Clash at the Blue Tiger Gates
A few days later, at Hao Mun in Chim-ju.
Thud! The heavy clink of a money pouch hitting the table echoed through the room.
"All silver taels."
"……!"
Jo-jang Jin Yeo-rak's eyes went wide. The weight alone was enough to make anyone swallow hard. In moments like this, you had to show some flair—open your mouth wide and play it up.
"Haha! Welcome, sir. You must've heard the rumors on your way here. Our Hao Mun in Chim-ju is in a league of its own compared to anywhere else. Long tradition, real skills, plenty of men…"
The man cut him off.
"Just make sure the information's solid."
"Right. What do you want to know?"
"A woman from Bo-ta Mun came here two months ago. I need to know if she's still around, where she went, her movements. And what happened while she was here."
Jin Yeo-rak blinked. He had no clue to start with.
"I'll look into it right away. Where are you staying?"
"Don't know yet."
"No worries. I'll have it for you by tonight."
First, take the money. If nothing turns up, stall with some excuse.
The man stood.
"I'll be at Cheon-un Guest House."
"Got it. Won't be long."
"And where's Cheong-ho Bang?"
Jin Yeo-rak's brow furrowed for a split second. This guy's presence wasn't ordinary. If it was about Cheong-ho Bang, he had to probe a little.
"Why you looking for them?"
"Don't want the money?"
"……!"
Money first, always.
A little later, after the man left, Jin Yeo-rak tilted his head.
Should've given him the full rundown?
He'd dropped a hint since it was a big spender—be careful at Cheong-ho Bang. Whether the guy listened or not wasn't his problem.
Still, gotta report it.
Telling Yeon Sa-gu was a must. He'd gotten his ass kicked half to death more than once for slacking.
＊ ＊ ＊
Half a shichen later, at the main gate of Cheong-ho Bang.
Guard Jo-jang Gwak Yang glared fiercely.
"Damn it! Get lost while I'm asking nice. Keep yapping and I'll break something."
"I'm not here to pick a fight. Just need to see her."
"Hey! How many times I gotta say it? This is a black path gang. You know what that means?"
"I do."
"Then you think a gisaeng would live here? Maybe a quick visit, sure."
"Ask inside. That's what I heard."
"Ha! This bastard's really asking for it!"
That's when Yeom Jung-tak, passing by, butted in. The word "gisaeng" and the inexplicable pressure from the stranger pulled him in.
"Who the hell are you?"
Namgung Sahyeon couldn't help a wry smile. A touch of regret.
Should've slipped in quietly.
No choice now. He got straight to the point.
"I'm looking for a gisaeng named Yuseon. Just have some questions. Nothing else."
Yeom Jung-tak's eyes narrowed.
How does he know?
Only the four adopted siblings in Cheong-ho Bang knew Yuseon had been here. And only Jeok Myo-ye knew it was Jin Seo-yeon. They'd grown close while delivering necessities to the shut-in girl, same age and all.
Yeom Jung-tak hesitated, thinking to drag him somewhere quiet. But his body twitched.
A warrior who'd surpassed Jeol-jeong a year ago—his instincts screamed warning.
Not some ordinary punk.
Question first.
"Who are you, anyway?"
Namgung Sahyeon had no intention of making a scene. It wouldn’t do for his tracks to be known—neither for himself nor for Jin Seo-yeon, who filled his heart. Especially not for her to be entangled in even the slightest black path rumor.
He infused his voice with inner energy, speaking low.
"If you knew who I was, it'd be trouble for you too. Just show me in."
If that didn't work, words were done. He'd planned to report to the bangju anyway—just widen the net.
Yeom Jung-tak's face flushed red and purple. Subordinates all around. For his temper, this was restraint.
Beat his ass.
Resolved, his form shot forward like a cannon.
Crack!
A fist unstoppable outside since surpassing Jeol-jeong. Straight for the shoulder and torso—then a chill wind whispered in his ear.
Scree!
Yeom Jung-tak's eyes bulged.
Can't see the hand!
Instinct prickled his nape. Just like from Yeon Sa-gu or the bangju. No—even the bone-chilling killing intent was worse.
Shiver or not, curses flew.
"You son of a bitch!"
The man's impassive face looked like a grinning demon. No thought of clashing now. He leaped back, hastily into guard.
Scree!
A heavy, brutal punch grazed his side.
Whoosh! Thud!
"Gah!"
A yelp escaped. He ducked to save vitals, but the jolt pierced deep. Waist and knees buckled.
Strong one!
Instinct drove him down. Ground was safest. He rolled sideways.
Thud!
Crack-crack!
Dull impacts hammered his back.
Splat!
"Hurgh!"
Agony blurred his vision. An indifferent voice rang in his ears.
“Black path scum are all the same. You’ve gotta beat them before they listen.”
Namgung Sahyeon pinned Yeom Jung-tak's neck with his foot and scanned the surroundings. A chilling smile spread.
"Not coming?"
The frozen stares trembled.
"……."
"Other places, they swarm like dogs. Not here?"
"……Y-you bastard!"
Namgung Sahyeon wagged a finger.
