Book 11 Chapter 1
The Hidden Meaning in the Egg
In a side chamber within the headquarters of the Cheonmu Academy.
In a room that felt more elegant than luxurious, two giants of the Baekdo sat facing each other. One was Baekhon Geomsin Na Baekcheon, the leader of the Jeongcheon Alliance of the Baekdo martial arts community.
The martial arts alliance leader, Na Baekcheon, was already 130 years old. His martial arts had reached the realm of harmony, and despite being well over 100, he showed no signs of aging. Instead, the wisdom accumulated over the years exuded an immense presence. Whether standing, sitting, or lying down, he exuded tremendous dignity (威嚴) simply by existing, anytime, anywhere.
In the current martial arts world, few could sit with such an alliance leader and remain unfazed and confident. Among them was Cheolkwon Ma Jinga, the master of the Cheonmu Academy, one of the two centers of Baekdo.
The two men sat facing each other across a zitan wood table that exuded an antique charm. Both wore somber expressions. It was the martial arts alliance leader, Na Baekcheon, who broke the silence.
“This year’s Hwasan Convention will be more challenging than ever, don't you think?”
“It cannot be helped.”
As Ma Jinga replied in a heavy voice, Na Baekcheon gazed into space for a moment and murmured.
“I truly cannot fathom what he is thinking…”
Who, in the world, could command such a title of respect, ‘that person,’ from Na Baekcheon, the pinnacle of the Baekdo martial arts world?
“For now, we can only trust him, Alliance Leader.”
Na Baekcheon sighed and continued, his expression troubled.
“Isn’t this tournament being conducted entirely according to his opinion?”
“Yes, it is. But does that erase our worries?”
“Unfortunately, it does not.”
“Yes! Unfortunately, it does not.”
A deep silence, like a flowing river, passed between the two men after their exchange. Na Baekcheon, who had remained silent for a long time, looked around as if struck by an idea and spoke with a subtle expression.
“Listen, Master Ma!”
Ma Jinga, hearing himself called, listened with great attention, his tension palpable.
“Yes, Alliance Leader.”
“I am very fond of boiled eggs. Of course, I like all the other countless dishes one can make with eggs, but…”
Ma Jinga was momentarily startled by the sudden mention of eggs, but he quickly chimed in.
“I feel the same. Eggs are an excellent ingredient.”
“Then do you know why boiled eggs are served to each disciple for dinner?”
“…?”
What kind of nonsensical question was this? It was as bizarre as a cuckoo’s egg in another’s nest or a virgin becoming pregnant! Ma Jinga couldn’t grasp the intention of the question. The question was that absurd and baffling. He believed honesty was the best policy, rather than pretending to know something he didn't and making a fool of himself. Ma Jinga simply shook his head.
“Although I hold the position of master of the Cheonmu Academy through my limited abilities, I cannot fathom the reason. Please enlighten me.”
“Hohoho, enlightenment is too much. In fact, it’s nothing special. It’s because the budget is set that way. The budget for dinner provisions allocates one boiled egg per disciple.”
To exaggerate slightly, Ma Jinga felt a sudden surge of clarity, as if a light had dawned in his mind.
“Ah! I see. Hohoho, so that was the reason. From that perspective, one could think that way. It’s an interesting opinion.”
“But it is also extremely realistic.”
Na Baekcheon paused and took a sip of the Longjing tea before him.
“This excellent Longjing tea is also a manifestation of the budget for entertaining distinguished guests. Listen, Master Ma! What do you think of money?”
Na Baekcheon asked. It was a question that was overtly direct. But it was also a deeply realistic question.
“It’s a good thing.”
“……”
Ma Jinga replied with an expressionless face. It was a blunt answer to a blunt question. The fact that not a single soul was eavesdropping on their conversation was a blessing from heaven.
Na Baekcheon burst into laughter at Ma Jinga’s answer.
“Hohoho, that’s a brilliant answer. In fact, even though I’ve lived for nearly a hundred years, your words are the truth. Reality is too cruel and disadvantageous to those without money.”
“And very advantageous and generous to those with money.”
As Ma Jinga cautiously chimed in, Na Baekcheon smiled and revealed what he wanted to say.
“That’s right. Especially for those who lead large organizations like you and me, money, or rather, budget (豫算), is always a bothersome annoyance.”
“It is indeed a headache.”
