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Chapter 13
Yusucheon let out a sigh as he swept.
Because of Jeon Ak-gwan’s foolishness, his mother-in-law Jin Yeon-gyeong would only become even more vicious.
As both her son-in-law and servant, Yusucheon truly felt like he was dying.
‘If my mother-in-law dies, at least this married life would end sooner…’
But that was impossible.
Thanks to the breathing technique, the Haegang Gijo Method, that Dan Hyeon-woo had taught her, Jin Yeon-gyeong was becoming healthier day by day.
That left only one option.
If he lived diligently, perhaps some terrifying being like the King of Hell would appear and deal with Dan Hyeon-woo.
‘Please… let that happen…’
It was just a dream, but even imagining it made him smile.
Before his only hope, even Yusucheon wore an innocent expression.
But the chances of that were nonexistent.
He could confidently declare it to the entire martial world—
Who could possibly deal with that insane monster capable of manipulating objects through the air?
Just as he was thinking that, the Kowloon Sect members who had been dragged in came out of the Dan family estate.
“Are your bodies alright?”
At Yusucheon’s question, one of them—whose entire body was swollen from being thoroughly beaten—answered.
“Getting beaten was bad, but being trapped in that carriage and flying through the sky yesterday was even scarier. Is that something a human can even do?”
“Now you understand who the real boss of the Kowloon Sect is.”
The Kowloon Sect members nodded.
The mocking laughter they once had at the idea of living righteously had completely disappeared.
Black path? That was me until yesterday.
Starting today, I’m righteous.
No matter what anyone says, I want to emphasize that I’m righteous.
Yusucheon slung an arm over their shoulders and said,
“Since it’s come to this, if you can’t avoid it, you might as well enjoy it. First, show that you’re living diligently. Then the eldest son of the Dan family will calm down.”
“We feel the same way. Even the Blood Slaughter Ghost Sword is living so diligently, so what about us…”
“Stay strong.”
“We’ll take our leave.”
The Kowloon Sect members limped away.
One of them was even wiping tears with his sleeve—clearly having been beaten severely.
Those guys who used to make others cry were now crying themselves.
Man, they’re bawling so pathetically.
Yusucheon looked up at the sky, holding his broom.
“Jeon Ak-gwan… is that bastard still getting beaten?”
Hangzhou was in an uproar.
Because the Kowloon Sect had changed.
Those who used to commit every evil imaginable were suddenly picking up trash in the streets, helping the poor, and rescuing women in danger.
They were originally the ones who harassed and toyed with women.
Moreover, the Kowloon Sect used to make money through any dirty means possible.
But now, they took on escort missions, worked as temporary guards for escort agencies, completed tasks cleanly, and only accepted the agreed payment—nothing more.
Before, they would have made excuses to extort extra money.
So the people of Hangzhou were extremely confused.
Are those bastards crazy? Or have they lost their minds?
What kind of place was the Kowloon Sect?
The number one underworld martial sect in Hangzhou—and among the most vicious in all of the martial world.
Their leader, Jeon Ak-gwan, was the type who would cry from resentment if he were called anything less than second place among villains.
Seeing such trash picking up garbage on the streets was utterly shocking.
At first, the people of Hangzhou couldn’t accept this change.
But as time passed, they gradually began to acknowledge it.
A Kowloon Sect member who found a lost child’s parents even received a reward from the magistrate.
Now, it was harder not to believe.
The way people looked at the Kowloon Sect softened day by day.
“Damn it, damn it all. How did things turn out like this?”
Of course, not everyone welcomed this change.
That man was Cheon Il-seong, the former head of the Mokhwa Merchant Group.
After escaping the Dan family estate, Jeon Ak-gwan should have come to retrieve him.
But after failing to escape, he suddenly became a loyal dog of the Dan family.
Just thinking about what happened a few days ago made Cheon Il-seong grind his teeth.
Jeon Ak-gwan, who had come to the clinic, wore an expression of enlightenment—as if he had let go of everything.
It was the face of a servant.
He had chosen to walk the very path he despised.
Cheon Il-seong could never do that.
Yusucheon and Jeon Ak-gwan might have given up, but he still had one last hidden card.
‘Jeon Ak-gwan is an expert. Yusucheon is a master. And even they couldn’t handle Dan Hyeon-woo… Then if I hire someone stronger than Yusucheon…’
He had wealth hidden away.
More importantly, he was acquainted with Peng Jin-woo, the head of the Yongmun Family—a branch of the Hebei Peng Clan and one of the top experts in the region.
Making a request wouldn’t be difficult.
Cheon Il-seong quickly wrote a letter.
Soon, the message tied to a carrier pigeon flew toward the Yongmun Family.
That night.
Cutting through the dim darkness, two men entered the clinic.
A thick scent of blood clung to them, like rotting blood.
They sat down.
“If you’re waiting for the head of the Yongmun Family, give up. He wouldn’t come to a place like this.”