"Yeah. That's more like black path. Hurry up."
The reply came from outside.
"Where's this bonehead dog barking his head off? Gonna gouge that ink from your eyes!"
Snap!
A sonic boom sliced the air from the sword tip. A vertical slash plummeted to cleave Namgung Sahyeon in two.
Shing!
Namgung Sahyeon, turning leisurely, froze. Face rigid.
This!
Storm-like aura exploded with the thought.
Vmmm!
A white flash slashed the void—fierce enough. His form shot like an arrow from the ground.
Killing intent raised every hair. No half-measures.
Snap!
Charging, Namgung Sahyeon's sword danced brilliantly. Short whooshes unleashed chilling sword intent.
Shaa!
Force to split boulders. Sword qi from the tip dazzled the foe's eyes.
Yeon Sa-gu's lips twisted in a sneer.
He acknowledged skill.
"Not just talk, huh."
Namgung Sahyeon's blade was resolute, unhesitating. Years of Maima-dan combat etched into every slice, ripping space.
Shaa! Scree!
At that moment, Yeon Sa-gu's sword surged with blue qi. Air churned like waves.
Shing!
Shock filled Namgung Sahyeon's eyes.
Two cheon sword qi!
Sign of peak Jeol-jeong at least. Then Hao Mun Jo-jang Ma Yeong-gae's words flashed back.
—Don't show off at Cheong-ho Bang if you go.
—...What do you mean?
—Their bangju's supposed to be something else. Don't believe me? Grab anyone and ask. Everyone in Chim-ju knows.
A scoff then, but no bullshit.
Namgung Sahyeon's eyes twitched.
Cheong-ho Bangju!
A foe to unleash full power against. Righteous fury burned—mixed with deep enmity.
Details fuzzy, but.
Whoever hurts Seo-yeon, I won't forgive.
He didn't hide the rage. From what he'd heard in Jeol-gang, it fit.
Seo-yeon's closest dongsaeng Eun Wi-gyeong had spilled reluctantly.
—Sister's not here.
—Not here? Even without competing for Little Sword Princess, attendance is mandatory, right? That's why I reported to Maima-dan and came.
—She reported to the sect and left.
—Where?
—Can't say more. Just know she's gone.
—Tell me where.
—Deputy Commander. Sister returns to Maima-dan after. Meet then.
Namgung Sahyeon couldn't wait. Urgency made him skirt the truth.
—Wi-gyeong. Might not have another chance. Need her now.
—What? Leaving Maima-dan?
—Complicated. You know how I feel about Seo-yeon.
Eun Wi-gyeong knew. They'd lived together in the unit.
After hesitation, she relented. Knowing his sincerity.
—Sister went to Chim-ju.
—Why?
—Something happened by chance. She's apologizing.
—Apologizing? What did Seo-yeon do wrong?
—Minor to some, but she takes it seriously.
—Where to meet?
—Cheong-ho Bang in Chim-ju. Gisaeng named Yuseon. Find her.
“—Cheong-ho Bang? Black path?”
Eun Wi-gyeong cautioned out of worry.
—Yes. But they're not wrong. Just a mix-up.
—...?
That's why he came. But time was short.
Father, thought dead to demons, might live. Chase traces before gone.
Everything rushed.
Subdue first.
He wasn’t familiar with the local scene, but every black path he’d encountered before had been scum. No different here.
Resolve surged qi, swelling sword qi.
Vmmm!
Yeon Sa-gu's eyes widened.
What! This guy!
Near three cheon blue sword qi. His all-out max.
Rushed after Ma Yeong-gae's report, just in case.
Yeon Sa-gu ground his teeth.
Damn it! Bring it!
Had to squeeze every drop. Life-or-death.
No backing down.
Two blue auras clashed mid-air.
Boom!
Kaboom!
Eardrum-shattering blasts scattered qi shards.
Snap! Crack-crack!
Swords intertwined, sparks flew like severed flames.
Dozens of exchanges. Everyone poured out.
Ak Mu-gil, assessing, eyed Jeok Myo-ye. No bangju.
"Better report. Just in case."
"Yes."
Jeok Myo-ye's form blurred toward the dorms. To Jin Seo-yeon.
Scree!
Relentless exchange continued. Dust swirled around their endless charges.
Blade gleams shook earth, surroundings quaked.
Namgung Sahyeon's eyes narrowed. Maima-dan death-line experience warned.
Won't end like this.
Dozens more? Unpredictable. Time for family absolute technique.
Foe looked ready too. Both auras peaked—then.
A swift form intervened.
Scree!
Young woman's shout carried majestic inner energy.
"Stop! Enough!"
"……?"
Both killers halted simultaneously.
Thud!
Glare-locked eyes blanked.
Namgung Sahyeon spoke first, puzzled.
"Seo-yeon?"
The woman's sharpening gaze swept both men.
"What the hell are you two doing? Right now!"
Anxious faces blurted in unison.
"This guy's……."
"This bastard……."
Jin Seo-yeon let out a massive sigh. Obvious without asking.
"Hoo! Let's move first."
"……!"
The two awkward men followed the one woman.