Chapter 57: The Masked Man (1)
In Xi’an Prefecture, there’s a river named Chan River.
On rainy days, the river water turns yellowish and becomes like the Yellow River. However, on most days, clear water flowed.
It’s not a famous spot poets and travelers frequently visited, but it wasn’t bad to look at. That’s why tea houses lined up along the road.
Ha-jun was at one of them.
Even if it’s a tea house, it wasn’t fancy enough for a young master of the Baek Noble Clan to visit. It was a shabby place that sold both alcohol and food. However, the view from the window was quite scenic, making the tea taste good.
Sip—
Such a sound was made as he drank the hot tea.
Ha-jun slightly furrowed his brows.
Eyebrows with clear lines, cold yet upright facial features. He had the looks that would captivate many as he grew up, but he didn’t seem to be in a good mood.
‘I don’t remember Brother making such a sound when he drank tea.’
The way Yi-gang drank tea was almost like the standard way of tea ceremony. Baek Ha-jun would have received the same education, but compared to his brother, he felt somewhat lacking.
Ha-jun simply gave up and drank the tea comfortably.
Before leaving, Yi-gang entrusted a task to Baek Ha-jun.
“I’ve assigned the task of investigating the assassins to the Low Down Sect. Make sure to oversee the process well.”
It wasn’t such a challenging task. In reality, it was the Low Down Sect who were making the moves. Thanks to Yi-gang, Jeong Gu, who narrowly escaped death, and Xi’an Branch Manager, Geumhwa, put their heart and soul into the investigation.
True to the Low Down Sect’s reputation for intelligence gathering, their results exceeded expectations.
Unlike the Red Dragon Corps, who found a clue from the carpenters of the Big Tree House, the Low Down Sect dug deep into the goods used by the assassins and their means of transportation.
‘It’s quite surprising. After all, when I first met Low Down Sect members, he was with me.’
Even when rescuing the captured Low Down Sect members, he couldn’t have imagined that Yi-gang would truly earn their loyalty. Moreover, Yi-gang had only returned from the manor a few months ago.
Such was the brother that had placed his hopes in Baek Ha-jun.
Ha-jun was well aware that he wasn’t such an exceptional person. Although he was highly regarded by those around him, he felt it was only a facade. Each time he compared himself to his brother, he profoundly felt his own inadequacy.
That’s why his burden felt even heavier.
‘I must do this right.’
While carrying out the investigation, the Low Down Sect members sought Baek Ha-jun’s assistance. It was a matter worth involving him in.
To address the issue, Baek Ha-jun, dressed in ordinary clothes and hiding his identity, came to this place.
“Young Master, please try this. Haha.”
The bearded man in front of Ha-jun was dressed like a merchant. However, his real identity was a warrior of the Biyeon Squad.
“What is this?”
“It’s a trendy snack in the tea houses lately. They call it Youtiao. It’s made by frying dough made from glutinous rice flour and wheat flour. Try dipping it in this — a mixture of condensed milk and honey.”
The Biyeon Squad man’s name was Mu Jung. He was missing one hand. He said it was torn off by a tiger when he was with Yi-gang.
Following Mu Jung’s suggestion, Baek Ha-jun dipped the youtiao in condensed milk and ate it.
The freshly fried youtiao had a chewy texture. Dipping the fried food into something sweet made it irresistibly delicious.
Mu Jung, with a sly grin, took a gulp from his drink.
However, it was only a pretense of drinking. He was still holding onto that first drink.
“Are you nervous?”
“Nervous?”
“Young Master’s expression seems quite stiff.”
Upon Mu Jung’s remark, the other Biyeon Squad members chuckled in amusement. Baek Ha-jun felt a tad embarrassed.
Though his feelings typically didn’t show on his face, the Biyeon Squad members must’ve noticed.
Neung Ji-pyeong and the Biyeon Squad were the ones Baek Ha-jun trusted most in the clan. They had a close bond.
When asked to secretly accompany him to the clan this time, the Biyeon Squad members nodded in agreement.
“Then let me tell you a story that might help you relax.”
“A story?”
“About the time Young Master Yi-gang charged towards the Twin-Headed Ghost Tiger. Back then, my wrist was bitten, so I was guarding Pil Hwan…”
At this, the other Biyeon Squad members burst into hearty laughter.
“Stop with that same story already. I feel like blood’s gonna pour out of my ears.”
“How often have I even told it?”
“Do you think Pil Hwan doesn’t talk? I’m sick to death hearing about Young Master Yi-gang and that tiger story every day.”
At the chattering of the Biyeon Squad members, Ha-jun finally chuckled.
