#42: Wolf’s Den (2) — The Patriarch of Sichuan

Ttak!

The sound of wooden sword against wooden sword was crisp.

They met with similar force and speed. Yet one was fine, and one staggered back.

The one who retreated was Seol So-ha.

Jin-hyeon shook his head.

“Again.”

Paaak!

The footwork that kicked off the ground was excellent.

It was Half-Moon Steps, to be learned before Moon-Shadow Divine Steps. Though a basic footwork technique, the martial art itself was exceptional. Seol So-ha’s movements were remarkably swift.

Jin-hyeon swung again.

Ttadak!

They clashed twice in a row.

Seol So-ha staggered again.

She didn’t groan, but her breath was already rough. Sweat beaded on her brow.

“Let’s stop here.”

About to rush in again, Seol So-ha panted and bowed her head.

“Thank you.”

“Use the time for thanks to stabilize your inner qi. We start again after a quarter of an hour.”

“Yes.”

Sitting cross-legged on the spot, Seol So-ha quickly regulated her breath.

“Listen while you settle. The flaw of the Tianshan Arts lies in how tightly its internal and external techniques are bound together. That interdependence is far stronger than in most other martial arts of the Central Plains.”

Seol So-ha’s brow twitched.

He had said he would tailor the Divine Art to fit her body, so it was puzzling when they started right off with sword sparring.

She moved without asking, though she had been quietly curious — and now, at last, he was giving her an explanation.

“Conversely, smooth the True Qi flow per the external art’s mnemonic, and attainment in the internal art rises naturally. Train internal and external together, and both will climb steeply.”

For that very reason, the Eight Wastes Alliance Leader took the Body-Refining Art’s cultivation method from the Tianshan Arts.

As Body-Refining and Soul-Refining boost each other, the Tianshan internal and external arts are tightly linked. Training both at once advances far faster than focusing on one.

“Here is the problem. Your external art is the Moonlit Snow Shadow Sword. In early training, fail to allocate internal energy exactly per its mnemonic and even the internal art twists. So, under strict guidance of one versed in Tianshan, drill the two arts together. That’s the fastest way to graft the Tianshan Art into your body.”

Seol So-ha nodded without knowing.

“The Patriarch’s rapid progress comes from already having achieved mastery in the sword. Even if he trains while separating the Divine Art from swordsmanship, his insight naturally maintains balance. But Lady Seol, you are not the same.”

Jin-hyeon swung the wooden sword.

“Until you can drive my wooden sword back, you must distribute your internal energy exactly through the Snow Shadow Sword’s basic forms. Once that becomes habitual, you’ll then take up the Ten-Thousand-Year Only-White Art”

“I’ll keep it in mind.”

“Don’t answer, and regulate your breathing.”

“…Yes.”

Not a harsh master, but a master clear on public and private matters.

Looking down at Seol So-ha, Jin-hyeon thought.

‘Quite good.’

He hasn’t seen her grasp the inner cultivation method, but her internal energy control was very delicate.

Though the power of her sword forms fell short compared to her internal energy, their speed and sharpness were beyond expectation. Moreover, with every clash, she immediately recognized her mistakes and corrected them on the spot. It was no easy task to encounter a talent of this caliber.

Moreover, starting right with wooden-sword sparring, she moves first without asking. As a warrior, her disposition matches her senses.

‘The Patriarch taught her well.’

Sense is inborn, but character and attitude are learned.

He pictured a young girl sweating under Seol Hong-baek’s stern teaching.

“The quarter of an hour is up. Stand.”

She hadn’t fully settled her internal energy, but she rose without a word.

Jin-hyeon tipped the wooden sword.

“If you force me back today, I’ll buy dumplings. Two trays at that.”

Ttaaak!

Rushing again, Seol So-ha was driven back again.

“Focus more! Free food awaits!”

Ttadak!

“What? Why are you scattered? You’re worse than before the break!”

Ttadadak!

“Good, that’s it! Come in again!”

