Chapter 12: Who Asked for Help? (1)
Chapter 12: Who Asked for Help? (1)
The Blood Saber Sect.
It was one of the many sects that had splintered off from the Hegemon Sect. Its leader was Ma Jae-ho, also known as the Blood Wolf Wanderer—a disciple of the Heaven-Shattering Martial Emperor.
Being a disciple of the world’s strongest man might sound impressive, but in reality, it wasn't quite as exclusive as one might think.
This was because the Heaven-Shattering Martial Emperor had over two hundred officially recognized disciples.
No one knew exactly why the Emperor had taken on so many. It was simply his habit; whenever someone caught his eye, he would declare, "You, become my disciple."
Since no one in their right mind would refuse an offer from the world’s greatest martial artist, his roster of disciples grew to absurd proportions.
Naturally, having so many disciples led to problems.
While the Heaven-Shattering Martial Emperor was alive and well, things remained stable. However, after his death from mysterious causes, those fellow disciples instantly transformed into bitter rivals.
To make matters worse, the ambiguous nature of the Emperor’s death provided more than enough fuel for conflict.
[You! You’re the one who killed Master!]
[Don’t talk nonsense! You’re the one who used a cowardly trick to assassinate him!]
[How dare you… I’ll kill you!]
The disciples turned their blades on one another, and the Hegemon Sect shattered into pieces.
Ma Jae-ho was one of those who broke away during the chaos. He gathered his followers, founded the Blood Saber Sect, and began slowly expanding his influence within Gansu Province.
He was in the middle of increasing his numbers and exerting dominance over the surrounding Unorthodox factions when…
"Sect Leader. I’ve received word that the Twin Dragon Room has fallen."
"The Twin Dragon Room?"
Ma Jae-ho’s brow furrowed at the unexpected news.
In terms of pure martial prowess, the Twin Dragon Room wasn't particularly strong, but they were a reliable source of tribute. Hearing that such a group had suddenly collapsed, Ma Jae-ho scowled.
"Who did it? Did the Kongtong Sect make a move?"
The one who answered Ma Jae-ho’s question was a sickly-looking scholar. He was a failed academic who, unable to endure poverty, had sought a living within the Unorthodox Faction.
This was actually quite common. Most members of the Unorthodox Faction were illiterate thugs who could barely write their own names, making them utterly useless at administration. In such cases, they would use money or violence to recruit failed scholars or merchant clerks to handle paperwork and logistics. If the recruit proved cooperative, they were often promoted to the role of advisor.
This scholar was one such man.
"It wasn't the Kongtong Sect," he replied.
"Then who was it?"
"A group called the Twin Dragon Sect has reportedly ousted them and taken over."
"The Twin Dragon Sect? The names are similar. Could it be…?"
"Yes. They were the Orthodox sect that occupied that spot before the Twin Dragon Room pushed them out."
"Hah, so they spent years sharpening their blades and finally took back what was theirs? Is that it?"
"It would seem so."
"Hmph, what a touching story."
Ma Jae-ho bared his teeth in a sneer. "Who was the leader of the Twin Dragon Room again?"
"It was Kang Man, the Great Bear Twin Axes."
"What happened to him?"
"His martial arts were stripped away, and he’s been turned into a complete cripple."
"…And what about those under him?"
"None remain. Every single member of the Twin Dragon Room had their Dantian destroyed and their limb meridians severed."
"Hmph. For a bunch of Orthodox hypocrites, they certainly played for keeps."
Destroying a Dantian and severing meridians was essentially a death sentence for a martial artist. Usually, Orthodox sects avoided such brutality unless there was a deep-seated, personal grudge, as they had to maintain their public image and reputation.
The fact that they hadn't just targeted the leader but had neutralized the entire sect suggested that the opponent possessed an unusually ruthless streak.
"Hmph, no matter how vicious, they’re still just Orthodox trash," Ma Jae-ho muttered dismissively.
The advisor spoke up. "Regardless, we cannot leave this matter unaddressed. The loss of tribute is one thing, but if we fail to manage a sect under our protection, our other subordinates might start looking for the exit."
"True enough."
Ma Jae-ho thought for a moment before standing up. "Bring me my saber. I’ll settle this personally!"
"Please, calm yourself. This is not a matter that requires your personal intervention, Sect Leader."
"You fool!" Ma Jae-ho roared.
The sonic wave of his shout vibrated through the room, causing a decorative vase on the side to crack down the middle. This alone was proof of his profound internal energy.
The advisor, who possessed no martial arts, clutched his chest in momentary pain.
Ma Jae-ho barked, "You expect me to ignore someone trespassing on my territory? This is the perfect time to make an example of them and teach everyone a lesson!"
