Chapter 76
Chapter 76
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 76
Chapter Title: Foothold (10)
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Songgang Prefecture lay at the southeastern edge of Southern Zhili.
What was Southern Zhili?
An administrative division.
It referred to the vast territory directly governed from the Ming capital, Nanjing.
But the common folk living there didn't care much for such lofty, official names favored by high officials.
Those designations changed with every passing regime, and would soon shift again.
To the locals, it was Jiangsu or Anhui.
They'd say, "I'm from Jiangsu," or "I hail from Anhui."
Only on official paperwork was it recorded as a province—mention Yangzhou Prefecture in Jiangsu, and anyone in the Central Plains would understand.
The chaos of the era only amplified this.
The Ming Dynasty's history hadn't even reached forty years.
What the village elders said differed from the young folk, and both mingled freely.
Nanjing was the same.
Nanjing, Jinling, Ying Tian Prefecture—all names for one place.
Strictly speaking, it was Nanjing; traditionally, Jinling.
Ying Tian was an even older name, more formal. "Responding to Heaven," fitting for the emperor's seat. Calling the capital Ying Tian Prefecture marked one as learned. Most simply said the capital or the metropolis.
In any case, they had arrived in Songgang Prefecture. From a high hill path, they took in the full vista of Songgang. The sky was blue, the sea was blue. The sea breeze, warm with spring's embrace, set the meadows dancing in welcome.
"Why here?"
"It's going to boom big time."
Oho asked, and Danmun answered.
"When?"
"Later."
"I don't get it."
Oho and Danmun sighed in unison.
Songgang Prefecture hugged the lower reaches of the O Song River and bordered the sea.
It was a decent-sized city, but life there felt like a cluster of fishing villages.
Saltwater or freshwater, water was plentiful.
The people bustled with energy, and their livelihoods were solid. The scenery was stunning, for one. Not far from Ying Tian Prefecture, several tile-roofed estates used as villas by high officials dotted the landscape.
"Not much fun here."
"Yeah."
They shared the sentiment.
The vibe didn't sit right.
Peace and tranquility filled every corner.
Even the back alleys lacked grime. The officials seemed diligent, and the soldiers guarding the bays and harbors maintained strict discipline.
The distance from Nanjing was a touch shorter than from Beijing to their home base.
Plus, a direct sea route linked to Nanjing. It was within the central army's defense perimeter. Poor security here would have been the real surprise.
"That it?"
"Looks like."
Trailing behind was a large carriage.
Inside rode Yeom Seoksan and Hyang. They were heading to the Peng Clan's safe house in Songgang Prefecture, managed by the clan. The Hebei Peng Clan headquarters might feel safer, but Yeom Seoksan accepted the arrangement without protest. He never voiced a single complaint over the long journey.
"We're here."
Yeom Seoksan's residence sat not far from the Peng Clan Songgang branch. Perched on a hill overlooking the sea, it boasted finer views than the branch headquarters.
"You've all worked hard."
As Yeom Seoksan and Hyang disembarked, he bowed his head. With his peace of mind restored, he was kind to everyone. Having grown fond over the trip, he even greeted the coachman and handed over some silver.
"How's your health?"
"Thanks to everyone's care."
Danmun asked, and Hyang replied.
Hyang looked gaunt, her face pale. The poisoning had left severe internal injuries.
They'd set out in winter, and the journey alone took nearly a month and a half. Blizzards at winter's end had stalled them for days at a stretch. The distance was no joke—from Hebei's Handan to Jiangsu's southeastern tip, traversing the Central Plains top to bottom.
Spring was nearly here, but the air remained chill. The trip had been grueling. Slow recovery was no surprise.
"Let us know if you need anything."
Oho spoke, and Yeom Seoksan clasped his hands in response.
"I'll handle most things myself."
"Then we'll head to the branch. We'll drop by as early as tonight."
Oho's tone had completely shifted.
Polished and crisp.
No longer a back-alley fixer, he was now the Hebei Peng Clan Songgang Branch Deputy Director. Ever since Yeom Seoksan signed the trade contract with the Peng Clan's Wealth Division, Oho had become an official business partner.
Oho and Danmun headed straight for the branch.
They met Paeng Jun-ui.
He had the kind of face people called trustworthy. Born with looks that built rapport easily.
"Greetings, Branch Chief."
Oho bowed deeply. Paeng Jun-ui waved it off.
"Come on, relax. Make yourselves at home."
"I'm Danmun."
Danmun followed Oho's lead with a clasped-hand salute. Paeng Jun-ui gestured to seats.
