Light Novel: Volume 21 Episode 17
Manhwa: N/A
The horse-ferry boat left Dongting Lake and joined the main stream of the Yangtze River.
If they continue along the Yangtze River, they will reach Poyang Lake.
The horse-ferry boat, having joined the Yangtze River, moved at a very fast speed.
Pyo-wol and his party sat on the deck, watching the landscapes that passed by.
Every view they saw was beautiful.
Although Jianghu was in great chaos, with bloodshed happening every day, the world was still beautiful.
Pyo-wol took in every bit of these scenes without missing anything.
At that moment, Hong Ye-seol came to his side.
She sat beside Pyo-wol, looking at the scenery he was observing.
At first, she seemed quite entertained, but soon her expression became that of boredom.
Hong Ye-seol whispered,
“Shall we go inside our cabin?”
“……”
“It’s better to have fun rather than spending time boringly like this, right?”
Hong Ye-seol smirked, a knowing look in her eyes.
There was no way Pyo-wol didn’t know what her smile and look meant.
He was about to say something when an intruder appeared.
It was the Elder Assassin.
Hong Ye-seol’s face crumpled as he approached.
“What is it?”
“I have something to tell Master Pyo.”
“Why now, of all times?”
“I don’t want to intrude on your time either. But if I don’t speak now, we’ll just pass by a certain place without notice. Hehe!”
The Elder Assassin grinned slyly.
Hong Ye-seol’s expression hardened, but he didn’t care and looked at Pyo-wol.
Pyo-wol asked,
“Is there an assassin sect nearby?”
“Yes, there’s an assassin sect called White Moon Group. Although they have only twelve members, each one of them is a formidable master not to be underestimated.”
“How do they compare to the Ten Blood Assassins?”
“Oh, they are not really comparable. But each member of the White Moon Group is a tough individual, so they cannot be completely dismissed.”
“Tough individual?”
“Yes! In fact, we at the Hundred Wraith Union tried to recruit them a long time ago, but they refused, not wanting to be subordinate to anyone. They even attempted to kill the person we sent to recruit them.”
The White Moon Group knew perfectly well what would happen if they dare go against the Hundred Wraith Union, and yet they still did.
Even though the Elder Assassin had seen many assassins, he had never seen anything like the White Moon Group.
“So you’re saying the White Moon Group’s base is around here?”
“Yes. If we go a little further down the Yangtze River, there’s a place where the river widens significantly. There’s an abandoned island there.”
“An island?”
“Yes! It’s an uninhabitable island made of rocks and gravel. At least, that’s how it appears from the outside. Moreover, the currents around the island are strong, so boats on the Yangtze River usually avoid it.”
“That’s the base of the White Moon Group?”
“That’s right.”
“How much further to the island?”
“About half a shichen1 away.”
“I’ll go check it out.”
Pyo-wol immediately headed towards the railing.
“I’ll come with you.”
“You too?”
“I’ll just be watching. I promise.”
“Alright then.”
“Hehe!”
Hong Ye-seol smirked slyly.
The Elder Assassin looked at her and said,
“Perfect timing.”
“What do you mean? I just said I’m going to watch.”
“I’m just saying it’s a good time.”
“Damn old man!”
“I think I’m starting to go deaf now, I keep hearing tinnitus. Or is it just mosquitoes buzzing?”
The Elder Assassin made a gesture of digging in his ear with his fingers.
Hong Ye-seol’s face flushed bright red. But she knew that arguing further would only be to her disadvantage, so she only pouted her lips.
The Elder Assassin smiled at her expression, finding it amusing.
“Then, have a safe trip. If you wrap things up in half a shichen, you can get back on the boat before it passes by.”
“I’ll give it a try.”
Pyo-wol said nonchalantly and immediately leaped into the Yangtze River.
“I’m coming too.”
Hong Ye-seol followed right behind him.
Both of them entered the water silently.
As they disappeared into the water so smoothly without splashing or disturbing a single drop of water, the Elder Assassin looked towards their direction in admiration.
Naturally, as assassins, they were expected to be skilled in water techniques.
Those proficient in water techniques could swim through the Yangtze River faster than a speedboat.
