Ten Paths of the Master - Chapter 122

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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 122. Find Hyeol Je
Dan Yeop raced after Hyeol Je’s departing form as if flying.
But he reached the city walls and found no trace of him.
He leaped atop the ramparts and spread his Qi sensing wide, yet the result was the same.
Hyeol Je had clearly suffered serious wounds, yet he vanished without a whisper—it was infuriating.
After staring beyond the walls for some time, Dan Yeop heard footsteps and quickly slipped away.
The next day.
The moment Dan Yeop arrived at the County Administrative Office, he was summoned to Jo Mujin’s chambers.
“Sir, did you call for me?”
“I heard there was quite a disturbance at the Imperial Palace last night. Has Hyeol Je finally breached the palace?”
Yesterday, Jo Mujin had ordered Dan Yeop to watch the Imperial Palace.
It was his duty to alert the authorities the moment Hyeol Je tried to infiltrate.
“Yes. Around the Third Watch, he scaled the walls. When I saw him heading for Taegeuk Palace, I whistled to alert the Urim Army.”
“The Urim Army couldn’t have been a match for him…”
“The archers and soldiers deployed initially were all cut down by Hyeol Je. Just as reinforcements hadn’t yet reached Taegeuk Palace, something happened inside it—”
Dan Yeop recounted what he had witnessed to Jo Mujin.
“…it seemed there was a descendant of the Sinbi Secret Sect stationed at Taegeuk Palace.”
“Ah, that explains it! That’s why they didn’t mobilize the Urim Army and Geumoh Army en masse despite the failure of the Five Evil Sword Sect’s assassination squad.”
“It would appear so.”
“A master of that caliber in the imperial household—a mercy in misfortune, truly. Still, the Urim Army must have suffered terribly.”
“Some hundred and twenty archers and soldiers were killed.”
“Phew! Hard work indeed. I’d give you the day off if I could, but I know what command will demand—reinforced patrols, I’m sure. My apologies.”
“No, sir. Then I’ll take my leave.”
Dan Yeop bowed to Jo Mujin and departed the County Administrative Office.
***
Jang An.
Somewhere in the city.
An elderly man with an air of immortal refinement, composing poetry alone in a high pavilion, set down his brush.
Presently, with footsteps, the monk Hong Jin approached.
“Your Majesty.”
Hong Jin clasped his hands respectfully and bowed his head.
The old man glanced down at Hong Jin and asked.
“What has become of Hyeol Je?”
“He infiltrated Taegeuk Palace but soon suffered grave wounds and fled north of Jang An.”
“Tsk! Such a foolish fellow. For all my warnings, he wouldn’t listen—in the end, he’s only shortened his own life.”
“His lifespan has been reduced?”
“He could have lived another decade, but now he won’t survive three years.”
“I hadn’t realized his injuries were so severe.”
“The old demon at Taegeuk Palace is a descendant of the Soyou Sect. There’s a saying that describes the martial arts of the Soyou Sect: ‘The Ten-Direction Sword Dragon blooms and the person departs.’ If one faces the Ten-Direction Sword Dragon, their life hangs by a thread, no matter who they are. That old demon’s cultivation was lacking, or else Hyeol Je would have died in Taegeuk Palace.”
Hong Jin’s eyes widened with curiosity as he looked up at his master.
The man seemed to know far too much about the Sinbi Secret Sect.
Unable to contain his curiosity, Hong Jin ventured carefully.
“Your Majesty, the Sinbi Secret Sect is legendary in the martial world, yet it isn’t widely known to the common people—”
“How do I know of it, you mean?”
“Yes.”
The old man paused in thought.
Hyeol Je had publicly revealed his affiliation with the Heonyeon Sect at Taegeuk Palace, so word would spread through the martial world soon enough.
“In ancient times, beings descended from the heavens to the mortal realm. The ancients revered them as gods. They returned to the heavens after a time, but some took mortal spouses and left descendants behind. This is the origin of the Secret Sect Lineage as recorded in the Recording of Investigating Things and Extending Knowledge.”
“Ah!”
“The teachings of the Secret Sect Lineage require extraordinary gifts to master, so they naturally faded away. Few remain now. What was passed to the imperial house is the Soyou Sect, and only a single person carries on its flame.”
