Chapter 114 : Chapter 114

Chapter 114: The Rogues’ Guild Master (3)

The Unrivaled Force Wiji Han’s words were right.

Even in my eyes, Geombigak was a figure more suited to the Demonic Way than the Evil Way.

I wasn't just talking about the kidnapping of Yeo-wol, but his mental state and conduct, which were clearly visible in his eyes, were so.

Whether he was originally of the Evil Way and became tainted by the Demonic Way after colluding with them, or whether his very nature resembled the Demonic Way from the beginning, leading him to collude with them, I didn't know, but this was not an important issue.

Time has already passed, and the result is out.

“I don’t know why the Unrivaled One sees me as part of the Demonic Way, but since I am for now a martial artist belonging to the Evil Way, please stop your persecution.”

“You mongrel.”

“Hahaha.”

Even at the Unrivaled Force’s scathing assessment, Geombigak smiled.

It didn't seem like a hollow show of strength, but a smile filled with genuine confidence.

Geombigak was not afraid of Wiji Han right now.

“Even if the Unrivaled One is the patriarch of the Evil Way, you cannot harm me.”

“What did you say?”

A roar was contained in the Unrivaled One’s gaze.

Truly, I had no choice but to assess Geombigak as a lunatic.

There was no other way to judge the appearance of the Branch Lord of the Rogues’ Guild barking in front of the Evil Faction Alliance Leader of all people.

This should be seen as a characteristic of a pup that doesn't know its place or a lunatic, and considering Geombigak’s age and position, it would not be right to judge him as an ignorant pup.

Wouldn’t it be a natural conclusion to assess him as a lunatic?

The Jianghu Murim is not a world that is merciful to lunatics.

This is because it is a place where if you do wrong, you get beaten or killed.

As proof of that…….

Rumble.

The sound of the Unrivaled Force Wiji Han’s true qi flowing violently could be heard.

A formless sword, containing a power like a raging wave, was already aimed at Geombigak’s neck.

“You, I really don’t like you.”

In response to the Unrivaled One’s will, a dense killing intent filled the space.

Didn’t I say?

The Jianghu Murim is a world ruled by power.

In fact, even if the Unrivaled Force were to kill Geombigak right now, there would be no one who could blame him.

The reason is that the Unrivaled Force possesses a stronger power than anyone else in this place and is a person of a higher rank than anyone else.

His authority is not one that can be shaken by simply executing a mere Branch Lord of the Rogues’ Guild.

With his will alone, Geombigak’s soul would cross the River of Three Crossings.

The only important thing was that fact.

Since his will held the intent to kill, it would be right to prepare for a farewell with Geombigak.

It goes without saying, but I wasn't sad. It was because I had not a shred of pity for him.

Just then…….

Step.

“Alliance Leader, please yield this opportunity to me.”

The Mistress of the Flower Moon Pavilion, Yeo-wol, stepped forward.

* * *

The Mistress of the Flower Moon Pavilion, Yeo-wol.

Although she committed the folly of being taken hostage due to her relatively shallow martial arts skills, it should not be forgotten that she is also a splendid Branch Lord of the Rogues’ Guild in both name and reality.

“I am deeply moved by the Alliance Leader’s boundless grace, but could you give this humble girl a chance?”

“I must kill that man.”

“If the Unrivaled One himself were to take the life of such a worthless fellow, wouldn’t that also be a grace?”

“…….”

The Unrivaled Force did not reply to Yeo-wol’s words, but the formless sword that was naturally withdrawn hinted at his consent.

Yeo-wol, who bowed to the merciful Evil Faction Alliance Leader, turned her gaze to the one who was once her rival.

“Geombigak.”

“Yes, Mistress of the Pavilion.”

Slap-!

With a sharp cracking sound, Geombigak’s face was slightly turned to the side.

His reddened, swollen cheek revealed the source of the cracking sound.

Yeo-wol, who lightly dusted off her hand, asked Geombigak.

“Is this a violation of the law?”

“It probably isn’t.”

“I see.”

Yeo-wol smiled faintly.

Slap-!

Slap-!

Slap-!

For a while, the sound of tearing air filled the venue.

Despite there being no one restraining him, Geombigak endured Yeo-wol’s slow slaps without avoiding them.

