101st Round Paewang - Chapter 27: Education (3)
“Reduce the stride of your right foot by one chon.”
“……Fuck!”
Easier said than done—how the hell was he supposed to do that while getting pummeled? It was a desperate thrashing to suppress the pain even a little.
Would it work?
……It did.
Damn it all.
At the same time, Gu Cheon-su wasn't faring much better. The escorts assisting him from the sidelines were staring oddly.
“Young Master Su, what's wrong?”
“It's more comfortable this way.”
Every time Gu Cheon-su counted off a move, he sat down and stood back up. Staying still felt uncomfortable. And he wasn't even sitting fully—it made the onlookers even more uneasy.
Brother's training isn't over yet!
Gu Cheon-su realized he'd been blessed with talent in studies, martial arts, and merchant affairs alike. What was supposed to take one sijin was stretching into two.
Tak Jung-il threw all the blame on his son to minimize the damage to his merchant group.
“What the hell are you talking about? Say that again.”
“The warriors who were aggressively trying to distance themselves from us have died.”
“And?”
“They're suspicious of us.”
Muk Seong-gaek, Cheon-su Geom, and Ban Cheon-jang—the warriors who had strongly protested against Hwa Jeong Merchant Group—had all perished in their guest inns. The cause of death was unclear. Time had passed since their sudden deaths, making it hard to pinpoint the reason, and there were no traces of poison.
People could drop dead unexpectedly, so it might look like natural causes. But the timing was too coincidental. After the Red-White Twin Heroes were exposed as vile hypocrites, those men had pressured Hwa Jeong Merchant Group. Anyone could see it as the thief crying thief—but for Hwa Jeong, it was the worst possible scenario. Even if they hadn't lifted a finger, the suspicion was unavoidable.
On top of that, word spread that they'd abandoned the warriors who'd lost their dantians without a care.
“What the hell have you been doing until Jeokgeum Merchant Group made their move?”
“……My apologies! We failed to notice.”
Hwa Jeong Merchant Group's reputation plummeted day by day. Even if the false accusation against Jeokgeum was a mistake, neglecting their own people was a massive blow. Abandoning his son hadn't improved things—it had only made them worse. Tak Jung-il clutched his head.
Damn it, where did it all go wrong?
It started with his son's blunder, but their attempts at damage control showed no signs of success. At this rate, the merchant group was done for. He should've just offered Jeokgeum some compensation.
Is there no helping it?
The task he'd begged to handle had backfired spectacularly. And it wasn't ending there—the whole group was at risk of collapse. But asking for full assistance would mean admitting incompetence. He needed to keep some distance, too.
I'll repay this humiliation!
He blamed his son's incompetence, but the mess reflected poorly on him as well—like father, like son.
The rear division leader had come. He'd been gathering evidence of the Red-White Twin Heroes' crimes and leaking it to the world. With Gangbang's vast information network, it wasn't difficult—but whether it warranted the rear leader's personal involvement was questionable. Gangbang aimed for harmony with the heroes, so suspicions of some deal with Jeokgeum Merchant Group lingered. Creating a proper justification had taken time.
Fortunately, the twins' crimes were numerous, including some audacious ones. Claiming a long-standing investigation dispelled most doubts.
“I figured you'd head straight to Sahwang Castle. You've got more patience than I thought.”
“I desperately want to find my brother, but I'm not that reckless.”
Even so, the evidence from the previous round overflowed. Back then, being one step too late had gotten the hero division leader captured by Sahwang Castle, enduring torment. His current prudent decision was a welcome change.
Has he finally grown up?
It was a relief he hadn't made a foolish choice. With his current power, he couldn't rescue the rear leader even if he charged in. Powerless dominance was mere recklessness. Gu Cheon-woo had always wielded Mireok Paedo backed by perfected strength.
“But why come here?”
“Please help me.”
“Not possible right now.”
“I know. I'm asking you to help when I create an opportunity.”
“Unexpected.”
“How do you see me to say that?”
“Reckless.”
Jo Cheol-san's mouth soured at the blunt words, stripped of any flattery. He wanted to deny it but lacked the guts to lie. Strangely, in front of his brother, he couldn't even beat around the bush—he spilled the truth.
“Frankly, neither you nor I have a clear plan right now. Even if we go, we can't breach Sahwang Castle's outer walls.”
“Good that you know.”
“But things will be different later. Especially for you, brother.”
“You've gotten wiser.”
“They call me a humble beggar who never boasts, but my status is rear leader. Would Gangbang make a fool their successor?”
Jo Cheol-san hadn't rushed to find his brother because of the Blood Mist Corps. He didn't yet know how his brother had become its leader. If Sahwang Castle Lord's direct assassin corps leader turned out to be Gangbang's successor's brother, it would be a problem. That's why he couldn't use Gangbang's network to investigate Blood Mist Corps—rumors could spread within the division. Even with justification, he had to investigate alone. And even after, seeking help from the division or master would be tough. Other sects or clans knowing would complicate things. Sahwang Castle finding out would be disastrous.
“Even if you meet your brother, it won't solve anything. The moment you do, he'll kill you.”
“Can't I just reveal I'm his brother?”
“Even with soul domination and deep solitude?”
“Grit! Is that true?”
“So you can relax for now.”
