Chapter 33. Sword Demon: Discourse on Justice
“Phew.”
“Urgh…”
“Haa…!”
The postgraduates dismounted their horses with utterly exhausted expressions.
They were the members of the 2nd squad of the Baekga Sword Corps.
After riding day and night, they had finally arrived in Dalian from Shenyang in just three days.
“Good girl, thank you. That was rough, wasn’t it?”
“Neigh~!”
As Jegal Ah-hyun patted her horse’s mane to soothe it, the animal neighed happily.
“Geez, must be nice for you. You ride so well.”
Beside her, a woman in a brown single robe groaned.
She was Yun Seo-ah, the second daughter of the Yunpyeong Sword House.
“It’s just a hobby of mine.”
“Oh right, you’re from Manjuk, weren’t you?”
Yun Seo-ah nodded, and Jegal Ah-hyun smiled gently.
As she watched that subtle smile, Yun Seo-ah turned her head and looked forward.
“Wow, isn’t this amazing? This could rival the Imperial City.”
Not only she, but all the 2nd squad members were in awe of the grand estate before them.
The massive golden gates alone rivaled those of the Moyong family estate.
[埠家莊]
Bu Family Manor. One of the Eight Major Houses of Liaoning, who amassed vast wealth through the ever-thriving, ice-free port of Dalian. And…
Jegal Ah-hyun’s eyes shifted toward the man approaching the front gate of the Bu Manor.
With a sly smile, he exuded confidence from every pore.
“Oh my! Isn’t he just perfect? Young Master Moyong Cheol is someone I’ve admired for ages.”
“Is that so?”
“Of course! He’s bound to be the next heir. Since this is his maternal family’s estate, no other squad can possibly surpass us.”
“As they say, even ghosts serve those with money.”
“Exactly! The ‘Bu’ (埠) in Bu Manor used to mean ‘dock,’ but now it basically means ‘wealth’ (富)!”
Yun Seo-ah nodded, proud as if it were her own family’s legacy.
Jegal Ah-hyun knew why.
Sigh… it’s endless.
She’d been like this the entire trip to Dalian.
Constantly trying to subtly belittle her, while boasting of her supposed closeness to Moyong Cheol as if he belonged to her.
Woooong…
The emotions flowing through Jegal Ah-hyun’s Heart Sense Art (심서감화) were saturated with jealousy and malice.
Clutching her now-aching head, a voice echoed in her ears.
“If your head hurts, just focus.”
Hoyun… I miss you.
Jegal Ah-hyun closed her eyes, picturing Hoyun.
A man who spoke harshly but had the pure heart of a child.
She had met many two-faced people before, but never someone as genuinely inconsistent as Hoyun.
Hoyun… why do you act so wickedly on purpose?
While hypocrites were common, those who pretended to be evil—like Hoyun—were rare.
And after he was ambushed by Mak Cheon-ak in Hapsan…
Resignation? Just what are you resigning yourself to? What kind of pain are you carrying? I want to know everything about you.
A smile unknowingly formed on her lips.
She didn’t even notice her headache was gone.
“Lady Jegal.”
A cold and arrogant voice suddenly shattered her thoughts.
Opening her eyes, she saw Moyong Cheol looking at her with a strange smile.
“M-Moyong… Sir! Long time no see…!”
“You seem to be in a good mood. What were you thinking about?”
Though Yun Seo-ah tried to chime in, Moyong Cheol ignored her, his gaze fixed on Jegal Ah-hyun.
“Nothing much.”
“Is that so?”
Narrowing his eyes, he gave a faint smirk.
“I just heard something interesting.”
“…What is it?”
“It’s about Squad 5 leader Namgung Hoyun.”
“…!”
As Jegal Ah-hyun’s eyes widened, Moyong Cheol’s lips curled further.
“Word is, he’s indulging in drink and women in Shenyang.”
“Th-That’s impossible!”
“It’s true. Seems he’s already given up on pursuing the Ghost Child Syndicate. Well, I did expect as much since he’s teamed up with Shangguan Hae and Tang Segi.”
Shangguan Hae was more a merchant than a martial artist, and Tang Segi, likely heir of the prestigious Tang family of Sichuan, had no need for fame.
“Perhaps he despaired from the gap between his ideals and reality, and drowned himself in alcohol and women? Pathetic, really.”
Step. Step. Step.
Having said his piece, Moyong Cheol walked off.
Jegal Ah-hyun clutched her head once again, shaking it.
Hoyun… that’s not true, right? I believe in you.
Meanwhile…
“Ah-choo!”
“Huh? Big bro, are you catching a cold?”
“Nah.”
“You should dress warmly. The winds in Liaoning come straight from northern Siberia, y’know!”
“Sure.”
With Moyong Yul’s worried gaze upon him, Hoyun stared down at the kneeling middle-aged man.
“Hehe…”
Trying to appear harmless, the man forced a silly grin.
“Disgusting.”
“P-Pardon?”
“You look like Zhang Fei, yet you smile like that? Try laughing heartily.”
“H-Heartily? Um… Hahaha?”
“Louder.”
“WAAHAHAHAH!”
When the man finally laughed as instructed, Hoyun nodded in approval.
“Yeah, people should act their part.”
You’re one to talk!
Ma Mujun, the Shenyang branch leader of the Hao Clan, was dumbfounded.
The pretty-faced youth before him seemed to conceal a deadly demon within.
Namgung Hoyun. All prior intel is trash. This guy is dangerous.
From a street rat to a Hao Clan leader—Ma Mujun’s instincts screamed a warning.
Don’t be fooled by appearances.
This boy is dangerous.
He toyed with Wi I-gyeom.
Though mocked as the “Illusory Spear,” Wi I-gyeom’s skill was the real deal.
