I feel unwell starting today.
I lost in the internal energy competition, got slapped in the face, and now I’m watching that guy who took diarrhea medicine smiling happily.
Why do I feel so uncomfortable?
“Laugh moderately,” said Jwa-sa with a smile.
“I thought you were something special since the master praised you, but you’re just a country bumpkin. Got it. I’ll stop laughing.”
“You idiot, anyone can deceive others with a few words. You don’t need to be proud of meeting this girl or that girl,” Jwa-sa replied with a serious tone.
“Anyone can do it, but I don’t think you can. I can imagine you slapping a girl in the face while talking. After a few words, you’d probably issue a command and drag her by the hair, throwing her away to get lost. Am I wrong?”
“……”
“Am I right? Hahaha.”
This crazy guy laughed so hard he even pounded the table.
I chuckled a bit too.
Looking back, it seems I was like that in my past life.
No, actually, I don’t remember much about that man; that’s me.
As I called Jeom-soo to settle the bill and stood up, Jwa-sa asked, “Are you leaving already? Where are you going? Off to find true love?
Where should you go to find it? Hey, don’t do that, just stay here in Baek-eung-ji. There are more beauties here than anywhere else.
This place has more beauties than that famous Namgung guy’s hangout.” Jeom-soo, who had been listening while I settled the bill, chimed in, “I hope you find true love.” Jwa-sa burst into laughter again.
“Pahahahaha……”
I said to Jwa-sa with a calm expression, “If I have something to ask my senior while training, I’ll come find you.”
Jwa-sa nodded.
“Don’t get cocky just because you won one internal energy fight; train hard. Oh, if the master looks for you, where should he go?”
“I’m in the Black Cat Hall, so come there.”
“Wait a minute, you said you were the master of the Hao Sect.”
“I’m currently dealing with all the black forces bothering me, beating them up, killing them, and absorbing them. I am the master of the Black Cat Hall.”
“Oh, really?”
He seemed to have something to say, but I had no more business, so I turned to leave.
Jwa-sa bid farewell from behind. “Go, country bumpkin. Go find true love and come back.” I nodded.
The lonely and solitary path of a man.
A life that a lecher could never understand.
Suddenly, the names of the most beautiful women I had met in my past life came to mind: the best beauties of the Central Plains, the best beauties of the White Path, and all those who were more famous for their looks than their skills.
It didn’t mean much.
They just came to mind.
Thinking back, it seems half of them had bullied me or insulted me.
But it’s okay.
This time, I didn’t get bullied, at least not yet.
My steps felt a bit lighter.
On my way back, I deliberately chose mountain paths, hill paths, secluded paths, and ambush-prone paths where bandits frequently appeared, but I didn’t see any bandits. ‘I’m not lucky.’ Even though I was on my way back from Baek-eung-ji, young, and dressed like a scholar in white from head to toe, it was still the case.
I arrived at the Black Cat Hall without any incidents.
There was nothing unusual at the Black Cat Hall either.
After cleaning up all the black forces in the nearby area, peaceful days continued.
Fortunately, the atmosphere inside the Black Cat Hall was not bad, as So-gun-pyeong was in charge and Cha-seong-tae was training like a madman.
I mainly practiced under the plum tree.
I needed to build up my power before I could display the Thunder Sword Technique or the Plum Blossom Sword Technique.
Of course, I could force it now, but in actual combat, it only made sense to use it while leaving some energy in reserve.
Moreover, Hyun-cheol, whom I had sent to the Dragon Head Iron Hall, had not yet returned in a completed state.
I built up my internal energy while waiting for the sword and watched the fluttering plum blossoms.
The change in this monotonous daily life came from a visitor I expected to arrive soon.
The wall commander reported, “Master, a man claiming to be the leader of the Namyeong Association has arrived. For now, we’ve brought him to the outer hall. He came alone, but there are quite a few subordinates outside.” I opened my eyes and replied, “Guide him to the main hall.” He arrived earlier than I expected.
It wasn’t because there was an issue with the assassination organization Ilwi Dogang; perhaps someone threatened him before using assassins and came to discuss it.
Of course, Namyeong Association leader Namga-rak wouldn’t know later who hired Ilwi Dogang.
He would realize it at the moment of death.
