Characters[]
Synopsis[]
Novel[]
In a cave deep in the forest, the flickering light of a campfire illuminated the space, casting shadows on the rocky walls. Jo Seong-won, who had been wearing a mask for more than ten days, finally removed it, revealing a face marked by acne. In contrast, Sima Ying displayed flawless skin, a reflection of the skill of the craftsman who crafted his human face mask. The discovery that Sima Zhao, one of the Four Great Evils, was the creator of these masks was surprising, as few would have imagined that someone of his lineage would master such a craft.
As they discussed the masks, a hidden item caught their attention: a small jade tablet with a crane pattern carved into it. The object, given to him by Gaju Soikheon, seemed to have a mysterious connection to his past. With no concrete answers, he sought the opinion of Namcheon Cheolgeom, but not even this experienced warrior recognized the symbol.
His curiosity grew. The jade tablet could be linked to Jo Seong-won’s mother or perhaps his biological father. His past was a mystery, as was the origin of this artifact. As he pondered, Sima Ying’s presence crept up on him, surprising him. The closeness between the two created unexpected tension, with their faces almost touching. However, the interaction was interrupted by the rude Jo Seong-won, who coughed, breaking the mood, causing Sima Ying to move away and provoke him.
After the conversation, the group set off towards Shimen County, a region between the provinces of Hunan and Hubei. Their goal was to meet up with the brothers Song Zuobaek and Song Woohyun to continue on to Wuhan, where a martial arts competition would be held. Since they had completed their mission earlier than expected, they decided to stop in Mangok-ri, a place full of dark and evil factions. There, notorious groups such as the Jangjiangsu 18chae and the Black Dragon Society exerted influence, making the environment dangerous.
Upon arriving, they noticed the presence of several wounded and menacing-looking warriors. They decided to head to Heukhyeonjeong, one of the three main bases of Haomen, an intelligence organization. As they walked through the dark streets, Seong-won felt the pressure of being surrounded by potential enemies. Even so, they continued to the entrance of the establishment.
Inside Heukhyeonjeong, all eyes turned to them. Their appearance set them apart from the rest of the clientele, mostly composed of members of the black factions. A visibly surprised waitress led them to a table in the middle of the room. It was a deliberate choice to test them, putting them in the spotlight. Sima Ying, shrewd, realized the malicious intent behind it, but maintained her composure.
Shortly after, a woman dressed in red, possibly a second-rate martial arts expert, approached to take his order. Seong-won took the opportunity to request access to the second floor, a place reserved for confidential negotiations. He knew that to go up, he would have to be alone. Leaving his companions on the first floor, he headed for his real objective.
On the second floor, he found an old man with an experienced appearance, calmly drinking. This man, one of the people responsible for the organization’s information flow, greeted him with a traditional riddle to start the conversation. After answering correctly, Seong-won revealed his first request: information about Asong, his former servant. The old man’s reaction indicated that he knew something, but he refused to divulge client details. However, his mere hesitation confirmed that Asong had been sought by someone else.
The conversation took a more interesting turn when the old man recognized Seong-won’s identity. News of his disappearance and alleged connection to the Blood Cult had already circulated. However, before he could proceed with his second request, something unexpected happened: the old man tried to grab him with his gold chain.
The blow was swift and precise, but Seong-won was prepared. He dodged it nimbly, sensing that the mood had changed drastically. This was no simple business meeting. Someone had given orders to capture or test him. What happened next would define his fate and the course of his journey in search of the truth about his origins and his mysterious past.
Manhwa[]