Hong Ye-seol was one such person. However, Pyo-wol’s water techniques surpassed even hers.
After diving in, Pyo-wol simply disappeared, never surfacing even once. In comparison, Hong Ye-seol who was following him momentarily appeared on the water’s surface.
The Elder Assassin sat down on the deck, muttering to himself.
“Then, I guess I’ll rest for about half the time it takes to eat a meal?”3
* * *
The assassins of the White Moon Group uniquely wear white robes.
Most assassins carry out their killings under the cover of night.
Black robes, which blend in with the darkness, was essential for assassins. However, the White Moon Group defied such common knowledge and predominantly wore white.
They also carried out assassinations mainly during broad daylight, not at night.
Furthermore, rather than inflicting noticeable wounds, they preferred to disguise their killings as accidents or natural deaths.
As a result, the families of those killed by the White Moon Group’s assassins were often unable to seek revenge.
Believing their deaths were due to accidents or illness, they never investigated the cause of death. For this reason, the existence of the White Moon Group remained largely unknown for a long time.
Although they have become somewhat known recently, much more about them remains undisclosed than what is known.
In particular, few knew of the island where they were based.
Every day, numerous boats passed near the island, but no one ever realizes that the assassins of the White Moon Group were there.
“Hmm!”
The leader of the White Moon Group, Lee Shi-chang, stood with his arms crossed, watching the boats passing by on the Yangtze River.
From where he stood, the entire view of the Yangtze River was visible, but those on the boats could never see him.
Behind Lee Shi-chang, a fairly wide plain stretched out.
It might seem to be just gravel and rocks at first glance, but in fact, it had an environment suitable for habitation.
There were a few houses on the plain.
This was where the assassins of the White Moon Group usually stayed.
Currently, the number of assassins staying on the island is seven. The other five were out on assassination missions.
One unique aspect of the White Moon Group was that they had almost no support personnel.
Most assassin sects have a considerable number of people to support the assassins as they go about their missions.
This includes individuals for collecting information, preparing hideouts, securing escape routes, etc. However, the assassins of the White Moon Group prepare all these steps by themselves and carry out their missions alone.
While this means their missions take longer, it also means they leave fewer traces.
Lee Shi-chang thought about the assassins who had gone out.
A few days ago, the White Moon Group received a commission from the Golden Heaven Society.
It was an assignment to assassinate key figures of the Silver Lotus Society.
Naturally, the fee for the commission was very high.
Completing this one task would provide enough funds to operate the White Moon Group for at least two years without taking any other jobs.
Even though he knew it was risky, he still accepted the commission from the Golden Heaven Society.
“I hope they complete the assassination safely and return.”
It was unknown to the outside world, but the White Moon Group was actually comprised entirely of blood relatives.
Among the assassins who had gone out were his son and nephew. The remaining ones were either his brothers or cousins.
This allowed them to trust and rely on each other completely.
“I’m sure with Shi-mun accompanying them, they should return safely.”
Lee Shi-mun was his cousin.
Apart from Lee Shi-chang, he was the strongest assassin in the White Moon Group.
Not only was he skilled in assassination techniques, but his intelligence was also exceptional, allowing him to navigate through most crises.
Lee Shi-chang shook his head to dispel unnecessary thoughts.
There was no point in worrying about those who had left for their assassination missions. Now was the time to manage those who remained.
The situation in Jianghu was changing rapidly with each passing day.
Many people were dying every day, and public sentiment was at its lowest.
Times of chaos like these were golden opportunities for assassin groups like the White Moon Group to make money.
They had to carry out as many assassinations as possible to accumulate wealth.
Once this profitable time passed, they might have to tighten their belts again. It was essential to earn as much as possible while they could.
It didn’t matter how many people would fall into despair or how much chaotic the world would become due to their assassinations.
If they were worried about such things, they wouldn’t have chosen the path of an assassin in the first place.
The most important thing for an assassin was to complete as many commissions as possible and make money.
“This time, we should accept a commission from the Silver Lotus Society.”
