One Strike, One Kill (1)
The man entering the main hall was Yeomhwa.
True to his nickname, “The Butcher,” he resembled a massive, ferocious beast. His frame was enormous, and his muscles were as hard as stone.
His eyes were narrow slits, his cheekbones jutted out, and his jawline was sharp and tense, giving him a fearsome appearance that was unsettling to behold.
A fresh wound, not yet a scar, marked his chest. It was a result of a surprise attack by Ho Yeonnam, but Yeomhwa refused to treat it with medicine or bandages, considering it a point of pride.
Yet, even this beastly man, reeking of the stench of festering wounds, behaved like a well-trained hunting dog in front of Mabonggi.
“If we let this slide, the martial world will look down on our Cheondo Clan.”
“Didn’t you already kill Ho Yeonnam?”
“That’s not enough.”
“Then what?”
“We need to kill everyone who was there that day. Only then will they never dare to underestimate us again.”
Hearing this, Sama Cheon, who was listening nearby, looked incredulous.
Yeomhwa glared at him, and Sama Cheon met his gaze without flinching. Normally, one wouldn’t dare act this way toward the chief strategist of the Martial Alliance, but Yeomhwa feared nothing.
Mabonggi smiled and said, “They’re saying your disciple committed suicide, and they’re clamoring to punish you instead.”
“Weaklings deserve to die.”
“Hahaha.”
Mabonggi laughed heartily.
“Stand down for now.”
“Understood.”
As Yeomhwa confidently strode out of the main hall, Sama Cheon began to voice his complaints.
“He failed his mission. He should be punished, not allowed to act so rudely.”
“He’s just upset. Give him a few days, and he’ll calm down.”
“Why do you trust him so much?”
“He’s skilled and doesn’t overthink.”
“What?”
“People like that are rare in the martial world. As one’s skills improve, so does their tendency to overthink.”
Mabonggi’s gaze sharpened as he looked at Sama Cheon.
“On the other hand, you think a lot. Would you prefer a subordinate like yourself, or one who follows orders without question?”
Sama Cheon was momentarily speechless. It was an almost absurd comparison, but he realized he wouldn’t want a subordinate like himself.
“Of course, I’d prefer someone like me. There are plenty who just follow orders.”
Mabonggi laughed heartily.
“Exactly. Even if you think hard, you’re still in my palm. I’d choose you too. Hahaha.”
It was a laugh that left one unsure of its sincerity.
“The public opinion in the martial world isn’t good. You should cover this up.”
“Understood.”
Sama Cheon left the main hall. Mabonggi had changed since becoming the leader. He was no longer the simple man he once was.
The intelligence network was being established rapidly. Jin and Su, true to their reputation as excellent spies, were efficient in their work.
“We’re expanding with reliable people.”
“Recruit the best spies as long as the budget allows, and treat them well.”
“Don’t worry.”
I was already treating the two of them well, and they were fulfilling their duties diligently.
“Yeomhwa just met with the leader and left.”
Jin and Su were not only building the intelligence network but also monitoring the movements of the Martial Alliance.
“He’s currently staying at the Infinite First Inn with the Cheondo Four.”
The Infinite First Inn was the same place where I had once shared drinks with Gwangdu. It was a popular spot not far from the Martial Alliance’s headquarters.
“Why not rent a quiet manor?”
“Yeomhwa has always disliked quiet places. He prefers to make his presence known in crowded areas.”
“Good work. Continue to be cautious in your spy activities.”
“Yes, we will.”
“Remember, what’s important to me is you, not the information.”
“Yes!”
I knew well that such words could be a great source of strength for them. An organization doesn’t run on its own.
I headed straight to the Infinite First Inn.
A crowd had gathered in front of the inn. They weren’t customers but onlookers.
“That’s the Butcher, Yeomhwa.”
“Wow, look at his size.”
“They say he killed Ho Yeonnam with a single punch!”
Everyone was praising him. With him right there, who would dare speak ill?
