Drop.
The torn human-skin mask falls to the floor.
After glancing at it, I examined the man in front of me.
The intoxicatingly beautiful woman from just a moment ago had vanished, and standing before me was a strikingly handsome young master.
His slightly lustrous white hair added an exotic flair.
Seeing this, I couldn't help but let out a sigh of admiration.
‘No matter how many times I see it, it's truly incredible.’
How is that even possible?
Too much had changed in an instant.
Disguise is merely something draped over one's original body. Therefore, there are inevitably parts that give it away.
This is especially true when a man disguises himself as a woman.
Since physical characteristics become an issue, while cross-dressing as a man is usually feasible, disguising as a woman is often difficult.
‘Can it really be this meticulous?’
Amwang solved even those issues.
Not only did his arms and legs become slender and his bodyline soft, but even the ample chest looked perfectly natural.
How is that possible?
‘At first, I wondered if he was using something like the Qi Body Transformation Art.’
It didn't seem like that was the case, though. If there was a method, it was probably...
‘That martial uniform he's wearing.’
The black martial uniform. I figured that must be the reason.
The tightly fitted garment made his bodyline look elegant.
It seemed to forcibly reshape his body...
‘Then wouldn't his movements be restricted?’
With that level of pressure enough to change the shape of his body, there should naturally be problems with moving, yet Amwang looked completely free, as if unbothered by such things.
He even acted feminine to match his appearance, so it was no wonder everyone was fooled.
‘That stiff man... I never thought he would go that far.’
How surprised was I when I first saw it.
To think that Amwang, who usually looked quiet and completely devoid of emotion, would act so flirtatiously while playing a woman.
‘And he even changed his voice.’
Whatever principle he used, Amwang even utilized a sweet, feminine voice.
The being known as Amwang had vanished, becoming the captivating woman Yeonhong herself.
Seeing that, I finally understood.
‘Why no one knew Amwang's true identity until now.’
I thought it was because he killed all witnesses to hide his identity, but seeing this, my thoughts changed.
It seemed it was simply because his disguising skills were outstanding.
‘To be so perfectly disguised even when changing genders...’
Even if he used a specific strange artifact, that would still be astonishing. Let alone...
‘Not only creating a missing arm, but even the height difference...’
The arm that was torn off while explaining something to me last time.
Amwang had even created that with his disguise, and extended his reach to his height.
He isn't exactly small for an assassin.
This means that when disguised as a woman, his height becomes quite tall.
While everything else can be altered, height is a stretch, so that would unconditionally look strange.
‘Strangely, it doesn't look that way.’
Even with a tall stature, there was no sense of incongruity.
How can that be?
‘It's not like he did something to his height.’
He just walked around tall, yet no one found it strange. It was as if they couldn't really perceive his tallness.
‘Did he use qi?’
The method of killing one's presence using qi. Did he apply that?
If he applied it, how is something like that possible?
Interesting.
Since I have the Qi Body Transformation Art anyway, I didn't particularly need it, but because it was a method I hadn't seen before, my curiosity was piqued.
“You're amazing every time I see you.”
I expressed my admiration sincerely. Then, Amwang replied nonchalantly.
“I can teach you if you wish.”
He said he would teach me calmly, as if it wasn't some great secret technique, but...
“...No, I don't particularly want to learn it.”
As I said earlier, I declined because I didn't really need it. Learning from Amwang now would take too long.
‘I already have a mountain of things to learn anyway. That's too much.’
Just because I'm curious doesn't mean I can learn things I don't need. I don't have the time for that either.
“I'll ask you next time I'm curious.”
“Understood.”
“But, Amwang.”
“Yes.”
“...Was there really a need for you to be a woman?”
The disguise is all well and good. But was there a need to go out of your way to disguise as a woman named Yeonhong?
I was curious about that.
Wouldn't it be more complete and comfortable to disguise as a man?
That was my intention behind the question.
“This side is more comfortable.”
Amwang spat out an explanation in his characteristic apathetic voice.
“In terms of gender ratio, it's easier to manage others when disguised as a woman.”
“...Hmm.”
