Can Investigator Joo Catch the Real Culprit?
Jin Eok-so and Gi Seung-gyo were meditating in the room, circulating their energy. Internal injuries left worse aftereffects than external ones. Moreover, the Bi Sword Sect's martial arts relied on profound inner energy, so they had to put even more effort into their meditation compared to other sects.
"Choye came too. I've got something for you."
As Won Seung entered, the two opened their eyes.
"Take this, and your internal injuries will heal right up."
Won Seung placed Blue Blood Rejuvenation Pills in front of the three.
Jin Eok-so and Gi Seung-gyo just stared at the pills in silence.
"Heal your injuries properly and meditate well, and you'll gain ten years of cultivation. Choye, you've got twenty years already, so adding ten more puts you at first-rate inner energy level."
Jin Eok-so asked Won Seung,
"Why are you giving this to us?"
To him, it felt like excessive kindness.
"You need to recover fast to fight Dae Yeon Ui Geom."
...And it's also payback for the Bi Sword Sect's Heng Cheon Ha Geom Bo.
Won Seung muttered inwardly. Gi Seung-gyo knew Won Seung possessed the Bi Sword Sect's Heng Cheon Ha Geom Bo. It was odd that he hadn't brought it up. Either way, it was good to rack up debts. They'd cut him some slack if issues arose later.
"What's Dae Yeon Ui Geom got to do with you?"
Jin Eok-so asked.
"I've got my own history with it. I'll tell you soon. Too much on my plate right now."
Won Seung left the house again, and Im Cho-ye followed, asking,
"I'll lend you money. Don't go."
She must think he was off job-hunting.
"A man doesn't take a woman's money. He's gotta stand on his own."
Won Seung replied firmly and led his horse out the gate.
After rushing around busily, the sun had already set.
Won Seung rode along, deep in thought.
The Seongwangbu's looking for me to figure out Won Guksa's intentions... And Jeokhyeolsan wants me dead on Hong Il-wan's orders...
Hong Il-wan... I'll deal with you first.
Won Seung spurred his horse toward the outer city. He barely made it inside before the gates closed.
"Isn't that Investigator Joo?"
Gate captain Ma Kyung-un recognized him and approached.
Won Seung bowed politely and said,
"Captain Ma, I quit being an investigator."
"Quit? After just a few days?"
"I was hit with someone's poison bird attack and poisoned. Not much life left, so that's why."
Ma Kyung-un grew furious at Won Seung's words.
"Who the hell used a poison bird on you?"
"Dang Clan poison."
"Dang Clan?"
The gate captain's face darkened gravely. He knew how vicious Dang Clan poisons were.
"Luckily got the antidote, but someone else took the post already, so reinstatement's tough."
"Hah. So that's the story... Good you detoxed. Work's done anyway—let me buy you a drink."
"No thanks. Still recovering..."
Won Seung pulled a silver note from his pouch and handed it over.
"I live outside the city now, so I'll be coming and going often. Not an official anymore, but I'd appreciate your help, Captain Ma."
As Won Seung greased the wheels, Ma Kyung-un refused the money and said,
"Keep your money. Use it for recovery. I'll tell the guards at every gate your name."
"This is my thanks to the guards who've looked out for me."
Won Seung forced the silver note into the reluctant Ma Kyung-un's hand and headed to Hwangmunwon.
He stabled his horse and went to Byeolyudang to call out Hwa Yeo-wol.
"Let's eat dinner."
The two went up to the second floor of a large restaurant. As Won Seung ordered various dishes, he asked the waiter,
"Do you carry liquor from Su Jeong Ju Cheong?"
"Of course. Their Su Baek is famous around the capital. But it's pretty strong."
Su Baek? Guys who cut lives short naming booze after living to a hundred?
"Bring some of that."
Hwa Yeo-wol said,
"It's strong stuff—are you sure? You like sweet liquor."
"Life's bitterness taught me to like the harsh stuff."
"Fair enough."
Hwa Yeo-wol nodded in agreement.
"What's Geom Yak Jong's senior brother like?"
Info on masters was best gathered whenever possible.
"An incredible expert. Early thirties, inner energy impossible to gauge. Must've reached the True Realm."
"True Realm in his thirties?"
Won Seung was inwardly shocked. True Realm meant forming an inner core. Only those with at least a hundred years' worth of cultivation could form one. Won Seung had equivalent power, but twenty years was from Yin-Yang Twin Blood qi—no way he could form a core.
Not that surprising, though.
Thinking it over, diligent training could get him there in ten years. With constant poisons and tonics... No, succeed in replicating Daehwandan, and he could do it right away.
"Why'd he come to the capital?"
"Mo Yong Clan requested mediation, I hear."
"Mo Yong Clan?"
Food arrived just then, interrupting. Once the waiter left, Hwa Yeo-wol lowered her voice.
"Remember what Woojae said last time? Je Gal Clan came investigating a death."
"Ah..."
Nam Po-cheong's Hwang Po-du had said it was between Je Gal and Mo Yong clans.
"Wounds showed Mo Yong Clan techniques, apparently. But they deny it and asked Geom Yak Jong to mediate."
"Geom Yak Jong butts into Jianghu affairs a lot?"
