The Miraculous Divorce Technique

Chapter 23

"Gaaah."

Tremble, tremble.

Jakdu clutched his broken arm and looked up at his opponent with fearful eyes.

The two men who had suddenly burst in and taken down his subordinates in an instant were incredible masters.

'Fuck, why are there so many damn masters in this world? Fucking master bastards...'

Though his mind was black with curses, his body knelt before the strong and bowed his head.

"Is it him?"

"Yes, sir. The scent of the tracking incense is coming from this man. He has clearly been in contact with the target."

Jin Mubaek answered Wang Wook's question.

They had wandered through the mountains, chasing Cheok Sagyeol, and had finally reached Jeonhahyeon.

'Did that cunning bastard, who confused the pursuit by touching animals in the mountains, let his guard down after coming down? To leave a trace twice.'

Wang Wook's teeth chattered when he thought of the time wasted bypassing the cliff and chasing the scent left on wild animals.

However, thanks to that, they were able to submit a proposal to improve the Thousand Li Tracking Incense to only work on humans, which was an achievement in itself.

The Thousand Li Tracking Incense currently used by the guards was a groundbreaking product, but since it had only been improved recently, there were many points to be supplemented.

"Tell me everything that happened with him, without leaving anything out. If you do, I will spare your life."

"Who are you talking about..."

"I'm talking about that man who was at the Pungryu Inn."

Wang Wook and Jin Mubaek had stopped by the inn before coming here and had confirmed the tracking incense scent coming from Ahwa, so they already knew a certain amount about Cheok Sagyeol.

Ahwa and Jakdu were the only ones in Jeonhahyeon who had come into contact with Cheok Sagyeol's hand.

Perhaps because Jin Mubaek had said he would spare his life, Jakdu began to spill everything without reservation.

Among the things he mentioned was Sa-wang.

"Hmm, so his saber has such characteristics."

The unusual shape, not of the Central Plains, and the unique wavy pattern on the blade would surely be a clue.

"But isn't it strange?"

Jin Mubaek, who felt something strange in Jakdu's words, opened his mouth.

Wang Wook also knew what his question was and nodded.

"It seems the man has a way to change his appearance. For a man who was only fifteen to look like he's in his mid-twenties. Moreover, a Buddhist disciple using a saber... In my entire life, this is the first time I've had such a hard time identifying a man."

Wang Wook shook his head from side to side.

"Let's go. We must hurry and chase him. If he stops by a big city and comes into contact with more people, the pursuit will become difficult."

He didn't know that revealing the Thousand Li Tracking Incense would become such a disaster.

As Wang Wook, with a coldly hardened expression, shot forward, Jin Mubaek followed behind him with a bitter face.

Their path was leading to Luoyang, where Cheok Sagyeol was.

* * *

Before the sunset.

Dusk was gradually descending upon the world.

"It's magnificent."

Cheok Sagyeol climbed a tree and looked down at the house of Prefectural Governor Lee Munjung.

The magnificent estate, which put a whale's back to shame, was so vast that it couldn't be taken in at a single glance.

"If it's that big, there must be a lot of servants, and a hell of a lot of spoons and chopsticks, hmm..."

The simplest method would probably be the ledger.

With a scale like that, a chief steward would be managing the household affairs.

But would it be that simple?

For a ledger to gain trust, the numbers had to be compared through a physical count.

"Should I just raid the Luoyang branch instead..."

Stealing the answer sheet that the Beggars' Sect had prepared would also be a method.

After all, they said everything except the use of force was allowed.

But on second thought, this also had an element of uncertainty.

If a competitor stole just one spoon, the answer sheet would no longer be an answer sheet.

Information is fluid, so timing must also be considered. That's probably why the condition 'after the hour of the monkey tomorrow' was attached.

"To lead the situation, do I have no choice but to become the main character?"

An hour later.

A person appeared at the main gate of Prefectural Governor Lee Munjung's house.

Wearing a yellow kasaya, he was an old monk with a wrinkled face.

The gatekeeper guarding the main gate asked the old monk.

"Monk, do you have a prior appointment?"

"Hoho. I was just passing by, so I couldn't give prior notice."

