Baek Yi-gang’s connection with the Low Down Sect from his childhood.

If he had merely obtained information back then, that connection would have ended.

This was because Yi-gang left the Baek Noble Clan and headed toward the Azure Forest.

The Low Down Sect was a group deeply intertwined with the local regions and common folk.

To the public eye, they were seen as those who undertook lowly tasks.

They included horse cart drivers, gamblers, bar attendants, courtesans, and street pickpockets—these were the hands and feet of the Low Down Sect.

Naturally, he couldn’t use them simply based on an old connection.

However, that bond was maintained and continued to develop.

This was because Ha-jun, Yi-gang’s younger brother, was well-established within the Baek Noble Clan.

The Baek Noble Clan of Xi’an, the reigning power in the region.

Someday, the Young Clan Head destined to lead them would also take command of the Low Down Sect’s Xi’an branch.

With the help of the Baek brothers, Geumhwa, who regained her position as head of the Xi’an branch, became the ruler of Shaanxi Province’s capital, and Jeong Gu became the pavilion head.

Their influence extended to Cheong-ryu, the head of the Zhengzhou branch.

“Yes, I am confident in identifying people.”

Cheong-ryu’s gaze toward Yi-gang was filled with tension.

Yi-gang’s cold gaze was enough to unsettle even someone as toughened as Cheong-ryu.

“Lower your gaze.”

“Yes.”

Cheong-ryu quickly lowered his gaze at the severe tone.

He belonged to the Low Down Sect. He had realized that Yi-gang and his party were in disguise.

However, just because he recognized the disguise didn’t mean he could see through to their true identities.

All he knew was that the appearances they showed now were not their real ones.

It seemed his counterpart was aware of this as well.

To uncover their true identities, he would have to trace the origins of their martial arts, but even Cheong-ryu couldn’t discern that.

The only one who had revealed any skill was a young man in a wig standing next to Yi-gang. Even without demonstrating proper martial arts, his mere gestures and movements displayed a tiger-like majesty.

“Bring me information on all the ruffians and minor sects in Dengfeng County. Especially anything regarding the Dragon Tears Society or Bamboo Blade Hall.”

“A simple request. And the name of the young man you wanted information on…?”

Cheong-ryu grew tense.

Who could this mysterious young man be, someone that this figure was interested in?

He might be someone extraordinary—a big shot whom the Low Down Sect’s Zhengzhou branch would be hesitant to even approach.

“He’s Yi Gyu-jin. He’s 23 years old….”

Cheong-ryu noted down Yi-gang’s instructions.

And when he heard that this man was likely affiliated with the Dragon Tears Society, his brush paused briefly.

After all, the Dragon Tears Society was nothing more than a local gang that had started at a neighborhood martial hall. Bamboo Blade Hall was the same.

“Yi Gyu-jin of the Dragon Tears Society… correct?”

“Yes.”

“By any chance, may I ask why you’re interested…?”

Yi-gang’s gaze shone with an icy intensity.

Cheong-ryu was startled and closed his mouth.

“…I’ll tell you after I hear the information,” said Yi-gang unexpectedly.

Cheong-ryu bowed in acknowledgment and left the room.

In the empty room, Yi-gang checked once more to make sure no one was spying.

Only after Jeong Myung double-checked did Yi-gang let out a groan.

“Ugh, this is hard.”

If he were in perfect condition, it wouldn’t matter, but right now, he couldn’t use his internal energy.

Under such circumstances, to project a sense of intimidation and deceive the Low Down Sect member required a significant amount of mental effort.

“Jeong Myung.”

“…Ah, yes.”

Jeong Myung responded a beat too late.

“A bodyguard shouldn’t respond so slowly.”

“…I’ll be more careful.”

Yi-gang looked over at Beop Jae.

Beop Jae also raised his head and looked at Yi-gang’s lips.

“There’s no need to keep making such a frightening expression. Being expressionless intimidates people more than looking fierce.”

“…”

Beop Jae nodded.

Yi-gang shifted his gaze back to the ceiling.

“Hmm…”

A younger sister, who could be called the source of trouble and distractions for the Ugly Buddha.

If her fiancé turned out to be a reliable young man, it would be best, as Beop Jae could finally sever his lingering feelings.

However, judging from the reaction of the Low Down Sect member, he didn’t seem to be such a steady young man.

‘Well, no matter.’

If it comes to that, Yi-gang could resolve it himself, ensuring that no unsavory man approached Yeong-yeong in place of Beop Jae.

Yi-gang waited for Cheong-ryu to return.

Cheong-ryu appeared, holding a thick stack of documents.

“I’ll explain right away.”

First, he provided an explanation regarding the martial artists and power structure within Dengfeng County.

Since it was practically in Shaolin’s front yard, a few sects established by secular Shaolin disciples existed.

