🔊 TTS Settings
chapter 37
Namunseong, Hwaryeong District
Dan Yeop’s gaze did not leave the carriage window.
Baekwol Country was similar to Chang’an City, but its character was different.
What that meant was, even in Chang’an City, there were all sorts of people: Han Chinese, Turkic peoples, Tibetans, Sogdians, Persians, Arabs, Indians… the list went on.
Baekwol Country was similar.
There were Miao, Yi, Dong, and Bouyei peoples, among others.
From their appearances to their clothing, they were distinct—almost giving the same vibrant feeling as Chang’an City.
But while the attire of Chang’an’s people was luxurious and refined, in Baekwol Country it was closer to nature, rough and simple.
Of course, the colorful fabrics, silver ornaments, and leather accessories provided a unique beauty, though it wasn’t as polished as that of Chang’an.
Yet, the vitality was overflowing.
No—“overflowing” didn’t even capture it.
Everywhere you looked, it felt wild.
The eyes of people who happened to glance at the window were beast-like, as if saying, “Come out, and I’ll tear you apart.”
Indeed, not long ago, arrows had been fired somewhere, targeting the leading horses.
Fortunately, they all missed, and there were no casualties, but it still felt like Baekwol Country’s way of greeting them.
As a result, the investigative team’s movements became more cautious.
“Cautious” was an understatement—they were extremely tense.
The expressions of the warriors seated across were grim.
“Damn, I’m too scared to even stick my head out of the carriage.”
“If you do, an arrow might lodge in the back of your head. Once we reach Suyanggo, we’ll have to scout, but it’s tricky.”
“Shooting arrows in such a bustling place? Are they crazy?”
“It’s Baekwol Country, isn’t it.”
“But who would attack us? We’re flying the Tae Hwa Merchant Guild flag. Did they perhaps go after Master Seol?”
“Don’t worry about it. Captain Baek said it seemed someone was just testing. If it were a real attack, wouldn’t they have just targeted the lead horses?”
“To casually test an armed investigative team in broad daylight? Baekwol Country’s methods are truly different.”
“We’ll have to be careful once we reach Suyanggo.”
At the end of the conversation, a warrior glanced at Dan Yeop and his master, Dan Bulwi, as if speaking for them to hear.
Dan Yeop pretended to remain calm, but his heart pounded.
A stray arrow could easily hit them.
In fact, Baekwol Country was far more terrifying than he had imagined.
Around noon, three carriages stopped in front of a fairly large building.
Soon, Captain Baek Jin-gang approached Dan Bulwi’s carriage and said,
“We’ll have lunch here before moving on.”
Dan Bulwi asked through the window,
“How much farther to Suyanggo?”
“Just about one shi-jin more. If we hurry, we’ll arrive by the new hour (3 PM).”
Meanwhile, the warriors dismounted first.
Dan Bulwi and Dan Yeop followed, entering the restaurant with them.
Dan Bulwi and Dan Yeop slumped into the nearest empty seats.
Shortly after, Jeomsoi began bringing the dishes ordered by Captain Baek Jin-gang to their table.
On their table were vegetable fried rice, Wolhwa-byeong (glutinous rice cakes with incense), Sanmae-eo-tang (spicy freshwater fish soup), and Baekwol Hyangyuk (charcoal-grilled pork).
Dan Yeop sniffed the unusual aromas, and Dan Bulwi asked,
“What is it? Don’t like it?”
“No, it’s fascinating.”
The two began eating the Baekwol Country cuisine.
At that moment, a group entered the restaurant.
Six men and two women, all armed with curved swords, wearing black floral-embroidered hemp outfits with bracelets made from venomous snake skin.
Dan Yeop instinctively looked away when his eyes met those of a woman wearing a silver headband.
The woman’s lips curled into a faint smile.
The eight took seats slightly apart from the warriors.
The presence of this considerable group created an awkward silence.
Eventually, one of the men spoke to a nearby warrior,
“We are from Baeksa Valley. Where do you come from?”
Baeksa Valley was a settlement of the Miao people.
The warrior hesitated, then looked at Captain Baek Jin-gang, who nodded slightly, signaling it was okay to respond.
“We come from Chang’an City.”
The man who spoke, Myojin, glanced sharply.
“Oh, Chang’an City. You’ve traveled far. No wonder your clothing stood out. But you’re not merchants—what brings you to Hwaryeong District?”
Captain Baek Jin-gang stepped forward to respond on the warrior’s behalf.
“Are you an official of Hwaryeong District? If not, this is none of your concern.”
Before he could finish, a man next to Myojin shouted,
“What did you say? How dare you speak so rudely! You hear ‘Baeksa Valley’ and still say it’s none of your concern? Are you trying to die?”
A tense, explosive atmosphere filled the room.
Though there were only eight Baeksa Valley members, they showed no fear of the more than twenty investigative warriors.
Indeed, the warriors were just merchant guards—they couldn’t withstand Baekwol Country’s martial arts.
Captain Baek Jin-gang hurried to mediate.
“I meant no disrespect to Baeksa Valley. I just—”
Myojin stared intently, urging him to continue.
