My Younger Siblings Are the Greatest Masters in the World - Chapter 27

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

27.

 

Even if officials are corrupt, they can’t rake in massive amounts of money, and if they’re honest, they won’t be too poor.

 

If the bribes received are distributed fairly among the government officials anyway, there won’t be any corrupt officials who suck people’s blood dry.

 

“Are you really suggesting we do that?”

 

“Yes. Clerk Yi also said that the local gentry of Jinan are expressing their dissatisfaction.”

 

Making enemies of the local gentry could be fatal for a magistrate.

 

Operating through exchanged bribes and moderate favors had been the rule until now.

 

“I’ll handle it myself, so you just need to think about distributing things fairly.”

 

After saying that, Seol Mujin left the office.

 

The reason he could speak so boldly about bribes to Go Bongsu was because he had read Go Bongsu’s true intentions.

 

He could understand Go Bongsu just as well as when interrogating criminals.

 

Go Bongsu was a remarkably good official, but he wasn’t the type who considered poverty a virtue.

 

He could tell this clearly from his choice of words, tone, and expressions.

 

“Did I do something unnecessary?”

 

He had such thoughts because it was a decision made too impulsively.

 

The Black Society was one thing, but he had never even met the local gentry of Jinan.

 

Would he be able to handle them properly?

 

Then he encountered Bang Donguk in the courtyard.

 

“I have something to tell you.”

 

Leading Bang Donguk to a secluded spot, Seol Mujin confided the recent situation.

 

It seemed difficult to handle the bribes coming into the government office by himself.

 

“Are you really suggesting we take bribes?”

 

“I’ll take responsibility for the Black Society side, so please handle the rest, Clerk Yi.”

 

“Me take bribes? But I’ve never taken any before…”

 

“It’s not like you’ll never take any in the future.”

 

The condition for Bang Donguk’s return to the government office was that he could take bribes.

 

However, suddenly becoming a carnivore after living as a herbivore his whole life wasn’t easy, so he hadn’t taken a single penny in bribes yet.

 

“The local gentry have many complaints, don’t they?”

 

“They’re going crazy because various construction projects and businesses involving interests are being handled according to principles and rules.”

 

“So we need to grease the wheels quickly and suppress the officials’ complaints too.”

 

“The Magistrate has given permission?”

 

“Yes.”

 

“Understood. I’ll find a way.”

 

“If you need force for anything, come find me.”

 

***

 

He observed for three days.

 

Tonight too, Go Bongsu walked alone, staggering along the night road.

 

Bae Pansik, who had been dismissed from his position as head constable, spoke to the two subordinates who came with him.

 

“Let’s follow him like this and carry out the deed on Songun Road.”

 

Oh Pilsik, who had been a constable, asked with a face full of tension.

 

“Today, you mean?”

 

“How long are we going to just keep following him around?”

 

Jo Cheolsik, who had more guts than Oh Pilsik, clenched his fist tightly.

 

“Let’s finish this quickly. These days are absolutely killing me.”

 

They had been making decent money and spending it lavishly, so they had no savings left.

 

They thought the good times would continue, but it all ended when the New Magistrate took office.

 

The little money they had ran out in just a few days, and no one was willing to lend money to them now that they were unemployed.

 

So they decided to take action according to the plan of Wang Dobong, who had been a clerk.

 

If only the magistrate disappeared, they could regain their former positions.

 

No, rather their positions would become more secure, and they could control Jinan as they pleased.

 

The rosy future willingly led them down the path of murderers.

 

The three men tailed Go Bongsu while constantly surveying their surroundings.

 

They were worried there might be hidden guards, but there were only common drunkards and kids who still hadn’t gone home.

 

‘What do they think they’ll become, wandering around this late at night. Tsk tsk tsk…’

 

Bae Pansik clicked his tongue inwardly and felt for the knife in his jacket as they approached Songun Road.

 

They chose Songun Road as the crime scene because it was a street with few passersby.

 

The lights of the Downtown District had disappeared, and the lights from the scattered houses were dim.

 

It wasn’t that there were no people passing by at all, but they could finish it in an instant by pushing him into an alley and stabbing him with a knife.

 

The culprit would be caught within a day.

 

Of course, it wouldn’t be them.

 

They had an arrangement with the criminal investigation department to arrest some opium addict.

 

They quickly closed the distance with Go Bongsu.

 

Go Bongsu was walking leisurely, unaware that death was approaching.

