Chapter 118: The Identity Of The Face Plunderer (1)
Slap!
A clear and sharp sound echoed from Jun Myungs head.
Stupid fool!
Ah, r-right. That couldnt be. Hehe.
Dam Hyun burst into anger, and Jun Myung awkwardly scratched his head.
Dam Hyuns hand seemed to hurt more than the smack he had given to Jun Myung.
Yi-gang, who was standing nearby, chuckled.
Surely, even if Senior Brother Dam Hyuns temper isnt great, he wouldnt skin someones face off.
Eh? Ah actually, it wasnt Senior Dam Hyun but Senior Yi-gang who
This time, Yi-gang smacked Jun Myung on the head.
Dam Hyun chuckled beside them.
Ouch!
Youre ungrateful after all Ive done for you.
He-hehe
Until then, Flowing Cloud Flying Dragon and Lightning Flash, who had been rolling their eyes, finally realized it was a joke when Jun Myung laughed.
I only thought that for a moment, just for a moment.
Of course, it seemed like it wasnt entirely a joke.
The eyes of the next-generation successors sparkled with curiosity this time.
Yi-gang, who appeared to be of similar age as the third-generation disciples, was being called Senior.
I am Zhongnans Flowing Cloud Flying Dragon, Lee Jae-il.
Im Diancangs Lightning Flash, Yu Tae-jin. By any chance, are you?
As they introduced themselves with a formal bow, Yi-gang also responded with a bow, I am Baek Yi-gang, currently misunderstood as a suspect.
Ahaha I made a mistake earlier. The officer conveyed the message incorrectly.
Lee Jae-il, who had shouted at first upon hearing that a witness and suspect were coming, laughed awkwardly.
Yu Tae-jin, standing beside him, still had a curious expression.
By any chance, are you from the Baek Noble Clan?
Yes. Thats correct.
Then you are the son of the Iron Blood Merciless Baek Ryu-san
Yes, he is my father.
Ah!
Yu Tae-jins expression became complex. Lee Jae-il, who had been silent, also exclaimed as if surprised.
So, its true that the eldest son of the Baek Noble Clan joined the Azure Forest!
Its been just under five years.
To leave your own clan and join another sect You must have faced many hardships.
The remark about enduring hardships was oddly phrased.
Did you come to participate in the Dragon-Phoenix Conference?
Yes, Im not participating directly, but I came to lead my juniors.
Then, your younger brother, Baek Ha-jun, must be participating in the Seven Stars Conference.
Do you know Ha-jun?
How could I not know the Iron-Blood Genius? Its a well-known story that the Left Guardian of the Murim Alliance, who visited the Baek Noble Clan, named Baek Ha-juns swordsmanship and bestowed him with that title.
Iron-Blood Genius?
Yi-gang had a look of disbelief.
Iron-Blood Genius? Was it a title passed down from his father, known as the Merciless Iron Blood?
It was true that Baek Ha-jun was a genius with the sword. Among the rising stars, it was rare to find a sword genius surpassing Baek Ha-jun. Yi-gang was certain of this.
But he couldnt understand the word attached to it.
Iron-Blood? That clueless guy?
Ha-jun was indeed known for his minimal emotional expression and his extremely rational demeanor.
However, the Baek Ha-jun that Yi-gang remembered was still just a clueless kid.
Thats quite an ill-fitting title.
Haha Is that so?
Yi-gang himself didnt realize he was judging based on his standards from nearly five years ago, and very much from an older brothers perspective.
Then, Jin Ri-yeon chimed in, Anyway. Now seems like the time to focus on the current matter.
Ah, right.
She was correct.
They had gathered in this old inn by the order of the governor.
It was a forceful approach, expecting the martial artists to put their heads together and achieve some results.
It was all due to the anger of the fearsome Henan Province governor that could even frighten birds away.
Yi-gang listened to what Jin Ri-yeon had found out and the process so far.
Yi-gang also explained what happened in Yanling County. Of course, considering the next-generation successors behind him, he omitted anything related to the Low Down Sect.
First of all, Im curious about the purpose of that fiend.
