Debts and Grudges with Cheonrim
A sigh burst out of him.
"So it's not just one—you want me to rob thirteen whole sects? Why in the world would I do that?"
"Haven't I kept telling you? To clear your name."
"That much is true, I suppose. I had nothing to do with this affair, and I want nothing to do with it now. And above all—that warrior over there, Myeong Hyeon—he's using demonic qi."
"So what?"
"I have plenty more to say. The reason I followed that man here in the first place was to deliver a warning: leave me alone from now on."
"A warning... Is that your choice, then?"
"It is."
"Fine. If that's how you've chosen, there's nothing I can do about it."
Na Mu-gi looked at Yi Do with unexpected eyes. He'd heard about the man on the way here. The Cruel Demon Sovereign.
They said his methods were ruthless—yet here he was, backing down this easily?
So he's a man one can talk to.
For a moment, he actually believed that.
Yi Do had never once retreated. If it looked that way, it was an illusion.
"Myeong Hyeon."
"Yes."
"You've had a rough trip there and back, and I'm sorry for it. Go once more."
"...Pardon?"
"Na Mu-gi's eldest daughter should have settled her household in Dorimjin. Bring her here."
Na Mu-gi flared up.
"Hey, now!"
"Lower your voice."
At Yi Do's icy words, Na Mu-gi flinched.
"Let me make the same offer again. Loot Jangam Commandery."
"...What in the world is wrong with you? Do you hold some grudge against me...?"
"I hold no grudge. But I cannot exclude you from this affair. If you're innocent, then prove your innocence to me. Create the evidence that will let me stand before the Asura Sword Sect and say that Na Mu-gi is without blame."
"..."
"Even after this, you refuse? Then there's nothing to be done. Myeong Hyeon."
"...Yes."
"Strike what I said before. First go to Donggang-hyeon. Abduct Na Han-un, Na Mu-gi's second son and a Patrol Officer there, then head to Dorimjin and bring back Na Mu-gi's eldest daughter. Everyone else—you may kill them all."
Myeong Hyeon let out a long sigh and started walking. Na Mu-gi grabbed hold of him.
"...Are you truly going?"
"Yes. I'm going."
"..."
"I haven't known this lord for very long, but I do know that when he says he'll do something, he does it. If you want to stop him, by all means try. It won't work, of course."
Na Mu-gi clutched his head. Seeing this, Myeong Hyeon added:
"And it seems you're misunderstanding something right now. That gentleman over there is giving you chance after chance."
"...A chance? Did you just call this a chance? How is this a chance? It's a threat."
"Think a little deeper. About why that threat is a chance."
"..."
"You truly don't understand?"
Myeong Hyeon glanced briefly at Yi Do. Yi Do said nothing. He simply watched. Consider it permission.
"That man has no intention of stopping. Whatever he starts, he will see finished, one way or another. So what do you suppose happens if you don't cooperate?"
"..."
"Without the Sambong Branch lifting a finger, the Asura Sword Sect will come for you before long. And this is Jeok State territory, not Yeon—surely you don't imagine their warriors marching over in some great, visible crowd?"
"..."
"They'll select their finest and pursue you in secret. That man said he would take your family alive, but do you think *they* will be so courteous? Don't delude yourself. You're not being threatened right now—you're being protected."
Na Mu-gi squeezed his eyes shut.
Live long enough in the murim, and there are entanglements that find you no matter how desperately you wish to avoid them. This was one of those times.
"Promise me one thing."
"What promise?"
"That you won't touch my family."
"Very well. I won't touch them."
"...Haa. This is driving me mad."
Racking his brain, Na Mu-gi asked.
"May I begin now?"
"Doesn't matter. But keep a few things in mind. Jangam Commandery is in utter chaos at the moment."
Whose heads Yi Do had severed of late—and what he had done at Bibong Mountain.
Having heard it all, the Thousand-Li Divine Thief blinked.
"...You want me to steal at a time like this...? How is that any different from telling me to go there and die?"
"It's different. Because among the thieves I know, your skill ranks within the top three in the world."
"...You seem to know a great deal about me."
"Better to know than not. Every sect keeps items it treasures above all else. Bring only those. Value-wise, minimum... oh, around five hundred gold nyang apiece should do."
Wearing a complicated expression, Na Mu-gi glanced around before asking.
"Is there anywhere near Jangam Commandery, close to Bibong Mountain—a safe house, perhaps?"
"There are, but they're all places whose locations were exposed long ago."
"Somewhere unexposed, that I can come and go from—a very small cave, or... a spot wrapped in dense undergrowth would suffice. Does one exist?"
One place surfaced in Yi Do's mind. Some time ago, when he had collapsed a caravan of Jangam Commandery at Bibong Mountain, one of the Salmu had been slammed flat into the ground. The spot was ringed by thick brush, and he'd noticed then that the whole area had that kind of terrain.
