Chapter 142. Since We Weren’t Getting Through, I Spoke at Length.

The day after drinking with the bandits.

I rode a horse, and the bandits drove the carriages.

The carriages were loaded with the jewels, gold, and silver that the Nanyue Alliance had gathered. If I took all of this back to Haomun, it would be embezzlement.

I had plenty of money myself, so I had no intention of doing that. Instead, if I sorted it out at the Hengshan Branch with Strategist Gongsun Yue, it would amount to dividing the spoils.

We loaded every last ornament and piece of wealth that Alliance Leader Yelü had gathered onto the carriages abandoned below Nanyue, then moved as though transporting escorted goods.

We had become a kind of bandit escort agency.

I hired the surviving bandits as escort guards, then set out from Nanyue toward the Hengshan Branch.

By now, had Alliance Leader Im arrived at Mulling Stockade with the alliance members?

Who knew.

In any case, Alliance Leader Im would have the alliance members trailing after him like a tail.

And I, too, was dragging along a whole line of bottom-rung lives.

Which of us was living the harder life?

The important thing was to take whatever situation one was in seriously, so there was no need to determine superiority.

There were quite a few injured bandits, so I did not hurry. We traveled at a moderate pace, stopped to eat, and as soon as the food we had brought from the mountain stronghold ran out, I sent the relatively clean-looking bandits into villages or market streets to buy food.

It was then that I witnessed a sight I had never seen in my life.

The bandit bastard who had to go buy food wore an expression as tense as if he were facing the greatest crisis of his life.

Was handing over money and buying food really such a frightening thing?

It was not simply funny, nor was it simply sad, but in any case, I dispatched the fellow—who looked no different from someone trembling in fear—to a place where ordinary people lived.

“Why are you shaking so much, you bastard? Would you feel better if I beat you a little?”

The bandit bastards, who kept wiping the sweat from their brows, swallowed and replied.

“No, sir. We’ll be back.”

I watched the men going off to buy food, then asked.

“What’s wrong with them?”

Jangsan answered.

“I don’t know. Perhaps it’s because they’ve never bought food before.”

“It’s nothing special. Surely a sword fight won’t break out just because they’re buying food. They just have to hand over the money.”

“Yes.”

A short while later, the bandits returned safely with food, looking as if they had gone off and accomplished something remarkable.

I deliberately sat down with the bandits in a quiet place and ate.

The bandits ate very diligently, and though they ate with relish, they did not leave a single bit of food behind.

It was a sudden situation, but by now, with the exception of a few men, I had forgotten most of the bandits’ names.

Since the ones whose names I remembered were mixed together with the ones whose names I had forgotten, I deliberately did not call any of the bandits by name.

“You lot should change clothes once along the way. The carriages are full of communal silver anyway, so if we see a large market that sells clothes, let’s go there and buy some.”

“Yes, sir.”

“I have no idea how every single one of you manages to walk around with your clothes practically announcing that you’re bandits.”

The ignorant U Chun replied.

“What’s wrong with our clothes? We dressed pretty well, in our own way.”

A sigh escaped me on its own.

“Sure.”

Just looking at U Chun’s outfit, his top and bottom did not match at all. It was probably because he had stolen the clothes from different people and put them on. If he walked around like that in a busy district, people would avoid U Chun on their own.

That evening, as I watched the suspicious-looking men delighting in buying and wearing new clothes, I, too, felt a sense of self-loathing.

In any case, from Nanyue to Hengshan.

After transforming the bandits into something at least somewhat human, I arrived near Hengshan at noon on the third day.

Before entering the Hengshan Branch, I had already expected that the bandits I brought with me would be met with looks of contempt from someone, but it could not be helped.

If you lived your life doing bad things, then in my opinion, you should know how to endure contemptuous stares to some degree.

* * *

I arrived at the Hengshan Branch with the bandits.

Of course, I had not brought these bastards along to introduce them to the Murim Alliance’s strategist.

Before I could even enter the Hengshan Branch, the Murim Alliance members and allied forces of the Hengshan Branch, mistaking us for an attack by bandits, all rushed outside at once, and a standoff unfolded.

I looked at Strategist Gongsun Yue and said.

“Strategist Gongsun, it’s me. The Haomun Sect Leader. Everyone has come out so busily to welcome me.”

Gongsun Yue replied with a flustered expression.

“What are the bandits behind you?”

“Is it obvious?”

“Yes.”

I turned my head and looked over the men who had briefly changed professions from bandits to escort guards.

How could I possibly explain this efficiently?

First, I tried selling the Alliance Leader’s name.

“Did Alliance Leader Im not give you any word?”

“No.”

