Chapter 318
Chapter 318
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 318
Chapter Title: A Calculated Provocation
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Yong Mu-gang took a deep breath and asked.
“How did you find me?”
An ordinary person would have asked, ‘Who are you?’
But what mattered to him was how he had been tracked.
Until now, not even the most seasoned assassins had been able to follow his trail.
He was desperately curious how such a young man had found this place.
“You seem curious.”
“I am.”
“You need to solve this mystery so the same thing doesn’t happen again.”
Yong Mu-gang forced a smile as the man hit the nail on the head.
“I doubt that would happen.”
“I’ll explain.”
The man, who had been gazing out the window for a moment, turned his head and began to speak.
“I noticed that the areas where you committed your crimes were always within the territory of the Jan-gyeol-bang.”
“……”
“Of course, no one in the Murim would pay any mind to the Jan-gyeol-bang’s territory.”
A corner of the man’s mouth lifted into a smirk.
“It’s a faction only the crippled can join, so it would seem to have no connection to the Flowery Thief, a man renowned for his legendary movement techniques.”
“You couldn’t have found me based on that alone.”
The man smiled faintly at Yong Mu-gang’s question.
“Are you saying that because no one knew you were crippled?”
In that instant, Yong Mu-gang’s eyes widened.
Until this moment, not a single soul in the world knew his leg was crippled.
“No one would have ever expected that the Flowery Thief, with his incredible movement techniques, had a crippled leg.”
“……”
“That’s because you must have practiced relentlessly to use the prosthetic attached below your ankle so naturally. And…”
The man’s eyes grew as sharp as a blade.
“To avoid pursuit, you must have killed the only person who knew that fact—your master, Dok Haeng-do.”
*Thump.*
Yong Mu-gang’s eyes shot open as if he had been struck on the back of the head.
It was a secret buried in the deepest corner of his heart.
Killing one’s master was akin to killing one’s own parents.
Even for someone as reckless as the Flowery Thief, what would happen if this fact became known? He would be unable to receive help from anyone, forced to live in isolation.
‘How in the world could this man know something like that?’
Yong Mu-gang was so stunned he could barely breathe.
But he suppressed the turmoil in his chest and asked calmly.
“How did you know that?”
“At every scene where you committed a crime, there were always unique tracks left by someone using a prosthetic leg.”
While tracking Yong Mu-gang, the man had instantly discerned that his left leg was crippled and that his sudden disappearances were connected to the Jan-gyeol-bang.
“Astonishing. To think that someone else knows about the unique tracks left by a prosthetic leg, which even I, the user, was unaware of.”
Yong Mu-gang swallowed his surprise and spoke.
“Until now, not a single person had figured out that I was a member of the Jan-gyeol-bang.”
Yong Mu-gang tried to stretch out the conversation for as long as possible.
He needed to draw it out to find a chance to escape.
“Seeing as you investigate even the traces of a prosthetic leg, you can’t be a martial artist. Are you from the constabulary?”
Instead of answering, the man looked out the window.
From the way his gaze was fixed on the moonlight, he seemed to be waiting for something.
Seizing the opportunity, Yong Mu-gang quickly pressed a mechanism on the floor.
With a click, poisoned projectiles shot out from the wall.
*CRASH!*
At the same time, he smashed through the door and burst outside.
*Grab.*
But just as he was about to use his movement technique, Yong Mu-gang felt a searing pain as if the back of his neck was being torn apart.
“Aaargh!”
The man who had been standing inside the room was now, somehow, gripping the back of his neck.
*Murmur, murmur.*
The commotion brought everyone in the farmhouse outside.
Among them was the vice-chief of the Jan-gyeol-bang, Song Ok-bang, also known as their grand dame.
“Who are you?”
Song Ok-bang glared at the man holding Yong Mu-gang by the neck.
“Are you doing this knowing full well that this is the headquarters of the Jan-gyeol-bang?”
“Well, this is amusing.”
