Chapter 113 : Chapter 113

Chapter 113: The Rogues’ Guild Master (2)

The battle situation was brought under control in an instant.

It was thanks to Brother Gangpae’s outstanding leadership in handling the five thousand ruffians as if they were his own limbs.

The ruffians who received Brother Gangpae’s orders were strange. Their appearance was that of unmistakable ruffians, but their conduct could be compared to the imperial army without any issue. It meant that a sense of strict discipline and moderation could be felt.

The only subordinates I had personally handled were from a branch, but I couldn't be unaware that it was thanks to the ability of an outstanding leader named Gangpae.

“We’ve cleaned up, Brother.”

Once the battle was sorted out, two ruffians who appeared to be of leadership rank came before Gangpae and bowed their heads.

“Report.”

“We were only able to capture three of them alive. I’m sorry, Brother.”

“How many were there in total?”

“There seemed to be about ten.”

“About ten?”

The reporting ruffian flinched at Gangpae’s sharp gaze as he asked again.

“Exactly ten, Brother.”

Fortunately, the ruffian standing guard beside him stepped up. Only then did Gangpae relax his expression and nod.

“Let’s be precise, alright?”

“Yessir.”

Out of the ten Hidden Shadow members, three were captured alive. The remaining seven were said to have been killed after fierce resistance.

Considering the amount of information that could be extracted from each Hidden Shadow member, it was a somewhat disappointing result.

But the ruffians could not be blamed.

“What about our boys?”

“Pardon?”

“I mean our boys.”

“About thirty went up ahead of us.”

“……I see.”

This time, Gangpae did not press persistently. It could be surmised that he did not want to grasp the deaths of his subordinates in numbers.

As his subordinate said, in the process of subduing the Hidden Shadow members, thirty ruffians had lost their lives.

If they had forced a capture, the ruffians’ casualties would have easily exceeded fifty.

In fact, just by capturing three, the ruffians had played more than their part, so blaming them was not the right thing to do.

In a way, one might think that fifty out of five thousand ruffians is just a small figure of one percent.

I know that the Jianghu Murim is full of leaders who would have ordered capture if possible for this reason.

Especially those scholar-types who are good with an abacus might think that wiping out the enemy at the cost of one percent of their allies is a gain.

The leaders, commanders, and strategists I had seen were mostly like that.

But I know that a person’s life is not a number that can be converted into information.

It wasn't that less than one percent of the ruffians died, but that the precious lives of as many as thirty ruffians had met their end.

Wasn't I someone who had returned after seeing the countless lives of martial artists contained in a single line of information during the Great War of Righteousness and Evil? I must never forget this perspective.

Brother Gangpae, who knew this fact even without having regressed, is definitely a good leader.

Anyway…….

Thanks to the efforts of the ruffians’ human wave, no Hidden Shadow members managed to escape.

Since a Hidden Shadow branch is typically composed of ten members, it wouldn't be an exaggeration to say that one branch had been annihilated.

To have destroyed a Hidden Shadow branch with the power of ruffians before the Great War of Righteousness and Evil even began was truly a remarkable achievement.

Personally, I would rate it as an accomplishment worth more than saving a thousand martial artists' lives in the Great War of Righteousness and Evil.

One might see it as making a fuss over capturing just ten, but it is my objective assessment, knowing the power of the Hidden Shadow, so it will not be wrong.

‘The only regret is…….’

It would have been more perfect if we had captured the leader, Ma Pyeong-sam, but it's not right to dwell on the past.

“Good work.”

Gangpae patted the shoulder of the reporting ruffian.

And he continued…….

“I will personally preside over the funerals of our fallen brothers later. It is the final path of true men, so gather as many brothers as possible.”

“Thank you, Brother!”

Gangpae’s actions made the sacrifices of the ruffians even more valuable.

Gangpae’s attitude as he stood in silent tribute before the bodies of the ruffians who had died following his orders was very solemn.

In truth, what importance does something like the Orthodox Way or the Evil Way have?

Brother Gangpae was a man who knew the value of human life and knew how to cherish his subordinates, so he was a person worthy of me calling him Brother.

There was more good news.

“Young Master Myeong, thank you.”

“I am indebted to you.”

The first greeting was from Ma Sok, and the second was from Yeo-wol.

It meant that Yeo-wol, who had been unconscious, had safely regained her senses.

It seemed she had only had her acupoints sealed, as there was nothing wrong with her.

