Episode 151: Return to the Demonic Sect
The spring breeze scattered pollen through the air.
Behind Sabigang stood twenty-one cadets, each exuding a sharp aura.
“Are these truly the cadets of Yongcheon Academy?”
The crowd gathered at the grand martial arts arena remained speechless, mouths agape.
Gu Yun narrowed his eyes.
It wasn’t just their aura that had changed.
Their appearance.
The male cadets seemed more mature, exuding a newfound masculinity, while the female cadets appeared more graceful and womanly.
In short, everything about them had transformed.
It was only natural.
After all, the cadets had spent six years in rigorous training.
The changes in their aura and appearance were simply the marks of time.
To Gu Yun and the other leaders, their mature appearances felt unfamiliar.
Nevertheless, it was fortunate that Sabigang and the cadets arrived before the ceremony was officially canceled.
With Gu Yun’s approval, the ceremony proceeded.
Deng Wangpa looked displeased, but there was no choice.
After a lengthy speech, Neung Unpa officially appointed Sabigang as the head of the Inspection Bureau.
The event, marking the launch of a significant organization, continued with various spectacles.
The ceremony, lasting nearly two hours, concluded as the sun began to set.
Afterward, Sabigang and the cadets attended a banquet with the leaders.
The leader’s aides showered Sabigang with praise.
From the rescue of prisoners to the successful negotiations with the Blood Alliance.
Seeing the cadets in person alleviated their concerns.
“Truly, Instructor Sa is remarkable. To guide the cadets so excellently amidst such a busy schedule.”
“Exactly my point. How did you nurture them into such fine warriors? I heard you rescued prisoners with the cadets, and seeing them today, I understand why.”
“Indeed. I was astonished by the aura of the special class cadets today.”
The leader’s aides praised enthusiastically.
Listening quietly, Gu Yun shook his head internally.
“No, the cadets during the rescue weren’t this skilled. They looked much younger, and their aura was only first-rate at best. But in just three months, they’ve changed. How…?”
It was a mystery.
What kind of training had they undergone to achieve such abilities in three months?
“Well, whatever the method, it doesn’t matter.”
As long as it wasn’t an illusion, it was a welcome development.
As the banquet reached its peak, Seop Cheong, the head of the Sword Shadow Pavilion, laughed heartily and spoke up.
“Why do we still call them cadets? They’re now the Inspection Bureau’s agents. And it’s not Instructor Sa anymore, but Director Sabigang. Haha!”
“Ah, right! Old habits die hard. I’ll be more careful. Haha!”
Laughter filled the room.
“Hmph! No matter how joyous the occasion, a warrior must remain humble. Calling them agents before they’ve passed the final test is premature, don’t you think? While their aura is impressive, assessing their capabilities as agents is another matter.”
Deng Wangpa sharply interjected.
The laughter subsided, and people awkwardly set down their cups.
Sensing the shift, Jeon Taesu, the head of the Paecheon Group, supported Deng Wangpa’s point.
“Indeed. Just because the cadets’ aura is impressive doesn’t mean their qualifications as agents are equally so. Given the conditions set for recognizing them as agents, it’s too early to make assumptions.”
Deng Wangpa nodded in satisfaction at his words.
Sabigang furrowed his brow slightly and asked Gu Yun beside him.
“What is this test?”
“I wanted to inform you, Director Sa, but there was no way to contact you.”
“So, what is this final test?”
Deng Wangpa suddenly addressed Sabigang.
“It’s a verification of the cadets’ qualifications. We need to ensure they’re truly fit to be agents. Through this test, we’ll assess their martial skills, analytical abilities, and judgment. Until the test is complete, they’re only provisional agents. In other words, they’re not officially authorized to perform duties. Haha.”
Sabigang turned to Gu Yun.
Gu Yun nodded and explained.
“We had no choice. Forming the Inspection Bureau with cadets is a significant risk for the alliance. A minimum verification process is necessary.”
“Hmm.”
Sabigang nodded quietly.
It was somewhat expected.
The special class cadets were already over twenty, but the others didn’t know that.
Still, the insistence on verification likely came from Deng Wangpa.
If the cadets failed the test, the Inspection Bureau would likely be filled with Deng Wangpa’s people.
It was a political maneuver.
A tactic Sabigang had encountered countless times in his seventy-plus years.
Quickly grasping the situation, Sabigang shrugged and said.
“Perhaps it’s for the best. Proper verification will prevent any future disputes. If someone questions their qualifications after the test, that person is likely hiding something.”
“What, hiding…!”
