Flames of Retribution
Hwang Dae-ung didn't seem to give a damn about the well-being of his subordinates.
Even though dozens had set out and only one returned with his arm hacked off, barely clinging to life—even though Woo-gang, the one who'd faced them, showed up unscathed.
Woo-gang didn't like that about him either.
The bandit leader he'd wiped out just before had been much the same.
That level of cruelty made it easy to kidnap people without a second thought and send underlings to their deaths without hesitation.
Even Woo-gang, who knew little of lord-vassal relationships, could see this was beyond the pale.
"You told me to come myself, but you showed up instead."
"Figured you wouldn't if I asked nicely."
He'd been told to come, but Woo-gang had expected Hwang Dae-ung wouldn't budge.
Still, he'd passed on the message anyway—for the sake of that final, armless Daewoongbang thug's desperate scream.
To them, Hwang Dae-ung's power must have been a far more immediate terror than Woo-gang's.
Of course, not everyone who'd come after him felt that way.
But at least, seeing a comrade return alive with a severed arm should spark some fear—and Woo-gang figured that earned them one chance to live.
Yet the man before him now, their leader Hwang Dae-ung, showed no such qualms.
His eyes burned only with raw hostility and a flicker of excitement toward Woo-gang.
"You're here—now die!"
Whoosh!
Hwang Dae-ung swung the sword in his grip with savage force.
Boom!
But Woo-gang was already gone. Hwang Dae-ung's blade cleaved only empty air, slamming uselessly into the ground.
Right after, a presence stirred behind him.
Hwang Dae-ung, eyes nearly rolling back in fury, turned slowly.
"Looks like you've got some moves! Today, I'll split you in half!"
Whoosh! Whoosh!
Hwang Dae-ung charged at Woo-gang, swinging his sword in rapid arcs.
His massive frame and brute strength made each stomping advance hit like a battering ram.
Swish!
But no matter—it couldn't match Woo-gang's Wind-Chasing Nine Illusions Step.
Hwang Dae-ung's blade always lagged a beat, slicing nothing but air. Woo-gang moved like a ghost, circling him relentlessly.
"How long are you gonna keep dodging—?!"
His rage-filled shout at the evasive Woo-gang cut off mid-sentence.
Woo-gang had closed the gap in an instant, right in his face.
Scree!
The blunt spear tip whipped up from below in a flash.
It happened so fast Hwang Dae-ung barely registered something surging toward his jaw.
Crash!
Still, as gang leader, he was a cut above his men.
Even against an attack slipped in unconsciously, he yanked his sword up to block.
But the force exceeded anything he'd imagined.
"Gahk!"
Hwang Dae-ung's hulking body launched into the air.
Woo-gang's upward strike had flung a man weighing well over two hundred geun skyward.
Tumbling through the air, staring at the blue sky, Hwang Dae-ung's face twisted in disbelief.
The prickling pain shooting through his body was nothing compared to it.
This unfamiliar sensation of floating, gazing up at the heavens—it hit several times harder.
Then, suddenly, a shadow blanketed his face.
Woo-gang had leaped even higher, looking down at him.
Hwang Dae-ung's eyes widened further in shock.
And in that moment—
Bam!
"Guh!"
Hwang Dae-ung smashed into the ground, a dying groan escaping him.
Woo-gang had slammed his spear down.
"Kuhuk!"
The impact cratered the earth. Blood sprayed from Hwang Dae-ung's mouth, splattering his face red.
A shock that should've paralyzed him gripped his body, but he couldn't just lie there.
Pain forced his eyes shut then open—and there was Woo-gang, airborne again, hurling his spear like a javelin.
"Raaagh!"
Was it a scream or a shout? Hwang Dae-ung rolled aside with all his might.
Thud!
He barely dodged. The spear plunged deep into the dirt.
Using the momentum, he staggered to his feet—then, as he looked up—
Bam!
"Grraaagh!"
Something loomed before him, then agony exploded.
Pain radiated from his back through his whole body. Hwang Dae-ung crumpled to his knees.
Woo-gang had landed, yanked the spear free, and charged—kicking him square with the momentum.
The blow sent Hwang Dae-ung flying backward into Daewoongbang's wall.
He tried to rise, but his legs wouldn't obey.
By then, Woo-gang had pulled the spear and approached.
"You've done things no man should do, let alone could. You deserve punishment."
"What bullshit!"
