Chapter 24

Chapter 24
## Chapter 24: The Fixer (2)

‘This is impossible!’

Faced with the humiliation of being relentlessly driven back, he finally unleashed his ultimate technique.

It was the Nine Lives Severing Strike, a move that had claimed the lives of countless enemies throughout his career.

A sense of relief only washed over him when the sword qi erupted like a concentrated beam, slicing across Cheol Woo’s throat.

He was certain that even if it didn’t kill him instantly, it would leave a catastrophic wound. However, the strike that had the power to shatter defensive barriers resulted in nothing more than a superficial graze and a few droplets of blood.

“It’s been a long time.”

Cheol Woo wiped a smear of blood from the cut with his fingertip, tasted it, spat out the red-tinged saliva with a sharp noise, and flashed a grin.

The martial artists of the Nangong Clan, who were watching with held breath, felt a cold shiver run down their spines at the raw bloodlust radiating from that smile.

“Defend the Elder!”

Triggered by Nangong Hwang’s command, the Nangong Clan disciples surged forward, their previous paralysis vanishing instantly.

Cheol Woo scanned the warriors surrounding him and let out a contemptuous snicker.

“The weak always resort to crowding their betters. You’re about to learn that numbers don’t mean a damn thing against someone like me.”

Just as Cheol Woo bared his teeth like a predator and prepared to tear into them, Nangong Gyeong—who had regained his composure—called out over Nangong Hwang’s shoulder.

“Stand down. This isn’t finished.”

“But, Elder…”

“Do you intend to bring shame upon the reputation of the Nangong Clan? Retreat this instant.”

Following Nangong Gyeong’s harsh reprimand, the clan warriors lowered their weapons. Only then did Nangong Gyeong soften his piercing stare and point his blade toward Cheol Woo.

“You possess an incredibly resilient physique.”

Nangong Gyeong offered a faint smile as he gathered his internal energy. It was the expression of a warrior acknowledging a worthy adversary while hardening his resolve—though Cheol Woo saw it as nothing more than an annoying display of ego, causing his lip to curl.

“What a load of crap.”

Spitting out those words, Cheol Woo exhaled a hot breath and charged.

“Wait a moment.”

Sima Geon suddenly appeared, kicking the nearly lifeless form of No Geuk into the space between Cheol Woo and Nangong Gyeong.

“Huh? Boss?”

Cheol Woo’s eyes went wide as Sima Geon approached.

In the short time they had been apart, Sima Geon’s features had transformed entirely.

His cheekbones were now sharp and prominent, and a jagged scar ran from beneath his left eye down to his chin. The change was so drastic he looked like a completely different individual.

“Your face…”

Sima Geon reached out, silencing Cheol Woo by clamping a hand over his mouth, and then turned his attention to the wary Nangong Clan warriors.

“Am I addressing members of the Nangong Clan?”

His civil and respectful tone caught Nangong Gyeong off guard, but the elder nodded.

“That is correct. I am Nangong Gyeong.”

“I see. Please forgive my lack of manners in not recognizing you sooner.”

As Sima Geon offered a shallow bow, Nangong Gyeong’s expression turned pensive.

While he wasn’t an arrogant man, the name Nangong Gyeong was famous across the land. It wasn’t just his family lineage; he had earned a prestigious reputation through his own prowess since he was a young man. Anyone with even a passing knowledge of the martial world should have known him, unless they were completely isolated.

Yet, this man seemed genuinely unaware of who he was—there was no mockery, only honest ignorance.

“If I may be so bold, what brings the esteemed Nangong Clan to this place?”

Sima Geon asked with polished politeness.

Nangong Gyeong looked down at No Geuk, who was still twitching on the ground.

“Is that man the leader of the Golden Fox Bandit Lair?”

“He is.”

