The Son of Heaven's Ferry
Two hundred li southeast of Beijing lay the city of Tianjin. During the Jingnan Campaign, when the Yongle Emperor seized the throne from his nephew, he had passed through this place, earning it the name "the Son of Heaven's Ferry." Though an inland city, Tianjin was also a port, a peculiar distinction owed to its position along the Grand Canal. The vast waterway stretched from Hangzhou all the way to Beijing, and Tianjin sat at its midpoint, serving as the final lock before the capital. Commerce had flourished here since the Yuan dynasty through the canal's transport routes, and when the Yongle Emperor restored the capital to Beijing and refurbished the Grand Canal, Tianjin's prosperity only grew. For the Ming, whose capital sat so far north, the canal was nothing less than a great artery and lifeline. Tianjin, acting as Beijing's harbor, reaped the benefits and rose to become the foremost city of Hebei after the capital itself.
Within that city stood one of the great houses of the martial world—the Paeng family of Hebei, rulers of the northern martial realm.
"Mother, it is your son, Ja-ryeong."
In the innermost chambers of the Paeng estate on the outskirts of Tianjin, a young man announced himself at the door. Paeng Ja-ryeong, the legitimate eldest son of the current family head and the former Little Clan Lord once known as the Tyrant Dragon, waited respectfully.
"Come in, dear."
At his mother's permission, Paeng Ja-ryeong opened the door himself and entered—an act fitting for the young master of a house that disdained empty formalities.
"Mother, today… ah, Ye-ryeong is here as well."
Only upon seeing his youngest sister nestled in their mother's arms did Paeng Ja-ryeong sense the fierce qi radiating from her. That he had failed to notice her presence despite such potent energy spoke to how faint her very existence had become. It also meant the time left to her was growing ever shorter. Paeng Ja-ryeong fought to keep his emotions from showing. If he revealed his distress, both mother and sister would only suffer more for his sake.
He turned his mind to the purpose of his visit.
"We have received word from Uncle and Ha-ryeong."
"Is that so? Are they all safe?"
Through rumors, they had already heard the broad outline of the sealed-gate incident in Muan County. Yet rumors were never as reliable as direct reports from those involved, and the most crucial details had been deliberately omitted. Had the Paeng family maintained its own intelligence network, they could have verified the truth and filled in the gaps, but the imperial court that coiled so close by would never permit such an organization. Thus the Paeng family relied on the Beggars' Union for most of its information.
"Yes. It matches what we heard from the Beggars' Union. There were casualties during the sealed-gate incident, but all were vagabonds. Our Paeng clansmen are credited with leading the effort to break the seal."
"That is a relief."
"She lingered in Beijing without a word, but now she says she is returning."
"Even that child must sometimes wish to travel freely."
Both knew that was not the case. Paeng Ha-ryeong loved her family more than anyone. Yet they spoke this way for the sake of the third person present in the room. Whether the sentiment reached her was another matter.
"Ye-ryeong, would you like to return to your room now? You should prepare to welcome your sister, after all."
Paeng Ye-ryeong nodded and slipped away on light, quick steps. Once she was gone, Paeng Ja-ryeong barely swallowed the sigh that rose in his throat. He could not show weakness before his mother when it concerned Paeng Ye-ryeong. She already blamed herself for the heavenly curse her youngest daughter bore. He would not add to that burden with his own failings.
Paeng Ja-ryeong steadied himself and spoke the true reason he had sent his sister away.
"You remember that Ha-ryeong was gravely injured, Mother."
Sorrow clouded the face of the Paeng matriarch. Her youngest daughter, born frail because of her own shortcomings, and the family members who threw themselves into danger to save her—thinking of them always tore at her heart. The pain was sharper still on days like this, when Paeng Ha-ryeong had nearly lost an arm.
"…Yes."
That single word was all she could manage. It was already a mercy that Paeng Ha-ryeong had survived at all. After a steadying breath, she added, "The Buddha truly watched over her. His boundless compassion must have guided her to a noble benefactor."
The words were those of a devout Buddhist. Knowing how earnestly she offered prayers, Paeng Ja-ryeong felt the sincerity behind them, even if he himself felt little affinity for Buddhism.
"Yet the reports we received contained no information about the benefactor who treated Ha-ryeong."
They had parted ways immediately afterward, and the man had wished to remain hidden, so detailed accounts had been difficult to obtain. Paeng Mu-ho was an upright man who always repaid kindness. Paeng Ha-ryeong, too, had a gentle heart. Had Paeng Ja-ryeong been the one reporting, he would have recorded every detail about the benefactor. But the other two, equally devoted to the family, had chosen a different path—a headlong charge born of gratitude.
