Chapter 132

“…”

Cheon Yerang, who had entered her own room, silently looked around.

She didn't know why, but something was different from the last time she saw it.

The air, in particular, was different.

The air in the room, which should have been cool due to being unoccupied, was warm.

Noticing the change in the air with her skin, Cheon Yerang approached the bed and placed her hand on it.

She felt warmth.

‘Someone was here.’

Cheon Yerang drew her sword without hesitation.

Screech—!

The blade, imbued with sharp energy, froze the air.

‘Yikes! This was Miss Cheon’s room!?’

Just before the door opened.

Jin Sohyun, who had successfully hidden himself under the bed, held his breath, unable to even swallow his saliva.

If he had hesitated even a little, he would have made eye contact with Cheon Yerang.

‘Let’s get out of here as soon as the situation allows.’

He had to get out as stealthily as possible, as he was in danger of being treated like a pervert who had secretly snuck into a woman’s private room.

“I will count to three. Come out. If you do not come out by then, I will consider you an enemy.”

Cheon Yerang’s cold voice flowed through the air.

‘What should I do? I think I’ve been caught.’

While Jin Sohyun was contemplating, Cheon Yerang, having finished her count, moved her sword.

Her merciless blade pierced through the bed.

‘Heek!’

The blade, which he had dodged by a hair's breadth, was stuck right in front of his nose.

‘I’ve been caught!’

Having no choice, Jin Sohyun stretched both his arms out from under the bed.

Spotting this, Cheon Yerang pulled out her sword and took two steps back from the bed.

Following that, Jin Sohyun crawled out from under the bed.

Cheon Yerang, who was watching him with displeasure, pointed the tip of her sword at the spot below Jin Sohyun’s neck.

“Who are you?”

Jin Sohyun, who had covered his face with a mask before coming out, fell into thought.

‘I can’t reveal that I’m Jin Sohyun.’

If he revealed his identity here, there was a very high chance that things would get very complicated.

Cheon Yerang seemed to be tight-lipped by nature, but the problem was Cheon Gaseong.

‘If he finds out I came out of Miss Cheon’s room… that crazy bastard won’t leave me alone.’

What made Jin Sohyun afraid was Cheon Gaseong’s persistence.

That persistence would surely make him very tired.

Having no choice, Jin Sohyun took out the wooden plaque from his bosom and held it up for Cheon Yerang to see.

“Hidden Shadow Unit Leader?”

When Jin Sohyun nodded, Cheon Yerang sheathed her sword.

“Why was the Hidden Shadow Unit Leader hiding in my room?”

Although she had sheathed her sword, Cheon Yerang’s voice was still cold.

It was only natural, as this was Cheon Yerang’s personal space.

It wasn't a place where someone like the Hidden Shadow Unit Leader should be hiding.

Unable to use his own voice to answer Cheon Yerang, who was demanding the truth, Jin Sohyun explained the situation using hand and foot gestures.

After watching Jin Sohyun’s gestures for a while, Cheon Yerang tilted her head.

“Just in case… you were… checking the guest rooms?”

Surprisingly, Cheon Yerang understood Jin Sohyun’s gestures.

“Then why were you hiding?”

At the question of why he was hiding, Jin Sohyun pointed to the characters for ‘Hidden Shadow’ written on the wooden plaque with his index finger.

When he answered with the name Hidden Shadow, Cheon Yerang completely sheathed her sword.

“But.”

Cheon Yerang, who had pushed her sword into its scabbard, stared intently at Jin Sohyun with her jade-like eyes.

For a moment, Jin Sohyun felt the urge to check if he was wearing his mask.

That’s how mysterious Cheon Yerang’s gaze was.

It was as if she was seeing right through the face behind the mask.

‘The eyes.’

Cheon Yerang stared intently at Jin Sohyun’s two eyes, which were visible above the mask.

For some reason, they were familiar eyes.

‘But he…’

Feeling a sense of doubt, Cheon Yerang unconsciously reached out her hand.

Her hand approached Jin Sohyun’s face very slowly.

It was the moment Cheon Yerang’s fingertips were about to touch the mask.

Knock, knock—!

“Miss Cheon! Are you inside?”

At Moyong Susu’s voice coming from outside the door, Cheon Yerang reflexively turned her head.

In that instant, Jin Sohyun’s figure disappeared.

Cheon Yerang, who was about to chase after him belatedly, looked at the now-open window and lowered the hand she had raised.

“Fast.”

He was fast.

Just like him.

“Is she not here?”

Moyong Susu, who was about to turn away, smiled brightly when she saw Cheon Yerang appear, opening the door.

“You were inside!”

“What is it?”

“The Master told me to gather all the disciples. Let’s go together.”

“…”

Cheon Yerang silently nodded and then shifted her gaze to the window.

Moyong Susu, her curiosity piqued by Cheon Yerang’s blank stare at the window, also looked at the window.

But there was nothing to be seen through the window.

“Do you see something?”

