Chapter 5
Taking Up his Post (2)
Im Chung’s eyes widened as he examined the appointment order.
“You were a squad leader in the Iron Sword Corps?”
The document listed only Baek Socheon’s final service record with the Iron Sword Corps. Even that alone was enough to surprise Im Chung.
Beon Saeng, standing beside him, was even more astonished.
The Iron Sword Corps?
Ever since childhood, his dream had been to join the Iron Sword Corps. Of course, by now it had become a dream he had failed to fulfill.
Naturally, Beon Saeng’s gaze became fixed on Baek Socheon.
“The Iron Sword Corps is composed of the elite among the headquarters’ finest. How did you end up getting pushed all the way out here?”
Baek Socheon answered Im Chung’s question without emotion.
“Probably because I didn’t work hard enough in life.”
“Was that meant for us to hear?”
Baek Socheon returned Im Chung’s earlier question word for word.
“How did you end up getting pushed all the way out here, Branch Chief?”
Im Chung stared up at Baek Socheon.
Look at this brat.
The way he looked directly at him without the slightest hesitation showed that he was no ordinary man.
“I worked hard and still got pushed all the way out here.”
“Then I suppose you lacked ability.”
It was clearly something that should have angered him, yet strangely, Im Chung did not feel particularly offended.
Perhaps it was because the rude words suited the Baek Socheon standing before him. Or perhaps it was his tone.
The contents of his words were undeniably disrespectful, but there was no contempt at all in his calm voice.
It felt less like an insult and more like a man casually joking without reservation despite having only just met them.
He’s no ordinary fellow.
Im Chung and Beon Saeng knew nothing about Baek Socheon.
Baek Socheon was known only among the elite martial artists of the main headquarters. Later, once his demotions began, a gag order had been issued concerning him, so there was no way the martial artists of this remote Munseong Branch could have heard anything about him.
Even if they had known who he was, no one would ever have imagined that such an extraordinary person would end up in a backwater like this.
Im Chung’s gaze stopped at one section of the document—the part that always shocked everyone.
“What? You’re thirty-eight?”
Beon Saeng shouted in surprise beside him.
“That’s impossible!”
It was even more shocking than the fact that Baek Socheon had been in the Iron Sword Corps.
Beon Saeng was twenty-six. When he had first seen Baek Socheon, he had assumed the man was either younger than him or roughly the same age.
“There must be an error in the paperwork. Are you twenty-eight?”
Baek Socheon replied to Im Chung’s question.
“If that makes you more comfortable, you may think of me that way.”
The way he said it only made it seem even more likely that he truly was thirty-eight.
“Unless you learned an art for preserving your youthful appearance, you should thank your parents.”
Im Chung added one more question.
“How skilled are you in martial arts?”
Normally, he would not ask such a question, but Baek Socheon’s history as a squad leader in the Iron Sword Corps made it come naturally.
“I used to fight well.”
“And these days?”
“I’m terrible.”
Beon Saeng, who had been listening beside them, cautiously interjected.
“What use is the past? If we’re going to talk that way, then in my glory days, I rode a golden calf and fought the Alliance Leader.”
At Beon Saeng’s exaggerated boast, Baek Socheon nodded as if he had made a valid point.
“You’re right. The past is only the past.”
When Baek Socheon accepted his words without complaint, Beon Saeng’s heart grew more generous as well.
“Fortunately, there isn’t much fighting to be done around here. Let’s get along from now on.”
Baek Socheon was not exactly obedient, but his first impression was not bad.
A sharp, straightforward man like this was better than some ingratiating fellow who constantly watched the moods of others. Men like him were also more likely to be competent at their work.
“All right, that will be enough introductions. Squad Leader Beon will teach you what you need to do from now on.”
Beon Saeng left the office with Baek Socheon to show him around the branch.
Im Chung leaned his head back against his chair and muttered to himself.
“The Iron Sword Corps…”
Perhaps it was only natural considering where he had served, but Baek Socheon’s presence was anything but ordinary.
If only five Iron Sword Corps martial artists like him were stationed here, Wang Gon would never have dared to treat Im Chung with such contempt.
A fresh wave of regret washed over him.
***
Beon Saeng led Baek Socheon into the rear courtyard of the branch. There was an empty detached residence there.
“You’re older than me, and you joined the Martial Alliance before I did, but… you’re still an ordinary member, while I’m a squad leader. So I’ll have to act as your superior.”
Naturally, the Martial Alliance was an organization where rank took precedence over age.
“Do as you please.”
“Thank you for understanding. By the way, how did you end up being demoted from squad leader?”
“I beat up my superior.”
“…!”
Beon Saeng flinched and stared at Baek Socheon.
When Baek Socheon nodded as if to confirm that it was true, Beon Saeng resumed walking with renewed vigor.
“What’s the point of worrying about superiors and subordinates in such a small branch? We’re all family and friends here.”
As they crossed the courtyard, Beon Saeng stopped in front of a massive log erected for martial arts training.
Part of him wanted to ask Baek Socheon to cut it once. He was curious to see the skill of a former Iron Sword Corps squad leader.
