Chapter 456: If You Kill Me, a Terrifying Person Will Come.
Chapter 456: If You Kill Me, a Terrifying Person Will Come.
There are days like that.
Days when the stars look hauntingly lonely and the moonlight feels piercingly cold.
Days when an ominous premonition wraps around your entire body, a powerful sense of dissonance making you feel as if you are standing somewhere you should never be.
Today was one of those days.
The source of all this anxiety was the man lying in the hammock. He was a man who could evoke such a chilling sensation just by looking at the stars.
Could a man with such an overwhelming presence truly be nothing more than the leader of a mere local sect? Impossible.
And there was one more thing.
The three War Ghosts he had sent ahead with Hwang In were nowhere to be seen.
‘I’ve walked straight into a tiger’s den.’
This wasn't because his survival instincts were particularly brilliant. It was because of the man’s sheer presence, a weight that dragged out premonitions Jeon Nak hadn't even known he possessed.
‘Stay calm.’
Jeon Nak settled his mind and composed his internal energy. He had faced crises before. Somehow, he had always overcome them to survive until today. He had to trust his instincts.
Just then, Hwang In, who had accompanied him, spoke to Geom Mu-geuk.
“I have received permission for our merchant group to invest in your sect. Let us sign the agreement immediately.”
If the young man was quick-witted, he would understand exactly what Hwang In was trying to say.
Hwang In was just as tense. He was still within arm's reach of Jeon Nak, his eyes pleading with Geom Mu-geuk.
‘I brought him here, so hurry up and kill him!’
Hwang In was still standing in the middle of the scales. Only when they tipped decisively would he throw his weight to one side. Until one of the two died, he was on no one's side.
Geom Mu-geuk walked forward and asked, “Who is this person with you?”
Jeon Nak introduced himself with a humble bow.
“I am merely a man serving Unit Leader Hwang.”
Jeon Nak scrutinized Geom Mu-geuk. If his ominous feeling about the middle-aged man in the hammock was correct, then he could not afford to underestimate this young man either.
The bright, easygoing first impression he’d had earlier now felt like the relaxed composure of a master.
Naturally, his resentment turned toward Hwang In.
‘Where the hell did this bastard lead me?’
Technically, Jeon Nak had followed him of his own volition, but that didn't stop the bitterness.
Geom Mu-geuk said to Hwang In, “With such a formidable person under your command, would you even need us?”
When he spoke as if he had recognized Jeon Nak's skill at a glance, Hwang In tried his best to maintain his composure.
“Does every person not have a different use?”
“You are right. Come, let us go inside and draft the agreement.”
Finally. Hwang In felt a wave of relief and was about to step toward Geom Mu-geuk when it happened.
“Please, wait a moment.”
Jeon Nak politely stopped Hwang In. He knew he couldn't let the merchant cross over to the opponent's side in this situation.
“Unit Leader Hwang.”
“What is it?”
“Did you not say you left my subordinates here? Yet, I do not see them.”
Hwang In turned to Geom Mu-geuk.
“Where are those people?”
This was a genuine question. What actually happened to them?
“They are inside, waiting for you to return. I asked them to watch the stars with me, but they ignored me and went right in.”
Hwang In was inwardly appalled by how nonchalantly the young man lied. He remembered the moment the War Ghosts had disappeared earlier. That house is a maw. Once you go in, you never come out.
“I will go in to write the agreement and tell them you’ve arrived.”
Hwang In tried to hurry inside, while Jeon Nak prepared to retreat.
“Please do. I shall wait outside the manor. Sign the agreement and come out together later.”
Jeon Nak’s only thought was to get out of there. Truly, it was the first time since becoming a martial artist that he had been this terrified without an opponent even making a threat. That made it even scarier.
However, Geom Mu-geuk did not let him leave so easily.
“Since you’re already here, why not come inside and have a drink with us?”
Setting aside premonitions and survival instincts, Jeon Nak could feel the crisis he was in from that statement alone.
He was not the kind of person people invited for a drink. He was the kind of person people wanted to avoid—or, preferably, never see at all. And yet, this man was asking him to drink?
“Shall we?”
Jeon Nak turned around and naturally walked to Hwang In’s side.
‘If I go in, I die.’
At that moment, Jeon Nak drew his sword.
