Episode 32: Father Must Be Struggling
Red Blood Mountain.
Two letters lay on the desk. Elder Bi picked up one and opened it.
The rather thick letter was sent by Jong Bi, who was tasked with monitoring Number Fifty. It reported that Number Fifty had infiltrated the Clear Water Sect by posing as a member of the Seongwangbu and that his identity had been discovered, prompting him to act accordingly.
Elder Bi was honestly surprised at the audacity of impersonating the Seongwangbu of the Imperial Capital.
"Isn't he quite the bold one?"
If it had been someone else, he would have called them crazy, but since it was someone destined to become a Ten Perfection Assassin, it felt different.
He then opened the other letter, only to frown midway through reading it. It was from the Heavenly Observation Pavilion, stating that they were canceling the assassination request on Hua Cheon-gang of the Clear Water Sect.
"Do these bastards think assassination requests are child's play...?"
For Red Blood Mountain, there was nothing to lose. They had already received half of the request fee as an advance payment, and there was no need to return it upon cancellation.
Elder Bi pondered for a moment.
He had planned to send Red Blood Mountain's only special-grade assassin, Mabu, for Hua Cheon-gang's assassination. Sending Number Fifty was merely a test to see if he was truly a candidate for the Ten Perfection Assassins.
But with the sudden cancellation, he should recall Number Fifty... yet he didn't feel like doing so.
"Let's leave him be. It's a chance to see if he's truly a candidate for the Ten Perfection Assassins."
If a Training Center Intern could kill one of the top 100 masters of the Central Plains, he could indeed be called a Ten Perfection Assassin.
If he failed... then he wasn't a candidate, so it didn't matter.
*
"The Emperor has changed."
Won Seung gazed out the window, lost in thought.
A change in the Emperor meant a change in the world. As the Emperor's trusted officials changed, so did their power, and consequently, almost everything, including commerce, changed sequentially.
And with every change, there was resistance, and blood was shed.
Moreover, if an unexpected prince ascended the throne, it could lead to a complete upheaval.
However, it would take years for ordinary people to feel the change. Even after three years, the imperial authority might not be stable.
"Father must be struggling."
He thought of the Seongwang.
Though his memory was hazy, his impression of the Seongwang was that he was intimidating. Even though they hadn't met often, the Seongwang always seemed inexplicably angry. He didn't raise his voice or flush his face like a common man in the marketplace.
His voice was soft, and his expression gentle, but his eyes were intensely sharp and fierce.
"But Father isn't someone to be underestimated either."
If the Seongwang and his father were to clash, wouldn't it be an even match?
Still, he couldn't help but worry.
The door opened, and Jong Bi entered.
"Number Fifty."
Won Seung continued to stare out the window without responding, prompting Jong Bi to approach and tap him on the shoulder.
"Number Fifty, I have something to say."
Won Seung slowly turned his head to look up at Jong Bi and spoke.
"Young Master."
"What?"
"I told you to call me Young Master, didn't I?"
"That's when others are around. When it's just the two of us, you should call me Senior or Supervisor."
"How did you even pass Disguise Training? You forgot the basics of truly believing in your disguised identity? You must think of me as the real Young Master to avoid mistakes in urgent situations."
Jong Bi had learned that too. But he hadn't wanted to become Won Seung's servant. It was something Won Seung had arbitrarily decided, and he couldn't accept it.
"You should have called me Senior from the start."
"Why would you be a Senior? You're just barely getting promoted to a First Grade Assassin."
"And don't forget you're still a Trainee."
"Ugh. What's important is skill. I'm a Ten Perfection Assassin."
"To be precise, you're a candidate for the Ten Perfection Assassins, not an actual one."
Jong Bi wagged his finger as if to say, "Don't talk nonsense."
Won Seung chuckled.
"Ugh. You're a bit slow-witted, aren't you?"
"What? This guy..."
