Chapter 108: You Are the Great Dao
Won Seung handed over the letter of accusation, and Jeong Gu-in let out a gasp of admiration.
"Ah, to think Young Master Pung has such a burning sense of justice... I'll make sure to inform the Taesu."
"No need to mention it. These bandits are trying to plunge Sangyang into chaos, so I just hope you'll track down their identities and root out whoever's pulling the strings behind them. And this is a painting for the Taesu."
Won Seung passed over the tube containing the scroll and subtly slipped an envelope stuffed with a banknote into Jeong Gu-in's hand.
Won Seung had known since he was very young that the occasional banknote was like sweet rain to officials scraping by on meager salaries.
Jeong Gu-in's face lit up.
This was hitting the jackpot—earning merit and coin while just lying in bed. Talk about luck falling from the sky.
"Young Master Pung's loyalty... I'll be sure to pass it on."
Won Seung accepted Jeong Gu-in's farewell and promptly left the Taesu Office.
His next stop was Cheongsu Gate.
"Hmm. Why are all these people crowding around?"
Won Seung was startled as he stepped down from the carriage.
The plaza in front of Cheongsu Gate was packed with mourners stretching as far as the eye could see.
Hwa Cheon-baek and Hwa Cheon-gang—the first and second lords—had both passed away within a single day.
Though Cheongsu Gate had drawn public scorn these past few months over their ties to the Yong family descendant, news of Hwa Cheon-gang's bold and fiery death had stirred admiration, drawing throngs of Sangyang locals to pay their respects.
Of course, plenty more were just showing face to the city's overlords.
As Won Seung pushed through the crowd, someone grumbled.
"Hey, who do you think you are, cutting in line?"
Before Won Seung could respond, the warrior who'd once adjusted his topknot appeared out of nowhere and bellowed.
"This is Cheongsu Gate's honored guest!"
All eyes turned to the young scholar.
And then...
"I know that scholar. He's the one who hosted the Three Powers Martial Meet draw."
"Yeah, the guy from Baekhwa Pavilion."
As recognition spread, Won Seung smoothly covered his face. The ingrained habits of assassin training were terrifyingly reflexive—he instinctively shunned exposure.
Even so, he shrugged inwardly.
Am I one of Sangyang's notables now? This is... a real hassle.
Won Seung lit incense at the funeral halls for Hwa Cheon-baek and Hwa Cheon-gang, paying his respects to the departed.
I came to kill Hwa Cheon-gang, and now here I am burning incense at his bier...
The ways of the world were unpredictable.
"Thank you for coming."
Hwa U-cheon, the chief mourner, expressed his gratitude to Won Seung with bloodshot eyes.
Cousin, isn't this just what you're supposed to do?
Won Seung grumbled inwardly but bowed to the chief mourner.
After paying his respects, Won Seung went to find Hwa Yeo-wol.
She was sitting by the garden pond.
Her vibe's totally different.
Ever since learning her father and uncles were the villains behind the Yong family tragedy, Hwa Yeo-wol had been tormented inside.
Yesterday's Three Powers Martial Meet had revealed new truths, and with Hwa Cheon-gang taking responsibility by ending his own life, she'd grieved deeply—yet also felt the world's insidious cruelty and stern justice to her bones.
She was no longer the seventeen-year-old girl dreaming of jianghu romance.
Won Seung sat beside her.
Sometimes silence was the way to comfort.
Even as mosquitoes bit in broad daylight, Won Seung endured stoically.
But why weren't they biting Yeo-wol?
Did the damn things play favorites?
"......"
As the two stared silently at the pond, Byeok Gyo-un entered through the moon-shaped gate.
Byeok Gyo-un, who'd suffered internal injuries from the Daisan clash, looked pale. The death of his trusted uncle Yang Gwan had deflated him somewhat, stripping away his usual arrogance.
He'd come looking for Hwa Yeo-wol, but upon spotting Won Seung beside her, he scowled, glared for a moment, and turned away.
Why didn't that bastard die?
Daisan should've just cleaved him in half.
A moment later, Hwa Yeo-wol's red lips parted.
"I'm thinking of joining Geom Yak Jong."
Won Seung jolted upright, nearly tumbling into the pond.
"What the hell are you talking about?"
Geom Yak Jong? That place was deep in the barren mountains of Geom Mountain. Why retreat to some desolate peak?
What about our promise to roam the jianghu together? Changing your mind overnight?
That was the immature Hwa Yeo-wol up until yesterday... I've come to understand now.
Understand what?
Their eyes conversed, and Hwa Yeo-wol spoke calmly.
"With my uncles gone all at once, and my cousins still far from true mastery..."
So you're joining Geom Yak Jong to become a master yourself?
Won Seung shook his head.
"Mastery doesn't come overnight. By the time you train there... you might come back an old granny."
