Even the Borderlands Have People - 3
Pojeongsa's complexion was exceedingly haggard.
"Are you alright?"
I asked after his well-being the moment I saw him—how bad must things be?
"I'm fine. Even in the course of duty, there are days when the work piles up. These days are just like that."
Pojeongsa forced a smile in response to my concern.
Pitiful. Anyone could see he was pushing himself too hard; his assurances rang hollow.
No way he's fine.
This Mak incident had rocked not just Pojeongsa but every high official in Gansu. With Nanjou's iron and copper vanishing, the administrative head was swamped, needless to say. The military commandant was frantic with capturing Mak, and inspectors were dropping like flies to criminals exploiting the chaos.
It was truly astonishing. In Hengshan, two spirit beasts had shaken an entire sect working together. Here in Gansu, a single one was turning the whole region upside down.
"Still, since Mak is an auspicious beast, there've been no human casualties. Even starving, it never attacks people—truly a spirit beast."
"Well said. A noble and gentle creature."
I chimed in with exaggerated agreement to his forced laugh. I'd caught the unmistakable bitterness and sorrow in his eyes.
No human casualties, huh.
And from a beast Mak's size? That was heartening. If it had been even slightly ferocious, they wouldn't be fretting over metal shortages—they'd be mourning the dead in Nanjou.
Lucky that Mak was so docile, but heartbreaking that even such a gentle beast had been driven mad with hunger.
Without the drought, it could've survived on snakes and bamboo alone.
No wonder it chewed on cannons.
Cannons were iron, sure, but laced with gunpowder scent. To Mak, it must've seemed like its usual meal spiked with weird spices.
Yet it ate the cannon and bolted. Better than starving.
At least just one bite.
Cannons were strategic assets, not for comparing to swords or spears. Even soldiers who couldn't touch Mak panicked when it took "one bite" and shielded them with their bodies. The commandant reportedly flew into a rage over the sudden loss, vowing to kill the beast.
And Pojeongsa was the one who barely calmed him.
He must've figured killing Mak wouldn't restore the damaged cannon and dismissed the rampage as a one-off. Given the public sympathy for Mak at the time, it was a reasonable call.
The problem? Mak's antics turned from surprise event to daily occurrence.
Hence Pojeongsa's pallor.
At least the commandant, having tasted bitterness once, hid the rest of the cannons—no further losses. Small mercies.
...Is it, though?
Best to call it fortunate. Easier on the mind.
"As the Left Vice Inspector General has likely heard, Gongdongpa warriors are stationed across Nanjou. Grateful souls devoting themselves to our peace and safety."
"Ah, yes. I saw them on the way."
"Just in case: don't offer them alms. They accept, but it wounds their pride—their faces darken."
"Noted."
Pojeongsa's words nearly made my lips twitch. They take it anyway?
"Our best aid to Gongdongpa is wrapping this up swiftly. That's why I have a request for you—"
"Prefect, if I may—could I share my thoughts first?"
"Hm?"
I cut in before he could finish. Not out of laziness. I had a way to stop Mak's rampage in Nanjou and catch it fast.
"Speak. As an outsider Left Vice Inspector General, you might have fresh ideas."
Luckily, he seemed pleased rather than annoyed. Desperate to catch Mak, he'd accept any plan from anyone.
"I travel with spirit beasts. They're sensitive to their kin's aura—why not let us track Mak?"
Pojeongsa stroked his chin, then nodded. "This needs the commandant's input. Wait a moment."
Lightning-quick decision to summon the military head. Sharp as ever.
The three-way meeting—with me, Pojeongsa, and the commandant—wrapped up swiftly.
"If we spot it outside Nanjou first, nothing better! Whatever you need, we'll support fully—just find it!"
"I'll do my utmost."
The commandant, eyes wild at using spirit beasts to hunt one, pledged unconditional aid.
Best to capture Mak before it breached Nanjou again. Obvious to men like them.
But Mak, fattened up, had regained strength and speed. Chase it, and it'd vanish; manpower shortages hindered searches. If forces thinned for hunting and Mak charged in? Disaster.
Thus, his joy at guaranteed detection with minimal men. Like handing him a map hack—who'd say no?
"Your role's crucial."
- Kki-ing!
- Kki-ong!
Sensing their heavy duty, Kki-ing-i and Kki-ong-i nodded with determined faces.
Even Samshik, tucked in my sleeve, got it instantly. Reacting to a young one's aura meant they'd never miss Mak's.
Spirit beasts to subdue spirit beasts.
Humans touching them felt taboo; beast-on-beast was fine. Kki-ing-i goring with horns, Kki-ong-i kicking—Mak wouldn't know what hit it.
Perfect plan.
Mak approached humans only from starvation. Kki-ing-i and Kki-ong-i went wild realizing their taboo nature.
Who was braver, tougher? Obvious.
In a fight, they'd win.
You got this.
I gazed warmly at them stomping the ground, steeling their resolve. Reliable foes turned steadfast allies. Taming them in Hengshan was one of my life's rare strokes of luck.
...
What about this one?
I gently stroked Samshik dozing in my sleeve.
Kki-ing-i and Kki-ong-i would find Mak, no doubt.
But capture meant clash. If Samshik fell out mid-fight?
A three-headed snake before a beast that ate snakes as staples?
Disaster.
Not just any snake—a spirit snake. Mak might lunge for it.
Flip side: Mak might sense Samshik and approach first. Faster than us hunting.
Dilemma.
Safe, it'd make great bait—free Nanjou and Gongdongpa sooner.
But risk to Samshik? No. Bond aside, losing Nang-jung Wang's gift to someone's supper? I'd have no face left.
"If you were bigger, no worries."
- Shiiik?
One head peeked out, sensing the talk.
"Nah. Sleep more."
- Shiiik...
It withdrew, losing interest.
Sleeps when sleepy, wakes when ready. Clings tight, ignores food unless tasty.
Still a baby.
A chuckle escaped. Acts childish for its size, scared like a kid.
Yeah. Leave it safe during the hunt. No need to gamble on this young one.
Hand it to Pojeongsa.
Mention Nang-jung Wang's gift, and he'd guard it zealously. Jar suffices.
The commandant's promise of full support held—no exaggeration.
Though not quite what I expected.
"Honored to meet the Left Vice Inspector General."
Captain and soldiers, by commandant's order.
Troops for Mak's capture? Expected.
But... "...What's that?"
"The cannon Mak bit."
Even the bitten cannon? Unforeseen.
"Your spirit beasts can find it, but bait would help lure it. Useless now anyway—no burden."
I stared blankly. Imagined mangled iron; instead, neat tooth marks like a bitten apple.
Neat eater.
Explains the commandant's rage. Priceless cannon turned joke—blood pressure spike inevitable.
I eyed the captain again—specifically, the beggar-like figure beside him.
"Gongdongpa first-generation disciple, Baek Joo-il."
Ah.
His polite fist-salute made me awkward. Not Beggar Clan—Gongdongpa. Sorry.
Heard it, but they look the part.
"Left Vice Inspector General Han Un. My thanks for Gongdongpa's aid and devotion."
Guilt made me pat Baek Joo-il's shoulder. Truly grateful for their help.