Sworn Brotherhood
“Dan Yeop? What the hell are you doing here?”
Dan Yeop entered the room and sat down across from him without a word.
Jang Ho the constable had no choice but to push the Western beauty aside.
The Western women glanced around nervously, sensing the strange atmosphere.
Dan Yeop picked up a skewer of lamb and tore into it.
“I came to ask Constable Jang Ho a few questions.”
“Get lost. I’ve got nothing to say to you.”
“Then I’ll go tell Magistrate Do Gyeom that Constable Jang Ho refused to cooperate and the investigation is suffering because of it.”
“Hah! Is that all a real man can do—run to his superiors and tattle?”
“Or should I tell him, ‘Constable Jang Ho seems to be obstructing the investigation, so perhaps he’s in league with the culprits’?”
“You crazy bastard! When did I ever side with the criminals? That’s slander!”
“If that’s not the case, then answer my questions. You saw the bodies of Magistrate Yi Ja-seong and the military officers yourself, didn’t you?”
“I don’t know, you little shit. If you’re so curious, go dig up the graves and check for yourself.”
“If you keep acting like this, I might have to charge you with aiding rebellion. Who do you think Magistrate Jo will believe—me or you?”
At the word “charge,” Jang Ho’s expression shifted several times.
He had once received a three-year penal sentence for a petty brawl that turned into a lawsuit, and his heart sank like a stone.
‘What? A lawsuit? What the hell is this, damn it…’
Proving innocence in a charge of aiding rebellion was extremely difficult. Moreover, the fact that he had obstructed the investigation was undeniable. In these turbulent times, that alone was a grave offense. Once charged, he would lose his position as constable immediately. After that, anything could be twisted against him.
His head spun from the alcohol and the terror of a lawsuit.
Just then, Ma Han the constable, who had been sitting nearby, shouted at Jang Ho.
“Constable Jang! You’re refusing to cooperate with the investigation? What do you think you’re doing? How can a man serving the nation fail to separate public duty from private affairs? That’s exactly why people are saying you’re in league with them! Cooperate right now!”
In the moment of crisis, Ma Han the constable switched sides to Dan Yeop the constable.
When Ma Han drove in the knife, Jang Ho could no longer hold out.
“Constable Dan Yeop, there’s been a misunderstanding. When have I ever sided with the rebels? Never. Ask me anything. I’ll answer everything I know. You asked if I saw the bodies of Magistrate Yi Ja-seong and the officers? I did.”
“You’re cooperating so well now—why were you so difficult earlier?”
“It was the drink. The alcohol clouded my mind for a moment. The other constables all know how bad my drinking is. Once liquor goes in, I turn into a dog.”
Broken by the threat of a lawsuit, Jang Ho the constable became as docile as a tongue in his own mouth.
Dan Yeop gestured for the Western women to leave.
The women rose hesitantly, glancing back repeatedly as they departed.
Once only the constables remained, Dan Yeop fixed Jang Ho with a steady gaze.
“Tell me about the bodies of the Magistrate of Nak-an and the military officers.”
“It was exactly as recorded in the coroner’s report. Their necks were half severed, and there were deep wounds on their chests and stomachs.”
“All four were the same?”
“That’s what surprised me even more. A magistrate is considered a master even in the martial world, yet he died the same way as the officers.”
“Is the magistrate’s martial prowess that high?”
“Magistrates don’t only handle civil affairs. When war breaks out, they must go out as generals and fight. That’s why there’s a saying in the government offices: those without confidence in their martial arts head for the jianghu.”
“Ah…”
Dan Yeop realized how ignorant he had been about officials.
“Judging from the wounds, it’s likely the work of either one man or one woman.”
“Because all four had identical injuries?”
“Exactly. That’s what makes it even more terrifying. One person cut down four masters in an instant.”
“How do you know it was in an instant?”
“Because the criminals fled right after the screams rang out from the government office.”
