Chapter 26

Chapter 26
## Chapter 26: Night in Soheung (1)

—

“Phew! This is no small task.”

Sima Hyeon paused to wipe the perspiration from his brow, exhaling heavily after a period of intense labor with his blade. Spread out before him was a chaotic pile of beef, carved so haphazardly it was barely recognizable.

“You did your best. They say a brother is your best ally, and you’re certainly more reliable than that slippery brat.”

Sima Hyeon snatched the water container from Cheol Woo with the speed of a predator and offered a self-deprecating grin.

“Don’t try to make me feel better. I’m aware my talent is non-existent. I finally understand why you were so adamant about keeping me away from the cutlery.”

“Don’t get the wrong idea. Initially, my intentions were purely out of concern. Now, however, I see it was a stroke of genius.”

Sima Geon produced a dry, hollow laugh as he surveyed the wreckage of the meat his brother had processed.

“So, what do we do with this?”

Sima Hyeon gestured toward the mangled remains of his work.

Following his harrowing experience as a captive of the Golden Fox Bandits, Sima Hyeon had heeded Sima Geon’s advice and resigned from his post at the Juhae Escort Agency. Two days had passed since he finished settling his personal affairs and began reporting for duty at the butcher shop.

Sima Geon had initially suggested he focus on being a shopkeeper and leave the manual labor to others, but Sima Hyeon had been stubborn. He argued that even if he wasn’t the primary butcher, a shop owner needed to understand the anatomy of the product to run the business properly. He had insisted on picking up the knife.

The outcome was a disaster. He had followed every instruction to the letter, working with great diligence, but the gap between understanding the theory and executing the physical task was vast.

“It isn’t a clean job, but it’s fine. We can still sell it.”

“But we have the shop’s standing in the community to think about.”

Sima Hyeon let out a weary sigh, prompting Sima Geon to laugh loudly and give his shoulder a firm, supportive slap.

“That reputation belonged to the previous proprietor. We are starting fresh. You will be the one to build our name. We’ll handle the heavy butchering, so you just focus on being an excellent salesman.”

“I can do that much. If I fail at sales too, I’d be nothing but a burden.”

Sima Geon offered a warm, appreciative smile at Sima Hyeon’s display of confidence.

“On that note, where has that slippery little rascal gone? I haven’t seen a trace of him lately. He’s barely even sleeping at home.”

Cheol Woo asked the question while expertly tidying up the mess Sima Hyeon had made.

Sima Hyeon felt a momentary pang of envy; it seemed as though the knife became infinitely sharper in Cheol Woo’s hand, despite it being the very same tool. His mood turned somber as he replied.

“I tried to ask him if he was in some kind of trouble, but he was evasive. It sounds like there’s significant friction within the Unity Society. The atmosphere in the streets has been quite grim lately.”

Sima Geon stopped assisting Cheol Woo and shifted his attention toward his brother.

“The atmosphere is grim?”

“The Blood Faction and the Unity Society have always been rivals, but the frequency of their skirmishes has spiked recently.”

“True. Think back to when we first encountered that kid. He was swinging a blade like a madman. I took him for a Blood Faction member myself. So, are they actually at war now?”

Cheol Woo inquired with a look of eager curiosity.

“The tension is definitely higher than it was then. Not long ago, the Blood Faction could cause trouble, but the Unity Society’s sheer size kept things from boiling over. They’d poke the nest, then retreat once a real fight loomed. That’s changed. They’re meeting head-on now. There was a massive street fight near Dongmungak just recently.”

“Wow! They’ve stopped playing around. The steel is out for real.”

Cheol Woo slapped his hands together, looking almost gleeful at the prospect of chaos.

“Exactly. Unless they are certain they can dismantle the Unity Society, or they have some hidden trump card, it’s a suicidal move.”

“This could become a bloodbath if it continues to escalate.”

Sima Geon’s brow furrowed. He was thinking of Sima Ho’s role—the boy talked as if he were a vital player, but in reality, he was just a low-tier foot soldier.

“That’s exactly what haunts me. In these types of territorial wars, it’s the grunts like Ho who bleed first. I intended to bring up that fight at Dongmungak today. He won’t listen to a word I say—he’ll just brush it off. We have to convince him to quit. It’s becoming far too perilous.”

“He won’t walk away.”

Cheol Woo shook his head in disagreement.