Already executing a task for the Golden Heaven Society, and now taking one from their enemy, the Silver Lotus Society? If anyone were to know about this, their group would surely be criticized for not having the least bit of common decency and honor. But an assassin sect didn’t need to care about such worldly opinions.
“We can’t fall behind the other assassin sects.”
Taking advantage of the Jianghu conflict, numerous assassin sects had gathered around Poyang Lake.
They couldn’t fall behind their competitors.
As Lee Shi-chang made this resolve and started to walk—
He suddenly frowned.
He saw something strange.
A woman was sitting on a large rock, waving at him.
She acted and looked so natural that he thought she was one of the White Moon Group’s assassins at first. But there was no woman among the White Moon Group’s assassins, and there should be no one on this island but the assassins belonging to the White Moon Group.
So, the woman waving at him was neither an assassin of the White Moon Group nor a resident of the island.
A murderous intent flickered in Lee Shi-chang’s eyes.
“Who are you, woman?”
“Oh, such harsh words. Calling me ‘woman’ upon our first meeting?”
The woman’s calm response further hardened Lee Shi-chang’s expression.
A woman who could enter the White Moon Group’s base uninvited and speak so nonchalantly couldn’t be ordinary.
Moreover, Lee Shi-chang hadn’t even sensed her presence until she revealed herself.
Although Lee Shi-chang was not a well-known master in Jianghu, he prided himself on his assassination skills and senses.
With his perception, he should have been able to detect even the slightest movement on this small island. Yet, he had not noticed the woman sneaking onto the island at all.
This implied that the woman possessed movements stealthy enough to elude his senses.
There weren’t many people in Jianghu who could do that.
“Reveal your identity. Who are you, woman?”
Swoosh!
Lee Shi-chang drew his sword from his waist.
The woman frowned slightly and stood up from the rock.
“Ah! You’re so inflexible. Drawing your sword straight away. I knew the White Moon Group was closed off, but this is too much.”
“Who are you? I won’t ask again.”
A fearsome killing intent emanated from Lee Shi-chang’s entire body.
Despite the terrifying aura that would have made ordinary people wet themselves in fear, the woman didn’t blink an eye.
Lee Shi-chang’s demeanor grew increasingly grim.
Realizing the situation was no longer a joking matter, the woman introduced herself.
“My name is Hong Ye-seol.”
“Hong Ye-seol?”
It was definitely a name he was hearing for the first time, but somehow, it felt uncomfortably familiar.
Hong Ye-seol’s red lips curled into an arc.
“You ask me to reveal my identity, and then you don’t recognize me? How about this then? Hundred Wraith Union.”
“Hundred… Wraith Union? Don’t tell me you’re one of the Ten Blood Assassins?”
“Until recently, yes. That was before I retired the previous union leader.”
“Are you saying you’re the new leader of the Hundred Wraith Union? You expect me to believe that?”
“I don’t care if you believe it or not, but I have no reason to tell you a lie.”
“Hmm!”
Lee Shi-chang let out a hum of contemplation.
This was because he instinctively felt that Hong Ye-seol’s words were true.
If she really was the leader of the Hundred Wraith Union, it made sense that she could elude his senses and sneak onto the island.
“Why would the leader of the Hundred Wraith Union come here? Surely not to spout nonsense about subjugating the White Moon Group under the Hundred Wraith Union again?”
“I have no intention of having the White Moon Group submit under the Hundred Wraith Union any longer.”
“Then why are you here?”
“I just wanted to see something.”
“What do you want to see?”
“I wanted to see the White Moon Group kneel before me with my own eyes.”
“If you keep talking nonsense, I’ll cut you down. Just because you’re the leader of the Hundred Wraith Union doesn’t mean you’re immune to a sword.”
“Of course. I’m human too. Getting cut by a sword would hurt and I wouldn’t like it.”
“Then?”
“There’s someone else here to make you kneel. Ah! There he is.”
Hong Ye-seol smiled and looked towards the interior of the island.
There, Pyo-wol was walking towards them.
The moment Lee Shi-chang saw Pyo-wol, his face stiffened.
‘That guy!’
A faint scent of blood wafted from him.
Lee Shi-chang wasn’t foolish enough not to understand what that meant.
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