Yang Sobang (5)
”…I’ll kill him. Tear him limb from limb and feed him to the pigs. Strip his skin and toss him into a vat of salt. I’ll gut him…”
The relentless stream of venomous curses came from Yang Gikang. His words were slurred, his teeth shattered, but his voice was filled with endless resentment and malediction.
”…I’ll break every bone in his body. He’ll be begging for mercy, crying like a child.”
Yang Gikang surrendered himself to his fury, as if he had nothing left to lose.
The servant attending him dared not even breathe loudly.
It wasn’t the overpowering smell of medicine seeping from the bandages wrapped around his limbs. Nor was it the torrent of curses and threats.
There was a rumor that the previous servant had been strangled to death by Yang Gikang. They said the body was discreetly disposed of by the household guards.
She knew that even a small mistake—or perhaps no mistake at all, just a moment of displeasure—could lead to her death.
She was terrified. Afraid that the curses and threats would turn on her with a “You crazy wench! Are you ignoring me too?”
Fortunately, before anything could happen, Yang Gicheol entered the room.
“Leave us.”
“Yes, sir.”
At the door, the servant prayed fervently. She hoped that when she returned, Yang Gikang would be dead.
But that was unlikely. A skilled physician was treating him with the best medicine available.
Yang Gikang looked up at Yang Gicheol with pleading eyes.
”…Father.”
But the gaze that met him was icy cold.
“You fool. To be bested by that wretch.”
Yang Gikang’s anger flared.
“That bastard!”
He wanted to say that the opponent was much stronger than expected, but he held his tongue. Any excuse would sound hollow now.
“Please, kill Byeok Lidan! Wipe out the entire Byeok family!”
In most cases, this would be a moment to scold his son.
But would his actions at the Byeok clan change just because he was home?
“I intend to.”
He couldn’t forget the look in Byeok Dojun’s eyes that day. Especially in front of all his subordinates.
“How dare he look down on me?”
Contempt is harder to forget than any other malice.
“Those nobodies! They don’t even rank in the top ten in Shandong!”
Even if Yang Gikang hadn’t begged, he would have taken action. He might not get his money back, but he would take their lives.
Sensing his father’s anger, Yang Gikang shouted excitedly.
“Send the main house’s warriors and crush them at once!”
“Fool! They’re prepared too. The damage to our side would be too great.”
More importantly, there was no justification to attack them. Starting a war over a scuffle between youths? It could lead to public condemnation and even make them enemies of the martial world. No matter how angry he was, he still had some sense left.
“So, I’ve called someone.”
Yang Gikang’s face lit up, guessing who it might be.
“You’ve summoned the Bloodhound?”
Yang Gicheol nodded. His smile was filled with a vile, bloody intent, like the rage of a petty man unaware he was already devoured.
“They’ll pay for crossing me.”
Guangdu and I were in a rattling carriage, heading towards Dongpyeong, where Yang Sobang was located.
We could have gotten there faster on horseback, but I rented a carriage for Guangdu, who wasn’t yet comfortable riding. Fortunately, a delay of a few hours wasn’t a major concern.
The scenery outside the window flew by rapidly.
It’s been over twenty days since I was reincarnated, yet there’s still no news of my death.
I even checked to see if I had been reborn in a different era. But no, I was reincarnated on the exact day I died.
Considering the significance of the martial alliance leader’s death, it’s understandable that the announcement might be delayed. If it stretches to two or three months, then it would be a problem.
“Do you have any hidden money?”
“Do I seem like the type? Saving up twenty thousand nyang from the battlefield.”
Guangdu sighed.
“Of course not.”
“Then no, I don’t.”
Some might wonder.
Having lived as a leader for over thirty years, shouldn’t I have at least tens of thousands of nyang? Shouldn’t I have a secret account somewhere on the continent?
The answer is no.
From a young age, I was obsessed with martial arts. Defeating opponents and growing stronger was my only joy. Gold was just a stone compared to the joy of becoming stronger.
