"An alcohol inspection?" Peng Sahyeok looked at Cheongcheon with a bewildered expression, as if he had just heard a dull joke.

However, Cheongcheon only surveyed the chaotic inn with a serious face.

Frowning, Cheongcheon spoke to the students, "There are indeed signs of drinking. Please submit your identification tags."

According to the law, minors under eighteen were prohibited from drinking unless accompanied by a guardian.

However, "This isn't a joke..."

The students of Cheongryong Academy were not ordinary people; they were martial artists.

From the moment they took their first steps, they learned how to wield a sword.

The general laws did not apply to martial artists, which was an 'unspoken rule.' This was what was known as the 'non-interference of the martial world.'

"Lord, this is a matter of the martial world. The government has no business interfering."

Peng Sahyeok stepped forward, emphasizing that point.

He seemed to try to pressure Cheongcheon by subtly raising his internal energy, but Cheongcheon's expression did not change at all. 'You foolish boy.

That person is a master of magic.'

Most lords would be intimidated if a martial artist of Peng Sahyeok's size approached them, but that did not apply to Cheongcheon.

Instead, Cheongcheon scoffed.

"A matter of the martial world... Has a master of magic appeared here?"

"What?" Peng Sahyeok asked dumbly, and Cheongcheon coldly replied, "All I see are broken tables and chairs, intoxicated youths showing signs of violence, and adults who, for some reason, look terrified. I don't see any wanted criminals among them. May I ask what you were doing here in the name of the martial world?"

"That's not—"

"Or do you think that just by attaching the term 'martial world,' you can justify any action you take?"

"......"

Peng Sahyeok's attempt to smooth over the situation by mentioning the non-interference of the martial world was abruptly cut off.

As a successor of the righteous five great families, he could not claim that the children drinking and playing was a 'matter of the martial world.' Cheongcheon, with a blank expression, lifted a piece of the broken chair and said, "This is an inn that serves customers. I received a report about underage drinking... but it seems there will be additional charges for obstruction of business and property damage. Furthermore, there are signs of violence. It looks like there is much to investigate."

Peng Sahyeok gritted his teeth and asked, "Who reported this?"

"I can't disclose that..."

"It was me."

I raised my hand, and Peng Sahyeok turned his head sharply to glare at me as if he wanted to kill me. [Bringing in the government? Does a martial artist have no pride?] A fierce voice pierced my ears.

I chuckled and shrugged my shoulders.

Then, I silently mouthed to Peng Sahyeok, 'So what?'

"!!"

Having understood well enough, Peng Sahyeok's shoulders shook like an angry boar.

However, he could no longer act recklessly.

At this moment, he was in a very awkward position regarding the unprecedented situation of a martial artist being inspected for drinking.

"Will you come with us to the government office for questioning?"

"...... There was a small accident due to intoxication, but it's nothing serious. I will compensate for the damages twofold. Also..."

Peng Sahyeok began to make excuses to Cheongcheon in an attempt to resolve the situation.

He was trying to find weaknesses in the new instructors to later manipulate them like his pawns.

But that was only a story for when we were alone. 'If we get questioned at the government office and this incident gets out... it won't just end with embarrassment.' Honor and face.

Sometimes, especially for prestigious families, that was everything.

If he were dragged to the government office and branded as a troublemaker, it would not end with just being scolded by the elders of his family.

Therefore, Peng Sahyeok would absolutely avoid going to the government office.

As expected, he said, "If you could overlook today's incident, I will repay you sincerely in the future."

He was politely trying to offer a bribe while subtly taking a position of power.

But what kind of lord was our Cheongcheon? A cold and ruthless man who had mastered magic and killed his father, and a clean and honest official uninterested in money.

It seemed like a contradictory explanation, but anyway.

"What?" Cheongcheon's eyebrows twitched significantly.

Then, a much colder voice flowed out.

"I think we should add charges for bribery and obstruction of duty."

"Ugh..."

At that firm attitude, Peng Sahyeok's face turned redder than when I slapped him.

He had probably never been treated like this in his life.

In the end, Peng Sahyeok showed the end of his desperation. "...... Lord, I am Peng Sahyeok of the Hebei Peng family."

"Is that so? I will verify your identity through your identification tag, so please submit it promptly."

"Pfft..."

I held back a laugh that was about to burst out as I looked at Cheongcheon.

Our eyes met, but naturally, neither of us acknowledged each other. 'His acting has improved, hasn't it?' If the past Cheongcheon had forced himself to maintain a blank expression, the current Cheongcheon looked so natural that not a drop of blood would come out even if pricked with a needle.

Moreover, his breathing was much steadier. 'It seems he practiced the breathing technique I taught him.' Thanks to the proper method of blood and magic he learned from me, the side effects had been alleviated.

Cheongcheon surveyed the students awkwardly standing behind Peng Sahyeok and said, "No one has submitted their identification tags yet. Can this be seen as a challenge to the government?"

"Lord, are you going to keep this up until the end?"

"I haven't even started yet."

"......"

Cheongcheon, who had no intention of backing down, and Peng Sahyeok, who had no intention of going to the government office.

In the end, it was Peng Sahyeok who first changed his stance.

