Chapter 156: Chapter 156

“Keu-heok! Aaargh!”

Je Gyu-sang, who had been sent flying backward and tumbled through the materials inside the warehouse, soon stiffened rigidly and let out gasping, choking sounds. Then, his body trembled violently, and an eerie cracking, grinding sound began to resonate.

Stepping into the warehouse behind him, Jang Geon slowly closed the wide-open warehouse doors. A faint creak sounded from the door hinges. And simultaneously with the closing of the door, the commotion outside involving the other Outer Hall martial artists, Seom Ji-yeong, and Martial Artist Yong could be heard. Shouts of protest from the Outer Hall martial artists asking what the meaning of this was mixed with Seom Ji-yeong’s voice blocking them.

Listening to the commotion beyond the door, Jang Geon crouched down before the fallen Je Gyu-sang.

“Heu-eok! S-spare… spare me… K-ugh!”

Shivering from the pain coursing through his entire body, Je Gyu-sang begged the moment he saw Jang Geon. He appeared bewildered by the sudden agony and the present situation. However, Jang Geon merely looked down at him silently for a moment, even as he heard those pleas.

“D-damn… it…”

Seeing Jang Geon’s calm eyes, Je Gyu-sang seemed to believe he was about to die like this, gritting his teeth and shutting both eyes tightly. But under the searing pain that followed immediately after, he couldn’t even make a sound and snapped his eyes wide open. From his body, the sound of crushing bones continued to echo.

The next instant, Jang Geon’s fingers jabbed into various places on Je Gyu-sang’s body once more. Unlike the lightning-fast barrage from earlier, he now steadily pressed each acupoint one by one. Thanks to that, every time an acupoint was pressed, Je Gyu-sang flopped like a freshly landed fish.

With the Muscle-Bone Separation technique thus undone, Je Gyu-sang lay limp on the floor like a corpse, panting with faint breaths. Yet Jang Geon lightly tapped his cheek with the back of his hand.

“Get a grip. Shall we start over?”

At the mention of starting over, the slack Je Gyu-sang snapped to his senses. Even while his entire body tingled with numbness, he flailed and retreated backward. But due to the goods filling the warehouse, he could barely retreat before being forced to stop, leaning against those piles of cargo.

Panting for breath, Je Gyu-sang asked.

“…How did you find me?”

“Why? Did you think I wouldn’t find you because your face is so common?”

At Jang Geon’s counter-question, he spoke as if feeling hollow.

“…I didn’t expect you to track me down right as night passed.”

“The woman waiting outside remembered you. She said since this is a place she will live in for the rest of her life, what would she do if she didn’t even know the faces of the people living there?”

“Seom Ji-yeong did…? Damn it… She only barely saw me once during a ceremonial event…”

Je Gyu-sang muttered as if sighing, drooping his head limp. Watching him, Jang Geon scratched his chin and spoke.

“What is your name?”

“…Je Gyu-sang.”

With the agony from earlier still lingering, Je Gyu-sang had no choice but to answer Jang Geon’s question obediently. Although he had received training to endure pain in his own right after becoming a shadow warrior, an agony where bones and muscles throughout the entire body felt snapped and crushed was a first.

“Who do you work under?”

“…I am a martial artist of the Je Clan. Naturally, I work for the clan.”

“You move to cover up the assassination of the family head while claiming to work for the clan?”

Je Gyu-sang’s face contorted in an instant. Unable to even make eye contact with Jang Geon, he spoke.

“…The family head is a position representing the clan. That does not mean he can manipulate the clan as he pleases. Family Head Je Gung-wol should have cared a bit more about the clan’s members…”

“Even so, that hardly looks like a reason he deserved to die.”

Whether Jang Geon’s words hit the mark or because Je Gyu-sang himself did not truly believe what he was saying, his mouth fell shut. At the same time, the commotion beyond the closed door was growing louder.

“What is the meaning of this, Lady Seom! Explain the situation!”

“We are investigating an important matter! It will not take long!”

“Who gave Lady Seom such authority!”

“This is not a matter of authority!”

At that uproar, Je Gyu-sang raised his head.

“…Pouncing on me immediately is worthy of praise. You gave me no time to react. But what will you do now? Outer Hall Master Je Yong-wol will arrive shortly, and once he comes, you won’t be able to leave the Outer Hall pavilions—”

His mouth closed. Jang Geon had raised his right index finger.

“Then you’d better confess something before that. Otherwise, you’ll die in that exact agony from before.”

Je Gyu-sang gaped as he looked between that finger and Jang Geon. He wanted to put on a brave front, but the memory of the agony he had just endured prevented words from coming out. Ultimately, he lowered his eyes stealthily and spoke.

“…I don’t know the full details either. As a collateral branch member of the clan, I am merely a blade handling matters that must be buried in darkness. The one issuing commands to me is not simply the Outer Hall Master alone, but the elders of the clan, and I don’t even know the identities of the other shadows besides myself. Therefore, any information I can give is bound to be fragmented.”

“Even that is fine, so spit it out.”

