Chapter 41
Vacation (3)
A little earlier, when Namgung Hyuk had finished his mission and returned, there was a letter waiting for him.
The letter had come from a beggar in Gaebang.
“Finally, the investigation I requested has been completed.”
Namgung Hyuk had lingering doubts about the death of his father, Namgung Cheol. Before leaving the Namgung family, he had requested Gaebang to gather any information related to him. Now, he had come to the bustling streets to find the one who had sent the letter, the Red-Faced Beggar (Jeokmyeon-gae).
“The letter doesn’t say where to meet…”
So, for now, he had no choice but to search for the beggar blindly.
It wasn’t particularly difficult. The busier the street, the more certain it was that at least one beggar would be there.
“Hehe, young master. Spare a coin for a hungry beggar?”
As Namgung Hyuk approached, a filthy-looking beggar sitting on a mat held out his hand. Around his waist were two knotted ropes—clearly a beggar from Gaebang.
Namgung Hyuk took a few coins from his pouch and tossed them into the beggar’s bowl while speaking.
“I want to meet Jeokmyeon-gae. Where can I find him?”
“Hehe! When the time comes, he will find you himself. For now, just enjoy sightseeing around the city, young master Meteoric Dragon.”
Grinning with missing yellow teeth, the beggar rolled up his mat and left.
Watching him go, Namgung Hyuk thought to himself:
“I could follow that beggar to learn where Jeokmyeon-gae is, but I’ll follow his advice for now.”
Even though it was their first meeting, the lowly beggar had recognized him immediately. That showed that with Namgung Hyuk’s growing reputation in Gaebang, he was drawing attention.
“Well then, let’s find a quiet spot to wait for him.”
For Namgung Hyuk, it had been hundreds of days since he had been outside. He strolled leisurely, savoring the scenery, until he found a small tavern by a riverside lined with willows.
“I’ll have some tea and a light snack, please.”
“Yes, sir.”
The tavern owner soon brought out green tea and tanghulu (candied fruit) hardened with syrup. Though he didn’t usually have a sweet tooth, the familiar taste was pleasantly satisfying after so long.
Namgung Hyuk raised a steaming teacup, took a sip, and lowered it when he felt someone sitting across from him.
“Hey, can I have a cup too?”
A young beggar, not much older than Namgung Hyuk, with a notably red face, had taken a seat opposite him.
‘Could this be Jeokmyeon-gae?’
The name made sense now. Namgung Hyuk casually handed the teacup to him and poured more tea from the pot.
Gulp.
“Hmm! I’d have preferred wine, but this is good too,” said Jeokmyeon-gae, returning the cup.
Namgung Hyuk took the cup, placed it on the table, and spoke:
“I’ve come to hear about the request.”
“You’re impatient, aren’t you? Here’s the report detailing what you asked for.”
Jeokmyeon-gae produced an envelope from his bosom. Though a beggar, the envelope had an old-fashioned elegance. It had not been opened here.
Namgung Hyuk quietly opened the envelope and removed the paper inside. It contained the results of the investigation into his father, Namgung Cheol.
“Was my father part of the Inspection Bureau back then?”
The Inspection Bureau was an organization under the House of Law, mainly tasked with uncovering internal corruption or spies. Namgung Hyuk recalled Namgung Jin-gang, the head of the bureau, whom he had met before, as he continued reading.
“They investigated his whereabouts, but it’s too long ago to find anything. Well, it’s been over ten years, so it’s understandable.”
Yet, there was an important detail:
“Tracing his last known whereabouts, it seems they coincidentally lead to Hwangsan, where the Hwangsan Massacre took place?”
Namgung Hyuk had never heard of the Hwangsan Massacre. He only vaguely knew that the prestigious Hwangsan Sect had been destroyed long ago.
He lifted his gaze from the report and asked Jeokmyeon-gae:
“Tell me more about the Hwangsan Massacre.”
“The Hwangsan Massacre was when, in a single night, hundreds including the head of the Hwangsan Sect were slaughtered.”
Hwangsan Sect had historical significance comparable to the Nine Old Sects. Its annihilation shocked the martial world. Naturally, both the Martial Alliance and Gaebang hurried to investigate the incident, something Jeokmyeon-gae also remembered.
“Strangely, it is said that all of Hwangsan Sect perished fighting among themselves.”
“Internal strife?”
“No, that can’t be. Hwangsan Sect followed Taoist principles like Mudang and Cheongseong; they had no reason to fight each other.”
Then, who was the villain?
Jeokmyeon-gae’s crimson face darkened as he said:
“There is only one person in the martial world capable of such a thing.”
“Who?”
“Hwama, one of the Nine Demon Lords of the Cheonma Sin-kyo, who invaded the martial world fifty years ago.”
