Surviving as a Genius on Borrowed Time Chapter 247

Punishment, Destiny (4)

“Your Majesty, you have arrived.”

One of the mounted warriors escorting the carriage spoke.

He was wearing a striking navy blue uniform.

There was a familiarity in the way he held the reins of his fine horse and gave orders to one of his subordinates with his eyes.

The subordinate, who had been given silent instructions, opened his mouth and looked around.

―The people living nearby should be careful about their steps for a moment. The clear vision of the local officials who are working on national affairs should not be disturbed.

He spoke with a lively voice. He had taken control of the route.

The carriage of the Seoanbu branch office staff was splendid.

The archaic feel of the roof, which curved as if it had been taken from a pavilion’s rafters, was enough to attract the attention of many people.

Those who had been sticking their faces out of the windows on the street quickly disappeared. Those who had been slowing down nearby also quickened their pace and passed by.

Sabak.

A slender, literary-looking woman got out of the carriage first.

He was dressed formally in a green official uniform, and had a sword with a red ribbon tied around his waist.

It was a sign of the position of Chugwan (推官), the fourth-ranking official among the officials of the West Bank of the Millennium City and second only to the branch office.

A person who has mastered martial arts and is a civil and military official who oversees the country’s punishments.

The colorless aerodynamic waves that were woven throughout the body were distinct.

Chugwan.

In a world where there are superhumans who have mastered the art of ignorance, this is an official position that requires one to know how to protect oneself.

Her gaze, scanning the guest room with her neatly worn hat, was quite sharp.

“Get down. The ground is solid. The martial artists don’t fight in the official territory.”

She said.

Damn it.

“Xian is truly comfortable.”

A man of sturdy build stepped outside the carriage and opened his mouth.

“The long, straight road runs in all directions. It’s rare to find such a wide road. The appointment itself is a great fortune. I still think the same way even after several years.”

“Your Majesty’s grace is truly profound.”

“Gwangye Chaeju must have thought the same. Didn’t he come to possess a land that was like a treasure? The people of Jianghu are all those who grow crops with knives, but how many other large cities in the world are as prosperous as this one? He is very wise.”

“… … .”

“You live in a pretty good place. The leader must have good taste.”

He speaks in a mumbling tone, smoothing the hem of his wide blue sleeves.

The life of the branch commander Wang Weixiu has already begun. He knows the intuition of the warriors well.

I spoke on the assumption that all conversations were already heard by the Kwangye Chaeju.

A way of speaking that solidifies the authority of the government and even establishes the image of a strong leader of a faction.

“egg plant.”

Wang Weishu said.

* * *

The common people died.

The scale of the incident that occurred in Daewolhyeop was not small.

People up to Gi-baek fell from the peak cut by the sword of the Gwi-baek-shin-geom. They all died miserably on the spot.

It was different from the deaths of the swordsmen. Those who were not martial artists were annihilated in the martial arts world.

“It’s not Daejoo’s fault.”

Cheongmyeong said, scratching the back of his hood.

“It wasn’t the aftermath of the fight, it was just some old devil doing it on purpose.”

He was sitting with his buttocks roughly propped up in front of the tea table. This was where the Magwangiljo were sitting.

Baek Mi-ryeo and Heon Won-chang gathered in the guest house annex, and it was completely private. It meant that they could talk as seniors and juniors.

“I didn’t say anything.”

Jeong Yeon-shin answered calmly.

His breathing was deep, even though his entire upper body was wrapped in cotton.

Although she was wrapped tightly in white bandages and only had a loose robe on, Jeong Yeon-shin’s upper body was now the object of Baek Mi-ryeo’s gaze.

Everyone saw the gruesome wounds. The marks of the sword strikes splattered all over his body, forming sharp lines.

A serious injury that I have never seen on Seomye’s body before. It was the first since I entered the Iphwangseong.

“It must hurt a lot.”

Baek Mi-ryeo’s eyes scanned the crimson bloodstains, revealing concern.

It was to the point where Jeongyeonshin had to hide her embarrassment. It was a different feeling from her maternal grandfather’s intrusion into the ceiling.

That’s because it’s a state that has never existed before.

The internal injuries were just as severe as the external ones. Even after casting the Cheongyeom Il-sik, he forcibly extended the Shihwa Mugeuksu Kwon Geuk.

Thanks to that, the escape of the Elder Lord of the Paegeomjong was blocked, but the blood vessels in the upper body that had to bear the full force of the counterattack were greatly weakened.

