Myeongmyeong Merchant Group (3)
I was poring over documents in my quarters late into the night.
The most important reason I'd come to Sacheon was to rescue Brother Jeong Ho, but now that he was saved, it was time to return to my daily routine.
My daily routine...
That's right. Work. Business.
There was a mountain of tasks ahead, from securing funds for Chokgeum to exploring all the business opportunities Sacheon had to offer.
"Young branch leader, what should we do with this one?"
Seo-hyang clerk asked from beside me. She'd come here with me from the start.
And she'd been assisting with my work ever since.
"Ah, this one needs a hands-on inspection."
"I'll set it aside then."
Seo-hyang clerk started rolling up the scroll to place it nearby but suddenly froze.
Her eyes lost focus for a moment before sharpening again.
"Uh..."
She turned to me and said,
"You need to go to Young Master Seong right now."
"Pardon?"
"The young master is in danger."
What?
Ignoring her warning would be utter stupidity. I bolted from my seat and raced toward Young Master Yujin's quarters.
As I ran, I sent a sound transmission to the Myeongjong warrior with orders, then veered toward the secluded annex.
That's where Young Master Yujin was staying now.
Even a guest as esteemed as him couldn't be housed in the inner quarters with outsiders.
Which was why Brother Jeong Ho was bunking with him too.
As I drew closer to the annex, I sensed the foul aura of a black path practitioner—and that killing intent was zeroed in on Young Master Yujin's rooms.
I launched into the air and hurtled toward the source.
Boom!
He whipped up his sword just in time to block my strike.
Our energies collided in a deafening roar, and we leaped back, landing in the courtyard with space between us.
The crash drew Do the squad leader and Jeon the warrior rushing out in alarm. I bellowed at them,
"Do squad leader! Protect Young Master Yujin!"
"What?"
"Snap out of it! That bastard's gunning for the young master right now!"
My shout jolted him awake. He dashed inside without another word.
"I'll join the fight!"
I shook my head at Jeon Woojin warrior.
"Get to your post. That's how you help me."
"Understood."
"And clear out the other warriors—they could get caught in the crossfire."
Then I turned to face the masked figure in black robes.
"Impressive. You sniffed out that I was after the little shit."
"I'm pretty good."
"But you know the saying? Ten beat cops can't nab one thief. Same deal—ten guards can't stop a single assassin. Heh heh heh."
He drew hidden weapons from his sleeve and snarled,
"Let's see you try to stop me!"
With that cry, he flung them at me and bolted for the building.
Figured he'd try to take out Young Master Yujin while I dealt with the projectiles.
But this assassin had no clue.
Trash like that couldn't slow me down.
Ting! Crack!
The hidden weapons ricocheted off my protective aura. With a flick of Air Grasp, I reeled them in.
Might come in handy.
Maxing out my lightness skill, I lunged with my sword as he reached the door.
"Urk!"
Clang-!
"Damn it! You're tenacious!"
He parried irritably, and our blades clashed in a frenzy.
True to form for an assassin, his style was all about blinding speed.
But my Jinseol Twelve Form Swordsmanship had swift strikes too.
The fourth form: Snow Wind.
They called it Snow Wind Palace because it could tame a Snow Wind, but that's not the true origin.
No one knows the exact reason for the name.
But I knew full well how terrifying it was.
The warriors of the North Sea Ice Palace—rulers of the North Sea itself—and even spirit beasts feared it.
This fourth form mimicked the Snow Winds howling across the North Sea.
And in the ancestral hall, I'd glimpsed its true essence.
My realm wasn't there yet, but I could ape it decently.
I circulated my true energy, and the air chilled around us.
Harnessing that chill, I surged at the assassin.
My sword arm flowed gracefully, but the blade itself was a streak of lethal sharpness.
Slash! Shrieeeek!
Too fast to track, my sword embodied the Snow Wind's merciless gale—ripping through all life in its path.
He backpedaled desperately, barely deflecting, luring him farther from the annex just as planned.
Blocking even this much of my sword meant he was peak first-rate.
"Guh! You were holding back! I heard you were just peak first-rate."
"So you know who I am."
I pressed on.
"Not fair, is it? You know me, but I don't know you."
"The world's never been fair."
Suddenly, he grinned and thrust.
"Gotcha!"
"Got what?"
"...!"
Shock widened his eyes.
I slashed unhesitatingly at his face.
Mask shreds fluttered down amid sword wind, scattering across the ground.
His bare face twisted in horror.
"H-how? I pierced your throat clean through!"
He had no idea.
Jinseol Twelve Form Swordsmanship had another swift form beyond Snow Wind.
The ninth: Snow Light.
Born from a snowflake's glint, it aimed for light-speed strikes.
And it built on Snow Flower, an illusion sword form.
Illusion Sword overwhelmed foes with endless variations they couldn't counter.
Master had demonstrated its applications.
With Snow Light, he'd flicker his body to feint attacks.
That's the trick I'd picked up.
Grinning at his exposed face, I said,
"Now we're even?"
I raised my sword.
"Grr! I won't let you live!"
"Sure, whatever."
My taunt ignited his rage.
Tsk tsk. Emotions? Amateur assassin.
