Chapter 289: The Chain of Fate

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A soft, gentle voice reached the ears of the prostrate Ju Yu-gang.

“When there’s no one watching, why bother with formalities?”

Embroidered Guard Grand Marshal Gongsun Hwa, having spoken thus, went and sat at the simple table within the office.

“Now, come here and have a seat.”

Only then did Ju Yu-gang raise his head and stand up.

Then he surveyed the complexion of Gongsun Hwa, who sat leaning back, and muttered briefly to himself.

‘He’s still as healthy as ever.’

Though he was an old man in his seventies with white hair, white eyebrows, and white beard, his atmosphere was reminiscent of a fierce tiger.

His eyes were exceptional to begin with.

His dark pupils were filled with brilliant light.

It was clear.

Clear enough to cleanse even the heart of one who looked on quietly.

Yet it wasn’t light.

It was heavy like a boulder.

It was naturally an eye light that overwhelmed all ten thousand under heaven.

There was no tyrannical oppressiveness at all.

However.

He possessed an aura that others couldn’t easily approach.

His attire was ordinary, yet his intangible presence was extraordinary.

A tiger sleeping with sharp fangs and claws hidden.

That would be an apt description.

Fearsome true energy latent within his aged body could be felt.

It seemed to be there yet not there, but his true level of internal power was dizzily high like that distant sky.

However, that was hard to know without what was called a super-master’s senses.

Ju Yu-gang was a martial official who had received teachings from him, so he knew well.

Gongsun Hwa’s wondrous internal power cultivation and martial achievement.

His martial power was practically at the Mythical Realm.

Martial prowess that had reached a literally supreme realm, with even the top master of the Orthodox-Unorthodox martial world not in his eyes.

If anything, it was natural if you thought about it.

Wasn’t he the head of the organization that attended to the emperor of a nation – the very pinnacle of the so-called power structure – who governed the country?

As someone who commanded the imperial special forces organization, extreme-level martial power was a prerequisite.

Especially the current Son of Heaven, Emperor Sima Jinlong, was someone who normally valued military and martial matters.

Therefore, he wasn’t satisfied unless the special-duty martial official who guarded and followed him was genuinely the best.

Gongsun Hwa had held the position of Embroidered Guard Grand Marshal ever since Sima Jinlong ascended to the throne.

In other words, Emperor Sima Jinlong’s judgment and trust in his personal martial prowess had remained unshaken until now.

The current organization and composition of the Embroidered Guard was likewise – all executives were ultra-first-rate martial officials.

Historians evaluate it thus.

That the Embroidered Guard possesses such overwhelming combat power that even combining all the core masters of the Nine Great Sects starting with Shaolin Temple, the Seven Great Families, and so on would be unable to contend with them.

County Magistrate Ju Yu-gang was precisely from that Embroidered Guard.

More precisely, he had been one of three Vice Commanders, core executives under the Embroidered Guard Grand Marshal.

Ju Yu-gang, having adjusted his attire, smiled gently.

“It’s nice to see Master’s esteemed face here like this.”

“Hehot. Master, you say. It’s been a long time since I’ve heard that title.”

Gongsun Hwa responded with an affectionate and benevolent smile.

His expression seemed to hold new emotions.

“Please wait a moment.”

Ju Yu-gang hurriedly prepared a tea table for him.

“Here you go. This is a tea I’ve enjoyed drinking since coming to Wuyang. Though it’s not the regional specialty Thousand-Tael Jade Tea.”

As steam rose from the teacup, Gongsun Hwa deliberately threw out a mischievous remark.

“My, this spread is too modest. To call me Master and then give such poor treatment… tsk.”

As if proving they were on easy terms, Ju Yu-gang also playfully countered.

“Didn’t you teach me that one cannot always put good and precious things in one’s mouth?”

“Ah, did I say that? I taught wrong. If I’d known it would be like this, I should have taught you to always treat your superior with a feast of mountain and sea delicacies.”

“It’s already too late for that.”

“Yes, seeing you, it seems so.”

“Ah, while you’re at it, please give me a salary increase. Then I can also prepare a feast of mountain and sea delicacies to any extent.”

No sooner had those words ended than Gongsun Hwa picked up his teacup and feigned indifference.

“Hmm, the smell is good. The taste isn’t bad either.”

“You’re the same as ever.”

