Chapter 29: What We Should Fear
Chapter 29: What We Should Fear
Naturally, I expected the Blood Heaven Blade Demon or the Blade Ghosts to be the first to strike back.
However, the first backlash against Yang Ho’s arrest came from within.
About thirty investigators from the Huangquan Pavilion had gathered in the main hall and summoned me. The man leading the movement was the most senior special investigator, Gok Myeong.
“We should have come to your office personally, but our numbers were too great, so we have committed this rudeness instead,” Gok Myeong said.
“It doesn't look like you came to talk. It looks like you came for a fight.”
“Not at all. Please, do not misunderstand.”
They hadn't come with a single mind. I could tell just by looking at their eyes—who was there because they were truly disgruntled, and who had been dragged along against their will.
Gok Myeong stepped forward as their representative.
“We heard you reopened an investigation into a case that this pavilion had already closed with a verdict of not guilty.”
“I did.”
“That action destroys the morale and authority of this pavilion’s investigators.”
I turned my gaze to the investigators standing behind Gok Myeong.
“Do the rest of you feel the same way?”
“Yes, we do!” they answered in a thunderous chorus.
“My thoughts are a bit different,” I countered. “I believe the Yang Ho incident is what actually destroyed this pavilion’s authority. And quite severely, at that.”
“What do you mean by that?”
“Do I really have to explain something so basic? I’m disappointed.”
Gok Myeong’s expression hardened. “The only thing that defies common sense here is what you have done, Pavilion Master.”
“When I arrested Yang Ho, did you hear that he confessed to everything in front of the crowd?”
“I heard.”
“Then what’s the problem? Why are you all swarming here?”
“What we are addressing is the re-investigation of a case that was already closed.”
“So, it’s a matter of principle?”
“Precisely. It is also unprecedented.”
“Investigator Gok. An innocent child was beaten nearly to death, and the culprit was caught and even confessed. Shouldn't a re-investigation be a matter of course? How do you think you look, standing there citing 'principles' in this situation?”
“You may call me old-fashioned, but I cannot help it. Principles are that important to an organization.”
Whether he was truly stubborn or simply trying to pressure me, he refused to back down an inch.
“Fine. Then let’s see where everyone stands. Anyone who thinks the re-investigation is right, move to this side!”
They had come for a collective protest, so I doubted anyone would move.
But one man walked over.
It was my absolute supporter, Seo Dae-ryong. Since everyone knew of his close ties to me, his movement didn't cause much of a stir.
“Ah, my loyal subject and one-man army, Investigator Seo.”
“If you put it that way, it makes it look like I’m only moving because of our personal friendship,” Seo Dae-ryong replied.
“Weren't you?”
“No. Regardless of my loyalty to you, Pavilion Master, I believe this case must be re-investigated.”
“And your reason?”
“The initial investigation was inadequate.”
Gok Myeong and several other investigators scowled openly, but Seo Dae-ryong calmly stated his opinion.
“Furthermore, the possibility of external pressure cannot be ruled out.”
“Good. Anyone else who agrees with this?”
I looked at the investigators, raising my hand high.
Just when it seemed no one else would come forward, another man stepped out.
“I agree as well.”
He was the martial artist who had been injured by Go Dang during the previous investigation into the Demon Monarch. I hadn't just avenged him; I had also asked the Demon Doctor to give him the best possible treatment.
“I am Ik Ho. I didn't get a chance to thank you properly back then. Thank you truly.”
“How is your injury?”
“I’m fine now.”
“That’s good to hear.”
No other investigators moved besides Ik Ho. They seemed to be wary of Gok Myeong. After all, they had only known me for a few days, while they had worked with Gok Myeong for years, if not over a decade.
Then, one more person moved.
“I am Yang Gun, Ik Ho’s peer. I sincerely thank you for avenging my friend.”
Thanks to Yang Gun stepping forward, a few others found the courage to move to my side. They weren't moving out of personal friendship; they were people who truly believed the previous investigation had been a failure.
However, the number of people still standing with Gok Myeong was overwhelmingly larger.
