Chapter 20 - Third-Rate Warrior Welcoming an Uninvited Guest

CRASH!

The table made of Mount Seolgak's ebony, famous for its hardness, shattered into pieces.

The Vice Captain of the Milgung Squad, who was giving his report, trembled.

Now that the table was shattered, his own head might be the next to break if he made a mistake.

"What are you talking about?"

Namgung Sangwon's low, growling voice further stimulated his fear.

It was hard to tell whether he was expressing his anger or holding it back.

The Vice Captain's words began to speed up even more.

"When the Captain didn't arrive at the promised time, I led the squad members there, and..."

"He was dead?"

"Y-Yes."

"Who was it? Who dared to ruin our grand plan?!"

What Namgung Sangwon had been harboring was, after all, anger. As that anger exploded, murderous intent poured out in all directions, even reaching the Milgung Squad members waiting outside the building, forcing them to gulp heavily.

"T-That is..."

"Speak! Clearly!"

"I-It was one person."

"One person? He took on twenty Milgung Squad members alone?"

"T-That is correct."

"So who was it?"

"Well..."

The Vice Captain could hardly bring himself to speak. They had not been able to find a single trace of the opponent.

"We could not find out."

"You bastard..."

"I-It is true. Given the absence of footprints and the traces of a surprise attack, we are cautiously predicting that it might be an assassin."

"An assassin?"

As the Vice Captain's desperate desire to live reached his lips, words that he normally wouldn't speak flowed out like running water.

"Y-Yes, sir. According to the common traces left behind, it seems they were mostly subjected to surprise attacks at first, and after the intruder's identity was discovered, they faced him head-on. W-We also put out the lights to hide our identities... so I believe that is why this situation occurred."

"An assassin, you say..."

Did the Vice Captain's desperation get through? The anger on Namgung Sangwon's face faded, replaced by questioning doubt.

Namgung Sangwon turned his head and asked his son, Namgung Songju.

"What do you think?"

"I have heard that assassins use indistinguishable martial moves to avoid leaving any traces of themselves behind."

"Are you saying it was truly an assassin, then?"

"There is something strange."

"What is it?"

"The fact that they did not attack from the shadows from beginning to end, but only used surprise attacks at first and then engaged in a head-on battle later."

"Right."

"Even if you search all of Jianghu, the assassins who could survive a head-on confrontation with the Milgung Squad warriors can be counted on one hand. And there is even less reason for them to work for Wangga Manor."

"That makes sense."

Top-tier assassins were beings who could not be bought with money.

Even if Wang Geumsan had hired an assassin for personal protection, it was absurd to think that an assassin of that caliber would take on the Milgung Squad warriors.

"What should we do?"

At the Vice Captain's cautious words, Namgung Sangwon replied.

"You erased the traces, right?"

"Yes. We erased all traces when we first began the mission."

"Dispose of the bodies and erase any remaining traces."

Silence descended upon the inner room after the Vice Captain left, leaving only Namgung Sangwon and Songju.

Namgung Songju asked.

"Do you think the plan leaked?"

"That is impossible."

"Then do you think it was a coincidence?"

"Hmm..."

From the start, they had controlled the risk of the plan leaking outward.

By making the fragmented missions intertwine, they had made it so that even the individuals involved would only realize what was happening after completing their assigned tasks.

Originally, the only ones who knew the plan were Sangwon, Songju, the Captain, and the Vice Captain. The plan leaking was impossible in itself.

"How could they have known?"

"We can just catch him and ask."

"Will we be able to find him?"

"Wangga Manor. If he saved Wang Soso, wouldn't he want to receive a fitting reward for it? Whether he saved her by coincidence or knew about the plan, we will see when the time comes."

"I will have them watch Wangga Manor."

"Do that."

The Heaven-Defying grand plan had gone awry. They would have to exact the proper price for this.

* * *

One week since Wang Soso's disappearance.

The manager of the Murim Alliance Hefei Branch was inwardly shocked to see Wang Geumsan's appearance for the first time in a week.

