The Miraculous Divorce Technique

Chapter 28

An hour later.

"Have you found out?"

Wang Wook asked Jin Mubaek, who had entered the inn.

After leaving Lee Munjung's private residence, they had each handled the information they were in charge of and met again here.

Jin Mubaek had been looking into why Grand Master Muheo had mentioned spoons and chopsticks at Lee Munjung's private residence.

"It is definitely related to the Beggars' Sect."

Jin Mubaek had investigated the background of the spoon and chopstick incident, starting from the rumors in the marketplace and even visiting private gambling dens.

"The Beggars' Sect? What do you mean by that?"

"It is said that there was a recruitment for intelligence agents at the Beggars' Sect's Luoyang branch recently. In that process, it was confirmed that the number of spoons and chopsticks in the Prefectural Governor's private residence came up as one of the practical test assignments."

"Is the source of the information reliable?"

"Yes, sir. Also, it is said that the recruitment was led by the branch leader, the Golden Beggar. For your reference, the Golden Beggar is one of the Four Eccentrics, along with the Drunken Buddha."

"But why did the Drunken Buddha step in for something led by the Golden Beggar?"

"Your subordinate could not find out the reason for that either. Perhaps... he was just trying to play a prank?"

They were called the Four Eccentrics because they went around doing all sorts of strange things.

They were not the type to refrain from playing pranks just because it was an official event of another sect.

Wang Wook pressed his temples and sighed.

"In all my life, this is the first time I've seen such a good-for-nothing monk..."

At Wang Wook's lament, Jin Mubaek carefully continued.

"In your subordinate's opinion, I suspect that he has fallen into qi deviation and has a mental illness, or has dementia. That's why Shaolin is hiding the fact, isn't it?"

Jin Mubaek had said it, suspecting that if the highest elder of their sect had such a condition, they might hide it.

Either way, it would be a disgrace to the sect.

"Jin Mubaek, have you ever heard of a martial arts master of the righteous faction who has fallen into qi deviation or has dementia?"

Jin Mubaek contemplated for a moment and then answered.

"I know that the probability of falling into qi deviation is low for the orthodox internal energy of the profound school, but it is not entirely non-existent. In the martial world history of the Embroidered Uniform Guard's library, there are also records of cases where masters of the past Nine Sects and One Gang fell into qi deviation and became public enemies of the martial world. And I learned from the Imperial Medical Office that the incidence of dementia is similar for martial arts masters and ordinary people."

"You know well. Then what if we limit it to the masters of Shaolin, not the righteous faction?"

"Isn't Shaolin also a part of the righteous faction, so wouldn't it be the same?"

At Jin Mubaek's words, Wang Wook shook his head.

"Shaolin is different. Strictly speaking, the orthodox profound school can find its roots in the Daoist school. But Shaolin is of the orthodox Buddhist school, and based on the Lankavatara Sutra transmitted by Bodhidharma, the internal energy cultivation method itself is like the Buddha's sermon. That's why all of the Buddhist internal energy cultivation methods have the function of subduing demons and extinguishing evil. And from what this office has investigated, there have been no internal energy masters of Shaolin who have fallen into qi deviation or have dementia. This is top-class information analyzed by guards of the White Tiger level and above through the Heavenly Crown Martial Arts Tournament for the past two hundred years."

"...!"

Jin Mubaek couldn't help but be surprised.

It was because Wang Wook's theory was something he had never heard anywhere.

"The reason the imperial family watches the martial world is partly because they covet their military power, and also because a transcendent divine being sometimes appears among them. But you should know that it is also because they have an infinite potential that even they themselves do not know, as I just said."

"...I see. I have been looking at only fragmentary things until now. But why on earth does Grand Master Muheo commit such eccentric acts? Even though his mind is sound."

Wang Wook sighed and dismissed it.

"It must be his nature. He was born that way. I don't understand how he mastered the martial arts of the orthodox Buddhist school with such a temperament, but there is no other way to explain it."

Wang Wook patted Jin Mubaek's shoulder and got up from his seat.

"Let's go. Let's go and see if he was born a madman or if he went mad by hitting his head on a beam."

