Variable

Ma Cheong-ok, the master of Unpyeong Escort Bureau, was in high spirits after finding a satisfying way to increase the wagons’ load capacity.

Above all, the key to this transport was safety and speed.

They had done everything to prevent information from leaking to the Taiyi Divine Sect, but there was no telling when or where those ghostlike fiends might spring out from hiding.

Even if ambushed, as long as the wagons were protected, the tribute transport would be fulfilled.

That alone would make the mission a success.

“Bureau Master, Sect Leader Jo of the Emptiness Dhuta Sect is here to see you.”

At the escort’s words, Ma Cheong-ok’s face turned grim.

Jo Yang was officially the one in charge, assisting him in this matter, but it was a constant nuisance.

No matter that Jo Yang was the leader of the martial alliance—having someone younger than him meddling in everything was irritating.

“Lord Ma, I hear you’ll personally oversee the transport. Truly admirable.”

Jo Yang wore the face of the kindest man alive as he clasped Ma Cheong-ok’s hand.

He piled on flattering words without pause to lift him up.

In the martial world, Jo Yang outranked him, but when it came to affairs of the state, Ma Cheong-ok’s authority was unmatched.

And though he was a merchant, his backing was formidable; thus Jo Yang constantly gauged his mood.

“As you instructed, the tribute is loaded in the middle wagons, with prisoners placed at the front and rear. Also, no one but the two Escort Chiefs knows what’s inside.”

When Ma Cheong-ok reported in a curt tone, Jo Yang quickly read his mood.

He responded with an overly kind smile, patting the hand he held.

“Of course you’ve handled it perfectly—no need to explain in such detail. Rest well tonight.”

With Jo Yang treating him with such excessive respect, Ma Cheong-ok’s heart eased.

After all, when the world’s greatest martial master showed such humility and courtesy, there was nothing to pick fault with.

“May you remain safe…”

Leaving the Escort Bureau, Jo Yang did not return toward Yellow Stone Mountain where he lodged, but instead veered down a deserted road.

Stopping suddenly, he looked toward the dense forest and called out softly.

“Come out.”

Rustle—

A dark figure stepped into the moonlight, revealing a young man in white robes.

He joined his hands respectfully, bowing deeply with a face full of warmth.

“Disciple Baek Hyeongjin greets his master.”

“Mm.”

Only then did Hyeongjin lift his head to meet his master’s face.

Though he had not seen him for over a year, somehow his master looked younger.

“Well, have you prepared properly?”

“Yes. I’ll keep my distance to avoid detection. I’ll feign ignorance during the first ambush, then join at Yeonhyang to sow confusion.”

Jo Yang nodded with a satisfied expression.

He believed this clever and capable disciple would handle his duty well.

After hearing his report, he asked the question he most wanted answered.

“What have you learned from that girl?”

Hyeongjin’s eyes wavered, but he steadied himself and bowed deeply.

“Nothing yet… Ju-un truly knows nothing of the scripture’s contents. And when I followed her to Nine Moons Mountain, the Sword Immortal had already left, so I could not meet her.”

“Hm…”

It was not something easily uncovered anyway.

There had been a vague hope that Hyeongjin might sway Ju-un’s heart, but it seemed not yet possible.

He hadn’t expected much to begin with, so he wasn’t too disappointed.

“However… it seems Ju-un will move with the convoy tomorrow.”

“What?”

Knowing his master’s thorough nature, he braced himself for a scolding as he spoke.

He also knew well his master’s concern that Ju-un might become a variable in this critical mission.

Afraid of being misunderstood, Hyeongjin hurried to explain.

“Rumors of the Taiyi Divine Sect’s raid already spread throughout Unpyeong. Ju-un insisted she might find a clue about Yun-seon, and I couldn’t stop her. If she interferes, I’ll risk my life to stop her.”

Jo Yang glared at his disciple, utterly incredulous.

“You? Stop her? You fall far short in both internal strength and swordsmanship—what nonsense is this?”

He had always known it, but hearing it bluntly from his master was humiliating.

Hyeongjin’s bowed face flushed red.

“Hmm… but on second thought, it may not be bad. Let her rampage a little.”

A faint smile appeared on Jo Yang’s face, as if struck by an idea.

Hyeongjin couldn’t tell his master’s exact intent, but he was relieved enough to have Ju-un’s involvement permitted.

He quickly finished his bows and turned back toward his inn.

“If the disciple falls into danger, the master will appear.”

Watching his disciple’s figure fade into the distance, Jo Yang slowly stroked his long beard.

At the rooster’s crow marking the start of Hour of the Rabbit¹, the massive procession began to move.

Leading were Sect Leader Go In-gyeong of the Eminent Mountain Sect and Escort Master Ma Cheong-ok, followed closely by his trusted Escort Chiefs, Yong Jo and Bang Inbeom.

Ten porters carried supplies and provisions for their superiors at the head of the column—and among them was Yun-seon.

“Why does that fellow’s face look like some foppish courtesan? It unsettles me.”

Inbeom whispered quietly so only Yong Jo could hear.

He meant that it was suspicious how some unknown youth had suddenly appeared and solved the wagon-wheel problem.

“I checked—he can’t use martial arts at all. If he were a spy, would they really send him out unarmed?”

Yong Jo laughed loudly, boasting as he reassured Inbeom.

They had worked together for five years, so he knew his colleague’s cautious nature well.

It was a fine trait for an escort, though sometimes his over-caution was bothersome.

“Besides, all he wanted was to join the vanguard—how pitifully naïve is that? Don’t block the youth’s path; worry about your own.”

