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**

“…….”

“…….”

The air settles. The clouds obscure even the moonlight.

I seized the Blood Sword. Based on the sword left by Seongja Myung, it is a reinforced blade.

It’s not the Ear Sword. It doesn’t have any special abilities either.

But it’s the most comfortable. We’ve been together for a long time.

Above all…

This is a luxury for them.

“Strike.”

The thug spat out, and in an instant, the newly minted soldiers rushed at me like a tide.

I could smell the blood at the end. The scent of blood piled up by my enemies.

“…….”

I stretched out my foot.

But before that, a white shadow flashed past.

—KAAAAAAN!!

The swords drawn by the thugs suddenly met in the air. Four of them were knocked back, and Su-ryeon, positioned in the center, exhaled.

—Swoosh.

Various weapons sprang from all around her body. Without losing her breath, she asked me.

“Should we leave one?”

“Let’s make it two.”

I pointed the tip of my sword at the thugs.

Those who wield a sword must be prepared for death.

“Two should be enough to compare words.”

“Wise words indeed.”

Amidst the dread, the enemies moved. Su-ryeon and I hurled our bodies toward them.

If Shaolin has made a mistake, it would be one.

Not knowing precisely who the opponent is.

“……”

I cleaved through the incoming swords. I swiftly severed a neck in shock.

Blood splashed. On the tip of the sword.

There was no reason to spare them.

. . .

“Bai.”

Gongbaek halted the wooden clapper he was knocking against. The voice he had recalled was erased.

Someone had come to see him.

“…Wasn’t the promise made for daytime?”

He stared into the darkness, feeling a presence beyond it.

Excellent. What nonsense is this prayer?

He recalled the appearance of that figure he had seen beyond the painting. The one known as the Martial Alliance Inspector.

Jeok-un.

But the nickname Muk Geom he had heard was insufficient to describe him fully.

Look.

The way he steps through the darkness. Those refined movements.

This… is impressive.

Although his inner strength can’t be sensed, the depth of his cultivation is extraordinary.

No, is it really cultivation?

Just how many battlefields has he traversed?

“I have no recollection of a night appointment, Inspector.”

“You know my face.”

“I am no blind man. I heard of your arrival too late and made a simple investigation. One must know who they are to converse with, after all.”

“Quite right.”

Jeok-un.

An inscrutable man.

He opened the box he brought.

The smell of blood spread around. Gongbaek frowned as he looked inside.

Two men’s heads were organized neatly within.

“How dare they show blood within the text… Did they come seeking death?”

“They were thugs targeting me.”

“You’ll have to explain why you dared to bring their heads to me. Unless you wish to pay the price for violating Shaolin’s precepts.”

“Shaolin’s precepts, huh? Though they exist, it seems they hold no worth.”

“…You dare…!”

“Then, from Shaolin’s perspective…”

The one who interrupted his words calmly inquired.

“Sending assassins to conceal the truth? Is that also counted as a precept?”

“…What?”

Gongbaek cautiously inspected the heads inside the box.

They were unknown. I swear, I’ve never seen these men before.

“These are not the ones I sent!”

“I thought they weren’t sent by you, which is why I sought you out. I am currently investigating the missing persons case in Hanam. None from Shaolin would cooperate, yet I managed to uncover truths that bring me closer to the reality. I requested a private meeting with you, yet even that was refused.”

“…….”

“Nevertheless, I’m fortunate to have secured this meeting. However, the day before, there were signs of an attack to eliminate me… What could that possibly mean?”

“What… are you trying to say?”

“The missing persons incident is deeply intertwined with Shaolin. Very deeply. And it’s likely taking place in a place unknown to you. Their attempt to kill me was undoubtedly to blind your eyes.”

“…That can’t be true. Shaolin. The pride of the Nine Pei Alliance. We are the epitome of pure justice and, at the same time, Buddhas who must save all beings. Why would we ever resort to kidnapping?! We are pursuing perpetrators ourselves!”

“Have there been any results?”

…None.

I sent people, but no one has returned with reliable information.

“Headmaster. I was attacked by thugs. I faced four and killed two, just like this.”

Jeok-un calmly closed the lid.

“I extracted information from the remaining two. I eliminated the poison hidden between their molars and forced their heavy mouths open. And from that, I obtained a name.”

“…Whose…”

“Damyang.”

Damyang?

Why is that name coming up here?

“That’s… nonsense… That can’t be… Damyang is an exceptionally upright child! That name came from assassins? Something must be terribly wrong!”

“I merely relayed what I heard. Of course, I don’t believe Damyang caused this alone.”

“What do you mean…”

“How much power could a child monk from Shaolin possibly wield? I’ve already encountered Damyang. He seemed to lack the authority or strength to send peak assassins.”

“…Is there someone behind this?”

“That’s the only possibility, isn’t it? Someone attempting to silence this matter as much as possible. Someone who can proceed without letting your eyes and ears be deceived. Their influence must reach all of Shaolin to quietly conceal everything…”

Gongbaek’s mind drifted to two individuals.

“Are you referring to Master Jang Gyeong and Master Na Han?”

The two pillars of Shaolin.

The real rulers who manage the affairs of Shaolin on behalf of their identities.

“Headmaster. All I want here in Shaolin is to find the missing individuals.”

“…….”

“I don’t aim to create falsehoods. I seek only to bring the concealed truth to light. And for that, I need your help.”

“…What are you chasing in the shadows of Shaolin?”

“Is a reason necessary to pursue actions one believes to be right?”

It is a fair point.

But how many in this current martial world could casually say such words?

Gongbaek pondered deeply.

In the end, the response he reached was one.

“…What must I do?”

“Simple.”

Jeok-un cast a quick glance behind him.

“Help me place a person within Shaolin.”

“A person…?”

