Myst, Might, Mayhem (Novel) - Chapter 110 - Fortuitous Encounter (2)

Chapter 110 – Fortuitous Encounter (2)

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Translated by Jinmu

Read it only at Novelbyu.com & Utoon.net

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Gyu So-ha, possessing the body of Vault Keeper Yang Mu-won, was diligently carrying bits of stone and cleaning up.

That was because they had to erase as much as possible the traces of what had happened here.

All through this menial labor, the smile never left Gyu So-ha’s lips.

That was only natural, since not only had her rank risen one level higher, but even if only temporarily, she had obtained a fleshly body and even gained free time.

And that was in this treasure vault overflowing with such a vast quantity of secret manuals.

“Heeheehee.”

Even though she had become a vengeful spirit, Gyu So-ha had, from the root, been a martial artist.

Before death, she had naturally aimed for higher realms, so this place overflowing with secret manuals was no different from paradise.

While cleaning up the small cave chamber marked by the red line, Gyu So-ha looked at the bookshelf shelf where only a single wooden box sat all by itself.

‘Hmm. What in the world is it?’

That wooden box was none other than the one containing the hanging scroll that sealed the spirit beast.

That wooden box which, they said, had been made of Immortal Spirit Wood.

Strangely enough, the thing that had shattered and turned to ash had returned to its original state.

‘Could this truly be the power of an immortal?’

Mok Gyeong-un and Blue Spirit, along with Gyu So-ha, had also seen the scene of what had been broken and decayed returning to its original state.

It had happened in the instant when Mok Gyeong-un, holding the scroll, was wondering what to do with it.

As though time were rewinding, the surrounding dust had gathered, taken the shape of the wooden box, and returned it to its original form just like this.

‘Truly strange.’

It was a power that even Gyu So-ha, a vengeful spirit, found uncanny.

Should it be called something beyond the realm of spells?

Thanks to that, Mok Gyeong-un, who had been wondering what to do with it, ordered Gyu So-ha to remain here for a while and guard the wooden box.

[Hmm. For the time being, I think we should simply leave it here.]

[Are you not going to eat it?]

[No. I might eat it and get sick.]

[……]

[I’m joking.]

She knew it was not a joke.

Master liked eating things like this.

[In any case, I do not think we should touch this now. If anyone comes here and touches or looks for the wooden box, let me know.]

[Yes, Master!]

Mok Gyeong-un was interested in the one who had left this sealed wooden box here.

Why had such a dangerous thing been left in this place?

If she remained here guarding it according to Master’s orders, she would likely come to know.

Whether or not the one the raccoon-dog spirit beast had called Three Eyes would appear.

* * *

Late at night, within the inner castle of the Heaven and Earth Society.

In the garden of a great manor located in the southwest of the castle, there stood a sharp-faced middle-aged man of small build, looking up at the moon with his hands clasped behind his back.

He was gazing at the moon in contemplation when the sound of someone’s cough came from behind him.

“Ahem.”

At this, the small-built middle-aged man turned around as though he had known all along.

Then he brought both hands together and greeted the newcomer politely.

“Ahhh. One of the Five Kings, the Thunderbolt Fist King, has come all the way to this humble place. I hardly know what to do with myself.”

The one he greeted was a mustached middle-aged man who looked to be in his mid-fifties, with no sleeves visible over his arms, wearing strangely shaped iron rings on his muscular forearms.

This middle-aged man was Won Byeong-hak, the Thunderbolt Fist King, one of the Five Kings and one of the highest-ranking executives of the Heaven and Earth Society.

Won Byeong-hak likewise saluted him with fists clasped and opened his mouth.

“It has been a long time, Shadow Sect Master.”

The true identity of the small-built middle-aged man was the Shadow Sect Master.

Though ranked one level below the Five Kings, he was one of the Three Sect Masters, who were upper executives of the Heaven and Earth Society.

Unlike the other sect masters, even his name was kept classified, so everyone called him only by his title, Shadow Sect Master.

“Ohoho. It has indeed been a long time since the assembly two months ago.”

At the Shadow Sect Master’s soft, affected voice, Won Byeong-hak frowned faintly as though he still was not used to it.

That was only natural, because no matter how many times he heard it, he could not grow accustomed to this man’s way of speaking.

It was like the speech of an imperial eunuch, and because he mixed in tones one would expect from a woman, it even sometimes produced discomfort.

‘What a very peculiar fellow.’

Even the face before him now was not the real one.

It was a human skin mask.

A human skin mask was a thin, skin-like mask made from human or pig skin, fashioned into a form nearly impossible to distinguish from a real human face.

The Shadow Sect Master was the only person within the inner castle who was allowed to wear such a human skin mask.

‘Even if he handles intelligence and secrets…’

Was there truly any reason to hide his real face even from them?

Because the Shadow Sect Master changed his human skin mask almost every three months, Won Byeong-hak knew that only the Society Leader knew his true face.

‘Hoo.’

In any case, the important matter was not that sort of thing, nor his true face.

Won Byeong-hak, the Thunderbolt Fist King, said,

“Shadow Sect Master. I know it is discourteous to come so suddenly so late at night, and for that I first offer my apology.”

