27 Chapter - I Heard.
27 Chapter - I Heard.
A few days later, I officially ascended to the position of the head of the Yellow Spring Division.
Early in the morning, the martial artists from the Yellow Spring Division arrived at my quarters.
The person leading them was Seo Daeryong, the special investigator I had worked with on the Demon Corps investigation.
"We’ve come to escort the head of the division," he said.
"Seo Investigator. So, you’re here," I replied.
"I volunteered," he responded.
In fact, Seo Daeryong had played a major role in my ascension to the position of head of the Yellow Spring Division.
"Let’s go," I said.
I had decided to bring Ian along.
"Ian, come with me. You need to learn how the organization is run."
"Thank you!"
She was overjoyed, perhaps because she thought I wouldn’t bring her along this time.
"We’re not going on a trip. We’re going to learn. You’ll learn how the organization operates, how to manage subordinates, and everything in between. Don’t miss a thing."
"Yes!"
When we arrived at the Yellow Spring Division, all the investigators were lined up at the entrance. Apparently, this was the customary way of welcoming a new head.
As I walked by, they all bowed in unison and greeted me loudly.
"Greetings to the new head!"
I had expected them not to welcome me, but their eyes weren’t as hostile as I anticipated. In fact, they seemed somewhat friendly.
I subtly asked Seo Daeryong, who was standing next to me, "Did they say if we don’t pretend to welcome you, we’ll have our wages cut?"
"No."
"But why is the atmosphere so positive?" I asked, puzzled.
Seo Daeryong raised his foot and mimicked stamping it onto the ground.
I understood their warm reception now. It was because of the Demon Corps leader, Go Dang. He had killed the investigator we first sent out, and this time he had injured one of them.
Since I had crushed Go Dang’s skull and killed him, it felt like sweet revenge to them. On top of that, my young age had been a barrier to them accepting me as the new head, but my Heavenly Demon bloodline had compensated for that, and the fact that I had killed the Demon Lord solidified my martial prowess.
"Would you like to say something?" Seo Daeryong asked.
Before entering the building, I turned to face my subordinates.
I slowly gazed at their faces and then gave them a brief statement.
"I don’t know if you’ll be happier or unhappier with me as the head. But there is one thing I can say for certain. Your hearts will beat faster than before."
With that, I turned and walked into the building.
I could hear murmurs from behind. I didn’t need to worry about how they took my words. They would figure it out soon enough.
As Seo Daeryong guided me to my office, he tried to leave, but I stopped him.
"Seo Investigator, did you ever think we’d meet again like this?"
"Honestly, I was very surprised," he replied.
"I came because I missed you," I said.
His face remained unchanged, as if he didn’t fall for empty flattery.
"Ian, you should avoid men like him. They’re no fun at all."
"Though, he might be solid," Ian added, coming to Seo Daeryong’s defense.
"No, this friend is like tasteless soup with no substance."
Seo Daeryong spoke up this time.
"I’m not tasteless, but I’m not too salty either."
"Oh, he’s got character. You’ll need that kind of character a lot in the future."
Seo Daeryong quickly understood the meaning behind my words.
"No, I’m bland. Please don’t call me when there’s danger."
"You’ll be eating that bland soup with rice. I’ll add plenty of spicy seasoning."
Seo Daeryong took a step back, feigning fear. But I knew he was brave. I could see that even in his small frame, great courage and spirit resided.
"Now, tell me about the situation. I don’t know anything."
Seo Daeryong immediately began explaining, as if he had been waiting for the question.
"As you know, the Yellow Spring Division is responsible for safeguarding and enforcing the sect’s rules and laws. We handle corruption, as well as various incidents that occur within the sect. We have a total of one hundred members, with thirty investigators and seventy executioners."
Executioners assist investigators, protect them, and arrest criminals.
"It’s not as many as I expected."
"The number doesn’t need to be high for this kind of organization."
The Yellow Spring Division was an authoritative organization that everyone feared. Of course, # Nоvеlight # there were exceptions like the Demon Corps, but most martial artists were afraid of it.
"Of the thirty investigators, there are only five special investigators. Special investigators mainly handle difficult and important cases, but otherwise, they are similar to regular investigators. Executioners are not assigned to a specific investigator but are dispatched as needed."
After hearing the explanation, I asked him, "Seo Investigator, what do you think is the biggest problem with the Yellow Spring Division?"
Seo Daeryong hesitated for a moment before responding.
"No organization in our sect can escape the influence of the Palma Zone."
He didn’t directly point to the Yellow Spring Division, but it was clear he was referring to the Palma Zone as the root of the problem.
