Kang Sogun

"We should go to the seventh and eighth hall masters."

After hearing the internal energy of Jungrang and Yeon Hwasim, Yu Mungwang and Ban Yeowol wanted to take them as their disciples.

The ten hall masters of the Great Righteous Martial Hall each had different origins and duties. One thing they had in common was that they had no disciples.

Although other people did not think deeply about that point, Yu Mungwang and Ban Yeowol, who were from the martial world, had always been regretting it.

But since Jungrang and Yeon Hwasim were of an age to stand as martial artists on their own, they could not rashly bring up the matter.

No Ichil also could not actively step up because he knew the burden that Jungrang and Yeon Hwasim were carrying on their shoulders.

The two were responsible for the revenge and reconstruction of the Three Blade Sect. If they became the disciples of the hall masters of the Great Righteous Martial Hall, that matter would become distant.

No Ichil was a man of flexible thinking. He thought it would be good to send Jungrang, Yeon Hwasim, and Sim Mabaek to the Clear Lotus Pond where Yu Mungwang and Ban Yeowol were staying and leave the rest to fate.

"What exactly do you mean by following the two of them?"

"Don't think too deeply. The Clear Lotus Pond where the two are staying is an extremely secret place, and few know of it. Such a place will also be helpful for Great Warrior Sim to recover from his injuries."

Jungrang also had a feeling of admiration for Yu Mungwang. The sword art he had shown was different from Kang Sogun's.

If Kang Sogun's was the sword of the hegemonic path to kill the opponent, Yu Mungwang had shown the path of the sword that pursued the ultimate of the sword.

But it also did not seem right to rely on someone's goodwill and travel the martial world like this. Jungrang had lived in the ronin world where there could be no such thing as goodwill without a reason.

Since he could not know the true intentions of Yu Mungwang and Ban Yeowol, he hesitated.

As Jungrang just kept silent and did not answer, No Ichil said.

"The rumor that the Heavenly Martial Faction has been greatly damaged by this incident is rampant. But I believe that the true military power of the Heavenly Martial Faction has not yet come out. When you don't know the enemy's strength, you also need the wisdom to hold your breath and watch for a while."

At No Ichil's words, Jungrang nodded.

No Ichil, who traveled the world, had an outstanding eye for seeing through the situation. Above all, he knew his character.

It would not be right to refuse outright when he was recommending it like this. Above all, Sim Mabaek needed a safe place to rest.

"Rather, it is a matter for which we should be grateful."

No Ichil let out a sigh of relief. For him, it was as if he had put down a great worry.

'If those two ageless monsters take care of them, even if Gu Yeongang comes in person, he will not be able to harm them.'

Although he had guaranteed the safety of Yeon Hwasim and Sim Mabaek to Kang Sogun and Jang Mugang, in the current situation of the martial world, there would be no place as safe as the Clear Lotus Pond.

Yeon Hwasim stepped up and cupped her fists in a salute.

"I am ashamed to be receiving the help of Great Warrior No time and time again. I don't know how I can repay this kindness."

No Ichil laughed loudly and said.

"I have no children and no disciples. If I live and die like this, that's it. If I have been of even a little help, repay me in the next life."

***

The next day, the martial artists brought a carriage. Jungrang and Yeon Hwasim put Sim Mabaek in the carriage.

"The coachman knows the way."

Yu Mungwang said.

Jungrang was puzzled and asked.

"Weren't we going together?"

"We have to solve a troublesome matter and go."

Yu Mungwang said, glancing at the approaching Zhu Zhanji.

Zhu Zhanji approached Yeon Hwasim and said.

"Miss Yeon, I am truly sorry that you have suffered because of me."

When Zhu Zhanji learned that Yeon Hwasim was a master of swordsmanship at Yuk Ilcheong's manor, he even developed feelings of admiration.

His concubines were hell-bent on winning love and power in the deep palace. Also, the women he had known until now were desperate to catch his eye in any way.

But Yeon Hwasim, even after knowing that he was the crown prince, was keeping a certain line.

The beauty who roamed the martial world, crossing life and death, was detached from the affections of men and women, so he was even more anxious.

