Chapter 258: These Days’ Brats
Jin Seong-un’s group, as well as the Deathshroud assassins who had been pursuing them, all ca to a halt in their tracks.
A man was leisurely gazing at this place from afar. The dangerous aura he exuded froze the surrounding air.
Seo Yu-gyeom had never seen that man before, yet he was able to guess his identity without much difficulty.
“Master, that person…….”
“The King of Assassins (殺王), the greatest assassin of this era.”
As he said that, Shinsalgwi instinctively regulated his breathing. It felt as though the hairs all over his body were standing on end.
The King of Assassins slowly approached.
The distance was still considerable, yet with every step he took, the air grew increasingly colder.
Jin Seong-un closely observed everything about the King of Assassins—his expression, build, impression, atmosphere, even the flow of his qi.
‘He is more dangerous than the Wudang Sword Immortal.’
He did not know who was stronger.
To begin with, both the Wudang Sword Immortal and the King of Assassins were figures far above Jin Seong-un’s level.
However, he could tell who was more dangerous.
Without taking his eyes off the man even for a mont, Jin Seong-un circulated his qi. He forcibly suppressed the Blood Demon Qi that was instinctively trying to react to the danger, and drew the Won’s Moon Qi to its utmost limit.
Strength naturally flowed into the hand gripping his sword.
The remaining distance was roughly one hundred paces.
“What an interesting child.”
A voice was heard from behind.
At that very mont, the figure of the King of Assassins that he had been clearly watching vanished.
Jin Seong-un instinctively twisted his body and swung a single sword strike.
Shwaeaeaeeng—!
It was a rare occasion where even Jin Seong-un poured his full power into a single strike, and the sound of the wind being torn apart rang out.
However, the blade failed to reach its intended trajectory. The King of Assassins was gripping Jin Seong-un’s blade with his bare hand.
Jin Seong-un’s eyes widened.
Up close, the King of Assassins felt different yet again.
From afar, he had thought him truly dangerous, but seeing him at arm’s length crushed even that sensation.
It was an indescribable, overwhelming pressure, like that felt by an ordinary human facing a natural disaster.
Seo Yu-gyeom instinctively hurled the Heaven-Slaying Dagger. Seomun Ak and Moyong Hyeon, positioned to either side, moved at the sa ti.
Two blades and a fist wrapped in Martial Fist Qi surged toward the King of Assassins all at once.
Yet—
All three were forced to stop without even reaching him.
It was not as though he had moved to block them, as he had with Jin Seong-un’s sword.
The formless qi, the overwhelming aura symbolizing the Huajing realm, crushed the three of them in place.
The King of Assassins ignored them as if they were insects and calmly fixed his gaze solely on Jin Seong-un.
“So you are the arrogant fellow who commissioned his own death.”
A deep interest flickered in the King of Assassins’ eyes.
Unlike ordinary assassins, he did not conceal his emotions.
He was a man who had no need to.
“Vice Leader, I will explain. Let us talk.”
At Shinsalgwi’s proposal, the King of Assassins turned his head to look at him.
At close range stood the Guest Dragon, and behind him was Seo Yu-gyeom, an assassin who had reached the peak. To the left and right were later-generation prodigies of the Orthodox Faction who had surpassed the pinnacle.
Even so, the King of Assassins showed not the slightest concern for their presence.
“What is there to talk about.”
“That child commissioned his own death in order to find
and my disciple. It was not an act ant to mock Deathshroud.”
“For an assassin, actions matter more than intent. You should know that.”
Assassins were, by nature, those who carried out actions without regard for intent. As long as they were paid, they killed their target regardless of who that person was or what emotions they held.
When Shinsalgwi took a step forward, the cold voice of the King of Assassins fell upon him.
“Stop.”
At the sa ti, Shinsalgwi’s step halted.
The entire area was completely under the King of Assassins’ dominion.
Not only Jin Seong-un’s group, but even Deathshroud assassins such as the Twin Slaughter Ghost and the Blind Slaughter Ghost did not dare to even think of eting the King of Assassins’ gaze.
The King of Assassins’ attention returned to Jin Seong-un.
He reached out and placed his hand on Jin Seong-un’s face.
And then…… he pulled his cheek.
“…….”
Jin Seong-un’s cheek stretched like kneaded dough.
Pulling his cheek, the King of Assassins brought his face even closer. He was looking into Jin Seong-un’s mouth—more precisely, at the condition of his teeth.
From there, he kneaded his arms and legs, patted his shoulders, and even knocked on his head as though checking a sumr waterlon.
After observing him for quite so ti, the King of Assassins repeatedly tilted his head in puzzlent.
“What a strange fellow.”
The interest reflected in the King of Assassins’ eyes deepened further. He was a man who had killed all manner of people throughout his life—martial artists, officials, and even mbers of the imperial household.
From the lowliest to the most noble.
From the poorest to the wealthiest.
He had observed humanity by killing everyone imaginable. Even to such a man, Jin Seong-un appeared exceedingly unusual and fascinating.
