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Chapter 583: Nice to Meet You

“Hah… Hah!”

In a back alley near Hanam, a man was sprinting like a madman.

Maybe it was the heat of summer, but he was drenched in sweat.

“Gah… Hah…”

He was gasping for breath.

It felt like he might just crumble to the ground and heave, yet he had to keep running.

If he stopped, he’d die.

That harsh reality drove him forward.

‘Where… where to go…!’

Which way should he turn?

Even while running, his mind was racing with thoughts.

Where should he flee to?

Which direction would provide safety?

As he struggled to think while panting, his eyes suddenly widened.

‘The Alliance…! I need to flee to the Martial Alliance.’

He had to make it there. That was the only way to save himself.

With that determination, he pushed his legs harder.

He dashed through the alley, plotting the fastest route.

Then—

“Ahhh!”

He collided with a woman who unexpectedly dashed out from the alley.

“Move aside!”

Of course, he didn’t have time to care about her.

Ignoring the fallen woman, he plunged deeper into the alley.

“…”

The woman watched him enter the alley, a displeased expression written all over her face.

“Hah… Hah…!”

He pushed on, pouring out ragged breaths. Just a little further.

It was a desolate area, but if he could make it out, he’d reach the Martial Alliance directly.

‘A little more, just a little more…!’

He could live.

As long as he escaped this place, he could survive. Just as that hope enveloped him—

Thud.

“Ugh!?”

Something pierced through his leg.

Pain surged, causing his posture to veer as he tumbled to the ground.

Thud-!

His hefty body crashed against the floor, and he clutched his leg.

“Ugh… Ughh…”

He tried to hold back, but a scream escaped him nonetheless.

A dagger had punctured his thigh and ankle.

“Ugh… ughh…”

A profound agony enveloped him.

Still, he forced himself to rise somehow.

If he stayed like this…

“Muk Do-seok.”

“…!”

“Is the game of tag over?”

His breath stopped at the voice that drifted nearby.

Step by step.

Footsteps approached him.

“I played with you for your desperate appearance, but that ends here.”

“Huh… Huh…”

“Did you think you could survive?”

Masked figures drew closer.

Seeing them, the man screamed in despair.

“Pl-Please spare me! Why are you doing this!”

“Hm.”

The leader narrowed his eyes at the man’s plea.

“I distinctly said. If you cause unnecessary trouble, your life is forfeit.”

“I… I didn’t do anything.”

“You shouldn’t even speak with a mouth that was caught by the Alliance.”

“That’s…!”

The man’s body trembled in response to the accusation.

“That’s because some strange person got involved…!”

“No excuses are needed. It was only a matter of time before this was at its limits.”

“Please!”

In a panicked retort, Muk Do-seok was ready to shout.

Whoosh-!

“Gah!”

Before he could finish, the opponent’s dagger pierced his neck.

Seconds later, the light left Muk Do-seok’s eyes.

As the masked man confirmed this, he withdrew the dagger.

“Clean up the traces.”

“Understood.”

At the command, several figures appeared and began to move around the area.

There wasn’t even a trace of blood where the corpse had lain.

The same was true for the dagger held by the masked man.

He tucked the dagger away, clicking his tongue in displeasure.

‘Did I expect too much from trash?’

Though he was a foreigner, he thought of giving him some real work, but it turned out to be futile.

He had even almost made trouble.

Caught by the Alliance due to the incident at the inn.

‘Almost entangled with the Heavenly Demon, too.’

That would have been problematic.

He currently had no business getting involved with them.

‘It’s fortunate I handled it well.’

There might be more problems to come. He thought about this as he turned his head.

‘I need to report to the Great Lord.’

Not just about the Heavenly Demon.

Minor disturbances were popping up here and there in Hanam.

Even if they weren’t significant, it wouldn’t hurt to be cautious.

The Martial Arts Tournament was less than two months away.

‘Before that…’

He needed to set things up.

The masked man turned around.

At the same time, he whispered in a very small voice.

“Everything is for the revival of the Jiegal Clan….”

With those words, he vanished, leaving Muk Do-seok’s body to grow cold.

*

It was noon.

Immediately after finishing my morning training and having a quick meal.

I was walking through Hanam with Tang Soyeol and Seongyul.

The reason was simple.

I heard from the Baekhwa Sect that Mi Hyo-ran was looking for me.

‘What could it be?’

It’s been a month since I arrived in Hanam.

Although Mi Hyo-ran had also been staying in Hanam all this time, she had never called for me separately.

