Chapter 103: Fist King, Black Path Conflict 1
Fist King, Black Path Conflict 1
Chapter 103: Fist King, Black Path Conflict 1
Though Dan Woo-sung hadn't revealed his full strength, Do Jin-gwang of the Blue Robe Hall and Ho Tae-jun of the Mokryongdang had already grasped the reality clearly enough.
By the time they were struck by his icy energy, they had already lost all will to fight.
And when they were engulfed by the thunderous force that shattered that ice, they felt as though they had stepped onto death's threshold before barely pulling back.
Still trembling from the shock, Do Jin-gwang gestured to his subordinates—a silent order to withdraw, lest they be slaughtered. His men promptly moved outside the hall and stood by.
Do Jin-gwang spoke first.
"Tell us what you want."
Ho Tae-jun, eyes closed, regulated his breathing as if performing an energy-circulation technique. If left unchecked, his internal injuries might worsen, potentially costing him half his cultivation. There was no reason to hesitate.
Dan Woo-sung cut straight to the point.
"Should we say the Blue Robe Hall crushed the Mokryongdang? Or that the Mokryongdang absorbed them?"
Understanding the implication, Do Jin-gwang seized the initiative.
"Let it be the Blue Robe Hall."
Ho Tae-jun, still circulating his energy, nearly choked on a surge of blood.
That bastard... Of all times...
Suppressing the violent surge of qi, he silently returned to his breathing exercises.
Dan Woo-sung nodded.
"Then the Blue Robe Hall will take control of this region's Black Path. Report it to the Night Assembly Alliance—with me accompanying you."
Do Jin-gwang frowned.
"And what do you intend to do once we meet them?"
Dan Woo-sung glanced at Baek Yak.
"Won't they send either a messenger or an overseer for the absorption?"
"They will. There's a regional overseer nearby."
"Good. Then we'll beat him up first."
Do Jin-gwang jolted.
"...The Night Assembly Alliance?"
Baek Yak chuckled behind her veil.
Dan Woo-sung laid out the plan—simple, really.
"Once their man gets pummeled, he'll report to his superiors, right?"
"Correct."
"Then dozens will come next, declaring they'll wipe out the Blue Robe Hall."
A shadow crossed Do Jin-gwang's face.
This guy's completely insane.
Dan Woo-sung continued.
"We beat them too. Then more come, and we beat them again. Eventually, the Night Assembly Alliance will send their elites. And when we crush them, their leader will show up. Know why?"
He looked at Baek Yak, who nodded.
"Because it's the Black Path."
Dan Woo-sung grinned.
"Exactly. That's how the Black Path works. They'll keep seeking revenge—fight after fight, slaughter after slaughter—until their leader crawls out. And I'll keep pounding them until he does."
Do Jin-gwang glared at him with murderous eyes.
"Are you telling us to die?"
Dan Woo-sung met his gaze.
"When did I say that?"
"If the entire Night Assembly Alliance descends on us, we will die."
For a moment, Dan Woo-sung simply stared at them in silence.
Then—
Ho Tae-jun finally opened his eyes, gasping for breath as he looked at Dan Woo-sung. Despite his condition, he had heard every word. After all, his life was on the line.
Dan Woo-sung spoke again.
"Do Jangju."
"Yes."
"You're Black Path, aren't you?"
The question—Are you scared?—twisted Do Jin-gwang's expression.
Dan Woo-sung turned to Ho Tae-jun.
"And you? If either of you wants to claim you're not Black Path now, that's fine too. We'll just disband both factions."
He gestured dismissively.
"Walk away quietly if you want. The Night Assembly Alliance isn't short of small Black Path groups looking to join. I came to crush the entire Southern Black Path anyway."
Ho Tae-jun and Do Jin-gwang exchanged glances.
Dan Woo-sung gave them an ultimatum.
"Your choice. But if you disband, never call yourselves Black Path again. If I see you, you die on the spot."
Ho Tae-jun answered immediately.
"Then let it be the Mokryongdang absorbing the Blue Robe Hall. I'll accompany you to meet the Night Assembly Alliance."
Do Jin-gwang slammed the table.
BANG!
Dan Woo-sung, Ho Tae-jun, and Baek Yak all turned to him.
After a tense pause, Do Jin-gwang growled,
"I can't let this bastard have his way. I'll accompany you."
In the end, Dan Woo-sung, Ho Tae-jun, and Do Jin-gwang set out together.
Baek Yak remained alone at the Mokryongdang's headquarters—if any of these Black Path rats broke their word and fled, they'd die by her hand.
None of them truly grasped the extent of Dan Woo-sung and Baek Yak's strength—nor how brutal they could be when a fight broke out.
Their destination was the Goya Brothel, one of the Night Assembly Alliance's fronts.
As the two faction leaders explained, only the brothel's manager was an actual Night Assembly Alliance member. The rest—fighters and courtesans alike—had no idea the brothel even belonged to them.
All they had to do was inform the manager that the Blue Robe Hall and Mokryongdang had merged.
The report would reach the Night Assembly Alliance immediately.
"Tell Manager Ruju that the Blue Robe Hall's leader has come to speak with him."
The woman bowed and withdrew. The three men waited in a private chamber.
As they waited for Goya Pavilion Master, Dan Woo-sung asked,
"Who's the current Night Assembly Alliance leader?"
"No idea," Ho Tae-jun admitted.
