160. The Paeru of Juhyangga Outside the South Gate
As spring examinations drew near, inns overflowed with scholars everywhere.
Jang Chunsam and Won Seung sat in a corner, idly picking at their food to pass the time.
“That’s the guy.”
Jang Chunsam whispered. The man was using a secluded room on the second floor of Manbok Inn. He’d just come back from the outhouse.
Hmm. So that’s what he really looks like. The sickly middle-aged facade was gone, replaced by a hardened man in his thirties climbing the stairs.
“He holes up in his room all day. Even orders his meals delivered.”
“Good. Let’s go in.”
Jang Chunsam looked troubled.
“This is as far as I go. As you know, my martial skills are…”
Ah, lame.
“Fine. Wait here.”
Won Seung climbed the stairs to the second-floor rooms.
Knock, knock!
“What is it?”
“Your meal’s here.”
“……”
Clunk.
The sound of a window opening.
Yeah, time to run. Only the guilty bolt like that. It’s definitely you.
Won Seung kicked the door open and charged in.
The moment Dang In-pyo heard the unfamiliar voice claiming to bring his meal, he slung his bundle over his back. He grabbed his sword, flung open the window, and leaped out. He landed in the inn’s backyard and was about to vault the wall when—
Whoosh!
Three spears thrust at him from beyond the wall.
‘Gasp!’
Dang In-pyo twisted his body mid-air, landing atop the wall. In that instant—
Whoosh, whoosh!
Steel arrows longer than a handspan flew at him. Dang In-pyo hastily drew his sword to deflect them, scanning his surroundings. Court guards armed with spears and shields had formed a perimeter in the alley.
Dang In-pyo was a first-rate expert, but only first-rate or better were selected for the court guards.
Escape was his only option.
‘Damn it!’
With his escape route blocked, he glanced toward the inn. Charging into a crowded place full of scholars on the eve of exams would cause a huge commotion. He could slip away in the chaos…
The thought flashed, and he acted. Dang In-pyo flicked his left hand, scattering white poison powder.
“Poison!”
The guards raised shields and fell back. Seizing the gap, Dang In-pyo launched himself toward the inn.
But—
Whoosh!
Darts hurtled at him—three of them. Dang In-pyo knew instantly they weren’t ordinary; as a Dang Clan man, he recognized top-tier dart techniques.
He leaped high to escape their range, but something white sailed toward him and burst right in front of his face.
Pop!
“Hngh.”
Dang In-pyo held his breath and channeled energy into his left palm, striking at empty air. But he couldn’t leap further and had no choice but to land.
“Hey, why’s a healthy guy like you pretending to be sick?”
The bastard was grinning.
As Dang In-pyo’s hand brushed his waist, seven throwing knives flew out—the Dang Clan’s signature Seven Star Knives.
Thud thud thud!
A hand shield had appeared in the man’s grip. The knives embedded themselves one after another.
“Gotta bring something like this when meeting a Dang Clan guy.”
The man toyed with the knives stuck in the shield. Dang In-pyo’s eyes gleamed. Fool. They’re poisoned—touch them and…
But the man licked his finger after touching one.
Slurp.
His face twisted.
“Fire Snake Poison? Come on, that’s low-class. Using cheap snake venom on me? Unforgivable.”
He got mad over something ridiculous and suddenly flicked his hand.
Dang In-pyo, who’d been on guard, tried to leap away—but his feet wouldn’t move.
The man approached and raised his palm.
“Know how expensive my poison is? You should’ve shown some respect. Snake venom anyone can find? How much of a joke did you think I was?”
Smack!
Dang In-pyo flew sideways from the slap.
The court guards swarmed in just then.
“Lord Joo, are you all right?”
“Yeah, Officer Jang. Good work.”
“As expected of Lord Joo. How did you know he was here?”
Dang In-pyo struggled to rise, glaring at the man.
The young punk furrowed his brow and barked at the guards.
“Stomp that bastard! Make sure he’s bruised everywhere—nice and thorough.”
As he curled up against the onslaught of kicks, a needle pricked him. He couldn’t move and took the full beating until he blacked out.
Splash!
Icy water jolted him awake. A foul stench hit him, mingled with the acrid smell of burning oil.
‘The torture chamber.’
Dang In-pyo regretted it. He should’ve just fled… He must’ve been caught because he stuck around to confirm the target was dead.
“Awake?”
He looked toward the voice. The man sat in a chair, watching him. He held a wide bowl—not with chopsticks, but a brush inside.
Dang In-pyo scanned the room. Just the two of them.
The man smiled.
“Court torture chamber. Even the Dang Clan lord couldn’t save you now.”
“Lord Joo, don’t lose hope. Even if the sky falls, there’s a way out, right?”
“You can live at least a month more… We’ll definitely get the antidote.”
Officers Yu Seon and Jang Hyo-gan consoled Won Seung.
