“Do you want to become the Tummun Hyang-joo for just one day?”
Before meeting the other Hyang-joo, I laid out my plan to extract the antidote from the Tummun’s executives.
“Yes. The Tummun Hyang-joo won’t give the antidote unless Im Ha-yeon elevates herself as the Mang-joo. I need that position to deceive him and wrap this up.”
For the Do-mun Hyang-joo to willingly hand over the antidote, I needed one variable that would be completely unexpected.
“Becoming a Tummun Hyang-joo isn’t something that can be achieved overnight.”
The executives naturally looked perplexed.
“The sun hasn’t risen yet. We can act before the day breaks.”
Although a typhoon had swept through, the sun hadn’t risen. Thanks to Im Ha-yeon buying me time.
“It is possible, but…”
“I am also a Shadowless Thief. Im Ha-yeon, and all of you, agreed that together we make a Shadowless Thief. Furthermore, because I learned the previous Hyang-joo’s techniques, I can be seen as continuing the Tummun’s bloodline.”
“You can’t just arbitrarily become the Tummun Hyang-joo.”
“Arbitrary? Everyone from the Tummun executives is gathered here, so if you all agree, it is possible.”
Isn’t it the best time for an expedited decision?
“……”
The executives exchanged glances, hesitating to speak. They were clearly reluctant. That’s when I had an idea.
“I agree.”
As expected of Brother Wang. When I sent a desperate signal for help, Brother Wang broke the silence and stepped forward.
“Former Hyang-joo!”
“However, just obtaining the antidote won’t end this. You must have more plans, right?”
Brother Wang approached me and asked with a serious expression.
“Yes. It’s just the first step needed to finish everything.”
It’s just the preparation process to tie things up. I didn’t bring this up just to get the antidote. I spoke with conviction.
“Then I must help. What can a useless father who couldn’t protect his daughter do? Isn’t it right?”
If the former Hyang-joo agrees, how could you, who couldn’t protect a single Hyang-joo, refuse? Brother Wang asked the executives with a meaningful tone.
You guys were just saying it was your responsibility and begging for death, now are you pretending you don’t know?
Ultimately, with Brother Wang’s support, the executives began to huddle and converse among themselves.
“This is our fault for not being able to protect the Tummun Hyang-joo.”
“Even so!”
“He voluntarily stepped down. And did the former acknowledge that?”
“If we remain like this, Hao-mun will be destroyed, you know?”
It didn’t take long for the executives to reach a consensus. A representative among them approached me, inhaled deeply, and spoke.
“……Is one day really enough?”
“When today ends, please call me Ho Pil Kang Yoon-ho.”
I’ll catch the first guy who voiced opposition.
Thus, for one night, the Tummun Hyang-joo was decided.
——
“Are you telling me you’re the Tummun Hyang-joo?”
The Do-mun Hyang-joo asked me, utterly unable to believe it.
“You are not the Mang-joo. Since I am the Tummun Hyang-joo, Im Ha-yeon’s declaration just now has no effect.”
I spoke, shrugging my shoulders like a whimsical thief confessing to a light trick in front of everyone.
“Are we just playing word games? Ha! Did I fall for such petty tricks! You think I would concede just by talking?!”
The Do-mun Hyang-joo shouted at me in disbelief, baring his teeth.
“Is it because some foolish fool rolling around doesn’t realize the weight of the Mang-joo position that he’s been playing this game for ten years? Just for a flimsy pretext?”
Seems like he is quite angry. What can I do? The pretext you strive for is a mere mirage. I sneered, raising one corner of my mouth.
“Ha ha! That’s true. But still, I’m the one holding the blade, aren’t I?”
When the Do-mun Hyang-joo raised his hand, martial artists at one corner drew their swords.
The martial artists were watching Im Ha-yeon, who was dispelling the poison, and Brother Wang, who was assisting in the operation from behind. As expected, here they come.
“Try it if you’re confident.”
I spoke without wiping the smile from my lips.
“What did you say?”
“The moment you kill your friend and Im Ha-yeon, the possibility of becoming the Mang-joo disappears. So what will you do now? Continue swinging your sword?”
“If necessary.”
“It’s not about necessity. It’s about doing something you don’t need to.”
“What?”
“Do you think the other factions watching bloodshed in front of their eyes will submit to you? Not happening! We’ll go all the way!”
I pointed firmly at the martial artists behind me and shouted.
“It’s easy to see who the victor will be.”
“Are you calling the one who built a shack in wasteland the victor?”
“……Haha. Those who are about to die just bloviate.”
“So you’re bloviating now?”
“……”
“What you should be doing now isn’t threatening but figuring out what I want. You should desperately ruminate on that.”
I tapped my head with my finger in a gesture implying to think harder.
Did he finally realize there’s still room for negotiation? The Do-mun Hyang-joo’s expression shifted.
“……What do you want?”
I need time to idle my tongue.
“I want to ask something.”
“Sure. I can even give you my lover’s underwear size.”
After calmly taking a breath inward, I faced the cocky Do-mun Hyang-joo with a triumphant smile and asked,
“Why are you a Hao-mun?”
