“Uncles, are you martial artists? If you fight here, my father will drink again and cry. Please go outside and fight!”

“…”

“Keuheumheum.”

At the little kid’s bold voice, Guk Jihum coughed awkwardly and avoided his gaze.

The innkeeper, who was in the kitchen, rushed over with a bewildered face, took the little kid in his arms, and bowed his head.

“Oh my, oh my, esteemed heroes, I am sorry. I am sorry. My child dared to interrupt while the esteemed heroes were talking…”

The innkeeper’s face was pale. Well, it was natural. Among the people of the martial world, there were those who would gouge out your eyeballs if they didn’t like your gaze.

Fortunately, Cheon Mubaeck was not that kind of person.

“It’s alright. Rather, I was the one who did something childish that didn’t fit the situation, so please be at ease.”

As if he had ever had a qi fight with Guk Jihum, Cheon Mubaeck’s cold voice was extremely gentle.

At that clear change, Guk Jihum looked at Cheon Mubaeck with a dumbfounded gaze.

‘Childish act?’

Something welled up, but seeing the owner’s pale face looking this way, he had no choice but to force a laugh.

“I’m sorry, innkeeper. I’ll just eat quietly and leave.”

“Oh my, sorry? You don’t need to say that! I’ll bring out the food you ordered right away.”

After the innkeeper went in with the little kid in his arms.

Guk Jihum stared at Cheon Mubaeck.

Unwavering, indifferent pupils. Full of a clear light. Guk Jihum sighed.

‘My goodness. I’m the one who’s in a hurry.’

Cheon Mubaeck understood that clearly. A face and gaze that were not in a hurry at all. Guk Jihum finally raised the white flag.

“That’s right. As Young Master Cheon predicted, I came for two reasons. One is that all the warriors in Hubei have died. And the second is to hear the verses of the Dark Truth Wisdom Sword.”

“The first matter, the guys I killed were Blood Demon Valley demons who deserved to die, so there’s no problem. The evidence that they were demons, Neung-heo. Give me the documents.”

“Yes, yes.”

Neung-heo handed over the documents one by one.

The documents he had brought from Pocheon Mountain Manor. It was clear evidence that could confirm that the people who had died this time were demons belonging to the Blood Demon Valley.

Guk Jihum’s eyebrows twitched as he checked the documents.

‘This is… real.’

There were no signs of the documents being forged. Although Guk Jihum had a stronger martial artist’s temperament, he was still the Hao Faction leader.

He could spot a forged document with just a glance.

‘Then this man really did it all…’

Guk Jihum swallowed a groan as he glanced at Cheon Mubaeck over the documents.

‘Did he really do these bastards in?’

Among the list of the dead, there were also a few martial artists whose names were well-known in the martial world.

Since it meant that Cheon Mubaeck had dealt with all of them, Guk Jihum felt his mouth go dry.

‘They said he was the most likely number one in the world in the future, is he already at this level?’

Suddenly, the question of whether he could win if he fought now came to mind.

As soon as that question came to mind, Cheon Mubaeck’s indifferent voice pierced his ears.

“A fighting spirit and bravado are only a paper’s difference. Manage your momentum while looking at the situation.”

“…Keuheum, heum.”

Guk Jihum tried to cough awkwardly, but a corner of his heart went cold.

Although his temperament had become rough for a moment, the higher the master, the better they were at managing and hiding their internal energy and aura. Even if his momentum had risen for a moment with a fighting spirit, it was a very minute change. But to notice it right away.

‘This, I can’t think of him as a later generation expert. I have to think of him as at least a martial artist of the same generation.’

Guk Jihum, after catching his breath, said.

“Then what do you think about the second reason I came?”

“The answer is set. Impossible.”

A firm tone like a frost, as if it would not allow any counterargument.

Guk Jihum, who had thought there might be some room for negotiation, was at a loss for words.

Because it felt like a wall had been set up.

“In any case, the verses will be transmitted to me through Branch Leader Im Hong. You know that, don’t you?”

“Because it’s different from that, didn’t you come to find me directly?”

When Cheon Mubaeck smiled strangely, Guk Jihum sighed inwardly.

‘This is no ordinary person.’

Just by looking at his face, he was the very picture of a handsome young master who had been raised preciously, but the things he did were so mysterious that it was like dealing with an old man.

“I’ll be honest. Because Branch Leader Im’s martial arts level is not that high, there is a tendency for the mystery contained in the verses to be misunderstood in the process of transmission.”

“You must have been stuck in your training because of that.”

Cheon Mubaeck nodded readily as his prediction came true.

As befitting the strongest secret art of the Hao Faction, the Dark Truth Wisdom Sword was not a martial art that could be completed just by reciting the verses.

One had to be able to interpret and embrace the profound meaning contained in the verses.

