Martial Wild West

Yang Gyeong, appearing ready to bolt at any second after losing his money and jade to a swindle, took a seat opposite Jang Geon, who was enthusiastically devouring his noodles, and amiably initiated a conversation.

“Brother Jang, this ain’t the right time for slurpin’ noodles.”

Jang Geon didn’t reply, merely continuing to eat his noodles. As he noisily slurped a sizable mouthful, his cheeks bulging and his chewing audible, it was anything but an appealing sight. Yang Gyeong involuntarily swallowed his saliva and persisted in talking.

“Brother Jang, we’ve broke bread and clinked coins together, but trust me, we’d best skedaddle from this here tavern right quick.”

Jang Geon remained silent. Instead, he finished off the remainder of his noodles, raised the bowl, and gulped down the soup as well. After placing the bowl back on the table and swallowing everything in his mouth, he took a sip of the tea beside him before finally turning his gaze to Yang Gyeong.

“Why’s that?”

“Ain’t someone just hightailed it outta here?”

“Jin Yang Seok?”

Yang Gyeong scratched his chin.

“Despite yer pretendin’ not to know, you remember it all. No matter, that fella’s bad news.”

“The one you, a smooth-talkin’ swindler, managed to hoodwink?”

At Jang Geon’s remark, Yang Gyeong let out a light, insincere cough.

“What good’s it do callin’ me a swindler?”

“If you don’t take kindly to bein’ called a swindler, would you fancy thief?”

“Heh, didn’t I just say? I done paid the bounty to the Martial Arts Alliance.”

“And that clears the folks you wronged?”

Yang Gyeong raised both hands and shrugged.

“Ain’t part of the bounty used to make amends to them affected? That oughta do, right? Besides, I never did steal from no poor common folk.”

“Yer tryin’ to be Hong Gildong?”

“Who’s Hong Gildong?”

As Jang Geon lifted the teacup to his lips, he replied.

“The head honcho of the Hwalbindang.”

“Hwalbindang?”

“You wouldn’t know even if I done told ya?”

Yang Gyeong laughed lightheartedly.

“Nope, I don’t. My know-how’s a mite limited.”

Jang Geon silently observed Yang Gyeong before speaking.

“So why’s that fella dangerous?”

Yang Gyeong picked up a teacup from the corner of the table, filled it with tea, and began.

“Jin Yang Seok ain’t nothin’ special. He ain’t learned martial arts, nor does he got a heap of wealth. He ain’t smart on account of learnin’. He’s just a fool, a plain ol’ fool.”

“That fool’s a threat?”

Yang Gyeong sipped the tea he had poured.

“A fool’s just a fool. The problem’s his big brother. A right handy one, I might add.”

At Yang Gyeong’s statement, Jang Geon chuckled and grabbed his chopsticks once more.

“I know my way ’round a fight too.”

“I’m well aware of that. Who in Amjugol don’t know ’bout Brother Jang’s fearsome punches? Folks thought yer sword was just for show ’til they saw you swing it.”

At that, Jang Geon set his chopsticks down once more.

“So what’s the trouble, kid? Quit dawdlin’ and spit it out.”

“The problem ain’t just the fool’s skilled brother, but the outfit he’s with. It’s an evil faction called Sasangpa.”

Jang Geon furrowed his brow.

“Didn’t you mention there’s a Martial Arts Alliance branch ’round these parts? How could there be an evil faction?”

Yang Gyeong snickered in response.

“Got yer interest?”

Jang Geon also snickered, then showed his tightly clenched left fist. Seeing the fist, Yang Gyeong’s face paled slightly.

“Uh, well, please lower yer fist… They ain’t known far and wide as an evil faction. They ain’t lawless drifters without a home. The leader there and the head of the Martial Arts Alliance branch here are in cahoots, so they don’t seem to ruffle each other’s feathers as long as they mind their own turf. And Jin Cheong Seok, the fool’s brother, is their top gun.”

“You were swindlin’ the brother of such a man?”

Yang Gyeong shrugged once more.

“Like I said, they got their own lines not to cross too. What went down today has happened before, and if Brother Jang hadn’t stepped in, it would’ve gone down again tomorrow.”

“The Martial Arts Alliance is runnin’ a tight ship.”

“Seems the folks here all reckon that’s the case. They opened up to me, a stranger, ’cause they’re fed up.”

Jang Geon shifted his gaze away from Yang Gyeong and picked up his chopsticks.

“Then quit pesterin’ the locals and either leave ’em be or skedaddle.”

“That’s a mite difficult.”