“Of course, would it do for a person to suddenly change? It’s thanks to being consistent that I’m still maintaining my position. Hahaha.”

Ju Yu-gang laughed wryly and casually asked.

“Why did you come alone?”

However, contrary to his question, he had roughly grasped Gongsun Hwa’s intentions.

A secret request – in other words, a kind of mission.

Probably, for that reason, he had visited the Wuyang government building without even bringing the Protecting General who normally followed him like a shadow.

‘He has something to tell me separately. Has something happened? Within the imperial palace…? But most of the treacherous officials should have been dealt with by the Guard.’

Gongsun Hwa changed his expression and put down his teacup while speaking.

“Hmm, actually, an incident has occurred.”

At that, Ju Yu-gang’s expression also changed along with it.

“Pardon? An incident, you say?”

“Strictly speaking… it’s still uncertain, though.”

Ju Yu-gang was somehow gripped by an ominous premonition.

Gongsun Hwa soon spoke in a soft voice.

“Missing personnel have occurred. Communication was lost during mission execution.”

Simultaneously, Ju Yu-gang’s eye light rapidly hardened.

‘Could it be…!’

Suddenly, the appearance of a man flashed through his mind.

A young man in his early twenties with ordinary gray clothes and a sturdy physique.

It was Namgung Heon-rin, a martial official belonging to the Embroidered Guard who had visited Wuyang in the past and conversed with him.

He had appeared abruptly when he was executing the Thousand Snake Gang executives that he had deliberately let go.

-Heon-rin, what brings you here?

-Haha, it’s because of a mission that came down from headquarters, of course. What other reason would there be?

-Right, indeed. I asked a stupid question.

-I was passing by nearby and came by on purpose when I learned you were here, but it was total chaos. So I unintentionally surveyed the surroundings and followed you here. To greet you without being spotted by others… you were the same as ever.

-Of course, my nature isn’t going anywhere.

-Still… it’s better if you’re careful.

-I know well. In any case, this time I had no choice.

-Yes, I heard everything you said earlier. I roughly grasped the situation. Honestly… I would have done the same.

-I appreciate you saying that. I won’t explain separately.

“Are the missing personnel Heon-rin and Jeon Kwae’s group by any chance?”

When Ju Yu-gang asked with concern, Gongsun Hwa nodded.

“Yes, how did you know?”

“They came here before.”

“I see. Did they say anything else?”

“No. I just heard they had work to do. Hmm…”

Swallowing his pensive sound, Ju Yu-gang recalled the last conversation before Heonrin left at that time.

-I should get going now. Originally, I was going to drink a cup of tea and chat, but I didn’t know such a thing would happen, so time was delayed.

-All right. Go ahead. By the way, is everything fine over there?

-Yes, so far… of course, isn’t it our duty to thoroughly manage things so that nothing happens? Haha. Anyway, I’ll be counting the days until you return.

He had said that with a bright smile and disappeared.

So he hadn’t particularly worried about that mission.

Because he had bidden farewell as if the work would be wrapped up quickly.

Moreover, he wasn’t a martial official who would easily be bested by just anyone, so he had put his mind at ease.

Naturally.

Both Namgung Heon-rin and Jeon Kwae were members of the elite force within the Embroidered Guard, after all.

They were talents who possessed outstanding martial power comparable even to famous Rising Stars of the Orthodox-Unorthodox.

Moreover, they had coincidentally met Cheol Ryu-heun and received help, and their martial level had even risen.

‘Did that mute enemy appear again? But…’

That matter was something he had heard about from Cheol Ryu-heun.

-You seem worried. But those two brats, they won’t easily be bested from now on under ordinary circumstances.

-What do you mean?

-They consumed Hundred-Year Snow Ginseng.

-What…!

-I gave it to them as a gift.

-I-is that true?

-They both gained ten years’ worth of internal power anew right away. They’ll probably see additional effects if a bit more time passes.

-…!

Hearing those words, he had been relieved, but he never expected them to suddenly go missing.

Ju Yu-gang, whose expression had darkened, muttered inwardly.

‘Something is amiss. You told me to be careful, yet you yourself…’

His fist clenched on its own.

With a quite regretful heart.

If only he had given even a little advice as a senior and superior when they met…

Then he quickly threw out a question.

“How long has it been?”

“It’s been over two months.”

