Chapter 39
Hyeong Baek looked up at his superior with a puzzled expression.
So this wasn’t some ordinary technique.
He weighed the question for a moment, then reached a conclusion and answered, “Yes. Everyone at the scene was either the inspectors or Gwak Jiryang. It wasn’t a method that could have been detected by eavesdropping, either, so anyone who knew about it would have been limited to those present.”
Sama Hyeok nodded slowly.
Sama Ryang used Sama Shingyeol...
Many thoughts flashed through his mind, but in the end, this was a question that would have to be resolved face-to-face. Clearing his head, Sama Hyeok changed the subject.
“If there are more sinners like Yang Bong hiding in the rugged reaches, we’ll be busy from here on out. Tsk. We’re already short-handed as it is.”
Hyeong Baek let out a dry laugh. “Haha. There’s no need to worry. The Chief Inspector has already made arrangements for that.”
“Arrangements?”
Hyeong Baek nodded.
“The aftermath will be handled entirely by the Law Enforcement Hall. It’ll be enough for us to oversee the process, so the Military Council won’t have to devote any manpower.”
That unexpected answer brought a flicker of surprise to Sama Hyeok’s eyes.
No matter how absolute the inspectors’ authority might be, they could not simply seize control of another organization’s administrative power at will. And yet, it was hard to believe that the Law Enforcement Hall, which had never been on good terms with the Military Council, had agreed so readily to obey.
“The Law Enforcement Hall?”
“That’s right.”
Hyeong Baek recalled the moment when they had captured the fleeing squad member, then returned with Song Ryeong in tow to Sama Ryang’s side.
“Gok Jinhon, Gwa Jongcheon... you too, after all these years...”
Song Ryeong surveyed the room while forcing down his fury.
“I’m embarrassed on behalf of the whole hall. I had no idea so many people were involved in corruption.”
“This won’t be all of them. Once we interrogate the prisoners we’ve captured and continue the investigation in the Dark Thunder Prison, more names are bound to surface.”
Song Ryeong clenched his jaw. The bulge at the corner of his chin made his agitation plain.
And it wasn’t only because of the disgraceful sight of the bound squad members, or because more scrutiny was being promised.
It was the Chief Inspector’s eyes. That calm, burning gaze had the distinct feeling that there was still something more hidden behind it.
“We’re both busy men, so I’ll get straight to the point. Why did you go out of your way to call me here?”
“Because this is where the sinners are being gathered.”
Song Ryeong’s brow furrowed.
“...Please be more specific.”
Their gazes tangled in the air.
“Deputy Hall Leader, can you honestly declare yourself innocent?”
“If failing to keep an eye on what was under my nose is a crime, then perhaps yes. But I have nothing to do with the human trafficking case... no, nor with the other corruption either. Didn’t Squad Leader Gwak, no—Gwak Jiryang himself confess to everything?”
Sama Ryang’s eyes narrowed.
Song Ryeong’s claim was true. Gwak Jiryang was in no condition to offer false testimony, so it was fair to say he was uninvolved.
But his innocence was not the issue. A hint of suspicion had appeared, and as Chief Inspector, Sama Ryang intended to use it.
“Yes, he said you were uninvolved. It shouldn’t be a false statement, so at least as far as Gwak Jiryang knew, you were innocent.”
“As far as he knew?”
“I’ve concluded there may have been someone working behind the scenes whom even Gwak Jiryang didn’t know about.”
Sama Ryang’s voice grew heavier.
“In these times, when even sealing sect gates has been decided upon to preserve strength, human trafficking through private dealings is among the gravest of crimes. So we can’t dismiss even the slightest possibility.”
Song Ryeong’s face hardened. As his displeasure showed, anger bled into his tone.
“So that’s it... you suspect I’m the one behind it?”
Sama Ryang answered calmly.
“It still needs further investigation, but based on the circumstances, yes.”
“Circumstances? You mean because I was keeping track of Hall Elder Hyeong’s retirement news, and because I knew about the Chief Inspector making his first inspection?”
“...”
“You’re saying it’s unnatural for someone with that much intelligence to remain unaware until things had already reached this point, is that it?”
Sama Ryang simply looked at him in silence.
That unyielding stare only sharpened Song Ryeong’s presence further.
