Episode 154: Return to the Demonic Sect
A building on the verge of collapse.
Inside its walls, two bodies were discovered.
The space was originally designed as a secret chamber, almost overlooked by those who passed by.
Coincidentally, it had once served as a storage room for the Mythical Inn.
Of course, the bodies weren’t real.
They were merely wooden mannequins, placed there as part of a test for the cadets.
Yet, they were crafted with such precision and realism that they gave off an eerie vibe.
The mannequins bore the word “Orphan” carved into them, indicating their supposed identity.
The robes around the abdomen were torn, as if struck by something, leaving them in a pitiful state.
One of the mannequins even had a part of its clothing ripped.
Inspector Sabi Kang and his team gathered at the scene.
Just then, Yeom Jaryang approached and spoke.
“We found a piece of the torn clothing at the corner of an alley. It matches the torn part of the mannequin’s clothing.”
Sabi Kang nodded and turned to the cadets.
“Alright, we’ve found the bodies. They have a lot to tell us. Who wants to take a guess?”
Gok Bo-ok raised his hand and stepped forward confidently.
“Both mannequins were struck directly in the abdomen. There are no stab wounds, and the way the robes are torn suggests they were hit by a martial art technique. The footprints on the abdomen are evidence. The perpetrator is a martial artist specializing in kicks.”
“Hmm. But if they were hit in the stomach, why did they fall forward? Normally, they’d fall backward.”
“Well… they might have collapsed forward… um.”
“And just because they were killed by a kick doesn’t mean the perpetrator only used kicks. Shouldn’t we identify the specific martial art technique used?”
“That’s… um…”
Gok Bo-ok mumbled uncertainly, causing the cadets to chuckle.
As Gok Bo-ok scratched his head, Dam Woo-gi cautiously raised his hand.
“Uh… may I take a look?”
“Go ahead.”
With Sabi Kang’s nod, Dam Woo-gi hesitantly approached the mannequins and examined them.
After a moment of pacing, he flipped one of the mannequins over, lifted the robe, and placed his palm on its back.
There was a red mark on the mannequin’s back, slightly larger than Dam Woo-gi’s hand.
He pushed the mannequin slightly with his fingers.
“Indeed, the torn robes and shoe prints suggest a kick. But this is a deception.”
“A deception?”
Dam Woo-gi pointed to the red mark on the mannequin’s back.
“Does this remind you of anything?”
Sabi Kang frowned at the unexpected question.
“Are you asking me?”
“Yes, sir. I thought you might recognize it. Don’t you?”
“Such… insolence…”
“It’s the Deep Penetration Palm.”
“What?”
The cadets murmured among themselves.
Unfazed, Dam Woo-gi continued calmly.
“The Deep Penetration Palm is known for its ability to penetrate deep into the body, causing internal injuries. The force erupts from the opposite side of the impact. So, if struck on the back, the force bursts out from the abdomen. The direct impact leaves only a faint red mark.”
“Wait! So, the mannequins weren’t hit in the stomach but in the back?”
Gok Bo-ok asked, furrowing his brow.
Dam Woo-gi nodded.
“Exactly. Both mannequins were struck directly from behind. It seems like they were attacked from the front, but the marks of the Deep Penetration Palm are clear. They were attacked from behind. If they were hit in the stomach, the red mark would be on the abdomen, and the robes on the back would be torn.”
“But what about the footprints?”
“Those were deliberately placed after death to mislead the investigation. If it were truly a kick, the force would have erased the footprints rather than leaving them so clear.”
The cadets looked at Dam Woo-gi with newfound admiration.
“Did Woo-gi always have such insight?”
“He seems like a completely different person now.”
Dam Woo-gi stood up, pushing the mannequin once more, and continued.
“If it were just one body, it wouldn’t be strange for the Deep Penetration Palm to have struck the back. But both were attacked from behind. This tells us something.”
“What is it?”
Gok Bo-ok asked, and Dam Woo-gi smirked.
“The victims were attacked while fleeing. The piece of clothing found at the alley corner was likely torn while they were running.”
Gok Bo-ok seemed to realize something.
“Then… these mannequins…”
“Yes. They were moved here after being killed.”
“Why?”
“To hide the bodies or for another purpose.”
It was a remarkable insight.
Sabi Kang nodded, satisfied.
“Impressive. If there’s another purpose, what could it be?”
“A setup. This place was once a storage room for the Mythical Inn. The innkeeper is known for his kicking skills. It’s easy to frame him as the culprit. It’s a trap to confuse us.”
Dam Woo-gi looked around at the cadets.
“So, we need to find someone who knows the Deep Penetration Palm. It’s a specialty of the Songha Sect. And coincidentally, the Songha Sect resides in the Outer Circle.”
“Head of the Communication Pavilion, Yang Ji-gang.”
All eyes turned to Yeon Woo-kyung.
