Chapter 58: Chapter 58

* * *

Manager Ju wore a dazed expression upon seeing the scribes collapse, then shouted angrily.

“What is the meaning of this!”

“Arresting the suspects.”

Forcing open the captured scribe’s mouth, Jang Geon answered briefly. Hearing those words, Manager Ju wore a blank face once again.

“Do not worry, Manager Ju. Now the Martial Alliance will protect you.”

Jeok-sein strapped the scabbard she had used to strike the scribe’s head back onto her back, trying to reassure him. However, Manager Ju did not calm down.

“Then what about my daughter! What happens to my daughter!”

“Your daughter?”

“These bastards kidnapped my daughter!”

Hearing his outcry, Jeok-sein nodded as if understanding and met eyes with Jang Geon.

“…I see what happened.”

Giving a nod in return, Jang Geon extracted a detachable molar and poison pill from the captured scribe’s mouth as he asked.

“What did these fellows demand after kidnapping your daughter? Was it to leave New Sichuan?”

Manager Ju looked at the two with anxious eyes, hesitating to answer. But right then, the merchant guild laborers rushed over in a crowd.

“Manager!”

“Are you all right, Manager!”

The laborers rushed over, each holding wooden clubs or brooms. Even so, they showed no sign of knowing a shred of martial arts, but a dozen or so crowding over like that was still threatening. Seeing those people, Jeok-sein reflexively reached back to slowly grip her sword again.

The laborers murmured upon seeing the fallen scribes.

“Oh! Scribe Wang is bleeding from his head!”

“Those bastards! Where did they suddenly come from to…”

“Be quiet, everyone!”

However, that murmuring went quiet at Manager Ju’s shout. Erasing his panic from a moment ago, he had reclaimed the countenance of a manager leading a merchant guild. Turning to the laborers, he spoke again.

“Everyone return quietly to your places. Don’t cause an unnecessary fuss and continue the moving preparations you were doing. These people are martial artists of the Martial Alliance, so set your minds at ease.”

At those words, the laborers looked around among themselves, hesitating briefly, before slinking back at the sight of Manager Ju waving his hand. Seeing them retreat, Manager Ju covered his forehead with his waving hand and turned back to Jeok-sein and Jang Geon.

“…I don’t know how the Martial Alliance learned of this. No, setting aside how you found out, I didn’t expect you to come visiting so brazenly. Did one of the laborers report it by any chance?”

At those words, Jeok-sein licked her lips and answered.

“That is top secret information of the Martial Alliance. Rather than that, tell us about your situation, Manager Ju. Was your daughter kidnapped?”

“Didn’t you come here already knowing everything?”

“What is reported to us and what is properly explained by the party involved are bound to differ. So, Manager Ju, tell us directly from the beginning of this incident.”

Jang Geon gave a subtle smile watching her wet her lips and bluff Manager Ju. Then, with rapid hand movements, he applied an acupoint strike to the scribe who lay sprawled in his grip, rolling only his eyes. Manager Ju flinched at the tapping sound, but seeing the scribe freeze stiff afterward, he seemed to gain trust in them and finally opened his mouth.

“…I was originally a person in the shipping business along the Yangtze River in the Central Plains. Then I realized that to grow my merchant guild into a truly massive enterprise, I needed to expand our business to the sea and minimize intermediate distribution. So I intended to make New Sichuan the beginning of that expansion and establish a branch…”

This man, Manager Ju, seemed to possess a remarkably broad business perspective. He was an ambitious man who had expanded his enterprise from transporting goods along the Yangtze River routes to imagining a broader scale of shipping that connected the New Continent, the Central Plains, and the farther West.

Moreover, seeing how he sought to link all those connecting nodes into his own business network and swallow up every bit of profit from transport, he was also a man overflowing with greed.

At any rate, as the first step of his ambitious plan, he procured ships, and intending to establish a link to the New Continent first before the Western Regions where language barriers existed, he set up a merchant guild in New Sichuan. Though money poured out everywhere, he had a reliable cash flow through his Yangtze River enterprises, so he never faltered. He believed his greater success was merely a matter of time. But world affairs were never so easily resolved.

“…I was short-sighted. I should have thought more deeply about the fact that those who preempted this route over a hundred years would never hand over their positions so easily…”

The ones who initially checked him were the New Sichuan Merchant Association. Thinking of him at first as merely a new businessman, once they confirmed that Manager Ju was linking his original Yangtze River enterprise in the Central Plains with his New Sichuan enterprise, they began interfering while denouncing him for monopolizing transportation.

Manager Ju tried to resolve that problem simply with money. He moved in a way to buy off association members with his money, bring them into the business, and swallow up the association itself instead. That was when real trouble arose.

