The Forbidden Martial Art (2)

“I lost him.”

Go So-jeong lowered her head before Go Won-gi—her father and the chief of the Investigation Unit. Strictly speaking, she hadn’t lost him; they had to part ways. But she hid the feelings she had for Neung Je-gang.

“Mm. Hand it over.”

Go Won-gi held out his hand.

“Tch!”

Go So-jeong reached into her bosom, took out the small box she’d received last time, and set it on Go Won-gi’s palm.

“My Blood Rain! I didn’t even get to try it once….”

With regretful eyes, she had to watch the box go back to where it came from.

“By the way—Branch Chief Gal is dead.”

“What?”

Go Won-gi’s eyes widened.

“There was an Assassin Pavilion attack—right outside Hanzhong….”

“Then that bloodbath outside Hanzhong’s walls was the Assassin Pavilion’s doing?”

“Seems the Beggar’s Sect already spread the news. Yes. Their assassins attacked Secret Shadow and Branch Chief Gal.”

“That damned brat didn’t protect Branch Chief Gal?”

“No. Branch Chief Gal died because of me—because I failed to protect him….”

“You? Why would you be guarding him? You were supposed to tail them in secret.”

Go So-jeong stuck out her tongue at his words.

“The truth is, they caught me. They knew I was following, so I just came clean and traveled with them. Haa, if only the Assassin Pavilion hadn’t appeared, it would’ve been wonderful….”

She wore a dreamy expression.

‘This girl…! Well, I suppose Secret Shadow does have a bit of charm.’

Go Won-gi could tell what was in her heart. With that kind of face while speaking of a man, it was obvious.

“So where is Secret Shadow now? Waiting in Hanzhong for a new guide?”

“No, he left. Said he’d find the murderer another way. Once he learns who it is, he’ll contact us. Oh, and he said the Special Assault Corps members were killed by martial arts. He doesn’t know which martial art yet, but he seems to have figured out its characteristics.”

“How could he discover that in such a short time…?”

Go Won-gi’s voice trembled.

“Huh? Wait. Don’t tell me you already knew?”

Quick-witted, Go So-jeong sensed something odd in her father’s tone and face.

“Cough! What would I know? I was just wondering how he figured it out.”

“Really? That sounds suspicious….”

She glared at him.

Go Won-gi forced a serious face, feigning ignorance. Surely his own daughter wouldn’t torture him for answers.

“So how did Secret Shadow deduce it?”

“He practiced on the assassins. A way to kill only the brain….”

“Oh? And?”

“He succeeded. He killed two of them in the exact same way as the Special Assault Corps—without a trace. He said to kill thirty at once like that would require unimaginable martial power.”

As she spoke, she studied her father’s expression sharply.

But Go Won-gi only showed surprise at Neung Je-gang’s success, no more.

‘He definitely knows something. And he’s hiding it from even me, his own daughter?’

Feeling shut out, she longed for Neung Je-gang even more.

“I’m leaving.”

“Where?”

“I’m going to see my Darling.”

“D—Darling? Who the hell is that?”

“Who else? Secret Shadow, of course. If my own father lies and hides things from me, why would I stay in this Martial Alliance even a moment longer?”

She truly meant it. Her heart had already moved, and now she couldn’t live without following through.

“W—wait! Why is Secret Shadow your Darling?”

“Hmph. We’ve already been one in heart for a long time.”

Because of her, Neung Je-gang’s situation was taking a strange turn.

“Gasp! That bastard forced himself on you? I’ll kill him…!”

Go Won-gi’s reaction was instinctive.

At his words, Go So-jeong’s face turned icy.

“How could you say such a thing, Father? You think I’d like that kind of man? So all this time you only thought of me that way? And you dare compare my Darling to yourself?”

“W—what?”

“Mother once told me a story. Should I spread it across the martial world?”

“…!”

Go Won-gi was silenced. If such a rumor spread, his honor would be ruined. And his daughter was stubborn enough to do it.

“You said you were one body with him?”

“I meant in spirit, in heart.”

“Phew!”

