Chapter 304 Business Trip (2)

Chapter 304: Business Trip (2)

Me, the cleaning crew, and Dangyanggang. When I announced our plan to leave Kuryongseong with just the three of us, the head of the escort, Joo Cheol-san, foamed at the mouth in protest.

But this time, I refused to budge.

“From now on, my name is Park Munsu.”

I had to stick to the concept.

I was supposed to be a secret royal inspector, after all. I couldn’t be trailing around with subordinates like a string of candy, could I?

‘This should be fun. Heh heh.’

With so little to enjoy, this new diversion… no, mission already had me itching to get started.

“I followed you all the way here thinking we were going on a journey, and it was just the capital city?”

Gotcha!

“If this is how it’s going to be, why did I bring you along? I’m already so anxious I could die.”

That was before the voice tinged with complaint came from beside him.

“Damn it, I told you to wait. We can’t move until we get word, right?”

We could only move once Hao Wen, in charge of the external audit, contacted us.

That’s why I sought out the city first.

Here, I could receive Hao Wen’s contact at any time, and I also had business with the local branch office.

Oh, by the way, in Seongdo and several major cities, there were no branches operating under a franchise model. Instead, they established direct branches managed directly by the headquarters.

“I’m going out for a bit, so stay put. Don’t get into any trouble.”

Leaving the two behind at the inn, he stepped outside.

The cityscape of Chengdu was splendid.

Like most cities in Sichuan Province, many houses were built with wood rather than stone, yet they all looked sturdy.

Moreover, perhaps due to its large population, it was incredibly bustling.

The market streets overflowed with people buying and selling goods, while inns, taverns, and street stalls lined the surrounding areas, welcoming customers.

However, there is one difference from Kuryongseong.

“Hey! What is this medicine?! It’s the Heavenly Emperor’s Elixir, a miraculous potion that grants strength to shatter rocks and makes your wife adore you endlessly…”

“Put in money, get money back. Just guess where the bead is, and you get double your bet…”

“You bastard! Did you think you could get away with this scam?!”

“Scam? Do you have proof? Do you have any proof?!”

“……”

It was a pretty wild atmosphere out there—gambling ran rampant on the streets, con artists peddled fake medicine, and all sorts of shady stuff was happening.

My eyes were drawn to a sight I’d never see in Kuryongseong.

As I wandered around taking in the sights, I soon found myself at the Funta Gate of Kuryongseong.

“Kuryong!”

“Kuryong!”

The members who recognized me immediately saluted.

And then.

“Welcome.”

“Long time no see.”

I was able to meet the former headmaster of Dengtiangaku, the Extermination Immortal.

* * *

As soon as I sat down, I asked him why he volunteered for the Funtaju.

I hadn’t been able to ask him the reason during my time in the Kunlun Mountains because it happened during a personnel transfer.

“I was getting terribly bored just staying at the Black Dragon Hall.”

“…So that’s why you volunteered for the Buntaju?”

“Isn’t it good? They pay a high monthly salary, and there’s not much to do.”

“Still, at that age, why bother…”

“With my brother-in-law gone to Eunjarim too, what else can I expect if I just sit around in the party? Being treated like an old man in the back room?”

“No.”

If you’re over eighty, hand the work over to the younger ones and rest a bit.

“I’ll save the monthly stipend I get here to buy our kids a party and a shop.”

“…I’ll give you that money. No, I could even buy you a candy shop outright.”

“Only what I earn and buy myself has real value. Getting it from someone else means nothing.”

“How could I be someone else? I’m a member of the Honorable Moksryong Party, after all.”

“Cut the nonsense and tell me why you came to the capital.”

“……Alright.”

I explained the mission I’d received from my master and the sect leader.

After hearing the whole story, the Extermination Immortal clapped his hands together.

“So your intent is to nip the chaos caused by the newly joined factions in the bud. Mun Sang is certainly a remarkable figure, it seems.”

The Immortal of Annihilation continued, sipping his tea.

“You’ve come here seeking my advice, I presume?”

He nodded toward him, who was smiling as if satisfied.

“Because I don’t know what to do if I find any strange bastards. Killing them would make us allies, but leaving them alone feels unsettling.”

“Isn’t it a simple matter?”

“How is this simple? If we mess up, it could split the Nine Dragons Fortress apart.”

“If you’re scared, just report it to the castle.”

