I Somehow Became the Leader of the Black Faction - Chapter 6

Chapter 6: I’m Sorry. (1)

How I Became the Leader of the Black Path Alliance

Chapter 6

I’m Sorry. (1)

Muk-yeong and Bae Seok-jin returned after dawn.

When Song Bi-ryeong was asked about their roles, she answered candidly.

Muk-yeong had gone out yesterday and immediately gathered information on the Dragon Tiger Sect.

Though it was a short time, he learned a great deal.

They were former bandits.

They had amassed a fortune by attacking a large merchant caravan.

They had settled in a small village and were wreaking havoc.

And he even found out who was backing them.

Based on that information, Song Bi-ryeong immediately attacked the Dragon Tiger Sect and slaughtered them all.

Bae Seok-jin was next.

He had already been certain that the Dragon Tiger Sect must have a backer.

Otherwise, there was no reason the authorities wouldn’t have intervened when a group of martial artists was terrorizing a single civilian.

Fortunately, Muk-yeong had identified the official protecting them, and Bae Seok-jin went to see him immediately.

He then issued a brief threat.

“The Dragon Tiger Sect will be gone by tonight. You will bury this incident quietly. If you refuse… I will have to find someone higher up than you. With proof that you’ve been colluding with these bandits.”

The official wept and promised to comply.

The fact that no news of the Dragon Tiger Sect’s annihilation had reached them before they set out suggested he wouldn’t try any other tricks.

“Well, that’s only a few days. Muk-yeong has already spread the evidence the Dragon Tiger Sect left behind. Higher-ups will deal with that official soon. And that’s not all. The official will be framed as the one who killed the Dragon Tiger Sect. They’ll say he hired martial artists to silence them after they tried to blackmail him with the bribes they’d given.”

Seo Woo-jin couldn’t help but be impressed.

Ironically, the official’s attempt to cover up the incident would only make him more suspicious.

Seeing how flawlessly this had been handled in such a short time, Seo Woo-jin realized once again that the title “Four Black Dragons” was not given lightly.

…I can’t afford to be optimistic.

He had thought he could easily escape once he reached home, but now he had a feeling it might not be so simple.

With this worry weighing on him, Seo Woo-jin and the Four Black Dragons reached their destination.

White Cloud Village, Lu’an County.

A small village nestled in the western part of Anhui Province.

Though poor, it was a place filled with kind-hearted people.

And right beside the village stood Cloud Pavilion Mountain.

It was called Cloud Pavilion Mountain because clouds often clung to its slopes—a testament to its height and rugged terrain. At most, the villagers of White Cloud Village only ventured there occasionally to gather medicinal herbs.

Seo Woo-jin had grown up on such a mountain.

Alone with his grandfather.

“Hah. It’s so high.”

As Yu Geon-woo marveled in a voice tinged with exhaustion, Song Bi-ryeong approached Seo Woo-jin with a seductive smile.

Swoosh.

She gently stroked his shoulder.

“Heh heh. Is that why your feet are so swift? Because you grew up in a place like this?”

The pungent scent of her perfume made Seo Woo-jin’s head ache, but he forced a smile.

“Haha… Well. For now, everyone can rest in White Cloud Village. I’ll go up the mountain alone.”

“Hehe. Why so disappointed? We’ve come this far together, so we should stay together until the end, right? I’m curious to see what kind of house our Young Alliance Leader has lived in.”

I don’t know why she keeps calling me Young Alliance Leader when she already knows it’s a lie, Seo Woo-jin thought. He cleared his throat softly and brushed Song Bi-ryeong’s hand away.

This was the most critical moment. He had to shake them off here if he wanted to escape safely.

“Since you’ve put it that way, I will hide my true intentions no longer. As you know, I am not the Young Alliance Leader of the Black Path Alliance.”

Song Bi-ryeong clicked her tongue softly and grumbled, “Hmph. I don’t really want to hear that.”

Bae Seok-jin, who had been silent until now, cut in.

“We know you’ve been put in a difficult position because of our misunderstanding. However, we understand that the Strategist has already been consulted. In that case, we cannot let you go alone, Young Alliance Leader.”

