Black Path Sacred Being, Black Flame Dragon (4)
After the Wang family manor and Jin Sowoon joined up, the Great Heaven Merchant Group's journey became far more comfortable. The Wang household servants prepared fresh meals with top-quality ingredients at every mealtime, and far more capable warriors than those of the Great Heaven Merchant Group stood guard in shifts. With the Murim Academy's top scholar, Jin Sowoon, among them, it was as safe a trip as could be.
……Should I call this a good thing, or worry about it?
But in truth, Go Jungtak's face hadn't lost its worried frown throughout the entire journey—and that was thanks to Jin Sowoon and the Wang family manor's carriages joining them.
No matter how you slice it, smashing a black path sect that badly……
At first, he'd been unable to shake his anxiety watching Jin Sowoon drag the black path thugs from Sangmunbang back to their own lair and storm in. Sure, he was the Murim Academy's top student, but that was still a black path sect. To Go Jungtak, heading alone into a den where dozens or hundreds of hardened black path veterans gathered was sheer madness.
When he'd urged Wang Soso—the de facto head of the Wang household here—to go rescue him, she'd just blinked her big eyes in surprise.
"Huh? Big Brother Jin? Why?"
She was so nonchalant, utterly convinced he'd return just fine. In the end, Go Jungtak had ended up feeling like the weird one for worrying.
But.
I never dreamed he'd come back totally unscathed.
It wasn't just unscathed. He'd even wrangled a promise from Sangmunbang that they'd provide protection without charging the escort fee from now on. Just as Go Jungtak was wondering what kind of magic he'd pulled off to get that,
Bam!
"Where's the Great Heaven Merchant Group?!"
A second black path gang showed up, spotting their carriages.
Pow-pow-pow!
Once again, the black path goons got shucked like corn kernels.
"Take me to your sect leader."
……It was a perfect repeat of the Sangmunbang fiasco.
Go Jungtak was horrified. This latest bunch from Heukbumu was twice Sangmunbang's size in power. And the Heukbumu founder, the infamous Heukbu Chilgyeon of Hebei and Anhui alike, was no pushover.
Unlike the ever-relaxed Wang Soso, Go Jungtak had chased after them to the Heukbumu lair, terrified that the merchant lord's son might meet some mishap. But then.
Eh?
Kaboom!
Pow-pow!
Thud-thud!
Go Jungtak's expression somehow turned to one of enlightened resignation.
I worried for nothing.
What was this like? A bear barging into a beehive, maybe? The bees staked their lives on stinging, but the bear was too busy gorging on their precious honey to care. Stings were just an annoyance.
And to think he's pulling this off……
Go Jungtak wasn't a martial artist himself, but he'd seen plenty over the years working for escort agencies and merchant groups. He'd thought those folks were beyond ordinary…… but Jin Sowoon?
Is he even human……?
Nearly a hundred black path thugs—the kind where Go Jungtak would've pissed himself on sight during a caravan run—and not one was left standing unscathed. Then Jin Sowoon wrapped his arm around the sect leader's neck and started some kind of threat.
"……."
……Go Jungtak had no desire to know the details.
No one in the caravan got hurt, so that was a huge relief. And he figured that was the end of it. Any future black path sects would be even bigger, so surely Jin Sowoon wouldn't step up so easily anymore.
But.
Bam!
"Where's the Great Heaven Merchant Group?!"
Thwack!
"Take me to your boss."
P-please, no more……!
But Go Jungtak's silent screams went unheard. Every time a gang came collecting escort fees, Jin Sowoon charged out, smashed the sect, and came back. By the time they entered Anhui Province, seven black path sects lay in ruins.
At this point, new worries started creeping into Go Jungtak's mind.
"Th-this…… should we just let it slide, miss……?"
Wang Soso tilted her head at his question.
"Huh? What?"
"Young Master Jin keeps clashing with those black path folks. I'm worried if it's okay."
"Hmm…… Didn't Big Brother say he's friends with them now? I think things are going too smoothly, actually."
"……."
"Plus, they promised black path protection without the fees from now on, right?"
"That's what worries me."
Why were they black path in the first place? They ignored all norms and rules, living by their own whims without a care for others' eyes. Promises meant nothing to them—they could break them anytime. They might bow their heads now, but revenge could come later. Or if enough got pissed, they could gang up.
"Hmm……."
"We don't have time to just sit here pondering……."
Wang Soso listened to his fretting, thought for a moment, then spoke.
"Big Brother Jin must have something in mind."
"……Pardon?"
Something in mind? Hadn't it all just been mindless rampages, bashing heads and bouncing back? He'd seen no deep schemes or careful planning in any of it…….
"So you see it as thoughtless brute force."
"……."
Go Jungtak couldn't shake his awkward look at Wang Soso's oddly amused smile. She dropped the grin and added,
"Big Brother Jin rose from a Tae-eul Gate disciple to his current position. Do you know what that means?"
A Tae-eul Gate that struggled to afford two meals a day, kowtowing to the Gyerong Merchant Group. A talentless disciple from such a third-rate sect making it into the Murim Academy was impressive enough on its own. But Wang Soso shook her head.
