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**

I tracked down the Blood Sect.

The method itself was simple. It was just applying the approach I’d always used.

But the process wasn’t smooth. The enemies had leveled up beyond the regular warrior standards.

“We must suppress them cleanly. Without leaving a trace.”

“How dare you ask me to do something unbecoming of my station!”

It was at this moment that the overwhelming power of Huachun Quenma proved to be helpful. He’s good at blowing things up, but his fundamental level lies in Huaxing.

He easily suppressed foes who were several levels beneath him. The important part was that the enemy was not just one.

I had to join in as well. With my sword clenched, I ambushed the enemy without causing them severe injuries.

The timing and method needed to be thoroughly prepared and meticulously executed.

Amidst the subdued henchmen, I discovered another connection.

However, it didn’t all connect perfectly.

“Soul Manipulation isn’t omnipotent. The moment an opponent finds the memory gap, they’ll break free from the hypnosis. Over time, the gaps created by Soul Manipulation become easier to detect.”

“So it’s a race against time, huh?”

“…It’s urgent now, but we need to act even faster. The key is to extract as much information as possible before the enemy notices us.”

We even reduced our sleeping hours. We scoured the streets, filtering out the henchmen of the Blood Sect within them.

Knocking them down, subduing them, and extracting information—it was a cycle of repetition.

In the midst of it all, I also encountered some familiar faces.

“The scent of someone I admire…?”

I couldn’t quite place why, but Seo Cho-hee, the daughter of the Bukmunseo family from the Nacchal Sect in Eungmin, popped into my mind.

“…There’s a strangely familiar energy…?”

I also spotted Yeon Guang, who I thought I was quite friendly with, inheriting the skills of the Black Death Sect.

I ran into those two familiar figures on the street, but I turned away without saying a word.

I was busy, but at the same time, I was a stranger to them. The Infinite Mirror I originally used had been torn long ago.

I just moved on, silently wishing both of them safety.

Changes began to occur within the Blood Sect as well.

“You!”

The guards being attacked unpreparedly increased their defenses. Some connections were entirely severed.

Signs that the Blood Sect was discovering our existence. Yet we did not stop.

We continued to advance, repeating our actions.

Fights broke out. Huachun Quenma suppressed the enemy, and I supported him from behind.

Small talk diminished. Even during meals, no one spoke.

We simply surveyed the next target’s information as if it were a matter of course. The book of Black Danhwa, which was also being recorded, began to progress from one volume to the third.

“…Filling in the names. They could even be fake.”

At the point where the number of branches we had uncovered exceeded 60, we encountered someone for the first time—a strong man we had never seen before.

“…Are you the faceless bastards who are currently stirring things up for us?”

Even if the Soul Manipulation was exposed, it seemed that the mixed memories wouldn’t completely return.

When recalling our existence, it appeared they couldn’t perfectly recall our faces either.

We were called the ‘Faceless Ones’ by the Blood Sect. We wore masks purchased from the streets.

“What on earth is your goal? What are you trying to do?”

From their perspective, it was only natural they would find it strange.

They weren’t killing those they captured but were just letting them go.

“…It doesn’t matter. We can half-kill them and drag them along.”

A strong member of the Blood Sect raised his sword. Clearly, these men were well-trained.

Huachun Quenma whispered.

“Suppressing them without injury would be a challenge even for me.”

“No need for that.”

I considered it was nearing the end. In fact, it was rather convenient for them to come out like this.

I hadn’t drawn my sword from its sheath in a long time. The sound of Bai Ya resonated beautifully.

“From the power you possess, you seem to be one of the key figures in the Blood Sect. You must have a wealth of information as well. You don’t look like someone who can easily fall for Soul Manipulation either… Let’s report this person to the Manma Sect.”

“Manma Sect? You’re one of the Manma Sect warriors…”

—Hwa-reuk.

The red aura surged from Huachun Quenma’s body. I could see his muscles twitching and swelling.

“Heheh. Finally! I’m going to have some fun again!”

“What?! A master! Report the situation to headquarters…!”

“Do you think I’ll let you go?”

Immediately, I activated Ghostly Spirit Step and assessed the situation behind me. My sword was unleashed among the night streets of Eungmin.

The result was victory. A member of the Blood Sect, with one arm severed, was subdued and spat out blood.

“This is ridiculous…!”

“What makes sense and what doesn’t is for me to decide.”

“I won’t tell you anything!”

“That remains to be seen.”

Black Danhwa immediately unleashed the Soul Manipulation. But the Blood Sect member resisted violently.

“Do you think some weird trick will work on me?!”

“…You’re right. A strong person can resist Soul Manipulation better than I can—Mu Myung.”

Just when I was contemplating whether to resort to torture, a shadow descended from the wall.

