Chapter 146
**
Su-a.
A child found in Hanam Province.
Su-a was a mature child. She naturally observed my expressions and made efforts not to disturb my mood.
Children raised in poor households tend to be that way. They have to grow up forcefully, learning about the harsh realities of the world at an early age.
So I resolved to treat her as a child, at least in my presence.
Because a child should be like a child.
And in time, that slowly changed her.
“…It still hurts a little here.”
“Here?”
“Yes…”
I gently wiped the scab on her knee. Ever since I found her lost in the forest, she began to approach me little by little.
Her whimpering increased. It was at such an adorable level that I accepted it without complaint.
Perhaps it was her kind nature, but really, her whimpering was nothing serious. It was mostly about wanting something to eat or asking for my hand to hold.
And besides, her way of addressing me was gradually changing too.
“Daddy. Together… hiccup!”
Seemingly startled by her own words, Su-a hiccupped.
It was so cute that I couldn’t help but laugh.
“Call me however you want. It’s okay.”
“…R-really?”
“Of course.”
“Ah… Daddy…”
“That’s right.”
A child thrown into the world without anyone to protect her.
She must have at least one ally.
Honestly, it felt like I had gained an adorable daughter. The more she gained weight, the prettier she looked, and after washing her scruffy face, she turned out to be very beautiful.
She listens well and even understands what I don’t ask of her. Shall I say she’s a sharp girl?
Now, she even picks up firewood for camping; I patted her head.
“Hehe…”
… I think I might understand why people get married.
“Daddy.”
“Yeah?”
“There’s no water in the water bottle. I saw a river when we passed by earlier. I’ll go fetch some.”
“Let’s go together.”
“…Yes!”
Su-a darted off ahead. I followed her, watching her back.
The journey itself was smooth. There were no bumps, and at the same time, it felt stable.
The days of carrying Su-a around since she couldn’t walk far increased. Sometimes her shoulders drooped.
“…I’m sorry, Daddy.”
“Why?”
“I can’t ride in the carriage…”
“It’s fine. You were just feeling unwell. And…”
I pinched her cheek slightly.
Why are a child’s cheeks so soft?
“Spending time like this together is better than riding in a carriage.”
“…Daddyyyy…”
As time passed, I also heard Su-a’s past.
“I don’t have a mom. She died early. My old dad used to say that mom was a woman who ate him.”
“……”
“But… it was okay. My old dad grumbled, but he still took care of me. As long as I was careful on the days he was drunk, he never hit me. There were many friends whose dads weren’t around…”
Su-a hesitated.
“I was fortunate compared to others. I could at least eat and live.”
“…I see.”
I didn’t add any further comments about her story. I kept all thoughts about her dad being wrong and that this was not a blessed life all bottled up inside.
I was just satisfied with showing her even a little more. I ensured she had her meals on time and stopped by towns to let her sleep in warm places. Naturally, during camping, I would sit beside her until she fell asleep.
And as a result…
“Daddyyyyyy.”
Su-a’s cuteness increased.
“Is there something you want to eat?”
“No. Just… heehee.”
She comfortably settled on my back. It wasn’t that heavy, so I could walk with her for three days and nights.
“Daddy… are you always this kind?”
“Probably not.”
“I’m glad.”
“Why?”
“…Please be kind to me only. Okay?”
“I got it.”
I looked down at Su-a, munching on jerky.
“Su-a.”
“Yes?”
“You don’t have to learn martial arts if you don’t want to. You can learn academics instead. That would be safer.”
“But women can’t get official positions.”
“Still, if you study, there are many opportunities. You could work at a merchant guild or a postal office.”
“I want to wield a sword like you.”
“It’ll be tough.”
“It’s okay. I’m good at enduring.”
“…Didn’t you just cry about your knee injury the other day?”
“Ah, that was in front of Daddy… I don’t do that in front of others.”
“Really?”
“Seriously. I endure well. Truly!”
As we walked leisurely, we eventually arrived at Anhwi Fortress.
Although we were slightly delayed, it wasn’t excessively so.
I set Su-a down, held her hand, and first secured a lodging.
“Wait just a moment. Got it?”
“Yes!”
After taking her to the accommodation, I headed towards the Martial Alliance headquarters.
The doorkeeper, yawning, squinted when he saw me.
