Hubei is Always Overcast - 4
Wudangpa and the Je-gal family had maintained their standoff even after the three-way meeting. Outwardly, tensions between the two factions remained fiercely high, and government mediation was still ongoing. As such, representatives from Wudangpa and the Je-gal family were frequently summoned to Yangyang Wang's residence, where they endured his stern scoldings, reprimands, and mediation proposals. At least, that was the public facade.
"The water bandits' schemes to sow discord have intensified. They seem to think their plots have worked and are getting bolder."
"Should we be pleased they're playing into our hands, or furious that those scum tried to target Wudang and Je-gal...?"
Je-gal Jin recited the current situation in a matter-of-fact tone, while Baek Seon let out a hollow chuckle. It was a scene far removed from the vicious confrontation it appeared to be, so I quietly sipped my tea. With Yangyang Wang present as the government's representative, there was no need for me, the Left Vice Inspector General, to intervene.
"Don't think of water bandits in rational terms. They're defying the state in this era of peace, not chaos."
Yangyang Wang responded indifferently to Baek Seon's grumbling complaint. They were madmen who used their hard-earned martial skills for banditry on the water. Even if they had enlisted in the military with those abilities, they could have scraped by in decent positions—yet they chose to abandon that path and earn the contempt of both the government and murim. As Yangyang Wang said, rational thought only led to frustration.
"Take these."
With that, Yangyang Wang handed a scroll to each representative.
"Ten days from now, at maoshi hour. We strike all water bandits and every murim faction in Hubei simultaneously."
Maoshi—roughly 5 to 7 a.m. It was a declaration to smash them just as ordinary folk began their day, and both Baek Seon and Je-gal Jin nodded in understanding.
"This'll make for a splendid morning."
"It's to wake them up for a refreshing start. Where else would you find such considerate neighbors?"
To outsiders, it might seem like a massive military operation spanning the region, but no one in the room showed a hint of tension. After all, this was the government—armed with legitimacy and might—joining forces with Wudangpa, the largest murim power in Hubei and a contributor to the founding of the nation, and the Je-gal family, which lagged behind Wudang but still boasted considerable strength. Small and mid-tier factions scattered about couldn't coordinate effectively and would be crushed in moments. Even if every faction in Hubei united, they couldn't defeat this triumvirate. With two Hwagyung masters holding the line, no coalition of lesser powers stood a chance.
"Maintain the standoff until the time comes. If grudges have built up, vent them together."
"Haha, grudges? It's all just resentment over money. As martial artists, we can't get heated over something so trivial."
Baek Seon burst into laughter and shook his head at Yangyang Wang's subtle jest.
"Lately, the common folk have been avoiding us on sight. It makes us feel embarrassed and sorry every time, so we've hesitated to escalate further."
Je-gal Jin added with a wry smile. It was regrettable but unavoidable. Yangyang Wang, myself, and a handful of aides knew the feud was staged, but most officials and civilians believed it was real. If Hubei's two murim pillars stayed at each other's throats, it would terrify the helpless populace. That's why people shrank back and kept their distance whenever they spotted Wudangpa or Je-gal family members. I'd witnessed it myself a few times while wandering Yangyang.
"It's for the greater good, so set aside your hesitations now. If it weighs on you, provide relief to the anxious people once it's over."
Je-gal Jin flinched at the implication—if you're truly sorry, cough up supplies for the people. Backing out here would paint him as a ruthless local lord and murim man indifferent to the commoners.
That's how it flows, huh.
I inwardly marveled at the seamless extortion, as natural as breathing. Decades as a king made even that possible.
"Wise words indeed. Even if it's an act for the greater good, we can't ignore the fear we've caused the people."
In the midst of it, Je-gal Jin broadened the blame to "we," dragging Wudangpa in too. He wasn't normal either. Hubei truly was a demonic realm; even its survivors were extraordinary.
Hubei had been in an uproar lately. If asked whether it had ever been quiet, there'd be no answer—but even accounting for that, the atmosphere felt ominously off. The clash between Wudangpa, leader of the Central Plains' righteous sects, and the descendants of Zhuge Liang—it was enough to shake all of Hubei. Rumors even swirled that the Je-gal family had sunk a Wudang ship.
Just rumors, probably.
The Je-gal family I knew wouldn't resort to such crude tactics, and even if they did, they'd never get caught so easily. Outwardly refined scholars who chuckled amiably, inwardly they were cunning foxes—far too shrewd for sloppiness.
