Episode 414
Shake (8)
“Hmm.”
Jong-myeong put down the documents and took off the gray hair covering the bridge of his nose.
“This month’s catch has decreased significantly.”
“That’s right.”
“The reason is?”
Adjutant Sangak bowed his head.
“We are still investigating, but it looks like something happened on the southern end.”
“A disaster? Could it be that the Japanese government or those from the western region are interfering with fishing?”
“That’s not it.”
“Well, if those guys had appeared, the provincial command would have sent troops first. “For what reason?”
“I think it’s because of the martial arts people…”
Jongmyeong’s eyes deepened.
“Murimin?”
“That’s right. “Many of the Baekdo faction’s martial arts faction, which was responsible for civilian stability in southern Guangdong, went extinct.”
“It’s annihilation.”
Jongmyeong leaned back in his chair.
There is no significant change in facial expression. However, Jongmyeong’s planting was not very good.
‘Moorim again.’
He did not like the Murim people.
However, my family has never been harmed by the martial arts people or suffered any losses due to them. In other words, he did not hate the martial arts people.
Jongmyeong was a person who denied the very existence of the martial arts people.
The reason was simple. This was because they were largely free from imperial law and were not subject to control.
It was a serious risk from a national standpoint. Fortunately, since the absolutely ridiculous non-aggression pact between the empire and the martial arts was signed, the Baekdo political faction has contributed greatly to the safety of the people’s lives, so they have not been able to say anything until now.
‘They are outlaws. ‘Pass by.’
Clearly, the Baekdo political faction is making up for the corners that the empire failed to pay attention to. Furthermore, the political faction Mumun regularly sends talented people to the imperial palace to strengthen military power, so in a way, it can be said to be an indispensable entity.
However, even so, it was a big problem that they, as subjects of the empire, were free from the law.
There is a lot of controversy even when giving privileges to high-ranking officials who have made great contributions to the country. However, the majority of the martial arts people did not make much effort and went beyond the scope of the law.
‘If they decide to rise up, it will be a huge blow to the current empire.’
Of course, the probability of that happening is not high. If a war breaks out between the country and the martial arts, the empire will suffer great damage, but the martial arts will inevitably face threats to its existence.
However, this does not change the fact that their very existence is a threat.
What family in the world would raise a dog to guard the house or a wolf? Dogs do not bite their owners even when they are hungry, but wolves eat their owners when they are hungry.
The Murim people are like that. Bloody outlaws who never know when or how they might change.
‘I guess I need to tidy it up.’
Jongmyeong sighed inwardly.
‘Because I can’t move as I please.’
Although Seungseonpojeongsasa was said to be in charge of ruling a province, that did not mean he had military authority.
The province’s ruling military administration and judiciary are divided into separate institutions and do not interfere with each other. It was almost like it was another family affair.
‘If I had been a provincial commander rather than a governor of Left Bao, I would have persuaded the governor of the five counties to erase all of the Wulin sect in Guangdong.’
Erasing does not necessarily mean killing everything. Controlling Guangdong Province will become much easier just by expelling them to other regions.
Jongmyeong, who had been lost in thought for a while, soon regained his appetite.
‘What am I thinking?’
Perhaps because the review process has become so complicated these days, radical policies that I would never have thought of come to mind.
“It looks like we got into a fight among ourselves again. It’s done. “They got into a fight once or twice.”
“That too…”
“No matter what, in the short term it will cause damage to the grassroots, but in the long term it is not that bad. It would be better if I took this opportunity to destroy myself…”
At that moment, Jongmyeong tilted his head.
“for a moment. Did you say southern end?”
“That’s right.”
“If it’s Namdan… is there a Yin family?”
Sangak sighed.
“Fortunately, it is said that the Eun family did not go extinct.”
“…Hmm. “That’s a good thing.”
Although they did not condone the existence of the martial arts people, the Eun family was still not bad.
No, it’s actually okay. Although the Eun clan is a Murim clan, it was originally a civil servant family that sacrificed itself for the empire until a hundred years ago.
After their family was almost uprooted due to some kind of incident, they accidentally acquired martial arts books and were reborn as members of the Murim family, but their loyalty to the empire was still strong.
In other words, thanks to the Eun family, the martial arts community in southern Guangdong was able to remain peaceful without any major incidents.
Jongmyeong planned to recommend the head of the Eun family to the military government agencies of the empire in the future. With that level of character and strength, the empire would certainly welcome him greatly.
“But what on earth happened that caused several sects to suddenly become extinct? “The Eun family must have coordinated well in the middle, right?”
“I don’t even know what’s involved up to that point. “We are continuing the investigation, so if the head of the Eun family cooperates, we will be able to find out the cause within three or four days.”
“Um, really?”
It was then.
“Oh, old man!”
An urgent voice came from outside the door.
Jongmyeong frowned.
“What’s going on? “I told you not to disturb me during my work hours.”
“We’re in big trouble!”
Jongmyeong and Sangak’s faces hardened.
In most cases, it is difficult to feel that kind of urgency in the voice. Thinking about it, it was the first time that the guard captain who had been guarding this place for the past few years was so urgent.
“Is it a big deal? “Did something go wrong?”
“Right now, an unidentified cavalry within Guando is rushing towards here at terrifying speed! “Many of the soldiers who approached us to identify them were injured!”
“cavalry?!”
