Episode 47. Where Would We Even Get Women's Clothes?
The disciples of Peerless Valley each train to attain a unique Blade Intent found nowhere else in the world.
Won Seung sighed and spoke.
"The Blade Masters of Peerless Valley try to grasp the essence of the world with a single saber. But I wonder what they truly gain by turning their backs on the world. After all, a saber is just a hunk of metal."
"……."
Yong Jo-woon ignored Won Seung's words.
What could a scholar know about the path of a Martial Artist? The exhilaration that comes after pushing one's body to its limits is something only those who've experienced it can understand.
And it's not just about overcoming oneself.
The saber is merely a means of cultivation. Yong Jo-woon believes that the true nature of life lies at the boundary between life and death, and he trains to realize that truth.
Arguing with someone who doesn't understand is a foolish endeavor.
Just as Yong Jo-woon was about to turn away in silence—
Thud!
A noise came from the inner quarters.
Won Seung, Jong Bi, and Ohgu all turned their gaze toward the sound. Jong Bi's face went pale.
In that instant, Won Seung realized Jong Bi had done something.
Yong Jo-woon's face hardened. His earlobe twitched.
"Teacher Woo, I told you to stack the pumpkins properly. If they keep falling, they'll lose their flavor!"
Won Seung tried to play it off, but it was already too late.
A meaningful smile appeared on Yong Jo-woon's face. He had already heard the faint sound of breathing. It was so subtle that only someone paying close attention would have noticed.
"Clever little thing. I almost fell for it."
He glared coldly at Won Seung.
With a sigh, Won Seung asked Jong Bi,
"Teacher Song, what happened?"
There's no way the Paralyzing Needle would wear off on its own.
Jong Bi scratched his head, flustered.
"Uh, well… I'm sorry, Young Master. She pleaded so much… I just pulled out one, just one."
Tsk. At times like this, he suddenly remembers to call me Young Master.
"Nothing to be done, then."
Even though they'd been caught, Won Seung was shameless.
He met Yong Jo-woon's icy stare and said,
"Sorry about this. Actually, I have another job."
"Cut the nonsense and bring the assassin here."
Yong Jo-woon brandished the saber in his hand—a clear threat that if Won Seung didn't comply, there would be consequences.
Waving his hand, Won Seung replied,
"Calm down and listen. My other job is being a doctor."
Yong Jo-woon glared at him as if he might devour him on the spot, but Won Seung remained unruffled.
"You know the duty of a doctor, right? Whoever the patient is, I have to treat and protect them first. Of course, I make an exception for public enemies of Murim…"
"That one… that woman is an assassin who kills people."
Yong Jo-woon almost called her "that guy," but remembering the assassin was a woman, he corrected himself.
"I know. Not all assassins are bad people. Some are forced into the role by circumstances."
Like me.
"Don't spout nonsense. Did you send the assassin?"
Yong Jo-woon stepped closer—close enough to grab Won Seung by the collar.
Won Seung subtly stepped back and said,
"Of course not. Get a grip."
Yong Jo-woon was seething inside. If not for the rules of the sect, he would have beaten this guy to death already.
Trying to keep his temper, he said,
"That assassin was struck by my energy. Her organs will harden and she'll die. There are things I need to hear before she goes."
"I know, I know. That was some terrifying backlash from your Peerless Technique."
"?"
Yong Jo-woon's thick eyebrows twitched. Despite calling it terrifying, Won Seung looked completely unfazed—as if he'd already resolved it.
'No way… Did he really dispel the backlash? Even though it's the Peerless Technique, and at the third level…'
What Yong Jo-woon had used was the sect's secret art, the Peerless Technique. Even within Peerless Valley, few had mastered it. It required both innate talent and grueling training to learn this Qi Art.
If someone had managed to dispel the backlash from the Peerless Technique in just a day, it was astonishing.
Yong Jo-woon glared at Won Seung.
The assassin was one thing, but now he was curious about this guy's true identity.
'He's not as simple as he looks.'
Even the most skilled doctors in Murim couldn't easily dispel such a backlash. Even if they knew the meridians and the method, it would take a master of the highest level working for days and nights.
If Yong Jo-woon knew that Won Seung was the disciple of the Murim eccentric Poison Monster, he might have accepted it. But, unaware of that, his suspicions only deepened.
Trying to soothe him, Won Seung said,
"But seriously, even if she's an assassin, do you really have to beat a pretty woman to death to feel better? You wouldn't even kill the bad guy I told you to."
Yong Jo-woon could guess what was going on.
These youngsters had been bewitched by her beauty. There's a saying in Murim: beware of old men, women, and children… Risking their lives just because she's pretty.
Yong Jo-woon thought that if he hadn't noticed, these fools would have been killed by the female assassin.
"Idiots. You're really going to distinguish between male and female assassins? I told you, that assassin will definitely kill you. Do you think she'll let you live after you discovered her identity?"
"Alright!"
Suddenly, Won Seung raised his voice and snapped his folding fan against his palm.
"Let's ask her directly! I'll let you face her."
He set a condition.
"But don't kill her in this house. Once the treatment is done, you can do whatever you want—kill her or let her go. Promise me that, and I'll let you meet her."
"Fine!"
For Yong Jo-woon, confirming the client was more important than killing the assassin. He was sure it was the Clear Water Sect, but he needed proof.
He agreed readily.
"Then, follow me."
