#160. Black Flame Dragon Quieting the Chaos (5)
“Kwaaaack!”
Saak let out a scream as he stared at Geomak’s sword buried deep in his thigh. The Mokhyeolbang fighters, caught off guard by the sudden turn, didn’t know what to do. Meanwhile, Geomak—who had been flung back ten zhang—rose to his feet, blood streaming from his wounds.
“Jeonpyo… I’ll kill you…”
“Saak’s the one who hit you, so why kill me?”
Geomak glanced at the writhing Saak before replying.
“…I’ll beat Saak later. Right now, I’m killing you.”
I nodded.
“That makes some sense. If you can catch me, that is.”
Before Geomak or the Mokhyeolbang fighters could move, I unleashed Heavenly Lone Walker God Step and leaped into the sky.
Boom!
A wave of dirt surged like a tidal wave, blocking Geomak’s view as I vaulted off the eaves and slipped out of the Mokhyeolbang compound. Desperate screams chased after me.
“My Jeonpyo!!”
Why does he keep treating people like objects?
I headed straight for the Haomen branch. Time was short, but there’d be a buffer before word reached Yujangmun. Even so, I pushed my speed to the limit and arrived at the fabric shop, tilting my head in surprise.
“Huh?”
I’d braced myself to wake the shopkeeper in the dead of night, but lights were on—and Haryeong stood waiting out front.
“What’s going on?”
“I figured you’d come.”
As expected of the Haomen Lord’s top disciple.
“Sorry, no time. Straight to business.”
“Yes. Go ahead.”
“Spread a rumor: Yujangmun and the Baekdo sects pooled money to hire assassins, and they’re about to go active.”
“Will anyone believe it?”
“Nope. Doesn’t matter. Just make them paranoid.”
Baekdo wouldn’t sweat a rumor like that. But from the Heukdo perspective—where hiring killers was standard—it’d seem logical, ramping up the pressure.
“And after that?”
“We’re already at gihose—too late to stop Akyang’s Heukdo. Instead, I’ll trip them up.”
“…You mean a bimu gyeoljeon?”
“Yes.”
Worry clouded Haryeong’s face.
“Even if it happens, the Palak will show. They’re no pushovers.”
I knew that firsthand. If those two longtime partners hadn’t let their guard down, my flower grafting trick wouldn’t have worked.
“I have a plan.”
“…Understood. Anything else?”
“How many in Haomen know martial arts?”
“Why?”
“This mess topples Baekdo sects and leaves Heukdo reeling. Perfect chance to seize territory with your people.”
“…Is that okay?”
Haryeong seemed embarrassed at joining my feast.
If this tug-of-war between Baekdo and Heukdo kept going, better to split Akyang three ways. Neither side would dare move rashly then. At least the mid- and small sects wouldn’t get swept away.
I reassured her deliberately.
“Didn’t we agree to split profits? No reward, no work.”
#
I raced back to Yujangmun at a breathless pace. Unlike my outbound trip, I landed openly this time with a thud.
Thump!
Murmurs rose outside, but no one acted.
“My god! Young Master Jin, what happened?”
“Huh?”
“What’s with all these wounds? Your hand—your arm—your legs!”
Only then did I check myself. Scratches covered not just my left hand but my arms and legs. Facing one of the Palak and walking away with this? I’d done well.
“It’s nothing. What’s everyone doing?”
“Standing watch and rotating sleep as you ordered.”
A short nap would’ve eased their fatigue.
“Wake them all. Battle prep.”
“Pardon?”
“Quietly—gather everyone at the main training hall.”
“What’s happening?”
“They’re coming soon.”
Seong Moran went to rouse them, half-doubting, while I patched myself up roughly. As people assembled, the hall fell silent. Moments later, commotion erupted beyond the walls.
“What bullshit is that?!”
“Intruder? Fire?!”
“Who?!”
The shouts grew into a roar, murderous intent seeping through the walls.
Gulp.
The gathered fighters swallowed hard, gripping swords tighter at the ominous vibe.
Boom!
The half-ruined wall crumbled, Heukdo thugs pouring in led by a sickle-wielding man.
“Jin Sowoon!”
They demanded me outright. Seong Moran and the others shot me looks—what had I done now? I began gathering Radiant Heaven Divine Palm in my palm.
Rumble rumble rumble.
“Whoa.”
