Chapter 19
Chapter 19
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 19
Chapter Title: The Crimson Gang Leader's Fall
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Yeo Un-jeok quietly gazed at Baek Yang-hui.
"Young master. Someone of the Crimson Gang leader's stature would travel with escorts. Attacking him alone would be impossible."
"Don't kill him. No matter how wicked he is, he's the father of the man Rang-rang noona loves."
"This old man has learned a fair bit of martial arts, but my skills are nothing special."
"Crippling his dantian would be ideal. That way, Brother Gu can become the Crimson Gang leader."
Yeo Un-jeok spoke words that sounded impossible, yet Baek Yang-hui nonchalantly listed his demands without a care.
Soon, Yeo Un-jeok let out a sigh.
"Young master. Why on earth do you think this old man could pull off something like that?"
"The other day when we exchanged blows, I could tell you showed me great mercy, elder."
"I have no idea what you're talking about. It's a misunderstanding."
Instead of replying right away, Baek Yang-hui flashed a sly smile.
'The first time we met, I didn't notice and let it slide... but the elder is hiding his true power.'
Baek Yang-hui was blessed with an innate sense for qi. He could read even the faintest traces leaking from others and roughly gauge the amount of inner energy stored in their dantian.
Combining that with their aura and other cues allowed him to predict an opponent's true strength with near-perfect accuracy.
But.
'It's too ordinary and unremarkable. As if deliberately concealed.'
The owner of a cultivation level even Baek Yang-hui's senses couldn't fathom.
That could only mean one thing.
"There's an old saying in the martial world: hide three-tenths of your strength. I simply assume you have some hidden aces up your sleeve as well, elder."
"......"
"If it's impossible, you don't have to do it. But if you succeed, it will pave the way for Rang-rang noona and the man she loves to spend a lifetime together."
"......"
Baek Yang-hui just smiled as he watched the silent Yeo Un-jeok.
The Crimson Gang and the Advance Teaching Gang. The Crimson Gang leader and Gu-ak. And finally, Yeo Un-jeok himself.
All the actors in this drama had assembled.
Now it was time for a grand performance.
"Oh, right."
Baek Yang-hui tossed out a casual remark to Yeo Un-jeok as if it had just occurred to him.
"This is after everything's wrapped up, but do you have any plans for a future residence?"
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ The Advance Teaching Gang launched a surprise attack on the Blue Serpent Gang. Just like when the Blue Serpent Gang had ambushed the Crimson Gang earlier—no prior declarations exchanged.
And there was one more difference from the clash between the Crimson Gang and the Blue Serpent Gang.
"Hey, did you hear? The Blue Serpent Gang is in total chaos."
"I did. They fought the Crimson Gang just the other day, and now they've been hit by the Advance Teaching Gang."
"That's not all. Every big and small gang out there is tearing into the Blue Serpent Gang."
Yeo Un-jeok had scattered hundreds of pages detailing the counters to the Blue Serpent Gang's signature martial arts throughout the markets.
Naturally, countless gangs had gotten their hands on them and harbored their own ulterior motives.
"Tch, after all their bullying, the Blue Serpent Gang is finally done for."
"You said it. Feels damn satisfying."
No one felt a shred of pity for the Blue Serpent Gang, whose destruction was all but sealed.
After all, among the four factions dominating Ak-an County, they were the worst offenders when it came to tyranny.
Time passed, and the Blue Serpent Gang's forces had dwindled to less than half.
That's when the Crimson Gang, which had stayed holed up despite the Blue Serpent Gang's relentless assaults, finally made their move.
"From this moment, we launch a full assault on the Blue Serpent Gang!"
The Crimson Gang leader gathered all his members and declared it, then threw everything he had at them.
He even secured support from alliances forged through his children's political marriages with gangs from other counties.
By then, the Blue Serpent Gang was a ragged mess full of holes.
Now it was just a fight over who got the juiciest chunks of meat.
