Chapter 93. My Fluctuating Self.

Sogunpyeong stared at the messenger of the Sword Defeat Assembly and asked for permission.

"Lord Fangzhu?"

"Why."

"He's not my match."

"Too weak?"

"Yes."

"Alright. Come in."

I glanced around at the subordinates of the Southern Ming Assembly and the Black Cat Gang on the dais, and my eyes met Chae Sung-tae's.

"Chae Sung-tae, you fight. Your opponent is the crippled messenger of the Sword Defeat Assembly."

Chae Sung-tae replied.

"Understood."

Chae Sung-tae walked to the center, making a cracking sound in his neck. The messenger of the Sword Defeat Assembly glared at me.

"Is it right to treat a messenger like this?"

"Was I a bit rude?"

"I just came to deliver a message, so please show some consideration."

I glared at the messenger and said in a calm tone.

"Then I will show proper respect to the Sword Defeat Assembly and fight."

The messenger turned and drew his sword at Chae Sung-tae.

"Let's fight."

As Chae Sung-tae drew his sword, the messenger warned.

"Let's fight without getting hurt."

Chae Sung-tae retorted.

"Shut up! You crippled bastard. Where is such a thing in a fight?"

I nodded.

"Right."

Despite his confident roar, Chae Sung-tae was tense. It was his first battle with a martial artist from another organization, and there were many people watching, so he couldn't help but be nervous.

Nam Garak, standing beside me, asked.

"What rank is that subordinate?"

"Bottom of the barrel."

"Oh, is that so?"

As Nam Garak spoke, a vein popped on Chae Sung-tae's forehead, and the two immediately clashed.

After about twenty intense exchanges, they fiercely swung their swords and, as if by agreement, struck at each other's openings.

With a thud, Chae Sung-tae, who exchanged internal energy for the first time, staggered back, and the messenger of the Sword Defeat Assembly, for some reason, stumbled and fell on his butt.

Taking advantage of the moment, Chae Sung-tae quickly advanced and placed his sword at the messenger's neck.

The messenger, with a tense expression, looked at the sword tip at his throat. Chae Sung-tae asked me.

"Should I kill him?"

"Enough."

Chae Sung-tae, with a triumphant look, sheathed his sword and smiled.

"The Sword Defeat Assembly is nothing special."

I corrected Chae Sung-tae's statement.

"No, that guy is nothing special. Don't misunderstand. This isn't a match to make you misunderstand. Everyone saw, right? The skill of the man who came as a messenger is like this. The Sword Defeat Assembly treats the Black Cat Gang like a bunch of wandering knights, but as you can see, I refused. The messenger of the Sword Defeat Assembly should leave. If you come out so arrogantly next time, it won't end with just two slaps."

The messenger said to me.

"Thank you for sparing my life. I will see you again."

As soon as the messenger finished speaking, he urgently touched his ear. Blood was streaming from his ear. The messenger, as if his left ear wasn't working, hit it a few times and quickly left the hall.

Chae Sung-tae, puzzled, said.

"Blood from the ear... Was my internal energy that strong?"

I ignored Chae Sung-tae's nonsense and said.

"Let's talk, leaders."

* * *

The leaders of the Southern Ming Assembly and the Black Cat Gang were roughly mixed, and I sat at the head of the table.

Chae Sung-tae, sitting at the end as the general, asked again.

"Blood from the ear? Was it because of my internal energy?"

Unable to bear it, Nam Garak explained.

"Before the fight, he was slapped by the sect leader. His eardrum must have burst."

Chae Sung-tae, looking disappointed, muttered.

"Oh, I see."

The atmosphere slightly dampened.

I briefly explained the messenger's words to the leaders.

"The Sword Defeat Assembly wants to fight the Southern Heaven Alliance. They offered three silver coins per person per day if we join. The Sword Defeat Assembly values your lives at three silver coins."

The faces of the Black Cat Gang leaders suddenly turned fierce.

"These cripples are outrageous."

Even the composed Sogunpyeong cursed.

"They made some money by extorting merchants, but they handle things like this. They're trash."

I corrected Sogunpyeong's statement.

"We're also trash, so cancel the last part."

"Understood."

I looked around at the leaders.

"But we're not the same kind of trash. We're like fallen leaves from a plum tree, while they are like the stench of diarrhea after taking a laxative."

"..."

The atmosphere turned awkward due to my absurd metaphor.

