Meanwhile, Jongjeong Yak, sitting by the window pretending to read a book while covertly observing Bu Eunseol, felt something was off.
‘No matter how I look at him, he doesn’t seem like the type.’
Having spent her career rooting out spies and investigating suspicious individuals, she had developed an almost fortune-teller-like ability to discern a person’s character and temperament just by observing their face.
‘Young people with exceptional talent usually exude a distinct confidence and aura.’
According to the Martial Alliance’s reports, Supreme Branch Leader Seon Woojin was exceptionally skilled in martial arts and intellect, with the boldness to stand unflinching before the leaders of the Three Poison Sect.
Yet, no matter how she looked at him, Seon Woojin showed no signs of such outstanding qualities or potential.
‘Something doesn’t sit right…’
Her sharp instincts began to stir.
She had a gut feeling that Seon Woojin was hiding something.
‘And he’s too calm.’
For a newly appointed third-rank leader venturing into the martial world, one would expect a mix of excitement and tension.
Yet, this man was as relaxed and leisurely as if he were strolling through his neighborhood.
‘There’s definitely something going on.’
Jongjeong Yak had already used the intelligence networks of the Inspection Hall and Mankyeong Hall to investigate the Sunflower Merchant Guild and Seon Woojin.
The Sunflower Merchant Guild was so impeccably managed that not a speck of dust could be found, no matter how thoroughly it was scrutinized.
Seon Woojin’s background was equally transparent, leaving no room for suspicion.
It was all so perfectly clean… and that very perfection bothered Jongjeong Yak.
What if Seon Woojin’s flawless identity and background were deliberately crafted?
‘A spy.’
Only spies would go to such lengths to create an impeccable identity and background to avoid any suspicion.
And if this Supreme Branch Leader was indeed a spy… then, having ventured into the martial world, he would inevitably make contact with the forces he was aligned with.
Having finished his meal, Seon Woojin left the inn and began moving somewhere else.
Jongjeong Yak slipped out of the inn and stealthily followed him.
‘I’ll dig into this thoroughly.’
She was no longer the overly eager enforcement officer of the past.
After the Secret Flower Garden incident, she had keenly felt the limitations of her skills, experience, and martial prowess.
Determined to improve, she had ventured into the martial world, handling cases and accumulating experience and knowledge. She had also mastered the Concealment Tracking Technique to its fullest extent.
The art of stealth varied greatly depending on one’s innate temperament and disposition.
It required the ability to adapt to ever-changing surroundings, demanding exceptional observation and insight to achieve mastery. Jongjeong Yak had a natural talent for observation, intuition, and concealment, making her a born intelligence operative.
Thus, even the most skilled masters would never detect her when she employed the Concealment Tracking Technique.
***
As Bu Eunseol left the inn, he could sense Jongjeong Yak tailing him covertly.
And he was slightly surprised.
‘Her martial arts have improved significantly.’
The stealth technique Jongjeong Yak was using had reached a considerable level of mastery. If he hadn’t been aware that he was being followed, it would have taken him a significant amount of time to notice her pursuit.
‘I can’t let this drag on.’
As he walked slowly through the bustling market, observing his surroundings, his mind began to race.
For Seo Jinha to become his perfect shadow, it would take at least three months.
If he couldn’t quickly dispel Jongjeong Yak’s suspicions, her tenacious nature would keep her on his trail until she was fully convinced.
That would mean Bu Eunseol couldn’t return to Majeon and would have to keep wandering the martial world… or return to the Martial Alliance.
‘This method should work.’
While walking through the market, Bu Eunseol swiftly devised a plan to shake her off and turned his steps toward a relay station.
He sent a voice transmission to a Death Spirit Corps member waiting nearby.
His plan was to immediately execute a strategy to send Jongjeong Yak back to the Martial Alliance.
***
‘He’s quite capable.’
As Jongjeong Yak covertly followed Seon Woojin, observing his actions, she nodded in approval.
Supreme Branch Leader Seon Woojin.
Despite his frail appearance, he was highly enthusiastic and proactive.
Investigating the forces behind the Three Poison Sect, he used his personal funds to purchase information and verify facts.
For information that couldn’t be obtained through intelligence networks, he conducted inquiries himself.
He skillfully wielded the Martial Alliance’s authority by presenting his badge when needed and used money to persuade others when appropriate.
He was investigating in the most ideal way possible for a wealthy third-rank Martial Alliance leader.
Even if she had conducted the investigation herself, she couldn’t have done better.
‘More passionate and ambitious than I expected.’ Jongjeong Yak understood why Seon Woojin was investigating so fervently.
Because she had once been the same.
The desire for success.
Like her in the past, Seon Woojin was throwing himself into his work with all his might to climb the ranks as quickly as possible.
‘Is it because he’s from a merchant background? There’s definitely a sense of urgency.’
