Chapter 24
When Yeom Ja-ryang turned favorably toward Sa Bigang, the ripple effects reached even Deung Bu-hyeong.
The attitude of the Cheonhwa Trading Company, which had been providing subtle support until now, had completely changed.
The branch manager who had promised to give him a better treasured sword to replace his broken Jahanak-indo had barely been in contact since then.
Though he felt resentful, there was nothing he could do about it.
Because of this, Deung Bu-hyeong was subtly feeling around various influential figures to find other sponsors.
That’s when he formed a connection with Black Gratitude Gang.
Black Gratitude Gang happened to be desperate to be officially recognized as a righteous faction.
To smoothly lead their trading company and secure business connections everywhere, it was naturally advantageous to form ties with the Jeongdo Alliance.
During this time, Yeon U-gyeong came to visit.
“If you use Black Gratitude Gang well, you can impose severe disciplinary action on Instructor Sa, and you might receive even greater sponsorship yourself.”
Hearing Yeon U-gyeong’s secret plan, Deung Bu-hyeong slapped his knee.
Use Black Gratitude Gang to rob the Martial Arts Study Journey funds.
Of course, it would be troublesome to directly order it.
He just needed to subtly hint at his intentions.
If the quick-witted Black Gratitude Gang leader caught on, he would immediately spring into action.
They were people who had been distant from the righteous path to begin with.
They were the type who would act first if given sufficient compensation, even if the risk was high.
Yeon U-gyeong also laid the groundwork.
At the inn frequently visited by the sub-leader, he subtly spread word about when Yeom Ja-ryang would appear in the lower village with the funds.
A current instructor’s subtle acquiescence.
And reasonably reliable information.
For Black Gratitude Gang, it was an opportunity.
“But it’s too dangerous.”
The general manager tried to dissuade them.
However, the higher the risk, the greater the reward.
“If only the sub-leader could become an instructor…”
Deung Bu-hyeong also had close ties with Instructor Department Head Cheon Se-myeong, who had strong personnel authority.
In other words, if Deung Bu-hyeong gave a firm recommendation, it wasn’t impossible.
Eventually, Black Gratitude Gang made their move.
***
‘What a frightening child indeed.’
Deung Bu-hyeong downed his wine cup while lost in quiet thought.
Yeon U-gyeong.
The boy who had tormented and troubled various instructors.
Well, students these days were so cunning that if you weren’t careful, you’d end up getting thoroughly beaten instead.
‘In our time, we couldn’t even step on an instructor’s shadow. Truly, what troubled times.’
At least it was fortunate that Yeon U-gyeong treated him favorably.
Wi Sang-tak, who was pleasantly drunk, began to complain.
“Instructor Deung. Our Black Gratitude Gang receives so many misunderstandings. Sure, we did some unsavory work in the past, but nowadays it’s not like that anymore. We do good deeds in various ways too.”
“Haha. Isn’t Gang Leader’s virtue already famous?”
Famous my ass.
Deung Bu-hyeong inwardly sneered.
A rag is still a rag even after washing.
Would the Yellow River’s waters become clear even if they flowed for a hundred years?
Well, even so, having Black Gratitude Gang’s sub-leader become an instructor wouldn’t be bad for him either.
He would be easy to control, and he could personally receive continuous sponsorship.
“Here, take this. I’m truly grateful to Instructor Deung.”
“Rather, I’m the one who should be grateful.”
Wi Sang-tak chuckled and filled Deung Bu-hyeong’s cup with wine, then clapped his hands.
Then the door opened and someone entered carrying a long box.
“What’s this?”
“It’s a gift I’m giving to Instructor Deung.”
“A gift, you say…”
Deung Bu-hyeong slowly opened the box’s lid.
A scabbard engraved with golden patterns.
A handle adorned with red silk tassels.
A golden dragon was spiraling up the scabbard as if ascending to heaven.
“This is…!”
Deung Bu-hyeong’s eyes trembled.
