Chapter 39: Chapter 39

Chapter 39. Gongson Su

The Rogues’ Guild’s carriage left the Evil Faction Alliance.

Before leaving the alliance, Lee Byeok visited the Evil Faction Alliance Lord’s quarters once more, but the Evil Faction Alliance Lord, Hyuk Gun-ak, was away.

He couldn't meet him again in the end.

Hyuk Gun-ak had said he would not entrust anything to him.

But at the same time, he also said that it was the Evil Faction Alliance Lord who had used his influence to make him a member of the Flying Dragon Squad.

As a result, Lee Byeok had become the leader of the Flying Dragon Squad, in which no one was left.

So Lee Byeok was lost in thought.

He couldn't read his intentions, what he wanted from him. New ɴᴏᴠᴇʟ ᴄhapters are published on novelFirｅ.net

Hyuk Gun-ak was Hyuk Dae-woong’s father.

In other words, the Paewang Family must be Hyuk Dae-woong’s home, and perhaps Hyuk Dae-woong might have been the young master of the Paewang Family.

Lee Byeok thought of the Seonwoo Clan.

No, but he was different from him.

Perhaps… the Paewang Family, not the Falling Sword Sect, was the place Hyuk Dae-woong truly had to return to.

But the Paewang Family was said to have suddenly closed its doors three years ago and ceased almost all activities in the Jianghu.

What happened three years ago?

In the first place, why did Hyuk Dae-woong have to leave the Paewang Family and become a disciple of the Falling Sword Sect?

Why had he lost his Qi Center?

Of course, he couldn't know anything.

The affairs of the Murim had always been a story that had nothing to do with him, but if it was about his senior brother, Hyuk Dae-woong, it was no longer unrelated.

But Lee Byeok was not used to thinking about the affairs of the Murim. Only unanswerable questions followed one after another, complicating his thoughts.

Just then, a small body moved close.

She grabbed Lee Byeok’s shoulder and leaned on him.

“Aah~ I’m sorry, Young Master. The carriage shook…”

A white, youthful face whispered from a close enough distance for her breath to touch. The mole under her right eye stood out.

Her innocent smiling eyes seemed to have no other intention.

But considering his first impression of her, he couldn't just accept it as pure.

“Young Master, but what are you thinking about so deeply?”

Whispering in his ear, her two arms stealthily slipped into Lee Byeok’s right arm. Then she rested her chin on Lee Byeok’s shoulder.

“No, should I call you Squad Leader now? It’s too formal and not much fun…”

She, Gongson Su, said.

When she had visited the Rogues’ Guild’s quarters last evening, she was like a completely different person from when they had sat together at the reception hall for the first time.

Clear eyes and an innocent expression.

It was as if she was wearing a mask.

Even when facing her at close range, Lee Byeok had not recognized her until she revealed her name herself.

Ji Soyak cleared her throat.

Currently, Lee Byeok and Gongson Su were sitting side by side inside the carriage, and opposite them were Ji Soyak and Eon Mi-hee.

He had already gotten used to riding in a carriage on the way to the Evil Faction Alliance, but just by adding one person, the atmosphere became unfamiliar again.

When Ji Soyak spoke, Gongson Su tilted her head.

“What do you intend to do?”

“Of course, as a squad member, I will assist and follow the Squad Leader. With all my body and soul!”

Gongson Su smiled brightly.

She said she had come to pay her respects to Lee Byeok, the Flying Dragon Squad Leader. And only then did Lee Byeok realize that he had no choice.

Just because the prodigies of all the other factions had refused to become Flying Dragon Squad members and left, he did not have the authority to send back even her, who had chosen to stay.

Of course, that also applied to Eon Mi-hee. Thus, the Flying Dragon Squad had become three members.

They rode the carriage together.

Ji Soyak smiled without a word.

Next to her, Eon Mi-hee’s complexion was pale.

An indescribable tension flowed in the air.

“Actually~ when I first came to the Evil Faction Alliance for the prodigy meeting, I was dragged here against my will, you know?”

