WeTried Translations
Translator/Editor: Oblivious
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◈ Murim in my Hometown ◈
Chapter 57: Swordswoman
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The corridor leading to the inner chamber felt as dark as a tiger’s den. It felt as though my throat were tightening.
“...Why do you wish to see me?”
Tang Hyeseo answered calmly.
“It’s nothing serious. I told her what happened at the Black Market, and she said she wanted to ask you a few questions.”
Aunt was reading a book alone.
I removed my long saber, handed it to Tang Hyeseo, and went in. The door closed behind me.
“Sit.”
A teacup had been set across the table for me. Steam rose from it, as though it had just been poured.
Forcing my reluctant hand to move, I picked up the teacup.
This high-born, middle-aged woman saw me as no more than an ordinary wandering martial artist. If necessary, she would probably use poison without hesitation.
But not now. There was no reason to go through all this trouble just to kill one insignificant wandering martial artist.
I raised the cup to my lips and took a sip.
Perhaps because I was tense, I could barely taste it. I did not know what kind of tea it was, but I was satisfied just knowing it was not poisoned.
“It has a pleasant fragrance.”
Perhaps she liked the nerve I had shown. Aunt’s cold expression seemed to soften slightly.
“You are from Seochon?”
“Yes. I became an orphan as a child and wandered about before returning this spring.”
“...Returning to one’s roots?”
Aunt nodded, her face somehow wistful.
Huh?
I tilted my head at the strange sense of incongruity. No, this was déjà vu.
I had heard someone say those exact words before. Their tone, expression, and even their movements had been similar.
It must have been a coincidence.
“Returning to one’s roots” was an idiom commonly used to describe longing for one’s hometown.
People who carried such longing were bound to show similar expressions and behavior.
“Hyeseo is a clever and curious child. I do not know how she came to take an interest in you, but...”
Aunt gently turned her teacup as she studied me closely, as though trying to find what about my face might interest her niece.
I could not avoid her gaze, so I looked back at her.
Her face bore the age spots and fine wrinkles of late middle age, but traces of what must once have been dazzling beauty remained clear.
Perhaps because they were family, the shape of her eyes and bridge of her nose vaguely resembled Tang Hyeseo’s.
Aunt continued slowly.
“Those of the martial world are people who wish to roam the world freely and live without restraint. Swordswomen are no different. They all wish to cast off the responsibilities and shackles of custom imposed upon daughters of martial families and soar as freely as they please. It is only natural. Swordswomen are proper martial artists as well. They are born into martial families and train in martial arts from childhood so they may become strong...”
No matter what city I visited, there were no women among the wandering martial artists.
The harsh underworld, crawling with grimy males, was not a place women could endure.
The swordswomen one occasionally saw were mostly daughters of martial families, and even when they traveled the martial world, they never traveled alone.
There were more than a few men who preyed upon swordswomen, from shameless martial artists with “lust” in their aliases to every sort of Black Path scoundrel, wastrel, thug, and even bandit.
“The path of a swordswoman differs from that of women from great families who quietly embroider until they marry someone whose face they have never seen. Since they never know what may happen, they are honest with their feelings, bolder than men, and sometimes willingly throw themselves into places where death awaits. Do you understand what I mean?”
I did not. But I could not answer that way, so I merely listened in silence.
“What happens between those playing with fire is their own business, and none of my concern. I am telling you to ensure nothing brings shame or harm to the Tang Clan. If careless conduct continues, there will be no use resenting me later...”
I was dumbfounded by the shocking words that made me question my ears. I had never imagined I would hear something like this here.
I had no idea how to react or what to say. It did not even sound as though she wanted an answer from me.
Aunt had already made her decision and was simply informing me.
As I listened in confusion, movement stirred outside.
“Aunt, the Black Market Merchant is here.”
“Bring them in.”
The door opened, and Tang Clan members brought in a diminutive middle-aged person.
Salt smugglers and opium merchants often worked in the field themselves, so they were all quite vicious.
They had to fight those who drew blades during deals and punish traitors, so they could not survive without martial skill.
There were occasionally notorious Black Market Merchants like Choi Sadeuk.
But most were merchants like the herb seller at the Black Market, guarding their shops and making a profit.
