Chapter 27: I Heard It
Chapter 27: I Heard It
A few days later, I was officially appointed as the Huangquan Pavilion Master.
Early that morning, the martial artists of the pavilion arrived at my residence. Leading them was Seo Dae-ryong, the special investigator who had worked alongside me during the Demon Monarch investigation.
"I have come to escort the Pavilion Master," he announced.
"Investigator Seo. So, it was you."
"I volunteered for the task, sir."
In truth, this small, gloomy-looking man had played a significant role in my appointment as the head of the Huangquan Pavilion.
"Let us depart."
I decided to bring Lee An along.
"Lee An, you’re coming too. You need to learn how an organization is run."
"Thank you!"
Perhaps she thought I would leave her behind again; she looked overjoyed, as if she might fly away at any moment.
"We aren't going there to play. Go and learn. Observe how the organization functions and how to handle subordinates. Don't miss a single detail."
"Yes, sir!"
When we arrived at the Huangquan Pavilion, the investigators were all lined up at the entrance. It seemed this was the customary welcome for a newly appointed Pavilion Master. As I walked past, they performed a synchronized fist salute and greeted me in a thunderous roar.
"Greetings to the Pavilion Master!"
I had expected them to be disgruntled by my arrival. However, the looks in their eyes were far more favorable than I had anticipated. I leaned in and whispered to Seo Dae-ryong, who was walking beside me.
"Did you tell them I’d cut their pay if they didn't pretend to welcome me?"
"No, sir."
"Then why is the atmosphere so good?"
In response, Seo Dae-ryong mimicked the motion of lifting his foot and stomping hard on the ground.
Seeing that, I understood. It was because of Go Dang, the leader of the Demon Army’s First Squad. Go Dang had murdered the first investigator sent to him and brutally injured the next. Under those circumstances, my act of crushing Go Dang’s skull had felt like a satisfying revenge for them.
Furthermore, any resentment they might have felt toward someone so young taking the position was likely mitigated by my Heavenly Demon bloodline. Having killed a Demon Monarch, my martial prowess was beyond question.
"Would you like to say a few words?"
At Seo Dae-ryong’s suggestion, I turned toward my subordinates before entering the building. I looked into each of their faces slowly before delivering a brief message.
"I do not know if your lives will become happier or more miserable now that I am your Pavilion Master. However, one thing is certain: your hearts will beat faster than they ever have before."
With that, I turned and entered the building.
I could hear them murmuring behind me. I didn't need to worry about how they would interpret my words. They would find out soon enough.
When Seo Dae-ryong, who had guided me to my office, was about to leave, I stopped him.
"Investigator Seo, did you ever imagine we’d meet again like this?"
"To be honest, I was quite surprised."
"I came here because I missed you, Investigator Seo."
As if to say flattery wouldn't work on him, Seo Dae-ryong’s expression didn't budge.
"Lee An, you must avoid blunt men like this. They’re no fun to be around."
"But they can be very sincere and dependable," Lee An countered, taking Seo Dae-ryong’s side.
"No, this fellow is like a thin, watery soup with no substance."
This time, Seo Dae-ryong spoke up for himself.
"I may not be the most substantial, but I am certainly not bland."
"Oh, you’ve got some spirit. You’ll need that personality often in the future."
The quick-witted Seo Dae-ryong immediately caught my drift.
"No. I am bland soup. Please, do not look for me when there is dangerous work to be done."
"I’m going to soak some rice in that watery soup. And I’ll be stirring in plenty of spicy seasoning."
Seo Dae-ryong took a step back. He was pretending to be intimidated, but I knew better. Within that small frame resided great courage and spirit.
"Now, tell me about this pavilion. I know nothing."
As if he had been waiting for this, Seo Dae-ryong began his briefing.
"As you know, the Huangquan Pavilion is the institution that protects and enforces the laws and regulations of the Cult. We root out corruption and handle various incidents that occur within our borders. Our total strength is one hundred: thirty investigators and seventy enforcement martial artists."
The enforcement martial artists were responsible for escorting and assisting the investigators, as well as apprehending criminals.
"Fewer than I thought."
"It is an organization that does not require large numbers, sir."
The Huangquan Pavilion was an authoritative body feared by all. While there were exceptions like the Demon Army, most demonic cultists lived in terror of the pavilion.
"Among the thirty investigators, five are special investigators. We primarily handle cases deemed difficult or high-priority, but otherwise, we are the same as general investigators. Enforcement martial artists are not assigned to specific individuals but provide support whenever needed."
After listening to the full explanation, I asked him a pointed question.
"Investigator Seo, what do you think is the biggest problem with the Huangquan Pavilion?"
