Chapter 107
Chapter 107
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: penny
Chapter: 107
Chapter Title: Poisonous Promotion
-----------------------------------------------------------------
At the Silver River Pavilion, now reborn as the Silver Galaxy Inn, Do Daewoong clutched a rag and scrubbed the table until it gleamed.
"Like this, scrub scrub scrub! Wipe it hard, wipe it!"
The boss of the Red Seven Gang, Seo Hongchil, scowled fiercely.
"Hey, take it easy. What's the point of polishing it like that?"
"What? You got a problem with it?"
"You little shit, you think I'm easy pickings just 'cause I'm wiping tables? I'm Seo Hongchil, boss of the Red Seven Gang!"
"Hah! Acting all high and mighty when you're just Iron rank bossing around your peers!"
Iron, Copper, Silver, Gold.
It was the ranking system born alongside the Lineage Society.
"Fuck this, this is the underworld! If you're gonna fuss over ranks, join the righteous sects!"
"Oh ho! You gonna ignore the rules set by the Big Bro?"
At Do Daewoong's words, Seo Hongchil flinched, his body trembling.
The moment Namgung Hyuk's name came up, he stiffened like a frog spotting a snake.
But he quickly twisted his face into a scowl and glared at Do Daewoong.
"So what! Fuck, since when does wiping tables come with some bullshit rulebook?"
"As a Copper rank, it's only natural for me, Do Daewoong, to manage the underlings!"
"Underlings? You wanna die, for real! Since when did we in the back alleys give a damn about ranks? We do things our way!"
"If Big Bro finds out about this..."
"Every damn sentence ends with Big Bro—fuck, is Big Bro here right now?!"
It was then, as Seo Hongchil reached for the sword at his waist.
Thud thud thud thud thud!
A clamor of footsteps erupted from outside as a subordinate came rushing in.
"Assembly! Assembly at the Celestial Tower!"
Do Daewoong blinked.
Assembly meant a summons from Namgung Hyuk.
They gathered once a month for settlements, but this wasn't settlement time.
And hadn't something huge just gone down at the Namgung family?
Had he already sorted that out?
As Do Daewoong tilted his head at the sudden call,
"Outta my way!"
Seo Hongchil bolted outside.
Do Daewoong grimaced.
"You rotten bastard!"
He flung the rag from his hand and chased after Seo Hongchil toward the Celestial Tower.
Do Daewoong arrived at the Celestial Tower in a flash and leaped straight to the top floor.
Huff huff huff!
He shoved open the door ahead of the panting Seo Hongchil beside him and strode in.
The heads of the other underworld factions were already there, crowding around Namgung Hyuk.
Do Daewoong and Seo Hongchil's eyes lit up.
"Ohhh, Big Brooo!"
"Big Brooo!"
The two dropped flat to the floor and kowtowed toward Namgung Hyuk.
Do Daewoong sneakily lifted his eyes to peek at him.
Namgung Hyuk was wrapped in a thick blanket, braziers lit all around, staring right at them.
Do Daewoong rolled his eyes.
'Huh? He looks kinda pale.'
Was he deathly ill or something?
He hadn't been seen for a while—maybe he'd fallen sick.
If he just croaked like this...
'Kehum! Anyway.'
Do Daewoong rubbed his hands together and shouted.
"Ohhh! Big Bro, I heard you handled some big business. You sorted out what happened at the Namgung family!"
"Uhahaha! As expected of Big Bro! The true pillar of the Namgung family, worthy of the Sleeping Dragon title."
"It's true you took down the Heavenly Bow Captain's head, right, Big Bro? Keheuhu! As expected. Beating the Heavenly Bow Captain!"
"Man! What an epic feat!"
The two yammered on wildly, filling Namgung Hyuk's cup with liquor and piling on snacks.
At Namgung Hyuk's glance, Jang Ung jumped out and snapped at them.
"Shh! Quiet down."
"Hup, no, we were just celebrating..."
"Wanna die?"
"W-We’ll live quietly, sir."
Do Daewoong and Seo Hongchil flinched back.
'Fuck, even when we kiss ass, it's bullshit.'
The other underworld bosses who'd arrived first shook their heads.
Once the commotion died down, Namgung Hyuk poked his head out from under the blanket and spoke.
"I'm gonna be away for a while."
The underworld bosses' ears perked up.
Away for a while—didn't that mean leaving Hefei turf?
Do Daewoong slyly raised his head.
"How long... exactly?"
Namgung Hyuk said,
"Up to half a year, I figure."
"...Half a year, sir?"
"Yeah."
The underworld bosses' eyes gleamed.
Half a year?
Namgung Hyuk gone for half a year?
'Freedom. Half a year of freedom!'
'Peace in the back alleys at last. Half a year!'
'What to do for half a year? How to kill time?'
'Just bail? He's gone half a year—what's he gonna do?'
At the unexpected good news, the bosses' lips twitched upward.
If they were greenhorns with just a year in the underworld, they might've danced on the tables.
But these were veterans of over a decade.
Do Daewoong schooled his expression into one of worry.
"For you to be away so long, Young Master—it's truly concerning."
A perfect mask of concern, worry, and anxiety in face and tone.
Normally, you'd get some encouragement, like "I trust you guys."
But Namgung Hyuk was anything but normal.
"Right? How can I trust you lot for half a year away."
"...Ah, yes. But don't worry—just go! We'll handle things here..."
"What're you saying? I said I can't trust you."
"Pardon?"
"How do I know you won't bolt or touch my assets? Old habits die hard—you might kick up shit."
Uh... pretty much.
Do Daewoong and the bosses clamped their mouths shut.
