Chapter 18
Everyone in Hoyoungru froze.
Especially the Cheongsa Sect warriors—their faces were painted in utter shock.
“You’re saying you’ve found a way to counter our sect’s martial arts? What a load of bullshit!”
Yang-hwi pulled out another booklet from his robe and tossed it casually.
“Picked up one more. Take a look.”
The eyes of Sa-du Hall Commander nearly popped out of their sockets.
“This is... how in the world...”
“What’s so surprising? Judging by how things look, it seems like Cheongsa Sect got their hands on the counters to Honggyo Sect’s techniques.”
Yang-hwi grinned and continued, mockingly.
“Looks like some eccentric from the shadows decided to stir things up for fun. Only this time, the tables have turned—and it’s Cheongsa Sect’s turn to get wrecked!”
“Hey now, Hwi-ya. Don’t use such crude language.”
—Ah, right. Forgot Father was here.
“Father, I’ve been spending too much time with Gu-Hyung lately… picked up some bad habits. My apologies.”
Even in the middle of a battlefield soaked in blood, Gu-Ak, hearing Yang-hwi’s comment, felt his blood pressure spike.
‘That brat’s always been rude to me, and now he dares lie through his teeth like that?’
Catching Gu-Ak’s glare, Yang-hwi quickly jumped ahead to block any outburst.
“Anyway! It looks like the situation has changed quite a bit, don’t you think, Gu-Hyung?”
A moment ago, Cheongsa Sect had the upper hand in numbers and was pressuring Honggyo Sect, but not anymore.
Gu-Ak was the only first-rate master present, and now that he had the counter-techniques in hand, the difference would be night and day.
‘Both sides know the counters now. At worst, it’s mutual destruction.’
In martial arts, knowing the counters is like playing Go while already knowing where your opponent will place their stones.
Previously, Sa-du Hall Commander, a second-rate expert, could go toe-to-toe with Gu-Ak only thanks to that advantage. Now? Not a chance.
‘And that’s not all.’
“All of Akan-hyeon knows about Cheongsa Sect’s counters now. Things are bound to get interesting. I wonder if the Gyojin Sect will sit back and do nothing.”
Gyojin Sect was another dark martial sect whose territory bordered Cheongsa Sect.
And Yang-hwi was confident—they wouldn’t just let this opportunity slip by.
Just as the Cheongsa Sect went to war as soon as they got the Honggyo Sect’s counters…
“Damn it. We’re retreating.”
As Sa-du Hall Commander growled through clenched teeth, Yang-hwi raised an incredulous brow.
“Oh? And you think you can just leave? Came as you pleased, and now you’ll leave the same way? That’s some textbook thug logic.”
“You little bastard, your days are numbered. I’ll rip that mouth of yours wide open. Just you wait.”
“I think your throat’s gonna be slit first, though. Am I wrong, Gu-Hyung?”
Gu-Ak’s blood-smeared face twisted into a savage scowl.
“Damn right. Sa-du Hall Commander, before the sun sets today, I’ll drive my axe into your skull.”
Watching Gu-Ak growl, Yang-hwi thought to himself:
‘With that, the stage is set.’
Cheongsa Sect would need to return immediately to prepare for Gyojin Sect’s attack.
But there’s no way the Honggyo Sect would let things go, either—someone had to mediate.
Yang-hwi turned toward Baek Mu-ryang.
‘Now would be a perfect time for the head of Baek Family Manor to step in.’
Baek Mu-ryang stepped forward, facing both Gu-Ak and Sa-du Hall Commander.
“I, Baek Mu of Baek Family Manor, propose a truce to the two sect leaders. Civilian casualties have grown severe. I cannot allow further bloodshed near our estate.”
“And why should our sect comply—”
—Blood Axe. If you wish to grow old with Lady Rang, you’ll comply.
Gu-Ak, who had started growling reflexively, suddenly fell silent at the voice echoing in his mind.
As Gu-Ak gave him a complex look, Baek Mu-ryang continued.
“Honggyo Sect will accept the mediation. What say you, Cheongsa Sect?”
“...I don’t have final authority, but if that’s the case, I believe the sect leader will see it as Baek Manor doing us a favor.”
“Very well.”
“Then we’ll be on our way...”
Just as Sa-du Hall Commander signaled his men to withdraw—
“Wait. You think you can just leave without paying the price for mediation?”
