Chapter 403
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**Chapter 403. What Do You Think, Justice Alliance Leader?**
Yang Hoju, furious, breathed heavily as his shoulders trembled.
Yang Sagang was his son, whom he cherished more than anything.
If he hadn’t trusted that they would take good care of him, he wouldn’t have sent him to the Wudang Sect.
But the Wudang Sect, or rather Master Cheonmyeong, had betrayed his expectations.
They had allowed his son to be beaten beyond recognition.
He couldn’t believe that something like this had happened in a prestigious sect like Wudang.
His son had been fine even when visiting the Five Dragons Palace, an organization close to the sect.
And now he returned in that state, after being mistreated in the Wudang Sect?
“The Five Dragons Palace is underestimating me.”
If they had seriously injured his son, not even an apology from the palace leader would have calmed him.
But he hadn’t received any significant news from the palace.
They had left his son in that pitiful state and acted as if it were no big deal.
In such moments, it was necessary to show them what he was capable of.
“Do they think that the magistrate of Juksan is not important for a prestigious sect like Wudang?”
Yang Hoju let out a mocking laugh, stood up, dressed, and left.
***
Hubei Province.
Sipyeon.
Dusk.
Residence of Vice Governor Han Gyeongdae (third rank).
Han Gyeongdae greeted Yang Hoju, who rarely visited, with a smile.
After exchanging pleasantries, Yang Hoju discreetly placed a box on the table.
“I brought a small gift for you; I couldn’t come empty-handed.”
“Haha, it wasn’t necessary.”
As he opened the box with a smile, Han Gyeongdae was taken aback.
Inside the box were ten gold ingots, carefully arranged.
He had expected to find silver ingots, as usual, but this was unexpected.
Han Gyeongdae calmly closed the lid and looked at Yang Hoju.
“Ten gold ingots is a generous gift for a simple visit. Is there a problem?”
“Actually…”
Yang Hoju recounted how his son had been beaten in the Wudang Sect that very day.
“…That guy used violence, saying: ‘Go tell your father, the magistrate.’ I tried to endure it, but this is a direct challenge to the authority of an official. Ah! As a simple magistrate, I don’t know how to handle this. I wanted to hear your opinion.”
Han Gyeongdae frowned.
He didn’t understand why Yang Hoju was so worried about a mere martial arts organization.
“Magistrate Yang.”
“Yes.”
“After all, isn’t it just a martial arts organization? If you follow the law, you should be able to handle it.”
“I tried to follow the law, but if the Wudang Sect does not cooperate, there is nothing I can do.”
“Won’t they hand over the culprit in a situation where the victim and the aggressor are clear?”
“My son was beaten within the territory of the Wudang Sect. The sect expelled my son in that pitiful state, as if they wanted to cover up the matter. It is difficult for the Juksan county troops to capture a criminal hiding in the Wudang Sect.”
Finally, Han Gyeongdae understood why Yang Hoju had visited him.
He wanted to use the power of the army.
After hearing the situation, there was no reason to refuse.
Moreover, unlike in the past, the Wudang Sect was no longer that powerful due to the pressure from the Yumyo Sect.
“Listening to your story, it seems that the arrogance of martial artists has gone too far. I knew about their illegality and lack of morality, but challenging the authority of a magistrate is unacceptable.”
“I apologize for causing you trouble.”
“Did you say the name of the culprit is Yeon Jeokha?”
“Yes.”
“And the Five Dragons Palace is protecting him?”
“Correct.”
“Tomorrow, I will issue an arrest warrant for the criminal Yeon Jeokha. I will also request cooperation from the Ministry of War to facilitate the execution of the order.”
“The Ministry of War?”
“Officer Huang Busung (fifth rank, commander of a military unit) could be of help to you.”
“Ah, yes! Thank you, sir.”
Yang Hoju bowed deeply.
With an arrest warrant and the army mobilized, even the Infinite Heaven Alliance could not resist.
“I am helping you not just because of your generosity. The tyranny of martial artists has gone too far. Even in the imperial court, there are talks of no longer being spectators. Do not take it as a personal vendetta, but as a lesson for all.”
“I will keep that in mind and act accordingly.”
Thus, Yang Hoju’s revenge intertwined with state affairs and began to grow in scale.
***
Sipyeon.
Wudang Sect.
Sangcheong Palace.
Noon (11 a.m.).
An external visitor arrived to see the leader of the Wudang Sect.
It was Seop Wonsaeng, an official from Sipyeon (seventh rank) who maintained good relations with the Wudang Sect.
“Sir, what is happening?”
The leader of the Wudang Sect, Yeong Gyeolsang, looked at Seop Wonsaeng with curiosity.
Although he often performed ceremonies at the Wudang Sect, he had never visited him like this.
“Leader, we have a big problem.”
“A big problem?”
“Do you know what happened at the Five Dragons Palace?”
“The Five Dragons Palace?”
Yeong Gyeolsang had an idea but pretended not to know.
However, he did not feel at ease.
‘tsk, Magistrate Yang has acted.’
Yeong Gyeolsang couldn’t help but sigh internally.
Yang Hoju was a major patron of the Wudang Sect, and it was obvious he would distance himself after this.
“A lay disciple from the Five Dragons Palace beat the son of the magistrate of Juksan to the point of being half disabled. Did you not know?”
“Ah, that matter. Yes, I know. But I believe there is some exaggeration. I heard he just slapped him a few times. Is that why you have come?”
Although the stories were quite different, Seop Wonsaeng listened without flinching.
