Ten Paths of the Master - Chapter 106

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Episode 106. How can we trust the Pokwae?
The next day.
Seol Gyeongmun went to Jang An County to meet Dan Yeop.
Dan Yeop, who met Seol Gyeongmun in front of Pobang, lit up with delight.
“Uncle Seol? I trust you’ve been well?”
Having grown close to Seol Gyeongmun through use of the training grounds at Gosan Estate, Dan Yeop now called him uncle.
“I’ve been fine. Bulwi tells me you’ve been busy lately?”
“Ha, well, that’s how it is. Who isn’t busy these days?”
“I’m not. I wish you’d visit Gosan Estate more often—we could talk and spend time together. Yeonhui has been complaining that it’s been ages since she’s seen you.”
“Of course, I’ll visit soon. But surely that’s not why you’ve come all this way?”
“I have something urgent to discuss…….”
As Seol Gyeongmun glanced around, Dan Yeop led him to a nearby pavilion.
Once they’d moved to the secluded spot, Seol Gyeongmun relayed what Yu Manseok, the acting Association Head of Jinbo Sangdan, and the Na siblings had said when they visited Gosan Estate.
“……After hearing about you and Bulwi, they asked if I could arrange a meeting between them. I said I’d pass along the word, but I know how swamped you must be these days—it won’t be easy for you, will it?”
“……I understand.”
There had been no sign yet that Cheonryeon had disappeared, so the Pokwae remained on high alert.
To make matters worse, managing all the wanderers pouring in from across the realm kept him several times busier than usual.
“Then I’ll pass the message along in that spirit. They understand the situation in Jang An City these days, so they’ll be understanding about it.”
“Thank you.”
Dan Yeop was concerned about Na Bugang and Na Geumryeong, but he decided not to interfere.
Honestly, even if he’d wanted to help, the circumstances didn’t allow it.
He couldn’t step away because he was at the center of the investigation into Cheonryeon.
***
After parting with Dan Yeop, Seol Gyeongmun went to Jinbo Sangdan and met with Yu Manseok, the acting Association Head.
“I spoke with Dan Yeop, but he says he can’t spare the time due to his duties in Jang An County.
“He’s in Jang An County?”
“Ah, you weren’t aware. He recently became a Pokwae there. Right now he’s overseeing the investigation into Cheonryeon. Given the circumstances, he says he can’t step forward. However…….”
Seol Gyeongmun trailed off deliberately.
Having experienced kidnapping himself, he wanted to help Jinbo Sangdan by any means possible.
Yu Manseok caught the hint that there was more.
“Please, if you have any idea at all, I’d be grateful to hear it.”
“It’s not entirely without options. Since Cheonryeon’s activities have quieted lately, what if we approached Hyeonryeong Jo Mujin?”
“Hyeonryeong Jo?”
“Yes—file a formal report with Hyeonryeong Jo about the kidnapping of Association Head Na Jingeum. And if we let him know that Dan Yeop once resolved a similar case in the Baekwol Kingdom, Hyeonryeong Jo will certainly assign the case to Dan Yeop.”
“Ah! That does seem like the best approach under the circumstances. Thank you. I won’t forget the help you’ve given Jinbo Sangdan.”
“Not at all. I only hope it leads to a good resolution.”
Seol Gyeongmun worried he might be imposing on Dan Yeop, but he still wanted to be of service to the kidnapped Association Head Na Jingeum.
***
Yu Manseok immediately went to seek out the Jang An County Hyeonryeong and did exactly as Seol Gyeongmun had instructed.
Hyeonryeong Jo Mujin’s reaction was precisely what Seol Gyeongmun had foreseen.
In fact, it was only natural.
As Hyeonryeong, Jo Mujin had a duty to resolve the reported kidnapping case.
Even though the kidnapping had taken place far away in the Baekwol Kingdom, he couldn’t simply ignore a reported case.
After consulting with Hyeonwi Do Gyeom, Hyeonryeong Jo Mujin summoned Pokwae Dan Yeop.
“Dan, I have a case I’d like you to take on.”
“Yes, what is it?”
“A few days ago, Na Jingeum, the Association Head of Jinbo Sangdan, was apparently kidnapped in the Baekwol Kingdom. It seems the culprits are from the Nabhaemun. Yu Manseok tells me you once resolved a similar case in the Baekwol Kingdom—is that true?”
“Yes, I once retrieved a friend of my late father who’d been abducted.”
“Just as I thought. Jinbo Sangdan hopes you’ll resolve this case. And since things have been quiet with Cheonryeon anyway, will you take it on?”
“I will.”
Dan Yeop accepted without hesitation.
After all, if circumstances allowed, he wanted to help.
“It’ll be difficult to provide Pojol—the distance is just too great. But Jinbo Sangdan says they’ll hire a large number of guard warriors, so you can work alongside them.”
“Understood.”
“And……, no, never mind. From this hour on, you’re excused from patrols. Focus entirely on the Jinbo Sangdan matter.”
“Yes, sir.”
“Oh, and let Hyeonwi Do know that you’re taking on a new case. He’ll be quite disappointed.”
“I will.”
After leaving the main hall, he met with Hyeonwi Do Gyeom as instructed, then departed Jang An County.
***
That afternoon.
Dongsi District Office.
Jinbo Sangbang.
As Dan Yeop knocked on the gate, the gatekeeper cracked the door open and peered out. “Who are you?”

