Chapter 279
"It's a fake spider web, isn't it?"
Jongjeong Yak stood on tiptoe and ran her fingers along the web clinging to the wall.
What appeared to be a spider's web was actually an exquisitely crafted fake made of cotton.
"Would a manor like this really need such an elaborate trap?"
A sense of foreboding flashed through her mind.
Secret passages were one thing, but an ordinary manor wouldn't go to such lengths with disguises.
Jongjeong Yak hesitated before entering.
"What are you doing? Let's go."
But Neung Jo-un, showing no vigilance at all, sniffled and ducked straight into the passageway.
'After what happened at Crow River Escort Agency, and he still has no sense of caution.'
With a deep sigh, she had no choice but to follow Neung Jo-un inside.
Thud, thud
With each step inward, a hollow thunk echoed from mechanisms installed beneath their feet, and torches along the walls spontaneously ignited.
When they finally entered the stone chamber at the end of the passage, the sight of a warehouse storing various treasures was revealed.
The wooden box containing the Violet Essence Pill was placed atop a smoothly carved square stone, covered by a transparent glass lid.
"We found it."
Neung Jo-un approached the container holding the pill, carefully surveying the surroundings with a cautious expression.
After pressing his ear to the floor and running his hands over the glass cover, his face fell into a look of dismay.
"Damn, there's a trap mechanism."
He clicked his tongue, pointing at the neatly arranged stone where the box rested.
"Moving the box probably triggers an alarm immediately."
"Can you disable it?"
"I'll try."
Click.
Neung Jo-un pulled out a small wooden case from his sleeve, filled with various tools for disarming mechanisms.
"I don't think we need to bother disabling the mechanism."
Just then, Bu Eun-seol, who had been staring into the air, shook his head.
He removed the glass cover and immediately snatched up the wooden box.
"Wait! What are you doing—?!"
Neung Jo-un jumped in alarm, but strangely, the mechanism didn't activate.
Click.
When he opened the wooden case, it was completely empty.
"How did this happen?"
As Jongjeong Yak asked, Bu Eun-seol looked up at the ceiling and replied.
"It was a trap after all."
"A trap?"
"It seems they knew you were tracking the Violet Essence Pill to the end. So they lured you into this manor once more."
"How did you know?"
Bu Eun-seol pointed upward.
"Because a battle is raging above us."
Jongjeong Yak and Neung Jo-un exchanged glances of disbelief.
—Could this man really hear the sounds from above in this deep underground warehouse?
Thud-thud-thud!
Jongjeong Yak and Neung Jo-un activated their Movement Techniques and swiftly dashed toward the exit.
When they finally emerged from the warehouse, they could see Murim Alliance martial artists locked in a bloody struggle with unidentified assassins.
No—it could hardly be called a battle.
The assassins numbered nearly a hundred. Surrounding the martial artists in a tight circle, they rained down hidden weapons and poison.
It was a massacre, like hunting rats.
"You bastards!"
Enraged, Jongjeong Yak and Neung Jo-un immediately drew their swords and unleashed their Sword Techniques toward the encircling assassins.
Clang!
But something astonishing happened.
The assassins moved systematically, effortlessly blocking Jongjeong Yak and Neung Jo-un's sword techniques.
'These assassins are different from the ones we faced before.'
Jongjeong Yak's face paled.
The assassins hiding in Song Manor were incomparably stronger than those they had encountered at Crow River Escort Agency.
And their numbers were far greater...
At this rate, they would be forced to face slaughter.
"Retreat! Fall back!"
Jongjeong Yak desperately poured out sword techniques to hold off the assassins, trying to save the martial artists.
She was willing to sacrifice herself to protect the newly trained, inexperienced warriors.
But that was wishful thinking.
Though she fought with all her might, the martial artists surrounded by assassins fell with heartbreaking ease.
'Is this the end?'
Jongjeong Yak's eyes darkened with despair.
In truth, this Violet Essence Pill incident wasn't just a simple theft.
She had uncovered evidence that someone within the Murim Alliance had been embezzling spirit medicines for a long time.
And the culprit was likely a high-ranking member of the alliance.
She had received approval to investigate the theft, but pressure had been applied repeatedly.
Fortunately, with her position as Law Enforcement Commander and the help of the Nectar Bureau's head, she barely managed to secure approval... but she was only given a half-baked investigation unit of greenhorn martial artists.
