Chapter 160
After Jin Won-tak returned...
So-ah pointed to the acupoints of the injured and collapsed <Embroidered Uniform Guard> members, took measures to prevent them from circulating their internal energy for a while, and then bound their hands.
Then, he designated the first annex building, which was more than 80% complete, as their residence and decided to wait for Jin Won-tak's message.
"You Embroidered Uniform Guard uncles. Let's be nice. Don't even think about escaping. If you do, you'll really shit blood."
'Ugh...'
'What a disgrace...'
'You devil-like brat.'
The members inwardly ground their teeth.
The Embroidered Uniform Guard were all individuals who combined both literary and martial arts, and not only did they possess strong martial arts, but they were also talented individuals who were proficient in academics.
Moreover, since they had run on a super-fast track to success that others could not even dream of, they had never imagined that they would be treated like this...
That unbelievable ghost story has become a reality today because of So-ah.
"The Embroidered Uniform Guard keeps its promises. We will stay at the Moyong family until Head of the Embroidered Uniform Guard Jin arrives, so don't worry. We don't speak with two mouths."
One of the group, perhaps provoked by So-ah's mocking words, retorted in an agitated voice.
At that.
'As expected, the arrogant officials don't know their place and are high-nosed... I should just!'
So-ah felt an urge to perform a mountain peak flick on his head.
'Let's show mercy, mercy. Because my uncle earnestly requested it.'
But since he could not treat the Embroidered Uniform Guard, who had invaded the Moyong family to carry out their official duties, the same as the Eastern Depot, which was riddled with corruption, So-ah decided to show mercy.
Although it was incomprehensible what kind of mercy that was.
***
"Phew..."
"Are you alright, So-ah?"
"Yes, I feel much better."
When the matter subsided, So-ah took a pill that boosted his true ki and at the same time, circulated his ki to control his ki and blood.
Because he had sprinted from the Martial Alliance headquarters to Liaoning, and had overexerted himself in a fight without any rest, his mind and body were tired.
"You should have distributed your strength properly..."
"I didn't want to see a single member of the family get hurt. The combined attack formation of those guys, led by the head of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, was terrifying. If I hadn't overdone it, it would have been difficult to suppress them easily."
"Hah... what a praiseworthy brat."
Moyong Baek was sincerely impressed.
In order to prevent the family members from getting hurt, So-ah had overexerted himself and had forcibly broken the combined attack formation.
It was easy to say, but this was something that could not be understood with common sense.
Where was the <Embroidered Uniform Guard>?
It was the number one martial force of the imperial court.
Although So-ah had already dismantled the Eastern Depot single-handedly, the power of the Embroidered Uniform Guard was on a different level from the Eastern Depot.
In particular, since the martial arts of the head of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, Jin Won-tak, were so strong that it was hard to believe he was an official.
"Praiseworthy? If it weren't for you, uncle, and the elders of the family, I wouldn't have been able to overwhelm the Embroidered Uniform Guard by myself."
So-ah thought that he would never have been able to defeat the Embroidered Uniform Guard single-handedly like he had with the Eastern Depot.
"Hoho. To overwhelm the Embroidered Uniform Guard by yourself... you're probably the only one in the world who would have such an imagination. So-ah. Tell me honestly. You've made great progress in your studies, haven't you?"
At his uncle's question, So-ah explained in detail about the 'awakening effect' that occurred when he mixed the <Great Purity Limitless Divine Core> and the <Vajra Bronze-Man God Core> that were latent in his body, as well as his Supreme Meridian Energy.
At that, Moyong Baek opened his mouth with a face that was a mixture of joy and surprise.
"Amazing. Truly amazing. Come to think of it, the grace of the former Heavenly Demon, the great hero Wi-ji, who gave you the <Map of the Ghost Valley Villa> and allowed you to obtain a fateful opportunity, is as vast as the sea."
"I think so too. Grandpa Wi-ji probably gave me such a gift because he saw my grandfather."
"Hoho. That's not it. It doesn't make sense to give such a treasure just by considering my father's face. It's just that the hero in his later years, who had obtained both wealth and fame and had nowhere else to climb, found you, a young boy, cute and bestowed a generous gift. The more I think about it, the more amazing your luck with people is, So-ah."
