[Became a Fairy]

The Officer picked up the sword, which was tattered like a rag. The Sword Body, riddled with nine holes, exuded an eerie aura just by looking at it.

'Just how formidable is their Yong Force…'

To create only holes like this without breaking the sword, it must be the work of a master of thrusting. Although his knowledge was shallow and he couldn't discern the sect just from the sword marks, he was well aware of the reputations of each sect. With this level of thrusting, Diancang Sect was the only one that came to mind.

Diancang Sect. Located far away in Yunnan, it might have less influence compared to the other Nine Great Sects, but it held a special meaning for the officials.

A blade directly facing the Outer Martial World, blocking the Demonic path, including the Demon Sect. Perhaps because of their role similar to that of a Frontier Marquis guarding the border, the imperial court's respect for Diancang Sect was known as an open secret.

The countenance briefly glimpsed through the Veil was also telling.

'I heard that the direct disciple of the Diancang Sect Leader is from the Azure Wood Clan.'

Though few in number, they were said to possess a celestial appearance like immortals descended from the heavens, regardless of gender. He hadn't seen them in person, but if that level of beauty wasn't from the Azure Wood Clan, then who else could be?

The Officer swallowed hard. How could they have wanted to be stuck rotting in a backwater village? They wanted to eradicate the Demonic path and arrest criminals who harassed the people, achieving merit, but their superior, the Magistrate, had been bribed by the Hoehwa Brothel Owner, preventing them from fulfilling their ambitions.

But now that things had turned out this way, what else could this be but an opportunity given by heaven?

Accusing a superior was usually a crime, but if it was framed as exposing a corrupt official, it could easily be disguised as courage. Those from the literary class like the Magistrate might not look kindly upon it, but that wouldn't mean much to him, who was from the military class in the first place.

The literary and military classes had different promotion systems, and a Magistrate in a small town like Hwayang County would certainly have no backing.

'There's a possibility.'

He didn't know how high the female expert's seniority was, but seeing someone who was at least the Martial Alliance Leader groveling, she couldn't be of ordinary status.

He guessed that she was at least a first-generation disciple of one of the Nine Great Sects.

What was a first-generation disciple? They were disciples in name only, the practical leaders who would lead the Nine Great Sects in the next generation, the prospective Sect Leaders and Elders.

'This is worth betting on.'

Although she appeared ruthless, seeing that no one had died, her actions were also merciful. She had gathered the women in one place and left the Heukdo with lesser crimes alone, so the concerns that a righteous martial artist with such a character would have were obvious.

Having assessed the situation, the Officer opened his mouth.

"You don't have to destroy the Hoehwa Brothel."

Because he only stated the conclusion without explaining the situation, many people looked back at him with questioning expressions. But the Officer didn't care. The female expert was staring at him.

'She's listening to me.'

Her silence seemed to be urging him to continue speaking.

"The Brothel Owner operated three Pavilion Towers. Among them, two had red lanterns lit every day, but the Hoehwa Brothel had more days without red lanterns than with them. This means there were more courtesans than prostitutes."

Seo-yeon nodded.

"Please continue."

The female expert with overwhelming skill even had a warm voice, which felt like consideration.

"The prostitutes should be sent back, but the courtesans should be left to continue their business. If they are rashly eliminated, there is a high possibility that a new Heukdo will appear and go too far. Those who have no home to return to can be sent to the government-run courtesan house being established in the neighboring province. I happen to have a personal connection with the official in charge there. They are having difficulty gathering suitable courtesans, so sending them there would be helpful."

"Is the management done by the county?"

"It's better to leave it to the existing Heukdo."

If the government operated it directly, there would be many restrictions. Obtaining permits would be difficult, and all labor costs would have to be charged as expenses in the books. Moreover, it would be inappropriate to report to superiors, and there was a considerable possibility of being accused of embezzlement.

"In the end, a Pavilion Tower can only be maintained by receiving guests. If it is operated in the government's way, it will eventually lose all its customers to the surrounding Pavilion Towers, and then the same thing will happen again. But if we do this, the government will be backing it, so other Heukdo will not be able to open businesses recklessly."

"What are you planning to do with the Heukdo who have committed crimes?"

Her voice became even softer. This meant that she liked the proposed plan.

The Officer thought that now was the most important time.

"They should be severely punished, and classified according to the severity of their crimes, and only those who are relatively better should be selected to serve as laborers in lieu of imprisonment."

"Who are you planning to appoint as manager?"

They were almost there. The Officer looked around instead of answering immediately. This was practically a question with a predetermined answer.

"Mae Gakju would be good. Although he committed murder, he only killed other Heukdo and never harmed the people. I will investigate thoroughly, but the crime will not be that great."

Mae Gakju had been kneeling down, sensing the situation even before Seo-yeon brought it up.

He was also keeping his mouth shut. He knew better than anyone that he would be in trouble if he opened his mouth carelessly here.

Seo-yeon raised her head to look at the courtesans. In fact, she had already heard about Mae Gakju.

He looked scary and ferocious, but he didn't treat the courtesans carelessly. This wasn't just something they were saying because they were afraid of Mae Gakju.

He also had the strength of character as a man. He didn't treat his subordinates carelessly either. He remembered the names and faces of the courtesans and his subordinates.

"Mae Gakju seems like a good choice."

"He's scary, but he didn't hit us like the other Gakju."

"He even helped us when customers were violent."