Relieved, he realized nothing had happened. Now it was his turn to strike back.

“I recall you once said something similar about Namgung’s second son, didn’t you?”

The tables turned instantly.

“W—when was that?”

“And not just him. You said the same about a Peng clan boy… and wasn’t there also that monk at Shaolin?”

“Th—that’s dirty! How could a father bring up what his daughter said when she was only twelve to threaten her now? Maybe I should reveal your secrets too!”

Her anger flared.

“That wouldn’t be very good for our family, would it?”

Father and daughter were alike.

“Regardless, I’m going to see my Darling. I don’t care about the Martial Alliance anymore.”

“And how would you even know where he is?”

“I planned for this—I sprinkled tracking incense on him.”

With that, she leapt out the window and vanished.

“That girl…! She might really mean it this time. Should I start thinking of Secret Shadow as a son-in-law?”

“Kekeke! Why worry? Just make him your son-in-law.”

The door opened, and someone entered. A ragged beggar with tangled hair, patched clothes, and a large gourd bottle at his waist. Instead of the traditional staff carried by Beggar Sect elders, he held a green bamboo pipe, smoke curling from its bowl.

“Elder Shinga! You’ve come.”

Go Won-gi rose and bowed respectfully.

“Well, if the Investigation Chief of the Martial Alliance invites this old body, I have to come. Not like an elder of the Beggar Sect has much real power, eh?”

“My apologies. I couldn’t leave my post. I’ll repay this offense during the meal.”

Go Won-gi was flustered.

“That’s fine. Food is what beggars love best anyway. But why did you call for me?”

“Because of this.”

Go Won-gi pulled a scroll from the desk drawer.

“What’s this?”

Instead of opening it, Elder Shinga looked at his face.

“It’s the portrait of the people Secret Shadow asked us to find.”

“Portrait?”

Only then did Elder Shinga unroll the scroll. On it were the faces of a man and a woman.

“These are from thirteen years ago. Their faces must be a little different now. Their names were given as Dam Ja-cheon and Dam Yeo-yeong, a father and daughter.”

“I see… But why do they look so familiar…?”

Elder Shinga tilted his head.

“That’s why I asked you here. I think they’re the same people….”

“But the names are different, aren’t they?”

“Names can be changed at will. Honestly, Secret Shadow asked me long ago, but I didn’t request the Beggar Sect again because I suspected these portraits were indeed them. I couldn’t tell him without certainty.”

“You did right. Can’t pass on uncertain news. So what do you plan to do?”

“First, I sent men to Seon-yeong in Cheonghae Province, where they lived thirteen years ago. If they had to change names and hide, I need to know why.”

“Didn’t you already handle it then?”

“No. I want the Beggar Sect to investigate independently too.”

“I see. You fear someone might interfere?”

“No. It’s because Secret Shadow himself asked me to request the Beggar Sect.”

“Why? He could’ve just trusted you for help.”

“That’s what I wondered. Why specifically the Beggar Sect?”

“And why?”

“I believe he wants it known that he is searching for them.”

“Hm? Why?”

“So that whoever forced the father and daughter to hide will hear of it. Then, to eliminate the threat, they’ll come after Secret Shadow themselves.”

“I see. Secret Shadow has made himself the bait.”

“Exactly. So the Beggar Sect should do as he intended. And we must truly confirm whether the portraits are of them.”

“You think they might not be? Nonsense. I can’t believe there are others who look so alike. It’s obvious at a glance.”

“Haha, true enough.”

“But if there really is a mastermind, the one we suspect… will Secret Shadow survive? Your daughter seems to care for him. What if he dies at that man’s hands?”

“Hard to say. But he wouldn’t make such a gamble if he weren’t confident. Oh, and one more thing—the bloodbath at Hanzhong was indeed the Assassin Pavilion. Just as we suspected, it’s linked to someone inside the Martial Alliance. Otherwise, why attack Secret Shadow on his way there?”

“Ah, just where is this Martial Alliance headed….”

Elder Shinga’s sigh plunged the chamber into heavy silence.