Chapter 57: Chapter 57
“Heh, hehe. Have you been well?”
Yang Goeng gave an awkward laugh and raised a hand in greeting. Jang Geon grinned upon seeing him. Seeing that grin, Yang Goeng’s awkward expression gradually brightened. He thought that Jang Geon must not be in a bad mood.
However, when Jang Geon’s hand reached out suddenly and grabbed him by the collar, Yang Goeng’s smile turned into a look that said ‘I knew this would happen.’
“Ah, Brother Jang. Why are you doing this as soon as we meet again? Aren’t we comrades who pulled off a score together…”
Jang Geon didn’t even bother replying with ‘Cut the bullshit.’ He simply began dragging him as he was through the alleyways of New Sichuan.
“Ah, no. Martial Artist Jang! What are you doing…”
Unable to hide her embarrassment at Jang Geon’s attitude and the sight of Yang Goeng grumbling while being dragged along, Jeok-sein followed behind them. The residents nearby whispered among themselves as they watched.
“What’s that? Is he dragging a person right now?”
“Oh boy! Shouldn’t we hurry and report this to the Martial Alliance?”
Hearing those words, Jeok-sein turned around quickly and displayed her Martial Alliance identity plaque.
“We are conducting an official investigation! Do not report this and return to your homes!”
Having shouted that, she quickly ran after the two. However, as she drew farther away, the residents gossiped again.
“…Then does that mean the Martial Alliance is dragging someone away right now?”
“Good lord! The Martial Alliance is completely finished now!”
Running along, Jeok-sein heard every word of that conversation, but she didn’t have time to turn back and correct them. Jang Geon and Yang Goeng had ducked straight into a side alley.
“Wait! I told you to go together!”
Flustered, Jeok-sein shouted out without realizing she dropped her polite honorifics. Fortunately, as she rounded the alley, she saw Yang Goeng sitting on the ground and Jang Geon looking down at him. Looking at them, Jeok-sein yelled sharply.
“Please explain the situation, Jang Geon! Didn’t I already tell you it’s dangerous to act recklessly!”
Jang Geon smirked looking at her anger.
“This bastard is the clue.”
“Th-this bastard? Wait, who is this person that…”
“Ah, Brother Jang! I have a name, so why call me ‘this bastard’?”
Dusting off his trousers, Yang Goeng stood up, grinned, and clasped his hands toward Jeok-sein.
“My name is Yang Goeng, Warrior. I look forward to working with you.”
Jeok-sein looked back and forth between Jang Geon and him as if asking what kind of situation this was, but clasped her hands in return for now. Yang Goeng spoke with a smiling face.
“My, to meet Warrior Jeok-sein, whose reputation echoes through the Martial Alliance! In my heart, I’d love to get an autograph to turn into a scroll, but sadly I have no brush, paper, or ink on hand. I’ve long admired Warrior Jeok’s fame. If you happen to have time later—oops!”
“Cut the bullshit.”
Trying to slip away to the side while talking to Jeok-sein, Yang Goeng was caught again by Jang Geon’s hand and shoved against the wall. As Jeok-sein frowned at the sight, Jang Geon continued speaking.
“What were you doing here?”
“…Hehe. What would a noble thief do coming out to the city? I came to dispose of goods.”
The corners of Jang Geon’s lips arced into a curve. It was a cold smile.
“You happened to visit the city to fence stolen goods and saw me? Right at the murder scene of all places?”
“Th-that was really strictly a mere coincidence…”
“Dark Dragon Corps.”
The silly grin on Yang Goeng’s face stiffened completely, if only for a fraction of a second. But he quickly relaxed his expression and asked back.
“Dark Dragon Corps? What’s that?”
Jang Geon did not answer. He simply stared at Yang Goeng with that same cold smile. Yang Goeng, who had asked back without changing a single expression, gradually stiffened under that silent pressure. Though Jang Geon’s lips were smiling, the two eyes looking down at him were glinting dangerously.
Yang Goeng licked his lips for a moment, hesitating as if about to speak, before finally letting out a long, heavy sigh.
“Ah, shit… How did you know? I never made a slip of the tongue in front of you, Brother Jang.”
“If you intend to use innkeepers as informants in the future, you’d better budget for hush money as well.”