Won Seung had slathered on the Painful Bruise Ointment for torture, but Dang In-pyo had no antidote for Sam-o-dan-sim-san. According to his confession, the Dang Clan never carried antidotes when deploying poisons—just in case enemies might neutralize them. The Dang Clan was ruthless.
The mastermind was Dang Dok-su of the Dang Clan merchant division. But it was just the criminal’s word, no hard evidence, and Dang Dok-su was far away in Seongdo. Investigating would take months. To Yu Seon and Jang Hyo-gan, it seemed impossible to resolve in Won Seung’s lifetime.
Still, the Dang Clan was in deep trouble. Officials stuck together. They fought among themselves but avenged attacks on their own. Messing with the court? No way they’d get off easy.
“No executions until after the spring exams… But right after, we’ll chop his head and hang it outside the city walls.”
Jang Hyo-gan vowed revenge, but Won Seung stopped him.
“No, can’t do that. Keep him alive until we nab Dang Dok-su. He’s the only witness. Handle it by the book. At least now we know the truth—it’s a relief. I can move on without regrets.”
Seeing Won Seung’s detached attitude, Yu Seon and Jang Hyo-gan were impressed.
“Lord Joo, take care.”
With their heartfelt send-off, Won Seung left the court outer office.
On the way back, Won Seung thought: Now that it’s clear the culprit’s from the Dang Clan, Dang Dok-su won’t dare touch Joo Neung carelessly.
‘Should be fine for a while.’
He bought some tanghwa and returned home to find Im Cho-ye in tears.
“What’s wrong?”
“They say big brother’s gonna die? That you don’t have long? Is it true?”
“Who said that?”
“Mu Gi-an, the court investigator, came by.”
Hmm. This guy’s place was turned upside down catching the perp, yet he’s out gossiping?
Won Seung soothed her.
“No way. Don’t worry. I’m not dying.”
“Really?”
“Of course. I’ll outlive you. Where’s that guy now?”
“Dunno. Said he’d wait at the county office.”
Won Seung stayed home. He was sick of seeing the county magistrate or chief officer at the office. As a former court investigator turned civilian, they’d treat him like dirt.
That evening, Mu Gi-an showed up again.
“Caught the perp, huh?”
“How’d a court investigator hear so fast?”
“Come on, your words have barbs.”
Mu Gi-an looked awkward.
“Felt like you wanted to stab me.”
“Forget it. Forgiven. Got what I asked for?”
“Spill.”
“Oh, better news first.”
“Better news?”
“Surveillance on you’s lifted. No more reports to me. I’m off spy duty.”
‘Obviously. I quit as court investigator—how could you spy? What an idiot.’
Won Seung eyed Mu Gi-an with pity. Oblivious, Mu Gi-an whispered.
“And what you asked… But why deal with them?”
Mu Gi-an looked uneasy.
“Can’t die alone. The guy who ordered my poisoning… He’s gotta go too.”
“Fair enough.”
Mu Gi-an nodded.
“There’s Jeokhyeolsan. Said to be the jianghu’s top assassin group.”
A few days ago, Won Seung had told Mu Gi-an: Want forgiveness for spying? Find a way to contact the best assassins.
“But pricey.”
“Fine. I’ll throw my whole fortune at it.”
“To deal, leave a mark outside the south gate market.”
Mu Gi-an drew three overlapping mountains.
“Where exactly?”
“The paeru of Juhyangga outside the south gate. Somehow, they’ll send someone.”
“Hmm. That simple?”
Won Seung eyed him suspiciously, and Mu Gi-an got serious.
“You’d shut up if you knew how much booze I bought for this info.”
“Got it. This stays between us. Ex-official hiring assassins? Sketchy. Don’t wanna be cursed in the grave—take it to the tomb.”
“Naturally. I hate the underworld anyway. So, forgiven?”
“Yeah. Shared a secret—you’re a friend now. Betray me again, though, and you’re done.”
“Never.”
Mu Gi-an vowed and left.
Won Seung pondered. To find Jeokhyeolsan headquarters, he needed to capture one. Slather on Painful Bruise Ointment or use Soul Oblivion Powder for clues.
‘How to contact without exposing myself?’
They’d investigate the client first, then meet. Won Seung had too many skeletons—no direct involvement. Nor anyone connected to him.
He hadn’t asked Haomen about Jeokhyeolsan deals for fear of backtracking.
Had to be someone totally unrelated…
Anyone with a blood feud?
Something clicked. He rummaged and pulled out a human-skin mask.
The sickly middle-aged one Dang In-pyo used—top quality. Confiscated from his bundle along with poisons, antidotes, and masks.
‘Time to test this.’
The next day, Won Seung donned the sickly middle-aged mask and headed to the west gate’s Manseong Pavilion.
“Welcome. What’ll it be?”
“Hmm. Wonton soup and pork dumplings.”
The errand boy, used to shady deals, didn’t recognize him and left.
‘Oh ho…’
But then—
“Perfect timing. Looks like we can get the Sam-o-dan-sim-san antidote.”
He turned. Go Yeongju stood there, smiling.
‘This guy? How’d he know?’