Scholar Demon Venerable

Jo Gwang took a deep breath and then looked straight at Cheongun and said.

"I have heard that the Zirong Palace has been secretly handling opium for a long time. In fact... while trying to reveal that, the elders of my Jo family were all killed, and only I survived. That's why I thought you had come to catch me last time."

Cheongun suddenly thought that Jo Gwang's eyes were very pretty and clear. His eyebrows were also long.

"It was a relief that it wasn't."

Jo Gwang finished his words and slightly turned his eyes.

Cheongun, who had been listening blankly, flinched and came to his senses.

"Ah..."

Cheongun recalled the time he had first met Jo Gwang and nodded his head. Then he felt a question and asked again.

"Did they not know that you were in the Baifeng Manor?"

"That's right. I ran away to Shaanxi fifteen years ago and came back three years ago. I came to get revenge, risking my life... and you got revenge for me."

Only then could Cheongun roughly understand.

"Anyway, it seems we should keep in mind the possibility that the Yongfeng Caravan is trying to buy opium with that much money."

It had been strange that the Yongfeng Caravan could maintain that scale while not doing much caravan business.

But if there was opium among the trade goods, that reason was explained.

"Thanks to you, Brother Jo, many of my questions have been resolved."

"I'm glad if I was of help."

"I'm sorry that I'm only receiving help in many ways."

"Don't say that. Thanks to you, I was able to get revenge, and I'm studying like this, aren't I?"

"It wasn't something I did because of you. So there's no need to be grateful."

Cheongun had grasped Jo Gwang's academic ability. With his skills, it seemed it would not be difficult to pass the metropolitan examination.

As Jo Gwang returned, Cheongun turned his head and looked at the Blood Emperor and asked.

"It seems to be opium, doesn't it?"

[For now, that's highly likely. Moreover, if the Zirong Palace is involved...]

"Is it possible to control people with opium?"

The Blood Emperor thought for a moment and then gave his opinion.

[Although you can't control them directly, you can at least cause hallucinations and make their minds confused. In fact, the Blood Demon Ten Thousand Demon Annihilation Formation also used that hallucinatory effect.]

"So that's it. I also thought of the Blood Demon Ten Thousand Demon Annihilation Formation when I heard the story of opium."

Among the ones who had attacked Cheongun after the Blood Demon Ten Thousand Demon Annihilation Formation had been unfolded, some had covered their faces. Whether they were addicted to opium or for some other reason, it was clear that their actions were intoxicated by something.

"Blood Emperor, what do you think of Brother Jo?"

[Jo Gwang? Why?]

"I have already received a lot of help. I think he will be a great help in the future. I also want to do something for him..."

[Do you have something in mind?]

"How about fixing the imbalance in his body that occurred while learning martial arts? Is it possible?"

[Hmm, it's not a difficult thing. But that's not something you have to worry too much about.]

"Is that so? From what I see, his yin energy is too strong, and his yang energy seems to be insufficient."

[That's right. But that's not necessarily a bad thing. Because it's also a characteristic of the soft demonic art he learned.]

The soft demonic art was not a martial art that a man should learn. Unless there was a special reason, it was a martial art that a woman learned, and it was clear that he had learned it for a reason.

"Since he learned it for the revenge of his family, will he do it if I tell him to give up the martial art?"

[If it were you, would you abolish your martial arts just because your revenge is over?]

"No."

[You bastard. You don't want to do it yourself, and you're going to force it on others?]

Come to think of it, the Blood Emperor's words were right.

He didn't know when he had no power, but perhaps his thoughts had changed since he had gained power. Moreover, it was difficult to live in the world of dust with just academics.

'Indeed, the Blood Emperor's words are right. That's why I learned martial arts. Isn't the reason I'm trying to earn money and build a force under me now so that I won't be swayed by others?'

Cheongun knew well how harsh the world was and what happened if you had no power, no money, and no backing.

"It seems it will be difficult."

[Tsk, tsk. If you like that kid, it would be good to do so, but think carefully. There is something you don't know about that kid.]

"What? What do you mean, something I don't know? What is it?"

[You find out. Go and ask him yourself. Hehe.]

Seeing the Blood Emperor, who rarely laughed, laugh out loud, it seemed there was something he was missing.

But he couldn't think of what it was right away.

As Cheongun was lost in thought like that, the Blood Emperor also was lost in deep thought, thinking of Jo Gwang.

* * *

The next day, Cheongun summoned the Jinyiwei leaders.

If Jo Gwang's words were true, the Yongfeng Caravan was not the problem.

With the Baihus of the Jinyiwei gathered, Cheongun told them the story he had heard from Jo Gwang. After the story was over, the reactions of the Baihus were the same.

"If they are really bringing in opium, the problem is serious."

"That's right. This matter needs to be reported separately."

If opium spread to the private sector, it was obvious that many problems would arise because of its addictive nature.

He didn't know how quickly it would spread, but those who had used opium once would find it difficult to resist the temptation.

Cheongun, who knew that the thoughts of the Jinyiwei were the same as his, gave an order.

"First, I plan to gather information through the Beggars' Sect. Let's contact the imperial capital after the goods of the Yongfeng Caravan have arrived. Because we have to check if the goods are opium. In the meantime, you guys should put more effort into your training."

"Yes, Your Excellency."

The Jinyiwei answered in one voice.

Although they were training unexpectedly, no one disliked it.

As Cheongun began to look at their martial arts, their skills were improving noticeably.

As the Jinyiwei leaders returned, Cheongun sent a person separately and called the third elder of the Beggars' Sect.

He also told him the story about opium and told him to let him know if he found an opium addict.

The third elder's expression changed as soon as he heard the word "opium."

