Return of the Heavenly Sword

Chapter 61. Target (4)

I still remembered it vividly.

Over ten years before I returned to the past. The day I last shared a drink with the Scholar Chivalrous Hero.

“The principles of Murim have fallen to the ground, Brother Sama!”

After associating with the Scholar Chivalrous Hero a few times.

I was drunk on the feeling of being a chivalrous hero myself, spouting foolish nonsense.

“Brother Sama, you’ve also heard the rumors about the Black Market recently, haven't you? Ever since that bastard named Hyeok Ilso or whatever popped up, they don’t even bother hiding anymore. A rat that doesn’t hide. Something is wrong with this.”

Even at that time, rumors about the Black Market and Hyeok Ilso were rampant.

“On my way here, I saw some bastards openly trying to kidnap a woman, so I gave them a good scolding. If even someone like me steps up like this, why are the renowned masters of Murim just watching Hyeok Ilso’s mood? I simply cannot understand.”

At my self-absorbed complaint about my chivalrous act, the Scholar Chivalrous Hero wore an expression full of worry.

“Brother Jin. The mouth is the source of all evil, and the tongue is a sword that cuts the body, it is said. I understand your frustration, but please lower your voice.”

“Is Brother Sama also afraid of that Hyeok Ilso bastard? Think of the atrocities he has committed! I heard in the rumors that this time, the great hero of the Eight Trigrams Iron Fist from Shaanxi fell to him.”

“I have heard and know.”

Looking at the Scholar Chivalrous Hero’s somber face, I quickly downed my drink.

Thump.

“Wasn’t he a man of upright character who always prioritized chivalry? Didn’t you, Brother Sama, also once say that the great hero of the Eight Trigrams Iron Fist was a true chivalrous hero? For such a person to not only be killed by that bastard but also have his limbs torn and his head hung for public display in the marketplace to be made a mockery of.”

Not satisfied with just killing him, he had even insulted the corpse.

It was even written near the corpse that no one was to take the body down.

Sadly, no one had taken that body down.

This was because similar incidents had already occurred several times.

Those who tried to remove the bodies hung by Hyeok Ilso all ended up in the same state the very next day.

They were all killed and had their heads hung by Hyeok Ilso for the reason that they were obstructing the Black Market’s business.

As if to soothe my anger, the Scholar Chivalrous Hero opened his mouth.

“Still, please watch your mouth. Hyeok Ilso is a problem, but what Brother Jin just said could sound like you are cursing all the famous figures in Murim.”

Frustration made my anger soar, but as I met the calm eyes of the Scholar Chivalrous Hero, I couldn't bring myself to scream and shout.

Thus, instead of shouting, I simply poured liquor into my cup and drank it down.

Watching me suppress my anger, the Scholar Chivalrous Hero spoke.

“And to be honest, I am afraid of Hyeok Ilso. But what is truly frightening is not his martial power.”

“Then what about him do you fear, Brother Sama?”

“It is his cunning schemes that I fear.”

“Surely, you aren’t thinking that because of the great heroes he has killed so far?”

There was a commonality among the chivalrous heroes Hyeok Ilso had killed up to that point.

Those who traveled alone or in small groups. And above all, they were people who had many enemies within the Righteous Path because of their upright character.

“So you’ve noticed as well, Brother Jin.”

“Thanks to the advice Brother Sama gave me, I’ve thought about it myself. People with outstanding skills and a high reputation in Murim, but with few allies. By targeting only such individuals, he ensures he doesn’t create enemies for himself, and it’s undoubtedly a way to intimidate the comrades of Murim. But you’re saying you’re afraid of such a simple scheme, Brother Sama?”

At my question, he smiled bitterly, tilted his cup, and then answered.

“Because that is not all. Weren’t you just frustrated a moment ago, Brother Jin? About why the renowned figures of Murim aren’t stepping up. It is precisely because of his schemes.”

When I made a face showing I didn’t understand, he subtly moved closer and carefully whispered in my ear.