“...What do you want?”
“One hundred gold coins.”
That’s equivalent to ten thousand silver coins—more than enough to buy Hoyoungru itself.
“Isn’t that a bit excessive?”
“Cheongsa Sect’s already extorted three businesses from Honggyo Sect, haven’t they?”
“...”
“If you don’t have decision-making power, then deliver the message to your leader. Send someone by today. And don’t forget—before the sun sets.”
Even if it were thirty thousand silver coins instead of ten thousand, Cheongsa Sect would have no choice but to accept the offer.
Unless they wanted to be completely annihilated.
“...I’ll deliver the message to the Sect Leader.”
Once the Cheongsa Sect members had all withdrawn, Baek Mu-ryang turned to Gu-Ak.
“Blood Axe, have your men stand down.”
“...All of you, head down. Tend to the wounded and clear the bodies.”
Once the subordinates had left, Gu-Ak finally opened his mouth.
“I have many questions for you, Lord Baek. But first, let me ask this: putting everything else aside, do you have a real plan to make our sect leader accept this truce?”
“Before that, there’s something we must clarify first, Gu-Hyung.”
Yang-hwi quickly jumped in to answer.
“From Honggyo Sect’s perspective, the smart move would be to team up with Gyojin Sect and crush Cheongsa Sect completely in retaliation. But that’s Honggyo Sect’s view, not yours, right?”
Gu-Ak’s eyes turned grave.
The man who poisoned his beloved fiancée was his own father.
To the Honggyo Sect leader, he was just one of many sons—perhaps even a threat to the throne.
“Go on, little brother.”
“You shouldn’t be acting for the Honggyo Sect’s benefit. You should be acting for Sister Rang’s happiness. And to do that, you need to persuade the sect leader.”
“And how, exactly, do you plan to do that?”
“By handing over a counter to the counter-technique.”
“You’re saying you’ll nullify the counter to our sect’s ultimate art—Rock-Cleaving Axe Art? And who would come up with that?”
Yang-hwi pointed proudly to himself with his thumb.
“Who else? This once-in-a-century prodigy right here.”
“I want to call that nonsense... but part of me wonders if it’s possible. But first, you’d have to obtain the counter-technique to Rock-Cleaving Axe Art in the first place, wouldn’t you?”
With a sly grin, Yang-hwi pulled out yet another booklet and tossed it to Gu-Ak.
The moment he read it, Gu-Ak’s expression twisted in shock.
“This is...!”
“I bribed a Cheongsa Sect member and got their counter-technique. Then I created a method to nullify that.”
To be precise, he’d improved upon Rock-Cleaving Axe Art by covering its weaknesses—turning it into something even stronger.
“You’re telling me you created this? Hard to believe. Even if you’re a genius, how could a kid who’s barely begun martial training…”
Not an unfair point. In truth, he had refined this technique in his previous life, as practice before enhancing the Baek Family’s martial arts—so he was able to recreate it quickly now.
But Yang-hwi put on his most shameless face.
“So, will you finally admit I’m a once-in-a-lifetime genius?”
Baek Mu-ryang added,
“He’s telling the truth. I watched the entire process unfold myself.”
In fact, Baek Mu-ryang had been utterly shocked watching Yang-hwi create the technique over several days.
“A promise once made. If it’s your word, I’ll believe it.”
Gu-Ak’s eyes filled with conflict.
If all this were true… then Yang-hwi’s talent was dangerous.
For the sake of the Baek Family Manor’s survival—and Honggyo Sect’s future—it might be safest to eliminate him now.
But this once-in-a-century genius had thrown his lot in with them.
Not to mention, Baek Family Manor had protected Rang-rang—meaning they had earned Gu-Ak’s gratitude.
“What would you have me do?”
Gu-Ak may have been a dark martial artist, but he was no man to repay kindness with betrayal.
He was, at heart, a man who would rather see the Honggyo Sect fall than see Rang-rang disappointed in him.
“Hand over the new technique to the Honggyo Sect leader. But say it was your invention.”
“That would rocket my standing in the sect. Father—or rather, the Sect Leader—will surely start keeping a close eye on me.”
“But all the sect members will need to retrain with the new Rock-Cleaving Axe Art Style. That alone will keep your father too busy to act for at least a few months. That’s all we need.”
The turf war between the dark sects in Akan-hyeon couldn’t possibly last that long.
