Chapter 109: The Fist King Reveals His Identity
The Fist King Reveals His Identity
Chapter 109: The Fist King Reveals His Identity
"Jeon Bi-rang."
When Dan Woo-sung called his name, Jeon Bi-rang—who had just changed into the clothes provided by the Mokryong members—nodded in response.
"Speak."
Dan Woo-sung said.
"Since you fled here, the entire Night Assembly Alliance will mobilize."
Jeon Bi-rang nodded.
"That's correct."
Dan Woo-sung pointed at the paper and brush on the table.
"Start by sketching the Night Assembly Alliance Leader's face."
Jeon Bi-rang was exhausted from running through the night and desperately needed sleep. But he understood Dan Woo-sung's reasoning all too well, so he sat at the table and began drawing the Alliance Leader's likeness.
As Dan Woo-sung watched the sketch take shape, he remarked,
"Bi-rang, if the entire Night Assembly Alliance comes charging in, countless lives will be lost. Mostly theirs, of course. So, I'll leave it to you to find out where their leader is. I'll handle the killing. Crushing ants en masse doesn't interest me much."
Jeon Bi-rang continued sketching as he replied,
"Understood. But Ha Jeong-hak isn't the type to hide behind his men once a fight breaks out."
"Is that so?"
"I can't say for certain, but do you think someone like him could become the leader of the Black Path by cowering? His subordinates are all Black Path members too—if he acts cowardly, rebellion would be inevitable. That's just how the Black Path operates."
Dan Woo-sung nodded.
"If that's the case, I welcome it."
Jeon Bi-rang spoke with concern.
"Still, judging by the Mokryong's forces, the Night Assembly elites alone outnumber them ten to one. How do you plan to handle that? Do you have reinforcements? You and I could escape if things go south, but the rest will be slaughtered."
When Jeon Bi-rang expressed worry for the Mokryong members who had shared a meal with him, Dan Woo-sung answered plainly.
"There's one more master here, equal to me in strength."
Jeon Bi-rang's eyes widened. Now that he thought about it, when Lee Ho-mun had been killed by this man, the rest of the troops had reportedly fallen to another master within the Mokryong.
With an indifferent tone, Dan Woo-sung added,
"Numbers mean nothing to this master. The more enemies there are, the more terrified they'll become."
And that was the truth.
Seeing one or two men freeze solid might be dismissed as a pressure point technique. But witnessing dozens—or even hundreds—frozen in place was something else entirely. The sight alone would freeze the hearts of those watching.
Jeon Bi-rang nodded.
"Then we're not at a disadvantage."
Dan Woo-sung replied curtly.
"We never were."
"You lost him? Even after I sent our guest warriors immediately? Old Tiger Guest swore he'd capture him."
At Ha Jeong-hak's question, Ha Min answered,
"Old Tiger Guest was the most severely injured. He won't be of any use in battle for a while."
Suppressing his anger, Ha Jeong-hak muttered,
"He always boasted he was better than Jeon Bi-rang. Pathetic."
He remained oblivious to the fact that he himself was the reason Jeon Bi-rang had been driven away. Had he treated him with respect till the end, Jeon Bi-rang would never have fled to the Mokryong.
And now that Jeon Bi-rang had joined them, it meant only one thing—war with the Night Assembly Alliance.
Ha Jeong-hak turned to Ha Min.
"Little brother."
"Yes."
"Jeon Bi-rang knows the layout of our buildings. He can sketch the faces of every officer. If he defects to the Murim Alliance, we'll have to face Leader Yu head-on."
"That's correct."
"This isn't the time for one-word answers. Speak your mind."
"Until now, we've avoided unnecessary losses. But since things have come to this, we must go all-out—exterminate everyone in the Mokryong and reduce their headquarters to ashes."
"That's not enough. I intend to lead the charge myself."
"If that's your decision, then what's the issue? First, unleash the Thunder Prison. It's filled with prisoners locked away by past leaders. Flood the Mokryong with them before we strike."
"They're all skilled warriors. How do you expect to control them in such a short time? Killing them all would be simpler."
"Execute every prisoner? Is that truly necessary?"
Ha Min stared at him in shock.
Ha Jeong-hak's expression remained cold.
"We'll burn the Thunder Prison in front of all our members to steel their resolve. The Black Path only responds to fear. I can't let my own men die before we even set out. And bring Old Tiger Guest before the alliance—behead him publicly as a warning to the other guest warriors."
Ha Min's lips parted briefly before he forced out a reply.
"Understood."
When hesitation flickered across Ha Min's face, Ha Jeong-hak frowned.
"Little brother, this is a fight where only killing remains. Do you and I have different definitions of 'all-out'?"
"No. Of course not. We're the same."
Only their methods differed.
Ha Jeong-hak declared,
"The entire Night Assembly Alliance will march. You handle the preparations. I'll decide when we depart."
"Understood."
As Ha Min turned to leave, Ha Jeong-hak called out with an uncharacteristic softness.
"Min-ah."
"Yes, brother."
"Before we go, let's share a drink."
"Of course."
Ha Min, the Chief Strategist, arrived with a bottle of liquor. It had been so long since the brothers last drank together that he couldn't even recall when it was.
Secretly, Ha Min had been wondering—
Would his cold-hearted brother hold him accountable and execute him too?
