Episode 197: The Web

Sama Jeung found the current situation unbearably frustrating, yet he couldn’t voice his suspicions to Sama Taegon. Revealing his doubts would do him no good.

Instead, Sama Jeung chose to address everyone with a vague outcry, avoiding direct confrontation with Sama Taegon.

“Get a grip! Are you really going to believe those deceitful words?”

“Brother, if you were going to say such things, you should have done so before our youngest met his end.”

It was Sama Taegon who interrupted Sama Jeung. Though he seemed to speak out of concern for the deceased Sama Song, it was clear his actions were driven by the assurance of his own child’s safety.

Sama Jeung had warned Sama Song before his death, but the youngest had recklessly gambled, dragging family ties into his folly.

Sama Jeung felt a surge of anger, wishing he could kick the lifeless body of his youngest sibling. He had indulged him too much due to their age difference, and this was the result.

While Sama Jeung struggled to suppress his boiling rage, the other warriors of the Sama clan fell into deep thought. It didn’t take long for them to reach a similar conclusion.

With Sama Song dead, there were ten warriors left, and thirteen hostages. Two had been promised a cure for their condition, leaving eleven hostages.

‘If two hostages are cured per game, only six of us need to win.’

This meant that up to four warriors could avoid participating in the gamble and still escape the situation.

The warriors of the Sama clan began to eye each other warily. In a scenario where avoiding risk seemed possible, stepping forward first was foolish.

Amidst this tension, Sama Hwiwol, a top warrior of the clan, raised his hand.

“Yi Ryong, if I win the game, will you guarantee the treatment of two hostages?”

“Of course. The same conditions apply to all who participate.”

“Then I’ll take on the challenge this time.”

Sama Hwiwol’s boldness in volunteering seemed courageous, earning nods of respect even from those who had previously dismissed him.

However, as Dang Mujin approached to place a hand on Sama Hwiwol’s forehead, Hwiwol quickly waved him off.

“Wait. I want a different kind of game. Bring me the dice.”

The expressions of the Sama clan warriors shifted dramatically. Sama Jeung shouted at Hwiwol.

“You fool! Are you really going to gamble your kin’s lives on a roll of the dice?”

“It’s not like that!”

Sama Hwiwol protested, but Sama Jeung continued to berate him.

“How can you say that after witnessing Sama Song’s death?”

“Think about it! Even Sama Song, who surpassed the pinnacle, barely managed seven steps before collapsing. How could I, a mere first-rate warrior, endure seven steps? I chose uncertain victory over certain defeat!”

The warriors couldn’t argue with Sama Hwiwol’s logic, as much as they disliked it. His reasoning was sound from both his personal and the clan’s perspective.

Despite the gravity of the situation, Sama Hwiwol felt a strange sense of satisfaction. He was relieved to have a chance to save his life and delighted to prove himself to the masters who had underestimated him.

Seeing Sama Song, who had always flaunted his achievements, lying dead brought an odd sense of vindication.

The other first-rate warriors shared similar thoughts. They were secretly glad they hadn’t surpassed the pinnacle.

As faint smiles appeared on the first-rate warriors’ faces, the masters felt a deep-seated anger. For a moment, they found the first-rate warriors more infuriating than Dang Mujin.

Ignoring the tension between the first-rate and pinnacle warriors, Dang Mujin handed the dice to Hong Geolgae.

Hong Geolgae accepted them with a sense of familiarity. Dice games were his specialty, after all.

Feeling a kinship with Sama Hwiwol, Hong Geolgae explained, “We’ll each roll once, and the higher number wins.”

“Wait. May I inspect the dice?”

Cautiously, Sama Hwiwol examined the dice, checking for any signs of tampering. Satisfied, he nodded.

“No issues. May I roll first?”

“Go ahead.”

Sama Hwiwol closed his eyes, focusing intently, and tossed the dice.

‘Please!’

But despite his hopes, the dice showed a two.

Sama Hwiwol’s face fell as if the sky had collapsed.

Hong Geolgae picked up the dice. “Now it’s my turn.”

At that moment, Dang Mujin subtly moved his lips, unnoticed by anyone.

Hong Geolgae rolled the dice, and it landed on one.

The Sama clan erupted in cheers at the unexpected victory.

“Yes! Hwiwol, I knew you could do it!”

Feigning disappointment, Dang Mujin clicked his tongue. “Looks like we’ll need to treat two more. Who will it be?”

Before Sama Hwiwol could choose, Sama Jeung interjected.

