Day And Night (3)

Returning to his quarters, Jin-hyeon suddenly felt something strange.

‘This is?’

The room he shared with Han Cheol-sang and the room Seol So-ha and Im Yeo-wol used were side by side. They were at the very end, so people rarely passed by.

Seureuk!

The men’s room door opened. Unlike usual, the sound was extremely small and soft.

“You are back.”

“Brother Han, is that you?”

Though abrupt, Han Cheol-sang nodded and answered.

“I set it up just in case. It is a simplified version, not as good as at the shop, but it can fool the eyes of most masters.”

A spell array was laid around the rooms the four used.

Even if simplified, setting it in so short a time meant Han Cheol-sang’s knowledge on formations was formidable. It was a skill neither Jin-hyeon nor the Eight Wastes Alliance Leader possessed.

“Impressive. To lay a spell array like this in little time is not possible with ordinary skill.”

“It is not as hard as you think. I do not know much.”

“And the room cleaning?”

“I told the inn boy. To not to come by the rooms until the festival ends.”

“Good.”

“By the way, how are you doing?”

“I am fine.”

“I did not say it so Lady Seol would not worry, but if we speak only of injuries, Patriarch, yours are worse.”

Aside from a few shallow sword cuts and exhaustion from excessive internal energy use, Seol So-ha’s injuries were not serious.

Jin-hyeon, by contrast, had considerable internal injuries. He could move about thanks to his deep cultivation, but he needed treatment.

Jin-hyeon waved it off.

“At this level I will be fine in a day.”

“Is that lie the truth?”

“Why would I lie to you, Brother Han.”

“Hmm. Now that I look, the bruise on your cheek has already vanished.”

The Heavenly Wolf True Art aims at the path of ultimate dominance, so with its Qi it is hard to set others’ internal injuries right. Its extreme energy can even worsen their state.

But for the user its sovereign nature works in reverse, constantly drawing the primordial essence that is life itself and maximizing human native recovery.

Moreover, because the body supported by the Yin of the Soul-Refining Art holds Extreme Yang, through the rise of Yin and Yang his internal energy and stamina recover extremely fast and most internal and external wounds are healed in an instant.

The fearsome recovery of the Heavenly Wolf True Art can be understood by looking at the Eight Wastes Alliance Leader’s life.

Battles continued day after day, and at night assassins of unknown origin came ceaselessly, making even proper sleep hard. In such conditions one needed the body to recover as fast as possible to keep fighting the next day.

A divine art that serves none but oneself. The Heavenly Wolf True Art is a martial art steeped in the Eight Wastes Alliance Leader’s life and values.

“And how about Lady Seol? Did you call a physician?”

“Yes. There are signs of internal injury but they are very light and cultivation alone should suffice.”

“That is good.”

At that moment.

The door opened and Seol So-ha and Im Yeo-wol came out.

“Teacher.”

“Why are you out instead of resting?”

“Still…”

“Well, since you are awake, shall we talk inside?”

Thus the four gathered in the women’s room.

“It seems the Heavenly Will Alliance’s Shaanxi branch shook down the Oh Family Merchant House. That is why the Lee brothers popped out.”

Seol So-ha’s gaze turned even colder.

“The Oh Family Merchant House.”

“From what I hear, even the Oh Family Merchant House looks poorly on Oh Jeong-hae. The Patriarch values her as his daughter, but the leadership have pressured to cut her out. It seems they roughly agreed to send the Lee brothers away.”

Han Cheol-sang shook his head.

“Quite a harsh measure.”

“Merchants can be more ruthless than the Unorthodox at times.”

“Merchants aside, I mean Oh Jeong-hae. She simply let that happen?”

“I do not know the details, since I did not see it. But a mother who ignored even her youngest and ran to save only herself is not likely to stake her life to protect her other children.”

His tone was indifferent, but Han Cheol-sang felt subtle disgust in Jin-hyeon’s voice.

Family is family regardless of circumstances. They were even children borne of her own belly. To cast them aside without hesitation out of fear for one’s own ruin was impossible to view kindly.

“In that case…”

Seol So-ha asked cautiously.

“Should we not send the Lee brothers to the Investigation and Defense Court?”

That was the proper step.

If what the Lee brothers did became known, the Oh Family Merchant House would be disgraced for failing to control members of their clan.. In fact, unlike Oh Jeong-hae, the brothers were wanted by the Heavenly Will Alliance, so the Oh Family Merchant House that hid them even briefly would be struck down.

