Chapter 137: The Road Goes This Way
“The order has changed?”
Hwang Eung Captain Won Seo-pung spoke in an aggressive tone.
How dare a mere inn, not even a trading company, speak like this against the Murim Alliance?
As he glared sharply, Jin Seong-un shrugged his shoulders and said,
“Just as I said. This matter is originally closely tied to Seong-un Inn.”
Bang Man-bok, who had built personal ties with the inn and supplied Bamboo-Shadow Mushrooms, had met his end.
Suspicion hung over Shui Stronghold as the mastermind.
And Jang Gwang, the inn’s waiter, still exerted influence as a key figure of Shui Stronghold.
Above all, Bang Man-bok had suspected before his death that Song Jae-mun had planted a spy inside the escort agency. It was none other than Jin Seong-un who had killed that Song Jae-mun.
Although it hadn’t been done with Red Cliff Escort Agency in mind…
“I intend to investigate this matter. The Murim Alliance has no authority to forbid me under the pretext of duty. To begin with, I am not part of the Murim Alliance, and as you said, Captain, I am not a martial artist of the Orthodox Faction either.”
“……”
Jin Seong-un took a step forward.
At that single step, the air shifted.
Because of that one step, Captain Hwang Eung felt as if he had been separated by more than a hundred paces from his two trusted subordinates.
Jin Seong-un continued calmly.
“As Innkeeper, I must protect my waiter and my regulars. Besides, if I am to look into the late Escort Leader’s affairs, I need them.”
Jin Seong-un and Hwang Eung Captain locked eyes.
Not only the bandits but also members of the Murim Alliance from the Mount Heng Sect looked on nervously.
Hwang Eung Captain Won Seo-pung was the foremost disciple of the Mount Heng Sect. Though called foremost disciple, it was already certain that he would soon succeed as Sect Leader.
That was why, even at a young age, he held the captain’s seat.
And of course, all of that was only possible because he had the strength to match.
“So, Guest Dragon, you intend to block the Alliance’s official mission to the end?”
His tone turned openly hostile.
Of course, Jin Seong-un didn’t care.
“Exactly.”
“……”
At that, Seo Yu-gyeom whispered in a quiet voice,
“He keeps asking the same thing. Must be scared.”
His voice was low enough for only Jin Seong-un to hear, but the qi infused in it made it clear he had done so intentionally.
Hwang Eung Captain’s face flushed red.
‘Arrogant bastards…’
He was a captain of the Murim Alliance.
Even if the Alliance was declining, he was still the man destined to become a leader of the Orthodox Faction.
He was not someone to be belittled by a mere innkeeper.
And yet…
He could still feel the aftershock of the exchange he had with Jin Seong-un running through his entire body.
Even if they fought, it was unlikely to become a fight to the death. But even a one-sided loss would damage his reputation beyond repair.
After staring at Jin Seong-un for a moment, Hwang Eung Captain said,
“For the sake of Young Master Seomun’s face, I will retreat for now. But know this—Guest Dragon’s blatant interference in the Alliance’s mission will soon be known to all the Orthodox Martial World.”
Seomun Ak, who had been standing idly, blinked in confusion.
“Why are you dragging me into this all of a sudden? Just settle it with Jin Seong-un yourselves.”
“……”
Hwang Eung Captain flinched.
He hadn’t expected the troublemaker Seomun Ak to respond that way.
‘Why’s that brat acting like this?’
By his well-known nature, he should have taken this chance to puff himself up and play the hero of the Orthodox Faction.
After rolling his eyes briefly, Hwang Eung Captain turned on his heel.
“Because of the reputation of Great Hero Seomun Jeok.”
He even dragged in the clan head’s name.
Before they could add more strange words, Hwang Eung Captain quickened his steps.
He hadn’t yet fully stabilized his internal injuries, so even keeping up appearances was difficult.
From behind, he faintly heard, “What reputation does my father even have again?” but he ignored it.
Soon, led by Hwang Eung Captain, the Murim Alliance members departed in a rush.
Seo Yu-gyeom muttered to himself as he watched the Alliance members’ ship recede into the distance.
“He came here with the intent to slaughter Shui Stronghold. That isn’t the Murim Alliance’s way. There’s definitely another reason.”
Whether that reason belonged to the Murim Alliance, the Mount Heng Sect, or just to Hwang Eung Captain himself—he wasn’t sure yet.
But one thing was certain: the reason had something to do with Bang Man-bok’s death.
Once the Alliance members had gone far enough to be out of sight, Jang Gwang collapsed to the ground.
Blood poured out from his chest.
“B-Brother!”
Won Hu-hyeok and the other bandits rushed over, their faces filled with deep concern.
After staunching the wound, Jang Gwang let out a long breath.
