episode_0017

In the distant past.

There’s a saying passed down since the ancient feudal era of China.

The dead tell no tales.

Why, isn’t it true?

If the dead spoke, would they be people or zombies?

No, it’s common knowledge that even zombies can’t speak properly.

Is that why?

The ancient Chinese ancestors, endowed with miraculous ingenuity, devised an ultimate secret technique to protect their respective secrets.

It was none other than silencing through murder.

It ends quickly.

It’s simple and requires no prior knowledge.

The probability of being caught approaches zero.

Ah, what a wise method.

Truly, the essence of assassination!

There’s no need to meticulously receive oaths written in blood, no need to send spies to dig for information, and no need to tremble in fear of betrayal.

If you just kill them all, only corpses remain.

Everything else falls into an enigma.

Therefore.

“There’s no choice but to silence them all through murder.”

The waiter belatedly realized that the situation was unfolding differently than expected.

That guy, Cheongun, judging by the martial arts he uses and the profound energy of his internal cultivation, he must definitely be a martial artist from the Orthodox Faction.

But silencing through murder?

And judging by how he said it so decisively without hesitation, it’s not something he’s only done once or twice.

At that moment, Cheongun stomped his right foot, infused with all his internal energy, performing a True Stomp.

Boom!

Wood splinters and stone fragments explosively erupted from the floor.

The beginning of all sword techniques lies in the center of gravity.

But as the ground they stood on exploded, the enemies’ movements momentarily faltered, creating a fleeting opening.

Whoosh!

In an instant, Cheongun’s form vanished, leaving afterimages.

Swish! Thud! Crunch!

Appearing and disappearing without a trace as if he had leaped through space, he sliced or struck their shoulders, shins, flanks, ankles, and backs.

Moreover, as if his words about silencing through murder were no empty boast, he was swinging his sword with the intent to truly kill them all.

With every swing, he unleashed streaks of crimson sword energy like flames, causing the confronting guards to be sliced apart like tofu.

Is this even possible?

How much internal energy does that guy have to unleash such sword energy as if from a vending machine!

“Argh!”

A ruckus broke out in an instant.

Screams and the sound of flesh being cut mingled chaotically, and blood splattered everywhere, soaking the walls and floor, filling the air with a metallic, bloody scent.

Amidst it all, Namgung Yul exploited every opening to strike at their vulnerabilities, and Cheongun, never one to miss an opportunity, burst forth and delivered the final blow.

It was truly a perfect synergy.

By the time the waiter blankly blinked his eyes, all six hired men were lying dead on the floor.

There was no greater mess than this.

Cheongun flicked the blood from the tip of his sword and said to the waiter.

“Now it’s your turn.”

“Pl-please, spare me!”

The waiter immediately kowtowed to the floor.

Naturally, there was no response in return.

Instead, he was sneering as if to say, ‘You’re caught now.’

With that look in his eyes, he was not the type to change his mind, no matter how much one appealed to his pity.

The waiter’s head snapped around.

Namgung Yul, who was wiping her sword next to Cheongun, came into his sight.

Her skin was as white as milk and luminous, her attire clearly indicated she was raised nobly, and her eyes held a profound, mystic aura.

It was clear at a glance that she was the daughter of a prominent family.

It is said that women are naturally weaker to pity than men!

The waiter kowtowed once more.

His forehead was torn, and blood flowed.

“Young Miss, please spare me…”

With his head still bowed, the waiter rubbed his hands together like a fly.

Most of those belonging to the Haomun were like this.

Because they possessed no notable talents, and at the same time, failed to grasp their own limitations while being full of vanity, those who couldn’t survive alone formed organizations and lived by flaunting their power.

That is why their own lives were so precious to them.

There was no way they would possess any loyalty to an organization.

“Please, show mercy just once… I have elderly parents and young siblings to support…”

Namgung Yul’s eyes narrowed.

“Reason.”

“Huh?”

“Tell me the reason. The reason I should spare you. If you remember any good deeds you’ve accumulated, tell me. I’ll take it into consideration.”

“……”

As if such a thing would exist.

Even if he tried to fabricate one, his brain would inevitably freeze at that moment.

“There isn’t, is there? Of course. Would people who would kill their own parents for money have done good deeds?”

Damn it.

The waiter turned his head again and looked at Cheongun.

And he grinned obsequiously.

“Heh heh, please give me a chance.”

“Will I?”

“Damn it.”

Thwack!

The sword blade pierced through the waiter’s neck.

And as Cheongun twisted and pulled out the sword, blood gushed out like a fountain, and the man’s body collapsed.

“…Tsk.”

Cheongun clicked his tongue.

It had only ruined his appetite during his meal.

Cheongun sheathed his sword with a fluid motion and headed towards the inn’s entrance.

****

Sichuan Province.

Chengdu.

Bathed in the scorching afternoon sun, a boy and a woman entered the bustling street.

Both of them had their entire bodies covered by loose robes.

It was Cheongun and Namgung Yul, who had rummaged through the inn for cloaks that wandering warriors might use, to cover the bloodstains on their bodies.

Inside the city, the scent of people wafted strongly.

The smells of rice, roasting meat, and alcohol mingled, assailing their noses.

Beyond that, shouting merchants, haggling pedestrians, and carriages passing by with metallic clanking sounds were all mixed together.

Amidst the bustling crowd, Cheongun mumbled.

