CH 223

The life of an assassin is no different from performing acrobatics on a blade. The moment they become careless and make a mistake, they can easily lose their life. 

This is no different for the Hundred Wraith Union assassins. Even if they’re known to be great assassins who are feared by many, death was inevitable.

Requests that exceed one’s capabilities always endanger the assassins. In fact many had died by accepting requests that went beyond their competence. Whenever this happens, the Hundred Wraith Union would promote their internally raised assassins. 

The Hundred Wraith Union always thought they were the best. They pride themselves that no other assassin can dare compare to the Hundred Wraith Union. However, there were cases where they would recruit assassins from the outside.

This happens when it’s impossible for them to promote a homegrown assassin due to some kind of problem, or when an external person had capabilities that exceeded expectations.

“The last time we recruited an assassin from outside was eighty-nine years ago. This is a really great opportunity. If you come to the Hundred Wraith Union, you will get a powerful background.”

Hong Ye-seol’s face was red hot. She unknowingly revealed her emotional agitation because she was focused on the man in front of her.

However, Pyo-wol’s reply was beyond her expectations.

“You didn’t seem to care much about the dead. So why care about the person who killed him?”

“Baekrok died because of his lack of ability. You’re different so you get special treatment.”

“That’s enough.”

“Don’t turn down my offer just like that. Think about it one more time. This is a really good opportunity.”

“You’re being clingy.”

“Because you’re special.”

Hong Ye-seol laughed bashfully.

She looked so innocent. But Pyo-wol knew very well that her appearance was just a pretense. Everything about her, may it be her expression, eyes, or breathing, was a lie.

To accomplish her goal, she would easily discard her true nature and present herself with a false appearance.

That’s what an assassin is like.

Hong Ye-seol loosened the clasps on her chin and said,

“My proposal is valid for the time being. So think carefully.”

“Did you come all the way here to Runan to make that offer to me?”

“No way. It’s just a coincidence that I met you here.”

“Then why are you here?”

“You already know, don’t you? For people like us, secrecy is life.”

Hong Ye-seol winked and then stood up.

“Aren’t you going to stay here?”

“I was supposed to, but you’re here. You know how weird it is for people of the same industry to stay in the same guest house.”

“…..”

“Oh, before we go, I’ll give you a present.”

“A present?”

“I tried to get it, but I don’t need it anymore.”

She took out a yellow booklet from her bosom and threw it in front of Pyo-wol.

Strength Grinding Demonic Martial Arts.

“Did you steal this from the Wudang sect?”

“That’s right.”

“Why are you giving this to me?”

“I retrieved this for my client but he died. I have no use for it anymore.”

“Why didn’t you learn it?”

“What’s the use of learning martial arts that don’t match with my nature? I looked through it once, but if I make one mistake, I could easily end up losing my mind.”

“Why give this to me then? Are you saying it’s okay for me to go crazy?”

“If you’re uncomfortable with it, then return it to the Wudang sect. It’s a gift anyway. You can think of it as a bribe.”

“Bribe for what?”

“Well…”

Hong Ye-seol left with an ambiguous smile.

Pyo-wol also returned to the outbuilding with the booklet.

Tak!

He threw the booklet he had brought on the table.

The title of the booklet, Strength Grinding Demonic Martial Arts, sounded ominous.

Pyo-wol turned over the pages one by one.

As Hong Ye-seol said, the Strength Grinding Demonic Martial Arts was a demonic art full of madness. If learned incorrectly, then a heart demon would eat away his mind, causing him to go on a rampage.

It was an unnecessary item for those who needed a cool-headed reason like an assassin. So it’s understandable why Hong Ye-seol did not choose to learn the Strength Grinding Demonic Martial Arts.

Hong Ye-seol said that she gave it to Pyo-wol because she didn’t need it. But just as she didn’t need it, it was also useless to Pyo-wol.

After reading all the pages, Pyo-wol’s conclusion was that it would be worthwhile to learn it. Since some aspects could be incorporated into the Way of the Hungry Ghost.

