Raid on Il Do-mun
Before launching the assault on Il Do-mun, Serin shared her thoughts.
"Geun-hyeop. Il Do-mun is just a ragtag bunch of third-rate black path thugs. With your skills and judgment that wiped out Amto-bang, you can handle them easily. Plus, your realm has advanced, and you've mastered using gui-ki, so it shouldn't be too tough."
"That's what I think too." I hadn't planned the Il Do-mun serial killings on a whim. I'd calculated it thoroughly and was confident of victory. My skills were more than enough to crush them.
"Yes. With that in mind... Of course I'll help, but once things kick off, I'll observe from the sidelines."
"Observe? Ah, you mean because of rumors or something?"
Serin nodded.
"Like it or not, I'm a renowned upright faction warrior known as the Okhwa Geom—one of the Murim's Four Beauties with quite the reputation."
"Yeah. But Geophwa Buyong is even more badass."
"Wi Ha-young, be quiet."
Ha-young giggled after getting scolded for butting in. I patted her shoulder.
"Anyway. As such a warrior, if word gets out that I helped take down a bunch of sapa scum, it could cause problems. I might end up as a target for them."
"Fair point." Who knows if anyone would avenge a pack of third-rate black path losers, but Murim doesn't run on common sense like that. If the Okhwa Geom stepped out front and rumors spread, she could become a target.
"I'll hide my identity as much as possible. Of course, if things get dangerous, I'll step in, and if there are any sneaky bastards plotting from the rear, I'll eliminate them."
"Then I'm reassured!" At least no worries about getting stabbed in the back!
"Thanks, Serin!"
"It's only natural."
Serin smiled faintly, looking pleased at my gratitude, then approached and snatched my hand away from Ha-young's waist, where I'd been stroking it.
"If you want to touch something, why not me?"
"Uh, uh...!"
Should I?
"Why'd you steal my hand? So jealous as always. Sigh."
"I don't get jealous."
"Sure you don't. Anyway, yeah. I was thinking the same. Better not stand out front and risk rumors, so I'll support from the rear."
"With you two covering my back, nothing to fear."
Decision made!
'Still, it'll be dangerous.' Wi Ha-young watched the confident Geun-hyeop with worry. Even with his record of annihilating Amto-bang, she couldn't be absolutely sure he could pull off the same against Il Do-mun.
'But... I don't think he can't do it.' Still, it didn't seem impossible. Above all, Namgung Serin and she would have his back. That should keep him out of real danger.
The problem was...
'But he's kinda soft-hearted.' Geun-hyeop had a surprisingly delicate temperament for a Murim warrior. Hadn't he agonized even when killing those bandits? She'd held him in her arms through it.
'Soft. Softer than a woman like me.' She could kill black path sapa scum without a second thought, grudge or no grudge. She had experience.
But Geun-hyeop probably didn't. Could he handle it?
Ha-young worried even as she pondered.
'Gui-ki... It's definitely a power heavily influenced by emotional state. Especially negative emotions. If this sparks some intense emotional shift... it might make that power even stronger.'
This yodan-body constitution's secret might come to light. Killing Il Do-mun's disciples and feeling emotional pain would surely amplify his gui-ki.
Was that good or bad? Ha-young couldn't decide.
'Eh. But getting stronger is good, right? Plus, I can study his constitution more on the side. No problem then...?'
So Ha-young decided to think of it as a win.
'And I'll protect him... It'll be fine. Yeah. If he struggles, I'll hold him in my chest again. That'll do it.'
Nachal Bang was ready.
"Let's go."
Nachal Bang leader Kim Geun-hyeop took the first step.
"Ahh... What a perfect day for great deeds."
"My heart's pounding like mad!"
I didn't look back. My friend Jae Mi-son would follow on his own, and Galbi Jong was chasing after us, complaining of his excitement too. Both were geared for battle.
Jae Mi-son wore the Hadoen Wan-gap I'd gifted him on his left arm, gripping his I-sang Je-go in his right. Galbi Jong was in black clothes with his saber at his side.
I knew Jae Mi-son's skills well. But what about Galbi Jong's? Shared life-or-death combat would forge true friendship. Today would decide Galbi Jong's status.
