Chapter 71: Danya (2)

The explanation wasn’t long.

But throughout the story, Yo-ran’s expression shifted countless times.

When the astonishing tale ended, she murmured in a low voice, “So, the one who attacked the main branch is the Black Night, no, Danya, and the reason he left the desert is because of you?”

“Yes, I’m sorry about that.”

“The Black Night, who rules the six months of night and six months of day, is your subordinate…?”

“He’s not as grand as the rumors make him out to be. You’ll see when you meet him. He’s quite cute, and a bit of an airhead.”

Cute and airheaded?

‘What were the rumors about the master of the Desert Assassins’ Valley again?’

Yo-ran recalled a few phrases that came to mind:

*The cruel tyrant of the desert.*

*The merciless executioner of death.*

*The darkness that reigns with fear.*

“I’m serious. He has white hair and red eyes, like a cute little bunny.”

His white hair, untouched by time, was said to transcend death, and his red eyes were said to see death itself.

“He might seem a bit gloomy, but that’s just because he gets lonely easily.”

He was said to deliver cold pronouncements of death, shrouded in a veil of darkness.

“…My lord, are you sure you’re not mistaken?”

Yo-ran, a high-ranking member of the Hao Clan, knew the truth, even though it wasn’t widely known.

She knew that even the hardened warriors of the desert, weathered by sandstorms, wouldn’t dare to meet his gaze.

Even the merchants who traversed the desert, accustomed to death, trembled before him.

She couldn’t imagine such a being being a “lonely and sulky airhead.”

“I’m not mistaken. This token proves it.”

Cho Un-hwi picked up one of the iron tokens that were piled on her desk.

“Bondage Game. Do you know what this means?”

“I’m not sure.”

“It’s the Black Night’s secret martial art.”

“!”

That was a bombshell.

The desert was shrouded in secrecy.

It was a distant land with a different language, and little was known about it.

Knowing the secret martial art of the one who ruled the desert was incredibly valuable information.

“Wait, I heard the Black Night uses a large sword. Or a spear. And he’s also skilled in horsemanship.”

“You can’t survive in the desert if you’re only proficient in one weapon. And think about his profession.”

“Ah, an assassin.”

“Yes, assassins usually avoid using secret martial arts because they leave traces. They have to be proficient in various weapons.”

“But it seems he’s not trying to hide his tracks anymore,” Cho Un-hwi added.

“So, the Black Night’s secret martial art is a binding technique?”

“Strangulation. He’s physically weak, so he prefers to kill people when they’re off guard, by hanging them. He hangs a rope from a beam, jumps up like a rabbit, and uses his weight to strangle them.”

Another bizarre statement.

But it seemed that the existence of the Black Night was undeniable.

Yo-ran’s face darkened.

“So, the disciples of the main branch… they were victims of his assassination.”

“I don’t think so. These tokens tell a different story. He leaves behind different tokens depending on the method of killing: sword, spear, poison… But the Bondage Game token is different. It’s a mark of respect he leaves for strong opponents who force him to use his secret martial art.”

“But the disciples of the main branch aren’t that strong. Even the strongest chief administrator wouldn’t last ten seconds against him.”

“I know. That’s why I’m telling you not to worry. He’s just making his presence known.”

“…”

It was hard to believe, but Yo-ran could see the truth in Cho Un-hwi’s calm gaze.

She realized that the one who was terrorizing the night streets of Muhan City was nothing more than a minor amusement to him.

“You’re a terrifying person, my lord.”

“Well, I suppose so.”

“…”

“Can you forgive him?”

“As an individual, I would like to grant your request. But I’m the branch leader of the Hao Clan.”

Her voice was firm.

“If the disciples of the main branch have been killed, their blood must be repaid with blood. That is the way of the Hao Clan.”

“…You’re saying you’ll make an enemy of me.”

She felt a suffocating pressure.

“Are you sure you can handle the consequences?”

She smiled sadly, feeling the weight of his aura crushing her.

“If a fight breaks out, please kill me first. I don’t want to remember being your enemy for even a moment.”

“…There are other options besides becoming enemies…”

“Even those who are trampled, exploited, and despised have their own way of life.”

“You’re not going to change your mind.”

“I don’t want to be a weed that dies silently. I’ll bite back if I’m stepped on, and I’ll cry for those who are hurt. That’s my job.”

Her voice was filled with determination.

“Even in my dying breath, I’ll scream for those who have no voice.”

The pressure intensified, and her face turned pale.

“Hehe, that’s why I like you, Branch Leader.”

The pressure vanished, replaced by a warm sensation.

It was as if she had been standing alone in a frozen wasteland and had suddenly been transported to spring.

(TLN: man the level of gaslighting is just…..)

“…My lord?”

“I’m sorry. It was just a little prank.”

A little prank?

She had been on the verge of death just a moment ago. His words were hurtful.

“Don’t worry. If my subordinate has crossed the line, I’ll be on your side.”

That meant…

“You’re willing to abandon the Desert Assassins Valley and the Black Night?”

“I don’t tolerate those who cross the line.”

He was serious.

She could sense it from the brief glimpse of his emotions.

‘He’s willing to abandon the one who rules the desert so easily.’

He was an unfathomable being.