Mae Gakju remained expressionless, but he was relieved inside. The actions he had taken to stay within the lines had come back to save his life, which he thought was truly fortunate.

The courtesans and the Officer stepped forward to defend him. Seo-yeon felt that she didn't need to intervene any further.

"I'm in your care, Officer."

Seo-yeon said that and respectfully bowed her head and clasped her hands. The Officer was silent. He didn't expect to receive this much respect from a martial artist as a mere Officer.

"……."

She was different from other martial artists who ignored officials. There were many martial artists who treated local officials as ignorant peasants.

Were all the Taoists of the Nine Great Sects like this?

Perhaps because his heart was moved, the Officer's eyes had also changed. Soon, the Officer, who had come to his senses, bowed his head in return as if showing respect.

"I will do my best."

The Officer, who had escorted the Heukdo, returned with a determined face. To properly wrap things up, he had to negotiate with the Magistrate first.

As the courtesans were offering their thanks to Seo-yeon, a girl came forward and opened her mouth.

"Thank you. May I ask for your name? I want to keep it in my mind and remember it for the rest of my life."

It was Yeong-yeong. The very child that Yehwa cherished like a younger sister. She didn't seem to be even ten years old, but the sharpness in her eyes made her seem different from ordinary children.

"I am called Seo-yeon."

At Seo-yeon's answer, Yeong-yeong nodded. Her lips were moving, as if she was savoring the meaning.

"If I ever meet you again, I will definitely repay your kindness."

The child's firm tone as she made a promise was so cute that she stroked her head.

"Sing me a song sometime."

Seo-yeon, having finished her work, leisurely returned. It was her first time coming out of the city with her disciple, so she was thinking of sightseeing on this occasion.

Since there were Martial Alliance Members next to her, Seo-yeon asked.

"Are there any suitable places nearby to take a child?"

Jangsan, who had been following awkwardly, coughed dryly as if he had choked. The Alliance Members around him were the same.

Jangsan, who had barely regained his breath, said.

"The Alliance will also keep a close eye on the affairs of Hwayang County. You don't have to worry."

It was a non sequitur.

But Seo-yeon simply nodded instead of asking anything back. Weren't these people full of responsibility, having rushed here from managing the security of the cities in Henan? She could understand why they were so out of it right now.

What didn't Martial Alliance Members have to do? Seo-yeon also thought that being a Martial Alliance Member was not something anyone could do. It meant that it was difficult to handle with ordinary responsibility.

Of course, the Alliance Members' thoughts were completely different. This was ten times more uncomfortable than having a private meeting with the Alliance Leader and drinking tea.

'I shouldn't even look at Henan missions in the future.'

'When is the rotation? Is it half a year away? How do I survive until then?'

'How much has the report increased?'

They knew that outstanding experts could discern the transmission of secrets through the vibration of the Adam's apple, so they couldn't even complain about their miserable situation anywhere. But they couldn't go anywhere else, because they were afraid of being scolded for asking where they were going.

The longer the silence, the greater the anxiety of the Alliance Members.

It could be said to be the calm before the storm.

"Where do the Alliance Members usually rest?"

Was this a way of telling them that they shouldn't even think about resting, or was it a way of telling them to get lost because they were uncomfortable being with them? Jangsan realized for the first time today that his internal organs could be twisted by a single word.

Even the Alliance Leader wasn't this bad.

'I miss the Alliance Leader.'

Jangsan glanced around. The Alliance Members all avoided his gaze. They knew that the first person to answer would be the one to bleed. But he couldn't pass it on to his subordinates in front of his eyes. He was sure they would think he was an incompetent guy who couldn't solve things himself and passed them on to his subordinates.

Suddenly, a scene of the Elder going to the Alliance Leader to protest vividly appeared in his mind.

The scolded Alliance Leader scolding the Elders again, and the scolded Elders scolding the Great Leaders in turn…….

'Ah.'

Was this what it felt like to have everything go white before your eyes? The hell of downward scolding was vivid before his eyes.

Jangsan closed his eyes tightly and opened his mouth with the feeling of letting things be.

"How can we, as members of the Alliance, rest comfortably? We plan to focus on stabilizing the people's livelihood by rotating in two shifts, day and night, for the next six months."

It was a bombshell.

The flustered Alliance Members widened their eyes and glared at their leader, or coughed, or clutched their hearts.

Seo-yeon's gaze was directed at Hwa-ryeon, so she didn't see such a sight.

It was then. Hwa-ryeon, who was holding Seo-yeon's hand tightly, opened her mouth.

"Master. I want to eat Candied Fruit. I'm also hungry."

"Are you hungry?"

"Yes."

Hwa-ryeon said that and glanced at the Alliance Members. At the same time, she nodded slightly. It was a sign to change the subject and leave discreetly.

'Ah!'

'Truly a compassionate nature!'

'How could such a disciple come out from under the senile Elder? She is worthy of being called a fairy!'

The Martial Alliance Members were impressed by Hwa-ryeon's character. Jegal-hye was even putting her fist in her mouth to hold back her tears. Of course, she didn't forget to stand at attention as if nothing had happened when Seo-yeon turned her head.

"I think I should go now. I need to have a meal with my disciple."

"Please go carefully."

"Would you like to join us? You seem to be having a really hard time, so I'm going to treat you to a meal."

Just as cold sweat was about to flow from Jangsan's head, Hwa-ryeon opened her mouth again.

"I want to eat with my Master alone."

That day, Hwa-ryeon became a fairy among the Alliance Members.