Chapter 72: A Perfect Trap
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A peculiar light arose in the eyes of Ximen Yue and Nu-heum, who had suddenly stopped moving.
It was because they had discovered a large amount of bloodstains that had seeped into a tree and the ground on one side of the forest path during their pursuit.
“Young Master, this is…”
“It seems the Thousand Snake Gang personnel were badly beaten.”
“Hmm, Cheol Ryu-heun’s martial prowess couldn’t have subdued them this swiftly.”
“My guess is the same. It must be the work of the two people accompanying him.”
“For now, one is most likely Chief Supervisor White Flash Sword Tiger… I’m not sure who the other one is. He was wearing martial attire symbolizing sect executives, but at a glance, wasn’t he a white-haired old man?”
“White Mountain Sword Excellence.”
When Ximen Yue mentioned an alias, Nu-heum received it with an unexpected expression.
“Pardon? Young Master, but he has been bedridden for a long period due to chronic illness.”
“Well, there’s no law saying miracles only happen once.”
“Ah, so you mean even the Elder could have had heavenly fortune follow him and completely recovered…”
Ximen Yue nodded slightly and added.
“Including martial advancement.”
At that, Nu-heum nodded in return and said.
“Indeed, seeing how quickly they dealt with Venom Viper Sword’s party, that’s also a reasonable statement.”
“I keep all possibilities open. Until I confirm with my own two eyes.”
Ximen Yue then deepened his gaze.
‘But if this was Cheol Ryu-heun’s doing…’
A strangely exciting feeling, as if his heart was racing.
Soon, a quiet voice leaked from between his lips.
“First, confirming the presence or absence of the Ghost Shadow Sword Technique is the urgent priority. Let’s close the distance more.”
“Yes, Young Master.”
* * *
The Red Sound Pavilion, located near the bustling district in Youyang, had been the most famous pleasure house until recently.
However, it was now in a state of closure.
The Thousand Snake Gang, which had been managing this place until now, had recently decided to liquidate all pleasure facilities, which naturally led to its shutdown.
But then.
For some reason, ten Thousand Snake Gang members appeared in front of the back door behind the closed Red Sound Pavilion building, leading two carriages.
This street was densely packed with entertainment houses and pleasure establishments, so there was virtually no foot traffic during broad daylight.
When one of the Thousand Snake Gang members, having quietly surveyed the surroundings, knocked on the back door rhythmically several times.
Click-
The door cautiously opened just a crack, and through that small gap, a woman in her fifties peeked her head out.
“Ah, you came at just the right time.”
“Madame, are the preparations all done? Hurry up. Time is running short.”
“Heh. I was already having all the girls finish their makeup and just wait for the call.”
“Good. Tell them to come out quickly.”
When the Madame nodded and opened the door wide while gesturing inward, five young women with heavy makeup walked out quietly, holding up their long skirt hems.
Right at that moment.
“Wait.”
The Madame suddenly grabbed one woman’s chin with her fingertips and roughly lifted it with a short word.
“Where do you think… You, didn’t I tell you not to furrow your eyebrows like that?”
“Ah! I-I’m sorry.”
When the woman stammered with a frightened face, the Madame spoke in an even colder tone.
“Bitch… The person you’re meeting today is the Magistrate, the Magistrate. Give him a proper good time with that body of yours. Otherwise, know that you’ll never go home again until you die.”
“Y-Yes! Madame! I’ll keep that in mind. But… After this is over, you’ll really send me home, right?”
“Of course.”
Contrary to those words, the Madame inwardly scoffed.
‘Crazy bitch, home my ass.’
Immediately after, the gang member pointed at the carriages and commanded.
“Alright, get in quickly. Two in the front carriage, three in the back, split up.”
At that moment, an unfamiliar voice struck everyone’s ears.
“Everyone freeze.”
The startled gang members all turned their gazes to the side in unison.
‘Huh?’
A figure standing alone near the corner of the alley adjoined to the building.
His identity, emanating a stern intangible aura, was Dam Maeng-gi, Ju Yu-gang’s new bodyguard, disguised in plain clothes.
“The crime of recklessly kidnapping civilian women and using them in illegal business – now you shall pay the price.”
“You bastard, who are you!”
Simultaneously with one gang member’s shout, everyone quickly drew the swords at their waists.
“Shit! Did you sniff us out? Get rid of him quick!”
The moment the Madame with her back to the door let out a shrill voice, Dam Maeng-gi’s figure moved like the wind with incredible speed.