As if his draw was a signal, the ten War Ghosts waiting outside leaped over the wall and landed simultaneously.
Hwang In was more worried than surprised that they had followed.
‘I can’t let them think I betrayed them!’
Hwang In asked, feigning total ignorance, “Why did you bring your subordinates?”
Jeon Nak’s gaze toward Hwang In was ice-cold.
“I have arrived, yet my subordinates do not come out to greet me? Unless they are dead, such a thing does not happen.”
He was still speaking politely.
That was why Hwang In found Jeon Nak so terrifying. He had always handled matters with that polite attitude. Leave it to me. With that one sentence, the job was always finished.
Now, that terrifying politeness was directed at him.
“Tell me what happened.”
Despite the killing intent faintly blooming in Jeon Nak’s eyes, Hwang In played dumb.
“They were here until the moment I left. Isn't that right?”
Hwang In’s eyes toward Geom Mu-geuk were desperate.
Please, say that’s true.
Geom Mu-geuk said to Jeon Nak, “I told you, the people who came with him are inside. If you’re so suspicious, go in and check for yourself.”
He spoke so calmly that it really seemed to be the case.
Jeon Nak’s gaze shifted to Geom Wu-jin, who was behind Geom Mu-geuk. He was still lying in the hammock with his eyes closed. It was impossible to tell if he was asleep or lost in thought, but his mere presence commanded the air.
“Check it.”
Jeon Nak sent one War Ghost inside. He sent a message via Voice Transmission, telling him to look carefully for anyone hiding.
But he received no answer. The War Ghost who went in did not come back out.
“It seems a drinking party has broken out,” Geom Mu-geuk remarked casually.
Jeon Nak’s eyes turned cold and sunken. This was the moment he confirmed that the two in front of him weren't the only enemies.
‘They’ve all been taken out.’
The first three subordinates he had sent were among the most skilled of the War Ghosts.
Jeon Nak asked Geom Mu-geuk, “Who are you people?”
“I am Geom Yeon of the West Blade Sect. This is my father.”
“No. You are not from the West Blade Sect.”
Jeon Nak’s sword snapped up, pointing at the neck of Hwang In, who was standing beside him.
“Why are you doing this to me? I am on your side!” Hwang In cried out.
The reason Jeon Nak believed Hwang In had lied was simple.
“There is no way such formidable people would have agreed to join hands with you. You lured me here to them.”
His polite demeanor vanished instantly.
“Even if I die, I will make sure you die too.”
Hwang In was overcome with terror; he could feel that this wasn't a mere threat. Now, the only person he could trust was Geom Mu-geuk.
‘Are you going to abandon me?’
To that desperate gaze, Geom Mu-geuk said something unexpected.
“A great merchant buys this and that. He wouldn't do business by leaving things to luck, would he?”
At those words, Hwang In realized. The man was rebuking him for playing both sides.
“I…”
He felt the chilling sensation of the blade against his throat. The moment he said he was on Geom Mu-geuk’s side, Jeon Nak would kill him. There was no mercy in this mad butcher.
Whether he knew of the danger or not, Geom Mu-geuk’s eyes, watching him from beyond the blade, demanded an answer.
Are you really the successor of a mysterious family? If I choose you, can you really save me?
Hwang In felt that this was the moment he had to risk his life for one final weighing of the scales. Since he wasn't a martial artist, he couldn't tell who was stronger. He had to make an instinctive choice based on his wits and gut feeling.
Finally, Hwang In made his decision.
“I have already chosen you.”
The scales in Hwang In’s heart tipped toward Geom Mu-geuk.
“So please, save me.”
Hwang In squeezed his eyes shut, fearing the sword at his throat would cut him down. But the butcher’s sword was unusually cautious today.
Geom Mu-geuk demanded another answer.
“Who are these people trying to kill you?”
You’re really pushing me to the edge of the cliff.
He had already taken the step. There was no turning back.
“These are people who deserve to die. Many innocent people have died at their hands.”
“Was it not you who ordered it?”
“Since I joined hands with them, I cannot say I am without responsibility, but I never ordered them to kill anyone, nor did I wish for it.”
“But the Imperial Capital Merchant Group grew because of it, didn't it?”
Hwang In could offer no excuse for that. He was the one who had joined hands with them, even if he hadn't known they were this cruel.
