Chapter 39
"Great hero."
Finally, Lee Rin approached Jaseong.
Her complexion was pale, and her lips drew a faint red line as they bled.
But more than anything, her gaze, filled with shock, was fixed on Jaseong.
"Great hero. You really defeated Kang Ryong...."
At Lee Rin's stunned voice, Jaseong merely nodded with an expressionless face.
But Lee Rin wasn't the only one to display such shock.
The top-ranking participants who had fallen to the ground after facing Kang Ryong.
They, too, were visibly trembling.
Completely overwhelmed by Jaseong's might, none of them dared think of challenging him.
However, there was only one person who, despite trembling, approached Jaseong.
Number Three, the boy from Killing Valley.
Even as he staggered, he gripped his sword hilt, glaring at Jaseong.
'Just in case someone tried to challenge me again, I forced myself to stand here... and there really is someone after all.'
Watching the approaching Killing Valley boy, Jaseong frowned slightly.
He had pushed the Celestial Gate Opening Art to its limits, so his internal energy was completely depleted.
It was too much to engage in another duel at this point.
Of course, the Killing Valley boy also wasn't in any condition to fight properly.
Having faced Kang Ryong, his entire body was battered and broken.
And above all, Jaseong had a reliable ally beside him.
"That's enough. I'm warning you—if you take even one more step, I'll cut you down."
Lee Rin spoke, pointing the tip of her sword at him.
She, too, was still suffering from internal injuries after taking a strike from Kang Ryong's Inner Power Technique, but among the remaining participants, she was in the best shape.
Seeing the ice-cold chill radiating from the sword in her hand, it was clear she was still ready to fight.
Still, despite Lee Rin's threat, the Killing Valley boy didn't stop and kept walking toward Jaseong.
"... So you really want to see this through to the end."
Lee Rin drew up the cold in her dantian.
White steam drifted from her breath as she prepared herself.
Then, in the next moment, the approaching Killing Valley boy took an entirely unexpected action.
Thud―
The Killing Valley boy knelt down before Jaseong.
And then, abruptly, he spoke.
"Please."
"?"
"Just return my number tag."
"...."
"You're already the winner anyway. Kang Ryong's pouch that you took must be filled with countless number tags... Even if you take just number Three out of all those, there's no one who's collected as many as you."
Looking at the kneeling Killing Valley boy, Jaseong gave a dry chuckle inwardly.
He certainly hadn't expected this turn of events.
But as Jaseong fell into thought, the Killing Valley boy spoke words he'd never anticipated.
"I have a reason why I must place in the Dark Path Duel Banquet. If I fail to place... I'll die."
The Killing Valley boy's voice was resolute.
His dark eyes shone with the desperation of one who walked the border of life and death.
There was a look in his eyes that suggested some inescapable circumstance.
***
Killing Valley, the Central Plains' largest assassin organization.
They make assassins in two ways.
One, as with the enemies Jaseong had once faced—the Black and Red Twin Demons—by recruiting top-tier experts from outside.
The other, by abducting children with martial talent and training them from a young age.
The boy standing opposite Jaseong, Gu Janghu, belonged to the latter.
He was originally of martial lineage, a blood relative of the Guryong Family, once famed in Jiangsu Province.
Though the Guryong Family couldn't compare to the Five Great Clans of the Righteous Faction or the Four Great Clans of the Evil Faction, within their region they had an established reputation.
Among them, the head of the Guryong Family was legendary for being an expert that even elders of great sects wouldn't dare cross.
Gu Janghu of Killing Valley was the only son of that very head.
Blessed with his father's martial talent, Gu Janghu grew up surrounded by expectations.
Had things gone normally, he would likely have become the next head of the Guryong Family.
But fate was cruel.
One night, the Guryong Family was annihilated in a raid by mysterious experts.
Gu Janghu survived as the sole remaining member.
Worse yet, he was discovered by the assassins of Killing Valley.
—The last living bloodline of Jiangsu's guardian, the Guryong Family... What an unusual gem we've found.
After being abducted to Killing Valley, Gu Janghu underwent brutal assassin training.
Barely sleeping two or three hours a day, he was made to ceaselessly train in Killing Valley's assassination arts.
Fortunately, due to the martial talent inherited from his father, Gu Janghu improved at a prodigious rate year after year.
Eventually, he even earned the "Black Lotus Mark," an honor granted only to one recognized by Killing Valley's master as a true talent.
The mark, granted only once to a single member of each generation, was his.
—Once he's put into real missions, he'll become a top-class assassin within half a year.
—Wouldn't that make him the youngest in history?
—The youngest top-class assassin... How remarkable.
But even hearing such praise, Gu Janghu felt no joy.
After stumbling across the truth of his past one day, all he thought of was escaping Killing Valley.
'I am the heir of the Guryong Family—the rulers of Jiangsu... I can't waste my life amongst this scum...!'
That resolve became unshakeable after his first mission.
Assigned to assassinate the chief merchant of a small merchant guild, he infiltrated with senior assassins.
There, a seven-year-old child stood before him.
