Ten Paths of the Master - Chapter 112

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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 112. And you call yourself a Pokwae?
The deaths of the servants, following the poisoning, had stretched the investigation team’s rest period considerably.
Between investigating and deliberating, half an hour slipped away entirely.
Finally, the anxious Rangis urged them to leave, insisting that finding the culprit was important, but they needed to vacate this place first.
But that proved no simple matter.
Everyone agreed they should leave, yet the destination became the problem.
The question “Where do we go now?” split the group.
Most of the Rangis wanted to return to Jang An City, but Sin Woo the Haengsu and So Gangmu the Howi captain insisted they go to Naphaemun.
Since the original contract was to find Na Jingeeum in Naphaemun anyway, the Rangis couldn’t dismiss Sin Woo the Haengsu and So Gangmu the Howi captain’s position.
Without consensus, the investigation team couldn’t move a single step.
Another half hour passed in their bickering.
That’s when the poisoning symptoms appeared.
Some of the Rangis lay down on the ground complaining of dizziness, while others began retching violently.
Then roughly a hundred martial artists in varied dress appeared.
Their weapons were as diverse as their clothing.
Curved Sabers dominated, but plenty carried Straight Swords, Large Swords, scythes, and axes.
But that was only the beginning.
Behind the hundred foreign martial warriors, a cavalry unit slowly came into view.
The cavalry numbered roughly a hundred as well—half armed with Curved Sabers, the rest equipped with Recurved Bows.
With that many archers, even the most gifted martial artists would find themselves helpless.
Jayun, seeing the cavalry, muttered through a pale, drained face.
“It’s over.”
The investigation team had fewer than thirty combat-capable members, while their opponents numbered two hundred—a hopeless situation.
Sin Woo the Haengsu and So Gangmu the captain led five Sangbang Howis forward toward the foreign warriors.
It was unclear whether they were attempting to negotiate or to surrender.
But for some reason, Dan Yeop rushed forward and joined the Sangbang Howis.
Jayun, staring at Dan Yeop with a bewildered expression, turned to the others and asked.
“Did Dan Yeop just side with Sin Woo the Haengsu? Is that right? Does anyone know why he went over there?”
“Dan Yeop isn’t that kind of man.”
“That’s right. Our youngest wouldn’t betray us.”
“He’s probably trying to open negotiations with Naphaemun.”
They all said as much, yet their eyes never left Dan Yeop.
But the other Rangis around them thought differently.
“Damn it! The bastard Pokwae ended up siding with the Haengsu after all!”
“I knew something was off from the start! The Haengsu brought him in!”
“So what happens to us now?”
“What happens? Everything’s screwed.”
“When he suddenly popped up saying he’d investigate, we should’ve seen it then. Now I get it—Naphaemun was keeping us pinned here until they arrived. God, what a son of a bitch.”
“Dan Yeop! You bastard! And you dare call yourself a Pokwae!”
Na Geumryeong, watching the Rangis curse, spoke to Na Bugang.
“See? I told you Pokwaes can’t be trusted.”
“Don’t jump to conclusions.”
Na Bugang clenched his teeth and fixed his gaze alternately between Sin Woo the Haengsu and Dan Yeop.
It was a situation that warranted suspicion, yet it might not be what it seemed.
He hoped it wasn’t.
Sin Woo the Haengsu glanced at Dan Yeop but said nothing.
Dan Yeop’s life was already as good as in his hands.
When they reached a distance of about ten paces from Naphaemun, Dan Yeop spoke.
“Sin Haengsu, is all of this planned by Yu Manseok the Vice-leader?”
“Not Vice-leader—the new Sangbang Master.”
“Then the servants’ deaths were orchestrated by So Gangmu the Howi captain, weren’t they?”
“Sharp instincts. Or perhaps slow ones?”
Sin Woo the Haengsu stopped about five paces short of Naphaemun.
With Naphaemun nearly within reach, Dan Yeop’s questions continued.
“Why kill the servants? They followed your orders so faithfully they even poisoned the Horalltang—didn’t they?”
“Their loyalty was weak. When we return to Jang An City, there will be investigations by Jang An County. You need people you can truly trust.”
