without provoking her further, I left the laboratory.

Her overreaction when I mentioned the purpose and results of my research was proof that she harbored doubts about her own work.

This meant she wasn't conducting this research willingly. Had she, too, fallen into some kind of trap?

As I walked down the corridor, Chilho approached from the opposite direction.

"You remember me, right?"

"Of course."

"Can we talk for a moment?"

"Sure, let's do that."

I followed her to the dining hall.

The structure of this underground secret chamber was as follows: Upon entering from the outside, one passed through a corridor with four mechanisms, followed by a room housing Ma Lingyin's guards and Ma Lingyin's own chambers. Beyond that lay Im Yeonjeong's research room, and across from it, a mysterious room radiating an intense energy. Passing through that room led to the chamber where the test subject had died. Another corridor led to the dining area and the dormitories.

There were about seven or eight rooms in total, one of which was occupied by Iho. Now, new rooms had been assigned to Chilho and me.

She and I entered the dining area. She picked up a teapot from a side table and poured me a cup of tea.

"Thank you," I said.

"Don't mention it. You must be the famous Nameless Great Hero of the Martial Arts World, right?"

"It just happened that way. The title 'Great Hero' is far too flattering."

"It's an honor to meet such a renowned figure."

I was inwardly surprised by how articulate she was. When she was with Ma Jeongsu, she had mostly just stared into the pond.

It struck me anew how drastically people can change depending on their mission or circumstances.

After all, look at me. I had fully adapted to Byeok Ridan and was once again faithfully playing the role of The Nameless Great Hero. It seems humans will eventually do what they must.

"I heard you killed The Butcher of the Heavenly Blade Gate. They say he was an extraordinary martial artist. You must be truly remarkable."

"That man deserved to die. He committed countless atrocities, all under the protection of the Heavenly Blade Gate."

"You truly deserve the title of Great Hero," she said, her expression filled with admiration. But the moment I saw her face, I knew: she had come down here to kill me.

I knew her true nature well. She wasn't the type to shower others with praise and flatter them so openly.

In other words, she had been given a clear mission regarding me. She would approach me with feigned kindness, investigate me, and then decide whether I should live or die.

If she decided to kill me, it would be a problem. I had urgent matters to attend to, and I didn't want to make her an enemy.

"You've mistaken me. I'm merely a superficial person. The Nameless Great Hero is just an empty shell."

After studying me for a moment, she smiled and said, "But that shell is still yours, isn't it?"

She rose from her seat first. "It was an honor meeting you. Please make time for me again in the future."

With a smile, she turned and left.

Through the small mirror on the wall, I saw her expression instantly transform as she turned away, reverting to her usual impassive demeanor. From beginning to end, this entire encounter had been nothing more than a mission for her.

As I left the estate, I focused my mind on the room across from Im Yeonjeong's. I strained my Aura Sense, trying to perceive the aura within.

But all I could discern was its immense size; its true nature remained a mystery.

Who exactly are you?

Several more days passed.

The Golden Grand Banquet was progressing smoothly. Held annually, this event was more than just a festive gathering. It served as a crucial opportunity for merchants from across the Central Plains, who rarely interacted otherwise, to exchange information and forge new business partnerships.

Of course, merchants weren't the only attendees. Renowned Masters from various sects of the Martial Arts World had also gathered, making it an ideal occasion to forge new connections. After all, merchants in the Central Plains maintained inseparable ties with the martial arts community.

In particular, the banquet offered a chance to pay respects to the Martial Arts Alliance Leader. Daily audiences with the Alliance Leader were arranged.

Ma Cheolgun was no exception. He remained busy, meeting with dozens of people each day.

While pretending to monitor Ma Cheolgun, I searched for another person.

On the fifth day of the Golden Grand Banquet, I finally found my target: Gong Suchan. I had expected him to attend the banquet, and he had indeed come.

And with him, I saw an even more welcome sight: Gwangdu was escorting him.

I was genuinely overjoyed to see them both.

When they stopped at an inn for a meal, I sat at a table far from them.

First, I sent a telepathic message to Gong Suchan:

It's me. Don't react. Just listen to me while you eat.

Gong Suchan continued eating silently, betraying no surprise or agitation.

-Everyone's alright, I trust? If so, drink your water.

Gong Suchan drank his water.

-I knew it. What a relief.

If anything had been amiss, he wouldn't have had the leisure to ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠attend this gathering.

-I'm fine. There's a reason I can't appear before you, so don't worry.

