Episode 65. You Will Die the Morning of the Three-way Martial Arts Duel!
That afternoon.
Wearing Ohgu’s Human Skin Mask and dressed in Ohgu’s clothes, Won Seung made his way to the riverside where the Martial Arts Stage had been set up.
The carpenters who had finished their work were waiting for him and approached.
“It’s all done. Please check and settle the remaining payment.”
Since the stage was being built on the border between the Heavenly Observation Pavilion and the Clear Water Sect, it ended up in an open space between large warehouses.
Won Seung had the stage built as close to the river as possible, then set up pillars around it at a distance of thirty jang, marking the boundary with ropes.
He placed the seats for the host and observers about twenty jang away from the stage.
Inspecting the site, Won Seung checked the pillars, which came up to a person’s waist, and even jumped up onto the stage. It was sturdy enough, but once Peak Masters started fighting, it probably wouldn’t last long.
‘This should do. As long as it holds up at the start, it’s fine.’
Won Seung handed the carpenters vouchers from the Heavenly Observation Pavilion.
After making sure the carpenters had left, he signaled, and Seok-Bo, who’d been waiting behind a warehouse, brought over a cart.
Won Seung pulled out a large bamboo basket from the cart and tossed it into the water. The basket sank with a bubbling sound.
He threw two more baskets into the river, spaced out along the side of the stage facing the water, then sent the cart away.
After double-checking the stage and its surroundings, Won Seung confirmed there were no issues and disappeared.
*
After Won Seung left, Gu Ja-ang arrived with his subordinates to inspect the site, wary of any tricks.
Almost at the same time, Seok Sung, the Chief Commander of the Clear Water Sect, arrived with his warriors.
Both factions had rushed over as soon as they received word from Won Seung that the stage was complete.
The warriors from the Heavenly Observation Pavilion and the Clear Water Sect thoroughly searched the stage, the grounds, and even the river.
While this was happening, Seok Sung approached Gu Ja-ang.
“It’s been a while.”
“How have you been, Chief Commander?”
“Oh, you know, same as always. But you don’t look so well, Gu Commander. Something happened?”
The two were both from Xiangyang and had grown up near the Xiang River, so they’d known each other since childhood. Seok Sung was a couple of years older, but since neither knew their exact age, they treated each other as peers.
Gu Ja-ang addressed Seok Sung as Chief Commander, but Seok Sung just called him Commander.
Officially, Gu Ja-ang’s title in the Heavenly Observation Pavilion was Chief Commander. There were three other Commanders under him who handled various tasks.
They’d added the “Chief” to outdo Seok Sung of the Clear Water Sect… but hardly anyone actually called him that.
Even within the Heavenly Observation Pavilion, people just called him Gu Commander or Gu Advisor.
Feeling slighted, Gu Ja-ang snorted and looked away.
Seok Sung stood next to him, watching the warriors search, and remarked offhandedly,
“You’ve gotten pretty sly, haven’t you?”
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
Gu Ja-ang’s brow furrowed as he turned sharply.
“Jo Bang-un might be a bit flighty, but he’s got a soft heart. Why’d you rope him in?”
“Jo Bang-un? The Second Commander from your side? Are you saying I put him up to something?”
He was already frustrated that Jo Bang-un hadn’t shown up at the appointed place. Just hearing the man’s name gave him a headache.
“Why would I bother coaxing him? Do you have any proof?”
“You get more disgraceful with age. Tsk!”
Seok Sung’s words cut deep.
“Watch your mouth. I’m treating you as a senior, but have you forgotten who I am?”
“Haha. How could I not know you? I remember you hustling customers at the brothels by the docks.”
“What?”
Gu Ja-ang’s face flushed with anger at the mention of a past he’d rather forget.
“And you were the one picking up rotten fish by the docks, weren’t you?”
“That’s right. Fed my younger siblings with that, so I’m grateful for it.”
Seok Sung pressed his lips together, then smacked them as if savoring the memory.
“If he’s with you, hand him over.”
“Hand over who?”
“Jo Bang-un.”
Hwa Cheon-gang is making a fuss, demanding Jo Bang-un be brought in. The Clear Water Sect’s warriors are secretly searching Xiangyang.
