Chapter 7 : That’s the Black Path

Chapter 7: That’s the Black Path

Jin Seong-un locked the inn door and sat across from the man.

“Go ahead. Talk.”

The man swallowed hard.

Truthfully, he hadn’t wanted to come. How could someone like him, who didn’t even know martial arts, possibly deal with a reckless man who had dared to kill the Prosperity Association’s vice chairman in Huichang?

However, since the Prosperity Association was in essence a Black Path sect, there were few who could actually converse with outsiders—aside from him.

‘It’ll probably only make things worse.’

That was exactly why the chairman had sent him.

Steeling his resolve, the man nodded and said,

“Allow me to formally introduce myself. I am Seo Ha-pyeong, the general manager of the Prosperity Association. I have come to relay the terms the chairman wishes to offer you, Young Master Waiter.”

“Young Master Waiter—that’s a bit amusing.”

General Manager Seo Ha-pyeong stared fixedly at Jin Seong-un.

Though he knew no martial arts, he was a man of strategy. The first priority in any negotiation was to understand the nature of the other person.

‘A peculiar man.’

His lips curved in a faint smile, but there was no emotion behind it.

Men like this were hard to read. If they also knew martial arts, the situation became even trickier.

At times like this…

“I’ll be direct. The chairman has taken a liking to you.”

“Is he a sodomite?”

“…Not that. He simply values your abilities highly and wants to keep you close.”

“I threw two of the Prosperity Association’s martial artists into the authorities’ custody, and I killed the vice chairman.”

Seo Ha-pyeong forced a relaxed smile as he replied,

“The two you handed over to the authorities are already dead. The head constable personally brought them to the chairman. In Huichang, that is what the Prosperity Association is.”

“I see.”

Jin Seong-un’s reaction was calm.

Since Head Constable Hwang’s behavior had been suspicious to begin with, he had already suspected some sort of connection with the Prosperity Association.

“Young Master, let’s stop fighting. Join the Prosperity Association. If you do, the chairman will grant you anything you desire.”

“Anything?”

“Yes. For instance, I saw a notice posted at the inn’s entrance about hiring a head cook. We could bring in one of the finest in the world for you.”

“Oh.”

A gleam passed through Jin Seong-un’s eyes.

Seo Ha-pyeong did not miss it.

“Furthermore, we could make all the liquor supplied to Seong-un Inn half price… no, free. Not only would you be exempt from membership fees, but if you run into trouble operating your business, every merchant affiliated with the Prosperity Association would help you.”

Seo Ha-pyeong smiled confidently.

It was indeed a generous offer.

Even Jin Seong-un found himself nodding slightly.

“But, General Manager.”

“Yes, Young Master Waiter?”

“There’s one thing you haven’t mentioned. Such favors always come with a price.”

“Ah, it’s nothing much.”

Clearing his throat, Seo Ha-pyeong spoke as if it were of no consequence.

“In truth, the chairman’s father is none other than Jo Rae-ak, the overlord of the Black Path in Hubei. Incidentally, he is also on brotherly terms with the bosses of both Hyeongmun Keep—the largest mountain stronghold in Hubei—and Hongho Keep, the largest water stronghold.”

From there, the explanation of Jo Rae-ak’s prestige continued.

In short—

Jo Rae-ak, leader of the Southern Black Lotus in Hubei.

He was an infamous Black Path figure nationwide, with close ties to both the Green Forest Bandits and the Yangtze River Water Bandits.

He was so notorious that he was recorded as a first-class public enemy in the Murim Alliance’s Official Enemies Register, which was managed directly by the alliance’s headquarters.

His second son was none other than Jo Tae-ho, chairman of the Prosperity Association.

In other words, Seo Ha-pyeong was emphasizing again and again that the offer he was making to Young Master Waiter was truly a rare opportunity.

Jin Seong-un, who had been listening with an indifferent expression, suddenly had his eyes light up.

Seeing this, General Manager Seo Ha-pyeong brightened.

“Exactly. Our chairman will one day inherit the Southern Black Lotus. Of course, there will be competition among the brothers. To win that struggle, he is building his power and gathering talents—just like you.”

“I understand that much.”

“Just… I’m really asking out of curiosity—if someone is a first-class public enemy in the murim, their bounty must be enormous.”

Seo Ha-pyeong’s expression turned strange.

Why would he ask something like that?

“Yes, well… probably.”

Seo Ha-pyeong answered reluctantly.

Jin Seong-un’s expression became even more serious.

“About how much?”

“…I’d have to check to be sure, but isn’t that irrelevant right now?”

“Ah, right.”

Jin Seong-un nodded.

It seemed he had heard everything worth hearing.

“So, in short, you want me to become Black Path.”

“No, not at all. Just keep doing what you normally do, and from time to time, lend us a hand…”

“That’s still Black Path.”

Jin Seong-un recalled the faces of the Martial Gods.

Divine Thief and Blood Demon wouldn’t care much whether he became Black Path or Demonic Path.

But Sword Immortal, Merchant King, and Noble Enchantress would be greatly disappointed. They might even feel betrayed.

“And if I refuse?”

“You’ll regret it.”

“Will I regret it a lot?”

“Think about it. The Prosperity Association’s martial artists, led by the chairman himself, could swarm this small inn and kill you. Or perhaps a peerless master of the Southern Black Lotus, the one called the overlord of the Black Path in Hubei, might come in the dead of night and cut you open alive.”

“That would be troublesome.”

Seo Ha-pyeong stared at Jin Seong-un with a serious face. His words showed no trace of fear—how strange.

