147 - Blue Dragon Rain Dance Society (17) - The Heaven-Slaying Sword

"Thank you for your hard work." She greeted Mok Riwon, who returned without any cries of victory. Mok Riwon responded coolly with a smile. "It was an enjoyable match!" "Yes, it seems so. I still don't quite understand what the alliance of the Wood and Beast means...." She chuckled softly. Did they call it the Third Form of the Manyeon Sword? Mok Riwon had been talking about it since he founded it, but Dang Hwa-seo still didn't quite grasp the essence of that form. Above all, breaking down a sword technique by following the opponent's sword with his eyes only sounded like empty talk. Yet, as Mok Riwon was able to execute it himself, she could only look on in amazement. "Shall we head back then?" "Alright! Oh, but before that, how about we go out to fill our stomachs a bit? It's been quite a while since we spent time with the soldiers, and I feel a bit hungry... and maybe it's hard to do that." "It seems challenging." She promptly replied. Mok Riwon's face showed a hint of shock. The immediate thought that came to mind was guilt. But even so, Dang Hwa-seo couldn't help it either. "Sorry. There are skilled stray cats prowling outside the faction." Unfortunately, that was the case. The cunning stray cats trying to involve Mok Riwon in their daughter's marriage plans had filled the unarmed surroundings. If he strolled outside leisurely, he would be caught by those cunning creatures, and end up hearing about the 'marriage.' The possibility of agreeing was as slim as a speck of dust, yet he simply disliked the whole situation. It was purely for emotional reasons. That's why Dang Hwa-seo couldn't voice it out. "Ah, well. The soldiers must be busy too. I'm sorry for taking some of your time to come and support. But instead, we can have a meal together when we return to the hall. We can have a drink and share stories." "Alright!" Mok Riwon nodded vigorously. As he turned away, Dang Hwa-seo noticed Jegal San looking at her with narrowed eyes from around the corner of the corridor. What are you looking at? As she gazed back with that meaning, Jegal San was startled and hurriedly ran away. "Come to think of it, I haven't seen Jegal hyung." "I sent him to seek support at Cheongryong Peak." "I see." She then led Mok Riwon back to the hall. By now, other members who had finished their tasks had gathered in the hall. "I've brought the tournament bracket." Jegal San, who had moved separately from the two, came in smoking and holding tightly rolled papers in his hands. The eyes of the three men who had made it to the round of 32 sparkled. "Oh!" Mok Riwon reacted most dramatically. She inquired, addressing Jegal San. "What is the match order?" "First is our Mok Ah-u. In fact, I brought the bracket just to talk about that." Jegal San's smile deepened. Even a mischievous look lingered, prompting her to ask in puzzlement. "To talk about what?" "A new talent has emerged at the Cheongryong Bimuhoe. Are you aware?" No one came to mind. Given that she had been focusing more on the Amtoo following the Bi-Mu-Hoe rather than the participants themselves, she hadn't thoroughly investigated the newcomers participating in the Bi-Mu-Hoe. Jegal San laid out the match schedule with a flick on the table. "Il Gwon, Kang Oh Seol." He pointed out Mok Riwon's opponent with his words. "He is a martial artist from Bokgun on the southeastern outskirts." "Il Gwon?" "He earned the moniker for defeating all his opponents in a single move. Even though his opponents are in the Peak of Superiors." A collective intake of breath could be heard throughout the hall. To vanquish even Masters of the Peak of Superiors in one move. This feat wasn't easy, especially acknowledged by Mok Riwon and Namgung Jincheon, who were at the same level. "Jegal hyung, when you say a newcomer, does that mean someone who has never appeared in the martial world before?" "Yes, indeed. He appears as a rookie in this Cheongryong Bimuhoe. There have been rumors circulating the nearby inns, have you heard anything?" "What rumors?" "It seems everyone has gathered to say it feels like witnessing your first appearance, Mok Ah-u." Mok Riwon blinked in surprise. Dang Hwa-seo was taken aback. "That significant?" "Even the Ming seems to be keenly interested. Didn't you know, Nuna?" She was aware that Kang Oh Seol had joined the competition. Well, as a member of the small-scale Cheon Gwon Moon, who had not previously emerged from the faction, she only remembered him as a suspected candidate at best. Since this was the first time she had heard about his skills, Dang Hwa-seo couldn't help but admire it. "A debut that may rival the Branch of the Wood... " "Moreover, he's still so young, not even reached full adulthood yet. Was he around thirty-six? That's what I remember." In terms of age, he might just seem like a promising martial artist, but considering that he defeated a Master in one move, there might indeed be hidden potential yet to be revealed. Dang Hwa-seo looked at Mok Riwon. He seemed excited and even nervous. "Truly, there are hidden masters in the rivers and lakes of Gangho!" Was there nothing to worry about? As Dang Hwa-seo pondered for a moment, she soon smiled and came up with an answer. "Mok Souhyeop also rose by defeating his opponents in one move for both of his previous matches." Compared to that man, Hyun Gong was not far behind. The conversation continued. First, it was about Namgung Jincheon and Ilwoon's opponents following Mok Riwon. Then, they discussed the matches that would take place a week later in the round of 32, leading to debates and discussions that stemmed from there. The night at the hall was only growing deeper. *** At the infinite hideout of the world's top-notch assassin, Hyun Gong was present. Thud - Before him, a man strangled a woman's neck. It was an act driven by curiosity alone, without any sense of thrill, like a child breaking a toy. Even as the woman's breath was cut off, she