There Are No Easy Things in This World
“You have some?”
“I didn’t know about them either, but it turns out there are.”
“To use something like that as a hidden weapon, wouldn’t you need incredibly strong inner energy?”
“Exactly.”
“Cheonlyeon really has managed to gather so many experts, haven’t they?”
“There are plenty of people in the world with grievances against it.”
“Why did the Destroyer and the Non-Smoldering Immortal join Cheonlyeon?”
“I didn’t get the chance to ask this time. Their martial arts are certainly profound, but their personalities are utterly vile.”
“Just how bad are they?”
“When the Non-Smoldering Immortal pressed his palms together in greeting, I genuinely thought he was a devout Buddhist.”
“And then?”
“It was a deception. He fired a white lotus needle so no one would notice. That’s what hit me.”
“Oh my! How wicked.”
“That’s not even the worst of it. Do you know what he said to me? That my life was in his hands, so if I wanted to live, I should kill Magistrate Jo. Wow, I’ve never seen anyone so vicious.”
“That’s truly awful. So what did you do?”
“I did the same thing he did—distracted him and removed the white lotus needle.”
Dan Yeop left out the details of how he had done it. Explaining the process would have sounded far too much like boasting. Son Yeon-hwa, who had never learned martial arts, simply accepted his words at face value.
“Still, it’s fortunate you managed to remove the needle. Brother, do you intend to continue working as a constable?”
“Why do you ask?”
“From everything you’ve told me, it sounds far too dangerous.”
“It’s fine. I’m only doing it because I can handle the risk. If I ever feel I can’t, I’ll stop.”
Son Yeon-hwa studied Dan Yeop’s expression carefully before asking again.
“You have no thoughts of quitting?”
“Not yet. I still need to avenge my friend.”
“Avenge?”
“The woman my friend loved was killed because of Cheonlyeon. She was murdered in a truly horrific way. I promised him I would take revenge on them.”
“Ah… so that’s what happened.”
“It’s late. You should head home. Your mother will worry.”
“Oh… yes…”
At Dan Yeop’s gentle dismissal, Son Yeon-hwa rose without protest. After seeing her off, he opened his notebook and recorded everything that had occurred that day. What had begun as a means of communicating with the original, weaker Dan Yeop had now become an unbreakable habit.
He wrote about feeling a momentary pity for the Non-Smoldering Immortal only to be stabbed in the back, then moved on to the story of Muk Cheol-sim and his son Muk Geum-gang. When he finally closed the notebook, it felt as though the day’s duties were truly complete.
Dan Yeop pulled his travel bag out from beneath the bed and set it on the table.
“It feels like I lived two full days between last night and this morning…”
That morning he had believed he had simply dozed off during training. But after living through the entire day, he now realized that wasn’t what had happened. Every moment from the Jangan County Office to the Mannyeon Cheoljang remained vividly clear in his mind, as though he had somehow traveled backward through time itself.
What if he had truly lived that span of time?
Then everything lined up perfectly.
Could it be that I experienced the future while wearing the Astral Gold-Threaded Jade Suit?
If his master had been beside him, he would have asked. He wondered whether the mysterious experience he had undergone today was connected to the secret of the Astral Gold-Threaded Jade Suit.
If one could perfectly know the future, even those destined to die could be saved—just as he had saved Magistrate Jo Mu-jin and Constable Do-gyeom today. Their original fate had been to die at the Mannyeon Cheoljang. He had changed the destiny of men whose deaths had already been decided.
The thought sent a chill racing across his skin. If a person could control the fate of others, was that not the power of a god?
Let me check once more.
Dan Yeop locked the door, took out the Astral Gold-Threaded Jade Suit, put it on, and lay down on the bed. His heart fluttered with anticipation at the thought of living through another future. He recalled the formulas of the Yi-won-gwi-il-gong. A dizzying sensation washed over him, and once again the vast starry sky unfolded before his eyes.
