Chapter 48
Jeokryongmuje
Chapter Title: Ruthless and Cruel
“Wang Zhijing has many enemies, so he always travels with martial artists. Among them are the ones called Black and White Swords—extremely skilled fighters from the unorthodox sects. Wang Zhijing relies on them completely.”
The Black and White Swords (Heibai Erjian) were notorious figures in northern Central Plains. Originating from the unorthodox sects, they possessed outstanding martial abilities and cruel temperaments. Countless people had died at their hands. Each time, Wang Zhijing stepped in to cover up the incidents, a fact that had become public knowledge.
“When he goes out, he is accompanied by about twenty bodyguards, all highly skilled martial artists, led by the Black and White Swords.”
“So removing the Black and White Swords would be like cutting off the head of a snake,” Ihuan commented.
“Exactly.”
Gomi pulled a scroll from his bosom.
“This is a map of Wang Zhijing’s residence. The red dots mark locations suspected of storing his wealth.”
Ihuan was impressed. After deciding Wang Zhijing would be their first target, he had asked for detailed information—and in just a day, Gomi had brought a full map of the estate.
Gomi asked, “Have you decided how to proceed?”
“Roughly.”
“Shall I join you?”
“No. You stay out. We’ll handle the bloodshed. But help gather information about the others.”
“Understood.”
“Muok.”
“Yes, General.”
“I’ll summon your Ilmak. There are many empty rooms in my sister’s residence, so they can stay there while we prepare a place and also act as guards.”
“Understood.”
Ihuan clasped his hands and leaned back.
“Now we just have to strike when the prey moves.”
Wang Zhijing was called “The Great Man” not for his lineage, but for his wealth. He invested wherever money could be made, including usury, and over the years, his wealth had grown to staggering proportions. The number of people ruined and left to weep was countless.
He used his wealth to bribe high-ranking officials and employed martial artists to crush anyone who opposed him. He would not hesitate to murder anyone who failed to repay borrowed money on time; even a single day’s delay could result in the confiscation of all property.
Thus, Wang Zhijing had earned the nickname “Emperor of Darkness.”
Yet, there were still things beyond his control.
A massive frame, a round face slick with grease, and narrow, long eyes so thin they were hard to discern if they were open or closed. Wang Zhijing fiddled with his teacup, squinting even more.
Clink.
“If it weren’t for that princess, I’d deal with things as I please. So troublesome.”
“Are you talking about the Song family?”
“Yes. I went to check on them about the interest. Surprisingly, they’re not completely ruined. It must be all because of the princess.”
“What power could a princess have? Like the Fourth Prince, she’s practically just another child of the royal family. Rumors that the Crown Prince takes care of her are false; if true, she wouldn’t have been left to ruin.”
“Still, she’s of royal blood. That’s why they’ve survived so far. Even a minor princess may be inconsequential to the powerful, but to common merchants, it makes a difference.”
“That’s reasonable. By the way, how did they buy two inns? According to our information, they had no funds.”
“They say a rich family lasts for three years even after ruin. And these people, once second to none in the world, must still have some wealth.”
“But they still need to pay interest, don’t they? Borrowing now and lamenting later.”
Hearing his subordinate raise his voice, Wang Zhijing’s eyes narrowed even further.
“If they can’t pay interest on time, the debt grows. That’s nothing to our disadvantage. But we must secure at least part of the market once dominated by the Song family before the Huanglong Trading Company expands.”
“You intend to compete with Huanglong Trading?”
“It’s possible. But you seem afraid of them.”
“Of course, with the Empress backing them. Honestly, I’d prefer not to cross them even slightly.”
At that moment:
“Great Man, it’s me.”
“Come in.”
Clatter.
A man in a yellow robe entered—a sharp-looking figure with a sword scar across his cheek that gave him a menacing aura.
“I’ve arranged the carriage. Shall we depart?”
“Have the Black and White Swords been readied?”
“Yes, they are waiting outside.”
“Very well.”
Wang Zhijing donned his coat and stepped outside. In the courtyard of his grand residence, a carriage awaited, surrounded by roughly twenty bodyguards. All were extraordinary, but two middle-aged men in black and white robes drew the most attention.
They were the Black and White Swords, the unorthodox martial artists whom Wang Zhijing trusted implicitly.
All bowed deeply to Wang Zhijing, but the two acknowledged him with a simple gesture, as if it were natural. Wang Zhijing did not mind.
The yellow-robed servant opened the carriage door.
“Please, ascend.”
Wang Zhijing smiled at the Black and White Swords before entering:
“Take good care today.”
“Yes, Great Man.”
Soon, the carriage moved beyond the front gate. Unlike normal guards, the Black and White Swords stayed at the rear.