There were no unorthodox sects, but there were two small martial halls.

Though they were called martial halls, they simply taught techniques akin to Nahan-gwon and basic movements similar to the Immovable Vajra Movement Technique—essentially playful imitations for the commoners.

The Dragon Tears Society was formed by young men who grew up studying together at that martial hall.

“The Dragon Tears Society… The name sounds grand, but in reality, it’s a band of ruffians.”

“Ruffians, huh.”

“Yes. And rather nasty ones at that.”

“How nasty?”

“It’s the typical ruffian behavior, as you’d expect….”

Beop Jae, standing behind Yi-gang, widened his eyes.

He was intent on not missing even a moment of Cheong-ryu’s lip movements.

As Cheong-ryu continued explaining the true nature of the Dragon Tears Society, Beop Jae’s expression gradually hardened.

“They go around demanding protection money from merchants, and if refused, they ruin businesses and assault people.”

“I see.”

“Last year, to set an example, they beat up an elderly man who’d been selling steamed buns for years. If he’d been hit a bit more, he might not have survived.”

“That’s vicious.”

“Indeed, vicious. They aren’t particularly skilled, but they have numbers. Not only do they beat people, but they also harass women, skip out on paying for food and drinks… all part of their daily routine.”

Cheong-ryu glanced briefly at Beop Jae.

Beop Jae’s fists were trembling with anger.

“They’re currently in conflict with Bamboo Blade Hall, another ruffian organization that started from a martial hall.”

“Conflict?”

“They’re constantly fighting each other, aren’t they? A few people have even died.”

“I see. So, this Yi Gyu-jin guy is just a low-ranking thug from the Dragon Tears Society?”

“Not exactly a low-ranking thug.”

Yi-gang’s eyebrows slightly twitched.

The words from Cheong-ryu’s mouth sounded almost like a judge’s sentence.

“He’s the youngest son of the Dragon Tears Society Leader.”

Crack!

The sound came from Beop Jae’s clenched fists.

Yi-gang glanced at him and then, in a rather calm voice, spoke to Cheong-ryu, “…Could you step outside for a moment? Just for a short while.”

“Yes, I’ll do that.”

After Cheong-ryu left the room, a cold silence settled.

Finally, Yi-gang spoke, “It seems he’s not exactly an upstanding young man. The youngest son of a ruffian leader.”

‘…’

“What do you intend to do?”

Beop Jae let out a deep sigh.

Then, as if making a decision, he used sign language.

‘For the crime of choosing the wrong partner, a woman’s entire life can spiral into misery. Just like my mother…’

“It seems you’ve made up your mind.”

‘I’ll make him give up on proposing.’

He wouldn’t try to persuade Yeong-yeong.

Instead, he would take a more direct and decisive approach.

Yi-gang summoned Cheong-ryu back into the room.

He then explained the situation to some extent.

Cheong-ryu slightly opened his mouth in surprise.

“You’re asking me to dissuade this Yi Gyu-jin from proposing to someone, correct?”

He didn’t go into details about Yeong-yeong.

“Yes, can you do it?”

There were about 50 ruffians affiliated with the Dragon Tears Society.

While they weren’t proper martial artists, it might be somewhat challenging for the Low Down Sect’s Zhengzhou branch to handle.

However, Cheong-ryu replied more readily than expected.

“Yes! No problem!”

“I’m not asking you to kill or seriously injure him.”

“Then…?”

“Convince him gently to give up.”

“Heh heh… I’ll definitely make him abandon the idea. That’s our specialty.”

Cheong-ryu rubbed his hands together with a sly grin.

But Yi-gang maintained his serious expression.

“Can it be handled by today?”

“Today? I suppose it’s possible, but….”

“Make sure it’s done by this evening.”

At Yi-gang’s signal, Jeong Myung took out a money pouch.

When he threw it onto the table, a loud jingling sound filled the room.

With a casual air, Cheong-ryu opened the pouch slightly.

Then, startled by the dazzling golden light inside, he quickly closed it again.

“I’ll handle it cleanly!”

He sprang up and bowed deeply to Yi-gang.

Yi-gang rose without acknowledging the bow.

“I’ll be leaving, so I’d appreciate your guidance.”

“Of course!”

Cheong-ryu politely guided Yi-gang until he was completely out of the Low Down Sect’s premises.

Even while escorting them, Cheong-ryu could be heard giving various orders to his subordinates.

It seemed he was recruiting members skilled in martial arts and intimidation tactics.

Jeong Myung murmured quietly, “Money truly is powerful….”

Although it felt like he might be instilling a misguided belief in a young monk, Yi-gang kept his thoughts to himself.

After moving a little distance away from the Low Down Sect’s base, Yi-gang gave a slight nod.

“Let’s go.”

“Pardon?”

“We should verify how they handle things, shouldn’t we?”