“The renowned sects and clans of Murim all claim to be part of the Righteous Path. It means that even if there is a woman they desire or a treasure they covet, they cannot act because of their reputation.”

My eyes widened on their own at the unexpected story.

“Then are you saying that bastard Hyeok Ilso is taking care of the dirty work for those sects and clans?”

When I also cautiously asked in a whisper, the Scholar Chivalrous Hero nodded.

A hollow laugh escaped me.

“Heh. The one who calls himself the king of the Black Market has no pride?”

On the surface, he was a bastard who made an example of great heroes by killing them and hanging their bodies, but behind the scenes, he was cleaning up after the prestigious clans and sects. It was just absurd.

Unlike me, who let out a hollow laugh, the Scholar Chivalrous Hero’s expression was serious.

“That is precisely what makes him frightening. Doesn't it mean he is not one to care about pride or justification? And there is something else that is truly frightening.”

What other behind-the-scenes story could be hidden?

As I looked at him with curiosity, the Scholar Chivalrous Hero cautiously opened his mouth.

“No matter how much they support the Black Market from behind, if they outwardly claim to be of the Righteous Path, they can’t just let the Black Market be, can they? As you’ve heard, Brother Jin, don’t rumors occasionally circulate that famous clans or sects have punished the Black Market bastards?”

I nodded at his question.

I was only lamenting that they did not punish Hyeok Ilso. They did, from time to time, subjugate the rabble of the Black Market.

“I recently came across a certain rumor. It’s said that Hyeok Ilso secretly informs the sects or clans he’s dealing with of the time and place. Along with the message that it’s fine to kill the Black Market remnants there.”

“W-what does that mean? He serves up his own subordinates to be killed?”

“That is correct.”

“Surely, he doesn’t receive money for the lives of his subordinates?”

“It is not just money. Did I not say it before? That he acquires the items or women they desire.”

I pondered what this meant for a moment. It wasn't hard to grasp the meaning behind it.

“He places the women or items to be handed over at the location scheduled to be attacked.”

If the stolen goods or the woman suddenly appeared in that clan’s possession, it would be obvious to anyone that they had acquired them through the Black Market.

However, if they were things they had rescued after punishing the Black Market, the story changed. At least on the surface.

When my thoughts reached that point, I got goosebumps.

This was not a way of thinking a human being could come up with.

The Scholar Chivalrous Hero seemed to feel the same, as he nodded with a somber expression and said.

“As you can see, that man does not see people as people. Men and women, young and old. Furthermore, he is a man who sees even his own subordinates as money.”

“So that is why you said you were afraid of Hyeok Ilso’s schemes, Brother Sama.”

After hearing the whole inside story, I began to wonder if that man was truly human.

At the same time, I had another thought.

“If that’s the case, shouldn’t we use whatever means necessary to kill him?”

The Scholar Chivalrous Hero smiled faintly and nodded.

“However, it is not something that can be achieved by being hasty. It is said that a gentleman’s revenge is not too late even after ten years. So, you too, Brother Jin, should not be hasty. You must absolutely not act rashly and provoke the Black Market first.”

“I will do so.”

Thinking back now, it seemed the Scholar Chivalrous Hero had been thinking about the future since then.

He must have made me promise in preparation for the case of his own death at Hyeok Ilso’s hands.

The fact that he knew such detailed information about the Black Market and Hyeok Ilso was proof of that.

But at that time, I hadn’t noticed.

After sharing one last drink, we parted ways.

For several months, I wandered Murim alone, helping the unfortunate and punishing trash-like individuals.

When I returned to the place where I had promised to meet the Scholar Chivalrous Hero again, what awaited me was a single letter.

A letter sent by the Scholar Chivalrous Hero before he died while being pursued by Hyeok Ilso.

A similar story was written there as well.

It said, ‘A gentleman’s revenge is not too late even after ten years,’ a message not to act rashly until I had gathered the strength to strike Hyeok Ilso and the Black Market.

