Chapter 9

9. What is the name of our alliance?

I showed the sickle at my waist to Geum Cheolyong and said,

"I shed some blood at Meihuaru."

"Really, how many did you kill?"

"No one died."

Geum Cheolyong tilted his head.

"Fortunately. But did you learn martial arts?"

"Since I learned, the noodles must have tasted that way."

"Convincing. Still, your grandfather lived a quiet life, just boiling noodles, so this is quite unusual. If the Cho brothers keep harassing you, I'll mediate. Their bullying is getting worse day by day. If they don't accept mediation, I'll protect you here. There's no need to make a big deal out of it. No matter how much the pillar men brag, as long as I'm here at Yongdu Iron Foundry, they can't do anything to you."

'Does Uncle Geum have this side? Surprising. Why didn't he do anything in my previous life?'

Recalling my memories, Geum Cheolyong had suffered the first defeat at a slightly different time, but he was a man who kept his word.

I smiled at Geum Cheolyong's offer and replied,

"Thank you for your kindness."

"Not at all."

I continued in a serious tone, which I hadn't used in a long time.

"I plan to establish a sect in Ilyang County and start from there. It will be a sect with subordinate organizations. The first force to be formed will be the Reformation Sect, centered around the people who worked at the brothel. Uncle Geum, instead of the iron foundry, let's create a sect and form an alliance. Of course, I will be the leader of the alliance."

"We are already an iron foundry force, why a sect?"

"Unite all the nearby iron foundry forces and establish the Iron Dragon Sect (鐵龍門). This can't go on. If the Cho brothers establish a sect, the tribute will increase. I will establish an alliance sect in Ilyang County to prevent nearby black society sects from extorting money here."

"What exactly is an alliance sect?"

"Integrate the people from the brothel into the Reformation Sect, and the various iron foundries into the Iron Dragon Sect. The construction will be the Construction Sect. After integrating the remaining forces based on their professions, I will take charge of the unified organization. This isn't about going around and causing trouble."

Geum Cheolyong listened to me with a serious expression.

"There will be no tribute. No hierarchical relationships either. Of course, the internal atmosphere will be chaotic, but that's fine. All I want is for everyone to keep the money they earn through hard work and not have it taken away. We will expand our influence across the entire Central Plains, starting as a network and spreading throughout the martial world. If this alliance reduces the harassment of servants, the weak, and merchants, then my intention will be fulfilled. It will be an alliance that protects the hard-earned money of those at the bottom."

Geum Cheolyong pondered my words for a long time before finally responding.

"Your plan is both crude and grand. What will the alliance be called?"

I met Geum Cheolyong's gaze and replied,

"Xiaowu Sect (下汚門)."

Geum Cheolyong crossed his arms and stared at me for a long time.

"Xiaowu Sect...?"

* * *

Low (下), the bottom, dirty, filthy (汚).

This combination of meanings ultimately refers to the weak with low status, who are everywhere. However, the name Xiaowu Sect, which includes the character for 'sect' (門), has a twist.

Geum Cheolyong remained silent, and the entire Yongdu Iron Foundry became quiet. After a long deliberation, Geum Cheolyong spoke to me.

"It's quite surprising that a servant is establishing a sect. Do you have the confidence to survive against the Cho brothers?"

"You'll see."

Geum Cheolyong turned to Deputy Fangzhu Gwak Yonggai and said,

"Give him all the weapons for free."

Gwak Yonggai was taken aback and asked,

"Free? Not for rent?"

Geum Cheolyong frowned and glared at Gwak Yonggai.

"What nonsense are you spouting to the Sect Master? How dare you?"

Gwak Yonggai quickly bowed and replied,

"Sorry."

Indeed, Geum Cheolyong's pretense was unique.

Geum Cheolyong continued with a serious expression,

"Our next conversation will be after you survive."

"Agreed."

"If you need help, let me know in advance."

"A few excessive weapons will be enough."

"Praise? Or sarcasm?"

"A little sarcasm."

"..."

I engaged in a brief staring contest with Geum Cheolyong, then gathered the weapons and left the Yongdu Iron Foundry.

After the man who got the weapons for free left, this conversation took place in the Yongdu Iron Foundry.

"Do you think he'll survive?"

"The servant had a plan. He might survive."

"Surprising that a guy who can't even make noodles properly has such a plan."