Its important to know why he skinned peoples faces.
As Jin Ri-yeon and Yi-gang murmured this, Flowing Cloud Flying Dragon joined the conversation.
A perverted murderer, perhaps.
A perverted murderer?
Among the fiends, there are those whose nature is twisted, suffering from perversion. Could it be someone who gets excited by the act of skinning peoples faces?
But what did that have to do with anything?
Head Officer Jang was gradually losing his patience.
Yi-gang continued to move around, examining even seemingly insignificant things.
He gathered the dry dust on the table into a clump, then blew it away with a puff.
The wind is blowing.
Thats because the window is open. What about it?
Someone chuckled at that irritated tone.
It was Lee Jae-il. As everyones attention turned to him, he waved his hand with a grin.
Ah, my apologies.
Why did you laugh? Yu Su-rin boldly asked.
Lee Jae-il wasnt flustered and replied, It reminded me of a street novel I read a long time ago.
A novel?
It was a miscellany, titled <Detective Adventures>. Its about a naive young man chasing a murderer. It just came to mind.
Whether such a novel really existed was unknown, but his intention was clear.
He was comparing Yi-gang, who appeared to know what he was doing, to the naive young man in the story.
In other words, it was a roundabout way of insulting him.
Only Jun Myung, who failed to grasp the metaphor, interjected nonchalantly, Senior Yi-gang is quite smart.
They say being born with meridian blockage endows one with exceptional intelligence. Im looking forward to it.
It was a look of utter disinterest.
Jin Ri-yeon frowned, and Yu Su-rin and Son Hee-il also had reactions that showed their displeasure.
But since they couldnt come up with anything to say in response and couldnt start a fight either, they remained silent.
Of course, there was someone here who didnt care about such things.
That rude brat. What an attitude, Dam Hyun, who had been crossing his arms, muttered with a tired look in his eyes.
For Lee Jae-il, it was a phrase he had never heard in his life.
W-what? What does that mean!
However, he couldnt stay angry to the end.
Thats enough, Yi-gang said so and stood up.
Were done here. Lets go outside.
Head Officer Jang looked baffled.
It seems you dont understand. The governor has given a strict order. Until the fiend is caught, you all must continue to cooperate with the investigation here.
Im aware of that.
You must take this seriously!
I have discovered the identity of the fiend.
What do you mean by that?
Head Officer Jang stopped in his tracks.
The others also looked at Yi-gang in disbelief.
Yi-gang, unconcerned, opened the door and stepped out.
He leaned on the railing that overlooked the first floor.
Head Officer Jang hurriedly followed.
What do you mean by that! You discovered the identity of the fiend. Based on what!
When I came in, I saw many people gathered in the inn. Those wearing official robes are investigators, and there are associates too.
The situation is serious.
It seems the Grand Coordinator takes this case very seriously.
Grand Coordinator! Yi-gang suddenly shouted this, causing everyone below to look up in unison.
Head Officer Jang was startled, but Yi-gang immediately shouted, I have found the fiend.
How reckless! an investigator in official robes scolded with a fan in hand.
But then, an elderly man in plain clothes gently pushed the investigators shoulder.
The investigator quickly bowed and stepped back.
Even knowing I am here, you dare to look down from above.
Despite being elderly, his voice rang out sharply.
My apologies. It was urgent.
And then, Yi-gang leaped off the railing.
The people below were startled, but the elderly man stood calmly.
Yi-gang landed softly, making no sound at all.
Even the officers admired his perfect secret art of light footwork.
The elderly man, with Yi-gang kneeling on one knee before him, commanded, You say youve found the fiend. Explain.
The body is upstairs.
What?
The Governor of Henan Province, who had come incognito, hardened his expression.
The owner of this inn was the fiend who skinned peoples faces. He has taken his own life.
You wretch!
The moment the governor shouted, the officers simultaneously pointed their spears and swords at Yi-gang.
If you do not provide a satisfactory explanation, I will take it as an insult to me.
Amidst that mountain of blades and forest of swords, Yi-gang calmly opened his mouth.
