Chapter 148: The Misunderstanding
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 148: The Misunderstanding
Do-chil could feel it in his gut.
If he told the truth here, he was a dead man.
"He’s... uh... he’s doing paperwork in the office on the very top floor."
Do-chil spat out the lie without batting an eye.
Of course, the top floor of Haewon Pavilion was the office of the branch leader, Sam-cheok, but what did he care? He had to save his own skin first.
"Oh, really?"
Sun-woo nodded at Do-chil’s answer. Then, with a light hop, he leaped up and landed on the railing where Do-chil stood.
Thud.
"Eek!"
Startled by his sudden approach, Do-chil let out a short yelp.
"But is that the truth?" Sun-woo asked, his voice laced with suspicion.
In his experience, the runts of the Hao Clan were unreliable bastards who would spout lies like breathing until they were beaten half to death. The fact that this guy was spilling the beans before even getting hit made him doubtful.
"It is the gospel truth! I have never told a single lie in my entire life!"
Under Sun-woo’s piercing gaze, Do-chil continued his brazen act without a change in expression. He might be greedy, but he was still the Vice Branch Leader of the Hao Clan’s Yoseong Branch. That kind of experience didn't go to waste; his lie was delivered with soul.
His tone, his expression, even the look in his eyes—everything was perfectly crafted to look genuinely aggrieved.
"Bullshit."
Of course, to Sun-woo, it looked pathetic. He reached out and grabbed Do-chil by the hair.
Grip!
"Ugh! Why... why are you doing this, Young Noble?"
"I have to check if you're telling the truth, don't I?"
Sun-woo hadn't trusted the Hao Clan from the start. Even in the novel, weren't they described as the type of people who would sell their own wives for a bit of coin? There was no way he could trust them after just a few words.
`Damn it.`
Do-chil cursed inwardly. His plan had been to divert Sun-woo’s attention to the branch leader and bolt immediately, but it seemed he had failed.
`What do I do? What do I do? What do I do?!`
Faced with this desperate situation, his mind fell into chaos. He couldn't think of a single way to turn the tables. If he was dragged in front of the branch leader like this, his identity as Do-chil would be revealed instantly. Then he’d be as good as dead.
`Ah!`
After agonizing over it, Do-chil finally came up with a scheme.
"Young Noble! I will guide you there myself!"
"What?"
Sun-woo asked back, puzzled. It was suspicious that someone who was clearly facing an intruder would suddenly volunteer to be a guide.
"You’re going to take me with you anyway, aren't you? Wouldn't it be better for me to walk and lead the way on my own two feet?"
"Hmm."
Sun-woo fell into thought for a moment. It certainly seemed better to have the man walk than to drag him along by the hair. He had no desire to stay in close contact with a smelly middle-aged man, even temporarily, and he was confident he could catch him no matter what he tried.
Sun-woo slowly let go of his hair.
"Lead the way."
"Yes, sir!"
Do-chil began to walk briskly. Internally, he was sighing with relief. He had managed to buy himself some time to think. As he walked, he racked his brain over and over.
Then, he mentally cheered.
Now that he thought about it, Jo-chil was on the top floor.
Jo-chil of the Three-Foot Sword.
He was a renowned expert even within Yoseong. His nickname had two meanings. One was 'Three-Foot Sword' (三尺劍) because he wielded a three-foot blade like a demon, and the other was 'Sam-cheok’s Sword' (森隻劍) because he was the shadow that protected the branch leader, Sam-cheok.
He was Sam-cheok’s bodyguard and the strongest expert in the Yoseong Branch, said to have no equal in the region.
Do-chil was certain that if it was the powerful Jo-chil, even this devilish man would be helpless.
`Hehehe.`
Do-chil suppressed a wicked grin. Hope was finally in sight.
`You’re dead meat, you bastard.`
Do-chil quickened his pace, leading the way to the top floor. All so he could pit this man against Jo-chil.
Step, step.
After walking for a while...
Stop.
Someone blocked their path. Seeing the identity of the man, Do-chil’s face lit up. It was Jo-chil.
"I have orders to let no one in."
Jo-chil spoke calmly as he looked at them. He looked so reliable that a smile crept onto Do-chil’s lips. Do-chil quickly scurried behind Jo-chil’s back.