“Hmm? You look familiar…”
The next moment, his eyes widened.
It was a classic symptom of being struck by awe. The doorkeeper clapped his hands together, raising his voice.
“Muk Geom, the Great Hero! Congratulations on your return, Warrior!”
At his booming voice, all eyes turned towards me. I quickly whispered to the doorkeeper.
“Lower your voice.”
“How can I lower my voice for the esteemed Martial Alliance Inspector who achieved great merit! Even if my head rolls, it won’t happen!”
“…….”
Whispers hung in the air behind me.
“Muk Geom? Did he just say Muk Geom?”
“Then that person must be Jeok-un…?”
“Amazing. Excluding the scars, he has fine features!”
“To have both beauty and martial prowess while receiving Bul-jun’s recognition…”
“I need to become better acquainted…”
I wiped my face.
“…I just want to get inside for now.”
“Please, go right ahead! It was an honor to meet the Great Hero!”
I hurriedly moved my steps. After only a few steps, a martial artist I had never seen stood before me.
“Great Hero. Shall we head inside?”
Is he someone from the Martial Alliance leader’s circle?
Indeed, he’s swift on his feet.
I quickly followed him, ignoring the eyes upon me.
The side effects of fame were somewhat unfamiliar to me. After all, I had never been the center of attention in my life.
It felt somewhat ticklish. I needed to be careful not to get swept away.
“Haha! Inspector!”
The Martial Alliance leader welcomed me with open arms.
“Welcome! Welcome! I heard you sustained severe injuries… are you feeling alright?”
“Thanks to your concern, I am okay, Leader.”
“Hmm. What you did was remarkable. Who would have thought the Shaolin disappearance case was related to Shaolin? Fortunately, we were able to stop it, albeit late. It’s all thanks to you.”
I almost recoiled from such blatant falsehood. I struggled to maintain my expression.
The Martial Alliance Military Officer, Jegeol Soak, wore a smile on his face. Even his title had shifted from ‘Young Hero’ to ‘Great Hero’.
“Thank you for your hard work, Great Hero. To directly eliminate the darkness of the righteous, your contribution is immeasurable.”
“I didn’t do much. Most of the work was done by Bul-jun. I simply assisted a little on the side; it’s hardly something to call a merit.”
“…So you claim all of this is a façade?”
He seemed to be probing.
I deeply bowed my head.
“My reputation exceeds my abilities, and I feel ashamed.”
“…Oh?”
Jegeol Soak exchanged glances with the Martial Alliance leader, Namgung Hyuk, who asked.
“How’s your condition? I heard you suffered serious injuries.”
“Fortunately, I’ve recovered for the most part, but they advised I should observe my condition for about half a month.”
“I see. I’ll inform the medicine store. Take whatever you wish. If you’ve made such contributions, you deserve at least that. But first, I want to hear a story… can you tell me exactly what happened?”
Here it comes.
I nodded.
“I…”
I will omit everything that should be omitted.
And blend it with the truth.
To confuse them.
…
Jeok-un left. The Martial Alliance leader, Namgung Hyuk, tapped the table.
…What now?
“Officer. What do you think?”
“……”
Jegeol Soak narrowed his eyes.
“The report matches the information received.”
“Is that so?”
“He appears to be a good-natured person. I never thought he would create a vulnerability for himself in Hanam…”
“Her name was Su-a, correct? Let’s conduct a background check.”
“Understood.”
“He seems to be a rare martial artist. There are no flaws on the surface. The potential for use is limitless, yet his insides appear transparent… Good. Very good.”
Namgung Hyuk grinned.
“But trusting people heedlessly is just plain foolish. Isn’t that right?”
“Indeed, Leader.”
“What about Dan Ri Jin Su?”
“One of the factions established has diminished. The momentum has shifted significantly. Moreover, due to this incident, both the Inspector’s reputation and the Leader’s have risen… it wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say the tide has turned in our favor.”
“Who could have predicted that cleaning up Shaolin’s corruption would escalate to outright dismantling?”
“It’s good news for us… but for them, it must have been a calamity.”
“Leader. But we must not let our guard down yet. Over half of the Gu File and the faction is still behind them; we must firmly establish our position.”
“Yet first, we need to verify Jeok-un. Received Bul-jun’s recognition…”
“Are you familiar with him?”