But Gongson Su continued to speak nonchalantly, as if she felt nothing.

“They’d obviously stick us together, talking about the future of the Evil Faction or whatever, and if that happened, the leader would be either Maeng U-gang or Pa Jin-seong, and I hate the sight of both of them.”

“Oh my, why is that?”

“Actually. I have a weakness for a man’s face. I’m only saying this now, but the reason I helped you when we first met at the reception hall was also because of that.”

Poke, Gongson Su’s finger poked Lee Byeok’s cheek.

“A handsome face, unbecoming of the Evil Faction.”

Lee Byeok slowly, but clearly, pushed away the clinging Gongson Su. Even as she was pushed away, Gongson Su giggled.

“You are an interesting person, Miss.”

“Uhuhu, well, that was half a joke. Our Dark Shadow Pavilion has its own circumstances. It's difficult to explain in detail.”

“I suppose that’s true.”

Ji Soyak and Gongson Su.

“Speaking of which, may I ask just one question too?”

“You said the Young Master is not a member of the Rogues’ Guild, right? Then why has he been with the Rogues’ Guild from the beginning?”

“It is a personal relationship.”

“Heeh, then where is this sect called the Falling Sword Sect?”

“…It’s just a country martial hall.”

As the name of the Falling Sword Sect was mentioned, Lee Byeok reflexively opened his mouth.

Following the Evil Faction Alliance Lord’s advice, Lee Byeok had revealed his affiliation with the Falling Sword Sect before the duel.

But he felt a little regretful, wondering if it had been the right choice.

“Is that so? Then a disciple of a nameless country martial hall defeated a renowned prodigy of the Evil Faction Alliance and gained the protection of the Evil Faction Alliance Lord.”

The distance stealthily narrowed again.

“Ah, right. Young Master or Squad Leader sounds too formal, so can I just call you Orabeoni?”

Just then, the sound of something breaking came from the opposite side.

Turning his gaze, he saw a fine crack on the carriage wall where Eon Mi-hee was sitting.

Chuckles, Gongson Su let out a small laugh.

Lee Byeok suddenly had a premonition that the journey ahead would not be easy.

The carriage stopped for a moment in the city of Guiyang. From here, Lee Byeok, Eon Mi-hee, and Gongson Su were to part ways with the Rogues’ Guild.

Ji Soyak would ride the carriage led by Old Master Go and return to the Heavenly Fragrance Pavilion in Huize, Yunnan.

“Young Master, it wasn't a long time, but I am much indebted to you. I hope that when we meet again, you will have found what you are looking for.”

“…Thank you, Pavilion Lord.”

Ji Soyak’s warm gaze, which had been on Lee Byeok, moved to Eon Mi-hee and Gongson Su standing behind him.

“A flower in each hand, it seems you will have a rather arduous journey in many ways. Please make good use of our Mi-hee, but don’t torment her too much. Understood?”

Winking one eye, Ji Soyak got on the carriage.

Lee Byeok approached Old Master Go, who was sitting in the driver’s seat, and bowed his head deeply.

If it weren't for the Saber of Butchery and the Red Faction Heart Art he had received from him, Lee Byeok would be wandering in a much deeper swamp by now.

Old Master Go did not show any particular reaction.

Watching the carriage recede into the distance, Lee Byeok thought.

He had entrusted a letter to Ji Soyak, so the news of him would be delivered to the Master of the Falling Sword Sect, his martial brothers, and the children.

An unfamiliar city and unfamiliar streets.

Other than that, there was no set place to go, nor had anyone entrusted him with a task.

But if he wanted to return, he had to find an answer somehow.

“It starts from now, Orabeoni.”

Just then, Gongson Su approached.

Looking at her face as she stealthily held his hand, Lee Byeok once again felt a slight awkwardness.

He understood that he was not alone.

But Gongson Su’s sense of distance was overly close. It was draining to have to shake her off and push her away every time.

