Chapter 127
Chapter 127
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 127
Chapter Title: Black Wolf (1)
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Late in the evening, after finishing their day's work, Sima Geon and his family gathered for a light drink.
"Aren't we gonna go bankrupt like this?"
Cheol Woo, unhappy with the cups Sima Hyeon had prepared, poured his liquor into a large bowl and suddenly let out a sigh.
"That bad?"
Sima Hyeon asked.
"It's less than half of what we used to get. We weren't gone that long, but it looks like everyone's switched suppliers."
Cheol Woo downed the full bowl in one go and belched loudly.
"Damn, I feel betrayed."
"It's only been a few days. Expecting the same sales as before is unreasonable. Hard work will sort it out over time."
Sima Geon handed Cheol Woo some snacks as he spoke.
"I know. I'm just frustrated."
"How about you guys? It's been a while—manageable?"
"My body's a bit tired, but my mind's at ease, so it's good. Doing nothing keeps the body comfortable, but the heart feels..."
Sima Ho gave an awkward smile, indirectly revealing his uncomfortable life at the Ha Hu family estate.
"And you?"
Sima Geon asked Gwa Yu.
"I'm fine. The wounds have healed somewhat."
"Looks that way. You're recovering fast."
Even as he said it, Sima Geon's complexion wasn't great.
Gwa Yu had suffered a major injury to his right eye during the previous Heavenly Demon Cult raid. He hadn't lost it completely, but his vision was almost gone. And now, the opposite eye socket was wounded. Fortunately, no vision issues, but the straight slash from eyebrow to eye corner and cheekbone looked hideous.
"Want a drink?"
Sima Geon offered a cup.
"No, thank you. The physician said alcohol's bad for injuries."
Gwa Yu politely declined, prompting Cheol Woo to scoff incredulously.
"What does that quack know? For most wounds, nothing beats liquor as medicine. Don't worry—drink up. Trust your big bro."
Cheol Woo shoved a bowl forward, but Gwa Yu looked troubled and glanced at Sima Geon.
"Back off. That might fly for you or Manchu, with booze instead of blood in your veins, but normal folks should abstain."
Cheol Woo grumbled as Sima Geon pushed away the bowl Gwa Yu had been offered, then emptied it himself.
"What should I do for you?"
Sima Geon asked casually.
"Pardon?"
Gwa Yu's eyes widened in surprise.
"Blood Lion—what would you have me do for you?"
Gwa Yu didn't answer right away.
As Gwa Yu fell silent, the lively drinking session quieted naturally.
Cheol Woo kept signaling Gwa Yu urgently.
It meant demand revenge now. But Gwa Yu didn't speak up despite the hints.
"Need more time?"
Sima Geon asked with a faint smile.
"Yes."
"Got it. Don't overthink it. We're able to laugh and chat like this because of you. Everyone knows that. Whatever you ask—no, 'ask' sounds too formal. Whatever you request, we won't refuse, so speak freely."
"Understood."
Gwa Yu smiled brightly but soon bowed his head slightly.
Sima Geon noticed the teardrops hitting the floor but pretended not to.
"Crying?"
Cheol Woo shoved his face right up to the bowed Gwa Yu.
"A grown man bawling over words like that."
"Who's crying?"
Gwa Yu quickly wiped his eyes and raised his voice.
"Kekeke! Then what's that on the floor—snot?"
Cheol Woo pointed at the tear on the ground, teasing him, when the door burst open. Manchu, who'd gone into town briefly, returned.
"Knew it. I said I'd be right back, and you start without me?"
Manchu, dead serious about drinks, sat angrily. He snatched Cheol Woo's bowl and chugged.
"Mm, even if I don't mind, he's right, boss. Why's a little guy like you pounding booze like this?"
"Frustrated, that's why."
"What happened?"
Sensing something from Manchu's grumbling, Cheol Woo slyly refilled his cup and asked.
"The Heavenly Demon Cult."
"Ah!"
Cheol Woo groaned.
He instantly grasped what Manchu meant.
"That bad?"
"Yeah. Worse than I thought."
Unable to hold back his frustration, Manchu downed more liquor before continuing.
"Even after the Golden Sword Sect and gathered warlords were massacred, fights keep breaking out—and they're losing every one. Yesterday..."
Manchu sighed and drank again.
"Yesterday what? Some incident?"
Cheol Woo leaned forward eagerly.
"Phoenix Sect got crushed bad. Totally smashed."
"Pfft, so what? They're getting wrecked anyway."
"Phoenix Sect's different. Not just a defeat."
Manchu raised his voice.
"Phoenix Sect leads Jiangnan Murim alongside Nangong family. Tons of minor sects and men rallied to support them. But Nangong, who knew the Cult's strength, probably thought to consolidate before clashing head-on."
