Blood Blade was a master who, a hundred years ago, roamed the martial world, dominating the Shaanxi region with a single blood-stained sword. In his later years, he secluded himself in Buljeong Mountain, where he quietly passed away. Wang Jeong was the one who discovered his secret manual.
“Wang Jeong has claimed Buljeong Mountain as his territory and is causing harm to those passing through,” Dam Yuyeon explained. “Because of this, the cost of escorting goods through the area has doubled.”
“That doesn’t make sense,” Bu Eunseol said. “With something like that, you’d think the righteous sects, who love to meddle, would have stepped in.”
“There are two reasons for that,” Dam Yuyeon replied calmly. “First, Buljeong Mountain’s terrain is treacherous, and the location of his stronghold is unknown.”
She took a deep breath and continued. “Second, what Wang Jeong is doing is no different from banditry. For the proud righteous sects, dealing with a master hiding in the mountains, engaging in banditry, is beneath their dignity.” She explained further. “In the end, the escort agencies in Shaanxi pooled a large sum and made a request to the mercenary market. These kinds of jobs are best handled by mercenaries.”
“It still hasn’t been resolved?” Bu Eunseol pressed.
Dam Yuyeon smiled faintly. “Wang Jeong is very cunning. He never shows himself when skilled masters or groups of martial artists pass by.”
“So, he avoids anyone who seems stronger than him.”
“Exactly. That’s why this job is perfect for you, Seolso, whose name isn’t yet known.”
“And the designated contract jobs I’ll handle in the future will likely be similar.”
“You’re not only skilled in martial arts but sharp-minded too,” Dam Yuyeon said, her eyes sparkling like sunlight on a lake.
“I look forward to your performance in our manor.”
“Understood.”
As Bu Eunseol stepped outside, Dam Yuyeon’s smiling eyes changed, gleaming with a resolute determination.
“Seolso…” she murmured, biting her lip. “There’s no way you’ll ever fight Deputy Master Jeong Cheon.”
Black Leopard, following Bu Eunseol out of the Red Sky Veil, spoke with a discontented expression.
“Young master.”
“Speak.”
“Wouldn’t it be better to use the information network of the Nine Deaths Squad to find strong opponents?”
“What do you mean?” Black Leopard scratched his nose, avoiding Bu Eunseol’s gaze.
“I don’t trust that Crystal Hall Master.”
“Why not?”
“Wang Jeong may not be known in the martial world, but among mercenaries, he’s a renowned master.” As Bu Eunseol remained silent, Black Leopard pouted. “But that Crystal Hall Master gave off the impression that Wang Jeong is just some cunning opportunist who avoids stronger foes.”
“Isn’t that true?”
“No. He’s experienced in the martial world and a formidable master of blade techniques.” Black Leopard wrinkled his nose. “If we were truly novice mercenaries, we’d have headed to Buljeong Mountain unaware of these facts.”
“Heh. If they scared people off, who’d take the jobs?”
“In the mercenary market, accurate information is life or death for us.” Black Leopard’s brow furrowed deeply. “They take thirty percent of the reward as an ‘information fee,’ but for the Crystal Hall Master to subtly conceal information like that…”
He was clearly upset.
Bu Eunseol recalled the fleeting emotion in Dam Yuyeon’s eyes and muttered in a low voice, “She can’t help it. She must want me dead.”
“What?”
“Nothing.”
Bu Eunseol spoke calmly, his expression unconcerned. “Let’s get moving.”
Bu Eunseol and Black Leopard unleashed their swift movement techniques, heading straight for Buljeong Mountain.
By midday, they arrived at a village near the mountain. Bu Eunseol rented a carriage and bought clothes typically worn by escort agents, preparing for the possibility that Wang Jeong might not appear.
Clatter, clatter.
The carriage, driven by Black Leopard, rolled along the mountain path. The carriage was old, and the horse even older, making progress slow. As the sun began to set and the carriage crossed a ridge, a sharp whoosh cut through the air. A white shadow appeared from above, landing in front of the carriage.
“Whoa, whoa.”
Black Leopard calmed the startled horse as Bu Eunseol, inside the carriage, asked, “What’s going on?”
“Someone’s blocking the path.”
The figure was a man in white robes, wearing a white mask. He was not particularly large, but his clear, refined eyes didn’t give the impression of a villain.
“You cannot pass here,” the masked man said, staring at Black Leopard with sharp eyes and a cold voice. “Turn back.”
“Pardon?” The masked man frowned at Black Leopard, dressed like a wealthy household’s servant.
“This Buljeong Mountain pass is plagued by a vicious fiend. Turn back.”
“Oh.” Black Leopard scratched his head, understanding the situation. “It’s fine. My young master has been trained by a renowned master, so a band of bandits—”
“These aren’t ordinary bandits.” The masked man shot Black Leopard and the carriage a haughty glance, speaking in a stern, cold tone. “If you value your life, turn back.”
Thud!
With that, the masked man vanished in a flash of movement.
“…”
Black Leopard, staring blankly, said in a troubled voice, “Young master, it seems that man is also after Wang Jeong.”
The masked man’s movement was as swift and graceful as a swallow skimming water.
“Judging by his attire and technique, he’s not a mercenary but someone from a righteous sect.”