As if guessing Lee Byeok’s complex feelings, Gongson Su let out a small chuckle.

“Then shall we find an inn first? Since I’m hungry, let’s talk about our future plans while we eat.”

Just as Gongson Su was about to take the lead, pulling Lee Byeok’s hand, Eon Mi-hee spoke in a deliberately low voice.

“I’ve wanted to say this for a while, but isn’t the title Orabeoni a bit much? There is a proper hierarchy.”

It was an unusually stiff expression.

“Aish, but there are only three of us. If I call him Squad Leader, it’s like we’re openly revealing our identities, isn’t it?”

Gongson Su retorted slyly.

“…In the first place, Miss, how old are you? The Young Master and I are only sixteen, so calling him Orabeoni is—”

“I’m fifteen, though?”

Eon Mi-hee was at a loss for words.

Lee Byeok was a little surprised. For some reason, he hadn't thought she was actually younger. The faces of Wang Suyeon and Jang Seok-du flashed through his mind.

“Then… how about Orabeoni? Do you perhaps dislike me calling you Orabeoni?”

“…It doesn’t matter to me.”

Eon Mi-hee let out a groan as if she was vexed.

When Lee Byeok glanced at her, Eon Mi-hee hastily dropped her gaze to her feet. Lee Byeok was in a difficult position.

There was a conflict between the two that Lee Byeok found difficult to understand. It was also difficult to rashly intervene and take sides.

“Unnie, you’re honest, that’s funny.”

“W-who gave you permission to call me Unnie…!”

“But you are my Unnie, aren't you? So both of you, please speak to me comfortably. As you said, there is a hierarchy.”

Grab, Gongson Su’s other hand grabbed Eon Mi-hee’s hand. For a moment, Eon Mi-hee’s shoulders stiffened.

And Gongson Su took the lead.

The streets of the big city were bustling, and there were countless inns.

But Gongson Su managed to pick a place that was neither too crowded nor too deserted and led the two inside.

After sitting at a table, Gongson Su asked Lee Byeok and Eon Mi-hee and ordered a few dishes from the waiter.

Gongson Su said with a smiling face.

“Let’s be clear about our objective.”

Gongson Su turned to Lee Byeok.

“Orabeoni, what do you intend to do from now on?”

Of course, what Lee Byeok wanted was to return to the Falling Sword Sect, and what was necessary for that was an enlightenment that would allow him to control his killing intent.

But it was a vague story.

“…I just intended to gain experience.”

Lee Byeok had the Guardian Squad's token.

If he borrowed the help of the Rogues’ Guild branches located throughout the Central Plains, he would be able to obtain information about places that immediately needed military force.

Finding enlightenment through clashes.

There was nothing else he could think of.

“A reckless rampage through the Murim? You’re full of spirit. That’s not bad either.”

Gulp, Gongson Su picked up a water cup, took a sip of water to wet her throat.

And she brought up the main topic.

“But Orabeoni, to be honest with you, the situation is not very favorable for moving around freely.”

“Orabeoni, are you the successor of the Evil Faction Alliance Lord? Or are you of the Paewang Family’s bloodline?”

That was an absurd story.

“I see. But what your position actually is doesn't matter. What's important is that you've been perceived that way by other factions.”

Clink, the ordered dishes were placed on the table one by one. Gongson Su picked up her chopsticks.

“The moment the Evil Faction Alliance Lord, who had been cooped up in his quarters, suddenly popped out and called you ‘son-like’, you were seen that way by everyone else. ‘Ah, he’s a hidden successor’.”

“So to the Black Heaven Gang or the Hainan Sword Sect, you must be a huge thorn in their side, right? If you’re unlucky, they might even get rid of you without anyone knowing.”

Swish, Gongson Su made a throat-slitting gesture with her chopsticks.

“They might not be able to do it openly right away, but they might try to nip the bud in the guise of an accident or coincidence?”

It was not difficult to understand.

Lee Byeok realized he had been quite naive. Gongson Su, despite being younger, seemed to have abundant knowledge and experience of the Jianghu.

