The Blue Silver Sword
Sun Yuhwa felt a quiet warmth as she watched Uncheon fill his mouth with rice.
In her eyes, her eighteen-year-old son still looked like a child of three or four.
She had married into a martial family of the murim, yet she herself had not been born to one. She was a daughter of the Chungui Sun Family, a scholarly Confucian house of renown in Hefei of Anhui, once known as Yezhou.
"Is it good?"
"Of course. Mother's cooking is the finest in the entire family."
"Hehe. Thank you."
She was simply grateful that, aside from the medicinal herbs he had swallowed by mistake as an infant, he had grown to eighteen without any great mishap.
Uncheon looked at his mother, who was gazing at his face with such open fondness, and spoke.
"Come to think of it, Grandfather's birthday falls on the second day of next month."
"Ah, yes. I had something to say about that, but the atmosphere has been so unsettled I completely forgot."
Sun Yuhwa nodded as she answered.
When he was small, they had always gone together with his parents to pay their respects on his maternal grandfather's birthday. After Namgung Hyeonwu became Head of the Law Enforcement Hall, however, he could rarely leave, and from the age of fifteen Uncheon himself had been kept away by the three-stage training examinations. They had not been able to visit as a family.
"I had meant for us all to go together this year, but something has come up in the family and it seems impossible. Your grandfather said he misses you terribly. It's a pity…"
Sun Yuhwa, too, knew of the unexpected guests who had arrived at the family and of the tension that had followed. Seeing the regret on her face, Uncheon spoke gently to comfort her.
"Don't worry. This year I'll go alone to see Grandfather."
"You? Alone? Won't it be hard?"
"Mother, I'm eighteen now. I've already passed the Changcheon Gate, so I can manage the journey perfectly well. In fact I've already bought a gift for Grandfather."
"Oh my… Hehe. Our son has grown into such a fine young man already. Your grandfather will be overjoyed when he sees you."
"Still, I wonder whether Father will allow it."
"I'll speak to him when he comes home."
"Then just give me the word and I'll explain the rest. Given the time, I may have to leave for Hefei as early as tomorrow."
Things were unfolding exactly as Uncheon had hoped; inwardly he cheered.
The door slid open with a soft rattle. Uncheon stepped inside and bowed.
"Father, you called for me?"
"Your mother has spoken. She says you mean to go to Hefei alone."
"Yes. Father is occupied with family affairs, and we have not visited for several years. I thought it best to go even by myself this time."
"…Can you manage the journey alone?"
"I wish to use this chance to learn whether I can travel by myself."
"So you still intend to leave the family."
"…"
The distance to Hefei was not great, yet this would be his first journey into the jianghu alone.
"Even if the road is short, you must find your way carefully."
"I plan to travel with an escort caravan. I've already asked my uncle for a word of introduction."
"An escort caravan. A sound idea, though it will not be easy."
"I understand. I'll keep my wits about me."
Namgung Hyeonwu held out a single sword.
"In my heart I would rather forbid it, yet I cannot break your will. If you mean to step into the Central Plains, you will need a blade. I had this made to give you once you passed the Changcheon Gate. It is no legendary sword, but it is not a poor one either."
"They say the sun will rise in the west… So you believed I would pass."
"Do you refuse it?"
"No. Thank you."
Uncheon received the sword with both hands. It measured roughly four and a half chi in length. On the upper part of the scabbard, which gleamed with a subtle blue light, the characters for Gongseon were inscribed. Gongseon was the foremost smith of Anhui.
"This sword… was it made by Uncle Gong?"
"It was. He said it was for a friend's son and forged it for you. Be sure to thank him later."
"Yes."
When Uncheon laid his hand upon the hilt, he felt the sword's energy flow into him.
"How does it feel?"
"It feels solid. Substantial."
Namgung Hyeonwu nodded. Had Uncheon not properly mastered the heavy-sword principles, he would never have sensed the blade's qi upon first grasping it.
"He said you should name it yourself."
Uncheon tightened his grip and slowly drew the sword free. Silver light ran along the blade, the edge, and the guard, crossing and mingling until it formed a pure, clear radiance.
"I will call it the Cheongeungeom."
"Cheongeungeom… A fine name. From this day think of the Cheongeungeom as part of your own body and never let it leave your side. And strive to make it a sword of life, not a sword of slaughter."
