Chapter 55

Chapter 55
Cheon-geuk guided him over to Daroo Tea House, situated close to the headquarters of the Murim Alliance.

Na-sa-rin had already settled in, sipping a cup of tea while she waited. The moment they walked in, she offered a bright, cheerful welcome.

“Brother! Hello there!”

She had previously unveiled her authentic gaze before the instructor, Jong-sun, but at present, Na-sa-rin had completely suppressed every shred of her martial aura. To any casual onlooker, she seemed like an ordinary, innocent little girl.

“Ah, greetings,” Baek So-cheon replied almost unconsciously, turning an inquisitive look toward Cheon-geuk.

“This is my younger sister.”

“You actually have a sister?”

“Why? Were you suspecting I had gathered up some stray orphan to turn into an assassin?”

“No, it simply caught me off guard. The notion of you possessing a sibling, that is.”

As he spoke, Baek So-cheon carefully scrutinized Na-sa-rin from head to toe.

“Is something wrong, brother? Do I have some kind of mark on my face?”

Baek So-cheon shifted his focus back to Cheon-geuk.

“Tell me who she truly is.”

“I just stated it, she is my sister.”

“Quit the nonsense.”

“How could you tell? It appears that regardless of how well one tries to mask the truth, certain realities simply cannot be hidden, right?”

“Not at all. You two share not the slightest hint of a resemblance.”

Baek So-cheon turned his attention back to Na-sa-rin.

By this time, the childish facade had fully dropped away, and the unfathomable depth within her eyes returned.

“Great Hero Baek, I am called Na-sa-rin.”

Though her life had crossed past eighty years, her conduct was exceedingly respectful and courteous.

The sheer profoundness emanating from her eyes compelled Baek So-cheon to clasp his hands together and return a formal martial salute.

“I am Baek So-cheon.”

Under normal circumstances, Baek So-cheon held little regard for assassins. However, the presence that Na-sa-rin now openly revealed was undeniably extraordinary. Moreover, when a figure of such caliber offered sincere courtesy, common decency demanded an equally respectful greeting in return.

Cheon-geuk went on to formally introduce her.

“She stands as the supreme elder of our organization, and is the individual I hold in the greatest reverence. It was largely due to her assistance that acquiring that spirit elixir was made possible.”

“There is no need to heap such praise upon me. The Alliance Lord shouldered tremendous hardship on this occasion. This old woman did nothing more than make an introduction.”

The two continued to deflect the credit back and forth between themselves.

Baek So-cheon then addressed Na-sa-rin directly.

“In that case, you must already be well aware of the history between myself and your faction.”

“Indeed, I understand it completely.”

“I carry deep regrets regarding what transpired previously.”

Baek So-cheon offered no explicit apology. His core values had not changed in the slightest. Assassins were beings who ought not to walk the earth. If they were an unavoidable blight that society could not shake off, then someone like Cheon-geuk—who at least held to fundamental moral boundaries—ought to be the one commanding them.

“How could any fault lie with you, Great Hero Baek? That is merely the brutal destiny awaiting those whose sustenance comes from extinguishing the lives of others.”

“I am grateful for your understanding.”

A quiet mutual accord formed between the two. Baek So-cheon found himself quite favorable toward his initial impression of her. He could perceive the deep wounds and grief of an entire lifetime spent trapped inside the frame of a child, which had since transformed into that boundless depth within her eyes—a sight that moved him genuinely. It was matched by the tranquil poise belonging to an elder who had walked the entirety of the martial road.

Cheon-geuk provided a further elaboration on her background.

“The elder is an unsurpassed authority in the realm of the Soul Subjugation Art.”

Hearing the words Soul Subjugation Art caused Baek So-cheon to startle noticeably.

“What makes you so shocked?”

“It merely… makes one wonder if such a thing as fate truly governs us.”

“What are you getting at?”

Baek So-cheon spoke with deference toward Na-sa-rin.

“Elder, if you would allow it, I would like to exchange a few words with Alliance Lord Cheon through secret sound transmission.”

“Certainly. Please, speak freely.”

Baek So-cheon directed a transmission straight into Cheon-geuk’s mind.

—If she served as the intermediary for the elixir trader, she must realize that my dantian has been restored.

—Yes, I disclosed that to her. From what other source could I obtain such an elixir? I had no choice but to solicit her aid. When she questioned who required it, I answered without deceit—it was you. While you may still harbor skepticism toward me, you can place your complete faith in her. Under no circumstances will she ever betray the confidence I asked her to safeguard. I stake my life upon her word.

—Is her character truly that reliable?

—Without a doubt.

—Very well, then.

She had previously dismissed her four personal guardian assassins simply to make that request, and now conveyed her apologies for drawing Na-sa-rin into the fold without informing him first.

—I apologize.

—It is of no consequence.

Severing the internal communication, Baek So-cheon prudently broached his concern to Na-sa-rin.

“I have an inquiry regarding the Soul Subjugation Art.”

The exact reason he had double-checked through mental transmission was due to the gravity of this issue. Restoring his dantian and inner strength was purely a personal matter—should complications arise, only he would face death.

Yet anything concerning the Soul Subjugation Art carried implications for the entire realm of Murim. A solitary miscalculation could spawn catastrophic consequences.

“What is it that you wish to learn?”

“First, I ask that you speak casually with me. If even Alliance Lord Cheon places greater trust in you than in herself, such informality is more than warranted.”

In doing so, Baek So-cheon deftly wove in subtle praise toward Cheon-geuk.

“Would that truly be acceptable?”

“Naturally.”

“Then let us cast aside formal pleasantries. Tell me, what is troubling your thoughts?”

“If someone has fallen prey to the Soul Subjugation Art, through what signs can it be detected?”

Baek So-cheon had previously consulted an archival text detailing the Soul Subjugation Art within the library collections. Yet that work concentrated solely on the art’s raw potence and manifestations, providing almost nothing on how to dispel its hold. The scholar who compiled it had pieced together its dread through historical incidents, but had never uncovered methods to unravel it.

“That inquiry covers far too wide a scope. Shall we narrow the conditions? How formidable is the victim in question?”

“At the Transcendent Peak realm?”

At the mention of the Transcendent Peak, both Cheon-geuk and Na-sa-rin took on somber expressions. In the contemporary age, masters worthy of bearing that distinction could be counted on one hand.

“Even against an expert of the Transcendent Peak, ensnaring them within the Soul Subjugation Art is an extraordinarily daunting task.”

“And what if the perpetrator operates at a comparable level of cultivation?”

“Even under those terms, it remains far from simple…”

Na-sa-rin gently shook her head before following up with another question.

“For how long has this Soul Subjugation Art supposedly been sustained?”

“Perhaps two or three years?”

He consistently maintained the entire topic as a hypothetical scenario.

Na-sa-rin and Cheon-geuk would almost certainly deduce that this was unfolding in the present reality, yet Baek So-cheon was obligated to tread with extreme caution regardless.

“Common belief holds that once applied, the Soul Subjugation Art remains active indefinitely—yet that is a misconception. Its tangible effects are exceptionally brief. Even a consummate expert might maintain it for only a few days at best, or perhaps a month or two at the absolute furthest limit. Two or three years? That is an outright impossibility.”

“What if the practitioner wielded a uniquely potent variant of the Soul Subjugation Art?”

“Still impossible.”

Na-sa-rin gave an unwavering, decisive reply.

This outcome proved completely unexpected. The written records had indeed noted the brief lifespan of the technique. Yet upon reading those accounts, he had vaguely assumed that the most supreme grandmasters could prolong its grip across many years.

Na-sa-rin proceeded to delineate the single exception.

“Unless, of course, the caster remains in close physical proximity, perpetually sustaining its hold.”

The likelihood of that circumstance was practically nonexistent. No grandmaster capable of such power could easily lurk beside the Alliance Lord unnoticed.

In the midst of their exchange, an abrupt doubt surfaced within Baek So-cheon’s mind.

If someone had truly placed the Alliance Lord under the thrall of the Soul Subjugation Art, for what underlying purpose did they do so?

The Lord acted just as he always had. The sole difference was that his disposition toward me alone had altered. If he was ensnared purely on my account, then why take such a path?

If the ultimate goal was to take my life, why bother manipulating the Lord? They could simply eradicate me directly.

Anyone possessing the capacity to maintain a continuous hold over the Lord could end my life without breaking a sweat.

Baek So-cheon felt that this riddle might not be convoluted after all—or rather, it was so startlingly simple that its very plainness kept it obscured from view.

“Elder, were you to observe them in person, could you determine whether an individual is trapped beneath the Soul Subjugation Art? Or tell if they have cultivated the technique themselves?”

“Provided the practitioner is not someone possessing mastery superior to my own, yes. The same applies to recognizing whether they have practiced the art.”

Cheon-geuk broke in with total conviction.

“No martial artist superior to her exists under heaven.”

Baek So-cheon laid out his request before Na-sa-rin.

“Would you be willing to assist me?”

The nature of the requested aid was crystal clear: he needed her to inspect the person and confirm whether they were a victim under control or an active practitioner of the technique.

Na-sa-rin cast a brief glance toward Cheon-geuk. Out of deep loyalty to her duty, any formal cooperation required the sanction of the faction’s leader.

“Provided the elder is willing, please grant your support.”

With Cheon-geuk giving her assent, Na-sa-rin accepted without hesitation.

“I will provide my aid.”

“You have my deepest gratitude. In that case, I will take my leave.”

Just as Baek So-cheon offered a farewell bow and prepared to depart, a lingering question crossed his mind.

“Ah, do you happen to know if the Soul Subjugation Art produces small red specks within the victim’s eyes?”

She paused in reflection for a brief moment, then slowly shook her head.

“I cannot say with certainty. The branches and deviations of that art are far too numerous…”

“Understood. I shall reach out to you shortly by way of Alliance Lord Cheon.”

Baek So-cheon offered another respectful bow before heading out the door.

Cheon-geuk escorted him outside to the entrance of the Daroo establishment.

“Remain here alongside the elder for a couple of days.”

“Very well.”

As if the thought had only just resurfaced, Baek So-cheon turned back to question her.

“Speaking of which, what of your requested favor?”

She had previously settled on asking for a single favor in return for delivering the spirit elixir.

She hesitated for an instant, then chose to set it aside for now.

“We shall speak of it later.”

“You are well aware of how volatile my circumstances are. You would be wise to consume your meal while it remains on the table.”

“Is there not a particular joy in savoring anticipation?”

“Act as you see fit. I will notify you soon regarding the schedule and our movements.”

With those final words, Baek So-cheon turned and walked away.

Cheon-geuk stood in place, watching his silhouette vanish into the distance.

Na-sa-rin emerged from the teahouse and stood beside her.

“What impression did he leave on you, elder? Does he warrant the investment we are making?”

Na-sa-rin was well aware that Cheon-geuk had already answered that question in her own heart—she had begun treating Baek So-cheon with a regard that went far beyond mere cold calculation.

Na-sa-rin joined her in gazing down the empty street.

“Place your faith in your own intuition, Lord. Are we not killers who survive and perish entirely by our instincts?”

—

Baek So-cheon made his way directly toward the quarters of Je-gal Hyeon.

Since Je-gal Hyeon was temporarily absent, Baek So-cheon sat down inside the study to wait for his return.

Having some spare moments, Baek So-cheon began circulating the Immovable Wisdom King Heart Method.

Because his entire circulatory network now functioned in place of a dantian, he was able to guide and circulate energy whenever and wherever he pleased. He had the ability to halt the cycle at will, retaining the accumulated power directly within his meridians without having to return it to a central core.

A subtle, tranquil smile never faded from Baek So-cheon’s face throughout the process.

Experiencing proper cultivation again felt truly extraordinary. How had he managed to endure the agony of living without it? Looking back, his ability to persevere through those past three years seemed astonishing even to himself.

The smooth flow purged away his gathered exhaustion and brought effortless fluidity to his physical movements. He could now reduce his hours of sleep to a minimum, thereby securing far more waking time.

Even if his rate of gathering qi was merely a third as efficient as before, he could never bring himself to neglect cultivating.

Baek So-cheon focused on building up even the slightest trickle of internal strength. In the face of a mortal crisis, that single extra measure of qi could well preserve his life.

The study door opened, and Je-gal Hyeon walked back inside. Baek So-cheon brought his circulation to a halt and offered a greeting.

“Strategist.”

“Captain Baek, what brings you here?”

“I have a question to ask.”

“Go ahead, ask whatever you wish.”

“Who currently maintains the closest proximity to the Alliance Lord? Specifically, someone who can enter his private presence at will even after official duties are finished?”

Je-gal Hyeon had already been informed by Baek So-cheon regarding the potential threat of the Soul Subjugation Art binding the Lord. This question was naturally linked to that concern.

“Hmm. First and foremost, there is Pung-geuk-an, the commander of the covert protectors.”

This was an individual well known to Baek So-cheon. He had served as the stalwart guardian of the Alliance Lord for a very long time.

“What sort of character does he possess?”

“If your question concerns his loyalty, I would stake my reputation on his integrity without hesitation.”

Baek So-cheon shared that assessment. Although Pung-geuk-an was naturally reticent and the two had never conversed at great length, he had never felt any malice emanating from him.

“Is there anyone else?”

“The Alliance Lord’s second son, Ak Seo-pyeong.”

The second child of Ak So-gun assisted his father in various affairs. Though he was quite youthful to bear the title of Great Hero, his status as the Alliance Lord’s son allowed him that distinction.

“And who is the last?”

“The master of Bi-gak.”

That was On Byeok-hwa, a figure recruited from the outside by the Alliance Lord himself to oversee Bi-gak.

“Those three possess the privilege to step into the Lord’s private chambers without restriction.”

As he uttered those words, Je-gal Hyeon felt an inward pang of self-reproach. He himself had been left out of that circle. In truth, he also held the authority to visit at will, but after the awkward friction that followed his escorting of Baek So-cheon, he had significantly curtailed his visits.

Reflecting upon the past…

There had been a time when they met several times every single day, yet since the end of the conflict, they barely saw each other once a month if fortune allowed.

How had their bond fractured to such an extent?

While the war had once kept them inextricably tied together, in recent times he had grown far too estranged.

“I have a favor to ask of you.”

“What is it?”

“Arrange a private gathering between myself and the master of Bi-gak.”

His aim was to inspect the individual for ties to the Soul Subjugation Art. Pung-geuk-an was inherently trustworthy, while Ak Seo-pyeong was the Lord’s own flesh and blood. Among them, On Byeok-hwa stood out as the most suspicious.

“A meeting with the Bi-gak Lord?”

“Yes. Furthermore, it must take place at a venue of my choosing.”

Though curious about the rationale, Je-gal Hyeon held absolute faith in Baek So-cheon’s judgment.

“Understood. When should it take place?”

Baek So-cheon offered the very same unwavering answer he had given all along.

“As quickly as possible.”