The King of the Underworld (4)
Ban Seo-jeong was led to a well-appointed guest room deep within the Martial Alliance headquarters.
Her companion, Bing No-dae, had to wait outside, as he wasn’t permitted to enter.
Inside, waiting for her, was Sima Qian.
“Welcome, Vice Leader Ban.”
“It’s an honor to meet you, Strategist Sima.”
“Please, have a seat.”
A table with drinks was already set. It was somewhat inappropriate to have alcohol prepared for a first meeting, especially knowing the guest was a woman.
Typically, whether the guest was male or female, it was customary to start with tea and then offer a drink if the meeting went well.
“Thank you for accepting my invitation.”
“No, it was only right to come and pay my respects.”
“Haha, your words put me at ease. Here, have a drink.”
Even though it was their first meeting, Ban Seo-jeong didn’t mind sharing a drink if the person was agreeable. In the world of martial arts, the distinction between men and women had long since faded.
However, she knew Sima Qian all too well. He was a man who had once aligned himself with the corrupt faction of the Heavenly Path Sect. He was neither fit for the high position of the Alliance’s chief strategist nor did he possess the necessary skills. He was more of a schemer than a military strategist.
Despite her true feelings, Ban Seo-jeong’s expression betrayed none of her discomfort. Her strategy was to maintain a smile, especially with those she didn’t favor.
With good people, she could express her true emotions. If she was angry, she could say why. At least they wouldn’t hold a grudge over a misunderstanding.
But revealing one’s emotions to an adversary was foolish, especially if it was anger. It might feel like venting at the moment, but ultimately, it would only harm oneself.
Just then, someone entered the room.
“You called for me?”
The person who arrived at Sima Qian’s summons was none other than Gal Sa-ryang.
Seeing Ban Seo-jeong there, Gal Sa-ryang was visibly startled. Ban Seo-jeong was equally surprised. She never imagined she would encounter Gal Sa-ryang here.
“Ah, so you two know each other,” Sima Qian remarked, feigning ignorance.
But both Gal Sa-ryang and Ban Seo-jeong sensed that Sima Qian had orchestrated this meeting deliberately.
“It’s been a while. How have you been?” Ban Seo-jeong greeted first, and Gal Sa-ryang bowed politely in return.
“Yes, I’ve been well, thanks to you.”
In his response, Ban Seo-jeong detected a hint of sadness. To her, it sounded like:
How could I be well after losing my lord?
Gal Sa-ryang handed over some documents to Sima Qian.
“Here are the papers you requested.”
“Haha, thank you. Since you’re here, why not have a drink?”
“I’m still on duty, so I’ll have to decline. I’ll take my leave now.”
“Take care.”
Sima Qian was unaware of the subtle emotions between the two. He had summoned Gal Sa-ryang to this meeting to humiliate him in front of Ban Seo-jeong.
Seeing him reduced to a mere errand boy was humiliation enough.
Sima Qian was intent on breaking Gal Sa-ryang’s spirit, relishing in this cruel pastime.
As Gal Sa-ryang left the room, Sima Qian spoke before the door fully closed.
“He was truly a capable man.”
He said it in the past tense, deliberately for Gal Sa-ryang to hear, and also to gauge Ban Seo-jeong’s opinion of him.
Ban Seo-jeong smiled and replied, “There are many capable people in the martial world. But few are what the times demand.”
Though she didn’t mean it, Sima Qian heard it as if she was saying he was the man of the hour.
Sima Qian beamed with satisfaction.
“Yes, this is the taste of power.”
This was the allure of authority. If he weren’t the chief strategist, how could he drink the wine offered by the leader of the Heavenly Net Society, or hear such sweet words?
Before becoming the chief strategist of the Martial Alliance, meeting the leader of the Heavenly Net Society would have been nearly impossible.
He was now reaping the rewards of his efforts to curry favor with the Heavenly Path Sect. Of course, he was working tirelessly to maintain his position.
After some conversation, it was time for her to leave.
“Until next time.”
“Indeed.”
Before standing, Ban Seo-jeong pulled something from her sleeve.
“This is some information that recently came to our society. I brought it as a gift to commemorate our meeting today.”
