Chapter 373
The journey back was brief.
On the way there, we had to adjust our pace while discussing the situation, but if this were a game, it would be like a high-level party of five elite players traveling together.
A journey that would have taken an ordinary person half a day was now significantly shortened.
“Well done, Jin Shi-ju.”
“Thank you for accompanying us despite your fatigue.”
As we arrived near the Sichuan Tang Clan, I shrugged at the words of the two sect leaders who greeted me.
“It was nothing. I didn’t really help much, anyway.”
“Well, that’s true.”
“Indeed.”
Okay, it’s true I wasn’t much help, but isn’t that a bit too harsh?
Cheongpung Gogeom, who was giving me a faint smile, clasped his hands together toward the *Salsung* (Killing Star) and Jeok Cheon-Gang.
“Thank you both as well, seniors. I’m sorry if we made you take a needless trip.”
The Killing Star and Jeok Cheon-Gang responded simultaneously.
“It was indeed a needless trip.”
“Next time, don’t create situations that require apologies. Understood?”
“…Ah, yes.”
Yeah, that’s exactly how I felt.
The Killing Star continued speaking to Cheongpung Gogeom, who was wearing a somewhat awkward expression.
“And… I hope you won’t need to call on me again in the future.”
This wasn’t just a casual remark to say, “Don’t bother me.” It was clear that the Killing Star, who had briefly returned, was now ready to go back to being Moon Kyung, the young medical student.
Everyone present, including myself, understood the significance of his words.
The two sect leaders were the most taken aback.
“S-Senior, that’s…”
“*Shi-ju* , wouldn’t it be better to reconsider?”
However, what returned to them was the Killing Star dry gaze.
Cheongpung Gogeom and Myeol Jeol-shinni exchanged a brief look before nodding with a small sigh.
“…We will respect your wishes.”
“We will honor your decision, at least for now.”
For now. The emphasis on the last words was particularly strong. The *Salsung’s* (Killing Star) low voice slipped out between his lips.
“This time, it was just a whim. My intentions have not changed.”
A firm answer that left no room for doubt. The Killing Star gaze shifted to me and Jeok Cheon-Gang.
“I trust you both understand as well.”
Jeok Cheon-Gang suddenly spoke up.
“Are you planning to continue pretending to be a medical student?”
“It’s not pretending. The Killing Star no longer exists; only a single medical student remains.”
“Even if a tiger covers itself in a goat’s hide, can you truly call it a goat?”
“If it hides its fangs and claws, a tiger can become a goat.”
“But in the end, you revealed your claws at the last moment. Isn’t that right?”
A faint wrinkle formed on the Killing Star brow.
“You’ve become more talkative with age. I believe you owe me something.”
“…Well, you’re not wrong, so I can’t argue.”
“I’ll take that as your answer.”
Cutting off the conversation with Jeok Cheon-Gang, the Killing Star glanced at me.
“And you?”
“Me?”
“Well, who else is left?”
“No, it’s just… Do I have a choice?”
“Of course. You have two options.”
With a stern expression, the Killing Star began.
“First, you can reveal that the young medical student Moon Kyung is actually the Killing Star, and then be quietly found as a corpse without anyone noticing. Or second, you can keep your mouth shut and treat me as you did before, and then quietly leave.”
“Which will you choose?”
Wow, these choices are so difficult that I was momentarily speechless.
After swallowing nervously, I finally spoke.
“The second option.”
“A wise choice.”
“Hmm.”
The Killing Star, who was about to nod in approval, suddenly paused.
“What did you just say?”
“What?”
“What? Uh, why? Didn’t you say to treat you as before?”
“…”
The two sect leaders stood with their mouths agape, and the *Salsung*, who was momentarily at a loss for words, turned to the chuckling Jeok Cheon-Gang and asked.
“Is this guy crazy?”
“He’s always been like that. What do you think? Isn’t he something?”
“He’s someone I’d like to smash to pieces.”
Before my head could be smashed, I quickly bowed deeply.
“Ah, I just got confused for a moment. I’m sorry.”