She kept charging, and kept getting pushed back.

Now, Jin-hyeon outstripped her in quality and quantity of internal energy. Especially in terms of quality, the gap was too large to compare. He had stacked the purest energy through the Eight Wastes Alliance Leader’s insight and experience.

That energy leapt as his attainment in the Body-Refining Art rose. When it comes to only internal-power, Seol So-ha was no match.

But Jin-hyeon only defended. There was no reason for Seol-ha to be pushed this far.

He used internal energy freely, while she used only what to load into the sword forms. That was the difference.

Ttak!

For the first time, Seol So-ha fell back only one step.

A small joy rose on her expressionless face.

As she readied once more—

“Let’s stop here.”

Panting, Seol So-ha spoke.

“I think I’ve finally found the path.”

It meant she didn’t need to stop now.

“I know. That’s why I stopped.”

“Don’t worry about the dumplings.”

“…So you take me for a miser.”

Jin-hyeon grumbled.

“It’s not about skimping on dumplings. The internal-energy distribution Lady Seol is thinking is right. There’s no need to continue.”

“But…”

“Are you mad about getting bounced and planning to blast me into the wall?”

“That’s not it.”

“Your eyes are flashing with killing intent—as if that’s not it”

Jin-hyeon took out a clean cloth.

“Give me your hand.”

“Eh?”

“The hand holding the sword.”

She looked down at her hand. At some point, it got soaked in blood.

Jin-hyeon wrapped it with the cloth.

“In this torn state, drive with precise internal-energy allotment and the shock goes to the bone. Then you won’t be able to grip a sword for half a month.”

“Ah…”

“Your focus is good, at least. You didn’t even know you were leaking blood.”

“I thought it was sweat.”

“Who sweats like a flood.”

Tightening to proper pressure, Jin-hyeon jerked his chin toward White-Physician Hall.

“Go get proper treatment. If you stubbornly rely on your internal energy, you could make it worse.”

Seol So-ha hesitated.

Jin-hyeon tilted his head.

“Why? You have something to say?”

“…The dumplings, there’s really no need.”

“Enough. I’ll buy three trays. No—ten. Didn’t take you for someone who underestimates me.”

“That’s not it.”

“Enough—go get treated first. I’ll bring them this evening, so empty your stomach clean, alright?”

“…Yes.”

She couldn’t bring herself to say she was sick of dumplings.

But hesitation was brief. Her heart pounded at the fact that she finished in a day what should take days.

‘From tomorrow, finally—’

She can train the Ten-Thousand-Year Only-White Art.

She was a warrior. The fact that she was learning the advanced Divine Art that was said to rival the Nine Great Sects thrilled her.

Watching her stride off, Jin-hyeon snorted a laugh.

“I’ll have to buy them often.”

Picking up the dropped wooden sword, Jin-hyeon looked at the grip.

A blood-soaked grip. For a wooden sword, it was unusually solid—yet it still retained the supple resilience of wood.

Staring at it, Jin-hyeon suddenly clenched with force.

Jjeok!

The grip split along the grain.

Jin-hyeon gave a wry smile.

“A lacking fellow like me thinking I can teach someone.”

When the Ten-Fingers Soul-Slaughter Art advances high enough, it can pass rock-smashing force straight into a weapon.

Right now, any sword gripped will lose its handle. Only when gripping with stronger, tougher force and the grip remains whole can the Ten-Fingers Soul-Slaughter Art be considered usable.

For now, bare hands are better.

“I should limber up too.”

Then, a Seol Clan warrior came running from afar.

“I greet you, Teacher Jin.”

It seems living under the surname Jin will be simpler from now.

“What is it?”

“A letter arrived for you.”

Taking it, opening and reading, Jin-hyeon asked,

“Where is the one who delivered this?”

“Waiting outside the main gate. Shall I bring him in?”

“I’m a guest too, you shouldn’t let just anyone in. I’ll go.”

Entering the shabby inn where they first met, Seo-mun Hoe and Dam Jun were there.

