Chapter 343: Today, I am the 15th Wolf.
Chapter 343: Today, I am the 15th Wolf.
The gazes that had been fixed on the stars converged on a single point.
Bi Sa-in and Jin Ha-gun turned toward Geom Mu-geuk. He was still staring up at the night sky, his eyes clear and unfathomably deep.
The word "friend" sounded incredibly foreign. Was the word this man had just uttered truly the same one they knew?
"Since when were we friends?" Bi Sa-in asked bluntly.
Jin Ha-gun waited for Geom Mu-geuk’s answer, harboring the same sentiment.
"Was I the only one who thought so?" Geom Mu-geuk asked.
"Do you truly believe we can be friends?"
"I believe we can."
After a brief silence, Bi Sa-in spoke again.
"What if we consider ourselves friends, but one of us betrays the others?"
Even childhood friends fought over changes and betrayals. Could the three successors of the Orthodox, Unorthodox, and Demonic paths truly bridge that gap? A single betrayal among them would involve the lives of thousands, if not tens of thousands.
"Then let’s think of it like this: 'Ah, that’s right. We were enemies, weren't we?' Let’s not be disappointed. Let’s not even think of it as betrayal."
"By then, your sword would already be piercing my heart," Bi Sa-in countered. "Would I even have the luxury of such thoughts?"
Though his words were grim and his expression terrifying, Bi Sa-in’s eyes were softer than ever. He was already imagining a life where he lived as a friend to Geom Mu-geuk.
He saw Geom Mu-geuk as the Heavenly Demon, himself as the Leader of the Unorthodox Path Alliance, and Jin Ha-gun as the Murim Alliance Leader. He imagined them meeting to laugh and chatter, himself exasperated by Geom Mu-geuk’s unchanging nonsense even after their hair had turned white.
However, just as reality differs from ideals, the words that left his mouth did not match his heart.
"If rumors spread that I’ve become friends with the Young Cult Leader of the Demonic Cult, I’ll be stripped of my position as the Young Alliance Leader."
At that, Jin Ha-gun joined the conversation.
"What about me? Friends with the successors of the Demonic Cult and the Unorthodox Path Alliance? Forget becoming the successor; my grandfather might actually beat me to death."
Geom Mu-geuk looked at Jin Ha-gun.
"Now that I think about it, Captain Jin hasn't officially become the successor yet. Let’s help him get there."
Jin Ha-gun replied with a straight face.
"I will not reach the position of Alliance Leader simply because you two help me. I can only ascend when I possess the qualities of a leader and have proven myself a worthy vessel."
His pride as an Orthodox successor—whose position could not be decided by mere backroom deals—was evident.
"As expected, you're drawing a line between us."
Geom Mu-geuk moved closer to Bi Sa-in, acting overly friendly. Bi Sa-in took a sharp step away, avoiding him.
"You're all so cold-hearted!"
Now, the three of them stood facing each other in a circle.
Jin Ha-gun asked Geom Mu-geuk, "What kind of Murim do you dream of?"
It was a question Bi Sa-in had also wanted to ask.
Geom Mu-geuk’s gaze returned to the stars.
"The Murim I dream of is one where your Orthodox Path, your Unorthodox Path, and my Demonic Path harmonize. I don't believe fate gave us these statuses and earth-shattering martial arts just so we could dream of Unification of the Murim at the cost of countless lives."
Trust between them would only be possible with the certainty that none of them harbored ambitions of total conquest.
"I wasn't close to my father, nor was I close to my brother. I lived without even understanding the heart of a guard who would lay down his life for me. That’s why I always ask myself: 'If you can't even take care of those around you, what do you plan to achieve by unifying the Murim?'"
Geom Mu-geuk shifted his gaze from the stars back to the two men.
"I think becoming friends with you two is harder than unifying the Murim."
He spoke as if it were a joke, but his words were sincere.
"Because the easiest thing for a martial artist is to fight and kill. So, instead of taking the easy path, let’s take on a more difficult challenge. Let’s try to be real friends."
"!"
Bi Sa-in and Jin Ha-gun had never thought of it that way. Geom Mu-geuk was right. Forging a true bond was a hundred times harder than drawing a blade.
"There is too much evil in the world that needs to be killed. There is absolute evil that no one but us can destroy. Look—isn't there an evil trying to devour us right now? Let’s spend our lives crushing those things. Let’s gather to drink and complain about our subordinates. Let’s travel together. That is the Murim I desire."
Could that really happen?
Bi Sa-in spoke without realizing it. "It sounds like a dream."
"Then let’s live dreaming for the rest of our lives."
At that moment, as Bi Sa-in and Jin Ha-gun were lost in thought, a shooting star streaked across the night sky.
