Having finished my contemplation, I continued to maintain my composure and spoke.
“Galbijong.”
“Have you made a decision?”
“I am a hero pursuing justice and harmony.”
“What?”
I, Kim Geunhyeop, am a righteous hero. And you want to summon me from the Black Dao? Of course, this is infuriating.
“Are you saying you want to summon me to the Black Dao branch?”
Showing my anger, I began to channel the Cold Mind Technique, gradually releasing my aura. Serin had mentioned that my internal energy was quite substantial. So just revealing it like this could easily mislead my opponent.
“Pl-please calm down!”
As expected, when I released my aura, the sweat started trickling down the forehead of the guy with the bright eyes. But seriously, even when under pressure, can that sparkling gaze not be extinguished?
“You mentioned that this is to search for the Four Fairies…”
“That can’t be all there is to it.”
You can’t fool me.
“The search for the Four Fairies is just a side aspect. Ultimately, if you gather the Black Dao in this circle, there will be profits involved. What are you planning to use me for? Depending on your answer, you will…”
Hear the cries of the Crying Demon.
With that thought in mind, I spoke.
“So you plan to kill me as brutally as possible! You truly are sharp, Crying Demon! But there’s no need for that. As I said… if you take control of this region, you’ll naturally acquire various profits. Isn’t that good enough?”
“But they’re just the Black Dao scum. I don’t think there’s any justice or harmony in that.”
“What nonsense! Compared to the despicable insects of the righteous sect, our side has justice and harmony!”
What the heck is this nonsense?
With a questioning look, I glared at Galbijong, who then explained as if trying to calm things down.
“Indeed, as you pointed out, I am part of the Sapa. Our Black-themed Martial Arts Group operates under the influence of Sadoryeon. But listen carefully. When we lend money, we do so and receive interest, alright?”
That’s just common sense.
But Galbijong didn’t seem to think so; he clenched his fist and gritted his teeth as he spat those words out, still with those bright eyes.
“But self-proclaimed righteous scum…! They storm into our Sapa, smashing everything and robbing us of money! We at least lend money and get interest, but those righteous folks just take it!”
What a pitiful complaint.
But this is simply the way it is. Sapa is always a gathering of trash. Taking money out of a trash can is just the way things work.
Not taking the money would actually be strange. Leaving money in the trash can? That’s just a lunatic; it’s definitely not normal.
“Heh heh heh! Is that so?”
“Y-yes, exactly!”
“Anyway… consider my proposal. I’ve been feeling like slaughtering the scum of the Black Dao while bathing in their blood.”
“Ugh…!”
*gulp.*
Upon my declaration, Galbijong swallowed hard.
He looked extremely tense.
Seeing his expression, I stood up.
“Uh, Crying Demon. I await your favorable answer.”
“…”
With that, I left the inn.
And I hurriedly made my exit.
“Shit.”
For now, acting like a brutally crazed master worked pretty well. So are those Black Dao scum under Sadoryeon trying to recruit me? Killing them could lead to complications, but leaving them be would also be bothersome.
A decision must be made.
“Crying Demon…”
As I was slipping away, I heard someone call me from behind. Thinking someone was following me, I looked back.
“Wait, isn’t that Jaemi Son?”
“Keuk keuk… it seems you have a new nickname.”
“You were watching the whole time! Hey, we need to talk.”
I immediately moved to a quieter spot with Jaemi Son.
“To think they’d request your recruitment from a branch under Sadoryeon… keuk keuk. Truly, you’re the man I’ve acknowledged, Kim Geunhyeop.”
It seemed that Server had kept him well-informed about my situation. This makes for an easier conversation.
“Hey. This isn’t the time to laugh. I’m being serious.”
I recounted my previous dilemma to Jaemi Son. It seemed troublesome whether to eliminate the guy or to just let him be.
“What should I do? Jaemi Son. Personally, I rate your intelligence highly. I could use your wisdom.”
“…”
Jaemi Son leaned against the wall, crossing his arms as he listened to me intently.
“Whatever it is… this is also a matter of the Martial Arts World.”
Suddenly, ‘a matter of the Martial Arts World’?
“Once you’ve made a name for yourself in this way, there’s no guarantee this won’t happen again… right?”
“Ah, I see.”
It meant that he sought me out based on my reputation. This implies that this was just the first instance; there could be many more in the future.
“Will you ponder every time such a person seeks you out?”
*Fwaaaa!*
The gaze of a warrior who has concentrated entirely on intelligence bore into me.
That’s right.
Jaemi Son was right.
“No, that can’t happen. I can’t keep pondering over this; it would make no sense.”
“Exactly.”
That was solid advice.
“What needs to be done in this case is simply one thing… Set a standard for yourself and move forward.”
A standard.
“From now on, it’s quite possible I’ll be more involved with Sadoryeon. Or perhaps, that Crying Demon fellow, who seems to be hanging out with Sadoryeon, might attract some warriors dispatched by the Martial Arts Coalition to meet with you.”
