The Heaven-Slaying Sword

Gwon Pyowol was strong, and the Supreme Realm was in a league of its own.

That one statement was enough to assess the sparring matches that day.

Among the Dragon Phoenix Squad members who followed Mok Riwon, only Namgung Jincheon lasted more than a few seconds against Gwon Pyowol.

It was a situation that could bring despair due to the overwhelming difference in realms, but these were the talents referred to as the next generation of the orthodox faction.

They weren’t weak enough to crumble after just one defeat.

“Huff!”

The Pavilion of the Dragon Phoenix Squad was filled with rough breathing and enthusiasm.

The three training grounds were rarely empty during daylight hours, and even after sunset.

Five days after the sparring matches.

While these young, passionate martial artists who had witnessed a higher realm were overcoming their defeat and immersing themselves in training...

“A mission has been assigned.”

A mission was given to them.

In the Dragon Phoenix Squad’s captain’s office.

As Tang Hwa-seo waved the letter in her hand, five pairs of eyes followed its movement.

Their expressions varied.

“Finally!”

Mok Riwon was so excited that one might think if he had a tail on his backside, it would be spinning like a windmill.

“In the end...”

Zhuge San and Hyeun looked annoyed.

“Hm.”

Namgung Jincheon and Il-woon were indifferent.

It was quite entertaining to see such mixed reactions, but that was it.

Tang Hwa-seo’s expression wasn’t good.

With these people?

Already?

“Where are we going?!”

At Mok Riwon’s question, Tang Hwa-seo felt a sigh escape her lips.

Well, I guess we’ll have to work with what we’ve got.

Espionage is difficult.

Except for Zhuge San, these people weren’t suited for espionage.

And as luck would have it, the mission they were assigned was just that.

“…We are going to Shaanxi.”

“Shaanxi! You mean THE Shaanxi? The one with Mount Hua and Mount Zhongnan?!!!”

As always, the burden of worrying fell on Tang Hwa-seo’s shoulders.

Mok Riwon was just trembling with excitement, once again caught up in his romanticism. The other members also showed a hint of anticipation for the outing.

Tang Hwa-seo felt cold sweat running down her back.

…Two weeks until departure.

They needed even more rigorous training from Kang So-so.

* * *

Yeom So-so felt perplexed by Tang Hwa-seo’s request. It was a sensation she hadn’t felt in quite a while.

“You want me to turn them into spies? In two weeks? Me?”

“…I’m sorry.”

She was truly sorry, but there was no other choice.

This was their very first mission. The first mission that was assigned since the Dragon Phoenix Squad was formed.

Its importance naturally couldn’t be overstated, and Tang Hwa-seo needed to achieve at least partial success in this mission for the sake of their performance record.

Of course, Yeom So-so was well aware of her circumstances.

“Hmm...”

Yeom So-so stroked her chin while humming.

Before her were four wet-behind-the-year youngsters.

Although Yeom So-so’s main profession was assassination, she was more skilled in intelligence gathering than anyone else, yet… these were failing students who would trouble even her.

Those two brats at least…

Il-woon and Hyeun at least pretended to listen when told. They were the type who could be taught through defeat.

But...

“…Can’t we just leave those two behind?”

Yeom So-so said, looking at Mok Riwon and Namgung Jincheon.

Tang Hwa-seo barely held back from saying, I wish we could.

“Wh-What do you mean…!”

Mok Riwon looked at Tang Hwa-seo pitifully, as if begging not to be abandoned, while Namgung Jincheon just glared.

What escaped Tang Hwa-seo’s lips was, once again, a sigh.

“…It’s an order for all members to deploy.”

“Tsk.”

Yeom So-so clicked her tongue and considered other options.

This is difficult.

Truly, even during that era of bloodshed, there were only a few situations this troublesome. Her wrinkles deepened.

It was at that moment.

Yeom So-so came up with a rather plausible method.

“Ah.”

At her exclamation, Tang Hwa-seo looked on expectantly.

“Have you thought of a way?”

“Well, it’s a method, but…”

She looked towards Mok Riwon and Namgung Jincheon.

“How about this? Since it’s unrealistic to have them learn various situations, let’s just instill one specific role limited to this mission.”

It was like focusing on just one problem in an exam.

Tang Hwa-seo’s face brightened slightly at Yeom So-so’s strategy.

* * *

After the three members who had avoided failing left.

Tang Hwa-seo, standing beside Yeom So-so, looked at the two men and said.

“The purpose of this mission is to locate demonic practitioners hiding in Shaanxi.”

“Hm? Mount Zhongnan and Mount Hua aren’t doing it themselves?”

“They are moving too, but don’t they have eyes following them? Their faces are too well-known to move secretly, so there are areas they can’t fully investigate. We’ll be looking into those parts.”

“Then...”

“Yes, we’ll be going in disguise.”

Mok Riwon’s eyes sparkled.

At the mention of disguise, he was already excited about what kind of human skin mask he would wear.

However, Mok Riwon’s expectations didn’t last long.

“Ah, only Sword Dragon, myself, and Monk Il-woon will wear masks.”

“Why?!”

“Young Hero Mok, your face isn’t that well-known. That Zhuge is so skilled at acting that he won’t be caught by appearance alone, and that White Phoenix hasn’t been out much except for the Dragon Phoenix Tournament.”

No matter how well-crafted a human skin mask was, there was always some awkwardness. As such, to make outsiders feel less uncomfortable when looking at them, a few people need to go with their real faces.