“…Ah, Old Woman Yeo of Cheongsu Village?”
Murmuring as if roughly understanding, Yang Goeng scratched his head vigorously, then looked straight into Jang Geon’s eyes with a hardened expression. Astonishingly, in that brief moment, not a trace of his previous levity or servility remained on his face.
“Damn it, I wasn’t planning to tell you like this… Look, on South Aisle Road in New Sichuan, there’s a wealthy man named Ju Yun. He’s probably preparing to move right now to leave New Sichuan, so go find that chap. I don’t know if it’s still hanging, but you just need to find the sign for Ju Family Merchant Guild. If it’s Brother Jang, starting from there, you’ll be able to figure out why the attempted abduction targeting the manager of the Jang Family Merchant Guild occurred.”
It was out of the blue. He did not explicitly confirm whether he was indeed Dark Dragon Corps, nor did he properly explain why Jang Geon should visit that man. Looking at him, Jang Geon slowly rubbed his right middle finger and thumb together. Should he give this chap a taste of Muscle-Splitting Bone-Dislocating Art as well?
Watching the deliberating Jang Geon, Yang Goeng smirked faintly.
“You have a face reflecting on whether to torture me. Do it if you want. It might be interesting to compete whether Brother Jang’s hand is faster or if my biting down on the poison pill is faster. For your information, what I’m holding in my mouth is more potent than the one Agent No. 17 who died earlier had.”
He was staring into Jang Geon’s calm eyes with eyes that showed no trembling whatsoever. Unlike before, they were eyes displaying firm resolve and sincerity.
Staring into those eyes for a long while, Jang Geon slowly moved his rubbing thumb and tucked it into his belt.
“Why are you telling me that? And why stop halfway?”
Yang Goeng glanced at that hand and grinned foolishly once again.
“How many things in the world are simple and divided into clear black and white? If I were to offer one excuse, it’s that this matter isn’t the will of our entire side. Besides, things like power and money always cause trouble. No matter how much you long for your master, when the distance is too far, the heart strays as well.”
Jang Geon stood slantwise holding his belt, looking at Yang Goeng uttering cryptic words, before turning his gaze to Jeok-sein, who was watching the situation nearby with a serious expression, and asked.
“Can you find the way on South Aisle Road?”
“…Of course.”
Hearing her answer, Jang Geon stepped aside, opening a path for Yang Goeng. Yang Goeng had a slightly surprised face, seemingly not expecting Jang Geon to clear the path so easily. Jang Geon spoke to that face.
“Why? Do you want to take a hit before leaving?”
“No! There’s no need for that! I will leave quietly!”
Yang Goeng strode forward through the path Jang Geon cleared. It was a stride that was half a run. Yet before disappearing into the dim alley in the distance, he suddenly stopped. Then he turned around and looked at Jang Geon.
“Say, Brother Jang. I think there will be another big job coming up soon. Would you care to pull off a score together again then?”
Jang Geon, who was about to exit the alley in the opposite direction from Yang Goeng, burst into dumbfounded laughter at those words. Then he whipped his body around, taking a stance as if about to pounce. At that, Yang Goeng gasped in surprise and scrambled to flee, shouting out.
“Then see you next time, Brother Jang!”
Jang Geon slowly shook his head, looking at his back disappearing into the mouth of the alleyway. Had they not met like this today, he would have squeezed Yang Goeng thoroughly. However, judging from how he intentionally caught Jang Geon’s eye earlier and immediately provided the desired information, Yang Goeng appeared to be trying to help him for now. Whatever hidden motive lay beneath, the good will was what Jang Geon could see and feel right now.
If so, the action Jang Geon would return was also just that. Of course, the alternative motives of Yang Goeng or the Dark Dragon Corps behind him might surface later. No, it was definite that they had their own calculations. But that was something he could deal with when it broke out into the open.
Quite apart from his martial prowess, Jang Geon possessed a resolute determination to repay whatever he received.
“…Good grief. A Dark Dragon Corps operative whom the Alliance would love to secure most just vanished right before my eyes. It’s rather absurd.”
Watching Jang Geon’s actions, Jeok-sein spoke thus and stepped out in the lead. Above their heads, between tall and low buildings, the evening sky taking in the sunset and dyeing itself deep navy blue was visible.
