Chapter 143
Chapter 143
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 143
Chapter Title: Black Mirror Gang Leader
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The Black Mirror Gang Leader growled.
"You little punk, you've got some balls, huh."
"Eh, I've heard that one a lot."
"Haven't you even learned respect for your elders?"
"Respect? Oh, respect! Respect is important. In that spirit, how about we introduce ourselves?"
Yang-hui turned to his companions and waved playfully.
"What are you guys doing? Say hello."
"......I'm Dang-gun, Young Lord of the Tang Clan."
"Zhuge Seol-ha of the Zhuge Clan, at your service."
"I'm Adu!"
"By the way, he's a Shaolin monk."
They were receiving greetings from none other than members of the Tang Clan, Zhuge Clan, and Shaolin itself.
No matter how divided black and white paths were, it was only proper to respond.
"I am Gu Yang-bu, Leader of the Black Mirror Gang. The world calls me the Bristly Spear."
True to his moniker, a massive spear with a thick tip hung across his back.
"Your turn, kid."
"Baek Yang-hui, eldest young master of the Heaven-Covering Baek Clan of Gangseo! But you already knew that, so why ask?"
"......Are you serious?"
Yang-hui snorted derisively at the Black Mirror Gang Leader's incredulous expression.
"The ancient sages said that those who lack propriety and decorum are but half-formed humans. A black path brute like you, nitpicking over empty rituals? Figures."
Tension crept across Dang-gun's face. Charging straight into enemy territory was nerve-wracking enough—what was he thinking, provoking them like this?
-Hwi, my brother, shouldn't we tone it down right now?
-It's fine, it's fine. This is how you treat the Black Mirror Gang Leader.
He didn't change his tune even after the mental message.
"You know all about respect, yet you scam and prey on the common folk?"
"......"
The kid's cheeky banter twisted the gang leader's facial muscles in rage, but instead of retorting, he chose silence.
Just as expected.
'He's a bad guy, sure, but not a shameless one.'
Among villains, some don't even realize their deeds are evil, or feel no shame. Others know full well but do it for their goals or greed.
You might think the latter are worse, but reality says otherwise. Those who know better at least show some mercy in their strikes.
The Black Mirror Gang Leader was that type.
A scumbag who deserved extermination, but one self-aware enough to feel shame for being a dog.
"So, what's it gonna be? Fight us, capture us as hostages, or talk nicely?"
The gang leader hardened his face but eyed Yang-hui deeply.
Know thyself and thy enemy—his gaze sought to gauge the man.
"Staring like that gonna tell you anything? Let's talk and size each other up."
"Fine. Speak. If it's bullshit, I'll move then. No rush."
Acting superior since he held the advantage?
For real talk, positions needed to be equal.
"Nah, even if you move, you can't take hostages."
"Already bullshit?"
"Hear me out. I'll explain."
"Don't wag that tongue long. Even short dog barks grate on the nerves."
"Woof woof!"
-Hwi-bro! I don't wanna die!
-Kyaak, senior brother! You just crossed the line big time!
-Told you, it's fine. Trust me.
He quietly awaited the gang leader's reaction.
Thankfully, Dang-gun and Zhuge Seol-ha saw no berserk orders to slaughter them all.
-Brother Dang-gun. Didn't expect such patience from a black path greeting.
-Whoa, he's holding it in.
"One chance. Give me a reason with that loose tongue why I should let you walk nicely."
"Black Mirror Gang Leader, you don't want this mess to blow up. Taking hostages gives the Tang Clan, Zhuge Clan, and Shaolin an excuse to intervene."
An absurd look. Gesturing to go on.
But he'd already hit the mark.
The guy was nailed.
"Am I right?"
"I could kill you all and wipe you out."
"What if we told our clans?"
"......"
As the gang leader fell silent, Yang-hui sorted his thoughts.
'Black Mirror Gang Leader doesn't want the conflict to escalate. That Namgung Cheon-hu bastard wasn't feeding him intel as a spy after all.'
No, too early for certainty.
So, dig deeper.
That's why he'd come all the way to the main base.
"If the Namgung Clan hadn't joined us. If it was just Gangseo's white and black paths clashing. Victory would be yours."
"You know it well."
Objectively, black paths dominated Gangseo martial world.
The overlord Black Mirror Gang naturally wanted no outside meddling.
Especially with white path pushing some Heaven-Covering whatever alliance for justification.
'Even so, I'd have won in the end.'
With past-life knowledge and built strength fully deployed, he was confident.
It was the optimal scenario he'd planned when White Gate provoked first.
Though that board was gone now.
"White path chickens always the same. Preach upright justice from their mouths, but cluster up when losing. You cowards dragged in the Namgung Clan."
Misunderstanding. They didn't call; Namgung barged in offering help.
