Chapter 90
Chapter 90
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 90
Chapter Title: Clues from the Jin Clan
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Baek Yang-hui's group boarded the carriage once more.
It was because they had to head to the Jin Clan Manor in Taewon to see the clues about the Sword King's Tomb that the Jin family possessed.
About a week after departing from So-ho.
Thanks to urging the horses on, they arrived faster than expected.
"This is the Jin Clan Manor."
The Jin Clan Manor was a bit too modest to bear the title of "clan manor."
It was larger than a commoner's house, but far too small to be called a proper estate.
'After suffering near annihilation, instead of rebuilding their family, they went searching for the Sword King's Tomb. No wonder it's like this.'
As they opened the gate with the name plaque hanging on it and entered, a boy who had been sitting on the porch reading a book turned his head, his eyes lighting up.
"Father!"
"Haha, my third son. Have you been well?"
His name was Sam?
"Pardon me, is he your third son?"
"...He's my first. And it's not the 'Sam' from 'three stones,' but a different character for 'Sam.'"
"Ah, my apologies."
"No harm done."
While Jin Geumbo enjoyed reuniting with his young son, an elderly servant approached and bowed his head.
The old servant. His son, Jin Sam. And Jin Geumbo.
These three made up the entirety of the Jin Clan Manor.
"Please, come inside."
They followed behind Jin Geumbo into the interior.
The largest room appeared to be a study, with maps and papers scribbled with codes plastered all over the walls.
"The clues our Jin family possesses..."
Jin Geumbo handed over a large sheet of paper.
"This is... a treasure map?"
"In this era, the Sword King's Tomb is little more than legend. Clues about it are scattered in tiny fragments across the land. This treasure map is something I pieced together myself from the clues I've collected."
So, not an actual treasure map, but one based on speculation.
Since the Namgung Clan succeeded in excavating the Sword King's Tomb in his previous life, its credibility should be high.
"We have more clues beyond the treasure map. For example, evidence that the Sword King's Tomb is on Baek Su Mountain."
Jin Geumbo opened an ancient scroll and read aloud a passage.
"Where the sky takes on color, there the Immortal Path shall be, closest to the earth." It sounded like grasping at clouds, but he understood it immediately.
"Baek Su Mountain is correct."
"Indeed."
"Brother, how does that passage lead to Baek Su Mountain?"
"Simple."
Baek Su Mountain got its name meaning "white head" because the peaks nearby were covered in snow.
However, Baek Su Mountain wasn't so high that snow piled up year-round without melting at the summit.
"Hm. Then why doesn't the snow melt?"
"Probably because the flow of yin energy or cold qi is exceptionally strong there."
"Ah, a dragon vein."
In the world, there are places where the flow of natural qi is particularly fierce or where energy gathers.
Places commonly called dragon veins or dragon acupoints.
"Snow doesn't melt, so it takes the color of the sky, and the mountain isn't tall, so it's the closest to the earth. It seems the Namgung Clan doesn't know this passage."
"How did you know?"
"If they did, they would have acted on it."
"You're right. All we passed to the Namgung Clan was the treasure map."
"Naturally, they would have explored Baek Su Mountain. They couldn't find the entrance?"
"No, they didn't. After the Namgung Clan came searching, we haven't approached it at all, just in case."
"Hm."
Baek Yang-hui recalled the clue he had received from Yeo Un-hyeok.
"Do you know what clue the Namgung Clan has?"
"I don't, but I can guess. Probably information on the tomb's internal structure."
"Looks like the Namgung Clan didn't order an investigation into that."
Jin Geumbo inwardly marveled.
This young warrior had an exceptional talent for piecing together the full picture from the slightest hints.
"Exactly. If the Namgung Clan learns the tomb is on Baek Su Mountain, they'll find it right away."
Baek Yang-hui examined Jin Geumbo's treasure map once more.
'The Namgung Clan has two clues. The treasure map and the internal structure. Especially the internal structure, which only they know.'
The internal structure could be set aside for now.
Even if there were traps and mechanisms, they could just explore cautiously.
But the important thing was...
'No. Let's solve the immediate problem first.'
"Merchant Jin, it would be best for the Jin family to withdraw for now. You might become targets of the Namgung Clan's retaliation."
"I agree."
"How about this? Starting tomorrow, take your family and head to the Baek Clan Manor in Gangseo."
"May I ask why?"
"I'm thinking of accepting all of the Jin family as members of our main house."
As Jin Geumbo's eyes widened, he continued.
"Our chief steward has been searching for talent skilled in commerce. You seem perfect for it."
This wasn't just talk; it was true.
The family had grown so rapidly that one chief steward was overwhelmed with work.
It was time for the Baek Clan to establish a dedicated finance department.
Jin Geumbo could assist the chief steward and become its pillar.
"Then what about my son? What about Sam...?"
"If he has talent for literature, he'll learn from the chief steward. If for martial arts, we'll teach him gong.
"Oh...!"
The Baek Clan Manor was the fastest-growing martial family in Gangseo lately.
With the Dang Clan as backing, there was no downside to joining them.
No, for Jin Geumbo, it was the best choice possible.
"Young warrior, I am grateful for this favor. However... please succeed in exploring the Sword King's Tomb. Our Jin family's long-cherished wish... I entrust it to you."
"Leave it to me. I'll take all the tomb's treasures back to the main house. We can discuss shares then."
"Very well. Thank you again. But... may I ask your plan?"
He trusted the young man's literary and martial prowess and cunning shown so far, but exploring the Sword King's Tomb was another matter.
The current group consisted of one peak expert, three first-rate, and one second-rate.