He looked so haggard that it was hard to believe he was the same person. His plump flesh had grown gaunt, and his eyes were completely bloodshot as if he hadn't slept at all.

Wang Geumsan parted his desert-dry lips and spoke.

"Have you found any traces?"

At the sound of scraping metal that could hardly be believed to be a human voice, the branch manager snapped to his senses and replied.

"We have found some, but... this information is... not certain..."

"Show me."

"U-Um, how about I supplement the information a little more before reporting it to you? Given how important this matter is..."

He didn't know where the sparks of this incident would fly, but it was clear that nowhere would remain intact once they faced Wang Geumsan's wrath.

"Give it to me."

"Lord. I know you are feeling impatient, but if you act rashly..."

"My daughter has an illness. It is a dreadful illness that prevents her from surviving more than three days outside the Wang Estate. And yet, a week has passed now. There has been no contact from the culprits. Must I exercise even more patience?"

Of course, he knew Wang Geumsan's feelings well.

That was exactly why he was even more reluctant to hand over his flimsy report.

Did they say martial prowess makes up for technique?

Although the culprits did not appear to have the skills of professionals, they were definitely experts.

Traces were left behind, but they could not distinguish who it was, and because they couldn't, they couldn't even specify the culprits.

In his haste, he had only brought a list of people wicked enough to do such a thing and who were a thorn in the side of the Murim Alliance Hefei Branch.

Even this was material hastily prepared based on advice from the Namgung family, with whom they frequently interacted.

Because if he came empty-handed, a thunderbolt of wrath was sure to strike him.

"Do you know how much I pay in sponsorship to the Murim Alliance in a single year?"

"Ah! Of course, regarding the sponsorship you provide for the peace of Murim..."

"Are any more long-winded words necessary?"

The branch manager swallowed hard.

Just how far would the repercussions of this report spread?

While having such thoughts, his hand offered the report to Wang Geumsan, regardless of his head's instructions.

"The Gyeonsa Sect... Hyeolju Fortress... the Tanghyeon Sect? Isn't the Tanghyeon Sect an Orthodox sect?"

"That is why I said it was still lacking. We will supplement it further and—"

"Enough. I am fully aware of your capabilities now. From now on, the Wang Estate will step in directly."

It's finally going to happen.

That was what the branch manager thought.

Would he really be able to take responsibility for this report?

Just as he was shaking his head to brush off his momentary anxiety.

"My Lord! My Lord!!"

Someone was calling for Wang Geumsan at the top of their lungs.

And the owner of that voice threw the door wide open and barged in without even waiting for Wang Geumsan's reply.

It was a displeasing action that made not only the guest, the branch manager, but also the host, Wang Geumsan, frown deeply.

However.

"The Young Lady has returned!!!"

"... What?"

This was not the time to be arguing about etiquette and manners.

PLOP.

The report that the branch manager had painstakingly written dropped onto the floor.

* * *

The mountain shed winter and welcomed spring, and the cold winds of midwinter had somehow turned into a warm spring breeze.

In the forest, new shoots were sprouting between the dry leaves, and the sunlight was melting the ice that had frozen over the winter, radiating a warm energy.

Wang Soso was feeling the spring just like that.

"So this is... spring."

"Are you feeling the seasons for the first time?"

"My room was always frozen solid like midwinter. The summer flowers and autumn leaves outside the window felt as unreal as a painting."

Her life, which had been like that, had now changed to resemble the lives of ordinary people.

Even when she walked on her own, basked in the sunlight, sweated, and overworked her muscles until she was exhausted, the solar energy quietly vanished as if falling asleep.

"Still, don't overdo it. The medicinal effects are still rising, so it will take some time for your energy to be stably stored."

"How can I ever repay this favor...?"

"Hasn't your father bestowed many virtuous deeds upon people? Just consider it thanks to his merits."

Wang Soso's eyes were filled with deep emotion as she looked at Jin Sowoon.

It was already amazing that he didn't just walk past injustice, but he even praised the other person's merits rather than boasting of his own achievements.

It didn't seem like there was much of an age difference between them, yet he seemed mature, his abilities appeared incredible, his thoughtfulness felt magnanimous, and his looks...

