Wolyeonggwangheun at the Namgung Gate
When Wolyeonggwangheun Dokjeonhwa and Jeong Cheong arrived at the main gate of the Namgung Family, they looked up at the plaque above the entrance.
World's Greatest Sword Family
A weighty, imposing aura radiated from those five characters. On the pillars that held the plaque aloft were carved the words Honor and Chivalry.
Hypocrites. Men of the great orthodox sects steal, then dare to flaunt honor and chivalry…
Contempt flickered through Dokjeonhwa's eyes as he stared at the Namgung plaque.
At that moment a gate guard of the Namgung Family stepped forward and presented himself before the two visitors.
There is a saying that a sect's true strength begins at its main gate. Like most gate captains of the great orthodox houses, Sa Inho, captain of the Namgung gate guard, boasted a powerfully built frame. Clasping the scabbard of his blue-sheathed sword in both hands, he offered a formal fist-and-palm salute.
"This is the Namgung Family. From where have you come?"
"I am Dokjeonhwa. And this is my disciple, Jeong Cheong."
Sa Inho had already heard the rumors spreading from the Ma'an Mountain region of Anhui.
"You are Wolyeonggwangheun Dokjeonhwa?"
"I am."
Sa Inho's gaze swept swiftly over Dokjeonhwa from head to toe. If the man truly possessed the skill to deal with the Ma'an Mountain Demon alone, as the rumors claimed, then his martial arts were nothing to take lightly.
"Wolyeonggwangheun, for what purpose have you come to our family?"
"I wish to meet the Family Head of the great Namgung Family, the Sword Emperor."
Sa Inho's brow furrowed. The leader of a great sect was not someone one could simply demand an audience with. Still less could a man of Wolyeonggwangheun's renown alone hope to stand before the head of the Namgung Family.
Dokjeonhwa read the shift in Sa Inho's expression, yet he continued as if it were of no concern.
"Tell him that I come as the sole heir of the Baekcheon Sect, seeking an audience with the Sword Emperor to inquire about the Baekcheon Blood Sect Incident."
This man…
Sa Inho's face hardened once more. The Baekcheon Blood Sect Incident was one of the Murim's dark secrets—the sudden annihilation, twenty-five years ago, of the Baekcheon Sect that had operated in the cursed southern jungles of Nancho. He had never expected Wolyeonggwangheun Dokjeonhwa to bring up that long-buried affair without warning. This man had not come merely to pay a courtesy call.
"Will you wait a moment?"
"I will."
Sa Inho left the gate in the care of his subordinates and moved away at a rapid pace. He strode straight into the main entrance of the Great Banquet Hall and, just as he entered, found his eyes meeting those of two men emerging from within—Vice Hall Master Won Churang and Hall Master Namgung Seonwu of the Great Banquet Hall.
"Captain Sa, what brings you at this hour?"
Sa Inho offered a fist-and-palm salute and delivered his report.
"A man called Wolyeonggwangheun has arrived at the family's main gate."
"Wolyeonggwangheun—the one said to have taken the head of the Ma'an Mountain Demon? Why has he come to our house?"
Sa Inho stepped closer to Namgung Seonwu and lowered his voice.
"He requests an audience with the Family Head concerning the matter of the Baekcheon Blood Sect Incident."
"…!"
A martial artist arriving with an old affair in hand. Clearly this was no ordinary visit.
"Where is he now?"
"I have him waiting at the main gate."
"Mm… Escort them first to the Earth Hall of the Guest Compound. I will go to see the Family Head."
"Understood."
Dokjeonhwa and Jeong Cheong followed Won Churang into the Guest Compound.
The martial arts of the Namgung Family pursued the Way of the Heavy Sword. The heavy sword valued strength and substance over lightness and flash; the atmosphere of the entire family shared that same character. The buildings were no different. The halls they passed as they entered the Guest Compound felt less beautiful or ornate than solemn, masculine, and powerful.
Though Dokjeonhwa and Jeong Cheong had arrived with no fond preconceptions of the Namgung Family, even they could not help a murmur of admiration at the sight of the guest halls.
"Master, the presence these buildings give off is remarkable."