It was perhaps a peculiar stubbornness of loan sharks that an ordinary person like me could not understand.

Thwack-!

After one last, rather heavy slap, Yeo-wol caught her breath for a moment.

“What is the Rogues’ Guild to you?”

Yeo-wol asked Geombigak.

“Did you not understand?”

Only after she asked again did Geombigak answer.

“What is it to you, Mistress of the Pavilion?”

Even in the midst of it all, it was just like Geombigak not to lose the upper hand in the debate.

Thwack-!

Yeo-wol once again roughly slapped Geombigak’s face.

“Don’t change the subject. I’m the one asking the questions.”

It was accompanied by a cold threat.

Despite her beauty, a sharp tension, quite different from when she was with the Unrivaled One, encroached upon the space.

“…….”

“…….”

For a moment, Geombigak and Yeo-wol’s gazes intertwined.

With his swollen lips, Geombigak let out a smirk.

It was the first time that Geombigak, who had maintained a relaxed attitude and respectful language until now, showed a different side.

“Is there a reason I must answer the Mistress of the Pavilion’s question?”

“There wouldn’t be.”

Having said that, Yeo-wol turned her body without any lingering attachment.

Only then did Geombigak open his mouth.

“To make big money, don’t you have to play in the big leagues?”

Geombigak said with a sneer, as if to mock Yeo-wol.

He gives a different answer when you seek one, and gives the answer when you give up. That was Geombigak’s way.

“Is that answer satisfactory?”

Yeo-wol did not react to Geombigak’s question.

She simply commanded.

“Ma Sok, cut him down.”

Slice!

Ma Sok drew his sword without a shred of doubt.

It was a truly swift draw.

Shing- Thud.

Geombigak likely realized his throat had been cut only after Ma Sok’s sword had been sheathed again.

Grasp.

Geombigak touched his own neck.

“…….”

After a moment of silence, Geombigak let out a smirk.

I had no idea what that smile meant.

Thud.

Unable to even leave behind a death rattle, Geombigak’s corpse fell to the ground.

No, perhaps he deliberately chose not to leave a death rattle.

It was the fleeting end of a being who was neither of the Evil Way nor the Demonic Way.

* * *

Leaving behind the cooling corpse of Geombigak, Yeo-wol spoke.

“Since I have broken the law, am I excommunicated?”

At first, I didn't know who Yeo-wol was asking.

But I soon found out.

Step.

“Hmm.”

From the darkness, a figure revealed itself with great composure.

Though he had hidden himself among the ruffians, he was a figure who had evaded my senses, so he was not an opponent to be taken lightly.

The figure, who slowly looked around the venue, was…….

“The Mistress of the Pavilion is as decisive as ever.”

He said.

There was no need to ponder who the opponent was.

“It’s been a while, Baekmyeon (Hundred Faces). Or should I call you Guild Master?”

It was because Yeo-wol had revealed his identity.

“Just calling me Baekmyeon is sufficient.”

The Rogues’ Guild Master smiled faintly.

Baekmyeon.

A master of the Art of Disguise, known to have a hundred faces.

Furthermore, the current Rogues’ Guild Master, who was known to be in critical health, was him.

Contrary to the rumors that he was looking for a successor in order to retire, he was showing the spirit of a strong martial artist.

‘That person is Baekmyeon…….’

I don’t know him.

There was the reason that Myeong-gae, who was only a Three-Knot Beggar, had no opportunity to meet the Rogues’ Guild Master.

But a bigger reason was that information about the Rogues’ Guild Master Baekmyeon was not properly recorded even in the Beggar’s Gang’s treasure, the Thousand Immortals of the Jianghu.

The Rogues’ Guild Master is a person who wields great influence in the Jianghu Murim.

Regardless of the level of his martial arts, it is right that he be recorded in the Thousand Immortals of the Jianghu.

The fact that there was no information about him despite this suggested one thing.

That is, even the Beggar’s Gang had failed to gather information on the Rogues’ Guild Master Baekmyeon.

“This is quite a mess.”

Baekmyeon, who said so, looked just like a ruffian.

Judging from his alias, it would be right to assume that his current appearance as a ruffian was not his true face.

Unlike the Branch Lord of the Rogues’ Guild, the Guild Master is a person who stands at the forefront.