“The Nanyue Alliance was completely cleaned up the day before yesterday. There were many prisoners, so some of the bandits went straight with Alliance Leader Im to strike Mulling Stockade. Even so, there were still many forces left, so I was keeping watch over them. After smashing the main stronghold of the Nanyue Alliance, I brought over the stolen goods they had been storing. In other words, I dragged here all the spoils obtained from attacking the Nanyue Alliance. I spoke at length because we have no time, but surely the intelligent Strategist Gongsun understood everything?”

Only then did Gongsun Yue’s tense complexion ease a little, and he nodded.

“Sect Leader, you have worked hard.”

“Not at all. Where should we move the stolen goods?”

At that moment, a man who had walked out from inside later than Strategist Gongsun cut in with a voice I did not want to hear.

“Leave them there for now. Would it not be best to bind all those fellows first, then move the goods as we see fit?”

With my brow furrowed, I looked at Sima He, who had intruded into the conversation.

When I glared at him, Sima He glared back at me.

If the gaze going out is ugly, then the gaze coming back is bound to be idiotic.

“I am managing these bastards, so there is no need to bind them. Family Head Sima, I warn you, do not tell me what to do. You seem to be quite skilled and to have quite the temper as well, so why did you not go to strike Mulling Stockade? I am utterly amazed that you remain here.”

Sima He looked at me with a smile.

“There is no need for you to argue over a matter that has already been discussed and decided.”

Around Sima He, the warriors of the Sima Clan were already glaring at me with unfriendly eyes.

I briefly wet my lips.

Just what wrong had I committed?

I had not taken the spoils to Haomun; I had merely told the still-living bandits to move the baggage so it could be divided among Alliance Leader Im and the alliance members who had worked hard.

I looked at the bandits for a moment.

There were quite a few injured men, and upon seeing the Murim Alliance forces and the experts of the noble clan before their eyes, they were terrified. Moreover, though they had followed because they trusted me, as the situation began to flow strangely, none of their expressions looked good.

I said to Jang San.

“First, put down all the baggage you’re carrying. And step away from the wagons.”

Jang San replied.

“Yes, Sect Leader.”

The moment I finished speaking, Sima Hak gave an order to his retainers.

“……You lot, go make the bandits kneel first. Tie them all up.”

The warriors of the Sima Clan answered in unison.

“Yes.”

Before the Sima Clan warriors had taken even two or three steps, my temper exploded.

“Stop.”

“…….”

I glared at the Sima Clan warriors.

“These are men whose surrender I accepted yesterday together with Alliance Leader Im. I believe I said I had taken them in. Binding them is unnecessary.”

A middle-aged warrior of the Sima Clan answered.

“How is someone who calls himself the Sect Leader of some Hao Sect we have never even heard of so insolent? The Martial Alliance and the forces of the righteous path have joined hands to wipe out bandits and river pirates. Naturally, they should first be bound, and then the Martial Alliance should decide how to deal with them.”

I nodded.

“Correct.”

“Correct?”

“The Martial Alliance should decide. You belong to the Sima Clan. Keep your mouth shut. Strategist Gongsun.”

Gongsun Wol replied.

“Sect Leader, please speak.”

“It seems my intention isn’t being conveyed properly. The reason I remained at the Southern Yue Alliance to clean up and seize control of the remnants was because it was strategically necessary. As you can see, I stayed behind alone. The reason I brought the stolen goods held by the Southern Yue Alliance here is because I wanted the spoils to go to Alliance Leader Im and the alliance members who worked hard. If that had not been the case, I would have ordered these bandits to carry all of this to the Hao Sect. The authority to control this place should be in Strategist Gongsun’s hands, so why do you keep inciting a fight between me and the Sima Clan? Can you not settle this properly?”

Gongsun Wol’s pale face instantly flushed bright red.

“Ah, Sect Leader, please make your stance a little clearer.”

“How so?”

“Are the men you brought prisoners? Or did you take them in, as you said? Whatever the case, I will respect your intention. However, if they are prisoners, then of course it is right to bind them first.”

I was inwardly flustered, but I nodded.

“Ah, I see. Then I will take them into the Hao Sect for now.”

The moment I finished speaking, Sima Hak burst into laughter, and the Sima Clan warriors also laughed loudly with him.

“Hahahahaha…….”

I stood in the middle of the ridicule together with the bandits.

Sima Hak looked at me and said.

“See here, Hao Sect Leader. What sect under heaven takes in bandits and makes use of them? Are you so lacking in talent to accept as disciples? If word spreads that you accepted bandits into the Hao Sect, what will the many seniors and juniors of the righteous path think of you? I was going to treat you as the leader of a sect despite your young age, but…… even your thinking is, tsk.”

“Is there a reason I cannot accept bandits as disciples?”

Sima Hak replied with an amused expression.

“Hao Sect Leader, do you truly think that makes sense?”

I answered with a stiff expression.

“That is who I am.”

“…….”