Jeon Taesu bristled and stood, but Deng Wangpa gestured for him to sit.
Instead, Deng Wangpa rose with a cold smile.
“Of course. The test period is ten days. It should be a memorable experience for the cadets. Enjoy the feeling of being agents for the next ten days.”
He chuckled and turned to leave.
As he walked away, someone blocked his path.
A particularly large man.
It was Gok Bo-ok.
Deng Wangpa frowned and looked up.
“What is this?”
Gok Bo-ok spoke to Deng Wangpa with a calm expression.
“Whether they enjoy being agents for ten days or ten years remains to be seen.”
“Haha. Is that so? But the Inspection Bureau shouldn’t act out of line.”
“Sometimes, one must step forward.”
“Haha. Instructor Sa taught you well.”
“Not Instructor Sa, but Director now.”
Deng Wangpa’s expression twisted slightly.
As he glared coldly, Gok Bo-ok smirked and said.
“It’ll likely be closer to ten years. Feel free to anticipate it. Or be nervous.”
“Hmph! Your face certainly looks ten years older than your peers.”
Deng Wangpa scoffed and brushed past Gok Bo-ok.
Even as Deng Wangpa left the banquet hall, Gok Bo-ok remained unmoved.
Sensing the tension, Neung Sosu approached Gok Bo-ok.
“Are you okay?”
“I…”
“Hmm?”
“Do I… really look that old?”
Gok Bo-ok asked, eyes glistening, as he looked at Neung Sosu.
“It’s okay. It’s okay.”
Neung Sosu smiled gently and patted Gok Bo-ok’s shoulder.
Of course, she couldn’t deny it.
**
Thud!
A hefty stack of documents landed on Gu Yun’s desk.
Sabigang, standing across, frowned slightly.
“What is all this?”
“The accounting records from the past month.”
“Why so many for just a month?”
“It’s not just one place. These are the records from all the pavilions in the alliance’s outer grounds.”
“And why are you showing me this?”
“It’s part of the cadets’ verification process. A sort of role-playing exercise. The stage is the alliance’s outer grounds. The period is ten days.”
“Explain in detail.”
Gu Yun continued his explanation.
In summary, the task was to uncover a fictional organization involved in embezzlement and the murder of orphans.
Of course, it was all a setup for the cadets’ evaluation.
Over the next ten days, the Inspection Bureau would investigate all the pavilions in the alliance’s outer grounds using the provided data.
“As you know, the alliance’s outer grounds are vast. There are inns and taverns used by the alliance’s warriors, even within the grounds. It’s like a small village.”
“Embezzlement can be traced through documents, but how will clues for the murder be provided?”
“They need to find a body. Not a real one, of course. It’s fabricated. This tests the Inspection Bureau’s search capabilities.”
“And then?”
“Once they identify the organization, they must apprehend them. However, if they fail to capture the culprits within the ten-day period, the test is considered a failure.”
Sabigang chuckled.
“So, in the end, it’s about testing the cadets’ martial prowess.”
Gu Yun gave a wry smile.
“Precisely. Those opposing the establishment of the Inspection Bureau will seize any opportunity to challenge the cadets’ martial skills. It’s a critical aspect of this test. If they identify the culprits but lack the strength to apprehend them within the timeframe…”
“The new inspection team will likely be formed from the close aides of the Duke of Deungwang.”
“You know your stuff. Oh, and during this verification process, the national leader won’t be able to use any martial arts. It has to be a stage for the students, after all.”
“Understood.”
Sabigang accepted the thick stack of documents.
“Please, we have ten days. It’s not much time.”
“That’s more than enough. Don’t worry.”
At Sabigang’s words, Guyun smiled warmly.
“I’m not worried.”
Sabigang chuckled softly and walked out.
Left alone in the room, Guyun shook his head with a smile as he sat in his chair.
[You seem to be in a good mood.]
It was Biryung’s voice, transmitted telepathically.
“It’s just amusing, that’s all.”
[What do you mean…?]
“Not long ago, when he told me not to worry, I used to think it was just irresponsible talk.”
[But not anymore, I see.]
“Yes, not anymore. When he says not to worry now, I really don’t. Even if it’s baseless confidence, I find it comforting.”
[I think I understand…]
“You feel it too?”
[Not from him, no.]
“Then from whom?”
[When you tell me not to worry, I feel the same way. Your strategies have always been flawless.]
“Hahaha! You’ve learned to flatter quite well.”
[I’m being sincere.]
Biryung’s voice sounded slightly sulky.
Guyun simply pretended not to notice and continued to smile warmly.
Yes, trust is built just like that.