I Am Byeongmachong's Number One
The man's face twisted in an instant.
He could somewhat understand how Jong-yo had ended up at Hong So-gwang's hands.
Of course, he would use the incident as an excuse to wring the man dry.
But if the opponent was nothing more than some worthless scum from Haomun, the story changed completely.
A mere thug from Haomun had dared to raise a hand against a master of Heukru.
"According to Jong-yo, he was ambushed while drunk."
"Find out which of the Six Gates the bastard belongs to. Bring him before me by tomorrow morning."
"Understood."
The Kangrim Patrol bowed without another word.
Since they already knew the name, discovering his affiliation was child's play.
Though Haomun operated in the shadows, anyone who had worked in one place for decades would inevitably learn about the upper echelons one way or another.
Especially with the Sapa. The leaders of Haomun came to pay their respects from time to time, making it impossible not to know them.
What remained unknown to the outside world were the fresh faces within Haomun itself.
Those who joined through various channels each year stayed anonymous until they had properly established themselves in the gangho.
'I'll just have to pressure the gate leaders of the Six Gates.'
Upon returning to the main headquarters, the Kangrim Patrol immediately ordered the hyangjus to bring in the Six Gates' munjus.
The city gates and even the doors of the Hundred and Eight Chambers had been closed, but to Heukru such measures were no more than spiderwebs.
Midnight.
Useong, Geumcheon District, Heukru Main Headquarters.
Summoned straight from their beds, the six munjus of Haomun stood respectfully before the shadow operative Kangrim.
The Kangrim Patrol spoke with open mockery.
"Looks like our munjus are living quite comfortably these days. After poking your heads into Hadongdo once, the world must seem small, eh? Still, no matter how you look at it, letting the trash fight among themselves is one thing, but touching Heukru? Do you all have a death wish?"
Ha So-ran, munju of Gimun, asked cautiously.
"Patrol Kang, how could we possibly harbor such intentions? We don't even know why you're angry with us. Please calm yourself a little and explain the situation."
"Very well. Since you claim ignorance, I'll enlighten you. Early this evening, our Hyangju Jong-yo had his wrist severed by a man named Dan Yeop. He claims he was ambushed while drunk. I'm honestly terrified of Haomun's novices. Like puppies that don't know to fear tigers, they flip out and charge blindly. Of course, the drunk who let himself get hit is also an idiot, but a Haomun novice attacking a Heukru hyangju while he's intoxicated has crossed the line. Wouldn't you agree, munjus?"
Munju Ha So-ran tilted her head.
There was no disciple by that name in Gimun.
"Patrol Kang, we have no such disciple in Gimun. However, he may belong to another gate, so please grant us a little time."
"Do as you please. You have until morning anyway. Actually, it's already morning. If that bastard isn't delivered by then, the entire Guannei Circuit's Haomun will be washed in blood. Our tower lord is thoroughly enraged."
"Please wait a moment."
After excusing herself from Patrol Kang, Ha So-ran drew the other five munjus aside.
"You all heard it. A man named Dan Yeop cut off Hyangju Jong-yo's wrist. There is no such person in Gimun. Whose disciple is he?"
Hong So-gwang, munju of Amun, glanced at Munju Baek Cho-gong.
Ha So-ran, quick on the uptake, asked Baek Cho-gong directly.
"Is Dan Yeop in Jeommun?"
"He is."
"But why... I specifically told you not to stir up trouble with Sapa masters..."
"I have no idea either."
"This is no longer just Jeommun's problem. Heukru will hold all of Haomun accountable. You must hand Dan Yeop over to them..."
"I will decide after meeting Dan Yeop myself."
Ha So-ran spoke as if frustrated beyond measure.
"What are you saying? This is not the time for hesitation. I understand wanting to protect your own disciple, but you must consider the safety of all Haomun."
The other three munjus nodded in agreement, but Hong So-gwang pretended not to hear and looked elsewhere.
