episode_0508

*** ***

“Whoa…!”

Entering Luoyang, the most prosperous city in the world, Navin looked around with sparkling eyes.

I have been to many cities with many people, but the streets of Luoyang are a gathering place for people from all over the world. There were so many people dressed in so many different types of clothing walking around the streets that it was almost hectic just watching the people.

However, even such people-watching was only a tip of Luoyang’s attractions. The tall pavilions, each of which was a sight to behold, were crowded together like ears of rice, blocking the view, and the strings between buildings had their backs hanging down, as if stars from the night sky had come down to earth.

Seeing the feast of lanterns that were enough to drive away the darkness of the night and the city full of life under those lanterns, Naveen was able to realize firsthand what the night-time nature that he had only heard about in letters was.

“Sabu! Luoyang! It’s so amazing!”

“Hehe. yes. So, isn’t it the capital of the empire?”

Ho Cheon-an patted Navin’s head as he jumped up and down. Then, a stall caught Hocheonan’s eyes, and it was a stall selling Tanghulu.

“Oh my! Welcome! How about a sweet Tanghulu that your child likes?”

“Give me one coated in sugar.”

“Yay!”

Navin, who was busy watching, was placed in the hands of Tanghulu, a flower apple. Navin was amazed as he looked at the bright, sugar-coated flower apple and took a big bite without hesitation.

“Huh~”

I loved it and groaned at the rich sweetness that soon spread in my mouth.

“More! It’s delicious!”

“Hehehe…eat slowly. If you eat too quickly, the sugar may get entangled and you may not be able to open your mouth.”

“Neng!”

Even though he answered that, the movement of chewing the Tanghulu vigorously did not slow down at all, and in the end, Navin, whose teeth were stuck in the sugar, continued to groan, and Ho Cheon-an just laughed.

Navin, who enjoyed the nightlife of Luoyang to no end, opened his mouth with a satisfied expression.

“Private Clothing It would have been nice if Grandpa had come too.”

Did they become attached to each other because they went on a long trip together? Navin looked around as if he were telling a great secret and whispered in Hocheonan’s ear.

“Actually, this is a secret? They say that Grandpa Sabokseol also really likes sugar.”

“I see.”

Well, I guess so.

Sugar is generally rare in the Central Plains, but Yunnan, with its terrain suitable for growing sugar cane, could be said to be a producer of sugar.

The theory is that he was born and raised in Yunnan all his life.

Foods that produce sweet taste are generally rare, and the sweetness of green tea or honey cannot be compared to the cleanliness of sugar. However, after wandering around for ten years in Seojang, where it is difficult to even find grain syrup or honey, it would not be strange if I developed an appetite for sugar.

“So, when I go back, I take some tanghulu for my grandfather to eat!”

“Hehe. So then.”

Ho Cheon-an thought of the plainclothes theory of taking care of spirit creatures in a concealed formation.

No matter how sweet it is, Tanghulu is usually a children’s snack. What kind of expression would Sabokseol, who is obsessed with masculinity as the leader of Sapa, make if he were to receive Tanghulu as a gift?

Ho Cheon-an, who was listening to such funny thoughts and lively chatter of Navin, realized that he had already reached his destination and stopped.

Navin read the plaque hanging on the huge mansion where Hocheonan stopped.

Nakyangjae.

“Do you happen to have business at Nakyangjae?”

When asked by the gatekeeper of Luoyangjae House, Ho Cheon-an lightly nodded.

“Could you tell me that the old instructor came to visit?”

Ho Cheon-an, former training instructor for the Geumuiuiwi.

He attended the 12th Division’s comrades’ meeting.

*** ***

An alumnus of an intelligence organization to maintain the emperor’s power.

Currently, my classmate was more alert than ever.

The reason was the government meeting that was held not long ago. Not only the government’s subordinates, but even local officials and governors spread across the world chose to remain silent, not conveying what happened in Wulin.

Since there was no subject who did not know that Yu-gyeong’s intention was to subdue the martial forest, he indirectly expressed his intention not to follow Yu-gyeong’s wishes.

In the end, since the subjects expressed their dissatisfaction as a group, naturally the classmate had no choice but to act as if his feet were on fire.

Du Yu-Chen, who was sighing while reading a report on the movements of officials, stopped.