Geom Mu-geuk clapped his hands together and quickly made a wish.
"Please let me achieve Unification of the Murim!"
Jin Ha-gun shook his head in disbelief, while Bi Sa-in let out a faint, genuine laugh.
They stood there for a long time under the pouring starlight.
*
Black Snake Unit Leader Chu Hoeng frowned as he looked out the window.
"Now they're monitoring us openly."
Across from his building, he could see two martial artists watching his every move. They were experts from the Murim Alliance's Demon Extermination Squad. They had begun pressuring his organization a few months ago, and now they were monitoring them without even a pretense of secrecy.
Chu Hoeng was a man who defied the stereotype that a large, hot-tempered man must be ignorant. He was quick-witted and clever. In business, he was cold-blooded and cruel, eliminating competitors by any means necessary.
Even so, he had no choice but to endure the monitors across the street. As long as the thorn in his side bore the name "Demon Extermination Squad," he couldn't simply pluck it out.
"What about Black Thirteen?"
"There is still no word, sir."
The one who answered was his right-hand man, Song Chung. Communication had been cut off from Black Thirteen, who had been tasked with delivering kidnapped children to the Yellow Dragon Escort Agency.
"It seems he was caught by those Demon Extermination Squad bastards."
The Black Snake Unit Leader scowled. He truly loathed them.
"It seems we must ask the Unorthodox Path Alliance for help."
It wasn't an easy decision. The Unorthodox Path Alliance never helped for free. If they sought aid now, they would have to provide a massive "donation." They were already funneling plenty of money into the Alliance as it was.
Just then, another subordinate arrived with a missive.
"A message from the Unorthodox Path Alliance, sir."
Since the message arrived just as they were discussing the Alliance, both the Unit Leader and Song Chung were startled. After reading the contents, the Unit Leader irritably crumpled the letter and threw it at Song Chung.
"Arrogant brat!"
Song Chung smoothed out the paper and read it. Surprisingly, it was a notice from the Young Alliance Leader of the Unorthodox Path Alliance requesting a meeting. It stated bluntly that if Chu Hoeng did not show up, the Black Snake Unit would be erased from the Murim.
Song Chung first tried to soothe his enraged leader.
"It seems the boy has grown arrogant after being named the successor."
Killing intent radiated from the Black Snake Unit Leader. Usually, when he was this angry, bodies would pile up. But since the opponent was who he was, his rage had nowhere to go.
"But why does the Young Alliance Leader suddenly want to see me?"
The missive only stated the time and place; it didn't mention the purpose. This ambiguity made the Unit Leader even angrier.
"Isn't he just trying to establish discipline?"
"We aren't even directly under the Unorthodox Path Alliance. What discipline?"
"When have those Alliance bastards ever cared about technicalities?"
Unlike the offended Unit Leader, Song Chung saw this as an opportunity.
"If you take this chance to invest in the Young Alliance Leader, it will be easier to expand our business in the Central Plains. And when you meet him, you can subtly ask for help with the Demon Extermination Squad issue."
Offense was one thing, but business was business.
"This year's harvest was for nothing. In the end, I'm getting shaken down one way or another. How much will it take?"
There was one thing Chu Hoeng believed in as an immutable truth: the most certain way to win someone over was money. If it failed, it was only because there wasn't enough of it.
"He isn't someone lacking in funds, so why not give him something else?"
"Like what?"
"Give him the Sun and Moon Sword."
"Are you crazy?" Chu Hoeng snapped. The Sun and Moon Sword was his most cherished treasure among all the precious blades he owned.
"Will you have many chances to meet the Young Alliance Leader? Use this opportunity to make him firmly our man."
"What if he fails to become the Alliance Leader? You never know who will actually sit in the Grand Tutor’s Chair until the day it happens."
"Isn't that why investment is a gamble?"
After a moment of deliberation, the Unit Leader made his decision.
"Fine. We give him the Sun and Moon Sword."
Considering the Demon Extermination Squad issue, it was a steep price, but the opponent was worth it. He would give it now and find a way to squeeze the value back out of them later.
"In exchange, I’m taking everyone from Black One to Black Ten. Call Heuk-ya and Black Dog as well."
Song Chung was startled. "That is too much, sir."
"It should be too much."
"You know Black Dog’s personality. There’s no telling what kind of trouble he’ll cause. He’s the type to throw a fit even in front of the Young Alliance Leader."
"That’s why I’m taking him." The Unit Leader did not budge. "Even if we’re giving things away, we shouldn't look like pushovers. They need to be tense. They need to realize how dangerous we are for the value of our gift to increase."
