Chapter 60. I’m Here to Collect Your Tab.

Painting is no different from martial arts.

Until one completes a single good painting, one has no choice but to throw away countless attempts.

The same goes for a composite portrait.

Chief Steward Byeok did draw the Left Envoy of Radiance’s face, but none of them fully satisfied me, so I threw this one away and that one away.

No matter what the task is, if you want a better result, you have to keep throwing things away.

While the Black Path rabble from the surrounding areas gathered at Huahua Manor to discuss how they would subdue me, I was working diligently with Chief Steward Byeok to make a composite portrait.

“Chief Steward, his cheekbones aren’t that large. His jawline is actually similar to mine. Look again.”

Chief Steward Byeok examined my jawline, then said,

“Hair is also a factor in determining one’s impression. Whether it’s curly or has the flowing texture of a woman’s hair is important as well.”

“What do you think that bastard’s hair would be like?”

“Flowing, then. What about his eyebrows?”

“Overall, they’re straight like a straight blade, but the ends curve and stretch outward like feathers.”

“So he carefully trimmed his eyebrows with a knife. A serious lecher, then.”

Chief Steward Byeok combined everything he had heard so far and drew it again. A short while later, a composite portrait that looked very much like the Left Envoy of Radiance was finally completed. Chief Steward Byeok grinned and asked,

“Are you satisfied?”

“Good. Let’s search with this. I only know he’s from a martial clan, but from a collateral branch. He’s around twenty.”

“If it’s a martial clan, that’s simple.”

“Why?”

“Martial artists from martial clans pay attention to their clothing, so they never go around looking shabby. If he’s a lecher, he would stand out all the more. First, we narrow it down to martial clans, then by age, then look at their clothing and compare them to the composite portrait. It shouldn’t take blindly long. What is his martial prowess like?”

“Compared to the rising talents of martial clans around his age, he’s strong.”

Only then did Chief Steward Byeok’s eyes widen.

“Then he’s an incredible expert.”

“So just ascertain his location and let me know. He’s not someone your men can handle.”

“Understood.”

Thinking about it, he was from a collateral branch, yet strong in martial arts, and since he caused trouble, he must have been greatly hated by the experts of the main family in one way or another.

If the experts of the main family had considered the Left Envoy a competitor for the position of the next clan head, they would have buried him completely so he could never recover. That must have been why he had no choice but to throw himself into the Demon Cult.

“Chief Steward, focus on finding this bastard. Leave the fighting to me. I’m more comfortable with that.”

“Understood.”

I looked at the status board Chief Steward Byeok had drawn.

“Until tonight, the leaders will probably exchange opinions among themselves at Huahua Manor, won’t they? Have a drink, too.”

“Most likely. Who will take which region, what to do about the money. If someone so much as brings up talk like that, the meeting won’t be short.”

A chronic illness of the Black Path, one might say.

In truth, a Black Path force that does not discuss such things would be the truly powerful kind, one that sits at the top.

It is the same for people and organizations alike.

Those with true ability are, first and foremost, not greatly interested in money.

I scratched my head for a moment in the main hall.

Some of my subordinates had currently departed for Yiyang County and Heukseon Fort. I, too, was in a situation where I had to wait until evening to gather all my troops.

As I sank into thought, Chief Steward Byeok said,

“Gang Leader, may I dare to offer a word?”

“As many as you like.”

“Though we are of the Black Path, the people living in the Nanhua region are at least familiar with our forces. They will welcome us even more if we stop everything Great Rakshasa had been doing through coercion. If another Black Path force takes this place, many things will change again. The number of people killed or injured will increase as well. Fortunately, many of the Twelve Divine Generals still remain, and your power is by no means small, Gang Leader, so please consider the grave responsibility of being commander-in-chief and respond with caution.”

Had he perhaps glimpsed in my eyes the baseless rebellion of a wayward youth?

I nodded with a solemn expression, but I let the word “caution” out through the other ear.

“Of course I should be cautious. You’re saying that just because the enemy leaders are gathered at Huahua Manor, I shouldn’t pointlessly charge in alone and launch a surprise attack. Right?”

Chief Steward Byeok looked at me and lowered his head slightly.

“Thank you for understanding.”

“So you mean I shouldn’t do something immature like rushing over with my junior brothers of the Twelve Divine Generals as if an archery competition were being held and shooting fire arrows at Huahua Manor, starting a wildfire. Right? Flowers and trees are precious, after all.”