“What?”
Finally, the opportunity I had been waiting for arrived. Without letting him get a chance to respond, I pressed on.
“Hao-mun. Quite an interesting faction. What kind of faction would accept members in the same profession without proper teacher-student relationships? Hey, step aside!”
I stepped forward, shouting at the martial artist blocking the path to the Do-mun Hyang-joo.
“Hey, Hyang-joo?”
“Let me through.”
This is how it should be. At the Do-mun Hyang-joo’s words, the Do-mun’s martial artists parted, allowing the path to him to open.
In the heart of the enemy territory, all gazes were on me. An unexpected situation, so it’d take some time for them to assess my intent.
Alright. I managed to grab the position I wanted with just an overnight qualification.
The enemy cannot recklessly kill me. This is the perfect opportunity to start chatting.
I raised my energy to its maximum, moving lightly in heavy demeanor. Utilizing the Small Wheel Mental Image Technique, I raised my voice.
“There was a time I wanted to eat at least one meal a day. But what methods are available to a lowly person? Right?”
I looked at the Do-mun guy, who obviously looked like a rookie, walking beside the road.
“What?”
“Aren’t you in the Hao-mun just to earn a meal?”
“That’s right….”
As I gained his agreement, I looked at the other Do-mun members. Are they uncomfortable with my questions? To match my gaze, they all nodded.
Now that I’ve secured their agreement, let’s proceed.
“Why are we in the Hao-mun? We came together to not starve but to eat three meals a day. Ah! Look at me losing my mind! The Do-mun Hyang-joo wouldn’t understand that because he started as the previous Hyang-joo. Isn’t that right?”
I covertly aimed a jab at the Do-mun Hyang-joo. I’m framing the Do-mun Hyang-joo as someone who grew up well-off.
“Just get to the point.”
The Do-mun Hyang-joo said with a discontented expression.
“If you’ve held out for ten years, you should know how to hold out a bit longer! What was I saying? I forgot. You! What did I say?”
I pointed at the guy who had been ignoring me.
“Me? You said we come together because of our lowly professions……”
“Exactly! You heard me right. Applause for everyone! Everyone, clap!”
On the highest floor of the quiet Gilu, only the sound of my clapping disturbed the musty atmosphere.
“……”
What’s going on? Why isn’t everyone clapping?
“Follow my lead.”
As the Do-mun Hyang-joo nodded, everyone reluctantly started to clap.
“This is good. Now, I’ll ask if you listened closely. So pay attention! Anyway, the Hao-mun is quite a unique faction. In other factions, if a member dies, they take revenge. But have you heard of anyone taking revenge for a single Di-san from the Hao-mun?”
Foretelling an unexpected question captures the audience’s focus. All eyes were now on me.
“No.”
“Right. What connection could those gathered for a proper meal have to bind family ties? Simply put, protecting my meal is our life in the Hao-mun.”
In regular faction dynamics, disciples become family through teachings. However, the Hao-mun is different.
We gathered out of mutual benefit, so despite being in the same faction, there’s no strong familial bond.
“You’re rambling.”
I glanced at the increasingly irritable Do-mun Hyang-joo again. Though I approached him, my target isn’t him.
“So now, I’ll ask again. Why are you in the Hao-mun? Or rather, why are we in the Hao-mun?”
I turned back to ask all the gathered Do-mun members again.
“……?”
Reiterating the question posed to the higher-ups brings collective curiosity to the focus.
“Those who entered this faction should not harm each other.”
“……!”
“Aren’t you the one who killed other Hyang-joo’s families, massacred countless disciples, and brought the Hao-mun into crisis? Why are you a Hao-mun? You, who misuse those gathered just to eat properly! Why are you the Do-mun Hyang-joo?!”
How could one who harmed this faction’s members call himself a Hao-mun? What’s the difference between you and those outside?
“Ha ha. You want to see this through to the end?”
Ultimately, the Do-mun Hyang-joo approached me.
“What you gain is a wasteland. What you drink will only be mud. No, you’d probably lose that to the righteous ones.”
“The one who’s dead can’t even sip mud.”
That’s right. That’s the problem.
“You might drink mud, but what do your subordinates drink? Do they end up gnawing on hard bread for days on end? No. Most of them will die, so eating hard bread once will be lucky.”
I spoke to the Do-mun Hyang-joo, but my words were not directed at him.
Even if the Do-mun Hyang-joo exists as a victor, none of you will. They will only be used for his gambling. Yet you still choose to follow him?
I asked the Do-mun martial artists.
“Hey. The black-haired one.”
The Do-mun Hyang-joo approached me closely, his face gleaming with madness.
“Why? Gambler.”
Do you think I’d waver at something like that? Sturdy and undeterred, I matched his intensity.
“Why? Do you think the situation will change? Will you lower your sword while shedding tears?”
The Do-mun Hyang-joo scoffed at me, pointing to his subordinates. Recognizing the excitement of the situation, the martial artists were already reaching for their belts.
That’s right.
It’s too late to persuade them through recognition or understandings.