Jang Geon, curious about what the young man would say next, glanced around the table where Yang Gyeong had been sitting and grasped the situation. The people who had gambled with Yang Gyeong earlier were now glaring at him and Jang Geon with murderous intent. It was likely because they had provoked Jin Yang Seok and employed deceit.

Additionally, some of the locals were leaving the inn quietly, looking fearful. As Jang Geon observed them while finishing his noodles, the innkeeper approached with a stern expression and spoke.

“Guest.”

Jang Geon looked up at the innkeeper. Upon closer examination, the innkeeper’s face was not only stern but trembling as well.

“I’ll give ya back yer noodle and boardin’ fees. Please mosey on outta my inn.”

Yang Gyeong laughed as if there was nothing to be done about the situation.

“Well, considerin’ the situation, let’s git. ‘Fore the Sasangpa fellas show up. If they come ’round, neither you nor I’ll be safe.”

Nonetheless, Jang Geon continued to calmly consume his noodles and soup, paying attention to the conversation around him. He finished the noodles, emptied the bowl, set it down, and casually uttered with a faint burp.

“I reckon we’ll be just fine.”

“Are you some kinda untouchable warrior, Brother Jang? What’re you gonna do when ’bout twenty Sasangpa members come knockin’?”

“If you gonna hightail it, you shoulda left quick ‘stead of jawin’ with me. It’s too late now.”

As Yang Gyeong and the innkeeper appeared puzzled by his statement, a deep, heavy voice emanated from beyond the inn’s door.

“That’s right. It’s too late to skedaddle now.”

Yang Gyeong and the innkeeper’s faces seemed to drain of blood as the owner of the voice entered the inn. The hefty man, whose considerable weight creaked the wooden floor, stepped inside.

The imposing man glanced past the terrified innkeeper and Yang Gyeong, fixing his eyes on Jang Geon. He observed Jang Geon casually sipping tea for a moment before looking back and inquiring.

“Is it them?”

“Uh, uh, yeah, brother. They bamboozled me, took my money, and when I spoke up, they busted my nose like this. Please teach ’em a lesson.”

“Your money?”

Jin Yang Seok, who appeared behind the man, hastily interjected with a surprised expression.

“Well, they were liftin’ folks’ money. My money, that is, just a bit of it.”

The burly man regarded Jin Yang Seok with the bandaged nose and then returned his focus to Yang Gyeong and Jang Geon.

“Everyone, clear out.”

Jang Geon could discern that the man’s words weren’t aimed at him. Everyone remaining in the inn promptly rushed outside. The innkeeper trailed behind, then hesitated beside the man and cautiously spoke.

“Well, we just got new tables not long ago…”

The man merely stared sternly at the innkeeper, who, intimidated by the glare, hastily scurried out.

Yang Gyeong, visibly anxious, discreetly rose to his feet, intending to slip away among the departing patrons.

“Sit down. If you don’t wanna be the first one to hit the dirt.”

Upon hearing Jang Geon’s terse voice, Yang Gyeong naturally sat back down, replying while lifting his teacup.

“Huh? What’re you yammerin’ ’bout, Brother Jang? I’m sittin’ right here.”

Jang Geon, maintaining eye contact with the man, didn’t react to Yang Gyeong’s words and merely snickered. At that instant, with everyone gone from the inn, eighteen menacing men charged in. They encircled Jang Geon and Yang Gyeong, who were seated in the corner of the inn, forming a semi-circle.

At that moment, the man who had been glaring at Jang Geon leisurely approached and spoke.

“Pleasure to meet y’all, partners. Name’s Jin Cheong Seok. I’m a fixer ’round these parts, but it’s been a peaceable stretch lately, so I ain’t had much to do. Dull as dirt.”

He stopped in front of the table where Jang Geon and Yang Gyeong were seated.

“However, seems like today, I got me a problem to wrangle.”

Jang Geon didn’t respond. He merely gazed at Jin Cheong Seok with lowered eyes and sipped his tea. Observing this, Jin Cheong Seok raised his eyebrows, and Yang Gyeong, who had been watching the situation, quickly stood up, joined his hands, and spoke.

“Ha, hahaha. Looks like we got ourselves a misunderstndin’. Nice to meet ya. I’m Yang Gyeong. Rolled into this town a few days back, and even in that short spell, I heard plenty ’bout how big-hearted you are, Jin. Wanted to make yer acquaintance somethin’ fierce. But meetin’ like this must be fate, huh? Ah, and this here’s my older brother Jang Geon, ain’t been in town long neither…”

However, Yang Gyeong’s words were interrupted by Jin Cheong Seok’s right index finger suddenly pointing at him. Startled, Yang Gyeong stuttered as Jin Cheong Seok began to speak.

