Chapter 10 The Bald Man of Heuksa

Chapter 10: The Bald Man of Heuksa

You might wonder what a gang of black-clad thugs is doing in Gu Ryongseong, one of the Five Great Warlords and ruler of the southwest Central Plains.

But those bastards exist wherever people gather.

Even the ones extorting protection money at the gates of the Shaolin Temple on Mount Songshan—their survival instincts were truly cockroach-like.

Anyway, the area these black-clad thugs had taken over was called Heuksa-ro.

Originally a section of the Nine Dragons Outer City known as Heukryong-ro, it had become so synonymous with the black-clad gangsters’ stronghold that people simply called it Heuksa-ro.

In fact, the Outer Sect itself had once attempted to clean up this place.

Just last year, for instance, the Seventeen Division members, including myself, had come here for preliminary investigations.

However, the operation to wipe out Heuksa never began.

I don’t know how the word got out, but the high-ranking officials within the Inner Sect pressured us to stop the Heuksa purge.

Thanks to that, the black-clad thugs only multiplied, sucking the lifeblood from the honest citizens living peacefully in the Outer Nine Dragons Fortress.

“So, you had no money to earn, so you just moved into an empty house and started living there?”

“E, eohap-dang. (Yes, I’m sorry.)”

“Damn you, you little bastard.”

Thud!

I kicked the guy in front, and he fell back, foaming at the mouth, unconscious.

He beckoned the one who’d been hit less severely with a finger.

“Yes, sir!”

“What do black-clad thugs do when they get hit like this?”

“…Usually, they get compensated with money.”

“Do you have any money?”

“No.”

Well, he figured as much.

If they had money to begin with, they wouldn’t be sneaking into other people’s homes to live.

” “Then, what are you going to do about it?”

“We’ll fix it. No, we’ll make it as good as new.”

“You?”

“Yes, I did some carpentry work back home. I can definitely handle it.”

“With skills like that, why are you living like this?”

“I just wanted to live comfortably···.”

“Ugh···. Kid.”

Having entrusted the house repairs to the heroes of the Great Black Dragon Hall, I set the moving date for two days later.

After work, I moved my belongings and gathered what I needed; time flew by.

“…It’s huge.”

Fortunately, they fixed it properly, so it looked almost like a new house.

Thanks to that, I could feel like a newlywed couple who won the housing lottery and got a new place.

Tap tap.

“What? Why are you suddenly poking me in the side?”

“Buying such a big house? You’re more capable than I thought.”

“Heh heh, I’m Jinmujin. Top graduate of the 99th class at the Ascension Pavilion, no less.”

“I know. Who raised you, anyway? Huh huh.”

Myohyang smiled happily as she looked around the house.

“This spot gets good sun for drying laundry, and this area…”

It was like watching a newlywed moving into her first home.

And I felt an indescribable sense of accomplishment.

‘Is this what owning a mansion feels like?’

Beyond mere satisfaction, it felt like I owned the world.

Amidst this, a thought suddenly struck me.

‘My social standing has risen even further.’

Yes. As of today, my social standing in Kuryongseong had risen from the lower class to the middle class.

And I owned a grand mansion with three pavilions and a spacious courtyard!

Whoosh.

As if intimidated by my majesty, the hot sun hid behind the clouds and sprinkled rain.

“What are you doing?! It’s raining!”

Just leave me alone for a moment. I want to savor this feeling.

***

“Congratulations. After being so stingy, you’ve finally succeeded in getting your own place.”

“Congratulations, Team Leader. It’s nothing special, but please accept this.”

“Congratulations. Here···.”

“…Congratulations…”

The members of Team Seventeen—Yang Gang, Yu So-pyeong, Ha Jin-hyeong, and Lee Dang-pal—greeted him in order.

Since everyone except Yang Gang had brought housewarming gifts, I relayed my request to Myohyang.

“Don’t put meat in that guy’s soup bowl.”

“I’ll place the meat dishes as far away as possible.”

As expected, husband and wife are of one mind… No, siblings are one body.

Just as the joyful drinking party was about to begin.

Squeak.

“…I came because they said they’d give me booze if I came.”

An unexpected guest arrived.

“Gu! Ryong!”

“Enough. Everyone, sit down.”

“Yes.”

It was none other than the external faction leader, Bukgung Baek.

It was like a battalion commander crashing a platoon dinner.

The atmosphere cooled rapidly, which was only natural.

‘He’s a master and doesn’t even know when to back off. Gu Long’s future looks bleak!’

