Chapter 28

28.

A Destiny to Be Beaten Just Enough

Black Cat Clan.

The Black Cat Clan Leader, wearing a black rabbit mask with only eyeholes, sat at the head of the table and spoke.

"Byeok Chief Manager, any news on Geumbong Kakju?"

"We found a safehouse he hadn't disclosed to us. Judging by the circumstances, it seems he was resting there when he was attacked and buried in the ground. There were no other bodies, and the ground was littered with signs of a fight with a master. It seems he died without much resistance."

The Black Cat Clan Leader asked, "What about the rest of his men?"

"It seems only Geumbong Kakju is dead."

"If only the Kakju is dead, why haven't the others returned?"

"The rest were captured by a man named Lee Jaha in Ilyang Prefecture."

The Black Cat Clan Leader looked around and said, "Who is this Lee Jaha? I've never heard of him."

The executives didn't respond immediately, bowing their heads slightly as if to apologize.

"Speak."

"He's said to be a Shop Assistant in Ilyang Prefecture."

A suffocating silence descended for a moment.

"…A Shop Assistant?"

The Black Cat Clan Leader lifted his mask as if frustrated.

The executives lowered their heads to avoid looking directly at the Clan Leader's face.

"We apologize, Clan Leader."

The Black Cat Clan Leader, with displeasure evident on his face, said, "There's no way an executive of the Black Cat Clan could be beaten to death by a Shop Assistant. Is there a possibility he's another of the Twelve Divine Generals?"

"I don't think so. The owner of the House of pleasure who was planning to establish a small sect in Ilyang Prefecture was also killed by that Shop Assistant, and his brothers as well."

"Is it a master from another region posing as a Shop Assistant?"

"He's said to be a Shop Assistant who originally lived there."

"What was Geumbong Kakju's skill level?"

"He was ranked ninth."

"For a guy who only handled money, he was quite high. Does that mean there's a high probability that you'll fail even if you go?"

The executives answered in unison.

"Send me."

"Clan Leader, I will take care of it for sure."

The Black Cat Clan Leader remained silent, not issuing an immediate order.

Meanwhile, Geumryong Pavilion Lord So Gun-pyeong, who was at the end of the line, remained silent.

The Black Cat Clan Leader watched So Gun-pyeong.

This guy was an annoying subordinate who never stepped forward first.

The Black Cat Clan's power was originally absorbed by Daenachal and given to his disciple, so the mental bond between superiors and subordinates was not strong.

Only when the Black Cat Clan Leader put his mask back on did the executives breathe a sigh of relief.

One subordinate belatedly reported, "Clan Leader, while investigating the Geumbong Kakju's disappearance, we discovered that the Kakju had been embezzling funds. It seems Lee Jaha took that ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠money and brought it to Ilyang Prefecture."

The Black Cat Clan Leader glared at his subordinates with a murderous look.

"Embezzlement?"

"Yes."

The Black Cat Clan Leader realized how much these subordinates had been deceiving him. In fact, it was a mistake to entrust the affairs of the Clan entirely to these executives, as he had been focusing solely on Martial arts training. If he continued ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠to operate like this, there was a high possibility that his master would take it all back.

The executive who reported spoke in a serious tone.

"If you send me to Ilyang Prefecture, I will deal with the Shop Assistant and perfectly recover the embezzled funds."

However, the Black Cat Clan Leader's eyes were fixed on So Gun-pyeong, who had been keeping his mouth shut since earlier.

"You're dismissed. So Kakju."

So Gun-pyeong replied in a calm tone, "Yes, Clan Leader."

"Why do you always keep your mouth shut when things like this happen?"

"Everyone said they would go, so I remained silent."

"I've heard that So Kakju has been training very hard lately."

"My training is the same as usual."

"If you fought Geumbong Kakju, with whom you didn't have a good relationship, how many moves would it take to subdue him? I know that So Kakju's skills are superior."

So Gun-pyeong paused for a moment.

His rival, Geumbong Kakju, was not a great Martial arts master, but he held the same position within the Black Cat Clan.

However, the gap in Martial arts skill was significant.

Geumryong Kakju was a guy whose head was full of money, while he was focused solely on Martial arts training, so comparing them was unpleasant.