Otherwise, even outside of this matter, it was extremely rare for Mi Hyo-ran to personally summon me.

Is this the first time?

She usually comes looking for me, but calling me like this seems novel.

No particular thought crossed my mind.

If she calls, I’ll go.

Tang Soyeol followed me, clearly aware I was headed to see Mi Hyo-ran. Seongyul happened to come along, so I brought him too.

On our way to the Baekhwa Sect’s Hanam branch.

As I walked slowly, I kept sending messages to someone.

[Did you find anything?]

As soon as I asked, I received an immediate reply.

[We’ve deployed personnel around Hanam to monitor the area, but we haven’t located anyone with the description you provided.]

[Hmm.]

Right after parting with the Heavenly Demon in front of the noodle shop.

I immediately requested the King of Demons’ assassins to search the area.

But—

‘As expected.’

I had a faint hope, but as predicted, I couldn’t find a trace of the Heavenly Demon.

She’s not someone who would carelessly leave traces behind.

‘Even if they did find something, it’s not like they could get close.’

The speed at which the Heavenly Demon recognizes others could surpass that of someone recognizing her.

If that happened, it’d only lead to more danger.

[Understood. Please halt the search for now.]

[Yes.]

It hasn’t been long, yet that should have been sufficient time for them to gather information.

There was no need to create unnecessary risks anymore.

This leads me to wonder.

‘Should the King of Demons come personally?’

That might be the safest and most accurate method.

Just then.

[However….]

I raised an eyebrow at the incoming message.

Was there something else they wanted to convey?

[During the search, we came across something somewhat unusual.]

They just said they hadn’t found any trace of the Heavenly Demon, yet now something unusual pops up.

[What is it?]

[It appears that an ambush took place in an alley leading to the Alliance.]

[Ambush?]

[Yes, one of our members discovered the situation, but was unable to approach it.]

So the King of Demons’ assassins discovered it yet couldn’t get close.

That meant the opposing force was significant.

However.

[What’s the issue with that?]

How does this relate to the other matter?

Ambushes are somewhat common occurrences in the Central Plains, right?

Of course, an ambush in an alley leading to the Alliance is a concerning detail, but still not strange.

[Is this related to what I requested?]

[No, I am merely reporting this because there were no traces at the location when I arrived to verify.]

[No traces…?]

That meant they didn’t even find a body.

A clean wipe so thorough that even the notorious assassins couldn’t detect traces.

‘Who could it be?’

Who on earth? Or where could they be?

An ambush near the Alliance in Hanam is not feasible unless one is an extraordinarily capable assassin.

I can’t help but feel curious.

[Do you have any idea about the location?]

[We are currently investigating.]

Even though I hadn’t said much, they’ve already started gathering information.

As expected of the number one assassin group in the Central Plains.

[Please give me a nudge once you find out.]

[Yes. I will certainly find out.]

“Must” is a bit too strong, but… well, good is good for me.

Without bringing up any more objections, I nodded in agreement.

I concluded my conversation with the informant and directed my gaze forward.

In the distance, the building of the Baekhwa Sect gradually came into view.

Did I just talk to them while walking? It feels like we got here too quickly.

Hmm, what should I do? Maybe I should stall for a bit before going in. While I pondered this—

“Wh-What should we do, Prince?”

Tang Soyeol trembled in a somewhat anxious tone.

What’s up with her?

“I… I still haven’t bought a gift…!”

Huh?

“What gift?”

“A gift for Lady Mi….”

“Th-That’s why you—?”

I was baffled by her words, while Tang Soyeol looked at me as if she couldn’t understand my confusion.

“Last time I couldn’t prepare anything because it was such a sudden gathering… but not this time!”

“No, I mean, why are you even preparing that?”

What’s this urgent and sudden matter?

There seemed to be no need to prepare a gift at all.

Completely failing to understand, I was about to ask Tang Soyeol for her reasoning when she suddenly vanished from my side.

What’s going on? Where did she go?

Did learning martial arts from the King of Demons make her so stealthy that I couldn’t sense her?

“Prince!”

As I looked around, Tang Soyeol abruptly reappeared.

“What now?”

My eyes widened slightly seeing something clenched in her hand.

What’s that?

“Flowers?”

Several bright flowers in a mix of white and yellow.

Where on earth did she get those? Oh, I see a flower shop behind her.

A place that sells flowers for money; Hanam really does have it all.

In the mountains, they just grow freely, yet here they’re sold for cash.

What a trivial commodity, I thought.

“…So you bought those?”

