Haomun's Introductory Martial Arts
It could get better.
Then who would suit Haomun?
People who refuse to be trampled simply because they are weak.
People who want to stand above those weaker than themselves.
People who want to throw their weight around against the vulnerable.
Haomun is only suited for people like that.
Ordinary people carry nothing but obligations until the day they die, never once enjoying even a speck of rights.
That was why Dan Yeop had asked the question of the courtesan named Soyo.
Are you the kind of shameless person who would claim rights equal to the obligations you bear?
At Dan Yeop’s calm “Why?”, Soyo finally spoke.
“My family ran a martial arts hall. It was the Soga Martial Hall in Nakan County…”
In summary, her story went like this.
The Soga Martial Hall lost its fight against its rival, the Geumjeon Bang, had its disciples stolen, and eventually closed its doors.
In the process the hall fell deep into debt, and Soyo had no choice but to sell herself to Jaun Pavilion.
“…My father, injured in the clash with the Geumjeon Bang, is still bedridden. Yet the Geumjeon Bang is now even targeting the Soga Martial Hall itself.”
“So you want to learn Haomun’s martial arts in order to take revenge on the Geumjeon Bang?”
“No. I simply want to protect the Soga Martial Hall.”
“Haomun is not the powerful faction you imagine. We may not be able to stand as the strength the Soga Martial Hall needs.”
“But you defeated the Western Evil Blood Sword Jang-gak using Haomun’s martial arts. What I want is not Haomun’s backing but its techniques. I want to protect the Soga Martial Hall with my own two hands.”
Soyo stared at Dan Yeop with eyes that did not waver.
Jang-gak was a master capable of destroying the Geumjeon Bang single-handedly.
Learning the martial arts that had defeated such a man was her goal.
She did not even dare hope for revenge.
She would be satisfied if she could simply protect the Soga Martial Hall while her father lay ill.
“I understand. I will inform the leader of your wish to join. Someone will come for you soon.”
Dan Yeop did not doubt that Soyo’s admission would be handled smoothly. Given his standing in the Jeommun, it was only natural.
Soyo’s face brightened like sunlight breaking through clouds.
The thought that they might soon be fellow members made her feel closer to Dan Yeop.
“Once I join Haomun, what will I be doing?”
“You can continue the work you already do. Unless you want to do something else?”
“What other kinds of work are there?”
Dan Yeop explained the six branches for Soyo, who knew nothing of Haomun.
“…You will belong to the Gimun.”
“Then what about you, Young Hero Dan?”
“I belong to the Jeommun.”
“Ah… I see.”
Soyo nodded, her expression slightly deflated.
She had thought joining Haomun would let her meet Dan Yeop often, yet their branches were completely different.
Once Soyo had regained some of her strength, Dan Yeop helped her back onto the horse and they continued on their way.
Chang'an Castle.
Left City, Daeanbang.
Jaun Pavilion.
Soyo of Jaun Pavilion was a courtesan famous not only in Daeanbang but across all of Chang'an Castle.
Precisely because of that, the pavilion’s owner did not treat her harshly.
No matter how beautiful a courtesan might be, the moment she began selling her body her value plummeted.
Therefore the owner allowed Soyo to entertain guests with poetry and calligraphy as she preferred.
Her regular patrons were either high officials or people connected to the merchant guilds.
Early evening, before any guests arrived, Soyo sat in her room writing.
If you receive a drop of water's grace, repay it with a gushing spring.
Soyo set the brush down and let out a quiet sigh.
After all, Dan Yeop had not given her a mere drop of water; he had saved her life.
When she recalled the depth of his martial prowess, the task of repaying him felt impossible.
She could not even begin to imagine how or with what she could possibly return the favor.
Just then the voice of the maid doing chores outside the door reached her.
“Miss Soyo, I’ve brought the plectrum you asked for.”
Soyo tilted her head in confusion. She had no memory of requesting a plectrum for the pipa.
Regardless, the maid opened the door naturally, entered, and placed the plectrum on the table.
