Reincarnated Sword Ghost

Chapter 118 : Contact Point

Contact Point

Jeong-un gazed steadily at the man.

"......."

The reason he didn't immediately strike was because of the object the man held out at the same time as he spoke.

It was the identification token of the Heavenly Martial Hall.

The thick wooden token had the man's affiliation and name engraved into it in an elegant, archaic style.

It was an object Jeong-un was already well acquainted with from having seen it several times before. He recognized it as genuine at a glance.

'General Affairs Department. Gwak Gyeong.'

After reading the identification token, Jeong-un spread his ki sense to observe the man's body once again, even though he had already quickly scanned him when they passed by each other earlier.

But the result was the same each time.

'... This person.'

Not the slightest trace of energy could be sensed from his body.

He hadn't accumulated even a bit of internal energy—in short, his body was no different from that of an ordinary commoner.

Jeong-un looked at him with a somewhat intrigued gaze.

It wasn't that he doubted the man's status.

Jeong-un had not let slip a single clue that could reveal his own affiliation with the Heavenly Martial Hall.

In fact, he wasn't even wearing his usual face at the moment—his facial features were subtly different.

Yet the man had recognized Jeong-un and approached him directly.

Unless he somehow knew about the Baek Sword Gate martial garb and the norigae at Jeong-un's waist, it shouldn't have been possible.

'Strange.'

Normally, anyone able to join the General Affairs Department of the Heavenly Martial Hall would have led a life different from that of commoners.

Since it wasn't a place just anyone could enter, one could assume such people enjoyed a decent life.

But for security reasons, they too resided in the internal quarters like the other martial artists of the Heavenly Martial Hall.

As a result, they frequently came into contact with martial world people—so much so that it was almost as common as stubbing one's toe on a rock.

It was an environment in which you simply couldn't help but become interested in martial arts.

Even if you started with no ambition, after a while you'd probably try it a few times.

Because of this, even the scholars of the General Affairs Department usually had some familiarity with breathing methods.

No matter how unrelated the work of a scholar might be to martial arts training, the minimal benefits brought by internal energy accumulation were still worth obtaining.

If one had the time to learn and even a shred of talent, there was no reason to refuse.

Perhaps noticing Jeong-un's scrutinizing gaze, Gwak Gyeong spoke up, looking slightly awkward.

He was quite quick on the uptake.

"I don't have any martial talent at all. I spent a fair amount of time trying, but I never felt internal energy even in my breathing. That's actually part of why I was sent to you, sir."

"You came to me because you couldn't learn martial arts?"

When Jeong-un asked back, the man nodded and said,

"As you know, it's extremely difficult for a martial artist to cross the threshold of Shaolin's gates. It's a sect renowned for its righteous security system. If I had formed a dantian in my body, I would have had to fully disclose my identity and sect. That's true for any other martial artists as well."

"I see."

Jeong-un accepted this explanation without difficulty.

That was, after all, the very reason why he himself wore this ridiculous norigae.

Gwak Gyeong packed the last of the crops into his bundle.

Perhaps because of his plain attire, he gave off a very humble impression.

Lowering his voice, he spoke cautiously.

"As I said, I'm acting as your contact point, sir. I'll always be waiting near the duel grounds. Since your sensitivity is extremely keen, it shouldn't be hard for you to find me."

"How are things at the Heavenly Martial Hall?"

When Jeong-un asked, Gwak Gyeong glanced around and answered.

"We're quietly deploying martial artists around the slopes of Mount Shaoshi at Mount Song, making sure we don't draw attention. Only the minimum number have been left behind to protect the Heavenly Martial Hall."

"Will that be alright? If so many people know, information might leak out."

The fact that the Divine Thief was targeting Shaolin's treasures was supposed to be a closely guarded secret, known to only a handful.

Jeong-un wouldn't have known anything about it either, if not for this mission.

But mobilizing so many people?

There was no way at least some of them wouldn't report the situation to their own sects.

Even Yeom Baek had said it was nearly impossible to keep things confidential, given that most of the Heavenly Martial Hall's martial artists were disciples of martial world sects.

Understanding Jeong-un's concern, Gwak Gyeong smiled faintly and replied,

"Most of them don't even know they're being gathered there."

"What do you mean...?"

"We're making sure their routes don't overlap and assigning them all at different times, under different pretexts."

"...."

Jeong-un let out a short, sardonic laugh.

Hadn't he heard before that the Heavenly Martial Hall sometimes withheld important details even when giving orders to its martial artists?

