Chapter 17: Necessity (2)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 17: Necessity (2)
I slipped the letter into my pocket and stepped out onto the street with Muyeon.
We took the same route as before, but this time, I wasn't short of breath. My training had clearly improved my stamina. Honestly, it was probably abnormal for me to get winded from a simple walk in the first place. Smirking at the thought, I led the way through the alleyways.
It wasn't long before the same building from my last visit came into view: the Hao Clan's branch headquarters. The only difference was that everyone was now dressed in the same formal attire as the branch manager.
As I approached, a man stepped forward to greet me. "Welcome, Young Master."
"Huh? You're dressed formally this time," I noted.
"I apologize for my conduct during your previous visit."
It was the same man who had cursed at me last time. Dressed properly, he seemed like a completely different person.
"Don't worry about it. So, where do I need to go? The cellar again?"
"That won't be necessary, Young Master."
I turned toward the voice and saw Dowoon-Chu descending the staircase.
"Different from last time. You're here right away."
"Of course. I should be prompt for a valued customer," he replied.
"Are you saying I wasn't a customer last time?" I quipped.
Dowoon-Chu chuckled at my little joke. I didn't press the matter further; I could have, but I wanted to conclude my business and return home as quickly as possible.
I followed him to the second floor. Unlike the dusty first floor, this level was impeccably clean. Once seated, a Hao Clan servant offered me tea, which Muyeon immediately refused. He didn't trust them. When the servant made a slightly annoyed face at the rejection, Dowoon-Chu admonished him in a cold tone.
"Fix your expression. You are in the presence of a valued guest."
"...My apologies, Branch Manager."
"Don't apologize to me. Apologize to the Young Master."
"I apologize, Young Master."
I waved a hand to indicate it was fine and turned my attention to Dowoon-Chu. What a hassle…
I knew this was all an act. They had anticipated Muyeon's reaction, and Dowoon-Chu's reprimand was just part of the performance. Whether they were trying to show respect or curry favor, it was nothing more than an annoying inconvenience.
"I don't know what you're trying to prove here, but you're wasting my time. Let's just get down to business, Branch Manager," I said. I had no patience for pointless theatrics.
My words seemed to stun Dowoon-Chu. His expression was unreadable, but I believed my message had gotten through. He let out a sigh before speaking.
"...I'm not entirely sure how to... edit the information you provided us last time."
"As I said then, the information I gave you is correct. There's no need to change anything."
Dowoon-Chu took a small sip of his tea and finally got to the point. "Regarding the deal we made... if we fulfill your request, how much will you tell us?"
"How much? Aren't you going to ask for everything I know?"
"We are in the business of trading information. We understand the value of your intelligence better than anyone."
The missing man, whom the entire Hao Clan had failed to track down—I knew his whereabouts. Of course, I had no intention of divulging everything at once. The 'Reclamation of the Hao Clan Lord' was an event that would happen years later. The current lord was supposed to die during that incident, meaning he was still alive for now. But Dowoon-Chu didn't know that, which must be making him desperate.
I don't know the exact nature of Dowoon-Chu's relationship with the clan lord, but it must be significant if he becomes the next lord. Otherwise, he wouldn't bother initiating a reclamation plan. Yet, despite his situation, he wasn't showing any desperation. I didn't know if he was hiding it or believed composure was necessary to obtain the information. To be precise, I didn't really care. Their relationship was irrelevant to me. But if one existed, I needed to take advantage of it. Obviously, only if it becomes absolutely necessary.
"Do you even believe me to begin with, Branch Manager?" I asked. Even I wouldn't trust some random kid who showed up claiming to have crucial information.
Dowoon-Chu chuckled at my question. "I'm not in a position to be picky."
Those were the words I had used last time. "...If you say so. Don't worry, I'll tell you everything you need to know."
"Of course, Young Master."
Dowoon-Chu didn't comment further on my assurance and instead began explaining the progress on my request. "We estimate it will take about a month. We could attempt to expedite the process, but it will be completed no later than a month."
"...A month, huh." Summer would have arrived by then. It wasn't an excessively long wait.
As I organized my thoughts, Dowoon-Chu spoke again. "...May I ask a question?"
"That depends on if I can answer it."
"Our Lord..." Dowoon-Chu stopped. He was likely going to ask if the lord was still alive. While I knew this information was critical to him, it was inconsequential to me.
"You do realize that asking that question won't help your position, right?" I said. It was only a suspicion that Dowoon-Chu and the clan lord were close, but his question all but confirmed an important relationship. Of course, this could also be part of his act.
Dowoon-Chu remained silent. Whether his slip was due to desperation or calculated performance, I had no way of telling from his expressionless face. Not that he would ever let his true feelings show.
After a moment's thought, I spoke. "The Ancient Mountains."
