The Blue Stream Sword Fragrance Arrives
A man from the prestigious orthodox Confucian family, the Yeoyang Po Family.
Would there ever be another person whose thoughts I couldn't read, like him?
As he made his way toward Dongnim Village, Uncheon found himself thinking of the man called Po-ui. Those eyes of the mind's eye—deep and unreadable, the kind of gaze one saw in Daoist masters or high monks who had spent long years in profound study. Legend held that ordinary people standing before such eyes could speak only the truth.
Once I strike out on my own, I might meet more people whose minds I can't read.
While he walked, Uncheon pondered how he ought to handle such people if he ever faced them again.
Even after leaving the heart of Hefei, the streets around him still thronged with people. It was no empty boast that this was a provincial capital; the scale was on an entirely different level from the villages nestled under Mount Hwangshan.
Are those martial artists over there?
Just then, a group in matching sect robes caught Uncheon's eye in front of an inn. Whatever was happening had drawn even ordinary townsfolk into a crowd. From a distance he watched the inn and saw two women hemmed in among the dark-clad martial men. One of the men—early thirties—was casting greedy looks at the young woman in a pale-blue palace dress.
"Miss Jang, once you have a moment, how about sharing a meal with me?"
"Young Master, I appreciate the offer, but we really should be on our way."
"Hahaha! Does Miss Jang Horyeon find me so unappealing?"
The man casually tried to rest a hand on the woman's shoulder; she frowned and stepped back.
"Hey! Sister Horyeon said she doesn't want to. Why do you keep bothering her?"
A young girl stepped forward and raised her voice. Her clear, deliberate diction carried to everyone nearby, and the way she looked straight ahead was surprisingly bold.
"Haha, little miss, it would be better if you kept quiet."
"Hmph! How about the old man keeps quiet instead? Do you even know who we are, trying to hit on my sister like that?"
"Well now! Who said anything about hitting on anyone? A grown man and woman simply wish to share a meal because they find each other agreeable. Does the Chungui Sun Family teach that even wholesome courtship is harassment?"
"Pestering someone who already said no—that's harassment. Got it?"
"The little miss is still young and doesn't understand these things. A woman may be interested yet still demur once or twice out of modesty."
"My sister is not interested! Back off before I tell Grandfather!"
"Heh. If the little miss's maternal family were the Chungui Sun Family of old, they could have brought birds down from the sky. But I hear things aren't quite what they used to be. Our Liu'an So Family has no reason to fear a Confucian house!"
"Oh, is that so? Then what about our eldest uncle-in-law? Can the Liu'an So Family beat the Namgung Family?"
"…"
So Jidong's body tensed ever so slightly. In Anhui Province the prestige of the Namgung Family was immense.
Tch, this little brat… She thinks dropping the Namgung name will scare me?
The little girl's bright, smiling face only irritated him further. The Namgung Family was indeed a burden, yet with so many eyes watching he could not simply walk away.
"Hah! Even if it is the Namgung Family, what can they do right here and now? If I drag the young lady off this very moment, will the Namgung name really help you?"
"It will."
Suddenly a man's voice answered from among the onlookers.
Who?
A young man in a blue long robe stepped slowly forward. Between the fluttering folds of his coat a sword was visible.
Uncheon looked at the younger of the two women and greeted her warmly.
"You're Sohwa, aren't you?"
"W-who are you?"
Jang Sohwa's eyes went round as she stared at the smiling youth.
"It's been so long you wouldn't remember. You used to call me Big Brother Hwangshan."
"…Ah! Big Brother Uncheon?!"
In the little girl's eyes he had still been a boy only a few years ago; now he had grown into a young man, so of course he looked unfamiliar.
Thud!!
Overjoyed, Jang Sohwa threw her arms around Uncheon's waist.
"You're a proper young lady now—you can't just throw yourself at people like that."
"You showed up at exactly the right time! Of course I'm happy!"
"Hold on a moment. Let's settle things here first."
"Okay!"
Uncheon turned and met So Jidong's gaze squarely. The man was scowling at him.
What's with those expensive-looking clothes? Uncheon? That name sounds familiar…
He seemed quite close to Jang Sohwa. And if the name was Uncheon…
Suddenly So Jidong recalled the rumor of a young expert that had been circulating lately—the youth of the Namgung Family who had defeated the Murderous Mad Viper of the Killing Shadow.
It can't be…
A young expert not yet twenty years old whose appearance had set all of Anhui Province buzzing.
"Are you… Cheongryu Geomhyang, Namgung Uncheon?"
"This is rather embarrassing; it seems my reputation has reached even here. Yes, that is correct. I am also the maternal grandson of the Chungui Sun Family you were just dismissing."
So Jidong's face stiffened.
"Th-that was a misunderstanding."
"Ah, of course. I thought as much. I spent quite a while wondering whether the Liu'an So Family was truly great enough to slight the Chungui Sun Family."
So Jidong's mind raced.
He knows exactly who we are.
