Episode 126: Return to the Demonic Sect
The Assassins’ Veil.
One of the many mysterious organizations in the martial world.
A group that specializes solely in contract killings.
In the martial world, it’s said that it’s better to end your own life than to become a target of the Assassins’ Veil.
The assassins of this group are trained from a young age with one purpose: to kill.
They receive their contracts through highly secretive means.
Most people don’t even know how to contact them, so even if they want to hire them, they can’t.
Another unique aspect is that the Assassins’ Veil doesn’t accept every contract.
No matter how much money is offered, they might refuse a job.
And when they do, there’s nothing you can do.
They are the only assassin group in the martial world that selectively accepts targets.
The main reason they refuse a contract? The target is too easy.
Even if offered a fortune, if they deem the target too simple, they won’t act.
It might sound absurd, but that’s their pride.
They only move when it’s deemed impossible to kill the target without their involvement.
Another characteristic of theirs is that, unlike most assassin groups who hide their identities until the mission is complete, the Assassins’ Veil intentionally reveals their identity to their targets.
The assassins wear uniforms embroidered with the character for “kill” on the chest and back in black.
The moment a target sees this, they realize they’ve been marked by the Assassins’ Veil.
Even if they survive an assassination attempt by sheer luck, the real terror begins then.
Being targeted by the Assassins’ Veil is akin to receiving a death sentence.
Once marked, they never give up on their target.
So even if you survive an attempt, from that day on, you live every moment in fear.
Checking for poison at breakfast, looking for hidden threats in the restroom, sensing danger even while sleeping…
It’s no wonder there’s a saying that realizing you’re a target of the Assassins’ Veil can drive you mad before you die.
Tap.
Seo Rae-hyang’s front tooth snapped the edge of her thumbnail.
“Sabi-gang…”
She narrowed her eyes, staring out the window.
The face of Sabi-gang, who had humiliated her at the inn, resurfaced in her mind.
Recently, the Blood Demon Alliance had destroyed both the Red River Fortress and the True Harmony Gate.
They were growing at a terrifying pace.
And she was the only one stuck in place.
Now was the time to deal with Sabi-gang.
“If only the Assassins’ Veil would accept the contract…”
Seo Rae-hyang narrowed her eyes, fiddling with her broken nail.
Knock, knock.
A knock echoed through the room.
Soon, Yosin, the leader of the Phantom Assassins, entered.
Seo Rae-hyang’s eyes lit up as she turned to him.
“How did it go?”
“They accepted the contract.”
Yosin’s lips curled into a smile.
“Are you sure?”
“Yes, the hunchbacked old man wasn’t at the market.”
“It’s done!”
Seo Rae-hyang clenched her fist in triumph.
The hunchbacked old man Yosin met was the contact for the Assassins’ Veil.
If they had refused the contract, the old man would still be selling trinkets at the market.
The fact that he wasn’t there meant they had accepted.
Seo Rae-hyang stood up.
“Good. Now they’ll ask for detailed information on Sabi-gang. Prepare as much as you can.”
“Understood.”
“We must eliminate him for sure this time.”
Seo Rae-hyang’s eyes turned cold.
“Just wait, Sabi-gang. I’ll bring you down a notch.”
**
“Yaaawn!”
Sabi-gang stretched and yawned as he walked towards the Special Training Hall.
He scratched his ear, frowning.
“Is someone talking about me? My ears are itching.”
Following behind, Mae Seol-ran chuckled.
“If your ears itch every time someone talks about you, you’d have an ear infection by now.”
“What? Who would dare speak ill of someone as noble as me? They should be grateful instead.”
“Sure, some might be grateful, but I bet more people hold grudges.”
“What are you talking about? Who else is as kind, pure, and benevolent as me? I’m a proper instructor, you know. Haha.”
“That creepy laugh of yours is the problem.”
“Hmm, wait. Are you secretly badmouthing me?”
Sabi-gang suddenly stopped and approached Mae Seol-ran.
She instinctively backed away until her back hit the wall of the Special Training Hall.
Thud!
Sabi-gang placed a hand on the wall, cornering her.
“Suspicious. Have you been badmouthing me?”
“Why is the blame suddenly on me?”
Was it because their faces were too close?
Mae Seol-ran’s cheeks flushed without her realizing it.
And of all times, she remembered when Sabi-gang had publicly confessed to sharing a bed.
Sabi-gang leaned in closer, his eyes filled with suspicion.
They were so close now that she could feel his breath.
‘What is this guy doing all of a sudden?’
Sabi-gang narrowed his eyes.
“Hmm. Suspicious.”
“What is?”
“Why can’t you look me in the eye? Your face is red. So, it’s you who’s been badmouthing me?”
“What are you talking about? I haven’t done anything like that! Move.”
“Well, I guess you wouldn’t do that.”
When Sabi-gang agreed so easily, Mae Seol-ran flared up.
“Why are you so sure?”
Sabi-gang looked at her intently.
‘Why is he staring at me like that?’
Just meeting his gaze made her heart race uncontrollably.
