Reaper of the Drifting Moon

Ju Seolpung’s jaw muscles twitched.

“Who are you? Do you know that this place is under the control of the Imperial Yuan Merchant Group?”

“Judging by your long tongue, it must be true.”

The blood-cloaked people surrounded Ju Seolpung.

In an instant, cold sweat trickled down Ju Seolpung’s back.

He, too, was a skilled martial arts master. Just by observing his opponent’s body language and eyes, he could gauge their level.

‘I see no openings.’

His opponent had his hands naturally stretched out, and he walked with a carefree gait.

At first glance, it looked like his opponent was full of openings, but in reality, his defense was so solid that there was no way to penetrate it.

Ju Seolpung drew his sword and spoke,

“Did the Blood Ant Gang send you?”

“……”

“Or perhaps, you are the same people who the Blood Ant Gang helped in hiding?”

“……”

“I guess I’m right.”

Their silence only confirmed his suspicions.

The ones surrounding him right now are the same individuals Pyo-wol was looking for.

At that moment, the blood-cloaked people moved.

Swish!

They attacked Ju Seolpung with terrifying force.

The blood-cloaked people displayed an exquisite combination of attacks that seemed like they had been practicing for years.

Clang! Clang!

The clash of swords filled the air with clear metallic sounds.

‘Heuk!’

Ju Seolpung’s expression became increasingly distorted.

He could have managed dealing with one opponent, but facing three at the same time who attacked in a coordinated manner was overwhelming.

‘Such formidable experts.’

The problem was that even though they were engaged in such intense combat, his subordinates have yet to rush to his aid.

There was only one possibility that came to mind.

‘Have they been completely wiped out?’

If that were the case, he knew he was facing the worst situation.

That’s when a voice spoke.

“Do you have the luxury to think about something else?”

Swish!

The sword of one of the blood-cloaked people grazed his arm.

His clothes and muscles were torn apart, and blood splattered.

“Argh!”

Ju Seolpung gritted his teeth and swung his sword.

Even when his arm was intact, he already felt overwhelmed by the fight because of the disadvantage in numbers. But now that he was injured, so he felt even more strained.

Although Ju Seolpung had mastered martial arts to a high level, this was his first time fighting in a life-and-death situation.

As a result, he couldn’t fully demonstrate his true abilities and was pushed into a corner.

The blood-cloaked people, on the other hand, were extremely familiar with life-or-death battles.

They hadn’t learned martial arts in comfortable environments like Ju Seolpung. Rather, they had accumulated practical experience through numerous battles in the harsh wilderness.

Their strength and resilience were nothing compared to Ju Seolpung’s.

“Keuck!”

In the end, Ju Seolpung allowed a sword to strike his hand.

Ju Seolpung lost his grip on his sword and fell to his knees.

With the sword pointed at his throat, one of the blood-cloaked people spoke,

“We were told that you were someone to be wary of, but seems like we were on edge for nothing.”

“Who are you? If you kill me, there will be no end to the consequences.”

“You don’t have to worry about that. Noh Tae-tae and your father won’t live to see the light of day tomorrow morning.”

“What?”

“That’s why you should have acted in moderation. Why did you have to provoke the Blood Ant Gang and create this situation?”

“Argh!”

“Goodbye.”

Without mercy, the blood-cloaked person swung their sword.

Ju Seolpung squeezed his eyes shut, waiting for death. However, no matter how long he waited, he didn’t feel any pain.

Eventually, Ju Seolpung couldn’t wait any longer and cautiously opened his eyes. At that moment, he witnessed a breathtaking sight.

The blood-cloaked man who was about to strike him with a sword had a small dagger embedded in his forehead.

The blood-cloaked man had his eyes open and wide, as if unable to believe his own death, before collapsing.

“Yang-won?”

“Who-?!”

The remaining blood-cloaked people were stunned by their comrade’s death.

They hadn’t even realized when the dagger had been thrown.

Ju Seolpung’eyes suddenly widened.

Behind the blood-cloaked people on guard, a dark figure silently descended.

