Chapter 83 – One Strike, One Kill (1)
The person entering the Alliance Leader’s hall was Yeom Hwa.
True to his alias “The Slaughterer,” he looked like a huge, ferocious beast. His build was enormous, and his muscles were as hard as rocks.
From his slanted eyes to his protruding cheekbones and his irritable-looking lower jaw, his nacing appearance was so frightening that even looking at him was uncomfortable.
There was still an unhealed wound on his chest. It was from Ho Yeon-nam’s surprise attack, and he had left it as it was, saying it was shaful to apply dicine and wrap it in bandages.
But even this beast-like man who reeked of festering wounds acted like a well-trained hunting dog in front of Ma Bong-gi.
“If we let this slide, the martial arts world will look down on our Heavenly Blade Sect.”
“Didn’t you already kill Ho Yeon-nam?”
“That’s not enough.”
“Then?”
“We need to kill everyone who was there that day. Only then will they never dare to look down on our sect again.”
Hearing this, Commander-in-Chief Sima Cheon , who was listening from the side, made an incredulous expression.
Yeom Hwa glared at him. Sima Cheon t his gaze without backing down. Normally, one shouldn’t act this way towards the Commander-in-Chief of the Martial Arts Alliance, but Yeom Hwa was soone who feared nothing.
Ma Bong-gi smiled and said,
“I hear their disciple committed suicide, and they’re causing an uproar saying you should be punished instead?”
“Weaklings deserve to die.”
“Hahaha.”
Ma Bong-gi laughed loudly.
“Go back for now.”
“Understood.”
After Yeom Hwa left the hall with a proud gait, Sima Cheon openly expressed his dissatisfaction.
“That man failed to complete his mission. He should be punished, yet he behaves so rudely?”
“He seems to be in a bad mood. He’ll be fine after a few days of coaxing.”
“Why do you trust him so much?”
“He’s skilled and doesn’t think much.”
“What?”
“Such people are rare in this martial world. Usually, as one’s skills improve, their mind works faster too.”
Ma Bong-gi’s gaze towards Sima Cheon sharpened.
“On the other hand, you think too much. If it were you, would you prefer a subordinate like yourself, or one like him who does whatever he’s told without thinking?”
For a mont, Sima Cheon was at a loss for words. It was an almost forced comparison, but the thought crossed his mind that he truly wouldn’t keep a subordinate like himself.
“Of course, I’d prefer a subordinate like . There are plenty of subordinates who just do as they’re told.”
Ma Bong-gi then laughed loudly.
“That’s right. No matter how much you think, you’re still in the palm of my hand. I’d choose you too. Hahaha.”
It was a laugh that made it impossible to tell if he really ant it or not.
“The public opinion in the martial arts world is not good. I think we should cover up this incident.”
“I understand.”
Sima Cheon left the Alliance Leader’s hall. Ma Bong-gi had changed since becoming the Alliance Leader. The once simple Ma Bong-gi no longer seed simple.
***
The intelligence organization was being rapidly established. Jin and Su, being excellent spies, worked quickly.
“We’re expanding our personnel with trustworthy individuals.”
“As long as the budget allows, recruit the most skilled spies and treat them well.”
“Don’t worry.”
I was already treating the two of them that way. Moreover, they were faithfully carrying out the tasks I had assigned them.
“Yeom Hwa t with the Alliance Leader and left.”
Jin and Su were monitoring the movents of the Martial Arts Alliance while simultaneously building the intelligence organization.
“He’s currently staying at the Wuhan First Inn with the Five Friends of the Heavenly Blade.”
The Wuhan First Inn was the sa inn where I had drunk with Gwang-du earlier. It was a famous place not far from the Martial Arts Alliance headquarters, known for its many guests.
“Why not rent a quiet estate?”
“Yeom Hwa has always disliked quiet places. He liked to reveal his presence in crowded places.”
“Good work. Be especially careful in your spy activities from now on.”
“Yes, we’ll keep that in mind.”
“Don’t forget. What’s important to is you, not the information.”
“Yes!”
I knew well that such words gave them great strength. Organizations don’t just run on their own.
I imdiately went to the Wuhan First Inn.
There was a crowd of people in front of the inn. They weren’t guests, but spectators.
“That’s the Slaughterer Yeom Hwa.”
“Oh! Look at that build.”
“They say he killed Ho Yeon-nam with one punch!”
Everyone was praising him. Of course, who would dare to criticize him when he was right in front of them?
Yeom Hwa was sitting in the center of the inn, drinking. The table was full of dishes, and he had already finished several bottles of alcohol.
