Chapter 183: Not White Path?
After letting out a hearty laugh, Hwamyeong sprang up from his seat as if propelled by a spring.
The very first thing he did was to disperse the gathered villagers.
“Ha ha ha, since we must now discuss serious matters of the Murim Alliance, I would be grateful if everyone could return to their places.”
Hwamyeong made a splendid clasped-hands salute toward the common folk. Though his headband was half undone and dangling loosely, and his martial uniform—dirt-stained and ragged from rolling on the ground—looked in poor shape.
Having apologized and sent the people away, Hwamyeong turned straight around and fixed his eyes on Jin Seong-un.
Jin Seong-un thought that gaze was rather burdensome. It felt… like a child staring at sweets laid out before them.
“Guest Dragon, young master. I truly learned much thanks to you. As I promised, once my mission is complete, I shall send ten bottles of plum wine to the Seong-un Inn. But… may I ask you one thing?”
“Speak.”
“I heard that Young Master Seomun is working at your inn for a while. After he finishes at the inn, does he also train? Perhaps you even spar together?”
Jin Seong-un nodded. At that, Hwamyeong’s eyes sparkled even brighter.
“Oh-ho, so that was it…”
Hwamyeong’s gaze shifted toward Seomun Ak.
The once-degenerate young master of the Seomun Clan had turned into a completely different man.
‘The last time I saw him was at the Murim Alliance, wasn’t it?’
That would have been roughly half a year ago.
Back then, Seomun Ak had been a thorn in the side of the righteous White Path murim, a troublemaker who constantly shortened the Seomun Clan Head’s lifespan with his antics.
There was even a saying: if one opened a tavern across from the Seomun Clan’s manor, one would never starve, thanks to the chaos Seomun Ak stirred up.
His martial skills had been nothing worth mentioning. Compared to the prodigies known as the Five Dragons and Three Phoenixes, he had not even been in the same league, and among the younger generation of other clans or sects, he had never stood out much either.
“Truly an amazing accomplishment, Young Master Seomun.”
In truth, his admiration ran deeper than his words showed. It was not only Seomun Ak’s martial skills—his gaze, bearing, and attitude had all changed into those of an entirely different person.
Yet he refrained from saying more. For someone of the same generation to heap such praise, as though addressing a junior, could be taken as arrogance.
Hwamyeong’s gaze returned to Jin Seong-un. His curiosity was overflowing.
“Would it be alright if I often stopped by the inn?”
“Of course. Our Seong-un Inn is not the sort of place to chase customers away.”
Pleased with the answer, Hwamyeong smiled brightly and was about to speak again—
When suddenly, noise rose outside the manor, and a martial artist hurried inside.
On his martial uniform, the character Hwa (華) was embroidered in scarlet silk thread.
“Captain, we’ve found them!”
It was a martial artist of the Murim Alliance’s Wind Flower Squad, which Hwamyeong commanded. Spotting Hyeon-un, he started in surprise and immediately bowed.
“I-I pay respects to Elder White Cloud Sword!”
“Think nothing of me. Do your duty.”
The martial artist glanced in bewilderment at those within the manor, then, when Hwamyeong nodded, resumed his report.
“In Jo-yang County, northern Hubei Province, bandits attacked a village and abducted the children. They are still moving northward, and their numbers are…”
The report was clear and detailed.
For once, Hwamyeong’s expression grew grim.
The bandits’ numbers and martial skills were not to be underestimated. They could even be considered a minor unorthodox sect.
The Wind Flower Squad was one of the Murim Alliance’s smaller military groups, so this mission felt daunting.
“This is serious. If we report to the Alliance and request reinforcements, it would take considerable time. And given those mounted rogues’ speed, they might vanish before help arrives…”
As he spoke, Hwamyeong slowly turned his head until his gaze settled firmly on Jin Seong-un.
Jin Seong-un calmly met his eyes with his usual steady look.
Seo Yu-gyeom, standing nearby, said,
“You’re not thinking of dragging us into a Murim Alliance mission, are you?”
“Not so much an Alliance mission… more of a righteous act to rescue innocent children.”
“We are not chivalrous heroes.”
