Chapter 23: Preparing for War

Nanchoong felt as if her whole body froze the moment she stepped into the conference room.

The aura of the Supreme Masters crashed in like a wave.

Having lived in Thousand Murder Valley, she was used to the presence of Supreme Masters.

Living as Gu-hyung’s maid, and training as a disciple of the Junior Demon Guard, she prided herself on being well-trained.

But this was different.

Serving in front of a few Supreme Masters was on a different level from reporting on the sect’s major affairs in front of many Supreme Masters.

Her spine tingled. But her past experiences weren’t entirely useless.

She took a deep breath and straightened her posture.

“Then, I will report what I have seen and heard without a single lie.”

“Speak.”

The head of Thousand Murder Valley. Although blind, he was the most daunting person in this place, opened his mouth.

The gazes of more than ten Supreme Masters were focused on one point. Nanchoong’s story began.

“That day, when we went to subjugate the lower organization of the Blood Demon Clan…”

Nanchoong’s voice echoed through the conference room.

At first, it trembled, but gradually her voice became firm.

“That person claimed to be a disciple of the Lust Demon.”

At that word, the atmosphere in the conference room changed subtly.

The gazes of several Supreme Masters crossed, and some leaned forward slightly.

Nanchoong didn’t miss their reactions, but she continued her report without wavering.

The Blood Demon Clan’s ambush, the death of her colleagues, and the information they obtained.

Everything was conveyed calmly, yet clearly.

“And that is what happened, Lord Master.”

With the final greeting, Nanchoong bowed her head.

No emotion could be read on the deeply wrinkled face of the old man.

Arguments for and against what Nanchoong had said followed.

“That can’t be. There must be some mistake.”

“But the Blood Demon Clan can’t possibly have that much power.”

“There may be someone else behind them. Selling the name of a legendary master.”

As the debate intensified, a voice was heard from the corner of the conference room.

“That person’s martial arts are definitely the Lust Demon’s.”

Number 39, a wandering swordsman turned first-rate master sitting in the lowest seat, opened his mouth.

The conference room became quiet in an instant.

“Speak.”

“Ten years ago, I fought with a disciple of the Lust Demon. The characteristics of that martial art and the flow of Qi that this child spoke of are very similar to that time.”

His words carried weight. Although his skills were low in this place, no one here could ignore his experience in Jianghu.

“It seems that our Thousand Murder Valley has become entangled with a Grandmaster of Supreme Realm.”

“Then, what should we do…”

Someone in the conference room asked cautiously.

“There is only one way to deal with an enemy stronger than us.”

“W, what is that way?”

“That is to bring as many people as possible to our side. Not only the enemies of the Blood Demon Clan, but… if the opponent is truly the Lust Demon, we can also expect the help of the government and the righteous Murim.”

As the old man finished speaking, the conference room immediately became busy.

The old man called several assassins one by one and gave them missions.

They were to scatter in different directions.

Those going to the government, those heading to the Emei Sect, those leaving for the Sichuan Tang Clan, and those who would visit the large Black Faction sects in this area. They would all deliver the same news.

The news that the Lust Demon had come to Sichuan and was behind the Blood Demon Clan.

After taking care of the matter, the blind old man turned his head.

Although his eyes couldn’t see, Nanchoong could feel his gaze was directed at her.

“Your contribution is not small. So, I want to grant you a favor. But it can’t be too big a favor. Know that if you make such a request, I may take back this offer.”

Nanchoong’s mind went blank.

She knew very well that this kind of opportunity would never come again.

She was afraid of losing everything if she was greedy, and she felt that she would regret it later if she asked for too little.

Numerous thoughts flashed through Nanchoong’s mind.

High position?

Better treatment?

Or special martial arts?

As she bit her lip and pondered, something came to mind.

“If the sect goes into a wartime footing, there will be a reassignment, right?”

She finally opened her mouth. There was an inexplicable anxiety in her voice.

“You’re right. You can’t stay as Gu-hyung’s servant anymore. In the first place, you are a graduate of the Junior Demon Guard, and a graduate who has made a great contribution, so you will receive a role that suits you.”

“What kind of role is that?”

“Of course, an independent assassin. After the war is over, you will be able to live by accepting my chosen requests.”

Nanchoong’s expression subtly distorted.

An assassin living by accepting independent requests. That was what almost all the boys and girls who entered Thousand Murder Valley wanted.