"This man is an intruder who attacked the Hao Clan!"
He pointed a finger at Sun-woo and continued.
"Most of the members on the lower floors have already fallen to him!"
Do-chil raised his voice, emphasizing the gravity of the situation.
Shring.
Hearing Do-chil’s urgent words, Jo-chil drew his three-foot sword. His assigned duty was to guard Sam-cheok, but he was also a member of the Hao Clan. There was no way he would stand by while an intruder invaded their territory.
"Are you the intruder?"
He asked in a heavy tone. Depending on the answer, he intended to sever the man's arms.
"Tsk, tsk. No wonder you were so excited to lead the way. You had a scheme after all?"
Sun-woo clicked his tongue as he looked at the man guarding the path. He thought things were going a bit too smoothly.
"It seems you still haven't grasped the situation!" Do-chil barked. "Jo-chil is a Peak Martial Artist and a swordsman famous even in Yoseong! He has the skill to send someone like you to the afterlife in a single stroke!"
"Is that so?"
Sun-woo responded indifferently. The words were so hollow they weren't even worth a proper reply. Sun-woo rotated his shoulders. Since he had reached the office anyway, he had no intention of wasting any more time.
Sun-woo lunged at Jo-chil with the speed of a lightning bolt. Sensing the movement, Jo-chil quickly raised his sword to defend.
Or rather, he tried to defend.
Thwack!
Before Jo-chil could even lift his sword, Sun-woo’s fist slammed into his face.
"Agh!"
Jo-chil was sent flying backward.
Crash!
Smash!
His body smashed through various pieces of furniture.
Boom!
With a massive roar, Jo-chil ended up embedded in the wall.
"Guh... ugh..."
Only painful groans echoed from the wall where Jo-chil was stuck. Seeing this, Do-chil’s jaw dropped.
`Shit. I’m screwed. I’m totally screwed.`
The only thought in his head was that his life was over. Who was Jo-chil? He was a famous expert in Yoseong, Shandong Province, and the top fighter of the Yoseong Branch. And yet, that Jo-chil had been taken down in a single move.
Cold sweat poured down Do-chil's face, and his entire body began to tremble uncontrollably.
"Man, how should I deal with this cute little bastard?"
Sun-woo gave Do-chil a thick smile. His mouth was smiling, but his eyes were colder than anything. Do-chil could tell—this man was furious.
It was then.
Rumble, crumble.
"Graaaah!"
Jo-chil, who had been embedded in the wall, let out a roar and forced himself back up.
"That guy’s got some grit."
Sun-woo was somewhat impressed. Even though he had held back, it was enough force to make anyone's head ring. Yet, the man had endured it and stood up. It was worthy of admiration.
"Go and report the intruder's attack immediately!"
Jo-chil quickly stepped in front of Sun-woo and looked back at Do-chil. He seemed worried about his master Sam-cheok’s safety.
Nod, nod.
Do-chil nodded frantically and turned around. He ran toward the office where Sam-cheok was.
"Oh, so that’s the office."
Seeing where Do-chil was running, Sun-woo spoke up. It seemed he wouldn't have to search room by room after all.
"You shall not pass!"
Jo-chil raised his sword and aimed it at him. His eyes were filled with grim determination.
"What tear-jerking loyalty."
Sun-woo remarked as he looked at Jo-chil. The man seemed like a straight arrow, so Sun-woo didn't particularly dislike him. Of course, that didn't mean he was going to go easy on him.
"This time, it’s going to hurt more than before."
Sun-woo lunged again. He threw a lightning-fast punch straight into the man's face.
Wham!
Whoosh!
Hit by Sun-woo’s fist, Jo-chil was sent flying once more. Coincidentally, he flew straight toward the office Do-chil had just entered.
CRASH!
The office door shattered as Jo-chil tumbled across the floor inside. Sun-woo quickly stepped into the room. There, he saw the man who had ordered the hit on him—or so he thought.
"Hey."
Sun-woo shouted at the man who looked like Do-chil.
"You want to die?"
The man’s face turned pale as he heard Sun-woo’s voice.
*
Thud!
"Gwak!"
Thwack!