"Was the metaphor a bit too much?"

Chae Sung-tae flattered me.

"It was just right."

"Shut up. It was too much."

"Understood."

I introduced Nam Garak to the leaders.

"Nam Garak, the leader of the Southern Ming Assembly. He received the same offer from the Sword Defeat Assembly and the Southern Heaven Alliance but refused. I recognize a manly man regardless of skill, and Nam Leader is one. Whether we fight the Sword Defeat Assembly or the Southern Heaven Alliance, the Southern Ming Assembly and the Black Cat Gang will cooperate. Remember that."

The Black Cat Gang leaders answered in unison.

"Understood."

This time, Nam Garak spoke to the Black Cat Gang leaders.

"In fact, I lost to the sect leader before. If they had humiliated me, I wouldn't have come here. Even if we combine our forces, we can't match the Southern Heaven Alliance or the Sword Defeat Assembly, but I promise that the Southern Ming Assembly, including myself, will not fight shamefully."

The Black Cat Gang leaders slightly bowed to Nam Garak.

"Please take care of us."

I corrected Nam Garak's statement.

"I have more subordinates. If we all combine and I lead the charge, we can turn either the Southern Heaven Alliance or the Sword Defeat Assembly into ashes in an instant. However, such a brutal fight would result in many casualties among my subordinates, so I'm holding back. Let's discuss a plan to achieve the greatest victory with the least casualties."

Hoyeon-cheong, who had been silent, spoke up.

"Lord Fangzhu, I can also mobilize some troops."

For the first time, I met Hoyeon-cheong's eyes and addressed him differently.

"Hoyeon Master, you did a great job training Chae General."

Hoyeon-cheong's eyes widened slightly.

"Understood."

"Thanks to you, I was fortunate not to be disgraced. However, there's no need to mobilize your troops. Hoyeon Master, you have a unique talent for teaching disciples, so please come and go freely to guide my subordinates in the Black Cat Gang."

This was essentially giving Hoyeon-cheong freedom. Hoyeon-cheong understood my meaning and replied with a bright expression.

"Thank you, Lord Sect Leader."

I looked around at the leaders.

"Let's hear any good ideas. First, let's hear from the Black Cat Gang's strategist, the Black Cat Gang's military advisor, and General Bae."

General Bae immediately spoke.

"Summarizing the situation, both sides are currently gathering troops. However, neither side knows our exact strength. In fact, if we join one side, their victory is almost certain due to our strength."

"Right."

"So, it would be good to inform both sides of this point first."

"How specifically?"

"Under the name of Haomen, we can include the Black Ship Gang, the Black Cat Gang, the Twelve Heroes, the Gold Sea Merchant, and even the Southern Ming Assembly if you wish. If we all join, one side will definitely win. They won't be able to act arrogantly like today."

The strategic-minded Sogunpyeong also offered an opinion.

"General Bae's idea has merit, but what if we hide our strength and wait for the right moment to profit? We can observe the battles between the two sides and then intervene when the attrition is over, cleaning everything up. After all, they provoked us first."

Sogunpyeong's strategy was a bit more realistic and ruthless.

Indeed, the strategy of General Bae, who had a hobby of painting, was somewhat peaceful, while the strategy of Sogunpyeong, who had lived by wielding a sword, had the harsh smell of the battlefield.

I asked Nam Garak.

"Nam Leader?"

Nam Garak, who remembered Sogunpyeong's face and name, replied.

"I like General Sogunpyeong's idea. If there are no special opinions, let the sect leader decide."

I nodded and clarified the main point.

"Our main enemy is the Sword Defeat Assembly. Ignore the Southern Heaven Alliance for now."

Sogunpyeong asked.

"Is there a reason?"

"The Southern Heaven Alliance, I heard, is a true black path organization that rose with a single sword. There's a high chance they'll accept a proposal to decide things between leaders. On the other hand, the rich Sword Defeat Assembly will not hesitate to hire assassins to assassinate. They're a bit more despicable, you could say."

As I looked at Nam Garak, he nodded in agreement.

I silently responded to Nam Garak.

'It's your story. This bastard.'

From what the messenger said, I was confident that the ones who hired assassins in my previous life were the Sword Defeat Assembly.

"Anyway."

"Yes."

"First, ignore the Southern Heaven Alliance and send a letter to the Sword Defeat Assembly."

General Bae replied.

"Understood. If you tell me the important points, I'll draft the letter."

