The Beginning of a Misunderstanding
Unyielding Venom, Gwang Su-ak.
He wasn't famous across the entirety of the Central Plains, but in this region, he was well-known—or rather, infamous. Just like his nickname suggested, he wore an eyepatch over one eye and was notorious for his viciousness and malicious heart. Once he sank his teeth into someone, he never let go until they were dead.
The only reason he was still alive was because he had a clear distinction between whom he should and shouldn't target. The "Unyielding" part of his nickname came entirely from this trait. He was the classic petty thug—ferocious toward the weak, but submissive before the strong. He only fought those he believed he could beat, and avoided or bowed his head to those he couldn't.
But no one dared to look down on him, because he was, in truth, a master who had reached the peak stage.
While the Ten Lords of Rain and Thunder had surpassed even that and reached the Realm of Blossoms, and the legendary Three Saints Under Heaven had ascended to the Mystic Realm, the peak realm was still formidable. Among the countless martial artists across the Central Plains, those at the peak level were easily within the top 1%. Not someone you could ignore.
"Now, now, don't be alarmed," Gwang Su-ak said, grinning with his menacing face and chilling smile. "This old man just has some business to take care of. As long as you all cooperate, there's nothing to worry about. Heh heh."
Whether they were common folk or martial artists, the people inside the inn kept their heads down, watching the situation closely. Gwang Su-ak, seemingly enjoying their reactions, continued speaking.
"And the reason we're doing this little… event is because the disciple of the Turtle-Shell Tyrant is here with us, inside this very inn."
"...!"
"...!"
What? The Turtle-Shell Tyrant's disciple is in this inn?
The people inside gasped and glanced around in disbelief. Even Yeon Hwi-tae, who had been watching the situation unfold with interest, was surprised. Just moments ago, that storyteller-like man had said the Turtle-Shell Tyrant was sending an incredible gift through his disciple. Who would've thought that disciple would be right here in this very inn? His curiosity now thoroughly piqued, Yeon Hwi-tae smirked.
But then—
"Hey, you. Step forward."
Gwang Su-ak's voice slithered out, accompanied by a wicked smile. When he glanced in Hwi-tae's direction and motioned with his eyes, Hwi-tae turned his head around, realizing in surprise that the disciple of the Turtle-Shell Tyrant must be nearby.
Something felt off, though.
"Yeah, you. I'm talking to you, brat."
Even after glancing around, it seemed everyone was looking in his direction. He was the only one scanning the room in confusion.
"Don't play dumb. You—the one with those strange gauntlets and greaves, and that weird armor all over your body!"
"…Huh?"
Now that he thought about it, all the martial artists nearby were dressed in light gear. The commoners, of course, wore regular clothes. But he—Yeon Hwi-tae—was the only one wearing gauntlets, shin guards, and what looked like chainmail armor.
With a creeping suspicion, he pointed at himself.
"Yeah, that's right! You! You're the Turtle-Shell Tyrant's disciple!"
So much for hoping otherwise.
"…Oh, come on."
His interest plummeted, and an involuntary curse slipped from his lips.
Gwang Su-ak thought to himself that today might just be his lucky day.
He'd heard through the grapevine that the disciple of the Turtle-Shell Tyrant was carrying a gift—an elixir so rare it rivaled the Great Rejuvenation Pill of Shaolin: the legendary Heaven's Supreme Pill (Sangcheon-dan).
Said to be the magnum opus of the Alchemy Emperor Yeon Ma-je, a reclusive genius of the martial world from two hundred years ago, the Heaven's Supreme Pill had first emerged during the battle over Yeon Ma-je's hidden vault decades earlier.
Back then, the pill had allowed numerous third-rate fighters and vagrants to skyrocket into the peak realm overnight. Its value was so great that countless lives had been lost in the struggle to obtain it.
That was why someone like Gwang Su-ak—who was merely at the peak level—dared to go after it, even if it meant making enemies of both the Turtle-Shell Tyrant and the Namgung Clan.
Heh heh heh. If I can just get my hands on that pill, breaking through to the super-peak realm won't be a dream anymore. Once I have it, I'll hole up in the mountains, dodge those old bastards from the Namgung Clan and the Turtle-Shell Tyrant, train up my power… and by the time they come looking, it'll all be over.
It was a short-sighted plan, foolishly underestimating the information network of the Namgung Clan and the wrath of a martial arts master ranked among the Top 100. But Gwang Su-ak, blinded by greed, couldn't see that far.
"You're saying… I'm the Turtle-Shell Tyrant's disciple?"
"Don't play dumb. Anyone who sees that full-body armor you're wearing and still doesn't know who you are would have to be a complete idiot, right?"
"That's right, boss. Hahaha."
"Totally. Anyone who doesn't see it must be blind. Kekeke."
At those words, Yeon Hwi-tae sighed and lowered his head. From the perspective of the Black Blade Gang members, it looked like he was cowering in fear. Mistaking his silence for submission, their arrogance swelled even more, and the mockery kept pouring in.
"Kikik. Hey brat, these elders here want a little chat. Come along nicely, now."
"What's the matter? Scared? Aww, don't worry. Nobody's gonna hit you. Promise."
"Think we scared the piss out of him?"
"Still, he's not that young. You think he wet himself or what? Hehehe."
