Chapter 66: There's a Place in Kaifeng Too
Murim Alliance Luoyang Branch.
People lined up with backs to the main gate.
The person in the center anxiously paced back and forth.
One elderly hall leader couldn't watch anymore and stopped him.
"Deputy Branch Leader, please be at ease. How many tis have you gone back and forth from the sa spot?"
Deputy Branch Leader, currently Acting Branch Leader Gong Pilsang scrunched his face.
"How can I be at ease right now? Huh? Would my heart be at ease?"
The elderly hall leader shook his head side to side.
"I understand Deputy Branch Leader's heart, but there's nothing to be done now. Can only obediently receive inspection."
At the hall leader's words, Gong Pilsang let out a deep sigh—puuuk.
"That's true but..."
Right now, they were waiting for the Murim Alliance Inspector.
'Inspection' was a word those belonging to organizations dreaded.
Looking up the aning reveals why: investigating and disciplining mbers' actions, violations, misconduct.
From mbers' perspective, it's terrifying.
The reason for forming ranks not even in procedure was also that.
"Kkeuuu. Of all things, an inspector..."
Different from Gong Pilsang's prediction.
The main target of this inspection was Hwangbo Gak.
Alliance Leader Hwangbo Gihyeok's love for blood relatives was famous.
If even sending Hwangbo Clan mber as inspector, could invite misunderstanding of trying to protect blood relatives.
Therefore, seed soone from different faction within Alliance would co.
"Openly sending Hwangbo Clan person."
Since hearing news Inspector Hwangbo Daejin was coming, couldn't sit still.
One of two things:
Really protecting blood relatives, or planning to give harsh punishnt showing himself as fair.
Either way was crisis from Gong Pilsang's position.
If protecting blood relatives, high possibility Gong Pilsang himself becos scapegoat. Anyway, he's the second-ranking official after Branch Leader and even stamped docunts.
If punishing, all involved parties would likely be implicated. Though Gong Pilsang wasn't participant, could be blad for negligence and such.
"Ahh. After climbing to this position..."
Even though Alliance mbers were listening, honest lant flowed out.
Inwardly resented one person not at this place.
'Kheuk. Jin Yeomyeong, this fellow. Do you guess my circumstances?'
Now a fairly comfortable form of address.
This wasn't only Gong Pilsang.
Jin Yeomyeong also regarded Luoyang Branch and Gong Pilsang comfortably.
'Too, too comfortably for trouble though.'
For example—buried in docunts staying up several nights preparing for inspection, suddenly raising head to look:
Hahaha. Brother Kwak, isn't that too much? No matter how delicious?
Really delicious I tell you. If you try it, you'll think differently?
Saw Jin Yeomyeong chatting with martial artists in headquarters courtyard.
While Gong Pilsang's under-eyes died black from overwork, Jin Yeomyeong happily drank tea.
Look here. Co inside and tell the circumstances in more detail. Needed for inspection preparation.
But he now regarded even Gong Pilsang comfortably.
Eh, troubleso.
Then disappeared.
Stop! This is all because of you.
What? Because of ? Not thanks to ?
Right, thanks. But if you'd just left Hwangbo Branch Leader's qi center alone—
Will be fine. I wrote in my statent that Deputy Gong is innocent. Also explained all reasons.
Ultimately couldn't catch him. Disappeared emptily—hwing.
Opening the statent, had written it down.
[Deputy Branch Leader Gong Pilsang possessed neither the capacity nor courage to sche dangerous plots. Therefore, removed suspicion from the beginning of this incident.]
Ah, thanks, thank you.
Thanks for removing suspicion with appropriate character evaluation.
"Kkeueup."
Gong Pilsang felt gratitude and resentnt toward Jin Yeomyeong simultaneously.
"There, isn't that person coming?"
One Alliance mber pointed at soone.
Hwangbo Clan's characteristic righteous-light-overflowing large face.
