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Number Seven, who had been waiting there, asked, “How did it go?”

Strange Phantom shook his head in response to Number Seven’s question.

“I lost him.”

Number Seven was shocked. Although Strange Phantom’s legs were shorter than others, his lightness skill was renowned within the organization.

She asked in a businesslike tone, “Did you let him go on purpose?”

It seemed as if she had been trained to be suspicious in such situations.

Strange Phantom replied with self-deprecation, “I appreciate you gilding my skills, but shamefully, I chased him to death and still lost him.”

“That man must truly be a master.”

“A master among masters.”

The two had watched the unnamed man kill Yeom Hwa. It wasn’t a fist technique, nor a palm technique, nor a leg technique. It wasn’t even like any existing grappling technique.

“I’ve never seen such martial arts in my life.”

“I agree.”

“What should we do now?”

Although an unexpected situation had occurred, Number Seven was still the one in command.

“According to the rules, we should return and report first.”

“Understood.”

Strange Phantom disappeared from the spot first.

As Number Seven was about to turn away, she looked back once more towards the inn. For some unknown reason, the image of the man from earlier lingered in her mind.

‘It must be because his martial arts were so extraordinary.’

Soon after, she too leaped away and left the area.

***

Starting from Wuhan, rumors about the Nameless One spread throughout the Central Plains.

Especially since it wasn’t an assassination, but the killing of the Heavenly Blade Sect’s butcher and three of the Fourth Friends of the Heavenly Blade in front of commoners, the surprise and shock were immense.

Various parts of the martial world were put on high alert. Among them, the Righteous Thought Pavilion of the Martial Righteous Alliance was in complete uproar.

A martial artist cherished by the Martial Righteous Alliance Leader had been killed in broad daylight in front of everyone.

Sima Cheon had to immediately enter the Alliance Leader’s chamber to report to Ma Bong-gi about this incident.

Given Ma Bong-gi’s temperament, he would likely issue orders without considering the consequences, but they knew nothing about who the assassin was or why he had committed such an act. They only knew that people were calling him the Nameless Hero.

“Who on earth is that bastard?”

In response to Sima Cheon’s question, the lead soldier among the dozen or so lined up said, “It’s someone who hasn’t been active until now.”

“Are you saying he just fell from the sky? Is this what you call a report?”

At his harsh words, not only the lead soldier but everyone else lowered their heads.

“Find him immediately! Right now!”

The soldiers rushed out. At that moment, Sima Cheon called out to Gal Sa-ryang.

“Officer Gal! You stay for a moment.”

Once they were alone, Sima Cheon asked in a gentle tone, having put aside his earlier anger.

“How are things these days?”

“Manageable.”

“I see you’ve gotten a lot more gray hair.”

“Well, I’m not getting any younger.”

Gal Sa-ryang looked towards the window and sighed lightly, then immediately lowered his head as if he had made a mistake in front of his superior.

“I’m sorry.”

Recently, Gal Sa-ryang had been living a lethargic life. His face was full of fatigue, weighed down by the excessive workload from Sima Cheon, who clearly intended to torment him.

As this lifestyle continued, Sima Cheon’s vigilance towards him gradually relaxed. Tormenting someone gets old after a day or two, and since Gal Sa-ryang didn’t resist and simply accepted it, Sima Cheon had lost interest.

In Sima Cheon’s eyes, Gal Sa-ryang’s recent appearance was nothing more or less than that of a former Commander-in-Chief aging lifelessly.

“Do you have any hunches about this incident? I feel like you might have some idea.”

When he first heard about the incident, Gal Sa-ryang thought the person who killed Yeom Hwa might be Baek Pyo.

He had heard that the Wind Tavern had closed. He was worried that something might have happened to him, and then this incident occurred.

But it wasn’t Baek Pyo. According to rumors, the man had killed Yeom Hwa with his bare hands.

Baek Pyo used sword techniques. He had never used fist techniques. No matter what hidden techniques he might have, he couldn’t have killed Yeom Hwa barehanded.

‘Then who could it be?’

In his experience, it was rare for such a master to suddenly appear out of nowhere. Surely someone must have concealed their identity and emerged.

Gal Sa-ryang cautiously offered his opinion.

“In my estimation, it seems to be someone sent by the Ho Yeon Clan.”

“Why do you think so?”

“Every incident has a motive. Especially for such a significant event, that would be even more true.”

Sima Cheon nodded, and Gal Sa-ryang continued.