I glanced back and asked,
"So, why go after Young Master Yujin's life?"
"None of your damn business!"
"Come on, isn't that overkill? Kid's barely ten."
I went on.
"Trying to rattle the branch leader through him? Plan's busted already."
"Doesn't matter. He dies! Dead men don't talk."
What?
That meant...
Murder to silence witnesses.
Anyway, time to wrap this up.
I readjusted my grip and warned,
"Give it up."
"You give up. Unrelated kid—why the obsession?"
"My brother's the one who saved and shielded him. Can't let that go."
I added,
"And if a kid we're protecting dies on Eunhae Merchant Group's Sacheon watch, you lot won't clean up the mess."
"Heh heh, fair point."
He smirked.
"But you're not the only one hiding power. I've got some too. No grudges when you die—your fault for being dumb."
I'd clocked he wasn't all-in.
Recalled what Jin Yu warrior once said.
"Blade-lifers always hold back, but assassins? Hide three whole tenths."
"Special reason?"
"Gotta bolt after the hit."
Exactly.
He'd conserved for escape.
But face blown, now he'd unleash to erase the witness: me.
Broadly speaking, still an escape.
And if he was right, Yujin held some secret...
I had to know what.
"Did Young Master Yujin hear something off-limits?"
"......"
"Or see what he shouldn't?"
His eyes twitched.
Bingo.
So what the hell did Yujin witness to make them this desperate?
Got my curiosity sated, but not the words I craved.
"You know something?"
I grinned.
"Knew you'd show. Your boss spilled."
"W-what the hell?"
"Said he's jittery—you know too many secrets. We cut a deal, him and me."
"Bullshit!"
"Believe what you want. Seong Junmin's cold, huh? Sacrificing a loyal dog like you."
"Lies! Master's not that guy."
"Ordering his own nephew killed? That's proof."
"For the greater good!"
Greater good, my ass.
Anyone preaching it—would they step up as the sacrifice?
"Ah, nailed it. Your boss is Seong Junmin. Took his orders."
"...!"
He glared, realizing he'd spilled under my lead.
I eyed behind him.
"Hear that good, Merchant Group Leader?"
The Myeongmyeong Merchant Group leader stepped out.
"Clear as day. Young branch leader spoke true."
The assassin flinched in shock and leaped away.
To report to Seong Junmin, cook up a plan.
Sharp instincts.
But not so fast!
I whipped out his earlier projectile and flung it back.
Whoosh!
Swish!
Good thing I'd trained hidden weapons with I-pil warrior.
One nailed his leg dead-on. Seo-u warrior dropped from the roof, slamming his scabbard into the assassin's shoulder.
Thud!
"Arrrgh!"
He sprawled, glaring murder at me.
Me, root of his woes—he'd kill to take me down.
"I'll kill you at least! Raaaaagh!"
Roaring up, sword swinging wild at me.
Bullying past his blockers.
"Pathetic."
I muttered, punching out.
One stance from Extreme Yin Soul Ice Fist.
Vital hit: writhing agony.
Strength gone in seconds.
How do I know? Master made me eat it during training.
Damn. Learned then that pain that bad could kill.
Wished I hadn't.
No impact thud.
But he crumpled before me, shuddering, choking in torment.
Clang-!
Clang-clang-!
Swords at his throat now. Wooden gag jammed in his mouth.
No tongue-biting or poison pills.
"My thanks."
The Myeongmyeong leader expressed gratitude.
One sound-transmission order to Myeongjong warrior: summon the leader here.
Plus: deploy to seal escapes, guard Yujin.
My guards moved like clockwork under Seo-u warrior's lead. This was the payoff.
I'd stalled the assassin till the leader arrived, then guided the confession.
Truth be told, would've preferred Seong Cheongmin handle it.
But with Yujin—our charge—targeted, couldn't risk full trust.
Hence, the leader.
Eyes afire, he commanded his men.
"Drag him to headquarters. Lock in the prison!"
"Yes!"
"Triple the guard! If he's murdered or offs himself, heads roll!"
"Yes!"
Instructing done, he sighed at me.
"Truth is, young branch leader already warned me of the fourth's crimes. Was agonizing over next steps—your doing let me choose."
Sadness, attachment, regret mingled on his face—emotions beyond me.
Ones I'd rather stay ignorant of.
Thus, the incident turned a new corner.
"My apologies for the bother. Yujin's in your hands."
With that, the Myeongmyeong leader withdrew with his warriors.
I drew a steady breath and headed to the annex.
Had questions for Young Master Yujin.
"Brother, it's Seo-ho."
Brother Jeong Ho's voice from inside.
"Seo-ho for real?"
"Yeah. Doubt me? I'll prove it. You were fourteen, right? Snapped Father's prized brush..."
"Eeeek! Stop! S-Seo-ho, it is!"
Door swung open. Jeon Woojin warrior grinned, welcoming.
"Come in."
I stepped inside.
Young Master Yujin, freshly woken, trembled in Brother Jeong Ho's arms.
"You're safe now. That scum? Your grandpa nabbed him."
"R-really?"
"Yes."
I nodded, dragged a chair over, sat before them.
"But he let slip—you saw something forbidden."
"......"
"What was it?"