The man let out a short laugh.
“Did you even know who this man was before you decided to hide him?”
“It doesn’t matter who he is. It is the principle of our faction to provide a safe haven to any member who requests it.”
“You’ll have to change that principle now.”
A bloody glint appeared in the man’s eyes.
“Otherwise, from this day forward, every branch of the Jan-gyeol-bang, including this one, will be wiped from existence.”
Song Ok-bang fell silent.
Having lived a rough and tumultuous sixty years, she had the nerve to smile even with a knife to her throat.
But as her eyes met the man’s, an inexplicable fear began to bloom within her.
*Rumble.*
Just then, two long-distance carriages entered the farmhouse grounds, and people began to disembark.
A flag with the character for ‘Gang’ (鋼) was attached to the carriages.
They were from the Gangsang Escort Service, which was located near the farmhouse.
Song Ok-bang’s eyes widened at the unexpected development.
Why would carriages from an escort service enter the Jan-gyeol-bang’s territory?
Song Ok-bang blinked as she looked at the middle-aged man who had stepped out of the carriage.
He was Jang Il-do, the chief of the Gangsang Escort Service.
“Chief Jang, what brings you here?”
Since the Jan-gyeol-bang and the Gangsang Escort Service were located in the same area, the two were fairly well acquainted.
“I was told that a delivery worth ten thousand nyang is in this farmhouse.”
Song Ok-bang tilted her head at Jang Il-do’s words.
“A delivery in our faction’s headquarters?”
“That’s right. I already received five thousand nyang as a down payment this afternoon.”
Around noon, a mysterious man had visited the Gangsang Escort Service.
He paid five thousand nyang upfront and made a contract to transport an item from the farmhouse to the Emei Sect at around nine in the evening.
The distance to the Emei Sect was only about a hundred li.
And yet, he had readily offered the huge sum of five thousand nyang as a down payment? In these times, when work was scarce, it was a request they couldn't possibly refuse.
“You’re here.”
The man restraining Yong Mu-gang spoke up.
“This is the delivery.”
*Shing.*
The sword on his back glinted like a cold star. In the same instant, Yong Mu-gang’s head was severed from his body.
*Gush.*
Blood sprayed in all directions.
The man nonchalantly tossed the severed head to Jang Il-do.
“Deliver this head to the Emei Sect. You will be paid another five thousand nyang upon arrival.”
Jang Il-do had been in the escort business for thirty years, but he had never been this flustered.
To cut off the head of a Jan-gyeol-bang member within their own territory and be asked to transport it?
The martial arts of the Jan-gyeol-bang members weren't exceptional, but their tenacity and cruelty toward their enemies were second only to the Dang Clan.
Song Ok-bang glared at the man and said.
“Do you have any idea what it means to kill a member within our faction’s grounds?”
Every faction has its rules, and without upholding them, its existence and authority vanish.
This was why the factions of the Murim would defend their ironclad rules with their lives.
If the rules were broken, the faction’s authority would crumble.
The Jan-gyeol-bang had only one rule.
An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth.
Though they were a gathering of the weak and crippled, the number of Jan-gyeol-bang members scattered across the Central Plains was countless.
They would risk their lives to take revenge on anyone who harmed their members. That was how the Jan-gyeol-bang had become a sanctuary for the crippled.
“Our faction exists everywhere across the hundred and eighty thousand li of the Central Plains. Even if you are of royal blood, you will surely pay the price for this.”
“Go ahead.”
When the man answered calmly, Song Ok-bang shouted.
“Identify yourself! If you don’t…”
“Bu Eun-seol.”
The man, Bu Eun-seol, looked down at Song Ok-bang and said gravely.
“Bu Eun-seol, a disciple of Nang-ya-gak.”
Her eyes went wide with shock.
“The… the successor to the Martial Hall?”
Song Ok-bang was deeply shaken.
