Web of Black Dao Deceit
At that very moment, as Sa Ma-gang issued orders from the Murim Alliance headquarters.
In the Baekdobang headquarters, Min Gyo-ui stared sharply into the empty air, lost in thought.
'That kid's got some sharp instincts for his level of martial prowess. If I play my cards right, he could be useful.'
Ever since the day Woo-gang had landed that blow on him, the boy had lingered in Min Gyo-ui's mind.
Each time, a flicker of greed passed through his eyes.
But Min Gyo-ui was cunning.
Despite his relatively inferior martial arts compared to the leaders of other factions, he had built and maintained his own force through serpentine shrewdness.
He knew exactly what he could possess, what he might acquire, and what was forever beyond his grasp.
And Woo-gang, whom he had encountered so briefly, fell squarely into the last category.
"I can't have him, but I can certainly use him."
Min Gyo-ui's eyes gleamed.
As Woo-gang had pointed out, Min Gyo-ui had profited without lifting a finger.
Thanks to Woo-gang dismantling Daewoongbang, he was smoothly absorbing the territory they had controlled.
There were others eyeing that area hungrily, of course, but the sly Min Gyo-ui had anticipated this and prepared well in advance.
That allowed him to move faster than the other factions and swallow up the power.
"Might as well eliminate any loose ends while I'm at it."
Min Gyo-ui's mind was already mapping out the next steps in perfect detail.
The wildcard was Woo-gang's response, but if the other key player moved as planned, Woo-gang would surely follow predictably.
A sly grin crept across Min Gyo-ui's lips.
***
The relationships among the black dao factions were intricate.
The dynamics of the righteous murim—represented by the Murim Alliance, the Nine Great Sects, and the Five Great Families—were complex too, but simple by comparison.
The power structures were clear, after all.
The black dao was different.
The jianghu teemed with countless black dao factions, entangled in a web of predation and rivalry.
Certain massive factions dominated the power, of course, but they turned a blind eye to the turf wars among those below them.
Or rather, they allowed it—while unspeakable conflicts raged in the shadows. That was the world of black dao murim.
Daewoongbang, which Woo-gang had single-handedly toppled, was a mid-tier faction even in black dao murim.
In other words, they weren't a force to be dismissed lightly.
Yet Daewoongbang's ability to amass that level of power stemmed not just from leader Hwang Dae-ung's strength, but other factors.
In truth, neither Hwang Dae-ung's personal prowess nor the skills of his followers were enough to reach mid-tier status.
The real reason Daewoongbang wielded considerable influence in the black dao was this man.
Pyo Ha-rim, leader of Chilseongbang—one of the top factions in the black dao.
Pyo Ha-rim and Hwang Dae-ung were bound by blood ties.
Not directly related by blood themselves, but Pyo Ha-rim's brother-in-law was none other than Hwang Dae-ung.
Given that connection, news of Daewoongbang naturally reached Pyo Ha-rim's ears.
And Pyo Ha-rim's face was flushed beet red.
His expression drowned in fury.
But his rage wasn't solely for Hwang Dae-ung's death.
"Who the hell dares...!"
Pyo Ha-rim gnashed his teeth, muttering.
In the tangled web of black dao, such an event was a fatal blow.
The number of subordinate factions one controlled equaled one's power, so the destruction of a group like Daewoongbang was prime bait for rivals circling like vultures.
If word spread, Pyo Ha-rim's standing in the black dao would plummet.
On top of that, seeing his wife—emaciated from refusing food and sleep since hearing the news—only grated on his nerves.
"Leader, the Baekdobang leader requests an audience."
"I'm not seeing anyone right now. Tell him to come back later!"
Pyo Ha-rim bellowed toward the door, then huffed in frustration.
"He says he has information regarding Daewoongbang."
At his subordinate's reply, Pyo Ha-rim's gaze snapped to the door.
He steadied his breathing for a moment, then spoke.
"Bring him in!"
No sooner had Pyo Ha-rim spoken than the door opened, and Min Gyo-ui entered with the world's most sorrowful expression.
He clasped his hands in a formal salute and bowed deeply.
"It's an honor to meet you. I am Min Gyo-ui of Baekdobang."
"Baekdobang? Aren't you aligned with that Takga scum? Even if it's about Daewoongbang, you should've gone to them. What business do you have with me?"
The fury from moments ago had vanished; Pyo Ha-rim now asked calmly.
The "Takga" he mentioned referred to Tak Jong-myeong of Cheonmyeonbang, a rival faction to Pyo Ha-rim.
"Hwang Dae-ung and I weren't on good terms, true—but only because of our rivalry. Yet this incident has left me grieving the loss of a comrade beyond mere competition, compelling me to visit you."
His words flowed smoothly like a clear stream.
His expression, tone, even the quiver in his voice—all flawless, fooling even Pyo Ha-rim's piercing scrutiny.
"Fine. So what story do you have for me?"
"It's about the man who did this to Leader Hwang."
Pyo Ha-rim's eyes sparkled at Min Gyo-ui's words.
"You know something about him?"
