Chapter 18

The faces of everyone in the Hoyoung Pavilion stiffened.

The expressions of the Cheongsa Gang members, in particular, were those of pure shock.

“A counter-method to our gang’s martial arts? Don’t talk nonsense!”

Yang-hwi took another booklet from his robes and tossed it carelessly.

“I picked up another one; why don’t you read it?”

Soon, Hall Master Sadu’s eyes bulged out.

“This is… how on earth…”

“Why so surprised? Looking at the situation, it seems the Cheongsa Gang has obtained the counter-method for the Honggyo Gang.”

Yang-hwi giggled and continued.

“It seems some eccentric is stirring up trouble for fun, and this time, unlike before, it looks like it’s the Cheongsa Gang’s turn to be fucked!”

“Ahem, Hwi. Do not use such vulgar language.”

Oh, right. I forgot my father was here.

“Father, I’ve picked up some bad habits from spending time with Brother Gu… I apologize.”

Even though he had been in the middle of a life-or-death battle until just moments ago, Gu Ak felt a surge of rage upon hearing Yang-hwi’s words.

‘That little brat who is always insolent in front of me, where did he learn to spout such lies!’

Observing Gu Ak’s expression, Yang-hwi quickly seized the initiative to shut him up.

“Anyway! The situation seems to have changed quite a bit! Wouldn’t you agree, Brother Gu?”

Until a moment ago, the Cheongsa Gang was pushing the Honggyo Gang back with sheer numbers, but now it was different.

Gu Ak was the only Peak Realm expert present, and now that they had obtained the counter-method, he would be able to unleash a martial art on a different level than before.

‘Since both sides know the counter-method, at the very least, it’ll be mutual destruction.’

In a clash of martial arts, possessing the counter-method is like playing Go while knowing exactly where your opponent will place their pieces beforehand.

Until now, Hall Master Sadu, a Second-Rate expert, could have held his own against Gu Ak, but that was now impossible.

‘And that’s not all.’

“Since everyone in E’an County now knows the Cheongsa Gang’s counter-method, things have become quite interesting. I wonder if the Gyojin Gang will just sit still.”

The Gyojin Gang was another Unorthodox Faction group whose territory bordered that of the Cheongsa Gang.

And I can guarantee, there is no way the Gyojin Gang will let this opportunity pass by quietly.

Just as the Cheongsa Gang, having obtained the Honggyo Gang’s counter-method, immediately launched an all-out war.

“Damn it. We’re pulling out.”

Hearing Hall Master Sadu shout this while gritting his teeth, Yang-hwi wore an expression that suggested it wouldn’t be so easy.

“What kind of talk is that? Do you think you can just leave as easily as you came? No wonder they call you ignorant members of the Black Path Band.”

“You little brat, today is not the only day. Just wait for your turn, I will surely rip your mouth open.”

“Your own throat will be cut first, won’t it? Isn’t that right, Brother Gu?”

Gu Ak twisted his blood-streaked face into a menacing grimace.

“That goes without saying. Hall Master Sadu, before the sun sets today, I will bury an axe into your skull.”

Watching Gu Ak growl, Yang-hwi thought to himself.

‘The stage is set enough for now.’

The Cheongsa Gang needs to return immediately to prepare for an attack from the Gyojin Gang.

But since the Honggyo Gang won’t let this slide, mediation is necessary.

Yang-hwi looked at Baek Mu-ryang.

“Well, now it’s time for the Master of our Baek Manor to step in.”

Baek Mu-ryang stepped forward and looked at Gu Ak and Hall Master Sadu.

“I, Baek of the Baek Manor, propose this to the two gang leaders. Civilians are suffering greatly, so stop this fighting. At the very least, I will no longer tolerate people being slaughtered in the vicinity of my manor.”

“I see no reason why this gang should—”

-Blood Axe. If you wish to live happily ever after with Rangrang, comply.

Gu Ak, who had been growling, instantly went silent upon hearing Baek Mu-ryang’s Sound Transmission.

While Gu Ak sent a look that defied description, Baek Mu-ryang continued.

“The Honggyo Gang will accept the mediation. What about the Cheongsa Gang?”

“…Although I do not have the final say, if it comes to that, the Leader of the Red Bridge Gang will consider himself in debt to the Baek Manor.”

“Very well.”

“Then, we shall take our leave…”

It was when Hall Master Sadu was signaling his subordinates.