He told Na Mu-gi of it, and the Thousand-Li Divine Thief nodded.
"The search should be finished by now, and besides—the darkest place is always right beneath the lamp... Very well. I'll begin at once."
"How much time do you need?"
"A week, with no information at all. But with detailed knowledge of the internal layouts of my target buildings."
The Thousand-Li Divine Thief paused briefly, then declared with pride:
"One day."
That would be more than enough.
"Un Dohyeon."
"Yes, my lord."
"Give him the blueprints."
As if he'd been waiting for the moment, Un Dohyeon drew a bundle of papers from within his robe and handed it to the Thousand-Li Divine Thief.
"...You had these prepared in advance?"
Yi Do silently nodded, and Na Mu-gi stared at him in sheer disbelief before sighing heavily.
"Keep your promise. I'll be back within the day."
"Good."
And so, armed with the intelligence, the Thousand-Li Divine Thief set out for Jangam Commandery.
Myeong Hyeon quietly pulled a chair up in front of Yi Do and plopped himself down.
He asked Yi Do, who was silently lifting spoonfuls to his mouth:
"So... what exactly is it that you're planning?"
It was the kind of question that was bound to come.
"Have you eaten?"
"How could I have? I've missed two meals now."
"Then eat a little."
"Unbelievable... You know I'm the sort who never refuses food when it's offered."
Myeong Hyeon quietly picked up his spoon as well. Un Dohyeon, silent until now, stared steadily at him.
"...Why is that man looking at me like that?"
"Ask him yourself."
"...If I ask, I feel like a blade will come flying at me. His gaze is terrifying."
Yi Do stayed silent. Only then did Un Dohyeon speak.
"Your manner toward my lord is far too insolent."
Myeong Hyeon's eyes went round.
"Show some respect."
It was absurd.
No, seriously—how long had the man even been away from his side?
"You've gained yourself a loyal hound."
Still, Yi Do gave no answer. Myeong Hyeon let out a long sigh.
"...Hey there. Second son of Un Gajang."
"What is it."
"Strictly speaking, aren't I your senior here?"
"..."
"By length of service, by timing, I joined the Asura Sword Sect before you did, so really you ought to—*cough*, damn it."
"And yet, are you a branch head?"
"That's not the point."
"Then wouldn't showing some respect be the correct thing to do?"
A smile edged with killing intent bloomed at the corners of Myeong Hyeon's mouth.
"I'll tear you limb from limb and—"
Only then did Yi Do react.
"Myeong Hyeon."
"...What?"
"Your blood pathways are still open, aren't they."
Coming to his senses, Myeong Hyeon scratched his head.
"...They are. The Thousand-Li Divine Thief kept trying to bolt every time I looked away."
"Close them. The demonic qi is gnawing at your mind."
Myeong Hyeon obeyed without protest.
"But is it all right, talking about all this so openly?"
"Un Dohyeon is a man I trust."
"..."
"And, Un Dohyeon."
"Yes, my lord."
"That's simply how Myeong Hyeon talks, so pay it no mind."
"...If my lord says so, then yes. I will pay it no mind."
Myeong Hyeon burst out laughing—a hollow, helpless sort of laugh.
"What kind of sorcery did you work on him, to acquire such a loyal hound in so short a time?"
"Would knowing change anything?"
"No, but... it's just fascinating."
Myeong Hyeon popped a piece of pork stew into his mouth, then blinked as a thought struck him.
"I have a rough idea of what you're up to now, but... when do you plan to appoint a branch head?"
Yi Do shook his head.
"I have no intention of keeping many branch heads."
"..."
"And if you're finished eating, get up."
"Where are we going *this* time?"
"Once the Thousand-Li Divine Thief brings back his spoils, there'll need to be somewhere to sell them, won't there?"
"...So where exactly are we going?"
"No explanations. Just follow."
Yi Do rose from his seat and walked out first, with Un Dohyeon trotting close behind. Myeong Hyeon let out a sigh.
He hadn't even gotten a moment's rest.
* * *
There was one remarkably unusual building in Sambong-hyeon.
At first glance it resembled an inn, yet it was no inn; it looked rather like the estate of some sect or other, yet it was no such thing.
It was roughly ten times the size of the Sambong Branch, and at fixed intervals it would swallow an enormous number of warriors and merchants, only to spit them back out about five sijin later.
That's right.
This was the black market.
It dealt in goods that were nearly impossible to obtain through ordinary channels—the weapon or secret manual of some vanished warrior, rare poisons, even the jade seals once used by emperors.
And here was the truly amusing part: the black market in Sambong-hyeon, territory of the Asura Sword Sect, was run by none other than Cheonrim.
Those fixed intervals when people streamed inside? The fifteenth of every month.