"Do you want to live as a Second-rank Killer if you're a Second Grade, or as a First Grade Assassin if you become one? The grades are just biases. If you live by what others decide, you'll never escape being a Second-rank Killer."
"What are you talking about! Once this is over, I'll be a First Grade Assassin!"
"If others call you a First Grade Assassin, are you really one? It doesn't matter what others think. If I say I'm a Ten Perfection Assassin, then I am."
"Crazy bastard."
Won Seung sighed.
"Why do you reject the servant status I assigned you when you live by what others decide?"
Jong Bi clenched his fists and pounded his chest. Listening to Won Seung made him feel like a fool.
"I'm done! Anyway, since we're out of the Clear Water Sect, I'm going back to being a Supervisor."
"Don't you need the antidote?"
"Ugh..."
Won Seung spoke soothingly.
"As I said, skill comes first in this field. So, until I return to the mountain, you have to play the servant. So even when we're alone, call me Young Master."
"What's your basis for claiming you're better than me? Don't you know I'm higher in both age and experience?"
"Ugh. It seems this won't work. Let's step outside."
"What?"
"Let's have a match. If you lose, you'll call me Young Master."
Won Seung needed an outlet for his rising anger. A little provocation, and Jong Bi took the bait.
"Fine! Don't regret it! If you lose... give me the antidote right away."
Jong Bi gritted his teeth.
The two went to a secluded spot in the backyard.
A little while later.
Jong Bi rubbed his swollen eyes with an egg, tears streaming down. He couldn't believe it.
He had been beaten one-sidedly by Won Seung. Even using hidden weapons and flying daggers had been useless.
"What on earth happened? Is he really a Ten Perfection Assassin?"
The thought of calling Won Seung Young Master hurt his pride even more.
"Apply this. Eggs are for eating, not medicine."
Won Seung handed over an ointment.
"By the way, didn't you have something to tell me earlier?"
"Huh?"
Only then did Jong Bi remember why he had sought out Won Seung.
"There's someone watching us."
"Of course there is. Things are moving very quickly here. With someone from the Seongwangbu around, wouldn't they be curious enough to keep an eye on us?"
"You knew that and still..."
Did the watchers see me getting beaten up? Jong Bi's heart ached more than his injuries. It hurt more than the physical pain.
Ignoring Jong Bi's resentful gaze, Won Seung spoke.
"Do you know which one of them is from the Heavenly Observation Pavilion?"
"How would I know?"
"Bring me the one from the Heavenly Observation Pavilion."
"Why?"
"Do I need to explain?"
"No."
Jong Bi, who hated troublesome things, obediently left the room.
He needed someone to vent his frustration on after being beaten by Won Seung. Jong Bi climbed onto the roof and observed those watching them.
There were three of them. They seemed to be aware of each other's presence, maintaining a reasonable distance while keeping an eye on this side.
"Which one of these bastards is from the Heavenly Observation Pavilion?"
It was impossible to tell just by looking. Jong Bi descended and exited through the back gate.
He circled around and entered the alley next to the Cloud Flower Pavilion, spotting a man crouched at the entrance, keeping watch over the pavilion.
Jong Bi pulled a tube from his pocket. It could shoot ten needles coated with paralysis poison. He placed the tube to his lips and blew forcefully.
Pfft!
Swish!
The poison needle flew and embedded itself in the man's nape. Reflexively rubbing his neck, the man soon stiffened and collapsed forward.
The area in front of the Cloud Flower Pavilion was bustling, with many people passing by, but no one paid attention to the man who had fallen on the street.
Having taken down all three watchers, Jong Bi dragged them one by one to a secluded alley behind the Cloud Flower Pavilion.
"You bastards, why are you spying on people? Did you see me earlier or not?"
Thud! Thud! Thud!
Jong Bi mercilessly beat the watchers, who couldn't speak due to the paralysis poison.
After venting his anger, Jong Bi went to fetch Won Seung.
"I've caught them all."
"Where?"
"In the back alley."