Eon Mi-hee, who had been listening silently, let out a somehow vexed sound. Gongson Su continued, unconcerned.

“So in my opinion, what we have to do is clear.”

“Since we’re already seen that way, we just have to really become the successor and lead the revival of the Paewang Family.”

A moment of silence fell over the table.

“I would like you to explain a little more.”

“Yes, of course! What I mean is, we lead the Flying Dragon Squad, gather the disciples of various factions, and become a ‘real armed force’ that is difficult to mess with.”

Slice, slice, Gongson Su’s chopsticks skillfully cut the roast duck as she continued nonchalantly.

“It's true that most of the well-known major sects of the current Evil Faction Alliance have gone over to the side of the Black Heaven Gang or the Hainan Sword Sect. But in fact, they are not the entirety of the Evil Faction’s Murim.”

“Including the Hunan Murim, which was a long-time supporter of the Paewang Family, there are quite a few factions in the eastern region of the Evil Faction’s Murim that did not respond to this Flying Dragon Squad selection meeting or were not even invited at all.”

The Flying Dragon Squad had become Lee Byeok’s.

And since it had come to this, it would be fair to say that the Paewang Family and the Flying Dragon Squad were already bound as one and the same force.

Therefore, if they gathered and united the ‘remaining factions’ under the name of the Flying Dragon Squad, it would be a way to restore the prestige of the Paewang Family, even if only slightly.

It seemed he could finally see the context.

“Of course, it won’t be smooth. If they have their right minds, who would want to join us? It’s obvious they’ll fall out of favor with the Black Heaven Gang.”

Gongson Su’s words flowed without obstruction.

It was as if she had already laid out all the plans before she came to find Lee Byeok.

Suddenly, Lee Byeok became curious.

“Then why are you here?”

“As you said, if one has their right mind, isn’t there no reason to join me?”

A moment of silence fell.

“My way of seeing things is different.”

Slice, Gongson Su’s chopsticks tore off a large piece of the roast duck’s leg. That leg was placed in front of Lee Byeok’s plate.

“I have invested myself in you, Orabeoni. And investments naturally come with risks.”

“The fact that I remained in the Flying Dragon Squad and followed you, Orabeoni, has probably already been reported to each faction. I have no intention of going broke either, so I have to raise you, Orabeoni, somehow and get my share, right?”

“…I see. I roughly understand.”

Whether he wanted it or not, it seemed that from the moment he stepped onto the dueling stage, he was already within the logic of a power struggle.

No, perhaps from the moment he left Flower Pavilion Village.

He had cut down the bandits, and had become the leader of the Flying Dragon Squad.

As a result, he could no longer return, and the invisible logics of the Murim were binding him.

The Paewang Family was Hyuk Dae-woong’s family.

He didn't know what had happened, but it would be fair to say that the ‘recovery of the Paewang Family’ was a task Hyuk Dae-woong had to do.

If so, it was not at all wrong for him, his junior brother, to become the successor of the Paewang Family and take on that task for a while.

He would hold the position for a while.

Their interests coincided.

Lee Byeok quietly finished his judgment.

Thwack, boom! Clatter-bang!

It was as they were continuing their meal in a moment of silence. A loud commotion erupted from the marketplace outside.

“My, there’s a fool causing a ruckus in the front yard of the Evil Faction Alliance. Well, it’ll be sorted out soon, so let’s just eat. So in my opinion—”

Gongson Su was about to speak again. But contrary to her thoughts, the commotion did not die down easily.

Rather, it grew more and more violent.

“You sons of bitches! Hic! D-do you know who I am?! Do you know?! Hic! Shibal!! I-I just wanted to have a drink?! Why, why are you giving me shit, why!!”

And a voice screaming at the top of its lungs erupted from outside.

The sound of something breaking, and pained groans followed.

Suddenly, Gongson Su’s eyes lit up.

“Orabeoni, shall we go out for a moment? We might be able to eat a fallen fish raw?”