U Gyeong! (1)
A street in Chengdu, not far from the Sichuan branch of the Murim Alliance.
Ryeo Hui, a third-generation disciple of the Emei Sect following the Qingcheng Sect group, asked Elder Su Seo-hwa in a small voice.
"Su Elder, are you really planning to go find the Mad Young Master?"
Her expression was far from pleased.
If they were going to thank him for exposing the Blood Sect spy, that would be one thing. But this visit carried no such goodwill, so she had no choice but to voice her doubts.
"Even if the Qingcheng Sect has no choice, isn't he our Emei Sect's benefactor?"
"Hui..."
Su Seo-hwa gazed at her cherished disciple with gentle eyes for a moment. Then she stroked the girl's head and spoke as if lecturing her.
"You still don't understand the harsh realities of the jianghu, so you're swayed by the absurd rumors those fools are spreading."
"Huh...?"
Ryeo Hui blinked. The stories circulating through Chengdu's streets were far too detailed to dismiss as mere gossip. Yet Su Seo-hwa ignored those details and continued.
"And a benefactor? How dare you call a demonic head who murdered an Emei elder and tarnished our sect's name a benefactor? That's absurd."
"But the Murim Alliance said..."
"Hui, you mustn't take that at face value either."
Su Seo-hwa shook her head firmly, cutting her off. Her face was filled with disbelief.
"That so-called Mad Young Master clearly fabricated this bizarre slander to justify his slaughter, and the Murim Alliance is simply dancing to his tune to cover up their own incompetence."
"But..."
Ryeo Hui tried to object again, frustration mounting. Su Seo-hwa raised a hand to stop her once more.
"Yes, I know exactly what my dear Hui is thinking. Nothing in this world is absolute, after all."
She stroked Ryeo Hui's head again, gently.
"But the fact that the Qingcheng disciples were slaughtered remains true, doesn't it? So we cannot treat that man with any kindness."
"No, still..."
When Ryeo Hui bit her lip in genuine frustration, Yeo Rin approached and gently rubbed her back in support.
"Hui, Elder Su is right a hundred times over. There's no need to give yourself a headache with pointless worries."
She glanced at the Qingcheng disciples striding ahead with righteous fervor and continued.
"Those idiots are already charging ahead, screaming they'll catch the demonic head themselves. So our hands won't even get dirty. No need to worry."
"Right, Hui. Don't overthink it."
"Even if something happens, the elders will handle it perfectly."
When the other junior sisters chimed in one after another, Ryeo Hui could only sigh and nod.
"...Understood."
She had so much she wanted to say, but it was clear her senior and juniors had no intention of listening.
Meanwhile.
Unlike the frustrated Ryeo Hui, there was another poor soul who had given up on questioning or persuading from the very beginning.
'Ah... these lunatics...'
U Gyeong, the third-generation disciple of the Qingcheng Sect, was stuck in the middle of the group Yeo Rin had called "those idiots."
'They're really going to find the Mad Young Master?'
Was this some kind of group suicide pact?
How could anyone dismiss the stories everyone in Chengdu was spreading as mere rumors? Even the Murim Alliance and the Beggars' Sect had raised both hands and feet in warning.
Look. Even now.
"Elder, please reconsider...!"
The one-knot beggar forced to guide them was trembling and pleading. It was Gi Nam, the beggar who had followed Do Gwang that day. His face was etched with terror and despair.
'Ah, why did the branch leader assign this idiot's guidance duty to me!?'
He cursed I Pyo in his heart, shedding tears of blood.
Was he being told to commit suicide with them?
That madman had already marked him!
— Hey, beggar.
— You've been following me since earlier, right?
— This time, guide me. To the Sichuan Tang Family.
Gi Nam's legs went weak just remembering the madman's face, grinning eerily while holding that steel bat.
"I've seen it with my own eyes! That guy's insane! He's really crazy!! You absolutely must not go looking for him!"
He threw himself flat on the ground, wailing desperately.
But the Qingcheng Sect paid him no mind.
Instead, second-generation disciple Jin Hak shouted angrily.
"How dare a one-knot beggar lecture the great Qingcheng elders!"
"No, it's really dangerous, I'm sincerely advising you... Gack!"
Thud—!
"You bastard! We're already barely tolerating a mere one-knot beggar guiding us instead of the branch leader, and now you keep spouting nonsense?"
Another second-generation disciple kicked Gi Nam in the stomach and yelled.
Just as he raised his foot to stomp the fallen beggar again—
"Stop."
I Ja-un raised his hand and halted his disciples.
"After all, aren't the Beggars' Sect people lacking deep understanding of martial arts? They're just repeating what they've seen and heard, so don't blame them too much."
His tone was mild, yet the arrogance dismissing not only Gi Nam but the entire Beggars' Sect was obvious.
"Listen, your name was Gi Nam, correct?"
"Cough...! Yes, Elder..."