If that’s the case, it’s highly likely that Namga-rak has come to discuss the issue of Ilwi Dogang’s employer.
Could it be the Paegum Association? Or Namcheonryeon? As I settled into the main hall first, Namga-rak, guided by the wall commander, entered alone.
How did I talk to that guy? I couldn’t remember, but Namga-rak opened his mouth first. “Master, I’m here.” “You’re here?” I couldn’t be bothered to raise my voice unless he was a man of the sword.
Namga-rak commented on what he saw while passing through the outer and inner halls.
“Your subordinates are training hard.”
“They’re just useless guys; they have to do that to survive.”
Seeing Namga-rak’s calm expression, I asked, “Is there something going on around?”
“I received late news that recently, Namcheonryeon and the Paegum Association had a big clash. They often fought since their territories overlapped, so it’s not surprising.”
“And?”
“This time, there were quite a few casualties. Initially, around thirty to forty people clashed in Okyang, but as the fight dragged on, they sent reinforcements, and eventually, the leaders of both Namcheonryeon and the Paegum Association showed up and fought fiercely.”
“Who won?”
“Both sides suffered significant losses. If one side’s leader had died, we could say who won, but that didn’t happen. The area they fought in was neutral, so they both retreated.”
What happened next was somewhat predictable.
“I heard that the leader of Namcheonryeon went almost mad. He contacted all the nearby black forces that weren’t in his territory and suddenly ordered them to come to Namcheonryeon. He threatened that if they refused, he would annihilate them when the fight with the Paegum Association was over.”
Namga-rak pointed to himself with his finger.
“I got contacted too.”
I nodded once.
“I see.”
Namga-rak continued, “But a day later, I also received a message from the Paegum Association. The content was similar. In other words, all the nearby black forces are being forced to choose like me.”
“What do you think, Association Leader?”
“Honestly, I plan to refuse both.”
I rested my chin on my hand and asked Namga-rak, “I don’t know the detailed circumstances of Namcheonryeon and the Paegum Association. Anyway, I created the Hao Sect to protect the lives of those who work for me as much as possible. I know both are black forces.
But which side is worse, do you know better?” Namga-rak explained, “The Paegum Association is an organization that grew by forcibly merging various guilds. They have a lot of money.
The guilds had to join because of their tyranny.”
“How did the Paegum Association act tyrannically?”
“For example, if a particular item is worth two common silver coins in a region, they send their guild to supply it for one common silver coin, disrupting the balance, and then negotiate with that guild. They earn a lot of money, so they pressure with money, and if that doesn’t work, they send their martial artists from the Paegum Association, and if that doesn’t work, they hire assassins.”
I thought it was highly likely that the backers of Ilwi Dogang would be the Paegum Association.
“And Namcheonryeon?”
“Namcheonryeon is literally a black force. It’s a power that merged all the black forces in the Namcheon region by force under the leadership of Namcheonryeon’s leader, Sato Haeng. He jumped in alone in his late teens to create Namcheonryeon, so he’s the most famous man in Namcheon and at the same time, a man who isn’t swayed by the vast wealth of the Paegum Association.”
“From what I see, Namcheonryeon seems better.”
Namga-rak replied, looking troubled.
“That’s true, but Sato Haeng is the king of Namcheon. If you introduce yourself as the master of the Hao Sect, he’ll probably make you kneel. That’s why I didn’t plan to go under either side.”
I crossed my arms and replied, “Where I am, I am the king. There can’t be two kings.”
“Haha, you’re just like Sato Haeng.”
Just as we were at a point of not deciding anything, the main hall door opened, and So-gun-pyeong reported, “Master, the Paegum Association has come to visit.”
“The Paegum Association?”
Thinking about it, I am also the master of the Black Cat Hall now.
But I was surprised that the Paegum Association had reached this far.
It seemed they were struggling to annihilate each other.
I thought the Paegum Association had so much money that they were gathering forces like hiring assassins.
I glanced at Namga-rak’s expression and replied to So-gun-pyeong, “Let them in.” Namga-rak scoffed. “It’s ridiculous that they came all the way here.” Suddenly, I thought of Jwa-sa and muttered, “I’ve been feeling unwell lately, and they come to find me at such a bad time.” The main hall door swung open, and a messenger from the Paegum Association came out and looked at me and Namga-rak. “Who is the master of the Black Cat Hall?” A man in his mid-twenties walked over and plopped down across from Namga-rak.
