Chapter 62:

Chapter 62:

Paedobang (2)

“What were you doing here?”

Mu-jin pointed to the dining table with an incredulous expression. He was referring to the dazzling array of meat dishes he was eating.

However, Mu-jin’s act didn’t fool Hye-gwan.

“Hehehe. Are you telling me you came to this tavern in the middle of the red-light district just to eat meat?”

Realizing that his clumsy lie wouldn’t work, Mu-jin decided to reveal the truth, only concealing what was necessary. After all, he needed Hye-gwan’s help for his plan.

“Actually, I was trying to gather some information about the dark sects and the unorthodox groups that have settled in Nanchang.”

‘Although that went out the window the moment you appeared,’ he thought, but saw no need to say it out loud. Hye-gwan would understand.

Mu-jin had dressed in expensive silk clothes, bought costly food, and even given a silver coin to the waiter as a tip, all to act like a rich fool.

This was to lure out the dark sect or unorthodox forces managing this grand inn.

In martial arts novels, wasn’t it common for dark sects or unorthodox forces to try and swindle rich young masters?

He planned to turn this on its head. That is, until Hye-gwan showed up.

Responding to his companion’s question, Mu-jin now posed one to Hye-gwan.

“I’ve answered your question and bought you a drink. May I ask you for a favor?”

“I’ve gotten a free drink, so as long as it’s within my ability, I’ll do it. Hehehe.”

After saying this, Hye-gwan alternated between drinking Geomnamchun and Yeoa Hong, prompting Mu-jin to smile slyly.

“Could you help me with what I’m planning to do?”

“Do you mean catching the dark sect and unorthodox forces?”

“Yes.”

“I refuse.”

“!?’

A man who broke the vow of non-killing to deal with the evil deeds of the dark sects and unorthodox forces was refusing this?

Mu-jin’s astonishment was evident on his face as he asked again.

“May I know the reason?”

“It’s impossible to completely eradicate the dark sects and unorthodox forces anyway. Human nature is inherently evil; even if I clear them out, others will simply take their place. Therefore, I only target the most vicious ones. Killing every single moderately active individual is a waste of energy.”

Hye-gwan clicked his tongue and downed more Geomnamchun and Yeoa Hong.

“So you purposely didn’t hide your presence and came here?”

“Hahaha. An interesting deduction. Well, I won’t deny it. If anyone dares to act out knowing I’m here, it means they are either extremely confident in their skills or completely insane.”Ne/w novel chapters are p/u/blished on no/vel(/bin(.)c/o/m

Hye-gwan’s response made Mu-jin look at him with a peculiar expression.

‘Is he still a Shaolin disciple?’

Despite being a drunken monk who violated the vow of non-killing, Hye-gwan at least intended to avoid unnecessary killing.

However, Hye-gwan’s values were his values, and this matter needed to be resolved. Moreover, the target this time was indeed worthy of being on Hye-gwan’s ‘kill list.’

“In that regard, you need not worry. The dark sect I am after are human traffickers who kidnap and sell women and children.”

“Hehehe. And how do I know I can trust your words?”

“The information comes from Sangdanju Ryu Ji-gwang of the Cheonryu Sangdan.”

At Mu-jin’s calm lie, a momentary sharpness flashed in Hye-gwan’s eyes, which had seemed drunken.

“You’re saying you’re tracking this dark sect on the request of the Sangdanju?”

Hye-gwan deduced the situation from just one sentence that Mu-jin uttered.

He quickly realized that opening a branch here wasn’t just to take care of patients but also to investigate that dark sect.

He only misunderstood that the mastermind behind the plan was Ryu Ji-gwang, not Mu-jin.

“So, how much information do you have about this dark sect?”

“Other than the name Paedobang, I know nothing.”

“Hahaha. So that’s why you were moping around here without a drink. But why were you looking for information here instead of asking the deputy leader of Cheonryu Sangdan?”

“It’s partly because there’s no guarantee that the deputy leader can be fully trusted, and more importantly, bad people tend to know the most about other bad people, don’t they?”

“Hehehe. You’re well aware. Then, we must wrap this up as quickly as possible.”

Mu-jin couldn’t even be sure if the deputy leader was an ally. Moreover, the deputy leader had been gathering information on Shaolin due to his position at the clinic.

If it was discovered that they were probing into Paedobang, the enemy might hide.

“???”

Seeing the subordinate’s confused expression, the Bangju clicked his tongue and offered further explanation.

“Tsk. Do you think those righteous sect scoundrels will leave Shaolin alone? In a few days, another commotion will likely arise from the righteous sect.”

The Bangju understood the ways of the righteous sect very well. It was because he understood them that he despised them.

However, even the Bangju couldn’t predict everything.

He was unaware that Shaolin had already begun searching for them.

—

“What do you plan to do?”

Mu-jin asked, looking at the mansion with the signboard ‘Heuksa-bang’ hanging at the entrance.

Heuksa-bang was not the hidden identity of Paedobang.

Damn it, the inn’s waiter had never even heard of Paedobang, despite being a local of Nanchang.

However, the waiter didn’t seem to be lying. He appeared genuinely greedy for the silver coin and disappointed he didn’t get more.

Instead, the place the waiter had informed them about was this one. It was said to be a well-known dark sect in Nanchang, likely knowledgeable about the underworld.

Thus, they had to use Heuksa-bang to find Paedobang.

“Hehehe. What is there to ponder?”

Hye-gwan, taking a swig from the Geomnamchun he brought from the inn, walked confidently toward the front gate of Heuksa-bang.

Mu-jin followed, thinking Hye-gwan must have a plan. When they reached the front gate of Heuksa-bang, Hye-gwan kicked it open, breaking it down.

“Intruders!”

“Who are these bastards!”

Startled by the sudden attack, several men appeared, armed with knives and swords.

“Stand aside, lackeys, and bring me your Bangju.”

Hye-gwan shouted at the men, but they didn’t heed his words.

“Are you seriously just two?”

“Crazy bastards!”

The minions of Heuksa-bang didn’t recognize the infamous Hye-gwan of Shaolin.

It was only natural. Hye-gwan was in disguise at Mu-jin’s suggestion.

To extract information about Paedobang, Mu-jin had persuaded him that it would be best to conceal their identities as Shaolin disciples.

“Do you know where you are!”

“Kill those bastards!”

The five men who had appeared first charged at Mu-jin and Hye-gwan simultaneously.

Thud!

“Urgh!”

The man leading the charge was knocked out by a kick to the solar plexus from Hye-gwan before he could even swing his knife. The rest were swiftly taken down by Mu-jin and Hye-gwan’s Striking Bone Technique.

“Tsk. These guys are weaker than that Kang Geo-wan fellow I faced earlier.”

As Mu-jin clicked his tongue at the thought, dozens of dark sect members began to appear, flooding the area.

They reminded Mu-jin of cockroaches.

“You bastards! Do you know where you are and dare to cause trouble!”

“These dogs must have a death wish!”

The men repeated the same lines over and over.

At that moment, a path opened in the center of the thirty or so men, and a middle-aged man with a beard like a bandit appeared.

“Who are you!”

“I don’t know about that. We came to ask a question, and if you answer truthfully, we’ll let you live.”

Hye-gwan responded in a mocking tone to the man who seemed to be the Heuksa-bangju.

Naturally, a vein popped out on the Heuksa-bangju’s forehead.

“Show these arrogant fools the fear of Heuksa-bang!”

As soon as the Heuksa-bangju gave the order, the dozen or so men in front simultaneously charged at Mu-jin and Hye-gwan.