The Way of the Hungry Ghost is a martial art that goes beyond common sense. To some extent, it was in line with the Strength Grinding Demonic Martial Arts. But other than that, it was useless to Pyo-wol.

Tak!

Pyo-wol closed the booklet, and wrinkled the tip of his nose.

A faint scent wafted from the booklet.

A foreign scent, not the usual smell of an old booklet.

It was an artificial scent that only people with sensitive senses could smell.

“Would you look at this?”

A cold smile crept across Pyo-wol’s lips.

What flowed out of the booklet was a special scent called the Thousand Miles Chasing Incense.1

The Thousand Miles Chasing Incense had a unique characteristic smell that could not easily be erased. 

Only a few warriors could smell the Thousand Miles Chasing Incense. Furthermore, those who are not familiar with the smell would never be able to detect it even if the scent of the incense is right next to them.

Pyo-wol is an exception.

His senses had long since transcended humans. In particular, his sense of smell had reached a level where he could smell what others usually cannot. 

Hong Ye-seol cutely pretended to be kind when she gave him the booklet. However, it was a trick so she would be able to find Pyo-wol at any time.

If Pyo-wol moves with the booklet carrying the scent of the Thousand Miles Chasing Incense, then Hong Ye-Seol could easily grasp all of his movements. 

As expected, assassins are not trustworthy people.

They would always try to get what they want by deceiving their opponent like this.

“If she came to Runan, then her objective must be related to the Jin family and Snow Sword Manor.”

It takes more than 10 days to arrive at Runan from Wudang Mountain. She wouldn’t have traveled this far without a purpose.

It was obvious that she had received a request from someone.

The question is, who commissioned her?

It was clear that his relationship with her would be reestablished depending on whether she is affiliated with the Jin family or the Snow Sword Manor. 

Pyo-wol looked at the Strength Grinding Demonic Martial Arts for a long time.

His worries continued until late at night.

* * *

Pyo-wol left the inn early in the morning.

The horse seemed to be full of energy, perhaps because it had been well rested.

Pyo-wol got on the horse and said, 

“Let’s go!”

The horse quickly left Runan and headed for Tianzhongshan.

The view of Tianzhongshan was clearly visible from a distance.

At first glance, the mountain seemed to be close, but it only appeared that way since it was so big and tall. 

After riding his horse for more than half a day, Pyo-wol was able to reach the entrance of Tianzhongshan.

He had heard that it was a sacred mountain because of the unusual energy coming from the mountain. The mysterious energy was so strong that it was comparable to Wudang Mountain.

It was to the point where he could understand why the Jin family and Snow Sword Manor were fighting over this place.

Pyo-wol continued riding his horse up to Tianzhongshan. 

The road to the Jin manor was very well paved, so he had no problem traveling by horseback.

Pyo-wol slowly rode his horse and admired the scenery of Tianzhongshan.

He found the magnificent view of the long rock formations and the forest interesting to watch.

Pyo-wol was not in a hurry.

As he slowly drove his horse, he took in all the surrounding scenery and landmarks.

It was when he climbed for such a long time.

That he felt a person secretly look upon him.

Someone is hiding and watching Pyo-wol. Still, Pyo-wol pretended not to know and calmly drove his horse.

As time passed, the eyes following him increased.

At first, it was only one person, but when he reached the Jin manor, more than a dozen people followed and watched him.

While they themselves thought they hid themselves perfectly while watching Pyo-wol, it wasn’t enough to fool Pyo-wol’s senses.

As soon as Pyo-wol turned a corner, a small village appeared.

The moment he saw the village, Pyo-wol felt that he had finally arrived in the Jin manor.

Just like Tangjiatuo where the Tang family used to reside, the village in front of Pyo-wol consists of only residents with the Jin family name. The only difference is that the village of the Jin family is much smaller than Tangjiatuo.

This was only natural. 

After all, the Tang family enjoyed prosperity in one place for over hundreds of years as compared to the Jin family. Since the Jin family had only been here for decades, of course, there was bound to be a big difference in scale.

When Pyo-wol was about to enter the Jin manor, a group of people suddenly jumped out from the bushes and blocked his way.

They were the group of people who secretly followed Pyo-wol from the entrance of Tianzhongshan.

