Chapter 1370
Do you know what shame is? (5)
The figure at the forefront of the approaching group exuded a menacing aura that was hard to ignore. Of course, elder Hyeong who had lived a long life knew this well. Judging people by their appearances alone was futile.
But he also knew something else. While one person might be unaware, when a group emitted the same atmosphere, the outcome was unmistakable.
As the group entered the village, a palpable sense of danger permeated the air. It was a feeling that ordinary villagers couldn’t comprehend. It was danger that could only be sensed by those who had seen their hands stained with the blood of others, a perilous scent impossible to detect unless one had experienced it firsthand.
Elder Hyeong wasn’t the only one who sensed it. The villagers collectively held their breath. What appeared in the elder’s eyes was resignation, but in the eyes of the villagers, it was a profound despair.
They knew these visitors hadn’t just happened to pass by. They had come here with a clear purpose. Having lived their lives under constant vigilance, they could sense the impending danger just from the approaching footsteps.
“In the end… it had to come to this.”
The old man let out a hollow laugh.
If compliance alone couldn’t change anything, if this was the inevitable outcome to be faced, then he might as well have spoken out against it, even if it meant bringing some form of retribution upon himself.
If he had done so, he wouldn’t have felt ashamed in the eyes of his departed son.
As the strangers scanned their surroundings upon entering the village, their eyes fell upon the gathered crowd.
“There they are.”
Said the one at the forefront as he strode confidently towards them.
Just like a rabbit might flee upon encountering a tiger, but ordinary folk faced with a martial artist had no such option. Elder Hyeong resigned himself to the fate that awaited them all.
However, not everyone was like him. Those who hadn’t lost their children yet, those who possessed a stronger will to live, couldn’t resign themselves as easily as the old man.
“P-please spare us!”
The man who had been justifying his actions moments ago, now prostrated himself at the sight of the approaching strangers.
“We’ve told you everything! There’s, there’s nothing more to give. If you spare us, we’ll spend our lives in gratitude, honored sirs!”
The man must have known it was a futile gesture. Yet, even so, he couldn’t just sit back and accept death. Wasn’t he trying to preserve his life at all costs, even if it meant betraying others? How could he let go of such a life so easily?
“Wait, wait a moment! I just remembered, those guys definitely went north! Up there! I saw them heading north! If you search to the north, you’ll surely find the trail of those Just Sects’ hypocrites!”
The approaching stranger squinted his eyes slightly as he muttered.
“… Are Just Sects hypocrites?”
The man held his breath. He wondered if he had inadvertently slipped up, his skin tingling with apprehension.
“Well, that’s a refreshing thing to hear.”
One of the strangers remarked.
Fortunately, the man received the response he hoped for. Emboldened for a moment, he shouted even louder.
“Yes! Yes! Those… those hypocritical Just Sect bastards! How can such scum compare to the noble members of Sapa! If you spare us, we’ll help too. W-we can identify their faces, honored sirs!”
“Their faces, hmm…”
With a strange chuckle, the stranger asked.
“So you’re saying that if we take you with us, you can recognize and report those faces?”
“Yes! Yes! And if not, we can do a painting! Some of us are skilled artists and can help with that! So please, spare us!”
The man pleaded.
“Before that, let me ask one thing. Is this really Hyeongga Village?”
“Well, yes, but…”
The man was taken aback by the sudden question. Why would those who visited here just yesterday ask such a thing?
Just then, someone who had been scanning around the village shouted.
“Captain! There are traces of someone passing through here.”
“Multiple people. It seems like there were at least a few hundred.”
Upon hearing those words, the stranger’s eyebrows twitched.
He carefully examined the people prostrated before him, the grave, and the myriad footprints of the villagers.
Then, he smirked.
“It’s true that the folks from the Just Sects are hypocrites.”
“Yes, yes! That’s right!”
“But… our leader is also among them. Judging by the situation, it seems like you’ve sold off our leader to Sapaeryeon.”
“Um… yes?”
The stranger’s complexion turned cold.
“It’s sickening to think that we risked our lives crossing the Yangtze river to save these trash.”
The man did not understand what the stranger meant and he just looked at his face in a daze.
The stranger spat out his words.
“We came under the orders of Nokrim King to take you to Gangbuk. But… you dare repay the favor with vengeance? They are worse than beasts!”
Not only the leader but the entire group exuded a fierce aura. They were Nokchae, directly under Nokrim King’s command. Their loyalty to him was unmatched. Given their devotion, it was a natural reaction to hear talk of betraying Nokrim King.
Caught off guard by the intensity of the group’s energy, the man hastily tried to rise but stumbled backward awkwardly.
“I… I…”
Why were they here?
The villagers had rejected the plea for help from Cheonumaeng, believing it to be impossible from the start. They thought any promises made were completely futile after the rejection.
Who would extend kindness to those who had been so callously abandoned even after receiving grace? Yet unbelievably, those who had come to aid the village in its time of need had arrived at this moment. The man found himself stammering words he knew he shouldn’t say in front of them.
Lost in despair, he gaped like a person who had tumbled down into a valley of hopelessness.