"It seems she remained in Beijing after the sealed-gate incident to meet this benefactor. According to Uncle's letter, they succeeded in finding him again."
The report to the main house had come from Paeng Mu-ho rather than Paeng Ha-ryeong. As the son of the previous head and younger brother of the current one, he was recognized as direct bloodline. Though Paeng Ha-ryeong stood higher in the succession, his status and standing remained impeccable.
"And he is coming with them this time."
"The benefactor is coming as well?"
Startled by the unexpected news, she looked ready to rise and prepare to receive a guest. She did not actually stand, only shifting slightly in her seat, but anyone who knew her would have found even that small movement remarkable.
"We must prepare at once to welcome our guest."
"There is no need for concern. The Paeng family is always ready to receive honored visitors. That is not the issue."
The true matter had yet to be spoken. Paeng Ja-ryeong hesitated. He was not certain whether he should voice what came next to his mother. Yet it could not be hidden. Though he served as acting head in his father's absence, his mother was still the matriarch of the Paeng family. She had the right to know.
Paeng Ja-ryeong forced out the words he could scarcely believe himself, yet could not help hoping for.
"It is possible that the benefactor who healed Ha-ryeong may also be able to help Ye-ryeong."
At those words, Moyong Hye—the woman who had come to the Paeng family through a political marriage yet loved it more fiercely than anyone—widened her eyes until they seemed ready to tear. The expression was so like the wide-eyed look Paeng Ha-ryeong often wore that no one could doubt they were mother and daughter. Color rose in Moyong Hye's face as the full meaning of her son's words sank in.
Paeng Ja-ryeong never spoke empty words. Especially not when it concerned his youngest sister.
§
"So this is Tianjin…"
Three days after departing Beijing, Namgung Woo's party arrived in Tianjin. If Beijing had been grand and splendid, befitting the imperial capital, Tianjin possessed a more rugged charm yet overflowed with a vitality that surpassed even the capital. Massive quantities of goods flowed in through the port built along the Grand Canal, drawing merchants, laborers seeking work, and visitors in search of wares. The vibrant energy of so many different people gathered together left newcomers breathless. The Yang twins, and even Namgung Woo—who had once walked far more bustling streets in a distant future—found their heads turning of their own accord.
"Is this your first time in Tianjin?" Paeng Ha-ryeong asked with a faint smile, watching the three of them gawk like country bumpkins newly arrived in the city.
"Yeah. It's even more impressive than I imagined."
"It is the same for us. There is plenty of work here, but Tianjin is too peaceful for my brother and me to prefer it."
"Hm, of course. With the Paeng family present, how could there be any disturbance?" Paeng Mu-ho interjected, his pride in his clan evident.
"Since we're here anyway, let's take a look around Tianjin, Captain," Yang Kvae suggested. Paeng Ha-ryeong answered as if it were the most natural thing in the world.
"Of course. I shall personally guide you through Tianjin, Eungong. With the Paeng name, there is nowhere in Tianjin we cannot go."
"I have always wanted to see the famed Cheonhu Palace of Tianjin. This is perfect."
Though Tianjin was now an inland city, it had once been part of the sea. Even after the land formed through sedimentation, the people of Tianjin continued to worship Mazu, the goddess of the sea, and the Cheonhu Palace was her shrine. Namgung Woo knew of it thanks to Namgung Pung, whose obsession with historical customs had once again proven useful.
"Oh? So the benefactor knows of Lady Mazu's Cheonhu Palace?" Paeng Mu-ho asked, visibly pleased that Namgung Woo showed interest in their hometown.
"Yes, a little."
"Visiting the Cheonhu Palace would be good. Tianjin's commercial district is centered around it. The streets surrounding the palace are essentially all shops."
At Paeng Ha-ryeong's explanation, Paeng Mu-ho eagerly added his own recommendation.
"You must also visit the Jade Emperor Pavilion. It is a Daoist temple built by the Xuande Emperor of the previous dynasty, a pure Daoist sect that does not practice martial arts. I go there myself whenever my inner energy becomes obstructed, to calm my mind and body."
"All of that sounds wonderful, but we should head to the Paeng estate first. We did not come here to sightsee."
"Ahem, the benefactor is correct."
"Do not worry. I sent word ahead, so the main house should already be preparing to receive us—"
Paeng Ha-ryeong stopped mid-sentence. A group of people she knew all too well was approaching from ahead.
"Ha-ryeong!"
At the front of the crowd stood a man known to every member of the Paeng family present.
"Brother?"
"Little Clan Lord?"