Chapter 616: We've Never Been Kind to the Murim

TL: FoodieMonster007

The sudden change in Hwang Pae's behavior plunged the area into silence. As the man who had been rampaging like a madman abruptly calmed down, everyone's gaze focused on him.

Only then did Hwang Pae realize his mistake. After spewing a stream of curses, he had asked, "What is it you want?" A moment ago, however, he had been so genuinely startled that his heart had nearly leaped out of his mouth.

Hwang Pae roared as if he had misspoken, attempting to revert to his original demeanor.

"I asked you what you want!"

Geom Muyang, on the other hand, remained as impassive as ever.

"The person who made the deal with them."

Hwang Pae blinked for a moment, then urgently called for someone.

"Gu Yong! Where is Gu Yong!"

He was the one who had orchestrated this deal.

Gu Yong served a role similar to a general manager in the Black Hand Sect. He had a good nose for money and frequently brought in profitable ventures. This time, he had presented an unexpected opportunity. It was a chance to purchase the Demonic Cult's hidden weapons, which were designated as forbidden weapons in the murim.

The fact that they were Demonic Cult weapons was concerning, but that was also what made them so tempting.

Hwang Pae's deliberation was not long. Although it required a fortune as dear as blood, it was a post-payment deal, so there was no worry of being cheated out of the money.

Above all, with those hidden weapons, dealing with the experts of the Great Light Sect would not be difficult. If they assassinated them one by one, it would only be a matter of time before they became the number one dark sect in Hunan.

He had pursued this venture with such grand dreams, only for it to become such a mess. It was all because of this bastard.

"Gu Yong, aren't you going to come out?"

He searched urgently, but Gu Yong was not among the kneeling martial artists.

Hwang Pae ran over, pulled one of his subordinates to his feet, and shook him by the collar.

"Where is Gu Yong?"

"I don't know."

Hwang Pae grabbed another man and shook him, but he didn't know either.

Just then, another subordinate from the back spoke up.

"He went to the Hwayeongru to drink."

In that instant, Hwang Pae's eyes practically rolled back in his head.

"That crazy bastard!"

This whole mess happened because of him, and he went to a brothel to drink? The sun hadn't even set yet.

He slapped the cheek of the man he was holding by the collar for no reason and shouted.

"Go find him right now! Hurry!"

As he was screaming, Branch Manager Ho Myeong raised a finger to his lips in a shushing gesture.

Hwang Pae's expression crumpled.

This bastard is gesturing with his finger instead of speaking?

However, the words couldn't escape his lips. Ho Myeong and the Demonic Cultists standing around him were staring at him with utterly indifferent eyes, looking as if they might suddenly rush forward and hack him to pieces.

Damn the Demonic Cult bastards!

He was known for charging in like a madman without a care for his own life when he fought, but in this moment, his madness was selective. He wasn't scared when fighting the dark sect thugs who spewed curses while bleeding profusely, but seeing these men who would stab someone to death without a second thought, with those indifferent eyes, terrified him.

"Get up."

Ho Myeong helped the man who said Gu Yong had gone to the Hwayeongru to his feet. Then, he personally took four subordinates and followed him. The fact that he was moving himself showed just how important this matter was.

Hwang Pae looked at Geom Muyang again.

It felt like it would be easier to talk to this man, who appeared to be the leader, than these butcher-like thugs.

Hwang Pae's bravado had waned.

"When Gu Yong arrives, take him. Then we'll consider today's events null and void, and I won't report it to the Evil Alliance."

This was Hwang Pae, a man who would cut off someone's ankle if they stepped on his foot on the street. Yet here he was, with several of his teeth broken, saying he would let it go.

"Fine."

When Geom Muyang readily agreed, Hwang Pae felt a sense of relief inwardly.

He made a promise in front of his subordinates, so he won't go back on his word.

He glanced over at Myeong Gwi. Myeong Gwi, who had been standing as if lost in thought, felt the gaze and looked back at Hwang Pae.

Hwang Pae gave him a nod, his expression saying 'just bear with it'. He tried his best not to look awkward.

A short while later, the ones who had gone to get Gu Yong returned. But Gu Yong did not come with them.

Ho Myeong reported to Geom Muyang with a grave expression.

"The man named Gu Yong was found stabbed to death in a tavern."

Geom Muyang's gaze turned cold. They had come straight from the escort agency, running without rest, but the enemy had acted one step ahead of them.

"This is really pissing me off."

With that single phrase, the demonic qi flowing from Geom Muyang's body made the surrounding air cold and heavy.

Ho Myeong could feel that Geom Muyang was truly enraged. While Ho Myeong and the Branch martial artists held their breath, the impatient Hwang Pae stepped forward, even though it was a moment when he absolutely should not have.

