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chapter 13
“What?”
“There are rumors going around the streets and markets of Hong Kong that the daughter of the Gangnam Pyo clan has become a disciple of Master Wolyeong.”
Geobeok, the leader of Bulshan Wall Fortress, frowned at the information brought by Ogu, the deputy leader under Son-O.
“They confirmed that she is staying at the Gangnam Pyo clan.”
“Master Wolyeong is at the Gangnam Pyo clan… In that case, it’s highly likely that Wolyeong took care of the Wangak Mountain Fortress incident.”
“Based on our observations so far, that seems very likely. Most of the people traveling to and from the Gangnam Pyo clan were merchants. And Master Wolyeong appeared after the Wangak Mountain Fortress incident, so she may have dealt with it in order to take the Pyo clan’s daughter as her disciple.”
“What about Mu Jeong-chang Gong Myung-do?”
“That might be a disguise, just for show.”
Son-O’s expression didn’t look very pleased.
“A disguise, huh…”
“The Wolyeong Sect is formally neutral, but its nature is closer to the righteous sects. So the previous head of the Wolyeong Sect, Master Naeng Yeoseol, may have annihilated the Wangak Mountain Fortress to gain a disciple, and then the head of the Gangnam Pyo clan, Jin Seol, called Mu Jeong-chang Gong Myung-do to accompany her to the fortress. That’s what our intelligence suggests.”
“So you focused attention on Mu Jeong-chang Gong Myung-do?”
It made sense.
“Yes. If Wolyeong Sect hadn’t been behind it, even if the property was unclaimed, no one would have dared touch it knowing the fortress’s leader was there.”
Son-O nodded.
“Hahaha!”
Son-O suddenly laughed loudly. Ogu, not knowing the reason, didn’t dare ask why.
“So basically, the thieves taking our property is almost like fate.”
Depending on perspective, it wasn’t entirely wrong from their point of view.
Master Naeng Yeoseol of Wolyeong Sect changed everything in their minds, and no one considered it a misunderstanding.
“Wolyeong Sect… Master Wolyeong…”
Son-O stopped laughing and murmured softly.
Both were not easy opponents. In fact, it was more accurate to say they weren’t the ones to fight head-on.
“If we burn down the Gangnam Pyo clan, Wolyeong Sect wouldn’t stay idle, right?”
“That’s likely…”
Ogu cautiously answered, knowing who they were dealing with.
Son-O also pressed his lips together, closed his eyes, and exhaled deeply before nodding.
If the opponent is Wolyeong Sect and Master Wolyeong, they could not pursue revenge on the Wangak Mountain Fortress.
This was the way of life in the invisible principle of martial arts: the strong survive, the weak perish.
To survive in the martial world, one must be humble before the strong and crush the weak. Eventually, by living this way, one gains the chance to overthrow the strong, and in doing so, takes their place.
This was the destiny of those who stepped into the invisible world of martial arts.
Still, they couldn’t just let it slide. The Wangak Mountain Fortress incident was known among the mountain fortresses in Guangdong, so if they did nothing, dissatisfaction might arise.
“If we stay idle, other fortresses will whisper that we are cowards, right?”
Ogu didn’t answer.
“It’s fine. Tell me your thoughts.”
“In fact, even the chief of all the fortresses would hesitate against Master Wolyeong. Naturally, the fortress leader would also hesitate.”
Son-O narrowed his eyes.
“But if we just endure this, we could secretly eliminate the people working at the Gangnam Pyo clan one by one…”
Ogu’s suggestion was clear.
There was no need to directly attack the Gangnam Pyo clan. By eliminating its workers and setting an example, no one would be left to serve there, and the clan would naturally collapse. In that way, the Wangak Mountain Fortress could be avenged without killing Jin Seol.
Son-O looked at Ogu.
“Why… do that?”
Ogu spoke cautiously, as if expecting a blow.
“Yes. Was this your own idea?”
“Well… actually…”
“Tell me the truth.”
“The intelligence unit recommended it. They said it was the best approach.”
Son-O showed an expression of realization. He knew Ogu wasn’t the sharpest.
“But who will carry out the task?”
“One of the lieutenants should be able to handle it, right?”
“One of the lieutenants… Fine, do that. But!”
He paused, swallowing hard.
“Do it where no outsiders can see! If anyone finds out, it will be troublesome.”
Even though they were called rogues in the Green Forest, they were still martial artists.
If word got out that martial artists were taking revenge on ordinary civilians, the so-called righteous sects who preach justice would make life difficult for them.
“Understood!”
“Ugh, I’m bored.”
Since Jin Aseol had become Master Wolyeong’s disciple and left for Wolyeong Sect, Geomryeong had no one to play with after work and was spending somewhat dull days.
Master Wolyeong tried to persuade Geomryeong to go to Wolyeong Sect and learn martial arts with Jin Aseol, but Geomryeong stubbornly refused. Eventually, Master Wolyeong left with Jin Aseol alone.
