Gotta Control My Anger (1)
Late at night, a carriage waited in the woods near the Murim Alliance's Mun-seong Branch.
Cheon Yang-ho, the Heavenly Venom Snake, appeared there. Only after thoroughly checking for any tails did he climb aboard.
The man inside the carriage was Wang U, son of Wang Gon. He had rushed back upon hearing news of his father while out in the world.
"Branch Leader Cheon."
"Young Master Wang, it's been a while."
"What the hell does that bastard Im Choong have that lets him arrest my father? Did Heuk Su betray us?"
"Heuk Su got nabbed too. Looked pretty roughed up."
Wang U was stunned. To him, Heuk Su was an invincible master.
"Who the hell took down Heuk Su?"
"Some new guy named Baek So-cheon who just transferred to the Mun-seong Branch."
"What kind of punk is he to handle Heuk Su?"
"He's a former squad leader in the Iron Sword Unit. Heuk Su didn't know that, so he dropped his guard and got caught."
"Baek So-cheon! That son of a bitch—I'll kill him right now!"
Wang U ground his teeth. In Mun-seong, his father had lived like a king. With his father as king, he'd naturally lived like a prince. Just this month alone, he'd beaten three people half to death and stolen another man's woman. But nothing ever happened to him.
It was all possible because his father was king. And now some low-rank Murim Alliance warrior had dragged his father away?
"We'll get rid of him."
"Not yet. Touch him now, and things get messy—releasing Father will be even harder. Get Father out first, then deal with the punk."
"When will Father be released?"
"I've pulled some strings. Should be soon."
"Thank you."
Wang U handed Cheon Yang-ho a prepared pouch.
"Picked this up on the way back."
Inside were tiny gold animal figurines, each the size of a fingernail. Together, they made for a hefty gift.
"Haha, no need for this."
Cheon Yang-ho pocketed the pouch without a token refusal.
"Then head back and wait."
As Cheon Yang-ho stepped out, he glanced back with a trailing remark.
"But..."
"Speak freely."
"That Yang Chu family incident... no, forget I asked?"
It was a cautious probe, the unspoken "you guys did it" hanging in the air. He knew the Shin-hwa Bang well enough—they were just the type.
Wang U snapped irritably.
"What do you take us for, saying crap like that? Of course not."
"Right, of course. Just an old man's needless worry—don't mind me. See you next time."
Cheon Yang-ho vanished back into the darkness he'd come from.
'Their doing, alright!'
The sharp Cheon Yang-ho sensed Shin-hwa Bang's involvement in the Yang Chu massacre from Wang U's over-the-top reaction.
'Crazy bastards!'
Fear of the reckless Shin-hwa Bang mixed with resolve—if his hunch was right, he'd milk this for a big payoff.
Once Cheon Yang-ho was gone, Wang U spat coldly.
"Who does that prick think he is, playing games? Fucking Murim Alliance bootlickers!"
He didn't realize the man had read him like a book. Then again, that's why he'd been read so easily.
The next morning, Im Choong summoned Beon Saeng early.
"What's up?"
"I'm releasing Wang Gon and Heuk Su."
It was the result of a night of deliberation.
"Telling you ahead since your safety's on the line too."
"We in danger?"
"Probably. But even if we don't release them, it'll be the same."
"Got it."
Regrettably, punishing them wasn't easy in the current situation.
The bribery had only their testimony—his and his wife's. The assault charges? They were fine, the others were battered. Attempted murder? Same issue.
Even sending them to the Jeol-gang Branch, Cheon Yang-ho—the real power there—would ensure their release. And others would help Shin-hwa Bang too.
Even if luck struck and Wang Gon rotted in prison, problems remained. A vengeful Wang Gon could send outsiders to assassinate them.
Better to release now, placate him. No alliance—just lull him, then find proof he killed Yang Chu's family. That would end him for good.
"Never realized how tough being a warrior is."
Im Choong nodded silently at Beon Saeng's words.
'Maybe I haven't truly lived as one until now.'
Around noon, Im Choong released Wang Gon and Heuk Su.
Wang Gon and Cheon Yang-ho crossed paths leaving the detention cell but ignored each other.
Instead, Wang Gon shot Im Choong a murderous glare. No urge for dramatic farewell or hot vengeance—just pure hate.
"I won't forget this."
With that clear threat, Wang Gon left. No need to mention Heuk Su's killing intent.
Once they were gone, Cheon Yang-ho consoled Im Choong.
"Don't worry too much. All talk—no reckless moves."
Meant as comfort, but Im Choong was curt.
"Not investigating?"
"What?"
"Not looking into Yang Chu? Came down for that, but seems you're only focused on Shin-hwa Bang."
"I will. I'll handle it—stay out of it."
Cheon Yang-ho snorted and left.
Beon Saeng filled the void.
