Chapter 32. An Axe is Best for Setting the Mood.

The reason I returned to Chunyang Restaurant is simple.

I haven't eaten yet.

"If you keep eating all the ingredients, what will you make the soup with? You said the noodles were all gone earlier. Are you going to run your business like this?"

Jang Deoksu replied.

"The noodles haven't run out yet."

"You said they were gone earlier."

"That's a lie."

"The leader of the restaurant starts lying as soon as he opens his mouth. Give me a bowl."

I took a pork rib from the bowl and placed it in my own, then took another from So Gunpyeong and sat opposite him.

As I started to eat the pork rib with my hands, Jang Deoksu asked,

"Is that enough? Should I cook some noodles?"

"It's fine, let's just eat."

As I started to tear the meat off the pork rib, Jang Deoksu also began to eat. With two people tearing at the pork ribs, So Gunpyeong had no choice but to finish his as well.

The pork fat stuck to our hands.

While eating the pork ribs, I asked So Gunpyeong,

"Is it good?"

"It's really good."

"This is something only regular customers get, but you're not a regular. Why are you eating it?"

So Gunpyeong suddenly clutched his chest as if his stomach was upset.

Jang Deoksu clicked his tongue and scolded me,

"Jazha, they say even a dog doesn't bother someone while they're eating. Let's eat in peace."

I kept tearing off the meat and replied,

"This guy came to deal with me. I saved him. But he doesn't want to join Haomen. He's eating the special dish here that regulars can't often get. Is this how the code of the martial world should fall?"

I suddenly noticed the Yalaide sword So Gunpyeong had placed on the table. Since it was a fairly famous sword from Heidao, I suddenly wanted to take a look.

"Let me see the sword. Give it to me."

So Gunpyeong, looking surprised, said,

"I can't give it to you. It's like my life."

"I won't take it. I just want to look."

So Gunpyeong tensed up as if his lover was being forcibly taken away, then carefully pushed the Yalaide towards me, looking as if he was giving away his life.

I casually wiped the oil from my hands on my clothes, then, after completely removing the oil, drew the Yalaide and admired the sharp blade.

"It's a good sword."

I infused a bit of my inner energy into my finger and flicked the blade.

*Clang*!

"Solid and elastic..."

So Gunpyeong, whose inner strength was far inferior to mine, would have had his kitchen knife cut like a dumpling if I had been careless.

I returned the Yalaide to So Gunpyeong and said,

"A rare treasure sword."

So Gunpyeong nodded at my casual comment.

"Yes."

"But it's become worse than a kitchen knife. Hahaha."

As I burst into laughter, Jang Deoksu, who had been watching the fight, also laughed loudly.

"Ha-ha-ha-ha-ha."

But when Jang Deoksu met So Gunpyeong's eyes, he was startled and abruptly stopped laughing.

I glared at So Gunpyeong and said,

"Who told you to glare at the owner of my regular restaurant?"

"I wasn't glaring, just looking."

"Look nicely."

"Understood."

We resumed tearing at the pork ribs.

I have always thought about the relationship between weapons and people.

In my opinion...

A martial artist who isn't very skilled but has a very good weapon is likely to die a violent death.

Because they will be killed by a master who covets their weapon.

On the other hand, a martial artist who has a weapon far inferior to their skill is also likely to die a violent death.

Because they will lose due to the inferiority of their weapon when facing an equal.

Having a weapon that is too good to handle is a problem.

Not being able to obtain a weapon that matches one's skill is also a problem.

Life in the martial world is full of such problems.

From this perspective, So Gunpyeong and the Yalaide were a good match. The weapon looked like something used by the Southern Barbarians or bandits.

After finishing the pork ribs, I asked So Gunpyeong,

"You don't have a place to go, do you?"

"...I have something to think about for a while."

"Do you have subordinates left in the Black Cat Gang?"

"Yes."

"Were you close to them?"

After staring at me for a moment, So Gunpyeong answered,

"I consider some of them as brothers."

"Ah."

"You may not know, but most of the people in the Black Cat Gang now are those who surrendered to the Great Monastery when the previous leader was killed. I was the same. We had no choice. The Great Monastery killed most of the leaders as an example. At least the Golden Dragon Pavilion suffered less and didn't mix with the people the Great Monastery later sent in."

I replied with a serious expression,

"How did you survive?"

"I wasn't a leader then."

I thought this guy was really lucky.

I'm not particularly afraid of the Twelve Generals, but the Great Monastery is a bit different. He has been in the martial world for decades and has survived until now.

The reason I can't accurately gauge his strength is that in my previous life, the Great Monastery was killed by the Poison Demon, not by me.

I recalled the story of the Poison Demon I had heard before and reviewed various plans.

If So Gunpyeong doesn't return, the Black Cat Gang leader will likely appear in person. I don't like being ambushed. I decided it would be better to meet the Black Cat Gang leader before he comes to Il-yang.

"So Gunpyeong."

"Yes?"

"Take me to the Black Cat Gang a little later."

So Gunpyeong's eyes widened.

"Are you saying we should go together?"

"Listen carefully. I'm being serious. If I go alone, not only the leader but also the Black Cat Gang members might die. If the fight escalates, you should intervene at the right moment to ensure your subordinates don't die. This is my best option."