Today was the thirteenth.
Two days from now, the black market would open.
At present, the place held only the warriors standing guard over it—and that was where Yi Do arrived.
The two guards at the entrance swallowed hard.
"Open it."
At Yi Do's words, the two warriors looked at each other, clearly at a loss. Yi Do said curtly:
"Un Dohyeon."
"Yes, my lord."
"Open it."
"By your command."
Un Dohyeon stepped forward. The two warriors had no time to do anything at all.
*KWAAAAAANG—!!*
Because he simply smashed the doors to pieces.
The two warriors were only just reaching for their weapons when—
"Draw them and die."
They froze. Yi Do regarded the pair for a moment, then walked on in silence. Myeong Hyeon, trailing at the rear, let out a long sigh.
"B-Branch Head, sir. You do know where we are, right?"
"You think I don't?"
"..."
He had nothing to say. Yi Do strode forward without hindrance, and at his side came Un Dohyeon, sword already drawn, his face dark with killing intent. This is madness, Myeong Hyeon thought.
I've given up trying to understand.
If anything, he found himself almost curious—just how far this lunacy was going to go.
Their destination turned out to be an administrative office deep within the estate.
There, they met a man.
His luxurious silk garments made quite the impression.
He looked at Yi Do and smiled thinly.
"So I finally have the honor of meeting the great Cruel Demon Sovereign of Sambong-hyeon."
He rose from his seat and offered a cupped-fist salute.
"A pleasure. I am Wi Won-gwang, branch head of the Cheonrim Sambong-hyeon branch."
"I am Yi Do."
"As if I could fail to know. A man whose name echoes far and wide... Hm... I find I simply cannot hold my tongue."
Wi Won-gwang's eyes glittered.
"Why have you come?"
"What a fascinating question."
Yi Do's eyes locked onto Wi Won-gwang.
"Do you not know? The reason?"
"...I'm afraid I don't. Honestly, we've never done anything to offend you, Yi Do-nim, so this visit puts us in a rather awkward position."
Yi Do was a more forgiving man than most would imagine.
"There are debts and grudges between Cheonrim and me. Are there not?"
"...I beg your pardon?"
"Surely you haven't forgotten what happened in Jushin County?"
Wi Won-gwang's brow creased slightly.
"You sold information on my whereabouts to the Killing Curtain, the Murim Alliance, and the Heaven Judgment Sect and Underworld Sect."
"..."
"In the murim, a blow received once must be repaid in full. Surely you didn't expect me to simply bury it?"
"..."
"Thanks to you all, I stained these hands with far more blood than I intended. It became tedious."
"..."
"I've come to collect the price."
Wi Won-gwang's reaction was unexpected.
"And if I refuse?"
"Refuse?"
To the man who gave no answer, Yi Do asked again.
"I'll ask one last time. Do you truly refuse?"
"...Yes. This matter is nothing to me."
At the corner of Yi Do's mouth—
a smile of such surpassing gentleness spread.
"Good. I understand you perfectly. Although—*you're* the branch head?"
Wi Won-gwang smiled awkwardly.
"Yes... I am the branch head, for now."
"Then who is the deputy?"
"Standing right here beside me, aren't they."
At Wi Won-gwang's side stood a small-framed man, mid-thirties in age.
His martial realm was... Zhutian Realm.
"I see."
At Yi Do's words, Wi Won-gwang thought—*what has this man Yi Do actually done, up until now?*
Kill first, ask questions later. There was no guarantee he wouldn't do the same here.
Wi Won-gwang raised a hand. At that signal, four warriors who had been leaning against the pillars slowly walked forward.
Yi Do's gaze swept over the four of them. Wi Won-gwang spoke.
"There is something I must say first."
"Say it."
"Those four are the guardian protectors of Cheonrim—elites dispatched to each of our branches."
"And?"
"Each has reached the Three Flowers Convergence. Should you kill them, Cheonrim will hunt you to the ends of the earth for the rest of your days."
"Your words are far too long. Get to the point."
"Simply turn back and leave. As though nothing ever happened."
"And if I don't?"
"...It will be difficult for you. Barely appointed branch head of Sambong-hyeon, you'll be forced from your seat—and beyond that, even your life will come under threat."
"Is that so."
"Yes."
"How unremarkable."
"...Pardon?"
No further conversation took place.
Yi Do's left hand shot out with the speed of light itself and seized Wi Won-gwang by the throat.
"You'll walk the same road as the Killing Curtain, then?"
"Khh... kkagh...!"
"That's not such a bad road, mind you."
The hand tightened.
*Crack—!*
Wi Won-gwang's neck snapped. Yi Do released him. Then, at the heart of Wi Won-gwang as he crumpled to the floor—
*KWAJIK—!*
He stomped it to pulp.