My Fluctuating State

Sogunpyeong stared blankly at the messenger from the Paegum Association and spoke as if seeking permission.

"Lord, may I?"

"Why?"

"He is not my opponent."

"Too weak?"

"That's right."

"Alright. Go in."

I glanced around the platform at Nam Myeong-hui and the subordinates of Heukmyobang, then locked eyes with Cha Seong-tae.

"Cha Seong-tae, you fight. Your opponent is the foolish messenger from the Paegum Association."

Cha Seong-tae replied, "Understood."

With a crack from his neck, Cha Seong-tae stepped forward to the center.

The messenger from the Paegum Association glared at me.

"Is it acceptable to treat a messenger like this?"

"Have I been rude?"

"I only came to deliver a message, so please consider that."

I glared at the messenger and replied in a flat tone, "Then, out of respect for the Paegum Association, I will compete."

The messenger turned and drew his sword towards Cha Seong-tae.

"Let’s see what you’ve got."

As Cha Seong-tae drew his sword, the messenger cautioned, "Let’s fight without injuries."

Cha Seong-tae retorted, "Shut up! You fool. There’s no such thing in a fight."

I nodded.

"Exactly."

Despite his loud shout, Cha Seong-tae was tense.

It was his first match against a martial artist from another group, and with many eyes watching, he couldn’t help but feel nervous.

Nam Garak, who was beside me, asked, "What’s the rank of that subordinate?"

"Bottom of the barrel."

"Oh, really?"

Hearing my words, the veins on Cha Seong-tae's forehead bulged as the two men clashed.

After a moment of watching the fight, Nam Garak tilted his head.

"He fights well, doesn’t he?"

Even I could see that Cha Seong-tae had improved significantly.

The reason was simple.

He had been one of the best fighters after the Jo brothers in the chaotic fights at Il Yang Hyun.

Now, he combined practical experience with a stable sword technique.

Moreover, he was steadily building his internal energy.

Above all, it seemed that Ho Yeon-cheong had taught him well.

After exchanging fierce blows for over twenty rounds, the two men swung their swords violently, aiming for each other's openings as if they had made a pact.

With a loud thud, Cha Seong-tae, who had mixed his internal energy with his strikes for the first time, staggered back, while the messenger from the Paegum Association wobbled and fell on his backside.

In that moment, Cha Seong-tae quickly advanced and placed his sword against the messenger's neck.

The messenger looked tense as he stared at the sword tip resting against his throat.

Cha Seong-tae asked me, "Should I kill him?"

"That’s enough."

Cha Seong-tae, with a triumphant expression, withdrew his sword and grinned.

"The Paegum Association is nothing special."

I corrected Cha Seong-tae's words.

"No, it’s that guy who’s nothing special. Don’t get it twisted. This isn’t a match arranged for you to feel superior. Did everyone see? This is the level of the man sent as a messenger. The Paegum Association treats Heukmyobang like a bunch of wandering fools, but as you can see, I rejected that. The messenger from the Paegum Association can leave now. If he acts arrogantly like this again, it won’t end with just a slap."

The messenger said to me, "Thank you for sparing my life. I hope to see you again."

As soon as he finished speaking, he hurriedly touched his ear.

Blood was streaming from it.

The messenger hit his left ear a few times as if to check if he could hear, then quickly exited the premises.

Cha Seong-tae tilted his head and said, "Blood is coming from his ear... Was my internal energy that strong?"

I ignored Cha Seong-tae's nonsense and said, "Let’s talk, executives."

The executives of Nam Myeong-hui and Heukmyobang mixed together and took their seats as I sat at the head.

Cha Seong-tae, sitting in the position of the commander, asked again from the back, "Blood was coming from his ear? Was it because of my internal energy?"

Nam Garak, unable to hold back, explained, "He must have been slapped by the lord before the fight. His eardrum must have burst."

Cha Seong-tae muttered in disappointment, "Oh, really?"

The atmosphere slightly cooled.

I briefly explained the messenger's words to the executives.

"The Paegum Association wants to fight Nam Cheon-ryeon, and if we participate, they will pay us three silver coins per person as daily wages. The price they’ve set for your lives is three silver coins."

The expressions of the Heukmyobang executives suddenly turned fierce.

"These fools are unbelievable."

Even the usually composed Sogunpyeong cursed.

"They say they’ve made some money by threatening the upper sect, but this is how they handle things? Trash."

This time, I corrected Sogunpyeong's words.

"We’re also trash, so cancel that last remark."

"Understood."

I looked around at the executives.

