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As I soaked in the steaming hot water, it felt as if all my fatigue was melting away.

Suddenly, I recalled Number Seven’s appearance from earlier.

Her expression and gaze were as cold and indifferent as ever. She seemed unchanged since I last saw her.

I remembered the last words she had left me.

“I’ve heard that lotus flowers bloom from the mud. Is that really true?”

When I answered yes, the smile she had shown flashed in my mind.

What business had brought her to Wuhan this time?

Judging by how she was watching Yeom Hwa, it must be related to him.

Was she monitoring him like she did with Ma Jeongsu last time?

It didn’t seem like that. The look in her eyes as she watched Yeom Hwa was clearly different from before.

After finishing my bath and coming out, I was having a meal when Jin came to report.

“They say Yeom Hwa told the Alliance Leader that all the Ho Yeon Clan disciples who came out for negotiations that day should be killed. The rumor is spreading wildly within the Alliance.”

“He’s insane.”

“Indeed.”

The very fact that this rumor is spreading is a problem. In other words, it means that Ma Bong-gi, the Alliance Leader, is turning a blind eye to his claim to some extent. Otherwise, it’s not a rumor that would ever leak out.

“He seems to have Ma Bong-gi’s trust.”

“He’s been handling all sorts of tasks since the Heavenly Blade Sect days.”

Well, how else would he have earned the name “Slaughterer”?

“Be careful when monitoring him. A third organization is watching him. I don’t know who they are. But it’s certainly a formidable organization.”

“What’s the standard for ‘formidable’?”

“I think they’re at least equal to or better than the Martial Arts Alliance.”

Jin was shocked.

I nodded once to emphasize that my words were true.

“We need to be careful.”

“I’ll keep that in mind. I’ll monitor carefully from a distance.”

“Also, people named Mae-rang and Ho Yeon Suk-jeong visited the Martial Arts Alliance. Find out about their movements and report back.”

“Yes, understood.”

Jin withdrew with a polite bow.

I put down my chopsticks, though half of my meal remained.

Mae-rang’s image came to mind. It’s hard to ignore the little girl who used to run into the house calling me “big brother.”

***

The next day, Yeom Hwa once again took the center seat at the Wuhan First Inn.

Naturally, there wasn’t a single customer. The innkeeper looked dejected at his ruined business but couldn’t express any complaints.

People gathered in front of the inn. Even more people had gathered due to the rumors of Yeom Hwa throwing money yesterday.

Of course, many people criticized this behavior behind his back. They said it was disrespectful to people, that he was buying goodwill with money. Some people didn’t come near the inn at all for this reason.

But in reality, even more people had gathered than yesterday.

Although Yeom Hwa enjoyed the attention of the crowd towards a celebrity, his mood had not been good lately. Since being ambushed by Ho Yeon-nam, Yeom Hwa had been in a very bad mood.

He should have been able to easily defeat someone like Ho Yeon-nam even if ambushed. But he had nearly died.

That had greatly wounded his pride.

‘Damn it!’

It seemed this anger wouldn’t subside unless he gouged out the eyes of all those Ho Yeon Clan bastards who had seen him get stabbed that day.

Of course, he knew. That this wouldn’t be easily accomplished.

But he had to do this to show the martial arts world that he wasn’t someone to be trifled with. In this martial arts world, if you appear weak, all sorts of bastards will try to climb over you.

As Yeom Hwa was drinking, he noticed First Friend’s empty seat.

“I don’t see First Friend.”

At Yeom Hwa’s question, Second Friend cautiously said,

“He hasn’t been seen since he went out yesterday, Brother.”

“Yesterday?”

Yeom Hwa made a puzzled expression. First Friend had never spent a night away without contact before.

“Where did he go?”

“He left without saying where he was going.”

“Fool!”

Yeom Hwa’s sudden shout made the three men flinch and lower their heads.

Fearing a scolding, Second Friend quickly said,

“Could it be? Because of that old hag yesterday?”

“You mean Ho Yeon-tak’s grandmother?”

“Brother went out right after that incident yesterday. He hasn’t returned since.”

“Do you know their whereabouts?”

“Of course. Seeing how that old hag was talking yesterday, I thought she might cause trouble, so I had someone follow them.”

“And?”

“They went straight to see the Alliance Leader yesterday.”

“The Alliance Leader?”

Yeom Hwa’s expression twisted.

“But they weren’t granted permission, so they couldn’t see him and just returned.”

“That damn old hag.”

