Chapter 195: A Black Path Scoundrel Repenting? How Tacky.
Chapter 195: A Black Path Scoundrel Repenting? How Tacky.
Gu Ya-su, the head of the Beast Faction, watched with a predatory gaze as his subordinates counted the silver. It was the tribute squeezed from the local marketplace.
“It’s three hundred taels, sir.”
A subordinate brought over a heavy, clinking pouch.
“My coffers are bleeding dry because of one useless idiot. Where is that bastard Gong Pae right now?”
Yang, his right-hand man, answered from his side.
“He was released from the Murim Alliance branch. He’s likely off drinking somewhere.”
“Tell him to crawl over here the moment he shows his face.”
“Yes, sir.”
The three hundred taels was a bribe intended for the Murim Alliance Branch Manager. Usually, the monthly protection money was enough to make the man look the other way, but this time, he had demanded a premium specifically to secure Gong Pae’s release.
Even so, Gu Ya-su couldn't just leave Gong Pae to rot in a dungeon. The man was essential to the Beast Faction. You needed a vicious dog like him to keep the merchants terrified enough to hand over their coin without a fuss.
“What about the girl who reported him? Did she run?”
“Her mother is ill, so she won't get far.”
“I heard she’s got a decent face. I suppose that’s why Gong Pae went into heat. Once things quiet down, sell her off to a distant brothel. I need to recoup at least half the money I lost because of her.”
“Understood.”
“And make sure that idiot Gong Pae doesn't touch her first.”
“Understood. Also, the West Blade Sect has encroached on our territory again.”
“Those bastards!” Gu Ya-su spat.
The West Blade Sect was a rival Black Path gang in the neighboring district. Whenever their interests overlapped, blood inevitably spilled.
“There are rumors they’ve recruited a master.”
“What kind of master?”
“I’m not certain. They say he’s an unknown expert, but they’re acting bold because they’re relying on him.”
Gu Ya-su snorted in derision. Just then, a subordinate came rushing in, breathless and panicked.
“We have intruders!”
At the word 'intruder,' Gu Ya-su immediately called for his trump card.
“Call Martial Artist Cheon.”
The reason Gu Ya-su could remain so confident, even if the West Blade Sect had recruited a new master, was because of the expert known as Cheon. There was a secret regarding Cheon that only Gu Ya-su knew: Cheon was a defector from the Demonic Cult.
A master of the Demonic Cult!
It was because of him that the Beast Faction had been able to expand so aggressively.
When Gu Ya-su and Yang stepped outside, the intruders were already strolling across the training ground. Gu Ya-su flinched when he saw the figures approaching.
“What the...?”
There were two of them: a man with a monstrous, muscular build and a slender youth. Their relaxed pace made it look more like a casual stroll than a raid. They were, of course, Geom Mu-geuk and the Fist Demon.
Yang spoke quickly, his voice low. “They look like the ones sent by the West Blade Sect.”
“The masters they supposedly recruited?”
“Yes. Who else would dare?”
Gu Ya-su nodded. In this region, only the West Blade Sect had the gall to attack them.
“Where is Martial Artist Cheon?”
“He’ll be out shortly.”
About twenty members of the Beast Faction emerged from the shadows, drawing their weapons and surrounding the two men.
“Where do you gentlemen hail from?” Gu Ya-su called out.
At the question, Geom Mu-geuk looked around the compound and remarked, “You lot live quite well while turning the world outside into a living hell.”
The Beast Faction’s headquarters was a newly built manor. The building where Gu Ya-su resided was particularly luxurious, constructed with no expense spared.
“I asked who you are.”
Whether to kill them or force them to their knees—the command that usually flowed so easily from Gu Ya-su's lips remained stuck in his throat. It was because of the mountain of a man standing next to the youth. Gu Ya-su had seen all sorts of filth in his years on the Black Path, but he had never seen anyone who looked so inherently terrifying.
Geom Mu-geuk looked at Gu Ya-su. “Do you know why you keep asking who I am instead of why I’m here? It’s because you’ve made it a habit to first decide whether the person in front of you is someone you’re allowed to kill.”