Yeomhwa was sitting in the center of the inn, drinking. The table was laden with dishes, and he had already downed several bottles of liquor.
The inn was empty. Everyone had fled outside when he entered.
Thanks to that, he could drink as if he had rented the entire inn.
The Cheondo Four sat around him, one in each corner, claiming the inn for themselves.
Trash.
That was my first impression. My philosophy was that the more skilled a martial artist became, the less they should harm ordinary people.
And my instincts were proven right.
At Yeomhwa’s signal, Ilwoo, one of the Cheondo Four, scattered silver coins around.
“A gift from Master Yeom to you all!”
“Wow!”
People scrambled to pick up the coins.
Watching them, Yeomhwa looked like a king.
Disgusting.
In the midst of the chaos, I noticed someone else watching Yeomhwa instead of the money.
To my surprise, it was Chilho.
I never imagined I’d run into her here.
Sensing my gaze, she looked my way.
Our eyes met, but she didn’t recognize me. Back then, I had been wearing a mask, so this wasn’t the face she knew.
Just as Chilho was about to turn and leave, a voice rang out, filled with anger.
“You scoundrel! Aren’t you afraid of the heavens?”
All eyes turned to the source of the voice.
The speaker was an elderly woman with a head full of white hair. She looked weary, as if she had traveled a long distance, but her eyes burned with a fierce intensity.
Beside her stood a young woman, and it was clear at a glance that they were related by blood.
The young woman seemed familiar, but no matter how hard I tried, I couldn’t place her.
Ilwoo, who had thrown the coins, stepped forward.
“Who are you to speak such nonsense?”
“I am Maerang. Ho Yeontak, whom you killed, was my grandson.”
To everyone’s surprise, she was Ho Yeontak’s grandmother. Her appearance shocked everyone present.
I was the most surprised. Hearing the name Maerang, I recalled a woman I once knew.
The young woman with her looked familiar because she resembled Maerang in her youth.
Maerang and I had grown up in the same village, and she had adored me, calling me brother and saying she’d marry me when she grew up.
Of course, I was too busy wandering the martial world to pay attention to her. To me, she was just a little sister from the village.
As she grew older, Maerang lost interest in me.
Later, I heard she had fallen in love with a descendant of the Ho Yeon family and married him. Ho Yeontak must have been her grandson.
It’s amazing how fate connects people in such unexpected ways.
Maerang looked exhausted from her long journey.
Ilwoo sneered and said, “So you’re the grandmother of that weakling who couldn’t protect his master and killed himself.”
“You scoundrel! My Tak would never take his own life!”
Enraged, Maerang swung her cane at Ilwoo. But he easily dodged it. It wasn’t an attack, just the feeble swing of an old woman, and Ilwoo mercilessly shoved her away.
Before Maerang could fall, I stepped in to catch her, preventing her from hitting the ground. If I hadn’t, her frail body could have been seriously injured.
Maerang looked at me.
“Thank you, young man.”
Up close, I could see traces of her younger self in her face. She had been such a naive girl, and now she was so old.
“Please, stop.”
I was speaking to Maerang, but Ilwoo responded coldly.
“And who are you?”
He seemed displeased that I had interfered.
“Just a bystander.”
“Then you should keep watching instead of meddling in an elder’s affairs.”
“You seem to be treating the elder poorly yourself.”
A few people chuckled at that. But under Ilwoo’s murderous glare, they quickly lowered their heads.
As Ilwoo moved toward me, Yeomhwa, who had been drinking at the back, slammed the table with a bang. The impact sent drinks and dishes crashing to the floor.
“My luck has been terrible lately.”
He scowled and headed upstairs.
Ilwoo leaned in close and warned me quietly, “You’ll regret this.”
I said nothing in response.
As the Cheondo Four followed Yeomhwa upstairs, the crowd began to disperse. Chilho was nowhere to be seen.
The young woman approached me and bowed politely.
“Thank you for your help. I’m Ho Yeonsukjeong.”
“I’m Byeok Lidan.”
