Chapter 583: I’m glad.

“Huk… hukk!”

Near Hanam, in a back alley, a man was running like a madman.

Perhaps it was because he was running in the middle of summer. The man was drenched in sweat.

“Keuk… Hukk…”

His breath was catching.

He felt like he could collapse right there and vomit, but the man had to keep running.

If he stopped, he would die.

That grim reality was what propelled the man forward.

‘Where… where should I go!’

Which direction should his feet turn?

Even as he ran, the man had to think of everything.

Where should I escape to?

Which way should I go to be safe?

Panting and agonizing, the man’s eyes widened.

‘The Alliance…! I have to escape to the Alliance.’

The Murim Alliance.

That’s where I have to go. It’s the only way to survive right now.

Judging so, the man put strength into his legs.

He immediately kicked off the ground and ran.

Figuring out the fastest route, he plunged into the alley.

Just then.

“Kyaak!”

He collided with a woman who burst out of the alley.

“Get out of the way!”

Naturally, the man had no time to care about this.

The man ignored the fallen woman and entered the alley.

“…”

The woman watched the man entering the alley intently.

With a very displeased expression, no less.

“Huk… hukk…!”

He moved, expelling his ragged breaths as he burrowed deeper into the alley. Just a little further.

It was a deserted place, but if he got out of here, the Murim Alliance was right there.

‘Just a little, just a little…!’

I can survive.

If I can just get away from here, I can live. Just as such hope began to envelop the man.

Puk.

“Keuk!?”

Something pierced the man’s leg.

Feeling the pain, the man’s stance faltered, and he rolled onto the ground.

Kung-!

His heavy body scraped the floor, and the man clutched his leg.

“Kkeu… kkeueu… euuk!”

He tried desperately to endure, but a scream still escaped.

A dagger had pierced the man’s thigh and ankle.

“Heuk… heuheueu.”

An overwhelming pain was felt.

Despite this, the man tried to get up somehow.

If I stay like this…

“Muk Doseok.”

“…!”

“Is the game of tag over?”

The man’s breath hitched for a moment at the voice that came from nearby.

Jeobeok.

Footsteps approached.

“I played with you a bit because you looked desperate. But that ends here.”

“Heu… heu…”

“Did you think you could survive?”

Figures wearing masks approached. Seeing them, the man cried out as if in a scream.

“P-please spare me! Why are you doing this?!”

“Hmm.”

At the man’s cry, the one in the lead narrowed his eyes.

“I definitely told you. If you caused unnecessary trouble, your life would be over.”

“I-I didn’t do anything.”

“Isn’t that something a guy caught by the Alliance would say?”

“That’s…!”

At the accusation, the man trembled.

“It’s… because some weird guy got involved…!”

“No need for excuses. Besides, I was reaching my limit anyway.”

“P-please!”

As he reacted, Muk Doseok tried to shout urgently.

Puuk-!

“Kkeureuk!”

Before that, the opponent’s dagger plunged into Muk Doseok’s neck.

Soon after, the life drained from Muk Doseok’s eyes.

Confirming that, the masked figure pulled out the dagger and retrieved it.

“Erase the traces.”

“As you command.”

As the order was given, several people appeared and began moving around the area.

There wasn’t even a drop of blood where the body lay.

This was also true for the dagger the masked figure held.

The masked figure put the dagger away, clicking his tongue in disappointment.

‘Did I expect too much from trash.’

Although he was an outsider, I thought I’d give him some menial tasks since he was considered first-rate.

It was a futile effort, as expected.

He even almost escalated the situation.

Not only was he caught by the Alliance due to the incident at the inn.

‘To think he almost got involved with the Divine Dragon.’

It could have gotten troublesome.

It wasn’t time to get involved with them yet.

‘Fortunately, it was handled well.’

Problems could still arise. Recalling that, the masked figure turned his head.

‘I should report this to the Great Master.’

It’s not just the Divine Dragon.

Lately, one or two troublesome things had been cropping up in Hanam.

They weren’t major issues, but it wouldn’t hurt to be cautious.

There wasn’t even two months left until the Martial Arts Competition.

‘Before then.’

I need to set things up.

The masked figure turned around.

At the same time, he whispered in a very small voice.

“Everything is for the revival of the Zhuge family….”

Saying that, the masked figure disappeared.

Leaving behind Muk Doseok’s body, slowly growing cold.

---

It was noon.

Right after finishing morning training and having a brief meal.

I was walking through Hanam County, bringing Tang Soyeol and Seong Yul with me.

The reason was none other than…

From the Baekhwa Merchant Guild,

Specifically, because I heard Mi Hyoran was looking for me.

‘What could it be?’

It had been a month since I arrived in Hanam.

Mi Hyoran had also been staying in Hanam during that time, but she had never summoned me separately.