As Yong Jo-woon accepted, Won Seung headed into the inner quarters.
"Wait here."
He told Yong Jo-woon to wait in the living room, then went to his own room.
The woman who had fallen from the bed was now sprawled on the floor, trying to prop herself up with one arm. She'd somehow managed to pull out six of the Paralyzing Needles herself. But she couldn't use her arm fully, so she hadn't removed the crucial one at the back of her neck.
Unable to control her spine, she could only flail about. No matter how beautiful she was, she looked pitiful—like an overturned cockroach struggling to right itself.
Won Seung clicked his tongue.
"Persistent, aren't you? Thanks to your commotion, the Descendant of the Yong Clan noticed. He's waiting in the living room right now. I told you, if he comes and demands I hand you over, there's nothing I can do. You brought this on yourself."
The woman's face paled for a moment, then quickly returned to its cold expression.
"Teacher Song, Teacher Woo. Come here and put her on the stretcher."
Jong Bi and Ohgu came in with a stretcher. Jong Bi, embarrassed, apologized to the woman.
"Sorry. I shouldn't have pulled out the needles…"
"Idiot!"
Thwack!
Annoyed, Won Seung smacked Jong Bi on the back of the head.
"What are you apologizing to her for? If anyone deserves an apology, it's me."
He resolved to keep Jong Bi out of anything involving this woman from now on.
As Jong Bi approached, the woman spoke up.
"Wait! I can't face my enemy like this."
Won Seung realized she had a point. If he were paralyzed and forced to meet his enemy while sprawled on the floor, he'd feel humiliated too.
If my pride matters, so does someone else's.
After a moment's thought, Won Seung went to the medicine room and brought back a tiny pill.
"Take this."
When the woman shook her head, Ohgu rushed in and pried her mouth open.
Oh! Ohgu is surprisingly forceful with women!
A new side to Ohgu.
Won Seung quickly popped the pill into her mouth.
The woman lowered her gaze in resignation. But Won Seung stayed alert, removed the Paralyzing Needle, and stepped back several paces before saying,
"Don't worry. It's Scattered Energy Poison—the effects will wear off in a day. You won't be able to use Internal Energy. Of course, you're an assassin, so you probably have ways to kill without it. But remember, the Descendant of the Yong Clan is outside, listening to everything."
Jong Bi spoke up.
"Shouldn't we change her clothes, too?"
The woman was still in her assassin's outfit, stained with blood and torn.
"Where would we even get women's clothes?"
Jong Bi went to his room and brought back a fluttery women's dress.
"What the—? What's with you? Are you some kind of pervert?"
"Don't misunderstand. I bought it as a gift."
Jong Bi replied awkwardly. On closer inspection, it looked similar to what So San-san had worn at the opening ceremony.
"You? Weren't you into Hua Yeo-wol?"
"Feelings can change. That's why it's called a change of heart, right? But I still like Hua Yeo-wol, too."
Jong Bi glanced at the woman, clearly nervous.
'Poor guy.'
The damage from the Assassin Training Center runs deep. Having grown up roughhousing with women, he doesn't see fierce women as women at all, and has developed fantasies about ordinary women.
There's also the aftereffect of Blood Drying Powder, which suppresses sexual desire. Now, after being locked away for so long, Jong Bi's instincts are exploding.
"So San-san is petite. This won't fit her."
Without a word, Jong Bi went back to his room and brought out two more outfits—obviously belonging to Yang Yeon-seo and Hua Yeo-wol.
"Not Hua Yeo-wol's."
Won Seung handed Yang Yeon-seo's clothes to the woman.
"You can move now, so get changed and come out."
"You want me to wear this?"
Yang Yeon-seo's clothes were flowy, but had a bit of a scholarly air.
"Try to look as pretty as possible. It might just save your life."
"I'd rather die. Release the Scattered Energy Poison and let me fight to the death."
"No way. You're more important than you think. You absolutely can't die. If you resist, I'll have Teacher Song help you change."
Jong Bi stepped forward, eyes full of anticipation.
The woman nodded.
"Fine. Just get this pervert out of here."
Won Seung left the room with Jong Bi and Ohgu, waiting outside the door.
A short while later, the woman emerged, and Jong Bi's eyes widened. All she'd done was wash her face and tidy her hair, but her beauty shone.
It seemed she'd taken Won Seung's advice to heart.
"Let's go."
Yong Jo-woon was waiting with a stony face. He didn't show it, but his patience was at its limit.
"What took you so long?"
"You heard everything, so why ask?"
Won Seung seated the woman across from Yong Jo-woon.
"You two, wait outside."
At Yong Jo-woon's words, Jong Bi and Ohgu left with disgruntled looks, but Won Seung stayed.
"Why aren't you leaving?"
"Like I said, as a doctor, I need to monitor my patient's condition."
Won Seung sat where he could observe both of them.
"I'll keep quiet. You two talk. Isn't it nice to have a conversation instead of a sword fight?"
Yong Jo-woon shot Won Seung a disapproving glance, then gave up and addressed the woman.
"Who is your client?"
"……."
"Do you think I won't kill you just because that guy's here?"
Yong Jo-woon's voice was icy cold. Having lived a harsh life driven by revenge, he wasn't swayed by beauty.
"Do you think an assassin who failed her mission would want to live?"
The woman was just as cold.
'They're exactly alike. They'd make a good match.'
Won Seung thought to himself.