novelraw Chapter 7
Chapter 7
Chapter 7: Tragedy of Hebei (1)
They said that the number of children who had disappeared in Hebei over the past month was difficult to even count. Consequently, everyone, regardless of whether they belonged to the righteous or wicked factions, was currently investigating these disappearances.
“Hmm...”
Jiwon fell into deep thought for a moment based on the information he had gathered while wandering the city for half a day.
‘Could it be those guys from the original story?’
Currently, the Wicked Cult Alliance and the Martial Alliance were in a state of truce. There was a ‘third force’ that had manipulated those two powers to drive them to war, and their true identity had not been fully revealed even in the latest chapters he had read.
‘If it is their doing, things will get complicated.’
It would be difficult to handle them alone if they were capable of playing both the Wicked Cult Alliance and the Martial Alliance for fools. Of course, nothing had been decided yet, so he headed toward the Bisa Clan, which was considered the prime suspect in these disappearances.
The crowd was buzzing with noise.
“I said let us in! If your hands are clean, then it should not matter!”
“Stop this at once! How can you be so unreasonable!”
‘What is going on?’
A group of martial artists was raising their voices at the entrance of the Bisa Clan. Among them, a young woman arguing at the very front caught his eye. Dressed in snow-white martial robes, her elegant appearance and intelligent gaze were quite striking. After watching them for a moment, Jiwon saw through the situation instantly.
‘Ah, I see.’
The righteous warriors were demanding to investigate the interior of the Bisa Clan, and the Bisa Clan was, naturally, refusing. However, the Bisa Clan's refusal only fueled the suspicions of the righteous warriors, and the situation was growing increasingly heated.
‘The timing is perfect.’
He inwardly cheered. A stage had been perfectly set for him to make his move.
“May I have a moment of your time!”
As he stepped toward them and raised his voice, everyone’s attention focused on him. He boldly cupped his fist in greeting and introduced himself once more.
“I am Cheon Siu. I am a wanderer who belongs to neither the righteous nor the wicked factions.”
“What do you want all of a sudden?”
“...”
The gazes from both the righteous warriors and the Bisa Clan warriors were not friendly. However, he continued speaking without concern.
“It seems you have a difference of opinion regarding the disappearances. How about you accept me as a resident guest of the Bisa Clan?”
“...What on earth are you talking about so abruptly?”
A warrior from the Bisa Clan, dressed in red robes, furrowed his sharp brows. Jiwon smiled refinedly and explained the reason.
“As I said, I am a wanderer belonging to neither the righteous nor the wicked side. If you accept someone like me as a guest, the suspicion toward the Bisa Clan will lessen, and their demands will technically be met, will they not?”
The woman from the righteous faction frowned at Jiwon’s words.
“What do you think you are doing?!”
Unlike her, the warrior from the Bisa Clan was inwardly intrigued by the proposal. If they accepted him as a guest, it would certainly be difficult for the righteous faction to force an internal investigation, and it would help quiet the suspicions surrounding them to some extent.
‘Hmm. I do not know who he is, but it is a decent proposal.’
Moreover, if they rejected even this offer, it was obvious they would look truly suspicious. Realizing it was not a decision he could make alone, the man spoke.
“I will seek permission from the Clan Leader. Please wait a moment.”
“Yes, yes. Go ahead.”
Once the man disappeared inside the entrance, the woman raised her voice at Jiwon.
“You! Why are you interfering?”
“Interfering is a harsh word. I am also trying to resolve the disappearance case in my own way.”
Jiwon shrugged and curled one side of his lip up mockingly.
“And what about you? Were you planning to use force if the Bisa Clan continued to refuse? Right here in the middle of the city?”
“...Of course not.”
“Then what is the problem?”
Having nothing to say, the woman eventually let out a sigh.
“Phew. Fine.”
She then cupped her fist with a reluctant expression.
“I am Mak Hwaryeong of the Hyeobui Clan. Since things have turned out this way, if the Bisa Clan accepts you, please investigate the interior thoroughly. If you find any clues, you must tell me.”
“Sure.”
He gave a dismissive nod, and after a while, the man in the red robes returned.
