Chapter 435: Surrender to the Waiter
When Kang Mokcheon opened his eyes after finishing his energy circulation and breathing, Im Sobaek spoke first.
“Good work.”
Perhaps the aftertaste of defeat still lingered heavily, for Kang Mokcheon answered briefly.
“Yes.”
Staring fixedly at Kang Mokcheon’s expression, Im Sobaek asked,
“How do you feel about the bout? You look aggrieved.”
Kang Mokcheon looked around at the alliance members and the Lust Demon before saying,
“I regret a little that I did not compete with my own weapon.”
Im Sobaek let out a faint sigh.
“Would you have won if you’d fought with real weapons?”
Kang Mokcheon looked at the Lust Demon and said,
“Yes.”
Im Sobaek struggled to hold back the nagging that was about to spill from his mouth, then passed it off to the Lust Demon as if shoving it onto him.
“What do you think? If it had been with real blades.”
The Lust Demon answered honestly.
“It ended at this much because we used wooden staves.”
Kang Mokcheon asked,
“Then shall we try again?”
The Lust Demon immediately shook his head.
“Brother Kang, with your skill, it would be impossible. I’m not saying this to mock you, but I didn’t even use half my inner energy.”
“That goes for me too……”
“Enough!”
Suddenly, the Lust Demon shouted, then glared at Kang Mokcheon and said,
“Brother Kang, I know what you dislike about me. You probably can’t even stand the sight of me loitering around the Martial Alliance. I do have that much scandal to my name. I’ll admit it. But when it comes to martial arts, there are no lies or empty boasts in me. Truly, in one thing alone—at least in martial arts. With your skill, Brother Kang, it is impossible. Originally, we promised that the loser would leave the Martial Alliance, but there is no need for that. Watch all the bouts that follow as well, and when you return to Senior Divine Halberd, I hope you go having gained something.”
In truth, the Lust Demon was not particularly accustomed to formal bouts. He was a man of the gangho with more real combat experience than sparring experience.
As Kang Mokcheon listened to the Lust Demon, his face turned bright red. Moreover, Martial Alliance Leader Im Sobaek was watching from the side, so growing any more agitated would not be proper.
Having learned the background behind the bout, Im Sobaek said,
“You should watch the bouts. Entering the Alliance and leaving it are matters for me to decide, not something for you two to stake as the condition of a martial contest. Do you both understand?”
“Yes, Alliance Leader.”
“Understood.”
Im Sobaek looked at Kang Mokcheon, who was utterly swallowed by a sense of defeat, and in the end began to lecture him.
“Mokcheon.”
“Yes, Alliance Leader.”
“Did your master, Senior Divine Halberd, ever tell you how he came to have the word ‘Divine’ attached to his title?”
“Wasn’t it a title he received because there was no one who could rival him in spear arts?”
“How many gangho martial artists do you think use spears? They aren’t common.”
“Yes.”
“Senior Divine Halberd often crossed hands with the previous Alliance Leader. Thanks to that, his defeats increased. I heard that when they were deciding the position of the previous Alliance Leader, Senior Divine Halberd even made it to the finals. He even challenged him afterward. I saw the two of them duel when I was still an alliance member. But the greatest under heaven at that time, as you know, was the Divine Sword. No matter who challenged him, the result was the same. He was an undefeated swordsman.”
“Yes.”
“As far as I know, he never even went all out in the righteous path’s martial tournaments. There were not many masters who could clash fiercely, even somewhat, with such a greatest sword under heaven. In particular, your master stood out the most among the masters trying to defeat the Divine Sword with a single fangtian ji (方天戟). Then when do you think your master received the title Divine Halberd? I mean the timing.”
Kang Mokcheon answered,
“I do not know the exact time.”
Im Sobaek told him.
“After losing, and losing again, challenging, and challenging again, it was a title the previous Alliance Leader personally bestowed upon him later. Though he could not surpass the greatest under heaven, there must have been something even the previous Alliance Leader admired in him, which is why he gave him such a title.”
“Mm.”
Im Sobaek looked at the Lust Demon.
“That does not mean Mongrang here is an undefeated martial artist like the previous Alliance Leader, either. You experienced the most valuable defeat of your life. Tell Kang Mokcheon who your opponent was.”
Thinking back to the Mount Hua Sword Debate, the Lust Demon answered in an even tone.
“It was the leader of the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult.”
It was a truly strange presence. Just mentioning him made it feel as if the air in Yongmugwan had sunk heavily.