Despite their growing vulgarity, Gwang Su-ak said nothing to stop them. At first, he had been cautious, thinking he might really be dealing with a disciple of the renowned Top 100 master. But looking at Yeon Hwi-tae now, he seemed like nothing but a greenhorn. It never even crossed his mind that Hwi-tae wasn't the Turtle-Shell Tyrant's disciple.
Crack!
Yeon Hwi-tae gave up the idea of explaining himself. These guys were convinced he was the Turtle-Shell Tyrant's disciple, and it was clear they weren't about to listen even if he tried to correct them. More importantly, the constant jeering had gotten on his nerves.
Yeon Hwi-tae wasn't a saint—nor did he intend to be. If his opponent had been someone truly weak, maybe he would've held back. But these guys? They were clearly beneath him in cultivation level, and had the gall to run their mouths like this? He wasn't generous enough to let it slide.
That said, he wasn't thoughtless enough to start a brawl inside the inn and cause trouble for the owner.
"Hey!"
The group that had been laughing at him finally turned their full attention when Hwi-tae suddenly shouted.
Even so, their smug expressions didn't fade. Ignoring them, Hwi-tae stood up and said calmly:
"You that desperate to die?"
"…What did you just say…?"
His sudden shift from passive to provocative stunned the gang, but before they could flare up, he threw out another line—short, simple, and direct.
"Follow me."
With that, he walked out of the inn slowly. The gang looked dumbfounded, about to grab him, but Gwang Su-ak raised a hand and stopped them.
"Let him go."
"Huh? Boss, that bastard's trying to run—"
Smack!
Gwang Su-ak slapped the back of the complaining subordinate's head.
"Does that look like someone who's running away to you?"
At his words, everyone looked outside.
Yeon Hwi-tae was standing just outside the inn's front door, waiting.
"What's the hold-up? Not coming? You scared?"
Just as they were about to burst in anger again, Gwang Su-ak calmly said:
"Don't fall for a rookie's taunts. Looks like he's concerned about drawing too much attention. He probably wants to settle this somewhere quiet."
"Boss, you saying we should go along with him?"
"What do we have to lose? If we follow him, he won't get a chance to escape. If we start something in here, it could stir up more trouble than we want. And if we really plan on taking the Heaven's Supreme Pill from him, doing it somewhere empty is much better."
"As expected of you, boss!"
"Now that you say it, sounds like a brilliant plan, boss!"
As his subordinates showered him with flattery, Gwang Su-ak felt quite pleased with himself. In truth, his original plan had been to stir up trouble by claiming a grudge against the Ghost-Faced Tyrant—who didn't even exist—but since the kid had backed down so easily (or so he thought), he figured his luck was unusually good today.
"Alright, let's move out!"
With that, Gwang Su-ak and his crew followed Yeon Hwi-tae outside, and the tavern quickly quieted down.
"…What did we just witness?"
"Wait, was he really the Turtle-Shell Tyrant's disciple?"
"Well, now that I think about it, a warrior dressed head-to-toe in armor like that would have to be related to the Turtle-Shell Tyrant, right?"
"Hidden in plain sight… I never imagined the disciple of the Turtle-Shell Tyrant would be right here all along."
As the customers murmured and speculated, the earlier tension faded—now that it was clear the trouble had moved elsewhere. Some of them even expressed concern for Yeon Hwi-tae.
"But what's going to happen to that disciple who just left?"
"Indeed. He's up against a top-tier expert and all his subordinates… I doubt he'll come out of it unscathed."
However, another voice chimed in, almost scolding them.
"Why are you so worked up about it? Stuff like this happens all the time in the world of the martial arts…"
"Still…"
"What, are you planning to get involved? Come on now. In situations like that, butting in can get not just you hurt—but everyone around you, too."
"Don't stick your neck out. That Gwang Su-ak bastard didn't earn his reputation as leader of the Black Blade Gang for nothing. He's known around here for being ruthless and vicious. Best we keep our heads down and mind our own business."
With that, the concerned ones also fell silent.
And before long, the rumor that Yeon Hwi-tae was the Turtle-Shell Tyrant's disciple had solidified as fact among the tavern's patrons.
How much time had passed?
Afternoon gave way to evening, and though the sun was slowly setting, the tavern remained as busy as ever. The cook at Jusan Tavern—named after the place itself—was famous in the region for his skills. It was considered a must-visit spot before heading off to Luoyang. Of course, once evening came, the patrons skewed less toward food lovers and more toward drinkers and gossipmongers.
"So anyway, like I was saying, that time I—"
"Oh come now, don't stretch the truth that far!"
"Waiter, another order of roast duck over here—!"
Despite the lively atmosphere, no one seemed to be paying attention to the earlier intrusion by the Black Heaven Sect. Now and then someone would bring up the Turtle-Shell Tyrant's disciple, but the topic quickly got buried under other conversations.
Then, suddenly, a thunderous piece of news crashed through the tavern like a bolt from the blue.
"Everyone! Something's happened! Something big!"
The one shouting was one of the tavern's old regulars—and a well-known gossip.
All eyes turned to him in an instant.
"What's with all the fuss? What could be that urgent?"
"This wouldn't be the first time you've made a scene over nothing."
Brushing off the scolding, the man thumped his chest with both fists, looking like he was about to burst.