The Heavenly Flower Variety Theater Troupe’s performance ended with a success. Once the performance was over, everyone who had gathered to see it in the Jin manor went back to their respective homes.
“That was really amazing!”
“They were called the Heavenly Flower Variety Theater Troupe, right? They’re the best troupe I’ve ever seen. I hope the Jin family invites them again next time.”
“I agree! Thanks to them, the anger in my heart seems to have completely been released.”
The people had satisfied expressions on their faces as they leave the Jin manor.
“Everyone did a great job. It’s all thanks to you that the event went well.”
One of the Jin family elders thanked the troupe for their hard work.
“It’s nothing. This is what we’re paid to do.”
Yi Okran who acted as the representative of the troupe said humbly.
“Thanks to your troupe, things have gone well. I might just hire your troupe again to perform next year.”
“We’ll be grateful if you do.”
“Here, take this.”
The elder tossed a pouch to Yi Okran. The pouch was filled with money. It was the payment for the troupe’s performance.
Yi Okran’s mouth naturally curved up after realizing that the Jin family had paid them a much larger sum than what was initially agreed upon.
“Thank you so much.”
“I’ve added some more extra for you. Have a safe trip.”
“Yes! Please call us again next year.”
Yi Okran bowed her head deeply in gratitude. When she lifted her head again, the Jin family elder had already gone off somewhere and disappeared.
Yi Okran turned to the troupe and said,
“Let’s go back to the inn! Let’s eat and drink everything we want today!”
“Waaaah!”
The troupe members roared in unison at her declaration. This was the sweetest reward the members could ask for after they had finished their performance.
The Heavenly Flower Variety Theater Troupe immediately took off.
They were then followed by Golden Heaven Society. Starting with Jang Mugeuk, the Golden Heaven Society martial artists left the Jin manor.
Jin Siwoo, as the host, bid them all farewell. Although he felt uncomfortable dealing with them, this was a job he couldn’t afford to entrust to others.
The last one to leave the Jin manor was Pyo-wol and Namgung Wol.
“Thank you again, both of you. It’s all thanks to you that the Jin family was able to keep its footing.”
“It’s nothing.”
“Please come and see us again next time.”
Jin Siwoo wore a regretful expression.
Pyo-wol and Namgung Wol’s presence in the Jin manor had greatly encouraged him during this trying times, so now that they were leaving, his heart was starting to feel empty.
Namgung Wol comforted Jin Siwoo for a long time.
During their time together, the two became as close as siblings. Jin Siwoo trusted and relied on Namgung Wol, while Namgung Wol cherished and treated Jin Siwoo as if he were his own younger brother.
“I will definitely come visit you at the Heavenly Guardian Association.”
“I’ll wait for you.”
“Please come by next time as well, Brother Pyo-wol.”
“If the opportunity comes, I’ll stop by here again.”
“Please do.”
Jin Siwoo looked at Pyo-wol with wistful eyes.
Pyo-wol nodded and then turned around.
After today’s event, the Jin family would lock its doors for the time being. They would focus and devote all of their energy in replenishing their resources.
This in turn would make it difficult for them to bother dealing and keeping up with external affairs. This also means that Jin Siwoo couldn’t afford to come out for a while either, hence his disappointed expression.
Pyo-wol and Namgung Wol left the Jin manor together, holding the reins of their horses side by side.
When they came to a fork in the road, Namgung Wol said to Pyo-wol,
“It’s time for us to part ways. If you happen to pass through the vicinity of the Heavenly Guardian Association in the future, please stop by.”
“Sure.”
Namgung Wol smiled happily at Pyo-wol’s reply.
He looked at Pyo-wol for a moment, before getting on his horse and riding off towards the south, where the Heavenly Guardian Association was located.
Pyo-wol also went on his way and returned to Runan.
Once he arrived in the streets of Runan, there were many people who looked unusually excited. These people were the ones who had gone to the Jin manor to see the performance of the Heavenly Flower Variety Threater Troupe.
They were all still talking about the performance.
Perhaps this kind of atmosphere would continue for a while.
Just as Pyo-wol was about to head to his inn,
“Fire!”
“There’s a fire—!”
Flames suddenly leapt up from the back alley.
People were running out into the street, screaming.
Pyo-wol reined in his horse and headed toward the direction of the flames.
When he arrived at the scene of the fire, his face hardened.
The place where thick smoke and intense flames were spurting out of was the same place Pyo-wol had visited this morning.
It was Jang Noya’s gambling den.
“What should we do?”
“Quick! Fetch some water!”
“How are we going to put it out?!”
People could only shuffle to their feet, but they were unable to muster the courage to put out the fire. The heat was so intense, making it impossible for them to even get close.
Pyo-wol tied his horse nearby and threw himself into Jang Noya’s gambling den, which was now engulfed in flames and smoke.
The heat inside the gambling den was so intense that he would have had trouble breathing if he had not protected himself with his inner qi.
Pyo-wol looked around, trying to find any signs of life inside the burning gambling hall. But, the only things he could see were lifeless bodies.
The bodies were half-burned, and showed clear signs of a sword wound. That alone made it clear that they had been killed with a sword strike.
Pyo-wol examined the other bodies.
They were all in the same state.
They were all killed with a single sword strike.
And based on their wounds, it was clear that it was the work of a single person.
It was an incredibly frightening technique, capable of sending shivers down to one’s spine.
The culprit had killed all these people with a chillingly skillful and emotionless precision. To take a life so thoroughly, devoid of any human emotion was by no means an easy task.
It was a feat achievable only by those who lack human emotions, like Pyo-wol, could accomplish. Therefore, the person who killed these people in the gambling den was undoubtedly of the same kind as himself.
Pyo-wol went deeper into the gambling den.
There were more bodies in the depths of the gambling den, and like the other bodies, they were all killed with a single sword strike.
Pyo-wol found Jang Noya’s body among them.
Unlike the other bodies killed with a single sword strike, Jang Noya’s body was horribly mutilated. He was covered in deep wounds that clearly showed signs of torture.
Jang Noya’s eyes were wide open, as if he had suffered excruciating pain right up until the moment he took his last breathe.
Pyo-wol silently looked at Jang Noya’s body.
His eyes were full of a deep, and indescribable emotion.
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