Chapter 100
"Leader. Someone's coming again."
Gu Janghu whispered in a low voice.
Jaseong also silently nodded his head.
"Yeah. Counting the numbers... there must be at least fifty of them."
The sound of running came from about a hundred jang away.
It was a distance so far that an ordinary person wouldn't even notice, but Jaseong and Gu Janghu were peak-level experts.
Their keen senses detected the approaching group instantly: the number of people, and even their level of martial arts.
"Judging by the footsteps, they're not experts... Who are these guys now? Reinforcements for the Blood Cult's infiltrators?"
"Not sure. For now, let's just watch."
After cleaning the blood off their swords, Jaseong and Gu Janghu quickly hid themselves in a nearby bush.
Soon after, a group of over fifty people dressed in black clothes arrived, piercing through the darkness.
But the eyes of the arriving group showed no hostility.
Instead, they were filled with panic and confusion.
"All the Blood Cult bastards are already dead?!"
"They were slaughtered so horribly...!"
"Who the hell did this?!"
"I don't know what happened... but isn't this a good thing?"
Black-clad men whispered as they looked at the corpses of the Blood Cult members strewn about the ground.
Watching their reactions, Jaseong noticed two things.
First, judging by their rough speech, diverse weapons, and mismatched clothing, these were indeed the true Tianxian Association's black-clad members.
Second, based on their conversation, they weren't reinforcements for the Blood Cult.
They had gathered to eliminate the Blood Cult infiltrators hiding in the Tianxian Association.
[Leader. What should we do?]
Gu Janghu asked through voice transmission.
Jaseong thought for a moment and answered.
[If we reveal ourselves now, it'll be obvious that we're the ones who took out these Blood Cult infiltrators. So for now, let's just watch.]
But just then—
Chuak! Chuaaak!
"Argh! W-what are you doing, all of a sudden...!"
"Kugh?!"
A shocking twist occurred.
Fifteen members of the black-clad group suddenly stabbed their comrades with their swords.
Because of this, over ten black-clad members collapsed to the ground in an instant.
Witnessing this spectacle, Gu Janghu and Jaseong frowned.
[... What's going on now?]
[Looks like even among them, there were Blood Cult infiltrators hiding.]
Jaseong's guess was correct.
Among the fifty black-clad who had arrived, Blood Cult infiltrators were indeed hiding.
Their goal was to lure and kill the Tianxian Association's black-clad members.
They intended to craft human-skin masks using the faces of their victims, and stealthily increase their infiltration inside the Tianxian Association.
Everything had been thwarted with the appearance of Jaseong and Gu Janghu.
[It's a complete mess.]
Gu Janghu clicked his tongue through voice transmission.
Because the Blood Cult infiltrators' might was superior, the Tianxian Association's black-clad members were helplessly being slaughtered despite having greater numbers.
At that moment, Jaseong transmitted his thoughts again.
[Gu Janghu. I've changed my mind.]
[?]
[Let's help deal with these Blood Cult infiltrators here. And then, we'll naturally follow the surviving black-clad members straight into the Tianxia Association's headquarters.]
[That's a great idea.]
Having exchanged messages, Jaseong and Gu Janghu moved immediately.
Sasak! Sasak!
Leaping like lightning out of the bushes, their movements were unstoppable.
They dove straight in among the fifteen Blood Cult infiltrators, unleashing their techniques in all directions.
'The technique that sweeps all armies horizontally in a single slash. Heaven Evading Sweeping All Armies.'
Jaseong's sword drew a cold arc under the moonlight.
At the same time, chuak! fountains of blood erupted simultaneously from the necks of three men nearby.
'Shadowed Flying Art, five Beat Dual Shadow Without A Trace.'
Gu Janghu's twin swords silently pierced the blind spots of the Blood Cult infiltrators.
With them, screams and fountains of blood burst out at once, sending the infiltrators' bodies rolling in every direction.