"They are the foremost sword family among the Ten Great Families of the Central Plains, after all."
Dokjeonhwa answered, yet his chest felt heavy. He had climbed the mountain with bold resolve, but the ascent of Huangshan itself had made the truth plain. This was the dignity of a renowned martial house. The pride he saw in every Namgung warrior he passed was different from anything he had encountered among the martial artists of the Central Plains until now. His confidence that he could face the Family Head and state his purpose was quietly ebbing away.
Haa… Still, what must be said will have to be said.
Dokjeonhwa steadied his scattered thoughts once more.
When they reached the Earth Hall, Won Churang spoke before stepping outside.
"Someone will come for you shortly, so wait here. If anything is inconvenient, attendants will be outside."
"Understood. Thank you for guiding us."
Dokjeonhwa and Jeong Cheong sat and looked around.
"Master, so this is the Earth Hall of the Namgung Family."
The Guest Compound of the Namgung Family was arranged in three grades of halls and a separate annex. The Heaven Hall housed the most distinguished guests of the great orthodox sects; the Earth Hall received guests belonging to the hundred major sects; and the Human Hall served all remaining visitors. The annex, called the Flower Crimson Hall, was reserved for women alone. Because the Namgung Family received so many martial visitors, its guest halls were widely known throughout the Murim.
Dokjeonhwa nodded.
"Unexpected. I thought they would send us to the Human Hall."
"Doesn't that mean they take the Baekcheon Blood Sect Incident seriously?"
"Mm. Perhaps so."
Knock, knock.
The moment they settled into their seats, a presence approached from outside.
"May I enter?"
A clear woman's voice. Jeong Cheong rose at once and opened the door; a maidservant carrying a tea tray stepped inside.
"I have prepared tea."
"Ah… yes."
A delicate, powder-soft fragrance lingered after she passed. The maid set the tray upon the table.
"This is Maofeng, harvested from Huangshan. Allow this humble one to pour the first cup."
"…"
She lifted the teapot and began to fill the cups. The fragrance of Maofeng tea filled the room. When she had carefully set the pot down again, she bowed her head in greeting.
"Please rest at your ease. Should anything prove inconvenient, call for us at once."
"Th-thank you."
Jeong Cheong remained frozen in place until the maid had left. His master's voice fell at once.
"What are you doing? Sit down."
"Ah… yes, Master."
Jeong Cheong took his seat with hesitant movements. Unlike the teas he had drunk elsewhere in the Central Plains, this fragrance gently stirred the senses. It was the famed Maofeng of Huangshan, of which he had only ever heard.
"Master, this is the first time I've tasted it."
"…Same for me."
"…"
Jeong Cheong sipped in silence, then suddenly realized something was wrong. They had come to the Namgung Family to demand answers—yet a single cup of Maofeng tea was softening the edge of his resolve. Dokjeonhwa felt it as well. The sharp light that had been in his eyes had already faded. On the threshold of a grave matter, neither of them had managed to keep their emotions in check from the very start.
Among the countless famous mountains of the Central Plains, the greatest were said to be the Five Sacred Peaks. Yet there was also a saying that once one climbed Huangshan, even the Five Sacred Peaks failed to impress—so dazzling and exceptional was its scenery. For Uncheon, the path that wound up through the mountain toward the family was always a pleasure. No matter how often he saw it, it remained beautiful. Though the summer sun beat down hard, walking beneath the trees with a cool breeze on his face left him feeling refreshed. Soft footfalls brushed the ground; his shoulders swayed lightly, almost as if dancing, as he made his way toward the Namgung Family.
At last the main gate came into view. Sa Inho immediately spotted Uncheon and Namgung Hyemi as they appeared. A bright smile filled the face of the young man approaching him. Most scions of great houses, even when young, carried an air of authority, and the younger members of the Namgung Family were no different. Namgung Uncheon alone was the exception. He was always kind and easy with the servants who worked in Hyeoncheon Pavilion.
Sa Inho offered a light greeting to Uncheon as the young man came forward.
"Young Master Uncheon, returning already? Did you find gifts that pleased you?"