Yeon Hwasim, who was not interested in the affairs of men and women, had no way of knowing Zhu Zhanji's heart.

Yeon Hwasim performed the proper etiquette and said lightly.

"I hope you, Your Highness, will return to the palace safely."

Although it was a calm voice, to Zhu Zhanji, it was like a jade bead rolling. Moreover, his heart pounded as if Yeon Hwasim were extremely concerned for his safety.

Although he had already experienced countless women, Zhu Zhanji was firmly smitten with Yeon Hwasim.

If it were not for his own situation of being on the edge of a hundred-foot pole, he would have kept her by his side in any way.

Zhu Zhanji lamented inwardly and said to No Ichil.

"Attach more martial artists to Miss Yeon."

Yu Mungwang's gaze, looking at Zhu Zhanji, was strange. It was a gaze that seemed to say that it was very interesting.

As Zhu Zhanji moved away, he finally said a word.

"Oh my! The love of the martial world is so deep, a flower fight will soon break out in the inner palace of the imperial family."

No Ichil sighed. If he could, he wanted to open Yu Mungwang's head and see.

That ageless scholar did not even glance at the teachings of Confucius and Mencius and was only attached to the love of the secular world.

"Go quickly!"

No Ichil urged the coachman for no reason.

***

The main hall of the Nanjing government office.

The Grand Scholar of Nanjing, Bang Yeonso, who was sitting in the seat of honor, looked at Yeom Hochu with a grave complexion.

When the Embroidered Uniform Guard could not enter the Kang Residence and had requested reinforcements, Bang Yeonso had become furious and had summoned Yeom Hochu.

Below him, the heads of the six ministries of Nanjing were sitting on both sides.

The Minister of Justice rebuked Yeom Hochu in a subtle voice.

"How dare you refuse the order of the court? Since when did the Embroidered Uniform Guard just watch after a criminal refused?"

Yeom Hochu could not dare to raise his bowed waist.

"Kang Hui is the son of Duke Kang of the state and the nephew of His Majesty the Emperor. If this subordinate were to break into the Kang Residence and capture him, I would need the permission of His Majesty the Emperor."

Yeom Hochu's words were also true.

Officially, the imperial family could not be arrested, detained, or have their personal freedom restricted without the emperor's order.

That was why Kang Hui had snatched the order and had confirmed it.

At Yeom Hochu's words, the Minister of Justice became angry and shouted.

"Do you call that a word? Do you mean to say you don't know that in the Southern Zhili, the order of the Grand Scholar represents the order of the emperor?"

Although Yeom Hochu did not raise his bowed waist, he did not answer. It meant that he could not accept the words of the Minister of Justice.

Yeom Hochu was not a foolish man. If he agreed with the words of the Minister of Justice now, he would be a criminal who had not carried out the emperor's order, and his head would be cut off.

But he did not have the courage to return to the Kang Residence and face Kang Sogun. He instinctively knew that that was the fastest way to meet the King of Hell.

In a situation where he could do neither, Yeom Hochu had no choice but to rely on the one thin thread that could save his life.

The order of the Grand Scholar of Nanjing was not the emperor's personal order, was it?

Although sweat was pouring down Yeom Hochu's back, he did not back down.

Bang Yeonso raised his hand and stopped the Minister of Justice.

"That's enough."

As Bang Yeonso stepped up himself, silence fell in the main hall.

Bang Yeonso could not understand why Yeom Hochu was being so stubborn.

He had not thought that Yeom Hochu and the hundred Embroidered Uniform Guard would be overwhelmed by Kang Sogun and would not dare to step up.

But he was a man of deep schemes. He thought there must be a reason why Yeom Hochu was acting like this.

Bang Yeonso let out a long sigh.

"I am truly worried about what will become of the laws of this country if we cannot question the crime of violating military discipline just because he is a collateral branch of the imperial family."

"Your Excellency, the crime of disturbing military discipline is the same as the crime of high treason. We must report to the emperor at once and arrest Kang Hui."

The Minister of Justice reported. Bang Yeonso did not answer one way or the other and gestured to Yeom Hochu.

"For now, withdraw."

As Yeom Hochu left, Bang Yeonso looked around at the ministers of the six ministries of Nanjing and said.