Manage.
Was he talking about the sight of them being locked up in the fish tank he mentioned earlier?
If so, it was indeed management, just as Amwang said.
‘...Since they're all managed with just a single word from Amwang.’
Those guys would move like a swarm of bees if he wanted something.
Seeing that, it was definitely management.
‘It's just very pitiful.’
Not knowing that there's a man inside, they're clinging to him crazy over his looks; what would happen if they found out the truth later?
I doubted it would be a good result.
Of course.
‘It doesn't seem like Amwang will get caught.’
He's Amwang, so he'll handle it. That was the extent of my trust.
“Yes. Well... as long as you take care of it, anything is fine, but...”
I skipped this part and got straight to the main point.
“I'm just on my way back from meeting the Gyecheonmunju. Do you happen to know anything about the Gyecheonmunju?”
“I do.”
A quick answer. Since he was Amwang, who ran the assassination squad, I figured he would know to some extent. And as expected.
“Then, do you also know of any peculiarities that I should pay special attention to?”
Amwang, who heard the question, fell silent for a moment before soon speaking up.
“The information I know is probably not much different from what you know.”
“Hmm.”
Then, since there was a difference, it would be faster to find out myself...
“If you wish, I can look into it.”
“Ah, no. I have another way to find out about this part, so it's fine. What I want to ask is something else.”
“Please, go ahead.”
“I heard that the current Gyecheonmunju is contacting other forces and plotting something. Could you look into these other forces for me?”
“Understood.”
“Uh... yes.”
The answer came so easily that I was rather flustered.
Amwang simply let out an affirmation without a hint of hesitation.
“Do you have a timeframe in mind?”
“...The sooner the better. Within three days if possible. To be exact, it would be best if it's before the Cheongryong Daeju arrives.”
“Confirmed. Then, I will prepare immediately.”
“Yes. Please do.”
Fortunately, Amwang said he'd help. I was about to thank him and offer a bow, but...
“Thank y—Wait.”
Before I could even do that, Amwang had already vanished from right before my eyes.
Even the traces of the torn human-skin mask on the floor and Yeonhong's discarded clothes had disappeared.
Did he clean everything up in that short amount of time?
“He's as fast as ever.”
Even though my qi perception had risen to the point where I could barely grasp his presence, Amwang's speed seemed as consistent as ever.
It's a shame. If I could grasp even that, I wouldn't die in most situations.
‘If I could even perceive Amwang's speed. Could I say I've reached the Samjon level then?’
I suppose that would be the case.
How long will it take... Ah, no.
‘I'll finish it within three years at most.’
Not how long it will take, but by when I will accomplish it.
That was what I needed to do.
Even if I can't do it within three years, I will break through to the Samjon level.
As soon as I made that vow, I let out a chuckle.
‘If people in the world heard this, they'd call me a crazy bastard.’
If it were as easy as saying it, every dog and cow would have done it.
How could one reach the Samjon level in just three years? No matter how I thought about it, it was an absurd vow, but...
‘One of those great Samjon said it.’
Even if it's impossible.
“Make it happen no matter what.”
I repeated the crazy words that Paejon habitually spouted and caught my breath.
“Now. Let's move on to the next.”
There was still a lot to do.
******************
Past the Hour of Hai, it was slowly the time for everyone to fall asleep.
It was the time when the members would be taking turns keeping watch even within the branch.
At such a late hour, someone visited my room.
It was Dang Soyeol, who had just finished training.
“I greet the Daeju-nim.”
Dang Soyeol must have washed up lightly after training, as his hair was slightly damp.
I glanced at it and let out a light cough.
“Sorry for calling you late at night.”
“Not at all. It's only natural for me to come.”
“...I told you that you can speak normally when it's just the two of us.”
“Ah.”
When I said that upon seeing his stiff demeanor, Dang Soyeol made an "oops" expression.
Then, it quickly shifted into a sheepish smile.
“It's become a habit... Hehe.”
“Is being the Vice-Daeju manageable?”
Dang Soyeol paused for a moment at the question before answering.
“There's still a lot I don't know, so it's a bit hard. But it's fine.”