“It’s fine. The wound itself is shallow.”
If the fight had gone on without time to stop the bleeding, it would have been a problem, but Jin Seong-un’s timely arrival had saved him.
Jang Gwang bowed his head toward Jin Seong-un.
“……I owe my life to the Innkeeper twice now. I don’t know how I can ever repay you.”
“You’ve already repaid it once.”
He meant it. Many middle-aged guests had become regulars thanks to Jang Gwang’s antics and training regimen.
After glancing around, Jin Seong-un asked,
“They won’t give up. The fact that they pushed this matter so recklessly means they’re desperate.”
“……Big Brother.”
Jin Seong-un looked puzzled as he turned to Inspector Stronghold Leader Han Mu-geon. It was only natural, since it was their first time meeting and the man had suddenly called him Big Brother.
But among the stronghold leaders of Shui Stronghold, none were unaware of Jin Seong-un’s existence.
After all, Chief Escort Captain Won Hu-hyeok called him Big Brother.
Han Mu-geon continued,
“We truly didn’t do such a thing. Since the death of the previous Chief Escort Captain, we haven’t stained our blades with blood.”
Indeed, Shui Stronghold had gone through many changes.
Sometimes they even wondered if they were bandits or just laborers maintaining the waterways.
But the wealth amassed by the previous Chief Escort Captain’s greed was enough that running the stronghold posed no major problems.
Jin Seong-un nodded.
“So it seems.”
Hwang Eung Captain’s attitude alone had made it clear something was off.
As Jin Seong-un pondered, Seo Yu-gyeom approached and said,
“That Mount Heng bastard will come after this place again sooner or later. There are two choices. Want to hear them?”
“I think one will do.”
“Why?”
“Well, one of the options is killing him, isn’t it?”
Seo Yu-gyeom’s eyes widened.
“You learned mind-reading too?”
“……”
Seomun Ak shook his head beside him. Sometimes it was hard to tell whether that guy was a chef or an assassin.
Clearing his throat, Seo Yu-gyeom continued.
“Fine. I’ll tell you the second-best option.”
That the best option had been killing the Murim Alliance’s captain.
As those who didn’t know Seo Yu-gyeom gaped in disbelief, his calm explanation of the alternative followed.
“Keep the promise. You know, the one we made with the Chief Strategist.”
“Ah.”
Jin Seong-un recalled the promise he had nearly forgotten.
That he would stop by the Murim Alliance someday.
Seo Yu-gyeom grinned.
“Then we’ll find out. Whether it was really the Murim Alliance’s mission or not. Even if it was, we can still quietly rat him out. Say, that bastard’s a complete scumbag.”
Jin Seong-un nodded.
It was indeed a reasonable way.
If they did that, Captain Hwang Eung would have no choice but to stop targeting this place.
“So we’re going with this plan, then? If you change your mind, just say so anytime.”
“……”
Seo Yu-gyeom still hadn’t quite let go of the best option.
Hwang Eung Squad had gone out of their way to secure a carriage for the trip to Wuhan, since Captain Won Seo-pung was injured internally.
Inside the carriage, Won Seo-pung tended to his injuries.
No one opened their mouth.
They all knew the truth—that in essence, they were retreating in defeat before a young innkeeper.
“Sigh…”
The only sounds were groans here and there.
They were all martial artists of the Mount Heng Sect.
Having trained in a declining sect, even a minor sense of defeat weighed heavily on them.
Not that the entire Hwang Eung Squad was made up of Mount Heng Sect disciples—it was simply that Captain Won Seo-pung had intentionally selected only those men to bring along.
“Hoo.”
Letting out a long breath, Won Seo-pung opened his eyes.
The immediate danger was over, but returning to the Murim Alliance like this wasn’t an option. He had gone so far as to gather Mount Heng martial artists and come all the way here; he had to see this through.
The problem was that at that place remained Guest Dragon, the madman from the Seomun Clan, and an unknown master.
‘Should I wait in a nearby village?’
The more he thought about it, the more bitter he felt.
Had he simply crushed Inspector Stronghold without question, it would’ve been resolved by filing one line in the Alliance report:
During the investigation, an armed conflict broke out, resulting in extermination.
But the matter had become tangled.
Martial artists of notable reputation had witnessed the incident, and worse, even exchanged words with him.
Captain Won Seo-pung now stood at a crossroads.
‘Should I deal with Guest Dragon as well?’
Not by force, of course. His plan was to frame Guest Dragon as having colluded with the bandits, putting him in a bind.
Or perhaps dismiss the bandits’ claim—that he had intended outright massacre—as nothing but lies.
‘It may draw some attention…’
But between the word of ragged bandits and that of a Murim Alliance captain, it was obvious whose testimony would be trusted.
