Chapter 4

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Suwon made his decision to use a simple knife from a few key points.

He has often used a knife since he was small, carving wood, skinning animals or throwing them to compete with his uncle.

The sensation of a knife gives Suwon a sense of calm and control.

Since he was little he has always liked to move in the shadows.

Suwon practiced day in and day out by stealthily moving through the village, through people's houses in both daylight and nighttime.

He loved the feeling of watching his pray when he was out hunting, standing completely still on a branch, waiting for the chance to strike.

Lee Jaemin saw what he was doing in the beginning but a few years ago he no longer found him and that was proof alone that Suwon had reached a new level of stealth.

He could hide from a First Rate Martial Artist whilst being a normal person.

Lee Jaemin shook his head with a smile as he listened to his nephew's decision.

"I knew it was going to be something like that. So, I prepared a gift for you, see it as an early birthday gift."

Lee Jaemin sighed as he picked up a big box from the ground and placed it on the table.

'I really don't like to receive gifts, but it feels like there is something behind this.'

Lee Jaemin smiled at the strained look on Suwon's face and pushed the box over to him.

Suwon lifted his gaze and he saw his uncle nodding at him, so he proceeded to open it.

The first thing that met his eye was a set of completely black clothes.

He picked them up and looked at them.

"They are premium quality, so you can have them for a long time."

The next thing he saw was a slightly bigger than normal knife, decorated with black and silver.

"A very beautiful weapon." Suwon pointed out as he held it up in front of his face.

"Incredibly deadly as well." Lee Jaemin pointed out.

The last thing lying in the box, was something Suwon had not expected.

A Pristine white mask.

The mask looked like a realistic human face but devoid of emotions and completely white.

'It doesn't fit the theme here.' Suwon thought skeptically as he stared at the mask.

Lee Jaemin laughed as he saw his nephew's expression.

Everyone needs a new identity when you become a martial artist.

You no longer have a home here.

This town shall forget you just as fast as they welcomed you.

And you shall not look back.

Take it, and maybe you can earn a good nickname or something.

Lee Jaemin said as he gave a small smile.

'There is something seriously wrong!'

Suwon had started sensing that something was not right with this situation.

It all seemed off, why stress so much and why talk about leaving right away?

Lee Jaemin knew that Suwon thought something, but he refused to answer.

Before Suwon had time to question him Lee Jaemin put three books on the table.

"One of these I highly doubt you will need. The other two will always be important."

Suwon picked up the first one and it was a book about Internal Energy and the way to harness and build it.

The second book was a book about close courter combat techniques.

"That book has some of the most sought after combat techniques in all of Jianghu. After learning those you chose, burn it."

Lee Jaemin said as he motioned for the last book.

'Assassination and stealth' Suwon read out the title in his head before flipping it open.

"I will give you some time, read what you want of those, and I will be back in a while."

Suwon was completely stuck in the book, so he didn't even respond.

Assassination and stealth will always go hand in hand, but there are more ways for it to work.

Weather you assassinate someone by running at them with a huge sword or waiting for a moment to stab their heart.

If you perfect the ability of stealth, you have already become an unofficial assassin.

The most important thing to think about is your breathing. If you can control your breathing, then you can control your body.

With correct body control nobody will find anything wrong with you.

Assassination is an incredibly effective way of eliminating opponents.

Why face someone equally if you can kill them before they have even seen you?

Or if you must face them, poison their food the day before, or slash a muscle.

There are so many ways of assassination that everyone can do their own thing without someone being able to counter it.

That is for a normal assassin, but for a martial artist who becomes an assassin. Things are completely different.

Whoever has this book, I shall gift you two techniques.

Suwon flipped to the last page and read the techniques.

'Shadow style' A combination of three techniques used to effectively conceal yourself.

'Knife Technique' A technique used for cases where the assassination has failed, and you must resort to the more barbaric option.

While these techniques are opposites, if you learn to harmonize them it will vastly place you above your enemies.

He continued to read through the book and learn everything he could about hidden weapons, toxins and assassination techniques.