“It is a clever move, but it is somewhat removed from the conduct of a general who commands many troops. They have quite a few experts on their side as well, so in the end, you will have to fight with blades. Flowers and trees are precious too.”

I looked at Chief Steward Byeok and nodded.

“I was feeling a little restless anyway, but Chief Steward Byeok has granted me enlightenment. In every way, our Chief Steward Byeok is truly the pillar of the Heukmyo Gang, fulfilling the role of the Heukmyo Gang’s grand strategist splendidly. If you find that lecherous bastard, you too shall receive a bonus. You may write it in the ledger and collect it yourself.”

Chief Steward Byeok clasped his hands with a pleased expression.

“Thank you, Gang Leader.”

“It will take some time for the troops to gather, so I’ll make a brief visit to the Murong Medical House. I might as well see our physician’s face.”

“Ah, have you become close with the young doctor of the Murong Medical House?”

“You could say we’re sworn brothers.”

“I see. Then I will also pay attention to the Murong Medical House from time to time. And Gang Leader, in times like these, please go by carriage. I will have one prepared.”

“Good.”

* * *

I muttered as I headed toward the waiting carriage.

“If he’s going to order me around, why doesn’t he become the Gang Leader himself?”

The coachman, who had been waiting, thought I was speaking to him and asked,

“Pardon?”

“Nothing.”

When I climbed into the carriage, the coachman, who had been informed in advance, stated the destination.

“Gang Leader, I will take you to the Murong Medical House.”

“Set off.”

As soon as the carriage started and turned one corner, I said to the coachman,

“I’ve changed my mind. The breeze is cool, so don’t go to the Murong Medical House.”

“Yes, sir.”

“Drop me off near the Cloud-Rain Society, and then you can go back.”

The head of the Cloud-Rain Society was none other than Master Su, and Master Su was probably at Huahua Manor right now. The coachman did not answer for a moment.

“……”

The coachman asked again as if confirming.

“Gang Leader, may I return first, report to the officers or Chief Steward Byeok, and then set off? The Cloud-Rain Society is a dangerous place, so shouldn’t the destination be made known?”

Thinking that one must not scold a person who speaks correctly, I replied,

“I said let’s go to the Cloud-Rain Society, which uses the words ‘cloud and rain’ from the pleasures of cloud and rain as the name of their faction. I feel displeased because it always seems as though they share the affections of cloud and rain while leaving me out.”

“Understood.”

Riding in a carriage is always fun.

I gazed at the scenery outside as I headed for Ihwa County, where the Cloud Rain Society was said to be.

On days when the spring sunlight was this warm, even my madness seemed to be swept away by the cool breeze, leaving me feeling as pleasant as if it had gone off on vacation.

Noticing that the coachman seemed worried, I reassured him.

“Mr. Su is busy with business at Hwahwa Mountain Villa right now, so don’t worry too much.”

“Yes, sir.”

Inside the carriage, I idly imagined what might have happened between Mr. Su and that member of the Martial Alliance.

What crime had that bastard committed against a Martial Alliance member for all their heads to be lopped off in the marketplace, while the Alliance member was thrown into the dungeon for it?

Was that Martial Alliance member someone I knew?

I couldn’t tell.

In any case, by the time I was active as the Mad Demon, that Alliance member must have been out of prison. After all, he wouldn’t have been locked up for long just for killing a Black Path man.

Though I had returned to the past……

There were some matters where I knew only the process, not the result.

And there were others where I knew only the result, and nothing at all about the process.

I was simply curious and bored, so I was on my way to take a look around the Cloud Rain Society.

* * *

“Chief, we’ve arrived at Ihwa County.”

When I got down, the coachman had sensibly stopped the carriage in a quiet place.

I gave the coachman a warning.

“You stopped at just the right place. Waiting here would be boring, so head back first. As for me, I’ll be at the Murong Medical Clan.”

“Understood, Chief.”

“Take this with you.”

I took off my long black robe and handed it to the coachman. Underneath, I was wearing ordinary martial attire, so it was not especially conspicuous.

It was instinct for people of the jianghu to put on things like long black robes even on such a warm day. You could hide several concealed weapons in them, and the clothing offered some protection even if you took a sword blow. If you infused inner force into fluttering garments like a long robe, you could deflect most hidden weapons, so they were useful in all sorts of ways.

But a long black robe was unmistakably battle attire, so it drew people’s eyes.

After sending the coachman away, I looked around Ihwa County.