Sima Qian unfolded it and was taken aback by what he read.
“Is this really written by the former Alliance Leader?”
“Yes, we’ve confirmed it’s his handwriting.”
“How did you acquire this?”
Ban Seo-jeong smiled and said, “As you know, information in the martial world flows as naturally as the seasons. No one asks how summer arrives.”
Sima Qian couldn’t press further. He knew well that among intelligence organizations, it was an unspoken rule not to question the source of information. Moreover, this was presented as a gift.
In truth, Ban Seo-jeong had been debating whether to leak this information. For Gal Sa-ryang’s sake, it seemed better to do so, but the gravity of the matter weighed heavily on her.
However, witnessing Sima Qian humiliate Gal Sa-ryang prompted her decision to release the information.
She left the guest room first, and Sima Qian soon followed.
“Something’s fishy.”
Jo Byeok, who had rushed over at Sima Qian’s call, immediately expressed suspicion after hearing about the meeting with Ban Seo-jeong.
“And the timing is too coincidental.”
“It’s confirmed to be written by the Alliance Leader himself, isn’t it?”
“Handwriting can be forged.”
“It contains details about the secret martial arts known only to the Alliance Leader. How do you explain that?”
“It means only the Alliance Leader can verify it.”
“Let’s wait and see. We’re having the handwriting analyzed on our end too.”
The Martial Alliance had entrusted the analysis to their most skilled experts.
“If your suspicion is correct and it’s a forgery, it means the Heavenly Net Society is opposing me.”
It was hard to comprehend. Opposing him meant opposing the Martial Alliance, essentially risking the organization’s survival.
“Would the Heavenly Net Society risk everything for this?”
Sima Qian shook his head. It didn’t seem likely.
“Someone might be using them.”
“Who? The former Tiger Unit Leader?”
The first person that came to mind was Baek Pyo. He was suspected of possibly possessing the sword.
“From what I saw and his past record, he’s not someone who would orchestrate such a scheme.”
Jo Byeok agreed with that assessment.
“Gal Sa-ryang might have orchestrated it.”
“That’s possible.”
Gal Sa-ryang was under surveillance. If he had contacted the Heavenly Net Society, they would have been informed. Of course, being a seasoned individual, he might have evaded surveillance to meet with the leader.
But from their earlier interaction, it didn’t seem likely. Their surprise at seeing each other was genuine, not feigned, and it was clear they hadn’t met in a long time.
Just then, a subordinate entered the office to report.
“The handwriting analysis confirms it’s indeed written by the former Alliance Leader.”
“Are you certain?”
“Yes, it’s confirmed.”
“Is there any possibility of forgery?”
“None at all. The analyst believes it was written a few months before the former Alliance Leader passed away. The martial arts details were also verified by the elders, who confirmed it seems to be his writing.”
“Understood. You may go.”
Once the subordinate left, Sima Qian looked at Jo Byeok.
Jo Byeok still couldn’t shake his doubts.
“Even if it’s genuine, we must question why it surfaced at this particular time.”
“If someone released it intentionally, it would be Baek Pyo or Gal Sa-ryang. They’re the only ones who might have kept the former leader’s belongings. But what significance does it have now? The important thing is that the King of the Underworld’s sword no longer exists.”
Sima Qian’s interest in obtaining the sword was to gain favor with Ma Bong-gi.
But with the sword’s nonexistence confirmed, his interest waned.
“Cease the investigation on Baek Pyo. We have more pressing matters to attend to.”
Sima Qian had no interest in what the martial world desired. He was still focused on finding what Ma Bong-gi wanted, as he had always lived his life.
That evening, I had the chance to meet Baek Pyo’s son, Myung, who had come on an errand for his mother.
“Introduce yourself. This is Young Master Byeok.”
“Nice to meet you. I’m Myung.”
Baek Pyo’s son was seven years old. His bright eyes and manners were impressive for his age. Then again, with a father like his, it was no surprise.
“Who does he take after to be so handsome? Your wife must be quite the beauty.”
The mention of his wife flustered Baek Pyo. Though he was merely a tavern owner, I was a guest and the heir to the Byeok Sword Clan.