The other party was a member of the Namgung Family. Starting a fight without cause would be the same as challenging the Namgung Family itself. Yet the youth's presence did not seem as overwhelming as the rumors claimed.
He looks weaker than I expected. Were the rumors exaggerated? Honestly, how could a kid this young have beaten a Killing Shadow expert?
Of course Uncheon read every thought as clearly as if it were written on the man's face.
Inner energy really does matter. They're all underestimating me completely.
Just then So Jidong's eyes lit up; he had found a pretext for a fight. Smiling, he clasped his fists in salute.
"I apologize. We shall withdraw."
"Please do."
Uncheon accepted the courtesy as though nothing were amiss, then continued calmly.
"The Namgung Family has always valued honor. But do you know what we place even above honor?"
"…What is this all of a sudden?"
"The prestige of the family."
Prestige over honor?
So Jidong stared at Uncheon, failing to grasp the meaning.
"The 'righteousness' our family defines is not the same as the righteousness the martial world of the Central Plains desires. If you cannot understand the righteousness spoken of by the Namgung Family, that would be a pity."
Uncheon gave a small wave toward the motionless So Jidong.
"We shall meet again when the chance arises, shall we not? Until then I hope you will take my words to heart—though from the look of you, I doubt it will be easy."
Leaving them behind, Uncheon turned first and asked Jang Sohwa,
"Sohwa, who is this lady?"
"My cousin! Uncle's daughter! She's twenty!"
"I thought she looked familiar—so you're cousins. Two years older than me, then."
Uncheon greeted Jang Horyeon politely.
"A pleasure to meet you. I am Namgung Uncheon. This is our first meeting."
"Ah… nice to meet you too."
"Shall we be on our way?"
As they entered the outskirts of Dongnim Village, Jang Sohwa could not take her eyes off Uncheon's face, as though he were some marvelous new sight.
"You're staring pretty hard, aren't you?"
"Wow, Big Brother Uncheon, when did you get so tall? You used to be about my height!"
"We were both little kids back then. You've grown a lot yourself—I almost didn't recognize you at first."
"Didn't Aunt and Uncle come with you?"
"Father suddenly had urgent business, so I came alone. I haven't visited in years; I had to come this year."
"I'm so glad you did! Grandfather and Grandmother will be thrilled! They were wondering whether you'd make it this time."
Jang Sohwa stuck close to Uncheon's side as they walked. Her expression alone said she had a hundred questions.
"Big Brother Uncheon, you have a sword now? Are you good at fighting?"
"Depends on the opponent, I suppose."
"Could you beat that guy who was bothering Sister Horyeon?"
"Who knows? But being a martial artist doesn't mean you like fighting. I dislike fighting."
"Come on, that can't be right. I've heard martial artists love fighting every single day."
"Do you love studying every single day?"
"Of course not!"
Uncheon smiled as he answered.
"It's about the same as you not liking nothing but studying."
"Oh… you explain things so easily."
Jang Sohwa nodded and skipped ahead a few steps.
In the martial world, defeating someone in a fight is no different from taking their life.
Uncheon swallowed the last of that thought. Half a ke later, the main gate of the Chungui Sun Family came into view ahead of them.
Yeo Ju-gae, Seol Jo, Dokjeonhwa, and Jeong Cheong descended Mount Hwangshan together. Until they were completely clear of the Namgung Family estate, not a word passed among them.
A silent road.
Yeo Ju-gae intended to head first to the Beggars' Sect headquarters.
"Before we stop at the Wulin Alliance, I will go to Kaifeng."
"As you wish."
Once the decision to accompany him had been made, the destination hardly mattered.
"Thank you for coming along."
Even as he answered, Yeo Ju-gae looked at Jeong Cheong—whose expression remained sour—and made no effort to hide his irritation.
"You're still wearing that scowl."
"…I apologize."
"Hmph. Let me be clear: before we reach Kaifeng you had better learn to manage your face. Otherwise I cannot guarantee what will happen there. You should know those people are nothing like me."
"I… understand."
Dokjeonhwa regarded his disciple. Before leaving the mountain he had said,
"I will go to Kaifeng alone. Why don't you wait at the place where we trained?"
"Master, I cannot. How could this disciple leave Master alone? I will go with you."
Aside from everything else, Jeong Cheong knew that if he was to find the Cheonhwangdo Map he had to stay at Dokjeonhwa's side.
Dokjeonhwa could not entirely conceal his unease over the boy. The situation had changed greatly since they first set out on this journey. Originally, under the orders of the Golden Masked Man, they were supposed to set the Six Great Families in motion. He had been confident the Six Great Families would not harm him—the last survivor of the Baekcheon Sect—and Dokjeonhwa had shared that belief. With the martial arts obtained through the man's aid, he had felt reasonably secure.
Yet from the very beginning the martial world had known of his movements. Someone had trailed them through the Killing Shadow, leaving corpses and a trail of evidence. When even the Beggars' Sect and the Wulin Alliance became involved, it was clear the entire Central Plains already knew about the Cheonhwangdo Map.
There is no chance I can claim the Cheonhwangdo Map for myself.
