"Kyaaak! Sword!"
"Uncle! Uncle! Someone's breaking in! Come out quick!"
Rumble!
The courtesan's scream brought four burly men charging out with swords drawn.
Jin Muhon lowered into a slight crouch, his face expressionless.
"W-wait! No! Stop!"
Oepari, slumped on the floor, flailed his empty sleeve as he shouted. But his cry soon turned to a groan.
Thwack!
"Guh!"
A man sauntered out from deeper inside the brothel and kicked Oepari mercilessly in the back of the head. With a dull thud, Oepari's body pitched forward.
"Stop what, you little shit?"
Jin Muhon's icy gaze swept over the newcomer. Thick jowls and a piggishly fat body. His face glistened with grease, and he wore expensive silk robes. Gold ornaments dangled from his neck and fingers, jingling with every step.
"L-Lu Ju! That's the guy I was telling you about!"
Oepari, faceplanted on the floor, jerked his head up and yelled. In his own house, even a stray dog got fed—but the Sword Demon's killing intent had him truly terrified, his voice trembling.
"That guy? You come crawling back with your arm hacked off like a fucking retard, and now you're mouthing off? Mouthing off, huh?"
"Eek!"
Thud! Thud! Thud! Thud! Thud!
The rotund Lu Ju began stomping Oepari without mercy. Oepari curled into a ball, exposed to the kicks, groaning until he went limp.
"Fuck. Blood on my shoes."
Lu Ju cursed as he wiped the bloody soles on Oepari's clothes. Then he turned to glare at Jin Muhon.
"Looks like you're pretty confident with that sword. Where you from?"
"Home."
"..."
Lu Ju blinked for a moment before catching on.
"Hahaha! This guy's no ordinary punk. Right, boys?"
"Yes, Boss Lu Ju!"
"Total hardass!"
"Hardass? Yeah, total hardass. Hahaha!"
Hahaha!
Laughter erupted unexpectedly from inside the brothel. But it carried a subtle edge of tension.
"Aigoo, what's all the commotion?"
"What happened?"
Men who'd spent the night with courtesans shuffled out, clutching their clothes.
Lu Ju grinned affably and ordered the girls.
"What're you waiting for? Customers are leaving. Escort 'em out."
"Yes, Boss Lu Ju."
"Come again."
"Aww, you were amazing last night."
The quick-witted courtesans hustled the men outside. Now, only seven remained in the vast brothel. Oepari, armless and unconscious, didn't count—leaving five men radiating hostility as they glared at Jin Muhon. The air grew taut.
"I was just about to hit the sack, and this shit happens. No shame, huh? You know how tough running a brothel is, punk?"
Lu Ju dragged over a chair and plopped his massive bulk down. It creaked as if about to splinter.
"I was gonna track down whoever cut my boys' arms off anyway. But you walk right in. Got a death wish?"
Jin Muhon looked down impassively at Lu Ju and spoke.
"Pig bastard talks a lot. You the head of this Jigangpa or whatever?"
"...What? Jigangpa? Hahaha!"
Lu Ju threw his head back in incredulous laughter, his jowls jiggling grotesquely.
"Pfft! Jigangpa's just some kids playing gang. Be straight with me, punk. Where you from? Not righteous faction by the looks. Iron Blood Society? Black Market? Hmm... vibe says Iron Blood."
"..."
This fucker's got a slick tongue.
Jin Hayeon should be waking soon. Wrap this up and head back.
Grab some meat to go.
Thinking of Jin Hayeon's delicious breakfast, Jin Muhon shot forward and slashed horizontally.
Shwick!
A pale sword gleam rent the air.
"Gaaack!"
Blood spurted from the throat of one of the four encircling Jin Muhon. Hot blood sprayed everywhere, soaking the floor.
"What?!"
"This fucker!"
"Kill him!"
The remaining three swung in unison. Blades whistled, slicing the air. Decent power behind them. Their arcs showed practice.
