Chapter 35. Let the Meeting Begin.

Having taken over as the Heukmyo Sect Leader, I tossed the Yarae Blade to So Gunpyeong and claimed the previous leader’s straight saber. Its edge hadn’t chipped even after clashing with the Yarae Blade, so it was quite a fine weapon. Above all, it looked better than the mass-produced arms from the Dragon Head Forge.

“The previous Sect Leader’s time in the martial world ends here, but mine has only just begun. Bear that in mind. For the time being, nothing ever happened here in Heukmyo Sect.”

“…….”

Everyone kept their mouths shut, unable to grasp my words immediately. I addressed my subordinates as if I had been the Heukmyo Sect Leader all along.

“What was this straight saber called again? My memory’s hazy.”

So Gunpyeong answered.

“That straight saber bears the name Heukmyo-a, the Black Rabbit Fang.”

It means the fang of a black rabbit.

“What a shitty name. Ah, no. Since it’s mine now, I take back the ‘shitty’ part.”

Everyone’s expressions twisted at my sudden reversal, but no one talked back. It was only natural—the fearsome Heukmyo Sect Leader had died with his head buried in a wall. Moreover, to them I still looked like a crazy bastard with a volatile temper, so they had to watch their words.

I examined the Black Rabbit Fang this way and that before naturally giving an order.

“First, clean up the corpse of the former Sect Leader who resisted me without knowing his place. Clean the wall and the floor too. If you want to make it on the dark path, you have to be good at cleaning first. Throw away that useless axe over there as well. All executives are to gather in the main hall without exception. We’re holding an executive meeting to mark a fresh start.”

So Gunpyeong quickly stepped up, reading the room.

“I’ll enter after I oversee the cleanup, so the rest of you executives go to the main hall first.”

Let me say this again: from today, I am the Heukmyo Sect Leader.

I wasn’t yesterday, but today I am.

Human fate is ever-changing like this.

I intended to skip the bothersome inauguration ceremony, but I had roughly set my term.

Until I am discovered by Daenachal.

So for now, I had no idea whether my term would be short or long.

I am a man who only knows what he knows and doesn’t know what he doesn’t.

While the executives headed to the main hall first and So Gunpyeong gave various orders to the subordinates, I took up the Black Rabbit Fang and danced with the blade.

The Heukmyo Sect subordinates who had begun cleaning glanced at me, but I paid them no mind as I performed blade techniques, fell into thought, then performed blade techniques again.

Among them, those with some perceptiveness must have been quite surprised inwardly.

Because the way I swung the blade resembled the dead Sect Leader’s movements. As they probably suspected, I moved about the spacious area and rapidly trained myself in the dead man’s blade techniques.

Eating meals, taking shits, building internal energy, and stealing a dead man’s blade techniques to train them.

This is what a wise life on the dark path looks like.

* * *

“Report the current situation first.”

I said this abruptly to the waiting executives as I sat in the seat of honor.

So Gunpyeong asked me,

“Sect Leader, what shall I report on first?”

“Pavilion Lord So, it’s Sect Leader, not Gate Master. Since when were we the Heukmyo Gate? Don’t lose the identity of the dark path.”

“My apologies. I understand.”

So Gunpyeong offered an appropriate opinion.

“To my knowledge, you showed mercy, so quite a few martial artists from Geumbong Pavilion remain alive in Ilyanghyeon. Please give your orders as to what you will do with them.”

I applauded So Gunpyeong’s question.

Clap, clap, clap.

“As expected of our Pavilion Lord So, excellent. Everyone, learn from Pavilion Lord So. Comradery, a tender heart that thinks of subordinates, and earlier he bravely stepped forward to save your lives. A loyal, smart, and unusually thick-skinned man. He took his beating well.”

While I was speaking, So Gunpyeong briefly scratched his forehead.

“I say this having faced both that rabbit bastard and Pavilion Lord So, but Pavilion Lord So’s skills weren’t far behind the rabbit bastard’s. Our Heukmyo Sect’s talent, backbone, and representative executive, Pavilion Lord So, must train harder from now on. I shall bestow a gold stipend upon you today at once.”

It’s not even my money anyway.

In any case, So Gunpyeong answered with an air of renewed vigor.

“I shall do so diligently.”

I applauded again and spoke to the executives.

“Now, clap along. Before I break your fingers.”

The other executives also offered So Gunpyeong awkward applause.

