Chapter 52

Chapter 52.

Uncheon’s eyes sank into a deep stillness.

Little Dragon felt chills run down his spine when he read the killing intent contained within that calm.

‘H-He’s coming!’

Uncheon drew back the leg fastened with Black-Steel Cold Iron slightly.

Then he kicked off the ground.

BOOM—!

Uncheon’s figure shot forward.

It was a swift movement technique that closed the distance in an instant.

Carrying that momentum, his leg, fully loaded with weight, tore through the air as it spun.

Whirlwind Kick.

A destructive Leg Art created during his sparring match with Jeok Mugwang, now made even heavier by the weight of the Black-Steel Cold Iron.

It was like a massive Battering Ram cutting through the air.

It was the same kick that had smashed the Black Dragon Gang’s main gate before.

Little Dragon instinctively crossed his arms and assumed a defensive posture.

“Guh-huk?!”

It was an absolute defense brought out by pushing Black Iron Steel Body to its limit. But before overwhelming mass, technique and defense were both meaningless.

THWACK—!

A dull, dreadful bursting sound rang through the training ground.

Little Dragon’s arm bones screamed as they were flung away, and the merciless rotational force drove straight into his abdomen.

“Kuaaaak!”

Little Dragon’s huge body rose pathetically into the air.

Flying beyond the sparring stage and into the spectator seats, he crashed down, then rolled three or four more times before finally stopping.

CRASH!

Little Dragon, who had slammed into the ground in a cloud of dust, could not get up for some time.

Then silence came.

“.......”

The noisy spectator seats fell quiet as if cold water had been poured over them.

A single strike.

One kick.

With that one blow, an expert ranked one-hundredth on the Wind and Cloud Ranking had been crumpled like a sheet of paper and sent flying.

An overwhelming gap.

Even Drunken Sword Yi Mok, who had been watching, sprang to his feet as if he had sobered up.

‘...Hah, that is... the real thing!’

While the spectators remained silent, Little Dragon, who had flown far away and collapsed, staggered to his feet.

Amid everyone’s silence, a shadow was wriggling inside the cloud of dust.

It was Little Dragon.

“Ughhh....”

He staggered and barely managed to lift his upper body.

Bright red blood dripped from the corner of his mouth, and pain surged through his abdomen as if it would tear apart.

‘I-I almost really died....’

Little Dragon swallowed all kinds of curses inwardly.

That was not a person’s kick.

It felt as if he had been struck by an iron pillar.

However, even amid the pain of his bones breaking, the abacus beads in Little Dragon’s mind were rattling furiously.

‘If I collapse disgracefully here, it is over. I have to maintain at least some dignity!’

Little Dragon forced his trembling legs to hold him up and put on a solemn expression.

Then, toward Uncheon, he slowly and very reverently knelt.

The sight did not look like the servility of a loser.

It was a posture thoroughly staged to look like the awe of a martial artist facing an expert.

“Strong...! In all my life... I have never seen such an expert...!”

Little Dragon pointed at Uncheon with a bloodstained hand and shouted at the top of his bursting lungs.

“The outcome has been decided!”

His shout echoed through the training ground.

“I, Little Dragon of the Black Dragon Gang, acknowledge my defeat!”

Along with that declaration, cheers erupted as if time, which had stopped, began to flow again.

“Waaaaaaa—!”

“Amazing! That boy defeated Little Dragon!”

“With a single blow! A monster has appeared!”

The crowd was in an uproar.

Yayul Hui, who had won her bet, wore a triumphant smile, while those who had lost money beat the ground.

The atmosphere had everyone in a frenzy over the birth of a new powerhouse.

It seemed the sparring match would end like that, with Uncheon’s perfect victory.

Uncheon indifferently straightened his disheveled clothes.

His business here was now finished.

‘Since the matter has been made this noisy, I have secured the one-hundredth rank.’

The bothersome work was over.

Now he only needed to wait for the Wind and Cloud Ranking to be updated.

He tried to turn away and leave without any lingering attachment.

That was when Little Dragon’s thunderous voice caught Uncheon by the ankle once again.

“According to the rules of the Black Dragon Gang!”

Uncheon’s steps came to a sudden stop.

Little Dragon, who had been kneeling, had already sprung to his feet and approached Uncheon.

Uncheon’s brow narrowed.

‘This bastard. Does he still have something left?’

Little Dragon spread both arms toward the spectators and shouted solemnly.

