Kang Sogun

Evening came.

In a deep annex of the Three Blade Sect's guest house.

Jang Mugang and his brothers sat around a table, drinking.

The side dishes had long since gone cold.

Wi Eunghwan drank tea instead of alcohol due to his injuries.

Sim Mabaek also had to be careful, but he drank alcohol anyway.

Jang Mugang suddenly opened his mouth.

"Five years have passed. The fact that the Eastern Depot and the Embroidered Uniform Guard have been quiet all this time means that the young master is safe, I believe."

As if he had been waiting, Sim Mabaek said.

"The fact that they haven't looked for us all this time is good news. He probably crossed over to Yunnan Prefecture safely."

Wi Eunghwan nodded.

Jang Mugang opened his mouth again.

"We were dead men then. I have no regrets since I've lived for five more years."

Although he said so, Sim Mabaek and Wi Eunghwan knew that he still had lingering attachments.

Sim Mabaek said.

"The young master wouldn't blame us today either."

Although no one had made a decision, the Three Tigers of Shandong had already agreed.

Since they had received a life-saving grace from Yeon Seongyeol, they were thinking of returning that life.

The expressions of the three men were resolute.

Silence flowed for a while.

"Will Gu Yeongang really come in person?"

Wi Eunghwan muttered as if in disbelief, looking blankly at the teacup in front of him.

"How would we know the heart of a father who has lost his son?"

Jang Mugang said as if muttering.

Thinking about it now, he should have stopped Yeon Hwasim when she had come to the inn.

If Gu Yangun hadn't died, there would have been a way to resolve it.

Sim Mabaek snorted and gulped down his alcohol.

Sim Mabaek was quite drunk.

"Hmph! Is his son's life the only life? Countless people have already died because of that worthless bastard."

Sim Mabaek, while speaking, became so angry that he even said something he shouldn't have.

"Those kinds of martial artists, if we had just one army of the Northern Expedition Army, we would have wiped them all out."

"Watch your mouth!"

Jang Mugang hastily warned him.

"Did I say something I shouldn't have?"

Sim Mabaek shouted.

"Have you forgotten the wind of Anmunguan? Do you mean to say that all those lives were buried in the yellow earth for bastards like this to run rampant!"

As Sim Mabaek vented his anger, Jang Mugang and Wi Eunghwan silently gritted their teeth.

That was right.

They were the ones who had stood at the vanguard of the Northern Expedition Army that had galloped through the northern regions in the past.

They had risked their lives to break through the iron wall that the enemy had surrounded.

In the chaotic battle where sabers and spears flew, they had killed countless enemies and had finally risen to the positions of centurion and thousand-man commander.

But.

The real enemy was behind them.

Their lord, the great general Jang Yeonbo, had lost his life to the three-inch tongues of the court's treacherous officials.

Silence flowed for a while.

"Aren't more people living in peace than that? That's enough."

"In peace? What did we see in Yueyang? Can you say that a world where officials are eager for promotion and only the rich are in power is peaceful?"

Sim Mabaek, who was drunk, said as if wailing.

Sim Mabaek jumped up.

"Hmph! The Heavenly Martial Faction? I have to see for myself how great they are."

Then he finally couldn't overcome the alcohol and collapsed.

"Brother Mabaek will die from alcohol poisoning before he even sees the face of the Heavenly Martial Faction Master."

Wi Eunghwan muttered.

Jang Mugang still just drank his alcohol.

"But what is the identity of that man, Kang Sogun?"

The Three Tigers of Shandong had not just been running an inn in Yueyang.

He had thought he knew the situation of the martial world quite well by carefully observing its trends, but he had never heard of a man named Kang Sogun.

"To have such martial arts at that age. I can't believe it."

"I know, right? They say there are many strange and eccentric people in the martial world. It's really true."

Jang Mugang was also curious about Kang Sogun's identity.

***

Yeon Hwasim went back and forth in front of Kang Sogun's annex.

The tray in her hand contained dinner. Since all the maids had been sent away, there was no one to serve.

She had brought dinner herself, but she was hesitating in front of Kang Sogun's room.

Since Kang Sogun had heartlessly pushed away her hand, she could not easily enter.

Jungrang, who could not watch any longer, approached and took the tray as if snatching it.

"Jungrang! What are you doing!"

