Chapter 14: In the Jianghu, One's Body is Not One's Own (3)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 14: In the Jianghu, One's Body is Not One's Own (3)
Yeon So-wol thought to himself.
I’m not scared.
Six months ago, back when he was still in school, there were plenty of things that scared him. Even a delinquent-looking kid in his class had been enough to make him break out in a cold sweat. If that kid had scowled at him like this, he would have averted his eyes out of pure fear.
But things were different now.
Now, I’m not scared at all.
Practicing his internal cultivation method had been far more terrifying. The fear of his own wavering mind, the crushing weight of self-doubt, and the maddening, bone-deep exhaustion—those were true horrors.
A glare from a piece of trash like him—a serial-killing scumbag—doesn’t scare me one bit.
He had no intention of looking away from a man like this.
Fwoosh…
Hot, white steam billowed from between Yeon So-wol’s lips, carrying a savory aroma like roasting barley or Job’s tears.
“This bastard… Your eyes!”
By then, Mad Dog had already kicked off the ground. A faint, murky gray smoke rose from his lips as well, carrying the sharp, stinging stench of something burning.
Whoosh!
Yeon So-wol leaped back with all his might, narrowly dodging Mad Dog’s grasp. The memory of being beaten to a pulp by Mo Cheong and Lee Yu-baek was still vivid, even after nearly half a year. Moreover, his Qi sense was far more sensitive now than it had been back then.
Thanks to his training in the Soft Willow Art, his body was incomparably more flexible and stronger, moving exactly as he willed it. Even if Mad Dog was a fairly well-known young expert in Xinxing County, Yeon So-wol could evade him if he remained focused. He couldn’t dodge with style, but by timing his movements and hopping back or sidestepping, he managed just fine.
Still, it’ll be hard to win. But since things have come to this…
The only martial art Yeon So-wol had learned was his internal cultivation method. He didn’t know a single actual fighting technique. Mad Dog, on the other hand, was a true martial artist who had trained for over a decade, even if he had learned his skills in the back alleys. In fact, because he had learned through real combat, his strikes were viciously sharp.
But right now, Yeon So-wol had no intention of "fighting" Mad Dog.
I’ll kill him in one move. And I'll make it look like an accident.
He would dodge as much as possible, wait for an opening, then close the distance and end it instantly. The power of the Heavenly Killing Star could be activated through any form of contact.
Swoooosh—
The wind blew.
For the first time in a long while, he resolved to unleash the power of the Heavenly Killing Star. Yeon So-wol felt as if the world had suddenly flattened. Threads began to scatter from all directions—from the sky, the earth, and everywhere in between.
“This little shit… still dodging?”
Mad Dog grew even more agitated. He pushed off the ground with greater force, lunging at the retreating Yeon So-wol.
This was the moment Yeon So-wol had been waiting for. He snapped his torso forward, lunging off his back foot to close the gap.
Whoosh!
Mad Dog was dumbfounded. He’s closing in? On me?
The sudden rush threw off his striking point, but it wasn’t a problem. If it was too awkward to throw a punch, he could just grab the boy first and beat him into the dirt. For a man who had learned his trade in the back alleys, there were far more options available in a close-quarters grapple.
He must be acting cocky because he has Lee Yu-baek behind him. You’re dead today.
He recalled the look in Yeon So-wol’s eyes. Even with Resentful Dog and Smiling Dog standing right there, the boy's gaze had been fixed only on him. It was a gaze that looked at him as if he were a common insect.
Fucking son of a bitch…
For someone who already felt a sense of inferiority toward Resentful Dog and Smiling Dog, it was an unbearable insult.
An arm or a few ribs won’t be enough. Lee Yu-baek would just patch him up in no time.
Mad Dog hardened his heart.
I’ll give him an internal injury.
He wanted to kill the brat, but if he did, Lee Yu-baek wouldn’t stand for it. An internal injury was the perfect compromise.
So you’re a genius, are you? Let’s see how well you overcome a shattered foundation. I’ll strike deep and twist your Qi and blood into a knot.
An internal injury sustained at a young age was devastating. During the prime period for cultivation, when one should be growing rapidly and burning away turbid Qi, a distortion in one’s meridians would cause that filth to accumulate even faster. The damage would prevent the victim from refining their energy at all, forcing them to waste precious years just trying to correct the flow.
Furthermore, the pain and fear experienced in youth could break a person's spirit, making them timid and prone to bad habits. A genius who could have easily reached the First-Rate realm could be reduced to a lifetime of mediocrity by a single well-placed strike.
Mad Dog resolved to carve just such an injury into Yeon So-wol.
Chiiii-jeee-jeek!
The sound of something sizzling filled the air. The smoke seeping from between Mad Dog’s lips grew a shade darker.
Ghost Wailing Hand.
C-C-Crack!
