Wudang Sacred Scriptures

At the words of Cheongu Manor’s Lord, Sangwan Jin-ho, Gong Yeom-gak tilted his head.

He couldn’t imagine any method better than showing blood and squeezing them dry.

Showing the blood of the person a fool cherished most always worked better. Especially when threatening a precious child—then even money they didn’t have would suddenly appear.

But now he was told there was a better method—how could he not be curious?

Unable to hold it back, Gong Yeom-gak asked,

“Lord, what method do you mean?”

“Government officers will assist with your work.”

“Government officers?”

“What are the drifters most afraid of?”

“That would be... Ah! Forced return to their hometowns.”

Sangwan Jin-ho nodded.

“Imagine they’ve barely managed to settle in a new place, and now they’re forcibly returned to a home where nothing is left.”

Gong Yeom-gak shuddered.

“Just the thought is dreadful. Ah! So that’s why you put so much effort into gathering household registries?”

A faint smile flickered at the corners of Sangwan Jin-ho’s mouth.

“If the officials are watching, they’ll have no choice but to sign the contracts. After all, the debt notes are legal—if they don’t comply, they’ll be breaking the law.”

“The local authorities enforce laws to send criminal drifters back to their original domiciles. They won’t be able to resist that.”

Gong Yeom-gak exclaimed, then cautiously added,

“Still, there will be some who make noise. Since there’ll be government officers, they might lie down and shout for death.”

“As long as it’s quiet officially, there’s no problem.”

At Sangwan Jin-ho’s loaded statement, Gong Yeom-gak’s lips curled upward.

“Quiet officially, you say? I understand exactly what you mean.”

“The officers have their position to maintain, so keep everything out of their sight—and no killing. That’s strictly forbidden.”

“Of course.”

“Once the signed contracts are secured, submit them to Cheongu Trading House along with the debt notes. Then the silver will be paid according to the agreed promissory notes.”

“But of course.”

Nodding once more, Gong Yeom-gak said with mock admiration,

“Your cunning is truly astounding, Lord. Then the family head visits during the Daijehak’s birthday, playing mediator. In exchange for taking over all these Yeomwang Loans, the Sangwan Clan gains ownership of Sangjeon Village’s farmland in one stroke.”

Sangwan Jin-ho’s expression turned cold.

“Do we look like some despicable Black Path syndicate to your eyes?”

“Oh, heavens no!”

Gong Yeom-gak was unsure why his words, meant to flatter the future power of the Sangwan Clan, had offended him—but he immediately feigned death.

In Jeongeum, offending the Sangwan Clan meant losing any place to stand.

“Our Sangwan Clan desires not a single pyeong of the commoners’ land.”

At Sangwan Jin-ho’s words, Gong Yeom-gak was genuinely baffled.

“Then what profit are you seeking from this enterprise...?”

“That is not something you need to know. Now, hurry and collect the Yeomwang Loans listed in today’s ledger. And here—take this contract.”

Gong Yeom-gak’s eyes widened as he unfolded the contract.

‘Huh? A collateral contract! So he really meant what he said? There’s no way a man like him...’

“Have Yeomwangsa copy the exact terms and draw up the contracts accordingly.”

“Understood.”

Gong Yeom-gak kept tilting his head in confusion as he exited the study.

Watching him leave, a thick smile crept across Sangwan Jin-ho’s lips.

‘How could a sparrow possibly fathom the will of the phoenix?’

Sangwan Clan specialized in swelling the bellybutton until it was larger than the belly itself—that’s how the truly lucrative deals were made.

‘That’s the difference between the lowly Black Path that lives off dirty deeds, and a noble White Path household of prestige.’

Sangwan Jin-ho had recognized that noble surface for what it really was long ago.

His original name had been Deung Jin-ho, and he had entered the Sangwan Clan as a disciple.

The moment he saw the disgraceful underside of a White Path noble family he once revered, he was deeply shaken.

In the place where reverence once stood, ambition took root. The legitimate bloodlines of the Sangwan Clan—who had once seemed so exalted—suddenly felt very attainable.

‘The only thing you have that I don’t is the surname Sangwan.’

To obtain that name, Deung Jin-ho did whatever it took.

Eventually, he married the Clan Lord’s daughter, became a son-in-law by marriage, and secured the name Sangwan.

And still, his ambition knew no end.

As a son-in-law, he could never inherit the main line. But establishing a branch house? That was not out of reach.

Though the name would be subordinate to the main house, and though he’d have to follow the Clan Lord’s commands, he could still build a house of his own—and a power of his own.

A stepping stone toward a greater ambition!

Sangwan Jin-ho had resolved to build his branch house in Deokseong County. At the time, it was an isolated place, nothing but reed marshlands.

When he declared he would establish a base in Deokseong, no one objected. In fact, they all mocked him behind his back.

It was around the time the retired Daijehak had just laid the foundation for the Wan-je reclamation project.

As he had foreseen, once Sangjeon Village was reclaimed, Deokseong began to flourish.

The Deokseong branch, with the Sangwan Clan name on its back, developed into a full-fledged estate.

It now owned the largest trading house and financial bureau in Deokseong.

Like any branch house, it ran shady operations through Black Path factions as well. Those men were quite useful for eliminating business rivals.

Sangwan Jin-ho had become the local magnate of Deokseong—or rather, its king.

What once seemed impossibly far off had come to pass the moment he acquired the name “Sangwan.”

Of course, the road hadn’t been smooth, and much blood had been spilled.

Now he understood why martial clans of the White Path clung so desperately to their family names.

