Chapter 48
Chapter 48
A tingling sensation ran through him. His whole body grew heavy and numb. Yet even so, Muyeon stared straight at the opponent before her and spoke.
“Apologize.”
“For what?”
The look in his eyes, as if he truly had no idea what she meant, was a spectacle in itself. Muyeon frowned and said,
“The way you address me!”
“What can I do if ‘Mad Bitch’ feels more natural?”
“You son of a bitch….”
Rather than continuing this war of words, she wanted to drive her fist straight into the bastard’s face at once.
But she could not.
‘Damn it all! What the hell is he!’
Until now, Muyeon had survived in this world relying solely on her instincts. Her instincts had never once been wrong, and whenever she trusted them, things always worked out.
But right now, her instincts were ringing alarm bells, warning her that the man before her was dangerous.
Tremble. Tremble.
Her hands shook. No—not just her hands, but her entire body trembled. From that pretty-boy-looking bastard in front of her, she sensed the distinct aura of an absolute being.
Just what was he? A master who had undergone Rejuvenation? Or perhaps a hidden master?
Muyeon had never heard of anyone in the Central Plains who gave off such a dangerous scent. That was why, for this one time, she decided not to trust her instincts.
“If you call me by that kind of name one more time, I’ll take one of your arms.”
Muyeon snarled like a wolf as she spat out the threat. Youngho nodded at her.
“Alright, Mad Bitch. But I have a favor to ask.”
“You son of a bitch!”
Bang!
Muyeon kicked off the ground and shot toward Youngho with lightning-like speed. Just as Horyeung was about to move, left with no choice—
-Stay still.
At Youngho’s voice transmission, Horyeung planted his feet back in place. He decided to quietly observe Youngho’s actions.
Muyeon charged at him with fierce momentum and, in that instant, attempted to grab and tear off Youngho’s arm. But at that very moment, Youngho’s figure vanished.
‘Huh?’
Before she knew it, Youngho had already taken her back. With swift movements, he twisted one of her arms behind her back.
“Let go, you bastard!”
“Tsk, stay still. Otherwise, your arm will break.”
When Muyeon tried to kick him, Youngho lightly lifted her and hurled her against the wall.
Kwaang—!
The wall shattered, and Muyeon’s body broke through it and rolled across the ground outside. Youngho slowly stepped through the broken wall and said,
“Listen to me, Mad Bitch.”
Sssss….
A silence so thick it was terrifying settled over the Black Wolf Inn. The wandering warriors began rising one by one, watching Youngho cautiously as they left.
Soon, only Youngho’s group and Muyeon remained in the Black Wolf Inn.
“Are you going to listen to me? Or not?”
Muyeon groaned as she pushed herself up.
“I’ll listen if you stop calling me Mad Bitch.”
“Hm… I’m not usually the type to obediently do as I’m told, but I don’t want to ruin our relationship from the start, so I’ll humor you.”
Muyeon glared at Youngho with a look of disbelief.
Her eyes were filled with killing intent—enough to make an ordinary person bleed or have their legs give out—but unfortunately for her, the one standing before her was none other than Youngho.
“I think the relationship’s already ruined.”
“Is it? This seems pretty clean to me.”
“What part of it?”
“I didn’t kill you, did I?”
Shiver—!
Even though there wasn’t a trace of killing intent in his voice, goosebumps spread across Muyeon’s body.
“You’re scarier than you look.”
“I’m not that scary. Anyway, just take on one request for me.”
“And the pay?”
As if she had already forgotten their earlier grudge, Muyeon calmly brought up compensation.
“Five Nyang of Gold.”
At once, her face stiffened.
“I won’t do it.”
“Why?”
“That’s far too high a reward to give a mere wandering warrior.”
“It’s your price.”
“You’re planning to send me directly into the field?”
“Yeah. I’m afraid there might be a trap.”
“In that case, I understand. I may look like this, but they call me ‘Stench Ghost.’ I’ve got an uncanny nose for the scent of incidents.”
“Right. So how dangerous does this case seem?”
“Extremely dangerous. The smell’s overwhelming.”
“I figured.”
“But it’s strange… I don’t know if it’s my instinct or my reason, but something about it is strange.”
“What is?”
“For some reason, if you help with this job, it feels like things will go overwhelmingly well.”
“That’s the plan. I don’t have a hobby of just sitting around doing nothing. The moment I confirm there’s a trap, I’ll move immediately.”
“Well, that’s good news. So how did you find me?”
“I heard from an acquaintance. That there’s a crazy woman here who solves cases brilliantly.”
“That’s not wrong.”
“Ah, by the way, any interest in becoming one of my people?”
“Are you insane? Why would I become your person?”
“You’re talented.”
“No thanks.”
“That’s cold.”
“You’re too dangerous.”
“Why? Do I really smell that dangerous?”
Muyeon simply nodded in response.
“Then how about this?”
The moment Youngho spoke, Muyeon sensed his aura change. No—this was beyond mere change. This was…?
‘A Buddha?’
A benevolence like that of a Buddha flowed from Youngho’s body. Enveloped in that scent, Muyeon stared at him blankly, as if possessed.
‘Is this even possible?’
Just moments ago, he had reeked of blood as though he had slaughtered thousands, tens of thousands.
‘How in the world…?’
She could not understand it. She could not accept it. Seeing how deeply confused Muyeon was, Youngho let out a faint chuckle.
“My true nature isn’t difficult to conceal.”