One of the assassins spoke, as if to make it clear the Yongmun Family was not directly involved.
They were only connected to Cheon Il-seong through business.
When the Mokhwa Merchant Group became Dan Hyeon-woo’s, the Yongmun Family had merely sent assassins out of inconvenience.
The assassin examined Cheon Il-seong’s expression.
“Seems you understand. I am Go Yong-su.”
His sharp eyes gleamed in the darkness.
Cheon Il-seong could tell—they had sent someone skilled.
“The most I can offer is fifty gold ingots.”
“One hundred. Don’t think we know nothing. The martial arts of the Dan family’s eldest son are strong. Strong enough to make Yusucheon kneel.”
Go Yong-su leaned back silently.
Even that alone revealed his terrifying skill.
Even Yusucheon would find it nearly impossible to defeat him.
And there were two such men.
Cheon Il-seong spoke,
“If I give one hundred gold ingots, can you surely take his life?”
“You won’t regret it. I’ve lived as an assassin for twenty-three years. Not once have I failed. I’ll bring you his head within two days.”
“I will trust those words and give you the gold. Please, get me out of this hell.”
“There’s one thing to correct in what you said.”
“What do you mean?”
Go Yong-su rose silently and replied,
“It’s not that you trust me.”
“What?”
“The moment you paid me… it was already done.”
Two days later.
Even though it was daytime, shadows covered the back of a building.
Dan Hyeon-woo handed over twenty nyang of silver.
A man in his fifties grinned as he received it.
The deal was done.
“Starting tomorrow.”
“Good. We’ll make our preparations as well.”
“Heh, what preparation is needed? Just leave everything to me.”
“I’ll trust you.”
They shook hands.
In that dark and dreary place, it didn’t look like they were meeting for anything good.
The man said,
“I’ll take responsibility for teaching Do-yoon well.”
“I’m relieved knowing you’ll take special care of him.”
“Haha, actually, the twenty nyang you gave—since Do-yoon is joining midway, the other children might be jealous. I’ll use it to buy them food and smooth things over.”
“I didn’t realize it would be this difficult to enter a school at this time.”
“Hangzhou is where the richest gather. Competition among parents is fierce. They may not look kindly on a mid-term student, but with enough support, it should be fine.”
“Please take good care of Do-yoon starting tomorrow.”
“Don’t worry and head back.”
Dan Hyeon-woo had nearly given up on finding a way to enroll Do-yoon.
Then Yusucheon introduced him to this instructor.
It was unexpected, but a great help.
As Dan Hyeon-woo headed back, night had already fallen.
In a narrow alley, he stopped.
A cold wind blew.
“Come out. Before I come find you myself.”
A man emerged—Go Yong-su.
“So an ambush won’t work.”
“You’re an assassin. No point asking who hired you.”
“Keeping secrets even in death is the first rule.”
“So this is the end of conversation.”
“Likewise.”
The sword was drawn.
The alley filled with killing intent.
Go Yong-su lunged.
The ground shattered under his steps.
In an instant, he closed the distance.
His blade struck—
But Dan Hyeon-woo dodged easily.
At the same time, his own sword moved.
Go Yong-su smirked.
In a narrow space, drawing late meant defeat—
Unless the opponent was far stronger.
Then—
His eyes shook.
The blade turned backward.
Another assassin behind Dan Hyeon-woo was struck.
“Ghk… how…?”
Dan Hyeon-woo had known from the start.
“Damn!”
Go Yong-su retreated—but too late.
Dan Hyeon-woo moved faster.
With a powerful kick, he sent the wounded assassin flying.
They collided.
Bones felt like they shattered.
Go Yong-su rolled away.
His arm was ruined. His wrist twisted.
He ran—
But Dan Hyeon-woo was already there.
How many levels above me is he?!
A punch slammed into his face.
Teeth scattered.
Fear consumed him.
For twenty-three years, he had lived as an assassin—
But before this man, he felt completely exposed.
That gaze—
It was the gaze of someone who had killed countless people.
Blows rained down.
He could only struggle to stay conscious.
Dan Hyeon-woo said,
“You said keeping secrets even in death is the first rule?”
“Kill me! You’ll never get anything from me!”
Even then, his pride remained.
Dan Hyeon-woo placed his hand on his head.
Something felt wrong.
Then—
Energy penetrated deep into his brain.
A forbidden technique.
Even if it reduced him to an idiot, it didn’t matter.
“AAAAAH! You think this will make me talk?! I’ve never revealed a client—AAAH!”
He endured.
Dan Hyeon-woo asked calmly,
“Who hired you?”
“I’ll never—! Cheon Il-seong! At Hwalsaeng Clinic, room fifteen—he’s the one who hired us! He begged us to kill you! Huh?!”
His eyes widened in shock.
Dan Hyeon-woo spoke,
“Hold on a little longer. Soon, you won’t even remember your own name.”
