I Prayed for a Murim Reincarnation, But I Was Born as the Youngest Imperial Prince - Chapter 35

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 35
“No, I suggested a martial duel, so why on earth are you calling the County Magistrate?”
“Aha! When the subjects of the Great Long Empire have a dispute, it is only right to settle it according to the state law. As a citizen, one should submit a petition to the County Magistrate and ask him to investigate, so what nonsense is a martial duel!”
Seonwu was left utterly speechless by Zhang Youji’s solemn shout.
No, what kind of bullshit is this?
But then again, does it actually make sense?
“Since when did the Wulin care so much about the government?”
“Aha! Aren’t we citizens of the Great Long Empire before we are Wulin martial artists? His Imperial Majesty established this nation upon this land with a new Mandate of Heaven and handed down the Grand Long Statutes. As citizens, it is only right that we follow them!”
As their master deployed “Inviting the County Magistrate”—the second form among the three forms of the Black Snake Ultimate Secret—the three disciples also responded enthusiastically.
“That is correct.”
“Though our Heuksa Sect is called an Unorthodox Faction, we still possess loyalty toward the state, so we will rightfully uphold the nation’s judgment.”
Except for the second disciple whose jaw was dislocated, both of them just threw out whatever words came to mind.
The one left dumbfounded was Seonwu.
No, what kind of sudden loyalty and nationalism is this from these Unorthodox Faction bastards who were trying to take someone else’s shop by force?
“What in the world is this…”
Whether Seonwu was dumbfounded or not, the constables entered first and shouted.
“Step aside! His Honor the County Magistrate arrives!”
Following behind them, a middle-aged man dressed in the official robes that only a County Magistrate could wear stepped forward.
Just by looking at him, it was clear that he was indeed the highest-ranking official in Sangdang County, a County Magistrate of the correct seventh rank.
‘If this were Joseon, he’d be around the level of a County Prefect or County Magistrate, who were called Satton.’
I heard that in Joseon, they were from the junior fifth rank to the correct sixth rank…
The County Magistrate of the Great Long Empire was of the correct seventh rank.
However, it was exactly the same in that he was the highest-ranking official in the county.
In other words, it was true that as a matter of principle, he was an existence possessing the legal authority to judge all disputes that arose within the county.
‘No, what in the world is this…’
The same impression kept coming up since a moment ago, but that was just how dumbfounded Seonwu felt.
‘Arriving so quickly after a shout means he was already nearby from the very beginning.’
That old master named Zhang Youji must have requested his presence and invited him in advance.
‘If they can settle us with force, they settle us with force…’
And if it seems like force won’t work, they drag in the government to use as a shield?
If His Honor the County Magistrate had made a wasted trip, they could just properly express their gratitude over a drinking session later.
If a situation arises where they need help, they receive it now and compensate him even more grandly later.
‘Ha, this is magnificent. As expected, even for an Unorthodox Faction Wulin martial artist, once they reach that age, they possess at least this level of resourcefulness.’
Seonwu was honestly impressed.
If he had been a truly ordinary young chivalrous Xia with no special identity of his own, he might have been blocked right here.
To put it conversely, it meant that the majesty of the government was still very much alive to that extent.
If the country were in chaos and a complete mess, an era where even the emperor’s majesty did not exist, who would give a damn about a mere County Magistrate?
“His Honor the County Magistrate, we thank you for making this precious trip.”
Zhang Youji bowed his head, and the Black Snake Sect disciples prostrated themselves on the ground.
“We greet His Honor the County Magistrate.”
The Munju and the three Bumunju brothers also bent their waists.
The constables looked at the stiff Seonwu and Dan Suyeong, then spoke up.
“Why do you two not show courtesy to His Honor the County Magistrate!”
At that moment, killing intent exploded from Dan Suyeong.
“How dare you!”
The constables froze at the killing intent, which felt as though it could genuinely lop off even the County Magistrate’s neck.
‘Uh-oh?’
‘E-even if they are a Jeoljeong Gosu, they shouldn’t be acting like this in front of His Honor the County Magistrate…’
“Junior disciple, stop.”
Dan Suyeong ceased immediately.
The County Magistrate also frowned as he looked at Seonwu.
It wasn’t because the martial artist relied solely on his own martial arts and failed to show courtesy to him, a County Magistrate.
‘Somehow, this feels…’
By any chance, if the opponent was truly someone who had no reason to show courtesy to him, then things would be troublesome.
‘I came here after being promised a generous reward by the old master, but is the opponent no ordinary Wulin martial artist?’
Of course, even for a County Magistrate like himself, it was difficult to speak down to a Jeoljeong Gosu.
It was more about showing mutual respect.
