Book 19 Chapter 21

A Gathering of Biryuyeon and His Gang

Cheers!

(A banner with "(Congratulations! Imprisonment!)" written on it hangs high on the wall.)

Jang Hong: Congratulations on your imprisonment.

Hyoryong: Congratulations!

Noh Hak: Omedeto!

Jang Hong: Ah! I'm so happy! The shadow of hardship has finally fallen upon that guy.

Noh Hak: Sob! I'm so happy I don't have to see the senior disciple for a while.

Jang Hong: I know how you feel, but don't be so obviously happy. He might be watching from somewhere.

Noh Hak: Cough! That… that… Don't say such frightening things, Jang hyung. Not even as a joke.

Jang Hong: No, I'm serious…

Hyoryong: Anyway, it's not about him. We can't let our guard down.

Jang Hong: That's right. There's no harm in being careful. We should learn from the many victims of the past.

Noh Hak: (Tears welling up as emotions overwhelm him) Sob sob sob!

Hyoryong: I forgot there was someone here who suffered the most.

Jang Hong: Hmm, I'd forgotten about you. But it's fortunate you're still alive and well.

Noh Hak: But thanks to that, I couldn't even appear properly in the last volume. I've been blacklisted… And these days, my bones ache whenever it rains. I'm not even good enough to eat dog during the hottest days of summer anymore. The beggar colleagues are pointing fingers at me because of it. They say, "Even beggars don't eat dog on dog days."

Hyoryong: Hmm, it's a kindred spirit. I understand how you feel. I really do.

Noh Hak: You understand? And now even my friend is a beggar… What did my friend do wrong…

Jang Hong: Speaking of which, that friend of yours has suffered a lot too.

Noh Hak: If I'm a short-term concentrated type, then my friend is a long-term dispersed type. Never mind who is more unfortunate.

Jang Hong: (Sighs sadly) But that friend of yours even died this time, didn't he? It's a reversal of fortune!

Noh Hak: (Nods in understanding) That's true. But only those who have experienced the pain of being half-dead know it. Yes, indeed.

Hyoryong: Still, Biryuyeon is finally in prison this time, isn't he?

(Noh Hak suddenly becomes excited and slams the table)

Bang bang bang!

Noh Hak: Guilty! Guilty! Guilty! Life imprisonment! Permanent confinement!

Jang Hong: Now, now, don't get too excited. Getting too worked up is bad for your health. Don't you know stress is the enemy of all illnesses?

Hyoryong: That Biryuyeon guy always said his motto was "No hardship, no failure!" and he boasted about it. It seems he couldn't help it this time.

Noh Hak: That's right. That's why he gets caught up in accusations of special treatment. Because he doesn't suffer himself, all that karma falls on us around him!

Jang Hong: That's true. It's unfair that we have to face crises all the time instead of him. It's time he tasted some bitterness too.

Hyoryong & Noh Hak: Of course! Absolutely! We agree!

Jang Hong: Do you know how busy I've been cleaning up after him lately?

Hyoryong: Ah, that work. Since it blew up so big, there's no helping it now. Why did you fall for his words? You should have held firm to your resolve.

Jang Hong: It's all my fault. Who else can I blame? I should blame Biryuyeon. When the truth comes out later, people might try to kill me. Ugh…

Hyoryong: What about Ryuyeon? What do you think will happen to him?

Jang Hong: Well, he's like a cockroach that doesn't die even if it dies, isn't he? So innocent and good citizens like me end up suffering.

Noh Hak: That makes sense, Jang hyung!

Jang Hong: It's not just sense. It's truth.

Hyoryong: Still, it feels good to talk like this without him, as if we're the main characters!

Jang Hong: Hmm, you thought so too? I was just thinking the same thing.

Noh Hak: I hope he stays in prison for the next volume. That way, we can lead this next time too.

Jang Hong: That's a good idea. Great idea!

Hyoryong: We should change the corner sign too.

Jang Hong: That would be good. Let's finish this among ourselves quickly before he shows up somewhere.

Noh Hak: Let's do it!

Hyoryong: We can't let the ending be stolen!

Jang Hong & Hyoryong & Noh Hak: Everyone! The axis of evil has retreated, and peace has finally come to the martial arts world. From now on, we… for the sake of the martial arts world where peace has been regained, with all our might…

Rustle!

Noh Hak: Huh? What's that sound?

Jang Hong: No, is that…?

Hyoryong: That's Ryuyeon's favorite, Uremae.

Jang Hong: What? Why is that guy here?

Noh Hak: There's a letter tied to its leg!

Jang Hong: (Hurriedly unfolds the letter) What on earth does it say…?

Thud!

Hyoryong: (Picks up the fallen letter) No, what's with the thumbs-up drawing…?

Noh Hak: Let me see too.

Hyoryong & Noh Hak: (Glance at the letter and gasp) Kherk!

The letter read as follows:

I WILL BE BACK!

必來!

…

……

…

‥

Hyoryong: Will we really be able to appear here again in the next volume?

Jang Hong: …I don't know!