"What should I do? This is the Prefectural Governor's residence, so you cannot enter without a prior appointment."

"I was passing by here after a long time and wanted to see the Governor, but if that's the case, it can't be helped. Amitabha."

Seeing the old monk bow with a half-salute, the gatekeeper's eyes widened.

In the whole world, there was only one temple that performed a half-salute.

"By any chance, are you a monk from Shaolin?"

"Hohaha, that's right."

"Excuse me, but may I ask for your Buddhist name?"

"This humble monk is called Muheo."

"Hah! Grand Master Muheo!"

Even if the gatekeeper didn't have a foothold in the martial world, he couldn't not know of the Shaolin Temple in Henan.

Moreover, the person before him was a monk named Grand Master Muheo, whose fame was renowned throughout the world.

'Hehe, as expected, it works. Muheo is a complete psycho, but he's a high-ranking monk of the highest seniority in Shaolin.'

As Cheok Sagyeol gave a pleased smile, the gatekeeper asked him to wait a moment and sent word to the inner court.

Then, an old man with graying hair appeared.

"Oh, it really is Grand Master Muheo. Do you remember me? I am the Chief Steward, Yang Hong."

Yang Hong greeted Cheok Sagyeol with a clasped-hand salute.

'What, they knew each other?'

Cheok Sagyeol was startled but returned the greeting with a half-salute.

"It's been a long time. I hope you have been well, benefactor."

"You remember me, Grand Master. I only greeted you in passing when I went to offer prayers with my wife. Hohaha."

'You should have said so earlier, you bastard, making it awkward.'

Cheok Sagyeol smiled awkwardly, but on the outside, that smile looked incredibly warm.

"For you to remember me like this, Grand Master, this Yang is deeply moved. But what brings you to the Prefectural Governor's private residence?"

"As I was passing by, I felt an unusual energy flowing from this house, so I came."

"Unusual? What do you mean by that?"

"It doesn't seem to be a story to be shared here, Amitabha."

"Hmm... As it happens, the Prefectural Governor is also at his residence today, so I will ask for his permission. Please, come inside for now."

As Yang Hong offered to guide him, Cheok Sagyeol smiled with satisfaction.

'As expected of Shaolin. It has clout, at least in Henan. Hehe.'

As Cheok Sagyeol, who had been guided, waited in the guest hall, Yang Hong appeared with a middle-aged man in a silk robe.

He was the most powerful man in Luoyang, Prefectural Governor Lee Munjung.

"My name is Lee Munjung. It is a pleasure to meet a high-ranking monk of Shaolin."

"I am called Muheo. Amitabha."

After introducing themselves, they sat down, had tea, and began to talk.

"Grand Master, I heard you say that an unusual energy is flowing in my house. Could you please tell me in more detail?"

Lee Munjung asked with a worried face.

Since ancient times, powerful people were weak to such superstitions.

It was because a family could be ruined by backing the wrong horse once, and politics was always unstable because there were so many political enemies.

Cheok Sagyeol knew such physiology well.

"As this old monk was passing by, I saw that the demonic energy gathered around this house was unusually ominous. If this continues, you will not be able to avoid a disastrous fate, Governor."

How many people would not be shaken when an old, high-ranking monk says, 'You're going to die soon'?

Lee Munjung's eyeballs were also shaking uncontrollably.

"Grand Master, is there no way? For some reason, my dreams have been unsettling lately, and rumors slandering me have been incessant from here and there."

'I set the stage, and he's dancing on his own, attaching reasons.'

Out of anxiety, he was fitting in all the bad things that had happened recently.

"First, I think I need to look around the house. This old monk will examine what the source of the ominous energy is."

If he said the source was the spoons and chopsticks, he would be dumbfounded, but it would only be for a moment.

If he could soothe his anxious heart by disposing of a few inexpensive spoons and chopsticks, it would be more profitable for Lee Munjung.

STEP. STEP.

Cheok Sagyeol, guided by the Chief Steward Yang Hong, roamed around here and there.

If he brought up the spoons and chopsticks right away, it would arouse suspicion, so he was walking with the mind of taking a stroll.

How long had he walked?

The sun was setting, so it seemed it would be evening soon.