“I am on my way to pay my final respects to my grandfather. And he never liked Black Path Martial Artists in his lifetime.”

It was a rather provocative statement.

The Four Black Dragons’ expressions remained unchanged.

“I have already committed many acts of filial impiety against my grandfather. Now, I must commit the greatest one of all. Haha. The Alliance Leader of the Black Path Alliance… If my grandfather were alive, he would have risked his life to stop me. But I have already struck a deal with your Strategist. At the very least, I do not wish to invite you into the space where my grandfather rests.”

A brief silence descended.

It seemed as if they were speechless at Seo Woo-jin’s bold words, or perhaps they were displeased.

Bae Seok-jin let out a faint sigh and shook his head.

“I am sorry, but…”

Seo Woo-jin barely managed to swallow the sigh that was about to escape.

Is it too much to ask? Then we have no choice but to go together to the vicinity of the house…

Just as Seo Woo-jin was about to follow Bae Seok-jin’s lead, Yu Geon-woo interrupted.

“What’s the point of arguing? It’s a bit much for all of us to go together. Let’s just send one person.”

Bae Seok-jin looked at Yu Geon-woo in silence.

Then, he let out a soft sigh and asked Seo Woo-jin, “Would you be alright with that?”

Seo Woo-jin had no reason to refuse. It would be much easier for one person than for four.

“I’m fine with that. Then, who will it be…?”

“I’ll go.”

Seo Woo-jin was surprised this time when Yu Geon-woo volunteered.

“Martial Artist Yu, you’ll go yourself?”

Wasn’t he the one who had been complaining the entire way here? Yet now he was willing to climb that treacherous mountain.

Does he have an ulterior motive?

Perhaps he’s just trying to put me at ease before launching a surprise attack…

Seo Woo-jin shook his head vigorously.

I just told myself to let go of my prejudices.

He cleared his throat and nodded. “If everyone else is fine with it, then I am too.”

Bae Seok-jin summarized the situation. “Then we will wait for you at White Cloud Village.”

“Yes. We’ll be back soon.”

And so, Seo Woo-jin and Yu Geon-woo—the two of them alone—began their ascent of the mountain.

Seo Woo-jin and Yu Geon-woo walked in silence.

The mountain was quite rugged, but it posed no problem for Seo Woo-jin. He had been hardened by trips to White Cloud Village since childhood.

Yu Geon-woo also moved with ease. As Seo Woo-jin had admired before, his light footsteps made this kind of terrain seem effortless.

Seo Woo-jin glanced at Yu Geon-woo and spoke.

“Thank you.”

Yu Geon-woo’s characteristically indifferent eyes turned to Seo Woo-jin.

“Pardon?”

Seo Woo-jin offered an awkward smile.

“I was puzzled at first, but thinking it over, I realize you were being considerate of me. Thanks to you, I think I’ll be able to see my grandfather quietly.”

Yu Geon-woo let out a short chuckle and shrugged.

“Not at all. I just stuck by you because I didn’t want to be caught in the middle of that crowd. You don’t seem to realize, but a good portion of my complaining on the way here was because of those people.”

Seo Woo-jin offered a thin smile. “For someone who hates them, you only seem to fight with Martial Artist Song.”

“That’s because his temper is so volatile, we’re bound to clash. Muk-yeong can’t speak, which has frustrated me more times than I can count. And the Captain knows how to talk but just keeps his mouth shut. I’d rather deal with my sister spouting nonsense.”

Seo Woo-jin’s eyes widened in surprise.

Yu Geon-woo wasn’t wearing his usual cynical smirk. Instead, he was smiling with genuine warmth.

“I’m curious,” Yu Geon-woo said, tilting his head.

“About what?”

“When Martial Artist Yu’s sword will finally be drawn.”

Yu Geon-woo chuckled softly and shrugged his shoulders.

“Are you still holding a grudge? I was out of line back then. It’s not like I meant to say it, though.”

“No. I’ve already forgotten about it. Let’s just call it pure curiosity.”

Yu Geon-woo let out a faint sigh at Seo Woo-jin’s earnest gaze.

“I’ve always been weak to that kind of earnest look. Well, I said I was interested back then, but I only draw my sword when I have to. Like when I’m given an order. Something like that?”

