ESGW 13🔐

Chapter 13 …

Everyone wore grave expressions.

“Haa… then how about allowing only the Guanggeom Sect Master to enter?”

“Do you think they’ll accept that proposal?”

“If they truly want peace, they will.”

Everyone nodded.

The Alliance Leader spoke to Jin Gwang-hon.

“Very well! If you truly desire peace, can you enter alone?”

Jin Gwang-hon nodded.

“Of course. I will even leave my sword behind.”

A man obsessed with the sword… entering without it?

They could feel his sincerity.

Only then did the expressions of the Jiangxi Alliance sect leaders soften.

“Ah, understood! We’ll open the gates at once.”

“Hurry, open the gate!”

The gates of the Jiangxi Alliance fortress opened, and Jin Gwang-hon really did hand his beloved sword to his subordinate before slowly walking inside.

Everyone was tense.

They feared that Guanggeom Sect disciples would charge inside the moment the gate opened.

But they maintained formation and didn’t move an inch.

It looked resolute, in a different sense.

Did they really want peace?

Seeing such a sudden change in a single day left everyone unsettled.

Now, every martial artist in the Jiangxi Alliance had their eyes fixed on the negotiations between the Alliance leaders and the Guanggeom Sect Master.

The Alliance Leader asked Jin Gwang-hon:

“What is the reason for this sudden change?”

Jin Gwang-hon replied calmly.

“Because I realized that I was not the predator.”

“What?”

“I was merely one of many prey. I didn’t even realize it and rampaged around. Now I want to return to my proper place. So I want to get along with all of you. Truly.”

The sect leaders wore expressions that said they had no idea what he was talking about.

Jin Gwang-hon gave a small laugh.

“Do you know overwhelming strength—and a hell you cannot escape no matter how you struggle?”

“We know it. It’s not something you inflicted on us.”

Jin Gwang-hon shook his head.

“We were never overwhelming. We never managed to conquer you even once.”

“So you mean an overwhelming being visited your sect?”

Jin Gwang-hon nodded.

“A demon visited us. We were utterly ordinary in comparison.”

Just what kind of being had appeared… for that vicious man to look so drained?

“I’d rather give up everything and become a farmer than meet him again.”

A man mad about swords… declaring he’d lay down his sword and farm.

It was shocking.

“But if I lay down my sword, he’ll come again. So I must hold on to it somehow.”

Jin Gwang-hon lifted his head and bowed with clasped fists.

“I am a fool who troubled you all, but I offer my apology.”

The Jiangxi Alliance sect leaders exchanged glances.

Then the Alliance Leader stepped forward, grasping Jin Gwang-hon’s hands firmly.

“We accept your apology. Let us get along from now on.”

At those words, Jin Gwang-hon broke into a bright smile.

“Thank you! Thank you truly! I will work for the development of the Jiangxi sects from now on.”

His joy was suspicious, but the sect leaders were even more delighted by the relief—no more battles, no more anxiety about sudden attacks from Guanggeom Sect.

That day, the Jiangxi Alliance fortress held its first festival ever. Bright smiles bloomed across people’s faces.

Jin Gwang-hon kneeled with his head bowed.

Sitting before him was Jeok Wigang.

“I have done as you commanded.”

“Well done. Get along well with them from now on.”

“Yes!”

Jin Gwang-hon behaved like a loyal subordinate.

“I hear you created a nickname for me?”

Jin Gwang-hon’s still body flinched.

“What was it again? Cheonmyeon Akjong (Thousand-Faced Evil Breed)?”

“I– I’ll immediately silence those who said that.”

Jeok Wigang chuckled.

“No need. I like it. Cheonmyeon Akjong. Let them call me that.”

“Yes, as you command.”

He acted as though Jeok Wigang were his lord, but Jeok Wigang simply laughed it off.

“You’re taken care of. Now… where shall I go next?”

“Are you searching for your next target?”

“Mm. Recommend one.”

“How about Baekgeum Gate (Hundred Gold Sect)?”

“Are they wicked?”

“They’re notorious. For their goals, they don’t hesitate to kidnap and torture people. Complete scum.”

“What are their goals?”

“They’re a martial arts sect, but loan-sharking is their main business. Because of it, they commit countless atrocities.”

“Loan-sharking?”

“Yes. They impose astronomical interest rates, but the authorities can’t touch them.”

“Because of the non-interference rule?”

Jin Gwang-hon nodded.

“Then shouldn’t martial sects stop them?”

“The ones running the loan-sharks are ordinary citizens. But their backer is Baekgeum Gate.”

“So they can’t touch them because the front men are commoners? And the authorities can’t touch Baekgeum because it’s a martial sect?”

“That, and they bribe the officials heavily. If Baekgeum falls, many officials go down with them. So they pretend it’s a martial world matter and look away.”

“What’s their method?”

“They place a sheet with ordinary, harmless wording over a loan contract with predatory terms—leaving only the signature area exposed. When the borrower signs, the overlay is removed and the real contract appears, completely different from what they saw.”