Mae Seol-ran swallowed dryly as Sabi-gang brushed her chin with his fingertips.
“Because we’ve shared so much, haven’t we? Inside this outfit…”
“What kind of perverted nonsense is that!”
Mae Seol-ran instinctively lashed out.
Thud!
Sabi-gang staggered back, clutching his chest.
“Ouch! What was that for? It’s a good thing I’m tough! Anyone else would call this attempted murder!”
“Shut up! Who’s the one spouting perverted nonsense?”
“Perverted? It’s true, isn’t it? Didn’t I give you the dragon scale armor you’re wearing under that outfit?”
“Under this outfit…! Wait, you meant that…?”
“What else?”
By now, Mae Seol-ran’s cheeks were so red they looked like they might burst.
At this point, she couldn’t tell if she was misunderstanding his innocence or falling for his slyness.
Sabi-gang still looked at her with a clueless expression.
‘That smug face is even more infuriating!’
Just then, Sabi-gang’s eyes sharpened, and he suddenly turned, reaching out.
Whoosh!
In his hand was a tightly rolled piece of paper, as sharp as a dagger.
Mae Seol-ran’s brow furrowed.
“Who!”
She was about to leap forward when Sabi-gang stopped her.
“No need.”
“What?”
“They’re on our side.”
“Our side…? What’s that?”
Sabi-gang unfolded the paper with a serious expression.
A short message appeared.
Four days later. Under the Pillar, Ho-jak Valley, at the start of the Rat Hour.
It was a time and place.
In the next moment.
Fwoosh!
A flame ignited in Sabi-gang’s palm, turning the paper to ash in an instant.
He turned to Mae Seol-ran with a grin.
“So, our peaceful days are over once again.”
“What is it this time…?”
But instead of answering, Sabi-gang swung open the door to the Special Training Hall.
The cadets gathered inside all turned to look.
Sabi-gang clapped his hands with a broad smile.
“Alright! Get ready to leave, everyone!”
“What?”
“Starting today, we’re having off-site training. It’ll last for the next fifteen days.”
“What? Again?”
The cadets exchanged bewildered glances at the sudden announcement.
One of them blurted out.
“Why all of a sudden?”
“Life is always more fun with surprises. Stop complaining and get ready.”
Sabi-gang just chuckled.
**
Bang!
“Stop complaining and get ready, he says!”
Ak Cheon-gwe slammed the table and stood up abruptly.
He glared at Ryu Yeo-jung, who sat across from him with a serene expression, as if in another world.
“Why are you so angry?”
“Why? Do you even need to ask? I came all the way from Ho-jak Valley because I heard the Lord was visiting the branch here. And now you’re telling me to put myself in danger?”
“You understand perfectly.”
“Are you playing games with me?”
“Do you know what the rumors about the Red Phoenix Lord are in the Justice Alliance?”
“I have ears, don’t I?”
Ak Cheon-gwe shouted, even more frustrated.
Ryu Yeo-jung nodded calmly.
“Then you know. They say the Red Phoenix Lord is skilled in martial arts but cruel, impulsive, and simple-minded. He relies on strength over strategy and is stubborn due to his pride.”
“So, you’re not playing games, you’re picking a fight.”
“Hahaha. Of course not. Are those rumors true?”
”…”
“They’re not, are they? I know the Red Phoenix Lord better than anyone. Lord Ak is not a simple man.”
“What are you trying to say?”
“Why do you think such rumors started? Who could have spread them?”
”…!”
“Yes, that’s right. It was me. I concocted these rumors at Mantong Pavilion.”
“But why?”
“For this operation. Right now, Jeongdomeng is practically defenseless. The Lord of Cheonan Pavilion is running amok, pretending to be in charge of the military. Just follow my plan, and within three days, they’ll make their move. Of course, your organization will be in danger. But if you can hold out just a little longer…”
“Are you saying you’ll provide support?”
“I have many tasks to attend to, so I’ll be returning to the main headquarters today. But rest assured, I’ll send reinforcements.”
Akcheongoe’s voice softened slightly as he pondered for a moment.
“Very few at the main headquarters know you’re here. But how can I trust you?”
If Akcheongoe were to fall now, Ryu Yeo-jung, who had played a crucial role in building the Hyeolsaryeon, would quickly rise to second-in-command.
In other words, this was Ryu Yeo-jung’s best chance to surpass Akcheongoe.
Ryu Yeo-jung smiled faintly.
“Why would I risk everything for a small gain? You might not like hearing this, but… Hyeolsaryeon needs a chief strategist. If I were you, I’d seize the opportunity right in front of me.”
It wasn’t quite a threat, but it was certainly pressure.
Essentially, he was saying, “I’ll be in a stronger position, so you better align yourself with me now.”
This approach made Ryu Yeo-jung’s intentions even clearer.
Suddenly, Akcheongoe burst into laughter.
“Hahaha!”
Ryu Yeo-jung, understanding the meaning behind the laughter, simply maintained his faint smile, waiting for a response.
Finally, Akcheongoe, his gaze now changed, replied.
“Very well. I’ll follow your lead.”