Chapter 66:

Chapter 66:

“I am Beob Gang, the Second-class Disciple of Shaolin. We have captured some criminals last night and have come here to deliver them. Amitabha.”

As the man, who appeared unmistakably to be a Shaolin monk, raised his hands and spoke, one of the constables stepped forward and opened his mouth.

“If you have captured criminals, I will first guide you to the Interrogation Office.”

“Thank you. Amitabha.”

Along with the constable, Mu-jin, Beob Gang, and Beob-hwi entered the Seungseonpojeongsa Office.

Following the guidance of a middle-aged man, they wandered through the various parts of the government office for a while.

“This is the Interrogation Office. I will announce your presence inside.”

“Thank you for your guidance. Amitabha.”

After exchanging greetings with the constable and waiting for a moment, a middle-aged man came out.

“The Elder of the Interrogation Office is waiting for you. I will guide you.”

Following the middle-aged man, they soon arrived in front of a certain room.

“Elder of the Interrogation Office, the monks from Shaolin have arrived.”

“Let them in.”

As a response came from inside, the middle-aged man who had been guiding them stepped aside.

Mu-jin, Beob Gang, and Beob-hwi passed by him and entered the room. Inside, a man who appeared to be in his forties with a strict impression was waiting for them.

“I am Ryang Ga-won, in charge of the Interrogation Office here in Nanchang.”

“I am Beob Gang, the Second-class Disciple of Shaolin. Amitabha.”

“I am Beob-hwi, the Second-class Disciple of Shaolin. Amitabha.”

“I am Mu-jin, the Third-class Disciple of Shaolin. Amitabha.”

After exchanging greetings with Ryang Ga-won, Mu-jin’s eyes sparkled.

The Interrogation Office.

It was an office in charge of the judiciary of a province, holding the rank of a Sixth-Class official.

“So, you captured criminals here in Nanchang?”

Ryang Ga-won, the Sixth-Class official, asked in a very blunt tone.

“If you captured them, it would suffice for Shaolin to handle them. Why bring martial arts affairs here?”

Separation of martial arts and government affairs.

It was an unwritten rule that martial arts matters should be resolved within the martial arts world.

In fact, this separation was more of a customary practice. It arose from mutual necessity.

For the martial artists, fighting was a daily routine, and wielding swords and knives was a common occurrence. From the government’s perspective, it was a waste of effort to intervene and mediate in the constant fights among these martial artists.

Moreover, since these martial artists were skilled in martial arts and posed a significant danger, not only was it a waste of effort, but it could also lead to the loss of soldiers.

Conversely, the martial artists themselves also disliked government interference. Why else would they be called martial artists? They resolved disputes through martial prowess.

In such circumstances, it was quite disgraceful to go to the government to complain just because one lost a fight.

‘It’s like kids who fight at school to establish a hierarchy, and the loser runs to the teacher to tattle.’

Martial artists, who lived and died by their honor, would be considered fools by all in the martial world if they resorted to such behavior.

At Ryang Ga-won’s stern questioning, Beob Gang and Beob Hwi looked at Mu-jin. It was Mu-jin who had insisted they come here.

Mu-jin stepped forward confidently and began to speak.

No matter how customary the separation of martial and governmental affairs was, there was one exception.

“We have come here because the criminals we captured in Nanchang were abducting, imprisoning, and selling the Emperor’s subjects as if they were their own property.”

That exception was when martial artists harmed ordinary civilians.

Of course, this wasn’t always the case. If the government had always handled such matters effectively, there wouldn’t still be black market and villainous sects in the Central Plains.

Some corrupt officials turned a blind eye in exchange for bribes from the black market. Others ignored such groups, believing that even if they were eradicated, they would simply reappear.

Ryang Ga-won seemed to be one of those who fundamentally thought this way, as he answered with a bored expression.

“So, are you asking us to imprison these criminals in our Seungseonpojeongsa prison?”

Mu-jin responded with a smile.

“We’re not asking you to imprison the criminals we captured. It is the Elder of the Interrogation Office who captured them.”

“Oh?”

Ryang Ga-won’s indifferent expression changed.

“Hahaha. I never imagined the treatment would be like this. I’ll have to visit again soon.”

