Chapter 15: The Time for Rewarding Merit

“Young master, there’s no need to rush too much.”

The information broker boy smiled bashfully as he spoke.

“You’re the only one under 20 years old to rise to the rank of 3rd Class Contributor. That alone is amazing.”

“Is that so?”

“And thanks to young master, Miss Nan-cheong has also received definite attention this time.”

The children next to them nodded when Nan-cheong was mentioned.

“Nan-cheong?”

“Yes. She’ll probably be appointed as a 4th Class Contributor. She’s one of the most skilled youngsters under 15.”

I nodded. Now that I thought about it, it was true.

Just receiving this kind of treatment at my age was already amazing.

“Thinking about it that way makes me feel a little better.”

Of course, I was still greedy. For the title of 1st Class Contributor. But it was as the boy said.

Considering my age, this was extraordinary treatment.

And since Nan-cheong would also be greatly recognized, I felt much better.

It’s always a good thing when a friend does well.

That’s how we were chatting and sharing stories.

A commotion spread among the children.

A girl wearing high-quality black martial clothing was walking over with two attendants.

She seemed to be a similar age as me.

“What? That’s silk similar to the quality of my clothes…”

As I muttered, the information broker boy whispered into my ear.

“That’s Miss Hwang-wol.”

The information broker boy replied in a lowered voice.

He called Nan-cheong just ‘Miss’ earlier, but he called this kid ‘Miss’… Her status must be quite high.

“Who is she that you’re calling her ‘Miss’?”

“She’s the daughter of Special Assassin No. 3.”

Indeed, so that’s why she’s receiving this treatment.

“And…”

Before he could even start his sentence, Miss Hwang-wol’s gaze turned this way.

And she began to walk towards us.

Her unfriendly gaze was definitely directed at me.

“She’s definitely coming to me… Why is she glaring like that? Is it because we’re from different factions?”

As I muttered to myself, the information broker boy replied in a voice as small as a mosquito.

“That might be part of it… but there’s a more direct reason.”

“A more direct reason?”

“There are rumors that with this contribution… the positions of No. 3 and No. 4 will be switched.”

My eyes widened. Right, in the Thousand Murder Valley, merit was equivalent to status.

Of course, Madam No. 4’s name isn’t actually No. 4.

It simply means she’s the 4th most skilled assassin in the Thousand Murder Valley.

“And young master is a disciple of Great Master, who is Madam No. 4’s husband. It seems she’s upset about her mother’s demotion.”

The daughter is angry because her mother’s demotion is expected. I understood.

But is it okay to show that much hostility so openly?

Hwang-wol was now only a few steps away from us.

Her cold gaze could be seen even more clearly.

I inwardly sighed.

I was familiar with this type of child even back on Earth.

Children who considered their parents’ faction as their own and lived completely immersed in it.

Honestly, I understood. In a group where blood ties were emphasized like the Thousand Murder Valley, it was difficult to say that such thoughts were a delusion.

Hwang-wol walked towards me with the sound of her heels clicking.

The black silk martial clothing swayed elegantly with her steps.

Hmm, well, it’s a man’s instinct to evaluate a woman’s appearance.

Out of 100 points… about 70 points, I’d say.

She’s beautiful enough to be called a pretty girl, but something about her is ambiguous.

For reference, Madam No. 4 and Nan-cheong are 85 points. They have a refined, beautiful appearance.

And Sister No. 17 is…

120 points.

“Oh my, if it isn’t the esteemed Joon-ho-nim, who was chosen as the 2nd Class Contributor this time?”

So far, it was okay. But her next words exceeded my expectations.

“The young lady was chosen as the 4th Class Contributor, but unlike young master, who was chosen as a Contributor without killing a single enemy, she slaughtered five second-rate masters of the Bloodshed Clan.”

I chuckled in disbelief. Her tone was polite. But the tone was the only thing that was polite.

Ah, so she’s openly picking a fight.

She slaughtered five second-rate masters of the Bloodshed Clan? Well, that’s amazing.

But so what? Second-rate masters are just extras in the fights between top masters anyway.

The information I brought back. That was a contribution that was as big as, if not bigger than, killing a top master.

Furthermore, if we’re talking about killing masters…

Didn’t Nan-cheong and I already have the record of killing a first-rate master of the Bloodshed Clan?

She killed five second-rate masters?

And she’s being treated the same as Nan-cheong with just that?

Ha… That’s ridiculous.

Our Nan-cheong has already taken the head of a first-rate master.

I helped from the side, but Nan-cheong definitely dealt the final blow.

If I’m taking almost all the credit for bringing back information, then Nan-cheong should be taking all the credit for killing the first-rate master.

But Nan-cheong was evaluated lower than her merit, and that girl was evaluated higher than her merit.

