Chapter 714: Beyond the Heavens Kingdom’s Shadows
After ending the training with the assassins, Luo had walked back to the home that was prepared for him. The streets that he passed by were very lively and festive. All of the people were enjoying the delicious food that was given to them.
‘…This makes me want to keep looking forward to what you can do.’
Luo was fully aware that Minhyuk was only the king of a small nation, and was infinitely weaker than Nerva. He also knew that it was very foolish for him to stand up against Nerva right now. However, Luo also saw that Minhyuk and Nerva were completely different people.
When Luo finally reached his home, his eyes could not help but grow wide at the sight in front of him. Even his remaining arm was shaking. As an assassin, Luo could manage his expression and the changes in his emotions better than anybody else. But he failed in doing so right at this very moment. Because Legion Commander Park was standing with the two people that he wanted to see so much. They were none other than his wife and son.
“His Majesty had ordered Sir Abel to fetch them from the empire. He had quite a hard time bringing them over.”
“…”
Luo stared at the two people in front of him. After he had become one of the Swords of the Gods, Luo no longer aged. But his wife had grown old and turned into an old lady. Even his son had already become a dashing man in his mid-thirties.
Luo’s wife slowly approached him and stroked his cheek. “Can you put down the burden that you have been carrying on your shoulder now?”
“…”
Luo had always been carrying such a huge burden, the guilt of allowing the massacre of the knights that fought alongside him in the past. He also carried the burden of helping Nerva become the Battle God’s Sword. However, Luo was forced to carry that burden because the life of his wife and son were being threatened.
“From this point on, there will be no watchmen and observers attached to you,” Park said.
His wife went to his side and held his only hand. Even his dashing son reached out to him and hugged him while calling him ‘Father’. Luo just stood there and let his son hug him tightly while he held his wife’s warm hand.
When they entered the house, an enticing and mouth-watering aroma wafted through their noses. Park immediately led Luo to the kitchen where he found a round grilling pan filled with spicy stir-fried chicken.
“It’s His Majesty’s orders.”
“…”
“Every citizen should be able to eat the delicious meal that he made.”
“…”
After Park left, Luo and his family started eating.
“Oh my… This is the wonderful meal that I have tasted in my life.”
“It’s spicy enough that you can feel the sting in your mouth but it’s a very pleasant kind of spicy. Try dipping it in cheese, father.”
Luo scooped a lot of cheese with his spicy stir-fried chicken before placing everything in his mouth.
“No, father. You took too much cheese. Leave some for me too…”
“Hahahahaha!”
Laughter resounded in their home. Somehow, life here was more comfortable than his life in the Luvien Empire. After he finished eating, Luo came out of the house to savor the fresh air around him. He actually knew the reason why he felt more comfortable here in the Beyond the Heavens Kingdom, even though it was a much weaker nation than the Luvien Empire.
‘Is this your charm and power?’
For some reason, Luo could see why the Beyond the Heavens Kingdom was a nation that was filled with laughter unlike the Luvien Empire.
“…”
Luo held his breath. He detected some unidentified people heading towards the Beyond the Heavens’ castle. Luo looked at their general direction before secretly following behind them.
***
The Divine Assassin Corps was the best assassination group raised by Luo. Their missions were mostly eliminating the members of the royal family, the imperial family, or strong individuals of their enemy nations. Once they made a move, their targets, whether they were royals or imperials, would die without a trace. The one that taught them all of this was Luo.
Luo said to the fourteen members of the Divine Assassin Corps that came here, “I am Beyond the Heavens’ dog.”
“…!”
“…!”
“…!”
“…!”
Whatever happened in front of them, the assassins could maintain a straight face and unmoving heart. After all, once their emotions change, their heart would beat irregularly and their breathing would change. All of this would create a sound.
Assassins had to hide even the smallest of breaths so their emotions should never change. But at this moment, they could not restrain their emotions.
“Are you perhaps under the influence of dark magic?”
“Commander Luo, did you get brainwashed…?”
However, all of them knew that Luo was not brainwashed. They could easily tell through the other’s eyes and expression if they were brainwashed. That was something that they had learned from their expression. Luo’s eyes were clear.
