Chapter 348
"Behind Nok-gi?"
Wei Yan-ho asked as if wondering what he was talking about.
"That's right."
"I don't really understand what you're saying. Actually, I'm someone who's never once been called clever in my entire life."
"Keung."
Usually even those who aren't clever wouldn't say such things with their own mouth.
"The more I investigate, the more certain I become. This isn't something Nok-gi could have done alone. Without someone behind him, he couldn't have pulled off something this big."
"Eh..."
Wei Yan-ho seemed to ponder, then looked at Jang-il. Using his brain wasn't his job.
"But Your Highness."
Perhaps understanding Wei Yan-ho's intention, Jang-il quickly picked up Lee Wang-ya's words.
"I'm sorry to say this, but didn't Nok-gi wield power that could make even flying birds fall until just two days ago? No matter how much trouble Wei Yan-ho caused, he had enough power to even bring down Your Highness. With that much power, what couldn't he do?"
"That's not it."
Lee Wang-ya shook his head.
"No matter how much power one has, there are limits to what can be done. Especially His Majesty's guards—they're not the type to bow to power. What would they lack that they'd choose Nok-gi over His Majesty?"
"Hmm..."
Jang-il nodded as if the prince's words made sense.
"So we need to keep some of those bastards alive for interrogation, but..."
When Lee Wang-ya looked at him with a dissatisfied expression, Wei Yan-ho answered blankly.
"Then you should have told me to keep them alive beforehand!"
"Did you think you'd kill them all in one strike! In one strike!"
"Keu, sorry. I should have held back a bit."
"Keueuung."
Lee Wang-ya turned his head away.
He knew very well that having a normal conversation with Wei Yan-ho was impossible.
"So for now we're capturing Nok-gi's subordinates and interrogating them... but whether these bastards really don't know anything or are keeping their mouths shut, nothing's coming out. It'll probably take some time. Those eunuch bastards are particularly tough..."
"What would come out of that? Don't needlessly torment innocent people."
"Hmm?"
Lee Wang-ya turned to look at Wei Yan-ho.
"Given Wang Goja's personality, he wouldn't have told anyone anything unless they were people he really trusted."
"Heuum, trusted ones..."
"So there's no point bothering those who aren't his close associates. Try his inner circle. You know, those guys. Nok Mok-pung or... ah, should I call him Baek Geom-yeong?"
"Hmm?"
Lee Wang-ya's eyes widened.
"What are you talking about? Nok Mok-pung is definitely that bastard Nok-gi's adopted son, but Baek Geom-yeong?"
"That Nok Mok-pung guy uses the name Baek Geom-yeong in the martial world."
Jang-il jumped up from his seat.
"Baek Geom-yeong? You mean the Baek Geom-yeong of Baek Geom Fortress?"
"Yeah."
"Baek Geom-yeong is Nok-gi's adopted son?"
"Yeah."
Everyone gaped with their mouths hanging open at Wei Yan-ho's casual words.
"Why are you only saying this now!"
"Did anyone ask?"
"Even if no one asks, that's the kind of thing you should mention on your own!"
"Why?"
"..."
Jang-il's eyes trembled.
'I don't know. I really don't know what this bastard thinks about while living.'
People usually get to know each other better the more they spend time together, but the more he knew Wei Yan-ho, the more incomprehensible he became.
"So..."
Lee Wang-ya sorted out the situation.
"The Baek Geom-yeong you saw in the martial world is the same person as Nok Mok-pung, Nok-gi's adopted son. Is that what you're saying?"
"Yes."
"It's hard to understand. Nok Mok-pung has an enormous build. With a body like that, it would be impossible to operate under a different identity, wouldn't it?"
"There's the Flesh Expansion Technique."
"Flesh Expansion Technique?"
"Your martial world connections are short. It's a martial art that enlarges the body. Master said that if you have the skill, you can expand several times over. From the first time I saw him, his qi flow was a bit strange, so I kept an eye on him."
"Are you certain?"
"He said so with his own mouth."
"..."
Lee Wang-ya's eyes widened.
"Baek Geom-yeong, Baek Geom-yeong... Then that means Baek Geom Fortress is connected to Nok-gi in some way."
"Probably."
"Indeed."
Lee Wang-ya nodded with a hardened expression.
Then Wei Jeong-han became restless.
"Your... Your Highness."
"Hmm?"
"Even if Baek Geom Fortress was involved in this matter, I hope it doesn't develop into saying that the martial world interfered with the Imperial Palace..."
"Insolent."
Lee Wang-ya began to emit an aura like frost.
"This matter concerns treason. If anyone is involved, they must pay the price for challenging the sacred Imperial authority, no matter who they are! Whoever it may be! If the martial world is entangled in this, the martial world too cannot remain safe!"
In an instant, Wei Jeong-han's face hardened.
The Demonic Cult was already causing headaches, and if relations with the Imperial family soured as well, the aftermath wouldn't be easy to handle. If he couldn't prevent such things despite being in the Imperial Palace...
"It doesn't really matter."
"Hmm?"
Wei Yan-ho spoke casually.
"Nok-gi is a Palace person, but just because Nok-gi plotted treason doesn't mean you'd capture and kill all Palace people. Even if Baek Geom Fortress was involved in this, innocent martial artists wouldn't get dragged into it. Otherwise it would be unfair."
Lee Wang-ya's cold gaze turned toward Wei Yan-ho. But Wei Yan-ho met that gaze with calm eyes.
"Hut."
Lee Wang-ya nodded.
"Of course. Martial artists are also His Majesty's subjects. It's my role to ensure no one suffers injustice. I stake my name so that such things won't happen."
At Lee Wang-ya's firm words, Wei Jeong-han finally let out a sigh of relief.
