Chapter 87
“Attention, all!”
As Tang Yeong-ryeong, the leader of the Martial Alliance’s Covert Assassination Unit, stood up from her seat, the noisy sounds of drinking and revelry instantly quieted.
“First, let’s refill our cups.”
At her command, all the empty cups were swiftly filled with liquor.
“First cup, for the comrades who have left our side—cheers!”
The mood turned solemn.
They drained their first cup while remembering the comrades who had once stood beside them.
“Second cup, for not yielding to injustice—cheers!”
As they emptied their second cup, their unity felt even stronger.
“Third cup, for successfully completing our mission—cheers!”
By the time the third cup was emptied, the members looked at one another with proud smiles.
Once again, they had completed a mission without casualties.
“Well done, everyone. You’ve all worked hard!”
Thud! Thud! Thud!
At Tang Yeong-ryeong’s praise, the members cheered and slammed their empty cups onto the table.
It was their unique way of applauding each other.
“Starting tomorrow, you get fifteen days off. Whether you rot in a bar, visit your hometown, or seduce someone and start a household…”
“Shouldn’t a man come before a woman?”
“You should get married too, Leader!”
Someone from the group playfully shouted toward Tang Yeong-ryeong.
“Who’s worrying about whom now?”
Tang Yeong-ryeong lifted her chin confidently and flaunted her beauty.
This only earned her more teasing.
“Booo~!”
“Just because you’re one of the Three Beauties of the Central Plains?”
“Yeah, I am! So what are you gonna do about it?”
Her boast made everyone burst into laughter.
“That’s enough! Leader is speaking—quiet down!”
As the jokes began to get out of hand, Deputy Leader Hwang Bo-un stepped forward and calmed them.
“Anyway, regroup in fifteen days. Got it?”
“Yes!”
“Yes!”
“Alright, those who need to leave first, go. And the rest of you, drink until you drop!”
“Woaaahhhh!”
Wild cheers filled the tavern.
They began to shake off their fatigue and stress from the mission with laughter and alcohol.
“You’ve done well.”
Hwang Bo-un approached and poured Tang Yeong-ryeong a drink.
“You’ve worked hard too, Deputy Leader.”
Despite being the leader of the Martial Alliance’s top combat unit, Tang Yeong-ryeong was the youngest among them.
During missions or when addressing the group, she had no choice but to speak casually, but in one-on-one conversations, showing respect was her principle.
“What will you do during the vacation?”
“This time, it’s my turn to watch over this place.”
Hwang Bo-un looked around the tavern as he answered.
Some of their members were already passed out drunk.
“What about you, Leader?”
“Hmm… Since you’re staying behind and it’s not far, I guess I’ll go visit my family for a bit.”
It had been quite a while since she left home.
Her father, mother, her older brother who was three years her senior, and the rest of her household…
Their faces danced in her mind.
Her heart fluttered at the thought of returning to her hometown after so long.
Whoosh, whoosh—
As Tang Yeong-ryeong dashed down the mountain path, her movement was light and swift like cutting through the wind.
She was heading to her beloved family home for the first time in nearly a year.
With internal energy channeled into her legs, her speed increased.
Eventually, a fork in the road appeared.
To the right was a neatly paved official road, to the left, a rugged mountain trail—but a shortcut.
Her decision didn’t take long.
Even if it was more physically demanding, she wanted to see her family as soon as possible.
Clang! Clang, clang!
Just as she entered the dense forest path, the sharp sound of clashing steel rang in her ears.
‘Who’s that?’
It wasn’t far off. Tang Yeong-ryeong instantly suppressed her presence and leapt into the tallest tree nearby.
Sharpening her eyesight, she saw a scholar being pursued by a group.
“…!”
Tang Yeong-ryeong immediately recognized the swordsmanship of the pursuers.
‘Assassins’ Veil?’
Widening her qi sense, she detected the distinct murderous aura of the Assassins’ Veil.
She had encountered their martial arts before. Their swordsmanship was unique and extremely cruel.
Once they caught their prey, they never let go—a tenacity that defined the Assassins’ Veil.
Tang Yeong-ryeong’s gaze turned ice cold.
‘How dare they cause trouble in Sichuan!’
The very fact that members of the Assassins’ Veil appeared in Sichuan was intolerable to her.
Her fury surged.
And because of that— she overlooked something very important.
The ominous demonic energy faintly emanating from the scholar being chased— from Gong Pae-cheon himself.
***
“How delightful.”
As Gong Pae-cheon walked alone through the forest path, he found joy in the tranquil atmosphere of the lush trees and verdant bushes.
Ssshhh—
He pulled out his folding fan and opened it gracefully. Then, in a refined and resonant voice, he began reciting a poem.
