Chapter 44: Chapter 44

Chapter 44: Let's Go Find the Ink Sword Hero

"You knew Guyang Je would come out ?"

"No. I merely prepared for contingencies."

Guyang Je revealed his demonic nature.

The moment for the tracker I'd attached just in case to shine.

"Since they're people skilled in such matters, let's wait."

"Understood. I'll trust the Ink Sword Hero."

When we turned the boat toward lakeside, literati rushed out.

Splash splash—wading with knees soaking in water toward the Magistrate.

"Magistrate, are you alright!"

"Demonic Cult members—how could such people toward the Magistrate—"

"Magistrate, please root out Demonic Cult members in Luoyang!"

Seems they heard the shouts during the fight.

Literati swarmed denouncing the Demonic Cult. Fresh chapters posted on novel·fıre·net

While worried about the Magistrate,

today's events had smeared Luoyang's poetry gathering's face, making them even more indignant.

"Luoyang's distinguished persons need not worry. Here, Ink Sword Hero Jin Yeomyeong rescued me. Didn't you all see?"

He omitted that he himself had agreed and deployed a luring operation.

Avoiding bothersome explanations while raising my reputation incidentally.

I also didn't add other explanations to the Magistrate's words.

Watching Black Path flee Luoyang, I felt anew—a martial artist with high reputation stabilizes public order through existence alone.

This time, let me monopolize reputation.

"Demonic Cult extermination is what martial artists should naturally do. I merely did what's proper."

Words of modesty literati loved. They greeted with even brighter expressions.

"To think the Ink Sword Hero whose reputation resounds throughout Luoyang was here!"

"Indeed modest. A talent possessing not only martial prowess but virtue!"

Please spread my name more widely. So Demonic Cult members won't even approach Luoyang's direction.

"It wasn't Scholar Bang Yuyo. We were completely deceived!"

"Of course. That poetry deliberately wrote poorly aiming for last place."

"Seeing such dignified appearance, he surely possesses poetic talent too."

"How about attending the next gathering to restore honor?"

How do you judge poetic talent by appearance?

These were people who studied all their lives.

Writing poetry that poorly seemed beyond imagination.

"Of course I'd like to attend gatherings too."

"But it's difficult because I must deal with Black Path and Demonic Cult."

Because I have no time.

Of course, practicing would produce better poetry.

"Right! How could he come to gatherings? We literati also well know the Ink Sword Hero's reputation."

"Didn't he organize Luoyang's Black Path to make a livable Luoyang?"

"We literati also personally feel that influence."

Praise continued endlessly.

Literati struck their foreheads—tak.

"Oh, poetic inspiration, poetic inspiration... Autumn lake, villains targeting the Magistrate, and one hero."

"I should write not poetry but fiction. It'll be popular in the marketplace?"

Even the Magistrate joined in fanning them.

"If writing about the Ink Sword Hero emerges, send it to the office. I'll rank and reward."

Literati's eyes flashed.

I thought only martial artists loved competition, but that wasn't so.

Those living by writing were also crazy about contests.

Then the proceeding literatus suggested to the Magistrate:

"Much time remains until sunset. How about continuing the gathering here with the Ink Sword Hero as topic?"

However, the Magistrate shook his head.

My thought was the same. No time since we had to organize Banyang Trading.

...Not because I'd be embarrassed hearing poetry where I'm the protagonist.

Magistrate Yang Daeryang declared resoundingly:

"Hear, subordinates of Captain Guyang."

Some of Guyang Je's subordinates still remained.

They'd been standing blankly not knowing what to do.

"Guyang Je threw a hidden weapon attempting to kill me. Now I'll thoroughly investigate and hold him accountable. Don't think of resisting pointlessly—all kneel."

Guyang Je's subordinates knelt as soon as the Magistrate's words fell.

Close aides had probably already disappeared.

Those remaining were ones Guyang Je could abandon.

Only warriors in superficial employment relationships.

"Good. Follow me to the office. I'll hear what to hear from you and send you off."

Magistrate Yang Daeryang cleanly organized the situation.

I looked at the proceeding literatus.

Understanding the meaning, he cleared his throat.

"Today's poetry gathering concludes hereby! Praise the Magistrate! Proclaim the Ink Sword Hero's heroic deeds!"

The gathering finished.

Guyang Je and Banyang Trading also finished.

Thus I turned from lakeside.

"That hero called Ink Sword Hero."

One remark among literati's exchanges caught my ear.

"Isn't his martial prowess superior to what we heard? Earlier seemed like he blew away lake water with wind."

Now was stronger than the Four-Tenths mastery of Eight Trigram Unity Technique I'd displayed before.

The Xun Trigram Technique earlier was the same.

Just feeling like it could work, sensing it was possible, I did so.

And actually accomplished it.

Quietly reflecting, even in fights with Black Path, I'd continuously been overwhelming.

Related to coming back through time?

Though I hadn't felt it until now?

'I should investigate.'

Perhaps I could reproduce some of past martial prowess.

At the Murim Alliance Luoyang Branch Leader's office.

Hwangbo Gak and Gong Pilsang were discussing some matter.

"Is Chang'an's matter ultimately still at standstill?"

"That's right. They say resolution is distant."