She was a precious person who would later be promoted to the Rogues’ Guild Master, so it was truly fortunate.

“Mistress of the Pavilion, Master Gangpae also provided a great deal of help.”

Perhaps because it was an official setting, Ma Sok addressed Gangpae with utmost respect.

Since Brother Gangpae was also the leader of a group, it could be said to be a truly appropriate response.

“Master Gangpae, thank you.”

Yeo-wol smiled and expressed her gratitude to Brother Gangpae.

“Oh, it’s nothin’.”

There was no vigor in Gangpae’s voice as he replied without lifting his face.

The imposing leader of the ruffians, Brother Gangpae, from a moment ago was gone, and in his place was a pathetic man who couldn't handle himself in front of a woman.

Yeo-wol’s head tilted for a moment…….

“Are you uncomfortable somewhere?”

She asked.

“Oh no, not at all! Absolutely not!”

Brother Gangpae quickly waved his arms in denial, but that gesture was also quite strange.

It was an un-martial-artist-like movement, for which the expression ‘awkward’ would be perfect.

‘Hmm.’

The Gangpae who had unhesitatingly spoken of his feelings of love and marriage could not exist in front of Yeo-wol.

It would be correct to call him the epitome of a true beta male.

‘Well, does it matter?’

I wasn’t worried.

This was because I knew Brother Gangpae’s true feelings, and I knew his future as Yeo-wol’s spouse.

The warm atmosphere was brief, as the mood in the venue changed abruptly.

“If you don’t intend to kill me, how about you untie me? I don’t yield to things like threats.”

It was Geombigak’s fault for interjecting without any sense.

He wasn’t intimidated even while tied up, so perhaps that Geombigak was the real alpha male.

* * *

The ‘Sa’ in Sado means ‘deceitful’ or ‘wicked.’ When you add ‘do’, it can be interpreted as the wrong path or an unjust path.

In fact, the fellow practitioners of the Jianghu Murim accept Sado with that meaning.

“It would be right to call them truly foolish.”

Chwipung-gae called such people fools without a moment’s hesitation.

“Why is that?”

Since I, who had grown up as a direct descendant of the prestigious Orthodox Dancheon Sword Clan, was also included among those fools, I remember my question being somewhat surly.

“I have said before that a name contains the essence.”

“You did.”

Chwipung-gae’s meticulous education had made Dancheon Myeong a complete Myeong-gae, so it was a fact I also knew well.

“But is that the truth?”

“Pardon?”

“I asked if that is the truth.”

“Hmm.”

“You don’t know?”

“No.”

“As expected, you are indeed a fool.”

“…….”

“Heh heh.”

At that time, my relationship with Chwipung-gae was not as close, so not being able to retort is something I regret even now.

Anyway, Chwipung-gae, who was excited about teasing me, continued his explanation with a satisfied expression.

“What is truth, after all? If you plan to live by begging, it would be right to view truth from a practical perspective.”

“Practical?”

“What would happen if the sun rose in the west? Chaos would befall the secular world, and it would be considered a sign of the end times. This is because the truth has been violated.”

“Indeed, it would be so.”

“What happens if there is a name that does not contain the essence?”

“I don’t think anything special would happen.”

“That’s right. Therefore, the saying ‘a name contains the essence’ should be seen as a proposition, not an immutable truth. It means there are exceptions.”

“Are you saying that the name Sado is that exception?”

“You weren’t a complete fool after all.”

“Hmm.”

When I still showed signs of not being convinced, Chwipung-gae continued his explanation.

“In living through the Jianghu Murim, perspective is truly important. This is especially true if you want to beg for a living. From now on, carve what I say into your memory.”

The image of Chwipung-gae, who uncharacteristically continued his explanation with a solemn air, was still vivid.

.

.

.

The era when martial arts originated.

It is said that those who established the framework of the Jianghu Murim at that time were Taoist ascetics who trained in the art of nourishing life.

A person named Great Monk Mumyeong based his teachings on the Three Talents, simplified the art of nourishing life, and shared his teachings with ordinary people, which became the origin of martial arts.

Although simplified, the foundation of martial arts was the art of nourishing life, so those who cultivated martial arts naturally aimed for ascending to immortality as their ultimate goal.

“What is ascending to immortality?”

“It refers to transcending the limits of the physical body and ascending to the pure land to become an immortal.”

“Correct. In other words, it is not wrong to see it as pursuing the path of the next life.”

“……That’s right.”

