novelraw Chapter 25
Chapter 25
Chapter 25: Applicant (1)
The middle-aged man did not introduce himself. Instead, he asked Cheon Bigang,
“Are you Cheon Bigang?”
“I am.”
“…I was referred by the Hao Clan. Seems like we need to move the schedule up.”
“I heard that job requires a Sword Certification.”
“Of course. We can’t use someone without proof of identity. But the situation has changed. We don’t have the luxury of being picky.”
The man looked Cheon Bigang up and down as if evaluating him.
The expectation in his eyes gradually cooled.
He had noticed the bloodstain on Cheon Bigang’s shoulder.
From what he had heard from Gyojin, Cheon Bigang had gone to take the practical exam. That injury must have come from there.
He asked to confirm,
“That shoulder… was it from the exam?”
“Something came up.”
“So it was that difficult?”
“If it had been you, you wouldn’t have made it back alive.”
“Haha! You certainly talk big.”
Clicking his tongue, the man’s expression hardened.
On closer inspection, Cheon Bigang’s hand was also bandaged.
For a martial artist, hands were essential—tools for weapons and balance.
To injure them?
That suggested carelessness or lack of skill.
The man judged him.
‘His attitude isn’t servile, and his tone is bold. But injured during the exam? Does he even have real skill?’
He hesitated.
Though recommended by Jo Wol, the injury bothered him.
‘If an unverified outsider dies, it’ll reflect badly on us…’
Even in urgency, he couldn’t take someone below standard.
His gaze drifted to the shop’s antiques.
The Heavenly Demon Pawnshop.
He was a retainer of the Moyong Family from Liaoning Province in the north.
He had heard many times about the Thunder Light Divine Sword of Kowloon City.
The man who established Thunder Step.
One of the Seven Swords.
The one who defeated the Ten-Hand Blood Sword.
That was the man he sought.
But—
He wasn’t here.
Just as his thoughts deepened—
Ring!
His phone rang.
He stepped aside.
—Yes.
—Team Leader, reporting. The vehicle overturned. We were attacked…
—Location?
—80km south of Kowloon City. We’re hiding in a motel.
—Status?
—Black Dragon Society pursuers. Identity unknown.
—Numbers?
—Thirteen confirmed.
—And the lady?
—…She’s calm. Sleeping.
—Good. Send location.
—Yes.
Ding!
The location arrived.
By then, Cheon Bigang had changed clothes.
A 5XL shirt with a skateboarding duck.
“Wow! A duck!”
“….”
“Isn’t it cute, Master?”
“If people who knew me saw this, they’d rise from their graves.”
“Plain black is boring.”
“Don’t you have black robes?”
“Who wears that these days? You’re not the Martial Alliance Leader.”
Gyojin giggled.
Cheon Bigang called the man.
“So, you need help?”
“…Fine. We’re in a hurry. No guarantee of survival. But compensation will be paid if you die. Think carefully.”
He wrote a meeting location.
“Anything I should know?”
“Once hired, our orders are absolute. Approach the lady without permission, and you’re out.”
“Simple enough.”
“Hmph. Confident, aren’t you? You don’t even know who you’re facing.”
“Then explain.”
The man frowned.
“The enemy is the Black Dragon Society.”
“…Black Dragon Society.”
“You understand now?”
“Not really.”
Cheon Bigang glanced aside.
Gyojin was visibly troubled.
The man added,
“Meeting time: 11 PM. Don’t chicken out.”
---
The man never revealed his identity.
But Gyojin knew.
“He’s from the Moyong Family. Head of security.”
“Is that so? Your stance is off. Fix your knees.”
“Ugh!”
Training room.
Gyojin struggled.
“Master!”
“What?”
“Do you hate ducks?”
“…What?”
“My legs are breaking!”
“Focus.”
Next movement.
Groan.
Meanwhile—
Sa Gyeom sprang up.
“When did I pass out?!”
Cheon Bigang frowned.
“This is the second time.”
“I didn’t do anything wrong!”
Smack!
A staff struck his thigh.
“Argh!”
“You lifted your armpit again.”
“What?!”
Whoosh!
Another strike.
“Fine! Let’s go!”
“Fool.”
He attacked—
But—
Clang!
The staff deflected the blade.
“Ah—!”
“Again.”
Smack! Smack!
He collapsed.
Again.
Same spot.
Gyojin stiffened.
“That looks painful…”
“Your arms dropped.”
“Raised them!”
Gyojin corrected himself quickly.
‘I won’t end up like that.’
Cheon Bigang called out,
“Next! Narrow Path Through Fire!”
“Yes!”
Training continued.
Until time.
---
The meeting place—
A dark parking lot outside Kowloon City.
Cheon Bigang arrived.
Three men were already there, smoking.
“Here for the job?”
“Yes.”
“Good.”
They relaxed.
“We’re drifters. Brothers.”
“I’m Cheon Bigang.”
They laughed.
“A pawnshop guy?”
“Hahaha!”
“The Black Dragon Society isn’t a joke.”
“I’ve heard.”
“You’re young.”
“I’ve lived longer than you think.”
“Fair enough.”
A van arrived.
The middle-aged man stepped out.
“Everyone’s here? One missing?”
Cheon Bigang spoke,
“The woman in the shadows. Come out.”
“…!”
“…!”
A woman stepped forward.
Black outfit.
Rifle case.
“I’m Rumi.”
All five gathered.
“Good. Let’s go.”
He turned—
Grab!
Cheon Bigang seized him.
“What?”
“I have a question.”
“Later.”
“No. Now.”
“Let go—!”
Snap!
Cheon Bigang grabbed his collar—
Then his face—
Riiip!
The artificial skin tore away.