Another Peerless Martial Art of Past and Present (2)
By the time Baek So-cheon returned to the Mun-seong branch, Jeol-gang branch leader Jeong-pung was pacing frantically.
"Where the hell have you been?"
"What's the problem?"
"What do you think? Yeom Jeong-gil's been throwing a fit like a madman."
He had already been locked in this interrogation room for days. If his inner power hadn't been suppressed, he would have smashed through the door and escaped by now.
Jeong-pung had been tormented by all sorts of grim imaginings—what if Baek So-cheon just vanished for good? But now that Baek So-cheon was back, it felt like he'd been pulled back from the brink of death.
"So, what's your plan now?"
Yeom Jeong-gil and Wang Gon were confined in the branch, oblivious to Jong-sa descending or his disappearance. Even Shin-hwa-bang, who had sent him down, likely hadn't noticed his absence yet, given the timing.
"You'll interrogate them now, Branch Leader Jeong. Make it as brutal as possible, and tell them it's orders from above—you have no choice. Scare them by saying the Yang Chu case has ballooned into something the headquarters is watching closely."
"You want me to lie?"
"How is that a lie?"
"Headquarters doesn't know about this."
"Of course they do. They know every detail of what's happening here. Hyun-cheon Pavilion has probably already launched an investigation into Shin-hwa-bang."
Suddenly, it hit Jeong-pung—this man who had come down here was Baek So-cheon.
He'd dismissed him as just a fallen hero, but on second thought, he hadn't considered Baek So-cheon's deep ties to the Murim Alliance. If they were watching him, they were watching everything here too.
If that was the case, Jeong-pung figured listening to Baek So-cheon had been the right call. Siding with Shin-hwa-bang while Hyun-cheon Pavilion had eyes on them? The mere thought sent chills down his spine.
"Understood. I'll do as you say."
Jeong-pung interrogated Yeom Jeong-gil and Wang Gon one after another.
Just as Baek So-cheon instructed, he created an atmosphere of terror, making it clear the matter was out of his hands.
Only after instilling that fear did Baek So-cheon enter Wang Gon's interrogation room first.
"Why'd you take so long?"
"Don't even ask. The mood outside is downright murderous."
Having already heard from Jeong-pung, Wang Gon took Baek So-cheon's words at face value.
"There's trouble for you, Branch Leader."
"What kind?"
"I overheard Jeong-pung talking with his cronies."
"What'd they say?"
Wang Gon swallowed hard.
"They were discussing pinning the blame for this incident on either you or Yeom Jeong-gil."
"What?"
Wang Gon recoiled in shock. The moment he heard it, instinct told him he was the sacrificial lamb.
Shin-hwa-bang's four great warriors versus the South Branch Leader—it was no contest from the start.
"With headquarters paying attention, they seem eager to wrap this up fast. That Jeong-pung guy's got a sneaky ambition to protect his position."
What if Jeong-pung framed one of them?
Would headquarters really step in to save them?
Damn it!
No chance. If the Murim Alliance branded someone a villain, the bangju would cut off his tail in a heartbeat. Even against equals—but against the Alliance? No question.
The incident had nothing to do with Shin-hwa-bang; it was one man's rogue act. The bangju would sever more than a tail to save his own skin—he'd lop off everything below the neck if needed.
After days trapped here, hearing this despairing news made Wang Gon's head spin; he felt like he might collapse.
"You alright? You look pale."
"I'm fine. Did you tell Great Hero Yeom the same?"
"No, I came to you first."
"Good, very good."
"What now?"
In that moment, Wang Gon thought of one solution.
The first—and only—one that came to mind: the method he used most, excelled at. Money.
Bribe Jeong-pung to make Yeom Jeong-gil the scapegoat. That was his only way to survive.
If they pinned the Yang Chu family massacre on him, it was execution.
Even if he dodged death through every trick and ended up in prison, Shin-hwa-bang would send assassins. He was useless now anyway, and they couldn't leave someone who knew their secrets alive.
But if Yeom Jeong-gil took the fall, he might live. At least until the Mun-seong branch's iron ore business wrapped up. He'd find a way to impress the bangju in the meantime.
"Bring my son here. I need to see him."
"Impossible. I barely got in myself."
"Our lives are on the line. You think you'll be safe if I'm taken out?"
"Is that a threat?"
"I'm saying grasp the gravity. Help with everything you've got—for your sake too."
"Fine. I'll see what I can do."
Baek So-cheon rose with a reluctant expression.
About two hours later, he arranged for Wang U to meet his father.
After two brief meetings with his son, Wang Gon handed Baek So-cheon a thick envelope.
Inside were a hundred 1,000-nyang bills—100,000 nyang total.
It was nearly all his fortune: the ore shipment money recovered, his house and valuables mortgaged.
Wang U had begged against it, insisting on other ways, but Wang Gon had barked orders until his son relented and brought the cash.
"Use this to buy off the branch leader. Make him pin it on Great Hero Yeom."
