Chapter 148
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 148
Chapter Title: The Golden Imperial Token
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"Will you become sworn brothers with me?"
"......!"
"It's our first time meeting face-to-face, but the more we talk, the more it feels like reuniting with an old friend. Don't you feel the same, Little Palace Lord?"
"I do, but......"
"I know my proposal is too sudden. However, if I let you leave now, who knows when we might meet again?"
"......"
"You seem troubled."
"Honestly, yes. I just met you today for the first time......"
"Hahaha, I've been too hasty. My apologies. Take your time to think it over. But in exchange..."
Seol Hwa-un fiddled with the imperial token in his hand.
'This is awkward. I haven't even given my answer yet, and now I have to use it.'
"Take this. And when we meet next, return it to me along with your answer."
"This is......!"
"Use it when you need to. I trust the character you've shown me so far. You won't misuse it."
Yu Gongseon glanced at the imperial token and said,
"I'm truly astonished, Fortress Lord."
Bing Cho-pung looked equally shocked.
"I was a bit uneasy when you said you'd handle it...... I never imagined you'd have an imperial token......"
Unable to contain his curiosity, Yu Gongseon asked,
"Fortress Lord, where on earth did you get that?"
Seol Hwa-un smiled faintly.
"Sorry, it's a secret. But rest assured, it's fully legitimate and usable."
Joo So-cheon hadn't minded, but the Dragon Fury Army guards had begged him to keep the source confidential, so he had promised.
Truth be told, Seol Hwa-un himself preferred not to use the token at this stage, when their relationship wasn't fully defined.
However, judging by Wei Xingbo's attitude, he wasn't the type to listen to reason easily.
Resorting to force was out of the question. Even the greatest martial artist had to tread carefully around officialdom. Provoking them could stir the imperial palace, which would be a headache.
Thus, he had no choice but to use the imperial token.
The North Wind Brigade Leader, somewhat unfamiliar with bureaucratic systems, asked with a puzzled look,
"I figured it was no ordinary item when the Provincial Commander prostrated himself in terror, but is this 'imperial envoy' really that powerful?"
Bing Cho-pung smiled faintly as he replied,
"To a local official like the Provincial Commander, it's no different from the grim reaper. It can strip them of office, and depending on the offense, even wield the power of life and death."
"Huh!"
The aides eyed Seol Hwa-un with newfound respect.
'Where did he get it from?'
'A golden imperial token can only be issued by imperial personnel.'
Their curiosity grew.
Seol Hwa-un said,
"Anyway, as you predicted, Staff Officer, the Provincial Commander moved first."
Yu Gongseon nodded.
"He's the greediest of Shanxi Province's Three Supervisors."
They had already investigated all the local officials upon deciding to enter Shanxi.
"They'll all come tomorrow. Any thoughts on how to handle it?"
"Well......"
* * *
The next day.
Wei Xingbo paced restlessly near the North Heaven Fortress at an inn.
"......"
Anxiety was plain on his face.
'Hurry up, you bastards.'
He had sent an express pigeon message right after leaving the North Heaven Fortress.
Then he ordered Zhen Tianhu to send the aides back and checked into the inn with three armed escorts.
'Ugh, calling them in a single day.'
Even leaving the yamen immediately upon receiving the message would take a full day.
'Still, I warned them sternly, so they'll hurry.'
He tore at his hair.
'Damn it all! Of all things, an imperial envoy token? How could this happen......'
It was a golden token, no less. Directly bestowed by imperial kin—and influential ones at that.
'What connection does an Outer Realm man have with the imperial family?'
There was no doubt the token was genuine. Moreover, a golden one allowed for immediate execution based on the crime's severity.
Even slightly offending Seol Hwa-un could cost him his position—or his life.
'What do I do?'
Just then,
Two officials in dust-covered robes burst in panting.
"Oh! You're finally here!"
"Haa, haa, haa."
"Huk, huk, huk!"
They were the Inspector and the Fiscal Commissioner.
"We galloped through the night after your pigeon message. What in the world happened?"
"I wrote it all in the message, so no questions. Hurry and change into your official robes. Got spares?"
"We brought extras since you mentioned an imperial envoy......"
"No time! We must enter the North Heaven Fortress immediately!"
"Ah, got it!"
A short while later.
The three were escorted by warriors to a training ground in one corner of the North Heaven Fortress.
There stood Seol Hwa-un, hands clasped behind his back, waiting.
Wei Xingbo raised his voice first.
"Provincial Commander of Shanxi, Wei, pays respects to the Imperial Envoy!"
As he bowed toward Seol Hwa-un, the Inspector and Fiscal Commissioner hastily followed suit.
"I-imperial Envoy."
Seol Hwa-un's gaze turned to them.
"Raise your heads."
"Yes, Imperial Envoy."
The three lifted their heads.
"......!"
Meeting Seol Hwa-un's eyes, they quickly bowed again.
Seol Hwa-un's gaze grew icy.
"All of you, kneel."
"......Pardon?"
"Now!"
"Yes, yes!"
The three dropped to their knees in haste.
"Fiscal Commissioner Gwan Ja-seung!"
"Yes, yes."
