episode_0057

In the Central Plains, there exist beggars. Among them are incredibly strong beggars who have learned martial arts, and they all wear a rope tied around their waist. It was a kind of insignia indicating that they were beggars of the Beggars’ Sect. At the same time, it also showed their rank; the more knots on the rope, the higher their rank and status within the Beggars’ Sect. No knots meant a trainee beggar, one or two meant a formal member, three meant a branch leader, four meant a protector… roughly like that.

For a faction to function properly, strict hierarchy and obedience are essential. It’s natural for those of high rank to show off their status like attention-seekers.

The Shaolin Temple was no different. Even though it was a group of monks, a hierarchy naturally existed there, and the monks had their own way of indicating their rank. That was the wooden fish block.

Conventionally, if you meet a Shaolin monk on the road, you should look at the wooden fish block in their hand. If the color is vibrant and it has many ornaments dangling from it, it means their status and rank are high. Among them, the most widely known is the Jade Wooden Fish Block of the Shaolin Abbot, Geum Myeongju.

A wooden fish block made of green jade. Named the Green Jade Buddha Wooden Fish Block. It is a divine artifact of Shaolin and an item that represents the Abbot’s authority.

One characteristic of the Green Jade Buddha Wooden Fish Block is that when someone is hit with it, a clear and resonant temple bell sound rings out. Just like now.

—Whack! Clang!

Every time Bang Jongdae’s head was struck, a clear and pristine temple bell sound echoed through the entire escort agency.

Ding, ding, ding!

It rang out so regularly that at this point, one might wonder if Bang Jongdae’s crown was still intact. Considering that screams and small striking sounds could be heard intermittently, it seemed the reunion between master and disciple was quite special indeed.

The next morning, after the temple bell sound had rung throughout the night, Geum Myeongju, chuckling heartily as usual, came to find Cheongun.

“Amitabha. My foolish disciple has inconvenienced you greatly during this time.”

“Not at all.”

Geum Myeongju and Cheongun exchanged clasped-hand salutes.

“You have truly amassed great merit by eliminating the leader of the Flying Demon Corps and the Soul-Devouring Demonic Master, thereby removing a great evil from the martial world.”

“That’s right. I did do a great deed.”

“Where would you like the bounty set by the authorities to be paid?”

“Please send it to the Black Forest Gate.”

“I will convey that. The Justice Alliance also plans to provide a small reward to young master Cheongun.”

“That’s welcome news indeed.”

He just killed someone who deserved to die, and now they’re even paying him. Having no reason to refuse, Cheongun nodded.

“Would you care for a cup of tea?”

“I would appreciate that.”

As Cheongun extended his hand, the teacup on the table across from him flew into his hand.

Geum Myeongju’s eyes narrowed at the sight. The Justice Alliance members who accompanied Geum Myeongju couldn’t even breathe loudly at the bizarre spectacle. These were people who would exclaim ‘Oh!’ in admiration just from seeing the manifestation of sword energy. It was only natural for them to be astonished upon witnessing the realm of Grasping Objects from Afar, which they had only heard about in legends.

As Cheongun leisurely poured tea into the teacup, they swallowed hard.

Geum Myeongju chuckled heartily, watching Cheongun.

“You have transcended the wall.”

“Well, you could say that.”

Cheongun handed the teacup to Geum Myeongju.

Geum Myeongju, having received the teacup, looked directly into Cheongun’s eyes.

“To have transcended the wall at such a young age, not even reaching your prime, this is truly a great fortune for the martial world.”

“That’s right. So you should thank me for being so exceptional.”

“…”

Geum Myeongju, speechless for a moment, looked at Cheongun with complex eyes.

The original plan was to unite the Justice Alliance and then send elders to eradicate the Flying Demon Corps. This was to showcase the Justice Alliance’s continued strength to the outside world, especially after its recent disarray.

However, due to the sudden appearance of Cheongun, the plan itself went awry.

If one were to ask if that was a bad thing, the answer was, of course, no. On the contrary, having dealt with them without any sacrifice from the alliance members was, in a way, like getting one’s nose wiped without laying a hand on it [achieving a result effortlessly].