"Ahem."

"Are you alright?"

"..."

"Was walking too much for you after all?"

"That is not it. Um..."

Is it okay to say something like this?

Interacting with a boy her own age for the first time in her life was a profoundly difficult task for Wang Soso.

"Please go ahead and speak."

"Well... Could I perhaps... call you Oppa?"

Wang Soso's voice grew quieter and quieter, until eventually, it was so soft that Jin Sowoon had to lean his ear close to hear it.

"Haha, if that is comfortable for you, then please call me that."

"... Then please call me Soso. I would like it if you spoke comfortably with me as well."

"Alright, Soso."

Thinking that Jin Sowoon's hand was suddenly about to stroke her head, Wang Soso's heart began to beat rapidly.

"Ah, sorry. It has become a habit. Women dislike things like this, right?"

At Jin Sowoon's action of flinching and pulling his hand away, Wang Soso parted her lips in regret.

"Ah... I, I think it is fine. I do not have any experience yet."

"Alright. Got it. Let's head down now. Your father must be waiting."

On the way back to Wangga Manor.

Jin Sowoon told Wang Soso about various things regarding the world she had not yet experienced.

How the market had snacks that children could eat, how they could float a boat on the lake to play in the summer, and how the autumn mountains were better for strolling than anything else with their vibrant, colorful hues.

He talked about the things Wang Soso almost never got to experience, and the things she would be able to fully experience from now on.

"Oppa, I want to eat those market sweets. Could you go with me?"

"Let's do that."

"Oppa, I also want to go boating on that lake. Could you do it with me?"

"Let's do that as well."

"Oppa, I also want to try climbing an autumn mountain. Could you go up with me?"

"You have to train hard if you want to climb a mountain. Will you be alright with that?"

"I learned the Taiyi mental cultivation method too, didn't I? Since I am a disciple of the Taiyi Sect from now on, I can just go train."

"So you're becoming my junior sister? Make sure to bring it up well with your father."

In return, Wang Soso explained things about her world to Jin Sowoon.

"Once every three years, the managers of branches and stores from all over the country gather at the Wang Estate to hold a festival. Endless amounts of food come out, and the music never stops playing."

"That sounds truly wonderful."

"Father will probably throw a huge banquet for you, Oppa. If he doesn't, I'll pester him until he throws one for you."

"Do not put your father in a difficult spot."

"He will probably bestow a large reward on you too. Because he cherishes me deeply."

"You'll have to get healthy quickly and show him a lot of filial piety, Soso."

"There are so many treasures in our house as well. I think there might be something that suits you, Oppa."

"It must have been really nice getting to see so many treasures."

Wang Soso talked incredibly excitedly.

She realized for the first time that she was such a talkative person.

Even though she had only talked while walking all day long, she wasn't bored in the slightest.

Was this because she was cured of her illness, or for some other reason? The still-young Wang Soso did not quite know the reason.

"... Oppa?"

Wang Soso looked at Jin Sowoon, who had taken a step back.

"You can go on your own from here, right?"

"What?! What do you mean... You have to come with me!"

Wang Soso felt her heart plummet.

"As you know, your disappearance has caused a massive uproar in the Hefei area. If we go together at a time like this, it could lead to misunderstandings."

"No! What are you saying! Oppa! That will absolutely not happen. Please let me repay you."

At that moment, Jin Sowoon took a large stride forward.

And then, he stroked her head with his rough hand.

Wang Soso was so flustered that she just stood there with her eyes wide open, opening and closing her mouth like a carp.

"I have already been repaid enough just by gaining a new junior sister. So do not worry."

"B-But..."

"Didn't you say you were entering the Taiyi Sect? Then we will be able to see each other often. So do not worry."

"Oppa..."

Having finished speaking, Jin Sowoon turned around and walked away with a dignified bearing.

Wang Soso stared blankly at his retreating back for a long time.

And right then.

"Ah, Young Lady!!!"

"Young Lady Wang Soso!!!!"

The people of the Wang Estate began to recognize Wang Soso one by one.