Blood Mist Corps was Sahwang Castle's meticulously crafted ultimate assassination tool. They wouldn't discard it like consumable trash, so time wasn't an issue. The soul domination on Blood Mist Corps came from Sahwang Castle Lord's unique secret art, the Death Spirit Demon Eye. Even if rescued, only the caster could easily undo it, and it was linked to the Death Spirit Demon Child—attempts to break the brainwashing would kill the subject. The Death Spirit Demon Eye demanded immense mental energy, and raising the Death Spirit Demon Child took significant effort and funds. It would be a waste to treat Blood Mist Corps as mere disposables.
“If it's my brother, he's yours too. It hurts when you talk like it's none of your business.”
“I'll show you the way.”
“But I already trusted you, brother.”
“Skip the pointless apologies. Find the talent I name and build your own direct organization.”
Forming a private group without division approval violated rules. Even if formed, it required reporting. And expanding it needed funds. He was the rear leader, but still a beggar.
“Even gathering talent, facing Blood Mist Corps would take time I can't guarantee.”
“Time can be bought with treasures and elixirs.”
“Where do treasures and elixirs fall from the sky?”
“Head to the eastern edge of Yunryong Mountain, and you'll hit a cliff. Ignore the year-round mist and jump. After five jang, there's a rock ledge with a cave ahead.”
“And?”
“Paecheon's tomb.”
“……?”
What did he just say? Paecheon the Invincible Emperor—the strongest warrior 500 years ago. People still sought his manuals. Martial arts had advanced over five centuries, incomparable to the past. But Paecheon's Heaven-Shattering Divine Art could unleash a blood storm across the Central Plains. Why else call it divine? Its origins offered endless potential for growth.
“Brother, what makes you trust me with such an enormous secret?”
“You're trustworthy.”
Jo Cheol-san's chest tightened. Damn, it almost brought tears. He'd never received such absolute trust, even from his master. This wasn't some third-rate art—it was a legendary divine technique. Brother handed over elixirs without hesitation, his boldness awe-inspiring.
“Brother, I pledge my loyalty!”
“I accept.”
Gu Cheon-woo didn't feign humility. Who else could he trust if not the loyal retainer from the 100th round? Direct involvement risked Mu-myeong's interference, so he pushed a reliable proxy. Of course, he wouldn't blindly obey Mu-myeong. The Paewang followed unyielding dominance. Judgment was merely suspended—if Mu-myeong proved evil, he'd strike without hesitation. Mireok Paedo knew no mercy.
Gu Cheon-woo didn't hide the art's origins.
“Paecheon's arts are my foundation. But they're relics of the past, undeveloped. Using the foundation is fine, but unnecessary. Just master Gangbang's ultimate arts as they are.”
“Your own rice cake is bigger than others', huh!”
“You catch on quick.”
Paecheon's arts deserved the title divine. But superior to Gangbang's pinnacle? No. Superiority wasn't about the art itself, but completion degree.
“I see. I got greedy for a moment. If I keep at it like now, I'll break through the wall too…… Huh?”
Like now? Getting beaten like a dog by brother. It didn't end with losing consciousness—nightmares followed even in dreams.
“How long do I have to do this?”
“I can shorten it if you want.”
“……No, never mind.”
His mind flashed a stark warning: it'd shatter body and soul. His progress was already terrifying. He'd shattered the blocking wall and eyed the next realm.
That's why I don't get it!
Jo Cheol-san hadn't blindly called the young master brother. After returning to the division, he'd investigated his entire history.
-Shut-in young master. Eighteen years old was shocking enough, but zero twists in life. Not long, but even trivial events should've existed. The pristine record was emptier than a newborn's. If true, he'd done nothing but eat, shit, and sleep. Beast or human? Yet brother's prowess surpassed his own.
“Brother, just one question.”
“Ask.”
“You hid your martial arts, fine. But where'd you get this series of events and intel?”
“None of your concern.”
He never spoke of round regressions or Mu-myeong. Unpredictable variables, and beyond what Bong-pal could handle. Only if he awakened as Mireok Paedo's executor later. For now, familial harmony satisfied him. Not just his own—his subordinates who'd followed to the death mattered too.
Jo Cheol-san asked no more. The debt was immense. He'd give his life gladly.
Gu Cheon-woo demanded in proportion—and more.
“Investigate Hwa Jeong Merchant Group and its backers.”
“Backers?”
“If none, so be it.”
Whether Hwa Jeong had backers or not was irrelevant. Pawns were still trash. They should thank this not being the previous round.
“You seem human at times, but which face is real?”
“I'll list how to scout talent. Follow it as closely as possible.”
A perfected networking strategy from the 100th round. Bong-pal and the Five Shadows proved it. He'd analyzed their every move, sealing escape routes.
Perfect bait.
Wait, me? Jo Cheol-san felt tricked.
***
The deputy manager secretly sought the outer manager at night. He had words about the young master's education. They poured heart into teaching, but better to confess faults early than face harsh accountability later.
“How serious is it to go that far?”
“Too rigid. No flexibility even if you scour for it. You know.”
“True.”
Of course, caught outright meant severe punishment. The issue was minor allowances. They tacitly permitted some. Catching everything risked burning the house down.
“So what now?”
“Flexibility can't be taught. Involve him in trades? People have come hearing rumors about the young master.”
“As the merchant group's face?”
“Easier for us to manage, no?”
“Us?”
“Not between us!”
“Hey! I just granted your request. Fulfill your deputy duties.”
Yeah, figures. Just as expected.