“They don’t notice? No traces from attaching and removing the paper?”

“I only heard about it, so I don’t know the details. They probably have a unique technique.”

Jeok Wigang was curious.

Just how did they swap the contracts?

“Where do those bastards operate?”

“Ganzhou in Jiangxi Province.”

“Ganzhou, huh…”

Even farther away.

He needed to return home first.

If he stayed away too long, his mother would come looking.

“If I hear you’re bullying other sects again, it won’t end as easily next time.”

“Understood.”

Jeok Wigang rose to leave.

“I wish to serve you as my lord!”

“Me?”

“Yes!”

“Why?”

“You are the ideal I’ve always dreamed of. Someone far beyond my reach. I want to follow you.”

Jeok Wigang chuckled.

“I don’t raise demonic sects.”

“I’ll do anything if I can serve you.”

“Fine. Then join the Jiangxi Alliance—but earn their recognition first.”

“Understood.”

“Once you’re acknowledged as a righteous sect member, I’ll accept you.”

“I will accomplish it without fail.”

Jeok Wigang patted his shoulder.

“Do well.”

“Yes!”

The moment Jin Gwang-hon answered, the presence before him vanished.

He lifted his head slowly—Jeok Wigang was already gone.

“As expected, he stands beyond the heavens. When he grows fully, the Central Plains will kneel beneath him.”

He had chosen a lord far beyond anything he had dreamed of.

Jin Gwang-hon’s resolve hardened.

He would become a righteous sect recognized by the Alliance and become that man’s official subordinate.

Jeok Wigang arrived home.

His clone was connected to his mind, so he could respond instantly if needed.

But not before his mother.

His mother noticed even the slightest change—because she cherished him deeply.

Thinking that made him so happy he couldn’t help but smile.

He dismissed his clone as soon as he arrived and lay on his bed.

While thinking about how to reform the Baekgeum sect, he heard Taecheon’s voice outside.

“Lady of the House!”

The only one Taecheon called “Lady of the House” in Jinmuwon Sect—

His mother.

No wonder he felt like coming home today.

This was why ominous feelings shouldn’t be ignored.

“I heard Young Master Wigang has been surviving on fasting pills for several days—is that true?”

“When Young Master focuses on studying, he always does so.”

“This time it’s two days longer. Didn’t you check on him?”

“I’m sorry. I feared disturbing him would make him upset, so I didn’t check.”

“Open the door. I’ll check myself.”

“Yes.”

The door opened, and Jeok Wigang greeted his mother with a bright smile.

“Mother! What brings you here at this hour?”

His mother, Yoo Hwayeon, looked around the room.

Her eyes landed on the nearly empty jar of fasting pellets.

“Uhk!”

She suddenly burst into tears, startling Jeok Wigang.

“M–Mother! Why are you crying?”

“My lovable son is skipping proper meals and living off fasting pills just to study… it breaks my heart.”

“I focus better when I abstain from regular meals.”

“But at your age, you should be eating well…”

Seeing his mother sad made his heart ache.

There was only one way to console her.

“Mother, I’m hungry. I want your fish-fragrant eggplant.”

At his words, her tears stopped, and she stared at him.

“You’re hungry?”

“Yes. After eating only fasting pills, I feel dizzy.”

“R–Really? Then fish-fragrant eggplant won’t be enough. Anything else you want?”

“Braised pork and potatoes too.”

“All right. Mom will make it right away.”

“Yes!”

She hurried out, urgency written on her face.

Her child had said he was hungry.

She had to hurry.

Before her starving baby fainted.

Taecheon entered with a smile.

“You used that method again?”

“Mm. If I say I’m hungry, my mother hears nothing else.”

“You’ll overeat today.”

“Well, what can I do? It’s the best method to calm her.”

Jeok Wigang grinned at Taecheon.

“I’m really blessed. My parents, Jinmuwon Sect, and you—everyone loves me.”

“That’s natural.”

“Nothing is natural. It’s something to be grateful for. Thank you, Taecheon.”

At the thanks, Taecheon shyly turned his head.

“You flatter me too much.”

Jeok Wigang chuckled at the reaction.

Taecheon asked:

“How much longer do you need to study?”

“Hmm… maybe two more weeks. Why?”

He planned to deal with Baekgeum Gate and then stay home for a while.

If he pushed it too far, his mother might catch on.

“I worry for your health, Young Master.”

Perhaps the most unnecessary concern.

“All right. After I’m done, I’ll rest.”

“Thank you for listening.”

“No need to thank me. You said it because you cared. Take care of me for the next two weeks.”

“Of course. I’ll keep everyone away except the Master and Madam.”

Ganzhou, Jiangxi Province.

It was a bit far from home, but no problem.

It took him less than half an hour to get here.

That was even at a leisurely pace.

Jeok Wigang wandered the streets, chewing on a candied hawthorn skewer.

He wasn’t wearing his mask.

If he wore it now, he’d draw unwanted attention.

So he acted as much like a child as possible while strolling through Ganzhou.

The lively city bustled as people of all kinds hurried about their day—