—Janghu! Why are you spacing out? Hurry up and kill the kid!
If the child cried out, the merchant guild's warriors would wake up, so the senior assassins urged Gu Janghu to act.
But Gu Janghu just couldn't swing his sword.
In the frightened child, he saw his old self.
Because of that, the assassination failed miserably that day.
He was then disciplined by being tied up for half a month in the main training yard, where he began planning his escape.
His escape plan would start at the Dark Path Duel Banquet.
If he placed in the Dark Path Duel Banquet, he'd catch the attention of Evil Path Association experts and could be accepted into one of their sects.
And if he gained Evil Path Association's protection, Killing Valley could not easily issue a kill order against him.
The Evil Path Association, Killing Valley's long-time client and one of the major forces of the Central Plains, is too big for even Killing Valley to oppose.
That's why Gu Janghu had to place at the Dark Path Duel Banquet.
Only then could he avoid Killing Valley's kill order and one day resurrect his wiped-out Guryong Family's prestige.
'... If I lose in the Dark Path Duel Banquet and fail to enter the Evil Path Association, the Killing Valley kill order will come for me... I'll spend my life running from Killing Valley seniors until I die.'
Thus, Gu Janghu risked his life and challenged Kang Ryong again.
And sadly, he met with utter defeat.
But then, an unimaginable event occurred.
A boy with an unknown number defeated Kang Ryong.
As a result, Gu Janghu now knelt before that boy.
"... I beg you. Just return my number tag."
"You want your number tag back... Do I have any reason to do so?"
The boy with the unknown number asked coldly, his face blank.
Despite his young age, there was an oppressive air about him, like a leader from the Dark Path.
No—it was more than that.
A chilling intensity radiated from his entire being, like a beast watching its prey.
Feeling the intimidation, Gu Janghu's heart thudded in his chest.
"... If you return my number tag, I'll do anything."
"Anything?"
"Yes. Whatever you ask."
At Gu Janghu's reply, the boy's cold gaze pierced through him.
The sharpness in his eyes seemed to reach deep into Gu Janghu's very soul, and he flinched instinctively.
In that moment, Gu Janghu felt uneasy.
Had he promised too much?
But there was no other way.
To regain his number tag from the monster who had defeated Kang Ryong, this much resolve was necessary.
The boy spoke slowly.
"I heard you're from Killing Valley."
"... I was. Not anymore."
"What does that mean?"
"... I have my reasons."
"So what's your affiliation now?"
"... None in particular."
"Perfect."
"...?"
At the boy's sudden remark, Gu Janghu stared at him in confusion.
"I don't need an assassin. But they say, the best guards to stop assassins are assassins themselves."
"What do you mean...."
"So, become my guard."
"... What?"
"I mean, become the most discreet sword in my shadow."
"...!"
"If you join my ranks, you can get your number tag back and gain prestige at the Dark Path Duel Banquet."
"...!!"
The boy spoke, exuding overwhelming energy.
Faced with that, countless questions exploded in Gu Janghu's head.
Which family was this boy from, that he could speak like this?
Judging from his skill, he must be an heir to some major Evil Faction clan, or a top disciple at some great sect...
But it didn't matter—Gu Janghu had no choice but to accept.
As mentioned, it was the only way out of Killing Valley for him.
And furthermore, the boy standing before him was strong enough to defeat Kang Ryong, number one.
Even when several top participants attacked together, Kang Ryong's monstrous strength had been too much.
Yet this boy had taken him down alone.
If the boy had such might at his age, who knew how much stronger he'd become with time.
He might one day become an expert famed throughout the world.
With such a powerful ally, perhaps Gu Janghu could achieve his long-cherished dream of "restoring the Guryong Family."
"... I will do as you wish."
"...."
"I will remain in your shadow, becoming your most discreet sword."
Gu Janghu declared, eyes burning with resolve.
At that, a sly smile tugged at the corner of the boy's mouth.
It was sharp as a blade—cold, like moonlight glowing amid the darkness.
* * *
Seeing how Gu Janghu yielded so easily, Jaseong murmured inwardly.
'Just looking at this number three tag proves this one's skills are exceptional.
And he has Killing Valley's assassination techniques, rare even in the world.
I'm not sure why he accepted my offer so quickly... but getting someone like that for just a tag is a fantastic trade.'
From the North Sea Ice Palace's young palace lord, to the genius of Killing Valley.
Jaseong had gained much through this duel tournament.
Of course, the best part was that the fourth Heaven's Mandate—"Accumuate Prestige"—was nearly accomplished.
If he won the Dark Path Duel Banquet, Jaseong's prestige would sweep the entire Central Plains, regardless of Evil or Righteous Faction.
'... At last, I'll be able to acquire the fifth Heaven Evading Way technique.'
The Heaven Evading Breathing Technique, Heaven Evading Three Talents Sword Technique, Heaven Evading Phantom Step, and the Celestial Gate Opening Art.
With just those four skills, Jaseong had already become a monster capable of winning the Dark Path Duel Banquet.
If he acquired one more Heaven Evading Way technique, who knew what kind of monster he'd become—he shuddered just picturing it.