Of course, he did not dare say it aloud.
Only then did Beon Saeng notice that Baek Socheon was not carrying a sword.
Why did I assume he had one?
Whenever he first met someone, Beon Saeng habitually checked their weapon before anything else.
For some reason, however, he had simply assumed that Baek Socheon was wearing a sword.
“Do you use fist techniques?”
“No.”
“Then what kind of martial arts do you use?”
“I don’t intend to use any martial arts.”
He spoke like a child stubbornly declaring that he would not eat, causing Beon Saeng to glance sideways at him.
What is wrong with this man?
While they were speaking, the two arrived at the lodging in the rear courtyard.
The quarters were better than expected. With a good cleaning, they would be perfectly suitable for one person to live in.
“This is where you’ll be staying. It may look shabby, but it faces south, so it gets plenty of sunlight. Get some good rest today.”
“Thank you.”
“Think nothing of it. We’re family now.”
As Beon Saeng walked away, he glanced back over his shoulder.
Baek Socheon stood in the middle of the courtyard, staring up at the sky.
For some reason, his vacant figure seemed lonely from behind.
No, what am I thinking?
Beon Saeng’s plan to put him through an initiation had been ruined by the discovery that the man was thirty-eight and had served in the Iron Sword Corps.
He should have established discipline properly on the first day.
Fine. Starting tomorrow, I’ll make sure he knows his place.
Baek Socheon’s life at the Munseong Branch began the following day.
“The newcomer’s job is to organize these documents.”
To be honest, Beon Saeng felt uncomfortable dealing with Baek Socheon.
However, if he allowed himself to be overwhelmed from the beginning, he would end up with one more superior hanging over him.
That was why he emphasized the word newcomer.
When Beon Saeng taught him how to arrange the paperwork, Baek Socheon learned immediately.
As expected. He’s intelligent.
Beon Saeng was pleased.
Yes, even if the man was difficult to deal with, it was better for him to be competent.
However, there was a definite gap between what Beon Saeng considered competence and Baek Socheon’s actual capability.
While examining the documents, Baek Socheon noticed something.
“Take a look at this.”
“What is it?”
The document Baek Socheon showed him was a petition.
“It says that the Taejeong Sect has been harassing someone. There isn’t just one complaint, either. Several have been submitted, all by the same person.”
The Taejeong Sect was a local black society.
A black society was not a true martial organization, but rather a gathering of thugs who extorted protection money from taverns, brothels, and ordinary merchants while forcing their way into various profitable businesses.
“Oh, that? Combine the duplicate complaints into one and send it to the Zhejiang Division.”
“What happens after that?”
“The division analyzes the reports from each branch and sends back an order. They’ll tell us how to handle it, or they’ll tell us to leave it alone.”
“Why send it all the way to the division and wait for it to come back instead of dealing with it here?”
“Why? Because that’s the established procedure.”
Baek Socheon rubbed his chin and stared at Beon Saeng.
The unwavering gaze made Beon Saeng uncomfortable enough to take a step backward.
“I’m not the one who decided it. That’s simply how things are done.”
“That is extremely inefficient.”
“It’s because the division treats the branches like dog crap.”
Baek Socheon suddenly said,
“A black society should be easy enough to deal with using the personnel here.”
There was no comparison between ordinary thugs and martial artists.
No matter how third-rate they were, martial artists were still martial artists, while a black society was merely a gang of hooligans.
“You only say that because you don’t know the Taejeong Sect. They have many members, and their leader has learned martial arts. There are even rumors that he made quite a name for himself in his younger days…”
As Beon Saeng’s explanation dragged on, Baek Socheon interrupted with a sudden question.
“Do you receive money from the black society?”
“What are you talking about? I don’t take money from filthy bastards like them!”
Beon Saeng leaped in indignation, then let out a small sigh.
“We want to get rid of them too, but… there are rumors that the Shinhwa Gang is backing the Taejeong Sect.”
“The Shinhwa Gang?”
This time, Beon Saeng explained the Shinhwa Gang.
“…That’s why no one in Munseong can carelessly touch the Taejeong Sect.”
He had given such a long explanation because his pride had been hurt in front of the newly arrived Baek Socheon.
He did not want to seem like an incompetent superior who could not even deal with a single black society.
Despite his efforts, however, Baek Socheon’s response was completely unexpected.
Baek Socheon said indifferently,
“If that is why you cannot resolve this petition, then it might be better to take their money.”
“What?”
“You’re martial artists of the Martial Alliance, at least in name. It looks better to say that you refuse to help because you’ve been bribed than to say you’re too afraid of the enemy to protect the residents. Don’t you agree?”
“…!”
Baek Socheon tossed the document aside.
“If you know who submitted the petition, at least tell them the truth. Tell them not to file any more because it’s useless. It would be too shameful if you could not even do that much for them.”
That evening, Beon Saeng came to Im Chung’s office.
“Aren’t you going home?”
“I should. What about you?”
“I should go too.”
“You’ve been drinking. Did something happen?”
Beon Saeng was heavily intoxicated.