So Cheon Mubaeck was even more firm.

“Impossible.”

“Is there no room for negotiation?”

“You already know the reason why I only teach it to Im Hong, don’t you?”

“Well… hoo. In any case, if he continues to build up his achievements like this, it is clear that Branch Leader Im Hong will become the faction leader after me.”

At those words, Im Hong’s eyes, who was next to him, widened.

Of course, he had an intuition that he was a strong candidate for the next faction leader,

But for Guk Jihum to publicly acknowledge it was a different matter.

Only then did Im Hong understand.

The true meaning of Cheon Mubaeck telling him the verses.

‘This man, he intends to make me the Hao Faction leader and take control of the Hao Faction!’

Cheon Mubaeck’s strangely smiling face was so handsome that from a distance, one would just think it was beautiful, but Im Hong, who was watching from the side, felt the back of his neck go cold.

‘Don’t tell me he intended this from the first time we met in Shaanxi Province?’

Although it was a cooperative relationship, he was carrying out Cheon Mubaeck’s instructions to the point where it felt like a master-servant relationship. But what if he became the Hao Faction leader? The Hao Faction would fall into Cheon Mubaeck’s hands.

No. The Hao Faction could not fall into the hands of any one martial artist.

Only then did Im Hong, who had realized Cheon Mubaeck’s scheme, his body trembled.

But, but…

‘I can’t refuse!’

While transmitting the verses of the Dark Truth Wisdom Sword to Guk Jihum, he himself had also come to learn the Dark Truth Wisdom Sword. The verses of the highest secret art, which he would not have dared to learn normally, were engraved in his head like a brand.

Even knowing, he could not refuse.

‘It’s a poisoned chalice, but…’

Im Hong closed his eyes tightly.

He had no choice but to drink. Because he knew it would be so sweet if he drank it.

Meanwhile, Cheon Mubaeck was lost in thought as he looked at Guk Jihum.

‘In any case, it is clear that Im Hong will become the next faction leader in the flow of things.’

If the faction leader actually acknowledged him and made him his successor, it would be even more certain.

But Cheon Mubaeck was still not satisfied.

“I think you’re misunderstanding something, Faction Leader.”

“…?”

“The verses of the Dark Truth Wisdom Sword were established because of the contract with Branch Leader Im Hong. I did not make a contract with the Hao Faction, but with Im Hong.”

“What that means is…”

“If you also want it, you can buy the verses from me.”

“…!”

Guk Jihum was silent, and Im Hong laughed in vain.

“So… the transmission of the verses for the information exchange with Im Hong is still on, and if I want to receive the verses directly, I also have to give something separately, is that what you mean?”

“Exactly. Unlike Im Hong, who is only in charge of Shaanxi and Henan, there must be information that only the faction leader can handle.”

“…Why don’t you just strip me naked?”

“I would if I could.”

Guk Jihum’s head throbbed at Cheon Mubaeck’s shameless attitude.

‘Does he mean to put not only the future Hao Faction, but also the current Hao Faction in his hands?’

Guk Jihum swallowed dryly, knowing the true meaning.

Because the value that the Dark Truth Wisdom Sword had was that enormous.

Guk Jihum closed his eyes tightly and said.

“Alright. Let’s do that.”

“First, I’m curious if you have the information I would want.”

“Hoo. Branch Leader Im Hong here has prepared all the information about the Black Heart Gangs that are gathering this time.”

“…”

“But there is a special piece of news that has come to my ears.”

“Tell me.”

“Among the figures gathering at this Black Assembly, there are two more enormous figures.”

“Two?”

Guk Jihum hesitated and then opened his mouth.

“The Yangtze River Waterway Leader, the River King, and the Green Forest Fortress Leader, the Great Strength King will participate.”

In an instant, the inn became quiet.

* * *

The contract was established.

Cheon Mubaeck immediately transmitted the verses of the Dark Truth Wisdom Sword to Guk Jihum. Of course, it was the same for Im Hong.

What the two understood was clearly different. Im Hong had a puzzled face, but Guk Jihum muttered with a flushed face, as if he had realized something right away.

Just as the same verses could be realized differently depending on one’s talent and skill.

Guk Jihum’s information was so amazing that Cheon Mubaeck had transmitted the verses right away.

‘The River King, who has unified the waterway of the Yangtze River, and the Great Strength King, who has unified the Green Forest, are gathering.’

Although they were also a part of the Black Heart Gang in a broad sense, since their areas of activity were clear, there was not much reason for them to overlap.

The river pirates on the river, the Green Forest on the mountain, and the Black Heart Gang in the back alleys.

For those two to participate in this Black Assembly led by the Great Dragon Gang was an unusual thing.

‘It might literally become a unification of the Black Heart Gang.’