I exchanged a few more words with him. Even without telepathic messages, his choices of dishes and water at each moment conveyed his meaning perfectly.

Then I delivered a particularly crucial message.

-Establish a branch office and contact point for the Merchant Guild in Zhengzhou. Be especially cautious here, as enemies are swarming the area.

Of course, as long as they weren't connected to me, the Nameless Great Hero, there wouldn't be any problems. This was such a large city with so many people that no one would pay attention to the movements of a small Merchant Guild.

"Now, enjoy your meal. Let's meet again later when you return. Don't mention to Martial Artist Gwang that I sent you a Telepathic Message."

He took another sip of water.

I wanted to send a Telepathic Message to Gwangdu too, but he would likely act immediately. Given the possibility of Watchers, I couldn't risk such a move.

I left the inn before them. It was such a relief to see them all safe and well.

Even amidst danger, this was why this mission didn't feel burdensome.

I had a place to return to.

That evening, Ma Lingyin summoned me.

"I've learned what you asked me to investigate."

It was about the Third Guard, who was monitoring Ma Cheolgun.

"Iho's investigation reveals that the Third Guard won't intervene in this matter. Their purpose isn't protection, but surveillance."

"So they're different from Iho."

"Exactly."

"I know you won't like me asking this, but you know how I can't stand not knowing."

"Go ahead."

"Who exactly are the people you've allied with?"

Just tell me. Let it slip out casually.

But our relationship hadn't reached that level yet.

"That's none of your concern."

I didn't press further. Knowing Ma Lingyin's temperament, pressuring him would only make him less likely to share anything. Until the very end, what I needed was something to move his heart—a catalyst.

If I persisted relentlessly, surely a clue would emerge from one of them. If I failed to find it by the final day, I'd have no choice but to open that mysterious door. I just hoped it wouldn't come to that.

"If that's how you feel, so be it. Anyway, thanks for looking into it. I'll be going now."

I rose from my seat and left the room.

My next destination was Im Yeonjeong's chamber. When I ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠opened the door, she was deeply engrossed in her work.

"Shh!"

She was carefully pouring liquid from a small bowl into a vessel connected to the central Sphere. Judging by her intense focus, precise measurements were crucial.

Sensing the gravity of the moment, I stepped aside.

A box stood where I had been standing. It was open, as if it had just been unpacked, likely containing some recently arrived materials.

Then something caught my eye: a torn piece of paper was stuck to the box. Part of the original label had remained when the rest was torn off.

The moment I saw it, I knew what it was:

Escort Waybill!

A label attached to goods by an Escort Agency, indicating the destination and recipient.

I glanced at Im Yeonjeong. Her back was turned as she focused intently on mixing the liquids.

I quickly examined the remaining fragment of paper. A single character was still legible:

It was definitely the character Hyeon.

Judging by its position, this was an Escort Agency whose name ended in Hyeon. They wouldn't entrust such a crucial material for the exam to a regular Escort Agency. In other words, this Escort Agency was directly affiliated with the organization.

"Need any help?" I asked.

She replied softly, "No. Just stay put."

"I'll be as quiet as a newborn."

"At least babies are cute."

And they wouldn't be doing something like this. I scrutinized the paper attached to the box. Staring intently, I could faintly make out the first character: Nam.

Namhyeon Escort Agency.

I'd never heard of this Escort Agency before.

This was finally a new lead.

The next ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠day, I sought out Gong Suchan again and sent him another telepathic message, this time as I passed him on the street rather than at the inn.

Tell Jin and Su to investigate the Namhyeon Escort Agency as quickly as possible. Be sure to warn them that a formidable enemy lurks behind it, so they must proceed with extreme caution.

With that single message delivered, I moved on.

After browsing the market district for a while and enjoying a cup of tea at a teahouse, I returned to find myself under surveillance.

The Watcher was so skilled at concealment that only someone like me could have detected their presence.

I knew this peculiar sensation all too well. It was the unmistakable aura of an assassin—a presence I recognized better than anything else.

This was likely the assassin Chilho ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠had brought. If the decision to eliminate me had been made, they would need a blade to carry it out.

I couldn't pinpoint the enemy's identity. I was certain I was being watched, but I couldn't determine who or where they were from. This meant the assassin's skill was exceptional.

Moreover, as I returned, the Watcher had been replaced by another assassin. I couldn't identify this one either, indicating they were of similar caliber.

Two assassins of extraordinary skill.

Truly, I stood at the heart of a place teeming with enemies on all sides.

And now, only three days remained until the final day of the festival.