Chapter 160
Chapter 160
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 160
Chapter Title: Dragon's Stomach Cave
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After successfully stopping Bukgung Baek from burning them all to death in hellfire, I silently confronted the members of the White Dragon Hall.
“……”
As I watched them, I could sense their growing impatience.
Their young lord was captured, and they couldn't even check if their comrades were alive or dead.
Yet, if they rushed in to fight, they'd have to face Bukgung Baek, the demon king of flames.
However, this was the Murim, a world where anything could happen at any time.
Knowing I couldn't let my guard down, I tightened my grip on my sword and aimed it at Baek Mu-ha.
It was a precaution against any unforeseen circumstances.
Well.
*Stab. Shhkt.*
Though I did occasionally make the 'mistake' of lightly poking Baek Mu-ha with the tip of my blade.
“What do you think you're doing?!”
“Whoops! You startled me. I almost poked a hole in your young lord's neck. Can't you be more careful?”
“Kugh…”
This is fun. Hehehe.
“What's the plan?”
Bukgung Baek asked, his eyes betraying his boredom.
“We wait.”
“Until when?”
“Until the Fortress Lord's Hall sends someone.”
“…How frustrating. Why not just…”
“No way. It won't just be the end of the White Dragon Hall; you and I could be finished too.”
“I've thought this for a while, but your cowardice is your greatest flaw.”
“You're the one who knows no fear, Master. Most people live like this.”
Bukgung Baek shook his head and sighed.
“I have no choice.”
“No choice about what…”
He reached his hand toward the moon.
*Fwoosh.*
Unlike before, crimson flames shot out, brightly embroidering the night sky.
It was a display of power reminiscent of Master Roshi shooting an energy wave at the moon in the World Martial Arts Tournament.
The strange thing was…
“…It's not black?”
The color of the Black Flame Dragon was different.
“Ah, I didn't mention it. I can change its color.”
Bukgung Baek said with a hint of pride.
“The Black Flame Dragon consumes more internal energy than a regular Flame Dragon, but its intimidating presence is second to none.”
“Why on earth would you…”
Why would you use more energy just for that?
The question rose to my throat, but I managed to swallow it down.
It would be far easier to understand calculus than to understand Bukgung Baek.
In any case, Bukgung Baek's actions quickly achieved my goal.
*Rumble.*
In less than half an hour, the Dark Poison Corps, guardians of the Fortress Lord's Hall, stormed the area.
Seeing the dozens of people lying on the ground, the warriors of the Dark Poison Corps stared at us with chilling eyes.
Behind them, the Grand Chancellor emerged and strode toward us.
“It's been a while, Outer Hall Master.”
“Indeed.”
“I believe an explanation is in order. Would you care to provide one?”
“Ask the one who caused this, not me.”
Bukgung Baek turned his gaze toward me.
It was a conversation that made me want to shake my head.
‘Seriously, would it kill him to say something nice?’
There were so many options.
My disciple was performing a heroic deed when he was unintentionally drawn into a fight.
Or, in the process of carrying out a mission for the Outer Hall, he fought for his life against a wicked group.
Bukgung Baek’s empathy was just too lacking.
“It has only been ten days since your disciplinary confinement was lifted, and you're already causing this kind of trouble.”
The Grand Chancellor's tone, now completely informal and condescending, stabbed into my heart like a dagger.
“No, that's not what happened…”
“I don't want to hear it!”
Damn it, he won't even let me answer…
The Grand Chancellor looked around at the crowd and spoke.
“I will personally investigate what happened here today. Dark Poison Corps, restrain them all!”
And so, the first trial began.
* * *
A short while later.
Ju Gyeong-ryun, Baek Mu-ha, and I sat side by side in front of the half-burnt pavilion.
Ju Gyeong-ryun, with one arm torn off.
Baek Mu-ha, his nose broken and bleeding continuously.
And me, with holes the size of large coins in my thigh and arm.
It was a shocking sight in many ways, but the Grand Chancellor merely watched us, not saying a word.
*Shiver.*
Ju Gyeong-ryun trembled, likely terrified that things had escalated so much.
