Ten Paths of the Master - Chapter 128

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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 128. What is your relationship with the Soyojong?
When Dan Yeop returned, the Sect Soldier Im Song asked him.
“Master, what happened?”
“Lucky timing. I climbed the mountain and found him already dead.”
Dan Yeop kept hidden the fact that Hyeol Je had taken his own life in front of him.
There was nothing to gain if the Murim’s attention turned toward him.
“Hyeol Je was dead?”
“Yes. His injuries must have been worse than I thought. He was sitting when I found him.”
“Ah! So Hyeol Je is finally dead.”
“Let’s head back soon. Keep Hyeol Je’s death a secret for now.”
“Pardon? Why?”
“There’s nothing good about having Haowen’s name on everyone’s lips. It’s better if we stay beneath notice.”
“Ah, I understand. Gil Tae, did you hear? We know nothing of Hyeol Je’s death?”
“Yes, sir.”
Gil Tae was a year or two older than Sect Soldier Im Song but held a lower rank, so he spoke with deference.
Dan Yeop’s party returned to Dongwan County that same night.
The next day.
Word struck the Murim like thunder—Hyeol Je had died on Mongsan in Hwang Ryonggun, Yozhou.
The monks of a hermitage had discovered his corpse.
Of course, Sect Leader Cheonryeon and Envoy Yi Yeon, who had been heading toward Dongwan County, turned back to Jang Anseong.
Within days, masters of the Five Evil Sword Sect had determined the cause of death.
―Suffering internal injuries so severe that healing was impossible, and fearing revenge from the Murim sects, he severed his own meridians and took his life.
Though they spoke of “the Murim sects,” they really meant fear of the Five Evil Sword Sect.
It was, on the surface, a reasonable account.
The Five Evil Sword Sect had fought Hyeol Je for more than thirty years.
***
Four days later.
Jang Anseong.
Taeguk Palace.
At noon, Dan Yeop entered the palace.
He came to return the Jeonsin Talisman to Envoy Yi Yeon.
As Dan Yeop set the talisman on the table and stepped back, Envoy Yi Yeon asked him.
“Did you know Hyeol Je had taken his own life?”
“I didn’t know, sir. I remained at the foot of the mountain.”
“Tsk! What a shame. It seemed the Five Evil Sword Sect and even Cheonryeon were pursuing Hyeol Je. Still, I never imagined he’d crumble under such pressure.”
“Perhaps in his own way, he wished for an honorable end.”
“Honor? If that were his concern, he shouldn’t have lived as the Great Demon in the first place. To commit such wickedness out of spite toward the Five Evil Sword Sect—that was foolishness.”
“Were you aware of these matters, Envoy?”
“Important affairs have a way of reaching the ears of those who sit still.”
“Ah……”
Dan Yeop stole a glance at Envoy Yi Yeon.
The way he spoke placed even the Five Evil Sword Sect far beneath him.
It struck Dan Yeop as befitting a descendant of the ancient sect traditions.
Then Envoy Yi Yeon delivered words to Dan Yeop like a thunderbolt from clear sky.
“What is your relationship with the Soyojong?”
“Pardon?”
Dan Yeop, startled, asked instinctively.
“Don’t be alarmed. I sense the Soyojong’s distinctive martial techniques in you.”
Dan Yeop’s mind raced, and he answered swiftly.
“I studied martial techniques from Haowen. Among what I’ve learned, there is but one that is not from Haowen.”
“What is that?”
“Bunsimgong—a meditation method sold in the marketplaces. In my youth, my aptitude was lacking, and I could not keep pace with others. So I trained in Bunsimgong to narrow the gap.”
In the past, his master Jeok Songja had told him he had cultivated the Soyojong’s Iwon Gwi Il Gong incorrectly.
Rather than outright lie, he had chosen to present the truth with careful embellishment.
“Bunsimgong? Recite the formula for me.”
Dan Yeop recited the Bunsimgong formula without hesitation.
“When a person is born, the advancing spirit resides in the heavenly eye, and the conscious spirit that thinks dwells below in the heart……”
As Dan Yeop finished reciting the entire Bunsimgong formula, Envoy Yi Yeon clicked his tongue.
