Chapter 102: The Fist King Has a Frank Conversation
The Fist King Has a Frank Conversation
Chapter 102: The Fist King Has a Frank Conversation
Dan Woo-sung looked up at the Mokryongdang's signboard before speaking to Jeong Chan.
"Lead the way. I'll decide whether to spare your life after we're done here."
"Understood."
Jeong Chan knocked on the door, half-doubting his own actions. Could two young people really dismantle the Mokryongdang?
With a creak, a small peephole slid open, revealing a man who peered out with only his eyes visible.
"Back already? Did you finish collecting the tribute?"
"No. I had to stop midway."
"Why?"
Jeong Chan stepped aside slightly.
"There was... a problem. I've brought guests who wish to speak with the leader."
The eyeballs shifted, scrutinizing Dan Woo-sung and Baek Yak standing beside Jeong Chan. The man asked,
"Just these two?"
"Yes."
The man turned his gaze to Dan Woo-sung.
"Where are you from?"
Before the conversation could drag on, Dan Woo-sung kicked the massive front gate clean off its hinges.
BOOM!
Jeong Chan flinched and scrambled out of the way.
The heavy lock shattered instantly, and the entire gate was ripped from its frame, smashing apart. The man behind it was sent flying, tumbling several yards before collapsing unconscious.
Jeong Chan's jaw dropped.
'Ah... we're fucked.'
Dan Woo-sung stepped inside with Baek Yak, tossing a remark at Jeong Chan.
"You really are useless. I thought you at least knew how to rough up a shopkeeper, you worthless trash."
Baek Yak silently glared at Jeong Chan from behind her veil as she passed by. Strangely, her icy stare bothered him more than Dan Woo-sung's insults.
'Damn it.'
"I got beaten up while collecting tribute, then ended up bringing them here."
Jeong Chan's explanation was met with sighs and curses from the Mokryongdang members. Someone even echoed Dan Woo-sung's earlier words:
"You really are a useless piece of shit."
Regardless, Dan Woo-sung was already seated in the main hall, while Baek Yak wandered around, hands clasped behind her back. Any men who had tried to stop them on the way lay unconscious in the training yard outside.
More Mokryongdang members—Black Path enforcers—gradually filled the hall. Someone asked,
"Where's the leader?"
"He'll be out soon."
The men glared at Dan Woo-sung and Baek Yak.
Then, one by one, they drew their blades—some inspecting the edges, others playfully thrusting them at each other as if testing their nerve.
One of them barked at his subordinates.
"Stay put, you lunatics."
"Yes, sir."
Dan Woo-sung scanned the crowd. Most were young, like Jeong Chan—local toughs recruited as expendable muscle.
"Where's your leader?" Dan Woo-sung asked.
One man snapped back, "Who the hell talks like that?"
Dan Woo-sung eyed them coldly. They were clearly waiting for their leader's signal before attacking. None seemed particularly afraid—likely used to this kind of situation.
Annoyed, Dan Woo-sung spoke without raising his voice.
"Kneel."
Laughter erupted around him.
"Hahahaha—!"
But from the corner, Jeong Chan silently dropped to his knees. The moment he did, the man beside him smacked his head and started kicking him.
"You crazy bastard! You absolute moron! Lost your damn mind?"
Pop—!
Where did that odd sound come from?
Heads turned toward the noise. It was Baek Yak, removing a piece of candy from her mouth.
"Oppa..." she said.
Dan Woo-sung responded, "Hm?"
"Should I kill them all?"
"Not yet."
If Baek Yak acted, every last one of them would die. Dan Woo-sung wanted to at least speak to the leader first.
Baek Yak nodded.
"Alright."
Then, she flicked the half-eaten candy at the man kicking Jeong Chan.
Twang!
Thud!
The candy struck the man's forehead, sending him spinning a full revolution midair before he crashed face-first onto the floor.
Baek Yak approached the unconscious man, staring down at him with half-lidded eyes.
Who the hell gets knocked out by candy? Yet it had happened, and the hall fell deathly silent.
Baek Yak's display had its intended effect.
Finally, Ho Tae-jun, leader of the Mokryongdang, strode into the hall.
He was a man in his thirties with a distinctive appearance—narrow eyes, a perpetually amused smirk, and long hair parted down the middle. His face alone screamed cruelty, far from likable.
Ho Tae-jun sat across from Dan Woo-sung and spoke in an odd, lilting tone.
"What's all this? Who are you, making such a scene?"
Dan Woo-sung studied him.
Ho Tae-jun tilted his head. "Reading my fortune? I asked what brings you here."
Dan Woo-sung exhaled slowly.
"Leader Ho. Arrange a meeting for me with the Night Assembly Alliance."
"Arrange a meeting."
"And stop collecting tribute."
"Stop collecting... Why should I? You're not explaining yourself."
Dan Woo-sung gestured at the gathered Mokryongdang members.
"Deal with these trash yourself. Put them to work or send them elsewhere. If you do as I say, no one has to die."
Ho Tae-jun's smirk faded.
"What, are you Jin So-han or something? If you were, I'd consider it."
He glanced at his men.
This was the moment laughter should've erupted—but no one dared. Only then did he notice one of his subordinates sprawled unconscious in the corner.
"Hm."
Ho Tae-jun chuckled dryly, then suddenly lashed out, a dagger sliding from his sleeve into his hand.
