Episode 417


    Time passed quickly.


    Due to being ced on probation, I was unable to enter the Maeng’s headquarters for a month.


    I decided to take care of all the things I had been putting off one by one.


    The first thing he did was to guide Maeng Gyeong, who had officially be a member of Cheonan Gambu, to the opening.


    There was no need to go to Hebei, where openness was at its peak.


    Because the open provinces were already waiting for me, staying in a guesthouse located on the border between Honam and Hubei.


    * * *


    “…….”


    The gaze of the Open Inders looking at Meng Jing was not kind.


    At least it would have been a little better if it had been before King Jie’s death, but his funeral had already been held 15 days ago.


    Currently, the hostility of the open provinces towards Menggyeong was at its peak.


    “It’s nice to see you again. “Yongwang Sohyeop.”


    A young man came forward as if he were representing the beggars and spoke to me.


    He seemed to remember that he had previously asked Daehyup to be called Sohyeop because it was burdensome.


    I hugged him with a smile on my face.


    “Long time no see. “Wonryong Sohyeop.”


    Wonryong (夗龍) Jang Wan.


    A young man appointed as the next open state.


    Now that King Jie has died, he can now be said to be the figurehead of openness.


    “Is this my executioner?”


    At Jang Wan’s question, the expressions of the elders lined up behind him turned grim.


    He didn’t seem to like the idea of calling Meng Kyung a death sentence.


    From their perspective, it could be said to be an extremely natural reaction.


    My stomach was probably boiling.


    What kind of death penalty is the death penalty for a traitor who abandoned his responsibility as a minormander and ran away?


    ‘It’s not that I don’t feel sorry, though.’


    At least the object of sympathy was not Meng Jing.


    It was he who insisted on not making contact with open believers until his personal safety was secured.


    You were responsible for your own choices.


    “See you, the next Ark of Openness. “This is Meng Kyung.”


    Meng Jing politely bowed his head.


    A polite attitude that makes everyone who sees it feel ufortable.


    He conveyed his intention through actions instead of words that he would consider Wonryong as his subordinate and would not treat him carelessly.


    In fact, it was safe to say that it was a formality to show off to the elders, not to Wonryong.


    “Please provide a lot of guidance to priests who arecking.”


    After speaking, Jang Wan looked around and smiled bitterly.


    He couldn’t help but feel awkward.


    Whether I like it or not, I am in a position where I have to learn martial arts from Meng Kyung.


    “There is one thing I would like to ask the Dragon King Sohyeop.”


    “Please speak.”


    “I heard that your brother-inw has officially be a member of Cheonan Gambu. “Is this true?”


    “yes. “It’s true.”


    “Then it will be difficult to take the death penalty to Hebei.”


    The elders cleared their throats as if showing their difort.


    He must have known why Maeng Gyeong became a member of Cheonan Gambu.


    As the piercing gaze poured in, Meng Kyung secretly lowered his gaze.


    “If you wish, I can send it to you in the form of a dispatch. Although we will have to return to the headquarters periodically…”


    “I don’t think that would be good for either of us. “It would be better for me to stay in Honam and receive teachings.”


    I nodded as if I knew it would happen.


    The time it took to travel between Hebuk and Honam was by no means short.


    If Meng Jing traveled between the two regions to teach martial arts, Jang Wan’s training was bound to be disrupted.


    As Jang Wan, he had no choice as he had to meet the qualifications as a Jang writer as soon as possible.


    “How about something like this?”


    “……?”


    “Please ept me as a member of Cheonan Gambu.”


    The sudden bombshell remark was met with rm among the open-minded people.


    Meng Kyung also raised his head with a surprised face.


    “Fireman!”


    “What do you mean!”


    The elders open their rabbit eyes and shout.


    Jang Wan looked straight at me and said, regardless of the reactions of those around him.


    “I just heard that Cheonan Inspector General will soon be recruiting new members on arge scale.”


    I nodded with an embarrassed expression.


    It seemed like he had already heard about the matter that had been decided in the conference room of Maengjubu some time ago.


    Should we really call it the next ark of openness?


    As I watched the liberals running wild all over the streets, showing their opposition, I had no idea how to react.


    “Just calm down for now. “Elders.”


    “Do we really look like we are now!”


    “The fire chief is the one who will lead the opening in the future! “It’s not enough to just empty your gun for a long time, you’ll be a fierce swordsman!”


    It was refreshing to see the elders unanimously trying to dissuade Jang Wan.


    It is quite possible that at least one person would think of taking control of Bangpa while the fire chief is away.


    ‘but. ‘Because it is open, not other martial powers.’


    The status of an open lord had a slightly different feel from that of a general sect’s sect or the head of a three-family family.


    It was an honorable position and I was respected by those around me, but not everyone coveted the position.


    Well, in the end, you’re just a beggar.


    Although the open society was a group of misers disguised as beggars, the upper ss did not particrly enjoy luxury and pleasure with the money they earned.


    If that had been the case, Meng Gyeong would not have given up his position as fire chief and fled into the night.


    Basically, unlike other ns or Sega, Gyeongjae did not run a business.


    However, like Hyeonsamun (賢士門), disciples did not make money by acting as bodyguards for the upper ss or the state.


    What business in the world would hire a beggar who is dripping with soup?


    As the situation was like that, most of the money made by open believers by selling information was used up as operating funds for the sect.