He was now only one step away from realizing his dream of founding a true branch house.

‘Once this matter is settled, Cheongu Manor will be officially recognized as a branch.’

Unconsciously, he clenched his fist.

Snap!

His fine writing brush snapped.

‘Tch.’

Tossing aside the broken brush, Sangwan Jin-ho picked up another and resumed completing his letter.

****

“Wow! Now I understand what sangjeonbyeokhae really means.”

Ju Yeoryeong kept gasping in awe as she gazed upon the vast expanse of mulberry trees before her.

“It’s like a real sea—it just goes on and on!”

Beneath the great embankment that ran along the banks of Dongjeong Lake, an immense forest of mulberry trees stretched out of sight.

“How big is this mulberry field?”

“......”

“Oh, that’s right—they said it was over fifty jeong! And goodness, to think people built this massive embankment by hand... It’s incredible.”

“......”

On the inner side of the embankment, well-tended rice paddies and villages spread out in neat rows.

It had once been nothing more than marshland choked with reeds, submerged every rainy season when Dongjeong Lake swelled.

Thanks to the embankment built along the curved inlet shaped like a pot, the expansive wetlands no longer flooded.

Vast tracts of reed-filled marshes still remained, and reclamation work was ongoing in various places.

“That man who once held the title of Daijehak—he must’ve been brilliant. How could he come up with something like this?”

“......”

Still filled with admiration, Ju Yeoryeong spoke with a hint of envy.

“To think someone owns all this land... Maybe not the richest in the world, but surely the wealthiest in Honam Province.”

It was a question cloaked in praise, but the Cave Daoist remained utterly silent.

Naturally, no pleasant words could follow.

“Honestly, a person ought to use their head more than their body.”

“......”

Even as she sharpened her words with emphasis, he offered not even a twitch of a response—much less a reply.

‘Ugh. I’d rather be traveling with a stone statue.’

Her irritation mounting, Ju Yeoryeong asked outright,

“So why did you come to Sangjeon Village? Oh! Your niece! I guess your elder brother’s family lives here?”

“......”

“What, you actually have family? There was no mention of that in the investigation reports.”

“......”

“Come on, say something!”

Finally losing her patience, Ju Yeoryeong shouted, and only then did Kwak Yeon halt his energy circulation.

Sigh...

He couldn’t concentrate at all with her chattering nonstop, so he gave up on internal breathing.

“I came to meet an elder brother I became acquainted with while riding the Pyoun Line ferry.”

“Amazing. So you’re sociable, too.”

More barbs.

“Lady Ju, is sarcasm the only way you know how to converse?”

“I’m just honest by nature.”

Sigh...

Kwak Yeon sighed inwardly once more before speaking.

“I may be traveling with you out of necessity, but if you don’t follow my instructions, I’ll drive you away immediately, as I said in the tavern in Deokseong.”

“How many times do I have to say I understand?”

“Especially in front of that child—be very cautious. And under no circumstances should you draw that soft sword °• N 𝑜 v 𝑒 l i g h t •° at your waist. Keep that firmly in mind.”

Ju Yeoryeong rolled her eyes.

“Your perception really is something.”

From the smooth, precise wounds on the Black Path corpses back in Deokseong’s tavern, Kwak Yeon had deduced she’d used a hidden blade.

A soft sword was often favored by female warriors for its concealability—it had been easy to guess.

“Just promise me.”

The words “Could you stop being so sarcastic?” were swallowed back.

“I said I understand!”

Ju Yeoryeong snapped, then asked,

“But why exactly?”

“......”

“Knowing the reason will help me be more cautious, don’t you think?”

“That child suffers from aphasia.”

“......?”

“She’s been that way ever since her life was threatened by a martial artist’s sword.”

“Oh heavens...! Who would draw a sword on a child...”

Startled, Ju Yeoryeong glanced at Kwak Yeon’s Cheonggang Sword, which was tightly wrapped in cloth.

“Oh, so that’s why you wrapped your sword like that?”

“Partly.”

“Partly?”

“I don’t want to draw unnecessary attention, that’s all.”

Ju Yeoryeong let out a short laugh.

“......?”

When Kwak Yeon looked at her, she said,

“If that’s the reason, you could’ve wrapped it neatly. What’s with that messy patchwork of rags? Don’t you realize it draws more attention?”

“......!”

“Seriously, you’re always one coin short.”

“Always...?”

“You didn’t know? You’re always one coin short.”

“......?”

“Showing off your martial prowess—I get that. When a young warrior first enters Kangho, they usually don’t know fear. But do you really have to leak your movements all over the place? It’s bound to bring trouble.”

“I don’t turn away those who seek me.”

“Pfft. What a great hero.”

Ju Yeoryeong scoffed and continued,

“You must have your reasons for wandering Kangho, right? But if you go around like this, more and more people will come looking for you. How are you ever going to get anything done?”

“......!”

“Even my grandmaster found you easily, just from the rumors.”

Only then did Kwak Yeon realize he had been completely indifferent to the exposure of his whereabouts.

It wasn’t enough to just wander Kangho aimlessly.

He still needed to find the Supreme Elder and travel to Mount Wuyi.

‘Until I finish those tasks, I’d better be more careful.’

As he thought that, his mind turned to Ju Yeoryeong’s grandmother.

“So why exactly is your grandmother looking for me?”

“I told you—she wants me to be entrusted to you.”

Kwak Yeon stared sharply at Ju Yeoryeong as she answered indifferently.

“I mean the real reason.”