"Answer me."

As I urged him, So Gunpyeong opened his mouth in a low, subdued tone.

"…Spare me."

So Gunpyeong, being a man with some sense of shame, turned bright red.

I asked, "Why? Do you have an elderly mother at home or perhaps a cute daughter? If so, then of course, I should spare you."

"That's not the case."

"Then it's a bit difficult. If you had a cute daughter, it would be an automatic yes."

So Gunpyeong almost blurted out, What kind of nonsense is this? but swallowed his words.

"There’s a possibility someone like that exists somewhere, but officially, no."

"This bastard… playing word games."

"My apologies."

"I was going to take you in as a subordinate and treat you with the respect of a surrendered general, but you refused. And now you're asking me to spare you?"

Still overwhelmed with shame, So Gunpyeong barely managed to say:

"I am a man who keeps his word. If you let me live, I swear I will never trouble Hao Clan again. I pledge this on my blade. Not just Hao Clan, but anyone related to its leader—I will never raise my hand against them."

From the start, I intended to let this guy go since I planned to recruit him later.

The esteemed Waryong Sage once demonstrated that even a man with an unyielding spirit could be made into a subordinate if beaten into submission seven times.

The key here is that he let them go afterward.

At this point, the other party isn't ready to submit to me yet.

The act of capturing and releasing someone seven times isn’t what made Waryong Sage great—it was his ability to read people's hearts.

Honestly, I was curious about how this guy managed to survive for so long. And when I’m curious about something, I have to find out.

"Go."

If you come back stronger, that would be even better. After all, you'll end up as my subordinate anyway.

For fate to align, timing must be right. Right now wasn’t the moment. But since he had survived in the underworld for this long, we’d definitely cross paths again.

So Gunpyeong frowned and asked, "Where exactly am I supposed to go?"

"I’m telling you to get lost, you bastard."

So Gunpyeong looked surprised.

"Ah, you're really letting me go?"

He had expected to be beaten to death or tortured, so his shock was understandable. The underworld always assumes the worst-case scenario, which is why its people speak and act so harshly.

I waved him away again, emphasizing that I meant it.

Still unable to comprehend why I was letting him live, So Gunpyeong spoke up.

"Why… are you letting me go?"

"Gunpyeong, I am now the only Kangho warrior left in Ilyang County. How did I get here? I killed human traffickers, buried scumbags, and slaughtered the bastards running the pleasure houses. Fights like these are common in Kangho. If you get stronger and return, I’ll gladly accept your challenge anytime. However—"

I glared at So Gunpyeong.

"If I ever hear rumors that you’ve killed merchants or ordinary people, I will mobilize every member of Hao Clan—one million strong if I must—to hunt you down and rip you apart, limb by limb. Or, I’ll bury you alive like I did with the Golden Phoenix Pavilion Lord."

"One million…?"

"What? Does it sound unrealistic? Every merchant in the world, whether they know of Hao Clan or not, is under my protection. I decided that."

"I will keep that in mind."

So Gunpyeong rose, opened the door, and stepped out. Cha Seong-tae immediately stuck his head in and asked me.

"Are we really letting him go?"

"Let him go."

"Hmm… Understood."

At the door, So Gunpyeong gave a slight nod.

"Even in defeat, I am grateful for being spared. I will keep my promise until my dying breath."

As he disappeared into the distance, I muttered to myself.

"As he should. Madmen are meant to fight other madmen."

As I spoke, Cha Seong-tae, who had been absentmindedly shaking his leg next to the door, stared at me.

I turned to him. "Don’t you think so?"

"You speak the truth. Madmen should fight among themselves."

Cha Seong-tae pointed a finger at me, then at himself, nodding.

I felt slightly irritated.

"Don’t point, you bastard."

"My apologies."

"What are you sorry for?"

"For pointing."

I decided to teach him something about Kangho etiquette.

"Seong-tae, do you know why pointing is considered rude? Beyond just etiquette."

"Ah… Is there another meaning behind it?"