Bu Eun-seol, the orthodox successor of Nang-ya-gak and the successor of the Martial Hall, the Lord of the Martial Soul.
They might be able to kill someone of royal blood…
But they could not touch the future ruler of the million followers of the demonic path.
“From now on, be more discerning about the people you take in.”
Bu Eun-seol said coldly.
“If you shelter a public enemy of the Murim like Yong Mu-gang again, the name Jan-gyeol-bang will cease to exist in this world.”
At that, not only Song Ok-bang but also Jang Il-do, who had been staring at the severed head, widened his eyes.
“You mean this man is the Flowery Thief, Yong Mu-gang?”
“That’s right.”
Bu Eun-seol stared at the distant sky and said calmly.
“For a long time, this man has used his dual identity as a member of the Jan-gyeol-bang to evade pursuit. The orthodox factions of the Murim were simply unaware of it.”
Song Ok-bang trembled.
She realized Bu Eun-seol’s words were not an empty threat.
If they had known Yong Mu-gang’s true identity and hidden him?
The Martial Hall might not have cared, but this young successor would have surely dismantled the Jan-gyeol-bang piece by piece.
*Swoosh.*
Just then, a sound cut through the air from the distant sky, and dozens of martial artists in white robes entered the farmhouse.
“Stop!”
The ones who surrounded them with a thunderous shout were none other than Cheon-geom and the Yojin Sword Unit.
“You?”
Cheon-geom’s eyes widened upon seeing Bu Eun-seol.
He had scoured the hundred and eighty thousand li of the Central Plains to catch Yong Mu-gang. And just when he had finally picked up his trail at the Jan-gyeol-bang…
Bu Eun-seol had snatched him away again?
*Smirk.*
Bu Eun-seol shot Cheon-geom a cold smile.
As he turned to leave, Cheon-geom scoffed.
“So this is the best you could come up with? Meddling in my affairs at every turn?”
“You’re trying hard, but do you really think these little tricks can stop me from succeeding?”
“Meddling?”
Bu Eun-seol chuckled.
“So you describe the act of catching a public enemy of the Murim as ‘meddling’?”
“Since when did the Martial Hall start catching public enemies?”
The corners of Cheon-geom’s mouth curled up.
“Besides, Yong Mu-gang was a villain our Alliance was pursuing on a massive scale. Why are you getting involved?”
A cynical smile touched Bu Eun-seol’s lips.
“When catching a lecherous fiend who commits evil acts, what does it matter whether one is from the demonic or orthodox path?”
Just then, the escort chief, Jang Il-do, who had placed the severed head in a box, bowed respectfully to Bu Eun-seol.
“W-Well then, we will deliver this to the Emei Sect.”
Watching this, Cheon-geom bit his lip.
‘This bastard did it on purpose.’
To have arranged for an escort service to deliver the head, Bu Eun-seol must have been on Yong Mu-gang’s trail for a long time.
But he had deliberately waited for him to arrive and caught the man at just the right moment.
“Ah, so you used your head.”
Cheon-geom smiled nonchalantly.
“Using an escort service is the fastest way to spread this kind of news throughout the Murim. Isn’t that right?”
“Is that so?”
At those words, Bu Eun-seol smiled as if he had a great realization.
“Then I’ll be sure to use an escort service when I send your head to the Sword Saint.”
“Huhuhu. Hahahaha!”
Cheon-geom cackled and nodded.
“I just love that madness of yours…”
But Bu Eun-seol didn’t even listen to his words, immediately launching himself into the air and departing.
‘This bastard!’
Sparks flew from Cheon-geom’s eyes as Bu Eun-seol left, ignoring him.
*CRUNCH!*
At the same time, Yong Mu-gang’s corpse was crushed as if it were being crumpled.
He had used his formidable internal energy to obliterate the body in an instant.
“So this is what it means to have the upper hand in an information war.”
After staring blankly for a moment, Cheon-geom grinned and nodded.
“In that case, I’ll start using that to my advantage as well.”
