Ten-Battle Assassin No. 50

Chapter 70

Episode 70. Blood Flower Is Tired of the Assassin’s Path

In truth, the reason Won Seung and Jong Bi feared Elder Bi was because of their own guilty consciences.

Elder Bi ranked among the top five in Red Blood Mountain’s power hierarchy. To him, Won Seung and Jong Bi were nothing but small fry.

His real interest lay in the big carp swimming leisurely in the pond; whether the countless minnows beside them floundered or died, he couldn’t care less.

The only reason he paid any attention to a mere trainee was because of Instructor Jang’s report that Number Fifty had the potential to become one of the Ten Perfections.

If he could just secure a Ten Perfect Assassin, it would be the crowning achievement of the Assassin Training Center program he had proposed and run for nearly eighteen years.

Elder Bi, eyes gleaming with intensity, spoke, eager to package Won Seung as a Ten Perfect Assassin by any means necessary.

“Tell me in detail what Number Fifty is doing in the three-way martial arts duel.”

“Ah, well…”

Jong Bi answered awkwardly.

“He’s keeping it a secret from me too. Something about assassin strategies or whatever…”

“Hmph… I suppose that makes sense from Number Fifty’s perspective. But I’m asking what you’ve managed to find out.”

Elder Bi furrowed his brow and fixed Jong Bi with a piercing glare.

A chill ran down Jong Bi’s spine. If Won Seung hadn’t warned him in advance, he would’ve panicked and spilled everything.

“Since I became a servant, I haven’t been able to enter the places where Number Fifty meets with the Hwa Family of the Clear Water Sect or the Heavenly Observation Pavilion Master. Of course, I’ve tried to gather information around the area, but it’s all been kept extremely secret—no one knows anything.”

“Hmmm…”

Elder Bi sipped his tea, muttering to himself.

‘Should I have assigned someone sharper?’

It wasn’t as if Jong Bi was watching from afar—he was supposed to be glued to the trainee’s side, yet he still didn’t know what was going on.

The real reason Elder Bi chose Jong Bi was so he could easily find an excuse to dispose of him once the job was done.

Even though he’d only managed to produce one top-tier assassin, those from the Assassin Training Center were growing into first-class killers and becoming the backbone of the main sect.

Criticism of the center was mostly about the results not matching the heavy investment, not about the abilities of its graduates. Yet, this guy was still stuck at Second-rank Killer even after shedding his apprentice status. It was a wonder he was still alive.

Still, the choice had been his, so there was no use complaining now.

‘Tsk…’

He couldn’t summon Number Fifty directly, either.

The training was still ongoing, and above all, he didn’t want his face or identity exposed.

Red Blood Mountain had killed countless people, and the loved ones of the dead were hunting them down, branding them as an evil group.

If Elder Bi’s face or identity were revealed, even a master like him couldn’t guarantee his own life. That’s why he was extremely cautious about exposing himself to anyone outside the main sect whose loyalty was certain.

In fact, meeting Jong Bi in person was highly unusual for Elder Bi. It showed just how desperate he was for a Ten Perfect Assassin.

“I understand. Find out more about what Number Fifty is up to.”

He gestured for Jong Bi to leave.

Jong Bi bowed respectfully and disappeared into the rain. The downpour was heavy, but he’d rather be anywhere than in Elder Bi’s presence for even a moment longer.

Watching Jong Bi’s retreating figure, Elder Bi turned to his subordinate standing nearby.

“Looks like you’ll have to look into this yourself.”

“Yes, sir.”

Elder Bi’s trusted aide, Jwahu, bowed and vanished into the night.

*

Swish!

Ohgu swung his saber powerfully, slicing through the pouring rain.

Clang!

He deflected an incoming blade and dashed forward. He could have slit the man’s throat, but now wasn’t the time to waste energy on small fry.

It was night, and the rain was coming down in sheets, making it hard for Ohgu to find his way and even harder for the men in black to pursue him.

