Chapter 30
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 30
Chapter Title: A Coincidence Called Inevitability (2)
-----------------------------------------------------------------
"Welcome."
Hong Wi-mun's greeting was quite polite.
Given his station, he didn't bow deeply, but it was rare for a disciple of the Cult Leader to show such courtesy.
His guest did not take the greeting lightly.
"The Lord of the Garden of Joy pays her respects to the Fourth Young Master."
"Please, come up. I've prepared the finest dishes, though I'm not sure if they'll suit your palate."
So Yeonsim smiled.
"The Blossom Deep Pavilion is under my Garden's management. I know better than anyone how excellent the food here is."
"Ah, I see."
Hong Wi-mun scratched his head. So Yeonsim let out a small laugh at his display of mild embarrassment.
The two ascended the pavilion in a friendly atmosphere.
The Blossom Deep Pavilion was one of the five grand taverns within the Divine Cult's inner sanctum, a favorite among the high-ranking members. Hong Wi-mun had chosen a spot in the Heavenly Seat Pavilion, said to have the best view in the entire establishment.
The darkening sky, the fragrant food, and the cool breeze added to the ambiance.
So Yeonsim asked with a smile.
"By the way, why has the ever-busy Fourth Young Master invited me here today?"
It was quite a direct opening. However, her smile and voice were so gentle that they didn't make him feel the least bit uncomfortable.
Hong Wi-mun shook his head.
"Must there be a particular reason? It's no great trouble to treat a meal to someone who works so tirelessly for our cult."
"Hoho, you flatter me."
She knew they were empty words. Nevertheless, So Yeonsim covered her mouth and laughed as if genuinely grateful.
Hong Wi-mun smiled.
"This is Golden Goblet Brew, which was quite difficult to acquire. Please, have a glass."
"Thank you."
The two filled each other's cups.
Hong Wi-mun asked casually.
"By the way, did you submit the approval documents without issue?"
So Yeonsim answered with composure.
"Yes. They were already mostly prepared, so revising them wasn't difficult."
"You've worked hard."
"It was hardly work. All I do is review them and get approval from above. My subordinates do all the real work."
"Creating a good environment for your subordinates to perform well is no easy task. Everyone knows how much effort you put in, my Lord."
"With such flattery, I hardly know where to put myself."
"I am merely speaking what I feel."
The two smiled and tilted their cups.
The question about the approval documents could be seen as quite loaded from So Yeonsim's perspective. While not offensive, it wasn't a pleasant topic to bring up again.
And yet, her expression remained perfectly composed.
'She's not an easy one, as expected.'
Of course. She was a formidable woman who had survived for decades in the battlefield that was the Divine Cult and claimed the seat of Lord of the Garden of Joy. She wouldn't be swayed by such words.
"How is the wine?"
"It's a bit overpowering for my taste."
"Ah, is that so."
"I'm not fond of heavy aromas. The aftertaste isn't bad, though."
Hong Wi-mun's gaze deepened.
It was merely her personal opinion, but it wasn't something one would easily say to the person who had prepared the food and drink. Especially when that person was a disciple of the Cult Leader.
'Is she offended? Over something so trivial?'
After observing her closely, Hong Wi-mun revised his thoughts.
She wasn't offended, nor was she trying to probe his intentions. So Yeonsim had simply stated her honest opinion.
'Impressive.'
In the Divine Cult, where the hierarchy was absolute, it wasn't easy to respond this way. It meant she knew her own worth and possessed a strong sense of self-esteem.
'She has no taste for beating around the bush. I'll have to approach her directly. She's a rare type in our cult.'
At the same time, she was very much a member of the Demonic path. She didn't bother to hide the power that made such indirectness unnecessary.
"Would you care for another glass?"
"Ah, I think I'll drink a little more slowly."
Just as I thought.
Hong Wi-mun smiled and offered her the bottle.
"Then please, pour me a glass."
A flicker of interest appeared in So Yeonsim's eyes.
She was intrigued by his reaction.
"Of course."
She politely filled his cup.
Just as the cup was about to be filled, Hong Wi-mun spoke.
"I need your help."
The last drops of wine trickled into the cup.
So Yeonsim set the bottle down, completely unfazed. She offered no reply.
Hong Wi-mun also set down his cup. The wine sloshed as if it would spill at any moment, but not a single drop was lost.
"Lend me your aid."
So Yeonsim, who had been staring blankly at Hong Wi-mun, raised her cup and drained it in one go.
"That was a fine drink."
So Yeonsim slowly rose to her feet.
A smile formed in the eyes of Hong Wi-mun as he looked up at her.
"Are you displeased?"
"Beyond displeasure, I am against lending my support to any single candidate."
"Why do you think that way?"
So Yeonsim's eyes deepened.
"Other organizations may do as they please, but my Garden cannot. If the Garden of Joy makes a move, the entire cult will be shaken."
Her words could sound arrogant, but Hong Wi-mun conceded her point.
Among those who speak lightly of logistics, few understand its true importance.
This was especially true when managing the affairs of a massive power like the Divine Cult of the Heavenly Demon. The Garden of Joy oversaw everything, from food supplies to finances.
If it were a combat division, it would be one thing, but if the Garden of Joy threw its weight behind someone, the tide of the succession war would turn. Just as So Yeonsim said, it could even shake the entire Divine Cult.
"I thought you, of all people, would understand that, Fourth Young Master. This is unexpected."
She took a small money pouch from her sleeve.
"Thank you for the meal. I'll pay for my share."
Hong Wi-mun shook his head.
"I invited you, so I will be paying for dinner."
"That's alright."
"Besides, I believe you are misunderstanding something, Lord So."