“In the clear stream of Xingxi, white stones appear.
As the sky turns cold, red leaves grow scarce.
Though no rain has fallen on the mountain path,
The green mist soaks one’s robe in vain.”
Clap!
Singing the lines with rhythm and elegance, Gong Pae-cheon closed his fan and looked around.
At first, he had been unsure upon entering the forest.
But now, he no longer had any doubts.
The change in atmosphere was palpable.
A cold and damp energy seeped into his skin.
Killing intent had crept up to his chin, yet no one was in sight.
‘Assassin.’
Gong Pae-cheon’s eyes narrowed.
‘Assassins’ Veil.’
So you’re striking me from behind right away?
Suppressing a sigh, Gong Pae-cheon looked up at the sky.
‘So clear.’
Shhk.
At that moment, he thought he heard the faintest sound.
So faint he couldn’t be sure, but Gong Pae-cheon immediately launched himself into the forest.
Though it was midday, the dense trees blanketed the forest in deep darkness.
Clutching his waist with one hand, Gong Pae-cheon gasped for air.
“Huff… Huff, huff!”
He had no idea how far he had run.
He had pushed his internal energy to the limit, moving as fast as he could, but failed to shake off the assassins.
‘There’s no answer to sheer numbers.’
As he exhaled a breath he had held in with poison, Gong Pae-cheon’s movements faltered.
The assassins didn’t miss that opening.
Swiish!
Through the green leaves, a flash of light—sword light—pierced the air.
Gong Pae-cheon instinctively twisted his body and swung his folding fan.
Clang!
Fan and blade clashed, sending sparks flying.
The problem was, that wasn’t the only sword.
Swiish!
Another sword shot like an arrow from the thicket.
Sharpened blades rained down one after another, like waves.
Gong Pae-cheon gritted his teeth and focused solely on defending against the relentless barrage.
‘Wheel Formation!’
His teeth clenched at the realization.
They were taking turns in a rotation, endlessly aiming for his life.
Clang! Clang! Clang!
He managed to block the first few strikes well, but eventually couldn’t keep up with their speed.
Slash!
A sharp blade filled with killing intent slashed his side.
“Kraah!”
It wasn’t an ordinary sword.
A Jagged Blade— Its edge was serrated like a saw.
Gong Pae-cheon’s blood and flesh scattered through the air along the blade’s teeth.
The attacks of the Assassins’ Veil were merciless.
They knew no rest.
Like parts of a machine gun, they relentlessly targeted his body.
Slash, slash!
His once neat scholar’s robe was cut and shredded into a blood-soaked rag, and red blood trailed down the tattered fabric.
His consciousness began to blur, and his vision dimmed.
“Huff… Huff…!”
Noticing his body had reached its limit, one of the assassins aimed a blade at his left waist.
Gong Pae-cheon swung his fan with all the strength he could muster, but the blade deflected it and pierced straight through his waist.
“Grrkh!”
In unbearable pain, Gong Pae-cheon gripped the sword in his waist with his left hand, then swung his fan again.
Slash!
An assassin clutched their neck and collapsed backward.
Gong Pae-cheon pulled the embedded blade from his waist and threw it to the ground, but his body was becoming harder and harder to control.
Pain had long surpassed the realm of sensation, and his consciousness drifted in and out.
At some point, he was fighting purely on instinct.
‘Is this how it ends?’
His vision turned red—perhaps from blood entering his eyes.
Every time he blinked, more assassins revealed themselves, surrounding him completely.
“They really brought a lot just to kill me.”
Looking at the assassins of the Assassins’ Veil surrounding him, Gong Pae-cheon’s lips twisted into a crooked smile.
“Come on then. Let’s see you try.”
Gathering the last of his strength, he spread open his folding fan.
Simultaneously, fierce waves of killing intent surged in from all directions, and dozens of swords descended upon Gong Pae-cheon.
Just as he was about to hurl himself into the enemy for a final stand—
Fwaaaaah—!
A cool breeze swept past Gong Pae-cheon’s exhausted body.
The wind was fragrant, like spring blossoms.
If that breeze was to be the last breath of his life, he thought maybe it wasn’t so bad.
BOOM BOOM BOOM BOOM BOOM!
Suddenly, dozens of deafening explosions erupted.
“…?”
Though stunned, Gong Pae-cheon barely had time to be confused— a woman landed before his eyes.
“Are you alright?”
She turned toward him.
“…!”
The moment their eyes met, Gong Pae-cheon knew—
He would never forget it for the rest of his life.
The last thing he saw before losing consciousness—
were two obsidian-like eyes, shining brilliantly.
—
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