Chapter 105: Gangpae

The Rogues’ Guild has five branch lords.

In truth, this might be a matter that can be accepted calmly as ‘I see,’ but if you think about it carefully, it is truly a strange thing.

This is because it is rare for a single group to have five successors.

To express the situation of the Rogues’ Guild in terms of other sects, it would be the same as the Beggar’s Gang having five Successor Beggars, or the Shaolin Abbot having five successors.

To exaggerate a little, it would be the same as an empire having five crown princes.

As I said before, such cases are rare.

Having multiple successors can be a cause of division, and it is a hotbed of various irrationalities and inefficiencies.

Even the clans that advocate for primogeniture do not have multiple young clan heads.

They have several ‘young clan head candidates’ compete, and then enthrone a single young clan head.

No one is unaware of the fact that that method is efficient.

But the Rogues’ Guild has five branch lords.

If one were to look for the reason, one might find its origin in the establishment of the Rogues’ Guild.

Rogues’ Guild.

The lowly ones.

Five who gathered.

The sect that was created.

The cause can be found in the fact that that is the origin of the Rogues’ Guild.

Although I know that recently, they have been called the Rogues’ Guild, belittling them as a ‘group of dirty things,’ its origin is clearly the Rogues’ Guild.

Since it is a truth found in the old records of the Beggar’s Gang, it would not be wrong.

Anyway…….

The ‘five’ refers to the five factions that form the foundation of the Rogues’ Guild.

Courtesans, ruffians, loan sharks, gamblers, and waiters.

Later on, as pickpockets, fortune-tellers, swindlers, coachmen, and boatmen joined the Rogues’ Guild, the ‘five’ became nominal, but anyway, the fact that the foundation of the Rogues’ Guild is those five factions cannot be denied.

The Rogues’ Guild has five branch lords as a sign of respect for its founding factions.

In other words, it can be called a kind of legitimacy.

As you might guess, the one who represents the courtesan faction is precisely the Mistress of the Flower Moon Pavilion, Yeo-wol.

And Geombigak is the person who represents the loan shark faction.

The establishment of Geombigak that we have been clearing out so far can also be accurately described as a ‘loan shark establishment’. That was the reason why we had only encountered ruffians with rugged impressions so far.

It is inevitable that as an organization gets older and larger, factions are formed.

Traditionally, since gambling and loan sharking have had a mutually beneficial relationship, I know that the branch lord who represents the gamblers supports Geombigak.

And the existence that is inseparable from the courtesans is precisely the ruffians.

This is because the ruffian faction itself has grown by protecting the courtesans as if they were their personal guards.

“Brother Ma Sok, calm down. It’s me.”

“You are……”

The man, who had confirmed that Ma Sok had calmed down, introduced himself.

“That’s right, Brother Ma Sok. It’s me, Gangpae. It seems there is a misunderstanding, so please withdraw your hand.”

It was a name familiar to me as well.

This was because I had seen it in the Thousand Immortals of the Jianghu, which I had memorized in its entirety.

Gangpae.

A person who represents the ruffians, one of the five factions of the Rogues’ Guild.

In other words, it means that he too is one of the five branch lords.

He was also the person whom Yeo-wol, who would rise to become the leader of the Rogues’ Guild in the future, would marry.

***

In truth, these people called ruffians are a strange tribe.

This is because they are beings who are sincere in honing their martial arts because it is their destiny to use force, but it can also be said that it is because they do not follow the foundation of a martial artist, ‘chivalry’.

I know that the value they revere is not called ‘chivalry’ but ‘righteous loyalty’.

Since I am a martial artist, not a ruffian, I don’t know exactly what that ‘righteous loyalty’ means, but I do know that the ruffians who live and die by righteous loyalty are romantic men.

“What brings you here?”

Ma Sok asked.

“I came to uphold my righteous loyalty. Is it not righteous loyalty to not turn a blind eye to a brother’s crisis?”

Gangpae replied.

It was a straightforward answer befitting the leader of the ruffians.

However, as if that answer was not satisfactory, Ma Sok’s eyes turned triangular.

“How did you know?”

“How could I not know about Sister Wol’s affairs?”

