Ripples from the Depths
After the sun had fully risen, the carriage arrived at the Ak Family as scheduled.
The coachman, unaware of the night's events, was visibly stunned by the sight of the Ak Family reduced to ashes.
Yet no one mentioned it outright, and Byeol Gae stepped in to silence any idle curiosity, letting the matter drop.
Once the carriage arrived, the Tang Family warriors carefully loaded Ak So-cheon aboard.
Ak Jung-san watched the scene with eyes brimming with worry.
As they prepared for departure, the horses for Geomwang and Woo-gang also arrived.
"Don't worry too much. The Tang Family will monitor your son's condition en route, and we'll handle any external threats."
Geomwang said this to Ak Jung-san, whose face was etched with concern.
With the Sword King and the Flame King's disciple as escorts, and the Tang Family—the foremost poison experts of the Central Plains—examining his state, there was truly no cause for alarm.
Yet how could a father's heart ever be entirely at ease?
Ak Jung-san forced a smile at Geomwang's words, but it didn't reach his eyes.
Geomwang held back from saying more.
He knew all too well that no words would penetrate now.
Finally, preparations were complete, and the carriage set off under the sturdy protection of those two guardians.
Not long after Woo-gang's group and the carriage carrying Ak So-cheon departed, word of the night's incident reached the Murim Alliance.
The news traveled remarkably fast, thanks to the Beggar Clan's swift movements and the Alliance's vigilant surveillance of Woo-gang's actions.
Sa Ma-gang's expression hardened as he received the report.
Setting everything else aside, an entire martial family in the jianghu had burned to the ground.
It was a grave matter in itself, sharpening Sa Ma-gang's nerves.
"So there are bastards who slipped past both the Beggar Clan and our eyes to pull this off."
"We've already begun investigations. We'll provide immediate support to the Ak Family as well."
"Spare no expense. That's what we've been saving for."
"Understood."
"No casualties?"
"That's what we were told."
Sa Ma-gang let out a small sigh and nodded at Cheopun Danju's reply.
"And Yeom Woo-gang?"
"He's headed to Sichuan with the Sword King. Ak So-cheon, the Ak Family's eldest son, and Tang Family warriors including Dang Cheon-yong are with them."
"Sticking close to the Sword King for quite a while now. Well, with that lineup, ambushes shouldn't be a concern. Still, don't take your eyes off them. In a world where even the Flame King can vanish, anything's possible."
"Understood."
"Report on Ak Family matters as they develop."
"Yes."
After Cheopun Danju finished his report and left the office, Sa Ma-gang stared blankly into space for a moment.
"Are they finally starting to move?"
To detect fish lurking beneath the surface, they had to create ripples with their movements or leap out briefly to reveal themselves.
If they stayed hidden and still, how could one even know they existed, let alone their shape?
In that sense, the Ak Family tragedy was lamentable, but Sa Ma-gang saw it as a fortunate glimpse into fragments of the enemy's true form.
"Is our current strength still not enough?"
Sa Ma-gang murmured again.
In truth, when Dok Go-yeong-mu had come to him after speaking with Woo-gang, warning that the boy's ideas were dangerous...
Sa Ma-gang had been inwardly pleased.
Woo-gang's words and his own convictions weren't so different.
This was why Sa Ma-gang obsessed over the Murim Alliance's prosperity and growth.
To shield the Central Plains from unknown future threats to the jianghu, leveraging the Alliance's formidable power.
That was Sa Ma-gang's belief.
Of course, Woo-gang's views veered more dangerously, as Dok Go-yeong-mu feared.
Sa Ma-gang didn't believe the Alliance should monopolize absolute power.
It was unrealistic, and he knew it could invite greater calamity.
But he thought Woo-gang's notions could be corrected with guidance.
It even seemed like a foundation for a longer alliance with the boy.
Though things had gone awry in the end.
So Sa Ma-gang hadn't given up on Woo-gang yet.
Let him roam free, experience the world a bit more, and he'd come to understand the Alliance's purpose.
'The Sword King's the problem.'
The sole obstacle was Geomwang.
He epitomized those who viewed the Murim Alliance with disdain.
With him at Woo-gang's side, his influence was inevitable.
Separating them sooner would be ideal.
But for now, there was no pretext or method to do so.
Sa Ma-gang frowned, lost in thoughts of Geomwang and Woo-gang, before leaving his office.
"How long's it been since you visited Cheonhwa Hall? You usually send for me."
