Chapter 38 - 37: Hunt Begins
"We should get some rest. Dawn comes early, and the journey home won’t be a comfortable one."
Juhwa Gyeongcheol’s words echoed in Jinmu’s mind as he watched the three young masters disperse to their respective quarters from his concealed observation position. The evening was deepening, and shadows were beginning to stretch across the pavilion grounds in ways that would provide excellent cover for what he was planning.
Six hours until dawn. Six hours to execute the most complex copying operation I’ve ever attempted. But there’s a crucial limitation I need to work around. My copies can’t simply touch the targets to copy their techniques like I can. They need to observe the techniques being actively used.
He returned to his quarters where his thirty-six remaining copies were waiting for new instructions. The duplicates stood in organized formation, their identical appearances and masks creating the obvious problem he needed to address immediately.
"The young masters have seen the masked tournament participant," he said to his assembled copies. "If they encounter identical masked figures tonight, they’ll immediately connect the incidents to me. We need to modify your appearances."
His consciousness flowed into appearance alteration—HEAVENLY COPY-PASTE TECHNIQUE: FACIAL MODIFICATION.
Each copy’s features began shifting subtly, creating variations in age, build, and facial structure that would make them appear as different individuals rather than identical duplicates.
"Remove your masks as well," Jinmu instructed as the transformation completed. "Tonight you need to appear as ordinary pavilion personnel or visiting martial artists, not as a coordinated force."
The copies complied, revealing faces that now ranged from youthful to middle-aged, from scholarly to warrior-like, each one carefully crafted to blend into the pavilion’s current population without attracting unwanted attention.
Perfect. No one looking at these copies would immediately recognize them as duplicates. But more importantly, they understand their limitations. Unlike me, they can’t copy techniques through simple contact. They need to force demonstrations.
"Listen carefully," Jinmu continued, his voice carrying the weight of tactical necessity. "Your copying ability requires direct observation of active technique use. This means you must create scenarios that force your targets to demonstrate their full capabilities, not just casual displays."
The copies nodded in understanding, their shared consciousness making them immediately aware of the operational implications. Tonight would require elaborate deceptions designed to push each young master to use advanced techniques under combat conditions.