Chapter 109

The King Reveals His True Identity

“Jeon Birang.”

When Dan Woo-sung called her name, Jeon Bi-rang, who had changed into clothes provided by the Myeongryongdang members, nodded.

“Speak.”

Dan Woosung said.

“Since you fled this way, the entire Jipyameng will mobilize.”

Jeon Bi-rang nodded.

“Indeed.”

Dan Woosung pointed to the paper and brush on the table.

“Starting with the portrait of the Jipyameng leader.”

Jeon Birang had been driving all night and desperately needed sleep. Yet, knowing exactly why Dan Wooseong was doing this, he sat down at the table and began sketching the portrait of Jipyamyeongju.

Dan Wooseong watched the drawing and said.

“Bi-rang, if the entire Jipyameng attacks, countless lives will be lost. Of course, Jipyameng will suffer casualties too. So you figure out where the Jipyameng leader is. I’ll handle the killing. Killing a swarm of ants holds little interest for me.”

Jeon Birang replied while continuing to draw.

“I see. But I don’t think Ha Jeong-hak, the leader of the Jipyameng, is the sort of man who’d stand idly by once the fighting starts.”

“Is that so?”

“I’m not sure, but could he have become the leader of the Black Path by acting that way? Though his followers are all part of the Black Path too, precisely because they are part of the Black Path, an unmanly response would be the greatest cause for rebellion. That is also because they are part of the Black Path.”

Dan Woo-seong nodded.

“If that’s the case, I welcome it.”

Jeon Birang spoke as if worried.

“By the way, looking at the forces of the Black Dragon Hall, even counting only the elite of the Jipyameng, they must be ten times more numerous than these. How do you plan to handle them? Do you perhaps have reinforcements? If the situation becomes untenable, you and I might be able to escape. But the rest will likely be slaughtered.”

When Jeon Birang expressed concern for the Black Dragon Sect, with whom he had shared a meal, Dan Wooseong replied thus.

“There’s one more master here whose skill rivals mine.”

Jeon Bi-rang’s eyes widened in surprise. Come to think of it, she recalled that when Lee Ho-mun had been killed by this man last time, the soldiers had been killed by another master within the Myeongryongdang.

Dan Woo-seong spoke in a matter-of-fact tone to Jeon Bi-rang, who was wearing a shocked expression.

“The number of soldiers is meaningless to this master. The more there are, the more the enemies will fear them.”

Binggong was indeed like that.

If one or two people were seen frozen solid, it might have seemed like they’d been struck by a blood-sealing technique, and people might have shrugged it off. But witnessing dozens or even hundreds frozen solid was a different level altogether. The hearts of those watching, seemingly unharmed, would freeze first.

Jeon Birang nodded.

“Then our forces won’t be at a disadvantage at all.”

Danwooseong replied curtly.

“That was the case from the start.”

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“Missed it? You mean I missed it even though I sent the men right away? Old Ho-gak boasted he’d bring it back.”

Ha Min retorted to the question from Ha Jung-hak, the leader of the Jipya Myeongju.

“That veteran suffered the most severe injury. He won’t be able to contribute to the team for the time being.”

Ha Jeong-hak said, suppressing his temper.

“He always claimed he was better than Jeon Birang. How utterly ridiculous.”

Ha Jeong-hak was completely unaware that he himself was the one who had driven Jeon Bi-rang away. Had he at least treated him with proper courtesy until the end, Jeon Bi-rang wouldn’t have fled to the Black Dragon Sect.

Jeon Birang joining the Moksryongdang meant he was effectively declaring war on the Jipyamyeong.

Ha Jeong-hak said to Ha Min.

“Brother.”

“Yes.”

Jeon Birang is a man who can even sketch the building structures here. He can draw every executive’s facial features too. If he leaves the Black Dragon Hall and throws himself into the Martial Alliance, he’ll have to wage all-out war against Alliance Leader Yu.

“That is correct.”

“This isn’t the time for evasive answers. First, tell me your thoughts.”

“Our response so far has been to avoid total force loss. Now that things have come to this, we have no choice but to launch an all-out assault, kill every last person in the Black Dragon Hall, and reduce the site of the Black Dragon Hall building to ashes.”

