Chapter 96 : Chapter 96
Chapter 96: Then Next
Gong Pil-sang clung to his senses just before fainting.
No, right?
It was an auditory hallucination.
Jin Yeomyeong was not here.
Only the [Presented by Jin Yeomyeong] inscription carved on the desk was looking at him.
Ugh. Just thinking about that friend makes my mind go strange. I should go out and get some fresh air.
Gong Pil-sang turned his body and looked out the window.
The front yard of the main hall came into view.
Haa. Look at that mess.
He shook his head lightly and went out to the front yard.
Wahaha. Well, so-
This is really delicious. You guys should have some too!
Please kick the ball to me!
Even though the late autumn wind was quite chilly, people didn't mind at all.
They brought out tables, drank liquor, drank tea.
On one side, they weren't practicing martial arts.
The kids were playing with a ball.
This place, open wide to everyone.
Was the Murim Alliance Luoyang branch.
How did this place become like this...
Gong Pil-sang strolled through the front yard with a somewhat sorrowful expression.
Aigoo, Elder Go.
Go Dangseong, the chairman of the Tiger Construction Alliance, had brought out one of the Alliance-supplied desks and was looking at documents.
Of course, it was Gong Pil-sang himself who had entrusted the expansion of the Alliance building to them.
But why review documents here? Why?
As he was thinking such thoughts, a kicked ball from the children flew in.
Thud.
It hit his head.
Even Gong Pil-sang could dodge such a ball with ease, but the thought to dodge didn't come.
They were children taken in by the Golden Cloud Trading Company, so why play ball here.
The house given by the trading company was good too.
Kids, kick it gently.
No! I'm going to kick it hard.
...Is that so?
I was wrong to tell kids to play gently.
Gong Pil-sang continued strolling.
This time, a dining table appeared. A dining table was placed squarely in the front yard of the main hall.
Kuh. Kwak Daebang.
This guy, with a belly like a mountain, Kwak Daebang, had set out all sorts of dishes on the table and was in the midst of a meal.
Beside him, a guy named Yang Cheonjo was holding chopsticks and interjecting, clamoring for just one bite.
Gong Pil-sang approached near the table and threw a word.
Kwak Daebang, is this your house's inner chamber?
Before Kwak Daebang could answer, Yang Cheonjo interjected.
Branch Head, how have you been!
It's temporary branch head. Yes, you're the same as ever.
The same?
Only then did Kwak Daebang answer.
Well, it's as comfortable as the inner chamber. Everyone here is the same, aren't they. All thanks to the reputation of Temporary Branch Head.
Reputation? Well, I do have some of that..., no, that's not it.
The inspection was the problem.
Because of receiving the inspector's investigation, they had been coming and going for several days, and now they had settled here entirely.
The reason was that the guest hall rooms were comfortable, and it was convenient to buy food from the famous eateries within Luoyang Castle.
Whew. What's the use of talking.
So what did the inspector say?
What would he say. He said he'd go to Kaifeng and meet the Ink Sword Hero in person.
How...
It seems his interest in investigating the Ink Sword Hero is greater than us?
In that matter, we're just a feather, aren't we. Well, the Sword Hero will handle it himself. He must have met by now.
Yes. I hope this whole investigation ends in Kaifeng.
Hm...
Why?
Something's off.
Kwak Daebang's gaze was directed at one place.
Gong Pil-sang also followed that gaze and discovered a person entering in front of the main hall.
A somewhat honest face, a tall and broad-shouldered build, a sword with a sheath as dark as ink.
Ink Sword Hero?
Gong Pil-sang rubbed his eyes. Auditory hallucination followed by visual hallucination? He opened his well-rubbed eyes wide.
It's him.
This time, it was not a visual hallucination.
Jin Yeomyeong was entering.
Everyone doing well? I'm back.
He greeted with a smile.
Oh, Ink Sword Hero! You went to Kaifeng on a family trip!
Was it fun?