“With all due respect, that’s a leap. How are we supposed to deal with people who are determined to deceive us? I only knew because, as a senior official, I’d been focusing on the Military Council’s movements. Anything beyond that was never my concern...”
“Even if it is a leap, the conclusion remains the same.”
Sama Ryang’s voice was firm.
“As you yourself said, failing to manage the situation provides more than enough grounds for suspicion, and the more reasonable interpretation is not that you lacked the ability, but that you allowed it to happen.”
Tssssst.
Dense demonic qi leaked between Song Ryeong’s breaths. Looking around at the inspectors, he bit out each word as though chewing them to pieces.
“You’ve gone too far. If it’s that reasonable, then you should just cuff me already. Did you drag me here just to humiliate me?”
Sama Ryang shook his head.
“I’ve clearly caused a misunderstanding. That wasn’t my intention. As I said, there are still parts that exist only as circumstances.”
“...”
“Even if this could be ended as simple embezzlement, we can’t rule out the slightest possibility, so I’m giving you a chance to explain yourself.”
“Explain myself?”
Song Ryeong’s face flushed red.
Taking the edge of his hostility in stride, Sama Ryang said, “Yes. You’ll have to prove your own innocence.”
Sama Hyeok let out a faint laugh.
“Not bad.”
Even if Song Ryeong truly were innocent, it was still an argument he could not avoid.
The Military Council’s judgment was absolute, and the Chief Inspector stood in the position of representing the Cult’s Grand Commander. Once formal suspicion had been raised on the spot, even the Deputy Hall Leader of the Law Enforcement Hall had no means of refusing it.
Hyeong Baek burst into hearty laughter.
“Not bad? It’s more than that — you could call it a blessing for the Council. It’s not easy to produce results like this on your first inspection, is it? Hah!”
With manpower already in short supply, they had brought the Law Enforcement Hall into the matter. If they used them properly, the investigation could be concluded far more smoothly.
More than anything, this meant they could scrutinize not only the Dark Thunder Prison, but even the Law Enforcement Hall’s own personnel. It was hard to call it anything less than a double gain.
“So blood really does tell. At times, you even remind me of Grand Commander Seok-nyeon. Hahaha!”
“I simply did my duty as Chief Inspector.”
Sama Hyeok remained as composed as ever, but Hyeong Baek, who had known him for years, caught the subtle shift in his tone.
It was satisfaction. He had tried to contain the feeling welling up inside him, but he could not hide it from Hyeong Baek’s eyes.
Hyeong Baek’s mouth curved upward. He, too, was pleased by his junior’s accomplishment.
“No matter how old I get, my eyes haven’t gone bad yet, so you can trust me on that.”
His smile fading, Hyeong Baek continued in a concerned tone.
“Still... if there’s any difference from back then, it’s that young people these days need a clear reward for their work before they truly take interest and give their all.”
“Are you worried about something? About Sama Ryang?”
Hyeong Baek nodded.
“To some extent, yes. Sama Ryang has achieved results that exceed his own capabilities. In both skill and temperament.”
“...”
“Considering his nature, it’s highly likely that the sight of those sinners’ disgrace left him disgusted, even deeply repulsed. The use of that incomprehensible technique was probably born from such feelings. Why not give him some kind of reward so he can shake it off quickly?”
After a short silence, Sama Hyeok nodded.
“I’ll keep that in mind. And you’ve worked hard as well, Hall Elder Hyeong.”
* * *
At the same time.
Fwoooooosh-!
White haze swirled around Cheon Sohyeon as he concentrated on circulation breathing. The energy that wrapped his entire body like a pair of wings was sharper now, yet deeper than before.
Demonic qi was the force of outward expression. Because it spread with wild ferocity and frequently slipped beyond its master’s control, disrupting even reason itself, it was called demonic art.
But Cheon Sohyeon had kept the heat under such strict control that it would not affect his surroundings, even while in the midst of circulation.
After repeated, gradual training grounded in deep comprehension, his ability to govern true qi had become even more refined.
“Huuuu.”
Slowly opening his eyes, Cheon Sohyeon let out a hot breath. He clenched and unclenched his fist, quickly checking the state of his body.
Good. Very good.
Wooooooooong!
Void Spirit Qi radiated from his dantian and rushed through his entire body with ferocious strength, smooth and flawless, without the slightest disturbance.
The rewards of all that time spent in painstaking training were now flowing through his meridians in full force.