“That alone won’t suffice. I intend to wage an all-out war anyway.”

“If that’s your decision, what’s the problem? First, open the Brain Prison. It’s filled with prisoners locked away by past leaders. Start by shoving them all into the Black Dragon Hall.”

“They’re all martial artists. How do you plan to handle them in such a tight timeframe? It’s better to kill them all and leave.”

“You mean kill all the prisoners? Is that really necessary?”

Ha Min stared at Ha Jeonghak in shock.

Ha Jeong-hak spoke with a cold expression.

“We must set the entire prison ablaze before all the disciples, then steel our resolve for the final battle. The Black Path is ineffective unless wielded through terror. I cannot depart after killing my own men. And drag that wounded old vagabond here too—behead him before the disciples. It will serve as a warning to the others as well…”

Ha Min opened his mouth briefly… then managed to reply.

“Understood.”

Seeing Ha Min’s hesitation, Ha Jeonghak spoke with a displeased expression.

“Brother, this fight has already boiled down to nothing but killing and being killed. I suppose you and I have different understandings of what total war means.”

“No. How could that be? It’s the same.”

The methods were different.

Ha Jeong-hak said.

“The entire Jipyamyeong will depart. You prepare. I will decide the departure time.”

“Understood.”

As Ha Min was about to leave, Ha Jeonghak spoke to his younger brother with an expression slightly different from usual.

“Min.”

“Yes, brother.”

“Before you leave, let’s have a light drink together.”

“Understood.”

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General Ha Min sought out Ha Jeonghak, a bottle of liquor in hand. Come to think of it, he couldn’t even recall when the brothers had last shared a drink.

Ha-min was actually thinking this.

His cold-hearted brother held the soldier accountable, and I wondered if he might kill me too…

But Ha-min was prepared to die willingly if his brother intended to kill him.

Hamin hesitated briefly before the leader’s quarters, unsure whether to address him as “Leader” or “Brother,” then knocked on the door.

“Brother, it’s me.”

“Come in.”

Hamin approached Ha Jeonghak, who was polishing his sword, and said.

“I’m ready.”

Ha Jeong-hak replied while continuing to polish the sword.

“Good work.”

“When will we depart?”

“Let’s have a drink first, then go.”

Ha-min set down a bottle of liquor alone, brought two cups, and then asked his elder brother.

“Brother, am I going to die too?”

As Ha-min filled the cup, Ha Jeong-hak asked back.

“By whom? By me?”

“Yes.”

Ha Jeong-hak let out a short sigh.

“How could that be? You’ve only ever suffered, little brother. Half the credit for me becoming leader is yours. That’s impossible.”

Ha-min said, raising his cup.

“That’s a relief. I did feel it would be a bit unfair to die at your hands, Brother.”

Ha Jeong-hak raised his cup too, responding with a bitter expression.

“I must have lived poorly. If you even thought that…”

Ha Jeonghak dismissed the guards standing like shadows behind him before speaking.

“Min-ah.”

“Yes.”

“Listen carefully without misunderstanding.”

“Please speak freely.”

Ha Jeong-hak spoke unexpectedly.

“I’ve been thinking. Maybe I should negotiate with them, depending on who it is. I don’t see why I couldn’t.”

“Are you joking?”

“Of course not.”

Ha Min and Ha Jeong-hak finished their drinks and set down their cups.

Ha Min shook his head and said.

Brother… just go and fight, and finish it like a true underworld boss. I’ve told you many schemes and tricks, but this matter defies all schemes and tricks. Standing here now, having reached this point through schemes and tricks, I realize only you and I remain. Though they are our men, their hearts have drifted far from us. The former leader we killed and many black-clad warriors will be laughing at us from the underworld. This time, go find the enemy and fight, kill, and kill again, true to the black-clad way. That is the end for us brothers. There are no schemes this time… This time…”

Ha Jung-hak’s words were unexpected, but Ha Min’s words—who had always been plotting schemes—were also shocking to Ha Jung-hak.

Ha Min said.

“A black knight isn’t someone who schemes. A black knight is strongest when he is a black knight. Fighting is the best course. For a black knight.”

“Is that so?”