“Forgive my presumptuousness, but might Your Majesty also be—”
“Of course. If I were not of a Secret Sect Lineage, how would I understand the affairs of other lineages so thoroughly? I am of the Unrae Sect; Seok Je-hwan, leader of the Gwangpung Society, is of the Hyeonum Sect.”
“Then are there other Secret Sect Lineages beyond these?”
“None. Hyeol Je must have obtained some fragment of the Heonyeon Sect’s legacy.”
The Secret Sect Lineages watched one another carefully and thus understood each other well.
To begin with, only a handful of Secret Sect Lineages had descended to the mortal realm, and only some of those had left descendants.
Presently, Hong Jin asked.
“Your Majesty, could the masters of the martial world not learn the martial arts of a Secret Sect Lineage as Hyeol Je did?”
“It is impossible. To master the martial arts of a Secret Sect Lineage, one must possess a unique gift. Merely having extraordinary Martial Talent is not enough. Had anyone been able to learn it, the Secret Sect Lineages would have become the supreme powers of the martial world.”
But precisely because they could not, the lineages were withering, unable to openly take the stage.
“Then you’re saying Hyeol Je’s aptitude aligned with the Secret Sect Lineage?”
“It did. That’s why I took him in. But since he’s inherited the Heonyeon Sect’s legacy, he’s become useless to me.”
“Then how do you intend to handle Hyeol Je now?”
“The Secret Sect Non-Interference Protocol dictates that those who belong to a sect do not meddle in each other’s affairs. But Hyeol Je was originally my man, and the Heonyeon Sect’s lineage has been severed regardless……. Hyeol Je must answer to my will. Find him. I will not allow him to wander the martial world on his own terms any longer.”
In truth, the words “must answer to my will” were nothing but a pretext.
Yuk Geomryeong, the old man and descendant of Unrae, harbored the intention of forcibly seizing the Heonyeon Sect’s martial techniques from Hyeol Je.
Though the Secret Sect Lineage had sworn non-interference, the rule that superseded all others was Survival of the Fittest.
***
Jang An County.
Pobang.
When Dan Yeop returned to Pobang after patrolling all morning, Do Gyeom, the Hyeonwi, came hurrying to find him.
Do Gyeom rushed to Pobang searching for Dan Yeop.
“Pokwae Dan.”
“Yes?”
“Go at once to the County Administrative Office and meet with Hyeonryeong Jo.”
“What’s happened now?”
“This morning Hyeonryeong Jo went to the palace, and it seems your name came up there. Get the details directly from him, and be on your way quickly.”
“Yes.”
Dan Yeop set off immediately for the County Administrative Office.
***
County Administrative Office.
The moment Dan Yeop entered, Jo Mujin, the Hyeonryeong, sprang from his seat and hurried toward him.
“Pokwae Dan! Come quickly.”
“You were looking for me? What is it?”
“It seems word has gotten out about what you did at Taegeuk Palace last night. You’re to be taken to the palace for an audience.”
“Ah…….”
“Is there anything you haven’t told me?”
Dan Yeop, who had been thinking for a moment, confessed about attacking Hyeol Je.
“When Hyeol Je tried to enter Taegeuk Palace, I attacked him with the Flying Sword Technique. But I was unable to wound him.”
“I see. It seems the palace is quite pleased with you. They’re in a mood to commend your service.”
“Cannot I decline and simply receive a reward as before……?”
Dan Yeop found the presence of an ancient sect’s descendant in Taegeuk Palace unsettling.
If he were the heir of Gwangpung or Unrae, they would be enemies.
“I wish it were so, but His Majesty has already commanded your attendance. I cannot defy a royal order.”
“Ah! I understand. Should I go now?”
“As a pokwae, you need only go in your current attire.”
Jo Mujin inspected Dan Yeop’s dress, then led him toward the Imperial Palace.
***
Jeongmyeong Palace.
When Jo Mujin brought Dan Yeop to stand at the end of the ranks of civil and military officials, Grand Internal Administrator Gu Jamyeong addressed the Emperor.
“Your Majesty, Jo Mujin, Hyeonryeong of Jang An, and Pokwae Dan stand in attendance, awaiting your pleasure.”
“Ah, Hyeonryeong Jo Mujin and Pokwae Dan—step forward.”
Thereupon Gu Jamyeong cried out loudly:
“By order of His Majesty, Hyeonryeong Jo Mujin and Pokwae Dan shall step forward!”