“That’s…”
Having tasted it once, the Mokhyeolbang warriors hesitated. Only the sickle man strode forward fearlessly.
“Jin Sowoon, did you raid Mokhyeolbang?”
“What’re you talking about?”
He gnashed his teeth at my calm response.
“Word just came—the intruder torched Mokjon Pavilion.”
“No way! We should check it out!”
“Jin Sowoon!!”
“One more step, and I’ll serve you Radiant Heaven Divine Palm again.”
He flinched but held.
“Think you can fend off ten with one hand?”
“Fetch your deputy lord. I have words for him.”
His face twisted.
“…Why the deputy, not the lord? I said fire—not his death.”
I feigned surprise.
“Oops! My mistake.”
“…So you assassinated our lord.”
Gasps rippled through Yujangmun. Geum Pyo and the gold-silver-bronze trio looked ready to faint.
“Tell your deputy: Skip tomorrow, and after Yujangmun falls, you’re next.”
Grind.
Tension hung thick. Finally, the sickle man—teeth near shattering—turned and left.
Relief hit; Yujangmun folk and Taeulmun kids collapsed.
“Whew… Thought I’d die of fright.”
I dispersed the palm with a tsk at Geum Pyo’s words.
“Scared of lowly Heukdo trash? How’ll you survive Jianghu?”
But their faces twisted oddly.
“Huh? What?”
“…Eh?”
Geum Pyo gawked.
“You scare us, senior brother. ‘Oops! My mistake??’ Chills, man. Nearly pissed myself.”
Eunho shuddered.
“That creepy grin while saying it? Thought you were a ghost.”
Ghost? To your senior brother?
“…”
Tsk. That bad?
#
Dawn broke. A small table sat in Yujangmun’s front courtyard, brought by the Murim Alliance’s Akyang branch. Three chairs ringed it—the fate of Yujangmun to be decided here.
I sought the sect lord early to brief him on negotiations. He refused flat-out.
“This isn’t for me. You stand in.”
“Pardon?”
“Without you, Yujangmun would’ve fallen, everyone ghosts. You belong there.”
True, but this concerned the sect’s survival—a disciple from another shouldn’t represent.
“I don’t know how to face overwhelming Heukdo might. But you struck Mokhyeolbang and took their lord. Sit there.”
“…”
“Don’t worry—I won’t dodge responsibility.”
No choice. I nodded.
“Fine. Two questions.”
“What?”
I met his still-shaky eyes.
“What can you stake?”
“…”
“Need to know for negotiations.”
He pondered, then met my gaze squarely.
“…My head and Yujangmun’s plaque.”
“Father!”
“““Sect Lord!”””
Jang Ujae and the disciples surged forward, but he waved them off.
“I want nothing. Just ensure Yujangmun folk don’t die for bearing the name.”
Worn but eyes ablaze—true responsibility to the end. Staring into them, I felt Yujangmun wouldn’t end today. Post-Great War survivors had that look.
Then Jang Ujae, eyes matching his father’s, spoke.
“Then I stake too!”
“Ujae!”
“Father! Can’t send you alone. Representative Jin! I share the burden.”
His resolve silenced further protest.
“Got your lives. Second question.”
I drew breath—this might offend everyone.
“Can you beat Mokhyeolbang’s elite?”
“…”
Warriors’ glares sharpened. Probing strength insulted pride—like thugs taunting foes.
But necessary. Plans demand precise intel.
“…Who do I face?”
He knew my intent. Sharp one.
“Deputy lord.”
“…!”
Mokhyeolbang’s lord died to hubris, but don’t underestimate fifty years surviving Wudang-Jeomcheong turf.
Yujangmun faces paled—daunting matchup.
Tough indeed.
Bimu gyeoljeon must limit to principals. All Palak entering? Game over. Even giving them minimal slots, Yujangmun loss spells doom.
No reply. I glanced at Namgung Seonhwa—my second card. Her presence quells objections.
As plans turned, the lord broke silence.
“I can win.”
“Pardon?”
Too startled. I fumbled, but he nodded.
“It’s fine. Rumors say I’m mediocre. But I’ve a lifelong secret technique.”
He paused, scanning his people, then spoke firmly.
“Plan as if I win.”
Air shifted—pride swelling their faces. I nodded. He’d lived the adage: hide three-tenths always?