Countless stars sparkled within the galaxy that flowed like a great river. No matter how many times he witnessed the sight, its mystery never faded. Dan Yeop gazed at the endless expanse of stars and waited for the heavenly messenger to call him.
But the starry sky remained utterly silent.
It should be about time…
Growing tired of waiting, he simply immersed himself in training the Yi-won-gwi-il-gong. He recited the formulas and contemplated their profound teachings. As time slipped away, the boundary between his inner and outer worlds dissolved. He felt as though he had become part of the starry sky itself.
Suddenly, wisdom beyond words pierced his soul. In a space where time itself seemed to stop—silent, existing yet not, neither born nor dead—Dan Yeop’s breathing grew as thin as a thread and finally ceased.
…….
How much time had passed?
When he decided it was enough, Dan Yeop slowly opened his eyes. He had expected morning, yet the world beyond the window was still pitch black.
“What?”
The training had been successful, yet he had failed to glimpse the secret of the Astral Gold-Threaded Jade Suit.
“Hah…”
Dan Yeop scratched the back of his head with an embarrassed expression. They said that greed could ruin even the simplest task, and here he was, living proof. “It’s not easy.”
Of course it wasn’t. Even the elders of the Taego Sect had worn the suit for hundreds of thousands of years without unraveling its mystery. To think he could swallow it whole without even peeling away the outer layer—how foolish.
As Dan Yeop smiled bitterly and placed the suit back into his travel bag, the distant sound of a night watchman’s gong rang out, announcing the third watch.
“Yes… this is how it should be.”
Even though he understood, a deep pang of disappointment still settled in his chest.
Chapter 102. There Are No Easy Things in This World?
Jangan County Office. Patrol Office.
The moment Dan Yeop arrived for duty, constables and patrolmen swarmed around him.
“Did you leave your tinted glasses at home?”
“How’s the shoulder?”
“I have some excellent golden wound medicine. Just say the word if you need it.”
“What did they decide about covering the medicine costs?”
Dan Yeop answered each rapid-fire question with patient courtesy.
“I left the tinted glasses at home by mistake. My body is fine, and the county office has agreed to cover the medicine costs.”
In truth, he had not forgotten the glasses. The golden hue had faded from his eyes to the point that no one would notice unless they looked very closely, so he had simply stopped wearing them.
“Thank goodness.”
“If you’re injured while serving the country, of course the office should pay.”
“It’s not always that simple. Remember last winter when Constable Jeong hurt his back catching a thief? They just let it slide.”
“That’s different. The severity of the case isn’t the same. This is a major matter the imperial family is watching.”
“Still, an injury sustained on duty is an injury on duty.”
With Dan Yeop at the center, the constables’ conversation veered off in an unexpected direction. Just as the debate over medical expenses was growing heated, Constable Do-gyeom entered.
“You all worked hard yesterday. But don’t let your guard down just because we caught the culprits. There’s no telling when Cheonlyeon will send more killers. While on patrol, keep an eye out for any high-level martial artists who have recently drifted in from outside the region. At the very least, learn their names. And Constable Dan, Magistrate Jo is looking for you. Head to the main hall.”
“Right now?”
“Yes.”
Dan Yeop bowed to Do-gyeom and left the patrol office.
Main Hall.
When Dan Yeop entered, Magistrate Jo Mu-jin gestured to the empty chair across from him.
“Sit.”
“Thank you.”
Magistrate Jo waited until Dan Yeop was seated before speaking.
“How is the injury?”
“It’s fine.”
“And the medicine?”
“I’ve been taking the decoction morning and evening.”
“Good. You mustn’t neglect internal injuries just because they can’t be seen. Even the greatest martial masters can be undone by hidden ailments.”
“Understood.”
“Since we’ve captured all the murderers of Grand General Choe Eon, the imperial palace will surely mention your name.”
“Mention me in what way?”
“There will likely be talk of rewards or improvements to your position.”
“I see…”
“A reward is simple enough to accept gratefully, but improving your position is trickier. As you know, constables have no official rank. That’s why even low-ranking officials treat them with contempt.”
