The day after drinking with the bandits-
I ride a horse and the bandits ride in carriages.
The carriage contains relics gold and silver collected in Green Forest Sect. If I take all of this to Low-Down Sect it would be embezzlement.
I have a lot of funds already there’s no point in taking more. Instead if we organize this in the Mount Heng branch with General Gongsun Wol it will be divided fairly among us.
The carriage which was left unattended below Namak Sect was packed with items and property owned by Leader Yayul. It looked like we were moving with the task of transporting goods.
As if we’re becoming escorting bandits.
After assigning a few surviving bandits as guards we headed from Namak to the Mount Heng branch.
Has Leader Im and his men arrived at Tree Spirit Fortress?
Nobody knows.
Anyway Leader Im is going to lead the members around like his tail.
I’m also leading a line of people that have hit rock bottom.
Who is living a harder life?
The important thing is to take it seriously in any situation so there was no need to compare.
There are quite a few injured bandits so I don’t travel in haste. While moving at a moderate pace we ate and as soon as the food brought from the mountains ran out I sent decent-looking bandits to the village or street markets to buy food.
It was then that I witnessed a scene I had never seen before.
A bandit who had to go buy food looked nervous. It was as if he was facing a crisis of a lifetime.
Is giving them money to buy food something to be terrified about?
This is neither a funny nor a sad business I’m just sending them to do an errand at markets normal people frequent.
“Why are you shaking you bastard? Are a few punches gonna make you feel better?”
Wiping the sweat off of their foreheads the bandits answered as they gulped.
“No we will be back soon.”
I look at the guys going off to run errands and ask
“What’s wrong with them?”
Jang San replies
“I don’t know. Maybe it’s because they’ve never bought food.”
“It’s not a big deal. It’s not like you have to fight to buy food. Just give me money.”
“Yes.”
A while later as if they’d done something incredible the bandits returned safely with food.
I purposely sit around a quiet place and eat with the bandits.
The bandits were eating very well and while eating deliciously they did not leave a single grain of rice.
This is sudden but I have forgotten most of the bandits’ names except for a few guys.
The bandits’ names I remember are among those I don’t remember so I don’t specify names on purpose.
“You should change your clothes on the way. We have plenty of silver in the wagon anyway. If you see a big market that sells clothes we’ll buy clothes there.”
“Yes.”
“I don’t know why you go around flaunting the fact you guys are bandits.”
Ignorant Woo Chun replies
“What’s wrong with our clothes? I think they fit us pretty well.”
I sighed.
“Sure.”
That guy Woo Chun’s top and bottom are different. It may be because they stole clothes from different people. If he were to walk around dressed like this people in the downtown area would automatically avoid him.
Watching these bunch of weirdos buying clothes in excitement I feel a sense of shame.
From Namak to Mount Heng.
After transforming the bandits into decent human beings we arrived near Mount Heng at noon on the third day.
Before entering the Mount Heng branch I had already expected the bandits to receive looks of contempt. However it can’t be helped.
If you do bad things for a living you should know to handle the looks of contempt- is what I thought.
I arrived at the Mount Heng branch with the bandits.
Of course I didn’t bring these guys here to introduce them to the alliance.
Even before entering the Mount Heng branch deflecting most of the members and allies of the Mount Heng branch (who had mistaken us as attacking bandits) we came to a face-off.
Looking at General Gongsun Wol I say
“General Gongsun it’s me. Low-Down Sect Leader. Everyone is so eager to welcome us.”
Gongsun Wol replies with a perplexed look.
“What’s with the bandits behind you?”
“Is it that obvious?”
“Yes.”
I turn my head and look at the guys who transformed from bandits to bodyguards.
How can I explain this in simple words?
First of all I try to bring up Leader Im’s name.
“Have you heard from Leader Im?”
“No.”
“We took care of Namak Sect 2 days ago. There were too many prisoners so some bandits headed to the Tree Spirit Fortress with Leader Im right away. Quite a number were left behind so I was watching over them. After destroying the main quarters of Namak Sect we brought back their stolen goods. In other words I brought all the loot from Namak Sect. This was a long explanation since we’re running out of time but you can understand me perfectly right?”