I raised my index finger and aimed it at Cha Seong-tae like a spear. Fire Qi surged, causing my finger to glow red. Cha Seong-tae, his face turning pale, immediately raised both hands.

"Ah! I apologize. I will be careful."

"Never point at people carelessly. You might end up getting burned. Because a true expert might mistake you for a master of finger techniques. Got it?"

"I will keep that in mind."

"Never provoke madmen. The consequence won’t be insults or beatings—it will be death. Also, Chief Overseer Cha."

"Yes?"

"It’s been a while since I assigned you as Chief Overseer. Yet, I haven’t received a single report."

"A report on… what exactly?"

"The total amount of slush funds, the Jo Brothers' existing assets, funds allocated to the Architectural Sect, daily meal costs for the sect, miscellaneous expenses, cleaning fees, and the manpower status of those recruited from Black Cat Gang. I want all of it. Organized in a document. If you can’t handle it alone, find someone competent to assist you. That’s also part of your job as Chief Overseer."

"……"

Cha Seong-tae stood by the door for a moment, looking completely dazed. Then, with a distant gaze, he muttered.

"If I recall correctly… you said demotion equals execution?"

"You have a good memory."

"Is there an alternative punishment?"

"Well, let’s see."

I pointed a finger at Cha Seong-tae.

"Demotion or being pointed at. Choose. As a benevolent leader, I offer my subordinates the luxury of choice."

Cha Seong-tae clasped his hands together and, with a solemn expression, declared:

"Lord Leader, I will organize and submit a full report. However…"

"However, what?"

"My monthly salary as Chief Overseer should be the highest in Hao Clan. I can’t work under these conditions otherwise."

This bastard, always pulling stunts like this. I clicked my tongue but ultimately allowed it.

"Fine. Have it your way."

"Thank you."

Not a bad deal, considering I hadn’t spent a single cent of my own money.

***

So Gunpyeong arrived safely in front of Maehwaru, his face sour as he scanned his surroundings.

A thought suddenly crossed his mind—words from the Black Cat Gang Leader.

[Your opponent is a mere innkeeper. If you fail, take your own life.]

So Gunpyeong muttered, "No, I’m not planning on dying. Why would I?"

His life had been given to him by his parents, not by the Black Cat Gang Leader.

As the sky darkened, hunger struck again. Without thinking, he wandered until he found himself in front of Chunyang Restaurant, locking eyes with Jang Deok-soo, who was standing outside.

Jang Deok-soo's face twisted as if he had just seen a ghost.

"Oh, you're still alive."

This translation is the intellectual property of Novelight.

The moment he spoke, he smacked himself on the mouth.

So Gunpyeong recalled the words of the Hao Clan Leader and carefully responded, "I just finished a meeting. Anyway, do you think I could get a bowl of noodles?"

He truly had nowhere to go at the moment. His stomach growled, and the places where the Hao Clan Leader had struck him still ached.

Jang Deok-soo hesitated before awkwardly smiling. "Sorry, but we’re out of noodles."

"Hmm."

So Gunpyeong sighed, staring at Jang Deok-soo, then, on a whim, pulled a silver tael from his pocket and tossed it toward him. Jang Deok-soo caught it with both hands, looking startled.

"I’ll pay in advance."

Jang Deok-soo glanced around, then leaned in and whispered, "Come in, sir."

At that moment, a thought crossed Jang Deok-soo’s mind.

In this line of work, every transaction is a gamble with your life.

***

As So Gunpyeong ate his noodles, he spoke to Jang Deok-soo.

"…I thought I was going to die, but he let me live."

"Ah, is that so?"

Jang Deok-soo watched him eat without much reaction. So Gunpyeong, as if curious, asked,

"You've lived here for a while, haven't you? That man… he wasn’t just an innkeeper, was he?"

"He used to be one. That much is certain."

"Hmm. Where did he learn martial arts? His skills are far beyond ordinary."

