Chapter 345 : Beware that person more than the enemy

Translator: FenrirTL

Editor/Quality Checker: Saphartlantis

Murim Term Consultant: Kopke

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Chapter 345: Beware that person more than the enemy

“No, please spare me!”

The plea escaped from the Black Snake Gang Leader’s lips on its own.

The youngest among those guarding the Young Leader had turned Black Dog into a bloody mess and decapitated him. During the entire process, Black Dog hadn’t even managed to swing his sword once.

So how could one even think of resisting?

On top of that, the murderous aura emanating from Bih Sa-in’s body tightened around Choo Goeng with terrifying pressure.

Though he was a martial artist of the Unorthodox martial world and had encountered many killing intents before, this one was far stronger than any he had ever felt. The murderous aura from the enraged Bih Sa-in reeked thickly of blood.

“So you’re saying your subordinates acted of their own accord?”

Cornered, the Gang Leader tried to drag someone else into the mess.

“What in the world is going on?”

The person the Gang Leader yelled at was Song Chung. In a situation like this, he was trying to involve him? Even though it was well known they didn’t get along? It was absurd, but now wasn’t the time to argue about whose fault it was.

“This is something I was completely unaware of. Black Dog is an uneducated and lowly man. It seems he went around committing wicked acts behind your back, Lord.”

Everyone nearby knew about his misdeeds, but saying “he's always been that kind of guy” would only raise the question of why no one stopped him.

Bih Sa-in sent a sound transmission to Geom Mugeuk.

–How accurate is the information written here?

Since it was from Hidden Moon, there was no need to question its credibility.

–It came from the person I trust and cherish the most. You can consider it on the same level as our Heavenly Communication Pavilion’s intel.

Once the reliability of the intel was confirmed, Bih Sa-in asked Song Chung,

“What’s your name?”

“Song Chung.”

Bih Sa-in flipped through the paper he was holding and searched for Song Chung’s information.

Song Chung’s heart began to pound violently. Depending on what was written there, his life or death would be determined. That paper was, without exaggeration, King Yama’s Book of Life and Death.

Fortunately, a sword did not come flying his way. It seemed his misdeeds weren’t grave enough to warrant death.

In the meantime, the Gang Leader, having caught his breath, prostrated himself and swore,

“There will be no more abductions of children. I will properly crack down on the overstepping crimes of my subordinates.”

Instead of responding, Bih Sa-in walked over to where Black Dog’s corpse lay. It seemed like he was going to inspect the body, but that wasn’t the case.

Bih Sa-in drew his sword and stained the tip with blood. Then, he drew three lines across the paper he was holding, using that blood.

Bih Sa-in handed the paper to Choo Goeng.

Three names were crossed out in blood. They were the ones whose misdeeds were most severe within the Black Snake Gang. Without a single word spoken, the Gang Leader understood exactly what Bih Sa-in was trying to convey.

“Black Night, come here for a moment and take a look at this.”

He called Black Night, who had remained silent until then, over to him.

The moment Black Night walked over and turned his focus to the paper—

Shiiik!

The Black Snake Gang Leader’s sword was drawn in a sudden surprise attack and slashed at his chest.

But Black Night seemed to have sensed it in advance and evaded the attack.

“I knew it.”

“Don’t resent me! It’s because your misdeeds run deep.”

The two of them engaged in a deadly battle.

Suddenly, with the two strongest members of the Black Snake Gang locked in combat, the martial artists of the gang were thrown into chaos, unsure of what to do.

“Kill Black Night!”

“Kill the Leader! He’s trying to wipe us all out!”

“That’s a lie! Join forces and kill Black Night! That’s an order!”

In an instant, the place descended into utter pandemonium.

Black Three quietly slipped back, then leapt, attempting to escape the scene. He knew well that in situations like this, escaping first was the wisest option.

However, the Thirteen Wolves, who had received orders from Bih Sa-in, was already blocking his path.

Unable to even imagine forcing his way through, Black Three retreated. After seeing Black Dog die without even raising a hand, there was no one who would dare draw a sword against the Thirteen Wolves today.

The other members of the Thirteen Wolves had also surrounded the area perfectly, making escape impossible.

Bih Sa-in, arms folded, silently observed the battle.

Black Night was weaker in martial skill than Choo Goeng, but his rage at being betrayed drove him into a frenzy. It was a battle where defeat meant death, and sword energy flew wildly.

Geom Mugeuk and Jin Hagun watched the fight from outside the Thirteen Wolves’ perimeter.

Shiiik.

Jin Hagun tugged at the edge of Geom Mugeuk’s robe, pulling him to his side.

A stray sword energy flew past the spot where Geom Mugeuk had just been standing.

“You saved my life!” 1

“Oh, I’m sure you would’ve dodged it anyway. Probably ten more times if you had to.”

“Lord Jin.”

“Why’re you lowering your voice?”

“I truly hope you become the successor.”

“Why are you suddenly saying this?”

“I just thought it would be nice. I wanted to tell you while I had the thought.”

He said it like a joke, but it was clear he meant it.

“Do you think that’s something I can control?”