“The Strong Are Exalted! This is the law of this Cult and the iron rule our Black Dragon Gang has upheld!”

At his eloquence, the spectators grew quiet again.

Little Dragon’s eyes flashed.

This was the opportunity.

“The Black Dragon Gang is a place that can only be led by the strong! The one who has defeated me, Little Dragon, has the right to sit upon the throne of this gang!”

Uncheon’s eyes widened.

A dreadful premonition crossed his mind.

‘This bastard, surely...?’

Little Dragon bowed toward Uncheon and shouted in a ringing voice.

“Therefore, I, the Young Gang Leader, declare before the fellow martial artists of the martial world!”

“.......?”

“According to the rules of the Black Dragon Gang, I will recommend Great Hero Uncheon... as the Black Dragon Gang Leader!”

Uncheon turned back with an expression of disbelief.

What did I just hear?

But Little Dragon had already driven the nail in as if following a prepared script.

“The position of Black Dragon Gang Leader, vacant all this time, has finally met its true owner! All members of the Black Dragon Gang, pay your respects to the new Gang Leader!”

The Black Dragon Gang shills planted throughout the spectator seats burst into cheers as if they had been waiting for it.

“Waaaaaa! Long live the Black Dragon Gang Leader!”

“A new Gang Leader has been born!”

“Gang Leader Uncheon! Gang Leader Uncheon!”

In an instant, the training ground filled with voices chanting Uncheon’s name.

Uncheon’s face hardened.

This was a development he had not expected at all.

‘...I thought this bastard was just trying to use the gambling table to make money, but now he is recommending me as the Black Dragon Gang Leader?’

With cold eyes, Uncheon looked down at the crown of Little Dragon’s head as he bowed.

Little Dragon had bowed his head as if solemn, but at the corners of his unseen lips hung a smile of triumph.

‘Brother, even if you hate it, there is nothing you can do. The water has already been spilled.’

From the start, Little Dragon had not arranged this whole affair just to gather a little pocket money.

The position of Black Dragon Gang Leader had been vacant for a long time.

When the former Gang Leader disappeared in the past, the higher martial art, an inner arts cultivation method, had also been lost, and all that remained was the shell-like external art, Black Iron Steel Body.

That was why Little Dragon had lowered himself as the “Young Gang Leader” and repeatedly declared that he would hand over the position of Gang Leader to anyone who defeated him.

‘Today, the long-cherished wish of the Black Dragon Gang has been fulfilled!’

Of course, it was a shallow and cunning calculation to place a proper expert in the Gang Leader’s seat as a shield, while he himself stepped back as the second-in-command and seized the practical benefits.

‘Hehehe... Until now, true experts have avoided it because they did not covet the position of boss of a bunch of back-alley thugs in this rural corner. But this brother is different! Now is my chance, while he still knows nothing of the world!’

He was still young, and his martial force was beyond human.

As a signboard for the Black Dragon Gang, there was no more perfect item than him.

A hollow laugh hung at the corners of Uncheon’s mouth.

“Hah....”

So this was the reason this bastard had made the stage so large.

In front of countless spectators, Little Dragon had hammered in the nail by bringing up “the rules” and “The Strong Are Exalted,” so it had become awkward for Uncheon to pull out now and say, “I will not do it.”

At that moment, Drunken Sword Yi Mok, who had overseen the match, secretly sent Uncheon a Voice Transmission.

[Heh heh... Young man. From the look of things, you did not know either, did you?]

[...I was completely fooled. He looks like a bear, but he is a fox.]

[Well... I was also caught by the nose because of a liquor debt to him. In any case, I am only doing my duty as the overseer, so do not resent me too much.]

Yi Mok raised Uncheon’s hand high and declared.

“The winner is Uncheon, a warrior of the Demonic Martial Hall!”

Now that Uncheon saw it, even inviting Drunken Sword Yi Mok, a rather famous old expert, as the overseer had all been part of the scheme.

“With this, Warrior Uncheon has defeated Little Dragon, the Young Gang Leader of the Black Dragon Gang, and placed his name on the Wind and Cloud Ranking!”

“Waaaaaaa!”

“One more thing! According to the rules of the Black Dragon Gang, I hereby declare before the fellow martial artists of the martial world that he has officially become the Gang Leader of the Black Dragon Gang!”

It seemed he had no choice but to wear the official hat of Black Dragon Gang Leader.

