Chapter 80: Meeting the Black Fortress Troublemaker (2)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 80: Meeting the Black Fortress Troublemaker (2)
‘Why are warriors from the Black Fortress here?’
While I was harboring my doubts, Ham Bi-hye stepped forward to speak with the man.
“You came to meet me? How did you know I would be passing through here?”
Even though Ham Bi-hye treated him with a rather cold expression, the man replied with a slick, nonchalant air.
“Hahaha! Isn't it only natural for Galwi to come out and meet his fiancée?”
At the man’s sudden self-introduction as Galwi, Ham Bi-hye shrieked at him.
“Who is your fiancée? I never agreed to what my father decided unilaterally. Don’t you dare say such things so carelessly.”
“Well, I’m only saying it because the two elders discussed it. We can discuss the details between us gradually, so why are you getting so angry?”
The man named Galwi was truly a piece of work—smarmy and thick-skinned. He maintained a smile as if Ham Bi-hye’s sharp words didn't bother him in the least.
“Gasp! Galwi?”
Po Jung-in, who was standing beside me, let out a startled breath. Because he inhaled so loudly, my own sharp intake of breath went unnoticed.
This man, Galwi, was better known than almost any other master. As the third son of the Black Fortress, there were few in the Murim who wouldn't know of him.
He went by the alias Black Dragon Ghost Hand. He was highly favored by his father due to his exceptional talent in fist and palm techniques. However, he was also known for having an insidious and cold personality, with some saying he was even more ruthless than his father.
‘Then those guards of his must be the famous Black Spirit Ten Guards?’
The Black Dragon Ghost Hand, Galwi, had caused numerous incidents while roaming the Murim accompanied by these Black Spirit Ten Guards. He was a martial arts maniac who would hunt down and kill demons who had fled the Black Fortress after causing trouble, or seek out masters of the Orthodox factions for duels.
This led to frequent friction with Orthodox masters, but even those prominent figures couldn't do anything to stop them. There were even rumors that they had fought to a draw against the elite Twelve Swords of the Wudang Sect, which gave a clear indication of their prowess.
The Black Spirit Ten Guards were masters of poison, hidden weapons, and assassination arts, and they were also swordsmen trained in the orthodox sword styles of the Black Fortress. Each was a match for a hundred men.
They were currently guarding Galwi under the orders of the Black Fortress Lord, Galcheonmyeong, but even these formidable warriors were treated like mere accessories to make the Black Dragon Ghost Hand stand out.
However, Galwi had another nickname that was even more famous than Black Dragon Ghost Hand.
‘The Black Fortress Troublemaker!’
That was the title people secretly used to refer to him.
I tried my best not to stand out, fearing I might give Galwi a reason to pick a fight with me. People like him—with their talent, background, ability, and personality—already surpassed me. He was a burdensome figure for someone like me to handle.
The main reason I usually operated within the Orthodox factions was that there were many naive warriors there who would fall for my lies and could be easily deceived. But the crowds of the Unorthodox world were more insidious and better at lying than I was; my hypocrisy didn't work on them.
That was why I never associated with the Unorthodox factions. It made me scoff whenever I heard rumors that I kept my distance from the Unorthodox world out of a sense of chivalry.
Suddenly, Galwi, who had been grinning at Ham Bi-hye, turned his gaze toward us.
“By the way, who are these fellows?”
‘These fellows?’
I suppose to someone like him, we wouldn't look like warriors just because we carried blades. He probably saw us as some wandering vagabonds.
“Watch your tongue. They may be in disguise right now, but they are warriors belonging to our Blood Wind Squad.”
“Oh! Is that so?” Galwi replied in a mocking tone.
I didn't like this guy’s attitude. With his clear eyes and well-defined forehead, he gave off a refreshing impression. His thick eyebrows and sharp nose made him look exactly like the protagonist of a martial arts novel.
I realized Galwi was looking at us with curiosity because our attire was different.
“I haven't seen these faces before?”
Just how often did he hang around the Nine Demons Chamber to remember the faces of all the Blood Wind Squad warriors?
“How much do you think you know about our Blood Wind Squad? They are a secret unit that operates outside the main chamber.”
After introducing us like that, Ham Bi-hye suddenly pointed at me and spoke with a hint of pride.
“In particular, this man is the Acting Squad Leader of our Blood Wind Squad.”
What? I’m what?
The Acting Squad Leader of the Blood Wind Squad? That was a bit too grand for a title made up on the spot. To think I’d become the acting leader of one of the world’s most renowned martial organizations. It was the highest rank I’d ever held in my life.
But why was she introducing me to this guy like that? I couldn't fathom Ham Bi-hye’s intentions, so I just watched.
“Oh? Really?”
Whether he believed her or not, Galwi dismounted and approached me.
“Oh! His aura is quite different from the usual Blood Wind Squad. I suppose his martial arts and internal cultivation methods are different.”
He probably thinks he can rattle me. When it comes to being devious, no one can beat me. Not a chance. In times like this, silence was the greatest virtue.
When I remained still without saying a word, Galwi tried to provoke me again.
“I suppose you have nothing to say? To think the New Dragon of Sichuan is the Acting Squad Leader of the Nine Demons Chamber’s Blood Wind Squad... that is truly a surprising fact, isn't it?”
I see now. This guy knew exactly who I was and was poking at me because he wanted to mock me.
Surprisingly, Ham Bi-hye flared up and stepped in before I could.
“That is none of your business. My father has a close relationship with Young Hero Eo, so he was asked to take the position of Acting Squad Leader to reorganize the Blood Wind Squad this time. Isn't that right, Young Hero Eo?”
Ham Bi-hye sent me a look, pleading with me to play along. I simply nodded.
