Chapter 252 Rescuing My Brother-in-Law (3)

Chapter 252: Rescuing My Brother-in-Law (3)

We entered a shabby eatery outside Nanjing’s South Gate and took our seats.

Having only chewed on dried meat since arriving, we wanted to put something in our mouths.

“Three bowls of noodles,”

“Got it.”

We had to avoid conspicuously lavish meals, though.

A little while later, steaming cold noodles arrived. The moment I took a bite, I couldn’t help but be shocked.

“This is awful.”

If I had to describe it, it tasted like noodles tossed in plain salted water.

“Hmm, you’re absolutely right.”

“……”

One curious thing was that despite being so tasteless, the restaurant quickly filled with customers.

It seemed to be because it was located outside the South Gate, where there was heavy foot traffic.

“Even if it’s tasteless, let’s eat it anyway. We need to fill our stomachs to do anything, after all.”

“Yes.”

Still, it was a decent carb, and once I actually put it in my mouth, it was edible enough.

Slurp.

Just as I was busily moving my chopsticks, the waiter approached.

“Gentlemen, we’re a bit short on seats. Would you mind sharing your table? We’ll treat you to dumplings in return.”

Even in modern times, sharing tables happens often, but offering free food in exchange was not common.

In the martial arts world, where the concept of service was practically nonexistent, it was even rarer.

“We’ll do that.”

Refusing when they offered dumplings would only draw unwanted attention. Not wanting that, I didn’t decline.

After the shop assistant withdrew with permission, a middle-aged man soon sat down with a broad smile.

He looked like a typical merchant, but the calluses on his fingertips suggested he was a laborer.

Only then did I understand why this chaotic restaurant was packed with customers.

The Hao Gate disciples had filled the seats to create a private meeting place where no one would suspect anything.

“Thank you for giving up your seat. I am Yang Ok-seon of the Iseon Trading Company. As a token of my gratitude, I’d like to offer each of you a drink.”

“I won’t refuse.”

He raised his hand sharply.

“Bring me white liquor and boiled meat!”

“Yes, sir!”

The waiter promptly brought the meat and liquor, and the man who introduced himself as Yang Ok-seon looked around before pouring the liquor.

“Due to the recent rebellion incident, access to the police station has been restricted. We’re trying to find a way, but it won’t be easy.”

“Hmm…”

It wasn’t good news.

Nanjing was divided into the outer city where commoners and officials resided, and the capital city where the imperial palace and the Six Ministries were located.

Since the prison where Myeosan is believed to be held is also located within the police headquarters, the inability to enter the police station means there’s a problem with infiltrating the prison.

“Is there any issue with entering the outer city?”

“Access itself isn’t an issue. However, the atmosphere is so tense that it’s difficult to move around at night. It’s also hard to carry weapons.”

Finishing his words, he pulled three small wooden tokens from his robe and handed them over. They were imperial identity tokens, the official credentials of the empire.

“For now, use these to pass through the checkpoints. Follow me to the inn to unpack your belongings. I’ll assess the situation as quickly as possible.”

“Alright.”

With that, the man returned to the Yangokseon of the Saseon Trading Company.

“Hahaha, well now, this is quite to my liking. Since we’ve met like this, it must be fate. Why don’t we move somewhere else and have another drink?”

He said this while putting on a show.

* * *

“Pass!”

The sight beyond the checkpoint left me and my companions speechless with awe.

A wide road spacious enough for ten horses to travel side by side, densely packed pavilions lining both sides, and citizens filling every inch within them.

Even I, who had lived in the metropolis of Seoul in a past life, was speechless at the sheer scale.

But this time, we weren’t here for sightseeing.

We immediately unpacked our bags at the inn and began formulating a plan based on the information brought by Yang Ok-seon’s group.

That was one day.

Thud.

After confirming the deployment status of the troops spread throughout Nanjing, I set down my brush.

“Damn it.”

“I knew it wouldn’t be easy, but I didn’t expect it to be this bad. There’s simply no opening to be found.”

