“Tie him up.”
The day has dawned. Finally, the police have found the mafia.
The true culprit of the life-and-death mafia game spat blood. I pointed at the staggering Baek Myeon-ho-ri.
“Charge!”
“Ugh! What the heck! How did you make me addicted?”
Man So-pyeong, or rather Baek Myeon-ho-ri, asked me with a twisted expression, unbelievable for someone wearing a mask.
“You’re already drunk, huh? You gulped it down and lost your memory.”
Mister, for intoxicated individuals, accompanying them to the police station is basic. Let’s head to the police station together.
“Don’t make me laugh! I’ve seen through your tricks long ago. It clearly wasn’t poison when we were drinking!”
As I shrugged and suppressed a laugh, Baek Myeon-ho-ri gritted his teeth.
“Poison doesn’t always need to be consumed in one go to cause addiction, you know.”
“What?”
“I guess you have no hobbies in reading.”
I have to explain to a guy who doesn’t know the essential education of Wuhan. It can’t be helped. I took out what I had prepared from my sleeve and threw it somewhere.
“What is that…? Wait, no way!”
What I threw was heading toward the incense burner. The room filled with a fragrant smoke.
“Indeed. It’s an incense burner. Drink the tea, inhale the smoke, get drunk, and only then does the poison reveal itself.”
On its own, it’s an ordinary herb. But combine three together, and it becomes a poison that wreaks havoc on the insides of someone with severe internal injuries.
This poison’s name is…
“Three-time addiction? Wait! I’ve heard that somewhere…”
I could hear someone mumbling, recalling something from my explanation.
The poison I made is quite familiar to the people of Wuhan.
“Could it be The Rise of the Tang Family?!”
“It’s the Triple Poison of Tang Jung!!!”
Tang Jung’s lethal strategy to poison the Color Demon. It was the Triple Poison.
“It’s in volume 2, chapter 185, on the eighth line, starting with Tang Jung’s Triple Poison!”
“Wha-what?! Kang Yoon-ho used Tang Jung’s Triple Poison?!”
“Yup, it’s definitely Ho Pil’s writing!”
“Triple Poison…?”
While everyone was shocked, only Baek Myeon-ho-ri didn’t know. Those demonic cult people really lack education. They don’t even read the more entertaining The Rise of the Tang Family.
“You think capturing the infamous Baek Myeon-ho-ri would be as easy as a single rope? I prepared thoroughly for today.”
Actually, it was developed by the Tang Family.
“Does this poison work well for internal injuries?”
“That’s true; if you sprinkle salt on bare skin, it’s fine, but if you sprinkle it on a wound, it’s incredibly painful, right? Is there a poison from the Tang Family that works similarly for those with severe internal injuries?”
“Ho-ho! Indeed, Mr. Ho Pil! The Tang Family’s Tea and Book Club has been waiting for this day! The day we use the Triple Poison you advocated and the Tang Family completed!”
“Eh? Triple Poison?”
“It’s from Mr. Ho Pil! You should definitely use the poison created by Ho Pil!”
Those from the Tang Family. No matter how passionate fans of The Rise of the Tang Family, what on earth did they create?
“Damn you…! You really keep getting in the way from start to finish!”
“You really put in the effort to fail from start to finish.”
“Ugh…!”
Baek Myeon-ho-ri’s expression was twisted to the point that all the hardships until now felt worthwhile.
“Did you really hide someone who used Impeachment Gate?”
“W-what!?”
While people were staring in shock at the sight of Baek Myeon-ho-ri being tied up, someone approached me.
“Impressive! Master Kang! To capture the wicked minion of the Demonic Cult!”
The reckless Eun Ji-myeong from the Eun Family, who collaborated with the Demonic Cult. A thief caught with his own foot.
“Eun Ji-myeong! A minion of the Demonic Cult, you say? How did you know that guy was a minion of the Demonic Cult?”
What nonsense? I replied with a straight face.
“Well, you just said he used evil martial arts.”
“Just because he created Impeachment Gate doesn’t mean it’s an evil martial art.”
“…”
Kid. You seem anxious.
“Haha! Just kidding! It was a joke! Master Eun, you’ve worked hard as well.”
“A joke? But you called it hard work?”
Dropping the smile, I turned to the tense Eun Family behind Eun Ji-myeong.
“After supporting the Demonic Cult in every conceivable way, all that’s left was ruin, so what else is there to say?”
