Ten Paths of the Master - Chapter 24

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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 24. If the night is long, dreams multiply
To Dan Yeop’s question—’Can we truly unify the Haokmun across Sipdo that way?’—Dan Bulwi replied with a shrug of his shoulders.
“Well, since we’re talking about a hundred-year plan, maybe in another hundred years it’ll be possible.”
Truth be told, he’d been skeptical of the hundred-year plan from the start.
Staying at Munsan Byeongma Chong had never been his choice.
Naturally, the movements of the Yukmun Sect leaders across Gwannae-do didn’t sit well with him.
Dan Yeop nodded as if he’d expected as much.
“I’m ready to leave whenever you wish. But I worry that the simple fool Dan Yeop might get swept up in a conflict.”
“Don’t worry about that. Someone like Dan Yeop would be assigned to the Cheolgu-dan, the organization that handles menial chores.”
Haokmun in Gwannae-do had five military organizations.
The highest was the Gwangpung-dan.
Below that were the Cheongrang-dan, Baekrang-dan, Heukrang-dan, and Hongyeon-dan.
The Cheolgu-dan traveled alongside the five military organizations, taking on all the menial work.
Cooking, laundry, setting up camp—that sort of thing.
“So it means ‘made of iron,’ like an iron dog?”
“Exactly. It means work like an iron dog without rest. It’s the organization that follows the military units and handles the dirty work.”
Only then did Dan Yeop’s expression brighten.
If Dan Yeop died in a conflict, he would be finished too.
“Father, do you think the war between the Haokmun will continue?”
“Right now, the one leading Haokmun in Gwannae-do is Sect Leader Ha So-ran of Gimun. So it largely depends on his capabilities.”
“But the Haokmun of other provinces could continue pushing for war, couldn’t they?”
“Haokmun in other provinces don’t stay united like that. They’re too busy looking after themselves. If Ha So-ran says it’s over, it’s over.”
In fact, it was precisely this fragmentation that caused Haokmun to be despised in the Gangho.
“So right now our Gwannae-do has taken control of Hadong-do, yes?”
“Not completely, but close enough.”
“We’ve been producing talented people from Munsan Byeongma Chong, so why has the result been so meager?”
“The biggest reason is that the martial prowess of the trainees cultivated at Munsan Byeongma Chong isn’t that high. As you know, the Yukmun Martial Arts aren’t anything special, are they? When we planned the hundred-year plan, we had grand dreams, but in the end, all we got was a slightly larger number of people.”
“Numbers that size could be handled by the Haokmun of other provinces joining forces?”
“Right. Some even partnered with the heterodox sects. That’s why our casualties were greater than expected, from what I’ve heard.”
“Could we bring the heterodox sects into this as well?”
“Ordinarily, we couldn’t. The Owak Geompa keeps a sharp eye on things. If the heterodox sects move, the Owak Geompa won’t just sit and watch.”
“But you said they partnered with heterodox sects?”
“The Owak Geompa was supposed to have its affiliated orthodox sects check the heterodox sects. That’s what’s been done for other sects until now.”
“But they ignored the Haokmun war?”
“They don’t recognize Haokmun as an orthodox sect of the Gangho. Well, that’s Haokmun’s current status anyway. The heterodox sects that got involved in the Haokmun war are fools, really. They got in for a few coins, but considering the reputation of heterodox sects, it was something that shouldn’t have happened.”
“Pursuing profit over reputation isn’t madness. But I heard Gwannae-do’s Haokmun didn’t receive help from the heterodox sects.”
“Sect Leader Ha So-ran shudders at the mention of heterodox sects. The heterodox sects have been harassing Gimun every day, so he has no choice. There’s no ordinary orthodox sect he could request help from either. Since Haokmun is a clandestine organization, we had no contact with other sects.”
“That’s why you operated Munsan Byeongma Chong.”
“Right. But the results fell short of expectations, and that’s how we ended up in this mess.”
Dan Yeop was dumbfounded.
The Owak Geompa didn’t even treat them as an orthodox sect!
He was beginning to understand why the Yukmun Sect leaders were so desperate to unify Haokmun across Sipdo.
After finishing his conversation with Dan Bulwi, Dan Yeop picked up his travel pack and water bottle and departed for his training grounds.
