The Qilin Draws Blood
“You said Baekmyeongok?”
“Yes, it’s there. Read it.”
Sama Ryang quickly grasped the contents of the letter that appeared to have been sent by Gang Hyeon.
“Doje, then….”
“You know something?”
“Yes. I had already looked into the other demons while investigating Imaje.”
“What kind of man is he?”
“First of all, Baekmyeongok, where Doje serves as valley lord, is a place where every kind of indulgence gathers. Gambling dens, auction houses, arenas, wine halls—facilities like that are packed together there.”
Cheon Sohyeon answered briefly.
“So Doje’s moniker must have something to do with gambling.”
Of course it was a place where madmen and degenerates congregated. It seemed like a terrible fit for a man like Imaje, which made it all the more strange that he had been searched for there first.
Sama Ryang nodded.
“He’s also said to have been a gambling fiend since his youth, along with the weapons he wields. In that sense, the title fits. Still, since he’s one of the foremost martial artists in the cult, the meaning ‘Emperor of the Blade’ is also appropriate.”
It was nothing unusual for a title to be passed around until its meaning warped in the mouths of others, so Cheon Sohyeon wasn’t surprised.
“So, in other words, he’s the exact opposite of Imaje?”
“That’s right. He’s widely described as someone addicted to stimulation, so I didn’t think they’d be close… but the amount of public information is limited, so I couldn’t pin it down in detail.”
“Hmm. I see.”
Cheon Sohyeon tapped the table lightly.
Something in his gut told him he and Doje would never get along.
Would a devout Buddhist, unmatched in the depth of his cultivation, ever have any business associating with a degenerate who got drunk on excitement and fiddled with cards all day?
“Will you depart at once?”
“No.”
“...Pardon?”
“I’m not someone who comes when I’m told to come and goes when I’m told to go.”
Sama Ryang swallowed. Seeing that startled reaction made Cheon Sohyeon snort with amusement.
“Don’t look so shocked. I mean not yet. For now, I need to establish my martial arts first. Enlightenment just came to me.”
If you didn’t seize enlightenment firmly when it arrived, it vanished like smoke. He had to gather it before it slipped away.
That would be the fastest, surest way to reach his goal.
“Ah… I see.”
Sama Ryang rose slowly from his seat.
“Then I’ll go prepare the inspection. If I can show results, we’ll gain not only clues about the Black Sabbath, but also more authority. That should help greatly with what comes next.”
“Confident?”
Sama Ryang answered with a faint smile.
“Even if I weren’t, I’d have to succeed. I’ll bring back results, so none of the achievements you’ve made will be for nothing.”
* * *
The next day.
As the chill of evening settled over the bustling streets of the inner fortress, the district was already alive with energy from early on.
“Young masters, stop by for a moment!”
“Here! Over here! Take a look at our goods! We’ve just received new silk!”
“Today we’ve brought in first-class white-flower liquor. Only five bottles left, so hurry!”
No matter how notorious a religious organization might be, people were people wherever you went, and they all tended to move according to the same instincts.
The streets rang with boisterous noise, and merchants hawking their wares along with the carriage drivers were all hurrying busily along.
Then—
“Huh?”
“Quit making noise and look over there!”
“Wow… who are those people? They look so cool!”
Every cultist’s gaze turned at once toward the main road.
Thud.
A group of figures cut through the crowd with measured, disciplined steps.
Over scholarly robes embroidered with antique patterns, they wore pure white outer garments. The gold-thread inscriptions on their shoulders caught the light and drew people’s eyes irresistibly.
“Let me see. If they’re from the council… ah! They must be the Military Council’s scholars. I heard they’re not just good in both letters and martial arts—they really live up to it.”
“Hoho, quite so. All four of them shine, don’t they?”
For cultists who admired strength, it was a rather impressive sight.
But—
Is this right? Is this actually right? Am I the only one who thinks this is strange? Seriously, is this really the best idea?
Meanwhile, the person being admired, Sama Chang, was in considerable turmoil.
He simply couldn’t understand Sama Ryang’s judgment after his appointment as the inspector general.
Why did you rush out like this?
Less than a day had passed since the inspection had been approved.
Normally, they’d spend at least a week investigating, gathering organizational charts, personnel records, unusual details… and so on.
But to go directly to the field this quickly was unprecedented.
