Chapter 126
Henan Province, Kaifeng.
Is there a person in the world who is not swayed by money?
And a government official at that, who can't get enough of money and power?
It's a story that a three-year-old child would laugh at.
But such a person actually existed.
He was none other than 'Bao Qingtian', who was serving as the magistrate of Kaifeng.
Bao Qingtian was not only outstanding in his scholarship, but he also possessed a kind of 'foresight' that penetrated the substantive truth of things and matters.
Moreover, his character was upright and his disposition was conservative. He was a true official and politician of his time who served the emperor above and the people below with his upright conduct and mountain-like pride.
Therefore, the people revered him.
The will of the people is the will of heaven, and Bao Qingtian, who received the ardent support of the people, had reached a point where even the imperial family could not dare to look down on him.
In fact, a few years ago, Bao Qingtian had even set a precedent by beheading a relative of a prince with the dragon-headed guillotine for raping and exploiting the people and committing murder as if it were a daily meal.
His virtue grew thicker day by day, and eventually, even the best scholar of Henan, Master Gong, and the descendants of the <Iron Sword Sect>, known as a mysterious group of swordsmen, volunteered to be his confidants and assist him.
Thanks to that, Kaifeng, where Bao Qingtian was serving as the magistrate, was currently called the 「safest city」 in the Central Plains.
Because the incorruptible magistrate, who would not bat an eye at any connections or bribes, was holding his ground, gangsters and other criminals could not run rampant.
Currently, before Bao Qingtian's eyes, a dozen or so outsiders were standing with desperate looks.
They were the people who had been kidnapped at Lord Nam's house, and they had come all the way to Kaifeng in Henan Province at So-ah's request.
As Bao Qingtian read the letter from So-ah that they had handed him, a look of shock appeared in his eyes.
"Is this letter really from the great disciple of the Moyong Family, Young Hero Jin?"
Although Bao Qingtian was a high-ranking official, he did not speak down to them but used honorifics.
Therefore, the people, not knowing what to do with themselves, bowed their heads with flustered expressions and answered.
"Th-That is correct."
"It is undoubtedly Young Hero Jin's letter."
"There is no doubt."
At that, Bao Qingtian's confidant, Master Gong, asked with a questioning look.
"Your Excellency. If it's Young Hero Jin...?"
"When I was serving as a royal inspector, I once wiped out the gangsters of Liaoning with him."
"Ah! That incident. I remember."
"At that time, I was truly surprised. Young Hero Jin not only has an extraordinary mind, but his drive to resolve situations is also excellent. For me, who had a kind of prejudice against martial artists, it was an opportunity to see the world anew."
"Hah...! I heard he is a young martial artist. Is he really that amazing, Your Excellency Bao?"
"You will understand what I mean when you see him in person, Master Gong. Hoho."
A faint smile appeared on Bao Qingtian's face.
Knowing his serious nature and that he did not judge people easily, Master Gong and the guard Jeon Ho could not help but be surprised.
And on the other hand.
'Jin So-ah... For Your Excellency Bao to praise him like that...'
'He's never praised me like that before...'
The two secretly felt a sense of envy towards So-ah.
***
After reading the entire letter, Bao Qingtian immediately collected the testimonies of the people, filed a case, and recorded it as a document.
In the process, he grasped the situation, and since the reality of the human sacrifices had been revealed, there was no reason to hesitate.
"Jeon Ho. You are to immediately and secretly begin an investigation into the White Lotus Cult. And Master Gong. You are to observe the movements of the people who are joining the heretical White Lotus Cult."
"Yes!"
"I will do so."
"And!"
Bao Qingtian's gaze now turned to the people.
"You have all worked hard to come this far. First, I will see to it that you can rest comfortably for a few days. In addition, I would like you to serve as witnesses in the future."
"We will do so."
"Thank you, Your Excellency."
At Bao Qingtian's consideration, the people repeatedly bowed their heads and expressed their gratitude.
