Wandering Martial Artists Belong At An Inn

Gyo-ha looked at the iron splint.
Every time he saw it, he seemed to recall the horrific pain.

“…That was the first thing more painful than Master’s training.”

He never wanted to experience it again.

‘In this state, I can’t even use my elbow.’

Perhaps having heard about his fight with Moyong Min, Tang Ja-gyeong had repeatedly warned him.

“Do not even think about swinging this arm. The bones haven’t knitted yet. If they separate again, even I won’t be able to do anything.”

He had encased Gyo-ha’s arm in iron so that it would be difficult to swing in the first place.

‘I could bend it if I used enough strength.’

But if he did, his arm might never recover.
Even Gyo-ha did not want to push himself that far.
At least, not for now.
Gyo-ha did not enjoy pain. He enjoyed fighting.
As he rested there absentmindedly, he sensed someone outside.

“Brother, it is almost time.”

It was Namgung Hyeok.
Gyo-ha nodded and stepped outside, where Namgung Hyeok was waiting.
Unlike when he traveled with Gyo-ha, Namgung Hyeok was dressed impeccably.
As he walked with Namgung Hyeok, he saw a group of people gathered ahead.
No, it was difficult to call them a single group.
Two groups stood apart, unable to mingle.

“Brother Gyo.”
“Fellow Taoist Gyo.”

Both sides greeted Gyo-ha at the same time.
They were Jeon Pyeong and the Tang Clan martial artist he had met before.

“Am I the last to arrive?”

Gyo-ha scratched his head as he looked around.
He had made an effort to arrive early, but apparently he was late. Jeon Pyeong shook his head at the question.

“No. The person in charge has not arrived yet.”

The two groups consisted of martial artists from the Five Great Clans and the Nine Sects, One Union.
An invisible wall seemed to stand between the members of the Nine Sects, One Union and the Five Great Clans as they kept their distance from one another.
The moment Jeon Pyeong finished speaking, the people turned their heads.
Several figures were approaching from a distance.
Their faces were familiar to Gyo-ha as well.
Moyong Min and Moyong Hwi.
The Moyong brothers.
Moyong Hwi swept a cold gaze over the gathering before speaking.

“I am Moyong Hwi, and I will be leading this mission. This is Young Hero Gyo, who has come to assist us. You should all be acquainted already, so we will dispense with introductions and depart immediately.”

With that, he turned on his heel.
Moyong Hwi had emphasized that Gyo-ha had merely come to assist.
It was a warning that, as an outsider, Gyo-ha was not to interfere.
Namgung Hyeok naturally understood the implication, and his eyebrow twitched.
However, Gyo-ha patted Namgung Hyeok on the shoulder.
Honestly, he had no intention of getting involved unless someone worth fighting appeared.

‘…Though it would be a little different if yokai were involved.’

The investigation team followed Moyong Hwi and set out.

Jegal Tae watched the investigation team depart.

“Will it truly be all right to send them out like that?”

Jegal Tae asked as he turned around. His voice was filled with concern. Individually, they were highly skilled.
They were fairly well known even within the Nine Sects, One Union and the Five Great Clans.
Naturally, their abilities were exceptional.
But a mission’s success was not determined by individual skill alone.
They lacked cohesion.
Baek Gun-ak, the Murim Alliance Leader, was also watching them leave.

“That is precisely why I sent them together. Once they understand how terrifying the enemy is, their behavior may change.”

In the future, those young people would occupy important positions within the Nine Sects, One Union and the Five Great Clans.

“I hope this mission improves their relationship.”

Sharing a life-or-death mission could foster camaraderie.
However, both Baek Gun-ak and Jegal Tae knew that the chances were slim.

“I am concerned that this may lead to trouble.”

Jegal Tae sighed and continued watching them with concern.
Baek Gun-ak’s expression remained calm.

“That must not happen, but if it does, those responsible will have to bear the consequences.”

