Chapter: 354
All-Night Assassination Corps.
It is famously known as the most dangerous and brutal assassination unit among the countless units that exist in the Central Plains.
Moreover, it gained notoriety for being a place that didn’t belong to any one faction, effectively dividing politics.
The assassination units in the Central Plains are like an unspoken agreement.
What does this mean?
It’s clear they are a group that takes lives in exchange for money.
The fact that the alliance is aware of such beings but chooses not to capture them is a kind of evidence.
Even more surprising…
There are even famous families that raise secret assassins and create such groups internally.
This is a fact that everyone knows in secret.
You can even see this among the pillars of the current political faction known as the Four Great Families.
Take the Sacheon Dangmun, known as the ruler and master of Sichuan, for example.
The Tang Clan, which mainly dealt with poison and iron, was not recognized as a faction just a few centuries ago.
After the bloody calamity ended, and the Blood Demon disappeared…
Those who remembered the achievements of the Tang Clan’s head, Dang Je-mun, one of the heroes, decided to bring the Tang Clan into the political arena.
At that time, there was a recommendation from Yeon Il-cheon, who was the first to establish the Murim Alliance and assume the leader’s seat.
It was also thanks to the fact that Dang Je-mun himself expressed his willingness to do so.
From then on, the Tang Clan operated as a political faction within the Murim Alliance and became a prestigious family known as one of the Four Great Families.
However, it hasn’t been that long since they abandoned their original characteristics.
Their martial arts specializing in torture and assassination…
And the physical traits that have been adjusted over the years to fit that.
The Tang Clan still has plenty of dark corners, making it feel far from being an ordinary faction.
Even if they claimed to have completely abandoned that line of work to focus solely on weapon-making…
There’s a persistent rumor that while the outside may appear calm, the inside tells a different story.
Is that speculation merely rumor?
I know how the inside of the Tang Clan operates.
In any case, this observation doesn’t apply only to the Tang Clan.
Of course, I’m not sure about the Namgung or Moyong Clans, but at least the Peng Clan is probably still in the game.
The same goes for the Huangbo Clan, who would definitely be involved in this.
I can’t say much about the Gu Clan.
I have an inkling they aren’t active, but I should know a little about this creepy corner of the house.
Even the Moorim Alliance, the center of the political sect, is in a position to apply their assassination squads.
The figure known as the Dark King of the All-Night Assassination Corps is almost deified among them.
The King of Assassins.
An existence so flawless that no one would dare to challenge his claim as the ruler of the night.
He is the Dark King.
‘Why is such a person here?’
It’s said that nobody in the entire Central Plains knows the true identity of the Dark King.
How old is he?
Is he male or female?
What’s his height, what does he look like, and how does his voice sound?
Not even his martial arts techniques are accurately known.
‘I’ve figured it all out.’
It was absurd.
No, saying I figured it out would be too generous; I wasn’t sure about anything.
Gender, face, voice—everything could be hidden if one wanted to.
If there’s anything known about the Dark King…
Considering the period of activity, he must have been active for several decades now, so he’s probably not young.
That’s all I can ascertain.
Not only is the Dark King here, but it’s utterly unexpected that he found me through a check-up.
Moreover…
‘That means the one who intervened at that moment was also the Dark King.’
The warrior known as the Black Dragon Sword underwent an unknown transformation.
The moment he turned into a monster…
The being that suddenly appeared, slashed through, and saved me was also the Dark King.
Did he come here for some specific purpose?
The moment I grasped the Dark King’s true identity, he looked at me.
“I’ve seen your face, so that’s enough. You can leave now.”
Perhaps satisfied that I realized who he was, the Dark King said this.
To which I replied…
“You’re telling me to leave after just seeing my face? Then why did you call for me?”
Oh, my crazy mouth.
The stubborn beak that couldn’t let go of its old self was causing trouble all on its own.
If you could just let it all pass through your brain before speaking out, why can’t you do that?
Only after I spoke did I realize what a blunder I had made.
It was dizzying. At the very least, if I had known who it was, I would have been more careful in my speech.
“…”
After hearing my words, the Dark King gazed at me with slightly widened eyes.