This is…
“Precisely the Martial Arts World.”
“Yes… the Jianghu is like this. Once you establish reputation and bitterness, you’ll inevitably be dragged in, whether you like it or not.”
Jaemi Son’s voice held a certain heaviness.
“So don’t ask me, Geunhyeop. The choice lies with you.”
“That’s true, Jaemi Son. Thanks to you, my perspective has broadened today.”
This Jaemi Son is no ordinary person. Though not on the level of the absolute master, Mr. Song, he possesses sharpness and insight.
After talking with him, I felt shamed for having been mulling over such trifles moments ago.
An invitation from the Black Dao? Sadoryeon?
Once you step into the Martial Arts World, it’s not surprising when such things occur. So why whine about being dragged into this kind of situation every time it happens?
Absolutely not.
I just need to set my own absolute standard and move forward.
“You’re truly a man worthy of respect. Jaemi Son, no. Anhyuichang’s Ideals Master.”
“Keuk keuk… to realize that only now shows your own stupidity.”
*Vwoosh.*
Jaemi Son’s eyes gleamed.
“Go, Kim Geunhyeop… I shall follow behind. At the very least, let me witness the moment you make your choice.”
“Alright! But first, I have to go visit my concubines!”
“What?”
“I need to let them know too.”
In an instant, Jaemi Son’s expression twisted.
“Jaemi Son?”
And then, as if possessed by a zealot, he lunged and began poking me mercilessly!
*Shush shush shush!*
*Chwa-jjak!*
“Ughhhhh!”
My side!
“Get away!”
“Nooo! Why the hell are you acting like this! Aaaaaah!”
A hole was punctured in my side!
* * *
Barely escaping, I arrived at the Sangrugak and banged on the door to the two women’s room.
“Have you reflected on your actions… Hmm? You come empty-handed?”
“That’s not it!”
“What seems to have happened?”
“Uh, I’m sorry! Hah, hah! I’ll explain!”
“What happened?”
I quickly recounted the events of the day to the two women.
I had planned to apologize by bringing snacks, but I ended up encountering a martial artist from the Sapa and received a recruitment request.
“Sadoryeon is on the move. Well, it’s only natural. The activities of the Four Fairies have implications not just in the Martial Arts World but throughout the Ming Dynasty.”
That is indeed a serious affair.
“Of course, the Martial Arts Coalition is also on the move. They’re acting faster and more accurately than Sadoryeon. They’re absolutely not sitting by idly.”
Perhaps being part of the Martial Arts Coalition influences her perspective on this matter?
“It’s only the Martial Arts Coalition that shines and holds hope. Anyway, this guy, Galbijong, is trying to recruit me.”
“Absolutely not.”
Serin replied firmly.
“Galbijong is a loan shark under Sadoryeon. Establishing a branch with someone like him to unify the Black Dao in this area? You’ve barely even talked to him for a short time.”
That’s right.
“Forget trust, it’s too dangerous. It’s not something you should just wade into. Besides, if you accept the proposal, it naturally means you’re leaning towards Sapa, and if that happens, it won’t be surprising if you become a target for the righteous martial artists.”
Serin’s words were all too correct.
“Yeah, where’s this sudden Sapa coming from? And creating a branch of the Black Dao? Refusing is clearly the right choice, right? Or do you… really want to operate in the Black Dao? Are you Sapa now?”
“Not at all.”
“Then don’t do it. Why risk it… But if you’re saying this, you probably have something planned, right?”
“Right.”
I should tell them that.
Both women’s eyes turned towards me.
“First of all, he sought me out because he heard of my reputation. That means even if I refuse this time, such incidents could happen again in the future.”
“I can see that.”
“This is the Jianghu and bitterness for you.”
As I shared what I had learned from Jaemi Son, Serin nodded.
“That is indeed correct, Geunhyeop.”
“Right. Either way, if I keep turning down those who come seeking me, it will create bitterness. The Sapa folks will likely hold a grudge just because their proposal was declined.”
“Yeah, that makes sense.”
Once you become a martial artist, this is inevitable.
“But Serin, Hayoung. Killing every one of those guys I run into will become more troublesome. If they discover I’m a notorious figure, I’ll be the target of a pursuit.”
“Please continue the story.”
As I continued to explain, Serin focused deeply on my words.
“Above all, regarding that Four Fairies.”
She seemed slightly intrigued.
Even the righteous sects and the Sapa tremble at the mention of this individual, and the imperial family of the Ming Dynasty is wary of her.
I’m not entirely sure, but I have a hunch. Gathering information about such entities could be beneficial.
“I think it’d be good to learn a bit about them.”
“…That’s dangerous.”
“Thinking of it in terms of preparing for greater danger makes it worthwhile. Anyway, what I want to say is this: being part of the Martial Arts branch means utilizing it according to your needs, right?”
If it’s an unavoidable fate, taking the initiative isn’t a bad option.
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