Dok Go-yeong-mu asked, surprised by Sa Ma-gang's unannounced arrival.
Instead of answering, Sa Ma-gang stared into his teacup before speaking.
"I hear the Sword King and Yeom Woo-gang are traveling together."
"I know. Father contacted me the other day asking for money. Said he'd spent too much eating with that Yeom Woo-gang kid."
Dok Go-yeong-mu said it as if it were no issue at all.
"You didn't... ask the Sword King to do anything, did you?"
"Ask? Ha! You know Father better than that. He doesn't move for anyone's requests—especially not mine."
Sa Ma-gang pressed his lips tight at Dok Go-yeong-mu's words.
He knew Geomwang's temperament all too well.
"It's bothering you?"
Dok Go-yeong-mu watched him steadily before asking.
Sa Ma-gang downed his still-hot tea in one gulp, set the cup down, and replied.
"It is. I haven't given up on Yeom Woo-gang yet."
Dok Go-yeong-mu frowned at that.
"Why are you so fixated on him?"
Their gazes locked in the air.
Sa Ma-gang seemed about to answer, then clamped his mouth shut and rose.
Though he got no reply, Dok Go-yeong-mu didn't stop him from leaving.
Geomwang and Woo-gang rode ahead, while the Tang Family warriors flanked the sides and rear.
The two rode side by side ahead of the carriage, much as they always did.
Chatting and laughing at times, turning serious at others, as they headed for Sichuan.
To the eye, neither showed tension or unease.
Perhaps it stemmed from confidence backed by true skill.
The Tang warriors trailing behind inwardly marveled: 'As expected...'
Yet both Geomwang and Woo-gang kept their inner vigilance sharp.
Their senses were honed sharper than ever, alert to every direction.
Thanks to that, the journey proceeded without incident.
Ak So-cheon's condition remained stable, matching the peaceful travel.
They'd feared the Ak Family chaos might worsen it, but so far, no issues.
Though he spent far more time unconscious.
Even when awake, full awareness was a stretch.
The road was long; anything could happen midway.
Above all, unlike at the Ak Family, maintaining his nutrition on the move was key.
With changing climates and terrains, health checks were paramount.
At any rate, the journey started smoothly, and they finally left Shandong Province for Henan.
"Henan has the Shaolin Temple. When discussing the jianghu's strongest sects, Shaolin is never omitted."
"Shaolin..."
"Indeed. But it's not what it once was. Their martial arts are undeniably profound, yet as a Buddhist sect, they shun worldly affairs. Their jianghu activity is virtually nil even now. The longer that lasts, the more their influence wanes."
On the way to Sichuan, Geomwang shared much with Woo-gang.
From sect histories to past events—essentials for navigating the jianghu.
For Woo-gang, lacking such common knowledge, it was invaluable.
"In your view, elder, what's Shaolin's current standing, coldly assessed?"
"Still at their peak."
"Despite no jianghu activity?"
"Evaluations aren't based solely on the present. Many remember Shaolin's past contributions to the martial world. But as time passes and generations shift, opinions will change."
"I'm curious what Shaolin's like."
"If we weren't bound for Sichuan—or some special circumstances—it'd be no trouble to visit. Shaolin aside, Song Mountain's scenery is breathtaking."
Geomwang began describing Shaolin's vistas from memory.
Listening fueled Woo-gang's curiosity about Song Mountain and Shaolin.
"At least within Henan, we can consider it safe. Hard to stir trouble with Shaolin here."
"Relative, not absolute. For true safety, the Murim Alliance might edge it out. But didn't a fake Ak So-cheon infiltrate there?"
Woo-gang nodded at Geomwang's point.
'Who the hell was he?'
The face of the man who'd claimed to be Ak So-cheon lingered vividly.
He could sketch it perfectly if he had the skill.
Now, even that face's authenticity was suspect.
Likely tied to enemy forces, perhaps linked to Siu's disappearance—nothing more was known.
The Alliance was investigating, but seemingly fruitless.
Relations strained or not, they'd have shared any leads.
"Don't drop your guard. Forget safety just because Shaolin's near. Trust only us here. Crises strike when you're careless."
Woo-gang snapped from his reverie at Geomwang's warning.
"I know. It's the biggest lesson I learned at the Alliance."
Geomwang fell silent at Woo-gang's reply.
He knew exactly how the boy had learned it.
'I hope you learn plenty from this too, Sa Ma-gang.'
Geomwang thought of Sa Ma-gang back at the Alliance.