Now it’s your turn.
“…!”
“The entire Eun Family will be subdued.”
“Charge!”
———
“They are the wicked minions of the Demonic Cult! Don’t show any mercy to the Eun Family!”
“What the heck is this!”
“Gah!”
The inspection unit, who had already received notice and was waiting, quickly subdued the Eun Family, not taking much time.
“To think the Eun Family was connected to the Demonic Cult!”
“What in the world is going on!”
Following Baek Myeon-ho-ri, to find out that someone was collaborating with the Demonic Cult, the continuous bombshell announcements left everyone with shocked expressions.
Some people still didn’t seem to comprehend the situation.
“The beginning of this story starts with the downfall of a family.”
I subdued Eun Ji-myeong, who was struggling aimlessly, and began to explain to the people with a relaxed expression.
“What?”
“It’s a common tale. The head of the family, Grandfather, mismanages the family’s affairs, and the husband, thinking his past studies are futile, turns to business, ruining things one after another. The son, from a young age, associates with a bad crowd, indulging in debauchery and gambling, while the mother is completely lost in luxury and indulgence. They say a wealthy family lasts three years even in downfall, but they couldn’t even last that long. Whether it’s luck or misfortune. As the family’s storeroom begins to empty, suspicious socialites begin to arrive.”
“Socialites?!”
“The Eun Family has teamed up with the Demonic Cult?”
“It’s a misunderstanding! It’s a misunderstanding!”
The daughter of Man Geum-jeon, who plastered her makeup to hide her wrinkles, rolled on the ground in frustration, tied up.
“Suddenly, the husband’s business starts doing well. People from the competitor’s company die under mysterious circumstances. And then they whisper. ‘Did you see our power? We have a way to restore the glory of your crumbling household. If you help us, we’ll ensure you live without worry for the rest of your lives.’”
“That’s a frame-up!”
Eun Ji-myeong, that bastard, committed wrongdoings and still doesn’t blink while shouting that it’s a frame-up.
“Before Ma Yang-baek and Heo Song died, there was an encounter with Eun Ji-myeong. The job of the Blue Robe Swordsman that failed was also the Eun Family’s business. It turns out the person who recently went to the Eun Family has gone missing.”
“….”
Why do you look so surprised? The criminals have been revealed as you, and of course the past’s background checks are standard.
“The Eun Family really is…”
“Shut your mouth!”
“Are you saying we collaborated with those Demonic Cultists? That’s nonsense!”
“You’re trying to become the successor of Man Geum Battlefield and eliminating your relatives!!!”
“Do you have evidence! Do you have proof!”
The Eun Family members cried out to me as they were dragged out.
“There’s no clear evidence. Regarding the Demonic Cult, it’s all just testimonies and conjectures.”
I shook my head.
“See? The wicked one is that Black-haired Barbarian!”
The Demonic Cult, after all. Even Baek Myeon-ho-ri is the type to take on missions solo after receiving requests. It’s true that finding conclusive evidence is quite challenging.
But you know what.
“However, I do have evidence that will lead you to ruin.”
You aren’t Demonic Cultists, after all.
“What?”
“Do-mun. Dead Arm Ghost. Impeachment Gate.”
“…!”
I approached the wide-eyed Eun Ji-myeong.
“It was a good assessment. If Dead Arm Ghost, who swallowed up the entire Hao-moon of Hubei Province, had become your accomplice, then maybe the Je-gal family could be excused, but families of rascals gathered here would be easy to wipe out.”
The Hyang-joo had seemed to wonder what kind of confidence Dead Arm Ghost had to start things, but when they heard the news of colluding with the Demonic Cult, they were speechless.
“It’s a frame-up…! Ugh!”
I pulled Eun Ji-myeong’s hair up. Is it painful? Do you have any idea how many died and how many tears were shed because of you all?
“Yeah. Right now, you can claim it’s a frame-up regarding collaborating with the Demonic Cult. But how will you explain supplying elixirs to Dead Arm Ghost, who massacred courtesans and innocent people?”
“How did you know that!
“We discovered your activities, you fools. The fact that your family supported Dead Arm Ghost has come to light thoroughly.”
“The Eun Family was focused on the gory and brothel businesses. A bankrupt family conspires over a fabricated Shadowless Thief incident and conspires to massacre courtesans and innocents. Now I finally understand the events from that recent incident.”
“Lies! This is absurd!”