He had no intention of completely trusting the Low Down Sect to manage the matter on their own.

Beop Jae’s previously grim expression brightened a little.

Yi-gang and his group changed their disguises once again.

This time, they donned simple everyday clothes that drew less attention and set off to find Yi Gyu-jin.

They located him just before the Low Down Sect members arrived.

How long had they been tailing him?

Yi-gang and his companions stumbled upon an unexpected scene.

The leader of the Dragon Tears Society was a man named Yi Do-cheol.

Though he was over 50, he still had a large build, his body packed with muscles.

The dragon tattoos on his arms and chest were a mark required of him, his children, and all the Dragon Tears Society executives.

Yi Do-cheol was a man who lacked little in this world.

His ambitions weren’t great, so he was satisfied with running the back alleys of Dengfeng County as a ruffian.

Some might wonder if he feared retribution for living so wickedly at his age, but he didn’t care.

His children would inherit the leadership of the Dragon Tears Society and crush Bamboo Blade Hall.

The only concern he had was his youngest son.

The youngest, Gyu-jin, was lively and cheerful, well-liked by all the members.

But he was unusually soft-hearted, reluctant to perform his duties.

This included extorting protection money and punishing merchants who defied the group.

The youngest rebelled often.

Despite being beaten again and again, he simply wouldn’t listen. Lately, though, he’d become somewhat calmer.

Even so, he still hadn’t started helping with his father’s work.

Today was no different.

Even when he went out to collect money he’d forcibly loaned, acting as a grim reaper, his youngest son never accompanied him.

“What are you doing, you punks! Smash it!”

Yi Do-cheol shouted in frustration.

Then, the Dragon Tears Society ruffians began smashing a rice shop at the corner of the marketplace.

“Stop, please stop!”

“You old hag!”

The elderly woman from the rice shop clung to them, but Yi Do-cheol kicked her away with his foot.

She stumbled backward, collapsing and sobbing.

She had been forced to borrow money to pay the Dragon Tears Society’s protection fees.

Since she couldn’t repay the principal and interest, the Dragon Tears Society had come to collect, making Yi Do-cheol’s actions mercilessly cruel.

The old woman, crying, began cursing, “You’ll die cursed by heaven! It’ll all come back to you and your children!”

“Damn crazy old woman.”

Yi Do-cheol, quick-tempered as he was, didn’t hold back.

He pulled out an axe and raised it, as if to strike—

“Please stop, Father!”

Yi Do-cheol flinched in surprise and turned his head.

His youngest son was standing there.

“This is going too far!”

“You… my youngest….”

“The woman who runs this rice shop has raised orphans in Dengfeng County. There are even those in the Dragon Tears Society who survived their childhood thanks to her!”

“Do you realize who you’re raising your voice at….”

The defiance from his youngest son was so sudden that it left no time for Yi Do-cheol to react in anger.

It was surprising, as Gyu-jin’s actions were unlike his usual behavior.

He drew a short blade from his waist.

“I’ve thought long and hard, and I’ve finally made my decision.”

“You… you dare…!”

Could it be that he intended to stab his own father with that blade?

“I can’t live by my father’s ways. No, I can’t live by the Dragon Tears Society’s ways.”

For a moment, Yi Do-cheol misunderstood, thinking his son was committing treason.

But that wasn’t it.

His youngest son lifted the blade and cut off his long hair.

“Thank you for raising me. This unworthy son is leaving.”

“You

“I’ve found the woman who will be my life partner. Though she has physical limitations, her character is more beautiful than anyone in this world.”

Yi Do-cheol trembled, his eyes bloodshot.

His youngest son knelt, but his posture remained proud and unwavering.

“I want to leave Dengfeng County with her and make her happy for the rest of my life.”

And there were spectators quietly observing this scene.

It was Yi-gang’s party.

Yi-gang and Jeong Myung remained still and exchanged glances.

Then, they both looked at Beop Jae.

Beop Jae was staring even more intently than the Dragon Tears Society Leader.

But the emotions on his face were the complete opposite.

Tears slowly streamed down his damp eyes.

His tightly closed mouth seemed to tremble with overwhelming emotion.

“…He’s not a mere ruffian.”

It was at that moment that Yi-gang nodded in agreement.

Just then, the previously silent Yi Do-cheol let out a furious shout, “You brat!”

He grabbed an axe and threw it at his son.

Yi-gang, having seen true life-or-death struggles, instinctively knew it was not a killing move.

The axe was intended as a warning, landing just in front of his youngest son’s knees.

But it seemed Beop Jae didn’t realize this.

Swish!

Something whizzed past Yi-gang’s cheek.

Clang!

The axe deflected with a shower of sparks.

Then, like a hawk, Beop Jae swooped in.

‘Let go of my brother-in-law!’

If he could speak, Beop Jae would have likely shouted this.

Yi-gang smiled.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep