Chapter 182: The Inferno in Suzhou (4)

Jang Cheol-sim raised his hand to stop the instructors.

“He says he can handle it, so let’s give him a chance.”

But Cho Un-hwi, oblivious to the situation, continued to provoke.

“But I won’t do it for nothing.”

“Hmm. Fine. You want extra credit?”

“That’s a bit weak.”

“How about a month off from paperwork?”

*Whistle!*

Whistling, Cho Un-hwi stood up and shook his fist.

“Do you promise?”

“I swear on the honor of my sect. But if you fail…”

“I told you, if I can’t handle something this simple, I’ll retire out of shame.”

Still provocative, but his willingness to stake his position made everyone back down.

“You’re very confident.”

“We’ll see if your skills match your words.”

“If it works out, great. If not, we’ll have a chance to get rid of him.”

“Looks like the Lucky Sword’s luck is running out.”

Jang Cheol-sim sighed at the hostile atmosphere.

‘This guy makes enemies just by breathing.’

He wondered why Cho Un-hwi always said things that provoked hostility, but the die was cast.

“Alright.”

Deciding to set the stage for him, Jang Cheol-sim announced.

“From today, you have full authority over the public order mission.”

***

Jegal Tan was stunned by the sudden promise.

“Instructor, how can you make such a promise on the spot?”

“I told you, I have a plan.”

Jegal Tan wasn’t the only one taken aback.

“Instructor, are you tired of being an instructor?”

“Don’t leave us behind.”

As everyone tried to dissuade him, Yeo Mae-hong intervened.

“Instructor Cho, are you really confident?”

“Of course. How could I not be confident in such an easy mission?”

So.

If you want extra credit, follow me.

‘What is he talking about?’

As everyone wondered, Cho Un-hwi grinned at the most puzzled Jegal Tan.

“Jegal, didn’t I tell you not to think only logically?”

So.

“I’ll show you the way of a logical madman.”

***

Cho Un-hwi led Yeo Mae-hong and the disciples to the end of the refugee line.

There, a group of rough-looking men had gathered, keeping their distance from the rest of the refugees.

“Hey.”

At his casual greeting, a man lying with a sword blinked.

*Glare.*

But those around him didn’t like the casual greeting.

*Clang.*

*Clatter.*

They grabbed their weapons and glared menacingly.

“What is this? No business?”

“Damn!”

The vagabonds remembered the cocky face from before and frowned.

“Guys, relax. He’s a customer of the boss.”

A mantis-like man with twin swords spoke, and they bit their lips.

“If it weren’t for the boss’s customer…”

“Boss, why treat this kid like a customer?”

“Yeah, he looks like a low-level instructor at best.”

The younger vagabonds grumbled, but the mantis-like man, recognizing the face, broke into a cold sweat.

‘Damn. Seeing the Grim Reaper in broad daylight.’

Though he looked different from the terrifying figure in his memory, his instincts warned him, making him stand up straight.

“What’s the matter? If the job is good, who cares about the customer?”

Hiding his pounding heart, the mantis-like man asked.

“What do you need?”

“Why else would I seek out vagabonds but for a job?”

“Name the job and the fee. I’ll consider it.”

“The fee isn’t much.”

*Thunk.*

Looking at the pouch in his hand, the mantis-like man was disappointed.

‘Only ten nyang of silver? That’s too little.’

This wouldn’t even hire a couple of cheap vagabonds, let alone him.

“If you add the remaining balance from before, it should be enough.”

Remaining balance.

The mantis-like man’s face turned pale as he quickly nodded.

“It should be enough.”

Of course, it’s enough.

It has to be enough.

‘The remaining balance from the Grim Reaper was the price of my life.’

Trembling, he asked.

“What’s the job?”

“Just help maintain order.”

“Order? What exactly?”

“Just make sure the people I point out don’t cause trouble.”

“That’s simple. You don’t need me for that.”

“The success fee will be quite tempting.”

*Whistle.*

Another small pouch arced through the air.

Looking inside, the mantis-like man’s face lit up with surprise.

His face changed several times as he cleared his throat.

“Alright. Since the Black Sword Cave burned down, it’s good to have something to do.”

So, what should we do?

“Follow me. I’ll show you a test first.”

“Understood.”

Without a second thought, the mantis-like man ordered the vagabonds to follow Cho Un-hwi.

***

*Buzz. Buzz.*

Glancing at the rough-looking vagabonds following them, Mo Yong So-hye whispered.

“Instructor, was your plan to use vagabonds?”

“Yes. Since the Black Sword Cave burned down, I thought I could use them cheaply.”

“Is this okay? Vagabonds are rough.”

Baek Ri Seol and Yeo Mae-hong also expressed concern.