Securing a budget is the highest priority for the operation and maintenance of an organization. Without a budget, justice and all that is meaningless. Because the organization itself cannot exist.
“We are not the Gaibang sect. Therefore, we can never escape from money, no matter how much we want to. It is a truly tenacious worldly possession.”
“And it is also the most terrifying possession.”
Ma Jinga’s answer was truthful.
“That’s right. It is the most terrifying, and the most bothersome. Moreover, it’s a headache. It’s truly perfect for causing distress. As you know, the annual budget must be drafted considering how many disciples’ children will be born next year. Of course, it is a monster called a budget that must be drafted by estimating the number of deaths, whether they will be natural, accidental, battle-related, due to overwork, or honorable, by considering all possible scenarios.”
Ma Jinga added further explanation to Na Baekcheon’s words.
“It’s not just that. When a child is born, we have to give a congratulatory gift, and when someone dies, we have to give a condolence gift.”
“That’s right. The world of budgets is a cruel place. And why is the world so strongly opposed to the penniless….”
“Your words are profoundly wise. I wholeheartedly agree with your insightful opinion, Alliance Leader.”
As Ma Jinga nodded in agreement, Na Baekcheon wore a look of satisfaction. After lamenting the difficulties of budgeting for a while, Na Baekcheon and Ma Jinga suddenly adjusted their attire and straightened their postures.
“Now that our complaints and grievances are over, let’s get to the main topic.”
“Agreed.”
Ma Jinga replied calmly. Until now, it had been a practice sparring match; from now on, it was the main event. The two men worked in perfect sync as if they had made a pact.
“After experiencing the incident at the Huanma Cave, I’ve had a lingering question. In fact, this is something I’ve been contemplating for the past 80 years. However, I still haven’t found the answer.”
“What is it?”
Ma Jinga’s face also became serious as he asked. It was easy to guess that something important would be revealed from Na Baekcheon’s expression.
“How much do you think the Yanmaloe (炎魔雷) used in the Huanma Cave incident cost, roughly?”
“What?”
Ma Jinga blinked at Na Baekcheon’s sudden question and asked back with a blank expression. However, instead of condemning the oddity of the question (which he was fully entitled to do), he immediately tried to find an answer. That was the sincerity typical of Ma Jinga.
“Given how difficult it is to craft, its formidable power, and its rarity, it would cost at least five gold coins to acquire something of that caliber.”
That was the minimum estimate. Depending on the situation, it could double or more. After all, illegal items, following the law of supply and demand, are always more expensive than their face value.
Na Baekcheon slowly nodded.
“That would be the case. That means it is a very expensive item. Five gold coins… With that much money, you could sustain about three branch offices of the Gaibang sect for a year.”
“They could last for ten years with that amount.”
Ma Jinga retorted with a slight smile.
“Then, considering that they wouldn't have made just one or two such items… where on earth does all that enormous amount of money for the Cheonjeobun (天劫羽) come from? Does gold rain down from the sky?”
“……!”
Only then did Ma Jinga grasp Na Baekcheon’s intended meaning. He felt an urge to hit himself hard on the back of his head.
‘You idiot! How could you not have thought of that yet!’ he exclaimed internally.
Na Baekcheon continued.
“While I cannot say they are the successors of the Cheonjeobyeong (天劫靈) who disappeared after the last Cheonjeobyeolse (天劫血洗), where does the immense cost of operating Cheonjeobun (天劫羽), a sort of forward secret operations base, come from? Furthermore, Cheonjeobun (天劫羽) is literally just a feather; if there is a larger entity behind it, it would require even greater funds to maintain that entity. You know as well as I do that the more secretive an organization becomes, the more maintenance costs it incurs. After all, nothing is more difficult than maintaining secrecy.”
“Then that means they have an accomplice somewhere. A money source that provides them with vast amounts of gold.”
Na Baekcheon slowly nodded.
“Precisely. It is clear that a party with considerable financial power is backing them. It is likely an organization we are all familiar with. The problem is that we only know the name of the mask they wear, not their true nature. The question is, which of the organizations or sects on the suspect list is it, and the Central Plains are not exactly within our satisfactory reach.”
“That is true.”
