Chapter 51: The Plan Has Already Been Executed

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Ju Yu-gang looked alternately at the White Fang Sword on the desk and Cheol Ryu-heun standing in front of him as he posed a question.

“The fact that you risked being discovered to come here means you already have a plan related to this sword in your head, right?”

“Of course.”

Cheol Ryu-heun’s brief answer.

Following that, he quietly muttered internally.

‘Swift situational judgment – quite a decent fellow.’

County magistrates might be found everywhere in each region, but the person before him felt somehow different.

Meanwhile, Ju Yu-gang felt a strong curiosity arise upon seeing Cheol Ryu-heun’s utterly indifferent expression.

The age shown on his face was at most twenty.

Yet what was that look in his eyes?

Deep and calm, like someone who had understood all worldly affairs and furthermore had reached the realm of enlightenment and transcendence.

It felt as if a deep, dark abyss was latent in that pair of pupils.

This was a first.

Such a difficult person to read emotionally.

How long had it been?

Since meeting such an impressive person.

He even thought that if there existed an unprecedented being that belonged to none of the categories of ordinary person, martial artist, eccentric, or immortal, it might be him.

As his curiosity grew ever larger, Ju Yu-gang displayed the dignity and majesty befitting his official position.

“You’re an interesting fellow. But you’ve got the order wrong. Reveal your identity first.”

At that, Cheol Ryu-heun unfastened the front of his outer garment.

Another garment hidden beneath.

It was the attire symbolizing the White Peak Sword Sect Master.

“That’s the Sect Master’s martial uniform – then…?”

“I’m the new Sect Master, Cheol Ryu-heun.”

“…!”

About a month ago, immediately upon being appointed to this place, Ju Yu-gang had his subordinates report various information about the area under his jurisdiction in detail.

Of course, that included news and rumors about White Peak Sword Sect, including the unfortunate death of White Gate Sword Gentleman Sagong Woon and other martial world matters, large and small.

At that time, according to what he’d heard, the twenty-year-old direct disciple Cheol Ryu-heun was clearly in a vegetative state…

This was hard to readily understand.

Yet the man who had appeared before his eyes was in perfectly fine condition.

Just from appearances, he couldn’t tell if this was really someone who had been in a vegetative state.

“Cheol Ryu-heun, you say – then what I know is just baseless rumor?”

“What, I was lying down the whole time. Just recovered recently.”

“No aftereffects whatsoever?”

“As you can see.”

“I see… Anyway, how unexpected.”

When Ju Yu-gang spoke as if finding it remarkable, Cheol Ryu-heun soon took a chair from one side and sat down.

“Cutting to the chase – I came to visit thinking it would be good to cooperate on striking the Thousand Snake Gang.”

At that, Ju Yu-gang stared at him with his mouth shut.

“…”

“Does my informal speech bother you?”

“Not really.”

Ju Yu-gang was unexpectedly tolerant.

While maintaining his official dignity and majesty, he seemed unbothered by conventional etiquette.

In truth, an ordinary official would have thundered an angry rebuke immediately.

“You’re generous. This makes conversation easier.”

Cheol Ryu-heun nodded as if pleased.

Soon, Ju Yu-gang’s voice dropped low.

“Since you don’t seem to be an enemy of the government, I won’t take issue with secular courtesies. I know White Peak Sword Sect is an orthodox martial sect in name. But what gives you the confidence to come find me?”

“I heard rumors too.”

“What?”

“The rumor that Youyang’s new magistrate follows the rules well.”

Ju Yu-gang felt oddly proud.

He never imagined someone would trust that and come visit.

It was a moment when he felt rewarded for conducting his duties with no shame before heaven as an official receiving the nation’s salary.

“So… You predicted that I would at least not be a corrupt official gnawing at the common people’s lives?”

“Meeting you, it does seem that way.”

Those words from Cheol Ryu-heun made Ju Yu-gang feel a strange fondness.

‘The more I see him, the more impressive he is.’

Smiling inwardly, Ju Yu-gang soon leaned his government-issue iron sword against the underside of the desk.