A glittering madness flowed in his eyes.
Until now, Bu Eun-seol had simply been one step ahead, anticipating his movements.
In that case, Cheon-geom could do the same and interfere with Bu Eun-seol’s plans at every turn.
“From now on, the tables will turn.”
The Murim Alliance would surely be keeping a close watch on the movements of the Martial Hall’s successor.
“You’d better look forward to it, Bu Eun-seol.”
Cheon-geom bared his white teeth in a grin.
He intended to give him a taste of his own medicine.
***
In the conference room of the Jam-ma-gak.
Bu Eun-seol, Yu Un-ryong, and Myo Cheon-woo sat with their heads together.
“He took the bait,” Yu Un-ryong said.
“That crazy bastard isn’t looking for information to build his own merits anymore. He’s putting all his effort into tracking your movements. It’s a much faster approach for him.”
“I thought he was a lunatic, but he’s smarter than he looks.”
When Myo Cheon-woo laughed, Yu Un-ryong shook his head.
“He’s no simple lunatic. Aside from his inability to empathize with others… his martial arts, his intellect, he lacks nothing.”
“Hmph. Even so, he’s still playing right into our hands.”
Myo Cheon-woo looked at Bu Eun-seol and said.
“So, what’s next? It’s all going according to your plan.”
Bu Eun-seol had deliberately stolen Cheon-geom’s thunder to provoke him.
He had guided him, knowing that Cheon-geom would then try to track his movements and interfere.
“I’m going to Baek-mang-pung.”
“Baek-mang-pung?”
Myo Cheon-woo tilted his head.
Baek-mang-pung was a confederation of mountain bandits that held sway over the Yeomwon and Ryangsan regions of Sichuan.
What was unusual about them was that instead of pillaging, they collected taxes from the mountain villages under the guise of protection fees.
The taxes, initially light, had gradually become heavier, and it was said the villagers were now on the brink of starvation.
However, Baek-mang-pung’s forces were formidable, and any attempt to subdue them required crossing the treacherous high mountains of Sichuan’s remote areas. No faction had been able to stop them.
Just leading a large number of troops there was an arduous and harsh journey in itself.
“You’re going there in this cold weather? Besides, Baek-mang-pung is much closer to the Murim Alliance’s territory, isn’t it?”
Myo Cheon-woo crossed his arms as he listened.
“You might actually get beaten to the punch this time.”
Bu Eun-seol shook his head.
“It doesn’t matter. Baek-mang-pung isn’t the goal.”
At that, Yu Un-ryong, who had been carefully studying the map, flashed his eyes.
“Wait a minute, if it’s where Baek-mang-pung is located…”
After thinking for a long moment, his jaw dropped.
He knew Bu Eun-seol was a brilliant strategist, but he had never dreamed he could create a trap by exploiting the blind spots in human psychology.
“You’re planning to use the situation there.”
“That’s right. Baek-mang-pung is just the bait.”
“You’re truly terrifying.”
Yu Un-ryong shook his head.
“And I’m sure this isn’t the end of your plan.”
“Of course not.”
Destroying a person’s fame and honor is no easy task.
Bu Eun-seol intended to drag Cheon-geom down into the abyss through a series of layered schemes.
“This is only the beginning.”
A bloody light flickered in Bu Eun-seol’s eyes.
“Before long, the Murim Alliance will voluntarily cast that madman out.”
***
A wind that seemed to cut to the bone was blowing.
The journey to Baek-mang-pung, which required a relentless climb up a sheer mountain path, was nothing short of an ordeal.
Bu Eun-seol was walking along the endlessly high mountain path with the members of the Sa-yeong-jeon.
But something was strange.
Considering Baek-mang-pung’s forces, two of his units would have been more than enough.
Yet Bu Eun-seol had brought all five units of the Sa-yeong-jeon.
Furthermore, they were carrying an enormous amount of supplies, as if preparing for a long-term engagement.
