I lifted my sickle from my waist and showed it to Geum Cheol-yong.

“I spilled some blood at Plum Blossom Pavilion.”

“Oh? How many did you kill?”

“No one.”

Geum Cheol-yong tilted his head.

“That’s fortunate. But… did you even train in martial arts?”

“I must have. Otherwise, how could my noodles have tasted so bad?”

“…That’s a convincing argument.”

Geum Cheol-yong let out a dry chuckle before his expression turned serious.

“Your grandfather spent his entire life quietly making chicken noodle soup. This is quite the odd turn of events. If the Jo brothers are harassing you, I can mediate. Their thuggery has been getting worse by the day. But if they refuse to listen, I’ll protect you here. There’s no need to escalate things. No matter how much those brothel thugs run wild, as long as I stand in Dragon Head Forge, they won’t be able to lay a finger on you.”

‘Was Uncle Geum always like this? This is unexpected. Why didn’t he act in my past life?’

When I thought back, I recalled that Geum Cheol-yong had actually been one of the first to suffer misfortune back then.

Still, he was a man who kept his word.

I smiled at his unexpected goodwill.

“I appreciate the offer.”

“Think nothing of it.”

This time, I spoke in an unusually serious tone.

“I plan to establish a sect here in Ilyang County. A proper one—with subsidiary groups under its wing. The first faction will be Rebirth Sect, formed from the men who used to work in the brothels. Uncle Geum, you should also form a proper sect instead of just running the forge. Join me in an alliance. Naturally, I will be its leader.”

Geum Cheol-yong raised an eyebrow.

“But we’re already a stronghold. What would we need a sect for?”

“Unite all the nearby forges and establish Iron Dragon Sect. Things can’t stay as they are. Once the Jo brothers set up their own gang, the amount of tribute you’ll have to pay will only increase. I’m going to establish an alliance sect in Ilyang County to stop these outside gangs from leeching off us.”

“An alliance sect?”

“The brothel workers will be under Rebirth Sect. The forges will unite under Iron Dragon Sect. Construction workers will form Architect Sect. Other groups will be gathered by profession, and I’ll oversee them all.

I’m not proposing we use this alliance to run rampant.”

Geum Cheol-yong’s expression turned contemplative as he listened.

“There won’t be tributes. No rigid hierarchy. Sure, the internal structure might be a mess, but that doesn’t matter.

All I want is for people to keep the money they work hard for instead of having it stolen.

The organization will expand throughout the central plains, growing through a networked structure.

If, because of this alliance, fewer tavern workers, merchants, and the weak are exploited, then it will have served its purpose.

It’s an alliance where the people struggling at the bottom can protect their own hard-earned money.”

Geum Cheol-yong mulled over my words for a long time before finally asking,

“A grand plan, but incredibly messy. What’s the name of this alliance?”

I met his gaze and answered.

“The Hao Sect.”

Geum Cheol-yong folded his arms and stared at me.

“…Hao Sect, huh.”

***

Hao (下汚)—“the lowest,” “the filthy,” “the dirty.”

A name that ultimately refers to the weak, the downtrodden, those at the bottom of society.

But the character “Sect (門)” gave the name an ironic twist, hinting at power and unity.

As Geum Cheol-yong remained silent, the entire forge fell still.

After a long pause, he finally spoke.

“A tavern worker forming a sect. Now that’s something. Do you truly think you can survive against the Jo brothers?”

“You’ll see soon enough.”

Geum Cheol-yong turned to Gwak Yong-gae and ordered,

“Give him all the weapons.”

Gwak Yong-gae’s eyes widened in shock.

“Wait, you’re just giving them away? Not even renting them?”

Geum Cheol-yong glared at him.

“Are you questioning the sect master? How dare you?”

Gwak Yong-gae quickly bowed his head.

“I apologize.”

Geum Cheol-yong, still serious, turned back to me.

“Our next conversation will only happen if you survive.”

“I’ll look forward to it.”

“If you need help, say so.”

“Your over-the-top weapons are plenty.”

“Was that a compliment? Or an insult?”

“A bit of both.”

“……”

I locked eyes with him for a moment before gathering my weapons and leaving Dragon Head Forge.

After I left, the remaining men in the forge began talking.

“You think that bastard’s going to survive?”

“The tavern worker had a plan. Maybe he’ll make it.”

“Who would have thought a guy who couldn’t even make decent noodles had something like this in mind? Impressive.”

