The Saint’s Mask and the Secret Transmission

This time, the place they visited was a horse market.

Without a moment’s hesitation, Baek Geon-ha purchased three fine steeds.

There were three people and three horses. Logically, one would assume it was one horse per person, but Seol Ah-heon immediately dismissed the thought.

‘No way… He probably plans to alternate between two horses himself.’

However, Baek Geon-ha handed the reins to Seol Ah-heon. Seol Ah-heon accepted them, feeling incredibly overwhelmed with gratitude.

“Thank you…….”

His feelings were complicated. This time, he couldn’t just brush it off as a simple “windfall.” Clothes were expensive, but a horse was on another level. A horse was a precious asset—not just a means of transportation, but a source of livelihood and a member of the family.

And Baek Geon-ha had lent such a creature to him.

‘……Why is he being so generous?’

It wasn’t that he lacked a guess. Baek Geon-ha likely had no choice if he wanted Seol Ah-heon to keep up with their pace. Yet, that part was equally puzzling. Baek Geon-ha had said he would use him as a “guide,” but Seol Ah-heon was doing nothing but chasing Baek Geon-ha’s back. He wasn’t being helpful in any other way, either.

He was glad he wasn’t killed for being useless, but this was unsettling in its own right. There had to be some sinister ulterior motive. Seol Ah-heon warned himself:

‘I must not let my guard down for even a second.’

And so, the precarious journey continued.

**************************************

Up until now, the places they had passed were sparsely populated, and even the towns were small in scale.

But at some point, that changed. Numerous people bustled about on well-paved roads. The congestion was comparable to a modern metropolis.

Perhaps conscious of this, Baek Geon-ha changed his face as soon as they entered a mountain pass.

‘Whoa…….’

With just a single sweep of his hand across his cheek, his features transformed. His jawline softened, the bridge of his nose lowered slightly, and his lips grew thinner.

Yeok-yong-sul (Disguise Technique)—a skill that alters one’s very appearance by manipulating the musculoskeletal structure.

That wasn’t all. Baek Geon-ha used Chuk-gol-gong (Bone-Shrinking Art) to alter his physique as well. Watching the process of the man shrinking by about a handspan and his frame narrowing as if losing muscle, Seol Ah-heon felt pure admiration. How could that flamboyant, arrogant man transform into such a sensitive, timid-looking person? Dressed in modest robes, he looked like a diligent Confucian scholar. He was, quite literally, a changed man.

Meanwhile, Mu Il-young chose a human-skin mask. A mask made from actual human skin—though Seol Ah-heon hoped it was a figure of speech—which hid his original face. Thanks to it, Mu Il-young transformed into a generic, unremarkable man you could see anywhere.

“If you were going to use a skin, you could have at least chosen a decent-looking one. That’s just cruel.”

The truly “cruel” one was Baek Geon-ha, who never missed a chance for a personal insult. Seol Ah-heon wasn’t sure if calling a mask ugly counted as a personal attack, though.

“This subordinate does not care, as long as it has eyes, a nose, and a mouth.”

“Not all eyes, noses, and mouths are created equal.”

Shaking his head in disapproval, Baek Geon-ha mounted his horse. Terrified of being left behind, Seol Ah-heon also struggled to climb onto his horse’s back.

Prrrffft!

The horse snorted. It seemed displeased with Seol Ah-heon’s clumsy movements. After all, if the master acted so unsteadily, the animal couldn’t possibly be at ease. Seol Ah-heon gently stroked the horse’s neck as if to flatter it.

“Good boy, right? I’ll get better soon. Help me out until then.”

Whether it understood or not, the horse began to move forward. Seol Ah-heon tried to relax, but his fingers, gripped tightly around the reins, wouldn’t budge. It seemed it would take quite some time before he became proficient at riding.

*******************************

Three horses traveled along a lush, green mountain path.

Since it wasn’t a flat plain, their speed was slow, but this was better for Seol Ah-heon, given his lack of skill.

Actually, the fastest and most convenient method would be light-foot skills. If they had sprinted at full power, they would have reached Sichuan long ago. Seol Ah-heon thought he understood why Baek Geon-ha was riding a horse nonetheless.

‘He’s trying to stay undercover.’

Though nothing had happened so far, he seemed to be taking precautions against any unnecessary trouble. Changing his face was likely part of that.

‘It might also be to save internal energy.’

Whatever the reason, it was physically easier since he didn’t have to run to his limit.

Seol Ah-heon crossed the mountain on horseback. How much time had passed? As he started to feel hungry, Baek Geon-ha stopped his horse.

“We should rest for a moment.”

He wondered why the man was suddenly concerned with resting, but the answer became clear immediately. The “subjects” Baek Geon-ha intended to rest were the horses, not the people.

Dismounting, Baek Geon-ha gave his horse a light pat on the rump. The animal headed toward a small stream on its own to drink.