I replied while looking at the man, “That’s me.” The young man nodded and gestured to Namga-rak.
“Your subordinate should leave.”
I looked at Namga-rak and then replied to the martial artist from the Paegum Association, “He’s not a subordinate. Speak your business first.”
“Is that so? Let me introduce myself first. I’m from the Paegum Association…”
“Hey.”
“……”
I called the martial artist from the Paegum Association and continued, “I’m not curious about who you are, so just tell me your business.” The martial artist from the Paegum Association glared at me while twisting his hair with his fingers.
“Black Cat Hall Master, you’re quite arrogant. I’m from the Paegum Association.”
“Is that so? I forgot.”
As I smiled and looked at Namga-rak, he also chuckled.
The martial artist from the Paegum Association, with a stiff expression, stated his business.
“The martial artists of the Black Cat Hall are worth three common silver coins each. That’s the daily wage. If the master comes personally, it’s ten common gold coins. Even if you do nothing, we’ll calculate and settle from the day you join. Especially if the Great General comes personally, we’ll pay fifty gold coins a day. Once all the personnel are gathered, we plan to annihilate Namcheonryeon at once. If you refuse, you’ll have to bear the wrath of the Paegum Association’s leader instead of getting paid. What will you do, Master?”
Namga-rak burst into laughter and said to me, “They told me the daily wage for my subordinates is five common silver coins. It seems my subordinates are still worth more than those of the Black Cat Hall.” I laughed at Namga-rak’s words.
“Ah, I didn’t expect to be treated like this. How embarrassing. I guess they don’t know that the Great General is dead.”
The martial artist from the Paegum Association said with an unpleasant expression, “Oh, so you’re also the leader of a black force. This isn’t my opinion. I’m just conveying what I’ve been instructed to do regarding various black forces.
And the Great General is dead?” Namga-rak ignored the messenger’s words and asked for my opinion.
“What should we do?”
“What do you think, Association Leader?”
Namga-rak expressed his opinion.
“Honestly, I wish the leaders of the Paegum Association and Namcheonryeon would just meet one-on-one and settle it. I don’t understand why they’re so eager to kill their subordinates and why they’re threatening surrounding forces to fight. To be honest, they both seem foolish, so I have no intention of going under either.”
I nodded.
“I see. Association Leader, you make a valid point. A man should do that.”
The martial artist from the Paegum Association stood up.
“Is that your answer? I heard you well. Let’s meet again after this matter is settled.”
I shouted loudly, “So, Gak-ju!” The main hall door swung open, and So-gun-pyeong replied, “Yes, did you call?” As So-gun-pyeong answered and blocked the main hall, the martial artist from the Paegum Association stopped walking.
I gestured to the martial artist from the Paegum Association.
“This is the messenger from the Paegum Association, who will soon fight us. Gather your subordinates and let’s have a look. I want to check the skills of the Paegum Association’s lower ranks.”
The martial artist from the Paegum Association glared at me.
“Are you out of your mind?”
Ignoring his words, I said to Namga-rak, “Association Leader, tell all your subordinates to come in. We need to check on the Namyeong Association too. For now, I’m not happy with either Namcheonryeon or the Paegum Association, so let’s gauge their skills and fight.”
Namga-rak grinned and replied, “Alright. Let’s do that.” I stood up and said, “The arrogant messenger should hurry and prepare for the duel.”
As I stepped out of the main hall, I quietly slapped the messenger’s face, who looked like he was about to say something.
With a loud smack, the messenger tumbled to the floor.
I looked at the messenger, who was holding his cheek and staring at me. “Are you deaf? Aren’t you getting up? I’ve been feeling unwell lately, and now a black force from the border is getting on my nerves.” The angry-looking messenger got up and stubbornly showed his pride again. “Can you handle it?” I wasn’t the kind of man who would kill someone just because they were a messenger, so I suppressed my anger.
But I could still hit him.
I slapped him again, and the messenger rolled on the floor several times. “You should prepare for the duel, messenger. Unless you want to die from being slapped.” I went out to the main hall with Namga-rak first.