“It’s a strange thing; to an outsider, he’s just a useless kid, but those groups have their own twisted sense of brotherhood. Especially when their backs are against the wall. During peacetime, maybe, but right as they’re clashing with the Blood Faction? He won’t listen to reason. Your only option would be to break his spirit and drag him out by force.”

Cheol Woo brandished a massive fist, giving Sima Hyeon a look that suggested he was more than willing to perform the task.

Sima Hyeon sighed, realizing that violence wasn’t a real solution, when a sharp, feminine voice cut through the air from the shop entrance.

“Then do exactly that. Snap his legs if it’s the only way to keep him safe.”

The three men turned their heads in unison toward the doorway.

Sima Jin stood there, her hair styled in a loose, elegant bun. She was dressed in pink attire, her gaze sharp with irritation. She had managed to approach without any of them noticing.

Though her Heavenly Yin Divine Meridian had not been entirely resolved, the sickly, pale hue of her skin had been replaced by a healthy glow, enhancing her natural beauty. Her knitted brows and angry expression gave her a distinct, commanding presence.

Nearby pedestrians were nearly tripping over themselves to catch a glimpse of her, their heads turning so sharply they risked injury, overwhelmed by a single look from her.

“I thought you went out to purchase some literature?”

Sima Jin gestured with the parcel under her arm in response to Sima Geon’s question.

“Don’t you ever get tired of reading day and night? If I were in your shoes, I’d be spending every waking moment exploring the world now that my body is finally strong enough.”

Cheol Woo made a face and caught the bundle of books she tossed in his direction.

“My reading habits aren’t the issue. What is the plan for our younger brother?”

Seeing the genuine distress on her face, Sima Geon took her by the arm and spoke softly.

“Did you see something?”

“There was a violent altercation near the bookstore. Men were falling, there was blood everywhere…”

Sima Jin began to shake, unable to finish her sentence.

“Don’t let it consume you. He’ll be alright.”

“But what if he gets caught in the middle of it?”

Tears began to pool in Sima Jin’s eyes like beads of morning dew.

“I told you not to worry. Return home and wait for us there.”

Sima Geon patted her shoulder gently and gave a meaningful nod to Sima Hyeon.

Sima Hyeon was concerned about Sima Geon getting involved in a street war, but he reminded himself that his brother’s history as a mercenary meant he wouldn’t be easily bested by common thugs. Furthermore, he had the formidable Cheol Woo at his side.

“He’s right. Leave the boy to your big brother. Let’s get you home.”

As Sima Hyeon escorted the trembling Sima Jin back to their residence, Sima Geon untied his blood-stained apron.

“Are we going to investigate?”

Cheol Woo asked.

“We have to. I can’t dismiss what Jin saw—just to be certain.”

“Do you think he’ll come home willingly? He’s not the type to abandon his post when things get heated.”

“I’ll make him come home.”

“Heh heh! If this keeps up, the Unity Society might not even exist by morning.”

Cheol Woo stripped off his own apron with lightning speed, his face lit with a dark excitement.

“By the way, chief, is that fellow over there with the Blood Faction as well?”

Cheol Woo signaled toward a man seated at a nearby tavern. Despite the duo’s awareness, the observer had not yet realized he had been spotted.

“No. He’s a professional. His disguise work is top-tier.”

“I thought so. If the local street gangs had members that skilled, the balance of power would be very different.”

Cheol Woo gave a nod of acknowledgment, then snorted.

“He’s certainly dedicated. He changes his appearance constantly. But it doesn’t matter; he can’t mask that specific killer’s aura. If he isn’t Blood Faction, who do you think is paying him?”

“As I mentioned before, he’s likely connected to the group we buried next to the Clear Heart Clinic. Those men were high-level and ruthless. It’s actually strange that there’s been no retaliation after we eliminated so many of them.”

“I’m curious. Should I just snatch him up and force the truth out of him?”

Cheol Woo shifted his weight, looking ready to strike, but Sima Geon held him back.

“No. Learning the identity of his masters won’t change our situation. It might just invite more complications. If we act as if we don’t notice him, things might stay quiet for a while longer.”

“Whatever you say, boss. But we need a plan eventually. I hate being watched like a caged animal.”

“Handle it however you see fit.”

Sima Geon gave a dismissive wave to the grumbling Cheol Woo and began walking toward the headquarters of the Unity Society without a second thought.

—

◇◇◇◆◇◇◇

“Argh!”