The advisor thought to himself, This illiterate brute actually remembered a four-character idiom for once…
However, saying that out loud would cost him his head. He carefully chose his words to avoid provoking the volatile leader further.
"Your words are entirely correct, Sect Leader. However…"
"However what?"
"It is a matter of status. The opponent is far too insignificant for someone of your stature to move personally."
"Mmm…"
A look of conflict crossed Ma Jae-ho’s face. It seemed the advisor’s logic was working. Sensing an opening, the advisor pressed on.
"The Twin Dragon Sect is a third-rate group no one has ever heard of. If you were to go there yourself, it would only tarnish the reputation of our Blood Saber Sect."
"Mmm."
"As the saying goes, one does not use a butcher’s cleaver to kill a chicken. Why soil your blade on such small fry?"
"Heh… true. That makes sense."
Flattered by the advisor’s words, Ma Jae-ho’s mood seemed to soften. He sat back down with a heavy thud.
"So, what do you suggest? They did touch our territory, after all."
"Of course, we cannot let it slide. Send a formal envoy to deliver a warning. Order their leader to come here personally and apologize."
"Will they actually come just because I told them to?"
"The weight of a command depends on who gives it. You are a successor of the Heaven-Shattering Martial Emperor. How could the leader of some nameless, third-rate sect dare to refuse your summons?"
"Hmph. I suppose you’re right."
The corners of Ma Jae-ho’s mouth curled up toward his ears. He particularly liked being called a "successor of the Heaven-Shattering Martial Emperor."
"When they arrive, give them a stern reprimand and then demand a higher protection fee than what the Twin Dragon Room used to pay. They won't dare refuse."
"Yes, Advisor Jang is right."
Suddenly, the advisor had gone from "you fool" to "Advisor Jang." It was a clear sign that Ma Jae-ho was in a very good mood.
"Then I shall proceed with the arrangements."
"Yes, do that."
Feeling satisfied, Ma Jae-ho gave his easy approval, completely unaware of the consequences this decision would bring.
* * *
At the peaceful Twin Dragon Sect.
"Ugh… uuuugh…"
"No more… I can't…"
"Aaaaaagh!"
Well, to be honest, it wasn't exactly peaceful.
Why? The reason could be traced back to a single person.
"You punks! You’ve barely started and you’re already whining? Huh?"
Could peace even exist in a place ruled by Patrick Schneider? Right now, the Twin Dragon Sect was providing many young men with the rare opportunity to experience hell while still alive.
Just look at them now.
The young disciples were balancing massive iron pots filled to the brim with water on their heads while performing the footwork Patrick had assigned. It was pure torture.
The footwork was complicated enough on its own, but they weren't allowed to spill a single drop of water from the pots.
And if they did?
They had to start over from the beginning, of course. And because of collective responsibility, everyone had to restart.
As a result…
Just… just kill me already.
Where am I? Who am I?
Mom, I miss you.
Having performed the same tedious footwork for over half a day, their faces were as gaunt and pale as skeletons.
"Um, Bong Gong."
"Hmm? What is it, Sect Leader?"
"Don't you think the training intensity is a bit… much?"
"Mmm, you think so too, Sect Leader?"
"Yes. It’s a bit…"
"It is a bit too easy, isn't it?"
"……."
"I was holding back because oil is expensive, but I really should have used boiling oil instead of water. Don't you agree?"
"……."
"That would have provided the proper level of tension for their training."
Lately, Sect Leader Go Seok-hyeon found himself thanking the heavens every day for the fact that he was an elder.
And then…
Bang! Bang! Bang!
Someone began pounding loudly on the gates of hell—er, the Twin Dragon Sect.
"Who is it? A new recruit after all this time?"
Recently, after their numbers surpassed 150, the influx of new recruits had dropped significantly. It seemed word had gotten out about the kind of "training" the Twin Dragon Sect put its members through. However…
CRASH!
It seemed this visitor wasn't looking to join. They had made quite the entrance by smashing the front gate.
"Why aren't you coming out to greet us? You country bumpkins!"
Striding through the ruined gate were men dressed in red martial robes with large sabers strapped to their backs. They marched into the courtyard with arrogant, unhesitating steps.
The disciples instinctively shrank back, intimidated by their aggressive aura. Seeing the cowering students, the men smirked.
"Heh… look at these cute little things. Shaking like baby chicks."
It was obvious they hadn't come with good intentions. Sect Leader Go Seok-hyeon stepped forward.
"Who are you? For what purpose have you visited our sect?"
At Go Seok-hyeon’s polite inquiry, the leader of the group gave a smug grin.
"Are you the Sect Leader?"
"I am."
"Hmm…"
The man looked Go Seok-hyeon up and down dismissively. "Hmph, that Great Bear Twin Axes must have really lost his touch. To think he was beaten by a pathetic old man like this."
