Chapter 16. A Performance with All One’s Might
The eyes of the Black Water Society Leader completely rolled back in his head when he saw the ear of Squad Leader Gok, which had been returned neatly wrapped in a cloth.
“Han Sa-gwang, that crazy bastard!”
*Crash!*
Wine bottles and plates scattered across the floor. A murderous glint shimmered in the eyes of the heavily intoxicated Black Water Society Leader.
“Call the Vice Leader.”
The Vice Leader responded to the summons in the same attire he had been wearing for his training.
“Did you call for me, Leader?”
“Go and capture the Iron Fist Chamber Leader at once. And that waiter, and the one who calls himself his brother—bring them all in!”
The Vice Leader’s eyebrows twitched slightly.
“Even the waiter?”
“Bring his father, too. I intend to slap him across the face in front of his son.”
“……!”
“Why are you not answering?”
“……I will bring them.”
The Vice Leader let out a deep sigh as he stepped out of the room, which was thick with the stench of alcohol.
“Damn it.”
Having spent his life on the Evil Path, he hadn’t exactly lived a clean life himself. However, lately, his skepticism had been growing.
“Bring the two from the Dragon Gate Inn, but do not use excessive violence. The son is quite sharp, so break his spirit before bringing him here.”
“Yes.”
“……If you run your mouth and incur the Leader’s wrath, you might end up burying half the sect.”
He did not want to bury the cook and the waiter of his favorite inn with his own hands.
.
.
.
A group of Evil Path practitioners kicked open the tightly shut doors of the Dragon Gate Inn.
*Bang!*
“Waiter, where are you? Come out at once!”
No Ji-san poked his head out with a terrified expression.
“Martial artists, we are not open for business right now.”
“Shut up and bring us some liquor.”
“B-but the cook is already asleep—”
*Slap!*
No Ji-san’s head snapped to the side after being struck across the face.
“Can’t you just wake your father and have him prepare a table?”
“……!”
The man sneered at the boy’s terrified face.
“You were quick enough to wag your tongue, yet you act like a rat the moment you get hit once.”
He showed his half-drawn sword and commanded.
“Bring your father. You have half a *gak*.”
* * *
“Branch Master, it’s a success!”
I shook my head at the sight of No Ji-san, who was grinning despite his swollen cheek.
“You’re quite something. Are you that happy?”
“Because my plan worked perfectly.”
“And the acting?”
“Yes. I couldn’t even look them in the eye and just stammered like an idiot.”
“Your acting skills are quite something.”
“Heh. Now it’s your turn to act, Branch Master.”
“You impudent brat.”
I pulled a cheap wig I’d bought at the market down low and hung my head. Finding clothes that fit and looked like a cook’s was the hardest part of this operation.
—But why do these bastards keep slapping people?
‘It’s more unpleasant to be slapped than to be hit with a fist, you know.’
I stood up, fiddling with Myoseonja, who had transformed into a rabbit-shaped coin in my pocket.
“Let’s go.”
From now on, I am the deaf cook of the Dragon Gate Inn.
“Hmm?”
“Old man, has his back always been this straight?”
“If someone saw him, they’d think he was a martial arts master.”
That was the reaction of the Black Water Society thugs when I appeared with my head bowed low.
“No Ji-san. Is this really your father?”
“Y-yes, it is. You’ve never actually seen him before, have you?”
“True, he was a deaf man who wouldn’t come out even when called.”
“Still, his skills were good. What a waste.”
At this point, No Ji-san’s voice trembled.
“W-what do you mean by that—”
“Shut up.”
Since I was supposed to be deaf, I remained motionless with my head bowed.
“Take them.”
“Wait! Take us? Where are you talking about?”
No Ji-san’s acting was reaching its peak.
“Didn’t you say to wake the cook and bring out a table? That’s not what you said before!”
“You’re more naive than you look.”
“Do we look like we’re in the mood for a drink?”
“The Black Water Society Leader wishes to see you, so just follow quietly.”
“W-where in the world is there such a law?”
“Hahaha! The Leader’s command is the law. Shut your mouth if you don’t want it ripped open.”
“Ugh!”
No Ji-san and I were dragged to the Black Water Society with our arms held tight.
—These guys didn’t even check our faces properly. They would’ve caught us immediately if they’d just lifted the hair.
‘That’s true.’
No Ji-san’s observation skills, which had anticipated even this, were quite excellent. It also showed just how lax the discipline of the Black Water Society had become.
—The kid is talented. Is that why he’s destined to be one of the Ten Great Merchants under Heaven?