What should I say?
I thought I should at least offer an apology.
“Hah.”
The Dark King burst into laughter.
“You sound just like my grandfather.”
“…What?”
I reacted briefly upon hearing that.
Grandfather? Most people who ever say such things to me have a fixed set of individuals in mind.
“…Do you know Elder Iljang?”
Elder—those associated with that old man often have a tendency to speak that way.
Does that mean the Dark King is related to Iljang?
What on earth was he doing in the Central Plains during his prime to be on good terms with such folks?
“Elder? Who are you talking about?”
“Yes? You’re not referring to Elder Guryun, right?”
“Guryun isn’t your grandfather.”
“No, that’s usually how I refer to him…”
Wait a moment…?
If the person the Dark King says resembles me is not Iljang…
“…If it’s not Iljang, then who do you think I resemble?”
To my inquiry, the Dark King responds as if he can’t comprehend.
“Of course, I mean your grandfather. What else would it be?”
He was referring to the previous head of the Gu clan, known to have died before my birth.
‘What he’s implying is… the Dark King has met my grandfather.’
From the casualness of his words, it implied he was possibly a contemporary of someone active during the same period.
And to think, Elder Iljang also belonged to that era.
Having rarely heard stories about my grandfather, this felt refreshing.
Did my strangely shifted expression evoke any amusement?
The Dark King smiled faintly and spoke to me.
“I will come see you soon.”
The idea that the Dark King would visit me is indeed a curious revelation.
The King of Assassins says he will seek me out, so should I simply wait?
Just imagining it sends a wave of dizziness through me.
Given how crazy things have already gotten, what more could possibly erupt here?
Knock knock.
On a tranquil night…
I was doing some stretching alone in the middle of the training ground, cracked and sunken in spots.
Woohoo.
Once I embraced the will, my energy surged swiftly through to the upper point.
The speed was quite impressive.
Revitalizing a fatigued body.
To be more accurate, I was forcing myself to shake off fatigue and pump up energy.
‘I’ve definitely improved.’
The overall efficiency felt significant.
It’s not just the five senses that have developed upon reaching consciousness.
With my upper gate now open for use, I maximized the efficiency of using martial arts.
A realm I had reached in my previous life and the place where I lingered the longest.
Of course, I did have increased stakes.
It allowed me to achieve better results with lesser bets.
And achieving much more is precisely Hwagyeong.
If one practices swordsmanship, they could wield a sword floating above their hands.
This phenomenon is often called the “Sword Mastery Technique.”
Yet almost no one, apart from certain masters, ever utilizes this skill.
Even reaching the Hwagyeong, merely implies that the efficiency remaining is extremely poor.
Such is the nature of the flower market.
It is a state where one can do things that were previously impossible.
Several years have passed since my return.
I now stood at a realm reachable only by employing demonic power in my last life.
‘It remains incomplete.’
Even though I had reached the Hwagyeong while in the demonic realm…
I lost everything I achieved upon returning to this life.
It didn’t measure up to what I had accomplished back then.
The contrast between my past achievements and my current state is the issue here.
This wouldn’t be a significant problem, however.
‘That sense of contradiction was there from the beginning.’
A body that has lost everything it had acquired in its previous life.
I have previously felt that outrageous emptiness.
This is not the real issue.
What truly matters is…
‘The question of what I should do from here on out.’
I reached the Hwagyeong.
What might astonish others feels insufficient for me.
‘It’s lacking.’
From my perspective, I still feel highly deficient.
It feels even more so when I reflect on the Cheonma I faced.
Cheonma is an overwhelming being. I knew this from my memories of my past life, but experiencing it again solidified my conviction.
Currently, I can’t defeat Cheonma.
If Cheonma decides to exert himself, I won’t last even a moment.
‘So what do I do now?’
Everything feels distant.
I lack knowledge about the stages following Hwagyeong.
Although it’s documented saying it exists, it’s uncertain how many have actually reached it.
‘What about the Three Lords? Did they reach it?’
Those were individuals who might have reached that stage, yet even they eventually met their demise at the hands of Cheonma.
