Before launching an attack on the Il-do Sect, Serin voiced her opinion.
“Geunhyeop. The Il-do Sect is merely a gathering of third-rate dark martial artists. With your skills and judgment that wiped out the Assassin’s Room, we can definitely take them down. Plus, your powers have risen, and you’ve learned how to use Guiqi, so it shouldn’t be that hard.”
“I think so too.”
I wasn’t planning the serial murder case against the Il-do Sect recklessly. I calculated thoroughly and assessed my chances. With my skills, I could definitely suppress them.
“Yes, and because of that… I’ll assist, but once things kick off, I’ll observe the situation from a distance.”
“Observe? Oh, is it because of rumors or something?”
Serin nodded.
“Still, I am called the Jade Flower Sword in the Martial Arts History, a martial artist with considerable fame in the righteous sect.”
“Yeah, but the Fiery Lotus is even more impressive.”
“Wihayoung, please be quiet.”
Hayoung, who interjected and got a reprimand, chuckled. I placed my hand on her shoulder.
“Anyway, as a martial artist, it would be problematic if rumors spread about me helping to eliminate a group of dark martial artists. I might become a target for dark factions.”
“That’s true.”
I don’t know if any would seek revenge against a third-rate dark group, but the Martial Arts World doesn’t run on such common sense.
If the Jade Flower Sword steps out and rumors spread, I could become a target.
“I’ll try to hide my identity as much as possible. But in dangerous moments, I’ll step in, and if there are any treacherous plans being laid, I’ll eliminate them.”
“Then I can relax!”
At least, there’s no fear of being stabbed in the back!
“Thank you, Serin!”
“Of course.”
Feeling pleased with my gratitude, Serin approached and snatched my hand, which was previously on Hayoung’s waist.
“If you want to touch something, why not touch me instead?”
“Uh, uhh…!”
Should I?
“Why are you taking my hand away? You’re so jealous. Ugh.”
“I don’t get jealous or anything like that.”
“What are you saying? Well, I think similarly. It’s good to support from the back since stepping into the front can cause rumors.”
“If you both watch my back, I won’t fear anything.”
This is decided!
* * *
‘But it’s still dangerous.’
Wihayoung watched Geunhyeop confidently and felt concerned. No matter how skilled he was at wiping out the Assassin’s Room, she couldn’t be sure he could handle the Il-do Sect.
‘Well… I don’t think he can’t do it.’
Still, she thought he likely wouldn’t fail. Above all, Namgoong Serin and she would be there to back him up. So, it seemed safe, right?
The problem was.
‘But he seems a bit weak.’
Geunhyeop had a considerably fragile temperament for a martial artist. Didn’t he struggle with killing bandits earlier? She recalled her experience comforting him in those moments.
‘Weak. Even weaker than me.’
She herself could kill even those dark martial artists with no grudge without hesitation. It wasn’t like she lacked experience in that regard. But Geunhyeop had never undergone such trials.
Could he really handle it?
Wihayoung worried yet thought.
‘Guiqi… that power definitely depends heavily on emotional state. Especially with stronger negative emotions involved. If he experiences intense emotional changes during this encounter… that power could grow stronger.’
This could potentially reveal the secrets of being a constitution type.
If he felt emotional pain while killing the Il-do’s gatekeepers, his Guiqi would surely strengthen. Whether that’s good or bad, Wihayoung found difficult to judge.
‘Well, he’s going to get stronger, right? Plus, I could research constitution types more while doing this. So, it should be fine…?’
Thus, Wihayoung decided to think of the beneficial aspects.
‘And I will protect him… so it’ll be fine. If it gets hard for him, I’ll comfort him again. That should work.’
* * *
The Assassin’s Room was ready.
“Let’s go.”
The leader of the Assassin’s Room, Kim Geunhyeop, took the first step.
“Ah… today’s a perfect day for the operation.”
“My heart is racing so much!”
He didn’t look back.
My buddy Jaemi Son would be following closely. Galbijong seemed to echo that racing heartbeat as he followed along.
Both were fully prepared for battle.
Jaemi Son wore the Hadong armor I gifted him on his left arm and held the Yi Sangjae sword in his right. Galbijong was fully clad in black, wielding his own weapon as well. I knew Jaemi Son’s skills well. But how would Galbijong perform?
Either way, if we fought for our lives, we could become friends. Today would decide Galbijong’s fate.
And back there, Serin and Hayoung were following along.
Everything was perfect.