‘Then how the hell did you do it!’
Muyeon stared blankly at Youngho for a moment before coming back to her senses.
“…Damn. You’re far more impressive than I thought.”
Youngho let out a quiet snicker and spread a Qi Barrier.
“There. Now no one will be able to hear us.”
“Must be nice, being so high in realm, you bastard.”
“Not curious about who I am?”
“If I get tangled up with you, it feels like things will become troublesome.”
“As expected of Mad Bitch. Your instincts are sharp.”
“It’s Stench Ghost, you bastard!”
“Anyway, I’ll explain the request.”
“Took you long enough.”
“You should be grateful I’m doing this your way.”
“What’s ‘my way’?”
“Accepting the job first, then asking what it’s about.”
“That’s….”
At her reaction, Youngho clicked his tongue.
“I knew it. You probably just relied on your instincts to pick moderately safe jobs with good pay.”
“…Ugh.”
Since she had no way to refute that, Muyeon merely groaned.
Youngho let out a deep sigh.
“How’s your information network?”
“I’ve practically got all of Luoyang in my palm.”
“Then you know about the recent disappearances?”
“Of course. There’ve already been some ominous rumors spreading.”
“Rumors?”
At that, Muyeon extended one hand toward Youngho. Understanding the gesture, he smiled faintly.
“Be satisfied with five Nyang of Gold. Unless you want your wrist cut off.”
“Fine.”
Grumbling, Muyeon pulled something from her robe and showed it to him.
“See this?”
“Yeah. A human finger.”
Kang Hosan and Kang Chowon flinched. Between Youngho’s indifferent reaction and Muyeon casually pulling out a severed finger as if it were nothing, neither of them felt like they were looking at ordinary human beings.
“I asked an acquaintance about this finger. They said it doesn’t belong to a living person.”
“Then why are you carrying around a dead person’s finger? A hobby?”
“No! It hasn’t rotted even after half a month, so I’ve been carrying it around to study it!”
“A Jiangshi’s finger?”
Though his voice carried certainty, Muyeon was more shocked that Youngho had recognized it than that he was confident.
“Yeah. It’s probably a Jiangshi.”
At that chilling statement, Horyeung spoke in surprise.
“Did you say Jiangshi?”
“Yeah. And who are you supposed to be?”
“That’s not important.”
“Guess not. Anyway, this is a Jiangshi’s finger.”
“How did you obtain it?”
At Youngho’s question, Muyeon puffed out her chest proudly.
“I got it from an acquaintance’s acquaintance. They said something unusual has been happening in Luoyang lately.”
“As expected of Mad Bitch.”
“It’s Stench Ghost!”
“So have you figured out where they’re creating the Jiangshi?”
“I have a few guesses…”
“But?”
“They look too dangerous, so I haven’t touched them.”
“They’ve noticed you?”
“No.”
“Good. You have a place you think is the most likely, right? Let’s go there.”
“Advance payment?”
“Three Nyang of Gold now. The remaining two when the job’s done. If you do well, I’ll add one more Nyang.”
“Deal!”
With the discussion finished, Youngho withdrew the Qi Barrier.
“Lead the way.”
“You’ll have to follow quietly…”
Muyeon looked Youngho up and down.
“Can you hide yourself in the shadows?”
“I can. The others can’t.”
“You really can do everything.”
“I had to learn to survive.”
“Well, fine. They seem to have some skill, so I’m sure they’ll manage.”
“Go a little slower. I may keep up, but the kids can’t move like you yet.”
Muyeon glanced at Kang Hosan and Kang Chowon.
“…They’re strong.”
Of course, she did not mean their martial might alone. In terms of sheer force, she could handle both of them by herself.
But what she saw within them were the roots of a great ancient tree—roots so firm that even a typhoon could not uproot them, nor a sword sever them.
Yet for what lay ahead, even that might not be enough.
“Jiangshi are dangerous.”
“I know.”
“I’m curious where that confidence of yours comes from.”
“My strength.”
Muyeon shot him an irritated look, and he gave a faint smirk.
“I’m joking. I have something to rely on. I know a little information.”
“Oh, do you? Then let’s get moving. Follow quietly.”
Muyeon’s presence blurred. Kang Hosan, Kang Chowon, and even Horyeung stared in shock, as if they had never seen such a technique before.
No—it wasn’t merely that her presence blurred.
‘Her existence itself faded?’
She was clearly there, yet seemed not to be. Was such a thing even possible? But that wasn’t the end of it.
“Young… Master?”
“Hm? What is it?”
“You are… there, aren’t you?”
Kang Hosan, noticing that Youngho had hidden his presence to the extreme, found himself asking instinctively.
“Of course I’m here.”
“H-how did you do that?”
“Erase your aura. From there, blur your existence. If it’s someone like Mad Bitch, others will probably see her face as slightly blurred.”
“No, I’m asking for the method.”
“I just told you the method.”
Kang Hosan groaned.
Muyeon looked at Youngho with an exasperated expression.
“Be honest. Are you some child of darkness or something? How are you so good at hiding your presence?”
“There were many times in the past when I had to erase my presence.”
“Because of what?”
“My face.”
“…Hmm.”
Muyeon studied Youngho’s face.
‘He really is absurdly handsome.’
It would not have been an exaggeration to call it a beauty capable of toppling kingdoms.
“Let’s go.”
“Sure.”
In an instant, the figures of Youngho’s group and Muyeon vanished from the Black Wolf Inn.