“Not at all. I heard you came by twice while I happened to be away, so how could it be for you to apologize? I should rather be the one feeling sorry.”

“I can only be grateful that you say so.”

“Ohoho. Then may I ask the reason you came even at this late hour?”

“Of course. In truth, I thought the request itself might be even ruder than my late visit, so I brought this as a bribe of sorts for you, Shadow Sect Master.”

Won Byeong-hak, the Thunderbolt Fist King, lifted the white liquor bottle he was holding in one hand.

At this, the Shadow Sect Master asked in puzzlement,

“And what might that be?”

“This is twenty-five-year-aged Shaoxing Yellow Wine.”

“Oh? Is that truly so?”

Shaoxing Yellow Wine.

Together with Daughter’s Red, it was a famous wine among the varieties of Shaoxing liquor.

It was a drink whose aroma and flavor deepened the longer it was aged, and was also a wine meant to celebrate special occasions.

The Shadow Sect Master received the bottle with a look of gratitude and said,

“I do not know whether it is proper for me to accept something like this.”

“Since it is a bribe I brought, naturally you may accept it. I drank Daughter’s Red at my daughter’s engagement ceremony, and after some thought, I brought Shaoxing Yellow Wine here.”

Shaoxing Yellow Wine was a wine one buried when a son was born, then dug up to drink with friends and relatives when the son grew up and sat the state exam, won the top score, or got married.

But the Thunderbolt Fist King Won Byeong-hak had no son.

He had buried it twenty-five years ago together with Daughter’s Red before his daughter was born, and had long been pondering when to dig it up and drink it, but because the Shadow Sect Master liked well-aged liquor, he had brought it here.

“To think the Thunderbolt Fist King would bring something so precious that he had cherished. Though I have not yet heard the request, it already seems difficult to refuse.”

“It may be discourteous, but perhaps it may not be such a great request for the Shadow Sect Master.”

“If it is not a great request?”

-Tak!

The Thunderbolt Fist King Won Byeong-hak clasped his fists respectfully and said,

“I know it is discourteous, but after the final gate of Corpse Blood Valley ends tomorrow, if among the completion ceremony candidates there is one from Mirrored Scenery Gate, I ask that you yield that one to me.”

“Mirrored Scenery Gate?”

“That is right. It is a child I have had my eye on for a long time, which is why I came here so late at night and committed such discourtesy.”

That was the Thunderbolt Fist King Won Byeong-hak’s request.

The executives participating in tomorrow’s completion ceremony would be granted the right to select those trainees who passed the final gate and take them under their banner.

And among them, Won Byeong-hak had already set his sights on a trainee from Mirrored Scenery Gate.

At this, the Shadow Sect Master said,

“We do not yet know the result, and yet hearing you say this, that must be a very outstanding talent.”

“A child with potential.”

‘A child with the qualifications to complete the True-Origin Thunderbolt Fist.’

He already had one disciple.

However, that disciple had ultimately failed to complete the final technique of the True-Origin Thunderbolt Fist and had been left crippled in the right arm.

That was how difficult even learning his ultimate skill was.

‘So you have been going around to the other executives who are also going to Corpse Blood Valley tomorrow to ask them as well.’

In fact, the Shadow Sect Master had more or less predicted his purpose.

Because the Shadow Sect, which handled intelligence and spies, always kept watch over the inner castle, he had guessed that Won Byeong-hak had been going around making some sort of request related to the completion ceremony tomorrow.

And that guess had proven correct.

‘I see. Indeed.’

But he did not show it outwardly.

If Won Byeong-hak learned that his movements were being tracked, it would do nothing but offend the Thunderbolt Fist King.

“I know it is a rude request, but……”

“Not at all. After receiving such a fine wine, how could I possibly refuse the Thunderbolt Fist King’s request?”

“Oh? You can do that for me?”

“Of course. Ohoho.”

At the Shadow Sect Master’s affected laugh, Won Byeong-hak lightly bowed his head in gratitude.

It was a talent he had coveted that much.

To him, the Shadow Sect Master said,

“If it would not be discourteous, might I also make a request of the Thunderbolt Fist King while we are at it?”

“A request?”

“In truth, because the right of selection is only one, it is all right, but I am saying this in advance in case your mind should change.”

“You mean to say?”

“Yes. I too have one talent I desire. So I intend to take that one as a disciple, which is why I am participating in tomorrow’s completion ceremony.”

At those words, the Thunderbolt Fist King Won Byeong-hak nodded.

He had naturally expected as much.

The Shadow Sect Master had had several opportunities and yet had never participated even once before.

So the fact that he was participating this time meant, as expected…

“Could it be that child? The one from Mo Hwa House…”

“Yes. That is correct.”

“Ahhh. Just as I thought.”

His guess had been right.

Mo Hwa House had once been called a fourth-generation assassin organization.

Rumors had spread even among the executives that a girl of tremendous talent from that place was participating in the gates of Corpse Blood Valley.

“If that is the case, then there is no need to worry. I only desire a male child with the physique to properly digest the Thunderbolt Fist.”