When I offered a friendly smile, Baek Pyo relaxed. His eyes showed a touch of gratitude, unexpected but deeply felt.
In my past life, I should have been like this. A kind word, a small gesture of consideration, could move hearts. What was so important about the authority of the Alliance Leader that I lived so rigidly?
“Myung, always listen to your parents.”
I handed Myung a coin, and the boy looked to Baek Pyo for permission to accept it.
Baekpyo nodded, and with a grateful bow, the young boy scampered off through the back door.
Baekpyo’s gaze lingered on Myung, deepening with affection.
“These days, raising that little rascal is what keeps me going.”
Baekpyo had spent his youth protecting me.
We roamed countless battlefields together, fighting like madmen.
In the process, we lost many comrades. The scars on his body were nothing compared to the wounds on his heart—wounds that would never heal.
After leaving the Martial Alliance, Baekpyo now guards my sword.
He has spent his life protecting me and everything connected to me.
When I think about his life… what did the life of an old man full of authority matter? What was that sword worth?
So, Baekpyo, it’s time for you to be happy. Enjoy your happiness to the fullest.
Now, it’s my turn to protect you.
Three men entered a manor on the outskirts of Wuhuan.
Each had a distinct build and age, with unique features.
The oldest-looking man was hairy, with sideburns covering his face and thick hair on his hands and arms. Another was a giant, his forearms as thick as an average person’s waist. The last man had a face that looked like a mashed soybean paste, truly unattractive.
Despite their differences, they shared one thing in common.
Their eyes were filled with a chronic bloodlust, as if they could kill a person and then casually eat a meal right next to the body.
These were Jo Byeok’s three shadows, the Samyeong.
The person waiting for them was Jo Byeok himself.
“You’re here?”
“You called all three of us. What’s going on?”
“Unfortunately, the mission requiring your skills has been canceled.”
The Samyeong showed signs of disappointment.
Jo Byeok pulled out a few hundred-nyang notes and handed them over.
“Take some time off, enjoy yourselves with some women.”
Their faces lit up immediately.
“Don’t leave Wuhuan until I give the order.”
Jo Byeok didn’t send them away. Although Sima Qian had withdrawn from this matter, Jo Byeok still felt uneasy. He had a hunch there was more to it, something hidden.
He planned to discreetly gather more information from Baekpyo. Of course, he wouldn’t report the findings to Sima Qian. He wanted to prove to himself that his instincts were right.
As one of the Samyeong turned to leave, he asked casually, “By the way, who was our original target?”
“The former leader of the Tiger Corps.”
“He must be quite formidable.”
“More than formidable. Even if the three of you teamed up, you wouldn’t be able to kill him.”
“Is he that strong?”
“What do you think the Tiger Corps of the Martial Alliance is? They protect the leader. The Tiger Corps leader is their head. Even I can’t defeat him in a direct confrontation. But don’t worry. He has a wife and son. We can make him kneel anytime.”
A sly grin spread across the four men’s faces. It was how they had always operated, how they had survived.
“Once you’re on the boss’s hit list, it doesn’t matter if you’re the Tiger Corps leader or his grandfather. The result is the same.”
No one had survived once entangled with them. No matter how skilled, they always found a weakness and exploited it.
After they left, I emerged from the shadows.
I had been keeping a close watch on the Samyeong’s movements in Wuhuan.
I listened to their entire conversation, hidden from sight.
When I heard the mission was canceled, I knew my plan had succeeded.
But it was only a partial success. Jo Byeok hadn’t completely dropped his suspicions. Keeping the Samyeong around was proof of that.
The moment he mentioned Baekpyo’s family, I made up my mind.
I would eliminate all four of them.
I despise those who harm families and attack those who can’t defend themselves. And if it’s Baekpyo’s family?
I wanted to take them out right then and there, but I held back.
I had worked hard to make them believe I had destroyed the Suramyeongwang Sword, and I didn’t want to give Sima Qian any reason to doubt it.
I’ll take them out, one by one, in a way that seems unrelated to this incident.
You’ve made it onto my hit list.
Leave your last words on your own.