Knowing that the Unit Leader never changed his mind once a decision was made, Song Chung accepted the order.
"Understood. I will do as you command. Shall we depart?"
The Black Snake Unit Leader stood up. "We have to. He said he’d erase us from the Murim if we didn't."
*
When they nearly reached the meeting place, Geom Mu-geuk had the carriage stop. He turned to Jin Ha-gun.
"Let’s change our clothes for today’s protagonist."
"What do you mean?"
"Isn't today’s meeting a place where the Young Alliance Leader of the Unorthodox Path gives a lesson to a Black Path gang? It’s not a place for the Demon Extermination Squad. Let the squad wait, and let’s change into the attire of the 13 Wolves."
Jin Ha-gun had intended for himself and Bi Sa-in to go together to apply maximum pressure. He thought the warning would be twice as effective if the Young Alliance Leader and the Demon Extermination Squad Leader stood side-by-side.
However, Geom Mu-geuk was trying to bolster Bi Sa-in’s personal authority.
"Fine. Let’s do that," Jin Ha-gun readily accepted.
Bi Sa-in felt Geom Mu-geuk’s consideration for him but said nothing, pretending not to notice.
"Give us two sets of clothes," Geom Mu-geuk called out.
The 13 Wolves provided spare outfits to the two men. As they changed, Geom Mu-geuk spoke.
"Today, we won't be the 13 Wolves, but the 15 Wolves of the Unorthodox Path. 14th Wolf, 15th Wolf—welcome the new recruits!"
In truth, it took great courage for Jin Ha-gun to wear these clothes. He didn't mind the fabric, but if his faction found out, he could be heavily criticized for "consorting" with the Unorthodox Path.
However, as he watched Geom Mu-geuk chatter away about how his legs were too long for the pants or how the color didn't suit his complexion, Jin Ha-gun reflected on himself.
He realized this was nothing. What truly mattered was the person inside the clothes. Was he a timid man worrying about trivialities, or a leader willing to adapt out of consideration for his allies?
After finishing dressing, Geom Mu-geuk didn't forget one last bit of banter.
"So, do you want to be the 14th Wolf? Or the 15th?"
*
The Black Snake Unit Leader had arrived first and was waiting. The elites of the Black Snake Unit stood in disciplined lines around him.
In the Murim, the Black Snake Unit was viewed like a pack of stray dogs—an organization that swarmed toward any profit to tear it away, pushed with numbers, and kept crawling back no matter how many were killed.
But that was only half the truth.
At the very least, the Unit Leader was a tiger, not a dog. He was a clever tiger who knew that acting like a dog was the key to longevity.
Black One through Black Ten were also tigers. Beyond those ten, they might be wolves, foxes, or dogs, but those the Unit Leader cherished were experts worthy of recognition.
Of course, the most reliable was Heuk-ya. In terms of martial arts skill alone, he was the strongest after the Unit Leader. He was quiet and reserved, but he loved slaughter, often joining battles he didn't need to be in just to enjoy the bloodbath.
The last to appear was Black Dog. He was also second only to the Unit Leader—if Heuk-ya was second in martial arts, Black Dog was second in having a foul temper. Murder, assault, rape—he was a notorious villain even within the Black Snake Unit, responsible for deeds that no human should ever commit.
"Brother, why did you call us all here?" Black Dog asked. He was the only one who called the Unit Leader "Brother." Having served him since their youth, he was the only one who didn't find the leader intimidating.
"The Young Alliance Leader of the Unorthodox Path contacted me for a meeting."
"Why that guy?"
"He’s become the successor, so he’s probably looking for a handout."
Black Dog’s gaze shifted to the long box placed beside the Unit Leader. Seeing the sun and moon patterns on the wood, Black Dog’s eyes widened.
"Is that the Sun and Moon Sword?"
"It is."
"You're giving it to that brat?" When the Unit Leader nodded, Black Dog shouted, "You can't! Why give that precious sword to a kid? Just hand him some money and send him on his way."
Black Dog knew how much the Unit Leader cherished the blade. He glared at Song Chung. "I bet this silver-tongued bastard told you to give it."
Black Dog loathed Song Chung. He had originally been the Unit Leader’s right hand, but he had been pushed aside by Song Chung’s intellect.
Song Chung’s expression hardened. This ignorant bastard is already acting up. This was exactly why he had advised against calling Black Dog.
Just as the two were in a tense standoff, a scout spoke up.
"They're coming."
In the distance, a carriage and its escorting martial artists appeared.
The Black Snake Unit Leader spoke to his subordinates, his voice cold.
"We should at least let our esteemed guest know this: how dirty his hands will have to get if he truly wants to erase us from the Murim."