Also characteristic bear-like sturdy build.
White clothes with black embroidery—the character 盟 (Alliance) sewn on left shoulder and back.
"Right."
From the mont Gong Pilsang saw him in distance, clasped hands greeting.
Hwangbo Daejin receiving greeting imdiately approached with lightness technique greeting back.
"Deputy Branch Leader Gong, acting as Branch Leader? No need to co out like this."
"After causing trouble for soone with much effort at headquarters, should co to et."
"Such grateful words. Don't know where to put myself at this hospitality."
Bowing to each other, they exchanged greetings.
Gong Pilsang inwardly stroked his chest at Hwangbo Daejin's gentle first words.
'Starting softly. Though investigation will differ, starting soft is sothing.'
Thinking so while raising head—
"?"
Hwangbo Daejin was making puzzled expression scanning faces of lined-up branch Alliance mbers.
"What's wrong?"
"Don't see Ink Sword Hero Jin Yeomyeong's face."
"Ah."
Hwangbo Daejin smiled awkwardly.
"I must not recognize him? Only saw appearance record, never t directly."
Gong Pilsang steadied trembling voice answering.
"No. Among people here, there's no Ink Sword Hero."
"Really? Isn't he most deeply related to the incident? Is he waiting inside?"
The steadied voice tried trembling again.
"Yees. That is..."
"Let's quickly enter inside eting him. Must save even a mont."
Trembling voice now properly trembles.
"He's not here."
"Then where? At ho?"
"Ho. That would be really nice."
"?"
Jin Yeomyeong was truly grateful person.
Simultaneously truly resentful.
"Not in Luoyang at all."
"What? Saying the most important witness isn't in Luoyang?!"
Hwangbo Daejin's thick eyebrows twisted.
Below them, round large eyes glared at Gong Pilsang shooting light.
'Soft start my ass. Shattering start.'
Because blood relative?
Similar feeling to when Hwangbo Gak scolded him.
Gong Pilsang's body involuntarily shrank at briefly forgotten familiar sensation, throwing gaze far away for no reason—toward where Jin Yeomyeong would be by now.
***
"Kaifeng."
Sticking head out from carriage, Kaifeng's walls were visible.
Sowhere here, Rogues' Guild Leader Yeom Gasang faced crisis.
He was Jayeong's brother, my brother-in-law, Taebok's maternal uncle—and person who'd build information network for spiritual dicine journey.
Will definitely save him.
"Been a while. Much more vibrant than before."
"Indeed. Heard the court is supporting to revive Kaifeng. Seems those words are correct."
Past Kaifeng was super-large comrcial city creating the saying "City Without Night."
Though years and war drove away such glory—with court determined pouring money, story changed.
Near the city gate, carriages and carts ford lines.
"Kkeuung. Revival or whatever. I just wish we could secure lodging quickly."
Elder Jeong made groaning sounds beside.
We prepared two carriages departing from Luoyang.
This carriage held , Jayeong, Taebok, and Elder Jeong; the following carriage held Rogues' Guild's three elders.
"Right, I told you to stay ho comfortably. You didn't need to do this much..."
"What words? Now twenty-day mother and baby set out on long road. I at least must go care for them."
"That's grateful but..."
"How many tis to say? Martial artist suddenly leaving with baby—definitely not good thing. Can you stay beside baby constantly? Ah yes, I must be there."
Indeed, old ginger is spicy.
Elder Jeong saw us preparing for Kaifeng journey thinking that far.
Then said she'd go together for Taebok's sake—truly grateful ginger.
"Taebok, you also like grandmother being together, right?"
Elder Jeong looked up at Taebok.
Right—'looked up' at.
"But how about coming down from midair now? This grandmother still isn't used to it."
Dungsil—dudungsil.
Taebok was floating in midair.
The key to our travel was Taebok.
Would long-distance travel be okay for young Taebok?