“I thought as much. This situation is somewhat complicated. Recently, his group raided the Yeonhwa Escort Agency, wounding their staff and seizing their cargo. They followed this by demanding massive ransoms for the survivors and their goods. While conflict between bandits and escorts is common, this went beyond the pale. Furthermore, the leader of the Yeonhwa Escort Agency has close ties to our main family. We came to settle the score, only to find another agency had been victimized on our way here. That agency was…”

Nangong Gyeong turned his head, and Nangong Hwang immediately supplied the name.

“The Juhae Escort Agency.”

“Indeed. The Juhae Escort Agency.”

Nangong Gyeong nodded before continuing.

“We came to exact retribution for the Yeonhwa Escort Agency and to liberate the families of the Juhae Escort Agency. But who are you? And what is your business here?”

In response to the elder’s question, Sima Geon adopted a slightly conflicted look.

“We were also here for him. It isn’t a personal vendetta, but we’ve taken on… several commissions from various parties.”

Sima Geon chose his words carefully, but Nangong Gyeong didn’t miss the mention of “commissions.”

‘Commissions imply they were paid to eliminate him. Are they assassins? No, they seem too unrefined for that. Mercenary fixers, perhaps? But for warriors of this level to be working as simple fixers… that is curious.’

As Nangong Gyeong frowned at the restless Cheol Woo, Sima Geon placed his foot firmly on No Geuk’s throat.

“It seems his crimes extended far beyond just the escort agencies. Many people came to us, pleading for a resolution.”

As he applied pressure, the light began to fade from No Geuk’s bulging, terrified eyes.

“Stop!”

Nangong Gyeong shouted a warning—he still needed to extract the location of the prisoners—but Sima Geon paid him no mind and pressed down with all his weight.

“They begged us to ensure he paid for his sins. With his life.”

*Crack!*

A sickening snap echoed as No Geuk’s neck was broken.

A look of peace finally settled on No Geuk’s face. The agony he had suffered since Sima Geon caught him—and even in the brief time since Nangong Gyeong arrived—was beyond words. Death was the only escape from his suffering.

“What do you think you are doing?”

Nangong Gyeong roared, his face flushed with anger.

“Simply settling his accounts.”

Nangong Gyeong looked stunned by Sima Geon’s indifferent reply.

“I understand that! But we required information on the whereabouts of the captives he took. It appears you have slaughtered every other bandit in this fortress.”

“Ah, there is no need for concern. He pleaded for mercy and revealed the secret location where he hid his plunder. When he mentioned the prisoners, it sounded like the people you were searching for, senior.”

This was a fabrication. Sima Geon had already discovered the hidden vaults when he first tore through the Golden Fox Bandit Lair.

“Is that true?”

Nangong Gyeong breathed a sigh of relief, trying to hide his embarrassment as he asked,

“Where are they?”

“Do you see that large tree standing near the ruined building?”

“I see it.”

“He claimed there is a subterranean vault behind it. You should investigate.”

The moment the words left his mouth, the Nangong Clan disciples bolted toward the tree.

A few minutes later, triumphant shouts rose from the ruins.

“We found it! There’s a hidden door!”

This was followed by more cheering.

“The prisoners are safe! They’re inside!”

Hearing the news, the tension finally bled out of both Nangong Gyeong and Nangong Hwang.

“You were telling the truth. You have my thanks.”

Nangong Gyeong offered his sincere appreciation.

“Think nothing of it. We only finished the job we were hired to do. Besides, with the Nangong Clan involved, they would have been rescued eventually.”

Nangong Gyeong couldn’t help but smile at Sima Geon’s humble and composed attitude.

“On that note, we will take our leave.”

“Won’t you stay to meet the people you’ve saved?”

“That wasn’t our intention in coming here, so there is no point. It was just a fortunate overlap of goals. Goodbye.”

Sima Geon gave a polite nod and walked away. Cheol Woo, who had been standing there with a scowl, gave a brief, curt nod and followed behind.

Nangong Hwang glared at Cheol Woo’s lack of respect but chose to remain silent.

“Who were those men?”

“I have no idea. I’ve never heard of such figures in the martial world.”

“They spoke of commissions, so they are likely fixers…”

As Nangong Hwang’s voice trailed off, Nangong Gyeong let out a soft laugh.