"Are you under that influence as well?"
"No. As I’ve said, I’m an outsider."
He was implying that, at least for money or promotion, he never got involved in sect politics.
"But I’m not some person with great ideals. I’m just a grumbling complainer."
"I like that. I don’t like people who are too idealistic."
I glanced at Ian as I spoke.
"I like practical people. People who take care of themselves first."
Ian, knowing I was talking about myself, merely smiled faintly.
My gaze returned to Seo Daeryong.
"You said it yourself. The sect won’t change. How about this? Let’s try to change the sect together."
"If you burn with passion and leave, just like you did when you arrived suddenly, what will happen then?"
"When the time comes, I’ll have to leave."
"I’ll be left behind as the ashes after we burned with passion together."
"That’s not my problem. You said you were an outsider, right? So, what do you think? Are you in?"
Seo Daeryong sighed deeply, though his answer didn’t match his actions.
"I’m in."
"Why?"
"Didn’t you show me the reason when you handled the Demon Corps incident?"
"Look after things from now on."
"Yes, leave it to me."
I offered my hand with a smile, and Seo Daeryong firmly shook it.
Guo Su was drunk.
He had fallen into deep despair, one that even alcohol couldn’t numb.
His son, a martial artist, had been beaten by his friends. His son, with a head injury, had not regained consciousness for ten days.
Zhao Chunbei, the owner of the Wind Flow Tavern, who knew the situation well, sat before him.
"Is it true that those bastards have been released?"
Guo Su drank his liquor in one gulp.
"Damn it! Damn them!"
The Yellow Spring Division investigators had investigated the incident. Naturally, the ones who caused the accident should have been imprisoned, but those three were released. They were simply considered to have been injured during a sparring match.
"That’s not right. The one leading the incident’s father is Baek Do-gwi," Zhao Chunbei said.
Baek Do-gwi was the leader of the Hundred Blade Ghosts.
"That bastard!"
Zhao Chunbei sighed.
If the other side’s father was one of Blood Heaven Butcher’s subordinates, not just any subordinate but one of the Ten Blade Ghosts, then this matter would end here.
"The Yellow Spring Division investigators are all the same. Those bastards are worse."
"Shh! Lower your voice. What if someone hears?"
Zhao Chunbei looked around nervously and tried to calm him.
"Let them hear! Tell them I want the Yellow Spring Division bastards to kill me! Tell them Baek Do-gwi can come here and kill me!"
Bang!
Guo Su slammed the table. The liquor bottle shook and almost fell, but Zhao Chunbei caught it just in time.
"Calm down, please."
"If my son doesn’t wake up, my wife won’t live out her days."
Zhao Chunbei knew these weren’t exaggerated words. He had seen how much Guo Su and his wife cherished their only son for a long time.
"He’ll wake up."
"If he doesn’t wake up, I’ll kill that bastard and then kill myself."
Just then, voices could be heard from behind.
"Can you kill him?"
The two turned around, and there stood three young men at the entrance of the tavern.
"Who are you?" Guo Su growled.
The one who spoke, with a mocking tone, was the middle youth. He was Yang Ho, the one who had led the beating.
"Who are you to talk about killing my precious son?"
Guo Su jumped to his feet.
"You! You!"
Caught off guard, Guo Su found himself surprised and flustered. But then, he shouted.
"You bastard! You... save my son! Save him!"
His emotions were so intense that he didn’t even know what he was saying. Yang Ho remained indifferent.
"You bastard! We haven’t even heard one apology from you!"
Yang Ho stepped forward and bowed politely.
"I’m sorry. I’ve really committed a grave mistake. It won’t happen again. Is that enough? I’ve apologized, so stop calling me that."
"What? What did you just say?"
"I’m not your son, am I?"
His two companions snickered, and Yang Ho suppressed a laugh.
Guo Su was so furious, he almost drew his sword, but Zhao Chunbei rushed in and desperately stopped him.
"Calm down! Think about your family!"
If Guo Su had drawn his sword now, he would have been killed by Yang Ho. Guo Su was a low-level martial artist, and Yang Ho had been properly trained since a young age.
"Are you crazy? You’re apologizing, but now you’re trying to kill me?"
Yang Ho seemed to have come prepared, intentionally provoking Guo Su.
"Really, no conscience. Come on, kill me. Kill me if you can."
How could a person be so shameless? Guo Su wanted to stab him immediately.
But he couldn’t do that. Not only could he not win, but even if he killed Yang Ho, it would cause even bigger problems. If he did, everything would end there. He and his son, still unconscious, along with his wife who was in sorrow, would all be killed by Yang Ho’s father.
