Moon Shadow's Gambit
“So the Akcheongok has refused our commission?”
“Yes, my lord. We offered a thousand taels of gold, but they declined.”
Chae Yeo-dong, Lord of Wolyeongmun, received the report from his chief steward, Sama Ho, regarding the Akcheongok.
“A thousand taels is no small sum, even for them.”
“They must have done some investigation into Shinpungjang.”
“And what could they possibly uncover that we could not?”
Chae Yeo-dong asked, convinced that nothing would surface that his own people had missed.
“They likely concluded that the destruction of the Hongze Lake bandits was connected to Shinpungjang and calculated the risks accordingly.”
“Meaning they believe fighting Shinpungjang would result in losses for them?”
“I cannot say for certain, but if I put myself in the valley lord’s position, raising assassins is an expensive endeavor. They would lose many in a clash with Shinpungjang, and when the cost is weighed against the gold, refusal becomes the safer choice. Factoring in the long-term weakening of their forces, rejecting the commission makes sense.”
Chae Yeo-dong nodded, finding the reasoning sound.
“Then the other sects will likely reach the same conclusion.”
“I believe so. Even we would suffer significant casualties if we fought Shinpungjang directly.”
“So?”
“To minimize our losses, we must strike with our full strength in a single decisive blow.”
“Our full strength?”
“Yes. If our casualties exceed expectations, sects like the Four Heroes Alliance may seize the opportunity to challenge your position.”
Chae Yeo-dong nodded, a particular figure coming to mind at Sama Ho’s words.
“Bae Du-sang, if no one else, would certainly make such a move. And if he stirs, the others will not remain idle.”
The sequence of events was all too predictable.
“However, my lord…”
“Speak.”
“Regarding the Gangso Merchant Group—must we intervene? This matter carries far more risk than reward for us.”
“The Gangso Merchant Group has provided us with enormous support all this time. Now that they seek our aid, is it not only natural that we repay them?”
“But this is different from before. The greatest concern is the Governor of Jiangsu.”
“The governor?”
“Yes. Gambling house permits are never granted except to close relatives. This holds true in every province.”
“And?”
“Yet the Governor of Jiangsu granted Shinpungjang permits for both Hongze Lake and Taihu.”
“Are you suggesting the lord of Shinpungjang has some familial tie to the governor?”
“Not necessarily, but they must be close enough for such favors. If we provoke Shinpungjang and the governor intervenes, our position becomes precarious.”
“What if we leave no trace?”
“That would be ideal, but if even one person escapes Shinpungjang and informs the governor, we will not escape unscathed.”
“This is a matter of the murim.”
“Shinpungjang is not a murim manor—it is a merchant’s estate. Its people are closer to commoners than murim warriors. If word reaches the governor that we attacked them, he will not overlook it as he might with ordinary murim disputes.”
The distinction between conflicts among murim and those involving ordinary people was clear, and the authorities would not ignore the latter.
“Hmm…”
Chae Yeo-dong had not expected his chief steward to oppose the plan so strongly.
“What if we strike at night, kill a few, and withdraw?”
“If we kill, we must kill them all. As I said earlier, if even one escapes and reaches the governor, it becomes a problem.”
“Then we simply ensure none can report. Go inform the elders that I wish to see them, and have the squad leaders assemble in the main hall as well.”
“Understood.”
Shortly afterward, Chae Yeo-dong, Sama Ho, four elders, and six squad leaders gathered in Wolyeongmun’s main hall.
“I have spoken with the chief steward.”
After relaying his entire conversation with Sama Ho to the elders, Chae Yeo-dong stated his own position.
“I am aware of the risks, but the Gangso Merchant Group’s substantial funding has allowed us to operate without concern for other matters. Now that they face difficulty, we cannot turn away. I intend to strike Shinpungjang.”
“Are they not close to the governor?”
“They are. That is why we must eliminate everyone and then poison the observer, An Hyeong-tae. Even the governor will be powerless to act.”
“The Gangso Merchant Group is in trouble, so we cannot refuse them, yet helping them risks drawing the governor’s attention.”
“Then the solution is simple, is it not?”
The second elder, O Dong-cheon, spoke up.
“We simply kill the governor as well.”
The other elders nodded in agreement, while Chae Yeo-dong’s face showed surprise.
“You mean to kill the governor?”
“Yes. He will not remain within the city walls forever. When he leaves, he will be accompanied by his guards. We strike then, eliminating both the guards and the governor.”
“Would that not escalate the matter?”