‘At this point, you have to consider him a sage who can foresee the future.’
Above all, what was excellent was that this kid knew how to come up with a better plan the moment he heard a superior’s objection.
In fact, I liked this plan much better than the original one.
‘Entering the heart of the enemy camp without lifting a finger—it’s a strategy that would make even Zhuge Liang nod in approval.’
—Isn’t that a bit of an exaggeration?
‘From now on, I shall be the Zhao Yun of Changban.’
—You’re not listening to me.
I headed toward the place where the Black Water Society Leader was waiting. Everything had gone smoothly so far. Except for one guy who muttered this:
“Strange, what kind of cook has arm muscles like that……”
Still, this guy was a bit quick-witted.
* * *
Gal Ji-heon, the Vice Leader of the Black Water Society, walked through the night streets of Yeongneung County with a dozen martial artists.
Drunks, beggars, and wanderers parted like the tide to clear a path.
‘Is this right?’
Some are dragged here from their training to clean up messes, while others just drink all day and boss people around.
It’s not as if they treat him well, either. He’s just in a position where he comes when told and goes when ordered.
If there is anyone satisfied with such treatment, it would only be a slave.
‘He has no redeeming qualities other than his martial prowess being superior to mine.’
In the world of martial arts, strength is obviously the most important virtue. But there are ways to eliminate him. What if one were to stab him with a sword while he was dead drunk, just like today?
If it’s difficult to bribe the guards, one could simply use poison. That is why Gal Ji-heon did not fear the Leader.
He believed that he, who had built bonds by sharing joys and sorrows with his subordinates, was far more suited to be the Leader than someone who only exercised tyranny according to his whims.
‘That guy is the problem.’
If it weren’t for ‘that man’ whom the Leader keeps around like a watchdog, he would have replaced the Leader long ago.
‘What on earth is that guy?’
He is dull and stupid. But he is a man with divine strength, as if Xiang Yu himself had returned from the dead.
Whenever there was a conflict between sects, he would run wild, folding people’s waists and crushing skulls with nothing but his two fists. Even he felt his knees tremble before that pure violence.
‘Even poison doesn’t work on him. He just ate more, saying the tingling sensation was delicious.’
He was speechless when he saw the man looking perfectly fine the next day after having diarrhea just once.
‘Wu Gang.’
Whenever that man looked at him with his innocent yet large eyes, he felt even more afraid because he couldn’t tell what he was thinking.
That is why he is still being dragged around like a dog on a leash, biting whoever the Leader points at.
‘Han Sa-gwang.’
He didn’t have any particular grudge against him. He was actually the quietest among the branch leaders he managed, so he had even liked him. That was why this was even more unexpected.
‘Cutting off Squad Leader Gok’s ear. That is not something Han Sa-gwang could do with his own skill.’
He assumed that Han Sa-gwang must have used a coordinated attack.
Even a master has no way to struggle when overwhelmed by numbers in a confined space. If he had been ambushed, it wouldn’t be strange for him to be defeated so futilely. The problem was:
‘What on earth did he rely on to pull off something like this?’
Han Sa-gwang must have had a reason. What was the motive for daring such a provocation? Anger? No.
‘If he were the type to lose his mind over a few slaps, he would have rebelled long ago.’
Hadn’t he already suffered worse humiliations several times?
‘Did he find another backer?’
If so, this might be a scheme by someone preparing for a war against the Black Water Society.
“…….”
Gal Ji-heon’s eyes narrowed. If he were the one orchestrating this, what would he have done?
‘Could it be that they are aiming to raid the main base while taking advantage of this opening?’
A chill ran down Gal Ji-heon’s spine. If it were true, it was a terrifying scheme.
“Haha.”
A small smile played on his lips.
‘It might just be groundless worry.’
If that were the case, the Leader’s annoyance would be directed at him.
‘What if it wasn’t a worry?’
It could be an opportunity. Whether it ends in mutual destruction or the Leader gets crushed, it wouldn’t be a bad thing.
Even if the Leader wins, he had merely followed orders to strike the Iron Fist Chamber. There would be no problem at all, would there?
‘Good.’
Having made up his mind, he whispered only to his subordinates.
“There will be an ambush. Be prepared.”
“Yes.”
……And Gal Ji-heon’s prediction was spot on.
“Fire!”
As they entered the darkened building of the Iron Fist Chamber, daggers and arrows flew at them in unison.
“Argh!”
“Don’t panic! Hide behind the shields!”
Fortunately, they were able to minimize the damage with just the makeshift shields.
“It’s an ambush!”