He'd prepared such a massive sum because Jeong-pung couldn't refuse. Knowing Jeong-pung was closer to Yeom Jeong-gil made the amount even larger.
"Have your son handle this."
Wang Gon shook his head. His son had opposed bribing Baek So-cheon earlier and grumbled about spending the money now. Entrusting it to him risked the whole plan collapsing.
"No. You do it."
"Branch Leader Jeong doesn't seem the type to take bribes. Think he'll accept?"
"He will. This amount guarantees it."
Wang Gon was certain. No one in the world would turn down 100,000 nyang.
"But spending it all... what about my cut?"
Wang Gon flinched inwardly at the direct hit.
This greedy bastard! Still thinking of money at a time like this.
He feigned nonchalance.
"Don't underestimate my wealth. We're far from scraping bottom."
"Alright. I'll give swaying Jeong-pung a shot."
Of course, Baek So-cheon never met Jeong-pung. He didn't go near his office, just deposited the money at the exchange house. The previous 100,000 nyang from Cheon-geuk went to the Continental Exchange; this one to the Central Plains Exchange.
Earning money faster and easier than amid wartime chaos brought a hollow laugh. The value differed from his past earnings, sure.
But it would spend the same. Money from killing or seizing from villains would one day save lives—including his own, willingly.
As Wang Gon fretted, Baek So-cheon stepped into the courtyard for martial training.
Starting today, not just stamina building—proper martial arts practice.
Beon-cheon Gu-gwon was profoundly complex.
Especially the latter parts; even Baek So-cheon, who had reached the ranks of the world's best, found several sections baffling. No wonder later generations never achieved great success.
But he wasn't worried. His goal wasn't mastering Beon-cheon Gu-gwon anyway. He wasn't foolish or shameless enough to aim for great success in a supreme art with zero inner power.
He'd just train as best he could. The process mattered, not the result.
Beon-cheon Gu-gwon, mimicking wind, moon, sun, and sky, comprised nine fist forms.
Baek So-cheon planned to master perfectly the first three, designed to use the foe's power over his own or maximize effect with minimal force.
First Fist: Wind Flowing Clouds Scatter.
Based on wind dispersing clouds, it held seven forms to deflect the opponent's inner power and counterattack.
Second Fist: Wind Stilled Waves Calmed.
Inspired by wind dying and waves settling, sixteen defensive forms to evade attacks.
Third Fist: Wind Whirling Lightning Striking.
From whirlwind winds and raging lightning, six more aggressive, destructive forms than the prior two.
Fist forms normally relied on inner power for desired strength and speed. Baek So-cheon aimed to overcome that with his honed body.
Luckily, he knew inner power better than anyone. He'd wielded it as the world's top master and studied Immovable Wisdom King Heart Method, one of the supreme arts, daily.
He knew exactly how inner power flowed through meridians to produce force, how it interacted with muscle power, its effects.
Thus, these early three fists—unlike the later ones with massive destructive power—could be approximated to a degree.
Whoosh—bang.
The first sound of air slicing rang out. To the casual eye, it looked like a punch from someone with inner power.
That night, the crisp, powerful sounds of fists, feet, and body never ceased for a moment.
* * *
The next morning, Wang Gon was released.
Of course, at Baek So-cheon's urging to Jeong-pung.
When Wang Gon, looking haggard, boarded the waiting carriage, Baek So-cheon and Wang U were already inside.
"Father."
Worry filled Wang U's face.
But not for his father—it was the lost fortune gnawing at him.
He hid it well, but he was deeply dissatisfied.
Just tough it out physically. There had to be other ways. Throwing away all that money after a few days—what a waste.
Honestly, he'd hoped his father wouldn't get out. Then he could've lived lavishly off the family wealth. A tiger father begets no dog son, but a dog father sires no tiger either.
Wang Gon said to Baek So-cheon,
"You've worked hard."
"He hesitated at first, but took it once he saw the amount."
Wang Gon sneered inwardly.
Of course he did.
No one could resist 100,000 nyang. That's why he'd offered so much.
"Think the blame will shift to Great Hero Yeom?"
"Not certain yet, but it should."
"You must keep this quiet—absolutely. I impressed that on Jeong-pung too."
"No worries there. If it leaks, he's done for too."
Jeong-pung aside, if Yeom Jeong-gil learned the truth, his temper would demand blood.
Meanwhile, Wang U fretted over something else.
"What now? We can't even pay the warriors."
"Borrow. As long as we live, that money's nothing—we'll recover fast."
Wang Gon believed it. Squeeze more tribute from those Heuk-su bastards, or use this Baek So-cheon for a big score.
He unclasped his gold bracelet and handed it to Baek So-cheon.
"Take this at least. Good work."
"Father!"
Wang U tried to stop him, but Baek So-cheon accepted without hesitation.
"Thanks."
"See you around."
Baek So-cheon stood watching the carriage depart. He knew well the lives Wang Gon and Wang U had led—and how they should end.
Gazing at the gold bracelet from Wang Gon, he slipped it on his wrist for some reason, then turned back toward the branch.