He recalled something Peng Mu-gyeol had once said to him—it came to mind naturally under these circumstances.

'There's no other way.'

The martial world sects regularly receive personnel rosters from the Heavenly Martial Hall.

If they caught wind of the Divine Thief's plot against Shaolin, their disciples would have no reason not to write letters to inform their own sects.

Jeong-un asked,

"Then how do you plan to mobilize them when the time comes?"

"Sir Yu Jeong-un, you should observe things here, and if the Divine Thief appears, let me know right away. I'll send out a signal by some means, and all the nearby martial artists will be informed at once."

"Simultaneously? Then..."

When Jeong-un looked unconvinced, Gwak Gyeong nodded.

"They'll rush in, competing to claim credit. They won't have time to notify their own sects."

"...!"

Jeong-un suddenly realized just how shrewd the Heavenly Martial Hall's methods were.

He recalled again the words Peng Mu-gyeol had once said with a sneer.

'They treat people like puppets.'

This was said to be the strategy of Zhuge Cheon-woo, the chief strategist of the Heavenly Martial Hall.

At the time, Jeong-un had only half-listened, but now Gwak Gyeong spoke with a somewhat stiff expression.

"This whole plan is possible only because you are here, sir Yu Jeong-un. The best outcome is for the Shaolin Assembly to end without incident, but if the Divine Thief does show up, we must take him down. He's been a menace for a very long time."

"I, too, hope the thief does not appear. It's just..."

Jeong-un trailed off.

It was a gathering of countless people, with martial artists and commoners all mixed together.

If the Divine Thief showed up, it would create an immense disturbance.

It was hard to understand why Shaolin, known for its devotion to the people, would persist in holding the assembly under such risk.

'If he really does appear, I'll cut him down with my own hands.'

It didn't matter if other martial artists set up a net to catch him—Jeong-un saw no reason to hesitate if an opportunity arose.

Right now, he could feel the powerful energy coursing through his body with every breath.

Even the familiar sword guard of the black sword at his fingertips felt strangely unfamiliar the moment he went to draw it.

Maybe it was overconfidence, but he had never felt more sure when drawing his sword than he did now.

Just then, with his heightened ki sense, he felt someone approaching.

Jeong-un glanced at Gwak Gyeong, but before he could say anything, Gwak Gyeong nodded and spoke.

"Thank you for your help, sir."

"......."

Jeong-un only bowed his head in silence. He was quietly impressed.

To have such sharp intuition despite a body with no trace of internal energy—no wonder the Heavenly Martial Hall had chosen him as the contact point for this mission.

Step, step.

And so Gwak Gyeong picked up his bundle in both hands and staggered off, soon disappearing in the manner of an ordinary commoner.

"......."

Jeong-un watched his retreating back for a moment, then set off himself.

* * *

It was said that the sun set very early at Shaolin on Mount Song.

No one really knew why.

When the reddish sunset colored one of Mount Song's peaks, visitors scrambled to find a good spot to enjoy the view.

But it never lasted long.

Maybe it was due to the rugged terrain, but even a moment's conversation while admiring the sunset meant darkness fell instantly.

With regret, everyone would eventually have to leave.

Around that time, the sound of the bell announcing the evening ceremony echoed softly throughout Shaolin Temple.

Even with so many martial artists gathered for the Shaolin Assembly, the evening ceremony was held without fail.

It was only natural—the most important rituals of the temple couldn't be omitted for any secular event.

Jeong-un sat alone in his room, eyes closed.

He had been served a simple but carefully prepared evening meal.

The young Shaolin novice who had led him there watched him closely, but Jeong-un quietly finished his food.

Some time passed.

Jeong-un opened his eyes.

'Time to move.'

The Divine Thief was said to have scaled several walls at Shaolin without ever revealing himself to anyone.

It was even rumored he'd left a letter at the abbot's door.

Seeing it for himself, Jeong-un found it was hardly as simple as the rumors made it sound.

Shaolin was far from being just any temple—it was a great sect occupying a vast area of Mount Song.

Yet the Divine Thief had managed to reach the abbot's quarters, the innermost part, without being seen by anyone.

That alone proved the thief possessed unparalleled lightness skill.

'I have to be able to do the same.'

If he wanted to defeat the thief, he needed to be able to do everything the thief had done.

Even without ever having met his opponent, Jeong-un wanted to test his skills in this way.

If he ever did face him, Jeong-un was determined to completely take him down.

It wasn't merely competitive spirit.

Jeong-un also intended to fully take in the geography and structure of Shaolin.