Seo Yu-gyeom’s response carried annoyance.
Of course, the children’s plight was pitiful. But across the Central Plains, worse tragedies occurred at every moment.
Just because one practiced martial arts did not mean one bore responsibility for them all.
Especially for Seo Yu-gyeom, who had not learned martial arts in the righteous White Path, but in an assassin organization. Heroic spirit was not something he possessed in abundance.
Hwamyeong scratched his head and said,
“Then let’s make a deal. You are not beholden to the jianghu, so no one could fault you for being calculating.”
“……”
“All I can offer is wine. If you help with this matter, I’ll deliver one hundred bottles of plum wine to your inn before the year ends. Or… perhaps that’s too much? Let’s say eighty bottles.”
Seo Yu-gyeom only shrugged. With conditions laid, the choice was Jin Seong-un’s.
Jin Seong-un pondered briefly.
How could he not wish to help the children? Yet there were concerns.
“If we simply leave, Elder must take all those children to the Wudang Sect alone. That would hardly be easy.”
“If Elder is agreeable, I shall assign three or four Wind Flower Squad martial artists to accompany them.”
“Mm.”
Jin Seong-un nodded.
With Baek Sang and Baek Seol along as well, plus three or four young martial artists, the children’s safety would be secured.
“Still, if the journey drags on, it will be troublesome. After all, we are merchants and cannot neglect business forever.”
“Half a month. If the task is not done by then, you may return. By that time, reinforcements from the Murim Alliance should arrive anyway.”
At those words, Hwamyeong gave a sly grin.
Jin Seong-un smacked his lips. With things put this way, he could not very well refuse. Especially since, at the mention of a ‘righteous act,’ the children, including Choi Jeong-myeong, were watching with bright, hopeful eyes.
“Very well, let’s do it.”
Jin Seong-un nodded, then turned to Seo Yu-gyeom and Seomun Ak, silently asking if they would join.
“Of course we’re going.”
“Whether they’re bandits or not, let’s finish this quickly and come back.”
Neither had objections. If Jin Seong-un went, they had no reason not to follow.
“As for Chief Steward Lee…”
“If it’s alright, I shall head to the Wudang Sect first. Since the bandits move swiftly, I might slow you down, and besides, I have business at Wudang.”
There was a renowned Martial Scholar at Wudang. To resolve issues concerning insight and martial arts, it would be wise to consult with scholars.
Jin Seong-un readily nodded. With Lee Seowon’s mind, the journey of Hyeon-un and the children would surely be eased.
“Then, we shall meet again at Wudang.”
Thus, Jin Seong-un, Seo Yu-gyeom, Seomun Ak, and Hwamyeong immediately raced northward.
According to the Wind Flower Squad’s information, after looting Jo-yang County, the bandits continued northward—toward Henan Province.
As the four men ran side by side, Hwamyeong stole glances at Jin Seong-un and Seo Yu-gyeom, his eyes filled with fresh admiration.
‘What in the world are their true identities?’
The martial arts of Mount Hua Sect were particularly famed for their body techniques. Thus, even if others surpassed him in martial skill, Hwamyeong had always been confident in his lightness arts.
However, unlike himself, who was beginning to run short of breath, the innkeeper and chef of Seong-un Inn showed no signs of exhaustion.
They even spoke in a relaxed tone.
“Come to think of it, isn’t the Seomun Clan nearby?”
Their destination was Henan. But if the bandits’ speed proved faster than expected, they might have to chase them all the way into Shanxi.
The Seomun Clan was based in Shanxi Province.
At Seo Yu-gyeom’s question, Seomun Ak shook his head.
“Let’s pass as quietly as possible. If my father catches me, I’ll just get beaten for no reason again.”
“Didn’t you usually have a reason?”
“Shut up.”
The two bickered as usual.
But unlike Seo Yu-gyeom, who had reached the Peak Master realm, Seomun Ak seemed to be growing short of breath as the conversation continued.
Seo Yu-gyeom smiled brightly as he added,
“If it’s too much for you, why don’t you take a break with that Taoist from Mount Hua? He looks pale-faced too.”