Afterward, Jaseong collected the spoils of his fight with Kang Ryong.
Namely, Kang Ryong's number tag pouch.
Inside were as many as forty number tags.
"With this, first place is guaranteed...."
Of course, defeating Kang Ryong didn't mean the Dark Path Duel Banquet was over.
The tournament lasted ten days and nights.
Nine days and nights had passed, and one day remained.
But there was no longer any need to spend the last day anxiously.
Over the course of the tournament, Kang Ryong had swept through the participants like a madman, eliminating nearly all others.
In other words, there were no longer any skilled participants left to threaten him.
"There won't be any more battles. For now, let's return to the cave and focus on healing our internal wounds."
Jaseong quietly nodded, and returned to the cave with not only Lee Rin but also Gu Janghu in tow.
Along the way, he began healing his injuries through breathing meditation.
But that night, Lee Rin suddenly spoke to Jaseong.
"Great hero."
"?"
"Can I ask you for a favor?"
"A favor? What?"
"There aren't any real threats left, and tomorrow the Dark Path Duel Banquet will be over, right? So, um...."
"?"
"I want to wash up."
"... You mean bathe?"
"My whole body itches like crazy. I've never gone so long without washing ever since I was born."
"...."
"So please stand guard while I bathe in the lake."
Well, it was understandable.
For Lee Rin, who had grown up like a jewel in the North Sea Ice Palace, ten days and nights of roughing it must have been unpleasant.
'Well, this ordeal will be over by tomorrow morning anyway... so I can grant at least this much.'
And so, Jaseong and Lee Rin went to the moonlit lakeshore.
While Jaseong scouted the surrounding energy with Seeking Light in the Darkness, Lee Rin undressed piece by piece and entered the lake with a splash.
"Ha, now I feel alive again."
"...."
"Great hero, are you there?"
"...."
"Great hero?"
"I'm here."
"Are you sure no one's coming?"
"No one. Just finish up quickly."
"Don't rush me. When it's your turn to wash, I'll be lookout for you."
"I don't need to wash."
"Why???"
"I'm not uncomfortable."
"... Great hero, do you not care what others think? Kang Ryong said you smelled like bear dung."
"As I said before, that was your scent, Lee Rin...."
Splash!
A spray of water from Lee Rin splattered across Jaseong's face as he sat up in the tree.
"... Why did you do that all of a sudden?"
"Great hero, you're not popular with girls, are you?"
"What...?"
"I just kind of got that feeling."
"???"
"Since the tournament's almost over, show me your face."
"What?"
"We've spent eight days together, side by side. Isn't it a bit cold-hearted to only show me your face with that human-skin mask on?"
Lee Rin poked just her face above the water and spoke.
Jaseong hesitated a moment, then slowly took off the human-skin mask.
As Lee Rin said, they'd spent eight days and nights surviving together.
And above all, he'd have to establish some rapport with her if he wanted to use this connection to the North Sea Ice Palace in the future.
But as soon as Jaseong took off the mask—
"Huh...?"
Lee Rin's eyes went wide.
"What is it?"
"N-no, it's just...."
"?"
"... You look... better than I expected?"
Even though she said it was "just barely", Lee Rin's eyes went wide and her face flushed a little.
Jaseong, oblivious to such feelings, could not understand her reaction.
'Did this woman get hit in the head by Kang Ryong earlier... Why is she acting like this?'
Trying to change the topic, Lee Rin asked,
"Ahem. Why did you come to the Dark Path Duel Banquet, great hero?"
But for some reason, the moment he heard that question, Jaseong's gaze turned cold.
"... Why? Did I say something I shouldn't have...?"
"...."
"I just wondered why you participated in the Dark Path Duel Banquet...."
"To gain the strength to avenge myself."
"Huh? Avenge? Against whom?"
... The Murong family, Peng Family in Hebei, Zhongnan Sect, and Demonic Cult.
Jaseong recited the names of his enemies only in his mind.
He still hadn't known Lee Rin long enough to reveal everything.
"Then why did you come to the Dark Path Duel Banquet, Lee Rin? You came all the way from the distant North Sea to the Central Plains—there must be a reason."
"Well... I wanted to judge the skill of the rising stars of the Central Plains, and if I'm going to be staying here from now on, I need to build my own prestige."
"The young palace lord of the North Sea Ice Palace plans to stay in the Central Plains? Why?"
"It's a kind of palace lord training. Like gaining experience in the Central Plains. Anyway, so, great hero."
"?"
"You can be eccentric, rude, and reckless... but I think you're a good person."
Whether it was an insult or a compliment(?) Lee Rin spoke ambiguously,
then hesitated before suddenly asking something unexpected.
"So, while I remain in the Central Plains, could I stay with you? At your Hao Sect branch, just like this?"
Lee Rin smiled.
In the middle of a lake under the full moon, with soft moonlight all around her.
Her wet hair draped elegantly over her white shoulders.
Faced with that radiant and beautiful smile, Jaseong let out a quiet chuckle.
It was exactly what he'd hoped for.