Are you making a reckless move because the inspector-general position is too much pressure?
It really might have been that, considering how inexperienced the kid still was.
When they turned into a narrow alley where few people passed, Sama Chang finally voiced his complaint.
“Am I the only one who feels like we’re stuffing ourselves before the rice is even cooked? This inspection feels far too early. Is there some reason you came out so quickly?”
At Sama Chang’s sharp tone, Sama Ryang, who had been walking ahead, answered calmly.
“We’re already fully prepared. Any further delay would only waste time.”
“Ha. Your answer’s as slick as flowing water. I’m saying you seem stiffer than usual—am I imagining that too?”
Sama Chang pulled a thick dossier from his robes.
“I brought this from where it was lying around near your desk. You left the Law Enforcement Hall’s personnel ledger behind—what kind of disgrace is that for someone called an inspector-general?”
Sama Ryang turned and took the dossier, tucking it into his robes.
“I hadn’t thought I needed to bring it separately. I’ll keep it with me just in case.”
Sama Chang glared at the back of Sama Ryang’s head as he walked on ahead.
You memorized it all already, didn’t you?
It was a back that was somehow both infuriating and dependable.
“There’s a huge difference between thinking behind a desk and doing the actual work.”
“Isn’t this a place where I’ve got experienced seniors with me? As a junior, I can only trust you and move forward. I’m confident my shortcomings won’t show.”
The rather handsome middle-aged man on Sama Ryang’s right let out a hearty laugh.
“Hahaha! That’s enough for me. An inspection may be no different from charging into enemy territory, but if we rely on one another, there’s nothing we can’t overcome!”
“Well said.”
Sama Chang said,
“This isn’t the sort of problem you solve with polished words. Real-world work is…”
“Agh!”
The woman who had been silent until now suddenly barked out in irritation.
“That damned real-world work! Real-world work! Senior Chang, please, just stop already. Why are you acting like an old fossil and picking fights over every little thing?”
“What… old fo—fossil?”
“Yes, a fossil. I get that you’re sore because Sama Ryang got the inspector-general position, but you’re making everyone’s head spin, so could you please calm down?”
Stung by criticism that dug straight into his chest, Sama Chang bristled.
“What do you mean, me? And you’re annoyed too, aren’t you? Let’s be honest—does this make sense? At his age, being an inspector-general is ridiculous!”
With her long hair tied neatly back, Seryun shrugged.
“I’m not annoyed at all. It’s not like they’re paying extra just because he’s the inspector-general. If someone’s good at it, it’s better to let them handle it and finish quickly!”
“And how are we supposed to know whether this kid will actually do well…?”
“Ah, whatever. If you’ve got a complaint, go whine to the Chief Strategist, not me. Why are you causing a scene all the way out here?”
Sama Chang shook his head.
“Hoo. Never mind.”
“Good thinking. Now please stop.”
“I know, I know! Honestly, these younger disciples never give an inch.”
“Haha! You’re all so energetic in broad daylight. Even with the cultists around us whispering, you don’t seem to care at all. Is this what youth is?”
Laughing heartily, Hyeong Baek looked at Sama Ryang.
“Still, Chang does have a point. He didn’t butt in just to be contrary. From where I’m standing, this inspection does look rather hasty. Almost as if you were taking something after it for granted.”
Hyeong Baek’s eyes sank deeper.
“Are you really already fully prepared?”
This time, even Seryun remained silent. She had watched Sama Ryang for a short while now, and she knew his abilities were extraordinary.
Even so, she couldn’t shake her doubts about the sheer audacity of his actions, which seemed as though he had simply misread the timing.
Senior Chang probably feels the same way.
The reason he had spoken such cutting words, so openly and without restraint, was surely not just because he was naturally petty. More than that, he wanted to ease his own doubts.
Sama Ryang answered in a low voice.
“As I said, I’m fully prepared. I’ll keep your concern that I seem hasty in mind.”
“If the inspector-general says so, we have to believe it. Very well.”
“Then I’ll hurry.”
Hyeong Baek let out a cheerful laugh.
“Hahaha. That too is youth! You’ve got backbone.”
* * *
The Military Council group soon reached the main gate of the Law Enforcement Hall.
“What business do you have here?”
Two gatekeepers with fierce faces blocked the way, gripping their spears. Since they were an organization that dealt with vicious criminals, their builds were enormous.