But if Ha Jeong-hak decided to kill him, Ha Min was prepared to die quietly.
Standing outside the leader's quarters, he hesitated—should he address him as "Leader" or "Brother"?—before finally knocking.
"Brother, it's me."
"Come in."
Ha Min approached Ha Jeong-hak, who was polishing his sword.
"Everything is ready."
Ha Jeong-hak continued sharpening his blade as he replied,
"Good work."
"When do we depart?"
"After a drink."
Ha Min set down the bottle, fetched two cups, and poured. Then he asked,
"Brother... will you kill me too?"
Ha Jeong-hak exhaled sharply.
"How could I? You've suffered enough. Half the reason I became leader is thanks to you. I'd never do that."
Ha Min raised his cup.
"That's a relief. Dying by your hand would've been... unfair."
Ha Jeong-hak's expression darkened as he lifted his own cup.
"I must've lived poorly if you thought that."
After dismissing his guards with a wave, he spoke again.
"Min-ah."
"Yes."
"Don't misunderstand. Listen carefully."
"I'm listening."
Ha Jeong-hak's next words were unexpected.
"I've been thinking—perhaps we should negotiate. It might not be impossible."
"Are you joking?"
"Do I look like I am?"
They drank in silence before setting their cups down.
Ha Min shook his head.
"Brother... Just go and fight. End this the way the Black Path should. I've schemed and deceived for you countless times, but this isn't a battle where tricks will work. After all the plots that brought us here, only you and I remain. Our subordinates may follow, but their hearts have grown distant. The former leader and the Black Path members we killed are laughing at us from the grave. This time, face them head-on—fight, kill, and die like true Black Path warriors. That's our fate. No schemes. Not this time."
Ha Jeong-hak had been surprised by his own thoughts, but Ha Min's words—coming from the man who had always relied on cunning—struck him even harder.
Ha Min continued,
"The Black Path was never about schemes. We're strongest when we embrace what we are. Fighting is our only way. For us."
"Is that so?"
"Yes. I don't even care who our enemy is anymore. It doesn't matter. He came to fight you. From start to finish, he's waged war the old way—no tricks, just strength. I was slow to realize it. That's why our officers kept dying. Even now, he's waiting. For you to step forward. There's nowhere left to run. By now, even our men must see him the same way. So, it comes down to this—who is stronger?"
Ha Jeong-hak sheathed his sword.
"Well said. If I'm weak, I never deserved to lead the Night Assembly Alliance in the first place... Let's go."
Ha Min's words had shaken Ha Jeong-hak more than expected, leading him to change his plans. Old Tiger Guest was spared. The Thunder Prison's gates were simply left open. The weaker members were left behind, and only the elite warriors who had helped him seize power would accompany him.
As a result, their numbers were few.
Yet, strangely, the atmosphere felt heavier than ever.
Before departing, Ha Jeong-hak issued a final order to Ha Min in front of the alliance.
"Ha Min, Chief Strategist—listen."
Ha Min knelt on one knee, startled.
"Yes, Leader."
Ha Jeong-hak declared,
"With so many forces remaining, the alliance needs a steward. Serve as Vice Leader and maintain order. You're smarter than I am—you'll manage well. And bodyguards—you will not join this battle. Protect Vice Leader Ha Min instead."
The guards responded first.
"We obey."
When Ha Min remained silent, Ha Jeong-hak prompted,
"Answer."
"Ah—understood. We obey."
Ha Jeong-hak smirked, ruffling Ha Min's hair before leading his personal forces toward the Mokryong.
"Move out."
Fate was a curious thing.
One destined to die was spared.
One who should have lived was marching to his death.
Neither Ha Jeong-hak nor Ha Min understood why fate shifted moment by moment.
Perhaps it was because hearts changed just as swiftly.
Ha Jeong-hak left the Night Assembly Alliance, ready to die.
In truth, this was how the Black Path should have acted from the beginning. He had realized too late—only after his subordinates had fallen.
As he imagined the monster awaiting him at the Mokryong, his heart burned like it had when he first set foot on the Black Path.
A Mokryong member opened the main hall's door and peered out.
"The Night Assembly Alliance Leader has arrived."
The man's face was filled with disbelief.
Dan Woo-sung asked,
"How many?"
"Standing at the entrance... around seventeen, eighteen—no more than twenty."
Dan Woo-sung stepped outside.
"Let them in."
Ha Jeong-hak and his elite warriors entered silently. The Alliance Leader addressed Jeon Bi-rang, who stood beside Dan Woo-sung.
"Bi-rang. We meet again."
Jeon Bi-rang nodded.
"Welcome, Leader."
Ha Jeong-hak studied Dan Woo-sung. Even without introduction, the man's presence was unmistakable—this was the one causing trouble.
"I am Ha Jeong-hak, Leader of the Night Assembly Alliance."
He had shown courtesy, introducing himself first despite Dan Woo-sung's youth. Suddenly, all eyes—from the Mokryong, the Blue Robe Hall, even Jeon Bi-rang—were fixed on Dan Woo-sung. Since arriving, he had never revealed his name, let alone his identity.
Stepping into the courtyard alone, Dan Woo-sung folded his arms and spoke briefly.
"I am the Fist King."
No further explanation was needed.