While Captain Won Seo-pung was lost in such thoughts, a subordinate’s voice came from outside.
“S-senior Brother. Just a moment…”
“I told you to call me Captain during missions.”
Won Seo-pung’s cold tone cut off the Mount Heng disciple.
“Cough, apologies. Captain, you should come see this.”
Won Seo-pung sighed.
Now what?
He opened the carriage door with an irritated expression, only for his eyes to widen at the absurd sight before him.
Guest Dragon’s group was walking side by side with the Hwang Eung Squad just a few steps away. They were even casually eating rice balls among themselves.
Was his internal injury making him hallucinate?
Won Seo-pung rubbed his eyes.
But the scene remained the same.
He asked in disbelief,
“……What are you doing?”
“Ah, the road goes this way.”
Jin Seong-un answered as if it were nothing.
Frowning, Won Seo-pung glared at him.
“Are you trying to pick a fight with the Hwang Eung Squad right now?”
“Who picks fights while eating rice balls?”
“……”
Won Seo-pung shut his mouth.
For some reason, Jin Seong-un gave him a brief nod before turning his gaze forward again.
And so began their uncomfortable companionship.
Won Seo-pung grew so furious he thought he might fall into qi deviation, but there was nothing he could do.
He couldn’t beat them down, for they were too strong. Nor could he press them under the Murim Alliance’s name, as he lacked the justification.
They acted exactly as if they were simply traveling the same road, chatting amongst themselves without the slightest concern for him.
Even when he ordered his men to quicken the pace, they remained right beside them.
Even when they slowed down, it was the same.
“……”
It was troublesome.
He had been planning to seize the chance to strike Inspector Stronghold again, but at this rate, the plan would collapse completely.
Finally, unable to hold back, Won Seo-pung emerged from the carriage and said,
“What is your destination, that you dog our steps like this? Speak clearly.”
“The Murim Alliance.”
Won Seo-pung’s brows twitched violently.
“And why there?”
“I received an invitation once.”
“These days, the Murim Alliance bars outsiders from entry. I can’t explain the details, but regardless of who invited you, you won’t be able to enter.”
“Is that so.”
Jin Seong-un nodded nonchalantly and kept walking.
His attitude made it clear he wasn’t even listening with half an ear.
Won Seo-pung snorted roughly before speaking.
“Are you mocking my words?”
“That’s not it. Your carriage is too high, so I didn’t hear well. But is it normal for only the captain to ride a carriage when the Murim Alliance returns from a mission?”
“……”
Won Seo-pung shut his mouth.
His pride wouldn’t allow him to admit it was because of the internal injuries he had suffered during their exchange.
After all, on the surface, it had been a single, evenly matched clash that ended in a draw.
Creak. Thud.
Won Seo-pung returned to his carriage.
He had no choice. They would go to the Murim Alliance, then wait for an opportunity to leave again.
Regardless of who had invited that man, it was true that outsiders were currently forbidden from entering the Murim Alliance.
It was because suspicious movements of demonic practitioners had recently been discovered in Qinghai.
Perhaps Seomun Ak might be admitted, but the other two could not. Even the Myeongsuk of the Beggars’ Union, who were on friendly terms with Guest Dragon, generally remained in their own clans or sects, and so could not smooth the way for them.
“I said it clearly. This is a waste of time. Tsk.”
Of course, Won Seo-pung had no idea. That it had been Jin Seong-un who had slaughtered the demonic practitioners in Qinghai one after another.
About three days later.
The Hwang Eung Squad and Jin Seong-un’s group arrived at Wuhan.
.
.
.
Wuhan, the most developed city of Hubei Province—at its very heart stood the main branch of the Murim Alliance.
As if to prove its fame as the Great Alliance of the Orthodox Faction, it boasted tremendous scale and grandeur.
Its walls looked as tall and unyielding as if they divided the world itself, and the great iron gates appeared strong enough to stop thousands of soldiers.
Most of all, the eyes of the Alliance members guarding the gate shone as sharp and fierce as blades.
The gatekeepers recognized Captain Won Seo-pung and bowed.
“Captain, are those people with you?”
They pointed toward Jin Seong-un’s group. Seomun Ak looked around with nostalgia at visiting the Murim Alliance after so long, while Seo Yu-gyeom scrutinized every detail as if determined not to miss a single thing.
Jin Seong-un just stood there, blankly watching the gatekeepers.
Captain Won Seo-pung let out a short laugh.
“No, they are not. Ah, but that one is the second son of the Seomun Clan.”
The gatekeeper scratched his head awkwardly.
At a time when the movements of the Demonic Cult were suspicious, even the Seomun Clan’s second son couldn’t be admitted without a permit.
Of course, the chance that the Seomun Clan’s second son had ties with the Demonic Cult was nonexistent. But rules were rules. If they bent them for one or two reasons, the entire order would collapse.