The problem was that the Justice Alliance, which had finally been united, would lose its purpose and scatter once again. Most importantly, there was a severe lack of young talent. While the Demonic Cult dragged in anyone and everyone, taught them demonic arts, and churned out peak-level masters like a factory, the Justice Alliance severely lacked young talents capable of showcasing the resilience of the righteous factions.

In such a situation, a martial artist not even reaching his prime had actually transcended the wall. Geum Myeongju truly began to covet Cheongun.

Cheongun asked Geum Myeongju, who was deep in thought.

“So, what is your business?”

“Could you spare a moment to listen?”

“Sure.”

Geum Myeongju chuckled heartily and slowly explained the Alliance’s stance on the current situation.

Cheongun listened to the explanation and replied with an indifferent expression.

“Is that it?”

“Yes, but…”

“I see. It sounds like a story that doesn’t particularly concern me. If your business is concluded, why don’t you leave now?”

At those words, Geum Myeongju blinked his eyes.

“Young master, what are you saying? Unrelated? The Demonic Cult’s grasp is extending across the entire martial world, casting dark shadows, and as a member of the righteous factions, you should not draw such a line.”

“Isn’t that why there’s an Alliance Leader and elders to resolve such matters?”

“That’s true, but as I said, the situation is not that simple…”

“I see. That’s too bad. Good luck. I’ll cheer you on.”

“…”

Geum Myeongju, rendered speechless by Cheongun’s robotic reply, fell silent. At the same time, he grew restless. He desperately wanted to persuade Cheongun and create a connection between him and the Alliance.

“How did you come to be connected with the Ten Thousand Dragons Escort Agency?” Geum Myeongju changed the subject for now. He intended to somehow keep the conversation going and slowly persuade Cheongun.

Then, Cheongun replied in a faint voice.

“I broke the chief escort’s teeth.”

“Pardon?”

“I broke the chief escort’s teeth.”

“…”

Is he insane? Geum Myeongju, flustered, let out a grunt.

Cheongun asked in an unconcerned voice, “Are you done with your business?”

The intent of the question was clear. It meant he should leave if there was nothing else to discuss. It was also Cheongun’s way of expressing his unwillingness to continue the conversation.

If his own disciple had shown such an attitude in front of him, he would have struck his head with the wooden fish block without hesitation. But Cheongun was the disciple of the Red Night Sword Sovereign. Moreover, it was ambiguous to say he belonged entirely to the righteous path.

Geum Myeongju, now desperate, cleared his throat.

“As the Alliance Leader of the Justice Alliance, I have a request for young master Cheongun.” Geum Myeongju pulled out a golden token from his sleeve and smoothly presented it to Cheongun.

Cheongun stared at Geum Myeongju, his eyes wide.

“What is it?”

“It is a command token that proves the identity of a Chief Inspector.”

“Chief Inspector?”

Cheongun tilted his head.

“Why are you giving this to me?”

“I wish to create a connection between young master Cheongun and the Alliance.”

The martial world is vast. The Chief Inspector is a position that travels throughout this vast martial world, eliminating evil in the name of the Justice Alliance. In essence, during their duties, it was akin to holding the position of the Alliance Leader.

Geum Myeongju thought. Although Cheongun’s nature was extremely eccentric, he was clearly a young man who upheld righteousness. This incident was an example. Though he suddenly attacked the escort agency, the result showed that it was ultimately to save the common people who had been played by the agency’s schemes.

Although his methods were somewhat violent, such as breaking the teeth of those involved, the outcome showed that he went to each victim, bowed his head in apology, and even paid a large sum in compensation.

Furthermore, wasn’t he the young man whom Lee Gunbaek, the head of the Ten Thousand Dragons Escort Agency, who was so discerning about people, had acknowledged as his deputy head?

Just by looking at the deep profoundness in his eyes, one could discern his rough and unrefined, yet hidden inner goodness.