You should have rested fully before coming. We're glad to see the Sword Hero, but isn't it too early?
The people in front of the main hall swarmed toward him.
Gong Pil-sang suddenly realized.
It wasn't his reputation that gathered these people in front of the Alliance main hall.
Not because the city air was good, nor because the branch grounds were spacious.
Ink Sword Hero.
Because that person came and went here.
Ha. Maybe I should quit everything and play the hero too.
Gong Pil-sang let out a hollow laugh.
He, who would have no time to rest from now on, did not know how vain those words were.
.
.
Temporary Branch Head. The branch atmosphere has brightened.
After mingling with the people and exchanging greetings, Jin Yeomyeong requested a private meeting with Gong Pil-sang.
It has brightened?
It looks good.
Hm. If you say so, then it has.
?
Gong Pil-sang seemed somewhat detached.
Did you request the meeting because of the inspection?
Inspection?
You didn't come back after meeting the Hwangbo Daejin inspector sent from the Alliance?
Pardon? I didn't meet him. Did the inspector go to Kaifeng?
What?
After detachment came immediate confusion.
Then why did you return to Luoyang so quickly? Wasn't it after meeting the inspector?
I just finished my business in Kaifeng and returned.
You requested a meeting with me first?
Because I have something to ask.
Something to ask?
Gong Pil-sang's instinct cried out something.
...This feels ominous.
But he couldn't say not to ask.
Ask away.
Jin Yeomyeong smiled and asked the question.
So, what happened with my paternity leave?
....
Why did he request a meeting first thing.
He should have recalled what Jin Yeomyeong prioritized most.
He was looking at Gong Pil-sang himself now with an innocent smile. As if he couldn't imagine any outcome other than approval.
Gong Pil-sang blankly looked out the window.
In the bright atmosphere, people eating, talking, laughing...
Branch Head Gong?
Hm.
Escape from reality failed.
His mind returned to the present and looked at Jin Yeomyeong.
It was time to face reality.
It was denied.
...Denied?
Gong Pil-sang's hand picked up one document.
The document thrust right in front of Jin Yeomyeong's face was the leave application previously attached to the report.
On it, in clear writing.
[Impossible不可]
- was written.
Impossible?
The small writing below it read as follows.
[No precedent for the reason, nor has it been discussed]
Precedent? Discussion?
Jin Yeomyeong looked at Gong Pil-sang.
Then am I still affiliated with the outer hall?
Yes. Outer hall affiliation.
But I'm not doing any duties.
Right. So officially, you are-
?
Gong Pil-sang pulled out the personnel document.
In a state of dereliction of duty.
...Dereliction of duty?
He didn't want to say it, but after all, outer hall affiliation yet not performing Alliance duties.
It was officially dereliction of duty.
I requested paternity leave, but dereliction of duty?
Gong Pil-sang looked at Jin Yeomyeong, who was starting to heat up.
This guy heats up over such things. The problem was that he exploded better than before.
Whoooong-, that annoying ink-black sword was also humming. That thing was egging Jin Yeomyeong on too, that thing.
Calm down! Please calm down! So I thought about it in various ways too!
Pardon? What thoughts?
I thought about a way to get the paternity leave approved!
Your explosion, a way not to see it right in front of my eyes.
I've seen it several times already, so seeing it again wouldn't be good for my heart!
Th-that, why, there was an incident in Kaifeng where a Demonic Cult executive was repelled by the secret inspector. You were in Kaifeng, so you've heard of it?
An executive...
It's an executive. That's tremendous merit!
Heh heh.
Jin Yeomyeong agreed.
He didn't know why he was agreeing with such a strange smile, but anyway, he agreed.
If you had established that merit, the leave would probably have been approved in one go.
Merit leads to leave approval? Is that proper thinking? It's strange, but?
No, no. Not that. It's adding one line after the leave reason.
One line?
Something like, injury occurred in the process, so recuperation is needed. Isn't treatment always an approved leave reason?