“It is called the Path to Immortality, and this is precisely what the current Murim calls the Orthodox Way. The great principle of the Path to Immortality was accompanied by the unwritten law of karma, so the perception that good and chivalry are the Orthodox Way was formed in this way.”

“Oh-ho.”

Even though I considered myself a martial artist of the Orthodox Way, I felt like I was learning what the Orthodox Way was for the first time.

“Then what is the Evil Way?”

“Please teach me.”

When it came to learning, my face was like iron, so I sought his teaching without delay. Chwipung-gae, not forgetting to clear his throat and act pompous, spoke again.

“In truth, the power called martial arts is connected to supernatural power and mysterious phenomena. The Path to Immortality itself aims to transcend human limits, so whether one trains in the art of nourishing life or its simplified version, martial arts, it is common to far exceed the limits of an ordinary person. The origin of the Evil Way lies in this power obtained in the process of pursuing ascension to immortality.”

I didn't know if it was Chwipung-gae’s interpretation or a teaching of history, but it seemed to be a perfectly correct statement.

“Having already obtained great power and ruling over all, is there a need to ascend to immortality and go to the pure land? For those with power, isn't the present world the pure land? Perhaps the first patriarch of the Evil Way was someone who thought like this.”

“Indeed.”

I agree with his thoughts.

The Jianghu Murim is a world that is generous to those with power.

“To summarize, it is like this. If the Orthodox Way is the study of renunciation that pursues the path of the next life, the Evil Way is the study of desire that pursues the path of the present life. Because they became infatuated with ‘power,’ which is merely a byproduct, the common people called that path the Evil Way.”

That was the day I first saw Chwipung-gae, whom I had only regarded as an old beggar, as a master.

“Was that path wrong?”

To that question, I don't think I was able to answer.

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.

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From the perspective of the Orthodox Way, the Evil Way may be the wrong path.

However, that is also the perspective of an ordinary person like me.

This is because the practitioners who were sincerely heading toward the Path to Immortality did not forbid the Evil Way.

-It may also be a path.

That was the reason, they said.

It is the natural order for a path to have many branches.

There is no way the leader of the Evil Way, the Unrivaled Force, would not know this fact that even I am aware of.

Such a leader looked at the martial artist of the Evil Way.

To be precise, he looked at a lowlife who did not know the Evil Way.

“The term Evil Way is wasted on you.”

The patriarch of the Evil Way, who did not hide his displeased expression, continued.

“It would be right to call you the Demonic Way.”

The Unrivaled Force Wiji Han judged Geombigak so.

Grandmasters do not make a great distinction between the Orthodox and Evil Ways.

This is because they, who have set foot on the boundary of immortality and realized that all streams flow to a single destination, know that the righteous and the evil are not so different.

The reason the Emperor Breaker and the Unrivaled Force seemed like close friends was for this reason, and the reason the current Orthodox and Evil Ways are not in a hostile relationship was also for such a reason.

They are just people with different destinations.

Even for someone like Wiji Han to judge, Geombigak’s path was a mistaken one.

“Where else would you find someone as true to the Evil Way as myself?”

Of course, it seemed Geombigak did not agree with the Unrivaled Force’s words.

I suspect that Geombigak may be lacking in his study of the Orthodox and Evil Ways.

“Tsk. So you were a fool who didn't even know what the Evil Way was.”

The Unrivaled Force trampled on Geombigak’s words and continued.

“The saying ‘a human face with a beast’s heart’ would not be wrong, so what could it be if not the Demonic Way?”

“Hahaha. If the patriarch says so, then it might be true. I should reflect on my actions.”

At those words, Geombigak just let out a hearty laugh.

I think the Unrivaled Force’s words are right.

If the Orthodox Way pursues the path of the next life and the Evil Way pursues the path of the present life, then the path that the Demonic Way pursues is the path beyond humanity.

A human face with a beast’s heart.

There would be no more suitable words to describe the path beyond humanity.

-That could also be called a path, but I cannot acknowledge it. It may be because I have not yet shed my mortal coil.

A certain master on the verge of ascending to immortality was said to have spoken so.

Sometimes, are there not paths that cannot be acknowledged?

In the current Murim, that was simply the Demonic Way.

The reason I reject the Demonic Way and try to eliminate the Great War of Righteousness and Evil was for that reason.

Because I was human.

“You, I really don’t like you.”

I knew that the patriarch of the Evil Way felt the same way as me.