You're Already Accomplices
"……Muyeong Bido?"
"Who's that?"
Those who didn't know the name of Muyeong Bido blinked in bewilderment. But the reactions from those who did know were entirely different.
"You don't know? She's a peak expert who made her name with flying knife techniques back in the day."
"What, a peak expert?"
"Yeah, and she vanished from the jianghu about ten years ago, I think."
"I heard it was because she got beaten by that dark assassin Dang Cheol-san."
"Ah, so that's what happened. Figures, with a guy like that."
"Anyway, that's not the point."
"Right, the real point is that the Golden Dragon Battlefield Leader dragged a peak expert who disappeared ten years ago back into the light."
"And turned her into a loyal subordinate, no less. How the hell did he pull that off?"
"Money?"
"You think money can buy a peak expert's loyalty?"
"No way. Those kinds of people aren't like us regular folks."
"Then……?"
"Who knows the details? But one thing's for sure—this is all proof of the Golden Dragon Battlefield Leader's capabilities."
"Yeah, no doubt about it."
With Muyeong Bido revealing her identity, Bang So-un's reputation soared once more. That had been his goal from the start.
Time to change course.
He'd originally thought the best plan was to keep living like a wastrel thug, fooling the world's eyes for as long as possible. But after encountering Yu Seol-young—that flower blooming high on an unreachable cliff—his thinking had shifted.
He'd realized that an ordinary man could never catch her interest. And it wasn't just her. Other extraordinary flowers on her level wouldn't even spare him a glance.
I need to get entangled with them first.
Jang Il's ability couldn't grow stronger overnight. There would be plenty more opponents he couldn't handle with it alone—women like Yu Seol-young whose martial prowess was transcendent, or those backed by massive forces like the Nine Great Sects and Five Great Families, where even touching them was impossible.
No matter the case, they were all trouble. That's why he needed to forge connections. Close the distance enough to drop their guard and create an opening.
To that end, Bang So-un was fully prepared to become an extraordinary figure. Of course, he wasn't abandoning the thug persona entirely. He still needed it. A thug who hid true brilliance inside would draw more attention from women than some polished young master who'd walked a straight path in a great sect's shadow since childhood.
Alright, then.
Bang So-un decided to wrap things up. But not in some mundane way—that wouldn't leave an impression. He'd built up this far; now he needed a memorable finale to match the extraordinariness he'd shown.
He beckoned Jang Il over with a hand gesture.
"Yes, Young Master."
Jang Il came lumbering up with heavy steps. Bang So-un leaned in and whispered something low. Once he'd heard it all, Jang Il grinned.
"Heh heh, got it, Young Master."
Soon, Jang Il sent a secret transmission to O Sal—carrying out Bang So-un's orders. When it was done, he gave a subtle eye signal. Only then did Bang So-un step forward slowly.
"Everyone, you've all suffered greatly from these villains' unexpected rampage."
The crowd exchanged glances. It wasn't easy to respond right away when spoken to like that. But someone broke the ice.
"N-no, not at all. We're just grateful to have vented our grievances thanks to you, Golden Dragon Leader."
It was the innkeeper. His voice trembled with surging emotion. He'd felt utterly pathetic, bowing and scraping while the Haenam Sect was humiliated right in front of him. For the Golden Dragon Leader to end that shame—he had to be truly thankful.
"Th-this lowly one thanks you too!"
"Same here!"
"Without your aid, Golden Dragon Leader, we would've been in real trouble."
"It was a righteous act upholding the ways of the jianghu."
"This tale will surely spread as a heroic legend, earning you praise from all."
With the innkeeper setting the tone, the others chimed in, expressing their gratitude and praising Bang So-un to the skies.
Bang So-un flashed a satisfied smile.
"I'm glad to hear that. This unworthy body of mine has at least proven useful."
He handled the modest deflection with ease. It was nothing for him—a man clever enough to craft any image he desired.
Bang So-un continued.
"But it's not over yet."
"Pardon?"
"What do you mean……?"
The crowd looked puzzled. Bang So-un pointed at O Sal.
"There's still one left."
"Ah."
"Oh……."
Realization dawned. Indeed, one villain remained. They'd all noticed, of course. But after she'd betrayed her own and helped bring down the rest, no one felt they could say anything. Her fate was entirely up to the Golden Dragon Leader. So they'd kept quiet, ignoring it.