"I bought some fine things, but I'm exhausted. I'm not a child anymore—I could have gone alone…"
Namgung Hyemi, arriving at the gate just behind him, caught Uncheon's words and shouted.
"What did you say? I'm never going down by myself!"
Ugh… I need to get out of here soon. That's the only way.
Uncheon shook his head at her sulking and turned back to Sa Inho.
"Has a man called Wolyeonggwangheun come up to the family, by any chance?"
"How did Young Master Uncheon know of that?"
"So he has arrived after all. We met him on the way down to the village. He said he had business at the family."
"Yes. And because of that matter, it seems a Council of Elders has been convened."
"A Council of Elders? Is the name Wolyeonggwangheun important enough to summon a full council?"
"It is not that. The thing is…"
Sa Inho hesitated a moment, then inclined his head slightly.
"It is not something I am free to speak of."
"I see. Understood."
Uncheon answered as if it were of little consequence and passed through the gate into the family grounds.
Hmm…
A quiet, solemn atmosphere. With a Council of Elders in session, the air felt different from usual.
The Baekcheon Blood Sect Incident…
Sa Inho had not answered, but Uncheon had already read the man's thoughts. The affair was clearly connected to their own house, yet until this day Uncheon had never heard so much as a whisper of the Baekcheon Blood Sect Incident.
"Oppa, shouldn't we tell Father about this?"
"Let's do that."
Together with Namgung Hyemi, Uncheon crossed the inner grounds and headed for the Changgung Guardian Hall. A short while later a martial artist with twin swords at his waist stepped before Namgung Hyemi. It was Jeon Dobang, captain of the First Guard Unit of the Guardian Hall.
"Young Miss, you have returned."
"Captain Jeon, is Father inside?"
"The Hall Master has escorted the Family Head to the Changgung Supreme Hall for the Council of Elders. Is something the matter?"
Namgung Hyemi glanced sidelong at Uncheon; Uncheon answered in her place.
"Captain Jeon, I don't know if it was pure chance, but when we went down to the inn we met Yeo Jugae, branch leader of the Beggars' Union in this region."
"Yeo Jugae of the Beggars' Union—at a village inn?"
"Yes. He asked us whether we knew of Wolyeonggwangheun. In fact, while we were coming down Huangshan we met Wolyeonggwangheun on his way up. Yeo Jugae was looking for him, and he told us why the Beggars' Union is pursuing the man."
"If the Beggars' Union is chasing him…"
"Yes. He said that wherever Wolyeonggwangheun passed, murders followed. They're tracking him in order to investigate."
Jeon Dobang felt a prickle of unease. Dozens of incidents flared across the Central Plains every day, and the Beggars' Union ignored most of them. Yet this time they were taking an interest? It was not something to be brushed aside.
"Young Master Uncheon, is what you have said the truth?"
"Yes. The beggar named Yeo Jugae told us himself."
Namgung Hyemi quickly stepped in as well.
"Captain Jeon, I heard it too."
"Understood. I will go to the Changgung Supreme Hall and report this myself. The two of you may return and rest."
Jeon Dobang left them behind and hurried toward the Changgung Supreme Hall. Uncheon looked at Namgung Hyemi.
"That's enough, right? I'm going to rest."
"Okay. And…"
Uncheon swiftly clapped a hand over her mouth.
"Just in case—don't say you'll come over if you get bored."
"Tch, you're the worst."
Uncheon hurried back to Hyeoncheon Pavilion.
The Changgung Supreme Hall was solemn and still.
Twenty-five years had passed since the incident. At the time, the parties involved had been the previous Family Head and the ten great elders who sat on the Council. The previous Family Head, Namgung Hu, had withdrawn from all family affairs and now lived quietly in the Hall of Washed Hands. Word had been sent there before the meeting; the reply that returned was simple.
Handle it according to the family's will.
Vice Head Namgung Ho-u rose from his seat. He was the elder brother of Family Head Namgung Cheonwu and the man said to resemble the previous Family Head most closely. In addition to serving as Vice Head, he was also the Hall Master of the Emperor Hall among the Five Heavens Halls, and he had mastered the family's supreme sword art, the Changgung Muae Sword Art.
