"Urgh!"
The warrior clashed swords with the assailant, and the man grunted as he staggered back.
When he realized that the shock transmitted through the blade wasn't as overwhelming as he feared, confidence returned to the warrior's face.
'If it's like this… I can manage.'
For the past few years, he had undergone harsh training under Cho Mudo.
The men he fought at the marketplace before were much the same—but with this much, he believed he could hold his own even against two opponents.
The warrior shoved the sword-bearing assailant back with brute force, then swung at the other one who came charging with twin hojo (trident-like weapons).
Clang!
Kagak!
The warrior's blade slipped between the prongs of the hojo.
In that instant, the assailant twisted his hojo sideways, locking the sword in place so it couldn't escape.
"Tch…!"
"Kik, looks like you've never fought anyone wielding weapons other than swords, eh?"
Sensing the warrior's lack of experience, the assailant swung the other hojo at his sword arm.
Pchuk!
"Aaagh!"
A scream burst out as the blade pierced his arm, but the warrior clenched his teeth and endured.
These men had no hesitation about stabbing to kill.
If he showed fear and gave up here, the outcome was already set in stone.
"Haaah!"
Thud!
The warrior lashed out with a desperate kick, slamming his foot into the assailant's solar plexus.
The man staggered back from the impact, and the warrior seized the chance with a roar, yanking his arm free of the hojo.
"Hyaaaah!"
Shraaak!
"You bastard!"
The assailant he'd shoved away earlier rushed in again, sword swinging.
The warrior tried to block in a hurry, but blood pouring down from his arm weakened his strength.
Claaang!
"Urgh…!"
Groaning in pain, he lost balance and staggered back.
The assailant lunged, trying to finish him off.
"Die!"
Shhhk!
At the last instant, the warrior twisted his body desperately, and instead of his belly, his side split open.
Crimson blood soaked his robes in an instant.
But he grabbed the attacker's wrist and swung his sword in return.
"Hyaaaah!"
Slice!
Splatter!
"Guaagh!"
The assailant screamed as his chest was cut open, blood pouring out while he stumbled backward.
But the warrior wasn't in condition to press his advantage either—he stood gasping, barely holding a defensive stance.
"Huff…! Huff…!"
"Y-you… bastard…"
The wounded assailant pressed his bleeding chest to staunch it, lips trembling.
The one with the hojo clicked his tongue as he glanced back at his comrade.
"Tsk. Is it deep?"
"D… don't talk to me…"
"Hmm…"
He gave his comrade a fleeting glance, then turned back to the warrior.
Blood streamed down from the man's side and right arm—if pressed harder, his life could be ended easily.
And yet…
'…That gaze is still alive.'
Those eyes brimmed with the will to counterattack no matter what.
To kill someone like that meant being ready to take an injury yourself.
"…Let's go."
"What? You're just going to leave him in that state?"
"Our mission was only to hold him here, wasn't it?"
The man answered indifferently, then pulled back without hesitation.
"The job's done. No reason to risk more. Besides, people will be swarming here soon."
"Tch…"
Though displeased, his comrade sheathed his weapon and retreated as well.
Moments later, when the distant murmur of people gathering reached their ears, they leapt away, vanishing from the alley.
"Kugh…!"
Tatadat!
Seeing them gone, the warrior bit down and sprinted off in the opposite direction.
From their conversation, it seemed there could be more of their allies nearby.
"Master Go! Where are you?!"
The warrior shouted as he ran through the alleys, searching for Go Seok-jeong.
And then—he froze.
"Th… this is…!"
On the ground lay a worn old book.
It was the very volume Go Seok-jeong had been holding so dearly when leaving the Yongmyeong Merchant Guild.
"No…!"
His knees weakened, nearly giving way.
But he snapped out of it, snatched up the book, and sprinted madly toward the guild.
Tatatatat!
Throb, throb.
"Huff! Huff!"
Pain burned through his arm and side, but he ignored it.
All that drove him was urgency—his face twisted with desperation as he ran.
***
"What did you just say?!"
Receiving Gal Pyeong's report, the Black Danju—Geo Ung-do, called Iron Tyrant (Cheolpae)—contorted his fierce face in rage.
"The wife, the son… even high-ranking officials you ignored. And instead you abduct the mere teacher of the young guild master?!"
"N-not just any teacher, sir. He's the one who served the young master since childhood—for nearly ten years."
"Tch…! Ten years, twenty years—still nothing but an outsider to the guild!"
Bang!
His fist slammed the stone table, sending Gal Pyeong's face pale with fear.
"That's not so, sir. He cannot be disregarded. I found out that Go Seok-jeong was once a high-ranking official in the imperial court."
"…What? A former high official?"
"Yes! And now he's gone missing on the road to Yongmyeong Guild. If he dies after we make no ransom demands? Do you know the uproar that will follow? To avoid backlash, they'll have no choice but to pay."
"Hmm…"
Iron Tyrant stroked his chin, calming somewhat at the unexpected revelation.
"But… if he's that sort of man, won't it bring us trouble later?"
"No need to worry. There's no evidence it was us. And by custom, the court does not intervene in martial world affairs. As long as we leave no proof, they won't act rashly."
"Hrmm…"
The reasoning sounded convincing. After a deep breath, Iron Tyrant slowly nodded.
"…Very well. I'll trust your scheme."
"Thank you!"