The investigation team had been hastily assembled.
'It was a trap from the beginning—to eliminate me.'
Only now did she realize it.
That all of this had been a carefully laid trap to kill her.
'I only wanted to solve this case.'
Her obsession with this case wasn't driven by some sense of justice—it was purely for advancement.
Born into a powerless noble family, she had endured endless absurdities and scorn. Even after obtaining the position of Law Enforcement Commander, nothing had changed.
But what if she exposed the corruption of the Martial Alliance's upper echelons? If she could secure evidence?
She would skyrocket through the ranks again, and no one would ever dare look down on her.
But in the end, the investigation had failed, and now she was about to be slaughtered by these nameless assassins.
Sssshhh—!
Just then, black fog spread in all directions.
Poison mist—released to suppress Jongjeong Yak and Neung Jo-un as they desperately resisted.
"Ugh—!"
Holding her breath, she unleashed her sword techniques, trying to break through the encirclement.
But the assassins effortlessly blocked her attacks, clinging to her like water ghosts.
Her breath grew ragged, her vision darkening.
'This is the end.'
Just as she was about to lose her grip on her sword—
WHOOOOSH—!
A violent whirlwind swept in, scattering the poison mist into the sky.
At the same time, a strange fist energy rippled outward, flinging the attacking assassins over a hundred feet back.
"Hold on tight."
Then, a firm hand seized her.
CRACK—!
For a moment, she thought her lips would split.
The sudden rush of wind forced its way into her mouth, exposing her gums.
"Ah—!"
When she pried her eyes open, she found herself no longer in the Song Manor but in a quiet forest.
And there stood Bu Eun-seol, his sword wrapped tightly in bandages, gripping her arm as he regarded her impassively.
"What just happened?"
At her question, Bu Eun-seol replied flatly,
"The assassins were flooding the place with poison. Since there was no other way, I made an immediate escape."
Her mind went blank.
Had this man really just blown away the poison mist in a single breath?
And the Lightness Skill required to escape the Song Manor in an instant—wasn't this completely beyond common sense?
"How could a high-level wanderer...?"
"Movement Technique is my specialty."
Still dazed, Jongjeong Yak asked with a bewildered expression,
"What about Adjutant Neung?"
"He's putting up a fight, but it won't be easy. There are too many assassins."
"What?!"
She couldn't contain her disbelief and nearly jumped.
Why had he only taken her and escaped?
"We have to save him!"
"I told you. My protection extends only to you."
"So... you're saying your duty is limited to me? You only saved me?"
"That's right."
Truthfully, Bu Eun-seol could have saved not just Jongjeong Yak but all the martial artists.
But to suppress a hundred assassins at once, he'd have to reveal his full martial prowess.
And if he fought using only the strength of a high-level wanderer, Jongjeong Yak would inevitably be overwhelmed. His plan to infiltrate the Martial Alliance through her would fail.
After much deliberation, Bu Eun-seol had decided to feign exceptional Movement Technique and save only her.
"We have to save Adjutant Neung!"
"He's already a lost cause."
Jongjeong Yak's face paled.
Neung Jo-un was her adjutant, a comrade and friend who had been with her since she joined the Martial Alliance.
"I can't just leave him behind."
Biting her lip, she turned toward the direction of the Song Manor.
"Even if it kills me, I'll save him."
"You're choosing suicide?"
"Even if I die, I have to try!"
Bu Eun-seol looked at her with mild surprise.
Ambitious types like her usually clung fiercely to life and lacked loyalty.
But she was different in one way—her sense of duty toward her comrades ran deep.
'Best to get a clear read on what kind of person she is.'
Having made up his mind, Bu Eun-seol decided to test her further.
"Fine. Then I'll retrieve the Purple Herb Pill for you."
"How?"
"I told you—Movement Technique is my forte. Right now, I can slip into the Song Manor unnoticed and steal the pill."
"What about Adjutant Neung?"
He paused, his expression turning cautious.
"I have no interest in risking my life for him. Just wait here. I'll secure the pill quietly."
Then, coldly, he added,
"If you want to save him at the cost of your life, do it yourself. I'm washing my hands of this."
"What?!"
"I'm a wandering mercenary who works for money. I don't want to throw my life away for something as pointless as loyalty."
If she were truly blinded by ambition, the life of a comrade wouldn't even register in her eyes.
And even if she were willing to risk her life, attempting such an obvious suicide mission would be nothing but recklessness.
