Beggar Backup for the Jagwi Sect Assault
The next day, we decided to muster our full forces to strike the Jagwi Sect. Though Dangdu had done some promotion last time, it hadn't been long enough to see results yet. So, the logic formed in my head that he needed to take responsibility for this. We headed straight to the Gaebang.
"Dangdu!"
"Aigoo, what now?!"
"Huh?"
He seemed to have developed a bit of defiance, but even if we were allies now, this wouldn't do. I shot him a glare loaded with that sentiment, and the guy shrank back.
"Tch... What, what brings you here...?"
"We're hitting the Jagwi Sect today."
"That fast? At this rate, we'll wrap everything up in under a week, won't we?"
"Of course. That's why we're here for some help."
"Help?"
"Lend us your Gaebang disciples."
"What?!"
What was he so shocked about?
"Hey, I told you—we're allies now. That means your Gaebang guys fight with us too."
"But it's too dangerous!"
"It's not. We're just gonna bunch up for intimidation factor. Lend us some Gaebang disciples."
"Hmph! Ridiculous! No way in hell!"
Dangdu crossed his arms like a tsundere heroine and turned his head away. I was honestly pleased to see how brave he'd become. Yeah, a martial artist needed that kind of grit. This guy was basically my comrade now. And comrades had to step up like this. The thought made me so happy that a smile crept onto my face naturally.
—Grin.
Did he sense my feelings?
"H-Huh?!"
Dangdu leaped back like a startled cat, mouth agape.
"Wh-Why are you smiling like that...! You said we're allies! Why do you keep freaking me out? What the hell does that smile mean?!"
What the fuck was this guy on about?
"What? I'm just happy seeing how brave you've gotten. That's all. Dangdu, I'm really glad. It started off rocky, but look at us now."
For some reason, my expression softened in surprise. Come to think of it, things turning out this way with the Gaebang was its own kind of fate.
But out of nowhere, Dangdu freaked out.
"Why that wistful look...! Don't stare at me like I'm some ghost from your past! I'm alive! Don't kill me!"
"What bullshit is this?"
"Fine, fine! I'll lend you the Gaebang disciples, just don't do anything weird!"
"Wait, suddenly?"
"I'll come too! Heading out right now? I'll call the disciples—wait here!"
"..."
Something about the flow of this conversation wasn't clicking... What the hell? I was about to persuade him with some profit-sharing, but he offered help first? Ah, so the initial refusal was just him playing hard to get? Total tsundere. Either way, with the Gaebang stepping up as allies, I was in a great mood.
"Everyone, gather up!"
Soon, Dangdu assembled the Gaebang disciples and began his pep talk. Just looking at the numbers, it was impressive. Who knew there were this many beggar parasites leeching off the land like this? This shitty country deserved to fall.
"Heh heh heh."
I chuckled in satisfaction when Jae Mi-son sidled up.
"Kuk kuk... You're insane. Controlling people with just a smile now?"
"What're you talking about? Dangdu's loyal to me deep down."
"That was one hell of a murderous smile..."
"What?"
Galbi Jong shuddered, his eyes sparkling pure.
"A smile like the Buddha's! But you're the type to kill without mercy even with that grin! To slaughter with a face like that—truly magnificent!"
"..."
This guy's a total psycho.
"Kick... We could call you the Murder Buddha now."
"Cut the crazy talk! Anyway, they're done!"
Dangdu had finished preparations. His face was tense as hell, and the Gaebang disciples behind him looked scared shitless too. They probably thought they were actually heading into battle and chickened out.
"All set... But you sure this is okay?"
"Don't worry. The Gaebang guys won't have to fight. Just act like you're charging in and intimidate them. Alright, Galbi Jong! Call the Mundo crew!"
"Got it!"
Galbi Jong immediately brought the Mundo boys.
"Mun Do! Orders received!"
"Mun Do! Obeying orders!"
Damn, these guys had already adapted to the speech pattern!
"Kuhaha! What obedient little shits! Mundo crew! Time to prove yourselves! We're going to scrap with the Jagwi Sect—if you fight well, you'll earn my trust! Got it?!"
"Mun Do! Understood!"
"Mun Do! Earning trust!"
Watching these thug-looking killers spout that crap, I couldn't hold back the laughter. But their eyes burned fierce. They were dead set on fighting hard to win my approval.
"Let's go!"
And so, we stormed the Jagwi Sect.
The Jagwi Sect boss, Ohamdok, trembled in fear as he awaited reports.
"The Screaming Nachal is coming!"
"It's the Screaming Nachal!"
"Nachal Bang!"
Soon, the clamor of his underlings reached him.
"Boss! The Screaming Nachal's here!"
"I heard, you idiot!"
"Gasp...!"
Ohamdok couldn't hide his anxiety and lashed out at his subordinate for no reason.
"Goddamn it!"
Ever since that madman, the Screaming Nachal, showed up, he hadn't had a moment's peace. The guy wiping out the Amto Bang was fine, but following up with the Il Do-mun and now them? Not good at all. The Screaming Nachal had smashed Il Do-mun in one go, founded Nachal Bang, and openly declared he'd take over Jagwi Sect and Jangsa Bang too.
"That shameless bastard without any code!"