But the blade froze inches from Dan Woo-sung's face.
Snap!
Dan Woo-sung seized Ho Tae-jun's wrist, crushing it until the dagger clattered to the floor. He snatched it up and drove it through Ho Tae-jun's hand, pinning it to the table.
Thunk!
Ho Tae-jun's reaction was almost impressive—not a single groan. He just stared at Dan Woo-sung and said,
"Ah. You're a master. Fine, let's talk."
When Dan Woo-sung released him, Ho Tae-jun examined his impaled hand and muttered,
"Hurts. Can I pull it out?"
After a cautious glance, he yanked the dagger free, stood, fetched bandages from a wall drawer, and silently wrapped his wound.
Ho Tae-jun exhaled, collecting his thoughts. Facing the wall, his expression finally twisted in pain. Both Dan Woo-sung and the veiled woman were rare experts.
'These damn bastards...'
No matter how he racked his brain, he had no options. Resigned, he turned back—his face calm once more.
"I can contact them," he said. "But the Night Assembly Alliance's policy is this: Mokryongdang swallows Blue Robe Hall, or Blue Robe Hall wipes out Mokryongdang. Only when one faction remains will they make contact. Before that, attempting to meet means death. Only I and the Blue Robe Hall leader know this. The Night Assembly Alliance operates like that—they see us as too small to bother with. I was planning to crush Blue Robe Hall soon—tonight or tomorrow, actually..."
He glanced at his hand. He wouldn't be gripping a sword with his right hand for a while.
"But now this."
Despite the agony, his speech remained steady. His eyes, however, grew increasingly venomous.
Given his temperament, he was exactly the kind of ruthless man who could survive as a minor Black Path leader.
Then—commotion outside. The sound of many approaching. Screams, destruction, and finally, someone kicked open the hall doors.
The leader of the group greeted Ho Tae-jun cheerfully.
"Hey there, Ho Tae-jun!"
Ho Tae-jun burst out laughing at the sudden arrival.
"Hahaha! Do Jin-gwang! You came? Welcome, welcome. Never thought I'd be happy to see you."
Do Jin-gwang, leader of Blue Robe Hall, stood with his armed subordinates, eyeing the hall. He'd launched his attack at the perfect time—for him, subduing Mokryongdang was the only way to reach the Night Assembly Alliance.
Ho Tae-jun, absurdly, greeted his mortal enemy with warmth.
"Sit down, my friend."
If he was screwed, he might as well drag Do Jin-gwang down with him.
Do Jin-gwang was no fool either. Noticing Ho Tae-jun's bandaged hand, he turned to Dan Woo-sung.
"Who are you?"
Ho Tae-jun gestured lazily.
"Do Jin-gwang, leader of Blue Robe Hall. Came all on his own. We'll cooperate—let's sit, have tea, and talk. Mind sending your men out? It's crowded."
True to form, Ho Tae-jun kept control of the situation—even with a pierced hand.
Dan Woo-sung and Baek Yak remained silent.
Their calm stemmed from the fact they hadn't even used a tenth of their strength.
Ho Tae-jun waved a hand.
"Mokryongdang, clear out. All of you."
As they filed out silently, Do Jin-gwang ordered his men,
"Wait here."
"Yes, sir."
No reason to dismiss them—this could still be a trap.
Do Jin-gwang sat beside Ho Tae-jun, while Baek Yak wordlessly took her place next to Dan Woo-sung.
For a moment, the two factions sized each other up.
Ho Tae-jun pointed at Dan Woo-sung and Baek Yak.
"They're masters who want to deal with the Night Assembly Alliance. Leader Do, I'm willing to cooperate. With my hand like this, I've got no choice."
He wiggled his bandaged hand at Do Jin-gwang, still maintaining his composure.
Baek Yak glanced at Dan Woo-sung, then—as if noticing something dirty on the table—lifted his arm off it.
She placed both hands on the table, staring at Ho Tae-jun and Do Jin-gwang.
Then she tapped the table, infusing it with frost energy.
Crack!
White ice spread instantly, freezing both men's arms before creeping toward their necks. Their faces paled in terror—had Baek Yak not held back, they'd have been frozen solid.
When Blue Robe Hall's men stirred, Dan Woo-sung turned his head slightly.
They froze.
Dan Woo-sung smirked at Ho Tae-jun.
"Leader Ho, you're still so composed. Even after being spared, this is how you act. Truly Black Path through and through."
The two men tried to speak, but their lips were frozen shut. When they finally tore free, blood trickled from the splits.
Dan Woo-sung tapped the table like Baek Yak had—but this time, with Extreme Yang energy. Lightning-infused heat surged, melting the frost before engulfing Ho Tae-jun and Do Jin-gwang.
"GAAAH!"
"KHK—!"
They convulsed, screaming, before toppling over with their chairs.
Dan Woo-sung sighed.
"Black Path types never listen. Too much bravado. Jin So-han's to blame for this."
Baek Yak nodded.
"Exactly."
Dan Woo-sung shrugged.
"But this is how it should be."
If they slaughtered every Black Path member without dialogue, they'd be no better than the Demonic Path or Night Assembly Alliance. Of course, those steeped in evil would still die—so how long Ho Tae-jun and Do Jin-gwang lived remained to be seen.
Dan Woo-sung had held back, so the two men—despite resisting with their internal energy—shakily managed to rise.