May Peace Be With You - 7
The arrest operation wrapped up successfully, but at the cost of completely crippling Namyeong's administration. When the branch manager and a huge chunk of the staff get rounded up like that, it's weirder if things keep running smoothly. Even in a few hundred years, governments won't function without people. That's why, right before kicking off the arrests, I'd sent a letter to Gyeirim, the central hub of Guangxi. Namyeong was about to go into temporary paralysis, so please send support staff.
The problem? Even rushing as fast as possible, civilian bureaucrats—not martial artists—would take days to arrive. The biggest city in Namyeong would be administratively dead for days.
'That's no good.' I couldn't compromise with evil for convenience's sake. But I couldn't force the people to suffer discomfort in the name of justice either. Those few days it would take for Gyeirim's support to arrive—this gap had to be filled somehow. It was my duty as the guy who'd danced with death in Namyeong.
'Damn that branch manager.' Duty aside, it pissed me off. If the branch manager had at least survived, I could've dumped it on him.
"My lord. As you requested, I've compiled lists of retired officials, those with relatively lesser crimes, and ones unconnected to the corruption."
"Good work."
While I was mentally chopping the branch manager's limbs on a butcher block in my head, Jo Wi-cheo approached and handed over three scrolls. These were my lifeline—and Namyeong's. The crutches to avoid total administrative shutdown.
'No time to be picky now.' Retired officials enjoying their golden years? Time to come back on active duty for the country and people, just for a few days. Officials with lighter crimes? If they wanted any leniency—like the Namyeong Commandant—they'd roll over like dogs. Uninvolved officials? With Namyeong's bureaucracy smashed, they'd need to step up.
'I'm counting on you guys.' Honestly, a censor like me couldn't handle local admin. Leave expert work to experts. My meddling would just make things worse.
"Wi-cheo."
"Yes, my lord."
"Best to leave the punishments to the Anhui Censor, right?"
"Shouldn't we entrust specialized matters to specialists?"
I nodded calmly at Jo Wi-cheo's words. Yeah. Not just admin—execution too. I'd caught the corrupt officials and the Xiang family cronies, proven their guilt, but fitting punishments belonged to judicial experts like the Anhui Censor. Right now, just me and Jo Wi-cheo were debating stuff like 'Dismemberment or castration—which is better?' We lacked creativity for this.
"If I ask them to handle it carefully, they'll do a good job."
I let out a small sigh, rubbing my stiff neck. Handing these bastards' fates to someone else felt regrettable, but they were vicious scum. A heartfelt plea for proper justice should suffice. No way the Anhui Censor would refuse a request steeped in loyalty and the greater good. If they did... well, that'd be disappointing.
The first wave of support arrived faster and flashier than expected. Guangxi's Prefectural Governor, Anhui Censor, and Provincial Commandant—all coming as the vanguard. The civilians rode piggyback on super peak masters. A luxurious method, impractical unless you're top dogs in the region.
"I never dreamed such busy lords would come to Namyeong in person."
I greeted the top brass with a formal salute. Unexpected vanguard, but their impact and authority were undeniable. Guangxi's heads showing up personally—who could top that support?
"Namyeong lived up to its name—peaceful and cozy. How could we ignore it ensnared in unprecedented corruption and chaos?"
"We're ashamed we didn't notice before the Left Vice Inspector General stepped in. As Guangxi officials, we offer our regrets."
In response to my welcome, the Prefectural Governor—nominal boss of the branch manager—and the Anhui Censor, gearing up to swing the axe with zeal, replied bitterly. I spotted fierce anger blazing in their eyes. They'd probably trashed their offices and roared in fury upon reading my letter. I hadn't seen it, but it was obvious.
"Left Vice Inspector General. I hear even the Namyeong Commandant isn't clean in this mess."
But the Provincial Commandant's rage outburned both combined. A super peak master's fury dwarfed a civilian's—as expected—but seeing it firsthand, the gap was staggering. Without me, he'd have charged the Namyeong Commandant and torn him apart on sight.
"Yes. Still, his crimes were relatively minor, and he contributed greatly to binding the other culprits."
"No merit erases all fault, no matter how small. As a warrior sworn to protect the realm, he failed his duty. I'll temporarily assume the Namyeong Commandant's role."
"Understood, my lord. Please do."
No reason to object, so I nodded readily. The Namyeong Commandant was slated for dismissal anyway. His cooperation was to save his neck, not cling to his post. Anyone with a conscience wouldn't dream of keeping the seat. But from his view, dismissal was a mercy—no beheading, flogging, or exile. A slightly dishonorable retirement? He'd be thrilled. Plus, as a third-rank official, he'd done his time. Spit out the bribes, live off his salary as a retiree.
...'Lucky bastard.' Imagining him lounging in retirement made me envious. If I took bribes from anyone, could I retire too?
For now, we should call Namyeong "Bu-neong"—Unpeaceful—instead of Namyeong. Who'd expect such chaos out of nowhere? Not some minor official misconduct, but city-wide massive corruption.
'Idiots.' I sighed involuntarily. I don't expect squeaky clean, but if you're taking bribes, don't get caught—or if you do, grovel for mercy. But this? Caught by the Left Vice Inspector General of all people, and botching the cover-up so bad the whole city flipped.
Honestly terrifying—people might say, 'If the branch manager caused this mess, isn't the Prefectural Governor at fault too?'
'Of all people to get caught by.' Sigh after sigh. Caught by the Left Vice Inspector General, no less. A regular inspector? Maybe. But him? Game over.
A massive scandal and corruption ring has been uncovered in Namyeong, leading to the outrage of daylight assaults on innocent folk due to these vile acts. In cooperation with Namyeong Command, we seek to detain all involved officials. For Namyeong's sake, please send support staff to fill the gap.
The Left Vice Inspector General's recent letter. Seeing it, my blood ran cold—not just the content, but the opening line.
Crown Prince Han Un of Giwangga, to the Honorable Prefectural Governor of Guangxi.
Not Left Vice Inspector General Han Un—Crown Prince Han Un of Giwangga. Not as a Daesong official, but as Giwang's grandson. A declaration: he'd handle this as crown prince, not bureaucrat.
'Guangxi would've been smashed otherwise.' Dizzying to think about. If the crown prince shed bureaucratic shackles and went full rampage, what catastrophe? If his wrath spread beyond Namyeong? Lucky it stayed local—but no complacency. Once-ignited fury could flare again.
That's why the Anhui Censor, Provincial Commandant, and I rushed here. Screw Guangxi duties—pacify the crown prince first.
'Giwang's bloodline could snap anywhere.' The Left Vice Inspector General followed rules, but the crown prince? No guarantees. He'd detained officials without procedure—issued ultimatums to Namyeong Command, captured suspects alive, beat the Xiang family head sans trial.
'Royal blood never thins, huh.' A wry smile escaped. Rumors said the Left Vice Inspector General was unusually mild for Giwang's grandson. Turns out, official chains restrained that blood.
'Please stay a bureaucrat forever.' After I'm dead, fine—but while alive, keep those chains. Giwang, a Hwagyeong master, would outlive us all. Two of him? Daesong couldn't handle it. The world couldn't.
'Guess it begins now.' As I prayed for the Left Vice Inspector General's long bureaucratic career—for the realm's sake—I spotted the half-mad Anhui Censor marching off blade in hand. Too cumbersome to lug the full executioner's block, so just the blade. His resolve to hack them on it screamed through.
'At least he'll vent.' Suddenly envied the Anhui Censor. He could unload his rage on the idiots who caused it.