Man vs. Wild - Sama Bu
Omongbu sat at the northern edge of Yunnam, but Sama Bu lay at the opposite extreme—a true frontier outpost in the deep south. A little farther down would take you across the border into Vietnam or Laos.
"Quite the bustling place."
Unlike the image of a rundown border town, it was surprisingly prosperous, rivaling even the cities of Sichuan. As I marveled at the sight, Yi Ji-seung spoke up with pride in his voice.
"Just as Omongbu thrives on trade with Sichuan, Sama Bu flourishes through lively exchanges with Wolnam. Unless you're passing through Guangxi, this is the mandatory gateway to Wolnam."
I nodded, convinced. Border regions suffer first when relations with neighbors sour, but in times of peace, they boom as trade hubs. Yunnam was perfectly positioned not just for Vietnam, but also Laos and Burma, drawing in goods and people from all directions.
"Moreover, since Baek-su-mun was established, tasks once impossible for humans alone have progressed smoothly. We might not have been essential for Sama Bu's growth, but we can proudly claim some credit for its rapid development."
"Impressive work. Baek-su-mun's dedication and patriotism are truly moving."
"It's an honor that you recognize us, my lord!"
Yi Ji-seung bowed at a sharp ninety degrees in response to my encouragement.
'Not bad.'
I patted his shoulder and took in the scenery of Sama Bu. "Not bad" didn't even begin to cover it. Baek-su-mun wasn't harming the realm or its people—it was having a positive impact. Nearby, elephants were hauling materials for a construction site.
'This sect qualifies for full cooperation.'
Founded after the founding war, it carried no bad karma. More merchants than martial artists, friendly to officials and commoners alike. The state had every reason to embrace such a group.
The one sticking point?
"Me too—let me lick it!"
"These must be the famous spirit beasts! Such beautiful creatures!"
"H-horn...! Just once, please let me lick it...!"
"This little one. How majestic it must look frolicking in the mountains."
They were way too animal-friendly—beyond even their affinity for the people. At every Baek-su-mun outpost on the way here, the local disciples had greeted us with eerily similar reactions, as if scripted. Kki-ing-i and Kki-ong-i trudged along with weary, exhausted faces.
'...A tolerable flaw.'
It was hardly a flaw—more like an endearing quirk. In today's murim, extortionist thugs and cowardly silent observers from turbulent times were the norm. Loving animals? That was unique, not a defect.
So I'd decided to bring Baek-su-mun under my wing. The local officials already collaborated with them; all it took was central endorsement. Simple.
'Finally, a normal sect.'
I sighed inwardly in relief. Wuxia tales always featured savage southern sects like the Manbeast Palace in Yunnam or Wolnam. I'd worried Baek-su-mun might be their precursor, but they were mild-mannered Central Plains folk. A relief.
Had they devolved into Manbeast Palace maniacs, I'd have faced elephant-led northern invaders.
With a light heart, I arrived at Baek-su-mun's headquarters.
"Welcome! Baek-su-mun sincerely welcomes the Left Vice Inspector General!"
"Was your journey comfortable? Did our disciples and beasts meet your approval?"
"Ah, this pure white fur...! Beauty unmatched by any treasure...!"
"I-if it's not too rude, might this humble one guide these little ones?"
And collided with the madness of those who introduced themselves as Baek-su-mun elders. Madness several, no, dozens of times greater than Yi Ji-seung or the outpost disciples.
But I wasn't fazed.
'Knew it.'
I'd expected this before even arriving. If mere disciples tried licking Kki-ing-i, what about the elders? A calm, subdued welcome would have raised suspicions of hidden motives.
"Enough. What rudeness is this toward the weary Left Vice Inspector General after a long journey?"
A man's voice parted the crowd before me like the Red Sea. Flashy robes, disrespect toward the elders, and the elders themselves bowing hastily.
'The sect leader.'
Obvious to anyone. My gaze naturally shifted to him.
"Greetings, Left Vice Inspector General. I am Baek-su-mun's leader, Ji Wi-pyeong."
"Left Vice Inspector General Han Un."
Unlike the elders, his demeanor was polite and normal. My lips twitched upward. Good. Even if disciples and elders went wild, the leader had to stay composed. That's how a sect functions and communicates externally. If even he were mad, I'd have bolted.
"I encountered many of your disciples en route. Humans and beasts coexisting—truly striking."
"If the world is one part human, nine parts beast, wouldn't it be tragic to fail to harmonize with that nine parts?"