The Four Sword Sects and Three Dao Gates rarely appeared in the Jianghu. Dosanrim was the exception, but even they moved so secretly most didn't know.
"If Geom Yak Jong mediates, Je Gal Clan'll have to yield a step."
"For now... They don't have ironclad proof. With Murim Alliance coming too, they'll investigate over time."
Won Seung suddenly thought of Go Yeong-jeong. He might know something. He'd nearly gotten involved, so curiosity piqued. Pure curiosity, though. Urgent fires on his feet left no time for others' business.
Tail again.
Those two at a nearby table, ears perked our way. They gave off the same vibe as the Soul Oblivion Pill victims.
Won Seung suddenly raised his voice a bit.
"Too bad. If I hadn't quit the Justice Bureau, I could've caught the real culprit."
"You?"
"Yeah. Who doesn't know Investigator Joo from the outer office? Famous for being competent."
He saw the two's ears twitch.
Yeah, think it's Joo Nung and scram.
But someone from behind said,
"Oh ho... Investigator Joo can catch the real culprit?"
Won Seung turned to see Jegal Seung-seon and Jegal Seung-hye standing there, looking their way.
"Huh?"
That was meant to tip off those guys about his identity...
Jegal Seung-seon asked with genuine curiosity.
"Do you have a lead or something?"
"Nah, just reminiscing about my investigator days. Haha."
"Heard you quit after getting hit with Dang Clan poison?"
"Huh... How'd you know?"
This guy knows a ton?
Hwa Yeo-wol across from him jumped in shock.
"Dang Clan poison? For real? What kind?"
"Yeah. Detoxed it. That poison's nothing..."
Then a snort from the side.
What? Everyone looked over. A woman with a cold demeanor stared their way. Ice-beauty looks.
Jegal Seung-seon saw her and cupped his fists.
"The Dang Clan's forbidden treasure, Lady Dang So-so."
"You're Woojae, right? As clever-looking as they say."
Dang So-so just nodded curtly.
Dang So-so looked about twenty. Jegal Seung-seon was just sixteen. Casual speech to a stranger was rude... Dang So-so, this woman's got no manners.
A handsome young lord sat before Dang So-so, flanked by four Dang Clan warrior escorts.
Dang So-so glared at Won Seung and said,
"Sam-o-dan-sim-san is 'nothing'? Balls bigger than your belly?"
"Sam-o-dan-sim-san?"
Hwa Yeo-wol paled. Jegal Seung-seon and Seung-hye were shocked too. As Jianghu folk, they knew the Dang Clan's secret absolute poison.
Before Won Seung could reply, Hwa Yeo-wol snapped,
"Hey! Is this the time for that?"
Then to Won Seung,
"How'd you get poisoned? Did Dang Clan do it?"
She glared like a big sister ready to chew out the bully for her hurt little brother.
No... Calm down.
"It's fine. Already detoxed."
Won Seung knew the Dang Clan's viciousness and didn't want bad blood between Hwa Yeo-wol and them. But things twisted oddly.
Dang So-so's lip curled up.
"Interesting. Detoxed Sam-o-dan-sim-san? How?"
This rude bitch? No manners, all casual speech?
Won Seung got pissed too. He blocked the excited Hwa Yeo-wol and shot up, pointing at Dang So-so.
"Grown up pampered as the Dang Clan's precious only daughter, so nothing's sacred? Acting like Sam-o-dan-sim-san's some big deal?"
Everyone gasped at Won Seung's crude outburst. Pointing at the Dang Clan's treasure? Dang So-so gaped, speechless. First time treated like this. Her Dang escorts bristled with killing intent.
These punks radiating hostility? Won Seung's eyes narrowed.
Jegal Seung-seon and Seung-hye watched with interest.
Thwack!
The young lord before Dang So-so smacked the table with his folding fan and stood.
"Little brother's got a foul mouth. No respect for elders?"
"And who're you?"
As Won Seung pushed back, the young lord's face hardened.
"Pung Jin-saeng of Sichuan's Pung Clan."
Sichuan Pung Clan? Won Seung flinched inwardly—then remembered he'd ditched the Pung Un-saeng name.
I'm out in the open now.
Opponent acting refined, so Won Seung matched manners.
"I'm Joo Nung. You started the provocation. Apologize, and I'll accept."
"What?"
Dang So-so shrieked and jumped up.
Hah... This could turn into restaurant chaos.
Then the waiter approached, bowing politely.
"Guests, this is Hwangmunwon in the capital. Others are here—please keep voices down."
True enough, everyone stared. Hwangmunwon was the priciest, best spot outside the inner city—only high officials and tycoons entered.
Private guards everywhere, nearby offices like the censorate, constabulary, Justice Bureau outer branch. No smashing furniture like in cheap Jianghu inns.
But those present were Je Gal Clan and Dang Clan of the Five Great Clans. They ignored the waiter.
Dang So-so said coldly,
"If you're so confident, follow me."
Oh ho, dragging to a dark alley for a beatdown?
"No reason not to."
"Come on!"
Dang So-so leaped out the window.
Won Seung clicked his tongue.
"Stairs right there—why the window? Some bandit experience?"
Laughter choked back around them—coughs and snickers. Even the two tails covered their mouths to stifle grins.