“Wait. There’s no need to decide—”

But Sama Hwiwol boldly interrupted the clan leader.

“My son, Sama Yanggon, and Sama Seop, please.”

Choosing Sama Seop was a strategic move, as his father, Sama Juhon, wielded significant influence and power, second only to Sama Jeung.

Sama Jeung wanted to strike Sama Hwiwol down, but he noticed Sama Juhon subtly aligning with Hwiwol.

With his second brother Sama Taegon and now his third brother Sama Juhon siding with the opposition, Sama Jeung trembled with rage, gripping his sword.

Dang Mujin’s scheme was insidious and subtle. He had merely set the stage, and the Sama clan warriors were now embroiled in conflict, suspicion, and desperation.

Yet, someone else saw the situation differently—Hyeon Gong.

Observing the shifting dynamics among the Sama clan warriors, Hyeon Gong was impressed.

‘This is masterful manipulation. There’s much to learn from Dang Mujin.’

This was the pinnacle of sowing discord.

Dang Mujin had deftly driven a wedge between Sama Jeung and the other warriors, dividing those with assured safety from those without, and creating a rift between first-rate and pinnacle warriors.

Remarkably, Dang Mujin had concealed his intentions so well that his manipulations seemed almost unintentional.

Buoyed by Sama Hwiwol’s success, the remaining first-rate warriors naturally took their turns with the dice. Some won, some lost.

Each time Hong Geolgae won, Dang Mujin celebrated, and when he lost, he visibly expressed regret.

The Sama clan warriors began to trust him.

‘He seems intent on keeping his promises.’

Finally, after all the first-rate warriors had rolled, it was the pinnacle warriors’ turn. Sama Juhon stepped forward.

This time, Dang Mujin prepared to place his fingers on Sama Juhon’s forehead.

But Sama Juhon confidently declared, “Give me the dice.”

“What!”

Sama Jeung shouted, and Sama Juhon addressed him.

“Brother, saving the children isn’t the end. The Sama clan needs someone to shield them until they can stand on their own. Don’t waste the lives of those here.”

His words were eloquent, but his true intentions were clear. Having secured his son Sama Seop’s safety, he had no desire to risk his life for the other hostages.

Sama Jeung watched Sama Juhon with the dice, feeling a complex mix of emotions.

His rational mind urged him to support Juhon, but his heart desperately wished for his defeat.

‘If he wins, the others who have surpassed the pinnacle will follow suit, falling into Dang’s trap. I can’t bear to watch this any longer. Please lose. Please…’

Sama Jeung, usually so composed, had succumbed to his emotions.

He no longer cared about the divisions among the people present or their thoughts about each other. He didn’t want to think about the best course of action or the optimal outcome.

Sama Jeung was intelligent and rational, but ultimately, he was human.

And moments later…

“Yes!”

Contrary to Sama Jeung’s fervent hopes, Sama Juhon won the dice game.

With the psychological barrier broken, the pinnacle warriors began to choose the dice over risking their lives with poison.

Beside them lay Sama Song, dead and forgotten.

But everyone in the Sama clan chose to ignore him. They felt sorry for Sama Song, but none wished to join him in death.

After a series of bets, everyone except Sama Jeung had their fate decided.

Sama Jeung was the only one who hadn’t participated yet. And the only one whose treatment was still uncertain was Sama Gwancheon.

The reason Sama Gwancheon was left until the end was simple: his parents weren’t present.

As all eyes turned to Sama Jeung, he let out a deep sigh and extended his hand, asking for the dice.

The atmosphere shifted strangely. Everyone was watching Sama Jeung with peculiar expressions.

No one spoke, but Sama Jeung understood the meaning in their eyes.

‘You told us not to roll the dice, so why are you asking for them now?’

Sama Jeung’s eyes flared with anger.

‘Bastards!’

But risking his life to save just one person seemed absurd to anyone. At least, that’s what Sama Jeung thought.

Yet, at the same time, he felt like crawling into a hole. Had he ever felt so humiliated in his life?

With trembling hands, Sama Jeung threw the dice. To his relief, it landed on six. Instinctively, he clenched his fist.

‘See? I’m different from you. I chose the dice because I have confidence!’

Hong Geolgae rolled up his sleeves and grabbed the dice. The tension in the room was palpable.

Amazingly, Hong Geolgae’s roll also landed on six.

Dang Mujin nodded and spoke.

“Quite a coincidence. Please, roll again.”