Bang Inbeom was dissatisfied, but since his senior outranked him, he couldn’t argue further.

Perhaps he was simply being oversensitive.

For two nights he had lost sleep, troubled by the secret Ma Cheong-ok had revealed about the wagons.

Three hundred subjects of Ryeo Nation… If the mission failed, all their fates would plunge into ruin.

“And you’re not worried, hyung?”

Seeing the deep furrows etched on Inbeom’s brow, Yong Jo laughed heartily again.

“When has our work ever not been dangerous? This is no different. Besides, our Master himself rides with us this time.”

Yong Jo looked at Ma Cheong-ok’s back and felt his shoulders swell with pride.

Though over sixty now, the man was still formidable, making age seem meaningless.

Barely twenty years ago, no one in the martial world failed to know “The Great Saber Green Demon” Ma Cheong-ok.

How many warriors had lost their lives to the great saber hanging from his horse?

Among them were first-class masters.

His only flaw was his greed for wealth.

After founding the Escort Bureau in his forties, it took just twenty years to become Gyeong Nation’s top merchant guild—thanks to his willingness to take any job that paid.

Yong Jo liked that about him.

Thanks to that, though born without parents’ blessings, he had lived in abundance until now.

“As long as that brat doesn’t get in the way, that is.”

Turning his gaze naturally to the side, Yong Jo clicked his tongue at the sight of In-gyeong riding his horse.

He barely had the basics of martial arts, and both his lightness skill and internal strength were a mess.

If danger came, that one would likely be the first to die.

‘Hmph, I’ll never save him!’

After traveling the whole day, they finally reached Jukpyeong.

Now, just one hill more and they would arrive at the town.

With as many as ten wagons and over a hundred people on the move, the end of the procession couldn’t be seen from the front.

“Rest for 30 minutes before moving again. We must reach the designated inn tonight to avoid sleeping outdoors.”

When Ma Cheong-ok called Yong Jo to give instructions, his subordinate Inbeom rode off toward the rear to relay the schedule.

Just delivering the message and returning would take quite some time.

“Please, eat.”

Yun-seon quickly untied the food bundle and began distributing rations to the exhausted escorts and guards.

When he reached In-gyeong, who looked particularly weary, the young man stared fixedly at Yun-seon’s face.

“Have we met somewhere before?”

“Oh, heavens no. How could someone like me dare to have met a person of your stature…?”

Yun-seon feigned ignorance and stepped back, but inside he was startled.

He thought In-gyeong would never recognize him, having only seen him with the human-skin mask, but the youth’s sharp eye seemed unusual.

‘Quite a perceptive fellow.’

In truth, from the moment he first met him at the tavern, In-gyeong had seemed pitiable to Yun-seon.

Losing his clan at such a young age and bearing the heavy burden of rebuilding his sect, he kept overlapping with Yun-seon’s own image.

His weak martial skills yet loyal character appealed to him.

“If bandits attack, stay behind me. I’ll help as much as I can.”

In-gyeong smiled at Yun-seon.

He believed that the escorts would never bother saving mere porters, so at the very least, he himself should protect them.

Yun-seon’s chest tightened at his kindness, and yet he also couldn’t help but smile faintly.

‘But really, who’s protecting who?’

While the two exchanged small talk, the sun slowly dipped below the horizon.

As the crimson glow covered the mountains, Yong Jo urged the escorts to prepare to depart again.

It was then, as Escort Chief Bang spurred his horse toward the rear to give the signal—

“Ambush! It’s the Taiyi Divine Sect!”

“T-that’s… Jeok-woo!”

“Aaagh!”

From the very rear of the procession came loud cries, followed by the chaotic clashing of weapons.

“It’s an ambush! Bureau Master Ma and Sect Leader Go, guard the front!”

As Yong Jo turned his horse to head toward the rear—

“I’m coming too.”

But before him, Go In-gyeong’s horse shot toward the rear like an arrow.

In his ears echoed only two words: “Jeok-woo!”

The foe he wished to take revenge on even in dreams had finally appeared before him.

In this moment, duty, mission, none of it mattered.

“Damn it!”

Watching In-gyeong’s back, Yun-seon could only stomp in place, unable to follow.

The plan was to inflict minimal damage and then retreat, but with Jeok-woo’s temperament, some escorts were sure to die.

If In-gyeong got caught up in it, it would undoubtedly be a problem.

‘Whatever the case, he’s the head of the Eminent Mountain Sect—he must be kept alive. He needs to remain as a witness for later.’

After hesitating, Yun-seon finally made up his mind.

It was quite a big variable, but if he could help without drawing suspicion, things might still work out.

Yun-seon set down the load on his shoulder and rolled up his sleeves.

He thought he could use his lightness skill if he circled around where the wagons blocked view.

“I’ll go. You stay here.”

A heavy force pressed down on Yun-seon’s shoulder.

The internal qi was so great that with just a hand pressing down, it forced Yun-seon, who had been trying to rise, back onto the ground.

“Wouldn’t it be dangerous if I’m discovered here?”

“Isn’t it more natural if I go instead of you?”

Though smiling faintly, beads of cold sweat dotted his forehead.

He had waited five long years for this very moment.

“Let’s be sure to meet again alive.”

Winking at Yun-seon before turning away, he was none other than Bang Inbeom—the Escort Chief of Unpyeong Escort Bureau, and Water-Fire Envoy of the Taiyi Divine Sect.²

변수 (變數), Variable:

An uncertainty.