At Moyong Susu’s question, Cheon Yerang shook her head and said.

“It’s nothing. Let’s go.”

“Yes!”

As Cheon Yerang and Moyong Susu left, Jin Sohyun, who had been hiding under the window while concealing his presence, let out the breath he had been holding.

“Phew! That was close!”

If Moyong Susu hadn't appeared in time, he would have had no choice but to show his face to Cheon Yerang.

Having escaped the crisis thanks to Moyong Susu’s timely appearance, Jin Sohyun found an empty guest room, went inside, grabbed a blanket, and came out.

“This should be enough.”

Jin Sohyun, who had rolled up the blanket like a poncho, climbed onto the roof and squatted down.

“Once this is over, I will absolutely! Never! Definitely! No matter what! Not leave the house! I’ll show them what a real lazybones is!”

Sniffle!

Jin Sohyun, who had declared his bold ambition with a sniffle, pulled the blanket tighter and closed his eyes.

***

The morning of the second day of the Four Daoist Assembly.

Jin Sohyun, who had woken up, stopped by the dining hall again today.

“Huh?”

But today, there were rice balls neatly wrapped in lotus leaves, as if they had been left for him to take.

Realizing there was no presence after looking around, Jin Sohyun took the rice balls, bowed his head, and left the dining hall.

A short while later, the middle-aged cook who came to the dining hall looked at the empty plate with a pleased expression.

“I don’t know who you are, but eat well.”

The cook, whose rice balls he had intended to eat as a snack had been stolen for some time, realized that there was someone in this estate poor enough to have to steal rice balls and had prepared them with care.

It was because of his master’s teaching not to just pass by those in need.

“Shall I prepare some for today too?”

Leaving behind the cook who was rolling up his sleeves and preparing food, Jin Sohyun came to the warehouse and opened the box where he had put So Soil.

There was So Soil, looking noticeably haggard.

“Are you okay?”

“Just what… is your intention… what do you want from me?”

“I have my reasons, so I can’t reveal my identity. So please stay here for a while.”

Jin Sohyun took out a rice ball wrapped in a lotus leaf and pushed it into his mouth.

So Soil wanted to refuse, but the fragrant smell of the rice ball that pricked his nose made his mouth water automatically.

His mouth also opened on its own and accepted the rice ball.

Chew, chew—!

Today too, after providing So Soil with a meal and water to drink, Jin Sohyun brought his fingers to his neck.

At that, So Soil was startled and said.

“Tell me why you’re doing this. Did the Heretic Path's Alliance send you?”

“The Heretic Path's Alliance! What do you take me for!”

‘What am I supposed to think of a bastard with only his eyes showing…’

So Soil was slightly angry but did not make the novice mistake of showing his emotions.

“Then who sent you?”

“No one sent me. I came on my own two feet. If the Four Daoist Assembly ends quietly and peacefully without any incidents, I will also stay quiet and then leave.”

“You’re just going to leave?”

“Yes.”

So Soil couldn't figure out this man’s intentions at all.

He had an identity he couldn't reveal and wanted nothing from the Four Daoist Assembly.

“Did you perhaps come to protect the Four Daoist Assembly from the Heretic Path's Alliance?”

At the question he had thrown out just in case, Jin Sohyun nodded his head vigorously.

“That’s right! Since the renowned late-stage prospects of the righteous path are gathered in one place, the Heretic Path's Alliance won’t stay still. They’re probably drooling right now, thinking about how to kill the disciples.”

“If that’s the reason, then release me. I will help you without asking for your identity.”

“Hmm.”

Jin Sohyun looked at So Soil with suspicious eyes.

At his gaze full of suspicion, So Soil hurriedly said.

“It may be hard to believe, but please trust me! In any case, you will be found out soon.”

“Why?”

“Because a meeting will be held soon.”

“A meeting?”

“That’s right. Currently, the Martial Alliance’s Zantetsu Guard and the Hidden Shadow Unit are guarding this place where the Four Daoist Assembly is being held. The Zantetsu Guard and our Hidden Shadow Unit have agreed to share real-time information through regular meetings. If I don’t show up for the meeting…”

So Soil’s and Jin Sohyun’s gazes clashed fiercely.

“The Hidden Shadow Unit and the Zantetsu Guard will judge that there is a problem with my well-being and report to the Martial Alliance. Wouldn’t that put your situation, where you have to hide your identity, in a difficult position?”

He was right.

If So Soil’s words were true, Jin Sohyun would either be kicked out of here or his identity would be revealed, and it would be exposed that he had actually fully recovered and could use martial arts.

If that happened, the Heretic Path's Alliance would target him once again.

‘My family will be in danger too.’

There was a high possibility that the Jin Clan would be threatened again.

“Ugh!”

After contemplating, Jin Sohyun pulled So Soil out of the box and said.

“Say anything.”

“Why that?”

“Just do it.”

“To tell me to say anything out of the blue… I don’t have time right now. A regular meeting is scheduled to be held soon, so the deputy leader will be looking for me.”