 

Jo Cheolsik would push him into the alley and Bae Pansik would stab him.

 

Oh Pilsik was the reserve force in case of emergency.

 

The plan was that simple.

 

No special plan was needed to kill one pale-faced scholar.

 

Jo Cheolsik, after exchanging glances, rushed toward Go Bongsu.

 

The five-zhang distance was closed in an instant.

 

When Go Bongsu turned his head, sensing the presence, Jo Cheolsik pushed Go Bongsu into the left alley.

 

“Hey—!”

 

Go Bongsu, who was pushed into the alley, didn’t fall helplessly as they had expected.

 

After staggering and hitting the stone wall to regain his balance, Go Bongsu shouted.

 

“What kind of bastard are you! Do you know who I am to dare…!”

 

Bae Pansik, who entered the alley, kicked Go Bongsu in the stomach.

 

“Ow!”

 

Go Bongsu, who fell with a scream, recognized Bae Pansik.

 

“Foreman Bae?”

 

Bae Pansik pulled out a one-foot-long short sword from his chest and said.

 

“Did you think you’d be safe after cutting me?”

 

“You bastard! What the hell are you doing!”

 

“Taking back my position.”

 

Bae Pansik, holding the short sword in reverse grip, approached Go Bongsu.

 

Go Bongsu, dragging his buttocks as he backed away, shouted.

 

“I’m dying! I’m going to die! Where are you!”

 

“This bastard has lost his mind…”

 

Bae Pansik, who was about to stab Go Bongsu, felt someone appearing from inside the alley and raised his head.

 

The first thing he saw was a white mask floating in the air.

 

Due to the darkness, the long robe beneath the mask was visible only later.

 

“Who…?”

 

The answer came not with words but with a foot.

 

The long robe fluttered aside, and a skinny leg flew toward Bae Pansik.

 

At such terrifyingly fast speed, Bae Pansik couldn’t even think of dodging.

 

Crack!

 

As his jaw snapped back and Bae Pansik tumbled, Jo Cheolsik drew his short sword and charged.

 

“What the hell is this bastard!”

 

But he too tumbled no differently than Bae Pansik, and Oh Pilsik, who tried to flee, sat down hard after taking a punch to the crown of his head.

 

“What? Too easy. I didn’t even get a proper feel for it. You bastards! Wake up!”

 

Seol Mantong, carrying Seol Ryeoseon on his shoulder, stomped on the three men repeatedly, but they didn’t wake up.

 

“Damn, are government soldiers allowed to be this weak?”

 

Seol Changho, who entered the alley late, said.

 

“Guard them well. I’ll go see hyung and come back.”

 

Seol Changho, who was about to leave the alley, locked eyes with Go Bongsu, who was getting up awkwardly.

 

“Who…?”

 

“You don’t need to know, just continue on your way.”

 

In this situation?

 

Less than two quarters of an hour after Seol Changho disappeared, Seol Mujin appeared.

 

Seol Mujin saw the white mask and long robe and pressed his forehead.

 

He thought he could subdue them roughly by throwing stones.

 

“This is fun. Hehehe…”

 

Go Bongsu, who had been standing blankly to one side, asked.

 

“Who are those people?”

 

“Let’s talk about that after dealing with these guys.”

 

When Seol Mujin gestured, Seol Ryeoseon and Seol Mantong grumbled “We didn’t even get any real fun” before disappearing like the wind.

 

Seol Mujin tied up the three fallen men together and dragged them to escort them to the Government Office.

 

They didn’t regain consciousness until they arrived at the Government Office.

 

Gwak Nogun, the investigating official who had been waiting at the government office after receiving word from Seol Mujin, guided them to the underground chamber.

 

The underground chamber located beneath the prison was a place for criminals who wouldn’t open their mouths(?).

 

Having gone unused for a long time, spider webs hung everywhere.

 

Gwak Nogun hung the iron chains he had brought on the main beam.

 

“Tie them up here.”

 

“Are you going to torture them?”

 

Gwak Nogun looked at the three unconscious men and chuckled.

 

“These guys don’t even need torture. Just hanging them up will make them spill everything.”

 

When Seol Mujin hung up the three men, Gwak Nogun poured cold water on their faces.

 

The three men came to their senses with a start and belatedly realized where they were.

 

Rattle—!

 

On the cart that Gwak Nogun had dragged over were torture instruments like thin blades for peeling skin, pincers for pulling out fingernails and toenails, and branding irons for searing flesh.

