Ten Paths of the Master - Chapter 53

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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 53. Words Must Be Used Wisely
Geumcheonbang, in Useong—the eastern sector of the city.
Chwiwolru, a high-class pleasure house.
Late at night.
On the third floor, at a table by the window with an excellent view, three elderly men sat drinking with courtesans.
They were Hyeol Muhun Yu Gwanghyeon, master of Heukru; Swaeshimjang No Jingeon, the dharma protector; and Muyeongsal Jangmok, the Hall Master of the outer branch.
The city gates would close soon, yet there was no sign the gathering would break up.
The courtesans pressed themselves closer to the old men.
“Oh my, look at those muscles! I’d believe you were in your thirties.”
One courtesan clung to the arm of Hyeol Muhun Yu Gwanghyeon, feigning coyness.
It was not meant to sound particularly flattering.
In truth, these three elderly men, though aged, had the robust builds of men in their prime.
The other courtesans joined in with exaggerated fawning.
“Sister, our gentleman here is no joke either.”
“Ten scholars wouldn’t stand a chance against him.”
At this, Swaeshimjang No Jingeon laughed and responded in kind.
“Ha-ha-ha! Not ten scholars—a hundred wouldn’t make a dent.”
“Oh, how impressive.”
“You gentlemen are the best.”
“I love it.”
The courtesans, emboldened, began burrowing into the old men’s laps in earnest.
Just then, a middle-aged man with a long scar bisecting one cheek appeared on the third floor.
It was Gang Rim, the night warden of Heukru.
Without hesitation, he approached the Sect Leader’s table, clasped his hands, and spoke.
“We have a problem.”
Yu Gwanghyeon gestured away the courtesans seated beside him.
Gang Rim, once he’d checked that no one was listening, opened his mouth.
“Jong Yo returned a short while ago with his wrist severed.”
“The Village Master’s wrist was cut off? Was it the Hyeonmugwan?”
“No, sir. According to Jong Yo, he was defeated in combat with a master from Haowen.”
“Hong Sogwang’s got some nerve.”
Yu Gwanghyeon’s first thought was of Hong Sogwang.
There were not many in Haowen capable of defeating Jong Yo.
Even if someone were stronger than Jong Yo, only that madman would be reckless enough to raise a hand against one of Heukru’s masters.
“It was not the Sect Leader Hong. A young man named Dan Yeop did this to him, he said.”
“What? Heukru’s Village Master was defeated by some mere stripling from Haowen?”
Yu Gwanghyeon’s face twisted at once.
Being defeated by Hong Sogwang was, to some degree, understandable.
Of course, he would use the incident as a pretext to squeeze Hong Sogwang for a tidy sum.
But if the opponent was just some forgettable nobody from Haowen, that was another matter entirely.
It meant that some low-ranking foot soldier from Haowen had dared to lay hands on one of Heukru’s finest.
“According to Jong Yo, he was ambushed while drunk.”
Find out which of the Six Gates he belongs to. Bring the man to me by dawn.”
“Understood.”
Gang Rim bowed without a word.
Knowing his name, discovering which faction he belonged to was child’s play.
Though Haowen operated in the shadows, working in one position for decades meant connections filtered upward no matter what.
Especially for the Evil Sect—the higher-ups from Haowen came regularly to pay their respects, so there was no way not to know them.
It was only Haowen’s newest recruits who remained unknown to the outside world.
Those who had joined through various channels each year were recognized by no one until their names became established in the Gangho.
‘If I squeeze the Six Gates’ Sect Leaders, it’ll all come out.’
Back at headquarters, Gang Rim ordered the Village Masters to bring all the Six Gates’ Sect Leaders at once.
Though the city gates and the One Hundred Eight Routes were sealed, to Heukru they were no more than spider’s silk.
***
Midnight.
Heukru headquarters in Geumcheonbang, Useong.
Six Sect Leaders of Haowen, dragged from their beds quite literally, stood respectfully before Gang Rim.
Gang Rim’s tone was mocking.
“Seems our Sect Leaders are living well these days? One venture into Hadongdo and the world feels small, doesn’t it? But really now, I left you trash to squabble among yourselves—I didn’t say you could lay hands on Heukru. Do you all want to die?”
