Chapter 22: The Eccentric Leader of Cheongwolmun
Ban Gyo-in tilted her head in confusion, unable to comprehend what was happening.
She kicked a pebble over the cliff with her toe. The stone tumbled endlessly down the precipice. The scene reflected in Ban Gyo-in’s eyes was vivid beyond description.
“Is this an illusion?”
The sect leader simply smiled at his astonished daughter.
As the father and daughter conversed, a voice echoed from somewhere:
“You’ve waited long enough. Please, Sect Leader of Cheongwolmun, come inside.”
Ban Gyo-in looked around in surprise.
The voice was strange. It seemed to emanate from all directions—east, west, north, and south—making its source impossible to pinpoint. No shadow of a person could be seen.
But soon, the scenery before her eyes began to shift and transform. A well-maintained path materialized where the cliff had been. The birds soaring through the sky and distant mountain peaks vanished, replaced by the grand gate of Cheonhwaseogo and its majestic buildings beyond.
The Sect Leader of Cheongwolmun smiled and took a step forward.
“Kkeul-kkeul-kkeul! Let’s go, Gyo-in.”
Ban Gyo-in, eyes wide with astonishment, hurriedly followed her father.
The study of the Noh Family Head.
The Sect Leader of Cheongwolmun was greeted by the family head and the grand prince. As a grand prince, Hou Gong faced him directly, though neither the Noh Family Head nor Hou Gong wore welcoming expressions.
The sect leader’s name was Bangwang. Small yet robust, with a sharp glint in his eyes, his chest-length beard suited his compact frame perfectly.
“Kkeul-kkeul-kkeul! I am truly delighted by your warm reception. Kkeul-kkeul-kkeul!”
Their faces darkened inevitably.
Each time Bangwang spoke, strange noises accompanied his words, deepening Hou Gong’s furrowed brow.
‘Everything else is tolerable…’
The problem was his laughter.
Hou Gong had never encountered such a laugh. Regardless of conspiracies or motives, no human should sound like this. Having met countless oddities in the martial world, this was a first even for him.
The most peculiar laugh he’d heard before belonged to Cheolhyeolgwi, one of Sahwangcheon’s guardians—a wheezing sound caused by chronic vocal cord issues, not intent.
But Bangwang’s laughter was clear and resonant, unmistakably forced.
‘What’s his deal? “Kkeul-kkeul”? Is he mocking us outright? Why bring his daughter only to act like this?’
The Noh Family Head, Beomcheon, fared no better. Known for his gentle nature, he’d dismissed suspicions upon learning Bangwang brought his daughter. Yet hearing the “kkeul-kkeul-kkeul,” he now battled to suppress his own laughter, jaw clenched so tightly his cheeks twitched.
Noticing this, Bangwang smiled awkwardly.
“Kkeul-kkeul-kkeul! So quiet, both of you! I’ve always been curious about Cheonhwaseogo. It’s even more mystical and beautiful than I imagined. Kkeul-kkeul-kkeul!”
The laughter echoed again.
Beomcheon trembled, barely holding himself together. Meanwhile, Hou Gong’s irritation grew.
“Sect Leader Bangwang… are you unwell?”
Bangwang tilted his head.
“Kkeul-kkeul-kkeul! Whatever do you mean? I’m in perfect health.”
“Then why do you laugh like ‘kkeul-kkeul-kkeul’? It’s incomprehensible.”
“Hm? Is it strange? I’ve laughed this way since childhood. Kkeul-kkeul-kkeul~.”
‘Look at this guy.’
Hou Gong narrowed his eyes—then:
“Bburu-bburu-bbup!”
“Kkeul-kkeul-kkeul! What manner of sound is that, Grand Prince? Kkeul-kkeul-kkeul~.”
“A strange sound? I was merely laughing.”
“Kkeul-kkeul-kkeul! Laughter? Who frowns while laughing? How peculiar! Cheonhwaseogo truly brims with mysteries. Kkeul-kkeul-kkeul!”
“Is that so? Bburu-bburu-bbu-bbu-bbu!”
“Kkeul-kkeul-kkeul!”
“Bburu-bburu-bbu-bbu-bbu!”
“Kkeul-kkeul-kkeul!”
Their duel of unnatural laughter left Beomcheon clenching his teeth to the point of shattering. While Bangwang remained oblivious, Hou Gong’s defiance seemed admirable—yet Beomcheon teetered on the edge of bursting into laughter himself.
