Chapter 103

Though Dan Woo-sung hadn’t revealed his true strength, Qingyidang’s leader, Do Jin-gwang, and Moolyongdang’s leader, Ho Tae-jun, fully grasped the reality.

They had already lost all will to fight when struck by the ice barrier.

When they broke through that ice barrier only to be engulfed by the thunderous energy that arrived, it felt like they had stepped to the brink of death and then pulled their foot back just in time.

Still trembling from the shock, Do Jin-gwang gestured to his men. He was signaling them to step outside, as there was a risk of being wiped out. His men then moved toward the outer part of the main hall and waited.

Do Jin-kwang spoke.

“State your demands.”

Ho Tae-jun, eyes closed, was regulating his breathing as if practicing qigong. Given the situation, where leaving it unchecked could cause deep internal injuries and potentially lose half his inner strength, there was no reason to hesitate.

Dan Woo-sung spoke.

“Shall we say the Blue Dragon Sect subdued the Black Dragon Sect? Or that the Black Dragon Sect was absorbed?”

Realizing the meaning of the words, Do Jin-kwang retorted as if preempting the move.

“Let’s go to Cheongu Hall.”

Ho Tae-jun, midway through his breathing exercises, felt blood surge back up his throat.

‘That bastard… of all times.’

Ho Tae-jun barely managed to steady his nearly overturned qi and blood before silently focusing on his breathing exercises again.

Dan Woo-sung nodded.

“Report that the Blue Robe Sect has taken control of the local underworld. Contact the Jipya Mafia and relay that information. I will accompany you.”

Do Jin-gwang asked.

“What do you intend to do by accompanying us?”

Dan Woo-sung looked at Baek Yak and said.

“Shouldn’t someone from your side come out—whether it’s a messenger or the person in charge of absorbing forces?”

“That’s correct. There’s a man in charge nearby.”

“Good. We’ll just beat him up when we meet.”

Do Jingwang was startled.

“Huh? You mean the Jipyamyeong?”

Baekyak chuckled from within the veil.

Dan Woo-seong explained the characteristics and strategy of this operation. It was indeed a simple operation.

“If they get beaten up over there, won’t they report it to their superiors?”

“That’s right.”

“Then next time, dozens will come swarming. They’ll say they’re going to wipe out the Cheonguigang.”

A dark shadow settled over Do Jin-gwang’s expression.

‘This guy was completely insane.’

Danwooseong continued.

“If they come in droves, we beat them. If even more come, we beat them again. Eventually, Jipyamyeong will send their top fighters. If we beat them, the Jipyamyeong leader will appear. Why would that be?”

Dan Woo-sung looked at Baek Yak, who nodded and replied.

“Because it’s the Black Path.”

Dan Woosung nodded in agreement.

“Exactly. Because it’s the Black Path. If you beat them, they’ll keep seeking revenge. Beat them, beat them, strike them, kill them—then the Jipyameng leader will appear. We’ll keep beating them until then.”

Do Jingwang stared at Dan Woosung with a murderous glint in his eyes.

“Are you telling us to die now?”

Dan Wooseong looked at Do Jinkwang.

“When did I ever say that?”

“If all the Jipyameng come swarming in, we’ll have no choice but to die, won’t we?”

For a moment, Danwooseong said nothing, glaring at Dojinkwang and Hotaejun.

“······.”

Silence lingered.

Ho Tae-jun opened his eyes as if he’d just extinguished an urgent fire, gasping for breath as he looked at Dan Woo-sung. Even then, the conversation had been sinking in clearly. After all, it was a matter of life and death.

Dan Woosung spoke.

“Do Clan Leader.”

“Yes.”

“You’re a member of the Black Path, right?”

The question implied fear, causing Do Jin-kwang’s expression to twist.

Dan Woo-sung looked at Ho Tae-jun.

“Aren’t you also a member of the Black Dragon? If the two of you aren’t Black Dragons now, that’s fine too. After disbanding the Blue Hall and the Black Dragon Hall.”

Dan Woosung gestured as he spoke.

“Both of you just need to quietly get lost. You’re not the only small Black Clan faction trying to infiltrate the Jipyamyeong. I came here to destroy the entire Southern Black Clan anyway.”

Ho Tae-jun and Do Jin-gwang exchanged glances.

Dan Woo-sung said.

“You choose. But if you disband, don’t ever mention that damn Black Path again. If I see you, you die on the spot.”

Ho Tae-jun retorted immediately.