The inn was empty. When he entered, everyone was surprised and went outside.
Thanks to this, he could drink arrogantly as if he had rented the entire inn.
The Five Friends of the Heavenly Blade were sitting diagonally around him in four directions. They had taken over the inn.
Trash.
That was my first impression. It was my usual belief that the higher one’s martial arts skills, the less harm they should cause to ordinary people.
Indeed, an action that proved my intuition correct followed.
At Yeom Hwa’s signal, First Friend, who was sitting in front, scattered silver coins in all directions.
“A gift from Great Hero Yeom to all of you!”
“Woooah!”
People started picking up the money that had fallen on the ground.
Watching this scene, the Slaughterer Yeom Hwa had an expression as if he were a king.
Disgusting bastard!
In that commotion, I saw.
A woman who, like , was watching Yeom Hwa rather than the money.
Surprisingly, it was Number Seven.
I truly never imagined I would et her here.
Feeling my gaze, she looked in my direction.
Our eyes t. She didn’t recognize . At that ti, I had been wearing a human skin mask, so this wasn’t the face she had seen.
Just as Number Seven was about to turn around and leave,
An angry voice ca from sowhere.
“You bastard! Don’t you fear the heavens?”
Everyone’s attention turned to that direction.
The person who had shouted was an old woman with white hair. She looked very tired, as if she had co from a long journey. But her eyes were filled with venom matching the anger in her voice.
A young woman was with her. The two looked so alike that anyone could tell they were blood relatives at a glance.
As I looked at the young woman, I felt like I had seen her sowhere before. She was definitely soone I had seen, but no matter how hard I tried to rember, I couldn’t place her.
First Friend, who had scattered the money, stepped forward.
“Who are you to speak such rude words?”
“I am Mae-rang[1]. Ho Yeon-tak, who died because of you, was my grandson.”
Surprisingly, she was Ho Yeon-tak’s grandmother. Everyone there was shocked by her appearance.
The most surprised person was . Hearing the na Mae-rang, I could recall a woman. She was soone I knew.
The reason the young woman with her looked familiar was because she looked exactly like Mae-rang in her youth.
I had lived in the sa village as Mae-rang when we were young, and she had liked , calling “big brother.” She said she would marry when she grew up.
Of course, I was busy roaming the martial arts world, and to , she was just a childish village sister.
Whenever I ca ho after that, I saw her, and she beca more beautiful each ti. But at that ti, I was so obsessed with martial arts that I had no interest in won.
Mae-rang too, after passing her adolescence, lost interest in .
Later, I heard news that she had fallen in love with a descendant of the Ho Yeon Clan who visited the village and married him. It seems Ho Yeon-tak must be her grandson.
I truly felt that fate was connected in such ways.
Mae-rang looked tired and exhausted, as if she had co from a long journey.
First Friend sneered and said,
“So you’re the grandmother of that weakling who committed suicide for failing to protect his master.”
“You bastard! Our Tak wasn’t a child who would commit suicide!”
Angered, Mae-rang swung her cane at First Friend. But First Friend easily dodged it. It wasn’t an attack, just an old person’s cane swing, but First Friend rcilessly pushed Mae-rang.
Before Mae-rang fell backwards, I stepped in and stopped her. Thanks to this, she didn’t hit the ground. If I hadn’t stopped her, she would have been seriously injured due to her frail body.
Mae-rang turned to look at .
“Thank you, young man.”
Seeing her up close, traces of her childhood remained on her face. She had truly been childish then, but now she had aged so much.
“Please stop.”
It was ant for Mae-rang, but First Friend coldly said,
“Who are you?”
He seed displeased that I had interfered in his business.
“Just a spectator.”
“Then keep spectating. Why are you rudely interfering in the affairs of elders?”
“Aren’t you also treating an elder rudely?”
At those words, a few people burst into laughter. But under First Friend’s nacing gaze, everyone lowered their heads.
Just as First Friend was about to approach , Yeom Hwa, who had been drinking at the back table, slamd the table with a bang. This caused alcohol and food to spill onto the floor.
“These days, my luck is truly savagely bad.”
He frowned and got up from his seat, going upstairs.
First Friend ca close to and warned quietly,
“You’ll regret this.”
I didn’t respond.
As the Five Friends of the Heavenly Blade followed Yeom Hwa upstairs, the spectators who had filled the place dispersed one by one. Number Seven’s figure was nowhere to be seen, having disappeared at so point.
The young woman ca to and bowed politely.