 

“Now, shall we begin?”

 

Those words alone turned them deathly pale.

 

The terror that appeared on their faces looked like they might wet themselves.

 

“We’ll tell you everything!”

 

***

 

“We’ve captured all fifteen people who had even the slightest connection to the attempted assassination.”

 

Not only the dismissed officials but also current officials—everyone involved had been imprisoned.

 

“Is it over now?”

 

Bang Donguk answered Go Bongsu’s question.

 

“There will be no officials who dare challenge your authority now.”

 

Originally, a ruler who suppressed rebellion would naturally have his position solidified.

 

Seol Mujin took out an envelope from his chest and placed it on the table.

 

“How about releasing the thugs?”

 

Go Bongsu glanced at the envelope and then shifted his gaze to Bang Donguk.

 

Bang Donguk also knew what was inside the envelope.

 

“The prison is at full capacity, so it would be good to release them.”

 

“Have Clerk Yi handle it. Oh, how about Secretary Seo for the Ministry of Justice?”

 

“I’ll arrange it accordingly.”

 

Go Bongsu sank into his chair.

 

“Things should be peaceful now.”

 

***

 

Two years later.

 

“You brat! Disgusting! Get out!”

 

Startled by what sounded like a woman’s scream, Seol Mujin turned his head.

 

Through the window, he could see the bathhouse with steam rising, and Seol Mantong being pushed out.

 

“What do you mean disgusting! I’m still a little kid!”

 

“You’re already seven years old! You can’t even peek through the window!”

 

The courtesan who gave the warning slammed the bathhouse door shut.

 

Seol Mantong had the expression of a prisoner whose only escape route had been blocked.

 

Seol Mujin chuckled and patted Seol Mantong’s shoulder.

 

“You knew this day would come eventually.”

 

Tears welled up in Seol Mantong’s eyes as he looked up at Seol Mujin.

 

“But this is too early. I’m only seven years old.”

 

“Seven years old is grown up. And…”

 

Seol Mujin whispered, “You were peeking at their chests.”

 

“It was my only pleasure…”

 

“You have Sister Hyeonwol.”

 

“Hyeonwol seems to be avoiding me strangely these days too. I didn’t even see her face today.”

 

Everything was fine until he was five, but in just two years, Seol Mantong had somehow become a disgusting little guy.

 

His particularly masculine appearance also played a part in this.

 

“What about Changho and Ryeoseon?”

 

“I don’t know.”

 

Seol Mantong’s expression became resolute as he looked at the bathhouse.

 

“Now I have no choice but to peek.”

 

“They told you not to peek.”

 

“Hehehe… Do I look like such an amateur that I’d get caught doing something like that?”

 

If it was Seol Mantong, he would find a way.

 

Obsession is scary, after all.

 

“Cheer up. Your big brother will buy you something delicious.”

 

“Sweets and jerky.”

 

“Sweet and salty is the truth.”

 

“Of course. Hehehe…”

 

As they were leaving the back garden, they saw Seol Ryeoseon and Seol Changho walking shoulder to shoulder.

 

Seol Ryeoseon spotted Seol Mujin and ran over with a happy face.

 

“Brother! I see you’re not wearing official robes, so you left the office early today?”

 

“Yeah. I wanted to help with the pleasure house work for the first time in a while. But what brings you two here?”

 

Usually their routine was practicing internal energy cultivation at home all day or occasionally going to the brewery with Yeon Gok.

 

“Well…”

 

Seol Ryeoseon scratched her head with a troubled expression, when Seol Changho spoke up.

 

“This girl caused trouble.”

 

“Huh? What kind of trouble?”

 

“She beat up some kids.”

 

“What? You beat up kids?”

 

Seol Ryeoseon burst out shouting.

 

“To us, she’s just a courtesan’s brat!”

 

Though she now lived outside Yeonji-ru, she couldn’t erase her past of having lived in the pleasure house.

 

So she had often heard such words from the past, and each time she let them flow in one ear and out the other.

 

“It’s not like you haven’t heard those words once or twice before, so why did you do that?”

 

Seol Changho said.

 

“One of the kids said something really bad about Ruju. Severely.”

 

She didn’t particularly want to hear what was said.

 

“Those kids’ parents will probably come looking for the pleasure house, so we should let Ruju know.”

 

“How badly did you beat them?”

 

Seol Ryeoseon waved her hand dismissively as if it was nothing.

 

“Just made their noses bleed a little.”

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