Sama Chang replied,
“We’re here for an inspection.”
“An inspection?”
The gatekeeper’s eyes briefly lingered on the insignia on Sama Chang’s shoulder before turning to his companion.
“Was there ever any word about that? Heard anything?”
“No, not that I know of.”
“Do you usually announce a visit before beginning an inspection?”
Sama Chang held out a document stamped with the Military Council’s seal.
“Step aside. This is an inspection permit granting full authority.”
The gatekeeper scratched his head and replied,
“If you suddenly tell us to move, there’s not much we can do. Guarding the entrance is our job, after all. Hmm, what am I supposed to do about this…? I’ll have to check with the higher-ups first, so please wait a moment.”
He turned and signaled with his eyes, and the gatekeeper on the other side frowned.
“Me? I have to go?”
“Be quiet. Hurry up and go.”
“Tch. What a pain.”
Grumbling, the gatekeeper turned around.
“Seeing how all of you are dressed up, you must be important people. Looks like you’re in a hurry to peek into someone else’s home, so I’d better move fast.”
The voice was soft, but clear.
Though the tone carried open mockery and hostility, the inspectors paid it no heed.
They were used to this kind of reaction.
Who would welcome people who came to expose the organization’s dirty laundry?
There were no people without dust on them when properly shaken, as the saying went. And if they were members of the Military Council, they were all skilled at handling documents.
That meant they had the ability to turn even the smallest speck into a mountain.
It was understandable that they’d be viewed with suspicion, but…
“This is absurd.”
With a frown, Sama Chang called out to the gatekeeper.
“Hey.”
“What is it?”
“What did you just say? Important people?”
“That’s what I said. Why?”
“Why? Because the way you talk is utterly impudent.”
There was no advantage in bowing low from the start. Knowing that all too well, Sama Chang came at him harder.
“...What?”
“Hold on, hold on. Calm down.”
As the atmosphere turned hostile, the other gatekeeper hurriedly stepped in.
“I apologize on his behalf for the rude words. He just doesn’t know when to mind himself, no matter how much we warn him. He hasn’t been working long, so maybe he doesn’t realize who you are. You should apologize too. These are people from the Military Council.”
“Ah, so you’re scholars from the council. I’m terribly sorry about that…”
Sama Chang let out a scoff.
“Ha. So there are organizations that keep illiterates on gate duty, huh?”
“...”
“Looks like you’re just trying to waste time by picking a fight. Don’t make this embarrassing for yourselves—move it. What are you doing, holding up busy people like this?”
The gatekeeper who had been trying to apologize hardened his expression and let out a long sigh.
“I’m telling you, it’s not allowed. Wait a moment. I’ll go get permission firs—”
“Wait?”
Sama Ryang, who had been silently observing the situation, finally spoke for the first time.
It was his first inspection, so he had intended to watch how things unfolded before acting. But one of them had already run into the building. They could stall and destroy evidence, so they couldn’t afford to linger any longer.
The gatekeeper glared at Sama Ryang, who at first glance looked like a pale, scholarly youth.
What the hell? What is this flimsy bastard?
He spoke as though he were delivering instruction.
“Listen, there are procedures for everything. Even if you come at us like this, without any—”
Crack!
Sama Ryang slammed his foot down hard on the gatekeeper’s instep, and the sound of bone shattering rang out.
“Aaaagh!”
The gatekeeper screamed, clutching his foot, and at the commotion the Law Enforcement Hall members inside the compound surged toward them.
“What was that?! What happened?!”
The gatekeeper tightened his grip on his spear and shouted angrily.
“What the hell do you think you’re doing? How dare you touch the gate guard of the Law Enforcement Hall—”
“I’ll ask you the same. What do you think you’re doing?”
Sama Ryang’s pupils began to deepen into a steely gray.
“...!”
Whoosh—!
The power of Sama Shingyeol flowed out from his body and instantly seized the entire area, creating a strange, suffocating pressure as though it were squeezing every limb.
How can a youngster so green possibly…!
The gatekeeper’s eyes widened in disbelief. This was a force that had far exceeded anything he had expected.
Sama Ryang infused his voice with internal energy and said,
“Do you not understand the meaning of an inspection? We didn’t come here to beg for entrance. Get out of the way.”