“Geunhyeop! I can’t wait to see your skills called the Wailing Assassination!”
“Hmm.”
“I wonder how brutal the bloodshed will be…! I’m on the edge of my seat! I’ll also kill the enemies as brutally as possible!”
Galbijong’s eyes sparkled like stars. Yep, this guy’s definitely a maniac.
“Jaemi Son! I want to see your skills as well! I’ve heard you enjoy making holes in bodies for no reason, and this time you’ll be facing enemies, so I bet you’ll show even more brutality! I can’t wait to see it!”
“Heh heh… this guy’s gone full psycho.”
“Ah! Let me show you my mad techniques!”
“What a lunatic… ha.”
Jaemi Son lightly joked.
“Hehehe.”
I too chuckled lightly.
With this level of insanity, it’s a personality trait. It’s downright funny to hear such things from someone with eyes so clear.
So, we entered the Il-do Sect with a grave heart.
“From here on, it’s enemy territory. I know where the headquarters is, but we should proceed as stealthily as possible.”
Typically, dark organizations don’t do much labor and are often scattered around. That’s their information network. If suspicious-looking folks show up, they’d alert the headquarters right away.
It’s better to eliminate them before they can do that.
“Let’s move stealthily…”
“Ah, that’s my specialty. We can use areas with fewer people to maneuver.”
“Heh heh, you have that specialty?”
“Working as a dark faction naturally brings those skills out. The Black-themed Martial Arts Group is a world of its own, unlike a place like the Il-do Sect.”
Those sparkling eyes added credibility.
We moved discreetly, utilizing paths with minimal human presence.
“Jaemi Son. How close are we?”
“We’re almost there.”
“You truly know the area well.”
He could grasp the route just from our leader’s explanation and the rough map. Truly a blessed ability. With him around, we had nothing to fear.
“…”
At that moment, Galbijong drew his sword.
“Someone’s watching us.”
“Have they appeared?”
Though I wanted to storm the headquarters, even dogs don’t bite when they are at home.
Looks like the surveillance is tightening.
“Geunhyeop. What’s the plan?”
Jaemi Son asked sharply.
“Galbijong. Where’s the surveillance?”
“Over there. There’s one.”
“Hehehe, it’s decided. We’ll kill him as fast as possible, then storm the headquarters and unleash indiscriminate bloodshed. Let’s go!”
—Paaaat!
The three of us dashed in unison. Then came a crash from the direction of our target. The one spying on us must have tripped or something.
As we turned the corner.
“Huh!”
One guy appeared. A figure awkwardly trying to escape, seemingly mid-fall. I immediately thrust my sword forward and hissed lowly.
“Are you a lackey from the Jaegwi faction… What were you doing here? Speak before I kill you.”
“Huh?”
“Playing dumb? I guess it’s time to die.”
“N-no! I’m from the Il-do Sect…!”
So this trick works again.
He claims to be from the Il-do Sect.
“Oh, impressive! Such a deceit!”
“Galbijong. Take care of him. I want to see your sword skills.”
“On it!”
Galbijong swung his weapon.
—Paaaat!
It was a clean strike but still didn’t look like a master’s level. Even so, it was enough to deal with a non-combatant from a third-rate dark group.
“Ugh…!”
The Il-do Sect member fell to the ground, blood pouring from his neck.
“Good.”
No hesitation in killing.
More so.
“It’s nothing. I’m used to fighting against dark martial artists.”
His gaze didn’t change.
Remaining as bright as ever.
“Geunhyeop. Now…”
“Guide us. We’ll storm in as fast as possible!”
“Heh heh! You’re the man I recognize! Follow me!”
The geography-savvy Jaemi Son pressed forward, and we followed.
“There it is!”
Before long, the headquarters of the Il-do Sect came into view. It wasn’t an impressive place. Just a small warehouse-like building, surrounded by some wooden fences and bundles of straw.
Inside were a few armed people, but…
It was go time.
—Paaaat!
We immediately leapt over the low fence into the Il-do Sect headquarters.
“W-what is this!”
The Il-do Sect martial artist shouted in surprise. We faced them, forming a line where three martial artists supported each other. Moving together, one member of the Il-do Sect suddenly slashed at us.
“W-what the hell!”
Their movements screamed third-rate.
No need to even use the (Flowing Stream Sword Technique). I raised my sword naturally and parried their attack. Immediately, Jaemi Son thrust his weapon, stabbing into their torso.
“Ugh!”
The first blood was shed.
The war had begun.
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