The Hyeonmu Token
Wang Jimak narrowed his eyes. Yet Jang Muhwi knew full well that the man had no intention of scolding him.
“It’s because I find it hard to believe.”
“What do you mean by that?”
“If a family colluding with the Demonic Cult exists within the Murim Alliance, they would obviously try to erase every trace cleanly, wouldn’t they?”
Wang Jimak asked with a grave expression.
“You believe there are enemies inside the orthodox factions?”
“This is the information I gathered this time.”
Jang Muhwi took the Haomin Sect report from his robe and handed it to Wang Jimak.
Wang Jimak accepted the document in silence and began reading it slowly. His gaze moved meticulously over the contents, and as time passed his expression grew increasingly rigid. When he reached the section concerning the Jangryong Merchant Group, Jang Muhwi did not miss the subtle tremor in his eyes.
After finishing the report, Wang Jimak let out a deep sigh.
“You suspect the Jangryong Merchant Group?”
“According to this report, that is the place we must investigate first and most thoroughly.”
“Hmm.”
“Is something the matter?”
At Jang Muhwi’s question, Wang Jimak spoke with a serious face.
“Do you know which group the Murim Alliance finds most difficult to deal with?”
“Are you referring to the great sects?”
“No. It is the merchant groups.”
“May I ask why?”
“They are tightly united. The Jangryong Merchant Group is one of the Ten Great Merchant Groups of Qinghai. If we provoke them and things go wrong… it will be like stirring up a hornet’s nest. Have you ever stirred up a hornet’s nest?”
“I did once as a child, and it caused me quite a bit of trouble.”
“Exactly. You won’t die, but it can become rather troublesome.”
“What should we do?”
“We need solid evidence. I will look into this separately.”
“How about entrusting it to me? That would be sufficient reward for the Paryun Valley incident.”
“Hmm.”
Wang Jimak stroked his beard. Seeing this, Jang Muhwi continued.
“If you grant me real authority, I will handle it very quietly.”
“Real authority… Do you know where the Murim Alliance’s audit department in the Qinghai Branch is located?”
“Is it not the Hyeonmudae?”
When Jang Muhwi answered so casually, Wang Jimak sighed.
“Yes, the Hyeonmudae is correct. That is precisely the problem. The position of Hyeonmudae commander has been vacant for several years. Do you know why?”
“Is it because the Murim Alliance is weak?”
“You strike at the bone. That is partly true. But the opposite may also be true—the smaller and medium sects are too powerful. Whenever trouble arises, they rush to cover for one another…”
“That could certainly be the case.”
Jang Muhwi nodded. He understood exactly why Wang Jimak was worried. The Ten Great Families and Ten Great Merchant Groups of Qinghai were tightly knit. No matter what happened, they concealed one another’s flaws and protected each other. If they raised their voices in unison, even the Qinghai Branch would be powerless. That was why the Hyeonmudae, the audit division, had become nothing more than an empty shell.
Wang Jimak spoke again.
“That is not all. The Hyeonmudae is now nothing but an empty husk. This is not a reward—it is a punishment.”
“You need not worry. If you give me that position, the fairness of the Grand Hero will shine even brighter.”
“I thought you were only strong in martial arts, but your tongue is just as sharp. Very well. Take this. It is the reward you wanted.”
Wang Jimak quietly produced a plaque. It was a plain black token with no markings. Before handing it over, he infused it with his inner energy. In that instant, the image of a dragon appeared on the black surface.
Hyeonmu Token
The insignia of the Hyeonmudae, the audit division of the Murim Alliance Qinghai Branch.
Without inner energy, the Black Tortoise emblem does not appear. A token lacking the emblem is nothing more than scrap metal.
“Thank you.”
“Remember that you cannot return it. Whether it turns to porridge or rice, you will have to see it through.”
“I will keep that in mind.”
“Do not rashly stir up any hornet’s nests.”
“I will engrave it upon my heart.”
“Instead, if you obtain solid evidence, I will support you with everything I have.”