“Stop shaking your hand, you bastard. Before I rip your other arm off too.”
“Eek!”
It might have seemed like a threat, but it was my own way of signaling for things to get started.
As if he understood, the Grand Chancellor raised his hand to draw everyone's attention.
“Squad Leader Jin, you explain first. Leave nothing out.”
“Hehe, of course.”
I had already moistened my lips in preparation.
“First, it all started with the Hanzhong Merchant Guild's supply corruption.”
Today, feeling less like a martial artist and more like a prosecutor before a judge, I began my seamless explanation.
“Well, would you believe they were marking up their goods by ten times the market price? A merchant guild that lives off military contracts, harming the Nine Dragons Fortress. A man like this deserves to rot in the underground dungeon for the rest of his life. Yes. That's right.”
From the guild's supply corruption…
“So, I infiltrated the place, and wouldn't you know it, they were working their people to the bone. The only food they were given was flour cakes. Just talking about it makes me angry. On second thought, not the underground dungeon. He should be sent to the mines run by the Gray Dragon Hall to swing a pickaxe for the rest of his life…”
…to the poor working conditions.
“…and in the basement of that pavilion over there, I confirmed that this man was engaged in human trafficking. And with girls who couldn't have been more than ten years old.”
I laid it all bare, right down to the human trafficking.
“What?! He was buying and selling young girls?”
The Grand Chancellor's face, which had remained impassive through the talk of supply corruption and poor working conditions, twisted into a demonic mask.
It was to be expected.
For the Grand Chancellor, whose values were practically a shrine to Confucius, this was an unimaginably heinous crime.
*Drip, drip.*
At the Grand Chancellor's roar, Ju Gyeong-ryun started to piss himself.
You have to strike while the iron is hot.
I immediately continued my testimony, linking Ju Gyeong-ryun to the White Dragon Hall.
“…So, I tried to capture this Ju fellow to rescue the girls who had already been sold, but the White Dragon Hall interfered.”
“What do you mean? The White Dragon Hall?”
“In my humble opinion, I believe the White Dragon Hall was also involved in this human trafficking ring. Otherwise, what reason would they have to get involved? They even sent their young lord, the White Dragon Sword. Thanks to them, I nearly died. Here, do you see this? Wow, the blood was flowing like a waterfall. Isn't this man the real villain, inflicting serious injuries on an ally just to protect a criminal?”
A look of horror spread across the Grand Chancellor's face.
Of course, it wouldn't end like this. A group as powerful as the White Dragon Hall could easily dismiss circumstantial evidence.
Sure enough, Baek Mu-ha raised his hand.
“I object.”
“Speak.”
With the verdict still undecided, Baek Mu-ha the lawyer raised an objection to the judge, the Grand Chancellor.
“First, after hearing Squad Leader Jin's explanation, I understand that this was a situation ripe for misunderstanding. I would like to take this opportunity to apologize to Squad Leader Jin.”
He bowed his head toward me.
“What the…”
This son of a bitch.
Just moments ago, we were trying to kill each other, and now he's hitting me with a preemptive apology?
I was so caught off guard I couldn't close my mouth.
“However, we had to protect Guild Master Ju… no, this Ju fellow.”
“And why is that?”
“He is my relative. That is why I rushed here as soon as I heard there was a fire at the Hanzhong Merchant Guild, and I happened to run into Squad Leader Jin, who was about to kill him. Not knowing the full story, I had no choice but to intervene. As you know, relatives are precious.”
“I understand.”
I quickly raised my hand to offer a rebuttal.
“I never tried to kill him. I was only demanding that he hand over the ledger detailing the human trafficking. And as for being a relative, he's something like a fourteenth cousin, which is worse than a neighbor.”
“Ninth cousin.”
“See? A ninth cousin is…”
“A close relative, then.”
No, a ninth cousin is basically a stranger.
“Knowing Squad Leader Jin's usual temperament, I considered the situation to be sufficiently threatening. As you can see, Squad Leader Jin showed extreme aggression by tearing off Mr. Ju's arm. Even if one feels threatened, I believe this is a level of violence that an ordinary person would never display.”
Wow, this is insane.
“I understand.”
This is even more insane.