"Then what about Baek Geom Fortress?"
"We'll have to investigate. But we don't have the capacity right now."
"Is that all?"
"His Majesty has been neglecting too many things. Time is needed to stabilize the Imperial family and restore authority. Making external enemies would be a good method, but..."
Wei Jeong-han could guess what Lee Wang-ya's unfinished words were.
'They're not easy opponents.'
Whether the force that moved Nok-gi was Baek Geom Fortress or not, any force capable of such deeds couldn't possibly be weak. Subjugating such a force right now would clearly not be easy.
'Besides, it's not yet clearly established that it's Baek Geom Fortress... '
"Ah, that's right."
At that moment, Jang-il jumped up from his seat.
"Great Hero! That bastard, you know, that bastard!"
"Huh? That bastard?"
"That eunuch bastard! The one who attacked Green Forest."
"Ah!"
Wei Jeong-han jumped up from his seat.
"A eunuch?"
"You know, when we first met Your Highness, the eunuch we handed over. We told you he was from the Eastern Palace trying to attack Green Forest."
"That's right. At the time it seemed like nothing important, so I just put him in the underground prison..."
"The reason for attacking Green Forest is unclear. That bastard couldn't have done such a thing alone, so there must have been orders from Nok-gi. If we interrogate that bastard, something will come out."
"Hmm, understood. I'll keep that in mind."
Who would have thought that someone he considered a small fry and just locked up without particular measures would be useful like this? Lee Wang-ya thought that perhaps things could be resolved more easily than expected.
"Then let's leave such trivial matters aside and discuss the real business..."
Lee Wang-ya trailed off. Wei Jeong-han realized only then that he hadn't asked why Lee Wang-ya had come here.
"You said real business?"
"Mm."
Lee Wang-ya scratched the back of his head as if troubled.
"His Majesty wants to give Wei Yan-ho a reward."
"That's good news."
"Officially."
Suddenly, the atmosphere around them turned cold.
Officially.
'So that means... '
A picture began forming in Jang-il's mind.
Official meant gathering all the civil and military officials, and Wei Yan-ho going out there to formally observe proper etiquette...
"Absolutely not!"
Before the picture could fully form in his mind, the words burst from his mouth first.
"That bastard?"
Jang-il jumped up and pointed at Wei Yan-ho.
Then Lee Wang-ya made a sour expression and clicked his tongue.
"Of course! Of course it's a glorious thing. For a martial artist to officially receive praise from the Emperor hasn't happened since Founding Master Zhang Sanfeng in the past. It's truly a glorious thing, but!"
Jang-il clutched his stomach.
"My stomach... my stomach pain won't go away. If that bastard walks toward His Majesty in proper attire before all the civil and military officials, I'll die from a ruptured stomach."
Wei Jeong-han vigorously nodded in agreement.
"Even though he's my son, that's a bit..."
"It would be better not to do it."
"Honestly, it's the first time since Founding Master Zhang Sanfeng, but for it to be that bastard is also a bit..."
Lee Wang-ya sighed.
"How could I not understand your feelings? My heart is the same. But it's what His Majesty desires, so what can we do?"
"Why does he want that! He's already busy enough, he should just focus on state affairs!"
"He says that even though he's a ruler, if he doesn't show appreciation to his life's savior, how can he be called human or Son of Heaven..."
Lee Wang-ya shook his head.
"The words are right, so it's a bit difficult to oppose..."
The words are right.
The words are right, it's just that the person doesn't fit.
"Yan-ho, it seems you'll have to speak up."
"Yes?"
"Say you won't accept it. Just ask for an unofficial reward instead. It's just a needlessly troublesome affair."
"Eh..."
Wei Yan-ho's eyes sparkled.
"What does it mean to officially receive a reward?"
Lee Wang-ya clicked his tongue and said.
"It means it'll be recorded in the historical records."
"Oh?"
"Your achievements will be praised before all the civil and military officials, and His Majesty will personally bestow the reward. Then your name will be recorded in the historical records for the first time since True Man Sambong. A martial artist's name will appear in the historical records."
Wei Yan-ho tilted his head.
"Isn't that good?"
"No!"
Wei Jeong-han shouted.
"It seems like it would be fun."
"It's not fun! Absolutely not! Why don't you do things when you're supposed to because you find them bothersome, but get all motivated when it comes to things that could cause trouble! Don't do it!"
"Heh?"
There are such people in the world.
Those who must have eaten boiled tree frogs—the type who wants to do something more when told not to.
"I'll do it!"
"..."
"It seems like it'll be really fun."
Jang-il clutched his stomach. He felt a stabbing pain as if being poked with a large needle.
"Keu... Miss Jin, please save this beggar. The stress-induced stomach pain..."
Lee Wang-ya looked at Wei Yan-ho with a sour expression.
"Will you really do it? If you don't want to, I can petition His Majesty."
Lee Wang-ya was subtly pressuring him to refuse, but unfortunately, Wei Yan-ho was the type who couldn't understand indirect speech.
"Since His Majesty wants it, as His Majesty's subject, refusing would be improper. Hehe."
"Keueuung."
Lee Wang-ya had no choice but to nod.
"Can't be helped. Then preparations will be made soon..."
Lee Wang-ya looked at Wei Jeong-han and the others with murderous eyes.
"If there's even the slightest mistake, I'll hold you responsible. Make sure to supervise him properly so he absolutely doesn't cause any trouble! Absolutely!"
"Why are you putting this on us..."
"You have conversations with people."
Wei Jeong-han, having nothing to say, closed his mouth.
'What kind of mess is this, all because I raised one child wrong?'
His stomach began to ache with stabbing pains.