Chapter 171. I Am Won Seung, Eldest Son of National Preceptor Won Seongji!
Won Seung's words left everyone stunned.
"What? You're not Joo Neung?"
"Investigator Joo... are you suffering from aftereffects of the Three Five Single Heart Powder or something?"
Eun Bang-seo, Mu Gi-an, Yu Seon, and Jang Hyeo-gan were utterly dumbfounded. Not Joo Neung? But he clearly was—the man they'd worked alongside just days ago. Their minds reeled in confusion.
Jegal Seung-seon watched Won Seung with sparkling eyes, his face lit up with delight.
This little punk... what a rascal.
Hwa Yeo-wol, who had known Won Seung's true identity all along, was deeply moved. He'd disguised himself as Joo Neung for the sake of a friend. Her gaze toward him brimmed with warmth.
Yeo-wol gets it, as always.
"If you're not Joo Neung... then why impersonate him? Are you daring to deceive the Patrol Office?"
Hwang Chung-hyeon bellowed.
Won Seung raised a hand to calm him.
"Hear me out to the end. It's a truly touching tale."
Clearing his throat, he raised his voice.
"Joo Neung came to his closest friend—me—for help. He was more worried about his wife and little sister-in-law than himself. He had to return to Sichuan somehow to save them. I couldn't turn my back on a friend in crisis, so while he slipped away to Sichuan, I took his place as Joo Neung."
"...?"
"Looks like it's not sinking in. Your heads are a bit... slow."
They just aren't keeping up.
Won Seung furrowed his brow and elaborated.
"Joo Neung had to stay in the capital, or Dang Dok Su wouldn't leave the merchant lord's family alone. He'd kill Joo Neung first, then deal with the rest—it's not too late after that. Stirring things up prematurely would just make Joo Neung lash out wildly, which would be a headache. So someone had to draw Dang Dok Su's attention in the capital while Joo Neung sneaked into Sichuan to rescue his wife and sister-in-law."
"Ah!"
Finally getting it, they all nodded.
"Pay close attention now. This is a serious and solemn story."
Hwang Chung-hyeon spoke up.
"Then Dang Dok Su would try to kill you, thinking you're Joo Neung... and you accepted that?"
"That's the heart of it. Excellent point!"
Won Seung clapped, praising Hwang Chung-hyeon, then continued.
"I'm quite the expert myself. A mere Dang Dok Su can't touch me. The investigators here know my skills well enough."
"True. There aren't many masters like Brother Joo."
Mu Gi-an chimed in, but Yu Seon whispered.
"He's not Joo Neung."
"Oh. Right..."
Quiet!
Won Seung shot a glare at the disruptive Mu Gi-an and Yu Seon before pressing on.
"But wouldn't you know it—I'm skilled, sure, but there are plenty stronger out there. Posing as Joo Neung, I faced death multiple times. I bought a house in his name, but money ran short, so I ended up with the Paeng family ruins... and got dragged into the bloodbath between Myeonggeom Mountain's Yeongchwi Peak and the Bi Sword Sect."
Won Seung excitedly recounted the details.
The clash at Myeonggeom Mountain's Yeongchwi Peak and the Bi Sword Sect hadn't yet leaked to the jianghu. For some reason, the Royal Guard was suppressing it, sealing the lips of those involved and the Hao Clan.
"Ah... so that's what happened."
Jegal Seung-seon sighed. He'd prided himself on knowing every major martial world event, yet he'd missed this.
A clash between four great sword sects... the ripples would be massive if word got out.
Dang So-so and Pung Jin-saeng, forgetting their own plights, leaned in to listen.
"...I even got hauled to the Royal Guard prison and suffered there. You know what their dungeon's like—no one comes out alive. But my self-defense was proven, and I was cleared."
He went on to the tale of Sanya's Hyun-a Yi-gwan asking him to join the Patrol Office investigators, how he'd reluctantly taken the role, and how he'd busted the gang led by Hong Il-wan, the second son of the Ministry of War vice minister.
The story was so gripping that even Hwang Chung-hyeon listened without interrupting.
"...That led to a showdown at the Patrol Office headquarters. Their crimes were exposed... but I don't get why those thugs are still strutting around the capital streets."
He glanced slyly at Eun Bang-seo. The Hong Il-wan case had been handled at the inner city's Patrol HQ, so outer office Eun Bang-seo didn't know the details. But as an official, he could guess without thinking hard.
They cut a deal up top.
"Ahem, ahem."
Eun Bang-seo coughed awkwardly and averted his eyes.
Won Seung continued.
"That's when the Patrol Office recruited me as an investigator. And I served diligently... faithfully."
Yu Seon and Jang Hyeo-gan nodded. They were living witnesses.
"But the vile Dang Dok Su finally unleashed his poison hand on Joo Neung. He sent Dang In Pyo as an assassin. Dang In Pyo thought I was Joo Neung and hit me with Three Five Single Heart Powder."
"......"
With the long, intricate backstory backed by plausible details, Dang So-so and Pung Jin-saeng were speechless.
"Dying from Three Five Single Heart Powder, waiting for the end... then Investigator Mu here got me a universal antidote that bought me another month. With hope renewed, I scoured everywhere and finally obtained this remedy to cure myself."
Finishing, Won Seung turned to Dang So-so.
