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Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: Simzy
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A slightly awkward silence hung in the air. Galbijong, hailing from the Heretical path faction, was intimidated by the Flowers of the martial world. Jaemison, too, was subdued in their presence. In this atmosphere of awkwardness, where even exchanging greetings felt like a life-or-death situation, a voice rang out.
“The Nachalbang is established!”
Our organization, the Nachalbang, was officially born.
Truthfully, establishing a martial arts faction didn’t require elaborate ceremonies. It was simply a matter of gathering people and making a declaration. Procuring a building or engaging in legitimate business would necessitate certain procedures, but those were concerns for another time.
“Jaemison, let’s work well together. Let’s build our faction together.”
“Kekeke… so it’s come to this, has it?”
Jaemison, seated, grinned.
“Well… it’s not bad. Being part of an organization, I mean.”
“Right. This will be a valuable experience for us, and it will make us better martial artists. And we’ll learn a lot from Galbijong in the process. Isn’t that right, Galbijong?”
“Of course. It’s a pleasure, Jaemison of the Anhui Twin Warriors. I’ve long admired your reputation.”
Galbijong extended a hand, and Jaemison grasped it.
“Do you not have a nickname…?”
“I’ll get one eventually. Anyway, the Nachalbang begins with the five of us. It would be fitting to celebrate with a toast, but I’m a man who values efficiency. Shall we discuss how we’ll run the faction and formulate our plans for the future?”
He spoke with bright eyes, as if sharing a vision.
I really liked this attitude of his. He came from the Heretical factions, yet he expressed his opinions freely, and those opinions mostly stemmed from a positive, proactive drive.
“I completely agree, Galbijong.”
“He might be a decent guy after all… Kek.”
Impressed, Jaemison nodded in agreement. I looked at them and said, “Anyway, our first priority is to subdue and unite the black path bastards in this region. And for that, we need information about them.”
“Indeed…”
“I agree!”
“And the one who knows that information best is none other than Dandu of the beggars’ sect. So, let’s go visit him.”
Although we had just parted ways, he had become an essential asset, almost an honorary member of our Nachalbang.
“Let’s go right away… I’m always in favor of harassing those beggars’ sect scum.”
“Kah kah kah! Moving right away! As expected, you’re amazing!”
Jaemison grinned, and Galbijong roared with laughter. I didn’t know Galbijong’s true strength, but with Jaemison on our side, there was nothing to fear.
“You’re doing quite well, Geun-hyeop.”
“You’re right. I was worried, but it seems my concerns were unfounded.”
And we also had Serin and Ha-yeong.
“If we’ve climbed onto the back of a tiger, we must maintain the momentum. We don’t have time to dawdle. Using time efficiently is the shortest path to victory.”
As if convinced by my words, Serin and Ha-yeong nodded.
And so, we sought out Dandu once again.
“Why are you back…!”
Seeing his face so often was almost making him seem endearing.
“Let’s talk.”
“What is there to talk about?!”
“When I say I want to talk, you just shut up and listen!!!”
“A-Alright! Just please!”
Dandu seemed a bit disgruntled, but upon seeing my raised fist, he immediately became cooperative, much to my delight.
We moved to a quieter place to talk.
“Dandu, as you may have already guessed… I’m not satisfied with just wiping out the Dark Earth Gang.”
“What do you mean?”
“I formed a faction today. An organization called Nachalbang.”
“…”
“After being attacked by the Dark Earth Gang, my desire to kill and my hatred for the black path faction in this area have intensified. So, I plan to eliminate them all. And incidentally, expand the Nachalbang’s power… Hehehe.”
Originally, this was what the Dark Earth Gang had planned to do.
Now, I would do it, and the Black path faction would cease to be Black path faction . They would become a righteous faction.
“You’re saying you’ll unite the Black path faction .”
“That’s right. I’m planning to attack them, and naturally, I need information. Dandu, this isn’t a bad proposition for you either. Once we eliminate the Black path faction and strengthen the Nachalbang, I’ll give your Beggars’ sect a share of the profits.”
“A share of the profits, you say.”
Dandu straightened up at the mention of business. A madman was frightening, but someone offering a business deal wasn’t.
“And it’s not just about profits. I won’t be hostile towards you anymore. Right now, you’re not an ally, so I threaten you with pain and fear, but if you become an ally, I’ll compensate you fairly for your services.”
“I-Is that so…?”
“Yes… so make your decision. With our combined strength, eliminating the Black path faction will be a piece of cake. You can choose to join forces with me and benefit, or ignore my offer and become an enemy. Choose one. There are only two options.”
I was a little nervous, but once I made up my mind, I felt a passion ignite within me.
Yes. I wouldn’t be bullied by the Black path faction or anyone else anymore. Building my own power meant being able to protect myself.
I would lay the foundation right now to prevent any further unpleasant incidents.
“Alright. I’ll cooperate. What do you need me to tell you?”
“Information on the Black path factions in this region!”
Galbijong shouted.
