Reincarnated Sword Ghost-Chapter 33 : Yangyang

Yangyang
Yangyang was quite a distance from Hanyang Prefecture.
Though it lay within the same Hogwang Province, to reach it one had to cut through the mists of the Han River and travel hundreds of li.
Even changing horses several times at the Murim Alliance's waystations, it still took them days to arrive.
"So this is the place."
Though not as prosperous as Hanyang, where the Heavenly Martial Hall and the Emperor's palace were located, the city was thriving enough.
Historically, it had always been an important military stronghold, though it lost its luster after the founding of the Great Ming Dynasty.
Yet, ten years earlier, the flourishing of river trade along the Han had restored Yangyang to prominence.
Now, it was a central hub of the Central Plains, drawing martial artists from all over.
"There's a reek of martial artists, like buzzing flies."
At Jeong-un's side, Baek Il-gang muttered in annoyance.
Suddenly, Jeong-un found himself wondering why Baek Il-gang had joined the Heavenly Martial Hall in the first place.
The official reason was that new entrants were to forget even the Gate of Death, but Jeong-un had never actually asked before.
"How unusual."
Occasionally, Baek Il-gang displayed a peculiar disposition.
Jeong-un didn't know what kind of internal power he possessed, but the man made no effort to hide his distrust and contempt for the prestigious sects.
At the same time, he harbored a fierce hostility toward the Evil Faction and the Dark Path, yet revealed compassion for ordinary folks.
One might say that he disliked nearly every kind of martial artist equally.
"Young hero Baek, how did you end up joining the Heavenly Martial Hall?"
"...?"
When Jeong-un asked him quietly, Baek Il-gang glanced at him in puzzlement, as if to say "why ask something like that?"
"Is there any particular reason? In these damned times, I just wanted to swing a sword and make a name for myself. That way, I can survive wherever I go."
He snorted, turning his head, and in his gaze flitted a strange shadow.
Jeong-un guessed that his story was assuredly not a simple one.
"If we're going to exchange idle talk, let's duck into a guesthouse or something. My legs are killing me."
Baek Il-gang led the way toward a nearby pavilion.
But considering its size, it was much larger than any ordinary guesthouse.
"This place..."
Jeong-un paused with a murmur, prompting Baek Il-gang to shoot him an amused look over his shoulder.
"Oh? Perhaps such a place feels unfamiliar to our upright warrior from the Heavenly Martial Hall?"
"Shouldn't we be assigned quarters if we go to the Yangyang branch of the Heavenly Martial Hall?"
"When did I say we'd be staying here? We got here a day early because Young hero Yu, was in a rush. We're only catching our breath for a bit."
With that, Baek Il-gang strode inside.
Jeong-un sighed quietly and looked up at the nameplate above the entrance.
"Drunken Cloud Pavilion."
The massive signboard bore the name right above the door.
"To be intoxicated by clouds..."
The name was as grand as the sign itself.
But the scale of the establishment matched its name—a sight even rare among pavilions.
The building stood three stories tall, with lattice windows running along the upper floors; through them, one could see flushed-faced men raising glasses.
Mingling among them were women whose lips curled in mischievous grins.
Feeling somewhat embarrassed by the scene, Jeong-un averted his gaze and followed Baek Il-gang inside.
"Welcome!"
It was broad daylight, yet the interior was packed with people.
The décor was as lavish as the exterior suggested, and the air was a muddle of drunken revelers and shouting celebrants.
Underneath it all, a strong bouquet of spirits permeated the hall.
"People actually drink in places like this?"
Jeong-un involuntarily knit his brows.
He knew what a pavilion was—even if he'd never visited one, he understood the term and the atmosphere it suggested.
"But isn't this a bit much?"
He'd never expected to see leisurely drinkers overlooking sheer cliffs and waterfalls outside—
But to lose oneself to drink in such a vulgar place was difficult for him to comprehend.
"Would you like to rent a room?"
"No, we'll take a table, please."
"... He said a table."
Jeong-un quickly answered the servant's question.
Surely they were only here for a brief rest—not to get a room and dawdle away the day.
Baek Il-gang gave him a sly grin from the side.
Thus, they ended up seated at a table in the center of the first floor.
Around them, people of all shapes and faces crowded around their own tables, chattering loudly.
The air was so thick with revelry it made Jeong-un's head spin.
"What would you like to order?"
They ordered a duck dish and a bottle of nameless liquor.
Baek Il-gang seemed quite practiced at ordering.
"He's about my age..."
Of course, Jeong-un had never sipped alcohol in his life, nor did he intend to start.
Martial artists could circulate true ki to expel any drunkenness from their systems.
Once one had some mastery over cultivation methods, such tricks became second nature.
So why pay money to drink at all, when one could always control one's intoxication?
"Relax your expression. Anyone would think you were dragged in here against your will."
"Isn't that the case?"
"Now that's unfair. Didn't you walk in of your own two feet?"
Jeong-un pressed his lips shut at Baek Il-gang's wordplay.
Still, he saw no need to scold him; it was nice to see Baek Il-gang enjoying himself for once.
"I'm not sure we should even be somewhere like this when we're on duty."
"Isn't Young hero Yu, more familiar with the rules than I am?"
"I don't recall there being a specific rule saying we can't drink on duty..."
"Then that's that."
Baek Il-gang tipped his chair back, clapping his hands lightly.
"Is this really all right?"
Only one thing bothered Jeong-un.
They were not here to enjoy themselves in Yangyang.
They'd come upon rumors of the Divine Physician's tomb, and their duty was to keep the influx of martial artists from causing trouble to the townspeople.