“…The letter arrived a week ago. It was a letter stating that if I did not immediately pack up my business in New Sichuan and leave, not only I but also my daughter would not be safe. The contents were clearly sent by the existing merchant association. Naturally, I had no intention of leaving, so I increased bodyguards and pushed the plan to swallow up the association even more aggressively.”

He also repeatedly warned his daughter, whom he had brought along to gradually teach business, to be careful. However, to a fifteen-year-old girl who had arrived in a New Continent city she had only heard about, it felt like nothing more than harsh interference and excessive worry. She immediately pestered Manager Ju with complaints.

Unable to resist in the end, he permitted her to look around the night market. On the condition of promising not to separate from the bodyguards. Even if a threatening note had been sent, he thought she would be safe if accompanied by many bodyguards.

However, naturally, that was a mistake.

“…The martial artist bodyguards hired for dozens of taels of gold all had their heads severed and delivered. Along with them was my daughter’s pinky finger.”

Hearing the story, Jeok-sein let out a short groan and asked.

“Why didn’t you think to report it to the Martial Alliance?”

“That was because of the watchers who arrived along with the heads, the ones lying right here now. I don’t even want to know what happened to the original owners of those faces. Furthermore, even if I reported it to the Martial Alliance, it was hard to believe you would bring my daughter back safely…”

Manager Ju let out a deep sigh. Having unraveled his story in a short moment, he looked ten years older. Looking at him, Jang Geon pondered whether his brother Jang Un had received a similar letter. Unlike Manager Ju, the Jang Family Merchant Guild had not yet finalized what business they would conduct. Moreover, though the Hunan Jang family was wealthy, it was somewhat lacking to attempt a business of a scale connecting continent to continent as in Manager Ju’s story. In addition, to plan and execute such an undertaking required someone possessing an ambition greater than mere capital. There was no such person in his family.

Jang Geon felt he needed to dig further into this matter and into the place called the merchant association.

“…What more story do you need? Receiving the heads and letter last night and preparing to leave right now is the end of my story. Now will you please save my daughter?”

“Do not worry, Manager Ju. The Martial Alliance will rescue your daughter and bring her back safely. And we will send warriors to protect the merchant guild right away.”

Jeok-sein spoke thus, reassuring the manager, and slung the scribe she had knocked unconscious onto her shoulder. Then, turning to Jang Geon, she spoke.

“Let’s return to the Alliance first. We must interrogate these fellows.”

However, Jang Geon shook his head. Had it been only the affair at the Jang Family Merchant Guild, it wouldn’t matter, but if Manager Ju’s daughter was currently kidnapped, this was now a race against time. Whether it was the merchant association, the Dark Dragon Corps, or anyone else, the more time they were given to play tricks, the more disadvantageous it became for this side.

Without further hesitation, Jang Geon applied an acupoint strike with rapid hand movements to the scribe’s body as the man rolled his eyes.

“Martial Artist Jang! What are you doing now?”

“The longer we delay, the more disadvantageous it becomes for us. Only by striking swiftly will they panic and reveal their flaws.”

“Are you saying you will interrogate him right here on the spot? But…”

Even before Jeok-sein’s words finished, a gruesome crunching sound began echoing from the body of the scribe who received the acupoint strike. Hearing that sound, Jeok-sein, Manager Ju, and the only real scribe standing beside him turned pale.

“What on earth is…”

Subjected to Muscle-Splitting Bone-Dislocating Art, the scribe’s eyes rolled backward, exposing the whites. Violent crunching noises resounded from his body, yet he didn’t actually move and merely trembled violently. However, judging from his flush red face and foam oozing past his closed mouth, one could easily guess he was suffering unbearable pain.

Only when a faint tinge of blood appeared in the foam flowing from his mouth did Jang Geon strike his acupoints once again. The scribe choked and coughed violently. So painful was it that tears were streaming down from his eyes.

“…Stop, please… S-spare me…”

“Name.”

The scribe looked at Jang Geon with trembling eyes. As he appeared to hesitate, Jang Geon raised his hand again.

“W-wait! I’ll talk! Im Gyeol! My name is Im Gyeol!”

Without lowering his hand, Jang Geon continued asking.

“Dark Dragon Corps designation.”

When the name Dark Dragon Corps came out, surprise and resignation simultaneously appeared in Im Gyeol’s eyes. He thought Jang Geon had come knowing everything.

“…No. 23, Dark Dragon Agent No. 23.”

“What about that chap?”

“No. 22…”

As he answered obediently, Jang Geon’s hand descended as well.

“Why did the Dark Dragon Corps meddle in the merchant association’s affairs?”

“…I merely acted upon receiving orders. The mission to monitor and report whether that merchant takes any suspicious action while leaving New Sichuan, and what actions he takes if he does.”

“You don’t know the full situation itself?”