"…Are you an acquaintance of the Great Bear Twin Axes?"
"You could say that. We are from the Blood Saber Sect… Gwahk!"
CRACK!
Just as the man was about to introduce himself, a spectacular mid-air double kick slammed directly into his face.
The man was sent flying across the courtyard, crashing into a stone wall.
Naturally, the one responsible was…
"You Unorthodox piece of trash! How dare you set foot in the Great Twin Dragon Sect? And you have the nerve to speak so rudely to our Sect Leader? You wanna die? Huh? You looking for a death wish?"
"Y-You… who are you?"
CRACK! BOOM!
Another man was sent flying into the wall. Patrick barked:
"You should say, 'Who might you be, sir?' You uneducated Unorthodox thug! Where do you think you are? Huh? Some Unorthodox nobody calling the Bong Gong of the Great Twin Dragon Sect 'you'? Am I your friend? Huh?"
He was truly a loyal Bong Gong, overflowing with love and pride for the Twin Dragon Sect. But before that…
"B-Bong Gong."
"What is it, Sect Leader?"
"They said they were from the Blood Saber Sect. If you do this…"
Go Seok-hyeon trailed off. He wanted to say, You shouldn't do this, but it felt a bit awkward to finish the sentence.
Patrick’s actions were violent, yes, but they weren't exactly wrong. It was perfectly justified to beat down an Unorthodox thug who had kicked in their front gate and started making threats. However…
"B-Bong Gong! They said they’re from the Blood Saber Sect!" Moon Yul shouted, his face pale with fright.
"I heard them. They said Blood Saber Sect."
"Then why…?"
"I’m hitting them because they’re from the Blood Saber Sect. They’re Unorthodox, aren't they?"
"……."
"An Unorthodox bastard dares to step foot in the Great Twin Dragon Sect? That’s a one-way ticket to a beating. Don't you agree?"
Wow, our Bong Gong’s pride in the Twin Dragon Sect is truly infinite.
Moon Yul stood there with his mouth agape, wearing the exact same expression as his master.
And then…
"H-How dare you do this to the Blood Saber Sect—"
Slap! Slap-slap-slap-slap-slap!
Patrick grabbed the man by the collar and began rhythmically slapping his face.
"How dare I? How dare I? Where does an Unorthodox piece of shit get off flapping his delusional gums? Huh?"
"Gah! W-Wait… just a second…"
"Maybe I should just knock out all your teeth and replant them upside down. Huh? Where? How dare you? Huh? An Unorthodox thug? Huh?"
"Guh… ack! Wait, stop… gah!"
It was a sight that made one instinctively think, Wow, he’s really good at beating people up.
The Blood Saber Sect member tried to resist, but he couldn't. From the moment Patrick grabbed his collar, all the strength left his body. He felt as helpless as a commoner who had never touched a martial art in his life.
"Say it again, you bastard! Huh? Say it again!"
"I-I’m sorry… sir…. I was… wrong…."
It was a scene of brutal corporal punishment that was almost too painful to watch.
* * *
A short while later.
The members of the Blood Saber Sect were kneeling in the Twin Dragon Sect’s training yard. Their faces were swollen and bruised, and they kept their heads bowed low. One man lay flat on the ground, barely breathing—the fate of the one who had been particularly stubborn.
Patrick spoke up. "Sect Leader, I believe they are now in a proper frame of mind for a conversation."
"…This is a conversation?"
"Ahem. When dealing with Unorthodox scum, you always start by beating them. That’s the rule."
"……."
"And this eye level is just right for a chat."
"……."
"Go ahead. Talk to them."
Go Seok-hyeon felt an immense amount of pressure from the situation, but he couldn't exactly refuse to talk now. He needed to know what was going on.
"Ahem… So, for what reason did the Blood Saber Sect come to our humble sect?"
The Blood Saber Sect members hesitated for a moment before speaking cautiously.
"We came to deliver our leader’s command… I mean, we have come to deliver a message."
Patrick lowered the hand he had just raised and said, "I’ll let that one slide."
The man hurriedly pulled a letter from his robes and handed it to Go Seok-hyeon. Go Seok-hyeon opened it and scanned the contents.
"Good heavens…"
"What does it say?"
"Would you like to see for yourself?"
Patrick took the letter and checked it. "The gist of it is… they’re telling the Sect Leader to come to them personally."
"It seems so."
"To explain why we touched the Twin Dragon Room?"
"That is what is written."
"Hahahaha!"
Patrick laughed. He laughed for a long time, then suddenly stopped. His expression went cold.
"Are these bastards insane?!"
That day, the messengers of the Blood Saber Sect realized something.
Demons truly do exist in this world.