True. Lies. That’s how it is. The plot was devised by Do-mun and Dead Arm Ghost, and you all only supported them under the Demonic Cult’s orders.
But so what? Dead Arm Ghost won’t come forward to admit being the perpetrator, and the evidence is here. There are decisive pieces of evidence that can turn lies into truths.
“Take them away. The remaining crimes will be revealed at the government office.”
The whole story will be unraveled at the government office.
“Take them away!!!”
“Kang Yoon-hoooooo!”
That was a delightful shout.
——
After dragging all the Eun Family members out and stepping into the courtyard, an unexpected scene unfolded.
“You! How dare you! Our son!”
A mother’s wrath, having lost her child, struck Baek Myeon-ho-ri’s face repeatedly, kneeling in the yard.
Even with the protective effect of his Impeachment Gate, it seems it’s getting torn apart.
“Aunt!”
As I signaled the inspection unit, I calmed down the enraged aunt and led her aside.
“Ugh.”
That bastard, why is he grinning ominously as soon as he sees someone?
“What’s so funny? Baek Myeon-ho-ri.”
“To think a mere Black-haired Barbarian could ruin our plans.”
“A mere one? Isn’t it all thanks to our Baek Myeon-ho-ri?”
“What?!”
Why is he staring at me like he knows nothing? I smirked and raised one corner of my mouth.
“Could it be because he thought someone who’s been doing nothing but odd jobs could vanish without a trace? Or perhaps because he left the incomplete face of Heo Song, who was clearly messed up after the plan went awry, untouched? Or was it because disguising himself as a Blue Robe Swordsman was fine, but the news of his death raised suspicions? What could have gone wrong? Guess.”
“Y-you!”
I could see his flushed face through the torn Impeachment Gate.
“Ah! Of course, how could the dead Blue Robe Swordsman come back to life? This incident is too big. Is there possibly another victim besides me? That’s right. How did Heo Song die again? Wait, Yang-baek’s death also seemed odd. Let’s ask permission and dig up the corpse one more time. There might have been someone trying to uncover the whole truth out of curiosity.”
“Mr. Ho Pil. So… The rumors were indeed true.”
Right. It was your small mistake. And the person who could gather all the evidence in one place and deduce the truth is converged here.
“Whether the rumors are truth or lies doesn’t matter, does it? What matters is that the time has come for us to say our goodbyes.”
Suddenly, I also became the villain with a story. Unless we’re having a confession time, that is.
He was a dipping guy, but Ma Yang-baek was the one pouring sauce over sweet and sour pork, and Heo Song was the one adding pineapple to pizza, enjoying the torture of others.
If you spin the story deliciously, I’m willing to listen a bit.
“Ha ha ha!”
Why does he keep laughing uncomfortably?
“I acknowledge you.”
Baek Myeon-ho-ri looked at me as if genuinely impressed.
“Even if you don’t acknowledge it, I’m the successor of Man Geum Battlefield now. Go. Let’s go.”
“Ha ha ha. I recognize you as my worthy opponent.”
“Winners and losers. Constables and criminals. What kind of opponent? What are you doing? Take me away.”
Those Demonic Cultists always seem to say that to the protagonist.
“Wait…!”
Suddenly, a memory crossed my mind.
“…Everything is for the grand plan.”
Whenever someone says that, something happens.
“What?!”
Boom!
At the startled shout, I looked up, and mist began to rise around him. It’s a smoke bomb used during the first assassination.
The fog envelops the entire courtyard. Flap. There’s a sound of something falling to the ground.
“Gah!”
I can also hear the sound of someone’s throat being cut.
“Ha ha ha!”
Through the mist, I faced the strangely bloodshot eyes.
That symptom. I’ve seen it somewhere.
“Could it be Impeachment Gate?”
Did Dead Arm Ghost still have the elixir from when he made his last stand?
“Ha ha ha.”
No denial could be heard.
“I suppose you wouldn’t want to spare me?”
“I will undoubtedly take your life!”
That’s right. In the original work, when it came to those Demonic Cultists, they always said that.
Could this have been intentional? Between him and I, aside from the straight line, the entire courtyard filled with thick smoke. If one makes a move recklessly, it would instantly trigger a reaction.
It might be unavoidable.
‘The well-prepared Ho Pil and the criminal suffering from internal injuries struggling to death…’
What a fine setup. With a relaxed face, I nodded and shouted.
“Come at me.”
Let’s settle this.
