#102. Avici's Great Journey
"See? I told you! Our senior brothers would pull it off!"
Wang Soso said that, but Wang Geumsan knew the truth. Ever since the Tae-eul Gate disciples had set out, she'd been setting out fresh water at dawn every day and offering prayers. Seeing her clutching the letter from Mount Namak and hopping around in excitement was heartwarming, so Wang Geumsan just pretended not to notice and nodded.
"Yeah, you're right. They really did it."
In truth, Wang Geumsan's feelings weren't much different from his daughter's. He'd thought the hellish fixed time trial, starting with just four people, was merely a chance for them to gain experience and tour the jangho. But they'd not only passed the first and second gates with flying colors—they'd even claimed the Three Gates Badge against the Mount Wudang disciples at the third gate. All four Tae-eul Gate disciples.
There was no doubt this was Jin Sowoon's doing. No one in the world could replicate those results, no matter who they brought in.
If I'd known it'd turn out like this, I should've proposed marriage instead of hiring him as an employee back then.
There had been rumors for a while that Wang Geumsan was eyeing Jin Sowoon as a son-in-law. He'd laughed it off as a misunderstanding, but looking back, that had been the perfect opportunity.
"Tch."
As a merchant, he couldn't help regretting the missed chance.
"By the way, why did Mount Wudang pick our seniors?"
Wang Soso's beaming face suddenly turned icy. Wang Geumsan inwardly cursed his slip.
"...Well, who knows. Mount Wudang wouldn't pick the weakest at the third gate either, right? From that perspective, targeting Tae-eul Gate makes sense."
Wang Geumsan hoped she'd let it slide, but her pensive expression said otherwise.
"...They're still holding a grudge from the Ma-ryeong Plateau incident, aren't they?"
"...".
And she nailed it spot-on.
Mount Wudang hadn't hidden their displeasure at Yong So-a's reputation weakening after the Ma-ryeong Plateau crisis. On top of that, with the Nine Great Sects and Five Great Families paying attention now that Mo Yong-gang had acknowledged the resurgence of the Tae-eul Sword Emperor, Mount Wudang had targeted Tae-eul Gate to check on Yong So-a's standing—and to inspect the Tae-eul Sword Emperor's sword style.
"Father, how many dealings does our Wang family have with Mount Wudang?"
"...Hey, Soso."
Just recently, she'd cut ties with Huashan and Jeomcheong. Furious over what had happened when the Dragon-Phoenix Assembly visited Tae-eul Gate, she'd told Wang Geumsan everything and demanded he pressure them. But Wang Geumsan, with his cool merchant's head, wouldn't let childish emotions cause losses.
"I'll make twice the profits from Huashan and Jeomcheong myself."
With that resolve, Wang Soso's new ventures began. She dismantled all ties linked to Huashan and Jeomcheong, then forged new ones in the North and West. She didn't even absorb initial losses at the start. The moment her touch reached them, partners extended hands as if they'd been waiting, bringing massive profits and expanding the Wang family's domain.
Of course, there were side effects. Without Huashan and Jeomcheong's protection in Shanxi Province, the Wang family had to invest heavily in bolstering their own forces.
But that's not so bad.
Growing bigger meant more room to expand influence.
The real issue was how exhausted Wang Geumsan himself felt. Soso planned the new businesses, but he had to execute them. For a father who wanted more time with his daughter than family growth, it was torture.
"We don't have many joint ventures with Mount Wudang. And isn't this how the jangho works most of the time? Let's just let it go."
Wang Soso was firm.
"No! Father, if you back down once, you have to do it twice. If the Wang family were the type to tenaciously bite back, would I have ever been kidnapped?"
Blood will tell—she was every bit her father's daughter. Not just merchant tactics, but the tens of thousands of books she'd been forced to read while confined at home had broadened her horizons, and her natural eloquence never yielded an inch.
"Sigh...".
And in the end, she got what she wanted.
"If we don't have many dealings with Mount Wudang, then we steal their business."
"...".
"Father, I'll draw up a proposal. Can you review it?"