Yeom Hwa’s anger rose as he recalled Mae-rang’s face shouting if he didn’t fear the heavens. He had let it go because there were many watching eyes, but all she did was…

“First Friend went to meet that woman and hasn’t returned?”

“It’s not certain, but there’s a possibility.”

“Bring those women here first.”

“Yes!”

The Four Friends rushed out.

Not only because of First Friend’s matter, but also to intimidate them into giving up on seeing the Alliance Leader. It wouldn’t be good for him if they kept making a fuss about Ho Yeon-tak’s death.

Yeom Hwa put down his empty cup nervously.

“These days, my luck is just rotten.”

***

“Grandmother, please wake up and eat.”

At Ho Yeon Suk-jeong’s words, Mae-rang turned over in bed.

“I don’t feel like it. You go and eat.”

“You shouldn’t skip meals. You need to keep your strength up.”

Yesterday, the two had gone to the Martial Arts Alliance and pleaded with the gate guard to meet the Alliance Leader.

But they couldn’t meet the Alliance Leader. Even when they begged to meet him because they had a grievance to report, it was useless. Given the nature of the matter, someone other than the Alliance Leader should have come out, but they couldn’t meet anyone other than the gate guard of the Martial Arts Alliance.

They said if they left a record, they could meet after going through the formal procedure, but it usually takes one or two months.

“Grandmother, you need to eat and keep your strength up. Then we can go back again.”

Mae-rang, still turned away, didn’t move an inch.

Ho Yeon Suk-jeong used her last resort. It was a method that always worked on her grandmother.

“Then I’ll starve too.”

Indeed, Mae-rang slowly got up.

“You naughty girl.”

As she turned and got off the bed, tear stains were visible around her eyes.

Ho Yeon Suk-jeong knew better than anyone how her grandmother had raised her and her brother.

Although they were of the Ho Yeon Clan lineage, they were from a branch family, and among them, an unusually powerless and poor household. Her father and mother had passed away early, and what little wealth they had completely ran out.

After that, her grandmother raised the two of them while doing all sorts of menial work.

When Ho Yeon-tak, who had grown up, was recognized for his talent and became Ho Yeon-nam’s disciple, she still vividly remembered how happy her grandmother had been that day.

‘Grandmother.’

Above all, Ho Yeon Suk-jeong was very worried about Mae-rang’s health.

The two came down to the first floor of the inn.

As they were about to take a seat and order food, they spotted someone.

“Oh? Isn’t that the young hero? The one we met yesterday?”

They noticed me and greeted me.

Though it might seem like a chance encounter, I had purposely come here and waited to see them. Jin had found out that they were staying here and that they had been refused when trying to see the Alliance Leader.

“It’s Mae Elder and Lady Ho Yeon. Since we’ve met like this, how about having a meal together?”

Ho Yeon Suk-jeong looked at Mae-rang. Mae-rang nodded and said,

“I’m grateful for yesterday, so this old woman will buy you a drink.”

“Thank you.”

The two joined me at my table.

We ordered new alcohol and dishes.

Perhaps feeling frustrated, Mae-rang drank several cups in quick succession.

“Grandmother, please drink slowly.”

“I feel like I’m going to burst from frustration.”

I pretended not to know and asked,

“If I may be so bold, could I ask what the situation is?”

Because I had stood up for them yesterday, they had no wariness towards me at all. Rather, they seemed glad to have someone to confide in.

Mae-rang told her story. From growing up in a rural village and falling in love with someone of the Ho Yeon Clan lineage by chance, to going to the Ho Yeon Clan and having no one listen to them when they said it wasn’t suicide.

When Mae-rang finished speaking, Ho Yeon Suk-jeong said to me with moist eyes,

“My brother is not someone who would commit suicide.”

At her words, Mae-rang said with a face flushed from alcohol,

“That’s right, of course.”

Ho Yeon-tak must have been capable and strong-willed. That’s why he could have become Ho Yeon-nam’s disciple.

“Then why did you come here?”

“We came to meet the Alliance Leader to reveal that my brother’s death wasn’t suicide. My brother…”

Ho Yeon Suk-jeong couldn’t continue speaking. If he had fallen victim to a plot and died, the culprit was most likely the Ho Yeon Clan. It must be a terrifying assumption to even think about.

“Don’t worry. If they keep refusing to meet us, I plan to lie down in front of the Martial Arts Alliance’s main gate.”

Mae-rang was speaking sincerely.