"Hey, how about we team up and massacre the Namgung first?"
-Hwi-bro!
-Senior brother! Line crossed again!
"Kidding."
"......"
The absurd remark was to probe the gang leader's reaction.
This guy definitely hadn't allied with Namgung.
Probably hadn't even gotten a letter.
'Could be cultivated composure hiding emotions.'
To distinguish, he'd paused before calling it a joke.
If linked to Namgung, he'd question the proposal.
Someone needing max intel wouldn't ignore a probe unless subconsciously deeming it worthless bullshit.
Like firmly believing Baek Clan wouldn't backstab Namgung.
Or another possibility.
'He thinks he has winning odds even with Namgung joined.'
That meant he'd allied with someone for sure.
"Honam? Honam, right?"
A crack appeared in the gang leader's stern face.
"Aha. Honam it is. Damn, you're quick. Already joined hands?"
"No idea what you mean."
"Dummy? So many things you don't know? Play dumb to every question, and no talk happens."
His temple twitched. The gang leader inhaled deeply, chest swelling, then exhaled.
"Little brother. Show minimum respect. If you really want to talk."
Address shifted from "kid" to "little brother."
First concession taken; time to ease the teasing.
One more direct jab instead.
"Black Mirror Gang Leader. Truth is, you don't care who takes Gangseo, right? As long as Gu River mouth and your base stay firmly yours."
Yang-hui's basis for guessing—no, certainty—was simple.
In his past life, Black Mirror Gang hadn't expanded in Gangseo.
White Gate freely wiping out Upright Moon Gate? All thanks to their indulgence.
If they'd eyed Gangseo, they wouldn't let a potential ally get destroyed.
'War itself impossible. Risked handing fisherman's gain to others.'
Unaware of regression, his unspoken truth was exposed.
Naturally, shock flickered in his expression.
"No clue what makes you think that. More wealth, more power—who hates that?"
"Gu River mouth has the Yangtze."
"......"
One phrase, and he was struck dumb like honey-mouthed.
"Peeling back secrets ain't polite. This much should suffice."
"......If you really saw through. You're a real demon."
"Heard that too sometimes. So, Black Mirror Gang Leader. One question."
"Ask. But I reserve right to answer."
He bristled with caution.
Clearly planning careful words.
'Hm. With Honam confirmed, too much wariness might backfire.'
"If you're that stiff, gotta yield a move. Change question. Ever get any proposal from Namgung Clan?"
Brief puzzled look, then furrowed brows.
He grasped the implication.
Baek Clan hadn't sought Namgung aid, didn't trust them.
"That's two moves, not one? Be honest."
"How do you know this ain't leaking info for counterplay?"
Gangseo top leader for a reason.
Bear-like bulk, but sharp mind.
Yang-hui just shrugged.
His reactions and answers yielded much intel anyway.
"Fair. This gang received no contact from Namgung."
"Cool. Business done. We're out."
"You believe me?"
Talk over; poke again.
"Like I got spare trust for black path scum. I trust the situation."
"......"
"Later. Oh, gonna take hostages? Warn me. I'll let you without struggle."
The gang leader stayed silent long.
Deep deliberation.
Final words.
"Others maybe not, but you? Gotta kill."
Eh? Didn't see that coming.
As Yang-hui slyly eyed escape routes.
"Go. But remember one thing. You owe me a debt."
Feels need to kill, yet lets go and mentions debt.
One meaning.
'Black Mirror Gang Leader doesn't trust his allies either.'
Leaves room for alliances.
"Debt noted. One more. Which Honam sect?"
"Alliance already fact?"
"No games between insiders."
"Hyeong Mountain Sect."
That instant.
Yang-hui's face hardened.
Black Mirror Gang Leader gripped his spear in stance, aura of destruction pouring out.
"What have you done, you bastard!"
"......"
No reply.
Yang-hui's face was stone-hard, yet grinning ferociously.
"Hyeong Mountain Sect, huh."
He recalled his father's death in past life.
Four years from now, Honam scum finally clawing into Gangseo—their faces.
What Hyeong Mountain Sect bastards did, deserving guts ripped and chewed.
'Hyeong Mountain Yin Blood...!'
"Hahaha, boasting of righteousness alone—truly pathetic!"
"Among all hypocrites I know, you're the worst trash, Peerless Righteous Helper!"
"Hyeong Mountain Sect."
Yang-hui repeated.
Killing intent thick in his tone.
[Heaven-Defying Life Swap, the reverse heaven's flow changes the yoke] [Return to Correct Flow, correct it and let it flow rightly] [Return and Fulfill Wish, return and achieve what you desire] ⟨ Return and Fulfill Wish ⟩
The voice heard defying time.
Return and Fulfill Wish, it said.
He would.
Devour them all.