Finally, Hou Gong conceded.
‘So he’s just like this.’
He rose politely.
“I’ll leave you to your discussions.”
“Kkeul-kkeul-kkeul! Won’t you stay?”
“No need. Bburu-bburu-bbu.”
After a final laugh, Hou Gong exited. Beomcheon watched him leave with resentful eyes but could only stare helplessly at Bangwang, whose chuckles continued:
“Kkeul-kkeul-kkeul! Surely not all Cheonhwaseogo members laugh like the Grand Prince? Kkeul-kkeul-kkeul~.”
“…….”
“Kkeul-kkeul-kkeul! Why so silent, Family Head? Kkeul-kkeul-kkeul~.”
Outside, Bu Mong and Yun debated Bangwang’s laughter:
“Kyil-kyil-kyil-kyil! Close enough, Bu Mong?”
“You’re wrong, Brother Yun. It’s ‘Kkwal-kkwal-kkwal!’”
“‘Kkwal-kkwal’? Sounds like blood gushing! ‘Kyil-kyil-kyil’ is correct!”
“‘Kyil-kyil’ makes no sense!”
Hou Gong stared at them.
‘It’s “kkeul.” Are their ears broken?’
“You idiots!”
“Brother!”
“You’re out, Big Brother. But isn’t the Cheongwolmun leader… odd?”
“Mind your manners toward guests.”
“…Apologies, Big Brother.”
“Where’s Miss Ban?”
“Escorted to Pung Hwa Pavilion.”
Pung Hwa Pavilion—a classically styled structure renowned as one of Cheonhwaseogo’s most scenic spots.
“Attend to her personally. Be courteous. No prying—keep the conversation light.”
“Understood. And you, Big Brother?”
“I’ll join after meeting the General Manager.”
Hou Gong was certain now: Cheongwolmun had no involvement.
Bangwang’s laughter might be grotesque, but his straightforward demeanor betrayed no scheming. A man unaware of his own odd laugh couldn’t mastermind plots. Bringing his daughter further proved Cheongwolmun’s innocence—a calculated move, even.
At the detention site, guards saluted as Hou Gong approached the bound General Manager.
“I’ve come to twist your joints.”
“W-Why this treatment, Grand Prince?!”
The Manager—spread-eagled on a chair with traditional torture devices straining his legs—shook violently.
Hou Gong nodded.
“Speak freely now, or suffer later.”
“I’ll tell everything!”
“Have you met anyone from Cheongwolmun?”
“N-No! Only heard rumors!”
“From whom?”
“The Seo Mun Sega Grand Prince! He said Cheongwolmun allied with them! I heard it directly!”
“You’re certain?”
“Absolutely! Without his involvement, I’d never have acted!”
Hou Gong stood.
“Twist his joints.”
“AAAAAH!”
The interrogation confirmed Hou Gong’s suspicions: Seo Mun Sega was the true culprit. By mixing truth with lies, they’d aimed to bury their guilt beneath Cheongwolmun’s innocence. Now, eliminating the Manager would erase all evidence.
‘Arrogant, to expose themselves so.’
As Hou Gong headed to Pung Hwa Pavilion, Bangwang’s booming voice carried through the grounds:
“Kkeul-kkeul-kkeul! Our sect hosts the Dantou Tournament every three years to assess disciples under five years’ training. With it a month away, how could we conspire? Kkeul-kkeul-kkeul!”
His “private” audience with Beomcheon might as well have been a public announcement.
Approaching the pavilion, Hou Gong found the atmosphere lively. Ban Gyo-in’s laughter bloomed like flowers, her joy evident even from afar. Yun and Bu Mong had clearly handled her well—no surprise, given Bangwang’s disarming absurdity.
“Miss Ban, I hope my brothers weren’t discourteous.”
“Not at all! Their wit and knowledge made time fly.”
Her radiant smile sparked a fleeting, dreadful thought in Hou Gong:
‘Thank heavens she didn’t inherit her father’s looks.’
“You flatter fools. Still, I’m glad the rumors brought you here.”
“Rumors? I cheered when I heard them!”
“Cheered?”
“They gave me an excuse to visit! I begged Father to bring me.”
“A silver lining, then. I’m pleased to see you again.”
Ban Gyo-in’s expression showed genuine indifference to the rumors.
‘As it should be. His haste was natural.’
Only the “kkeul-kkeul” remained problematic.