Merchants were a troublesome existence for martial artists. Yet, they couldn't afford to ignore them. All the daily necessities that martial artists consumed and used were delivered to them through these merchants. Furthermore, they couldn't underestimate merchants by simply considering them as traders. The latent power of merchants, who had direct and indirect connections with numerous government offices and martial arts sects, was so immense that even the Jeongcheon Alliance could not easily tamper with it.
“Do not forget that despite the Cheonjeobyeong’s rampage of blood across the martial world then, they hardly touched commercial areas like battlefields, escort services, or the restaurant industry! They are human, after all, and need to eat to live. Unless gold erupts from the ground when they dig, they would need it. Humans cannot live by swords alone. Without money, an organization or a faction is useless. As I was just complaining to you, the most agonizing time for me each year is when the Jeongcheon Alliance budget is being distributed.”
“It is understandable that you agonize over it, with everyone reaching out like greedy demons.”
“It is difficult to allocate the budget, but gathering the annual budget to operate an organization of this magnitude is even more difficult. It would not be an exaggeration to say it is a hundred times more difficult. Of course, for vast powers like ours, we have countless branches already established, so we don’t have much trouble bearing fruit.”
“And you mean to say that we are not the only ones with those branches?”
Na Baekcheon slowly nodded.
“I have no intention of believing the absurd joke that they have survived for a hundred years without a budget, without a single penny. Unfortunately, almost all value in the world can be converted into money, so one must pay the corresponding price. In this world where even a human life is priced, it makes no sense to have existed for a hundred years without money. They didn't operate their organization by digging up money from underground during their hundred years of hiding. There must be commercial organizations backing them! Only by finding them can we locate the whereabouts of the Cheonjeobun (天劫羽), which is shrouded in a fog of mystery.”
Na Baekcheon’s eyes were filled with conviction. They were eyes so full of life that they did not seem to belong to an old man over a hundred years old.
“That’s quite a gamble, regarding the accomplice… I have never heard any bizarre tales (奇聞) of someone involved in commerce recklessly jumping into something that brings no profit.”
“There are many who jump in thinking it’s a jackpot, only to fail. With a little loyalty, greater fear, and enormous rewards, such as monopoly of the martial arts commerce, stimulating such a great desire for profit is not difficult. When war breaks out, an enormous amount of supplies are naturally needed, and those vast supplies do not fall like meteor showers. Then, even if blood forms rivers and oceans, there will always be a group that profits. If the Cheonjeobyeong reappears, this battle will have to be called a war, not a fight. It will probably be on that scale. In that bloodbath, there will undoubtedly be those who secure their own interests!”
Na Baekcheon paused as if to organize his thoughts, then spoke again.
“There is a visible profit, so they support it. Without any profit, why would so many people hide and follow the shadow of the Cheonjeobyeong? It is because that dark shadow possesses a devilish charm.”
“That could also be fear,” Ma Jinga pointed out.
“Of course, that cannot be ruled out, but I believe profit is greater. Those with ambition sometimes commit strange acts. Their judgment changes. Merchants are beings who will chase profit to the ends of hell. They likely consider such risks as a worthwhile investment.”
“But then, who is the entity so meticulously supporting them?”
“Unfortunately, although I have sent people to investigate thoroughly, we haven’t caught a tail yet. They are clever.”
“If we do catch that tail…”
Ma Jinga murmured softly.
“Then we can eradicate the remnants of the Cheonjeobyeong that have been plaguing us for decades and completely uproot the Cheonjeobyeong. Unless there is a single exceptional circumstance.”
“And what is that exceptional circumstance?”
At that moment, a gleam flashed in Na Baekcheon’s eyes. It was a sharp gaze, chillingly so.
“That would naturally be if ‘he’ is still alive.”
“He!”
In an instant, Ma Jinga’s complexion turned grim. It was like dark clouds gathering before a sudden shower on a clear sky. If such a thing were to happen, it would be the worst possible catastrophe. He couldn't dare to guarantee whether the martial world, which had been living in suppressed peace, could withstand such an unprecedented situation.
“It is merely a hypothetical ‘if.’ I can only hope that such a worst-case, desperate situation does not occur. I do not wish to see another sea of blood like that day. I am too old for that.”
“I agree.”