Definitely a cut above yesterday's thugs.
Not bad.
The Sword Demon crouched and spun like a top.
Shwick! Shwaaack!
The sword light traced a circle.
"Keurk!"
"Argh!"
Two men's knees split open with a sickening crack of bone. The burly pair rolled on the floor.
"Die, you fuck!"
The last lunged at Jin Muhon's crown. Jin Muhon twisted aside and thrust upward.
"Gaaack!"
The man's gut impaled, mouth agape. Blood bubbled up his throat. Jin Muhon yanked the blade free with a spurt, kicked off the floor, and swung lightly.
Snap!
His neck parted, blood pattering down.
Thud!
The headless body crumpled. Crimson pooled across the wooden floor.
"Ugh..."
"Mercy..."
The kneecapped pair crawled, groaning. Jin Muhon slashed their napes without hesitation.
Shwick! Shwick!
"You bastard!!"
Wind whistled behind him. Jin Muhon spun. Lu Ju's massive palm was already at his chest. Their eyes locked midair. Cold, unyielding gaze. Lu Ju, thinking his ambush worked, felt a chill down his spine.
What the—!
Pfook!
Fire-hot pain seared his wrist into his brain.
"Kuh!"
Lu Ju looked down. A bloody sword pierced his wrist from below. Jin Muhon twisted it slightly.
"Gaaaaah! Wait! Waaaait!!"
Lu Ju thrashed, bellowing. Jin Muhon yanked the blade out without mercy.
Shwaaack!
"Kraaaah!"
Blood burst from the wrist. Hot spray flecked Jin Muhon's face. Lu Ju staggered back, pale as death. He stared at his wrist—half severed, his huge hand dangling.
"Y-you fuck! Think you'll get away with this?! You knew who I am!"
Jin Muhon toed a fallen sword, sending it flying into Lu Ju's gut.
Pfook!
"Kuhuk!"
"Who're you?"
"F-fuck!"
Another flick—into his leg.
Pfook!
"Kraaaah! Stop! Enough, you fuck!"
Lu Ju collapsed, roaring venomously at Jin Muhon. Jin Muhon smirked and approached.
"Not bad guts for a third-rate unorthodox punk."
Lu Ju scooted back on his ass, leaving a bloody trail. Jin Muhon squatted, meeting his eyes. Lu Ju finally shut up and gulped.
"...F-fu...ck..."
Blood loss? Or the night's booze fading—his mind cleared. Jin Muhon's gaze bored into his pupils.
N-not Iron Blood. Even their leader couldn't match this.
Lu Ju, gifted with sharp instincts and cunning, ruled Unbong County like a king after the Jin family vanished.
A few stronger warriors or groups lurked, but everyone knew who backed him—no one touched him lightly.
Yet this nameless man's eyes made his heart plummet. A gaze he'd never seen in countless encounters. Death itself—irresistible.
"...Gulp."
No mere thug. At least a Nine Great Sects elder.
Lu Ju swallowed hard and spoke cautiously.
"Wh-who are you?"
Jin Muhon smirked and drove his sword into Lu Ju's thigh.
"Gaaaaah!"
"Shh."
"Kuh! Guh! Y-yes... sir..."
Lu Ju clamped his mouth with both hands. The severed one dangled from his chin.
"Seems my Hayeon racked up some debt."
"Y-yes... I-I heard..."
"Heard? Not your business?"
"I-I just manage the brothel—"
Lu Ju's eyes flickered with pain and confusion.
Jin Hayeon? So not some shadowy expert expanding turf.
Jin Muhon twisted the blade in his thigh.
"Kraaaah! Yes! My business! Yes! I run the brothel! The fields! The gambling den! Yes!"
"Impressive. So, how much?"
"Ab-about... a thousand taels."
"That little?"
"I-it's... in gold... a thousand taels..."
"..."
Jin Muhon scowled at him. Terrified, Lu Ju averted his eyes.
"A kid and old man rack up that much debt?"