The pure white face that stood out even in the darkness was someone he knew well.

‘Pyo-wol!’

Even though Pyo-wol was right behind them, the blood-cloaked people were completely unaware of his presence. They did not manage to sense him despite being on guard.

Ju Seolpung finally realized why Pyo-wol was called the Reaper.

The sight of Pyo-wol at that moment was terrifying, enough to make someone wet their pants.

Just then, one of the blood-cloaked people looked at Ju Seolpung’s face and eyes.

‘Could it be–?’

He followed Ju Seolpung’s gaze and turned his head. In his field of vision, a dazzling white face came to view.

‘Oh!’

He was genuinely so surprised that his heart seemed to jump out of his mouth.

At that moment, Pyo-wol extended his finger.

From the tip of his finger, a Soul-Reaping Thread shot out.

Stab!

The Soul-Reaping Thread pierced the forehead of the blood-cloaked person.

The blood-cloaked person convulsed violently before collapsing.

He died without even being able to scream.

Only then did the remaining blood-cloaked person become aware of Pyo-wol’s presence.

“You–!”

He unleashed his best sword technique toward Pyo-wol. However, before he could fully unfold his sword technique, Pyo-wol firmly grabbed his wrist.

Crack!

“Argh!”

Due to the recoil from his sword technique being blocked midway, the blood-cloaked person’s internal organs were shaken.

Seizing the opportunity, Pyo-wol struck the blood-cloaked person’s chest with a palm strike.

Thud!

The blood-cloaked person’s sternum sank in deeply, causing him to collapse. However, unlike the others, he didn’t die in an instant.

It was because Pyo-wol had adjusted his strength to a certain extent.

The blood-cloaked person struggled to lift his head and look at Pyo-wol.

“Argh! You… You–!”

“Why did you wipe out the Hao clan branch?”

“Tch! Who would answer that?”

Phoof!

With a sound of combustion, the blood-cloaked man fell to the ground, bleeding.

He had chosen to take his own life by rupturing his own heart.

Pyo-wol silently gazed at the lifeless body of the blood-cloaked person.

The way the blood-cloaked person had taken his own life without a moment’s hesitation in a cornered situation reminded Pyo-wol of a certain group.

‘Kowloon Assassin Guild.’

They were the same.

To protect their secrets, they were willing to sacrifice their lives like blades of grass.

As far as Pyo-wol knew, they were the only group with this kind of blind loyalty.

It was then.

“Master Pyo! My great-grandmother is in danger!”

Ju Seolpung said with all his might.

Pyo-wol nodded quickly, then launched himself towards Xielao Manor.

“Keugh!”

Ju Seolpung used his sword as a cane to pull himself up.

Although Pyo-wol had gone to Noh Tae-tae, there was no one for Ju Seolpung’s father.

It was then.

“Young Master!”

“No way!”

The Shadow Strike Squad, who had been outside, rushed in.

They hurriedly tried to support Ju Seolpung. However, Ju Seolpung waved his hand and said,

“I’m fine. Go to my father instead. You mustn’t be late.”

“Oh no!”

The Shadow Strike Squad left Ju Seolpung and hurriedly went to the main building of the Imperial Yuan Merchant Group.

Watching them move away, Ju Seolpung clenched his teeth.

‘Please don’t be late…’

* * *

Noh Tae-tae raised her head and looked at the night sky.

In the distance, a faint moon was barely visible, whether this was because of her failing eyesight or the fact that her remaining days were numbered, she couldn’t tell.

Noh Tae-tae thought it didn’t matter. She believed she had already lived a long life, and she had a feeling that she finished all the work she needed to do in this world.

“In this era, it’s the young people who lead the way, while the elderly who have completed their duty disappear into the background. That is the natural order of the world.”

A serene smile graced Noh Tae-tae’s lips, reminiscent of her youth.

“Keuck!”

“Geuh!”

Suddenly, screams erupted one after another in the vicinity.

Noh Tae-tae’s complexion changed drastically.