A plea to save even just the weak I could save, rather than senselessly throwing my life away.

That was the last will of the chivalrous hero I considered a friend and a teacher.

I did my best to honor my friend's last will.

Whether it was poison or anything else, I used any means necessary to punish the villains I could kill.

I lived helping the weak whom I could help.

While avoiding the terrifying villains I did not dare to target.

The screams of parents searching for their suddenly disappeared daughters.

The shrieks of women who were kidnapped, sold off for high-interest debts, and wandered the red-light districts.

Those who were innocently murdered and robbed of their wealth simply for possessing valuable items. I ignored all the wails of their friends and families.

Waiting for the day of revenge that would someday come, I just relentlessly pushed my body, repeating life-and-death battles, duels, and training.

But even after enduring and training for over ten years, the time for revenge did not come.

All that remained was a crippled body.

So now, I will not hold back.

Now that I have returned to the past. I will kill that bastard.

In a slowly flowing world.

Hyeok Ilso’s face is imprinted in my eyes.

A youthful face that looks to be in his early twenties at most.

That youthful bastard was destined to become the king of trash, controlling the Black Market throughout the Central Plains in about twenty years.

Yes. The king of trash.

The worst of trash, who will stand at the pinnacle of the countless pieces of trash I must clean up.

I must kill that bastard before he grows into the king of trash.

For the sake of preventing the countless tragedies to come and the death of the Scholar Chivalrous Hero.

Kill.

Kill.

Kill.

With every step of my movement technique, I infuse killing intent.

And the moment the distance between us closed.

Swiiiiiiish.

The sword that Hyeok Ilso thrust out with an indifferent face flew like a ray of light.

Slice.

Even though I moved after seeing the trajectory in advance, my neck was lightly grazed.

But it didn’t matter.

This level of pain was nothing compared to the agony of ignoring those countless screams.

I took another step forward and swung the Restoring Name Sword.

“Dieee!!!”

Swiiiiiiish!

The bastard simply dodged with a simple step to the side and opened his mouth.

“Curious. I’ve definitely never seen you before, yet you know my name.”

A leisurely tone.

A voice that stretched like taffy in the slowed world.

Strangely, unlike his slow voice, his sword was flying at a murderous speed.

And it was aimed precisely at my vitals.

Slice.

The sound of cutting was heard intermittently.

His sword, which I failed to completely dodge, cut through my clothes and sliced my skin.

Finally, seeing no way to dodge, I hastily swung the Restoring Name Sword to block his sword.

Clang!!

A clear sword cry echoed, and the bastard’s seemingly indifferent eyes widened.

“Hoh.”

At some point, a bluish aura had gathered on his sword.

Sword Qi.

The bastard had already reached the realm of a peak master. At the young age of his early twenties.

“A useful sword.”

The bastard’s gaze, showing interest, was directed at the Restoring Name Sword.

Even after clashing with his sword, which was imbued with Sword Qi, the Restoring Name Sword did not immediately chip or break.

Vwiiiiing!

It was just letting out a rough sword cry, somehow holding on.

“I can’t just break a precious sword.”

The bastard hastily withdrew his sword and took a few steps back.

Then, with a face like a merchant appraising goods, he said.

“Your skill is also quite good for your age. If you offer that sword to me now and pledge to serve under me, I will consider this incident as if it never happened. How much of a salary do you want?”

A crazy bastard who talks about money even to an assassin who came to kill him.

I suddenly became curious.

Was that bastard really, as the Scholar Chivalrous Hero said, someone who just sees everything in the world in terms of money?

“Do you like gold that much?”

At my question, the bastard’s lips twisted into a smirk.

“You’re still young, so you don’t know anything. With power and gold, there is nothing in this world that cannot be obtained. Things like love, affection, and chivalry are all just nonsense from those without power and money.”

I found myself nodding.

Of course. It must be because he was this kind of person that he became the king of trash in the future.

It seemed there was no need for further conversation, so I charged at him again.