The Constabulary's Trap
Ten days had passed since Kang Podu and Yu Sucheon first clashed.
Even after that, several more collisions occurred. No swords were drawn, yet the situation remained as perilous as walking across oil with a torch in hand. Still, things never reached the breaking point. Both sides had retreated a step because of an incident from twenty years ago—an event where nine hundred people lost their lives after violating Gwan-Mu Bulgachim.
It had begun with something trivial, but quickly escalated into an all-out war between the government and the entire martial world. Afterward, the imperial court and the Murim made a single promise: anyone who broke Gwan-Mu Bulgachim, regardless of whether they were an official or a martial artist, would be executed without exception. That was why even the most reckless Murim scoundrels never dared to touch the authorities.
Anxiety gripped his heart. Cheon Ilseong, whom he had sent out to gauge the atmosphere while regretting that a mere villain like himself had done something unnecessary, returned to the Dan Manor.
“How is the mood outside?”
“Not good at all, Master. It’s grim. While Yu and Jeon are away, Kang Podu is squeezing the merchants dry. But the merchants are resisting fiercely too. It’s like a powder keg ready to explode.”
“The merchants are resisting? Are they insane? What happens if they get dragged away?”
“They probably found courage because Yu and Jeon are standing up to Kang Podu.”
“Is this my fault?”
“The merchants are extremely grateful to Yu and Jeon.”
“Why are they thanking people who never asked for it? Are they trying to get someone killed?”
Cheon Ilseong shrugged his still-swollen shoulders. By the time Yu Sucheon and Jeon Akgwan recovered from their injuries, he would be beaten again. This bastard acted like none of it concerned him.
Jeon Akgwan, standing nearby, let out a sigh.
“How long are you going to keep pretending to be some righteous hero?”
“A villain like me playing hero? It’s just that we were the only ones allowed to torment those merchant bastards who used to be our prey. Watching Kang Podu do it instead… it didn’t sit right.”
“If Dan Hyunwoo finds out, we’re dead, aren’t we?”
“We’ll probably be buried behind the mountain. That aside, Kang Podu… something about him feels off.”
A strange feeling stirred in his chest. It was unease. Even though Kang Podu was on the verge of violating Gwan-Mu Bulgachim, he remained far too composed. What gave him such confidence? What was lurking behind him?
“Could there be someone backing him? If that’s the case, Gwan-Mu Bulgachim might truly be broken. If there is a backer… who could it be?”
* * *
Late at night.
A faint oil lamp flickered in the dark room, swaying as though it might go out at any moment—like Kang Podu’s own life. Besides Kang Podu, three other constables were present. The magistrate seated at the head of the table issued a furious rebuke to the four men.
“Did my order to collect taxes sound like a joke to you?”
Magistrate Baek Changseo’s anger was palpable. The constables tucked their heads in like turtles. This was only the beginning of his wrath.
“I told you to bring back a hundred gold coins. And you only managed ten? You can’t even handle one simple task!”
Seong Podu, who was in charge of a different district from Kang Podu, squeezed out a trembling voice.
“Because of the rumors about Yu Sucheon and Jeon Akgwan, the merchants are refusing to pay. Public sentiment is worsening too…”
“All you know how to do is blame others. Tch.”
The four constables shot sideways glances at the magistrate clicking his tongue. The true culprit behind this entire affair was the magistrate himself—a man with two faces. The magistrate wearing his mask dispensed benevolent governance. But the magistrate behind the mask was an entirely different person. To secure a higher position, he needed bribes, which was why he had ordered the collection of unjust taxes in the first place.
Kang Podu, who had been skimming his share from the collected taxes, felt nothing but self-loathing.
“Yu Sucheon is Hangzhou’s top expert, and his influence is considerable. It’s not strange that the merchants follow him.”
“You’re not blaming your own lack of ability, I see.”
Kang Podu’s lengthy excuses drew a cold smile from the magistrate.
“Why do you think Yu Sucheon and Jeon Akgwan only threaten without drawing their swords? Because of Gwan-Mu Bulgachim. So isn’t there a good way to use that against them?”
“……?”
“You fools. They’re staying at the Dan Manor. Do you think only martial artists live there?”
“……!”
