novelraw Chapter 76
Chapter 76
Episode 76. What if Everyone Dies in the Three-way Martial Arts Duel?
The magistrate’s fury swept over Xiangyang.
That afternoon, not only the city guards but even the military poured into Xiangyang, setting up checkpoints and searching every corner.
Elder Bi’s bodyguard, Zuohu, who had been tailing Won Seung, was at a loss. He simply couldn’t predict Won Seung’s movements.
All he could do was report exactly what he saw to Elder Bi.
“In the morning, he took a carriage to the medical hall, then visited the Namjo Department. After that, city guards filled the Calligraphy and Painting Street. Around noon, he sold the rights to spectate the Three-way Martial Arts Duel. In the afternoon, he visited the magistrate’s residence, and now both city guards and soldiers have entered Xiangyang.”
Elder Bi’s confusion only deepened as he listened to Zuohu’s report.
‘An assassin goes to the authorities to request personal protection? And even visits the magistrate’s residence…?’
What on earth is he up to?
“…After that, he visited the Sky-Gazing Pavilion and the Clear Water Sect, and only just before evening did he head to the Hundred Flowers Pavilion.”
“So, he does have some role to play in the Three-way Martial Arts Duel.”
With the city guards surrounding the Hundred Flowers Pavilion, Zuohu could no longer keep up the surveillance.
That, too, was odd.
‘He said he’d arranged a safe house, so why is he living at the Calligraphy and Painting Shop?’
Just then, Woo Hui entered and announced, “Jong Bi has arrived.”
“Perfect timing. Send him in.”
A moment later, Jong Bi entered, looking tense.
“Did you find out what that fellow is doing in the Three-way Martial Arts Duel?”
“He’s in charge of organizing and running the event.”
“I thought as much.”
Elder Bi fell silent, lost in thought.
‘Can this really be called an assassin’s mission?’
The assignment was to eliminate Hwa Cheon-gang. Just organizing the Three-way Martial Arts Duel—where the outcome is uncertain—hardly counts as a completed mission. Hwa Cheon-gang actually needs to die.
“Is there a way to complete the mission through the Three-way Martial Arts Duel?”
“He hasn’t told me anything about that.”
Jong Bi answered as Won Seung had instructed, then hesitated a moment before adding, “Number Fifty requested support from the branch.”
“Support from the branch?”
No trainee had ever requested support from Red Blood Mountain’s resources during a field mission. In fact, it was forbidden.
“Did you tell him about the main base?”
Elder Bi’s face darkened, and Jong Bi hurriedly replied, “No, I didn’t. But he seems to have figured out something on his own.”
“He’s a sharp one, that’s for sure.”
Elder Bi twisted his lips in thought, then asked, “What kind of support does he want?”
“He requested information on a particular person.”
“Information? What kind?”
“He wants to know the true identity of the Xiangyang Black Society boss.”
Elder Bi frowned. “The Xiangyang Black Society boss? The one who supposedly died last night?”
“That was a fake. Just a puppet.”
“What? A fake?”
A sudden thought struck him. “Wait… Did Number Fifty kill him?”
“I’m not sure about that.”
“What do you know, then?”
Elder Bi snapped, then turned to glare at Zuohu, as if to ask if he was equally clueless.
Zuohu awkwardly bowed his head, avoiding Elder Bi’s gaze. He’d only confirmed that Number Fifty was at the Hundred Flowers Pavilion last night and resumed surveillance in the morning, so he had no idea about Won Seung’s nocturnal activities.
Jong Bi spoke up. “He did sneak out last night. He left so quietly that I only found out afterward.”
“Hm. Do you know why he’s asking about the Xiangyang Black Society boss?”
“It seems he’s seeking revenge for someone called Master Woo, the owner of the Hundred Flowers Pavilion, who was harmed by the Black Society.”
Jong Bi’s answer was fairly close to the truth.
“The Hundred Flowers Pavilion? Ah, right. Is your safe house the Hundred Flowers Pavilion?”
Jong Bi snapped to attention. He needed to answer carefully now.
When Won Seung returned last night, he hadn’t forgotten that Zuohu was tailing him. Zuohu would have reported to Elder Bi that Won Seung was staying at the Hundred Flowers Pavilion, along with Blood Flower and Yong Jo-woon.
This conflicted with what Jong Bi had previously told Elder Bi.