An attitude of setting aside suspicion for now and listening.

He had shown a kind of trust in that way.

“When did you learn martial arts?”

Cheol Ryu-heun threw back the question Ju Yu-gang had posed.

“Why, did you think I was a clerk who only handled papers, so you were surprised when I suddenly picked up a sword?”

“You’re from a military background. Having also cultivated internal energy.”

In an instant, Ju Yu-gang’s pupils showed a peculiar light.

‘He sensed it? The hidden energy I deliberately concealed…?’

One could roughly guess from the rough hands unsuitable for a scholar that he was a warrior who handled swords.

But internal energy was a different matter.

In truth, the energy of the mental cultivation method he had learned had such a deeply hidden attribute that it couldn’t be imitated by just anyone.

He was confident that unless one was a top-tier expert second to none in the entire Hunan region, it would be impossible to detect through energy sense alone.

But Cheol Ryu-heun had figured it out too easily, leaving him flustered.

‘Could he be that outstanding an expert? This is incomprehensible. Earlier, there wasn’t even a sign of him channeling internal energy to heighten his senses.’

According to existing information, Cheol Ryu-heun was a promising talent within his sect, but opinions said he was absolutely not someone with innate aptitude like the heirs of famous great sects.

His ability to infiltrate this far meant he was certainly someone with extraordinary skills… but to exceed expectations by this much was newly puzzling.

Regardless, Cheol Ryu-heun spoke again.

“The amount of internal energy latent in your body is considerable. Any ordinary government martial officer wouldn’t dare carelessly present their badge.”

Ju Yu-gang, having impressed him yet again, replied with feigned composure.

“You have uncommon perception.”

“Well, I’m not bad.”

“There’s a different story behind why I possess martial arts. So don’t expect an answer.”

“I’m not interested anyway.”

Cheol Ryu-heun had an uninterested face matching his tone.

Ju Yu-gang folded his arms and asked about the biggest question.

“How did you obtain the White Fang Sword?”

“I took it.”

“What…”

“After killing him.”

“…!”

Ju Yu-gang’s eyes rippled like waves.

Him.

The owner of the White Fang Sword.

For him, who knew well who that referred to, these were quite shocking words.

“By ‘him,’ you don’t mean…”

“That’s right. The snake head.”

“You’re saying you personally cut down White Snake Head Sword and then confiscated it?”

When Ju Yu-gang showed a surprised look, Cheol Ryu-heun nodded slightly.

“The Thousand Snake Gang struck our sect first. I dealt with him then.”

“When?”

“About ten days ago, roughly.”

“What a fascinating incident. By the way, you don’t seem to have any aftereffects from injuries?”

“Obviously.”

“Obviously?”

“Because the fight ended quickly.”

“My… Wait, then the Thousand Snake Gang liquidating all their businesses recently is also related to that incident?”

“It’s because of the reparation they have to pay our sect.”

“I see…”

Right after, Ju Yu-gang’s gaze and Cheol Ryu-heun’s gaze quietly crossed.

“Heh.”

Ju Yu-gang, pulling up one corner of his mouth, adjusted his sitting posture and brought out his inner thoughts.

“Impressive. You… were a much greater person than I thought. I acknowledge it.”

It was sincere praise.

He never expected such an outstanding martial talent to be hidden in the fallen White Peak Sword Sect.

From what he surmised, the Thousand Snake Gang’s fighting power was by no means weak, yet not only had he defended against their surprise attack, he’d even eliminated their leader…

This was someone who exceeded the simple category of a promising talent.

He didn’t know what magic he’d worked to become stronger after recovering from his vegetative state, but one thing was clear: his skill was at a level that could easily be counted among the geniuses or prodigies of the current martial world.

In truth, how many martial artists of such young age in all of Hunan could kill Gul Ma-hun, a mid-level expert?

Suddenly, one person’s name came to his mind.

Ximen Yue.

The young sword prodigy age twenty-four who had risen rapidly in recent years, earning the title of Celestial Wind Sword Youth.

According to hearsay, his martial prowess was at a level approaching that of his eldest brother, who was designated as the next Family Head.