Je Gyu-sang still hesitated slightly, glancing toward the closed door, but upon seeing Jang Geon’s index finger, he quickly opened his mouth.

“All I know is the secret base of the Yeon Clan in downtown New Sichuan, and that Outer Hall Master Je Yong-wol has been frequenting that place until recently. And that he is the one taking the lead most aggressively in burying the family head’s death…”

Jang Geon’s eyes narrowed. The Yeon Clan. The Yeon Noble Clan. An ancient great clan distinct from the Je Clan, but unlike the Je Clan based in the New World, they were rooted in the Central Plains. Moreover, they were a clan that always intervened whenever Jang Geon became entangled with the Je Clan.

“The Yeon Clan is involved in the family head’s death?”

“…That is all I know. What transactions were exchanged there, even I do not know.”

Feeling a dry, bitter taste in his mouth, Jang Geon gathered saliva and spat to the side. He had thought it was purely an internal dispute within the Je Clan, but it seemed there were outsiders meddling as well. Jang Geon felt the need to make a move. An escalating situation would sweep over and swallow him the moment he hesitated. Moreover, unlike the Murim Alliance, a closed ancient great clan could devour him without batting an eye and pretend nothing had happened.

“This is getting disgusting.”

Muttering briefly, Jang Geon grabbed the collar of Je Gyu-sang, who sat propped against the materials. Then, rising to his feet, he hauled his body up as well.

“U-uh, whoa…”

“Stand straight. Lead the way.”

“What?”

With his legs still trembling, Je Gyu-sang looked at Jang Geon with bewildered eyes. Holding Je Gyu-sang by the collar and setting him upright, Jang Geon spoke.

“I need to see if your words are true. Guide me to that Yeon Clan secret base.”

“Wh-what? You want me to guide you?”

“Then what? Even if I leave you here, aren’t you finished anyway? Doesn’t seem like you can play shadow anymore.”

Jang Geon’s words were correct. Not only had his identity as a shadow been exposed, but he had also confessed what he knew; if he remained here until the Outer Hall Master arrived, he would face reprimand, or in the worst-case scenario, become a scapegoat or be silenced in death. Furthermore, even if it ended in mere reprimand, he would still be expelled once Seom Ji-yeong succeeded in unveiling the secret.

Thinking that far, Je Gyu-sang’s face turned pale. In that case, there were only about two ways for him to survive. Either somehow stop Jang Geon here, or actively cooperate to dig out the Outer Hall Master’s secrets and take him down.

Right now, stopping Jang Geon seemed impossible. In fact, from the moment he failed to report last night’s situation properly, the answer had already been decided.

“…Do you not think I will flee along the way?”

“Try it.”

Je Gyu-sang felt Jang Geon’s confidence in that curt reply. To begin with, as the outcome had already proven, Je Gyu-sang was no match for Jang Geon.

“…I will lead the way.”

In the end, Je Gyu-sang nodded. Jang Geon nodded as well, pushing him ahead as he opened the warehouse door. Outside could be seen Seom Ji-yeong and her martial artists guarding the door, and beyond them, the Outer Hall people encircling them in a semicircle. The moment the door swung open and Jang Geon and Je Gyu-sang stepped out, they forgot their verbal argument and focused their attention on them.

“…Gyu-Gyu-sang? Are you alright?”

A middle-aged martial artist who appeared to be an Outer Hall member called out worriedly first. Swallowing dry saliva, Je Gyu-sang glanced at Jang Geon, then nodded as if everything were fine.

“Well… I have a personal issue. I think I need to rest today.”

“Are you truly alright? Lady Seom here blocked the door and…”

“I am fine. I have business outside, so I will settle it quickly and return.”

The Outer Hall people who had been pressing Seom Ji-yeong and her martial artists were left hesitant and unable to speak when Je Gyu-sang reacted like that. Trembling faintly, Je Gyu-sang spoke to Jang Geon and Seom Ji-yeong.

“…Let us go. I will lead the way.”

Looking bewildered, Seom Ji-yeong gazed at Jang Geon as if asking how on earth he had managed it. Jang Geon merely shrugged, offering no answer.

As Je Gyu-sang took the lead and stepped forward, the Outer Hall people blocking the path stepped aside in a flurry. Looking perplexed, they stared at one another or scratched their heads.

At that moment, Je Gyu-sang’s steps flinched to a halt. He had spotted Hall Master Je Yong-wol walking over from that direction. Je Yong-wol, like the others, was contorting his face as if he could not understand the current situation. Je Gyu-sang hastily avoided his gaze and quickened his pace.

Jang Geon followed behind him, and Seom Ji-yeong passed by after merely offering a slight nod of greeting toward Je Yong-wol.

Je Yong-wol’s contorted expression turned freezing cold the moment they brushed past him. With chilled eyes, he turned around and watched their retreating figures. His hand stealthily reached toward the sword at his hip.

“Hall Master?”

However, seeing the crowd of Outer Hall members and other clan members gathered all around, he soon lowered his hand. Looking around the surroundings with a face frozen like stone, he spoke.

“I must go to the Hall of Discipline. Since I will be absent, handle only essential tasks for today’s duties.”