"Indeed. Maybe he was so focused on martial arts training that the noodles tasted so bad."

"That's true. How could that be noodles? Business was so bad that it was bound to fail soon."

"Then the inn's decline was part of the plan."

"Should we have charged for the weapons? I'm a bit regretful."

"Anyway, we gave him the ones that don't sell well. We made them too excessive."

Geum Cheolyong smiled contentedly.

"Good. You gained the servant's favor while clearing out inventory. It wasn't a loss."

"That's true. By the way, Sect Master?"

"Survive first to be a Sect Master. Right now, you're just a servant."

Suddenly, laughter echoed from the Yongdu Iron Foundry.

"Ha ha ha ha ha."

"Shut up."

"Yes."

The laughter abruptly stopped.

Gwak Yonggai asked Geum Cheolyong,

"Big brother, what are you thinking so seriously?"

Geum Cheolyong stroked his chin and replied,

"Iron Dragon Sect."

Geum Cheolyong, lost in thought, repeated,

"Iron Dragon Sect Master Geum Cheolyong."

* * *

I placed the weapons I brought from the Yongdu Iron Foundry and the blood-stained sickle on the table, and put the dagger at my waist.

There was no need to practice with the sword and whip, but I needed to memorize their weight and feel.

After familiarizing myself with the weapons, I entered a small room. Since the Cho brothers might come, I didn't meditate but focused on my breathing with my eyes closed.

About two hours later, a voice was heard at the inn's entrance.

It was filled with fatigue.

When I went outside, I saw Cho Yigyeol, the second of the Cho brothers, sitting in a chair, and his subordinates, wearing black masks, were waiting with shovels and burlap bags.

Cho Yigyeol was thinner and more nervous than I remembered. Before, he just avoided eye contact, but now he looked ridiculous.

He seemed to have arrived late after receiving a report from Cha Seongtae and had clearly been drinking.

Cho Yigyeol ordered his subordinates as I approached.

"Keep digging. Deeply."

"Yes, Lord."

Cho Yigyeol pulled out a dagger from his coat and stabbed it into the table, saying,

"Sit."

Stabbing a dagger into the table is a common way for parties in a dispute to choose a fight to resolve their issues.

It's a form of life-or-death duel.

I also stabbed the Yunlong Dagger into the table and sat opposite him.

The rules of this dispute resolution method are simple.

If someone grabs the dagger during the conversation, the attack and defense begin.

Whether you kill or injure, it's a mutually agreed-upon duel, so family or allies can't hold it against you. Cho Yigyeol, known for his quick hands, had killed many competitors in Ilyang County this way.

Outside the inn, Cho Yigyeol's subordinates were digging, and Cho Yigyeol, staring at me, said,

"The Black Cat Sect has approved it."

"Is that so?"

"A formal sect will be established in Ilyang County. We've been mocked as third-rate black society and pillar men for a long time, but now we can finally save face."

I maintained a cold expression but replied respectfully,

"Congratulations."

Cho Yigyeol nodded and continued,

"Indeed. Congratulations. On a day with such good news, if you cause trouble at the brothel, what will I be? Fortunately, it didn't reach the ears of the Black Cat Sect people I was entertaining. You, who can't even make decent noodles, are a piece of trash."

Cho Yigyeol pointed to his subordinates digging and asked,

"What is that hole for?"

"Is it my grave?"

Cho Yigyeol nodded.

"You know. Before they finish digging, give me three reasons why I should keep you alive. Like becoming the gatekeeper of the new sect or following me around to change my shoes. If you can do what a dog or horse can do, I might reconsider. Jaha, we grew up in the same neighborhood. Isn't it too cruel to kill you just because you caused trouble?"

I thought to myself,

'Are you going to kill me or not? Just decide. You bastard.'

But Cho Yigyeol's behavior was amusing, so I replied in a matching tone,

"It is cruel."

Suddenly, Cho Yigyeol looked at the sword and whip on the table and said,

"You're making a fuss. What a pitiful guy."

Cho Yigyeol sighed and called my name again,

"Jaha."

I also sighed and replied,

"You're wearing out my name. What is it?"

"Why—? Why...?"

Cho Yigyeol's body was enveloped in killing intent. He was impatient. I knew exactly what he was about to do.

I said,

"Why, you bastard. Speak."

