Chapter 5: Haomun (1)

Back when the Sword Saint was still called the Gale Sword (疾風劍).

Taking advantage of the Tang Clan’s leader being away due to the opening of the Demonic Mirror Gate near Sichuan, the Black Dragon Sword attacked the Tang Clan.

The Black Dragon Sword and the Black Dragon Squad numbered at least several hundred.

The Black Dragon Sword was a martial artist beyond the peak, and the majority of the Black Dragon Squad members were first-rate martial artists.

It was a time when it would take a while for the Tang Clan Leader to receive the urgent message and arrive at the clan estate.

It was the Black Dragon Sword’s plan to swallow the Tang Clan, the ruler of Sichuan, and dominate the entire Sichuan region while the Tang Clan Leader, Tang Zhiyak, was absent.

If there were no special anomalies, the Tang Clan might have been annihilated that day.

However, unfortunately for the Black Dragon Sword, an anomaly did exist.

The anomaly was that the Gale Sword happened to be at the Tang Clan that day.

What happened afterward was something those who didn’t witness it directly wouldn’t believe.

Hundreds of the Black Dragon Squad and the peak expert Black Dragon Sword were all killed by the Gale Sword’s hand.

Someone who watched the Gale Sword, fighting hundreds alone even from afar, said:

The sword dance the Gale Sword performed was beautiful, like the crescent moon hanging in the night sky at the time, but…

…the path the sword left behind was only brutal, they said.

After the not-so-short bloody battle ended, the only ones standing in that spot were hundreds of corpses and the Gale Sword.

After this incident, the Tang Clan took out Ten-Thousand Year Cold Iron and forged a sword as a gift for the Gale Sword.

That sword was carried by the Gale Sword as his beloved weapon even after he later became the Sword Saint.

Moon Flash Sword (月閃劍).

It was the name of a sword forged with the utmost effort by numerous artisans from the Tang family, renowned as the best ironworkers in the Central Plains.

But where did such an artistic sword go…

“It’s a broom. Just a broom.”

A broom was held in the Sword Saint’s hand.

…Is this for real?

******************

It was just past the Hour of the Monkey (1 PM to 3 PM).

I was sitting on the wooden floor, basking in the warm sunlight.

If I were to say what I was doing, I’d say meditating.

But if you looked closely, I was watching a small, hunched-over back diligently sweeping far away.

An old man with lush white hair on his slightly bent back was slowly but powerfully sweeping the floor.

It was hard to believe myself, but the old man was the Sword Saint.

“…To think I’m seeing the Sword Saint sweeping the floor with a broom in my house.”

Is this really happening?

Two days had passed since the Sword Saint and Wi Seol-ah entered my quarters as servants, claiming to assist me.

During that time, I’d been half out of my mind.

I asked the Steward why they had suddenly entered, but…

‘It is the Clan Leader’s order.’

That was the end of it. It was actually the answer I expected.

Still, I couldn’t just storm into the Clan Leader’s room and confront Gu Cheol-un. Or could I? Maybe confronting him was the right thing to do.

I thought a lot, but couldn’t reach a conclusion easily, and time passed.

Would it be okay to leave things as they are? Wouldn’t it be the right choice for the future to cause a ruckus and kick them out? But…

I didn’t have enough lives to dare cause a ruckus with the Sword Saint, so I gave up on that for now.

Turning my tired head away from the Sword Saint, I saw another problem.

“Seol-ah, it’s dangerous if you carry too much alone. Shall we carry it together, unni?”

“No! Seol-ah can do it!”

“Uh, uh! Seol-ah! There’s a rock in front…!”

“Huh? Ugh-gi-yak!”

“….”

I watched that scene and then turned my gaze away.

Wi Seol-ah seemed to be treated like a youngest sister among the servants and was well-liked, but she was terribly bad at her work.

It didn’t make sense that someone with outstanding talent as a martial artist would be so inept physically.

Didn’t she just drop all the laundry she was carrying?

The servants consoled the teary-eyed Wi Seol-ah.

Of course, the laundry that rolled on the dirt floor didn’t magically come back clean.

Fortunately, it hadn’t been washed yet. Seeing only that much, I got up.

Perhaps sensing I was about to move, Wi Seol-ah hurried over to me.

“Why aren’t you doing your work?”

“He told me to always follow the young master when you go somewhere!”

“…Who said that?”

“Grandpa!”

“…Right.”

Why would he do that…

Nominally, it sounded impressive, like ‘personal attendant’, but in my eyes, it was just passing the buck.

Perhaps the reason the other servants were particularly nice to Wi Seol-ah was because they had semi-forcibly assigned her the work they disliked the most.

It probably also helped that Wi Seol-ah’s presence eased the awkward atmosphere in the quarters, where everyone was just watching my reactions.

Is it okay to just assign a personal attendant so carelessly to someone who’s supposed to be from a prestigious family?

Since it concerned the household servants, the Steward must have been involved.

‘I wonder if the Steward, let alone Father, actually knows the Sword Saint’s identity. Or maybe they just decided ‘whatever’ because so many servants quit…’

The Steward couldn’t possibly not know what was happening in the clan estate, so there must have been a reason, but…

…From what I saw, it seemed more like the latter.

