Chapter 70: Hyeol Hwa is Tired of the Assassin Path
Won Seung and Jong Bi feared Bi Jangno for good reason—their own guilt gnawed at them like an open wound.
Bi Jangno was one of the top five in the power hierarchy of Jeokhyeolsan. To him, Won Seung and Jong Bi were nothing more than insignificant minnows.
His interests lay with the fat carps gliding leisurely through the pond; he couldn't care less if the minnows beside them flitted about or dropped dead.
The only reason he paid any attention to a mere trainee was Jang Gyo-du's report labeling him a prime candidate for the Ten Perfect Assassin.
Securing a Ten Perfect Assassin would crown Bi Jangno's eighteen-year pet project—the assassin training program—with ultimate success.
Bi Jangno, desperate to package Won Seung as that perfect killer, fixed his piercing gaze on Jong Bi and demanded, "Tell me in detail what No. 50 is up to in this three-way martial conference."
"Ah, well..."
Jong Bi wore a troubled expression as she replied, "He's keeping it secret from me too. Something about assassin strategies or whatever..."
"Hmm... That makes sense from No. 50's perspective. But I'm asking what you've uncovered."
Bi Jangno furrowed his brow, his sharp eyes stabbing at Jong Bi like daggers.
A chill ran up Jong Bi's spine. If Won Seung hadn't warned her in advance, she might have panicked and spilled everything.
"Because I ended up posing as a lowly servant, I couldn't join No. 50 in his meetings with the Hwa family of Cheongsu Gate or the Gwancheonbang leader. Of course, I wandered around eavesdropping whenever I could, but it's all being handled in utmost secrecy—no one knows a thing."
"Hmph..."
Bi Jangno sipped his tea from the cup, muttering inwardly to himself.
Should I have assigned someone sharper?
This wasn't some distant surveillance; she was supposed to be glued to the trainee's side, yet she knew nothing of his actions...
In truth, he'd chosen Jong Bi precisely because she could be easily eliminated later with a convenient excuse.
Though the program had produced only one special-grade assassin, its graduates had risen as first-rate killers and become Jeokhyeolsan's main force.
The criticism of the assassin training camp was about the poor return on excessive investment, not the capabilities of its alumni. Yet here was Jong Bi, still stuck at second-rate even after shedding her apprentice status. It was a miracle she was still alive.
Anyway, he'd picked her himself, so there was no backing out now.
Ugh...
That didn't mean he could summon No. 50 directly.
He was still in the training phase, and more importantly, Bi Jangno disliked exposing his face and identity.
Jeokhyeolsan had slain countless people, and the friends and family of the dead hunted them relentlessly, branding them an evil cult.
The moment Bi Jangno's face or identity was revealed, no amount of martial prowess could guarantee his safety. That was why they avoided exposure unless dealing with vetted, loyal headquarters personnel.
In fact, meeting Jong Bi in person was highly unusual for him—a testament to his burning desire for a Ten Perfect Assassin.
"Understood. Dig deeper into what No. 50 is doing."
He waved her away dismissively.
Jong Bi bowed politely and retreated from the grand hall, vanishing into the pouring rain. Even in the downpour, she had no desire to spend another moment with Bi Jangno.
Watching her retreating figure, Bi Jangno turned to his subordinate at his side.
"Looks like you'll have to investigate this yourself."
"Yes, sir."
Jwa Hu, Bi Jangno's trusted aide, bowed and slipped away into the shadows.
Whoosh!
Ogu swung his blade with ferocious power, slicing through the curtain of rain.
Clang!
He parried the incoming sword and charged straight ahead. He could have slit the thug's throat, but now wasn't the time to tangle with these small fry.
With night fallen and a torrent of rain blinding everything, Ogu struggled to navigate, and his black-clad pursuers fared even worse.
Flash!
Lightning cracked again, illuminating the grand gate leading into Hwacheong Pavilion. As Ogu sprinted toward it, another bolt struck.
There, in the center of the gate, stood a man in a conical hat. His composed stance marked him no mere thug.
Ogu halted before the gate. This was no opponent he could blitz through.
Damn it!
This was the end of the line.
As Ogu stopped, the gate guard stepped forward, raising his sword at an angle and glaring. Beneath the hat, his white sclera gleamed intensely.
Splash, splash, splash!
Ogu sensed the small fry piling up behind him like a wall. He had to break through this man.
Whoosh!
Using his right leg as a spring, Ogu twisted his waist and whipped his blade sideways.
The man sidestepped, aiming for Ogu's midsection. Rain seemed to trail along their blades.
Clang-clang!
They exchanged four or five clashes in an instant. Ogu tried to circle for position, but the man saw through it and held his ground.
The man muttered in admiration, "Sangyang has a swordsman like you?"
That was exactly what Ogu wanted to say. His claim of being a force in Sangyang wasn't empty boasting.
He'd hidden his skills while serving as Gu Ja-ang's eyes and ears, forgoing fame. He considered himself a master, but this foe was no pushover.
"You're the Black Society's Cheol Mado, aren't you?"
"You know me?"
Intrigued, the man shook the rain from his blade with a flick and slashed straight in.
Boom!
A burst of qi erupted from the blade, exploding nearby raindrops.
Ogu unleashed his rarely revealed ultimate technique: Gu Su Yeon Hwan Do Beop.
Swoosh-swoosh!