“Tsk, tsk! What a contemptible person that was. To leave such a bastard technique in the world. You must never cultivate it again.”
“What is wrong with Bunsimgong?”
“Someone fashioned a meditation technique by aping the Iwon Gwi Il Gong of Soyojong. Practice it long enough and you’ll inevitably fall into Juhwa Ipma.”
“Ah, yes—I thought it wasn’t helping much anyway, so I stopped several years ago. But how did you come to know so much about it, sir?”
“Well, I’m the successor to Soyojong. I’d have to know.”
“What! The lineage of Sinbijimun still survives?”
Dan Yeop’s shock was genuine, and Yi Yeon chuckled softly before answering.
“You worked the Pokwae trade, so you’ll understand this—Cheonryeon killed high officials for a long time, but never committed Beomgyeol. This was Hyeol Je’s first.”
“Yes, I heard this was the first time with him.”
“Sinbijimun doesn’t communicate with one another, but we know of each other’s existence. You might say we keep watch. The Sect Leader of Cheonryeon, Yuk Geommyeong, is descended from Unmraejong. Without me, the empire would have collapsed long ago.”
“I see…”
“Even Sect Leader Yuk Geommyeong didn’t dare scale the palace walls—yet Hyeol Je did. Looking at it that way, the relationship between them can’t have been good. The fact that Yuk Geommyeong didn’t tell him Soyojong was within the palace walls speaks volumes.”
“As it happens, we’ve had intelligence that Sect Leader Cheonryeon moved to punish Hyeol Je.”
“Just as I thought! Hyeol Je must have become arrogant after obtaining the Giyeon from Heononjong.”
Dan Yeop, who had been carefully gauging Yi Yeon’s mood, ventured to ask,
“Sir, besides Cheonryeon, are there other branches of Sinbijimun elsewhere?”
“Seok Jehwan, the leader of Gwangpoonghoe, is descended from Hyeoneumjong.”
“So Gwangpoonghoe also had connections to Sinbijimun.”
“Unmraejong, Hyeoneumjong, and Soyojong—those were the three great ancient sects that remained in this land.”
“Then what of Heononjong?”
“In the ancient age, beings descended from the heavens to the mortal realm and took human spouses. Through their unions, the concept of sects was born. Among them, the three great sects were most renowned, but there were others that faded without leaving a mark. Heononjong was simply one of those forgotten sects.”
“I see.”
“I’ve told you these details about Sinbijimun so that you’ll be cautious in your future work. If you rely on your modest talents and attempt to oppose Cheonryeon or Gwangpoonghoe, you could meet the same bitter end as Hyeol Je.”
“Yes, I’ll be careful.”
“Now go. On your way out, meet with the commander of the Urim Forces.”
“Yes.”
Dan Yeop bowed respectfully to Yi Yeon and withdrew.
***
Dan Yeop went directly to Cheongjeon Pavilion to find Yeo Hae, the commander of the Urim Forces.
“I am Dan Yeop, an Urim Pochai. Yi Yeon asked me to meet with you before departing the palace, so I’ve come.”
“Is that all he said?”
“Yes.”
“I see. Your unit is the Urim Forces, and I am your direct superior. That means you answer only to my orders.”
“Yes.”
“I’ll now tell you what you’re to do. Before he’s in the grave, investigate Hyeol Je’s movements, and if he had a successor, find out who.”
“But Hyeol Je is already dead. What’s the purpose of investigating his past?”
“To discover where he obtained the Giyeon of Heononjong.”
“Ah!”
Dan Yeop realized that Yi Yeon hadn’t yet abandoned his ambitions.
“If you have no further questions, you’re dismissed.”
“Should I report whenever I have new information?”
“Yes.”
“Are there other Urim Pochai besides me?”
“Of course. One more in the Right Guard, and two in the Left Guard. So two in each—Right and Left. But you needn’t know what they’re doing. Likewise, they won’t know who you are or what you do.”
“Ah, I understand.”