It was not unreasonable for Moyong Baek to have such thoughts.
Because So-ah's luck with people was truly incomprehensible.
Just becoming the top disciple of the God of War, Moyong Cheon, was a fateful opportunity that made one wonder if he had saved the country in his previous life.
Not only did he catch the eye of the Heavenly Demon, Wi-ji Woon, and receive the love of the current Martial Alliance Leader, Abbess Hongryeon, and the Grand Elder of the Martial Alliance, Hong In-geol, but he also became the sworn brother of the King of the Green Forest and the Waterway King, and became close with the Lord of the North Sea Ice Palace, Wang Bang-tae, and the epitome of an incorruptible official, Bao Qingtian, and now, hadn't he taken the son of the Lee family of Shandong, one of the three great chaebols of the Central Plains, as his top disciple...
Since So-ah created fateful opportunities as if he were eating, he had just let it pass until now, but the more he thought about it, the more Moyong Baek clicked his tongue.
"Haha. Hearing you say that, uncle, I guess I am quite lucky."
"Hoho. By the way, So-ah. That head of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, Jin. What did you think of him?"
At his uncle's question, So-ah narrowed his eyes and then, as if in deep thought, stroked his chin.
"Hmm... I did get a strange feeling. His upright character and strong martial arts are impressive, but should I say that I felt something else?"
"You too? As expected, everyone sees people the same way. I also got that feeling from him. It was as if he was a person with a similar aura to you."
"An aura similar to mine..."
So-ah's gaze was directed at the empty air.
It was certain that he had felt something from Jin Won-tak...
But what that feeling was, was still hazy.
***
Ten days later...
Kaifeng Prefecture—
"Isn't that the head of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, Jin?!"
"Lord Bao. It's been a long time."
Jin Won-tak had even skipped his meals and had run, showing the feat of arriving at Kaifeng Prefecture in ten days.
It was to investigate the truth as quickly as possible and to rescue the members of the Embroidered Uniform Guard who were being held as hostages, and also to complete the mission as soon as possible.
"But what brings you here?"
"Lord Bao..."
Jin Won-tak conveyed everything he had experienced in the imperial palace and Liaoning to Bao Qingtian in detail.
Bao Qingtian's expression changed rapidly and repeatedly.
"Hah! Hearing the words of the head of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, Jin, it feels as if my blood is flowing backwards. How dare that fellow Eunuch Han and the high and low officials deceive His Majesty and the people with such absurd language?!"
"Lord Bao..."
"First, let me get to the conclusion. Eunuch Han's words are all lies."
As he said that, conviction was fully in Bao Qingtian's two eyes and voice.
'Lord Bao is by no means a person who would speak empty words.'
Only then did Jin Won-tak realize that there was a huge mastermind hidden in this matter.
"Also!"
"..."
"Young Hero Jin will be revered as a hero who has saved the court above and all the people below."
"Lord Bao. How..."
"Head of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, Jin. Follow me."
***
Jin Won-tak, who had followed Bao Qingtian, was about to faint.
The place he had gone to was a prison located in the basement of Kaifeng Prefecture.
There, Jin Won-tak met the former members of the Eastern Depot, who had had their hair pulled out and had become bald, and through their mouths, and by reviewing all the evidence and circumstances of the secret activities of the White Lotus Cult and Eunuch Han that Bao Qingtian had interrogated and collected so far.
Also, hearing that the person who had unraveled the clue to the case was So-ah, he had to stroke his head as he was about to lose his mind.
"Lord Bao... isn't it clear to anyone that Eunuch Han has led the rebellion?"
"Of course, Head of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, Jin. Is it just a rebellion? They have joined hands with the heretical religion called the White Lotus Cult, which practices human sacrifice, and have disturbed the world. I was just thinking of having an audience with His Majesty the Emperor. Whether we move the Embroidered Uniform Guard or the military, I plan to suppress the White Lotus Cult by any means necessary, and at the same time, to hold all the corrupt officials who protect Eunuch Han accountable."
From Bao Qingtian's jujube-colored face and upright tone, which was glittering with a brilliant intelligence, an inviolable heavenly spirit and pride as an official were exuded.
