Sambong County Stained in Blood
Pung Bichang burst out laughing.
No matter how many times he turned it over in his mind, it was a truly ingenious plan.
Inhak, Vice Branch Master of the Jangan Branch, clapped his hands in approval.
"You truly are our Branch Master."
"And how does Sambong County look right now?"
"According to the news that's just come in, it's in a state of considerable chaos."
"Merely chaos?"
Inhak hurried to elaborate.
"Several clans have already expressed their intent to abandon Sambong County and side with our Jangan Commandery. We're stoking them along—and it seems to be working quite well."
"Is that so?"
"Yes, sir. If not today, then by tomorrow at the latest, the joint petition will arrive."
Pung Bichang burst out laughing once more.
"Good. Very good. Then all that's left is to wait."
"Yes, Branch Master. Everything will unfold exactly as you will it."
The plan was simple.
First, isolate Yi Do completely within Sambong County.
Then, go find him and kill him.
The Asura Sword Sect would hardly be able to protest. Not after everything Yi Do had done.
Truthfully, while friction between the Pacheon Fist Sect and the Asura Sword Sect was frequent, neither wanted things escalating into all-out war.
The martial situation in the Kingdom of Jeok was already tangled enough as it was—two great sects going to war at a time like this? It would be a disaster. Disastrous in every conceivable way. Whichever side won, the loser would be hunted down to the last man, and the victor's losses would be anything but light. Both sects would be all but annihilated, and if that happened, the "Six Great Sects" might well become something else entirely.
Yi Do had crossed the line. He had crossed it long, long ago.
The plan was to create a situation so dire that even the Asura Sword Sect would have no choice but to cast him away. And the final destination of all these machinations—
"……I hear the Pacheon Pavilion will be reshuffling its rankings before long…… Branch Master. Wherever you may go, please don't forget about me?"
At Inhak's words, Pung Bichang roared with laughter.
"Hahahaha, you scoundrel. I might forget the others, but forget you? Whatever position I receive, you will be there beside me. And even if that proves impossible, the Jangan Branch Mastership itself will be yours."
"Haha. If only that much comes to pass, I will bow toward your chambers every single morning."
"Hehehehe. Oh, you……"
Truly, it was a splendid atmosphere.
Every martial artist of the Jangan Branch firmly, unquestioningly believed that this affair would be resolved in the easiest direction imaginable.
And the clan heads of Sambong County were moving exactly as the Jangan Branch expected.
The One Sect, One School, Three Clans—every faction of them except the Un Clan. Then there were the Two Schools and Four Clans, forever coveting the upper clans' seats, along with five fairly prestigious clans besides.
Thus, the heads of fifteen clans in all had gathered in the octagonal pavilion set within the annex grounds of the Plum Blossom Tower.
Won Jugong, head of the Won Clan—one of the Three Clans—was delivering a lengthy speech with grave solemnity.
"The Cruel Demon Yi Do. The things he has done now threaten every one of our lives. Whatever his intentions may have been, he brought about those results—does anyone here truly believe it will end there?"
"Heads of Sambong County, heads of schools—think for a moment. Just how far do you suppose the Cruel Demon's actions will carry him?"
"In the end, his path leads to ruin for us all. To put everything plainly—however strong that man may be, he is still not a martial artist of the Four Realms of Qi Condensation. I do not say this to belittle his realm, mind you. But the Jangan Branch Master is an Ogijowon master. On top of that, the Jangan Branch's soldiers outnumber those of Sambong County several times over—and that imbalance will never change. Why? Because Sambong County's branch numbers a mere two soldiers!"
"I've made my own inquiries: no reinforcements have been dispatched to fill those empty posts. Counting the Branch Master himself, we have three men in total. Yes—three men. What are three men supposed to accomplish? Do you believe these three can protect all of Sambong County? If the Jangan Branch moves against us, the Cruel Demon will be tied down by his duties. And while he is so occupied, the other soldiers will slaughter us—could anything stop them? In my judgment, nothing could. In the end, every one of us will be killed. And afterward? Revenge, or whatever else they promise us—what does any of that matter once we're dead? Am I wrong?"
"I am not chasing clouds. I am telling you plain facts that are about to come to pass. Our esteemed heads of Sambong County, our heads of schools—we must act now. Sign this joint petition and send it to the Jangan Branch. Let us stand together and seek a path to survival."
