“Intruder!”
“It seems to be about time.”
“Urgh… What in the world is going on here?”
For a thief, that was quite a grand entrance.
We heard something break and stood up. As expected, that so-called senior didn’t hide in the warehouse but rather slipped into Lord Jang’s quarters.
…Though, I’m not sure if it’s really the senior.
“Then let’s go.”
“Understood.”
We immediately opened the door and stepped outside. Chaos already reigned beyond.
Since everyone now knows that an intruder has breached the premises, this is to be expected. Nevertheless, we headed toward Lord Jang’s quarters with a steady gait—neither too fast nor too slow.
“You. Is it alright to proceed like this? We should hurry…”
“Lord Jang must have put some sort of safeguard on the secret scrolls.”
Just seeing the scent trails laid out shows how obsessed he is with his possessions. That said, he’ll likely struggle with all his might to keep the scrolls from being stolen.
In the midst of this, it’s not unusual that a physical fight ensues.
“Urgh…”
Meng Podu groaned and followed me closely. I glanced at the bodyguards surrounding the room where Lord Jang should be. Their cautious demeanor suggested they weren’t very loyal.
Well, there’s no reason for us to care about them…for now.
Immediately, I strolled straight inside the room.
No one stopped me.
There’s no need for knocking, so I just opened the door.
I stepped in without hesitation.
“…As expected.”
I looked at the black-clad person standing face-to-face with Lord Jang.
The one who emanates killing intent.
Could it be that the secret scrolls were never the goal?
“Sorry to cause inconvenience, but are you really Senior?”
“…Don’t interfere.”
A fierce glare pierced through me. It was obvious he wasn’t in a normal state, especially since the ground beneath the black-clad person was stained with blood.
Were there hidden traps or contraptions inside the room? I glanced around the room then refocused on the two of them: Lord Jang, clutching his left arm, and the blood-soaked black-clad person.
“So, which one of you is Senior?”
“Obviously it’s him…!”
“Senior! Are you still planning to lie?”
“One’s lies become the truth when no one discovers them.”
What a foul thing to say. I shot a glare at Lord Jang who had uttered such an irritating statement, then redirected my gaze toward the black-clad person whose killing aura had become even denser.
“Is that something for you to say after stabbing your teacher in the back and setting fire to him?”
His voice was heavy with regret and hatred.
It’s surprising that he hasn’t killed Lord Jang on the spot.
Perhaps it’s not that he won’t kill him—it’s that he can’t.
“You there, deal with this person immediately…”
“Let’s just listen to the story.”
“What…?”
I sensed killing intent from behind—probably the bodyguards. However, unlike earlier situations… I had my sword now. While fingering the hilt, I began speaking.
“I’m curious to know the full story. Which one of you is telling the truth?”
“Does such a thing matter? Of course, it’s me…!”
“The senior had no talent for martial arts. Yet, he still wanted to learn the Muyeongbo. Our teacher tried to dissuade him repeatedly out of fear he might get hurt. But blinded by greed, Senior killed our teacher and stole the secret scroll.
However, the teacher had anticipated this and split the scroll into two volumes.”
Now, a clearer picture is forming.
It’s common for someone with no talent to envy those with it.
If what this person said earlier is true—that the senior stabbed the teacher in the back, set fire to him, and then fled—then why only now?
“What’s the reason you’ve come to seek revenge after so many years?”
“When I finally recovered from the burning house, many years had already passed. By then, it was nearly impossible to track down Senior’s traces.”
His reasoning made a lot of sense.
In the 21st century, even if someone goes into hiding, there are various methods—CCTVs, forensic science, and the like—for tracking someone down. But here, this is the medieval era. After just one year, traces could be almost impossible to find.
Unless they were intentionally causing a scene, erasing their identity and living quietly would make it nearly impossible to be traced.
Especially if one was a relatively unknown disciple of Mu Yeongsin Tu, it would be nearly impossible to search for them.
And if we consider the fact that involving Haomen would inevitably lead to the story of Mu Yeongsin Tu being revealed, even finding that line of inquiry would be difficult.
Not to mention, without a proper way of communication, it would be nearly impossible to even summon anyone for contact.
“How did you find him?”
“During my travels across the Central Plains to find any news about the infamous Senior, I heard about a secret scroll of Mu Yeongsin Tu. Naturally, I wanted to confirm if the person currently holding this scroll was indeed Senior.”
“So you stole it to check if Lord Jang was really him?”
“That’s correct. Therefore, don’t interfere in this matter between the two of us.”
“That won’t be possible.”
“Right! Quickly deal with this guy…!”
“Let’s settle one thing clearly first. Why weren’t the bodyguards allowed inside?”
Even though the answer was already half apparent, I deliberately asked the question. Lord Jang glared at me as if to ask why I was asking such an obvious question before replying.
“Well, of course this truth couldn’t be exposed…”
“Even now? Has it been decades and there’s any problem with being recognized as a disciple?”
There must be a bunch of dangerous items among the things stolen.