“Deputy leader… you mean Young Master Jong?”

“Young Master Jong? I don’t know who that is, but the deputy leader of the Hidden Shadow Unit is Gong Hu. So…”

So Soil’s face slowly hardened.

“Ah, it was Gong Hu.”

Only then did So Soil realize that Jin Sohyun had said a random name to find out the name of the Hidden Shadow Unit’s deputy leader.

“And… would this be similar enough?”

And in that time, Jin Sohyun’s voice had come to resemble So Soil’s.

‘The reason he told me to say anything… was to steal my voice!’

Jin Sohyun, who had figured out that a regular meeting would be held and that the deputy leader’s name was Gong Hu in the blink of an eye, now began to imitate So Soil’s voice as well.

‘Good heavens.’

So Soil’s eyes, now robbed of not only his name plaque but also his voice, trembled violently.

“Y-Young Master. No, Great Warrior!”

So Soil’s voice trembled finely.

“Don’t worry! Everything will be fine if you just sleep for a little while.”

He couldn't even attempt to escape.

Because Jin Sohyun’s fingertips, which had approached like a thunderbolt, had subdued So Soil’s sleeping point.

Like a puppet with its strings cut.

So Soil went limp.

Jin Sohyun put So Soil back into the box and cleared his throat.

“I thought I’d never have to use this… but as they say, life is full of ups and downs… tsk!”

What he had learned along with sound art from Oh Yoran was the Sound Devouring Art.

Originally, the reason Oh Yoran had taught Jin Sohyun the Sound Devouring Art was to cure his terrible tone-deafness.

Of course, even the Sound Devouring Art couldn't cure Jin Sohyun’s terrible tone-deafness, but in any case, her teaching was helpful.

Jin Sohyun, who had stolen So Soil’s voice with the Sound Devouring Art, deliberately went up to the roof, crossed his arms, and struck a cool pose.

And not long after, someone dressed in black stood next to him.

“Gong Hu.”

At his call, the man in black flinched before quickly bowing his head.

“Leader.”

“Is it time for the meeting?”

“Yes, it is. The Guard Captain is also present.”

“Lead the way. There’s something I need to check.”

“As you command.”

As Gong Hu led the way to the secret room where the meeting was being held, Jin Sohyun also followed.

There, the man he had met yesterday was sitting, dressed in armor.

Gong Hu stepped back, and Jin Sohyun sat down facing the man.

“You’re late!”

“I was delayed checking something.”

“Hahaha! The Hidden Shadow Unit must be busy too! So… anything unusual?”

“It’s quiet. But we must not let our guard down.”

“You were silent yesterday. You’re quite talkative today?”

Jin Sohyun gave a nod instead of a verbal reply.

“Haha! Being too silent isn’t a good thing either, so it’s good! Haha!”

The expression of the Zantetsu Guard Captain, who had been laughing good-naturedly, changed abruptly.

“A message has arrived from the Beggars' Sect.”

What the Guard Captain held out was a letter.

Jin Sohyun’s eyes widened as he confirmed the contents of the letter.

[The Hao Sect, under the Heretic Path's Alliance, has succeeded in producing a highly lethal formless poison. This poison is similar in form and toxicity to the Sichuan Tang Clan’s Formless Earth Killing Poison, and it is expected that there will be many casualties if poisoned at close range. Furthermore, it seems the Hao Sect will use this poison at the Four Daoist Assembly. Ensure that security is thorough so that there are no intruders, and do not let your guard down until the sparring competition is over.]

‘Formless Earth Killing Poison.’

This was a poison that Jin Sohyun also knew about.

One of the five great exterminating poisons of the Sichuan Tang Clan that he was told to be most careful of when learning about poisons at the Blue Dragon Daoist Temple.

Among them, the formless Formless Earth Killing Poison was a very vicious poison that could easily kill a hundred people with just a handful.

‘They might use this at the Four Daoist Assembly?’

In Jin Sohyun’s mind, he saw the image of hundreds of disciples dying from the formless poison.

As the horrific scene flashed before his eyes, Jin Sohyun’s hands, holding the letter, automatically tightened.

“I can’t let that happen.”

After the meeting, as Jin Sohyun was leaving, the Zantetsu Guard Captain, Gam Ak, stood up from his seat and let out a sharp breath.

It was only for a moment, but the power Jin Sohyun revealed was so intense that it made even Gam Ak flinch.

“The Hidden Shadow Unit Leader… is a fearsome man.”

Of course, the real Hidden Shadow Unit Leader was trapped in an unvisited warehouse.

After finishing the meeting and coming up to the roof, Jin Sohyun called for Gong Hu.

“Deputy Leader.”

“You called.”

“Prepare short spears for me.”

“Short spears, you say?”

“Bring me ten, if possible.”

Having given his order, Jin Sohyun’s blue eyes watched the huge sparring stage, where the matches would soon be held, without a single gap.

(End of Chapter)