When Darkness Falls (1)
“How did you know?”
The enforcer asked, pointing to an item on the list held by the shadowy figure.
“This painting is the one thing Yi Sang cherished the most. Even if he lost everything, he would have sold this last. No, he would have died before selling it.”
The fact that this painting had surfaced on the market could only mean one thing.
“He’s sending me a distress signal.”
Or he might already be dead.
The enforcer spoke coldly.
“It could be a trap instead of a distress signal.”
“Perhaps.”
The shadowy figure closed his eyes, acknowledging the possibility.
“If that’s the case, then it’s not him disposing of his assets, but someone else doing it for him.”
Frustration and helplessness were etched across his face. He had weathered countless storms in the martial world, but this was the most challenging time he had ever faced.
“Where is Yi Sang now?”
“Judging by various circumstances, we suspect he’s in Shaanxi.”
“That’s his stronghold. And this chaos is happening right in his own backyard?”
“I’ll go down there myself.”
“No, you can’t!”
“What do you mean, I can’t?”
“Yi Sang isn’t someone who would be easily defeated. The fact that he’s been torn apart so soon after being declared bankrupt means… it’s that bastard, Byuk Lidan.”
In the course of fighting, the blood merchant had uncovered Byuk Lidan’s identity. After disappearing from Shandong, he had reappeared in Shaanxi, stripping the flesh from Yi Sang’s bones.
“Is it the same person who’s been opposing us recently?”
“Yes. That person also killed the blood merchant.”
The enforcer was taken aback by the news of the blood merchant’s death.
“So the rumors were true.”
The bankruptcy declaration had come so swiftly after her death that the enforcer hadn’t been able to gather accurate information. The shadowy figure hadn’t made the matter public.
“He closed the night market in two days and forced me to declare bankruptcy. He’s a monster.”
Yet the enforcer remained unfazed. Instead, he spoke with even more confidence.
“There have always been monsters in every era. But we’ve always managed to catch them.”
“This monster is different.”
“We’ll still catch him. All the enforcers will mobilize.”
The underground enforcers were a group of nine, each as formidable as the one standing here. They were usually assigned one per case to enforce the law. Despite this, they had never left a case unresolved. If they all gathered, their power would be immense.
But the shadowy figure knew that even they wouldn’t be enough.
“Understood. Gather all the enforcers in Shaanxi. But have them wait nearby until I give the order.”
“Yes, understood.”
The enforcer left the bookstore after receiving the order.
As he departed, someone else appeared.
Emerging like a ghost was a man of similar age to the shadowy figure. His presence was far more formidable than the enforcer who had just left.
He was the shadowy figure’s guardian warrior, Black Sword.
“Are you planning to go to Shaanxi?”
“That’s my intention.”
“It’s dangerous. You must abandon Yi Sang.”
“You know as well as I do that I can’t just abandon someone I’ve been so close to.”
“This is a matter of public and private interests. It’s unfortunate, but there’s nothing to be done.”
“I’m not going just to save him.”
“Then why?”
“Byuk Lidan is looking for me. He’s probably waiting for me to come. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have put Yi Sang’s belongings on the market. It’s like an invitation. We’ll meet eventually, if not now.”
“That makes it even more dangerous. Please heed my advice.”
After a brief pause, the shadowy figure spoke.
“You’re right. If I go like this, I’ll die. Even if ninety enforcers gather, I feel like I’ll die.”
His eyes were calm and steady.
“But if I go, I must prepare a way to survive.”
“Now that the bait’s been cast, they’ll bite soon.”
I nodded at Galsaryang’s words.
We sold not only the painting he cherished most but also all his possessions to the black market. With so many expensive and renowned pieces, the news would surely reach their ears.
“They won’t just take the bait; they’ll go for the fisherman’s throat.”
“Indeed.”
“What’s the plan?”
“We didn’t have time to set up a large formation like the Black Abyss Formation, so we installed a basic one. It’s not threatening, but it won’t allow any stealthy intrusions.”
“Good.”
“We’ve secured a new safe house, and Gong Chong-gwan and I will move there with the Black Panther Unit.”
Whether they come for a rescue mission or an extermination, they’ll be well-prepared. The Black Panther Unit is formidable, but joining this fight would result in significant casualties.
“Well done. I’ll handle the rest.”
I’ve spoken many times about the advantages of having Galsaryang as a subordinate, but it’s moments like these that truly highlight his value.
How could Galsaryang not worry about me? Yet he makes the most rational choices and never shows his concern.
At that moment, Gong Suchan entered. Since I retrieved the documents from the secret room in the warehouse ceiling, he had been incredibly busy.
Fortunately, his previous experience handling Yi Sang’s assets made the process smoother than ever.
“Is everything going well?”
“Thanks to Galsaryang’s help, it’s been manageable.”
“I only ran a few errands.”
Galsaryang’s modesty was met with Gong Suchan’s emphatic denial.
The work they accomplished was astounding.
“The amount we’ve secured so far is 4.5 billion nyang. Combined with the previous amount, it’s 6.5 billion nyang. Including what’s yet to be processed, it totals around 9 billion nyang.”
“9 billion nyang!”
I looked at Galsaryang in disbelief. He shook his head, sharing my incredulity. It was truly astonishing. Nine billion nyang!
The most surprising part was that this astronomical sum came from just one of the ten leaders.
Given how aggressively they moved despite the bankruptcy declaration, it seemed that apart from the shadowy figure, this person’s wealth was the greatest. But if all ten leaders’ assets were combined, the total would be unimaginable.
In a way, it made sense.