The muscles in Mad Dog’s arm writhed. His joints buckled. It was this sound of twisting bones and muscles that had given the technique its name. It was a favorite of the Black Path practitioners.
Fifth Form: A Hundred Snakes Exploring the Acupoint.
Krrrr-d-d-d-d-duk!
The extreme heat of the Essence in his arm caused even the muscles and elbow joint to partially melt. It forcibly drew out movements that should have been physically impossible. Mad Dog’s forearm rippled as if countless snakes were squirming beneath his skin.
By unleashing power that surpassed his limits, he could strike with the flexible weight of a heavy water pouch. The force would penetrate deep inside, crushing organs and throwing the victim’s Qi and blood into total chaos.
You’ve reached the Breath of Smoke and Clouds, so you won’t die, but you’ll suffer for years.
Just as a cold blue light flared in Mad Dog’s eyes…
“That’s enough, don’t you think?”
Fwoop!
With a gust of wind, a man landed between Mad Dog and Yeon So-wol.
Tap! Tap!
He extended both hands, pressing his fingertips against Mad Dog’s and Yeon So-wol’s foreheads, pushing them apart with ease.
“…Jeon Tae-gwang?”
Mad Dog’s face twisted. At first, he thought one of the Three Gentlemen of Pungryu had stepped in to help Yeon So-wol. But the one who had stopped him was his own supposed friend.
Yeon So-wol was also startled. Whoa. Shit. I almost killed him.
This was different from the killer Mad Dog, who had no real backing. Resentful Dog, Jeon Tae-gwang, was the youngest disciple of the Severing Sword Sect Leader. If he had killed him, even by accident, there was no telling what kind of storm would follow.
The Severing Sword Sect is a prestigious school in Xinxing County, comparable to our Pungryu Martial Hall. Father even said I must be especially respectful when dealing with their people.
Killing three thieves had cost one gold tael. What would be the price for killing the youngest disciple of a Sect Leader?
Gold taels wouldn't be enough.
He was genuinely shocked. He had been concentrating so hard on severing the thread that he never imagined someone would jump in like that.
“Hey.”
Resentful Dog, Jeon Tae-gwang, looked at Yeon So-wol with a frown. When Yeon So-wol just stared blankly, he furrowed his brow. “I’m Jeon Tae-gwang of the Severing Sword Sect, you know?”
Only then did Yeon So-wol act as if he recognized him, clasping his hands in a formal martial arts salute.
“Yes, Senior. I am Yeon So-wol of the Pungryu Martial Hall. My apologies for the late greeting.”
His demeanor was completely different from how he had treated Mad Dog—he was the picture of courtesy. This had been Yeon So-wol’s plan from the start. Even if he killed Mad Dog, he had intended to be polite to Smiling Dog and Resentful Dog.
In the Jianghu, one’s body is not one’s own.
A person in the Jianghu is not always in control of their own fate.
I am the adopted son of the Pungryu Martial Hall Master.
If he didn’t act accordingly, he could cause great trouble for Lee Yu-baek, who had shown him such kindness.
“This bastard…”
The look in Jeon Tae-gwang’s eyes grew even more conflicted. He waved his hand dismissively. “Go. For today. But remember this: you were rude to me today.”
“Hey! Jeon Tae-gwang! What are you doing?” Mad Dog protested, but Jeon Tae-gwang just kept waving his hand as if annoyed.
“Get lost, quickly.”
“…”
Yeon So-wol was disappointed. He felt it would have been best to kill Mad Dog now. For some reason, he had a feeling another chance like this wouldn’t come easily. Even back in 21st-century Korea, there was a huge difference in sentencing between an impulsive killing and killing someone you already knew and held a grudge against.
…But there’s nothing I can do.
As long as Resentful Dog stood in the way, it was impossible to kill Mad Dog.
“Yes. I will greet you properly next time, Senior.”
Yeon So-wol clasped his hands once more. Then he turned to Smiling Dog behind him and did the same. He knew they were all trash, but they weren’t serial killers like Mad Dog, so he could bow his head this much—if only for the sake of Lee Yu-baek’s reputation.
“Hey! Hey! What are you doing? Where are you going! Hey!”
Mad Dog threw a fit, but with his level of skill, he couldn’t break through Resentful Dog’s restraint.
“Hey! Why are you stopping me!”
Jeon Tae-gwang snapped at the hysterical Mad Dog in irritation. “This bastard is complaining even when I just saved his life.”
“What?”
“You idiot, you were almost killed just now.”
Mad Dog was incredulous. “Are you crazy? Why would I die? Looking at his moves, he’s a punk who knows nothing but his internal cultivation method.”
“That may be true, but…”
Resentful Dog felt a surge of frustration. His friend’s Qi sense was too dull to have noticed. It was incredibly awkward trying to explain it to someone so clueless.
