Chapter 92: Repeated Injunctions (2)

Beyond the collapsed stone wall was a narrow room.

An empty space of three zhang wide, three zhang long, and three zhang high.

In the center of the room, only a single bed was left standing alone.

The stench was wafting from on top of the bed.

“……Master.”

Jeok-hyang cried.

Vomiting red blood and scraping the floor to the point where her fingernails broke, she wailed.

The corpse lying on the bed was completely dried up, with almost nothing left but a skeleton.

Giant Butcher Gong Je-hwan.

A titan of the Heterodox path who had created the vast group of righteous bandits known as the Yangtze River Water Bandit Union.

His end was incredibly miserable.

Gyeon Sul, who was standing far away over there, shook his head from side to side.

“That guy Tiger Butcher must have been quite afraid of Master. What was so hard about cutting the breath of a dying old man, yet he resorted to poison, confinement, and not even giving a single sip of water……”

Thinking of Gong Je-hwan’s martial prowess and prestige during his lifetime, it was not completely incomprehensible.

At that moment, Jeok-hyang discovered something.

It was a pair of large axes standing behind the bed.

The dark axe blades were razor-sharp.

Jeok-hyang reached out her hand and picked up the pair of axes.

Only then did a writing become visible in that spot.

私道聯主

‘Heterodox Alliance Leader’.

A phrase written by Gong Je-hwan with his own blood in the final moments of his life.

Seeing that, Jeok-hyang ground her teeth fiercely.

“So that was it, Master. The enemy of my parents was none other than the Heterodox Alliance Leader……”

Just before his death, Gong Je-hwan let Jeok-hyang know who her enemy was.

It also meant that he knew she would be the only one to find this place someday.

“It must have meant that if I possessed the skill to find this place, I would be qualified to know who the enemy was, and if not, I should not even dream of revenge.”

Flames flared up in Jeok-hyang’s eyes.

She carefully accepted the black twin axes left behind by Gong Je-hwan.

“Master. Tiger Butcher is dead, and the senior brothers who followed him have all vanished. Now, I intend to take over the Yangtze River Water Bandit Union left behind by you.”

Now, the Yangtze River Water Bandit Union would return to its original purpose.

A righteous bandit group that plundered those who accumulated wealth through unjust methods to relieve the weak and the poor.

Although there would be those who rebelled due to the greedy lifestyle they had led in the meantime, it did not matter.

Because Jeok-hyang intended to change all of this even if she had to use force.

“Although our power will be slightly reduced for the time being, I will cultivate our strength in the future to make the Yangtze River Water Bandit Union a greater power. And I will surely take revenge on the Heterodox Alliance as well.”

Hong Gong is hiding in the Heterodox Alliance.

Because of that Hong Gong, Tiger Butcher became corrupt, and due to that, a bloodbath also occurred in the Yangtze River Water Bandit Union.

Though she wished to withdraw from the Heterodox Alliance immediately even now, it was still premature.

‘For a gentleman to take revenge, ten years is not too late.’

A gentleman’s revenge was bound not to be too late even if it took ten years.

Jeok-hyang was preparing for a long battle alone.

Meanwhile, Chui quietly gazed at Jeok-hyang’s back.

‘……It just so happens that I also have business with the Heterodox Alliance.’

It was unknown whether Hong Gong was staying in the Heterodox Alliance as a formal guest.

He might be plotting a conspiracy in league with one of the powers of the Fifteen Heterodox Pillars, or there was also a possibility that he had killed a member of the Heterodox Alliance and was living disguised under that person’s identity.

However, whatever the case might be, it was certain that he was currently affiliated with the Heterodox Alliance.

It was information that Chui had heard directly from Oh Ja-woon in his past life.

‘If so, then in the end, a clash with the Heterodox Alliance is indispensable.’

Strangely, Chui and Jeok-hyang’s goals overlapped.

Chui thought that perhaps he might end up seeing her for a little longer.

* * *

A space that had once turned from Gong Je-hwan’s room to Tiger Butcher’s room, and had now become Jeok-hyang’s room.

As soon as they entered here, Jeok-hyang and Gyeon Sul neatly settled their relationship.

“I want you to remain at the mountain fortress as the Union Master or Vice Union Master, Senior Brother.”

“I refuse.”

“I understand.”

Jeok-hyang advised Gyeon Sul to stay, Gyeon Sul refused, and a second recommendation did not pass between the two.

…Thud!

Jeok-hyang set down a cup of warm tea in front of Chui.

“I am sorry for not going to save you immediately when the cliff collapsed. I was in a hurry because I thought Master might be alive.”

Gong Je-hwan, who had died locked in a cold, narrow, dark, and dry room.

However, Jeok-hyang had not let go of the thread of hope toward her master until the very final moment.

Knowing that, Chui nodded his head without any particular reaction.

“It is fine.”

Gyeon Sul, who was beside him, nudged Chui’s shoulder with his own.

“Looking at you, well, it didn’t seem like an injury so great that you would die anyway.”

“Look here. His chest and side were almost completely torn open, and he fell into icy water, so how is that not a great injury? If it were an ordinary person, they would have died hundreds of times over.”

At that, Namgung Yul, who was on the opposite side, snapped at him as if he were pathetic.

Gyeon Sul’s brow furrowed.

“By the way, what are you since earlier? Where did you suddenly appear from?”

“I am Namgung Yul of the Namgung Clan. In the Ascending Heaven Academy, I am called by the undeserved alias of Sword Flower.”

“A young lady of an Orthodox prestigious family, indeed. But what is the relationship between the two of you? Why are you sticking so close to our handsome guy’s side as if taking care of your husband?”

Gyeon Sul spoke while looking back and forth between Chui and Namgung Yul.

Hearing the word ‘husband,’ the tips of Namgung Yul’s ears turned red in an instant.

At that moment, Chui replied briefly.

“Unrelated.”

“U-Unrelated!? How much time have we spent together until now……!”

“……?”

At Namgung Yul’s objection, Chui turned his head.

At that expression which seemed to ask, ‘How much?’, Namgung Yul stammered.

“That is……”

She mumbled her lips instead of saying something.

In fact, the days Namgung Yul had spent chasing Chui, from Anhui to here in Sichuan, were quite long.

It was indeed a long and arduous journey of endurance.

However, the actual time the two had spent together was not very long.

In other words, whether negative or positive, the side where internal intimacy had piled up in abundance was unilaterally Namgung Yul alone.

‘But still, there was that matter in the cave, so how can he say we are unrelated……! And to cut it off so cleanly like that……!’

Namgung Yul had much she wanted to say, but she could not bring herself to utter them.

She merely trembled her body at a powerful feeling of hurt whose source even she herself could not know.

Gyeon Sul, who had been watching that all along, gently poked at her feelings.

“Cheer up. An unrequited love is originally difficult.”

“You speak carelessly. Presuming other people’s relationships at your own whim is not a good habit. And I have never once had an interest in things like love until now. Nor will I in the future.”

“Indeed, a thief who learns late never knows when the day breaks~”

Namgung Yul spoke as if growling, but Gyeon Sul merely continued to snicker.

At that moment, Jeok-hyang waved her hand as if it was annoying.

“Enough, stop it. My mind is already cluttered.”

She scolded Gyeon Sul while drawing a line with Namgung Yul at the same time.

“I do not know why an Orthodox figure is here, but as long as you do not interfere in the matters of the Yangtze River Water Bandit Union, I will not particularly care. I have a lot on my mind right now, so it is complicated.”

Just as she said, Jeok-hyang’s state of mind was complex.

To succeed Giant Butcher Gong Je-hwan and unify the Yangtze River Water Bandit Union into one, many tasks were required.

Even staying up for several nights completely would probably not be enough.

Jeok-hyang looked at Chui and spoke.

“Anyway, thank you once again. Thanks to you, I was able to avenge Master. It means I received more than enough for the price of the spear.”

“That is fortunate.”

“From now on, Chui, you are my friend and at the same time a friend of the entire Yangtze River Water Bandit Union. If anything happens to you, we will set aside everything else and help you.”

At that, Gyeon Sul smirked once more.