Only then did Gongsun Wol’s anxious gaze subside and she nodded.
“Good work to you Leader.”
“Don’t mention it. Where do you want me to move the stolen goods?”
At this time the man who stepped out later than General Gongsun interrupts with an annoying voice.
“Just leave it there for now. Why don’t we lock them up and move them on our own?”
I narrow my brows and look at Sima Hak who interrupted the conversation.
When I glare Sima Hak glares at me.
If your gaze is not friendly the gaze you receive will be the same.
“I’m managing these guys so there’s no need to lock them up. Sima Hak I warn you don’t tell me what to do. You seem to be quite talented with a great temper so why didn’t you go to Tree Spirit Fortress? I’m surprised you proposed to stay.”
Sima Hak looks at me with a smile.
“There’s no need to argue on what was discussed and decided.”
Sima Family Clan’s people were staring at me in disdain.
I wet my lips for a moment.
‘What the hell did I do wrong?’
Instead of taking the loot back to the Low Down all I did was ask the bandits who survived to carry their luggage to distribute them to Leader Im and his members who worked hard.
I look at the bandits for a moment.
There were quite a lot of injured people and they were scared as they saw the alliance and the family clan masters in front of their eyes. Furthermore they trusted me and followed me but the situation took a turn and everyone was wearing sour expressions.
I tell Jang San
“Put down all the things you’re carrying for now. Stand back to the carriage.”
Jang San replies
“Yes Leader.”
As soon as I finished Sima Hak ordered his family members.
“…Go and make the bandits kneel. Tie them up.”
The warriors of Sima Clan answer altogether.
“Yes.”
I lost my temper before the warriors could take another step.
“Stop.”
“….”
I stare at the Sima Clan warriors.
“They surrendered when I was with Leader Im. And he put me in charge. Tying them up is unnecessary.”
A middle-aged warrior of Sima Clan replies
“How can an unknown master of Low-Down Sect be this disrespectful? The Alliance and orthodox sects are joining forces to wipe out bandits and pirates it is only right for the alliance to decide how to deal with them after arresting them first.”
I nod.
“That’s right.”
“That’s right?”
“The alliance should be the one to decide. You belong to the Sima Clan. Keep your mouth shut. General Gongsun.”
General Gongsun responds
“Please go on Leader.”
“I guess you have misunderstood. It was strategically necessary for me to stay in Namak and control the situation. As you can see I’m alone. The reason why I brought the stolen goods from Namak is to return the assets to Leader Im and the hard-working alliance members. Otherwise I would have ordered the bandits and taken it back to Low-Down Sect. You’re the one with the authority here why are you fueling the dispute between Low-Down Sect and Sima Clan? Can do your job properly?”
General Gongsun’s pale face instantly reddens.
“Ah please clarify your attitude a little more.”
“How.”
“Did you bring them here as prisoners? Or did you gather them like what you said? Whatever it may be I respect your decision. However if they are prisoners it’s right to lock them up.”
Feeling flustered I nod.
“Oh I see. Then I’ll take them back to Low-Down Sect for now.”
As soon as I finish speaking Sima Hak bursts into laughter and the warriors of Sima Clan laugh loudly.
“Hahahahaha…”
I stand in the center with the bandits amidst the mockery.
Sima Hak looks at me and says
“Look Low-Down Sect Leader. Have you seen anyone ‘accept’ bandits? Do you lack that much talent that you would have to accept them into your sect? What would the unorthodox faction seniors and juniors think of you if word gets out? You might be young I tried to treat you as a respectable leader but now… Tsk.”
“Is there a reason why bandits cannot be accepted into factions?”
Sima Hak replies with a delighted expression.
“Do you really think that makes sense Leader?”
I answer with a stern look.
“That’s me.”
“….”