While being prodded and examined from all sides, Jin Seong-un rely blinked his eyes.
The King of Assassins slowly widened the distance, then surged forward again like a ray of light. His finger shot toward Jin Seong-un’s right eye.
“…….”
The motion stopped with barely the space of a sheet of paper between finger and eye.
Jin Seong-un did not even blink, rely watching the King of Assassins’ strange behavior.
The King of Assassins let out a hollow laugh.
“You are truly odd. You are not afraid of , are you?”
At that question, Jin Seong-un looked toward Shinsalgwi, seeking to understand the intent behind it.
Shinsalgwi simply nodded, and Jin Seong-un answered honestly.
“That is so.”
The Deathshroud assassins stared at Jin Seong-un as if he were insane. Even the most famous assassins under heaven feared the King of Assassins—how could such a young brat dare to say such a thing?
Regardless, the King of Assassins asked again.
“Why.”
“I am originally rather calm by nature.”
There was no other answer that ca to mind.
Why was he not afraid? Simply because he was not. The King of Assassins could kill him if he so wished, but even that possibility was rely a concern, not truly fear.
Nodding, the King of Assassins glanced at Seo Yu-gyeom.
“It was only natural for a star to be drawn to a larger and heavier star.”
The King of Assassins knew that Seo Yu-gyeom was the Heaven-Slaying Star. He also sensed that Jin Seong-un belonged to a similar category.
It was interesting.
After a brief contemplation and reaching his own conclusion, the King of Assassins withdrew his hand from Jin Seong-un. His deanor was refreshingly satisfied, as though he had confird everything he needed.
The King of Assassins asked Shinsalgwi,
“Have you grown attached to your disciple?”
The mastermind behind all of this.
An assassin who grew attached beca weak.
Deathshroud tolerated insubordination. A weak assassin deserved to die. That was why the Twin Slaughter Ghost gathered forces and attacked the Vice Leader.
Not only the Twin Slaughter Ghost and the Blind Slaughter Ghost, but everyone present waited for Shinsalgwi’s answer.
“That is so.”
“You have grown weak. Disciple, child…… an assassin who gains such miscellaneous weaknesses has little chance of survival.”
“Are you worried about , then?”
Everyone thought the King of Assassins was disappointed in the Vice Leader, but Shinsalgwi alone took it as concern.
The King of Assassins gave a faint snort of laughter. His face was closer to expressionless, yet Shinsalgwi clearly felt that he had smiled.
The King of Assassins continued.
“Are these ordinary tis?”
It was a remark whose aning was difficult to grasp.
Having said that, the King of Assassins withdrew his gaze as if he had also lost interest in Shinsalgwi.
He took a letter from his robe and flicked his finger. As though the letter itself were a dagger, it surged straight toward Jin Seong-un.
Tap—Jin Seong-un caught it and examined its contents. It was part of an account ledger.
It contained a request from Myriad Gold Manor—more precisely, from the External Chief Steward Yu Won-ho of the Myriad Gold Manor—to Deathshroud, commissioning the death of Jang Gwang.
As everyone looked on with curious expressions, Jin Seong-un spoke to the mbers of Seong-un Inn.
“As expected, Myriad Gold Manor was behind it.”
“……As expected.”
Seomun Ak nodded.
It was a word laden with complicated feelings.
Uncovering the mastermind was good. Seong-un Inn, which had only been scrambling to fend off Myriad Gold Manor’s money-driven pressure, now had justification to strike back at Myriad Gold Manor instead.
Put another way, the realization that they would truly have to wage war against Myriad Gold Manor also caused an unreasoned tension.
On the other hand, the Deathshroud assassins, including Shinsalgwi, were shocked by the re fact that the King of Assassins had handed over that letter.
Deathshroud did not reveal a client’s information.
It was the highest rule among Deathshroud’s rules. Yet when the master of Deathshroud, the King of Assassins, chose to do so, no one dared add a word.
“Twin Slaughter Ghost.”
“……Yes, Leader.”
“For the ti being, do not assign missions to the elite assassins. Have them stand by within Deathshroud.”
“What?”
The King of Assassins glanced at him.
The twin assassins flinched at the sa ti.
The King of Assassins continued.
“When Myriad Gold Manor collapses, commissions will surge. Chaos gives birth to grudges, and grudges give birth to death.”
Only then did his actions gain coherence. He believed that Myriad Gold Manor would be destroyed. He had revealed the client’s information because he already regarded them as nonexistent.
“……Understood.”
Of course, the assassins, including the Twin Slaughter Ghost, did not understand the order.
Myriad Gold Manor ruled as number one under heaven, clutching endless wealth and power. Its collapse was beyond imagination.
Yet none dared oppose the King of Assassins’ assertion. From the start, they had been wary of the fact that he appeared at this precise mont—when they sought to strike the Vice Leader and establish a new order.
At that ti, the King of Assassins suddenly pointed at Jin Seong-un.
“Also, this one must not be killed yet. From now on, do not accept commissions concerning him or those around him.”