So Gun-pyeong estimated that Geumbong Kakju would be enough for Tea Time. However, he decided that it was better to thoroughly hide his skills within the Clan, so he replied, "I don't know without fighting, but I think I'm definitely ahead."

"If he took the money to Ilyang Prefecture instead of embezzling it elsewhere, it means he's confident no matter who comes from the Black Cat Clan. I want to see So Kakju's skills this time."

So Gun-pyeong replied, "I understand."

"As you know, the opponent is a Shop Assistant. If you fail…"

"Yes."

"Take your own life. But if you succeed, I will entrust you with Geumbong Kakju's work as well."

At these words, So Gun-pyeong briefly raised his head and glared at the eyes behind the Black Cat Clan Leader's mask.

'Is he serious? Is he telling me to die?'

As soon as So Gun-pyeong saw the Black Cat Clan Leader's eyes, he knew he was serious. It was difficult to control his expression, so he lowered his head and replied, "If I lose, I'll die anyway. Then I'll do that, Clan Leader."

Unlike his words, So Gun-pyeong had no intention of committing suicide.

Just as So Gun-pyeong decided that he needed to consult with his subordinates, the Black Cat Clan Leader continued, "Don't go noisily, go alone and take care of it."

This order was unexpected for So Gun-pyeong.

"Yes?"

"Is there any need to go noisily to deal with a Shop Assistant? If you're not confident, I'll send someone else."

So Gun-pyeong replied in a reluctant tone, "It's not that I'm not confident. Then I'll do that."

"If So Kakju is defeated by the Shop Assistant and doesn't return, I will personally go and take revenge. Don't be careless."

The Black Cat Clan Leader gave this order, but he himself continued to wonder about the Shop Assistant's identity.

'Are the Twelve Divine Generals playing tricks? ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠There's no one who would do that right now.'

The Black Cat Clan Leader carefully examined the expressions of his subordinates from behind his mask.

Perhaps because it was a power that his master had seized by force, building a bond with these subordinates was more difficult than training in Martial arts.

The Black Cat Clan Leader waved his hand and said, "You may leave."

"Yes, Clan Leader."

Until everyone disappeared, Geumryong Pavilion Lord So Gun-pyeong remained alone in the main hall, looking around the Black Cat Clan.

'So this is what they call being a hunted dog.'

He wanted to spit on the floor, but So Gun-pyeong barely suppressed his feelings.

* * *

I was still holed up in the House of pleasure, repeatedly training.

Because the entire Ilyang Prefecture had been quiet, days continued where it wouldn't be strange for something to happen soon.

My daily life was monotonous.

Training, meditation, walking, eating, training, sleeping, meditation, and then walking again.

I usually ate at Chunyang Restaurant, so after taking a walk around Ilyang Prefecture, I would invariably head to Chunyang Restaurant.

Perhaps because it was early evening, there was only one unfamiliar man as a customer.

Jang Deuk-su placed a bowl of noodles in front of the customer, then looked at me with a nervous expression.

"It's been a while. What can I get you?"

"Today, not rice soup, but some spicy noodles. Make it spicy."

"Spicy, got it."

I sat down at an empty seat and looked at the man wearing black clothes.

It's a strange thing to say, but guys who like black clothes have a high probability of getting beaten by me.

This man, whom I was seeing for the first time in Ilyang Prefecture, had a uniquely shaped Curved Blade on the table.

As far as I could tell in an extremely short moment, the man's skills seemed quite good.

'Wow…'

Only then did I realize what the man's Curved Blade was.

I didn't know the man's face, but I had heard about that unique Curved Blade many times.

'Who would have thought? It's Heukdo's Three Hundred Cycles.'

Three Hundred Cycles doesn't refer to the amount of Inner energy, but a nickname given because of his long lifespan.

It was a nickname inspired by the name of Dongbangsak of Three Thousand Cycles, who lived a very long time. He's a nobody now, but later he's a man who's treated as a big shot in Heukdo, was suddenly eating noodles at Chunyang Restaurant.

The man slurped up the noodles and called out to Jang Deuk-su, who was in the kitchen.

"Hey, owner."

Jang Deuk-su replied from the kitchen, "Yes, do you need anything else?"

"I heard there's a guy named Lee Jaha in this neighborhood, where can I meet him?"