"Yes, I will follow you."

Jin Mubaek got up, following Wang Wook.

The destination they were heading for was the Beggars' Sect's Luoyang branch.

* * *

"What did you just say?"

Cheok Sagyeol glared at Baili Huang, who was in Geumgae's body, as they had a private meeting.

The conversation they hadn't finished last time. In other words, his anger had flared up while they were discussing their future course of action.

"As I just said, I don't want to openly go to the Baili family and catch him."

"So why don't you want to! Just like that bastard did, you can pretend to be Geumgae, create a private meeting, and then beat him up."

Cheok Sagyeol, frustrated, pounded his chest and sighed.

"If I do that, it might be revealed that he and I have swapped bodies, don't you think? I don't want that."

"Aren't the Baili family and the Beggars' Sect both part of the Eui-cheon Alliance? If it becomes known that that bastard swapped bodies with sorcery, the righteous faction martial sects will side with you, so what's the problem?"

'The situation is different from me and Muheo.'

'At least the two of them are within the bounds of the righteous faction.'

So if Baili Huang claimed to be himself, he could prove himself with past memories, actions, and habits.

'Hah... if it were the same for me, I would go to the main base right now and shout, 'I am the Blood Fiend, Cheok Sagyeol,' but if I did that, the elders would probably try to beat me to death with a single palm.'

Cheok Sagyeol had learned on this occasion that excessive loyalty could also be a problem.

But it seemed Baili Huang also had a problem, as his mouth opened.

"Do you know what I'm called in the martial world now? To be precise, it's me after the body swap."

"What are you called?"

"The number one divine dragon of Gangdong. I found out that he recently used sword energy with my body."

"What, that bastard was originally a peak master, so it's possible. What's more important for sword energy is enlightenment."

Since it was a famous martial family, they would have many elixirs, so they would have been able to match the level of internal energy.

But enlightenment was not something that could be easily obtained.

"Phew..."

Baili Huang sighed as if the ground would collapse.

'Ugh, this frustrating bastard. I'm the one who's getting frustrated.'

As Cheok Sagyeol frowned as much as he could, Baili Huang continued.

"As the heir to the unified martial family of the Baili and Danmok families, and a rising star of Gangdong who reached the peak master level at the age of fifteen. Thanks to that reputation, it is said that the support for joining as a subordinate from numerous small and medium-sized sects is increasing, starting with a huge investment from the upper echelons. They see me and think that the Baili family will surpass the Namgung family and become the hegemon of Gangdong in the future."

"So?"

"What do you mean, so? What do you think will happen if the fact that our bodies have been swapped is revealed in that situation?"

"It will all become as if it never happened."

"Yes, that's... no, is that something to answer so easily?"

'Aren't you talking too easily because it's someone else's business...'

"It's easy, what's so difficult about it? From what you're saying, you want to return to your original state while maintaining the current situation. In a word, you're a guy who's not skilled enough right now, so you need time to build up your skills, right?"

"...Yes."

"Hey, Baili brat. If you return to your original state without anyone knowing, do you think you can hide your skills until you become a peak master? No, did you think you could become a peak master by hiding and building up your skills? Is a peak master that easy?"

"..."

Baili Huang did not answer.

It was because he had not thought as far as the part Cheok Sagyeol had pointed out.

"Listen carefully. A peak master is not just a title; it refers to a martial artist who has reached the peak in mind, spirit, and body. Do you think that Geumgae, even if he was lucky with his fortune, never had a fierce struggle to stand at the top of the upper echelons? He may have borrowed the power of elixirs, but the reason he was able to form sword energy was because he had such experience. But to build up power while hiding oneself and deceiving others? It's absurd."

At the words that hit him where it hurt, Baili Huang did not dare to retort.

"If you understand, you're going to the Baili family with this one tomorrow. Do you understand?"

"..."

"Why aren't you answering!?"

'This fucking sweet potato bastard.'

'Why is a man so frustrating?' Cheok Sagyeol felt like he wanted to see the parents who had raised this one.

"Excuse me... Mr. Jeokun."

"What?"