I was curious that Mr. Su’s forces had been on par with the Great Rakshasa’s, and I was also curious what sort of business the Cloud Rain Society used to make money.

And now, all over again, I was curious why they were called the Cloud Rain Society in the first place.

I am a man with many curiosities.

Rather than thinking I would do something to the Cloud Rain Society right away, I had simply come running because I was curious.

The scenery of the streets was no different here than in the Namhwa region.

The greater a Black Path force was, the more people lived in its area. Fundamentally, the Black Path were bastards who lived by taking money from those who made their living.

The moment I thought that the Black Rabbit Gang I had taken over was originally one such force, my mood soured.

I roamed Ihwa County with the intention of checking myself. The method was simple. I could tell just by looking at the shopkeepers’ faces. Whether business had been good lately, whether there were people nearby harassing them—I could tell by looking.

This was a matter of pride.

If, after the leader of the Black Rabbit Gang had changed to me, the ordinary people of the Namhwa region walked around with worried expressions, then that would be my fault.

What sort of Black Path man was Mr. Su in this place?

I poked around here and there. I entered inns and looked around tea houses as well. There were especially many street vendors here. People like that tended to keep working steadfastly even in difficult times, so in truth there wasn’t much I could learn from them.

This is what happens when you underestimate those who work.

After completing one inspection of Ihwa County, I went to the Cloud Rain Society.

Looking at the main gate, this thought occurred to me.

Bastards doing something shady always had a little window-like thing on their gates. Just like the main gate of the Black Rabbit Gang when I had first seen it.

Bang, bang, bang!

When I knocked with my fist, a small hatch opened with a clatter.

“Who is it?”

Looking at the man speaking with only his eyes showing, I felt as though I were looking at a prisoner in jail.

“I asked who it is.”

I clicked my tongue. “Tsk.” Then I answered.

“I’ve come to collect an unpaid tab.”

With a bang, the small hatch shut, and then, with a creeeak, the main gate swung wide open.

With this, I learned that these bastards were not good at paying back their tabs. The process of opening the door was swift, precise, and repetitive. On top of that, even the way they opened and closed it was full of irritation. I knew this psychology. It was the mindset of half-threatening the person who had come to collect the tab.

The man who opened the gate looked at me with his head tilted crookedly.

“Come in.”

I replied with a stiff expression.

“If you happen to be in a bad mood, I can come collect it another time.”

The bastard answered at once.

“I said come in, you son of a bitch.”

“Yes, then. I should go in.”

This was the difference between the Black Path and the White Path.

If saying you had come to collect an unpaid tab sometimes worked like a code word, that was the Black Path.

But the White Path did not create tabs in the first place.

From there, the White Path could again be divided into sects and clans.

Martial clans were rich from the beginning, so they had nothing to do with unpaid tabs. Naturally, a code word like this would never work on them.

In the case of sects, they were bastards who lived by honor and died by honor, so if they had no money, they would dig up wild greens and eat those rather than eat something on credit.

That was why large sects were mostly found on mountains.

This was precisely why, no matter how much the Black Path ran rampant, the White Path was the more frightening force.

Whether they lived in the mountains or in cities, they possessed bottomless pride and self-respect.

The gatekeeper interrupted my thoughts.

“Whose tab is it? Surely not the Society Leader’s. Is it the Vice Leader’s drinking bill?”

As I followed the gatekeeper, I muttered under my breath.

“Scary as hell.”

“What?”

The gatekeeper turned around and looked at me with an expression that mixed disbelief and anger.

“What did you just say?”

I replied in an indifferent tone.

“Nothing. I was talking to myself.”

Had the gatekeeper been training with confidence all this time too? The palm aimed at the face of the man who had come to collect money arrived in a curve.

I caught the gatekeeper’s wrist and admonished him with kind words.

“I said I was talking to myself.”

After letting go of the gatekeeper’s hand, I began a staring contest with him.

“……Whoever blinks first loses. The loser gets one forehead flick.”

“…….”

“For your information, I’ve also learned the Flicking Finger Art. A forehead flick from me isn’t just any forehead flick. It’s a forehead flick that snaps you wide awake. It’s called the Purple Haze Flicking Finger Art, one of the Three Great Flicking Finger Arts of the jianghu.”

The gatekeeper widened his eyes. Whatever the present situation was, his gaze held the will not to be the first to close his eyes.

The bastard asked me, his eyes growing more and more bloodshot.

“Where did you come from?”