WHIRL- THWACK-!
“Kyaaaah!”
The Madame, who had let out a sharp scream, SLAMMED into the door with her nose bridge collapsed and sprawled limply on the ground.
She had taken the shock from Dam Maeng-gi’s powerful kick and fainted on the spot.
“No mercy needed for wicked women.”
Having said that, Dam Maeng-gi placed the five women protectively behind his back and assumed a sword drawing stance.
The sleek blade that had been drawn to his hand was already flashing brilliantly in the sunlight.
“Galh!”
One Thousand Snake Gang member charged forward bravely with his sword, but the sword in Dam Maeng-gi’s hand compressed the gap faster.
THRUST-!
The gang member, whose chest center was pierced through in an instant, died on the spot without even a short scream.
Thud.
A body collapsing to the ground, spraying crimson blood.
The Thousand Snake Gang members, having witnessed their comrade’s futile death, each flipped their eyes and let out angry cries.
“Fuck!”
“Attack together!”
“Chaat!”
The fierce combined attack of nine people began.
Not to be outdone, Dam Maeng-gi also showed off his outstanding swordsmanship skills in earnest.
“Swoosh, swish-swoosh! Swoosh! Swish-swoosh, swoosh!”
While his hands and mouth couldn’t match the rhythm like that.
“Gack!”
“Aaargh!”
Gang members who received deep gash wounds before the chaotically drawing blade tumbled to the ground one by one.
“Swish-swoosh! Swoosh, swish-swoosh!”
Dam Maeng-gi kept moving his hands and mouth without rest, and before him the remaining gang members couldn’t figure out what to do, their minds in chaos.
Aaargh, so noisy! His sword handling skills are tremendous, but are the mismatched hands and mouth a distraction tactic? Or is he just crazy?
“Look, this is the sound coming from my mouth! Swoosh, swish-swoosh, swoosh!”
Shut up, who doesn’t know that? Urk! He is crazy after all!
* * *
Having arrived in front of a commercial building near the Thousand Snake Gang, Ju Yu-gang briefly surveyed the street, then turned his head to the side to look at one person.
“So, is the personnel check finished?”
“Yes, Magistrate. The stakeout squad just finished joining, and everyone is waiting for the deployment order.”
The one who answered in a respectful voice was Command Post Minor Captain Ban Bu-bong.
Ju Yu-gang nodded slightly and his eyes lit up.
“By now, Dam Maeng-gi should have completed his separate mission… And Sect Master Cheol should have almost reached his destination as well. Now it’s our turn.”
At that, Ban Bu-bong stroked the sword hilt at his waist as if steeling his fighting spirit.
“As soon as you give the signal, we will act.”
“If there is fierce resistance from the enemy, killing is also permitted.”
Having said that, Ju Yu-gang took four government soldiers disguised as ordinary officials and moved along the main road.
Soon, they arrived in front of the Thousand Snake Gang’s large main gate.
“Welcome! Magistrate!”
Snake Heart Sword Du Cheong, who had come out to greet them, showed respectful courtesy toward Ju Yu-gang with a beaming face.
“My, did you prepare a lot just because I was coming? The smell of all kinds of food is overwhelming.”
“Oh my, that’s only proper. Honestly, for someone who will become our gang’s most honored guest, isn’t this level of hospitality the basic minimum? Ahahat!”
The moment Du Cheong, being presumptuous, guided Ju Yu-gang’s party through the main gate to the spacious garden connected to the training grounds.
“Wait, while I’m at it, I’d like to see everyone’s faces.”
“Pardon? You want to see all of our gang members…?”
“Since it’s my first visit, wouldn’t it be good to properly exchange greetings?”
Only then did Du Cheong understand the meaning and snickered internally.
‘Pfft… So you’re saying if anything happens in the future, you’ll watch our backs, so memorize your faces in advance? Just like an official, showing off…’
Soon, under Du Cheong’s summons order, roughly four hundred gang members stood in formation in the vast garden.
“The Gang Leader and Vice Gang Leader are absent?”
“Ah, yes… Actually, something came up, so both of them left. But I will serve you with all my heart instead, so please don’t feel slighted.”
At that moment, Ju Yu-gang’s expression completely changed.
“Heh… Feeling slighted, what – I’m actually glad those two ugly faces are gone.”
“Pardon?”
Suddenly, Ju Yu-gang pulled out a small firecracker from his clothes and shot it into the air above his head.
