Episode 6
Chapter 2: Entering the Martial World (3)
Just when the thought occurred to them—ah, this is truly madness—they would be granted a very brief rest.
Yugwang and Mijin were even amazed at how uncannily well he knew the exact moment.
But Seonu wasn't playing around. He too trained in the same techniques, ran using qinggong, and ate the same food. Yet he didn't look tired in the slightest.
"Tomorrow, if a big village appears somewhere, let's rest early. We'll buy some delicious food too."
It was the first sweet words they had heard. Yugwang and Mijin fell asleep looking forward to the next day.
But the following day, their expectations vanished from the morning. They had arrived at the large village too early.
"Let's rest at the next village."
At Seonu's words, Yugwang and Mijin felt as if the sky were caving in. When a suitable clearing appeared as they ran using qinggong, Yugwang and Mijin spread out their techniques like madmen once more. And as promised, they finished training early and used qinggong to find a village.
But no village appeared.
"It seems impossible. Let's train today and rest tomorrow."
If only he hadn't said anything, they wouldn't have gotten their hopes up. With gloomy faces, Yugwang and Mijin trained until evening and lay down exhausted in the grass.
"Let's find a place to sleep."
Barely managing to rise, Yugwang and Mijin followed Seonu and used qinggong. They were so exhausted that their legs trembled and they couldn't run properly. Having forced their bodies to move for about half a shichen, a large village appeared before their eyes.
'How can this be? If we had come just a little farther, we could have rested comfortably today.'
Now they didn't care about delicious food or anything else; they just wanted to sleep first.
"Well, look at that. It was right in front of us and we didn't know. As promised, let's eat some delicious food today."
As Seonu looked around for a restaurant, they couldn't refuse as his disciples. Yugwang and Mijin dragged their weary bodies into the restaurant, wolfed down dinner without knowing if they were eating with their noses or mouths, then came into an inn and collapsed right there, falling asleep.
It took twenty-three days to travel from Hebei to Jeongju in Henan. During that time, Yugwang and Mijin didn't know how many times they nearly collapsed from exhaustion. Even when they wanted to collapse, he would notice like a ghost and make them rest, so they were in a state of mind where, if he weren't their teacher, they would draw a blade and cut his throat.
"We finally made it. There are so many people."
Jeongju had always been a great city, but after the Northern Zheng League established itself there, it flourished even more. As a great city there were many people, but today it was especially packed, teeming with so many people that there was scarcely room to step. Most were martial artists carrying weapons; they could be seen entering restaurants in groups of three or five, or picking fights and brawling.
"It seems difficult to eat and sleep on the main street. Let's go near the Northern Zheng League."
Seonu sent Yugwang and Mijin ahead and headed toward the Northern Zheng League. It was quite far from the city, so they had to walk for a long while. When a grand gate tower built over the main gate and walls with no end in sight came into view, Yugwang raised his hand and pointed.
"That is the Northern Zheng League, Teacher. I've only heard of it; this is my first time seeing it."
"Let's go somewhere and have a snack."
His stomach was empty, so whether it was the Northern Zheng League or whatever else, it didn't register. The three hurriedly moved their feet and tried entering the restaurants and inns lined up in front of the Northern Zheng League. But every single one was full. It was a grand event held once every three years to gather prodigies, so not only the prodigies but their families had flocked in and occupied the restaurants and inns.
Seonu's group continued trying inns, but they couldn't find a seat even if they washed their eyes and looked. Like them, others could be seen frantically going in and out of inns and restaurants searching for empty seats. Having come to a place where human footsteps were sparse, Seonu's group spotted a tavern with a flag flying in the distance and ran toward it. It looked shabby from the outside, but the inside was even shabbier.
"Welcome."
A fat, middle-aged owner welcomed Seonu's group and guided them to a seat.
"What is delicious here?"
The owner boasted in reply to Yugwang's question.
"Everything is tasty, but the roast duck and white liquor are the best. We use a special seasoning."
"Then three roast ducks and one bottle of white liquor, please."
When Yugwang finished ordering, the owner headed to the kitchen.
"We've solved the meal, but the problem is a place to sleep. Three days from now is when the Muryeong Hall opens..."
The Muryeong Hall was where prodigies who received the Muryeong plaque would live for a year. Three days later, they would accept prodigies for only one day. Late arrivals couldn't enter even if they had the plaque.
"And during these three days, there is a high possibility of a struggle to seize the Muryeong plaques. You must be careful."
At Yugwang's explanation, Seonu asked about the Muryeong Hall with an indifferent expression.
"What happens once inside?"
"I'll explain that."
Mijin began explaining about the Muryeong Hall in her older brother's stead.
"Once inside, you meet directly with the Military Advisor of the Northern Zheng League. Groups are formed there, a total of twenty-nine groups. Each group is assigned about ten people, but Groups One through Three have five people."
"Why is that?"
When Seonu asked with doubt, Mijin frowned slightly and continued.
"Groups One through Three are assigned those called the best of the best among prodigies. The martial arts instructors assigned are also special people. Also, Groups One, Two, and Three can recruit other group members with strong martial arts through group meetings. The number is limited to five per group. So they fill it to ten. If capable, they can pull in even more."
At Mijin's explanation, Seonu snorted.
"Hmph. The Northern Zheng League is renowned as a righteous sect, yet its actions are no different from the unorthodox."
"That is true. So well-meaning people have made suggestions, but nothing has changed yet."
