Chapter 109. Shooting the Sun, Piercing Heaven
Hwa Cheon-un realized, upon seeing the experts dispatched from Seongwangbu this time, that the Sang River had already been dragged into the power struggles of the capital's elite.
Unless it was a typhoon he could simply ignore by turning away, he resolved to step forward aggressively.
Hwa Cheon-un's expression was grave beyond measure. With Hwa Cheon-baek and Hwa Cheon-gang dead, Cheongsu Gate was now his to protect.
In a somber voice, Hwa Cheon-un continued.
"My brother sacrificed himself for the sect and its future generations."
Hwa Cheon-gang taking responsibility for the Peng family lord's death through ritual suicide was an extraordinary act.
Yet beneath it lay other reasons. Having fully opened his Conception and Governor vessels to reach the pinnacle of Ultimate Peak, Hwa Cheon-gang had been on the verge of True Realm. But in this battle, he'd lost an arm, had his side pierced, and suffered severe damage to his primal energy—making ascension to True Realm a distant dream.
Should Dosanrim's experts arrive, he wouldn't be able to handle even one. Thus, he chose death to safeguard Cheongsu Gate. His suicide bought time to investigate the Peng family tragedy and his father's murder, while preserving Cheongsu Gate's reputation in Sangyang's martial world, laying a foundation for Hwa Cheon-un to plan for the future.
A sect's rise and fall hinged not just on its experts, but on public perception—an undeniable pillar. Had Cheongsu Gate shouldered the blame for the Peng family massacre, warriors would have fled, trade partners vanished, and collapse would have followed inevitably.
Now, Sangyang's people, forgetting past condemnations thanks to Hwa Cheon-gang's suicide, sympathized with Cheongsu Gate. That was why the Seven Bridges of Cheongsu had gathered here, attuned to the shifting tide of opinion.
"So what would I have to fear now?"
Hwa Cheon-un stated his intent clearly.
Won Seung pondered briefly before speaking.
"I have somewhere to go for a bit. I'll tell you when I return."
Hwa Cheon-un nodded silently.
He's going to ask his father, right? That seemed to be his thought.
"One thing I'd like to ask."
"What is it?"
"The Taesu and the Gate Lord... no, just the Gate Lord now. I know you share an unusual bond. But why is the Taesu protecting Gwangeonbang?"
Hwa Cheon-un met Won Seung's eyes with an impassive gaze and replied.
"The Taesu takes no one's side. He's not the type to let personal ties ruin official duties. He sees himself as the father and mother of Sangyang's people."
"That's a dangerously bold notion. The Emperor wouldn't approve."
"For Sangyang's folk, it might be a stroke of luck. Officials with such hearts are rare."
Hmm. So the Taesu hates anyone monopolizing the Sang River.
Won Seung felt he'd gleaned key information.
'The Shipowners Association is practically a monopoly. The Taesu must despise them.'
Won Seung got to the point of his visit.
"Are you sending Yeo-wol to Geom Yak Jong?"
Hwa Cheon-un stared at him wordlessly.
His eyes said: What's it to you, meddling in family affairs?
No, Gate Lord. We fought side by side. You even asked me to back Cheongsu Gate. Don't look at me like that.
Hwa Cheon-un finally spoke.
"Go back now."
Ah... this is why you secure payment before helping.
Hwa Cheon-un was washing his hands of it clean.
Furious at Hwa Cheon-un's cold shoulder, Won Seung headed straight for Gwangeonbang.
Gwangeonbang, having lost its leader twice in a row, teetered on the brink of collapse, scattered and demoralized.
Thankfully, Elder Pyeong In-gang held the fort; otherwise, they'd have looted the warehouses, grabbed their shares, and fled long ago.
Won Seung paid respects at Cheon Il-hae's funeral bier, then sought out Pyeong In-gang.
Pyeong In-gang was with Gwan Cheon-o-u as well.
With Sangyang's twin powers shaken and Gwangeonbang suffering massive losses, Gwan Cheon-o-u had gathered to deliberate countermeasures.
Bangju Gong Shin of Unjeongbang scowled at Won Seung's arrival.
He still saw Ogu, the Baekhwa Pavilion manager, as the ringleader of some painter-scholar rabble.
"Where's your master? Why are you strutting around?"
'Now I get why this old fool's stuck cleaning docks. Can't tell shit from bean paste.'
Ignoring Gong Shin, Won Seung handed a document to Pyeong In-gang.
Pyeong In-gang read it, then stood with a flustered look.
"I need to speak with Painter Feng privately. Please continue without me."
He led Won Seung to an inner tearoom.
Alone, Pyeong In-gang widened his eyes and demanded.
"What is this?"
What? Trying to intimidate me?
Not snapping out of it? Think I'll back down?
Won Seung met his pressure head-on.
"A document sealed by Bangju Cheon Il-hae. Contracts don't vanish just because someone's gone, right?"
"Urgh..."
Pyeong In-gang reread the document.
It promised Won Seung a 200,000 nyang stake in the Northern Wharf Labor Syndicate upon the tripartite duel. Cheon Il-hae's personal seal left no room for doubt.
"Why on earth would Bangju Cheon make such a bet?"
Pyeong In-gang eyed Won Seung curiously.
Won Seung explained step by step: the bet with Gu Ja-ang, Cheon Il-hae's guarantee.
"Hmm. But the leader's seat is vacant now."