    As that wasn’t enough, he made up for theck of funds by acting as the eyes and ears of the Murim Alliance.


    Due to the characteristics of such a sect, there were many people like Maeng Gyeong who gave up their status as an open province and went into hiding.


    It was inevitable that the solidarity among those who remained would increase.


    ‘They say thatmon internal strife doesn’t happen often.’


    In fact, Gyeongjae was more lenient in its treatment of traitors than other martial powers.


    In the case of Meng Gyeong, it became a problem because the person who studied martial arts directly with Bang Joo ran away.


    “Listen. Even if I decide to live in Honam, it would be ineffective to wait for my brother-inw to get off work every day and then seek guidance. Wouldn’t it be better to create an environment where people cane into contact with the death penalty at any time?”


    “…….”


    “As you know, Cheonan Inspector General is a department with a fixed period of activity. “Once the Great War is over, we will be able to go through the withdrawal process without any problems and return to openness.”


    “No matter what, it means that the next Ark will be just a blind leader…”


    “You haven’t officially taken over the Ark’s position yet, have you? “Please, elders, take charge of major and minor affairs in Bangpa, as you have done so far.”


    “Hmm.”


    “I know what your concerns are, but my history of working as a member of Cheonan Gambu will not be a blemish on me. Rather, I hoped it would be helpful when I ascended to the position of the Ark in the future. You know that, right? “The next Maehwa Shingeomdo is currently working as a member of Cheonan Gambu.”


    “…….”


    “To be blunt, I am not the person who is absolutely necessary for openness.”


    “Fireman. “What are you saying?”


    “So, I will return as someone who is needed. Please support my decision.”


    The rumbling noise grew louder.


    The elders, who had withdrawn to leave for a while, put their heads together and chatted among themselves for a while.


    ‘I understand why King Jie chose Wonryong as his sessor.’


    I let out an inward exmation.


    It was easy to see what Jang Wan’s intention was in trying to join the Cheonan Inspectorate.


    It was not simply to provide an environment for smooth training.


    What he had in mind was none other than Meng Kyung’s safety.


    ‘If Meng Kyung goes back and forth between Hebuk and Honam in the form of a dispatched mission, the threat to his life increases.’


    Although he became a member of the Cheonan Gambu and came under my protection, it was not strange if anything happened in the martial arts world.


    There was no guarantee that only Open Ind would target him.


    Who can guarantee that no one will use harsh words to drive a wedge between me and openness?


    ‘If Maeng-gyeong is attacked by a gunman disguised as Gae-gae-do or Gae-gae-do, then there will be no turning back.’


    Of course, it was not known to the world that Meng Jing was a disciple of King Jie who learned martial arts.


    But even so, shouldn’t we be prepared for emergencies?


    Maeng Gyeong was already a full-fledged member of the Cheonan Gambu.


    As Jang Wan, he would have wanted to avoid a situation in which his rtionship with the Cheonan Inspector General would be strained.


    ‘But if Jang Wan takes up residence in Honam, other problems will arise. There will be a situation where we have to select separate personnel to guard the next ark.’


    The main forces of opening up were currently active on the front lines in Hebei.


    They cannot afford to leave their seats to guard the next ark.


    That’s what Jang Wan thought.


    He said it would be better for him to join Cheonan Inspector General.


    ‘It’s a clever idea, though.’


    It was doubtful whether other open provinces would readily ept it.


    I don’t like the fact that the next Ark has to learn martial arts from a traitor, but hasn’t he now dered that he will stay alone for a long time?


    One way or another, I couldn’t help but feel anxious.


    “Fireman. “We will convey our intentions.”


    Finally, an old beggar, who was assumed to be the representative of the elders, came forward and spoke.


    Jang Wan nodded with a nervous expression.


    “After everyone discussed it, we decided to respect the fire chief’s opinion.”


    “Thank goodness.”


    “There is just one condition.”


    “What do you mean by condition?”


    “I can’t do it alone. “If you are going to join Cheonan Gambu, select a few people to join you.”


    “yes?”


    “It is true that the fire chief has outstanding skills for his age, but isn’t he still just ate-stage fighter? Even if you decide to live within the Murim Alliance, you can’t guarantee that it will be very safe, as your status is your status. So shouldn’t there be at least some safety measures?”


    Although the word was escort, it actually meant that a contact person would be attached to periodically deliver news about the opening.


    Presumably, they would also y the role of watchdogs watching over the blind men.


    ‘her.’


    Iughed inwardly.


    Things were going interestingly.


    The elder looked away from Jang Wan, who nodded with an awkward expression, then turned to me and said.


    “Cheonan Inspector General. “There is something I would like to ask of you too.”


    “Please speak.”


    “I won’t ask for special treatment out of respect for the fire chief’s status. Instead, I hope you don’t have to take the Fire Lord to a dangerous battlefield.”


    “All right. Wonryong Sohyeop will create an environment where you can focus on martial arts training with peace of mind.”


    “I feel a little relieved to hear you say that.”


    The methods selected to protect Wonryong, the next open lord, must be extraordinary people.


    I had no reason to refuse.


    From the wise men to the open world.


    It felt good to see talented new members gathering one after another even before the recruitment notice was posted.


    Jang Wan said to me with a smiling face.


    “Please take care of me in the future. “Yongwang Sohyeop.”


    “Please take care of me.”