WeTried Translations
Translator/Editor: Oblivious
Discord: https://dsc.gg/wetried
◈ Murim in my Hometown ◈
Chapter 52: Hidden Force
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The next morning, I slept in for the first time in a while.
I had gone to bed only after it had gotten late, repeatedly reviewing my exchanges with Pyo Holdeuk dozens of times.
Circulating energy and regulating my breath helped ease my fatigue, but I still did not feel fully refreshed unless I slept.
When I opened the window, sunlight poured through scattered clouds. The weather was better than yesterday, and the temperature was perfect for late autumn.
After having a simple breakfast of tea and travel rations, I wrapped the Martial Alliance Inspector's uniform in cotton cloth.
After a brief hesitation, I wrapped Pyo Holdeuk's sword in cotton cloth as well so no one would recognize it.
I tucked the inspector's identity plaque and seal into my robe, then took my money pouch and long saber.
I tied the cloth bundle with rope, slung it over my shoulder, and left the house.
Several bladesmen who had gathered in search of work were idly occupying the first floor of the Wandering Swordsman Inn from early morning.
The innkeeper recognized me as soon as I entered and hurried over.
“Are you here to see Squad Leader Bok? I've prepared a room for you on the second floor. Please go upstairs and wait.”
“There are plenty of seats here. Why?”
“Please, cut me some slack.”
The innkeeper bowed with a miserable expression. I snickered and headed for the stairs.
The Black Night Gang kept coming to the inn and driving away customers, so it seemed to be seriously hurting business.
If I sat on the first floor, they would have to clear the inn again. It was not as though the Black Night Gang would pay them for it.
I perched by the window in the largest room on the second floor and waited while chewing jerky. Bok Hagyu appeared quite a while later.
His sword wound to the thigh apparently was not too serious. He was walking normally without even limping.
We had exchanged blows once before and fought alongside each other in the mountains, so this time we sat comfortably with a table between us.
“You're alive.”
“Did you think I'd die?”
“Did you bring it?”
I placed the cloth bundle on the table. Then I took out the inspector's identity plaque and seal from my robe and showed them to him.
Bok Hagyu held out his hand. I quietly looked down at his rough palm.
He must not have neglected his training. Thick calluses had formed where his hand gripped the hilt.
“You're blessed with good people, but if you want to live out your full lifespan, you must be cautious in word and deed and keep every promise you make.”
After giving him a fake palm reading with a subtle warning mixed in, I put the identity plaque and seal back inside my robe.
Bok Hagyu frowned.
“What are you trying to do?”
“I risked my life fighting that dog Pyo Holdeuk to get these. And these aren't ordinary items, are they? They're a Martial Alliance Inspector's identity plaque and seal. If I hand them over to the Black Path, then even if I'm a wandering martial artist with no backing, my neck will be in Tanger.”
“So?”
“I need to receive proper payment before handing them over.”
Bok Hagyu's expression turned grave.
“Our Gang Leader is unwell at the moment. Once he recovers his strength, I'll let you meet him. I give you my word on my name.”
“Then let's start with that. You said the Martial Alliance used an assassin against the Black Night Gang two years ago. Was Gang Leader Jeok ambushed then, rather than being ill from a chronic condition?”
Bok Hagyu had clearly said so in the mountains yesterday. For some reason, the Martial Alliance had not come anywhere near Seochon since then.
That meant Bok Hagyu had suspected Pyo Holdeuk was a fake from the moment I sent the letter requesting a private meeting and threatened him with talk of a Martial Alliance Inspector.
Yet he had still agreed to make a deal with me. He had clearly been waiting for an opportunity to attack Pyo Holdeuk and seize the inspector's identity plaque and seal.
What was he planning to do with them? He seemed to intend to impersonate an inspector, but what could he gain from it?
Bok Hagyu studied me closely.
“What are you thinking so hard about? If you're considering cutting me down and taking them, forget it. It won't be easy.”
Bok Hagyu let out a dry laugh at such a thoroughly Black Path way of doing things.
“I am considering how much I can trust you.”