Because I, a promising prospect from this faction, became a 2nd Class Contributor, the promising prospect from the other faction had to be around 4th Class to maintain balance. And they put Hwang-wol in that position.

Just as I was about to say something, Nan-cheong stepped forward.

“Miss, this person is a meritorious figure of the sect who has been designated as a 2nd Class Contributor. It would be best to show some respect.”

“Just a petty squabble, is a servant interfering when the owners are fighting?”

Hwang-wol’s gaze became even colder at Nan-cheong’s words.

“Nan-cheong is a 4th Class Contributor just like you.”

“Are you saying that all 4th Class Contributors are the same?”

I smirked and replied to Hwang-wol’s scoffing words.

“Of course they’re different. Unlike you, who will probably get something that’s around 6th Class with the help of your parents…”

I paused for a moment before continuing.

“Our Cheong-ah would easily get 3rd Class if it wasn’t because it’s difficult to give her a higher rank than a miss born with a silver spoon in her mouth, despite being more capable, you see.”

Hwang-wol’s expression twisted, but I continued to speak without paying any attention.

“There’s also the distribution between factions, you know. You can’t monopolize it just because one side is too capable and the other side is too incompetent, you see.”

Hwang-wol gnashed her teeth and said to my relaxed tone.

“I’ll be watching to see how relaxed you can be…”

It wasn’t long before I met Hwang-wol again.

At the festival. A festival was held to celebrate the sect’s victory.

Madam No. 4, who would soon become No. 3… was sitting in her seat with her whole body wrapped in bandages. Master said she would recover without any scars thanks to his treatment, but her current appearance was miserable.

“And now, I will call out the main figures of this victory.”

The hundreds of assassins gathered in the main hall held their breath in unison. I also looked at the valley lord with a nervous heart.

“4th Class Contributors…”

The callings that were being dropped one word at a time finally reached 4th Class.

“Nan-cheong…”

Nan-cheong was called.

Congratulatory gazes followed.

Hwang-wol also came up onto the stage. She was still glaring at me with sharp eyes.

“3rd Class Contributors…”

The names of the 3rd Class Contributors were also called out in order, and they too received congratulations. And…

“2nd Class Contributor… Kim Joon-ho.”

My name was called. Hundreds of gazes felt hot as I went up to the platform.

Among them, there was one gaze that was especially sharp.

It was Hwang-wol. She was still staring at me coldly.

I confidently moved my steps. Because this was a position I truly deserved to receive.

The Thousand Murder Valley Lord. He was a rare male martial artist in the Thousand Murder Valley.

Unlike other top masters, the traces of time were revealed on his face.

They said it was because he had aged too much.

As I was looking at the old man’s face, I suddenly felt a chill down my spine.

There was no focus in his eyes. The rumors that he had lost his sight a long time ago were true.

But he was standing alone without a cane. Did they say he only moved with his sense of perception? Knowing how excellent his sense of perception is, he probably knows that I’m looking at him.

He was a person who had made a name for himself before this Murim changed from ‘Wind and Cloud Murim’ to ‘Busty Murim.’

Although he had remained at the peak of mastery for over 50 years, he was a person that even super masters couldn’t treat carelessly.

He was the very person who founded the Thousand Murder Valley, the best assassin group in Sichuan and one of the Ten Great Sects of Sichuan.

“So you’re the disciple Great Master Gu-hyung mentioned he saved. The Great Master boasted about you.”

The valley lord joked with me. I bowed politely and replied.

“I am grateful for your kind words.”

“What’s more, to already achieve such great merit is wonderful, wonderful. You’re a young hero with a bright future.”

“I have only achieved a small merit.”

The opponent was an old man who couldn’t see, but I bowed politely.

“Hahaha, you’re even humble. Yes, it’s hard to last long if you’re too stiff. You have to know how to be moderately humble.”

“I will engrave advice that will become my blood and flesh into my bones.”

“Anyway, for a child like you to come to our valley is nothing short of good fortune. In that sense… Hwang-wol, come forward.”

A chill ran down my spine as Hwang-wol’s name was suddenly called.

The owner of that unpleasant gaze reappeared.

Hwang-wol came up onto the platform with an elegant gait.

What is the valley lord thinking by calling that child? The atmosphere doesn’t seem good at all…

A strange tension hovered on the platform.

When I glanced over, Hwang-wol’s expression was still cold. No, it looked even more chilly.

What is the valley lord planning?

The valley lord’s next words surprised both me and Hwang-wol.

“They can’t help but be a handsome young man and a beautiful young woman. How about… the two of you getting engaged.”

The platform became silent for a moment. I glanced at Hwang-wol. She also had a surprised expression.

A murmur arose from below the main hall. It was natural. This wasn’t just a simple suggestion.

“If it’s an engagement that the valley lord has decided, I will follow it.”

Hwang-wol stepped forward.

She must have finished her political calculations.