28. A Fate of Moderate Beatings
The leader of the Black Cat Gang, wearing a black rabbit mask with only his eyes visible, sat in the main seat and spoke.
"Wall Commander, what news of the Golden Phoenix Gang?"
"We have found a hidden residence that was not disclosed to us. Upon examining the situation, it seems that while resting there, the leader was ambushed and buried in the ground. There were no other bodies, only traces of a confrontation with a master scattered chaotically on the ground. It appears he died without much resistance."
The leader of the Black Cat Gang asked, "What about the other subordinates?"
"It seems only the leader of the Golden Phoenix Gang has died."
"Why are there no returning members if only the leader has died?"
"The others were captured by a man named Lee Jaha from Il Yang County."
The leader of the Black Cat Gang looked around and said, "Who is this Lee Jaha? This is the first I've heard of him."
The executives did not respond immediately, bowing their heads slightly as if to apologize.
"Speak up."
"They say he is a local master from Il Yang County."
A suffocating silence fell for a moment.
"…A local master?" The leader of the Black Cat Gang lifted his mask as if feeling frustrated.
The executives lowered their heads to avoid looking directly at the leader's face.
"I'm sorry, Leader."
The leader of the Black Cat Gang revealed his displeasure on his face and said, "A subordinate of the Black Cat Gang would not be easily killed by a local master. Is there a possibility he could be another kind of master?"
"I don't think so. The owner of the nearby sect who had planned to establish a small faction in Il Yang County was also killed by that local master, and all his brothers were beaten to death as well."
"Is a master from another region pretending to be a local master?"
"They say he is indeed a local master."
"What was the strength of the Golden Phoenix Gang's leader?"
"He is recorded as the ninth strongest."
"A person who only dealt with money was quite high up. Does that mean the chances of you succeeding are low if you go?"
The executives responded in unison, "Please let me go."
"Leader, I will handle it decisively and return."
The leader of the Black Cat Gang kept his mouth shut without giving an immediate order.
Meanwhile, a subordinate named Shao Junping, who was sitting at the end, remained silent.
The leader of the Black Cat Gang fixed his gaze on Shao Junping.
This fellow was always the last to step forward, which was quite annoying.
The Black Cat Gang's power was originally absorbed by a great master and handed down to his disciples, so there was not much of a spiritual bond between the upper and lower ranks.
Once the leader put his mask back on, the executives finally breathed a sigh of relief.
One subordinate reported late, "Leader, while investigating the disappearance of the Golden Phoenix Gang's leader, we discovered that he had embezzled funds. It seems that Lee Jaha took that money and brought it to Il Yang County."
The leader of the Black Cat Gang glared at his subordinates with a fierce gaze.
"Embezzlement?"
"Yes."
The leader of the Black Cat Gang felt he could finally understand how much these subordinates had deceived him all this time.
In fact, he had focused solely on martial arts training, leaving all matters of the gang to these executives, which was a mistake.
Operating this way would likely lead to the master reclaiming control.
The reporting executive spoke in a serious tone.
"If you send me to Il Yang County, I will deal with the local master and perfectly recover the embezzled funds."
However, the leader of the Black Cat Gang's eyes were fixed on Shao Junping, who had been keeping his mouth tightly shut since earlier.
"You are out. Shao Junping."
Shao Junping replied in a calm tone, "Yes, Leader."
"Why do you always keep quiet during such matters?"
"Everyone else said they would go, so I remained silent."
"I heard recently that you have been training very diligently."
"My training is the same as usual."
"If you fought against the leader of the Golden Phoenix Gang, who had a poor relationship with you, how many exchanges would it take to subdue him? I naturally assume your skills are superior."
Shao Junping fell into thought for a moment.
The leader of the Golden Phoenix Gang was not a formidable opponent, but within the Black Cat Gang, their positions were equal.
However, the gap in martial arts skills was significant.
The leader of the Golden Phoenix Gang was a fool only concerned with money, while he focused solely on martial arts training, making any comparison unpleasant.