—Rustle.

Gongbaek flinched. He belatedly sensed an aura that should have been easily detected even from a distance.

What is this? Were they hidden in the darkness, piercing through my senses? Even from afar, they managed to conceal themselves this perfectly…?

“…Who are you?”

“I’m the Heavenly Seer. The girl is Su-ryeon.”

Her unfeeling gaze looked up.

“Please give the girl a chance to observe within Shaolin. In return, she will bring all the secrets of Shaolin.”

“…….”

“You must understand. Everything Shaolin possesses now is built upon the tower erected on the ‘desire’ that Shaolin most fears.”

“…….!”

“If you are truly innocent, why not join us? Perhaps…”

Su-ryeon glanced back.

“It might be the last chance to restore everything that has become twisted.”

“……”

Gongbaek reflected on his constant self-doubt.

The day he took the life of his master who had stepped into the Heaven’s Gate, he believed he lost the right to hold the position of headmaster.

Consider it. The one who killed his master inherits their place.

Even if the world forgave him, he could never forgive himself. Yet, everyone pleaded, and he ascended to the position of headmaster…

But in the end, he let it go.

Because he believed he wasn’t qualified, he didn’t hold power, merely taking it as his duty to offer a few words during his disciples’ training.

He did what he was supposed to do, but he didn’t do more than that. Because he thought he had no right to.

But… as a result of that… because of the power he abandoned…

If this place, Shaolin, not only resorted to kidnapping but also attempted to kill the inspector to cover up the incident…

Could it not be blamed on himself?

Claiming everything as his inadequacies, rejecting the frontline has been his fault.

“The last… chance…”

He gazed up at the moon. It was the same that night. The clouds weren’t too dense.

On the day he fought and severed the breath of his master who had stepped into the Heaven’s Gate. Perhaps he had been at a standstill since that day.

Yet, even so.

If he must belatedly take responsibility as the headmaster of Shaolin…

“…You said your name was Su-ryeon?”

“Yes.”

“I will grant you the chance to inspect the interior. With your skills, hiding in my shadow should be exceedingly easy.”

Gongbaek fixed a firm gaze on the inspector.

Heavy eyes. Truly heavy. The sentiments were evident at a glance.

“Martial Alliance Inspector.”

“Yes.”

“Arrive late tomorrow evening.”

Gongbaek slowly turned the beads in his hand.

“We shall meet again then. I will examine all records in my possession. And the moment I uncover Shaolin’s dark side with my own eyes… I will personally assist you. For the victims’ sake, and for the sake of this decaying Shaolin.”

. . .

Heavenly Seer Gongbaek.

He was a bit different from what I expected.

The ones who entered the realm of Hyun-kyung I had seen were all calculated and glowing.

Even Ilma was like that. What about the Heavenly Demon? Even the Martial Alliance Leader Namgung Hyuk was sharp enough to make you wonder what he was concealing.

Compared to them, Gongbaek…

Felt strangely soft. At the same time, he felt indecisive.

Even the prayer itself wasn’t sharp. Should I call him a type inherently distant from violence?

His gaze lacked ambition. A completely different level compared to Namgung Hyuk, known as the Invincible Sword.

Yet there was definitely something sharp in his last moments.

Was it a sign of determination?

Gongbaek called me. I moved toward Shaolin at the promised time, of course, with Myochoa and Geumpyeong accompanying me.

But the two following were soon blocked by the Na Han monks.

“The Abbot has requested to meet you two separately.”

“What… does that mean? We are also members of the inspection team.”

“It is a private meeting. Since you are in Shaolin now, please abide by Shaolin’s laws.”

“…Tch.”

Geumpyeong and Myochoa were separated. Was that Gongbaek’s consideration?

I stepped further inside. Deeper into the building than I had been before, I was greeted by Heavenly Seer Gongbaek.

“You were right.”

Gongbaek calmly spoke.

As if he had already arranged his thoughts.

“What I could see was merely the surface of the accounts. However, this girl has helped me. She infiltrated the places I couldn’t see, examining various accounts and the flow of funds. From them, I caught sight of the records belonging to Master Na Han and Master Jang Gyeong, who own more businesses than I had anticipated.”

“…….”

“If that alone was the case, I wouldn’t have been disappointed. Some of the businesses even dabbled in usury. That’s why there were so many vagrants in Hanam. Deceiving innocent civilians to extort their money. Is that all? Gambling houses, Gilu… haha! Those who should be cultivating their minds were more entangled in worldly desires than anyone else! Isn’t that laughable?”

Gongbaek shook his shoulders.

“Even that child Damyang, whom I thought was good-natured, was hiding money behind the scenes… Hehe! It’s only natural he wouldn’t welcome an inspector of the Martial Alliance. As we stir things up, the evil deeds they’ve committed will inevitably come to light.”

“…Have you found any clues regarding the missing persons?”

“I’ll take care of that part.”

Stepping out from the shadows, Su-ryeon walked forward.

“Among some of the businesses, there are those who collect extra fees without reason. Their areas are also very close to where the disappearances occurred.”

“So you mean they are the culprits?”

“They’ve already been put under surveillance. News should come in a few days…”

—Flap.

A single butterfly darted into the temple from the darkness.

“…Gyeojipsa (鬼蝶死).”

The butterfly that touched Su-ryeon’s fingertips exploded silently.

All that remained was a black character ‘Move’ left in the air.

Su-ryeon turned to look at us.

“They’re moving sooner than expected.”

“…We must head there directly. What are you going to do?”

“I’ll naturally follow.”

We dashed forward. Leaping between buildings, we quickly arrived at our destination.

Assassins. The masked figure, covering her face, silently pointed inside.

“…A butcher shop?”

A bad premonition hit me.

A nauseatingly bad premonition.

 

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