“Then let’s consider Myeongryongbang to have absorbed Cheonguidang. I will serve you. As for the contact with Jipyamyeong…”

At Ho Tae-jun’s words, Do Jin-gwang slammed his fist on the table.

Thud!

Dan Woo-seong, Ho Tae-jun, and Baek Yak looked at Do Jin-gwang.

After a moment of thought, Do Jin-gwang replied.

“I can’t do as this bastard says. Go ahead. I’ll serve you.”

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In the end, Dan Woo-sung, Ho Tae-jun, and Do Jin-kwang set out together.

Baekyak was left alone at the Myeongryongdang headquarters. If those Black Path bastards broke their promise and fled, they would all end up dead by Baekyak’s hand.

No one truly understood Danwooseong and Baekyak’s capabilities, or just how brutal they could become when a fight actually broke out.

Dan Wooseong and the two faction leaders headed for Goyagiru, one of the businesses affiliated with the Jipyameng.

According to their explanation, only the head manager of Goyagiru was an actual member of the Jipyamyeong. In other words, the rest of the martial artists and courtesans working at Goyagiru were unaware that it even belonged to the Jipyamyeong.

All they needed to do was tell the head of Goyagiru that Cheonguidang and Myeongryongdang had merged.

The report would immediately reach the Jipyameng.

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“Go and tell Lord Ruzhu that the head of the Qingyi Sect has come to speak with him.”

The woman bowed her head upon hearing Do Jin-gwang’s words and withdrew. The three had taken their seats in a room resembling a private chamber.

While waiting for Lord Goyaru, Danwooseong inquired.

“Who was that Jipyameng leader again?”

“I don’t know.”

Ho Tae-jun replied.

“He probably died long ago. And then it changed. And then he probably died again. When the atmosphere turns deadly inside and out, you can assume the leader has changed. I don’t know who the current leader of the Jipyameng is now. It’s probably some surviving veteran among the cadres. Regardless of the internal strife, the power remains the same. By the way, what will you do when Lu Zhu arrives?”

Dan Woo-sung said.

“I already told you.”

“You’ll beat him?”

Dan Woo-sung suddenly smiled faintly, lost in thought. Do Jin-gwang and Ho Tae-jun looked at him with puzzled expressions. The reason for his smile felt slightly ominous.

Dan Woo-sung smiled and then said to the two of them.

“Is Lu Zhu the core master of Jiyamyeong?”

“A core master wouldn’t be running the brothel. Since he’s the brothel’s manager, he’s probably handling the finances.”

“I see.”

Dan Woo-sung said.

“Then when Lu Zhu arrives, the two of you strike him. Whoever strikes first will temporarily become the second-in-command. With war imminent, the hierarchy must be clear. After all, these two were destined to settle their rivalry.”

The two faction leaders closed their eyes tightly, looking annoyed.

If they defeated Goyaru Ju, they’d be in a real bind.

In a situation with no way out, the blades of the Jipyamyeong would immediately turn on the two of them.

Before the two could even think, the door to the private room opened, and a bald man in his forties appeared. He seemed to be the owner of the Goyaru.

The innkeeper, with a belly bulging like a mountain, approached with a frown.

“What’s this? I was told the Blue Pavilion Master was here, but why are there three of you? Huh?”

The innkeeper strode briskly to the table and glared at the three. His manner toward inferiors was ingrained.

“Master of the Blue Pavilion, have you lost your mind?”

Do Jingwang looked at the table with a helpless expression, then sighed.

“Huuu…”

He was completely hooked.

At that moment, Ho Tae-jun rose from his seat and slapped Goyaru-ju’s cheek with his uninjured hand.

Smack…

“Huh?”

Goyaruju clutched his cheek with a look of shock as if he’d encountered a monster, then stared at Ho Tae-jun.

“Did you hit me?”

Ho Tae-jun, seemingly thinking the damage was already done, cursed and lunged at Goyaruju.

“I did. You fucking bastard… Who the hell do you think you are, treating people like shit every day? Are you my superior?”

Ho Tae-jun slapped Goyaruju’s cheek, punched his head, kicked him, and drove him against the wall. Finally, he raised his hand to slap him again and glared at him.

“Who do you think you are? Why is this little bastard acting so cocky, like some house-bound messenger?”

Ho Tae-jun glared at Goyaru-ju as if pouring out his fury, then slapped him. Goyaru-ju stood there momentarily speechless before opening his mouth.

“No…!”

Ho Tae-jun cut him off, slapping his cheek again.

“No what? No what, you little bastard?”

Ho Tae-jun then grabbed Goyaruju’s ear and yanked him over to sit in the seat opposite Dan Woo-sung.