Only someone at the junior fifth rank, like a Prefect, could speak down to a Wulin Jeoljeong Gosu without any worries.
Even so, isn’t this opponent a bit too stiff?
The old master’s head is flexible today because he has a favor to ask, but the young man’s side is a bit severe, isn’t it?
Therefore, instead of becoming angry, he actually became slightly anxious.
“Haa, the state law. Yes, the state law is great. Since it has turned out this way, let us settle this by the state law. His Honor the County Magistrate, this Heuksa Sect recently disrupted Myeongwolru’s business to make it ruinous, and then attempted to extort it. Were you aware of this?”
“Ahem, I was not aware. However, as you know, the duty of a County Magistrate is to investigate a complaint when it is brought in. How could I possibly know everything that happens within the county in advance?”
“Well, that is true.”
Seonwu acknowledged that much as well.
It is unreasonable to expect a County Magistrate to know every single incident in advance before a lawsuit is filed.
Even in modern times, where there are far more civil servants and CCTV cameras everywhere, that is impossible.
‘Though I do find it suspicious whether the County Magistrate truly didn’t know.’
The Heuksa Sect and the magistrate seem to be in a close relationship where gifts are offered from time to time, so did he truly not know what these bastards were up to?
‘Then again, he might not have known the exact details.’
He might have known roughly, but simply turned a blind eye, thinking they would do it moderately.
It was difficult to look at it once and accurately discern just how deep the collusion ran.
“And from what I have gathered, Myeongwolru is not the first. I hear that even before this, the Heuksa Sect has taken and extorted several shops in this manner.”
“We are wronged, Your Honor.”
“That is so.”
“Ho, what exactly makes you feel wronged?”
The Heuksa Sect’s Munju pondered where to cut the tail.
His master provided the answer right away.
[During the current County Magistrate’s term, have you worked on anything else besides Myeongwolru?]
[We did take over one drapery shop, but that was because the shop owner fell into gambling and ruined himself.]
They hadn’t mobilized their martial force like they did with Myeongwolru.
They had merely given a few warning glares to the surrounding area when buying up the property that came out because the business went under, and purchased it cheaply.
[Then what about before the County Magistrate’s term?]
[If we go back that far, the number of cases does increase. But if we go that deep, would there even be proper evidence?]
[Hmm, very well. First, prostrate yourself and beg regarding the Myeongwolru matter.]
“It is true that we, these lowly ones, failed to properly manage the Myeongwolru matter. When we merely told our subordinates to buy it as cheaply as possible on their own, we should have considered that they might go beyond good bargaining and disrupt the shop’s business, but we failed to think of that.”
“Then it is correct that you all did wrong.”
The County Magistrate did not shield them even from that.
For one thing, he felt anxious about Seonwu’s true identity.
Setting that aside, even if an auditor came to look in the future, he had to leave behind a judgment that made sense to some degree.
“Ha, you simply didn’t know?”
At Seonwu’s single remark, the County Magistrate hurriedly added his words.
“Furthermore, it is hard to believe that you all, who have not just been here for a day or two, truly had no thoughts about this. Speak the truth.”
“Looking back, the truth is that we only thought of profit and failed to consider morality. It is not that we were unaware of our subordinates’ rough nature, and somewhere in a corner of our hearts, we knew they might use harsh means to excessively cut the price, yet we pretended not to know.”
“Now you make a confession.”
‘Confession, my foot.’
Seonwu snorted.
It was a cleverly worded statement that diluted the matter while seemingly admitting to it.
“Then you did wrong regarding the Myeongwolru matter. Do you admit it?”
“We admit it.”
“However, even if the Heuksa Sect did wrong, the owner of Myeongwolru and you two who represent him should have rightfully come to the government office to file a lawsuit. Why did you use private force to engage in a fight?”
Seonwu smiled at the County Magistrate’s words.
‘Well, it is a sound argument.’
“Lord County Magistrate, we possess evidence, but before those people see it, we would like to show it to you alone separately for a brief moment.”
“What kind of evidence is it that…”
“Please take a look at it with us inside there for a moment.”
Zhang Youji stared at Seonwu.
‘Is that fellow trying to bribe the County Magistrate?’
“Your Honor, a trial must be conducted where everyone can see. Evidence that must be shown in secret is highly strange.”
“Hrmm.”
Seonwu immediately sent a Sound Transmission to the County Magistrate.
[Hey, shut up and move quickly. Our rank is higher than yours, you know? Shall I have you stripped of your position as well?]
The County Magistrate froze at Seonwu’s Sound Transmission.
‘I knew something felt uneasy!’
[W-where did you come from?]
[With so many eyes watching, you want to know now? I am currently on a secret mission, so why don’t you move while I am still being lenient?]