“I see. You must have harbored considerable resentment toward Na Jingeeum the Sangbang Master? From what I observed during the Baekwol Kingdom operation.”
“He lacked the mettle to be a true Sangbang Master. Haengsu was his ceiling. We removed him by force for Jinbo Sangbang’s sake.”
“Was it truly not simple ambition—yours and the Vice-leader’s?”
“Future generations will judge who was right.”
“There’s no need to pass the burden down to future generations. I’ll handle it properly. But what conditions did Yu Manseok demand that brought Naphaemun into this?”
“He offered to remit half the annual profits as tribute.”
“That can’t be all, surely?”
The question came naturally—a major sect like Naphaemun wouldn’t lift a finger for Yu Manseok over something so modest.
“Sharp as ever. Not just Monghwa Region, but our operations will expand into the eastern sector of Namun City.”
“You’re planning to monopolize the commercial markets in eastern Namun City by leveraging Naphaemun’s influence?”
“Not all of it—only the goods flowing into Jang An City. I’m tired now, so let’s end the conversation here.”
Sin Woo bowed respectfully to the man across from him.
“Sect Leader, it’s good to see you again.”
Ha Hyeondo, the Sect Leader of Naphaemun, nodded with a satisfied expression.
“Sin, for a merchant you certainly keep your appointments. Your work pleases me greatly. So now all that remains is for me to clean up those lingering matters?”
Sin Woo turned to Dan Yeop and spoke.
“Dan Yeop, I realize I haven’t asked what you intend to do. If you’d join us, I’m prepared to offer you a thousand silver pieces.”
Pokwae was mad for money.
To exaggerate only slightly, he was the type who’d sell his own wife and children.
That’s why he decided to give Dan Yeop one final chance.
Dan Yeop, who had been nodding along, opened his mouth.
“You certainly have an eye for people, Sin. Offering such a fortune to a mere Pokwae… By this act, you’ve now committed not only murder conspiracy in the deaths of the caretakers, but also bribery. I’m placing you under arrest.”
Dan Yeop approached Sin Woo like a ghost and drove his index finger hard into the point below his sternum—the Xuanji Acupoint.
It was the Haowen-style Acupoint Strike—crude, unpredictable, but lethal when it landed.
Sin Woo let out a death cry as if he’d been run through by a blade, and collapsed on the spot.
So Gangmu, the guard captain, and the Sangbang security men surrounded Dan Yeop.
Dan Yeop looked at So Gangmu and the guards one by one, speaking clearly.
“So Gangmu! I’m arresting you for the murder of the caretakers. The rest of you for accessory to murder!”
So Gangmu let out a harsh, mocking laugh.
“You madman! Do you think this is Jang An City? Listen well—this is the front yard of Baekwol Kingdom and Naphaemun both! What are you all waiting for? Kill him!”
But Dan Yeop was faster.
He passed through their ranks like a phantom.
Six men fell to the ground in succession, each uttering a final cry.
All victims of that vicious acupoint technique.
One of them even foamed at the mouth, trembling violently.
Ha Hyeondo, the Sect Leader of Naphaemun, did not intervene in the outsiders’ quarrel.
Instead, his gaze toward the young man was filled with curiosity.
With the Sect Leader watching, the masters of Naphaemun made no move.
Dan Yeop, having subdued So Gangmu and the guards, approached the Sect Leader.
“Are you the Sect Leader of Naphaemun? I am Dan Yeop, Pokwae of Jang An County.”
Ha Hyeondo replied, his expression unreadable.
“Indeed. I am Ha Hyeondo, Sect Leader of Naphaemun.”
“I am searching for Na Jingeeum, Sangbang Master, who disappeared from Monghwa Region last May. Do you happen to know where he is?”
Dan Yeop asked, though he already knew the answer.
“Na Jingeeum is in our compound.”
“Ah, I see. Would you cooperate in allowing me to take Sangbang Master Na with me?”
“Why should I?”
Ha Hyeondo regarded Dan Yeop with an impassive face.
There was no malice in his eyes, yet his tone was glacial.