“No, you don’t know. It is a horrifying memory that only those who have experienced it know. A horrifying and tragic memory that chills me to the bone! If given the choice to remove a part of my memory, I would unhesitatingly erase the memory of that day a hundred years ago. Then sleeping at night would be much easier. And I wouldn’t have to dream of him anymore. I still have dreams of that day from time to time. The field that day was red, like a sea of blood…”
Na Baekcheon’s face was a picture of terrifying grimness. He had once again recalled that day. The day he consciously tried to forget. Such a tragedy should never be repeated. After a moment of silence, Na Baekcheon quickly regained his composure and continued his interrupted words.
“The roots of the Cheonjeobyeong, secretly infiltrated into the current martial world, are too deep. So deep that their end is unknowable. Therefore, I do not dare to attempt to eradicate them from the root. I am now too old; I fear I would strain my back while weeding.”
Na Baekcheon seemed to have regained his composure.
“Hahaha, however, I cannot believe that you are old, Alliance Leader. From my perspective, you seem still vigorous enough for another hundred years.”
“Hohoho, then wouldn't it be too sorry of me to disappoint your expectations! To put an old man to weeding work; you young people are too mean!”
“Hahaha, I am already over sixty years old. It’s time to start getting old.”
Sixty years of age, a "Hwangap," is by no means a young age; for ordinary people, it is considered long life. However, for Na Baekcheon, a martial artist, it did not seem so.
“Oh, oh. People of our generation write that as Hwangap, but read it as youth. How can someone in their prime show such weakness?”
Ma Jinga, at the age of Hwangap, still appeared as a young man in his eyes. In fact, even at over sixty, Ma Jinga had not a single white hair. Nor had he dyed his hair black. Moreover, his facial skin was still full of elasticity and vitality, making him believable as someone in his forties. No one would have mistaken him for an elder over sixty.
“By the way, when we arrive at Hwasan, those children will be quite flustered, won't they?”
Na Baekcheon said with a slightly mischievous smile, looking at Ma Jinga.
“They will be bewildered at first when they encounter a reality different from what they have always believed. As is always the case.”
“I hope those children realize the true meaning of the Hwasan Convention.”
“I agree. I just hope they don’t get caught up in their escalating hot-headedness. That would blind their judgment. Then, they might mistakenly miss the essence of this convention. I wish they wouldn’t focus so much on fighting, war, or sparring.”
“I hope no accidents happen. I hope they arrive safely…”
However, the problem was that these wishes had been thwarted time and time again for decades, never once succeeding.
“More than that, Master, there is actually one greater doubt in my mind than this matter, which pains me.”
“Please speak.”
Ma Jinga replied in a tense voice. He could sense Na Baekcheon’s agitation. What could possibly shake this giant more than uncovering the background of the Cheonjeobyeong?
He was terribly afraid of that fact. So much so that he did not want to know.
“Master Ma!”
As Na Baekcheon opened his mouth, Ma Jinga quickly responded. Trembling inwardly with fear.
“P, please speak!”
“Surely, that wicked scoundrel didn’t do anything untoward to our Yerin while she was trapped inside the Huanma Cave, did he?”
“What?”
‘Ah! I shouldn’t do this,’ he thought, but Ma Jinga, failing to control his expression, showed a look of shock.
“W, what are you saying…?”
He lacked the courage to finish the sentence.
“Ever since that child came out of there, her aura seems to have changed so much that I cannot feel at ease.”
Na Baekcheon spoke with a grave tone, and Ma Jinga quickly replied.
“Didn’t you say nothing happened then?”
“No! As a father who loves his daughter dearly, my intuition screams that something, something happened, it screams!”
Na Baekcheon’s expression was so serious that Ma Jinga didn’t dare to argue.
“Isn’t he being overly anxious?”
It’s best to avoid arguments with Na Baekcheon about his daughter. Even this giant, who maintained calm and cool reason in all matters, easily lost his composure when it came to his daughter. Moreover, Ma Jinga could empathize with the suspicion. After all, how many times had Na Yerin been caught up in such incidents before? He had long since given up counting how many times she had narrowly escaped such troubles. Na Baekcheon’s suspicion was understandable.
“If it is revealed that so much as a finger was laid upon my beautiful Yerin, I will not let that wretch go. Even if it were a sliver, a minuscule trace of such an event, he must be prepared to be torn limb from limb. Yes! How could I have raised my child and let her be harmed by such a scoundrel? If Yerin hadn’t stopped me then, I would have broken his legs…”
If he had done so then, he wouldn’t be grumbling like this now.