Chapter 21: Mission 3

Baek Moo-jin scrutinized Mak So-gwang from head to toe.

Mak Sogwang felt unusually pleased today. He had forced the Seogwang Branch to surrender to the Iron Blood Sect without lifting a finger. Now, all that remained was to swing his sword once before Bong Yuhak and kill the martial artist of the Bukcheon Alliance to finish the job.

‘The Seogwang Branch is finished now…’

Mak Sogwang strode toward the young man staring at him, then abruptly raised the sword clutched in his right hand and struck Baek Moo-jin’s neck as he sat.

No one would have expected him to strike without even exchanging names. Mak Sogwang knew well that when facing Baekdo, acting with such ruthless efficiency was the most effective approach.

By the time people gasped in shock, Mak Sogwang’s sword was already quivering minutely near Baek Mujin’s face.

“…”

Baek Moo-jin, whose head should have fallen off, stared expressionlessly at Mak Sogwang and spoke.

“So you’re from the Black Path.”

Both Mak Sogwang, who had swung his sword without warning, and Baek Mujin, who uttered that single, short phrase the instant he blocked the blade, were incredibly impressive.

Mak Sogwang’s eyes widened when he saw the sword he’d thrust forward held firmly between the young man’s two fingers. As he twisted to try and pull the sword free, he demanded to know Baek Mujin’s identity.

“Who are you?”

Bae Moo-jin replied in a stiff tone.

“You swing your sword and ask who I am?”

As Baek Moo-jin answered, Mak Sogwang channeled his inner strength to pull his sword back.

“Huh?”

But when it didn’t budge, he urgently channeled his inner strength into his left palm and thrust it toward Baek Moo-jin’s forehead. This too was a lethal strike.

Yet Mak Sogwang’s palm strike halted mid-air.

Then, with a crackling sound, white frost surged like waves from the tip of the sword Baek Moo-jin held. Soon, a frigid chill seeped into Maek Sogwang’s entire body.

A short groan escaped from Mak Sogwang’s mouth.

“Gah!”

Ma Xiao Guang’s right hand trembled violently, then both knees collapsed to the floor. Despite the thud, Ma Xiao Guang and Bai Wuzhen remained connected by the single sword between them.

Baek Moo-jin’s gaze fell upon Mak Sogwang, kneeling before him. Knowing Mak Sogwang couldn’t respond due to the frigid energy Baek Moo-jin was projecting, he asked Bong Yu-hak.

“Bong Branch Chief, who is this man?”

Having witnessed Baek Moo-jin’s bizarre martial arts, Bong Yu-hak answered immediately without thinking.

“This is a man named Mak Sogwang.”

Baek Moo-jin shook his head slightly and said.

“What organization does he belong to?”

“Iron… Iron Blood Sect.”

Baek Moo-jin nodded, then addressed Mak Sogwang, who had begun trembling violently.

“So this is how the Black Path’s bandit, Mak Sokwang of the Iron Blood Sect, attacks.”

As Baek Moo-jin withdrew his energy with those words, Mak Sogwang finally let out a gurgling sound. He dropped his sword to the ground, trembling as if submerged in an iceberg, drenched in sweat.

Unable to even stand, he remained seated and began regulating his qi. It was an unavoidable situation. The frigid qi energy enveloping his entire body began invading his dantian. If he couldn’t expel it, he would suffer severe internal injuries that would require years of recuperation.

Fully aware of the situation, Baek Moo-jin continued speaking to Bong Yu-hak while watching Mak So-gwang.

“Director Seo Gwangji, by the Grand Master’s orders, we will escort you to the Alliance. We have been instructed that resistance warrants decapitation. Report the matter concerning Mak Sogwang to the Alliance upon arrival.”

The members of the Seogwang Branch all turned their gaze to Feng Yuxue. Feng Yuxue was well aware of Mak Sogwang’s formidable skills. Yet, Baek Moo-jin had subdued Mak Sogwang as if he were a child, demonstrating martial arts prowess that reached a realm beyond comprehension.

Bong Yuhak knew better than anyone that resisting here alongside the Seogwang Branch would be futile against the Alliance’s emissary.

Bong Yuhak closed his eyes, his expression heavy with sorrow.

“Jeong In-hyeok.”

When Bong Yuhak called the deputy branch chief, he too responded in a somber voice.