“Welcome.”

Grumbling, Jin-hyeon sat.

“Didn’t I say to meet in a proper place? Why insist on here?”

“It’ll be demolished soon, so please don’t pay it too much mind.”

“Alright. What brings a busy man to call me again?”

“Since there’s plenty to discuss about business—we should meet often.”

“Says the man who said it was dangerous and hardly explained anything— and now you’re talking nonsense?”

Seomun Hoe took out a document and handed it over.

“What’s this?”

“A statement of funds entering your side. Where and how we liquidated, the converted amounts, and itemized three tenths calculated.”

Jin-hyeon scanned it in silence.

After a moment.

“Neatly organized.”

At the flat reaction, Seomun Hoe’s eyes flashed.

‘As expected, still.’

The amount written surpassed imagination.

Excluding complex external ventures, as pure operating funds it was a sum for which a fairly famed sect could last near twenty years.

Even with such a fortune in hand, he showed no sign of excitement. If anything, his reaction was indifferent.

‘Where did such a person pop out from?’

Even Dam Jun behind him gulped at the paper. That large a sum.

“So, how much should I invest?”

“At least five tenths.”

“Take nine tenths.”

Dam Jun flinched.

Seo Mun-hoe unconsciously cleared his throat. He felt that if he didn’t steady his voice, it would come out hoarse.

“Truly?”

Jin-hyeon’s eyes widened.

“Didn’t you want investment? You proposed it because you’re confident despite risk, no?”

“Of course.”

“Then why act flustered now?”

“I didn’t expect such a forthright investment.”

“We decided while chewing dumplings in good fellowship. What’s with the fuss.”

“Those dumplings were truly good.”

“Right?”

Seo-mun Hoe wet his throat with tea.

“We sincerely thank you for the trust and investment you’ve given us. I can’t speak for other matters, but when it comes to convenience and support, we’ll provide full assistance — so please don’t hesitate to ask whenever you need anything.”

“I will.”

“Although these are not words to give such a bold investor, but—”

“What?”

“I heard the Loyalty and Righteousness Academy’s Head Instructor has left.”

Jin-hyeon clicked his tongue.

“I was vexed myself. I meant to introduce you to him, but he left saying he was busy. There’s no helping it.”

“So I looked into why the Head Instructor left so suddenly.”

“Mm?”

At his gesture, Dam Jun drew two rolled sheets from the belt at his waist.

Jin-hyeon’s eyes deepened as he read.

“The Sichuan Branch corruption probe has ended. Six more who took bribes from Mighty Tiger were caught, most third-rank high officials.”

“Thirteen including Gwan Hong… they cut the tail. What’s important is who did the cutting matters.”

Jin-hyeon checked the name of the senior official transferred to the Gansu Branch.

“Han Gyeong-guk.”

“Correct. And when Deputy Branch Chief Han Gyeong-guk left, some say they saw someone who looked like Head Instructor Seo.”

“…”

“What do you think?”

“Don’t know.”

Although he said so, Jin-hyeon sensed that Seo Jong-dam’s early return was because of himself and the Seol Clan.

‘Could he have set aside pride and struck some deal.’

He couldn’t be sure. That is something that time would tell.

Jin-hyeon’s change to stay at the Seol estate was because if the Main Office Martial Examiner didn’t pull the root, the leftover corrupt would target him and the Seol Clan.

But if Seo Jong-dam traded using the original copy of the registry, the Seol Clan would be safe—even if he wasn’t.

‘Let’s watch over time.’

Jin-hyeon closed the papers.

“This side’s settled. What matters is a stout rope for you to grab; that, somehow…”

“It’s fine.”

“Mm? Fine?”

“Once ready, just arrange greetings to the Patriarch. We’ll handle the rest later.”

“I’m grateful if you say so, but the feeling like that I owe you—sits ill with me.”

“You investing nine tenths of your wealth alone lets us breathe.”

Jin-hyeon snorted.

“Then I won’t bother being sorry.”

“As you should.”