Chapter: 659
Non-manifestation.
The realm lies somewhere between the peak and the pinnacle of completeness.
Though classified as a secret agent, their skill in assassination is relatively low.
Regardless, the success rate isn’t too shabby, but they typically don’t take on those missions unless the situation calls for it.
Most of the assignments entrusted to them involve information gathering.
Being known as the hidden flower of the Murim Alliance, Bihyeonhwa boasts a strikingly beautiful appearance.
Aware of this fact, she expertly employs her looks as a means to carry out her charms.
“Are you okay…? I’m really sorry…”
With glistening eyes, she cautiously checks to see if I’m truly injured.
I just sat there, quietly watching her antics.
‘What was I thinking?’
I had felt her approaching for quite a while now.
It was clear to me that she had bumped into me on purpose.
I simply let her have her way once out of curiosity regarding what she was up to.
‘Who would have thought I’d be in this situation?’
Bihyeonhwa is immensely fragrant; anyone who catches a whiff inevitably finds themselves entranced.
It’s a well-known saying in the Central Plains.
‘Tsk.’
To call it fragrant feels like an understatement—it’s downright offensive.
Just the smell of the excessive perfume alone is enough to make me feel queasy.
For now, I had to do my best not to reveal my discontent.
“How can I make this up to you…? Ahh…”
In a seductive voice, Bihyeonhwa subtly pushes her body against mine.
I can feel her chest brushing against me.
I glanced down at Bihyeonhwa.
What a tantalizingly enchanting face. It’s true that she’s beautiful enough to earn the title of the Murim Alliance’s flower.
‘This fucking bitch.’
That was my only thought.
Knowing the true nature of Bihyeonhwa, to me, she was nothing more than a mere stone.
“You filthy bastard, how dare you look at me like that?”
This thought drifts through my mind.
This crazy bitch has been picking fights with me for ages!
“Do you think a nobody like you could ever compare to me? Tch. Get lost; I don’t even want to share the same air!”
I had never looked her way; I honestly wasn’t even interested.
I might’ve glanced occasionally because she’s pretty, but nothing beyond that.
Back then, the idea of her being the flower of the martial arts world was practically an empty title.
‘Because she was there…’
The little swordsman, Wisul-ah.
Ever since she joined the Murim Alliance, the title of the Alliance’s flower belongs to her.
A flower that blooms only to wither away.
That’s how I perceive Bihyeonhwa— a flower that has begun harboring poison because it refuses to accept its place.
Is it any different now?
I stared silently at Bihyeonhwa.
Her ample cleavage and alluring gaze directed at me.
At that moment, I thought to myself.
‘Should I kill her?’
It’s bothersome; should I just end this?
But such thoughts passed through my mind.
‘Not yet.’
Not just yet. So, I decided to hold back.
With a slight smile, I replied to Bihyeonhwa,
“It’s alright. I hope you’re uninjured too, young miss.”
“Ah, yes…!”
At my words, Bihyeonhwa smiled alluringly.
Usually, when I smile, most people flinch, but as someone skilled in this arena, she didn’t react at all.
It’s laughable that I’m making judgments based on this.
‘I guess I left quite an impression.’
Bihyeonhwa is not someone who can move easily.
She’s only deployed on relatively important tasks, and for her to have come all the way here means…
‘Did Beomdong keep an eye on me?’
It hints that the Dragon Lord personally pointed me out.
‘That was quick.’
She approached me the moment I entered the street. It’s clear she was sent by Beomdong right after his return.
Really, it’s almost like she had been waiting on the street.
‘I should kill Ki-gam.’
I had thought about slightly expanding my presence, though I needed to resist that too.
‘Getting caught after expanding would be troublesome.’
The likelihood of anyone around sensing my essence is low.
But one can never be too sure.
‘If it’s Beomdong, maybe there’s an ambush nearby.’
Someone like him could detect even the slightest change, so caution is paramount.
‘In that brief span, they’ve managed to send Bihyeonhwa. Either there’s a potential ambush, or…’
Alternatively, the thought crossed my mind that perhaps he chose not to approach at all, keenly aware.
‘Alright then.’
I thought as I locked eyes with Bihyeonhwa.
‘How shall I toy with this one?’
What shall I do with this girl?
With such thoughts in mind, I distanced myself slightly.
“Since it seems we both are fine, I will take my leave now. I hope you also find peace.”
I intentionally created space, causing Bihyeonhwa to widen her eyes slightly in surprise.
Such a reaction is all part of the act.
While I may not know much about Bihyeonhwa, I have a vague idea about her tactics.
