Chapter 178: The Two Faces of People

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STEP.

A middle-aged man at the front stopped walking and raised the brim of his straw hat to fix his gaze forward.

Houses forming a cluster on the mountainside along the riverside.

Soon a quiet voice seeped out between his lips.

“Now that I’m actually here, it’s quite a beautiful village.”

A tall man about a head taller than average, and with an air full of sinister feeling.

With his face covered in small sword scars that spoke to a life of fierce fighting, he was Cho Baek, of the so-called Sword Seal Ten Unit Commanders – the elites of Sword Seal Sect’s leadership.

A powerhouse of the sect who was commonly called by the alias Unbearable Sword due to his hot-tempered personality and extremely cruel manner of handling a blade.

Soon a man in his thirties standing behind him slightly bowed his head and replied.

“Yes, that’s right. My hometown was originally an ordinary village you could see anywhere, but last year under the village head’s initiative, everyone renovated their house roofs, and it became as stylish as you see.”

The one who answered respectfully was Ga Gun, the head of the Fifth Squad among the Sword Patience Ten Squads.

Cho Baek grinned and asked.

“Did you sponsor it?”

At that, Ga Gun replied with a meaningful smile.

“Yes, I did some good deeds. Under the pretext of it being my hometown.”

The remaining personnel also smiled.

They had understood the meaning.

That because of that sponsorship, the village head who oversaw the major and minor affairs of Pomi Village here would be entirely on Sword Seal Sect’s side…

Cho Baek nodded with a satisfied expression and issued an order.

“Once someone develops a taste for under-the-table money, they can’t easily break free. Go to the village head first and tell him. That even if a whole family disappears today, he shouldn’t make a fuss. We’ll stay at that inn over there for a while.”

“Understood, Unit Commander. That old man probably has the sense to understand with just a hint.”

Having finished speaking, Ga Gun disappeared with agile movement.

Following that.

SWISH.

Cho Baek caressed his sword hilt and began walking.

“Cheol Ryu-heun, was it…”

Having murmured to himself, he suddenly recalled what One Long Sword Soul Eum Seon had said yesterday.

-The Sect Leader has already declared. If the rumor regarding Cheol Ryu-heun is confirmed to be true, he will carry out the annihilation of White Peak Sword Sect.

‘No one who has defied the Sect Leader’s displeasure… Has survived in this martial world. Hoho.’

A quiet sneer flowed.

So Cheon-ak had declared annihilation.

There was no need to even investigate Cheol Ryu-heun’s martial prowess in advance.

The moment today’s incomprehensible rumors were determined to be true, the result that would bring was as clear as day.

Annihilation.

For White Peak Sword Sect, which had collapsed long ago, there was no brilliant scheme to reverse that.

So Cheon-ak was a dominating figure.

One who regarded even those around him as mere objects…

For the past decade or so, despite having several wives and concubines, he hadn’t made a single child of his own.

As if clearly proving that power was his alone.

That’s right.

Women were merely tools used to release lust, and subordinates were nothing but slaves who handled troublesome matters in his stead.

That was So Cheon-ak’s life.

However.

To corrupted martial artists, his dominating ways were rather exemplary.

His life of enjoying many things through power and money looked so magnificent, and that’s why everyone stuck by his side.

Because even obtaining leftovers from what the master didn’t finish was more than enough.

Cho Baek was the same.

He was captivated by the rewards that loyalty brought.

So Cheon-ak, who symbolized wicked domination, was an object of respect and admiration.

‘I too… Will live and die like him.’

Soon Cho Baek’s pupils flashed with light.

The gaze of a beast.

A fierce manner, feeling no guilt whatsoever for a series of evil deeds – like a beast craving fresh blood.

As if resembling that of his master So Cheon-ak.

* * *

A small village school in Pomi Village.

In the open great hall, about twenty young boys and girls had gathered and were listening attentively to the teacher’s instruction.

The seventy-year-old man seated at the head spoke in a kindly voice.

“Before we know it, it’s time. So, have you all memorized well?”

“YEEES!”

