The Mad Dog Inspector of the Martial Alliance

For Seok Pacheon, the current situation was not a very welcome one. Jang So-gil, whose pride had been broken by the deaths of Yu Heon and Wu Jeongchu, had played a trick while his surveillance was lax. In fact, even if he had played a trick, he was a merchant and a youngster, so it was not a very difficult task for someone like Elder Seok Pacheon to deal with. Seok Pacheon had lived longer than So, had a much stronger and thicker standing, and also had the reliable backing of the Hengshan Sect. It was a level that could not be compared. It was natural for him to look down on him as a youngster.

But that fellow was no ordinary youngster. He was a seasoned strategist with outstanding abilities, a lot of guts, and an eye for reading the flow of the times and experience. He had never imagined that he would challenge him to a duel. Seok Pacheon watched Jang So-gil with wary eyes. Then Jang So-gil grinned and cupped his fists.

"You must have had a hard time coming from so far away. I am Jang So-gil, an inspector of the Martial Alliance."

"I am Mo Xihan of the Hengshan Sect."

It was a blunt answer. It was understandable, as Mo Xihan's gaze was focused only on Yang Gwan, who was guarding Jang So-gil from behind. It was an attitude as if he couldn't see anything else. Leaving him behind, Seok Pacheon took a step forward.

"This is the first time we've met in person, but perhaps because I've thought of you for a long time, it doesn't feel like our first meeting."

"I have also always thought of you, Elder Seok Pacheon, so you feel very familiar."

For the past few days, Seok Pacheon had been thinking only of Jang So-gil and devising a strategy. The same was true for Jang So-gil. After being slapped in the face with the method of cutting off the tail, Jang So-gil's head had been thinking only of bringing down Seok Pacheon. Even now, the two were thinking the same thing.

'So far, it's 1 win and 1 loss.'

Seok Pacheon had beaten Jang So-gil once with the method of cutting off the tail. And Jang So-gil had repaid that debt by requesting a duel. It wasn't that he had requested a duel with Seok Pacheon, but that he had brought the Hengshan Sect into it was a big factor. Seok Pacheon asked with an expression as if he were chewing on gravel.

"You even sent a duel request to the Hengshan Sect."

Although he had lowered the special surveillance by two stages, he had never removed his watchful eye. So, as soon as Jang So-gil sent a messenger to the Hengshan Sect, Seok Pacheon knew about it and immediately wrote a countermeasure and sent a messenger. Since they were sent at a similar time, the messengers sent by Seok Pacheon and Jang So-gil would probably have arrived at a similar time. Seok Pacheon had written in that message, 'Absolutely do not accept the duel. Ignore any rumors that spread.'

Even after doing all that, Mo Qingyang of the Hengshan Sect had accepted the duel. It was unlikely that he would ignore Seok Pacheon's opinion, so it was clear that Jang So-gil's trickery had been involved in the process of receiving the messenger, but he had no way of knowing what method he had used. Jang So-gil smiled brightly.

"This duel is a matter of the Hengshan Sect, so it is right to send it to the Hengshan Sect."

"Just clear up the mystery of how you sent it."

"It's no big deal, so you don't have to worry about it."

Seeing that he had no intention of telling him, Seok Pacheon bit his lip. Jang So-gil inwardly sneered.

'Is there a need to teach him?'

The secret that the messenger sent at a similar time had arrived overwhelmingly quickly, and had even bought time to spread rumors.

That secret was the blood-sweating horse and Sama Hwi.

'As expected of a blood-sweating horse. Its performance is certain.'

A pony gets tired and collapses after running for only half a day. At a full sprint, it can't even last for one mealtime. But a blood-sweating horse has the stamina to run at a full sprint for half a day and can run for three days and nights at a trot. In terms of speed, a blood-sweating horse is several times faster than a pony.

So Sama Hwi, riding a blood-sweating horse, had ignored the messenger sent first and had run quickly, arriving at the Hengshan Sect with a newly written duel request. Then he had disguised himself and, pretending to be someone else, had handed over the duel request, and then had gone down to the village to spread rumors. Seok Pacheon's messenger had arrived only after the enraged Hengshan Sect had accepted the duel request and set off.

"More importantly, I don't know if you've finished preparing for tomorrow's duel."

"The preparations are already finished."

"I believe we both know who will be coming out."

"I suppose so."