Coming across as low class and mouthy despite her reputation, she had a few boasts up her sleeve.
Ttuk.
As I attempted to move on, pressing forward without regret—
Sarak!
I felt a hand grasping my collar.
“Hey, over here!”
I turned at the shout.
Her ears were flushed, and her face was scarlet. She looked like she might burst from embarrassment.
‘What a performance, adjusting her appearance like that.’
If one lacked tolerance for beauty and was unaware of such facts, their heart might leap, just once.
“I’m really… sorry, but… could you buy me a cup of tea or something?”
Upon hearing this, I held back a smile that threatened to break through.
Thank god!
Thank goodness that the writing style is the same!
I was already feeling a bit lacking in something.
“Well then, let’s do that.”
A splendid little “bait” had just presented itself.
*
Recently, a famous guest house opened in Hanam.
Not only is the food and drink delightful, but the ambiance is pretty, and the meals are exquisite. It has recently become a favored spot for daughters of esteemed families and wealthy ladies.
This building erased the rough atmosphere typical of guest houses.
After planting flowers and adorning the grounds, with a delicate touch to the interiors, an agreeable aroma fills the air.
I heard it was established by the Baekhwasangdan.
Contrary to the belief that this atmosphere wouldn’t flourish, women who heard the news flocked from afar to fill the guest house.
In one corner of that guest house.
A man and a woman sat in a position with a stunning view outside the window.
The guests inside the inn were stealing glances at the couple.
The woman was breathtakingly beautiful and captivating.
The young man sitting across from her was surprisingly…
‘He looks scary…?’
‘Is he intimidating?’
‘But why is that woman…??’
He looked distinctly sharp and frightening.
This young man didn’t fit at all with the stunning beauty of the woman beside him.
Yet, the woman continued the conversation, seemingly unbothered by the mismatch.
“Oh my, really?”
The woman, Bihyeonhwa, continued to speak to the young man with her characteristically charming smile.
“Then, are you taking over that sect?”
“Pretty much.”
“This is incredible!”
As the young man took a sip of tea, he replied in a dry tone.
Bihyeonhwa maintained an attentive disposition towards him.
But—
‘What the hell is wrong with this guy?’
The thoughts masked behind her beautiful smile were incredibly contradictory.
Bihyeonhwa smiled and continued the conversation, yet an awkwardness loomed that she couldn’t shake.
Haha.
The young man didn’t shy away from her gaze either.
But—
‘Why does it feel like I’m not captivating him?’
Bihyeonhwa observed the young man beyond her charms.
He was black from head to toe.
His loosely tied hair and his dark robe were striking, and while his pale skin was notable, his gaze was sharp as a blade.
Age-wise, he seemed to have just crossed that threshold of young adulthood.
‘What kind of man is he?’
Typically, men at this age would lose their senses from just a smile.
If you’re older, it doesn’t much change that reality.
‘Every guy should fall at my feet.’
Something felt off.
Bihyeonhwa struggled to conceal her irritation at that feeling.
“So why did you come to Hanam?”
“I heard there was a martial arts competition.”
“Ah.”
Despite the misalignment in conversation, it continued.
Mostly, it was Bihyeonhwa initiating, with the young man responding, but that was expected.
“So, are you planning to participate in the martial arts competition to revive your sect?”
“Well, kind of.”
“Oh my, that’s really impressive.”
She maintained small talk to keep the conversation flow, but not much beyond that.
With gazes locked, she offered subtle glimpses of her figure, yet the young man’s demeanor didn’t change.
Even though he met her gaze without flinching, the boy’s stare revealed his lack of interest.
It was clear to see; he was simply not intrigued by her.
‘Could he possibly be impotent?’
Even such a thought drifted through her mind.
If that were not the case, it wouldn’t make sense.
‘…Does he seriously not care about me?’
Crack.
Under the table, Bihyeonhwa clenched her fist.
‘That can’t be true.’
It was unbelievable, impossible even.
‘Who am I?’
‘I am Hanam Jeilmi!’
She is the flower of the Murim Alliance and quite possibly the one to leave Hanam dubbed as the greatest beauty in the Central Plains.
Look around.
The men glimpsing outside the window were glancing her way, fueled by desires.
Bihyeonhwa was all too aware of it.
‘Those lowly desires thrill and excite me. It’s what allows me to toy with men!’
But—
The man before her was different.
‘The Dragon Lord warned me to be careful, is this why?’
With the martial arts tournament looming, Bihyeonhwa’s waiting period had arrived. She thought about taking it easy, perhaps play around with some promising men without drawing attention.
