Ten Paths of the Master - Chapter 83

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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 83. Be My Brother
Dan Yeop gestured for the Western beauties to leave.
The women rose hesitantly, casting repeated glances backward as they departed.
With only the Constables remaining, Dan Yeop fixed his gaze steadily on Jang Ho.
“Please tell me about the bodies of the County Magistrate of Nakan and his officers.”
“Just as the autopsy report documented. The neck was nearly severed, and there were deep wounds across the chest and abdomen.”
“All four victims showed the same pattern?”
“That’s what shocked me most. A County Magistrate of that rank is considered a master even in the Martial Realm, yet he died exactly like the common officers.”
“The Magistrate’s skill was that formidable?”
“A Magistrate doesn’t only handle administrative duties. When war comes, he marches out as a general and fights. That’s why there’s a saying around the office: a man without confidence in martial arts ventures into the Martial Realm.”
“Ah…”
Dan Yeop realized how ignorant he had been about officials and their nature.
“Based on the wound patterns, it’s likely they were killed by either a man or a woman—one person alone.”
“Because all four wounds are identical?”
“Exactly. And that’s what makes it terrifying. One person cut down four masters in an instant.”
“How do you know it was instantaneous?”
“Because right after the scream came from the main hall, the culprits fled.”
“I see.”
Dan Yeop studied Jang Ho with new appreciation.
He’d taken him for a corrupt, lazy man, but there was more to him than that.
After a moment, Dan Yeop spoke again.
“About the wounds on the victims—do they appear to have been made at intervals, or all in a single stroke?”
“How would someone like me know? You’d need a Martial Realm master to answer that.”
Dan Yeop nodded slowly.
He’d expected more from Jang Ho and had let his hopes run too high.
That wasn’t information an ordinary martial artist would possess.
“Is there anything else you can tell me?”
“I’ve told you everything I know.”
“I understand. Thank you for your cooperation. I’ll see you at the Constabulary Office tomorrow.”
As Dan Yeop rose to leave, Jang Ho called out urgently.
“Wait—what about the complaint?”
“You’ve been so helpful there’s no reason to file one. Farewell.”
Dan Yeop bade the two Constables goodbye and left the room.
***
Once outside, Dan Yeop went looking for Hwang Biwon and climbed to the upper floor.
Hwang Biwon sat by the window with a courtesan tucked against his side, drinking.
Dan Yeop settled into the seat across from him without hesitation.
“Have I come too early?”
“A bit later than I’d hoped, but not too late.”
There was an edge to his words—something bone-dry in the phrasing.
Dan Yeop studied his face intently, then asked directly.
“Which organization are you with?”
“What do you mean, which organization? I told you—I’m a Vagrant.”
Dan Yeop ignored the man’s answer and pressed on.
“The Cheondo Society? Or Cheonryeon?”
The man burst into loud laughter.
“Hah! You’re an amusing one! I don’t have the slightest connection to either place you mentioned.”
Such utter confidence in his denial left Dan Yeop genuinely taken aback.
He’d actually suspected Cheonryeon more than the Cheondo Society.
A few days ago, when Dan Yeop had shown interest in the Nakan County incident, this man had warned him off. That alone suggested a connection.
And now, the moment Dan Yeop returned from Nakan, the man approached him. That seemed less like coincidence than fate.
Yet he denied it all.
“Can you prove what you’re saying is true?”
“Easy enough. I am the Left Emissary of the Gwangpunghoe in Bongrae County.”
In that instant, Dan Yeop’s face went pale as he stared at Hwang Biwon.
The Gwangpunghoe of Bongrae?
That was a name he’d never imagined hearing.
In Hanam Province, in Bongrae County, there existed one legendary heterodox sect.
The Gwangpunghoe was that sect.
Throughout Hanam Province, the Gwangpunghoe ranked higher than the Taesan Sect of the Five Mountains Sword Sect.
That was why the Taesan Sect hadn’t ventured beyond Weizhou either.
In other words, the Gwangpunghoe’s territory stretched from Weizhou in the west all the way east to Dengzhou, where Bongrae County lay.