Just then.
"And may I ask one more favor? Of course, I intend to pay for it with the budget of Kaifeng."
At the mention of payment, the people's eyes widened.
"Just give us the order!"
"Of course!"
At that.
"Please spread the cruel reality of the White Lotus Cult far and wide among the people. Just as a word without feet travels a thousand miles, in matters like this, expansion through word of mouth is the most effective."
That was right.
No matter how much the government recommended it, one could not take away a person's 'free will'.
The only way to fundamentally stop the White Lotus Cult from deceiving the people was for the people to realize it themselves, which was why Bao Qingtian had made such a request.
"Is there any doubt! We have already received such a request from Young Hero Jin. Therefore, on our way to Henan Province, we have been constantly spreading rumors about the White Lotus Cult in the marketplaces."
At that, a look of admiration appeared in Bao Qingtian's eyes.
'Young Hero Jin is truly brilliant. He had already devised a plan!'
It was an unspoken practice for the government and the martial world to not interfere with each other.
But for some reason, Bao Qingtian.
'I have a feeling that I will be meeting Young Hero Jin often in the future... hoho!'
...felt that his connection with So-ah might deepen.
***
The beginning was weak, but the end shall be great...
Although the origin of the saying was unknown, Jeon Woo-chi felt it deeply.
Because his clumsy carpet-flying skill was improving by leaps and bounds, and it was now almost catching up to the speed of the Swift Realm Step.
Of course, compared to So-ah's infinite stamina and sea-like total internal energy, Jeon Woo-chi's magical power was meager, so he could not maintain the power of the carpet for a long time.
But just seeing that he could freely handle high and low speeds was a great leap forward in terms of operation.
Thus, after a difficult march of 20 days, crossing mountains and rivers without hesitation.
The two performed the feat of arriving at the Martial Alliance headquarters from Yunnan in this short period of time.
And...
"So-ah! Th-This is?"
"Woo-chi! What on earth happened to your appearance?!"
Abbess Hongryeon, Baek In-hwa, and the others could not help but be astonished at the appearance of So-ah and Jeon Woo-chi.
Setting aside their shabby appearance, what was with the unidentified baby beast and the baskets hanging all over their bodies?
The appearance of the two was reminiscent of wild men who had been holed up in a remote mountain valley and had just come down from the mountains.
However.
So-ah's, the very source of the absurdity, protest was simple.
"Seniors!"
"..."
"We hit the jackpot! The jackpot!"
'Could So-ah have gone mad?'
'I wonder what kind of bundle of fateful opportunities he's going to unleash this time...'
'What's there to say! We'll find out in due time.'
Soon, the renowned masters gave up on replying.
***
So-ah and Jeon Woo-chi confessed their actions so far.
But their confession was so long-winded and detailed that by the time half a *shichen* had passed, one of the renowned masters even let out a long yawn.
'Those two...'
'What's with all the chatter...'
'A real man shouldn't talk so much...'
How could they have known?
That the world's number one gossip divine skill 12th-level master was So-ah, and the number two who was closely following him was Jeon Woo-chi.
But since the events were so surprising, they did not just listen to the two's words in passing.
Perhaps, if So-ah had even told them about overcoming the trial of the second room and taking the Vajra Copper Man Divine Pill, there would have been no time to be bored...
Of course, So-ah was not so naive as to blabber about such a heavenly fateful opportunity anywhere.
"Now! This is the Tathagata Grass that we have worked so hard to obtain. Seniors, please prepare to take it, and Lord Yeon and the Head of the Medical Hall, please prepare the decoction."
So-ah picked out the Tathagata Grass from the basket and handed it to the two.
Just then.
"Um... Young Hero Jin."
The lord of Manju-jang in Qinghai, Yeon In-hak, glanced at the basket and cautiously opened his mouth to So-ah.
"Yes, Lord?"