“These despicable scoundrels…”
Sneered Gwak Min, a trusted subordinate of Nokrim King – Black Night Tiger [흑야호- heukyaho], one of the Ten Shadows of the Green Forest [녹림십영(綠林十影) – nokrim-sib-yeong], standing at the forefront. Those observing from behind began to murmur in agreement.
“It seems Nokrim King may have misjudged this people.”
“Nokrim King couldn’t do that! Those Hwasan’s bastard probably insisted.”
“Wouldn’t it be better just to dispose of them all? Why bother taking such scum to Gangbuk?”
“But it’s an order from Nokrim King.”
“Who would know if we said it was after Sapaeryeon came and killed them?”
Betrayal wasn’t unfamiliar to Nokrim. Nor was forsaking grace a rare occurrence. However, such actions warranted severe condemnation. They understood better than anyone that leniency towards such individuals would shake the foundation of their sect.
Listening to his subordinates, Gwak Min narrowed his eyes. His thoughts were not much different from theirs.
Nokrim King’s orders are strict. However, lately, he seems too swayed by Hwasan’s people. Would a past Nokrim King have issued such a command to save them?
“…Answer me.”
“Yes?”
“Where did Sapaeryeon’s bastards go?”
“W-well, as for that…”
Gwak Min chuckled.
“You’re quick to betray your benefactors but hesitate to do the same with Sapaeryeon?”
“I-It’s not like that…”
The man’s face turned red. Now, Gwak Min’s overt hostility was evident.
“Tsk.”
“Is there any need for further explanation?”
Shh…
Nokchae drew their large swords from their waists. With no need for pretense anymore, the rough aura typical of Nokrim exuded openly.
Thinking it was all over, the man tightly shut his eyes. But then, one of them at the back spoke up.
“Just a moment. What’s with that mound?”
“…Yes?”
“Who died?”
It was a question about someone who had clearly died not long ago. The villagers glanced briefly at the burial mound, their gazes towards each other complex.
With a grim expression, Gwak Min, looked at the mound and let out a sigh.
“Have you checked?”
As he asked, the approaching figure nodded.
“Yes. There were clear signs of torture in the center of the village. Judging by the lingering smell of blood, it seems the torture was quite severe.”
Nokchae were also members of Sapa. There was no way they hadn’t heard stories about the excruciating torture methods employed by Maninbang. Especially if Ho Gamyeong had personally visited this place, the intensity of the torture would likely have far exceeded normal standards.
‘That person endured that…’
It was hard to believe that an ordinary villager, not even a martial artist, could endure such torture and still refuse to speak. But the evidence left behind and the expressions of the villagers confirmed the truth of the matter.
Even without digging up the mound to confirm the body…
“Hmm…”
With a slightly tired expression, Black Night Tiger glanced around at the villagers who were looking at him with fearful eyes.
After a moment of silence, he slowly nodded.
“Put away your weapons.”
“Yes…”
Without a word of complaint, his subordinates holstered their weapons. Although the animosity toward the villagers hadn’t disappeared, they couldn’t lay a hand on them now. Even if they were given such an order, the discomfort that had arisen wouldn’t easily dissipate.
Nokrim is by nature a sect that thrives on betrayal and does not know what humanity and righteousness are, but they know what pride is better than anyone else in the world.
“Old man.”
“Yes…?”
“Prepare yourself. We’re taking you to Gangbuk.”
“You mean us…?”
“That’s right.”
The elder blinked with a bewildered expression.
“B-but we…”
Though he should have just nodded and prepared himself, a strange discomfort made him hesitate. It was a feeling he wouldn’t have experienced if it weren’t for the events of that day.
However, Gwak Min simply nodded sternly and said.
“We are bound by orders, so we’ll obey. Choose. Stay here or come with us to the north. If you choose the latter, we will ensure you reach the northern lands alive.”
The elder glanced back momentarily. Though the villagers sent desperate gazes towards him, his gaze landed on the mound where his son was buried.
As he stared at that spot in silence, his eyes moistened.
‘You…’
In the end, it was Hyeong Wook who saved this village.
If Hyeong Wook had also betrayed them, everyone might have kept their lives for a moment, but ultimately they might have faced tragedy at their hands. Even if luck spared them from that fate, they couldn’t have simply left without helping the villagers.
Because his son had upheld his faith in Cheonumaeng until the end, a path to survival was opened for the people of this village.
“The quicker the choice, the better. We can’t predict when Maninbang will return.”
“I… I will go.”
The elder nodded laboriously.
“We must survive… Somehow, we must survive.”
“Then prepare. The lighter the load, the better. No need to carry unnecessary grain. There’s plenty of grain in Gangbuk.”
That statement stabbed at elder Hyeong’s heart even more painfully. If only he had known this a little sooner…
“I… I will do as you say.”
Gwak Min nodded. The villagers, who had been watching cautiously, hurriedly scattered to their homes.
Watching them disperse, he chuckled bitterly.
‘What in the world… ‘
Those who upheld loyalty to the end were buried in the cold ground, while those who betrayed survived at the cost of their lives.
Perhaps, this was why goodness struggled to prevail in the world.
But…
Gazing at the still-fresh crimson mound, Black Night Tiger muttered under his breath.
“… At least, you will have no regrets.”
It felt as if someone who he has never seen was smiling at him.
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