Chapter 348: Is There Any Room for Loyalty?
Chapter 348: Is There Any Room for Loyalty?
The marketplace of the Unorthodox Path Alliance was no different from Ma Clan Village.
Merchants laughed, chatted, and hawked their wares amidst the passing crowds. Aside from the sharp, oppressive auras of the martial artists, one couldn't tell if this was the entrance to the Murim Alliance or the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult. It was a sight that naturally brought to mind the saying that people live the same way no matter where they are.
“What are you looking at with such fascination?”
“I’ve been so buried in my training that it’s been ages since I’ve had a chance to get out like this.”
“I suppose that dedication is why you’re serving the Young Alliance Leader at such a young age.”
Pyo Gi-gwang led Geom Mu-geuk to his regular restaurant.
“I come here often. The food is decent.”
However, the expressions on the owner’s and the waiter’s faces were anything but welcoming toward their "regular."
“I’ve gotten into a few scraps here,” Pyo added dryly.
The fact that he could admit such a thing so naturally meant he felt comfortable around Geom Mu-geuk. Could such a bond truly form in a single day? Especially for a man who had been walking around with his bristles up like a porcupine?
Evidently, it could. He found Geom Mu-geuk’s presence strangely relaxing.
“Your injury must have been a godsend for the owner of this establishment.”
“What do you mean by that?”
“If you hadn't been hurt, wouldn't this entire place have been leveled by now?”
How could Pyo not enjoy the company of someone who listened so intently and even cracked jokes like that?
Reflecting Pyo Gi-gwang’s improved mood, the orders kept coming. He called for fine liquor and several of the restaurant’s most expensive dishes.
“Aren’t you overdoing it?”
“It’s not like I can take the silver with me when I die, right?”
“Spend it sparingly. As long as I am protecting you, you aren't going anywhere.”
“Your confidence is certainly something else.”
Instead of picking up his chopsticks, Pyo Gi-gwang poured a drink.
“That person... is not someone you can handle.”
For the first time, he spoke of the mastermind behind the scenes.
“Even if I can’t handle him, don’t I have my fisherman?”
When Mu-geuk asked what there was to worry about since Bi Sa-in was involved, Pyo drank in silence.
Geom Mu-geuk could feel it. Pyo believed that even Bi Sa-in would be unable to handle the one pulling the strings.
“The food is delicious.”
It was indeed as good as its reputation suggested. If Jo Chun-bae had been here, he would have joked about evaluating the Unorthodox Path Alliance’s cuisine as a representative of the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult.
“Don’t just drink; have some food.”
“You have your fill.”
Pyo Gi-gwang had no appetite. The thought that he might die soon made his hunger vanish as if by magic.
And the person to bring back his appetite wasn't a skilled cook, but Geom Mu-geuk.
“How did you rise to the position of Black Dragon Unit Leader?”
You have no idea how hard I worked. Starting with those words, Pyo Gi-gwang stole a glance at Geom Mu-geuk’s reaction.
As if to show he hadn't asked out of mere politeness, Mu-geuk listened intently, his eyes sparkling even as he ate.
As he recounted his past, Pyo Gi-gwang grew increasingly animated. How could he not? He was boasting about the greatest achievement of his life.
“My rival at the time was a man from a very prestigious family. You can’t imagine the amount of political maneuvering he pulled to keep me down.”
“So you overcame it through sheer skill.”
“You could say that.”
“How could someone who only relies on their background ever defeat the experience and effort of someone who rose from the very bottom?”
A smile naturally formed on Pyo Gi-gwang’s lips.
To hear that his life was one of overcoming obstacles through skill—come to think of it, he hadn't even heard such words when he was still a Unit Leader before his injury. Was it because his life was cursed? Despite having so many people around him back then, no one had ever said that single sentence to him.
Geom Mu-geuk’s words made him feel so good that he felt as if the ten years of mistreatment he’d endured had been for the sake of meeting this man today.
“Please, tell me more.”
Geom Mu-geuk understood Pyo Gi-gwang’s heart well. During his time as a ronin, the people he encountered most were martial artists who had been cast aside due to injuries. Those whose dantians were shattered so they could no longer use internal energy, or those who had lost limbs.
After being kicked out of their organizations, what else could those who had lived by the blade their whole lives do? They lived on as third-rate ronin.
When they got drunk, they always bragged about their glory days. It wasn't really boasting; it was more like venting their sorrow.
“Is my story actually interesting?”
“It is.”
Pyo Gi-gwang stared intently at Geom Mu-geuk. This youngster continued to defy his expectations.
“Do you know what my first impression of you was? I thought you’d be a chatterbox. When I heard you say your name used the character for 'performance' instead of 'connection,' I figured you’d talk a lot. But it turns out you’re a good listener.”