"Five Dosanrim masters died here. If they come for revenge, Cheongsu Gate will be uprooted."
"They struck first. Who's to blame if they died in the process?"
He said it, but Won Seung understood her reasoning.
Word of Dosanrim's five butchers being slaughtered at Cheongsu Gate would spread through the jianghu... and Dosanrim's face would hit the dirt.
Sangyang was a massive city, yet to many it still felt like a backwater. Won Seung himself had only come to appreciate it during his recent "internship."
Part of it was the shadow of ancient metropolises like Luoyang and Kaifeng nearby, diluting its spotlight—but mainly, as a city that had boomed suddenly along the Sang River trade routes, it hadn't yet earned the recognition.
To the martial world, it was like nobodies running a dockside gang in some podunk town had smashed five of Dosanrim's elites.
Dosanrim had no choice but to punish Cheongsu Gate.
"It's not just that. I've had a realization this time."
So you'd figured out that in the jianghu, might makes right?
No one had dared even whimper against Kwon-wang's rampage—they'd all just trembled. Yeo-wol had seen it too.
Won Seung said, "Geom Yak Jong isn't that impressive a sect. There are far better places. And training depends on the individual. Even famed sects don't churn out masters on demand."
"Geom Yak Jong is the origin of our Cheongsu Swordsmanship. It's the fastest path. And... I've seen it clearly now."
Hwa Yeo-wol acknowledged Byeok Gyo-un's Moonlight Three Returns at least.
If he'd reached perfection instead of just great attainment, even Daisan might've fallen.
Won Seung's chest tightened.
"I've got your back. Just trust me."
He thumped his chest. He couldn't send Hwa Yeo-wol into harsh mountains over Dosanrim's threats.
She had no idea how grueling mountain life was... A city girl like her wouldn't last.
Hwa Yeo-wol was the first woman to buy him a drink.
Thanks to that sweet rice wine, he'd tasted life's sweetness. Watching her abandon sweet brews for bitter roots in the wilds? That wasn't righteous.
Her eyes said: And what makes you worth trusting?
"You saw it. I'm pretty damn good with flying blades, right? Planning to found my own flying blade sect soon. A few volleys and I can handle Dosanrim's elites."
"I appreciate your help. But Dosanrim has far superior masters beyond those who came this time."
"Weren't those guys Dosanrim masters?"
Hwa Yeo-wol shook her head.
"Father said they're just outer sect disciples. The real masters are in the inner sect. If you ever face one, don't even think of pulling out your flying blades. If they learn you were there, they'll kill you on sight."
"Hmm, but I was masked. No one knows. Just you forget about it."
"I'll keep our promise to roam the jianghu. But first, I'll become a master."
"Yeah... a master."
Martial arts had no end—the deeper you delved, the more your shortcomings glared.
At this rate, they'd be touring the jianghu as white-haired elders.
No good. I need to hash this out with Hwa Cheon-un. Family vendettas are for the men to settle. Sending a woman to the mountains isn't right.
"Yeo-wol, we really need to leave Sangyang now. I'll be back soon... wait for me till then."
Hwa Yeo-wol gazed at him steadily.
Her eyes burned with unyielding resolve.
"If you want me, come to Geom Mountain."
When a woman set her mind, it was final...
Won Seung went to find Hwa Cheon-un.
Hwa Cheon-un was in his receiving hall, greeting Sangyang's notables who'd come to pay respects.
When Won Seung requested an audience, the guard at the door went in to report, then beckoned him.
"He's granting entry."
As Won Seung entered the hall, the people seated on either side turned to stare. Among them was Do Woo-ryang, hall master of Hajeong-gwan and co-host of the Three Powers Martial Meet.
These must be Sangyang's Twenty-Eight Luminaries.
Ogu had mentioned there were twenty-eight powerhouses in Sangyang, dubbed the Twenty-Eight Hosts: the Black Dao's Ten-Man Council, Sangyang's twin tyrants, and sixteen leaders of major and minor sects or lone peak experts.
Of the sixteen, four including Gongsin of Unjeongbang allied with Gwancheonbang to form the Gwancheon Five Comrades; the six who mingled with Cheongsu Gate were called the Cheongsu Seven Allies.
The remaining six belonged to no faction, banding together as Sangyang's Six Heroes.
The Cheongsu Seven Allies were all gathered here.
"Excuse me while I share a cup of tea with this guest."
Hwa Cheon-un sought their understanding and led Won Seung to the inner chamber.
Maids brought tea.
As Hwa Cheon-un poured, he said, "My thanks for your help last time."
He first praised Won Seung's role in capturing Daisan.
"I'll get straight to it. Could the Won family back Cheongsu Gate?"
"......"
This wasn't the conversation he'd come for...
Won Seung scratched his head.