Chapter 134: The Year Has Already Changed
Won Seung had no intention of seeking salvation. He'd only hear stuffy Buddhist sermons if he went in. He tried to slip past quietly, but the temple door burst open.
As Won Seung stepped inside, an elderly monk sat on a straw mat, peering his way. He wasn't large-framed, but his cheeks were plump and his body rotund.
Won Seung muttered inwardly.
'How does he stay that chubby just eating grass? There must be a cartload of hidden meat stashed in this temple.'
The monk's mouth worked beneath his doughy cheeks.
"You're younger than I thought. You're the one muttering about walking the path of blood right in front of here?"
Won Seung straightened his face and replied.
"I wasn't muttering out loud. It just slipped from my thoughts without me realizing. And I didn't say anything about paths of blood or whatever. I was just pondering what the warrior's path really means. No need to save my soul, monk—get some early rest."
"It's all the same thing. Muttering in front of the temple at night is no different from bellowing before an army, and the warrior's path is just the killer's path in the end, isn't it?"
The monk bellowed, and Won Seung sighed.
"Monk, even Shaolin monks slaughter bandits now and then."
"That's accumulating good karma. We have to send those scoundrels to reincarnation as soon as possible for the world to find peace."
Eh? This old monk's got some progressive thinking? But if I do it, I'm a killer, and if Shaolin does it, they're saving the world?
"I'm thinking of rooting out those scoundrels myself."
"And how would you know who's a scoundrel and who isn't?"
"Even a three-year-old child knows right from wrong."
"Tsk. You're the type to fall into blind judgment. Even this old man, at my age, can't always discern what's right and wrong."
The monk clicked his tongue.
"That's because you've been holed up in your cell, monk. Step out into the world—you'll see plenty worth killing."
Won Seung hurried out of the temple grounds.
"Insolent brat! Stand still!"
The monk's voice chased after him, but he quickened his pace and returned.
It was just after the 108 prostrations ended, and people were streaming back, crowding the guesthouse. Im Cho-ye was glancing around anxiously. She was looking for Won Seung, who wasn't in sight. She'd come to rely on him before she knew it.
There were many women among those doing the prostrations, but young Im Cho-ye stood out strikingly among them.
Won Seung let out a deep sigh. He'd picked up a peerless beauty with a supreme manual. But this situation was anything but welcome.
Spotting Won Seung, Im Cho-ye rushed over like a chick finding its mother.
"Where'd you go?"
"Yeah. Let's head in. I have something to say."
The two entered Won Seung's guest room. It held just a bed, a wardrobe, and a small table.
"I need to head to the imperial capital tomorrow. It'll take a few days."
"……?"
At the mention of Huangdo, Im Cho-ye looked at him with uneasy eyes.
"We can't keep doing 108 prostrations forever, right? And I heard from a friend there—someone's looking for you."
"Someone looking for me?"
Im Cho-ye's eyes widened.
"Things were too urgent back then to explain. Not sure if it's your uncle or an enemy. So we need to go check. If you meet your uncle, maybe there's some token or testimony that proves it?"
"I'll go too. My uncles must have come looking for me."
"No. No guarantee it's your uncle. If Mansword Mountain guys spot you, you're dead on the spot. And it won't just be you—I could die too. So stay here and do your prostrations."
"……."
Im Cho-ye thought for a moment. Won Seung was right. She was a walking disaster. In a subdued voice, she said,
"No specific token.... But if you say 'Bi Sword Sect Conquers the World,' they'll know."
Won Seung stared at her blankly.
She's trying to throw me to the wolves.
He didn't know her uncles, but outsiders knowing the Bi Sword Sect's sword manual wouldn't sit well.
"Never mind. That's too outlandish anyway. I'll handle it."
The next day.
Won Seung left Yeongtap Temple early and headed to Huangdo. Midway, he donned a human skin mask and went to the escort agency street outside the west gate.
The year has changed already.
It was already the first month. The whole country rested until the full moon, so the escort streets were quiet. He went to Sangyang Escort Agency and checked the letters for Ju Neung.
"Two have arrived."
The escort handed over two letters. One was thin, the other thick.
He went to a teahouse near Mansung Pavilion and opened them. The thin one was from the real Ju Neung, who'd gone to Sichuan.
As per Won Seung's advice, he'd left the cleanup of Bokho Pavilion to an acquaintance and was heading to Sangyang with his wife and junior sister.
No other place to go? Of all places, Sangyang....
He felt like he was getting dragged into complications. Come to think of it, he'd given him the Sangyang merchant identity plaque himself.