Watching Seon Woojin tirelessly move between people and intelligence networks, continuing his investigation without rest, Jongjeong Yak felt a strange emotion.
On the surface, he seemed to be enjoying the investigation, fully utilizing his status as a Martial Alliance leader and heir to a wealthy merchant guild.
But to Jongjeong Yak’s eyes, it looked like a desperate struggle to climb higher.
‘I was like that once.’
When she had first joined the Martial Alliance, she was the same.
Full of enthusiasm, she believed that with enough effort, she could rise endlessly.
‘But that was just childish thinking.’
The martial world was not so forgiving.
And the world didn’t offer as many rewards for effort as one might hope.
It would take a long time for this young master from a merchant guild to realize that.
‘Who are they?’
A glint flashed in Jongjeong Yak’s eyes as she monitored Seon Woojin from a distance.
At some point, dark shadows had begun to follow him as he moved through various locations for his investigation.
Their movements were so stealthy that they clearly didn’t have good intentions.
‘Could it really be the forces behind the Three Poison Sect?’
He had ventured into the martial world to investigate the suspected forces behind the Three Poison Sect. If such forces truly existed, a third-rank Martial Alliance leader digging into their affairs would certainly be a thorn in their side.
But Seon Woojin continued his inquiries, completely unaware of the tails following him.
The dark shadows persistently trailed him.
They seemed to be watching for an opportunity to ambush him.
And then, it happened.
As Seon Woojin left the village to continue his investigation and crossed a mountain pass, the shadows that had been covertly following him finally revealed themselves.
They were all masked and wore assassin outfits smeared with mud.
‘Those are…’ Jongjeong Yak’s eyes widened as she observed them. ‘The Wind Demon Corps. Assassins from the Wind Demon Corps.’
From their attire and the unique curved blades they carried, Jongjeong Yak recognized them as the Wind Demon Corps, a contract-killing squad led by the infamous blade master known as Gwang Do, wielder of the Soul-Seizing Blade.
Gwang Do, who had surrounded Seon Woojin, immediately issued orders to his subordinates.
“Even if he’s a small fry, he’s with the Martial Alliance. Dispose of him without leaving a trace.”
Shing.
At that, the twenty or so warriors simultaneously drew their curved blades.
These were unique blade masters trained with Gwang Do’s full effort.
Unlike typical assassins who relied on stealth and slaughter, they boldly revealed themselves, using superior blade techniques and unique joint attack methods to kill their targets.
‘This is dangerous.’
Jongjeong Yak furrowed her brow.
Gwang Do and the Wind Demon Corps’ blade masters were capable of taking down even peak-level masters without difficulty.
No matter how skilled Seon Woojin was among the younger generation, facing the Wind Demon Corps alone would be overwhelming.
‘They’re planning to kill and erase all evidence.’
If it became known that they had killed a Martial Alliance leader, the Wind Demon Corps would be obliterated down to the last man.
Thus, they likely intended to kill Seon Woojin covertly and eliminate all evidence.
Whoosh!
Realizing the situation was dire, Seon Woojin quickly employed a movement technique to escape.
But his opponents were the Wind Demon Corps, who had never failed a contract.
Swish swish swish!
They swiftly blocked his path, swinging their curved blades.
“Tch.” Seeing their tight encirclement, Seon Woojin pulled a black orb from his robes and threw it into the air.
Boom!
An explosion rang out, and a blinding white light spread across the area.
It was a Flash Bomb, commonly used by assassins to escape.
“Ugh.” Caught off guard by a Martial Alliance leader using a flash bomb, the blade masters grimaced and turned their heads.
Seon Woojin seized the opportunity, immediately using a movement technique to escape.
“He’s quick to judge the situation,” Gwang Do remarked, rubbing his eyes and baring his yellowed teeth as he watched Seon Woojin flee. “But you won’t get away.”
Whoosh whoosh whoosh!
Suddenly, sharp projectiles rained down in front of the fleeing Seon Woojin.
Whoosh!
Startled, Seon Woojin leaped into the air to dodge the projectiles.
Swish!
A long whip shot up, wrapping around Seon Woojin’s leg mid-air.
“Tch.” As the whip tightened around his leg, Seon Woojin let out a groan.
A sharp internal energy surged through the whip, infiltrating his meridians.
Whirl!
Spinning rapidly in the air, he managed to free himself from the whip.
But, likely suffering internal injuries, he staggered heavily as he landed.
“Heh heh heh. A cute-looking guy.”
At that moment, a figure slowly emerged.
It was an old woman with white hair, dark circles under her eyes, and a cruel aura emanating from her. She wore purple-tinted clothes, with extremely short pants that revealed her bony legs. Her appearance alone suggested she was far from ordinary.
‘The Purple Flame Hag?’
Jongjeong Yak, watching from hiding, widened her eyes at the sight of the old woman.
