Chapter 36: The Fist King's Reason for Being Summoned by the Murim Alliance
The Fist King's Reason for Being Summoned by the Murim Alliance
Chapter 36: The Fist King's Reason for Being Summoned by the Murim Alliance
"Why did you become a wanted criminal?"
At Dan Woo-sung's abrupt question, Lecherous Guest chuckled slyly before answering.
"Why ask something so obvious? Between men, you already know. I just did what you did—except without getting paid. Right? You look like some rich noble's pampered son, but—ugh."
Lecherous Guest flicked his fingers, sending a barrage of finger winds surging forward.
Whoosh!
The moment Dan Woo-sung dodged, Lecherous Guest rebounded from his spot, unleashing a palm strike with his right hand while simultaneously flicking finger winds toward Dan Woo-sung's belongings with his left.
Crash!
The finger winds slammed into the ground.
But Dan Woo-sung had already vanished the instant the palm strike was unleashed.
Instinctively, Lecherous Guest swung his right arm backward, twisting the dagger hidden in his sleeve into his grip with centrifugal force.
Clang!
As Dan Woo-sung pulled back, Lecherous Guest slashed rapidly in quick succession.
His movements were light, his attacks consistently treacherous.
Lecherous Guest preferred deception, swift footwork, and rapid exchanges—but his true trump card was the Cold Yin Finger Technique. Every attack so far had been groundwork to land that fatal strike.
He was an experienced man.
Still grinning, Lecherous Guest leaped into the air and unleashed a Northern Gale Palm Strike with his left hand.
At the same time, he hurled his dagger with his right and followed up with consecutive Cold Yin Finger strikes.
The Northern Gale Palm Strike dissipated against a simple punch.
The thrown dagger veered off course as Dan Woo-sung countered with his Left Palm's Divine Fire Technique.
Then, in the blink of an eye, Lecherous Guest closed the distance—only for both men to extend a hand simultaneously.
Cold Yin Finger versus White Lightning Ten Stages.
Finger against fist...
The outcome was obvious.
With quick wit, Lecherous Guest switched to Forbidden Hand Combat, twisting his arm like a coiling snake to seize Dan Woo-sung's wrist.
But Dan Woo-sung simply retracted his right hand and unleashed a Thunderclap at point-blank range with his left palm. It was a natural counter, anticipating every possible exchange.
Lecherous Guest barely had time to cross his arms before—
BOOOOM!
A deafening explosion rattled his skull.
When he shook his head, dazed, the world appeared upside down—and shrinking. He was airborne.
Through blurred vision, he saw Dan Woo-sung watching him with one hand shading his eyes, as if enjoying the spectacle. Lecherous Guest tried to right himself, but his body wouldn't obey. His internal energy felt drained, leaving him powerless.
Twisting midair, he crashed to the ground with a sickening thud.
"Ghk—!"
Lecherous Guest turned his head and saw the mysterious nobleman rejoining the Murim Alliance warrior to deal with the remaining bandits.
His failed landing had shattered both ankles. His knees weren't faring much better. He tried crawling away, but—
He was too stunned to speak.
This wasn't his first defeat—but usually, he managed to escape.
As he desperately dragged himself across the dirt, an eerily unnatural roar echoed from behind.
'Why does that sound like thunder...?'
Then came a sinister crackle—followed by two bandits screaming.
"GYAAAAAH—!"
Lecherous Guest's spine turned to ice. He scrambled forward like a lizard, elbows digging into the earth—
Only to freeze in disbelief.
A cliff.
He stared blankly. He knew there was a cliff nearby—but crawling blindly had led him straight toward it.
From afar, the sound of a slash—then a head hitting the ground.
Thud. Thud.
Footsteps approached, followed by the voice of the man who had sent him flying.
"You got pretty far. For a crawl."
Lecherous Guest finally sat up, staring at his broken legs before locking eyes with Dan Woo-sung.
"I surrender. Take me to the Murim Alliance. I'll accept my punishment."
As Dan Woo-sung approached, Lecherous Guest roared—
"I said I surrender! Don't touch me!"
Dan Woo-sung strode forward, slapped Lecherous Guest across the face, then crouched to meet his gaze.
"Surrender?"
Lecherous Guest nodded.
"Yes. I'll pay for my crimes. Even if it means Thunder Prison."
Dan Woo-sung tilted his head curiously.
"Why surrender?"
"Because it closes the case. Some unsolved crimes are mine, some aren't. And I know things about other wanted men. Isn't that enough? You can catch more criminals because of me."
Dan Woo-sung grabbed Lecherous Guest's head.
"I'm not with the Murim Alliance. So you don't need to surrender."
"No—!"
As the thunderous force of White Lightning Ten Stages surged, Lecherous Guest tried to scream—
"Spare—!"
His voice was shrill, grating.
Dan Woo-sung tightened his grip—
Snap.
Lecherous Guest's neck broke cleanly.
Standing, Dan Woo-sung kicked the corpse off the cliff. With a whoosh, it tumbled into the abyss, shrinking into the distance.
Behind him, Baek Han-gyeong—having just beheaded the last bandit—approached and peered over the edge.
"Hmm..."
