novelraw Chapter 3 : Blue Mountain (1)
Chapter 3 : Blue Mountain (1)
Chapter 3: Blue Mountain (1)
A worn sword was displayed inside a wall-mounted frame.
As if possessed, Cheon Bigang approached and gazed at the sword reflected behind the glass.
Though aged and corroded to the point it seemed it would crumble at a touch, the inscription engraved along the spine—‘The Only Righteousness in the Demonic Path’—remained firm and unshaken.
The Righteous Guardian Sword.
Without a doubt, it was his master’s sword.
The moment he saw the blade casually displayed among antique relics, Cheon Bigang finally realized that he had crossed an immense span of time.
The constant noise and vibrations that had tickled his mind without rest—
his first impression of the future, upon awakening, was that it was noisy.
Gyojin, who had been lying flat on the ground, called out to him.
“Great Grandmaster, congratulations on your return after 1,000 years.”
“What?”
A thousand years?
His confusion was brief.
The young owner of the Heavenly Demon Pawnshop, Gyojin, retrieved handcuffs from the reception room and bound the unconscious, urine-soaked Sa Gyeom.
Though there was much he wanted to ask, Cheon Bigang silently observed.
The boy tightly secured Sa Gyeom, then placed gauze on his wounded forehead and wrapped it with a bandage.
Cheon Bigang spoke.
“That one is a useless wretch. Interrogate him, then kill him.”
“No, no!”
“Why?”
“If we kill him, it’s half price.”
“Half price?”
“Yes! He’s a wanted criminal with a bounty—20 million won for murdering eight innocent people. But if we bring only his head, it’s half. Same effort, half the reward.”
“That would be a waste.”
“I agree.”
Gyojin hurriedly finished tying Sa Gyeom, then bowed.
“I’ll greet you briefly. I am Gyojin, the 34th descendant of Gentle Heart Sword Gyogun. For the past 1,000 years, our family has awaited your awakening.”
“A thousand years? That long?”
“Yes. Great Grandmaster, I’m sorry, but we’ll have to explain later. It seems…”
Gyojin lifted his head.
“Something has happened to the person who can tell us the whereabouts of your enemy, ‘Shin Yawol.’”
“……”
Cheon Bigang was slightly surprised.
Even after a thousand years, just hearing the name Shin Yawol made his blood boil.
The resentment carved into his heart had not faded in the slightest.
And more than that—
the fact that descendants still remembered the hidden history between him and Shin Yawol was astonishing.
‘Come to think of it, Master once said he had two sons and one daughter with a woman of the unorthodox path.’
Though he had never met them, those descendants had preserved the lineage and guarded the sealed Cheon Bigang.
He asked,
“From what you say, that bastard Shin Yawol has awakened as well. What is he doing now?”
“The one who can explain that is in trouble. So we’re going.”
Click!
Gyojin loaded the shotgun.
Cheon Bigang raised his chin arrogantly.
“I’ll hear it myself.”
---
Hao Clan Kowloon City Branch 3.
Blue Mountain Club.
Since the club opened only after sunset, the staff ate an early dinner.
Braised chicken, dumplings, steamed eggs, and stir-fried vegetables filled a round table.
As the staff waited for the manager, a man in a leather jacket entered.
A rough-looking man with a buzz cut.
He tossed his cigarette onto the red carpet and crushed it.
“Mm. Smells good.”
The guards stood up at once.
“Smoking indoors—”
“Yeah, yeah. You’re strict.”
Slap.
He smacked the guard’s cheek playfully.
“You bastard!”
“Hey, I’m a guest.”
He sat casually.
“You don’t know who I am, right? Go tell your manager—Ju Ho-yeop is here.”
Thunk.
He placed a pistol on the table.
The guards hesitated.
Then—
a woman appeared.
Jo Wol, the manager.
Sharp bob haircut. Red lips.
She sat down.
“I wasn’t informed of your visit.”
“Excuse?”
“We’re not open yet.”
“Bullshit.”
“Mind your language.”
“Hah!”
He tapped the pistol.
“I have a request.”
“Sorry, but—”
Bang!
A bullet grazed her hair.
“Kill him!”
Crash!
Ju Ho-yeop smashed a guard with his head, grabbed another, and aimed his gun.
“How about we talk now?”
“……”
Jo Wol gestured for the guards to stand down.
They retreated.
“See? Easy.”
“So, why are you here?”
“Our Black Tiger Sect used to own this place.”
“Ten years ago, you ran away.”
“Shut up.”
“Speak your business.”
He mimed zipping his lips.
“From now on, the Hao Clan will stay silent about everything related to the Black Tiger Sect.”
“What?”
Jo Wol was not just a manager—she was an information broker.
“You’re joking.”
“No.”
“Impossible.”
“Even if you die?”
He placed his hand on the gun.
A clear threat.
Jo Wol remained calm.
‘They’re provoking us…’
“Answer!”
Just as tension peaked—
two figures entered.
A skeletal tall man.
And a child.
Cheon Bigang and Gyojin.
Ju Ho-yeop tilted his head.
“That kid’s alive?”
Cheon Bigang’s eyebrow twitched.
Jo Wol smiled slightly.
“Welcome, Boss Gyo.”
“Hello.”
“And this is?”
“A new hire.”
“Wait your turn?”
“No.”
Gyojin sat.
“We sent someone to your place. It’s better we hear this together.”
Ju Ho-yeop scoffed.
“Where’s Scatter Blood Demon?”
“Arrested.”
“Idiot.”
His hand remained on the gun.
He stared at Cheon Bigang.
“You caught him?”
“The food looks good.”
Crunch.
Cheon Bigang bit into a chicken leg.
He began devouring everything at terrifying speed.
“Ha! What the hell?”
Ju Ho-yeop laughed.
Then spoke to Gyojin.
“You know who I am?”
Nod.
“Ju Ho-yeop. Successor of Black Tiger Sect. 31. Practices Gun-Arts. Likes baseball. Brother died in PMC.”
“Impressive.”
“And that’s a Beretta 92S, modified.”
“Sharp eyes.”
Then—
“Your father drove us out ten years ago.”
“……”
Gyojin stayed silent.
His family had driven out countless criminals.
Black Tiger Sect was one of them.
Ju Ho-yeop gritted his teeth.
“Your father was one of the Kowloon Seven Swords. But that ends today.”
“What do you mean?”
Jo Wol asked.
“The era will change. The Seven Swords end today.”
He pointed at Gyojin.
“Your father made too many enemies. Sending Sa Gyeom was mercy. Without your parents, you’re doomed. If I were you, I’d hang myself.”
Flinch.
Gyojin trembled.
At that moment—
Cheon Bigang finished the last dumpling.
Then—
trembled.
Rattle.
Dishes shook violently.
Ju Ho-yeop laughed.
“Scared?”
Crash!
The trembling intensified.
Ju Ho-yeop turned pale.
“What… the hell?”
Cheon Bigang’s face twisted into a murderous smile.
“Khuhuhuhu……”