WHEEEEE- BANG…!
Immediately after the cheerful sound of the firecracker exploded.
“WAAAAAAAAAAH!”
A tremendous roar erupted from all directions outside the Thousand Snake Gang, and a massive government army armed with swords, sabers, and spears poured in through the main gate and over the walls like a tidal wave.
PA-PA-PA-PA-PAT, PA-PA-PA-PA-PAT, PA-PA-PA-PA-PAT-!
Dozens of elite from the supporting Patrol Division also appeared.
“Block them without gaps!”
“Yes!”
Du Cheong and the roughly four hundred gang members wore expressions unable to hide their bewilderment at the sudden situation.
“Magistrate! What is this… Guhk!”
“Be quiet.”
Du Cheong, whose shoulder was grabbed by Ju Yu-gang’s hand, knelt down with a grimace.
Truly terrifying internal power.
Transparent ripples spread in Du Cheong’s pupils.
‘Urk, this can’t be…!’
He had been caught completely off guard.
To think Ju Yu-gang could use Seizing Hand based on internal energy cultivation.
The Thousand Snake Gang members, now trapped within the government army’s circular encirclement, couldn’t figure out how to respond.
It was natural.
The moment they drew their swords and made trouble against the government, they would have to be prepared for charges of riot and disturbance.
Moreover, since both the Command Post’s and the Patrol Division’s best elites had all deployed, the fighting strength was not to be taken lightly.
Having subdued the off-guard Du Cheong to establish authority, Ju Yu-gang pulled out the Special Warrant, unfolded it, and radiated a frost-like gaze.
“Nobody move! Execution under the Special Warrant begins now! If you cause armed resistance or conflict, I will not guarantee your lives!”
A thunderous shout that shook the space.
The spirit and majesty were truly reminiscent of a military general.
In coordination, the personnel forming the encirclement all aimed their weapons forward in unison, assuming combat readiness.
CLANK-CLANK-CLANK, CLANK-CLANK-CLANK-CLANK-!
The venue engulfed in heavy silence.
Du Cheong felt great despair and emptiness.
The fact that he had brought a Special Warrant meant that Vice Commissioner Pyeongneung Jin-jong of the Prosecutor’s Branch, who had been taking bribes, had betrayed the Thousand Snake Gang…
Soon, when Ju Yu-gang sent a glance, Ban Bu-bong revealed the White Fang sword that had been wrapped in white cloth.
In an instant, Du Cheong’s eyeballs expanded wide.
‘Gack! Why is that here…!’
Ju Yu-gang quietly crouched down and met his eyes.
“What are you so surprised about? It’s the sword you left behind.”
“Wh-What do you mean…”
“The one who secretly infiltrated the Command Post dropped this item by mistake.”
“…!”
“Stupid bastards, don’t get cocky. You tied paper with that writing to the tip of an arrow and shot it into the Command Post to repeatedly mock the government soldiers. But you know what? That handwriting and the handwriting on your statement are exactly the same. There’s no point denying it. I’ve already finished the handwriting analysis.”
“Ma-Magistrate! Wait! There must be some misunderstanding!”
“Shut up. The contents of the statement you wrote back then were all lies too. You said you were on your way back from visiting Clear Heart Medical Clinic to buy medicinal ingredients, right? But that place had already completely closed down about ten days before.”
“Ah…!”
Du Cheong felt his head spinning.
It felt exactly like being caught in someone’s perfect trap.
Suddenly, one face came to mind.
‘Cheol Ryu-heun!’
Right, it was his doing.
Leaving aside why the White Fang sword, which should be at White Peak Sword Sect, appeared here – when he had gone there four days ago, hadn’t he been made to write “Stupid bastards, don’t get cocky” on paper for no apparent reason?
‘It was all planned for today!’
At that moment, Ju Yu-gang raised one corner of his mouth and wore a cold smile.
“Sect Master Cheol requested something. That he wanted to have the place where the snakes lived. I’m happy to grant it.”
Cheol Ryu-heun, you son of a bitch…!
Having cursed internally, Du Cheong finally realized.
That today would be the last day in the Thousand Snake Gang’s history.
He had just become the new Vice Gang Leader thinking he’d finally get to enjoy some benefits, but he never imagined it would end like this.
‘Ha, shit… Is prison food edible these days?’
* * *
At the same time.
Cheol Ryu-heun’s party arrived near the manor where the unorthodox masters were gathered.