Moon-Shadow Sword Emperor
Chapter 434

Episode 434

The meeting ended well as intended.

As per his will, Namhakgeom proved that his relationship with me had completely deteriorated in front of the other elders, and I was able to increase the budget paid to the Cheonan Inspectorate in recognition of my contribution this time.

‘The scope of the increase is greater than expected.’

Honestly, I didn’t think things would work out this well.

It seemed like I could make up for the amount that I had been covering with my own expenses to some extent.

‘If there’s anything that bothers you…’

Is it just the incomprehensible attitude that Hwabaek Joo displayed throughout the meeting?

In fact, it was no exaggeration to say that the reason the elders could not show their courage at this meeting was because of the leader who openly took my side.

‘What kind of wind suddenly blew?’

Hwabaek Joo was not a fool.

Cheonan Governor and Senate.

He probably didn’t know that there was nothing good to be gained from blatantly taking one side or the other.

‘It’s not for any good reason that they’ve maintained a neutral attitude while supporting me emotionally.’

From the perspective of the main faction, the ideal would be to watch with folded arms as the other two factions develop conflict and then intervene appropriately to take advantage.

I couldn’t figure out what they were thinking about making a fuss with the Senate.

‘If you think about it that way.’

Commander-in-Chief Zhuge Huan also seemed surprised by Zhou Hwabaek’s remarks.

This meant that it was an unexpected action that had not been discussed in advance.

‘My head hurts.’

I knew that Hwabaek Joo had an unpredictable personality.

However, I have never before had such a hard time reading the intention.

‘I saw a benefit right away, but…’

Aren’t good things good?

It wasn’t something to just be optimistic about.

From a long-term perspective, it was difficult for one reason or another to leave the impression that Hwabaek Joo and I were joining hands.

My ultimate goal is to become a senator.

‘For now, we’ll just have to be vigilant and watch.’

It was not yet clear whether he was acting on a whim only at this meeting or whether he had decided to support the Cheonan Gambu at all.

It would have been better to postpone deciding how to respond until later.

‘Let’s go see Namgung-geum, who is waiting in prison.’

* * *

Cheonan Gambu’s new base.

As I entered the underground prison, my eyes lit up when I saw a man sitting cross-legged behind the bars.

Namgung-geum, vice-chief of the Changgung Sword Team.

Since Daeju died in Banghyeon (房縣), it could be said that he was in fact the highest commander of the unit.

The sight of him meditating with his eyes closed without even a single movement was like looking at a solid block of stone.

Perhaps because he was being stabbed, he was unaware of my presence right in front of him.

“Long time no see. Commander.”

“…Are you the Cheonan Inspector General?”

Namgunggeum flinched and shook his shoulders and lifted his eyelids.

He frowned, perhaps because his eyes were dazzling, and spoke in a cracked voice.

“I never thought I would see you again like this.”

“Me too.”

“Were the demonic cultists who attacked last night safely repelled?”

“yes. “Not a single victim came forward.”

“Thank goodness.”

Clap!

Opening the door and entering the cage, I personally removed the restraints that bound Namgung-geum’s limbs and freed him from the apocalypse.

Namgunggeum, who was now free, relaxed her stiff shoulders and asked.

“Is this okay?”

“What do you mean?”

“I’m asking if it’s okay to simply release a person who may be a ganja sent from the Demonic Cult without even interrogating him.”

“Isn’t Vice Lord not a ganja?”

“That’s true.”

“There is no need for any more formal procedures. “The purpose has already been achieved.”

What was important was the fact that the unit leader of the Changgung Sword Team was detained at least briefly for investigation.

This was the reason why Namgung Geum demanded that he be arrested.

If the rumor spread that even a tycoon like Namgung-geum cooperated with the Cheonan Inspector General’s investigation, it would become easier to interrogate other suspects.

‘You’re willing to risk dishonor to help replace Ganja. There is no other person like this.’

It was a part that gave us an idea of what kind of personality the man named Namgung Geum had.

I feel it again, but in this life, I have had many blessings.

“All the pending suspicions have been cleared, so from now on, you are a member of the Cheonan Inspector General. From now on, please work as a member of the execution team.”

“All right.”

“I have high expectations from the vice president.”

“The title of deputy head is burdensome. Now, I have given up my position and left the Namgung family. So please treat me the same as other members.”

“Then from now on, I will call you Namgung Warrior.”

A member of the team waiting nearby brought Namgung Geum’s sword and clothing that he had collected.

After receiving it and examining it, I asked with a slightly surprised expression.

“Are you wearing Cheonjambo?”

“yes. “I inherited the items originally used by the great lord.”

“It’s clothes woven from Cheonjamsa (天蠶絲). “I don’t know how long it’s been since I last saw you.”

“Do you want it?”

“Don’t look at me like that. “Do you really think I would rob a warrior?”

“…….”

“At one time, I also used Cheonjamboui favorably. “It’s something I don’t need right now.”

“Actually, a master who has reached the absolute level will not be greatly affected by things outside of the body.”

“Not necessarily. Even absolute experts want to use high-quality products, not cheap ones. “It’s just that there is no point in wearing Cheonjamboui when dealing with a master who can implement the Uijeonggi.”