"I don't think everyone needs to go to the government office. Only those who caused the problem should be taken. None of us have mastered magic, but..."

He pointed at me and said, "That person was drunk and committed shameless acts against the female students of the academy. He even assaulted other students who tried to stop him. The table broke, and this chaos ensued while trying to break up the fight."

Peng Sahyeok turned to the students and the new instructors, giving them a silent pressure.

"You all saw it, didn't you? Right?"

"Y-yes."

"Just as the young master said."

Some students and a few new instructors sided with Peng Sahyeok, while the rest nodded or lowered their heads in silent agreement. 'Tsk tsk.' I quietly watched this scene and then looked at Cheongcheon.

Naturally, Cheongcheon would not believe those words.

Even if I had actually done that, Cheongcheon would still side with me. 'Foolish boy.

You're making things worse for yourself.' I clicked my tongue and looked at Peng Sahyeok.

I had considered letting it slide if he honestly admitted his mistakes and apologized.

But if he continued like this, I had no intention of holding back.

'It seems he wants to pin all the blame on me and get away with it...

I will refute each point one by one.' Just as I was about to open my mouth after organizing my thoughts, "This is an outrageous accusation."

The quiet Akyunho stepped forward.

He had a serious expression I had never seen before.

"It was not Brother Suryeong who tore the skirts of the female students and hit the male students, but that Peng Sahyeok over there! He set a trap and dragged us here!"

"Hah. Ridiculous. Why would I do such a thing?"

"Because you want to manipulate the new instructors as your puppets!"

"Why would I? As the young master of the Hebei Peng family, am I worried about my future after graduation?"

"Th-that’s...!" Akyunho was momentarily speechless.

He seemed too innocent to think that Peng Sahyeok would do such a thing just for fun. 'He shouldn't have responded like that in the first place.' Responding emotionally like Akyunho would only make it seem unreasonable to a third party.

I grabbed Akyunho's shoulder and pulled him back, saying, "Thanks, but it's fine. I'll handle this, so you just stay quiet..."

"No. I can't keep leaving it to you, brother. I will handle this matter."

"I know your martial skills are strong, but this cannot be resolved with force."

"I know that too."

Confidently, Akyunho turned to look around at everyone. 'What is he trying to do?' Taking a deep breath, Akyunho spoke in a clear voice.

What came out of his mouth was a trump card I had not anticipated.

"I swear on the name of the Sandong Akga that everything I say is the truth."

"!!"

Sandong Akga.

Although not a family that had been called one of the five great families through tradition and history, the current name of Sandong Akga was not inferior to the Hebei Peng family.

This was because the head of the family was Akbi, one of the ten great masters.

It was known that the power and influence of Sandong Akga were comparable to the five great families.

When Akyunho staked his family's name, Peng Sahyeok's face turned pale.

"You must be crazy. You would stake your family's name on such a trivial matter? Do you even know what that means?"

"It means I am risking the honor and history that my family has built."

"Knowing that...!"

Honor and history.

In other words, staking a name meant that depending on who made that statement, the entire family could go to war.

"Why? Peng Sahyeok, are you not confident in your words?"

"...... Your words carry a different weight than mine."

"You’re scared. That's why you should have kept your mouth shut."

"Aren't you afraid of your family's punishment? Surely you know what happened to the Hunyuan family in the past."

"I think my life can be dealt with here."

"You really are a hopeless fool."

"Why does a child keep speaking informally? Use honorifics, you brat."

Though they had not drawn weapons, Peng Sahyeok and Akyunho glared at each other, engaging in a battle of wills.

"Martial artists are really..."

Cheongcheon sighed heavily as he watched the scene unfold.

Cheongcheon glanced at me and sent a message. [What should we do? Should we take them to the government office? Or should we resolve this and go back?] If Cheongcheon pretended to back down, Peng Sahyeok would also stop trying to train the new instructors and retreat.

But I had no intention of letting Peng Sahyeok leave quietly.

If I didn't put him in his place today, he would continue like this.

I silently mouthed to Cheongcheon, 'Wait for a moment.'

[How long?]

I needed to quickly raise my reverse sky technique to the third level; I was frustrated that I couldn't use a single message.

While everyone's attention was focused on Peng Sahyeok and Akyunho, I muttered softly, "Just until my grandfather arrives."

[Grandfather?]

When I sent Zongsoyi earlier, I hadn't only informed Cheongcheon.

Wheeeeee~ A cold air began to blow in from somewhere, like a winter storm.

Both Akyunho and Peng Sahyeok, who had been raising their spirits as if they were about to make a move, shivered.

Their heads turned in the same direction.

"What...?"

"Could it be...?"

Soon, the other instructors and students, sensitive to the energy, also turned their heads in the same direction.

Step.

The sound of regular footsteps that seemed unaffected by the storm.

White hair as white as snow and a deep jade robe to match.

The old man, standing at the door, spoke to the constable blocking his way.

"I was invited... but is something happening inside?"

The face visible over the constable's shoulder.

Upon seeing that face, one student murmured in terror, "Th-the headmaster has arrived..."

With that one sentence, the inn, which had been heated up, instantly froze.

At the same time, I raised my hand high and shouted, "Grandfather! Here I am!"