No matter how divine the art might be, the essence of Muryeong Shingong was still demonic art.
It had always possessed rough edges because of its violent momentum, but now those flaws had disappeared.
He was certain that the force behind his punches would be different, and that every step he took would carry a different resonance.
“Now this is at least decent enough to look at.”
This wasn’t merely the achievement of someone who had thrown himself into training for its own sake.
It was more accurate to say it had been attained by remaining faithful to the basics and fulfilling his duty as a Buddhist disciple.
Indeed. That’s exactly right.
As the saying went, remaining pure even while dwelling in defilement.
Like a lotus blooming from the mud, he had continued to advance without being stained or deceived by his surroundings. Even in the middle of a thorn field, he had never stopped refining his faith.
“Heh. So there really isn’t anyone more naturally suited to being a Buddhist disciple than me.”
Cheon Sohyeon’s mouth stretched into a long grin. Rising from his seat, he rolled his neck as though loosening up his body.
“Baekmyeongok, huh. Guess it’s about time I went.”
* * *
Baekmyeongok, the residence where Imaje stayed.
Gang Hyeon spoke with a note of concern in his voice.
“He’s not coming again today...? Master, isn’t this getting a little late? He’s not just going to stand us up, is he?”
Whoosh!
Imaje brought his wooden sword down and replied briefly, “He’ll come soon. There’s no need to be impatient.”
“...Yes, sir.”
Scratching the back of his head, Gang Hyeon tidied up the equipment scattered across the training yard.
It was ordinary daily life, or so it seemed, but this was not Unambong — it was Baekmyeongok.
Apparently because the Saber Emperor had been so close with his master, he had even provided a place for him to stay. And that had already been more than a week ago.
Had something gone wrong? Or had the letter never been delivered properly?
Ruminating over those questions had become part of his daily routine.
Well... he’ll be here soon enough. He’s not the kind of person who needs me worrying over him.
Just then, as Gang Hyeon was moving the training dummies to one side—
“I’m here.”
“Huh?”
At the sudden voice, Gang Hyeon whipped his head around.
“Young Master!”
Cheon Sohyeon was striding in through the entrance, drenched in sweat. He must have found the place by following the location written in the letter.
Gang Hyeon hurried over with a pleased expression. “Why are you so late? I thought something had happened.”
“Tsk tsk.”
Cheon Sohyeon clicked his tongue.
Foolish sentient being.
“When the time comes, everyone meets eventually. Why waste energy worrying over nothing? What, were you afraid you’d run into some bandit on the road—someone like yourself?”
Gang Hyeon suddenly remembered their first meeting with each other. Embarrassed, he rubbed the bridge of his nose and laughed.
“Haha... how old is that story?”
At that moment, Imaje’s wooden sword came to a sharp stop in the air.
“You’ve come?”
“Yes, I sprinted all the way here with my tail on fire.”
As Cheon Sohyeon entered, he scanned his surroundings.
Relentless. Absolutely relentless.
He really was a stubborn old man.
The training environment here had been arranged exactly like the residence on Unambong, where the smell of iron had always hung thick in the air. And since the dummies still looked untouched, it seemed they had all been made anew.
“Have you been well in the meantime?”
“I’ve been well. You, on the other hand... seem to have gone through a rather fierce stretch of days.”
As Imaje studied Cheon Sohyeon, unmistakable emotion showed on his face.
It was clear he had not squandered the time he spent away. The balance of his body was even more harmonious than before; thick forearm muscles showed through his sleeves, and beneath the black training robes, sturdy lines of muscle defined his frame.
It meant he had trained with ferocity even after leaving Unambong.
And yet, despite the slight disruption in his breathing, almost no qi leaked out from his body.
Impressive.
He had become capable of controlling even the energy that naturally seeped out from him.
That was the kind of skill only a martial artist who had reached maturity could display.
“Your presence is much more refined than the last time I saw you. Well done.”
“It wasn’t quite a hardship, but I did put in some effort. But Master, you seem... somehow more solid than before. You didn’t overdo it, did you?”
Imaje smiled with rare satisfaction.
“I put in some effort as well. You must be tired, so would you like to rest first?”
It was a question of when he intended to go meet the Saber Emperor.
“What’s there to delay? Let’s go now.”
At that spirited answer, Imaje’s smile deepened even further.