"Gu Yong's death isn't our fault. So please leave. Keep your promise!"

As Hwang Pae emphasized the promise, Geom Muyang strode towards him.

Startled, Hwang Pae instinctively drew upon his inner arts. However, his qi center was already suppressed. When Geom Muyang had thrown him into the courtyard earlier, he had sealed his inner arts.

Half out of his mind, he hadn't even realized his inner arts were suppressed.

PWAAAK!

Geom Muyang's fist slammed into Hwang Pae's face again. Hwang Pae was sent flying and rolled on the ground. As he pushed himself up, three or four more broken teeth fell from his mouth. When he opened it, his front teeth were clearly gone.

"If you mess with us…"

He was about to say that the Evil Alliance wouldn't just stand by, but Hwang Pae couldn't finish his sentence. The gaze of Geom Muyang, who walked up and looked down at him coldly, was terrifying beyond measure.

Then, words that Hwang Pae could never understand flowed from Geom Muyang's lips.

"This is all because of my younger brother."

"……"

Geom Muyang kicked him in the face, and Hwang Pae collapsed to the ground again as if he'd been slammed into it. This time, his nose and cheekbones were broken. Hwang Pae let out a pained groan.

"A guy like you thinks he can just shout at us."

Geom Muyang walked towards him again.

"We've never once been kind to this murim."

As Geom Muyang raised his foot as if to smash his skull, Hwang Pae screamed for his life.

Geom Muyang, who had been looking down on him like an insect, lowered his foot and then looked at the kneeling martial artists of the Black Hand Sect.

"Is there anyone who knows about this deal?"

None of the Black Hand Sect martial artists opened their mouths.

At that, Geom Muyang spoke coldly.

"Kill them all."

Upon his command, Ho Myeong and the Branch martial artists drew their swords without hesitation.

"Please spare us!"

Screams and pleas erupted, but the martial artists mercilessly raised their swords.

Just as they were about to annihilate the Black Hand Sect.

"I know!"

One person shouted. It was the same man who had earlier reported that Gu Yong was at the brothel. His name was Seok Su. He was friends with Gu Yong.

"I heard about this deal."

Geom Muyang raised a hand to stop his subordinates. The swords that were about to pierce the Black Hand Sect martial artists stopped in unison behind their necks.

Ho Myeong pulled Seok Su aside, and the martial artists surrounded him on all sides, protecting him.

"What did he tell you?"

It was at that very moment. One of the martial artists who was kneeling with his head bowed suddenly shot to his feet. In his hand was a Blitz.

"Block it!"

Ho Myeong shouted, stepping in front of Seok Su. He knew he couldn't block the Blitz at this distance, but Ho Myeong did not retreat.

Just as the Blitz was about to be launched.

SHWIIIIIIIIK.

A flash of sword light glinted and cut through the air.

SEOGEOK.

The sound of flesh and bone being severed was heard.

TEOLSSEOK.

The arm of the man who was about to fire the Blitz was cut off and fell to the floor.

It was the Soaring Sky Sword Art, the Fifth Technique, the Blue Sky Strike. The fastest sword form of the Soaring Sky Sword Art was unleashed by the hands of Geom Muyang, who had achieved complete mastery.

PAK PAK!

Ho Myeong rushed over and suppressed the paralysis acupoint of the man whose severed arm was spouting blood, then pressed the acupoints on the stump to stop the bleeding.

"Hehehehe."

Despite his arm being severed, he was laughing like a madman. It was the same as the man who had committed suicide at the escort agency.

PAK PAK!

Ho Myeong quickly pressed his muting and sleeping acupoints as well. As the man collapsed, the Branch martial artists formed a circle around Seok Su and the fallen man, remaining vigilant.

Ho Myeong shouted at the kneeling men.

"Everyone, strip!"

Ho Myeong strode over and stabbed a hesitating man in the chest. At that, the remaining men stripped in an instant. Fortunately, none of the naked men were carrying hidden weapons.

Before leaving, Geom Muyang spoke one last time to Myeong Gwi.

"What's the point of blaming the one who deceived you? You're the idiot for being deceived."

The moment he heard those words, a chill ran down Myeong Gwi's spine, and a tremor went through his entire body.

In fact, Myeong Gwi had felt something was suspicious when Hwang Pae's demeanor had changed earlier. Hwang Pae had been so startled that he cut him off when he mentioned investigating his wife's death.

And in this moment, he knew. He knew that Hwang Pae was the one who had plotted and carried out that incident in the past. That it was a scheme to win him over.

Myeong Gwi approached Hwang Pae. With his broken teeth and collapsed nose, his appearance was a wreck.

"Was it your doing?"

"What kind of crazy talk is that?"