I feel the necessity to surpass at least the level of divine sword I possessed in my previous life.
My head began to ache.
It’s not as simple as it sounds, to be frank.
Kuuhh.
As I pondered that, I suddenly felt my magical energy rise within me.
At that moment, I felt my heart begin to race.
A swirling heat coursed through me.
Feeling the magic forming a loop around my heart, I opened my previously shut eyes.
“…It seems like I can still do this.”
Although I can’t see my reflection, I’m confident my eyes are now tinted purple.
I was currently in the realm of casting Mind Transformation.
I didn’t even need martial arts to feel this change.
That implies I’m undeniably stronger than before.
I began checking the condition of my body.
Since I hadn’t properly assessed it after the fight, it was time to do so now.
Not just the physical aspect but also how my inner self was faring.
I went through one aspect at a time, assessing my mental state as well.
‘My body feels enhanced, yet my stakes seem oddly calm. And my mental state shows no issues.’
The most significant gain from becoming this way is the capability of reverting back to human.
That’s probably the biggest deal, considering I’ve harbored so many regrets over becoming a demonic being.
‘What concerns me is…’
I promptly rolled up both arms.
There lay an anomaly I was experiencing.
The crimson bandage around my left arm had darkened.
And on my previously unmarked right arm, an unrecognizable imprint appeared.
‘What on earth is this?’
Its size isn’t substantial—about the length of two finger joints.
What’s concerning is its peculiar appearance.
It looks as if…
‘…reptilian skin.’
It’s an unpleasant sight that one might expect a lizard or snake to have.
This is undoubtedly a change that didn’t exist in my previous life.
‘Why did this happen?’
It seems like a transformation born from becoming a demonic being in this life.
What caused this?
‘What do you know?’
I silently asked. Of course, it was directed at the beast.
I wondered if it knew anything.
[Growl…]
But the beast merely answered in a tired voice, indicating it did not know.
One thing I could learn from this was…
That when I cast Mind Transformation, the creature began exhibiting signs of fatigue for some unknown reason.
[Grrr…]
‘I understand. Just a bit longer.’
Why else would it be whining to let it loose?
Although it irked me that it was whining, I still needed to investigate further.
Looking back at the bandage on my left arm, I muttered something else.
“Noya.”
[…]
Despite my efforts to call out, Noya remained silent.
I needed to inquire about the purpose of this bandage tied to my arm… but Noya had zero intention of waking up.
“Tsk…”
I clicked my tongue lightly, displeased, and released the transformation spell.
The heat that had been boiling within me receded, making my body feel slightly heavier.
Additionally, I felt a slight, unidentifiable pain near my lower abdomen and heart.
It’s not a strong sensation, but… this indicates…
‘It means I might not be able to use it continuously.’
I might need more time to observe just how it’s being utilized.
‘What remains…’
Despite having much left to explore, the most important subject comes to the forefront.
“…Is she still not awake?”
I thought of Wi Seol-ah, who had lost consciousness.
Just thinking about her caused saliva to gather in my mouth unexpectedly.
It’s all due to the nerves.
I had managed to act fearless in front of the Dark King, but the moment I thought of her, I couldn’t help but feel tense.
‘What could have happened…?’
How did she end up here?
Did she regress like me?
When? From the beginning, perhaps?
That couldn’t be right; if so, she would have stabbed me in the neck with a knife before I had a chance to ask if she wanted a potato!
Since when?
I remained clueless.
And I yearned to know the answer.
The most frustrating fact right now is that there’s nothing to do but wait for her to wake up.
I glanced up at the sky.
The pitch-black sky remained unchanged.
It’s nighttime, so it’s only natural for it to be dark, but it’s not the kind of dark I’m used to, which is the problem.
‘Why won’t it disappear?’
The Black Dragon Sword is currently subdued and restrained.
Most of that gang has also been captured.
Of course, not many survivors remained.
Considering I killed over half of them myself.
It appears that assistance from the main side isn’t coming due to that barrier…
“Do you realize just how outrageous this is?”
“…!”
Startled by the voice coming from behind me while I was looking up at the sky, I nearly jumped out of my skin.
