Chapter 46
Seven days passed after the special discount period, which began thanks to the Spy, ended.
I returned to the Mountain Stronghold.
My other Subordinates had grown accustomed to their roles as attendants, and it seemed unlikely that any more Murim Alliance Spies would come, so I had nothing left to do.
There was a promise I made when I first took in the Muak Mountain Brotherhood as my Subordinates: to teach them Martial Arts.
What good would it do to just play around? My body felt stiff, so I personally taught the Muak Mountain Brotherhood Martial Arts.
Of course...
“Ugh...”
“My ribs..., my ribs...”
“Hmph, stop exaggerating, all of you!”
Though the method might have been a bit... aggressive.
What's so special about the way the Unorthodox Faction trains Martial Arts?
Adding to what Dongryong already taught them, if I just sparred with them in a combat-like manner, that's experience-focused Unorthodox Faction Martial Arts Training, isn't it?
“Hoo...”
“Oh, my...”
Beaten by me, the Muak Mountain Brotherhood members groaned but still twitched their bodies, as if they could endure it.
It seemed Dongryong had trained them quite well while I was in Sichuan. Even though they hadn't learned Martial Arts for long, they already had the air of Warriors.
And among them, the most prominent, of course, was...
“...Please, one more time.”
...Jeokyeom, the Leader of the Muak Mountain Brotherhood.
Ah, this kid, I like him.
His tenacity seems even better than Dongryong's. To get up without a single complaint, even after being thoroughly beaten and surely in pain...
“Alright, if you wish...”
If he wished for it, I had to oblige. I charged at Jeokyeom with my bare fists.
“Hyaaaah-!”
Jeokyeom also let out a Kiai and swung his massive axe. It was an excellent swing.
But...
Thwack-!
“Kuaaagh-!”
...It's not a joke; I could tell where you'd attack even with my eyes closed.
...His attack was so monotonous that I clicked my tongue and punched Jeokyeom directly in the abdomen.
Jeokyeom was said to have used an axe since his Imperial Army days. Perhaps that's why his stance was solid, and his speed had increased after his Internal Energy backed him up.
But what good are a solid stance and fast speed if...
He keeps repeating the same movements, the same trajectory, making it obvious where and how he'll swing his axe.
It's a pity he can't improve, when he could get so much better with just a slight change of mindset and a little variation in his movements.
I conveyed that sentiment to Jeokyeom, who was sprawled on the ground.
“Hey, Jeokyeom. You, man...”
“Yes... please tell me everything.”
“You're... not quite like a Bandit, I guess? Or maybe you lack freedom? Anyway, it's a bit like that.”
“Not like a Bandit... Is that what you mean?”
“Exactly. Your face is the very image of a Bandit, but why is your body like that? Didn't you say it's been years since you left the Imperial Army? So why do you still move as if following Imperial Army manuals?”
The majority of the Muak Mountain Brotherhood were former Imperial Army soldiers. That's why they all inherently possess the Imperial Army's characteristic solid and standardized movements.
But Jeokyeom was unique even among them.
“...Is it that bad?”
“Oh, it's that bad. At this rate, the Imperial Army must have been your true calling.”
“...”
At my words, Jeokyeom bowed his head in a solemn atmosphere, then spoke.
“Perhaps... perhaps that's true. However... I am no longer an official, but a Martial Artist. I wish to move like a true Martial Artist.”
“Then you need to put in the effort. From what I see, your mindset is the problem. Try to change it.”
“How do I change my mindset...”
“That's something you have to figure out yourself.”
“...”
Jeokyeom looked at me with a somewhat bewildered expression, but that truly was not something I could help with. It was a problem Jeokyeom had to overcome himself.
Still, I was just about to open my mouth to offer him some helpful advice.
“Leader-!!!!”
A familiar voice pierced through the Outer Wall and reached us as we trained.
The voice was familiar because it belonged to Bang Sam-i.
“Leader!!! Please come out!!!”
Puzzled by Bang Sam-i's anxious voice, I headed outside the Outer Wall with my Subordinates.
And then...
“Bang Sam-i, aren't you supposed to be working right now? This bastard is slacking off... huh?”