And... Serin and Ha-young were following behind. Prep was perfect.
"Kim Geun-hyeop! Just thinking of seeing the skills of the Screaming Nachal has me thrilled!"
"Hmph."
"Wondering how brutal a bloodbath it'll be... I'm going mad waiting! I'll slaughter the enemy as cruelly as I can too!"
Galbi Jong's eyes sparkled purely, like they held starlight. This guy's a total psycho.
"Jae Mi-son! Can't wait to see your handiwork too! Heard you enjoy punching holes in people even without reason—this time against enemies, you'll go even crueler! Show me quick!"
"Kuk kuk... This guy's completely nuts."
"Ahh! I'll show you my mad saber arts!"
"Lunatic... Kick."
Jae Mi-son spoke cheerfully, and...
"Heh heh heh."
I laughed cheerfully too. When bullshit reaches that level, it's just personality. A guy with those clear eyes spouting that crap was straight-up hilarious. With grim resolve like that, we entered Il Do-mun's turf.
"Enemy territory from here. I know the HQ location, but... better go stealthy till we get there."
Black path bastards usually lazed around instead of working, scattered in alleys. That was their intel network. Spot any suspicious fuckers and report back to HQ. Better eliminate them first.
"Then move stealthily..."
"Ahh, that's my specialty. Stick to low-traffic spots."
"Kuk kuk, you have that skill?"
"Comes naturally in sapa work. Heuk Jeon Mun was leagues above dumps like Il Do-mun."
Those clear eyes added credibility. We moved stealthily, sticking to deserted paths as naturally as possible.
"Jae Mi-son. Location?"
"Almost there."
"You're a geography whiz."
Memorizing routes from a heads-up and rough map? Blessed talent. With a guy like that, nothing to fear.
"..."
Then Galbi Jong drew his saber.
"Someone's watching us."
"They showed up."
Wanted to hit HQ directly, but even dogs bite harder in their own yard. Surveillance must've spotted us.
"Geun-hyeop. What now?"
Jae Mi-son said sharply.
"Galbi Jong. Where's the watcher?"
"That direction. One guy."
"Heh heh heh, decided. Kill him fast and storm the HQ for indiscriminate slaughter. Let's go!"
Paat!
We three dashed the same way. Clattering sounds came from the target spot—like the peeper tripping.
Turning the corner...
"Hup!"
One guy appeared. Awkward posture, like he'd tripped while fleeing. I thrust my sword at him and growled low.
"Jagwi-pa errand boy...? What're you doing here? Speak before you die."
"Pardon?"
"Playing dumb? Time to die."
"N-no! I'm from Il Do-mun...!"
Worked again. Il Do-mun bastard.
"Ooh, impressive! Such a trick!"
"Galbi Jong. Finish him. Wanna see your swordplay."
"Yes!"
Galbi Jong thrust his saber.
Paat!
Clean strike, but not master-level. Still, plenty for a non-combat third-rate black path thug.
"Guhk...!"
The Il Do-mun disciple collapsed, blood gushing from his neck.
"Good."
No hesitation in killing. And...
"Nothing to it. Used to scrapping with black path."
His eyes stayed clear, unchanged.
"Geun-hyeop. Now..."
"Lead the way. We charge in fast!"
"Kuk kuk! As expected from the man I acknowledge! Follow me!"
Jae Mi-son, geography expert, kicked off, and we followed.
"There!"
Soon, Il Do-mun HQ came into view. Nothing impressive—just a small warehouse-like building ringed by a crude fence of wood and straw bales. Some sword-bearing guys inside, though.
Good terrain for us.
Paat!
We vaulted the low fence into Il Do-mun HQ.
"Wh-what the?!"
An Il Do-mun warrior yelled in panic. We faced them and formed up—a three-man formation supporting each other. Advancing like that, one Il Do-mun guy spasmed into a wild saber swing.
"Y-you bastards!"
Third-rate moves. No need for Dae-ryu Geom-beop. I casually raised my sword and parried his saber. Jae Mi-son instantly thrust his I-sang Je-go into the guy's torso.
"Kuhk!"
First blood. The war begins.