Dan Yeop nodded. He had witnessed it countless times while working as a constable and had grown used to it. Nor was the fault entirely with the officials. Many constables were so crude they could rival the lowest members of Haomun. In a way, it was simply karmic retribution.
“The imperial family may offer you a high official post. Of course you could refuse, but at that point it would damage the dignity of the throne. So I will ask once more. Do you truly have no desire to enter official service?”
“None.”
“Very well. In that case, I will make it unmistakably clear to Lord Seol Yeom, the Gyeongjo Yun, that you have no interest in office.”
“Thank you.”
“No need for thanks. I assume it’s because of Haomun?”
“Yes.”
“You may be the first person in history to refuse an official position in order to remain in Haomun.”
“……”
“On another note, I was genuinely shocked when I saw your martial prowess at the Mannyeon Cheoljang yesterday. I knew you were skilled, but I never imagined you were that strong.”
“You flatter me.”
Dan Yeop meant it sincerely. Within a small well one might seem impressive, but a single step beyond it revealed countless masters who soared through the heavens. The Blood Emperor, the now-deceased Four Evils Hyeon-si and Geun-jo, Naeng Han-sang, and others… Add the Five Great Sword Factions, the Geomgak, and the Gwangpunghoe, and the list became endless.
“I will continue to rely on you in the future. I cannot speak for other places, but within Chang’an, Haomun will not suffer losses. As long as the crime is not too severe, I will handle matters appropriately. So please remain by my side for a long time.”
“Thank you.”
Dan Yeop bowed to Magistrate Jo Mu-jin and left the hall.
Afternoon, between one and three.
Dan Yeop patrolled Yeongmu-bang, a district lined with grand mansions. As he walked the quiet streets, he suddenly recalled Constable Do-gyeom’s words.
While on patrol, keep an eye out for any high-level martial artists who have recently drifted in from outside the region. At the very least, learn their names.
He was right. Simply walking around would make it difficult to identify any incoming experts.
While scanning his surroundings, he stopped in front of the Shinheung Inn. Its owner, Bang Jin-baek, was the head of the Jeommun branch of Haomun. Without hesitation, Dan Yeop opened the door and stepped inside.
Since it was still bright daylight, the dining area was completely empty.
“Welcome!”
A young waiter greeted him energetically. Bang Jin-baek, who had been at the counter, looked up and quickly came outside.
“Oh my! Constable, what brings you here?”
Bang Jin-baek, who had learned martial arts from Dan Yeop, pretended not to know him.
“I was passing by and thought I’d check whether any trouble had arisen.”
“Please, have a seat. Cheon-su, hurry and bring some tea.”
“Yes, sir.”
Once the boy called Cheon-su disappeared into the kitchen, Dan Yeop asked, “Who is that child?”
“My nephew from my mother’s side. His family is struggling, so he’s come to work here.”
“I stopped by because I have something to ask.”
“Please, go ahead.”
“Among the outsiders recently seen around Yeongmu-bang, have you noticed anyone who might be a high-level martial artist?”
“You’re worried about Cheonlyeon? I haven’t seen anyone of that caliber yet. Even if I had, I probably wouldn’t have recognized them.”
“I see. If you notice anyone suspicious later, please send word to the patrol office.”
“Understood.”
While they spoke, Cheon-su brought the tea. As Dan Yeop sat alone drinking, the boy quietly approached.
“Constable, sir.”
“Yes?”
“How much money can you make as a constable?”
“Why? Do you want to become one?”
“They say you don’t need to pass the civil exams to be a constable.”
“Have you learned any martial arts?”
“No. We don’t have money to send me to the military academy.”
Dan Yeop looked at the boy with fresh eyes. Haomun might appear sloppy, but its members were surprisingly tight-lipped. For Bang Jin-baek to have hidden his identity so well that the boy would talk about military academies…
“Being a constable isn’t easy. Think it over carefully.”
“Aigoo, where in the world are there any easy jobs?”
The worldly-wise words coming from such a young boy left Dan Yeop momentarily speechless. But for him still—