“Yes, Branch Chief.”

“First, send a letter to the Alliance reporting that the Iron Blood Sect has extended its hand to the Seogwang Branch and request reinforcements. I will go to the Alliance with the envoys.”

Deputy Chief Jeong In-hyeok then spoke in a somber voice.

“Please go with me. I will explain the situation. If you go alone, you will die.”

At that moment, Baek Moo-jin saw that Mak So-gwang had succeeded in dispelling some of the cold energy. He immediately reached out, seized his pressure point, and said.

“Deputy Chief, you take charge here. However, since it appears Mak Sogwang used force to intimidate them, I will advise them to bear it in mind. The Seogwang Branch…”

Baek Moo-jin finished speaking as he surveyed the surroundings.

“Do not let this matter escalate any further.”

No one responded to Baek Moo-jin’s words, nor did anyone attempt rash action. The situation was perfectly resolved simply by sitting in the main hall and exchanging a few words.

Mak Sogwang, his face pale, still exhaled white breath. Even the moisture clinging to his eyebrows and around his eyes had frozen solid.

Baek Moo-jin stared at Mak So-gwang for a moment before finally speaking.

“You said your name was Mak Sogwang? I have one question.”

As Mak Sogwang stared back with blazing eyes, Baek Moo-jin continued.

“What on earth possessed you to draw your sword the moment you arrived?”

Hearing the question, Mak Sogwang burst into laughter, forgetting his own predicament.

“Hahahaha…”

This laughter was partly a mocking scoff, as if he were being asked something utterly obvious. It also carried a tinge of self-deprecating laughter at having been tricked by a greenhorn who didn’t understand the ways of the martial world.

But upon hearing Makso-gwang’s laughter, Baek Mujin instantly grasped the nature of the underworld. Nodding, Baek Mujin said.

“Good answer.”

Upon hearing Baek Moo-jin’s words, Mak So-gwang spat on the floor.

2.

In the main hall, Feng Youxue and Mak Sogwang knelt bound. After sending the other branch members outside, Baek Moo-jin looked at Seo Mun-geuk and said.

“Brother Seo Mun.”

“Hmm?”

Xu Wenju answered, yet his heart fluttered unnecessarily. Roughly gauging the force used to subdue Mak Sogwang, he realized Baek Moo-jin must have held back considerably even when fighting him.

Baek Moo-jin continued as if seeking advice.

“This Mak Sogwang fellow. What position does he hold within the Iron Blood Sect?”

Seo Mun-geuk fluttered his fan as he looked at Mak Sogwang.

“Hmm, he seems to be a mid-level officer. Why do you ask?”

“I’m worried about the Iron Blood Sect. If they learn of this news, won’t they attack the Seogwang Branch while we’re gone?”

“What? Why worry about such things?”

“Why not?”

“They’ll follow us to rescue Mak Sogwang. Hahahaha… Ah, but then we’d be in trouble. Better to leave immediately. Or kill him right here. We can ask the branch members to move the body far away or make it look like he went missing.”

At the words “Let’s kill him,” Makso-gwang’s eyes snapped open.

Baek Moo-jin retorted.

“Is that the only way?”

“Yes, it’s the best way.”

With that, Seo Mun-geuk approached the bound Mak Sogwang.

“Wait, just wait!”

Just as Mak Sogwang struggled to utter a reply, Seo Mun-geuk’s iron rod fell onto Mak Sogwang’s head. With a thud, Mak Sogwang collapsed forward and immediately drew his last breath. The spot where Mak Sogwang fell was precisely where he had spat moments before.

Baek Moo-jin stared coldly at the back of the lifeless Mak Sogwang. Seo Mun-geuk’s chilling words followed.

“Brother Baek, it would be best to kill Branch Chief Feng too.”

Seo Mun-geuk looked at Baek Moo-jin as if seeking his agreement, but Baek Moo-jin shook his head. Baek Moo-jin suddenly glanced toward the inner part of the main hall for a moment before speaking.

“That won’t do.”

Seo Mun-geuk’s gaze followed Baek Moo-jin’s.

“Why? If Mak Sogwang doesn’t appear, the path back to the Myeong will be treacherous. If pursuers follow us anyway, we won’t be able to protect the branch chief.”

“Still, it won’t do.”

“Why not?”

Seo Mun-geuk countered calmly. He genuinely wanted to know why it couldn’t be done.