“Is your leg all right after getting stabbed?”
“I'll live.”
“It seems we'll keep seeing each other around Seochon from now on, so let's trust each other a little. Who knows? We might end up helping each other again, like yesterday.”
It had been a calculated move, but because of my intervention, Bok Hagyu and his subordinates had indeed narrowly escaped death in the mountains yesterday.
Perhaps Bok Hagyu was somewhat moved as well, because he could not readily refuse. He rubbed his chin and pondered for a long time before finally speaking in a heavy voice.
“Two years ago, a respectably dressed middle-aged martial artist came to the Black Night Gang. They said they carried a letter for the Gang Leader from the Martial Alliance's Henan headquarters.”
“The Black Night Gang Leader exchanges letters with the Martial Alliance?”
The Unorthodox Faction and the Black Path could not join the Martial Alliance.
Only orthodox martial artists belonged to it, and to them, the Black Path were not even fellow human beings.
“Do you think those orthodox martial artists have silver raining down from the heavens? Every truly profitable business in this world is run by the Black Path...”
Apparently, many of the Nine Great Sects, which claimed roots in Daoism and Buddhism, secretly invested in Black Path businesses through intermediaries.
It seemed raising Lay disciples did not bring in enough money.
Sometimes they even made them do shady work or used them like dogs.
From the Black Path's perspective, having ties to the Martial Alliance was not bad either, since it reduced the risk of being exterminated.
At least they would not cut open the belly of a chicken that kept laying eggs.
The Black Night Gang had likewise formed a mutually beneficial relationship with a sect affiliated with the Martial Alliance.
Even as Bok Hagyu revealed these private matters, he did not disclose the sect's name.
“The one who came then had a verified identity. Their identity plaque and seal were genuine too. They even removed the sword at their waist and met the Gang Leader empty-handed. The moment the Gang Leader checked the letter, they revealed their true colors.”
They suddenly rushed forward and unleashed palm strikes. No matter how formidable a fist fighter was, they could not defeat a blade with bare hands.
But that murderer was different. Moving at an unbelievable speed, the murderer evaded the sword strikes, closed in, and struck Jeok Chuyeong's arm.
They could have killed Jeok Chuyeong with a follow-up strike, but instead turned around, swiftly vaulted over the wall, and vanished.
Jeok Chuyeong had been struck only once. In the arm, not even a vital spot.
The place struck by the palm technique turned dark red, and the blood vessels began to twist.
At first, they thought poison had been used. After every renowned physician had admitted defeat and left, Bok Hagyu eventually came into contact with an internal-energy master.
After examining Jeok Chuyeong's condition, the master spoke of something Bok Hagyu had never heard of before.
“...The palm strike that hit the Gang Leader's arm contained Hidden Force.”
“Hidden Force? What's that?”
Bok Hagyu shook his head with a grim expression, as if it were only natural that I did not know.
“I don't know either. They said it was the realm of Internal Heavy-Hand Technique. It supposedly gives internal energy form and projects it into an opponent's body like a hidden weapon... It sounds like nonsense.”
It was only natural that he could not understand. He had never had reason to meet a master who used internal energy.
Even I, someone who used internal energy, was hearing of it for the first time. Do Hoengil might know.
“They say that even if you properly learn an Internal Energy Method and circulate your energy, a stroke of bad luck can twist your qi and blood, causing qi deviation, death, or disability. So how could anyone be fine after being struck by another person's internal energy, sharpened into Hidden Force at that?”
The Black Night Gang Leader, Jeok Chuyeong, had suffered an internal injury.
No matter how much rest Jeok Chuyeong took or how many excellent medicines were used, there was no recovery.
Instead, the condition steadily worsened. Like a living worm, the Hidden Force gnawed at the blood vessels and sickened the entire body.
“They spent a thousand gold pieces merely to seal the Hidden Force inside the Gang Leader's body within the dantian and stop it from getting worse.”
“...Is the Gang Leader even alive?”
“He is alive. He can only lie down.”
“Isn't there any way to cure it?”