...When I stepped outside, Bang Sam-i wasn't alone.
Someone stood behind Bang Sam-i, holding a sword to his neck.
And that person was...
“Young Lady Yu...?”
“...”
...Yoo Somyung.
“Young Lady Yu, right? No, what brings you here... wait a minute...”
Her face was haggard, as if she'd lost half her weight, and there was a poisonous glint in her eyes that was different from before, but it was indeed Yoo Somyung.
I was about to ask her why she had suddenly appeared, but then I saw Bang Sam-i in front of me and a more serious matter came to mind, so I asked.
“Hey, Bang Sam-i! You're supposed to be working at the Entrance Pavilion right now! If you're here doing this, who's going to run the business there?! Ah, damn it! Don't you know we'll lose a whole day's business if the toll passes aren't issued properly there?!”
“I handed over my duties properly to the other guys assisting me and left it to them. Young Lady Yu even waited for me to finish the handover, so I came safely.”
“Ah, well, that's a relief then.”
As expected of a young lady from a prestigious family.
To wait for the handover even amidst all this, Somyung's character truly hasn't changed.
As I nodded, touched by Yoo Somyung's generosity, Bang Sam-i spoke to me with a pale face.
“Haha, but Leader, I don't think this is the time for jokes. Young Lady seems very angry; her sword is trembling violently, you see? Thanks to that, blood is subtly flowing from my neck. Damn it, please save me...!”
“Elder Brother Bang Sam-i!”
Indeed, a thin stream of blood flowed from Bang Sam-i's neck, and my Subordinates each drew their weapons.
I raised a hand to stop those subordinates, then kindly explained to those who didn't know Yoo Somyung.
“Hmph, everyone put away your weapons. Young Lady Yu here is from the Righteous Faction, but she is not our enemy. Hmm... if I had to put it, she's our Mountain Stronghold's initial investor, perhaps?”
“Elder Brother...! Every time you open your mouth, Young Lady's hand trembles violently, as if she can't control her anger. Please, could you watch your words?”
Hmm... you're right.
Somyung's eyes were cold and unwavering, yet her hand was trembling like an aspen leaf, causing innocent Bang Sam-i's neck to keep bleeding.
At this rate, Bang Sam-i will die from excessive bleeding.
So, I asked Yoo Somyung with the most benevolent expression I could muster.
“Young Lady, what brings you here? Did you come to use our Mountain Path?”
“...”
At my question, Yoo Somyung took a few deep breaths, as if trying to control her anger, but eventually couldn't hold it in and shoved Bang Sam-i aside.
Then, she pointed her sword at me and spoke for the first time.
“...You son of a bitch.”
“...”
So this is *straight to the attack*.
By the way, Somyung's vocabulary of curses has grown.
To curse with such an innocent face somehow doubles her charm... just as I was about to say that...
“Die! You wicked bastard-!!”
“Oh, dear.”
She leaped at me, sword in hand.
***
The outskirts of Hunan Province.
Rustle, rustle-.
After writing down what he had seen and felt on the Mountain Path in Hunan Province over the past seven days, the Spy set out on his way back.
Of course, the contents were generally positive. There was even a slight personal desire that the Mountain Path wouldn't disappear.
It wasn't bad at all.
Compared to the work he had done as a Spy until now, this mission felt almost like a vacation.
The initial toll fee was expensive, but the path was comfortable, the food at every Pavilion was cheap and delicious, and everyone was kind.
If it weren't for the initial intelligence, it would have been hard to believe they were Bandits.
At this rate, the Murim Alliance leadership won't try to take excessive measures.
Thinking so, the Spy continued on his way. His first destination was the Hubei Province Beggar's Sect Branch, located north of Hunan Province.
After resting and eating there, he planned to go directly to the Murim Alliance Headquarters in Anhui.
But then...
“You-!”
“Hmm?”
“You! Aren't you Number Four? Haha, I only recognized you by your footsteps.”
A man was calling out to him on the path he was taking to the Hubei Province Beggar's Sect Branch, even in the dead of night.
And what's more, by the codename assigned to him in the Dark Hall.
Puzzled, Number Four looked at the man's face and saw...