“That’s right! “He is riding a red divine horse that is rarely seen again in the world, and he is charging towards here with a huge axe!”
Jongmyeong’s eyes wavered.
“A cavalryman? “Are you saying you’re not a martial artist?”
“I’m not sure, but that breakthrough power is unusual! “It breaks through every block, but when you look at the strength with which it swings the axe, it doesn’t look like that of a human!”
Sanggak asked hurriedly.
“Aside from everything else, are you sure that the cavalry is coming here?”
“At every fork in the road, we are taking the shortest route to the official residence! “The probability that the cavalry’s destination is this residence is greater than nine!”
“Oh no!”
Sang-gak said to Jong-myeong.
“Elder! “Get out of the way first!”
Jongmyeong’s eyes deepened.
“This is my residence. It is a home and workplace given by the government to carry out one’s duties. “Where are you saying you’re going?”
“Elder! Just in case, his target is the elderly…!”
“Of course it will be me.”
“Yes?!”
“If you see the guard captain making such a fuss, it means that it will be difficult to stop it with our troops. Moreover, if you know the shortest route to the official residence, even if you run away now, it will only be a matter of time before you get caught.”
Jongmyeong closed his eyes.
“I would do it a thousand times if I could escape and save my life, but I don’t want to show my ugly side to the unknown robber ship that is already right in front of me.”
“Elder!”
“and.”
Flash!
When Jongmyeong opened his eyes again, they were burning like fire.
“I’d like to take a look. Why is he targeting me? “Although I am not a person who has lived a good life according to the words of the sages, I am confident that I have not lived my life causing harm to anyone, so I wonder what kind of grudge he has against me.”
Sangak was restless.
“Wake up now! The opponent is most likely a martial artist! “They are uncontrollable…!”
“Don’t worry.”
The corners of Jongmyeong’s mouth rose.
It was a complex smile filled with bitterness, anticipation, and fatigue.
“If a rumor spreads throughout the world that an unidentified martial artist killed Master Jwapo, the empire’s view of the martial arts people will not be kind.”
“…Are you intentionally trying to stay?”
“My life is precious to me too. “I’m not saying I’m going to stay here just because I don’t want to show my ugly side.”
“Elder! Please think about it now…!”
“I’m sure his target is me, but I don’t think he wants my death.”
“Yes?!”
Fatigue due to excessive workload became chronic.
However, even in urgent moments, Jongmyeong did not lose his characteristic firearms. Regardless of his personal ideology, he was a man of great standing who rose from the bottom to the position of Seungseon Left Pojeongsa.
“If someone with that level of skill wanted to take my life, he wouldn’t have rushed at me on horseback in broad daylight. “Maybe it would have been better if they had secretly sneaked in and carried out the assassination.”
Sang-gak was speechless for a moment. This is because the species name was plausible.
Jongmyeong said towards the door.
“Guardian. open the way “Don’t cause unnecessary casualties.”
“I obey your orders!”
How much time has passed like that?
“Stop! This is the official residence of the elder of Seungseon Jwapojeongsa! “Get off the horse and reveal your identity…!”
“Move!”
Kwaaaaang!
The earth shook with a tremendous explosion.
It was a huge shock wave. So much so that Jongmyeong’s body, sitting in his office, trembled once.
Jongmyeong’s eyes wavered.
‘That’s amazing.’
How far is it from here to the main gate? However, a deafening boom was heard, and the shock was felt even here.
How strong does it have to be to be able to do this? What kind of martial arts must one learn to show such overwhelming breakthrough power?
After a while.
Paaaaaaaa! Quang!
There was a look of surprise on Jongmyeong’s face.
A wall collapsed in the distance, and a young man soon appeared.
‘…!!’
It was an overwhelming feeling of intimidation.
The upper body was covered in black-grey iron chains, and the entire body was covered in light armor. In one hand, he was holding a double-edged ax the size of a human body, and its ferocity was beyond words.
Jongmyeong stood up.
Young Yeon Ho-jeong asked Jong-myeong.
“Is this the right name for the Jwapojeongsa species?”
“That’s right. “Who are you to commit such rudeness?”
“I will reveal my identity later. “Let’s move with me right now.”
“Nonsense! Not only did they break into the official residence of Master Baocheong, but they also injured the nation’s best soldiers and me, the official…!”
It was then.
Yeon Ho-jeong, who was about to open his mouth to stop Jong-myeong’s words, saw red smoke billowing from afar outside the window.
It was smoke rising from a long distance away. Even though the wind is blowing, it is going straight up toward the sky, and if it can be seen so clearly from here, it probably means that smoke is coming out of the entire mountain.
And that direction was the south where Mo Fei and Sima County were heading.
‘…?!’
Yeon Ho-jeong amplified the mood. The Yeongasindan rotated at high speed and moved around the area.
‘does not exist.’
does not exist.
There was not a single suspicious person. Unless Yayuljeok is determined and uses stealth techniques, it would be difficult for any assassin in the world to escape Yeonhojeong’s senses.
‘Then what?!’
At that time, Yeon Ho-jeong caught Sang-gak’s eyes.
His expression, which was full of anger and embarrassment, suddenly became calm, and his eyes were colored with a subtle murderous intent.
And the location of the sanggak was in front of the left side of the species name.
“….”
There was a strange silence for a moment.
Chaaaaaa!
Sangak pulled a dagger from his waist and swung his hand at incredible speed.
The target point was Jongmyeong’s neck.
