“To the two of you, I ask: were the wounds on Master’s body indeed caused by the martial arts techniques of the three families?”
“…Yes.”
“Is there any chance you could also identify which martial arts techniques they were?”
At my words, the two family patriarchs, with faces mixing sorrow and anger, strained to scrutinize their son’s wounds. To be honest, it’s an unspeakable act to ask parents to do such a thing, but to prevent war, it was an inevitable measure.
“…Yes. This one is the Swift Lightning Sword of the Gang clan.”
“…It’s indeed the Nine Dragon Sword.”
No sooner had the patriarchs finished speaking than malice began to seep into the atmosphere. I spun my foot lightly to draw the attention of the crowd.
“Take a close look at the bodies of the young masters. Despite the slashes all over their bodies, don’t you find something odd about them?”
“Silver Eun-gong, it appears your suspicions were correct.”
Miss Mok-kyeong seemed to have caught the gist of what I was implying. After all, anyone skilled in swordsmanship would naturally feel uneasy upon calmly examining the wounds.
It was simply because these people were looking at the bodies of their family members that they couldn’t remain calm.
I cleared my throat and spoke, pointing to the body of Master So-and-so.
“Take a close look at the body of Master So-and-so. Aren’t the wounds carved into the body too clean?”
“…That’s true.”
With a voice as if he was squeezing the words out, the patriarch of the So clan agreed with my statement.
Because the sword wounds on the body of Master So-and-so should have been impossible.
“Master Kang was cut by Master So’s sword in an inn, even on his right shoulder. Even if a shoulder that holds vital importance for wielding a sword gets injured, can the sword technique remain so clean? A highly seasoned fighter who has experienced many real battles can manage that, but Master Kang seemed like someone who had rarely, if ever, been through actual combat. There was no sign of the characteristics of a seasoned fighter.”
A seasoned warrior instantly enters the phase of assessing their opponent’s strength upon meeting another martial artist. Their instincts would instinctively attempt to gauge the strength of their opponent.
“Know your enemy, know yourself, and you can fight a hundred battles with a hundred victories.”
Because knowing your opponent is the way to win any battle.
“Indeed, it’s quite strange.”
“Unless it’s at the level of using internal energy to cover the wounds and correct the sword technique, something only you, patriarch, could do.”
“Then if his words are true, does that mean some unknown villain murdered the young masters and their bodyguards?”
“Which despicable souls…?”
Firstly, the fact that the two Masters didn’t kill each other was backed up by evidence. If we can gather a few more clues, we should be able to surely prevent the war.
“Then, who inflicted the Swift Lightning Sword wound on this body?”
“Without knowing how to wield internal energy, a person can still imitate sword techniques to inflict wounds on a corpse or subdued opponent. Of course…you’d need some understanding of swordsmanship, so assistance from an insider might be necessary. Or possibly, the culprit themselves…”
“Huh.”
Sighs could be heard from the surrounding area.
My words were essentially declaring that someone taught the villain the Swift Lightning Sword and Nine Dragon Sword techniques, or someone from the two families committed the crime.
In short, it’s either an inside spy or someone from the two families.
“The person remains unknown, but at the very least, it’s someone who is familiar with the techniques of Swift Lightning Sword and Nine Dragon Sword.”
The number of people who could be a spy is pretty limited.
Blood ties.
And a skilled practitioner, at least more formidable than the two young masters.
Because only someone with enough status could cleanly subdue and kill them.
Or…someone used sleeping poison or anesthetic to incapacitate them before murdering them.
“…This is the reason I requested reinforcements.”
“I feel like I’m about to succumb to madness…”
Patriarch Kang sighed deeply and bowed his head. Given the anguish it must be causing him, it’s understandable. Suppressing my own disquiet, I opened my mouth again to find the next piece of evidence.
“By chance, is there a physician employed within your sect?”
“Unfortunately, no. There used to be one, but he retired due to old age. Recently, we have been outsourcing cases to the best physician in the city, even if we’re not entirely satisfied with him.”
“I wanted to check if there were any signs of poisoning…”
“Are you suggesting that the Masters and their bodyguards were all poisoned and then left in an alley?”
Now the wheels in their heads are turning. I glanced at the elder of the So clan whose eyes were still tinged with reason despite being filled with sorrow.
“You’re correct, Master So.”
“But there were no signs of poisoning, were there?”
“Would the story change if it was something other than poison?”
“Not poison?”
“Medicine can benefit the body when used properly, but poison it when used improperly. Isn’t it common that those with the wrong constitution can turn elixirs into poison?”
“Are you talking about someone ingesting an elixir beyond their capacity, causing their energy channels to fail and dying from madness of inner energy?”
“Yes. Such cases.”
Miss Mok-kyeong provided a timely example. It’s a story often seen in martial arts fiction, but rarely happens in reality.
Since it’s usually the protagonist or their friends who take elixirs in martial arts fiction.
Moreover, there’s some supporting information regarding this possibility.
“Was it not mentioned that the physician disappeared after the incident?”
“Yes.”
The warrior who first came to greet me quickly answered my question.
“If the physician were an accomplice or someone else disguised as a physician who administered sedatives or anesthetics to the bodyguards and Masters, then it explains why Master Gang was abandoned in the alley.
However, in Master So’s case… who was the last person with him?”
