Geunjo's Disciple
He had formed the bond easily.
Just as the friendship had been made without effort, the betrayal came just as quickly.
Even so, no one thought it strange.
Dan Yeop himself simply accepted it, thinking, That's how people are.
That was why he had become sworn brothers with Na Bu-gang and Hwang Bi-won after only a single day.
Naturally, the pain of being severed from Na Bu-gang had not cut very deep.
Yet the moment he heard Son Yu-baek's words, a startled Oh no flashed through his mind.
Watching Dan Yeop's reaction, a satisfied smile rose on Son Yu-baek's face.
Teaching the young man was genuinely rewarding.
A clever fellow who was also wise was the very definition of perfection.
At that moment Son Ji-heon spoke up.
At Son Yu-baek's thunderous rebuke, Son Ji-heon hastily offered an excuse.
"Still talking back?"
When Son Yu-baek glared, Son Ji-heon lowered his head and devoted himself to his meal.
Jangan County Office.
Constable station.
Around nine in the morning.
As soon as Dan Yeop entered the station, Constable Jang Ho strode straight toward him.
The other constables and officers held their breath, watching.
While everyone wondered what trouble might erupt today, Jang Ho broke into a bright smile and greeted him warmly.
"I see. That really is an important clue. Thank you."
The two men spoke as if nothing had ever happened between them, leaving the constables tilting their heads in confusion.
Jin Seung in particular kept blinking, utterly dumbfounded.
What is going on? They were mortal enemies when he left the office yesterday...
He could not fathom why two men who had been like water and oil had suddenly changed overnight.
Even more surprising were Jang Ho's next words.
"Truly? I'd be grateful for the help. I'll speak to Magistrate Do-gyeom immediately and ask him to approve your participation."
Dan Yeop did not refuse.
In his eyes, Constable Jang Ho possessed considerable ability.
Jang Ho nodded with resolute eyes.
The Death Omen Manifestation, Geunjo
Magistrate Do-gyeom readily approved Constable Jang Ho's participation in the investigation.
Dan Yeop sent Jang Ho to Nak-an County while he himself began looking into the martial sects operating within the county boundaries.
He suspected a local martial artist because the wounds were far too ordinary for the apparent skill of the culprit.
In truth, deducing martial background from wounds alone was no simple task.
Yet the fact that someone had gone to such lengths to disguise their ability led Dan Yeop to believe the perpetrator was a local practitioner.
The first place he visited was the Hyeonmu Hall.
Hyeonmu Hall.
Inner courtyard.
The chief steward of the Lightning Sword, Jin Ha-cheong, stepped forward to block Dan Yeop's path.
Jin Ha-cheong studied the young man carefully.
His eyes were hidden behind tinted glasses, yet the face seemed strangely familiar.
Yet Jin Ha-cheong did not step aside.
"Hmm. Dan Yeop..."
Jin Ha-cheong pondered deeply but could not place him.
"Not only Hyeonmu Hall. Every martial artist is under investigation."
"I understand. Then I would like to see the techniques."
Jin Ha-cheong led Dan Yeop to the training ground and allowed him to observe the members practicing directly.
From Hyeonmu Hall, Dan Yeop continued on to Mumun Hall, Chungui Hall, Yongho Gate, Janwol Pavilion, Saha Bang, Yukhap Bang, and every other notable sect and faction in Chang'an Castle.
At dusk he returned to the constable station empty-handed and met Constable Jang Ho, who had just come back from Nak-an County.
"Finding traces won't be easy. They are extremely careful."
"A friend told me they believe only through Cheongeop can the heavenly Buddha descend to save the masses."
"Yes. They believe that if a thousand great calamities are unleashed, the heavenly Buddha will appear to deliver the people."
Dan Yeop repeated what he had heard from Son Yu-baek. In truth, that was the extent of his knowledge about Cheonlyeon.
"It may simply mean they've grown that weary of the world's rulers."
"If more people shared your thoughts, Constable Jang, Cheonlyeon's roots would soon be torn out."
Yet far more people had grown sick of the corrupt officials.