"Though the man who has come speaking of the Baekcheon Blood Sect Incident claims to be the sole survivor of the Baekcheon Sect, I believe he must have some further purpose."
"I agree with the Vice Head's assessment."
Ninth Elder Namgung Ha replied. He might be a survivor of the Baekcheon Sect, yet he would not have come merely to rake up the Baekcheon Blood Sect Incident. Dragging that matter into the light would bring Wolyeonggwangheun no advantage. The true reason for his visit could only be known by meeting him and speaking face to face.
Third Elder Namgung Heo, who had been listening in silence, finally opened his mouth. His nature was so composed that even if the heavens collapsed and the earth split he would not startle; his voice was slow, yet it drew every ear in the hall.
"As you all know, our family is not entirely without responsibility for the destruction of the Baekcheon Sect. Whatever request he may bring, if it is something we can grant, should we not hear him out on the grounds of moral duty?"
"Third Elder, what are you saying! The destruction of the Baekcheon Sect has nothing whatever to do with us. We withdrew from their affairs quietly. If we grant his wishes, it may look as though we are admitting guilt."
Fifth Elder Namgung Yeo fixed him with a sharp glare as he spoke.
"Come now, Fifth Elder. Even if we did withdraw quietly, from their perspective the very fact that we descended upon them leaves us with little room to argue."
As the Third and Fifth Elders' views clashed, Vice Head Namgung Ho-u quickly stepped in to mediate.
"For the moment, neither of you is wrong. It would be best to meet the man and ask him what he wants."
"Mm…"
Just then Jeon Dobang entered the chamber quietly and approached Namgung Sinwu, who was guarding Family Head Namgung Cheonwu. Under ordinary circumstances such a thing would never have been permitted. Jeon Dobang bowed his head, delivered a swift message, and withdrew from the hall.
"…Word has just arrived concerning Wolyeonggwangheun. It seems Uncheon and Hyemi went down to the village and encountered Yeo Jugae, branch leader of the Beggars' Union in this region."
At Namgung Sinwu's words, the brows of Law Enforcement Hall Head Namgung Hyeonwu twitched. He had not expected his son Uncheon's name to surface so suddenly. Namgung Sinwu continued.
"According to what the children heard from Yeo Jugae, murders have followed in every place Wolyeonggwangheun passed on his way into Huangshan. The Beggars' Union is investigating the matter."
The faces of those gathered in the great hall grew hard. If the Beggars' Union learned that Wolyeonggwangheun was a man of the Baekcheon Sect, the affair could grow noisy indeed.
Family Head Namgung Cheonwu spoke for the first time.
"If murders are involved as well, then this Wolyeonggwangheun's visit leaves an unpleasant taste."
Namgung Cheonwu pointed toward a man whose expression had already turned grim.
"Even so, we must still learn why he has come to our family. Law Enforcement Hall Head—will you meet him and discover what this is about?"
Of all those present, Namgung Hyeonwu was the one who would handle the matter without being swayed. Namgung Hyeonwu rose and offered a fist-and-palm salute.
"As the Family Head commands, I will go and meet Wolyeonggwangheun myself."
"I leave it to you."
Leaving the Changgung Supreme Hall, Namgung Hyeonwu made his way toward the Guest Compound, lost in thought.
So Uncheon met Yeo Jugae in the village…
It seemed wiser to ask about that first before the meeting. He turned his steps toward Hyeoncheon Pavilion instead.
The door slid open. Uncheon rose to greet Namgung Hyeonwu as he entered.
"Has the council already ended?"
"I hear you met Yeo Jugae. Is that true?"
"It is."
That the Beggars' Union itself had become involved was clearly no good omen. Uncheon recounted everything—the encounter with Wolyeonggwangheun on the way down to the village, and the full account he had later heard from Yeo Jugae of the Beggars' Union in front of the inn.
"That is all of it."
"I see. Get up."
"Pardon? Why…?"
"Come with me to the Guest Compound to meet him."
"Me?"
"This is family business. Simply listening at my side will be a valuable experience for you."
"…Understood."
Uncheon rose without protest and followed after Namgung Hyeonwu. Once his father had decided something, there was no taking it back.