Chapter 66: Chapter 66

Chapter 66: There's a Place in Kaifeng Too

Murim Alliance Luoyang Branch.

People lined up with backs to the main gate.

The person in the center anxiously paced back and forth.

One elderly hall leader couldn't watch anymore and stopped him.

"Deputy Branch Leader, please be at ease. How many times have you gone back and forth from the same spot?"

Deputy Branch Leader, currently Acting Branch Leader Gong Pilsang scrunched his face.

"How can I be at ease right now? Huh? Would my heart be at ease?"

The elderly hall leader shook his head side to side.

"I understand Deputy Branch Leader's heart, but there's nothing to be done now. Can only obediently receive inspection."

At the hall leader's words, Gong Pilsang let out a deep sigh—puuuk.

Right now, they were waiting for the Murim Alliance Inspector.

'Inspection' was a word those belonging to organizations dreaded.

Looking up the meaning reveals why: investigating and disciplining members' actions, violations, misconduct.

From members' perspective, it's terrifying.

The reason for forming ranks not even in procedure was also that.

"Kkeuuu. Of all things, an inspector..."

Different from Gong Pilsang's prediction.

The main target of this inspection was Hwangbo Gak.

Alliance Leader Hwangbo Gihyeok's love for blood relatives was famous.

If even sending Hwangbo Clan member as inspector, could invite misunderstanding of trying to protect blood relatives.

Therefore, seemed someone from different faction within Alliance would come.

"Openly sending Hwangbo Clan person."

Since hearing news Inspector Hwangbo Daejin was coming, couldn't sit still.

Really protecting blood relatives, or planning to give harsh punishment showing himself as fair. Fresh chapters posted on novel⁂fire.net

Either way was crisis from Gong Pilsang's position.

If protecting blood relatives, high possibility Gong Pilsang himself becomes scapegoat. Anyway, he's the second-ranking official after Branch Leader and even stamped documents.

If punishing, all involved parties would likely be implicated. Though Gong Pilsang wasn't participant, could be blamed for negligence and such.

"Ahh. After climbing to this position..."

Even though Alliance members were listening, honest lament flowed out.

Inwardly resented one person not at this place.

'Kheuk. Jin Yeomyeong, this fellow. Do you guess my circumstances?'

Now a fairly comfortable form of address.

This wasn't only Gong Pilsang.

Jin Yeomyeong also regarded Luoyang Branch and Gong Pilsang comfortably.

'Too, too comfortably for trouble though.'

For example—buried in documents staying up several nights preparing for inspection, suddenly raising head to look:

Hahaha. Brother Kwak, isn't that too much? No matter how delicious?

Really delicious I tell you. If you try it, you'll think differently?

Saw Jin Yeomyeong chatting with martial artists in headquarters courtyard.

While Gong Pilsang's under-eyes died black from overwork, Jin Yeomyeong happily drank tea.

Look here. Come inside and tell the circumstances in more detail. Needed for inspection preparation.

But he now regarded even Gong Pilsang comfortably.

Stop! This is all because of you.

What? Because of me? Not thanks to me?

Right, thanks. But if you'd just left Hwangbo Branch Leader's qi center alone—

Will be fine. I wrote in my statement that Deputy Gong is innocent. Also explained all reasons.

Ultimately couldn't catch him. Disappeared emptily—hwing.

Opening the statement, had written it down.

[Deputy Branch Leader Gong Pilsang possessed neither the capacity nor courage to scheme dangerous plots. Therefore, removed suspicion from the beginning of this incident.]

Ah, thanks, thank you.

Thanks for removing suspicion with appropriate character evaluation.

Gong Pilsang felt gratitude and resentment toward Jin Yeomyeong simultaneously.

"There, isn't that person coming?"

One Alliance member pointed at someone.

Hwangbo Clan's characteristic righteous-light-overflowing large face.

Also characteristic bear-like sturdy build.

White clothes with black embroidery—the character 盟 (Alliance) sewn on left shoulder and back.

From the moment Gong Pilsang saw him in distance, clasped hands greeting.

Hwangbo Daejin receiving greeting immediately approached with lightness technique greeting back.

"Deputy Branch Leader Gong, acting as Branch Leader? No need to come out ."

"After causing trouble for someone with much effort at headquarters, should come to meet."

"Such grateful words. Don't know where to put myself at this hospitality."

Bowing to each other, they exchanged greetings.

Gong Pilsang inwardly stroked his chest at Hwangbo Daejin's gentle first words.

'Starting softly. Though investigation will differ, starting soft is something.'

Thinking so while raising head—

Hwangbo Daejin was making puzzled expression scanning faces of lined-up branch Alliance members.

"Don't see Ink Sword Hero Jin Yeomyeong's face."

Hwangbo Daejin smiled awkwardly.

"I must not recognize him? Only saw appearance record, never met directly."

Gong Pilsang steadied trembling voice answering.

"No. Among people here, there's no Ink Sword Hero."

"Really? Isn't he most deeply related to the incident? Is he waiting inside?"

The steadied voice tried trembling again.

"Let's quickly enter inside meeting him. Must save even a moment."

Trembling voice now properly trembles.

"Then where? At home?"

"Home. That would be really nice."

Jin Yeomyeong was truly grateful person.

Simultaneously truly resentful.

"Not in Luoyang at all."

"What? Saying the most important witness isn't in Luoyang?!"

Hwangbo Daejin's thick eyebrows twisted.

Below them, round large eyes glared at Gong Pilsang shooting light.