"The law is equal to all. This official cannot help but report the tyranny of the Kang Residence to the emperor."

All the ministers of the six ministries nodded.

Bang Yeonso, who had firmly grasped the justification, said to the Minister of Justice.

"The Ministry of Justice will take care of it. This official will not be attending court for the time being."

Bang Yeonso's words meant that he would resign from his official post if the emperor's imperial edict did not come down.

It was accepted by all as the loyalty of an old subject who had to arrest even a relative of the emperor to protect the law.

The ministers of the six ministries stood up from their seats and performed the proper etiquette.

"The loyalty of the Grand Scholar will set the laws of this country straight."

Bang Yeonso immediately left the court. On his way back to the Bang Residence in a sedan chair, Bang Yeonso was lost in deep thought.

His worried appearance was that of an old subject who took care of state affairs day and night. The passing commoners prostrated and bowed.

Bang Yeonso's thoughts were different.

'It has been several years since Princess Ju died, but does that power still remain in the imperial family? It seems it is true that that bastard Kang Hui received the previous emperor's favor.'

Bang Yeonso was determined to kill Kang Sogun. He was the bastard who had ruined his precious son who would succeed him.

Bang Ilok's cheek had been pierced and his nose bone had collapsed, so it was difficult to find his former appearance.

The physical injury was a secondary problem. Although he was strictly silencing the talk, a rumor was already circulating in Nanjing that Bang Ilok had been seriously injured by the young master of the Kang Residence and was bedridden.

If he could not solve this, the honor of the Bang family would fall to the ground.

When he returned to the Bang Residence, he immediately looked for Bang Ilok's residence.

Bang Ilok was still lying on the bed. The fist of the brute had contained a strange power, and not only his bones and muscles had been injured, but he had also suffered an internal injury.

Bang Ilok, as if he had no face to see his father, closed his eyes and pretended to be asleep.

Bang Yeonso pretended not to know and came out of the room. Bang Ilok's trusted subordinate was guarding the front of the door.

Bang Yeonso asked his trusted subordinate.

"Has there been no word from Shaolin yet?"

"A message came today. It said that several high monks are already on their way here."

"That's right. Of course, that's right."

Bang Yeonso nodded. The amount he had donated to Shaolin would be enough to build several buildings.

"You must take special care so that there is no inconvenience on their way here."

"I have already taken measures."

The trusted subordinate bowed his head.

Bang Yeonso looked at one side of the darkening sky.

It was the place where the Kang Residence was.

A sinister killing intent flashed in Bang Yeonso's stern eyes.

***

The scent of plum blossoms was full.

The white plum blossoms that bloomed in the night sky were like snowflakes hanging in the sky. Kang Sogun, who was looking at the quiet plum blossoms, picked up a wine bottle.

"Sit. Why are you standing like that?"

Kang Sogun said in a low voice.

The Cho Hagyeong and Haran siblings could not dare to sit opposite him. Naturally, Hwang Oh, who was next to them, was also just standing there.

"I made a promise with him on a snowy winter day. That we would have another drink when the plum blossoms bloomed."

His words were lonely.

"Since he cannot come, shouldn't his people at least have a drink with me?"

The regret contained in Kang Sogun's words was so great that the Cho siblings could no longer refuse.

The Cho siblings and Hwang Oh sat opposite Kang Sogun.

Kang Sogun took out a wine bottle and filled the cups of the three.

Cho Haran held up her wine cup, performed the proper etiquette, and said.

"I was foolish and misunderstood. Please forgive me."

Although Cho Haran was a woman, she had grown up on the rough frontier, and her behavior was unrestrained.

"Who is forgiving whom?"

Kang Sogun held up his wine cup and stood up from his seat. And then he bowed his waist.

"I ask for a drink for you who have taken up the sword for him."

Everyone held up their cups and drank the wine.

Kang Sogun poured wine for everyone again.

"I ask for a drink for the soul of General Cho, who passed away first while trying to reveal injustice."

They emptied their cups again.

Kang Sogun poured wine into everyone's cups again.

"This cup is the cup of death."

The three were startled and looked at Kang Sogun.

A ray of red light flowed from Kang Sogun's eyes.

(End of Chapter)