Namgung Hyuk smiled faintly.
"But don't worry."
Easier said than done?
Do Daewoong rolled his eyes, scanning Namgung Hyuk's face with unease.
Namgung Hyuk pursed his bluish lips.
With a nod, Jang Ung tossed a black pill to each boss.
Do Daewoong stared at the mystery pill before him.
'What the hell is this?'
It reeked foully and looked suspicious as hell.
Couldn't tell if it was medicine or what.
"Eat it."
"...Wh-What is this, Young Master?"
"Poison pill."
"Ah, a poison pill... Pardon?"
What the fuck?!
Eat a poison pill?
It'd seemed off from the start, but poison? He didn't even want it near him now.
'Is this psycho trying to eliminate loose ends before leaving by feeding us poison?!'
Was this the Namgung way, or just this madman's?
Do Daewoong trembled as he looked up at Namgung Hyuk.
"Y-Young Master. Th-This is... please spare me! I never even thought of betraying you! I'll bury my bones for you, Young Master!"
Namgung Hyuk grinned.
"You gotta eat it to bury those bones."
No, you psycho! Bones in a grave, not this!
"No, I want to stay with the Lineage Society forever."
"That's why I'm telling you to eat. Don't worry. Antidote every half year, no issues."
That's why I don't wanna eat it more, fuck!
Namgung Hyuk smiled faintly.
"Eat it. It's expensive stuff."
"...Wh-Where'd you even get something like this?"
"Black Spot."
That fucker Black Spot boss!
'This asshole's trying to crush the competition!'
Do Daewoong glanced awkwardly at the other bosses.
They all looked shell-shocked.
Dropped everything for assembly, and now eat poison pills.
Was this sane?
"Not eating? Guess that means you plan to betray me."
Pushed to the edge, the bosses teared up.
'...Ahh, I miss those peaceful days.'
'Why me! I was doing good work, and now poison...'
'W-Wait, real poison? Never heard of poison needing half-year antidotes.'
'The Black Spot boss wouldn't sell real poison if he had any brains!'
Do Daewoong steeled himself, eyes hardening.
'This ain't poison! No way! He wouldn't give real poison if he had brains!'
"Young Master! My oath of loyalty was true! I'll eat it!"
Do Daewoong took a deep breath and swallowed the black pill.
"See, I... I... Uh, uh? Why's it... glurk."
Something caught in his throat, then snaps echoed from his gut.
Do Daewoong's face went sheet-white mid-sentence, clutching his throat as breathing failed.
"Gack, kekek! You bast... real p... kuhuk!"
Shaking violently, he foamed at the mouth and collapsed.
The other bosses, poison pills to their lips in grim resignation, stared at him.
Seo Hongchil poked him lightly.
Thud.
...Dead?
Twitch.
...Still alive.
Poke.
Dead...?
Twitch twitch twitch.
Do Daewoong convulsed wildly, then shot up with a deep cough.
"Gack, hack hack! Hiiik!"
The bosses recoiled in horror.
Do Daewoong stared at Namgung Hyuk with wide, pale eyes.
Namgung Hyuk smiled in satisfaction.
"Good. You're Silver rank now."
...You fucker, what're you saying to a guy who just faced the King of Hell?
"Th-Thank you! Heh, hehehe."
Do Daewoong grinned goofily and sidled aside.
As the bosses gawked at Namgung Hyuk,
He nodded at the rest.
"You lot not eating?"
The bosses stared dazedly at their pills.
'Fuck, at least there's antidote.'
Saw Do Daewoong survive—must be legit.
With dirt-smeared faces, they shoved the pills down.
"Grk!"
"Grahhh!"
"Keurgh!"
The day the underworld factions truly united.
* * *
At the Black Spot's Hefei branch, Namgung Hyuk sat and gave a thumbs-up.
"Ah, worked like a charm."
Pa Ho-un jiggled his plump cheeks laughing.
"Glad you're satisfied. It's our new bestseller. Top effects."
"Antidotes every half year."
"Yes, Young Master!"
Pa Ho-un replied briskly.
Namgung Hyuk scratched his chin, eyeing the Black Spot interior.
"Did you look into what I asked before?"
"Well, it's such an old tale..."
"So, did you or not?"
"...Better to check the northern branch yourself."
Pa Ho-un rolled his beady eyes, gauging Namgung Hyuk.
Namgung Hyuk furrowed his brow.
"Telling me to go through all that hassle again?"
Finding Black Spot, talking to the boss, prying info.
A real pain.
Spotting his displeasure, Pa Ho-un rubbed his hands and pulled a token from his bosom.
"Hahaha! Knew you'd say that—prepared this. I contacted the north ahead. Just flash it, and they'll spill everything you want, zoom, super zoom."
"Oh."
Namgung Hyuk eyed the Black Dog Token with its etched dog.
"How far back can I access?"
At the sharp question, Pa Ho-un paused.
'Is this guy really from the underworld?'
He seemed to know exactly what the Black Dog Token meant!
"Full access back a century, and Tier 2 info free! V-VIP perks."
"Good."
Namgung Hyuk nodded approvingly and told Pa Ho-un,
"Manage the crew well while I'm gone."
"Yes!"
"Contact me if anything happens in Hefei."
"Of course!"
Namgung Hyuk nodded and rose.
"See you later."
"Y-Yes!"
Pa Ho-un bowed deeply, watching Namgung Hyuk leave.
Once his presence fully vanished.
"Haa, fuck. Feels like he shaved years off my life."
Every meeting with Namgung Hyuk felt like losing a pound.
"But with him gone, life'll be worth living. Heh heh heh!"
A brief peace descended on the underworld back alleys.