"Of course, the Violet Essence Pill is important."
Yet, from Jongjeong Yak's lips came a voice both desperate and resolute.
"But to me, Adjutant Neung's life is more important."
She was declaring that her comrade's life mattered more than her own rise to power.
"There's nothing more important than your own life."
"Now I understand why someone with martial arts as strong as yours remains a mere mercenary."
Jongjeong Yak glared at Bu Eun-seol with eyes full of contempt before turning away.
"Go on then, live the rest of your life like a turtle shrinking into its shell!"
"So you're really willing to throw your life away?"
"If I lived like you—cowardly—I might survive safely into my sixties. But the years left would be filled with nothing but misery and regret!"
With that scathing retort, Jongjeong Yak sprinted toward the manor without hesitation.
"Hmm."
Bu Eun-seol watched her go, a peculiar smile playing on his lips.
He had assumed she was the type to trample over anything for success, but unexpectedly, she had a sense of honor.
Flick!
Bu Eun-seol lightly snapped his fingers.
Whoosh!
A soft, viscous Finger Wind grazed past Jongjeong Yak's Wind Mansion acupoint as she ran. Instantly, her body from the neck down went numb, freezing her in place.
"What the hell are you doing?"
Stiff as a statue, she rolled her wide eyes toward Bu Eun-seol as he approached.
"Why did you seal my acupoints?"
"Stay here. I'll bring him back."
"What?"
"I said wait here. Having you along would just get in the way."
"What nonsense is this? Release the acupoint seal now!"
As Jongjeong Yak shouted, Bu Eun-seol sighed.
"You said you'd abandon the Violet Essence Pill for him, so I have no choice but to save him."
"As I told you, my movement technique is quite fast. But if you tag along, saving him becomes impossible."
In that moment, Jongjeong Yak recalled how Bu Eun-seol had carried her from the manor to the forest in a single breath.
If this mercenary's movement technique was truly that advanced, perhaps he really could save Neung Jo-un.
"If you go alone... can you really save Adjutant Neung?"
Her eyes were pleading, but Bu Eun-seol's gaze remained utterly devoid of emotion.
"Yes."
Cold and ruthless as it seemed, there was also something strangely reassuring about that look.
If it's this man...
Truthfully, even with superior movement techniques, breaking through a horde of assassins to rescue Neung Jo-un should have been impossible.
Yet, trust flickered in Jongjeong Yak's eyes.
Because if this mercenary said he could do it—then somehow, it felt possible.
Hadn't he just saved her moments ago with that unbelievable speed?
"...Fine. I'll wait here quietly. Release the acupoint seal."
As the agitation in her eyes settled, Bu Eun-seol gave a slight nod.
"Good."
Snap.
With another flick of his fingers, the numbness below her neck dissipated, and her body regained its mobility.
The very next instant—Bu Eun-seol vanished from sight.
Inside Song Manor.
The corpses of Murim Alliance martial artists lay strewn across the grounds.
The assassins had subdued the only survivor—Neung Jo-un—by sealing his acupoints, forcing him to kneel.
"What a baffling situation. We were supposed to capture her without fail."
The apparent leader of the assassins clicked his tongue in frustration.
They had trapped Jongjeong Yak in poison mist, surrounding her without gaps—
Yet out of nowhere, that gray-clothed man beside her unleashed a devastating Fist Wind before escaping with her using an absurdly fast movement technique.
"Where did that woman go?"
The assassin leader pressed his sword against Neung Jo-un's throat.
"Talk, or you die."
"You tracked our movements perfectly until now. Why ask me?"
Neung Jo-un, still kneeling, met his gaze with a sharp glint in his eyes.
"Ah, so your trap only accounted for events up to this point. You had no plan for what comes after."
"If you've figured it out, then start talking."
The leader stomped his foot down hard on Neung Jo-un's face.
Crashing into the dirt, fresh blood seeped from wounds that had barely clotted, reopening under the force.
"Kill me."
Neung Jo-un lifted his head again, fearless and unyielding.
"Doesn't matter. All of you are already dead men walking."
"What did you say?"
"Daring to slaughter members of the Martial Alliance so brutally—do you really think you can still set foot in the murim and survive?"
"Heh heh heh. You brat know nothing."
The leader coldly spoke while pointing a poisoned sword at Neung Jo-un.