Wi Sang-tak stroked his rough beard and continued.
“It’s something I obtained with great difficulty long ago. I heard that Instructor Deung had recently lost his treasured sword.”
“This is… isn’t this Seungryong-do (Dragon Ascending Blade)?”
“That’s right. Do you perhaps not like it?”
“No! How could that be! How could you give me such a precious treasured sword…!”
“Hehehe, the more precious a treasured sword is, the more it should find its rightful master. Now that sword has finally found its owner.”
Deung Bu-hyeong gulped down his dry saliva.
Seungryong-do.
It was a treasured sword comparable to Jahanak-indo.
No, there were more people who ranked it a grade higher than Jahanak-indo.
If Jahanak-indo gave off a calm and elegant impression, Seungryong-do exuded a splendid and dignified atmosphere.
Truly, if he wore it at his waist, he would surely draw everyone’s attention.
“Seungryong-do… may I touch it once?”
“Hehe. It’s already become Instructor Deung’s, so why are you asking me?”
Deung Bu-hyeong slowly drew out Seungryong-do.
Seureurreuk.
The sound of it being drawn from the scabbard echoed through the room.
‘Ah, how beautiful!’
Looking at the blade that gleamed with a cold light, Deung Bu-hyeong couldn’t help but admire it.
“I’m glad you like it.”
“Where in the world would you find someone who wouldn’t fall for Seungryong-do? Such a precious item, I’ll accept it with a grateful heart.”
“Though it’s quite insufficient, I hope you’ll understand my feelings at least a little.”
“What are you saying? If you ever have any favors to ask, please contact me, Deung So-and-so, anytime.”
“Hehehe! How reassuring…”
That’s when it happened.
Suddenly the door burst open and a man came rushing in breathlessly.
Wi Sang-tak wrinkled his forehead deeply, looking displeased.
“What are you doing? Right now I’m with Instructor Deung…”
“Something terrible has happened, Gang Leader!”
The man shouted urgently.
Sensing that something was seriously wrong, Wi Sang-tak glanced at Deung Bu-hyeong and then turned his head.
“What’s the matter?”
“Some man came and is turning the premises upside down.”
“A man? Who is he?”
“Well, we don’t know exactly either. He’s just causing such a ruckus demanding we pay back a debt…”
“Pay back a debt? What are you talking about!”
“I don’t know the details, but the sub-leader apparently borrowed money from that man…”
“What?”
Wi Sang-tak’s expression contorted with anger.
“Why would someone who has money overflowing do such a thing!”
“I don’t really know either…”
“Never mind! How many opponents are there?”
“Two… people.”
Bang!
Wi Sang-tak slammed the dining table.
“You can’t stop just two debt collectors and this is the result?”
“They use very strange martial arts… we simply couldn’t…”
“Pathetic fools! Where are they? I’ll go myself!”
“We’re sorry, Gang Leader.”
Wi Sang-tak shot up from his seat and bowed to Deung Bu-hyeong.
“I’m sorry about this, Instructor Deung. It seems there’s trouble at home.”
“Not at all. Any trouble for Gang Leader is the same as trouble for me. I’ll come with you.”
“That would make me feel too bad…”
“Don’t say such things. Aren’t Gang Leader and I already like brothers?”
Deung Bu-hyeong gripped Seungryong-do tightly as he answered.
“Thank you, Instructor Deung. You’re a great help.”
***
“What in the world is all this commotion?”
Black Gratitude Gang General Manager Man Hae-ryeok strode briskly following his subordinate, shouting irritably.
The subordinate following beside him explained the situation.
“We simply can’t handle it. He moves so quickly, appearing here and there…”
“No matter how that may be, how can you not subdue a single person and cause all this chaos!”
“Black Seal Hall Master stepped forward directly, but he collapsed without even properly crossing swords.”
Man Hae-ryeok stopped short and turned around.
“Black Seal Hall Master did, directly?”