Just then, Smiling Dog chimed in with a grin. “Heh. Mad Dog, you crazy dog. Didn’t you feel his killing intent?”
“Killing intent?”
“Yeah. It was the killing intent of someone absolutely certain they could kill you. He was just waiting for you to get close.”
“…Don’t give me that bullshit.”
“But it’s true, isn’t it, Resentful Dog?”
“…I told you not to call me that.”
“Ah, sorry, sorry. Tae-gwang. Hehe.”
“Anyway, So Cheong is right,” Jeon Tae-gwang said. “The killing intent was vicious. He had a way to kill you once you got close. Whether it was poison or a hidden weapon, I don’t know. That Annam bastard… he’s hiding something up his sleeve.”
“Ha? Hah? Ha?”
Mad Dog let out a series of hollow laughs. Die? I was about to die? Me? To him?
“Ha!”
As Mad Dog trembled with rage, Resentful Dog said, “Just hold on for a bit. Anyway, we’ve established a pretext today. Let’s stomp him properly next time. If that bastard has any sense, he won’t be able to use his dirty tricks when we meet again, since we've introduced ourselves.”
Watching Yeon So-wol’s back disappear around a distant street corner, the flesh beneath Resentful Dog’s eyes twitched.
*
Upon returning to the Pungryu Martial Hall, Yeon So-wol immediately found Lee Yu-baek and told him everything.
“In the Jianghu, one’s body is not one’s own. When you’re in the Jianghu, they just won’t leave you alone. You’ll get into fights with all sorts of characters.”
Lee Yu-baek laughed as if he found the whole thing amusing. Yeon So-wol watched him for a moment before asking cautiously, “But… if I get into a fight and end up killing someone, what happens? I mean Mad Dog. I know I can’t do that to the other two…”
Lee Yu-baek looked at him, still amused. “And you think you can kill him?”
“Ah… well.”
Yeon So-wol, who had been keeping the power of the Heavenly Killing Star a secret, realized his slip. But Lee Yu-baek just laughed heartily.
“I know, you cunning bastard. I already know you have some kind of fatal technique. Is it some secret art passed down from Annam?”
He knew? Yeon So-wol flinched in surprise.
“Look at this kid’s reaction. You think I wouldn’t know? Looking at the traces on those thieves who died, it was as if they just stood there and let you stab them in the neck.”
“…”
Yeon So-wol was aghast. He could tell just from that?
In truth, he had killed them first with the power of the Heavenly Killing Star and then stabbed them, so it really was no different from them just standing there to be killed.
“Don’t worry. I won’t ask. In fact, I’m proud of you, my son. You’re doing well. In this Jianghu, it’s always good to hide about thirty percent of your strength.”
Lee Yu-baek looked at Yeon So-wol with a pleased expression. Thanks to that, Yeon So-wol could relax a little.
“Then, um. Is it okay to kill him?”
Even as he said it, Yeon So-wol almost let out a hollow laugh. To think that the words “Is it okay to kill him?” would come out of his mouth, when just six months ago he had been studying for his college entrance exams. But he couldn’t help it. He had already earned the enmity of a serial killer. He felt he wouldn’t be able to sleep soundly until he dealt with the man.
“No. You can’t.”
“Why not?”
“You three exchanged greetings, didn’t you?”
“…That was with Resentful Dog and Smiling Dog.”
“If you greeted Resentful Dog and Smiling Dog, then you must know who Mad Dog is as well.”
“Is that a problem?”
“It is. If you kill him knowing who he is, it could be interpreted as the will of the Pungryu Martial Hall.”
“But I heard Mad Dog has no backing…”
“The Black Path factions usually don’t care about each other, but when someone dies under suspicious circumstances, they suddenly start acting like a family member was killed.”
“Is… that so?”
“Yes. Because they think they could be next. So they band together and become a huge nuisance. And that’s a bit troublesome for me right now. I’m preparing for something big. I don’t have time to deal with the tantrums of Black Path thugs.”
“…I’ll keep that in mind.”
“Good. Like I said, a martial artist must know when to fight and when to play nice. Be patient. Another chance will surely come.”
“Yes.”
Yeon So-wol nodded, but inwardly, he clicked his tongue. His guess had been right. I had a feeling that if I didn’t kill him today, it would be difficult to do so later.
Lee Yu-baek watched him for a moment before speaking. “By the way, So-wol. Things are about to get tiring for you.”
“Pardon?”
“You said Jeon Tae-gwang pointed out your rudeness.”
“Yes.”
“That means he’s going to beat you up the next time he sees you. Now that you know each other, he won’t beat you too severely, but he’ll definitely beat you until it hurts. Every time he sees you.”
“…”
“Want me to help?”
“No, sir.”
“Why not? I can help.”
“…I don’t think it would be good for an adult to get involved in a children’s fight.”