“To keep that promise, you must first unify the Yangtze River Water Bandit Union perfectly. At this rate, there is no way the remnants led by your senior brothers will listen to your control.”

“The justification is sufficient. I am Master’s successor and possess the right to succeed the Union Master. Even if they are the Hundred-Heads of each fortress, they wouldn’t have the right to defy my control, would they?”

“The justification might be so. But would water bandit packs obediently follow such a thing as justification? Aren’t you overestimating those ignorant and greedy fools too much?”

At Gyeon Sul’s words, Jeok-hyang grimaced.

In fact, this point was the greatest worry.

As Jeok-hyang was Gong Je-hwan’s youngest disciple, she possessed the legitimacy to succeed the Union Master position.

However, in the world of water bandits, the logic of power was also important.

Whether the remaining subordinates would obediently follow her words was indeed the key.

Gyeon Sul continued speaking with his arms crossed.

“Since I am leaving, if I were to give you one piece of advice…… it would be good to perform a sword dance as soon as you ascend to the Union Master’s seat.”

“A sword dance?”

“Justification is good, but fear is better. Showing blood to set an example. Isn’t that the way to establish the dignity of a new Union Master?”

Searching out and executing the criminals who embezzled public funds or plundered privately.

That was also the fastest way for the Yangtze River Water Bandit Union to return to being a righteous bandit group.

However, Jeok-hyang merely showed difficulty.

“So you are telling me to pick out the guys whose necks will be put to the blade?”

“Indeed. Oppressing using fear is the best. For those ignorant water bandit bastards, that works instantly. You must have selected a list of bastards you didn’t like in the meantime, right? If you haven’t, select them starting now. By framing them with all kinds of sins, whether they committed them or not.”

“Mmm, I do have a list of shady guys. Of course, there is only suspicion. There is no physical evidence. And I don’t know where those bastards hid the wealth they pocketed either.”

“Well, it is a far-off matter indeed. If only that were possible, there would be no difficulty in seizing control of each fortress, though.”

Gyeon Sul also tilted his head.

It seemed that although he had brought up the subject himself, he had never thought of a method.

At that moment.

“It is fully possible. I can do it.”

Chui spoke.

Jeok-hyang, Gyeon Sul, and Namgung Yul opened their eyes wide and looked over here.

Because it was unfamiliar for Chui to offer help first.

However, Chui was serious.

“From time immemorial, when the leader changes, performing a purge to overpower the subordinates’ spirits is an old unwritten rule.”

Of course, one cannot purge just anyone.

Among those who have committed sins, it must be centered on the meritorious officials who are particularly difficult to control.

Chui tapped the table with his finger.

“Select a few guys among those whose circumstances of embezzling public funds are clear, and whose hidden wealth’s whereabouts are unknown.”

“And then?”

“I will create the pretext, so give me the right of summary execution.”

Hearing Chui’s words, Jeok-hyang nodded her head.

“That much is always possible. I intended to give you the position of Honorary Thousand-Head anyway. But what do you plan to do after that? What kind of punishment are you going to hand down?”

At Jeok-hyang’s question, Gyeon Sul and Namgung Yul also nodded their heads.

It seemed they were all curious, even if they didn’t speak.

Eventually, Chui answered.

“From now on, I intend to go to the Martial Alliance.”

“I see.”

“But it will probably be difficult to go easily. Since the Heterodox Alliance will target me and send assassins.”

“Indeed.”

Everyone nodded.

Chui had already accumulated a lot of karma.

Since he had annihilated the Black Path Gang and the Hegemon Society, and even killed the Staff Ghost of the Heterodox Alliance who had come to collect the debt.

Eventually, Chui continued speaking in a calm tone.

“When going to the Martial Alliance, I intend to use the prisoners of the Yangtze River Water Bandit Union as meat shields.”

Everyone’s expression changed to a blank stare.

Even during that time, Chui was internally drawing up his future plans.

“I will show you how those called prisoners should be handled, so……”

Chui stood up and left his final words toward Jeok-hyang.

“Watch closely and learn from now on.”

Unrivaled Spear Ghost