Chapter 111: Sayeon, Visits

Inside a dark cave, a man dressed in a black wind robe stared into a crystal orb the size of a human head.

It was the same man who had once used the orb and a crow to spy on Lee Jaseung’s every move.

His face was as gloomy and shadowed as could be, his skin dry and lifeless like that of a corpse. His eyes were not black but gray, giving him a truly eerie appearance.

Another man entered. His face was covered, and he was the one called the Scholar. He spoke with clear displeasure.

“Su has taken ‘Heaven’ and gone to find Yim Sayeon.”

The irritation in his tone showed his dissatisfaction with the woman called Su.

“That is blatant treason.”

At that, the man in the black wind robe turned his head. A single character flickered briefly in one of his eyes before vanishing.

The character was 黑, meaning “darkness.”

This was the man called the Dark One.

“Does the Elder know?”

His voice was low, hoarse, and broken, so much so that if one did not listen closely, it was hard to understand.

“He said it is not treason, but human sentiment.”

The Scholar’s face twisted in disbelief, and spoke with anger rising in his voice.

“How can that possibly be reasonable? Especially when Yim Sayeon’s martial arts could bring about unpredictable variables. What could he be thinking?”

The Dark One glanced sidelong at him. The Scholar turned his eyes away.

Although he was one of the few the Scholar could speak freely with, it was not easy to meet those eyes, which felt like wraiths dragging him into the shadows. Even if the Dark One smiled, the unease remained the same.

“On the contrary, your words could be seen as treason.”

The Scholar snapped in anger.

“What do you mean?”

“If Su’s actions are treason, that would mean the Elder’s authority has been gravely undermined.”

Realizing belatedly the mistake in his words, the Scholar smacked his lips. His gaze wandered and fell on the large crystal orb.

Just then, an image appeared on its surface.

A figure walking through the marketplace, it was Lee Jaseung.

“It’s him.”

The Scholar’s eyes turned cold.

The Dark One spoke in a voice equally cold.

“Tonight, I will erase him.”

“What?”

The Scholar was taken aback.

“That man endured not only the Undying Ghouls and the Water Ghosts, but even the self-destructive attacks. How would you do that?”

In that instant, it became clear that those earlier ambushes had been their doing.

“The order for his elimination has not been rescinded.”

The Scholar knew well how the repeated failures had wounded the Dark One’s pride. Yet this was not a matter of pride alone.

“Even so, how do you plan it? He is no easy opponent. If you fail again, the Elder’s wrath will fall upon us.”

It was said out of genuine concern. Within their organization, there were many who bore characters in their names. Among those, the Scholar was close to a few of them, one of them being the Dark One.

“If it’s tonight, I can kill him without fail.”

“What’s so special about tonight?”

The Dark One’s eyes grew darker, his gaze heavy with shadow.

“You’ll see soon enough.”

Their eyes turned once more to the orb. Inside, Lee Jaseung was stepping into a tavern.

* * *

Hwa Su sat drinking at a tavern near the Murim Alliance.

Hwa Su, Captain of the Red Blossom Hall, that was her current position within the Alliance.

By tradition, the disciples of the Alliance Leader were not supposed to meddle in the Alliance’s affairs. But in this generation, that custom has been broken.

Not only the disciples, but even the relatives of the Alliance Leader were deeply involved.

The Alliance Leader had three disciples, and all three were now deeply enmeshed in its affairs.

Among them, the youngest disciple Hwa Su, commanded the Red Blossom Hall, an all-women’s unit.

The Red Blossom Hall numbered only fifty, but their fame was great, having repeatedly struck down the villains of the martial world.

Being a women’s unit, they had gained particular renown for their relentless purges of lechers and abusers in Jianghu.  

She was drinking when someone passed before her.

“Oh? You are?”

Hwa Su’s eyes widened in surprise as she recognized him.

It was Lee Jaseung.

He also recognized her and offered a greeting.

“It has been a while.”

“Indeed.”

“Well then.”

With a light cupped-fist salute, Lee Jaseung started to walk past. But after a few steps, he paused, turned back, and asked,

“I also came here for a drink. If you don’t mind, would you share a table?”

She readily nodded.

“Gladly.”