“Does that mean you had a tail on her?”

“Hey. What is a tail between us. I just had a bodyguard attached because I was worried about Sister Wol.”

“I have never given such permission.”

“Do we need permission between us?”

“We do.”

“Aigoo. Really. You’re doing it again.”

Gangpae did not yield even in the face of Ma Sok’s cold gaze.

Since he had fully accepted Ma Sok’s cold gaze, he truly had the spirit worthy of being called one of the Rogues’ Guild branch lords and the leader of the ruffians.

It would be right to call him the epitome of a real man.

But Ma Sok’s offensive was not over.

“I will remember this. I will be sure to inform the Mistress of the Pavilion later.”

Thud.

At the same time as Ma Sok’s words, the proud Gangpae suddenly knelt.

The dashing man who had not yielded to external pressure had disappeared in an instant.

“Brother Ma Sok, I have followed Sister Wol’s tail silently, admiring her, for nearly five years. It is certainly a fault to have attached a humble one because I was worried about her safety, but please let it go just this once. Isn’t this a crisis situation?”

Even while kneeling pathetically, there was not a single tremor in his voice, so it could be described as a truly majestic pettiness.

Ma Sok seemed to be used to Gangpae’s behavior, but my feelings could not be the same.

“Hmm.”

I couldn’t help but swallow a groan without realizing it.

I should correct myself.

To plant a subordinate to spy on the woman he admires, it would be right to call the ruffian leader Gangpae the epitome of a lowly man.

Regardless of my impression, the conversation between Gangpae and Ma Sok continued.

“You did it because you admire the Mistress of the Pavilion?”

“That is correct.”

“I cannot allow it. Fold that admiration away.”

“Keuk. I cannot do that.”

Ma Sok’s stubbornness was like that of a father-in-law refusing to marry his daughter to a loafer.

“Brother Ma Sok, how should I apologize?”

Ma Sok did not answer, but Gangpae found the answer himself.

“Bring me a dagger.”

“Big brother!”

“You can’t, big brother!”

His subordinates, who had guessed Gangpae’s intention, tried to stop him, but…….

“Shut up and bring it!”

“Big brother!”

They could not break Gangpae’s will.

“Keuk…… Big brother……”

Gangpae’s subordinates repeatedly called him big brother, but they did not disobey his command.

Gangpae took the dagger that one of his subordinates reluctantly held out.

“Brother Ma Sok, I will offer my little finger as a sign of my apology. Ah, I’m sorry, but the ring finger won’t do. I have to wear a jade ring as a token of my betrothal to Sister Wol.”

“Hmm.”

It would be right to correct myself again.

It seems Gangpae is indeed a real man.

“What use would I have for your finger. I don’t need it.”

When Ma Sok replied coldly…….

“Hahahat. I will take that as your forgiveness.”

Gangpae quickly got up.

The previous resolve was gone, and a nonchalant man remained.

“Hmm.”

Now I understand a little.

Ever-changing.

There would be no more suitable words to describe the man called Gangpae.

“You are also a branch lord. Step back. We were close in the past, but now that the branch lord competition has started, it is right to keep our distance.”

Ma Sok scolded Gangpae in a stern voice.

“Hahahaha. As expected of Brother Ma Sok.”

But Gangpae, who had caught the hint of coldness disappearing from Ma Sok’s voice, laughed instead.

Gangpae, who had laughed heartily, beckoned to his subordinates with his index finger.

“Here you are, big brother.”

One of his subordinates placed a cigarette in Gangpae’s mouth.

Flicker-

Another subordinate quickly lit it with a small tinderbox.

Flap-

The last subordinate draped a crimson robe over Gangpae’s shoulders.

Their actions were intertwined like a delicate technique, so I can tell how much they have repeatedly practiced it.

Gangpae took a long stride forward.

Even though he had not put his arms through the sleeves, the robe did not slip off, perhaps thanks to his broad shoulders.

I hate to admit it, but I cannot deny that that appearance, combined with Gangpae’s thick lines, was strangely cool.

“There is something Brother Ma Sok does not know.”

“What is it?”

“That damn branch lord position, if I throw it away, there will be no problem.”