"Get out of here, all of you. Go!"
Zhao Chunbei tried to drive Yang Ho and his companions out, but Yang Ho acted as if he had already given up his humanity.
"Looks like Dong-gi’s a coward after all, just like his father."
At that moment, Guo Su lost his rationality.
Guo Su drew his sword, and, as if waiting for it, Yang Ho’s fist flew toward him.
Guo Su was hit in the face and stumbled into a table behind him.
"He definitely drew his sword first!"
The two behind them shouted, as if they were witnesses.
Yang Ho began to beat Guo Su mercilessly.
Thud! Thud! Thud!
"Who do you think you are, trying to report me to the Yellow Spring Division?"
The reason he hadn’t left without a fight was clear. Because of the report to the Yellow Spring Division, he had been severely scolded by his father, and unable to hold back his anger, he came here to vent.
After he had vented enough, Yang Ho finally stood up from Guo Su’s body.
"This is all your fault. I told you to go home and steal some money. But you said your father’s blood and sweat earned it. What a fool pretending to be kind. Am I the only garbage here? How could I not beat you? This is your fault. Got it?"
"… You just confessed!"
Guo Su’s lips were bleeding, and blood was flowing from his torn eye socket, but in this moment, he found hope.
"What confession?"
"Everyone here heard it! You just confessed why you beat our son. You admitted it wasn’t a sparring match, but assault!"
Yang Ho looked around fiercely.
"Is anyone here who heard what I said?"
There were many customers around, but none dared speak up. Even Zhao Chunbei, the tavern owner, didn’t dare. The moment he spoke up, he would lose his business and his life would be at risk.
"Looks like no one heard? Heh heh."
Yang Ho’s laughter broke Guo Su, and he began to cry.
"Huh-huh-huh!"
He couldn’t hold back the tears anymore. The one who had put his son into a coma was now mocking him, and he couldn’t do anything about it. It was so painful. As a father, he felt ashamed and deeply sorry. He didn’t want to cry, but the tears just kept coming.
"Pathetic. A grown man crying. Just like father, just like son. Ha ha ha."
Yang Ho and his companions laughed, as did the others.
Just then, a young man’s voice rang out clearly from the tavern floor above.
"I heard it."
A few days later, I officially ascended to the position of the head of the Yellow Spring Division.
Early in the morning, the martial artists from the Yellow Spring Division arrived at my quarters.
The person leading them was Seo Daeryong, the special investigator I had worked with on the Demon Corps investigation.
"We’ve come to escort the head of the division," he said.
"Seo Investigator. So, you’re here," I replied.
"I volunteered," he responded.
In fact, Seo Daeryong had played a major role in my ascension to the position of head of the Yellow Spring Division.
"Let’s go," I said.
I had decided to bring Ian along.
"Ian, come with me. You need to learn how the organization is run."
"Thank you!"
She was overjoyed, perhaps because she thought I wouldn’t bring her along this time.
"We’re not going on a trip. We’re going to learn. You’ll learn how the organization operates, how to manage subordinates, and everything in between. Don’t miss a thing."
"Yes!"
When we arrived at the Yellow Spring Division, all the investigators were lined up at the entrance. Apparently, this was the customary way of welcoming a new head.
As I walked by, they all bowed in unison and greeted me loudly.
"Greetings to the new head!"
I had expected them not to welcome me, but their eyes weren’t as hostile as I anticipated. In fact, they seemed somewhat friendly.
I subtly asked Seo Daeryong, who was standing next to me, "Did they say if we don’t pretend to welcome you, we’ll have our wages cut?"
"No."
"But why is the atmosphere so positive?" I asked, puzzled.
Seo Daeryong raised his foot and mimicked stamping it onto the ground.
I understood their warm reception now. It was because of the Demon Corps leader, Go Dang. He had killed the investigator we first sent out, and this time he had injured one of them.
Since I had crushed Go Dang’s skull and killed him, it felt like sweet revenge to them. On top of that, my young age had been a barrier to them accepting me as the new head, but my Heavenly Demon bloodline had compensated for that, and the fact that I had killed the Demon Lord solidified my martial prowess.
"Would you like to say something?" Seo Daeryong asked.
Before entering the building, I turned to face my subordinates.
I slowly gazed at their faces and then gave them a brief statement.
"I don’t know if you’ll be happier or unhappier with me as the head. But there is one thing I can say for certain. Your hearts will beat faster than before."
With that, I turned and walked into the building.