In any case, nearly everything I had done since entering the gangho had made little sense. Since most of the Hao Sect already came from the Black Path, from my point of view, the Black Path and bandits were only fifty paces apart.

If everyone on the righteous path were good.

And everyone on the Black Path were someone who deserved to be beaten to death.

Then the world’s will and my will simply did not align.

I do not think that way.

It struck me anew that with Alliance Leader Im Sobaek, my meaning could get across in just a few brief words, but with a bastard like Sima Hak, no amount of lengthy debate would make it through.

However, I had already known since my previous life that this was what the world was like.

If this had been during my days as the Mad Demon in my previous life, I would have dismounted right now and attacked Sima Hak, but I had gained something called patience, and my thinking had broadened somewhat. I resolved to endure as much as I could, argue with words a little longer, and clash further with whatever came my way.

I looked around at the warriors of the righteous path and said.

“……I understand that you are uncomfortable because the prisoners are bandits. Alliance Leader Im will know when he returns, but at the Southern Yue Alliance, I killed the most bandits. I think I beat more than a hundred of them to death. Am I right?”

When I looked back at Jang San, Jang San replied with a troubled expression.

“Yes, that is correct.”

“That means I committed more killing than any member of the Martial Alliance, so the greatest responsibility is also mine. I was the one who urged them to surrender, and I was the one who said I would give those who surrendered a chance to live. Therefore, in order to keep my word, I will take them into the Hao Sect and make use of them. By ‘make use of them,’ I do not mean I will treat them like prisoners or slaves. I mean I will let those who wish to learn work learn work, and give an opportunity to those who choose a path other than banditry. Even then, if I judge that there is a bastard among them lacking in character, I will beat him to death with my own hands in the Hao Sect. These men were bandits until yesterday. From today onward, they belong to the Hao Sect, so there is no need to speak of prisoners or bindings in front of me. Seniors and juniors of the gangho. Do you understand what I have said?”

As expected, Sima Hak stepped forward.

“And what will you do if I cannot tolerate it? They should be grateful to be treated as prisoners. You have brought in a whole line of men who would deserve to have their heads cut off on the spot, and you introduce them as members of the Hao Sect? Strategist Gongsun, do you think this is right? To think a sect like this is an ally of the righteous path…… How absurd.”

In that instant, I slapped my own cheek.

Smack……!

I half-muttered a curse, then swallowed it back down my throat.

“…….”

Still, because my blood was boiling, I closed my eyes for a moment, then opened them.

For an instant, I imagined seizing Sima Hak and tearing him to death, but when I pictured Im Sobaek’s bewilderment upon hearing the news, I had no choice but to hold myself back again.

My chest heaved as I barely suppressed my temper.

I let out a long breath, then glared at Sima Hak.

“See here. Clan Head Sima.”

“Speak.”

“I hear our admirable righteous path has a fine tradition called a sparring match. Since you and I do not see eye to eye, how about we decide it with a spar? Strategist Gongsun of the Martial Alliance can serve as witness. In any case, whether they are taken in as prisoners or taken into the Hao Sect by me, it remains an unchanging fact that Alliance Leader Im and I advanced on Southern Yue and won a great victory. So let us, amicably, amicably, have ourselves a fight and cleanly settle this noise. What do you say?”

I glared at Sima Hak and cursed him with my eyes.

‘What are you going to do, you son of a bitch…….’

Sima Hak, who had been wearing a baffled expression for a moment, laughed with his shoulders shaking.

“Are you newly emerged into the gangho? I am the head of the Sima Clan.”

“And?”

“Suggesting we decide it with a spar means you will leave it to my will, does it not?”

As Sima Hak roared with laughter, the warriors of the Sima Clan laughed along with him.

I kept my mouth shut for a moment.

To be honest, I did not know who would win.

Because I did not know the exact skill of Sima Hak, a man temperamental enough to have challenged Alliance Leader Im Sobaek.

But my consistent thought had always remained unchanged.

Winning or losing is not what matters.

More important than that was finding some way to beat the crap out of a bastard I didn’t like. If I won, I’d slap him across the face without fail. And even if I lost, I’d still find some way to pummel him. Whether I grabbed him by the hair, or bit off Sima Hak’s finger while using a qinna technique, I intended to fight my own way.

Because win or lose, I am a man who beats people up.

Truthfully, I didn’t properly know how skilled Sima Hak was, but the thought that I might lose didn’t occur to me in the slightest.

From atop my horse, I deliberately looked down at Sima Hak and smiled with an arrogant expression.

“Let’s have a go, Family Head Sima.”

The middle-aged martial artist who had lectured me earlier cut in.

“How can the words and actions of a junior so young be so……”

I infused my voice with internal energy and shouted so loudly it rang throughout all of Mount Heng.

“Shut up!”

“…….”

I glared at the middle-aged martial artist and said,

“This is a matter between a family head and a sect master. Underlings stay out of it.”