“That’s right. I no longer care about the enemy’s true identity. I don’t need to know. This man came solely to fight the Lord of the Alliance. He arrived to engage in the old-school underworld style of fighting—no tricks, no schemes, just raw power from start to finish. His intent was to settle this with strength alone, but I was slow to grasp the situation. That’s why our leaders kept falling. He’ll wait even now. He means for the Lord to step forward. There’s nowhere left to run. By now, even the Jipyameng’s men will think like that unidentified man. So, it’s about who is stronger.”

Ha Jeonghak sheathed his sword as he replied.

“Well said. If I were weak to begin with, I wouldn’t even be fit to sit in the leader’s seat of the Jipyamang… Let’s go.”

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Somewhat shocked by Ha Min’s words, Ha Jeonghak unexpectedly changed his mind. He spared the life of the old hostage, merely left the prison doors open for the prisoners, and moved on, leaving the weaker subordinates behind in the Jipyameng. He intended to take only the masters who had served as his right-hand men during his time controlling the Jipyameng.

Consequently, their numbers were not large.

Despite this, the atmosphere grew even heavier, which was a puzzling situation.

Moreover, before the Jipyamyeong, he commanded Hammin as follows in the name of the Myeongju-ryeong.

“Ha-min, listen up, Commander-in-Chief.”

Ha-min knelt on one knee, his expression startled.

“Yes, Lord.”

Ha Jeong-hak said.

“We’ve left many troops at Jipyamyeong, so a responsible person is needed. As Deputy Commander, manage internal affairs strictly. You’re smarter than me, so you’ll do well. And the left and right guards, don’t get involved in this matter. Guard Deputy Commander Ha Min.”

The guards answered first.

“We obey your orders.”

When Ha Min remained silent, Ha Jeonghak spoke again.

“Answer.”

“Ah, understood. I accept the order.”

Ha Jeong-hak grinned, then patted Ha Min’s head as he knelt before him. He then led his direct subordinates and set off for Myeongryong Hall.

“Let’s go.”

The fate of those destined to die changed so they wouldn’t die.

And a man who shouldn’t die ends up dying. Was it because fate truly existed? Neither Ha Jeong-hak nor Ha Min knew why this fate changed moment by moment.

Perhaps fate kept changing because the heart changed moment by moment.

Ha Jeong-hak left the Jipyamyeong, prepared to die.

In truth, this was the proper response befitting a true Black Path practitioner. Ha Jeong-hak had also come to realize that it was only because that response had come too late that his subordinates had perished.

As he imagined what kind of monster awaited at Moolryongdang, Ha Jeong-hak’s heart grew as fiery as when he first stepped onto the path of the Black Path.

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A Moksryongdang member opened the main hall door and poked his head out, saying,

“The leader of the Jipyameng has arrived outside.”

The expression on the Moolryongdang member delivering the message was filled with utter disbelief.

Dan Woo-seong asked.

“How many?”

The Moksryongdang member replied.

“Standing at the entrance, about seventeen or eighteen… anyway, around twenty people.”

Dan Woo-sung stepped outside the main hall and said.

“Let them in.”

Through the main gate, the leader of the Jipyamyeong, Ha Jeong-hak, and his henchmen quietly entered the Myeongryong Hall. Ha Jeong-hak spoke to Jeon Bi-rang, who stood beside Dan Woo-seong.

“Bi-rang, we meet again.”

Jeon Bi-rang nodded.

“Welcome, Lord.”

Ha Jeong-hak looked at Dan Woo-seong. Even without any introduction, his presence was so distinct that Ha Jeong-hak immediately recognized him as the man in question.

Ha Jeong-hak addressed Dan Woo-seong.

“I am Ha Jeong-hak, leader of the Jipya Alliance.”

Ha Jeong-hak was being polite. After all, he had introduced himself first to Dan Woo-seong, who looked quite young. Suddenly, Mokryongdang, Cheonguidang, and Jeon Bi-rang couldn’t help but keep an eye on Dan Woo-seong. Since arriving here, he hadn’t revealed his name or identity, so naturally, they were curious.

Dan Wooseong, who had descended alone to the center of the courtyard, looked at Ha Jeonghak and his subordinates. Crossing his arms, he introduced himself with a few brief words.

“I am the Crown Prince.”

That explanation was sufficient.