"I understand. Hah, if the Zirong Palace has really touched opium, no excuse will work."

That was a part that Cheongun had not thought of.

'That's right. Perhaps I can handle two things at once.'

After giving a few more instructions to the third elder, Cheongun immediately headed to the Baifeng Manor to meet Jo Gwang.

In the morning, he had to look at Jo Gwang's writing.

Jo Gwang's residence was elegant.

Although it was not specially decorated, a few paintings and calligraphies were hanging on the wall, adding to the atmosphere.

In particular, the landscape painting hanging on the wall that was immediately visible when you opened the door and entered was overwhelming.

It was a masterpiece that was painted while imagining the "Mountain Dialogue" in the poem of the Tang dynasty poet, Li Bai.

The valley water flowing between the cliffs and the deer drinking the water at the water's edge made the viewer exclaim in admiration.

This painting was a work that Cheongun had painted because Jo Gwang had asked for a painting.

'Hmm, even I think I painted it really well.'

A smile appeared on Cheongun's lips on its own.

[You bastard, you're drooling. Stop smiling.]

Although the Blood Emperor gave him a scolding from the side, Cheongun did not care and went to his seat and sat down.

Perhaps because of such a Cheongun's appearance, Jo Gwang also smiled and sat down.

After waiting for the Longjing tea to brew in the teapot, it was poured into the teacups.

As the tea was filled in the cups, Jo Gwang opened his mouth.

"I have a favor to ask you today, Brother Lee."

"A favor? Please speak."

Cheongun had wanted to repay him for the help he had received anyway.

"I was going to tell you last time, but I couldn't because I was afraid it would be a burden, but when my family was destroyed, my family members were dragged to the Zirong Palace."

"Really?"

"But I can't find out where those people are. I have looked all over the inside and the vicinity of the Zirong Palace, but I can't see them."

If it was that much, it would not be difficult.

"Hmm, I will look into that matter."

"Are you serious?"

Jo Gwang smiled brightly.

Cheongun looked at that face blankly and then quickly turned his eyes.

'Hmph, why am I like this?'

The awkward Cheongun hurriedly changed the subject.

"I will look into it as I go, so don't worry, and let's study now."

"Thank you, Brother Lee."

Cheongun, who had left the Baifeng Manor, went to the Zirong Palace.

If he unfolded his lightness skill, it was a distance that would not even take half a day.

Cheongun, who had arrived at the Zirong Palace, called Seok Deok-jo and told him the story about the Baifeng Manor.

"...So find out where the people of the Baifeng Manor are."

"I understand, Your Excellency."

By the time it was lunch, Thousand-household Commander Seok had brought the documents about the Baifeng Manor.

The number of people who had been dragged from the Baifeng Manor was close to a hundred in the Zirong Palace alone. Fortunately, all the people who had been dragged were alive.

"They are scattered in the businesses operated by the Zirong Palace."

As Jo Gwang had said, the people of the Baifeng Manor were not in the Zirong Palace. But that didn't mean they were in a comfortable place. They were mobilized for labor in the mines operated by the Zirong Palace.

Cheongun quickly looked over the documents that Seok Deok-jo had brought. As he confirmed the documents, Cheongun's face hardened.

After looking at all the documents, Cheongun put down the last document and asked Seok Deok-jo with a cold expression.

"Is what is written in this document true?"

"We are currently investigating the related people separately. In a shichen, we will have a satisfactory content."

It was not difficult to find the ones related to the Baifeng Manor's bloody incident.

It was possible because they were already using whips and carrots appropriately on the Zirong Palace members.

The cooperation of the Zirong Palace members was needed for the investigation to proceed smoothly.

As he threatened that they could lose their lives for being related to a rebellion, many people cooperated.

In fact, a few were dragged away and had their necks cut. Most were people who had handled the secret affairs of the Zirong Palace.

But the ones who were actively cooperating with the Jinyiwei were mostly people who had known about the vicious acts of the Zirong Palace and had condoned them or had been directly involved in them.

Rather, the ones who did not know the dirty back of the Zirong Palace did not cooperate with the Jinyiwei.

Far from cooperating, they resisted, offering their necks, saying that they were persecuting the Zirong Palace, which had worked for justice.

They thought of the Zirong Palace master, Ou Huliang, as the number one hero of justice in the Central Plains.

They did not believe it even when he presented the evidence.

They sneered, saying that all the evidence was fabricated.

"The ones who boast of being clean are dirtier when you get to know them."

Cheongun muttered, tapping the documents, and then asked Thousand-household Commander Seok.

"Are these all the officials you met at the Zirong Palace?"

"According to the testimony we have secured, they are all."

"Do you think these are all?"

"There will be more. At the very least, there will be a connection with a high-ranking official of the Governor's Office."

There are things you can know without having to confirm them.

If it's related to a bribe, the upper line is decided according to its scale. Bribes and tacit permission were a chronic practice of the imperial palace.

Cheongun nodded his head and looked down at the documents again.

"Besides the Baifeng Manor, there seem to be many such cases, what do you think?"

"I also think the same. Looking at their methods, it's not a skill they've done once or twice."

Seok Deok-jo's thoughts were the same as Cheongun's.

Cheongun felt the need for a large-scale investigation.

"Inform the inspectors dispatched from the Censorate about this and say that you will investigate secretly for the time being. And bring all the family members of the Baifeng Manor here."

"I understand."

As Seok Deok-jo retreated, Cheongun, who was left alone, leaned back in his chair and organized his thoughts.

If there was something wrong, he had to correct it. He also knew that it was not an easy thing.

But he had no intention of avoiding it.

'If I had thought so, I wouldn't have even started!'

(End of Chapter)