“I see.”
Dan Yeop looked at Jang Ho with newfound respect. He had thought the man was corrupt and lazy, but he was sharper than expected.
After a moment, Dan Yeop spoke again.
“About the wounds on the victims’ bodies—did they appear to have been made with intervals between strikes, or all at once in a single flurry?”
“How would a mere constable like me know? Only a true martial artist could tell.”
Dan Yeop nodded. He had expected too much; such details were beyond an ordinary martial artist’s knowledge.
“Is there anything else you can tell me?”
“I’ve told you everything I know.”
“Understood. Thank you for your cooperation. I’ll see you at the constabulary tomorrow.”
As Dan Yeop rose to leave, Jang Ho hurriedly asked, “Wait—what about the lawsuit?”
“You cooperated so well. There’s no reason for one. I’ll be going now.”
Dan Yeop bid farewell to the two constables and left the room.
***
After leaving the room, Dan Yeop went upstairs to find Hwang Bi-won.
Hwang Bi-won sat by the window with a courtesan beside him, drinking.
Dan Yeop calmly took the seat across from him.
“Did I come too early?”
“A little late, perhaps, but not too late.”
There was a hint of reproach in his words.
Dan Yeop stared at the man’s face and asked directly, “Which side are you from, Senior Hwang?”
“Huh? Which side? I told you—I’m a wanderer.”
Dan Yeop ignored the answer and continued, “The Heavenly Path Society? Or the Thousand Lotuses?”
Hwang Bi-won burst into loud laughter.
“Puhaha! You’re really something. I have not the slightest connection to either of those groups.”
His utterly confident tone left Dan Yeop momentarily flustered. He had actually suspected the Thousand Lotuses more than the Heavenly Path Society, because the man had warned him against getting involved in the Nak-an incident a few days earlier. Yet today, right after Dan Yeop returned from Nak-an, the man had approached him. That could hardly be coincidence—it felt deliberate. And yet he claimed otherwise.
“Can you prove what you’re saying is true?”
“Hmm, that’s easy enough. I am the Left Envoy of the Gwangpunghoe of Bongrae.”
Dan Yeop’s face stiffened in shock. The Gwangpunghoe of Bongrae? That was a name he had never imagined.
In Bongrae County of Henan Province stood a legendary unorthodox sect—the Gwangpunghoe. Within Henan, the Gwangpunghoe stood above even the Mount Tai Sect, one of the Five Great Sword Sects. That was why the Mount Tai Sect never ventured beyond Yuju. In other words, the Gwangpunghoe’s territory stretched from Yuju all the way east to Dengzhou, where Bongrae County lay at the eastern edge of the continent. Even a newcomer like Dan Yeop knew of its fame.
“Left Envoy, you said?”
Dan Yeop had heard the name countless times, but he did not know the rank.
“The Left and Right Envoys are the closest aides to the sect leader.”
“Ah! It is an honor to meet you. My name is Dan Yeop.”
Startled by the man’s true identity, Dan Yeop found himself introducing himself again.
“Hah! I already knew that.”
“I’m sorry. I thought you had deliberately approached me. If I had known earlier, I wouldn’t have harbored such ridiculous suspicions.”
Without realizing it, Dan Yeop’s form of address had changed from “senior” to “great hero.”
“I did approach you deliberately.”
“Pardon? Me? I’m just a constable. Do you need my help? If so, please tell me. I’ll resolve it swiftly and accurately.”
Dan Yeop immediately bowed his head. The Left Envoy of the Gwangpunghoe was equivalent to a protector of the Five Great Sword Sects. For the sake of Haomun’s future, he needed to stay in Hwang Bi-won’s good graces.
“Didn’t I tell you before? You resemble my younger brother who passed away. That’s why I took an interest and watched over you.”
“Was that truly the reason?”
“What use would the Left Envoy of the Gwangpunghoe have in lying to a mere constable?”