Indeed, the horses did the work; why would the humans need rest? Seol Ah-heon also dismounted.

“You’re thirsty, right? Go ahead.”

Seol Ah-heon’s horse also walked toward the stream. Its long tail swayed back and forth with every step. It was a different kind of cuteness than a dog’s, bringing a warm smile to his face.

‘I should rest a bit too.’

He wasn’t exhausted, but he couldn’t miss this precious break. Seol Ah-heon leaned against a tree and ate a Byeok-gok-dan (Wall-Breaking Pill).

A breeze carrying the scent of grass blew past. It was cool and refreshing. Just as he was enjoying this rare moment of peace…

Several monks appeared from the opposite side of the road. Seol Ah-heon reflexively straightened his back.

‘Nothing will happen, but still…’

He was an “evil-doer” of the Unorthodox Faction, and his companions were from the Demonic Cult. He couldn’t help but be on edge.

The monks passed Baek Geon-ha with slow, steady steps. It seemed like they would simply pass by, but then the lead monk turned back toward Baek Geon-ha.

Did he realize he was a villain?

Afraid his own identity would be exposed as well, Seol Ah-heon’s palms began to sweat.

But then, something unbelievable happened.

“Namu Amitabha.”

The one who first chanted the prayer in a calm voice wasn’t the monk, but Baek Geon-ha.

“Namu Amitabha. Ho ho, where are you headed, benefactor?”

“I am going to Mount Emei to offer prayers.”

Baek Geon-ha replied, his lips curving upward. Surprisingly, unlike his usual sneer, that smile looked pure. Even if he had changed his face, the person behind the expression was still Baek Geon-ha—it was a hard-to-believe transformation.

‘Whoa…… That is a “disguise” in the truest sense of the word!’

That wasn’t the end of it. Baek Geon-ha even engaged in small talk with the monk. He looked exactly like a humble, devout young man. Seol Ah-heon was stunned once again.

A psychopath who committed insane acts without hesitation—that was the Baek Geon-ha he had known.

But seeing him today, perhaps he wasn’t quite that bad. When he set his mind to it, he seemed quite sensible.

‘The problem is that he usually doesn’t set his mind to it…….’

After the conversation, Baek Geon-ha bowed with his palms together.

“I hope you descend the mountain safely.”

“Amitabha. I hope you also have a safe journey on your long path, benefactor.”

The monks bowed in return and continued on their way.

“What is it?”

After the monks had completely vanished, Baek Geon-ha turned to Seol Ah-heon. His expression was as arrogant as ever. For a split second, his original face seemed to peek through.

“A-ah, no. I just…….”

“If you have something to say, say it clearly.”

You’re a suspiciously good actor. ……If he said that honestly, the pill he just ate might be his last meal.

“Are you really going to Mount Emei?”

It wasn’t a manufactured question; he was truly curious. Seol Ah-heon still didn’t know the goal of this journey. He knew they were heading to Sichuan, but he didn’t know exactly where in Sichuan. He only guessed they were looking for ingredients for the Soul-Snow Divine Pill.

“Yes.”

Surprisingly, an answer came back. He had been too afraid to ask until now, but if he’d known it was this easy, he would have asked sooner.

“What business do you have at Mount Emei?”

“Didn’t I say? I’m going to offer prayers.”

“P-prayers?”

Wait, was that lie actually the truth?

Seol Ah-heon, who had assumed it was all part of the act, widened his eyes. Baek Geon-ha went even further.

“As you know, aren’t there many famous temples on Mount Emei? I should take this opportunity to make an offering.”

A temple, and an offering. It was a combination that didn’t suit Baek Geon-ha in the slightest.

‘The guy is literally a cult leader!’

There was a reason they called it the Demonic Cult (Ma-gyo). Their roots lay in the White Lotus Sect, originally a heterodox religious society. Though they now called themselves the Sun Moon Divine Cult and their religious color had faded, their essence remained. They worshipped power and treated their leader like a god.

Since they didn’t hesitate to kidnap, brainwash, or murder, they were a cult by any world’s standards.

‘Why is a cultist going to a temple? Is he planning to start a holy war or something?’

Just as he was staring at Baek Geon-ha with suspicious eyes…

[I am going to find the Mad-Blood Demonic Sword.]

A voice echoed in his head. It was the first time he had experienced this phenomenon, but Seol Ah-heon wasn’t surprised.

‘It’s a secret transmission!’

Jeon-eum-ip-mil—or “Transmission”—is a technique for sending one’s voice secretly. It was only possible for those with high martial arts, so not everyone could use it, but since protagonists in martial arts novels are always strong, they send transmissions as often as KakaoTalk.

To think he would experience it firsthand. Seol Ah-heon was so excited he even forgot for a moment that the one who sent the transmission was Baek Geon-ha.