This organization had been around for centuries. Money begets money, and the amount grows and grows. They must have lost some along the way and hit jackpots too. They accumulated and accumulated, passing it down to their descendants. At some point, the amount became so vast that they couldn’t go bankrupt even if they wanted to. Just by breathing, they were making thousands of nyang.
“You two continue your work at the new safe house.”
“Understood.”
The two men bowed politely and left.
Finally, Baekpyo entered. He spoke cautiously.
“I believe those two can be adequately protected by the Black Panther Unit alone. So, if I may… could I accompany you this time?”
“Of course.”
Baekpyo was surprised by my easy agreement. He probably thought I intended to fight alone.
“With you, it’ll be like old times.”
“Thank you, Leader.”
Baekpyo was genuinely pleased.
Thus, only three remained at the safe house.
Me, Baekpyo, and Yi Sang.
After subduing Yi Sang’s pressure points, I locked him in a room and stepped outside with Baekpyo.
“Shall we spar for old times’ sake?”
Baekpyo’s face lit up at the unexpected proposal.
What could my words mean? It meant I would teach him martial arts. My instruction would be as valuable and precious as gaining a decade’s worth of inner strength.
I told him as he drew his sword.
“Come at me with all you’ve got.”
Isn’t that the phrase every martial artist longs to hear? Especially for someone as skilled as Baekpyo, it was something he could only hear from me.
In my assessment, Baekpyo was currently among the top ten in the martial world.
If he advanced just one more level, he would have no rivals except for me, the Heavenly King, and Cheon So-seon. Of course, the martial world is vast, filled with all sorts of eccentric geniuses, so who knows who might emerge.
In Cheon So-seon’s case, her wind technique was too powerful. Even if Baekpyo advanced a level, evading it wouldn’t be easy.
Baekpyo swung his sword with all his might, pressing me fiercely. His temperament had certainly become more aggressive than before.
Yet, within that aggression lay a hidden stability. While it could be seen as stability, it was also a passive, defensive trait—a weakness inherent to those born as guardian warriors.
I didn’t wish to eliminate it entirely. It was close to his nature, so it wouldn’t disappear easily, nor was there a need to.
Instead, I wanted him to shed the old and gain a new sense of stability.
Not the artificial stability of a guardian warrior, but the innate stability of Baekpyo as a person. Even though it’s the same stability, it’s entirely different.
Only then would Baekpyo truly become a martial artist who could contend for the title of the world’s best.
The sparring with Baekpyo proceeded in silence. I didn’t need to teach him anything explicitly. Nor did I prolong the sparring. After a bout, I told him.
“Let’s do this again tomorrow.”
“Yes.”
Baekpyo looked moved. It wasn’t just a one-time thing.
“I’d love to have a drink, but let’s save it for later. There will always be time for drinks, but the opportunity to reflect on this sparring is only today.”
“Leader!”
Overwhelmed with emotion, Baekpyo couldn’t find the words to continue.
I had resolved to guide Baekpyo until he reached the next level.
In the evening, I shared a drink with Cheonma in a world crafted by Cheongi Simhwan Gong.
[So, you’ve become the wealthiest in the martial world.]
Combining the wealth of the Dark Merchant with my own, such a statement wasn’t far-fetched.
[But are you truly the richest?]
[Really? Could there be someone with more money?]
[Just as we couldn’t have predicted the Dark Merchant’s vast wealth, there might be hidden masters of finance, just like there are hidden martial masters.]
[In any case, lend some money to my son and grandson later.]
[Of course. But be cautious when giving them money. Sudden wealth can bring misfortune.]
I spoke with genuine concern. For Cheonma, I could give a hundred million nyang, or even more.
Cheonma, understanding my intentions, agreed readily.
[Of course.]
On the tenth day of sparring with Baekpyo, he finally had a breakthrough.
His skills had advanced to the next level.
If I hadn’t rapidly improved my own abilities through mastering the Maeshin Technique, I wouldn’t have been able to elevate him in just ten days.
But I accomplished that difficult task.
Now, I can confidently say that among those I know, Baekpyo ranks fourth in skill.
First, there’s me and Cheonwanggun, whose outcomes are unpredictable, then Cheonsoseon, and now Baekpyo as the fourth. Since I plan to eliminate the first two, Baekpyo will eventually become the second.
“Thank you so much, Leader.”
Baekpyo bowed deeply.
I grasped his hand and helped him to his feet.
“I should be the one thanking you.”
People often say results are what matter, but that’s not true. The process is just as important. Baekpyo sacrificed and contributed far more than I did to get me where I am today. My success is built on the foundation of Baekpyo’s efforts.
“Thank you, Baekpyo.”
Two days later, the formation alarm sounded, announcing visitors.
When I stepped outside, two men stood at the entrance of the formation.
The moment I saw them, I instinctively knew one of them was the Dark Merchant. Astonishingly, he had come in person.
Identifying the Dark Merchant was easy. The other man was the epitome of a martial artist.
“Lower the formation for a moment.”
“Yes.”
Baekpyo deactivated the formation.
The two men walked into the house.
I stood face-to-face with the Dark Merchant. I could sense that I had reached a significant turning point in my life. Though we hadn’t exchanged a single word yet, I knew that this moment would be pivotal when I looked back.
“I am the Dark Merchant.”
“I am Byeokridan.”
Baekpyo and the other man exchanged greetings as well.
“I’m Baekpyo.”
“I’m Heukgeom.”
Heukgeom was a formidable martial artist, on par with Baekpyo. Judging by his aura, he seemed to be the bodyguard protecting the Dark Merchant.
In terms of martial arts alone, the Dark Merchant was the least skilled among us. Yet, he had come to see me with just this one subordinate.
What could he possibly be relying on?