“Wait. Do you intend to leave without paying the price for the mediation?”

“…What do you want?”

“One hundred gold ingots.”

In silver, that’s a staggering ten thousand taels. It’s a massive sum, enough to buy the entire Hoyoung Pavilion where they currently stood.

“Do you not think the price is too exorbitant?”

“The Cheongsa Gang must have seized at least three businesses from the Honggyo Gang.”

“…”

“If you don’t have the authority to decide, pass the message to your leader and send someone within the day. Keep this in mind. Before the sun sets today.”

Even if he asked for thirty thousand instead of ten thousand, the Cheongsa Gang would have no choice but to accept the offer.

Unless they wanted to be wiped out entirely.

“…I will pass that word to the Leader.”

Once all the Cheongsa Gang members had retreated, Baek Mu-ryang looked at Gu Ak.

“Blood Axe. Tell all your subordinates to stand down.”

“…Everyone, head back, tend to the wounded, and clear the corpses.”

Once the subordinates had vanished, Gu Ak opened his mouth.

“You have much to say, Master Baek. First, I must ask you this. Putting everything else aside, do you truly have a brilliant plan to make our Leader accept the mediation?”

“Before that, there is a premise I must state, Brother Gu.”

Yang-hwi quickly interjected.

“From the Honggyo Gang’s perspective, it would be best to join forces with the Gyojin Gang to devour the Cheongsa Gang for revenge. But that is the Honggyo Gang’s perspective; isn’t your perspective different, Brother Gu?”

Gu Ak’s eyes deepened.

The father who fed poison to his beloved.

From the perspective of the Leader of the Honggyo Gang, he was merely one of many sons and daughters, a rival threatening the throne.

“Continue, Young Brother So.”

“Brother Gu must act not for the benefit of the Honggyo Gang, but for the happiness of Rangrang. To do that, you must persuade the Leader of the Honggyo Gang.”

“And the specific method?”

“I intend to hand over the counter-method to the counter-method.”

“You mean to counter the Rock-Cleaving Axe Technique, our gang’s core martial art, once again? By whom?”

Yang-hwi pointed at himself with his thumb.

“Who else? It is I, the unparalleled genius who appears once in a hundred years.”

“I want to scold you for saying such absurd things, but I am dumbfounded by the fact that I find myself thinking it might actually be possible. But to do that, you would need to get your hands on the counter-method for the Rock-Cleaving Axe Technique first.”

Yang-hwi smirked, took out another booklet, and threw it to Gu Ak.

Seeing the contents, shock washed over Gu Ak’s face once again.

“This is…!”

“I bribed a member of the Cheongsa Gang to obtain the counter-method, and then I created a counter-method that renders that counter-method useless.”

To be precise, it was an improvement that filled the weaknesses of the Rock-Cleaving Axe Technique, making it a better martial art.

“You mean to say Young Brother So created this himself? I cannot believe it. No matter how much of a genius you are, how could a child who has just entered the world of martial arts…”

That is not wrong. I was able to prepare it so quickly because I created it as practice before developing my family’s martial arts in my previous life.

However, Yang-hwi decided to be shameless.

“Now, will you acknowledge that your younger brother is the greatest genius under heaven?”

Baek Mu-ryang added.

“Hwi’s words are true. I watched him create the counter-method from start to finish by his side.”

In fact, Baek Mu-ryang had been shocked while watching Yang-hwi craft the counter-method over several days.

“First in Dispensing Chivalry. I can believe your word.”

Conflict welled up in Gu Ak’s eyes.

If all of this were true, Yang-hwi’s talent is dangerous.

If one considers the position of the Baek Manor and the future of the Honggyo Gang, killing him is the right thing to do.

However, it is also true that such a peerless genius is currently on his side.

Moreover, the Baek Manor is protecting Rangrang, which also means he is in their debt.

“What would you have me do?”

Although Gu Ak was a member of the Unorthodox Faction, he was not a man who repaid kindness with hatred.

He was also a man of pure heart who would rather see the Honggyo Gang perish than do something that would disappoint Rangrang.

“When you hand over the counter-method to the counter-method to the Leader of the Honggyo Gang, tell him that you, Brother Gu, created it yourself.”

“My standing within the gang would rise rapidly. My father, no, the Leader of the Honggyo Gang, will try to keep me in check.”

“But since all the gang members will have to learn the new Rock-Cleaving Axe Technique, they won’t be able to move for at least a few months. That should be enough.”