Wi Seol-ah, who followed me in, tried to adjust my clothes, but her clumsy skills made me stop her, saying I’d do it myself.

Perhaps upset at being refused, I saw a hint of tears welling up in her eyes.

But she was so clumsy that it was still difficult to entrust the task to her.

‘No, is it even right to have her do this in the first place?’

Although there seemed to be plenty of time left, if I were to overlay my anxiety, there was a need to move quickly.

The reason I was leaving the clan estate now was one of them.

I sent Wi Seol-ah, who had finished preparing for my outing and was about to follow me to the marketplace, to another servant.

It was easy to send her away with the excuse that she hadn’t finished learning her duties yet.

Wi Seol-ah looked disappointed at not being able to go.

For me, it was difficult to figure out how to treat Wi Seol-ah.

Treating her truly as a servant wouldn’t do, considering the future, but treating her differently was also a difficult problem in its own way.

As I was about to leave my quarters, my eyes met the Sword Saint’s.

Then, the Sword Saint bowed his head in a formal greeting.

I felt an extreme sense of discomfort and quickly moved outside my quarters.

Once outside my quarters, my escort, Mu Yeon, was waiting for me.

“I heard from the Steward. You’re going out to the marketplace.”

“It won’t take long. I’ll probably be back at the clan estate before sunset.”

“Understood.”

He didn’t ask any further questions. He clearly had good training as an escort.

‘The problem is that I’m the one being escorted, which is a bit pitiful, though.’

After leaving the clan estate and walking for about an hour, I arrived at the marketplace where I first met Wi Seol-ah.

As I felt last time, I was already out of breath just from walking a little, which made me wonder how little I had trained.

I felt like resting for a bit, but I had to return before sunset, so I hurried.

I passed through crowded streets and searched alleys.

Mu Yeon expressed concern, saying it was a dangerous area, but he didn’t stop my actions.

“Found it.”

After searching for a long time, I finally found the building marked with the symbol.

“I was worried they might not be here at this time, but it was needless worry.”

“Young master… For what reason did you come here?”

“Why? Does it look strange?”

“Yes… Honestly, it does. Setting aside the building itself, the surrounding atmosphere feels very bad.”

“You have sharp senses. Yes, that’s exactly it.”

Kiiiiiik

As I opened the old door and went inside, the gazes of the people inside focused on me.

“What the hell, who’s this brat? Did someone secretly knock someone up?”

“What disgusting crap are you talking about? He probably just took a wrong turn.”

“And who’s the guy standing behind him? Look, he’s got a sword on him.”

With the dim interior of the building and the overtly aggressive atmosphere, Mu Yeon placed his hand on his sword hilt. Regardless, the thugs paid him no mind.

One of the thugs spoke to me.

“Kid, this isn’t exactly a peaceful neighborhood to be wandering around in. What brings you all the way here?”

It had been a long time since I felt this way. After being treated like someone important lately, being treated like this felt strangely familiar and comfortable.

I replied with a slight smile to the man’s words.

“Why else would I come? I came as a customer.”

“Our brat talks too much, doesn’t he? Maybe we should cut his tongue short to teach him some manners?”

As the thug said that with a chuckle, Mu Yeon was about to draw his sword, but I quickly stopped him.

“Young master, how dare this guy…”

“Just hold on for a second.”

Leaving Mu Yeon, who looked ready to draw his sword at any moment, I spoke to the thug with the sinister smile.

“You already know who I am, and you knew the moment I set foot in this area. Let’s make this easy.”

I wanted to play along with the atmosphere, but unfortunately, I didn’t have much time granted for my outing.

At my words, the smile the thug was wearing vanished.

“Let’s not play games. I’m short on time, you know? I came here knowing everything anyway, so let’s drop the pointless act.”

“What the hell are you talking about?!”

As I spoke, the thug tried to resume his act, but it was too late to fix the expression that had already cracked.

“You seem worried that the Gu Clan might find out and wipe this place out. But they have no grounds to do so carelessly, and besides, we’d suffer losses in a conflict too?”

I could see cold sweat trickling down the man’s cheek.

“As I said, I’m a bit pressed for time. I’m here as a customer right now, so hurry up and call your branch chief. Before I create the situation you’re so worried about.”

At my threat, the man’s pupils wavered.

Although I didn’t have the slightest bit of ability to back it up, these were the kind of guys who’d understand if I just bluffed.

Sensing the shift in the situation, Mu Yeon asked in a flustered voice.

“..Young master. What exactly is going on…”

“It’s nothing much. I had something to look into. I was originally planning to go to the Beggars’ Sect, but there were some issues with that.”

Mu Yeon flinched. Was it because he had a guess where I was talking about? He was a sharper friend than I thought.

It would have been nice to ditch him, but with my current physical condition, it was impossible.

“I’m sorry for dragging you along, but it couldn’t be helped.”