“Instructor Cho, vagabonds are very rough and brutal.”

“That’s why it’s better.”

“I’m not joking. If a fight breaks out, it could get worse.”

Walking about seventy steps away, the mantis-like man overheard and shouted.

“Miss, even vagabonds don’t shed blood without reason.”

“Eek.”

Yeo Mae-hong, not expecting him to hear from such a distance, shrank back cutely.

“A sharp sword depends on the wielder.”

“A sharp sword?”

Yeo Mae-hong looked puzzled at Cho Un-hwi’s relaxed demeanor but said no more.

Taking the opportunity, Seo Ok-rang clung to him.

“Hehe. This reminds me of our mission.”

“It’s hot. Stay away, Seo.”

“Chee.”

Waving her off like a stray dog, Cho Un-hwi leaned towards Mo Yong So-hye.

“Look around for anyone with sinister thoughts.”

Read people’s thoughts.

Mo Yong So-hye narrowed her eyes and mouthed her response.

“Instructor, I can only read emotions, not their true intentions.”

She could sense positive and negative emotions but couldn’t precisely determine someone’s intentions.

“I know. That’s enough.”

I have a plan.

***

The first target was the group of ruffians who caused trouble the night before.

“What do you want?”

Thinking they knew how to handle the situation, a ruffian spoke casually.

“Are you here to pick a fight again? Or did you bring evidence?”

Ignoring him, Cho Un-hwi spoke.

“I’m not here to pick a fight.”

“Ha. Of course.”

“But I’ve received complaints about your appearance, coarse language, and actions. I’d like you to behave.”

“Ha. What?”

*Spit!*

The ruffian spat on the ground and stood up, getting in his face.

“What? You want to fight? Hit me! Hit me!”

“An instructor from Shinmu Academy doesn’t attack civilians first.”

“Ha. Of course. Coward.”

Laughing, the ruffian turned to his friends, grinning.

“Is this what martial arts is for? Can righteous sect members oppress people without evidence?”

As he shouted, the other ruffians chimed in.

“Hey, bookworm. Leave us alone and go your way.”

“Yeah. We’ll handle our own business.”

“Not leaving? You want to fight?”

The ruffians, who were tough on the weak but weak against the strong, found the young man before them easy prey.

“I’ve warned you.”

I’m leaving.

As Cho Un-hwi turned to leave.

“Coward.”

The ruffian smirked, thinking he had won.

*Clang.*

He froze as a cold blade touched his neck.

“S-sword…”

The blade, shaped like a saw, was held by a fearsome man glaring at him.

“You’re trying to kill me…”

“What are you talking about? As a righteous warrior, how could I kill an innocent person?”

“T-then put the sword away…”

“But I don’t know about this guy. He’s not from the righteous sect.”

Realizing who held the saw-like sword, the ruffian’s face turned pale.

“Black Wolf of Suzhou… Sang-gwang…”

Sang-gwang, the Black Wolf of Suzhou, smirked.

“Haha. You’re not just any ruffian if you know my name.”

“I-I’m just…”

*Swish.*

The saw-like blade nicked his neck, making the ruffian tremble.

Watching, Cho Un-hwi spoke lightly.

“I just asked for help maintaining order.”

But something went wrong?

“I’ve done my part by hiring vagabonds with my meager funds.”

A piece of advice.

“If you want to live, do your part.”

With that, Cho Un-hwi left the scene.

***

*Crack.*

“Aaah!”

Ignoring the screams behind him, Cho Un-hwi hummed a tune as the ruffians scattered.

“Damn. It’s the Black Wolf of Suzhou, Sang-gwang.”

“How does he control such a monster?”

“That’s not the problem! Our leader was beheaded by Sang-gwang!”

Anyone involved in the dark path knew the name of the Black Wolf of Suzhou.

Thanks to that, Cho Un-hwi quickly resolved the situation and proudly spoke.

“See, Jegal? This is how you outsource the dirty work.”

“…Is this really okay?”

“Why not?”

Shaking the empty pouch, Cho Un-hwi grinned.

“I spent my meager pay to hire help, so they should take the blame.”

“……”

“Aaah!”

Another scream and the sound of breaking bones came from the ruffians’ direction.

Soon, Sang-gwang returned, his clothes stained with blood.

“They won’t bother you anymore.”

“No need to report the details. Just the results matter.”

Aren’t I a great boss?

Sang-gwang chuckled.

“Haha. So I take the blame?”

“You know it well. You have to earn your pay.”

With that, Cho Un-hwi called Mo Yong So-hye again.

“So-hye, look around.”

It was time to find another target.

***

“I can’t do this anymore.”

Even Mo Yong So-hye couldn’t read the thoughts of tens of thousands of people.

“Really? It’s time to get some help.”