Dowoon-Chu's eyes widened at my words. It was a mountainous region in the south. While not the exact location of the Hao Clan lord, it was part of a range within the Black Palace's domain. Not that I know which specific mountain he's held on. I chose this particular range because it contained information Dowoon-Chu would find useful.
"Consider this an early payment. It should be sufficient for now." Whether he chose to believe me was his own affair. "If you decide to investigate, I suggest you bring adequate manpower." The Black Palace undoubtedly had security in the area. Their mastery of concealment was why the Murim Alliance struggled to locate their main base.
With that, our conversation reached its end. I turned from Dowoon-Chu and stood to return to my clan. One month, huh. For me, it felt like a rather long time to wait.
* * *
On the way back, I bought some yakgwa, as had become my habit—obviously for Wi Seol-Ah. The servants had been plying her with so many snacks lately that she seemed to be gaining a little weight.
A cool breeze blew as we walked. "It's still pleasant now, in the spring… but starting next month, summer will turn this place into a scorching hell," Muyeon remarked. Indeed, summer was due to begin next month.
Summer, huh… I felt a nagging sensation, like there was something important I needed to remember about the coming season, but the memory remained elusive, leaving me uneasy. Why do I feel so unsettled?
Freeze.
I stopped in my tracks. It finally came back to me. A major incident was looming on the horizon, set to occur this summer. "...Why did I only remember this now?"
Next summer, the secret vault of the 'Golden Nature Clan' would be discovered. The first to find it would be the Tang Clan from Sichuan, but the one to ultimately seize its contents would be the Heaven's Gate Clan, a faction of the Unorthodox Path. The two clans, both based in the same region, had a notoriously poor relationship. And one day, a demonic cult would appear and take over the Heaven's Gate Clan.
The Golden Nature Clan's secret vault is also in Sichuan.
…I'm screwed.
I ran through the sequence of events in my mind. The vault was supposed to be discovered in late summer. I would have loved to claim its treasures for myself rather than let them fall into the hands of the future demonic cult, but the location was a problem. I have no way to get to Sichuan on short notice.
The Hao Clan said my request would take a month. Going to Sichuan in the meantime would be ideal, but I lacked a credible excuse. Should I say I'm going on vacation? There's no way the clan would allow that. If I randomly claimed I was going to retrieve a treasure, no one would believe me.
The Golden Nature Clan's vault didn't contain gold or jewels, but rather martial arts scrolls that were incredibly rare. This was part of the reason the future lord of the Heaven's Gate Clan managed to reach the 'Fusion' realm before his descent into demonhood.
I want to at least prevent Heaven's Gate from getting the vault. Even if I couldn't have it, I didn't want those treasures falling into the hands of future demonic humans. Of course, securing them for myself would be ideal. But if that proved impossible, I needed an alternative.
"Maybe I could inform the Beggar’s Sect," I mused. Even if few believed me, it might alter the course of events slightly. I wasn't sure if rumors would spread quickly enough, but it was a possibility. My hesitation, despite seemingly easy solutions, stemmed from simple greed. I had been given a second chance at a peaceful life through regression, yet the moment I saw an opportunity for gain, my hands instinctively reached for it.
"I'm being selfish again. I need to learn to let go when I know something is beyond my reach." Despite the harsh lessons of my previous life, I still hadn't shaken my avarice. Why did I have to remember this now…
A wave of disappointment washed over me. I looked around for something to eat that might lift my spirits. In the distance, I saw steam rising from a dumpling stall. Remembering how delicious they were last time, I immediately changed course.
"Young Master, are you buying dumplings as well?"
"The ones I had last time were excellent."
"But you told me earlier you spent all your money on the yakgwa…?"
"Hand it over."
"Huh?"
"Hand. It. Over."
"Yes, Young Master…"
I'm sorry. Don't look so sad. I'll pay you back when we return… Come to think of it, I don't think I ever repaid him last time either… I turned away from Muyeon's sorrowful expression as he reluctantly pulled out his money, a sudden pang of guilt hitting me. I'll definitely pay him back this time. For real, I would. Definitely…
We returned to the clan after buying the dumplings. The sun was beginning to set by the time we arrived. As I approached the entrance, Wi Seol-Ah came hopping over to take my outer garment. I handed it to her along with the box of yakgwa. Her face lit up with a smile upon seeing the sweets, and she happily ran off to share them with the other servants. The sight left me feeling satisfied.
I'm still a bit bummed about the whole Golden Nature vault situation, but it was never mine to begin with. It was foolish to be disappointed over something I had no connection to. But what could I do? There seemed to be no viable solution.
…Or so I thought.
"My name is Gu Jeolyub. I wish to have a duel with the direct descendant of the Gu Clan."
The solution to my problem came walking right up to me on its own two feet.