He felt the sword at his neck grow even colder. Hwang In could feel it—Jeon Nak had made up his mind to kill him.
‘Why hasn't he killed me yet?’
He didn't realize that the reason the cruel Jeon Nak hadn't struck yet was that he intended to use Hwang In as a hostage to gain even a slight advantage.
Then, hopeful words came from Geom Mu-geuk’s mouth.
“I have a technique that can save you. It’s one I’ve been practicing a lot lately. And it just so happens there are ten opponents.”
No, why are you explaining that to the enemy? Just use it! Hurry!
But soon, his hope turned into a bolt from the blue.
“However, its accuracy is a bit low, so you might die.”
Low accuracy? Is this the time to mention such a half-baked technique?!
How could Hwang In have known? That "half-baked technique" was the Fifth Form of the Nine Calamities Demonic Art: Soul-Severing Demonic Strike.
Listening to the conversation, Jeon Nak became increasingly uneasy. He figured the man wouldn't have brought it up if it were a technique he wasn't confident in.
“You were targeting me from the start, weren't you?”
There was no way such masters would target a mere merchant group. To be precise, they were likely targeting his superiors, not him. He thought it was actually for the better. Perhaps he could use that point to escape this place.
“If I die, a terrifying person will come. Even you won't survive then.”
Geom Mu-geuk then asked, “Who is this terrifying person?”
“Someone who can kill the likes of you with ease. If you kill me, that person will come.”
At the look in Jeon Nak's eyes that asked if he would still dare to kill him, Geom Mu-geuk turned to Hwang In.
“Are you the lucky type?”
Hwang In let out a ragged sigh.
“If I were lucky, would I be in this situation?”
“Then I’ll have to trust my own luck.”
What on earth was he talking about?
“Close your eyes.”
At Geom Mu-geuk’s words, Hwang In closed his eyes. Blood trickled down from Jeon Nak’s sword, which was pressed against Hwang In’s neck.
“If you move, this man dies!”
Jeon Nak wasn't lacking the confidence to kill someone while holding a sword to their throat, no matter the enemy. If an attack came, he would slit Hwang In’s throat before fighting.
In the next instant!
Ten streaks of sword qi struck down vertically.
Like lightning, these ten streaks of sword qi pierced accurately into the crowns of the War Ghosts' heads. The War Ghosts each had different levels of skill, but before the Soul-Severing Demonic Strike, they were all equal.
They all collapsed simultaneously like bundles of straw.
When the first sound erupted, Hwang In thought he was dead.
‘It’s the end!’
His father had told him: if a merchant gets involved with martial artists, it won't end well. He should have listened.
At the hot scent of blood blooming in the air, Hwang In slowly opened his eyes. An incredible sight unfolded before him.
The War Ghosts were all lying dead. Blood flowed from the crowns of their heads. And Jeon Nak, who had held a sword to his throat, was also lying dead beside him.
‘Jeon Nak is dead? That terrifying Jeon Nak? How?’
It felt like a dream. Hwang In stood there dazed, completely out of his mind.
Just then, Geom Wu-jin, who had been lying in the hammock, sat up.
“With that clumsy skill, what would you have done if it hit that man’s head?”
“Then you would have saved him, Father.”
Sensing he meant it, Geom Wu-jin asked with an expression that said is that even possible?
“While lying in this hammock?”
“Yes. Because you are my father.”
A smirk played on Geom Wu-jin’s lips. But today’s smirk held a pleasant emotion. His son’s trust even surpassed the Nine Calamities Demonic Art.
“Ten strands now. You still have a long way to go.”
Leaving those words behind, Geom Wu-jin went inside the building.
“Sleep well, Father!”
After greeting his father loudly, Geom Mu-geuk walked over to the dazed Hwang In.
“Are you alright?”
Only then did Hwang In snap out of it and bow deeply on the spot.
“Thank you for saving my life.”
His weighing of the scales had been accurate. Now, for better or worse, he had to trust and follow these people. There were many things he wanted to know and ask, but right now, one worry filled Hwang In’s heart.
“But… is it really alright?”
“What is?”
“Did he not say that if he died, a terrifying person would come?”
“That’s why I killed him.”
Seeing Hwang In’s eyes widen in confusion, Geom Mu-geuk spoke as if he were talking about someone he actually wanted to see.
“Because he said they’d only come if I killed him.”