"If you doubt me, go see Dang In Pyo in the Patrol dungeon."
"......"
"......"
The long tale ended, and the Patrol Office chamber fell silent.
Won Seung looked around with satisfaction. Hwa Yeo-wol's eyes glistened with emotion.
No one could resist being moved by this epic of friendship, braving death multiple times to save a comrade.
Even Captain Hwang Chung-hyeon dazedly replayed the story before snapping back.
What am I doing right now?
"So... you took the poison hand in Joo Neung's place. Then where is Joo Neung?"
"Safely rescued his wife and sister-in-law; they're hidden away."
"Then... who are you? Where's your family from?"
"I told you—Won Seung."
"No... your house, your background."
Lineage mattered greatly. A noble's son was noble; a slave's son was slave. Noble words carried weight; a slave's were worthless. That's why Hwang Chung-hyeon asked.
Won Seung's eyes narrowed slightly.
"You'd be better off not knowing."
"What? Speak now!"
"Can you handle it?"
"What...?"
Hwang Chung-hyeon glared incredulously.
"Speak at once!"
Won Seung straightened, face serious.
"I am Won Seung, eldest son of National Preceptor Won Seongji of the Won Mansion!"
"?"
"!"
As Won Seung handed the Jeokhyeolsan assassins to Jang Chun-sam at the Peace Guest House on his way back, he pondered deeply.
Gwang-ho Gongja from Seongwangbu was tracking him on Seong Wang's orders. With his tail stepped on via his father, National Preceptor Won Guksa, exposure was just a matter of time.
Posing as Joo Neung to enter office could become an issue. They'd use it to attack his father: Didn't you know your son infiltrated the bureaucracy under false identity?
Plus, Hong Il-wan, second son of the Ministry of War vice minister, held a grudge against Joo Neung and hired Jeokhyeolsan assassins. Killing him might seem tempting, but his sudden death would stir up not just the ministry but the entire court.
Everything was a tangled mess, and then the clash with Dang So-so at Hwangmunwon. He'd wanted to avoid it, but her fiery temper made evasion impossible.
The moment Dang So-so stormed out demanding he follow, he regained his composure, sat, and thought. A word flashed through his mind...
Unraveling the Knot.
Cut through the snarled threads in one stroke!
Since meeting his father, he'd considered revealing his identity. Father had subtly urged living as a wild man in the jianghu... but no. The Won Mansion's wealth was vast; he couldn't let Won Sochu take it all.
Another reason: the killer's identity, lost in a maze. Seongwangbu was suspicious, but no proof.
Better to reveal myself...
Then the killer would approach again. But he wasn't a defenseless six-year-old anymore. He had martial arts to protect himself.
Yeah. Father said it: Live boldly, without hesitation, no matter what.
He'd heeded the advice and was timing it...
Now, a chance to resolve it all at once. He could shift to aliases like Yu So-un, Un Saeng, or Pung Un-saeng again, but that would complicate the false employment issue.
No choice but to reveal.
Can I cover the false employment sin by playing up a friendship transcending life and death?
No way. The motive was noble, but without backing lineage... punishment.
Crush them with status.
Won Seung's declaration nearly toppled everyone in shock.
National Preceptor Won Guksa!
The current emperor's teacher, the true power behind the court. Who here didn't know his will shaped policy through the emperor's mouth?
Hwang Chung-hyeon especially looked ready to pop his eyes out. His heart felt like it might leap from his chest.
Too grand a claim to be a lie...
Jianghu folk like Jegal Seung-seon, Seung-hye, and Dang So-so couldn't fully grasp it, but officials like Hwang Chung-hyeon, Eun Bang-seo, and Mu Gi-an were losing their minds.
"I-is that... true, truly true?"
Hwang Chung-hyeon unwittingly stood and bowed, asking foolishly. Of course he'd say yes.
Won Seung nodded.
"I've been away from the capital so long, few recognize me anymore."
"Th-then, your status token..."
Ah, now age shows. Even Yeo-wol doesn't know that...
Won Seung looked awkward.
"I haven't come of age yet, so no token."
"...?"
"Next year."
Meaning seventeen.
Hwang Chung-hyeon's brow furrowed slightly.
No token? How to verify that status?
Won Seung read his thoughts.
"I'll write a few words. Take them to the Won Mansion in the inner city."
Won Seung strode to the dais, grabbed a brush from the desk, and scribbled on blank paper before handing it over.
"Ah, ah..."
Hwang Chung-hyeon took the slip with trembling hands. Then it hit him—this wasn't for a mere captain like him.
If truly the preceptor's son... burning down Hwangmunwon wouldn't stick.
Pass it up quick... quick.
Of all days for duty... Investigation could've waited till tomorrow; superiors would've handled it. Why push so hard for night interrogation?
His diligence had wedged him between Sichuan's Pung Clan and National Preceptor Won.
Regretfully, Hwang Chung-hyeon straightened and addressed them.
"Today..."
But what of these people? Couldn't jail them. Couldn't house them at the office either.
"I'll summon you again after further verifying the case. Don't leave the outer city till then."
Jegal Seung-seon stepped forward abruptly.
"My sister and I are unrelated. We were dragged in just for being nearby—please exclude us."
Won Seung wagged a finger.
"No can do."
---