“When did I ever ask for a—”
“Miss Soyo, a message from the leader. She asks that you come to Xiaoxiang Tower in Jangnakbang by the start of the Si hour tomorrow morning.”
Daeanbang, where Jaun Pavilion stood, belonged to the eastern market, while Jangnakbang, home to Xiaoxiang Tower, belonged to the western market; the distance between them was considerable.
Having delivered the message, the maid bowed and swiftly left the room.
Only then did Soyo realize the maid was a member of the Gimun and felt a jolt of surprise.
So she was from Haomun.
She had never dreamed that Haomun members might already be inside Jaun Pavilion.
When she considered that some of the courtesans themselves might be members, the realization left her with a strange feeling.
It was like catching a glimpse of the hidden underside of the world.
Courtesans worked at night, so their mornings were relatively free.
If I belong to the Gimun, there will surely be days when I can meet Young Hero Dan.
Clinging to that slender thread of hope, Soyo picked up the plectrum.
Since she had it in hand, she decided to practice. She lifted the pipa and began to pluck the strings.
It was the currently popular piece Chang'an Under the Moonlight. A lyrical melody flowed out and filled the room.
The next morning, Soyo left Jaun Pavilion at first light.
Even in the depths of winter the western market teemed with people of every kind.
After the time it takes to eat a meal, Soyo stood before the tightly shut doors of Xiaoxiang Tower.
Did I arrive too early?
Nervous, she had hurried and reached the meeting place ahead of schedule.
Should I knock? Or wait a little longer and come back?
At that moment the door creaked open and a middle-aged gatekeeper stepped out.
“We’re still far from opening. What brings you here?”
“I have an appointment with the owner of this establishment.”
“Please come inside.”
The gatekeeper gestured inward without further question.
Once Soyo entered, he locked the main gate and guided her to the inner hall.
“You may go in from here.”
Following the gatekeeper’s words, Soyo stepped into the inner hall.
The room was empty, yet a brazier had been lit, making it pleasantly warm.
As Soyo warmed her chilled hands by the fire, the sound of footsteps announced the arrival of two women.
They were Ha So-ran, leader of the Gimun, and Dan Mi-rang, the vice-leader.
When Soyo hastily stepped away from the brazier, Vice-leader Dan Mi-rang smiled and spoke.
“The person beside me is Ha So-ran, leader of the Gimun. I am Dan Mi-rang, vice-leader. You are Soyo of Jaun Pavilion?”
“Yes. Soyo greets you both.”
Soyo bowed politely.
Dan Mi-rang nodded, then asked almost in passing.
“Do you know anyone in the Jeommun?”
“On my way back from a house outside the castle walls I was attacked by bandits and barely escaped with my life. A man I met on the road escorted me all the way to Jaun Pavilion. While we traveled together I learned he belonged to the Jeommun, and I told him I wished to become a member as well.”
“Who was the person from the Jeommun?”
“He said his name was Dan Yeop.”
For an instant Dan Mi-rang glanced at Leader Ha So-ran’s expression.
Recently the hottest name among the six branches was Dan Bul-wi.
After the Amun appointed Dan Bul-wi as chief instructor, the Gimun had begun investigating his background.
The only unusual element in Dan Bul-wi’s life was his adopted son, Dan Yeop.
This time Ha So-ran herself stepped forward.
“When did you first meet Dan Yeop?”
“Yesterday morning, on the official road outside Chang'an Castle.”
Ha So-ran nodded.
Dan Yeop had been inside Byeongmachong until a few months ago, so the answer fit.
“I understand. Now, what is your reason for wishing to join Haomun?”
Soyo repeated the same words she had given Dan Yeop.
“…It may be late, but I want to protect the Soga Martial Hall with my own hands.”
“The determination to safeguard your family’s legacy with your own strength instead of relying on others is commendable. If you become my disciple, I will help you stand against the Geumjeon Bang. Will you become my disciple?”
Ha So-ran seemed to have taken a liking to Soyo and offered to accept her directly.
Soyo accepted without hesitation.
“Yes, Master. This disciple, Soyo, greets you.”
Master:Ha So-ran
Disciple:Soyo
"I will follow Master's teachings with all my heart."
