episode_0039

Before going to Liaodong where the Murong clan is located, most people along the road stop at a certain city.

Beijing.

The capital of the country.

It is rare for a martial artist to stay in Beijing, the imperial territory.

Even the Hebei Peng family, who had established themselves near Beijing, built their manors on the outskirts of the vast city of Beijing and did not directly invade the imperial palace, which could be called the ‘official’ territory.

But recently, with many martial artists coming and going from the Beijing area, Beijing has been on edge in many ways.

Didn’t the leader of the martial arts world pass by here not long ago?

If the gathering of martial artists like that is something that the country needs to pay attention to in many ways –

In fact, there was something that not only the imperial family but the entire city of Beijing was concerned about.

The hero of the martial arts world – no, the ‘hero of the country’, Murong Cheon.

All the people were saddened by the imminent death of his precious son, and they came to the palace to offer their condolences and pay their utmost respects.

In fact, Beijing was preparing for war.

It was a war that was not a war against foreigners or rebels, but a war that was not a war against the martial arts people.

-If Geomseong, who lost his daughter, leaves Moryong Sega, Geomseong must be secured in the palace!

-If you wish to leave the secular world and enter the mountains, the power of the martial arts world will be greatly shaken, so you must prepare for chaos in the martial arts world!

A response to the large-scale chaos caused by the martial arts world.

It was literally no different from preparing for a national war.

It had to be that way.

Before the fall of Cheonma 20 years ago, even the slightest accident in the martial arts world would cause mountains to split, rivers to overturn, roads to be damaged, and administrative chaos or paralysis would occur.

Those called ‘Green Forest’ in particular had even more serious problems.

In places beyond the influence of the government, people called martial artists would hide, build mountain fortresses, and loot passing ‘martial artists’, and there was a constant stream of incidents and accidents.

It’s a bit strange to say what the court did, but of course the court also eliminated Nokrim, Nabal, and thieves.

-Kuaaaah! Official duties are inviolable!! Official duties are inviolable!!

When the thieves shouted that official duties were inviolable, those in the court who were unrivaled in martial arts stepped forward and broke the thieves’ arms and beheaded them.

However, the reason why there are so many bandits throughout the Central Plains is because the land is so vast and there are so many bandits in the first place, but the biggest reason is that the bandits know the inviolability of official duties and so they do not cross the line.

Those who pay taxes are the people.

And the thieves began to pay taxes.

This may sound crazy, but the bandits carved out mountains to build roads and collected tolls to pay their taxes.

-No, there are thieves on the mountain path. Why don’t you drive them out?

-That’s because the guys from Nokrim dug through the mountain path with their own fists.

-ah.

-It’s a toll road that wasn’t developed by the government, so you have to pay a toll.

-If that’s the case…

Even for ordinary merchants and residents, they would charge tolls and transportation fees, and even bring palanquins to help them move quickly by using light transport techniques.

Paths were opened up all over the mountain, and the government did not intervene unless there was serious casualty.

The taxes and small amounts of bribes paid by the groups of green forests coming through each local government were quite lucrative.

In this way, the government has been treating the powers of the martial arts world with some degree of leniency.

This is not simply because the government cannot control the martial arts world, but also because the taxes paid by those who are considered ‘masters’ and have their own nicknames are enormous.

A famous person with a nickname is labeled as a ‘tax evader’?

It was so dishonorable that even the most moderate martial arts families paid taxes at the same rate as the average merchants or noble families and led their sects or families.

It’s not that the government can’t control the martial arts world.

The government was able to suppress the martial arts world through capital, military power, and even through ‘force’ revealed through martial arts.

However, when you consider the unnecessary budget consumption and waste of manpower that occurs in the process, as well as the cost of recovery after it is completely scorched earth after an all-out war with the Murim, it is better to just leave it alone.

If there are those who cannot be controlled by the court, there is only one.

National hero, Sword Master Mo Yong-cheon.

If he comes to Beijing, then we should call together all the soldiers in Beijing and hold a parade to welcome the victorious general.

That’s how it should be.

Only then will it be possible to at least exercise humane control over the existence of the Black Sword.

Therefore, the imperial family has continued to pay close attention to the trends of the martial arts world.

This is not only because the martial arts community within the palace rebelled and joined hands with the Demonic Cult several decades ago, but also because the stability of the martial arts community was absolutely necessary for moderate national administration.

So now, one of the imperial warriors stands outside the southern gate of Beijing, staring out of the city for a long time.