“Dan Yeop, a Pokwae from Jang An County.”
As if he’d been expecting this, the gatekeeper swung the door wide and spoke. “Ah! So you’ve come from Jang An County. Welcome, welcome. Our Deputy Director has been waiting for you.”

Dan Yeop followed the gatekeeper inside.
The inner hall.
Once inside, Dan Yeop took a quiet seat in an empty spot.
The Directors conducting the countermeasures meeting kept glancing over at him.
A beautiful youth with an innocent face claiming to be a Pokwae—they all looked skeptical.
Sin U, the Deputy Director’s right hand, opened his mouth with a doubtful expression. “Pokwae Dan, have you ever rescued Seol Gyeongmun, a Director of the Taehua Sangdan, who was kidnapped in the Baekwol Kingdom?”

“I have.”
“I see. I heard you did so alongside Dan Bulwi, the great master. Are you planning to bring him along this time as well?”
“No. More than anything, Dan Bulwi would refuse no matter what conditions were offered. He’s far too occupied.”
Dan Bulwi was currently teaching the Jinchil Sangdo Technique to the Village Masters of Yukmun. With Dan Yeop now gone as a Pokwae, there was no way Haowen would release Dan Bulwi.
“Hmm. Can you handle this matter alone, Pokwae Dan?”
“I’ll do my best. This time, I’d also like to ask a few questions. I’ve come to investigate the kidnapping case that was reported to Jang An County as a Pokwae. I’d appreciate hearing the full circumstances of the incident.”
The Directors’ eyes turned toward Yi Jin.
Yi Jin’s composed voice echoed through the hall.
“……And so all of them except me were dragged away to the Nabhaemun.”
After the long account ended, Dan Yeop asked, “Did they identify themselves as Nabhaemun?”

“Yes, they said so.”
“What about Eunwol Bang? Did they ever mention any danger from Nabhaemun?”
“Nothing at all. We didn’t even know Nabhaemun existed until they came to plunder us by force.”
“And what does the Cheongsu faction say about all this?”
“They said we can only trade if Nabhaemun permits it.”
“Then have you tried negotiating with Nabhaemun directly? Why not conduct the transaction with them instead of Eunwol Bang?”
“They wouldn’t even listen. They said since the Association Head already disrespected them, they’ll make sure we pay a fitting price.”
“Hmm.”
Dan Yeop sensed something odd in Yi Jin’s account.
‘Why does it feel like Nabhaemun came in to sabotage the deal?’
If they truly wanted to assert their rights, they could simply become a party to the contract instead of resorting to kidnapping.
With Eunwol Bang out of the way, they could have taken that position for themselves.
‘But instead, they destroyed the whole arrangement and kidnapped the Association Head of Jinbo Sangbang—a money source for the future?’
For a faction that represented Namun City alongside Cheongran Mun, the act seemed suspicious.
Just then, footsteps sounded from outside, and someone called out.
“Deputy Director! So Gangmu has brought the mercenaries!”
The Directors immediately sprang to their feet and hurried out.
Dan Yeop, curious, followed them.
Nearly fifty mercenaries stood scattered across the front courtyard in disarray.
Most were men, but there were seven women among them.
So Gangmu, the Guard Captain of Jinbo Sangdan, clasped his hands respectfully and bowed to Deputy Director Yu Manseok as he spoke. “Deputy Director, I’ve assembled fifty skilled individuals as you requested.”