With five thousand elite troops guarding the area like an iron wall, there was simply no place to infiltrate.

Spreading my vision to sneak in secretly, I had no way to bring Mount Miao along. Forcing my way in, I had no hope of escaping the pursuit of the Imperial Guards and the Imperial Guard Corps.

Moreover, the Lion Clan was right next door in Anhui. If caught, becoming a ghostly bachelor was certain.

In other words, the infiltration action plan we’d initially devised was completely out of the question.

Just as he was agonizing over this hopeless situation, Yang Ok-seon returned.

“You’re back?”

“Here’s the detailed map of the station you requested. We had multiple people cross-verify it, so it should be accurate.”

“Thanks.”

Yang Ok-seon handed over the map and spoke in a troubled voice.

“Things aren’t going well for you, I see.”

“A bit, yes.”

“If there had been more brothers, things would have been easier… I’m truly sorry I couldn’t be of more help.”

“No, it’s fine. You’ve helped enough. Don’t worry about it. Right?”

“The head of the household is correct.”

“I agree.”

Woo Je-jun and Sima Xin nodded in agreement.

Truthfully, Hao Gate’s primary business is intelligence gathering; espionage is merely a side operation. Having done this much already was more than fulfilling their duty.

Moreover, considering he risked his life gathering intelligence in Nanjing, where he had virtually no influence, his efforts were beyond description.

“We’ll handle the rest. Yang Danju, you should withdraw now.”

“No. I will stay until the end and assist the leader.”

“You should think about your men too. It’s ridiculous to come to save lives only to see people die, isn’t it?”

Scouring Nanjing for intelligence now was practically putting half your life on the line.

When this point was made, Yang Ok-seon finally nodded.

“……Understood.”

“I’ll buy you a drink as soon as I get back. Wait for me.”

I will wait for that day. Please take care.

A moment after Yang Ok-seon left the room.

“What? I told you to go home. Why did you come back?”

He returned, his face slightly flushed.

“I think I’ve found a way.”

* * *

According to Yang Ok-seon, not only did martial arts sects not exist in Nanjing, the very concept of the martial world itself was nonexistent.

That doesn’t mean martial arts don’t exist.

In fact, large martial arts establishments flourished throughout Nanjing, each flaunting its own distinct style.

Countless civil service hopefuls who aspired to military careers honed their skills and made their mark at military academies.

Just as in Noryangjin, the mecca of Korean public exams, specialized exam prep academies inevitably divided into popular and less popular institutions.

The military academies in Nanjing promoted themselves based on how many candidates they passed in the military examinations.

Moreover, this social climate gave rise to a peculiar phenomenon.

Thump thump thump. Squeak.

“Who goes there?”

“I’m Sima Hu from Shandong. These are my brothers.”

“And?”

“I’ve come to sell my martial arts skills. I heard the Iron Martial Arts Hall here pays well.”

This is precisely how those who sell martial arts techniques emerged.

For the sellers, it was a good deal to sell useless or unmasterable martial arts at high prices. For the military officials buying them, the more effective martial arts they acquired, the higher the pass rate among their officers became. It was a win-win transaction in its own way.

Of course, such transactions could hardly be considered honorable.

It was commonplace for those who had fled their sects to sell their master’s secrets or peddle stolen martial arts techniques.

That’s why Woo Je-jun, Sima Heun, and I came here dressed in clean clothes.

We needed to project the image of respectable individuals.

“…Wait inside. I shall bring the Sect Leader out.”

Following him inside, a spacious training ground and rear garden came into view.

It was the sight befitting the finest military officer in Nanjing, who had produced the Left General, commander of the Imperial Guard.

While admiring the scenery, a middle-aged man who appeared to be the innkeeper emerged from inside.

“So, you’ve come to sell your martial skills?”

“That’s correct.”

“Let me see them.”

“Before I show you the manual, I must receive payment first. It’s possible you might read it and then refuse to pay, isn’t it?”

“……Do you even know where you’ve come?”

“I’ve heard this is the Iron Martial Academy, the finest martial arts academy in Nanjing.”

“And?”

“The martial art we’ve decided to sell is the Supreme Art of Ascension.”

The innkeeper snorted in response.

“So everyone’s pulling a scam, huh?”

“If you don’t believe us, see for yourself and judge.”

“Hmph, I don’t need to…!”

As he signaled to Sima Xin, he lunged like lightning at the waist of the Iron Martial Commander, who was turning away.

Startled, the Iron Guard twisted his waist, delivering a straight punch toward Sima Xin’s chest while simultaneously trying to draw his sword with his free hand.

Bang!

The strike alone carried enough force to show considerable internal power, hitting the air.

Samaheun, displaying ghostly agility, had slipped free from the Iron Martial Commander’s grasp.

Seeing his attack miss, the Iron-Wielding General thrust his sword forward while simultaneously kicking upward.

True to his role as the head of the civil service academy, it was a straightforward thrust.

Clang, thud.

“Hmph!”

Samaheun snorted derisively and moved his hands.

Paf-paf-paf!

His hands moved swiftly, blocking Cheolmu Gwanju’s attack.

“……”

A brief yet intense duel.

Cheolmu Gwanju stared down at his sword with an expression of utter disbelief.

“These are no ordinary men.”

“Did I not tell you it was the Supreme Art of Ascension?”

“What was his name again?”

“Sama Hoo.”

“Sama-huh?”

Startled, he asked, and I quietly nodded.

“They say the Samaga clan’s martial arts are as sharp as a song—truly, their reputation is well-deserved.”

“I suppose that proves it… Will you buy it?”

“Why are you selling it?”

“I wish to raise capital to rebuild my family. It’s no small sum, after all.”

“Even though the martial arts of the Sima family could be exposed to the entire world?”

“I’m selling the most valuable martial arts techniques that aren’t secret transmissions. I believe our ancestors would understand selling just one.”

“Sounds like you’re claiming to be the true heir of the Sima clan.”

“It was possible because we were three brothers.”

“I’ve seen this fellow here, so I understand… But what about your martial arts skills and that fellow over there?”

“You ask a lot of questions.”

“I’m just a naturally curious person.”

The tone of the Iron Martial Arts Master had shifted from condescending to respectful.

“The youngest and I are at a similar level, and you can consider this elder brother here to be a couple of steps above me.”

Upon hearing the reply, the Iron Martial Arts Master nodded with a look of slight admiration.

“Huh, remarkable skill for such young men.”

“Now that your curiosity is satisfied, please tell me how much you’re willing to pay.”

“I have another proposal.”

“A proposal, you say…?”

“Instead of selling martial arts, have you considered selling swords?”

“……So you mean to buy us.”

“Isn’t it just about getting paid well anyway? It’d be far better than selling martial arts.”

At the suggestion to become a sword merchant, I silently cheered inside.

This was precisely why I had sought out the Iron Martial Academy.

‘Over the past year, the imperial palace has been drenched in blood from the power struggles among the high officials. This recent rebellion also arose from that backdrop.’

‘But?’

‘If the high-ranking officials, the leaders of the civil officials, are stirring up such chaos, do you think the military governors, who hold military power, would just sit idly by?’

‘Of course they’re pointing swords at each other.’

‘Yes. Among them, a man named Yi Mu-cheong, the Left Admiral, is recruiting a large number of martial artists to serve as his hands and feet.’

‘Seriously?’

‘That’s right. They’re entering the capital as his personal bodyguards.’

That was it.

We came to seek employment with Iron Martial Arts Hall Master, a close friend of Left General Yi Mu-cheong, and deliberately showed off our martial arts skills.

From Iron Martial Arts Hall Master’s perspective, who happened to need experts for a friend’s matter, this must have seemed like manna from heaven.

People don’t question luck that comes knocking.

“The martial arts of the Sima family are never cheap, but…”

“Don’t worry about it. I’m not the one paying.”

“……Let me hear it.”

Pretending to be a descendant of the Sima family, he thought to himself.

If swordsmanship has the unity of mind and sword, then perhaps lying has the unity of mind and lie.