“Black Dragon Gang Leader Uncheon! Black Dragon Gang Leader Uncheon!”

The cheers seemed ready to pierce the sky.

Uncheon’s eyes sank deeply.

Little Dragon’s shallow scheme was to put Uncheon forward as his shield and withdraw into the role of second-in-command.

‘...However, this is not bad.’

He could not remain forever as the Inspectorate’s blade or a warrior of the Demonic Martial Hall.

In the long run, to take the heads of the Demonic Cult leadership, he needed a force of his own.

‘A position beyond the watch of the Demonic Cult’s main mountain. A den of thugs that no one pays attention to. As a nest, it is actually perfect.’

Uncheon quickly finished his calculations.

And he willingly decided to step into Little Dragon’s trap.

It was the moment when he set his goal to tear apart this shell of a Black Dragon Gang from its very bones and remake it into a force of his own.

Uncheon’s indifferent eyes passed over Little Dragon, who was prostrated at his feet, and looked down at the crowd that had gathered like clouds.

Unlike his quiet, cold resolution, the area around the sparring stage had already become a cauldron of frenzy.

The cheers welcoming the Black Dragon Gang’s new master shook the air.

“A single strike...! He smashed Black Iron Steel Body with one blow!”

“You are telling me a monster like that is only ranked one-hundredth on the Wind and Cloud Ranking? That makes no sense!”

However, the shock and cheers soon began to transform into the primal instincts of beasts.

“Hold on... Then does that mean if someone defeats him, they can obtain both the one-hundredth rank and the position of Black Dragon Gang Leader at the same time?”

The eyes of the many martial artists who had been waiting to challenge Little Dragon now began to gleam greedily toward Uncheon.

At that moment, Drunken Sword Yi Mok, who had been overseeing the match, chuckled and poured oil onto the grill.

“If anyone is dissatisfied with this, or if anyone wishes to challenge the new Gang Leader, step forward now!”

The crowd began to react to his words, surging violently.

“After seeing that monstrous kick just now, you still want to step up? I cannot do it!”

“No, on the contrary, he must be tired, so perhaps now is our chance!”

“That is right! I will challenge the new Gang Leader instead of Little Dragon and take that position!”

Countless wanderers began to surround the sparring stage like a pack of starving wolves.

Taking advantage of that gap, Little Dragon tried to slip away behind the sparring stage.

Since the recommendation of the Gang Leader was finished, he planned to leave the troublesome challengers to the “new Gang Leader” and run.

Tap.

But Uncheon was faster.

He indifferently reached out and caught Little Dragon by the scruff of the neck as he tried to run.

“Where are you going, Little Dragon?”

“......!”

Little Dragon turned back in terror.

Uncheon’s eyes were not smiling at all.

“How could I go anywhere while leaving you here, Gang Leader? I was merely... going back to the Black Dragon Gang to prepare for your enthronement....”

“Stay right here without moving. You have not forgotten the restriction, have you?”

“O-Of course not!”

Uncheon’s hand tightly gripped Little Dragon’s shoulder.

The cold energy he had planted the previous night spread sharply through Little Dragon’s shoulder with a tingling pain.

“Since those words came from your mouth, you will face every challenger here.”

“What?! B-But Gang Leader...!”

“I will go to the Black Dragon Gang first. If anyone defeats you, then I will grant them the chance to challenge me.”

“G-Gang Leader!”

Little Dragon’s scheme to tie Uncheon to the sparring stage and secretly return to the Black Dragon Gang had been seen through completely.

Little Dragon’s face turned the color of dirt.

Uncheon did not forget to say a word to Yi Mok as well.

“Senior Drunken Sword, once today’s sparring matches are over, come to the Black Dragon Gang. I will treat you to a drink.”

“Heh heh... That sounds as if you are saying you will oppress this old man if I do not come. It seems I have no choice but to stop by the Black Dragon Gang.”

In the end, Little Dragon was left alone on the sparring stage, looking ready to cry.

“Hey, former Young Gang Leader! Have a match with me too!”

“You are saying we have to defeat you first if we want to challenge the new Gang Leader?”

The excited challengers aiming for the Gang Leader’s seat closed in around Little Dragon.

Little Dragon broke into a cold sweat and screamed desperately.

“A-All right! Come at me one at a time, you bastards!”

Leaving Little Dragon’s desperate scream behind him, Uncheon leisurely headed toward the Black Dragon Gang.

