Between Favor and Deception (2)
The very next day, the tales of the Nameless Hero began to spread across the martial world once more. Just as the initial rumors had started to die down, it was as if someone had poured oil on the embers, causing them to blaze even brighter.
If the Butcher was a symbol of power, then the Lustful Flame was a villain who preyed on the innocent, a fiend who had violated countless women.
While everyone praised the Nameless Hero, a part of them couldn’t help but wonder if there was a political motive behind his actions. However, with the removal of the Lustful Flame, those doubts were completely dispelled.
People rejoiced and celebrated the birth of a new hero.
Even at the inn where I was having dinner, the patrons were abuzz with talk about me, the Nameless Hero.
“I’d give anything just to catch a glimpse of the hero.”
“Since the death of the Heavenly Leader, there hasn’t been anyone worthy of being called a hero in the martial world. Finally, one has emerged.”
“Indeed, heroes are born in times of chaos. It’s been too peaceful until now.”
“Since the hero’s deeds took place here in Henan, he might still be around.”
One man glanced around the room, his eyes eventually meeting mine. He quickly turned back to his companions, likely dismissing the idea that he could meet the Nameless Hero so easily. Little did he know, the person he longed to see was right in front of him.
I was taken aback by how quickly the rumors had spread. Creating a rumor usually requires considerable effort and time. Yet, this wildfire of gossip was engulfing the martial world in an instant.
When I was the leader, I only saw the martial world through reports. Experiencing it firsthand now, it was far more vibrant than I had imagined.
One thing was clear: the people of the martial world were desperately yearning for a hero. I was grateful to be remembered as the last hero, but it was bittersweet to think that no new heroes had emerged because of the peace I had brought.
Someone sat down across from me without asking.
“How does it feel to be a hero?”
To my surprise, it was Ma Ryeong-in. He had left his guards outside and entered the inn alone.
“It’s bewildering. Killing one scoundrel, and suddenly I’m a hero? Do they know I collected the bounty from the Martial Alliance?”
“Even if they did, it wouldn’t change anything. They’d just assume you’d use it for a good cause.”
“Ridiculous.”
“A hero must seize the right moment. If you had killed the same man at a different time, no one would have noticed.”
“True enough.”
“Anyway, we should toast to your success. Since you don’t drink alone, I’ll join you.”
He called the server and ordered drinks.
“Thanks to you, I’m a hero and richer. But why are you being so kind to me?”
“It’s a gift.”
“A gift?”
“A gift to celebrate a new friendship. Why the face?”
“Can I be honest?”
“Go ahead.”
“All of this feels like a trap. It’s strange for someone as influential as you to show me such favor.”
“You don’t trust people, do you?”
“In my experience, those who ask for trust are rarely trustworthy.”
“Trust me one last time.”
He raised his glass, but I drank alone without toasting.
Ma Ryeong-in climbed into a waiting carriage outside the inn. Inside was Choo Do-chi. As soon as Ma Ryeong-in got in, he spoke.
“Let’s create another opportunity for him. Do you have anything in mind?”
“I do, but…”
“Make it a big one. And make sure he gets plenty of money.”
“Understood.”
Though he agreed, Choo Do-chi couldn’t suppress his curiosity.
“Forgive me, but I must ask. Why are you doing all this for him?”
“Are you that curious?”
“Yes, it’s keeping me up at night.”
“You’ll find out soon enough. Now, let’s get going.”
I watched the carriage from the window of my room on the inn’s second floor. As it departed, Ma Ryeong-in leaned out and waved at me with a friendly smile. I nodded slightly and closed the curtain with a flourish. If Choo Do-chi had seen, he would have been furious, calling me an insolent brat.
But there was a reason for my behavior. The more distance I kept, the less suspicion I would arouse.
The next morning, Choo Do-chi came to see me.
I was having breakfast in the inn’s dining area.
“If you haven’t eaten, join me.”
“No, thank you.”
“They say a hearty breakfast leads to a long life.”
“Do you want to live long?”
“Of course. Otherwise, why would I be tied to you people?”
“Another mission has come up.”
“What?”
For the first time, my chopsticks paused mid-air.
“I haven’t even spent the bounty from the last mission.”
“Save it for later. The reward for this one is substantial too.”
I glared at him, but Choo Do-chi’s expression said, “What can you do about it?”
“Fine, I get that you want to keep me busy, but why are you helping me make money? It’s not like you’re taking in an orphan to beg for you. Are you planning to kill me and take it all?”
“Do you think we’d go through all this trouble for a bit of money?”
“Then why?”
It was clear Choo Do-chi didn’t know either. He must be frustrated not being able to tell me.
“Here, take this.”
He handed me a paper with the name, location, and crimes of a villain.
This confirmed the nature of their organization.
Self-serving scoundrels!
They had all this information on criminals but didn’t act. They only moved when it benefited their organization.
Compared to the villains on this list, they were the real villains.
The next target was a former assassin named Jong Baek, who had settled in Henan and continued his deadly trade.
The martial world was full of assassins, but Jong Baek was particularly ruthless, killing even untrained civilians and children for money.
After a fierce battle, as he lay dying, he finally realized something about me.
“Who… are you?”
With his last breath, Jong Baek asked weakly.
“They call me the Nameless Hero in the martial world.”
“How did you find my hiding place?”
When I arrived at his lair, he had hidden behind a secret wall, sensing my approach.
How did I know he was there?
During my time as leader, I encountered assassins more than any other enemy. Especially during the war with the Sima faction, assassins came almost daily.