With that, he spun around and began walking in the opposite direction from where Jang Geon’s group had departed. Only the remaining people tilted their heads, failing to grasp what this situation was about. But soon, they shrugged their shoulders or shook their heads gently, returning to their own tasks.

It looked either like the nonchalance bred from a thousand-year clan tradition, or the resignation of subordinates thoroughly accustomed to their superiors performing endless foolish antics.

* * *

Stepping out through the Je Clan’s main gate and walking with long strides along New Sichuan’s main thoroughfare, the lead Je Gyu-sang’s pace did not slow down at all. And up until then, he kept his mouth firmly shut, uttering not a single word.

Unable to endure it any longer, Seom Ji-yeong spoke first.

“What in the world is happening? Where are we going right now?”

Je Gyu-sang glanced at her and gave no reply.

“The Yeon Clan is involved. It seems the Outer Hall Master joined hands with them.”

The answer came from Jang Geon. And Seom Ji-yeong’s expression turned grave.

“How could it be the Yeon Clan, of all people…”

“It seems the two clans are truly bitter enemies.”

“It’s far beyond mere enemies. Brother Sang-cheon has already suffered terribly at their hands in the past. Whatever the Outer Hall Master acted for the sake of the clan, becoming entangled with the Yeon Clan cannot be tolerated.”

Je Sang-cheon had attempted suicide quite some time ago after being bewitched by a Yeon Clan spy, and afterward, he had wasted clan troops on a joint venture between them and New Sichuan black marketers. It seemed certain that the conflict with the Yeon Clan would grow even fiercer if he became the family head.

“Then the place we are heading to right now must be the Yeon Clan’s secret base…”

Having said that, Seom Ji-yeong looked back at Martial Artist Yong, who unfastened a sword carried on his back and handed it to her. Afterward, the three martial artists, including Martial Artist Yong, straightened their garments and tightened their sword scabbards even as they walked. Though no one had spoken, they were clearly preparing for battle.

Holding the scabbard in her left hand, Seom Ji-yeong watched Je Gyu-sang in the lead and whispered to Jang Geon.

“How did you persuade him?”

“I told him to cooperate if he didn’t want to die.”

Seom Ji-yeong let out a small, incredulous laugh. Regardless of the method, they were able to find a new clue and move, so there was nothing more to say.

Walking through the streets of New Sichuan, the six people, including Je Gyu-sang, soon arrived before a merchant firm.

Perhaps because it was a merchant firm dealing primarily in grain, including rice, all sorts of sacks were piled high across the wide-open front of the building, and the interior was also packed with large sacks. People who had come out during the day to buy rice or beans could be seen, along with several clerks attending to them.

One of the clerks spotted Jang Geon’s approaching group and walked over.

“Welcome! What are you looking for? The beans are great today. A few days ago, rice from Cheonhu Castle arrived as well! Cooking rice with that is simply sublime!”

However, facing him, Je Gyu-sang turned his head toward Jang Geon and spoke.

“To be precise, I understand that only the head merchant of this firm is the contact person. The rest are said to be ordinary clerks.”

“Seems so.”

“Pardon? Wh-what business do you have?”

The clerk was bewildered, seeing Jang Geon and Je Gyu-sang conversing among themselves right in front of him. Without speaking at length, Jang Geon pulled a few coins from his robes, pressed them into his hand, and asked.

“Is the head merchant in?”

“Uh… the head merchant is inside, but… if you tell me what business you have…”

While quickly tucking the money into his hand, the clerk gently blocked their way, as if trying to find out what business they had. As expected of an ordinary clerk, he seemed to possess deep loyalty toward this merchant firm and the head merchant.

At that moment, a man walked out from inside while looking at a document board.

“Hey, Deok-cheol. Didn’t I tell you not to organize this like…”

Scratching his forehead with the back of a fine writing brush, the man froze upon noticing the people facing the clerk named Deok-cheol. And soon, seeing Seom Ji-yeong, Je Gyu-sang, and the martial artists who had gathered, his expression contorted.

“Damn it… It took years to set this place up…”

Muttering softly, he threw the document board in his hand straight at Jang Geon in front of him in the next instant and bolted backward. Simultaneously, as he ran past, he knocked over something, causing piles of stacked sacks to collapse with a rumble, completely blocking the inner path of the merchant firm.

Naturally catching the document board flung like a hidden weapon, Jang Geon let out a small sigh at the sight. Indeed, Je Gyu-sang had been too easy.

Jang Geon looked back at Seom Ji-yeong and spoke.

“Search the inside and see if there is anything else. I will catch him shortly. Keep a close watch on this fellow.”

“…Yes. We will do so.”

Seom Ji-yeong nodded obediently at his words pointing to the firm and Je Gyu-sang. She seemed slightly flustered by the Yeon Clan spy fleeing at full tilt.

Hearing the crashing clatter inside the firm, Jang Geon shook his head gently and sprang up. Flipping lightly in midair and landing securely on the rooftop, he spotted the spy slipping out through the firm’s back door and sprinting down the street.

Jang Geon began running across the rooftops, pursuing him.