He wanted to punch him in the face, but the man was a top-tier master in Sichuan.

Getting crushed within three seconds wasn’t just a possibility—it was highly probable.

“Drinks.”

“Yes! Right here!”

And so began the awkward housewarming.

Gulp after gulp.

‘Oh dear! What a waste of good liquor!’

Bukgung Baek, Nine Dragon City’s top boozer, downed an entire jar of precious bamboo leaf clear liquor.

“Don’t worry about me, just enjoy yourselves.”

As if that were possible.

Nibble. Nibble.

The squad members nibbled nervously, watching each other.

Amidst this, the biggest nutcase I’d ever seen, Yang Gang, suddenly stood up.

Thud.

He sat right in front of Beigong Bai.

“How can you possibly taste the wine drinking alone? Let’s drink together.”

Whoa.

It was like a private drinking with the regiment commander.

Naturally, everyone in the 17th squad, including me, couldn’t help but gape.

But.

Bukgung Baek seemed to have a more down-to-earth personality than expected.

“Then have a drink.”

He tilted the jar he’d been drinking from, filling Yang Gang’s bowl to the brim.

“Thank you, Lord.”

Gulp, gulp.

“That’s manly. I like it.”

“I hear that a lot.”

A little while later.

Led by my own resignation, the mood at the drinking party lifted.

Thanks to the advanced drinking games of 21st-century Joseon.

“The random games Dangpal loves!”

Amid the merry atmosphere, the members got drunk one by one.

Yanggang and Bukgungbaek were locked in a fierce drinking battle.

As the mood reached its peak.

Ting-tang, ting-tang~

Suddenly, the sound of a seven-string zither echoed from a corner of the courtyard.

Myohyang had changed into a splendid outfit and was playing the zither.

The mystical light of the full moon enveloped her beauty.

Moo-eong.

Everyone stared blankly at her beautiful form.

After about ten minutes, when the performance ended, I and the other members rose from our seats and applauded.

Clap clap clap clap clap.

“Why are you being so shy?”

“I had no idea my sister had such talent.”

“You’re amazing!”

“…Wow.”

And it seemed that emotion wasn’t felt only by us, as North Palace White uttered an exclamation.

“That was a fine sound.”

“I haven’t properly introduced myself. This maiden is called Myohyang.”

“As a guest, my greetings were late. I am North Palace White.”

“I’ve heard much about you.”

Bukgungbaek handed over a money pouch with his characteristic expressionless face.

Bukgungbaek is the president of a subsidiary of Guryongseong, one of the largest conglomerates in the martial arts world.

There was no way such a man would put coins in the pouch he handed over.

A few jars of liquor and such a tidy little side income.

My nose twitched and my heart pounded.

“It’s a gift. I originally intended it for Jin Zhaozhang, but it’s proper for the person handling the money to receive it, so I’ll give it to you instead.”

“Huh?! Jin Zhaozhang and I aren’t that kind of relationship…”

“Since you live under the same roof, it’s not far off, is it?”

With that, Baek left, carrying the wine jar.

Myohyang’s face, flushed from the strange misunderstanding, turned so red it looked like it might burst.

Before the misunderstanding deepened, I spoke to her.

“Heh heh, the head of the household is just that sort of person, so don’t misunderstand him. He’s not a bad person, though.”

“…Is that so?”

“Then the pouch the head of the household gave you should be given to me…”

“No.”

“Huh? No, that’s not what I meant…”

“I said no.”

“What I meant was…”

“No.”

“Sis!”

As if something was urgent, Myohyang hurriedly retreated into her room. I didn’t get the pouch back.

It was the harm caused by the prejudice that women hold economic power.

***

The next day, using moving as an excuse to take leave, I began patrolling the neighborhood.

If I were alone, it wouldn’t matter, but since I had to live with Myohyang, who knew nothing of martial arts, I needed to ensure the area’s safety.

However, there was one thing I overlooked.

“Why would black-clad thugs be out and about this early in the morning? They’d probably be sprawled out somewhere, sleeping late.“

That was precisely the lifestyle of those who were practically unemployed.

Having wasted the morning, I was now killing time at a nearby restaurant, ordering a bowl of noodles.

”By the way, don’t you need anything else? A young person like you won’t be full on just that, right?“

”No, thank you.“

”The portion’s small too.”

Truthfully, the portion was meager, but I refused it because it was tasteless and overpriced.

‘When value for money is lacking, consumers turn away.’