I could hear murmurs from behind. I didn’t need to worry about how they took my words. They would figure it out soon enough.
As Seo Daeryong guided me to my office, he tried to leave, but I stopped him.
"Seo Investigator, did you ever think we’d meet again like this?"
"Honestly, I was very surprised," he replied.
"I came because I missed you," I said.
His face remained unchanged, as if he didn’t fall for empty flattery.
"Ian, you should avoid men like him. They’re no fun at all."
"Though, he might be solid," Ian added, coming to Seo Daeryong’s defense.
"No, this friend is like tasteless soup with no substance."
Seo Daeryong spoke up this time.
"I’m not tasteless, but I’m not too salty either."
"Oh, he’s got character. You’ll need that kind of character a lot in the future."
Seo Daeryong quickly understood the meaning behind my words.
"No, I’m bland. Please don’t call me when there’s danger."
"You’ll be eating that bland soup with rice. I’ll add plenty of spicy seasoning."
Seo Daeryong took a step back, feigning fear. But I knew he was brave. I could see that even in his small frame, great courage and spirit resided.
"Now, tell me about the situation. I don’t know anything."
Seo Daeryong immediately began explaining, as if he had been waiting for the question.
"As you know, the Yellow Spring Division is responsible for safeguarding and enforcing the sect’s rules and laws. We handle corruption, as well as various incidents that occur within the sect. We have a total of one hundred members, with thirty investigators and seventy executioners."
Executioners assist investigators, protect them, and arrest criminals.
"It’s not as many as I expected."
"The number doesn’t need to be high for this kind of organization."
The Yellow Spring Division was an authoritative organization that everyone feared. Of course, there were exceptions like the Demon Corps, but most martial artists were afraid of it.
"Of the thirty investigators, there are only five special investigators. Special investigators mainly handle difficult and important cases, but otherwise, they are similar to regular investigators. Executioners are not assigned to a specific investigator but are dispatched as needed."
After hearing the explanation, I asked him, "Seo Investigator, what do you think is the biggest problem with the Yellow Spring Division?"
Seo Daeryong hesitated for a moment before responding.
"No organization in our sect can escape the influence of the Palma Zone."
He didn’t directly point to the Yellow Spring Division, but it was clear he was referring to the Palma Zone as the root of the problem.
"Are you under that influence as well?"
"No. As I’ve said, I’m an outsider."
He was implying that, at least for money or promotion, he never got involved in sect politics.
"But I’m not some person with great ideals. I’m just a grumbling complainer."
"I like that. I don’t like people who are too idealistic."
I glanced at Ian as I spoke.
"I like practical people. People who take care of themselves first."
Ian, knowing I was talking about myself, merely smiled faintly.
My gaze returned to Seo Daeryong.
"You said it yourself. The sect won’t change. How about this? Let’s try to change the sect together."
"If you burn with passion and leave, just like you did when you arrived suddenly, what will happen then?"
"When the time comes, I’ll have to leave."
"I’ll be left behind as the ashes after we burned with passion together."
"That’s not my problem. You said you were an outsider, right? So, what do you think? Are you in?"
Seo Daeryong sighed deeply, though his answer didn’t match his actions.
"I’m in."
"Why?"
"Didn’t you show me the reason when you handled the Demon Corps incident?"
"Look after things from now on."
"Yes, leave it to me."
I offered my hand with a smile, and Seo Daeryong firmly shook it.
Guo Su was drunk.
He had fallen into deep despair, one that even alcohol couldn’t numb.
His son, a martial artist, had been beaten by his friends. His son, with a head injury, had not regained consciousness for ten days.
Zhao Chunbei, the owner of the Wind Flow Tavern, who knew the situation well, sat before him.
"Is it true that those bastards have been released?"
Guo Su drank his liquor in one gulp.
"Damn it! Damn them!"
The Yellow Spring Division investigators had investigated the incident. Naturally, the ones who caused the accident should have been imprisoned, but those three were released. They were simply considered to have been injured during a sparring match.
"That’s not right. The one leading the incident’s father is Baek Do-gwi," Zhao Chunbei said.
Baek Do-gwi was the leader of the Hundred Blade Ghosts.
"That bastard!"
Zhao Chunbei sighed.
If the other side’s father was one of Blood Heaven Butcher’s subordinates, not just any subordinate but one of the Ten Blade Ghosts, then this matter would end here.
"The Yellow Spring Division investigators are all the same. Those bastards are worse."
"Shh! Lower your voice. What if someone hears?"
Zhao Chunbei looked around nervously and tried to calm him.