Im Sobaek continued speaking, as though trying to fulfill a master’s responsibility toward Kang Mokcheon as well.
“How would you compare the fight with the Cult Leader to now?”
The Lust Demon stared at one spot on the floor as he answered.
“Back then, I truly gave it my all. I intended to see it through to the end no matter what. No, I thought I had to drain even one more handful of his inner energy if I could. If possible, I was even prepared for us to freeze to death together. At some point my mind went blank, and yet I kept getting pushed back. I wrung myself dry. Is this where my limit is? It wasn’t. Then I’ll have to wring out more. Is this point my limit? That wasn’t it either. I saw it through to the end with all I had, but I still could not win. It was a contest of inner energy, and I felt as though I had been blocked by some enormous wall. How should I put it……”
The Lust Demon looked at Im Sobaek and continued.
“The wall of years the Cult Leader had built up was no small thing. It was merely a contest of inner energy, freezing and melting, and yet strangely, I felt I could understand what sort of path that man, the Cult Leader, had walked until then, and what kind of training he had endured. I knew it was not merely a matter of having crossed the threshold of death once or twice, but that he had trained amid countless pains.”
Im Sobaek, who had been nodding, looked at Kang Mokcheon.
“Even so, that Cult Leader is not the current greatest under heaven.”
Kang Mokcheon asked back with a startled expression.
“Pardon?”
“I said he is not. I have no reason to lie to you.”
“Then who is it?”
Kang Mokcheon looked around at the alliance members, the Lust Demon, the Alliance Leader, and Gongsonwol. Everyone seemed to know, but for some reason, they were not telling him.
Im Sobaek let out a faint sigh.
“There is one. A problematic individual. If possible, I’m thinking of even manipulating the gangho rankings to hide him, so just know that much. Well, those who know will know, but that can’t be helped.”
Kang Mokcheon asked,
“The greatest under heaven is the most honorable position. How can you hide that?”
Im Sobaek said,
“First of all, the person himself finds all sorts of things bothersome. And if people like you, who know nothing of the world, challenged him for no reason and simply ended up getting beaten, that would be fine, but they might get beaten to death. There will be many challengers, and when I think of that temper of his, tsk.”
Im Sobaek shook his head.
“Is he someone from the demonic path?”
“That kind of distinction is meaningless. He is someone who would beat up a righteous path master, the sect leader of an orthodox sect, or the head of a great clan alike, so forget about him. No matter who it is, getting entangled with him generally becomes painful and exhausting.”
The Lust Demon nodded.
“That’s right.”
Im Sobaek said as if joking,
“Even that extraordinary Cult Leader ultimately got entangled with this fellow and, in effect, came down from the position of greatest under heaven.”
The Lust Demon agreed as well.
“That is indeed what happened.”
Im Sobaek gradually began to laugh as he spoke.
“When I think about it, it really is strange. Of the Three Calamities, he’s friendly with two, and in the end he broke the remaining one. He killed some scholars and became close with others. He accepted some of the Black Path and beat others to death. If he hadn’t stepped into the jianghu, he’d have been lazing around in some shabby inn somewhere. On the whole, I can’t tell what kind of man he is.”
The Lecherous Demon praised the Martial Alliance Leader.
“That is an accurate and thoughtful analysis. On the whole, he’s a pathetic fellow.”
“Don’t interpret it that way. I didn’t mean he was pathetic.”
“Yes, sir.”
As if something had slipped his mind, Im Sobaek looked at Jang San.
“Ah, San.”
“Yes, Alliance Leader.”
Im Sobaek pointed at Jang San with his finger.
“Come to think of it, you too……”
Jang San answered.
“Yes. I entered the Martial Alliance because of that Sect… no, because of him. It truly feels strange, thinking about it now.”
Ju Jiryang, who had been sitting quietly, grinned with an obnoxious expression and raised his hand.
“In truth, I also fought alongside him once at Dongho.”
At that, Gongsun Yue had no choice but to add a word as well.
“I met him at the Hengshan Branch when we attacked the Southern Yue Green Forest Alliance, and back then I was constantly scolded by him. His temper was truly something. Then, saying he would suppress his own temper……”
Gongsun Yue mimed striking his own cheek with his hand.
“Smack—he slapped himself. I thought I was looking at a madman. In any case, we won a great victory against the Southern Yue Green Forest Alliance, but then a dispute arose with the family head of another allied force, and I became the witness for their martial duel.”