“You know my temperament won’t allow that.”

“Heh heh heh, you’ve always been a pain in the ass. You’re the first one I’ve seen who, after getting beaten up a few times, decides to get revenge by breaking the other guy’s leg. And that was five years later, no less.”

“Ahem, they say a gentleman’s revenge takes ten years.”

He chuckled softly and pointed at my chest.

“Just do what your heart tells you. Kill the bad guys, punish the ambiguous ones, and reward those who did well. Isn’t that how it should be?”

“As I mentioned earlier…”

“If you cared about that in the first place, you shouldn’t have started the reforms.”

“……”

“As long as it’s not too excessive, who would make an issue of it? The current lord is your teacher, after all.”

“Well, I suppose you’re right.”

The clear answer made me nod in agreement.

“I’m glad you understand.”

I immediately brought up the second reason for my visit today.

“By the way, are you planning to stay in the capital city?”

“What can I do? There’s no position available. Besides, Seongdo isn’t so bad. If I rush there using lightness skills, I can reach Guryongseong in a day.”

“Please don’t do that. Instead, take on the role of advisor for the newly established Dragon Army.”

“If you’re saying that out of concern for this old man, forget it.”

“That’s not what I meant.”

“Then what?”

“They’re asking you to train the soldiers. Isn’t their martial art, the Jeam Sword Technique, from the Moolryong Sect?”

“If that’s the case… it should be fine. Understood. Let’s do as you say.”

“Then I’ll see you again soon.”

As I rose from my seat, the Extermination Immortal called out to me.

“Wait a moment.”

“Yes.”

“You should at least tell me how much the monthly allowance is before you go.”

“……”

Seriously, just take whatever they give you.

* * *

Ten days later, Seochang.

Jun City, a major gateway to Yunnan, was where the cleaning crew and Dang Yanggang arrived.

Despite being known as a neighborhood with prime location and considerable prosperity, the people living in Seochang wore gloomy expressions and eyed us outsiders with suspicion.

“…This is strange. The way people are looking at us feels distinctly unpleasant.”

“Definitely.”

Even a novice like Cheongso, who hadn’t deeply cultivated martial arts, could sense it, so one could easily imagine how blatant their wariness was.

After walking a short while and entering the inn, we saw Yang Ok-seon, the department head of Hao Gate assigned to this case.

He wasn’t usually assigned to field work at his level, but it seemed he’d insisted he wanted to help.

“You’re here.”

“You always work so hard.”

As soon as he sat down, he ordered several dishes and drinks.

“You know who this place belongs to, right?”

“How could I not know the Blue-robed Fairy, whose medical skill and grace rival a heavenly maiden, and the pillar of the Dragon Hall, the great hero Dang Yanggang, known as Iron Spear Iron Helmet?”

“Whoa?”

“Heh heh heh, this friend knows how to judge people!”

Though it was 128 percent flattery, Qing Shaoxiao and Dang Yangjiang grinned so wide their mouths nearly split.

Watching these simple-minded fools who couldn’t even distinguish proper greetings, he thought to himself.

‘I should open a workplace savings account soon. Before I get scammed by sweet talk and empty promises.’

The name ‘Happiness Plan Wireless Savings Account’ seems appropriate.

Anyway, since Seo Chang’s situation was the priority now, I got to the point.

“Did you find the evidence?”

Yang Ok-seon shook her head.

“No evidence… Then what about witnesses?”

“We’re continuing inquiries, but haven’t secured any yet.”

“Hmm…”

She gazed at the large pavilion visible outside the inn window.

Above the pavilion, an elegant banner with a golden sword painted on it fluttered, and above that hung the Nine Dragons Banner, depicting nine dragons.

This was the appearance of the Geumho Sword Sect, a collateral branch of the Geumryongdang family, appointed as the Western Branch during this reform.

“Is it just because they’re relatives of the Golden Dragon Sect leader that they have so much money?”

“Even considering that, it doesn’t make sense.”

Yang Ok-seon unfolded a detailed map of Sichuan Province and drew a large circle.

“After becoming a branch, they purchased this much land. The price was a staggering twenty thousand taels of silver.”

This was precisely why we had come to Seochang.

Within just six months of becoming a branch of the Nine Dragons Sect, the Golden Tiger Sword Sect had purchased land worth twenty thousand taels of silver.

