Ten Paths of the Master - Chapter 38

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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 38. Such is the World
The guest quarters at Baekjunobang.
The physician who had examined the warriors fell silent for a long moment, lost in thought, before speaking.
“This is poisoning. To administer a cure, we must first identify which poison was used.”
Song Mu started in alarm and asked urgently.
“What will happen then? Will they die?”
“It is not a poison potent enough to claim their lives. However…….”
“However what?”
“Without knowing the exact poison, I can only resort to a general antidote, which will prolong recovery considerably. In the worst case, full recovery may not be possible at all.”
“Will they die?”
“They will not die, but they will be unable to perform strenuous physical exertion.”
“What about their inner energy?”
“Their bodies will not be able to withstand it.”
Song Mu stood paralyzed as the physician wrote out a prescription and took his leave.
***
The Baekjunobang Annex.
Even after Dam Okyeon left, Baek Jinngang, Dan Bulwi, and Dan Yeop remained silent for some time.
They could not fathom how the space where Seol Gyeongmun’s merchant house had been was completely empty.
Then Song Mu came rushing in from the guest quarters with urgent news.
“Commander, the physician has left. He says the warriors have been poisoned.”
“What? Poisoned? Damn it! So O Dokbiho did this after all! What did he say? Can they be treated?”
“He says treatment is only possible if we identify which poison it is. For now, he can only use a general antidote, but with that alone, full recovery is impossible, he said…….”
“If recovery is impossible, what happens to them?”
“He said they would be unable to do anything requiring physical strain, like practicing their techniques.”
“So we must obtain the antidote from O Dokbiho.”
“That appears to be the only option.”
Baek Jinngang looked at Song Mu with consternation written across his face.
The truth was, he had no wish to meet O Dokbiho again.
There was no guarantee the man would provide the antidote.
He might even try to kill him on sight.
In Baekwolguk, weakness was a sin.
Just this afternoon, had he not apologized for something he had not even done wrong?
He had lowered his head, and yet the man had used poison—so his death would hardly be undeserved.
As Baek Jinngang fell silent, Song Mu’s eyes darted back and forth.
He understood well enough; he too was afraid of O Dokbiho.
As the two men stood exchanging nervous glances, Dan Bulwi spoke.
“I will meet with O Dokbiho myself.”
In that instant, color returned to Baek Jinngang’s face.
“Master Dan, do you truly mean it? If you would do this for us…….”
“But first, I need to investigate where Seol and his party were staying. Find out from Dam where that place is.”
“Understood. I will find out at once.”
Baek Jinngang, fearing that Dan Bulwi might change his mind, hurried out of the annex with Song Mu in tow.
Left alone, Dan Yeop asked.
“Will you really meet with O Dokbiho?”
“If my suspicions are correct, I will have to meet him eventually.”
“Do you think he was involved in Seol’s disappearance?”
“I will know once I see where Seol and his party last stayed.”
“Hmm. Do you have precautions against poison?”
“Poison is used often enough in Haomun. As long as I do not eat anything and avoid contact with poisoned blades or projectiles, I should be fine.”
…….
In truth, Dan Yeop found invisible poison more frightening than sword play.
Anyone who had seen people writhing on the ground clutching their bellies after sharing a meal would understand.
Presently, Baek Jinngang and Song Mu returned from meeting Dam Okyeon.
Baek Jinngang pointed to Song Mu and spoke.
“Song Mu will guide you to that place.”
***
Mongtaek at Suyanggo.
As Song Mu entered the mansion bearing the nameplate “Mongtaek,” he spoke.
“This is a mansion of the Mong family, leased through Taehwasangdan. It was the last place where Seol and his party stayed.”
Dan Bulwi nodded slowly, surveying the grounds both inside and out.
Indeed!
Just as Dam Okyeon had said, there were no signs of struggle.
Dan Bulwi, who had examined the place carefully for half an hour, turned to Song Mu.
“You’ve seen enough. Now let’s go find O Dokbiho.”
“Well, Master Dan, I’m afraid I don’t know where O Dokbiho is.”
“So you’re telling me to find him myself? Wasn’t it you who needed the antidote?”