“I’ll overlook your involvement.”
Seok Sung thought he was being generous, but Gu Ja-ang found it even more insulting.
“You think I, the Chief Commander of the Heavenly Observation Pavilion, am afraid of the Clear Water Sect? Not a chance. Let’s see if your sect is still around in two days.”
“I’ve given you fair warning.”
With that, Seok Sung turned away.
Just then, a commotion broke out near the river.
“What’s that? Isn’t that a person?”
The Clear Water Sect’s warriors, searching the riverbank, had found a corpse floating downstream.
It must have sunk to the bottom and then resurfaced, as it was tangled in aquatic plants.
As they pulled the body out, the warriors suddenly became agitated.
“Chief Commander! This corpse—it’s Second Commander Jo!”
Seok Sung rushed over, with Gu Ja-ang following behind.
The waterlogged corpse was indeed Jo Bang-un. There was a large wound near the nape of his neck, clearly a fatal stab from a dagger.
‘Gasp!’
Gu Ja-ang’s eyes fell on Jo Bang-un’s instep.
A puncture mark through the leather shoe—he recognized it instantly.
The work of the Heavenly Observation Pavilion Master Cheon Il-hae’s loyal hound… the Mad Dog of Xiangyang, Gwan Ju-gyeon.
“Hm.”
After examining the body, Seok Sung glared at Gu Ja-ang with furious eyes, clearly suspecting him.
“Take care of the body and move it to the manor.”
As he passed Gu Ja-ang, Seok Sung growled in a voice full of anger,
“You’ve crossed the line. You’ll pay for this.”
Then he disappeared, leaving two Clear Water Sect warriors behind.
Gu Ja-ang also left two Heavenly Observation Pavilion warriors and hurried back to his quarters.
Leaving two warriors each was a precaution to keep an eye on the other side until the day of the duel, in case anyone tried anything.
This, too, was part of Won Seung’s arrangements.
And so, the four warriors had no choice but to wait by the river, braving the wind, until their shift was over.
*
As sunset approached.
Ohgu, the official manager of the Hundred Flowers Pavilion, was about to close up when several men approached.
A man in silk clothes led the way, followed by two burly men.
“We’re closed for the day.”
“Haha. Do you even know who you’re paying rent to? I’m Hama Cho, steward of Wuyang Manor.”
The man in silk laughed heartily.
Ohgu let out an “Ah,” then replied,
“I’m just a humble art dealer. How would I know the steward of Wuyang Manor?”
“You certainly look the part. But you know, you’ve got quite the punch.”
“…?”
“I sent some boys to test you, and you beat them black and blue, didn’t you?”
Ohgu flinched.
“You hit them so hard they wet themselves!”
Hama Cho grinned slyly.
Ohgu glanced toward the Hundred Flowers Pavilion. The inner quarters were quiet.
“Here for revenge? Then let’s go somewhere private.”
The man in silk waved his hands.
“No, no. I was the one who sent them, so let’s just let it go. The reason I’m here today is that someone wants to meet you.”
“Me?”
“You’re Woo Bok-Saeng, aren’t you? The owner of the Hundred Flowers Pavilion, Woo Bok-Saeng.”
“That’s right… but who wants to see me?”
“You’ll find out when you get there.”
Ohgu frowned.
This was a classic Black Path tactic.
Just then, Ten Perfect Servant Jong Bi came out, looking a bit awkward at the tense atmosphere, and spoke in a meek voice.
“Master Wu, dinner is… ready. Shall we eat together?”
He’d come to call Ohgu for dinner, but found some strange men instead.
Everything was in Ohgu—no, Woo Bok-Saeng’s—name, so he had to treat him like a master… Wait, these guys are Black Path, aren’t they?
Jong Bi sized up the Wuyang Manor group, while Hama Cho’s eyes fell on Jong Bi’s hands.
He was holding a rice paddle. Sensing the gaze, Jong Bi subtly hid the paddle behind his back, ready to use it as a weapon if needed.
‘A servant, huh.’
Hama Cho turned back to Ohgu, flashing a broad smile.