No, even aside from this matter, it was extremely rare for Mi Hyoran to summon me directly.

Isn’t this the first time?

She might come find me, but this was the first time she asked me to come.

I didn’t have any particular thoughts about it.

I’m just going because she called.

Tang Soyeol followed because I was going to see Mi Hyoran, and Seong Yul happened to be there, so I brought him along.

On the way to the Baekhwa Merchant Guild’s Hanam branch.

Even as I walked slowly, I was continuously sending telepathic messages to someone.

“[Did you look?]”

When I asked, a reply came immediately.

“[We’ve deployed personnel throughout the Hanam area to investigate, but we haven’t found anyone matching the description you gave.]”

“[Hmm.]”

Right after parting ways with Cheonma in front of the noodle shop.

I had immediately requested the Dark King’s assassins to search the vicinity.

But.

‘As expected.’

I had held onto a sliver of hope, but sure enough, Cheonma’s trail couldn’t be found.

She wasn’t the type to carelessly leave traces behind.

‘Even if traces were found, I wouldn’t be able to get close.’

Rather than the opponent recognizing Cheonma.

Cheonma could recognize the opponent faster.

If that happened, it would actually be dangerous.

“[Understood. Please stop the search now.]”

“[Yes.]”

Not much time had passed, but it was enough for them to get a grasp of Hanam.

There was no need to create any more unnecessary risks.

If it comes to this.

‘Does the Dark King himself need to come?’

That seemed like the safest and most accurate method.

Just then.

“[However….]”

My eyebrows twitched slightly at the telepathic message.

Did they have something more to convey?

“[During the search, we did discover something somewhat unusual.]”

They just said they couldn’t find anything about Cheonma, and now ‘unusual’?

“[What is it?]”

“[It’s nothing else, but it seems an ambush occurred in the alley leading to the Alliance.]”

“[An ambush?]”

“[Yes, one of our members discovered the situation but couldn’t approach.]”

The Dark King’s assassins discovered it but couldn’t approach?

This meant the opponent’s strength was considerable.

However.

“[What problem does that pose?]”

What connection could that possibly have to this matter?

Ambushes are common(?) occurrences in the Central Plains.

Of course, the fact that it happened in an alley leading to the Alliance is a bit chilling.

It wasn’t particularly strange.

“[Is it related to the task I requested?]”

“[No. It’s just that when we arrived to check the scene, the lack of any traces was unusual, so we’re reporting it.]”

“[No traces…?]”

This means they couldn’t even find a body.

It implies a clean-up so thorough that even renowned experts couldn’t detect anything.

‘Who could it be?’

Who could it be? Or where?

An assassination mission in Hanam, where the Alliance is located, would be impossible for anyone but a truly exceptional assassin.

I am a little curious.

“[Do you have any idea where?]”

“[We are investigating.]”

I didn’t even say anything specific, yet they’re already investigating?

Truly worthy of being the best assassin squad in the Central Plains.

“[If you find out, just give me a little heads-up.]”

“[Yes. We will definitely find out.]”

The ‘definitely’ isn’t necessary… but well, it’s better safe than sorry.

Without raising any objections, I nodded.

After finishing the conversation with the informant, I looked straight ahead.

The Baekhwa Merchant Guild building was starting to appear in the distance.

Was it because we were talking? It felt like we arrived too quickly.

Hmm, what should I do? Should I stall for a bit before going? Just as that thought crossed my mind.

“G-Gongzi-nim, what should we do?”

Tang Soyeol trembled with a somewhat anxious voice.

Why is she acting like that?

“I-I haven’t bought a gift yet…!”

Huh?

“What gift?”

“A gift for Madam Mi…”

“Why… are you preparing that?”

I asked in disbelief, and Tang Soyeol gave me a look as if she couldn’t understand me.

“Last time, it was a sudden meeting so I couldn’t prepare… but it’s not like that now!”

“No, I mean, why prepare it?”

Sudden or not.

What possible need is there to prepare a gift?

I couldn’t understand at all and was about to ask Tang Soyeol for the reason.

Tang Soyeol, who was beside me, had disappeared somewhere.

What the? Where did she go?

Maybe it’s because she learned martial arts from the Dark King, but it wasn’t easy to sense her presence.

“Gongzi-nim!”

I was looking around when Tang Soyeol, who had disappeared, reappeared.

“What?”

I had to widen my eyes slightly as I looked at Tang Soyeol.

It was because something was clutched in her hand.

That’s…

“Flowers?”

Several bright flowers, a mix of white and yellow.

I wondered where on earth she got them, and then I saw a flower shop behind us.

A place that sells flowers for money? Hanam really has everything.

There are piles and piles of them on the mountains, yet they sell them for money.

I thought it was quite a useless product.

