Chapter 191

Chapter 191: The Reason for Righteousness (1)

“Under normal circumstances, those who walk the Jianghu never choose to spend the wealth they’ve acquired or seized from defeated foes for the benefit of strangers or rival factions.”

Bae Dal-pae emptied his remaining tea in a single swallow and smiled widely.

“If I don’t resort to those idealized, classic terms of the martial world like ‘Hero’ or ‘Wandering Hero’, there is simply no path to defining your actions, Elder Brother.”

“Therefore, what prompts you to mention this to me?”

“Oh, it is merely born from an inquisitive mind.”

Dong Bongsu lifted the vessel to his lips, silently studying Bae Dal-pae’s expression.

There was no hint of distrust in that gaze.

Instead, he sensed a profound, genuinely earnest inquiry.

“Regarding what exactly?”

“Simply why an unmatched expert of the Three Monsters’ caliber, someone who cannot even recall his own past, would exert such monumental effort to enforce Righteousness, and why you resolve to persist down this path.”

Rattle, rattle.

As Dong Bongsu rotated the porcelain cup, its base dragged against the wooden tabletop, creating a rhythmic friction that lingered in the room.

Eventually, his fingers ceased their movement, and the noise dissolved into silence.

“You see.”

A serene response followed.

“It brought me pleasure.”

“Pleasure…? Did you truly just claim it was pleasurable?”

“Is that not entirely expected?”

“…”

“For the average soul, eliminating wicked villains and bringing retribution to wrongdoers is fundamentally satisfying.”

Perhaps the reply diverged too drastically from any conclusion he had anticipated.

Bae Dal-pae could only gawk at Dong Bongsu, his jaw slightly slack as his eyelids fluttered in disbelief.

Promptly rearranging his facial expression to regain his composure, he pressed further.

“Granted, conceptually, your words hold true. Yet common folks never push themselves to such extremes, do they?”

“Does that not make the explanation even more straightforward?”

“…”

“Clearly, I do not fall into the category of common folks.”

At those words, Bae Dal-pae’s eyes shook violently, mirroring the tremor of a sudden disturbance in the earth.

“Ha… ha… ha. Understood. That is an incredibly uncomplicated and lucid resolution.”

Bae Dal-pae gave a faint wag of his head, whispering softly to himself.

Uncomplicated, uncomplicated, uncomplicated…

The absolute truth.

His countenance resembled someone who had suddenly grasped a profound spiritual awakening.

Observing the man’s reaction, Dong Bongsu experienced that familiar realization once more.

Discerning reality wrapped in falsehoods, and fabrications concealed within reality.

Simultaneously, recognizing genuine benevolence beneath a deceptive facade, and hostility beneath a mask of manufactured cruelty.

Such contradictions define the essence of humanity.

The duration of a single brew passed.

Dong Bongsu tapped the side of his porcelain cup with the tip of his pointer finger.

Clink—.

The sharp sound finally snapped Bae Dal-pae out of his deep reverie.

He instantly locked his eyes back onto Dong Bongsu.

“My gratitude. Brother Kim. Rather—”

“…”

“Great Hero.”

In that very instant, Bae Dal-pae had breached a significant barrier.

This breakthrough occurred both in his personal growth and his progression in martial arts.

Regardless of the underlying mechanics, it was entirely catalyzed by Dong Bongsu.

Furthermore.

Chime-.

Concurrently, Dong Bongsu found himself crossing a fresh threshold.

[Relationship Quest]: Please respond to the ‘Second Belief’.

Conviction invariably yields an equivalent compensation.

A fresh manifestation of ‘Belief’ had arrived after a prolonged absence.

Dong Bongsu offered a knowing grin as he scanned the glowing holographic text that manifested solely before his eyes.

“That is quite enough. Cast aside those dramatic phrases and simply provide me with today’s assignments.”

“Ah, please forgive my lapse. Great Hero.”

“Additionally, cease addressing me as ‘Great Hero’.”

“As you wish, Young Hero.”

“…Just converse with me the way you normally do.”

“Understood, Sir Wandering Hero.”

“Fine, do as you please. Name me however it suits you. Oh, and moving forward, any intelligence I purchase will be acquired under the banner of the Hero’s Sect.”

“What? What sort of purpose does that serve?”

There was indeed an underlying purpose.

▸ [First Mission] – Carry out the first request in the name of the Hero’s Sect

Reward: Guild EXP +100, Guild Member Limit +10

※ Progress is available.

The critical importance of advancing a specific [Guild Quest].

“Well, seeing as I have formally organized a clan, it seems inappropriate to conduct operations as an isolated individual.”