"Guegh!"
Smack!
"Aaargh!"
Sam-cheok, having been beaten countless times by Sun-woo, couldn't even keep his senses straight. The man had burst into the office without warning and proceeded to beat him senseless, waking him up every time he fainted just to hit him again.
Sam-cheok was in so much pain he wanted to beg for death. He felt a deep sense of injustice. Why was he being beaten like this? He hadn't done anything wrong!
But the man didn't even give Sam-cheok a chance to make an excuse; he just kept swinging his fists.
"Ugh, you son of a bitch. I try to live a decent life, and you just won't let me, will you?"
Sun-woo spat out a curse as he looked down at the bloodied, collapsed Sam-cheok. No matter how much he hit him, his anger wouldn't subside.
How careful had he been since arriving in Yoseong? To avoid standing out, Sun-woo had tossed aside his magnificent Dragon Robe, made Yorang and Ok-ryeong wear veils, and even rented a separate annex just to keep them out of sight.
And that wasn't all. He could have just disguised himself as the Poison King or his disciple and gone to the Beggar Sect, but he hated drawing attention, so he brought a pile of money to the Hao Clan instead.
But all that effort had been rendered useless, and his rising anger wouldn't easily cool down.
Meanwhile, Do-chil was watching the scene, his entire body shaking. Based on the man's words, this was definitely the 'sucker' Seo Hwan had suggested they rip off.
As the saying goes, a guilty conscience needs no accuser. Do-chil, the real culprit who had planned to rob him, was trembling with terror.
This man currently mistook Sam-cheok for Do-chil. This was an opportunity. Judging by the man's brutal handiwork, Sam-cheok would never survive. If that happened, Do-chil could use this chance to become the Branch Leader of the Yoseong Branch.
Hiding his despicable inner thoughts, Do-chil began to sneak away.
"Hey, who told you to move?"
It was then. Sun-woo’s sharp voice pierced Do-chil’s ears. Hearing it, Do-chil froze in his tracks.
`Damn it.`
It seemed leaving was out of the question.
Crack, crack.
Sun-woo began to loosen his knuckles as he glared at Sam-cheok. No matter how much he thought about it, the fact that someone had targeted his life was unforgivable. He decided he’d start by breaking at least one or two limbs.
"Master Sam-cheok!!!!!!"
Just then, Jo-chil, who had somehow regained consciousness, let out a scream.
"Wow, his durability is really something."
Sun-woo was genuinely impressed. He thought he had poured enough internal energy into that last hit to keep him down for good, but the man had already recovered and stood up.
Jo-chil tried to move his body to protect his lord, Sam-cheok. However, unlike his clear mind, his body was a wreck. No matter how hard he tried, he couldn't muster any strength.
"Damn it! Damn it!"
He cried out in frustration, tears welling in his eyes. Because he was weak, he couldn't protect his master. Because he was weak, he had to watch his master be beaten into a bloody pulp. How could he not be frustrated?
"You bastarrrrrd! How could you inflict such merciless violence upon my lord!"
Jo-chil screamed at Sun-woo.
"Because this bastard targeted my life."
Sun-woo explained the reason as if it were obvious.
"My lord has been in this office for three days straight! How could he have targeted your life?!"
Jo-chil shouted back, exasperated. Sam-cheok had been holed up in this office for three days. How could he have targeted a man he had never even seen before?
"Seo Hwan, the guy who attacked me, told me everything. He said he worked with Do-chil to send an assassin."
"Then why are you beating my lord?!"
"Huh?"
Sun-woo asked back, feeling a sudden sense of confusion.
"Isn't this guy Do-chil?"
Sun-woo pointed at Sam-cheok with a bewildered expression.
"That is Master Sam-cheok, the Branch Leader of the Hao Clan’s Yoseong Branch! Do-chil is that rat-like bastard who guided you here!"
Sun-woo instantly whipped his head around to glare at Do-chil. The man was once again trying to sneak away.
"Ha... ha... hahaha... ha..."
Meeting Sun-woo’s gaze, Do-chil let out an awkward laugh.
"Are you Do-chil?"
".........."
At Sun-woo’s question, Do-chil silently lowered his head. It was over. Despair began to cloud his eyes.