“Sit.”

As Goyaru-ju tried to sit, Ho Tae-jun kicked his knee with his foot and said.

“Get on your knees. You crazy bastard. You don’t get it, do you?”

Goyaruju chuckled heartily, then stubbornly sat down.

“Hey, Ho Tae-jun and Do Jin-gwang. Looks like you two don’t want to live. You know exactly what this means when you do this to me.”

Thud!

Ho Tae-jun smacked Goyaruju’s bald head again, pointing to Dan Woo-seong as the mastermind behind this incident.

“Hey, baldy. Our Black Dragon Sect and Blue Robe Sect have joined the ranks of the person standing before us. From now on, this person is the supreme leader of the entire Stone Gate Black Path. Tell the Jipya Mafia that too. Got it? Baldy, answer me.”

As Ho Tae-jun finished berating Goyaru-ju, Dan Woo-sung burst out laughing.

Anyway, the Black Path had this kind of vibe. Its own brand of humor was far more pronounced than that of the White Path or the Demon Path. The White Path wouldn’t do this out of concern for appearances, and the Demon Path had an atmosphere far heavier than this.

Amidst all that, openly pinpointing Dan Woo-sung as the root cause of this whole mess was just too funny.

Goyaru-ju looked at Danwooseong and said.

“What should I call you?”

Danwooseong retorted.

“Goyaruju.”

“Speak.”

“Haven’t you had enough yet?”

Do Jin-gwang, who had been watching the situation, holding back, and observing until now, stretched out one leg from his seated position and kicked Goyaru-ju squarely in the chest, sending him flying.

Thud! With a sound, Goyaru-ju rolled backward.

Dojin-gwang said to Goyaruju.

“Mind your manners. Use proper speech. Unless you want to end up dead.”

Dan Woosung described the situation like this.

“Ah, so our Blue Hall Master has finally joined the Black Path War. Welcome, Master Do.”

Dojin-gwang replied to Danwooseong as if he had no choice.

“Yes, I have joined the war.”

Ho Tae-jun interjected.

“Do Jin-gwang, you’re under me anyway. Let’s get this straight.”

Do Jingwang retorted.

“Yeah. Next move, you idiot.”

Ho Tae-jun glared at the ceiling with a heated expression, prompting Dan Woo-sung to mediate.

“Shut up, both of you. Goyaruju, you need to finish what you were saying. Come here and sit down.”

Goyaruju approached with an expression that said he wouldn’t say another word, sat down, and glared at Danwooseong.

Danwooseong pointed his finger as if to summarize and report today’s events.

“Tell Jipyameng. I’ve taken control of Seokmunheukdo. And I have no intention of accepting Jipyameng’s interference. Come to think of it, isn’t this place with the brothel also included in the Seokmun area?”

Ho Tae-jun spoke as if he didn’t care what happened.

“That’s correct.”

Dan Wooseong spoke as if he might show some leniency.

“It’s not a pretty sight to see fellow black-clad thugs acting so ruthless toward each other, so I’ll give you thirty days’ grace. By then, either clear out Koyagiru completely or hand it over to me. If it’s still running smoothly then, I’ll send the boys to smash it to pieces. Got it?”

Got it?”

Danwooseong deliberately mimicked the common black-clad thug look. He did this to avoid making a strong impression.

Goyaru-ju stood up and looked down at Dan Wooseong as he spoke.

“Are you finished speaking?”

Dan Woosung nodded, and Goyaruju spoke.

“I will convey every word you said to Jipyamyeong without omission. Leader of the Black Path of Seokmun.”

Goyaru-ju bowed deeply at the waist before asking.

“Then may this bald one take his leave?”

As Goyaruju spoke with a sneer, Ho Tae-jun, who had been listening nearby, asked Dan Woo-sung in a quiet tone.

“Shall we just kill him? Either way, the result is the same.”

Dan Woo-sung extended his hand toward the door with an unreadable expression.

“Let him go.”

As Goyaruju turned away with a cold expression, Ho Tae-jun said in a sarcastic tone.

“Go fetch some liquor, you bald bastard. I’m having a drink before I leave. Anyway, if you’ve laced it with poison, you’re dead as of today. Let’s see what kind of liquor you bring.”

Goyaru-ju, who had been listening with his back turned, slammed open the door to the inner room as if to break it down, then shouted from the hallway.

“Bring me a drink!”

Goyaruju muttered as he walked down the hallway.

“Since it’ll be your last drink. Drink your fill.”