In any case, the war between the Black Path Band groups in E’an County cannot last for months.

Because I intend to finish everything before then.

“Ah, you must pay the price for the counter-method to the counter-method.”

“You demanded ten thousand taels from the Cheongsa Gang. What price must I pay?”

“It’s simple. I will give you the ten thousand taels in full, so please sell me the Hoyoung Pavilion.”

The Hoyoung Pavilion is the largest of the pleasure houses located near the Baek Manor.

It means it is the perfect place to serve as a first business.

“Originally, the Hoyoung Pavilion is under my jurisdiction, so selling it shouldn’t be difficult. Especially if I claim to have created the improved Rock-Cleaving Axe Technique. But what comes next? What on earth are you planning to do?”

Yang-hwi answered simply.

“The Cheongsa Gang will be destroyed by the Gyojin Gang. And the Honggyo Gang will likely lock horns with the Gyojin Gang to eat the scraps of the Cheongsa Gang.”

Anyone can predict up to this point.

“And after that?”

“I don’t know either!”

In truth, everything is planned out.

However, I cannot tell Gu Ak the truth.

No matter how much of a father he is who keeps his son in check and poisons his son’s lover, patricide is an act that leaves deep scars on everyone’s heart.

“Brother Gu, you have only one thing to do. Master the improved Rock-Cleaving Axe Technique and devote yourself to martial arts training.”

“You tell me to train when the situation is turning so urgent?”

“Tsk. If you just reach the Peak Realm, Brother Gu, wouldn’t all the problems be solved? Anyway, your talent is… Ah, that might be a bit rude. I apologize!”

“…”

Can’t this brat control his tongue in a serious situation?

Just as Gu Ak was thinking that:

“Blood Axe. I trust you will move as Hwi has said. We will be going now.”

Gu Ak sighed and cupped his hands in a salute.

“I will do so. I trust you. Go safely.”

Baek Mu-ryang hoisted Yang-hwi up and leaped out the window.

It wasn’t until they arrived at the Baek Manor that he put Yang-hwi down.

“Hwi. Everything really turned out just as you said.”

“It seems luck is following our family’s path.”

“Yes, luck. The fact that you came to our family is truly a great fortune.”

Baek Mu-ryang looked at the boy who had become his son, the one who had said he too had chosen the Baek Clan.

“Truly, our family now has a business. Even the Hoyoung Pavilion.”

Although it was lost during the time Baek Mu-ryang’s father was the head of the house, the Hoyoung Pavilion was originally a business of the Baek Manor.

That was the reason why Yang-hwi had specifically demanded the Hoyoung Pavilion.

“Hwi.”

“Yes, Father.”

“There is something I am curious about.”

“I will answer if you command it.”

“Everything is going according to your words. To this father, it feels truly coincidental. Could it be that you know who the eccentric spreading the Unorthodox Faction’s counter-methods is?”

Since I expected him to ask, I nodded.

“Yes. I know.”

“How?”

“Do you remember the piece I used when I put up the notice for Rangrang?”

Yang-hwi explained how he came to meet Yeo Un-jeok with appropriate modifications and continued.

“The current situation is on a board created by utilizing the influence Rangrang’s father possesses. In fact, the counter-method I said I created was also something he had passed on to me.”

“Oh, so Rangrang’s father was the one acting.”

“Yes. For the sake of Rangrang’s happiness, he desires the downfall of the Honggyo Gang. He orchestrated the situation in a complex way because Brother Gu must not know the truth in the process.”

“Hmm…”

While Baek Mu-ryang sighed in admiration, Yang-hwi continued.

“Then Father, may I go and meet Rangrang’s father?”

“I thought you were going out often these days, but it seems you were working for the sake of the family. Go ahead.”

“Yes!”

Yang-hwi leaped away vigorously.

* * *

Having left the Baek Manor, Yang-hwi headed straight for the promised location.

Today’s spot was the top of the pavilion where he first met Yeo Un-jeok.

Having climbed to the top far more easily than before, Yang-hwi waited for a moment while taking in the surrounding scenery.

“Young Master So.”

Yang-hwi, who had been feeling the presence in advance, turned around as soon as he heard Yeo Un-jeok’s voice.

He then got straight to the point.

“It is finally time to close the final button of the plan. Old man, please launch an attack on the Leader of the Honggyo Gang.”

Dang Yeon. Borrowing a knife to kill someone. It was a board laid out for this from the very beginning.