Jang Deuk-su hesitated before answering.

"Ah… that guy? I don't know. I haven't seen him lately."

"Why? What happened?"

"Ah, that guy causes so many accidents. I think he might have run away somewhere far. But why are you looking for Lee Jaha? Should I ask around?"

As expected of the leader of Shop Gate.

Even though I was sitting across from the man, Jang Deuk-su was very nonchalant in saying that I hadn't been seen lately.

I stared intently at the man who was called Three Hundred Cycles.

"…"

The man suddenly smiled and said, "Lee Jaha is right in front of me, and you're blatantly lying. They say there are a lot of crazy guys in Ilyang Prefecture, and it's living up to its name."

No sound was heard from the kitchen anymore.

"…"

In the midst of the silence, Jang Deuk-su reached for the pot lid. He was thinking of ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠using the pot lid to block any hidden weapons that might suddenly fly at him.

The man who was called Three Hundred Cycles ate his noodles and asked me, "Shop Assistant, do you know who I am?"

He probably thought that I wouldn't recognize his identity.

Unfortunately, I am the informant of the Low Filth Sect, the prophet of the Low Filth Sect, the leader of the Low Filth Sect, the designer of the Low Filth Sect, and a person who knows the future clearly.

In particular, I know most of the identities of those who are currently famous in the Martial World, or those who will become famous in the future. From the beginning, I was very interested in Martial World people, even when I was working as a Shop Assistant or a gravedigger.

I replied in an indifferent tone, "You're So Gun-pyeong of the Black Cat Clan, you son of a bitch. Why do you keep talking down to me?"

"…!"

So Gun-pyeong had a surprised expression, like someone who had been caught stealing something. In fact, guessing the Black Cat Clan wasn't difficult, but he couldn't help but be surprised that I had even guessed his name.

So Gun-pyeong, who had been hunted dog and arrived alone in Ilyang Prefecture, asked with wide eyes, "Who are you?"

I stared at So Gun-pyeong.

I wonder if this guy knows that today he has faced the biggest crisis in his life from the destiny of being called 'Three Hundred Cycles'. Judging by the fact that he's still staring at me with a sassy look, he probably doesn't know yet.

So Gun-pyeong, curious about my identity, asked again, "I asked what your identity is."

"I'm Lee Jaha. Lee Jaha is a Shop Assistant. That's my identity. You came all the way here and you're asking me what my identity is, is this a Zen riddle? Or, perhaps, is it a profound question about what my essence is? If so, I don't know. It's such a profound question that I need to think about it. Who am I?"

"Crazy bastard."

In the meantime, So Gun-pyeong slurped up the rest of his noodles. He had the attitude that he had to finish his noodles even if the world was collapsing.

I said to the silent kitchen, "Owner, are those spicy noodles still far off? I'm hungry."

Jang Deuk-su, who was holding the pot lid tightly like a shield, frowned.

'That bastard is about to die and he's looking for a spicy taste.'

Jang Deuk-su hesitated before replying, "…We're out of noodles. Customer."

"Owner, are you going to run your business like that?"

So Gun-pyeong chuckled and laughed.

"This is a funny neighborhood."

I corrected So Gun-pyeong's words.

"This isn't a funny neighborhood. I'm planning to make sure Heukdo can't even set foot here in the future."

So Gun-pyeong rinsed his mouth with water and spat it on the floor.

"You can say that kind of bullshit after you beat me. Owner, the bill."

Jang Deuk-su, thinking that he might die while receiving the money, replied from the kitchen, "Oh my, what bill? I'm glad you enjoyed the meal. I didn't recognize you earlier and made a few jokes, so please be generous, hero."

So Gun-pyeong smiled.

"I have to pay the bill. It's okay, come out here."

I snorted.

"Stay in the kitchen."

Jang Deuk-su replied to my words in a reluctant tone, "Sh-should I?"

Only then did So Gun-pyeong's gaze stick to me.

But unlike the actions of Heukdo that I had often seen, So Gun-pyeong took out money from his pocket and placed it neatly on the table.

Anyway, he was a guy who paid for his meal.

I wonder if this guy knows his destiny.

That because of this meal, his destiny has changed from being beaten to death to being beaten just enough…