Could there be an unknown law of exchange in this world?

Just as Yeon Ja-seong, a good man, had come to me, it seemed the balance had to be maintained—unwelcome guests had also arrived.

Two men, dressed in matching outfits, blocked my path. The younger one among them spoke.

"Are you Zaha, Lord of Ruju?"

I shook my head and replied.

"No, I’m just an errand boy."

The man sighed.

"…I am Hyeok Ryeon-hong, a messenger of the Black Cat Gang. I have come to deliver a message from my superior."

"The Black Cat Gang again?"

As I observed their presence, I noticed that one of them was carrying a large bundle.

The most likely possibilities were that it contained a rare weapon, a peculiar concealed weapon, or—if neither—someone’s severed head.

Hyeok Ryeon-hong spoke in a stiff tone.

"The Golden Phoenix Pavilion Lord requests your presence."

"Who is that? Tell him I have no interest in meeting him. Golden Phoenix—just the name alone makes him sound like a greedy, stinking middle-aged man."

Hyeok Ryeon-hong remained indifferent to my crude remark.

In truth, I already knew who the Golden Phoenix Pavilion Lord was.

His name was Ban Sa-ung.

I had never met him, but I had heard his name frequently.

He was a man who was caught embezzling funds from the Black Cat Gang and ended up being torn apart limb by limb by their internal auditors.

In short, he was a man consumed by greed.

Despite not being a martial arts expert, Ban Sa-ung held a high-ranking position in the gang because he managed their financial dealings. He had risen to the rank of pavilion lord at a young age simply because he generated immense profits for his superiors.

It would not be an exaggeration to say that every misfortune that later befell Ilyang County stemmed from his orders. His relentless pressure on his subordinates led to them extorting the powerless in a chain reaction.

In the underworld, anyone who made money was often ruthless. But Ban Sa-ung was more than that—he had also amassed wealth through assassinations unrelated to gang business.

He was the kind of man who engaged in every despicable act imaginable.

But in the underworld, such men were far from rare.

Hyeok Ryeon-hong spoke in a calming tone.

"You should not refuse. The fact that he sent a messenger instead of an assassin means you still have an option. If I return empty-handed, the next to come will be killers, Lord of Ruju."

He smirked slightly, as if amused by his own words.

"So, it’s a checkmate?"

"That’s correct."

"When does he want to meet?"

"He is hunting not far from here. The sooner, the better. It would be best if you left with us by this evening."

I glanced at the bundle, curiosity stirring.

"What’s in there? You seem to have brought it to show me."

"Ah, of course. You should see it."

Hyeok Ryeon-hong signaled to the man holding the bundle, who stepped forward and unwrapped it.

Inside were two severed heads—unexpected ones.

Jeon Pung and Han Go-uk.

It was clearly meant as intimidation.

But such threats had no effect on me.

"You dare kill my drinking buddies?"

Hyeok Ryeon-hong explained,

"They were aware of what happened in Ilyang County yet chose to conceal the truth. This delayed our ability to assess the situation—an unforgivable mistake. During interrogation, we learned something amusing. Apparently, all you did was get them drunk. Is that correct?"

When I nodded, Hyeok Ryeon-hong grinned.

"That’s what saved you. The Golden Phoenix Pavilion Lord found it amusing. That is why he sent a messenger instead of assassins—because you piqued his interest."

I briefly considered whether I should kill these two men on the spot or let them go.

The mere thought of killing them was enough to cause the guard holding the box to instinctively grab Hyeok Ryeon-hong’s shoulder and leap backward using light footwork.

Pa-pa-pa-bak!

This translation is the intellectual property of Novelight.

His retreat was so urgent that the sound of his steps echoed loudly.

Hyeok Ryeon-hong, now at a safer distance, spoke.

"Lord of Ruju? We are merely delivering a message. Your killing intent is quite strong."

"How dramatic…"

I glanced at the two of them and spoke.

"You slaughter Jeon Pung and Han Go-uk so cruelly, then summon me, expecting me to go willingly? I have no intention of walking into a death trap."

Hyeok Ryeon-hong scratched his head and replied.

"If you are afraid, you could always flee. Many have chosen to do so rather than be entangled with the Black Cat Gang. If you leave, there will be no senseless bloodshed in Ilyang County. It would be best for everyone."

In other words, if I wanted to continue acting [N O V E L I G H T] like a leader here, I had to bow to the Black Cat Gang.

If I ran away and never set foot in Ilyang County again, they would let me live.

"Run away?"

Hyeok Ryeon-hong grinned.

"Yes."

"A man doesn’t do that."

Hyeok Ryeon-hong asked,

"Then what will you do? Shall I give you until evening? Or do you prefer to leave immediately?"

The Black Cat Gang was skilled at their dealings—they made sure to leave no room for escape.

Since I remained silent, Hyeok Ryeon-hong added,

"For the record, we will not be drinking with you."

"A shame."

It seemed that from now on, no one affiliated with the Black Cat Gang would ever drink with me.

With things as they were, I had little choice.

I had to meet this Ban Sa-ung.

Spreading my arms slightly, I gestured to my attire.

"I can’t visit in these rags. Let me change first. If I’m going to meet a high-ranking figure in the Black Cat Gang, I should at least dress appropriately. Right now, I look too much like an errand boy."

Hyeok Ryeon-hong nodded.

"That is true. You do look like an errand boy."

"……."