Won Seung followed Jong Bi to the back alley. Indeed, three men lay there, their faces battered and bloody.
"I told you to catch them, not turn their faces into pulp. Can they even talk like this?"
"Spies deserve a beating."
Won Seung examined them and found that they were completely immobilized by the paralysis poison.
"You used paralysis poison too? Then they can't talk."
"Some time has passed... just beat them."
Jong Bi grabbed one by the collar and slapped his already swollen cheek.
Smack!
After a few more slaps, the man's face turned red, and his mouth began to bleed, releasing the paralysis.
"Ugh..."
The beaten watcher groaned.
"See? This is all from experience. The rest is up to you... Young Master."
Jong Bi shrugged and went back inside.
"Ugh... spare me..."
The watchers groaned.
"Hmm. Quite efficient."
Won Seung marveled at the effectiveness of Jong Bi's paralysis poison as he grabbed the jaw of the watcher whose mouth had been freed and shook it.
The watcher had a sword at his side.
"The Heavenly Observation Pavilion uses sabers. This one seems to be from the Clear Water Sect."
Won Seung clicked his tongue sympathetically at the Clear Water Sect warrior, whose mouth was bleeding.
"My servant is a bit rough. Why were you spying on us? Are you from the Clear Water Sect?"
The watcher immediately nodded.
"How can I verify that?"
"My waist... there's a tag..."
Won Seung searched his waist and found a wooden tag inscribed with "Clear Water."
"You're telling the truth. Then..."
Won Seung turned his gaze to the next watcher. Since he had a saber, he was likely from the Heavenly Observation Pavilion.
The Heavenly Observation Pavilion watcher rolled his eyes frantically.
"What are you trying to say?"
He was trying to indicate not to hit him, but Won Seung needed more communication. He grabbed the watcher's collar and slapped him.
Smack!
After several hits, the watcher's mouth bled, releasing the paralysis.
"Ugh..."
The watcher let out a strange cry.
"Are you from the Heavenly Observation Pavilion?"
The Heavenly Observation Pavilion watcher hesitated. He knew this guy had stayed at the Clear Water Sect for a while. If he was allied with the Clear Water Sect, he was an enemy.
"N-no."
Won Seung searched the watcher's waist and found a wooden tag inscribed with "Heavenly Observation."
"You are, but you lied."
Won Seung smacked the back of the watcher's head.
"You need a beating."
Won Seung looked around but found no club.
"No choice."
He grabbed the watcher's sword sheath and struck down.
Thud! Thud!
"Ouch!"
As the Heavenly Observation Pavilion watcher screamed loudly, Won Seung pulled out a needle and struck the Cheondol Point.
Now, only gurgling sounds came out.
The Clear Water Sect watcher widened his eyes. Then he remembered his colleagues calling Won Seung the Divine Doctor.
"He even uses needles well!"
A chill ran down his spine. Won Seung turned to the Clear Water Sect watcher.
"What? Do you want me to stab you too?"
The Clear Water Sect watcher shook his head vigorously.
"You know? If you run your mouth... swipe!"
Won Seung made a throat-slitting gesture, and the Clear Water Sect watcher closed his eyes tightly. Won Seung raised the sword sheath again and struck the Heavenly Observation Pavilion watcher several more times.
Eventually, the paralysis wore off, and the Heavenly Observation Pavilion watcher was covered in bruises.
"Get up."
When Won Seung removed the needle from the Cheondol Point, the Heavenly Observation Pavilion watcher staggered to his feet. Won Seung's gaze turned to the last watcher.
"What about you?"
Not wanting to be hit, the watcher desperately moved his eyes to indicate his waist. Won Seung searched his waist and found a tag inscribed with "Jongbu."
"Jongbu? Why were you watching me?"
Curious, Won Seung grabbed the Jongbu watcher's collar and slapped him.
Smack!
After taking several slaps, the watcher could finally speak and shouted.
"Spare me!"