His grandfather and Alliance Leader, Jin Paecheon, was someone who wouldn’t hesitate to strip even his own grandson of the heir position if he made a mistake.

“Why do you want me to be the successor?”

Because I’m easy to deal with? He expected an answer like that, but—

“Because I think you’d do a good job.”

Jin Hagun looked at Geom Mugeuk.

“Whether as a friend or as an enemy, the person should be capable. That way, it’ll be fun whether we’re playing or fighting.” 2

This time, Geom Mugeuk pulled him toward his side.

Shiiiiiik.

Once again, a flying sword energy passed through the spot Jin Hagun had just been standing in.

“I saved your life! Don’t you ever forget it!”

Listening to that banter, Jin Hagun couldn't help but wonder—how would his relationship with this person eventually end? Could they truly become friends? 3

In the meantime, the battle came to an end.

One remained standing, while the other lay collapsed as a corpse.

There was no twist. As expected, the victor was the Black Snake Gang Leader, based purely on strength.

Black Night had fought in many battles before, but always ones he could win. Slaughter unrelated to skill offered no help in preserving his life.

But that wasn't the end. There were three names marked with lines on the paper. So, Choo Goeng ambushed and killed One-Three and One-Eight. With skills inferior to Black Night’s, they had no chance of surviving the Gang Leader’s sudden attack.

“It’s all over now.”

At the Gang Leader’s report, Bih Sa-in spoke.

“Now, of the five most wicked members of the Black Snake Gang, four are dead.”

“Five, you say? But there were only three names marked with lines.”

Even counting Black Dog, that made four. Wondering if he had missed someone, the Gang Leader looked at the paper again.

It was right then—

Shiiiiiik.

Slice.

Bih Sa-in’s sword slashed Choo Goeng’s neck.

In the process, the paper in his hand was also cut, and coincidentally, the part where the Gang Leader’s name was written was severed.

Below that, a red line came into view.

That line, resembling one drawn with blood, was in fact the cut across Choo Goeng’s neck.

Splat!

The next moment, blood gushed from that line as the Gang Leader collapsed.

Bih Sa-in had not forgiven him.

The evil committed in building up the Black Snake Gang was enough, but the far greater sin was having left the misdeeds of subordinates like Black Dog and Black Night unchecked.

The remaining martial artists of the Black Snake Gang trembled in fear. They were certain a massacre was coming.

But Bih Sa-in didn’t kill them.

“From now on, do absolutely nothing. Stay right where you are. Until someone from our side arrives, return and don’t even breathe—just wait!”

The Black Snake Gang all bowed in unison and shouted,

“Thank you for sparing our lives!”

Having narrowly escaped death, they quickly left the scene.

From that moment on, a new piece of news would spread throughout the unorthodox world. That the Young Leader of the Unorthodox Alliance personally stepped in to crush a faction whose wickedness had gone too far. Some would oppose it, and others would welcome it.

One thing was certain—whether the assessment was positive or negative, it would be different from yesterday. Bih Sa-in had taken one more step into a new world.

Bih Sa-in walked over to Geom Mugeuk and Jin Hagun.

“You probably wanted to kill them all, but this was the best I could do.”

“Kill them all? Do you think I’m some kind of murderer? Let’s go look in a mirror together. Let’s see whose face looks more like a killer.”

“People who look as normal as you tend to do the scariest things, you know.” 4

“Annoying as it is, I can’t argue with that.”

After exchanging a bit of banter, the mischief disappeared from Bih Sa-in’s face. From his mouth flowed words he had hesitated to say.

“This is who we are—the Unorthodox World.”

He didn’t say it out of pride, but out of shame. At least for today, he felt a deep sense of self-reproach.

Jin Hagun had intended to say that just as there were bad people in the orthodox world, there were good people in the unorthodox world too.

But before he could, Geom Mugeuk spoke first.

“They were garbage.”

Bih Sa-in didn’t get angry. On the contrary, having someone say it outright brought him a sense of relief.

Seeing that, Jin Hagun realized the words he had been about to say would’ve been a meaningless consolation.

How could Geom Mugeuk understand people so well? Even though he was younger than him. 5

“Still, you don’t need to feel down. It’s not your unorthodox world, after all.”

“What do you mean?”

“Your unorthodox world isn’t there. Isn’t it here?”

Wondering what he meant, Jin Hagun followed Geom Mugeuk’s gaze toward the Thirteen Wolves.

“Aren’t these people your unorthodox world? They’re not even officially under your command yet, are they? You’re not even the Sect Leader.”

Jin Hagun thought to himself.

‘Well done.’

Yes, this was the kind of comfort Bih Sa-in needed right now.

He needed someone who could call it garbage. Who could say, ‘You’re not even the Sect Leader yet’.

And to do that, all the things Geom Mugeuk had done for Bih Sa-in so far had to come first—seeking him out tirelessly, bantering without pause, caring without fatigue.

That’s why the word ‘garbage’ turned into a jewel that embedded itself in Bih Sa-in’s heart.

“Lord Jin, why don’t you say something too?” 6

Look at that—even in this moment, he was considerate of others.

“I’m not ready to call them garbage just yet.”

Geom Mugeuk smiled at Jin Hagun.

