Chapter 332
Chapter 332
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 332
Chapter Title: Next Stage (7)
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Guangxi Province had been famous since ancient times as a land where fierce and resilient tribes lived, ever since Emperor Qin Shi Huang sent a massive army and still failed to conquer it.
Geographically, it bordered the South Sea, serving as a gateway to Yunnan and Vietnam.
'Truly the strategic hub of strategic hubs.'
As such, military garrisons were stationed everywhere.
The saying "officials are untouchable" wasn't born in vain.
For martial artists like me and unaffiliated wanderers, they were the natural enemy.
'If I go at the official invitation of the Chu Prince's Residence, it'll block any potential friction with them from the start.'
Plus, it was time to settle the favor for handling the Moyong family's affairs.
'Their status is so high that it was awkward to request it via letter... I'll subtly bring it up when I meet him.'
With my thoughts settled, I sent a sound transmission to the Alliance Leader.
[It seems like a good proposal.]
[You're accepting?]
[Yes.]
[Understood. I'm heading down to the Wuchang naval camp along this route, but to take a break, with the remaining academy schedule...]
[Community service and finals. Exactly one month left.]
[Then I'll make the rough arrangements with the Chu Prince's Residence. You select the personnel precisely within that time and contact me.]
[Yes, sir.]
And so the day passed when the Dokgo Clan hung up their new plaque.
Returning to the academy, I plunged into a frenzy of busy days without a moment's rest.
I finalized reviews of the community service sites requested by the cadets.
I climbed Mount Wudang to advance my personal martial prowess, prepared diligently for finals,
and didn't neglect research into fusing this era's sorceries with black magic.
Of course, tending to the Blood Flame Corps was essential too.
'...It's about time.'
Already swamped, I couldn't visit the Dokgo stronghold every day in Ghost Face Elder's guise.
'That would ruin the mystique.'
So, I managed the Blood Flame Corps by cross-verifying three streams of information.
Dokgo Cheol's in-person reports, Song Ho-gyeom's written ones, and intel gathered by Solgeum's beggar network.
As I mulled over various thoughts, someone knocked on my dormitory window.
Tap tap.
Woo So-reung handled retrieving Song Ho-gyeom's reports, so he must be back.
I immediately opened the window.
There, eyes curved in a smile peeked from a figure clad head to toe in pitch-black night robes: Woo So-reung.
"Hyung Eon."
"No tails on you?"
"None! Hyung Eon! Stealth and swiping intel without a trace is my specialty, you know!"
"Lower your voice."
"Ah. S-sorry."
"No worries. Good work. Go rest."
After sending Woo So-reung off, I unfolded Song Ho-gyeom's report.
『As ordered, suppression of underworld gangs and ruffians proceeded centered on Jangwan, where the Dokgo stronghold is located.
We expelled one black faction collecting protection money from shops without backers.
However, ordinary folk now eye us warily, which seems to tarnish the Dokgo Clan's reputation.
Shall we continue?』
My brow furrowed at the content for a moment.
Slurp!
Through the open window crack, Eung-yong flew in and perched on my shoulder.
He rubbed his face against my cheek, demanding pets.
I stroked him as I spoke.
"All good? Now hand over what the beggars brought."
Eung-yong stuck out one foot straight.
Slurp!
A tube on his leg held the letter from the beggars.
The Beggar Clan intel included much news from across the jianghu.
I quickly scanned the Dokgo Clan section.
『Recently, Dokgo Clan warriors who successfully held their plaque ceremony expelled the Jangwan Sword Pack black faction from the area.
The operation seemed meticulously prepared and clean, but their brutality has made even the common folk wary.』
With those two intel streams checked,
Dokgo Cheol arrived at my dormitory and knocked.
"President. It's Cheol."
"Door's open."
He was here for the regular in-person report, so he surely knew the issue at hand.
I waved the letters in my hand and spoke.
"What's this? You said it was perfect last report."
Dokgo Cheol swallowed dryly before replying.
"Well... The plan to drive out the Jangwan Sword Pack was flawless. But unlike me, who trained separately to infiltrate the Righteous Martial Academy... I overlooked that the other members hadn't fully shed their rough edges from selection."
He explained that during clashes with the black faction, members had severed the wrists of those who surrendered.
I couldn't help stroking my chin at that.
'Hmm. To go to Guangxi during break, I need the Blood Flame Corps running smoothly without me... This won't do.'
Decision made, I told Dokgo Cheol,
"Tonight. Assemble the members."
Thus, I summoned the Blood Flame Corps, donned Ghost Face Elder's guise, and headed to the Dokgo stronghold.
Crackle-crackle-
I charged at the members bowing in greeting and unleashed a barrage of loving discipline.
Whack! Crack!
Crack! Papapapow!!!
After that sudden harsh lesson, as the sprawled members gathered themselves and bowed again,
I spoke in an aged voice.
"...What is the true meaning of Blood Flame World Domination?"
No one dared blurt an answer.
Silence stretched long.
Then my master asked via transmission.
- What's that? I'm curious too.
'How should I know?'
- If you don't, who does?
'Who knows? I'm not the one who founded the cult, and I made up the Blood Flame Corps name on the spot that day. Just spouting nonsense.'
- ???
'The point is to etch failure into them and show where to focus. Suppressing underworld and ruffians isn't key—elevating the Dokgo Clan's reputation is.'
