Survivors from the Secret Passage
Byeol Gae ordered his Beggar Clan disciples to expand the search radius.
If there was a secret passage rather than a hidden chamber within the Ak Family compound, the exit had to lead outside.
He figured that finding the exit would at least give them some clue about survivors.
The search of the Ak Family grounds, inside and out, dragged on for quite some time, yielding a few scattered clues.
"They fired fire arrows. Probably to avoid leaving traces..."
Byeol Gae muttered as he examined the charred remnants of a few arrow shafts.
Infiltrating the grounds and using martial arts inevitably left traces—clues that could aid tracking or expose the attackers' identities.
The Ak Family's isolated location played a role too. It wasn't in a bustling district teeming with people but off in a quiet outskirts area.
In a busy area, even at night, firing fire arrows would have been risky, and a fire wouldn't have burned everything to the ground like this—someone would have noticed and desperately tried to put it out.
"If they shot the fire arrows from afar, they couldn't have checked if anyone was inside."
"Right. So all we can do is hope the family head acted shrewdly and got out in advance."
Byeol Gae said, gazing at the Ak Family ruins.
The search continued until morning broke.
The pitch-black darkness that had shrouded everything began to lift from the distant horizon.
"We found it!"
That single shout blew away the encroaching drowsiness and the stiff ache in the napes of their necks.
What had they found?
No, whatever it was, they could only hope it was a decisive clue.
"We found it!"
"What the hell did you find?!"
Byeol Gae yelled in frustration.
The disciple pointed behind him.
All eyes turned toward the still-dark area.
A multitude of footsteps approached from there.
No way?
They'd hoped for a secret passage exit or escape tracks at best.
Expectations hadn't gone beyond that.
But what emerged far exceeded them.
As the surroundings lightened, the darkness concealing the approaching group slowly peeled away.
The first to appear were Gu Sam's younger siblings.
"Big brother!"
Gu Sam's face, strained from peering anxiously into the gloom, crumpled.
Hearing his siblings' voices unleashed the emotions he'd been holding back.
Tears finally burst from his twisted, pitiful eyes.
"Waaah!"
Sobbing loudly, Gu Sam rushed forward and pulled his siblings into a hug.
"Waaah!"
The siblings, relieved at the sight of him, clung to his chest and wailed in unison.
Behind them, Ak Family members emerged one by one, followed by the Dang Family warriors who had visited.
At a glance, no one seemed seriously injured or dead.
Sighs of relief erupted from all around as people appeared one after another.
"Family head."
The Sword King approached Ak Jung-san.
His face flushed with urgency, Ak Jung-san hurriedly bowed upon seeing him.
"The Sword King is here too."
"What happened? Is everyone safe? Your son?"
"Everyone's unharmed. If not for Byeol Gae, we would've suffered real disaster."
Ak Jung-san then bowed toward Byeol Gae.
"Hoo..."
Ak Jung-san let out a deep sigh, staring at the ashes that had once been his home.
"We saved our lives, but the future looks bleak. We don't even have a place to stay starting today."
"We'll handle that."
Byeol Gae stepped forward.
He planned to scour around for a suitable spot since they needed shelter immediately.
"You worry about long-term stuff. For now, throw up some temporary shelters nearby. Everyone's exhausted."
"Got it. Hey, you lot!"
Byeol Gae called in the scattered Beggar Clan disciples.
"Time to do what you're good at. It'll suck, but gather everything usable—pillars, roofing, the works—and build some shelters."
At his command, the disciples scattered.
It was a relief everyone was safe, but the real work was just beginning.
"Family head. I know you're tired and distraught, but I'd like to hear the full story."
"Of course. I'll tell you everything."
"Let's move over there first."
The Sword King, Byeol Gae, and Woo-gang gathered a short distance from the group.
"Talk."
"Yes. Two days after Byeol Gae and his disciple left, people from the Dang Family arrived, just as you said."
Ak Jung-san began recounting everything.
"That poison practically doesn't exist in the world, so it can be treated."
"Ha..."
Ak Jung-san sighed deeply.
"The issue is transport. Getting to Sichuan in this state won't be easy..."
"Use a carriage?"
"Carriages are a given, but we'll need to monitor his condition en route and adjust. Even healthy people struggle with long trips; poisoned ones more so. Lots of prep needed."
"Tell us what you need. We'll prepare anything."
"Understood. I'll list what's required—get those ready."
Dang Cheon-yong jotted down the necessities right there and handed them to Ak Jung-san.
