Chapter 345: Be More Wary of That Man Than the Enemy
Chapter 345: Be More Wary of That Man Than the Enemy
“No, please! Have mercy!”
The plea for life spilled instinctively from the Black Snake Unit Leader’s mouth.
The youngest warrior escorting the Young Alliance Leader had just reduced Black Dog to a bloody mess before taking his head. Throughout the entire ordeal, Black Dog hadn't even been able to swing his sword properly.
How could the Unit Leader even think of resisting?
Furthermore, the murderous intent radiating from Bi Sa-in gripped the Black Snake Unit Leader in a terrifying vice. As a martial artist of the Unorthodox Path, the Unit Leader had encountered plenty of malice, but the aura he felt now was more potent than anything he had ever experienced. The killing intent of the enraged Bi Sa-in reeked heavily of blood.
“Does that mean your subordinates committed these acts of their own accord?”
Driven into a corner, the Black Snake Unit Leader dragged an innocent man into the fray.
“What on earth is the meaning of this?”
The person the Black Snake Unit Leader barked at was Caterpillar. To drag him into this now? Knowing full well how poorly he got along with Black Dog? Caterpillar was flabbergasted, but now was not the time to blame the Unit Leader.
“I was unaware of this as well. Black Dog was an uneducated, lowly man. It seems he was committing wicked deeds behind your back, Unit Leader.”
Though everyone present knew of Black Dog's atrocities, claiming otherwise would only invite trouble for not stopping him sooner.
Bi Sa-in sent a message via Voice Transmission to Geom Mu-geuk.
— How accurate is the information written here?
Since it was information from Eun-wol, its reliability was beyond question.
— It’s information sent by the person I trust and cherish most. You can consider it on the same level as the records from the Cult’s Tongcheon Pavilion.
Having confirmed the reliability of the intel, Bi Sa-in turned to Caterpillar.
“What is your name?”
“It is Caterpillar.”
Bi Sa-in flipped through the papers in his hand, searching for Caterpillar’s information.
Caterpillar’s heart began to drum against his ribs. His life or death would be decided by what was written there. That paper was truly a reaper’s Book of Life and Death.
Fortunately, no sword came flying his way. It seemed the misdeeds recorded on the paper were not enough to warrant death.
In the meantime, the Black Snake Unit Leader caught his breath and prostrated himself on the spot, making a vow.
“There will be no more kidnappings of children. I will strictly crack down on the excessive atrocities of my subordinates.”
Instead of answering, Bi Sa-in walked toward where Black Dog’s corpse lay. It seemed he was going to inspect the body, but he wasn't.
Bi Sa-in drew his sword and stained the tip with blood. Then, he drew three lines in blood across the paper he was holding. He handed the paper to the Black Snake Unit Leader.
Blood-red lines were drawn through three names. They were the ones whose crimes were the most severe within the Black Snake Unit. Though Bi Sa-in didn't say a word, the Unit Leader understood exactly what he meant.
“Black Night, come here for a moment and look at this.”
He called over Black Night, who had been standing silently until then. The moment Black Night walked over and looked at the paper—
Swish!
The Black Snake Unit Leader’s sword whipped out in a surprise attack, slashing across Black Night's chest. However, Black Night seemed to have anticipated it and dodged the strike.
“I knew you would do this.”
“Do not resent me! It is because your sins are deep.”
The two engaged in a bloody battle. When the two strongest men in the Black Snake Unit suddenly began a life-and-death struggle, the other warriors were stunned, not knowing what to do.
“Kill Black Night!”
“Kill the Unit Leader! He’s trying to kill us all!”
“That’s a lie! Join forces and kill Black Night! That is an order!”
In an instant, the place turned into a scene of carnage.
Slipping away toward the rear, Black Three attempted to leap away and escape. He knew well that in such a situation, fleeing was the best course of action. However, the 1st Wolf of the Unorthodox Path, acting on Bi Sa-in’s orders, was already blocking his path.
Not daring to try and break through, Black Three retreated. After seeing Black Dog die without even being able to lift a finger, no one present had the courage to draw a sword against the 13 Wolves of the Unorthodox Path. The other members of the 13 Wolves also perfectly surrounded the perimeter, making escape impossible.
Bi Sa-in watched their struggle in silence, his arms crossed.
Black Night’s martial arts were inferior to the Black Snake Unit Leader’s, but the rage of being betrayed made him fight like a madman. Since it was a fight where losing meant death, sword qi flew wildly in every direction.
Geom Mu-geuk and Jin Ha-gun watched the fight from outside the 13 Wolves' perimeter.
Whoosh.
Jin Ha-gun grabbed Geom Mu-geuk’s sleeve and pulled him toward himself. A stray blade of sword qi from afar grazed the spot where Geom Mu-geuk had just been standing.
“You just saved my life!”
“As if. You would have dodged it ten times over even without me.”
“Captain Jin.”
“Why are you lowering your voice?”
“I truly hope you become the successor.”
“Where is this coming from all of a sudden?”
“The thought just occurred to me. I’m telling you while it’s on my mind.”
