novelraw Chapter 11 : Black Tiger Sect (1)
Chapter 11 : Black Tiger Sect (1)
Chapter 11: Black Tiger Sect (1)
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The experience of the martial duel with Little Twin Fist Gong Gyeon shattered Cheon Bigang’s fixed notions.
Even a thousand years ago, there had existed martial arts that twisted the body through brutal training methods or moved in grotesque ways by mastering strange techniques.
Unbelievable as it sounded, he had even seen a jiangshi made from a dead dog attack a village.
But this was the first time he had seen a living human secrete mucus from their skin or have their entire skeleton turn soft and wriggle.
Cheon Bigang called Sa Gyeom over, made him sit, and asked,
“Is it normal for someone to wriggle like that bastard?”
“Humans aren’t octopuses, how could that make any sense?”
Smack!
Sa Gyeom clutched his forehead as a sudden flick struck him.
“Ah! Why the hell are you hitting me! Can’t you see I’m answering obediently—…sir!”
“For reference, I heard you shouting during the duel. There wasn’t the slightest bit of respect in your tone.”
“Your ears are freakishly sharp….”
Smack!
A second punishment followed.
To escape this endless cycle, Sa Gyeom explained as best as he could.
“What Gong Gyeon used is something similar to an elixir. It’s called ‘Enhanced Serum,’ and there are many types used widely. From FDA-approved anti-aging cosmetic injections to enhancers developed for military use.”
“What kind did Gong Gyeon use?”
“How would I know? I wasn’t the one fighting him.”
As Sa Gyeom shook his head, Gyojin, who had been working at the reception desk, leaned his face toward them.
“Master, what Gong Gyeon used was probably an unapproved illegal drug. I recently looked into accident cases from other cities, you see? Incidents caused by drugs injecting animal DNA have suddenly been increasing.”
“D-N-A?”
When Cheon Bigang asked awkwardly, Sa Gyeom mimicked his tone and burst into laughter.
“Hero Cheon, judging by how you talk, it seems you don’t even know what DNA is? Have you just been training in some backwater for a hundred years? Heh heh heh. D-N-A. D-N-Aaa. D-N-Aaaa.”
“Hmm.”
Realizing his mistake too late, Sa Gyeom raised his arm to shield his face, expecting a hit, but Cheon Bigang seriously accepted his words.
“That’s true. If even you know DNA, then it must be common knowledge even a three-year-old would know. It would be disgraceful if I didn’t know it.”
“…What?”
“Hahaha!”
Gyojin burst out laughing, clutching his stomach.
Compared to a three-year-old and mocked in a refined manner, Sa Gyeom made a dumbfounded expression.
“Who are you calling an idiot?”
“Well, if you know DNA, then you can’t possibly be an idiot.”
“….”
As Sa Gyeom was treated like a fool, Gyojin finally collapsed in laughter.
“Hahahaha.”
“No, I’m saying knowing DNA doesn’t mean you’re not an idiot!”
---
Hao Clan Kowloon City Branch 3.
Blue Mountain Club.
Before opening hours, Jo Wol, who was handling work in the office, received a call.
Checking the number on her smartphone, it was a secure internal line used by the Hao Clan.
―This is Jo Wol.
―It’s me, Branch Head 1.
―It’s been a while since you contacted me. Nothing wrong, I hope?
―If nothing was wrong, I wouldn’t be calling.
―Then?
―There’s been an incident.
―What kind of incident?
―Two Hao Clan members working in the harbor guard have gone missing. Looks like they disappeared during a night patrol. I investigated a bit and found traces of suspicious individuals.
―Suspicious individuals?
―Yeah. That’s why I’m calling.
The Branch Head paused briefly as if troubled.
―We searched around the harbor and checked CCTV records. Recently, the Black Tiger Sect’s Young Sect Leader, who has ties with Branch 3, was caught sneaking in at night.
―Joo Hoyeop.
―Yeah. As expected, the entry records were erased. It wouldn’t matter if he just came in for some night fishing, but the problem is our Hao Clan members went missing the same day.
―It won’t be a coincidence. As I reported before, the Black Tiger Sect must have a very powerful backing. That’s why they dared to show their face in Kowloon City after ten years.
―Even so, it doesn’t mean we should clash with them outright. But seeing this disappearance case, it looks like they’ve chosen their course. Joo Hoyeop tried to silence Branch 3 last time and failed, right? And now they’ve even lost face in the recent duel. This won’t end quietly.
―Should we request support from the higher-ups?
