My Younger Siblings Are the Greatest Masters in the World - Chapter 26

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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26.

 

They had thought he was just a greenhorn who came down through connections with the Magistrate, but he turned out to be a real Government Official with proper martial prowess.

 

After Seol Mujin passed by, the constable who had first brought up the topic opened his mouth.

 

“From what I hear from the Investigation Office, Chief Investigator Gwak really cherishes Captain Seol. They say half of all the cases they’ve solved together so far were handled by Captain Seol?”

 

“He’s good at both fighting and investigating?”

 

“In my opinion, Captain Seol isn’t a greenhorn who came down through connections with the Magistrate, but someone who was brought here because of his skills. Maybe he’s from a Murim family?”

 

“Come on! Would a Martial Artist become a Government Official?”

 

“If he has connections with the Magistrate, it’s possible. Temporarily, until the Magistrate establishes his position.”

 

“Now I’m too scared to even gossip about Captain Seol.”

 

With his higher rank and overwhelming martial prowess, they had no room to challenge him.

 

“I heard Captain Seol said he’d fire the constables who just watched the Thugs fight?”

 

“Come on, no matter what, could a captain really go that far?”

 

The constables didn’t believe it, but the next day six men lost their positions as constables.

 

The reason for dismissal was dereliction of duty, just as Seol Mujin had said.

 

Now no one could say that Seol Mujin was the Magistrate’s adopted son or that he got the captain position because he was favored.

 

Seol Mujin silently carried out his work regardless of what people around him said.

 

Though this had started because Hwa Seonhwa wanted it, he began to think that being a Government Official was quite worthwhile.

 

Especially during investigations, there was much to learn.

 

While finding evidence and interrogating people, he gradually became able to tell whether suspects were lying or telling the truth.

 

Gwak Nogun gladly gave Seol Mujin the title of genius for distinguishing between truth and falsehood.

 

Seol Mujin was better at detecting suspects’ lies than Gwak Nogun, who had been an investigator for twenty years.

 

For Seol Mujin, it wasn’t particularly difficult.

 

Trembling speech, wavering eyes, sweat on the forehead, the sound of heartbeats.

 

All of these became evidence that allowed Seol Mujin to judge truth from falsehood.

 

After arresting two robbers and putting them in Prison, he received a summons from Go Bongsu.

 

When he went to the Magistrate’s Office, four people were gathered there.

 

“Now you catch criminals well even by yourself.”

 

Gwak Nogun’s expression was pleased as he said those words.

 

“It’s thanks to Chief Investigator Gwak.”

 

“Sit over there.”

 

Seol Mujin settled into the empty Chair that Go Bongsu pointed to.

 

From the atmosphere, it seemed the topic was serious.

 

“Secretary Seo just brought important information. Tell him about it.”

 

Seo Unsang, who bowed his head briefly, spoke to Seol Mujin.

 

“The Personnel Department staff and Government Officials who were stripped of their positions are planning to assassinate the Magistrate.”

 

“What? They’re fearless enough to attempt such a thing?”

 

“Various discussions seem to have taken place among them. They might do it themselves or hire assassins, but we haven’t found out the detailed method yet.”

 

Gwak Nogun said.

 

“There must be sympathizers within the government office as well.”

 

Since they couldn’t receive bribes anymore, the government officials’ dissatisfaction was rampant.

 

In that sense, Go Bongsu felt somewhat wronged.

 

The biggest reason for firing Clerk Yi was that he had made himself look like a fool, but his true intentions were distorted and he ended up becoming an upright official.

 

Since he couldn’t tell the truth due to his pride, he was suffering alone inside.

 

On top of that, news of an assassination plot against him had reached his ears.

 

“So I’m thinking of making preemptive arrests.”

 

At Gwak Nogun’s words, Seol Mujin asked.

 

“On what charges?”

 

“Conspiracy to commit murder.”

 

“Without evidence, they’ll be released quickly, won’t they?”

 

“At least it would make them cower.”

 

“The lesson I learned from past events is that weeds must be pulled out by the roots. And all at once.”

 

“But we can’t just wait until those bastards actually carry it out. I can’t guarantee the magistrate’s safety completely.”

 

A thought occurred to Seol Mujin.

 

“What if you could guarantee it?”

 

“How?”