As Pyeong In-gang tried to stall, Won Seung glared.
"Think carefully. I'm just the proxy—the real party to this contract is someone else."
"Who?"
"Recall that dawn... why Gwangeonbang folk survived."
"Ah!"
It hit Pyeong In-gang. Arrows raining like downpour that dawn... yet Gwangeonbang had withdrawn with relatively light losses.
'The Taesu?'
Won Seung winked.
Exactly.
'Urgh...'
"Understood. I'll handle it promptly."
"Entrust it to Baekhwa Pavilion in Sangyang's ledger office. They'll take care of the rest from above."
Won Seung kindly explained the proxy method and left Gwangeonbang.
Now, mostly done?
No need to meet Deung Noya yet. Dealing with that old serpent required preparation.
Won Seung went to Ogu, recuperating at a Gong family safehouse.
Ogu was conscious but couldn't move properly.
He lay on the bed, greeting Won Seung.
"Eat this."
Won Seung offered his own refined Mysterious Healing Pill.
"Guh!"
Ogu, the tearful man reborn from near-death, teared up again at another brush with revival... now automatically.
Won Seung clicked his tongue. Ogu's beauty, marred by tears... heartbreaking to watch.
"Stop crying... listen well."
Won Seung recounted recent events.
Hearing of Kwon-wang's appearance at the tripartite duel, Ogu recalled the intel sold to Sucheonru.
No way... Kwon-wang a regular customer too?
"...Deung Noya will parade you as Teacher Wu—with fakes, not real paintings. Fake underworld boss and Ten-Man Council leader."
"Got it. After two life debts... black dao it is."
Hmm. What's with that reluctant face? Am I forcing him?
It's a fake, but what power...
"And keep an eye on Jong Bi—make sure she doesn't dive into debauchery."
"Yes."
A boat crossing the Sang River.
"Finally leaving Sangyang."
Leaning on the rail, gazing at the blue waters, fresh emotions stirred. Five months since arriving in beggar rags.
Gained much... and taken more.
Last night, Won Seung had dived into the river, retrieving Gu Ja-ang's hidden black bundle.
Inside: Gu Ja-ang's escape funds—precious gems, oilpaper-wrapped promissory notes, and a sword manual.
"Hmm... Gwangeonbang uses brushes, but where'd Gu Ja-ang get this?"
The nameless manual was thin, mere pages. Just one technique within.
"Sail Gwan Cheon fits it."
From any stance, it ended piercing the foe's throat—a viciously deadly move.
Observing the experts' clash this time left Won Seung deeply impressed.
'Power's what matters most.'
He'd gained Musanggyeol's essence from Yong Jo-un and mastered Sail Gwan Cheon.
'Gotta train it properly on the way.'
Won Seung's gaze turned toward distant Yongssi Pye-ga.
Moments later.
Entering Yongssi Pye-ga, Won Seung bumped into Yong Jo-un carrying fresh white porridge.
"Ahem, ahem."
Sniffing the savory rice scent, Won Seung cleared his throat greedily. Yong Jo-un looked awkward.
"This is for Hyeol Hwa."
"Oh..."
Rumors swirled about white porridge at the duel grounds...
"As expected of Great Hero Yong— a man of his word."
Yong Jo-un delivered the porridge to Hyeol Hwa and emerged.
"Where to?"
Noting Won Seung's travel garb for a long journey, Yong Jo-un asked.
"Business calls—leaving Sangyang for a while."
"I see."
Yong Jo-un had planned to roam jianghu post-duel, seeking duels... but now had to uncover the Peng family arsonists and Hwa Gyo-gyeong's killer.
Stuck in Sangyang for now.
Won Seung pulled out Gu Ja-ang's gem pouch.
"Take this."
Yong Jo-un opened it, eyes widening, then tried returning it.
Won Seung pushed it back with both hands.
"Sell it, fix up the house. Look at this place—falling apart. Consider me the buyer."
"......"
"I told you—my ambition to dominate Sang River starts here."
Yong Jo-un surveyed Yongssi Pye-ga.
Crumbled roof, collapsed stone walls... it pained him each time.
"A true hero accepts selfless aid."
Yong Jo-un smiled.
"Can't win against your tongue. Fine—I'll repair it."
"Buy something tasty too. Fighting on just white porridge?"
Won Seung glanced around.
"No sign of Housekeeper Joo?"
"He returned to the slums. No face to stay. Blames himself for promoting Cheon Il-hae, causing this mess."
"Exposing his identity could be dangerous."
Won Seung recalled Joo Neung and Deung Noya's locked gazes at the duel.
"Slums are safest for him. And he said investigations remain."
"I think Joo Neung knows more but lacked certainty, so he held back."
"He told me outright. Suspects in Hwa Gyo-gyeong's murder, but old case needs verification. Promised updates as he finds clues."
Oh dear... Great Hero Yong. Can't wait for handouts. This ties to your safety... ignoring it?'
Social skills: total failure.
Won Seung warned the naive hero.
"I believe Deung Noya knows much. Many experts died, but he's unscathed. Just minor goons hurt."
Yong Jo-un nodded solemnly.
"That old monster has immense inner power. Rush in, and you won't break even. When probing the past, always watch your back. Assume he's watching."
Yong Jo-un studied Won Seung quietly.
Clever kid. If only that brain went to martial training...
"Practicing Musanggyeol's essence?"
"Of course. Linking yin-yang acupoints every night."