Before leaving Xinye County.
Cheon Woojin and the Beggars' Sect leader stopped by the nearby government office. Since it was a small city, the rank of the highest official who ruled this place was a seventh-rank county magistrate.
Of course, he was an official with quite a strong power, to the extent that there was no one to oppose him in the vicinity, but the person who had come to visit was the emperor's teacher, the Grand Tutor.
At the news of the Grand Tutor's visit, the county magistrate, who had been taking a nap, shot up as if his buttocks were on fire.
He prostrated himself on the ground before even asking for any reason. His political philosophy was that excessive obedience, although servile, would not cause great loss.
"Oh my! Grand Tutor, what brings you to such a humble place! If you had given me a hint in advance, I would have sent a golden carriage."
"...Get up."
Cheon Woojin said reluctantly. For Cheon Woojin, who had lived with martial artists all his life, the official's such behavior felt burdensome.
The county magistrate, who had received an order that was not an order, got up as if he had been bounced. How could he dare to disobey whose words?
"Yes, sir."
He put his hands together and waited for Cheon Woojin's words with sparkling eyes. A strong will to listen to whatever nonsense he uttered with all his heart was felt.
"There was a battle with the Thunderclap Gate."
"Huh! Are you hurt anywhere? These wicked guys! I will immediately release the government soldiers and track them down..."
"The battle here is already over."
Cheon Woojin, who had said so, explained the current situation.
The Thunderclap Gate, which had refused the Martial Alliance's mobilization order in the face of a war between the demonic and the righteous. Also, the word 'war between the demonic and the righteous' that had come out of his mouth.
The damage that the common people would suffer if they joined hands with the Demonic Cult, and the damage that had already occurred.
"Huh."
The county magistrate's expression became quite serious. In any case, as an official who ruled the people, he realized the seriousness of the matter.
It was just that his desire to look good to his superiors was strong, but he did not seem to be a fundamentally corrupt official.
"So, what should I do? If you give me your precious teachings, I will follow them as they are."
"There are injured people. Also, there will be those who have lost their homes due to this explosion. If you grasp the extent of the damage and report it to the Martial Alliance, we will take responsibility and compensate."
In any case, it was something that had happened due to the battle between the Martial Alliance and the Thunderclap Gate. Even if they were to receive compensation from the Thunderclap Gate later, it was a priority for the Martial Alliance to compensate for now.
At that, a deep furrow formed on the county magistrate's brow.
"Grand Tutor, it is a presumptuous thing to say, but if the explosives used by the Thunderclap Gate had flowed to the Demonic Cult, a much greater damage would have occurred nationwide. Therefore, I believe it is right for the country to take responsibility for the compensation of the victims."
Although it was also to look good to the Grand Tutor, the county magistrate sincerely thought so. The people had been struck by a bolt from the blue, so if the country did not soothe them, what was the point of the government's existence?
Of course, he did not forget to add a compliment.
"Oh, Grand Tutor, your heart that cares for the common people keeps making me cry."
The county magistrate rubbed his dry eyes hard and deliberately shed more tears. At that sight, Cheon Woojin asked as if he were bewildered.
"It's a matter of the martial world, so why is the country compensating?"
"Is there anyone among the victims who is not a citizen of this country? It is naturally the government's job. Please leave it to me, Grand Tutor. For your reference, this humble servant is Wang Wisam, the county magistrate of Xinye County. I have always respected you, Grand Tutor."
By this point, Cheon Woojin was confused whether the county magistrate was a truly excellent official or a man blinded by success.
Especially since he seemed to have come out after a long nap, the pillow marks were deeply left on his face, which made it even more so.
'In any case, it's a good thing that he will compensate the victims.'
If the government immediately looked after the people rather than going through the Alliance, the time it would take for the victims to be compensated would be much shorter.
"Then I have a favor to ask."
"I will uphold your words!"
The county magistrate became one with the ground again. He did not seem to care much even if his expensive silk clothes were covered in dirt.
The Beggars' Sect leader, who was watching this from the side, had a premonition that the county magistrate named Wang Wisam would suddenly rise to great success.
'He has no pride in front of power, but his judgment and actions are surprisingly fast. His gaze is also quite clear.'
She remembered the name Wang Wisam.
Although he was still young, if he could properly connect with the high-ranking officials of the imperial palace, he was the type to quickly rise to the position of a prefectural governor.
The prefectural governor was a high-ranking official of the fourth rank who ruled the largest administrative unit of the country, the prefecture, and it was the highest position that a person without a direct connection to the imperial palace could rise to with heavenly luck and skill.
Except for the provincial governor who supervised the province, he was the highest among the administrative officials, so his authority was hard to describe in words.
Cheon Woojin and the Beggars' Sect leader moved their steps, leaving the prostrated county magistrate behind. The information power of the Beggars' Sect and the Beggars' Sect had already grasped all the places that the Thunderclap Gate was using as temporary residences.
Suddenly, the Beggars' Sect leader said.
"Originally, if it's a matter involving martial artists, the officials are those who pretend not to know even if the people are harmed, but it's certainly different when the Grand Tutor speaks directly."
"Ahem."
Cheon Woojin let out an embarrassed cough.
At that sight, the Beggars' Sect leader smiled as if she were amused. It seemed that the position of the Grand Tutor and its authority were still awkward for him. Since he was a martial artist to the core, he thought that it might be difficult for him to get used to it for the rest of his life.
* * *
The two stood side by side in front of a cliff.
Their expressions were quite serious.
Below their feet, a huge city was spread wide.
Luoyang, a city of scholars, was a city whose scale was by no means small compared to Zhengzhou, the provincial capital of Henan.
