Chapter v20c11

## A Night of Commissioned Crime

– 80% Probability

*Munch, munch, munch.*

“That guy? Did he leave?”

Bi Ryu-Yeon asked, his mouth full of food, sitting across from Jang-Hong, separated by the prison bars.

“I just saw him off.”

Jang-Hong replied, removing the black cloak he had been wearing to conceal his face.

“Good! Now we just have to wait for the results.”

Bi Ryu-Yeon rubbed his hands together, grinning.

“Are you sure it’ll be tonight?”

Jang-Hong asked, his voice still laced with doubt.

“Tsk, tsk, the older you get, the more suspicious you become. Still doubtful?”

He said, shaking his head pityingly.

“W-who are you calling old! I’m in my twenties, just like you! The prime of my youth!”

Jang-Hong protested. Bi Ryu-Yeon chuckled and shook his head again.

“Tsk, tsk, you can’t stop the arrow of time, no matter how much you struggle. Just give up. And did I call you ‘old man’? I just said you were getting old. Right, Mr. Jang?”

“W-what?! Are you done?”

Jang-Hong’s face darkened, unable to contain his anger. But Bi Ryu-Yeon remained calm.

“I’m done talking, but the truth remains. The truth is harsh. Accepting it takes courage. If you want to feel young, you have to accept that you’re getting old. How can you improve if you deny reality? Right, Mr. Jang?”

Jang-Hong groaned, overwhelmed by his relentless verbal assault.

“Ugh, I’m an idiot for arguing with you! I’m never going to win. Let’s get back to the main topic.”

“So you believe me?”

“Yes, I believe you. But even if I do, do you really think he can handle it alone?”

“It’s fine. Namgung-Sang is with him.”

Bi Ryu-Yeon replied reassuringly.

“You’re going to live a long life!”

Jang-Hong muttered to himself, exasperated by his nonchalance.

‘Is he not worried at all? Or has he already made backup plans? How can he be so calm, even with a heart of steel!’

“Only those who are prepared can face the future with ease. It’s good for your mental health.”

Bi Ryu-Yeon said, his voice relaxed, as he continued eating.

“Of course. But what are you eating?”

Jang-Hong asked, watching him devour his food. He had been holding it since he arrived. It was a black lacquered lunchbox, filled with rice and various side dishes. But he couldn’t identify the side dishes, even with his keen eyesight. It wasn’t because he was unfamiliar with food, but because their shapes were indistinct.

“Oh, this? It’s a home-cooked meal.”

“A home-cooked meal? Is it poisoned?”

Jang-Hong asked, his expression serious.

“Why? Is something wrong?”

“Who would give you a home-cooked meal? It must be poisoned.”

He said, his voice filled with conviction.

“Don’t worry. Even I have someone who cares about me. By the way, this stir-fried vegetable… The knife skills are divine, but the heat control is a bit off. Munch, munch, munch!”

“You can eat that with a straight face?”

“Of course. This lunchbox is filled with love. It was made by my beloved. I have to eat it with gusto, right?”

“Your beloved? Who is it?”

Jang-Hong, a self-proclaimed man of reason, couldn’t believe such a person existed in the martial arts world.

“There’s only one person who could make me feel this way.”

Bi Ryu-Yeon replied, as if it were obvious.

“N-no way… That’s impossible…”

He couldn’t imagine it.

“That’s right. Munch, munch.”

He replied casually, his mouth full of food.

He took another bite.

“N-no way! You’re saying Na Ye-Rin made this? Don’t lie to me.”

Jang-Hong’s eyes widened in shock. But there was a limit to exaggeration. Exaggeration without restraint was unconvincing.

“It’s not a lie. It’s the truth. Don’t you know that reality can be stranger than fiction? Sometimes reality is more unbelievable than fiction. Ye-Rin doesn’t have to conform to your limited imagination.”

“That’s true, but… You’re eating this precious meal and saying such things? Na Ye-Rin made this…? Don’t you know that people would line up to eat this, even if you announced it was poisoned? It’s a meal that even the emperor can’t eat.”

If this got out, Bi Ryu-Yeon would become public enemy number one again. He could already see it. They would demand that he not change their idol, or rather, not taint her. They didn’t want to see a goddess like that. To them, she was a distant moon, untouchable.

The moon should never descend to earth.

* * *

The moon, most of its body devoured by darkness, was now a thin crescent, hanging low in the sky, just above the horizon. The stars had long drowned in the inky blackness of the night sky. The concealment of one’s actions brought a strange sense of relief to those who wished to do things they shouldn’t. The anonymity made it easier to turn a blind eye to their actions. It was a night for commissioned crime. A good night for an ambush, and a good night to be ambushed. Namgung-Sang shivered, stepping into the courtyard. It wasn’t because of the night chill.