“Yeom Hwa openly expressed his intention to kill the disciples of the Ho Yeon Clan. Moreover, it’s said that Yeom Hwa tried to harass Ho Yeon-tak’s grandmother and younger sister.”

“Was there such an incident?”

“Yes, I learned this fact by directly taking statements from eyewitnesses.”

This was an incident that even the Righteous Thought Pavilion hadn’t properly grasped yet, as it had occurred so recently. Everyone was focused solely on Yeom Hwa’s death and the assassin who killed him.

But Gal Sa-ryang was meticulously covering aspects that other soldiers had overlooked.

‘Indeed, he’s different from the others.’

Although this behavior could heighten Sima Cheon’s vigilance, Gal Sa-ryang judged that appearing too lethargic would also arouse suspicion. He thought it would be more natural to show this level of competence.

“The assassin is surely someone sent by the Ho Yeon Clan, or at least someone related to them.”

Sima Cheon nodded. This conclusion was sufficient.

Now was the time to rush and provide an answer to the Alliance Leader. It didn’t matter whether it was correct or not. As long as it was an answer Ma Bong-gi could accept.

Sima Cheon realized it was time to temporarily stop tormenting Gal Sa-ryang and use him instead.

“I’ll give you full authority over the investigation of this incident.”

“Commander-in-Chief!”

“Gather your personnel and take responsibility for finding the assassin.”

“Thank you very much.”

Gal Sa-ryang expressed a grateful expression. He was genuinely grateful. If he took charge of investigating this incident, the recently relaxed vigilance would loosen further, allowing him to breathe easier.

“I’m sorry for making you do trivial tasks all this time.”

“Not at all. I’ll do my best to resolve this matter.”

“I’m counting on you.”

Gal Sa-ryang left the office. The fatigue that had been visible in his eyes while in the room was gone as he walked down the corridor.

‘The Nameless One, huh.’

Although he had told Sima Cheon it was someone related to the Ho Yeon Clan, he didn’t think it was actually someone sent by them. It wasn’t the Ho Yeon Clan’s style as he knew it.

Gal Sa-ryang could sense it.

An unknown new change had begun.

***

I was standing alone in the open space near the inn, recalling my fight with Yeom Hwa.

Through that fight, I felt that the Immortal Crane Secret Art had grown from seven stars to eight stars.

Considering the time I had spent learning it, this was truly a remarkable achievement. Of course, the initial growth of any martial art is rapid. Although it doesn’t apply to me, for most people, the biggest hurdle usually comes from eight stars onward.

I was excited to see how much stronger the Immortal Crane Secret Art would become when it reached the grand achievement of ten stars.

Would the Immortal Crane Secret Art at grand achievement be able to fuse with the Soul-Reaping Asura Sword Arts? What insights would that process give me?

These were things I couldn’t know yet.

Gwang-du came running to where I was standing.

“Young Master! Have you heard the news?”

I could guess what it was about, but I pretended not to know and asked, “What news?”

“The Nameless Hero! They say a person called the Nameless Hero killed the Heavenly Blade Sect’s butcher with a single punch. And he publicly declared that he would crush the Heavenly Blade Sect if they commit evil acts in the future.”

I don’t think I said anything about crushing them?

Rumors in the martial world tended to be exaggerated like this. Anyway, the more exaggerated the rumors became, the bigger and wider the name of the Nameless One would spread. That was what I wanted.

“That’s impressive.”

“What kind of reaction is that?”

“What’s wrong with my reaction?”

“Could it be…”

Gwang-du stared intently at my face. I thought for a moment that this sharp fellow might have figured out it was me, but then…

“Are you jealous?”

“Hahaha!”

“Don’t be like that. You’re cool in your own way, Young Master, and the Nameless Hero is…”

“The Hero is what?”

Gwang-du hesitated to answer, but finally spoke his mind.

“He’s amazing!”

“There seems to be quite a difference between ‘cool’ and ‘amazing’, doesn’t there?”

Gwang-du pretended not to hear and exclaimed in admiration.

“To boldly step forward to protect someone, that’s exactly the kind of person I dream of becoming.”

I understood Gwang-du’s feelings. For those who have just entered the martial world, how could their hearts not race upon hearing such news?

But Gwang-du, you need to know.

While the life of such a hero might seem cool from the outside, the person themselves must overcome numerous mental hurdles. Until heroic acts become a joy rather than a sacrifice, one must constantly overcome the hidden, shabby self-doubt behind that glamor.

“Oh, by the way, I haven’t seen Baek Mu-in lately. I went to check, and the Wind Tavern was closed too. There was just a notice on the door saying they were taking a break due to personal matters.”