Deputy Director Yu Manseok nodded with a satisfied expression.
“Well done. We depart at dawn tomorrow, so take them to the guest quarters and let them rest.”
“Yes.”
Soon after, Captain So Gangmu led the mercenaries deeper inside and disappeared from view.
Immediately after the mercenaries vanished, Dan Yeop turned to Deputy Director Yu Manseok. “That’s quite a number of mercenaries. How many of your association’s own guard warriors will be accompanying you?”

“Five will follow under the guard of Sin U, who heads the Investigation Team.”
……
Dan Yeop was somewhat surprised at how few the association’s own guard warriors were.
So they were essentially sending only mercenaries to rescue their Association Head.
Of course, mercenaries do their work for the coin they receive.
But expecting them to have the loyalty of the association’s own guard warriors was unrealistic.
In the worst case, they could turn to banditry, seize the valuables, and flee.
‘I thought he’d agree to at least half of it….’
Fifty mercenaries and five guards—it was enough to catch him off guard.
As Dan Yeop’s thoughts wandered, Yu Manseok’s voice reached his ear.
“With Director So Gangmu possessing Single-Hundred Martial Mastery, he ought to command the mercenaries well.”
“If we depart tomorrow morning, by when should I arrive?”
“We’re scheduled to leave at Early Morning. Make sure you’re here by then at the latest.”
“Understood. Then I’ll take my leave.”
As Dan Yeop crossed the front courtyard moments later, someone called out to him from behind.
“Dan Yeop!”
It was Na Bugang.
Dan Yeop turned and spoke in a flat tone.
“Young Master Na, is there something you wished to say?”
“I’m grateful. I thought you would refuse our request.”
“I came because the Hyeonryeong ordered an investigation.”
“Still, for some reason I thought you might refuse.”
“I’m a Pokwae myself—there’s no reason I would. If there’s nothing else, I’ll be going.”
As Dan Yeop turned to leave, Na Bugang hurried to speak.
“Save my father.”
“That’s why I came.”
“Now you’re the only person I can trust.”
Sensing something odd, Dan Yeop met Na Bugang’s gaze directly.
“What do you mean by that?”
“Doesn’t it strike you as strange that they’re sending only mercenaries to rescue the Association Head?”
“I suppose not—I’m unfamiliar with the Association’s circumstances.”
“I requested more guards, but the request was ignored. All of father’s close associates have left the Association within the past month.”
“So what are you trying to say?”
“I know it’s shameless to ask, but no matter what happens, save my father.”
“I’ll do what I must do as a Pokwae of Jang An County. That’s all.”
Dan Yeop spun around and left without a backward glance.
Na Geumryeong approached Na Bugang, who stood motionless.
“Did you tell Dan Yeop?”
“He said he’d do what he must as a Pokwae.”
“That won’t do. I have to go with him tomorrow too.”
“I’m already going—there’s no need for you to come as well.”
“There’s no one else I can trust. Two is better than one. I’m going, and don’t try to stop me.”
A low groan escaped Na Bugang’s lips.
The sound hung in the air like a wound.
He was worried about his sister, but her words held merit.
Everything had changed overnight.
Mother insisted that the Director was not the kind of man to betray Father, but there were too many strange things to believe it.
‘How did things come to this?’
When he thought of how Jinbo Sangdan’s situation would look to Dan Yeop’s eyes, shame burned so hot he wanted to crawl into a hole and disappear.
Then Na Geumryeong spoke.
“Surely Dan Yeop won’t take the Director’s side, will he?”
“He’s not that kind of man.”
“But that’s what those from Haowen are like, aren’t they? Betraying for money, stabbing people in the back for a woman….”
“He came as a Pokwae.”
“That’s exactly what frightens me. How can you trust a Pokwae?”
Na Bugang glared at his sister, consumed by suspicion, then simply walked away.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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