"Even if we behead small fry like you hundreds of times, it won't harm us in the slightest. Do you understand what that means?"
For a moment, Neung Jo-un's gaze wavered violently.
Given his bold expression and eyes, it didn't seem like he was lying.
Just what kind of assassin sect wouldn't fear the Martial Alliance?
"Well, since there's no other way, I suppose I'll just have to return to the Martial Alliance."
Then, the leader raised his sword.
"We'll simply wait at the path's entrance and kill you there."
And with a murderous glint in his eyes, he looked down at Neung Jo-un.
"Just die already—"
Just as the raised poisoned blade was about to strike Neung Jo-un's neck—
Screeeech.
The manor's gate creaked open, and—
Thud. Thud.
A man in mourning robes slowly walked through the opened doorway.
It was Bu Eun-seol.
"That bastard from earlier."
The leader stared at him with a puzzled expression.
After struggling so hard to escape, why would he deliberately return? And alone, no less?
"Where is the Violet Essence Pill?"
Bu Eun-seol asked in a low voice, his bored gaze fixed on the assassins.
"Bring me the pill, and I'll spare your lives."
For a long moment, the assassins stared at him blankly—
"Bwahahaha!"
Then burst into disbelieving laughter.
Neung Jo-un, too, looked at Bu Eun-seol with an incredulous expression.
If he had escaped with Jongjeong Yak, shouldn't he be fleeing the area as fast as possible? Why come back alone and spout nonsense?
"Is the Law Enforcement Commander safe?"
At Neung Jo-un's question, Bu Eun-seol's lips curled into a faint smile.
Even in the face of his own impending death, his first concern was still Jongjeong Yak.
'Loyalty, huh. Both of them.'
"She's unharmed."
"Then why did you return?"
"She said she'd rather die than abandon you."
Hearing this, Neung Jo-un's eyes welled with emotion, but he shook his head.
"So you came alone? To die together?"
"My movement technique is fairly quick."
Flick.
Then something strange happened.
Bu Eun-seol suddenly flicked his fingers—and in an instant, struck Neung Jo-un's sleep acupoint.
"Huh?"
Neung Jo-un stared down at his chest where the Finger Wind had struck, his face twisting in confusion.
Why the hell was this guy sealing his acupoints?
"Why—"
That single word was all he managed before his eyes rolled back, and he collapsed unconscious.
Bu Eun-seol looked down at Neung Jo-un, now face-first on the ground.
Had he risen to a high position too early? Despite his youth, he was steeped in arrogance and authority, rigid and inflexible.
But he didn't fear death, and he prioritized his superior's life above his own.
For that alone, Bu Eun-seol deemed him worth saving.
"I'll give you one last chance."
He turned his gaze to the assassins.
"Hand over the Violet Essence Pill, and I'll let you live."
"You're insane."
The lead assassin let out a dry laugh, then pointed at his own chest.
"The pill is right here. If you've got the skill, come and take it."
"I see."
The leader's robes bulged slightly. Realizing his words weren't a lie, Bu Eun-seol sighed deeply.
"So you never intended to dispose of the pill in the first place."
Having grasped the full situation, Bu Eun-seol nodded as he surveyed the assassins surrounding him.
"The Violet Essence Pill was the bounty that set you in motion, wasn't it?"
"The theft itself was just a trap to lure her to her death."
From the Excellent River Escort Agency to the Secret Market, and now the Song Manor—
The trail of the stolen pill had been absurdly easy to follow.
Because the entire theft had been bait from the start—a scheme to draw Jongjeong Yak out of the Martial Alliance and kill her.
"Then we can't let you live."
The leader gave a slow nod to his subordinates.
Shhhhk.
At his signal, a hundred assassins encircled Bu Eun-seol in a wide ring.
Since his Movement Technique was said to be fast, they wouldn't give him even a sliver of space to escape—they'd tighten the net and kill him cleanly.
But something was off.
That rogue wasn't even thinking of running. Instead, he stood there, perfectly at ease, watching them.
—Ugh...
And the expressions of the assassins surrounding him were gradually contorting.
They were the ones who had him surrounded, yet it felt like a black Grim Reaper had latched onto their backs.
Worse, their bodies wouldn't move anymore.
The terror of death.
An unfathomable, unknown fear was freezing them in place.
"I don't have time..."
Bu Eun-seol's bored gaze swept over them as a bloody light flickered in his pupils.
"So let's make this quick."