Furthermore there would be a thorough probe into whether they tried to build another power in Sichuan using the brothers.

At that point the Oh Family Merchant House would be finished. Rumors would spread and the trust most vital to merchants would fall. Even if they did not collapse, they would not lift their heads for more than ten years.

Jin-hyeon propped his chin and asked.

“Lady Seol, do you trust me?”

“Of course. Not only I, anyone of the Seol clan would trust you, Teacher.”

The words came out without a hair’s hesitation.

Jin-hyeon nodded.

“This time I intend to be a bit greedy.”

“Pardon?”

“I will not report those two to the Investigation and Defense Court.”

“?!”

“Starting with those two, I plan to swallow the Oh Family Merchant House.”

It was a frank and bold answer.

In Jin-hyeon’s view, Seol So-ha had a somewhat straight-laced side. Seol Hong-baek did as well, but years of guarding the clan against the world’s winds had left him more flexible than expected.

So she could be taken aback at his words that he would not handle the matter by the book.

Of course, even if she reacted negatively, he would not give up the Oh Family Merchant House. But having passed the line of death, as one involved she had the right to know his aim.

‘If by some chance she tries to report the brothers herself, then there’s nothing I can do about it.’

Then he would find another way.

Just as Jin-hyeon was about to think quickly.

“I understand.”

Jin-hyeon felt deflated at how easily Seol So-ha’s answer came.

“Is that so? Are you alright with that?”

“There is nothing to be all right or not. If the Teacher wishes it so, how could I stop it or refuse?”

What the, this kid?

‘This is too blind?’

In any case, if she would keep silent that was enough. Jin-hyeon nodded.

“I will accept Lady Seol’s favor gratefully.”

“I am only ashamed. I forgot all the anger I had at them through this fight. Moreover I learned greatly as a warrior, so I am satisfied with that.”

“Is that so?”

“It is.”

There was no ‘I trust you but hope you do not act against what’s right.’

Seol So-ha clearly treated Jin-hyeon as her superior, seeing him as a benefactor outstanding in martial arts, experience and discernment. Such words were unnecessary.

Jin-hyeon nodded and rose.

“Good. Then forget this matter and tend to your body first.”

“Yes. And Teacher.”

“Mm?”

Seol So-ha bowed her head.

“Thank you.”

“Have I ever helped you without knowing it, Lady Seol?”

“I simply wanted to thank you.”

“Plain as always.”

Smiling faintly, Jin-hyeon spoke to Im Yeo-wol.

“Yeo-wol, rest at ease. You worked hard.”

“Yes.”

“We will do proper lessons when we return.”

“…Lessons?”

“With your current level you cannot aid me. I told you before, did I not.”

“Ah…”

“What ‘ah’. For now, tend your tired body and mind. Rest.”

“Yes.”

Thus Jin-hyeon and Han Cheol-sang returned to the men’s room.

“You worked hard too, Brother Han. Let us sleep well.”

“Patriarch.”

“Mm?”

“You have not told Lady Seol yet. That you will establish a clan.”

Jin-hyeon tilted his head.

“I thought you told the Patriarch and that she knew.”

“It seems we should tell her separately later.”

“What is there to tell or not tell.”

At times like this he was strangely indifferent.

Han Cheol-sang, lying down after extinguishing the oil lamp, spoke as if remembering.

“By the way, what did you do with the Lee brothers?”

“I left them with reliable people.”

Jin-hyeon’s eyes, glinting in the dark, slowly closed.

“There are ghouls besides me who have things to squeeze out of them.”

Jin-hyeon’s words were true.

By the next day he was neat and fine. External wounds aside, signs of internal injury were barely visible.

Seeing that fearsome recovery, Han Cheol-sang thought that the jiangshi¹ of legends might truly exist.

‘Even a decent expert would have to lie flat for two full days to barely function as a person.’

Jin-hyeon had already emptied three bowls of noodles and was trying a fourth. One cannot show such appetite with an injured body.

Im Yeo-wol, on the other hand, set down her chopsticks without finishing even one bowl.

“Does it not suit your taste?”

“No. I am simply not very hungry.”

Chewing noodles, Jin-hyeon spoke.

“You need not force it, but you should normally eat well. You need to eat to have strength.”

“Yes.”