“I am merely a low-ranking agent. If higher-ups tell me to do something, I do it, and if they tell me not to, I don’t.”

“Who is above you?”

Im Gyeol licked his lips and hesitated. Then, seeing Jang Geon’s hand rising again, he let out a dry laugh. Blood-tainted foam sputtered slightly from the corners of his mouth.

“Damn it… Even during training there was no torture like this…”

“Did you receive training against torture too?”

“…It was horrible training. There were even sayings that it wasn’t to build resistance against torture, but to instill fear so we would bite down on poison pills when captured. Looking at it now, that training seems correct… I should have prepared more poison pills…”

“Then let’s make it easy. Tell me who is above you.”

At Jang Geon’s calm tone, he finally squeezed his eyes shut and answered.

“Usually, I work as a laborer at a warehouse by the docks. I haul cargo, and when an assignment comes down, I disguise myself like today and carry out the work. Assignments… are usually received from Old Man Hyeong, who works as the night watchman there.”

“Which warehouse?”

“Among the sailing ships currently docked at the pier, there is one with a red sail. And in front of that sailing ship sits a warehouse labeled No. 13. That’s the place.”

Finding out the location, Jang Geon stood up from his spot. Then he turned to Jeok-sein.

“I’ll go check out that warehouse right away.”

“A-ah, wait! Are you saying you’ll go alone? It’s dangerous! There’s no telling which Im—no, which expert you might encounter! We should first escort these men to the Martial Alliance and move with support from the patrol unit…”

“It doesn’t seem like we have that much time. Do not worry. Even if the situation worsens, I can extract myself. Furthermore, if our movements grow large with backup, the manager’s daughter might be put in danger.”

Listening, Manager Ju gasped in surprise and shouted.

“No! I cannot allow such a thing!”

“No, but we can’t just act recklessly like this…”

“Do not worry and wait. I’ll bring the child back.”

Jang Geon did not wait any longer. Adjusting the sword at his waist, he began striding away from the spot.

“W-wait! Martial Artist Jang! Jang—Jang Geon! Then…”

Calming Manager Ju, Jeok-sein tried to stop him, but looking back and forth between the fellow slung over her shoulder and the Dark Dragon Corps agent lying on the ground, her footsteps paused. And in that brief interval, Jang Geon disappeared into the corner of the building.

“…So you’re telling me to carry both of these guys alone…?”

The lying Dark Dragon Corps agent Im Gyeol, Manager Ju, and the merchant guild scribe were all staring only at her, left behind alone. Jeok-sein let out a deep sigh and adjusted the fellow on her shoulder. It seemed she would work up quite a sweat for the first time in a while.

* * *

Jang Geon moved rapidly. Moving from South Aisle Road in New Sichuan toward the western docks, quite a few people were visible, mostly heading to the night market or taverns. Midway, there was even a street so packed with people that their shoulders bumped against one another.

However, Jang Geon slipped between those countless people naturally like flowing water and quickly broke through. Had someone been paying attention to him, it was a scene that would make them rub their eyes and quake in fear thinking a ghost had passed.

At any rate, crossing New Sichuan’s downtown area quickly and arriving at the waterfront, Jang Geon immediately examined the docked sailing ships. Among the sails that were mostly white or yellowish, it seemed he would easily spot a red sail that stood out unusually.

However, that wasn’t quite the case. The reason was simple. Sailing ships did not keep their sails unfurled while docked.

“Damn it.”

In the end, Jang Geon had to stare at each ship one by one, inspecting the furled sails. The dim light of the waning moon at least helped him by illuminating the pier.

Still, Jang Geon’s sharp eyesight didn’t go anywhere, so he was able to find the ship quickly. Jang Geon immediately located Warehouse No. 13 in the vicinity.

“Who’s there?”

As he approached near the warehouse, someone carrying a lantern walked over. It was an old man with a hunched back and a scruffy, untidy white beard. Confirming his appearance, Jang Geon asked.

“Old Man Hyeong?”

“Old Man Hyeong? I’m Mr. Woo?”

However, having already verified neck muscles unbefitting an old man, Jang Geon was stretching out his hooked hand. His fingers cut through the air with a swoosh as if turned into blades.

The old man did not stay still either. Falling back as if tumbling backward, he dodged Jang Geon’s hand and kicked his right foot up toward Jang Geon’s chin. Jang Geon blocked the foot with his left hand. Once that kick was blocked, the old man immediately kicked Jang Geon with his other foot.

Pulling back his extended hand, Jang Geon blocked the attack and was pushed back a couple of steps. Pushing Jang Geon back, the old man executed a swift, low backflip and straightened his body.

“…Who are you?”

“Someone who came to find the child.”

“The child?”

The old man frowned slightly. Then he went expressionless as if understanding what it meant.