“The internal-energy master said there is only one cure for Hidden Force. True qi guidance.”
“Then couldn't that internal-energy master do it?”
I had received true qi guidance several times myself.
It consumed the practitioner's internal energy, but the Black Night Gang should have been able to offer sufficient compensation.
“We tried, but it failed.”
“Was the internal energy insufficient?”
“The nature of their internal energy was different. Even when they infused the Gang Leader's body with internal energy, the Hidden Force did not move at all.”
When they tried to force it to move, the Hidden Force tore through the blood vessels as though it were having a seizure.
Apparently, not all internal energy was the same. Its nature differed according to the Internal Energy Method one had learned.
The internal energy possessed by that master differed in nature from the Hidden Force. They would not mix and instead rejected each other.
They needed to find an internal-energy master whose internal energy had the same nature as that used in the Hidden Force, then use true qi guidance to draw it out.
Listening to this, I wondered whether it was even possible.
Internal Energy Methods were rare to begin with. How could they possibly learn what Internal Energy Method the murderer had mastered?
Amazingly, Bok Hagyu had managed it.
“It wasn't difficult to identify the murderer. Masters of that level are not common. They had been sent by a rival of the Martial Alliance sect connected to our gang. It was a scheme to drive a wedge between us, while cutting off a source of funds. An internal power struggle within the Martial Alliance. We spent an enormous sum to obtain, from the Black Market, a secret manual containing the Internal Energy Method that person used.”
That caught my full attention.
“Then that's enough, isn't it? Learn the Internal Energy Method, then use true qi guidance to remove the Hidden Force...”
Bok Hagyu shook his head, his face filled with rage.
“The manual was stolen while being transported. Everyone carrying it was killed, and we do not even know where it went. It was surely the work of the people who sent the murderer.”
I tilted my head without realizing it.
“With an inspector's identity plaque and seal, you can visit Martial Alliance branches and examine reports and ledgers. If those robbers were sent by another Martial Alliance sect, then surely...”
That day's memories vividly returned to my mind.
The three masked bandits who attacked the carriage, and the Internal Energy Method they stole...
“When did it happen?”
“A few months ago.”
“What time?”
“In broad daylight.”
“Where?”
After hearing Bok Hagyu's answer, I was certain.
It was the robbery I had witnessed on my way to Choi Estate with Yehyang.
Considering what I had seen and heard afterward at Choi Estate, everything fit perfectly.
“Squad Leader Bok. What if... I knew who currently has that stolen Internal Energy Method?”
Bok Hagyu went pale.
“...Don't tell me you did it?”
“Do I look like someone who would commit murder and robbery in broad daylight?”
“It's not as if you couldn't.”
Bok Hagyu nodded without the slightest hesitation. His eyes held more certainty than ever before.
It left a bitter taste in my mouth, but I thought Bok Hagyu was the sort who would not hesitate to put on a mask either if necessary.
How many martial artists had never committed murder or robbery?
“Have you forgotten that I'm a guest retainer of the Hao clan? I've seen and heard plenty while traveling around. Instead of the inspector's identity plaque and seal, how about we make a new deal? I'll provide information on where that Internal Energy Method is now.”
“Fine. If we can recover that Internal Energy Method, I'll let you meet the Gang Leader. I swear it on my name.”
There were no Black Path members without pride, but few considered their own names important.
The world was full of scoundrels who threw away promises and loyalty like old shoes for a few copper coins, then cackled that anyone fooled was an idiot.
From the first time I met him until now, Bok Hagyu had always seemed like a steadfast martial artist.
Even now, his eyes burned with loyalty toward his Gang Leader.
If this was my trading partner, perhaps I could trust an oath made on his name at least once.
I carefully retraced that day when I had escorted Yehyang to Choi Estate.
Hoyeongeom and their junior martial sisters, wearing masks, killed martial artists and handed the book stolen from the carriage to Choi Sadeuk.
The book Yehyang handed over on behalf of the Hao clan was a ledger investigating all the Black Night Gang's property, businesses, and hidden land.
That had fallen into the hands of the Heaven-Breaking Sect.