Looking at such a Bao Qingtian, Jin Won-tak once again felt that the middle-aged man in front of him was a true official and politician of this era, and was inwardly impressed.
"Lord Bao. That loyalty of yours, which worries about the court and the people day and night, is truly respectable. So."
"Head of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, Jin..."
"I will also help Lord Bao, even at the risk of my position as the head of the Embroidered Uniform Guard."
"Good! This is really great! If the head of the Embroidered Uniform Guard becomes a guarantor, the matter of persuading His Majesty will also be much easier. On this occasion, let's punish the eunuch brats and greedy officials who are eating away at the country, Head of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, Jin!"
Bao Qingtian extended his hand towards Jin Won-tak with a satisfied expression.
Jin Won-tak also readily took that hand.
"Head of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, Jin. Then let's go to have an audience with His Majesty the Emperor right now."
"Um... Lord Bao. Before that, I have to stop by the Moyong family once."
"To the Moyong family?"
"That's right."
"What is it?"
At Bao Qingtian's question, Jin Won-tak did not have the courage to answer readily.
Although it could not be said to be a flaw that he had tried to search the Moyong family under the emperor's command, how could he confess the situation where the <Embroidered Uniform Guard>, the highest martial force of the imperial court, was being held as a hostage by So-ah?
But.
"Hoho... Head of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, Jin. Come to think of it, I think I know."
"Lord Bao?"
"Since you met Young Hero Jin before coming to Kaifeng Prefecture... I can roughly guess."
Whether it was a misfortune or a fortune, it seemed that Bao Qingtian had analyzed and organized the situation on his own, and had even drawn a conclusion.
"Ah..."
Jin Won-tak let out a sigh.
He somehow felt ashamed.
"Head of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, Jin. Please understand. Although Young Hero Jin is a bit rough, didn't he start to investigate this case for a great cause? If it weren't for him, the whole country would have really suffered a terrible internal conflict."
"You are right. After hearing your words, Lord Bao, I feel that I am, on the contrary, indebted to him."
"He is definitely a dragon among men. Not only does he possess such martial arts as an orphan, but he has also prospered in business with his unique intelligence as a foundation, and this time he has even saved the fate of the country... except for his somewhat dirty... no, rough nature, the best talent and hero of his time is none other than Young Hero Jin."
In that moment.
For some reason, a look of surprise appeared in Jin Won-tak's eyes.
"Lord Bao... just now, did you say that Young Hero Jin is an orphan?"
"That's right..."
"Do you happen to know much about him?"
"That's right. My older brother is currently serving as a literature teacher at the Moyong family, and since he is a teacher-like figure who has taught Young Hero Jin literature, I have heard a lot of stories. They say that Young Hero Jin was wandering around as an orphan in Deokyang-hyeon, Sichuan, and was begging, and then he caught the eye of the God of War, the great hero Moyong, and was adopted as an external disciple of the Moyong family."
"Deokyang-hyeon, Sichuan...!"
Jin Won-tak's surprise was further amplified.
He trembled his shoulders as if he had been electrocuted, and Bao Qingtian, who could not understand why he was so surprised, tilted his head.
But despite Bao Qingtian's reaction, Jin Won-tak remained silent, still unable to shake off the surprise from his face.
'There is a limit to coincidence... when I heard the name Jin So-ah, I just took it as it was, but if he is an orphan and from Deokyang-hyeon, Sichuan... isn't this kind of coincidence impossible! Then really!'
Jin Won-tak's feelings became a complex state that was completely indescribable in words.
He, perhaps.
'Please... I earnestly hope it's you. That it's you...'
...had forgotten for a long time.
...but had never erased from his heart.
...was filled with an infinite expectation that he might be able to find his only blood relative, his one and only younger sibling.
"Lord Bao."
"Speak, Head of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, Jin."
"I must return to the Moyong family right now."
"Let's go together. Since I have to have an audience with His Majesty the Emperor with you anyway."
"Then let's depart immediately."
"Hohoho. But why are you suddenly like this?"
"Lord Bao..."
"..."
"If things go well, a fateful opportunity may come to my life.”
(End of Chapter)