He spoke playfully, but the sincerity behind his words was palpable.
“Is that something that depends on my will?”
His grandfather and the Alliance Leader, Jin Pae-cheon, was a man who would mercilessly strip even his own grandson of his successor status if he made a mistake.
“Why do you want me to be the successor?”
Because he was easy to deal with? Jin Ha-gun expected an answer like that, but—
“Because I think you’d be good at it.”
Jin Ha-gun looked at Geom Mu-geuk.
“Whether it’s a friend or an enemy, they should be someone capable. That way, it’s fun to play with them, and there’s value in fighting them.”
This time, Geom Mu-geuk pulled Jin Ha-gun toward him.
Whoosh.
Another stray blade of sword qi passed through the spot where Jin Ha-gun had been standing.
“I saved your life! Don’t you ever forget it!”
Listening to that banter, Jin Ha-gun wondered: how would his relationship with this man end? Could they truly become friends?
Meanwhile, the fight came to an end.
One man remained standing, while the other lay as a corpse. There was no upset. The winner was the Black Snake Unit Leader, as his skills dictated. Black Night had fought many battles, but he only fought battles he could win. Slaughter unrelated to true skill was of no help in saving his own life.
That wasn't the end. Since there were three names crossed out on the paper, the Black Snake Unit Leader launched surprise attacks on Black Three and Black Eight, killing them both. With skills even lower than Black Night's, they stood no chance against the Unit Leader’s ambush.
“It is finished.”
At the Black Snake Unit Leader’s report, Bi Sa-in spoke.
“Now, four out of the five most wicked men in the Black Snake Unit are dead.”
“Five? There were only three names crossed out.”
Even including Black Dog, that made four. Wondering if he had missed one, the Black Snake Unit Leader picked up the paper again.
It was at that moment.
Ssssh!
Slice.
Bi Sa-in’s sword tore through the Black Snake Unit Leader’s throat. The strike was so swift that it also sliced through the paper the Unit Leader was holding—coincidentally, right where the Black Snake Unit Leader’s own name was written.
Below it, a red line appeared. That line, which looked as if it had been drawn on the paper, was actually the wound across the Unit Leader’s neck.
Spurt!
The next moment, blood sprayed from that line as the Black Snake Unit Leader collapsed.
Bi Sa-in had not forgiven him. The atrocities he committed to establish the Black Snake Unit were one thing, but his greatest sin was allowing the evil deeds of subordinates like Black Dog and Black Night to go unchecked.
The remaining Black Snake warriors trembled in fear. They were certain they would be massacred. However, Bi Sa-in did not kill them.
“From this moment on, do nothing and stay exactly where you are. Go back, don't even breathe, and wait until our people arrive!”
The Black Snake warriors bowed in unison and shouted.
“Thank you for sparing our lives!”
Having narrowly escaped death, they hurried away.
From this hour forward, new word would spread through the Unorthodox Path. News that the Young Alliance Leader of the Unorthodox Path Alliance had personally stepped in to strike down those whose atrocities went too far. Some would protest, and some would welcome it.
One thing was certain: whether the evaluation was positive or negative, it would be different from yesterday. Bi Sa-in had taken a step into a different world.
Bi Sa-in walked over to Geom Mu-geuk and Jin Ha-gun.
“You probably wanted to kill them all, but this was the best I could do.”
“Kill them all? Do you see me as some kind of murderer? Let’s go look in a bronze mirror together. We'll see whose face looks more like a killer's.”
“People who look as decent as you are often the ones who commit the most terrifying acts.”
“It’s frustrating, but I have to admit you're right.”
After that bit of banter, the playfulness vanished from Bi Sa-in’s face. The words he had been hesitating to say finally spilled out.
“This is our Unorthodox Path.”
He didn't say it out of pride, but out of shame. At least for today, he felt a deep sense of self-loathing. Jin Ha-gun was about to say that just as there are bad people in the Orthodox Faction, there are good people in the Unorthodox Path.
But Geom Mu-geuk spoke first.
“It was like trash.”
Bi Sa-in didn't get angry. Rather, hearing it said so bluntly made him feel more at ease. Seeing that, Jin Ha-gun realized that the words he had intended to say would have been a useless comfort.
How does Geom Mu-geuk understand the human heart so well? Even though he’s younger than me.
“Still, you don’t need to be depressed. Because it’s not your Unorthodox Path.”
“What do you mean?”
“Your Unorthodox Path isn't over there; it’s right here, isn't it?”
Bi Sa-in wondered what he meant, then saw Geom Mu-geuk looking at the 13 Wolves of the Unorthodox Path.
“Aren't these people your Unorthodox Path? Those others aren't your direct subordinates yet, are they? You aren't even the Alliance Leader yet, for heaven's sake.”
Jin Ha-gun said to himself, 'Well played.'
Yes, this was exactly the kind of comfort Bi Sa-in needed right now. One had to be able to call it trash. One had to be able to say, "You aren't even the Alliance Leader yet."