What if the Black Heart Gang was unified during the fight with the Blood Demon Valley?

‘It’s become a headache.’

When Cheon Mubaeck narrowed his brows, Neung-heo, who was lying down comfortably, turned his gaze and grinned.

“Hey, little kid. Do you have something to say?”

The little kid, who had been taken by the innkeeper, had come out at some point and was looking this way with a curious face.

“Uncles, you’re not Black Heart Gang, are you?”

It was a random question. But since his gaze was directed at Cheon Mubaeck, Cheon Mubaeck smiled and answered.

“No, I’m not.”

“Hmm. Are you sure? The big brother doesn’t seem like it…”

At the glance he gave Neung-heo while crossing his arms, Neung-heo made a sulky expression for a moment.

“Hey, why are you looking at me?”

“The uncle, you look like you’re from the Black Heart Gang…”

“I told you I’m not?”

“Really?”

“Why do you ask, little kid?”

“Then, if you’re not Black Heart Gang, are you a hero?”

If not Black Heart Gang, then a hero.

Although it was a very simple dichotomy, it could be seen that way to a young child who did not know the martial world.

Neung-heo nodded his head with a slightly reluctant expression. In any case, Cheon Mubaeck here was widely rumored to be a great hero in the martial world.

“That’s right.”

“Then, please catch the bad Black Heart Gangs here!”

Catch the Black Heart Gang?

A question appeared on Cheon Mubaeck’s face for a moment.

In Hubei, where Wudang and the Zhuge Clan had a clear influence, there was a Black Heart Gang?

“Well, they’re probably just riffraff. Not a big Black Heart Gang, but just miscellaneous guys who prey on the common people.”

Neung-heo said nonchalantly.

Well. Those guys were just thugs, not even worthy of being called a Black Heart Gang. Riffraff that the Orthodox Faction didn’t even pay attention to.

But seeing this little kid suddenly ask for a favor, it was clear that he had quite a grudge.

Cheon Mubaeck let out a laugh and said.

“What can you give me, little kid? There is no favor without a reason, and when you receive a favor, you have to give a worthy price.”

The little girl stopped for a moment, put her index finger on her chin, and nodded her head. Her appearance was so cute that even Neung-heo laughed.

“Hmm, that’s right. Just a moment!”

The little girl said so and ran over, and whispered something to her father, who was looking this way anxiously.

With a brightened face, the child came running.

“He said he’ll make us the special grilled pork that you can only eat at our inn!”

Guk Jihum, who had barely managed to organize his thoughts, laughed without realizing it.

The child’s appearance was so cute, and her innocence in believing that he would grant her request for just one grilled pork was cute.

‘He’s a man who strips you down to your underwear with the verses of the Dark Truth Wisdom Sword. To believe that he would do such a troublesome thing that is of no help for just one piece of pork. Children are really…’

But unlike his expectation, Cheon Mubaeck showed a bright smile.

“That’s great. That’s a very excellent reward.”

His appearance was a pleased smile, as if an old man were looking at his granddaughter.

“…”

Guk Jihum looked at Cheon Mubaeck with a half-surprised expression and a strange gaze.

It seemed he had witnessed an unexpected side of him.

“Neung-heo.”

“Yes.”

“After we eat, go and check on the Black Heart Gangs, no, the thugs around here.”

“…What? Are you really going to do it?”

Neung-heo tilted his head.

The Cheon Mubaeck he knew was extremely realistic and calculating.

There was a sufficient reason for all his actions. But what kind of price could this little kid’s request be? That grilled pork?

“Do you know what’s important on the battlefield?”

“Well, isn’t it fighting well? Tactics that reach the heavens? Strategy?”

“No. More important than those is supply.”

“Ah, supply. That’s right. Supply is important.”

“If supply is impossible, the best is local supply.”

“Local supply? You mean plunder?”

Cheon Mubaeck smiled. For some reason, Neung-heo, who felt that smile was eerie, stepped back.

‘What on earth is this man…’

Neung-heo, who had seen Cheon Mubaeck from the side until now, knew what this cold sensation was.

This human.

He’s up to something again!

“When the two of us participate in the Black Assembly, won’t we lose face? When the Black Heart Gangs of the entire Central Plains are gathering.”

“Huh? Then should I contact the Black Heart Gang and tell Hwaung to bring some guys? Will there be time?”

“When supply is not feasible, you have to solve it with local supply.”

“What?”

“The road from here to Fujian through Jiangsu is long and far, and there will be countless cities and towns in between, so there will be more than one or two Black Heart Gangs.”

“…What?”

“We have to get local supplies. Let’s go pick up some Black Heart Gangs.”

No.

What, are the Black Heart Gangs objects? To go pick them up…

(End of Chapter)

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep