Chapter 31: Grandpa, Over Here!


    Underage drinking? Peng Sa-Hyuk stared at Cheong Cheon, dumbfounded. For a moment, he thought hed heard the man wrongly.


    Cheong Cheon ignored him and surveyed the mess in the inn. With a slight frown on his face, he said to the students, There are definitely traces of drinking. Everyone, please turn in your student IDs.


    Youths under the age of eighteen were forbidden byw to drink except when a guardian was present.


    Is this some kind of a joke?


    The Azure Dragon Academy students werent ordinary people, they were martial artists who were taught to wield weapons from the moment they took their first steps. It was an unwrittenw that ordinaryws did not apply to martial artists.


    Something about the government not messing with the murim, and in turn the murim would not interfere in government business.


    Constable, as a government agent, you shouldnt stick your nose in murim business, Peng Sa-Hyuk said, stepping forward. He subtly drew upon his qi to pressure Cheong Cheon, but the constable was unmoved.


    <em>I guess the brat of the Peng n is nothingpared to the constable who knows demonic arts.</em>


    Most constables would be intimidated by a towering, heavily muscled, and armed martial artist, but not Cheong Cheon. He looked at Peng Sa-Hyuk and snorted,


    You im its murim business, butI dont see any martial experts or demonic practitioners here. Why is that?


    What? Peng Sa-Hyuk blurted, bbergasted.


    Cheong Cheon coldly continued, All I see are drunk and injured youths, adults shaking in their boots, and a lot of broken furniture. There also arent any wanted criminals here, so pray tell me, how is this official murim business?


    You ought to read this at .


    I didnt mean it that way


    Do you think you can get away with any crime as long as you im the murim is involved?


    Peng Sa-Hyuk, who had tried to downy the situation by citing the non-interference of the government and the murim, was left speechless. As the heir to one of the Five Great Families of the orthodox faction, he couldnt bring shame to his family by associating a drunken party with official murim business.


    Cheong Cheon expressionlessly picked up the remains of a broken chair. Inns exist to serve customers, but there is such a thing as going too far. Although I only received a report about underage drinkingit looks like Ill also have to press charges on obstruction of business, property damage, assault, and perhaps even more. A thorough investigation will be necessary.


    GRIND.


    Peng Sa-Hyuk gritted his teeth. Who made the report? he asked.


    Thats confidential information


    I did, I confessed, raising my hand.


    Peng Sa-Hyuk shot me a death stare. If eyes could kill, he would have murdered me on the spot.


    [How dare you call the cops? Do you have no pride as a martial artist?]


    His telepathic message was so loud that I thought my eardrums would burst. I shrugged and smirked at him, silently mouthing the words So what if I dont?


    !!


    Read this at , or else.


    I wasnt sure if he could read my lips, but Peng Sa-Hyuks shoulders shook like a wild boar striving to control its frenzy. As the organizer of this party, he was in much bigger trouble than me or the other instructors.


    Would you minding with me to the precinct while weplete the investigation?


    We had a small scuffle while we were drunk, but it wasnt serious. Ill pay double for any damages caused. Also Peng Sa-Hyuk desperately made up excuses, hoping to salvage his own situation while dragging the prospective instructors down with him.


    <em>Even now, he thinks about manipting others to his benefit,</em> I thought, but I didnt feel like taking him to task just yet. That was a story for another time.


    <em>If news of this gets out, he wont be able to avoid losing honor and dignity It wont end with just a temporary inconvenience.</em>


    Honor and Dignity. In the orthodox sects, sometimes that was all that mattered, especially the more prestigious ones. If Peng Sa-Hyuk was arrested and branded as a troublemaker, it wouldnt end with just a scolding from the family elders. His future prospects would be ruined.


    That was why he would do anything to get himself out of this mess, and sure enough


    Head Constable, if you would forgive me for my youthful indiscretion, I will sincerely repay you in the  wees you.


    Even as Peng Sa-Hyuk spoke politely, he discreetly hinted at a bribe. Unfortunately for him, what kind of constable was our dear Cheong Cheon?


    Answer: The most impartial, incorruptible official ever. A man who was so upright that he would learn demonic arts just to murder his biological father. Money would never move such a person.


    <em>Wait, something about that statement seems weird But whatever.</em>


    What did you just say? Cheong Cheon furrowed his brows. Then, in an even colder voice, he added, I think I now need to add charges of bribery and obstruction of justice to your list of crimes.


    Keuk Peng Sa-Hyuk gagged, his face flushing even redder than when I pped him. He had never been treated like this in his life.


    This was thest straw.


    Mr. Constable, I am Peng Sa-Hyuk of the Peng n.


    Is that so? Ill need to verify your identity through your ID que. Please hand it to me.


    Pfft


    This is a non-profit trantion. Ads? What ads?


    I stifled theughter that threatened to burst out and looked at Cheong Cheon. Our gazes met, but we both pretended not to know each other.


    <em>Oh? His acting has improved!</em>


    The old Cheong Cheon had to try his hardest just to maintain his poker face, but the current him was a natural at being icy cold, as if he wouldnt bleed even if he were poked with a needle. Moreover, his qi was much more stable.


    <em>It seems that he has seeded at eliminating the side effects of the fake martial art after practicing theplete Blood Rain Demonic Art that I taught him.</em>


    Cheong Cheon assessed the students standing nervously in front of and behind him. Since no one seems willing to turn in their ID ques, can I consider this open defiance of the authorities?


    Mr. Constable, do you really want to continue down this path?


    Ive barely even gotten started.


    Cheong-Cheon had no intention of backing down, and Pang Sa-Hyuk had no intention of getting arrested.