“We will accept young hero Cheon Siu as a resident guest. So, the rest of you, please leave.”
At the man's dismissal, Mak Hwaryeong gave a stern warning.
“If anything happens to that young hero, I will consider it the Bisa Clan's doing.”
Seeing her retreat obediently after those words, he could feel her sincere desire to solve the disappearance case. Even if her methods were a bit aggressive.
“...My apologies for the late introduction. I am Jang Pyo, the Young Clan Leader of the Bisa Clan.”
The man with the sharp gaze introduced himself while cupping his fist. Jiwon had thought he was just a gatekeeper, but he was actually the son of the Clan Leader.
“Follow me. I will lead you to the Clan Leader.”
“Ah, yes.”
Jiwon entered the Bisa Clan, following behind Jang Pyo.
Step. Step.
Once they crossed the wall, a vast training ground and three large buildings came into view.
“Ha! Hah!”
“Hah! Hyah!”
Furthermore, the warriors practicing their training in perfect rows while shouting vigorously possessed an aura that was clearly extraordinary.
‘They said this was the most influential clan in Xingtai, and it looks the part.’
He followed behind, leisurely looking around like a tourist. Eventually, he was led to the Clan Leader’s office in the largest building.
“Father! I have brought young hero Cheon Siu!”
“...Bring him in.”
The piercing voice of a middle-aged man echoed from inside. When the door opened, a man stood with his hands behind his back inside the elegant room. He wore red martial robes that wrapped around his agile-looking body, and his features were sharp. His gaze, quietly scanning Jiwon, was like a snake eyeing its prey, giving the middle-aged man a chilling aura.
“I am Cheon Siu, a wanderer. Thank you for accepting me as a guest.”
When Jiwon bowed and greeted him first, the middle-aged man also cupped his fist in return.
“I am Jang Gihu, the Clan Leader of the Bisa Clan.”
Once the introductions were over, Jang Gihu slowly gestured for him to sit at the table. Jiwon bowed and took a seat, and the man personally poured a cup of tea.
Trickle.
“Thanks to you, I was able to make those righteous hypocrites retreat without a major clash.”
“I simply made use of the situation. I am personally investigating these disappearances myself.”
He drew a line, making it clear he hadn't done it for their sake. His goal was strictly to prevent the Tragedy of Hebei and twist the original story.
“I can understand their feelings. It is a fact that the Bisa Clan is under the most suspicion regarding these disappearances.”
Was that not why he had visited the Bisa Clan first? He peeked at the middle-aged man to see his reaction, but the man calmly lifted his teacup.
“It is true that we have used any means necessary to secure the interests of Xingtai. However.”
Clack.
He set the cup down in front of himself and met Jiwon’s gaze without flinching.
“I have never gone against the will of the former Leader of the Wicked Cult Alliance.”
Sama Young, the Leader of the Wicked Cult Alliance, had declared that the will of the people was the will of heaven, and that this applied to the martial world as well. Following that will, Jang Gihu had not engaged in businesses that directly harmed civilians. Much less child kidnapping; that was preposterous.
“Naturally, we have nothing to hide regarding an internal investigation, but the martial world is a place where you are finished the moment you are seen as easy prey.”
If they easily gave in to the demands of outsiders who suspected them, those outsiders would continue to make demands indefinitely. The first time is difficult, but the second time is easy.
“As I said, we have nothing to hide, so stay as a guest and investigate as much as you like.”
After saying those words, the middle-aged man calmly brought the teacup to his lips. His confident demeanor made Jiwon think.
‘...Is it really not them?’
Jiwon, who had been half-doubting, had to snap himself out of it. He could not judge based on appearances alone. This was a Wuxia world where blood and betrayal were rampant.
“Then, as the Clan Leader said, I will investigate at my leisure.”
Jiwon finished his tea and stood up. Jang Gihu also rose and met him with a sharp gaze.
“Of course. We will also investigate you at our leisure.”
I suppose he is not an easy man to deal with after all. Jiwon let out a smirk and slowly left the Clan Leader’s office.
***
Jiwon left the Bisa Clan, saying he would go get his luggage. When he arrived at his room at the inn, Sama Seorin was already leaning against the wall with her arms crossed, as if she knew he would return.
