The reason I returned to Chunyang Restaurant was simple.

I still hadn’t eaten.

"If you two tear apart all the pork bones like that, what am I supposed to make gukbap with? And didn’t you say you ran out of noodles earlier? Is this how you run a business?"

Jang Deok-soo replied, "We’re not out of noodles."

"You said you were."

"I lied."

"The head of an intelligence network lies every time he opens his mouth. Give me a bowl."

I grabbed one of Jang Deok-soo’s pork bones and placed it in my bowl, then took another from So Gunpyeong’s plate before sitting across from him.

As I grabbed a bone and started eating, Jang Deok-soo asked, "Is that enough? Should I cook some noodles?"

"No need, let’s just eat."

As I tore into the meat, Jang Deok-soo resumed eating as well. Seeing the two of us eating, So Gunpyeong had no choice but to continue eating his pork bone.

All three of our hands became greasy with pork fat.

While chewing, I asked So Gunpyeong, "Tastes good?"

"It’s incredibly delicious."

"This is a special dish reserved for regulars, but you’re not a regular. Why are you eating it?"

So Gunpyeong suddenly choked and thumped his chest.

Jang Deok-soo clicked his tongue and scolded me, "Zaha, they say even a dog shouldn’t be disturbed while eating. Let’s eat in peace."

I continued tearing into the meat as I replied, "This guy came here to kill me. I let him live. But he doesn’t want to join Hao Clan. And now he’s sitting here enjoying a delicacy from a place he can’t even be a regular at. Has the code of Kangho really fallen this low?"

Then, my eyes landed on the sword placed on the table in front of So Gunpyeong—Yaraedo. A rather well-known weapon in the underworld. My interest was piqued.

"Let me see your sword."

So Gunpyeong looked startled. "I can’t give it to you. It’s my life."

"I’m not taking it. I just want a look."

He looked as tense as if I were about to steal his lover but, after some hesitation, reluctantly handed Yaraedo over. His expression was one of extreme reluctance, as though he were handing over his own life.

Without a care, I wiped my greasy hands on my clothes before drawing the blade to examine its sharp edge.

"A fine sword."

I channeled a hint of internal energy into my fingertip and flicked the blade.

Donnng…!

"Sturdy and flexible…"

Although So Gunpyeong was far weaker than me in terms of inner power, if he had been careless, this blade would have snapped like a kitchen knife cutting through a dumpling.

I handed Yaraedo back to him.

"A rare treasured blade."

I spoke the words absentmindedly, but So Gunpyeong nodded solemnly.

"It is."

"But now, it’s no better than a kitchen knife."

I burst into laughter. Seeing this, Jang Deok-soo, who had witnessed the earlier fight, also let out a hearty laugh.

"Hahahaha!"

But when Jang Deok-soo made eye contact with So Gunpyeong, he quickly shut his mouth.

I glared at So Gunpyeong. "Who told you to glare at my regular shop owner like that?"

"I wasn’t glaring, just looking."

"Then look kindly."

"Understood."

We resumed gnawing on the pork bones.

I’ve always had a habit of thinking about the relationship between warriors and their weapons.

In my opinion…

A Kangho warrior possessing a weapon that is too good for them is a recipe for an untimely death.

Because a true master will covet it and kill them for it.

On the other hand, if a warrior wields a weapon far inferior to their skills, they are also likely to meet an early demise.

Because, when facing an equal, the better weapon often decides the victor.

Possessing a weapon one cannot fully wield is a problem.

Failing to acquire a weapon suited to one’s skills is also a problem.

Kangho is full of such problems.

In that sense, So Gunpyeong and Yaraedo made a good pair. At a glance, the weapon seemed fit for bandits or southern mercenaries, making it less likely to draw attention.

After finishing off my pork bone, I asked So Gunpyeong, "You don’t have anywhere to go, do you?"

"…I have some things to think about."

"Still got subordinates left in Black Cat Gang?"

"I do."

"Did you get along with them?"

So Gunpyeong stared at me for a moment before answering.

"Some of them, I consider my brothers."

"Oh?"

This translation is the intellectual property of Novelight.

"Perhaps you don’t know, but most of the men in Black Cat Gang now were originally under the previous leader. They surrendered after he was killed by Great Rakshasa. I was the same. We had no choice. Great Rakshasa made an example of us by slaughtering most of the high-ranking officers. Only ❀ Nоvеlігht ❀ (Don’t copy, read here) Golden Dragon Pavilion was left relatively unscathed, so we weren’t mixed in with the ones he brought in later."

I responded with a serious expression, "How did you survive?"

"I wasn’t an officer back then."

This guy was extraordinarily lucky.

Fighting against the Twelve Divine Generals didn’t scare me much, but Great Rakshasa was a different story. He had been roaming Kangho for decades before I was even born and was still alive.

The reason I couldn't accurately gauge his strength was that, in my past life, I hadn’t killed him myself—Poison Demon had.

As I recalled what I knew about Poison Demon, I reviewed several plans in my mind.

If So Gunpyeong didn’t return, the Black Cat Gang Leader would likely show up in person. I had no interest in getting ambushed. It was better if I made the first move before he arrived in Ilyang County.

"So Gunpyeong."

"Yes?"

"You’ll guide me to Black Cat Gang later."

So Gunpyeong’s eyes widened. "Just the two of us?"

"Listen carefully. I’m being serious. If I go alone, I might end up killing the Gang Leader along with all the martial artists under him. If a full-scale battle breaks out, I need you to step in at the right moment and ensure your men don’t get slaughtered. That’s the best I can do for you."

If I wiped out all his subordinates, So Gunpyeong would never willingly join me. The best move was to target only the Gang Leader.