“…I am the one.”
An elderly servant who appeared quite aged came forward and bowed to me. Although it felt wrong to have a person of such advanced age bow to someone younger, now wasn’t the time for such trivialities.
“When was the last time you saw the young master?”
“About the hour of Shen yesterday. He visited briefly and then suddenly said he had somewhere to go… He seemed happy.”
“Hmm.”
Did he go to the alley?
“Did anyone find a note or anything similar while examining the bodies?”
At my question, the warrior who came to fetch me replied that nothing had been found.
…None?
The method used to lure Master So to the alley remains unclear, which feels off. Who called him…?
Ah.
“Did he not go to see a certain young lady named Ming-hui?”
“Ming-hui?”
It seems the patriarch was unaware of his son’s romantic interests. Had he been hiding it well so far? Or was it simply because he didn’t care much about his son’s dating life…
“Does anyone know where this young lady Ming-hui resides?”
“I do. I’ll go check right away!”
“Hold on! Mok-kyeong, take this man with you.”
“Yes, Sir Eun-gong.”
With Miss Mok-kyeong, a peak martial artist, along, the chances of being ambushed should be minimal. Watching them leave with their light movement, I briefly focused on their backs before turning my attention back to the patriarchs.
“If Miss Ming-hui does not return or has disappeared, you may consider her an accomplice.”
“This is all so…unbelievable…”
“Looking at all the evidence so far, it appears to be a well-planned incident.”
But can a mere sect have the capability to devise a plan of this scale?
If they had that level of capability, wouldn’t there be no reason for them to stay here? Such a divisive plot where they reap all the benefits isn’t something easily accomplished.
“When the incapacitated warriors wake up, we might uncover undeniable evidence.”
“However…they’ll erase their tracks as time passes. And they’ll counter our moves.”
That’s only natural.
The culprits who made such thorough preparations are less likely to have failed to recognize their scheme’s failure.
They probably either obliterated, or are in the process of eradicating, all traces.
Even if the Black Eagle Sect wasn’t the culprit, the probability there’s still a connection is quite high.
This isn’t the sort of scheme a major power might orchestrate simply to claim this city, and the owner of the teahouse did mention how her influence in the market was growing.
Moreover, aren’t such underhanded tactics a trademark of the Evil Sect?
So, investigating the Black Eagle Sect will surely uncover something.
“Does anyone know where the Black Eagle Sect is located?”
“Are you planning to visit the Black Eagle Sect?”
“I’m going to have a little chat.”
The principle is speed.
We need to shake things up before they can make their next move to gather evidence.
“Will they even receive you if you go? This is why I should lead my forces there…”
“If you, Master, go directly, there’s a high chance they’ll know and escape.”
Because moving towards the Black Eagle Sect signals their plan has been uncovered.
“However, storming in on the Evil Sect suddenly isn’t a good idea. Who knows what they might do?”
“Master Gang, don’t worry. I’ve already prepared justification.”
It’s been a while since I played the role of a knight-errant, or should I say, an itinerant swordsman?
“Grant me a warrior who knows the way and reliable warriors. Moreover, the Masters please create the illusion of preparing for war.”
“Your burden seems quite heavy…”
“Compensation will suffice.”
“I will award half my fortune if you can catch the culprit.”
“So will I.”
I nodded at the two Masters’ fervent promises.
“Uncle…”
“Don’t worry. If I were someone who could die from such a puny person, I wouldn’t even be here.”
I consoled Miss Hye-ryeong, who looked at me with damp eyes, then turned my back on her.
“Then I’ll return with good news.”
——————-
“Hey, why is it so quiet? Weren’t we expecting some chaos?”
“How would I know? If I did, would I not already be chatting with the sect leader back in the inner hall?”
“Hmph, it’s getting frustrating. Don’t you know our world is about to arrive soon?”
The Black Eagle Sect’s sentries daydreamed while staring blankly ahead. Unlike their current incremental encroachment on the market, once they took full control of the city, they would feast on wine and meat to their fill.
“Whenever do we switch?”
“We’ve about half a watch to go? Just endure…”
Thud-thud…thud-thud.
The sentries observed an unfamiliar figure cloaked in a straw hat slowly approaching the Black Eagle Sect gate without any effort to disguise their presence. As the cloaked warrior approached, the guards, upon seeing the unwelcome guest, placed their hands on the swords at their waist and glared at him.
“Who is he?”
“Did we have any visitors scheduled today?”
“Ah, stupid, why would we have visitors today?”
Ignoring their banter, the cloaked swordsman calmly strolled up to the sentries.
“Is this the Black Eagle Sect?”
“N-N-N-N-N-Color-eyed person!!?”
“What kind of louts are you standing guard? You’ve lost all discipline. Normally…”
Bang!
“I would have bashed your heads in with a helmet!”
The swordsman’s fists mercilessly smashed into the faces of the two guards. They collapsed with their final screams as their faces crumpled.
He confirmed that the guards were unconscious, then looked up and with a single leap, tore the sect emblem off its perch.
‘This is the best way to provoke a sect.’
After all, a sect’s emblem is essentially its signboard.
Shouldering the signboard, he kicked open the main gates of the Black Eagle Sect.
“Come out! A righteous knight has come to root out the wicked sect for extorting the hard-earned wealth of the innocent citizens!”