“Great Hero Dokgo...?”
“That's right.”
...It was Dokgoyeong, the Squad Leader of the Murim Alliance's Dragon Slaying Squad.
Information about the Dark Hall and its personnel is usually confidential, but those of Squad Leader rank or higher can access it. And Dokgoyeong was so amiable that he had acquaintances among several Dark Hall Spies. Number Four was one of them.
Relieved that the person in front of him was an ally, Number Four asked.
“No, Squad Leader Dokgo, what brings you here?”
“Actually, I was curious about those bandits who gathered in Hunan Province. So I came out to meet you.”
“Ah.”
Coming all the way out to meet him might have been a bit excessive, but it was certainly understandable to be curious. If the fellows in Hunan Province were deemed enemies of the Murim Alliance, there was a high probability that the Dragon Slaying Squad, led by Dokgoyeong, would be mobilized.
However...
“I apologize, Squad Leader Dokgo. I cannot leak information before reporting it to Headquarters.”
...Number Four, naturally, had no intention of telling Dokgoyeong the information beforehand. As a Spy, he was particularly sensitive to such procedures.
Even though he clearly knew this, Dokgoyeong pestered Number Four, continuously asking for the information.
“Of course, I know that. Isn't that why I came here? I don't want to access detailed information. However... you could at least give me a hint, couldn't you?”
“Hmm...”
Number Four couldn't help but fall into thought. Normally, he would have flatly refused, but the one making the request was none other than Dokgoyeong.
Dokgoyeong was known throughout the Murim Alliance as a good person. He was indeed friendly with many people, and had even shared drinks with Number Four.
*Giving him a subtle hint... would that be alright?*
Number Four thought so and quietly opened his mouth.
“The Dragon Slaying Squad... will likely not need to be mobilized.”
“...”
The Dragon Slaying Squad would not need to be mobilized. That meant there was no need to subjugate those Bandits.
Dokgoyeong seemed to understand this and quietly nodded his head.
“...Is that so?”
“Yes, that is correct.”
He must be satisfied with this, right?
Dokgoyeong's expression seemed troubled, but Number Four dismissed it and took a step forward.
Although it had been an infiltration akin to a vacation, he had walked for seven days straight, so his body was weary. Thus, he opened his mouth to urge Dokgoyeong, who stood still like a block of wood, but...
“Squad Leader Dokgo. If you're satisfied now, shall we hurry on our way? If we even now leave quickly...”
Thud
“...Huh?”
Number Four's words were cut short. Dokgoyeong's drawn sword was already plunged into his abdomen.
“What in the...!”
Startled, Number Four pulled out a dagger from his sleeve, intending to counterattack, but...
Thud-! Slash-!
“Kuaaagh-!”
...Not only was he ambushed, but the skill gap between them was too vast, so Number Four collapsed to the ground, his meridians severed.
Amidst the confusion of sudden betrayal and immense pain, Dokgoyeong's voice drifted down from above.
“It's too peaceful... Damned peaceful, in fact...”
That cold voice was starkly different from Dokgoyeong's usual amiable tone.
Dokgoyeong stomped on the fallen Number Four's wound with his foot and continued speaking.
“Ughhh-!!”
“...If it's too peaceful, there's no way for me to release my Killing Intent.”
Killing Intent.
It was something he had been born with, an innate part of him.
Whether it was a person or an animal.
Whenever he saw something squirming and moving before his eyes, he simply couldn't resist killing it.
Thanks to the strict training of the Dokgo Noble Family, who had recognized his condition early, he could wear the mask of a virtuous person on the outside...
But inside, he was no different from an Asura, not a human.
“Well, there's no helping it. I'll just have to fabricate some crimes this time, too, real or imagined...”
“Haa... please...”
“And kill them all.”
Crunch-.
With those words, Dokgoyeong plunged his sword into Number Four's neck.
And the next day.
Beggars from the Beggar's Sect discovered a Murim Alliance Spy dead on the outskirts of Hunan Province.
The fact that a Murim Alliance member, dispatched to ascertain the truth, had been brutally murdered.
That was enough for the Murim Alliance to issue a subjugation order, regardless of the circumstances or underlying reasons.