Of course, the tide had turned toward a standoff between the Crimson Gang and the Advance Teaching Gang.
"Crimson Gang! You vultures dare muscle in after we've set the table!"
"We're just reclaiming the businesses the Blue Serpent Gang stole from us through cowardly means!"
A confrontation fueled by each side's justifications. In truth, justifications meant little.
For those in the unorthodox path, raw power was the ultimate arbiter.
[Message to Crimson Gang Leader Gu Cheol-hyo.] The Crimson Gang leader read the letter delivered by the Advance Teaching Gang's messenger, then snorted and crumpled it up.
In summary, it proposed that the leaders duel to the death to minimize casualties among their subordinates.
"That arrogant bastard has no idea of his place."
Originally, the Advance Teaching Gang leader and the Crimson Gang leader were considered evenly matched in skill.
But the Crimson Gang leader was confident he could crush the Advance Teaching Gang leader with ease.
He had gained enlightenment training in the improved Rock-Cleaving Axe Method his son Gu-ak had devised.
'You cocky fool, I'll split your skull in two.'
And the one who started this mess? He'd uncover their identity and bury an axe blade in their head too.
Even as the leader of a small unorthodox gang in one county, a boss was still a boss.
Crimson Gang leader Gu Cheol-hyo was aware of the enigmatic figure sowing discord by spreading the counters.
'He didn't expect my son to be a genius who could counter those counters. I'll have my revenge.'
With that, the Crimson Gang leader set out for the agreed duel site, accompanied by four escorts and subordinates.
And that's precisely when Yeo Un-jeok made his appearance.
"Old man, if you don't want to die, get lost."
One of the Crimson Gang leader's escorts shouted.
Yet Yeo Un-jeok stood blocking the path, his eyes deep and piercing.
He moved the moment the Crimson Gang leader gestured to one of his men.
Slash-!
The escort swung his axe at Yeo Un-jeok on command, but his head was cleanly severed.
No bladed weapon was visible in Yeo Un-jeok's hands, yet the cut on the neck was flawlessly smooth.
"Crimson Gang leader Gu Cheol-hyo."
The instant he heard Yeo Un-jeok's voice, Gu Cheol-hyo thought of the grim reaper.
He sensed imminent death.
Gu Cheol-hyo, who had clawed his way from back-alley scraps to lead a gang over decades, relied on his instincts.
"Kill that old bastard! All of you!"
He barked the order and immediately retreated.
But.
Slash! Slash! Slash!
Four slicing sounds. And in an instant, Yeo Un-jeok blocked Gu Cheol-hyo's path.
"Considering what you've done... it's almost a pity."
Truth be told, for what he'd done to his daughter, tearing him limb from limb over twelve hours straight wouldn't be enough.
But.
'That clever, spirited child wanted it this way...'
"You'll live the rest of your life in regret."
Gu Cheol-hyo didn't even hear the words to the end.
Intense pain erupted from his lower abdomen, and he lost consciousness.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Ever since the unorthodox gangs ruling Ak-an County erupted into all-out war, the people had lived in fear for quite some time.
How could they not, when blood and battles broke out daily in the pleasure houses where they unwound after work or the inns where they grabbed a bite when hunger struck?
Still, there were clear upsides.
'Wow, the streets are spotless now.'
Ak-an County's streets always had at least a couple of swaggering unorthodox thugs no matter the hour.
But now, there was none of that displeasure.
Dozens of large and small bloodbaths over the past two months had mobilized and wiped out even the third-rate rabble.
'Give it time, and more will slink back out.'
But not in Ak-an County.
He planned to make sure of that himself.
Whistling, Baek Yang-hui headed to the Lake Shadow Tower.
"Welcome, young master."
An eight-year-old boy entering a pleasure house might raise eyebrows, but the guard at the entrance bowed politely to Baek Yang-hui.
For good reason—the guard was a retainer of the Baek Clan Manor.
"Young master Hui. Your guest is in the Blue Tiger Room on the third floor."