Sometimes, they came morning and night. I could write a report on assassins if I had to.
“Were you an assassin?”
Those were his last words before he died.
He must have sensed it during our fight. That I knew him, and assassins, inside out.
This time, the Western Peace branch of the Martial Alliance in Henan was in an uproar.
The Nameless Hero, who had been the stuff of rumors, had brought in the body of the fearsome assassin Jong Baek. The bounty on him was a staggering nine thousand nyang.
Once again, the tales of the Nameless Hero spread across the martial world.
To the villains, he was their doom!
The Nameless Hero became a beacon of hope for ordinary people and a dream for children learning martial arts.
Even without Ma Ryeong-in, I had intended to make the Nameless Hero a legend in the martial world. Thanks to him, my goal was being achieved effortlessly.
However, I still didn’t know Ma Ryeong-in’s true intentions. In the game of Go, I was currently on the defensive, and I needed to seize the initiative.
Several days passed.
In that time, two of my watchers died by my hand. Some days I had a tail, and other days I didn’t. Neither Ma Ryeong-in nor Choo Do-chi showed any reaction to the deaths.
We were becoming accustomed to each other.
The journey that began with a secret mission was dragging on, but I wasn’t worried about those waiting for me.
Though Guangdu might be concerned about my absence, they were all wise enough to manage their affairs.
In the meantime, I focused on the Zhengzhou Martial Office for information.
The Zhengzhou Martial Office was the headquarters of the organization in Henan. There might be other branches or safe houses, but this was the main base.
The office was quite large, with at least two hundred officials. While some were regular staff, many were likely part of their ranks.
Most importantly, the mansion with the underground chamber was in Zhengzhou, so it made sense for this to be their main stronghold.
The Zhengzhou Martial Office was less guarded than the mansion.
Choo Do-chi mainly stayed there. On days without a tail, I infiltrated the office to spy on him. I found a hidden spot where I could overhear conversations in his office.
The day Ma Ryeong-in visited the Western Window and Eastern Sword rooms, he also stopped by here for a while.
This meant he might return. Listening to their private conversations could provide clues.
After several days of watching Choo Do-chi, Ma Ryeong-in finally visited the Zhengzhou Martial Office.
After some discussion, my name came up.
“What is Nameless up to?”
“Just his usual routine. Visiting brothels, drinking, wandering around.”
“Find a way to make him even more famous.”
“Sir, please tell me. Why are you showing him such favor?”
“Are you that curious?”
“Yes, I definitely want to hear it.”
“Then your question is flawed. I’m not doing him any favors.”
With that, the mysterious figure revealed something he hadn’t mentioned before.
“Do you know what’s happening here in Jeongju next month?”
“Next month? Isn’t the Golden Banquet taking place?”
“Exactly.”
The Golden Banquet was a grand event held annually by the Central Merchants’ Union. It was a festival for all merchants, from the wealthiest with multiple large trading companies to the smallest traders.
The event spanned ten days, attracting not only merchants but also the leaders of the martial arts alliance, key figures from the martial world, and renowned experts from across the land.
“Your brother will be there too, won’t he?”
Chudochi realized that when the mysterious figure mentioned “brother,” he was referring to Macheolgun.
Chudochi blinked in surprise, then his eyes widened in shock.
“Could it be…?”
He was so startled he nearly clamped his hand over his mouth.
Unfazed by Chudochi’s reaction, the mysterious figure continued calmly.
“I’m sending Moomyeong to assassinate my brother.”
Chudochi swallowed hard, stunned, as the explanation continued.
“Moomyeong is currently hailed as a great hero in the martial world. What do you think will happen if someone like him kills my brother?”
At last, Chudochi began to grasp the true intent behind the plan.
In the succession race, Macheolgun was undoubtedly the biggest obstacle for the mysterious figure. He was popular within the Heavenly Path Sect and widely expected to be the successor.
But if he were to die?
The strongest candidate would then be the mysterious figure himself.
While the other candidates were seen as roughly equal, the mysterious figure was not what he appeared to be.
Of course, there might be others among the candidates who were different from their public personas, but in Chudochi’s eyes, none could match the mysterious figure.
“Moomyeong’s skills have improved dramatically, both in martial arts and internal energy. What do you think? Isn’t it worth a try?”
“But can he really kill Macheolgun?”
Macheolgun was the most skilled among the successors, surrounded by formidable masters.
“Even if the assassination fails, it doesn’t matter.”
“What?”
“The fact that Moomyeong attempted it is what’s important. People will wonder why such a righteous hero would try to kill my brother. They’ll suspect he must have done something terrible.”
“Ah!”
Finally, Chudochi understood the depth of the plan.
“But what if he’s captured and confesses?”
“He’ll die on the day of the attempt.”
“What?”
“We have ‘that,’ don’t we?”
The mention of “that” sent a shiver down Chudochi’s spine.
The mysterious figure must have planned all this from the moment he received the report about bringing Moomyeong. Chudochi was deeply impressed by the intricacy of the plan.
With a satisfied smile, the mysterious figure said, “So let’s nurture our hero to be even greater and stronger.”
I had been listening to their entire conversation.
So this was the reason?
I had suspected they might use me as a pawn in some test, like the man who bled to death in Chilgong.
But this? I never imagined.
What could the mysterious figure mean by “that”? Could it be related to the underground chambers of the manor?
Reclaiming the upper hand, a knowing smile crept onto my lips. The unknown is the problem; once you know, you can prepare.
Alright, I’ll gladly accept your so-called favor.