“Ah! You imply that the administration of Righteousness ought to be executed in an open and official manner. Truly fitting for a Great Hero! A lowborn individual like myself cannot even begin to comprehend the vast depth of your strategies!”

He still lacked a complete understanding of what the ‘What is Hero System’ classified as an act of ‘Belief’, but this particular ‘Second Belief’ was undoubtedly missing any sense of moderation.

‘Though its exaggerations might make it far simpler to manipulate.’

Dong Bongsu mimicked a dismissive shake of his head before speaking.

“Let us leave the explanation at that. Time is a luxury we lack, so provide the details of the assignments immediately.”

Upon hearing this request, Bae Dal-pae’s expression shifted into a complicated grimace.

He appeared to be carefully monitoring Dong Bongsu’s emotional state.

“To speak plainly…”

“What is the matter?”

“There are no assignments available.”

“What are you implying by that?”

“The situation is precisely as I have stated.”

“…”

“Owing to your relentless campaigns over these past months, Great Hero, an unprecedented tranquility has settled over the River Capital.”

“…”

Tranquility?

● ● ●

Departing from the All-Knowing House, Dong Bongsu took a leisurely walk along the thoroughfares of the River Capital.

This was indisputably not the identical River Capital that he and Jeon Rahwa had encountered upon their initial arrival.

The former version of the River Capital, where threats of slaughter and cries of demise resounded endlessly down every path and outside every storefront, had completely evaporated.

— To speak the truth, I believed such an outcome to be a total impossibility, Great Hero.

— What outcome are you referring to?

— This literal transformation of the River Capital.

Indeed, that assessment hit the mark.

Even through Dong Bongsu’s personal observations, the reality was undeniable.

The River Capital, spanning across the Eastern Road, navigating through the Central Road, and terminating at the Western Road, had evolved into an entirely altered fortress city.

The paved pathways, which once reeked intensely of stale gore, had transitioned into a vibrant space where the joyful noises of playing children reverberated.

Traders no longer felt compelled to carry concealed weaponry, and patrons no longer journeyed while perpetually glancing over their shoulders in paranoia.

A fruit merchant nearby identified Dong Bongsu and hurriedly selected the most flawless, vibrant apple from his inventory, presenting it as a modest token of his profound appreciation.

Dong Bongsu accepted the offering and took a crisp bite.

It contained no lethal substances.

He resumed his stroll.

Before long, a crowd of citizens began to form in his wake.

Elderly residents offered profound martial salutes, while younger individuals cast glances brimming with admiration.

A small group of children even skipped along directly behind his steps.

He had expected that the River Capital would reach a state of equilibrium eventually, but witnessing it firsthand revealed that this era had arrived much swifter than anticipated.

Naturally, it aligned with the notifications:

Your heroic deeds have added slightly to your [Hero History].

[+1]

He had already received this automated notification dozens of times within the boundaries of the River Capital alone.

A span of three months could scarcely be considered a brief period.

A short duration later.

After successfully distancing himself from the gathering of admirers, he halted in an isolated corner of the Central Road marketplace.

The sun maintained its elevated position in the sky, illuminating a radiant day.

Nonetheless, a humid breeze drifted through his hair.

Given the intense moisture accompanying the summer heat, it was evident that a season of monsoons occurred within this realm as well.

Dong Bongsu lingered in that spot for a considerable duration, attempting to absorb the transformations within this fortified city of the River Capital to the greatest extent possible.

More precisely, he read them through his senses.

From the faded remnants of old violence on the stones catching the brilliant daylight like a sunset glow, to the distant melodies of a migrating flock of avians.

The environment felt excessively balanced.

It overflowed with a vitality that was far too radiant.

Suddenly, his attention drifted toward a narrow passageway situated in a nearby corner.

“Reveal yourself.”

No sound or movement emerged from the darkness of the alley.

“Is this action not occurring a bit prematurely?”

Despite the silence, Dong Bongsu delivered a secondary notification.

“Child.”

Only after this final prompt did a young person, who had been concealing themselves within the shadows of the passage, shift their tiny feet and step out into the daylight of the primary thoroughfare.

It was the exact same young survivor from the Jade Snake Corps, the one who had fearlessly questioned him amidst the pulverized remains of their base, asking if he intended to slaughter every last one of them as well.

The youth advanced toward him, maintaining both hands tightly tucked behind their back out of view.

“I noted that your approach is too early.”

Yet the youth refused to halt, narrowing the distance between them.

There was an absolute absence of murderous intent, but humanity remained an unpredictable variable.

If this child possessed a nature akin to his own, they would be fully capable of masking their lethal desires flawlessly.

