Ten Paths of the Master - Chapter 37

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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 37. Odog Biho Miao Zhen
Nanyun Province, Hwa Ryeong Prefecture.
Dan Yeop’s gaze never left the carriage window.
Baek Wol Country resembled Chang An City, yet its character was altogether different.
By that, he meant that even in Chang An City alone, one encountered Han, Turkic, Tibetan, Sogdian, Persian, Arab, and Indian peoples — every manner of person imaginable.
Baek Wol Country was much the same.
Miao, Yi, Dong, Bouyei peoples and more.
With appearances and dress so varied among them, it felt uncannily like Chang An City.
Yet where Chang An’s inhabitants wore vibrant, refined garments, Baek Wol Country dressed close to nature — rough, unpolished.
True, the kaleidoscope of fabrics, silver ornaments, and leather adornments lent an exotic beauty; but it lacked the sophistication of the capital.
And yet something else pulsed through it all — vitality.
No, even that word fell short of the mark.
Everywhere one looked, wildness was written plain.
The eyes of anyone glimpsed through the carriage window burned with an animal’s hunger.
As though they were saying, ‘Just step outside — I’ll tear you apart.’
Not long before, arrows had actually come flying at the vanguard riders from somewhere unseen.
Fortunately, all had missed; no casualties. Yet it felt like Baek Wol Country’s way of greeting them.
The Investigation Team’s movements had grown even more cautious in response.
Cautious in name, but truly paralyzed by fear.
The warriors sitting across from him wore darkened faces.
“Hell, I’m too scared to even poke my head out the window.”
“You do that and you’ll have an arrow in the back of your skull. Once we reach Suyang Port, we’ll have to go out asking questions. That’s what worries me.”
“They’re shooting arrows in broad daylight in a place this crowded? Are they insane?”
“It’s Baek Wol Country.”
“But who attacked us anyway? We flew the Taewhasan Trading Company banner. Could they have been after the Master?”
“Don’t fret about it. Captain Baek said it seemed like someone was just testing us. If it were a real attack, why would they only target the vanguard?”
“Testing an armed Investigation Team in the middle of the day like that? Baek Wol Country truly plays by different rules.”
“Once we reach Suyang Port, we’ll need to be more careful.”
The warrior’s words trailed off, and his eyes flickered toward Dan Bulwi and his disciple across the way.
It seemed he meant for them to hear.
Dan Yeop feigned composure, but his heart hammered in his chest.
A stray arrow could easily find him too.
The Baek Wol Country before him proved far more treacherous than anything he’d imagined.
Around midday.
Three carriages came to a halt before a sizable building.
Captain Baek Jingang approached the carriage bearing Dan Bulwi’s party and spoke.
“We’ll take our meal here before continuing.”
Dan Bulwi called out through the window.
“How much further to Suyang Port?”
“Another two hours of travel should suffice. If we make good time, we’ll arrive by the Hour of the Monkey.”
The warriors descended first.
Dan Bulwi and Dan Yeop followed and entered the eating house with them.
Both took whatever seats were available and sat down.
Shortly after, a server began carrying dishes that Captain Baek Jingang had ordered to the tables.
Dan Bulwi and Dan Yeop’s table received vegetable fried rice, fragrant glutinous rice cakes, a rustic fish stew, and honeyed pork roasted over charcoal.
As Dan Yeop sniffed at the unusual aromas unfamiliar to him, Dan Bulwi offered a comment.
“What? Doesn’t sit right with your stomach?”
“No, it’s just fascinating.”
Soon enough, the two began eating Baek Wol Country’s cuisine.
At that moment, a group entered the establishment.
Six men and two women, each carrying Curved Blades.
All wore Black Flower Clothing — black hemp embroidered with white thread patterns of flowers — and on their arms were bracelets fashioned from viper skin.
Watching them without much thought, Dan Yeop’s eyes met those of a woman wearing a Silver Ornament Headband, and he quickly turned away.
In that instant, the corner of the woman’s mouth rose slightly.
The eight men and women took seats somewhat apart from the warriors.
As this considerable group settled in, an awkward silence fell over the establishment.