I called out one man from among them. He was the person at the very center of today’s issue.
“Investigator Jong Hwa!”
“Yes.”
Jong Hwa was the investigator who had handled the original case. He was the one who had cleared the White Blade Ghost’s son.
“What are your thoughts?”
“...I investigated the case properly.”
I walked up to Jong Hwa, stared directly into his eyes, and asked, “Did you take a bribe from the Blade Ghost?”
Jong Hwa’s expression froze instantly. It was Gok Myeong who flared up on his behalf.
“What kind of absurdity is that?”
I turned to Gok Myeong, radiating a cold aura.
“Then did you take it?”
“I did not.”
“Then why are you stepping in? To the point of calling your superior’s words 'absurd'?”
“Because he is my subordinate.”
“He is my subordinate too. Is he not?”
Gok Myeong realized his slip of the tongue and lowered his head.
“He is. My apologies.”
“Do not speak again without permission.”
“Yes.”
After silencing him, I turned back to Jong Hwa.
“Did you take money from the White Blade Ghost?”
“No.”
“Do you swear it?”
“I swear it on my life.”
He didn't look away, acting as if he were completely innocent.
“If you don't believe me, feel free to investigate.”
“I already did. You really didn't take any money.”
Everyone was shocked by my words. Saying I had already investigated meant the internal inquiry was already complete.
Despite being told to stay quiet, Gok Myeong couldn't help himself.
“Our investigators cannot be subject to internal investigation unless it is a special case.”
“I conducted it as a special investigation. I even obtained a direct order from the Cult Leader to conduct it as an external inquiry.”
I asked the flinching Gok Myeong coldly, “When the Cult Leader appointed me as the Pavilion Master here, did you think he wouldn't give me at least this much support?”
“No, sir.”
I looked around at everyone and spoke calmly.
“I was curious. If you didn't take money, why did you bury the case like that?”
“I didn't bury the case. According to my investigation...”
I cut Jong Hwa off.
“Was it because he threatened to kill your younger sister?”
Jong Hwa froze instantly. His expression screamed: How did you know that?
“The results of my investigation showed that you are a remarkably upright man. I didn't believe it at first. I told them to dig deeper, thinking no one in this world hates money. But surprisingly, you really were clean. So why would such an upright man gloss over a case? I found you had one major weakness: your only family, your younger sister.”
Jong Hwa’s eyes trembled.
A shocked Gok Myeong asked him, “Were you really threatened by that man?”
Jong Hwa couldn't say a word.
“You fool, speak! Were you really threatened?!” Gok Myeong pressed him, but Jong Hwa just kept his head down in silence.
I knew why Gok Myeong had taken the lead today. Jong Hwa was his favorite junior. He had stepped forward to ensure Jong Hwa wouldn't be penalized for this incident.
I said to Jong Hwa, “If you’re worried about your sister, it’s fine. I’ve already sent enforcement martial artists to protect her at a safe house. She will be safe until this case is completely resolved.”
Only then did a look of relief wash over Jong Hwa’s face. Soon after, he knelt before me, admitting everything.
“I have committed a mortal sin.”
Watching this, Gok Myeong let out a long sigh. “Ah...”
Having worked together for so long, he must have known better than anyone how much Jong Hwa cherished his sister. But it seemed even he hadn't known this was happening.
I spoke to the bowing Jong Hwa.
“You know that even under threat, you shouldn't have done this, right?”
“Yes. I will accept any punishment.”
The expressions of the watching investigators varied, but they were all filled with indignation. This wasn't someone else's problem. It was something that could happen to any of them at any time.
“Stand up.”
“Yes.”
Jong Hwa rose to his feet.
“If this had happened after I became Pavilion Master, I wouldn't have forgiven you. However, since this happened before I arrived, I will grant you a special pardon.”
“Are you... truly forgiving me?”
“It’s not me forgiving you; it’s your past life of integrity that has forgiven you. But that past life is now gone because of this incident. Start building it up again from scratch.”
Jong Hwa was deeply moved, having never expected to be forgiven. “Thank you. Thank you so much.”