It was a hefty list; tough to assemble in a day or two.
"We'll let you know when it's ready."
"No rush. He's poisoned but stable if he avoids overexertion."
"Got it."
Ak Jung-san paused at the door, paper in hand.
"Oh, one more thing."
"Yes?"
Ak Jung-san relayed what Byeol Gae had told him two days prior.
Dang Cheon-yong's expression grew grave.
"Better prepare just in case. We'll handle your son from the Dang Family side, so you look after your household."
"Understood. I hope it doesn't come to that, but..."
"Thorough prep never hurts."
Dang Cheon-yong replied with a faint smile.
Afterward, Ak Jung-san quietly gathered trusted retainers and briefed them in secret: if worst came to worst, evacuate everyone safely.
They nodded with tense but resolute faces.
Two days later.
The dreaded event unfolded.
Just past midnight, as darkness fully settled.
A frantic shout rang out.
"Fire!"
The entire Ak Family erupted in chaos.
Dozens of fire arrows rained from somewhere, embedding in buildings everywhere.
Flames spread instantly, engulfing the structures.
"Stay calm, everyone!"
Ak Jung-san rallied his people like a true family head.
The forewarned retainers and warriors reassured and guided the household.
Dang Cheon-yong and the Dang warriors carefully escorted Ak So-cheon outside.
"To the secret passage. It's caught fire there too—warriors, clear the way first."
Ak Family warriors forged ahead at Ak Jung-san's command, followed by terrified non-martial retainers.
Thanks to prior preparations, everyone escaped unharmed into the secret passage.
They lingered there long, watching for danger, before cautiously emerging at dawn—and running into the searching Beggar Clan disciples.
"Well done. You seemed unreliable those few days you stayed, but this time you acted like a proper family head."
Ak Jung-san managed a weary smile at the Sword King's words.
No situation to bask in praise.
"Glad everyone's safe, especially your son Ak So-cheon. Their outrage means the poison used on him is a key clue linking to them."
"Yes. Byeol Gae said the same."
The Sword King glanced at Byeol Gae, then looked away.
"Priorities: shelter for the Ak household and safely escorting Ak So-cheon to the Dang Family."
"Like I said, I'll handle shelter, but it'll only be temporary."
Byeol Gae said.
Woo-gang, who had been listening silently, spoke up.
"Tell the Murim Alliance."
The Sword King eyed him in surprise at the words from Woo-gang's mouth.
"Isn't that what the Alliance is for in times like this? I still can't forgive what they did to me, but it's their only refuge."
"True enough."
"And for Ak So-cheon... we can go together—no big issue. We were heading to Sichuan anyway before turning back."
The Sword King nodded approvingly.
After the Murim Alliance ordeal, Woo-gang had matured through reflection and experience.
"Right. We'll do that. You request Alliance aid, Byeol Gae."
"Knew it. Fine."
Byeol Gae nodded readily.
"And the Clan'll watch over the Ak Family for now."
"Brother, I'm Beggar Clan too. I got that covered."
Byeol Gae grumbled at the Sword King's nagging, despite being over fifty.
"Got it, you punk."
The Sword King chuckled and turned to Ak Jung-san.
"Ready to depart for Sichuan?"
"Carriages are set, but some requested supplies burned. Need to replace them—can't leave right away."
The Sword King frowned slightly.
"Dang Cheon-yong, come here."
Dang Cheon-yong, checking on Ak So-cheon, hurried over.
"Long time. Sorry, no greetings earlier—too hectic."
"Skip it. Times for formality vary. Anyway, tough to head to Sichuan now?"
"We can leave, but the full trip's a strain."
"Then go now. Alert the Dang Family ahead—they'll meet us. Right?"
"Ah, yes. That works."
The Sword King looked to Ak Jung-san.
"Carriages?"
"Due at the main gate by morning. No issue."
"Good. Just need horses for me and Woo-gang."
"Tell the drivers to bring two—easy."
The Sword King nodded.
"With you along, worries ease a lot. And this young man Woo-gang..."
Dang Cheon-yong asked cautiously, glancing at Woo-gang.
"Yeom Woo-gang. The one called Flame King is my grandfather."
"Ah!"
Dang Cheon-yong had heard Flame King's disciple was at the Murim Alliance.
"Pleased to meet you. I'm Dang Cheon-yong, brother of the current Dang Family head."
"Likewise."
"Greetings later. Handle cleanup."
They exchanged brief hellos, and the Sword King wrapped it up.