Episode 171: The Joint Sect
As the door closed, Danghang Samgwang felt his heart drop as if it had sunk into his stomach.
Unlike the average fighters who ended their lives as second-rate or first-rate warriors, Danghang Samgwang had no intention of settling for mediocrity. His dream was to one day surpass the pinnacle of martial arts. Wasn’t that the ultimate aspiration of any true martial artist?
To achieve this, Danghang Samgwang honed his ability to assess others’ skills, avoiding masters and teaming up with two others of similar strength to ensure they wouldn’t be easily defeated.
Their strategy had been remarkably effective—until they walked into an inn and found themselves face-to-face with three top-tier martial artists.
“They said there was only one weaker than us. Is this a trap?”
Danghang Samgwang glared at the ruffian, who, oblivious to the situation, wore a smug expression.
“Let’s kill them all!”
Clearly, he hadn’t grasped the gravity of the situation. But then again, how could a third-rate thug recognize the prowess of true martial artists?
The eldest of Danghang Samgwang’s group scolded the ruffian in a stern voice.
“Kill? What nonsense are you spouting to people just here for a meal?”
“Right! Let’s finish them off and then eat at our leisure.”
“What kind of nonsense is that? Who comes to an inn to fight?”
“Uh? But earlier you said…”
It was obvious what would come next—something that would surely offend the masters.
The second of Danghang Samgwang’s group swung his hairy hand and slapped the ruffian hard.
Smack!
With a loud sound, several yellowish, small objects flew from the ruffian’s mouth and rolled across the floor.
“What do you mean, ‘obviously’? What do you take us for?”
Despite his outburst, the second brother focused all his senses on the feeling at his back.
His scalp prickled. The young man who had just closed the door was watching them.
It felt as if a blade could pierce his skull at any moment.
His legs trembled, and he felt a tingling sensation as if he might wet himself.
The ruffian, now missing three teeth, clutched his face and looked around, realizing something was amiss. Though he couldn’t discern martial prowess, he could read the room.
’…Is that beggar stronger than Danghang Samgwang?’
As he scanned the room, the ruffian met Danghang Samgwang’s gaze and realized he was being set up as a scapegoat.
Seeing no way out, the ruffian shouted defiantly.
“You cowards! You call yourselves men, yet you won’t even try to fight…”
Before he could finish, the youngest of Danghang Samgwang’s group swung a fist, half-crushing the ruffian’s face. The sensation of something breaking in his nose and jaw suggested he wouldn’t live a normal life again.
He had a fifty-fifty chance of dying, and even if he survived, he’d likely be eating porridge for the rest of his days.
Despite the life-ending scene unfolding behind them, the eldest and second of Danghang Samgwang’s group smiled warmly and bowed.
“We apologize for the disturbance. We got caught up in something unexpected.”
“Please enjoy your meal, sirs!”
With synchronized bows, they prepared to leave the inn with the limp ruffian in tow.
But Hyungong stood firm. If he intended to let them go, he wouldn’t have closed the door.
“Where do you think you’re going?”
“Excuse me?”
“Sit.”
Hyungong gestured to a nearby table with his chin.
Danghang Samgwang, intending to sit on a chair, instead knelt beside the table. It was a pitiful yet swift and wise decision, one that earned Hyungong’s silent admiration.
Since he had decided to let Hong Geolgae take the lead, it was best to see it through. Hyungong asked Hong Geolgae, “What do you want to do?”
“Hmm.”
Suddenly holding the power to decide, Hong Geolgae pondered for a moment.
From their perspective, killing them all would be the simplest solution. But that would likely cause serious trouble for the innkeeper and the staff. If someone sought revenge for Danghang Samgwang, they would target the innkeeper instead of Hong Geolgae’s group.
He didn’t want the innkeeper and staff to suffer because of a momentary indulgence. Hong Geolgae glanced at the innkeeper and staff, noting their tense expressions.
“What do you think we should do?”
The innkeeper and staff replied cautiously.
“Danghang Samgwang doesn’t have a good reputation, but I’ve heard they’ve never killed anyone in this town. Perhaps you could forgive them this once.”
