Episode 50. That Guy’s Real Name is Pung Un-Saeng
Won Seung couldn’t shake the image of Hwa Cheon-Woon’s cold expression from his mind.
Was it Hwa Cheon-Woon…? As rumored, the head of the Clear Water Sect certainly seemed shrewd. If he set his mind to it, he’d have no trouble uncovering my identity.
But would Hwa Cheon-Woon have any reason to reveal my identity to the magistrate?
Why?
As he racked his brain, the early summer sun beat down, making his forehead hot.
“My legs are sore from all this walking. Let’s sit for a bit.”
Won Seung climbed up to the pavilion beside the pond. When So San-san sat next to him and gestured, the maids brought over snacks, a tea set, and a brazier.
‘How did the magistrate find out? Or, if he knew, why pretend not to?’
Thinking back to their first meeting at the Hundred Flowers Pavilion, Won Seung felt his face flush.
As expected, the magistrate is a sly old fox. He knew my identity all along, yet played along with that talk about the Sichuan Pung Family.
This world is crawling with cunning wolves at every turn.
While Won Seung was lost in thought, So San-san brewed tea and poured him a cup.
“It’s not as good as Brother Pung’s, but…”
Ah, San-san is so kind… and so naïve. She’s grown up sheltered, an innocent girl who doesn’t even realize what she’s done.
“As long as you put your heart into it, that’s all that matters. It’s delicious.”
Won Seung nodded in approval at the tea.
It was fortunate, in a way, that he’d learned the truth thanks to San-san’s innocent slip. As long as he prepared in advance, he could manage the situation.
‘Or… I could just kill everyone who knows my identity.’
Poisoning the magistrate would be child’s play. But then he’d have to kill San-san, too. That wouldn’t do. San-san is a friend, after all…
As Won Seung struggled with his dilemma, a martial artist strode up and announced,
“The magistrate requests your presence.”
“Oh, really? Then I’d better go.”
Won Seung stood up at once.
Looks like I’ll have to ask him directly.
*
After Won Seung left, So Yeong-gwan and the Four Great Family Heads sat down to eat. They chatted idly, complimented the food, and generally enjoyed a relaxed atmosphere, as if simply deepening their friendship.
But as the meal ended and they sipped tea, the mood shifted. Conversation dwindled, a brief silence fell, and then Family Head Sang spoke up to So Yeong-gwan.
“Since the magistrate has just returned from the capital, you must know a bit about the situation there… I hear things are rather turbulent among the central officials these days?”
“That’s old news. Xiangyang feels more like home to me now.”
“Haha. At this rate, we might have to add another clan to Xiangyang. Should we start calling it the Five Great Families?”
“That’s hardly likely. Magistrate So is a man of great talent—he’ll surely play a major role among the central officials in the future.”
As So Yeong-gwan and Sang Ju-gwan exchanged pleasantries, Woo Gukseon joined in, making small talk, but Jong Ji-ji cut them off with a stern look.
“Let’s not beat around the bush. Magistrate So knows perfectly well why we’re here—there’s no need for all this pretense. Let’s get to the point.”
As Jong Ji-ji spoke sharply, Sang Ju-gwan and Woo Gukseon gave awkward smiles.
So Yeong-gwan dropped his polite smile and turned to Jong Ji-ji.
“You say I know why the Four Great Family Heads have come so suddenly—what do you mean by that?”
“The people of Xiangyang are uneasy. Isn’t that all because of the Heavenly Observation Pavilion and the Clear Water Sect? Shouldn’t the magistrate step in and resolve this?”
So Yeong-gwan frowned.
“You’re asking me to intervene in Murim affairs?”
It was rare for government officials to get involved in conflicts between martial artists. Ignoring this, Jong Ji-ji pressed further.
“This isn’t just some ordinary Murim dispute. As you know, the Seongwang House is backing the Heavenly Observation Pavilion. If they make a mess of things, what do you think will happen? Will the Seongwang House just sit back and watch?”
“……”
Jong Ji-ji had bluntly voiced what everyone knew but dared not say. So Yeong-gwan’s expression soured.
