Chapter v18c16

## Master! Visiting the Middle Heaven Merchant Guild

– Telling the Truth with Lies

The Middle Heaven Merchant Guild wasn’t far from the Iron Flower Workshop. The old man arrived at the guild in less than fifteen minutes, gazing up at the signboard.

“What was that rascal doing here?”

He muttered to himself.

“He couldn’t possibly be working as a measly escort…”

Just then, a loud voice from inside the guild reached his ears, penetrating the door.

“I’m the one who deserves this sword!”

It was a sharp, piercing voice, a woman’s voice, and he felt like he had heard it before.

“Wasn’t her nickname… Silencing Hundred Refinements?”

The Middle Heaven Merchant Guild spared no expense when it came to the Emei Sect. Why would they neglect their powerful protectors? Emei disciples could join any of their escorts. They provided everything: horses, lodging, food. Of course, the guild covered all the expenses. This had become customary after their joint escort to Nanchang with the Vermilion Bird group. They were experienced escorts, so the Emei Sect felt reassured sending their novice disciples with them. There was always the risk of bandit attacks, but that was the reality of traveling in Jianghu. Besides, there were rumors that traveling with the Middle Heaven Merchant Guild made you stronger, so they received requests from other prominent sects in Sichuan as well. The guild didn’t mind, as the more skilled escorts they had, the safer their journeys became. It was a mutually beneficial arrangement. A large-scale escort to Nanchang had recently been organized, and its arrival date coincided with the Cheonmu Academy entrance exam. That was how Jin So-Ryeong and Ryu-Ran, who had business at the academy, and Yoo Eun-Seong and Yoo Un-Bi, who had both official and personal reasons for going, had all ended up at the Middle Heaven Merchant Guild. And now, Ryu-Ran and Yoo Un-Bi were arguing over a sword.

“I understand that Miss Ryu wants this sword. But it’s already reserved in my name. To put it bluntly, I called dibs. Shouldn’t you yield, since you arrived late?”

“Don’t be ridiculous. I’ve been waiting three years for this sword. I saved up every penny to buy it. Do you think I’m like some people, who rely on their master for everything? I earned this money myself!”

“But you were late. Happiness is first come, first served. The faster one wins, like a thrust.”

“Hmph, do you really think you’re worthy of that sword with your meager skills?”

“That’s an insult. You haven’t even seen me in action.”

“Do I need to? But if you insist, I’m happy to oblige. How about we settle this right here, right now? The winner gets the ‘Flying Heaven’ sword.”

“You’ll regret this, Miss Ryu.”

“Are you scared?”

“Fine. Let’s do it. I’ll show you the speed of the Jeomchang Sect’s thrust.”

“Hmph, then I’ll show you the versatility of the Emei Sect’s swordsmanship.”

Just as they were about to draw their swords, Jin So-Ryeong intervened.

“Stop it, both of you! Do you even realize where you are?”

“Haha, it’s alright, Miss Jin. Young people are always full of energy.”

Yoo Eun-Seong said with a smile, secretly thinking, ‘You’re dead meat, Un-Bi.’

“But there’s only one sword and two people. I can’t exactly break the sword in half and give you each a piece…”

But Jin So-Ryeong’s gaze remained cold.

“I don’t think either of you deserve this sword. I’ll keep it safe for now. And after the entrance exam, I’ll give it to the one I deem more worthy. Any objections?”

“…No.”

“N-no, ma’am.”

“What about you, Master Yoo?”

“I have no objections. Do as you please.”

“Alright. I’ll keep this sword for now. You two should focus on becoming worthy of it. Understand?”

They both looked dejected as they answered.

“Yes, ma’am.”

* * *

‘That old man is…’

Jang Woo-Yang recognized the old man with white hair and beard the moment he entered the guild, escorted by a receptionist. He closed his eyes discreetly.

‘The time has come!’

He had been expecting this, but he couldn’t help but feel nervous. This was the ruthless old man Bi Ryu-Yeon had warned him about, the one who was prophesied to destroy the Middle Heaven Merchant Guild.

‘He’ll ask you about Bi Ryu-Yeon. And if you say I don’t know, he’ll tear this guild apart.’

‘Why would he do that just because I don’t know?’

‘Because he knows you do.’

‘What? What do you mean?’

‘You can’t lie to that old man. He can see right through you. He just stares at you, and he knows. Sometimes, he doesn’t even have to look. I don’t know if he’s a mind reader or something, but cheap tricks won’t work on him. You have to tell the truth. But you can’t tell him where I am.’

‘How is that possible? You just said I have to tell the truth.’

‘You can deceive someone by telling them only part of the truth. Lots of people do it. Just stay calm and follow my instructions. Then you and the guild will be safe.’

‘What should I say, Master Bi?’

