The Law of the Jungle
A shipment was robbed in transit.
But that was all it said, leaving no clue as to the full situation.
"What the hell is this?"
"They stole a precious item from us. We need it back."
The Monghwan Lou Owner stared at me with a hardened expression.
"Precious item?"
"A gem ordered by a noble lady in the capital. It came from the Western Regions."
"Some special gem?"
"Nothing that special. Just expensive."
"And you want me to recover it?"
I hadn't taken just any old job lately.
I avoided anything that looked risky, picking only the ones with the best payouts among the safe bets.
She knew that better than anyone, always bringing a stack of requests for me to choose from. But today, she'd shown up with just this one—must be urgent.
"Hmm. Did some demonic bastard make off with it?"
"No idea. The branch is looking into it, so you should have more details by the time you arrive."
"This is that important?"
"The lady who ordered the gem? Her husband's a big shot with real pull. Even the sect leader's taking an interest."
"Hmm..."
"Please, big brother. You're the only one I trust right now."
It wasn't dangerous so much as a pain in the ass.
But with our history—and the sect leader involved—I couldn't just blow it off.
"Rendezvous point?"
"Sichuan."
Made sense, coming from Sichuan as an express messenger.
If I was taking it on, might as well squeeze out a good reward.
"Fine. Can't ignore a request from our Lou Owner."
"Hohoho! That's my big brother! All my worries are gone now."
The Monghwan Lou Owner broke into a radiant smile.
I gazed at her flower-like face for a moment.
A woman nearing thirty, risen from famed courtesan to Hao Sect branch leader.
Sure, there was venom behind that dazzling beauty, but when it came to me, she was always genuine.
"Reward'll be gold, ri—"
"No, this time I want something else instead of gold."
"Oh? Something specific?"
Her big eyes widened round with curiosity, wondering what I could possibly want.
"A manual worthy of being called a divine art."
"Pardon? Like... what level are we talking?"
"You know, stuff like Heavenly Demon Divine Art, Nine Yang Manual, Yi Jin Jing."
The Monghwan Lou Owner's beaming smile froze like ice, her mouth even hanging slightly open in disbelief.
"Big brother, you know as well as I do—even we can't just procure arts like that. If we could, we'd be one of the great sects by now."
"Don't need a complete version. Fragments are fine. There've gotta be scraps floating around the jianghu."
"Hmm. But verifying authenticity would be tricky."
"Just dig up whatever you can. From now on, make those my rewards."
"Understood."
She looked utterly baffled by my request.
Fair enough—what good was a fragment of a manual? One wrong step and you could end up possessed like some lust demon.
"I'll look into it. Might take time."
"Good."
Tilting her head, she suddenly lit up as if remembering something.
"Did you take some special elixir or something? You look years younger. You were always manly and handsome, but now your skin's glowing like jade."
"Jade, my ass. Probably just from eating well and sweating it out."
"The girls you've bedded say their skin's gotten all smooth and silky too. They think you're some kind of miracle drug, hohoho!"
"What?"
She wasn't wrong—the courtesans I'd slept with had gotten prettier. Even my own rough skin had softened up.
But the real kicker was the smoother inner energy circulation.
On a whim, I circulated my qi from my dantian.
Woooong!
Half a year's worth from five years of training.
It wasn't direct qi gain from the bedchamber arts, but whatever effect on my meridians let me use it faster and more efficiently.
"Nice."
"Pardon?"
"Nothing. When should I head out?"
"The sooner, the better."
I nodded and started packing my martial robes.
She approached with a smile, helping me dress.
"Wish I had a husband like you, big brother."
"You trying to ruin your karma? Go find a good man."
"Hohoho!"
Her delicate hands fussed over my collar for a good while.
Clop. Clop. Clop.
After a quick meal, I left the Monghwan Lou right away.
Sichuan wasn't far—a leisurely five-day ride at a walking pace would get me there.
Riding at half-speed without a care, I cleared Jingzhou by sunset.
"Nice sunset."
I reined in my horse, soaking in the scenery.
The sky was a watercolor smear of crimson, autumn breeze rustling roadside bushes in a pleasant melody.
Fixing my gaze on the sunset, I spoke poetically.
"Come on out."
No response.
"I know you've been tailing me. Show yourselves."
Rustle.
Thugs with ugly mugs emerged from the bushes on both sides.
One behind, one each from the side bushes, two up front.
Five in total.
"Cheolgeom! Where the fuck you running to?!"
One of the front guys bellowed arrogantly.
"Perfect timing."
I stroked my right wrist where the flying daggers were strapped, dismounting slowly.
Five daggers, five thugs.
Nice matchup.
"Perfect my ass, you fucker!"