He knew full well no proposal from her would be bad, whether she asked for evaluation or not. Desperate for even a moment's rest, Wang Geumsan changed the subject.
"But more importantly, shouldn't we celebrate our seniors' victory right now?"
Her face softened at the mention of the Tae-eul Gate disciples, turning from fierce wolf pup to adorable puppy.
"How about a small feast with the Tae-eul Gate folks?"
A week of feasting might make her forget all about revenge.
"Really? But they said the real big hurdle's still ahead. If we celebrate too early..."
Wang Geumsan's heart raced.
"Win or lose the exam, a Tae-eul Gate disciple beating a Mount Wudang one is a symbol that'll go down in history. Isn't embracing that meaning more important?"
Pouring in the desperation he'd never felt even dealing with royals, he spoke. Wang Soso finally nodded.
"I... guess so?"
"Exactly. The journey matters most."
"Thanks, Father!"
Wang Soso leaped into his arms. Wang Geumsan felt his chest swell with the warmth of his daughter he hadn't held in ages.
"Can I tell the Tae-eul Gate seniors the news?"
"Go ahead."
No sooner said than she bolted. Wang Geumsan instinctively grabbed her shoulder to stop her.
"Soso, no running..."
He was sure he'd caught her shoulder, but his hand passed right through her image.
"An illusion?"
Lifting his head, Wang Soso was already far ahead, sprinting away. Wang Geumsan couldn't hide his shock. She was definitely limited to the basic Tae-eul Heart Technique due to her constitution.
How could every step and movement brim with hyanggi energy?
"Whoa..."
He resolved to visit Tae-eul Gate soon to inquire.
And maybe bring up the son-in-law talk too.
#
"Whoa..."
"Hmmm..."
"Ahem..."
An awkward silence hung in the air. Every eye contact brought uncomfortable groans.
"Um... I'm fine, really."
At Mo Yong Jaehwa's words, Seong Moran and Namgung Seonhwa couldn't hide their pitiful gazes.
"We're not fine! You idiot!"
"Ugh... How do we even face Sister Seol now..."
Seong Moran and Namgung Seonhwa had each beaten their opponents to claim Three Gates Badges, and with the Tae-eul Gate disciples unexpectedly triumphing over Mount Wudang, the mood should've been pure celebration. But promising prospect Mo Yong Jaehwa's loss to a Mount Wudang disciple had poured cold water on it all.
"B-But think how lucky it is that Senior Brother and the others all passed. Doesn't this prove justice prevails in the murim? Haha."
"...".
"...".
Not just Jin Sowoon—even the Mo Yong clan warriors stared in disbelief.
As Mo Yong Jaehwa forced an awkward smile, Namgung Seonhwa turned to Jin Sowoon.
"We should head out right away, right?"
Jin Sowoon shook his head.
"Not today."
"Pardon?"
Namgung Seonhwa's eyes widened like a rabbit's at the unexpected reply. She'd assumed they'd leave fastest with their badges.
"The items I ordered for the final Great Journey haven't arrived yet. Plus, we'll depart with the second-day passers to split up the pursuers a bit."
"Items?"
"Something to make the Great Journey a tad easier."
"...".
As Namgung Seonhwa puzzled over it, Mo Yong Jaehwa sidled up to Jin Sowoon.
"Senior Brother, can we join you?"
"...".
"...".
"...".
Jin Sowoon, Seong Moran, and Namgung Seonhwa all gave him the cold shoulder.
"Don't you... need to win a Three Gates Badge?"
Mo Yong Jaehwa's only shot left was snatching one during the Great Journey. Traveling with Jin Sowoon's group, who had to run nonstop, risked blowing his last chance.
"I figure I have no hope anyway. But sticking with you might create an opportunity..."
"...".
Mo Yong Jaehwa still had eighty members. Picking badge-holders wisely and striking at the right moment gave him odds.
"You sure?"
"Of course."
"No, I mean—Sword Breaker won't let it slide if you tag along with us. You cool with that?"