"You've fattened your belly nicely while handling finances."
The Fiscal Commissioner, face drained of color, shook his head.
"No, that's a mistake......"
Seol Hwa-un ignored him.
"Inspector Wang Jeong."
"Yes!"
"You're in charge of justice, yet you've released plenty after taking bribes."
"......!"
"Finally, Provincial Commander Wei. Gross negligence of duty, and a staggering record of bribe-taking."
"N-no!"
Seol Hwa-un pulled a bundle of documents from his bosom and thrust them before their eyes.
"I've secured all the evidence. You dare deny it?"
"......!"
Their pupils shook as they scanned the documents.
'When did they investigate this thoroughly......!'
'W-we're done for!'
The Inspector, gauging the mood, slammed his forehead to the ground.
Thud!
"Forgive me! I admit all guilt—spare my life!"
The others followed.
Thud! Thud!
"Spare us, Imperial Envoy."
"Please......"
Seol Hwa-un said,
"Your crimes warrant immediate dismissal, yet......"
His eyes narrowed.
"I'll give you one chance."
"......!"
"Raise your heads and look ahead."
Too flustered to notice before, the training ground was piled high with enormous wealth.
"Th-that is......?"
"As the Provincial Commander said, it's the bandits' loot from our subjugation."
"Ah."
"Take it all."
"Pardon?"
"Distribute it properly to the commoners harmed by the bandits. Any hint of corruption, and I won't let it slide."
"......!"
"This is my first order. Understand?"
"Yes! Imperial Envoy."
"Second, take those documents before you—the evidence of your corruption—and return every ill-gotten gain. Compensate the wronged fully."
"......!!"
"And return all your embezzled wealth. Clear?"
"Yes!"
"Finally. If you corrupt again......"
Ssssh!
A terrifying killing intent poured from Seol Hwa-un's body. The three paled, bodies trembling involuntarily.
'Huh!'
"I am an imperial envoy, but also a martial artist."
Seol Hwa-un's eyes gleamed coldly.
"You understand?"
"We'll engrave it in our hearts—twice over!"
"Stay vigilant through your entire term. I'm always watching from the North Heaven Fortress."
"......!"
And so the Three Supervisors departed ashen-faced.
The next day, yamen officials came to pay respects to Seol Hwa-un and carted off the wealth.
Seol Hwa-un watched the process silently.
Yu Gongseon beside him asked,
"Don't you find it a pity?"
Seol Hwa-un shook his head.
"Not at all. It wasn't ours to begin with. Gaining fame from the bandit subjugation is reward enough."
"......"
"I could distribute it myself, but the yamen will be more precise and thorough. I warned them sternly—they'll handle it properly."
"One more thing I'm curious about."
"Speak."
Yu Gongseon's eyes sparkled.
"Why spare the Three Supervisors? As imperial envoy, you could have disciplined them fully."
Seol Hwa-un smiled faintly.
"I could have, yes."
"......"
"Did you review their records in detail?"
"Ah, somewhat......"
"I read every last one from the start. They performed well early in their terms."
The Fiscal Commissioner had managed finances meticulously, releasing relief grain during famines. The Inspector had earned fame for fair trials.
The Provincial Commander had handled military affairs and training adeptly, repelling sporadic northern barbarian raids.
"They've held their posts for over a decade now. Gradually, they lost their initial zeal."
"I see."
"The Provincial Commander's case was severe, but I couldn't bring myself to dismiss him. It would report to the palace."
Of course, he believed his actions were right. But dismissing or punishing them would lead to reports, exposing the token from Joo So-cheon.
He didn't want to burden him unnecessarily.
"The Three Supervisors will be under constant watch—by the Murim Alliance and my intelligence network. That's plenty."
"Indeed."
"They're not incompetent, so reforming them to maximize their original abilities benefits Shanxi more than purging them."
Yu Gongseon nodded.
"A wise judgment. But won't they wonder about the token's origin? If rumors spread......"
Seol Hwa-un shook his head.
"My visit as envoy is classified. Besides, blabbing risks exposing their own corruption—they'll keep quiet without warnings."
"I see."
"More importantly, the Three Supervisors will soon start investigations and distributions. ......My name can't be absent from this."
"Of course. I'll make arrangements."
This affair would only heighten the North Heaven Fortress's prestige.
* * *
A waterfall in a valley.
Roooaaar!
Beneath the massive cascade sat a man in tattered training robes. The water's pressure was immense, yet he remained utterly composed.
Then, in an instant. His eyes snapped open, and he swung his hand upward.
A rusted longsword was now in his grip.
Flaaash!
......
The roaring water cut off abruptly. The falling torrent halted for a moment.
"......"
The silence was brief. Soon, the waterfall resumed its mighty roar as if nothing had happened.
Roooaaar!
But a faint smile played on the man's lips.
'Finally completed.'
Ten years.
The time it took to master the final essence of the Ascending Sect Five Rings Sword.
'Father, your son has done it.'
He slowly walked out from under the falls.
Whoooosh!
Channeling his inner energy, the water on his body evaporated in an instant.
"Wait for me, Blood Light Sword Lord."
Intense killing intent surged from his eyes.
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