“That is… well…”
Song Mu, hesitating, reluctantly nodded his head.
“Very well. But I can only tell you where O Dokbiho is and then take my leave. If that’s acceptable, I can guide you there.”
“So be it.”
Dan Bulwi granted permission readily enough.
A coward like Song Mu would be useless even if there were a hundred of him.
***
Shortly after, Song Mu came to a halt in front of an ornate tavern.
“He’s drinking here.”
Dan Bulwi looked up at the sign hanging before the tavern.
The characters “Yeongyunju” were clear and distinct.
“Then I’ll take my leave…”
Song Mu left without so much as a backward glance, as if afraid someone might seize him.
Dan Bulwi, watching Song Mu depart with a look of contempt, spoke to Dan Yeop.
“Don’t put anything in your mouth. And if you feel anything strange in your body…”
Dan Yeop, tense as a bowstring, waited quietly for the rest.
“Do whatever it takes to subdue O Dokbiho and seize the cure from him. If he won’t hand it over willingly, slice him apart piece by piece from his fingertips.”
“Sl-slice him, sir?”
“Yes. If you want to live, slice him. Until he gives you the cure. When dealing with men like that, if you’re not cruel, you’ll be the one who dies.”
Dan Yeop swallowed hard instead of answering.
He’d heard talk of the brutal Kangho and the competition of sword masters, but nothing prepared him for this.
Dan Bulwi then strode purposefully into Yeongyunju.
Dan Yeop followed, pressing down on his hammering chest.
The interior of Yeongyunju was quiet and empty.
It made sense—the famous Baeksagok and O Dokbiho, along with Myojin and his entourage, were present.
As Dan Bulwi entered, the six men and two women of Baeksagok watched him with curious eyes.
Dan Bulwi advanced unflinchingly toward the masters of Baeksagok.
The man who had intimidated Captain Baek Jinngang earlier—Jeon Ho, the rakshasa—cried out sharply.
“Who are you!”
“I am Dan Bulwi. I’ve come to meet with O Dokbiho, Master Myojin.”
“What business do you have with our leader!”
“Two months ago, people from the Taehwasangdan vanished in Mongtaek. I have questions for Master Myojin regarding that matter.”
“Get out! Our leader—”
“That’s enough. I’d like to hear what he has to say.”
Myojin cut off Jeon Ho’s words.
Jeon Ho, who had been growling like a beast, instantly became docile as if it were all pretense.
Dan Bulwi fixed Myojin with a steady gaze and spoke.
“I’ve surveyed Mongtaek. Some twenty people—merchants and escorts—have vanished without a trace, yet there wasn’t a single broken thing anywhere. It was all too clean. This afternoon, Baeksagok used poison against the warriors of Taehwasangdan. Where there is poison, there must be reason. I don’t believe in coincidence. So I think Baeksagok used poison in Mongtaek just as they did today. I care little why Baeksagok suddenly turned hostile to Taehwasangdan. But I must know whether Seol Gyeongmun lives or dies.”
Myojin regarded Dan Bulwi with an expression of intrigue.
“Ah, so you are a man of the Kangho after all. Why are you so curious about Seol Gyeongmun’s fate?”
“Because he is my friend.”
“Ah! You’ve traveled to Baekwolguk for a friend? That’s quite a bond you share.”
“Did he live or did he die?”
“If he died?”
“I would kill every one of you and wipe out Baeksagok entirely.”
“Ha! The old man has lost his wits. Do you really think that’s possible?”
“It would be impossible for me alone. But my disciple can do it.”
“Is the person hiding behind your back right now that disciple of yours?”
“It is.”
A laugh erupted from among the masters of Baeksagok.
Myojin wondered what the old man thought he knew.
“Hmm! Do you know who we are?”
“I do. Are you not the Eight Heroes of Baeksagok—the Baeksa Palwang?”
Myojin’s expression shifted slightly.
That Baeksagok’s name had reached Jangan City was understandable enough.
But knowing the Baeksa Palwang—that was a surprise.
That name was scarcely known even within Baekwolguk itself.
“Could you possibly be a retired master of the Owak Geompa?”
Myojin’s tone shifted.