“This seems troublesome. Mu Gongja.”

“…Black Gongja? Where have you been?”

“I was preparing, reading the overall atmosphere.”

Shadows rose behind Black Wind. In the group that I couldn’t recognize at all, I dropped my sword.

“…Who did you bring?”

“Whoa now. Calm down. Mu Gongja and I are in the same boat, right? We have the same goal. Seems you’re using quite a primitive method to track the enemy. How much information have you gathered?”

“You… I figured there was something off about you… You’re not just an ordinary person.”

Black Danhwa sighed.

“…The group with the soundless movement skills is… from the Full Moon sect?”

Full Moon.

A name I had heard once from Ilma popped up.

Black Wind chuckled.

“Well, I won’t deny that. Black Lady. But hear me out. We also have a lot to discuss. We were preparing to sell valuable information we got after a long time… It seems like what we found overlaps with what you have.”

“…You tried to sell information about the Blood Sect to the sects. So? Did you come to kill us now before the information leaks?”

“I wouldn’t do that! No way! Do you see me as some heartless monster? It hurts my feelings.”

Black Wind leaped off the wall.

“To help you sort things out, leave that one to me. It seems Soul Manipulation will not work on him, but we have other complex techniques. In less than a shijin, he will spill even the names of childhood friends to us.”

“How do I trust you?”

“Black Lady. The Full Moon is an information-handling organization, not an assassination organization or a martial group. With both Huachun Quenma and Mu Gongja here, do you think we’re crazy enough to betray you? The loss would far outweigh the gain. While it’s not impossible to subdue, pulling out a few roots we worked hard to cultivate would happen, you know.”

“What do you want, Black Gongja?”

“Haha. The conversation is fast-paced, which is nice. I’ll help you out, but in return, I want you to list the source of this information as the Full Moon. Since it’s already too late to cash in, I want to at least secure some honor.”

“Have you lost your mind? You think I’ll just hand over all the info I gathered without blinking?”

“I’ll give you something else in return. Mu Gongja. You need to hide your identity now, right? If the source of the information is Mu Gongja, you’d gain the very fame you were trying to avoid, which would cause you problems down the line. So, I’ll give you something else.”

Black Wind reached into his pocket.

He pulled out three special command tokens.

“These are special command tokens from the Full Moon. Only given to regular customers of mine. With these, any information can be accessed for half price. From now on!”

The atmosphere around Black Danhwa shifted. He shot me a glance.

“Mu Myung. Do you trust me?”

“Of course, I do.”

“Then could you let me take care of this situation?”

“Huh?”

“I’ll take care of the negotiations with the Full Moon. The Full Moon ranks among the top three private information organizations within the sects. It won’t hurt to establish a connection. Though that scruffy guy is off-putting with his antics… Those special command tokens are things you can’t buy with money.”

“…….”

“If you trust me, I’ll bring back as many benefits as possible.”

“I’ll leave it to you.”

“Thank you.”

Black Danhwa stepped forward.

“From now on, all information we purchase, please make it for free.”

“…Free, huh…?”

“Do you see me as a fool? Half price is the fair line.”

“If the Full Moon is recognized as the center of uprooting the Blood Sect, the benefits reaped would surely be considerable? We have the detailed list prepared. I’ll even hand it over to the sects under the name of the Full Moon, so please let us use the Full Moon freely.”

“…Hmph. That’s a bit…”

“If negotiation is necessary, then let’s have a separate conversation. Black Wind. It seems there’s no need for you to be here while I interrogate the author. Let your subordinate handle that and have a private conversation with me. How about that?”

“Swear you won’t use magical techniques.”

“I swear.”

“Then let’s move somewhere else.”

Black Danhwa stepped back. The previously sulking Huachun Quenma removed his mask.

“To think the Full Moon would show up here? I knew that black one was suspicious…”

“Elder. Would it be okay even if the source of information is not us?”

“Wasn’t it your idea? I merely came to assist. All I need is to restore Milyeong’s identity. In the end, I already possess more than enough fame.”

The members of the Full Moon seized the bloodied member of the Blood Sect. In the blink of an eye, the situation was sorted, and I looked up at him.

“Thank you for your help, Elder. If you hadn’t helped, I would surely have been insufficient alone.”

“Our goals were the same. What are you talking about? How embarrassing.”

“I merely expressed what I felt. To me, you are a benefactor.”

“Then please leave the Huachun Explosion Sword to me…”

“I will repay this favor in whatever form later.”

“Don’t be so formal! I haven’t given up yet!”

The interrogation took less than a shijin, as Black Wind had said.

As the bloodied member of the Blood Sect fell, information unfolded before us.

The headquarters of the Blood Sect, hidden until now in Eungmin. Finally revealing its outlines, I wiped my face.

“…This is it, the real final act.”