"Still, we’re not the same kind of trash. We’re like fallen leaves from a plum tree, while they’re like the foul smell of diarrhea after taking laxatives."

"……."

The atmosphere turned cold at my absurd analogy.

"Was that analogy a bit too much?" Cha Seong-tae flattered me.

"It was just right."

"Shut up. It was too much."

"Yes."

I introduced Nam Garak to the executives.

"This is Nam Garak, the head of Nam Myeong-hui. He received the same proposal from the Paegum Association and Nam Cheon-ryeon but rejected it. Regardless of skill, I recognize a man as a man, and so does Head Nam. Whether we fight the Paegum Association or face Nam Cheon-hui, Nam Myeong-hui and Heukmyobang will cooperate, so keep that in mind."

The executives of Heukmyobang responded in unison, "Understood."

This time, Nam Garak spoke to the executives of Heukmyobang.

"In truth, I lost to the lord previously. If I had been forced to endure humiliation, I wouldn’t have come here. Even if we combine our forces, we may not match Nam Cheon-ryeon or the Paegum Association, but I assure you that Nam Myeong-hui, including myself, will not fight shamefully."

The executives of Heukmyobang slightly bowed their heads to Nam Garak.

"We look forward to your guidance."

I corrected Nam Garak's words this time.

"I have more subordinates. If we all combine and I lead, we can turn either Nam Cheon-ryeon or the Paegum Association into ashes in no time. However, I endure this foolish fight because the sacrifices of my subordinates would be too great. For now, let’s discuss a method. We need to achieve the greatest victory with the least sacrifice."

Ho Yeon-cheong, who had been silent, spoke up.

"Lord, I can also mobilize some troops."

I met Ho Yeon-cheong's gaze for the first time in a while and gave him a different title.

"Master Ho Yeon has worked hard teaching Commander Cha."

Ho Yeon-cheong's eyes widened slightly.

"Yes."

"Thanks to you, I managed to avoid embarrassment. However, there’s no need to mobilize your troops. Master Ho Yeon has a unique talent for teaching his disciples, so from now on, feel free to come and go in Heukmyobang and guide my subordinates."

It was as if I had given Ho Yeon-cheong freedom.

He understood my meaning and replied with an excited expression, "Thank you, Lord."

I looked around at the executives.

"If anyone has good ideas, let’s hear them. First, let’s hear from our Heukmyobang’s Jinang, the Grand General of Heukmyobang, and Commander Byeok."

Commander Byeok immediately spoke up.

"To summarize, both sides are currently gathering troops. However, both sides likely do not know our true strength. In fact, if we join one side, we are strong enough to ensure their victory."

"Exactly."

"So, wouldn’t it be good to inform both sides of this?"

"How specifically?"

"Under the name of Haowon, we can include the Heukseonbo, Heukmyobang, the Twelve Divine Generals, the Golden Sea Merchant Association, and if you wish, even Nam Myeong-hui. If we all participate, one side is guaranteed to win. They wouldn’t dare act arrogantly like today."

Sogunpyeong, who was knowledgeable about strategy, also offered his opinion.

"While Commander Byeok's words have merit, how about we hide our strength and wait for an opportunity? We can observe both sides fighting, and when they are exhausted, we can swoop in and clean up. After all, they initiated the provocation."

Sogunpyeong's plan was a bit more realistic and ruthless.

Commander Byeok, who had a hobby of painting with a brush, proposed a somewhat peaceful strategy, while Sogunpyeong's plan, forged in the fires of battle, carried the harsh scent of war.

I asked Nam Garak, "What do you think, Head Nam?"

Nam Garak, who had remembered Sogunpyeong's face and name, replied, "I like Sogunpyeong's opinion. If there are no special opinions, let the lord decide."

I nodded and stated the main point.

"The main enemy is the Paegum Association. For now, don’t worry about Nam Cheon-ryeon."

Sogunpyeong asked, "Is there a reason?"

"I’ve heard that Nam Cheon-ryeon is like the original Heukdo, rising with just one sword. If the leaders propose a decision, they are likely to accept it. On the other hand, the wealthy Paegum Association won’t hesitate to hire assassins for murder. They are a more cowardly bunch."

As I suddenly looked at Nam Garak, he nodded as if he agreed.

I silently replied to Nam Garak's words. 'That’s your opinion, you bastard.'

Hearing the messenger's words, I was convinced that those who had hired assassins in a past life were indeed the Paegum Association.

"Anyway."

"Yes."

"For now, ignore Nam Cheon-ryeon and prepare a letter for the Paegum Association."