Then Ha Soran, the Sect Leader of Gimun, asked carefully.
“Patrol Chief Gang, how could we harbor such thoughts? We don’t even know what’s angered you. Please calm yourself and tell us what this is about.”
“Very well. Since you claim ignorance, I’ll enlighten you. Early this evening, our Village Master Jong Yo had his wrist severed by someone named Dan Yeop. He was ambushed while drunk, or so I’m told. I’m terrified of Haowen’s young pups—they’re like newborn tigers who don’t know fear, and the moment their eyes flip backward they just charge recklessly. Yes, the fool who got drunk deserves what he got, but for one of Haowen’s whelps to attack the Village Master of Heukru while he was intoxicated—that crosses a line. Doesn’t it, esteemed Sect Leaders?”
Sect Leader Ha Soran tilted her head in puzzlement.
Gimun had no disciple by that name.
“Patrol Chief Gang, we have no such disciple in Gimun. But he may belong to another sect, so please give us a little time to investigate.”
“As you wish. Until tomorrow morning—well, it’s already today, so by this morning. If you don’t bring that bastard before dawn, Haowen will be washed in blood. Our Master has had quite enough.”
“Please wait just a moment.”
After requesting forbearance from Patrol Chief Gang, Sect Leader Ha Soran withdrew with the other Sect Leaders.
“You all heard that? This Dan Yeop severed Jong Yo’s wrist, it seems. We have no such person in Gimun. Which sect does he belong to?”
Then Sect Leader Hong Sogwang of Amun glanced sideways at Sect Leader Baek Chogong.
Catching the hint, Sect Leader Ha Soran turned to Sect Leader Baek Chogong and asked.
“Is Dan Yeop in Jeommun?”
“He is.”
“Then why—I told you to stop provoking masters of the evil sects like that.”
“I knew nothing of this.”
“This isn’t just Jeommun’s problem. Heukru will seize on this to make demands of all Haowen. You must hand Dan Yeop over to them.”
“I’ll decide after I see Dan Yeop myself.”
At those words, Sect Leader Ha Soran spoke with obvious exasperation.
“What do you mean? This isn’t a time for deliberation. I understand your reluctance to abandon a Jeommun disciple, but you must think of the welfare of Haowen as a whole.”
The three other Sect Leaders nodded in agreement, but Sect Leader Hong Sogwang pretended not to hear and looked away.
Ha Soran, who already harbored resentment toward Hong Sogwang, would not let this slide.
“It seems you have a different opinion, Hong?”
“Doesn’t Baek have his own thoughts? Shouldn’t he meet with Dan Yeop before deciding?”
“This isn’t something to think about and discuss. Dan Yeop ambushed Jong Yo and severed his wrist—while the man was drunk and defenseless.”
“That’s what Patrol Chief Gang claims. Still, he’s one of us in Haowen. Shouldn’t we hear Dan Yeop’s side too?”
“And what difference would that make? Would we overlook it if he had a legitimate reason? How do you plan to answer for the consequences?”
“I trust that Baek will make a wise decision.”
Sect Leader Hong Sogwang held Sect Leader Baek Chogong’s gaze with a meaningful look.
Ha Soran mistakenly believed Hong Sogwang was trying to pull Baek Chogong to his side.
Hong Sogwang’s behavior was anything but normal.
Enraged, Ha Soran ground her teeth audibly.
“Listen, Hong. This is not the time for politics. Didn’t you hear Patrol Chief Gang? If we don’t produce Dan Yeop by morning, Haowen will be washed in blood.”
“Don’t you trust Baek, Ha? I don’t understand why you’re so anxious.”
When Hong Sogwang and Ha Soran’s positions seemed irreconcilable, Sect Leader Go Wonbang of Seonmun interjected.
“Now, now, let’s all calm down. Sect Leader Baek, handle the matter of Dan Yeop as you see fit, but please make sure Haowen doesn’t suffer harm.”
At that, Sect Leader Baek Chogong smiled wryly and nodded.
“I understand. I will keep it in mind.”
Ha Soran, who had been quietly observing, suddenly asked Sect Leader Baek Chogong.
“But what sort of person is this Dan Yeop? The name sounds familiar somehow.”
“He’s the adopted son of Grand Master Dan Bulwi.”