Originally Hwangbo Gak often visited Chang'an branch. Because of Alliance internal politics.

However, recently visiting Chang'an branch was somewhat different business.

"Seems it won't work with only me going. Sort out some useful personnel."

At Hwangbo Gak's instruction, Gong Pilsang made a troubled expression.

Gong Pilsang usually rushed saying he'd immediately execute instructions. Such expressions were rare.

"Well, as you know, there aren't many Alliance members with excellent martial arts in the branch."

"Mm? Isn't that well known? The Alliance didn't empower Luoyang either."

Though both were old capitals, people's eyes viewing Chang'an and Luoyang were worlds apart.

The Alliance, government, and nearby prestigious major sects had little interest in Luoyang.

"So we must take Outer Hall warriors. Since they have excellent martial arts."

Gong Pilsang wore an extremely apologetic expression.

"There are no Outer Hall warriors to do missions."

"What do you mean? Did they go somewhere?"

"They follow Jin Yeomyeong around."

Hwangbo Gak pressed his forehead.

Speaking of him, Black Path members he'd caught and sent filled even empty buildings. They still hadn't handled those bastards.

Though good for reporting achievements to the main Alliance,

it was troublesome to handle, and feeding them cost too much money.

"Shall we kill them?"

"No. No. How could that be!"

Conversely, the main hall's front courtyard where Outer Hall warriors used to spend time was completely empty.

'Originally they'd have entered Outer Hall to advance into the Alliance.'

Not only in Luoyang but everywhere, Outer Hall warriors weren't following instructions as before.

Rumors said some felt disgusted with the current Alliance.

'Just discipline laxity though.'

Here in Luoyang, there was one more powerful reason called Jin Yeomyeong.

"Mm. Understood for now."

"Even following Jin Yeomyeong, they can't refuse Alliance missions. Go around delivering missions."

"Going around. Yes, understood."

Administrative work arose.

Meaning the Deputy Branch Leader and Alliance members would be busy.

Of course, Hwangbo Gak didn't worry about such things.

Best if he could take him.

Since the leave application still wasn't processed, there was justification.

Thinking this while looking aside, Gong Pilsang was also frowning, lost in thought.

"What are you thinking?"

"I was thinking about the Ink Sword Hero."

Branch Leader and Deputy Branch Leader recalling him together.

This situation itself was funny if funny.

"Did you also think of taking the Ink Sword Hero to Chang'an?"

"What? No. So the Branch Leader thought that."

"Then what did you think?"

Gong Pilsang unnecessarily lowered his voice.

"Though I fear words becoming seeds... In these ten days Jin Yeomyeong caused so many incidents..."

"A strange thought that he's probably caused something again."

Hwangbo Gak deliberately asserted:

"Won't be. Must not be."

"Branch Leader, Deputy Branch Leader!"

A desperate voice seeking them was heard.

One Alliance member was running into the Branch Leader's office.

Gong Pilsang muttered quietly, but the Alliance member's report continued mercilessly.

"At the poetry gathering Banyang Trading held, there was a Magistrate assassination attempt! The attempt failed and Captain Guyang fled!"

Hwangbo Gak quickly asked:

"Failed? Perhaps someone stepped forward to block?"

"Yes! That's right. That person—"

Before the Alliance member could speak, Hwangbo Gak and Gong Pilsang could guess the next words.

"Ink Sword Hero Jin Yeomyeong blocked it!"

Right. Jin Yeomyeong, right?

An enlightened smile rose on Hwangbo Gak's face.

Beyond Golden Cloud Trading's captain to Shaanxi Magistrate.

The highest figures in commercial and government circles owed life-saving grace to Jin Yeomyeong.

Who exactly had the strongest voice in Luoyang's martial world now?

"Deputy Branch Leader."

"Jin Yeomyeong's capability far exceeds our thinking. I should take him to Chang'an."

"The Ink Sword Hero to Chang'an?"

"Can't show our Luoyang falling behind. So regarding that."

"You go persuade him."

Every time meeting Jin Yeomyeong, desks get smashed?

Hwangbo Gak placed his hand on Gong Pilsang's shoulder.

With the enlightened smile intact, he ordered Gong Pilsang:

"Go and even kneel if you must."

Sangyang County, not far from Luoyang City.

A place where low mountains continued.

On one mountain's midslope, a woman and boy were looking at the opposite mountain.

Hiding behind protruding rocks, reconnaissance was in full swing.

"Mother, something seems strange."

Yang Cheonjo—the boy Jin Yeomyeong had met on the way to the pharmacy.

"That's right. It was the same when I scouted separately."

And the woman was Yang Cheonjo's mother, Sang Jinhwa.

"Is what mother heard certain?"

Sang Jinhwa recalled memories.

When asked if this certain, she could waver, but not at all.

"Ink Sword Hero. I should go find him."

"The Ink Sword Hero?"

"Right now, while free from the Alliance, the only person who could solve such problems seems to be the Ink Sword Hero."

At his mother's words, Yang Cheonjo also nodded.

"The Ink Sword Hero will definitely help."

Sang Jinhwa looked at her son who'd become markedly more mature since meeting the Ink Sword Hero.

"What mother heard is certain."

It could be dangerous. Black Path gathered on the opposite mountain.

"The Alliance is involved there."