"...Ah! Y-Yeah, it'll be fine."
Mo Yong Jaehwa muttered under his breath, "I'm getting beaten anyway, so whatever..."
Jin Sowoon sighed softly and asked the Mo Yong clan's lead warrior. Talking to the clearly unhinged Mo Yong Jaehwa seemed pointless.
"Wouldn't chasing Three Gates Badges be better?"
Baek Won-gak, leading the Mo Yong warriors, sighed.
"Young master already said last night he wants to go with you."
"But he didn't get a badge..."
"His stubbornness rivals Sword Breaker's. He's worried about Lady Namgung and Lady Seong too—and our clan owes you a debt, Lord Sowoon."
Baek Won-gak alluded to Mo Yong Sang-won's matter without saying it outright. Only then did they realize Mo Yong Jaehwa was forfeiting his exam to help them. With fewer than forty able-bodied left after injuries, they couldn't tackle the Great Journey alone. For their sake, he'd given up his own shot.
"...Alright, then let's do it."
Jin Sowoon couldn't refuse Mo Yong Jaehwa's generosity. With a soft sigh, Mo Yong Jaehwa lit up, hopping around like a kid who'd yanked his hair out moments ago.
#
The next day, two oddly shaped carriages arrived at the inn. Stripped of decorations, their crude frames were patched with iron plates everywhere. Mo Yong Jaehwa eyed them curiously.
"Senior Brother, what's this for?"
"Sleeping during the Great Journey."
"Ah, for the ladies?"
"No, everyone rotates."
"One full day each?"
"No—sleeping on the march, rotating shifts."
"Pardon?"
"We'll keep moving except for meals. Need safe sleep time even if brief, right?"
"...".
Mo Yong Jaehwa gaped in disbelief.
I pulled out the new shields from the carriage and handed them to the gold-silver-bronze brothers.
"Sigh..."
"Tch."
Geum Pyo and Eunho took them with long sighs.
"What? Hate it?"
"No way. Our parents would be so disappointed."
"If you hate it, don't wear 'em."
"Pardon?"
"Really?"
Geum Pyo and Eunho perked up at my words.
"Oh? New order? We got extras ourselves."
Namgung Seonhwa approached, a small shield like ours strapped to her left arm.
"They looked so enviable at the Bogyang Plains."
Not just her—Seong Moran, the Changgung Squad, and Iron Sword Sect warriors all wore small shields. The Mo Yong clan stared, dumbfounded.
"Good call. You'll need them for the Great Journey ahead."
"Huh? Geum Pyo and Eunho aren't wearing any?"
As Namgung Seonhwa asked in surprise, the two forced awkward grins.
"What're you saying? We're putting them on now."
"Can't use martial arts without this."
I gave a wry smile and turned to Mo Yong Jaehwa.
"Brought spares—hand them to any Mo Yong warriors who want one."
"Ah... Y-Yes, sir."
#
Thus began the Great Journey. From leaving Mount Namak, people started tailing us one by one. Some kept distance, others closed in, just like before.
"Lots of pursuers, as expected."
Still only second-day lag, with many still testing—that's why not worse yet. Come third day when Three Gates exams end and dropouts confirm, the chase intensifies.
"We'll max speed."
"...Pushing hard from the start might tire us out?"
"After Bogyang, there's a valley. We'll hit it early, rest briefly."
"Rest? Didn't you prep those iron carriages to avoid resting?"
"Planning to hit Mount Wudang there."
"Eek?"
Namgung Seonhwa's eyes bulged.
I pointed back.
"Mount Wudang's our biggest threat. If we don't handle them, the whole Journey gets harder."
"Even so, ambushing now?"
Dongryong suddenly chimed in.
"Sister Seonhwa, when chased for no reason, you make one."
"What?"
Namgung Seonhwa's brow furrowed deeply.
"Who taught you that nonsense?"
Dongryong proudly pointed at me.
"...".
"No, that's not what I meant..."
Awkward silence fell between Namgung Seonhwa and me.
Injustice. That's not how I meant it to be used.