Though spoken indirectly, Kang Podu and the other three weren’t stupid enough to miss the meaning. He was telling them to arrest everyone at the Dan Manor who wasn’t a martial artist and use them as hostages—so that Yu Sucheon and Jeon Akgwan couldn’t interfere with official business.
Kang Podu nodded and replied.
“As you say, we’ll arrest everyone except the martial artists…”
“Kang Podu.”
“Yes?”
“I said nothing. Whatever you do is none of my concern.”
“R-Right, of course.”
The magistrate hid behind his mask of benevolence. The four constables hurried to leave. Baek Changseo spoke kindly.
“This is the last time. If I don’t get a post in the capital, you’re all finished too.”
* * *
The next day.
Eun Hyeongyeom looked awkwardly at his torn clothes, the inner fabric exposed. During Hwa Yuhwa’s grueling training to master the Cheonhwa Giryu, his single set of clothes had ripped apart. Since his only outfit was torn, he put on his old escort clothes—which he hadn’t thrown away yet—to go buy new ones.
“Are you heading out? We’re going to the market too. Let’s go together.”
“Huh? I… I can go alone.”
At Yu Sucheon’s suggestion, Eun Hyeongyeom froze stiff. He still flinched whenever the man spoke to him. Yu Sucheon’s cruelty remained deeply etched in his mind.
Yu Sucheon counted the money for shopping and asked, “You were in the middle of training. Where are you suddenly going?”
“My clothes ripped, so I need to buy new ones. My rear is completely exposed.”
“You could just ask for clothes made from the Mokhwa Merchant Group’s cotton fabric, which now belongs to Young Master Dan. Why go out?”
“I’m a live-in son-in-law. I still feel uncomfortable and like I’m imposing. Everyone’s kind, but I’m just timid.”
“Hmm… I understand that feeling. Even though I’m just a servant with no real crimes, I still feel like I’m walking on eggshells.”
The two men wore sympathetic expressions. A sense of camaraderie formed between those in similar situations. Eun Hyeongyeom found Yu Sucheon slightly less frightening. Yu Sucheon, too, began to feel a twinge of pity for Eun Hyeongyeom, whom he had secretly looked down on.
Just as their expressions softened, Dan Seoyeon cut in.
“I’ll come with you too. I have things to buy.”
“I’ll tell Akgwan to come along as well.”
Yu Sucheon briefly reported to Dan Hyunwoo that the four of them were going out together. Reporting every time he left had become second nature to the servant.
On the way to the market, Yu Sucheon and Eun Hyeongyeom each realized the other was different from what they had expected. Perhaps because of their similar circumstances, conversation flowed easily. The past—where one had tormented and the other had been tormented—was gradually fading, and goodwill began to sprout between them. By the time they reached the market, the two had grown quite close.
Yu Sucheon said, “We need to buy pork, so we’ll head toward the slaughterhouse.”
“That’s the opposite direction from us.”
“We’ll buy it quickly and come back for you.”
“Oh, take your time. We’ll wait.”
Yu Sucheon and Jeon Akgwan used light-foot techniques to reach the slaughterhouse. The thought of such experts coming to escort them made Eun Hyeongyeom’s chest tingle with a strange feeling—uncomfortable, yet somehow reassuring. He gave an awkward smile at this unfamiliar sensation.
Dan Seoyeon linked arms with Eun Hyeongyeom. At her words, “Let’s buy clothes first,” they headed toward the shops instead of the stalls. At the shop they arrived at, Eun Hyeongyeom picked out black robes and tilted his head.
“Will two sets be enough?”
“Buy five. They’ll tear quickly anyway.”
“I don’t have enough money.”
“I’ll pay.”
Dan Seoyeon handed over two taels of silver. When a startled Eun Hyeongyeom stared at her blankly, she replied, “It’s a reward for working so hard on your training.”
Just as Eun Hyeongyeom was about to thank her with an expression he couldn’t hide his gratitude in, a voice called out.
“Eun Hyeongyeom and Dan Seoyeon, right?”
“Kang Podu?”
Kang Podu and five constables had appeared behind them. Though they had lived in the same neighborhood and seen each other often, Kang Podu wore an unusually menacing expression today.
“I’m arresting you both on charges of colluding with bandits.”