Some may think it is a warning, others may think it is looking at a distant enemy, but what Yeo-cheong [Muhyeonggeom], a woman in a black martial arts uniform with gold embroidery, is looking at is the numerous carriages heading to Liaodong along the main road south of Beijing.

“Are you spying on the carriage going to Murong from the city wall again, Imperial Swordsman?”

“…Tae-Hwan-Gong.”

An old man with white hair called Taehwan-gong stood next to Yeo-cheong.

Although he was old, he looked quite neat, but the clothes he was wearing were those of a ‘eunuch’.

“Go in and take a rest after looking around. It’s meaningless to go to Mo Yong-se like that.”

“…….”

“In the end, the important thing is three. Geomseong. Geomseong’s daughter. And the doctor who treated Geomseong’s daughter. If only these three could be brought here to Beijing, the imperial prestige would be raised even higher.”

“Are you thinking of bringing the martial artists into the imperial family? Officially?”

“What can’t we do? As someone who has mastered martial arts, you or I, if we take off our official uniforms and become wild people, that’s what it means to be a martial artist.”

Taehwan took out a white fan from his bosom and opened it wide.

“Ultimately, the standard that determines whether someone is a martial artist or not is whether they live for themselves or for others. When that life for others is a way to live as a member of a state organization, receiving a salary, and living as a part of the bureaucracy, then they can be called ‘officials’.”

“It sounds like Taehwan-gong said that a person who lives freely without formality is a martial artist.”

“Power and freedom are not proportional. Look at Geomseong. Where he stays is the center of the Central Plains, and where he swings his sword is an enemy that both the government and the martial arts world must face at the same time. ”

“…….”

“So, this old man wants the swordsman to enter the palace.”

“I think it’s the opposite.”

“Huh?”

“Instead of attacking Geomseong, you should attack his daughter… no, his son-in-law.”

“That congressman?”

Taehwan-gong tilted his head.

“Why?”

“Because the one who moves the blacksmith is his daughter, and the one who moves the daughter is ultimately his son-in-law.”

“A wall bomb that holds loneliness in its heart and could explode at any moment to the royal family?”

“You just need to control it well so that it doesn’t explode. Even if it does explode, you can cut it before it explodes and turns Beijing into a sea of fire. ”

Yeo-cheong pointed alternately at her waist and Tae-hwan-gong’s waist.

“Yi-ryong Seok-mu-wol. Embracing him would be the easiest and fastest way for Gwan to stand in an overwhelming position against the martial arts world and suppress the chaos that the martial arts world is trying to cause. ”

“I see. So that’s why you mentioned recruiting Assemblyman Seok.”

“Yes.”

“Okay, then I won’t ask you any more questions. But….”

“Just?”

“You shouldn’t expect too much. You’re already young enough, so there’s no point in trying to get younger.”

“…I’ll take that as a compliment, but it’s not like that.”

When Yeo-cheong answered with a serious expression, Tae-hwan shrugged his shoulders and raised both hands.

“Let’s do that. I thought you were going to rush into the Moryong family after hearing that you could turn back into a 20-year-old just like that.”

“Do you think Tae-Hwan-Gong will be different?”

“Me? Hehe, you guy. Why would I act rashly like a swordsman and run wild? I’m a person who lives contentedly with my age. I’ve aged well. ”

“If it wasn’t for Banrohwandong, but for the reestablishment of Yangmul, Taehwangong would be knocking on the front gate of Murong Shi, not Beijing.”

“That’s….”

Taehwan-gong looked up at the sky and smiled faintly.

“That’s impossible.”

“…….”

“How can a severed penis come back? Even if the old yin yang vein can be treated, how can it be treated when it was severed and lost decades ago? This is not a disease. It is just… gone.”

Taehwan Gong’s eyes began to get moist.

“No matter how much you want it, we decided to call it delusion when you keep thinking about and dwelling on something that won’t come true.”

“…….”

“And that delusion is…a vain imagination. An impossible thought.”

Taehwan Gong wiped his eyes with his sleeve and shook his head firmly.

“The power of love may cure a lover’s stroke, but it cannot help them find their lost roots.”

* * *

And here.

Habukpengga.

The deepest place, the residence of the Supreme Master, Tao Huang.

“You’ll help me find my lost roots…?”

The emperor grabbed the letter that had been delivered through the messenger.

“This guy is deceiving me!!”

What is lost cannot be returned.

“Not only do you treat me like I’m bald, you think you can cure it? Don’t make me laugh!!”

That’s common sense.

If that were to turn around, it would be a miracle.

And miracles don’t happen to just anyone.