“…!”

“I’m only telling you now, but they had set out on an unofficial mission.”

“If it’s an unofficial mission…”

“It was a temporary operation executed based on this old man’s independent judgment. That’s why the personnel were assembled in small numbers. Also, it was kept secret from His Majesty. With the intention of holding off until definite results came out.”

“May I ask what kind of matter it was?”

“To summarize, it was tracking the criminal who illegally excavated relics from an ancient imperial tomb.”

“Pardon? Who is that?”

“Nak-nyeong.”

“That’s a name I’m hearing for the first time.”

“He was a squad leader of the guard force managing major imperial tombs and relics that the imperial house had designated as special management targets. His martial power itself isn’t high, but his lightness arts are of considerable level.”

“My goodness, instead of doing what he was supposed to, he stole instead.”

“He happened to take… an unusual relic. That’s why I specially dispatched personnel.”

Gongsun Hwa then indicated something with a gesture of his chin along with those words.

The government-issue iron sword leaning against one side of the office desk.

“It’s an item not unrelated to that.”

At that, Ju Yu-gang recalled Gongsun Hwa’s message from the past.

-Before you leave, keep just this one thing in mind absolutely. I’m well aware of your exceptional sense of justice and duty, but it would be troublesome to get swept up in unnecessary matters and expose your true identity. You must also keep that sword disguised as government-issue well-guarded. Understood?

“It’s an item connected to ancient strange tales.”

At Ju Yu-gang’s words, Gongsun Hwa nodded.

“The Yellow Toad Inkstone.”

That was an inkstone shaped like a yellowish toad.

Said to have been made from the ancient precious treasure Yellow Auspicious Jade.

Gongsun Hwa’s soft voice continued right away.

“Besides that, there are additional ancient items that have been lost. Someone must have secretly commissioned it.”

“That means… there’s a mastermind.”

“It means there exists a force trying to realize ancient strange tales in the current era. Although the imperial side is dismissing it as absurd legend…”

“Is it a group from the martial world?”

“Yes. Neither Orthodox nor Unorthodox… we are speculating it’s a mysterious force that has constructed a third camp. That’s why I’m conducting this operation in secret.”

“Perhaps… there’s also a possibility of an Order Cult.”

“Order Cult?”

“Yes, Heon-rin’s group has most likely gone missing in the Shiwan Mountains.”

“Why do you think so?”

“There is someone else I met separately.”

“Who is that?”

“The new Sect Leader of White Peak Sword Sect, Cheol Ryu-heun.”

Ju Yu-gang then added a series of explanations.

After hearing everything, Gongsun Hwa silently stroked his chin.

“Oho… such a thing happened…”

Ju Yu-gang lowered his gaze after taking a sip of tea.

“What should I do?”

“Actually, that was the name I was about to mention.”

“Pardon?”

“The Cheol Ryu-heun you just mentioned.”

“…!”

“Meet him and make a request. For searching for Heon-rin’s group.”

“However…”

“It’s difficult for us to dispatch additional personnel. As you well know, if the side that keeps the Guard in check catches on… it will invite needless misunderstanding. Seeking a collaborator from the martial world and receiving help is currently the best method. To gain even small clues. For that, Cheol Ryu-heun, whose ability is verified, is the perfect fit. You’ve already swept out the Thousand Snake Gang together with him, so use that acquaintance to ask him.”

At those words, Ju Yu-gang frowned and muttered.

“Ha… so I’m getting entangled with him again like this.”

* * *

Cheol Ryu-heun, who had been lying on the bed, picked at his ear.

“It’s suddenly itchy. Hey, were you bad-mouthing me?”

At that, Ximen Yue’s reply came from the yard.

“Pardon? Surely not.”

“Never mind then. How’s the yard? Is it all right to lie down and sleep in?”

“Ah… yes, well… it’s… o-okay, I suppose.”

At Ximen Yue’s reluctant answer, Cheol Ryu-heun spoke in an apathetic voice.

“Ah, really? If it wasn’t okay, I was going to tell you to come inside. Well then, see you in the morning.”

At those words, Ximen Yue’s face scrunched up mightily.

KEUUK! It’s cold, cold I say! What am I, a dog, to sleep in the yard…

Wait, now that I think about it, is he only pretending to forgive me on the outside while actually continuing to torment me inside because he hates me?