“Ah, I’m sorry. Back then, I thought there must be some hidden motive, so I assumed it was a lie.”
“I understand. But why did you suddenly bring up the Heavenly Path Society and the Thousand Lotuses?”
Dan Yeop glanced uncomfortably at the courtesan. Hwang Bi-won immediately sent her away. Seeing such consideration, Dan Yeop decided to tell the truth.
“Do you remember the wanted poster you saw beside the ward gate a few days ago?”
“The murder of the Magistrate of Nak-an?”
“Yes. Actually, I am a disciple of Haomun. At the request of the Magistrate of Chang’an, I’ve been temporarily serving as a constable. Since Haomun is well-informed about the situation in Chang’an…”
“Ah, so that’s why you mistook me for someone from the Thousand Lotuses?”
“Yes.”
“How did you get tangled up with the Heavenly Path Society that their name came up?”
“Last year, after our Haomun branch tried to unify the Haomun of the Ten Provinces, the Heavenly Path Society sent the Beggar Clan to monitor me. So I wondered if you might be one of them.”
“You must hold a high position in Haomun.”
“Hearing that from the Left Envoy of the Gwangpunghoe makes me embarrassed.”
“Now I understand. Looking back, it’s understandable you would suspect me. Well then, since the misunderstanding is cleared, have a drink with me.”
Hwang Bi-won picked up the wine bottle. Dan Yeop quickly lifted his empty cup with both hands. Hwang Bi-won poured into both cups.
The two men drank in silence. Then Hwang Bi-won looked at Dan Yeop with lonely eyes.
“When I see you, I think of my younger brother who died young. If I had known he would leave so soon, I would have treated him better… Living long enough, I’ve learned that regret is the most painful thing. Don’t do anything you’ll regret.”
Dan Yeop suddenly thought of the original Dunce Dan Yeop and nodded. Yes—regret was the most painful. Even Dunce Dan Yeop had realized his feelings for Baek Yu-hwa too late and deeply regretted never confessing.
“Yes. I’ll do my best not to.”
Empty wine bottles gradually piled up on the table. Hwang Bi-won’s face flushed red from the alcohol. Suddenly he spoke.
“Dan Yeop, you be my little brother. It feels like my departed brother sent you to me. What do you say? Will you be my brother?”
Dan Yeop did not refuse. Their honest conversation had made him like the man.
“I will, Brother.”
From then on, they called each other brothers and drank until they were completely drunk. For once, Dan Yeop removed his tinted glasses and savored his freedom.
***
Seonpyeong-bang. Son-taek. Early morning.
Dan Yeop entered the inner hall and sat beside Son Ji-heon, who was fanning himself.
“Whew! How much did you drink last night, you rascal?”
“Ah, do I smell that bad? Sorry. I met someone good and had a few drinks.”
At the words “someone good,” Son Yeon-hwa showed interest.
“Who did you meet last night, Brother?”
“A famous martial artist from Henan Province.”
“A man?”
“Yeah. We hit it off and became sworn brothers.”
“Wow! That’s wonderful. Congratulations, Brother.”
Son Yeon-hwa was genuinely delighted, as if it were her own good fortune.
“Thanks.”
Watching his sister, Son Ji-heon muttered to himself, “Sworn brothers, huh… nice.”
This time, Son Yu-baek spoke as if in passing.
“They say you can know the depth of ten feet of water, but not the heart of a man even one foot deep. I’m sure you chose your companion wisely, but I worry you gave your trust too easily.”
“Ah, yes. I formed the bond because I saw the bearing of a gentleman in his words and conduct. I’ll be more careful when making friends in the future.”
Dan Yeop accepted Son Yu-baek’s advice gratefully. He had not realized that he “gave his trust too easily.” No matter how brilliant his mind was, having lived among Haomun disciples, he was still very much like them in that regard. Haomun disciples formed bonds easily. If their minds matched even a little, they would immediately call each other brothers.