Chapter 164: Return of the Demon Sect
The death of Jeon Tae-soo sent shockwaves throughout the entire Justice Alliance.
Moreover, the Inspection Bureau, which had just been established, gained immense prestige for resolving such a significant issue right from the start.
Some people even praised the Bureau, saying that the Justice Alliance was finally finding its footing, and gave them a thumbs-up.
However, not everyone was convinced.
Many were skeptical, especially about the fact that the students had passed the verification process, casting subtle glances of disdain.
Regardless, Sa Bi-gang continued to build the organizational structure of the Inspection Bureau.
First, he formed a team with Tang Yi-hyeop and his subordinates. Their main task was to monitor, investigate, and search the martial artists within the main branch of the Justice Alliance.
Given the rampant dirty politics within the main branch, Sa Bi-gang believed that Tang Yi-hyeop, with his worldly experience, was well-suited for the job.
Tang Yi-hyeop named the group “Shadow Squad.”
Mae Seol-ran was appointed as the head of the Intelligence Division within the Bureau, tasked with gathering, analyzing, and assessing various pieces of information.
The Ghost Squad focused on collecting information from the entire Justice Alliance, excluding the main branch, with a particular emphasis on uncovering corruption.
Meanwhile, the martial artists led by Go Jeok-san were transformed into an armored unit, ready to be deployed in large-scale battles if necessary.
Go Jeok-san named this unit the “Iron Blood Squad.”
The martial artists of the Ghost Squad had all become top-tier experts after entering the barrier, and Sa Bi-gang had trained them for six years to align with the Iron Blood Squad’s objectives.
Finally, the students formed the core of the Inspection Squad, the most crucial part of the Bureau.
Sa Bi-gang planned to announce the official name of the Inspection Squad at the next meeting of the Alliance leaders.
With the organization now complete, the Inspection Bureau began its mission to cleanse the Alliance of corruption.
“You both know there are factions within the main branch, right? The Alliance Leader and the Tang Clan Leader. Tang Yi-hyeop, I want you to investigate everything related to the Tang Clan. Find out even the smallest details.”
“Understood.”
“Seol-ran, focus on gathering information related to them for a while.”
“Got it.”
Sa Bi-gang then led the two to the training hall of the Inspection Bureau.
The students of the Inspection Squad were all gathered there.
“Everyone, gather around.”
The members quickly assembled in front of Sa Bi-gang, exuding a different aura than when they were mere students.
“You are now official members of the Inspection Squad. You’ll be working with me on practical investigations and enforcement. So, we need a leader among you.”
As Sa Bi-gang finished speaking, the students swallowed nervously. Some, like Yeom Ja-ryang and Yeon Woo-gyeong, looked hopeful.
Just then, Jo Mun-tak raised his hand and asked, “Do we elect the leader ourselves?”
“No, I’ll appoint one. This isn’t a popularity contest. I have a better grasp of your abilities and potential. Any objections?”
“No, sir!”
“Good. Then I’ll appoint the leader now. Dan Ri-jeong.”
“Yes!”
“Step forward. You’re the leader of the Inspection Squad.”
“Yes, I understand…! What? Me?”
Dan Ri-jeong was visibly shocked, clearly not expecting this.
The other students showed no signs of discontent, though some, like Yeom Ja-ryang and Yeon Woo-gyeong, seemed a bit disappointed. However, they didn’t seem to think Dan Ri-jeong was unfit for the role.
Sa Bi-gang frowned slightly.
“If you keep acting so clueless, the leader will change.”
“No, sir! Thank you!”
Dan Ri-jeong quickly stepped forward.
Sa Bi-gang addressed the group.
“Dan Ri-jeong is your leader now. Since you’re all peers, I won’t force you to be overly formal. But remember one thing: you must obey the leader’s orders without question.”
“Yes, sir!”
“The Inspection Squad may be divided into teams as needed. The leader will appoint team leaders each time.”
“Understood!”
“Good. We’ll be heading out for inspections soon, so be prepared.”
With that, Sa Bi-gang turned and walked away.
Mae Seol-ran followed, asking, “Do you think it’s okay?”
“What do you mean?”
“Dan Ri-jeong as the leader.”
“Why?”
“I thought he might be a bit passive.”
“Haha, you don’t know him well. He’s quick to assess situations, makes good judgments, and has great leadership skills.”
“Leadership… what’s that?”
“It’s a term we used in the Demon Realm… it means the ability to lead a group well.”
“I see. He does seem stable.”
“Just wait and see. He’ll do better than anyone.”
Sa Bi-gang chuckled.
In the future, when the Demon Realm invaded, it was Dan Ri-jeong who led many people in resistance, despite not being particularly skilled in martial arts.
When countless martial artists perished, the martial world floundered like a headless beast.
Dan Ri-jeong became the head they needed.
‘Of course, his martial arts level was low, and it was too late to hold out for long.’
But the future would be different.
Looking at Dan Ri-jeong now, no one could call him weak.
Suddenly, Mae Seol-ran remembered something and asked, “By the way, have you decided on the official name for the Inspection Squad?”