“Well, maybe his awful cooking was because he was too focused on martial arts.”

“That does make sense. That wasn’t food—it was an abomination. No wonder the tavern is failing.”

“…Then was the whole tavern’s downfall part of his plan too?”

“Should’ve charged him for the weapons. Kinda regretting it now.”

“Eh, we only gave him stuff that wasn’t selling. They were too flashy anyway.”

Geum Cheol-yong smiled in amusement.

“Well done. We got rid of excess stock and won over the tavern worker. Not a bad deal.”

“Indeed. But… do we really call him ‘sect master’ now?”

“He has to survive first. Until then, he’s just a tavern worker.”

Laughter burst out from Dragon Head Forge.

“Hahahaha.”

“Quiet down.”

“Yes, sir.”

The laughter stopped immediately.

Gwak Yong-gae turned to Geum Cheol-yong.

“Big Brother, what are you thinking about?”

Geum Cheol-yong stroked his chin and muttered.

“…Iron Dragon Sect.”

As if lost in thought, he repeated it once more.

“…Iron Dragon Sect Master, Geum Cheol-yong.”

***

I placed the weapons from Dragon Head Forge on the table, along with my bloodstained sickle.

I tucked the dagger into my waistband.

There was no need to train with the sword and whip, but I familiarized myself with their weight and grip.

After taking in all the details of the weapons, I entered a small room.

The Jo brothers were likely to come, so I didn’t enter a full meditation—I simply controlled my breathing, waiting.

About four hours later, I heard a voice at the entrance of the tavern.

The speaker sounded exhausted.

When I stepped outside, I found Jo Ik-yeol, the second of the Jo brothers, seated in a chair.

Behind him stood men dressed in black masks, holding shovels and burlap sacks.

Jo Ik-yeol looked skinnier and more irritable than I remembered.

Before, I had simply found his gaze uncomfortable.

Now, he looked downright laughable.

It seemed he had only now come after receiving Cha Seong-tae’s report.

His face was flushed from drinking.

The moment I stepped outside, Jo Ik-yeol gave his men an order.

“Dig a hole. Make it deep.”

“Yes, sir.”

Jo Ik-yeol then pulled a dagger from his robes and stabbed it into the table.

“Sit.”

Stabbing a dagger into the table—it was the signal for a life-or-death negotiation.

I took out the Cloud Dragon Dagger and stabbed it into the table before sitting across from him.

The rules were simple.

If either of us grabbed a dagger mid-conversation, the fight would begin immediately.

There would be no interference from others.

This translation is the intellectual property of Novelight.

It was an agreed-upon duel, and the loser’s allies could not seek revenge.

Jo Ik-yeol had killed many competitors in Ilyang County this way.

As his men dug outside, Jo Ik-yeol stared at me and finally spoke.

“The Black Cat Gang has given their approval.”

“Oh?”

“A formal gang will soon be established in Ilyang County. My brothers and I have been mocked for only running brothels and acting like low-level thugs, but now, we’ll have some real standing.”

I responded in a deliberately polite tone.

“Congratulations.”

Jo Ik-yeol smirked.

“Yes, we should celebrate. But on this very day, you caused trouble at the brothel. What does that make me?”

I kept my face blank.

He pointed at the men digging the hole.

“Do you know what that pit is for?”

“My grave?”

Jo Ik-yeol nodded.

“Smart. Now, give me three good reasons why I should let you live.”

I thought to myself.

‘Are you killing me or not? Make up your damn mind, you bastard.’

But Jo Ik-yeol’s antics were so ridiculous that I decided to humor him.

“Yes, it would be a shame to be so heartless.”

Jo Ik-yeol suddenly glanced at the sword and whip resting on the table.

“What a load of bullshit. What a joke. You pathetic bastard.”

He let out a deep sigh before calling my name again.

“Zaha.”

I let out a sigh and answered.

“You’re wearing out my name. What do you want now?”

“Wh—at? What… do I want?”

Jo Ik-yeol’s entire body radiated killing intent. Impatient bastard. I already knew exactly what he was going to do next.

I sneered.

“What is it, you bastard? Speak.”

Jo Ik-yeol’s dagger was drawn, flashing toward my throat.

Before the tip could reach my Adam’s apple, a sharp metallic sound rang out.

Tung!

The broad side of my Cloud Dragon Dagger, which I had pulled from the table in an instant, blocked his blade perfectly.

I slowly pushed his dagger away, locking eyes with him.

“Well, that was a surprise. Almost got stabbed.”