Lee Yu-baek smiled. “Then should I ask Mo Cheong to help?”
“I’ll decline that as well.”
“Why is that?”
“If I accept that kind of help, I think I’ll be a laughingstock for a long time.”
In Yeon So-wol’s mind, Jianghu people were essentially gangsters. He didn’t think someone who hid behind others because they were a little scared would ever earn respect in this world.
Lee Yu-baek’s smile deepened. “You know that well.” Then he added, “Still, if you feel you really can’t handle it, let me know. What’s the big deal? I can meddle in a kids’ fight.”
Looking at Lee Yu-baek’s face—a man in his late thirties smiling like a mischievous child—Yeon So-wol thought, Right. I shouldn’t cause trouble for someone like him.
He let go of his lingering attachment to dealing with Mad Dog.
“Anyway, you say you’ll handle it with your own strength, so I understand for now. Let me know if you change your mind. All I can do for you is help with your training. The month we talked about has just about passed, so let’s resume your training tomorrow.”
“Yes.”
“…And. Um. Don’t be too disappointed.”
“About what, sir?”
“That guy. Mad Dog. If you wait, the opportunity will surely come. The chance to kill someone who deserves to die.”
Yeon So-wol smiled bitterly. To think this was a conversation between a father and son. Jianghu people. Gangsters really are different. But it’s also strangely comforting.
Yeon So-wol bowed his head. “Thank you.”
“Alright. You must be tired. Why don’t you rest up and we’ll see each other tomorrow?”
“Ah. Actually. May I ask you something?”
“Ask away.”
Yeon So-wol took a booklet from his robes. “They say this is a secret guide merchants carry, and it contains many strange stories. Are there things like supernatural monsters in this world? I haven’t seen any yet.”
Lee Yu-baek answered immediately. “Of course there are.”
Yeon So-wol’s eyes widened.
“Confucius did not speak of supernatural forces, feats of strength, disorder, or spirits. But he refrained from speaking of them, he did not say they don’t exist. When we already have such feats of strength and rampant disorder right here, why wouldn’t there be monsters and ghosts?”
As he spoke of strength and disorder, Lee Yu-baek pointed to himself and Yeon So-wol. ‘Strength’ referred to superhuman power, and ‘disorder’ to violent behavior—terms that often referred to martial artists themselves.
“Ah.”
Realization dawned on Yeon So-wol, and he asked again, “Father, have you seen monsters and ghosts yourself?”
“No?”
“…?”
“No. I mean, they must exist, but they aren’t that common…”
Lee Yu-baek cleared his throat. “Let me see that for a second. I’ll see if there are any stories I know.”
He took the Secret Guidebook for Merchants. Then he sighed. “So something like this existed. To think merchants would make something like this.”
“Is this the first time you’ve seen it, Father?”
“It is. A merchant’s secret guide is not something they would show to an outsider.” Lee Yu-baek looked at Yeon So-wol with warm eyes. “I can see just how proper your conduct must have been.”
He then flipped through the pages. “There are several stories here that I know.”
“Is that so?” Yeon So-wol’s ears perked up.
“I don’t know about the sudden fog and smell of alcohol, or the warning not to touch food on the street, but I know all the rest.”
“But you said you haven’t seen any monsters or ghosts…”
“That’s right. The ones I know are all the work of men. Many things that seem like the work of monsters and ghosts turn out to be the work of men when you look closely.”
Yeon So-wol blinked. The work of men? But they seemed too much like ghost stories for that. Yeon So-wol pointed to one: the secret about not earning the resentment of the courtesans and inn servants at the Cheongun Pavilion.
“Is this also the work of men?”
A warm smile touched Lee Yu-baek’s lips. It was friendly and affectionate. “It is the work of men.”
“How so?”
“That’s a secret. It’s not polite to carelessly spread other people’s stories.”
“…”
Yeon So-wol was extremely curious. But since it didn’t seem like Lee Yu-baek would tell him, he didn’t press further and changed the subject.
“Then what is this one?”
*
II.
If you see a child crying on the street dressed in silk, do not rashly try to help.
If the child’s body is strangely hot, flee at once.
As you flee, you must not look back, no matter what strange sounds you hear.
Though the child wears silk, they are by no means from a wealthy family, so do not harbor any foolish greed.
*
Yeon So-wol saw it. The corners of Lee Yu-baek’s eyes drooped. He looked sad.
“This… is the story of the Yeoljeong Sect. So this is how the merchants remembered it…”
Yeoljeong Sect? Yeon So-wol was puzzled. He had already memorized all the major factions of Xinxing County when he first arrived, but this was the first time he had ever heard that name.
“You wouldn’t know. It was about five years ago, I think. I killed them all. Every last one.”
Flinch.
For a moment, Yeon So-wol thought he could smell blood. The thick, cloying stench of iron, not quite masked by the sweet scent of lemon.