“You’ve worked hard.”

The discussion we were having with Black Wind and Black Danhwa also returned.

“…If I keep talking, I feel like my hair will get pulled out. Wait, why are you so good at talking?”

“If what you said is right, we can utilize the Full Moon without charge. Though some information will be restricted, of course. Huachun Quenma, is that acceptable?”

“You ask at the last moment. I don’t mind. I haven’t experienced using the Full Moon anyway. I don’t need fame in the first place.”

“I expected you to say that. Mu Myung, what will you do now?”

“I have somewhere to go, Black Gongja.”

“Where to?”

“I’m going to find the Leader of the Wima Sect. I promised to bring information there first…”

I walked toward my destination.

“Wouldn’t it be better to have the Full Moon, which decided to be the source of information, accompany us? It would be good to keep an eye on things.”

“…I think you have a sharp mind, Mu Gongja. You seem to understand precisely what I want, so you’re an excellent trading partner.”

“I have something additional to say.”

“What is it?”

“If acquisition of information is possible, then surely concealment of that information is also possible?”

“Is that… a small request?”

“Once this matter is settled, please erase my face and name from Eungmin.”

“Is that all?”

“Of course.”

“That’s a simple request. Rest assured. I’ll take care of it well. Haha! Now, let’s go!”

…

I visited the Leader of the Wima Sect.

She nodded as I met her after almost a month.

“I’ve been waiting for your return, my disciple.”

“Heh. Just keep your mouth shut.”

I cast a glance back at the grumbling Huachun Quenma and gestured to Black Wind.

He bowed.

“It’s an honor to meet you, Leader of the Wima Sect.”

“Who are you?”

“I am Black Wind from the Full Moon.”

“Full Moon? What’s a Full Moon doing here?”

“I have a small connection with Mu Gongja, which is why I assisted. In a way, we have the list of the Blood Sect. It’s a sort of collaboration.”

“…That doesn’t sound like it.”

Nine Heavens Jade Woman placed her hand on her chin. After pondering for a moment, she nodded slightly.

“Is that what it is? I see.”

“…You really are not someone to underestimate.”

“It’s simple. No need for concern. The source of information is the Full Moon. The Wima Sect will notarize it. But I will remember who actually put in the effort. Disciple.”

“Don’t call me your disciple at your whim!”

“Hand over the list.”

Black Wind presented the books written by Black Danhwa. After skimming through them, Nine Heavens Jade Woman sighed.

“It’s not just us; there were many involved from various sects. Moreover… To think there are quite a few holding considerable intermediary positions. It’s laughable to think this is all there is.”

“What will you do?”

“I had already set up a separate connection. If I send a letter, they will gather immediately. Rarely will the three sects align like this. A blood storm will sweep through Eungmin. The important thing is… there may be situations where things won’t turn out in our favor.”

The Nine Heavens Jade Woman looked at me.

“Disciple. Eungmin isn’t the base of any sect. Furthermore, it’s been a full six months since the incident. The influence of each sect has pretty much withdrawn. Only minimal personnel remain to find the traces of the Ghostly Spirit Step.”

“…….”

“Although the Nacchal Sect has deployed the most forces to Eungmin… it’s still not so significant. Currently, the largest forces in Eungmin are the unaligned believers. The most have come here purely chasing power and the scent of blood. The moment the three sects move, those who run wild will appear. And the Blood Sect will surely try to utilize them. A riot will break out. We plan to handle both the minions incited by the Blood Sect and the henchmen of the Blood Sect.”

The Nine Heavens Jade Woman stated firmly.

“I’ll set aside the matter of the Ghostly Spirit Step for now. If I add that to the issues of the Blood Sect, cooperation among the sects could lead to division. This operation will be conducted completely independent of the Ghostly Spirit Step and will be focused on eradicating the Blood Sect. Therefore, naturally, the Wima Sect cannot assist you personally. Acting irresponsibly could lead to future political complications.”

“I understand.”

“However, I’ll do my best to assist indirectly. This includes minimizing the uprising, and I’ll control the personnel as well. As long as the justification permits, I will remove any third parties. I’ll help as much as possible, so use the information you’ve obtained to get what you need.”

The Nine Heavens Jade Woman looked at me sideways.

“I do not wish for those I favor to meet their demise. Disciple. Don’t die, but gather everything you want. Then, come back to my side.”

“You talk too much! He is my disciple!”

“Next time, don’t bring Huachun Quenma with you.”

“You bastard!”

I clasped my hands together to express my gratitude.

“When is the scheduled date for the execution?”

“It must be done as soon as possible. We need to gather combat forces and not give the enemy any time to prepare…”

The Nine Heavens Jade Woman nodded.

“The execution date will be in three days. Take a moment to rest your tired body, disciple.”

 

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