“I don’t know what you mean, Family Head Jong. Why bring up the Seongwang House in a Murim dispute?”
He looked genuinely puzzled. Jong Ji-ji scoffed inwardly.
‘Hmph! You really expect me to believe you don’t know? I’m well aware of all the schemes you’re running to get back to the capital.’
Jong Ji-ji was about to retort, but Yang Woo-bo intervened.
“Brother Jong, the Seongwang House isn’t likely to step out into the open. If we overreact, it could backfire.”
“I’m not overreacting. It’s time we took a stand. If we hesitate and the world changes, we could be struck by disaster.”
Jong Ji-ji made his intentions clear for all to see.
So Yeong-gwan cursed inwardly.
‘Jong the Imperial Academy Scholar is right between the Emperor and the Seongwang House. Doesn’t he realize what he’s doing as the elder of his clan?’
Still, he could understand the family heads’ position. Officials could afford to wait and pick a side later, but powerful clans might lose everything if they hesitated. If the Seongwang House succeeded in their rebellion and started handing out rewards, they’d need land. It was obvious they’d crush a few local lords and divvy up the territory among their loyalists. That’s how it had always been.
So, to avoid disaster, you had to pick the right side. Reading the times and protecting the family—that was the family head’s duty.
So Yeong-gwan spoke gravely.
“Family Head Jong, since you ask where I stand, let me be clear. I am an official appointed by His Majesty.”
He made a show of loyalty, saying he served only the Emperor and wouldn’t bow to the royal relatives.
As So Yeong-gwan drew a firm line, Jong Ji-ji scowled and replied,
“Why do you think that fellow from the Seongwang House gave you the Ten Thousand Horses Painting? Isn’t it a sign that you need to make a decision?”
“Hm.”
So Yeong-gwan cleared his throat. The sharp family heads had clearly caught on to the meaning behind the painting.
But he was puzzled that they mistook Won Seung for someone from the Seongwang House.
Feigning surprise, So Yeong-gwan asked,
“You’re saying Young Master Pung is from the Seongwang House? What do you mean?”
‘This slippery snake…’
Jong Ji-ji had always lived boldly as the head of the Jong Family, one of Xiangyang’s powerful clans. He couldn’t stand officials pretending not to know what was going on.
“Hmph! That fellow is deceiving the magistrate. His real name is Pung Un-Saeng! He’s a branch member of the Sichuan Powerful Family Pung.”
‘?’
So Yeong-gwan narrowed his eyes, and the other family heads, including Yang Woo-bo, frowned as well. The Sichuan Pung Family was a clan of a different league altogether.
They’d even received an Amnesty Tablet for supporting the founding emperor, earning them the title of Founding Family.
So Yeong-gwan nodded.
“I don’t know if Young Master Pung is really from the Sichuan Pung Family… He did say he’d split from the main family and taken a new surname. So I can’t say he’s deceived the authorities.”
“But what’s this about the Sichuan Pung Family being part of the Seongwang House…? What do you mean?”
Woo Gukseon interjected. The Woo Family, located further north of Xiangyang, tended to be less informed.
Jong Ji-ji explained with a hint of pride.
“Since everyone here can keep a secret, I’ll tell you. The Seongwang House’s aunt married into the Sichuan Pung Family long ago. So he’s both a branch member of the Pung Family and related to the Seongwang House. The Seongwang House lost his father early and dotes on his aunt. Thanks to that connection, Pung Un-Saeng has been under the Seongwang House’s protection, and now he’s come to Xiangyang on a certain mission.”
So Yeong-gwan studied Jong Ji-ji.
‘Why is he so convinced?’
His confidence was enough to make So Yeong-gwan doubt himself. Still, he had no intention of correcting him.
In any case, with Jong Ji-ji openly siding with the Heavenly Observation Pavilion, things were getting complicated.
‘The Jong Family has already thrown in with the Heavenly Observation Pavilion.’
As befitted local magnates, the Four Great Families invested in all sorts of lucrative ventures. The North County Service Association, run by the Heavenly Observation Pavilion, was a goldmine and a stable investment.