In Jang So-gil's case, the only people he could send out were himself and Yang Gwan.

Since it was basic to match the numbers in a duel, two people had to come out from the Hengshan Sect as well, but they couldn't just be anyone. They had to be of the right class, the right rank, and it had to make sense.

"As for Yang Gwan's opponent, that person will do it. Who among the third-generation disciples will be my opponent?"

"Third-generation disciple? I don't know what you're talking about. Why should Inspector So fight a third-generation disciple?"

"Then are you planning to send a second-generation disciple?"

"Hmph."

"Oh my. Are you bringing a first-generation disciple?"

"It's meaningless to talk, so I'll be going now."

It was Seok Pacheon who turned his head as if his feelings were hurt, but his snake-like eyes were observing Jang So-gil. Since he had so openly announced that Seok Pacheon himself would be coming out, Jang So-gil should have been scared. Since he was a smart guy, he must have noticed that Seok Pacheon was coming out. It was a plan to make the duel a non-event. Seok Pacheon let out a wry laugh at the reality of having to threaten a young man in his early twenties, but what was at stake was the Hengshan Sect. He couldn't go easy on him.

So he sent a warning with his eyes while sincerely emitting killing intent towards Jang So-gil. But what was this? The fellow, far from being scared, was holding his stomach and laughing. The fellow wiped away the tears that had slightly flowed out and said.

"Yes. Let's see each other tomorrow."

It was a confident attitude, as if he had something prepared.

Was it a bluff, or was it a feint within a feint?

'Was that fellow actually a master of a level I couldn't even imagine?'

What if a supreme master who could match him, an elder, was hiding his skills?

What if he was actually a master who had achieved rejuvenation?

What if he was a supreme master who had reached the state of returning to the origin and could hide his true qi?

Doubts arose in his mind. Countless possibilities came to mind. At that moment, Jang So-gil muttered.

"With this, it's 2 wins and 1 loss."

"...!"

Realizing that most of the possibilities he had come up with were delusions, the moment Jang So-gil smiled, Seok Pacheon realized that he had lost once again in the psychological warfare. Feeling a sense of defeat, Seok Pacheon's face contorted as if he had bitten into a bug.

* * *

The next day.

The duel stage, which had been set up in front of the entrance of the Martial Alliance, was originally a training ground for the inspection of a large battalion. In the wide space that could accommodate a large number of people without any shortage, the people of the Hengshan Sect stood on the left, and the Martial Alliance's inspector, Jang So-gil, and Yang Gwan stood on the right.

And in a slightly distant place, the people of Luoyang who had gathered to see this interesting spectacle formed a long line. The children made a commotion and chattered, livening up the atmosphere, and the merchants who did not want to miss this opportunity sold candies and drinks, making a small profit.

"Buy some candy!"

"We have iced honey tea!"

Even for the wealthy of Luoyang, such entertainment was a rare thing. The ice, which had become the price of gold, was being sold for less than half its usual price for some reason, and the taste of the honey tea was also good, so those who drank it all smiled and repeatedly said, "Good, good." When one or two people, out of curiosity, started to buy it with their expensive silver, the iced honey tea and candy sold like hotcakes.

In the midst of that, Jang So-gil raised his hand and stepped into the center of the duel stage. People's attention was focused, and the commotion stopped as if it were a lie. Most of the people, who were seeing the rumored inspector in person for the first time, blushed at his confident attitude and fine appearance, and watched him in silence.

After a brief silence, Jang So-gil opened his mouth.

"Thank you all for gathering. I am Jang So-gil, the inspector of the Martial Alliance. The reason I have stepped forward like this is to convey to you the reason and story behind the creation of this event."

The people were listening attentively. There was no one who objected, and no one who put up a fuss. His voice had an appeal, but this was an excessive reaction. Seok Pacheon furrowed his brow. Seeing the reaction of the spectators, it was clear that he had planted shills.

'That fellow, he's prepared thoroughly.'

One moment of carelessness was painful. Lowering the surveillance level was the regret of a lifetime.

While Seok Pacheon was gritting his teeth, Jang So-gil continued to speak confidently.

"You must have heard the rumors circulating in Luoyang. The two officials who committed suicide after embezzling tens of thousands of taels, and the serial killer. They are sinister rumors. First, to tell you the truth of those rumors, the two officials did not commit suicide. And the serial killer also does not exist. All that exists are the dead who are crazy about money. I will explain everything step by step. First, did the deceased officials Yu Heon and Wu Jeongchu embezzle money? That is true."

