The assassins who never fail absolutely had failed.

They had believed that the fight of a martial artist and the fight of an assassin were different. No matter how skilled, they had been confident that no one could survive a hidden blade.

Why then couldn’t that hidden blade pierce through the belly of that sneering bastard?

Anyway, they had judged that staying with the author was disadvantageous to themselves, so they coldly issued the order to dismiss the guests.

You think you know who sent the assassin?

That is bait that cannot be resisted.

“Who is that?”

Geom Mugeuk stared intently at him and said.

“Now you seem curious.”

Geum Ah-hyeok responded calmly.

“I think this assassination attempt is related to your grudge. So I’m not curious about the contractor. I want to see what kind of person you are. How honest you really are.”

Having the person you tried to kill standing alive before you, being this brazen and confident is rare — especially when the opponent’s martial arts overwhelm you like this. In other words, it proves someone trusts him.

‘The interest meets the mastermind face to face.’

Thus, Geom Mugeuk inferred the relationship with the mastermind through Geum Ah-hyeok’s [N O V E L I G H T] reaction.

“Then speak.”

Between the two of them, the second son Geum Ah-jong was lost in misconception.

‘This cute conman even staged a ruse?’

Geum Ah-jong had thought the assassins’ intrusion last night was Geom Mugeuk’s fabrication.

There was no way assassins would suddenly break into the normally peaceful Geumryong family.

Yet he could never imagine his father or older brother had sent the assassins. He thought himself the worst-tempered of the family, but in reality, he was the most naive.

‘Anyway, he succeeded in getting my brother’s attention.’

Geum Ah-jong was curious how this conman would manipulate his brother.

Geum Ah-hyeok pushed strongly.

“If you don’t want to speak, then leave. And never come looking for me again.”

Geom Mugeuk smiled and said.

“I want to become friendly with the Grand Prince. Didn’t you realize I came to greet you today?”

Geom Mugeuk sat down at the reception table in the office.

“Ah, this kind of talk should be over drinks at a marketplace tavern. You may drink in expensive inns or pavilions, but among the shabby street taverns there are hidden gems like secret restaurants.”

“If you’re going to say nonsense, then just go!”

Geum Ah-hyeok glared at his younger brother. The look said to take him and get lost immediately.

‘Ah, even this one is not easy on his older brother.’

Lately, the older brother had changed a lot. He had never liked him, but recently had become even more awkward and strange.

“Don’t push so hard. That person must know something to talk like that.”

Then, Geom Mugeuk suddenly said.

“You.”

Silence fell instantly.

“You are the contractor.”

Geum Ah-hyeok never expected to be accused like this, especially to his face.

Geum Ah-jong, who had been listening, burst out laughing.

“Interesting fellow, indeed.”

But neither Geom Mugeuk nor Geum Ah-hyeok laughed. The smile disappeared from Geum Ah-jong’s face who had been laughing loudly.

“What? Did you really mean that?”

Geom Mugeuk nodded. From Geum Ah-jong’s mouth escaped an involuntary “Crazy!”

“Why suspect me? Speak clearly. You’re accusing the Grand Prince of the Geumryong family as the one who hired the assassin.”

Geom Mugeuk stared him down. From his wavering eyes, his agitation could be felt. No matter how hard he tried, staying calm in this situation was not easy.

Then another shocking statement flowed from Geom Mugeuk.

“One assassin died confessing it was you.”

Geom Mugeuk said this lie without changing his expression.

On the other hand, Geum Ah-hyeok was flustered by the word ‘confession.’ His eyes trembled slightly.

Watching that, Geum Ah-jong’s heart sank. His brother’s eyes would tremble like that whenever he was hit at his core or caught lying. It had been like that since childhood.

“If you heard such a thing, why tell me?”

Calmly asked, Geom Mugeuk smiled and said.

“I think our Grand Prince was framed. Would the heir of the Geumryong family really do such a thing? I’m now part of the Geumryong family too, so I should give such information to the one who will inherit the clan, shouldn’t I?”

Geum Ah-hyeok said nothing.

Since the conversation could not continue, Geom Mugeuk stood up.

“You must be busy. I won’t take more of your time. I’ll leave for today.”

Before leaving, he added one more sentence.

“Think carefully about who framed you.”

After leaving those words, Geom Mugeuk exited first.

Geum Ah-jong looked at his brother. Geum Ah-hyeok went to the window and did not even glance back.

He was half in doubt.

“Did he really hire the assassins? No, right?”

If it were true, this was a perfect opportunity to oust his brother from heirship.

But it wasn’t all good.