He did not mean only himself.
Moyong Cheon.
He had removed those originally assigned to the mission and replaced them with members of the Five Great Clans.
If the mission failed, he would not be able to escape responsibility either.
Of course, the possibility of failure was small.
Sword Dragon Moyong Hwi.
His skill was the real thing. Even Baek Gun-ak had no choice but to acknowledge it.

‘…It would be good if he devoted himself to the future of the Murim Alliance.’

His temperament was also remarkably similar to Moyong Cheon’s.
That was why Baek Gun-ak could only hope that this mission would change something.

An awkward atmosphere.
However, they were no longer children.
They did not allow their feelings to delay what had to be done.

“We still don’t know how many enemies there are. This mission is not merely an investigation.”

Identifying the enemies and their base was only part of the mission. Raiding their base was also part of it.
The investigation team already knew this and nodded.

“Unit Leader, the report said they wield a strange power. What exactly is it?”

Moyong Hwi nodded at Jegal Yeon’s question.

“It is said to be more than mere Heretical Arts. It is a power that defies the natural order.”

A power that defied the natural order.
As Moyong Hwi said that, his gaze turned toward Gyo-ha.
Gyo-ha happened to be watching him as well.
Their gazes met.
Not only Moyong Hwi, but Moyong Min was also observing Gyo-ha.
They had clearly heard something from Moyong Cheon.
However, the two of them were equally suspicious.

‘…They don’t have the same scent as that man.’

After meeting Moyong Cheon, Gyo-ha could now sense something foreign within Moyong Hwi as well.
Several people noticed the tension between Moyong Hwi and Gyo-ha, but did not think much of it.
Considering what had happened with Moyong Min, it was only natural for them to be wary of one another.
Moreover, what Moyong Hwi had just said was far more concerning.

“…Could they have returned?”

Everyone thought of the same group.
A power more sinister than Heretical Arts, one that defied the natural order.
The Demonic Arts.
The Demon Cult.
The Demon Cult might have returned.

“…We don’t know. Discovering the true nature of that power is also part of this mission.”

Low groans sounded from throughout the group.

“With Kunlun gone, have they risen again?”

The Demon Cult had invaded more than once.
The man who had muttered those words suddenly realized Gyo-ha was present and flinched.

“My apologies, Young Master Gyo.”

Gyo-ha shrugged.

“It’s fine.”

Until now, the Kunlun Sect had been the force that stopped the Demon Cult’s invasions.
Kunlun was destroyed during the last war against the Demon Cult.
Now there was no force left to stop the Demon Cult from crossing over from Xinjiang.
The group naturally turned their gazes toward those from Sichuan.
With Kunlun gone, Sichuan was the closest remaining region.
The disciples of the Tang Clan and Emei Sect shook their heads.
They had heard nothing.
Jeon Pyeong, however, glanced at Gyo-ha.
He knew that this was not the work of the Demon Cult.
Qinghai was currently little different from a living hell.
Yokai were running rampant.
Even the fearsome Demon Cult would not be able to cross through easily.
An unintended shield had formed.
Gyo-ha noticed Jeon Pyeong’s gaze and nodded.
It meant the matter was related to yokai.
Jeon Pyeong had suspected as much from the moment Gyo-ha was included in the mission.
It was strange to bring an outsider on a mission, especially one who was injured.
Gyo-ha had no reason to hide it, so he nodded readily.

‘It seems the higher-ups know.’

Thanks to that, Jeon Pyeong could infer the situation.
But he couldn’t announce it. If he brought it up in this situation, he would only make himself look strange.
In any case, everyone would learn the truth once the mission was over.

‘…Should I be relieved that it isn’t the Demon Cult?’

Jeon Pyeong’s feelings became complicated.
Within a few days, the investigation team reached its destination, the Hongjiang.

The Hongjiang, where the Wuling Mountains met the Yuan River.
So many boats passed through that it was known as Little Changsha.
The area had been famous for salt since ancient times.
The salty scent reached them before they even drew close.
Boats flying the flags of various escort agencies and merchant guilds traveled busily through the waters, while the streets seemed to have an inn on every block.
This was where their final clue had led them.