“Not at all. I talk plenty. I’m just hiding my tongue because we aren't close enough yet.”
Pyo Gi-gwang laughed at the remark. To think he could laugh with death looming right in front of him.
“I wonder if we’ll have time to get any closer.”
At the self-deprecating question, Geom Mu-geuk answered confidently.
“I will protect you.”
“Instead of that, let’s hear your story.”
“My story is far too long.”
How could Pyo know the meaning behind that significant smile?
“You must have gone through a lot of hardship.”
“Don’t even get me started.”
Geom Mu-geuk waved his hand as if he didn't even want to think about it.
“With your personality, I imagine you have many people around you.”
“That’s why it’s lonelier.”
“Lonelier?”
“There are so many people, yet there’s no one to actually meet. It’s incredibly sorrowful when no one looks out for you. Everyone uses the same excuse—they thought someone else would take care of it. That’s how a black hole starts to form in the hearts of people like us.”
“A black hole?”
“It’s something someone I like told me. That everyone has a black hole in their heart. It’s a void you should never fall into, and one you shouldn't stare into for too long.”
Pyo Gi-gwang thought the kid was saying some strange things for his age, but at the same time, he thought of his own hole. He had one too. A hole so deep and vast that he couldn't help but fall in, no matter how hard he tried to stay on the edge.
It would have been nice to meet this lad a bit sooner.
If he had, would his fate have changed? Instead of being silenced to protect a secret, could he have lived a different life?
“If you’re finished eating, let’s head out.”
“Let’s go.”
The two left the restaurant and headed toward the house.
“Go and get some sleep.”
“I can’t do that. I have to protect you.”
“How long do you think you can stay awake to guard me?”
He really couldn't understand the Young Alliance Leader. At the very least, he should have sent someone to rotate shifts.
“You... did you perhaps do something to offend the Young Alliance Leader?”
I did. If Pyo knew how much Mu-geuk had flustered and teased him, he would probably faint.
“I told him I expected him to be a splendid member of the Unorthodox Path. Could that have been a mistake?”
Pyo Gi-gwang looked dumbfounded.
“A new recruit said that to the Young Alliance Leader?”
“Then when else can I say it? I feel like I’d be even less able to say it as I become a senior.”
So that’s why he’s out of favor. That sparkling gaze must have been bothersome—a sight more brilliant than the Young Alliance Leader himself.
Still, to throw away such a decent fellow like this...
Then, a thought suddenly occurred to Pyo Gi-gwang.
A decent fellow? Was he already thinking that just because the boy had listened to him?
Pyo realized anew just how lonely he had been.
It was just as they entered a secluded path, lost in thought, that four masked men blocked their way.
Since this wasn't part of the arrangement with Bi Sa-in...
The mastermind behind this affair had sent people to silence Pyo Gi-gwang. Judging by their exposed auras, they were hired assassins.
Pyo Gi-gwang’s heart sank.
Finally, what was meant to come has arrived.
The moment had come much sooner than expected.
Fate was a wicked thing. To grant death at the most pleasant moment... it could have waited just a few more days.
His gaze turned toward Geom Mu-geuk standing beside him. He had wanted to hear more of this lad’s stories. He still had stories of his own he wanted to tell.
And more than anything, he felt a crushing guilt.
This young man is going to die because of me.
Pyo Gi-gwang spoke to Geom Mu-geuk.
“It seems the fisherman is pulling in his net. I’m sorry. I’m truly sorry.”
At the sincere apology, Geom Mu-geuk drew his sword and spoke.
“If it were my fisherman pulling, that would be one thing, but I have no intention of being hauled up by that side’s hand.”
At that moment, the assassins leaped forward simultaneously.
Two lunged at Geom Mu-geuk, while the other two rushed Pyo Gi-gwang.
Pyo Gi-gwang closed his eyes. Since he was already prepared for death, he didn't offer any clumsy resistance. He would end his life with whatever dignity he had left.
Swoosh!
He heard the sound of a sword-wind flying toward him.
Just as he thought it was the end—
Thwack!
He thought he had been stabbed, but the pain never came.
Before he knew it, Geom Mu-geuk had stepped in front of him and run his opponent through first.
He felt another sword flying toward his back. The one who had been trying to kill Geom Mu-geuk had changed targets and attacked.
I’ll die this time.
The moment he thought that, his body was yanked.
As he was dragged toward Geom Mu-geuk, he narrowly evaded the incoming blade.
Squelch!
Geom Mu-geuk’s sword pierced the heart of the assassin who had attacked from behind. Mu-geuk’s movements were incredibly fast and clean, without a single wasted motion.