Having finished his sentence, Geom Mu-geuk began striding toward Gu Ya-su.
Startled, Gu Ya-su shouted to his men, “Kill him!”
The Beast Faction members lunged. Geom Mu-geuk began weaving through them, his fists moving in a blur as he dodged the incoming blades.
To Gu Ya-su, the strikes didn't look powerful at all. Just a light thud. Then another light tap.
The youth was good at dodging, though. He lightly evaded the attacks coming from all directions while landing a single blow on each opponent. One to the face. Another to the solar plexus.
Gu Ya-su felt a secret sense of relief. The attacks were fast, but they seemed to lack any real weight.
He’s nothing special!
That was exactly what he thought. If anything, he felt the muscular man standing still and watching was the real threat.
“Get up! Get up and use a combined attack! Stab him in the back!”
However, the subordinates who had been hit once and collapsed did not move.
“Stop faking and get up! You useless idiots!”
He could understand it to an extent. If they thought they had to fight that muscular giant once they stood up, they might be pretending to be unconscious.
“Ugh. To think I rely on such trash.”
In the meantime, all twenty men who had stepped forward were down.
Yang kicked a subordinate lying nearby to wake him up. Geom Mu-geuk just let him.
“Get up if you don't want to die!” Yang hissed.
Getting hit with a light tap and losing consciousness? To anyone watching, it looked like they were taking a dive. But the man didn't move even when kicked. Sensing something was wrong, Yang knelt to examine the fallen man.
Yang flinched. The man was dead. He checked the one next to him; dead as well. Yang realized it then. Every single one of them was dead.
Yang slowly looked up at Geom Mu-geuk. Their eyes met. The youth’s indifferent gaze was cold and chilling.
He’s a true master!
Yang realized that if he let a single wrong word slip, he would die on the spot. Geom Mu-geuk had shown no mercy. He wanted to ensure no one survived to seek revenge against Seok-yi’s family.
Just then, Cheon appeared. Perhaps he had drunk too much the night before, as his hair was disheveled and his unshaven beard made him look haggard. He had also gained quite a bit of weight since joining the Beast Faction. Still, Gu Ya-su wasn't worried. There had never been an enemy Cheon couldn't handle.
“Get rid of both of them,” Gu Ya-su ordered.
Cheon strode forward. He didn't even glance at the fallen members; the skill of these street thugs was beneath his notice.
Cheon was a former Iron Fist of the Eastern Fist Sect. He had risen to the rank of Blue Fist, but ultimately, he couldn't endure the grueling training and fled the Demonic Cult. Since then, he had been living in luxury within the Beast Faction. Many had targeted Gu Ya-su over the years, but they had all died by his hand. In return, he received enough money to indulge in every vice. In this third-rate world of the Black Path, his skills as a Blue Fist were enough to make him a god.
Whoosh.
Cheon’s fist, aimed at crushing Geom Mu-geuk’s skull, stopped in mid-air. The problem wasn't that his attack had been dodged. The problem was Geom Mu-geuk’s next words.
“This is a Blue Fist martial art, isn't it?”
Cheon was struck with pure horror. This was the first time anyone had recognized his style.
It was only then that Cheon truly took notice of the other person. The large man, who had been looking at the sky with his back turned, finally looked at him.
The moment he saw that face—
“Aaaaagh!”
A scream erupted from Cheon’s throat. He was so shocked he felt as if his heart would burst. The hangover that had been plaguing him all day vanished in an instant.
Gu Ya-su, looking at Cheon’s back, couldn't see his expression, but Yang could. He saw Cheon’s face twist into a mask of absolute despair and terror.
The Fist Demon spoke softly, as if to himself.
“You used my martial arts to act as a thug for a Black Path bastard?”
The Fist Demon’s voice carried no emotion. The moment he finished speaking—
Thud! Crack!
Cheon struck his own crown and committed suicide. He knew. He couldn't run, and he couldn't be forgiven. If he died at the hands of the Fist Demon, it would be a far more agonizing end.
Gu Ya-su’s mind went blank. So many impossible things were happening that he couldn't process them.
Geom Mu-geuk walked past Yang and said, “Follow me.”