***
Gwannae-do.
Jangan-seong.
Hyeonmu Gwan.
Hyeonmu Gwan was a martial hall founded by Noh Hyeon-am, an unparalleled master of the Jongnam-pa known as the Iron Sword Without Enemy.
Though called a martial hall, its power exceeded that of most orthodox sects, giving it tremendous influence on both righteous and heterodox sides.
Deep in the night.
Two elderly men sat facing each other in the inner chamber of Hyeonmu Gwan, playing Suddam.
They were Yi Ha-jin, an elder of Jongnam-pa known as the Wandering Sword Seeker, and Noh Hyeon-am, Master of Hyeonmu Gwan and the Iron Sword Without Enemy.
Elder Yi Ha-jin placed a white stone at the upper right corner, speaking casually as he did.
“The Thousand-League Sword Master asked whether the disturbance among the commoners was dragging on too long.”
The Thousand-League Sword Master was the alias of Gwak Geum-san, the Sect Master of Jongnam-pa.
So Yi Ha-jin was now relaying the words of the Jongnam-pa Sect Master.
Noh Hyeon-am, holding black stones, responded by placing one in a diagonal pattern.
“It seems the Heukseon-bang will bring things to a close soon, so there’s no need for concern.”
Heukseon-bang was a heterodox sect force in Hadong-do with a fearsome reputation.
An uncomfortable expression crossed the face of Elder Yi Ha-jin, who held the white stones.
“It does seem rather odd for the Sapa of Hadong-do to be making moves in Gwannae-do…….”
“The Sapa within Gwannae-do is under the thumb of Gwannae-do’s Akmun, so we have no choice. If the Sapa of Gwannae-do stirs, Gwannae-do’s Haokmun will detect it and prepare accordingly. Then we cannot deliver a fatal blow to Gwannae-do’s Haokmun.”
“If Gwannae-do’s Haokmun falls, only the power of Hadong-do’s Haokmun will grow. The Thousand-River Sword Immortal wishes for Sipdo’s Haokmun to hold its ground.”
“I understand. Heukseon-bang will sever only the roots of Gwannae-do’s Haokmun and return immediately to Hadong-do. Cutting the roots does not destroy Gwannae-do’s Haokmun. It simply means they will have no way forward.”
Elder Yi Ha-jin, who had been nodding thoughtfully, set down a white stone and spoke.
“The magistrate’s office has sent someone to the Thousand-River Sword Immortal to request mediation. Without their petition, the Sword Immortal would not have spared you a glance. Do as you will, but conclude this matter swiftly.”
“I did not realize the magistrate’s office would take an interest in Haokmun affairs.”
“They fear that Cheonryeon might seize the opportunity to expand its influence amid social chaos.”
“Ah, Cheonryeon…….”
Cheonryeon was a folk religion founded upon Buddhism, Daoism, and Manichaeism.
Manichaeism viewed the world as a struggle between good and evil.
Cheonryeon went one step further, deeming the imperial house evil and officials as servants of that evil.
It was only natural that common people, exploited by corrupt officials, came to follow Cheonryeon.
As Cheonryeon’s influence grew, it even began raiding government offices and executing corrupt officials directly.
Sensing the danger, the imperial house declared Cheonryeon a heterodox sect and began arresting its adherents.
When Cheonryeon’s leaders went underground, the matter seemed to settle, but mention of Cheonryeon still alarmed the magistrate’s office.
Elder Yi Ha-jin continued.
“Cheonryeon may not directly involve itself in Haokmun affairs, but prolonged social chaos serves no one well. Do not drive Sect Master Ha So-ran into too desperate a corner.”
“Is Sect Master Ha So-ran perhaps a member of Cheonryeon?”
Noh Hyeon-am suddenly lifted his head and met the gaze of Elder Yi Ha-jin.
Elder Yi Ha-jin replied in a deliberately casual tone.
“That is not the case, but for several years he has been suspected of frequenting temples connected to Cheonryeon. If the night is long, dreams multiply. Do not inflate a small ambition into something greater.”
“I see. I shall take this to heart and complete the matter with due speed.”
Noh Hyeon-am did not say he would follow the other’s wishes entirely.