‘What crazy scheme is Eldest Senior Brother up to now?’

He had a bad feeling about this.

‘Thoughts and emotions are the driving force behind actions.’

That was Bi Ryu-Yeon’s philosophy. So far, so good. No problem. Even admirable. But the problem was that he took it too far. The gap between his thoughts and actions was so small that even his wildest fantasies sometimes became reality.

And the biggest victims of his materialized fantasies were, of course, the Vermilion Bird group. And among them, it was him. He wouldn’t be here if it weren’t for Bi Ryu-Yeon. He had wanted to live a normal life, but that was an impossible dream next to a man who spewed out absurdities on a daily basis. He prayed for this nightmare to end, but he didn’t have much hope. Some things couldn’t be solved with prayers alone.

* * *

“Prayers? You’re kidding, right? You think something will fall from the sky just because you pray? Do you think God is your personal errand boy? Don’t underestimate God. That’s blasphemy. There’s nothing more shameless than wishing for something without doing anything. The greatest prayer is action! Why do you think people pray? To strengthen their resolve to put their thoughts into action.”

* * *

Prayers wouldn’t work on someone like Bi Ryu-Yeon. It would be more realistic to train himself and become strong enough to defeat him.

“Will they really show up? Am I wasting my time?”

Bi Ryu-Yeon had predicted that they would show up tonight. It wasn’t even a prediction. Gongson Jeol-Hwi had been so predictable that even a fool could have figured out his pattern. It was foolish. But it was beneficial to him.

* * *

“Don’t miss a single day! Be prepared the day after you catch the bait. If they’re quick, they’ll attack the very next day. There’s an 80% chance of that. But if they’re slow and clueless, they might wait a day or two.”

“What if they don’t show up?”

“Then we’ll have to attack again.”

Namgung-Sang frowned at his casual use of the word “attack.”

“Again?”

“Yes. Find someone weak and take care of them. But don’t miss a single day. It’s important to make them believe that you’ll definitely show up the next evening. You have to make the enemy trust you. Do you understand?”

“Do we really have to do this… to innocent people…?”

“It’s their fault for not being prepared, even after all this. If they thought they could avoid misfortune, we have to show them that they’re wrong!”

“…”

Namgung-Sang was speechless. He was overwhelmed by his nonchalance, his complete lack of concern. He still hadn’t gotten used to it, even after experiencing it countless times.

“And be careful not to get caught by the patrol!”

* * *

He remembered Bi Ryu-Yeon’s last warning before he “died.” Yes, he was dead, officially! It was a strange feeling to observe the aftermath of his death as a spectator. Would it be like this in a few decades, when his inevitable fate arrived? Was it a blessing or a curse to be able to witness this preview of his future? It wouldn’t be the same. The present was always constrained by the past. The future, shaped by the past, would never be the same as the present. The thought made him feel a little depressed. He had a terrible feeling that he was already branded a criminal, thanks to his karma of having Bi Ryu-Yeon as his Eldest Senior Brother. Could he ever escape his shadow? Whose fault was it that he was so weak-willed?

‘Please show up tonight…’

He prayed silently. Didn’t they say that if you wished for something hard enough, it would come true? If wishing, as Eldest Senior Brother had said, wasn’t just about praying in your room, but about doing everything you could to make it happen and then waiting for heaven’s will, then he had done his part. He had even died. He didn’t want to stay dead any longer. And he wanted to part ways with the young master from the Gongson Family as soon as possible.

‘Ryeong…’

He missed Jin-Ryeong terribly.

‘There are countless people praying to heaven! It’s faster to take matters into my own hands than to wait for my number to be called!’

Heaven must be busy dealing with everyone’s wishes. He activated his “Flying on Grass” movement technique, silently approaching the wall of the Middle Heaven Merchant Guild. He stepped only on grass, using its elasticity to propel himself forward, making no sound. The night patrol had just passed by, so they wouldn’t be back for a while.

‘Good!’

He prepared to scale the wall, his guard momentarily lowered. But they said that complacency was the enemy of success. A voice called out to him.

“A true man should walk the righteous path. Why are you sneaking around like a thief?”

He whirled around, startled by the stern rebuke. Jin So-Ryeong, dressed in her full regalia, was standing there, her arms crossed, her eyes fixed on them. She was even wearing her sword, which meant she had been waiting for them.

“Didn’t something similar happen yesterday? This is the second time, isn’t it?”

He had been caught trying to enter yesterday, and now he was caught trying to leave. He couldn’t help but reflect on his lack of stealth skills. He had to admit that his grades in “night movement techniques,” as they were called in the martial arts world, weren’t very good.

“Are you going after that attacker?”

“Y-yes, ma’am.”

He couldn’t lie to her, so he told her the truth. He had no intention of changing his mind, even if she objected. He had a good reason to go. He only regretted not being more careful.