This bizarre-looking figure was none other than Eum Yakbing, the Purple Flame Hag, a notorious master of unorthodox techniques and a contract killer who had terrorized the martial world for years.
“Got him,” Gwang Do said with a grin as he approached. “Once hit by the Purple Flame Hag’s Thunderstrike Whip, even a bull would be paralyzed.”
At Gwang Do’s words, Eum Yakbing bared her blackened teeth and laughed.
“I want to keep this young one. Do we really have to kill him?”
“Absolutely,” Gwang Do said firmly. “We need to kill him and erase all traces. Otherwise, both you and I are as good as dead.”
“Hmph.”
Even a mad hag like her seemed to want to avoid the relentless pursuit of the Martial Alliance. Reluctantly, Eum Yakbing reached out, her eyes lingering on Seon Woojin’s gentle face.
“No choice, then.”
Whoosh!
The Thunderstrike Whip shot out like a blade, aiming for Seon Woojin’s forehead.
Swish!
But with a strange sensation, the whip, capable of piercing even rock, passed through empty air.
“He’s using Grafting Flowers onto Jade Technique like this?” Eum Yakbing exclaimed in surprise.
The speed and power of the Thunderstrike Whip surpassed even a sharp sword strike. Yet, he had deflected it using the principles of the Grafting Flowers onto Jade Technique?
“Then I’ll strike again!” Gwang Do shouted, preparing to unleash his Soul-Seizing Blade Technique.
Flash!
At that moment, a brilliant light flickered, and—
Whoosh, thud!
A blade master standing behind Gwang Do collapsed as if struck by an invisible hand.
Seon Woojin had seized the fleeting moment to unleash the Heavenly Edge Throwing Knife Technique, a secret art of the legendary Boundless Master.
Unfortunately, he had missed Gwang Do’s neck, hitting the blade master behind him instead.
“Spread out and attack!” Gwang Do shouted, realizing the power of Seon Woojin’s throwing knife technique.
The blade masters moved swiftly, circling Seon Woojin rapidly.
Flash!
Another throwing knife sliced through the air, and another blade master collapsed.
Jongjeong Yak, watching the battle from afar, couldn’t help but admire.
‘Impressive throwing knife technique.’
Seon Woojin’s throwing knife technique, inherited from the legendary Boundless Master of three hundred years ago, was a one-shot kill.
But unfortunately, he could only fire one knife at a time.
Moreover, throwing knife techniques weren’t ideal for dealing with large groups of enemies.
Thud! Thud!
Seon Woojin had already taken down six blade masters.
But his body was now covered in large and small wounds.
Swish.
The blades used by the blade masters were coated with a vicious poison.
As black blood began to flow from his wounds, Seon Woojin pressed a pressure point near his neck and quickly swallowed an antidote.
But his face was already turning black, and his expression was grim.
Yet, he didn’t give up, continuing to throw knives while calmly looking for an escape opportunity.
‘He’s in mortal danger like this.’
Jongjeong Yak bit her lip.
Should she stand by and watch him die? Or should she intervene to help him?
As she hesitated, about to reveal herself—
‘Wait.’ A chilling realization struck her, and her eyes grew cold.
“Seon Woojin. You need to be extra cautious when investigating him. His martial arts and intellect are truly exceptional.”
The young master of the Lotus Hall, who had risen to his position at a young age due to his outstanding intellect and martial prowess, had warned her multiple times.
That’s how exceptional Seon Woojin was.
‘Could he have deliberately set a trap to dispel suspicion?’
A terrifying thought crossed Jongjeong Yak’s mind.
What if Seon Woojin knew he was being watched and had orchestrated this entire scenario while pretending to investigate in the martial world?
The Wind Demon Corps and the Purple Flame Hag.
They were all contract killers who could be easily hired with enough money.
Swish!
At that moment, Eum Yakbing’s Thunderstrike Whip grazed Seon Woojin’s body again.
Simultaneously, Gwang Do’s Soul-Seizing Blade swiftly targeted a gap in his defense.
Slash!
As the sharp blade grazed his neck, black blood poured from Seon Woojin’s wound.
The poison on the blade masters’ weapons was so potent that the antidote seemed to have no effect.
Stagger.
Unable to withstand the poison, Seon Woojin stumbled momentarily.
“Die!” Gwang Do and Eum Yakbing, seizing the moment for a critical strike, attacked simultaneously.
Flash!
At that instant, as if waiting for this moment, Seon Woojin spread both arms. Dozens of throwing knives shot out at once, creating a dazzling silver light.
“What is this?!” Gwang Do and Eum Yakbing frantically swung their whip and blade.
But the knives, though fired simultaneously, followed different trajectories and speeds.
It was a technique reminiscent of the Tang Clan’s Rain of Ten Thousand Flowers.
