Chapter 60

Chapter 60.

FLAP!

Cutting through the evening air of the Gonryun Mountain Range as dusk settled, a Carrier Pigeon landed on Sado Myeong’s forearm.

With practiced hands, Sado Myeong opened the bamboo tube tied to the Carrier Pigeon’s leg and took out the secret note.

His pupils expanded in an instant.

[Wind and Cloud Ranking, Ninetieth Rank, Bloodstained Wolf Kang Hwi. Defeated by Little Dragon of the Black Dragon Gang.]

“Kang Hwi, the ninetieth rank... was defeated by Little Dragon?”

It was information difficult to believe.

Little Dragon, who had been pushed out from the one-hundredth rank on the Wind and Cloud Ranking not long ago, had smashed Bloodstained Wolf, his old enemy, in a single stroke.

“...Warrior Uncheon did not even step forward himself?”

When they had cut away the Sagal Muk Family, Sado Myeong had already experienced Uncheon’s schemes.

But even so, did that mean even the subordinates who came under him could break through their shells in such a short time?

Martial skill, and moreover the skill to teach it, belonged to an entirely different dimension.

‘Did the warrior also possess the qualities of a Grandmaster?’

The Wind and Cloud Ranking was already showing signs of shaking.

Gripping the secret note, Sado Myeong hurriedly moved his feet.

The Inspectorate, the Deputy Chief’s office.

A cool space where the faint scent of agarwood incense lingered.

Sagong Jin looked over the secret note Sado Myeong had presented and let out a pleased hollow laugh.

“Hah, look at this bastard. He is fast. No, not merely fast. He is extraordinary. It seems merely placing his name at the bottom of the Wind and Cloud Ranking was not enough to satisfy him. To swallow the Black Dragon Gang whole like this.”

Sado Myeong answered with a respectful clasped hands greeting.

“That is not all. They say the Black Dragon Gang is currently rapidly expanding its power under the pretext of bestowing teachings upon wanderers. The wanderers around Qinghai Province are gathering at the Black Dragon Gang like clouds.”

Sagong Jin’s eyes narrowed.

“They are teaching martial arts to wanderers? By what method, when their qi and blood have already hardened and their bodies are filled with muddy energy?”

“From what I have heard... even Little Dragon, who had not properly entered an inner arts cultivation method even after passing twenty and had only learned external arts, somehow handled heavy true qi. They say the eyes of the wanderers who witnessed that miracle completely turned over.”

“Hah... He possesses a secret method that allows one to enter inner arts even at a late age? If so, the story changes.”

Wanderers, whose bodies were filled with all the muddy energy that could accumulate, were handling inner arts?

That was something that overturned the common sense of the martial world.

‘I do not know what method he used... but if it is true, the Black Dragon Gang will stir up a new storm within the Cult!’

However, that was precisely what the Inspectorate had hoped for.

Soon, a hearty laugh burst from between Sagong Jin’s lips.

“Hahaha...! To win over wanderers like that. If bastards who had spent their whole lives rolling on the streets become able to handle inner arts, they will gladly throw away even their lives for that benefactor!”

“That is correct. They were bastards who had been treated like expendable goods... so if they can learn from Gang Leader Uncheon, they say they have the momentum to leap even into hellfire.”

Sagong Jin tapped the Wind and Cloud Ranking roster lying on the desk with his finger.

“The Black Dragon Gang... Until now, it may have been nothing more than a small or mid-sized faction in a rural corner, but its location is not bad for gripping the information and logistics around Qinghai Province. What if our Inspectorate becomes a sturdy backer for it? Does it have the vessel for that?”

“It is more than sufficient. Not only is there Young Gang Leader Little Dragon, who defeated Bloodstained Wolf, but Jin Sowol, the daughter of Black Spear, and Yayul Hui of the Mad Wind Yayul Family have also joined as guest retainers. In practical terms, they are young talents who far exceed the one-hundredth rank.”

“Oh... Three young experts, no, four if Uncheon is included?”

“Moreover, though he is not on the ranking because of his age, Drunken Sword Yi Mok, a veteran expert, has also been added as a guest retainer. There is no other rising faction with this level of combat power.”

