Chapter 12 - Maeng Cheon (1)

The manor.

A vast garden surrounded several buildings. Including the multiple walls enclosing the exterior, the entire structure was referred to as a 'manor'.

I glanced around the interior as I passed through numerous gates.

Spotless. As if recently cleaned, not a speck of dust could be found.

Discipline must be strict here. A person who looked like a laborer passed by. Their pace was incredibly fast.

More than diligent, it seemed almost frantic. They carried water, undoubtedly drawn from a distant source.

＂Late!＂

＂Hurry and transfer it!＂

＂Yes!＂

I looked up at one of the buildings. Smoke billowed continuously. A delicious aroma wafted towards me.

They're cooking. What was important was how strongly the smell permeated the surroundings.

Normally, a scent wouldn't travel this far. They must have been cooking for a long time.

The faces of the passing laborers were drenched in sweat. Some even muttered curses.

＂Pig... Is he possessed by a demon...?＂

＂Just how much does he eat...?＂

We stopped a laborer. Upon mentioning we had brought meat, he gestured to us.

We helped him hang the heavy meat in the warehouse. The laborer, sighing, collapsed on the spot.

＂You’re quite strong. Lifting this so easily. I need to rest for a bit. My legs feel like they’re going to fall off…＂

＂Is there a feast inside?＂

＂Feast? No way. It's all food for Sect Leader Maeng Cheon's first son, Maeng So-Un. All of it.＂

＂It seems like quite a large amount…＂

＂He eats like a pig. For some reason, his appetite has grown tremendously lately. He devours everything like a goblin. They say there’s no coward under a brave father… that’s all lies. If only he’d taken after our Sect Leader even half as much. He’s been causing trouble since he was young, and now he's afflicted with some strange illness… Tsk.＂

A sudden increase in appetite.

The laborer gestured for us to leave. We bowed our heads slightly and left the warehouse.

29th rolled her eyes.

＂Thorough. There are no openings. Our only option is to climb the walls.＂

＂But such a large area can't be completely guarded all the time.＂

＂Let's enter a few more times and measure the guards’ patrol times. We’ll enter at slightly different intervals each time. That way we can figure out the approximate patrol schedule and shift changes.＂

We entered and exited the manor several more times. Now somewhat familiar with our faces, the Gatekeeper let us through without a word after seeing the meat.

We also became acquainted with the servant who guided us each time. We were able to gather some valuable information as well.

＂When did Maeng So-Un’s appetite increase? Let's see… about two months ago. The way I see it, the Black Heaven Squad won't die fighting, they’ll die of starvation. How can they have any money left with him eating like this?＂

＂Sect Leader? Ah, well… yes? He adores his first son. But you know, Maeng So-Un, that kid, has always been a rogue. Sixteen laborers lost limbs because of him. He’s nothing like the Sect Leader. Incredibly violent. And on top of that, so greedy…＂

＂Maeng So-Un is trash. Still is. Now, along with that violent temper, he has a monstrous appetite… I’d rather he just died. That little… The Sect Leader is such a good person…＂

The servant spat on the ground.

Sect Leader.

It seemed the reputation of Maeng Cheon, the Sect Leader of the Black Heaven Squad, was quite formidable. Not a single person in the manor spoke ill of him.

Unlike other factions, he seemed to take good care of his subordinates.

Six days remained until the appointed date. We returned to our lodgings and sat facing each other.

＂.......＂

29th was lost in thought. So was I. I fidgeted with my sword.

The order had been given. If I was told to strike, I had to strike.

That was how one survived in this world.

Personal feelings surfaced, but I suppressed them. I was the Heavenly Demon's dog now. Having chosen to be a dog, I couldn't afford emotions.

Strike.

Prioritize the order.

＂30th.＂

＂Yes.＂

＂I've grasped the approximate patrol schedule and gaps between the guards. The important thing is to avoid making any noise.＂

＂......＂

＂But with your level of Ghost Shadow Step, it’s impossible. You know that, right?＂

＂I know.＂

＂I’ll handle this alone. You wait outside.＂

I could only nod at her consideration.

I was undeniably a burden in this mission. Unless I further cultivated my Muwui, it would be impossible to climb the walls without making a sound.

＂...However.＂

My pride wouldn't allow it, so I made a request.

＂I might be able to gather more information necessary for the assassination. 29th. I'll scout the interior alone until the appointed day. Meanwhile, wouldn't it be better for you to rest or prepare for the assassination?＂

＂...Hmm.＂

29th chuckled.

＂Obedient.＂

＂Pardon?＂

＂I’m impressed. Do as you please. I'll prepare at the lodgings.＂

＂Understood.＂

Leaving 29th at the lodgings, I sought out the butcher shop. Maintaining my act as a simple-minded hunter, I didn't hunt beasts every day.

I merely imitated someone who frequented the butcher shop to earn some pocket change. The butcher owner, spotting me, laughed heartily.

＂Business not good today either, eh?＂

＂I'm ashamed.＂

＂It’s alright. You can't be as lucky as your first day every day. Still, it seems you need some money. I have a lot of meat to move today, so I'll ask you again.＂

＂Thank you. I’ll work hard.＂

＂I like diligent people like you. Come on, let's get moving.＂

As usual, I transported the meat. I bowed to the now-familiar servant and hung the processed meat on the hooks in the warehouse.

＂No matter how many times I see it, your strength is amazing. You… you’re not a Martial Artist, are you?＂

＂Surely not…＂

＂Well…＂

I flinched. Turning around, a man accompanied by warriors was staring at me.

