Shadow War (3)
Even after Moyong Gun left, Jegal Munho remained deep in thought for a long while. His gaze, fixed on the overturned liquor bottle, was deeper than ever—and at the same time, filled with confusion.
Suddenly, Jegal Munho let out a sigh.
"The reason is clear..."
It wasn't wrong. No, it went beyond merely not being wrong—it was an utterly obvious truth.
Though Moyong Gun's anger stemmed from the current state of the White Path Martial Alliance as he saw it and from his younger brother, the words from his mouth rang with unmistakable righteousness.
What was righteousness? Was it merely protecting the weak and punishing the wicked? No.
The natural rights of a group, its fundamental principles of action, belonged to righteousness as well.
They were martial artists. Wielders of immense power that ordinary folk could never dream of. Thus, they had to direct that power with utmost caution.
Those who aimed it rightly were called the White Path, the righteous factions. Those who aimed it as they pleased were the Black Path, the demonic factions.
Yet whether White Path or Black Path, they were all martial artists in the end. And martial artists, by the nature of their world, harbored a pathological hatred for being looked down upon.
Of course, controlling that shame and rage to uphold alliances to the end was even more important. But the Martial Alliance must not be underestimated.
That was a stance any organization with power should maintain, transcending the divide between righteous and demonic factions. It was the same principle as a nation not allowing itself to be scorned by foreign invaders.
Respecting opponents was fine, but they needed an aura that warned: touch us, and you'll pay dearly. That was power.
And the Martial Alliance had to embrace not only the innocent common folk but the martial artists as well.
"Yes, his words are right."
Jegal Munho sighed.
"Regardless of how vicious he is, if I recognize his words as true, I must walk that path."
Jegal Munho's excessive wariness and distrust of Moyong Gun. In truth, it wasn't Jegal Munho's failing but Moyong Gun's own.
He had committed too many sins under the guise of pursuing his dreams.
But Jegal Munho was a strategist. Even if the opponent was the world's most heinous criminal, he had to strive to see through them rather than starting with distrust.
After pondering deeply, Jegal Munho called out toward the door.
"Is someone there?"
"Yes, Strategist."
"Bring High Constable Gadeuksang to me. Tell him it's urgent."
"Understood."
Jegal Munho sighed again.
"...The Divine Physicians' Society."
His eyes flashed.
Setting aside what Moyong Ga-ju said, I never imagined such an organization truly existed.
Gathering privately for small meetings, or at most forming a large clinic in a specific region. That was the extent Jegal Munho had imagined.
In fact, that was normal.
I was trapped in common sense too. I never dreamed physicians would form a shadowy organization and wield hidden power.
This couldn't be pinned as Jegal Munho's fault either. If it was, then his ignorance of the Mad Faith Three Sects would be his fault too.
Ignorance was unavoidable. What mattered was how one handled things once aware.
Those who deal with human lives, blinded by money and power, rejecting others and resorting to bribes.
A sharp killing intent flickered in Jegal Munho's eyes.
What wretched fools.
Moments later, the door opened, and Gadeuksang entered.
"You called for me, Strategist?"
"Sit here."
Gadeuksang sensed the unusual atmosphere the moment he stepped inside. Jegal Munho's expression was one thing, but the scattered bottles and cups on the floor put him on edge.
"What is it?"
"Do you know of an organization called the Divine Physicians' Society?"
"Divine Physicians' Society? Hmm..."
Gadeuksang frowned, lost in thought for a moment, then snapped his fingers.
"Ah! I've heard of it. I think it's some gathering of fairly renowned physicians, right?"
Gadeuksang's mind was no ordinary one. It seemed he'd completely forgotten it, but dredging up a mere name from buried memory was impossible for most people.
"That Divine Physicians' Society doesn't seem ordinary."
"Pardon? What do you mean?"
Jegal Munho relayed everything Moyong Gun had told him.
Gadeuksang's mouth fell open.
"I-is that true?"
"I'm assuming so. We'd need a deeper investigation for certainty, but for now, it's reliable information."
"...Holy shit, now even the damn doctors patching up bodies are going insane? Have you ever seen such bastard sons of bitches?!"
Gadeuksang was genuinely furious.
Looking at his flushed face, Jegal Munho thought he might indeed be the timid sort wearing a mask of caution, as Moyong Gun had said.
Yes. This reaction from Gadeuksang, this fiery rage, was the honest and natural one. Anyone who truly understood justice and righteousness should respond this way.
"Has there been any separate contact from the Western Divine Maiden's side?"
"None. Though about half a shichen ago, we got a report that the Tangma Myeol Sa Army leaders entered Jiangxi Province. They're probably meeting the Western Divine Maiden by now and heading north."
"I see."
Jegal Munho spoke in a cold voice.
"Huigae."
Not information high constable, but Huigae. Gadeuksang's eyes deepened.
"Speak, Ga-ju."
"You know of Hago? The famous physician from Henan Province."
"Of course."
"Can you have our Beggar Sect disciples escort Hago and all physicians connected to him to the Alliance?"
Gadeuksang's eyes gleamed. Escort in name, but Jegal Munho wanted forced relocation. He grasped it instantly.