“Of course. It’s a fantastic and impressive name. Hehehe.”
Mae Seol-ran felt an inexplicable sense of unease at Sa Bi-gang’s laughter.
**
The Inspection Squad, responsible for actual enforcement, is the heart and soul of the Bureau.
Thus, its official name is of utmost importance.
Given the sensitivity of the righteous martial artists to public perception and moral justification, naming a group requires careful consideration.
Today, at the Alliance Leaders’ meeting, everyone was eager to hear the official name Sa Bi-gang would announce for the Inspection Squad.
In the past, deciding on the official name for the Inspection Squad involved numerous high-ranking officials and took a month.
The name they eventually settled on, “Righteous Sword Squad,” was rather ordinary, highlighting their obsession with appearances over substance.
However, this time, all authority over the organization was entrusted to Sa Bi-gang.
Thus, he had the freedom to choose the name for the Inspection Squad.
But…
‘Don’t you dare come up with some ridiculous name!’
The Tang Clan Leader glared at Sa Bi-gang from across the room, his eyes filled with malice.
Because of that damned man, his cherished subordinate had died without a sound.
The mere thought of it made his blood boil.
He was determined to seize any opportunity to criticize the official name.
While it might seem trivial, a name shapes an organization’s identity.
If the name invites ridicule from the start, it becomes a distraction.
The Tang Clan Leader planned to exploit this psychology to undermine Sa Bi-gang from the outset.
Finally, after a routine meeting, it was time for Sa Bi-gang to announce the official name of the Inspection Squad.
As Sa Bi-gang stepped forward, the Tang Clan Leader spoke up.
“Given the accomplishments since its inception, the official name of the Inspection Squad, the core of the Bureau, must be quite impressive! My expectations are high!”
“Hahaha! I’m sure you’ll all be surprised by the name I’ve chosen for the Inspection Squad!”
Sa Bi-gang replied confidently, and the Tang Clan Leader smirked.
‘Hmph! Let’s hear this so-called impressive name!’
Unaware of the underlying tension, the Alliance Leader, Neung Un-pa, asked with a gentle smile.
“So, Chief Sa, what have you decided to name the Inspection Squad?”
“The Inspection Squad must decisively judge injustice, don’t you think? Therefore, it should be a name that strikes fear into the hearts of the unjust.”
“Oh, an excellent thought!”
“Indeed, well said.”
Given Sa Bi-gang’s recent achievements and his impending role as the Bureau Chief, many martial artists were already giving him their approval.
Of course, there were those like the Tang Clan Leader who were determined to disrupt from the start.
“So, the official name of the Inspection Squad is…”
Sa Bi-gang took a deep breath.
All eyes were on him.
“Heaven and Earth Supreme Bloodstorm Annihilation Squad!”
”…”
”…”
The room fell silent as if a pin had dropped.
Everyone was left speechless, mouths agape, eyes wide.
One thing was certain.
As Sa Bi-gang had predicted, everyone was indeed surprised.
Though perhaps not in the way he intended.
Even the Tang Clan Leader, who had been ready to criticize, was left dumbfounded.
Regardless, Sa Bi-gang beamed with pride.
“Hahaha! I knew you’d all be surprised! Isn’t it a fantastic name?”
After a long pause, the first to respond was the strategist, Gu Yoon.
“Um… Chief Sa, don’t you think the name is a bit difficult to pronounce and overly provocative…?”
“The Inspection Squad isn’t a group to be casually called upon. If strength is considered provocative, then I believe this provocative name suits it perfectly.”
“Hmm. But…”
As Gu Yoon hesitated, the Tang Clan Leader, having regained his composure, interjected.
“Chief Sa! Do you think naming an organization is a joke? How could you choose such an undignified…!”
“Tang Clan Leader.”
Sa Bi-gang interrupted abruptly.
The expression on his face seemed so cold that Deungwangpae raised an eyebrow and asked again.
“What did you say?”
“Does dignity come from a name?”
”…!”
“Moreover, the Inspection Corps isn’t some organization that merely pretends to be dignified. It’s a group that seeks out internal enemies and eradicates them, even if it means causing a storm of blood. In that sense, the Inspection Corps should be the pinnacle of justice, the pillar that annihilates evil. So, doesn’t this name suit it perfectly and sound magnificent?”
There was an unmistakable pride in Sabigang’s expression.
The unusually long and intense name sparked a heated debate in the assembly for quite some time.
But the crucial point was that the authority to organize the group rested solely with Sabigang.
No matter how much others pleaded for reconsideration, Sabigang remained unmoved.
In fact, he believed that others were simply envious and jealous of the splendid name.
His naming skills had been a topic of controversy since his days in the Demon Realm, but the martial artists of the Justice Alliance were unaware of that history.
In the end, despite the lengthy discussions, Sabigang didn’t budge, and the official name of the Inspection Corps was registered as the grandiose “The Supreme Bloodstorm Annihilation Corps of Heaven and Earth.”
Of course, most people, except for Sabigang, simply referred to it as the “Heavenly Annihilation Corps.”