What words could convince them now to suddenly sheathe their swords? However…
I looked over at the Do-mun’s group, smiling.
“No. That’s enough to shake things up.”
I actually needed time.
“What do you mean by that…? ”
“Cough! Block!”
The timing was perfect. A startled voice came from one corner.
Utilizing the Shadowless Body Technique, I sprang up. In a moment, two shadows swiftly pulled me away from the enemy camp and right into the midst of our troops.
Only two of us could perform such a feat among us.
“Are you alright?”
“I’m fine.”
Im Ha-yeon returned to her usual complexion and greeted me warmly.
“…… Were you trying to divert attention?”
The Do-mun Hyang-joo asked me with an expression saying he’d been outmaneuvered.
“Sort of.”
Did I gather attention on purpose?
“Yes. Now there’s only one solution.”
The Do-mun martial artists gazed at me as if ready to leap out at any moment.
“No. There’s one more.”
I told you. I needed time to shake things up.
I looked at the faces of the Do-mun martial artists. If we plunge into civil conflict right now, who would survive? Unlike before, their faces were now mixed with deep misgivings, fear, and discontent.
It’s clear a crack has formed.
“What do you mean by that?”
What should we do now?
Im Ha-yeon has been safely rescued. Now, all that remains for us is civil war. Is there a way to avoid a mutual demise? Is there a way to conclude this whole situation?
After exchanging glances with the Hyang-joo, I locked eyes with Im Ha-yeon, whose face had solidified.
Let’s go as one.
A war shall not occur.
Finally, today…
All the cards are in my hand.
“I, the Tummun Hyang-joo, wish to elevate Im Ha-yeon of the Shadowless Thief as the Mang-joo of Hao-mun.”
I knelt on one knee and proclaimed victory to everyone.
“What, what?!”
In the midst of astonishment.
“Ho ho ho. It’s a joyous day that the child of the Gi-mun is elevated to Mang-joo.”
The Gi-mun Hyang-joo approached Im Ha-yeon with a smile.
“Are you calling someone the child of the Gi-mun? I’m the one who’s called sister-in-law by the children of the Si-mun. I’m practically part of the Si-mun.”
“Whatever you are, you’re still better than the Do-mun.”
The Si-mun and Ma-mun Hyang-joo also approached Im Ha-yeon with satisfied smiles.
“Hyang-joo-nim…”
What’s about to unfold from now on would be unprecedented in the history of the Hao-mun. The Shadowless Thief, Im Ha-yeon, faced the Hyang-joo with a firm expression.
The way to truly become the Mang-joo of the Hao-mun required the support of the majority of branches and the consent of two Hyang-joo. This was but a makeshift method created by the Hao-mun Joo that no one had achieved.
The only way to genuinely gain everyone’s recognition and stand as the Mang-joo of the Hao-mun was singular.
“Gi-mun Hyang-joo, I elevate Im Ha-yeon of the Shadowless Thief as the Mang-joo of the Hao-mun.”
“Si-mun Hyang-joo, I elevate Im Ha-yeon of the Shadowless Thief as the Mang-joo of the Hao-mun.”
“Ma-mun Hyang-joo, I elevate Im Ha-yeon of the Shadowless Thief as the Mang-joo of the Hao-mun.”
The agreement of those three Hyang-joo was all that was needed.
Before her, the four Hyang-joo knelt.
“W, what is happening?”
“The agreement of four Hyang-joo means—no way!”
“The Shadowless Thief as Mang-joo?!”
No stamp, no branch leader needed. The declarations by the Hyang-joo before the Hao-mun executives had more credibility than anything else.
There was no need for flimsy schemes or threats.
“Hello everyone. I am the Mang-joo of the Hao-mun, Im Ha-yeon of the Shadowless Thief.”
The woman standing before everyone was indisputably the Mang-joo.
For the first time in the history of the Hao-mun, a woman had become the Mang-joo recognized by the Hyang-joo.
“Chung!”
All Hao-mun members, except for the Do-mun, knelt and shouted from the bottom of their hearts.
“Congratulations, Mang-joo of the Hao-mun!”
“Congratulations!”
Even the Do-mun martial artists, who were wavering in their hearts at Kang Yoon-ho’s words, began to kneel one by one.
A Mang-joo was born.
This wasn’t just a simple change in tides. Everything had come to an end. The woman before the Do-mun martial artists was now the true master of the Hao-mun in Hubei Province.
“As the Mang-joo of the Hao-mun, I will issue my first order.”
As the Mang-joo of the Hao-mun, Im Ha-yeon pointed with steely eyes at one person.
If the Hyang-joo of the Hao-mun are the vassals of the Hao-mun, then the Mang-joo is the true family of the Hao-mun. Whatever the vassals may be, they cannot refuse the master’s command.
“Shut your mouth!”
A voice filled with rage echoed. But the master does not fear a barking dog.
The only order for a dog that doesn’t recognize its new master is one.
“I hereby strip the traitor of Hao-mun, Dan Wanjin, of the Do-mun Hyang-joo position from this moment forward.”
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