A passage detailing the deeds of re-injury,

‘…Comrades’ Association?’

Is it the Twelfth Division’s Comrades’ Association?

As most of the alumni were recruited from the Jinui Committee, Du Wei-Chen, one of the second-in-commands of the alumni, was also a member of the Jinui Committee and knew about the existence of the Twelfth Division’s Comrades’ Association.

Starting with Prime Minister Jae Sang-hae, Yebu Sang-seo Corn, Red Armed General Kangchumoru, Imperial Army Instructor Jo Ga-ju, and Geumuiwiwi Dodok Jo Gap-deok.

Not only are there a large number of people who can be described as the pillars of the empire, but there are also giants such as Gwangjae-ryeon, which controls the steel industry of the current empire. It was a gathering that was often talked about even among high-ranking officials, as all of them were famous people from all walks of life.

A report that such a comrade-in-arms meeting for the 12th division will be held.

The convocation of the comrade-in-arms meeting itself lasts at least a year. It happened once every few years at most, so there was nothing strange about it.

“Everyone gathered together?”

It was certainly unusual for all of them to attend.

Even if it was the case of others, did Jo Ga-ju, who chose to stay away due to assassination threats, or Yebusangseo Okseok, who had been traveling in the countryside for several years, attended the comrades’ meeting?

In addition, there was even a report that an unidentified elderly person and a child entered Nakyangjae House.

‘A foreigner intervened in the comrades’ association at the Geumuiwi Training Center? How should we accept this fact?’

Wasn’t Jaesanghae already expressing direct opposition to the emperor’s subjugation of the Murim forest? A comrade’s meeting is held in Jaesanghae’s house, which has one or two suspicious corners?

smell. It smelled.

‘I guess I should go.’

Du Yuchen stood up from his seat.

*** ***

“Hahaha! corner! How have you been?”

Hearing Gwang Jae-ryeon’s still loud voice, a happy smile appeared on Corn’s face.

“Hahaha! I can tell you’re having a good time just by hearing that laugh!”

“Khahahaha! Well, I’m always like that!”

The members of the Twelfth Division met regularly, but in reality, it was rare for all of them to get together. One reason was that the difficult times continued, but more than that, it was because they had things to do in their respective positions, so it was not easy to find time.

As the years passed, the joy grew deeper and there was a lot of things to say, so just unraveling the thoughts filled the faces of the trainees of the Twelfth Division with smiles.

Jae Sang-hae was also laughing and chatting with his classmates and clearing the air. The Commander-in-Chief whispered something in his ear.

Jaesanghae, who heard the whisper, jumped up and said.

“Motives. Looks like you’ve finally arrived.”

The exciting conversation suddenly stopped. Jaesanghae made a gesture and the door to the banquet hall opened. Navin, who flinched from the pouring gaze and hid behind Ho Cheon-an, and Ho Cheon-an, who looked at the trainees with calm eyes, were revealed.

The trainees had mixed feelings when they saw their instructor, Ho Cheon-an, after a long time. The unwavering eyes that were like steel and the inner madness that was like a demon. And the passionate heart and thoughtful consideration hidden between such madness and thoroughness emerged from buried memories.

As the instructor became someone they had never expected, and they were reunited in a completely unexpected way, the trainees could not help but feel the transience of time.

And I was once again reminded of how precious the unchanging value is even in the midst of transience.

Jo Ga-ju opened his mouth and gave a military salute on behalf of the trainees.

“Meeting the instructor.”

The refrain of the thirteen people follows without hesitation.

“See you, instructor!”

Ho Cheon-an performed a military ritual by placing his hand over his heart in gratitude to the fourteen people who rushed to his request without hesitation.

Ho Cheon-an’s actions brought smiles to the trainees’ faces.

“Now!”

Jae Sang-hae raised his voice and raised the bottle.

“First! Let’s start with a drink!”

All the trainees cheered, and Ho Cheon-an also smiled and nodded.

An exciting drinking party followed, forgetting for a moment the chaos of the empire.

“Instructor! It’s too much to only meet corn and Kangchu Moru! Draw it!”

“Yes! So please take my cup too!”

Ho Cheon-an had no choice but to empty his glass with a bitter smile at the trainees’ harsh words. After the rumors broke, the trainees’ attention was focused on Navin.

