Chapter 149. I'm Not the Type to Leave Traces
Mu Gi-an, who had been watching from the side, was stunned and stammered, "Uh, uh." His face had gone pale, and cold sweat beaded on his forehead.
The inspector general glanced at Mu Gi-an.
"What's wrong with you? Are you ill?"
"I... I was involved too, but..."
"And who might you be?"
"I'm the chief investigator for the Samya County constabulary. Ju Neung was one of my investigators."
The inspector general eyed Mu Gi-an up and down before speaking in a chilly tone.
"And?"
"One of my subordinates getting promoted above me..."
"That sort of thing happens in hierarchies all the time. He's your superior now, so serve him well."
The inspector general cut off Mu Gi-an's words like a knife. At the ice-cold dismissal that deemed it worthless, Mu Gi-an's face grew even paler.
He lived in the outer city and commuted to Samya County, riding hard for an hour each way morning and night. He'd pulled every string possible just to get into the outer city.
And now this fresh recruit—not even in the outer city constabulary, but assigned to the inner city—was not only higher in rank than him, but even above his own boss, O Chong. O Chong was a lowly Jeong 9th rank, and Mu Gi-an was a Jong 9th rank. Rock bottom, both of them. In truth, Won Seung had been a hired hand from Hyeon-a, listed on the rolls but without even an official rank... and now, overnight, he'd become a Jong 7th rank constabulary investigator. Considering the county magistrate was Jeong 7th rank, it was an outrageous promotion.
This can't be... how the hell did this happen?
Mu Gi-an stood there dumbfounded, mouth agape, when the inspector general said,
"A fly's about to fly into that mouth of yours. Close it and get out."
Mu Gi-an slumped his shoulders and trudged toward the outer city, his steps heavy.
The inspector general turned to Won Seung with a smile.
"I'm Go Seung-ryeok, inspector general of the constabulary. I oversee the investigators. I'd prefer you don't disappoint me."
"Lord Go, I'm a serious man."
Won Seung modestly lowered his eyes, bowed politely with perfect etiquette, and bent at the waist.
The inspector general looked pleased at the sight.
Won Seung's impeccable manners were enough to shock Mu Gi-an. It was all thanks to the constabulary minister exercising his full discretion in this unprecedented appointment—with the inspector general's strong recommendation. The inspector general coveted Won Seung's martial prowess and cunning.
When he'd gone to fetch Won Seung, he'd witnessed the Ministry of War's clerks and warriors getting thrashed by him. He'd immediately recognized Won Seung as a rare master. And when Won Seung had boldly declared he'd act like a proper man following him, it earned his favor.
The incompetent lament that they're suppressed from above and stabbed from below, but the capable are pulled forward from ahead and pushed from behind. Just as the constabulary minister had pulled him up and he'd pushed the minister in return, the inspector general wanted Won Seung under him. But bringing him straight into the inspectorate would draw too much attention, so he'd start as an investigator and observe before pulling him in.
Won Seung, whether he knew he'd entered the constabulary minister's faction or not, simply beamed with pride.
Leaving the city for Samya County, he even bought a horse. Commuting from Samya to the inner city required reliable transport.
With Im Cho-ye riding horseback, he walked along, whistling a cheerful tune.
Looks like my great fortune's finally here.
At the same time, he worried what massive disaster might follow. Gazing at the beautiful girl munching danggo on the horse, Won Seung sighed.
If calamity's coming for me... it'll be the Bi Sword Sect.
After seeing Gi Seung-gyo and Jin Eok-so return battered, Won Seung had pondered deeply and concluded it was best to play dumb with the Bi Sword Sect.
If they were both hit in the same spots, it means one opponent. If those two ganged up and still lost, the foe's an Absolute Expert. The only Absolute Expert in Hwangdo is the Great Sword of Great Unity. Gi Seung-gyo mentioned him once. Fights usually happen between people who know each other.
Won Seung was convinced the one who'd crippled the Bi Sword Sect disciples was the Great Sword of Great Unity.
He had no desire to tangle with someone who could mobilize the Embroidered Uniform Guard.
I've got enough on my plate without worrying about the Bi Sword Sect too.
Gu Yeom-jung reported the urgent dispatch from the Sangyang County envoy that morning, briefing his superior Jang Hak-ryang.
Jang Hak-ryang listened with a blank expression before saying,
"Got it. You're dismissed."
His tone implied, You're still watching that guy?
Gu Yeom-jung was inwardly exasperated but could only bow politely and leave.
However, Jang Hak-ryang hadn't lost interest in Won Seung. He'd already learned through other channels about the clash between the constabulary and the Ministry of War.
Jang Hak-ryang went to his own superior, Jeok In-ui, to report on Won Seung's movements.
"Hmm. So the punk became a constabulary investigator?"
"Seems the constabulary minister wants him under him. The guy's a higher master than we thought."
"Impressive for a lay disciple of the Gongdong Sect. Not even twenty yet, and he beat Ministry of War warriors black and blue."
Jang Hak-ryang frowned slightly.
"He's a weird one. He turned down Sung Jip-gyo's offer to join the Embroidered Uniform Guard but snapped up the constabulary investigator post."
"......"
After a moment's thought, Jeok In-ui said,
"Pull back the underlings. Surveillance on him will be just you and me. Promote that Mu Gi-an punk and keep him glued to the target."
"Understood."
As Jang Hak-ryang left, Jeok In-ui sank into thought.
Just what is that guy's deal... that even the Great Sword of Great Unity is interested?