Kang Mokcheon asked.
“A martial duel with a family head? What happened?”
“It became that family head’s final fight. He retired.”
Kang Mokcheon, who seemed to have at least a rough grasp of news from the jianghu, soon looked startled.
“To think the Haomun Sect Leader who was said to have quarreled with Family Head Ouyang is the greatest under heaven……”
Im Sobaek said.
“Don’t spread that widely.”
“Yes, sir.”
Im Sobaek indicated Mongrang with a tilt of his chin.
“He is sworn brothers with Mongrang here.”
The Lecherous Demon answered with an uneasy expression.
“Well, he’s someone I want to keep beating with my own hands, but if he came back after being beaten somewhere else, I think I’d feel rather displeased. That sort of uncomfortable relationship.”
Im Sobaek said with a grin.
“Is that so? Most brothers are like that.”
The Lecherous Demon, who had never thought deeply about brotherly affection, answered with a flustered expression.
“Ah, is that so?”
As if bringing matters to a close, Im Sobaek said to Kang Mokcheon.
“A defeat is a defeat. Accept it and devote yourself to training.”
Only then did Kang Mokcheon’s expression ease somewhat, and he lowered his head slightly.
“Yes, sir.”
Im Sobaek said.
“This is not a meeting I arranged so you could create new grudges among yourselves. As Mongrang said earlier, forces of the White Path need this sort of thing. Even if relations are somewhat poor between us, if I hear that someone was beaten by forces of the Demonic Path or Black Path, I should step forward and teach them a lesson. Isn’t that much something White Path martial artists can do for one another? Mokcheon, Mongrang. Am I wrong?”
The two answered.
“You are right.”
Im Sobaek briefly defined the Alliance Leader’s martial contest.
“It is to decide who will be the leader at such times.”
The Lecherous Demon asked.
“You haven’t yet descended from your prime, Alliance Leader, so why are you hurrying to retire?”
“You lot must greet your own prime as well. Since the Sect Leader has brought about a generational shift, it is only right that all of us retire. Whether enemies or allies.”
Im Sobaek smiled faintly with a relieved expression.
...“It’s about time they came……”
I looked at State Preceptor Yeon and the other baldies. Black Wolf said with a haggard look.
“At this rate, we’ll starve to death. Instead of doing this, how about storming in yourself? I’ll guide you. Please give me some food.”
“How many days have you gone hungry?”
“Three days…… I’m not sure.”
The Life-and-Death Guest, the Demon Marquis, the Vice Chairman, and State Preceptor Yeon were enduring well enough in their own ways, and King Eunpyeong had prepared his own food, so by virtue of that contribution, he was eating well.
The fishermen nearby, who had been so frightened they would not even approach, now came by from time to time to exchange a few words with me and even give me fish they had caught. Thus, at present, there was no worry whatsoever about food.
However, aside from King Eunpyeong, I only gave the others water now and then.
Watching them like this, men whose strength had been drained from not eating did not even look like martial artists of the jianghu. It felt like looking at defeated soldiers half-dead. Even such impressive martial arts were of no use if one could not eat.
The Demon Marquis asked me.
“Are you doing this to catch the Leader of the Life-and-Death Society? Or are you doing this to torment us?”
“Are worldly affairs ever that simple? It’s killing two birds with one stone. I also haven’t decided yet whether to kill the Leader of the Life-and-Death Society. The same goes for the King of Jinshan.”
The Life-and-Death Guest asked.
“Sect Leader, can you tell me why you are doing this?”
I looked at the Life-and-Death Guest.
“There’s no special reason. I simply dismantled the Black Path wherever my feet took me, as I pleased. And it seems you were the ones who gave me cause first. Also, the people of Zhejiang do not react well to or speak well of the Life-and-Death Society. Dismantling it is the right thing to do.”
State Preceptor Yeon stared blankly at the Mad Monk, who was still sitting upright facing the sea, then asked.
“By the way, what exactly is the relationship between you two? Sect Leader, you do not seem like a person close to Buddhism.”
I said with a sly smile.
“What relationship? We’re on decent terms. I once helped the monk’s junior apprentice-brother. In return, the monk visited from the west. On his way here, he even brought my disciple along on his shoulders. Since he said he wanted to see the sea, I came with him so the journey wouldn’t be lonely.”
State Preceptor Yeon sighed, then turned his head and looked at the sea.