Hwang Pae's agitated voice trembled. More than the butcher-like Demonic Cultists, more than the Demonic Cult expert who had beaten him, this was the most terrifying moment of his day.

"I willingly became your swordsman."

For five years, he had dedicated his loyalty to him. He didn't like his actions, but he wanted to repay the grace of saving his son. However, as time passed and he learned more about Hwang Pae, a single suspicion grew.

This was not a man who would step up for others. He was a man who tormented, stole from, and killed others. So why, on that day, did he kill the mercenaries and save his son?

PWAAK! PAK! PWAAK!

Myeong Gwi's fists slammed into his face repeatedly.

"Speak! Was it you?"

Hwang Pae grimaced in pain and said.

"It hurts. Stop."

Blood streamed from his mouth and nose. But the punches didn't stop.

PEOK! PWEOK! PEOK! PEOK!

He couldn't endure the emotional blows any longer, if only because of the pain. Hwang Pae had a gut feeling. No matter how much he denied it, Myeong Gwi was going to kill him. And if he was going to die anyway?

"Why are you making such a fuss, believing that bastard you just met? Then again, you believed me like an idiot when I said I saved you."

At his words, which were a confession of his own deeds, Myeong Gwi's face contorted.

"What's so great about some wench? I've treated you so well all this time. You ungrateful bastard."

Myeong Gwi asked with a cold gaze.

"Then why did you spare my son?"

"You idiot, that's how I kept you tied down!"

He added with a grin on his ruined face.

PUK! PUK! PUK! PUK! PUK!

Myeong Gwi's sword tore through his body.

Yes, the man was right. That was the reason he couldn't leave Hwang Pae, despite the unidentifiable sense of unease and suspicion. He was worried about his young son. The worry that his son might be endangered if he got caught up in a fight had suppressed his own doubts.

Myeong Gwi stood up, his blood-drenched sword dripping, and looked at Geom Muyang.

"You're right. I was the idiot for being deceived. If you're going to kill me, then kill me."

He was worried about his son, but he was glad that he could at least die after getting his revenge.

Geom Muyang looked at him, then turned away without a word.

As he was about to leave with his subordinates, Myeong Gwi called out urgently from behind.

"Are you just leaving?"

"And if I don't?"

If it had been his younger brother, he would have sorted things out somehow before leaving. He might have even punished those whose evil deeds had gone too far. However, Geom Muyang wasn't interested. Depending on the situation, he could kill them all, or he could leave them alive.

Meddling in these insignificant lives was the job of his nosy younger brother.

"If you hadn't revealed the truth, I would have been used by that filthy man for the rest of my life. Thank you."

He bowed his head respectfully.

"I didn't reveal the truth. That man revealed it himself."

Myeong Gwi wore a puzzled expression, wondering what he meant.

Geom Muyang didn't elaborate and walked outside.

There were no records of that incident from five years ago. He had only brought it up to test the waters, but Hwang Pae had gotten scared, caused a scene, and brought about his own downfall. If Hwang Pae knew this, he wouldn't be able to rest in peace even in death.

In any case, since Myeong Gwi was the one who killed Hwang Pae, this incident was unlikely to cause a dispute between the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult and the Evil Alliance.

Geom Muyang never once looked back as he left the place, and Myeong Gwi kept his head bowed in a respectful clasped hands greeting until he was completely gone.

After leaving the Black Hand Sect, Geom Muyang and the Branch martial artists arrived at the nearest branch office.

"Find out everything they know, even if you have to torture them. Don't hold back."

"Yes, I understand."

At Geom Muyang's command, the martial artists took the two men they had brought with them to the branch's interrogation room.

Next, he gave an order to Ho Myeong.

"Send urgent mesenger pigeon to all other Branch and offices in Hunan and gather the elites."

Today's events made it clear. The enemy was a much more meticulous and larger organization than he had thought.

Geom Muyang recalled the man who had laughed like a madman even after his arm was cut off. Hwang Pae was a fake madman, but that man was a real one. To deal with men like that, they also needed to be properly equipped with troops.

"Tell the Branch and offices to have them wear all the stockpiled bodyguard armor before sending them out."

"Yes, I understand."

Ho Myeong, who had answered vigorously, carefully added.

"But if we do that, the Murim Alliance and the Evil Alliance will become tense."

This matter had nothing to do with his younger brother. No matter how close a relationship his brother maintained with the heirs of the Murim Alliance and the Evil Alliance. Beyond his personal anger at having almost killed his own brother with his own hands, this was an official mission to capture those who had forged our Cult's hidden weapons.

"There's no need to explain every detail to the Murim Alliance and the Evil Alliance. Don't expect them to understand. Just tell them this." Geom Muyang added curtly. "The Heavenly Demon Divine Cult is in the middle of an operation."