“Thank you.”
After tucking the Hyeonmu Token into his robe, Jang Muhwi rose from his seat.
In front of the Hyeonmu Hall at the Qinghai Branch.
Jang Muhwi gazed up at the signboard that read “Hyeonmudae.” Contrary to its reputation as an empty shell, the Hyeonmu Hall appeared well maintained from the outside. The signboard gleamed, and the building itself was quite large.
Jang Muhwi quietly opened the door.
Creak!
An unpleasant sound echoed in his ears. At that moment, a startled mouse scurried into a hole right before his eyes.
“Hah.”
Jang Muhwi drew in a sharp breath. He had to revise his earlier assessment immediately. The interior was covered in a thick layer of dust, as though someone had sprinkled flour everywhere. The tracks left by the mice were so deep that they remained clearly visible. The exterior had been kept presentable for visitors, but the hollow interior had clearly lacked anyone to maintain it. It seemed the place had been empty for at least a year.
Wang Jimak’s words about the commander’s seat being vacant for years were only half true—there were no members either.
Jang Muhwi casually took out the Hyeonmu Token and touched it. As long as he held the title of head of the audit division, that was enough. In a way, this was fortunate. If there had been members, verifying each one would have been overwhelming. After all, the greatest concern was the presence of internal enemies. Was that not precisely why he had requested the position—to root them out?
Jang Muhwi’s lips curved into a faint smile as he stepped outside and quickly closed the door.
Creak!
The burdensome sound struck his ears once more.
Jang Muhwi headed for his own quarters. He quietly prepared brush and ink and wrote a few characters on a small slip of paper.
Scratch, scratch.
Then he walked to the window and tucked the note into the corner—the same spot where the Haomin Sect’s secret missive had been placed. He had decided to make use of the Haomin Sect for this matter. Before rashly stirring up the hornet’s nest, as Wang Jimak had warned, he needed to determine whether it was a harmful nest or a beneficial one. And if it proved harmful, he would gather solid evidence and use his authority as head of the audit division to purge it completely.
At the same time, another thought occurred to him.
‘I did not intend it, but it happens to be a merchant group in the Qinghai region.’
If the Demonic Cult’s hand truly reached the Jangryong Merchant Group, and if he ended up confronting them, he might gain unexpected benefits, just as he had with the Ma Family. However, nothing was certain yet. To make that judgment, he would have to approach with the utmost secrecy. And when it came to secrecy, no group surpassed the Haomin Sect. They were the perfect choice for the task.
The Haomin Sect’s secret missive arrived that very afternoon. As expected, the Haomin Sect lived up to its reputation. The report detailed a rather large embezzlement incident within the Jangryong Merchant Group. Many scribes had been dismissed, and replacements were needed. The method of infiltration was now clear. Posing as a scribe handling administrative work would arouse far less suspicion than posing as a wandering martial artist. With the method decided, he only needed to work out the details. He would also require a fake identity plaque to prove his new status.
Jang Muhwi quietly listed everything he needed and tucked the note back into the window corner.
The next day.
Jang Muhwi left the Murim Alliance Qinghai Branch and made his way toward the bamboo grove where Pajuk Seonsaeng’s hut stood.
Thud, thud.
Walking along the mountain path, Jang Muhwi looked every bit the scholar. The Confucian cap on his head suited him remarkably well. No one would ever mistake him for a martial artist.
As he walked the quiet mountain trail, he recalled his conversation with Galmu-ryang that morning. Galmu-ryang had volunteered to join the empty Hyeonmudae. In truth, Jang Muhwi had considered bringing him along to the Jangryong Merchant Group. Once he infiltrated as a scribe, he would need a connection to the outside. The fake identity provided by the Haomin Sect was that of a household that could afford to keep at least one servant. Yet Galmu-ryang could not accompany him. He had too many acquaintances in western Qinghai. Taking him would carry too great a risk. The most important thing for this mission was secrecy—first, second, and third. Instead, Jang Muhwi had given Galmu-ryang a single assignment: martial arts training. He had instructed him to train while picturing a madman before him. Jang Muhwi was certain that by striving to overcome a powerful opponent, Galmu-ryang would eventually reach the realm of a true master. Thinking of the rapidly improving Galmu-ryang, Jang Muhwi smiled contentedly.