"My father. If he finds out the truth, he might turn a blind eye even if he knows I'm his son. No, he might shout that that man is his son and that it's absurd."

"He would do that even if he knew? Why? Is it because of power?"

There is a saying that power is not shared even between parent and child.

"Originally, the Baili and Danmok families were the same family if you go back a long time. At first, they were in the position of a main family and a branch family, and as time passed, they became martial families with different surnames. That's why my father wanted to combine forces with the Danmok family somehow, and after a long effort, he succeeded in arranging the marriage between the two families. You wouldn't know the extent of my father's obsession, Mr. Jeokun..."

Cheok Sagyeol picked up the tea in front of him and drank it in one gulp.

It was because he felt like he would get angry if he listened any further.

'Anyway, I can't get used to the righteous faction being so sneaky. What? He might abandon his son for the sake of the family? Geez...'

'What's the use of the family's power growing and becoming the number one family in the world?'

Cheok Sagyeol really couldn't understand.

"Hey, Baili brat."

"Yes, Mr. Jeokun."

"Alright. The frontal assault is canceled. Let's work quietly as you suggested."

"...Thank you."

Baili Huang bowed his head and expressed his gratitude.

"But! You're going to have to receive some training from this one starting today."

"What? Training?"

"Yes, you bastard. If you're weak, you should think about getting stronger, not about buying time or whatever. Come to think of it, you were sleeping when you first met this one, right? You weakling, can you sleep? Can you sleep? And you're talking about sword energy and what not? Ugh, you frustrating fool."

"..."

Baili Huang's face turned red as he bowed his head.

It was Baili Huang, who had been bowing his head a lot since meeting Cheok Sagyeol.

"Baili brat. This one will take responsibility and make you draw out your sword energy. Follow me with the determination to die, you understand!?"

"Yes, yes! Mr. Jeokun!"

Although Baili Huang answered with a bright face, Cheok Sagyeol's inner thoughts were different.

'Well, this one might check the Namgung family when he grows up later.'

Of course, it was just a possibility, and he didn't really think it would happen.

Because even if the frustrating one in front of him grew up, he would just be a puppy in front of a tiger.

But he would be able to hang around by his side.

KNOCK. KNOCK. KNOCK.

At that moment, a knocking sound was heard from outside the door.

Then, a middle-aged beggar opened the door and entered.

"Branch Leader. It's Jindeokgae."

He was the leader of the Uigidang, one of the public recruitment examiners.

"What is it?"

"I came because there are people who want to see you, Branch Leader."

"Who is it that the Hall Leader himself has come?"

"They are Embroidered Uniform Guard guards. They have been identified as White Tiger Wang Wook and Guard Jin Mubaek."

Hearing Jindeokgae's words, Cheok Sagyeol smirked inwardly.

'Oh, they've chased me this far? It seems the Thousand Li Tracking Incense got on me when I grabbed Baili Huang's neck.'

He could roughly guess.

After shaking them off at the cliff, they must have wandered here and there, following only the Thousand Li Tracking Incense, and ended up here.

Cheok Sagyeol smiled lightly and said to Baili Huang.

"Please let them in. How can we make people who are doing the country's work wait?"

At those words, Baili Huang looked at Jindeokgae and nodded his head.

And as Jindeokgae went out to guide the guests, he asked Cheok Sagyeol.

"Is it by any chance related to you, Mr. Jeokun?"

"You seem to have some sense for a foolishly frustrating guy."

"What is it?"

"You don't need to know the details. When you meet them, just tell them that Grand Master Muheo has left with his disciple."

"What if they ask for the destination?"

"Tell them he went on a trip to the Kunlun Mountains. Hehe."

"..."

Although Baili Huang didn't know what was going on, he felt that the Embroidered Uniform Guard guards were pitiful.

Cheok Sagyeol giggled and gave a wicked smile.

'As expected, it was a good thing I worked on the Falcon Courier Guild. Hehe.'

The Falcon Courier Guild he had visited the day before the announcement of the successful candidates.

At that time, he had sent carrier pigeons randomly to various places in Qinghai Province.

Of course, after rubbing the carrier pigeons with his hands that had the Thousand Li Tracking Incense on them.