"Is that wise?"
"It is. The justification is more than ample."
"If you say so, Ga-ju... Understood. I'll deploy the men right away."
"How long will it take?"
"If they haven't scurried into a rat hole, four days to round them all up."
"Impressively swift. Make it so."
"Yes."
"And High Constable Ga."
The title shifted back. This was to be handled officially.
"Speak, Strategist."
"Find out where Tongcheon Jin-in is now."
Moyong Gun had mentioned Tongcheon Jin-in deliberately, meaning to use him. And Jegal Munho didn't pretend ignorance of the proffered aid.
"Understood. I'll move immediately."
"I leave it to you."
* * *
"Is this the place?"
"Yes."
"Good. Let's go in."
The group entered a fairly large tavern. Surprisingly, despite peak hours, not a single customer was inside.
Yet the exterior wasn't shabby, nor was the interior unkempt. This was a tavern secretly operated by the Beggar Sect.
They were actively aiding the Western Divine Maiden's escort.
"Greetings. I am Sinan-gaeI Geol."
A young beggar, seemingly in his mid-twenties, greeted them.
Oh ho?
Gang Ryang's eyes sparkled.
Impressive.
Mid-twenties, yet one of the Beggar Sect's Three Ultimate Disciples. His martial prowess seemed in no way inferior to Gang Ryang's own.
Gang Ryang's gaze locked onto I Geol at this unexpected skill.
I Geol felt it but didn't turn.
"Tangma Army Leader Mo Yong Woo Daxia, and Myeol Sa Army Leader Yeon Hojeong Daxia, correct?"
"The title of Daxia is too much. Just call us Moyong Army Leader and Yeon Army Leader."
"Understood."
I Geol bowed.
"We've cleared the entire tavern. Cooks will be on standby for three days, and five workers will tend to your needs. No one will bother this place, so rest easy and recover."
"My thanks."
"Not at all. It's our honor to assist."
I Geol stepped back a few paces.
"Call if you need anything. I'll take my leave."
Swoosh.
He slipped out of the first floor like a ghost. His movement art was so profound that even watching, one couldn't tell how or where he'd gone.
Gang Ryang clicked his tongue in admiration.
"I heard Beggar Sect arts were illusory and insubstantial, but seeing it now, they're profoundly mysterious."
Yeon Hojeong nodded.
"Illusory and insubstantial is just the sniping of casual observers skimming the surface. The Beggar Sect's true arts are in no way inferior to representing the White Path Murim."
"The world is full of strong warriors and splendid martial arts, it seems."
"Indeed."
Yeon Hojeong turned to the Western Divine Maiden.
"You've been badly injured and must be exhausted. Though the Alliance summons urgently, pushing in this state is a bad move. Rest here a few days and tend your body first."
"Ah... Y-yes! Thank you."
"No need."
Yeon Hojeong said to Gang Ryang,
"I'll wash up and tend to myself, then come. You must be tired, but guard the Divine Maiden's door for two shichen."
Gang Ryang smacked his lips.
"I haven't done a damn thing right yet, so of course I'll handle it. Don't worry—tend your wounds. I'll stand guard till morning."
"Good. Thanks."
With that, the group dispersed to their rooms.
"Urgh."
The moment Yeon Hojeong entered his room, he leaned against the bed.
"Damn it, it's been ages since I got beaten this soundly."
Clank! Clank!
He shed his pauldrons, vambraces, greaves, and breastplate, then removed his upper garments.
He'd continuously repaired his body with qi en route, but the wounds from such severe impacts hadn't healed properly.
"Gotta wash first."
In emergencies, sure—but wrapping wounds immediately after injury wasn't ideal. He knew this from experience.
After bathing in about the time it takes to burn a joss stick, Yeon Hojeong sat on the floor and picked up white bandages.
Then, footsteps approached outside.
"Yeon Gong-ja. May I come in?"
"Enter."
Creak.
The door opened, and Muk Bi stepped in. Her eyes trembled.
"You're hurt badly."
Yeon Hojeong smiled wryly.
"Tell me about it. Good timing. My shoulder's messed up—hard to bandage alone. Help me out."
"Sure."
Soon, Muk Bi applied golden wound salve to his injuries.
Sizzle.
White foam bubbled where the salve touched. It looked painful just to watch.
But Yeon Hojeong's expression didn't change.
Muk Bi silently wrapped the bandages. Yeon Hojeong stared ahead without a word.
After some time,
"Yeon Gong-ja."
"Yeah."
"Something bothering you?"
"..."
"You've seemed off since meeting the Western Divine Maiden and Gi Sin-ui. Moyong Army Leader and Gang Ryang haven't noticed."
"Muk Bi."
"Yes. Speak."
"Do you trust me?"
This wasn't a joking matter. Muk Bi replied calmly,
"You're one of the two people I trust most in this world."
"...Thanks."
"But why ask suddenly?"
"Feels wrong asking someone who trusts me to do this, but I have no choice."
"...?"
"Just in case. You absolutely mustn't, but..."
"Pardon?"
Yeon Hojeong's eyes turned icy.
"If I give the signal, shoot Gi U-hui."