***

The road to the Black Dragon Gang, as he pushed through the crowd.

At some point, Yayul Hui caught up to him.

“Gang Leader all of a sudden? Did you set up the stage this far?”

“...No. Even I did not expect that much.”

Uncheon answered bitterly.

Originally, he had planned to secure only the Wind and Cloud Ranking position and leave, but he had been drawn into Little Dragon’s petty scheme.

However, the water had already been spilled.

‘...Since it has come to this anyway, there is nothing bad about having a base.’

Having made up his mind, Uncheon’s steps came to a sudden stop.

In front of the Black Dragon Gang’s main gate.

A heap of collapsed stones and shattered pieces of the main gate blocked the road.

They were the traces of him breaking through refreshingly the previous night.

Yayul Hui’s eyes widened as she asked.

“This... was your doing?”

“...First, we will have to repair the gate. I did not know I would become the Gang Leader....”

As a result, he had destroyed the gate of his own faction with his own hands.

Yayul Hui shook her head and said.

“I was wondering what you did all night... You smashed the gate and barged in? No wonder... Little Dragon cannot move an inch against you.”

Uncheon stepped over the wreckage of the broken gate and entered.

But the real problem lay inside the gate.

“......Hah.”

A deep sigh flowed from Uncheon’s mouth.

It was a space too embarrassing to even call a training ground.

Instead of training equipment, it was filled only with the traces of last night’s drinking party.

The sour smell from broken liquor bottles, overturned drinking tables, and even dice rolling across the floor....

Seeing that state, Uncheon clicked his tongue.

“Tsk. Is this a martial faction or a tavern?”

Uncheon’s eyes sank coldly.

Standing at the center of the Black Dragon Gang, he shouted in a ringing voice.

“Everyone, assemble!”

A moment later, the members of the Black Dragon Gang gathered timidly.

But their state was a sight to behold.

“Ugh... My back.”

“Ahh, my leg....”

Every one of them had bandages wrapped around their arms or legs, or was limping while leaning on a cane.

Uncheon looked them over and frowned.

“There is not a single one of you in proper shape. Is this all of our fighting force?”

One gang member answered tearfully, as if wronged.

“That is... because yesterday, Gang Leader, you hit us too hard....”

“.......”

“The gang members who are relatively fine went out in front of the inn today to prepare the sparring tournament....”

Uncheon sighed and examined the gang members in detail, but there was not a single one who looked as if he had properly learned martial arts.

At best, they were at the level of imitating Black Iron Steel Body that Little Dragon had taught them.

Like this, they were nothing more than a group of neighborhood thugs, let alone a martial faction.

“From today onward, the Black Dragon Gang will change. Any bastard who is not prepared to change may leave immediately.”

At Uncheon’s cold declaration, the gang members stirred.

“How... will it change?”

“Are you planning to expand the money-making business like the Young Gang Leader?”

“...I will teach you proper martial arts.”

The gang members’ eyes widened.

Martial arts, not money?

At that moment, a cackling laugh came from the direction of the collapsed gate.

“Heh heh. Little Dragon, that bastard, made the outside look flashy, but the inside is completely rotten. Young man, did you step in shit?”

It was Drunken Sword Yi Mok.

Having come to get the drink he had been promised, he clutched his belly when he saw the mess that was the Black Dragon Gang.

“What are you planning to do with rabble like this? It would be faster to kick them all out and recruit new ones from scratch.”

“I will kick out any bastard who has not made up his mind to change. However....”

THUD—!

A heavy metallic sound rang through the training ground.

It was an enormous weight, enough to break the stone floor.

“Hiiik...!”

“He... He fought the Young Gang Leader while wearing those?”

The gang members’ mouths fell open.

“If anyone is prepared to change, I will train him thoroughly.”

When the crowd fell silent, Uncheon declared.

“From this moment on, the Black Dragon Gang’s ‘business’ is finished. There will be no challenge fees, lodging fees, or drinking parties.”

At Uncheon’s declaration, the gang members were horrified.

“G-Gang Leader! Then what are we supposed to live on?”

Uncheon cut off their objection in a single stroke.

“From today onward, the Black Dragon Gang will be reborn not as street rabble or a band of thugs, but as a martial faction of the martial world. I will handle the money.”

Power filled his voice.

“There is only one thing you will do from now on.”

“Wh-What is that?”

“Training. From sunrise to sunset.”