Clapclapclapclapclapclapclapclap.

I looked around at the rotten executives of Heukmyo Sect and continued my nagging.

“Stop.”

“…….”

“Encouraging one another, motivating each other, training, fighting, and growing stronger together. That is the dark path. In that process, whether it’s spite, affection, or the urge to beat each other black and blue, brotherhood naturally sprouts even where there was none. That is what makes a strong dark path. Back in my day.”

In that instant, reading boredom on several bastards’ faces, I stopped talking.

“Is my speech boring?”

When I glared at one executive whose name I still didn’t know, he shook his head and replied,

“N-no, sir.”

“If you’re bored, get out, you bastard. Go outside and play. Stop being an executive. Go plaster dirt on the collapsed wall with the underlings, or clean up corpses.”

“It was not boring, sir.”

“Since when do you interrupt the Sect Leader? Tsk…”

Even a superior must show some moderation. That’s the sort of man I am, one who reflects so thoroughly upon himself.

By the way, our Pavilion Lord So seemed to have decent martial arts and had performed his role as a middle executive of the dark path quite well. It is only natural that a general on the front lines must heed the words of his strategists and advisors.

Sure enough, So Gunpyeong supported the new Sect Leader at an appropriate moment.

“Please speak comfortably, Sect Leader.”

“Where was I?”

“‘That is what makes a strong dark path’… You had spoken up to there, Sect Leader.”

“Right. Sima Bi and Helian Hong are alive and well in Ilyanghyeon. If Pavilion Lord So wishes to recruit and raise the talents of Geumbong Pavilion, take them whenever you please. I entrust you with establishing the Yongbong Pavilion, combining both the Golden Phoenix and Golden Dragon pavilions.”

“If you entrust it to me, I shall endeavor to shoulder the heavy responsibility.”

I looked around at the executives and asked,

“Who is the Chief Steward?”

As expected, the oldest executive bowed his head and replied,

“Please call me Chief Steward Byeok, if you would.”

“Chief Steward Byeok, transfer the stipend to our Yongbong Pavilion Lord. I must grasp our financial situation, so organize it thoroughly and report the current state. If embezzlement or tricks are discovered from now on, you old Chief Steward will be the first to face execution.”

“Yes, sir.”

I looked at Chief Steward Byeok’s displeased expression and spoke in a threatening tone.

“Chief Steward Byeok, do you know why the Geumbong Pavilion Lord died?”

“I couldn’t say.”

“He died from embezzlement.”

“I have never conducted such affairs, but I shall keep it in mind.”

“Well, keeping it in mind is indeed a precious mirror.”

At my precious words, several bastards’ faces turned bright red.

I brought up the next agenda item.

“By the way, I forgot the martial arts duel schedule. When is it?”

When I spoke as if I already knew the affairs of Heukmyo Sect, no one could hide their surprise.

So Gunpyeong answered,

“There is no set date, but the lower-ranked Warlord expected to challenge soon is Hongsin, the Red Monkey. And if the Sect Leader wishes to raise your rank, you must settle matters with Warlord Baekyu this time as well.”

The one I had used as a false identity when killing Jo Il-seom was Baekyu.

“By the way, what rank am I now?”

“Among the Twelve Warlords, you remain at the fifth rank.”

I was quite surprised.

“That bastard’s rank was surprisingly high. To think he was fifth with that skill is absurd. Which Warlords are stronger than Baekyu?”

“Baegin, Cheongjin, and Jeoksa. And together with Warlord Baekyu, they are called the Four Divine Generals.”

They are, respectively, the white tiger, blue dragon, red serpent, and white rooster. Of course, one more important than them is Daenachal.

“Where is our respected Master these days?”

This time, Chief Steward Byeok answered,

“It seems Warlord Jeoksa obtained a blue-eyed beauty from somewhere and presented her to Master Daenachal. He is likely there.”

I snorted and replied,

“That old bastard has some stamina too. To think he lays his hands on even a blue-eyed beauty. Suddenly, rage is welling up.”

Having just called him Master, I criticized Daenachal in the next breath, and my subordinates couldn’t manage their expressions.

“Why? Did I say something wrong?”

“No, sir.”

I clicked my tongue and said,

“Still messing with pitiful women through his disciples. The Martial Alliance doesn’t know what the hell it’s doing. Not apprehending bastards like this. Good grief…”

Everyone either looked at the ceiling or slightly bowed their heads.