The leader of the Unity Society, Hyeong Jo, stumbled backward, his eyes wide with shock as a final, pained cry escaped his lips.

“Y-You dogs… You aren’t from the Blood Faction.”

“It seems your perception isn’t entirely clouded by age.”

Ma Jeong sneered, his blade buried deep in Hyeong Jo’s abdomen.

“This feels familiar. Your stance was actually halfway decent.”

Gong Neung licked a smear of blood from his sword and smirked after finishing off Hyeong Jo’s personal security.

“W-Who sent you?”

Hyeong Jo gripped the steel protruding from his stomach and demanded an answer.

“It’s irrelevant. Just accept your end quietly.”

“I-I can pay! I have gold!”

Operating under the assumption that these assassins were mercenaries hired by the Blood Faction, Hyeong Jo made a desperate plea.

“Gold? How much are we talking about?”

Gong Neung dragged his tongue across the bloody edge of his blade, looking mockingly interested. Hyeong Jo’s expression shifted toward hope.

“Whatever the Blood Faction promised you, I will double it—no, I’ll triple it.”

“That is a tempting offer. And in exchange, I just let you live?”

Hyeong Jo thought for a second, then held up his hand with his fingers splayed.

“Eliminate the Blood Faction for me. I will pay you five times their rate.”

“A high roller. What do you think?”

Gong Neung turned to his partner with exaggerated surprise.

“Indeed. A regular king of the gutter.”

Gong Neung and Ma Jeong shared a dark laugh, then turned their cold eyes back to Hyeong Jo, who was looking for any sign of mercy.

“The issue is, we have absolutely no affiliation with the Blood Faction.”

Hyeong Jo’s pupils dilated with terror at Gong Neung’s mocking tone.

“If you aren’t with them, then why have you slaughtered my men…?”

“So that the Blood Faction can claim the underworld of Soheung once you are out of the way.”

“Y-You just said you had no ties to them! Are you just playing with me?”

Hyeong Jo ground his teeth in fury.

“Did I say that? Let me clarify. We do not take orders from the filth in the Blood Faction. We serve the one who intends to turn them into his personal lapdogs.”

Hyeong Jo’s spirit broke as he realized a third, far more powerful shadow had entered the conflict against his organization.

‘I was too arrogant. I should have investigated why the Blood Faction, who always cowered when I showed strength, suddenly became so aggressive. If I had identified the power backing them, I wouldn’t have walked into this trap.’

In an attempt to crush the newly emboldened Blood Faction, Hyeong Jo had ordered a full-scale assault on their base. With his second-in-command leading nearly the entire strength of the Unity Society, the headquarters had been left virtually undefended when these killers struck.

‘No, even if we were at full strength, we couldn’t have stopped these two.’

Hyeong Jo, a man who feared no one in a fight, felt a chill as he recalled how Ma Jeong and Gong Neung had butchered ten elite guards in heartbeats and brushed off his own techniques with ease. These weren’t mere brawlers—they were masters of the martial arts.

“You talk too much for a man with a hole in his gut. Take your medicine and die like a man.”

Gong Neung stepped closer with a predatory grin.

Hyeong Jo’s face was a mask of pure desperation.

He scanned his mind for a way out, but there was none. Still, his ego as the king of Soheung’s streets wouldn’t allow him to die groveling. He slumped forward as if resigning himself to fate, but his eyes were fixed on his final opportunity. When Gong Neung came within three paces, Hyeong Jo ripped the sword from his own stomach in a single, violent motion.

The pain was a white-hot explosion that threatened to take his consciousness.

Pushing through the agony, Hyeong Jo lunged forward with the speed of a dying spark, aiming for Gong Neung’s throat—a suicidal strike fueled by his remaining honor. To Gong Neung, it was a pathetic display.

“Ridiculous.”

Gong Neung snorted and caught the incoming blade between two fingers.

Hyeong Jo threw all his weight into the weapon, but it remained motionless.

“Get out of my sight!”

Gong Neung delivered a powerful kick to Hyeong Jo’s ruined midsection.

The blow, infused with internal energy, sent Hyeong Jo soaring like a bird with clipped wings, crashing through the wooden wall behind him.

In that moment, a voice full of annoyance echoed through the courtyard.

“What in the world is going on here?”

The smiles vanished from the faces of Ma Jeong and Gong Neung. They immediately dashed outside to investigate the source of the interruption.