“Are you a student of the instructor?”

“That’s right. Navin. Say hello.”

“Ah, hello. This is Navin! I’m Sabu’s disciple!”

Navin’s greeting brought big smiles to the trainees’ faces. Even though he introduced himself with bright eyes, he seemed awkward and scared, and it was very cute to see him stick close to Ho Cheon-an’s side.

Navin asked if he felt a little relieved when he saw the trainees’ big smiles.

“But…what kind of relationship do you guys have with your grandfather?”

“Hehe. He was once our instructor.”

“Instructor?”

When Navin, who had no concept of the position of an instructor, tilted his head, Ho Cheon-an patted Navin’s head and gave a simple answer.

“You could say they were my students.”

“Ah…! So these are my executioners?”

Navin’s eyes suddenly began to sparkle. Master has so many disciples! For Navin, who was secretly lonely, the news that there were many executions was good news.

The trainees burst into laughter as they looked at Navin’s bright eyes. It’s the death penalty. The relationship between instructor and trainee wasn’t like that, but whatever. Ho Cheon-an was also smiling, so Jae-sang-hae nodded cheerfully.

“You have a very young sister! Why not call it a death sentence! ”

“Yes! Death penalty for re-injury!”

“Hahahaha!”

The trainees, including Jaesanghae, stroked Navin’s head, and Navin continued to smile as he received the shower of touches.

When everyone is laughing happily like that.

The general with a serious complexion approached and whispered into Jaesanghae’s ear.

“Classmate Du Yucheon came to visit.”

An uninvited guest appeared at the wrong time. Jae Sang-hae frowned and tried to give instructions to the commander-in-chief, but Du Wi-cheon stormed into his seat even faster.

“Dowicheon. What are you doing here? I definitely don’t remember inviting you?”

Jae Sang-hae looked at Du Yu-cheon with bloody eyes, but Du Yu-cheon also had no intention of backing down easily.

“Is there a place in the world where classmates cannot come and go? I just visited to confirm that people who are considered pillars of the empire were having a private meeting.”

The atmosphere instantly became tense as the two fought.

“Prime Minister, General of the Red Army, Bridge of the Imperial Army, Sanghoe of Yebu, Governor of the Geumuiui….and other people who are worthy of being called famous people are gathered in one place, so I am so curious about the stories that will be exchanged here that I can’t stand it. What did you lose? If the will of the people here come together as one, what can’t be accomplished?”

Du Yu-Chen blatantly shows his suspicions.

‘Tsk.’

Jae Sang-hae clicked his tongue at Du Yu-cheon’s attitude. Among the members of the Comrades’ Association, there was no one who was not a big name, so it seemed that he had finally attracted the attention of his classmates.

And, strictly speaking, Du Yu-Chen’s suspicions were true.

In the end, the members of the Comrades’ Association gathered here decided to help Ho Cheon-an change the emperor’s will.

This decision was made because of the belief that Hu Tian-an would not harm the emperor, but from the perspective of Du Yu-cheon, who was not informed of this fact, it was not strange for him to judge the movement of this comrade in arms as a threat to the imperial family.

“I’ll just get a drink and go back, so don’t be too angry.”

Jaesanghai glared at Du Yucheon with a disapproving face, but even Jaesanghae of the world had no way to stop Du Yucheon. The authority to inspect Dongchang comes from the authority of the emperor. No matter how unethical it was, refusing inspection was tantamount to a challenge to the imperial authority.

“Don’t make a fuss.”

Jae Sang-hae frowned and poured a drink for Du Yu-cheon. Du Yu-Chen also politely accepted the drink and drank it with the intention of not making a big fuss.

No matter how much he was the second-in-command of his class, this was the prime minister’s house, and the people invited to the prime minister’s house were all bigwigs of the empire. Even though they were backed by the transcendent inspection authority that came from the emperor’s authority, conflict with them was a burden for Du Yu-Chen.

‘Still, I have to check.’

Du Yutian’s gaze returned to Hu Tianan. An unidentified person who has no reason to be here. Du Yu-Chen’s intuition whispered that he must figure out this person’s identity, even if it goes against the wishes of others.

“But I heard that today is the comrade’s association of the 12th division, but there is someone who is too old to be considered a comrade.”

“Huh, you mean yourself?”