‘This crazy bastard might have hired me.’

That night, at a small iron workshop, a middle-aged man was placing a heated piece of metal on an anvil and hammering it.

Bang! Dang!

The hammering was lively and powerful. The shirtless man was thin and skinny, so it was strange how such strength came from such a bony body.

At that moment, Geum Ah-hyeok entered.

He quietly waited for the hammering to finish. The man hammering was someone who never tolerated disturbances during work.

Bang!

After the long ringing hammer sound ended, the man looked up at Geum Ah-hyeok.

“You’re here?”

“Sir, have you been well?”

The middle-aged man’s name was Myeongshin (明神).

The one Geum Ah-hyeok respectfully called “Sir” was this man.

Geum Ah-hyeok truly respected Myeongshin.

A strong and smart man, different from ignorant martial artists.

Being with him was good. He learned about the martial world and human affairs. Especially when with him, he felt no one could kill him.

A pathological fear of martial artists like his father Geum Cheonbang was inherited by Geum Ah-hyeok.

“You seem thinner. Take good care of your meals.”

Though now sweaty and looking like a common ironworker, when dressed in scholar’s robes and holding a fan, he looked like the smartest man alive. He really was smart.

Sometimes as a hobby, he made swords and daggers, and his skill was also remarkable.

“Did the assassination fail?”

“How did you know?”

Myeongshin only nodded with an inscrutable expression.

Geum Ah-hyeok had paid a large sum to place a contract for Myeongshin’s sake.

“Although this time failed, I will protect you no matter if I sell all my property.”

If his father heard that, he would have fainted, but it was Geum Ah-hyeok’s sincere feeling. He believed and followed Myeongshin like a cult member.

After revealing his resolve, Geum Ah-hyeok cautiously spoke.

“But there is one thing I find strange.”

“What is it?”

“They say an assassin dying confessed I placed the contract.”

“Who said that?”

“At a man named Geom-yeon.”

At the name Geom-yeon, Myeongshin fell silent. His expression then was unfamiliar to Geum Ah-hyeok.

He felt an unfamiliar tension; this was the strange feeling his father had once given him, now felt from Myeongshin.

“That is a lie. Assassins going on missions do not know who the contractor is.”

Geum Ah-hyeok showed a ‘that figures’ expression, thinking that must be the case.

“Then why lie to me?”

Myeongshin looked at him. His gaze said ‘Don’t you understand?’ but Geum Ah-hyeok did not know. Myeongshin knew the answer.

“I have a guest to meet tonight, so you may leave now.”

A guest at this hour? That was unlikely. Probably he didn’t want to see the failed contractor.

Geum Ah-hyeok was disappointed. On a night like this, he wanted to stay longer.

Unable to rest with the unsettled unease.

“I’ll come again.”

Geum Ah-hyeok bowed politely and turned to leave.

Then he said as he turned.

“Don’t worry about this matter. I will handle it well.”

“Reassuring.”

Myeongshin smiled broadly.

As Geum Ah-hyeok left, another person entered.

Geom Mugeuk, who had been tailing him, arrived.

Though he had tried several detours to avoid being seen, who could evade Geom Mugeuk’s eyes?

“I apologize for visiting using such a shallow tactic.”

“How can you call it shallow when you have seen your opponent clearly?”

If Geum Ah-hyeok had been here, he would have been truly disappointed, but Myeongshin showed no particular emotion.

Their gazes met.

Geom Mugeuk could read one fact from his eyes.

“You know who I am.”

A smile appeared at Myeongshin’s lips.

“Yes. Demon Sect’s Little Pill Master Geom Mugeuk, welcome.”

Geom Mugeuk didn’t introduce himself, but he already guessed the other.

This was partly because of the place.

Myeongshin.

Right hand of the Murder King.

An assassin ranked second in the martial world.

Originally, he should have competed with the Murder King for the top spot, but for some reason, he decided to serve as the Murder King’s right hand.

The story between them was unknown in the martial world. There was only speculation that Myeongshin owed his life to the Murder King.

But Geom Mugeuk knew the reason. In his previous life, it was revealed after Myeongshin’s death. The person who killed his loyal Myeongshin was the Murder King.

“Don’t you ask who I am?”

“Do assassins have names? What number are you called?”

Though provocative, Myeongshin maintained composure.

When Geom Mugeuk immediately recognized he was an assassin, a strange light flashed in his eyes.

Myeongshin was an assassin unlike any Geom Mugeuk had experienced. His aura felt different from ordinary assassins.

His aura contained emotion.

Geom Mugeuk looked around the iron workshop.