Cho Yigyeol's dagger was pulled out and aimed at my neck. Before the tip of the dagger touched my throat, a metallic sound was heard.

Thud!

The broad side of the Yunlong Dagger I pulled from the table blocked Cho Yigyeol's dagger precisely.

I slowly pushed the dagger away and met Cho Yigyeol's gaze.

"Ah, I was startled. Almost got stabbed."

Cho Yigyeol finally showed a shocked expression.

"......!"

I stabbed the Yunlong Dagger back into the table and said,

"Do you have a reason for me to keep you alive? Just one. If I kill you, your brothers will also have to die. We either kill all three of you or keep all three alive. A dog or horse? Oh, what a useless piece of shit. This pillar man, bastard. Try again."

"......"

Cho Yigyeol also stabbed his dagger back into the table and crossed his arms.

Cho Yigyeol said with a bitter expression,

"You must have had some good fortune. Congratulations."

At this moment, his subordinates, who were digging, asked Cho Yigyeol,

"Lord, we're almost done digging."

Cho Yigyeol replied,

"Dig deeper."

"Understood."

Cho Yigyeol didn't want to show his incompetence to his subordinates.

I grabbed the Yunlong Dagger and said, as if challenging him,

"Shoulder."

As soon as I finished speaking, Cho Yigyeol also grabbed his dagger. However, the Yunlong Dagger had already pierced and pulled out from his shoulder.

Thud!

Blood gushed out with the dagger and stained the table.

Thud... Thud...

Cho Yigyeol, still holding his dagger, stared at his shoulder. He finally realized the extreme difference in speed.

I looked at Cho Yigyeol, who was turning pale, and said,

"Why are you so slow? How does it feel to be stabbed by a servant after living like a noble in Ilyang County? You, the excellent pillar man, digging graves for others when disputes arise."

Men in Ilyang County don't back down at this point.

Cho Yigyeol, clenching his teeth, pulled out his dagger and aimed at my shoulder.

I saw through Cho Yigyeol's move clearly.

Aiming at the shoulder was a feint, and the following attack would be filled with killing intent.

I grabbed Cho Yigyeol's wrist with my left hand and thrust the Yunlong Dagger at his approaching palm.

Thud!

Cho Yigyeol, with a distorted face, quickly pulled back his hand. This time, a lot of blood stained the table.

As agreed, our daggers were stabbed back into the table.

Thud, Thud!

It was time for the weak to shut up, so I said,

"Putting aside personal feelings, is there a reason to keep you alive in Ilyang County? You've been involved in human trafficking and killed many of my childhood friends. And a sect? What a load of crap. The Black Cat Sect allowed it to be established to receive tribute."

"That's—"

"Shut up. You'll start extorting money from merchants under the guise of protection. When stubborn merchants rise up and fight you, the Black Cat Sect will step in and clean up. Before that, young men from the iron foundry and shops will fight to the death with you. The Black Cat Sect will have a legitimate reason to intervene. A single massacre will ensure that Ilyang County will pay tribute to the Black Cat Sect without a peep."

The Black Cat Sect needs a legitimate reason because other black society forces are also eyeing Ilyang County.

Uniquely, Ilyang County has become a temporary dispute-free zone due to the many forces eyeing it. The Cho brothers have been exploiting this situation.

As a result, the men of Ilyang County shed blood, while the Black Cat Sect and the Cho brothers reap the benefits.

This is the future I know.

Cho Yigyeol replied,

"There are many young, energetic men in Ilyang County. Once we establish a sect and expand our influence, we can attack the Black Cat Sect with my brothers."

"With your pathetic skills? How will you take responsibility for the merchants who will go bankrupt by then? And the Black Cat Sect is fearsome because of the Sect Master's special status. Can you handle it?"

"How did you know that?"

"Sometimes, news reaches a servant's ears faster than the Martial Arts Alliance's."

Cho Yigyeol extended his blood-stained hand and said,

"......In that case, let's work together. I don't know how you became so strong, but it doesn't matter. Jaha, you can't face the Black Cat Sect alone."

I clicked my tongue and pointed at Cho Yigyeol's subordinates, who were still digging.

"What is that for?"

"......It was for intimidation."

A natural response came from my mouth.

"Fine. It's your grave."

I smiled at Cho Yigyeol.