“Swindler.”

“Ye-yes? Sw-swindler?”

His finger shifted to point at Jang Geon.

“Troublemaker.”

Jin Cheong Seok placed his hands on his hips and spoke confidently.

“Y’all waltzed into this quiet town, preyed on the helpless folks, and when my brother stood up to ya, y’all got rough. You ain’t just common ruffians. As someone who follows the martial code, I can’t turn a blind eye. Gonna have to collar the both of ya and take ya to the Martial Alliance branch. Best not to resist; it’ll only hurt more.”

Yang Gyeong grimaced and gasped at the decisive verdict and self-assured demeanor. The men encircling them pulled thick clubs from their waistbands and neared as Jin Cheong Seok concluded speaking.

Witnessing this, Yang Gyeong’s face paled. Involuntarily, he muttered a curse under his breath.

“At least you ain’t gonna beat us to a pulp.”

The men surrounding them hesitated at Jang Geon’s sudden remark, unintentionally glancing at Jin Cheong Seok for instructions. Jin Cheong Seok’s eyes narrowed as he glared at Jang Geon.

“How can we kill someone in broad daylight in a saloon?”

“So it’s fine to gang up and harass us?”

Jin Cheong Seok advanced another step toward the table where Jang Geon was sitting.

“It’s all in the name of roundin’ up troublemakers who disturb the town. The martial arts folks’ll understand.”

“Yer ego’s a might inflated. Where are the martial arts folks ‘sides yer lackeys here?”

Jang Geon’s sarcasm annoyed Jin Cheong Seok, who stepped even closer and lowered his voice.

“You got a death wish, talkin’ back like that. If you don’t know when to quit, I might rip yer yap open ‘fore I hand ya over to the Martial Alliance.”

Jang Geon smirked despite the threatening words.

“You ain’t gonna let us go unscathed, are ya?”

“After what ya done to my brother’s mug, ya can’t expect to waltz outta my town without a scratch. At the very least, I’ll make sure ya leave with a busted arm or leg. Or, if that don’t suit ya, I’ll let ya off with just one thing between yer legs.”

The thugs surrounding them snickered at Jin Cheong Seok’s final words. One of them even chuckled while tapping his own thigh with a club. Upon seeing this, Yang Gyeong unconsciously clenched his hands and drew his legs in.

Then, Jang Geon looked at the thugs, Jin Cheong Seok, and the smirking Jin Yang Seok with disdain and said,

“In martial arts novels, even in spots like this, if someone keeps their cool, wouldn’t ya be wary they got somethin’ up their sleeve? Maybe they’re a secret expert or even from the Imperial army. Don’t that give ya pause?”

Jin Cheong Seok’s face turned pale upon hearing Jang Geon’s words.

“What? The Imperial army? You sayin’ you’re from the Imperial army?”

Jang Geon responded with an indifferent expression.

“No, I’m not.”

“···What in tarnation, you loco son of a gun? You jokin’? Pretendin’ to be from the Imperial army just to get yerself killed-“

In that instant, Jang Geon, who had been sitting, suddenly sprang up from his chair, using the table for support, and delivered a flying kick to Jin Cheong Seok’s face.

The power of that single kick sent the burly Jin Cheong Seok flying all the way to the inn’s entrance. He fell with his eyes rolled back, all of his front teeth shattered, and blood oozing out. The thugs inside the inn and Yang Gyeong looked back and forth between the fallen Jin Cheong Seok and Jang Geon with dumbfounded expressions.

Jang Geon, who landed neatly after kicking Jin Cheong Seok, met their gazes with a sullen look and said,

“Does it have to be the Imperial army or a secret expert?”

TRIVIA:

Hong Gil-dong is a legendary figure in Korean folklore and a protagonist of the novel “The Story of Hong Gildong” (also known as “Hong Gildong Jeon”), which was written by an unknown author during the Joseon Dynasty in Korea (1392-1897).

Hong Gil-dong is often referred to as the Korean Robin Hood, as he is depicted as a hero who fights against social injustice and oppression. He was born as the illegitimate son of a nobleman and a low-ranking concubine, and he faced discrimination and mistreatment because of his status as an illegitimate child. As he grew up, he developed incredible strength and intelligence, and he used his abilities to help the oppressed and the downtrodden.

The story of Hong Gil-dong has been adapted into many forms of media, including television dramas, films, and cartoons, and it remains a beloved and enduring part of Korean culture.