They secretly cheered Cheonlyeon's deeds, and the more fervent among them became its followers.
That was why the organization could withstand the imperial army's suppression campaigns.
Dan Yeop chose not to mention any of this.
It would hardly raise Constable Jang Ho's spirits.
Then Jang Ho spoke in a careful tone.
Ever since submitting to Dan Yeop, Jang Ho had wanted to grow closer to him. Joining the Nak-an County investigation had been part of that desire. Of course he also wanted to solve his own case, but the wish to spend time with Dan Yeop was stronger.
Jang Ho glanced around, then walked briskly toward the other officers.
As Dan Yeop was leaving the county office at the end of the workday, someone approached him.
It was Hwang Bi-won, Left Messenger of the Gwangpunghoe.
Dan Yeop quickly clasped his hands and bowed.
"Hwa-geum Hall in Po-si Bang is famous. I visited once and found it excellent."
Hwa-geum Hall was the upscale restaurant where he had dined with Na Bu-gang and Na Geum-ryeong. It was the finest establishment he had ever visited.
Dan Yeop and Hwang Bi-won walked side by side through the streets.
Po-si Bang.
Hwa-geum Hall.
Dan Yeop and Hwang Bi-won took seats by the window on the second floor.
Before long an array of exquisite delicacies covered their table.
As the meal drew to a close, Hwang Bi-won asked casually.
"I thought the culprit might be a local martial artist, so I've been checking the various sects, but I've found nothing."
"The wounds are so ordinary that it seems deliberate. They went to great lengths to conceal their true skill, so I suspected someone from within the county."
"Yes. Stab wounds to the neck, chest, and abdomen."
"Yes. The neck was cut about halfway..."
Hwang Bi-won interrupted him.
As he spoke, Hwang Bi-won drew his index finger diagonally downward.
"Yes, exactly. How did you know that, brother?"
"The name Saye Hyeonsi comes from the fact that he would cut off his opponent's head to show them death. That's how he earned the nickname."
"Whoa!"
"Judging by the half-severed neck, it wasn't Geunjo himself but one of his disciples. If it had been the man in person, the cut would have been perfectly clean."
"Correct. An extremely fast lightning sword."
"He was a man who stood shoulder to shoulder with the Blood Emperor. Thirty years ago the phrase 'Jiangnan Blood Emperor, Hebei Geunjo' shook the entire world."
"Of course not. What parent would name their child that? He was an illegitimate son of the Moyong clan in Hebei Province. He chose the name himself when he left the family."
"So he came from the Moyong clan."
"Because of Geunjo, the Moyong family suffered greatly."
"It's a relief that the man himself is not involved."
"Then I should stop investigating the local sects. Thank you, brother."
Long ago the Moyong clan and the Gwangpunghoe had maintained frequent contact. As a result, Hwang Bi-won knew a great deal about Geunjo.
That was also why he had recognized the technique of Saye Hyeonsi Geunjo from wounds that might otherwise have seemed ordinary.
"Geunjo's maternal family resides in Nak-hyeon, Ha-jung-bu, Ha-dong Province."
"I only know they bear the Seok surname."
"The Seok family. Thank you. This has been a tremendous help."
"Yes. I plan to leave tomorrow."
"You, brother?"
"I would be grateful, but I feel I'm imposing..."
"No. I would rush to your aid without hesitation."
"Yes. Thank you, brother."
"I'll arrive at the office at the hour of the snake, report to the magistrate, prepare for the journey, and we should be able to leave by ten in the morning."
"Understood."
After finishing their meal the two men parted ways in front of Hwa-geum Hall.
They would be traveling far to Ha-dong Province the next day, so they ended the evening early.
The following day.
Jangan County Office.
When Dan Yeop reported that he was leaving to investigate Saye Hyeonsi Geunjo, Magistrate Jo Mu-jin assigned five mounted constables rather than ordinary officers.
A horse was also issued to Dan Yeop, who had been steadily improving his riding skills.
Around ten in the morning, six riders left the county office.
Shortly after they passed through the city gates, a mounted figure appeared before Dan Yeop and the constables—