“I’ve met him officially a few times. He’s not the kind who wanders off, after all. It’s hard to catch a glimpse of him. But I do know enough about his temperament.”
“What kind…?”
“He’s a meticulous one. If something contradicts the standards he sets, he will definitely speak bluntly. He’s made some biting remarks to me. Of course, I’d brushed it aside in front of him.”
Namgung Hyuk stood up.
“Such a person recognizes a martial artist. He even publicly declared him to be a benefactor. If we consider what Jeok-un just said together with Bul-jun’s announced fact, it might very well be that he has hardly intervened…”
“That alone could be a lie.”
“That’s true. Officer. But you see, no matter how I look at it, Jeok-un lacks substantial ability. His external power is impressive, but there’s a limit to martial arts without depth, isn’t there? Peak level is the limit. But…”
If there’s something to hide, it might be different.
“We cannot deny the possibility that Bul-jun and Jeok-un conspired together. If those two are hiding something, Jeok-un must definitely have a concealed weapon. If there is a secret to the sword he routinely use? I’m not liking this…”
“What do you suspect, Leader?”
“I’d like to hear the Officer’s opinion first.”
“…There are no fault lines in the records. He originally came from a third-rate martial artist background and didn’t leave any significant achievements. However, it’s reported that there has not been a day he’s skipped training.”
“Hmmm…”
“Since I also learned martial arts, I know that one’s long-held effort can suddenly blossom one day. People often refer to it as enlightenment. In that context, Jeok-un’s current martial ability is not particularly strange… however, his last working place was the Demon Cult, which bothers me.”
“Could he have obtained something there?”
“He may well be related to the Demon Cult itself. If we delve deeper, it could be connected to the Heavenly Demon…”
Namgung Hyuk chuckled, waving his hand dismissively.
“You’ve gone too far. Officer. You really think the Heavenly Demon would directly take a talentless third-rate martial artist disguised as a doorkeeper? Does that make sense? Even if she did, there should at least be some degree of internal power visible, but I didn’t see that.”
“…Are you implying the Leader might have seen incorrectly…?”
“Are you doubting me right now?”
“I apologize. That was a slip of the tongue.”
“Officer. I like you. From your sharp mind right down to the last detail, nothing is amiss. But sometimes, I wish you would adjust your wording so as not to annoy others. Don’t you think? If everything is good but just one part isn’t, it might serve to eliminate that one part, right?”
“…….”
“Just kidding. Lighten up.”
Namgung Hyuk placed his hand on his sword.
“Jeok-un’s connection to the Demon Cult is undoubtedly clear. The crucial thing is the rest… A person’s extraordinary capability can be just as problematic. This causes suspicion. In my view, it seems he’s learned a special martial art. It must be a martial art that utilizes something other than internal power. I’m guessing it could be something like innate energy.”
“I’ll plant someone nearby to keep watch.”
“Just that won’t suffice. Sending an assassin to gauge his capability… no, no. That won’t do. It’ll only ruin my blade due to unnecessary checks, causing only discomfort. We should consider a change of means.”
“What kind of…?”
“There’s someone who can discern well. An old frenemy of mine. He may not be as skillful as I am, yet he observes people far better than I do.”
“…You don’t mean the headmaster of Cheonmu Academy, do you?”
“Exactly. My old friend, the Tangmor Shineck, Mo Yong-hwi.”
“One of the Five Stars… if it’s about Lance Star, he’s famously known for his sharp eye in recognizing talent, but… Leader, will the Mo Yong family cooperate with us? They are people who stand alone with their pride… especially that headmaster…”
“Oh, it’s alright. There’s nothing to worry about. My old frenemy owes me a debt.”
He cannot refuse.
I’m certain of it.
“To use the sword effectively, I need to understand precisely what kind of sword it is, so I won’t get stabbed. If I want to keep using him, it’s preferable to know the secrets he holds. Let Jeok-un know to stay at Cheonmu Academy for a bit. He won’t strongly oppose it either; after all, the rescued child will be going to the academy, he must be curious, right? As for the justification, let it be decided appropriately on its own… I’ll leave the details to the Officer.”
The Officer, Jegeol Soak, bowed.
“Leave it to me, Leader. I’ll thoroughly uncover his secrets.”