After hesitating for a moment, Seo Dae-ryong answered.
"No organization within the Cult can escape the influence of the Eight Demon Lords."
He didn't point specifically to the Huangquan Pavilion, but his meaning was clear: the Eight Demon Lords were the root of the rot.
"Are you under that influence as well?"
"I am not. As I mentioned, I am a loner."
He was saying that he, at least, did not play the game of internal politics for money or promotions.
"That is not to say I am a man of great conviction. You can simply view me as a grumbling malcontent."
"That’s why I like you. I don't like people who are too obsessed with ideals either."
I glanced back at Lee An as I spoke.
"I like rational people. People who look out for themselves first."
Knowing I was referring to her, Lee An simply gave a faint smile. My gaze returned to Seo Dae-ryong.
"You said it, didn't you? That the Cult will never change. How about it? Shall we try changing the Cult together from now on?"
"And what if you display all that passion only to leave? Just as suddenly as you arrived?"
"When it's time for me to go, I suppose I must."
"Then am I to be left alone in the cold ashes after we’ve burned with passion together?"
"That’s none of my business. Didn't you say you were a loner anyway? Well, are you in?"
At my brazenness, Seo Dae-ryong let out a heavy, pointed sigh, but his answer betrayed his reluctance.
"I will do it."
"The reason?"
"Did you not already show me the reason while handling the Demon Army?"
"I look forward to working with you."
"Yes. Leave it to me."
I happily extended my hand, and Seo Dae-ryong gripped it firmly.
What happens to you when I leave? What else? You’ll take my seat.
In any case, I had been welcomed more warmly than expected. Now, what I needed was to ensure everyone recognized exactly who I was. To do that, I needed an example. Someone truly wicked and vile.
"Are there any recent cases involving the Eight Demon Lords that I should look into again?"
By 'look into again,' I meant 'cases that were handled unfairly.' Seo Dae-ryong understood my meaning instantly.
"Of course... there are."
The word 'of course' echoed the systemic problems he had mentioned earlier.
"Bring them to me."
A moment later, Seo Dae-ryong returned with the documents. After reviewing the contents, I let out a long sigh.
"You’re doing this on purpose to get me killed, aren't you?"
The case Seo Dae-ryong had brought was, of all things, related to the Blood Heaven Blade Demon.
"I didn't want it to be this way either... but it is a recent incident, and it fits exactly what you asked for."
"But why does it have to be the Blood Heaven Blade Demon!"
Lee An, who had been watching, quickly intervened.
"Young Master, you have to hold back this time. Elder Blade Demon must be on the verge of exploding right now."
I handed the documents to Lee An.
"The story written there is too tragic to bury for that reason. Lee An, read it and see if you can ignore it."
After reading the contents, Lee An couldn't bring herself to close the file. She sighed deeply.
"I can't let this slide."
I stood up abruptly from my chair.
"Let’s go. If destiny calls, I must answer."
In truth, this wasn't destiny. It was merely the inevitable consequence of an old man leaving trash lying around him.
*
Gwak Su was drunk.
He was mired in a deep despair that even alcohol could not numb. His son, who attended a martial arts hall, had been gang-beaten by his peers. The boy had suffered a head injury and had not regained consciousness for ten days.
Jo Chun-bae, the owner of the Pungryu Tavern who knew his situation well, sat down across from him.
"Is the rumor true? That those bastards were released?"
Gwak Su downed one drink after another.
"Damn it! To hell with it all!"
An investigator from the Huangquan Pavilion had looked into the matter. Gwak Su had naturally assumed the culprits would be thrown into the dungeon. However, the three of them were found innocent and released. The incident was officially recorded as an injury sustained during a 'sparring match with a friend.'
"It’s all over. I heard the father of the boy who led the attack is the White Blade Ghost."
The White Blade Ghost was a leader who commanded a hundred Blade Ghosts.
"Oh, no..." Jo Chun-bae lamented.
If the opponent's father was a subordinate of the Blood Heaven Blade Demon—and not just any subordinate, but the White Blade Ghost—then this matter was truly finished.
"The Huangquan Pavilion investigators are all the same. Those bastards are even worse than the criminals."
"Shh! Lower your voice. What if someone hears you?" Jo Chun-bae looked around, trying to calm him down.
"Let them hear! Tell those Huangquan Pavilion dogs to kill me first! Tell the White Blade Ghost to come here himself and kill me!"
Slam!
Gwak Su struck the table. Jo Chun-bae quickly caught a liquor bottle that wobbled and threatened to fall.
"Man! Please, endure it."
"If my son doesn't wake up, my wife won't survive the grief."