“I won’t forget your kindness today, Byeok Sohyeop.”
“Think nothing of it.”
“Thank you, young man.”
“Take care.”
The two women walked toward the direction of the Martial Alliance’s headquarters.
I almost asked why they had come, but stopped myself. I had a pretty good idea. Judging by what they had said earlier, it seemed they were here to prove that Ho Yeontak’s death wasn’t a suicide.
But could they really achieve that here, under the leadership of Ma Bong-gi?
Watching the two of them with a hint of concern, I turned and walked away.
Instead of heading straight back to my quarters, I took a secluded path. I had sensed someone following me.
After walking for a while, I stopped in a deserted area. It was an open space, perfect for checking if I was being watched.
The person trailing me had no choice but to reveal themselves.
It was Ilwoo, one of the Cheondo warriors I had clashed with earlier.
“Did you really follow me?” I asked, feigning ignorance.
Ilwoo replied coldly, “Didn’t I warn you? You’ll regret this.”
“You’re quite impatient, aren’t you? Following me so quickly.”
“I’ve never delayed killing someone.”
“You’re here to kill me? And why is that?”
Feigning surprise, I asked, and he answered, “You mocked me in front of everyone. I’ve never let anyone who insulted me live.”
“What exactly did I do to insult you?”
“You dared to speak out without fear!”
“That’s it? You’re willing to kill someone over that?”
“What more reason do I need?”
I could see how this man had lived his life. He must have killed anyone who even slightly offended him, doing it quietly, of course. And if he ever got caught, he would slip away, protected by the Cheondo clan.
Do it once, twice, and it becomes a habit. Before you know it, you become a monster like this.
This time, he taunted me.
“Why did you risk your life for that old hag? Next time, just watch from the sidelines, you fool.”
“Does your master know you followed me to kill me?”
“Do you think I’d report every little thing like killing someone like you?”
“So you came alone.”
There was no one else around. Still, I heightened my senses to be sure. Thankfully, there was no one else.
I decided to show my true colors.
“If you kill for such petty reasons, then I have every reason to kill you. Say your goodbyes.”
“What nonsense are you spouting?”
“To the trees, the grass, the birds—whatever you like. Say your final farewell to this world.”
Ilwoo finally understood my words and looked incredulous.
“You crazy bastard! Hahaha.”
He laughed loudly, and I laughed with him.
The laughter stopped abruptly as he lunged at me, drawing his sword mid-air for a sharp thrust.
Swish!
It was a swift and precise move.
If it had been anyone else, it might have been impressive.
I dodged the incoming blade with ease, flipping through the air like an acrobat, and kicked him.
He never expected someone capable of dodging his sword to use such a technique.
Crash!
With a single kick, I heard the crunch of bones breaking as Ilwoo staggered back.
“Ugh.”
His shoulder shattered, his body twisted to one side, and his arm hung limp.
In excruciating pain, Ilwoo pleaded.
“Wait, wait! Ugh!”
He finally seemed to grasp the situation.
I paused my attack and asked, “Why?”
“I was wrong.”
“You’re quick to change your tune. If only your sword was as fast.”
“Please, spare me!”
“And if I do? Will you bring others?”
“No, never.”
“You were ready to kill over a single word, and now with a broken shoulder, you expect me to let it go? That’s a bit much, don’t you think?”
“Please, spare me! I’ll do anything you want.”
I leaped up and mercilessly kicked his jaw.
Crash!
His jaw shattered, and he fell backward.
With the momentum of my kick, I came down with a crushing blow to his face.
Thud!
His face caved in, and he died instantly.
I walked away, taking about twenty steps before turning back to face the corpse.
My sword sliced through the air.
Swish!
Boom!
With a technique called Samchosik Muguk, his body exploded into pieces, leaving no trace behind.
I looked at what was now just a pool of blood seeping into the ground and spoke coldly.
“Did you ask what I wanted? Just disappear from this world forever.”
I didn’t look back again, and not even the crows dared to gather in that empty place.