They’d probably sunk a fortune into it. If they managed to absorb the Clear Water Sect and merge with the South County Service Association, it would be a windfall.
After a moment’s thought, So Yeong-gwan spoke.
“I understand that Xiangyang is in turmoil because of the Heavenly Observation Pavilion and the Clear Water Sect, and that something needs to be done. Give me a few days to think it over, and I’ll let the family heads know my decision.”
He shook his head as if troubled, then glanced at Yang Woo-bo for support.
Yang Woo-bo slowly picked up his teacup and took a sip. Of the Four Great Families, the Yang and Jong Families were the largest, and Yang Woo-bo was widely regarded as the wiser and more virtuous of the two.
Naturally, Woo Gukseon and Sang Ju-gwan looked to Yang Woo-bo for guidance.
Setting down his cup, Yang Woo-bo spoke slowly.
“It’s certainly rare for government officials to intervene in Murim affairs. But if things continue like this, Xiangyang could become a bloodbath. If the magistrate is willing to step in, my family will fully support him.”
He then glanced at Jong Ji-ji and continued,
“My only intention is to help the magistrate mediate the conflict in Xiangyang Murim and maintain peace—nothing more.”
He made it clear he would only mediate and would not side with the Seongwang House.
Jong Ji-ji cursed inwardly.
‘Hmph! You indecisive fool! If the Seongwang House seizes power, just wait—I’ll see your Yang Family torn apart.’
With a look of displeasure, Jong Ji-ji stood up.
“I’ve put off urgent business to be here, so I must be going.”
He barely bothered to say goodbye before leaving. It was a truly rude display, but So Yeong-gwan, though annoyed, let it go.
As the mood soured, Yang Woo-bo smiled and rose from his seat.
“Perhaps we’ve kept you from your duties for too long. I’ll see you again soon.”
“This is official business as well. Since it concerns the leaders of Xiangyang, I’ll give it careful thought and let you know my decision.”
After a few polite words, So Yeong-gwan saw Yang Woo-bo and the others out.
Then he turned to his attendant.
“Bring Young Master Pung.”
A short while later, Won Seung entered with San-san.
“San-san, would you step outside for a moment?”
Though reluctant, So San-san couldn’t disobey her father. She looked at Won Seung with lingering regret before leaving.
The magistrate let out a sigh.
“San-san is still young. If you’re too kind to her, she might get the wrong idea, so please be careful.”
“I mean nothing by it. I don’t have a younger sister, so I just wanted to be nice to her.”
“That’s exactly the problem. You may not mean anything, but San-san might misunderstand.”
Won Seung thought it over and realized that, as a father, the magistrate had a point. Hwa Cheon-Woon had been the same way.
“I see your point. I’ll be careful.”
Won Seung nodded obediently.
Looking tired, the magistrate rubbed his face with both hands and asked,
“What is it you want from me?”
He was asking about Won Guksa’s intentions, but clueless, Won Seung brought up something else entirely.
“The Heavenly Observation Pavilion Master bought the Long Cascade Painting from Mount Duryun. He’ll probably present it to you as a gift.”
“Hm.”
He left out the part about the two hundred thousand nyang.
So Yeong-gwan frowned. Accepting a copy wasn’t a big deal, but he wanted to keep his distance from the Heavenly Observation Pavilion.
“Just accept it reluctantly.”
“That’s not why you came, is it?”
So Yeong-gwan looked at him curiously.
“I do have something to say. But before that…”
Won Seung hesitated, then cautiously broached the subject.
“I was a bit surprised talking to San-san. She seems to know about my identity.”
“I told her myself.”
“……”
Won Seung stared at So Yeong-gwan, his gaze asking, Who told you?
“Someone came to me a while back and asked if there was anyone named Seung in the Seongwang House. That’s how I found out.”
‘As I thought…’
It was Hwa Cheon-Woon, the third of the Clear Water Sect! So Hwa Cheon-Woon and the magistrate were secretly in cahoots…