Only after I applied and ate Ma Gwang-ik’s Sangbi Geumchang-yak and Naesangdan did the worsening symptoms stop.

Even though it was a famine year, countless masters of the magic arts, Ma Gwang-ik, scattered in all directions to try to obtain medicinal herbs from Daeju.

Jeong Yeon-shin asked Tae-yeon-ryong to hand over some poppies, but they were terrified and refused.

– Let’s just focus on getting better. I’ll get you some good medicine.

―They say it’s a black ink painting, but it would be better to ask that bastard first. What about the dragon? That drug addict.

-Huh? I didn’t really intend to give it to the person I saw.

Even though the whole neighborhood was buzzing with talk of the assassination of Gwibaeksin Sword, the inn was very peaceful.

‘A day or two of recuperation won’t do the trick.’

It was when Baek Mi-ryeo lightly bit her lower lip. Cheong-myeong, who had also glanced at Dae-ju, opened his mouth with a faint smile.

“How old is our leader? He’s already taken down a senior member of the Paegeomjong clan.”

I ask even though I know.

The intention to change the subject was clearly visible.

Cheong An Ma Geom is often said to be as cold as frost to his unqualified colleagues, but to Seomye, he was a senior who had helped her a lot since her initiation.

Jeongyeonshin’s lips slightly rose.

“Seventeen… … .”

It was an answer that came out like a sigh as I suppressed the pain.

A look of puzzlement appeared on Cheongmyeong’s face.

“Hmm? The year hasn’t changed yet. Even though it’s almost the winter solstice.”

“Weren’t you sixteen?”

Heonwonchang suddenly intervened.

“ah.”

A soft exclamation came out of Jeongyeonshin’s mouth.

I was unconsciously calculating my age based on the shortened life span. Since I had about two years and a few months left, I naturally mistook it for seventeen.

That’s how I lived, from the time I was blue until I wore the black robe.

Because it was easier for them to gauge their goals.

“… … .”

It was time for a moment of silence.

-The branch manager has arrived!

A voice full of energy rang out loud. It was a loud cry.

The four people’s tables shook as if they had been struck by a sound. Baek Mi-ryeo, Cheong-myeong, and Heon-won-chang’s eyes became sharp.

Jeongyeonshin muttered quietly.

“Branch agent… …?”

* * *

“I am so happy to have met such a great hero. There are rumors going around that he has defeated the Guibai Divine Sword, but at first I couldn’t believe it. Ah! He is a Wang Wi-su of the Jeongsa-rank branch, and he rules over the deepest part of the Eight Provinces of Shaanxi. In terms of martial arts, he is considered a top-class official.”

The branch commander, Wang Wi-su, was a man with a strong and upright appearance.

At first glance, what he said sounded right.

Even if you want to end the story quickly, it is true that you are in a position where the conversation cannot help but be drawn out.

In terms of power, even the leader of the Daebangpa faction was not comparable.

“I know the branch is a legitimate product.”

“Indeed, you are different from the worms that were swept away by your hands.”

“You are exaggerating your words. I heard that Sungyeojimunju was a great person who passed the provincial exam. He was a talented person in both civil and military affairs before he entered the Sapa. How could he not have known about the rank of the branch?”

Jeong Yeon-shin spoke calmly. She was sitting across from Wang Wi-su in the center of the guest room.

I didn’t know that I would receive a visit from a branch manager without revealing my identity.

This was before Kang Chang-mu and Shin So-bin, who had been sent to investigate the actions of the officials of this land, had even returned.

The mission of the Emperor of Heaven came upon him on his own.

-It smells bad?

-If I get the order, I’ll cut off the heads of those government officials.

The sound of Cheongmyeong and Heonwonchang was heard. Jeong Yeon-shin only nodded her head slightly.

Baek Mi-ryeo stood next to him, and Chu Gwan stood next to Wang Wi-su as if he was escorting him.

Jeongyeonshin felt eyes carefully scanning the bandages wrapped around her abdomen and chest.

It was the gaze of a woman who introduced herself as a court lady.

A person in charge of the property, prison, and death sentences of all Ming people in a vast area. He must also be on guard against assassination of martial artists on the front lines.

His face with a distinct jawline and tightly closed lips seemed to exude an overbearing personality.

The faint ripples of energy flowing from between her eyebrows also hinted at the traces of her eye training.

‘You are considering my condition and inaction.’

Jeongyeonshin noticed immediately.

He raised his head and met her gaze. At the same time, Chugwan’s eyes sparkled as if he was glad, and his spirit deepened.

Jeongyeonshin paid no attention and just looked at her quietly.

