Having officially taken the position of Black Cat Pavilion Master, I threw the Yaraedo to So Gunpyeong and grabbed the former Pavilion Master's straight sword. Given that the blade had held up against the Yaraedo without any damage, it seemed like a fine sword. It looked even better than the weapons of the Dragon Head Forge.

"The former Pavilion Master's rule over Jianghu ends here, but mine begins now. Remember this. For the time being, let's pretend that nothing ever happened in the Black Cat Pavilion."

"......"

The others were silent, unsure of how to react to my words. I then asked, as if I had always been the Black Cat Pavilion Master.

"What was the name of this straight sword? My memory’s a bit hazy."

So Gunpyeong responded.

“It’s called Heukmyoah, which means 'Fang of the Black Rabbit.'”

It means the fang of a black rabbit.

"Such a stupid name. Ah, wait. It’s mine now, so I’ll take back that remark."

Everyone seemed confused by my quick change of attitude, but no one dared to comment. The former Pavilion Master had died, his body slammed into the wall, and naturally, the atmosphere had shifted. Moreover, they still saw me as a madman, with my emotions constantly shifting, so it was best to tread carefully around me.

I inspected "Fang of the Black Rabbit" briefly and then gave an order.

"First, get rid of the corpse of the former Pavilion Master, who dared to resist me without understanding his place. Clean up the wall and floor as well. To succeed in Black Dao, you must first clean up well. Throw away that useless axe over there. All the higher-ups should gather in the main hall. Let’s begin the leadership meeting as a new start."

So Gunpyeong quickly picked up on this.

"I’ll clean up and join you shortly. The rest of you, head to the main hall first."

As I’ve said before, I’m the Black Cat Pavilion Master from today onward.

Not yesterday, but today.

A person’s fate is ever-changing.

I decided to skip the inauguration ceremony—it was too troublesome—and just set the term vaguely.

Until I'm caught by the Great Demon.

So, for now, I don’t know if my term will be short or long.

I’m the kind of person who knows only what I know, and what I don’t know, I don’t bother with.

While the higher-ups headed to the main hall and So Gunpyeong gave his subordinates various commands, I twirled Fang of the Black Rabbit around, dancing with the sword.

The Black Cat Pavilion subordinates, who had started cleaning, glanced at me but I paid no mind as I continued practicing my swordplay, lost in thought, before resuming my movements.

In the meantime, those with a keen eye must have been surprised internally.

The way I wielded my sword was strikingly similar to the movements of the late Pavilion Master. As they expected, I spent some time pacing the large area, practicing the dead man’s techniques.

Eat, crap, build internal energy, steal the dead man's swordplay and train with it.

This is the wise life of Black Dao.

***

"Report the current situation."

I sat down in the highest seat and immediately spoke to the waiting higher-ups.

So Gunpyeong asked me.

"Master, what should we report first?"

"Captain So, it’s not 'Master,' but 'Pavilion Master.' Since when did we become part of the Black Cat Sect? Do not lose the identity of Black Dao."

"My apologies. Understood."

So Gunpyeong offered a suitable suggestion.

"From what I know, Master, you were generous and spared many of the warriors from Geumbong Gak in Ilyang County. What should we do with them? Please give your orders."

I clapped my hands in response to his question.

Clap, clap, clap.

"Ah, our Captain So is outstanding. Everyone should follow his example. His loyalty, his care for his subordinates, and earlier, he bravely stepped forward to save all of your lives. He’s a man of integrity, intelligence, and exceptional endurance. He took quite a beating."

While I spoke, So Gunpyeong scratched his forehead awkwardly.

"I’ve faced both the rabbit and Captain So, and I can say Captain So’s skills aren’t far behind the rabbit’s. Our Black Cat Pavilion’s talent, our Black Cat Pavilion’s strength, and the representative officer, Captain So, will train harder from now on. I hereby grant him a monetary reward."

It's not my money anyway.

Regardless, So Gunpyeong responded enthusiastically.

"I will train harder."

I clapped again and spoke to the higher-ups.

"Alright, let’s do it together. Before anyone breaks a hand."

The other higher-ups awkwardly clapped for So Gunpyeong.

Clap, clap, clap, clap, clap, clap, clap.

I looked around at the corrupt Black Cat Pavilion higher-ups and continued my lecture.

"Enough."