Ha So-ran, who already held many grudges against Hong So-gwang, was not about to let it pass.
"Does Munju Hong have a different opinion?"
"Didn't Munju Baek say he has his own thoughts and will decide after meeting the boy?"
"This isn't something that requires deep consideration. Dan Yeop severed Hyangju Jong-yo's wrist in a surprise attack. While the man was drunk, no less."
"That's what Patrol Kang claims. Still, since we are all part of Haomun, shouldn't we at least hear Dan Yeop's side?"
"What difference will that make? Will you hide him if he has a good excuse? How do you plan to handle the consequences?"
"I trust that Munju Baek will make a wise decision."
Hong So-gwang exchanged a meaningful look with Baek Cho-gong.
Ha So-ran mistakenly believed Hong So-gwang was trying to pull Baek Cho-gong to his side.
Hong So-gwang's attitude was abnormal enough to warrant such suspicion.
Grinding her teeth in fury, Ha So-ran snapped.
"Munju Hong. This is not the time for political games. Did you not hear Patrol Kang? If we don't hand over Dan Yeop by morning, Haomun will be bathed in blood."
"Does Munju Ha not trust Munju Baek? I cannot understand why you are so anxious."
When the gap between Hong So-gwang and Ha So-ran's positions refused to close, the Seonmun munju from Gowonbang intervened.
"Now, now, everyone calm down. Munju Baek, handle the Dan Yeop matter as you see fit, but ensure no harm comes to Haomun."
Baek Cho-gong gave a bitter smile and nodded.
"Understood. I will keep it in mind."
Ha So-ran, who had been observing silently, suddenly asked Baek Cho-gong.
"By the way, what sort of person is Dan Yeop? The name sounds familiar."
"He is the adopted son of Chong-gyodu Dan Bul-wi."
In that instant, Ha So-ran understood why Hong So-gwang had sided with Baek Cho-gong.
At the same time, she found Baek Cho-gong's use of the title "Chong-gyodu" for Dan Bul-wi irritating.
'Hmph! He said he would support me at the Six Gates meeting, yet the moment I press him he turns his back.'
She was stunned by his fickleness, yet also felt a twinge of self-reproach. 'Did I push him too hard?'
A short while later, Ha So-ran spoke to Patrol Kang on behalf of Haomun.
"Patrol Kang, I have looked into it. Dan Yeop is a member of Jeommun. Munju Baek Cho-gong has promised to bring him by morning."
"A Jeommun disciple, you say?"
"He is a new recruit we accepted recently. It seems his training was inadequate. When we take in newcomers, we always teach them to bow their heads first to members of other factions. But occasionally young hotheads cause incidents. In any case, this was not Haomun's intention, so I hope there is no misunderstanding."
"There is no misunderstanding. He simply needs to pay for his mistake. If you bring the man by morning, Haomun will suffer no further damage. We can discuss compensation afterward."
Ha So-ran was stunned that they intended to demand compensation as well, but she kept her expression neutral.
The next day.
The genius Dan Yeop, waking early for the first time in a while, read the report from beginning to end.
'Well, well. I cut off the wrist of Chuhongwi Jong-yo, hyangju of Heukru? This has turned into quite the commotion.'
Seeing that the dunce Dan Yeop had caused such trouble, it seemed his personality was no ordinary thing either.
"No wonder they woke me at dawn."
Muttering to himself, he considered how best to handle Heukru.
Before he could reach a conclusion, a visitor arrived.
Dan Yeop opened the door and stepped onto the porch, asking the unfamiliar young man before him.
"Who are you?"
"This one is Gwak Beom, clerk of Jipdanhyang. The master urgently requests your presence."
"Ah, wait just a moment."
It was obviously about last night's incident.
Dan Yeop changed into proper clothes and left the annex.
Jipdanhyang, Simhyang Pavilion.
When Dan Yeop entered, Munju Baek Cho-gong hurried out to greet him.