“There is little danger. After killing them, we simply leave his body at Shinpungjang. The authorities will conclude that Shinpungjang murdered the governor.”
“Second Elder, must we take such risks merely to aid the Gangso Merchant Group?”
Sama Ho asked.
“We need not take the risk. The Gangso Merchant Group will simply seek out another sect instead.”
Chae Yeo-dong listened in silence.
“They will reduce our funding if they find a replacement. Should we protest, they will offer excuses, and while we engage in a war of nerves with them, the sect that receives their support will grow strong enough to threaten us.”
The second elder spoke as though he already knew how events would unfold.
“Think not of aiding the Gangso Merchant Group, but of protecting ourselves. A dam begins to crumble from a single small hole.”
“But the danger is too great.”
“Chief Steward, the true danger lies in our complacency. Twenty-five years ago, the Demonic Cult’s young lord and the Wulin Alliance’s young lady destroyed each other. With their power diminished, we of the unorthodox path rose and have wielded influence for twenty-five years.”
“I am aware.”
“Then the orthodox sects and the Demonic Cult, having been suppressed for twenty-five years, will have worked tirelessly to rebuild their strength.”
Chae Yeo-dong nodded.
“And what of us?”
“That is…”
“We have grown complacent. Of course, those who remain vigilant continue to train and seek enlightenment through murim journeys, but most unorthodox sects have not. Our own Wolyeongmun is proof enough.”
“I understand the second elder’s meaning.”
Chae Yeo-dong, who had been listening quietly, finally spoke.
“Do the other elders have anything to add?”
The others shared O Dong-cheon’s view.
“I agree with the second elder as well. However, dealing with the governor requires caution.”
“Does the first elder have an alternative plan?”
“Not at present. I support the second elder’s approach, but I believe killing the governor should be our last resort. Attack Shinpungjang first. If the governor intervenes, we can deal with him then.”
“Will that not arouse suspicion?”
“It may. But if we deny involvement, even the governor cannot openly persecute us without evidence. He will search for proof, and in the meantime, we can use An Hyeong-tae to smooth things over.”
Chae Yeo-dong found the first elder Yeom Tak’s opinion less reassuring than O Dong-cheon’s.
“Have the squad leaders heard everything?”
“Yes!”
The six squad leaders bowed in unison.
“We will mobilize the full strength of our sect to surround Shinpungjang and prevent any escape, then strike. Eliminate them swiftly, set fire to the manor to erase all traces, and withdraw. Understood?”
“Leave it to us.”
“Chief Steward Sama Ho, determine when Shinpungjang’s people rest and when they sleep. Consult with the elders, then strike.”
“It will be done.”
After deciding to attack Shinpungjang, Wolyeongmun began secretly preparing for war.
* * *
Yi Ja-saeng, head of the Haedong Merchant Group, returned to Jiangsu after completing another successful trade journey. Having avoided major incidents, he had secured considerable profits.
All of this was thanks to the Black Wind Squad. Every member was a master of martial arts, and their presence had proven invaluable—whether repelling mountain bandits or fending off wild beasts, they had protected the caravan and its guards with unwavering reliability.
“You have worked hard. Were any of your men injured in the fighting?”
“None.”
“I was relieved when Lord Hyeok returned while you were away. We needed every hand we could get.”
“What happened?”
After hearing the full account from Cheonhwa, a cold smile spread across Hyeok Cheon-gwang’s lips.
“Their numbers do not make them invincible, but if we personally annihilate Wolyeongmun, the Warlord Alliance may intervene. Kill a few and send the rest back.”
“You mean their disciples?”
“Yes. I hear the Four Heroes Alliance has around seventy. Match that number.”
“How many disciples does Wolyeongmun have?”
“They operate six martial squads, twenty men each—roughly one hundred and twenty.”
“Then one of ours for each of theirs.”
“You may kill more if needed. Their lord and elders are strong. Even with reduced numbers, they will not fight recklessly.”
“Understood. I will proceed to Shinpungjang and await them.”
“No. They will surround Shinpungjang to trap us inside and send only some of their men in.”
“Then?”
“Wait outside. Kill them all, then charge in shouting. They will panic and flee.”
“As you command. But what of you, my lord…?”
“I intend to deal with Dongjeong-eong, who is coming for me. According to the Haomun’s intelligence, he has already departed Dongting Lake.”
“Be careful. Though he is a water bandit, he is one of the Wulin’s Hundred Great Experts.”
“Thank you for your concern. Inform the men, then wait for me at the Black Wind Escort Agency.”
“Understood.”