“From now on, I shall inform you of the Heukmyo Sect’s code of conduct.”

“Please speak, Sect Leader.”

“Daenachal is indeed my master, but since the old man is lost in debauchery, I intend to gradually raise a rebellion. If anyone clings to Daenachal or obstructs my path during this time, I will not let them live. Matters between you and me must always follow the logic of the martial world. Betrayal in wartime means death. Do you understand my words?”

“We understand.”

“You probably fear Daenachal more than me right now. I understand. But if you want to survive long in the martial world, you must ultimately choose the right side. Keep in mind that your predictions could be wrong. You ought to have realized how shoddy prediction is when the former Sect Leader died earlier. Like our smart Pavilion Lord So, who realized it before that.”

The executives nodded here and there.

“Understood.”

“We have no reason to like Daenachal either. We were forcibly absorbed.”

The meeting continued in a crude, directionless, and rambling manner, but behind my mask I constantly observed the executives’ expressions and tones with care. Wearing a mask certainly had this advantage.

“What is the recent state of affairs of the Heukseonbo?”

Even though I had changed the subject, So Gunpyeong calmly replied,

“They are always busy with gambling and auction businesses. At this rate, it seems there will be no force in the vicinity that can compete with them financially.”

“Are they still holding human auctions too?”

“Yes. I suppose you should call them slave auctions rather than human auctions.”

Slave auctions. That’s what kind of bastards the Heukseonbo are.

I nodded and set the mid- to short-term goals for the Heukmyo Sect.

“I beat some guys belonging to the Heukseonbo to death. They died watching my quarters burn. I was quite displeased, but this is good. To think they dare hold slave auctions in this day and age is an atrocity that I, as the head of the dark path, cannot turn a blind eye to. Since I’ll have to crush the Heukseonbo later as well, all executives should devote yourselves to training. I shall correct the principles of the dark path.”

The executives wanted to ask, “Did the dark path ever have principles?” but they couldn’t bring themselves to open their mouths.

I declared my ambition in a resolute tone.

“Our Heukmyo Sect shall become the vanguard of the Martial World Slave Liberation Front.”

One executive cautiously asked,

“Are you saying you’ll strike the Heukseonbo suddenly?”

“Can buying and selling people be right?”

“It is not right, sir.”

I looked around at the Heukmyo Sect executives and cursed,

“By the way, why have you learned martial arts all this time, you stupid bastards? We do not abide injustice. That is the way of those who are drunk on the blade and walk the night. From now on, anyone who opposes me on every matter will face execution, and anyone who quibbles will be exterminated.”

“…….”

“Answer properly right away. You’re embarrassing the speaker. Ah, my temper suddenly…”

The executives opened their mouths in unison.

“Understood.”

“We will keep it in mind.”

I planned to stabilize the chaotic leadership transition by taking the entire Heukmyo Sect hostage and continuing with threats, curses, violence, and browbeating.

“I intend to crush both Daenachal and the Heukseonbo, so I shall use all the Heukmyo Sect’s medicinal pellets, funds, and other assets as I see fit. If anyone has objections, let us settle them through one-on-one combat. Anyone willing to step forward?”

The executives briefly looked down at the ground.

“…….”

“None? That is fortunate.”

I waved my right hand and said,

“What I mean is, it’s fortunate that this hand won’t be stained with our executives’ blood.”

I did not neglect the things that needed to be done either.

“Pavilion Lord So, for the time being, to stabilize the Sect Leader transition period, establish an ironclad perimeter inside and outside the Heukmyo Sect using the Yongbong Pavilion elites. In particular, anyone who slips out without permission may be summarily executed. If anyone suddenly says they want to go to their hometown or anything of the sort, bind them and bring them to me.”

So Gunpyeong understood my meaning and nodded.

“We shall maintain a thorough state of alert.”

From the executives’ perspective, the Heukmyo Sect Leader had been replaced suddenly, but nothing had improved one bit. Come to think of it, Geumbong Pavilion’s slush funds had flowed to Ilyanghyeon, and their major assets were about to be thoroughly squeezed by me. In crude terms, they were tapped out.

Of course, it was none of my concern.

It had been the same before, and it was the same now.

I am not of the dark path.

I am a man who strikes the dark path and plunders it.

And so, the first day of my appointment as Heukmyo Sect Leader concluded peacefully.