"Got it. Keep up the good work."
Pride shone on the guard's face. He'd trained hard in martial arts and was putting it to use—naturally gratifying.
Most people disliked work, but proper labor benefited body and mind.
Chucking softly, Baek Yang-hui ascended to the third floor.
"Brother Gu. Your little brother has arrived."
"Ah. You're here."
Gu-ak, who had been drinking with an uneasy air, glanced at Baek Yang-hui.
'The wine bottles... already four empty ones.'
"Little brother. You must've heard the rumors since you called me here."
Baek Yang-hui nodded.
"I've heard about the dire straits your father is in. Truly regrettable."
"Skip that. Is that all you know?"
"I also know your brothers from the political marriages are scheming to seize the leadership by bringing in outside forces."
Ah, and he'd heard through Yeo Un-jeok that the Advance Teaching Gang was eyeing the cracks for an opening.
In short, the Crimson Gang was a total mess right now.
"Yes... I figured you'd know, little brother. So why summon me in such busy times?"
His somber expression hid a glimmer of expectation.
Baek Yang-hui met Gu-ak's gaze evenly.
"Brother Gu. You're under collective pressure from your brothers right now, aren't you?"
The only successor to reach first-rate realm.
"Correct. Do you have a plan to resolve it? To be honest, I need your wits now more than ever. Respond to my trust, and I'll reward you."
"Brother Gu."
"Speak."
"Who do you think I am?"
"You're the young master of the Baek Clan Manor."
"And on top of that?"
"...?"
"Peerless genius. Once-in-a-century prodigy. The world's greatest talent. That's me, Brother Gu."
It was an utterly arrogant and brazen declaration, but instead of his usual dumbfounded look, Gu-ak appeared intrigued.
"So you're saying you have a way?"
"Simple. Kill all your brothers and become the Crimson Gang leader."
"...Is that it?"
"Yes. Don't worry about escort numbers or aftermath. You know it's feasible when all factors are considered."
"......"
Gu-ak couldn't refute it. Baek Yang-hui was right.
Escorts? Ambush them properly prepared, and it was done.
Attacks from allied external gangs with justification? Join under a major unorthodox sect afterward.
But the reason Gu-ak couldn't was simple.
"You hate fratricide? Rang-rang noona would be scared. And you're not the type to be that ruthless anyway."
"......"
Gu-ak fell silent again, unable to deny it.
In contrast, Baek Yang-hui's tone stayed light.
"Then it's easy. Give it all up and join the Baek Clan Manor."
Gu-ak's eyes widened.
"What are you saying? To me, a direct heir of an unorthodox gang—no, beyond that?"
"Does it hurt your pride?"
"You know that's not it. I've built up karma living as one of the unorthodox."
Of course he knew. Absorbing Gu-ak would give Baek Mu-ryang and Han Seok-eon headaches for a while.
But.
"I told you, Brother Gu. No matter what, I'll make sure you and Rang-rang noona can grow old together. I staked my neck on it."
Gu-ak remembered Baek Yang-hui wagering his inner energy on those words.
But he hadn't imagined it would take this form.
"...Little brother. Do you trust me?"
Gu-ak's question carried layers of meaning.
Baek Yang-hui answered with one word.
"You didn't use the poison bombs."
Dozens of poison bombs looted from the Blue Serpent Gang's hideout.
Even when the Crimson Gang was cornered by the Blue Serpent Gang's onslaught, Gu-ak hadn't deployed them.
Poison bombs inevitably caused massive collateral damage beyond just killing enemies.
'Gu-ak can walk a different path. His heart isn't twisted.'
"Come to the Baek Clan. Wash away the black stains and don white robes. For Rang-rang noona's sake, at least—become a partner she won't be ashamed of."
Finishing, Baek Yang-hui grinned cheekily. Gu-ak watched him in silence.
"......"
It was his usual brazen, sly smile, but for some reason.
To Gu-ak's eyes, it seemed more trustworthy than any expression before.