After Soyo rose from her bow, Ha So-ran spoke again.
“If you wish to become my disciple, you must perform eight more bows.”
Soyo immediately performed the additional eight bows.
When the formal acceptance ritual was complete, Ha So-ran opened her mouth with a satisfied expression.
“Starting tomorrow, come here every morning as soon as the gates of Baekpalbang open.”
“Yes, Master.”
Thus Soyo became the direct disciple of the Gimun leader.
The following morning, Soyo finished her meal and immediately headed out.
She was on her way to Xiaoxiang Tower in Jangnakbang.
She arrived a little early again, yet three people were already waiting inside the inner hall.
Ha So-ran, Ha Yong-wol, and Ryu Seol-ri.
While Ha Yong-wol and Ryu Seol-ri observed quietly, Ha So-ran stepped forward.
“Greet one another. This is Soyo, whom I accepted as a disciple yesterday. She is your youngest junior sister, so guide her well. Soyo, these two are your senior sisters. In all of Haomun only the three of you are my direct disciples, so look after each other. Understood?”
“Yes.”
Ha Yong-wol, Ryu Seol-ri, and Soyo answered together.
Ha So-ran taught Soyo her own exclusive techniques: the Hwayue Mind Method and the Thousand Hands Tathagata Sword.
Both had been learned from her mother, the Thousand Hands Sword Hwayue-ryeong, who had once left the Yeonhwa Temple.
After practicing the Thousand Hands Tathagata Sword for two hours, Soyo waited until Ha So-ran left the room for a moment, then whispered to Ryu Seol-ri.
“Senior Sister Ryu, aren’t we going to learn Haomun’s martial arts?”
“We will learn them later.”
“Why later?”
“Because they’re useless, obviously. Once you learn the Gimun’s martial arts, you’ll thank heaven that you became the leader’s direct disciple.”
“What exactly are the Gimun’s martial arts?”
“The basic mind technique, the Jade Form Technique, simply makes your skin smoother. The Falling Flower Mountain Water is only useful when courtesans are brawling among themselves. It has no effect against proper martial factions. The Elegant Gait needs no explanation; it’s merely a graceful, swaying way of walking.”
“But there are martial arts from the other five branches too, aren’t there?”
“Even those are hardly any better than the Falling Flower Mountain Water. In the end they can only be used against street thugs and have no effect whatsoever on disciples of real martial factions.”
“Really?”
Soyo stared at Ryu Seol-ri with wide eyes.
Dan Yeop’s martial arts had been overwhelming; she could not understand why her senior sister would say such things.
Strange. He definitely said they were Haomun’s martial arts…
“Everyone under heaven knows that Haomun’s martial arts are third-rate. But we are incredibly fortunate.”
“Why?”
“Because we are learning our master’s exclusive techniques, of course. Have you heard of Yeonhwa Temple, the order of female monks?”
“Yes.”
“Our master’s mother—essentially our grandmaster—was the greatest expert of Yeonhwa Temple. She left the temple, gave birth to our master, and the martial arts we are learning are precisely those of Yeonhwa Temple. Impressive just to hear, isn’t it?”
“When do we learn Haomun’s martial arts?”
“I already told you. They are too weak to be of any use.”
“What if I still want to learn them?”
“Master all of Master’s techniques first, then ask. But I recommend against it. It would be a waste of time.”
Soyo looked at her two senior sisters, Ha Yong-wol and Ryu Seol-ri, with an odd expression.
Too weak to be useful?
They even recommended not learning them?
The story was so unexpected that her head spun as she listened.
End of December.
Right City, western market district, Seonpyeongbang.
Seosi Tavern.
The Seosi Tavern was popular among Haomun members because the drinks were cheap.
Late at night, after finishing their day’s work, Jeommun members Im Jeong and Gwak Beom met at the tavern.
The two men ate pork stew and drank milky rice wine while complaining about their lot in life.
Im Jeong spoke first.
“Haa! I want to learn something, but there’s never any time. After finishing work and dragging my feet, it’s already the hour of Sul, seven in the evening.”