A Thief With Money Can Never Hide Forever (2)
One by one, the Kings who had gone upstairs to wash came back down and took their seats. It looked as if they were plopping down wherever they pleased, but look closer, and every spot the men had chosen sat squarely on the routes Jin Yigang's group would use to bolt. The women were less obvious about it, but they too had planted themselves at his escape points. Only Ji Yak-ran sat across from him.
"You're not breaking our agreement, are you?"
Jin Yigang asked, looking at Namgung Won-mu.
"Escorting you means traveling with you. We can hardly let you go off on your own."
"Then I suppose we'll be traveling in style."
Jin Yigang nodded. Then he looked at Ji Yak-ran and pushed five million nyang across the table toward her.
"The Earth King's share."
"You're actually giving it to me?"
"The Earth King actually gave me two million, didn't she?"
"So I made a good investment?"
"Looks that way."
Jin Yigang nodded again.
"So what now?"
Ji Yak-ran asked.
"First, I'd like to make a proposal."
"What proposal?"
Namgung Won-mu turned to Jin Yigang.
"Before I propose anything, answer a question of mine. Are you interested in the Invincible Fist King's Domain?"
"Why do you ask?"
Eum Gu-yeo said.
"You're all, arguably, the strongest in the Central Plains. My thinking is that the martial arts of the Invincible Fist King's Domain would be meaningless to powerhouses like you—if there's even any martial art left in there at all."
"The law of the murim is survival of the strongest. Since the weak cannot live, we strive ceaselessly to grow strong. The martial arts of a great warrior would shore up the weaknesses in my own arts and make me stronger than I am today. That's why we'd kill for them."
Eum Gu-yeo answered.
"So all of you want the Invincible Fist King's Domain's martial arts?"
"Correct."
"Good, then I'll say it. Guard us with everything you have. In return, I'll take you straight to the Invincible Fist King's Domain."
"......"
Namgung Won-mu and the other eight Kings stared at Jin Yigang, wide-eyed.
"You've solved the secret?"
Eum Gu-yeo asked.
"Not completely. But I've cracked part of it, and if I'm left alone to think, I believe I can work out the rest."
"So you want us to make sure you're not disturbed?"
Namgung Won-mu asked.
"That's right."
"Tell us what you've solved first. Then I'll consider it."
"Considering is out of the question."
"If you're certain, then say it."
Namgung Won-mu said.
"What about the others?"
"Me too."
"Me too."
"Me too."
The remaining Kings raised their hands as one.
"Here."
Jin Yigang tossed the map scroll onto the table.
Namgung Won-mu snatched it out of the air with a vacuum-like pull of telekinetic force. He studied the scroll, but no matter how long he stared at it, he couldn't make head or tail of it. He couldn't even tell whether the markings depicted mountains or fields.
"In this state, I can't understand a thing?"
He said, looking at Jin Yigang.
"Compare the left side with the right as you look at it."
Jin Yigang said.
Namgung Won-mu turned his eyes back to the scroll.
'Hm?'
His eyes widened. Something familiar began to emerge.
"This is—?"
He looked at Jin Yigang.
"It's the same picture drawn twice, facing itself, to throw people off."
"Good heavens......"
Namgung Won-mu gaped at him, slack-jawed.
"You'll have to show the others too."
"Let me see it as well."
Eum Gu-yeo said.
"Ah. Now I see it."
Eum Gu-yeo studied the scroll. Once he knew the two sides mirrored each other, the map sprang into focus at once. Though all he could actually determine was that the two pictures were identical.
The Kings examined the map in turn. The last to look was Ji Yak-ran.
"That's it. It's blurred on purpose, but the two sides are the same picture."
Ji Yak-ran handed the scroll back to Jin Yigang.
"How long will preparations take?"
Jin Yigang asked, looking at the Kings.
"You need more men?"
Namgung Won-mu asked.
"You told the Nine Kings to guard a map scroll because you expect enemies strong enough to warrant all nine of you. Or am I just being paranoid?"
"......No. You're right. Three days should be enough to be ready."
"Then we leave in four."
Each King immediately dispatched a messenger hawk to their home base.
Jin Yigang, meanwhile, settled into a corner, ordered tea, then pulled out a book and opened it. It was a thick tome titled Third-Rate Martial Arts. Every time he turned a page, he checked how many pages remained.
"What are you doing?"
Na Hu-jeok, who had been watching him, asked.
"Doing what?"
"Looks to me like you're checking how many pages are left. Am I wrong?"
"You're not."
"Are you bored, then?"
"No. It's precious to me."
"Precious?"
"Every page I turn is less book left to read."
"......"
"I'm rather fond of the written word."
"Strange fellow."
"A little."
"What book is it, that it's so thick?"
"Third-Rate Martial Arts."
"......"
"The title of the book is Third-Rate Martial Arts."
"Hmm......"
Na Hu-jeok stared at him intently.
"I went twenty-seven years without ever once touching the word 'martial.' This book suits me perfectly. And I'm not reading it to learn martial arts, either."
"Then why?"
"Because it's thick."
"......Is it entertaining?"
Yu Bong-ji asked.
"Not bad. The notion that a human can make eighty-four thousand movements with both arms is fascinating, and that adding the legs brings it to a hundred sixty-eight thousand is fun too."
"Eighty-four thousand, you say?"
"According to Elder Yu-suk's theory, yes. I agree with it."
"You agree?"
"What, it's ridiculous that a guy who doesn't even know martial arts agrees with it?"
"You know the theory well, then."
"This Elder Yu-suk?"
Jin Yigang pointed with both hands.
"You fool, eighty-four thousand is a dream number. People rattle on about the Eighty-Four Thousand Sword Arts, the Eighty-Four Thousand Fist Arts, the Eighty-Four Thousand Saber Arts, but in reality there aren't even eight thousand four hundred. No—not even eight hundred forty."