Of course, this was said because he knew nothing about Cheongun. Both his involvement with the Soul-Devouring Demonic Master and the Flying Demon Corps were, when considering the cause and effect, incidents that Cheongun himself had instigated. However, because he had eliminated all traces so perfectly, the public perceived it as them unilaterally attacking an innocent Cheongun. Furthermore, Bang Jongdae also kept his mouth shut to uphold his loyalty to Cheongun, so it was correct to say that Geum Myeongju knew nothing about Cheongun.

“Originally, I intended to entrust it to one of the elders, but it seems better to entrust it to young master Cheongun, who has no affiliation.”

“Hmm.”

“There will be no troublesome tasks. You just continue to act as you are, and if some incident occurs, you can step forward on behalf of the Justice Alliance and practice righteousness and chivalry.”

“What if problems arise then?”

“The Chief Inspector is the face of the Justice Alliance. Therefore, dealing with the aftermath is also the Alliance’s responsibility.”

“Is that so?”

At those words, Cheongun’s eyes sparkled. Geum Myeongju, thinking this was it, chuckled heartily and persuaded Cheongun.

“With the Chief Inspector’s command token, you will be well-received wherever you travel in the martial world. You can always enter any Justice Alliance branch as an honored guest and stay comfortably.”

Cheongun fell into thought. Even if he caused trouble, the Alliance would clean up after him, and he would be treated as an honored guest in any Justice Alliance branch scattered across the land.

Cheongun nodded. This was a profitable deal indeed.

Only then did Cheongun smile brightly and extend his hand for a handshake. Looking at Geum Myeongju, who received the handshake with a hesitant expression, he said:

“Please take care of me.”

“Haha, of course, young master.”

“Not young master, but Chief Inspector.”

“…”

****

The next morning, Geum Myeongju had departed, and Bang Jongdae was laid up, suffering from the after-effects of being beaten by his master. And then, someone, upon hearing the news, hurriedly came to find Cheongun.

“Sect Leader!”

It was none other than Jeok Hwaryeon.

“Not Sect Leader.”

At those words, Ryeon nodded, as if used to it.

“Ah, now you’re the deputy head?”

“No.”

“Huh? Then what are you?”

“I am the Chief Inspector.”

“…”

He was a branch leader, then a sect leader, then a deputy head, and now a Chief Inspector. His title seemed to change whenever he got bored. What a madman. Ryeon sighed.

“What brings you here?”

“What brings me here? I came because I was worried. But where are you going?”

“I’m going to the Haomun.”

“Haomun?”

“Yes.”

He had somehow become involved with the Flying Demon Corps, but his original reason for leaving had always been because of the Haomun. What had the Haomun Leader said? Had he told the Black Forest Gate to come under the Haomun’s command? It had been so long ago that he had completely forgotten. Therefore, though it was late, now was the time to visit the Haomun.

Ryeon said urgently, “Speaking of which, a letter from the Haomun arrived again.”

“What did it say?”

“It said they would retract the mistaken words they spoke in the distant past.”

“I see.” Cheongun resumed his steps.

“No, the Haomun has already backed down!”

“I know.”

“But why bother going there?”

“Who am I?”

“…The Chief Inspector?”

Nod. Cheongun nodded.

Cheongun slung a fishing rod over his shoulder and resumed his steps. Then he said vaguely, “I’ll be back.”

“…”

****

He arrived at the Haomun. At the main gate were sturdy guards. At a glance, they had the physique of martial artists.

“Who are you?” the man asked, and Cheongun replied, “I am the Chief Inspector.”

“What?”

“Bring out the Haomun Leader.”

“…”

Is he insane? The guards exchanged glances.

It was then. Cheongun, who had been right in front of them, was already climbing over the wall.

“What madman dares to climb over the Haomun’s wall!” The guard was enraged. At his resounding shout, even the disciples inside the manor gathered.

The guards, being hired martial artists, didn’t know Cheongun, but some who arrived late deduced Cheongun’s identity from his boyish appearance and the fishing rod slung over his shoulder.

“Mad Heaven No Sword?!”

From atop the wall, Cheongun held out the token toward everyone. “I am the Justice Alliance’s Chief Inspector.”

“…”

“Bring out the Haomun Leader.”

“…”