How Much Is My Life Worth? (2)
Cheon Yang-ho was drinking at a tavern.
A man entered and sat down across from him.
"What's this, showing up without even a heads-up?"
He was Gwak-won, the head of the Po-gang branch under the Jeol-gang Branch. Cheon Yang-ho had come all the way to the branch to see him.
"Just passing by, thought I'd drop in and catch up after all these years."
"How many years has it been?"
"About two, I reckon."
"Time flies, doesn't it."
The two were fellow initiates who had joined the Murim Alliance at the same time.
In truth, Gwak-won didn't care much for Cheon Yang-ho. The man was the type who gladly used others for his own gain, and his reputation among their peers wasn't great.
Still, here he was, smiling in front of him—for one pathetic reason: Cheon Yang-ho was doing well. Everyone knew he was a real power player in the branch. Crossing him would only bring headaches to the Po-gang branch. Among their old circle, they called him shit—just something too filthy to touch.
"You're not the type to visit without a reason. So, what's up?"
"Got a question for you."
"Shoot."
"You were in the Baek-ryong-dan back at headquarters, right?"
"Yeah."
Gwak-won had been a rising star at headquarters once. But a major screw-up during an operation had demoted him here.
"You must know the Cheol-geom-dan side well too."
"Well enough."
"Ever heard of Baek So-cheon?"
Gwak-won flinched for a split second. This guy's up to something. Knew he didn't just drop by to chat.
"Why do you ask?"
"You know him."
"So, why him?"
"You heard about that incident at the Mun-seong branch?"
"The Yang Chu case? Some lunatic wiped out his whole family?"
"Yeah. Went down to investigate, and there was Baek So-cheon. Something off about him—got me curious."
"He was a big shot in the Cheol-geom-dan. Damn good fighter too."
Gwak-won decided that was all he'd say. Truth was, he knew plenty about Baek So-cheon—including how he'd risen to Cheol-geom-dan leader and even Bi-gak lord before getting demoted.
But there was a gag order on Baek So-cheon, especially anything Bi-gak-related. Loose lips could mean serious trouble, and he was still clinging to hopes of returning to headquarters.
If they'd been closer, or even just friendly old mates, he might've spilled more and warned him to keep it shut. But with Cheon Yang-ho? This was it.
"So how'd Baek So-cheon end up at the Mun-seong branch?"
"Injured bad—can't use his inner power anymore."
"Can't use inner power?"
"That's right."
Cheon Yang-ho frowned. No way Heuk Su would've lost to someone without inner power.
"Was he that strong?"
"Spot on. Strong as hell—a cut above squad leader level."
Gwak-won skirted specifics, sticking to truths that weren't quite lies.
"Thanks. Catch you later."
Cheon Yang-ho stood and left.
Gwak-won stared, dumbfounded, as the man bolted the second he got what he wanted.
Good thing he hadn't spilled everything. Hell, the guy hadn't even covered his tab. Least he could've done was buy a round after prying info out of him.
Fucking rude bastard.
Whatever he wanted with Baek So-cheon...
Get wrecked by the guy, you prick!
That was his honest take.
Of course, he had no clue just how deeply Cheon Yang-ho was already tangled with Baek So-cheon—far worse than he imagined.
If he had, he wouldn't have minded footing that bill one bit.
* * *
Heuk Su never showed.
Maybe passed out drunk in some woman's bed? They scoured back alleys, but no trace.
Wang Gon almost wished shame had driven him off. At least that meant no killer on the loose.
But no such luck. His worst suspicions were hardening into reality.
"Baek So-cheon did it, no doubt."
Should've checked sooner when that Cheol-geom-dan squad leader said he'd been chased to this backwater. Same breed as him—ruthless killer, expert at cover-ups.
Two ways to handle him: win him over or wipe him out.
Dragging feet would tip off the branch leader. Had to clean it up, show everything under control.
A subordinate reported in.
"Cheon Yang-ho requests an audience."
Their meeting would decide: lure or kill.
* * *
A carriage waited in the woods near the Mun-seong branch.
The one Wang U had ridden before—now Wang Gon inside.
Cheon Yang-ho arrived cautiously, checking for tails.
He climbed in, and Wang Gon skipped greetings, cutting straight to it.
"Any sign of Heuk Su in the branch?"
"No, nothing."
"Baek So-cheon's the prime suspect."
"I looked into him separately."
Cheon Yang-ho relayed everything from Gwak-won.
"Big shot in Cheol-geom-dan?"
"Yeah. Not just any squad leader—top-tier skills."
"Kid's got talent."
"Not a kid. Thirty-eight."
"What?"