The remaining two assassins lunged at Pyo Gi-gwang at the same time. It was an attack prepared for mutual destruction—even if they died, they would ensure Pyo Gi-gwang died with them.
Ah! This time, I’m really dead!
But once again, both attacks missed, cutting only through empty air. Just before the swords could pierce him, Pyo Gi-gwang fell over due to an unknown force, causing the attacks to go wide.
The price for that desperate attack was death.
Geom Mu-geuk’s sword, which had pierced the throat of the assassin on the left, was withdrawn in an instant and stabbed into the heart of the assassin on the right. This sequence of movements was as natural as if they were performing a choreographed dance.
Of course, Pyo Gi-gwang, who was sprawled on the ground, didn't see this artistic feat.
I survived again?
Pyo Gi-gwang stood up and looked around. The four masked men who had blocked their path were all corpses on the ground.
“What... what happened?”
“Didn't I say I would protect you?”
It was then.
Whiz, whiz, whiz, whiz!
Hidden weapons flew from the trees.
Geom Mu-geuk swung his sword to deflect the projectiles and shouted to Pyo Gi-gwang.
“Run behind that tree!”
Pyo Gi-gwang ran frantically with Geom Mu-geuk and took cover behind a massive trunk.
Geom Mu-geuk held out his sword, checking the reflection of the enemies on the polished blade.
“There are three in the trees to the east. Two more are hiding behind the bushes below them.”
Of course, if Geom Mu-geuk used his true strength, he could have wiped out everyone here in an instant.
But he didn't. For now, to both Pyo Gi-gwang and the enemy, he was just a martial artist of the 13 Wolves of the Unorthodox Path. He was demonstrating just enough skill to be the "talented junior" who had been hiding his potential.
“It’s not too late. Leave me and go.”
Pyo Gi-gwang never imagined he would say such words to save a greenhorn he’d met only yesterday—no, his skill wasn't that of a greenhorn, but he was still someone he’d known for less than a day.
“You’ve already taken down four of them; the Young Alliance Leader will understand.”
Just then, someone dropped down from the trees.
Swoosh!
It was a completely unexpected ambush, and Pyo Gi-gwang thought that this time, he was truly finished.
I’m really dead!
But just before the opponent’s sword could lodge in his skull, Geom Mu-geuk gave him a slight tug.
He felt the falling sword graze his ear. Then it’ll hit my shoulder, he thought, but then—
Splurt!
Spraying hot blood, the ambushing assassin collapsed, a fresh corpse.
Pyo Gi-gwang once again failed to see exactly how Mu-geuk had handled the man.
I survived again? Just how?
Before he could ask anything, Geom Mu-geuk pulled him again.
“Behind that rock!”
Pyo Gi-gwang ran with Geom Mu-geuk. He was confused. Since he wasn't alone and Geom Mu-geuk was with him, he couldn't just stop running, but this kind of evasion wasn't what he had wanted.
Thud, thud, thud, thud, thud!
Daggers flew and embedded themselves at the feet of the two running men. No matter how skilled an assassin was at throwing daggers, they couldn't hit a single mark while Geom Mu-geuk was leading the way.
Narrowly avoiding the attacks, the two successfully took cover behind a boulder.
“I told you to leave me!”
“Why are you just accepting it when they’re trying to silence you?”
“You don't understand my heart.”
Leaning against the rock, Geom Mu-geuk looked at him.
“Is it because of your loyalty to the Alliance?”
Pyo Gi-gwang looked at Geom Mu-geuk with eyes that said as much.
Geom Mu-geuk’s gaze shifted toward the corpses lying in the distance.
“Those men are hired assassins. What kind of Alliance sends hired assassins after a subordinate who did their bidding? In a mess this filthy, where exactly is there any room for loyalty?”
“...!”
Just then, another assassin vaulted over the rock.
Slash!
As Geom Mu-geuk slit his throat, more assassins emerged from behind the trees in the rear and threw hidden weapons.
Whiz, whiz, whiz, whiz, whiz, whiz, whiz!
Seeing the dozen or so projectiles flying toward him, Pyo Gi-gwang thought this was finally, truly the end.
Please, at least you must survive!
Thud, thud, thud, thud, thud!
At the sound of flesh being pierced, he opened his eyes to find that Geom Mu-geuk, after killing the assassin who had jumped over the rock, was now standing in front of him using that corpse as a shield. All the flying hidden weapons were embedded in the body.
What... I survived again?
Before he could say a word, Geom Mu-geuk grabbed him and began running into the mountains.
“Run!”
Behind them, the assassins who had fully revealed themselves began to give chase in a swarm.
As he ran frantically alongside Geom Mu-geuk, Pyo Gi-gwang had only one thought.
Why... why do I keep living?