With so many from each party present, each group remained vigilant of the other.
The silence did not linger long.
One of the eight men addressed a nearby warrior.
“We are from Baek Sa Valley. From where do you hail?”
Baek Sa Valley is where the Miao people gather and live.
The warrior hesitated, then looked toward Captain Baek Jingang.
Captain Baek Jingang nodded as if to say it was all right to speak.
Only then did the warrior’s lips part.
“We have come from Chang An City.”
At that, the man who had spoken—Miao Zhen—’s eyes shifted slightly.
“Ah, Chang An City. You’ve traveled far. No wonder your dress is unusual. But you don’t look like mere merchants either. What business brings you all the way to Hwa Ryeong Prefecture?”
Captain Baek Jingang stepped forward in the warrior’s stead.
“Are you an official of Hwa Ryeong Prefecture? If not, I would ask you not to meddle in our affairs.”
Before those words had even finished, a curse erupted from beside Miao Zhen.
“What did you say! You mannerless wretch, speaking so carelessly! You hear the name Baek Sa Valley and still dare ask? Meddle in your business? Do you have a death wish!”
……
In an instant, the atmosphere turned razor-tense.
Though Baek Sa Valley had only eight people, they did not fear the Investigation Team of more than twenty.
If anything, it was the Investigation Team warriors who looked nervous.
And no wonder—the Investigation Team was nothing more than trading company guards, and they could not withstand the power of Baek Wol Country.
Captain Baek Jingang hastened to smooth things over.
“I meant no disrespect to Baek Sa Valley. Please don’t misunderstand. I only…….”
Miao Zhen stared at him intently, as if urging him to continue.
Captain Baek Jingang’s mouth opened, wavering.
When the other side pressed like this, he had no choice.
“Alas, we are people of the Taewhasan Trading Company from Chang An City. Two months ago, one of our company disappeared in Hwa Ryeong Prefecture, and we have come to find them. Given such circumstances, it seems I was overly tense. I apologize for my lack of discretion.”
Miao Zhen himself said nothing, but the man beside him picked a quarrel.
“So merchants from a mere company are picking fights in our Baek Sa Valley? And in Hwa Ryeong Prefecture no less? You must have gall bigger than your head.”
Then Miao Zhen raised a hand slightly and spoke.
“Enough. He said he was tense because of circumstances. Now that it’s settled, please, enjoy your meal.”
“Thank you. My name is Baek Jingang. If I may ask, what is the illustrious name of the great master?”
“I am Miao Zhen.”
“Goodness! The great master Odog Biho? It is an honor to meet you. I shall never forget this kindness you have shown us today.”
Captain Baek Jingang’s face had gone pale with fear.
Odog Biho Miao Zhen was a master so renowned that even Chang An City knew his name.
In particular, the Poison Technique that was Odog Biho’s Secret Technique was famous for killing in a way that left no trace—die without even a mouse or bird knowing.
Dan Bulwi, who had maintained his composure, stiffened.
Just as Dan Yeop was reaching for pork, a small sound like a mosquito whine came to his ear.
―Eat nothing.
At Dan Bulwi’s Spirit Transmission, Dan Yeop quietly withdrew his hand.
And he looked at Dan Bulwi with fresh eyes.
Dan Bulwi could use Spirit Transmission!
By his understanding, Spirit Transmission was a Secret Technique that only martial masters could perform.
Could it be that Dan Bulwi had risen to the rank of master during their journey to Baek Wol Country?
Well, his own martial prowess had increased too, so there was no reason Dan Bulwi would have stayed the same.
‘Still, Spirit Transmission though…….’
When he looked on with envious eyes, Dan Bulwi shifted his gaze away.
Half the warriors continued eating, while the other half lost their appetite and set down their chopsticks.
Soon after, the Investigation Team left the restaurant as if driven out.
The warriors’ eyes, unlike when they had entered, were now lifeless.
Presently, seven riders and three carts set into motion.
***
Inside the moving cart.
Once they had put distance between themselves and the restaurant, Dan Yeop asked Dan Bulwi.
“Master, is Odog Biho Miao Zhen really such a famous person?”