Ohamdok himself was a vicious killer who'd built his gang through dirty, cruel means, but this crossed the line. Wasn't the Screaming Nachal supposed to be a master? A master picking fights with lowlifes like this wasn't normal. Still...
It'd be fine. No problem.
Sensing the crisis, Ohamdok had allied with Jangsa Bang. They were in the same boat, so it went smoothly. They even clicked personality-wise, pooling funds to hire a black path master. That expert would definitely kill the Screaming Nachal. Of course, such a master wouldn't leave easily... Having tasted the money, he'd stick around demanding tribute and such. That's what hiring black path muscle meant. But right now, the priority was putting out the fire.
"Noisy out there."
The Money Sword Ghost appeared.
"Money Sword Ghost. The Screaming Nachal's coming. Get ready."
"Oh? Just make sure the money's ready."
The Money Sword Ghost was a infamous assassin in these parts. Give him cash, and he'd kill anyone—a brutal criminal.
"Kekeke, time to feed my blade some blood."
"Please take care of the Screaming Nachal..."
"Enough with that Screaming Nachal crap. Never heard of some fancy title like that. Just some punk who offed a few black path guys and got cocky, right?"
"Y-Yes, of course."
"And you called me for trash like that?!"
"Gasp!"
"Kidding."
The Money Sword Ghost grinned with a joke. Ohamdok shuddered in humiliation but masked his expression. Nothing ever went right.
"Let's go."
The outside was in uproar. The Screaming Nachal and his gang had invaded.
We faced no resistance on the way here. Though Jagwi Sect and Jangsa Bang had teamed up, no one dared draw a weapon. Thus, we entered the Jagwi Sect's front courtyard without spilling blood.
"Kuh...!"
All around were terrified black path thugs. I put on my mad rant act, tears streaming, while scanning the area.
"Aaaah...! What tragedy! Today, rivers of blood will flow again! Whaaaaa! How many more will die horribly? Even imagining it brings sorrow—I can only wail!"
Perfect lunatic performance!
"He's completely lost it!"
"A madman like that...!"
"We gotta run now!"
The black path scum backed away in fear at my ravings. I really should've been an actor. If that director bastard hadn't been jealous, I'd have debuted by now.
"Kuk kuk, still a total psycho."
"Truly astonishing...!"
Anyway.
"Time to get to work—huh?"
Suddenly, the Jagwi Sect headquarters doors opened, and a suspicious sword walked out.
—Step step.
Light but disciplined footsteps. Instinct told me: this guy's no joke. A real expert.
"Money Sword Ghost!"
Galbi Jong shouted.
"Oh? You know me?"
"Of course! The infamous black path assassin!"
"Then this'll be quick... Hand over your life."
"Ha! Bullshit! Today you'll witness the Screaming Nachal crush the Money Sword Ghost! Kuhahaha!"
Galbi Jong's booming laugh made veins bulge on the assassin's forehead.
"Fuck off...! I don't care where you crawled from, but now that this old man's here, you're done! Screaming Nachal! I'll kill you!"
Killing intent, sharp as a blade. So these Jagwi Sect bastards hired an assassin to take me out? Filthy cowards.
This Money Sword Ghost was legit strong. But I didn't feel death's terror. If things got dicey, Serin and Hayeong would back me up. No way he'd outmatch them. Jagwi Sect couldn't afford that caliber. Winnable opponent. No—cowering meant certain death. Charge in believing victory. In the murim, you'd face masters daily; you couldn't flinch every time. Other thoughts were useless. Cut them away.
"Money Sword Ghost... Sniff, I've heard of your fame."
"..."
He eyed me.
"That's why it pains me more. To kill a famed warrior with these hands... Kuh, kuhk! But no choice! This world is filled with sorrow anyway!"
"What the fu—"
Before he could finish, I signaled.
—Flash!
And we all charged!
"Waaaaah!"
"Raaaaah!"
"Mun Do! Charging!"
"Uwaaaah!"
Gaebang disciples roared as they ran, Mundo crew charging bravely. And we three led the vanguard, leaping straight at the Money Sword Ghost.
The Gaebang numbers were solid. I hadn't told them to fight, but just charging like this had impact.
"Aaaack!"
"Eek!"
Jagwi Sect scrubs fled, and I locked eyes only on the Money Sword Ghost.
"You filthy bastard!"
Caught off-guard, he drew his sword to counter. I'd already circulated Cheong-han Sim-gong, powering up my inner energy. From there, I unleashed Dae-ryu Geom-beop on him!
—Boom!
But he was a master. He blocked my flurry effortlessly.
"Hap!"
As Jae Mi-son thrust his I-sang Je-go, the assassin smacked it away and stabbed back!
—Crack!
Jae Mi-son deflected with his gauntlets, and Galbi Jong and I slashed from both sides. Can't dodge this!
"Hmph! Pathetic!"
But the Money Sword Ghost swept his sword wide, smashing our combo and backstepping to create distance.
Blocking that? This fucker's a real deal...!
"Not bad! Money Sword Ghost!"
"Kuk kuk, our joint attack's fully blocked."
Galbi Jong and Jae Mi-son muttered lowly.
"That all you got? Three on one and still this shit? No point continuing. Die!"
—Flash!
The Money Sword Ghost charged us instead. I took in his form.