“Stop.”

The head of the group was a young girl.

A pretty face wearing a modest outfit.

What was impressive about her was her stubbornly pursed lips.

Pyo-wol knew someone with a mouth similar to hers.

‘Jin Geum-woo.’

A resemblance to Jin Geum-woo was found in every corner of the girl’s face.

Pyo-wol got off his horse. Then the girl walked forward while leading the group.

“Who are you? This is the home of the Jin family. No one can enter without permission.”

“My name is Pyo-wol. I’m Jin Geum-woo’s… friend”

“You’re friends with that idiot?”

“Yes.”

“Hmpf! Then you’ve come to the wrong place. That idiot is already dead. He’s no longer in this world.

“Why are you calling him an idiot?”

“Because he’s a fool. He left the house on his own and brought disaster to the subject who died.”

The girl’s eyes were full of resentment toward Jin Geum-woo. Yet at the same time, it was also full of moisture, as if she would cry at any moment.

Then came a voice of a young man,

“Step back, Seol-ah!”

The owner of the voice was a person in his early to mid-twenties who looked exactly like Jin Geum-woo.

The girl flinched at his appearance.

“Older brother!”

“I heard that he’s a guest of brother Geum-woo. Be polite.”

“What courtesy? And how can we be sure that he’s really friends with that idiot?”

“But first of all, they are guests at the main house. Since when did the main family treat guests badly?”

At the young man’s firm words, the girl bit her lips and stepped back. Only then did the young man look and greet Pyo-wol.

“I am Jin Siwoo, Geum-woo’s younger brother. Are you his friend?”

“I’m Pyo-wol.”

“I’ve heard of you. He said he befriended an interesting person in Sichuan.”

“We’ve only been together for a month.”

“A month might not be enough for some to build significant memories, but there are those who find it more than enough time to build memories that will last a lifetime. I think brother Geum-woo fits the latter case.”

Jin Siwoo smiled softly.

Pyo-wol’s gaze turned to the girl.

“Who is that child?”

“Her name is Seol-ah. She’s the youngest of us three siblings. She loved Geum-woo more than anyone else, so she was shocked by his death. I hope you understand if she comes off as rude at times.”

“Who likes who?! I’ve never liked that idiot! Who likes a man who makes promises he can’t keep? I’ll resent him for the rest of my life!”

Jin Seol-ah screamed loudly.

Tears welled up in her eyes and ran down her cheeks.

Jin Seol-ah, who was glaring at Pyo-wol with her face red, immediately ran back to their manor.

Seeing that, Jin Siwoo sighed.

“Phew!”

“Love and hate are originally like the front and back sides of a piece of paper. They are always stuck together.”

“That’s right. Let’s go inside first.”

Jin Siwoo brought Pyo-wol inside the Jin manor.

When the villagers saw a stranger enter, they focused their attention on him. 

Both curiosity and vigilance could be found in their eyes.

Feeling and seeing the sharpened atmosphere of the Jin residents, Pyo-wol muttered,

“It seems that things are not going well here.”

“So it looks that way to you too, brother. Oh, by the way, is it alright if I call you brother? After all, you’re my brother’s friend.”

“Do as you please.”

“Thank you, brother!”

It was the first time for him to meet a person with a unique atmosphere like Pyo-wol.

Sharp and penetrating eyes, as if he could see through everything. And at the same time, he never shows his inner feelings.

He could see why his older brother, Jin Geum-woo, was attracted to Pyo-wol.

For Jin Geum-woo, who had to solve everything alone, Pyo-wol was like a reliable place of support.

He was reminded of Jin Geum-woo’s words. Jin Geum-woo had said to him that he found it a pity that he couldn’t be close with Pyo-wol because Pyo-wol didn’t open his heart.

The man who Jin Geum-woo wanted to share his heart with came to visit him only after he died.

He thought that if Jin Geum-woo was alive, he would be smiling brightly. So he missed him even more.

‘Brother!’

I’m double checking the translation for Aguido. Might look back on other chapters to make sense of this word + try to make it as accurate as possible. Anyway, thank you for reading!