If I kill all of So Gunpyeong's subordinates, he won't become my subordinate. The best option is to kill only the Black Cat Gang leader.

But how can I accurately predict the outcome of a fight with the Black Path?

So Gunpyeong, confused, asked,

"When will you go?"

"I'll go to the iron foundry to get a good weapon and then come back. When I return, we'll go immediately. You wait here."

Jang Deoksu asked,

"A good weapon for setting the mood? What is that?"

I stood up and replied briefly,

"An axe."

Jang Deoksu soon realized that someone's head would be split by the axe.

* * *

"Leader, you've come."

As I appeared at Longtou Iron Foundry, Jin Chelyong greeted me.

"Did you come because of the madman?"

"No."

"Then you must have come for another fight."

I answered Jin Chelyong honestly,

"The Black Cat Gang sent an assassin. I plan to send one too."

"An assassin? Who?"

I pointed to my chest with my thumb.

"Me. What about the madman? I'm not complaining, just curious."

Jin Chelyong crossed his arms and said,

"The deputy leader said he would go south to visit the Baiyue Black Market to find good iron. Sometimes finding good iron is harder than making a good sword. He might bring good news."

The Baiyue Black Market is a closed market operated by the Yue ethnic group.

In other words, they don't buy or sell to martial artists from the Central Plains. If the deputy leader went there, it means he is of Yue origin.

"Anyway, if you plan to go as an assassin, what kind of weapon do you need?"

"Give me a large axe. The bigger and heavier, the better."

"I've never heard of an assassin using an axe."

"The better the assassin, the less they are bound by weapons. Only the mediocre use chopsticks to fight."

"I see. Leader, I have a thought. Would you mind giving me your opinion?"

"Sure, go ahead."

"What if Haomen also operates a black market? It might be more profitable than the iron foundry. These days, we keep getting fewer jobs."

"Don't do it."

"Understood."

Jin Chelyong gave up quickly but seemed curious about the reason.

"Do you have a reason for saying no?"

"Someone who is hesitant to make swords, how can they run a black market that deals with martial artists? The black market is about making money while cleaning up bodies. Can you handle it?"

"What if Haomen becomes stronger in the future?"

"Even then, no."

Haomen has its limits. To survive long and strong, it's right to respect those limits.

Jin Chelyong smiled and said,

"Understood."

"Rather, it would be better to ask Lian Zicheng of Zhucheng for help. The iron foundry's technology is used a lot in construction equipment, machinery, and materials."

Originally, the small organizations of Haomen can help each other, as long as the commission fees are appropriate and transparent.

Jin Chelyong's face lit up.

"Why didn't I think of that? Understood. Bring a large axe to our leader quickly."

While waiting for the axe, Jin Chelyong asked,

"How do you plan to deal with the Black Cat Gang? Do you plan to gather swordsmen like Seong Tae and go?"

"I'll go alone. And my return might be delayed."

Jin Chelyong stared at me and said,

"Don't die. If anything happens to our leader, at least our Chelyong Gang will attack the Black Cat Gang."

"I won't die, but I'll take your concern."

I don't know martial arts, just as Jin Chelyong doesn't know about weapons.

As we looked at each other and nodded a few times, a large, menacing axe with a dragon head handle arrived. It looked like a fine axe, but the joints seemed a bit unstable.

'I'll have to use it carefully.'

Still, it had a terrifying appearance that would fit someone like Li Kui from Water Margin or Shuhuang from The Water Margin, which I liked.

...

"So Gunpyeong, lead the way."

So Gunpyeong, who had been waiting at Chunyang Restaurant, jumped up in surprise.

"Really going together?"

"Of course, together, not with three."

I slung the large axe over my shoulder and said goodbye to Jang Deoksu.

"Brother Deoksu, if I'm late, tell Seong Tae."

Jang Deoksu, with a worried look, replied,

"What should I tell him?"

I thought for a moment and said,

"Tell him not to fool around and to write a detailed report. I can't promise when I'll return."

I have a rough plan for dealing with the Black Cat Gang, but it doesn't give a clear return time.

I'll have to see what happens when I get there.

Jang Deoksu said,

"Are you going too quickly?"

"Surprise attacks are always quick."

And I need to attack to ensure the safety of Il-yang.

After saying goodbye to Jang Deoksu, I moved quickly with So Gunpyeong, pointing to Zixia Guesthouse, which was under construction.

"This will be Haomen's main base in the future."

So Gunpyeong, without thinking, replied, then stopped in his tracks when he saw the construction site.

'What, is it this big?'

After taking a few steps, I called out to So Gunpyeong, who wasn't following.

"What are you doing? Lead the way."

"Sorry. You must be incredibly rich, I didn't see it that way..."

"Me?"

"Who else is here?"

"Gunpyeong, do I look like a good guy?"

"What do you mean?"

I pointed to the construction site and said,

"We're building this with your slush fund."

"Huh?"

"Your money. Black Cat Gang money, Black Cat Gang slush fund, Golden Dragon Pavilion leader's slush fund, money extorted from the weak, and even brothel owners' money. Anyway, that money is being used for this. Follow me and watch how I shake down the Black Path. Let's go."

As I moved quickly again, So Gunpyeong hurriedly followed.