"See that? Grinning like he won the lottery."
"Thinks he pulled it off, claims his cut."
"Damn bastard. So what now?"
"What else? Prove Wang Gon's a beast."
"You're serious. Branch Leader, you furrow your brows when you mean it."
"Watching that warrior smash Wang Gon the other day... reminded me of when I first wanted to dive into the jianghu. Protect the weak, smash the wicked—that's the warrior I wanted to be."
"Gonna become one now?"
"Too late for me—you wouldn't get it. Just nostalgia. Water's spilled, can't gather it, but we can wipe it clean. No proof, he'll come for revenge someday."
"Yeah, let's nab that bastard!"
A voice from behind.
"First, move your family to the branch."
Baek So-cheon stood there.
Beon Saeng startled.
"Think he'd go after the Branch Leader's family?"
Im Choong recalled Wang Gon delivering the century-old ginseng to his home—a blatant family hostage threat.
"Yeah, he's the type."
"Even more with Heuk Su. Guy's got a massive ego."
"When'd you dig that up?"
Baek So-cheon replied to Beon Saeng's awe.
"Old habit. Ignore completely or handle thoroughly. Most get backstabbed skimping on that simple rule."
Beon Saeng was impressed, but Im Choong grew urgent.
"Gotta bring them now."
Im Choong dashed off.
Beon Saeng shrugged.
"Handy not having family sometimes. Hey, brother—you got any?"
Baek So-cheon answered curtly.
"None."
Im Choong brought his wife Ju-ssi and son Chan to the branch.
"Stay here for a while."
It was an empty building near Baek So-cheon's quarters.
"Honey, you sure it's okay?"
Ju-ssi was anxious. The gift box before, now leaving home for branch life—unprecedented.
She had a rough idea why.
Wang Gon's arrest at the branch was already rumor fodder. Everyone gossiped about it.
Tales varied, but all ended the same: Im Choong was in deep shit.
And here her husband had brought them to safety.
"Don't worry."
"Yeah, I won't."
Im Choong wanted to send them to her family in Seom-seo, but couldn't risk the long trip alone. Nor abandon duties and flee with escorts.
"Rest easy for now."
As he turned, Ju-ssi spoke.
"Honey."
"Yeah?"
"Die together, live together. From our wedding day to now, that's how I've lived. Don't hold back for us. Do what you want. Worst case, we go together."
"Won't happen."
Im Choong's heart swelled leaving. Grateful she said that despite her fear—for him.
'Yeah, it won't.'
If he had a hundred lives, he'd spend them all on wife and son. Worry was if that'd even save them.
Die together? No. He'd protect them somehow, even if he fell.
That's what scared him.
If Wang Gon went all-out, he might attack the branch.
Then... they'd all die here.
Finishing with his wife, he stepped out to find Baek So-cheon talking with Chan in front.
Im Choong paused, eavesdropping.
"Dad'll be okay, right?"
"Your dad's not okay."
Chan startled. At thirteen, he was a good kid.
"That dangerous?"
"Yeah. Your dad wiped out the Black Society."
Im Choong frowned from behind the door. Why tell the kid?
Chan's voice again.
"Heard the rumors. Dad really took down Tae-jeong-pa?"
"Yeah. He wouldn't let their evil slide anymore."
"Weird saying this when Dad's in danger... but I think he did right."
"Really think that?"
"Yeah. Some kids' parents got bullied by Black Society. Felt bad seeing my friend."
Im Choong's settled heart surged again.
He'd never known his son was in that spot, felt that way.
Baek So-cheon's voice.
"Might not know this, but a bigger force backed that Black Society. Your dad knew and crushed them anyway. That's why the danger."
"It's fine. I'm proud of Dad. Wanna be like him."
"Train hard then. Gotta be strong like him to protect others."
"Yeah, I will."
"Proud all you want. He deserves it."
Im Choong felt mixed behind the door. When did his boy grow up? Grateful to Baek So-cheon too.
He cleared his throat and emerged.
Respect shone in his son's eyes. Shame hit— this wasn't fully his choice.
"Go to Mom."
"Okay."
Chan went in.
Im Choong and Baek So-cheon stood side by side.
"Overheard you with Chan."
"Overstepped, sorry."
"Nah. Grateful, actually. Didn't know my boy grew so much."
Im Choong mused: Parents know their kids best... and least.
"Got a favor."
"Shoot."
"Watch my family a bit. Meanwhile, I'll uncover this mess. Find proof Wang Gon killed Yang Chu's family."
"Let's do it."
Im Choong was deeply moved by the ready agreement.
"For real?"
"Not for you. Kid seems good."
"Thanks... truly."
In this mess, only Baek So-cheon was trustworthy. With his Shin-hwa Bang skills, Im Choong could focus on investigating.
Dealing with Wang Gon now tied to his and his family's survival.