Chapter 57: The Masked Man (1)

Chapter 57: The Masked Man (1)

In Xi’an Prefecture, there’s a river named Chan River.

On rainy days, the river water turns yellowish and becomes like the Yellow River. However, on most days, clear water flowed.

It’s not a famous spot poets and travelers frequently visited, but it wasn’t bad to look at. That’s why tea houses lined up along the road.

Ha-jun was at one of them.

Even if it’s a tea house, it wasn’t fancy enough for a young master of the Baek Noble Clan to visit. It was a shabby place that sold both alcohol and food. However, the view from the window was quite scenic, making the tea taste good.

Sip—

Such a sound was made as he drank the hot tea.

Ha-jun slightly furrowed his brows.

Eyebrows with clear lines, cold yet upright facial features. He had the looks that would captivate many as he grew up, but he didn’t seem to be in a good mood.

‘I don’t remember Brother making such a sound when he drank tea.’

The way Yi-gang drank tea was almost like the standard way of tea ceremony. Baek Ha-jun would have received the same education, but compared to his brother, he felt somewhat lacking.

Ha-jun simply gave up and drank the tea comfortably.

Before leaving, Yi-gang entrusted a task to Baek Ha-jun.

“I’ve assigned the task of investigating the assassins to the Low Down Sect. Make sure to oversee the process well.”

It wasn’t such a challenging task. In reality, it was the Low Down Sect who were making the moves. Thanks to Yi-gang, Jeong Gu, who narrowly escaped death, and Xi’an Branch Manager, Geumhwa, put their heart and soul into the investigation.

True to the Low Down Sect’s reputation for intelligence gathering, their results exceeded expectations.

Unlike the Red Dragon Corps, who found a clue from the carpenters of the Big Tree House, the Low Down Sect dug deep into the goods used by the assassins and their means of transportation.

‘It’s quite surprising. After all, when I first met Low Down Sect members, he was with me.’

Even when rescuing the captured Low Down Sect members, he couldn’t have imagined that Yi-gang would truly earn their loyalty. Moreover, Yi-gang had only returned from the manor a few months ago.

Such was the brother that had placed his hopes in Baek Ha-jun.

Ha-jun was well aware that he wasn’t such an exceptional person. Although he was highly regarded by those around him, he felt it was only a facade. Each time he compared himself to his brother, he profoundly felt his own inadequacy.

That’s why his burden felt even heavier.

‘I must do this right.’

While carrying out the investigation, the Low Down Sect members sought Baek Ha-jun’s assistance. It was a matter worth involving him in.

To address the issue, Baek Ha-jun, dressed in ordinary clothes and hiding his identity, came to this place.

“Young Master, please try this. Haha.”

The bearded man in front of Ha-jun was dressed like a merchant. However, his real identity was a warrior of the Biyeon Squad.

“What is this?”

“It’s a trendy snack in the tea houses lately. They call it Youtiao. It’s made by frying dough made from glutinous rice flour and wheat flour. Try dipping it in this — a mixture of condensed milk and honey.”N0v3lRealm was the platform where this chapter was initially revealed on N0v3l.B1n.

The Biyeon Squad man’s name was Mu Jung. He was missing one hand. He said it was torn off by a tiger when he was with Yi-gang.

Following Mu Jung’s suggestion, Baek Ha-jun dipped the youtiao in condensed milk and ate it.

The freshly fried youtiao had a chewy texture. Dipping the fried food into something sweet made it irresistibly delicious.

Mu Jung, with a sly grin, took a gulp from his drink.

However, it was only a pretense of drinking. He was still holding onto that first drink.

“Are you nervous?”

“Nervous?”

“Young Master’s expression seems quite stiff.”

Upon Mu Jung’s remark, the other Biyeon Squad members chuckled in amusement. Baek Ha-jun felt a tad embarrassed.

Though his feelings typically didn’t show on his face, the Biyeon Squad members must’ve noticed.

Neung Ji-pyeong and the Biyeon Squad were the ones Baek Ha-jun trusted most in the clan. They had a close bond.

When asked to secretly accompany him to the clan this time, the Biyeon Squad members nodded in agreement.

“Then let me tell you a story that might help you relax.”

“A story?”

“About the time Young Master Yi-gang charged towards the Twin-Headed Ghost Tiger. Back then, my wrist was bitten, so I was guarding Pil Hwan...”

At this, the other Biyeon Squad members burst into hearty laughter.

“Stop with that same story already. I feel like blood’s gonna pour out of my ears.”

“How often have I even told it?”