Neatly combed hair. Intensity filled his gaze. An axe at his hip. His upright yet relaxed demeanor gave away his identity.

＂You seem to have at least trained at some point.＂

＂S-Sect Leader!＂

The servant knelt. I quickly followed suit.

This is bad. Who would have thought he'd show up in a warehouse like this?

Was I discovered? Or not? I held my breath under his scrutinizing gaze.

Maeng Cheon, the Sect Leader of the Black Heaven Squad, stood before me.

＂Have you trained in Martial Arts?＂

Lies wouldn't work.

＂...I have trained in Martial Arts.＂

＂Under whom?＂

＂A wandering warrior.＂

＂What did you learn?＂

I could never answer "Nine Heavenly Demon Arts". Fortunately, I knew another Sword Technique.

＂The Samjae Sword Technique.＂

＂...Samjae Sword Technique? Weren’t you from a Martial Family?＂

＂I’m the son of a hunter. I once dreamed of becoming a Martial Artist, but I couldn't. I gave up the sword.＂

A sword dropped in front of me.

＂Show me.＂

Although it had been a while since I'd practiced the Samjae Sword Technique, I still remembered the movements. I performed the Samjae Sword Technique to the best of my ability. Maeng Cheon, watching the tip of the sword, stroked his chin.

＂Crude. It appears complete at first glance, but perhaps because it’s that Martial Arts… your movements are commonplace. The inner strength is also pathetic… Perhaps I was mistaken.＂

＂.......＂

＂However, the tip of your sword doesn’t seem to carry shallow years… You're right. How long have you practiced the Samjae Sword Technique?＂

＂...Over ten years.＂

＂I was wrong.＂

Maeng Cheon extended his hand. I respectfully returned the sword I had received.

＂I misunderstood, thinking you had a strong build and well-developed muscles. Why did you train in the Samjae Sword Technique for over ten years?＂

＂...I wanted to excel as a Martial Artist. But I couldn't. I abandoned the sword midway.＂

＂Isn't being a Martial Artist better than a hunter?＂

＂I found a woman I loved. I thought eating the meat of beasts would be better than living by the sword.＂

＂S-Sect Leader… He’s telling the truth… He often comes here with his wife… She’s a very fine woman…＂

Maeng Cheon sheathed the sword.

＂I apologize for my suspicion. I've been rather on edge lately, so I was rude.＂

＂I am only grateful for your understanding.＂

Did I get away with it?

I inwardly breathed a sigh of relief. But Maeng Cheon wasn’t finished.

＂Since I was wrong, I'd like to make amends.＂

＂...Pardon?＂

＂Come here tomorrow, at the same time. I'll prepare a drinking gathering for you. I’ll treat you to rare delicacies. Please, don't refuse.＂

＂.......＂

Did he notice? Or not?

All I could do was lower my head.

＂Thank you for your kindness, Sect Leader.＂

I couldn't reveal any suspicious behavior.

If I did…

The security, which I'd worked so hard to understand, could be reinforced.

. . .

＂...What? A drinking gathering with Maeng Cheon? Are you crazy?＂

＂I couldn't help it.＂

Having grown closer to 29th, I realized she was much more emotionally expressive than I initially thought.

＂He didn’t figure out that you're a Blood Demon Lord, did he?＂

＂I don't think so. What I showed him was the Samjae Sword Technique.＂

＂Show me.＂

I performed the Samjae Sword Technique for her. 29th asked casually,

＂How long did you say you practiced this?＂

＂I believe it’s been a little over ten years…＂

＂I was right.＂

＂.......＂

Her words stung a bit.

＂No, don't be offended. I said that because it seems genuine. The years are etched into the tip of your sword, showing signs of repeated honing. The movements themselves are smooth. But is there depth? No. You can tell at a glance that while there are years invested, it doesn’t translate to strength.＂

＂Aren’t you being a bit harsh?＂

＂It’s the truth, what can I do? It's pathetic.＂

Samjae Sword Technique.

Samjae Sword Technique.

Don't listen. You've done nothing wrong…

I hugged my sword. 29th giggled.

＂Ah, I shouldn’t laugh. You're kind of funny. That expression just now was pretty amusing.＂

＂...Let's talk about the mission.＂

＂Don't be sulky. Anyway, that's good. Seeing that swordsmanship, anyone would think you’re a washed-up swordsman. Then… why did he invite you to a drinking gathering? There’s no need for that. He could have just overlooked it, having suspected a lowly person once, right? A Sect Leader of the Black Heaven Squad shouldn’t have to worry about such trivial matters.＂

I didn't know either. Why would the Sect Leader invite me to a drinking gathering?

＂...I have to go. You know I can’t back out now, right?＂

＂I know. If you do, it might arouse the Sect Leader's suspicion.＂

＂Go. 30th. I'll be hiding nearby. If anything happens, send a signal.＂

＂...What are you planning to do?＂

＂I'll figure it out. You just enjoy the drinking gathering. Don’t get caught or have your identity revealed, that’s all. This is an assassination, after all.＂

With 29th’s words in mind, I went to meet Maeng Cheon with heavy resolve.

As promised, he had prepared the drinking gathering and gestured towards me.

＂Come here. What's your name?＂

A name.

A suitable name.

I gave him the fake name I had created.

＂Wang So-hong, Sect Leader.＂

＂Make yourself comfortable. You understand that I didn’t call you here simply to apologize, right?＂

＂......＂

Was I found out?

＂Then why...?＂

＂First.＂

Maeng Cheon raised his cup.

＂Let's have a drink.＂