Luo said coldly, “Do not be swayed by anything. Did you forget that?”
“…”
“…”
“…”
It was true. He was still the Commander Luo that they knew of. They had received reports that Luo had died during the war with the Masserati Kingdom.
Gulp—
“Commander, why…”
Luo’s gaze underneath his mask was cold and piercing, the sleeve covering his left arm fluttered with the wind as he stretched out his hand holding the dagger.
“Come.”
“…”
“…”
Now, they discovered that Luo was alive in the Beyond the Heavens Kingdom. They just could not understand the reason why. However, the lessons he taught them would never be forgotten.
‘We must complete our task no matter the circumstance.’
So, Levone and the members of the Divine Assassin Corps prepared to attack.
‘He only has one arm.’
Luo was originally someone that used two daggers.
Swoosh, swoosh, swoosh, swoosh—
Immediately after that, the assassins, whether they were males or females, appeared in the air and shot towards Luo.
Clang, clang, clang, clang, clang, clang—
Luo easily deflected the assassins with skillful movements. His movements were neat and precise. Some of the members charged at him while using the 1st Chapter of the ‘Assassin’s Dance’, a skill that Luo taught them.
‘Chapter 1. Quick Death.’
Shwaaaaaaaaaaaa—
In just an instant, three assassins narrowed the distance between them and Luo, their daggers aiming for his neck, the pit of the stomach, and other vital parts.
However, the real owner of the Assassin’s Dance was Luo. He quickly used the 2nd Chapter of the Assassin’s Dance.
‘Chapter 2. Rampant Slaughter.’
Rampant Slaughter could create thirteen clones of his hands that could both attack and defend. It was the perfect skill to defend the incoming strikes. Each of these thirteen hands could complete a strike in just 0.5 seconds.
Slash, slash, slash—!
Some of the hands blocked the daggers that were aiming for Luo’s vital points, while the rest of the hands countered and tore their bodies apart.
“Keuaaaaaaaack!”
Luo thrust his dagger into the throat of the assassin that tried to stab him in the pit of his stomach, causing blood to gurgle out of his mouth as he slowly collapsed on the ground.
“Keheok—“
Shwaaaaaaaa—
Luo looked at the members of the assassin corps sadly, his hands pulling out the dagger that he stabbed through their necks without any hesitation. Of course, Luo did not stop there. He immediately cut through the neck of the assassin that had been aiming for his neck, before piercing through the throat of the one that aimed for his back.
Thud, thud, thud—
“…!”
Although he only had one arm left, he was still the commander of the Divine Assassin Corps and was one of the Swords of the Gods. It was a display of his overwhelming power.
Someone gulped loudly amidst the deafening silence that suddenly fell upon them.
Creaaaaaaaak—
“What is happening…”
Luo frowned when he saw Haze opening her door and coming out. Haze’s eyes grew wide when she realized the situation in front of her.
Levone smiled slightly. “I have not forgotten the commander’s teachings. Make sure to assassinate all of the enemies and the targets using any and all means.”
“…”
Luo knew the meaning of those words all too well. Even if they died, their target would be assassinated. Those that were on the side of defense and protecting someone were subjected to plenty of restrictions and limitations.
Several daggers flashed towards Haze.
“Kyaaaaaaaack!” Haze screamed when she saw the daggers of the masked assassins appear in front of her.
Claaaaang—
At that moment, Luo moved his dagger skillfully and blocked several of their weapons away before pushing Haze away forcefully. Haze, who was forced to step back, looked at Luo with a stunned expression. She had been the one that strongly opposed the addition of Luo to the Beyond the Heavens Kingdom.
‘Your Majesty, he’s very dangerous because he’s only bound by the subservient relationship between you two. Also, the clause where he would die if he defied and betrayed you is not that big of a threat for an assassin. What would you do if he took the life of someone from the Kingdom by risking his own life?’
Haze kept on urging Minhyuk, saying how dangerous such a person who was not truly loyal to him, could be.
‘You’ll know it when you see it.’?This was Minhyuk’s only answer to her words.
Haze did not have any trust in Luo and had judged him to be a very dangerous person.