This Black Market Merchant, whose attempt to track them had been discovered and who had come to the Tang Clan of their own accord, seemed far removed from a martial artist in both appearance and bearing.
With a stiff face, the merchant clasped both hands and bowed.
“I am Museok, a Black Market Merchant operating in Baekgye County.”
“You dared use Tracking Scent Powder on a Tang Clan member. You must have prepared yourself for the consequences.”
Museok, who looked as though they had written more ledgers than wielded swords in their life, immediately pointed at me and protested.
“It is a misunderstanding. I did not use it on a Tang Clan member. I merely sprinkled a little on that man. That man is not a Tang Clan member, is he?”
The Tang Clan must truly be terrifying.
Museok had not dared approach while Tang Hyeseo and Bihyeon were together, fearing retaliation, then sent a clumsy drunkard only when I was alone.
Tang Hyeseo would have noticed the Tracking Scent Powder the moment it was used, so there had probably been no other choice.
Tang Hyeseo suddenly spoke from beside us. Museok flinched and turned their head.
“Is the tracking dog that followed us outside?”
“Yes, but what about that mutt...”
“Hand it over to our clan as an apology. It does not seem properly trained, so it will not be a great loss. Song Hu, go out and fetch the yellow dog.”
Though the owner had not agreed, the Tang Clan member who received the order left the inner chamber.
Museok only looked around anxiously, unable to refuse because of their guilt.
Aunt resumed her questioning.
“Why did you mark that man with Tracking Scent Powder and follow him?”
“I only intended to speak with you quietly. There are too many watching eyes in Baekgye County...”
“Did you intend to find out where we had gathered, then hire the Assassins’ League?”
Museok recoiled in horror and waved both hands.
“That is absurd! I am only a Black Market Merchant. I hold no grudge whatsoever against the Tang Clan...”
“Do not think of deceiving me!”
Aunt suddenly flared up and threw her teacup.
Museok, struck in the chest, froze in fear as their body trembled. Their upper garment was stained dark with spilled tea.
Aunt sighed and leaned back in her chair.
“...I was excessive. Go change your clothes.”
“I-It is fine. It will dry if I leave it alone.”
“Hyeseo, bring them a change of clothes.”
Though the Black Market Merchant refused, Aunt did not even pretend to listen. Museok was led out almost by force.
Aunt took out a fresh teacup and poured tea. Her expression and movements were so calm that her recent outburst seemed unreal.
Throwing the teacup did not seem to have been an accident.
What had she been aiming for?
They must have searched Museok outside.
Perhaps she wanted to thoroughly seize the initiative before beginning serious conversation.
If someone was stripped of their clothes in the den of the infamous Tang Clan, they would initially feel shame and humiliation, but in the end, their fear would only deepen.
A short while later, Museok returned wearing clothes supplied by the Tang Clan.
It was an unremarkable martial outfit, but the fact that it matched the clothing worn by the Tang Clan members standing behind them carried considerable meaning.
Perhaps they had offered the clothes while coaxing Museok with promises that obedience would earn them protection beneath the Tang Clan’s shadow.
For a Black Market Merchant, joining hands with the Tang Clan would not be a bad arrangement.
Whether this was how things were usually done or whether they simply understood each other without speaking, the schemes of this seasoned swordswoman were no ordinary matter.
It was clear she did not lead this group merely because of her seniority.
“Let us sit and talk.”
“Yes. Thank you.”
Museok cautiously sat where I had been seated, and a new teacup was placed before them.
Aunt asked, “Where is the carrier pigeon sent by the Sichuan Black Market Merchant?”
Museok spoke with an expression that somehow seemed much more relaxed.
“It is true that I occasionally communicated by carrier pigeon with a Black Market Merchant named Gyeyoung in Sichuan. But I have received no news this year. The last time we exchanged messages was last autumn...”
Aunt raised a hand to stop Museok, then looked at me.
“You may leave now. This is the Tang Clan’s business from here on.”
I had already been waiting for a chance to excuse myself, so I quickly clasped my hands in salute and left.
* * *
“Hooooo.”
Even in the cold wind, my unsettled feelings did not easily calm.
As I looked at the half-moon hanging in the night sky, the aunt’s words swirled through my mind without order.