Sagong Jin rested his chin on his hand with a pleased expression.

Then he walked to the enormous full map of the Central Plains behind him.

“Hmm... Behind that bastard Uncheon are the Life-and-Death Exalted One and even Demonic Martial Hall Master Gal Muheun. If he grows just a little more, he will inevitably clash with the Cult’s other vested forces.”

Sagong Jin picked up a brush and drew a large, vivid red circle on the map where the Black Dragon Gang was located.

‘It is moderately distant from the main headquarters at Cheonsan, so the watch of the old serpents is lax, and it is close to the Demonic Martial Hall, making supply procurement easy. An optimal location to quietly raise our private soldiers without being checked by the mainstream forces... Could even this location have been intentional?’

If so, the boy named Uncheon was frighteningly deep in his schemes.

Having made his decision, Sagong Jin nodded and set down the brush.

“Good. Begin support in secret. Let enough supplies and silver notes flow in so that the Black Dragon Gang will lack nothing as our Inspectorate’s secret hunting dog.”

“I obey your command.”

“However!”

Sagong Jin pressed his thumb firmly against the circled map.

“Tell Uncheon this. Standing out excessively is forbidden. For the time being, let the public reputation gather around Little Dragon, who defeated the ninetieth rank, and the instructors. Tell him that Uncheon, as the Gang Leader, must thoroughly maintain mystique behind the curtain.”

“You mean he should seek substance rather than raise his ranking.”

“Yes. If the tail grows too long, the old serpents of this Cult will not remain still.”

“Understood. I will convey it exactly.”

A cold light settled in Sagong Jin’s eyes.

The arrogant smile blooming at the corners of his mouth came from the certainty that he was the owner of this enormous chessboard.

“The sharpest blade is most frightening when it is hidden inside its scabbard. At the decisive moment, that bastard will become the hidden dagger in the shadows that our Inspectorate draws.”

***

At the same time, in front of the Black Dragon Gang’s training stage.

There was not even room to step.

The heat of the wanderers who had formed a sea of people all the way to the front of the inn seemed ready to melt even the bitter cold of midwinter.

“Gang Leader! Please accept me into the Black Dragon Gang’s tutelage!"

“I will bury these bones of mine in the Black Dragon Gang! Please, grant me teachings!”

It was not simply blind awe toward an expert.

It was the first unrotten lifeline ever encountered by those who had been turned away at every gate and treated like trash their whole lives.

“There is no end to those requesting to join the gang. What should we do? In my heart, I would like to take them all in, but....”

Little Dragon asked Uncheon’s intention with a face mixed with sweat and blood.

Uncheon, who had been looking down indifferently from the platform at the clamor of the crowd, slowly opened his mouth.

“Do not ask about their origin, age, or past.”

“Pardon?”

Little Dragon’s and the wanderers’ eyes flashed open.

It was a statement that overturned the common sense of the martial world.

“...There are too many people, so put them through training first. In training that crosses back and forth over the death ground, sort out only those bastards who still have the grit to walk the path of martial learning. The instructors will handle the selection.”

“Aha! You mean we should make the bastards who cannot endure it fall away on their own. I will do so. Ah, and... Gang Leader. What should we do about that bastard? When he wakes up, he will surely cause a commotion....”

When Little Dragon hesitated and glanced toward the Infirmary, Uncheon answered calmly.

“Well. We will have to see whether that bastard is a wolf or a dog. If he is a wolf, he will recognize a true beast.”

***

Crunch.

The dreadful sound of a broken jawbone grinding together.

The fishy stench of blood that pierced the nose.

And the surging killing intent.

Bloodstained Wolf Kang Hwi’s eyes flashed open.

“Kugh...!”

As soon as he regained consciousness, pain as if tearing through his whole body surged in.

In particular, his jaw and face, which had been struck directly by Little Dragon’s right fist, burned as if they were on fire.

However, the blow to his heart was greater than the pain in his body.

‘I... I lost? To that half-finished cripple?’

Kang Hwi immediately tore off the bloodstained bandages roughly and kicked open the Infirmary door.

CRASH!

At the tips of his ten fingers, the energy of Blood Wolf Claw rose ominously in a blood-red glow once again.