But she was different. That meant she could no longer live in Gu-hyung’s mansion, and she couldn’t see Junho every morning.

“I have decided.”

Nanchoong swallowed dryly and spoke.

“Speak.”

“Please reassign me as Young Master Junho’s bodyguard.”

The conference room froze in an instant.

The surprised gazes of the masters were fixed on Nanchoong.

“Is that all you want?”

“Yes. That is all I want.”

A smile spread across the Lord Master’s lips.

Her spine tingled at that smile, as if he had read all of Nanchoong’s inner thoughts.

“You’ve asked for too little. Good. Then I’ll give you some change.”

“Change?”

“Enter as Number 12’s disciple. That is the change I am giving you.”

Nanchoong felt like she stopped breathing for a moment. A disciple of a Supreme Master. It was something she, from such an ordinary background, could only dream of.

Whispers continued in small voices from every corner of the conference room.

“That b*tch deliberately played a trick.”

“She knows what kind of person the Lord Master is.”

“If she had asked for a master-disciple relationship with a Supreme Master from the beginning, he wouldn’t have granted it.”

“By the way, is Number 12 having her first disciple?”

“She’s barely over 20 years old.”

The assassins’ whispers filled the conference room.

Nanchoong bowed politely to Number 12.

She knew that Junho was in love with Number 12. She didn’t know that Junho had confessed to Number 12 and been rejected, but she certainly knew his heart.

In fact, most of the children working in Gu-hyung’s house knew. His face changed every time he talked about Number 12.

The Lord Master had granted her wish, but he also tied her in with the master-disciple relationship with Number 12.

‘Will Master Number 12 also stay by Junho’s side now?’

Nanchoong’s inner thoughts became complicated. The joy of becoming a disciple of a Supreme Master, the relief of being able to protect Junho’s side, and the anxiety that Number 12 and Junho might become closer were mixed together.

It had been a week since I returned to my master’s house, and I was still spending my time in my room, practicing my inner energy as usual. The entire Thousand Murder Valley was busy preparing for war, but I still had nothing to do.

Nanchoong was still acting as my attendant, even though she had graduated from the Junior Demon Guard. It was strange.

“Nanchoong, you’re a graduate now. Why are you still attending to me?”

“You’ll find out soon, Young Master.”

She always answered with a smile. There seemed to be something going on, but I couldn’t ask her any more questions.

She was no longer my subordinate.

Such she came into my room again.

“Young Master. Gu-hyung is calling for you.”

“Master is?”

“Yes, he wants you to come to his room.”

I stopped in front of my master’s room.

“Come in.”

Led by the deep voice, I entered the room.

“What did you call me for?”

“I want you to live down the mountain for a while. You’ll have to change your identity too.”

I was flustered for a moment. I had no choice but to ask back at the sudden proposal.

“So you’re saying I should go down the mountain and live with a changed identity for a while?”

“That’s right. A war is about to break out, and I judged that it could be dangerous if you stay at the main base.”

I nodded at my master’s words. I was reminded of the Blood Demon Clan’s attack a few days ago.

They, who had a great backer called the Lust Demon, might target the main base once again.

If a Harmonious Physique like me were to be caught, it would be a disaster for Thousand Murder Valley.

“Then what kind of identity are you thinking of giving me?”

I asked cautiously. Several possibilities came to mind. A wealthy merchant, or a young master wandering the world? But my master’s answer was in a completely different direction.

“It will be a person of the government, not a martial artist. You will be the son of an official and a young scholar preparing for the civil service examination.”

“The government?”

“Yes, the government. Although the government’s capabilities have declined a lot, the Lust Demon clashed with the government in the past and suffered a great setback. They will not recklessly act against a person from the government.”

I had heard about it too. The conflict with the government raised the Lust Demon’s reputation even further, but he lost a lot in the process.

His disciples survived, but there were rumors that the Lust Demon himself was badly injured and even lost his handsome face.

“Then will you go with me, Master?”

I asked with anticipation. But my master shook his head.

“No. The Valley seems to want to separate the Harmonious Physiques separately. But don’t worry, you will also be assigned a Supreme Master as a bodyguard.”

My heart fluttered for a moment. A Supreme Master as a bodyguard…

One person flashed through my mind. She who had rejected my confession. Could it be…

“It’s Number 12.”

My master said with a meaningful smile. I felt like I was going to stop breathing.