The Gu Su Yeon Hwan Do Beop earned its name from its meteor-like downward strikes chaining endlessly. It appeared as brute-force hacking, but hid insidious slicing motions nearly impossible to detect at the final moment.
"Fine blade work!"
Cheol Mado praised him, wrist twisting to recover his sword before slashing again. The fluid offense-defense marked a true first-rate master.
Clang-clang!
In the rain, their blades collided, sparks flying.
Cheol Mado was relaxed; Ogu was growing anxious. He pressed with reckless combos, but Cheol Mado blocked calmly.
Their distance widened again, positions swapped.
But now the main gate bristled with black-clad figures. Small fry, sure, but they'd formed a human barricade... Breaking through was impossible.
Ogu wiped rain from his brow. It kept blurring his vision. Cheol Mado tossed his hat aside and said, "You're not escaping anyway. Give it up."
He'd discarded his hat's advantage, signaling a proper fight.
He was right. The encirclement was complete.
"Hoo..."
Ogu lowered his blade.
Damn it...
He glanced back at Hwacheong Pavilion.
Gu Ak-pyeong and the Ten-Man Council leaders peered down, smug and leisurely.
You bastards...
If he could, he'd kill Gu Ak-pyeong first—the scum who'd dragged an unrelated outsider like him into their power plays.
Black Dao dogs were all this vile.
Ogu steadied his breath and eyed Cheol Mado.
Might as well go all in on the duel now.
The Black Society's Cheol Mado was a renowned bladesman. A fine companion for the afterlife.
Though he'd learned the Gu Su Yeon Hwan Do Beop's eight-form and Gu Su after reaching seven-star proficiency early this year, he'd never truly tested it. A worthy foe like this would let him unleash it freely.
This time, Ogu struck first.
Slaaash!
A straightforward, rain-cleaving downward chop.
Cheol Mado twisted aside, slashing upward from below. They plunged into fierce combat.
Clang-clang!
The space between them left no room for rain to fall.
After a dozen exchanges, their positions swapped once more.
"What blade art is that?"
Cheol Mado asked, astonished.
His upper garment hung torn from a blade graze. If Ogu's sword had been longer... he'd be dead.
Ogu felt regret.
The transition from seven to eight stars wasn't smooth yet. That's how Cheol Mado exploited the gap and escaped.
Otherwise, his chest would be split open.
"Heh... Urk!"
As he smirked to retort, pain stabbed his waist. Then a thin, long blade protruded from his abdomen!
Ogu stared at the sword piercing his gut, then twisted back. A slightly diminutive man stood a zhang away, grinning slyly.
Black Dao scum were all the same...
They spared no dirty trick to win.
Cheol Mado bellowed, "What the hell are you doing, Gwisoo!"
"The council head ordered a capture on sight—how long are you planning to play around?"
Gwisoo replied flatly, then crooked a beckoning finger.
"Drop dead!"
But Ogu didn't fall. As he reached to yank the blade from his waist, Gwisoo stopped him.
"Hold it! That's a precision stab. Leave it in, and you'll last two shichen. Pull it out, and you won't make half a shichen—wager my wrist on it."
"Guh!"
Ogu ignored him and yanked it free. A chi-long pointed dagger.
"The bastard's committing suicide!"
Gwisoo yelled, and Cheol Mado dashed over, slamming Ogu's back. Ogu crumpled with a thud.
Cheol Mado spoke bitterly, "Sorry about this. Orders are to take you alive—understand."
He then commanded the grunts, "Apply golden sore salve and drag him to the fifth floor!"
The thugs hauled the unconscious Ogu through the pouring rain toward Hwacheong Pavilion.
Won Seung gazed out at the rain-soaked night garden.
Both Jong Bi and Ogu were later than expected.
The study door opened, and Hyeol Hwa emerged.
In the new clothes Jong Bi had bought, her beauty truly shone. Hyeol Hwa had a cold ruthlessness laced with an aloof pride.
She approached and sat in the bamboo chair—the very one Won Seung had just called hers.
Won Seung figured Jong Bi's thoughtfulness had paid off.
Hyeol Hwa stared silently at the rainy garden.
"Why aren't you sleeping?"
"What's the reason you saved me? Seemed like you wanted me to kill someone..."
"No pressure. You can refuse."
"I'll do it. Better than taking unearned favors. But only if it's some scumbag worth killing, like you said."
Yi Eon-pae. Didn't you just book a one-way ticket to hell?
"What's your deal, anyway?"
Hyeol Hwa was genuinely curious.
Won Seung pondered. Could he be honest? No way. Even a great hero like Yong Jo-un wouldn't reveal his circumstances in her shoes.
"Hyeol Hwa, like I said before, once trust builds between us, I'll tell you then. I haven't heard your story either."
"......"
"Yong Daehyeop said he'd send you off the morning after tomorrow, right? You owe him too. Letting someone who tried to kill you walk free..."
Wouldn't fly in my book.
Hyeol Hwa nodded.
"I know."
Her expression seemed oddly melancholic. Shouldn't she be thrilled at freedom?
Ah, right—she'd failed her assassin mission. Returning meant punishment.
"How do I commission an assassin hit from Haeyeonmun?"
"Don't."
Hyeol Hwa spat it out, staring ahead.
"No matter how much you hate someone... don't hire killers. Kill them with your own hands. If you're not strong enough, get stronger."
"......"
That's not something an assassin should say, is it?
Hmm. Hyeol Hwa must be burned out on the assassin life. Drowning in self-loathing.