“In any case. Open the gates.”
“Yes, Captain.”
The great iron gates of the Murim Alliance slowly opened with a heavy rumble.
While waiting for the gate to open, Captain Won Seo-pung glanced at Jin Seong-un’s group, a subtle sense of triumph flickering on his face.
Soon after, the gatekeeper approached Seomun Ak and asked,
“Young Master Seomun, may I ask the reason for your visit? If you had a letter bearing your clan head’s seal, then entry might be possible…”
“I don’t have that.”
“……”
“Ask him instead.”
Seomun Ak pointed at Jin Seong-un.
The gatekeeper turned with a baffled expression and asked Jin Seong-un,
“May I ask who you are and where you’ve come from…?”
“I’m Jin Seong-un from Yichang.”
“Ah, Jin Seong-un, Jin Seong-un…”
The gatekeeper’s eyes suddenly widened.
Standing at the gates all day tended to get boring. Naturally, one became interested in all manner of worldly news.
It was only natural for him to immediately connect Jin Seong-un’s name with the alias Guest Dragon.
“Guest Dragon! It is truly an honor to meet you. I’ve always hoped to see you in person one day…”
But the gatekeeper’s brightened expression soon turned awkward again.
For no matter how glad he was, he still had to enforce the ban.
Unlike Seomun Ak, who at least left room for consideration, Guest Dragon was, strictly speaking, an outsider.
“I cannot go into details, but at present, there are certain circumstances within the Murim Alliance…”
“Ah, I was invited.”
“Ahem, under normal circumstances that would not be a problem, but as I said, at this time it cannot be helped. Even with an invitation from a high-ranking official, entry is not possible without a permit.”
By then the gates had fully opened, and Captain Won Seo-pung entered with a smirk.
“Tsk, didn’t I say so?”
The Mount Heng martial artists of the Hwang Eung Squad followed their captain with victorious smiles.
But then Jin Seong-un’s calm words stopped them in their tracks.
“I was invited by Chief Strategist Sima Baek. Is it still impossible?”
“…What?”
The gatekeeper’s voice instantly grew polite.
Captain Won Seo-pung snapped his head around to glare at Jin Seong-un.
Sima Baek—who was he?
He was the undisputed second-in-command of the Murim Alliance.
The man with the greatest influence in the Orthodox Martial World of the time.
Some even claimed that his influence surpassed that of the Alliance Leader himself.
For the Alliance Leader was a warrior, but Sima Baek was a strategist. The larger an organization grew, the more decisive the strategist’s influence became over that of a martial artist.
“If it still isn’t possible, then I will leave.”
Jin Seong-un spoke calmly.
And from far inside the Murim Alliance, an elderly man hurrying along suddenly turned his gaze toward the front gate.
His eyesight must have been sharp, for the moment he spotted them, his eyes grew as wide as lanterns, and he rushed barefoot toward the gate.
Seeing this, Captain Won Seo-pung was so startled he quickly stepped down from his carriage and bowed.
“I greet the Chief Strategist.”
“Ah, Captain Hwang Eung. Have you returned from your mission? Well done. Rest well now.”
Sima Baek patted his shoulder briskly, then headed straight toward Jin Seong-un.
Given Sima Baek’s usual nature—treating even the lowliest cleaner with respect—this made it abundantly clear that someone like Captain Won Seo-pung wasn’t even on his mind at the moment.
Then, with a rare broad smile, Sima Baek firmly clasped Jin Seong-un’s hands.
“Hahaha, truth be told, I thought you had forgotten our promise, and I was somewhat disappointed. But I see now it was only my misunderstanding. Seeing you here washes away that brief disappointment completely.”
The gatekeepers, the martial artists nearby, even Captain Won Seo-pung—all stood dumbfounded, blinking in disbelief.
Had the Chief Strategist ever treated anyone like this? Though he was always kind and considerate to everyone, he had never shown such personal warmth to anyone.
The reason Sima Baek welcomed Jin Seong-un so warmly was simple.
‘He mentioned having trouble with Myriad Gold Manor recently. This is the perfect opportunity.’
Myriad Gold Manor was no easy power to deal with. Even Jin Seong-un must have felt considerable pressure.
So at this very moment, Sima Baek intended to support him openly, while subtly drawing him in under the banner of the Murim Alliance.
Though sly intent hid beneath, Sima Baek’s expression shone with unclouded joy as he looked at Jin Seong-un.
“Come, let us go inside.”
Naturally, no entry permit was needed. After all, Sima Baek was the very man who issued them.
And so, Sima Baek and Jin Seong-un’s group entered the Murim Alliance.
Watching their retreating backs, Captain Won Seo-pung felt cold sweat trickling down his spine.