“Yes. That’s right. My name is Doo Wi-cheon, and I am my classmate’s Lee Hyeong-baekho. Can you possibly hear the name of the elder?”

Gangchumoru, who was watching the scene, swallowed dry saliva.

The exact circumstances of the death of Princess Yuya, who used the name Hyukkirin in the martial arts world, were not made public.

He fought as a military officer to help Ho Cheon-an and stop the Apostolic Rebellion. It could not be revealed, so it was only known that he went on a secret mission to Yunnan and suffered a misfortune from the Sapa, and other trainees also knew that.

However, Gangchumoru, who directly led the Red Army in Yunnan and followed the orders of Ho Cheon-an and Princess Yuya, knew that Princess Yuya had died in the process of working with Ho Cheon-an to prevent Jeongcheol.

Dongchang was the emperor’s ear, so the moment he said the three characters of the name Hu Tian-an to Du Yu-tian, Emperor You Jing would know that Hu Tian-an was staying in Luoyang.

Yu-gyeong is unable to deal with the grief of losing her younger sister and tries to destroy the martial arts world itself. How will Yu-kyung react when she hears Ho Cheon-an’s name?

Kangchumoru was very worried about that fact, but he tried to control his worry. It’s not like the instructor didn’t know that fact, and since he has a deep heart, he wouldn’t try to cover it up in some way.

“It is called Hocheonan. He was once an instructor at the Geumuiwi who taught them.”

However, contrary to Kangchumoru’s expectations, Ho Cheon-an coolly revealed his name and whereabouts.

“Indeed. You were a former Geumuiwi instructor.”

“Hehe. okay. Are your doubts resolved?”

Du Yutian searched his head and barely remembered the information about Hu Tianan. A Sacheon nangin who is said to have made a contribution in Sacheon and became an external advisor to the Geumuiui Commission. I once saw a record of an unprecedented situation in which successful trainees dropped out en masse and were dismissed from their positions as a disciplinary reprimand.

‘After that, he didn’t show his face in public office, so he must have returned to martial arts.’

However, since I had no memory of ever hearing the name Hocheonan in Moorim, should I consider him an unknown person?

When I took a quick look at that area, I saw that it was somewhere between the peak and the transcendent peak. Even though he was a peak expert, he was by no means at a low level, but considering his age, he was not at a level he could be proud of, so it seemed like he was not particularly strong in martial arts or had a high reputation.

After recalling all the information, Du Yuchen became even more suspicious.

No matter how much I thought about it, there was no reason for Ho Cheon-an to be here.

He was someone who had never appeared at the numerous comrade meetings held so far, and from the trainees’ point of view, there was no reason to invite him.

Why would you invite someone to the Comrades Association who you hated so much that you threw away the road to success called the Gold Medical Council and dropped out?

‘It’s suspicious.’

Du Yutian began to observe Hu Tianan. Then there were more than one suspicious thing. Her palms were full of cold sweat, and her facial expressions were not very good, but in the eyes of her classmate Du Yu-Chen, she seemed like she was putting on a show.

Are you nervous because you met a classmate?

For that to be the case, the aspects of the Comrades’ Association were too grandiose. Are you nervous because you only met the second-in-command of your classmate while talking to high-ranking officials such as prime minister, general, governor, and minister?

‘He’s not a government official, so there’s no reason to be afraid!’

When I thought about it that way, all of Ho Cheon-an’s actions seemed suspicious.

Even the movements of the uvula swallowing saliva and the twisting movements of the feet all seemed like movements to avoid oneself.

Du Wi-Chen, unbefitting a member of an intelligence organization, easily fell into confirmation bias, but Du Wi-Chun was already so inclined that he could not even recognize that fact.

That’s because Ho Cheon-an’s actions fit perfectly to the point where I felt confident even though there was no basis for it.

‘Well, he’s definitely hiding something!’

And the truth that Ho Cheon-an is hiding may be related to the fact that all fourteen trainees of the Twelfth Division are gathered here now.

“But anyway.”

So, Du Yutian decided to put pressure on Hu Tianan and see his reaction.

“I don’t think it’s polite to use Hao for my classmate Lee Hyung Baek-ho, even though he’s a former instructor of the Gold Medical Commission. ”

Du Yu-cheon was easily caught, just as Ho Cheon-an had hoped.