She had felt an attraction to Lee Jaseung since the first time they met.

But he was already the husband of the Northern Sky Clan’s Lord, and at present a guest within the Murim Alliance.

He was someone far too burdensome to grow closer with, so she had deliberately forced herself to forget. Yet here they were, meeting again by chance.

Though in truth, it was not a chance. Lee Jaseung had used intelligence from the Three Eyed Pavilion to orchestrate this encounter.

He called for the server and ordered good wine and dishes, first asking her politely what she would prefer.

His courtesy put her in a good mood.

“You seem different from the impression you gave that day. That day you seemed more aloof and difficult. Is it simply the difference of whether your wife is at your side?”

At her candid words, Lee Jaseung smiled faintly.

“Why do you smile?”

“You seem like a very confident person.”

“Are you mocking me? Are you saying that because I have a pretty face?”

“Quite the opposite. I like people with confidence. Seeing such confidence lifts my spirits, because to gain it one must endure many trials and experiences.”

Sensing the sincerity in his words, her rigid expression softened.

“Are you such a man of effort?”

“Haha, somewhat.”

He deliberately opened himself to her, letting her feel at ease.

Glancing at the bloodstains on her clothes, he asked her a question.

“Were you returning from a mission?”

“Yes, that’s right.”

“What sort of villain did you cut down this time?”

The blood on her clothes had come from executing a man who had abducted and violated a widow.

She recalled the moment she killed him.

He had begged desperately for his life, but her sword had been merciless. She had pierced his chest again and again, and even after his last breath, she severed his loins.

Had her subordinates not stopped her, she might have hacked him into pieces.

“Scum like that deserve only death!”

Hwa Su ground her teeth.

Her vehemence was more intense than he expected. Lee Jaseung’s eyes flickered with a trace of insight. Clearly she was burning with more rage than the situation itself demanded.

Then, with a peculiar gaze, she asked him this time.

“How is married life? Are you happy?”

“I am happy.”

“Well, of course. To live with a beauty like Lady Baek must bring happiness.”

“And surely a man who lives with Lady Hwa would feel the same.”

Her eyes widened slightly at his unexpected words.

“Huh, you can say such things?”

Lee Jaseung silently raised his cup and drank. For this meeting, Mujin had given him advice.

Do not withhold praise.

Normally, the warning not to overdo it would have been added, but Mujin knew Lee Jaseung well. With his nature, he would err on the side of restraint rather than excess.

The conversation flowed smoothly.

“When did you become the Alliance Leader’s disciple?”

“When I was seven.”

“Quite young, then.”

“Yes.”

Suddenly, Lee Jaseung asked,

“What sort of man is the Alliance Leader?”

This was the most critical moment of their meeting. He watched her intently, not missing the smallest change in her expression.

“He is a good man.”

In that instant, he felt it again, a shadow passing over her, a fragment of a past she did not wish to recall.

There was clearly a story there!

And if Dan Woobin’s suspicions were correct, if the Alliance Leader had preyed upon a young disciple…

A cold light flickered through Lee Jaseung’s eyes.

If that were true, he would hack him apart, bone and all. No matter how vile the man, there had to be limits.

After parting with Hwa Su, Lee Jaseung remained, drinking more.

He had just finished the last of the liquor and was about to rise when someone sat down in the seat she had vacated.

To his surprise, it was Yim Sayeon of the One Fleeting Dream Tavern.

Her sudden appearance startled him. He had not expected her here.

“It has been a while. Have you been well?”

“I have.”

They greeted one another with bright smiles.

“Are you cheating on her?”

She must have seen him earlier with Hwa Su.

“Of course not. I met her with permission.”

“Oh? An affair with permission?”

Lee Jaseung only chuckled softly.

“Now then, allow me to give you another chance to drink with another beauty.”

“Hahaha, then let me host you properly. Shall we move elsewhere?”

“Is there a need? The food is still here. Let us drink here.”

He called for more liquor and dishes.

“When did you arrive?”

“Just now.”

It meant she had come straight to see him. If so, that would’ve been fortunate…

But something in her manner made it seem like that wasn’t the case, so Lee Jaseung carefully asked.

“Is there some matter at hand?”

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