Chapter 61: A Mere Magistrate
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Their bewilderment lasted only a moment. Having chased away their drowsiness, Yeop Hwon and Hyeop Mu-geuk came out to the courtyard of the abandoned temple and warmed up while feeling puzzled.
Was this really okay?
If they were going to fight a battle tomorrow, minimizing physical fatigue should be good, so what was with the sudden five hundred whole-body twists out of nowhere?
But… They did know one thing.
Even if it was an unexpected situation, Cheol Ryu-heun wasn’t the type of person to order something like this without reason.
‘Right, there must be something to gain.’
Yeop Hwon and Hyeop Mu-geuk muttered the same thing internally while loosening their muscles with a few simple motions.
At that moment, Cheol Ryu-heun, standing to the side, said.
“This is training in preparation for tomorrow’s battle.”
At that, Hyeop Mu-geuk asked with a curious expression.
“Sect Master, exactly what kind of effect is this training aiming for?”
“Maximizing the energy sense brought about by the Seven Energy Alignment and Five Energy Alignment.”
Yeop Hwon, having grasped the true meaning, nodded slightly.
“I see, you’re saying we need to further sharpen the physical senses required when fighting against many. Through the profound use of the internal energy cultivation that has recently improved dramatically…”
“Exactly.”
Cheol Ryu-heun nodded back and added a brief explanation.
“Currently, the energy and blood vessels of both of you have reached a state more developed than the late Master’s. The whole-body twists we’ll do now are an essential process for utilizing that in actual combat, and the ultimate goal is further advancement in energy sense. Well, you’ll probably feel the effects before the day is over. Now, without further ado, feel it with your bodies.”
“Yes, Sect Master.”
Having answered in unison, the two eventually finished warming up and got into position for whole-body twists.
Snap-
The moment they each lay on the ground, spread their arms wide, and raised their legs vertically together.
“From now on, circulate your internal energy. However, instead of just circulating the vital energy in your body, maintain a rapid flow like when executing sword forms. That’s the key to this training.”
Hearing those words from Cheol Ryu-heun, Yeop Hwon and Hyeop Mu-geuk’s eyes wavered greatly.
If they operated their internal energy that way for five hundred whole-body twists, wouldn’t their energy meridians and blood vessels rupture…?
If they had to make a comparison, it was like exchanging five hundred moves with some sparring opponent while ceaselessly emitting vital energy.
But Cheol Ryu-heun himself wore an expression that didn’t seem to care much about such dangers.
“You won’t die.”
Yeop Hwon and Hyeop Mu-geuk gulped dryly.
That made it even scarier.
You won’t die. Well, your body might fall apart, but.
Somehow, that’s how it sounded.
“Begin.”
At Cheol Ryu-heun’s indifferent command, Yeop Hwon and Hyeop Mu-geuk immediately started circulating their internal energy and plunged into the harsh training.
“One.”
“Two.”
As the count of whole-body twists increased, the eastern sky also gradually brightened.
As if whispering that just as light comes when long darkness ends, their future would be the same.
* * *
Around the time just past the hour of si (9-11 AM).
Magistrate Ju Yu-gang of Youyang personally rode the government horse to visit the massive government office in the southern district of the neighboring city of Lakju.
Hunan Provincial Prosecutor’s Northern Bureau.
Dignified characters written on a large white signboard.
This place, commonly abbreviated as the Prosecutor’s Branch, was the judicial execution agency overseeing the entire northern area of Hunan Province.
Among local government offices, it ranked in the upper tier.
Having tied up his horse, Ju Yu-gang picked up an object wrapped in white cloth that looked like a rod and approached the front gate.
“I’ve come to see Vice Commissioner Pyeongneung. It’s an urgent matter.”
When he held out the nameplate symbolizing his magistrate position, the guard at the front gate quickly showed courtesy and cleared the way.
“Please come in. The Vice Commissioner is probably in the main building office.”
Having hurriedly crossed the threshold, Ju Yu-gang immediately passed through the middle gate of the outer courtyard and stepped into the inner courtyard where the main building was located.
From there, guided by an official, he passed through a garden decorated with great pine trees and arrived at the office.
“Sir, Magistrate Ju of Youyang urgently requests to see you.”