"Yes, Father."
Uncheon smiled faintly. Whatever else might be said, receiving a sword from his father meant he had been acknowledged as ready to stand on his own.
"When you reach Hefei, tell your grandfather that urgent business kept me away, but that I will come with your mother next time."
"Yes, I understand. Ah—about that other matter… how did it turn out?"
Uncheon casually inquired after Wolyeonggwangheun while looking into Namgung Hyeonwu's eyes.
"That is not your concern. The family will handle it."
So he knows.
Through the light in those eyes Uncheon confirmed that his father now understood why the visitors had come to the family. He had been fretting over how to speak of the Cheonhwangdo Map; this was a relief.
As expected, the family already knows everything. I can leave with an easy heart. I worried for nothing.
"You haven't much time. Leave at once."
"Yes, Father. I'll be back safely."
"…Always be careful."
Uncheon bowed at the waist and withdrew.
A constant bustle filled the air.
Merchants hurried in and out through a great gate five kan wide and a kan and a half high.
"Is this the place?"
Uncheon approached the main entrance and looked up at the signboard.
Huangshan Escort Agency.
He walked inside and scanned the courtyard, deciding whom to address.
That man should do.
A middle-aged fellow holding a large ledger was berating the merchants who streamed through the gate.
"What in the world are you people doing? I told you to have the goods here by noon today!"
Hwan Sik, deputy master of the Finance Hall, was in the midst of scolding the traders when he sensed someone approaching quietly and snapped his head around.
Uncheon bowed first.
"Good day."
"And who might you be?"
Hwan Sik looked the youth in the blue long robe up and down. As a man who dealt with merchants, he recognized the fabric at once. It was of the highest grade, woven of Nanjing cloud-brocade that caught a soft sheen.
Uncheon bowed lightly once more.
"I come from the Namgung Family. Is there a man here named Chae Sin?"
"Ah… Young master of the Namgung Family, is it? You seek Chief Steward Chae… How do you know him?"
"I've never met him myself, but I know someone close to him. That person told me to seek him out at the Huangshan Escort Agency."
To Hwan Sik the youth did not seem to be lying. The clothes alone marked him as a scion of a wealthy house.
"Please wait a moment. The steward is extremely busy… I'll have someone locate him."
"Take your time. I'll wait right here."
Hwan Sik found the young man unexpectedly modest. Unlike most sons of great families, he carried none of that habitual air of authority.
An unusual young master.
He quickly dispatched a messenger to fetch the steward.
"Young master, I've sent someone. If you'll wait just a little while…"
"You look busy. I'm sorry to trouble you. I'll wait over there so you can get back to your work."
"Ah… Yes. Of course."
Hwan Sik watched Uncheon step aside, then returned to dealing with the merchants.
After roughly half a gak of waiting beside the main gate, a middle-aged man approached at an unhurried yet not slow pace.
From the Namgung Family, they said… Quite a young fellow.
He, too, noted the blue long robe.
The Namgung Family is not known for frugality, yet they don't usually dress their young men in cloth this expensive…
"I was told a young master was asking for me. Have you come from the Namgung Family?"
"Yes, that's right."
"I do not doubt your word, yet might I see some token of identity?"
"Ah. My clothes are rather flashy, aren't they? My mother chose them for me."
Uncheon parted one side of the robe and drew a token from an inner pocket at his waist. It was a plaque of blue jade banded with gold, the characters for Uncheon clearly engraved upon it.
The middle-aged man's manner immediately grew respectful.
"Young Master Namgung Uncheon. This humble one is Chae Sin. I… did not mean to imply distrust."
"I know. You look a great deal like Uncle Chae Eun."
Chae Sin stared at Uncheon's face in surprise. A young master who knew the name Chae Eun. At once he recalled a story he had heard long ago: the man he served had a son who was quite attached to him and thoroughly endearing.
"Ah…! So you are the son of the one my elder brother Chae Eun serves. Forgive me for not recognizing you at once."
"It was a long time ago; of course you might forget. Uncle Chae Eun only told me to look for his younger brother at the Huangshan Escort Agency. I didn't know you were the chief steward."
"Hahaha, truly a pleasure. Please, come inside. Allow me to escort you."