"Then did those two bastards really embezzle tens of thousands of taels of money?!"

Someone from the crowd shouted. The timing of the question was very appropriate. It must be a shill as well.

"That is not true. The amount Yu Heon embezzled was three hundred and twelve taels. The amount Wu Jeongchu embezzled was four hundred and twenty taels. It is a large amount if you say so, but Yu Heon and Wu Jeongchu were originally officials with considerable savings. They were far from gambling, so when we sorted out their posthumous assets, Yu Heon had over five hundred taels and Wu Jeongchu had over seven hundred taels. Of course, that asset was an asset that had been increased with the embezzled money, so it is subject to collection, but it is not an amount to commit suicide over."

"Then why did they die!"

"I was also curious about that, so I used all my authority as an inspector to investigate their movements. Then another question arose."

Jang So-gil took a breath. It was an act to draw out the reaction of the crowd, and to give the crowd, especially the imperial officials who had come to watch, time to logically organize their thoughts.

"There was definitely embezzled money. I captured money that was excessively charged in some places and whose use was unclear. The amount was a whopping fifty thousand taels."

"Fifty thousand taels!"

As an amount that surpassed imagination was officially acknowledged, the crowd stirred. Riding the murmuring, Jang So-gil said.

"The money that disappeared from the Seven Star Battalion of the Diancang Sect, which Yu Heon managed, was twenty-one thousand three hundred taels. The Heavenly Celebration Battalion of the Hengshan Sect, which Wu Jeongchu managed, was thirty-five thousand taels!"

"Which bastard ate that money!"

"I don't know. But one thing is certain. Yu Heon and Wu Jeongchu did not die with that much money. But there is someone who benefited from their deaths. So I think this way. The one who benefited is the murderer. Yu Heon and Wu Jeongchu did not commit suicide. They were made to commit a false suicide to cover up the amount of tens of thousands of taels."

After saying this much, both the crowd and the officials understood the situation. Why he had sent a duel request to the Hengshan Sect.

Jang So-gil was saying this. The murderer is in the Hengshan Sect.

He raised the corners of his mouth.

"The purpose of this duel is as follows. This alliance is a gathering of those who revere martial arts. Therefore, the heroes of the Hengshan Sect should prove their innocence with martial arts. If the Hengshan Sect wins, the disappeared money will be considered to have been used to form their true martial arts. This is a right and good thing for the peace of the martial world, so the Martial Alliance can let it go. But if they lose, they must find the whereabouts of the disappeared money. Excluding the money embezzled by the deceased Wu Jeongchu, they must prove how the money whose use is unclear was used, not with martial arts, but with their three-inch tongue. If they fail to win their innocence after losing, the Hengshan Sect will pay the difference."

In other words, if the Hengshan Sect wins, they are innocent, no questions asked.

If they lose, they are guilty.

'Damn it. I knew this would happen...!'

Seok Pacheon's eyes widened. He, too, was an experienced old monster. As soon as he heard the word 'duel', he had predicted the current situation. That was why he had tried so hard to prevent the duel, and had tried to refuse it.

Judging calmly, Jang So-gil's theory had holes here and there. The link between the embezzled amount of Yu Heon and Wu Jeongchu, which was said to be evidence, and the tens of thousands of taels that Hengshan and Diancang were said to have used, was weak. If this were a place presided over by the authorities, such an absurd logic and conjecture could be refuted by Seok Pacheon immediately if he were allowed to speak three times.

But now it was meaningless.

'Foolishly! What do you mean by accepting the duel!'

Accepting the duel meant that there was something to be pricked. Accepting the duel also meant that one agreed with that fellow's logic. But the foolish Mo Qingyang, not knowing that, had accepted the duel because of his pride, and this mess had happened. At this rate, even if they win, a disgrace will remain. If they lose, the pillars of the Hengshan Sect will be shaken.

Winning is the lesser of two evils, and losing is the worst, so as a strategist, it was as if he had already lost before fighting.

As if he didn't even know that sense of defeat, Mo Xihan shook his sword and said.

"To summarize, it's enough if we win, right, Elder Seok?"

For a moment, Seok Pacheon wanted to sew up this youngster's mouth.

(End of Chapter)