"Interest... kinda... piled up..."
"Principal?"
"One... gold ingot..."
Jin Muhon punched out.
Crack! Lu Ju's head snapped back. Nose caved, teeth flew.
One gold ingot to a thousand taels. Worse than the Demonic Cult.
"Quite the operation."
Jin Muhon stood, yanking his sword free. Blood gushed.
"Kuh! Gr-great hero! I'll tell you everyth—"
Shwick!
Jin Muhon slit his throat emotionlessly. Lu Ju's bulging eyes dimmed as his head lolled free. It spun on the floor.
"Ugh..."
Oepari groaned, lifting his head from the pile.
Jin Muhon flicked blood from his blade and murmured.
"Still sleeping? Get up."
"Hup! Y-yes, sir!"
Oepari sprang up like he'd used lightness skill, standing ramrod straight, chin high.
Jin Muhon slung his sword over his shoulder and approached.
"Ugh..."
Oepari's pant leg darkened with warmth. Sour piss stench rose.
"Filthy fuck."
"M-mercy, sir."
His body shook, teeth chattering. He'd feared Jin Muhon before—but now with Lu Ju and his guards dead, sanity frayed.
"Who was that guy?"
No worrying about aftermath. Strike down attackers—that'd been the Sword Demon's way for twenty years.
But now he had family. Curiosity stirred post-kill.
"...Pardon?"
Oepari's eyes flicked to where Jin Muhon pointed. Lu Ju's wide-eyed head lay there.
"L-Lu Ju!"
"No, real identity. Who's backing you?"
"Pardon? Back... oh!"
Oepari's eyes rolled, pondering—then lit up.
"Ghost Soul Sect! Lu Ju bragged he was from there when drunk!"
"Ghost Soul Sect? What's that?"
Jin Muhon knew countless sects from his sword duels. Never heard of Ghost Soul Sect.
New faction post-Demonic Cult?
Oepari glanced warily.
"You don't know Ghost Soul Sect? Pretty infamous around here."
"Huh. In Huguang, only Wudang's barely decent."
"Pardon?! W-Wudang... somewhat decent?!"
Oepari gaped. Wudang—one of the Nine Great Sects, twin pillar of righteousness with Shaolin.
Wudang the sun, Ghost Soul a firefly. Yet this man dismissed Wudang casually.
Crazy bastard.
Jin Muhon narrowed his eyes.
"You little shit. Just insulted me."
"No way! Impressive magnanimity, sir!"
"Yeah?"
"Absolutely! Respected you from first sight!"
"For real?"
"Yes! Even my mo—"
Thud!
"Eek!"
Kicked, Oepari tumbled down the hall—but popped up straight.
"Don't drag parents into it."
"Yes! Meant utter sincerity!"
"Fine. I'll buy it."
"Thank you, sir!"
Jin Muhon sheathed his sword with a shing. Oepari sighed in relief.
"Where's that pig's office?"
"Pardon?"
"Pig's room."
"Ah! Yes! This way! I'll guide you!"
Oepari bowed, arm extended.
"Lead."
"Yes!"
***
Step. Step. Step. Step.
Blood stench filled the hall. Sticky footprints trailed behind. Frightened courtesans' breaths leaked from closed rooms.
Jin Muhon ignored it, following Oepari deeper.
"You. What's your name?"
He eyed Oepari's nape.
"Yes! Black Wind, sir!"
"Black Wind? Black clan?"
"Orphan, no name. Lu Ju gave it!"
"Mentioned your mom earlier?"
"Heavenly mother—"
Thud! Crash!
Kicked in the ass, Oepari rolled—but bounced up straight.
"Your name's One-Arm now."
"One-Arm..."
Oepari's face stiffened slightly.
"Problem?"
"No! Manly and tough! Love it!"
"Good attitude."
"Yes!"
"Pig's office?"
"Here!"
One-Arm yanked open the dragon-emblazoned door. Jin Muhon's eyes widened at the sight inside.