While there were hardly any retainers in the clan who were fond of Yi-gang, the Biyeon Squad was different.
They had seen Yi-gang’s efforts up close since he returned to the clan. Moreover, Pil Hwan and Mu Jung, nearly every day, spread tales of Yi-gang’s valor, especially about how he returned after being bitten by a tiger.
Thanks to this, Yi-gang’s reputation improved. If he returned, it was clear he’d receive many friendly glances everywhere, which might make him flustered.
With that thought, Ha-jun felt slightly better.
And then, someone climbed the stairs and approached the group.
“Have you been waiting long?”
It was Jeong Gu of the Low Down Sect. He sat beside Ha-jun as if he had always been part of the group.
Of the three Biyeon Squad members who came with Baek Ha-jun, Mu Jung, as the representative, greeted him.
“Hahaha, it hasn’t been that long.”
“Haha… Huh.”
Jeong Gu, who was laughing heartily, suddenly tensed up.
From under the table, a cold blade was pointed at him.
It was one of the Biyeon Squad members sitting beside Mu Jung who had drawn the sword.
“I’ve heard from the young master, but explain clearly. You know who we are, don’t you? Haha.”
Even as he laughed, a hint of bloodthirsty intent was palpable in Mu Jung’s voice.
Jeong Gu, having one foot in the mire himself, knew full well just how dangerous the members of the Biyeon Squad, guards of the Baek clan, were.
Jeong Gu discreetly surveyed the surroundings.
It was a venue owned by the Low Down Sect Xi’an Branch. The second floor was empty.
Clearing his throat, he began.
“We found the group that had contacts with the assassins who raided the manor where Young Master Yi-gang was staying.”
He paused to catch his breath before continuing, “To be precise, it seems that several of the assassins belong to that group.”
Low Down Sect had delivered results. Baek Ha-jun’s eyes turned cold.
The number of assassins who attacked Yi-gang exceeded twenty.
To be exact, it might not be correct to even call them assassins. They didn’t exhibit the traits of individuals trained in infiltration and assassination.
While some, including Jeokpyo, whom Yi-gang cut, were highly skilled, the rest weren’t.
However, it was impossible to identify where their martial arts originated from. If individuals of their caliber were in action, they would have undoubtedly been noticed, but that wasn’t the case.
Given there were no traces of them in markets or inns, it indicated they either resided nearby, where they wouldn’t need provisions, or they already had everything they needed. Amidst this, numerous horseshoe marks were discovered on a mountain near the manor, implying they had traveled from afar on horses.
However, inevitably, the information should have been recorded in the Low Down Sect’s stables.
It wasn’t that the Baek Clan hadn’t considered this. They meticulously searched nearby stables and demanded information from Low Down Sect.
Yet, even the Low Down Sect stables couldn’t find traces of the assassins.
“We made an observation from that.”
Jeong Gu added.
“There are certain traces that can’t be concealed even if one tries. If such traces are absent, there are only two conclusions: either they really fell from the sky, or someone erased the traces.”
“So, are you saying that Low Down Sect concealed the information about the assassins?”
“We had no other choice but to come to that conclusion.”
The Biyeon Squad members fidgeted with their knife hilts.
They could draw their blades immediately, but surely Jeong Gu wouldn’t be speaking in such a way if he wanted them to kill him. They decided to wait for now.
“The former Xi’an Branch Manager had a chronic illness. The day after he passed away from it, a rebellion occurred.”
“It’s not uncommon in the unorthodox faction, right? It’s all about the power struggle.”
“Indeed. We initially thought the same. But it turned out that wasn’t the case.”
The newly appointed Xi’an Branch Manager, Geumhwa, was the daughter of the previous Manager. Thanks to Yi-gang, she was able to safely take over her father’s position.
“It was poisoning. He didn’t pass away from his illness.”
“Then…”
“The former Xi’an Branch Manager found traces of the assassins in the stables. And before he could relay this information to the Baek Clan, he was poisoned. We discovered this while interrogating a rebel member.”
The atmosphere instantly grew heavy at that moment.
Jeong Gu swallowed nervously. It was a palpable killing intent. Was it from the Biyeon Squad members?
No. The dense killing aura was emanating from a young boy, who hadn’t yet reached his coming-of-age and hadn’t spoken a word.
“So, Low Down Sect was involved with the people who attacked my brother?” Baek Ha-jun asked with an icy tone.
Even Jeong Gu, who had faced countless dangers before, couldn’t help but bow his head.
“Yes, but we’ve either captured or killed those despicable individuals. Manager Geumhwa and the rest of us are doing our utmost to cooperate with the Baek Clan. Please, show mercy…”
“Then.”