As soon as the official finished speaking, a dignified voice came from beyond the office lattice door.
“Very well, come in.”
When the official quietly withdrew, Ju Yu-gang immediately pushed open the door and entered.
Straight ahead in his field of vision.
A man of about fifty could be seen sitting upright at a desk made of wooden strips.
Wearing a blue official robe and black official hat, he was Vice Commissioner Pyeongneung Jin-jong, who was effectively the second-in-command of the Prosecutor’s Branch.
Next, Ju Yu-gang’s gaze shifted to the right side of the desk.
There stood a young man in his twenties wearing dark blue clothes, with a sword on his back, standing like a statue.
Dam Maeng-gi.
A person who boasted the top martial prowess within the Prosecutor’s Branch, and someone Vice Commissioner Pyeongneung Jin-jong cherished like family.
His features were ordinary.
However.
His gaze alone was sharp and heavy, befitting a renowned bodyguard.
It was like something that made the viewer’s heart feel chilled while pressing down heavily…
Of course, that was only the impression of ordinary people.
It didn’t strike Ju Yu-gang as particularly impressive.
The reason was simple.
It was because of Cheol Ryu-heun, the new Sect Master of White Peak Sword Sect, who had been extraordinary from his very first appearance last night.
That was so.
Since he had already received a strong impression from someone whose emotions couldn’t be discerned, the presence of the famous warrior Dam Maeng-gi seemed fainter in comparison.
Ju Yu-gang stood near the desk and showed proper courtesy.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you. I’m Magistrate Ju Yu-gang of Youyang.”
At that moment, Vice Commissioner Pyeongneung Jin-jong set down the documents in his hand and gently stroked his long beard.
“I’m not unaware of why Magistrate Ju has come here. Let’s skip the formalities and get straight to the main topic.”
At that, Ju Yu-gang’s eyes lit up as he responded.
“Yes, understood. Actually, last night I received a copy of a verdict from the Prosecutor’s Branch. The case recorded therein was actually material needed for rooting out an evil martial world force within Youyang. Therefore… I would like to request the issuance of a Special Warrant. Then I will definitely bring back good results.”
The Special Warrant he mentioned was a top-level official document from the Prosecutor’s Branch that bundled together all the formidable powers of search, seizure, arrest, suppression, and detention.
Deep wrinkles formed on Vice Commissioner Pyeongneung Jin-jong’s forehead.
“My… This greatly exceeded my expectations. I had somewhat guessed it was an unfortunate matter involving martial world forces, but I never thought you’d request a Special Warrant.”
“I’ve secured evidence of the series of circumstances.”
“Hmm, circumstantial evidence. Do you have a witness from that martial world force?”
“I don’t. But if you read the document I’ve prepared separately, it will greatly help your decision.”
“Before I read it… Why don’t you tell me which martial world force it is?”
“The Thousand Snake Gang.”
Vice Commissioner Pyeongneung Jin-jong’s eyes flickered slightly.
A momentary change.
Ju Yu-gang’s eyes didn’t miss it.
‘I see, it was you.’
Suddenly, something Cheol Ryu-heun had said flashed through his mind.
-Master heard rumors that the Thousand Snake Gang was kidnapping young women from nearby cities like Baizhou and Lakju to operate pleasure facilities. Because of that, he submitted petitions to the Hunan Provincial Prosecutor’s Northern Bureau to at least get a formal investigation going. Multiple times. But the government completely ignored them. Well, I think you should be able to immediately figure out who led that… So let’s sweep them all away while we’re at it.
Ju Yu-gang coldly scoffed inside and muttered.
‘Heh… I expected it would be you, Pyeongneung Jin-jong. Someone at Vice Commissioner level would be needed to quietly smooth over petitions or whatever. Now some obvious words will come out of your mouth.’
Meanwhile, Vice Commissioner Pyeongneung Jin-jong wore an expression as if deliberating, then soon let out a quiet voice.
“Denied.”
When he expressed his refusal, Ju Yu-gang deliberately widened his eyes and showed a flustered look.
“Pardon? How come…”
“I’ve heard that the Thousand Snake Gang has been under various suspicions since before. However, to mop up a martial world force of that scale, you need not just circumstantial evidence but clear physical evidence, and also witnesses with close connections. Without that, issuing a Special Warrant would be an overreach. If you rashly jump in like this, you’ll end up embarrassed instead. So I think it would be wise to take your time and approach more cautiously.”