[If any of you wish to take revenge… fine. Come find me and our Hero’s Sect anytime. If that is your Righteousness, I will welcome you at any time.]

The child had undoubtedly appeared because of a mixture of youthful resentment and that precise proclamation.

‘For the moment.’

Numerous observant individuals occupied the immediate area, meaning a withdrawal represented the most logical path… or so he calculated.

The youth’s hands suddenly shifted forward, extending toward him.

Showing respect, they halted roughly one zhang away from his position.

“Take this.”

“What do you have there?”

“It is a blossom, sir.”

A blossom.

That was the object the child cradled within their small palms.

A vibrant yellow flower resembling a forsythia.

He had been cognizant of the faint floral scent previously, but he hadn’t anticipated an actual plant.

“For what reason are you presenting this to me?”

“No particular reason.”

“…”

“The plants are finally capable of growing correctly within the River Capital. This marks the first time in my existence I have encountered one that hasn’t been crushed underfoot.”

“…”

The youth stepped forward, pressing the forsythia firmly into his palm before spinning around to depart.

“You do not appear to be an evil individual, sir. Even though…”

The young one possessed enough tact to leave the final thought unspoken.

Whether those sentiments were genuine or fraudulent remained a mystery to him.

Discerning reality wrapped in falsehoods, and fabrications concealed within reality.

Recognizing genuine benevolence beneath a deceptive facade, and hostility beneath a mask of manufactured cruelty.

As suspected, such complexities define the essence of humanity.

The far more compelling reality was that a mere single ‘identity’ had fundamentally altered the entirely of the River Capital.

To the degree that flora which was consistently obliterated in ceaseless conflicts could now thrive, and an individual could effortlessly grant clemency to the very entity that had decimated their household.

— And due to this, I find myself compelled to question you, Great Hero. The River Capital has achieved this level of serenity. That reality must be the catalyst behind Bae Dal-pae’s inquiry.

— Great Hero, tell me, what remains the authentic objective of the Hero’s Sect?

— You have observed my actions all this time, and you remain ignorant of the goal?

— No. It is precisely because I comprehend that I press the issue. Because it appeared as though you were striving for an absolute impossibility.

— …

— Do you genuinely hold the conviction that you can raise the standard of Righteousness perfectly upright within this Jianghu?

— Without question.

— You possess an incredible naivety. Heh heh heh.

He had permitted himself a soft chuckle during that past moment, unable to suppress the amusement.

He reasoned that the assessment held true.

An absurdly trusting individual.

That comprised his definitive evaluation of Kim Rae-won.

This current What is Hero system proved remarkably practical and thoroughly adjusted to actual conditions when contrasted with the framework of New Murim Online.

As a consequence of those attributes, it existed as a mechanism that was exceptionally simple for him to exploit and deploy according to his own requirements.

And yet, to be completely incapable of capitalizing on its potential.

Kim Rae-won stood as an incredibly short-sighted individual who earned his demise.

— For what reason am I forbidden from being trusting?

— No. That is missing the point. Even though I, Bae Dal-pae, remain confined here within the borders of the River Capital, I am still counted among the followers of the Orthodox Faction, in name at least. Naturally, the contemporary Great Beggars’ Sect is executing maneuvers that share zero similarities with the true Orthodox Faction.

— What is the ultimate point of this discussion then?

— Merely that… I desire to align myself with your grand purpose, Great Hero. Through my own observations as well, an environment like the River Capital desperately required tranquility.

Tranquility.

An incredibly serene and civilized expression in its own right.

Bae Dal-pae’s perspective might possess merit.

From a human outlook, the River Capital might stand in need of tranquility.

However, consequently, and due to that exact logic.

For an entity acting as a ‘Hero,’ it represented an entirely redundant and adversarial term by definition.

A champion is never required during eras of tranquility.

It remains an unalterable truth of the world that a champion requires strife, corruption, warfare, and systemic injustice to exist.

Tranquility, by its fundamental nature, can function only as the ultimate adversary of a champion.

A constitutional foe.

If the River Capital has transitioned into a state of tranquility, it can no longer serve as a viable territory for exploitation.

Because a champion is an entity that must consume violence and conflict to survive and multiply.

This reality applied with even greater weight to a masked champion.

In that precise moment, Dong Bongsu reached a complete realization.

It mirrored the exact circumstance he faced when he previously obliterated the Black Snake Society.

And perfectly timed, Bae Dal-pae had provided him with a reminder of that truth.

— However.

Dong Bongsu maintained his focus on recalling the concluding statements of his dialogue with Bae Dal-pae.

— Beyond the perimeter of the River Capital, the vast Jianghu persists.