"...They're really, really crazy. To think that they've installed thunderclap bombs throughout this big city."
The information of the Beggars' Sect and the Beggars' Sect matched exactly.
The Thunderclap Gate had temporarily settled in Luoyang, and in preparation for a possible situation, they had laid down enough thunderclap bombs to blow up the entire city.
In a word, it meant that they would take this huge city as a hostage.
Luoyang was one of the largest cities in the entire Central Plains. It was a place where scholars from all over the country stayed to prepare for the past, and naturally, a huge floating population was created, and a large commercial district developed.
If thunderclap bombs were to explode in a chain reaction in such a Luoyang, even Cheon Woojin would not be able to handle it.
While Cheon Woojin was looking at Luoyang, where the sunset was setting, the Beggars' Sect leader asked.
"What are you going to do?"
"Do you have a map of Luoyang?"
First, it was a priority to at least grasp the possible locations of the thunderclap bombs.
The Beggars' Sect leader answered with confidence.
"I do. There is a great map that covers all the detailed information about what buildings are where, who lives where with whom, and the living areas of the people."
"Oh."
As expected of the Beggars' Sect.
Cheon Woojin was quite impressed. He seemed to know why the Black Master had maintained a long relationship with the Beggars' Sect.
"Follow me."
The Beggars' Sect leader walked ahead with confidence. Her back seemed even more reliable today.
.
.
.
Cheon Woojin was dumbfounded.
The place where he had arrived, following the Beggars' Sect leader, was the government office of Luoyang.
The Beggars' Sect leader, who had received that bewildered gaze, burst out laughing and said.
"Why, when else would I get to use the power of the imperial family if not at a time like this? Of course, this is also the only place that has such a map."
Cheon Woojin let out a small sigh. The person in charge of this place was a prefectural governor. Especially the prefectural governor of Luoyang had a great authority. Due to the regional characteristics, he had a deep connection with the scholars, and since those who passed the past with the highest honors came out endlessly, it was a natural thing.
"What is the rank of the Grand Tutor?"
"I wonder. It's probably not clearly defined, right? Still, since he is the emperor's teacher, isn't he about the same as a grand scholar, who has a similar role, a fifth-rank official?"
"Then isn't the fourth-rank prefectural governor higher?"
Originally, officials disliked martial artists. Moreover, since he could not just push them with simple power, he did not know if he would obediently hand over the map. In any case, since the map with detailed information about the living areas and the people was no different from the power of the government.
The Beggars' Sect leader answered with a face that said, why are you asking such a thing?
"In the first place, what's so important about the rank?"
"What do you mean by that?"
"You'll know when you go in."
The Beggars' Sect leader, who had said so, transformed into the Grand Tutor's attendant and shouted at the gatekeepers of the government office.
"Come here!"
"..."
"Ahem, the Grand Tutor is on his way!"
At that, the gatekeepers were as surprised as if they had been struck by lightning.
It was not because of the position of the Grand Tutor.
A place like the government office of Luoyang had a rather high level of gatekeepers. It was to the point where they could be considered half-martial artists.
"If it's the Grand Tutor... E-Emotionless Guest!"
The two gatekeepers exchanged glances and then hurriedly approached. To them, the nickname 'Emotionless Guest' was more intense than the name 'Grand Tutor'.
"Great hero! What brings you here? I heard that the situation between the Martial Alliance and the Demonic Cult is not good recently..."
As expected, they were very interested in the martial world.
Cheon Woojin briefly explained the story related to the Thunderclap Gate. At that, the martial artist, whose expression had become serious, hurriedly nodded.
"I will deliver the message at once!"
One person ran in as if his feet were on fire.
At that sight, Cheon Woojin said as if to himself.
"The government soldiers of Luoyang seem to train hard. Their steps are quite light."
The ears of the martial artist who was running in perked up. He immediately stopped his steps and then bowed his head to Cheon Woojin with a moved expression.
"It is an honor, great hero!"
Then he ran in again. He would probably step up his movement technique training for a while. Of course, he would drink with his colleagues at night and talk about being praised by the Emotionless Guest as a side dish. It was a side dish that could be used for at least three months.
.
.
.
Soon, the martial artist ran out with even lighter steps than when he had gone in. Behind him, a fat, goat-bearded official was following, making even more of a fuss.
He had run so much that his forehead was already covered in sweat, and his hair was stuck to it.
"Grand Tutor! It is truly an honor that you have visited this humble place!"
Cheon Woojin thought it sounded like the greeting of a tavern waiter, but he could not bring himself to say it out loud.
"How can the government office of Luoyang be humble?"
"Huh! I-I'm sorry! That's not what I meant."
"..."
Cheon Woojin smacked his lips. Although he had been inwardly worried, the prefectural governor's attitude was not much different from the county magistrate's.
However, if there was one difference...
"Huh, so that's what happened."
His gaze was a little different after hearing the explanation.
Although the county magistrate had flattered the Grand Tutor, he had sincerely recognized the seriousness of the situation, but the prefectural governor had a strong look of having been caught up in a troublesome matter.
To rise to a position like a prefectural governor, he must have gone through all sorts of hardships. In that process, the emotions that were once hot would have worn out a lot, and originally, if you stayed in power for a long time, the world would naturally feel boring.
So Cheon Woojin decided to boost his will a little.
"I don't know where the Thunderclap Gate has installed the explosives, but this place is certain."
Saying so, he pointed at the map.
The prefectural governor's face, who had confirmed the tip of Cheon Woojin's finger, lost all its boredom.
It was because it was this very place, the government office of Luoyang.