That was their mission.
And yet, here they were, holding a banquet in a pavilion as soon as they arrived...
Was this really okay?
"Besides, we're not playing around. We are dutifully carrying out our task."
"How so?"
"Just listen."
At Baek Il-gang's words, Jeong-un focused on the surrounding conversation.
The meaning behind the noisy jumble gradually began to clarify in his ears.
"Hell, the number of anonymous martial artists has doubled, even tripled in just a few days. Flies keep gathering."
"Isn't that Shi Bang-hwan from Hangzhou? That Mad Dog of West Lake!"
"Damn it, I saw Jang Gyeong last night. He brought all his gang."
"I watched that Butcher Blade Demon kill a man yesterday. Even the officials pretended not to see."
When Jeong-un met Baek Il-gang's gaze, Baek Il-gang arched a brow and spoke up.
"See? There's no gain in blindly wandering the streets of Yangyang."
"So you planned this intentionally, to keep an eye on things...?"
"No, actually. I just wanted a drink."
"...."
As Jeong-un gave him a look of disbelief, the servant appeared with their food.
Baek Il-gang offered the first plate to him, and Jeong-un, not thinking much, picked up a piece of meat with his chopsticks.
"... It's delicious."
The meat was tender and free of the usual smell.
When Jeong-un's eyes grew wide, Baek Il-gang chuckled and poured him a drink.
"I'll pass, thank you."
They were on duty, after all.
Even if there was no explicit rule against drinking on duty, Jeong-un wanted to stay within the lines.
'Maybe that's so basic it didn't need to be written down.'
Still, he didn't bother trying to stop Baek Il-gang from drinking freely.
Baek Il-gang had his own way of doing things.
And in truth, they were already hearing all sorts of useful information.
"All sorts of wolves and jackals are gathering here."
"Did you see the Beggar's Union guys? Those beggars don't even bother begging, just sit there with sly looks."
"One thing's certain: the rumors we heard yesterday are true. Others may still be unsure, apparently."
Jeong-un and Baek Il-gang exchanged looks.
Both realized the conversation was not something to ignore.
The discussion was happening at the next table.
Two men, bearded and rough, whispered together, clearly believing their voices would be overwhelmed by the ambient noise.
"I should've joined some small sect when I had the chance."
"And you think someone like us would get a shot at that? Come now, better to sell what we know to the Hao Clan."
"You think they don't already know what we do?"
Both had shabby scabbards propped against the table.
Jeong-un wondered if it was the mark of experts, or if they were simply fools.
But Baek Il-gang made the first move.
"Brothers, good day to you?"
He wore an amiable expression Jeong-un had never seen before—so much so that it was hard to believe he could hide such a face.
"... Who are you?"
"Oh, don't be startled. We just hope to make your acquaintance."
"...?"
With casual ease, Baek Il-gang addressed the wary men.
"If it's all right, how about a drink together? Our treat."
"I can't say I'm especially tempted..."
"Ah! We are from the Golden Origin Merchant Guild out of Chengdu. And this young master here is the second son of our merchant guildmaster."
"The merchant guild?"
They eyed Baek Il-gang and Jeong-un suspiciously.
Undeterred, Baek Il-gang nodded enthusiastically.
"Yes, we've come all the way to Yangyang for a major deal. But there's something off about the mood here—everyone's so wary, and folks only whisper in their own cliques..."
"Well, it's only natural, given the timing."
One of the two replied blandly.
Baek Il-gang widened his eyes and pressed further.
"Is something happening?"
"...."
No answer came.
"Ah, I see our company makes you uneasy. It's always been my dream to treat the heroes of the Central Plains to a drink here in Yangyang... Sorry to have bothered you. Please enjoy your time."
Baek Il-gang stood as if disappointed but ready to leave, his attitude circumspect and free of regret.
This seemed to sway the other men.
"Well... there's no harm in a bit of conversation..."
No sooner had he said so than the tables closed together, more drink and food quickly appearing.
"So why exactly is Yangyang in such turmoil? Is there a war or something?"
"War, no."
The man with bushy eyebrows snorted, then added as if it were nothing special,
"Haven't you heard the rumors? They say the Divine Physician's tomb has been discovered."
"The Divine Physician's tomb?"
Baek Il-gang feigned shock, instantly covering his mouth as if he'd slipped up.
Jeong-un's own mouth was slightly open, though in truth, he was more surprised by Baek Il-gang's performance.
The others exchanged glances and chuckled among themselves.
"Don't tell me you honestly didn't know?"
"We didn't. Is it all right, telling us this?"
"Looks like you're the only people in town who don't know."
"Is it really that widespread?"
"That's not even the end of it."
The man with thick brows lowered his voice, glancing around.
"There's an old cloth shop in town. The shopkeeper was friends with a local herb-gatherer—the very guy who first discovered that tomb."
"Incredible... who would have thought..."
"But get this: soon after the herb-gatherer started telling people, he vanished without a trace."
"You're saying a longtime resident just vanished?"
"Where do you think he went!"
The man, exasperated, raised his voice.
"Someone obviously kidnapped him—to wring the tomb's location from him!"
"My word, that's frightening... Do you know who did it?"
"Word is it was the Black Dragon Gang. Some say even Wudang and Zhongnan have arrived in town. And apparently, even geniuses from the Heavenly Martial Hall are here!"
"Is that so?"
"Isn't it...!"
Suddenly, their eyes fell on Baek Il-gang and Jeong-un, clad in the black uniforms of the Heavenly Martial Hall.