Jang Deok-soo wiped a bowl clean and responded, "That’s what we’ve been wondering too. One day, it was like he changed completely. After his grandfather passed, he ran the inn into the ground. We figured maybe he started practicing martial arts seriously after that."

"I heard something about an organization called Hao Clan. Do you know anything about it?"

"Yes, I’m part of Hao Clan."

So Gunpyeong tilted his head. "A ‘clan’ makes it sound like it’s full of martial artists."

"Not really. Most of us are just regular people, like me. The majority are workers."

"So that's why he said he was the only Kangho warrior left in Ilyang County."

After finishing his noodles, So Gunpyeong remained seated, sighing repeatedly.

Jang Deok-soo couldn’t help but feel uneasy.

Can’t he just leave already?

Reading his expression, So Gunpyeong spoke first.

"Apologies. I have some things to think over. Do you mind if I stay a little longer?"

"Go ahead."

Jang Deok-soo had already received a silver tael for just one bowl of noodles, so he didn’t have the conscience to kick him out.

"Would you like something else? You overpaid."

"Oh, I can get more?"

"Of course."

"Anything’s fine."

Jang Deok-soo smirked and replied, "There’s no such thing as ‘anything.’"

So Gunpyeong gave him a look, and Jang Deok-soo bowed his head slightly. "Just a joke. I’ll prepare something."

With that, he stepped into the kitchen and began preparing a fresh broth.

Meanwhile, So Gunpyeong replayed his failure in his mind, thinking of the subordinates he had left behind in Black Cat Gang.

Going back meant certain death at the hands of the Gang Leader.

Disappearing without saying farewell to his men felt cowardly.

He sank deeper into thought, muttering to himself, "Life really isn’t easy."

He assumed he had spoken to himself, but from the kitchen, Jang Deok-soo replied,

"It never is. Who has it easy?"

"You too?"

"I scrape by, day by day. Life’s fine as long as no one demands protection money. That’s all Hao Clan Leader really wanted when he created Hao Clan."

"That’s all?"

Jang Deok-soo peeked his head out from the kitchen and responded,

"A protector for those who just want to work in peace. That’s what Hao Clan is… according to him."

Then he disappeared back into the kitchen to finish cooking, leaving So Gunpyeong with his thoughts.

Thinking about the Hao Clan Leader, a realization struck him.

So he’s not completely insane after all…

***

Jang Deok-soo boiled entire pig bones, using broth from his gukbap preparation for a quick and flavorful dish.

Shortly after, he emerged from the kitchen, placing three large pork bones in front of So Gunpyeong and keeping another three for himself.

"Eat up."

So Gunpyeong stared at the boiled pork bones and muttered, "What is this? Looks like pig bones."

Jang Deok-soo tore off a chunk of meat with his teeth and replied, "Does it need a name? It’s just pork bones. Tastes °• N 𝑜 v 𝑒 l i g h t •° good, though."

Though he had just eaten noodles, So Gunpyeong’s mouth watered. He picked up his chopsticks, but Jang Deok-soo stopped him.

"You eat this with your hands."

"Grease on my hands makes handling a sword uncomfortable."

"There’s only one master in this town—Yi Zaha. You’ve already lost to him. Use your hands."

"Hah… I did lose, after all."

"Exactly."

So Gunpyeong hesitated briefly before grabbing the pork bones with both hands, taking a bite, then pausing in surprise.

"This… this is…!"

"How is it?"

"This is amazing. I’ve never had anything like it before."

Jang Deok-soo grinned.

"Good to hear. Makes this job worth it."

So Gunpyeong swallowed hard, about to take another bite, when suddenly—

Creeeeak…

The door of Chunyang Restaurant opened with an ominous sound.

Still holding the pork bone in his hand, So Gunpyeong locked eyes with the Hao Clan Leader.

"……!"

.

.

.

I glared at the pork bones in their hands, my expression twisting with irritation.

"You bastards… Eating pork bones… without me?"

Hearing my words, So Gunpyeong silently put his untouched pork bone back down.