Hwama, skilled in illusionary arts and soul manipulation, had killed countless martial experts during the Cheonma Sin-kyo war. Though the sect leader and most of the Nine Demon Lords were slain, Hwama escaped. His skills were enough to cause the Hwangsan Massacre, making him a prime suspect. However, why Hwama acted there after so many years was unknown.
“He was elusive and adept at disguise; unfortunately, he was never caught.”
Namgung Hyuk absorbed all the information and considered the report’s details.
“Was it mere coincidence that my father, from the Inspection Bureau, went to Hwangsan during the massacre?”
There would be no reason for the Inspection Bureau to intervene in external matters. Perhaps he went for another purpose.
‘Could it be…?’
He recalled the existence of the Amcheon Corps, briefly mentioned by Namgung Se-ho in the Martial Alliance. A secret organization unknown even to him within the family. Perhaps Namgung Cheol was part of it?
‘It’s too early to conclude, but I’ve found a lead.’
Above all, identifying a probable villain was a significant gain.
Standing, Namgung Hyuk told Jeokmyeon-gae:
“Thanks to you, I now know what I wanted.”
“Haha, no need for thanks. Personally, I’ve long wanted to meet you, Namgung Hyuk, Meteoric Dragon.”
Appearing like a shooting star at the Changgung Martial Tournament, showing remarkable feats in the Martial Alliance, and achieving great success in Namchang—Namgung Hyuk had drawn Jeokmyeon-gae’s attention.
“If you ever need Gaebang’s help again, don’t forget me, Jeokmyeon-gae. Despite appearances, I have wide influence and can assist.”
Jeokmyeon-gae’s rope had five knots, marking him as the leader of Gaebang’s operations in Muhwan. There was no reason to refuse such a person’s goodwill. Namgung Hyuk nodded politely.
After meeting Jeokmyeon-gae, Namgung Hyuk returned to the Martial Alliance headquarters. But he went not to the Phoenix Corps HQ but the Azure Dragon Corps.
Whispers spread among the corps members.
“What’s he up to this time?”
“Hopefully he’s not challenging us to another duel…”
After his previous visit, training intensity had increased, and his victory over younger members still stung their pride.
At that moment, Namgung Se-ho appeared from the inner hall, sleeves swaying.
“You’ve come to see me?”
“Yes, sir.”
“…Enter.”
Despite meeting after a long time, Namgung Se-ho showed no joy. Namgung Hyuk followed him into his office.
Sitting down, he asked directly:
“Uncle, are you part of the Amcheon Corps?”
At his words, Namgung Se-ho’s eyes trembled slightly. Namgung Hyuk pressed on:
“Tell me about the Amcheon Corps.”
“You… suspected I was part of it?”
Namgung Se-ho’s face stiffened as he realized the misunderstanding. Then he sent a telepathic message:
This conversation must not be revealed to anyone. Understood?
I swear I will not tell anyone.
Namgung Se-ho remained tense even after sitting. Had this been anyone outside the family, they might have been killed on the spot. The existence of Amcheon Corps was a deep secret, even within the Namgung family.
“Why do you think I’m part of the Amcheon Corps?”
“Considering that someone who could hold a key position in the main house chose to remain at the Martial Alliance, the answer is clear.”
Thanks to his martial cultivation, Namgung Hyuk could now accurately read Namgung Se-ho’s level: a rare, peak transcendental stage. He also knew how deeply Se-ho valued the family. If he remained in the Martial Alliance, there must be another reason.
“Haah.”
Se-ho exhaled, acknowledging he could no longer deny it, and sent another telepathic message:
Amcheon Corps is the shadow under the Namgung family.
The Namgung family seeks justice and follows the righteous path.
But the martial world cannot survive on righteousness alone.
Sometimes, to protect the family’s interests, even actions contrary to its honor were necessary.
Since such deeds couldn’t be done publicly, a direct organization under the head was formed—the Amcheon Corps.
‘An organization handling the family’s dirty work in secret. Not surprising.’
Namgung Hyuk was unfazed; in his past life, he had seen similar guilds. What he really wanted to know was:
Was my father, Namgung Cheol, also part of Amcheon Corps?
He was.
His suspicion had been correct.
Namgung Hyuk pressed further:
Then you must also know about my father’s death?
Se-ho shook his head calmly and sent a message:
I only joined Amcheon Corps after Namgung Cheol died on a mission. I know nothing of the events before that.
That year, Se-ho had been a teenager, so there was little chance of falsehood. Namgung Hyuk, recalling his happiest memories before regaining past-life memories, stood firm: his short life with family had been his anchor.
‘If my father hadn’t died, Mother wouldn’t have fallen ill and passed either.’
Witnessing his mother die alone under the family’s neglect remained a painful memory. That pain fueled his desire to uncover the truth and punish the villain, cleansing his heart.
‘Now, the only person left to ask is the current head of the Namgung family, Namgung Hwang.’