If Taebok showed even slight difficulty, Jayeong would return.
And once departing—
"Carriage shaking wasn't any problem at all."
"Top-grade carriage, soft baby basket, plus Cotton Armor Master was there."
"Yet he's floating in midair."
Taebok floated with basket enjoying travel most comfortably among us.
Even now, carriage's center, the basket floated right before my eyes.
"..."
"..."
"..."
Three adults said nothing just staring at basket. Even seeing, couldn't believe.
Elder Jeong shook her head.
"No matter how I look... Can't even tell others. Everyone would say I went senile."
My words exactly—they'd say I touched demonic arts making my head strange.
"Taebok, now close to the city so must co down. Co to father."
Dungsil, dudungsil—the basket slowly descended to my lap.
"He's coming down. Really seems to understand your words best."
"Because resonance ford after true qi channeling."
Taebok uses wind's natural energy even while sleeping.
Simultaneously receives my intention even while sleeping.
This, this—my role in childcare grew even larger.
"I'm happy."
Dagak, dagak, dagak—before long, carriage slowed.
We soon passed the city gate heading to one inn.
"Welco!"
"Right here!"
"Kaifeng's finest inn, Seonghwa Inn!"
Since two top-grade carriages entered, three waiters ran out.
"Eh? One carriage has no passengers?"
Rogues' Guild's three elders disappeared—probably got off first to avoid attention. Would protect Jayeong while nearby.
"Don't mind the empty carriage, give us large guest room with many rooms. One family will stay."
"Yes! Yes!"
Entering room, caught breath.
Then—
"Jayeong, now it begins. Can you really move?"
"I'm also a martial artist. Don't worry."
She showed her arm—of course, with that arm, she smashed countless troubling Rogues' Guild mbers countless tis.
"Still worried."
"This is fastest. If I don't go out, that side won't co."
Kaifeng Branch reportedly reluctant about external Guild mbers—must show we want to et them.
"Rogues' Guild's cell organization is amazing in this aspect too."
Guild mbers don't know each other, or pretend not to even knowing.
No headquarters to attack.
If branch leader doesn't want to et us, that's the end.
Usually, always had Rogues' Guild people beside, so couldn't feel it—truly secret organization.
"Worried information here might leak so they refuse. Won't be wary even of , the younger sister."
"Good. Let's go."
Jareureuk—Iron Bead Yeom Jayeong pulled out steel abacus, making clicking sounds.
We headed straight to market—walk to confirm Kaifeng's atmosphere and maximize Jayeong revealing herself.
"Let's buy if there's delicious things."
"Hmm. What's good? Kaifeng must have much food."
Materials entering through city gate gathered at market.
Jareureuk.
"How much is this?"
"Three nyang five pun."
"Make it one nyang."
"What?!"
"No. Thinking about it, one nyang is too expensive."
"..."
Jayeong unleashed her abacus here too without reserve.
Jareureuk—jareuk, jareuk.
Every ti abacus beads moved, rchants' wails were heard.
"No, if you cut that much, nothing remains."
"I know all the costs. Even cutting like this, you profit."
"Uwani."
Well done—don't know if knowing all costs is real, but rchants were drawn in.
Truly mysterious thing—could just not sell.
rchants facing Jayeong wanted to sohow sell as if enchanted.
Like martial artists have martial prowess, do rchants also have sothing like rchant authority?
"Honey, the market is really nice. Many goods, lively. Luoyang's market only recently changed appearance like this."
"Kaifeng is sowhat different."
Kaifeng seed to have good public order—
"Oh my!"
"Stop! Hitting people!"
"Didn't I say won't sell at that price?!"
Wajangchang—sounds of breaking things were heard.
"Honey."
"Umm."
Right—no matter how good public order, places for White Path to step in exist.
"Let's go."
"Yes."
Not White Path and Rogues' Guild mbers to pass by seeing market rchants troubled.
"Stop there!"
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