"That's not all. Founding the Great Heaven Merchant Group and recovering Tae-eul Gate's lost secret manual? Big Brother did it all."
Go Jungtak's jaw dropped. It was hard to believe one person had pulled off everything.
Wang Soso nodded as if his reaction was natural.
"Hard to buy, right? But it's true."
"……Whoa."
"Everything Big Brother does has purpose. This mess probably has intent too."
After hearing her out, Jin Sowoon looked different to Go Jungtak. Maybe he really did have some profound scheme Go Jungtak couldn't fathom? He glanced at Jin Sowoon, who was enjoying some daytime drinks with the warriors at another table. Even mid-drink, his eyes kept flicking to the inn entrance.
"Ah, why are the black path idiots around here so damn slow? How am I supposed to make a living like this?"
A nearby warrior asked,
"Wouldn't it be better if they just let us pass without trouble?"
"What kinda nonsense is that? What about all the cash we've lost so far? What happens when I'm not around next time?"
Jin Sowoon barked back, then licked his lips like he was savoring the thought.
"Ah, hope this next bunch has stacked up some serious coin. The last ones were such wasteful shits, we cleaned 'em out completely……."
Go Jungtak's head tilted. Was there really some deep scheme he didn't get? He just looked like a straight-up extortion thug…….
Bam!
But Go Jungtak's thoughts cut off there.
"Where's the Great Heaven Merchant Group?!"
……Because Jin Sowoon's next mark had strolled right into the inn.
"Finally here!!!"
Jin Sowoon's thrilled shout rang out loud and clear.
# Friend.
A word meaning someone you've kept close over a long time. My father told me as a kid to make lots of friends. No matter the type, you'd eventually need their help someday.
I couldn't follow his advice in my past life. But in this new shot at life, I'm putting it into action hard.
"We're friends, right?"
I asked, and my newly made friend nodded vigorously.
"Y-yeah! We're friends, aren't we?!"
He went by the moniker Poison Fang Sword, but despite his fierce looks, he had a warm heart. Hell, he even shared all his earnings with me. Where else could you find a friend this generous?
"Looking forward to working with you."
"D-don't worry about it. It's your caravan—protecting it's a given. Cough! I-I've got this whole area locked down tight, so no sweat!"
My friend pounded his chest with bold promises. If only he'd opened up before his eyes turned into raccoon rings. Staring at him just hurts my heart for no reason.
Anyway, Dad was right. Make lots of friends, get lots of help. Gotta make even more from here on out.
As I finished catching up and turned to leave his sect,
Crack, crack.
"……?"
A group of men burst through the half-smashed door I'd wrecked earlier, charging in like a herd. They drew their sabers in unison, faces full of killing intent.
"Poison Fang Sword, take my saber!"
"How dare you touch our Jeondeung Inn…… Huh?"
The warriors who'd stormed Dok-ah Gate like it was war froze up. They gawked at the trashed furniture scattered everywhere and the injured Dok-ah Gate disciples sprawled about.
"Wh-what the……."
"Did one of our guys get here first?"
"Gate Lord, we just arrived."
As the intruders floundered, Poison Fang Sword ground his teeth and shot to his feet.
"You sneaky Jeondeung bastards. Of all the damn times……."
He spat curses, then spotted me and clamped his mouth shut.
What the hell was going on?
The Jeondeung crew, having pieced it together, smugly raised their sabers.
"Poison Fang Sword! Let's settle this today!"
"Grr, Deung Go-hyeon! You call this a righteous sect's way?!"
"I told you—justice would judge you someday. And that day is today!"
Looks like Dok-ah Gate and Jeondeung Gate were rivals around here. They'd crashed in right as I happened to drop by Dok-ah Gate.
But…….
Something's off.
I'd never heard of this so-called righteous Jeondeung Gate. Was it tied to the Four Black Alliances somehow?
"Jeondeung Gate was founded by disciples of Fengxiang Gate, a lay branch of Cheongsung. They peddle the same evil under Cheongsung's name."
Poison Fang Sword—the notorious black path figure—filled me in. So, like lay disciples of lay disciples from Cheongsung? Mentioning names must be embarrassing at this point. They all wielded sabers, too.
"So anyway……."
That's when Poison Fang Sword sidled up cautiously.
"Could you…… help out? W-we're f-friends, right?!"
I couldn't hide my massive disappointment at his words.
"Making unreasonable demands of a friend? You're a total scumbag with no qualifications. Tsk. Maybe I should just wipe you out."
"Wh-what?!"
"Hey, I'm a disciple of a righteous sect. Imagine the mess if I teamed up with you black path trash against lay disciples of a righteous gate."
"……."
"Plus, a friend who can't even handle his own shit? No point keeping you around. Yeah…… better to just clear you out."
"W-wait! Hold on!"
Poison Fang Sword glared with bulging eyes.
"Dok-ah Gate isn't that weak. We can fight just fine, even like this!"
"Oh…… really?"
I turned back from the door and plopped down on the bench. Truth be told, I was curious who'd win.