They’d wrap this up long before that.
“Oh, and one more thing—you’ll need to pay for the counter-to-the-counter-technique.”
“You asked Cheongsa Sect for ten thousand silver coins. What’s the price for me?”
“It’s simple. I’ll give you the full ten thousand—so sell Hoyoungru to me.”
Hoyoungru was the largest pleasure house near Baek Family Manor.
Which made it the perfect choice for a first business.
“Hoyoungru’s under my jurisdiction anyway, so selling it isn’t a problem. Especially if I’m credited with inventing the improved Rock-Cleaving Axe Art. But what happens next? What’s your plan after that?”
Yang-hwi replied without hesitation.
“Cheongsa Sect will be destroyed by Gyojin Sect. Then Honggyo Sect will bare its fangs, trying to snatch up the pieces.”
That much was predictable for anyone.
“And after that?”
“No clue!”
In truth, it had all been planned out in detail.
But he couldn’t tell Gu-Ak the truth.
Even if a father poisoned his child’s lover and saw his son as a threat, patricide—or even suggesting it—was a sin that left deep scars on everyone involved.
“There’s only one thing you need to do, Gu-Hyung. Focus on mastering the improved Rock-Cleaving Axe Art. Just devote yourself to training.”
“You want me to go train while everything’s falling apart?”
“Tsk. Honestly, once you reach the Peak Realm, all our problems will sort themselves out. Some people are just too talented—ah, wait, that was rude. My apologies!”
“……”
‘This damn brat,’ Gu-Ak thought. ‘Can’t he hold his tongue even in serious moments?’
Just then, Baek Mu-ryang stepped in.
“Blood Axe, I trust you’ll act as Hwi advised. Now then, we’ll take our leave.”
Gu-Ak let out a sigh and returned a respectful martial salute.
“So be it. I trust you. Take care.”
Baek Mu-ryang scooped Yang-hwi onto his back and leapt out the window.
Only once they arrived back at Baek Manor did he set the boy down.
“Hwi-ya. Things really are turning out just like you said.”
“Seems like fortune favors the Baek family.”
“Fortune, indeed. You joining our family was a stroke of great luck.”
Baek Mu-ryang looked at the boy who had once told him he chose the Baek family himself—his son now in all but blood.
“We really have a business now. And not just any business—Hoyoungru.”
It had once belonged to the Baek family, back when Baek Mu-ryang’s father was head of the house.
That’s why Yang-hwi had insisted on reclaiming it.
“Hwi-ya.”
“Yes, Father?”
“There’s something I’m curious about.”
“Ask, and I’ll answer.”
“Everything’s unfolding exactly as you predicted. It all feels a bit too precise to me. Do you… perhaps know who the mysterious figure is—the one leaking the counter-techniques of the dark sects?”
Yang-hwi had expected that question and nodded calmly.
“Yes, I do.”
“How?”
“Do you recall the hand I played when preparing Sister Rang’s private quarters?”
Yang-hwi offered a slightly dramatized version of how he met Yeo Un-jeok and continued.
“All of this is happening on a board carefully laid out by Sister Rang’s father. Even the counter-techniques I claimed to have created were passed down to me by him.”
“So it was Miss Rang’s father behind this…”
“Yes. He wants the Honggyo Sect destroyed—for Sister Rang’s happiness. That’s why he staged everything so intricately. So Gu-Hyung would never know the truth.”
“Haaah…”
As Baek Mu-ryang exhaled in admiration, Yang-hwi continued.
“Father, may I go visit him?”
“So that’s why you’ve been going out so often. You’ve been working for the family all this time. Go ahead.”
“Yes, sir!”
Yang-hwi leapt forward with bright energy.
****
Leaving the Baek Manor behind, Yang-hwi headed straight for the appointed place.
Today’s meeting spot was the same mountaintop pavilion where he’d first met Yeo Un-jeok.
He reached the summit far more easily this time and took in the view as he waited.
“Young Master.”
He’d sensed the presence in advance, so when Yeo Un-jeok’s voice called out, Yang-hwi turned without surprise.
He got straight to the point.
“It’s time to close the final loop of the plan. Elder, it’s time to strike—attack the Honggyo Sect leader.”
Slaughter the pig with a borrowed knife.
This was the plan from the very beginning.
---The End Of The Chapter---
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