Nothing I’ve done since I’ve stepped foot into Kangho makes sense anyway. Most of the Low-Down is housing the unorthodox they are about the same in my perspective.
Orthodox are the good guys.
And if the unorthodox all deserve to die then I don’t agree with the world.
That is not what I think.
If I can reach an understanding with Leader Im So-baek through a few words I won’t ever reach common ground with a guy like Sima Hak no matter how much we argue.
However I’ve already known that the world is like this since my past life.
If I was back in my Crazy Demon days I would have opted to attack rather than try to reason. But my patience has increased and has become more open-minded. I vowed to hold back as much as possible argue a little more and confront whatever it is.
I say as I looked around the orthodox warriors
“…I understand that the bandits as prisoners make you uncomfortable. You will know once Leader Im returns but I killed the most bandits in Namak. I think I killed more than 100 was it?”
When I look back at Jang San Jang San replies with a complicated expression.
“Yes that’s right.”
“This means I have the greatest responsibility because I have committed more murders than any other alliance member. I brought them to surrender and I also said that I will spare the people who surrender. To keep my promise I admitted them into the Low Down. Admitting them doesn’t mean I’m treating them as a prisoner or a slave I’m letting those who want to learn a skill choose work and give them a chance to take a path- not live as bandits. I will beat up the inept ones to death with my own hands shall they be judged as inadequate. These guys were bandits up until yesterday. From now on they belong to the Low-Down so there’s no need to treat them as hostages. Fellow Kangho seniors and juniors. Do you understand me?”
As expected Sima Hak steps up.
“What if I say no? They should be thankful to be our prisoners. They should’ve been slashed in the neck now you want to introduce them as members of your faction? Do you think this is right General Gongsun? I can’t believe the orthodox allied with such an organization… How ridiculous.”
For a moment I slap my cheek.
Slap…!
I mutter the curse halfway and swallow it again in my throat.
“….”
Still I close my eyes for a while and open them due to the seething anger.
At that moment I imagine grabbing Sima Hak and tearing him to death but when I imagine Im So-baek’s terrified expression upon hearing the news I have no choice but to endure it again.
My chest heaved as I manage to suppress my temper.
I let out a big sigh and stare at Sima Hak.
“Look here Leader Sima.”
“Say it.”
“I heard a duel is a good tradition of the orthodox. Why don’t we decide through a duel since we don’t see eye to eye? General Gongsun will be our witness. Whether we lock them up as prisoners or I take them in it is a fact that Leader Im and I marched to Namak and won a great victory. So let’s settle this with a good fight. What do you say?”
I glare at Sima Hak shooting daggers with my eyes.
‘What are you gonna do you son of a….’
With a flustered expression Sima Hak laughs as he shrugs his shoulders.
“Are you a remarkable master? I am a family member of the Sima Clan.”
“So?”
“If you are challenging me in a duel doesn’t it mean you’re letting me take charge?”
As Sima Hak laughs the warriors of Sima Clan join in.
I remain silent for a moment.
To be honest I don’t know who will win.
For he’s a man who dares to talk back against Leader Im So-baek. I don’t know the exact skills and abilities of Sima Hak.
Regardless my mindset always stays the same.
It doesn’t matter if I win or lose.
More importantly I have to beat up the people I don’t like. If I win I’ll slap them on the cheek. If I lose I’ll still win somehow. Whether it’s grabbing his hair or biting Sima Hak’s finger while using Qin Na Technique I will fight in my own way.
Apart from winning and losing- I’m a man that beats people up.
In fact I’m unaware of the extent of Sima Hak’s skills but I don’t think I will lose.
I purposely look down at Sima Hak and laugh arrogantly.
“Let’s fight. Leader Sima.”
The middle-aged man who lectured me just now intervenes again.
“Why are the mannerisms of a young junior so….”
I shout loudly spreading my voice throughout Mount Heng with my inner Qi.
“Shut up!”
“….”
Staring at the middle-aged warrior I say
“This is between the Family Head and the Sect Leader. Everyone else stay out of it.”