This ti, even the Twin Slaughter Ghost found it hard to endure.
Those “around” the Guest Dragon could also an the Heaven-Slaying Ghost, the Vice Leader’s disciple. Seen broadly, it could even an the Vice Leader himself.
They had already plotted a new order. If they stopped here, the likelihood of severe backlash was extrely high.
With his life at stake, the Twin Slaughter Ghost finally voiced his doubt.
“……Why is that?”
“Look at what he does. Like a thunder-headed brat, he stirs up the entire jianghu. Those who bear grudges against him will grow beyond counting.”
Jin Seong-un blinked as if he had done nothing of the sort. Regardless, the King of Assassins’ words continued firmly.
“And yet, will this one die easily? No. So one day, those who bring ten million in gold and line up to commission his death will crowd Deathshroud.”
In other words, to Deathshroud, Jin Seong-un was a piglet.
A pig to be raised over ti and slaughtered when it had grown the fattest.
If killed now, it would yield at most a few lumps of gold.
But considering what he did and the speed of his growth, raising him for ten years before killing him would pile gold ingots high within Deathshroud.
“No, that is…….”
The Twin Slaughter Ghost started to speak, then closed his mouth.
In any case, since the King of Assassins had singled out the Guest Dragon, they would have to abandon that part.
However, there was one thing.
“We will comply. But the traitorous Vice Leader and that disciple of his must be killed. Deathshroud’s rules will fall to the ground otherwise.”
Seo Yu-gyeom was an unmistakable traitor. And the Vice Leader Shinsalgwi, who sheltered him, was the sa.
Yet the King of Assassins’ answer did not change.
“Denied.”
“……You normally do not interfere in internal rank struggles within Deathshroud. Why are you intervening so directly now and discriminating against us?”
The Twin Slaughter Ghost challenged the King of Assassins. It was truly rude and dangerous, but if Shinsalgwi were allowed to leave alive, he himself would soon die, so he had no choice.
The King of Assassins answered as though it were obvious.
“That is only when you do not join hands. I refrain from interfering in Deathshroud’s internal conflicts because it is right that the stronger survive. But among you, is there anyone stronger than Shinsalgwi?”
“…….”
The Twin Slaughter Ghost fell silent.
Neither he nor the Blind Slaughter Ghost would have any doubt about the outco if they faced Shinsalgwi one-on-one.
The King of Assassins continued.
“If the weak band together to kill the strong, would not all the strong in Deathshroud be wiped out, leaving only the weak?”
“…….”
There was no rebuttal.
His stance was never emotional. He was acting consistently upon a single line of logic.
Because of that, the Twin Slaughter Ghost could not take issue with it. The Blind Slaughter Ghost had already resigned herself the mont the King of Assassins appeared.
“Let us go.”
Leaving behind the piglet and his companions, the King of Assassins moved to depart. The Deathshroud assassins followed him, their imdiate emotions varied though they were.
Just as Seomun Ak and Moyong Hyeon felt their legs half give way, and even Seo Yu-gyeom was letting out a sigh of relief—
Jin Seong-un suddenly stopped the King of Assassins.
“King of Assassins, stop right there.”
Moyong Hyeon and Seomun Ak wanted to wash their ears with water, and Seo Yu-gyeom stared at Jin Seong-un as if asking whether he was insane.
The Deathshroud assassins wore similar expressions.
A disaster that walked hand in hand with death had advanced as far as the inn’s front yard and then retreated.
It was an extraordinarily fortunate situation, and they could not understand why he would grab it and pull it back again.
Regardless, Jin Seong-un spoke calmly to the halted King of Assassins.
“Return the commission fee.”
“…….”
The King of Assassins stared at Jin Seong-un with a dumbfounded look.
In other words, since he had commissioned his own death, yet even the master of Deathshroud had co and still not killed him, was that not a failed commission?
The King of Assassins briefly considered killing the brat on the spot, then turned his gaze to Shinsalgwi.
“These days’ youngsters are generally bold and fearless. Truly different from our ti.”
“……We have grown quite old, after all. And that child is particularly unusual even among these days’ youngsters.”
“Absurd. Yet you are not wrong. Go to the place you commissioned and retrieve it again.”
“Thank you.”
Jin Seong-un raised his thumb toward the King of Assassins. Seo Yu-gyeom beside him pulled his arm down as if to say he should not do that.
In any case, Jin Seong-un was fundantally a rchant, so he had to settle accounts clearly.
Seomun Ak, who had been quietly alternating his gaze between the King of Assassins and Jin Seong-un, spoke softly.
“What is the secret?”
“……What are you talking about?”
“No, it is strange. From the Chief Strategist, to the Wudang Sword Immortal, Elder Shin Mok, Elder Divine Physician…… why do all the uncles and grandfathers like you so much?”
“…….”
What was he talking about?
Jin Seong-un looked at Seomun Ak with such eyes, while Seomun Ak, regardless, narrowed his eyes and looked at Jin Seong-un with pure envy.
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