“Y-yes, that’s right.”
Then this was no ordinary matter.
The opponent was at least a peak expert level fighter.
“Where is the Gang Leader?”
“He’s at the pleasure house, but he should have received a report by now.”
“What about the sub-leader?”
“He just arrived and is confronting that man.”
At those words, Man Hae-ryeok’s steps quickened even more.
Just as he turned around the corner of the building, the inner courtyard came into full view.
Man Hae-ryeok swallowed hard air and stopped short.
People lying scattered here and there with injuries.
They were all Black Gratitude Gang martial artists.
And two men standing in the center of the inner courtyard.
Among them, the man standing with his arms crossed facing the sub-leader must be the culprit.
“Sub-leader!”
Man Hae-ryeok quickly approached Wi Deok-cheon.
“General Manager, you’ve come?”
“I’m sorry, I should have paid more attention to our defenses…”
“Well, it’s fine. That man seems to have business with me anyway.”
Man Hae-ryeok looked at the man following Wi Deok-cheon’s gaze.
He shouted with feigned seriousness.
“You bastard! Who are you to dare cause such mayhem!”
“My name is Sa Bigang. I’m here to collect money borrowed from that man, and I’m saying this for exactly the fourth time.”
Sa Bigang stood upright and glared at Wi Deok-cheon.
Wi Deok-cheon flared up and shouted.
“Listen, I told you I never borrowed money from you!”
“Don’t be like that and think carefully. Don’t you really recognize this guy’s face?”
Sa Bigang patted Yeom Ja-ryang’s shoulder.
Wi Deok-cheon’s eyebrows slightly twisted.
‘How in the world did those bastards find me? But there’s no evidence whatsoever!’
As if hearing his inner thoughts, Sa Bigang threw two injured men in front of Wi Deok-cheon.
Thud! Thunk!
“Ugh.”
The two martial artists groaned and sprawled on the ground.
“That wound on that guy’s hand, and the stab wound carved into that guy’s thigh. Those are all this kid’s handiwork.”
Yeom Ja-ryang puffed out his chest and pretended to be confident.
But Wi Deok-cheon wouldn’t acknowledge it.
“Hmph! I don’t know what nonsense you’re spouting. These guys were injured sparring with each other.”
“This is why you shouldn’t lend money carelessly. Do you understand, Ja-ryang?”
“Yes, well…”
When Yeom Ja-ryang nodded his head in agreement, Wi Deok-cheon shouted again.
“Listen, I never borrowed money…!”
“We charge ten percent interest per day. But don’t worry too much since it’s not compound interest.”
“What? What kind of bullshit are you…?”
“It’s been two days since you borrowed it, so you need to pay a total of twenty percent interest. Oh, what time is it now?”
“It’s just past the Hour of the Rat (midnight).”
Yeom Ja-ryang replied.
Sa Bigang nodded and said nonchalantly.
“Then another day has passed, so you need to pay a total of thirty percent interest.”
“What the hell has this bastard been babbling about…”
“Ah, so why don’t you just admit it instead of dragging out time? You’ve just accumulated more interest. What a waste of money.”
“You crazy bastard! I can’t stand this anymore!”
Finally Wi Deok-cheon kicked off the ground and lunged toward Sa Bigang.
But just then.
“Stop!”
A booming shout.
“The Gang Leader has arrived!”
“It’s the Gang Leader!”
The Black Gratitude Gang martial artists looked around with joy.
Sure enough, Black Gratitude Gang Leader Wi Sang-tak strode through the main gate into the inner courtyard.
Perhaps being conscious of Deung Bu-hyeong who came with him, he maintained proper etiquette as he asked.
“Where have you come from, honored guest?”
Sa Bigang turned around.
Deung Bu-hyeong, who had come with him, opened his eyes wide.
“Wh… what…? Why is Instructor Sa… here?”
Sa Bigang frowned.
“I’m more curious about that. Why are you here, Instructor Deung?”