Dan Woo-sung asked,
"Would you have taken him to the Murim Alliance if he surrendered?"
Baek Han-gyeong shook his head.
"No. He was better off dead. Don't dwell on it."
Dan Woo-sung crossed his arms. Baek Han-gyeong sheathed his sword and did the same.
Silently, they admired the view from the cliff—until Baek Han-gyeong spoke.
"I'm hungry. Let's eat."
Dan Woo-sung nodded.
"Agreed."
For the first time, Baek Han-gyeong smirked.
"Today, let's splurge."
The Murim Alliance warrior's words had grown slightly longer.
They settled by the window on the upper floor of a partitioned restaurant. After ordering, Baek Han-gyeong studied Dan Woo-sung before speaking.
"Grand Prince."
"Speak."
"You seem... experienced."
Dan Woo-sung answered plainly.
"I am."
"Hmm. As a merchant heir, you shouldn't have fought much. Frankly, I'm shocked. But it explains my curiosity."
"What were you curious about?"
"The Murim Alliance summoned you as a witness—but realistically, it's more complicated. There were no witnesses when Guyang Saeng was defeated. He was dragged to the Murim Alliance and refused to speak. The Imperial Society's report only stated that the merchant heir single-handedly crushed him. Awkward, no? How could an unknown merchant heir defeat the Guyang Clan leader? The Imperial Society couldn't provide a convincing answer. Hence the summons."
Dan Woo-sung nodded.
"I understand."
This was also why Baek Han-gyeong had been so reserved.
But after witnessing it firsthand, the truth was undeniable. This man was strong. Lecherous Guest—who had killed Murim Alliance members—hadn't even managed a proper struggle before dying.
Dan Woo-sung asked bluntly,
"So? What do you think?"
Baek Han-gyeong replied,
"The stories from the Moyong Clan leader and the Imperial Society were justified. You have the skill."
He had been locked in combat with the bandits before Dan Woo-sung joined—turning a stalemate into instant victory.
When the food arrived, they ate in silence.
Between spoonfuls of soup, Baek Han-gyeong spoke again.
"I'll report what I witnessed of your skills. It might be tedious, but..."
His tone carried goodwill.
Dan Woo-sung nodded.
"No need. If a martial duel arises, I'll consider it experience."
"Have you considered joining the Imperial Society or the Murim Alliance? Your skills don't belong in a merchant group."
"Not yet."
"May I speak out of turn?"
"Go ahead."
Dan Woo-sung watched him while eating, curious. Baek Han-gyeong was a sharp man.
"The strong usually choose between the Murim Alliance and the Imperial Society. The Murim Alliance doesn't pay well, but it provides lodging and preferential treatment at regional branches. The work is tough, but duties are well divided—leaving time for training. The Alliance Leader often says to separate one's origin from their position. Seniority matters more than master-disciple ties. Though lately, even that has shifted toward pure meritocracy. The atmosphere has grown colder, but I see it as progress."
Dan Woo-sung nodded. Clearly, Baek Han-gyeong wanted to recruit him.
"The Imperial Society offers easier work and far better pay. They'll bribe even slightly renowned martial artists to join. But it's dominated by noble clans. Outsiders rarely rise. Most members are just mercenaries collecting wages. If war breaks out, they'll scatter like Autumn Wind Falling Leaves."
Dan Woo-sung recalled Shin So-baek of the Guyang Clan and the Moyong Clan leader. He couldn't fully agree.
"That's too broad. The Imperial Society isn't entirely like that."
Baek Han-gyeong scratched the back of his head.
"Hmm."
Realizing he'd been too blatant in praising the Murim Alliance while disparaging the Imperial Society, he pressed on.
"Regardless, rumors about you will spread after visiting the Murim Alliance. Many will try recruiting you—keep my words in mind then."
Dan Woo-sung replied,
"I will."
He had no immediate plans to join either faction. But martial duels intrigued him. Coming all this way without a proper fight would be disappointing.
Suddenly, he felt eyes on him. Glancing across the street, he saw noblemen staring from their seats by the window.
Dan Woo-sung and Baek Han-gyeong stared back.
One of the men sighed dramatically and spoke loud enough to be heard.
"Not the Murim Alliance—the Slander Alliance. They say we're like Autumn Wind Falling Leaves—ready to scatter. You shouldn't belittle others like them. Comparing us to Autumn Wind Falling Leaves... How absurd."
His subordinates replied in unison.
"Yes, Young Master."
The man raised his wine cup toward Baek Han-gyeong.
"Hey, Murim lackey! Share a drink with us Autumn Wind Falling Leaves before we scatter. You too, sir beside him. I toast to your 'exaggeration' remark—what keen insight."
Realizing his mistake, Baek Han-gyeong stood and clasped his fists in apology.
"This humble one spoke carelessly. May I ask your name? I wish to apologize properly."
The man lazily raised his cup in return.
"My surname is Choo Pung, my name Nak-yup."
Laughter erupted from his side.
Blushing, Baek Han-gyeong sat back down.
Dan Woo-sung patted his shoulder reassuringly.
"You apologized. Let it go."
Struggling between self-reproach and anger, Baek Han-gyeong nodded.
"Understood."