"But if this goes wrong, the blame is yours alone. Be it your life or otherwise."
"Of course, sir."
Gal Pyeong forced a reply, sweat trickling down his back.
The matter seemingly settled, Iron Tyrant leaned back in his stone chair.
"Put men on the old man. Guard him thoroughly. If he escapes, all this is wasted."
"Yes, sir!"
Relieved, Gal Pyeong bowed.
Thudat.
"Lord Danju, are you inside?"
"Who is it?"
"It's Ga Cheon."
"Enter."
Clack!
The door opened immediately, and a man with a scruffy beard walked in.
"I have a report. The old man Chief Gal kidnapped—he just woke up."
"Oh?"
"Yes. And he demands to see you, sir…"
"Tch."
Iron Tyrant clicked his tongue.
"Plenty make such demands. And you bother me with this?"
"But… this one's different."
"…Different?"
"Yes. He threatened to bite off his own tongue if he's not allowed to meet you. He actually tried, so we forced a gag into his mouth."
"…What?"
Iron Tyrant's eyes widened.
Captives demanding an audience were common.
But one willing to maim himself to do so—that was rare indeed.
"Heh… so he really was an imperial official. His guts are no joke."
He chuckled in disbelief, then waved dismissively.
"No need to bring him. Just keep him bound so he can't harm himself. We can't have the ransom spoiled."
"Understood."
"Until we get the money, take extra care."
"Yes, sir!"
Ga Cheon bowed and left.
Iron Tyrant turned back to Gal Pyeong.
"Anyway, since he's an ex-official, we gain nothing from delay. Prepare negotiations with Yongmyeong Guild within three days."
"Yes, sir!"
It was going smoothly so far—but the final hurdle remained.
Gal Pyeong bowed, tension flickering again across his face.
***
"What… did you just say?"
"I—I'm sorry. Forgive me."
Cheon Wuha's face twitched in disbelief as he listened.
The warrior who had accompanied Go Seok-jeong stood before him, pale.
"It was… my failure."
Srrrk.
With those words, he offered the blood-soaked, battered book he carried.
Cheon Wuha accepted the old volume—creased from countless readings—and bit his lip.
'…I was complacent.'
No—foolish.
If the enemy had set their sights on Go Seok-jeong, at least three guards were needed.
At minimum, he should have asked Cho Mudo or Jang Uibo to accompany him.
'I let peace dull me…'
Such a mistake would never have happened to the Ghost of the Heavenly Martial God in his previous life.
Suppressing self-loathing, Wuha steadied his breath and looked at the wounded man.
A deep gash bled from his side, his right arm pierced by the hojo—proof of a desperate fight.
"…Get treatment first."
"No, I must help find Master Go—"
"That's my duty."
"…."
"By bringing me the news, you've already done what you must."
The warrior's eyes trembled, but Wuha nodded calmly, then turned to Cheon Myeonghak, whose face was equally stricken.
"Father, from this moment, forbid everyone from leaving the guild grounds."
"But… shouldn't we focus on finding Master Go first?"
"The abductors only want ransom. Until negotiations are over, his life is safe."
His reasoning was cold and precise. Cheon Myeonghak nodded.
Indeed, there was no reason to abduct Go Seok-jeong for mere vengeance.
"Very well. Then what's next—"
"I must interrogate the captured ones myself."
Cheon Wuha gazed off into the distance, as though seeing through the unseen enemy.
"I will find their hideout."
"…I understand."
Myeonghak nodded at the calm tone.
But Wuha's eyes, hidden in the dark, glimmered with killing intent—deeper than rage.
'…You force me.'
Clench.
'To break my vow.'
For an instant, the face of Saumyung—the Ghost of the Heavenly Martial God—flickered across Wuha's features.
***
Creak.
Step, step.
In a dark warehouse, a bound figure opened his eyes at the sound of approaching footsteps.
Thick ropes tied his body, his face pale, his martial robes stained with blood.
And where his right arm should have been—nothing.
It was Gwanghyeol Sword, captured after losing to Cheon Wuha.
"…Who's there?"
His voice rasped like rusted iron from long disuse.
As his eyes adjusted to the dark, the small figure of Cheon Wuha appeared before him.
"Heh… this is unexpected."
He chuckled weakly, surprised.
"Young guild master, what business do you have… with me—"
"I have a question."
Wuha's cold, emotionless voice cut him off.
"Where is your hideout?"
"…What? Hideout?"
The man raised an eyebrow, then let out a low chuckle.
"Kuhuhu… so that's why you're here. Didn't your men already squeal?"
"Since you were captured, it's obvious you wouldn't still use that same hideout."
"…You know well. And so what?"
"I heard you are the Danju's right hand."
"…."
"If things go wrong, surely you know at least one fallback den. Don't you?"
Wuha's sharp words made the man's eyes gleam.
"You… what are you really?"
"…."
"Heh. Doesn't matter. Whoever told you, it seems I've gained a chance to bargain."
A sly smile spread as he asked:
"And what will you give… in exchange for my answer—"
Srrrk.
Before he could finish, Wuha's hand reached out, seizing his ear.
Rip!
Without hesitation, Wuha tore the man's ear clean off.
"Guaaagh!"
Clamp!
"Be silent."
Wuha pressed the half-torn ear with one hand, clamped his mouth shut with the other, and whispered coldly:
"If you make another sound, I'll rip out your tongue next."
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