“Did you make all these yourself?”

“Yes.”

“May I touch them?”

“Anytime.”

Myeongshin was skilled at making hidden weapons; the Murder King often favored his creations. It was said the Murder King liked his weapons not just because of their lethal power, but because many were ingenious.

Unfortunately, those hung here were just ordinary daggers and swords. They were perfectly balanced weapons that showed his skill.

“Do you sell them?”

“It’s a pastime; I don’t sell them.”

“Too bad. If you did, I would buy all of them.”

Myeongshin smiled strangely.

“As rumored.”

“What rumors have you heard about me?”

Myeongshin slowly walked toward Geom Mugeuk.

The second-best killer in the martial world approached.

Geom Mugeuk sharpened all his senses and kept his calm.

He calmly said while watching Geom Mugeuk.

“You should forget all the rumors.”

It sounded like ‘I will judge you by seeing with my own eyes.’

Geom Mugeuk showed a disappointed expression.

“There were many good rumors. What a pity.”

They stood at a distance where a sword swing would reach.

“Surprising. You show yourself instead of running even though we came.”

“Actually, I am surprised you left me be like this.”

It meant he could kill the Demon Sect’s Little Pill Master who traveled alone.

“My father raised his children strong. He would throw them off cliffs and say to think of the renewal method while falling.”

Myeongshin joked with a smile. He was truly relaxed. The ease that strength and confidence give.

“You must have expected me to track Geum Ah-hyeok. Why did you wait?”

Myeongshin looked at Geom Mugeuk.

“I waited to tell you to leave.”

His calmness was a threatening warning.

“If you know me, you also know who came with me this time. Will you leave just because that person told you to? Go tell them yourself.”

Myeongshin gave a persuasive look, as if saying ‘That’s difficult.’

“You persuade them. Then nothing will happen.”

Of course, it would not work.

“A life where nothing happens is too boring while still young.”

Myeongshin walked to the opposite wall with a knowing expression.

“We plan to solve this matter with money.”

He grabbed a handle sticking out of the wall beside the brazier.

“Do you know what this is?”

“What?”

“It’s a device to order all former assassins in the martial world to be notified. The moment I pull it, my subordinates will start sending the message all at once.”

“What message?”

Then unexpected words came out.

“That you have a bounty on your head.”

Geom Mugeuk’s gaze deepened.

“To make people want to kill the Demon Sect’s Little Pill Master, the amount must be large.”

“That’s why it’s a large sum.”

Myeongshin revealed an astonishing figure.

“Ten million nyang.”

“!”

An amount even Geom Mugeuk was surprised by.

“The highest bounty in martial world history. Not just the Demon Sect’s Little Pill Master, but an amount that would make someone chase the target into hell.”

Myeongshin said coldly.

“The moment I pull this, you will be busy from today. Will you still not leave?”

Tense silence stretched between them.

Geom Mugeuk slowly began to walk toward him.

Myeongshin tensed in response.

“If you come closer, I will pull it.”

But Geom Mugeuk did not stop walking, as if daring him to try.

Finally, Geom Mugeuk came beside Myeongshin and did the unexpected.

He grabbed the handle Myeongshin was holding. Their hands overlapped.

It could have instantly turned into a fierce battle, but Myeongshin watched quietly.

Though their actions and reactions were unusual, they were calm and peaceful.

Geom Mugeuk looked at Myeongshin and grinned, then pulled the handle hard.

Clank.

The brazier door rattled open. The handle was the device to open the door.

“How did you know?”

Geom Mugeuk smiled lightly and answered.

“Aren’t you here because of your money with the Geumryong family? Would you spend so much money just to kill one person like me?”

Myeongshin honestly expressed his admiration.

“You’re quite clever.”

“You must have heard rumors about me. Not just clever, but brilliant. Not just brilliant, but genius.”

Myeongshin smiled.

“Genius Little Pill Master, see you again.”

The handle was not just for opening the brazier door. Another device triggered after a delay.

Clank.

The floor where Myeongshin stood opened and he fell down. At the same time, spikes rained down where Geom Mugeuk stood.

Shh shh shh shh shh shh shh shh shh!

Ching ching ching ching ching ching ching ching ching!

When Geom Mugeuk drew his sword and deflected all the spikes, Myeongshin had already escaped.

For some reason, Geom Mugeuk did not pursue the hole.

Instead, he shouted toward the hole where Myeongshin disappeared.

“You don’t even look worth a thousand nyang, let alone ten million!”

Far away in the hole, he thought he heard Myeongshin’s laughter echo.