“I’m coming with you.”

She declared suddenly. She got straight to the point, her tone brooking no refusal.

“H-huh? B-but…”

That was unexpected. He was caught off guard. He stammered, unable to form a coherent sentence. He had to refuse. He had to. There was no reason for her to get involved.

“That’s not possible. Please let us go alone.”

“Why not? Give me a reason.”

Her voice was calm and composed, but her words were clear. She would ignore him if he couldn’t convince her.

He hesitated, then said pleadingly,

“I don’t want to trouble you!”

She was unmoved.

“That’s not a valid reason. How can you decide if it’s a trouble for me or not? That’s my decision to make. Have I been wrong all this time?”

She asked, as if he were being ridiculous. She was right. He had no right to tell her what to do.

“W-well… Socially…”

He was struggling to find an excuse.

“What if I reject social norms?”

She asked.

“…Then you should follow your own will.”

Thanks to his long association with Bi Ryu-Yeon, he had learned when to give up and when not to give up. This was definitely the former. Even his stubbornness couldn’t shake her resolve.

“So it’s settled?”

It was presumptuous of him to interfere with her decision.

“Yes, ma’am.”

He replied, bowing his head. But his ordeal wasn’t over yet.

“Wait! If Miss Jin is going, I’m going too.”

It was Yoo Eun-Seong, the First Sword of Jeomchang Sect, speaking as if it were the most natural thing in the world.

‘Why is he here?’

He screamed inwardly, wanting to bang his head against the wall. But he didn’t have the luxury of doing so.

“Why aren’t you answering? Do you have a problem with that?”

Yoo Eun-Seong asked again, his voice firm. He didn’t care about Namgung-Sang or Gongson Jeol-Hwi. He was only interested in Jin So-Ryeong.

“W-well…”

He was paralyzed. He could barely handle Jin So-Ryeong alone, and now Yoo Eun-Seong, who was almost as strong as her, was joining them. This mission required stealth, and now there were too many people involved.

“What’s with that gloomy face? Don’t tell me you…”

Yoo Eun-Seong asked sharply, and he quickly waved his hands.

“No, sir! Of course not! I have no complaints!”

‘Whatever! I give up!’

That was the hollow echo that resonated in his heart.

“I didn’t want to trouble you two. But I guess it can’t be helped.”

He said dejectedly.

“Don’t worry about it. It’s my decision, not yours. I haven’t officially accepted you as her husband yet, but she would be sad if something happened to you, wouldn’t she? I don’t want to see her sad. And besides…”

“…?”

“And besides, who would I fight if something happened to you? I wouldn’t have anyone to spar with.”

“T-thank you, Aunt!”

He replied, his voice choked with emotion. Jin So-Ryeong frowned.

“Wait! Don’t call me that yet. You have to defeat me in our duel before you can call me that. Do you understand?”

She was a woman of principle.

“Yes, Hero Jin!”

He replied firmly, regretting his carelessness.

“Shall we go, Master Yoo?”

“Yes, let’s.”

“But first…”

She paused, then said quietly, without turning around,

“What are you doing? Come out.”

There was a rustling sound coming from a corner of the inn, about three steps away. They were clearly hesitant.

“Come out now. What are you waiting for? Do I have to drag you out?”

Two figures emerged from the shadows. It was Ryu-Ran and Yoo Un-Bi. They both looked embarrassed, their movements awkward and hesitant, like prisoners being led to their cells. Yoo Eun-Seong clicked his tongue, shaking his head.

“What were you two doing there in the middle of the night?”

“W-what do you mean? We were just…”

They were both flustered by his suggestive question. They had wanted to follow them. They wanted to be part of the action. But they weren’t stupid enough to bring along half-baked swordsmen.

“You’re not ready yet. Stay here!”

Jin So-Ryeong said firmly. Ryu-Ran and Yoo Un-Bi, who had been kneeling with their heads bowed, looked up.

“Why? Please take us with you, Master.”

Ryu-Ran pleaded. Yoo Un-Bi added,

“Please! We want to go too!”

She shook her head and said, her voice stern but sad,

“Do you really want to hear me say it? Do you want to make me feel like an incompetent master? Please don’t make me feel incompetent anymore.”

“B-but…”

Ryu-Ran lowered her head. She had realized that she was asking her master to avoid the shame of having raised incompetent disciples.

‘You’re weak!’

She knew what they were really asking. But there were things she didn’t want to admit, even if she knew.

“Miss Jin is right. This is too dangerous for you. Don’t forget why you’re here. You’re here to enter Cheonmu Academy, not to catch a murderer. Find something you can do before you try to do something you can’t!”

They were rejected. It was only natural. They would be a liability, and they could get seriously injured. They could even die. This wasn’t a game. They were heading into a real battle, where lives could be lost.

“I assume there are no further objections.”