Chapter 16

16. The Threat of Two Weeks (1)

Chaseungtae asked,

“Now that your house has burned down completely, where will you sleep from now on?”

“I have a room at the brothel, so why are you asking?”

“Of course, I was going to suggest that you use the best room where the brothel owners used to stay. There were three of them, so there are three good rooms.”

“I’ll just go into any room and sleep. Get rid of those guys first.”

Chaseungtae said in a threatening tone to the men kneeling before him,

“You shouldn’t go to Sihwalou today. Stay at Meihualou. I’ll see you later.”

“Yes.”

These were all locals who had families in Ilyang County, so they couldn't run away.

As the ruffians disappeared, looking intimidated, Chaseungtae looked at me.

“Is there anything else you want to say?”

I glanced at the ashes of Jaha Guesthouse and said,

“Rebuild Jaha Guesthouse. I’m not joking when I say to restore it.”

“I will remember that.”

“While rebuilding, if there’s a man skilled in construction, keep an eye on him and tell me. He will be the leader of the Construction Division.”

“The Construction Division?”

“The brothel’s Reform Division will be led by you, the Metal Division by Uncle Jincheolyong, and the leader of the Construction Division will manage the men who build and live in the buildings.”

“The Reform Division, Construction Division, Metal Division... Are there more?”

“There will be more. First, they will enter the Reform Division, and then they can move to the Construction Division or Metal Division based on what they want to do.”

Hao Gate is basically an organization designed to help people find work and make a living.

To survive, one must work.

If there’s no work, Hao Gate will provide jobs.

This is the fundamental reason for establishing the gate.

In the process, resolving disputes and bullying will be the personal ambition of the gate leader.

I plan to become stronger amidst fulfilling this personal ambition and repay all the debts from my previous life.

Chaseungtae replied,

“Oh... That’s not bad. Is it like a federation?”

I responded in a low tone,

“It’s just a union of ordinary workers.”

Chaseungtae smiled awkwardly, different from his usual demeanor.

“It’s not bad. But if the scale grows, the discipline and atmosphere will become chaotic.”

“It doesn’t matter. Even if it becomes chaotic.”

“It’s an organization, after all.”

I was an enemy of the martial arts alliance and the demon sect, known for their strict discipline in the martial world. Naturally, there was no need to follow their example in forming an organization.

“The organization I create just needs to last long in the martial world. That’s enough. I’m not trying to create a grand empire, but a chaotic force that will last the longest in this crazy martial world.”

Chaseungtae swallowed his curses.

‘What nonsense.’

Of course, once Hao Gate is established, I plan to start other projects.

“Will the Black Cat Gang just sit idly by?”

In response to Chaseungtae’s question, I smiled and replied,

“The organization is so chaotic that they might not know where to start. That’s the key. Everyone just does what they can to survive. The backlash will focus on the leader of Hao Gate.”

“What about a military organization?”

“That will require a skilled man. It’s a future matter.”

“Hmm.”

Once there are enough skilled men, we can create a Killing Division.

So, I am currently the sole leader of the Killing Division.

The members below me are the skilled men I know from the future, and recruiting them is my responsibility.

Additionally, I plan to gather those skilled in gathering information and form the Listening Division.

In this way, the Life Division, Metal Division, Construction Division, Killing Division, Listening Division...

I plan to continuously expand the lower-level organizations.

Then, I will leave them to manage their own affairs as much as possible. It will be a chaotic organization with no plan and no discipline, only contacting each other when necessary.

I just want to ensure that no one starves to death.

I think this crazy project can only be done by me in the martial world... perhaps.

When problems arise, the major forces in the martial world will seek out the leader of Hao Gate, and I will step in then.

At that time, I will go berserk, just like I did when I became a public enemy of the martial world in my previous life.

I believe it’s good for this ruthless martial world to have at least one man who goes berserk when the weak are harmed.

This is all I want.

Given my crazy personality, it’s only a matter of time before I become a public enemy of the martial world again.

Therefore, I plan to grow alongside Hao Gate.

Chaseungtae, whose expression had changed from his usual, suddenly spoke informally to me.

“Jaha, can I say something?”

“Go ahead.”

Chaseungtae said with a strange expression,

“I apologize for the past. I misjudged you. I even thought there might be a high-level expert behind you, but it seems that’s not the case. You’ve just changed.”

“...Is that it?”

Chaseungtae nodded and asked,

“That’s it. What will the name of our union be?”

“Hao Gate.”

Hao Gate was the first organization I created. Naturally, it was not a sect that Chaseungtae knew at this time.

Chaseungtae slightly bowed his head and said in a low voice,

“Hao Gate. Should I call you Gate Leader from now on?”

Chaseungtae’s tone had changed. I nodded and replied,

“Do as you please.”

Chaseungtae asked casually,

“Why did you save me? I don’t understand the reason.”

“To torment you a bit.”

Chaseungtae immediately understood.

“I see. It’s better than dying. I understand.”

That’s right.

Life is like that.

I glanced at the ashes of Jaha Guesthouse and stood up.

“Let’s go.”

Chaseungtae, who quickly composed himself, changed his tone and replied,

“Let’s go, Gate Leader.”

* * *

I wandered around the empty site of Jaha Guesthouse like a jobless young man or went into an empty room at the brothel to practice the Golden Cage Leisure Technique.

I need to accumulate as much inner energy as possible.

I experienced in my previous life that a little bit of inner energy could save my life.