In that instant, Ha Soran understood why Hong Sogwang had taken Baek Chogong’s side.
At the same time, she found Sect Leader Baek Chogong’s use of the title “Grand Master” for Dan Bulwi deeply galling.
‘Hmph! He said he’d support me at the Six Gates Sect Leaders’ meeting, and now he turns his back at the slightest pushback.’
While exasperation at his inconsistency welled up in her, she also caught herself thinking, ‘Did I press him too hard?’
Moments later, Ha Soran spoke on behalf of Haowen to Patrol Chief Gang.
“Patrol Chief Gang, I’ve made inquiries. Dan Yeop is a disciple of Jeommun. Sect Leader Baek Chogong says he will bring him here by morning.”
“A Jeommun disciple, you say?”
“He’s a newly accepted disciple, and his training was apparently inadequate. When we take on new disciples, we teach them to bow to all other sects without question. But occasionally, impetuous youths like this one cause trouble. I sincerely hope this will be seen as a misunderstanding—not the intention of Haowen.”
“No misunderstanding at all. He’ll simply pay the price for his crime. Once he’s brought to me by morning, Haowen will suffer no further harm. We can discuss reparations afterward.”
Ha Soran bristled at the mention of reparations, but showed nothing on her face.
***
The next day.
The Genius Dan Yeop, awake early for the first time in ages, reached for the morning reports.
‘My, my—severed the wrist of Jong Yo, Village Master of Heukru? That’s quite a stir.’
Seeing that the Fool Dan Yeop had caused such trouble, his temperament seemed far from ordinary.
“Strange. I was wondering why someone woke me so early.”
Muttering to himself, he began to consider how to handle Heukru.
Before he could reach a conclusion, a visitor arrived.
Dan Yeop stepped out onto the porch and asked the young man he’d never seen before.
“Who are you?”
“I’m Gwak Beom, a staff member at Jeobdanghyang. My master is looking for you urgently.”
“Ah, just give me a moment.”
It was plain enough that this had to do with last night’s incident.
Dan Yeop dressed quickly and left the annex.
***
Simhyanggak at Jeobdanghyang.
The moment Dan Yeop stepped inside, Baek Chogong, the Sect Leader, rushed out to greet him.
“Master Dan Yeop. Welcome. Last night, the Sect Leaders of the Six Gates were summoned to Heukru. They’ve threatened to wash Haowen in blood unless you come with them. What are we to do?”
Baek Chogong, who had already heard the whole story from Baek Yuhwa, asked nothing more.
“I’ll go and settle it myself.”
“Are you truly going? If Master Dan Yeop wishes, it’s fine to lay low for a while.”
“No. I won’t have others suffer because of me. I’ll go to Heukru.”
“The master of Heukru, Hyeol Muhun Yu Gwanghyeon, won’t stop at just one arm.”
“I wasn’t planning to give up an arm either.”
“Then how do you mean to handle it?”
“Through words. We’ll resolve it with words. Leave it to me.”
“Very well. If that’s what you wish, I’ll go with you.”
Just as Baek Chogong and Dan Yeop were heading out, an unexpected visitor arrived.
It was Dan Bulwi, the Grand Master of Amun.
As Dan Bulwi entered Simhyanggak, Dan Yeop greeted him warmly.
“Father, what brings you here so early?”
Dan Bulwi, who instantly recognized him as the brilliant Dan Yeop, let out a hearty laugh.
“Ha ha! Just now I heard from Master Hong about your plan to go to Heukru. Is that so?”
“Yes, since they’re looking for me, I thought I’d go see their faces.”
“Then I’ll come with you. I must see for myself who dares summon our precious son.”
“It’s cold—you should rest instead.”
“Nonsense. You went all the way to Baekwolguk with me. What’s a little trip to Heukru compared to that?”
“Then you must be careful.”
“Don’t worry. I won’t hold you back.”
Baek Chogong could not help but feel startled at Dan Bulwi’s bold words.
Here they were heading to Heukru on no good business, yet he insisted on going along.
‘When did Dan Bulwi become this formidable?’
When he was serving as Grand Master of the Byeongmatong, Dan Bulwi had ranked below him. The feeling was strange indeed.
‘But will the three of us make it out alive?’

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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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