Perhaps he stole treasures from the Nine Great Sects or something. Martial artists can hold grudges like nothing else; if it was known that he had their secret techniques, they’d definitely come rushing for a sword fight.
Even if they were from the righteous sects, they might politely ask for the scrolls to be returned. But if they were from the evil or demonic sects…
You’d just end up shredded.
“Understood, spare him!”
“Don’t…interfere…”
If left alone, both would probably kill each other eventually.
“You…”
“Meng Podu, let’s keep quiet.”
If you’re going to act, do it decisively. It’s annoying to see you hesitate like this. I shut Meng Podu’s mouth and took three steps forward.
Just a little further and I could reach either of them with a swing of my sword. I placed my hand on the pommel of my sword and spoke.
“Lord Jang, did your trading house sell treasures stolen by Mu Yeongsin Tu?”
“Yes, that’s right.”
“Then let’s make a deal. If I help you—”
Whoa whoa.
Don’t interrupt when someone is talking, will you? I blocked the blade aimed at Lord Jang’s neck that the black-clad person had swung.
The strength behind the sword was considerable, but the technique wasn’t skilled enough to call the wielder an expert. His level doesn’t seem to be that high.
“Don’t interfere!”
“The story isn’t over yet, so let’s hear some more. And this offer isn’t only to Lord Jang.”
“What?”
“What do you mean?”
The two of them looked at me in surprise.
“You, what sort of nonsense is this…?”
“Didn’t that person try to kill you? Even if I save you, they’ll still tear you apart.”
Negotiations are most effective when conducted under the most urgent circumstances.
Lord Jang’s pale face suggested this was unexpected.
“I don’t care! Hear this, warriors outside! Lord Jang actually—”
“Hold it!”
Lord Jang’s urgent voice cut me off.
Definitely a sensitive spot.
Even if it’s an unverified rumor, once a rumor spreads, someone is bound to take interest. Carelessly mishandling this might expose all his past deeds, potentially landing him in trouble with those in power.
There’s no such thing as a perfect secret after all.
“…This is outrageous.”
Meng Podu muttered this from beside me, clearly incredulous. The black-clad person also cast a similar gaze at me. Still, how much longer can he hold himself together in this state?
I need to conclude this negotiation before one of them collapses.
“Let’s do a deal so you can get your revenge.”
Does Lord Jang really need to stay alive?
“Are you suggesting you want to make a deal with me?”
“Didn’t I just say that?”
“Why should I trust you?”
“I just want to take my reward and leave. There’s no reason for me to get involved in your personal affairs.”
“My entire wealth! I’ll give half of it!”
This urgent tone suggests his ability to protect himself is practically gone. Based on Lord Jang’s reaction, I grinned and spoke.
“The secret scroll of Mu Yeongsin Tu—if you transfer it to me, I’ll turn a blind eye.”
“…!”
Since even if things go well, there’s no guarantee this man won’t target me, I decided to play my hand. I slowly activated the mana core in my body while waiting for his reply.
The black-clad person immediately agreed to my request without hesitation.
“Apparently, there’s no way I’m going to fully recover anyway, so it won’t matter now. The attic above the inn where you stayed has a drawer. Take out the bottom drawer and flip it over.”
I sheathed my sword.
“Wait, if I die, you’ll all—”
“Meng Podu, unfortunately, Lord Jang was killed by an intruder.”
“Isn’t this a bit too rash?…”
That big and scatterbrained person sure has an overly cautious attitude.
I casually snapped back at Meng Podu whose face turned pale.
“It’s his fault for not wanting his secrets to be discovered and not letting his bodyguards inside. Besides, Lord Jang’s death will benefit us.”
He should have at least started a family.
“This… cough!”
I heard the gurgling sound made as he fell. I turned my gaze to the black-clad person lying on the ground, breathing heavily.
He might not have much time left to live.
I approached the person as he lay there.
“Did you mark your body with the scent of Zongzhong?”
“…I intentionally sprinkled the Thousand Li Zongzhong scent to cause confusion, and some of it must have adhered to you… If I’ve caused you trouble, I apologize…”
“Not at all.”
Since I checked the powder in the warehouse, I just need to retrieve the last half and return.
I need to coordinate with the bodyguards. If I got myself involved in this mess, the easiest way out is to align our stories and go our separate ways.
“I’m in this situation… make good use of it.”
“Isn’t this a precious scroll?”
“If you die, what’s the point of anything? It’s better than being forgotten…”
Indeed.
I looked down at the person who had bowed his head deeply, then turned to Meng Podu.
“Meng Podu, you understand, right?”
“What, what do you mean?”
“If you don’t want more trouble, you need to get your story straight.”
I put the scroll into my embrace and looked at Meng Podu. He watched me with a displeased expression and said,
“You’re scary…”
“We need to coordinate with the bodyguards too, so let’s go.”
Never expected but not a bad gain.
I pondered what to do with the scroll of Mu Yeongsin Tu as I left the room.