“No need to concern ourselves,” Bu Eunseol said quietly from inside the carriage. “He’ll never catch Wang Jeong.”
“Really? He seemed to have considerable martial skill.”
“If skill alone could catch Wang Jeong, he’d have been buried here long ago.” Bu Eunseol’s voice was firm. “Don’t worry about it. Keep moving.”
Some time later, as the carriage ventured deep into the mountains, Bu Eunseol spoke abruptly.
“Stop the carriage.”
“Yes? Yes.” Black Leopard halted the carriage, and Bu Eunseol stepped out slowly, closing his eyes and listening intently.
‘He’s heard something,’ Black Leopard thought, pricking up his ears. But all he could hear was the rustling of leaves in the wind.
After standing for a while, Bu Eunseol tilted his head and suddenly threw a punch toward a large tree beyond the bushes.
Boom!
A low vibration spread out, and his eyes snapped open.
“There.” He immediately used his movement technique, ascending toward a pair of cliffs in the distance.
“Young master!” Black Leopard followed, weaving through the foliage with swift movements.
Whoosh.
As Black Leopard caught up, he found Bu Eunseol crouching at a spot overlooking a gorge.
Black Leopard’s eyes widened. “Who are they?”
Below, the masked man was fighting a group of over twenty warriors.
Swish, swish, swish!
The warriors wielded cheap broadswords from a blacksmith, but their skills were far from ordinary.
“They must be Wang Jeong’s men,” Black Leopard thought.
The twenty warriors moved with precision, their attacks and defenses swift and disciplined, as if trained by Wang Jeong himself. They seemed to employ a formation, their blades alternating to target the masked man’s vital points.
Their skill rivaled that of warriors from prominent sects.
“Not bad for bandits,” the masked man muttered, dodging their blade techniques with ease, hands behind his back. “But their inner power is too weak.”
Spinning to evade the swords, he clicked his tongue. “They probably weren’t taught any secret techniques.”
Shing.
The masked man drew a sword from his waist. Its blade was narrow, tinged with a faint golden hue.
Black Leopard’s eyes lit up. “A master from the Southern Palace!”
The sword was a Golden Needle Sword, used by the Southern Palace’s masters.
Crouching low, Black Leopard whispered to Bu Eunseol, “Young master, he’s from the Southern Palace.”
“I know.”
“We might not need to intervene.”
The Southern Palace, known as the Namgung Sword Sect, was renowned for its exceptional swordsmanship. Their Emperor Sword Form, executed with a thin, light blade, exuded a pressure that could topple mountains, striking fear into swordsmen.
Pop, pop, pop!
As the masked man swung his sword, a barrage of sword strikes poured out like dozens of steel needles. It appeared to be the Sky-So-aring Sword technique, known for its rapid, precise thrusts.
Clang, clang, clang!
Metallic clashes rang out as the swords of the warriors in front dropped to the ground.
“Surrender!” the masked man shouted, having disarmed five with a single strike.
Intimidated, the group began to retreat slowly.
“Where is Wang Jeong?” the masked man demanded.
“Retreat!” the warriors shouted, scattering like cockroaches.
“Foolish tricks.”
Sheathing his sword, the masked man flicked his fingers, sending gusts of wind.
Pop, pop, pop.
But something astonishing happened. Despite being hit by the wind blasts, the warriors kept running.
“Are they wearing protective vests?” the masked man muttered, smirking. He pursued the fleeing group with swift movements.
“Hm.”
Watching from above, Bu Eunseol shook his head. “He’s going to die.”
“They’ve committed heinous acts, so isn’t this just karma?” Black Leopard said.
“Not them. Him.” Bu Eunseol’s gaze was fixed on the masked man.
“The Southern Palace master?”
“Young heirs of prestigious families, lacking experience in the martial world, are vulnerable to dirty tricks.”
“What?”
“He should’ve questioned why they abandoned their geographical advantage and surrounded him in an open clearing.”
Before Bu Eunseol finished, a crumble sounded.
The masked man, charging across the gorge, sank into the ground with a cloud of dust. It was so sudden there was no time to react. A trap had been set along the escape route, covered thinly with branches and soil.
Thud!
But the man leaped out of the pit as soon as he fell, using his supreme movement technique to spring off the sharp spikes embedded in the ground.
Whoosh!
However, white powder swirled around him in the air. The trap wasn’t just spikes—it was laced with toxic powder.
“Ugh.” The masked man held his breath, but some of the fine powder had already entered his lungs.
Flash!
Suddenly, one of the fleeing warriors spun around, swinging his blade in a cross pattern.
Clang!
The masked man quickly drew his sword to block, but he inhaled more of the toxic powder.
“Hahaha!” the warrior laughed triumphantly. “All skill, no brains.”
The masked man, realizing something, bit his lip. “You… you’re Wang Jeong.”
“Indeed.” The warrior, strolling leisurely toward the masked man, nodded. “I am Wang Jeong.”
Shockingly, Wang Jeong had been blending in with his men, wielding the same weapon and wearing the same clothes.
“I see. That’s why you’ve never been caught.”
The masked man finally understood.
Wang Jeong had used his obscure reputation to his advantage, hiding among his men to commit raids without being identified.