Behind Wang Zhijing’s party, two riders followed: Ihuan and Cheol Muok.
Ihuan watched the Black and White Swords.
“Impressive. They can contain their energy.”
“The arrogance on their faces suggests they’re not too dangerous. Fighters like that often overestimate their abilities.”
“Arrogance is as dangerous as carelessness. Like you now.”
“…Yes.”
Ihuan and Cheol Muok kept a distance, with Ihuan wearing a mask.
Click! Click!
Due to heavy pedestrian traffic, the carriage moved at walking speed. Ihuan leisurely observed the surroundings. It was harvest season, and the fields on both sides of the road were bustling with activity.
“When did you say your Ilmak would arrive?”
“By tomorrow at the latest.”
“That soon?”
“They all possess reliable lightness skills, and some are faster than me.”
“Not bad.”
Whoosh!
A pleasant breeze blew. The sky was clear, seemingly a waste for bloodshed. But the weather soon betrayed expectations.
Rumble!
The clear sky darkened, followed by thunder and pouring rain.
Whoosh!
Wang Zhijing’s carriage began to speed up. Ihuan and Cheol Muok maintained distance and pursued.
Thud-thud-thud!
As the road cleared, the carriage accelerated. Soon, the light rain turned into a downpour, wind whipping fiercely.
‘The weather favors us,’ Ihuan thought.
He spotted a sharp bend where branches hung over the road, swaying violently.
“That will do.”
“Yes.”
They abandoned their horses and dashed into the forest, moving ahead of Wang Zhijing’s party to the ambush point. Donning masks, they waited.
“To succeed, they must feel terror worse than death. Kill them as ruthlessly and cruelly as possible. Remember that.”
“Understood.”
Ssshhhhh.
Ihuan and Cheol Muok drew their swords as the carriage approached.
Crash!
The rain reduced visibility, but it didn’t affect them.
Thud-thud-thud!
The carriage entered range. Cheol Muok struck first.
Snap!
Leaping into the air, he dropped vertically, splitting a bodyguard’s torso in two.
Thud!
“Ugh!”
“Ah!”
“Ambush! Block them!”
“Arrgh!”
Another fell, split in two.
Though Wang Zhijing had paid handsomely for skilled bodyguards, Cheol Muok operated on a completely different level.
“How dare you!”
The Black Sword leapt into the air, aiming to split Cheol Muok’s head with a downward strike.
Bang!
Cheol Muok blocked and retreated. The White Sword charged next.
Ihuan took action, targeting the carriage itself.
Whuuuu!
A beam of energy struck the carriage door.
Kaang!
“Another trace! Protect the Great Man!”
“Block him!”
The Black Sword abandoned Cheol Muok and lunged at Ihuan. Two guards fell to Ihuan’s sword before he could reach the terrified Wang Zhijing inside the carriage.
Their eyes met. Ihuan’s eyes glowed crimson.
“Hah!”
Wang Zhijing gasped, terror written all over his face—a look that would chill anyone to the bone.
Flash!
A beam of light streaked toward Ihuan—the Black Sword’s strike. Ihuan twisted slightly, dodging it; the strike pierced the tree behind.
Thud!
Ignoring the Black Sword, Ihuan aimed for Wang Zhijing. Other guards blocked him, preventing success. The Black Sword fell before him, attempting a decisive strike.
Bang!
Sparks flew from clashing swords, splashing the rain. Ihuan used the momentum to slice another guard and charged again, still blocked.
The Black Sword’s gaze darkened.
‘He’s deliberately acting only here!’
Initially unnoticed, Ihuan realized after a few exchanges that the Black Sword focused on the broken carriage door. Strangely, he didn’t attack at full force.
‘What is he aiming for?’
Argh!
A scream pierced the air. The Black Sword’s eyes widened. He watched the White Sword’s corpse fall in pieces—his ally obliterated. Wang Zhijing also screamed in horror.
Ihuan smiled coldly.
‘Time for you to go too.’
Ihuan’s sword slashed the air. Five beams of white light struck the Black Sword’s head. Too fast to react, it was a fatal blow.
Bang!
The Black Sword blocked one strike, but blood splattered.
Fffft!
With a groan, the stiffened Black Sword collapsed backward.
“Black—gahh!”
Wang Zhijing screamed inside the carriage.
Ihuan panted heavily.
“Haah… haah… haah!”
Cheol Muok landed beside him, also breathing heavily, eyes sharp and cold.
[That’s enough for now. Retreat.]
[Yes.]
Bang!
Ihuan and Cheol Muok dashed into the forest, leaving a final message:
“Wicked Wang Zhijing! Next time, your neck will be mine!”