“He’d rank in the top ten of Nanyun Province.”
That meant he was among the top ten masters in Baek Wol Country.
“Ah…….”
“Especially his Poison Technique is known for being secretive and merciless. There is no one in Baek Wol Country who has crossed swords with him and lived.”
“So that’s why you told me not to eat.”
“One never knows. It would be foolish to entrust your life to the goodwill of another. Remember this: never eat or drink anything in the presence of a Poison Technique master, whether now or in the future.”
“Yes.”
The faces of the warriors seated across from the two master and disciple contorted.
They had all eaten their food to the end.
After days of eating nothing but three simple meals a day, it was only natural that her stomach would rebel at a restaurant.
***
Hour of the Monkey, early watch (3 o’clock in the afternoon).
The Investigation Team, which had been traveling along the Geom River, finally arrived at Suyang Port.
Shortly after, seven mounted riders and three carriages came to a halt in front of Baek Ju Nubang.
But trouble struck nonetheless.
Among the seven riders and the warriors who dismounted from the carriages, roughly half were seized by violent stomach cramps.
Captain Baek Jingang rushed about with a grave expression, taking stock of the situation.
Twelve people were complaining of abdominal pain.
In a single moment, more than half their fighting strength had been rendered useless.
Captain Baek Jingang led the Investigation Team into Baek Ju Nubang at once.
Baek Ju Nubang.
They had begun the fermentation process at the Double Ninth Festival and were now in the aging stage, so the workshop was spotless both inside and out.
When word spread that people from Taewhasan Trading Company had arrived, Proprietor Dam Ogyeon and her household staff came rushing out.
As Captain Baek Jingang hesitated, uncertain to whom he should offer his greetings, Dam Ogyeon stepped forward.
“I am Dam Ogyeon, proprietor of Baek Ju Nubang. Have you come from Taewhasan Trading Company?”
“Yes, I am Baek Jingang, escort captain of Taewhasan Trading Company.”
“But it seems you have some patients. What happened?”
“We ate at a restaurant in Hwa Ryeong Prefecture, and it appears the food was spoiled.”
Captain Baek Jingang, lacking certainty that poison was the cause, concealed his meeting with Miao Zhen of Odog Biho.
“Ah, shall we send the patients to the guest quarters first and summon a physician? Would that be acceptable?”
At Dam Ogyeon’s words, Baek Jingang nodded readily.
“I would be most grateful.”
The staff of Baek Ju Nubang escorted the afflicted members of the Investigation Team to the guest quarters.
In the meantime, Dam Ogyeon led the senior members of the Investigation Team to the inner pavilion.
Inner pavilion.
The moment they were seated, Captain Baek Jingang asked urgently.
“What became of Seol Gyeongmun and his party when they visited here two months ago?”
“I only learned of it later. They disappeared together with the Baek Wol Ming Ju we had produced. We are currently making inquiries from every quarter.”
At the tone that seemed to cast suspicion on Seol Gyeongmun, Dan Bulwi could not restrain himself and spoke up.
“They didn’t disappear—they vanished. So have you found any leads?”
Though she appeared to be of advanced years, Dam Ogyeon had passed sixty.
Offended by the pressing manner of her interlocutor, she narrowed her eyes.
“And who might you be?”
“I am a close friend of Seol Gyeongmun.”
“Ah, so my words grated on you. But I assure you, I do not speak without foundation.”
“What foundation?”
As Dan Bulwi pressed the matter, Captain Baek Jingang raised a hand to restrain him.
“Dan Daekyeop, please compose yourself. If we let emotion lead from the start, it will only hinder our investigation.”
Hmph.
Dan Bulwi snorted, clearly displeased.
But there was merit in Baek Jingang’s words, so he did not argue further.
Captain Baek Jingang turned his gaze back to Proprietor Dam Ogyeon.
“Do you have evidence?”
“We investigated the last place where the company stayed, and it was immaculate. There were no signs of struggle or violence. That is why I said they disappeared.”
A heavy silence settled over the inner pavilion.
Those lost in thought opened their mouths to speak no further.

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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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