“…And you bought them?”

“I-I should give her at least this.”

“Flowers?”

“Yes.”

“What use is giving flowers? It’s not money.”

As I said it, wondering what kind of useless gift this was.

Hearing my words, Tang Soyeol’s expression turned strange.

“Gongzi-nim… If you say things like that somewhere, you’ll get hit on the back.”

“Who would hit my back? They’d fold my waist.”

“…”

Just folded?

They could even shape it beautifully, like a bird or a bear.

‘Well, since she already bought them, it can’t be helped.’

It felt like a waste of money on flowers, but since it was Tang Soyeol’s money, it didn’t matter.

The problem was.

‘Madam Mi probably won’t like it.’

Based on the Madam Mi I knew, she wasn’t the type to be pleased by receiving flowers.

But that expectation of mine…

“Oh my.”

It shattered as I saw Madam Mi smile upon receiving the flowers.

“…Oh my…”

Madam Mi, who carefully accepted the flowers I handed over, smiled.

Yes, she was smiling.

‘Does Madam Mi even smile?’

It wasn’t a bright smile, but it was definitely a smile.

To smile like that just from receiving flowers was baffling.

I had simply taken the flowers because Tang Soyeol was hesitating and handed them over instead.

At this, I tried to quickly clarify that it wasn’t me but Tang Soyeol who gave them…

“G-Gongzi-nim Gu… and I… bought them together!”

Tang Soyeol cut in, interrupting me.

Bought them together?

‘When did I buy them?’

I even chided her for buying such a thing, let alone buying them myself.

As I was about to correct her, saying Tang Soyeol bought them herself…

Kwak.

“…!?”

Tang Soyeol pinched my thigh with an unseen hand.

It didn’t hurt much, but I knew her action was meant to shut me up.

What the?

I didn’t know why, but I shut my mouth for now.

If I opened my mouth here, Tang Soyeol would likely give me a ghostly expression.

“…Thank you…”

These were the words of Madam Mi, who was gazing fondly at the flowers.

It was the first time I had ever seen Madam Mi look at something like that.

And all I did was give her flowers.

“…They’re so pretty…”

“I hope… you like them.”

“I will cherish them.”

At her words, which suggested she liked them, I scratched my cheek.

Seeing that, Tang Soyeol looked at me.

Her gaze was full of “I told you so, right?”

‘Yeah, I guess.’

Why is she liking them so much over something like that?

I didn’t quite understand, but I just nodded.

There must be a reason I don’t know.

While Madam Mi was carefully touching the flowers.

I turned to her and asked.

“I heard you summoned me for a reason.”

I tried to subtly get to the main point.

But Tang Soyeol’s pinching hand on me grew stronger for some reason.

Why? What?

It felt like she was starting to get serious, as I felt a slight pain.

What exactly is she unhappy about?

“Ah. Right. I need to talk about that.”

Madam Mi nodded at my words.

Still, she held onto the flowers.

“The reason I called you is nothing else.”

“Yes.”

“Do you remember I told you I might have something to ask of you in the past?”

“I remember.”

When I came to Hanam and visited the Baekhwa Merchant Guild.

That’s what Madam Mi told me.

That she would have something to ask of me in the near future.

‘Is this that matter?’

I was curious about what kind of favor she intended to ask, but I heard about it sooner than expected.

As I listened attentively, Madam Mi continued speaking.

“It’s nothing else, but a task has come in for the guild this time.”

“You mean a task for the Baekhwa Merchant Guild.”

“Yes. Normally… it would be something the Murim Alliance should handle. But they directly requested to connect with our guild.”

Something the Murim Alliance should have handled?

‘And the Baekhwa Merchant Guild is taking it on?’

I didn’t quite understand.

Why would the Baekhwa Merchant Guild handle a task that the Alliance should have taken?

The affairs of the Alliance and the guild rarely overlapped.

Moreover.

‘The fact that they can change it because the other party wants to….’

Even if it was a task the Alliance should have done.

The fact that they entrusted it to the guild because the other party didn’t want to do it…

In other words, it meant they had the power to do so.

The Alliance isn’t foolish; they wouldn’t have just accepted this.

“Where on earth could it be…?”

I asked, filled with questions.

Madam Mi said, holding the flowers to her chest.

“The North Sea Ice Palace.”

“…Yes?”

A somewhat abrupt yet familiar name emerged.

The North Sea Ice Palace…? Did I mishear? Why did that suddenly pop up?

“The North Sea Ice Palace?”

I asked Madam Mi again, filled with doubt.

“Yes.”

Madam Mi gave a firm affirmation.

Before I could even process the surprise at the sudden mention of the name, Madam Mi added something that made me frown.

“It concerns the Young Princess of that place.”

Something.

It looked like troublesome business just by the description.