As I exchanged words with master,
Song Ho-gyeom cautiously spoke up.
"To this foolish subordinate's thinking, your words on the true Blood Flame World Domination mean... blood should flow only when necessary, exactly the right amount."
It sounded plausible upon hearing it.
"Yes! Exactly that!"
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Jangwan was right next to Dangan District, home to the Righteous Martial Academy.
Being near the cradle of orthodox martial arts,
preparatory martial halls training aspirants for academy entry dotted the area thickly.
One might think such a place had no shadows, but that wasn't so.
Where people and money gathered, shrewd black factions collected "protection" fees without overly provoking the orthodox world.
And for reasons unknown, children hawked with tiny hands.
"Rice cakes! Buy some rice cakes! One fills you right up! Sticky enough to stick even failed examinees tight! Young master over there, just one rice cake please!"
And twisted souls kicked over baskets for rice cakes.
Thud!
"Eek!"
"Was that shout meant for me to hear?"
"Huh? N-no."
Patrolling the area, Song Ho-gyeom witnessed it and thought,
'Idiot.'
Folk here were pathologically sensitive to "fall" or "fail".
'Should've chosen words carefully for hawking. Ruined a whole basket over one sale.'
The old Song Ho-gyeom would've tsked and passed by.
No, he wouldn't have cared enough to tsk.
Life lessons are learned through blood and tears—or death if not.
None of his business, in short.
'...Unit Lord's command.'
But in Dokgo Clan uniform, Ghost Face Elder had ordered him:
'Elevate the Dokgo Clan's reputation in the orthodox martial world.'
Recalling moments Ghost Face Elder had thrashed him,
'......'
Shivering briefly, not wanting another assembly, Song Ho-gyeom spoke.
"Young master there."
"Calling me?"
"Yes. The child upset you, true, but kicking the basket was too much."
"Who're you to meddle? Judging by the uniform markings, Dokgo Clan?"
"Yes. Dokgo Clan guard chief steward."
"Chief steward my foot after that plaque farce the other day. Hey, know who I am?!"
Song Ho-gyeom sized up the blustering man.
'Won't listen to reason. Talking big without striking first means... no great skill or backing. But a dragged-out fight's a hassle. Need quick dominance.'
Assessment done, as he spoke, he circulated blood arts through his meridians.
"Don't know who you are. But I know it's not conduct for an academy aspirant."
And he drew.
Click-
His flashing blade sliced the man's forelock.
Shing!
"!"
Half an inch deeper, and it wouldn't have been just hair.
Realizing that, face paling, Song Ho-gyeom pressed with killing intent.
"Apologize to the child. If you're still angry, knock on the Dokgo Clan gate."
"...S-sorry! Sorry about that!"
The man fled, forelock trailing.
Song Ho-gyeom turned to the frozen child.
"You there."
But the child, pale as a ghost, stammered,
"...Y-yes?"
Only then remembering his drawn sword, Song Ho-gyeom sheathed it with the intent and
forced an awkward smile.
"...Wh-what's your name?"
It backfired; the child looked more terrified.
"...N-name?"
"...Never mind."
Better get to the point, he thought, gathering rice cakes into the overturned basket.
"Admirable trying to draw customers, but 'fail' talk is taboo here. Be careful."
"Ah! Th-thank you!"
Words done, basket handed over.
"I'll buy these."
"Huh?"
He tossed a silver coin and walked off.
"M-my lord! Thank you! Thank you!"
The bun-headed child bowed repeatedly after him.
Song Ho-gyeom felt an odd mix of emotions.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Half a month flew by in the relentless schedule, and community service day arrived.
My siblings and I paired up and scattered across Dangan District.
I teamed with Dokgo Cheol to inspect Jangwan, the Dokgo Clan's turf.
Of course, I'd already ordered the Blood Flame members to handle service duties,
so our goal was checking their conduct and local mood.
Thus, disguised as travelers, Dokgo Cheol and I wandered Jangwan for a while.
Master, who'd observed it all, commented,
- The mood seems different from the report half a month ago?
'Yes. Members' behavior is spotless, and locals even greet Dokgo folk first. Looking good.'
Beggar Clan follow-up said post-Jangwan Sword Pack expulsion, no more bloodshed—just aiding folk.
Seemed effective.
I chuckled and patted Dokgo Cheol's shoulder.
"You're doing well."
"Whew. Glad... I mean, thank you."
As he sighed in relief,
he grew serious.
"Ah. President, about that."
"What?"
"The true meaning of Blood Flame World Domination you mentioned. When that time comes, the orthodox connections you and I built..."
Before he finished, I guessed his worry.
I wasn't truly cultist, seeing both sides clearly,
but
'Dokgo Cheol, the cultist, is right to fret over bonds with siblings and new ties.'
Interrupting, I said,
"Great Cause. Wasn't it because orthodox fools obsessed with it that you and the others submitted to our cult?"
"...True."
"Small visible justices gathered become the Great Cause. What matters, what to protect or repay with your blood art power—think for yourself."
"......"
"If it's too hard, just trust and follow me."
"Yes."
At conversation's end, Dokgo Cheol looked relieved compared to starting.
I nodded to myself.
'This should let me leave the Blood Flame Corps worry-free.'