Mu Jung naturally realigned the mood.
“Who are these people?”
Jeong Gu hesitantly continued, “There’s a sect in the outer region called Black Ghost Manor. They’re at the lower ranks of the Unorthodox Union. According to the testimony, it seems Black Ghost Manor borrowed the horses. They didn’t reveal their identities, but some sect members recognized their faces.”
“Have you investigated them?”
“We sent teams three times…”
It was clear why Low Down Sect had asked Ha-jun for help, and why Ha-jun had relayed the request to the Biyeon Squad members.
“None returned.”
This meant that all the investigators from the Low Down Sect were killed.
“While our martial arts skills at Low Down Sect might not be top-notch, the fact that all were killed is clearly suspicious. If we team up, we might be able to learn more, but I felt it best to report to you first.”
“They say the darkest place is under the lamp. No matter how daring, it’s audacious of them to remain here in Xi’an so brazenly.”
The Biyeon Squad warriors emitted a cold, killing aura. The hand of Ha-jun, gripping his sword, tensed visibly.
“So, are we all set?”
“Yes, we’ve diverted the eyes of the government. The local villagers will retreat when the time comes.”
“We’ll smash those brutes to bits, and they’ll have to show themselves.”
Ha-jun and the Biyeon Squad members rose from their seats in unison.
“Let’s go.”
“Yes, Young Master.”
As Ha-jun descended the stairs, the rest of the waiting Biyeon Squad members on the ground floor followed him.
They possessed the power to raze Black Ghost Manor in an instant.
Jeong Gu silently led the way.
Beyond the Chan River bridge was the outer region, where Black Ghost Manor was located. They had more than enough power to confront them.
Three were by Ha-jun’s side. Four more Biyeon Squad members followed, disguising themselves as ordinary villagers.
Contrary to its ominous name, Black Ghost Manor was a rather insignificant sect. An old building with a shabbily written signboard emerged before them.
From the villagers passing by to the old man sitting by the roadside with a street stall, they were all Low Down Sect members in disguise.
“One of the Biyeon Squad members should wait here. We have to be prepared for unforeseen circumstances.”
Ha-jun suddenly made the suggestion.
While it might seem overly cautious, Mu Jung didn’t dare question or comment on it.
As he gestured with his fingers, one of the Biyeon Squad members in the back, recognizing the signal, retreated.
“The remaining three will block the surroundings.”
“Ensure no one escapes.”
With Mu Jung’s words, the three remaining Biyeon Squad members dispersed in different directions.
And then, they halted before the gate of Black Ghost Manor.
At Ha-jun’s gesture, Jeong Gu knocked heavily on the gate.
“Is anyone inside?”
No response came.
“Tsk, even if it’s a small unorthodox sect, not having a gatekeeper is odd.”
Mu Jung muttered as if he found the situation pitiful.
Jeong Gu knocked on the door once again.
“Guests have arrived; come out and greet us at once!”
If this were a proper sect, at the very least, they would have rushed out with clubs in response to such a rude greeting.
However, no one emerged from Black Ghost Manor.
Mu Jung’s expression, which had been tilting his head in wonder, became puzzled.
Flaring his nostrils, he exclaimed, “Damn it.”
He scowled and unsheathed his sword.
Swish—
It was a swift and fierce swing. The sword accurately sliced through the gap of the old gate, cutting the latch that held it shut in half.
Then, a Biyeon Squad member standing beside him, as if coordinating with him, kicked open the door.
Bang!
A horrendous smell emanated from the wide-open gates.
It was the smell of blood.
“…Insane.”
Black Ghost Manor was a sea of blood.
Throughout the place, what appeared to be the martial artists of Black Ghost Manor were spewing blood and gasping for their last breaths.
From those whose limbs had been severed to those whose chests had been swiftly split open. The locations of the injuries varied, but what they all had in common was that they had recently died.
“What is this…”
Jeong Gu’s face turned ashen.
Before going to meet Baek Ha-jun, they had stationed Low Down Sect members nearby. If there had been a fight in Black Ghost Manor, their subordinates would have undoubtedly known.
“There’s someone there.”
Mu Jung quietly informed Baek Ha-jun.
Deep within Black Ghost Manor, someone stood amidst the corpses. It was a man wearing a mask carved with a crying face.
“This is suspicious.”
Mu Jung and the Biyeon Squad members drew their swords.
Through the eyeholes in the mask, the gaze of Ha-jun and the masked man met.
That gaze flared up like that of a wild beast, and instinctively, Ha-jun tightly gripped the hilt of his sword.
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