Utterly insufficient force for raiding the Sword King's Tomb.
'To begin with, after the encounter in So-ho, the Namgung Clan's surveillance has thickened. The moment we head to Baek Su Mountain, we'll be spotted for sure.'
But.
"Kekekek!"
Suddenly bursting into a sinister laugh, Jin Geumbo gave him a puzzled look.
"I do have a way."
Baek Yang-hui had never intended to explore the Sword King's Tomb with just his group.
It was impossible by common sense, and drawing all the Namgung Clan's attention would bring nothing good.
'Avoiding the Namgung bastards' retaliation is just as crucial for the main house and the Dang Clan.'
So, they needed to divert attention.
Make it so the Namgung Clan had no time to bother with the main house or Dang Clan, and set up a puppet so they wouldn't be seen as the target of revenge.
In other words.
In a word.
'Time to stir up some chaos.'
Baek Yang-hui's shoulders shook greatly.
"Kekekekek!"
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Baek Yang-hui's group decided to leave the Jin Clan Manor the next day.
Since the Namgung Clan's eyes might reach there, they needed to put on a show of completing the escort mission and returning.
"Merchant Jin, exactly half a month from now, pack up your household goods and depart for Gangseo."
"Is there a reason?"
"By then, the Namgung Clan won't have time to watch this place."
Jin Geumbo looked at Baek Yang-hui with slightly anxious eyes.
He couldn't fathom what this sly young warrior was thinking.
"Understood. Take care."
After farewells, Baek Yang-hui led his group toward Taehwa.
Taehwa was located a bit south of Gyesu, a city that had sprung up at the intersection of several major roads.
"Little brother, why go to Taehwa specifically?"
Turning to Gu-ak, Baek Yang-hui pulled a money pouch from his bosom.
Shaking it lightly, the gold coins obtained from looting the Jamnyong Stronghold jingled.
"We've got big money now, so we should eat and drink."
"Hm? Just to play around?"
"On the surface, yes."
There was nothing caught in his senses right now, but the Namgung Clan was surely watching.
So, first, they needed to lower their guard.
Besides, there was a reason they had to go to Taehwa anyway.
"We'll eat, drink, and play for three days or so. Completely shake off the fatigue from the escort and prepare to enter the tomb."
Hearing this, the group all made tempted faces at once.
It had been a full month since starting the escort.
They had stopped at inns midway, but hadn't properly eaten or enjoyed themselves.
"Heh heh, brother, can we drink too?"
Snap!
"Kyaak!"
He looked pitifully at Chui-dal clutching his head.
"What kind of liquor for a brat like you."
"We're only a year apart!"
"Still no."
"Last time you didn't say anything!"
"Last time? When?"
"Near Gukgwang, when that idiot messed with us! We ordered drinks then too!"
"I wasn't going to give you any then either? We ended up fighting and couldn't drink anyway."
"......"
What kind of liquor for a kid whose body's not even fully grown.
'Ah, now that I think about it, I'm craving some.'
Wanderers and liquor were inseparable.
Best friends, true bosom buddies.
But after returning through time, Baek Yang-hui hadn't touched a drop.
Having regressed, it felt wasteful to ruin his young body with alcohol.
'But now I can drink.'
The effects of pure qi strengthening the body beneficially.
Thanks to it, he had perfected his body during closed-door training, faster than expected by a few years.
"Well, Brother Chui-dal isn't an adult yet. Liquor might be too early."
"Argh, even Brother Dang too? I'm only a year younger than Brother Hui!"
"Even if you're of age before your coming-of-age rite, fourteen is too young."
It was a characteristically rigid response from Dang Gun.
Chui-dal wilted completely.
"I... can drink pretty well though......"
"Enough. Just hold the reins properly. See? Head that way."
Upon arriving in Taehwa, the group checked into the most splendid tavern.
"Hm. The streets look unusually festive."
"Looks like there's a festival."
Asking the tavern errand boy, they learned it was the once-a-year festival day.
"In that case, buying some street food from the market sounds good."
"Festival food has its own charm."
"Sounds like a great idea."
"I want to see the festival too!"
Instead of ordering food at the tavern, they headed to the market streets.
"Oh! That guy's breathing fire?"
"Probably holding strong liquor in his mouth and spitting it."
"Aha."
"Those pancakes over there look delicious."
"Brother, can I get a whole roasted chicken?"
"Buy it all. We've got money!"
They were browsing the market and buying this and that when.
"Hm?"
In a slightly secluded open lot in the corner, a group of children were beating a man with sticks.
"Yah! Yah!"
"You monster! Monster!"
"Whoa! His skin's super tough!"
The man didn't seem angry at all, just covering his head and crouching, taking the hits.
Seeing this, Dang Gun furrowed his brow.
"Looks like they haven't properly educated their kids."
It wasn't a pleasant sight, so he shouted.
"You brats!"
Spotting Baek Yang-hui with a sword at his waist, the children fled in a hurry.
"Hey, you okay... Whoa, he really is huge up close."
Approaching, he understood why the kids called him a monster.
'Even crouched like that he's this big... Standing up, he'd be over eight feet tall?'
Then. The man turned his head and looked at Baek Yang-hui.
Innocent eyes like those of an ox plowing fields.
Bald... no, cleanly shaved head.
Even the character mark between his brows and forehead.
'Come to think of it... the clothes he's wearing.'
Cassock worn by monks. Earth-colored.
Monks wearing yellow robes dyed hemp with mud were one specific sect in the world.
"No way... Shaolin?"
At that moment, the man stood up.
Then, grinning broadly at Baek Yang-hui.
"Good person!"