Seo Woo-jin sensed a lie in Yu Geon-woo’s words.

No. Like he said, he would draw his sword when carrying out an order.

But he’s probably never drawn it because he truly wanted to.

Seo Woo-jin forced a bitter smile and spoke.

“I know someone with eyes that resemble Martial Artist Yu’s.”

“What?”

I never noticed before.

Because his eyes were usually a dull gray.

But seeing the light cast across his face as he spoke the name Four Black Dragons, I finally realized.

His eyes resembled my grandfather’s.

Though his gaze upon the world was utterly cold, he looked at his own people differently.

The way he looked at the Four Black Dragons was the same way my grandfather used to look at me.

And…

People with that kind of look in their eyes were always sad.

Seo Woo-jin let out a soft sigh and shook his head.

“Never mind. I’m talking nonsense. Ah, there it is. That’s the house I used to live in.”

As Seo Woo-jin walked ahead, Yu Geon-woo frowned.

He wasn’t particularly curious, but the half-finished thought left him feeling uneasy.

He shook his head and followed Seo Woo-jin.

A dilapidated thatched cottage stood before them, with a fairly spacious yard.

Firewood was stacked on one side, and various weapons were laid out on the other.

How much time had passed?

Though he’d only been away from home for a short while, it felt as if he had returned after years.

Seo Woo-jin and Yu Geon-woo walked to the back of the thatched cottage. There, they found a grave without even a headstone.

For a long time, Seo Woo-jin stared silently at the humble grave.

I’m sorry, Grandfather. I promised to give you a proper stone headstone when I returned.

Thinking back, there were so many promises he’d kept with his grandfather.

He’d failed to keep his promise to train hard. He’d failed to keep his promise to stay home and guard it quietly.

It must have been rebellion.

Rebellion against his grandfather’s contradictory attitude—teaching him martial arts while forbidding him from dreaming of the Murim. Rebellion against his grandfather’s sophistry—speaking of chivalry while prioritizing survival.

He had wanted to prove him wrong.

That was why he had left for the Murim Alliance immediately after his grandfather’s funeral.

He wanted to prove his grandfather wrong—wrong for saying his current martial prowess was just enough to get him killed by some random vagrant.

He wanted to pass the Murim Alliance’s entrance exam with flying colors and then proclaim, with all the pride in the world:

Your grandson is actually someone quite impressive.

You don’t have to worry about me as much as you think.

So, please.

Rest in peace.

I’m sorry…

He had failed to protect anything.

After today, he would never be able to return to this place again.

Seo Woo-jin let out a soft sigh and turned his head.

Not far away, Yu Geon-woo stood with his head bowed, as if offering a silent prayer for his grandfather’s soul.

I think I’m sorry for you, too.

His future would likely be anything but smooth. He would have to bear the full weight of the responsibility for letting the Young Alliance Leader escape.

Seo Woo-jin’s resolve wavered for a moment as he thought of the hardships Yu Geon-woo—whose eyes reminded him so much of his grandfather—had endured.

But he quickly steeled his heart.

He had never been good at keeping his promises to his grandfather, but today, he intended to keep one.

Prioritize your survival.

Seo Woo-jin approached Yu Geon-woo.

“I’m sorry, but please wait for a moment. I need to go inside and pack a few things.”

“Of course. I’ll wait for you by the door.”

Leaving Yu Geon-woo outside, Seo Woo-jin entered the house.

It’s over now.

The reason he had readily accepted Yun Seo-rin’s proposal.

The reason he had demanded a trip outside as a condition.

And the reason he had tried so hard to shake off the Four Black Dragons.

It was all for one thing.

Because he knew that once he got inside this house, he could escape their grasp.

Seo Woo-jin walked to a corner of the room and pressed a section of the wall.

Then—

Ssssss.

With a faint sound, a section of the floor slid aside.

A steep staircase and a yawning darkness were revealed. It was a passage to the basement.

Seo Woo-jin paused to listen for any signs of movement outside before quietly slipping inside.

Shhh.

The floor slid back into place.

The room fell silent, as if it had been empty all along.

And outside, Yu Geon-woo waited, his expressionless gaze fixed on the thatched cottage.