‘I will kill them all!’

If he ran away like this, he would never erase the brand of a loser for the rest of his life.

“Move aside, you trash!”

Kang Hwi burst into the training ground while emitting killing intent, but his steps could not go beyond three before they stiffened.

As it happened, Little Dragon and Uncheon were walking toward the Infirmary.

“Once the selection and joining of the new gang members are complete....”

Little Dragon had been assisting Uncheon and proposing matters about the gang’s operation when he encountered Kang Hwi, who had burst out after breaking the Infirmary door.

“Ah, that bastard... It seems he has woken up!”

“Oh. He has rather strong bones. It seemed the blow went in properly.”

“...I am ashamed. It was because I was still clumsy in operating inner arts. I will subdue him again.”

By chance, Uncheon and Little Dragon had been on their way to deal with the unconscious Kang Hwi.

The terrible shame of having lost to Little Dragon, whom he had considered far beneath himself.

Kang Hwi’s eyes were bloodshot red with killing intent.

“Subdue? You dare say that, Little Dragon, after winning by chance just once?”

Just as Little Dragon frowned and tried to draw up Black Iron Steel Body to block him.

Slide.

Uncheon lightly raised his hand and stopped Little Dragon.

“Stand back, Little Dragon.”

Uncheon’s voice was low, but the intangible pressure within it weighed down the entire training ground.

Kang Hwi’s gaze turned toward Uncheon.

“Y-You are the new Black Dragon Gang Leader!”

Kang Hwi growled as he forced the blood-red energy of Blood Wolf Claw to rise from his bandaged hand.

“I will make you regret leaving me alive!”

Kang Hwi kicked off the ground and rushed toward Uncheon’s throat.

But Uncheon merely let his eyes shine coldly once toward the charging Kang Hwi.

“I thought you were a wolf, but were you only a mad dog that does nothing but bark?”

Uncheon’s voice was like a dry winter wind, without a single trace of emotion.

‘Wh-What is this bastard...?! The energy I feel from him is not ordinary! I strike first!’

His instinct was screaming, but he could not stop.

Tap.

Uncheon slowly, lightly stepped on the ground.

He had only stomped his foot once.

However, in the next moment.

Slide—.

Uncheon’s figure evaporated from Kang Hwi’s sight without even leaving a shadow behind.

It was Head Instructor Yajin’s specialty.

Shadowless Step.

“Huk...?! What...!”

“A frightened dog is loud when it barks.”

A cold voice came from behind him.

Goosebumps rose all over Kang Hwi’s body.

Thud—!

There was not even time to turn his head.

The moment he felt a heavy blow that made the bones in his calf ring, Kang Hwi’s vision flipped upside down.

It was Whirlwind Kick following Shadowless Step.

THUD—!

Kang Hwi, who had spun through the air, rolled across the ground in an unsightly fashion.

“Kuaaaak!”

At the impact of slamming into the ground, the cracked bones of his jaw screamed once again.

He was on the verge of losing consciousness.

“Tsk... Your forms are rough. To think you would rampage without even grasping the state of your own body....”

Kang Hwi’s body trembled.

Humiliation and rage crossed within him, but he had not even managed to touch the hem of the man standing before him.

His instinct was warning him.

Even so, Kang Hwi clenched his teeth and growled.

Because he believed that the moment he yielded to instinct here, he would truly become a dog, not a wolf.

“...N-Next time... again....”

Before he could finish speaking, Kang Hwi’s head slowly dropped to the ground.

Thud—.

“Finish treating this man. However, if he runs wild recklessly like this again the next time he wakes, you may deal with him as you see fit then.”

“I-I obey your command!”

Seeing Uncheon easily subdue Kang Hwi, whom he himself had struggled against, Little Dragon once again realized the gap between them.

“More importantly... what were you trying to propose earlier?”

Uncheon did not forget to ask.

Because Kang Hwi had burst out, he had not yet heard what Little Dragon had been trying to propose.

“Ah... It is that... Even though you have taken office, Gang Leader, we have not yet properly announced it to the martial world. How would it be to prepare an inauguration ceremony to announce the Black Dragon Gang’s new beginning to the martial world and officially enthrone you as Gang Leader?”