 

“It seems like having a skilled bodyguard would work?”

 

“Where would we find such a bodyguard?”

 

***

 

The triplets, who were eating the rice cakes Seol Mujin had bought, were startled.

 

“You want us to guard that magistrate fellow?”

 

“Calling the magistrate ‘fellow’ is a bit…”

 

“To us, even the emperor is just a fellow.”

 

Well, if the triplets say so, then so be it.

 

Seol Changho asked.

 

“Until when?”

 

“Until the culprits are caught.”

 

“That long?”

 

“We need to make sure it doesn’t last long.”

 

“How?”

 

“Since they’re already preparing, won’t they try something if the magistrate shows an opening?”

 

Seol Changho nodded.

 

“Show an opening to lure them in? Not a bad idea.”

 

“It’s big brother’s idea, so of course it’s not bad.”

 

“The problem is that you need to make sure other people don’t see you using martial arts…”

 

“Don’t worry about that. With a stone the size of a thumbnail, I can kill someone from ten jang away.”

 

When Seol Mantong said “I can do twenty jang,” Seol Ryeoseon extended the distance saying “Then I can do thirty jang.”

 

“Don’t kill them all. We need to leave someone alive to confess to the crime.”

 

“Got it. Just tell me the Magistrate’s schedule and route.”

 

***

 

“You’re saying to give them an opportunity? Then I’ll need to go out frequently after work. The only place I know is Yeonji-ru…”

 

Go Bongsu trailed off and glanced at Seol Mujin.

 

“If I go to the pleasure house every day, what will the people think…”

 

“Is that so?”

 

Seol Mujin, who had been thinking deeply, spoke.

 

“Actually, that would be better. If we give them clear information, the enemy will move faster.”

 

“Hmm! Then we’ll go to Yeonji-ru every day after work?”

 

Bang Donguk said.

 

“You’re under assassination threat, but why do you look so pleased, sir?”

 

***

 

The Daeung Gang and Iron Gate Gang were in a state of emergency.

 

They had been fighting like enemies over Yeongun Road, but all the gang members who were brawling had been captured by the Government Office.

 

It was like two wolves fighting over the vacant spot left by the Wangho Gang getting bitten by a tiger.

 

With ten elite members captured in an instant, they could be attacked by other Black Society groups if they weren’t careful.

 

Most of the Government Soldiers they had been managing with bribes were dismissed, and even when they tried to pull strings with friendly officials, it had no effect.

 

“It’s not my jurisdiction. The person who arrested them is Squad Leader Seol.”

 

“Who is that?”

 

“He’s favored by the Magistrate. So much so that people call him his adopted son.”

 

“Please help us out.”

 

The Daeung Gang Leader and Iron Gate Gang Leader, who had been fighting like enemies, came to find Seol Mujin shoulder to shoulder like friends.

 

Seol Mujin met them at Yeonji-ru.

 

The two Gang Leaders were flustered when they saw Seol Mujin in his official robes.

 

He was a young man with soft down under his nose, looking like a courtesan’s brother.

 

This kid is a Squad Leader?

 

This kid beat up twenty thugs?

 

They thought the official who helped them had made some mistake or was deceiving them.

 

Food was brought into the room, filling the table to overflowing, with plates even stacked on top of bowls.

 

Of course, the two Black Society groups had to pay the cost.

 

Fortunately, he didn’t call for any courtesans.

 

Though it was time for the alcohol to make its first round, looking at Seol Mujin’s face, a harmonious atmosphere seemed unlikely.

 

“You wanted to meet me?”

 

Daeung Gang Leader Bang Taeseun opened his mouth.

 

“It’s about you arresting our boys.”

 

At best, he was young enough to be his son, and thinking he needed to suppress his momentum, he chose to speak down to him.

 

“Your words are rather short?”

 

Huh?

 

“A mere Black Society thug speaks informally to a government official? It seems the Iron Gate Gang wants to shut down?”

 

The flustered Iron Gate Gang leader Gang Suyang said.

 

“This person isn’t from the Iron Gate Gang, but Bang Taeseun, the leader of the Daeung Gang.”

 

“Is that so?”

 

“Hmph! My apologies. Magistrate Seol looked so young that I made a mistake.”

 

Seol Mujin didn’t pursue that matter any further.

 

“What’s the business you wanted to meet me about?”