Wang Gon jolted.
Thirty-eight meant battle-hardened veteran.
"Damn it."
Now that casual beatdown made sense.
Picked the wrong fight.
But worse problems loomed.
If he digs into this case with Im Choong, we're screwed.
Gauging Wang Gon's darkening mood, Cheon Yang-ho spoke carefully.
"I'll keep tabs on him. Best we avoid contact for now—eyes everywhere."
Wang Gon figured he was trying to bail.
Not that easy, punk.
Once he took that first bribe, no escape. Struggle all you want—the net only tightens. Wang Gon wouldn't let go easy.
"You'll have to take him out."
Cheon Yang-ho blinked, stunned. He'd suggested no contact to test the waters. Didn't expect a straight-up hit request.
Lure or kill? Wang Gon picked kill.
Spare a tricky foe, invite disaster. Pain from his battered face, frustration over Heuk Su's absence—it all fueled the call.
"Can't do that."
"You can."
Wang Gon handed over a prepared envelope.
Inside: ten 1,000-nyang bills from Central Plains Bank. Triple his usual take.
10,000 nyang.
Squad leader's annual pay was 1,100. Nine years' work for one kill.
10,000 nyang. Not something you brushed off.
Cheon Yang-ho stared silently, mind racing.
This cheapskate's throwing 10k? Why so desperate?
Beat by the guy? Thinks Heuk Su's dead? But that didn't justify this sum. Then it hit—one reason.
Bingo! They did the Yang Chu massacre.
He'd suspected from Wang U's reaction, but confirmation shook him.
Couldn't let on he knew. They'd turn on him too.
"Big money, sure... but I'm Murim Alliance. Can't kill a fellow member. Especially one who took out Heuk Su."
Never fought Heuk Su, but knew he outclassed him.
"Where there's a will, there's a way."
"Well..."
Cheon Yang-ho trailed off, probing. Then, unexpected:
"Finish the job, another 10,000."
"...!"
"Don't get greedy. I'm pissed enough as is."
No greed—just one thought blazing.
20,000 nyang!
Nearly twenty years' pay. Life-changing.
"Your call on how. But quick—no delays. 20k, or walk?"
The scales had tipped. Nothing outweighed 20,000 nyang.
Just the how.
"I'll do it."
"Good."
Wang Gon passed the envelope. As Cheon pocketed it:
"Once he's dead, branch'll investigate. If it lands on me, fine. But someone else? Might suspect you."
"Probably."
"Use the missing Heuk Su. Pin it on him."
"Frame him?"
"Guy had huge ego about his skills. Say he went rogue and vanished."
Pretending loyalty to Wang Gon, Cheon carved his own exit.
"Smart."
Even if Heuk Su's body surfaced later, irrelevant—branch would be purged by then.
After Cheon left, Wang U climbed from the driver's seat.
"Father, 20,000's too much."
Shinhwa-bang funds? No—their personal stash. Wang U's inheritance.
Dream was taking Father's seat. Live like him, rule Mun-seong like a king. Needed full coffers.
"Big sum. But only this'll move him."
"Still 20k."
"Don't whine. These 20k chain him as our dog for life."
Wang Gon craved power's thrill. Would burn it all to climb. Power was money—grip it, riches follow.
"Got it?"
"Yes."
Wang U's reply was reluctant. Tasted money first, not power. And this was the flavor?
20k's still too steep. Could party a year at Baek-hwa-ru...
* * *
Cheon Yang-ho wasted no time on Baek So-cheon.
Tomorrow wouldn't bring new chances or weaken the foe.
Stealthily suppressing his presence, he neared Baek's place.
20,000 nyang was irresistible.
Two more reasons sealed it.
First: foe had no inner power. Skill meant nothing without it—just an empty shell.
Last: the small cylindrical hidden weapon in hand.
Ship-bo Jeol-myeong-chim—Ten Steps Deadly Needle.
Its poison was lethal; within ten paces, it never missed. Banned by Murim Alliance as gold-yong-am-gi despite single-use—mere possession meant prison.
Cheon had stashed it after a lucky find, waiting for destiny's moment.
20,000 nyang brought it.
A sound from the yard—martial training.
Perfect.
Focused on practice? Ideal ambush. No inner power meant he couldn't sense from beyond ten paces.
Under moonlight, Baek So-cheon trained endurance.
One finger push-ups in handstand. Switch fingers, repeat.
Intense without inner power—sweat poured like rain.
Enduring hellish pain, but Cheon drew his weapon, not applause.
Oblivious how his life led to half-truths from Gwak-won, Cheon aimed from thick shadows, heart set on the kill.