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chapter 53
Woosung (Right City, Western Region), Geumcheon District
High-class Pavilion: Chwiwolru
Late at night.
On the third floor, by a window with a great view, three elderly men were drinking with courtesans.
They were Hyeolmuheon Yookwanghyeon, the master of Heukru; Nobu Jingeon, the law enforcer; and Mu Youngsal Jangmok, the head of the outer sect.
Although the city gates were about to close, there was no sign of them leaving.
The courtesans pressed themselves even closer to the elderly men.
“Oh my, look at my brother’s muscles! I’d believe he’s in his thirties.”
One courtesan clung to Yookwanghyeon’s bicep, teasing flirtatiously.
It wasn’t just empty words to get attention.
In truth, these three men were elderly, yet their physiques were still solid, almost like middle-aged men.
Other courtesans gasped in amazement.
“Sister, our brother isn’t messing around either!”
“Even ten scholars couldn’t take him down.”
Nobu Jingeon laughed in response.
“Hahaha! Not ten scholars, even a hundred couldn’t faze me.”
“Oh my, so cool.”
“Our brothers are the best.”
“I love it.”
Just as the courtesans were deliberately pressing themselves into the elders’ embrace, a middle-aged man with a long scar on his cheek arrived on the third floor.
It was the Heukru patrolman, Amyeonggaek Gangrim.
Without hesitation, he approached the group and clasped his hands.
“There’s been an incident.”
Immediately, Yookwanghyeon ordered the courtesans to step back.
Gangrim looked around before speaking.
“Just now, Jongyo returned with his wrist severed.”
“Jongyo’s wrist severed? Did Hyunmugwan do this?”
“No. According to Jongyo, he was attacked by a master from Haomun.”
“Hong Sogwang really went too far.”
Yookwanghyeon immediately thought of Hong Sogwang.
There were few people in Haomun who could defeat Jongyo. Even if someone was stronger than Jongyo, the only person capable of taking on a Heukru master was that crazy guy.
“It wasn’t Hong Munju. Apparently, he was attacked by a young man named Danyeop.”
“What? Heukru’s Xiangju was taken down by just some kid from Haomun?”
Yookwanghyeon’s face twisted in anger.
He could understand Jongyo losing to Hong Sogwang to some extent—though he’d certainly make Hong Sogwang pay for it.
But if the opponent was a mere nobody from Haomun, it was a different matter.
How dare a mere Haomun lackey touch a Heukru master?
“Jongyo says he was ambushed while drunk.”
“Find out which of the Six Gates he belongs to. Bring him to me by morning.”
“Yes, sir.”
Gangrim bowed without a word.
Knowing the name, tracking his affiliation was easy. Even though Haomun operated under the radar, working in the same place for decades made the upper echelons known. Particularly in the underworld, Haomun’s leaders made formal visits often, so they couldn’t be unaware.
What wasn’t widely known were Haomun’s newcomers, who remained unnoticed until they matured in the martial world.
‘Once we get to the heads of the Six Gates, he’ll show up.’
Returning to the Heukru headquarters, Gangrim ordered the Xiangju to immediately apprehend the Six Gates’ heads.
Even though the city gates and all 108 paths were closed, it was like a spider web to Heukru.
Midnight (12 AM)
Heukru Headquarters, Geumcheon District, Woosung
The six heads of Haomun, roused from sleep, stood politely before Gangrim.
Gangrim sneered.
“My esteemed heads, life treating you well? Expanding into Hadongdo must’ve made the world seem small, huh? But even so, letting lowlifes fight among themselves is one thing, but meddling with Heukru? Do you want everyone dead?”
Hasoran, the head of the Gi Gate, cautiously spoke.
“Patrolman Gang, how could we harbor such intentions? We don’t even know why you are angry. Please calm yourself and tell us the reason.”
“Fine. Since you don’t know, I’ll tell you. Earlier tonight, our Xiangju Jongyo had his wrist cut off by a man named Danyeop. He was attacked while drunk. I’m scared of Haomun’s brats. Young pups think they’re tough, so they rush in without knowing their limits. Sure, being drunk made Jongyo foolish, but a Haomun brat attacking a Heukru Xiangju? That’s crossing the line. Isn’t it, heads?”
Hasoran tilted his head. His gate had no student by that name.
“Patrolman Gang, we have no student named Danyeop. But maybe he belongs to another gate. Please give us some time.”
“Do as you will. But by tomorrow morning—or rather, today morning—if you don’t bring him, Haomun will be bathed in blood. Our Lord of Heukru is very angry.”
“Please wait a moment.”
Hasoran led the other heads aside.
“Did everyone hear that? A man named Danyeop cut off Jongyo’s wrist. Our gate has no such person. Which gate’s student is he?”
Hong Sogwang, the head of Ah Gate, glanced at Baek Chogong, the head of Baekcho Gate.
Hasoran, sensing something, asked him directly.