“This is exactly why you need to become the next Alliance Leader. If the Alliance Leader isn’t fun, how are the rest of us supposed to enjoy ourselves?”

“That’s the first time in my life someone’s called me fun.” 7

A faint smile appeared on Bih Sa-in’s lips as he listened to the two. Being around Geom Mugeuk made him smile before he even realized it.

Geom Mugeuk spoke to Bih Sa-in.

“You handled things well today. I wouldn’t have made such a wise decision in your place.”

Bih Sa-in knew. It was only possible because Geom Mugeuk had acted as the Fifteen Wolf. Thanks to that, he was able to preserve his authority in front of his subordinates.

And then came the one, decisive comment.

“Your Thirteen Wolves—I like them.”

Though he didn’t show it outwardly, Bih Sa-in was deeply moved. It was more heartening than a hundred words of praise.

Geom Mugeuk turned to Jin Hagun and asked,

“What about you?”

“I’m not the kind of person who can say ‘I like something’ to someone’s face as easily as you can.”

Jin Hagun glanced at the corpses strewn in the distance.

“But at the very least, I think the Black Snake Gang situation was handled very well today.”

To that, Geom Mugeuk replied with a grin,

“Now you see what I meant about talking too much, right?”

The three of them smiled together.

Geom Mugeuk returned the box containing the Sun and Moon Sword to Bih Sa-in.

“Here, take this back.”

Then Bih Sa-in said something unexpected.

“That’s a gift for you.”

“A gift?”

“A commemorative gift for joining the Thirteen Wolves as the youngest member.”

Everyone present knew how valuable the Sun and Moon Sword was. A treasured blade that couldn’t be obtained no matter how much money one had—so it was clear just how grateful Bih Sa-in was to Geom Mugeuk.

“You’ll probably toss and turn all night, regretting giving it to me.”

“That might be true.”

“Still alright with it?”

Bih Sa-in nodded.

“Did I ever say this? Not because you gave me a gift, but your face—it's a good-looking one. The Fist Demon King, the Demonic Army Commander, and you. Ugly and scary, but the more I see you, the more impressive you look. The three commanders of terror.” 8

“You’re obviously only saying that because I gave you a present.”

Geom Mugeuk hugged the box with the Sun and Moon Sword like it was the most precious thing in the world. He liked it so much that Bih Sa-in felt proud of giving it.

“After receiving such a fine gift, I can’t just let it go unnoticed. From now on, spread the word. That the Young Cult Leader of the Demonic Cult was once the youngest of the Fifteen Wolves. Let it be known far and wide.”

The Thirteen Wolves had already experienced Geom Mugeuk and knew him well enough to take the banter for what it was—pure Geom Mugeuk. 9

“Won’t a rumor like that get you kicked out of your position as Young Cult Leader?”

At Bih Sa-in’s concern, Geom Mugeuk answered,

“Then I’ll come to you. So take me in. Let’s hang out for life.”

Shaking off the absurd thought that it would actually be nice if that happened, Bih Sa-in turned to his subordinates and soberly said,

“You’ve heard how troublesome this could get, so don’t let the rumor spread.”

“Yes, sir!”

A hearty response rang out.

Bih Sa-in spoke to the two.

“I’m planning to return to the Main Division.”

It was time to uproot those who were working in secret within the Unorthodox Alliance.

Geom Mugeuk quickly followed up.

“I’ll go too.”

Since this was not just a problem of the Unorthodox Alliance alone, Bih Sa-in nodded. If the enemies were plotting against the entire martial world, it would be foolish pride to try and resolve it alone.

“I’ll gratefully accept the help.”

Now, only Jin Hagun’s decision remained.

“I’ll return to the Martial Alliance.”

In truth, just coming all the way here in Thirteen Wolves attire had been a big stretch. Moreover, it wasn’t possible to bring the entire Demon-Slaying Brigade into the main base of the Unorthodox Alliance.

Bih Sa-in expressed his gratitude to Jin Hagun.

“Thank you.”

“No need to say that. Just beware that person more than the enemy.”

“Thanks for the advice.”

Listening to that, Geom Mugeuk added,

“At least pretend to whisper when you say things like that!”

And so Jin Hagun departed.

The martial artists of the Demon-Slaying Brigade, who had been hiding in the distance, revealed themselves and came to meet him.

Before leaving, Jin Hagun stood atop the ridge with his subordinates and watched the carriage racing away toward the Unorthodox Alliance from afar.

The sunset, carrying Jin Hagun’s unspoken wish to go with them, dyed the world red as it began chasing after the distant carriage at full speed.

1 : Much wow !!! XDXDXD

2 : Having respect towards the opponent makes the fight and victory much more enjoyable.

3 : He saved your life too lol XDXDXD So far I’d say your friendship is on the right track ^^

4 : Touche.

5 : He had decades of practice.

6 : “Geom Mugeuk said all the cool bits, he left nothing for me.” XDXDXD

7 : Believe me, you will be much happier in your life by being funny than being serious.

8 : That’s really not something you should boast about unless you have a good relationship with the people concerned XDXDXD

9 : Lol, it got trademarked before we noticed it XDXDXD