Ping—
“…”
Despite that, Luo actually threw himself in front of Haze to stop the daggers that were coming for her. The injuries that appeared on his body increased by the second.
‘…Amazing.’
Haze was in awe. Luo was protecting her alone against more than ten assassins, who must have inherited some of the power of the gods. However, it would become dangerous if things continued at this rate.
While that thought flashed in Haze’s head, Luo used the final chapter of the Assassin’s Dance. None of the assassins that he taught had learned this yet. It was not that Luo did not teach them, but because it was a skill that none of them could even imitate. It enabled the user to swing a dagger thirty times per second while the skill user’s movement speed would increase by five times for five seconds.
Ping, ping, ping, ping, ping, ping—
Blood spurted all over all around Luo and Haze. He moved like a leopard, charging swiftly to bite the neck of his enemies!
Thud—
Thud—
Thud—
Thud—
The enemies that stood tall in front of them started to fall one after the other.
“…Ah.”
At this moment, Haze realized that Luo would become a great asset if they won his loyalty. When it came to protecting someone, no one from the Beyond the Heavens Kingdom would be able to even touch his feet. The moment the thought flashed in her head, the Divine Assassin Corps’ deputy leader, Levone, stretched his hand out and thrusted his dagger towards Haze.
Piiiiiiiiiiiing—
However, the dagger did not reach Haze, instead, it stabbed Luo’s flanks.
Staaaaab—!
However, not a single sound came out of Luo’s mouth.
“…”
“…Commander.”
Levone looked at Luo bitterly.
Luo seemed to be more cold-hearted than anybody else. However, out of all the Swords of the Gods that Levone had seen, Luo was the most humanitarian.
“You should have remembered all of the teachings I taught you.”
Stab—
Luo’s dagger pierced through Levone’s neck. Deputy Leader Levone’s eyes were still filled with respect for him as he breathed his last.
This was one of Luo’s teachings, ‘An assassin is someone that will either kill or protect someone. The moment you decide which path you will take, you have to be prepared to throw everything away for that goal.’?Indeed, Luo had thrown everything away at that moment.
Luo stood tall as he watched Levone fall to the ground. Not showing what was deep inside them was an assassin's pride. Right now, Luo’s insides were literally burning. He felt pain yet he still stood tall.
Haze, who watched everything, behind Luo was very shocked. ‘How is he still standing?’
Urk—
Blood constantly poured out of Luo’s abdomen and stained his black clothes. Looking at him right now, one would not even find it strange if he died at any moment. However, Luo still stood firm.
Then, he looked back at Haze and said, “Call the knights.”
After saying those words, Luo slowly left the place.
“Y, you… you need to get treated right away! Stop right there!”
However, Luo did not stop. Then, he saw a man walking hurriedly from the other end of the hallway. It was none other than Minhyuk.
Just one glance and Minhyuk could tell what had happened. However, despite the hellish scene in front of them, there was not a single scratch on Haze’s body.
“…”
Minhyuk bowed slightly at Luo. He did not know what to say to the man so he opted to shut his mouth.
Then, Luo said to him, perhaps to assure him, “I’m nothing but Beyond the Heavens’ dog.”
Luo was someone that had come from the Luvien Empire. He had killed a lot of innocent people while he stayed by Nerva’s side. The lives that he had reaped were far too numerous to count. Among those that he killed, there were many that were far more sincere or far better than others.
‘Right now, I’m just Beyond the Heavens’ dog. Nothing more, nothing less.’
There was nothing more that he wanted. He then moved to walk past Minhyuk.
“Luo.”
Luo turned his head slowly and saw the bitter look on Minhyuk’s face.
“You’re not Beyond the Heavens’ dog.”
“…”
“Let me ask you this.”
“…”
Minhyuk looked at him, and put on a bright smile before asking, “Would you like to become Beyond the Heavens Kingdom’s Shadow?”
A shadow was the strongest guard that would stick to their liege and protect them. Luo’s pupils shook, this was the first time that this had happened.
Thud—
Despite bleeding all over his body, Luo knelt down on both knees. He then looked up at Minhyuk and said, “I am willing to become your shadow.”
[Luo has sworn his eternal loyalty to you!]
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