Astonishingly, Seon Woojin had been hiding his ability to fire multiple throwing knives at once to create an opportunity to escape.
Clang clang clang!
As they desperately deflected the knives—
Whoosh!
Seon Woojin broke through their encirclement and fled.
“Catch him!” Gwang Do shouted to his subordinates. “We can’t let him escape!”
They had taken this contract confident that they could easily kill a third-rank Martial Alliance leader and erase all traces.
But if they failed?
From that day forward, they’d have to abandon their contract-killing business, and they’d never sleep soundly again, pursued relentlessly by the Martial Alliance to the ends of the earth.
Whoosh!
Despite their frantic pursuit, Seon Woojin’s trace had already vanished.
They had lost him.
“Damn it!” Gwang Do roared, slamming his blade’s hilt against a tree in fury. “If we don’t catch him, we’ll have to flee the martial world!”
“Hmph. I was hoping to settle one big job and retire,” Eum Yakbing muttered, anxiously scanning the surroundings.
Seon Woojin’s body already bore countless marks from the Thunderstrike Whip. Even if he died, if his body was found by the Martial Alliance, her involvement would be exposed.
“Not just any poison—it’s the Life-Reaping Blood Poison,” Gwang Do growled, grinding his teeth. “He won’t get far before collapsing… We just need to find his body.”
Whoosh.
As Gwang Do and the Wind Demon Corps employed their movement techniques, Eum Yakbing followed suit with her qinggong.
Once they departed, the forest at the mountain pass regained its silence.
Rumble.
Suddenly, the ground beneath a large tree shook violently.
Swish.
The earth caved in, forming a circular depression, and a figure emerged, gasping for breath.
It was Seon Woojin.
Astonishingly, he had not only mastered the Flash Bomb used by assassins but also the Earth Escape Technique typically learned by thieves.
“Ugh.” Leaning against the tree trunk, he groaned loudly as he struggled to stand.
After briefly distracting them with his throwing knife technique and pretending to flee, he had immediately hidden underground, using the Great Turtle Breathing Technique to evade their pursuit. But he hadn’t neutralized the poison from the Blood Blade and had sustained severe internal injuries from the Thunderstrike Whip.
Though he had temporarily escaped their pursuit, the poison had spread so much that he could barely move.
Stagger, stagger.
Struggling to take each step as he tried to leave the forest, he—
Thud.
—finally collapsed, his legs giving out.
“Huff, huff.” Frowning and breathing heavily, Seon Woojin leaned against the tree trunk.
After deep contemplation, he pulled out two throwing knives from his robes and began carving sharp letters into their handles.
Wind Demon Corps, Purple Flame Hag.
Having etched the two names, he threw the knives toward the tree above him.
Thwack.
The knives lodged firmly into a branch. Staring at them, Seon Woojin muttered softly.
“I… did my best.”
Thud.
Unable to withstand the poison any longer, he passed out.
Swish.
At that moment, a faint shadow appeared before the collapsed Seon Woojin.
It was Jongjeong Yak, who had been observing the entire situation.
“Learning things like flash bombs and earth escape techniques—definitely a merchant guild background,” she remarked.
Martial artists from merchant guilds, like armed escorts, often faced countless dangerous situations, so they learned a variety of martial world techniques.
“But his experience in the martial world is sorely lacking.”
She looked up at the knives embedded in the tree.
He had likely left them there so that if his body was found by the Wind Demon Corps, the Martial Alliance could identify the culprits.
“Hiding them between branches? They’ll gleam sharply under the moonlight.”
As she said, when she looked up, the knives reflected the moonlight, emitting a sharp glint.
At this rate, the knives would be found before his body.
Whoosh.
With a gesture, Jongjeong Yak used telekinesis to retrieve the knives lodged between the branches.
After staring at the carved words for a while, she shook her head.
“Those snakes will definitely come back to check this place again.”
Sighing, she examined Seon Woojin’s condition.
The poison had already spread throughout his body, and without immediate treatment, he would die.
“No choice, then…”
There was no longer any reason to suspect him.
Seon Woojin was nothing more than an ambitious young man.
In his reckless pursuit of success, he had overreached and was now paying the price with his life.
Click.
She pulled out a vial from her robes and poured a clear liquid into his mouth.
It was Nourishing Jade Elixir, a powerful antidote she always carried for cases of severe poisoning.
“Ugh.”
But it was no use.
The poison had spread too far, and even the Nourishing Jade Elixir had little effect.
Pop pop pop.
Due to the Life-Reaping Blood Poison, his veins bulged, and his eyes rolled back white.
He was on the verge of death.
‘There’s only one place that can save him.’
Jongjeong Yak bit her lip.
There was no time to waste.
Whoosh!
Carrying Seon Woojin on her back, she immediately employed her movement technique, heading toward the opposite side of Chengdu.