“Hmm…”
When Ju Yu-gang sighed as if disappointed, Vice Commissioner Pyeongneung Jin-jong spoke in a calm tone to console him.
“Don’t be too disappointed. Today isn’t the only day. There will be plenty of opportunities in the future.”
“Vice Commissioner, then please read my document and think it over just once more.”
Vice Commissioner Pyeongneung Jin-jong couldn’t refuse even that.
“Let me see it.”
He planned to pretend to read it and then send him away.
At that moment, Ju Yu-gang glanced at Dam Maeng-gi beside the desk and spoke cautiously.
“Vice Commissioner, it would be problematic for others to see. The content must be handled very secretly…”
At that, Vice Commissioner Pyeongneung Jin-jong nodded.
“You go out and have a cup of tea for a moment.”
Right after Dam Maeng-gi, having received the order, disappeared outside the door.
Swoosh.
Ju Yu-gang pulled out the paper from his clothes and handed it to Vice Commissioner Pyeongneung Jin-jong while lowering his voice.
“Let me say in advance… You’ll be quite shocked.”
Vice Commissioner Pyeongneung Jin-jong inwardly scoffed as he took the paper.
‘Hah, what a greenhorn. Do you think my decision will change because you say such things? This isn’t something that can be solved with childish enthusiasm. There are always walls that cannot be climbed on the path of government service.’
The moment he unfolded the paper with that thought.
‘…!’
A single sentence he hadn’t anticipated was reflected in his dark brown pupils.
<They say “owl eyes and tiger lips” – such is the countenance of you who reads this.>
Vice Commissioner Pyeongneung Jin-jong’s expression froze.
Owl eyes and tiger lips… That was an idiom referring to someone with a greedy countenance, with eyes like an owl and lips like a tiger.
Ju Yu-gang spoke quietly again.
“Didn’t I say you would be shocked?”
Simultaneously, Vice Commissioner Pyeongneung Jin-jong glared with widening eyes and let out a heavy voice.
“Magistrate Ju, what is this? Explain clearly.”
“It’s just what I wrote in my heart.”
Ju Yu-gang’s nonchalant answer.
Anger rose on Vice Commissioner Pyeongneung Jin-jong’s face as his thick eyebrows bristled.
“So you’re telling me… That I have owl eyes and tiger lips?”
“That’s right.”
“Hah…”
“Am I wrong? You’ve surely swallowed the Thousand Snake Gang’s bribes many times.”
“How dare you! What face does a mere magistrate think he has to put such mad words in his mouth!”
The moment Vice Commissioner Pyeongneung Jin-jong raised his voice and reddened his face.
Thud-
A long object wrapped in white cloth was placed on the desk.
“Bastard! What’s that now?”
But Ju Yu-gang said nothing and unwrapped the white cloth to reveal what was inside.
In an instant, Vice Commissioner Pyeongneung Jin-jong’s expression completely changed.
‘No! That’s…’
What Ju Yu-gang had brought was none other than the White Fang sword, which symbolized the position of Thousand Snake Gang Leader.
“Physical evidence.”
Ju Yu-gang, who had suddenly dropped into informal speech, pulled out something small he had hidden inside his waistband.
Vice Commissioner Pyeongneung Jin-jong was shocked out of his wits the moment he saw it.
“Gulp…!”
Ju Yu-gang slightly lifted his chin and spoke arrogantly.
“You asked, what face do I have?”
Vice Commissioner Pyeongneung Jin-jong, gone pale, hurriedly moved and prostrated himself on the floor at one side.
“Please… Please, forgive me!”
Fear was evident in his trembling voice.
Ju Yu-gang stored the unidentified small object back at his waist and let out a cold voice.
“You called me a mere magistrate? What do you think now? You’re just a mere Vice Commissioner yourself.”
“Yes, yes! Y-You’re absolutely right!”
The fear of death invaded the heart of Vice Commissioner Pyeongneung Jin-jong as he lay flat on the floor.
Just then.
Ju Yu-gang lifted his head with the tip of his foot and commanded.
“Issue the Special Warrant immediately.”