“My face is always like this. Embarrassing as it is to say myself, but in Shaanxi they even call me White-Faced Young Master. For the record, I can run three more days and nights. Four, if I’m lucky.”
In truth, half a day would have been his limit, but like most young men his age, he mixed in a bit of bravado.
Seo Yu-gyeom gave a snort of laughter. It seemed that aside from Guest Dragon, all those so-called prodigies like the Five Dragons and Three Phoenixes were little more than empty husks.
Time passed as they continued to run.
Jin Seong-un, who had been calmly dashing forward, suddenly turned his head to check on the two.
For the first time since he appeared, Hwamyeong’s ever-chattering mouth was shut tight.
Seomun Ak’s face was even worse—his sweat-soaked hair plastered to his forehead, and bloodshot veins visible in his eyes.
It seemed the two had reached their limits.
At this rate, even if they arrived on time, they would be in no condition to so much as receive one strike from Lee Seowon’s blade.
Thus, Jin Seong-un spoke.
“It seems the two of you are struggling…”
At those words, both Hwamyeong and Seomun Ak’s faces lit up with relief. Their pride had kept them from saying it, but now was truly the time to rest.
Jin Seong-un continued,
“Just endure a little longer. The children are waiting.”
“……”
Despair colored both their faces.
Then Jin Seong-un slowed down, moved to the back of the group, and with Women’s Moon Qi gave both of them a light push on the back.
“Ugh!”
Seomun Ak let out a strange cry as his speed suddenly increased. It gave him energy, yet his body was utterly drained, leaving him with an unpleasant, alien sensation.
Hwamyeong felt the same. Like one who had stayed awake for days—so tired, yet unable to sleep.
‘So that’s why…’
Hwamyeong finally understood why Seomun Ak had grown so rapidly. He almost wished he hadn’t learned the truth.
Late at night.
Jin Seong-un, still perfectly fine. Seo Yu-gyeom, a little tired.
And two men half in tatters, hiding under the shadow of a roof, gazing at a certain place.
Fortunately, the bandits had not advanced far from Jo-yang County. Likely because they were slowed down by the children.
The party had discovered them but refrained from attacking, choosing instead to quietly pursue.
Along the way to Luoning in Henan Province, the bandits had plundered two more villages.
Strangely enough, the villages suffered little damage, which kept the party from intervening.
The bandits had taken only the children—nothing else seemed to interest them.
—They’re coming.
Seo Yu-gyeom sent a voice transmission to Hwamyeong and Seomun Ak, nodding toward a spot ahead.
A boat was gliding toward them along the calm waters of the Luo River.
It was clear the bandits were waiting for it, having abducted dozens of children.
Soon, a fairly large vessel docked at the shore. More than ten masked men disembarked cautiously, scanning the surroundings.
“How many?”
“Thirty-three. At five silver taels apiece, correct?”
The masked man nodded.
The bandits then began herding the children onto the boat one by one, while the masked men counted them with hand gestures.
Jin Seong-un narrowed his eyes.
There were already other children aboard the masked men’s ship.
Which meant the bandits weren’t the only ones abducting children—someone else was buying them.
If the Third Instructor of Deathshroud had succeeded in his own abductions, those children would also have ended up on this ship.
What in the world were they gathering so many children for?
‘Familiar…’
More than anything, one of the masked men’s qi felt strangely familiar. As if Jin Seong-un had seen him somewhere before.
—How long are we going to keep watching? Once the boat departs, it’ll be hard to pursue.
—If we could sneak aboard, that would be ideal…
—Do you really think that’s possible? If we’re going to strike, better to do it now and wipe them out with the bandits.
As Seo Yu-gyeom and Hwamyeong conversed through voice transmission, Jin Seong-un suddenly remembered something. He sent a transmission to the three of them with a grave expression.
—But isn’t the Baek Li Clan supposed to be White Path?
The conversation ceased at once.
All three grew grim as they fixed sharp gazes on the masked men.
Pointing to one of them, Jin Seong-un said,
—Baek Li-joong. The eldest son of the Baek Li Clan, who once fought Young Master Seomun in Yichang. That’s him.