"If you're that afraid of him, there's no need to guide us all the way to his doorstep. Just take us to the bustling district where that demonic head is said to be."
"R-Really? Understood!"
Gi Nam bowed his head in gratitude at the news that he wouldn't have to be dragged right in front of Do Gwang.
Jin Hak snorted.
"Hmph. How can a Beggars' Sect member belonging to the Nine Great Sects be this cowardly and make such a fuss?"
He dramatically lifted his sword sheath and puffed out his chest.
"We have not only the Qingcheng swordsmen but even Elder I Ja-un with us. How can you be so scared?"
A clichéd, boastful line.
But Jin Hak didn't stop there. He swept back his hair and flashed a greasy smile at the Emei female disciples behind them.
"Young ladies, no need to worry! The moment my sword cleaves the air, that demonic head's neck will fall cleanly!"
Shing—!
He even drew his sword and raised it dramatically toward the sky.
"Hahahaha!!!"
At that grotesque sight, which was painful to watch—
"Ugh..."
"Eek..."
All the Emei female disciples shuddered, goosebumps rising as they clutched their robes tighter. Some even fought back the urge to retch.
'...Crazy bastard...'
U Gyeong swallowed curses and shook his head. Then he squeezed his eyes shut.
'If Grandfather was going to retire, he should've taken me with him. How am I supposed to revive this idiotic sect alone?'
He could only resent retired Supreme Elder Cheon-un Jinin, who had stepped down from all positions.
'Looks like today is this grandson's memorial day.'
There was no way to stop these idiots.
U Gyeong sincerely prayed that the rumors were as exaggerated and absurd as these morons believed.
###
Meanwhile, in a bustling district of Chengdu.
"Kyahaha~~"
A bright, cheerful laugh filled the street.
"Daddy! I want to eat that!"
Do Hwa pointed at a stall selling candied fruit, bouncing on her toes.
Do Gwang smiled indulgently and gently patted the child's head.
"Three of those, please. Ah, keep the change."
"A-Ah, here you are! Thank you...!"
The vendor's voice couldn't help but tremble sweetly.
It wasn't just the joy of receiving a full tael of silver for three skewers.
"Ah... Young Master... I could offer something even sweeter and softer than candied fruit..."
"Kyahaha~~ Want to die?"
"Oh my, what kind of language is that to your mother?"
"Just die!"
Clang—! Clang—! Clang—!
Because of the real madman casually leading around those crazy girls who were currently dueling with swords in the narrow street.
The Mad Young Master.
Not only had he completely destroyed the Sichuan Tang Family on his first day in Chengdu, but for the past week he had wandered every street, picking fights with anyone who annoyed him and smashing their heads. A true madman.
Fortunately, he hadn't laid a hand on merchants or powerless commoners.
"Mmm... They really get along well. Munch munch."
Even as the crazy girls caused a ruckus with their sword fights in every shop they entered, he remained perfectly calm, munching on candied fruit.
'Please just take the food and leave...'
The merchants could only weep inwardly and beg.
'Th-The Mad Young Master and Mad Girls!'
'Please don't come to our shop!'
'Should I close up for the day?'
'I'm already closing.'
Merchants everywhere bowed their heads, desperately avoiding eye contact with Do Gwang's group.
Meanwhile.
Do Gwang watched Do Hwa and Dang Soryeong getting along harmoniously with a pleased smile, yet another thought crossed his mind.
'The enlightenment of martial arts...'
It was the day he had copied the Thunderbolt Saber Technique from Saber King Heo Chang-baek.
When they returned to the Paedo Sect headquarters and enjoyed the banquet.
— Keu-ka-ka-kat! Mad Young Master, you're truly amazing. I really thought I was going to die!
— It'll take at least a month of rest to recover properly! Keu-ka-ka-kat!!!
— But I can't understand how you achieved that power without any enlightenment. And it's really fascinating!
— How about it? I'll teach you personally. Want to learn about martial arts? No, about the study of martial arts?
'If only that sword fetishist wasn't involved, I might've accepted.'
Do Gwang clicked his tongue, recalling Heo Chang-baek's words.
It was an opportunity to receive direct guidance from one of the Twenty Heavenly Kings, after all.
But the condition required wielding a saber instead of his steel bat and joining the Paedo Sect, so he had no choice but to refuse.
'Well... belonging to any sect is bound to be troublesome anyway...'
He absolutely couldn't give it up.
That satisfying crunch when smashing heads.
The feeling of destroying everything.
The crisp sound of *kwajik*!
The thrilling impact that resonated to the bone.
'I've already become someone who can't live without a bat...'
After organizing his thoughts, Do Gwang sighed.
"Haa..."
There was no one left to smash.
Whether it was rumors or wanting to test his skills directly, everyone who had picked fights had disappeared.
"It's only been a week..."
Was Chengdu, a major city, really this devoid of notable figures?
'I can't exactly destroy the Paedo Sect that taught me the Thunderbolt Saber Technique, fed me, housed me, and even gave me pocket money...'