How many powerful experts filled the Central Plains martial world? Before long even more would set out in search of the map.
It was not as though I could defy the Golden Masked Man… yet I grew greedy as well. But who could refuse such a thing?
He had known from the start that the Golden Masked Man was using him to obtain the Cheonhwangdo Map. Until now, however, he had never felt he was being used one-sidedly. Thanks to the man he had acquired high-level martial arts and even entertained a vague hope: perhaps—just perhaps—he himself might become the master of Emperor's Island.
But now…
Dokjeonhwa walked on in silence.
A full day had passed since they left Mount Hwangshan. Moving swiftly, they crossed the provincial border and entered Manggam. During a brief rest Yeo Ju-gae looked at Dokjeonhwa and asked the question that had been troubling him.
"Wolyeonggwangheun, do you know anything about the Cheonhwangdo Map?"
"Have you no curiosity about the Baekcheon Blood Sect Incident?"
"The destruction of the Baekcheon Sect is regrettable, but much time has already passed."
"And if the force that slaughtered every martial artist of the Baekcheon Sect—including children and women—was one of the Six Great Families, what would you do?"
"Naturally the Wulin Alliance would hold that force accountable for its crimes."
"Is that even possible?"
"You distrust the Wulin Alliance."
"Then and now, the Wulin Alliance has done nothing."
"Because there was no evidence. The Alliance did search—believe it or not, they moved."
"…"
"And do not underestimate the martial artists of the world. Even if the Alliance does not act, many will refuse to sit idle. Those responsible would be treated as if they never existed in the Central Plains martial world. Should they be unable to endure that and strike back, they would become public enemies of the entire martial realm."
Dokjeonhwa looked at him and asked again.
"The reason you are taking me to Kaifeng first rather than the Wulin Alliance—is it because the Beggars' Sect also wants the Cheonhwangdo Map?"
"Would that not be obvious? The Baekcheon Blood Sect Incident happened precisely because of it."
"You admit it so readily that I am almost taken aback."
"When both sides already know everything, what need is there for lies? Come, speak honestly. Do you truly know nothing of the Cheonhwangdo Map?"
Dokjeonhwa only smiled and said nothing more. Even if he claimed ignorance, no one would believe him.
Yeo Ju-gae asked no further questions. Rising from his seat, he said,
"We have rested enough. Let us move on."
"Understood."
Just as Dokjeonhwa rose as well—
Ssssss—
Killing intent suddenly flooded the surroundings.
Yeo Ju-gae and Seol Jo instantly took defensive stances. Jeong Cheong rushed to Dokjeonhwa's side and drew his sword.
"Master, they seem to be assassins."
"The Killing Shadow?"
Dokjeonhwa thought of the Killing Shadow that had trailed them and left a trail of murders.
Yeo Ju-gae urgently called to the two men.
"It would be best if we face them together."
"Judging by the killing intent, they have come to kill us."
"Damn it, who are these bastards?"
The enemy still refused to show themselves, pouring out only murderous aura. The group tensed, waiting for the first move.
Then—
Pipipipipipipipi—
Hidden weapons streaked out of the forest at high speed.
Staff and swords struck the projectiles aside.
Thud-thud-thud.
Triangular throwing knives clattered to the ground.
Yeo Ju-gae shouted,
"Those are the Blood Claw Darts of the Yaweol Sect!!"
Dokjeonhwa flinched at the unexpected name.
Why the Yaweol Sect as well…?
The Yaweol Sect was also a murder-for-hire organization.
"Jeong Cheong, breathe out deeply!"
Dokjeonhwa called to his tense disciple. Neither of them had ever faced assassins before.
"Yes!"
Jeong Cheong exhaled a long breath and drew up his inner energy.
Pipipipipipi—
Another volley of Blood Claw Darts sliced through the air toward the four of them. Continuously blocking blades that came from every direction was exhausting.
If we only defend like this, we will eventually be overwhelmed.
Taah!!
Risking everything, Dokjeonhwa shot his body toward the direction from which the darts were flying. Yeo Ju-gae must have had the same thought; at the exact same moment he launched into the Beggar's Staff Method and charged.
"Fine movement!!"
In that instant a man appeared before Dokjeonhwa and Yeo Ju-gae. Twin half-moon blades of bizarre shape crossed in his hands and swept toward their necks.
Shragagagak!!
It sounded as though the very air were being sliced apart.
Chaaeng!!
Dokjeonhwa and Yeo Ju-gae barely managed to block the half-moon blades and staggered backward.
"Khuk!"
The blade qi released by the half-moon blades had carved a finger's width into Dokjeonhwa's shoulder. Yeo Ju-gae likewise took a grazing wound across the chest.
"It can't be… the Shinwol Salgaek…?"
Those grotesque half-moon blades. Yeo Ju-gae recognized the man at once and recoiled in shock.
"Keh-keh-keh-keh. The beggar of the Beggars' Sect has a good eye."
Standing before them was No Songbyeok, the Shinwol Salgaek—one of the Twelve Zodiac Assassins of the Yaweol Sect.