‘Just what kind of man is he?’

He was no ordinary waiter who merely knew a bit of martial arts.

He had explained the authority of the Prosperity Association and the Southern Black Lotus, and even warned that the authorities would not help him.

Yet, the man remained calm from start to finish.

“Are you not afraid of death?”

“Who knows.”

That was simply Jin Seong-un’s nature.

Even before learning martial arts, he had never truly feared anything.

Death was but a moment of pain followed by rest. At least, that was how Jin Seong-un had lived his life.

“Even if you’re not afraid of your own death, surely you wouldn’t like it if others got hurt because of you?”

“For example?”

“You seem to have gotten quite friendly with the owner of Sangwon Cloth Shop already.”

A blatant threat.

If he didn’t comply, they would slowly target those around him, pressuring him mentally.

Jin Seong-un still felt no fear. But there was, undeniably, a new sense of displeasure rising within him.

With a faint chuckle, Jin Seong-un stood up. Seo Ha-pyeong flinched hard.

“If… if you kill me, you’ll regret it. The chairman values me greatly—”

“Will he? This is the same man who sent you to make me his ally after I killed his vice chairman.”

Seo Ha-pyeong shut his mouth tightly.

Indeed, the chairman of the Prosperity Association was not the type to start trouble just to avenge the death of a subordinate.

If the chairman ever pointed his sword at this waiter, it would be because of the situation, not for revenge.

“He must pay you a lot to make you work for him.”

Nodding calmly, Jin Seong-un walked into the kitchen.

Seo Ha-pyeong watched the kitchen with a tense expression. Surely he wouldn’t come out holding a knife?

He considered running, but no matter how fast he ran, without martial arts, he’d be caught quickly.

Soon, Jin Seong-un emerged.

In his hand was not a knife, but a bowl of noodles.

Placing it on the table with a thud, Jin Seong-un said,

“In any case, a guest is a guest. Eat before you go. And tell your chairman this—next time, if he sends someone, send a martial artist.”

In other words, he wouldn’t kill someone who hadn’t learned martial arts.

Seo Ha-pyeong looked at him with a renewed expression. He was just a waiter with no backing or influence, yet he somehow seemed… very strong.

And the strength he sensed wasn’t just about martial arts—it was the man himself who seemed solid and unyielding.

“…I’ll go back and discuss it with him.”

It was mealtime anyway.

Looking at the delicious-looking noodles made Seo Ha-pyeong feel even hungrier, so he picked up his chopsticks.

The moment he took a large bite—

Seo Ha-pyeong’s eyes widened.

This lunatic—pretending to be all civil, only to poison the noodles?!

“My cooking might be a bit lacking, I admit. But I didn’t put anything inedible in it, so just fill your stomach and go.”

Not poisoned?

Seo Ha-pyeong’s expression grew more serious.

How could someone serve noodles—one of the simplest dishes in the world—in such a disgraceful way?

This was practically an insult to inns nationwide.

“Mmm.”

Seo Ha-pyeong let out a low hum.

He wanted to spit the noodles out immediately and run away.

But the crazy waiter sat right across from him, wiping a pitch-black sword with a white cloth.

From a sideways glance, he saw that it was the Black High Sword of the vice chairman.

It felt as if, the moment he spat out the noodles, that sword would come rushing at him.

‘Is he insane…?’

Seo Ha-pyeong was certain.

He wouldn’t be able to go home until he finished the noodles.

“Urgh.”

Suppressing the urge to retch with sheer willpower and mouthfuls of noodles, he forced himself to eat.

The human survival instinct could be terrifying indeed.

“Oh…”

A glimmer of interest passed through Jin Seong-un’s eyes.

Truly, there was something remarkable about a man who had become the general manager of the Black Path without even a shred of martial arts skill.

After quite a long time, the noodle bowl was finally emptied.

Seo Ha-pyeong remained silent for a moment— because if he opened his mouth, he might vomit.

Jin Seong-un couldn’t help but acknowledge him.

“You’re the only one, General Manager Seo, who’s managed to eat all of my noodles. The Prosperity Association is indeed formidable.”

Bastard.

After cursing at him with his eyes for a moment, Seo Ha-pyeong finally stood up.

“…May I go now?”

“You come when you want, you go when you want—that’s what an inn is, isn’t it?”

“The price for the noodles…”

Seo Ha-pyeong reached into his clothes.

After all, he had eaten them, so he should pay.

Especially since the man still had the Black High Sword in hand.

“I haven’t officially started operating yet, so I haven’t set a price.”

“Then name something roughly.”

“Then… one nyang of silver?”

Seo Ha-pyeong truly regretted not learning martial arts.

But there was nothing else he could do, so he took out a nyang of silver from his clothes and handed it over.

Receiving it, Jin Seong-un spoke with surprise.

“I was joking.”

“…Let’s just call it the price for the conversation.”

“That won’t do. I’m a man who does business with conscience.”

Jin Seong-un took out his coin pouch.

It was the bounty he had received earlier for turning in the two Prosperity Association martial artists to the authorities.

He rummaged through it, pulled out a few iron coins, and gave him the change.

Seo Ha-pyeong stared at the coin pouch and felt uneasy.

‘That… surely isn’t the bounty, is it?’

If it was, then this waiter was truly insane.

It would mean he was someone you simply couldn’t negotiate with.

Seo Ha-pyeong gazed down at the iron coins resting in his palm.

He suddenly had the thought—perhaps a strange wind would soon blow through Huichang.