"Dan Gyodu. You've come. Last night the Six Gates' munjus were summoned to Heukru. They threatened to wash Haomun in blood if we did not bring you. What should we do?"
Having already heard the full story from Baek Yu-hwa, Baek Cho-gong asked nothing else.
"I will go and resolve this myself."
"You truly intend to go? If you wish, you may hide for a time."
"No. I cannot allow others to suffer because of my actions. I will go to Heukru."
"The master of Heukru, Bloodstain Yu Gwang-hyeon, will not be satisfied with a single arm."
"I have no intention of offering one."
"Then how will you handle it?"
"I'll have to talk my way out. Leave it to me."
"Very well. If that is what you wish, I will accompany you."
As Baek Cho-gong and Dan Yeop were about to leave, an uninvited guest appeared.
It was Chong-gyodu Dan Bul-wi of Amun.
When Dan Bul-wi entered Simhyang Pavilion, Dan Yeop greeted him warmly.
"Father, what brings you here so early?"
Dan Bul-wi instantly recognized the genius personality and laughed heartily.
"Hahaha! I just heard the story from Munju Hong. You're planning to go to Heukru?"
"Yes. Since they're looking for me, I thought I'd go see their faces at least."
"Good. Then I shall go with you. I must see who dares to summon my precious son at their whim."
"It's cold. You should rest instead."
"Nonsense. You accompanied me all the way to Baekwol Kingdom. What is a mere Heukru compared to that?"
"Then please be careful."
"I won't hold you back, so don't worry."
At Chong-gyodu Dan Bul-wi's bold declaration, Baek Cho-gong could not hide his inner surprise.
They were heading into trouble with Heukru, yet the man insisted on coming along.
'When did Chong-gyodu Dan Bul-wi grow so much?'
When the man had been nothing more than a gyodu at Byeongmachong, he had been beneath him. The feeling was strange.
'But can the three of us really walk out of there alive?'
Useong, western market district, Geumcheonbang.
Heukru Main Headquarters.
Around ten in the morning, three men stopped before the main gate of the estate.
The elderly man was Jeommun's Munju Baek Cho-gong, the middle-aged man was Chong-gyodu Dan Bul-wi, and the youth was Dan Yeop.
Before stepping through the gate, Munju Baek Cho-gong spoke once more, unable to stay silent.
"Dan Gyodu, would it not be better to turn back even now? They speak of revenge, but if compensation is paid, the matter may be quietly settled."
"No. If Haomun suffers because of what I did, the repercussions will linger for years."
Dan Yeop refused.
This was the time when Haomun needed to gather both manpower and resources.
He had no desire to give Ha So-ran's faction a handle to use against him.
'They are already sharpening their blades...'
On the first day of the new lunar year, the Six Gates' munjus were scheduled to hold a meeting.
The matter of the chong-gyodu and gyodu positions would be formally discussed there. He could not afford to create a flaw before it even began.
Understanding the meaning behind Dan Yeop's words, Baek Cho-gong no longer tried to dissuade him.
When he knocked, a fierce-looking man emerged.
"Who is it?"
"Baek Cho-gong has answered the tower lord's summons."
"Haomun?"
"Correct."
"Ha! Damn it, it's freezing out here. Why didn't you come earlier? I've been guarding the gate since dawn for nothing. Come in."
The man did not open the gate fully, merely stepping aside.
Munju Baek Cho-gong, Chong-gyodu Dan Bul-wi, and Gyodu Dan Yeop entered.
"Follow me."
The man who had barred the gate again walked inside with a casual stride.
Baek Cho-gong's party followed quietly behind him.
After crossing the courtyard, the man shouted before the Hyeoneum Pavilion.
"People from Haomun have arrived!"
Then the external hyangju, Shadowless Hand Seo Cheon-jin, emerged from the pavilion.
He looked at Dan Yeop and demanded.
"Are you the bastard named Dan Yeop?"
"I am."
"Hmph! What a bold fellow. Well, I suppose that's why you cut off Jong-yo's..."