Flash!

Lightning struck again, illuminating the main gate leading into Flower Clear Pavilion. Ohgu sprinted toward it, but another flash of lightning revealed a man in a bamboo hat standing in the center of the gate. His calm posture made it clear he wasn’t just some underling.

Ohgu stopped in front of the gate. This wasn’t someone he could break through in one go.

‘Damn it!’

Looks like this is the end of the line.

As Ohgu halted, the man guarding the gate stepped forward, holding his saber at an angle and glaring at Ohgu. Under the brim of his hat, his pale eyes shone fiercely.

Step, step, step.

Ohgu could feel the underlings piling up behind him. He’d have to get through this man.

Swish!

Using his right leg as a pivot, Ohgu twisted his waist and swung his saber.

The man spun aside, aiming for Ohgu’s waist. The rain seemed to flow along their blades.

Clang, clang, clang!

They exchanged blows in a matter of seconds. Ohgu tried to shift his position through his attacks, but the man seemed to sense his intention and stood his ground.

The man murmured in admiration.

“I didn’t know there was such a skilled swordsman in Xiangyang.”

That was exactly what Ohgu wanted to say. When he’d told Won Seung he was a big deal in Xiangyang, it hadn’t been an empty boast.

He hadn’t shown his true skills while acting as Gu Ja-ang’s lackey, so he hadn’t gained much fame. He considered himself a master, but the man before him was no pushover either.

“So you’re Cheol Ma-do of the Black Society?”

“You know me?”

The man looked at Ohgu with interest, flicked his saber to shake off the raindrops, and then slashed forward.

Whoosh!

A surge of energy burst from his saber, scattering the raindrops around them.

Ohgu unleashed his rarely revealed ultimate technique, the Nine Star Linked Saber Technique.

Shing, shing, shing!

The Nine Star Linked Saber Technique got its name from the way its strikes fell like meteors, one after another. It looked like brute force, but hidden within was a nearly undetectable cutting move at the last moment.

“Impressive technique!”

Cheol Ma-do praised him, twirling his wrist to recover his saber before slashing again. His smooth movements were clearly those of a first-class master.

Clang, clang, clang!

Sparks flew as their blades clashed in the rain.

Cheol Ma-do was relaxed, but Ohgu grew anxious. He tried to force an opening with a series of attacks, but Cheol Ma-do calmly blocked each one.

The distance between them widened again, but now their positions had switched.

However, the main gate was already packed with men in black. They might be small fry, but together they formed a human wall—breaking through was impossible.

Ohgu wiped the raindrops from his eyebrows, clearing his vision. Cheol Ma-do tossed aside his bamboo hat and spoke.

“You’re not getting out of here. Give up.”

He’d given up the advantage of his hat—he was ready for a real fight.

He was right. The net was already closed.

“Hoo…”

Ohgu lowered his saber.

‘Damn it…’

He glanced back at Flower Clear Pavilion.

Gu Ak-pyeong and the Council of Ten leaders were watching from above, looking relaxed.

‘Bastard…’

If he could, he’d kill Gu Ak-pyeong first. That guy had dragged him into this, using him to eliminate a rival for the Council of Ten.

That’s how despicable the Black Path types were.

Ohgu steadied his breath and looked at Cheol Ma-do.

If things were already lost, he might as well focus on the fight.

Cheol Ma-do of the Black Society was a renowned swordsman—a worthy companion for the journey to the afterlife.

He’d learned the Eight and Nine Star forms of the Nine Star Linked Saber Technique earlier this year, but had never truly used them in battle. With an opponent like this, he could finally go all out.

This time, Ohgu made the first move.

Slash!

His saber cut through the rain in a bold, direct strike.

Cheol Ma-do dodged, spinning and slashing upward from below, and the two engaged in a fierce exchange.

Clang, clang, clang!