When the treatment was over, Ryanga-won left the clinic with a very satisfied expression.

Once again, Mu-jin had successfully secured another client.

* * *

A few days later.

A group arrived at a mansion with the inscription [Taegeom Sect] at its entrance.

Despite being the head of the Taegeom Sect, Kang Tae-goo greeted them with utmost respect.

“I didn’t expect you to come in person, Elder Jegal-hyeon.”

“How could I ignore someone who has worked for our family being persecuted? Especially when the ones doing the persecuting are those from Shaolin, once considered the pillar of the orthodox sects. I can’t fathom what they’re thinking.”

An elderly man with a splendid white beard clicked his tongue as he spoke.

The elder of the Jegal Family had stepped forward to help a sect founded by an ex-Outer Disciple warrior.

But this wasn’t simply because the Jegal Family cherished warriors from their lineage.

‘I never thought the opportunity to take over Nanchang would come so easily.’

There were no major sects in Nanchang and its vicinity. Consequently, a territorial struggle among small to medium-sized sects was underway, while the major sects were cautiously watching each other.

The moment any one sect made a move, it would be condemned by all for succumbing to greed.

However, since Shaolin, who always pretended to be aloof, had created a pretext, there couldn’t be a better opportunity.

Jegal-hyeon intended to use this chance to drive out the Shaolin disciples, reorganize the Nanchang area, and establish dominance through the Taegeom Sect.

While Jegal-hyeon was internally formulating future plans, Kang Tae-goo lowered his head again and spoke.

“I am sorry that I couldn’t stop them with the martial arts passed down from your family.”

The martial arts of the Taegeom Sect were ones Kang Tae-goo had acquired when he was a warrior affiliated with the Jegal Family’s external branch.

The Jegal Family was renowned for their intelligence, befitting their surname.

Because of this, they were known to be proficient in formations, strategies, and tactics, but in reality, what they were most actively researching was martial arts.

If the sect with the most consummate arts and divine techniques was Shaolin, the sect with the most martial arts and active research was the Jegal Family.

However, the Jegal Family neither felt ashamed nor regretted this.

A gentleman’s revenge, ten years is not too late.

They were confident that one day, through continuous research, they would surpass Shaolin, which merely inherited pre-existing consummate arts.

“Hahaha. How could that be your fault when your opponent was Shaolin?”

Jegal-hyeon, who outwardly appeared kind and benevolent, clicked his tongue inwardly.

‘With such meager skills, there’s no way he could contend with Shaolin.’

The Jegal Family imparted suitable martial arts to all the warriors within their family. However, this was essentially experimental. Experiments to create consummate arts and divine techniques.

Furthermore, the level of martial arts taught also varied according to the internal hierarchy of the family.

At best, to the son of a warrior from the external branch, even as a third-generation disciple, he would never have the talent to handle a Shaolin disciple.

“To face the Shaolin disciples, the Hyun Sword Squad from our inner branch has come along, so there is no need to worry.”

“Indeed! If it’s the Hyun Sword Squad, not even Shaolin would pose a threat.”

For a moment, Kang Tae-goo looked in admiration at the men standing behind Jegal-hyeon.

“???”

Kang Tae-goo’s face showed confusion when he noticed a woman standing gracefully among the men from the inner branch.

The woman, appearing to be in her prime, was so elegant and neat that it was surprising he had not noticed her until now.

‘A woman as lovely as a blooming orchid.’

She wasn’t flamboyant, so she didn’t immediately catch the eye, but once noticed, it was hard to look away from her charming presence.

“Ah, I’m late in introducing her. This is Jegal Jin-hee, the granddaughter of our family head. Jin-hee has joined us in case a spar with that novice monk becomes necessary.”

“I am Jegal Jin-hee.”

“It is an honor to meet you. If it is Miss Jegal Jin-hee, that novice monk would not stand a chance.”

This wasn’t mere flattery.

As someone from the Jegal Family, Kang Tae-goo had heard countless rumors about her.

A rare martial arts prodigy born in the Jegal Family, known more for their brains than martial prowess.

If she had been born a man, there were even talks that she would undoubtedly become the future family head.