“Is Danyeop from Jeom Gate?”
“Yes.”
“Why… I told you not to provoke the Sapa masters…”
“I don’t know either.”
“This isn’t just Jeom Gate’s problem. Heukru will hold all of Haomun responsible. You must hand Danyeop over.”
“I’ll meet Danyeop first and decide.”
Hasoran frowned.
“What do you mean by that? This isn’t the time to deliberate. Danyeop ambushed and cut Jongyo’s wrist while he was drunk.”
“That’s what Gangrim said. But he’s still Haomun, so we must hear Danyeop too.”
“What difference would it make? Would we hide his wrongdoing if he had a reason? What about the consequences?”
“I trust Head Baek to decide wisely.”
Hong Sogwang exchanged a meaningful look with Baek Chogong.
Hasoran misinterpreted it as Hong Sogwang trying to sway Baek Chogong to his side. His behavior was unusually odd.
Angry, Hasoran ground her teeth.
“Hong Munju, this isn’t the time for politics. Didn’t you hear Gangrim? If Danyeop isn’t handed over by morning, Haomun will be bathed in blood.”
“Hasoran, do you not trust Head Baek? Why the rush?”
Unable to reconcile their opinions, the master of the high river route intervened.
“Everyone, calm down. Head Baek, handle Danyeop, but ensure Haomun suffers no loss.”
Baek Chogong gave a wry smile and nodded.
“Understood. I will remember.”
Hasoran, watching silently, asked Baek Chogong.
“By the way, who is Danyeop? The name seems familiar.”
“The adopted son of the Grand Instructor Dan Bulwi.”
Hasoran immediately understood why Hong Sogwang sided with Baek Chogong. She also felt a twinge of irritation at Baek calling Dan Bulwi “Grand Instructor.”
‘Hmph! He promised to support me in the Six Gates’ meeting, but just a little push and he’s turned sides.’
Yet she also questioned herself. ‘Did I push him too hard?’
Later, representing Haomun, Hasoran told Gangrim:
“Patrolman Gang, I checked. Danyeop is a student of Jeom Gate. Head Baek said he would bring him by morning.”
“A student of Jeom Gate?”
“Yes. He’s a new recruit, and perhaps his training was insufficient. We always teach new recruits to bow to senior members. But young blood sometimes acts recklessly. This was not Haomun’s intention; we hope there’s no misunderstanding.”
“No misunderstanding. He will pay for his wrongdoing. If you bring him by morning, Haomun will not suffer. Compensation can be discussed afterward.”
Hasoran was shocked at the mention of compensation but showed nothing.
The Next Day
The genius Danyeop woke early and read the morning reports.
‘Oh dear, I cut the wrist of the Heukru Xiangju, Chuhongui Jongyo? What a mess.’
Danyeop, who often caused trouble, seemed no ordinary youth.
“No wonder they woke me early this morning,” he muttered.
He wondered how to handle Heukru.
Before he could decide, a visitor arrived.
Opening the door, he asked a young man he’d never seen.
“Who are you?”
“I’m Gwakbeom from Jibdanhyang. My master urgently wishes to see you.”
“Ah, one moment.”
Surely this was because of last night’s incident. Danyeop dressed and left the annex.
Jibdanhyang, Simhyanggak
As Danyeop entered, Head Baek Chogong hurried to greet him.
“Danyeop, good, you’re here. Last night, the Six Gates’ heads were called to Heukru. They threatened to bathe Haomun in blood if you weren’t brought. What shall we do?”
Having been briefed by Baek Yuhwa, Baek Chogong asked no further questions.
“I’ll handle it myself.”
“Really? If you want, it’s fine to avoid it briefly.”
“No. No one should suffer because of me. I will go to Heukru.”
“The master of Heukru, Hyeolmuheon Yookwanghyeon, won’t stop at just one arm.”
“I don’t intend to offer an arm either.”
“Then what?”
“I’ll resolve it with words. Leave it to me.”
“Very well. If you wish, I will accompany you.”
Just as they were about to leave, an unexpected guest arrived: Dan Bulwi, Grand Instructor of Ah Gate.
Danyeop greeted him warmly.
“Father, what brings you here so early?”
Dan Bulwi, realizing Danyeop was the genius, laughed heartily.
“Hahaha! I just heard from Hong Munju. You’re going to Heukru?”
“Yes. They want to see me, so I’ll just check in.”
“Good, I’ll go with you. I want to see who dares call my precious son here and there.”
“You could rest in the cold, though.”
“No, we went together to Baekwolguk. What’s a little Heukru?”
“Then please be careful.”
“I won’t hold you back, so don’t worry.”
Baek Chogong was secretly shocked. They were heading into danger at Heukru, yet Dan Bulwi insisted on coming along.
‘When did Dan Bulwi grow this much?’
When he was a subordinate at Byungmachong, it felt strange.
‘But the three of us—will we make it out alive?’