“Yes, sir!” Yang followed the command instantly, as if Geom Mu-geuk were his new lord.
When Geom Mu-geuk reached him, Gu Ya-su finally snapped out of his daze. He had only one thing left to rely on.
“Do you know who is behind us? If you touch us, there will be consequences.”
“Who’s behind you?”
“The Murim Alliance.”
“Does the whole Murim Alliance belong to you?”
“The local Branch Manager is backing me! If you touch me, he won't stay quiet!”
Geom Mu-geuk turned to Yang. “You can bring the Branch Manager here, right?”
Yang hesitated; it wasn't an easy task.
“If you bring him here, you’ll be the new head of the Beast Faction,” Geom Mu-geuk added.
“I’ll bring him here by any means necessary!” Yang shouted and ran off.
Gu Ya-su glared murderously at Yang’s retreating back. “That damn traitor.”
He hadn't expected to be betrayed so easily by his own right hand. Once Yang was gone, Geom Mu-geuk said, “No need to be so angry. I was lying about making him the leader.”
Gu Ya-su’s expression softened slightly, but then—
“You haven't been on the Black Path for just a day or two. You know you’re all going to die, right?”
Gu Ya-su’s face hardened again. He realized that Geom Mu-geuk’s 'all' included him.
“Please... spare me.”
Geom Mu-geuk told him, “If you hand over the evidence of the bribes you gave the Branch Manager...”
Gu Ya-su’s eyes darted around.
“If you don't have it, then just die.”
The moment Geom Mu-geuk clenched his fist, Gu Ya-su shouted, “I have it! It’s in the safe!”
Gu Ya-su led the way to the safe, his hands trembling as he opened it. Terror finally began to wash over him. The fact that the Cheon he trusted so much had committed suicide was a crushing blow.
“Here it is.”
He pulled a ledger from the safe. It contained records of the bribes given to the Murim Alliance Branch Manager and every act of corruption the manager had committed.
“Now go and move the bodies somewhere out of sight.”
Gu Ya-su walked toward the corpses. This is my chance!
He intended to find an opening to flee, but he soon realized the internal energy in his dantian had been suppressed. It was unusable.
When did he...?
Left with no choice, Gu Ya-su began moving the bodies. Without his internal energy, moving over twenty corpses made him break out in a cold sweat. Having lived his whole life without lifting a finger, this manual labor felt like a death sentence.
After struggling to clear the training ground, Gu Ya-su returned to Geom Mu-geuk.
“I’ve... I’ve moved them all.”
“Tiring, isn't it? Feel helpless?”
“...Yes.”
“The emotions felt by the people you’ve victimized are a hundred, a thousand times worse than this. Individually, you’re all pathetic, but you roam around in packs like dogs, terrifying people, stealing, beating, and killing.”
“I will turn over a new leaf! I’ll repent!”
“A Black Path man repenting? How tacky. Keep doing bad things. Instead, do them in the place I recommend. There will be plenty of your colleagues there, so you’ll be fine.”
“Where is that?”
“Right here.”
Geom Mu-geuk’s fist flew.
Second Volume: Thunder Asura.
Thud-thud-thud-thud-thud!
Dozens of punches struck with the speed of a lightning bolt. Gu Ya-su died, turned into a bloody pulp, before he even had a chance to scream.
Geom Mu-geuk tossed the body into the warehouse with the others. He felt nothing for the man’s death.
A short while later, Baek Chul, the Murim Alliance Branch Manager, arrived.
“What’s with this smell of blood? You bastards, didn't I tell you to stop killing people so openly?”
Baek Chul entered, nagging Yang. He acted as if the place were his own home.
“What’s so important that you had to call a busy man all the way here?”
He flinched when he saw Geom Mu-geuk and the Fist Demon. “Who are they?”
“They are martial artists we recently recruited,” Yang replied nonchalantly.
Baek Chul looked impressed. “Where did you find such a mountain of a man? Just having him stand there would be worth his keep. But where did your master go?”
Yang answered smoothly, “It seems he stepped out for a moment.”
Then, Geom Mu-geuk spoke to Baek Chul.
“How could you just release a man who assaulted and raped a young girl?”