Chae Sin walked beside Uncheon, guiding him deeper into the agency.
"What business brings you to our escort agency, young master?"
"I must go to Hefei. I've come to ask whether, if there is a caravan bound for Hefei, I might travel with them as a temporary escort guard until we arrive."
"Why are you going to Hefei alone?"
"It's my maternal grandfather's birthday. My parents suddenly became busy, so this time I'm going by myself. Mother insisted I wear my finest clothes to visit her family, which is why I'm dressed like this. I feel a bit too conspicuous myself, but I couldn't refuse her request."
"Not at all. You look splendid."
Chae Sin met Uncheon's eyes and gave an awkward smile. The thought had been private, yet the young man had read it perfectly; he felt oddly embarrassed.
"As it happens, a caravan leaves for Hefei early tomorrow morning. I will speak to the agency master."
"That's fortunate. Perfect."
While they talked they reached the agency master's office.
"Agency Master, the chief steward."
"Enter."
Hu In-jong, master of the Huangshan Escort Agency, looked at the youth who entered with Chae Sin. The face was still boyish, not yet of full age, and the eyes were clear.
Chae Sin stepped forward and clasped his fists.
"Agency Master, this young man comes from the Namgung Family."
"The Namgung Family?"
Hu In-jong regarded Uncheon with mild surprise.
Uncheon took a step forward and offered a formal fist-and-palm salute.
"I am Namgung Uncheon. I pay my respects to the master of the Huangshan Escort Agency."
"Young Master Uncheon, what is your father's name?"
"He uses the characters Hyeon and Wu."
Hu In-jong's eyes widened.
"Hanpungnaengsim Namgung Hyeonwu. He is your father?"
"He is."
The moment Uncheon finished, Chae Sin added,
"He is the son of the man my elder brother Chae Eun serves."
"Oho. Is that so?"
Hu In-jong could hardly fail to know of Namgung Hyeonwu—Head of the Law Enforcement Hall of the Namgung Family and one of its greatest figures.
"Why has the young master come alone to our agency?"
At the question Chae Sin answered again.
"Young Master Uncheon is traveling alone to Hefei and wishes to join the caravan as a temporary escort guard."
Uncheon drew out a letter and offered it to Hu In-jong.
"My uncle asked me to deliver this to you."
It was a letter he had obtained by requesting help from Namgung Seon-wu. Before becoming master of the Great Banquet Hall, Namgung Seon-wu had overseen the Outer Affairs Hall that managed all the family's daily needs; naturally he and Hu In-jong had long been acquainted.
Hu In-jong accepted the letter and read it at once. The contents were simple: his nephew was obliged to travel alone to Hefei and would appreciate the agency's assistance. There was nothing difficult about the request. Escort caravans always needed guards, and though the youth had not yet reached full age, any member of the Namgung Family would certainly possess higher martial skill than ordinary guards.
"Very well. If the young master will serve as a temporary escort, it is we who should be grateful."
The agency master turned back to Chae Sin.
"There is a caravan bound for Hefei tomorrow, is there not?"
"There is."
"Excellent. Chief Steward Chae, inform Chief Escort Guard Jang."
"I will see to it at once."
How fortunate that a caravan for Hefei happened to be leaving at precisely the right time.
"Agency Master, thank you."
"Not at all. Rest comfortably tonight and set out with the caravan tomorrow. Chief Steward Chae will arrange a place for you to stay."
Uncheon followed Chae Sin out of the office and was led to quarters where he could spend the night.
Two figures in black face coverings scanned their surroundings.
One had round eyes of pure black; the other possessed narrow, slit-like eyes of brown. Though their faces were hidden, the shape of their eyes and the color of their irises made them easy to tell apart. Both wore the classic garb of assassins and waited warily for someone.
The round-eyed man in black shifted.
"It must be the third watch by now?"
"Yes, Lord Captain. It is nearly the third watch."
The night sky—Yacheon—was blanketed in cloud; the darkness was so complete that one could not see a single step ahead.
The round-eyed man looked about once more and asked,
"Manjeong, can you see my face?"
"I cannot."
"Exactly. Then is there any need to keep wearing these stifling masks?"
Even as he spoke he yanked the cloth from his head. A completely hairless face appeared. Free of the cumbersome covering, the night breeze felt cool against his skin.