She had to ask.

“You could have easily covered this up and intervened later. Why reveal the truth now?”

“What? Is there a way to do that?”

He feigned surprise, then said casually, “You mean cover up the truth and then mediate when things get out of hand? Or wait until both sides are exhausted and then reap the benefits?”

He knew.

She had suspected that he was aware of those options, and she had been right.

Why had he chosen to reveal the truth, even though it could have made her his enemy?

His answer was simple.

“Do you know what’s the worst feeling when you’re betrayed? It’s being stabbed in the back without even knowing you’ve been betrayed.”

A weary expression flickered across his face.

‘What kind of experiences has he had to make him look like that?’

He looked young, but his aura was ancient, like a weathered rock.

“I hate relationships built on deception. I’d rather be enemies than have a hidden agenda.”

“Is that enough of an answer?”

She smiled faintly and nodded.

“It’s enough.”

“Haha, you’re finally smiling. It’s a rare sight, like a million-nyang smile.”

He was so cheeky.

How could she hate someone like him?

“Now that the official business is done, it’s time to fulfill our personal agreement.”

To always greet him with a smile.

‘That’s a difficult promise to keep…’

She had experienced a rollercoaster of emotions today, more than she had ever experienced since becoming the branch leader.

She felt like she had been bewitched by a demon.

But she didn’t hate it, because of his smile.

Cho Un-hwi, his smile brighter than the moonlight, winked playfully.

“You showed me a beautiful smile, so I’ll give you a reward.”

“?”

“Don’t you want to get back at the Black Night?”

***

Late at night, a dark figure emerged from the shadows of the Green Wall Tower.

He leaped over the wall and moved stealthily, blending into the darkness.

He was heading for an annex located deep within the Green Wall Tower.

‘This is where they keep the confidential documents, right?’

He bypassed the guards and disabled several security formations before carefully hanging from the eaves of the annex.

He tapped the wall with his fingertips, and something incredible happened.

The solid wall turned to sand, creating a small hole.

He slipped through the hole, his body contorting like liquid.

He was now inside the annex.

“Hmph, that was easy.”

He muttered, shaking his short white hair.

“The Shadow Sovereign, was it?”

His red eyes, glowing in the darkness, turned towards a bookshelf.

“What do you think you’re doing?!”

**Boom!**

The floor beneath him collapsed.

“Oh? A trap?”

He flipped in midair and soared upwards.

He kicked off the air, his body moving with incredible speed.

“Amazing movement technique!”

But another trap was waiting for him.

**Clang!**

The ceiling crumbled, and several iron bars fell towards him.

“Heh, an amusing trick.”

He scoffed and unleashed a flurry of palm strikes.

**Bang! Bang! Bang!**

The iron bars, forged a hundred times, crumpled like toys and were flung aside.

“Attack!”

**Thump! Thump! Thump!**

The bookshelf toppled over, and several Hao Clan disciples emerged from behind it.

They were the Five Night Guardians.

They drew their swords, their auras radiating power.

“Black Night! You dare to trespass on our territory?!”

“You mangy dogs have good eyesight.”

“This will be your grave!”

**Clang!**

As soon as the Five Night Guardians drew their swords, the other disciples unleashed a barrage of hidden weapons.

Some of them even fired arrows.

They had set a perfect ambush, just for him.

The man’s eyes widened in surprise.

“This is quite the welcome party.”

“Fire!”

**Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!**

Countless hidden weapons and arrows flew towards him, but he remained calm.

He waved his hands, deflecting the projectiles with lightning speed.

**Clang! Clang! Clang!**

Il-do, the leader of the Five Night Guardians, was shocked to see him effortlessly deflecting the barrage of attacks in such a confined space.

‘He’s an incredible expert.’

Even he, one of the Hao Clan’s most skilled warriors, couldn’t replicate such a feat.

This monster was even more formidable than he had imagined.

‘But it’s not over yet.’

He signaled with his hand, and the ceiling collapsed again, this time dropping a giant iron net.

It was their trump card, designed to capture even the most powerful experts.

“This is nothing.”

**Bang!**

He unleashed another burst of energy, but the net didn’t budge. He was finally starting to panic.

“This is a well-crafted toy.”

“Hahaha, it’s an iron net forged a hundred times. It can’t be cut by sword Qi.”

“Then I’ll just tear it apart with brute force… damn it!”

**Clang! Clang! Clang!**

He tried to attack the net again, but the disciples pulled on the ropes, tightening the net and firing more hidden weapons.

**Clang! Clang! Clang!**

He continued to deflect the projectiles, even though he was trapped in the net.

‘His movements are getting slower.’

They were finally gaining the upper hand.

There was a glimmer of hope.

“Damn it, this is embarrassing.”

**Rip! Rip! Rip!**

The iron net, forged a hundred times, was torn to shreds.

The man had used the old, tattered bandages wrapped around his arms to tear through the net.

“Haa… this is getting annoying.”

He stood up, brushing his messy white hair out of his eyes.

“I didn’t want to get serious.”

A powerful gust of wind erupted from his body.

“You should be more careful from now on.”

His red eyes gleamed menacingly.

“Stop him!”

The Five Night Guardians unleashed their sword Qi.