Just as they'd discussed beforehand, the two fought while holding back their full power as much as possible.
Otherwise, they might attract suspicion from others.
Yet, it took less than a moment before all fifteen Blood Cult spies collapsed in pools of blood.
As a result, the eyes of the watching Tianxian Association members filled with awe and relief.
"Respectful greetings to the Red-Rank Officers!"
"Thank you for saving us!"
The surviving black-clad members bowed deeply to Jaseong and Gu Janghu, paying a cupped fist salute.
Jaseong and Gu Janghu glanced at each other, exchanging subtle signals.
[We've successfully disguised ourselves as Tianxia Association officers with this much.]
But the moment Gu Janghu spoke through transmission—
"Thank you so much for your help."
A middle-aged man, like Jaseong and Gu Janghu, dressed in red martial robes, came over and held out his hand warmly.
He was a real Red-rank officer of the Tianxia Association.
"As expected of you, Poong Gong-un, your martial arts skill is always astounding whenever I see it."
"......."
"And Pan Jung-in, since when did you polish your twin sword technique like that? I was truly impressed!"
The Red-rank officer clearly seemed to know the original owners of the faces Jaseong and Gu Janghu were wearing.
Naturally, it was an awkward moment for Jaseong.
A single wrong word could reveal their disguise.
[Leader. What should I say? He seems to know the original owners of these human-skin masks quite well....]
Just as Gu Janghu was hurriedly sending a transmission—
Fortunately, nothing concerning happened.
"Come, let's go quickly."
"?"
"Didn't you hear? The Chief Strategist ordered all Red-rank officers who have completed their missions to assemble at the Sichuan Province branch. Tonight we must personally escort the Association Leader."
Jaseong and Gu Janghu exchanged glances.
It was an incredible coincidence—and an opportunity.
[Thanks to the Blood Cult, things are going even more smoothly.]
[I know. Who could've guessed things would unfold so easily?]
Thus, without arousing any suspicion, Jaseong and Gu Janghu were able to enter the heart of the Tianxian Association—toward the hideout of the Association Leader, which even the Hao Sect's upper echelon hadn't located.
* * *
Outskirts of Guangwon, Sichuan Province.
There, hidden between sheer cliffs, were the Tianxian Association's pavilions.
Surrounded by high walls and sentries, a huge amount of gold and silver treasures flowed in and out.
One of the Tianxian Association's core businesses: the black market.
This Sichuan branch was precisely where its profits converged.
'... So this is the Tianxian Association's Sichuan Province branch. It's hard to believe such a massive scale belongs to a mere black-clad division.'
Jaseong and Gu Janghu walked along with the other black-clad members.
Their destination was an annex used by Red-rank officers.
Inside, dozens of Red-rank officers had already gathered.
Their presence was quite sharp.
They were at least on par with branch leaders of forest strongholds.
"Everyone, listen up!"
No sooner had Jaseong and Gu Janghu entered the annex than a hoarse voice echoed through the room.
A palanquin carried by four strong men appeared before them.
Sitting atop the palanquin was an old man with a black eye patch over his left eye.
A skinny frame and hunched shoulders.
He didn't have the physique for martial arts.
His internal force looked weak as well.
Nevertheless, riding a palanquin made it clear his status within the Tianxian Association was by no means low.
"Greetings to the Chief Strategist!"
All the officers present bowed their heads in respect.
Only then did Jaseong realize the old man's identity atop the palanquin.
The Tianxian Association's Chief Strategist, Mangno.
Once, he was a figure who contributed greatly to the Tianxian Association's rise as a major power through his keen strategies.
Yet, according to Hyang-I's intelligence, he was now a mere old man who indulged only in greed and lust.
"You should all have received the carrier pigeon! Tonight, the Association Leader will be moving their hideout! Raise your guard and confirm your positions and zones!"
'... So tonight's the day the Association Leader relocates their hideout?'