“They are far too skilled to be common fixers.”

“I agree. I was paralyzed when that brute walked off your strike as if it were nothing, Granduncle.”

“I felt the same shock. He has likely mastered the Vajra Indestructibility or pushed his external cultivation to a similar peak. It’s a shame we couldn’t see the fight to its conclusion.”

He went quiet, looking toward the path where Sima Geon and Cheol Woo had disappeared, then whispered as he tightened his grip on his sword.

“Even though my chances of winning weren’t certain.”

—

“Why the act, Boss?”

“What act?”

“The face. You nearly gave me a heart attack.”

Cheol Woo poked at the sharp cheekbone on Sima Geon’s face. Only then did Sima Geon realize he hadn’t reverted, and he rubbed his skin. The protruding bone and the deep scar faded away instantly.

“It saves us from unnecessary trouble.”

When Cheol Woo looked confused, Sima Geon explained with a weary sigh.

“We likely won’t see them again, but you can never be too careful. Imagine if the rumor started spreading: two unknown butchers destroyed the Golden Fox Bandit Lair and went toe-to-toe with a master of the Nangong Clan. What do you think happens then?”

“Yeah, that sounds like a massive pain in the ass.”

Cheol Woo nodded in agreement.

“More than just a pain. What if our history was dug up because of it?”

At the mention of “history,” Cheol Woo went still.

“The world is full of self-righteous idiots who panic the moment the demonic path is mentioned. There’s no telling what chaos it would cause—it could bring trouble to our door and put the kids in danger. I changed my appearance as a precaution.”

“What about me? It doesn’t do much good if only you change.”

“I didn’t have a choice. I would have helped you if I could, but there wasn’t time. At least it lowers the probability of us being linked.”

“Hahaha! Well, for a quick disguise, it was pretty damn good.”

“True. I didn’t think that incomplete Bone Shrinking Technique I picked up in Black Dragon Valley would ever actually be useful.”

Sima Geon laughed along with Cheol Woo, then his tone shifted to something more serious.

“By the way, that old man you were fighting.”

“That Nangong Gyeong guy?”

“Yeah. What did you think of his strength?”

“He was tough, definitely. Much stronger than those bandit old-timers. That strike to my neck actually caught me off guard.”

Cheol Woo instinctively touched his throat as he spoke.

“But if we had kept going, I would’ve taken him down.”

“Of course you would, but it wouldn’t have been a clean win. It could have turned ugly.”

Cheol Woo looked surprised by the assessment.

“You really think so?”

“I do. If my intuition is right. He saw your indestructible body and was shocked, but he wasn’t afraid. He had total confidence. It reminded me of the feeling I got from the One-Handed Ghost Hound.”

“The One-Handed Ghost Hound? Don’t mention that miserable bastard!”

Cheol Woo ground his teeth in frustration.

The One-Handed Ghost Hound had been one of the most difficult targets Cheol Woo had ever faced. He had defeated warriors with more raw power, but the Ghost Hound was a specialist in Internal Heavy Hand techniques—the perfect counter to someone who relied on external toughness. Cheol Woo had won the fight, but he had been left with internal injuries that took months to heal.

“You know that the Internal Heavy Hand isn’t a joke.”

“The No Retreat Master told me the same thing.”

“If my gut is right, that Nangong elder knew those techniques too. And from someone of his caliber…”

“I get it. I wouldn’t have walked away without a few broken ribs.”

Cheol Woo’s expression turned solemn.

“So stop just throwing yourself at everyone. Having a hard body is an advantage, but you have to be careful when facing real experts.”

“Hahaha! That’s a big ask, Boss. Dodging isn’t really my thing. Either they break or I do—hitting things head-on is what makes it a real fight. You know that.”

“Sigh. Forget it.”

Sima Geon dismissed the topic with a wave of his hand.

This wasn’t the first time they’d had this talk. Ever since the battle with the One-Handed Ghost Hound, he had tried to instill caution in Cheol Woo. But Cheol Woo never listened. And he likely never would.