Shao Junping estimated that dealing with the leader of the Golden Phoenix Gang would take about the time it takes to drink a cup of tea.
However, he decided it was better to keep his true skills hidden even within the gang, so he replied, "I wouldn't know without fighting, but I believe I would definitely come out on top."
"If he took the money to Il Yang County instead of diverting it elsewhere, it means he is confident that anyone from the Black Cat Gang would fail. I want to see your skills, Shao Junping."
Shao Junping replied, "Understood."
"The opponent is a local master. If you fail…"
"Yes."
"Take your own life. However, if you succeed, I will entrust you with the matters of the Golden Phoenix Gang."
At these words, Shao Junping briefly raised his head and glared at the eyes behind the leader's mask. 'Is he serious? Telling me to kill myself?'
As soon as he saw the leader's gaze, he realized it was sincere.
It was hard to maintain his expression, so he lowered his head and replied, "If I lose, I will die anyway. Then I will do as you say, Leader."
Despite what he said, Shao Junping had no intention of committing suicide.
Just as he was thinking he needed to consult with his subordinates, the leader of the Black Cat Gang continued, "Do not make a fuss and go handle it alone."
This command was unexpected for Shao Junping.
"What?"
"Is there a need to make noise when dealing with a local master? If you are not confident, I will send someone else."
Shao Junping replied in a reluctant tone, "I am not lacking in confidence. Then I will do as you say."
"If you happen to be defeated by the local master and do not return, I will personally go and take revenge. Do not let your guard down."
The leader of the Black Cat Gang issued this command while continuing to wonder about the identity of the local master. 'Is the Twelve Divine Masters playing tricks? There shouldn't be anyone like that right now.'
The leader of the Black Cat Gang carefully observed the expressions of his subordinates behind the mask.
Perhaps because the power was taken by force from the master, building a bond with these subordinates was more difficult than training martial arts.
The leader waved his hand and said, "You may leave."
"Yes, Leader."
Until everyone had disappeared, Shao Junping remained alone in the great hall, looking around the Black Cat Gang. 'So this is what they call being discarded after use.'
He felt like spitting on the ground, but he managed to suppress his feelings.
I continued to shut myself in the sect and repeated my training.
The entire Il Yang County had been quiet lately, so it wouldn’t be strange if something happened soon.
My daily life was monotonous: training, meditation, walking, eating, training, sleeping, meditating, and then walking again.
Most meals were taken care of at Chunyang Restaurant, so after finishing a walk around Il Yang County, I would invariably head to Chunyang Restaurant.
Since it was early evening, there was only one unfamiliar man as a customer.
Zhang Deshu placed a bowl of noodles in front of the customer and looked at me with a tense expression.
"It's been a while. What can I get you?"
"Today, I want something spicy, not rice soup. Make it hot."
"Spicy, understood."
I sat down and looked at the man dressed in black.
It was a strange thought, but those who liked to wear black clothes had a high chance of getting beaten by me.
This man, whom I was seeing for the first time in Il Yang County, had placed a uniquely shaped curved knife on the table.
In a fleeting moment, I could tell that the man's skills seemed quite good.
'Wow…' It was then that I realized what the man's curved knife was.
I did not know the man's face, but I had heard about that peculiar curved knife several times.
'So it’s him.
The Three Hundred Years of Black Dao.'
The Three Hundred Years of Black Dao was not a measure of internal energy but a nickname given due to his long lifespan.
It was inspired by the nickname of Dongfang Shak, who lived for three thousand years.
He was now an inconspicuous person, but later he would be treated as a significant figure in the Black Dao, unexpectedly eating noodles at Chunyang Restaurant.
He slurped the noodles loudly and called out to Zhang Deshu in the kitchen.
"Hey, owner."
Zhang Deshu replied from the kitchen, "Yes, is there anything else you need?"
"I heard there’s a guy named Lee Jaha in this town. Where can I meet him?"