"The Black Cat Gang, the remnants of the Water Master, the Twelve Heroes, the Gold Mountain Merchant, Ilyang County, the Black Ship Gang, and all merchants, traders, food sellers, and farmers who are not protected, all belong to Haomen. If the Sword Defeat Assembly bullies, kidnaps, threatens, murders, or assaults any of these people, it will be a war with Haomen. Draft and send the letter accordingly."

Nam Garak interjected.

"Sect Leader, the Southern Ming Assembly is missing."

I met Nam Garak's eyes and nodded.

"Add the Southern Ming Assembly."

General Bae replied.

"Understood. I'll draft and send the letter."

"Send the letter not only to the Sword Defeat Assembly but also to nearby black and white path organizations, martial arts schools, mountain bandits, water bandits, merchants, battlefields, assassin groups, brothels, inns, taverns, and even under bridges and to temples. In short, make hundreds of copies, post them, send them to sects, households, widows' homes, and streets. If anyone touches my people, I'll personally slap, kick, or kill them. Everyone understand?"

"Yes, Lord Fangzhu."

"Yes, Lord Sect Leader."

I declared war in the name of Haomen because I had been in a bad mood for a few days.

"Tell all those who are dissatisfied, want to fight me, or find me funny to come to Haomen's Yizha."

Thinking it was too extreme, General Bae laughed and replied.

"Lord Fangzhu, isn't that a bit too busy? Let me filter them first."

I looked at General Bae and replied.

"Sure, it seems the surrounding people don't know that Dae Nachal is dead. Add that I killed Dae Nachal. It needs to be widely known."

"Should I really... include that?"

"Sure, I also killed the Water Master, the Old Dragon, and the Black Ship Gang leader, whose head I smashed. I especially burned and killed Dongfang Yan, who was cheating in gambling. Add these points clearly."

As the matter grew, General Bae finally closed his mouth.

"General Bae, write all of it. Understood?"

"Understood."

"Chae Sung-tae."

"Yes, Lord Sect Leader."

"Go to Ilyang County now and bring Brother Deoksu back in a carriage. On the way, go to the market with Brother Deoksu and buy plenty of pork ribs, various meats, food ingredients, and alcohol at a fair price. Take about ten Black Cat Gang brothers with you. We need to treat the Southern Ming Assembly brothers to a proper, delicious meal, so ask our Haomen chef. General Bae, give Chae Sung-tae plenty of money."

"Understood."

I looked at Nam Garak.

"Since you went through the trouble of visiting, we should eat together."

Nam Garak smiled.

"Sure."

Thinking of calling Brother Deoksu to treat the Southern Ming Assembly to a delicious meal, my anger finally subsided.

"Is there anything I missed? More to discuss? Any names I forgot to include? No, right?"

At this moment, the hall outside became noisy, and someone burst in, opening the hall door. Three men I had never seen before pushed aside the Black Cat Gang subordinates and looked at me, who was sitting at the head of the table.

"We're from the Southern Heaven Alliance. Who is the Black Cat Gang leader?"

Everyone in the hall turned their heads and stared at me with tense expressions.

"..."

I looked at the ragged men from the Southern Heaven Alliance with a sense of absurdity.

A moment of cold silence passed.

The messengers, sensing something was wrong, finally moved their eyes and detected the tense atmosphere.

Sogunpyeong suddenly stood up and started cursing and beating the Southern Heaven Alliance messenger.

"Kneel, you bastards. Do you know where you are to act so arrogantly!"

The Black Cat Gang leaders, who also stood up, grabbed the Southern Heaven Alliance messenger, knocked him down, and started beating him with their fists and feet.

I didn't have a chance to intervene.

"Hmm."

The three messengers, who had fallen to the ground, were being trampled by the leaders' feet, and even the old General Bae stood up, roared, and stomped on the messengers with his arthritic feet.

"Such impudent bastards, such impudence, such impudence, impudence..."

The messengers, covered in blood, knelt down.

General Bae looked at me.

"Lord Fangzhu, it's best to widely announce the letter as you said. That way, the other side will show proper respect."

I nodded.

"Sure. Let's do it."

I was about to storm into the Southern Heaven Alliance without eating pork ribs, but my anger quickly subsided thanks to my subordinates' appropriate response. Seeing the messengers' faces, which were full of委屈 and anger, I immediately gave an order.

"Stomp on them more."

"Yes!"

The subordinates answered loudly.