What on earth had Tang Hyeseo said about me for her to say such things?
I wandered aimlessly until I suddenly came to my senses. Tang Clan members standing guard throughout the rear garden caught my eye.
No one there was hostile toward me, but the mere presence of difficult poisons and hidden weapons nearby unsettled me.
I should head back soon.
Scratching my head, I turned around.
Tang Hyeseo was stroking the yellow dog in one corner of the garden.
Whatever she had done, the mutt that had not come within a hundred jang was now lying on its back, panting with its belly exposed.
“Does the Tang Clan not have many tracking dogs?”
“We do.”
Tang Hyeseo vigorously rubbed the yellow dog’s belly with playful hands.
“This one is a failure. It likes people too much to remain devoted to a task. It seems a Black Market Merchant happened to obtain some low-grade Tracking Scent Powder and tried to train it poorly. Even if we take it into the clan, it will likely be outdone by the other tracking dogs and eventually be put down.”
“Then why did you ask for it?”
It could not simply be because the yellow dog was cute. There were quite a few stray dogs in Seochon as well.
Since they had grown accustomed to people, it was easy to befriend them by tossing them food. If I put in a little effort, I could get one or two puppies.
While stroking the yellow dog, Tang Hyeseo turned her head toward the inner chamber. Her eyes were thoughtful.
“If that Black Market Merchant named Museok deceived us or withheld something, this one will need to step in. It has smelled its master for a long time, so it will find them no matter where they hide.”
It was a scheme that left me speechless. She intended to use the tracking dog that had followed us to track the Black Market Merchant.
“We sealed the clothes the merchant was wearing so their scent would not fade, so we probably will not lose them. Since it likes people, it will happily guide us to its former master.”
Had that been why they poured tea over Museok and took the clothes? Tang Hyeseo and her aunt did not merely resemble each other in appearance.
Listening to her made me feel uneasy for no reason.
“What should I do about the Tracking Scent Powder on my clothes?”
Tang Hyeseo took a small bamboo tube from her robes.
“If you mix this with water, soak your clothes thoroughly, and wash them, the Tracking Scent Powder will disappear. It would be best to wash yourself as well.”
Our business was finished, and I only needed to return.
I stroked the yellow dog’s head and started to rise, then hesitated.
Had Tang Hyeseo heard what her aunt said to me from outside?
“What is it?”
Tang Hyeseo tilted her head as I silently looked at her.
“...Nothing. See you later.”
I shook my head, left the detached residence, and headed home.
* * *
The next day, I met Bok Hagyu at the Wandering Swordsman Inn.
Perhaps because blood had been spilled not long ago, Black Night Gang members were spread throughout the first floor and outside the inn.
The innkeeper looked tearful upon seeing me, but there was nothing I could do about it.
“Did you finish off the Blood History Gang for certain?”
“It is over.”
“Seeing how tight the guard is, I suppose there are remnants left?”
Holding a teacup, Bok Hagyu gave a bitter smile.
“It couldn’t be helped. I couldn’t chase down and kill every last one of them who climbed over the walls and ran away in the middle of the night.”
“I heard in Baekgye County that the chairman of the Martial Combat Tournament was the Blood History Gang Leader’s older brother.”
“That rigid white-haired old man?”
“You know each other?”
Bok Hagyu calmly nodded.
“He was a saber wielder called Blood Yaksha in his youth. They say he and his younger brother lived by cutting people down in some Black Path faction in Hunan, then killed the gang leader and swallowed the organization whole. After that, he drifted all the way here.”
“Did you kill him?”
Bok Hagyu awkwardly scratched his chin.
“I cut off one arm up to the shoulder, so he is probably dead. I slashed his stomach as well. It had been a long time since we fought, and he had grown much older. Still, as befitted a vicious bastard, his saber art was quite fierce.”
“He might still be alive.”
“Even if he is, he will not last long. He is old enough to waste away and die from a single cold, and now he has lost an arm as well.”
“Did you get what you wanted?”
“I did. Would you like to see it?”
Bok Hagyu looked at me as though testing me.
“Let us see it.”
Bok Hagyu took a book from his robes. Nothing was written on its cover. I accepted it and opened it.
The origins of the Internal Energy Method were revealed on the first page.
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