The children’s eyes sparkled as they shouted in unison.

Each was excited at the thought of going outside to play.

The old man, who couldn’t be unaware of this, burst into hearty laughter.

“Hahaha! You little rascals, you were nodding off while reciting, and now… Well, first listen to some maxims from the sages before you go. And you must always engrave them in your hearts.”

“YEEES!”

“People generally desire wealth and status. But if it wasn’t obtained through righteous means, it won’t stay long. And people generally dislike poverty and lowliness. However, these cannot be rejected except through means in accordance with morality. Everyone wants to become rich, rise to high positions, and become respectable people. And of course, everyone dislikes a sorrowful life of poverty and lowliness. However, one must absolutely never enjoy wealth and status illicitly through wicked deeds, and no matter how much one dislikes it, one must absolutely never try to escape poverty through conduct that doesn’t accord with morality. Now, who can summarize the key point of this?”

At that, a young girl in a nearby seat raised her hand enthusiastically.

“Yes, yes! I know! It means that one should only be able to obtain wealth and honor, and escape from poverty and lowliness, in accordance with proper benevolence and righteousness!”

A boy in another seat chimed in, not to be outdone.

“Ah! Me, me! There’s also the meaning that no matter what the matter, if you go against morality and try desperate measures, you’ll meet with even greater disaster!”

A girl sitting in the back also opened her mouth.

“You told us before! That wealth and honor naturally require the virtue of sharing and giving, and poverty and lowliness require the cultivation to endure them in one’s heart! Only then will this world become brighter… Hehe.”

As voices came from here and there, the old man burst into hearty laughter again.

“Hahaha! What brilliant children. Yes, yes. It’s worth teaching you. Well, it’s truly the end now. Go on out.”

“YAAY!”

The group let out cute cheers while packing up their book bundles, then headed outside the school as if racing each other.

The old man, having erased his smile, closed the book and muttered.

“Hmm, playing the nice village head is tiring too.”

That’s right.

The seventy-year-old’s identity was none other than Man Chun, the village head of Pomi Village.

At that moment.

A man dressed in black martial attire secretly appeared in the front yard.

It was Ga Gun.

Man Chun, whose body flinched at the sudden presence, soon wore a bright smile.

“You, what brings you here?”

“Have you been well, Village Head?”

“Haha. Of course, of course. I’m always the same.”

“I just stopped by while passing through. I thought we’d chat a bit while I’m here.”

The moment Ga Gun’s words ended, Man Chun sensed something and lowered his voice considerably.

“Right, there’s something going on. Let’s go to that room over there.”

Thus the two entered a small building on the other side.

As soon as Man Chun, having hastily set out tea, leaned back in his chair, he asked with a subtle attitude.

“Is there something you need to instruct me about separately?”

“Ha. You’re quick to catch on.”

“Of course, I’m already past seventy. I can roughly sense things when I see them.”

“Yes, I’ll tell you. I can’t give you the details, but… A disappearance incident may occur in this village today.”

“…!”

Man Chun’s expression hardened.

Because he had understood the meaning hidden within.

“Is it the Sect Leader’s order?”

“That’s right.”

“Hmm, then I’ll have to use my influence to cover it up quietly. But who is it? The target of the mission…”

“A White Peak Sword Sect disciple.”

“Yeong Ho-woong…?”

When Man Chun mentioned a person’s name, Ga Gun answered with a light nod instead of words.

“Wait, by any chance… Is his father and younger sibling included too?”

“Yes, probably.”

Ga Gun raised the corner of his mouth slightly and held something out.

SWISH.

It was a promissory note.

Man Chun’s mouth corner also rose when he confirmed the amount written on it.

“You shouldn’t have… Anyway, I’ll gratefully accept.”

“Don’t mention it. By the way, is he at home right now?”

“No. Go to that hill visible in the distance over there. He’s viewing autumn leaves with his father and younger sibling.”

“Oh, that works out well.”

“Are you going to kill them all?”

“Ha. I don’t know yet. It depends on what he says… Well, I’ll be going now.”