There was no point blaming Jong Bi for not noticing Zuohu’s surveillance. Instead, he decided to spin a new story and use it as an excuse to request support from the branch.
“The Hundred Flowers Pavilion is actually a Calligraphy and Painting Shop specializing in reproductions. Number Fifty paints and sells artwork there… It’s a sort of business connection.”
“He sells paintings?”
“He’s quite skilled. That’s why Master Woo even provided him with a room in the inner quarters. They’re as close as brothers.”
That explanation erased any suspicion about the safe house funds and justified why they were staying at the Hundred Flowers Pavilion.
‘So that’s why he’s called one of the Ten Perfections… He’s disguised himself as a scholar-artist.’
Elder Bi muttered to himself.
“But after the Black Society harmed the shop owner for some reason, their sales channels dried up. Number Fifty is furious about it.”
“So he killed the Black Society boss? Instead of the real target? What a strange fellow.”
“Number Fifty said it’s not just about revenge—it’s also connected to the Three-way Martial Arts Duel.”
Elder Bi nodded. As a Red Blood Mountain elder, he was well aware of the power struggles between Murim factions.
With the Sky-Gazing Pavilion and Clear Water Sect clashing, it was only natural for the Black Path to try and profit from the chaos.
After a moment’s thought, Elder Bi said, “Give him what he wants. Tell the branch I ordered it.”
He then gave them information about the Xiangyang branch.
*
The Sky-Gazing Pavilion was tense in anticipation of tomorrow’s Three-way Martial Arts Duel.
Gu Ja-ang pretended to be calm, but spent the entire day preparing to flee.
While gathering his hidden emergency funds and valuables, he received unexpected news that Yu Bulgwan had arrived from the capital. He was overjoyed.
In truth, all of this had started with Yu Bulgwan. If he hadn’t urged Gu Ja-ang to unify the Xiang River’s power, Gu Ja-ang wouldn’t have gotten involved.
But lately, contact with Yu Bulgwan had grown sparse, leaving Gu Ja-ang in an awkward position.
‘So the Seongwang House’s intentions are firm after all.’
If he could bring Yu Bulgwan and confirm Seongwang House’s support, he could dispel Cheon Il-hae’s suspicions and restore his standing as the Sky-Gazing Pavilion’s chief strategist.
Yet, he couldn’t shake a sense of unease.
He’d learned of Yu Bulgwan’s arrival in Xiangyang from a trusted aide who was watching the magistrate’s residence.
‘If he’s in Xiangyang, shouldn’t he have come to see me?’
Last year, when Gu Ja-ang visited the capital, Yu Bulgwan had personally come out to greet him.
—“I’ve long admired Gu Ja-ang, the greatest strategist in Xiangyang. It’s an honor to finally meet you.”
Gu Ja-ang had been so proud of that moment.
But now, Yu Bulgwan hadn’t even sent word of his arrival… It left a cold feeling in Gu Ja-ang’s chest.
‘I can’t just sit here.’
He’d heard Yu Bulgwan was traveling incognito. All this time, he’d acted as if he and Yu Bulgwan were close friends in front of Cheon Il-hae. But if Yu Bulgwan ignored him and left, Cheon Il-hae’s trust would be shattered.
As Gu Ja-ang hurried to leave, Gwan Ju-gyeon followed him.
“Why are you coming with me, Elder Gwan?”
“Tomorrow’s the duel, isn’t it? The Pavilion Master ordered me to ensure the strategist’s safety.”
Gwan Ju-gyeon spoke casually.
If you had to name the top experts in the Sky-Gazing Pavilion, they’d be Cheon Il-hae, Gwan Ju-gyeon, and Pyeong Ingang, who was still recovering from a recent stabbing.
‘So I’m being watched!’
Gu Ja-ang knew Cheon Il-hae was violent and impulsive, but also quick-witted. He must have guessed Gu Ja-ang might try to run.
“I need to meet someone who’s traveling incognito. It would be troublesome if word got out.”
“You’re treating me like an outsider?”
Gwan Ju-gyeon looked at him incredulously, leaving Gu Ja-ang at a loss for words.
“That’s not what I meant…”
“Let’s just get this over with. We’ve got a lot to do before tomorrow’s duel.”
In the end, Gu Ja-ang left the Sky-Gazing Pavilion with Gwan Ju-gyeon in tow.
When they reached the Cloud Flower Pavilion, Gu Ja-ang said, “As I said, this is someone who can’t be seen by outsiders…”
“Fine. I’ll wait here. Go on and meet them.”