“Home-cooked meals are nice and all, but tonight, you’re coming with us for a drink at a very fine place.”
Ohgu thought for a moment, then nodded and said to Jong Bi,
“The Wuyang Manor folks have come all this way to invite me for dinner. Teacher Song, go ahead and eat first.”
Ohgu then followed the Wuyang Manor men out.
Jong Bi grumbled as he watched them go.
There are so many mouths to feed, I have to dish out so many bowls… Why’d they have to take him away at dinnertime?
He spat on the ground and turned to go back, but then his gaze froze.
A kite was flying, painted red by the sunset.
‘What’s that?’
Jong Bi’s eyes widened at the sight of the crimson kite.
*
The same sunset that dyed the kite red also cast a crimson glow through the west window of Gu Ja-ang’s office.
The savory smell of cooking wafted in from somewhere beyond the open window, but Gu Ja-ang was too anxious to notice, let alone feel hungry.
Pacing nervously, he sensed someone approaching and quickly looked toward the door.
“It’s me.”
The low voice belonged to his trusted aide, whom he’d sent on an errand.
Relieved, Gu Ja-ang told him to come in. The aide entered and spoke quietly.
“I checked quietly, just as you asked. It’s confirmed—someone died near Johyeon Hall last night.”
Johyeon Hall!
That was the residence of Elder Gwan Ju-gyeon.
“Did you find out who died?”
“Well… it wasn’t anyone from our side or a prisoner. I asked around, but no one knows.”
“That can’t be. The security chief must know.”
“He’s out on patrol. But… it seems the Pavilion Master was there.”
Gu Ja-ang flinched.
“The Pavilion Master?”
“A friend of mine was on guard duty and saw the Pavilion Master coming out from that area.”
“……”
A cold sweat broke out on Gu Ja-ang’s forehead.
Why is this summer so hot?
“All right. You can go.”
He calmly dismissed his aide.
Gu Ja-ang’s eyes turned icy. Now that he was certain, his anxiety faded, replaced by an odd sense of calm.
Just hearing that the Pavilion Master had been there explained everything.
‘Jo Bang-un, that fool, couldn’t hold back and went to see the Pavilion Master. The Pavilion Master had Gwan Ju-gyeon torture him and got everything out of him… then killed him.’
And yet, as the Chief Commander and supposed advisor of the Heavenly Observation Pavilion, he hadn’t known?
He’d been completely sidelined.
Normally, he would have been the one to interrogate Jo Bang-un. So things were far from normal now.
Gu Ja-ang pictured Cheon Il-hae’s face and wondered,
‘Cheon Il-hae, will it be before or after the Three-way Martial Arts Duel?’
All that was left was the timing… It was clear his own life would soon follow Jo Bang-un’s.
And in his mind, Cheon Il-hae’s voice rang out.
-You will die the morning of the Three-way Martial Arts Duel!
There was no reason. It was just something the memories of their long years together told him.
Gu Ja-ang slowly made his way to his desk and slumped into his chair.
He stared blankly as the crimson glow faded from the west window, turning to a pale ash gray.
It was a view he’d always loved… but it seemed he wouldn’t see it much longer.
Time drifted through his mind.
Twelve shichen in a day, then another six… Eighteen shichen left until the day of the Three-way Martial Arts Duel dawned.
‘I still have eighteen shichen left.’
Gu Ja-ang sank deep into thought.
It was going to be a long night.
*
It was dinnertime, but neither Ohgu nor Jong Bi was anywhere to be seen.
Won Seung had no choice but to serve himself, Yong Jo-woon, and Blood Flower their food.
He then sat in the living room, leisurely enjoying his tea…
When Jong Bi staggered in, face pale as a ghost.
He looked completely out of it.
Why was he carrying a rice paddle around?
“Teacher Song, what’s wrong? Where have you been, skipping dinner?”
“We’re doomed. We’re dead.”
“Sure, we’ll die… in about a hundred years, maybe?”
Won Seung tilted his head, flashed a cocky grin, and sipped his tea.
Jong Bi approached weakly and tugged at Won Seung’s sleeve.
“Come with me.”
“Where to?”
“To a dark room.”