Baek Chul looked at Yang with a gaze that said, 'What is this?' Do these new guys not know who I am?
But Yang just stood by in silence. Sensing Yang’s unusual reaction, Baek Chul instinctively felt that something had gone wrong.
Baek Chul replied calmly, “Ah, that case was dismissed due to lack of evidence.”
“The girl’s body was covered in wounds, and Gong Pae was bragging about it to other thugs. What’s this about a lack of evidence? You didn't even investigate, did you?”
Baek Chul was inwardly fuming, but given the atmosphere, he couldn't find the words to retort.
“Would you have just released him if it were your family?”
At the mention of his family, Baek Chul’s face hardened. “Listen here, you little brat...”
“Does it upset you when I talk about your family? Is your family so precious, while other people’s families are just something to be discarded and abused?”
For a moment, Baek Chul considered drawing his sword, but he held back. I’ll throw you all in a dungeon later. Escaping this situation was the priority. Baek Chul forced a smile.
“Please understand. Even the Alliance has laws.”
“Laws for whom? You? The Beast Faction? Who exactly?”
Baek Chul took a step back at Geom Mu-geuk’s cold aura. “I don't know who you are, but I am a Murim Alliance Branch Manager. If you touch me, you’ll become a Public Enemy of the Murim!”
“That won't happen. I know someone in the Murim Alliance, and I’m going to send a missive detailing your crimes and the situation here.”
“To whom?”
“Someone high up. A man who once wanted me as his son-in-law.”
Baek Chul thought this was nonsense, but he endured it. “My crimes? Do you have evidence?”
Geom Mu-geuk pulled out the ledger. “You’ve taken quite a lot of bribes from the Beast Faction. You even had them kill people for your own interests.”
“What are you talking about? I’ve never done such a thing!”
“Is it something you can just deny? They recorded everything quite diligently.”
Baek Chul’s expression froze. “He’s framing me!”
“I don't think so. He wasn't in a position to lie.”
Baek Chul decided he had to get that ledger by any means necessary.
“How much do you want? How much for that ledger...?”
Whoosh.
Boom!
Baek Chul vanished from sight. He was sent flying into a distant wall, dying instantly as his body shattered.
Yang, now left alone, watched the situation warily and spoke up. “Then, from now on, I shall be the head of the Beast Faction...”
Whoosh!
Boom!
Yang also vanished. He flew in the opposite direction and tumbled to the ground, a bloody mess.
The one who had sent them flying was the Fist Demon. He had sent them to the afterlife with a single punch each.
“Let’s go,” the Fist Demon said. His gaze asked why Geom Mu-geuk was even bothering to talk to such people.
“I was going to ask for about a million taels for the ledger.”
“Stop talking nonsense.”
“Wait a moment.”
Geom Mu-geuk buried the ledger in a corner of the yard. If he sent word that it was buried there, the investigator sent by the Alliance Leader would handle it. He also intended to include a request in the missive to look after Seok-yi’s family.
Watching Geom Mu-geuk, the Fist Demon remarked, “You are quite meticulous.”
“One must be meticulous when helping people. Helping others is good, but if you don't finish the job properly because it’s a hassle, the one who ends up suffering is the person you helped. I get the satisfaction of helping, while they face the consequences. That wouldn't be right, would it?”
Unexpected words came from the Fist Demon’s mouth. “I don't think you should become the Heavenly Demon.”
“Why is that?”
“The Heavenly Demon has to deal with so many people. Could you endure it with a heart like yours? If you try to take care of everything this meticulously, you’ll go mad first.”
“Now that you mention it, you’re right. Fine then. Instead of the Heavenly Demon, I’ll just be your disciple, Master.”
The Fist Demon stared at him for a moment, then gave a faint smile. “That was your best attempt so far.”
“I almost had you. What a shame.”
Geom Mu-geuk and the Fist Demon walked out of the manor side by side. Just as when they entered, the Fist Demon’s back filled the entrance as they left.
Fortunately, the Fist Demon wasn't insisting they return to the Cult. At his questioning gaze as to where they were going next, Geom Mu-geuk smiled.
“This time, it’s a place you’ll enjoy even more than I will.”