Gwan Ju-gyeon sat down at a table by the entrance, ordering wine and snacks.
Gu Ja-ang went upstairs to the room where Yu Bulgwan was staying. As he was about to knock, a man appeared out of nowhere and blocked him.
“What business do you have?”
Gu Ja-ang realized he was facing a bodyguard.
“Tell the person inside that Gu Ja-ang from the Sky-Gazing Pavilion is here.”
The bodyguard went inside, then returned after a moment.
“He says he’s busy with something important and can’t meet you now. He’ll contact you later, so please leave.”
“What? Did you really deliver my message?”
“Are you calling me a fool who can’t even deliver a message?”
With the haughty air befitting a Seongwang House bodyguard, he dismissed Gu Ja-ang.
“Please leave.”
Flustered, Gu Ja-ang glanced around and locked eyes with Gwan Ju-gyeon, who was watching from the entrance.
His gaze was icy.
Gwan Ju-gyeon had always opposed attacking the Clear Water Sect. He’d never liked Gu Ja-ang, who had stirred up trouble in Xiangyang by convincing Cheon Il-hae. Now, that look in his eyes seemed to say:
So, you got thrown out at the door?
‘No, this can’t be…’
The gruesome image of Jo Bang-un’s corpse flashed before Gu Ja-ang’s eyes.
His white beard trembled, though there was no wind.
*
The Red Blood Mountain branch was a pawnshop located on Antique Street. They lent money against old items as collateral.
Jong Bi had gone straight to the branch to inquire about the true identity of the Xiangyang Black Society boss.
Won Seung was a bit surprised.
“So the Xiangyang Black Society boss was the head of the Boatmen’s Union…”
There were several unions along the Xiang River. The Labor Union was one, but there were also the Boatmen’s Union, the Merchant Guild, the Warehouse Union—every trade had its own union, monopolizing their business and carving out their own world.
The so-called boss of the Xiangyang Black Society, Elder Deung, was said to own nearly a third of the boats on the Xiang River—a true tycoon.
“They said the union leaders would be at the duel tomorrow… So Elder Deung will be there too.”
Won Seung thought he understood what Elder Deung wanted.
He was aiming to take over the Labor Union after the Boatmen’s Union.
‘He’s over seventy—shouldn’t he be satisfied with what he has? That kind of greed is just too much.’
Won Seung knew all too well that the wealthy were often the greediest.
If the real Black Society boss was the head of the Boatmen’s Union… then maybe the Merchant Guild or the Warehouse Union were involved as well.
The Boatmen’s Union handled a lot of money, but the Labor Union was a goldmine. Unlike the Boatmen, who had to build and operate ships, the Labor Union needed nothing but an office at the docks.
To them, the Sky-Gazing Pavilion and the Clear Water Sect—raking in huge profits for doing nothing—must have been a thorn in their side.
On his way back from the magistrate’s residence, Won Seung had met Cheon Il-hae of the Sky-Gazing Pavilion and Hwa Cheon-Woon of the Clear Water Sect to finalize the details of the Three-way Martial Arts Duel, and had casually asked about the Black Society. Neither of them knew who the real boss was.
That meant Elder Deung was the true power in Xiangyang.
‘At this rate, what if everyone dies in the Three-way Martial Arts Duel tomorrow?’
If the Black Society and Seongwang House had joined forces… wouldn’t Yu Bulgwan and the Seongwang House’s top experts be here too?
Elder Deung would surely know that people from the Dosan Forest and the Sword Pact Sect had been sent. He’d be prepared for that as well.
They could just kill everyone and start over. This was the classic “the mantis stalks the cicada, unaware of the oriole behind”—the hunter becomes the hunted.
Suddenly, a chilling thought struck him.
‘My name is probably on Elder Deung’s kill list.’
He’d killed Gu Ak-pyeong, the puppet who had taken his place. There’s no way Elder Deung would let the real culprit go.
‘Time to run.’
Xiangyang was now no different from the Dosan Forest—a place where you could die at any moment from a stray blade. Cheon Seok-san was already after him.
Won Seung said to Jong Bi, “Let’s pack our things.”
“Good idea. What can little fish like us do, anyway? But how are we going to carry all the silver coins?”
Jong Bi, who’d been under a lot of stress since Elder Bi arrived, nodded with a relieved smile.
“We’ll have to hide them.”