71 - Missions, Intelligence (2) - The Heaven-Slaying Sword

What Kwon Pyo-Wol suggested to Mok Riwon was not something grandiose. Rather, it was an action so simple that even the innocent Mok Riwon could perform it. -"Tsk, imagine the most precious thing to you being smeared with filth, all the while keeping your gaze fixed on your opponent." It was the act of clicking one's tongue. Mok Riwon was puzzled. To him, it was incomprehensible how such a trivial action could make one appear ruffianly, as Kwon Pyo-Wol had described. Kwon Pyo-Wol offered no further explanation. -"Just give it a try." That was all he left him with. On this day that had come, despite his doubts, Mok Riwon trusted Kwon Pyo-Wol and performed the action. With his eyes on Namgung Jincheon, he imagined water spilling over a warrior's blade and clicked his tongue. Then, something remarkable happened. “Tsk….” It might seem an exaggeration to say Mok Riwon possessed the most beautiful features capable among humans, but it would not be far from the truth. The moment his expression changed, that beautiful face contorted, creating a strangely atmospheric demeanor. Furrows formed on his brow and his innocent face suddenly looked fierce. His eyelids lowered and the corners of his eyes lifted, adding a layer of iciness over his visage. And what about the corners of his lips twitching? They were defiant. Moreover, they were proud and elegant. “…My goodness.” Dang Hwa-Seo murmured involuntarily at the sight. Then, startled by her own reaction, her face reddened, and she covered her mouth. Thump, thump. Even then, her heart continued to beat rapidly. It was an inevitable reaction. The defiant, prickly Mok Riwon had left Dang Hwa-Seo, who was off guard, utterly shocked. The always-smiling man showed a different side of him, and it was immensely charming. ‘I, I actually like this!’ Dang Hwa-Seo had discovered a preference she didn’t know she had before. She couldn’t bear to look directly at Mok Riwon anymore and cast her gaze downward. Yeom So-So also let out an “Oh” sound. Perhaps that face was destined to cause a stir, regardless of the situation. Even Yeom So-So, who had seen and experienced much, felt a youthful sentiment stir within her at the sight of Mok Riwon’s rebellious demeanor. Though she didn't make a fuss, she couldn't help but let out a sigh of admiration. ‘Indeed, he is too handsome to be a mere disciple of the Mok Clan.’ In the midst of these thoughts, “…Ha.” Namgung Jincheon let out a scoff. The expression that flitted across his face was indescribable. If one had to give voice to his sentiments, it was as if he had been slapped by a local kid he thought incapable of doing him harm. Namgung Jincheon had not considered Mok Riwon someone capable of such contempt. The sudden disdain left him speechless, caught off guard by the unexpected attack. However, the moment was brief. Namgung Jincheon quickly pieced together the events. Mok Riwon had clicked his tongue and scowled, all while looking at him. It was provocation and humiliation. There was only one thing to do next. Swoosh. The sword was drawn. “It’s a duel. Mok Riwon.” Namgung Jincheon’s eyes widened, veins throbbing with rage. It was then that Yeom So-So intervened, striking Namgung Jincheon’s head with a speed invisible to the naked eye. A crisp smack resonated. “Talking nonsense about a duel.” Thud. Namgung Jincheon’s knees buckled. He glared at Yeom So-So while rubbing his head. But Yeom So-So was not a man to be easily intimidated. “Oh, looking down, are we?” As Yeom So-So raised his fist, Namgung Jincheon’s gaze faltered. ‘…If only I become stronger.’ Namgung Jincheon looked forward to the future once more. Then, Mok Riwon, who had been trembling, suddenly relaxed, his face lighting up with expectancy as he turned to Dang Hwa-Seo. “Miss! How was it?!” With fists clenched and eyes shining, he asked. But Dang Hwa-Seo was in no state to respond. Her heart was still racing from the sight of Mok Riwon’s earlier demeanor, making her feel dizzy. “That, that was….” “Hm?” “Remarkable.” Yeom So-So said with a smile. Blinking, Mok Riwon responded with a bright laugh. “Does that mean I passed?!” “Yes, you passed.” “Hooray!” Mok Riwon cheered. Yeom So-So laughed heartily, thinking to himself, ‘Might as well shove this guy in the carriage too.’ So much for passing. If clicking one’s tongue qualified as espionage, any tavern keeper could be a spy. Yeom So-So decided to give up. There simply was no solution. Mok Riwon was destined for the carriage along with Namgung Jincheon. * Despite various events, time marched on, and the day of the mission arrived. Mok Riwon’s jaw dropped at the sight of the massive carriage before him. “Oh, oh wow…!” In front of the Yungbong Clan’s residence stood a golden carriage, adorned with all manner of lavish decorations, the likes of which Mok Riwon had never seen or heard of before. Dang Hwa-Seo, resembling a wealthy merchant’s daughter with her elaborate decorations, spoke amidst his awe. "It's a carriage provided by the Alliance. This single carriage is equivalent to our activity funds for three months, so we must use it well and return it." "Three, three months?!" Mok Riwon's eyes began to tremble as if shaken by an earthquake. Even Mok Riwon, who lacked a sense of finance, knew something. The Yungbong Clan received more support than other groups within the Alliance thanks to external sponsorships, enough to sustain an ordinary family lavishly for years with just a month's support. And now they were talking about three months. Mok Riwon felt his mind reel. At that moment, Dang Hwa-Seo said, "The clothes you are wearing, Mok Sohyeop, count as a week's worth of activity funds." Mok Riwon straightened up immediately. The black robe he wore was neatly arranged. "…Miss, I feel suddenly incapable." "Don’t worry, Mok Sohyeop. You’ll mostly be staying inside the carriage." "What if dust from the carriage gets on the clothes?" "The Alliance isn’t a loan shark. They