Choi Sadeuk gave the book Hoyeongeom had handed over to Aryong, the illiterate Asura Saber and third-ranking member of the Blood History Gang.
After a subordinate checked the book's contents and whispered in Aryong's ear, Aryong's eyes widened.
‘Estate Master Choi. Is what is written here true? Is this truly the Internal Energy Method the Gang Leader was seeking...?’
Why had the Blood History Gang Leader sought an Internal Energy Method?
The Blood History Gang and the Black Night Gang were sworn enemies.
While fighting over Seochon, the Blood History Gang Leader's eldest son had been chopped to pieces by Jeok Chuyeong. Since then, the leader had been grinding their teeth in vengeance.
Had they intended to prevent the Black Night Gang Leader from curing the Hidden Force?
Or did they intend to learn the Internal Energy Method and demand something in return for curing the Black Night Gang Leader's Hidden Force?
That night, the Blood History Gang members gathered at Choi Estate went with the Heaven-Breaking Sect to attack the Black Night Gang, only to be ambushed in the mountains and wiped out.
I did not know what had become of Aryong, but he would not have rushed into battle carrying the Internal Energy Method the Gang Leader had sought.
Aryong must have run straight to deliver it to the Gang Leader.
“The Internal Energy Method is with the Blood History Gang.”
* * *
After making the deal with Bok Hagyu, I left the Wandering Swordsman Inn and headed straight for Simhyang Pavilion.
The new Escorts standing guard at the entrance looked at me with unfriendly eyes.
As I walked past, I noticed both had bruises on their faces, as though they had drunk and fought all night.
I had worked briefly as a doorman here myself, but the former Escorts had not been this much of a mess.
When you're short-handed and use just anyone, you end up with nothing but short-handed fools.
Come to think of it, the Yongcheon Escort Agency had left on a large Escort Run to Sichuan quite some time ago. Shouldn't they be returning soon...?
I met Geuk Hwan and handed over the Martial Alliance Inspector's uniform, identity plaque, seal, and Pyo Holdeuk's sword.
“What happened to the impersonator?”
“He died. By now, he's probably food for wolves.”
“Impressive. That bastard was no ordinary opponent.”
Geuk Hwan stared at me with eyes full of curiosity.
“...I was lucky. What do you think would be best to do with these?”
These were items connected to the Martial Alliance. I could not sell them, nor should I. But the Hao clan should be able to dispose of them.
As expected, Geuk Hwan did not disappoint me.
“The proper course is to send a letter explaining what happened and return them to the Martial Alliance. The reward will likely be generous.”
“Will it come as silver or a bank draft?”
“Most likely.”
“Would it be difficult to receive spirit herbs instead of silver?”
“I'll look into it.”
I had finished my business and was about to leave when something suddenly came to mind.
“Did the Tang Clan members come yesterday, by any chance?”
“They are staying in the annex.”
“Did they return because of what happened before?”
“You should ask them directly.”
What was the point of meeting them? Tang Hyeseo and I were not particularly close. It also bothered me that her aunt had not taken kindly to me.
Tang Clan members could poison someone anywhere and anytime if they got on their nerves.
It was best not to get involved.
I shook my head and left the annex, only for Bihyeon, Tang Hyeseo's guard, to cup their hands in greeting. Caught off guard, I clasped my own hands and bowed.
“Were you waiting for me?”
“My lady is looking for you. Do you have time?”
“I have time, but... isn't her aunt in the annex?”
For some reason, Bihyeon smiled.
“She asks to meet you at Pungcheon Inn.”
“Don't tell me the young lady is at that inn?”
“If you go ahead, I'll escort her there.”
“Let's do that. I'll go right away.”
I went to the stable, retrieved the bundle I had left there yesterday, and left Simhyang Pavilion. The streets were busy with merchants and passersby.
The sky, cleared of clouds, was bright, and the distant mountains still held autumn foliage, creating a beautiful view.
Blending in among people diligently living out their day by selling, buying, and carrying goods, I slowly made my way toward Pungcheon Inn.
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