"Miss, you are the young mistress of the Three Blade Sect. This is not appropriate. I will take it to him."

When Jungrang reached Kang Sogun's door, he said.

"It's Jungrang. I've brought dinner."

There was no answer from inside.

"I'm coming in."

Jungrang pushed the door and entered.

Kang Sogun had placed the red jade dagger on the table and was deep in thought about something.

"I've brought food. The young lady is very worried."

Kang Sogun slowly turned his head.

Jungrang was startled.

Kang Sogun's two eyes were literally bloodshot.

It looked as if blood would flow at any moment.

"What's wrong?"

Jungrang hastily approached.

Kang Sogun collapsed with a thud.

Jungrang quickly caught Kang Sogun.

"Great Warrior Kang!"

Yeon Hwasim, who was watching from outside, was surprised and ran over.

"What happened?"

"It seems his internal injuries have worsened."

The two supported Kang Sogun and laid him on the bed.

"I'll go get Uncle Hwang."

Yeon Hwasim ran out.

A moment later.

Hwang Uichae came in, led by Yeon Hwasim's hand.

Hwang Uichae also had a bandage on his shoulder.

Hwang Uichae was well-versed in various fields, and he also had some knowledge of medicine.

After checking his pulse and looking here and there, he said.

"This person seems to have had internal injuries for quite some time, and it has become a chronic illness. I will try to make some medicine and give it to him, but I don't think he will get better with just a month or two of rest."

"This person recovers strangely fast. If you just help a little, Uncle, it will be fine."

Yeon Hwasim was so anxious that she clung to Hwang Uichae without realizing it.

Hwang Uichae was surprised for a moment, looked at Yeon Hwasim, and then smirked.

"I thought you were just a child..."

At Hwang Uichae's meaningful words, Yeon Hwasim's face flushed.

"It's not like that. This person saved me, so it's only right that I do what I can..."

Yeon Hwasim stammered.

"I understand. This uncle will do his best."

As Yeon Hwasim became embarrassed, Hwang Uichae cut her off.

Hwang Uichae went outside and a moment later, he brought a pill. Then he struck Kang Sogun's Tiantu acupoint and forced him to swallow the pill.

Hwang Uichae said to Yeon Hwasim.

"I have calmed his turbulent internal organs for now. Let him rest well today. I will send a decoction tomorrow."

The three laid Kang Sogun on the bed and left the room.

As Yeon Hwasim stood in front of the door and did not move, Hwang Uichae asked.

"Why are you standing here?"

"He's unconscious, so someone has to watch over him."

"Hoho. Well now."

Hwang Uichae nodded and left.

As Yeon Hwasim sat down in front of the door, Jungrang sat down next to her.

The night deepened.

Suddenly, Yeon Hwasim opened her mouth.

"Don't I seem like a fool?"

"I don't know. I think that man is the fool."

Jungrang said what was on his mind.

"Thank you."

'I was the one who was grateful.'

Jungrang answered in his mind.

He couldn't remember his childhood.

The tragic memory of his parents and sister dying had erased everything before that.

After that, it could not be called living. He only breathed, ate, and fought to live and take revenge.

After entering the Three Blade Sect and being with Yeon Hwasim, he could finally feel the meaning of living.

Jungrang looked at the night sky.

There were three particularly bright stars in the cold sky.

Could they be his parents and sister?

People whose faces were now faint.

But he felt that if his sister had lived, she would have been like Yeon Hwasim.

Looking at Yeon Hwasim, she was dozing off.

A lot had happened today.

Jungrang picked up Yeon Hwasim.

"Hmm. No!"

Yeon Hwasim muttered in a low voice, dreaming of something.

Jungrang laid Yeon Hwasim in her residence and came back to watch over Kang Sogun.

***

From the morning, loud voices were exchanged in the inner court of the Three Blade Sect.

"This fight is my share!"

"I'd rather settle it with Wu Wonsong now!"

Yeon Seongyeol and Cheok Muryang were arguing.

Yeon Seongyeol was thinking of sending everyone out and facing the Heavenly Martial Faction Master, Gu Yeongang, alone.

Cheok Muryang said that even if they died, they should die together.

"Brother. Why are you trying to leave me with a grudge? If you insist, I won't be able to close my eyes even after I die."

"If we leave you, brother, and go, that's not living even if we're alive."

"Are you saying you want to see me kill myself?"

Yeon Seongyeol thought it was better to kill himself than to drag the people of the Three Blade Sect into the pit of death.

Hwang Uichae, who was listening to the argument of the two from outside, entered and said.

"If that's what you two brothers think, then let's do this."

Hwang Uichae's idea was to send out the Fire Heaven Brigade and other warriors, as well as Yeon Hwasim, and have the three brothers remain to have a showdown with Gu Yeongang.

"In fact, it won't be easy to break through the Heavenly Martial Faction's siege. Even if we escape the siege, we might be pursued."

As Hwang Uichae added, Cheok Muryang said.

"How about asking Great Warrior Jang to take them to Fujian?"

The three went to find Jang Mugang.

"Great Warrior Jang. We have a difficult favor to ask."

"What are you talking about? We three brothers have not even repaid a tenth of your life-saving grace. Please speak."

"Before Gu Yeongang comes, I want to evacuate the disciples and my daughter to Fujian."

Jang Mugang knew what favor Yeon Seongyeol was going to ask.

The Three Tigers of Shandong had already decided to stand on Yeon Seongyeol's side and have a showdown with the Heavenly Martial Faction.

But since Yeon Seongyeol was asking for his future, he could not refuse.

Perhaps for Yeon Seongyeol, the safety of Yeon Hwasim and the disciples was more important than an immediate helping hand.

"Do you have any connections in Fujian?"

"Actually, I am from Fujian. My hometown manor is still there, so Hwasim will be able to plan for the future."

"Then the key will be to break through the Heavenly Martial Faction's siege."

"While we three brothers have a showdown with Wu Wonsong, you can escape through the back mountain."

Hwang Uichae said.

"It will still be some time before Gu Yeongang comes in person. For now, Wu Wonsong's guard will be tight, so let's wait for an opportunity while your younger brothers recover from their injuries."

***

The days passed quickly.

Even after a fortnight had passed, there was still no news of Gu Yeongang's arrival.

Since they were trapped in the Three Blade Sect manor, they could not know the news from outside.

Hwang Uichae was looking around the manor's security and saw Kang Sogun in the annex garden.

'It's truly amazing.'

As Yeon Hwasim had said, Kang Sogun's recovery was strangely fast.

Hwang Uichae knew the effect of his own decoction. He was proud that it was a pretty good secret recipe, but it could not be called a panacea that could recover so quickly.

It seemed that the qi circulation and injury healing internal art that Kang Sogun himself possessed was outstanding.

"The weather is getting cold. Your body must still be uncomfortable, why are you out here?"

"I want to see Sect Master Yeon."

Hwang Uichae took Kang Sogun to Yeon Seongyeol.

"Can you identify the Eastern Depot and Embroidered Uniform Guard who died that day?"

Yeon Seongyeol thought for a moment and then went somewhere.

"While collecting the bodies, I took their identification tags and military tags separately to hide their identities."

Looking at the identification tag that Yeon Seongyeol handed him, the master of the Eastern Depot was Shin Igi. The Embroidered Uniform Guard was a thousand-man commander named Mak Busim.

"If you need it, you can keep it. I have no need for it."

Yeon Seongyeol handed over the identification tag and military tag.

"I had even forgotten that I had kept it."

Kang Sogun silently took it, put it away, cupped his fists in a salute, and left the room.

Hwang Uichae muttered as he looked at Kang Sogun's back.

"It's truly amazing. To be able to walk around like that already after suffering such deep internal injuries. I wonder what kind of martial arts he has learned."

"He seems to be related to the imperial palace."

Yeon Seongyeol said.

"What?"

"The red jade dagger was not the work of an ordinary craftsman. Judging by the pattern and the workmanship, it is an item that is no more than ten years old."

"Ah!"

Yeon Seongyeol was a master of the saber. He knew how to look at a saber.

"He said he has the blue jade dagger. That means it's a pair."

"You mean it's a betrothal gift or a token."

Yeon Seongyeol nodded.

"It was a betrothal gift, but it was also very sharp and practical. Precious red and blue jades were embedded to balance the weight. Unless it's the famous master of the past, Gu Yeja, there is no one in the current martial world who can make such a dagger."

"Then?"

"It's an item from the weapons manufacturing workshop of the imperial palace or the military. His identity is probably not ordinary."

(End of Chapter)