The Gwangpunghoe, situated at the far eastern edge of the continent, was so renowned that even Dan Yeop, a master of the Martial Realm, knew of it.
“Left Emissary—what does that title entail?”
Dan Yeop had heard the name so often his ears had calluses, but he didn’t know the position itself.
“The Left and Right Emissaries are the Society Master’s closest confidants.”
“Ah! I’m honored to make your acquaintance. I’m Dan Yeop.”
Startled by the stranger’s identity, Dan Yeop found himself reintroducing himself without thinking.
“Heh! I already know.”
“My apologies. I thought you were deliberately approaching me. Had I known sooner, I wouldn’t have harbored such baseless suspicions.”
Somewhere in the conversation, Dan Yeop’s form of address had shifted from senior to master.
“But I was deliberately approaching you.”
“Me? But I’m only a constable. Do you need my assistance? If so, please tell me. I’ll resolve whatever you need swiftly and precisely.”
Dan Yeop immediately bowed his head.
As the Left Emissary of the Gwangpunghoe, Hwang Biwon held a rank equivalent to a Protector of the Five Mountains Sword Sect.
For the sake of Haowen’s great endeavor, it was necessary to make a good impression on him.
“Didn’t I mention it before? That you resembled my deceased brother. That’s why I’ve been taking an interest and watching over you.”
“Was that truly the case?”
“Why would the Left Emissary of the Gwangpunghoe lie to a mere constable?”
“Ah, forgive me. At the time, it seemed like you had some ulterior motive, so I thought it was a lie.”
“I understand. But why did you suddenly bring up the Cheondo Society and Cheonryeon?”
Dan Yeop’s face clouded with unease as he glanced toward the courtesan.
Hwang Biwon immediately dismissed her.
When Hwang Biwon showed such sincerity, Dan Yeop laid bare the truth.
“Do you remember the proclamation I saw by the Bangnomun some days ago?”
“The murder of the Nakan County Magistrate?”
“Yes. I’m actually a Sect Disciple of Haowen, but I took up work as a constable at the Jangan County Magistrate’s request. Since Haowen has a keen eye on the affairs of Jangan City…….”
“Ah, so that’s why you mistook me for Cheonryeon?”
“Yes.”
“And how did the Cheondo Society come into play?”
“Last year, after Haowen attempted to unify the Ten Haowen across our jurisdiction, the Cheondo Society had someone watch me. That’s why I asked if you might be one of their people.”
“It seems you hold an important position in Haowen.”
I’m embarrassed to hear such words from the Gwangpunghoe’s Left Emissary.”
“Now I understand. Looking back on it, you had every reason to suspect me. Come now, since the misunderstanding is cleared, have a drink with me.”
Hwang Biwon picked up the wine bottle, and Dan Yeop quickly raised his empty cup with both hands.
Hwang Biwon then poured wine into both their cups.
Soon the two drank in silence, emptying their cups.
Then Hwang Biwon gazed at Dan Yeop with melancholy eyes and spoke.
“When I see you, my brother who died young comes to mind. Had I known he would leave so soon, I would have treated him better……. Living this long, I’ve learned that regret is the most excruciating pain of all. Don’t make choices you’ll regret.”
Dan Yeop’s thoughts drifted to Dunjae Dan Yeop, and he nodded solemnly.
Yes. Regret was the cruelest pain.
Dunjae Dan Yeop had come to realize his feelings for Baek Yuhwa too late, and he had agonized over never confessing them.
“Yes, I will do my best to live that way.”
Empty wine bottles began to accumulate on the table.
Hwang Biwon, his face flushed with drink, suddenly spoke.
“Dan Yeop, be my brother. I have a feeling my brother who left first sent you to me. What do you say? Will you be my brother?”
Dan Yeop did not refuse.
He had come to like Hwang Biwon through their genuine conversation.
“I will, brother.”
From then on, the two addressed each other as brothers and drank until they were utterly drunk.
For the first time in a while, Dan Yeop set aside his official position and savored freedom.
***
Seonpyeong District.
Son House.
Early morning.
As Dan Yeop entered the inner chamber and took a seat, Son Jiheon, fanning himself, spoke.
“Phew! How much did this guy drink last night?”