I didn’t just practice inner energy.

I also consistently refined my palm and finger techniques.

However, using my legs was difficult because my joints in my waist, legs, and knees had stiffened during my time as a waiter.

Therefore, I spent 80% of my time practicing the Golden Cage Leisure Technique and 20% on external techniques, immersing myself in training.

During this time, Chaseungtae handled all external matters.

I didn’t deeply trust Chaseungtae.

Chaseungtae didn’t particularly like me either.

However, we just got along well enough as time passed.

Chaseungtae introduced a young architect who had recently gained a name and commissioned him to rebuild Jaha Guesthouse. Before the architect’s inspection, the ruffians and men who had nothing to do worked together to rebuild the outer walls of Jaha Guesthouse.

About twenty days passed in the blink of an eye.

Through Chaseungtae’s report, I learned that the Black Cat Gang had come. On one hand, I thought it was natural for them to come.

“Who came?”

“...The men who used to be entertained by the Zhao brothers. They went to Ihuarou last night and heard about the recent events. They were the ones who were always entertained by the Zhao brothers.”

“How many?”

“Two. I’ve already led them to Meihualou. How should we prepare?”

“We need to meet them.”

Chaseungtae asked with a troubled expression,

“Are you going to fight?”

“Maybe they’ll ask for a tribute. Or they might overlook the death of the brothel owners if we join the Black Cat Gang and pay proper respects. They might start with something like that.”

“What if they say that? We can’t fight the Black Cat Gang right now.”

“I can, but you can’t.”

“Are we all going to die?”

“They’ll try to kill me first, but I won’t die. Where is Meihualou?”

“It’s on the third floor. But maybe we should try to talk it out...”

“Let’s see and decide. Can we even talk it out? I killed all three Zhao brothers.”

“That’s true. But they might just want money since they are greedy for it.”

“Oh, those kinds of men?”

I was momentarily lost in old thoughts.

“Money...”

I knew a bit about the Black Cat Gang members who frequently visited Ilyang County during this period.

Since the person in charge didn’t suddenly change, as it did in the future I knew,

I recalled the faces of a few men known for their greed for money.

* * *

Chaseungtae bowed and said,

“Then let’s have a talk.”

I entered Meihualou and sat down in an empty seat. The two men slowly examined me as if dissecting me, then introduced themselves.

“I am Jeon Bong from the Golden Phoenix Hall of the Black Cat Gang.”

“I am Han Gowook from the Golden Phoenix Hall.”

Jeon Bong and Han Gowook introduced themselves in a domineering tone, which was understandable since they didn’t consider the Zhao brothers important.

They were indeed the tax collectors of the Black Cat Gang that I knew.

The title of tax collector sounds impressive, but in reality, they were just collectors of money, not particularly skilled.

Meeting them in person after a long time, I felt a mix of familiarity and rising killing intent, which I had to suppress.

The reason for the rising killing intent was simple.

Jaha Guesthouse was burned down by their successor or colleague.

Now, I was meeting them earlier than in my previous life, but they were still the tax collectors.

Jeon Bong continued,

“Recently, it’s said that you killed the Zhao brothers recklessly. Is that true?”

I glared at the two men and replied,

“It’s true.”

“Why? Explain in detail.”

When asked to explain in detail, I lost all desire to do so.

“They tried to kill me, so I killed them. I was more skilled, so they had to die.”

As I continued to glare, Jeon Bong and Han Gowook felt the atmosphere was strange.

I continued in a harsher tone,

“And why should I explain in detail to you, who are not judges? Are you related to the Zhao brothers? I don’t think so.”

Jeon Bong and Han Gowook looked at each other.

The silence was filled with a sense of absurdity.

“...”

I looked at the two men.

“What? Speak up.”

If Jeon Bong and Han Gowook attacked me now, I would have to kill them on the spot.

A long silence ensued.

These two men collected tribute in Ilyang County.

They had accumulated considerable wealth through embezzlement and had completed their tribute to the Black Cat Gang, advancing to middle management in the outer division. This meant they had advanced through administrative tasks rather than pure martial prowess.

In short, they were money-obsessed monkeys.

Jeon Bong spoke,

“You killed those we allowed to establish a sect.”

I replied indifferently,

“So what?”

“If this report goes to the Black Cat Gang, you won’t survive. You’ve interfered with the Black Cat Gang’s affairs. Do you want us to report it as is?”

These men seemed to have only money on their minds. Even in this situation, they were willing to speak well of me if I bribed them.

“I understand. I’ll give you a bribe. Let’s have a drink first. Madam Son?”

Madam Son opened the door of Meihualou and stared at me.

“...”

“Bring out that crippled dujiangzhu. Bring some snacks on your own.”

Madam Son nodded and left.

The crippled dujiangzhu refers to a third-rank dujiangzhu.

These men won’t pay for the drinks, so it would be a waste to serve them first-rank dujiangzhu.

The woman, who seemed to be in charge of hospitality, left without a word.

Jeon Bong, curious, asked,

“Is that woman mute?”

“No way.”

“Then why doesn’t she speak?”

“Once, I told her I’d tear her mouth if she spoke out of turn, and she’s been like this ever since.”

“...”

I glared at the two men and pointed to my mouth.

“In the martial world, whether you’re a man or a woman, you need to be careful with your words. Don’t you think?”

The two men avoided my gaze for a moment. The two men, who had intended to pressure me for money, had to adjust their strategy.