Oh.
Jin Yeomyeong looked at Gong Pil-sang with a peculiar gaze.
Why look like that.
Because it's unexpectedly a good idea.
Unexpectedly? What do you mean.
You have considerable resourcefulness. You could be Luoyang branch head right away.
Gong Pil-sang frowned.
Would they give me the branch head position. And I don't want it. After going through various things recently, I want to rest a bit. When the new branch head comes, I'll submit my own leave application.
You've changed a lot.
It's your fault.
Such words rose to his throat, but he just held them back.
Well, anyway, I've made my thoughts clear, so try that.
Lend me some writing materials.
Hm? Why writing materials?
Temporary Branch Head's idea seems excellent. I'll try that. I need to submit a report.
Why submit a report? You need to go out and find Demonic Cult members. An executive level one.
Where do you find a Demonic Cult executive.
To find such a person, even Jin Yeomyeong would be busy without a moment's rest for a while. There wouldn't be Gong Pil-sang being hounded over paternity leave issues.
So he should go out quickly and chase the Demonic Cult.
Wh-why are you smiling like that again.
The secret inspector in Kaifeng.
Hm.
Keep it to yourself, Temporary Branch Head.
?
That was me.
It was the moment the word [Illegal Impersonation] floated in Gong Pil-sang's head.
* * *
Where is Branch Head Gong?
I lightly answered Kwak Daebang's question.
He fainted.
Is that so?
He must have thought it was a boring joke, as he didn't ask again.
I looked at the spread of dishes he had prepared.
Brother Kwak, are you eating all this alone?
Originally, but this Cheonjo keeps interjecting.
I have a lot of dishes I've never seen before. How can I not be curious.
Jin Yeomyeong smiled while looking at Kwak Daebang's belly.
Somehow it hasn't gotten bigger.
Eh? How much Twin Sword I've practiced, it won't get bigger here. And I was diligently doing the task you entrusted.
The task I entrusted? What's that?
Th-that, why, you said to learn martial arts from the miners. Especially, that elder.
Elder Dang Yang, who was in one corner of the yard, slowly approached.
Elder. Were you here too, Elder?
Heh heh, it seemed people were gathering, so I came slowly on purpose.
You did well. What if you got hurt in the crowd for no reason.
At that moment, Kwak Daebang burst into loud laughter.
Elder Dang, show it to the Ink Sword Hero once!
Shall I? It's embarrassing.
Dang Yang waved his hand and naturally stood.
Well. Watch.
Kwak Daebang raised one corner of his mouth crookedly and pointed at Dang Yang.
And the next moment.
Ugh? What is this!
I couldn't help but be startled.
This Elder Dang Yang had done backward somersaults three times!
He's quite good for his age. It was fun to teach.
Ek?
As Yang Cheonjo clapped vigorously and approached, Dang Yang scratched his head embarrassedly.
The exhortation for long life without illness had brought an unexpected result. The elder's spine was reaching the peak of its life.
...It's dizzying.
But it's a good thing, isn't it.
That's true, but Brother Kwak, you didn't have talent for instructing martial arts?
Eh, is that so? I've never instructed anyone.
Kwak Daebang scratched his belly nonchalantly and picked up another chopstick of food.
Didn't you meet Inspector Hwangbo Daejin in Kaifeng?
I didn't.
He went looking for you, so maybe you crossed paths.
Kwak Daebang frowned.
Then when they investigate you, I might get called again. They said after investigating you, they'd escort Hwangbo Gak away.
Was it bothersome?
Quite.
Hm.
Is that so?
I might get bothered when investigated too.
Right. You'd be more bothered. They'd investigate thoroughly.
Ha hat.
Why laugh like that.
Since he couldn't meet me, he'll come back to Luoyang, right?
Probably.
But what if I'm not here then?
Eh?
He looked at me.
Because it seems I have to go to Chang'an.
The next destination was already decided.
The spiritual medicine is there.