He’d mistaken Song Mu for a retired Owak Geompa master, seeing how boldly Dan Bulwi carried himself before the Baeksa Palwang.
“No. I am a man of Haomun.”
“Haomun? Why would Haomun—ah, you called us friends?”
“Indeed.”
“The old man’s friendship and courage are admirable enough, but this leaves a bitter taste. How dare Haomun presume to dictate terms to the Baeksa Palwang?”
As Myojin’s displeasure surfaced, Jeon Ho stepped forward.
“Commander, permit me to hack this senile old fool into pieces for the pigs. I beg your leave.”
“Finish before the wine loses its flavor.”
“Yes.”
Jeon Ho drew his Gokdo and rushed straight at Dan Bulwi.
Dan Bulwi met him in kind, raising his Hoengdo.
The Gokdo and Hoengdo clashed in the air, scattering sparks.
Clang! Clang! Clang! Clang! Clang—!
Jeon Ho, who had advanced with such swagger, backpedaled after a mere five exchanges.
For all the luster of the Baeksa Palwang’s name, the rest of them—save Myojin—were merely second-rate.
Dan Bulwi, by contrast, had spent fourteen years tempering his Naesgong through Byeongmachong training, and had elevated his Dobeop to the pinnacle of mastery through the Jinchilsangdo.
Within ten seconds, Jeon Ho was sprawling backward in an undignified heap.
Crash!
Dan Bulwi did not press his advantage further and withdrew.
A strange silence fell over the tavern for a moment.
Two of the seven onlookers suddenly leapt to their feet.
“Enough.”
At Myojin’s command, the two sat back down.
This time, Myojin himself rose slowly to his feet.
“Skill worthy of boasting about. But for having disgraced the Baeksa Palwang, you will atone with that humble life of yours.”
As he spoke, Myojin flicked his hand.
With a sharp sound, yellow smoke engulfed Dan Bulwi.
Startled, Dan Bulwi reflexively held his breath.
Then came Myojin’s Gokdo, streaking toward him.
Clang! Clang! Clang! Clang! Clang—!
Myojin’s blade was far swifter than Jeon Ho’s, and Dan Bulwi’s energy drained rapidly.
Yet Dan Bulwi was not merely receiving blows.
In that desperate moment, he deployed the Fifth Stance of Jinchilsangdo: the Osanghunri.
It was a vicious killer move—one that severed the soul and scattered the spirit.
Myojin hastily raised his Gokdo, blocking the Hoengdo that had burrowed nearly to his chin.
Scrape-scrape-scrape! Metallic screech—!
As his Gokdo shattered under the strain, he rolled away using the Noyeotagon technique.
Noyeotagon was the most shameful action a martial artist could be seen taking.
Yet even in that chaos, Myojin did not forget to deploy his Hadok.
Crack!
To make matters worse, a brown cloud now enveloped Dan Bulwi.
The Jinchilsangdo was as profound as it was exhausting to perform.
In the end, Dan Bulwi breathed in a lungful of poison.
“Cough!”
The stifled coughing marked the end of the duel.
The smoke cleared swiftly, and Dan Bulwi’s condition was laid bare.
His face flushed scarlet, he trembled like an aspen, his body shaking violently.
Soon, bright crimson blood trickled from his nostrils.
Myojin brushed off his hands as if nothing had happened and spoke.
“Old man, the survivor is the strong one.”
Dan Bulwi, barely managing to stand, turned slowly to look back.
“…You said it. What did you say to do if I wanted to live?”
Dan Yeop answered, trembling.
“To be slaughtered, sir…”
“Yes. That is the world we live in…”
With those words, Dan Bulwi collapsed like a puppet with its strings cut.
For a moment, silence fell like a shroud.
Myojin smiled, a thin and bitter thing, and spoke to the young man.
“You saw what happened to your master? That’s what happens when you forget your place. Want to live? Then bark like a dog.”
“I… I….”
Before the malice pouring from Myojin, Dan Yeop could barely draw breath.
He had to overpower O Dokbiho, seize the antidote, and save Dan Bulwi—but how?
His heart hammered in his chest, and his mind went blank, just as it had at Byeongmachong.
‘What… what do I do….’

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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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