Jo Chun-bae knew that was no exaggeration. Gwak Su had only one son, and he had seen for years how dearly the couple cherished him.
"He will wake up."
"If he doesn't, I’ll kill that brat and then take my own life."
It was then that a voice drifted over from behind them.
"And are you even capable of killing him?"
The two men turned their heads to see three young men standing at the entrance of the tavern.
"You?"
The person who had just spoken with a voice full of mockery was the young man in the center. This was Yang Ho, the one who had led the assault.
"Who do you think you are, old man, talking about killing someone else's precious son?"
Gwak Su bolted upright from his seat.
"You! You!"
Meeting Yang Ho in such an unexpected situation left him shocked and flustered. But soon, his rage roared out.
"You bastard. Because of you... give me back my son! Give him back!"
His emotions were so violent he barely knew what he was saying, but Yang Ho remained indifferent.
"You piece of shit! We haven't heard a single word of apology from you!"
At that, Yang Ho stepped forward and bowed politely.
"I am sorry. I have truly committed a sin worthy of death. It won't happen again. Happy? I clearly apologized. So, old man, stop calling me a bastard and a piece of shit."
"What? What did you just say?"
"I’m not your kid, am I?"
The two boys beside him snickered, and Yang Ho struggled to suppress a laugh. A mixture of intoxication and rage overcame Gwak Su. He moved to draw his sword, but Jo Chun-bae rushed in and desperately held him back.
"Stop! Hold back! Think of your family and endure it!"
If Gwak Su drew his sword here, it was obvious he would be killed by Yang Ho. Gwak Su was a low-ranking martial artist of the outer halls, while Yang Ho, though young, had been properly trained in martial arts since childhood.
"Old man, are you crazy? I apologized because you told me to, and now you’re trying to kill me."
Instead of just leaving, Yang Ho continued to provoke Gwak Su as if he had come with a purpose.
"Wow, you really have no conscience. Go ahead, kill me. Kill me if you can."
How could a human being be so brazen? Gwak Su wanted to stab the boy right then and there. But he couldn't. Not only could he not win, but even if he did manage to kill Yang Ho, it would lead to an even greater disaster. Everything would be ruined. Not only himself, but his unconscious son and his grieving wife would all be murdered by Yang Ho’s father.
"You boys should leave. Hurry."
Jo Chun-bae tried to usher Yang Ho and his friends out, but Yang Ho behaved like someone who had abandoned his humanity.
"I wondered who Dong-yi took after to be such a coward, and it turns out he’s just like his father."
In that instant, Gwak Su lost his reason. He drew his sword, and as if he had been waiting for it, Yang Ho’s fist flew out. Struck in the face, Gwak Su tumbled backward and crashed into a table.
"He definitely drew his sword first!" the two boys standing behind Yang Ho shouted, acting as witnesses.
Yang Ho lunged forward and began to pummel Gwak Su.
Thud! Thud! Thud!
"A mere warehouse guard dares to report me to the Huangquan Pavilion?"
This was the reason he hadn't left and had picked a fight. He had been severely scolded by his father because he had been reported to the Huangquan Pavilion, and he had come to vent his anger. Only after punching him repeatedly did Yang Ho stand up from Gwak Su’s body.
"This is all your fault. I told your kid to go home and steal some money, but he refused. He said he couldn't because it was money his father earned with blood and sweat. That idiot, acting all virtuous by himself. Am I the only piece of trash? So, how could I not hit him? This is all your responsibility. Got it?"
"...You confessed with your own mouth!"
Gwak Su’s lips were burst, and blood flowed from a cut under his torn eye, but in this moment, he found a glimmer of hope.
"Confessed what?"
"Everyone here heard it! Why you beat my son. You confessed that it wasn't a sparring match, but an assault!"
Yang Ho looked around with a fierce aura.
"Well? Is there anyone here who heard what I said?"
There were several customers in the tavern, but no one dared to step forward. Even the tavern owner, Jo Chun-bae, couldn't speak up. The moment he did, he would not only have to close his business, but his very life would be in danger. The customers felt the same.
"See? No one heard a thing. Hehehe."
At Yang Ho’s laughter, Gwak Su finally let out the tears he had been holding back.
"Uwaaaaah!"
He was so indignant he couldn't bear it. The reality that the person who had put his son in a coma was mocking him while he could do nothing was too devastating. He felt ashamed as a father and so incredibly sorry. He didn't want to cry, but the tears kept falling.
"An adult crying like a pathetic loser. Like father, like son. Hahaha."
The boys who came with Yang Ho also cackled with laughter.
It was then that a young man’s voice rang out clearly from the second floor of the tavern.
"I heard it."