“He submitted to arrest without resistance. Furthermore, though he is guilty, the martial artists of the Seogwang Branch follow the Branch Chief. Killing him will cause the entire Seogwang Branch to turn against the Iron Blood Sect. Even without that reason, he must not be killed. Let us go to the Myeong and confess the crime, leaving the punishment to the Myeong’s discipline. Apply only the charge of bribery; regarding Mak Sogwang, Branch Chief Bong can exercise flexibility and report accordingly.”

Bong Yu-hak, who had felt his heart sink when Mak So-gwang was suddenly beaten to death by Seo Mun-geuk, finally breathed a sigh of relief at Baek Moo-jin’s words. Bong Yu-hak spoke earnestly, his words filled with sincere remorse.

“I will go to the Alliance and plead my guilt. According to Mak Sogwang, the Iron Blood Sect is preparing to attack the North Heaven Alliance. I heard they plan not only to target me personally but to first destabilize the entire branch before striking the Alliance. I will report this without omission and accept my punishment. Please, both of you, spare my life.”

Baek Moo-jin nodded at Bong Yu-hak’s words.

In a way, Baek Moo-jin and Seo Mun-geuk were skillfully working together to resolve the situation. Both knew someone was eavesdropping inside the main hall. As Baek Moo-jin had said, killing Bong Yu-hak here could cause the entire Seogwang Branch to turn against them.

What he dreaded most was that if the entire Seogwang Branch attacked, Baek Moo-jin would have to personally kill them all.

Baek Moo-jin did not wish to commit such a cruel act.

Baek Moo-jin stood up and reached for the thick rope binding Bong Yu-hak’s body. With his index finger and thumb, he easily severed the rope.

“I won’t bind you. The longer the return to the headquarters is delayed, the greater the danger to the entire Seogwang Branch. Branch Chief, let us return swiftly. I trust you won’t act rashly.”

Bong Yuhak, having once again witnessed Baek Mujin’s formidable martial prowess, nodded.

“Trust me. I’ve realized that is the path for me to live, and for the Seogwang Branch to live.”

“Very well. Brother Seo Mun, let’s go.”

Seo Mun-geuk nodded and offered Baek Moo-jin a smile.

‘Smooth.’

Baek Moo-jin now felt he understood what Seo Mun-geuk was thinking without needing words.

Baek Moo-jin also gave a faint smile.

3.

Baek Moo-jin and Seo Mun-geuk left the Seogwang Branch behind, each lost in their own thoughts as they headed toward the Bukcheon Alliance. Bong Yu-hak followed behind, his lips tightly sealed, showing no intention of fleeing. Moreover, due to Baek Moo-jin’s martial arts prowess, escape was practically impossible.

Baek Moo-jin had gained a rough understanding today of the Black Path’s methods. From what the Seogwang Branch Chief had said, Mak Sogwang’s tactics involved not just brute force, but cunning schemes designed to isolate his opponents.

‘The Black Path…’

Mak Sogwang’s sudden sword thrust had left a deep impression on Baek Moo-jin.

Truthfully, observing the Northern Heaven Sect’s actions, he had thought the Black Path and the Northern Heaven Sect were no different. He had considered them all part of the martial world. Yet, dealing with them directly revealed distinct differences.

On the other hand, Seo Mun-geuk had actually made a deep impression on Baek Moo-jin. Despite his youth, he handled matters with considerable skill. While he did ask Baek Moo-jin various questions, at crucial moments, Baek Moo-jin explained his reasoning and concluded matters according to his own will.

Moreover, there was one thing no martial artist could overlook… the sheer power of his martial arts.

Baek Moo-jin existed outside the category Seo Mun-geuk had anticipated.

‘Damn, I envy that guy.’

Seo Mun-geuk knew Mak So-gwang was no weakling. Yet, Mak So-gwang collapsed as if crippled by a single infusion of internal energy, let alone facing Baek Moo-jin in combat.

When Seo Mun-geuk suddenly looked at Baek Moo-jin, Baek Moo-jin asked in an indifferent tone.

“Brother Seo Mun, aren’t you tired?”

Seo Mun-geuk grinned and replied.

“Not at all!”

Seeing Seo Mun-geuk forcing a smile, Baek Moo-jin fell silent. He could only guess that Seo Mun-geuk was lost in thoughts about martial arts.