Faced with unexpected kindness, Danghang Samgwang looked as if he might be swept away by emotion.
Hong Geolgae clicked his tongue.
“Consider yourselves lucky that the innkeeper is kind-hearted.”
“Of course, we meant no harm! Thank you for your generosity.”
“We’ll be passing through this area often. If the innkeeper disappears or strange rumors start, there will be serious consequences.”
“Oh, we’re not that kind of scoundrel. Don’t worry.”
Danghang Samgwang, attempting to rise, glanced at Hong Geolgae’s group and knelt again.
It wasn’t the right time to leave yet.
Danghang Samgwang asked Hong Geolgae, “Do you have any other business with us?”
“Yes. Have you heard of someone named Yoo Jin-gwang?”
Danghang Samgwang’s expression was puzzled. Hong Geolgae asked again.
“Then, do you know the name Neung Gwang-geom?”
“Neung Gwang-geom! I’ve heard the nickname, but we’re just small fry with no connection to such a big name. He’s got quite the notorious reputation…”
Dang Mu-jin asked Hong Geolgae, “Who’s Neung Gwang-geom?”
“Apparently, they call Yoo Dae-hyeop Neung Gwang-geom around here.”
A sword faster than light. Dang Mu-jin thought it was a fitting nickname.
A brief silence followed. Danghang Samgwang, sensing the mood, hesitated to rise.
“Then, we’ll take our leave now. Have a good evening, sirs.”
“It’s not over yet. Do you know anyone who might know where Neung Gwang-geom is? Or someone who’s well-informed?”
Danghang Samgwang hesitated, then, seeing Hong Geolgae’s firm grip on his staff, changed his mind.
If he had to choose between talking a bit more or tasting the staff, the former was wiser.
“There was someone named Yong Il-seon. He was the most well-connected and informed around here.”
“Why are you talking about him in the past tense?”
“He was taken by the Joint Sect’s martial artists.”
Hong Geolgae clicked his tongue at the news.
“So it all comes back to the Joint Sect. Leave one of you to guide us. The rest can go.”
Danghang Samgwang’s group whispered among themselves, then left the youngest behind and exited the inn, not forgetting to take the unknown ruffian with them.
Relieved to have escaped the tiger’s den unscathed, their faces were bright with joy. The youngest, however, was filled with resentment.
As the situation settled, Dang Mu-jin found something odd about Danghang Samgwang’s story.
“What do you mean, ‘taken by the Joint Sect’? Wouldn’t he rather die than be captured?”
“That Yong Il-seon must have had exceptional martial talent or learned some useful martial arts.”
Hong Geolgae answered, but Dang Mu-jin still didn’t understand. Namgung Myung continued the explanation.
“Do you know how most sects train their disciples?”
“They take in young, promising kids and teach them.”
“Right. But the Joint Sect doesn’t train disciples that way.”
“Then how?”
“The Joint Sect takes in martial artists from the dark paths or the underworld. Some knock on the Joint Sect’s door themselves, while others are captured by the Joint Sect’s martial artists. Yong Il-seon seems to be the latter.”
Dang Mu-jin’s chopsticks paused mid-air. Namgung Myung’s explanation sounded absurd. What kind of sect operates like that?
Hyungong, observing Dang Mu-jin’s expression, took over the explanation.
“The Joint Sect is one of the oldest sects, but it hasn’t been classified as a righteous sect for long. It used to be more of a coalition of sects, straddling the line between right and wrong.”
“Really? That’s news to me.”
“Dang Mu-jin, do you know any martial arts from the Joint Sect?”
Dang Mu-jin shrugged.
“No. I’ve never met a martial artist from the Joint Sect.”
“Even if it’s just a name you’ve heard.”
“I only know the famous ones. The Demon-Suppressing Sword, the Bone-Extracting Palm, and the Three Yin Centipede Claw.”
“Don’t those names strike you as odd?”
Dang Mu-jin pondered.
Martial arts names are usually grandiose, like the Imperial Sword Form of the Namgung family or the Boundless Sky Sword Technique, or the Taiji Sword of the Wudang Sect.
The Beggar Sect’s Staff Technique has a peculiar name, but the Eighteen Dragon Subduing Palms is quite impressive. That’s how martial arts names usually are.