"......"

"Encouraging each other, challenging each other, training, fighting, and growing stronger together—that is Black Dao. In the process, if hatred, affection, or a desire to beat someone arises, even the bonds of brotherhood will form. That is the strong Black Dao. Back in my day..."

Suddenly, I noticed a few of them looking bored, so I stopped speaking.

"Am I boring you?"

I glared at a higher-up whose name I didn’t even know, and he quickly shook his head.

"No, no."

"If you’re bored, get out, you bastard. Go play outside. Don’t be an officer. Go smear dirt on the collapsed wall outside with the lackeys, or clean up the corpses."

"It’s not boring."

"Who are you to interrupt the Pavilion Master? Tsk..."

Even if you’re in a higher position, there’s a limit. I’m the kind of person who thoroughly reflects on myself.

By the way, our Captain So seems to have done well, both in martial arts and in his role as a mid-level officer in Black Dao. As they say, generals in the front line should listen to the words of their staff and soldiers.

As expected, at the right moment, So Gunpyeong supported the new Pavilion Master.

"Speak freely, Pavilion Master."

"Where did I leave off?"

"You were saying, 'That is the strong Black Dao...,' that’s where you left off."

"Right. In Ilyang County, both Samabi and Hyeok Ryeon-hong are still alive. If Captain So wishes to recruit talents from Geumbong Gak and nurture them, he may do so. I’m assigning him the task of founding Yongbong Gak, combining both Geumbong and Geumryong."

"If you entrust it to me, I will take on this heavy responsibility."

I looked around at the higher-ups.

"Who is the chief officer?"

As expected, the oldest officer lowered his head and replied.

"Please call me Chief Byeok."

This translation is the intellectual property of Novelight.

"Chief Byeok, deliver the monetary reward to Yongbong Gak, and since we need to assess the financial situation, please organize the report accordingly. From now on, if there are any cases of embezzlement or trickery, I will have the old chief executed first."

"Yes."

I looked at Chief Byeok’s reluctant expression and spoke threateningly.

"Chief Byeok, do you know why Geumbong Gak’s leader died?"

"I’m not sure."

"He died because of embezzlement."

"I haven’t worked that way, but I will keep it in mind."

"Well, ‘keep in mind’ is just a token word."

A few of the higher-ups’ faces turned bright red at my words.

The next agenda item was something I brought up.

"By the way, I forgot about the martial arts schedule. When was it?"

As I spoke, as though I knew the circumstances of the Black Rabbit Pavilion, everyone’s expressions couldn’t hide their surprise.

So Gunpyeong responded.

“There’s no set date, but the lower-ranked deity expected to challenge soon is Hongshin (the Red Monkey). And in order for the Pavilion Master to raise his rank, he’ll have to settle things with Baek-yu again.”

Baek-yu was the one I had used a false identity to kill when I took down Jo Il-seom.

“By the way, where do I stand now?”

“You’re ranked twelfth, still five places higher than the rest.”

I was somewhat surprised.

“An idiot like him holds such a high rank? To think he’s only five ranks above. What a joke. Who’s stronger than Baek-yu?”

“Baek-in (the White Tiger), Cheongjin (the Blue Dragon), and Jeoksa (the Red Snake). Together with Baek-yu, they’re known as the Four Deities.”

Each one represented a white tiger, a blue dragon, a red snake, and a white rooster. Of course, the most important figure among them is the Grand Master.

“By the way, where’s our respected master these days?”

This time, the Wall Captain answered.

“It seems Jeoksa obtained a beautiful woman with blue eyes from somewhere and presented her to the Grand Master. He’s probably with her now.”

I chuckled in response.

“Damn old man, his vitality is something else. Even going after a blue-eyed beauty. It’s infuriating.”

When I criticized the Grand Master immediately after mentioning him as my master, my subordinates couldn’t hide their expressions.

“What? Did I say something wrong?”

“No, sir.”

I clicked my tongue as I spoke.

“He’s still using his disciples to prey on poor girls. The Jianghu Alliance doesn’t even notice. Why don’t they catch this bastard? Oh, my…”

Everyone either looked at the ceiling or lowered their heads slightly.

“I’m going to tell you about the Black Rabbit Pavilion’s code of conduct from now on.”

“Please, go ahead.”