The Beggars’ Sect (丐幇), which secured its position among the Nine Sects and One Gang (九派一幇) solely through information, not force. Normally, it would be easier to go to the Beggars’ Sect and make a request, but…

The Beggars’ Sect, being one of the orthodox sects, doesn’t do anything that could cause trouble.

Unless I threw a fortune at them, maybe.

Anyway, the Beggars’ Sect had issues with the request I needed to make, so I had no choice but to look elsewhere.

If the orthodox sects are the best in information gathering, then…

…this was the place for information gathering among the unorthodox sects.

Hao Mun (下汚門). I had come to Hao Mun.

*************************

It didn’t take long to get proper guidance at Hao Mun.

After the man contacted someone, we were led to the basement behind the building.

Mu Yeon protested, ‘I can’t let you bring the young master to such a dangerous place!’, but I didn’t have time to persuade him and ignored him, treating it as an order.

When we went down to the basement, a young man with a snake-like face and narrow eyes was waiting for us.

“I am Do Woon-chu, the branch chief of the Shanxi branch.”

He had fair skin and was quite handsome. Of course, given it was Hao Mun, it was obvious he was wearing a human skin mask (人皮面具).

“You’re quite unexpected, considering who sought us out… I apologize for showing such aggressive behavior earlier.”

“The apology is fine. So, will you accept the request?”

“Before that, may I ask why a prestigious orthodox family like the Gu Clan would seek out lowly unorthodox sects like us?”

“You keep asking strange questions. I told you I came to make a request.”

“I’m asking why you came specifically to us, bypassing the Beggars’ Sect.”

The reason for coming all the way to an unorthodox sect, bypassing the orthodox Beggars’ Sect?

“I came because it’s a request the Beggars’ Sect can’t handle, but Hao Mun can. You must know this, so why do you keep trying to confirm?”

As my slightly annoyed voice emerged from his persistent questioning, the snake-eyed youth chuckled slightly.

“I apologize if I offended you. Given the rumors surrounding you, Young Master, we felt a need for some confirmation…”

A boy who looked barely fifteen years old at most. It wasn’t unreasonable, considering a troublemaker, seemingly half-disowned by the Gu Clan, had come to make a request.

“The reason I, the branch chief, appeared before you personally, even in this situation, is solely because of your surname, Young Master.”

“I know. So, my name is my name. Are you going to accept the request or not? This is the third time I’m asking, you know?”

“Hao Mun never refuses a request. As long as the price is right.”

Do Woon-chu relaxed his posture slightly. It was a sign he was willing to hear the request.

Maybe now I can finally talk properly.

“I’m looking for someone. A boy, just over ten years old.”

I took a piece of paper with the description and location from my inner pocket and handed it to Do Woon-chu.

Do Woon-chu took the paper and said with a peculiar expression.

“I don’t quite understand, Young Master. If it’s about finding a person, there’s even less reason to seek out Hao Mun.”

“The location is a bit far, and my knowledge is limited. The Beggars’ Sect charges a high fee for requests.”

As expected of an orthodox sect among the Nine Sects and One Gang, the Beggars’ Sect’s credibility was high.

And consequently, their request fees were also high.

If I were to make the same request to the Beggars’ Sect as I did to Hao Mun now, they’d probably charge at least twice as much.

However, there was a slight issue.

“Young Master, we don’t operate on such small amounts either.”

Even if it was half the price, it didn’t mean it was cheap.

“I know, but I came because Hao Mun could afford it.”

Do Woon-chu was looking at the paper I handed him.

“It’s true the description is distinctive and makes finding them easier, but the area is vast, and it’s far from Shanxi, so it’s not an easy request.”

“That means it’ll be expensive, right?”

Do Woon-chu stated the corresponding fee.

Mu Yeon, standing behind me, gasped upon hearing the amount.

How much money would I have to save from the clan estate? It was a terrifying amount to even imagine.

But it didn’t matter.

“The price would decrease the less likely it is to be found, but for now, this amount…”

“Sorry, but what we’ll pay isn’t money.”

“…What did you say?”

As a member of an orthodox sect, seeking out Hao Mun to make a request was inherently dangerous.

Simply being associated with an unorthodox sect while bearing the Gu Clan’s name was already risky.

Yet, the reason I sought Hao Mun was my certainty that they wouldn’t carelessly talk about this anywhere, and that they would definitely accept my request.

“I have some very valuable information. I think it’s enough to cover the cost.”

“…Young Master. Have you forgotten where you are?”

Where else? This is a place that rivals the Beggars’ Sect in terms of information volume in the Central Plains.

“I dare say, the amount of information we possess surpasses that of the Beggars’ Sect.”

While the Beggars’ Sect might refrain from certain actions due to their orthodox status, Hao Mun employs any means necessary.

Perhaps because of that difference, they can make such arrogant statements.

“Moreover, there’s no way we wouldn’t know what you know. If you don’t have the payment, this matter would be…”

“Hao Mun Master (下汚門主).”

At my casually dropped words, Branch Chief Do Woon-chu stopped talking.

His face, which couldn’t be clearly seen, was filled with shock.

“Aren’t you curious about the whereabouts of the missing Hao Mun Master?”

As soon as I finished speaking, a sword blade rushed towards me.