“…Manager Ju Wol played a bad move. He should have done as told, yet he hired a man. Because of you, that girl will die.”

“Before that, you’re going to croak first.”

At Jang Geon’s answer, the old man snorted—“Hmph”—then suddenly turned and began fleeing backward. As Jang Geon watched in dumbfounded disbelief, the old man grabbed hold of various spots on the warehouse wall over thirty feet high and stood atop the roof in an instant.

From atop the roof, the old man looked down at Jang Geon. His face looked as if asking whether he could follow up here.

Standing below the warehouse, Jang Geon shrugged his shoulders at that expression, then kicked off the ground and leaped up. Without grabbing onto anything like the old man, he kicked the wall just twice and stood atop the roof.

“What the…”

The old man on the roof widened his eyes in shock at their eye levels instantly matching once again. Then he immediately turned around and began running away without looking back.

“Look at him go.”

Smirking at his back, Jang Geon began the chase. Under the dim half-moon, a rooftop pursuit across New Sichuan commenced.

Proving that his face and posture were a disguise, the old man bounded relentlessly from roof to roof across the pier. Despite numerous obstacles and dangerous gaps if he fell, he was faster than most young men running on the ground. And Jang Geon noticed that his manner of running while grabbing and pulling himself past various obstacles and eaves was not so much Lightness Art as simply the combination of the old man’s agility and internal energy.

Perhaps if that old man lived long and compiled his current running into martial principles, a true Lightness Art specialized in springing over and running past countless obstacles might be born then.

But that wasn’t right now.

Jang Geon increased his speed. Unlike the old man running heavily, he stepped lightly and fleetly, rapidly closing the distance.

Beneath the two running from roof to roof, the streets of New Sichuan were bright with lanterns hung by night markets and courtesan houses. Because the night sky was dark with a dim half-moon and starlight, it was a landscape looking as if rivers of light branching into multiple streams were flowing beside a black rocky island.

Running above, the old man glanced back and gasped in shock at the sight of Jang Geon having almost caught up to him. Clicking his teeth to himself, he kicked off the roof and bounded over to land on the opposite building. That building was a pavilion forming scaffolding with protruding bamboo and timber pillars, appearing not fully constructed yet.

Jang Geon remembered that place was the new pavilion of the merchant association he had seen while going to the Ju Family Merchant Guild. It seemed he had climbed up thinking a more complex area with more obstacles would be advantageous to himself.

Gauging where to catch him just then, Jang Geon also chased behind him thinking no one would look for a construction site in the middle of the night. And closing the opened distance in an instant, he kicked the old man square in the back.

“Ugh!”

The old man let out a short scream and tumbled forward. Because a roof had not been placed on the pavilion yet, above him rolling on the floor, the sky opened up brightly. Falling and rolling over, the old man gasped heavily for breath, looked up at that sky, and stood up with a groan.

Watching Jang Geon approaching with heavy steps, he asked.

“…I don’t know where Manager Ju recruited a fellow like you in such a short time. He was someone whose connections in New Sichuan weren’t that broad yet—k-ack!”

Jang Geon didn’t listen to his story any further. Immediately kicking his face to lay him flat, he raised his hand to perform an acupoint strike. The old man struggled violently, nosebleed streaming down.

“W-wait! Do, do you know who is behind me? I am not someone acting simply for the profit of the merchant association! Behind me is—”

“The Dark Dragon Corps. And even further behind is the Emperor.”

The old man’s face went dazed.

“H-how do you know that…”

“Though I don’t know if the Emperor is truly there. Because if he were, instead of acting so pettily like this, he would have fiercely burned everything down.”

“Wh-what? What does that…”

Jang Geon shrugged his shoulders and grabbed the old man’s jaw with a grip. It was to prevent him from biting down on a poison pill. Then he raised his right index and middle fingers, preparing to strike his acupoints.

“…”

The old man trembled violently from the fear of the torture he was about to suffer and Jang Geon’s hand gripping his jaw as if to crush it. However, when Jang Geon, who had raised his hand, simply stared down at him with cold eyes without making a move, he soon rolled his eyes in bewildered fashion.

In the next instant, Jang Geon’s hand struck the old man’s body at a speed barely visible. It was not the Muscle-Splitting Bone-Dislocating Art he had been making good use of recently. It was simply an acupoint strike to rigidify the body.

Disabling the old man like that, Jang Geon straightened his body and slowly turned around.

The dim moonlight shone down upon the unfinished pavilion, and thanks to that, the wooden pillars, bamboo, and planks protruding sharply toward the sky created complex shadows. And someone who had been hiding in those shadows walked out in slow, fluid movement under Jang Geon’s gaze. That person was of massive stature, wearing black martial robes and a mask painted with a tiger’s mouth pulled over his head.

The eyes above that mask were glinting like a real tiger’s.