“An inauguration ceremony....”

“It will become a place to declare to the Demonic Cult and the entire Central Plains that the Black Dragon Gang is no longer the den of thugs it once was.”

Uncheon saw the ambition in Little Dragon’s eyes.

As Chief Steward of the Black Dragon Gang, Little Dragon was more sincere than anyone in rebuilding the gang.

Seeing those resolute eyes, Uncheon somehow thought of his own past self.

“.......”

Instead of answering, Uncheon turned his head and looked up at the rugged peaks of the Gonryun Mountain Range, which lay hidden in darkness far away.

‘...I miss it. Gonryun....’

The memory of crossing swords with his fellow senior and junior brothers through the sea of clouds.

The gentle smile of his Sect Leader Senior Brother.

But all of that lay buried beyond those mountain ranges.

Uncheon clenched the hand wrapped in Black-Steel Cold Iron.

The sensation of the cold lump of iron digging into his palm awakened his mind coldly.

The mere seat of Gang Leader of this insignificant Black Dragon Gang was not his goal.

This was merely the first claw he had grown to chew up the enormous Demonic Cult from within.

“...An inauguration ceremony. Good.”

A cold flame burned in Uncheon’s clear and quiet eyes.

“You said we would prove that we are not merely a den of thugs. If so, an event held only among ourselves will not be enough. We must make the stage larger. First, prepare a report on the sects and forces near Qinghai Province.”

“Understood!”

After Little Dragon withdrew to prepare the practical matters, and thick darkness settled over the training ground.

Slide—.

Through the open window gap of the Gang Leader’s office, a secretive shadow seeped in along with the night wind.

“It has been a while, Warrior Uncheon. No, Black Dragon Gang Leader.”

The one who entered while hiding his presence was Sado Myeong of the Inspectorate.

Sado Myeong knelt and carefully placed a heavy leather pouch and a wooden box containing Spiritual Medicine on the table.

“These are the support funds and supplies bestowed by the Deputy Chief. He said you may use them freely for the expansion of the Black Dragon Gang.”

“Deputy Chief Sagong Jin is generous.”

When Uncheon answered indifferently while lifting his teacup, Sado Myeong looked around and lowered his voice.

“And... he has a message. He said that now, you should hold your breath without standing out, and not raise your Wind and Cloud Ranking too hastily. He said the sharpest blade is most frightening when it is inside its scabbard.”

Uncheon readily nodded.

“...I understand the Deputy Chief’s deep intention well.”

“Thank you for understanding.”

Sado Myeong lowered his head in relief.

However, Uncheon’s following words made Sado Myeong’s heart sink.

“But what should I do? Just now, our Chief Steward proposed a grand inauguration ceremony for me as Black Dragon Gang Leader, and I had just accepted it.”

“Pardon? An in-inauguration ceremony?! I just said you should hold your breath...! If you hold such a public event, the Deputy Chief will...!”

Sado Myeong tried to dissuade him, his face turning deathly pale, but Uncheon’s cold gaze sealed his mouth shut.

“Do not worry too much. From the Deputy Chief’s perspective, he should have no pretext to openly stop an event held independently by the Black Dragon Gang. Moreover... I have my own thoughts.”

Uncheon swirled the teacup on the table and looked straight through Sado Myeong.

Like the tea swirling inside the cup, Uncheon’s gaze was deep and distant.

“Is there any force the Inspectorate would especially like me to invite to my inauguration ceremony?”

“......Pardon?”

“As the Deputy Chief said, I will not move personally to raise my ranking. However, it means the inauguration ceremony will proceed as planned. Instead... I will gather in one place the thorns in the Inspectorate’s eye that it wants to cut away.”

At that instant, Sado Myeong’s eyes widened as if they would burst.

Uncheon had not recklessly arranged an inauguration ceremony without any plan. He was designing a massive trap through which the Inspectorate could sweep away its enemies in one net.

“......!”

A shiver ran down Sado Myeong’s spine.

Deputy Chief Sagong Jin had called this boy “the dagger in his hand.”

However, facing those cold eyes, Sado Myeong realized clearly.

This boy was not a dagger to be held in someone else’s hand.