“You make me create a martial art while you go wandering around? What have you been up to?”
The gaze she directed at him was cold. Judging by her sarcastic tone, she had clearly seen through his movements. So, he acted shamelessly.
“I have nothing to my name. Where else am I supposed to find a bride? I have to build my reputation first, do I not?”
“Sigh...”
Sama Seorin let out a deep sigh as he spoke playfully with a shrug. Since it seemed to sound somewhat plausible to her, she offered advice instead of an argument.
“You had better not do anything that might get your identity discovered. Not only the Demonic Cult but even the Black Blood Clan is looking for you.”
“Naturally.”
Having answered firmly, he turned the question back to her.
“Are you making good progress with the Heaven-Slaying Sword Script?”
“Naturally.”
As if refusing to lose, she gave the exact same answer he had. Jiwon smiled bitterly at her prideful display and entered the room. He packed his things and came back out, but she had already gone back inside. He left the inn and headed toward the Bisa Clan.
The crowd was buzzing.
Clatter. Clatter.
Numerous pedestrians and wagons moved along the wide road. Xingtai was a city bordering Henan Province, and its commerce was quite developed. Consequently, there were significant interests at stake, and the Hyeobui Clan of the Martial Alliance and the Bisa Clan of the Wicked Cult Alliance held the largest shares of those interests.
“...Ah! Hey, you!”
A woman in white martial robes raised her voice while looking at him. With an intelligent gaze, elegant features, and an impressive swinging ponytail, she was none other than Mak Hwaryeong of the Hyeobui Clan.
‘Ah, someone annoying has latched on.’
He lowered his bamboo hat and continued walking as if he had not heard her, but she followed him, shouting even louder.
“Hey! You!!”
‘...You?’
Is this girl crazy? He turned to her with a look of disbelief, and she quickly ran up to him.
“Why are you walking away like you cannot hear me? That is quite rude.”
“Rude, my foot. Did you not just call me 'You'?”
“I have no idea what you are talking about.”
He frowned at her as she feigned innocence without a change in expression and asked.
“But why did you call me? I am a busy man.”
“Let us help each other out.”
“Help each other out...?”
When he looked confused at the sudden suggestion, she spoke in more detail.
“If you give me internal information about the Bisa Clan, I will give you information from our side.”
Jiwon looked surprised at the offer, which was better than he had expected.
“Is that okay? Making such a contract with a wanderer like me.”
“Is that really the problem right now? We need to catch the real culprit and find the missing children as soon as possible.”
There was not a hint of a lie in her eyes as she looked directly at him. Though she was a bit pushy, she seemed to be a true member of the righteous faction after all.
‘Well, it is not a bad deal.’
The more information he had, the better. From his position of needing to stop the Tragedy of Hebei, it was a proposal with no downsides.
“Fine. Let us do that.”
“Then let us meet once a week to exchange information. The meeting place will be...”
After a moment of thought, she spoke again.
“Let us meet at the abandoned house near the East gate. There will not be many eyes there.”
“Understood.”
Memorizing the meeting place, Jiwon asked her a question.
“I am planning to secretly investigate the Bisa Clan at night. Is there a place you recommend?”
“Oh my. You are planning something quite dangerous.”
As she looked slightly surprised, he shrugged his shoulders.
“That is why I went in as a guest.”
“...”
Mak Hwaryeong looked at the man before her with a newfound gaze. Through their conversation, she could tell that he had not entered as a guest to defend the Bisa Clan. However, she could not understand why a simple wanderer would take such a risk, so she asked.
“Why exactly are you going this far?”
He could not answer that it was to stop the Tragedy of Hebei and twist the original story, so he gave a playful reply.
“To build my reputation and find a bride.”
That was what he had told Sama Seorin as well. However, for some reason, she took on a serious expression and took a step back.
“I am sorry, but I am already engaged to my Senior Disciple.”
Since she seemed to have misunderstood him as making a pass at her, he gave a half-hearted nod.
“Yes, yes. I hope you have a long and happy life together. Just recommend a place for me to investigate.”
“Ahem. I understand.”
She cleared her throat awkwardly and began to tell him the locations that were worth investigating.