“Later Brother Han should treat us to his cooking. His skill is no ordinary thing.”

Han Cheol-sang gave a small laugh.

“You have only eaten my dumplings.”

“A famed swordsman is extraordinary even when swinging a birch.”

“It’s been on my mind for a while. Patriarch, you praise in strange ways.”

Jin-hyeon glanced out the window.

“Is it about time to end?”

Then, as if on cue, Seol So-ha opened the tavern door and entered.

A brief hush fell over the bustling tavern.

“Oh, it’s Seol So-ha.”

“Wow, such incredible beauty.”

“They say her skill is as outstanding as her looks. Rumor has it she is a favorite to win this tournament.”

They whispered, but it reached the ears of experts.

Seol So-ha walked unshaken to the group.

“You won, right.”

“Yes.”

“And your body?”

“I am fine.”

“The places cut by the blade will sting. Focus on circulating until the next match.”

“I will keep it in mind.”

“So when is the next match?”

Seol So-ha answered with a slightly awkward face.

“Tomorrow.”

“Tomorrow. Were there not quite a lot of participants?”

“Did I not tell you that they reshuffle the bracket at the end of each round?”

“You did.”

“This time I was lucky and will advance by default. The opponent was badly injured.”

“Your luck is very good.”

“The preliminaries should end with tomorrow’s matches. The main rounds start the day after.”

Jin-hyeon nodded.

“You will do well, Lady Seol. Just have enough faith in yourself.”

“Yes!”

“Eat. I will take what Yeo-wol left.”

As the group spent a quiet time.

Seureuk.

Someone approached them.

Han Cheol-sang asked calmly.

“Who are you?”

A man in his mid-thirties performed a crisp cupped-fist salute.

“I am Baek San, who attends the Second Young Master of the Cheongyang Association.”

At that moment Seol So-ha’s eyes flashed.

‘Three-Sword Beheader?’

If it was Baek San of the Cheongyang Association, there was only one swordsman with the title Three-Sword Beheader.

He stepped into the world at barely twenty and cut down many villains. He was said never to take more than three strokes to take a villain’s head. Hence the title.

His skill was so outstanding that many sects coveted him, yet in the end it was the Cheongyang Association that took him.

The Cheongyang Association.

One of the Sichuan Eight Martial Houses and immovably first in the Eight.

‘As expected.’

Her face stiffened slightly.

She sensed a subtle killing edge that she would have passed by unawares without real battle.

He was not revealing it on purpose. The edge he gave off was the natural aura only a master who had fought many blood battles could show.

‘So he is no ordinary expert.’

Han Cheol-sang glanced at Jin-hyeon.

Jin-hyeon pointed with his chin at Seol So-ha.

Then Seol So-ha rose and saluted Baek San.

“I am Seol So-ha of the Seol clan. I have heard much of Great Hero Baek San’s fame.”

“You flatter me. It is my honor to behold the Seol clan’s eldest daughter who has brought a storm to this Radiant Sword Festival.”

In restrained movements his courtesy was neither excessive nor lacking.

“And what brings the Cheongyang Association?”

“Our Second Young Master wishes to hold a modest gathering with the young ladies of the Eight Houses who are participating in the Radiant Sword Festival, so we have rented a manor for this evening. Of course your companions may also attend. If you are not busy, would you grace the meeting with your presence?”

“Ah…”

She was about to refuse, thinking it would be needlessly troublesome, when she glanced at Jin-hyeon.

Jin-hyeon silently nodded.

“…Understood. Then we will attend with our party.”

“Thank you sincerely for accepting the invitation. I will come to escort you at the beginning of the hour of the rooster.”

With that, Baek San departed.

Han Cheol-sang shrugged.

“Are we going too?”

“They said companions are welcome. We cannot miss free wine.”

“So the Cheongyang Association’s Second Young Master also entered. I had no idea.”

“Right. If the Association Leader’s son joined, one would expect a stir.”

Jin-hyeon asked Seol So-ha,

“Lady Seol, is this troublesome for you?”

“…To be honest, yes.”

“Of course. Gatherings for fellowship leave a bitter taste.”

“But I think this as well can be study.”

“If you think so, I am grateful.”

“Do you perhaps have business with them?”

“Maybe, maybe not. In any case I will owe you once more this time.”

Jin-hyeon patted his belly and leaned back in his chair.

‘The Cheongyang Association…’