Dan Yeop answered as if stating the obvious.
“Unless you wish to be arrested as an accomplice and accessory to the abduction and murder conspiracy against Sangbang Master Na.”
“Hmph! You have the ability to do so?”
“You seem to be relying on numbers, but let me tell you in advance—it won’t matter. A tiger doesn’t fear a pack of dogs.”
“Hahahaha! Numbers? A pack of dogs? You’ve got an answer for everything, don’t you? Napho!”
At his call, a tall warrior of seven feet stepped forward from his right side.
“Yes!”
“I should see for myself whether this Pokwae is a dog or a tiger. Go and find out.”
“Yes!”
With that, Napho drew his large saber and rushed forward.
Thump-thump-thump—
His movements, despite his massive frame, were shockingly swift and light.
Soon Napho’s saber moved like lightning, cutting across and down in intricate patterns.
Whissshhh—!
It was Napho’s signature technique—the Fierce Tiger Slashing Saber.
Given the size and weight of the Daedo, the speed was almost unbelievable.
In that instant, Dan Yeop drew his Hoengdo and rushed forward to meet the blow.
Against the massive frame of Napho unleashing the Fierce Tiger Slashing Saber, Dan Yeop appeared impossibly small and slight.
Like a fallen leaf caught in a tempest, one might say.
Yet Dan Yeop had no intention of prolonging this fight.
‘Crush the opponent’s resolve through overwhelming force.’
He drove Tae Eul Qi into his Hoengdo.
Vwoooom—!
The air itself groaned, and the Hoengdo blazed with dazzling light.
In the next breath, Dan Yeop charged into the domain of the Fierce Tiger Slashing Saber, his blade gleaming.
Shriek! Shriek! Shriek—!
With the sound of metal parting, the whirlwind forged by the Daedo ceased.
Thud-thud-thud.
Severed chunks of the Daedo scattered across the ground.
As Napho stared in a daze at what remained of his blade—barely a span’s length—the cold edge of Dan Yeop’s Hoengdo touched his throat.
Gulp.
Napho, taut with tension, swallowed hard.
In that moment, his throat scraped against the blade, and a thin line of blood welled up where steel met skin.
The wordless threat drained the fighting spirit from Napho’s eyes.
Seeing this, Dan Yeop withdrew his Hoengdo, and Napho retreated at once.
Though Napho—in whom he had placed faith—had fallen and returned in defeat, Ha Hyeondo offered no reproach.
Dan Yeop’s martial prowess was beyond what raw strength alone, such as Napho possessed, could overcome.
After a moment of thought, Ha Hyeondo raised his right hand smoothly.
At the gesture, the archers arrayed behind him drew their bowstrings taut.
On the knife’s edge of that instant, Dan Yeop spoke, his voice like ice.
“I’ll tolerate no more.”
It was a remarkably presumptuous declaration.
Yet Ha Hyeondo’s hand remained suspended in the air, as if nailed there.
‘Is it a bluff? Or is he truly capable?’
His hesitation was brief.
Ha Hyeondo extended the raised hand forward and stepped back several paces.
Whoosh-whoosh-whoosh-whoosh-whoosh—!
Whoosh-whoosh-whoosh-whoosh-whoosh—!
Fifty archers loosed arrows at Dan Yeop in rapid succession.
In response, Dan Yeop batted the arrows aside and charged straight forward.
An instant later, Dan Yeop and Ha Hyeondo, who stood at the vanguard, collided.
Clang-clang-clang-clang-clang—!
The Hoengdo and Curved Saber tangled fiercely, sparks erupting between them.
After a brief, breathless exchange, Ha Hyeondo deftly withdrew.
Immediately, the masters of Naphaemun unleashed a wave assault upon Dan Yeop.
Straight Sword, Curved Saber, Large Sword, sickle, axe—an endless torrent of blades bore down on him.
Like a small skiff swept up in violent rapids, Dan Yeop seemed about to be capsized at any moment.
Yet he did not fall.
No—it was far more than merely not falling.
In that moment, Dan Yeop became like a tiger unleashed.
As he had said—a tiger thrown into a pack of dogs.

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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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