“What in the world is there in the sea……”
“Nothing.”
“Then why has he been staring at it all day like that? He seems to be a monk with outstanding martial arts and profound spiritual power.”
“Perhaps he is looking at the beautiful sea and strengthening his resolve.”
“What resolve……”
“How to properly beat down bastards like you. For a long, long time……”
Black Wolf answered.
“Are there only one or two bastards like us?”
“Black Wolf, that is precisely why he must be pondering it. Why would anyone ponder something that goes smoothly and is simple?”
“What I mean is, isn’t it something with no answer?”
I looked over the lot of them once.
“If we lived as though there were no answer, you would already be dead by my hand or the monk’s. It would not be worth pondering at all.”
I turned my gaze toward the opposite side of the shore. Nothing was visible yet, but I soon asked King Eunpyeong.
“King Eunpyeong.”
“Yes, Sect Leader.”
“Should I spare King Geumsan? What do you think?”
When I turned my head to look at King Eunpyeong, he was letting out a sigh.
“I’m not sure. You should see for yourself and decide. But it is more likely that he will not come.”
“Why?”
King Eunpyeong stared at me and said,
“Because there’s no money in it.”
“Do you people have no loyalty even between fellow disciples?”
“I imagine they would think money is more important, but even I no longer know.”
“Then King Geumsan must be absorbing your assets first.”
“Mm.”
I nodded.
“Those rushing here now must belong to the Life-Death Society. Surely he hasn’t sent subordinates again?”
Since nothing could be seen yet, the shining bald heads moved this way and that, trying to see who was coming.
I folded my arms, then turned my gaze toward the sea.
“Did he send his men one by one, only to finally step forward himself at the very end? That is the sort of behavior I despise most. If the Life-Death Society Leader is among them, then all of you should watch how the Life-Death Society Leader dies. King Eunpyeong, how do you think he will die?”
King Eunpyeong spoke in a cautious tone.
“I do not know.”
“He will die the most futile death under heaven.”
I said to the baldheads,
“There is no one in the martial world now who can match me.”
The Vice Society Leader asked me,
“Are you saying you are the greatest under heaven, Sect Leader?”
“Does it not seem that way?”
“Surely that cannot be.”
“Even with the truth before your eyes, you refuse to believe. Can you not, even once, abandon that attitude of believing only what you want to believe? I told you about my days as a tavern waiter, and now you look at me as if I’m nothing.”
Hearing the sound of hooves, I turned to see black horses lining up in rows as soon as they arrived. Looking at that sight, I immediately understood why State Preceptor Yan had placed himself under the Life-Death Society. They were closer to troops than martial artists.
“Vice Society Leader.”
“Speak.”
“I’ll let you go. Get lost over there. Go tell your Society Leader to abandon his vain delusions and surrender to the tavern waiter. Then tell him there is a very slim chance he may survive.”
I looked at the Vice Society Leader.
“Who knows? I am not the greatest under heaven, so your Society Leader might win. I’m letting you go, so get lost.”
The Vice Society Leader struggled to his feet and stared ahead with a weary expression. As though one leg had gone numb, he limped forward, then raised his voice.
“Society Leader, have you come?”
Someone’s voice came from somewhere.
“What on earth is that state you’re in? And what happened to State Preceptor Yan? The man called the greatest master of Yan has even had his hair shaved off. Do you think restoration is possible like that?”
State Preceptor Yan merely sighed and did not open his mouth. Vice Society Leader Song Gyeong answered.
“Society Leader, please surrender. Here stands the greatest under heaven, a man who began as a tavern waiter. He was not on a level we dared oppose.”
As soon as the Vice Society Leader finished speaking, he lowered his head deeply. Was it because the words he had uttered were pathetic? Or had he, too, let something go?
When the Life-Death Society Leader muttered something, one of his subordinates nocked an arrow. An arrow shot into the air traced a curve, then flew toward Song Gyeong, who stood there looking exhausted.
Song Gyeong stared blankly at the arrow, then reached out and snatched it. For someone who had starved for three days, it was quite a fine feat. Song Gyeong’s voice flowed out in a changed tone.
“Society Leader, is this your answer?”
“That is the answer.”
Song Gyeong flung the arrow to the ground, then spoke toward where the Life-Death Society Leader was.
“Society Leader, you have labored long.”
Song Gyeong bowed toward the Life-Death Society Leader. It looked like a farewell to those who would not believe, even with the truth before them.