If anything, Wudang attacking Je-gal would make more sense.
Whoever started the rumor was laughably inept. It had to be believable for anyone to pretend to buy it. Naturally, the third party's goal was to breed suspicion between Wudangpa and Je-gal, convincing the people the conflict was real. In that sense, they'd succeeded.
Guess I'll hole up in the estate for a while.
I sighed softly as I watered the garden flowers. Two tigers sharing a mountain was stressful enough; with them glaring at each other warily, wandering between them was suicide. Better to halt all external activities and stay put than get crushed. Sure, silence might cause minor losses, but it beat family ruin.
"Anyone home?"
Hm?
A knock at the gate, followed by a substantial presence. Unsettling. Guests swarming at a time like this?
...No hostile intent.
Fortunately, the voice outside spoke politely. If they'd come to target House Baek, there'd be no need for courtesy.
"Who is it?"
I replied through the firmly shut gate. No way I'd open it blind.
"Is this the Baek family estate?"
"It is."
"Is Lord Baek Gi-seon, the family head, present by any chance?"
"...That would be me."
A brief silence hung, then—
"Government troops! Open the gate!"
The mild demeanor flipped in an instant. My mind blanked at the abrupt change, but I reached for the gate anyway. If they were officials, cooperation was non-negotiable, whatever the reason.
"We're breaching!"
"Wait, I said I'm opening it!"
But before I could, they smashed through. You lunatics! Why say "open" if you're just gonna break it?!
"By order of His Highness Yangyang Wang, we shall search the Baek estate! This is to eradicate the water bandits threatening Hubei's peace, the realm's stability, and even His Imperial Majesty's dignity! If Baek Gi-seon, head of House Baek, is a loyal subject of Great Song, you will comply!"
The surging absurdity and shock ebbed at the troops' proclamation.
"I shall obey His Highness's command."
Resistance here would shatter my head, not the gate. The soldiers ransacked the place for a good while before withdrawing leisurely.
"We thank House Baek for its devoted cooperation."
With those curt words.
What the...
The place was a bit dirtied from their trampling, but nothing stolen, so I chuckled wryly as I surveyed it. My head throbbed. A sudden search? Water bandits? Hubei was already chaotic with Wudang and Je-gal...
Oh.
It hit me late. Right—water bandits. The ones stirring chaos between Wudangpa and Je-gal to grind them down. Those damned curs.
My ire swiftly shifted from the troops to them. We'd endured this humiliation because of those bastards. If they were mobilizing to exterminate the water bandits... maybe House Baek should join in...?
At maoshi hour, government troops across Hubei flipped murim factions upside down. Of course, covering all of Hubei with officials alone would rack up massive manpower and resource losses. Wudangpa and Je-gal pitched in under the government's banner to fill the gaps.
"Thanks to the enthusiastic and devoted cooperation of each sect and family, the searches are proceeding smoothly."
Yangyang Wang smiled contentedly at the reports flooding in. It was only natural. Troops storming in at dawn waving his name—who wouldn't comply? Refusal would be the real anomaly.
If any faction balked—
"However, two sects and one family refused inspection. They've allied with things they dare not show the government's eyes."
Meaning they were water bandit collaborators—traitors.
"Subdue the traitors in Hubei first, then move straight to the water bandits."
"Wouldn't it be better to hit the bandits and traitors simultaneously? I'm concerned it might give the bandits time to flee."
"We've already pinned their locations. We've had them under watch since yesterday—no need to worry."
Je-gal Jin, who'd raised the objection, nodded at Yangyang Wang's retort about blasting them with cannons if they ran. Discussions followed: capturing traitors alive to extract water bandit intel, ferreting out undetected collaborators, and more.
"Your Highness."
"Speak."
Baek Seon spoke up cautiously.
"The head of the main branch says he'd like to lend a hand in exterminating the water bandits for Hubei's peace and security."
"Taegyeok Geomgong?"
Yangyang Wang's eyes widened slightly at the unexpected news.
"Well, even Taegyeok Geomgong?"
Je-gal Jin murmured in surprise, though his wording was odd. "Even"? Saying it like that made it sound like their own family head was stepping up too.
"Our family head said the same."
It was true.
What is this?
Why would sect leaders and family heads get personally involved in mere water bandit suppression?