"Still a hot night. But it's cooler without the mask."
"C-Captain…"
"It's fine. No one wanders about at this hour, and no one knows who we are anyway."
"Ah… Yes…"
Hesitantly the slit-eyed man removed his own mask, revealing a sweat-damp face. He, too, seemed relieved; his expression eased at once.
Just then a voice sounded behind them.
"To think assassins would bare their faces so carelessly. As one who has hired the Killing Shadow, I find that rather inconvenient. Captain of the Blood-Killing Unit, Salgwangdoksa. Am I wrong?"
Salgwangdoksa Ak Dogon frowned. From the darkness a black silhouette slowly emerged. It was not the stealth of the approach that irritated him, but the fact that the man had spoken the nickname that meant "bald" to his very face.
A broad black hat hid the stranger's features, yet the formless energy that flowed from his frame made it clear he was no ordinary man. It was neither orthodox internal force nor heretical qi, and still less demonic power.
A mysterious figure.
Ak Dogon regarded him and asked,
"Are you the client who commissioned us?"
"I am."
"Judging by your martial skill, you hardly seem to need the services of our order."
"Have the assassins of the Killing Shadow always been so talkative? Whether your own power is strong or weak, once you accept a contract you simply kill the target. You meddle too much."
"Even a client should mind his tongue."
Ak Dogon's voice turned surly.
Shuuuuuk—!!
In that instant formless killing intent burst from the black-hatted man's entire body and stabbed into Ak Dogon like a thousand sharp needles.
"This is becoming absurd. Showing temper to your employer? That means you wish to die, does it not?"
"Kh… Ugh… Forgive me…"
Ak Dogon endured the invisible pressure. Judging by the force of the qi, the man was at least among the two hundred greatest martial artists of the Central Plains.
The black-hatted man's cold advice came again.
"There is a saying: Why use an ox-cleaver to kill a chicken?"
Though the words dismissed the Killing Shadow, Ak Dogon dared not flare up. Crushed by the man's aura, what use would defiance be?
"Still, if it is the blade of the Killing Shadow, it should at least be able to cut off a chicken's head. Am I wrong?"
"…Who is the target this time?"
"The Huangshan Escort Agency."
Ak Dogon flinched. Not every escort agency was the same. This one stood under the protection of the Namgung Family and was among the most renowned in all of Anhui—scarcely weaker than many sects.
The black-hatted man read the expression but ignored it. Until now he had followed Dokjeonhwa and used the Killing Shadow to arrange murders. This time was no different—except that the target was no longer a single person.
"If you are afraid, withdraw. If you cannot do it, there are plenty of others who can replace you."
"I am not afraid. I was merely surprised. Until now we have killed individuals. To be told suddenly to strike an entire escort agency caught me off guard."
"I did not ask to hear that you were surprised. Can you do it or not?"
This time Ak Dogon answered without hesitation.
"It is possible. But if the target is a group, the fee will need to be higher."
"Tsk tsk. Martial artists grow ever greedier for gold. Then again, for those who take lives for money it is only natural. Still, I anticipated just such a complication and already added an extra lump of gold to the commission. Did the master of the Killing Shadow not inform you?"
"…I did not know. I was not told."
"Heh. This will be the final contract. Handle it well and I will reward you handsomely as well."
"That is welcome news indeed."
"Tomorrow, strike the first caravan to leave Huangshan and kill them all. But they must die before they completely leave the mountain."
"Understood."
Ak Dogon and Manjeong pulled their black masks back on and bowed. In that brief interval the black-hatted silhouette vanished without a sound before their eyes.
A true master… I could not sense his presence disappear at all.
A contract to kill someone while trailing Dokjeonhwa. What was truly unfolding he could not guess, yet it was none of his concern.
Ak Dogon turned to his subordinate Manjeong and gave his orders.
"Once again we leave no trace. Understood?"
"Captain, if we use our full strength against an escort agency we will have no choice but to release our internal energy. Once we do that, concealing our identities becomes difficult."
"I know. But we have no choice. Having accepted the commission, we are bound to complete it, even if it means risk. First we reconnoiter the Huangshan Escort Agency."
"Understood. We will follow the captain's command."
Whiiip!
The figures of Ak Dogon and Manjeong likewise melted into the darkness.