"We must move secretly so as not to be detected by the enemy! If even a single pest threatens the Association Leader's safety, I'll cut off its head myself! Understood?!"
Mangno barked threateningly.
At his sharp command, the Red-rank officers performed the cupped fist salute and responded in unison.
"We obey!"
"We obey!"
"We obey!"
Jaseong and Gu Janghu also did the cupped fist salute amid the group.
At the same time, they exchanged swift messages.
[Gu Janghu. This is our chance.]
[Right. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity we cannot miss.]
[If we can find out where the Association Leader will be tonight, we'll act immediately.]
[Understood. But Leader, when will you signal Lee Rin, who's outside?]
But just then, as Gu Janghu was asking—
Out of Mangno's mouth came unexpected words.
"Now, I will organize the Association Leader's escort squads! If I call your name, step forward! Number One, Poong Gong-un!"
At that moment, dozens of eyes converged on Jaseong all at once.
Jaseong also froze.
The mask he was currently wearing was none other than Poong Gong-un.
"Hurry up, Poong Gong-un."
Mangno's wrinkled, one-eyed gaze pierced through Jaseong.
Spurred on by this, Jaseong slowly took a step forward.
'Why did he call Poong Gong-un first? Was his skill that outstanding in life? Or... did he notice something strange?'
Jaseong stood before Mangno, feeling slightly tense.
Mangno stared even more intently at Jaseong.
Was the edge of his human-skin mask awkwardly attached?
Or did he realize a difference in behavior from the real Poong Gong-un?
But it was all needless worry.
Fortunately, nothing out of the ordinary happened.
"Next. Number Two, Pan Jung-in!"
Mangno's voice rang out through the annex again.
This time, Gu Janghu came forward to stand next to Jaseong.
"I have a special mission for you two. While the Association Leader is moving their hideout, you are to be responsible for the road ahead of the Association Leader's carriage. If any pests block the path, do not let a single one survive!"
"We obey!"
"We obey!"
Jaseong and Gu Janghu performed the cupped fist salute with discipline at Mangno's command.
Internally, both smirked.
'I was a little concerned, but in the end, everything is going according to plan... If this goes well, we might be able to abduct the Association Leader tonight, on the very day we infiltrated the Tianxian Association....'
Mangno continued organizing the escort squads.
"Number Three, Jin Hanpyo! Number Four, Gwak San! Number Five, Na Hanbi! If anyone tries to harm the Association Leader, you must throw your bodies to block them!"
"We obey!"
"We obey!"
"We obey!"
Each time Mangno called out a name, Jaseong activated the Samadhi Eyes.
He peeked into the intentions of the other chosen escorts, gauging their skills.
Yet, just when the five guardians to escort the Association Leader's carriage had been selected, something unexpected happened.
[I've prepared everything up to this point. You can handle the rest on your own, right?]
Suddenly Mangno sent a voice transmission to Jaseong.
And he even used honorifics.
Jaseong was surprised, but masked his reaction as he looked at Mangno.
[Why don't you answer? Has something gone wrong?]
Once again, Mangno sent a voice transmission to Jaseong.
Only then did Jaseong hastily answer through transmission.
[No. There's no problem at all.]
Only then did Mangno take his eyes off Jaseong.
He began calling other Red-rank officers and giving out new orders.
During this time, Jaseong rapidly ran through scenarios in his mind.
'The human-skin mask I'm wearing was being used by Blood Cultists until a few hours ago....
That means Mangno was sending voice transmissions to Blood Cultists just now.
If so...'
Jaseong recalled Mangno's transmissions just now.
There was only one thing that could mean.
-------------= Clacky's Corner -------------=
I'm having fun...
The Blood Cult in this novel is quite competent, but extremely unlucky.
The Blood Cult were able to infiltrate the Tianxia Association, but Jaseong and Gu Janghu infiltrated the Blood Cult as well, it's quite ironic.....
【ദ്ദി(⩌ᴗ⩌)】