The other letter contained notes from Ogu and Hwa Yeo-wol. Ogu had settled as the upper Yang black society leader and was seizing control of Sangyang's underworld. He'd also summarized Baekhwa Pavilion's operations.
Steady Ogu. Definitely different from Jong Bi.
Won Seung eagerly opened Hwa Yeo-wol's letter. His mood sank reading that her entry to Geom Yak Jong was set, and she couldn't wait until spring. But then it brightened—she'd pass through Huangdo on the way.
"Oh! As expected of Yeo-wol."
He frowned at the next part. She wasn't coming alone; she was with a showy group from Cheongsan Academy.
"Then those Geom Yak Jong folks will tag along too?"
The clan's lecher would surely come. But with the academy scholars, it'd be safer than her traveling alone.
After reading and pocketing the letters, Won Seung glared at Mansung Pavilion. Once inside, he'd know how things stood since hiding at Yeongtap Temple. But could he trust Go Yeongju was the same as days ago?
If Im Cho-ye's master or Mansword Mountain experts offered more silver, Go Yeongju might sell him out without hesitation.
A fresh wave of injustice hit him. He'd worked tirelessly to surpass first-rate with his inner energy and skills. Yet the opponents were unreal.
Bi Sword Sect, unseen for decades, and Mansword Mountain experts....
He'd climbed one step, but they descended from unreachable skies.
As Won Seung hesitated, a familiar voice came from behind.
"You're safe, I see."
Turning, he saw Go Yeongju beaming.
What? He recognized me? Even with a new mask?
Go Yeongju offered the booklet in his hand.
"Brought the Jirashi New Year's special. And the next tale of Mountains, Fields, and Clouds to share."
Won Seung gaped, speechless.
"Special for an excellent customer. You get it two days earlier than others."
The publication date was still two days off. Go Yeongju sat opposite, bragging.
"This place is one of my regulars."
Meaning Hao Clan eyes were here too.
Won Seung sighed and pulled five taels of silver from his pouch. He needed that tale.
Go Yeongju took only three.
"We pursue precise info and fair pay. Not like the Beggars' Sect, inflating rumors to extort."
Three taels for solid intel—and a dig at beggars.
"Two Mansword Mountain experts arrived. Using names Gok Sang and Ju Gwanin—both estimated peak experts."
"Peak? Are they that common?"
"It's Mansword Mountain. Rumor says even their gatekeepers are peak."
"Hmm...."
Did that make sense? Why would a peak expert guard gates? They could found a sect.
Won Seung glared; Go Yeongju said calmly,
"Just the rumor."
The teahouse server brought Go Yeongju's tea.
"Order this next time. Best value here."
Then continued.
"They arrived the day after Young Lord Ju left. Staying at Manbok Inn on East Gate Street, watching his house. Close call. Now you see my info was worth over ten taels that day."
"Grateful."
"The ones seeking the Paeng family found Ju's house too. And knew Mansword Mountain was watching. So they're hiding, observing those experts."
"Know the man's skills?"
"At least not below Mansword Mountain's."
Hmm. Hao Clan toys with peak experts from four sword sects and three dao gates.
"The odd part...."
Go Yeongju hesitated, then said,
"Seongwangbu is watching the Mansword Mountain experts."
"Seongwangbu?"
Won Seung was puzzled too.
"Seongwangbu is a dragon's lair. Countless experts hidden. With Mansword Mountain here, they'd pay attention. Experts clashing nerves? Pure speculation."
Go Yeongju packaged it neatly, but it surprised Won Seung.
By what he knew of imperial kin and officials, it was odd.
Would Seongwangbu meddle in jianghu affairs?
The court ruled the realm but cared little—only who took the throne. Watching Mansword Mountain? Unexpected.
"Speculation means you don't know Seongwangbu's intent?"
Go Yeongju sobered, bowing.
"Embarrassing, but yes. Seongwangbu's walls are sky-high; even birds struggle."
"Understood."
Sharing Seongwangbu moves showed sincerity. Their momentum now could crush the palace. One slip, and you'd vanish traceless. Yet he'd mentioned it.
Won Seung pushed the remaining two taels over.
"How'd you spot me?"
Go Yeongju paused, pocketed them, and said,
"Not supposed to say, but for valued customers... Hao Clan initiates train to detect human skin masks first. All but top-grade are spottable. Recommend our headquarters' supreme masks if Young Lord Ju needs one."
Ah, so that's it.
Won Seung's was upper-grade—invisible to most. But mask-spotters existed.