“Ah, is the smell that strong? Sorry. I met someone good and had a few drinks.”
At the words “someone good,” Son Yeonhwa’s interest was piqued.
“Brother, who did you meet last night?”
“A renowned martial artist from Hanam Province.”
“He’s a man?”
“Yes, our hearts aligned, so we formed a Sworn Brotherhood.”
“How wonderful! That’s perfect. Congratulations, brother.”
Son Yeonhwa beamed as if it were her own triumph.
“Thank you.”
Son Jiheon, observing his sister, murmured almost to himself.
“Sworn Brotherhood—that’s a fine thing.”
Son Yubaek offered his comment in passing.
“We may know the depths of a ten-fathom river, but never the heart of a single man. You must have exercised some wisdom in choosing your companion, yet I confess I worry you’ve opened your side too readily.”
“Yes, sir. I perceived in his words and bearing the character of a gentleman, and so I forged the bond. I shall be more cautious in future friendships.”
Dan Yeop accepted the criticism with gratitude.
The notion that he gave too easily of himself was something he had not perceived until then.
Brilliant mind though he possessed, having lived his life in Haowen, he bore the mark of Haowen in such matters.
Those from Haowen formed bonds of friendship with ease.
The moment their hearts aligned even slightly, they would address each other as sworn siblings.
Friendships formed so lightly were equally swift to sever.
Yet no one thought it strange.
Dan Yeop, too, had accepted it as simply how people were.
After all, he had formed a Sworn Brotherhood with Na Bugang and Hwang Biwon in but a single day.
Naturally, the wound of severing that bond with Na Bugang had cut no deeper.
But at Son Yubaek’s words, he suddenly thought, ‘Ah, I see.’
A satisfied smile crossed Son Yubaek’s face as he observed this realization.
Surely Dan Yeop had the quality that made teaching a pleasure.
An intelligent young man who was also wise—it was virtue crowned with virtue.
Then Son Jiheon spoke.
“Grandfather, nowadays speed is everything. If I hesitate, someone else claims it. The swift-footed win first in this world.”
“You fool! Do you take people for merchandise? Where did you learn such drivel? Do you truly believe choosing a friend is like selecting a courtesan at a pleasure house?”
At Son Yubaek’s fierce rebuke, Son Jiheon hastened to explain himself.
“I beg your pardon, sir. I meant no such thing. Only that swift decision-making need not be a fault…….”
“Even now, you persist?”
Son Yubaek fixed him with a glare, and Son Jiheon buried his head and devoted himself to his meal.
***
Jangan County Office.
The Constabulary Office.
Early morning—the fourth watch—(nine o’clock in the morning).
As Dan Yeop entered the Constabulary Office, Jang Ho the Constable approached him with firm, purposeful steps.
The Constables and Constable’s Assistants held their breath, watching Jang Ho.
Just as everyone wondered what trouble might erupt today, Jang Ho smiled broadly and greeted him openly.
“Constable Dan! Welcome. I gave it thought last night and realized I’d overlooked something. There was blood on County Magistrate Yi Jasung’s blade. I can’t fathom how I forgot that crucial detail. My apologies. The other officers’ blades were clean. Is it possible the Magistrate inflicted a wound on the perpetrator before his death?”
“Ah, is that so? That’s truly important evidence. Thank you.”
The Constables and Constable’s Assistants exchanged puzzled glances at the two men’s easy exchange, as if nothing had transpired.
Jin Seung the Constable in particular blinked in astonishment, his face bewildered.
‘What? They were enemies just until yesterday’s dismissal…….’
He could not grasp how these two, who had been like oil and water, had suddenly reversed course overnight.
More startling still, Jang Ho uttered words that seemed impossible.
“Constable Dan, if you’ll permit it, I’d like to join that investigation. You’ll direct the inquiry.”
“Truly? I’m grateful for your assistance. I’ll inform County Magistrate Do Gyeom at once that Constable Jang wishes to join the investigation.”
Dan Yeop did not refuse.
From what he had observed, Jang Ho possessed considerable competence.
Jang Ho’s eyes shone with resolve as he made his pledge.
“I’m obliged. I’ll spare no effort to resolve the Nakan County matter.”

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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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