The branch chief's office chairs were modest, far from the luxury back home. Even Paeng Jun-ui's own seat lacked ornamentation. It spoke to his character. His mild expression and clear eyes made him seem unsuited to espionage.
"There's still a lot lacking here. Lend us a hand, you two."
"We'll do our best."
Oho replied.
Danmun just nodded.
Better to leave this talk to Oho. Danmun excelled at upending tables, but not in settings like this.
"The kids will show you to quarters. Headquarters said no official posts for you two. Still, your clearance levels are high, so they'll show respect. Our branch folks spend more time in the field than catching headquarters' eye, so they're a rough bunch. Bear with it."
"How many in the branch?"
"Didn't get the report?"
"As you said, branch chief privileges revoked."
"Higher-ups, honestly. What secrecy."
"It was sealed for viewing."
"With your level, you can't open it?"
"They told us to get authorization."
"Then authorize and open it."
"We have."
"So? Too lazy?"
"Not lazy, exactly. Figured a seal like that has a reason—why poke around? Plus, we'd see it anyway once here."
"Most would peek out of curiosity."
"Not me."
"I knew it. You don't fit the Spy Squad."
"Guess not."
Oho admitted readily.
Paeng Jun-ui had a point.
The Spy Squad needed the curious type, obsessed with the unknown. That dogged pursuit made top agents.
"But."
Paeng Jun-ui chuckled softly.
"We need guys like you too. Same for you, Danmun."
The Spy Squad was an intelligence unit.
It demanded keen observation and sharp analysis. Smart ones often mastered martial arts too, but innate temperament was hard to ignore.
Especially since Peng Clan training centered on heavy broadsword arts, requiring immense strength and stamina.
While Heaven-Destroying Squad warriors built power under moonlight in the training yard, Spy Squad agents hunched over candlelit desks sifting intel floods.
The martial gap was inevitable.
The Spy Squad had no need—or reason—to match Heaven-Destroying Squad prowess, but having operatives rivaling combat units meant everything for mission success. Relying on Heaven-Destroying or Lake Patrol Squad support every time dulled their autonomy. Thus, martial prodigies like Oho and Danmun were irreplaceable assets to the Spy Squad.
"You asked how many? Sixty-four regular agents, about eighty contractors. Usual branch staff tops forty. Around twenty agents, rest support."
"Whoa... that's... substantial. Inspection Division?"
"No full-timers from Inspection Division. Nanjing branch guys pop in occasionally. They bring specialists, so not much oversight. Not yet."
Oho glanced sidelong at Danmun.
'Did you know?'
'No.'
Danmun raised a brow and gave a subtle head shake.
A silent exchange.
Danmun's clearance was one rank below Oho's.
He wouldn't have accessed it early. But as the Wealth Division chief's son, he might've heard separately. This scale demanded Wealth Division approval sans it.
'Too simplistic of me.'
The Spy Division chief summoned him personally.
He'd assumed the Unnamed Blade manual was the main draw—now it seemed he might be the guest.
Something was up in Songgang.
Oho asked outright.
"What's this place for?"
Paeng Jun-ui grinned.
"What's the rush? You'll learn in time. In time."
His smile held, but his face no longer seemed mild.
Paeng Jun-ui rose.
Oho and Danmun stood as well.
"Long trip must've worn you out. Rest up. Oh, right—is that guy here too?"
"Yes, arrived a few days ahead, as far as we know."
"Don't call him to the branch. Settle in and report your position. I'll visit personally."
"Understood."
Paeng Jun-ui waved them off.
Time to go.
Oho and Danmun saluted and left.
* * *
While Oho and Danmun met Paeng Jun-ui, a man watched the branch gate from afar.
Middle-aged, perhaps, but wind and wave had streaked his hair half-white. His skin bore the bronzed tan of a seafarer. Broad-shouldered and sturdy, he bared his arms despite the lingering chill. Thick forearms dangled fishing gear.
"Bi Elder, you got a grudge against that house or what?"
The man ahead dressed like a typical fishing villager.
His face was as swarthy as Bi Elder's, but gaunt and hollow-cheeked. Past forty, his rough hemp coat was crusted with salt.
"Not Elder."
"If you read and write like a scholar, you're an elder, ain't ya? Anyway, why's every trip down this road gotta stall gawking at that place?"
"That obvious?"
"You bet! You're usually so fast I can't keep up—look, here I am ahead."
"Not quite a grudge."
"You know that Oho household, then?"
"I do."
The one denying "elder" replied.
His expression had hardened.