“It’s hot, and I’m suffocating to death in this.”

“Still, we can’t walk around covered in blood. It’s not like we want to advertise that we just caused trouble.”

“That’s true. But why did Yul Sajae follow me? I could have gone to the money house alone.”

“I have some connections at the money house we’re going to now. I wanted to pay my respects to the Manager-nim.”

“You’re not just coming along because you’re bored, are you?”

“That too.”

“I thought so.”

Cheongun showed no signs of complaint.

He knew the name and location of the money house, but he wasn’t confident he could find his way there without getting lost.

This world was both a game world and reality.

The scale of the field itself was different from when he played the game.

Of course, no matter how expansive a field a game aims for, its size cannot compare to reality.

In a game, movement simply involved a mouse click for the user’s convenience, didn’t it?

Thus, Cheongun couldn’t possibly know the topography of Chengdu in detail.

What gaps might exist between it and the actual game.

What kind of terrain and objects would fill various places.

As it was completely unknowable, Namgung Yul’s accompaniment was quite convenient in many ways.

“This way.”

At her words, Cheongun raised his head.

He saw a wooden plaque engraved with “Ten Thousand Dragons Money House.”

The two pushed open the heavy door.

“Welcome, I am Oh Myeongseong, the Manager of the Ten Thousand Dragons Money House.”

The man inside greeted them politely.

“Would you please remove your cloaks for identification before entering?”

Cheongun and Namgung Yul removed their robes.

Even though their clothes were covered in blood, the Manager didn’t seem to mind.

His expression management was truly thorough.

Then, the Manager’s gaze fixed on Namgung Yul, and his eyes widened.

“Oh, Young Miss Namgung, what brings you here?”

“It’s been a long time. It seems I’ve visited without prior notice.”

“Don’t mention it. Valued customers like Young Miss Namgung are always welcome at our Ten Thousand Dragons Money House. Please, have a seat.”

The Manager pulled out a chair.

And Cheongun promptly sat down.

“…And this young man?”

“He’s a guest.”

“A guest?”

The Manager’s eyes narrowed.

It was clearly a skeptical expression.

Before the Manager could utter anything about strict identity verification, Cheongun took a silk pouch from his waist and placed it before him.

The Manager then glanced sideways at Cheongun and, with experienced hands, untied the knot and checked the contents.

It was, surprisingly, gold ingots.

Yet, the Manager merely checked the gold ingots with a calm expression as if it were an everyday occurrence, when Cheongun then presented another case.

“!!!”

The Manager’s face, upon opening it, was stained with astonishment.

The Manager, who had handled money and treasures his entire life, couldn’t possibly be unaware of its identity.

His eyes widened immediately upon seeing it, and he gasped.

“Where did you get such a valuable item?”

“I received it.”

From whom, exactly?

The Manager swallowed the words that had risen to his throat.

Who received it from whom was not important.

What was important was that a customer bearing such a valuable item was right before him.

“An appraisal is needed.”

“Yes.”

“If you give us some time, we will send someone to inform you of the results.”

“Do so.”

And the Manager quickly turned his head.

“Young Miss Namgung, would it be alright to list your name as a guarantor?”

“Of course.”

“Thank you.”

The Manager then took out a box and unfurled a silk cloth.

He placed the gold plum blossom on it, examined it from all directions, then picked up a brush and swiftly wrote a few lines on a bamboo scroll.

And showed it to Cheongun.

“If it is genuine, its approximate value is this much.”

“It’s accurate.”

“Shall I issue it all as bank notes?”

“Is it alright if I leave it deposited for now?”

“Certainly. It can be issued anytime, anywhere at any branch of our Ten Thousand Dragons Money House.”

The Ten Thousand Dragons Money House is the largest money house in the Central Plains.

Furthermore, its backing is especially connected to the imperial family, so even the notoriously lawless Demonic Faction members dare not cause trouble at the Ten Thousand Dragons Money House.

There was no possibility of fraud at such a money house.

Cheongun nodded and stood up from his seat.

“It is an honor to serve such a distinguished guest. Please visit us whenever you have needs. The doors of the Ten Thousand Dragons Money House are always open.”

“I will.”

After exchanging farewells, they exited.

But then, they saw a bandit-like man approaching from over there, chuckling, holding a full pouch.

He walked and stopped in front of Cheongun, who was standing still.

He then spoke in an annoyed voice.

“Damn it, aren’t you going to move? Where does a brat like you get the nerve to block the road? Oh, what’s this? What are you so gloomily wrapped up in?”

The man, without hesitation, quickly ripped off the cloak Cheongun was wearing.

Then, his eyes met Cheongun’s.

And it was Cheongun, whose entire face was covered in blood.

“!!!”

Upon seeing Cheongun, the man’s face turned pale.

At that moment, Namgung Yul whispered to Cheongun.

“That’s that guy, isn’t it? The one who was boasting about coming from some Blood Connection Pavilion or whatever it was.”

Ah, I remember now.

The guy who asked us to move seats while we were eating at the inn.

What was his name?

Jin Cheonwoo, was it?

“My, my apologies. I’ll take my leave now.”

“Blood Connection Pavilion. Jin Cheonwoo.”

“I, I don’t know anyone like that.”

“What was his alias again? Black Human Sword or Black Brother Sword?”

“Damn it, Black Killing Sword! Gulp!”

As expected.

It’s him alright.