"The Thousand Martial Statues contained eighty-four thousand stances."
"The Thousand Martial Statues?"
"The warrior statues at Thousand Martial Plaza in the Jecheon Medical Manor."
"You...... passed through that place?"
"Don't get the wrong idea—nothing to do with martial arts. I took a walk, that's all."
"And here I thought......"
Na Hu-jeok snorted with laughter.
"Damn it all!"
Jin Yigang spat out a curse.
Na Hu-jeok looked at him.
"Elder! You should have written more. What am I supposed to do when there's only this much?"
Jin Yigang shouted at the book.
"You're telling me to read it again? So that means you want me to read it again?"
Jin Yigang looked at Na Hu-jeok.
"I didn't say a word."
"The book says to read it one more time."
"Then read it again."
"I suppose I will."
Jin Yigang flipped back to the very first page and buried himself in it once more.
"Ohh—! As expected."
He broke into a wide grin.
"What now?"
Na Hu-jeok asked.
"It's different from the first time."
"It's the same book, isn't it?"
"Same book, same words—but the space between the lines has changed."
"I see."
Na Hu-jeok nodded. Jin Yigang sank back into the book. So deep was his concentration that not even the sound of his breathing escaped.
"Ah, damn it!"
It was only two hours later that he cursed again.
"Now what?"
"I've already read a third of it!"
"Then go lie down and sleep it off, boy."
"Innkeeper!"
Jin Yigang called over to the owner dozing off in the corner.
"Yes?"
The owner jolted awake and came running.
"What can you make right now?"
"Plain noodles, sir."
"I'm in the mood for something fancy and expensive."
"How about boiled pork slices?"
"That's all?"
"Boiled pork with a cup of white liquor, and the Emperor's own table would have nothing on it, wouldn't you say?"
However much he would have liked to whip up something fancy, the cook had clocked out, and there was nothing to be done about it.
"Fine. That'll do."
"How much shall I boil?"
"Enough for everyone in this room to eat their fill."
"Yes, sir."
The owner hurried off to the kitchen.
"Not sleeping?"
Na Hu-jeok asked.
"When I die, I'll get all the sleep I want. I'm not sleepy now, so why force it?"
"What manner of art is that?"
"What art?"
"Your fist, when it blew off the Dethroned King's jaw."
"That wasn't a martial art."
"Then what was it?"
"An ordinary person's whole body relaxes on the exhale. I simply aimed for that instant and swung my fist. Also, my fist is made of stone."
"You mean you can find that split second every time?"
"Doesn't everyone?"
"......"
Jin Yigang flipped back to the first page again. An hour later, the boiled pork and liquor arrived.
Jin Yigang closed the book.
"You two, come sit here."
He called over Bukgung Hansang and Gung Yo, who were seated to one side. The two of them came and sat across from him.
"You introduce yourselves to the Elders yet?"
Jin Yigang asked.
"No?"
Gung Yo shook her head.
"Do it now."
"I'm Gung Yo."
"I'm Bukgung Hansang."
"They're fine young talents, not scruffy strays like me."
Jin Yigang told Na Hu-jeok and his companions.
"So it appears."
Na Hu-jeok nodded.
"Right, let's eat."
Jin Yigang poured liquor for Na Hu-jeok beside him. The others filled their cups as well. They drained them and immediately brought the food to their mouths.
"Delicious."
Jin Yigang smiled.
"Are you Elders coming too?"
He asked as he poured.
"Of course we're going."
Yu Bong-ji answered.
"And the Three Eccentrics?"
"We're thinking about it."
Gwangsa answered.
"I'd rather you didn't come."
"You're telling us to busy ourselves founding a sect instead?"
"Yeah."
"But......"
"But what?"
"Why would you hand us the money? What if we just run off with it?"
"You've got the Elders. And Dae-bo too."
"The Central Plains is vast. Decide to hide, and no one will ever find you."
"You stole that money to live fat and loud. How's a man with money supposed to hide? Sooner or later the man holding it has to step back out into the world, and that's exactly when he gets caught. If it were anything else I'd let it slide, but not this. Never, ever gamble your life on theft. Especially with these Elders—who, from here on out, have nothing left to do except die."
"Kghk!"
Na Hu-jeok choked as if something had gone down the wrong pipe.
"You little rascal."
"Hahahaha!"
"Heeheehee!"
The people around them burst out laughing.
"Pfft!"
Gwangsa cracked a smile too.
"Tell Haomilmun where you plan to open the sect."
"Understood."
Gwangsa nodded.
"And look after one more person for me."
"Who?"
"The Jecheon Medical Manor promised to care for him, but they've got their circumstances, don't they? If they won't do it, then you take over from that point on."
"What kind of care are we talking about?"
"A hundred nyang a month. Not one nyang more, ever."
"Who is it we'd be caring for?"
"My father."
"......"
"No one knows what happens once you go with the punitive expedition."
"I don't know about anyone else, but you strike me as the type to walk back out alive regardless."
"Even so, you prepare for the worst."
"Very well."
Gwangsa nodded.
The group traded stories back and forth over their food.
The next day.
Gwangsa, and those among the ronin under Mak Hong's command who would be joining the sect, left the inn.
Gwangbul and Gwangdo decided to come along as far as the Invincible Fist King's Domain. Just as Namgung Won-mu had said, reinforcements from each faction began arriving after three days. By the morning of the fourth day, every faction had gathered, and the company set out for Mount Laojun. The baggage that had ridden in the carriages was now shouldered on backs.
The moment they departed, figures began moving from every direction. The watchers who had been monitoring the Jecheon Medical Manor procession.