Once I became the leader, I didn’t need money. Would I buy clothes? Buy food? If I needed money, the finance hall would provide it.
If I had decided to hoard money, I could have amassed not just tens of thousands, but millions of nyang.
But I didn’t. In fact, I felt indebted to the martial alliance.
As a leader, I received immense investment. The elixirs I consumed were worth an incalculable amount.
Of course, it was a strategic decision by the alliance to defeat the Black Path Thirteen Alliance and the Blood Heaven Divine Sect. Regardless of the reason, I gained immense internal power, and I was content with that.
“What book have you been reading so intently?”
Guangdu seemed curious about the book I was reading in the carriage.
I held up the book to show him the cover.
“The White Moon Sword Technique? Gasp!”
Startled, Guangdu whispered.
“Isn’t that the family head’s exclusive martial art?”
I lowered my voice as well.
“Yes, but why are you whispering?”
“It’s a precious martial art. What if the coachman hears?”
“Doesn’t whispering make it seem more suspicious?”
“Oh.”
Guangdu then spoke loudly enough for the coachman to hear.
“Haha, the White Moon Sword Technique is just an ordinary sword technique.”
“I’ll tell your father.”
“Ah, why are you doing this! Master! The White Moon Sword Technique is the best in the world!”
“You’re really making it suspicious.”
“What do you want me to do!”
Here’s my honest opinion on the White Moon Sword Technique.
“Not bad.”
I’m not dismissing it. It’s just that my martial arts level is exceptionally high. I’d rate it as above average, but I’m learning it to conceal my original martial arts.
“But is it okay to carry such a precious thing around?”
“It’s a copy. The original is kept safe.”
“No, I mean…”
“What if someone steals it and learns it?”
“Yes, exactly.”
“Without the unique mental technique to operate the White Moon Sword Technique, it’s useless.”
“Oh, I see.”
When I borrowed the copy, I also read the mental technique once. It was an excuse to read it properly.
I memorized the mental technique’s formula in one go. My memory had become exceptionally good, and the content wasn’t particularly difficult.
Using two mental techniques is usually forbidden. It can lead to inner demons.
But that’s for ordinary martial artists, not me.
Unless it’s an extremely high-level mental technique comparable to my Heavenly Martial Heart Technique, I can learn and use the mental technique for the White Moon Sword Technique comfortably.
For now, I’ll use the White Moon Sword Technique when others are watching.
“It’s strange to see you reading. The only reading you did was the menu at taverns and the attendance board of courtesans.”
I glanced over the book and asked abruptly.
“Do you want to learn martial arts?”
Guangdu flinched.
“No.”
“That was a slow answer.”
“No, really. What would I do with martial arts?”
“Why not? Even someone like Yang Gikang learns martial arts.”
“That’s because he was born into a good family. He must have had a good teacher from a young age.”
“Family and teachers aren’t what’s important in becoming a martial artist.”
After a pause, Guangdu asked.
“Then what is important?”
When I didn’t answer, he started guessing.
“Natural talent? Bone structure? Or is it willpower? Oh, it’s effort, right?”
“There’s something more important.”
“Then what is it?”
“Fate.”
“What kind of fate?”
“Fate with the martial world.”
Guangdu’s eyes widened. He blinked a few times, then pouted.
“Come on, what is that? If you don’t want to tell me, just say so.”
Guangdu grumbled, thinking he had asked a pointless question, but I was sincere.
I believe the most important thing for someone aspiring to be a martial artist is fate.
Without fate with the martial world, one dies early. Without fate, one needs at least a bad fate. If you jump in without either, you’ll live like a background character or meet an unintended end.
After a long silence, Guangdu, who had been watching the scenery outside, asked.
“How do you know if you have fate?”
Beyond the rapidly passing scenery, the sky was painted with a crimson sunset.
“I don’t know either.”