Even earning the title of Senior Rogue required not just skill but also achievements.
“Oh, right. That guy with the spear? Sorry about taking his wrist. My body just reacted on its own to the killing intent.”
Sensing Ma Mujun’s unease, Hoyun offered an easygoing smile.
“Ah, not a problem! He wasn’t even one of ours—just a low-rank rogue hired by Dojeonru. Hehe.”
Though Shangguan Hae and Moyong Yul frowned at his words, Hoyun and Tang Segi remained indifferent.
After all, the martial world was a cruel place.
“So, what’s the intel on the Ghost Child Syndicate?”
“Hm…”
As Ma Mujun hesitated, Hoyun rested his Thunder Sword (Cheonraegeom) on his shoulder, smirking.
Clank!
“Branch Leader Ma. I haven’t forgiven your group yet. Depending on what you tell me now, I might change my mind.”
“O-Of course.”
“Or are you hiding something? Is the Hao Clan connected to the Ghost Child Syndicate?”
“W-What?!”
Ma Mujun’s eyes widened.
“From what I know, the five branches of the Hao Clan deal with shops, courtesans, ships, brokers, and gambling. Could it be… the ‘Broker’ (Amun) branch is behind this syndicate?”
“N-No way!”
Thud!
Ma Mujun sprang up, shouting fervently.
“That damned branch was expelled 300 years ago! Because of those bastards, the Sword Demon nearly wiped us out!”
Well, I did beat them up quite a bit back then.
Hoyun recalled the past as he watched Ma Mujun’s reddening face.
Amun, the Broker branch, dealt in human trafficking.
They were also the first group the young Sword Demon waged war against at age thirteen.
After that, Hoyun had crushed the Hao Clan on sight for a while.
Ah, youth. So full of fire.
Hoyun smiled fondly, and Ma Mujun shuddered.
This lunatic really is the Sword Demon!
That was the worst insult in the Hao Clan.
“Anyway, that’s your perspective. You’re not the Hao Clan master—how can you know everything?”
“T-That’s…”
“Should I bring this up formally at the next clan meeting? Ask whether the Amun branch has revived?”
“…”
Cold sweat beaded on Ma Mujun’s forehead.
If the word ‘Amun’ even surfaces, it’s over! The postgraduates will destroy the Hao Clan for merit!
Glancing at Hoyun’s mysterious smile, Ma Mujun made up his mind.
This isn’t a choice. To survive, I must betray others—utterly.
He spoke.
“The Ghost Child Syndicate operates as a cellular structure, making it hard to pinpoint any group.”
“What’s their main activity area?”
“All over Liaoning, but children disappear more frequently in well-connected regions.”
As he spilled everything, emotions flickered on the faces of Shangguan Hae, Moyong Yul, and Tang Segi.
Ha! I asked the right question. What a dragon!
Big bro, you’re awesome!
Wow… threats are just second nature to him, huh.
Emboldened, Ma Mujun began passionately condemning the Ghost Child Syndicate.
“They transport kidnapped children through land routes like Ryongjung, Taean, Ryoyang, Anshan, Buknyeong, and sea routes like Yeonggu, Gaeju, Jangha, and Dalian! These sons of—ptooey!”
“You’re quite spirited, Branch Leader Ma.”
“That’s right! We should beat the hell out of those bastards and toss them into a dog bowl!”
At his tirade, Moyong Yul shrank back.
“What do you think will be the outcome of this Baekga Sword Assembly?”
“Well…”
“Speak freely.”
Encouraged by Hoyun, Ma Mujun replied after a cough.
“Realistically, eradicating the syndicate is impossible. If it were, the Eight Great Houses would’ve done so already.”
He waved his hands, clarifying:
“N-Not to doubt the postgraduates, but these guys are masters of hiding. I suspect this year’s competition will be about results.”
“Results?”
“Yes. Since complete elimination is unrealistic, the squad with the most heads collected will win.”
Shangguan Hae and Tang Segi nodded.
“I agree.”
“Same here. Squad 1 went to Buknyeong toward Beijing, and Squad 2 came here to Dalian.”
“Right. Squad 3 went to Dandong—probably because Baekyak Mountain Manor, their maternal house, is nearby.”
Moyong Yul looked worried.
“Big bro, aren’t we at the biggest disadvantage?”
“Hm? Why?”
“We have the fewest members.”
“True.”
“Same here.”
The more members you had, the more heads you could collect.
Time was limited, and squads like 1 and 2 could split further, giving them an advantage.
So… what’s your move?
Tang Segi watched Hoyun curiously.
He had planned to just pass time under his father’s orders—but something had caught his interest.
“Branch Leader Ma. Give me all the hideouts and routes you know about.”
“Of course, but… we can’t provide manpower. Our men all have day jobs…”
Ma Mujun preemptively spoke to avoid being roped into action.
Hoyun grinned.
“I’m not asking for manpower. I plan to share the info with Squads 1, 2, and 3. That okay?”
“Wha—why share it with competitors?”
Hoyun shrugged.
“Did everyone forget? The Baekga Sword Assembly’s goal is to unite and beat evil. Why are we forgetting the mission for the sake of a contest?”
“…”
“…”
“…”
Everyone fell silent.
Discourse on Justice.
Hoyun had spoken the very essence of the Baekga Sword Assembly’s purpose.
“But don’t worry, I’m not planning to lose either.”
“…?”
Moyong Yul blinked, not understanding.
Hoyun turned to Ma Mujun one last time.
“One final question.”
“You can ask two if you want!”
Ma Mujun, now deeply impressed, answered sincerely.
Hoyun’s lips curled into a grin.
“One’s enough. The question is…”
As he continued, the group’s expressions subtly shifted.
That night.
The golden boys of Shenyang vanished without a trace.
