Chapter 57
Chapter 57
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 57
Chapter Title: Chief Patrol
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In the Central Plains, beggars exist.
Among them are beggars who have learned martial arts and are extraordinarily powerful. These beggars all tie a single rope around their waists.
This served as a kind of insignia marking them as members of the Beggars' Gang.
At the same time, it indicated their rank—the more knots in the rope, the higher their status and position within the Gang.
No knots meant an apprentice beggar, one or two meant a formal member, three meant a branch master, four meant a protector... roughly like that.
For any organization to function properly, a clear hierarchy of command is essential.
It's only natural for those higher in the ranks to flaunt their status like show-offs to pull aggro.
The Shaolin Temple is no different.
Even in a gathering of monks, hierarchies inevitably exist, and the monks have their own ways of displaying rank among themselves.
That way is the wooden fish striker.
Whenever you pass a Shaolin monk on the road, you must check the striker in their hand.
If it's colorful and adorned with dangling ornaments, it means they hold a high rank and status.
Among them, the most famous is the jade striker of Shaolin Abbot Geum Myeongju.
A striker made of green jade.
Its name: Green Jade Buddha Striker.
It is a sacred treasure of Shaolin and a symbol of the abbot's authority.
The Green Jade Buddha Striker has one notable feature: when struck against someone, it produces a clear, resonant temple bell sound.
Just like right now.
—Crack!Ding!
Every time Bang Jongdae's head was smacked, a pure, pristine temple bell rang out, enveloping the escort agency.
Ding, ding, ding!
It rang so rhythmically that one might wonder if Bang Jongdae's scalp could possibly remain intact.
Interspersed with cries of pain and minor thuds, it seemed the master-disciple reunion was particularly heartfelt.
After the bell tolled through the night like that, the next day...
Geum Myeongju emerged with his usual hearty laugh and came to visit Cheongun.
"Amitabha. My unworthy disciple has been a great burden to you all this time."
"No trouble at all."
Geum Myeongju and Cheongun exchanged clasped hands in greeting.
"Your merit in slaying the Vima Squad Leader and the Soul-Devouring Demon Witch, thereby removing a great scourge from the martial world, is truly immense."
"Isn't it? I did a great deed."
"Where shall we send the bounty posted by the authorities?"
"To the Darkwood Sect."
"We'll arrange that. The Justice Alliance also plans to award you a modest sum as recognition."
"That's welcome news."
He had simply killed the ones who needed killing, and now they were giving him money too.
No reason to refuse, so Cheongun nodded.
"Care for a cup of tea?"
"I'd be grateful."
As Cheongun reached out, the teacup on the opposite table flew into his hand.
Geum Myeongju's eyes narrowed at the sight.
The Justice Alliance members who had accompanied him held their breath at the eerie spectacle.
These were people who marveled with "Ooh!" at the mere manifestation of sword aura.
For them to witness the legendary realm of Object Attraction from Afar—it was only natural they were stunned.
Cheongun leisurely poured tea into the cup and swallowed hard.
Geum Myeongju chuckled heartily as he watched.
"You've broken through the wall."
"Well, something like that."
Cheongun handed the teacup to Geum Myeongju.
Geum Myeongju stared straight into Cheongun's eyes as he took it.
"To surpass the wall before even twenty... this is a great blessing for the martial world."
"Right? So be grateful to this exceptional disciple of yours."
"......"
Geum Myeongju fell silent for a moment, looking at Cheongun with complicated eyes.
The original plan had been to unite the Justice Alliance and then send elders to exterminate the Vima Squad.
This was to demonstrate the Alliance's strength amid recent unrest.
But one sudden interloper named Cheongun had upended the entire plan.
Was that a bad thing? Of course not.
On the contrary, eliminating them without sacrificing any Alliance members was like picking one's nose without lifting a finger.
The problem was that the Justice Alliance, freshly united, might scatter again without purpose.
p>Above all, they desperately lacked young talent.
While the Demonic Cult mass-produced peak-level experts by dragging in anyone and teaching them demonic arts like a factory, the Justice Alliance had precious few young heroes to showcase the righteousness sects' vitality.
In such a situation, a warrior not yet twenty had broken through the wall.
Geum Myeongju truly began to covet Cheongun.
As he pondered deeply, Cheongun asked,
"So, what's the point?"
"Will you hear me out?"
"Sure, why not."
Geum Myeongju chuckled heartily and slowly explained the Alliance's stance on this incident.
Cheongun responded with a bored expression.
"That's it?"
"Yes, but..."
"Got it. Sounds like none of my business. If that's all, why not head out?"
Geum Myeongju blinked.
"Young hero, what do you mean? How can you say it's unrelated? The Demonic Cult's shadow spreads across the entire martial world, casting dark gloom. As a member of the righteous sects, you cannot draw such a line."
"That's why you have an alliance leader and elders to handle it, right?"
"True, but as I said, the situation isn't that simple..."
"I see. Tough luck. Good luck. I'll cheer you on."
"......"
Silenced by Cheongun's robotic response, Geum Myeongju grew anxious.
He desperately wanted to persuade Cheongun and forge a connection with the Alliance.
"How did you come to be associated with the Myriad Dragon Escort Agency?"
Geum Myeongju changed the subject first.
He planned to keep the conversation going and slowly persuade him.
At that moment, Cheongun replied in a wistful tone.
"I smashed the Chief Escort's teeth."
"Pardon?"