“Kekeke… you better give us good information. Inaccurate information would be troublesome…”
Jaemison said ominously.
“O-Of course. Then I’ll begin my explanation.”
Dandu began his explanation.
He said that there were currently three Black path factions with the most influence in this region. Originally, there were four, including the Dark Earth Gang, but they were destroyed, leaving three.
“The businesses that the Dark Earth Gang controlled are now divided among these three. But I hear that the Ildomun (One Sword School) benefited the most… I suppose it’s because they’re the strongest.”
Ildomun.
That would be our first target.
“The Ildomun extorts and collects protection money from lower-class merchants. They also handle simple contract jobs.”
“Lower-class merchants?”
“Merchants without establishments.”
“Ah.”
In other words, street vendors. Not everyone could own a building. In the Middle Kingdom, most merchants ran their businesses from stalls.
Naturally, without a physical establishment, they were vulnerable. And thugs with swords saw these merchants as easy targets for extortion.
The Ildomun took money from these merchants in exchange for protection. Of course, these thugs were often the ones doing the extorting in the first place, and their offer of protection was nothing more than a thinly veiled threat.
“The Ildomun threatens to kill anyone who doesn’t pay. These lower-class merchants don’t have the wealth or connections to seek protection from the righteous factions or the authorities, so they naturally end up paying tribute to the Ildomun.”
“Did the Dark Earth Gang do the same thing?”
“Yes.”
Whatever they were, they needed to be eliminated.
“Thanks for the information. What about the other two factions?”
Galbijong asked, and Dandu replied, “The Jangsabang and the Jagwipa… they are weaker than the Ildomun. But I heard they’ve been fighting recently over a gambling den for laborers.”
They were fighting over a gambling den for low-wage workers. Although they were inferior to the Ildomun in terms of force, they seemed to be keeping the Ildomun in check.
The Ildomun was the most important, so we would deal with the others later.
“Tell us more about the Ildomun…”
Jaemison said, stroking the Kappa armored gauntlets on his arms.
“They use swords. They all have basic swordsmanship skills, but they’re nothing more than third-rate thugs.”
Dandu said that, but he didn’t know for sure.
“Alright. Tell us their numbers and location.”
“Hmm… let me see.”
His explanation of their numbers was vague, but he knew their location precisely. It made sense. The number of members could change frequently, but their headquarters would be more difficult to relocate.
This was doable.
If we reduced their numbers with a surprise attack, we could finish them off.
Thump thump.
My heart pounded as we planned the attack on the Ildomun.
Murder.
The thought surfaced in my mind. Chang-sam, Oh Su-man, one of the Beggars’ sect members, Mi-pyeong, the Dark Earth Gang lackeys, and even the bandits.
I had killed many people so far. I hadn’t wanted to, but I had to, and I did it without hesitation.
It was a horrific experience. To be in a situation where I had to kill. And the fact that I had to do it mercilessly.
I wanted to avoid it, to never do it again.
But not anymore.
To survive in this world, I had to accept all of this. So, today’s event would be a sort of ritual for me.
I didn’t have any particular grudge against them.
I would attack first and kill them. They were Black path faction scum anyway… I would kill them, seize their assets, and grow the Nachalbang. That was the only way to protect myself.
“That’s all I have to say. Farewell… and don’t forget our agreement. When you unite the Black path faction, our Beggars’ sect will be your ally.”
“Alright.”
We left after bidding farewell to Dandu.
“Kim Geun-hyeop! You were truly amazing! Not only did you make Dandu submit, but you also gathered information on the Ildomun so quickly! Your execution is admirable!”
Galbijong’s eyes shone as he chatted excitedly.
“Hehehe, it was nothing.”
As Jaemison had said, I had set clear standards and goals for myself. By simply following them, I naturally gained momentum.
“Kekeke, you plan to attack the Ildomun as quickly as possible. Excellent, Geun-hyeop. It’s always best to do these things swiftly and unexpectedly.”
“That’s exactly right, Jaemison. Let’s kill all those Ildomun bastards.”
My confidence soared.
Ah, but we needed to establish our own headquarters.
Should we take over the Ildomun’s base after destroying them?
“Let’s disband for today. We’ll meet again at the inn tomorrow and then move.”
“Understood!”
Galbijong and Jaemison left, and I returned to my lodgings with my lovers.
“Geun-hyeop, I observed quietly today to see how you think and act.”
Serin said as we entered.
“And? What did you think?”
“I was a bit surprised. You seemed experienced. The way you skillfully led the conversation and formulated the plan was impressive.”
“Hehehe, really? That’s a little embarrassing. So, do you trust me a bit more now?”
“Yes. I believe you can do it, Geun-hyeop.”
Pleased with my actions, Serin smiled gently and praised me. I wasn’t alone anymore. I had to become strong enough to protect my woman. That feeling fueled my determination.
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Just noting for anybody confused
Heretical path = Black path = Unorthodox path
Righteous path = Orthodox path