“Ohoho. Hearing you say that makes me both grateful and relieved.”

-Clap, clap.

The Shadow Sect Master clapped his hands and spoke like a woman.

Because his voice was so androgynous, the Thunderbolt Fist King Won Byeong-hak inwardly found himself wondering whether he might truly be a woman.

The fact that he specifically wanted to choose a girl, despite speaking of talent, made that thought even stronger.

But he hesitated over whether he should tell him this or not.

That terrifying woman also had her eye on the girl from Mo Hwa House.

* * *

Mo Ha-rang of Mo Hwa House slightly furrowed her brow.

All of a sudden, her right ear had begun itching badly, and if this were not Mok Gyeong-un’s room, she would have wanted to shove a finger in and scratch at it properly.

“You look exactly like someone whose ear is itching.”

“……”

At Mok Gyeong-un’s words, she inwardly flinched, but tried not to show it.

In any case, he read other people’s thoughts with uncanny precision.

But why had he suddenly called for her?

And at such a late hour too.

Could it be because of the final gate tomorrow?

‘Barring some special variable, there is no way a monster like you would fail to pass the final gate.’

In the end, curiosity seemed to get the better of her, and she asked,

“……By the way, why did you summon me?”

Ever since agreeing to become a loyal ‘dog’ or ‘slave,’ she had been treating Mok Gyeong-un with the utmost courtesy.

To her question, Mok Gyeong-un replied,

“Ah, it is nothing much. Could you spar with me lightly?”

“By spar, you mean what…”

Without realizing it, she swallowed dryly.

Though he never called for her ordinarily, he had summoned only her alone in the middle of the night, which had struck her as slightly suspicious.

Surely he had not called her at this hour in order to…

“Can you spar with me?”

“Spar… with you?”

For an instant, she let out a faint breath.

Should it be called a slight sense of relief?

Well, if a man like this evil spirit had looked at her as a woman, he would not have fed her poison and spoken of loyal dogs and the like.

But why bring up sparring so suddenly?

They had already crossed hands once before, so sparring would be rather meaningless…

‘Or perhaps not?’

Thinking on it, perhaps it would not be meaningless after all.

Come to think of it, she had heard that the final gate, unlike before, might not be about survival or potential, but rather a test of pure martial skill.

If so, then sharpening one’s senses beforehand through a spar might be one method.

And,

‘……I did want to wipe away that humiliation.’

Though she had sworn loyalty because of the poison, she had also vowed that someday she would free herself from this.

And with fair and square skill at that.

Mo Ha-rang’s gaze changed as she looked at Mok Gyeong-un.

Her eyes were already moving this way and that, searching for his openings.

‘This time is different.’

Back then, she had not been able to accurately gauge what level Mok Gyeong-un was at.

But now, having observed him from nearby several times, she could guess what level his martial prowess was at and what sort of things he excelled in.

-Chwak, chwak, chwak!

She was already sketching out a picture in her mind.

If she were to cross hands with Mok Gyeong-un, she had to avoid direct clashes as much as possible.

His aura differed from ordinary true qi, and even a slight collision caused one’s power to scatter.

Her master had been the same.

‘If I give him no openings.’

She could picture a way to kill him to some extent.

Back then she had entered the exchange without the thought of killing Mok Gyeong-un, so she had not used killing moves or secret techniques, but if she truly fought with intent to kill, it might be possible.

“Those are eyes brimming with motivation.”

“Ah……”

“Well then, if so, you may really come at me with the intention of killing me.”

“Pardon?”

“If you subdue me, I will detoxify the poison.”

At these words from Mok Gyeong-un, Mo Ha-rang’s expression changed noticeably.

Until just now, it had only been a mock exchange based on a hypothetical situation, but if a price was attached, the story changed.

If Mo Hwa House’s chain killing was combined with Slashing Shadow Flying Blade Art, the secret transmission of the King of Slaughter, she had confidence she could at least kill anyone at her own level.

“……Are those words truly serious?”

“Yes. I promise. If you can subdue me right now…”

It was before Mok Gyeong-un could finish those words.

-Srrk!

Small dagger-like blades sprang out from the sleeves on her right and left arms.

Victory through the first move.

She meant to move before Mok Gyeong-un even registered it and decide the contest.

The root of her martial arts was assassination.

That was why the key was not fighting the opponent head-on, but disrupting the opponent’s rhythm.

But then,

-Tuk!

‘!?’

Mo Ha-rang’s expression froze in that instant.

‘What in the world is this……’

What had happened?

She had clearly moved first the moment the words ended.

And yet somehow Mok Gyeong-un’s sword-finger sign was already touching her neck.

‘……I did not see it.’

Even then, she had thought she held the overwhelming advantage at least in speed.

And yet now, she had not seen even the slightest trace of Mok Gyeong-un’s movement.

A fingertip had reached her before she could even perceive it.

“You are slow.”

-Drip.

At Mok Gyeong-un’s words, a cold bead of sweat slid down Mo Ha-rang’s fine cheek.

It felt as though the slightest movement would pierce her throat.