Captain Baek Jin-gang swallowed and spoke.
“Sigh… We are from the Tae Hwa Merchant Guild in Chang’an. Two months ago, one of our merchants disappeared here in Hwaryeong District. We came to find them. That’s why we may have acted a bit sensitively. It’s entirely my fault, and I apologize.”
A man next to Myojin interrupted,
“So these merchants dared pick a fight with Baeksa Valley? Here in Hwaryeong District? They’re bold indeed.”
Myojin raised a hand and said,
“Enough. They acted sensitively due to circumstances. Understood? Now, enjoy your meal.”
“Thank you. I am Captain Baek Jin-gang. May I know the name of the great hero?”
“I am Myojin.”
“Gasp! Odok Biho Myojin? It’s an honor to meet you. I will never forget this favor today.”
Captain Baek Jin-gang’s face went pale with fear.
Odok Biho Myojin was so renowned that his name was known even in Chang’an.
His poison techniques were notorious—those who crossed him often died without a trace.
Dan Bulwi’s usually composed expression stiffened.
Dan Yeop, just about to grab some pork, heard a faint buzzing in his ear.
—Do not eat anything.
At Dan Bulwi’s telepathic warning, Dan Yeop withdrew his hand and looked at him in astonishment.
Dan Bulwi could communicate telepathically!
He knew this was a technique only high-level martial artists could perform.
Had his master attained that level during their journey here?
Then again, his own abilities had grown, so it wasn’t impossible.
‘Telepathy, though…’
When Dan Yeop looked at him enviously, Dan Bulwi subtly avoided his gaze.
Half the warriors continued eating; the other half, their appetite gone, set down their chopsticks.
Soon, the investigative team left the restaurant, seemingly chased out.
Their eyes were lifeless, unlike when they had entered.
The seven horses and three carriages moved again.
Inside the moving carriage
Once they were away from the restaurant, Dan Yeop asked,
“Master, is Odok Biho Myojin really that famous?”
“He’s in the top ten in Namunseong.”
That meant he was among the top ten martial artists in Baekwol Country.
“Ah…”
“His poison techniques are especially stealthy and ruthless. No one survives crossing him in Baekwol Country.”
“So that’s why you told me not to eat.”
“Better safe than sorry. Entrusting your life to someone else’s goodwill is foolish. Later, never eat or drink anything with a poison master.”
“Yes, sir.”
The faces of the warriors seated with the master and disciple were twisted.
They had eaten everything, and now regretted it.
Early New Hour (3 PM)
The investigative team, running along the Qian River, finally arrived at Suyanggo.
Soon, the seven horses and three carriages stopped in front of Baekju Brewery.
But trouble ensued.
About half of the warriors who had dismounted experienced severe stomach pain.
Captain Baek Jin-gang ran around grimly, assessing the situation.
Twelve people were affected—more than half their strength incapacitated at once.
Captain Baek Jin-gang led the team into Baekju Brewery.
Baekju Brewery
Having started brewing at the Zhongyang Festival and now in the fermentation stage, the brewery was clean inside and out.
Hearing that the Tae Hwa Merchant Guild people had arrived, Dam Ok-yeon and her attendants hurried out.
Captain Baek Jin-gang hesitated, unsure whom to greet, when Dam Ok-yeon stepped forward.
“I am Dam Ok-yeon, owner of Baekju Brewery. Are you from the Tae Hwa Merchant Guild?”
“Yes, I am Captain Baek Jin-gang, head of the guild’s guards.”
“But it seems some are ill… what happened?”
“They ate at a restaurant in Hwaryeong District. It seems the food caused it.”
Not wanting to reveal the meeting with Odok Biho Myojin, Captain Baek Jin-gang withheld details.
“Ah, send the patients to the guest hall first and call the doctor. Is that acceptable?”
Captain Baek Jin-gang nodded.
The brewery staff took the ailing warriors to the guest hall.
Meanwhile, Dam Ok-yeon guided the investigative team’s leaders to a separate room.
Private Room
Once seated, Captain Baek Jin-gang asked urgently,
“What happened to Master Seol’s group that visited here two months ago?”
“I only heard later. They disappeared along with Baekwol’s finest liquor… We’re still investigating.”
Dan Bulwi couldn’t hold back, sensing a hint of suspicion toward Master Seol.
“They weren’t missing—they were abducted. Do you have any leads?”
Though appearing elderly, Dam Ok-yeon was over sixty.
Annoyed by the pressing tone, she frowned.
“Who are you to speak this way?”
“I am a close friend of Master Seol.”
“Ah, that’s why you found my words unpleasant. But I didn’t speak without reason.”
“What reason?”
Dan Bulwi pressed, but Captain Baek Jin-gang intervened.
“Master Dan, control yourself. Letting emotions lead will hinder the investigation.”
Dan Bulwi snorted, dissatisfied, but did not argue.
Captain Baek Jin-gang turned to Dam Ok-yeon.
“Do you have evidence?”
“We investigated the last place they stayed. Everything was clean. No signs of struggle. That’s why we say they disappeared.”
A heavy silence fell in the room.
No one spoke, lost in thought.