Commander Byeok replied, "Understood. If you provide me with the important details, I will organize it."

"The Heukmyobang, the remnants of Su-seon, the Twelve Divine Generals, the Golden Mountain Merchant Association, Il Yang Hyun, Heukseonbo, and all unprotected merchants, traders, food vendors, and farmers are all part of Haowon. If the Paegum Association threatens, kidnaps, blackmails, murders, or assaults them, and I find out, it will be war with Haowon. Organize that and send it."

Nam Garak interjected, "Lord, Nam Myeong-hui is missing."

I nodded while making eye contact with Nam Garak.

"Add Nam Myeong-hui."

Commander Byeok replied, "Understood. I will organize it and send the letter."

"The letter should not only go to the Paegum Association but also to nearby Heukdo, Baekdo, the Martial Arts Association, the Mountain Village, the Waterway Association, the Merchant Association, the Battlefield, the Assassin groups, the Gilu, the inns, the taverns, and even under the bridges. In total, make hundreds of copies and post them everywhere, send them to the sects, households, widows, and scatter them on the streets. If they touch the working people, I will personally step in and slap them or kick them or kill them. Everyone understand?"

"Yes, Lord."

I had been in a bad mood for a few days, so I declared war in the name of Haowon.

"Anyone with complaints, anyone who wants to fight me, anyone who thinks I look funny, tell them to find the Ijah of Haowon."

Perhaps thinking it was too much, Commander Byeok laughed and replied, "Lord, isn’t that a bit too busy? Let me sort it out first."

I looked at Commander Byeok and replied, "Then, it seems the surrounding people don’t know that Daenachal is dead. Add that I killed Daenachal. It should be widely known."

"Do we really need to… include that?"

"Then, clarify that I also killed Su-seon, Iryongnogun, and smashed the head of Heukseonboju because I didn’t like him, and especially burned and killed that bastard Dongbangyeon, who was engaging in gambling."

As the matter grew larger, Commander Byeok finally fell silent.

"Commander Byeok, write it all down. Got it?"

"Understood."

"And Seong-tae."

"Yes, Lord."

"You go to Il Yang Hyun and bring Deoksu-hyung back by cart. On the way, stop by the market with Deoksu-hyung and buy plenty of pork bones, various meats, food ingredients, and alcohol at fair prices. Bring about ten brothers from Heukmyobang with you. We need to treat the brothers of Nam Myeong-hui to a proper delicious meal. Commander Byeok, make sure to give Cha Seong-tae enough money."

"Understood."

I looked at Nam Garak.

"It’s a hassle to visit, but we should at least eat together."

Nam Garak grinned.

"Let’s do that."

As I called for Deoksu-hyung, thinking we should treat Nam Myeong-hui to delicious food, my anger finally began to subside.

"Now, have I missed anything? Any more matters to discuss? Is there a list I forgot that should be on my hands? No?"

At that moment, the outside of the main hall became momentarily chaotic, and someone burst through the door.

Three unfamiliar men pushed past the subordinates of Heukmyobang and looked at me sitting at the head.

"We come from Nam Cheon-ryeon. Who is the lord of Heukmyobang?"

Everyone in the hall turned their heads sharply and stared at me with tense expressions. "……."

I looked at the riffraff from Nam Cheon-ryeon in disbelief.

A cold silence hung in the air for a moment.

The messengers, sensing something was off, began to move their eyes around, detecting the unusual atmosphere.

Sogunpyeong suddenly stood up and began cursing, attacking the messenger from Nam Cheon-ryeon without warning.

"Kneel! You bastards! Where do you think you are being arrogant!"

At the same time, the executives of Heukmyobang also grabbed the messenger from Nam Cheon-ryeon, knocking him down and raining punches and kicks on him.

I had no chance to intervene.

"Ugh."

In an instant, the three messengers collapsed to the ground, and even the old Commander Byeok stood up, shouting and stomping on the messengers with his bad joints.

"These disrespectful bastards, these bastards, these bastards, bastards..."

The messengers knelt, covered in blood.

Commander Byeok looked at me.

"Lord, indeed, it would be best to spread the letter widely as you said. That way, the other side will show some respect."

I nodded.

"Hmm, good. Let’s do that."

Having not eaten pork bones in a while and almost about to charge into Nam Cheon-ryeon, my anger quickly subsided thanks to my subordinates' appropriate response.

Suddenly, seeing the expressions of the messengers filled with grievance and anger, I issued an order.

"Step on them more."

"Yes!"

The subordinates replied loudly.