“If there are orders to relay, the Right Guard’s Urim Forces messenger will find you. So if your residence changes, you must inform the Right Guard immediately.”
“Yes.”
Dan Yeop bowed to Commander Yeo Hae and rose from his seat.
The moment Dan Yeop left the palace, he headed straight for Jeommun headquarters in Seonpyeongbang.
***
Seonpyeongbang.
Jeommun headquarters, Chipdan District.
Simhyanggak.
As Dan Yeop entered, Sect Leader Baek Chogo greeted him with a radiant smile.
“Welcome, welcome. I’ve been waiting for you with bated breath.”
“Me?”
“You’re the one who cornered Hyeol Je and forced his hand at suicide. The world doesn’t know it, but we do—we recognize your achievement.”
“Ha—no, it wasn’t entirely because of me. Hyeol Je must have felt the pressure from Cheonryeon and the Five Evil Sword Sect as well.”
“But you’re the one who tracked him all the way to Mongsan. Neither Cheonryeon nor the Five Evil Sword Sect did that. Your persistence is what drove him to it.”
“Surely you’re giving me too much credit.”
“Too much? By the way, I hear mysterious martial artists have been tearing through Mongsan like a nest of ants. They must be searching for Hyeol Je’s techniques?”
“Probably. Even the palace has ordered me to find Hyeol Je’s martial techniques.”
“Mongsan is in complete upheaval. Haowen has dispatched several people there as well.”
“Are there no clashes among the Murim sects?”
“Fortunately, it remains quiet for now. The Five Evil Sword Sect is even combing through the Gangnam region where Hyeol Je once stayed, or so I’ve heard.”
“They suffered at Hyeol Je’s hands, so naturally they covet his martial techniques.”
“Their eyes have turned red with hunger.”
“Then shouldn’t Haowen withdraw from Mongsan before trouble erupts?”
“Withdraw? Don’t even speak of it. Do you think the Sect Leaders of Yukmun are without ambition?”
“Has Jeommun also sent people to Mongsan?”
“Im Song and Gil Tae are currently scouring the Hwang Ryonggun and Mongsan regions.”
“Tsk! You should simply pull them out. Nothing will come of this.”
“What have we to lose? I’m merely keeping pace with what others do, so pay it no mind.”
“I’m concerned we might clash with other Murim factions.”
“Don’t worry. I’ve instructed them to avoid combat at all costs.”
Baek Chogo, though a Sect Leader himself, showed no restraint in his own desire.
Indeed, Hyeol Je’s martial techniques alone would tempt any man, but when one considered the Sinbijimun’s secrets as well, it was enough to drive the most measured to madness.
“In any case, please ensure no provocations are made. Against minor factions, perhaps, but a clash with Cheonryeon or the Five Evil Sword Sect would draw blood.”
“Of course. Haowen’s people have seen enough winters to know better. But then—Instructor Dan should head to Mongsan himself, shouldn’t he? When do you plan to depart?”
“I intend to set out today.”
“Should you require Haowen’s assistance, speak the word at any time.”
“That’s not necessary. If anything, I’d be grateful for any new information you learn. The official channels only tell us so much.”
“Understood.”
Dan Yeop took his leave from Baek Chogo and stepped outside.
It was unexpected, to say the least.
All these people converging on Mongsan in pursuit of Hyeol Je’s techniques.
The Five Evil Sword Sect combing through Gangnam—suddenly Hyeol Je’s words surfaced in his mind.
―When I am dead, go to Hyeoncheon Cave on Yeonhwa Peak in Hwangsan and burn incense in my memory.
Hyeol Je had said that was his final wish.
‘The Five Evil Sword Sect people must be searching that place too.’
He couldn’t fathom why Hyeol Je had spoken those words.
‘I’ll meet with the monks at the Mongsan hermitage and then head to Gangnam.’
He had no duties in Dongwan County until spring of next year, after all.
Besides, investigating Hyeol Je’s whereabouts was part of the Urim Forces’ mandate.
‘The world will be abuzz with this search for Hyeol Je’s martial techniques for some time.’

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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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