It was a tedious, self-serving speech, yet a fair number of those present let it pass without objection. Most wore thoughtful, swayed expressions as they listened intently.
Among the several who did not agree with Won Jugong, Hong Chikseo of the Hong Clan spoke up in rebuttal.
"I've heard you out, but this is Asura Sword Sect territory, and Jangan Commandery belongs to the Pacheon Fist Sect. If we sell the Sambong Branch Master out to Jangan Commandery, do you think the Asura Sword Sect will simply sit still?"
"You make me repeat myself. Vengeance after we are all dead means nothing, and in the end Jangan Commandery will rule Sambong County regardless. Together with Jangan's clans, we will seize control of Bibong Mountain and reap enormous profits for years to come."
"How can men who call themselves martial artists join hands with Jangan Commandery? Have you forgotten the warriors of Sambong County that they have slaughtered all this time?"
"One cannot carry a grudge forever. In the end, everything is for the future—and is it not only natural that the few be sacrificed for the many?"
"Aigo……. How can a man who calls himself a martial artist cower and run before the blade even falls?"
Won Jugong let out a contemptuous snort.
"My apologies, but I am not a martial artist. I am a merchant. And even if I were a martial artist—surely living is better than dying? One must survive first to plan for the future, to seize an opportunity when it comes. Of course, Clan Head Hong, you received something from the Cruel Demon, so I suppose that's why you talk this way. But the others gathered here didn't, did they?"
"Fallacy. Whatever you say, I will not agree to it."
"That is Clan Head Hong's prerogative, so I'll say no more about it, but……"
"And another thing. Why is the Un Clan absent from this gathering?"
Won Jugong's brow furrowed slightly.
The Un Clan was unquestionably a prestigious family. They had stumbled somewhat in the wake of Sambong County's massacre, but they still held one of the seats among the One Sect, One School, Three Clans. And yet the gathering had deliberately excluded them and convened without them.
The intent was transparent.
They had excluded the Un Clan because its second son was a soldier of the Asura Sword Sect's Sambong Branch. Looked at another way, it also meant that if this affair succeeded, the Un Clan would be exterminated as a matter of course.
"Everyone here already understands what it means that the Un Clan was left out, so I see no need to answer that. Let me simply say this plainly: Clan Head Hong's circumstances are categorically different from everyone else's at this table."
With that, Won Jugong drew a massive joint petition from his robe and held it aloft.
"It reads as follows."
We, the undersigned, denounce the deeds of the Cruel Demon Yi Do, affirm that his actions have crossed every boundary, and swear that we cannot stand beside him.
Won Jugong spread the petition wide and laid it flat upon the ground.
"Sign your names here, and once this reaches the Jangan Branch, our clear and unmistakable intent will be delivered to them."
Hong Chikseo did not so much as stir. He had no interest in it and no intention of signing. He had not come here to put his name to that kind of nonsense.
Hong Chikseo spoke.
"No doubt my circumstances differ from yours, just as that man says. But on this much, I can speak with certainty. All this time, the clans of Sambong County have turned a blind eye to everything Jangan Commandery has done. When our merchant caravans were slaughtered to the last man, we did nothing but file complaints—we never once mounted an armed response. We never avenged the subordinates of ours who died by their hands. The man who finally did it is the current Branch Master of the Sambong Branch. Every other branch looked away, but he alone acted. If we are to die, he is the only one who would ever avenge us. That is all I have to say."
Hong Chikseo rose from his seat.
"I have no intention of putting my name on that ridiculous petition, so do as you please."
He turned to leave—and then froze mid-step.
This was a private compound. More precisely, it was the octagonal pavilion situated in the most secluded corner of the Plum Blossom Tower grounds, ringed by tall trees with a pond tucked away at its edge. Each clan's warriors stood guard around it, and every clan head was inside the pavilion.
And into such a place.
Three men were now walking in.
The moment Hong Chikseo saw the man leading them, a smile crept onto his lips. He could not help it.
The surrounding warriors did not stop the three. No—they could not.
Hong Chikseo calmly returned to his seat. Just as Won Jugong opened his mouth to say something at this baffling behavior—
the three men ascended into the pavilion.
And at the sight of them, every soul present sucked in a breath.
Yi Do.