‘Tell him… that you took me to Lake Payang a few years ago.’

He had heard the explanation, but he was still nervous. He only had one chance. ‘Stay calm,’ he told himself. The fate of the Middle Heaven Merchant Guild rested on his words.

“Welcome. I’m Jang Woo-Yang, the owner of this humble establishment. May I have the honor of knowing your name?”

“Names mean nothing to me. I have none to give.”

“I see. Then how should I address you?”

“Hmm, I suppose a name would be convenient. Call me whatever you like. Old Master will do.”

“O-Old Master?”

Jang Woo-Yang looked troubled. He already knew another Old Master, one who had caused quite a stir at the Middle Heaven Merchant Guild. Now he had two Old Masters to deal with.

“Is something wrong?”

“N-no, of course not.”

Well, it didn’t really matter. It wasn’t his real name, just a title. It shouldn’t be a problem if he had two of them. It seemed like a temporary title anyway, one he wouldn’t be using for long. As long as the two Old Masters didn’t appear before him at the same time, he would be fine.

“Then I’ll call you ‘Old Master.’”

“As you wish.”

Old Master replied nonchalantly.

“What brings you to our humble guild, Old Master?”

“I’m looking for someone. A young man in his early twenties. He has long bangs that cover his eyes. Have you seen him?”

“What’s his name?”

“That damn rascal’s name is Bi Ryu-Yeon.”

‘I knew it!’

His prediction had been correct.

“May I ask what your relationship is with Master Bi Ryu-Yeon?”

“He’s my good-for-nothing disciple.”

“Ah, I see. Your disciple.”

Wait, something was wrong. The letter Bi Ryu-Yeon had given him when he first arrived at the Middle Heaven Merchant Guild was from his master, Old Master.

‘Well, this one is also an Old Master, but that Old Master… Let’s see… Ugh, this is confusing. Who is this Old Master, and who was that Old Master? Does Bi Ryu-Yeon have two masters?’

Jang Woo-Yang’s mind was a tangled mess. He decided to assume that Bi Ryu-Yeon was this Old Master’s disciple for now. It was less confusing that way.

“Do you know him?”

“Yes, I believe I do.”

“Then do you know where he is now?”

“I escorted him to the vicinity of Lake Payang a few years ago.”

‘Tell him only part of the truth. Don’t tell him everything.’

He had omitted any mention of Cheonmu Academy or Nanchang. But it wasn’t a lie. Nanchang was a large city near Lake Payang.

“Is that true?”

“It’s true.”

Old Master stared into his eyes. Jang Woo-Yang smiled awkwardly, feeling intimidated. Had he been caught?

“Hmm, it seems you’re telling the truth.”

Jang Woo-Yang sighed with relief.

“That rascal went quite far. How troublesome.”

Old Master grumbled, his gaze falling upon the busy scene before him. People were carrying boxes and loading them onto carts.

“It seems you’re about to embark on an escort, judging by the commotion. Am I right?”

“Y-yes, sir!”

Jang Woo-Yang answered, flustered. Of all the times…

“When are you leaving?”

“We’re departing tomorrow at dawn.”

“Where to?”

“…”

He hesitated. Old Master asked again.

“Where is this escort headed?”

‘Remember, you can’t lie.’

He consoled himself, knowing it wasn’t his fault.

“N-Nanchang.”

“Isn’t that near Lake Payang?”

“Y-yes, Old Master!”

The destination of this escort was the sacred ground of martial arts, Cheonmu Academy. It was their first official transaction with the academy.

“Excellent.”

Old Master said casually. That was all it took to add one more person to the Middle Heaven Merchant Guild’s Nanchang escort.

* * *

Bi Ryu-Yeon woke up with a start. He was still lying in bed, but his upper body was raised, as if he had levitated. He wiped his neck with his right hand, his fingers coming away damp.

“Cold sweat?”

He tilted his head in confusion.

“What’s wrong, Ryu-Yeon?”

Mo Yong Hwi asked, waking up and rubbing his eyes. He must have sensed Bi Ryu-Yeon’s sudden awakening.

“It’s nothing.”

“Really? I’ve been there, so I know. Just go back to sleep.”

Mo Yong Hwi lay back down and pulled the blanket over himself. He had finally been able to sleep peacefully, free from nightmares, and he now cherished his sleep. Bi Ryu-Yeon was left alone in the darkness.

“I couldn’t possibly have had a dream, could I?”

Dreams were for those who were asleep, not for those who were awake. But if he had had a nightmare, shouldn’t there be some trace of it? He couldn’t remember anything, not even whether he had dreamed or not.

‘Is this a sign? I haven’t had one of these in years.’

He felt a sense of foreboding. But he knew that giving in to fear wouldn’t solve anything.

“Just go back to sleep!”

It was the best decision he could make. He didn’t dream this time.