And three people were suitable for that role.

This was the logical decision.

As Mok Riwon became dejected, Tang Hwa-seo continued.

“Our identities will be the children of local merchants from Jiangxi Province out on a sightseeing trip, along with their servants. Sword Dragon, myself, and Young Hero Mok will play the roles of the children, while the other three will be servants.”

Namgung Jincheon nodded at those words.

He looked satisfied.

“A fitting identity.”

Namgung Jincheon didn’t know. The reason he was playing the role of a young master was because of his piercing blue eyes that couldn’t be hidden by a human skin mask.

He would have to spend most of this journey confined in a carriage.

Of course, there was no intention of telling him those extra details.

Tang Hwa-seo clapped her hands and said.

“So, starting today for two weeks. You two will learn the demeanor of spoiled merchant children who have been well-fed and well-raised.”

Yeom So-so chuckled and added.

“Now then, start insulting each other.”

Mok Riwon and Namgung Jincheon’s eyes met.

* * *

To state the obvious.

Mok Riwon had been a person of such gentle nature since childhood that he had never spoken harshly to others.

Even when his emotions ran high, his words never took the form of berating others, and he was so innocent that he would hurt himself by speaking harshly to others.

“Y-You ba…!”

Mok Riwon squeezed his eyes shut as he tried to force out the words. His body trembled as he tried to continue speaking somehow, but it wasn’t as easy as he thought.

In contrast, how was Namgung Jincheon?

“You piece of trash.”

He was arrogant and ruthless by nature.

He didn’t even need to act like a ruffian; in fact, if you took away his martial prowess, he was already an excellent ruffian.

Mok Riwon inhaled sharply as if hurt.

But Namgung Jincheon didn’t stop.

“Know your place, you worm. Bow your head. Do not even breathe without permission. How dare you make such a face before my presence?”

Every word pierced him like a knife.

Mok Riwon coughed and gasped at this.

He needed to counterattack, but Mok Riwon didn’t know any harsh words to counter such insults.

Naturally, he turned to Tang Hwa-seo, seeking help.

Tang Hwa-seo felt a surge of pity at his pitiful appearance.

Maybe it would be better to have him play the role of a well-mannered young master...

No, that won’t do.

Tang Hwa-seo shook her head vigorously to steel her wavering heart.

The important thing in this Shaanxi trip was to use their status to poke around in various places.

Wasn’t Mok Riwon the one who needed to do that instead of Namgung Jincheon, who would be confined to the carriage?

Tang Hwa-seo decided to be harsh.

“Young Hero Mok! Is that all you can do?!”

“B-But…!”

“Hurry and counterattack!”

Mok Riwon’s eyebrows trembled.

Tang Hwa-seo felt her heart breaking at his face full of betrayal.

But all of this was for Mok Riwon’s sake.

So Tang Hwa-seo willingly took on the role of the villain.

Watching this farce, Yeom So-so, thought.

There’s never a dull moment.

If it wasn’t her job, the antics of these people would be quite an entertaining spectacle.

* * *

Mok Riwon’s face was half-dead as he walked through the Alliance’s corridor.

It had been a week already. Mok Riwon, who had been hearing nothing but bad words all day with even the other members joining in, couldn’t find peace of mind even for a moment, so he had secretly escaped like this.

“…Ink Dragon?”

The voice that suddenly entered his ears belonged to none other than Golden Sword Gwon Pyowol.

Mok Riwon’s head whipped around.

And his face brightened.

“Great Expert Golden Sword!”

“Is something wrong? You don’t look well.”

Mok Riwon felt his emotions rising at those words.

He felt like pouring out all the grievances he hadn’t been able to express.

Just as he was about to open his mouth to complain, his eyes fell on Gwon Pyowol’s scabbard.

“G-Great Expert! Your scabbard!”

“Ah, you mean this.”

It was no longer golden.

He was wearing a shabby scabbard that ordinary martial artists might use.

“I felt it didn’t suit me yet, so I put it away for now.”

A smile that seemed almost relieved spread across Gwon Pyowol’s face as he stroked the scabbard.

Mok Riwon was momentarily flustered, but then smiled.

I see.”

He must have had a change in mindset, Mok Riwon did not bother asking about it.

He simply said.

“Congratulations. It seems you’ve had an enlightenment!”

“Just a small one.”

Gwon Pyowol chuckled and waved his hand dismissively. Then he asked Mok Riwon again.

“But why does your face look like that?”

He looked concerned.

Mok Riwon’s heart tightened again, and after a moment’s hesitation, he sighed and poured out his heart.

His litany of woes lasted nearly an hour.

After hearing everything, Gwon Pyowol stroked his chin and nodded.

“Hmm, it is certainly a difficult task. To plant a dagger in another’s heart.”

“Indeed! How can I be cruel to people who haven’t committed any sins?! I think the Young Lady and Senior... especially Sword Dragon is being too much!”

Gwon Pyowol smiled awkwardly.

It seems he doesn’t get along well with Sword Dragon.

Seeing how innocent this friend was, Gwon Pyowol pondered what words might be helpful to Mok Riwon.

Having done more than enough espionage missions during the era of the Bloodied History, Gwon Pyowol recalled how he had overcome difficulties during his training.

“…Ah.”

Something came to mind.

“How about trying this?”

Mok Riwon tilted his head.

Gwon Pyowol’s smile was a bit mischievous.

And after that secret conversation, the next day at the training ground.

“…My goodness.”

Tang Hwa-seo was shocked.

***

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