'Should I head to the kitchen soon?'

Cheok Sagyeol asked Yang Hong for guidance, and soon they arrived at the kitchen.

"Hoho. It's ominous, so ominous!"

At the same time, he added an appropriate ad-lib to set the mood.

"Grand Master, is there something here?"

"Yes. The source of the demonic energy is surely here. Namo Amitabha."

Hearing the answer, Yang Hong nodded his head.

"Please take good care of it, Grand Master."

"Hohaha, leave it to this old monk."

Cheok Sagyeol glanced around the kitchen and looked around. Then he started opening the drawers.

"I found it. Amitabha..."

Yang Hong looked into the drawer that Cheok Sagyeol was staring at.

"Grand Master, this is..."

"Yes. A demon has possessed the spoons and chopsticks. Has there been anyone suffering from a stomachache or an internal illness recently?"

'Of course, there would be. In a place with so many family members and servants, would there not be one or two such sick people?'

"There have been, Grand Master. I also had a sore stomach and indigestion."

"It seems the demon in the spoons and chopsticks has infiltrated the human body along with the food. A little might be fine, but over time, you would have suffered from a serious illness. Namo Amitabha."

Cheok Sagyeol ordered Yang Hong to gather all the spoons and chopsticks in the house.

The servants brought spoons and chopsticks packed in a box, and Cheok Sagyeol, after sealing it, wrote the Buddhist swastika (卍) character on it.

"This old monk has sealed the demon, but it is only a temporary measure."

"Then what should we do? Should we burn it?"

"No. If you do that, the demon will be released, and a greater disaster will befall you. This old monk will take it to the temple, send the demon to nirvana, and then incinerate it."

At Cheok Sagyeol's words, Yang Hong, as if he agreed, nodded his head repeatedly.

"And for the time being, you should not bring in any spoons and chopsticks. Another demon might attach itself."

"I will follow your words completely, Grand Master."

Having achieved his goal, Cheok Sagyeol headed back to the guest hall.

It was to say his final goodbyes to Lee Munjung and leave quickly.

He was waiting while drinking tea, and upon seeing the sealed box of spoons and chopsticks, he let out a short sigh.

"I really don't know how to thank you."

"Not at all. The Buddha led me here, so you don't have to. Hoho."

"Hahaha. I will surely repay the Buddha. And this is a small token of my sincerity for your long journey, so please accept it."

Lee Munjung held out a small box.

Cheok Sagyeol pretended to refuse out of courtesy but, as expected, accepted it.

'At this weight, it must be gold. The bastard must have been quite uneasy.'

He had received an excessive amount for a fortune-telling fee.

Now, all that was left was to leave while the other party was in a good mood.

"Then, this old monk will be on his way."

"No, Grand Master. It's late, so why don't you stay for one night? I will prepare a place for you to rest."

"It's alright. Even if it's sealed, it's not good for a demon to be in your house, Governor. I have already received enough of your sincerity, so it's fine."

'Of course. I received a gold ingot as a fee, so it's more than enough.'

He also felt a little guilty about the lie, so he wanted to leave quickly.

"It is truly fortunate to have met a true Buddhist disciple like you, Grand Master. But if I send you off like this, won't the people of the world curse me? Please leave when the sun rises tomorrow."

Lee Munjung came over and even held Cheok Sagyeol's hand as he spoke.

It was then, as Cheok Sagyeol was smiling awkwardly at the words 'true Buddhist disciple' and replying.

"Gaaaaaah!"

"Kyaaaaaak!"

The death throes of a man and a woman echoed in the night sky.

And the following words made Cheok Sagyeol, Yang Hong, and Lee Munjung turn their heads.

"Aaargh! It's a monster!"

'What? A monster?'

Cheok Sagyeol sensed the ominous atmosphere outside, and in his eyes, Lee Munjung came into view.

A gaze distinctly different from before was mixed in. 'Could it be suspicion?'

He had said that blessings would come after catching the demon, but if something strange happened, he would surely be suspected.

'Damn it.'

"Ahem. I-it seems there was another demon."

Cheok Sagyeol hurriedly ran outside.

'Things were going so well, which bastard ruined it? Fuck.'