Zhang Deshu hesitated before answering.
"Ah… that guy? Well, I haven't seen him around lately."
"Why? Is something going on?"
"Oh, that guy has been causing too much trouble, so I think he might have run away to some distant place. But why are you looking for Lee Jaha? Should I inquire for you?"
As expected, this was the demeanor of a leader of a sect.
Even though I was sitting across from the man, Zhang Deshu casually mentioned that I hadn’t been seen lately.
I locked eyes with the man known as the Three Hundred Years of Black Dao. "…"
Suddenly, he smiled and said, "Right in front of me is Lee Jaha, and you’re openly lying. They say there are many crazy people in Il Yang County, and it seems they are not wrong."
In the kitchen, there was now no sound at all.
"…"
Amidst the silence, Zhang Deshu reached for the pot lid, as if he was ready to block with it if any danger came flying in.
The man known as the Three Hundred Years of Black Dao, while eating noodles, asked me, "Local master, do you know who I am?"
He seemed to think I wouldn’t recognize his identity.
Unfortunately for him, I was the information officer of the Hao Sect, the prophet of the Hao Sect, the leader of the Hao Sect, the planner of the Hao Sect, and someone who knew the future clearly.
Especially, I was familiar with the identities of those who were currently famous in the martial world or would become famous in the future.
After all, I had always been interested in the martial world, even when I was a local master or a gravekeeper.
I replied in a nonchalant tone, "You are Shao Junping of the Black Cat Gang. Why are you speaking so casually?"
"…!" Shao Junping looked shocked, as if he had been caught stealing something.
In truth, figuring out the Black Cat Gang was not difficult, but being able to name him surprised him.
Having arrived alone in Il Yang County after being discarded, Shao Junping asked with wide eyes, "Who are you?"
I gazed steadily at Shao Junping.
I wondered if he realized he was facing the greatest crisis of his life, destined to be called 'Three Hundred Years' today.
Seeing him still looking at me with a rude gaze, it seemed he did not know yet.
Curious about my identity, Shao Junping asked again, "What is your identity?"
"I am Lee Jaha. Lee Jaha is a local master, and that is my identity. You came looking for me and now you ask about my identity; is this a Zen riddle? Or is it a profound question about my essence? If so, I wouldn’t know. It’s too profound a question, and I need to think about it. Who am I?"
"You crazy bastard."
In the midst of this, Shao Junping slurped up the remaining noodles.
He seemed determined to finish his meal even if the world were to collapse.
I spoke towards the silent kitchen, "Owner, is the spicy noodle ready yet? I’m hungry."
Zhang Deshu, gripping the pot lid like a shield, frowned deeply. 'That bastard is about to die, yet he’s still looking for spicy food.'
After a pause, Zhang Deshu replied, "…The noodles have just run out. Customer."
"Owner, are you going to run your business like this?"
Shao Junping chuckled as he ate his noodles.
"This is a funny town."
I corrected Shao Junping's statement.
"This is not a funny town. I plan to ensure that the Black Dao cannot set foot here in the future."
After rinsing his mouth with water, Shao Junping spat on the ground.
"You can talk big after you defeat me. Owner, the bill."
Zhang Deshu, thinking he might die while collecting money, replied from the kitchen, "Oh dear, what bill? I’m glad you enjoyed your meal. I didn’t realize and made a few jokes earlier, so please show some leniency."
Shao Junping smiled.
"You have to settle the bill. If you’re fine, come out here."
I scoffed.
"Stay in the kitchen."
Zhang Deshu replied in a reluctant tone, "Should I really?"
Only then did Shao Junping's gaze stick to me intensely.
However, unlike the usual behavior of the Black Dao, Shao Junping took out money from his pocket and placed it neatly on the table.
At least he was someone who paid for his meal.
I wondered if he knew his fate.
Because of this meal cost, his destiny of getting beaten half to death by me would change to a fate of moderate beatings…