In that moment, the faintly activated blue eyes of the Shicheonbeop pierced Chugwan’s gaze in reverse, revealing the depth and complexity of his studies.

“Huh… …!”

Chugwan quickly averted his gaze.

She couldn’t hide the panic that was filling her face. The information of the mysterious structure contained in her eyes was so huge that it seemed as if it would suffocate her.

For a moment, fear came over me. I thought that if I stayed like that, I would become an idiot.

Chugwan took a sharp breath and thought, That’s not a person, I have to run away.

But I didn’t have time to open my mouth. The gaze of the Gwangye Chaeju didn’t allow me to do so. Like a spider that had drawn flies into its home.

“… There is no benefit to be gained by treating the main office like this.”

Wang Wi-su spoke about Jeong Yeon-shin’s words and actions and the results of the fight, without hiding his flustered expression.

He knows when to be strong. The branch king was a man who used his power well.

He was different from the branch manager of the Hogwangseong Unyangbu who suddenly died. He was openly greedy for wealth and honor.

‘He must have been murdered by a lowly martial artist who called himself a swordsman.’

Wang Weisu thought.

The official position of Jibu was called Taesu (太守) even before the Song Dynasty.

It was much more advantageous to exercise power in broad daylight than to do things in a dark manner. The branch manager of Unyang was foolish.

If there is even circumstantial evidence that a branch manager was murdered, even the most skilled martial artists will have to worry about the appearance of the Emperor’s unmanned force.

He is called a great man because he has a chieftain, a chief inspector, and a comrade. The issue of his personal safety itself is not an ordinary incident.

Unlike the government troops of the province, it is difficult to expect the utility of lightness to be realized in front of those who possess high-level lightness.

‘It’s like an invisible army. Think about it carefully. You can’t do anything to the main office.’

The presence of the mounted warriors waiting outside the inn was enough to make the branch commander realize where they were.

Raising fine horses in a famine year? That in itself is a testament to great power.

Wang Wei-shu stared blankly at the young master in front of him and opened his mouth.

“It seems you are the type of person who hates to be teased. If you keep a few small promises, I will acknowledge you as the great ruler of this vast land. If you have the martial arts skills to kill the Gwibaeksin Sword, you are more than qualified to do so.”

“…Will you acknowledge me as the ruler of this land?”

“You heard right. The authority of the main office is greater than you can imagine. It is enough to prevent the higher-ups from interfering with our governance.”

“… … .”

Jeong Yeon-shin quietly looked at the branch manager in front of her and then opened her lips.

“How can you cover up the deaths of the common people by the Gwibaeksin Sword? There’s no way the imperial family wouldn’t come and look down on you.”

“You worry about nothing. Starvation is common these days. The amount of tribute won’t change much. If there’s no change in the money going to the top, the rest is just personal connections and political power. Fortunately, the inspector is someone who understands the wishes of his family well.”

“Inspector General.”

After a short pause, Jeongyeon Shin opened her mouth again.

“Are you trying to fill the tribute with extortion?”

“Don’t worry. I’ll share it with you generously. As I said before, if you keep a small promise.”

The branch commander, Wang Wi-su, continued speaking with an indifferent expression.

“The entire Shaanxi region is turning into the land of Sima Weidao. Starting with the destruction of the Jongnam faction. Up until now, there wasn’t much to worry about, but the problem is that the demons of the Blood Flame Sect are gaining power along with them. Those who are as powerful as the Blood Sect Sword are bullying all sorts of villages, creating followers, and then disappearing… … The demons possessed by them simply don’t understand what you’re saying. The commoners who have become demons simply create more demons. Since they are not in their right minds, they don’t fertilize or pay tribute.”

“… … .”

“As soon as you hear rumors of red hair being seen, go and exterminate them. That’s how it is to maintain your vested interests. You must stop everything and come as soon as the head of the clan calls. If you do this properly, it will be incomparable to the Seven Great Clans that were destroyed by you. I won’t ask for more. You will take care of just taking enough to live off the worms’ rent.”

“Blood Flame Cult. I heard useful information.”

“You’re quite sensible. Those who excel in martial arts are either one of two types. They’re either clever enough to know the letters well, or they’re eccentric enough to be considered a master. You’re a very wise person.”

Wang Weishu said, stroking his black beard.

There was a faint smile on both sides of his lips. That was until the monologue of Gwangye Chaeju continued.

“There’s no need to wait for Kang Hyo-su and Shin Myo to bring evidence.”

“hmm?”

“Take him in. If he resists, his head will be cut.”