"I said I smashed the Chief Escort's teeth."
"......"
Is he insane?
Geum Myeongju let out a troubled groan.
Cheongun asked in a listless voice,
"You done here?"
The intent was clear.
If there's nothing else, leave.
It was also a declaration that he had no desire to prolong the talk.
If it were his own disciple acting like this, he'd smash his head without hesitation, but Cheongun was the disciple of a Sword Sovereign.
Moreover, he wasn't clearly affiliated with any orthodox sect.
The increasingly desperate Geum Myeongju cleared his throat awkwardly.
"As leader of the Justice Alliance, I have one request for you, young hero."
Geum Myeongju pulled a golden plaque from his bosom and extended it to Cheongun.
Cheongun stared blankly at him.
"What's this?"
"A badge proving the status of Chief Patrol."
"Chief Patrol?"
Cheongun tilted his head.
"Why give it to me?"
"I wish to create a connection between you and the Alliance."
The martial world is vast.
The Chief Patrol roams this vast world, purging evil in the name of the Justice Alliance.
In practice, during duties, it was akin to acting in the Alliance leader's stead.
Geum Myeongju thought.
Cheongun's temperament was terribly eccentric, but he was clearly a youth who upheld justice.
This incident proved it.
He had stormed the escort agency out of the blue, but the result was saving the common folk manipulated by their schemes.
Though his methods were violent—like smashing the teeth of those involved—the outcome was that he had personally apologized to each victim and paid hefty compensations.
Moreover, wasn't he the youth recognized as deputy chief by Lee Gunbaek, the notoriously selective lord of the Myriad Dragon Escort Agency?
Just looking at the deep heroic aura in his eyes revealed a rough, crude exterior hiding genuine kindness within.
Of course, this was mere speculation since he knew nothing of Cheongun's true nature.
His entanglements with the Soul-Devouring Demon Witch and Vima Squad were all self-inflicted when tracing the karma.
But he had annihilated them so thoroughly that the world perceived them as unprovoked attacks on innocent Cheongun.
Bang Jongdae had also kept silent out of loyalty, so Geum Myeongju truly knew nothing.
"I had planned to entrust it to one of the elders, but it seems better suited to an unaffiliated hero like you."
"Hmm."
"It won't be any trouble. Just continue as you are. If trouble arises, step forward in the Alliance's name to uphold justice and chivalry."
"What if problems crop up?"
"The Chief Patrol is the face of the Justice Alliance. Any aftermath is our responsibility."
"Really?"
Cheongun's eyes sparkled at those words.
Geum Myeongju chuckled heartily, sensing this was the hook, and pressed his persuasion.
"With the Chief Patrol badge, you'll be welcomed anywhere in the martial world. Any Justice Alliance branch will treat you as an honored guest."
Cheongun fell into thought.
They'd clean up his messes, and any branch would host him lavishly.
Cheongun nodded.
It was more than a good deal.
Only then did Cheongun smile brightly and offer a handshake.
As Geong Myeongju awkwardly shook it, Cheongun said,
"Looking forward to working with you."
"Haha, of course, young hero."
"Not young hero. Chief Patrol."
"......"
The next morning.
Geum Myeongju had departed, and Bang Jongdae lay bedridden from the aftermath of his master's beatings.
And someone who rushed to Cheongun upon hearing the news...
"Gate Lord!"
It was none other than Jeok Hwa-ryeon.
"Not Gate Lord."
Ryeon nodded as if accustomed to it.
"Ah, right, now you're deputy chief?"
"No."
"Huh? Then what?"
"Chief Patrol."
"......"
Pavilion Lord, then Gate Lord, then deputy chief, now Chief Patrol.
His title changed whenever he got bored.
Insane. Ryeon sighed.
"What brings you here?"
"What do you think? I was worried. But where are you going?"
"To the Filth Gate."
"Filth Gate?"
"Yeah."
He'd gotten tangled with the Vima Squad somehow, but his original departure was for the Filth Gate from the start.
What had the Filth Gate Lord said?
Something about the Darkwood Sect coming under the Filth Gate?
It was so long ago he'd completely forgotten.
Thus, though late, it was time to visit the Filth Gate.
Ryeon said urgently,
"The Filth Gate sent another letter."
"What'd it say?"
"They're retracting some rude remark from the distant past?"
"I see."
Cheongun started walking.
"No, they already backed down!"
"I know."
"Then why bother going?"
"Who am I?"
"...Chief Patrol?"
Nod.
Cheongun nodded, slinging his fishing rod over his shoulder as he walked.
And said wistfully,
"I'll be back."
"......"
He arrived at the Filth Gate just like that.
Sturdy guards stood at the main gate.
Clearly martial artists by their builds.
"Who are you?"
When asked, Cheongun replied,
"Chief Patrol."
"What?"
"Bring out the Filth Gate Lord."
"......"
Insane?
The guards exchanged glances.
At that moment.
Cheongun, who had been right in front of them, was suddenly scaling the wall.
"What madman dares climb the Filth Gate's wall?!"
The guard bellowed indignantly.
His thunderous shout drew the sect disciples from within the compound.
The guards were hired martial artists who didn't know Cheongun, but some late arrivals recognized him from his boyish appearance and the fishing rod over his shoulder.
"Mad Sword of Light Heaven?!"
Atop the wall, Cheongun thrust out his palm toward them all.
"This one is the Justice Alliance Chief Patrol."
"......"
"Bring out the Filth Gate Lord."
"......"