After all, it wasn’t unusual for the statements of the aggressor and the victim to differ.
The problem was the outcome.
“An arrest warrant was issued for Yeon Jeokha yesterday. Troops will come to Mount Wudang to capture him.”
“Did Magistrate Yang act directly?”
“If it were just Magistrate Yang, it wouldn’t be a big problem. Officer Huang Busung, stationed in Sipyeon, has agreed to cooperate in the capture. The Ministry of War has already given its approval, so they will arrive tomorrow or the day after.”
“Does this matter require the mobilization of the army?”
Yeong Gyeolsang’s face hardened.
If the opponent were just a magistrate, the sect could handle it with flattery and persuasion.
But the army was different.
Officer Huang Busung commanded a unit of over a thousand soldiers.
It was enough to crush the Wudang Sect in one blow.
Considering the prestige of the Infinite Heaven Alliance, the Wudang Sect could not allow the army to trample on it.
“It seems that Magistrate Yang complained to his superiors. He said that the Wudang Sect was protecting a criminal, making capture difficult. The superiors mobilized the Ministry of War to help.”
“My God! Our Wudang Sect is a Taoist temple. How can they send troops here?”
“That is why I have come. Leader, what do you think about handing over the criminal to Magistrate Yang? If not, you will have to face the army of General Huang.”
Saying they would “receive” them was a euphemism; in reality, they would be crushed.
The army was not like local troops; once mobilized, it trampled everything.
Yeong Gyeolsang hesitated to answer immediately.
Who was Yeon Jeokha?
Leaving aside the recommendation of Sword Emperor Namgung Byeok, he was the Great Protector of Nokrim.
Was there anyone in the world capable of capturing him?
He also thought about mediating with the Golden Guard but quickly dismissed the idea.
He had no way to contact them, and he did not know their relationship with Yeon Jeokha.
As Yeong Gyeolsang pondered, Seop Wonsaeng spoke.
“Leader, think about the Wudang Sect. After all, isn’t it just a lay disciple?”
A bitter smile appeared on Yeong Gyeolsang’s lips.
Who didn’t know that?
But that lay disciple was a master rivaling the Ten Great Masters of the World, hence his dilemma.
After a long silence, Yeong Gyeolsang spoke.
“Thank you for visiting me despite your busy schedule. I will talk to Yeon Jeokha and discuss how to proceed.”
“Discuss? Even if he were an internal disciple, handing him over would be best, given how serious the matter has become. Besides, isn’t he just a lay disciple? I understand that you want to protect your disciples, but this is too much.”
“Thank you. I will handle this matter appropriately. I appreciate your concern.”
“Ah! If you insist, I won’t press further. I hope it resolves well. I’m sorry I can’t help more.”
“No, no. The fact that you informed us is already a great help. We will not forget your generosity towards the Wudang Sect today.”
“You’re welcome.”
Seop Wonsaeng exchanged a few more words before leaving.
As Yeong Gyeolsang sat in silence, a young disciple arrived to inform him that the elders were calling for him.
Yeong Gyeolsang, who had been shaking his head, stood up and went out.
***
Taecheong Hall.
As soon as Yeong Gyeolsang sat down, the meeting began.
The topic was the dispute between lay disciple Yeon Jeokha and disciple Yang Sagang.
First, the witnesses, Monk Sanwol and Monk Cheongseon, gave their testimony.
The explanations of the two monks regarding the same incident were completely opposite.
While Monk Sanwol described Yang Sagang as a villain, Monk Cheongseon said the contrary.
The ten elders listened in silence without taking sides.
After the testimonies, the two monks returned to their seats.
Then, the elders expressed their opinions.
Most supported Yeon Jeokha, probably due to the pride of the Wudang Sect.
As the atmosphere leaned towards “stripping Yang Sagang of his status as a disciple,” Master Muyang, who had remained silent, raised his hand.
“Leader, may I say something?”
“Of course.”
Yeong Gyeolsang nodded.
He didn’t understand why he was asking for permission in a meeting of elders.
But what he said next made his heart tremble.
“This morning, I met with official Seop Wonsaeng from Sipyeon. An arrest warrant was issued for Yeon Jeokha yesterday.”
The elders did not flinch at the news of the arrest warrant.
Unless it concerned civilians, martial artists tended to view arrest warrants as mere formalities.
They did not have the capacity to execute them.
Unless they were thugs from evil factions, even the leaders of Nokrim mocked arrest warrants.
“But this time it seems it will not remain just words. Officer Huang Busung will also move. The Ministry of War has already given its approval.”
The meeting room, which had been silent, erupted into chaos.
“Officer Huang commands over a thousand soldiers!”
“No! The army moves for such a trivial matter? Does it make sense?”
“Why is the Ministry of War involved?”
Master Muyang raised his hand, and the room calmed down again.
“Officer Huang Busung will not leave until he gets what he wants. It seems that Magistrate Yang will win this fight. We cannot allow the Wudang Sect to be trampled by soldiers. What do you think, Leader?”
The elders nodded.
Master Muyang was right.
Protecting the best practitioner of martial arts from the Five Dragons Palace was good, but the Wudang Sect was more important.
The leader would also think this way.
But Yeong Gyeolsang’s response was different from what the elders expected.
“That’s a good point, but I think the question is a bit misplaced.”
“The question?”
“Yes. Instead of ‘do we hand over the disciple of the Wudang Sect or not?’, shouldn’t we first answer ‘who is right?’? We must always choose the right path.”