“The assassin has broken through the Qingyang Pavillion1 martial artists’ encircling net and has escaped.”
At the report of the disciple, Jeonghwa’s expression stiffened like an ironclad armor.
The Qingyang Pavillion was composed of disciples of Emei. Although their forces were shabby, they were still part of the axis where their skills were still considered as quite good since they inherited the martial arts of the Emei.
The fact that the encircling net of the Qingyang Pavillion was breached in an instant meant that the assassin’s skills were excellent.
Jeonghwa’s serious expression was not simply because the assassin’s skills were excellent.
The assassin’s superior ability was evident from the assassination of Woo Gunsang. The fact that he managed to assassinate Woo Gunsang who was said to possess the best talent among the newer generation in Sichuan meant that the assassin’s ability was excellent.
Up to that point, Jeonghwa knew well.
The problem was that the assassin grew stronger over time. She could tell just by looking at the bodies of those who had been assassinated. As more people chase him, the cleaner and more sophisticated the scars of the corpses become.
She could tell by looking at how quickly he broke through the encircling net of the Qingyang Pavilion.
Although three of Qingyang Pavilion were insignificant, they were still strong in their own way. But the assassin was said to have broken through without taking any damage.
At this level, the opponent could not be dismissed as an assassin who had only learned how to kill.
“You’re bound to see people who stand out wherever you go… but for a mere assassin… He must be eliminated. If you fail to get him, the repercussions will never end.”
As soon as it is revealed that Emei, a prestigious sect, ordered the assassination of the recently departed Woo Gunsang of the Qingcheng sect, Jianghu’s attention and criticism will be focused on them.
Even if it was not revealed, they cannot fall behind the Qingcheng sect. Or else the power of the Emei sect would be reduced even more.
“Where did that person come from…”
They must first secure or eliminate the assassin before the world knows.
The truth could be revealed if the Qingcheng sect captures the assassin first.
It was absolutely necessary to prevent such a situation.
Jeonghwa gave orders to her junior sisters and other disciples.
“Everyone will chase after the assassin. Run with all your might and catch up with him.”
“No. We cannot capture him like that.”
At that time, there was someone who interrupted her words.
The dazzlingly beautiful woman was Yong Seol-ran.
When her youngest junior sister dared to dispute her orders, Jeonghwa’s expression became more venomous.
“What do you mean?”
“Literally. The assassin possesses greater abilities than we expected. Given that he was not caught even with the inescapable net focused on him proves that fact. If we continue to chase after him like this, we will never be able to catch him and we will only be seeing the back of his head.
“Hmph! Then what do you propose?”
“We should predict where he will go next.”
“How? Are you saying you know where he will go and that we’ll wait there?”
Irrespective of Jeong-hwa’s blunt reaction, Yong Seol-ran continued to speak calmly.
“I don’t know the exact destination, but I can estimate the approximate location.”
“How?”
“The Blood Shadow Group2 trained assassins in a secret place at the request of the Emei sect. At that time, we deduced that the place where the Blood Shadow Group trained assassins was near Batang. Although we failed to pinpoint the exact location, we found out that a lot of supplies were supplied through the area.”
Jeonghwa unconsciously listened to Yong Seol-ran.
The Emei sect’s fate was at stake.
Of course, the minimum safety device had to be put in place. So, they tried to find out both the location of the home base of the Blood Shadow Group and the facility of the assassins who were trained to assassinate Woo Gunsang.
Nevertheless, both attempts failed. That’s because the Blood Shadow Group moved secretly.
But it wasn’t completely unsuccessful.
A lot of materials were needed to create the place where new assassins were trained. The Blood Shadow Group obtained materials from all over Sichuan Province, and it was discovered that the materials collected had flowed into Batang.
“Batang is adjacent to the western highlands. I’m sure he’ll pass there.”
“Why do you think so?”
“It is said that some fish born in the rivers would go to the sea. And as they become adults in the sea, sooner or later they would end up returning to the place where they were born. Such an instinct is called the homing instinct. I think that assassin is also driven by his homing instinct.”
“Hmm…”
“I don’t know him personally myself, but the place he’s most familiar with is probably the one where he was raised as an assassin. Of course he would think of it as the safest place.”
“So, are you sure he will pass through Batang?”
“Yes. He must be on the way to Batang.”
“Huu…”
Jeonghwa let out a sigh.
It was well known that Yong Seol-ran was outstanding.
Otherwise, it would not have been possible to directly adopt a disciple who was younger than her by skipping the recruitment period. But she really didn’t expect that her brain was going to excel to this extent.
‘She’s really a bitch who has it all.’
From the depths of her heart, a burning feeling arose which she knew was jealousy. But Jeonghwa tightly suppressed her emotions.
The rest of the disciples were watching.
She cannot show the ugly jealousy she was feeling towards her junior sister else she would not be able to save face.
Jeonghwa said with a calm expression,
“You have a point. All right. I’ll follow your advice. But if we lose the assassin because of you, I’ll hold you accountable. Do you understand?”
“Yes.”
Yong Seol-ran nodded her head with no fear on her face. Seeing her appearance like that made Jeonghwa even more pissed off.
Jeonghwa gave orders to the disciples.
“We will go to Batang first and wait for the assassin.”
“Yes!”
Jeonghwa and the Emei sect warriors got on the horse they had prepared in advance.
Dozens of horses rushed towards the Batang with all their might.
* * *
Pyo-wol’s face was filled with a tired light.
Pyo-wol was proud of his stamina, but no matter how strong he is, the fact that he could not take a proper rest and march through the force led to the exhaustion of his physical strength.”
He had numerous wounds all over his body.
It was a wound suffered in the process of breaking through the inescapable net.
Pyo-wol tried to break through the inescapable net without fighting as much as possible, but doing so was impossible in the first place.
Fortunately, none of his injuries were fatal enough to render him unable to move.
In his mind, he wanted to go hide somewhere and rest. But now that the inescapable net were becoming more and more dense, taking a break was no less than an act of suicide.
Pyo-wol moved non-stop.
He had a clear destination.
He was using all of his six senses to reach his destination.
Immediately after coming out of the underground cave, the Blood Shadow Group moved the children in a wagon that could not see the outside.
During the long journey, they couldn’t see the scenery outside so they didn’t know which way to go.
They had to let themselves stay in a wagon which was dark. The same was true for Pyo-wol. However, while resting as much as possible, he tried not to miss the outside path for even a single moment.
He was in the carriage, but all of his senses were spread out wide. He remembered all environmental changes: the road conditions, the smell of the air, humidity and sounds.
Pyo-wol was finding his way based on all that information.
He didn’t even know the name of the place he was passing by.
He didn’t know where the road would lead him to. However, he instinctively knew that if he followed this way, he could go to the place where he had been trained.
Pyo-wol believed in his own instincts and senses.
After living in the dark for seven years, his senses became mysteriously sensitive.
It was thanks to his more developed and accurate senses that was way better than a beast that he had ever been able to survive. Pyo-wol’s senses became more sensitive and sharp as he broke through the inescapable net.
It seemed like he was making progress while going through a life-and-death crisis.
‘It is not that far.’
Pyo-wol sniffed the air.
It was damp and had a characteristic musty scent. It was the same scent he smelled while riding in the wagon.
Pyo-wol felt that his destination was near.
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