As I sat, Dok-ah Gate looked like they'd gained a heavenly army, sucking in deep breaths.
"All Dok-ah Gate disciples, assemble!"
His booming voice echoed through the sect. Good thing not too many had broken limbs. They outnumbered Jeondeung heavily, even excluding the combat-incapables.
But seriously, what balls did these Jeondeung punks have charging in? They didn't look that strong.
"Who's that guy?"
Deung Go-hyeon pointed at me, but Poison Fang Sword snarled.
"None of your damn business."
Deung Go-hyeon shot me a warning glare.
"Interfere, and you won't be forgiven."
I nodded agreeably and waved them on. The brawl kicked off.
"Waaah!"
"Charge!"
Clang-clang-clang!
Clang-clang!
Rat-a-tat-tat!
As expected, Dok-ah and Jeondeung were evenly matched. Honestly, Dok-ah edged them out a bit. Better improvisation overall. Tougher grit, too.
Jeondeung played it textbook righteous—wary of even minor wounds, just aiming to injure. Dok-ah ignored scratches, charging like real men straight for the throat.
Dok-ah should've won, but the forces stayed dead even.
Guess the injuries run deeper than they look.
I hadn't even hit that hard. Poison Fang Sword shot me resentful glares mid-fight, but what could I do? Too late now.
As Dok-ah started falling back, Jeondeung gained cocky momentum.
"Push! Wipe Dok-ah Gate off the map today!"
"Waaah!"
Jeondeung sabers sharpened with rising morale, forcing Dok-ah into retreat. That's when Poison Fang Sword steeled himself and popped a red pill from his robes.
Huh? That's……
His second and third-in-commands followed suit, then the whole Dok-ah crew started downing the red pills one by one.
"Urgh…… urgh…… raaaagh!"
Dodging three Jeondeung sabers, Poison Fang Sword suddenly erupted with massive aura, blasting all three back three zhang.
"Huff…… huff…… huff……."
White steam billowed from his deep breaths. Face flushed red, eyes gleaming even redder.
Fuck, that was…….
Pogeukdan.
The same exploding blood pill Gye Cheolyeong had used in the exam.
The already close matchup tipped wildly. Dok-ah disciples, high on Pogeukdan power, steamrolled Jeondeung.
"Kaaak!"
The first major Jeondeung casualty dropped.
"Gahk!"
"Wh-what the……!"
Jeondeung warriors started crumpling one after another.
At this rate, they'd all die—I was about to step in and stop it when.
"Jeondeung Gate is eternal!"
What now? A Jeondeung disciple swallowed a pill. Others followed, unleashing huge auras.
Pow-pow-pow!
You guys have Pogeukdan too?
…What the hell kinda Jianghu fight turned into a drug fest?
I lamented the absurdity as the battle evened out again. Both sides, desperate not to hit a hundred forms first, pushed reckless attacks despite wounds. Things got brutal.
What a shitshow.
Pogeukdan was useful against equals only if they didn't take it. This was mutual destruction.
They knew it—around a hundred forms, movements slowed.
"Hah! Hah! Hah!"
"……D-damn it, what now?"
Ultimate staring contest. Neither could push nor back off after coming this far.
Silence hung between the groups. Then, from Jeondeung ranks—
Pow-pow-pow-pow!
The aura's source: Deung Go-hyeon. Fifty forms past his Pogeukdan, his robes still bulged like they might burst, hair floating from the explosive energy.
"I-I'll…… kill you all!!!"
"G-Gate Lord! If you keep going here……."
A Jeondeung disciple tried to stop him, but Deung Go-hyeon answered with a saber swing.
Slash!
The disciple's head flew, blood fountaining.
"Th-this…… what……."
As Jeondeung stared in shock,
Deung Go-hyeon lightning-charged the Dok-ah disciples.
Slaaash!
Blood erupted suddenly; three Dok-ah heads rolled.
Three necks in one stroke.
"Heh…… heh-heh-heh-heh!"
Amazed by his own strike, Deung Go-hyeon swung wildly next. Ruthless motion. Dok-ah desperately blocked, but showed massive gaps against him.
Shrrrring!
Slash! Slash! Slash!
Unworldly speed. He even cleaved aura-clad sabers, beheading Dok-ah disciples. The freaked-out Dok-ah crew gave up and fled.
But.
"Wh-where you going?! Today, I eradicate Dok-ah Gate root and stem!"
Boom!
Fury-boosted Deung Go-hyeon kicked off, dirt exploding outward in sand sprays. Footwork a mess, but speed insane—enough to block the first fleeing Dok-ah disciple.
……Pogeukdan does this?
No matter the pill, it had limits based on latent power. Deung Go-hyeon was way past his. And he'd killed his own first.
Like defying the laws of the world…….
Thump-thump.
Then, my Red Phoenix Ring shivered.
I looked up, meeting Deung Go-hyeon's eyes.
"……!"
Chills crawled over me.
His eyes were pitch black, like obsidian.
Demonic arts…….
Those damn peepers stared at me like prey.