Indeed, value for money is a truth that pierces the universe.

As I passed the time like this, black-clad thugs with knives at their waists began appearing one by one.

“I’ve eaten well.”

Clink.

Leaving a single coin on the table, I immediately followed one of them.

Perhaps because I was following him so blatantly, once we reached the alley, the man I was tailing suddenly turned around.

“Who the hell are you, following me?”

“I’m just a decent citizen who followed you to see what kind of vermin you are, living your life. ”

“What?”

Hearing my provocation, the thug scowled, his already menacing face contorting further.

If I’d met him back in my loser days in modern society, I would’ve pissed myself. But I’m different now.

Now I’m the Ultra Capsule King of Kings, Jinmujin.

Whack!

“Guh!”

I kicked him hard in the thigh. It was a King-Wang-Jjang low kick.

Clutching his thigh, the guy lost his balance and fell flat on the floor.

“I didn’t break it, so stop whining and get up.”

Clink.

I tossed a small badge right in front of his eyes.

“Huh! The Nine Dragons badge!”

It was the employee ID of the mega-corporation, Nine Dragons.

Though merely the lowest-tier bronze badge, to the Black Path, it was equivalent to the Underworld’s resident registration card.

“I dared not recognize the hero of Nine Dragons City!”

“I have questions about the Black Path. Got a moment?”

“Yes, I’ll tell you everything with all my heart!”

A short while later, after hearing his explanation about the Black Path, I reached a brief conclusion.

“So, the Black Sands faction is fiercely fighting over control between the Yi Xianbang and the Hei Wufang?”

“You’ve understood correctly.”

“And tonight is the day of the decisive battle.”

“Yes. They’ve agreed to clash outside the outer city walls, at the lower reaches of the Qiling River.”

“Thank you. But since you’ve told me this much, could you grant me one more favor?”

“Yes?”

***

Half a day passed, and the hour of the decisive battle drew near.

I changed into the clothes of the Black Sword guy I’d captured earlier and arrived at the location where the Black Sword guys were set to fight.

Perhaps because the battle was imminent, harsh voices echoed from all around.

“What kind of guy shows up on the battlefield without a sword?!”

“…Huh? Me?”

“Yeah! You bastard! Who else here isn’t carrying a sword?!”

“Well… My main weapon is my bare hands…”

“Ha! Who the hell picked this guy? Hey, you piece of trash. Do you really think a third-rate loser like you can block a sword with your fists? You’ll probably just get run over. What are you waiting for? Go grab a stick or something.”

After hearing that, I snapped a branch off a nearby tree and lined up with the others.

Had it been about an hour?

Urrrr.

Men appeared from across the river.

With those rough-looking guys swarming over, swords drawn, it felt like watching a Korean gangster noir movie in VR.

And then.

“Hahahahaha! You puny Lee Seon-bang scum! You found your gravesite just fine, didn’t you!”

A large man from the Black Armor Corps bellowed loudly.

His appearance screamed third-rate extra villain, and I was certain I’d never have to look at the bastard twice.

In response to his shout, someone stepped forward from the Lee Seon-bang camp.

Thud thud thud.

His movements were anything but ordinary.

“So you’ve gathered a bunch of misfits. But that won’t change the fact that next year on this day will be your funeral.”

It was dialogue straight out of an old martial arts novel.

But seeing that man, I couldn’t help but be startled.

‘Misan Inn?’

That was it. The man was the bald guy I’d fought at the Misan Inn earlier. The one whose fight I’d settled, earning me the White Day Fever quest reward.

As I assessed the situation, an idea to end things easily popped into my head, and I sent a telepathic message to the bald guy.

[Hey. Baldie.]

“…!”

I saw him flinch, clearly startled.

[It’s me. Jin Mujeon, Seventeenth Squad Leader. We met at the Misan Inn before. Remember?]

The bald man gave a slight nod, and I continued the telepathic message.

[I’ll take care of that guy. Just do me one favor later.]

[What are you suddenly talking about? And how did you even get here?]

[I’ll explain that later. Just decide. Will you do it? Or not?]

[Even you couldn’t possibly break through two hundred Black Cloud Guards and capture the Ark, could you?]

[That’s my problem to solve. You won’t lose anything, will you?]

[…True enough. Fine. If you capture the Black Armored Fleet, I’ll grant whatever favor you ask.]

[Then do as I say.]

Later, the battle known to Lee Seon-bang history as the Giryung Great Victory began.