After climbing for some time, they saw dozens of masters in white robes ascending the path far ahead.
It was Cheon-geom and the members of his Murim Alliance sword unit.
“Hahaha! Looks like there’s nothing you can do this time!”
Cheon-geom, who was at the front, spotted Bu Eun-seol’s troops and deliberately used his lightness technique to descend to where they were.
“What are you going to do? We’ve already taken the lead.”
There was only one path up, and the Murim Alliance’s sword unit was ahead of them.
Unless Bu Eun-seol and the Sa-yeong-jeon fought and defeated them, there was no way to pass.
“What a shame, coming all this way just to be beaten to the punch.”
Cheon-geom looked down at Bu Eun-seol and said playfully.
“Of course, you’re welcome to attack right now.”
A cold madness gleamed in Cheon-geom’s smiling eyes.
“If a war between the orthodox and demonic factions breaks out because of this, that would be interesting in its own way.”
“……”
Bu Eun-seol said nothing and continued walking.
Cheon-geom snorted as if he was bored.
“Acting all calm. I bet you’re burning up inside.”
He then used his lightness technique again to return to his ranks and shouted loudly.
“Those vile demonic bastards might try to overtake us, so be extra vigilant!”
Regardless of what they did, Bu Eun-seol calmly continued up the mountain path.
When they finally reached the midway point, a clearing and a village came into view.
“Catch us if you can!”
As the path widened near the village, Cheon-geom tauntingly led the members of the Yojin Sword Unit forward using their lightness techniques.
“……”
Bu Eun-seol made no effort to catch up. Instead, he surveyed the village.
The scene within was devastating.
Most of the houses had collapsed due to landslides, and the people looked as if they were on the verge of starvation.
The aftermath of a bandit raid would have been a more pleasant sight.
“Listen up, everyone,” Bu Eun-seol commanded.
“From this moment, we will repair the collapsed houses and distribute the food we’ve brought.”
“Yes, sir!”
Martial artists, trained in their craft, could lift large logs as easily as chopsticks.
*Thud, thud, thud.*
The members led by Wi Cheon-gyeong leaped onto the roofs and began repairing the damaged structures.
“Form a line! We’re handing out food!”
Won Se-mun and his subordinates, laden with provisions, distributed food to the villagers.
Jo Nam-cheon and others personally handed out food to those who had difficulty moving.
“It will take about three days to repair the entire village,” Wi Cheon-gyeong reported as he approached.
Bu Eun-seol nodded.
“Even if it takes time, make sure the restoration is perfect.”
Bu Eun-seol was aware that the villages in this Yeomwon region had suffered severe damage from landslides.
And he also knew that Cheon-geom, blinded by his desire to claim credit, would only think of getting ahead of him.
He wouldn’t even glance at the state of the village.
‘No, even if he had the peace of mind, he wouldn’t do it.’
Cheon-geom was, by nature, incapable of empathizing with the pain or emotions of others.
The plight of the struggling villagers would not even register in his eyes.
“Warriors. Why are you helping us instead of continuing on your way?”
The village chief walked forward and asked in a trembling voice.
“Shouldn’t you be hurrying to get ahead of them?”
The village chief had been watching as Bu Eun-seol’s group and Cheon-geom’s group competed on their way up to Baek-mang-pung.
But now, Bu Eun-seol and his men had stopped to repair the village instead of moving on?
“The whole point of eliminating Baek-mang-pung is to protect the common people in the first place.”
Bu Eun-seol said calmly.
“If you’re all dying in a situation like this, what’s the point of getting rid of them?”
“Ah…”
The village chief wiped away tears, his face filled with emotion.
Martial artists often claimed to protect the common folk while dealing with those who exploited them, but in reality, their main objective was usually to expand their own influence.
But the warriors before him had truly come to protect the people.
“Thank you. Thank you so much.”
Suppressing his emotions, the village chief took Bu Eun-seol’s hand and bowed his head repeatedly.