Episode 68. Who the Hell Am I Talking To?
“Alright, time to explain the operation. Sit down and pay attention.”
The chaotic hall fell silent at once. Tables were cleared, the floor tidied, and one of the officers brought out the large situation board the wall commander used.
I waited patiently until everyone was ready to listen.
Once things settled, So Gunpyeong spoke. “We’re ready, Master.”
I pointed at the big sheet of paper. “Spread that on the table.”
They laid it flat, and an officer at the end dipped a brush in ink and handed it to me. I took it, stood, and placed a dot on the sheet.
“Black Cat Hall.”
Then, about a hand’s span above it, I wrote a single word: Water.
“Master Su.”
Between the two names, I drew a simple triangular mountain. The tip pointed toward Su’s name, and the base rested under mine.
“An all-out assault formation.”
Hong Shin asked, “A surprise attack?”
I nodded. “Exactly. Only those who can run the whole way using lightfoot without rest will join. So Gunpyeong.”
“Yes, Master.”
“You understand the plan?”
He nodded. “We run nonstop to Unwu Society. Anyone who falls behind doesn’t belong in this mission, right?”
“Right. But that’s not all. This isn’t just a sprint—it’s a coordination test. I’ll lead. I won’t look back. Naturally, the gap between us will widen according to skill. Doesn’t matter. When you arrive, jump the walls and keep going straight until we reach Master Su’s quarters.”
So Gunpyeong’s eyes widened. “Even after reaching Unwu Society?”
I nodded again. “Keep running until you see Su himself. I’ll be the tip of the spear; you’ll be the edge behind me. Cut down anyone who blocks your way or throw darts at them—just don’t stop. Ignore anyone who flees. Charge forward, forward, forward… until I meet Master Su.”
I scanned their faces. “Everyone understand?”
“Yes!”
“Good. Everyone goes—except the slow ones.”
“When do we leave?” Cha Sung-tae asked.
“Now.”
Everyone sprang to their feet.
Even Yoo Sa-cheong stood up hesitantly, but I said, “Prisoners don’t join.”
“Yes.”
“Sung-tae, you guard him.”
“Me?”
Dokgo Saeng patted his shoulder. “Good luck, Chief.”
Even the Four Captains teased him as they passed. “Do your best, Chief Cha.” “Keep an eye on him.” “Finally earning your keep.”
So Gunpyeong spoke urgently. “Master, there’s no time to brief the rest—”
“Then don’t. Just tell them to follow. Those who can’t keep up can treat it as training. Su’s finished either way.”
The Wuak Lord and Lady Cheolseom had already withdrawn. The Unwu Society, demoralized and weakened, was next. Before facing the old dragon, I needed to crush the smaller prey.
At the gate, I turned to my officers. “I’m curious to see who arrives first. Treat it as a ranking match. Move!”
As soon as I spoke, Dokgo Saeng kicked open the doors and shot out like a storm.
So Gunpyeong muttered, “That crazy bastard…”
I called out, “Why so slow? Move! I’ll be ahead anyway.”
“What—?”
Hong Shin, quick on the uptake, dashed forward. Baek In, Cheong Jin, and Baek Yu followed. Only then did the rest scramble to catch up.
I took a few slow steps, then burst into full speed. Soon, I passed So Gunpyeong and called, “Gunpyeong! Faster!”
He said nothing, focusing on his breathing.
Up ahead, Cheong Jin and Baek Yu ran side by side. I overtook them easily, then Baek In, and spotted Hong Shin and Dokgo Saeng competing for the lead.
I came up behind them. “Already caught up.”
Startled, Hong Shin screamed and surged forward again, taking the lead.
I ran beside Dokgo Saeng and smirked. “Not bad.”
He responded with an incoherent battle cry like a pig being slaughtered. I laughed and left him behind, closing in on Hong Shin.
“Hong Shin, what’s the rush? Nature’s calling?”
She couldn’t answer, but she was fast—surprisingly so. Not just deep in internal energy but gifted in movement too.