“Oh dear, are you busy? Why not even have a cup of tea here before you go?”

“I’m fine. I’ll stop by after finishing the job.”

“Yes, yes. Don’t worry about the aftermath. Well, see you later.”

Immediately after Ga Gun disappeared.

“Good, good. Hahaha.”

Man Chun stroked the promissory note on the table while letting out small sounds of pleasure.

Not a single trace of shame could be found on the face of the man who had just been teaching lessons for a righteous world.

* * *

Three people could be seen strolling along a colorfully autumn-tinted hillside path.

They were Yeong Ho-woong, a disciple of White Peak Sword Sect, and his father Yeong Ho-bang, and his younger sister Yeong Ho-ok.

“Father, Brother! Look at that! It’s so pretty!”

Eighteen-year-old Yeong Ho-ok was chattering away while looking at the beautifully colored autumn leaves and wildflowers blooming here and there.

Fifty-year-old Yeong Ho-bang, who had quit work two days ago, was walking beside her with a comfortable heart.

Twenty-four-year-old Yeong Ho-woong followed quietly behind them, wearing a satisfied smile.

‘Ok-ah, from now on live doing what you want. Father, you don’t have to worry about money anymore, so please stay healthy… And please live for many, many years.’

It was like a dream.

This situation where he had resolved all problems regarding livelihood and could now focus solely on martial arts training.

-Take as much as you want. It’s five hundred nyang of silver per person.

‘Sect Leader, thank you so much.’

Thanks to Cheol Ryu-heun’s exceptional vacation pay at that time, he had cleared his debts, and thanks to the additional spiritual medicine Byeok Ro Fruit he had received, he had even cured his father’s illness.

After hardship comes happiness, they say.

He felt anew that it had been the right choice to stay loyal to the fallen sect with integrity and determination until the end.

Yeong Ho-woong, who had been smiling silently, firmly gripped the sword hilt at his waist and resolved.

‘When I return later, I’ll train harder than anyone!’

But at that moment, the Sword Seal Sect group appeared lined up like a folding screen in the not-too-distant rear.

“Yeong Ho-woong. It’s been a while.”

A coldly thrown voice.

It was Ga Gun.

Yeong Ho-woong, his steps faltering, immediately turned around.

“Huh! You are…?”

Having immediately recognized the opponent’s face, he instinctively stood as if protecting Yeong Ho-bang and Yeong Ho-ok behind him while his eyes darted about.

‘Ga Gun, a swordsman belonging to Sword Seal Sect who’s from my hometown… This doesn’t feel good somehow…’

An ominous premonition that was hard to explain.

Suddenly.

‘UGH!’

Yeong Ho-woong felt goosebumps rise.

Because of a figure standing rigidly beside Ga Gun.

The owner of a gaze that chilled the viewer’s heart, like that of a violent beast.

Sword Seal Tenth Unit Commander, Unbearable Sword Cho Baek.

He realized just from their eyes meeting.

That this was a powerful swordsmanship master far beyond what he himself could handle.

“Subdue him first.”

When Cho Baek spoke thus and slightly moved his chin, one of his subordinate swordsmen rushed forward quickly.

CLANG-!

Yeong Ho-woong, having barely deflected the surprise rushing sword strike, stumbled backward while shouting.

“Ok-ah! Quickly take Father and go!”

“Where do you think you’re going!”

Just as the swordsman burst out with a sneering shout and was about to move his hands.

HUUUUUUNG-

A man dressed in dark clothes dropped down from above and stomped directly on top of the swordsman’s crown.

KWAAAANG- KWADEUDEUK-!

In the ground gouged deep like a large puddle, the swordsman had his head crushed and was spreading a bloody smell.

He had died instantly from being stepped on by the True Stomp.

While Ga Gun and the others each cast surprised looks, Yeong Ho-woong burst out in a piercing voice.

“Ah! S-Sect Leader!”

Cheol Ryu-heun, having appeared while executing the True Stomp, warned forward indifferently without even looking back.

“You get one chance. Kneel.”