He walked over in silence and picked up the petition lying on the ground.
Everyone was baffled.
How was Yi Do here at all?
Hadn't he gone to the main sect? Even if he'd rushed the journey, it should have taken at least four days. How, in barely two……
Having read the petition, Yi Do lifted his head.
"Well, well. What a spectacle."
He flung the petition he was holding back down onto the ground.
"Anyone care to sign?"
"……"
"I'm an uninvited guest, so carry on as you were. Whoever wants to sign may sign. Whoever doesn't may simply wait."
Silence fell. No one could bring themselves to speak.
Won Jugong was no different. And yet—to Won Jugong, this was an opportunity.
If he could lead this affair and thereby establish ties with Jangan Commandery, he could aim not merely at the One Sect, One School, Three Clans—but beyond them.
The gamble had already begun. There was no stopping now.
"……Might I be permitted a word, Branch Master of Sambong?"
"Go ahead."
"We had no choice, sir. The great Pung Bichang of Jangan Commandery and his soldiers are coming to cut our throats—is there any path open to us but this one? And frankly, your own conduct as Branch Master was excessive, wasn't it?"
"Continue."
"We aren't selling you out, Branch Master—we're only trying to live. I ask for your understanding. Frankly, Jangan Commandery's power is enormous. Their government troops, their martial clans—we have no means of opposing any of it."
Yi Do said nothing.
Won Jugong closed his mouth as well.
"Is that everything you have to say?"
"……For now…… yes."
"Pathetic. There's no other word for it."
Won Jugong's brow twitched. Yi Do went on.
"A sword from far away barked once, and you waver like this. It's almost astonishing to watch."
"……If you've come to persuade us, then by all means, speak."
Yi Do chuckled.
"I did not come here to persuade you."
"……Pardon? Then why have you……"
"Un Dohyeon."
"Yes, my lord."
"What businesses does the Won Clan own?"
"Two pawnshops, one smithy, and three merchant caravans running between Yeon State and the Kingdom of Jeok."
"I see."
What followed left everyone utterly stunned.
Stunned twice, to be precise.
First, they were stunned that Yi Do drew the Cloud Dragon Sword. Second, they were stunned that he used it to behead Won Jugong.
Swish.
The sound rang out like a thunderclap.
Thud—Won Jugong's headless body toppled to the floor.
"Today, then, two pawnshops, one smithy, and three merchant caravans find themselves without an owner."
The moment the assembled heads grasped what those words meant, a silent gasp went around the pavilion.
Yi Do turned his head.
"Who is Jeon Sangjin of the Jeon Clan?"
Un Dohyeon answered not with words this time, but with action. He seized the hair of a middle-aged man swallowing nervously in the corner and dragged him bodily before Yi Do.
"This one."
It was just as before.
Yi Do's Cloud Dragon Sword cleaved through his skull.
"The Jeon Clan's businesses, too, lose their owner today. Who is Sun Bangjin of the Sun Clan?"
Myeong Hyeon, who had been watching from behind, heaved a sigh, grabbed the hair of another middle-aged man trembling in the corner, and tossed him at Yi Do's feet. Yi Do's Cloud Dragon Sword took the man's head.
"The Sun Clan's businesses also find themselves without an owner, then."
Having flicked the blood from his blade, Yi Do swept the room with frigid eyes. Everyone held their breath.
"You've all heard the lesson, I trust—that anything carelessly scooped up will give you a bellyache."
Yi Do's voice, pleasant to the ear even amid the suffocating silence, rippled softly through the pavilion.
"Those who received a verbal promise that they would be helped to rule Sambong County hereafter, along with a modest sum of money from the Pacheon Fist Sect—they are the ones who just died. Even if you only wavered for a moment at such men's honeyed words, I would have let it pass once. From this moment on, consider this your final chance."
Yi Do drove the Cloud Dragon Sword into the floor and continued slowly.
"From now until I finish speaking, ask no questions. If you ask a question, I will kill you without fail. Save your questions for afterward. Am I understood?"
"Y-yes!"
"Sambong County is Asura Sword Sect territory. And yet within that territory, you would dare sell an Asura Sword Sect man to Jangan Commandery? If that happens, whatever situation unfolds, I will kill each and every one of you first."
"……"
"I will exterminate your clans, put your households to the sword, and divide your businesses among those who kept faith."