Since Pyo-wol’s visit, Noh Tae-tae’s son had thought that the defense of Xielao Manor was inadequate and had bolstered their forces.

The current defense of Xielao Manor was almost three times larger than when Pyo-wol invaded. Moreover, the quality of the experts guarding it was significantly higher.

Yet, to hear such screams meant that a formidable expert had infiltrated Xielao Manor.

“There’s no way he could have come back…”

Noh Tae-tae immediately dismissed her thoughts.

If Pyo-wol had returned, she wouldn’t hear such screams. He never left any traces or made any sounds.

Therefore, the one who had infiltrated Xielao Manor now was someone other than Pyo-wol.

“It seems this old woman has committed many sins. To experience so many things near the end of my life…”

Noh Tae-tae looked deeply ahead with sunken eyes.

In her line of sight, she saw three individuals wearing blood-colored cloaks and red hats approaching her. Drops of blood fell from the tips of their swords pointed toward the ground.

The intensity in Noh Tae-tae’s gaze sank even deeper.

Noh Tae-tae’s eyes sunk even deeper.

“You’ve foolishly killed a lot of lives going after such an old woman. Why didn’t you just come straight to me, sparing the others behind? I would have willingly given my life.”

“Ending it like that wouldn’t serve as a warning.”

The leader of the blood-cloaked individuals, Cheol Dae-jin’s voice was cold.

Noh Tae-tae shivered at the sound of his voice, which lacked any trace of human emotion.

Just by hearing his voice, she could tell how merciless and cruel he was.

‘I wonder how many people have died by the blade he holds in his hands. And now, this old woman’s blood will be added to that count.’

As the man drew closer and closer, the strong scent of blood became even more apparent.

Noh Tae-tae’s body shuddered uncontrollably.

Even in death, she didn’t want to die with a pitiful appearance.

She wanted to die with dignity, just as she had lived boldly until now. So, she lifted her head high, and straightened her posture.

Although her body shivered in response to the enemy’s presence, she made an effort to maintain composure.

Cheol Dae-jin couldn’t help but admire Noh Tae-tae’s demeanor.

‘I heard she was a rare woman. I guess she didn’t raise the Imperial Yuan Merchant Group with no skills.’

Cheol Dae-jin had killed many people in his life, but he had never met anyone who faced death in such a dignified manner as the old woman in front of him.

Unconsciously, he muttered to himself.

“I’ll ensure to kill you with as little pain as possible.”

“Thank you.”

In response to Noh Tae-tae’s gratitude, Cheol Dae-jin smirked and swung his sword.

As the sound of the blade cutting through the air resounded, Noh Tae-tae closed her eyes.

‘Is this the end?’

It was then.

Clang!

Suddenly, a loud metallic sound reverberated right in front of her.

Noh Tae-tae opened her eyes in surprise to see Cheol Dae-jin’s sword being deflected in the opposite direction. A dagger could be seen at the ground near Cheol Dae-jin’s feet.

It was evident that someone had thrown the dagger, striking Cheol Dae-jin’s sword and knocking it away.

“Who?!”

Cheol Dae-jin shouted loudly, on guard.

Sshh! Sseet!

In that moment, another dagger flew from somewhere.

One of Cheol Dae-jin’s subordinates managed to barely evade it, but the other was not as fortunate.

“Keuk!”

The dagger penetrated deep into his neck.

The man staggered for a moment, then fell backward.

Thud!

Cheol Dae-jin’s gaze turned grim.

His hand gripping the sword was still trembling. The power contained in the thrown dagger was immense.

There were only a few individuals in the world who could wield such power with a mere dagger. And now, before him, stood such an individual.

A man who blocked Noh Tae-tae’s path without a sound or a trace.

His pure white face contrasted with the darkness.

Cheol Dae-jin became overwhelmed for a moment, as if the man in front of him was not of this world.

On the other hand, a look of determination appeared on Noh Tae-tae’s face.

The saying that one becomes indifferent to life when old was all a lie.

She still wanted to live.

Even if it was only for one more day.