won’t nitpick over such things." As their banter continued, three individuals assigned to serve them approached. They were Jegal San, Il Woon, and Hye Woon. Il Woon, the only one who needed a disguise, was wearing a wig. "My goodness, Monk Il Woon! Having hair really brings out your features!" "Thank you for the compliment, Mok Clan Leader." Il Woon, with his palms together, his robust physique, neatly styled hair, and amiable appearance, turned into quite the handsome man. Indeed, hair is of utter importance to one's appearance. Mok Riwon had a moment of revelation as he gazed at Hye Woon and Jegal San, who had merely changed their outfits. "Jegal San will be the coachman, and Baek Bong will play the role of my maid." "I see!" "Mok Bro! Just by donning that robe, you’ve become way too handsome!" "Jegal Hyung seems to suit whatever he wears! Truly a master of disguise!" "Ha, you flatter me!" The mood was exceptionally lively, as it was their first mission since joining the Alliance. Dang Hwa-Seo, though slightly worried, eventually gave up on lecturing them. She realized that nagging them from the start could spoil the mood throughout the mission. "By the way, where is Geomryong (Sword Dragon)?" Il Woon tilted his head in confusion. "Shouldn't he have arrived before me? He left the lodging earlier than I did..." Il Woon's words trailed off. A bizarre expression spread across his face, drawing the attention of the others in his direction. "...Geomryong?" Mok Riwon asked with a blank expression, unable to help himself. "The disguise..." Namgung Jincheon's disguise was exceptionally odd. What exactly had been stuffed inside his face mask was a mystery; his cheeks were bulging, his nose was exaggerated, and his lips were also swollen. That wasn't all. The amount of flesh added to his eyelids was so much that his pupils were hardly visible. The bewildering gazes. Yeom So-So responded to their confusion. "This guy's eyes were too striking to hide easily. So, I just decided to squish the whole face." His laughter was mixed with an inexplicable delight. Dang Hwa-Seo glanced at Namgung Jincheon, thinking he wouldn’t tolerate such a disguise given his personality. However, there was no readable expression on his face, only the look of someone who had been beaten with a cudgel. "Pfft…!" Hye Woon couldn't hold back her laughter. Just then, Namgung Jincheon spoke. "...Who said it was okay to laugh?" His tone alone conveyed his extreme displeasure. Perhaps it was fortunate he didn’t throw a tantrum over the facial mask. Dang Hwa-Seo, feeling somewhat sorry for him, refrained from looking in his direction and said, "...Let's depart." Dang Hwa-Seo was indeed a considerate woman. * Two weeks had passed since Mok Riwon and his companions set off. They were now in Guanzhong, Shaanxi. They had arrived at the Guanzhong Plain, which was like the heart of the Middle Kingdom, with a history that could not be separated from that of Central China since ancient times. After all, what was the Guanzhong Plain? It was the capital of states that ruled Central China since ancient times and a strategic location bearing countless historical tales and secrets. Naturally, it attracted many tourists. "Mok Bro, did you know? Swimming in the Yellow River has such a unique charm." "Rather than that, I’d like to see the volcano! It’s one of the renowned mountains called the Five Great Mountains of Central China!" "Both of you, quiet." Jegal San and Mok Riwon promptly closed their mouths at Dang Hwa-Seo’s command. She let out a deep sigh and said, "We’re about to enter the gate soon. We’ll have to weave through the crowds, so everyone, please stick to your roles." It was the umpteenth time Dang Hwa-Seo had said this. She couldn't hide her growing anxiety. ‘Can we really pull this off?’ Even if they were "tucked inside the carriage," Mok Riwon and Namgung Jincheon had to show their faces when entering the gate. But she wasn't confident they could act according to their disguised identities. Dang Hwa-Seo’s expression darkened naturally. Mok Riwon, sensing this, shivered momentarily before speaking with a determined face. "Don't worry! I won't... let down my sister’s expectations." "Sister?" "Si, Sister!" Mok Riwon's face turned slightly red. Indeed, in their undercover identities for this mission, Mok Riwon, Dang Hwa-Seo, and Namgung Jincheon were to assume the roles of siblings. Dang Hwa-Seo was the eldest, Namgung Jincheon the second, and Mok Riwon the youngest. Given the roles, Mok Riwon had to address Dang Hwa-Seo as 'sister,' which was not at all easy for him. Despite Dang Hwa-Seo being older, Mok Riwon found it most comfortable to call her 'Miss.' "I will keep that in mind and ensure…!" Mok Riwon refocused his determination and began muttering 'sister, sister' to himself. Dang Hwa-Seo couldn’t help but listen in. Even though it was for the sake of acting, the way Mok Riwon said 'sister' sounded particularly special. In other words, to her embarrassment, Dang Hwa-Seo was taking advantage of the mission to indulge her personal feelings. "Ahem, please be careful. No, I mean, take care." "Understood, Sister!" Sitting at the driver's seat, Jegal San watched the scene with narrowed eyes. Being quick-witted, he managed to grasp the general vibe. ‘Start by doing well yourself.’ What kind of sister blushes at her younger brother's words? Sure, there might be someone who does, but can that be considered a healthy relationship? Jegal San had a lot on his mind but chose not to express it, knowing all too well that the only thing he’d gain from speaking up was a stomach ache from frustration. "Jegal Si... I mean, Brother Jegal, I see the gate ahead." Il Woon’s comment made Jegal San look straight ahead. True to his word, the gate was in sight, along with the long queue of people waiting. "We’ve arrived!" Jegal San's words tightened the atmosphere that had been relaxed until then. The mission was about to begin, starting with passing through the gate.