The sound of dry gulping echoed from every corner of the room.
"But seeing this affair, it seems simple words are not enough to secure trust. Un Dohyeon."
"Yes, my lord."
"Bring it out."
Un Dohyeon hurried to Yi Do's side and drew a massive bundle of paper from inside his coat, handing it over.
It was a joint petition—the same kind Won Jugong had laid down earlier. The contents, of course, were different. This one declared its signatories' intent to share their fate with the Asura Sword Sect.
"Prick your own blood and press your thumbprint here."
The meaning was simple.
"It means you will share your destiny with the Asura Sword Sect. Only those who press their prints here will be protected by the sect. And those who do not will end up like those three men over there."
"……"
"Lest any dullards be present, let me elaborate: all the businesses those three men owned will pass into the hands of those who press their prints. Choose wisely."
Yi Do tossed the petition down. Without a moment's hesitation, Hong Chikseo of the Hong Clan stepped forward, drew blood from his own hand, and pressed his thumbprint down firmly.
That was only the beginning.
The great majority of school heads present pressed their thumbprints onto that page as well.
Their number came to a full ten.
Yes—ten.
Three of the fifteen had died.
That should have left twelve palms. There were ten.
Yi Do's gaze settled on a man keeping his eyes shut tight.
The head of the Pure Sword School—one of the One Sect, One School, Three Clans.
"Something to say?"
"I do."
"Fine. Save it, and say it when you get to the underworld."
"……Pardon?"
The Pure Sword School's head had much he wanted to say. He had received money from the Jangan Branch, and like Won Jugong, a promise that his clan would be raised into Sambong County's preeminent family hereafter.
He had wanted something tangible in return. Not vague pledges about sharing a destiny or businesses granted to the faithful—something concrete and guaranteed.
But it was greed beyond his station.
Yi Do's left hand seized him by the hair. His body lifted off the ground. Yi Do's outstretched right hand—
Crack—!
He crushed his throat outright.
Yi Do turned his head.
The last one remaining.
The head of the Hwang Clan—one of the Two Schools, Four Clans.
"I—I'll do it. I merely…… hesitated for a moment……!"
Yi Do asked.
"The name of the Hwang Clan was on the list of those promised rewards behind the scenes by Pung Bichang. You are the Hwang Clan's head, aren't you?"
"……I…… I am, but a promise, you say…… I know nothing of any……"
For all his denials, both his eyes were trembling without pause. What more was there to know?
Yi Do's Cloud Dragon Sword swung.
Sshhhk.
The Hwang Clan's head was split clean in two.
Un Dohyeon handed the petition to Yi Do. Running his gaze down the pressed thumbprints, Yi Do smiled gently.
"Good. Though—do any of you really have time to stand around here?"
Yi Do's eyes swept the room.
"More than ten businesses lost their owners today. Shouldn't you all be going to claim them?"
At those words, everyone except Hong Chikseo shot up from their seats.
"I, ah, suddenly remembered some urgent business…… I'll take my leave first."
"Me as well……"
"Now that I think of it, today is a memorial day in my family……"
"I must be going too……"
One after another, they fled the annex. Left alone, Hong Chikseo spoke to Yi Do.
"Don't take it too much to heart. They are fools through and through."
"Clan Head Hong."
"Yes."
"No greed for the businesses?"
"It would be a lie to say none. But there is something more important than that, isn't there?"
"And what would that be?"
Hong Chikseo took up a formal, cupped-fist salute.
"Thank you. Thank you for accepting us."
"That's enough of that."
"Do not worry yourself, my lord. I know it must sound absurd, coming from a man like me…… but even if our Hong Clan were exterminated tomorrow, we would stand by you and cheer you on regardless."
"You may come to regret it."
"Hehehe. I am rather old, you see. Something I've learned from living this long: in the end, life is a wave. There are times to rise and times to fall, and then, in time, one rises again—is that not simply the course of living?"
For the first time in a long while, Yi Do laughed.
"You look good when you smile. Then I'll take my leave."
Yi Do nodded. Hong Chikseo departed.
Yi Do handed the petition he was holding to Un Dohyeon.
"Cleanly resolved."
Myeong Hyeon and Un Dohyeon both marveled.
That day.
Sambong County ran red with blood.