Governor Wang Has Changed (1)

Until just yesterday, Yu Jinsan and his granddaughter were fugitives.

Yet now they had been transformed into honored guests of the Kaifeng administration.

“Wow~ Did they set all this out for just the two of us to eat?”

Led by an attendant, they arrived at a place laid out with a sumptuous feast.

From various stir-fries to steamed carp, meatball soup, and fragrant fruits, the table looked ready to break.

To be served such a meal alone in a quiet room.

It was no wonder the granddaughter gaped in surprise.

“Yes. Eat a lot, child. Governor Wang must be a gourmand; he prepared a great deal.”

Yu Seol, clutching her chopsticks, began tasting the dishes one by one.

Her eyes grew wider as she found the food to her liking.

“Wow, it’s delicious! But why isn’t mister eating?”

Wang Sa-pyeong had originally been a man with a great appetite.

But since the mole-steaming incident, he scarcely touched food, as if afraid to eat.

Yu Jinsan, who suspected the reason, asked while suppressing a smile.

“He’s a high official and must be busy with state affairs. But why ask that all of a sudden? Since when do you worry about him?”

“He seems like a different person than before. Zhu Bajie became Sha Wujing.”

Journey to the West is the granddaughter’s favorite tale.

The change wasn’t only in appearance. He seemed possessed, everything had changed dramatically.

“It actually looks better this way.”

“Hehe. But why is he treating us so well?”

Wang Sa-pyeong had always been quick-tempered. His sudden shift in attitude was naturally puzzling.

At that moment Yu Jinsan picked up a chicken leg before him and placed it in his granddaughter’s bowl.

“There’s no such thing as a free meal. Old man thinks they’re likely planning to put us to work.”

“Then… shall we eat this and run away?”

They had a rough idea of what might be happening.

They had no intention of actually fleeing, but Yu Jinsan played along with the granddaughter’s prankish idea.

“That wouldn’t be so bad. Eat and then run right away?”

Yu Seol pondered briefly, then shook her head once.

“Wait a bit, granddad. They might keep bringing out more delicious food.”

“So you mean stay a few more days? Hmm. As expected, our Seol is a genius.”

At that moment the grandfather and granddaughter’s eyes met directly.

They studied each other’s expressions, then each began laughing uncontrollably for different reasons.

Wang Sa-pyeong’s face was full of solemnity.

There was no trace of his formerly fat and slovenly self.

Sitting in the executor’s chair, he grabbed the clapper and struck the table.

“Summon all the Five Tiger Captains immediately!”

An official bowed and then quickly ran out.

The Five Tiger Captains are the five most outstanding captains of the Kaifeng administration.

They lead the people on the ground to direct investigations and are famed for their martial skills.

It was exceedingly rare for them to be summoned all at once.

Wang Sa-pyeong pointed to someone again.

“Jang-ho!”

“Yes, sir.”

“Command the Five Tiger Captains to investigate all officials within the city! If anyone’s origins or deeds are suspicious, or if they refuse to cooperate, arrest them regardless of rank!”

“Yes, Your Excellency!”

After finishing his orders, Wang Sa-pyeong gestured for everyone to leave.

Only the guard Jeon Chung remained in the main hall.

He approached quietly and asked.

“Is it all right to move so aggressively at once? Other officials will not push back lightly.”

Kaifeng is the nation’s capital, and at its deepest point stands the Imperial Palace.

Being the political center, it was natural that many influential officials were present.

Even as governor, acting rashly could land him in trouble, yet his resolve was firm.

“If we don’t deal with them now, we’ll be the ones harmed. This is not the time to haggle over details.”

They were now almost at enmity with the Blue Dragon Troops.

It was obvious they would target him. Until it was settled decisively, he couldn’t rest easy.

The most urgent matter was to purge internal enemies.

“Are you really sure about this?”

Wang Sa-pyeong shook his head.

“This is only a temporary measure; it’s not something I can resolve alone.”

“What plan do you have?”

“Once the sword is drawn, it must be pursued decisively. I’ll go to have an audience with His Majesty.”

If handled poorly, it could backfire.

Wang Sa-pyeong reviewed the grave situation and planned to settle it in one stroke.

But worries still remained on Jeon Chung’s face.

“If you leave your post at this time, the investigation will be difficult to carry out properly.”

“What’s the problem?”

“Those from military backgrounds or with powerful backers, and other high officials, won’t cooperate. At least unless I step out personally…”

Jeon Chung trailed off.

It was dangerous for Wang Sa-pyeong to go alone now, so Jeon Chung had to accompany him as guard wherever he went.

Moreover, since they’d both be entangled in political issues for the foreseeable future, neither could fully join the investigation.

“This concerns the fate of the nation; everyone must be checked without exception, even by force if necessary.”

“However, the Five Tiger Captains alone will have limitations.”

They might handle lower-ranking officials, but captains’ influence wouldn’t be enough to properly investigate high-ranking figures.

Wang Sa-pyeong surely knew that, yet he remained undisturbed.

As if he had some hidden thing to rely upon.

“What if we seek the help of the Yin Yang Twin Monster?”

Jeon Chung, unable to imagine it, asked back with a surprised face.

“The Yin Yang Twin Monster? You mean bring those dangerous ones into the investigation?”

“What’s to stop us? Those ruffians wouldn’t care who the opponent is.”