“He’s doing what needs to be done.”

“Is it important?”

I nodded, and Gwang-du’s eyes became determined.

“Everyone’s working hard. Well then, I’ll go practice too.”

“Work hard, future hero!”

“Haha, what hero am I? I’m just the eternal Young Master’s sword fodder, even a hundred years from now!”

I smirked as I watched Gwang-du run off into the distance.

Left alone, I started training again.

Whether sword fodder or hero, in this martial world, you’re done for without skill.

***

The rumors about the Nameless One were much more intense than I had anticipated. It was somewhat expected when the title “hero” was attached.

Public opinion in the martial world was clamoring for a reinvestigation of Ho Yeon-tak’s death. This came about as the Nameless One’s words to the gathered heroes that day spread.

Eventually, the Martial Righteous Alliance announced that they would meet with Mae-rang and Ho Yeon Suk-jeong, and the day after meeting them, they declared that they would investigate Ho Yeon-tak’s death at the Alliance level.

The original Ma Bong-gi wouldn’t have cared about public opinion at all.

The fact that he showed a different reaction this time was likely to take revenge on the Ho Yeon Clan. It seems he concluded that the Nameless One was someone sent by the Ho Yeon Clan.

A tooth for a tooth.

Yes, this was the result I wanted. Let the two of them fight it out.

I received a report that Mae-rang and Ho Yeon Suk-jeong were overjoyed when the investigation into Ho Yeon-tak’s death was announced.

It’s a pity to say this to her, but the mastermind behind this incident won’t be easily uncovered.

For a matter of this scale, the decision must have been made at the family head level. If a proper investigation begins, they’ll probably cut ties at some point.

But for Mae-rang and Ho Yeon Suk-jeong, just the fact that an investigation had started was meaningful and gave them hope.

Mae-rang, don’t worry. This brother hasn’t forgotten about it. When the time comes, I’ll uncover the truth behind your grandson’s unjust death.

***

Gong Su-chan came to visit in the evening.

“The Taeseong Merchant Guild matter is progressing smoothly.”

After opening with that, he took out a book from his chest.

“The reason I came to see you today is because of the ledger you gave me then.”

I had given him a ledger to look over a while ago. It was the one that Ya-cheon of the Shandong Night Merchants had been keeping.

“Fortunately, the code in the ledger was based on the cipher system we mainly use, so it wasn’t difficult to decode.”

It seemed there was a specific code used by those who write these ledgers.

“This is a record of money transactions.”

Looking at the separate list he handed over, I saw the names of several individuals from Shandong written down. They were people who had been close to the Shandong Night Merchants. This would be greatly helpful when I officially make Shandong mine in the near future.

“Ya-cheon was personally investing in various trading companies across the Central Plains. When I looked into the profit rates of those companies, they were quite high.”

“Do you have any informants in the business world?”

“Yes. I think there’s an information network that connects the night merchants. If you allow me, I’d like to put our chopsticks on their table.”

“We mustn’t reveal ourselves.”

“You don’t need to worry about that. There’s never just one or two people investing in a single company. Sometimes dozens, even hundreds gather. If we don’t get greedy, they’ll never notice.”

“How will you do it? Ya-cheon is already dead, isn’t he?”

“There were always people who invested together whenever Ya-cheon did. They seem to be night merchants from other regions. We just need to pay attention to their investments.”

“I see. Chief Gong, please handle it as you see fit.”

“Yes. Not only for the profits, but this will also help improve my investment judgment.”

That was the more valuable aspect. It was more important for Chief Gong to grow than to gain immediate profits.

“I’m counting on you.”

“Yes, then I’ll take my leave.”

As he was about to turn away, I called out to him.

“Oh, could you take a look at this?”

What I took out from my chest was an arrowhead necklace. It was the one that had been around the neck of Cho Byeok, who had been running a brothel with young girls.

Seeing Gong Su-chan decode the ledger’s cipher earlier reminded me of this.

I took out the paper stored inside the arrowhead and showed it to Gong Su-chan.

“Do you think you could decode this cipher?”

After examining the contents for a moment, Gong Su-chan shook his head.

“This is an extremely difficult cipher. It’s beyond my humble abilities, but I know someone who might be able to decode it.”

“Who?”

“My master.”

I was surprised.

Chief Jong? Our grumpy and prickly Chief Jong can decode this difficult cipher?

Gong Su-chan added with a confident smile:

“If it’s my master, he’ll definitely be able to decode it.”