Chapter 13: The Black Path Never Changes (1)
To pick a fight, you have to hold it back.
The more you say "fight, fight," the less they want to. If you want someone to flip the table, instead of yelling "Hey, flip it! You idiot, flip the damn table!", it's better to say "That punk doesn't have the guts to flip it anyway." That's how you make it happen.
Park Gwang-cheol knew this all too well, the sly bastard.
"Big bro, try to understand. This guy's not the type to hide his true feelings."
Tae Jin-gu chuckled at Park Gwang-cheol's words.
"Haha, could be. Though these days, what's the point in splitting white path from black? Back in the day, black path guys would smash limbs on the spot for any lip from arrogant pricks. But now? Try that, and the Murim Alliance comes down hard."
It was blatant intimidation, but Jang Cheon didn't flinch. He just smiled faintly and sipped his wine.
Tae Jin-gu's rage meter was filling up fast.
This punk's acting cocky 'cause there's a woman here?
Park Gwang-cheol was thrilled. He half-wanted to shove the two into a cage and play fight promoter right then.
But he knew the rice wasn't ripe yet.
"Friend, you ever get done dirty by black path folks?"
"Never happened to me, but personally, I don't like them."
Jang Cheon froze the chilly atmosphere solid with his outright disdain, then piled on the cold wind.
"Who does? Their deeds are so vicious and filthy, you can't even say it outright. Admit it—you feel the same."
Lee Yeon and Hwa-ran were stunned. The tension was thick enough for a brawl any second.
"Hahaha. Yeah, that's why they're black path—vicious as hell."
Park Gwang-cheol laughed it off like a joke, but no one else did. Tae Jin-gu's face was stone-cold, glaring at Jang Cheon with murder in his eyes.
Jang Cheon pretended not to notice and pressed on.
"Every black path guy I've met never used their power when they should. Instead, they waste it where they shouldn't."
"Examples?"
"Trampling the weak, robbing money, killing. Groveling to the strong with wagging tails. You've seen plenty of that tail-wagging, right?"
"Didn't know you were so bold. Well, we're friends as of today—no secrets between us."
Park Gwang-cheol emphasized "friends today." It'd make Tae Jin-gu less wary of him. Sure enough, Tae Jin-gu's eyes turned feral at the words.
Hwa-ran stepped in to cool things down. A knife fight could break out, and she didn't want collateral damage.
"Doesn't everyone do that? Strong to the weak, weak to the strong. Human nature, right?"
It would've ended fine there, but Jang Cheon seemed dead set.
"Black path just takes it to extremes."
Tae Jin-gu was on the verge of exploding.
This fucker!
Killing intent surged. No one had dared talk to him like this since he became Gangnam's underlord. The rage felt alien even to him.
Right then, Jang Cheon stood.
"Gonna hit the restroom."
Tae Jin-gu rose too.
"I'll show you."
"Thanks."
Jang Cheon didn't refuse. Going now felt like an invitation to follow.
Tae Jin-gu glanced at Park Gwang-cheol for a read. Friend or not, the guy was his guest. Park just nodded like "handle it yourself"—practically begging for a lesson.
Alright then.
Tae Jin-gu smirked coldly. He'd rough him up, nothing fatal.
Inside the restroom, Tae Jin-gu watched Jang Cheon from the sink while he did his business.
Doesn't look like an expert. What the hell's this guy's backing?
Tae Jin-gu trusted his skills. Plus, Jang Cheon's sword was back at the table.
"Got a sect?"
"Nope."
The casual "nope" drew a hollow laugh from Tae Jin-gu.
"Haha, you snort something at noon? Balls hanging out your ass. Didn't hear who I am? Think I'm just the restaurant manager?"
Jang Cheon eyed him in the mirror.
"You're the one who didn't listen. Said I hate black path scum how many times?"
"Ha, how to take this? Confidence? Crazy? Last words? Know what I did before coming? Some prick wouldn't shut up—friend of a chief prosecutor or whatever. How'd I handle that fuck? Crushed one arm to pulp. Got it, you shithead?"
Jang Cheon dried his hands with a paper towel.
"Don't need to tell me. Smelled the blood when you walked in."
"What? You a dog?"
"I got a good nose for blood."
"You riding Park's coattails hard, huh? We decide, chaebol or not, we fuck 'em all up—don't you know?"
Tae Jin-gu was more riled than usual. No clue why this guy pissed him off so much. Normally he'd play it smoother.