Yujangmun’s lord looked different now.
“Perfect. One more from Yujangmun…”
“Representative Jin!”
Jang Ujae first, as expected. Unwavering eyes, nodding slightly. Not the strongest, but brave, assured. No wonder powerless academy folk followed him.
“Set.”
As I nodded, an Alliance runner announced all gathered. Heading out—
“Wait—bimu gyeoljeon is three per side, right?”
The lord queried puzzledly. I paused, looked back.
“I’ll go.”
#
Mokhyeolbang, Heukbugung, Gwiggeomgak, Changguimun, Hyeolsamun, Seoakmun… Nine Heukdo sects leading this—Akyang crawling with nearly three thousand.
Merchants shuttered stalls, windows slammed shut fearing eye contact.
Funny—some I’d survived Mareung Plateau with waved like old pals, brandishing swords.
Crazies.
I approached the table leisurely. Dang Hyeokjae scowled at the head; opposite, Mokhyeolbang’s lord—likely deputy—snarled, teeth bared. Behind: Geomak and bandaged Saak. Beside: Heukbugung’s lord, Changak, Hoak, Buak.
Open threat: mess up, Yujangmun flattens.
“Where’s Yujangmun’s lord? Why you?”
“He delegated fully. You wanted me anyway, right?”
Mokhyeolbang deputy Sogyeongchu’s face twisted demonically.
“After that stunt at Mokhyeolbang, you think negotiation’s possible?”
“Then why crawl here?”
“Crawl… here…?”
Dang Hyeokjae winced, sending transmission.
-Watch your words?
Nope—especially here. I ignored, pressing.
“You sense something’s off too, or you wouldn’t be here.”
“…Mind your tongue, brat. We could flatten you mid-talk.”
“Sure you could.”
“What?”
“Act as one? Murim Alliance steps in hard. No Heukdo Alliance yet—wanna war them?”
“…”
Dang Hyeokjae paled.
“Plus, nascent Heukdo Alliance won’t welcome Alliance-pissers. Can’t ignore Murim Alliance.”
Sogyeongchu’s face hardened.
Bang!
I slammed the table; he startled, fuming. All eyes on me.
“You’re in a shit spot.”
“…”
Control shifting my way. I leaned back casually.
“Here’s your chance. End the war via bimu gyeoljeon—Mokhyeolbang vs. Yujangmun.”
“Think we’ll accept?”
I stared at Sogyeongchu.
“…”
Hands clasped, I glared till he squirmed.
“I’m pissed right now.”
I scanned Palak and Heukdo heads.
“You butchered surrendering foes, chased and killed the broken.”
Tap-tap.
I paused, drumming fingers.
“…In my eyes, you’re no better than beasts.”
“This punk!”
“Hey! Watch it!”
Leaders bristled—didn’t care. Heukdo Alliance aimed at greater evils, not rotten apples.
“If Yujangmun falls to you, I drop everything—kill your lord, deputy, hall heads. All. Like I did your lord.”
“…Think Mokhyeolbang’s easy?!”
“Saw for myself. My stealth fools all; my steps outrun anyone—even Saak. Lifetime of uneasy sleep.”
“…”
Sogyeongchu eyed Saak, who glared silently—proving my point.
“Pull that, Murim Alliance bars you too.”
I chuckled.
“Worried about Alliance? Wouldn’t have done Heukdo night raids.”
“…”
He glared long, then swallowed.
“Bimu gyeoljeon stakes?”
“Yujangmun loses: cede land, plaque, business—leave Akyang forever. Name erased.”
“Mokhyeolbang loses: compensate war damage, death payouts.”
“…”
“No ‘unfair’ bullshit.”
“Brat! Mouthy.”
I nodded at Saak and Geomak.
“Without those two, your lord wouldn’t be the only corpse yesterday.”
“…”
“No filling all three with invited Oak. At least two Mokhyeolbang warriors. This is your war with Yujangmun.”
Sogyeongchu glanced at sickle man, who nodded faintly.
“Fine.”
“One week, here.”
“Now.”
“Not cleaning corpses?”
“…Three days, here.”
Three days… Tight. Their pissed glares said even that was chancy.
I nodded.
“Deal.”
Heading back, I turned, pointing at Saak.
“Why bring the gimpy leg anyway?”
Saak glared murderously. What? Like you can do shit.