"Probably died a while back. Then replaced. Then died again. Whenever things get bloody inside, the leadership changes. Right now, no one knows who's in charge—some surviving elite among the executives, most likely. But regardless of infighting, their influence remains." He paused. "So what's the plan when Ruju arrives?"
Dan Woo-sung smirked.
"Already told you."
"You're just going to hit him?"
Dan Woo-sung chuckled, unnerving the two faction leaders.
Then he said,
"Is Ruju one of their core elites?"
"A core elite wouldn't run a brothel," Do Jin-gwang said. "He's likely their finance handler."
"I see."
Dan Woo-sung grinned.
"Then you two hit him. Whoever strikes first gets to be second-in-command for now. We're heading into war—hierarchy matters. And you two were bound to fight eventually anyway."
The two faction leaders grimaced, eyes clenched shut.
If they beat Goya Pavilion Master, they'd be trapped—with the Night Assembly Alliance's blades aimed squarely at them.
Before they could think further, the chamber door swung open. A bald man in his forties entered—Goya Pavilion Master himself.
His belly protruded like a mountain as he scowled and approached.
"What's this? I was told the Blue Robe Hall's leader was here—why are there three of you? Huh?"
He stomped to the table, glaring down at them with the arrogance of a man used to subordinates.
"Blue Robe Hall's leader—have you lost your mind?"
Do Jin-gwang sighed, staring at the table helplessly.
We're completely screwed.
Then—
Ho Tae-jun stood and slapped Ruju across the face.
SMACK!
"Wha—?" Ruju clutched his cheek, gaping as if he'd seen a monster.
"You hit me?"
Ho Tae-jun, deciding the damage was done, cursed and lunged.
"Yeah, I hit you, you fucking bastard! Who the hell do you think you are, talking down to people? You my superior?"
He rained blows on Ruju—slaps, head strikes, kicks—pinning him against the wall before delivering a final, brutal backhand.
"What's your rank, huh? Some fucking Night Assembly Alliance errand boy acting all high and mighty?"
As Ho Tae-jun vented his fury, Ruju stood dumbfounded before finally stammering,
"Wait—"
Another slap cut him off.
"Wait what, you piece of shit?"
Ho Tae-jun yanked Ruju's ear, dragging him to a seat opposite Dan Woo-sung.
"Sit."
When Ruju tried to sit normally, Ho Tae-jun kicked his knee.
"On your knees, you idiot. Can't read the damn room?"
Ruju chuckled darkly and plopped down defiantly.
"Listen, Ho Tae-jun, Do Jin-gwang—you two clearly have a death wish. You know what this means."
THWACK!
Ho Tae-jun smacked Ruju's bald head again, then pointed at Dan Woo-sung.
"Listen, baldy. The Mokryongdang and Blue Robe Hall now serve him. He's the new leader of the Stone Gate Black Path. Report that to the Night Assembly Alliance. Got it, baldy? Answer me!"
As Ho Tae-jun finished berating him, Dan Woo-sung burst out laughing.
This was the Black Path's atmosphere—far more darkly humorous than the rigid White Path or the oppressive Demonic Path. And yet, Ho Tae-jun had outright named Dan Woo-sung as the instigator. Hilarious.
Ruju glared at Dan Woo-sung.
"How should I address you?"
Dan Woo-sung replied,
"Goya Pavilion Master."
"Speak."
"Still not beaten enough?"
Do Jin-gwang, who had been observing silently, suddenly lashed out—kicking Ruju square in the chest and sending him rolling backward.
THUD!
Do Jin-gwang growled,
"Mind your manners. Speak respectfully—unless you want to die."
Dan Woo-sung grinned.
"Ah, our Blue Robe Hall leader has finally joined the Black Path War. Welcome, Do Jangju."
Do Jin-gwang sighed.
"...Yes. I've joined."
Ho Tae-jun cut in.
"Do Jin-gwang, you're beneath me now. Let's make that clear."
Do Jin-gwang scoffed.
"Sure. Next time, cripple."
Ho Tae-jun glared at the ceiling, fuming, until Dan Woo-sung intervened.
"Both of you, shut up. Ruju, finish what you were saying. Come sit."
Ruju sat silently, glaring.
Dan Woo-sung laid it out plainly.
"Tell the Night Assembly Alliance: I've taken the Stone Gate Black Path, and I won't tolerate their interference. Come to think of it—this brothel's in Stone Gate territory, isn't it?"
Ho Tae-jun shrugged.
"It is."
Dan Woo-sung feigned generosity.
"Fine. As fellow Black Path, I'll give you thirty days. Empty the brothel or hand it over. If it's still running by then, I'll send my men to tear it down. Understood?"
He was deliberately playing the part of a typical Black Path tyrant—keeping his true demeanor hidden.
Ruju stood, looking down at him.
"Finished?"
Dan Woo-sung nodded.
Ruju bowed deeply—mockingly.
"Every word will be relayed to the Night Assembly Alliance... Stone Gate Black Path Leader." He smirked. "May this bald one take his leave now?"
Ho Tae-jun muttered to Dan Woo-sung,
"Should we just kill him? The outcome's the same either way."
Dan Woo-sung gestured calmly toward the door.
"Leave."
As Ruju turned away coldly, Ho Tae-jun sneered.
"Hey, baldy—bring us some drinks before you go. Let's have one last toast. Though if you poison it, you die today."
Ruju paused, then flung the door open and shouted into the hallway:
"Prepare wine for our guests!"
As he walked away, he muttered under his breath:
"Make it their last drink. Let them enjoy it while they can."