"You guys really never change."
Tae Jin-gu's rage maxed. But he switched gears, softening his face as he approached.
"All jokes, man. You're Park's friend—how could I? Forgive any offense."
He bowed deep.
Next instant.
Shriiiiek!
Without lifting his head, he lunged in ambush. The move started low, a fake-apology favorite.
Most freeze at the sudden shift—"What's this guy's deal?"—prime for strike.
He aimed to snap a limb, no holding back.
Thud.
His charge halted dead.
Jang Cheon gripped his shoulder one-handed. Tae Jin-gu twisted to break free—nothing.
"Huh?"
Jang Cheon looked down coldly.
"That's your idea of an apology?"
Shwick!
Crack!
Jang Cheon's fist blurred into Tae Jin-gu's face. No dodging that speed.
Nose shattered, upper teeth exploded. One shot, and Tae Jin-gu crumpled unconscious without a scream.
Jang Cheon washed up again and left.
Lee Yeon fidgeted while they were gone.
Her eyes fell on the sword by the wall. If a fight broke out, he'd need it.
Even an expert's vulnerable without his blade.
She'd never seen Jang Cheon fight, heightening her worry.
But no guarantee of a fight. Park wouldn't let harm come to his guest.
Still, her gaze kept drifting to the sword.
"Worried about your man, huh?"
"Why keep linking me and Jang Cheon? You really rooting for us?"
She regretted snapping. Normally composed, but anxiety broke her cool.
"Feisty too. Cute."
Lee Yeon said nothing.
Then Jang Cheon returned. Relief washed over her.
He grabbed his sword and said goodbye.
"I'll head out since I'm up. Next meal's on me—this place sucks."
He glanced at Lee Yeon. She shot up.
"See you."
Watching them go, Park Gwang-cheol grinned.
"Something went down in the john, right?"
Hwa-ran eyed his excitement seriously.
"Thought I'd die of nerves earlier. Still wanna puke."
"Lose some weight—win-win."
"You're in too deep with these sword nuts."
"Murim folk? Just stabby wanderers."
Hwa-ran struck where it hurt.
"Not 'cause of that girl earlier, is it?"
Park Gwang-cheol neither confirmed nor denied.
"Be straight. What's this about?"
Then came words she'd never heard.
"I wanted to be Murim too."
"For real?"
"Dream since kid days."
"No helping it. Your dad'd never approve."
A beat, then Park Gwang-cheol spoke.
"He did. Raised us free. Hate business? Do what you want. If you all bail, hire pros."
"What? Then?"
"Flunked BST like a moron. Can't buy that pass."
Hwa-ran went quiet. First time he'd bared his soul so raw.
"Anyway, what's that got to do with this? Murim's everywhere."
"Dunno. Just..."
Probably then. First day, he'd seen Lee Yeon's gaze at Jang Cheon. Pure admiration.
That's when it hit him—his dream was Murim too. Become one, get looks like that. The thought stuck.
Restroom noise erupted. Guessing what happened, Park Gwang-cheol grinned wide.
"Our striker punked Guwolmun's underlord? Fuck yeah! This madman's gold—haven't had fun like this in ages."
Hwa-ran sighed.
"Poor me, stuck with a lunatic like you."
Driving, Lee Yeon asked.
"You provoked him on purpose."
Rearview showed Jang Cheon nodding.
"Yeah."
"Why?"
"Black path shouldn't flaunt it. Bad guys gotta hide like moles. Crawling out to scare folks in broad daylight? No."
She knew that wasn't all. Jang Cheon wasn't emotional.
"You knew about Guwolmun."
"Yeah."
Some past tie, clearly.
She was about to ask, but he beat her.
"Planning to use Guwolmun to wrap this up."
"How?"
He just smiled like "watch."
"Heard cops are probing black path."
"Police won't uncover squat."
Jang Cheon added gravely.
"Things might get dangerous ahead. Wanna bail? I'll square it with Hong—zero blowback on you."
Lee Yeon didn't hesitate.
"No, I'm in."
She grinned quick.
"Haven't deleted 'adventure' from my life categories yet."
Lame joke? She peeked rearview. His smile eased her.
"Park Gwang-cheol seems uninvolved."
"Why?"
"If he was, he wouldn't drag us there. No need to flaunt black path ties."
"Makes sense."
Lee Yeon glanced back. Jang Cheon stared out the window, unreadable as that first airport day.