“A mission has been assigned.”
The Dragon Lord issued a mission to Bihyeonhwa early that morning as she lingered in the Alliance.
The task was to gather information from the enigmatic master who had recently surfaced in Hanam.
Just as she was about to reject it due to the annoyance, her interest piqued at the information relayed to her.
‘He’s aged between eighteen and twenty, but his skills are ridiculously high.’
It’s presumed he’s not an ordinary practitioner, yet is a master at such a young age.
Attached was also a warning advising high caution.
‘A young master… how could this not pique my interest?’
‘Not just a mission; even capturing him might prove advantageous!’
Even if he were a master, he is still a man.
‘It’s obvious he’d be bewitched.’
Annoyed that he would be mesmerized, she thought to entice him under the guise of the mission.
‘What an irritating individual.’
Upon receiving initial descriptions, the man was far stranger than Bihyeonhwa had anticipated.
‘You said he was a master, but I can’t feel a thing.’
Despite being warned to be on guard, she felt no presence from any masters whatsoever, not even a hint of their energy.
‘What… is wrong with this?’
Even the youngest Hwagyeong and the later disciples from prestigious families emitted a unique aura.
Not a trace could be detected from him.
‘He’s practically an ordinary person.’
Ordinary to the degree that it made one wonder why the Dragon Lord had requested such caution regarding him.
‘Moreover, he’s not even from a prominent family but a lone successor of an unheard-of sect.’
A successor from the obscure Pacheonmun, who said he came to showcase his prowess during the tournament.
Was it Pa Jeol-yeop or something like that.
He was an individual she had never heard of before.
If he were strong enough for the Dragon Lord to warn her, she thought she would have at least come across his name.
The opposite could mean just one thing.
‘Did he deceive me?’
Doubt lingered, but it solidified into certainty.
In the brief exchange, Bihyeonhwa sensed that this man was lying.
‘Looks like he’s hiding something?’
Not a surprising discovery; how many people in the Central Plains are open about their secrets? Not a single one, she would wager.
Besides, uncovering such intel was her specialty.
‘Fine, continue your stubborn act. Let’s see how long you can withstand it.’
Regardless, the Inquiry Division would have already kicked into gear.
And at the latest, they’d uncover information about the man within a day.
What she needed to do during that time was simple.
‘Acquire the ungraspable information and seduce to bring him to his knees.’
It’s something Bihyeonhwa did better than anyone else.
There were several men proud like him before, yet ultimately, they ended up scrambling into her skirts.
This time promised to be no different.
Bihyeonhwa felt confident in that.
“Excuse me… Mr. Pa.”
At her call, the young man redirected his gaze toward her.
His attitude was a tad rude.
Though it churned her insides to be confronted like this, she swallowed it down in the name of professionalism.
“We’ve… talked quite a bit, haven’t we?”
“Didn’t we barely exchange ten sentences? What are you talking about?”
‘That’s because you mumbled like a fool, you little punk!’
Bihyeonhwa barely contained the retort bubbling up.
“Be patient.”
She had to hold on.
‘After all, it’s clear that once the stage is set, they’ll be eager.’
Despite his tough act, all men are fundamentally the same.
Once skin touches skin, they tend to turn docile.
Typically, she wouldn’t have gone this far for a simple task…
‘But if the Dragon Lord indeed spoke the truth, he’s surely an impressive man, right?’
This young master of unparalleled prowess.
Bihyeonhwa felt her interest piqued at that alone.
‘The divine dragon was too formidable for me, but this one I can surely handle!’
The man destined to be the next peerless individual who would shape the Central Plains.
Given that he was under the protection of the Shaolin, he was indeed exceptional.
But this man, he doesn’t fit that description. Somehow, it would be unwise not to try my charm on him.’
Thinking this, Bihyeonhwa moved her body.
She subtly slid down next to the man known as Pa Jeol-yeop.
“You know… Mr. Pa…”
She called out to him in a sultry tone.
As she did, her fingertip brushed against his forearm, teasingly making its way up with a touch that was almost closer than necessary.
Then, she pressed her body against him.
Bihyeonhwa’s chest snug against the man’s arm had him flinching slightly.
Seeing this, Bihyeonhwa grew bolder.
“Rather than chatting in a place like this, shouldn’t we find somewhere quieter?”
“A quiet place. Where?”
She shifted her hand that had grazed his arm.
Bihyeonhwa’s fingers slowly made their way toward his chest.
Just as her hand was about to glide over his upper body—
Crunch.