“Aren’t you misunderstanding something? I may be one thing, but my husband would never do something like that.”
“As an escort, Eun Hyeongyeom passed the list of goods to the bandits. And Dan Seoyeon, we have evidence that you gathered information at the inn and passed it to them as well.”
“You’ve got it all wrong!”
Dan Seoyeon protested strongly. But Kang Podu’s rough hands bound her with rope anyway. Tears welled in her sorrowful eyes.
“Madam, let’s go to the magistrate’s office for now. Hyunwoo is there, and the people you worked with as escorts will vouch for your innocence.”
“This is so unfair. You’ve lived more honestly than anyone…”
“That’s why we should go with our heads held high. There’s national law— they won’t imprison innocent people. We’ll be released soon.”
Though brief, his persuasion made Dan Seoyeon nod. This was probably a false accusation. There had been constables before who extorted money from the Dan family. She had learned back then that the weight of guilt could be reduced depending on the amount paid. But that was only Dan Seoyeon’s thought—Kang Podu wore a sly smile.
“Think you can get out by paying money? You’ll rot in prison for at least fifteen years.”
“Kang Podu!”
At Dan Seoyeon’s call, a constable yanked the rope and dragged them away. His attitude said he had no intention of listening anymore. Dan Seoyeon and Eun Hyeongyeom were pulled along by force. Shallow blood seeped from their bound wrists.
Kang Podu turned to the shop owner couple. Now that he had hostages named Dan Seoyeon and Eun Hyeongyeom, he no longer needed to watch his step around Yu Sucheon and Jeon Akgwan. He spoke without restraint.
“Money given by someone colluding with bandits carries various meanings. You two might be in league with them as well. Seize them too.”
“Podu-nim! We’re just merchants!”
“Guilt or innocence will be determined at the magistrate’s office. We’ll be confiscating your money box and clothes as well, so keep that in mind.”
“If you do that, we… we’ll be ruined. We truly have no connection to any bandits.”
“No guilt? Law-abiding citizens pay plenty of taxes for the country. If you want to prove your innocence, prove your law-abiding nature.”
“H-How much do we have to pay?”
“Five taels of silver.”
The shop owner couple’s faces turned deathly pale. Though better off than street vendors, they too lived hand to mouth. Five taels was an impossible sum for them. Kang Podu spoke coldly.
“Bind them.”
Ropes were tied around the shop owners’ wrists as well. They watched helplessly as their clothes and money box were taken by the constables. Despite the couple’s desperate pleas, Kang Podu’s expression remained icy.
Kang Podu opened the money box he had received. Inside were one tael of silver and five silver coins. If things continued this way, meeting the magistrate’s demanded amount wouldn’t be difficult.
Kang Podu closed the box and turned toward the magistrate’s office—only to stop. ‘They’re quick on the uptake.’
Yu Sucheon and Jeon Akgwan were running toward them, carrying pork and vegetables. Yu Sucheon grabbed his sword hilt and shouted at the frowning Kang Podu.
“What is the meaning of this, Kang Podu! Release those two immediately!”
“Arresting criminals is the magistrate’s office’s duty. I won’t tolerate interference in this matter.”
“Kang Podu! Is it the magistrate’s duty to arrest innocent people?”
“Guilt or innocence will be determined at the magistrate’s office. So you’d best step back. If you take one more step, I’ll report you for violating Gwan-Mu Bulgachim!”
Though trembling inside, Kang Podu faced Yu Sucheon while feigning composure. His palms were drenched in sweat, but the justification was clearly on his side. Arresting criminals was the magistrate’s duty. Yu Sucheon, on the other hand, had no grounds to stop it. Just as the authorities didn’t interfere in fights between martial artists, there was no way to stop the authorities from doing their work.
Yu Sucheon bit his lip.
“This bastard…”
“Let me make one thing clear. The more you interfere and threaten, the worse Dan Seoyeon and Eun Hyeongyeom’s treatment will become.”
Kang Podu drove the threat home like a nail. Yu Sucheon’s grip on his sword hilt trembled violently. Suppressing the rage boiling up inside him, he could only watch as Dan Seoyeon, Eun Hyeongyeom, and the shop owners were dragged away. Gradually, their figures grew distant.