“Ahem, the authenticity of the evidence is for this magistrate to judge, so there is nothing wrong with taking a brief look at it separately first. I shall step away for a moment.”
Seonwu, Dan Suyeong, and the County Magistrate disappeared into an empty room belonging temporarily to the Heuksa Sect.
Seonwu deployed an Energy Barrier to block the sound between the inside and the outside.
The County Magistrate of Sangdang County rolled his eyes around nervously as he looked at Seonwu.
“Just where did you come from that…”
Without a word, Seonwu pulled out a Gold Medallion engraved with a three-clawed dragon from his chest.
“The G-Golden Dragon Guard!”
It was the second fake identity Seonwu had prepared.
‘It’s a good thing I made this one too.’
Though he was going out into the Wulin to play as a martial artist, he did think that just in case, a situation where he got entangled with the government might occur.
However, if he revealed himself to be a prince every single time, it would cause a massive uproar, and rumors would spread quickly, meaning his Wulin travels would end right there.
Even so, what would he do at a moment that was difficult to resolve solely as a martial artist of a mysterious sect?
The fruit of that deliberation was the Gold Medallion he held now.
The status of a Golden Dragon Guard.
Since the qualification for a guard of the Golden Dragon Guard would be that of a Jeoljeong Gosu, it was the perfect camouflage identity.
And a Golden Dragon Guard was inherently of the junior fifth rank.
In short, from the perspective of a correct seventh-rank County Magistrate, he was simply outranked.
Was that all?
In fact, due to the nature of the Golden Dragon Guard serving closely to the Emperor, if they came out after receiving a mission like a secret inspection, even a Prefect of the correct fifth rank—who was one rank higher—would instead have to walk on eggshells around the Golden Dragon Guard.
It was the same principle as how a manager from the audit office directly under the CEO sometimes carried more weight than a director of an ordinary department.
“We are currently on a secret reconnaissance mission by the Emperor’s decree, so those crowds outside must absolutely never learn of our identity.”
“Of course, it shall be so. Officer Guard.”
The County Magistrate bent his waist very flexibly.
“Though inspecting whether the County Magistrate has governed the county properly was not the primary task of this mission…”
The County Magistrate understood the underlying meaning perfectly.
There was no law stopping someone from writing and submitting a separate report on what they saw while passing through.
If a report went up stating that the County Magistrate of Sangdang County colluded with a local Unorthodox Faction like the Heuksa Sect to extort the common people, causing widespread resentment, his official career would be over.
Receiving a low performance evaluation would be considered light; it could go beyond dismissal all the way to exile.
Various scenarios flashed through his mind.
“What is it that I should do?”
“Hmm, let’s see. What should a County Magistrate do? First, if you have anything to say, speak up. Were you truly unaware that the Heuksa Sect was acting in such a manner?”
“This lowly one was incompetent, and merely considered the Heuksa Sect to be an Unorthodox Faction that at least did not cause major trouble.”
“Hmm.”
Seonwu understood that statement as well.
According to the report from the Branch Leader disguised as the owner of Myeongwolru, the Heuksa Sect’s execution of such operations was strictly a rare occurrence, targeted only at transients.
‘Meaning they didn’t cause conflicts with the major local Xiangzu families, nor did they evoke widespread resentment by extorting excessive protection fees from the locals.’
The population of the county is ninety thousand.
An entire family of transients being ruined is everything to the parties involved, but from the perspective of someone governing the county, if a lawsuit doesn’t come in, it’s something he might genuinely not know.
Since he himself, who had received the entire Henan Province as his fiefdom, did not possess a complete grasp of every single administrative detail in Henan Province right now.
“You received gifts, didn’t you?”
“At a customary level…”
“So it wasn’t to the extent of a bribe?”
“I never turned a blind eye to great evils after receiving excessively. Please believe me.”
It was something that would come to light quickly if investigated, but Seonwu judged that the County Magistrate was not lying.
It wasn’t a mere hunch; it was based on observing and sensing the flow and fluctuations of the opponent’s Qi, so it was bound to be mostly accurate.
Though, of course, he would still have it investigated one more time.
While one might argue whether a bribe or a gift wasn’t ultimately the same thing, Seonwu possessed a high level of understanding regarding this era.
‘Because what I read all the time were novels set in this era.’
Of course, the majority of wuxia novels didn’t handle such details as meticulously as alternate history novels, but because he had read so many, there were some wuxia novels that came close to alternate histories, and thus he knew a thing or two.
“I can understand that you didn’t know, but leaving it abandoned even after finding out is unacceptable.”
“I shall keep that deeply in mind.”
The fate of the Heuksa Sect was decided.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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