“If you want, I can change it.”
There are many who want the Vice-Daeju position.
Wi Seol-a and Namgung Bi-a, for instance. And there would be other members who would do it if told.
So I told him he could step down if it became too burdensome. That was my intention.
“No. I can do it. Please trust me.”
Dang Soyeol immediately sent me a fierce look and said.
“Uh... Yeah. That's a relief then.”
Did he want the position that much? It was a position where one had to do a lot of pointless work, so I couldn't quite understand it.
“Anyway. That's that.”
The reason I called Dang Soyeol in the middle of the night. I had to resolve that first.
“It's nothing else, but I think I'll have to visit the Dang Clan in a few days. Could you send a letter to the Gaju?”
“Uh... The Dang Clan?”
“Yeah, since you came to Sichuan, you should visit the main house. I have something to say when I drop by, so could you give them a heads-up?”
“Hmm, yes. I understand. But Daeju... no, weren't you already in contact with my father, Young Master?”
“...Well, I was.”
Past tense.
As Dang Soyeol said, I occasionally exchanged communications with the Dang Clan regarding the restoration day of Dokcheondan.
I originally contacted the Dokwang directly, but lately, I had been exchanging letters with the Sogaju.
The reason for the sudden change to communicating with the Sogaju was no other than...
“...The Dang Gaju is a bit angry with me right now. So could you put in a good word for me?”
Because that old man was sulking over me.
“Huh...? My father? What do you mean suddenly...?”
“There's a thing... So please, do me this favor.”
“Ah... Yes.”
I couldn't explain the reason.
Especially not to Dang Soyeol.
It wasn't because of me, but because of the Dokwang.
If I were to tell Dang Soyeol that I was being hated because of this and that,
‘That old man won't just end it at sulking.’
I didn't know what the Dokwang would do.
He'd probably escalate from merely being upset to holding a grudge.
For that reason, I had to ask Dang Soyeol to inform the Dang Clan of my visit.
If I told them I was coming, they would definitely prepare something annoying.
“Should I just tell them you're coming?”
“Yeah, and make sure to write that I'm going with you.”
“Ah, I understand... Then, when should I say we're going?”
“Hmm. It'll probably be after the Cheongryong Daeju arrives... So it should be about five days from now.”
Three to five days. Just right.
With that much time,
‘I can finish scattering the bait. And I can also look into the Gyecheonmunju.’
At the same time, I can make arrangements with the Branch Head.
This was the time for that.
Of course, this was only possible if Amwang moved accordingly and the Branch Head acted as I expected...
‘No problem.’
I wasn't particularly worried.
I knew Amwang's abilities. And the Branch Head, from what I could see, didn't deviate from my expectations.
At the same time, Cheol Jiseon was already on the move, so there shouldn't be any major issues.
‘Now, the only thing left is how I move.’
Depending on what choice I make, a lot will change.
However, the ultimate goal won't change.
Because I had set up the situation that way.
“Then, I'll leave it to you.”
“Okay.”
After asking Dang Soyeol, I looked outside.
It was a night with the moon out.
Seeing that, for some reason, the thought crossed my mind that things would go smoothly.
“Then, for the next few days... I suppose I'll scatter some bait here and there.”
“Huh? Bait?”
Dang Soyeol tilted his head in response to my quietly muttered words.
Looking at him, I smiled and said.
“Ah, I have some things to catch.”
“Catch...? Um, are you going fishing?”
“Something like that.”
If it's fishing, then it's fishing.
The difference is, I'm not trying to catch a fish.
‘But I'm trying to catch the Azure Dragon.’
While dealing with Gyecheonmun,
And at the same time, the Azure Dragon of the Murim Alliance.
I planned to catch him, chop him up, and even eat him as raw fish.
******************
Thus, time passed, and four days later.
Just as I expected, the Azure Dragon. Cheongryong Daeju Il Cheonggeom dragged his members to the Sichuan Branch and showed up.
“Seongwang--!!”
And...
“You bastard--! Where are you! I'll kill you right now--!!”
With his sword drawn, looking extremely furious, at that.