Chapter 37: The Cheongangmun Master of Guihon Village

When Gangchan and Pang Gipyeong entered the front gate of Cheon Myung Bang, an old man came running out from inside.

“Bangju-nim! It’s finally complete!”

Even with a face haggard from a sleepless night, Heo Junggwang was beaming brightly.

He was the technician Nanseol found at Gangchan’s request—a man once called the genius of the Armaments Bureau, who developed countless new weapons but, overshadowed by the jealousy of his superiors, had fallen into obscurity and drifted through the world until he ended up in Hangju.

Gangchan had given him only one condition.

— “I don’t care what you make. Just create as much as you wish.”

And so, he became the master of ManSudae.

“Really? I can’t wait to see it.”

“I bet you failed again. Not like it’s the first or second time.”

“What? Do you take me for a fool?”

“Haven’t you always been? You rascal.”

Heo Junggwang and Pang Gipyeong were of the same age and quickly became friends, always bickering like this.

“Come, see for yourself! Let’s see if this is a failure or not!”

Heo Junggwang wore a small, toy-like bow on his wrist. He looped the thin string from the bow onto his pinky and index fingers.

With a flick of his pinky, the bow unfolded like wings. Another movement and the bow loaded itself automatically. He raised his hand to aim, then twitched his index finger.

Piiiing! Thud!

A small, thin arrow sliced through the air and embedded itself into the thick wooden main gate. With another flick of his finger, a second arrow fired in quick succession.

“You can fire up to ten shots consecutively like this.”

The dainty arrow trembled slightly where it stuck in the wood. However, if that tiny, thin arrow retained its destructive power even at three jang, it was certain to give Cheon Myung Bang a tremendous increase in power.

Pang Gipyeong stared at Heo Junggwang in astonishment.

“Huh, you finally earned your keep.”

“Hmph!”

Heo Junggwang puffed up with pride, his shoulders squared.

“Wow, that’s amazing! How long does it take to make just one?”

“For now, I can only make three or four a day, but with more practice, I’ll be able to make ten per day.”

“Mobilize all of ManSudae and produce as many as you can. We’ll start training immediately.”

Seeing the smiling Heo Junggwang, Pang Gipyeong grumbled curtly.

“You look so happy. Hmph! Buy me a drink to celebrate.”

“Didn’t you hear Bangju-nim? There’s no time for drinking for a while.”

With that, Heo Junggwang hurried off toward ManSudae. Pang Gipyeong watched him go, his eyes full of envy.

A week later, Gangchan was inspecting the small bow Heo Junggwang had made. After a moment, Nanseol entered the office, her gaze fixed on the mini bow.

“Is that a creation from ManSudae?”

Gangchan handed the bow to Nanseol so she could examine it closely.

“This time, it seems to be properly made.”

“It’s prettier than I expected. How does it work?”

Gangchan hooked one of the two strings dangling from the side of the bow onto his pinky and the other onto his index finger. He demonstrated by flicking his fingers.

“With the birth of this secret weapon, our strength has increased greatly.”

“I’m truly relieved. By the way, there’s something odd among the reports that came in yesterday.”

“Something odd? Is it about the Demonic Sect?”

“No. It concerns Bangju-nim, but I’m not sure if it’s true.”

“Something about me?”

“Isn’t Bangju-nim’s hometown Guihon Village in Jilin Province?”

“That’s correct.”

“And Cheongangmun is Bangju-nim’s family’s sect?”

“Yes.”

“Were there any disciples left when you left?”

“No way. All of Cheongangmun’s disciples were dead.”

“But according to the latest report, there’s been a disabled Munju living at Cheongangmun for the past four years.”

“What?”

Gangchan shot up from his seat, shocked.

That couldn’t be. Five years ago, when he emerged into the world, Guihon Village and Cheongangmun were little more than ruins. And now, Munju?

After composing himself, Gangchan asked as calmly as possible.

“Is this information reliable?”

“Looking at the source, I can’t say for sure.”

Haomun gathers information in two ways.

First, from what Haomun disciples have seen or experienced themselves—such information is usually accurate. Second, from hearsay relayed by others. That kind is more likely to be wrong. However, if the value is high, they may verify it personally.

Currently, the information about Cheongangmun was the latter. The chance it was wrong was high. But for Gangchan, the truth wasn’t the only issue.

If by some miracle it was true, he had to see it for himself. If it was a lie, he would have to punish whoever dared impersonate his hyungnim.

After thinking for a moment, Gangchan looked at Nanseol.

“It seems I’ll have to go myself. And I’ll take this opportunity to bring Squad One from Cheongeomdae for training. While I’m away, nothing major should happen, but if any trouble arises, find Hong Hyeon or ask Old Pang for help.”

“I don’t think there’ll be any problem. Hurry back.”

“Understood. I’ll leave tonight.”

Gangchan hurried from his office to the back of the manor, where ManSudae was located, to find Pang Gipyeong. Pang Gipyeong and Heo Junggwang were drinking in the ManSudae yard when Gangchan arrived.

“Welcome, Bangju.”

“Sir, I have a favor to ask.”

“A favor?”

“I have to leave for personal reasons. Please take care of Cheon Myung Bang in my absence.”

“If that’s all, don’t worry. There’s no force in Hangju or Suzhou that can touch Cheon Myung Bang right now.”

“That may be so, but lately, Amyoungdae from the Demonic Sect have been spotted around the manor. The number of watchers from Cheonyeon Union and Changcheon League is also increasing.”

“Well, then, I understand. When will you be back?”

“It’ll take about a month. Ah, and ManSudae Master, how many bows do you have ready?”

“There are about twenty made as test pieces.”

“Perfect. I’ll be taking Squad One from Cheongeomdae this time. Please give one to each of them. We’ll be testing them in actual combat on the way.”

“Understood. I’ll prepare them and send them to Cheongeomdae.”

“Thank you.”

Gangchan said his farewells to Pang Gipyeong and the ManSudae Master, then headed to Cheongeomdae. He found Hong Hyeon and asked him to oversee the disciples’ training in his absence, and told Squad One to gather in the Bangju’s office.

Squad One was led by Du Ilchung, who had first opposed Gangchan, and was formed from the most skilled members at the founding of Cheon Myung Bang.

With ten members including the leader, Squad One was an elite unit entrusted with Cheon Myung Bang’s most difficult and dangerous missions.

When everyone was assembled, Gangchan explained his plan and assigned their training for the journey.

The purpose of this training was to travel long distances quickly by horseback and to become proficient with the new weapons made by ManSudae.

In the future, Squad One of Cheongeomdae would have to move across various regions as the vanguard of Cheon Myung Bang, carrying out secret missions.

Due to the nature of these covert operations, rapid movement was essential. If their inner strength was limitless, they might travel using lightness skills, but realistically that was impossible, so riding was the key to success.

For this reason, he had especially asked Nanseol to prepare sturdy horses.

When Gangchan explained the goal of the training, some squad members looked relieved, while others frowned.

But at his next words, everyone wore incredulous expressions.

“We must reach Baekseong from Hangju in less than fifteen days. And while traveling, you’ll practice with the bows from ManSudae.”

Gangchan set off from Hangju, riding day and night, and arrived at Changchun in Jilin Province in just ten days.

The squad members would probably arrive two days later. This was only possible thanks to Mong, who ran tirelessly without a break.

After letting Mong rest in Changchun for a day, Gangchan set out again the next morning and finally arrived at the entrance of Guihon Village.

In the distance, blurry lights flickered like fireflies.

To be cautious, Gangchan purposely arrived in the late night. He headed to the home of Village Head Jang, who had cared for him as a child.

But instead of the house he remembered, a splendid three-story guesthouse stood there now.

A signboard at the entrance read ‘Bokchunru (福春樓)’, and even though the evening was over, many people were drinking inside.

Gangchan quietly entered the guesthouse.

“Welcome. Right this way, please.”

A young server, about fourteen, smiled brightly and led him to a seat by the window.

“What would you like?”

“Some side dishes, a bottle of bamboo-leaf liquor. And please give the horse outside some good hay and beans.”

At Gangchan’s lazy but deep voice, the server stiffened nervously and bowed.

“Yes, don’t worry.”

When Gangchan handed over a few coins, the boy’s face lit up with the happiest smile in the world.

“Thank you, sir!”

The server ran to the kitchen with a spring in his step.

Gangchan, expressionless, watched him go, then turned his gaze outside. Since he’d spent a night in Changchun, his squad should arrive within a day.

Yet the village under the night’s shadow looked very different from when he had left.

New buildings, an unfamiliar atmosphere.

Even so, thinking it was still his hometown, he felt a strange warmth in his body.

At that moment, murmured voices from the neighboring table reached his ears. Two men, looking like laborers, were talking drunkenly.

“Are you saying Munju-nim’s condition is really bad?”

“Yeah. Seems to be getting worse.”

“That’s worrying.”

“Such a pitiful person. Has his health improved at all?”

“Not a chance. Can’t even get medicine, and things have gotten so tough lately they can’t even call a doctor.”

“If I had money, I’d help out… But it’s hard enough just getting by each day.”

“Let’s stop talking about it. No use getting ourselves upset.”

As the drinks went down, the men’s voices grew louder.

“People are so heartless! How many lives did that household save? Without them, plenty of us would be dead!”

Suddenly, one man looked around nervously and whispered urgently.

“Shh! Quiet! What if Daepung overhears?”

“Damn, that bastard’s not even human. He shouldn’t be doing that, not after all his grandfather did…”

“Exactly. He’s worse than a beast.”

Gangchan’s eyes flashed coldly.

“Is that rumor true? I heard Hunter Cheon got hurt and can’t move now?”

“Don’t even ask. Jin from the well house broke his arm stumbling home drunk a few days ago.”

“How much did he have to drink to break his arm falling down?”

“Don’t ask me.”

“I suppose. But why is it only the people who care for Munju-nim who keep getting hurt? Are they trying to make things even harder for him?”

“Yeah… Could it really be?”

The drinking man gritted his teeth and muttered.

“If it’s true… is that person even human? Not even beasts do that.”

“Right? Enough, let’s just drink. Haha!”

Gangchan quietly lifted his cup.