As Mijin agreed with Seonu's scorn, Yugwang brought up another issue.
"The bigger problem is that once inside, we will be scattered. The Military Advisor will divide the groups arbitrarily."
"The Northern Zheng League's Military Advisor is someone called Mukjigong?"
"Yes, that's correct."
Seonu had also heard of Mukjigong, the Military Advisor of the Northern Zheng League. He was a person known to be clever, discerning, and quite strong in martial arts.
"Are there no other peculiar matters regarding the Muryeong Hall?"
"There are, but it won't do you any good to know."
"Tell me quickly."
Prompted by Seonu, Yugwang brought up a story passed down about the Muryeong Hall.
"Originally, the Muryeong Hall was organized into thirty groups. It is said that if there were prodigies who fell short of expectations or lacked skill, they were thrown into the last group, Group Thirty. But since prodigies unable to bear the shame committed suicide on several occasions, it is said they now organize it into twenty-nine groups."
"Really? It had an interesting history. Anything else?"
"Yes."
Just as Yugwang finished answering, the roast duck and a bottle of white liquor came out. Seonu called out to the owner who was heading to the kitchen after setting down the food.
"Owner, may I ask you something? Could you find us an inn with empty rooms?"
At Seonu's question, the owner put on an oily smile and gave an unexpected answer.
"It's difficult to find rooms at a time like this. But if you follow the Northern Zheng League's wall from here for a while, a hill appears. Go around the hill and up a bit, and there is one inn. An old man owns it, so ordinary people don't know there's an inn in such a place. However, the food probably won't suit the tastes of martial heroes."
"Thank you, owner."
Seonu thanked the owner and sat down to eat. Whatever seasoning had been applied, the roasted duck had a yellow-brown hue and looked quite appetizing. Seonu tore off meat, put it in his mouth and chewed, then immediately poured himself a cup of white liquor and drank.
But why was it so salty? He felt it wouldn't be this salty even if it had been soaked in seawater. Moreover, the seasoning had a strange scent that created an unpleasant sensation in the mouth. Yugwang and Mijin seemed to taste the same thing; they put a few pieces in their mouths, then wiped their hands. No matter how hungry they were, this seemed impossible to eat.
"How much is it?"
At Yugwang's question, the owner smiled and approached, answering politely.
"Thirty poon."
Quickly finishing the payment, Seonu's group left the tavern and walked along the Northern Zheng League's wall. Walking for a while, a hill appeared as the tavern owner said. Going around the hill, they saw a well and an old house appeared. To the eye it didn't look like an inn but like an ordinary house.
Opening the door and entering, it was different from the outside. The inside was quite spacious, and with four or five dining tables, it was certainly an inn. And there was a previous guest, seen sitting alone drinking. When Seonu's group entered, an old man came out to welcome them.
"Welcome."
Seonu, seated, asked the owner.
"What do you have?"
"This place only has tofu stew, rice, and liquor. For liquor, we only have hwaju that we brew ourselves."
Hearing the owner's answer, Seonu ordered tofu stew and rice for three, and two bottles of hwaju. After ordering, Seonu glanced at the previous guest. He was a young man, but his right sleeve was loose—he was one-armed. Yet seeing a sword leaning against the table, he was a man who used a left-handed sword, rare in the martial world.
Watching him briefly, Seonu turned his head and asked Yugwang.
"How does the struggle for Muryeong plaques proceed?"
"Yes. They mainly hire assassins. Because clashing directly may bring trouble later. When they request the number of plaques wanted from assassins, the assassins find easy targets on their own, eliminate them, and bring the plaques."
"Don't the Northern Zheng League take any measures even though assassins are roaming about?"
"During this period, even the Northern Zheng League closes its eyes and ears to the assassins' movements."
"So it's 'survive and make your way in on your own.'"
"Yes. So families who received plaques tend to send many escorts."
As Yugwang answered Seonu's questions, Mijin, sitting quietly beside him, kept glancing at the one-armed man.
"That man is not an assassin. So put your worries aside."
"How do you know that?"
Seonu answered Mijin's question, wiping away any trace of laughter.
"Judging by the rough aura emanating outward, he is not someone who trained in martial arts at a martial clan or sect. And since he doesn't sit as if present yet absent, he is not an assassin either. That man is a wanderer."
Yugwang and Mijin admired the answer, and the one-armed man quietly drinking turned his head to look this way. Seonu raised his arm and waved, speaking to him.
"Wanderer, how about drinking together instead of drinking alone?"
At Seonu's offer, the one-armed man smiled coldly and turned his head.
"Goodness, embarrassing a man."
As Seonu smacked his lips, Mijin smiled quietly. Three bowls of tofu stew came out, followed by side dishes, rice, and liquor, and the three picked up their spoons. Seonu was a bit surprised at his first taste of the broth. It tasted like the tofu stew he ate at home. Yugwang and Mijin also ate the stew and rice diligently as if it suited their tastes. To think he could taste here the tofu stew that his grandmother used to cook, and his mother had inherited that taste to cook.
Haha...
Seonu laughed for no particular reason. Savoring the stew's taste and eating it with rice, Seonu turned his head toward the wooden wall. The wall built from cut logs was full of lines. As if someone had drawn them with a sword, lines filled the wall everywhere. Staring intently at those lines, Seonu moved his fingers as if cutting away several lines drawn vertically and horizontally.