“Is that so?”

“In terms of usability, it would be better to use armor mixed with cold steel. Of course, it is unlikely that anyone would wear heavy armor as it would hinder their movements. “Unless it’s the Demonic Cult’s armored giant.”

While chatting, Namgoonggeum and I left the prison and headed toward the training hall.

thud! Ku-kwa-kwang!

A strong crash sound pierced my ears.

There were two first-time guests in the training hall, which was thought to be empty.

After the examination, Yeo Hwa-yeon and Woo Ga-jin.

I laughed and walked up to the two people and asked.

“Aren’t you two tired? “You probably couldn’t sleep the night before because you had to fight off the demons that invaded the headquarters.”

“There is no reason to be tired. “Because the only enemies I dealt with were low-ranking people.”

Geomhu, who had distanced himself from Woo Ga-jin, answered while taking a deep breath.

In the meantime, the two of them were sparring again, in case someone was a martial arts fanatic.

In particular, Woo Ga-jin seemed to be in quite a hurry even though the weapon he ordered from the blacksmith had not yet been completed.

“I’m telling you because you don’t seem to know, but this is my personal training ground.”

“Know. “I was just borrowing it for a while.”

“Without my permission?”

“The Archduke boasted that it would be okay, but wasn’t it okay to use it freely?”

“…….”

I looked back at Wu Jiajin with a puzzled expression.

As I watched him smiling contentedly and wiping the sweat from his forehead, I was so shocked that I couldn’t speak.

‘This guy is the real deal.’

No matter how much I wanted to have a rematch with Geomhu, what could I do if I overused empty checks?

At times like these, I felt like a person who really had no plan.

Namgung-geum, who was standing in the back watching the conversation, cleared his throat loudly.

“So why did you bring me here?”

“There’s something I’d like to check.”

“Do you want to see my skills?”

Namgunggeum tilted her head.

He couldn’t quite understand the current situation.

You must be curious as to what they are going to do by bringing you, who has just escaped from prison and is far from being in perfect condition, to the training ground.

“It’s martial arts, it’s been evaluated by Warrior Wu, so there’s no need to look further.”

“if?”

“At what age did you enter martial arts?”

“Why are you asking that?”

“A little while ago, when I freed Master Namgung from his restraints, I unintentionally took a peek at his physical condition.”

“it’s okay. “There are many things that can happen in the process of solving fortune-telling.”

“It may be rude, but that’s what I was thinking. “He was able to overcome adverse conditions and reach this level.”

“…….”

Geomhu and Woo Ga-jin noticed and moved out of the way.

Out of the corner of my eye, I saw two people leaving the training hall, looked straight at Namgung-geum and said.

“You probably entered martial arts at a later age than others. Isn’t it?”

“It is as the manager said. My original intention was to study, not martial arts. “I’ve heard a lot of people say that I have a talent for using my body, but it took a very long time for me to put down my brush.”

“I expect you were introduced to martial arts until you were in your late teens or early twenties.”

“Exactly. “It wasn’t until I finished my training that I learned the basic techniques.”

“also. Not only were my muscles and bones stiff, but my blood vessels were also quite narrow. I think you must have had quite a hard time in the beginning of your training. “Wouldn’t the circulation of energy have been smooth?”

“yes. But we all got through it.”

It was an answer filled with pride.

I nodded once, confirming what he said.

Namgung-geum had already put one foot in the fireworks.

It was at a level where it wouldn’t be strange if he was ranked among the top 100 masters.

That’s why I felt sad.

If he had been introduced to martial arts at an earlier age, he would have achieved a much higher level than he is now.

“Actually, I have a talent that is quite useful.”

“……?”

“Since the warrior Namgung endured dishonor to help Cheonangambu, I would like to give him a light repayment.”

“What do you mean by repayment?”

“We will help you improve your constitution.”

“…!”

“Since you are a warrior who has already achieved a high level, that alone will have a great effect.”

“Is that possible?”

Namgung Geum’s eyebrows narrowed slightly.

It seemed like he didn’t really believe what I said.

“it’s possible. “You just have to trust me and entrust yourself to me.”

“what do you mean?”

“This means that the body must be restrained with points to prevent it from moving while the work is in progress.”

“…….”

“Of course, if you’re anxious, you can refuse. “I am only making a suggestion, and I have no intention of doing anything to Master Namgung by force.”

“I don’t know exactly what you’re trying to do, but I won’t hesitate if it helps promote martial arts.”

“Are you sure you’re okay?”

“If you were going to do harm, you would have done it while you were arrested and imprisoned. At the very least, I believe that the manager is not making this suggestion with malicious intent.”

“great. We will do our best to live up to that belief.”

I smiled and instructed Namgung Geum to sit cross-legged.

Then, they carefully measured the acupuncture points so that he could not move his body, and placed his hand on the Myeongmun acupuncture point.

The thinly condensed brain energy needle penetrated the bloodstream and into Namgung Geum’s body.

‘This is my first time improving my entire constitution.’

However, I wasn’t particularly worried.

This is work that has been done repeatedly to the point where it becomes tiresome.

There were no elements of concern, except that we had to be prepared for a long-term war.

I took a deep breath and muttered.

‘Let’s get started.’