659 - Childhood Friend of the Zenith

**Chapter 659: Hands Off** Bi-Hyeonhwa. Her skill level wanders somewhere between perfection and mastery. Classified as an assassin, however, her proficiency in assassination tasks is moderately low. That said, she seldom participated in such assignments unless absolutely necessary. Primarily, she was engaged in intelligence gathering. Known as the hidden flower of the Martial Alliance, Bi-Hyeonhwa had exquisite beauty at her disposal. Being well aware of this trait, she skillfully employed it to seduce others. "Are you alright...? I'm truly sorry..." With teary eyes, she cautiously checked to see if I was hurt. I watched the performance unfold in front of me. 'So that's what's going on.' I had sensed her approach well in advance. I also knew she had intentionally bumped into me. Curious about her intentions, I had allowed it to happen. 'I can’t believe I fell for this.' Bi-Hyeonhwa exuded such a captivating fragrance that anyone who caught a whiff would fall for her charms. This was a well-known saying that had spread across the land. 'Tsk.' Calling it fragrant would be too courteous. The overwhelming amount of perfume was enough to churn my stomach. Still, I endeavored not to show my discomfort. "How can I possibly make it up to you... Ah..." Bi-Hyeonhwa leaned in with a sultry voice, her body gently brushing against mine. Our eyes met as I looked down at her. Truly an alluring face. She was as beautiful as they said, the flower of the Martial Alliance. 'A damn nuisance.' That summed up my feelings towards her. Being very familiar with Bi-Hyeonhwa’s true nature, to me, she was no more than a pebble, nothing noteworthy. -How dare this bug look at me like that? Flashes of past provocations. This insane woman would frequently pick fights. -Do you really think someone like you can approach me? Hmph. Know your place... I can't stand the thought of breathing the same air. I never even tried. I had no interest. Sure, given her looks, I might have glanced at her a couple of times, but my reaction never extended beyond that. Back then, the title of the flower of the Martial Alliance was nearly a myth. 'In the clan... there was someone else.' So Kyeom Seong Wi Seol-Ah. After she joined the Martial Alliance, the title belonged to her. A flower on the brink of wilting. That’s how I perceived Bi-Hyeonhwa. A flower unable to accept its defeats, beginning to harness venom. Would now be any different? I kept silent, observing her closely. Her voluptuous figure and seductive eyes directed at me. I pondered, ‘Should I just kill her?’ It crossed my mind, to rid myself of such nuisance. ‘Not yet.’ I decided it wasn’t time and chose to restrain my thoughts. Smiling faintly, I told Bi-Hyeonhwa, "I’m alright. Are you hurt anywhere, young lady?" "Oh, no...!" She smiled beguilingly at my words. Typically, anyone would flinch at my smile, but true to her experience, she showed no such reaction. Even I found it amusing to find myself using such a baseline of judgment. ‘I must have made quite the impression.’ Bi-Hyeonhwa was someone who wouldn’t easily make a move. She was a woman who was only involved in missions of high importance, so her presence here indicated something. ‘Is Beom-dong keeping an eye on me?’ It meant that Beom-dong, the lord of Byoryong, had specifically pointed me out. ‘He’s fast.’ The fact that she had approached me as soon as I set foot in town implied that he sent her right after he returned. It was as if she had been lying in wait on the street. ‘I should extend my senses.’ I thought about expanding my senses but held back. ‘It wouldn’t do well to get caught.’ The chances were slim that someone around could detect my senses. But one could never be too sure. ‘If it’s Beom-dong, he might have some people concealed nearby.’ He's perceptive enough to at least notice subtle changes, so caution was essential. ‘He dispatched Bi-Hyeonhwa within such a short period. Either he has ambushed me from some distance or...’ I also considered the possibility that he didn't approach me to avoid being detected. ‘Now then.’ Meeting Bi-Hyeonhwa's gaze, I contemplated. ‘How should I toy with her?’ Pondering on how best to utilize her, I gradually maintained a little distance. “It seems we are both unharmed, so I shall take my leave. I wish you peace.” I deliberately distanced myself a bit, and Bi-Hyeonhwa widened her eyes as if surprised. That too must have been an act. I didn’t know everything about Bi-Hyeonhwa, but I had an inkling of her tactics. Despite her reputation, she was a vain and loquacious woman who couldn't resist bragging at times. Step by step. Intending to leave without a backward glance, I felt a tug on my sleeve. "Wait, please!" Turning around, I was met with the sight of reddened ears and a flushed face, as if overwhelmed with embarrassment. She had expertly manipulated her appearance. Had I been immune to beauty and unaware of her tactics, perhaps my heart would have skipped a beat. "I'm really... sorry. Would you perhaps... let me treat you to some tea?" Suppressing a smile from reaching my lips, I was grateful. Grateful that her methods remained unchanged. I had been missing a crucial element. "In that case, lead the way." A perfect 'bait' had walked right into my arms. --- A new inn in Haanam had recently garnered attention. Not only was its food and drink impressive, but the ambiance itself was charming and exquisite, attracting young ladies from noble families and wealthy matrons. The typical rough-and-ready inn aesthetic had been polished. The grounds were lavishly adorned with flowers, and the interiors meticulously embellished, giving off a delightful fragrance. Word had it that the inn was an initiative of the Baekhwa Merchants Guild. Contrary to expectations that such an atmosphere would not prosper, the inn was bustling with women, drawn by the rumors. Within one corner of this popular inn, Sat quietly were a man and a woman in a spot offering a pleasant view outside. Customers inside snuck glimpses at the couple. The woman, dashing and captivating as she was, drew the attention of many. Seated across from Bi-Hyeonhwa was a young man who was, to say the least... 'Intimidating...?' 'He looks terrifying.' 'But why is such a beautiful woman...??' His sharp and fearsome appearance indeed drew attention. The young man seemed entirely incompatible with the dazzlingly beautiful woman across from him. Yet, the woman continued her conversation as if nothing bothered her. "Oh my, really?" Bi-Hyeonhwa maintained her charming, signature smile while she engaged with the young man. "Then, are you going to inherit the martial sect?" "More or less." "That's truly impressive...!" The young man sipped his tea, his responses dry and terse, while Bi-Hyeonhwa listened attentively. However... 'What is this guy... exactly?' Behind her smiling facade, a starkly different thought brewed. Even as Bi-Hyeonhwa smiled and continued the conversation, an unsettling feeling lingered. A soft chuckle escaped her lips. The young man did not flinch from her gaze. However... 'Why doesn’t he seem entranced?' Bi-Hyeonhwa offered a sly smirk, glancing over the young man from top to bottom. Dressed entirely in black from head to toe, his loosely tied hair and dark martial attire contrasted with his unusually fair skin for a man, while his eyes remained piercingly sharp. According to her sources, he had recently come of age, in his early twenties. 'What is this guy's deal?' Men his age usually stumbled over themselves the moment she smiled at them. And it's not much different for older men, either. In her experience, men invariably succumbed to her feet. ‘Something’s off.’ Bi-Hyeonhwa hid her mounting irritation at this unfamiliar sensation. "So, what brought you to Haanam?" "I came because of the martial arts tournament." "Oh, I see." The conversation seemed to flow. Mostly, it was Bi-Hyeonhwa initiating, while the young man simply responded. "Are you planning to participate in the tournament to revitalize your martial sect?" "Something like that." "My, how remarkable." Though she attempted to keep the dialogue alive with frequent questions, that was about all she managed. Even as she flashed smiles and subtly showcased her alluring figure, the young man’s gaze showed no change. He maintained eye contact and conversed properly, but his eyes betrayed his indifference towards Bi-Hyeonhwa. Anyone could see it. He simply wasn’t interested in her. 'Is he... a eunuch?' That absurd thought crossed her mind. It didn't make sense otherwise. ‘How could a man not be interested in me?’ Underneath the table, Bi-Hyeonhwa clenched her fist silently. ‘Impossible.’ It was hard to believe. It shouldn't be possible. After all, who was she? ‘I am the most beautiful in Haanam.’ Known as the flower of the Martial Alliance and perhaps the most beautiful woman in the entire land. Even now, exterior glances from passers-by outside stole glimpses at her. The desire gleaming in their eyes. Bi-Hyeonhwa knew those lustful gazes all too well. It gratified her, for she could toy with men thanks to their baser instincts. Yet... The man in front of her seemed different. ‘So the Dragon Lord was right to warn me.’ With the martial arts tournament drawing near, Bi-Hyeonhwa found herself in a period of idleness. She thought she’d leisurely toy with a few fine men during her downtime. [You have a mission.] Her mission had been dispensed early in the morning while still at the Alliance headquarters. Directly delegated by the Dragon Lord himself. She was tasked with sticking close to a mysterious martial artist who had appeared in Haanam to extract information. Initially, Bi-Hyeonhwa was inclined to refuse the tedious assignment until the accompanying details piqued her interest. ‘A man aged between his early twenties and thirties, with absurdly high skill.’ He was thought to not practice ‘Infimyung’, but a young master who had achieved greatness. There was even a warning to be particularly cautious. An exceptional young master... how could that not intrigue her? ‘Not just for the mission, but capturing him could be a life-changing stroke!’ Even as a master, he was only a man. It was expected for him to lose himself over her, using the mission as a pretext, she thought of charming him if things seemed favorable. ‘A frustrating person.’ Contrary to expectations, the man, upon identification through her sketch, turned out to be quite mystifying. ‘For someone they call a master, there's no aura.’ Despite the warning of caution, she sensed no presence typically associated with masterful individuals. Absolutely nothing, not even a faint trace of energy. ‘...Could something be off?’ Even the youngest prodigy, Shin-Ryong, and those from reputed families exuded peculiar energy. Yet, he exuded none. Only nothingness. So ordinary that it resembled that of a non-martial artist, it was perplexing why the Dragon Lord had advised caution. ‘Besides, being neither from a prestigious family nor an heir to a small sect.’ A successor to an unheard sect named “Pacheon Moon.” He claimed to be in Haanam to make a name for himself through the martial arts tournament. He was called Pah-Jeol-Yeop, but she had never heard his name before. For someone strong enough for the Dragon Lord to caution against, she’d have at least heard about him. Given that... ‘Has he been lying to me?’ Suspicion but certainty. Bi-Hyeonhwa discerned through their brief interaction that the young man was fabricating stories. ‘He certainly has secrets to hide.’ It wasn't surprising. In the world of martial arts, who didn’t have secrets? She doubted there was even one individual without them. Moreover, uncovering such information fit her role perfectly. ‘Fine, put up that pride of yours. Let’s see how long you last.’ The investigative bureau would have moved, even if it wasn’t for Bi-Hyeonhwa. They’d uncover every detail about the man within the day. Her task would then be clear. ‘Extract unknown information and seduce him until he submits beneath me.’ It was something Bi-Hyeonhwa excelled at more than anyone. Even the most prideful of men eventually succumbed to her charms. This time wouldn’t be any different, she was sure. Bi-Hyeonhwa was confident of that. "Excuse me... Lord Pa." At Bi-Hyeonhwa's call, the young man's gaze flickered towards her, his demeanor utterly insolent. Such disrespect towards her! It threatened to twist her insides, but Bi-Hyeonhwa called upon her professionalism and held herself back. "You know... we've talked quite a bit..." "It feels like we've barely exchanged ten sentences. What's there to have talked about?" ‘That's because your conversation is like a pile of trash, you idiot.’ Bi-Hyeonhwa held back the urge to let those words spill. Patience. She needed patience. ‘Once I set the stage, he'll undoubtedly start slobbering all over.’ No matter how tough they acted, men were all the same. Once their skin touched hers, they would crumble in ecstasy. Typically, she wouldn't resort to such lengths on a job, but... ‘If the Dragon Lord’s words are to be believed, he's an extraordinary man, isn't he?’ The whispers about a strong man at such a young age were alluring enough. ‘Shin-Ryong is beyond reach since he's a monk, but this one... he’s ripe for the taking.’ Shin-Ryong, revered as the next Greatest under Heaven and destined to lead the martial world, was under the protection of the Shaolin. He was off-limits. But not this man. Thus, it was worthwhile to make a mark on him, no matter who he turned out to be. Contemplating, Bi-Hyeonhwa shifted her body gently, sliding next to the young man, Pa Jeol-Yeop. "You know... Lord Pa..." She called to him with a lilting voice, her fingertips brushing his arm, skimming just above it. Then, she pressed her body against him. As her chest pressed against his arm, the young man's eyebrow twitched. Intrigued by his reaction, Bi-Hyeonhwa grew bolder. "Why don't we find somewhere quieter to talk instead of here...?" "A quiet place, you say. Where?" Her hand drifted upwards, intending for his chest, her touch almost sticky in its slow ascent. Suddenly, a grip like iron clamped onto Bi-Hyeonhwa's wrist. Pa Jeol-Yeop had seized it. It was a coarse movement, but Bi-Hyeonhwa maintained her smile. He was caught, she thought assuredly. And, as expected... "...Ah, this makes it harder to resist." The young man seemed to have fallen for her, half-enchanted already. Could he perhaps have been more willing than she anticipated? ‘Men really are all the same.’ Confident in her triumph, Bi-Hyeonhwa didn't notice. She failed to see Pa Jeol-Yeop's eyes growing increasingly cold. Just as her hand began to move towards him like that... A shiver. "What?" Suddenly, Pa Jeol-Yeop paused, widening his eyes as he stared at something. It was outside the window. "Lord Pa...?" As Bi-Hyeonhwa attempted to react to this change. Hiss—! "...!!" Her entire body suddenly froze. "K-k…!" She couldn't even muster a scream. She hadn't been pressured or seized through acupuncture points. Trickle. A singular bead of sweat dripped down Bi-Hyeonhwa's forehead. 'What is... what is this…?' Her eyes darted around in panic. No visible threat presented itself, yet instinctually she knew. Slash. There was a blade inches from her neck. Invisible, yet undeniably there—a contradiction, and yet reality. It wasn't just her neck. From all directions, she could feel the sharp ends of swords aimed at her. A whiff of death wafted past her nose, and as Bi-Hyeonhwa gulped down dryly, trying to suppress her trembling. Creak. The inn’s doors opened, and someone entered. Pa Jeol-Yeop’s gaze followed suit. "Welcome... oh...!?" The neatly attired innkeeper attempted to greet the guest but froze upon seeing who it was. The newcomer was a woman. Her long hair cascaded as she scanned the inn’s ambiance. Her jewel-like eyes glanced around, and the murmurs among those present gradually fell silent. Was it just imagination? Upon the woman's entrance, a curious floral scent seemed to fill the inn. "My goodness..." "...Oh, such beauty!" Those who beheld her were taken aback, their breaths stolen by the sight. A full-bloomed flower had entered the scene. Could there be a more apt description when likening a human to a flower? The woman epitomized such grace. Not only did the inn’s patrons gaze at her, but even passersby were drawn, stealing glances inside. Even those who were fixated on Bi-Hyeonhwa found their attention swept away. Simply by her presence. "..." Through the sea of admiration, the woman’s gaze moved steadily. Her eyes eventually landed on the spot where Bi-Hyeonhwa and the young man were intimately situated. The woman’s brows knitted at the sight. Step. The woman moved towards them. The gentle floral scent thickened slightly with her movements. Her steps were graceful and unwavering. She walked toward Bi-Hyeonhwa slowly. ‘Who is she…?’ Bi-Hyeonhwa was bewildered by the approaching woman. Her current state was already unsettling, but this woman's arrival posed a different set of problems. ‘How can someone be this beautiful?’ It was an unimaginable thought she had never dared to entertain. Her insides twisted as she tightened her gaze. She didn’t want to acknowledge it, but the truth was undeniable at first sight. She stopped. "…" The woman came to a standstill before Bi-Hyeonhwa. With her beautiful eyes, she examined Bi-Hyeonhwa up and down before speaking. "Let go of him." "...What...?" Bi-Hyeonhwa responded in confusion, but the woman’s eyes began to cool significantly. Chill—!! A sudden chill coursed through Bi-Hyeonhwa's body, causing involuntary trembles. "Huff...!" Fear caused Bi-Hyeonhwa to gasp, but the woman seemed unconcerned by such reactions, simply continuing. "I'll say it again." Golden hair shimmered as chilling, golden eyes bore down onto Bi-Hyeonhwa. Just as the woman’s presence began to envelop Bi-Hyeonhwa entirely, the woman, Wi Seol-Ah, spoke again. "Let go." Before I kill you. Wi Seol-Ah’s eyes communicated unmistakably.