"Well said. But turning words to action took your resolve and skill. Be proud."
Ji Wi-pyeong's face brightened at the direct praise. Normal or not compared to the elders, he was still the founder and leader. He'd built Baek-su-mun from love of beasts and a mission to better the world—not whim.
Founding and expanding a sect wasn't child's play—
"As expected of the Left Vice Inspector General! I knew you'd understand our cause!"
?
"Rarely is a beast-lover a bad person, and to attract spirit beasts means you hold noble ideals far beyond the likes of us!"
???
"We heard you only learned of Baek-su-mun recently! Yet you don't find us strange and grasp our intent—you must be a transcendent hero who descended on a white deer!"
My mind blanked. A white deer hero? Not the usual white horse.
"This aligns with the Original Celestial Venerable and Buddha's will to enrich and beautify the realm! Today's meeting is heaven-ordained fate!"
"Shall we mark it with triple cheers of 'long live'?"
"Hey! 'Long live' is for His Imperial Majesty alone!"
"Then 'eternal reign'?"
"I believe that's for kings..."
"No choice! 'Nine hundred years' won't suffice for your dignity, so let's go with 'nine hundred ninety-nine'!"
The elders pressed on, oblivious to my confusion.
"Left Vice Inspector General, nine hundred years! Nine hundred years! Nine hundred ninety-nine!"
"""Nine hundred years! Nine hundred years! Nine hundred ninety-nine!"""
Even inventing "nine hundred years."
These damn lunatics.
What the hell was "nine hundred years"? Why not just "nine hundred ninety-nine"?
'Madmen.'
My head throbbed as I silently stared at Ji Wi-pyeong. You're the leader—rein them in.
But he met my eyes and calmly closed his, as if admitting helplessness.
"Nine hundred years! Nine hundred years! Nine hundred ninety-nine!"
"""Nine hundred years! Nine hundred years! Nine hundred ninety-nine!"""
'Damn it.'
I closed my eyes amid the cheerful "nine hundred years" triple cheer. If it'd been "long live," I could've chalked it up to ignorant civilians running wild. But this specific praise felt oddly off.
Finally escaping the nine hundred years hell, I met Ji Wi-pyeong privately.
"My apologies, my lord. The elders are a bit eccentric."
"A bit?"
Ji Wi-pyeong couldn't refute my instinctive honesty.
"...But they're not malicious at heart."
He was just defending his elders as leader. Touching, if futile. I let it slide. As he said, Baek-su-mun's elders and disciples were quirky, not evil or rude—dancing the line between courtesy and frenzy in their madness.
"My lord."
"Speak."
"We of Baek-su-mun, myself included, chose coexistence with beasts for the realm's peace and the people's happiness. We're all beast-lovers, and as such, we love the realm and—"
"Enough."
I raised a hand, silencing his pitch. His mouth snapped shut.
"I know Baek-su-mun's noble cause well. No need to worry—rest easy."
"Thank you, my lord."
Relief and joy mixed on his face as he bowed. This was normal. This was how one should react to a Left Vice Inspector General.
Not slamming "nine hundred years" cheers out of nowhere.
"However, Sect Leader."
"Yes, my lord. Speak."
"I hear Baek-su-mun sells beasts to officials."
"Correct. For smooth human-beast coexistence, officials must grow accustomed to them. Selling at fair price ensures they care diligently—value for money. It imprints beasts as an option in Yunnam's policymaking."
A plausible sales rationale. I nodded. These animal maniacs weren't just profiteering.
"What about venomous ones?"
"Of course. Toxicity doesn't change their status as friends."
"Among them, spirit beasts?"
"Sp-spirit... beasts?"
Ji Wi-pyeong gaped, then shot up, bowing frantically.
"My lord! We love beasts, but we dare not defy sacred law! How could we capture spirit beasts without official permission?!"
His desperate plea made me click my tongue inwardly. Pity. With their local influence, I'd hoped they'd secured capture permits from Yunnam's prefect.
'Not quite that established yet.'
True. A new sect without founding merit status wouldn't easily get spirit beast permits.
"Misunderstanding. I just wondered if your beast expertise included spirit beast locations. No doubt on your integrity."
I soothed the trembling man and sat him down. Disappointing, but strong venomous beasts would do...
"Ah, in that case, we know of one."
?
"There's a man-faced gibbon nearby, but..."
I stared blankly at Ji Wi-pyeong's unexpected reply.
'They actually know one?'
These guys would've nabbed it ages ago if permitted.