 

Still, he didn’t take back the words he had already spoken.

 

“Aren’t the government and Black Society like teeth and gums? There’s no need to be so hostile.”

 

Seol Mujin stared at Gang Suyang who had spoken and said.

 

“That’s not an answer to my question though?”

 

He had tried to sweet-talk and create an opening, but Seol Mujin didn’t show even a needle-point sized gap.

 

So he had no choice but to get straight to the point.

 

“About the guys who got arrested this time. Isn’t it an unwritten rule that the government doesn’t interfere in fights between Black Society groups?”

 

“I don’t want to care whether the Black Society fights or not either. But innocent people get hurt in the process. Do you know how many people were injured in this fight? What about the property damage they suffered? You should kill each other among yourselves, so why harm innocent people?”

 

“The fight got intense and we unintentionally made a mistake…”

 

“A mistake is stepping on someone’s foot in a crowded market, or buying pork belly with five layers instead of three. What you did was just a crime. Arresting criminals is a government official’s duty.”

 

Gang Suyang said.

 

“That’s why we came to resolve this. What good would it do to let the guys rot in prison?”

 

“Let me hear this solution of yours.”

 

“We’ll compensate for the damage the innocent people suffered.”

 

“Just that damage?”

 

“Pardon?”

 

“What about the damage to the government? Catching those bastards, feeding them, housing them – it all costs money.”

 

Originally, that’s what the government office exists to do.

 

But mentioning those costs could only mean one thing.

 

The quick-witted Gang Suyang hastily said.

 

“Of course we should handle those costs too.”

 

Seol Mujin suddenly stood up.

 

“The business is finished.”

 

“What? It seems like there’s still a lot left…”

 

“There’s someone named Yeon Seobi at Yeonji-ru. Leave an envelope with her by tomorrow. I’ll decide after seeing the contents.”

 

Seol Mujin said “Please boost the sales here quite a bit” and left the room.

 

He had to release the arrested thugs soon anyway.

 

At most they’d get a few beatings with a stick and be released with a warning, but thankfully(?) the Black Society came looking first.

 

Seol Mujin went to find Yeon Seobi and told her that someone would leave an envelope with her.

 

“Who is it?”

 

“The Black Society.”

 

“Huh?”

 

“Sister. Just keep it for me. And this is a secret.”

 

For now, there was no need for Yeon Seobi to know the details.

 

The next person Seol Mujin visited was Go Bongsu.

 

Go Bongsu, who had documents piled up on one side of his desk, greeted him warmly.

 

“At this rate, I think I’ll die from overwork.”

 

Since almost all the Six Departments except for Clerk Yi Bang Donguk were practically on strike, Go Bongsu’s workload had increased tremendously.

 

“You said you wanted to work, didn’t you?”

 

“When someone says they’re hungry, feeding them a whole sack of rice is a crime. What brings you here?”

 

Seol Mujin told him about the two Black Society gang leaders who had come to see him.

 

“Really? Come to think of it, they were saying the prison is at full capacity and we need to release some people…”

 

“So I decided to take money and release them.”

 

“Huh? Mo, money? Are you talking about bribes?”

 

“You could say that.”

 

Go Bongsu’s expression was complicated as he stared at Seol Mujin.

 

Until now, he had pretended to be incorruptible, but because of that, the government officials had gone on strike to this extent.

 

That didn’t mean he actually disliked bribes though.

 

But he also couldn’t praise Seol Mujin for accepting bribes.

 

“You said yourself that fish don’t gather in water that’s too clear, my lord.”

 

“That… that’s right.”

 

“Honestly, if people had to live on meager salaries alone, who would want to become a government official?”

 

“Exactly! Clerk Yi suffered tremendously because of that.”

 

“But if all officials only care about money, the people will suffer. So only one person should receive bribes.”

 

“One person… who would that be?”

 

Seol Mujin pointed at himself with his index finger.

 

“You?”

 

“I’m just a temporary worker, aren’t I? Since I wouldn’t regret quitting, there’s no burden. I’ll receive it and give it to you, my lord, so don’t keep it all to yourself and distribute it evenly. They say generosity comes from the storehouse. Since this all happened because of money, when silver coins pile up in their pouches, the government officials will be loyal to you too.”

 

That was the method Seol Mujin had thought of.

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