Yeon Woo-kyung shrugged.
“I did some research beforehand.”
Dam Woo-gi smiled and nodded.
“Exactly. Yang Ji-gang is from the Songha Sect.”
The cadets’ expressions brightened.
It was time to make an arrest.
Sabi Kang looked around at the cadets.
“Good work, everyone. But the real challenge starts now. Stay vigilant. Capture Yang Ji-gang.”
“Yes, sir!”
The cadets responded in unison and rushed off.
Left alone, Sabi Kang quietly observed the mannequin.
He crouched in front of it, placing his hand on its back.
“The Deep Penetration Palm…”
His eyes narrowed.
Then, suddenly,
“Wow! How did Dam Woo-gi know that? I was caught off guard. Almost embarrassed myself. He’s an annoying guy, but he’s got some skills. So, this is what the Deep Penetration Palm is like.”
Sabi Kang muttered to himself, relieved.
Despite decades of studying various martial arts, he hadn’t known about the Deep Penetration Palm.
It wasn’t a technique he deemed important enough to remember.
But who would have thought he’d encounter it like this?
**
Deng Wang-pae sat across from Jeon Tae-soo by the window, sipping tea.
Recently, Jeon Tae-soo, the leader of the Paecheon Group, had been his most active supporter.
“After today, it’s over.”
Deng Wang-pae said, setting down his teacup.
The sun was setting beyond the western mountains.
Jeon Tae-soo replied with a sly smile.
“By now, they must be feeling the heat. Tonight will be their last as the Inspection Team.”
“Indeed. By tomorrow…”
“Rest well tonight, sir. When the sun rises, a new world will await.”
“True. With you handling things, I can rest easy.”
“Leave the troublesome matters to me.”
“You’re quite the reliable person, Jeon Tae-soo.”
“Thank you, sir.”
Jeon Tae-soo bowed respectfully.
Deng Wang-pae took a sip of tea, satisfied, and gazed out the window.
“The leader’s health is declining, which is concerning. A stable house needs a strong pillar.”
“He’s been taking herbal medicine, but it seems difficult to regain his former strength.”
“Ah, time is relentless. He was once so robust.”
“When a pillar ages, it can be replaced with a new one, can’t it?”
“Haha, you make it sound easy.”
Deng Wang-pae chuckled, not displeased.
Just then, a subordinate entered and approached Deng Wang-pae.
“What is it?”
“The Inspection Team found the bodies.”
“Oh? Where are they headed?”
“They’re heading to the Communication Pavilion.”
Both Deng Wang-pae and Jeon Tae-soo showed a brief flicker of surprise.
“They seem to have some insight.”
Jeon Tae-soo responded.
“They’ve only just crossed the threshold. The real game begins now.”
“Still, we mustn’t let our guard down. I trust you’ve prepared well.”
“Don’t worry. The best are on our side.”
“Hahaha. Have you selected those to join the Inspection Team?”
“Of course.”
“Good. It’s never bad to be prepared.”
“Absolutely.”
Jeon Tae-soo grinned, raising his teacup.
The tea was sweet.
**
The Communication Pavilion.
An institution responsible for granting permits for all official activities within the Outer Circle of the Justice Alliance, including business operations, building expansions, and events.
As such, it wielded considerable influence within the Outer Circle.
The building itself was quite grand, situated right beneath a cliff.
Entering through the main gate of the Communication Pavilion, one would find an inner courtyard nestled beneath the cliff.
This place is known as the “Lower Garden.”
If you pass through the Lower Garden and ascend the stairs carved into the cliff, you’ll find another expansive area called the “Upper Garden.”
Yang Ji-gang, the head of Tongmun Pavilion, resided in the pavilion built in the Upper Garden.
Sa-bi-gang and the other cadets stopped in front of the main gate of Tongmun Pavilion, looking up at the pavilion perched high above.
“Alright, this is where it gets real. Don’t hold back—make sure to subdue them completely. Go all out.”
“Understood!”
The cadets responded with a resounding shout and marched toward the main gate.
Just then, two guards stepped forward to block their path.
“What business do you have here?”
Gok Bo-ok stepped forward and shouted, “We’re the Inspection Team. We’re here to arrest Yang Ji-gang, the head of Tongmun Pavilion, on charges of embezzlement and the murder of orphans.”
The guards exchanged glances and shook their heads.
“Sorry, but the head isn’t here right now. Please come back another time.”
“If you don’t step aside immediately, we’ll use force to get in.”
Suddenly, a deep voice boomed from inside the gate.
“What’s all this noise?”
The two guards quickly stepped aside.
As the gate swung open, a man the size of a house emerged.
He was so tall that his head nearly touched the top of the gate, and his build was easily three times that of an average adult.
The cadets instinctively took a step back, intimidated by his overwhelming presence.
“What is this? A bunch of kids?”
He looked over the cadets, a mocking smile spreading across his face.