Still, no one ran like me.
I thought of the masters from the Swift Hall and increased speed, passing her. “You’re the fastest, Hong Shin. Keep this pace—others can’t match it.”
“Yes, Master!” she replied, breathless.
I left her behind and ran alone. Maybe someday she’d reach the Swift Hall’s level. For now, I had no reason to slow down.
Even if Su had scouts nearby, none could outrun me. This surprise strike would be unstoppable.
I wondered what Su was doing right now—probably panicking, hiding gold, sending messengers, maybe begging old allies for help. If he was with Ilryong, I’d burn Unwu Society to the ground anyway.
The wall came into view. I leapt high, clearing it effortlessly. Below, Su’s men looked up, frozen in confusion.
Too late.
By the time one of them shouted “Enemy!” I was already inside, sprinting past the pond and skirting the incinerator toward the main hall.
I kicked the great doors open with a crash. The main building—apparently a performance hall—was empty.
I vaulted over the audience seats, landed on stage, and dashed down the back corridor. A few attacks came my way; I ignored them, deflecting with my forearm or striking pressure points mid-run. I stormed up the stairs, slapping faces and breaking arms along the way.
At last, guards blocked a door ahead. I drew the Black Cat Blade.
When they barked a warning, I replied calmly, “It’s me—the Madman under the Moon.”
Their eyes widened just before I slashed horizontally. Blade energy flew like wind. Their heads rolled before their bodies hit the floor. I kicked the door open and stepped in.
“Master Su! It’s me. Sleep well last night?”
The room was enormous. At its far end, a large bed. Su, half-dressed, stumbled toward a sword on the table.
There were others in the room, but my eyes saw only him.
I closed the distance in a blink. My blade clashed against his just as he turned. We locked eyes—then words ceased as steel screamed.
He fought frantically, still barefoot, half-clothed. I matched his wild swings with precision, eyes fixed on his.
Left palm—Palm Force. Right hand—Blade Strike. Shockwaves filled the room.
Then I unleashed the Absorbing Energy Technique, grabbed his throat, and slammed him against the wall. “Master Su?”
My blade pierced his abdomen and pinned him there.
I tilted his chin, studying his face. “So this is what you look like?”
I yanked the blade free.
Splurt!
He slid down the wall, dead before he hit the floor. I wiped the blood from my blade and sheathed it, tidied my hair, and looked around.
Two young women crouched on the bed, naked under their blankets, wide-eyed with terror.
I squatted and looked at Su again. His lips twitched, trying to speak.
“What’s that? Can’t hear you.”
“You… dog…”
“Dog? That’s your final word? Pathetic. Why didn’t you come surrender? I warned you, didn’t I? You should’ve believed me for once instead of thinking you’re always right. Look at you—what a mess, Master Su.”
“…”
He was dead.
I glanced at the women. “Who am I talking to right now? Oh, right—just a corpse.”
They whimpered, “Please… spare us…”
“Sure,” I said casually. “You’ll live.”
At that moment, my men arrived, weapons dripping blood. The disciples stared, stunned, at their dead master.
Dokgo Saeng entered behind them. “Over already?”
“Clean up,” I ordered. “Spread the word—Master Su is dead. Spare anyone who kneels. Kill the rest.”
“Yes, Master.”
The officers hurried out. I followed, descending the stairs slowly as the sounds of battle faded.
Outside, many knelt on the ground. Blood soaked the courtyard.
Others, panting from the run, arrived one by one at the gates. I looked at So Gunpyeong.
“We need harsher training. You think we can fight stronger foes like this?”
He nodded. “We’ll toughen up.”
I looked over the kneeling enemies and my own men. All eyes were on me.
“We slept well, ate breakfast, drank our wine—and since Master Su refused to surrender, I came to kill him myself. Those who still resist will join him in death. Cooperate with my men. Unwu Society is finished.”
They stared, waiting for more. I sighed and added, “But me? I’m not going anywhere. You think I’ll fall like them?”
“…”
The response wasn’t exactly enthusiastic.