Sama Jeung, breathing heavily, rolled the dice once more. It landed on five. Not as good as before, but still a strong result. He was unlikely to lose.

But when Hong Geolgae’s dice hit the floor, the room fell silent. Once again, it showed six.

People were deep in thought. Should they accept Sama Gwancheon’s death? Or should they find another way? But no alternatives came to mind.

Then, Dang Mujin addressed Sama Jeung.

“I’ll give you one more chance. Will you take the poison and walk seven steps?”

Sama Jeung hesitated, unable to answer.

The thought of accepting the offer to be a respected leader clashed with the fear that he wouldn’t survive the poison.

The atmosphere turned cold and tense.

Sama Jeung realized his position as a leader was over.

A leader who held others to different standards, who lacked the courage to risk his life for his kin. No one would follow such a leader.

Unable to hold back, Sama Jeung drew his sword and swung it at Dang Mujin, who stood right in front of him.

“Bastard!”

But his sword was blocked. It wasn’t Dang Mujin who stopped it; he stood still, watching Sama Jeung without drawing his own sword.

It wasn’t Hyun Gongdo or Namgung Myung either. And certainly not Hong Geolgae. The one who blocked Sama Jeung’s sword was his third brother, Sama Juhon.

Sama Jeung shouted.

“Why did you stop me?”

Sama Juhon didn’t answer.

Sama Jeung looked around. No one sided with him to confront Sama Juhon. He cried out, as if spitting blood.

“Why, you bastards!”

He knew the reason. The love of parents for their children outweighed their feelings for a cowardly leader who wouldn’t sacrifice himself.

Tears welled up in Sama Jeung’s eyes. It was the first time since he was ten that he cried. Not from sadness, but from frustration and anger.

“Are you even warriors of the Sama clan?”

Sama Jeung swung his sword repeatedly, but others took turns blocking it. Sama Taegon, Sama Juhon, Sama Yeop—

Eventually, Sama Jeung gave up resisting. Everything he had built was crumbling before him. He wasn’t prepared to endure this.

Dang Mujin drew his sword and approached slowly. Sama Jeung looked directly at Dang Mujin’s sword but made no move to defend himself. Without resistance, Dang Mujin plunged the sword into Sama Jeung’s heart.

“Bastards. The Sama clan? It’s all a sham. Let it all fall apart.”

Sama Jeung spat blood as he shouted, not at Dang Mujin, but at the members of the Sama clan.

Those were his last words. Sama Jeung collapsed, gasping for a moment before he stopped breathing.

The third brother, Sama Juhon, approached Sama Jeung’s body and picked up his sword.

No one told Sama Juhon to put down the sword. Everyone there acknowledged him as the next leader of the Sama clan. Though the position didn’t feel secure.

The truth of what happened would be conveniently forgotten, and a suitable reason would be attached to Sama Jeung’s death.

The warriors of the Sama clan and Dang Mujin’s group turned back toward Luoyang. Left behind on the outskirts were Sama Yugong, Sama Song, and Sama Jeung’s body.

The people of the Sama clan worried that Dang Mujin might flee, but surprisingly, he never attempted to escape.

After a long journey, Dang Mujin’s group and the warriors of the Sama clan returned to the clan’s grounds by early evening the next day.

Since they hadn’t sent word ahead, no one was there to greet them.

The warriors entered the clan grounds with mixed emotions.

‘What?’

But something was very wrong inside the clan.

Instead of the clan members, the place was filled with monks, their heads shaved and dressed in robes.

Unlike the bustling monks, the clan members were all sprawled on the ground, clutching their abdomens.

The warriors wondered.

‘Why are monks from Shaolin here in Luoyang?’

Though Shaolin and Luoyang weren’t far apart, it still took a day or two to travel between them.

Why were they here? Why were the clan members tied up and lying around?

Amidst the chaos, an elderly monk with a long white beard and a large-framed middle-aged monk looked at the returning warriors.

Both Shaolin and the Sama clan were part of the martial alliance, so the warriors recognized the monks.

The abbot of Shaolin, Shinseung, and the head of the Arhat Hall, Manryeokseung.

Manryeokseung approached Sama Juhon, the next leader of the Sama clan, and spoke.

“Come along now.”

The situation was surreal, and Manryeokseung’s words lacked context.

So Sama Juhon replied somewhat blankly.

“Where are we going?”

“Where else would a martial criminal go but the Hall of Repentance?”

In the next moment, Sama Juhon felt Manryeokseung’s fist slam into his abdomen.