There was only one reason Jang Muhwi had come here instead of heading straight to the Jangryong Merchant Group: to learn the manners of a scholar. Having experienced the Great War between the Orthodox and Demonic factions, Jang Muhwi was a martial artist to the bone. Could such a man truly pass as a scribe in a merchant group? Living among them was possible, of course. But to earn their trust and peer into their inner workings, he would have to appear completely like a scholar—from the way he held a brush to the way he lifted his chopsticks. Scholars and martial artists differed even in the smallest habits.
The scribe examination at the Jangryong Merchant Group was still half a month away. There was plenty of time.
When he reached the hut, a black shadow appeared before him. Recognizing the figure, Jang Muhwi broke into a wide smile. Standing before him was Geomhui, Pajuk Seonsaeng’s protector and one of the Four Great Masters of the Imperial Guard. Jang Muhwi quickly clasped his hands in greeting.
“It has been a while, Lady Hui.”
“Could it be…”
Geomhui tilted her head and stared at Jang Muhwi. He asked cautiously.
“It is I, Jang Muhwi.”
“You are Young Master Jang?”
Geomhui’s eyes widened as her gaze darted up and down his figure. Jang Muhwi looked back at her with a bewildered expression. No matter how well he had disguised himself, it was not to the point that Geomhui, who had seen him only recently, would fail to recognize him. This was beyond his understanding.
Just then, Pajuk Seonsaeng’s laughter rang out from behind.
“Keh keh.”
“You have arrived, Elder.”
Jang Muhwi bowed deeply toward Pajuk Seonsaeng. The old man looked him over from head to toe.
“Have you been well? And what is with that attire?”
“Circumstances required me to dress this way.”
“Come, sit down first.”
Pajuk Seonsaeng guided Jang Muhwi to the wooden platform. With steaming cups of tea before them, they caught up on everything that had happened. Jang Muhwi explained that he needed to take the merchant group’s scribe examination. Of course, he left out any mention of the Demonic Cult. It was far too sensitive a topic. If Pajuk Seonsaeng learned of it, his own safety might be endangered.
Pajuk Seonsaeng regarded Jang Muhwi with amusement.
“Living as a scholar might not be so bad.”
“Then I shall stay here for a few days. However…”
When Jang Muhwi lowered his voice, Pajuk Seonsaeng tilted his head.
“What is it? If it is a secret, we can move elsewhere.”
“It is not that. Is my disguise truly that perfect?”
“Your clothes are well chosen, but… hmm?”
“Lady Hui failed to recognize me earlier.”
“Haha.”
When Pajuk Seonsaeng burst into laughter, clutching his stomach, Jang Muhwi asked,
“Why are you laughing?”
“That is only natural. Hui has trouble recognizing people’s faces.”
“Pardon?”
“She forgets them after just a few days. That is her only flaw.”
At that moment, Geomhui appeared from somewhere, her face flushed red as she looked at Pajuk Seonsaeng. She said nothing, but her eyes trembled slightly. Seeing this, Pajuk Seonsaeng continued.
“It is fine. We are like friends now, so it is better she knows. Otherwise misunderstandings may arise. Is that not so? Now, bring us another cup of tea.”
“Understood, Elder.”
Geomhui quietly disappeared. Jang Muhwi barely managed to suppress his laughter. Even seasoned martial artists trembled before the Four Great Masters of the Imperial Guard. To see such an expression on the face of the one rumored to be the coldest among them was unexpected.
When Geomhui returned with fresh tea, Jang Muhwi looked at Pajuk Seonsaeng. Suddenly, he remembered someone he had completely forgotten.
Ma Uiryong.