“Grand Master is my master, but since the old man is immersed in debauchery, I’m thinking of staging a rebellion sooner or later. If anyone sticks to the Grand Master or tries to interfere with my actions, they will not be spared. You and I must follow the principles of Jianghu. In wartime, betrayal means death. Do you understand what I’m saying?”

“Yes, we understand.”

“You probably fear the Grand Master more than you fear me right now. I understand that. But to survive in Jianghu for long, you need to align yourselves properly. Remember, your predictions might be wrong. Whether the Grand Master dies or I die, it’s something you can’t predict. You should have realized how unreliable your predictions are when the previous Pavilion Master died. Just like our clever young Branch Master here.”

The senior officials nodded in agreement here and there.

“Understood.”

“We have no reason to favor the Grand Master. We were forcefully absorbed into his faction.”

The meeting continued with childish back-and-forths and went off track multiple times, but I kept watching my subordinates' expressions and tones carefully from behind my mask. Wearing a mask certainly had its advantages.

“So, how’s the situation with the Black Rabbit Pavilion these days?”

Despite me changing the topic, So Gunpyeong calmly replied.

“He’s still busy with his gambling and auction businesses. It seems there won’t be anyone around here who can rival him in wealth soon.”

“Is he still involved in human auctions?”

“Yes. More accurately, it should be called a slave auction.”

Slave auctions. The Black Rabbit °• N 𝑜 v 𝑒 l i g h t •° Pavilion was known for such things.

I nodded before setting a short- and mid-term goal for the Black Rabbit Pavilion.

“I killed a few of the Black Rabbit Pavilion’s men recently. They died watching my residence burn. I was secretly upset, but it turned out well. In today’s world, to dare hold a slave auction—it’s an evil act that cannot be ignored as the head of the Black Dao. I’ll have to destroy the Black Rabbit Pavilion later. For now, let’s focus on training. I will correct the ways of the Black Dao.”

The subordinates wanted to ask, “Is there a way for the Black Dao?” but couldn’t bring themselves to say it.

With a determined tone, I declared my ambition.

“Our Black Rabbit Pavilion will be the vanguard of the Jianghu Slave Liberation Front from now on.”

One of the subordinates cautiously asked.

“Are you really going to attack the Black Rabbit Pavilion?”

“Is it right to buy and sell people like that?”

“It’s not right.”

I looked around at the Black Rabbit Pavilion’s officials as I cursed.

“By the way, why the hell did you all learn martial arts? You idiots. If you see injustice, don’t hold back. That’s the principle of those who walk the night with blades. From now on, anyone who opposes me at every turn will be sentenced to death, and anyone who talks back will be executed immediately.”

“…”

“Answer me quickly. Don’t make the speaker embarrassed. Ah, suddenly my temper flared…”

All the subordinates spoke at once.

“Understood.”

“We will remember.”

After taking control of the Black Rabbit Pavilion, I planned to stabilize the time for the next Pavilion Master’s change through continuous threats, curses, violence, and scolding.

“Whether it’s the Grand Master or the Black Rabbit Pavilion, I will destroy them. For that, I will freely use the Black Rabbit Pavilion’s medicine, funds, and all other resources. Anyone with complaints can resolve them in a one-on-one duel. Is there anyone who wants to step forward?”

The subordinates looked down at the ground for a moment.

“…”

“Looks like no one. Good.”

I waved my right hand.

“It’s a relief that no blood will be on my hands today.”

I didn’t miss anything I needed to do.

“Branch Master So, for the time being, stabilize the timing of the Pavilion Master change and tighten security inside and outside Black Rabbit Pavilion with the elite of Golden Phoenix Pavilion. Especially, anyone who sneaks away without reporting should be executed on the spot. If anyone suddenly says they’re going back to their hometown, capture them and bring them to me.”

So Gunpyeong understood what I meant and nodded.

“We’ll maintain a strict security posture.”

For the subordinates, with the sudden change of the Pavilion Master, nothing had improved. When you think about it, the slush funds of Golden Phoenix Pavilion flowed into Ilyang County, and all the major assets were about to be stripped from them.

Of course, I didn’t care.

It was the same before, and it was the same now.

I am not the Black Dao.

I strike the Black Dao, and I steal from it.

Anyway, the first day of my tenure as Pavilion Master of the Black Rabbit Pavilion ended peacefully like this.