But no one can predict how a battle with the underworld will turn out.

Still caught off guard, So Gunpyeong asked, "When are we going?"

"I need to stop by the Iron Workshop first to pick up something good for setting the mood. Once I return, we’ll head out. You wait here."

Jang Deok-soo asked, "Something good for setting the mood? What’s that?"

I stood up and answered briefly.

"An axe."

Jang Deok-soo immediately realized that someone’s head would soon be split open.

***

"Lord Leader, you've arrived."

As I stepped into Dragon Head Forge, Geum Cheol-yong greeted me.

"Are you here because of the Madman?"

"No."

"Then that means there's another fight coming."

I answered him honestly.

"Black Cat Gang sent assassins. So I’m sending one of my own."

"An assassin? Who?"

I pointed my thumb at my own chest.

"Me. By the way, how’s the Madman’s situation? I’m not pressing you, just curious."

Geum Cheol-yong crossed his arms and said, "The Deputy Leader has gone south this time, all the way to Baekwol Black Market. Finding good iron is sometimes harder than making a fine sword or blade. He should return with good news."

Baekwol Black Market was run by the Yue people, a minority tribe. It was a closed-off place.

In other words, they neither sold to nor bought from Kangho warriors of the Central Plains. If the Deputy Leader had gone there, it meant he was one of them.

"By the way, if you're planning to go as an assassin, what kind of weapon do you need?"

"Give me a daebu (great axe) suitable for an assassin. The bigger and heavier, the better."

"I’ve never heard of an assassin using an axe before."

"The more skilled an assassin, the less they are constrained by weapons. Only those with mediocre skills fumble around with chopstick-like daggers."

"That makes sense. Lord Leader, something just came to mind—I’d like to get your opinion on it."

"Go ahead."

"What if Hao Clan ran a black market as well? It would be more profitable than the forge. Lately, business has been slow."

"Don’t do it."

"Understood."

Geum Cheol-yong gave up quickly but still seemed curious.

"Is there a reason why?"

"You hesitate to make blades for warriors, yet you think you could run a black market? A black market is directly tied to Kangho conflicts. You’d have to clean up corpses to turn a profit. Could you handle that?"

"What if Hao Clan grows stronger in the future?"

"Even then, no."

There are limits even to what Hao Clan should do. To survive long and steadily, those boundaries must be respected.

Geum Cheol-yong grinned.

"Got it."

"Rather than that, you should ask Yeon Ja-seong from the Architectural Sect if he needs any help. Many tools, equipment, and materials used in construction require the forge’s expertise."

The smaller branches of Hao Clan should support each other—provided the transaction remains fair and transparent.

Geum Cheol-yong's face brightened.

"Why didn’t I think of that? Alright, someone bring the Lord Leader a great axe immediately."

As I waited for the axe, Geum Cheol-yong asked, "So, how exactly do you plan to deal with Black Cat Gang? Are you gathering Seong-tae and the swordsmen? No matter how I see it, you seem severely outnumbered."

"I’m going alone. And my return might take a while."

Geum Cheol-yong stared at me for a moment before speaking.

"Just don’t die. If anything happens to you, all of Iron Dragon Sect will march straight into Black Cat Gang."

"I have no intention of dying, but I appreciate the sentiment."

Just as I knew nothing about crafting weapons, Geum Cheol-yong knew nothing about martial arts.

We nodded at each other a few times before a massive axe with a dragon-headed handle was brought out. It was an impressive weapon, but I noticed a slight instability in the joint.

I’ll have to use it moderately.

Still, its intimidating design looked like something Xu Huang or Li Kui from Water Margin would wield, which suited me just fine.

"So Gunpyeong, lead the way."

At Chunyang Restaurant, So Gunpyeong, who had been waiting, jumped up in shock.

"Are we really going just the two of us?"

"Of course, it’s just the two of us. What, do you expect a third?"

With the enormous axe slung over my shoulder, I turned to Jang Deok-soo to say my farewell.

"Deok-soo hyung, if I don’t return soon, tell Seong-tae something."

Jang Deok-soo, looking worried, asked, "Tell him what?"

After a brief moment of thought, I said, "Tell him not to slack off and to write a thorough report. I can’t promise when I’ll be back."

I had a rough idea of how I would deal with Black Cat Gang. But the details and my return timing depended on how things played out.

Jang Deok-soo muttered, "Aren’t you rushing into this?"

"Ambushes are supposed to be rushed."

And only by attacking first would Ilyang County remain safe.

After bidding farewell, I set off with So Gunpyeong. As we moved at a brisk pace, I pointed at a construction site.

"That will be the new headquarters of Hao Clan—Zaha Inn."

So Gunpyeong absentmindedly responded, but when he actually looked at the construction, he suddenly stopped in his tracks.

"What the hell…? Why is it so big?"

After walking a few more steps, I noticed he wasn’t following and called out.

"What are you doing? Lead the way."

"My apologies. But… Lord Leader, you must be incredibly wealthy. I wouldn’t have guessed…"

"Me?"

"Who else would I be talking about?"

"Gunpyeong, do I look like a good person to you?"

"What do you mean?"

I gestured toward the half-constructed Zaha Inn.

"That’s being built with your slush funds."

"What?"

"Your money. Black Cat Gang’s money. Black Cat Gang’s slush funds. The Golden Phoenix Pavilion Lord’s slush funds. Money stolen from others. Money extorted by the Golden Phoenix Pavilion Lord from the weak. Oh, and the brothel owners’ money, too. All of that is going into this."

I smirked.

"Just follow me and watch how I shake every last coin out of the underworld. Now, let’s go."

As I picked up my pace, So Gunpyeong hurried to keep up.