―Hmm.
The Hao Clan was a loose coalition of organizations active in various fields.
While this structure was advantageous for gathering information across many areas, it also made decision-making complicated due to differing interests among the groups.
From the other side of the call, the Branch Head exhaled smoke.
―Hoo…. Until the backing behind the Black Tiger Sect is confirmed, the higher-ups won’t easily send personnel. If we mess up, we might end up plucking the whiskers of a sleeping lion. Instead, we’re currently tracking Little Twin Fist Gong Gyeon’s movements. If we dig into him, we might uncover something.
―So the higher-ups intend to observe for now.
―That’s right.
Jo Wol was dumbfounded.
The Black Tiger Sect was already baring its claws at the doorstep of Branch 3, yet the higher-ups were sitting still, saying they needed certainty.
Though the Branch Head had at least contacted her first, it was only because if something happened to Branch 3, they would be next.
Jo Wol let out a bitter smile.
‘Instead of loyalty among the same faction, it wouldn’t be strange if there were one or two traitors inside.’
She pressed her throbbing forehead.
Through the speaker came the sound of a cigarette being crushed out.
The Branch Head spoke.
―So, want me to introduce someone? Not for free, though.
―No.
―You sure you don’t need one?
―If it’s freelancers, I can hire people from this side.
―Well, if the Branch Head of 3 says so. But speaking of people….”
The Branch Head added it was a personal question.
―That Cheon Bigang who appeared in the duel. There’s no information on him? They say he’s the master of Gyojin, the successor of Heavenly Demon Pawnshop? Is he really that master I know?
―That’s what they claim. That they’re master and disciple. Whether he fell from the sky, sprang from the ground, or was made in a factory, his past records are completely clean.
―Isn’t the kid brainwashed by some strange guy? Suddenly a master? It’s not like Thunder Light Divine Sword ever had a senior or junior disciple.
―I’m the most curious myself.
―Figures.
Jo Wol also had a deep personal connection with Heavenly Demon Pawnshop.
If even she had never heard of him, then Cheon Bigang was someone who had to be treated with caution.
The Branch Head spoke as if he understood.
―Alright. That’s all for now. The atmosphere outside is dangerous, so be careful. Especially that Cheon Bigang, from the duel he seemed quite violent and unrestrained. Suspicious in many ways, so be careful. Recently, the Kowloon Seven Swords has been seriously faltering.
―Thanks for the advice.
―Take care.
Click.
Jo Wol ended the call.
A well-dressed man and woman who had been listening from the office sofa approached, rolling their shoulders.
They were freelance martial artists assigned to Jo Wol’s protection—a pair of twins known as ‘Six’ and ‘Kiri.’
Though fraternal twins, they looked extremely alike, sharing not only similar faces but also the same tied-back hairstyle and suits, making it impossible to distinguish who was male and who was female.
Only their voices set them apart.
Kiri asked,
“Are we screwed?”
“Well, halfway?”
“Ah. I really hate this. Can we cancel the contract even now?”
“You can if you pay the penalty.”
“Ugh. The worst.”
As Kiri stuck out their tongue, Six joked while holding up a smartphone.
“I’ve got some unemployed friends these days. Want me to send them a message?”
“At half price?”
“No.”
“Then no.”
“Then what are you going to do?”
Jo Wol, standing crookedly, thought for a moment before a faint smile formed on her lips.
“When dealing with suspicious people, it’s best to leave it to someone equally suspicious, right?”
At her ominous expression, Six glanced sideways and asked irritably,
“Is that person offering half price?”
---
The Black Tiger Sect moved quickly.
They set the day the promised ‘item’ would arrive as D-Day and decided to strike the Hao Clan.
Late at night.
Black Tiger Sect Leader Joo Giyoung split his forces into two—one group went to the harbor with his son Joo Hoyeop, while he led the remaining twenty subordinates toward the Blue Mountain Club.
Vroooom.
Four vans sped down the road.
Although a ‘Special Task Police’ force existed to prevent clashes between martial artists, it was rare for them to actually intervene.
In Kowloon City, the ratio of martial artists to Special Task Police was roughly 3,000 to 1.
One officer was responsible for over 3,000 martial artists.
With limited time and resources, they prioritized cases involving money, influential politicians, or corporate figures.
A clash between the Black Tiger Sect and the Hao Clan was, in the eyes of the powerful, nothing more than a meaningless waste with no benefit to them.
Instead, they preferred deploying the Special Task Police to issues trending in media or online, as it was better for controlling public opinion and appearances.