"Lead the way. We’ll follow."

With those two trailing behind me like shadows, I headed for Maehwaru.

***

After changing into a more formal outfit, I informed Cha Seong-tae of my destination.

"I’m going to meet the Golden Phoenix Pavilion Lord of the Black Cat Gang."

"That bastard? He’s nothing but a money-grubbing murderer."

Cha Seong-tae looked at me, eyes wide with shock.

"Yeah, even Jeon Pung and Han Go-uk are dead. They were beheaded."

"And you’re still going?"

"I’m not being dragged there. I’m going on my own."

Cha Seong-tae’s expression grew intense.

"Why go alone? Let’s gather everyone and wage war."

I sighed, looking at him.

So naive.

If the townspeople died or got injured, it wouldn’t just be a matter of losing some drinking companions—it would mean losing the place where I eat, drink, forge weapons, and even steal clothes from.

I was already lonely enough just breathing. If my people disappeared, I’d have to start wearing Crazy Demon across my forehead like some title.

"Calm down. I’m going alone."

"Have you lost your mind? You’ll die for sure."

Cha Seong-tae suddenly took on a grave expression.

"Then I’ll go with you."

"Are you serious?"

He glanced down at the ground, looking troubled, before answering.

"If I’m being honest… no, I’m not."

I smacked him on the head for the first time in a while.

"Your mouth always gets you in trouble. Stay here and keep improving yourself while I’m gone."

Cha Seong-tae suddenly took off his robe and handed it to me. Since I’d been stealing his clothes so often, this time he offered it up willingly.

I asked,

"Is this another one of your precious robes? You have a lot of clothes."

"Of course, it is."

"It might get torn."

"You can turn it into rags if you want."

I patted his shoulder before stepping out.

"I’ll be back."

Cha Seong-tae pressed his fists together and said,

"Improve yourself."

For some reason, that word sounded like a rallying cry.

***

Cha Seong-tae had the task of transforming the three pleasure houses into Red Towers.

Yeon Ja-seong was sweating over the construction of the new Zaha Inn.

Geum Cheol-yong was still wrestling with the creation of The Madman, the weapon he planned to give me.

Jang Deok-soo was making rice soup as usual, earning his daily living.

While they focused on their own roles…

I once again became the master of a one-man assassination sect.

Everyone had their own job to do.

Hyeok Ryeon-hong looked me over after I changed into a more presentable outfit.

"You were always this handsome, huh? Let’s go."

"Let’s go, underworld errand boys."

"…What?"

"I said, let’s go."

Hyeok Ryeon-hong started to say something, then swallowed his words. His orders were to bring me in—he couldn’t let his personal feelings get in the way.

We walked in silence.

Half an hour later, I was the first to break it.

"We heading to Mount Jeongho?"

"That’s right. If the Lord of the Black Cat Gang summoned you, we’d go to the main headquarters. But since we’re meeting the Golden Phoenix Pavilion Lord, we’re going to a hunting lodge nearby. The main headquarters doesn’t allow unknown individuals inside."

I responded knowingly,

"Because of the Twelve Divine Generals?"

Hyeok Ryeon-hong suddenly stopped walking and looked at me.

"Yes, that’s right. Some of the Twelve Divine Generals are exceptionally skilled in infiltration techniques. You seem well-informed about Jianghu affairs, young Lord of Ruju."

As we continued climbing the mountain path, I said,

"When you work at an inn, you hear all sorts of things."

Hyeok Ryeon-hong chuckled.

"What kind of errand boy would know about the Twelve Divine Generals? Say something that makes sense."

"By the way, is it normal for someone in the Black Cat Gang to own a private lodge?"

"Why wouldn’t it be? He had the lodge before he joined the gang. He loves hunting, so he owns several."

"A rich man, then."

"A very rich man. It benefits us, too. We can gather our subordinates, roast some meat, and relax for a day."

"The Lord of the Black Cat Gang must love that."

Since I knew Ban Sa-ung would eventually be killed by the Black Cat Gang’s leader, I couldn’t help but mock him.

Hyeok Ryeon-hong snickered.

"I’d advise you not to say that in front of him. He’s got a fiery temper…"

A fiery temper?

I, too, couldn’t help but laugh at that.

The Golden Phoenix Pavilion Lord’s private lodge would serve many purposes.

As Hyeok Ryeon-hong had said, it was a vacation home.

But it was also a place where people were dragged to be buried or burned.

And most likely, it was a secret vault for storing the wealth he had extorted from various places.

To ordinary people, this might sound outrageous.

But this was the Black Cat Gang.

Nothing should come as a surprise.

After about an hour of fast walking, we finally reached the entrance of the lodge.

A tall iron gate stood in the center, its walls covered in thick vines. It wasn’t just a lodge—it was practically a fortress backed against a cliff. With the vines obscuring the gate, it might as well have been a hidden stronghold.

It was definitely a place where dirty work was done.

Hyeok Ryeon-hong stood before the iron gate and announced,

"Hyeok Ryeon-hong, returning. I have brought the Lord of Ruju."

The gate creaked open without a single response from within.

As I followed Hyeok Ryeon-hong inside, the atmosphere immediately shifted.

There were more people inside than I had expected. The area was bustling with activity, and at the center of the lodge, a large bonfire crackled.

Seated beside it was a man with a sturdy build.

From his expression alone, I could tell—he was completely devoid of mercy.