"This woman couldn't tolerate injustice and blinded a fellow hero's eyes. No matter her contributions or her offer to submit to me, I can't just let it slide."
"……."
The people fell silent. They couldn't guess his intent.
Bang So-un jerked his chin at O Sal.
"Hey, you know what you did wrong, don't you?"
"……Yes…… Golden Dragon Leader……."
O Sal answered. Her voice was weak, but they just figured she was cowed.
"Hmph, good that you know. Then you must also know this: wrongs demand atonement."
"……Yes…… Of course……."
At the word "atonement," understanding flickered in their eyes. He was having her formally apologize to save face all around and ease his burden in accepting her.
What a masterstroke.
No one could complain if he took her and left now. He'd resolved the situation, and even if she'd joined the villains, she was just a rogue wanderer, not some demonic fiend.
Yet he chose this path? Tying up every last loose end perfectly. Truly no ordinary man.
"Fine. Then offer your sincere atonement to every hero here you've wronged. Right now."
"……Yes…… Golden Dragon Leader……."
O Sal shuffled forward with feeble steps. The crowd saw it as the gait of defeat.
"Apologize."
"……I deeply apologize to all you heroes for the harm I've caused…… I offer my sincerest atonement……."
O Sal bowed deeply. That was exactly what they'd expected—no more, no less. Anything else would be absurd.
But.
"What an utterly hopeless wretch. You think that's enough to redeem yourself?"
Bang So-un scowled, his voice icy. The crowd's faces turned baffled. This was an unexpected turn.
"……I'm sorry…… Please guide me……."
O Sal spoke without even straightening up.
"Hmph, true atonement must be humiliating. Only then does the sincerity reach the other side."
"……Ah…… I understand now……."
"Understand what? I'll teach you personally, tedious as it is."
"……Yes…… Golden Dragon Leader……."
Now it began. Bang So-un's eyes gleamed as he smirked inwardly.
"First off, hear this: I treat wrongdoers the same, man or woman. Doesn't matter. They're just humans who fucked up. I don't go easy on women or anything. Got it?"
"……Yes……."
"Good. Don't you all agree?"
He suddenly turned to the crowd. They panicked—just as he'd intended. His piercing gaze pinned them all. No dodging now.
"Y-yes, that makes sense."
"Right, judging wrongs by gender would be weird."
"Y-yeah."
"Indeed, a righteous view."
Once they answered, even if their values differed, they had to agree. He was their benefactor, after all.
Bang So-un grinned.
"Since you all think so, the world's justice is still in good hands."
Now, even if he demanded something harsh from the woman, they couldn't object. They'd endorsed it themselves. The mood was set.
Bang So-un turned back to O Sal.
"You think you'll feel humiliated in that pristine outfit? No civilized place dresses criminals decently. Why? Because it lets them foolishly forget their crimes."
Eyes widened. The atmosphere shifted. Wait, he couldn't mean…….
"……I didn't know……."
"Burn it into your mind now. And get into an outfit fitting true atonement. Immediately."
"……What kind……."
"Idiot. Strip. Down to your undergarments."
"Wh-what?!"
"Huh?!"
The crowd gasped louder than O Sal herself, eyes bulging in shock.
"……Yes…… Golden Dragon Leader……."
But O Sal didn't hesitate.
With a soft rustle, her outer robes fell away. Red lingerie top and bottom—provocative, matching her sultry features. Her firm, voluptuous figure was laid bare in an instant. Breasts and hips curved hypnotically.
"Ahem!"
"Cough, cough!"
Flushed faces struggled to avert their eyes. Yet their gazes kept sneaking back to her curves. Just men after all.
These bastards are staring so hard they'll burn holes through her tit covers and pussy flap.
Bang So-un sneered inwardly. They played the gentleman, but faced with this, most crumbled. Normally, a couple might hypocritically call it out in feigned virtue. But not here. They'd affirmed no gender favoritism. The stage was set.
You're already accomplices, you fucks.
Bang So-un chuckled softly. Soon they'd claim the Golden Dragon Leader was utterly righteous. To save face. They'd spin it as impartial justice, strict atonement, ultimately heroic. That was his aim.
"Yes, that's the outfit. Now kneel."
Bang So-un's command rang out again.