Nor could he attack the Murim Alliance for no reason while they were working hard.
'I'm not some bloodthirsty villain, after all.'
After neatly organizing this miraculous logic, Do Gwang sighed deeply again.
"Aigoo... I'm too kind for my own good..."
He raised his steel bat toward the sky and muttered.
"How can I hold back so well when I want to smash everyone right now?"
Do Gwang was genuinely proud of his noble patience.
The people of Chengdu who had clearly heard all his muttering.
"........."
"........."
No one dared to open their mouths.
Too kind?
Who? You?
Holding back from smashing everyone?
Isn't that just normal?
Everyone could only scream inwardly in disbelief.
But Do Gwang's nonsense didn't end there.
"Haa... I guess I'll have to do some volunteer work today. For the peace of Chengdu."
Do Gwang sighed heavily and trudged forward, hoping to find someone worth beating to death in some deserted alley or backstreet.
Do Hwa and Dang Soryeong quickly followed right behind him.
"Daddy! Wait for me!"
"Young Master!"
Even as they followed, the two continued their sword duel without pause.
Clang—! Clang—! Clang—!
Hearing that bloody scene and those absurd remarks, the merchants stared blankly into the air.
"Volunteer work?"
"Peace?"
"Isn't it true that the neighborhood thugs have decreased because of those lunatics..."
"Yeah, that's true, but..."
The number of people Do Gwang had beaten to death in the past week was nearly a hundred.
For a week, he had thoroughly crushed every unorthodox villain who tried to bully powerless merchants and commoners.
Thanks to that, the people of Chengdu no longer had to suffer innocent harm...
But wasn't it too contradictory to call the sight of those crazy girls strolling the streets with swords and a bat "peace"?
Just as the merchants were falling into inner demons from this confusion about whether this was truly peace—
"You bastard!!!"
A thunderous roar echoed through the street.
###
"I've finally found you!!! The lunatics who slaughtered our great Qingcheng disciples!!!"
I Ja-un appeared, leading his disciples.
The Emei Sect followed right behind.
"Qingcheng!? The Qingcheng Sect, one of the Nine Great Sects!?"
"Those beautiful women behind them—are they from the Emei Sect!?"
Murmurs erupted.
As expected of the murim!
Everyone who had been keeping their mouths shut and averting their eyes suddenly began making a fuss.
In the midst of the commotion—
"Oh..."
Do Gwang turned his head with delight.
His eyes locked precisely onto Gi Nam.
"Long time no see?"
"Hiiik....!!!"
Gi Nam's legs gave out and he collapsed on the spot.
He could only curse and resent I Ja-un in his heart.
Why the hell did they have to shout and cause a scene like that?
And why did those lunatics have to appear the moment they entered the bustling district!?
He had only planned to guide them and slip away quickly!
But Do Gwang had no way of knowing Gi Nam's desperate inner thoughts.
He shouted as if genuinely happy.
"I knew it was a good idea not to smash your head that day. Instead, you brought so many people with you!"
As Do Gwang approached, lightly spinning his steel bat—
"S-Sorry, Great Herooooo!!!"
Gi Nam immediately dropped to his knees, tears and snot streaming as he screamed.
"I tried to stop them! But these lunatics insisted on committing suicide and dragged me here by force!"
"No, why are you like this? I'm saying you did well."
"Waaaaah! Save me!!!"
At that tearful struggle, Jin Hak's face twisted viciously.
"You bastard! How can someone claiming to be from the orthodox side kneel before a demonic head and beg for his life!?"
"Shut up! You crazy bastard! I don't want to die!!!"
The terrified beggar turned and bolted without looking back.
Jin Hak snorted.
"Ha! The Beggars' Sect's discipline has truly hit rock bottom!"
He stepped forward arrogantly.
Shing—!
Then he drew his sword with a flourish and pointed the tip at Do Gwang.
"You bastard! Mad Young Master! Today, my sword will avenge my junior brothers..."
Just as Jin Hak was trying to strike a more impressive pose, mindful of the female disciples behind him—
Drip...
Drip...!
"!!!???"
Thick tears suddenly began falling from Do Gwang's eyes.
At that bizarre sight, everyone in Chengdu froze.
That madman... crying?
Why the hell was he crying!?
The onlookers couldn't help but feel absurd confusion.
A guy who laughs and enjoys himself while smashing unorthodox villains' heads—why was he doing this!?
People even began to fear how this madman might react!
In contrast—
"Hahaha! This guy must be terrified of my presence!"
Jin Hak shouted triumphantly, puffed up with pride.
But Do Gwang's gaze wasn't directed at Jin Hak at all.
It was fixed on the young man standing right behind him!
Do Gwang cried out with a voice full of affection.
"U Gyeong!!!"
At that sudden call—
"....Me?"
U Gyeong could only freeze, pointing at himself.
Had he misheard?
"U Gyeong!!!"
The madman's eyes, calling him again, were filled with even deeper longing.