* * *

I was tempted by the reward money and treasures, but I couldn't blindly follow Wang Soso in.

If I went in and declared that I had saved her, they would start meticulously prying into the incident, and I might even be investigated on suspicion of being an accomplice to the kidnappers before receiving any reward or treasure.

Moreover, in a situation where even the Murim Alliance Hefei Branch had stepped in, I had accomplished what they could not.

Would those greedy bastards really sit still?

"Still, I achieved my intended goal."

I never imagined that Wang Soso would be suffering from a constitution issue. Thanks to that, she learned the Taiyi mental cultivation method, and Wang Soso even brought up wanting to enter the Taiyi Sect herself.

I wondered if Wang Geumsan would actually allow it, but either way, I had saved his daughter and even fixed her constitution, so wouldn't he give us enough sponsorship that we wouldn't miss the Gyeryong Merchant Group too much? That was a big part of my expectations.

If Wang Geumsan helped to some extent, the Taiyi Sect would no longer have any reason to yield the Murim Academy's early admission slot to Gye Cheolyeong.

"Then I'll have Saryeon handle the Murim Academy admission, and the Admission Token can be given to someone else."

There were easy paths like special admission to the Murim Academy or using the Admission Token, but entering alone would just make me an isolated island in the middle of the sea.

For the upcoming war, I needed people like my own limbs who could move according to my will. If they didn't complete the academy course together with me, it would be meaningless.

The Taiyi Sect was at the very bottom, even among the 108 Peaks. Even if I tried to form some sort of faction, it wouldn't even take shape, like snow that refused to pack together.

In addition, there was another reason why I had to take the exam.

"There's also a large number of spiritual elixirs that appear during the academy's exam."

The reason the Murim Academy's exam was called the hellish standard exam was because the academy itself stoked the heat of the exam even further.

One of those methods was the spiritual elixirs prepared by the academy.

Once these spiritual elixirs started being discovered, the number of deaths would skyrocket exponentially.

"Before entering the academy, I need to have at least sixty years' worth of internal energy."

There were roughly eight months left until the winter when the exam began.

I had to increase my internal energy further and figure out what to do about my martial arts.

"There is a limit to using the Lesser Heaven Sword Technique day in and day out."

As my internal energy rapidly increased, the most frustrating part was that there was a limit to the amount of internal energy the Lesser Heaven Sword Technique could contain.

I could destroy the martial arts of the main sects in the Murim Alliance with the Sword-Breaking Formula, but if they actually used other martial arts, I would also have to fight with my own fundamental skills.

And in order to fight such battles, the Lesser Heaven Sword Technique had an all too clear limitation.

"But my internal energy is too lacking to use the Radiant Heaven Divine Palm..."

The martial arts secret manual I obtained at the same time as the Snow Plum Pill. Surprisingly, the secret manual belonged to the Radiant Heaven Divine Lord, one of the Ten Paragons of Murim from three hundred years ago.

Because he had reached the realm of an absolute expert using only a single martial art, I couldn't have been happier to have his secret manual, but there was a problem.

Using the Radiant Heaven Divine Palm even once would completely deplete my internal energy, causing me to faint.

"According to the gossips, the Radiant Heaven Divine Lord could use this Radiant Heaven Divine Palm more than five times in a row. It is clear that his ultimate specialty was his internal energy, not his palm technique."

In the end, I still couldn't escape the predicament of casting pearls before swine.

"In the end, I'll have to look for that."

The deepest part of the library.

The book I had hidden in the deepest part of the library in my mind because I couldn't even believe it myself.

"Just what are you standing around blankly for?"

"Huh? Junior Sister Ryeon?"

Saryeon was puffing out both her cheeks while shooting me a sharp glare.

"I told you not to call me Junior Sister Ryeon, didn't I? Just where do you keep wandering off to?"

"I have been working day and night for my sect, the Taiyi Sect, so..."

"Forget it. Hurry up and go inside. We have a guest waiting."

"A guest? Someone from Wangga Manor is already here?"

"Wangga Manor? What in the world are you talking about? Someone from the Namgung Clan has come."