Back home, Won Seung checked on Gi Seung-gyo and Jin Eok-so. Both were still unconscious. Taking their pulses, he found their internal injuries recovering slower than expected—odd, given their cultivation levels.
Won Seung tilted his head, pondering, then went to the medicine room to compound some drugs.
A while later, he returned with several packets of powder and fed them to Gi Seung-gyo and Jin Eok-so.
Handing the rest to Im Cho-ye, he said,
"Give it to them three times a day. I cooked dinner, so handle it yourself."
"Where you going?"
Im Cho-ye looked anxious. Won Seung sighed and patted her head.
"Your enemy is Yeongchwi Peak of the Ten-Three Peaks in the Four Great Sword Sects' Myeonggeom Mountain. To face them, you need to get stronger. Steel yourself."
It wasn't fair to say to a thirteen-year-old who'd lost her family and friends, hiding underground for half a year... but spoiling her would make her weak.
Im Cho-ye's eyes narrowed.
"I know. I've been training hard."
"You have the Boheoldan I gave you? Take one every three days, no exceptions."
The Bi Sword Sect required monstrous inner energy, built by guzzling pills and poisons alike. Won Seung figured it was payback for snagging the Bi Sword Sect's Horizontal Heaven Sword Manual, and he'd help boost her power.
Should snag a Cheonghyeol Bogyunghwan soon too.
Then he recalled that Gong I-gwan of the Sangyang Gong family hall was meeting his fellow disciples. Gong I-gwan must have revealed Won Seung as Dokgoe's disciple and Cheondaemun's leader. Whether his brothers would accept it was questionable.
Cheondaemun had been scattered too long; faction loyalty might be thin.
Plus, you never know with people's hearts.
There might even be someone gunning for his life and the sect leadership.
He'd decide on meeting Cheondaemun's heirs after gauging Gong I-gwan's attitude post-meeting.
Won Seung left the house and leaped into motion. Dusk had fallen, perfect for unleashing his lightness skill.
Soon, he reached a low hill where the Yeonggang River met the canal. Atop it stood a large two-story pavilion.
Mangwolru.
Won Seung entered the pavilion, slipping under the central pillar of the five southern ones. He lit a fire starter and examined the back of the foundation stone.
"Gasp!"
Won Seung was momentarily flustered.
So many people want secret meetings?
The stone's rear was crammed with countless coded messages, a dizzying array of styles. Some even noted who met whom, or who fancied whom.
How to find the Sam-sam-maeng code amid this mess?
Won Seung scanned for a long time before sighing.
No one had come yet.
Well, the plum blossoms just started blooming.
After a moment's thought, he pulled out his inkstick, ground it with a brush, and painted the center of the stone. Once dry, he infused inner energy through the brush tip, carving the Sam-sam-maeng code into the stone.
They can't miss this.
As Won Seung crawled out from under the pavilion, he spotted legs in front of him.
"?"
He gripped his short sword. Too early in spring for moon-gazers at night? He rolled sideways and burst out.
Aiming his sword, the man standing there recognized him first.
"No. 50, what're you doing there?"
Jang Chil was picking his nose, staring at him.
"No. 7, good to see you!"
It was Jang Chil, who'd ridden the cart with him at age six.
Won Seung hugged him and said,
"You finally made it?"
"Nah."
"?"
"Got here half a month ago."
Won Seung shoved him back, eyes wide in shock.
"Then why didn't you leave a code?"
"Too much hassle."
Jang Chil had been eating and sleeping in the pavilion. This guy... Won Seung was mildly surprised. He'd scanned for presences upon arriving and missed him entirely.
Jang Chil held up a bamboo lunchbox.
"Just got dinner. Let's drink under the moon."
Ah, he'd gone for booze.
The two climbed to the second floor. Opening the box revealed liquor and braised tofu.
"How've you been?"
"Went home. You were right—guys were watching."
Won Seung had told Jang Chil his identity but warned against going, lest Jeokhyeolsan goons be guarding... but he'd gone anyway. Well, couldn't be helped.
"You didn't... kill any, right?"
"You think I'm an idiot? I'm not the type to leave traces."
Jang Chil said flatly and downed his drink.
Massacring thirty-seven men is a trace, buddy.
Won Seung recalled Jang Chil's atrocity from the tabloid.
That murderer was drinking beside him.
Won Seung tilted the bottle, pouring for the killer, and said,
"Looks like you're the first. I wrote: meet here on the hour of the rat, March 3rd—Samjin Day. Still half a month away, so no need to stick around. Go crash somewhere comfy."
"Nah, this place is fine."
Jang Chil replied, gazing at the moon as he drank.
Poor guy. Isolated from the world so long, he preferred solitude now.
"Plus, it's free."
Or was it the money? Broke?
Suddenly sympathetic, Won Seung pulled a pouch of silver from his bosom and handed it over.
"Sleeping in the cold'll get you sick. Stay at a proper inn."
"Sure."
Jang Chil pocketed it, stood, and said,
"Let's go."
"Huh? Where to at this hour?"
"Drinking in the cold'll get you sick."
The two descended the hill. Patrols could be trouble at night. Leaping with lightness skill, they reached a lit inn, where Won Seung said,
"It's late—head in and crash. See you on Samjin Day."
Jang Chil waved him off.
"See ya."
Cold bastard. Not even a polite "one more round." But... with all that cash, why sleep in the pavilion?
They'd both stuffed their pockets before parting.