But it was my next words that truly struck a chord with everyone.
“As long as I am the Pavilion Master, your families are like my own. Anyone who touches my family gets destroyed. Why? Don't believe me? I’ve even cut down a Demon Monarch. Do you think I’d be afraid of some Blade Ghost?”
I felt the gazes directed at me growing increasingly intense.
“From now on, this pavilion will not tolerate any external pressure. From this moment, anyone who takes even a single penny will be severely punished. You should be prepared to be locked in the same dungeon as the prisoners you put away. If you don't think you can follow this, leave the pavilion now.”
There were various reactions. Joy, excitement, resentment, disbelief...
“In exchange, I will not let anyone who messes with you go unpunished. If you are threatened, tell me, and I will protect your family. Even if they’ve already been kidnapped, I will get them back. You can trust me. If you don't trust me, trust the Cult Leader. Even if I have to beg my father to save them, I will make sure they are rescued. So, if you face external pressure, you must report it to me.”
I was speaking from the heart. The Huangquan Pavilion would only function properly when its members felt certain that they and their families were safe.
“I am a man who believes that anyone who commits an evil act must be punished, no matter who they are. Even if a wrong is committed within the Heavenly Demon Hall, I will not let it slide. If the Cult Leader commits a crime, I will arrest the Cult Leader!”
Everyone held their breath. Saying you would arrest the Heavenly Demon was a statement that could get you killed on the spot.
“What I fear is not the Cult Leader, nor the Eight Demon Lords. What I fear is us becoming pathetic. Failing to protect those we should protect, and failing to stop the bastards who should be punished from walking away with a smirk. When I caught that guy yesterday, the people in the inn were so happy they were all clapping. I’m a guy who likes being the center of attention, so I’m going to keep earning that applause.”
As my sincerity reached them, the investigators' expressions changed. Jong Hwa, in particular, was so overwhelmed he didn't know what to do, his eyes brimming with tears.
Then, an investigator standing behind Gok Myeong walked toward me. It was Jo Hyang, the woman Seo Dae-ryong liked.
“I want to receive that applause with you, Pavilion Master.”
That was the start. One by one, the investigators walked over to my side. Some were sincere, while others moved because of the atmosphere. It didn't matter. What mattered was that they were all moving in one direction.
Now, the only one left was Gok Myeong.
“Do you not like the new principles I’ve set?”
“No, sir.”
“Then why are you still standing there?”
“...”
“Is it because your pride is wounded?”
“No. I just... don't know if your words are sincere.”
Nonsense. His pride was wounded. He had come with good intentions for his junior, but his justification and momentum had vanished, and he had even been embarrassed after stepping forward. That was why those few steps were so difficult for him.
I had to soothe that wounded pride. That was the role of a leader. This was a time for unity, not division, and while he was stubborn, he wasn't a bad person. In fact, when I investigated Jong Hwa, I had thoroughly checked him as well.
“Everything I said was sincere. To make my sincerity a reality, I need your experience and help.”
I reached out my hand to Gok Myeong first.
“Help me.”
“Thank you, Pavilion Master.”
Gok Myeong took my hand. His hand was trembling. This act was worth more than just appeasing Gok Myeong; it was for the investigators watching us.
I immediately gave an order to Seo Dae-ryong.
“Investigator Seo.”
“Yes!”
“Take the enforcement martial artists right now and arrest Yang Ho’s father, the White Blade Ghost Yang Tae. The charge is aggravated intimidation.”
Gok Myeong spoke up cautiously. “He won't submit to arrest quietly.”
I spoke loudly so everyone could hear.
“Let him try. If he resists, I’ll wipe out every last one of the Blade Ghosts.”
They were probably wondering where I got such confidence, but one thing was certain.
The Huangquan Pavilion investigators standing before me had likely never heard anyone say they would wipe out the Blade Ghosts since the day they joined. They were excited. Their hearts were already starting to race. I could feel the heat.
That heat gave me certainty. Today was the day morale was at its highest since the founding of the Huangquan Pavilion.