I hadn’t sensed any presence approaching at all!
“Why don’t you come to see my face even once?”
How deep must one’s thoughts be to arrive without me even noticing?
“…Ah.”
The beauty looming closer to me frowned at my terse response.
“Oh? Did you just say ‘Oh’?”
“No, I was busy… I meant to come see you just now.”
“And that’s your excuse?”
The woman glaring at me with a face full of rage was Mo Yong-hee.
Yeah, I totally forgot to visit her.
‘I thought she’d take care of things by herself.’
I heard she was alive.
I also caught wind that she wasn’t injured at all and was rolling around among the lawmakers.
‘Her?’
The thought of that calculating person being around there raised my curiosity, but I also found it somewhat admirable.
The issue lies in the fact that I didn’t go to check on her.
“You really crossed the line.”
Mo Yong-hee, observing my reaction, wore a crestfallen look and pouted.
Wow, she’s crying…
The cold, icy Snow Peak is shedding tears before me.
I must have seriously sinned.
“I’m sorry. It wasn’t on purpose.”
“…Of course. You didn’t forget me intentionally, did you? If you did, you wouldn’t be human.”
“…”
“From now on, could you answer with a blank expression?”
I nearly blurted out a retort.
“Sorry…”
“…”
Mo Yong-hee’s lips twitched in response to my persistent apologies.
“…I wasn’t like this normally.”
“Huh?”
“My feelings, which are about to melt at such a stupid and insignificant apology, feel too trivial.”
“…”
“I came here with the intention to scold you… and I’m the one getting fussed over first.”
“…Ah… my.”
“Don’t apologize. It’s infuriating.”
“Alright.”
Is this the first time since my regression?
Seeing Mo Yong-hee so furious amuses me.
I feel like I watched her expressions every second in my previous life.
It’s nostalgic in its own way.
“Are you smiling now?”
“I must have seen wrong due to the darkness.”
“How could I mistake the face of the old prince?”
“…”
“Oh, this is truly frustrating.”
She kept kicking the ground like she disliked what she had just said.
It looked like reason and emotions were clashing inside her.
“…Ha, I didn’t come here to do something like this…”
“Then did you come to scold me?”
“That too, but…”
Oh right.
Mo Yong-hee, who was letting her tongue loose, suddenly cast an eye over me and asked.
“Are you injured anywhere?”
“No.”
“…Is that so.”
Was that what she really wanted to ask?
“What about you?”
“Wow, you’re asking pretty fast. Can’t you tell just by looking?”
“…”
I must have messed something up here.
Seeing my dumbfounded face, Mo Yong-hee heaved a deep sigh.
“How did I end up falling for such a wastrel…?”
“What a shame…”
“You know, Master, what’s likely to happen next?”
“…”
The mouth that was about to open clamped shut at Mo Yong-hee’s words.
“I figured Confucius would have a sense of what’s coming.”
“…Oh, that?”
I jolted for a moment, wondering if she had spotted my regression.
Yet it didn’t seem to be the case.
“To some extent… I anticipated it.”
“This isn’t an anticipation; it’s a certainty. With such a thing happening.”
Only then did I begin to grasp what Mo Yong-hee meant to convey.
“…If we somehow survive here, it’s definitely going to happen. It’s such a monumental incident.”
“Hmm.”
“The political faction conference. Without a doubt, they will hold one.”
The factions from the Four Great Families and the faction heads of the Moorim Alliance…
And a conference of those noble families holding influence over the Moorim Alliance.
A meeting that hasn’t taken place in decades may now become possible due to this incident.
“Then… my father will attend too, right?”
“Seems likely.”
Since the Moyong Clan is indeed one of the Four Great Families, the head of that clan, known as the Baekcheon Sword Master, will probably make an appearance.
“Before that happens…”
Mo Yong-hee tugged at my sleeve gently, then spoke.
What could she be intending with such a sorrowful expression?
That question arose as…
“Let’s run.”
“Huh?”
At Mo Yong-hee’s unexpected declaration, I could only let out an utterly clueless response.
“We can’t risk Confucius dying…!”
What kind of nonsense is this?
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