The pain easing slightly, Hwang Dae-ung glared up and bellowed.
He lurched to his feet, arms spread wide, charging to grapple and crush Woo-gang with raw power.
His sword? Dropped when he'd first gone airborne.
But Woo-gang wouldn't fall for it.
Just before the lunge, he unleashed Wind-Chasing Nine Illusions Step. Hwang Dae-ung's arms flailed at empty air.
Whiiir!
Woo-gang, who'd retreated, hurled his spear full-force.
Crash!
"Gaaaaah!"
It pierced Hwang Dae-ung's shoulder—then dragged his massive frame back, impaling him deep into the wall.
The wound was catastrophic. He'd screamed louder than ever in his life.
Shattered shoulder bone, severed muscles—he'd never use that arm properly again, even if it healed.
Woo-gang approached slowly.
Hwang Dae-ung, after endless screams, sweated profusely, grinding his teeth against the agony.
Woo-gang gazed down coldly and gripped the spear in his shoulder.
Hwang Dae-ung shook his head frantically.
"Don't. Don't—gaaaah!"
Woo-gang yanked it out without hesitation.
Couldn't leave it embedded forever.
Hwang Dae-ung collapsed, not just kneeling—face-planting, shrieking nonstop.
"The bandits kidnapped people. You brought them here. I won't ask what you did. Don't want to imagine it. You didn't treat them well, that's for sure."
Woo-gang looked down as he spoke.
Hwang Dae-ung, wracked with pain, had no breath to reply.
Whoosh!
Flames erupted from Woo-gang's spear.
Even in his delirium, Hwang Dae-ung's eyes bulged.
It was an unbelievable sight.
Worse—that fire was headed his way.
Helpless, all he could do was squeeze his eyes shut.
***
Creeeak!
Daewoongbang's main gate swung open.
Behind it, massive flames devoured the compound buildings, raging unchecked.
Emerging slowly amid that inferno, Woo-gang exuded an indescribable aura.
He stopped at the gate.
Someone stood there.
As if waiting.
Woo-gang regarded him blankly.
The lean man who'd twisted Hwang Dae-ung's guts bowed politely.
Woo-gang eyed him with wary curiosity.
No reason to return greetings from a stranger.
"Well done indeed. Daewoongbang's evils grew worse by the day, and you've brought them to justice, hero."
Woo-gang frowned at the man's words.
"Who are you?"
Maybe from the recent fight—his voice dripped caution.
"Ah, I should've introduced myself first. Forgive me. I'm Min Gyo-ui, lord of Baekdobang."
Min Gyo-ui bowed again, courteously.
Daewoongbang still blazed behind him. Before Woo-gang, Baekdobang's lord greeted him leisurely.
Caught between clashing atmospheres, Woo-gang kept frowning.
Something's off.
From childhood, Woo-gang had sharp instincts.
He might not grasp details, but he could read moods and faces, brace himself.
Same here.
He'd punished evildoers.
Yet Min Gyo-ui's face and demeanor showed no joy, no relief.
A leader might control his expressions.
But even Bing Palace's lord showed subtle shifts—none here.
He knew. This guy.
The picture formed in Woo-gang's mind.
Min Gyo-ui's calm could only come from foreknowledge.
Knowing, yet showing up now.
Classic carrot-and-stick ploy.
Min Gyo-ui had picked his nose without lifting a finger.
"Must feel good. I did your dirty work."
A faint shift crossed Min Gyo-ui's face.
"I'm afraid I don't follow."
He replied smoothly.
But Woo-gang was certain.
He stepped closer, voice low.
"Don't understand? Fine. But knowing their crimes and doing nothing makes you no better. And you know what I do to scum like that."
Min Gyo-ui fell silent.
"This is your warning. I've got places to be. Stay out of my way. Ignore it, and you'll end up like that."
Min Gyo-ui glanced at the burning Daewoongbang.
Woo-gang brushed past, walking on.
After he passed, Min Gyo-ui's face twisted briefly—then curved into a sly grin.
Doesn't matter. I got what I wanted.
Woo-gang was a murim warrior.
He himself belonged to the black path—unacknowledged by some as true murim.
No plans to cross Woo-gang anyway.
Just glad Daewoongbang was gone.
"Thanks anyway. Makes my job easier. But you'll face some annoyances ahead."
Min Gyo-ui muttered to the air, then turned and walked away.
The flames devouring Daewoongbang roared fiercer into the distance.