Naturally, the Rogues’ Guild Master would be analyzed, and it would be inevitable that information about him would be collected. The reason Myeong-gae knew Yeo-wol’s information well was also for that reason.

But the current Rogues’ Guild Master was not like that. It was because no one knew Baekmyeon’s true appearance, his true identity.

The only known information about the current Rogues’ Guild Master Baekmyeon was that he was once the leader of the waiters.

Considering the close relationship between courtesans and waiters, Yeo-wol might be one of the very few people who knew Baekmyeon’s true identity.

Baekmyeon, who was exchanging greetings with Yeo-wol, suddenly knelt.

“I apologize for causing you concern with the affairs of our guild.”

His apology was directed to the supreme ruler of the Evil Faction Alliance.

“Don’t mind me and see to your business.”

“Thank you.”

The Unrivaled Force Wiji Han seemed to have excellent political sense, as he knew that he was not the protagonist of this scene.

Baekmyeon’s steps headed toward Yeo-wol.

Since even Ma Sok did not block him, it would be right to judge that he was not a dangerous person.

“Am I excommunicated?”

Yeo-wol asked again.

“That is problematic, Mistress of the Pavilion.”

In the Evil Way, the law is supreme.

This is because history has proven that the moment a person rises above the law, that group collapses.

It means that even Baekmyeon, the Rogues’ Guild Master, cannot stand above the laws of the Rogues’ Guild.

“Am I excommunicated?”

Yeo-wol asked yet again.

“Ordinarily, that would have to be the case.”

Baekmyeon replied.

But his tone was strange.

Judging by it, it sounded like she was not excommunicated.

Baekmyeon’s eyes formed a crescent moon.

“The law cannot be broken, but there may be a way.”

After a brief pause, Baekmyeon continued.

“The law of no-killing that our guild possesses governs the relationship between branch lords, so if the Mistress of the Pavilion ascends to Guild Master, there will be no problem. Well, as for the time difference of about a quarter of an hour, I will somehow manage it with the final discretion of the current Guild Master.”

While my brilliant mind was interpreting his words, Baekmyeon continued.

“We waiters nominate the Mistress of the Flower Moon Pavilion, Yeo-wol, as the Guild Master. Oh, and don’t worry, I have already gathered the consensus of the gamblers who are not present here. As for the loan sharks, it is right to see them as abstaining since they have lost their leader……”

Baekmyeon’s gaze, which had trailed off, reached Gangpae.

“What is the opinion of the ruffians?”

Before his words could even end…….

Thud.

Brother Gangpae knelt.

“Greetings to the Guild Master!”

And at the same time…….

Chuk-chuk-chuk-chuk.

Five thousand ruffians knelt.

“Greetings to the Guild Master!”

A thunderous shout awakened the night sky.

Their bow was not directed at Baekmyeon, but at Yeo-wol.

The group responsible for the largest military force and numbers in the Rogues’ Guild had readily knelt before Yeo-wol.

“Excellent.”

Baekmyeon, who nodded in satisfaction, handed something to Yeo-wol.

“Please accept it.”

I recognized what it was.

The White Rat Tablet.

A white tablet with the image of a rat engraved on it.

It was a divine object symbolizing the Rogues’ Guild Master, on par with the Thunderbolt Dog-Beating Staff.

Baekmyeon, who handed over the White Rat Tablet, knelt one last time.

“Greetings to the Guild Master.”

And so, Yeo-wol became the Rogues’ Guild Master.

“Congratulations, Guild Master of the Rogues’ Guild.”

The supreme ruler of the Evil Way, the Unrivaled Force Wiji Han, was a seated notary, so this was an unmistakable truth.

“Everyone, rise.”

When the Rogues’ Guild Master Yeo-wol commanded, everyone rose from their seats.

The army followed her command in perfect order, so it is right to say that Yeo-wol is already a complete Guild Master.

The Rogues’ Guild Master, Yeo-wol.

The first command she gave to her guild was…….

“From now on, the Rogues’ Guild will track the remnants of the Demonic Way.”

This was it.

“Yes!”

All the members of the Rogues’ Guild answered in one voice.

Indeed. This is proof that I, who arranged this regression, have grabbed the right rope.

“Congratulations, Guild Master.”

I, too, congratulated her much earlier than the scheduled date.

It was an achievement two years faster than in Myeong-gae’s timeline.