Thus, beneath the seemingly peaceful surface of Kowloon City lay countless abandoned corpses.
Screech!
The four vans stopped, blocking the club entrance.
Twenty armed subordinates jumped out and rushed inside.
The staff lining up guests at the entrance noticed them and grabbed their radios.
“S-Manager! It’s an attack!”
“Shut up, bastard!”
Thud!
A Black Tiger Sect martial artist rushed in, smashed the employee’s jaw, and snatched the radio before throwing it to the ground.
“Hey! Enjoying the show? If you don’t want to die, get lost!”
“Aaaah!”
The flamboyantly dressed men and women waiting outside scattered in panic at the gunman’s threat.
As the Black Tiger Sect stormed inside, the staff triggered the fire alarm.
Beep—beep—beep—!
The emergency alarm blared, the EDM cut off, and people dancing on stage and partying in rooms rushed out in shock.
“Hey! If you don’t want to die, get out!”
“We’re closed!”
“Out!”
Drunken patrons tangled with each other as they fled the club.
Within three minutes, all the guests were gone, leaving only three employees captured and forced to kneel.
“Ugh!”
The empty stage was filled only with flashing lights and the heavy scent of perfume.
Once preparations were complete, Black Tiger Sect Leader Joo Giyoung stepped out of the vehicle and walked through the path his subordinates had cleared.
Sensing a presence inside, he spoke,
“A guest has arrived, yet the host greets late?”
“Why ruin someone else’s business?”
Jo Wol replied as she emerged through the staff passage.
‘Six’ and ‘Kiri,’ holding long blades, stood at her sides, with nearly ten club employees behind them.
Under the dim lighting, white shirts glowed under blacklight.
In the tense atmosphere, Jo Wol asked,
“What brings the busy Black Tiger Sect Leader here today?”
“Last time, the Young Sect Leader came. I’ve come to finish what wasn’t done then.”
“Is that so? If it’s about him, we may have had a disagreement, but the atmosphere wasn’t that bad.”
“Spilled water cannot be returned to the cup. But someone has to clean the floor.”
As Joo Giyoung extended his arm, his subordinates raised their loaded guns and blades.
The club staff also drew their weapons.
Jo Wol’s expression hardened.
“It seems you intend to see this through to the end.”
“The situation is complicated.”
“Then it can’t be helped.”
Jo Wol suddenly stepped aside.
At her signal, three figures who had been listening from behind revealed themselves.
Cheon Bigang and Gyojin.
And the trembling Sa Gyeom.
Sa Gyeom, who had eaten from the same pot as Joo Giyoung until just days ago, couldn’t hide his embarrassment and shame.
At the unexpected appearance, Joo Giyoung’s eyes narrowed.
“What kind of trick is this?”
“It’s not a trick.”
It was Gyojin who answered.
Cheon Bigang had clearly stated he would entrust this Black Tiger Sect matter to Gyojin.
Handling and resolving it was Gyojin’s responsibility.
Gyojin spoke,
“I am the son of Thunder Light Divine Sword and the owner of Heavenly Demon Pawnshop, Gyojin. Today, I intend to settle matters with the Black Tiger Sect.”
“How foolish. What could a child like you possibly know—”
“Age doesn’t matter! Whether you tried to kill me with a sniper attack or staged a kidnapping, none of that matters now!”
“….”
“There is only one thing I wish to say. Sect Leader, return to your rightful place. If no one bleeds or is harmed tonight, I will forget all the grudges between us and the Black Tiger Sect.”
At the bold demand, Joo Giyoung’s lips twisted.
“You dare tell me to retreat quietly?”
“Yes.”
“Don’t make me laugh!”
Joo Giyoung slammed the pillar with the back of his hand.
Boom!
White dust scattered as the concrete pillar cracked grotesquely, exposing its rebar.
Misunderstanding that Jo Wol had brought a mere child to mock him, Joo Giyoung ground his teeth.
“Anyone who stands in my way tonight will die.”
His murderous aura was so fierce that Six, Kiri, and the club staff visibly flinched.
Everyone except one.
Cheon Bigang.
Watching Joo Giyoung and the Black Tiger Sect raise their internal energy, Cheon Bigang asked Gyojin,
“So, what do you plan to do?”
“I’ve conceded enough. From now on, I’ll exert force, Master.”
“Good. Then you handle the Black Tiger Sect Leader.”
“…Pardon?”
Startled by Cheon Bigang’s decisive declaration, Gyojin asked back,
“Me?”