“We’re surrounded!”
“Form a formation and respond! Do not retreat!”
Han Sa-gwang swallowed hard at their disciplined response.
‘Damn it, what is this? Did they know in advance?’
No. It was too early to jump to that conclusion.
But the fact that they had prepared for the possibility of an ambush was a testament to their unusual caution.
‘As expected of Gal Ji-heon, he’s not an easy opponent.’
His martial prowess might be inferior to the Black Water Society Leader, but in reality, it was that man who was running the society.
“Branch Leader Han! You’ve used your head quite well!”
Gal Ji-heon shouted.
“Come out. If the ambush has failed, wouldn’t it be better for the leaders to settle this between themselves instead of sacrificing innocent subordinates?”
Han Sa-gwang wiped the sweat from his palms onto his legs.
‘An enemy whose victory I cannot guarantee.’
He had easily suppressed Squad Leader Gok, but didn’t Gal Ji-heon possess power on a different level? Above all else.
‘I need to buy more time.’
Han Sa-gwang raised his voice.
"Vice Leader, why not just surrender? You’ve already been caught in an ambush; resistance is futile."
"If I don't return, the Leader will step in. You’ll be under attack from both inside and out, won't you?"
"That won't be happening."
At that confident declaration, Gal Ji-heon’s gaze shifted.
"Chamber Master, why are you so certain?"
"Because the Black Water Society will be destroyed by tonight."
At this, the martial artists of the Black Water Society erupted in protest.
"What kind of insane nonsense is that!"
"Are you looking to die?"
"Vice Leader, just give the order!"
Only Gal Ji-heon wore an unreadable smile.
"So that was it, then?"
Now, it was Han Sa-gwang who looked flustered.
"……'So that was it'? What are you talking about?"
***
"Leader, here are the waiter from the Dragon Gate Inn and his father."
We had arrived safely right in front of the Black Water Society Leader.
‘I didn’t expect things to go this smoothly.’
By simply keeping my head bowed, I had completely deceived the Black Water Society.
-Is this really their level of security?
‘That’s why they’re third-rate Evil Path thugs.’
Doesn't anyone here have a sense of responsibility? Even though their Vice Leader had gone out to engage another faction, the men here were completely at ease.
‘Crazy bastards. Is this the ennui of the strong? Is this place the Hundred Thousand Mountains of the Demon Cult?’
-But will you be alright without a weapon?
‘That’s the least of my worries.’
Aren't weapons and hidden projectiles scattered everywhere?
"So you’re that waiter? Your eyes are as insolent as I heard."
"I, I greet the Leader."
No Ji-san’s trembling voice wasn't just an act.
‘Of course he’s scared. He’s still just a boy.’
What if his plan goes wrong? He came this far trusting only me, so what happens if I get caught? What will happen to his father? It would be strange if he didn't feel such anxiety.
-And yet, he is fulfilling his role.
‘That’s why he’ll become one of the Ten Great Merchants under Heaven. When he sees an opportunity, he knows how to boldly bet his stake. It’s innate.’
-Isn't that just a professional gambler?
‘In a sense, a gambler and a merchant are quite similar.’
The Black Water Society Leader, who had been intimidating No Ji-san, pointed at me.
"Why is that cook just keeping his head down? Let me see his face."
"……."
I stayed true to my role. Which is to say, I heard him and ignored him.
"Why is there no reaction?"
"Uh, Leader. The owner of the Dragon Gate Inn is deaf."
"You mean he’s a cripple?"
"Yes. That’s why this kid has been handling all the inn’s affairs."
The Black Water Society Leader spat on the ground.
"A pity."
"Yes?"
"He won't be able to hear his own son crying and begging in agony, will he?"
"……!"
It was a cruel remark, enough to make even his own subordinates flinch. No Ji-san’s body shook, so I gave his hand a light squeeze.
-It’s hard to hold back. Are all the bottom-feeding Evil Path thugs like this?
‘Generally.’
This is why, even while I was part of the Evil Path, I admired Alliance Leader Jong Yu-gang. Like a lotus blooming in the mud, he alone shone brilliantly in this trash-filled world of the Evil Path.
"Make him lift his head. Let me see his face."
"Yes."
I lifted my head.
"Hmm?"
"Did he hear us?"
"No, more than that—"
The Black Water Society Leader shook his head violently and slapped his own cheek.
"Am I seeing things? Why is he so young?"
"W-we see it too."
"What is going on?"
I answered that question for him.
"What’s going on? You idiots. You’ve been had."
*Crash!*
The liquor table was overturned in an instant.
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