"Let them hear! Tell them I want the Yellow Spring Division bastards to kill me! Tell them Baek Do-gwi can come here and kill me!"
Bang!
Guo Su slammed the table. The liquor bottle shook and almost fell, but Zhao Chunbei caught it just in time.
"Calm down, please."
"If my son doesn’t wake up, my wife won’t live out her days."
Zhao Chunbei knew these weren’t exaggerated words. He had seen how much Guo Su and his wife cherished their only son for a long time.
"He’ll wake up."
"If he doesn’t wake up, I’ll kill that bastard and then kill myself."
Just then, voices could be heard from behind.
"Can you kill him?"
The two turned around, and there stood three young men at the entrance of the tavern.
"Who are you?" Guo Su growled.
The one who spoke, with a mocking tone, was the middle youth. He was Yang Ho, the one who had led the beating.
"Who are you to talk about killing my precious son?"
Guo Su jumped to his feet.
"You! You!"
Caught off guard, Guo Su found himself surprised and flustered. But then, he shouted.
"You bastard! You... save my son! Save him!"
His emotions were so intense that he didn’t even know what he was saying. Yang Ho remained indifferent.
"You bastard! We haven’t even heard one apology from you!"
Yang Ho stepped forward and bowed politely.
"I’m sorry. I’ve really committed a grave mistake. It won’t happen again. Is that enough? I’ve apologized, so stop calling me that."
"What? What did you just say?"
"I’m not your son, am I?"
His two companions snickered, and Yang Ho suppressed a laugh.
Guo Su was so furious, he almost drew his sword, but Zhao Chunbei rushed in and desperately stopped him.
"Calm down! Think about your family!"
If Guo Su had drawn his sword now, he would have been killed by Yang Ho. Guo Su was a low-level martial artist, and Yang Ho had been properly trained since a young age.
"Are you crazy? You’re apologizing, but now you’re trying to kill me?"
Yang Ho seemed to have come prepared, intentionally provoking Guo Su.
"Really, no conscience. Come on, kill me. Kill me if you can."
How could a person be so shameless? Guo Su wanted to stab him immediately.
But he couldn’t do that. Not only could he not win, but even if he killed Yang Ho, it would cause even bigger problems. If he did, everything would end there. He and his son, still unconscious, along with his wife who was in sorrow, would all be killed by Yang Ho’s father.
"Get out of here, all of you. Go!"
Zhao Chunbei tried to drive Yang Ho and his companions out, but Yang Ho acted as if he had already given up his humanity.
"Looks like Dong-gi’s a coward after all, just like his father."
At that moment, Guo Su lost his rationality.
Guo Su drew his sword, and, as if waiting for it, Yang Ho’s fist flew toward him.
Guo Su was hit in the face and stumbled into a table behind him.
"He definitely drew his sword first!"
The two behind them shouted, as if they were witnesses.
Yang Ho began to beat Guo Su mercilessly.
Thud! Thud! Thud!
"Who do you think you are, trying to report me to the Yellow Spring Division?"
The reason he hadn’t left without a fight was clear. Because of the report to the Yellow Spring Division, he had been severely scolded by his father, and unable to hold back his anger, he came here to vent.
After he had vented enough, Yang Ho finally stood up from Guo Su’s body.
"This is all your fault. I told you to go home and steal some money. But you said your father’s blood and sweat earned it. What a fool pretending to be kind. Am I the only garbage here? How could I not beat you? This is your fault. Got it?"
"… You just confessed!"
Guo Su’s lips were bleeding, and blood was flowing from his torn eye socket, but in this moment, he found hope.
"What confession?"
"Everyone here heard it! You just confessed why you beat our son. You admitted it wasn’t a sparring match, but assault!"
Yang Ho looked around fiercely.
"Is anyone here who heard what I said?"
There were many customers around, but none dared speak up. Even Zhao Chunbei, the tavern owner, didn’t dare. The moment he spoke up, he would lose his business and his life would be at risk.
"Looks like no one heard? Heh heh."
Yang Ho’s laughter broke Guo Su, and he began to cry.
"Huh-huh-huh!"
He couldn’t hold back the tears anymore. The one who had put his son into a coma was now mocking him, and he couldn’t do anything about it. It was so painful. As a father, he felt ashamed and deeply sorry. He didn’t want to cry, but the tears just kept coming.
"Pathetic. A grown man crying. Just like father, just like son. Ha ha ha."
Yang Ho and his companions laughed, as did the others.
Just then, a young man’s voice rang out clearly from the tavern floor above.
"I heard it."