Chapter 10: First-Class Martial Artist 2

“You want us to send a top-secret agent we manage to deal with the examinee?”

“That is correct.”

Upon receiving the request from the Execution Bureau, the Hidden Shadow Pavilion tilted its head in puzzlement. The Hidden Shadow Pavilion was an organization that possessed numerous top-tier assassins. However, the top-tier assassins belonging to the Hidden Shadow Pavilion had a peculiar trait.

Eunyeong, hidden shadow.

True to that name, they were a group that did work fitting to that description, managing individuals whose identities remained undisclosed.

Within the sect, some were tasked with secretly guarding key figures, while others moved externally on covert orders. Yet only the high-ranking members of Eunyunggak knew their true identities.

Therefore, even if they were defeated, there was nothing that would become public knowledge. Their status had been crafted from the outset to be indistinguishable from shadows.

Goo Yi-hwan, the Deputy Head of Eunyeonggak, looked at Jang Yu-seung, who had even brought a request for cooperation from the Head of the Execution Bureau, and asked.

“Is this Baek Moo-jin fellow truly that strong? Did you happen to see him yourself?”

Jang Yuseung had witnessed Baek Mujin’s duel and had spoken with him while guiding him, so he nodded.

“He is strong. Gang Yeop, the commander of the Black Sword Corps, couldn’t even raise a hand against him.”

“Kang Yeop is a fourth-rank, right?”

“That’s correct.”

“Then wouldn’t a second-grade martial artist suffice?”

“A second-grade martial artist might struggle. He held back against Commander Kang. Besides, the Chief of the Execution Bureau wants someone he can be certain to defeat.”

“Is that so?”

After hearing Jang Yuseung’s words, Gu Ihwan of Eunyeong Hall pondered for a moment before finally grasping the Chief of the Execution Bureau’s intent.

‘The intention is to keep the outcome, win or lose, from being known outside. In that case, it was wise of them to seek us out… but this is quite troublesome.’

Guihwan reluctantly agreed with a sour expression.

“I’ll send someone. But I won’t provide any information. Since it’s difficult to prepare an impersonator immediately, they’ll wear a mask for the duel. That should be fine, right?”

“Of course.”

“Good. You won’t know anything about the person I’m taking except that they’re a top-tier guest of Eunyeong Pavilion. But since I’ll be accompanying them, ask me if you have any questions.”

“Understood. Thank you, Master Bu.”

“Do not doubt his skill.”

“How could I doubt it? Then I’ll see you later.”

Jang Yuseung bowed respectfully, then quietly closed the door to the Deputy Chief’s office and left.

Left alone, Gu Ihwan propped both feet up on his desk and sank into deep thought. Then, suddenly, he spoke.

“Jang Geon, would you like to give it a try?”

“······.”

“Not interested?”

As Gu Ihwan muttered to himself in the empty room, a disinterested voice drifted in from somewhere.

“Is that all you’ve come up with?”

It was the voice of Zhang Qian, the man who could be called Gu Yihuan’s shadow, the top-tier assassin.

Gwi-hwan replied.

“‘That’s all’? Couldn’t you sense the unwavering resolve I’m sending forth? As the representative of Eunyeonggak. Anyway, I have to report to the higher-ups. The outcome is bound to be known.”

Jang Geon sighed at Gu Ihwan’s words.

“…If you say so, then so be it.”

“This man is so undignified… What exactly are we reporting? Prepare it.”

“Understood.”

“If by any chance you were to lose… The shock to me and the Lord of Gakju would be beyond words. To think I entrusted my protection to such a person—how shocking and heartbreaking.”

“······.”

“Why are you silent?”

Jang Geon deliberately replied in a cold tone to Gu Ihwan’s words.

“That Baek Moo-jin… Shall I kill him for you?”

Guihwan, who had been yawning, clicked his tongue.

“Let’s keep our dignity. Kill him? What’s the point? He’s just an examinee. Tsk.”

“Oh? How should I handle it?”

“This kind of request is a pain, I tell you. Make sure the Execution Bureau never makes such a request again. I’ll handle the cleanup.”

“Understood. I’ll see to it.”

2.

Baek Moo-jin, summoned from his lodgings, walked alongside Supervisor Lee Yeon-seong while listening to the explanation, then countered.

“You mean the rating could be readjusted?”

Lee Yeon-seong nodded.

“So you’re saying you’re a fourth-rank martial artist? Kang Yeop was fourth-rank.”

“Is that so?”

An unexpected request for an additional test. Baek Moo-jin couldn’t help but be puzzled.

“Who is the opponent?”

“I don’t know either, except that he’s a first-grade martial artist.”