I eyed the loudmouth up front.
It was that one-eyed bastard from days ago—I'd cleaned him out of cash and more.
"You, huh."
"Yeah, me! You didn't think you'd ambush me and walk away scot-free!"
"You ambushed me. Self-defense, asshole."
"Shut the fuck up!"
One-Eyed's face turned beet red, screaming his lungs out.
Figured he'd charge—I was ready to test a dagger. But the empty cart was noisy; he just yelled without drawing steel.
"That the guy?"
"Yes, boss! That's Cheolgeom, the little shit stirring up our turf!"
"Hmm."
One-Eyed bowed to the middle-aged man beside him.
Looked like he'd brought some muscle.
"Fucking punk. Balls shriveled up so bad you had to snitch like a bitch?"
"Wh-what?! My dick's fine! It's just a bit busted, but it's there!"
"Hmm... do busted nuts still make the dick work?"
"What the fu—?!"
One-Eyed's face boiled over; he started to bellow but glanced at his buddies in panic.
They all shot him doubtful looks, same thought as me.
"Why! Why you looking at me like that?! It stands! It fucking stands!"
"Tch. Shut it."
"Ah! Yes, boss! Sorry!"
"Step back."
"Yes, sir!"
The middle-aged man stepped forward.
His stance, sharp gaze, subtle aura—he had real skill, unlike One-Eyed.
From the vibe, some unorthodox sect's expert.
"Cheolgeom. Heard the name before, but too bad we meet like this. I'm from the Sahwangryeon, Heop!"
He glared arrogantly.
Whish!
I flung a dagger.
Thud!
"Gahk!"
"Boss!"
The guy spewed blood, tumbling back.
But not a piercing stab—a blunt thud.
He'd been hit by the hilt, not the blade.
"Hm. Not as easy as I thought."
Left hand throw, maybe.
Still, for dual-wielding sword and dagger, left-hand tosses seemed best.
I drew another from my wrist, gripping the blade this time.
Like in the movies.
"You fucker Cheolgeom! Know who this guy's—?!"
"The nerve!"
"You bastard!"
One-Eyed just yelled.
The other three drew blades and charged.
Left guy first.
Whish! Stab!
"Gaaahk!"
This one nailed the forehead clean.
"Don't you stop?!"
Right side next.
Whish! Stab!
"Kuhk!"
Slight angle adjustment—right into the throat as aimed.
"F-fuck!"
Three down. Two daggers left.
But the rear guy suddenly turned tail and bolted.
"Tch."
Unorthodox sect loyalty—priceless.
Brothers 'til blades clash, then every man for himself.
"He's booking it."
Distance opened fast.
I regripped the dagger right-handed, adding power.
Muscles bulged; my throwing hand blurred white.
Shrieeeek!
The dagger streaked like light, dead straight.
Then—
The fleeing thug face-planted with a thud.
"Hmm. Wasted it. Too lazy to fetch."
I drew the last dagger and turned.
"Hiiik!"
One-Eyed plopped on his ass, staring up.
"Ch-Cheolgeom! Great hero Cheolgeom! Mercy! Please spare me!"
Why drag poor friends to hell just to grovel like this?
I scraped my cheek with the dagger, looking down.
Despite him gunning for my neck, I'd spared him once. And this was the thanks—a trap.
Jianghu rule: tie up loose ends.
"Great hero! Cheolgeom gre—"
Whish! Stab!
Dagger in his forehead.
His bulging eyes faded gray.
Next life, skip the gambling dens.
I even prayed briefly for his soul.
Thud!
He toppled back.
"Ugh..."
Right on cue, the first guy clutched his eye, staggering up.
Hilt hit, but blood poured from the eye.
"Th-this!"
One good eye scanned the scene; he whipped out his sword.
"Cheolgeom! What the hell?!"
I couldn't help a scoffing laugh.
Anyone'd think I jumped innocent guys.
"What? Test-driving my new daggers."
"Know who I am?! I'm from Sahw—"
Shing! Slash!
Before he finished—
I kicked off, swinging Cheolgeom.
His head sailed clean off, mouth still flapping cluelessly.
Splurt!
Body sprayed crimson, crashing back.
I shook blood from the blade and clack—sheathed it.
"Sahwangryeon, my ass."
This was the jianghu.
Survival of the fittest. Kill or be killed.
If I'd been weaker than One-Eyed, I'd be dead back at the Monghwan Lou. Weaker than headless? I'd be the one on the ground today.
No room for modern squeamishness over killing.
"That's me."
As I moved to mount up—
Something on the ground caught the sunset, glinting.
Dropped by the last guy, probably.
I picked up the shiny object, curious.