Pa Jeol-yeop clasped Bihyeonhwa’s wrist.
His grip was rough. This made Bihyeonhwa smile knowingly.
Gotcha!
She thought.
And it was as she surmised.
“Ah, this is going to make it even harder to bear.”
With a tone suggesting he was already half under her spell, the man spoke.
Could it be that he had caved before my worries even manifested?
‘Seems like men are disappointingly the same,’ Bihyeonhwa chuckled inwardly.
Yet, amid her triumph, she failed to notice the chilling transformation in his gaze.
Just then, as Pa Jeol-yeop’s hand sought to move in her direction, mimicking Bihyeonhwa’s earlier gesture—
Shudder.
“Uh?”
All of a sudden, Pa Jeol-yeop halted, eyes wide as he glanced elsewhere.
His gaze broached the window.
“Mr. Pa…?”
Bihyeonhwa attempted to respond to this unusual shift in behavior.
Swoosh…!
“…!!”
In an instant, Bihyeonhwa’s body froze in place.
“Crack…”
She couldn’t muster a scream, trapped in an engulfing fear.
She wasn’t being restrained or dominated in any such manner.
Drip.
A bead of sweat trickled down Bihyeonhwa’s forehead.
‘What… what is this…?’
She scanned her surroundings with trembly eyes.
Though nothing slipped into view, she instinctively understood.
Shing.
There was a blade poised against her neck.
Nothing was palpably present, yet it was all too clear.
How strange a contradiction could that be?
Yet the reality remained.
Not only her neck.
From every corner, sharp blades were aimed squarely at Bihyeonhwa.
The scent of death clawed at her nostrils.
As Bihyeonhwa swallowed hard, her body trembling, a creak filled the air.
The door swung open, and someone stepped inside.
Pa Jeol-yeop’s attention shifted accordingly.
“Welcome…uggh…!?”
A well-dressed attendant was about to greet the newly arrived guest, only to freeze in place.
The newcomer was a woman.
She swayed her long hair, scanning the inn with a reflective gaze.
Their sparkling eyes glided through the room.
At her glance, the murmurs that had filled the place came to an abrupt halt.
Was it mere illusion?
The moment the woman entered, there seemed to be an almost strange floral fragrance enveloping the guest house.
“Oh my…”
“…Ah, how… about her!”
The moment those in the vicinity caught sight of her, their breaths hitched, faces wide-eyed with awe.
There stood a fully blossomed flower.
When it comes to depicting a person as a flower, do they perhaps know someone better suited?
This woman encapsulated the essence of such comparison perfectly.
All eyes, including those of guests and passersby alike, were transfixed on the woman.
Every gaze that had settled on Bihyeonhwa now swept away like a breeze.
She had merely stepped in.
“…”
Piercing through the wonder-filled stares, the woman gradually redirected her gaze.
Her eyes, which had been roaming just a moment ago, soon landed squarely on one target.
She met Bihyeonhwa’s eyes.
There she was, tilting close to a young man.
Seeing this, the woman’s brows furrowed delicately.
Thud.
The woman took a step forward.
The floral scent became a touch more pronounced.
A light, flowing gait, without the slightest hint of falter.
The woman glided gracefully towards Bihyeonhwa.
‘Who is she…?’
Bihyeonhwa felt herself rattled as she observed the approaching woman.
The current scenario was already bewildering; the very emergence of this woman intensified Bihyeonhwa’s predicament.
‘How could she possibly be that pretty?’
Such thoughts had never dared to cross her mind before.
Bihyeonhwa felt distress churn in her gut, her eyes sharp with disbelief.
‘I refuse to concede!’
But instantly upon witnessing her, the acknowledgment slipped forth.
Stunned.
“…”
Step by step, the woman finally advanced towards Bihyeonhwa.
With kind eyes, she scanned Bihyeonhwa from head to toe before speaking.
“Let go of his hand.”
“…What?”
As Bihyeonhwa responded in confusion, the woman’s eyes chilled.
Chills ran down her spine!!
In an instant, Bihyeonhwa’s body began to tremble uncontrollably under the oppressive aura surrounding her.
“Ugh…!”
Despite Bihyeonhwa letting out a sound of fear, the woman continued, as though uncaring.
“Let me reiterate.”
Golden locks swayed around.
The woman’s eyes, infused with an edge, bore down on Bihyeonhwa chillingly.
As her pure presence gradually began consuming the surrounding energy, the woman, Wi Seol-ah, addressed Bihyeonhwa.
“Release your hand.”
Before I extinguish your existence.
The woman’s gaze clearly conveyed that warning.
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