Jo Mujin and Dan Yeop advanced before the Emperor.
The Emperor commended both men’s service, then spoke in succession:
“I hereby appoint Jo Mujin, Hyeonryeong, to the rank of Junior Third Rank Vice Administrator, and Dan Yeop, Pokwae, to the rank of Junior Seventh Rank Urim Pokwae.”
Vice Administrator was the stepping stone post before becoming Administrator.
Jo Mujin jabbed Dan Yeop in the ribs, then prostrated himself and cried out:
“We are overwhelmed by Your Majesty’s benevolence!”
Dan Yeop, somewhat startled, followed suit.
“We are overwhelmed by Your Majesty’s benevolence!”
The Emperor, nodding with a satisfied expression, gestured with his chin toward Grand Internal Administrator Gu Jamyeong.
Gu Jamyeong then descended and handed Dan Yeop a golden token.
It was a token that verified his status as an Urim Pokwae.
As Dan Yeop secured the Urim Pobang Token in his garment, the Emperor spoke:
“The Urim Pokwae falls under the Urim Army and shall receive orders through the Urim Commander hereafter. Since there is no Commander at present, I shall issue the command myself. By whatever means necessary, discover Hyeol Je’s whereabouts.”
“Yes.”
Dan Yeop did not hesitate, as he had already intended to search for Hyeol Je.
“There is someone at Taegeuk Palace waiting for you. The Grand Internal Administrator shall guide you there. Go and pay your respects.”
“Yes.”
After bidding farewell to Jo Mujin, the Hyeonryeong, in front of Jeongmyeong Palace a moment later, Dan Yeop followed the Chief Eunuch deeper inside.
***
Taegeuk Palace.
As Dan Yeop walked through the inner courtyard of Taegeuk Palace, he ventured a quiet question to the Chief Eunuch.
“Forgive me, Chief Eunuch, but do you know who resides here at Taegeuk Palace?”
“It is the Imperial Uncle, the Grand Mentor Yi Yeon.”
“If he is an Imperial Uncle, he must be quite advanced in years?”
“He has entered his seventies. Now hold your tongue.”
Soon after, the Chief Eunuch Gu Jamyeong, stepping into the inner chambers of Taegeuk Palace, cleared his throat and spoke.
“I present before the Imperial Uncle, Grand Mentor Yi Yeon, the Pokwae Dan Yeop from the Urim Army.”
An elderly eunuch then emerged and ushered Dan Yeop inside.
“Pokwae Dan Yeop has come in response to the Grand Mentor’s summons.”
Dan Yeop offered a respectful bow, then cautiously raised his eyes.
Upon a high seat sat an old man with an air of windswept nobility, watching with keen interest.
The moment their eyes met, Dan Yeop quickly lowered his gaze.
“A disciple of the Huashan Sect?”
Dan Yeop shook his head hurriedly.
“No, sir. I am a disciple of Haowen.”
“I heard Hyeol Je say as much last night—”
“Last winter, I slew a brigand named Jang Gak, the Western Peaks Blood Sword, and obtained a blade from him. Last night, I used that sword. It appears to have belonged to the Huashan Sect.”
“I see how it came to pass. You said Haowen?”
“Yes.”
“Good. Haowen would be better suited to tracking Hyeol Je. I am the one who recommended you as a Pokwae of the Urim Army. What I desire is knowledge of Hyeol Je’s whereabouts. Can you accomplish this?”
“Yes.”
Dan Yeop answered briefly.
He could not have answered otherwise, and besides, he carried a debt to Hyeol Je that demanded payment.
Yi Yeon withdrew something from his robes and cast it toward Dan Yeop.
It tumbled through the air before coming to rest before him.
Dan Yeop caught the palm-sized jade tablet and examined it.
On one face, characters reading “Jeonsinbu” were carved in intaglio, while the other face gleamed smooth as ice.
‘What is this?’
Yi Yeon spoke to the puzzled Dan Yeop.
“It is a Law Treasure called the Jeonsinbu. Write upon the blank side, and what you inscribe will be transmitted to me. You may use it once every ten days—guard it well, and when you find Hyeol Je, inscribe the location.”
“Ah, yes.”
As Dan Yeop tucked the Jeonsinbu into his robes, Yi Yeon flicked his hand dismissively.
“Go now and find Hyeol Je.”

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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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