"I heard the news late and rushed to Daewoongbang, but it was already too late. Still, I encountered the culprit and exchanged brief words."
Exchanged words? Pyo Ha-rim leaned in, hooked.
"Continue."
"He said to me: 'All you black dao scum are the same. If you cross my path, I'll make you the same.'
As the saying goes, a single vowel makes all the difference.
Woo-gang's words had targeted Min Gyo-ui specifically, but he slyly generalized them.
Similar in meaning, yet open to broader interpretation.
"And finally, he added: 'Anyone tied to Daewoongbang dies.'"
Now Min Gyo-ui tacked on words Woo-gang had never spoken.
Pyo Ha-rim stared silently at Min Gyo-ui after hearing it all.
Then a cold smile curled his lips.
"Where do you get off trying to play me?"
"What do you mean?"
Min Gyo-ui feigned shock.
"Someone who could solo Daewoongbang like that must be no slouch in martial arts. If we move, we'll catch him—but not without losses. Even minor ones would focus all our attention there, creating openings. That's what you want, isn't it? To draw Takga's eyes."
Pyo Ha-rim stated coolly.
But Min Gyo-ui pressed on with a genuinely aggrieved expression.
"Not at all. In truth, I've been plotting to escape Takga's grasp. Their tyranny over subordinates is unbearable—you must know this well, Leader."
Pyo Ha-rim frowned and nodded at Min Gyo-ui's words.
"Moreover, before the incident, I met Leader Hwang and offered my aid. He refused and acted alone. No witnesses remain to prove it, so I understand your doubt—but it's the truth."
Min Gyo-ui twisted facts to his advantage.
"Finally, I've taken over the territories Daewoongbang managed. Please accept these."
Min Gyo-ui pulled a thick bundle of papers from his sleeve.
He offered them politely to Pyo Ha-rim.
Pyo Ha-rim examined the documents meticulously.
As Min Gyo-ui claimed, they detailed Daewoongbang's controlled areas.
"If I harbored ill intent, would I bring these? Even if not claiming them myself, I'd have run straight to Takga. This is my sincerity."
Min Gyo-ui spoke with utter conviction.
Pyo Ha-rim stared him down, weighing truth from lie.
Thud.
The prolonged silence broke as Pyo Ha-rim set the papers on his desk.
"Very well. I'll trust you."
"Thank you."
"Even without your speech, I couldn't let that bastard slide."
"Of course. Your honor can't be sullied, Leader."
"So I'll give you a chance."
Min Gyo-ui subtly lifted his head.
"I'm listening."
"Earn even a scrap of merit in capturing him, and I'll erase every last doubt. Step up front."
Min Gyo-ui's bowed head twisted slightly in displeasure.
This wasn't what he'd anticipated.
But he quickly composed himself, raising his head with a moved expression.
"Truly, thank you. I'll stand merit and honor Leader Hwang's departed spirit—while earning your trust."
"Remember those words well. Now go."
"I'll take my leave."
Min Gyo-ui bowed once more and exited the office.
As the door closed, a smile spread across his face.
His expression was bright despite being tasked with actively pursuing Woo-gang, the lone destroyer of Daewoongbang.
He had planned for this exact turn.
'Pyo or Takga—let either win. Nothing harms me either way.'
Min Gyo-ui muttered inwardly as he walked away.
In the now-empty office.
Pyo Ha-rim leaned crookedly in his chair, a sinister smile on his face as he stared into space.
"What now, Leader? Shall we detain him?"
"No. Let him play a bit longer now that it's come to this. The greater the fall at the end."
Pyo Ha-rim murmured meaningfully, his smile deepening.
***
Murim Alliance headquarters.
Sa Ma-gang received a report from Cheopun Danju.
Astonishingly, the content spilling from Cheopun Danju's lips was the entire conversation between Pyo Ha-rim and Min Gyo-ui.
The Murim Alliance's intelligence was formidable enough to penetrate a private meeting in the office of Chilseongbang's leader—one of the black dao's top dogs.
"Thus, I've ordered surveillance on the factions under Pyo Ha-rim. They'll move on their own without us lifting a finger."
"And him? Found?"
"Yes. I've instructed him to follow quietly for now."
"Keep it that way. We stay out until they clash."
"Understood, Mun-sang."
Cheopun Danju replied curtly, then spoke again.
"Why not clean up the black dao while we're at it? His prowess seems beyond even Chilseongbang's grasp."
"If he's truly the Flame King's successor, yes. But the black dao must not be annihilated."
"Why?"
"Light exists because of shadow. With the demonic cults in hiding, the black dao is the world's remaining darkness. Their presence gives ours value."
Sa Ma-gang gazed out the window as he spoke, then continued.
"We'll intervene before the black dao suffers catastrophic losses. That gives us ample justification. Let them preserve their line, and we'll recruit the Flame King's successor. That should suffice to keep them from crossing lines."
Sa Ma-gang envisioned far beyond merely uncovering Woo-gang's identity.
"Now, show us what you're made of."
Sa Ma-gang murmured softly.