Since the fame and title of someone active in Shaanxi Province had spread all the way to Hunan Province here, his talents must have been sufficiently proven.

‘I heard recently that Ximen Yue is such a prodigy he could be called a phoenix among chickens…’

He thought Cheol Ryu-heun’s martial prowess might be high enough to stand shoulder to shoulder with the small number of rising experts, including Ximen Yue.

If he hadn’t suffered a single wound against Gul Ma-hun, it meant he was at least on par with his master Sagong Woon.

Looking now, White Peak Sword Sect’s future wasn’t entirely dark.

Thanks to the existence of new Sect Master Cheol Ryu-heun, they might gradually reclaim their former glory.

If a little more time passed from here, and if his growth continued, it seemed highly likely that the martial world power balance in this Hunan region would change.

‘Well, it’s still too early to say for sure.’

Anyway, he judged there was a need to watch Cheol Ryu-heun’s future movements closely.

It wouldn’t be so bad to build exchanges with White Peak Sword Sect through today’s meeting.

At that moment, Cheol Ryu-heun stretched fully and spoke.

“Shall we get to the main point?”

At that, Ju Yu-gang quickly voiced what he’d been calculating in his head.

“Currently, there’s no rumor circulating here regarding Gul Ma-hun’s death. Is there perhaps another ulterior motive?”

“You catch on fast.”

“Spare me the compliments – hurry and answer. What do you know?”

“They’re reorganizing their internal fighting power. To strike our sect again.”

At those words from Cheol Ryu-heun, Ju Yu-gang suddenly grasped something.

“Right – you anticipated what the Thousand Snake Gang would do and confiscated the White Fang in advance!”

“Correct.”

“What’s the precise plan?”

“The plan has already been executed.”

When Cheol Ryu-heun answered indifferently, Ju Yu-gang’s eyes went wide.

“What?”

“Before coming here, I stopped by one of the command posts in your jurisdiction and caused quite a commotion.”

“…!”

“You just need to coordinate well with me, then use the White Fang as justification to hit the snake nest. I’ve already laid out the board.”

“Wait, what do you mean…?”

Ju Yu-gang wore an expression of complete confusion.

Seeing that face, Cheol Ryu-heun smiled inwardly.

Heh, what would you know?

You’re not even half a century old, just a lump of blood.

Now then, this elder who’s older than your ancestors will explain, so keep your ear holes wide open.

* * *

One of the several command posts in Youyang’s jurisdiction was currently in an uproar searching for someone.

About two shichen ago, an unidentified intruder had suddenly appeared, damaged various facilities and equipment, and also knocked out a considerable number of soldiers with bizarre swordsmanship.

A sturdy man in his forties with a bushy beard moved about urgently with a torch and shouted.

“Have you found him!”

He was the minor captain in charge of this command post.

The personnel who had been surveying the surroundings quickly raised their voices to answer.

“Negative, Captain!”

“Same here!”

“Can’t see him here either!”

“He seems to have already escaped!”

The minor captain, having heard the reports, scrunched up his face.

“Damn! What humiliation is this!”

The veins bulging on his forehead conveyed his fury.

At that moment, one soldier approached and cautiously suggested.

“Captain, we should check outside as well. Perhaps we should expand the search range.”

The minor captain nodded and commanded loudly.

“You, you, and you – form teams immediately and search outside the perimeter! If this matter becomes known, we’ll all be reprimanded by the magistrate, and a report will go straight up to the commissioner! So find him without fail!”

“Yes, sir!”

Just as the designated personnel were clustering into groups to move.

Fweeee-!

An arrow flew in from beyond the wall and thudded! into a nearby building pillar.

The minor captain flinched, then tilted his head.

‘Hm?’

He had discovered a folded paper attached to the arrowhead.

Quickly pulling it off and unfolding it, one line of text struck his eyes.

<Idiots, don’t get cocky.>

“…”

The minor captain looked dumbfounded for a moment, then let out a thunderous roar.

“Gah, this crazy…! I swear I’ll crush that bastard’s balls!”