“If you needed him, you should have caught him. I wouldn’t have stopped you.”
“Ha. No matter how anxious I am, I can’t do that to a person who provided information. If anything, if we dig deeper into this matter, something ought to turn up.”
Jang Geon gave a faint smile at her words.
“Then let’s go quickly.”
Emerging from the alley, the two moved forward with Jeok-sein leading the way as before.
Lights were brightening in lanterns hanging here and there in high and low places across the darkening streets of New Sichuan. It was a time when red sunset glow became hard to find in the sky, yet people were instead crowding onto the street where the two walked. Merchants who finished their day’s work, shop clerks, and wealthy citizens were coming out, intoxicated by the lanterns of New Sichuan.
As he traversed the street like that, something particularly eye-catching caught Jang Geon’s eye.
It was a massive pavilion that had not been fully built yet. Scaffolding woven from bamboo and timber, along with thick, large pillars, protruded sharply, making it look almost like a hedgehog at this darkened hour. Perhaps sensing Jang Geon’s gaze, Jeok-sein spoke up first.
“It’s the New Sichuan Merchant Association’s building. I understand they poured a considerable fortune into erecting a pavilion to represent New Sichuan. The floor count alone is eight, and when completed, it will be the largest and tallest building in New Sichuan.”
Jang Geon held that unfinished pavilion in his eyes for a moment, then followed behind Jeok-sein.
She passed straight through the bustling downtown street where crowds were growing, heading south of New Sichuan. As they walked, the bustling crowds thinned out, revealing a quiet neighborhood of grand residences. Though one might hesitate for a moment before the large, expansive buildings and high walls, Jeok-sein walked ahead with big strides without much hesitation.
And soon they found the sign Yang Goeng had mentioned. It was a sign written in grand calligraphy: Ju Family Merchant Guild.
However, as they approached the main gate of that place, the gate was wide open. Glancing inside, servants were busily coming and going, creating a commotion. Seeing them running around carrying various furniture, it truly looked like they were preparing to move to leave New Sichuan, just as Yang Goeng had said.
“The sun has already set and it’s time to wrap up the day, so why are they in such a hurry…”
Jeok-sein could not conceal her bewilderment. And the same went for Jang Geon. He stepped past the open gate without hesitation and entered inside.
“Wait, Martial Artist Jang! What do you plan to do entering so recklessly?”
“Just call me Jang Geon. You already did so anyway. And it doesn’t seem like they have the composure left to come out even if we call from here. It’ll be better to just go in and search for the master of this house.”
Jang Geon strode forward inside naturally as if entering his own house. Thinking for a moment, Jeok-sein also promptly followed behind him into the building.
The two began searching here and there through the vast place, unsure whether it was a merchant guild or a manor. Even after sunset, people who appeared to be servants or shop clerks were busily moving about, packing items and furniture. They were packing fragile items like porcelain into straw-lined boxes or passing by in front of the two carrying chests filled with unknown contents.
Glancing over, there were those slacking off in what looked like the kitchen, stuffing rice and side dishes into their mouths, while others merely pretended to work half-heartedly. It was work slowdown caused by having too many people around.
Roaming around the manor for a long while, Jang Geon and Jeok-sein finally spotted a gray-haired middle-aged man giving orders left and right to the people.
He was a man of somewhat short height and chubby build, surrounded by two or three people following him with books and fine brushes, while workers kept coming up one or two at a time to ask him what to do.
And just as the two spotted him, he also spotted the two. Busily issuing tasks to the nearby workers, he approached.
“I haven’t seen your faces before. You don’t look like laborers. What brings you here?”
Jang Geon subtly took a step back behind Jeok-sein. She possessed an item that was convenient at times like this. Seeing him step back like that, she narrowed her eyes slightly, but eventually stepped forward and held up her Martial Alliance identity plaque.
“I am Jeok-sein, Patrol Officer of the Martial Alliance. I have come because there are several matters I need to ask and verify.”
“…I don’t know what business the Martial Alliance has here. Don’t hold back a busy person for nothing and get out! Hey, who let these people in without permission?”
“Wait, Manager Ju? This won’t cause harm to your merchant guild. We will only ask a few questions.”