“Thus, we fought, and as you can see, the result was my defeat.”
“……”
Though he was no longer part of it, Baek Mu-ha was a man of immense pride, having once led the Heavenly Dragon Society, the alumni association of the Heaven-Ascending Pavilion.
For him to declare his complete defeat in front of his subordinates…
I unconsciously raised my hand and placed it on Baek Mu-ha's forehead.
“Did you get a concussion?”
“What are you doing?”
“Just… checking to see if you've lost your mind.”
“Get your hand off me. I may have been defeated today, but I am a proud warrior of the White Dragon Hall.”
“Proud, my ass.”
The Grand Chancellor raised his hand to restore order.
“I have reached a verdict.”
The warriors of the Dark Poison Corps swarmed forward.
It seemed they were preparing to carry out the Grand Chancellor's command.
The aura of more than twenty peak masters focused on me, Baek Mu-ha, and Ju Gyeong-ryun.
In particular, the warrior whose collar I had grabbed a while back was even emitting killing intent toward me.
“Gurgle.”
Unable to withstand the pressure, Ju Gyeong-ryun fainted. At that moment, the Grand Chancellor, today's judge, delivered his verdict.
“The White Dragon Sword and all members of the White Dragon Hall are to leave this place at once. You are forbidden from approaching here again, and no responsibility will be sought for those injured or killed in today's fight. Do you accept?”
Of course, not even the Grand Chancellor could unilaterally pass judgment on the White Dragon Hall, a major stakeholder in the Nine Dragons Fortress.
He could only suggest it.
Thus, the Grand Chancellor sought Baek Mu-ha's consent.
“I accept.”
Seeing that, I felt my insides twist.
“But they're the masterminds…”
*Shing.*
“Do not interrupt the Grand Chancellor. Continue, and I will be forced to silence you.”
I tried to protest, but I was restrained by the Dark Poison Corps.
The name of the Dark Poison Corps was added to my mental kill list that very instant.
The Grand Chancellor looked down at the unconscious Ju Gyeong-ryun, then met my eyes.
“The Fortress Lord's Hall will conduct a thorough investigation into the Hanzhong Merchant Guild's crimes, and all involved will be severely punished. Furthermore, the financial damages suffered by the fortress will be covered by confiscating the guild's assets.”
“What about the girls who were already sold…”
“They are citizens of the Nine Dragons Fortress, so they must be found. We will do our utmost, so do not worry.”
*Nod.*
If the fortress was stepping in, I could rest easy. It would be far more effective than me scrambling around on my own.
However, the connection to the White Dragon Hall had yet to be revealed.
I sent a telepathic message to the Grand Chancellor.
*[When you interrogate Ju Gyeong-ryun, please focus on his connection to the White Dragon Hall. It's highly likely he has something on him.]*
*[I have already relayed the information. This place, the Hanzhong Merchant Guild, will also be searched from top to bottom.]*
Seeing the Grand Chancellor, who missed nothing, I couldn't help but think, ‘As expected.’
‘The future of the Nine Dragons Fortress is bright indeed!’
As I nodded with a sense of pride, the Grand Chancellor's warm voice reached my ears.
“You've risked your life to uncover such a grave crime, a contribution that cannot be called small. Furthermore, your desire to save the people is truly an example for all in the Nine Dragons Fortress.”
“I was only doing what I had to…”
“However!”
*Snap.*
He folded his fan, revealing a demonic expression.
“The crime of committing arson in the outer fortress where countless citizens live, and the crime of causing numerous casualties during your investigation, cannot be overlooked.”
“Suddenly?”
“Therefore, I sentence the criminal, Jin Mujeon, to one month of meditation in the Dragon's Stomach Cave!”
“What! What do you mean!”
“What are you all doing?! Take him away at once!”
“I'm telling you, I'm innocent! Hey, let go of me!”
“If you continue to resist, I will have no choice but to strike your vital points!”
“Master, Master!”
*Thump.*
I lost consciousness as I looked at Bukgung Baek, who offered no help.
Just you wait until you get old.
Forget alcohol, I'll feed you nothing but barley rice and soy sauce for the rest of your life.