“Maybe it’s time to leave this place?”
At first, Geomryeong worked to earn money, but playing with Jin Aseol had diminished that purpose.
Moreover, he had the money taken from the Black Tiger Gang and Wangak Mountain Fortress, so working seemed meaningless.
“So this is what people mean by bonds between people.”
Geomryeong didn’t really understand human interactions.
It couldn’t be learned from books or others’ stories. Indirect knowledge wasn’t enough; real understanding came from living and interacting with people, experiencing the complex emotions that arise.
Deep in thought, Geomryeong turned into an alley.
Tall walls ran on both sides, and the alley ended in a dead end.
Geomryeong reached the end, turned around, and found a man standing behind him.
The man had a square jaw covered in thick beard, broad shoulders, and an imposing presence.
He was one of the twelve lieutenants of Bulshan Wall Fortress, called Cheolsu Nonggo in Guangdong.
He had mastered the external martial art called Cheollyeoksu, similar in nature to Cheolsajang. Not extraordinary, but enough to be called a first-class martial artist.
“Do you need something from me?”
Geomryeong’s tone had changed.
“Did you know I was following you?”
Nonggo asked, puzzled.
“Of course. I knew from the moment I left home that you were following.”
Nonggo narrowed his eyes, scanning Geomryeong. He didn’t appear to be a martial arts master.
“You knew I was following you, yet calmly went about your work?”
“Should I stop just because you follow?”
Geomryeong looked completely at ease.
‘This guy… really isn’t a master?’
Even ordinary adults would feel intimidated by his presence, yet this young man was unbothered.
‘If my first prey is a master, this could get tricky.’
Geobeok, leader of Bulshan Wall Fortress, had ordered Son-O to quietly eliminate the workers at Gangnam Pyo clan.
The lieutenants volunteered. The reason was simple: completing the task meant they could become the new leader of the now-empty Wangak Mountain Fortress.
They competed to carry out Son-O’s orders, and their first target was Geomryeong, going about the streets and markets early in the morning. But things weren’t going as planned.
“Again, why were you following me?”
Geomryeong’s question snapped Nonggo out of his thoughts.
“To kill you.”
Geomryeong nodded as if it were obvious.
“Hm… Green Forest intelligence is impressive. They already knew?”
“Knew what?”
“That I killed everyone from Wangak Mountain Fortress. I heard Green Forest intelligence was exceptional, but I left no evidence, and yet they figured it out. Incredible, even more than I expected!”
Nonggo was momentarily speechless.
“If you came to kill me, you shouldn’t stay at the Pyo clan anymore.”
Nonggo couldn’t tell if Geomryeong was joking or serious.
‘Wait and see.’
He thought again.
“The Wangak Mountain Fortress incident is widely known. And no one knows who the culprit is…”
Nonggo glanced at Geomryeong again, suspiciously. When he looked at Geomryeong’s feet, his eyes lit up.
The slight fidgeting revealed the truth.
‘Just bluffing.’
A faint smile appeared on Nonggo’s lips. His suspicion vanished instantly.
“This kid has an incredible mind. Almost fooled me.”
Geomryeong looked at Nonggo.
“Incredible mind?”
“You claimed to be a master to make me lower my guard, didn’t you?”
“Whether you believe it or not is up to you.”
Geomryeong said he was a master, but Nonggo didn’t believe him.
“You’re nervous, fidgeting your feet, right? With so many people around, it’s bothersome. Let’s finish this here.”
Nonggo approached.
“Exactly. With so many people, it’s bothersome.”
Whoooosh!
As soon as Geomryeong finished speaking, the atmosphere completely changed.
“Ahh!”
Nonggo, sensing the shift, stared in shock.
The young man in front of him was no longer playful and innocent; a completely different presence stood there.
“Gahhh!”
Nonggo grabbed his neck and collapsed to his knees.
Breathing roughly, struggling, he could barely speak.
He stretched a hand toward Geomryeong, trying to say something, but the aura pressing on him made it impossible.
“Gah… gagh…”
“You said you retreat when defeated? Not in your case, huh? I see, parents rushing to protect a child who gets hit…”
Nonggo’s face turned red. Blood wasn’t reaching his brain, causing the effect.
“Sa… sa…”
“Begging for mercy?”
Nonggo nodded violently.
“You came to kill and failed, now you beg for life? No such law exists. If you target someone’s life, you must accept that yours could end. How can you not know?”
Nonggo’s eyes rolled back in rage.
“Grandpa Ghost was right. Everyone wants to be the protagonist, but there is no protagonist in this world.”
Cough!
The blood spewing from Nonggo’s mouth was disgusting, yet Geomryeong watched calmly.
Soon, Nonggo’s breathing stopped completely.
Geomryeong cast a cold gaze at him, then turned away.
“There’s no reason to stay here any longer. As Grandma Jeon said, I’ll travel Central Plains and meet many people. But first, I need to deal with these guys properly so Aseol’s family can be at ease.”