The events of the afternoon had upset him, so he had poured liquor down his throat. He had tried to endure it alone, but it became too difficult, and eventually he came to see Im Chung.
Beon Saeng told him what had happened earlier that day.
“Listening to that bastard made me so angry. What does someone like him know?”
“You should have said something back.”
“I couldn’t. I couldn’t do it.”
“Squad Leader Beon, don’t let yourself be intimidated just because he was in the Iron Sword Corps.”
“That isn’t why. It’s not because he came from the Iron Sword Corps…”
“Then why?”
Beon Saeng sighed.
“Because what he said was true… I couldn’t say anything.”
They were martial artists of the Martial Alliance, at least in name.
Yet they could not help people who suffered at the hands of a black society because they feared the power behind it.
Beon Saeng felt so ashamed that he wondered whether it might truly be better to be corrupt, just as Baek Socheon had said.
Im Chung stood, retrieved a hidden bottle and cups from behind him, and returned.
“Have another drink.”
As Im Chung poured the liquor, he comforted him.
“Don’t take it too hard. What could a stone that just rolled in possibly know?”
But that stone had already lodged itself deeply in Beon Saeng’s heart.
“If we can’t help them, where are the people being harassed supposed to go and complain? I feel so sorry for them. Damn it.”
He had never spoken of it until now, but it seemed his inability to help those people had weighed heavily on his conscience.
He had covered his guilt with cloth and tried his best not to look at it, only for Baek Socheon to rip that cloth away the moment he arrived.
Im Chung understood Beon Saeng’s feelings.
Im Chung had been stationed here for less than a year, but Beon Saeng had worked at the Munseong Branch for six years, ever since joining the Alliance.
Naturally, his attachment to the villagers was much deeper.
Im Chung silently emptied his own cup.
He was not much different.
He had felt the same helplessness that very day.
In truth, deep inside, he had wanted to say this to Wang Gon:
Your new business sounds fine. But remember this one thing. Never do anything that harms the people of Munseong. If you do, I will not let you get away with it.
He knew that men who tried to bribe him were hiding something, yet he had not questioned them.
He knew that if they were willing to give a hundred-year-old fleeceflower root to the chief of an insignificant branch, they must be preparing to make an enormous mess.
Even so, he had pretended not to notice.
After several more cups, Beon Saeng shouted,
“Damn it! Should we just go and overturn the entire Taejeong Sect?”
That was not courage speaking. It was the liquor.
“Stop talking nonsense and drink. The men under him are only thugs, but Taejeong himself is stronger than you. He may even be stronger than me.”
“Damn it. To think I’m weaker than the leader of a gang of thugs.”
Beon Saeng emptied another cup.
The target of his anger abruptly changed.
“That bastard! The more I think about it, the angrier I get. So what if he was in the Iron Sword Corps? So what if he’s older? What did he say? That it would be better if we took bribes? That bastard! I won’t let him get away with it.”
Beon Saeng sprang to his feet and rushed out.
“Where are you going?”
“I’m going to establish proper discipline once and for all!”
Im Chung did not stop him.
He thought it was something that needed to happen sooner or later, and strangely, he was not worried.
He had only known Baek Socheon for a day, but he trusted the man to handle it appropriately.
Perhaps it was because of his age.
Im Chung turned his head and looked outside the window.
The bright full moon seemed unusually lonely tonight, as though it were illuminating his heart.
The words Baek Socheon had used to wound Beon Saeng applied equally to him.
Could he truly claim to be living an upright life merely because he had refused the hundred-year-old fleeceflower root?
Beon Saeng arrived at Baek Socheon’s quarters with great momentum.
You bastard! Do you think we have no conscience or pride? If you’re so brave, then go save them yourself!
His head was filled with all the things he intended to shout.
Baek Socheon was in the rear courtyard.
The moment Beon Saeng saw him, he stopped in surprise.
Baek Socheon was holding himself upside down on only three fingers.
He looked as though he might collapse at any moment, but he gritted his teeth and continued enduring.
The ground beneath him was soaked as though rain had fallen, drenched by the sweat pouring from his body.
How long had he been doing this?
Even while groaning through the pain, he endured until the very end.
After pushing himself to his absolute limit, Baek Socheon released the handstand and rose just before he collapsed.
“What is it?”
He was soaked in sweat as though he had been standing in the rain.
The sight made Beon Saeng feel as though the alcohol had vanished from his body.
Shame rushed into the place the intoxication had occupied.
It was late at night, and this thirty-eight-year-old man was training like that.
And what was he, a mere twenty-six-year-old, doing?
He had come here drunk to cause a scene.
He had come to make excuses for his own cowardice.
When was the last time I trained hard enough to sweat like this?
He remembered his childhood, when he had struggled to become a martial artist.
He remembered the time when he was preparing to enter the Martial Alliance, when he had trained himself nearly to death.
When did I give up on everything?
Perhaps it was the shame surging up from somewhere deep inside his heart.
“Um, if you don’t mind…”
With the same force he had intended to use to beat Baek Socheon down, Beon Saeng shouted,
“When it’s just the two of us, may I address you as Elder Brother?”