"So, told 'em to join Nangong instead of fighting?"
"Yes."
"Those guys got too much time on their hands. Phoenix Sect rivals Nangong, right? Pride's a thing. I wouldn't listen either. Better to send aid than talk."
At Cheol Woo's sarcasm, Manchu jumped up, fetched brush and paper, and drew an elongated circle.
"Look here. If this is Gangseo Province, Nangong's here, Phoenix Sect there. See how far apart?"
The drawing showed them at opposite ends.
"Yeah, pretty far."
"Nangong already sent aid three ways to track the Cult. But left flank—Golden Sword Sect fell before aid arrived. Right flank sects obeyed and retreated with minimal losses. Problem's center: Phoenix Sect ignored advice, got stubborn, and collapsed completely. A slight pullback could've linked with Nangong warriors. Wouldn't have been so disastrous. Damn, once Nangong issues the Azure Sword Command, you follow blindly!"
Manchu's rage swelled, knowing many Beggar Clan disciples were among Phoenix Sect's allies.
"So they were confident, but got smashed—who by? Hm, center, so Cult Leader himself?"
Sima Geon glanced at the map.
"No. Cult Leader hasn't moved yet—trailing slowly from rear. Not even main force. Phoenix attackers led by North Heaven Sword Demon or something."
"Who... did you say?"
Cheol Woo's lips twisted viciously.
"North Heaven Sword Demon. Not certain."
"Ha! That old bastard! Heard he stuck to Gwan Woong, but he's back alive. Strutting like that means he's recovered for sure."
Cheol Woo, with his grudge against North Heaven Sword Demon, showed open hostility.
"So now old man vs. Nangong?"
"No. Golden Sword destroyers joined, swelling their numbers several times. Plus Cult base following from rear— even Nangong retreating."
Manchu sighed irritably.
"Whew. Higher-ups say Phoenix Sect wiped out four-tenths of Jiangnan Murim strength. Including Golden Sword, half gone in two battles. Cult losses? Minimal. How? They fought hard too."
Manchu's face showed deep regret and pity.
Sima Geon patted his shoulder gently.
"After Heavenly Demon War, fractured Demon Realm endured brutal wars till recently. Can't even track sects that vanished or rose. Divine Demon Clan, victor of that bloodbath—and past Heavenly Demon producer—finally united Demon Realm as Heavenly Demon Cult."
Sima Geon's voice was calm but firm.
"Cult's backbone survived that crucible. Can tournament-and-training types match them?"
"..."
"Not belittling Golden Sword or Phoenix folk. Just battle-hardened death-dodgers vs. those without."
"I see."
Manchu nodded but couldn't hide his surging frustration and emptiness.
"Wanna hear something crucial?"
Cheol Woo poked Manchu's side.
Manchu turned, and Cheol Woo grinned.
"We were the stars of that war."
Thunderclap sidled up to Cheol Woo, nodding arrogantly.
Manchu stared, then spat a line laced with bubbling fury from his gut.
"Big deal."
Cheol Woo and Thunderclap froze at the retort.
Of the dazed pair, Cheol Woo recovered first.
"Our cute Manchu grown some guts? Or shock-fried his brain?"
Thunderclap shook his head.
"Looks like his liver's out—can't see it though. Wanna check?"
"Ah, no, I just..."
Manchu, realizing his slip, floundered—
Woooooo!
A beast's howl echoed from somewhere.
"Huh? What's that sound?"
Sima Ho, giggling at Manchu's red-faced excuses, craned his neck.
Livestock work made him sensitive to mountain predators.
"What sound? Don't know wolf howls?"
Thunderclap snapped, and Sima Ho smirked.
"I do. Dealt with wolves eyeing ranch stock. But never heard 'em this close. They come down for village livestock?"
"Yeah. First wolf howl since settling in Uga Village."
Sima Hyeon peered out the window curiously.
The howls grew louder meanwhile.
"Haha! That guy's got pipes. Sounds far, but clear here."
Ignoring the wolf, Cheol Woo—having planted a huge lump on Manchu's forehead—laughed toward the window.
"Yep. Our Black Wolf had killer vocals too. One howl, tigers shook."
"Hey, a wolf playing with tigers ain't a wolf. That's Black Wolf—separate breed from regulars."
"Black Wolf."
Sima Geon shot up.
"Whaddya say...?"
Cheol Woo gaped at him.
"Black Wolf."
Now listening intently, Cheol Woo and Thunderclap leaped up too.
"It is Black Wolf."
"Black Wolf it is."
"Why's he here? How'd he even know?"
Cheol Woo and Thunderclap exchanged glances briefly, then bolted outside together.