I silently looked at Mae-rang. Her deep wrinkles were filled only with stubbornness and determination to properly reveal the truth about her grandson’s unjust death.

Fate had brought her before me.

Should I send her away because I’m busy with my own affairs? I didn’t want to do that.

I smiled at the two of them.

“I’m sure something good will happen.”

I got up from my seat and bid them farewell.

But before I could even leave the inn, something bad happened.

Fourth Friend, who had hurriedly walked past me, went to where Mae-rang and Ho Yeon Suk-jeong were sitting and said this:

“If you don’t want to die, quietly come with me.”

***

The people gathered in front of the Wuhan First Inn parted to the left and right.

Three people walked through the gap: Mae-rang, Ho Yeon Suk-jeong, and Fourth Friend who had brought them.

Those who had seen the two yesterday started whispering. Even those who didn’t know the situation sent sympathetic glances, seeing an old woman and a young woman being dragged along.

At that moment, Second Friend stepped forward and scattered silver coins in all directions.

“A special gift from Great Hero Yeom!”

“Woooah!”

People created a commotion trying to pick up the money.

Watching this scene, Second Friend curled his lips in a sneer.

Meanwhile, Mae-rang and Ho Yeon Suk-jeong entered the inn.

Fourth Friend seated them not far from Yeom Hwa’s table.

Mae-rang glared fiercely and shouted,

“Why did you bring us here?”

“Old hag, don’t get excited! We brought you because we have something to ask.”

“If you have something to ask, you should have come yourself. How dare a young punk like you order an old woman around?”

Yeom Hwa frowned, but Mae-rang wasn’t intimidated at all.

“What? Are you going to beat up this old woman?”

“I don’t beat up old people.”

As he said this, he glanced at Ho Yeon Suk-jeong beside her.

Mae-rang flinched. She didn’t care what happened to herself, but it was different for her granddaughter. Initially, she had intended to come to Wuhan alone in case something like this happened, but Suk-jeong had insisted on following her.

“What do you want to ask?”

Mae-rang asked in a subdued tone.

“Didn’t someone come to see you yesterday?”

“Who are you talking about?”

Mae-rang and Ho Yeon Suk-jeong looked completely puzzled, and it didn’t seem like they were pretending at all.

Yeom Hwa drank his alcohol irritably.

‘Damn it! Then where the hell did First Friend go?’

On a rooftop far away, with a view of the Wuhan First Inn, Number Seven stood with her arms crossed.

There was another person beside her.

It was a man who looked so small and young that at first glance, he might be mistaken for a child.

But he was an adult. This dwarf-like small man was the Strange Phantom who had come down with her for this mission.

The Strange Phantom was an assassin within the organization.

There were only four top assassins recognized by the organization, and the Strange Phantom was one of them. Who he had assassinated so far was an absolute secret.

The order to take the Strange Phantom and handle the matter meant to eliminate the target.

Number Seven spoke quietly,

“Eliminate that person as quickly as possible.”

The Strange Phantom turned to her and asked,

“Was the elimination order really given?”

“Yes, it was.”

The two had a slightly strange relationship.

Number Seven gave the orders, but within the organization, the Strange Phantom’s rank was higher.

“An order to kill the Heavenly Blade Sect’s Slaughterer? Our organization is truly amazing.”

He wasn’t saying this because he disliked it. He was pleasantly excited, like a beast facing delicious prey.

The Strange Phantom’s gaze shifted from Number Seven to the inn.

“Oh? But what’s that situation?”

Number Seven’s gaze followed his towards the inn.

Someone was entering the inn.

***

I walked with big strides towards the inn entrance.

“Stop!”

Second Friend blocked my way. Over his shoulder, I could see Yeom Hwa drinking and Mae-rang and Ho Yeon Suk-jeong sitting a little distance away.

Because I was wearing a human skin mask and had also altered my voice, they couldn’t recognize that I was the same person from yesterday.

“Who are you to try to enter so casually?”

“Isn’t this an inn?”

“What?”

“Did you rent out the entire place?”

I looked at the innkeeper. The innkeeper, terrified, couldn’t say a word.

Second Friend looked at me as if he couldn’t believe it. People were still crowding outside the inn, standing and watching the inside.

He couldn’t tell if I was someone who couldn’t read the atmosphere, or if I had come with some intention.

At that moment, Yeom Hwa spoke from behind,

“Let him in. A guest has come to the inn, we should receive him.”

Second Friend stepped aside with a displeased look.

Leaving behind the murmuring of the onlookers, I slowly entered the inn.