Of course, simply buying it wouldn’t be the problem.

There were no illegal elements in the acquisition process.

The problem lies in the source of the funds.

That’s over two hundred billion won in modern currency.

Such a large sum appearing in a lump sum—doesn’t that smell fishy?

And that was just six months after the faction split.

“Any trace of borrowing from Geumryongdang?”

“If they had borrowed it, they would have exchanged the vouchers at the Mangeum Money Exchange. But this Mangeum Money Exchange in Seochang doesn’t have silver coins worth twenty thousand nyang. The same goes for gold coins.”

“……Then our suspicions are correct.”

“For now, we’re investigating. Please wait a little longer. We should have results in about two days.”

Yang Ok-seon tried to soothe me with a gentle tone, but I shook my head.

“No.”

“……”

“You said today was Geumho Checkpoint Chief’s birthday, right?”

“Yes.”

“Good. Then tonight, we attack Geumho Checkpoint.”

“……We might face backlash.”

“It’s fine. There won’t be any backlash.”

This guy has everything figured out.

* * *

The night at Geumho Checkpoint was splendid.

Bright lanterns hung throughout the splendid halls, and at its center lay a banquet table laden with over a hundred dishes and dozens of varieties of white liquor.

“Master, happy birthday!”

Congratulations-!

“Heh heh heh, my fellow martial brothers, I’m truly grateful beyond words that you’ve come all this way. Though the offerings are modest, I hope you’ll enjoy yourselves to your heart’s content.”

Gyeongmyeongsan, the master of Geumho Sword Sect, beamed with a broad smile.

He looked down with a look of great satisfaction.

The Geumho Sword Sect was already among the most powerful sects. Now that his sect had become a branch of the Nine Dragons Sect and was on the path to ascension, he must feel like he had the world at his feet as its leader.

Today’s feast alone was proof of that.

Didn’t the heads of the five sects near Seochang and the commanders of the eight military officers come bearing gifts by the basketful?

Just a year ago, these were figures who would have pretended not to see each other, ignoring one another completely. Yet in barely half a year, they had changed their expressions and were now pouring out flattery.

“This is life, isn’t it?” he mused, drinking his wine. Then he lifted his cup and rose from his seat.

Instantly, the eyes of over a hundred people focused on him.

“Since we’ve gathered like this by fate, how about we all have a drink?”

“Is this what you mean? Who could possibly refuse a cup from Lord Geum Munju, the hero of Seochang? Am I not right?!”

“Ha ha ha, you speak the truth! Come now! Let us drink!”

As they downed their drinks, everyone poured out ceaseless praise for Geum Myeongsan.

But that atmosphere didn’t last long.

“But listen. There’s a rumor that the Geumho Sword Sect bought vast tracts of land by exploiting the common folk. Does anyone here know anything about that?”

It was because a young warrior seated at the farthest corner of the banquet table had blurted out this strange remark.

“……”

A silence fell instantly.

Sparks flew from Geum Myeong-san’s eyes.

“What did you just say?”

“Didn’t you say the Geumho Checkpoint extorted the people to accumulate wealth?”

“……Can you take responsibility for those words?”

“I’m not foolish enough to say something I can’t take responsibility for.”

“State your name.”

“Park Munsu.”

“Just an unknown soldier, then.”

Geum Yang-seon shouted at the warriors around him.

“What are you lot doing?! Why haven’t you brought that bastard here yet?”

Just as the warriors scattered around drew their swords at that moment.

Kwoong!

The main gate of Geumho Sword Sect shattered, sending two gatekeepers flying as they knocked over the banquet table.

“What the hell?! How dare you think you know where this place is!”

Gyeomyeongsan, who was almost certain the man was part of the same gang, drew his sword in an instant.

Swoosh! Crack!

An iron ball the size of a man’s fist flew through the air, shattering his sword in one blow.

Seeing this uniquely strange cavalryman, a name flashed through Geum Myeong-san’s mind.

A rising star once in the Green Dragon Hall, now a high-ranking officer in the Dragon Hall.

A peerless master among his generation.

‘Iron Cannon Iron Fist!’

And his prediction proved correct.

Behind the wreckage of the shattered main gate, the massive figure of Dang Yanggang appeared.

“The secret royal inspector has arrived!”

He declared, holding the Nine Dragons White Gold Badge high.