Elder Yi Ha-jin understood this but pretended not to hear.
Noh Hyeon-am’s cultivation was higher than his own, making it difficult to press the point.
After that, the two men devoted themselves to their game.
In the two-hour match that followed, Noh Hyeon-am won by five points.
Elder Yi Ha-jin, defeated at the board, left without so much as a backward glance.
He was no match for Noh Hyeon-am, whether in martial arts or in Suddam.
***
Gwannae-do.
Munsan Byeongma Chong.
Dan Yeop trained late into the night, practicing the Yukmun Martial Arts, the Taeheomunyeong Geom, and the Muae Geom.
He delved especially deep into the Yukmun Martial Arts, mastering all its secret principles.
He did so thinking it might aid his other self, Dun-jae Dan Yeop, in the future.
Drenched in sweat from the Suwol Sinhang, he donned his Geumnru Okui and lay upon the Stone Bed.
As he prepared to practice the Taeul Bonwon Yeonseong Gyeol, fear crept in.
‘What if that hand appears again and strangles my throat?’
The mysterious hand was terrifying even in thought.
Subjected entirely to its will, with no recourse, it was simply terrifying.
‘Could it be a ghost of some kind?’
No matter how he thought about it, there was no other explanation.
If Dun-jae Dan Yeop had experienced such a thing, it would make sense.
But that he—a man who had mastered the arts of the Taego School—should be so entirely overcome?
Even making a hundred concessions, such a thing could not be.
When his master learned of this later, he would surely berate him as a fool.
Of course, his master, gone to heaven, would never know of this matter.
‘I should learn some incantation to drive away malevolent spirits while I have the chance. Then, should that hand appear again, I can chase it away.’
The thought alone was exhilarating, but the good feeling did not last.
For now, he did not know any such incantation.
“Ah, to hell with it. Let me try again. If I don’t die, I’ll just pass out.”
He cried out cheerfully, then slowly closed his eyes.
―When silence illuminates the Danjeon, a starry sky shines within it.
From the void a flame arises, transforming into the Divine Lotus.
As he focused on the incantation, the stars transformed into flame, and soon budded like a lotus.
Dan Yeop gazed at the Divine Lotus with deliberate composure.
Presently the Divine Lotus slowly opened and blossomed.
Soon the radiant Divine Lotus scattered like mist, and that familiar white hand appeared.
This time, since Dan Yeop was prepared, he fixed his attention on the white hand.
At a glance, those delicate hands belonged to a woman.
The fingertips were exquisite, and the forearms smooth as ivory.
‘Who—?’
Dan Yeop’s gaze traveled past the wrist, upward.
He tried to see the face beyond those graceful forearms, but his breath caught first.
‘Ugh—!’
He thrashed, but the grip only tightened.
‘Hack! I can’t—let go!’
Mercifully, just before his vision dimmed entirely, her hand released him.
Reeling, half-conscious, Dan Yeop forgot all about seeing her face.
He dragged himself upright with a grunt, gasping for air like a fish thrown ashore.
“Hah! I lived. That was definitely an assassin. Could I be a royal heir?”
He massaged his throat with both hands, his mind already spinning fanciful theories.
A sigh escaped his lips.
“No, no—what about the Taeul Bonwon Yeonseong Gyeol? This is serious…….”
He needed to absorb the Eunggi-dan quickly, but the thought troubled him.
Still, he felt less panic than before—even a glimmer of hope remained.
“Overcoming the fear of death must come first, I think.”
For that, he had to know who that hand belonged to.
Didn’t Sun Tzu’s Art of War say, “Know your enemy and know yourself, and you will never be defeated in a hundred battles”?
Learning who his opponent was would open the path to conquering his terror.
“Tsk—but Dun Jae Dan Yeop won’t cooperate…….”
Dan Yeop clicked his tongue and removed the Geumnru Okui, storing it in his travel pack.
Only a day had passed, yet his mind and body ached for rest.
How fickle the human heart truly was.
Just days ago, he’d trained for three days straight without sleep to stay alert.
Now Dun Jae Dan Yeop had jolted him awake, and suddenly—unlike before—fatigue flooded through him.
Dan Yeop gathered his bundled belongings and shuffled back toward the inn.

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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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