The space between them was so intense that even the rain couldn’t fall there.

After a dozen exchanges, their positions shifted again.

“What technique is that?”

Cheol Ma-do asked in surprise.

His shirt was sliced open by Ohgu’s saber. If Ohgu’s blade had been a long saber, Cheol Ma-do would be dead.

Ohgu was frustrated.

The transition from the Seven Star to the Eight Star form still wasn’t smooth. That gave Cheol Ma-do an opening to escape.

If not for that, Cheol Ma-do’s chest would have been cut open.

“Heh… Ugh!”

Ohgu started to laugh, but suddenly felt a sharp pain in his waist. Then, a thin, long blade slid into his abdomen!

Ohgu turned to see a slightly small-framed man grinning behind him, his blade protruding from Ohgu’s stomach.

That’s the Black Path for you…

They’d stop at nothing to achieve their goals.

Cheol Ma-do shouted angrily.

“What are you doing, Ghost Hand?”

“The boss said to bring him in immediately. How long were you planning to play around?”

Ghost Hand replied nonchalantly, raising his fingers and flicking them.

“Collapse!”

But Ohgu didn’t fall. Instead, he tried to pull out the blade stuck in his waist, but Ghost Hand stopped him.

“Wait! That blade was carefully placed. Leave it in and you’ll live for two hours. Pull it out and you won’t last half an hour—I’ll stake my wrist on it.”

“Grrr!”

Ignoring him, Ohgu yanked the blade out. It was a sharp dagger about a foot long.

“That bastard’s trying to kill himself!”

Ghost Hand shouted, and Cheol Ma-do rushed over and struck Ohgu’s back. Ohgu collapsed.

Cheol Ma-do spoke in a bitter tone.

“Sorry about this. Orders are to take you alive, so I hope you understand.”

He then ordered the underlings.

“Apply the Wound Medicine and take him to the fifth floor!”

The henchmen dragged the unconscious Ohgu through the pouring rain and into Flower Clear Pavilion.

*

Won Seung was gazing out at the rain-soaked garden.

Jong Bi and Ohgu were both later than expected.

The study door opened and Blood Flower stepped out.

Wearing the new clothes Jong Bi had bought, her beauty shone through. Blood Flower was cold and somehow proud, with an air of dignity.

She approached and sat in the bamboo chair—the one Won Seung had just designated as hers.

Won Seung thought Jong Bi’s efforts had paid off.

Blood Flower stared quietly at the rain falling in the garden.

“Why aren’t you sleeping?”

“Why did you save me? I think you wanted me to kill someone for you…”

“I’m not forcing you. You can refuse.”

“I’ll do it. Better that than accepting help for no reason. But, as you said, it has to be someone truly deserving of death.”

Lee Eon-pae. You just booked yourself a ticket to the afterlife.

“What are you people, really?”

Blood Flower was genuinely curious.

Won Seung wondered if he could answer honestly. He couldn’t. Even if he were the Great Hero Yong Jo-woon, he wouldn’t reveal it in these circumstances.

“Blood Flower. Like I said before, let’s talk about it once we’ve built some trust. I haven’t heard your story either.”

“…”

“Didn’t Great Hero Yong say he’d send you off the morning after tomorrow? You owe him too. He had every reason to kill you, but he let you go unharmed…”

That’s something I can’t even imagine.

Blood Flower nodded.

“I know.”

Her expression was oddly gloomy. Shouldn’t she be happy to be released?

Ah, she failed her assassination mission. She’ll be punished when she returns.

“How do you request an assassination from the Sea Mist Sect?”

“Don’t.”

Blood Flower replied flatly, still staring ahead.

“No matter how much you hate someone… Don’t hire an assassin. If you must, kill them with your own hands. If you’re not strong enough, get stronger.”

“…”

That’s not something an assassin should say, is it?

Hmm. Blood Flower really is tired of the assassin’s path. She’s lost in self-reproach.