“Huh?”

Even Yi Yeon-seong seemed unnecessarily tense. He glanced at the sword Baek Moo-jin had brought and said,

“Surely you won’t fight bare-handed again this time? I hope not. Someone with a disguised identity or hidden status will appear. I made a request to the Eunyeong Pavilion. I heard they have assassins and such. This is making me more nervous. But there’s no helping it. The higher-ups say they’ll assess your skill and give you the treatment you deserve. I agree with that point. Understand?”

“Well… that’s strange. Then who ranks above a first-class assassin?”

“What?”

Lee Yeon-seong, walking down the street, stopped and looked at Baek Moo-jin. Seeing Lee Yeon-seong’s surprise, Baek Moo-jin smiled and said.

“It somehow feels like we’ve come here for a martial arts duel. If you defeat a top-tier expert, doesn’t that mean an even greater master could appear next?”

Lee Yeon-seong shook his head.

“That won’t happen anytime soon. If you defeat the top-ranked martial artist, word will reach the Sect Leader immediately, and your fate will likely be decided then. Proving anything beyond that isn’t our concern. It’s for the Sect Leader to judge.”

“I see. Understood.”

“The duel will be held at the Dragon Tiger Hall. It’s where private duels take place. Come with me.”

Baek Moo-jin walked alongside Yi Yeon-seong, then suddenly glanced at the sword gripped in his left hand.

‘…Will I need to draw it?’

3.

Baek Moo-jin entered the Dragon Tiger Hall. A small number of spectators had already taken their seats. They were people from the Executive Pavilion and the Silver Shadow Pavilion.

As Yi Yeon-seong attempted to introduce Baek Moo-jin, Woo Tae-jeong, the head of the Executive Hall seated at the center, spoke.

“Skip it. Greetings can wait.”

“Understood.”

Woo Tae-jeong turned his head to look inside and said.

“Former Deputy Head, bring him in. Our opponent has arrived.”

With a sharp snap of his fingers, Jang Geon, a first-class martial artist from Eunyeong Hall who had been waiting inside, walked out accompanied by Deputy Chief Gu Ihwan.

Gu Ihwan sent Jang Geon to the center, then quietly stepped back, folded his arms, and watched the two men.

Baek Moo-jin found the attire of the first-class martial guest truly unexpected.

Black robes from head to toe.

He even wore a mask, revealing only his gleaming eyes.

The thin straight sword he carried was also entirely black.

It was an outfit that seemed to shout, ‘I am a former assassin,’ with every fiber.

Woo Tae-jeong explained.

“A first-class assassin of Eunyeonggak. My identity cannot be revealed while on mission. Baek Muin, please understand.”

“Understood.”

Baek Mujin nodded and looked at the first-class warrior. Without a word, the warrior approached Baek Mujin silently.

Jang Geon emitted a sharp aura, showing no courtesy. He acted as if he clearly regarded Baek Mujin as an enemy and intended to fight.

Yet at that moment, those watching could not hear the sound of Jang Geon’s footsteps as he approached Baek Mujin.

Therefore, those watching couldn’t help but feel tense.

‘Is he truly an assassin with the disposition of a killer, as rumored?’

In the quiet, spacious Yongho Hall, a single black shadow moved eerily.

Jang Geon didn’t even breathe audibly, making the only noise echoing through the hall the audible swallows of the onlookers.

But when it came to silence, Baek Moo-jin was no different.

He stared at Jang Geon as if frozen, like a stone statue.

As the two stood facing each other, Gu Ihwan, the deputy chief who had brought his own shadow guards, spoke.

“Begin.”

Hearing this, Lee Yeon-seong, suddenly feeling nervous, cautiously added,

“This is, after all, a martial arts contest. It was requested to assess skill levels, so I sincerely hope no one gets hurt.”

But Lee Yeon-seong’s words carried no weight here. Regardless of the identity of the top-tier martial artist, the aura he emitted weighed heavily upon the air inside Yongho Hall.

Indeed, the aura emanating from Jang Geon was hardly befitting of a mere duel.

As Baek Moo-jin remained standing without drawing his sword, Jang Geon defied the spectators’ expectations and vanished entirely from his standing position. The sudden disappearance of the top-tier martial artist, in a situation where even making a sound felt awkward, caused the onlookers to gasp in surprise.

“Ah!”

“Shh, quiet.”

“My apologies.”

Only after Jang Geon vanished using his concealment technique could people finally see Baek Moo-jin’s peculiar expression.

‘What? Why is he smiling?’

Literally, Baek Moo-jin was smiling leisurely, his gaze fixed on an empty space.