Since it was the Ju Family Merchant Guild, she had apparently guessed his surname as Ju. However, Manager Ju bellowed angrily.
“Is being from the Martial Alliance everything! How dare you enter a merchant guild chaotic with moving preparations as you please and roam about recklessly! Get out immediately! If there’s a problem, officially request cooperation later! Even if the Martial Alliance Leader was granted the Righteous Dragon Sword by His Imperial Majesty, that doesn’t permit this kind of high-handed investigation, does it!”
“No, we are only asking a few questions…”
Jeok-sein stepped forward a bit more, frowning at Manager Ju as if asking if he wasn’t going too far, and let her sentence trail off. However, her right hand moved slyly to her waist, flashing two fingers visible only to Jang Geon. Jang Geon formed a smile.
A moment ago, Manager Ju had panicked as soon as he saw the Martial Alliance identity plaque, while simultaneously stealing glances at the scribes behind him. After that, he was yelling loudly to chase Jeok-sein and Jang Geon away. Jang Geon’s deeply sunken eyes turned to the scribes. There were three scribes, and just as Jeok-sein signaled, two of them were hiding cold gazes unbefitting the role of scribes.
“…Then there is nothing to be done. I shall go to the Alliance and issue an official request for cooperation. Will that suffice?”
“Th-that’s right! Naturally you should follow procedures like that!”
Jeok-sein nodded and turned her body. Her eyes met Jang Geon’s. Simultaneously, Jang Geon whispered: “Left.”
In the next instant, Jeok-sein and Jang Geon turned their bodies and pounced like tigers upon the scribes. Imitating the Dragon Claw technique he had experienced previously, Jang Geon’s hand seized the right scribe’s neck. Beside him, Jeok-sein drew the sword strapped to her back together with its scabbard and struck the left scribe’s skull.
The seized scribe urgently tried to resist with a flustered expression, but at the hand clamping tightly down on his nape, he let out a single groan—’Kek!’—and froze. It was because something surged in through that hand, vibrating through his entire body and inflicting pain and rigidity.
Jang Geon grabbed the scribe’s jaw with his other hand to prevent him from biting down with his teeth. The bewildered scribe’s eyes met Jang Geon’s. He smiled.
“Got you.”
* * *
A middle-aged man with hair neatly combed and tied back was sharpening a knife with a rasping sound. Though dark with only a single lantern lit, it was easy to tell that the place was a kitchen from the polished trays and cast-iron pots. Reflecting the knife once against the lantern placed beside him, he slowly continued sharpening the blade. Right then, someone appeared at the doorway of the kitchen.
He spoke.
“Ahem, ahem. It has been handled well.”
“Is that so? Did he not suspect anything?”
“Suspect? Is there any reason for danger to touch me?”
“There is. Having your identity as Dark Dragon Corps exposed. We haven’t uncovered the origins of his martial arts yet, so exposing your identity isn’t good.”
“…Do you truly intend to recruit him?”
“There’s no reason not to. After all, even you, Dark Dragon Agent No. 7, are an outsider recruited here on the New Continent, and our Dark Dragon Corps is an open organization without discrimination when it comes to hiring agents.”
“Well, if you really intend to recruit him, shouldn’t we have avoided using him in this matter? In the end, if he traces that line up…”
“Doesn’t he already have a Martial Alliance Patrol Officer attached to his side? Once that patrol officer grasps the whole story, the Alliance will move. He won’t have to fight Commandant Fierce Tiger directly.”
The person standing at the doorway tilted his head.
“Well… I don’t think it’ll go that way…”
“What do you mean you don’t think so?”
“No… well… in my opinion, that chap will trace it straight to the top and pick a fight…”
The middle-aged man’s knife-sharpening momentarily stopped. However, it soon moved again, making the rasping sound.
“If so, then that’s as far as he goes. So stop worrying about that matter and go attend to your business.”
“Ah… yes. Work hard. I’ll take my leave.”
The person at the doorway slipped away. Even after he departed, the middle-aged man sharpened his knife for a long while. As he silently sharpened the knife like that, at a certain moment he abruptly stopped. Then he tossed the knife he had been sharpening onto the table with a thud.
His empty left hand toyed with the cloth knot tied to his right forearm.