Jo Ik-yeol’s face twisted in shock.

“…!”

I casually stabbed my dagger back into the table and spoke.

“Is there any reason I should spare you? Just give me one. If I kill you, I’ll have to kill your brothers too.

If I let you live, I have to let them live too.

A dog or a horse? Please.

You’re just a pathetic brothel thug acting all high and mighty. You little pimp bastard, go on, keep running your mouth.”

“……”

Jo Ik-yeol, looking bitter, slowly placed his dagger back onto the table and folded his arms.

After a moment, he muttered,

“Looks like you picked up some hidden power somewhere. Congratulations.”

Just then, one of his men, still digging the pit, called out without reading the room.

“Boss, the hole’s almost done.”

Jo Ik-yeol responded curtly,

“Make it deeper.”

“Yes, sir.”

Clearly, he didn’t want his subordinates to see him in this pathetic state.

I grabbed my Cloud Dragon Dagger and gestured toward him as if to say, Block this.

“Shoulder.”

The moment I finished speaking, Jo Ik-yeol instinctively grabbed his own dagger.

But before he could react, my Cloud Dragon Dagger had already pierced his shoulder and withdrawn.

Thud!

Blood, startled by its sudden release, spattered onto the table.

Drip, drip, drip…

Jo Ik-yeol clutched his shoulder, his eyes widening in disbelief.

It was only now that he realized the overwhelming gap in speed between us.

I watched as his face turned pale and spoke.

“Why so slow?

You’ve lived like a noble in Ilyang County, lording over people, and now you get stabbed by a mere tavern worker.

How does it feel?

A fine brothel master like you, solving disputes by digging graves before even talking.”

Men in this town didn’t back down easily.

Jo Ik-yeol, biting down hard, yanked his dagger free and aimed for my shoulder in retaliation.

I could already see through his move.

A feint. He’d use the initial strike as bait before following up with a real killing blow.

I grabbed his wrist with my left hand in an instant.

Then, as his other hand swung toward me, I thrust my dagger through his palm.

Shunk!

Jo Ik-yeol’s face contorted in pain as he pulled back his bleeding hand.

This time, blood gushed freely, soaking the table.

And just like before, we both stabbed our daggers back into the table.

Thunk. Thunk.

The loser was supposed to shut up at this point.

So I spoke.

“Setting aside my personal grudges—

Why should I let you live?

Human trafficking. Murdering people I knew when I was young, all for your own amusement.

And this so-called ‘gang’? What a load of shit.

The Black Cat Gang only approved it because they expect you to pay them tribute.”

Jo Ik-yeol opened his mouth, but I cut him off.

“Shut it.

Now that your gang is official, you’ll start extorting merchants under the pretense of ‘protection fees.’

The merchants who have the guts to resist will fight back, and then the Black Cat Gang will swoop in to ‘restore order.’

But by then, young men from the forges and markets will have died fighting you.

That will give the Black Cat Gang the perfect excuse to take complete control.

They’ll let you be in charge just long enough for the town to kill itself, and once the blood is shed, they’ll take their cut of everything.”

The Black Cat Gang needed a pretense.

The reason they hadn’t taken Ilyang County yet was that too many other criminal factions were eyeing the place.

For now, Ilyang County was an unofficial neutral zone.

But the Jo brothers had been pushing the limits, exploiting that neutrality for their own gain.

The result?

Local men would spill blood, while Black Cat Gang and the Jo brothers would profit.

I knew how the future played out.

Jo Ik-yeol gritted his teeth.

“There are plenty of strong-willed young men here.

Once we establish our gang, we’ll expand our power and take down the Black Cat Gang together.”

“With your garbage skills?

And until then, how do you plan to deal with all the merchants who go bankrupt?

And do you even understand why the Black Cat Gang’s leader is dangerous?”

Jo Ik-yeol’s eyes twitched.

“How do you know that?”

“There are times when a tavern worker hears things faster than the Martial Alliance.”

Jo Ik-yeol, his bloodied hand trembling, reached toward me.

“…Then all the more reason to work together.

I ➤ NоvеⅠight ➤ (Read more on our source) don’t care how you got this strong.

Zaha, you can’t take down the Black Cat Gang alone.”

I clicked my tongue and pointed at his men with a finger.

They were still diligently digging the hole.

I asked,

“What’s that again?”

“…A threat.”

I let out a dry chuckle.

“Well, good news.

It’s your grave.”

I flashed him a smile.