    In the end, it was Peng Sa-Hyuk who made the first move. He pointed a finger at me and used, I dont think you should arrest everyone, just the one troublemaker who did all this. None of us are demonic practitioners, butthat guy got drunk and sexually harassed a female student, then beat up the other students when they tried to stop him. All the furniture was broken during the course of that brawl.


    Peng Sa-Hyuk turned toward the mob. With the slightest hint of a threat, he asked, You all saw that, didnt you?


    Y-Yes.


    Its just as Young Master Peng said.


    The students and several of the prospective instructors stepped forward in agreement with Peng Sa-Hyuk, while the rest nodded or lowered their eyes in tacit agreement.


    If youre seeing this, you are at the wrong ce.


    I watched the drama in silence, then nced at Cheong Cheon. There was no way he would believe Peng Sa-Hyuk, and even if I really was guilty, he would take my side.


    <em>Tsk tsk, dumb brat. Youre digging your own grave.</em> I clicked my tongue and looked back at Peng Sa-Hyuk. To be honest, as long as he apologized, I would have let him off the hook. If he insisted on being stubborn though, then some punishment was in order.


    <em>Hes trying to frame me and proim his innocence, buthes just walking right into my trap.</em> I quickly organized my thoughts and prepared my rebuttal.


    However, before I could say anything, Ak Yeon-Ho stepped forward and grimly said, Hes lying. Its a false usation.


    <em>He looks ready to sacrifice himself. That isnt like him at all.</em>


    It wasnt Su-Ryong-hyung who tore the girls skirts and beat up the boys, but Peng Sa-Hyuk! He dug a trap for us and lured us here!


    Why arent you reading this at ?


    Ha, thats ridiculous. Why would I do such a thing?


    To ckmail the new instructors!


    What for? As the heir of the Hebei Peng n, do you think I need to worry about my future after graduation?


    T-Thats! Ak Yeon-Ho was left speechless. He simply couldnt imagine that Peng Sa-Hyuk would go to such extremes just for fun.


    <em>Hes too naive, and thus took the wrong approach to the problem. Its unfortunate, but most people associate overly emotional reactions with guilt.</em>


    I grabbed Ak Yeon-Ho by the shoulders and dragged him behind me, then said, Thanks for the help, but I can take care of myself, so just stay quiet


    No, I cant leave it to you every time, Hyung-nim. Ill handle this.


    You may be a powerful martial artist, but this isnt something that can be solved by force.


    I know, Ak Yeon-Ho insisted confidently, before turning his attention back to the crowd.


    <em>What is he trying to do?</em> I wondered, when he revealed an unexpected secret weapon.


    Ak Yeon-Ho took a deep breath and clearly dered,


    I swear by the name of the Shandong Ak n that everything Im about to say is true.


    !!


    Why arent you reading this at ?


    The n Head of the Shandong Ak n was the Spear King Ak Bi, was one of the murims Ten Masters. As a result, despite the fact that the Shandong Ak n was not one of the Five Great Families, their power and influence was at least equal to that of the Hebei Peng n.


    Therefore, the moment Ak Yeon-Ho invoked his familys name, Pang Sa Hyuks face paled. Youre crazy. Are you seriously putting your familys reputation at stake? Do you even realize what youre doing? he cried.


    Yes, Im putting my familys honor and history on the line.


    You know it, and yet you!


    Depending on who said it, to wager a ns honor and history was to risk starting a war between two ns.


    Whats wrong, Peng Sa-Hyuk? Where did all your confidence from just now go?


    My words carry more weight than yours.


    Youre scared. You shouldnt have made fun of me.


    Arent you afraid of being punished by your n? You should know about the fate of the Hyon-Won n.


    Ill probably be executed, but by then I would have already achieved my goal.


    Youre just bullshitting now.


    Why is a youngster like you talking to me as an equal? Use some respect, punk.


    This is a non-profit trantion. You should not be seeing ads.


    Neither of them had drawn their weapons, but Peng Sa-Hyuk and Ak Yeon-Ho were ring at each other with eyes that could kill.


    Cheong Cheon sighed and mumbled, Fuck murim people


    He then shot me a quick nce and sent me a telepathic message, saying, [What now? Do I still arrest him? I think its about time to just wrap it up and go]


    If Cheong Cheon stepped down now and capitted, Peng Sa-Hyuk would also likely give up on his current attempt to ckmail the instructors. Unfortunately, I had no intention of letting the brat go scot-free. I had to kill his momentum today, or he would never change for the better.


    I mouthed to Cheong Cheon, Wait.


    [For how long?]


    <em>Fuck, I need to quickly raise the Heaven Defying Divine Art to the three star level. Not being able to use telepathy is annoying as hell.</em>


    This is a free trantion. You should not be seeing ads.


    With everyones attention was focused on Peng Sa-Hyuk and Ak Yeon-Ho, I muttered in a low voice, Until my grandfather arrives.


    [Your grandfather?]


    Cheong Cheon wasnt the only person I asked the waiter to contact earlier. There was another one.


    WHOOOOOOOSH~


    Suddenly, a cold wind like the freezing blizzards of the North blew in from somewhere, causing Ak Yeon-Ho and Peng Sa-Hyuk to shiver. All heads immediately snapped around to face the source of the wind.


    Eh?


    No way


    STEP, STEP.


    An old man with even footsteps that wouldnt falter in the middle of a raging storm, hair as white as snow and deep green robes stood at the doorway and asked the constable guarding the entrance, I received a dinner invitation at this innbut did something happen inside?


    The old man curiously peered over the constables shoulder.


    Having recognized the old man, one of the students yelped in terror, H-Headmaster


    With just that one word, the boiling tension in the room dispersed, reced by a wintry cold.


    I raised my hand and shouted, Grandpa, over here!