In a situation like this, the best response was silence rather than babbling and revealing a weakness. I had to apply two of the Eight Iron Rules for Weaklings to this guy. I had to act deviously myself and never show anger. As long as I maintained those two things, he wouldn't be able to judge me easily.
However, I hadn't considered that while I was staying still, Jeok Yeong, who was beside me, might not be so quiet.
As Jeok Yeong radiated hostility and raised his aura toward Galwi, the Black Spirit Ten Guards moved closer to their master.
“Oho! An aura strong enough to make the Black Spirit Ten Guards move. From the looks of it, you must be the Yellow Dragon Secret Sword, Jeok Yeong—the one who supposedly fought to a draw with Wudang’s So Sambong.”
Galwi looked at me and Jeok Yeong with the innocent eyes of a child who had just discovered a fun new toy.
“Watch your words! If you continue to treat my brother with such disrespect, the day will surely come when you regret it.”
As Jeok Yeong glared at Galwi and spoke, the members of the Demon Subjugation Group lined up behind me.
Galwi might have respected someone like Jeok Yeong, but seeing these lowly underlings showing hostility toward him seemed to strike him as absurd, and he burst into a great laugh.
“Hahahaha! My, the eyes of Young Hero Eo’s subordinates are even fiercer than those of the Blood Wind Squad. Though I can't say for sure if those eyes are sharper than a blade.”
The oily Galwi acted as if he hadn't seen us and turned the conversation back to Ham Bi-hye.
If it had been anyone else, Jeok Yeong’s words would have sparked anger and a sword fight. I had actually hoped someone would take Jeok Yeong down a peg. But seeing this guy calmly brush off Jeok Yeong’s aura, I marked him as someone to be wary of.
He had composure. It was the kind of composure only possible for a true master to the core.
‘A guy like this is truly dangerous.’
I decided that nothing good would come from getting involved with him and tried my best to stay out of his line of sight.
Even on the way to the Nine Demons Chamber, he kept pestering me.
“I heard you played a massive role in the subjugation of the Blood Lama. But then again, the Murim is a place full of exaggerations. I’m the type who only believes what I see with my own eyes.”
He spoke in that manner. It was ambiguous whether he was asking for a duel or asking me to show off my martial arts. He used a way of speaking that was designed to make people feel unpleasant.
“If you’re going to talk nonsense, go away,” Jeok Yeong said bluntly, as if he couldn't be bothered to explain the details of what happened back then.
I took that moment to speak.
“Little Brother Jeok. Why are you talking to yourself like that?”
Jeok Yeong muttered as if he had realized something at my words.
“I think I must be hearing things, Brother.”
When I treated Galwi as if he didn't exist, his face contorted quite satisfyingly. I had responded using the exact same conversational style he enjoyed. When it comes to things like this, I’m your senior, you brat.
“Oh, I finally hear the voice of the New Dragon of Sichuan. Or should I say, the New Dragon of Sichuan who is also the Acting Squad Leader of the Blood Wind Squad?”
He glanced at me, trying to fish for some kind of clue.
“I’d also like to see that great martial prowess of the New Dragon of Sichuan. Is there no way?”
He kept pestering me from the side, trying to get under my skin. But I didn't respond at all. Just replying to him would increase the chances of getting entangled with him.
I just kept running as if I couldn't hear a thing. When Jeok Yeong also ignored him and treated him like a ghost, Galwi, feeling awkward, moved back to where Ham Bi-hye was.
We emerged from the mountains and entered a small village. We stopped using our lightness skills and began walking through the village so as not to startle the working farmers.
In the rice paddies, which were several times larger than the village itself, dozens of farmers were busy planting seedlings. They were all too preoccupied with their work to pay us much mind. They glanced at us briefly before focusing back on their planting.
“Isn't it a truly peaceful sight?”
At Ham Bi-hye’s remark, Il Myo replied.
“Yes, Young Lady. It feels like a scene from a painting.”
I scoffed inwardly at their words. It only looked like a peaceful rural scene to us because we were always hovering between life and death. But those people are probably thinking something else while looking at us.
They’re probably thinking, ‘I should have learned the sword sooner so I wouldn't have to do this grueling farm work.’ Even when a guy like me, with a sword at my waist, was living at the bottom of the Murim, most farmers envied me. Tenant farmers, who could barely feed themselves despite working their whole lives, often wished to live boldly, even if it meant a shorter life.
As we moved further into the village, many women were bringing out snacks and food in baskets and crates. An old woman saw us and spoke up.
“Look here, warriors. Have a cup of water before you go. If you like, we have some takju as well, so have a bowl.”
The grandmother must have felt pity for our appearance and offered us water. Then again, we had been pushing ourselves without even a proper wash, so we must have looked a sight, covered in dust.
Perhaps caught up in the peaceful rural atmosphere, Ham Bi-hye accepted the old woman’s passing kindness.
“Thank you, grandmother.”
When Ham Bi-hye ordered a brief rest, Il Myo passed the command.
“Blood Wind Squad, take a short break!”
As soon as the order was given, the Blood Wind Squad scattered into groups of three. However, looking closely, even though they seemed to scatter randomly, they were actually taking their rest while forming a formation centered around Ham Bi-hye.
“We are going to rest here. If you want to go ahead, feel free.”
Ham Bi-hye spoke to Galwi without even giving him a glance. But Galwi replied, unbothered.
“Where the needle goes, the thread must follow. If the needle rests, the thread must rest too.”
Galwi dismounted and headed for the shade of a nearby tree.
“You guys take a break too.”
The Black Spirit Ten Guards also sat in a circle with Galwi at the center.
Since others had already claimed all the shade, I had no choice but to approach a small thatched cottage. There was a small wooden porch there, making it the perfect spot to rest.
“Let’s rest there for a bit.”
I led the Demon Subjugation Group and sat down on the porch.