No matter what happened, he wanted to be able to act quickly and accurately.

He knew the advantages of being acquainted with one's surroundings ahead of time.

It was certainly worthwhile.

It was an audacious thought.

To delve into the innermost secrets of Shaolin, one of the Nine Great Sects and One Union.

Had anyone else known, they would have been shocked speechless.

'As long as I don't get caught, it's fine.'

That was Jeong-un's attitude.

He was already disguising his identity while entering the duel grounds.

Every action and restraint from here on would be his own responsibility to manage.

And he truly wanted to catch the Divine Thief.

The man openly mocked and took advantage of the people.

If Jeong-un let this chance slip by, who knew when he'd get another opportunity?

He rose and opened the small latticed window.

As the chill of night air rushed into the room, Jeong-un stepped onto the windowsill and leaped into the air.

The building wasn't terribly tall; in one swift movement, he pierced the night and reached the top of the structure, where he lightly grasped the eaves with his fingertips and spun, landing softly.

"......."

Surveying his surroundings, he took in the other pavilions and the trees scattered between them.

Few places were lit at all.

Unlike martial halls, which placed numerous lanterns everywhere to make night resemble day, Shaolin was different—its very ambiance set it apart.

Tap.

He lightly pushed off the tiled roof, flying toward an even higher pavilion.

The cold air softly brushed his face as his body felt incredibly light—perhaps lighter than ever before.

As he gained altitude, the entire expanse of Shaolin Temple opened up beneath him.

All of the pavilions exuded tranquility.

Shaolin boasted a truly long history—each and every building housed its own story and tradition.

Jeong-un broadened his ki sense.

Instantly, he felt the movement of numerous figures.

Most were Shaolin monks, their energy unwavering and strong.

Taking in each presence fully, Jeong-un moved again.

The Moonlight Swift Steps allowed his motion to blend seamlessly with the night wind.

He could truly move like the wind itself, soundless and invisible.

In the blink of an eye, he crossed over pavilion after pavilion, committing the entire layout of Shaolin to memory.

'Should I consider myself lucky?'

It was surprisingly easy to pick out the names of the many pavilions, as each had a large nameboard hung above the entrance.

Martial artists already had keen sight to begin with.

And since the boards seemed to be carefully polished daily, the classical calligraphy stood out clearly.

'Hall of the Four Heavenly Kings, Hall of the Great Hero, Scriptures Pavilion, Thousand Buddha Pavilion...'

Each likely carried its own deep purpose and meaning.

But for Jeong-un, this was simply preparation for what might come.

He moved relentlessly—he even crossed over the eight guardian pavilions without hesitation.

At last,

His vision caught the nameboard of the abbot's quarters.

"......."

Jeong-un gazed down at the doorway.

It was the residence of one counted among the ten greatest masters in the world, a peak expert.

At the same time, it was also the very place the Divine Thief had come and gone quietly, leaving only a letter.

He slowly lifted his foot and started to move.

Swish.

Soundlessly, he dropped down in front of the abbot's courtyard.

Not even a speck of dust stirred around his feet as he landed.

The atmosphere was perfectly silent. He naturally turned to look at the abbot's door.

'Right there.'

The Divine Thief had left his letter right in front of that door, then disappeared without a trace.

Jeong-un slowly traced the thief's possible path with his eyes. It was barely ten steps.

Just a short distance from the abbot's door.

"......."

Staring at the door for a moment, Jeong-un slowly took a step forward.

And then another, gradually approaching the residence of one of the martial world's true greats.

'... Even though I don't feel any presence at all.'

Oddly, it was not easy to move his feet, as if dragging a heavy cart.

He heightened his senses to their utmost. Nothing could be felt from within the door.

Yet an inexplicable chill ran down his back, even though he knew there was no sound to his steps.

Step.

Right now, he wasn't comparing himself to the absolute powers of the martial world.

His target was the Divine Thief—the man had endured this very pressure and gone right up to the door, perhaps even enjoying it.

He was truly insane.

Step.

Was the abbot really sleeping inside? Anyone who had reached the realm of a master could enter sleep at will, so no aura would emerge from within.

Meanwhile, Jeong-un was perfectly sober, pouring his entire mind into every step.

Step.

He finally stood before the door. This was exactly where the Divine Thief had placed his letter.

Jeong-un traced the thief's actions to the last detail, imagining how he must have moved.

Slowly, as if setting something down, Jeong-un bent over.

Just then, as he straightened and prepared to retreat—

"You are quite impressive."

A voice called from within.

"Please, come inside, guest."