gazed at him with eyes filled with ecstasy. With a thud, the man, after throwing the woman to the ground, said, "...I feel nothing. As expected." Hyun Gong bowed deeply. The assassin continued, "Isn't it strange? Whenever one ends a life in such moments, there used to be an overwhelming rush of emotions above all else. There was a luminous mystery that poured like a galaxy." Thud, thud. The assassin kicked the woman's body with his foot, and then crushed her head with a stomp. "Yet, that feeling eludes me. Even after almost twenty years since the star has departed from me, it hasn't adapted. The yearning only grows deeper day by day. I can only fervently hope to feel that sense of fulfillment once again." "...Yes." "How much longer must I wait?" All that remained was the charred remnants. The crimson eyes, which should have expressed a deep yearning, were directed at Hyun Gong. He replied, "The plan is progressing step by step..." "How successful was that ridiculous plan?" Hyun Gong fell silent. There was nothing he could say. The current situation in Jungwon's martial world was too formidable, resulting in more than half of the planned actions crumbling. It was only natural for the relentless assassin, who yearned for results, to find it unsatisfactory. Asking to wait a bit longer would have been appropriate, but the situation wasn't favorable for Hyun Gong. "Have patience." "I killed all the magi with that pathetic elixir. Killed to live as a member of Jungwon. So, what is this sight about?" The assassin loosened his garments and revealed a chest with red spots near the heart. Those were traces of the elixir. Also, it was the evidence of burning all internal energy to remove the magi. The transcendent magi was nowhere to be seen. All that remained was a body that had experienced transcendence and a natural geomancer full of impurities extracted from the artificial Danjeon. If the current medication was stopped, the magi would return. The assassin was indicating this. "The day to reclaim the Heaven-Slaying Star is fast approaching." What should he say? Il Gwon Kang Oh Seol. That was the assassin. Playing the role of an heir of a seemingly insignificant faction, he had come this far to recover the Heaven-Slaying Star for one reason only. Although the original plan changed. The round of 32 was just around the corner. After leaving a fatal blow on Mok Riwon there, during the night, he would infiltrate the Ming's Yongbongdan Hall. There were over a dozen elite magi prepared for him. Sacrifices were unavoidable, but there was more than enough power to abduct Mok Riwon, no matter what. The problem was with this assassin's madness. "Should I tolerate this situation like a puppet?" "...It's not just the puppet, the momentum of Jung worries me. Until the time comes..." "All but one remain alive in Sassang Yukwang, Mansang Yukwang. Are you saying the insignificant insects are the problem?" The assassin's eyes sank deep. Had he been overusing the medication? There was no vitality visible in his gaze. "Why twist the puppet's noose in the place of magi with martial power? Then run straight to Mago with it. Why choose such a difficult method over a simple one?" Hyun Gong remained silent, offering the medicine. "...It's time." It was a medication with true effects, simultaneously burning the magi. A medication the assassin had to take periodically every half-day. Only by ingesting it could the assassin's madness be alleviated. It suppressed the beastly instincts within him. "Must I engage in this tiresome puppet play again?" As he thought the end was near, perhaps his body was raging. Unexpectedly, the assassin was rebelling for some reason. Hyun Gong felt irritation rising. "It's on the brink. This is it." The tiresome puppet play was nearing its end. Once the Heaven-Slaying Star was reclaimed, he could return to the Divine Hall. But what was this? That darned madness of the assassin was once again hindering his progress. "Please understand." "It's my will." The assassin sneered. Then, he lit the incense next to the bed. As the scent wafted in the air to the point of making his head throb, the assassin, breathing deeply, filled himself with the fragrance. He waved his hand with blurred eyes. Hyun Gong approached him, offering the medicine. The assassin crushed and swallowed the medicine. "Disappear. Just one more week. Endure till that day." "Cheonmagunrim, Manmaangbok. I follow the will of the assassin." Hyun Gong nodded and retreated from the room with backward steps. That is how he emerged above ground. With a flick, he roughly responded to the congregation greeting him and pondered as he returned to his quarters. 'The problem is serious.' It had been far too long. Fifteen years since the attempt to infiltrate Jungwon. The assassin had reached a breaking point in enduring the burning of magi. Additionally, the medication used to kill the pain had become too potent, another reason. There was no longer any semblance of rationality left in the assassin. Hyun Gong pondered the words the assassin muttered as he climbed up, -Twisting the puppet's noose at the place where the magi are, and then running straight to Mago. Why choose such a difficult method over a simple one. It was merely the frantic babble of a foal driven by impatience. Yet, there was one reason why he couldn't forget those words. The current state of the assassin was so shattered and desperate that it truly overturned the plans. 'A different plan is needed.' Hyun Gong felt certain that the assassin would not be able to control himself when Mok Riwon stood at the martial arts stage. In any way, whether by showing flesh or cutting off the medication beforehand, the assassin would try to reclaim the magi. Therefore, 'I need to prepare a countermeasure.' More forces are required. Forces willing to sacrifice themselves in place of the assassin to reclaim the Heaven-Slaying Star. '...Damned Jungwon.' In any case, there was nothing that pleased him.