'Soft start my ass. Shattering start.'

Because blood relative?

Similar feeling to when Hwangbo Gak scolded him.

Gong Pilsang's body involuntarily shrank at briefly forgotten familiar sensation, throwing gaze far away for no reason—toward where Jin Yeomyeong would be by now.

Sticking head out from carriage, Kaifeng's walls were visible.

Somewhere here, Rogues' Guild Leader Yeom Gasang faced crisis.

He was Jayeong's brother, my brother-in-law, Taebok's maternal uncle—and person who'd build information network for spiritual medicine journey.

Will definitely save him.

"Been a while. Much more vibrant than before."

"Indeed. Heard the court is supporting to revive Kaifeng. Seems those words are correct."

Past Kaifeng was super-large commercial city creating the saying "City Without Night."

Though years and war drove away such glory—with court determined pouring money, story changed.

Near the city gate, carriages and carts formed lines.

"Kkeuung. Revival or whatever. I just wish we could secure lodging quickly."

Elder Jeong made groaning sounds beside.

We prepared two carriages departing from Luoyang.

This carriage held me, Jayeong, Taebok, and Elder Jeong; the following carriage held Rogues' Guild's three elders.

"Right, I told you to stay home comfortably. You didn't need to do this much..."

"What words? Now twenty-day mother and baby set out on long road. I at least must go care for them."

"That's grateful but..."

"How many times to say? Martial artist suddenly leaving with baby—definitely not good thing. Can you stay beside baby constantly? Ah yes, I must be there."

Indeed, old ginger is spicy.

Elder Jeong saw us preparing for Kaifeng journey thinking that far.

Then said she'd go together for Taebok's sake—truly grateful ginger.

"Taebok, you also like grandmother being together, right?"

Elder Jeong looked up at Taebok.

Right—'looked up' at.

"But how about coming down from midair now? This grandmother still isn't used to it."

Taebok was floating in midair.

The key to our travel was Taebok.

Would long-distance travel be okay for young Taebok?

If Taebok showed even slight difficulty, Jayeong would return.

"Carriage shaking wasn't any problem at all."

"Top-grade carriage, soft baby basket, plus Cotton Armor Master was there."

"Yet he's floating in midair."

Taebok floated with basket enjoying travel most comfortably among us.

Even now, carriage's center, the basket floated right before my eyes.

Three adults said nothing just staring at basket. Even seeing, couldn't believe.

Elder Jeong shook her head.

"No matter how I look... Can't even tell others. Everyone would say I went senile."

My words exactly—they'd say I touched demonic arts making my head strange.

"Taebok, now close to the city so must come down. Come to father."

Dungsil, dudungsil—the basket slowly descended to my lap.

"He's coming down. Really seems to understand your words best."

"Because resonance formed after true qi channeling."

Taebok uses wind's natural energy even while sleeping.

Simultaneously receives my intention even while sleeping.

This, this—my role in childcare grew even larger.

Dagak, dagak, dagak—before long, carriage slowed.

We soon passed the city gate heading to one inn.

"Kaifeng's finest inn, Seonghwa Inn!"

Since two top-grade carriages entered, three waiters ran out.

"Eh? One carriage has no passengers?"

Rogues' Guild's three elders disappeared—probably got off first to avoid attention. Would protect Jayeong while nearby.

"Don't mind the empty carriage, give us large guest room with many rooms. One family will stay."

Entering room, caught breath.

"Jayeong, now it begins. Can you really move?"

"I'm also a martial artist. Don't worry."

She showed her arm—of course, with that arm, she smashed countless troubling Rogues' Guild members countless times.

"This is fastest. If I don't go out, that side won't come."

Kaifeng Branch reportedly reluctant about external Guild members—must show we want to meet them.

"Rogues' Guild's cell organization is amazing in this aspect too."

Guild members don't know each other, or pretend not to even knowing.

No headquarters to attack.

If branch leader doesn't want to meet us, that's the end.

Usually, always had Rogues' Guild people beside, so couldn't feel it—truly secret organization.

"Worried information here might leak so they refuse. Won't be wary even of me, the younger sister."

Jareureuk—Iron Bead Yeom Jayeong pulled out steel abacus, making clicking sounds.

We headed straight to market—walk to confirm Kaifeng's atmosphere and maximize Jayeong revealing herself.

"Let's buy if there's delicious things."

"Hmm. What's good? Kaifeng must have much food."

Materials entering through city gate gathered at market.

"Three nyang five pun."

"No. Thinking about it, one nyang is too expensive."

Jayeong unleashed her abacus here too without reserve.

Jareureuk—jareuk, jareuk.

Every time abacus beads moved, merchants' wails were heard.

"No, if you cut that much, nothing remains."

"I know all the costs. Even cutting , you profit."

Well done—don't know if knowing all costs is real, but merchants were drawn in.

Truly mysterious thing—could just not sell.

Merchants facing Jayeong wanted to somehow sell as if enchanted.

Like martial artists have martial prowess, do merchants also have something like merchant authority?

"Honey, the market is really nice. Many goods, lively. Luoyang's market only recently changed appearance ."

"Kaifeng is somewhat different."

Kaifeng seemed to have good public order—

"Stop! Hitting people!"

"Didn't I say won't sell at that price?!"

Wajangchang—sounds of breaking things were heard.

Right—no matter how good public order, places for White Path to step in exist.

Not White Path and Rogues' Guild members to pass by seeing market merchants troubled.