“Still, isn’t it risky? They’re the kind who’d storm the Kaifeng administration in broad daylight and abduct the governor.”

“At first I thought the same, that they were lunatics. But looking back, every action was calculated.”

Jeon Chung no longer objected and bowed his head once.

“I understand, Your Excellency. But will they willingly help us?”

“If it were the Blue Dragon Troops, they’d be just as eager. Since it’s a matter of rooting them out, they’d have no reason to refuse.”

But one problem still remained.

“Still, they’re civilians, aren’t they? There will be limits to how they can help.”

“We’ll just make a method. Come to think of it, you said we needed to reinforce the place, didn’t you?”

Jeon Chung looked at Wang Sa=pyeong with a baffled expression.

“You don’t mean…”

“By my authority I’ll appoint the Yin Yang Twin Monster as guardians of the Kaifeng administration. They also cooperated with Information Center Courtyard’s investigation, so there’s sufficient justification.”

“Won’t there be problems? Our men are scared. The captains will be too frightened to give orders.”

Who could possibly control the Yin Yang Twin Monster?

Even Jeon Chung, Kaifeng administration’s top expert, had to tread carefully around them.

But Wang Sa-pyeong seemed at ease as if he’d already thought it through.

“I was captured and tormented by them for over ten days, wasn’t I? I observed them closely during that time, so there’s no need to worry.”

“You mean you have a way to control them?”

Wang Sa-pyeong nodded with a meaningful smile.

“The Yang Monster is deep and calm in disposition. The Yin Monster, however, acts according to its mood, laughing one moment and suddenly raging the next; unpredictable.”

“So we should persuade the Yang Monster to move the Yin Monster?”

“No, the opposite. The Yang Monster can’t be controlled even by Master Gong-myung.”

“Then… you mean to flatter the Yin Monster?”

Wang Sa-pyeong signaled him to come closer.

Then he leaned in and whispered softly into his ear.

“The Yin Monster is weak to flattery, so tell them to respond to praise. If you keep its mood pleasant, it will cooperate with most things.”

“A double-edged sword. If you offend it instead…”

Wang Sa-pyeong’s gaze turned to the main hall’s door, tightly shut.

It had been smashed by the Yin Monster recently and replaced with a new one.

“Then that day’s incident could be repeated.”

How could one forget that day?

As Kaifeng administration’s top expert, he was beaten until he fainted, and Wang Sa-pyeong had his neck caught in the execution block that day.

It was the darkest memory of their lives, one they’d never forget.

Jeon Chung tightened his grip on his sword with a grim expression and saluted.

“I’ll summon the captains and warn them to be on guard.”

“We’re leaving for the Imperial Palace tomorrow, so finish this properly beforehand.”

“Yes, Your Excellency. Do not worry.”

After finishing the meal, Yu Jinsan strolled the front yard of the Kaifeng administration’s main hall.

In the vast space he was the only civilian, yet no official stopped him.

As he enjoyed the cool breeze,

“Sir, did the meal suit your taste?”

Jeon Chung approached and respectfully clasped his hands before him.

He held the rank of military officer and was among the highest-ranking military officials in the Kaifeng administration.

Yet his demeanor toward Yu Jinsan was full of courtesy.

“Thanks to you, I ate well. I didn’t expect the Kaifeng administration to treat guests like this.”

“If anything is lacking, please say so. Your Excellency ordered us to treat you with utmost hospitality.”

“Good. What is your business?”

“Um… actually I have a request.”

Yu Jinsan had already expected him to come.

He listened silently with his hands behind his back.

After hearing everything, he chuckled and asked,

“You want us to become the guardians?”

“Yes. Please, at least until the investigation is over.”

Yu Jinsan feigned indifference with a bored look.

How many targets were there? It would mean tedious running around.

Considering the workload, it wasn’t efficient and held little appeal.

He judged that guarding the prison gate would be more meaningful.

“Hm. I’m not very interested. Ask the Yin Monster.”

“Where is that person?”

Yu Jinsan jerked his chin to indicate somewhere and then turned away.

Jeon Chung silently looked where he had pointed.

On the roof of the pavilion opposite.

Yu Seol lay sprawled there, belly swollen like a tadpole.

Half-closed eyes, she wriggled her toes.

With a full stomach and cool weather, she looked sleepy.

“Yin Monster, great hero!”

Yu Seol’s eyes slid to the right.

Then she glanced at Jeon Chung and asked in a small voice.

“…What is it?”

“Please become the guardian and help us. We beg of you.”

She had already heard the conversation between her grandfather and Jeon Chung.

Yu Seol replied as if uninterested.

“No. I’m too lazy.”

To be rejected so promptly.

Jeon Chung hesitated, not knowing what to do.

A moment later, he suddenly spoke again in a reverent tone.

“Actually, I am deeply impressed by your martial skills. Do you know that our Kaifeng administration officers admire you?”

At that moment the expressionless Yin Monster’s lips twitched into a slight smile.

Noticing it, Jeon Chung inwardly rejoiced.

“You admire me?”

“Yes, of course. Your righteous deeds are a model to everyone.”

At that moment Jeon Chung could hear the Yin Monster laugh.

“Please teach the guardians.”

The Yin Monster didn’t answer immediately, seeming to ponder.

Jeon Chung clutched his hands in nervous anticipation.

After a stretch of silence.

He was then met with an entirely unexpected question.

“Then how much will you pay as wages?”