“Do you think Pil Hwan doesn’t talk? I’m sick to death hearing about Young Master Yi-gang and that tiger story every day.”

At the chattering of the Biyeon Squad members, Ha-jun finally chuckled.

While there were hardly any retainers in the clan who were fond of Yi-gang, the Biyeon Squad was different.

They had seen Yi-gang’s efforts up close since he returned to the clan. Moreover, Pil Hwan and Mu Jung, nearly every day, spread tales of Yi-gang’s valor, especially about how he returned after being bitten by a tiger.

Thanks to this, Yi-gang’s reputation improved. If he returned, it was clear he’d receive many friendly glances everywhere, which might make him flustered.

With that thought, Ha-jun felt slightly better.

And then, someone climbed the stairs and approached the group.



“They say the darkest place is under the lamp. No matter how daring, it’s audacious of them to remain here in Xi’an so brazenly.”

The Biyeon Squad warriors emitted a cold, killing aura. The hand of Ha-jun, gripping his sword, tensed visibly.

“So, are we all set?”

“Yes, we’ve diverted the eyes of the government. The local villagers will retreat when the time comes.”

“We’ll smash those brutes to bits, and they’ll have to show themselves.”

Ha-jun and the Biyeon Squad members rose from their seats in unison.

“Let’s go.”

“Yes, Young Master.”

As Ha-jun descended the stairs, the rest of the waiting Biyeon Squad members on the ground floor followed him.

They possessed the power to raze Black Ghost Manor in an instant.



Jeong Gu silently led the way.

Beyond the Chan River bridge was the outer region, where Black Ghost Manor was located. They had more than enough power to confront them.

Three were by Ha-jun’s side. Four more Biyeon Squad members followed, disguising themselves as ordinary villagers.

Contrary to its ominous name, Black Ghost Manor was a rather insignificant sect. An old building with a shabbily written signboard emerged before them.

From the villagers passing by to the old man sitting by the roadside with a street stall, they were all Low Down Sect members in disguise.

“One of the Biyeon Squad members should wait here. We have to be prepared for unforeseen circumstances.”

Ha-jun suddenly made the suggestion.

While it might seem overly cautious, Mu Jung didn’t dare question or comment on it.

As he gestured with his fingers, one of the Biyeon Squad members in the back, recognizing the signal, retreated.

“The remaining three will block the surroundings.”

“Ensure no one escapes.”

With Mu Jung’s words, the three remaining Biyeon Squad members dispersed in different directions.

And then, they halted before the gate of Black Ghost Manor.

At Ha-jun’s gesture, Jeong Gu knocked heavily on the gate.

“Is anyone inside?”

No response came.

“Tsk, even if it’s a small unorthodox sect, not having a gatekeeper is odd.”

Mu Jung muttered as if he found the situation pitiful.

Jeong Gu knocked on the door once again.

“Guests have arrived; come out and greet us at once!”

If this were a proper sect, at the very least, they would have rushed out with clubs in response to such a rude greeting.

However, no one emerged from Black Ghost Manor.

Mu Jung’s expression, which had been tilting his head in wonder, became puzzled.

Flaring his nostrils, he exclaimed, “Damn it.”

He scowled and unsheathed his sword.

Swish—

It was a swift and fierce swing. The sword accurately sliced through the gap of the old gate, cutting the latch that held it shut in half.

Then, a Biyeon Squad member standing beside him, as if coordinating with him, kicked open the door.

Bang!

A horrendous smell emanated from the wide-open gates.

It was the smell of blood.

“...Insane.”

Black Ghost Manor was a sea of blood.

Throughout the place, what appeared to be the martial artists of Black Ghost Manor were spewing blood and gasping for their last breaths.

From those whose limbs had been severed to those whose chests had been swiftly split open. The locations of the injuries varied, but what they all had in common was that they had recently died.

“What is this...”

Jeong Gu’s face turned ashen.

Before going to meet Baek Ha-jun, they had stationed Low Down Sect members nearby. If there had been a fight in Black Ghost Manor, their subordinates would have undoubtedly known.

“There’s someone there.”

Mu Jung quietly informed Baek Ha-jun.

Deep within Black Ghost Manor, someone stood amidst the corpses. It was a man wearing a mask carved with a crying face.

“This is suspicious.”

Mu Jung and the Biyeon Squad members drew their swords.

Through the eyeholes in the mask, the gaze of Ha-jun and the masked man met.

That gaze flared up like that of a wild beast, and instinctively, Ha-jun tightly gripped the hilt of his sword.