“It would be easy to hide here.”

With so many boats passing through, outsiders were hardly uncommon.
Moreover, one could easily board a ship and flee to another region if necessary.

“…We will split up to investigate. Work in groups of three, finish your searches by the Rooster hour, and regroup at the Gwangru Inn over there. Send a signal in an emergency.”

Moyong Hwi tapped the cylinder hanging from his waist.
It was a signal flare issued by the Murim Alliance for missions.
It produced a loud report and a plume of smoke that revealed the user’s location.
After saying that, Moyong Hwi turned and walked away.
The members of the Five Great Clans followed him.
Only Namgung Hyeok remained beside Gyo-ha.

“He truly is cold.”

Jeon Pung shook his head as he watched Moyong Hwi say only what was necessary before leaving.

“Now then, the Unit Leader has given his orders, so let us move as well.”

Gyo-ha formed a group of three with Namgung Hyeok and Jeon Pyeong.
Jeon Pung had arranged it that way so they could work more comfortably together.

“We will ask around the inns.”

Gyo-ha tilted his head at Jeon Pyeong’s words.

“Shouldn’t we decide who will investigate which places?”

If they sought information from the same places, they might waste time.
Jeon Pyeong smiled at Gyo-ha.

“There is no need to discuss it. The Five Great Clans will naturally focus on pleasure houses, teahouses, and upscale inns.”

Namgung Hyeok nodded.

“They will find it easier to gather information in places they are familiar with.”

Gathering information could cost money.
The Murim Alliance provided an allowance, but it was not a large amount.
They might have to spend their own money.
To the young masters and ladies of the Five Great Clans, however, such expenses were little more than pocket change.

“Meanwhile, our fellow Taoists will focus mainly on the merchants.”

Merchants might feel threatened if members of the Five Great Clans approached them directly.
As merchants, they were sensitive to how others were dressed.
In that regard, Taoists were a less intimidating choice.
Unlike members of powerful families, they did not put merchants on guard merely by approaching them.
Moreover, Taoists from the Nine Sects, One Union were respected wherever they went.

“Those who follow the Buddhist path will speak with the local residents.”

Unlike Taoists who trained in the mountains, monks were close to the common people.
The residents wouldn’t be wary of monks.
Gyo-ha exclaimed in admiration at Jeon Pyeong’s explanation.
It was the perfect example of assigning the right people to the right places.
Even without discussing it, everyone naturally went where they were most useful.
The Murim Alliance was no ordinary organization.
It had protected the Orthodox martial world for many years.
The Nine Sects, One Union and the Five Great Clans stood at its center.
They had their own rules and methods.

“Then what about us?”

Jeon Pyeong pointed at himself.

“A Taoist.”

His finger shifted toward Namgung Hyeok.

“A wealthy young master.”

Finally, his hand turned toward Gyo-ha.
Unlike before, however, he could not immediately find the words.

“Hmm, an absurdly well-built young man?”

Gyo-ha blinked at the unexpected description.
Who would take Gyo-ha for a Taoist? If not for his guileless face, he would have looked more at home among mountain bandits or river pirates.
Before Gyo-ha could respond, Jeon Pyeong hurriedly continued.

“There is only one kind of group that travels around looking like this.”
“Martial artists.”

Namgung Hyeok answered in his place.
They were a completely mismatched trio, yet anyone could tell at a glance that they were martial artists.

“Wandering martial artists belong at an inn.”

Jeon Pyeong said it with a broad grin.
No place suited martial artists better than an inn.
Was there not a saying that every incident began at an inn?

“Wow.”

Gyo-ha exclaimed without realizing it.
Jeon Pyeong continued, addressing Gyo-ha.

“Now that you understand, let us get moving.”

Gyo-ha nodded at Jeon Pyeong’s words.