“…….”

Ma Sok remained silent, as if trying to see into Gangpae’s true intentions.

But there was no need for Ma Sok to try to look into his heart.

“The leader of the ruffians, Gangpae, hereby withdraws from the leader competition as of today.”

This was because Gangpae had spat out the words as if declaring them.

“Are you serious?”

“I have already received the leader’s approval.”

“Are you mad?”

Gangpae, who had noticed the worry in that voice, laughed boisterously.

“The Rogues’ Guild without Sister Wol would have no meaning to me.”

“It could become a problem.”

Ma Sok was concerned, but Gangpae did not seem to agree.

“It was Geombigak who crossed the line first.”

Gangpae’s eyes, which had been smiling throughout his conversation with Ma Sok, sank fiercely for the first time.

“How dare he touch Sister Wol in such a cowardly way, Geombigak will not be able to leave his corpse in this world.”

Only after Gangpae’s words did Ma Sok’s expression, which had been maintaining its stubbornness, crumble.

“……I’m asking you. Please help.”

Guessing Ma Sok’s inner feelings of worrying about Yeo-wol’s safety, I can see how much he has been struggling.

“Brother Ma Sok, do not worry. Sister Wol is a strong person.”

Gangpae comforted Ma Sok, who had bowed his head.

“Hmm.”

I, who have the knowledge of a regressor, finally understood the current situation.

How Yeo-wol, who had been struggling at a disadvantage compared to Geombigak, could ascend to become the leader of the Rogues’ Guild.

And why the woman named Yeo-wol got married immediately after ascending to become the leader of the Rogues’ Guild.

Perhaps at the core of it, there was this man named Gangpae.

“Boys.”

Gangpae shouted in a booming voice. I saw in the ruffian leader an imposing presence like that of a general on a battlefield.

“Yes!”

In response, an even more booming answer was heard.

It was a sight where military discipline, or to put it in ruffian terms, a firm hierarchy, was established.

The siege network, which had been estimated at fifty, had increased by about tenfold in the meantime.

It meant that nearly five hundred ruffians had been surrounding us.

“Overturn every establishment that Geombigak’s hand has touched. I will give a great reward to the one who finds Geombigak’s whereabouts!”

“Yes!”

Like an ebbing tide, the five hundred ruffians scattered in groups.

No matter how vicious the good-for-nothings who mainly engage in loan sharking were, it seemed clear that they would be brought to their knees against the ruffians who rule the underworld.

“Hoo-”

Gangpae took a deep drag on his cigarette.

The sight of a truly manly man creating his own clouds in the red sunset light was quite stylish.

“The search of all establishments will be finished within two hours.”

His words did not sound like an empty boast.

Compared to the progress of Ma Sok and me, who had only cleared thirteen places in well over four hours, it was extremely fast.

“Brother Ma Sok, you should tend to your body right now.”

Gangpae, who had said so, stood with his back to Ma Sok.

I know what that means.

Gangpae was now volunteering to be Ma Sok’s Law Protector.

Since Gangpae had exchanged blows with Ma Sok, albeit briefly, he must have noticed that his condition was not normal.

“Thank you.”

Ma Sok immediately sat in a cross-legged position and began to circulate his qi to heal his injuries.

Just by seeing that, I can tell how Ma Sok evaluates the man named Gangpae.

Feeling like I couldn’t lose for some reason, I stood and occupied the spot next to Gangpae.

Isn’t two Law Protectors better than one?

“Ahem.”

Gangpae’s slanted gaze, after he had cleared his throat, was directed at me.

“Young Hero, what is your relationship with Sister Wol?”

Although I don’t know the exact intention of the question.

“Friends.”

I answered instinctively.

Although I had definitely told the truth, for some reason, it also felt like an excuse.

In any case, a desire welled up that I hoped Gangpae would not misunderstand.

This was because I had a strong intuition that nothing good would come from being entangled with a person like Gangpae over matters of the heart.

“Hahahaha.”

Fortunately, as if satisfied with my answer, Gangpae’s face was full of smiles.

“Then that is a relief. I think I can become friends with you.”

“……That is indeed a relief.”

I felt like I had aged ten years.

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