“…It’s a ridiculous excuse, but I’ll let it slide this time.”
Maybe my intention to pull a fast one was too obvious. The Killing Star, who had narrowed his eyes at me for a moment, spoke again.
“Anyway, be careful from now on. No one besides those present here knows about my true identity. Ah, Cheongpung is an exception. Naturally, my disciple knows.”
“Did Cheong So-hyup know as well?”
“Yes. Besides him, everyone who saw me that day is dead.”
Now I understand why there were no prisoners left at the Sichuan Tang Clan—such thorough cleanup.
Masked Killing Star. Remove the mask, and both the panel and the audience are all dead.
‘It’s strange the more I think about it. Moon Kyung was actually the Killing Star.’
The memories of our first meeting at the Yangtze River and everything since then flashed through my mind.
What part of what he showed me was true, and what was false?
The innocent young medical student I knew no longer existed. There was only the world’s greatest assassin with a cold, emotionless gaze.
Without realizing it, a question slipped out of my mouth.
“Why do you go to such lengths to hide yourself?”
The Killing Star, who was heading towards the now visible Sichuan Tang Clan, stopped abruptly at the sudden question.
After a brief silence, a surprisingly calm answer came.
“Because I’m sick of the martial world.”
“Is that why you left?”
“Yes. I swore to the heavens that I would never kill again.”
In this world, assassins are despised. They are not welcomed by the righteous sects nor by the demonic factions.
This is because they are not seen as martial artists pursuing higher levels of martial arts but as beings born solely to kill.
How much blood was shed and buried before one assassin earned the title of Killing Star? I could somewhat understand his feelings.
But…
“I’m also a bit curious.”
“…About what?”
“About why you returned to the martial world you despise so much.”
“…Return? What nonsense are you spouting?”
The Killing Star eyes darkened.
“It was an inevitable, unavoidable choice.”
“Well, if you say so, I have nothing more to say, but it seems to me that you’ve made a few choices on your own. For instance…”
I scratched the back of my head as I continued.
“Like when you asked to accompany certain martial artists you met at the Yangtze River because you were heading in the same direction. Or when you coincidentally met them again a few days later and subtly revealed your true identity. Or maybe when you borrowed my name to order the Beggars’ Sect to save the Emei Sect and then went to the Qingcheng Sect yourself…”
“Enough.”
“Yes. I was planning to stop there anyway. But wow, there were quite a few instances when I list them all out.”
“…What are you trying to say? That I should have stood by and watched as you and many others, including your master, died?”
“Of course not. I’m truly grateful. Grandmaster.”
I wasn’t being sarcastic; I genuinely meant it 100%. If it weren’t for him stepping in at the right time, many lives would have been lost or injured—myself and Jeok Cheon-Gang included.
However, the Killing Star response to my gratitude was as dry as sand in the desert.
“Don’t call me Grandmaster.”
“Then what should I call you?”
The Killing Star, who had been silently staring at me, turned his head.
As he took a step toward the Sichuan Tang Clan, which looked like a large dot in the distance, his figure slipped away like a ghost.
His voice, carried by the wind, scattered in the air.
“Moon Kyung. That’s enough.”
Is that really enough? Only he would know the answer to that.
I shrugged and responded.
“Alright, got it. Moon Kyung.”
At that moment, the figure of the person ahead stumbled.
* * *
As I returned to the pavilion, two leeches stuck to me.
One was Hyeok Moo-jin, who I couldn’t tell whether he was my right arm or my little finger, and the other was a beggar whose skin had gotten a bit paler, probably from being indoors too much.
“What’s wrong with Moon Kyung? He seems a bit down.”
“That’s understandable. His master, the Divine Doctor, is injured, and there are so many patients waiting for treatment.”
“Oh, I see. But Captain, where did you go with Moon Kyung?”
“Just took him out for some air because he seemed down. Why are you so clueless?”
“Wow, I’ve been insulted by a beggar of all people. I may look like this, but I’ve read hundreds of books. No one’s ever called me clueless before.”
Well, in my eyes, both of them seem pretty clueless.
I swallowed the two words “Killing Star” that were on the tip of my tongue. These guys would never guess Moon Kyung’s true identity even if they were reborn.
‘Well, with that level of acting, anyone would be fooled.’
As soon as he caught the attention of others, the *Salsung* (Killing Star) had returned to being Moon Kyung.
Just because the cheerful atmosphere of the young medical student seemed slightly darker, no one suspected his identity.
No, it’s more accurate to say they couldn’t even begin to suspect.
“I’d acknowledge you if it were the Four Books and Five Classics, but reading only martial arts novels? What books are you talking about?”
“I’ve read romance novels too. Don’t you know *Gwiyeonmi* (Refined Beauty)?”
“Wait, *Gwiyeonmi*? Are you talking about the scholar who wrote *The Temptation of the Late Blossom* and *That Guy Was Strong*?”
“Oh, you know it.”
“Of course, I know it. Back when I was a disciple, I used to borrow it with the money I begged for, but then I got beaten up by the leader. Ha, if I met that bastard now, I’d use *Tagubongbeop* (Striking Staff Technique) on him.”
Whack!
“Ow!”
After kicking the two fools who were reminiscing fondly on their behinds and throwing them out, I slammed the door shut.
I have enough on my mind, and I have no idea why those guys are causing a ruckus here.
‘Finally, some peace and quiet.’
By now, Cheongpung should be wandering around somewhere, and I told Jeok Cheon-Gang to take the day off and rest, so no one should be looking for me for a while.
Lying down on the soft bed, I decided to take care of something I had put off for a while.
Unread messages: Check
*Ding. Ding. Ding. Ding!*
The endless chime echoed as system windows filled the air. This had happened a few times before, but this was definitely a new record.
Momentarily at a loss for words, I began checking the major messages one by one.
– You have reached the (Peak Master) level!
– You have defeated [Lv.170 *No Gun-baek*]!
– Quest (Uninvited Guests) has been successfully completed!
– You have gained immense experience points and fame!
– System messages have exceeded the limit. Your accumulated experience points and fame have been consolidated.
– You have reached [Lv.12]!
– Your fame has surpassed the threshold, earning you a new title!
– Through life-and-death battles, you have gained enlightenment. All martial arts have greatly advanced, and you can now use new martial arts!
– The level of [*Yeolhwa Singong*] (Fiery Flame Divine Art) has reached 8 stars!
– The level of [*Hwayeom Sinjang*] (Flame God Palm) has…
– The level of [*Hwaryong Sinchang*] (Flame Dragon Spear) has…
A flood of messages, not requests for handshakes.
Just skimming through them made my eyes spin.
“…Whoa, what the heck?”
What is all this?
I was almost overwhelmed by the fact that I still had half the messages unread.
As I scrolled down to check the remaining messages, something unusual caught my eye.
– A new item has become bound to you.
– Currently bound items: [*Baekyeom*],
[???]
– The item has not yet been named. Once you assign a name, the item will be fully bound to you and can be summoned from your inventory anywhere.
“This popped up here…?”
The inventories of the modern world and the martial world are separated. However, bound items like *Baekyeom* can be accessed anywhere, regardless of the space.
I had been feeling like *Baekyeom* wasn’t enough, so this was a stroke of luck.
‘If they’re giving it to me, I’m all for it.’ Just as I was about to check my inventory with excitement, it happened.
*Knock, knock.*
Accompanied by a knocking sound, someone peeked their head in.
“Captain, it’s Moo-jin…”
“Get lost.”
“No, it’s not that.”
“I’m busy. Go read a *Gwiyeonmi* novel.”
“Oh, you’ve read them too?”
“…You little…”
I can’t take it anymore. I need to deal with him before checking the item.
Just as I sprang up from the bed, Hyeok Moo-jin hurriedly shouted.
“Hanan! Hanan!”
“…What?”
“A delegation from Hanan is here! They’re looking for you, Captain.”
“…A delegation?”
Just as I frowned at Hyeok Moo-jin’s abrupt words, a familiar notification chimed in my ear.
*Ding.*