To do that, all the things Geom Mu-geuk had done for Bi Sa-in until now had to come first. Visiting him tirelessly, bantering tirelessly, and showing consideration tirelessly. That was why the word "trash" became a jewel that embedded itself in Bi Sa-in’s heart.
“Captain Jin, you say something too.”
Look at him, even looking out for Jin Ha-gun in this situation.
“I’m not quite ready to use the word 'trash' yet.”
Geom Mu-geuk smiled at Jin Ha-gun.
“This is why you must become the Alliance Leader. You have to be an interesting person for our lives as leaders to be enjoyable.”
“This is the first time in my life I’ve been called interesting.”
A faint smile played on the lips of Bi Sa-in as he listened to their conversation. Whenever he was with Geom Mu-geuk, he found himself smiling like this without realizing it.
Geom Mu-geuk said to Bi Sa-in, “You handled today’s matter well. I wouldn't have been able to make as wise a choice as you did.”
Bi Sa-in knew. It was only possible because of Geom Mu-geuk’s concession. Thanks to that, he was able to maintain his authority before his subordinates.
And then came the decisive remark.
“I like your Unorthodox Path.”
Though he didn't show it outwardly, Bi Sa-in was deeply moved. It was a comment that felt better than a hundred compliments.
Geom Mu-geuk asked Jin Ha-gun, “What do you think?”
“I am not someone who says I like something to a person's face as easily as you do.” Jin Ha-gun looked at the corpses strewn in the distance and said, “But I think you handled the Black Snake Unit problem very well today, at the very least.”
At that, Geom Mu-geuk smiled and said, “You understand why he’s being so long-winded, right?”
The three of them smiled together. Geom Mu-geuk returned the box containing the Sun and Moon Sword to Bi Sa-in.
“Here, take this.”
Then, Bi Sa-in said something unexpected.
“This is a gift for you.”
“A gift?”
“A commemorative gift for joining the 13 Wolves of the Unorthodox Path as our youngest member.”
Everyone present knew the immense value of the Sun and Moon Sword. It was a precious blade that couldn't be easily obtained no matter how much money one had. Thus, they could see just how grateful Bi Sa-in was to Geom Mu-geuk.
“You’re going to lose sleep tonight, regretting that you gave it away for nothing.”
“That may be so.”
“Are you still okay with it?”
Bi Sa-in nodded.
“Have I ever told you this? It’s not because of the gift, but you have a handsome face. The Fist Demon Master, the Demon Monarch, and you. You’re a trio of leaders who are grim and terrifying, but the more I look at you, the more impressive you seem.”
“You’re only saying that because of the gift.”
Geom Mu-geuk hugged the box containing the Sun and Moon Sword, looking delighted. He looked so happy that it made Bi Sa-in feel the gift was well-given.
“Since I’ve received such a precious gift, I can’t just sit still. Go ahead and brag from now on. Tell everyone that the Young Cult Leader of the Demonic Cult once stayed as the youngest member of your 13 Wolves. Spread the rumor as much as you like.”
The 13 Wolves had already experienced Geom Mu-geuk’s personality and knew him well enough by now, so they took his banter for what it was.
“If such a rumor spreads, won't you be kicked out of your position as Young Cult Leader?”
To Bi Sa-in’s concern, Geom Mu-geuk replied, “Then I’ll come find you, so please take me in. Let’s hang out together for the rest of our lives.”
Brushing aside the impossible thought that he truly wished that would happen, Bi Sa-in spoke to his subordinates.
“You’ve heard how troublesome it would be, so make sure none of you spread any rumors.”
“Yes, sir!”
A thunderous response followed. Bi Sa-in spoke to the two men.
“I intend to return to the main headquarters.”
It was time to root out those secretly active within the Unorthodox Path Alliance. Geom Mu-geuk chimed in.
“I’m coming too.”
Since this matter wasn't just a problem for the Unorthodox Path Alliance, Bi Sa-in nodded. If the enemies were plotting against the entire Murim, only a fool would let pride get in the way of accepting help.
“I will gratefully accept your assistance.”
Now, only Jin Ha-gun’s decision remained.
“I shall return to the Murim Alliance now.”
In truth, even coming this far dressed as one of the 13 Wolves was a huge risk. Furthermore, he couldn't exactly take the Demon Extermination Squad to the Unorthodox Path Alliance’s main headquarters.
Bi Sa-in expressed his gratitude to Jin Ha-gun.
“Thank you.”
“Don't mention it. Just be more wary of that man than the enemy.”
“Thank you for the advice.”
Geom Mu-geuk, who had been listening, said, “At least pretend to whisper!”
With that, Jin Ha-gun departed. The warriors of the Demon Extermination Squad, who had been hiding in the distance, revealed themselves and greeted Jin Ha-gun.
Before leaving, Jin Ha-gun stood on the ridge with his subordinates and watched the carriage racing toward the Unorthodox Path Alliance in the distance.
As the sunset dyed the world crimson, its light seemed to chase the receding carriage, carrying with it Jin Ha-gun’s unspoken desire to follow.