"Um... those spiritual and medicinal herbs all seem to be rare items that are difficult to handle. Perhaps, if Young Hero Jin were to dispose of them alone, it would consume a considerable amount of time and effort..."
"Ah! I know! Of course!"
So-ah, who had grasped Yeon In-hak's intentions, cut him off.
"So, you're asking if there's anything in it for you, right? Hahaha."
'That...'
'Even when he speaks...'
'How can we stop that, that!'
So-ah's acquaintances covered their faces with their hands at his blunt expression.
Because they were all embarrassed for some reason.
"Ahem! That is..."
Although it wasn't the first or second time he had dealt with such a So-ah, Yeon In-hak still let out a dry cough, as if he was embarrassed.
However.
"Of course there is!"
"Young Hero Jin?!"
"Please dispose of all of this, Lord Yeon. Of course, it's not for free. Just give me a reasonable price. Our Moyong family has also taken out a loan. Hahat!"
"What are you saying? I will purchase them at the highest price."
In fact, So-ah had been thinking of disposing of all the spiritual and medicinal herbs to Lord Yeon from the beginning.
Wasn't it Yeon In-hak who had come all the way here from Qinghai at his request and performed his medical skills?
He had wanted to give him a corresponding reward anyway.
"The highest price is not necessary. If you were to price all of that at the highest price, you would have to sell both Manju-jang and all the pharmacies you own. Haha."
"Hohoho!"
A faint smile appeared on the faces of the two as they looked at each other.
Regardless of their age, a sense of trust as friends was budding between So-ah and Lord Yeon.
***
The efficacy of the Tathagata Grass was excellent.
Furthermore, Yeon In-hak, who was called the best doctor in the world, and the people of the Martial Alliance's Medical Hall, which was composed of a fantastic medical team.
Also, the head of the Sichuan Tang Clan, Tang Mun-cheol, who was an authority on poison, had joined forces to make the decoction, so what more could be said about its efficacy?
The renowned masters who took the decoction regained their internal energy in just two days, and the beneficial effects additionally contained in the Tathagata Grass shone, making their complexions brighter than before.
Only then did So-ah feel at ease.
"So-ah. Your contribution is truly great. If it weren't for you, the renowned masters of the Nine Great Sects and the Eight Great Families, including myself, would still be struggling with the Ten Fragrances Tendon Severing Powder. You have saved the Orthodox Path."
"Kehkeh! So-ah. I am truly proud of you."
"Not only Young Hero Jin, but I also express my gratitude to Taoist Master Jeon Woo-chi, who is working under Strategist Zhuge. The contributions of the two of you are immense!"
The renowned masters repeatedly expressed their gratitude to So-ah and Jeon Woo-chi.
Although So-ah was originally a person who received attention, through this opportunity, Jeon Woo-chi's position also became solid.
In the midst of that.
[Young Hero Jin. Your divine presence is quite different from before. Have you experienced progress in your studies?]
A telepathic message echoed in So-ah's ear.
The source of the telepathy was none other than Baek In-hwa.
[Gasp! Elder. By any chance, did Brother Woo-chi tell you?]
[Ahem! No. Woo-chi did not say anything to me.]
[Hmm... but you can tell just by looking at my divine presence?]
[...]
[Really?!]
[...]
[Really? Do you swear to the heavens?]
[Aish! Young Hero Jin. That's a bit...]
[Wow! Brother Woo-chi has a loose tongue too. I repeatedly told him not to say that.]
[I told you it wasn't him!]
[Anyway, please keep it a secret, okay? The human heart is like a snake, so another's fateful opportunity will surely arouse a snake's heart, right? It will be revealed in due time that I have achieved the Profound Realm anyway.]
[Fine. But show me once.]
[What?]
[If I could see the Ten-Second Invincible Arts unfolded with the power of the Profound Realm once more, I would have no other wish.]
[Elder... surely...]
[...]
[You're not suggesting we have a match, are you?!]