“Thank you so much for helping us. I’m Ho Yeon Suk-jeong[2].”
“I’m Byeok Ri-dan.”
“I won’t forget Hero Byeok’s help today.”
“It’s nothing.”
“Thank you, young man.”
“Take care.”
The two walked in the direction of the Martial Arts Alliance headquarters.
I was about to ask why they had co but stopped myself. I could guess. Judging from the earlier conversation, it seed they had co to the Martial Arts Alliance to reveal that Ho Yeon-tak’s death wasn’t suicide.
Would that be possible here, with Ma Bong-gi as the Alliance Leader?
I watched the two with so concern as I turned my steps.
***
I didn’t return straight to my lodgings but took a secluded path. I had noticed soone tailing .
After walking for a while, I stopped at a place where there were no people around. It was a good spot to check for observers, with no people around and open surroundings.
The person following had no choice but to reveal themselves.
It was First Friend from the Five Friends of the Heavenly Blade, with whom I had just had friction.
“Don’t tell you were tailing ?”
When I asked, pretending not to know, First Friend coldly said,
“Didn’t I tell you? That you’d regret it?”
“You’re truly hot-tempered. To follow right away like this.”
“I’ve never postponed killing soone.”
“You’re going to kill ? Why are you trying to kill ?”
When I asked, feigning surprise, he answered,
“You mocked in front of all those people. I’ve never let anyone who insulted live.”
“What insult did I give you?”
“You dared to step forward and run your mouth without any fear!”
“Is that all? You’re trying to kill soone for such a trivial reason?”
“What other reason do I need?”
I could tell how this person had lived until now. He must have lived exactly like this. rcilessly killing anyone who even slightly displeased him. Of course, he must have done it secretly like this.
Even if his cris were revealed, he would have slipped away like a loach, backed by the Heavenly Blade Sect.
Doing it once, twice, it becos a habit, and before you know it, you beco such a monster.
This ti, he mocked .
“Why did you risk your life for that old hag? In your next life, just watch. Understood? You idiot.”
“Does your master know you followed to kill ?”
“Do you think I report every ti I kill soone like you?”
“So you ca alone.”
There was no one visible around. Still, I raised my perception and scanned the surroundings. I thought Number Seven might be around, but fortunately, there was no one.
I revealed my true colors.
“If you’re soone who kills people for such trivial reasons, then I too have sufficient reason to kill you. Co on, say your greetings.”
“What nonsense are you spouting?”
“To a tree, grass, bird, anything is fine, say your farewell greetings. You should at least bid farewell to this world.”
Only then did First Friend understand my aning and made an incredulous expression.
“You crazy bastard! Hahaha.”
First Friend laughed loudly. I laughed along.
The mont the laughter stopped, he rushed towards . Drawing his sword in mid-air, he thrust sharply.
Swish!
It was truly a fast and accurate move.
If the opponent hadn’t been , it would have been a splendid move.
Whoosh, as I lightly dodged the incoming sword, I spun through the air like an acrobat and kicked him. He probably never imagined that soone skilled enough to dodge his sword would use such a technique.
Bang!
With one kick, there was a cracking sound of bones breaking, and First Friend staggered backwards.
“Urgh.”
His shoulder blade shattered, twisting his body to one side. Imdiately, his arm went limp and dangled.
Grimacing in severe pain, First Friend pleaded,
“W-wait! Urgh!”
It seems he’s finally grasped the situation.
I paused my attack for a mont and asked,
“Why?”
“I was wrong.”
“Your change of attitude is really quick. If only your sword had been this fast.”
“Please spare !”
“If I spare you? Will you go and bring everyone?”
“No, absolutely not.”
“A bastard who tries to kill people because his mood was ruined by a single word, you think I’d believe you’d just let it go after your shoulder was shattered? That’s too much, isn’t it?”
“Please spare ! I’ll do anything you want.”
I flew up and rcilessly kicked his chin.
Bang!
His jaw shattered, and he fell backwards.
With the montum from the flying kick, I smashed his face with the Thousand Jin Drop technique.
Thud!
His face was pulverized, and he died instantly.
I walked away with big strides, and when I was about twenty steps away, I turned towards the corpse.
My sword lightly cut through the air.
Swish!
Boom!
As the Three Moves Infinite Sword was unleashed, his corpse was shattered into pieces and disappeared without a trace.
Looking at what could no longer be called “him,” now just blood seeping into the ground, I spoke coldly.
“You asked what I wanted? Just disappear forever for the sake of this world.”
I didn’t look back again, and not even a flock of crows gathered at the empty place.
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