“W-Well, I thought I should at least give something.”

“Flowers?”

“Yes.”

“What use are flowers? They aren’t money.”

What kind of pointless gift is that? As I voiced my confusion, Tang Soyeol’s expression warped strangely.

“Prince… if you say something like that elsewhere, you’ll get slapped on the back.”

“Who would slap my back? That could break my waist.”

“…”

Just a slap?

I could form a bird shape or bear shape even.

‘Well, since she already bought them, there’s nothing that can be done.’

It was a waste to spend money on flowers, but it’s Tang Soyeol’s money, so it doesn’t concern me.

The problem is—

‘I doubt Lady Mi would appreciate them.’

The Lady Mi I know wouldn’t be the type to smile over receiving flowers.

But my assumption shattered the moment I—

“Oh my.”

Saw Lady Mi’s smile as she received the flowers.

“…Oh my….”

She gingerly accepted the bouquet being handed to her with a broad smile.

So, she was smiling.

‘…Lady Mi can smile?’

It wasn’t the brightest of smiles, but it was definitely an expression of joy.

She’s smiling just because she received flowers, and I was blown away.

I just handed them over because Tang Soyeol was hesitating.

In my haste to clarify that it was Tang Soyeol’s gift and not my own, she interjected.

“I purchased them with Gu Gongja…! Together!”

Tang Soyeol cut in, seizing my words.

Purchased… together?

‘When did I ever buy anything?’

The one who got my lecture to drop such things never actually participated.

As I was about to correct Tang Soyeol that she came alone, a sudden pinch on my thigh halted me.

“…!?”

She pinched me discreetly yet effectively enough to silence my protest.

What’s this?

I couldn’t tell what was happening, but I opted to keep quiet for now.

If I spoke, Tang Soyeol might end up making a ghastly face at me.

“…Thank you…”

Lady Mi said, glancing at the flowers with warmth.

This was the first time I ever witnessed that kind of expression from her.

I merely handed over flowers!

“…They’re quite beautiful….”

“I hope… you find joy in them.”

“Cherish them.”

As she said she liked the flowers, I scratched my cheek in embarrassment.

Observing this, Tang Soyeol threw a glance at me filled with ‘See? I told you!’

‘Right?’

What exactly are those flowers worth that elicits such happiness?

I couldn’t fathom it, but I simply nodded along.

I’m sure there’s a reason I don’t understand.

While Lady Mi gently caressed the flowers, I finally gathered the courage to ask her a question.

“I heard you called for me for a reason.”

I was trying to subtly transition into the main topic, but now Tang Soyeol was pinching my arm harder.

Why?

I’m starting to feel a tad bit of pain from the grip.

What could possibly be bothering her?

“Oh! Right! I should’ve brought that up!”

At my prompting, Lady Mi nodded.

Meanwhile, she still held the flowers close.

“One reason I called you is quite simple.”

“Yes.”

“Do you remember when I said I would have a request for you sometime soon?”

“I recall.”

When I visited the Baekhwa Sect in Hanam, Lady Mi had mentioned that she would have a favor to ask.

‘Is it about this matter?’

I was curious what the request could be, and to my surprise, I heard it sooner than I expected.

I tuned in intently as Lady Mi continued.

“Simply put, there’s a task that has come up for our sect.”

“Is that a task for the Baekhwa Sect?”

“Yes. Ordinarily it should be handled by the Martial Alliance, but they specifically requested to connect it with our sect.”

It should have been the Martial Alliance’s duty?

‘So why is the Baekhwa Sect taking it on?’

I couldn’t quite grasp the reasoning.

Usually, the work between the Alliance and the Sect don’t overlap much.

Moreover.

‘The fact that they could switch assignments as they desired…’

Even if it was something the Alliance should have done, if the other party didn’t want that, it means they have the power to press for such a change.

The Alliance isn’t composed of fools; they wouldn’t simply accept this.

“Where on earth…?”

I inquired, holding back my doubts.

Lady Mi, still embracing the flowers, explained.

“It’s about the North Sea Ice Palace.”

“…Pardon?”

A somewhat unexpected yet familiar name popped up.

North Sea Ice Palace…? Did I mishear her? Why is she mentioning it so suddenly?

“The North Sea Ice Palace?”

As I questioned in disbelief, Lady Mi confirmed with firmness.

“Yes.”

Before I could wrap my head around the surprising term, she added the next statement that made my expression darken.

“It pertains to the Young Princess there.”

Whatever it was.

Clearly, it looked like an annoying undertaking was on the horizon.

 

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