However, the three martial arts from the Joint Sect that Dang Mu-jin mentioned had rather sinister names.
The Demon-Suppressing Sword. A sword technique that suppresses demons.
The Bone-Extracting Palm. A palm technique that extracts bone marrow.
The Three Yin Centipede Claw. A claw technique resembling a centipede imbued with yin energy.
For martial arts of a righteous sect, the names were all rather menacing. If you only heard the names, you’d naturally assume they were demonic arts.
Hyungong continued his explanation.
“The martial arts of the Gongdong Sect are largely rooted in dark arts. They’ve captured and reformed rogue martial artists, absorbing the useful parts of their skills to develop their own.”
“Even if the Gongdong Sect is a rival to the Wudang Sect, isn’t that a bit harsh?”
Hyeon-gong waved his hand dismissively.
“Not at all. Have you heard of the Gongdong Sect’s signature internal energy technique, the ‘Honwon Ilgikong’? Do you know what it means?”
“Not really.”
“It means ‘to blend the best (混元) into a single internal energy technique (一氣功).’ It’s a name that reflects the Gongdong Sect’s identity of mixing various martial arts. If you doubt me, ask the Gongdong Sect’s martial artists. They might not like it, but they won’t deny it.”
To think the Gongdong Sect, which I thought was just an ordinary Taoist sect, had such a secret.
Tang Mujin pondered quietly while moving his chopsticks, then turned to the youngest of the Tang family sitting next to him.
“What’s your name?”
“Lee Gyu.”
Lee Gyu was at least ten years older than Tang Mujin, but he showed no displeasure at being addressed so informally. In the martial world, hierarchy often follows martial prowess rather than age.
“Lee Gyu, huh. In a few years, you might become a top master of the Gongdong Sect. Congratulations.”
However, Lee Gyu’s expression darkened significantly.
“Forgive my boldness, but could I guide you only to the outskirts of the Gongdong Sect and then leave?”
“Why?”
“I’ve heard that the Gongdong Sect captures people like me, who are not fully trained, and if they don’t see potential, they kill without hesitation. Even if I never surpass my current limits, I want to live as long as possible.”
Tang Mujin patted Lee Gyu’s back.
“If you start worrying now, you won’t achieve anything. You have to face everything with the mindset that you can do it. Got it?”
“Yes…”
Lee Gyu’s face grew even more somber.
When they said they were heading to the Gongdong Sect, Tang Mujin expected to turn south, but contrary to his expectations, the group continued north. The Gongdong Sect’s Reformation Pavilion, where they reformed rogue martial artists, was far from Gongdong Mountain.
After all, if they were capturing rogue martial artists, it made sense to stay where there were many of them.
The steps of Tang Mujin’s group of four were light, but Lee Gyu, who carried all their luggage alone, trudged heavily.
“Keep your eyes forward. Why do you keep looking around?”
“I’m on the lookout for suspicious people approaching, sir.”
Lee Gyu was constantly scanning the surroundings, looking for a chance to escape. But there was no way he could outpace the four who were more skilled than him.
As they moved north, the weather gradually changed.
The air became cooler and drier, and the large trees dwindled, leaving only knee-high wild grass everywhere. It wasn’t land suitable for farming.
One day, as they continued, Tang Mujin’s group spotted a dozen men with swords running in the distance.
They wore fur clothing typical of bandit groups and moved much faster than ordinary people, likely having mastered some movement techniques.
The bandits were heading toward a fairly large village, which seemed to house about a hundred people.
Namgung Myung frowned.
“Those bastards are planning to raid the village.”
Despite their usual behavior, Hyeon-gong, Namgung Myung, and Hong Geolgae considered themselves righteous warriors.
Tang Mujin’s group moved toward the village to stop the bandits, and Lee Gyu reluctantly followed behind.
However, as they neared the village, Hyeon-gong noticed people running after the bandits.
Seven men and women, all dressed neatly and each carrying a simple sword.
Hyeon-gong slowed his pace and spoke.
“It’s not a raid. Those guys are running from the Gongdong Sect’s martial artists.”