"A misunderstanding?"
"I asked you to lend me your aid, not to take my side."
The corners of So Yeonsim's mouth lifted.
It was still a beautiful smile, but it held a chill that seeped into one's bones.
"I fail to see any difference beyond a change in wording."
"They are entirely different. As you said, I'm well aware of the Garden of Joy's unique position."
"Even if they are different, it doesn't matter. The Garden does not provide any support to the candidates unless it is for a justifiable cause."
"That is not stipulated in the cult's laws, I believe."
"It is my way of showing loyalty, separate from the law."
"I would advise you to reconsider that way of showing loyalty."
"Thank you for the meal."
So Yeonsim turned her back.
As he quietly watched her retreating back, Hong Wi-mun spoke.
"You're in need of the Azure Tortoise Four-Leaf Clover, I hear?"
For a moment, So Yeonsim stopped walking.
Her back was still turned. Her expression was hidden from view.
Hong Wi-mun said in a leisurely voice.
"A rare herb, indeed. It cannot be found even in Yunnan, where most of the herbs supplied to our cult are grown. I believe it's an herb that is almost impossible to find even near the far eastern seas, correct?"
"..."
"If you need it, I will give it to you. I have no particular use for it myself."
Hong Wi-mun didn't elaborate. He knew that dragging out his words now would only provoke her.
Some time passed like that.
So Yeonsim turned around.
Her face was as beautiful as ever, but the smile that had constantly graced her lips was gone.
Hong Wi-mun smiled and picked up the wine bottle.
"Would you care for another glass?"
So Yeonsim, who had been glaring at him, sat down and picked up her cup.
Hong Wi-mun did not act arrogantly in the slightest. He filled her cup with the same polite demeanor as before.
So Yeonsim drained the cup in one gulp.
Hong Wi-mun filled her cup again.
Only after emptying her cup three times in a row did So Yeonsim speak.
"How did you know?"
"Does it matter how I knew?"
"It does. At least, to me."
Hong Wi-mun shook his head.
"If you wish to hear the answer, you'll have to bring a suitable item for trade. I don't engage in business that doesn't add up on my abacus."
So Yeonsim laughed coldly.
"It seems your abacus also has beads for coercion."
"My circumstances are difficult, so I ask for your understanding."
Hong Wi-mun smiled.
"For a smooth transaction, one must offer what the other party desires. I believe the Azure Tortoise Four-Leaf Clover is a suitable item for this trade with you, my Lord. What do you say?"
So Yeonsim stared at him without answering.
Some time passed like that.
"I'll hear you out first. What is it that you want, Fourth Young Master?"
Hong Wi-mun's smile deepened.
Anything is difficult to get rolling at first, but once it starts, it becomes easy.
Now that her long-held conviction had been broken, if they were to make a deal again in the future, it would be easier than it was now.
"It's nothing major. If we were close, it could be resolved with a simple favor."
"..."
"You want me to get to the point. Very well. I shall tell you."
After coolly draining his cup, Hong Wi-mun tossed out his words lightly.
"The Garden of Joy also manages the handmaidens, correct?"
"..."
"I would like you to give a secret order to one of the handmaidens."
"Which handmaiden are you referring to? And what is this secret order?"
"Do you know a handmaiden named Aeng-hwa?"
So Yeonsim shook her head.
Hong Wi-mun smiled as if he had expected as much.
"She is a handmaiden who works in the Third Young Master's residence."
"...!"
"Please ask that girl to send me letters detailing the Third Young Master's movements for three months. Preferably every day."
For a moment, So Yeonsim's eyes wavered.
"Are you planning to make a move against the Third Young Master?"
"I was under the impression that you were not one to ask unreasonable questions."
"And I did not see you as one to make unreasonable requests."
"Is that an unreasonable request?"
"It is more than unreasonable. If that girl is caught reporting on the Third Young Master's daily life, do you know what will happen to me for instigating it?"
"Then handle it well so you don't get caught."
"It's dangerous."
Dangerous, not impossible. That meant, at the very least, she could do it if she tried.
"It's not particularly dangerous. She just has to live as she normally does. All I'm asking is that she send a simple letter at the end of her daily duties."
"It sounds simple, but do you know how..."
"Even if a problem arises, the solution is simple."
"Simple?"
Hong Wi-mun said as he filled his own cup.
"The truth is as empty as the smoke from a pipe."
"..."
"If the pipe disappears, no one can know who smoked it."
"...!"
So Yeonsim's face was now visibly stiff.
"Are you telling me to kill her to silence her?"
"I am merely speaking of a worst-case scenario. It's unlikely you'll actually have to get your hands dirty. You know that, don't you?"
"..."
"If you grant my request, I will give you the Azure Tortoise Four-Leaf Clover. And just so you know, it is genuine."
A moment of silence.
It was So Yeonsim who broke the silence.
"Even so, it's a difficult request."
"My Lord."
"This isn't a matter of my conviction, but one of uncertainty. I can't entrust this task to a girl named Aeng-hwa when I don't even know what kind of person she is."
"Then it would be fine to change the handmaiden. To someone you can trust with the task."
"..."
"I'm well aware that you can do anything if you set your mind to it."
Hong Wi-mun moved in for the final push.
"Will you do it? Or will you give up?"
The corners of So Yeonsim's lips trembled.
Hong Wi-mun smiled with satisfaction. He realized she had almost given in.
He filled So Yeonsim's cup.
"Well then, I'll consider our deal struck..."
It was then.
"Honestly, are you going to keep sipping from those gloomy cups all night?"
Startled, the two of them turned their heads.
A clear voice rang out from beyond the door to the private room.
"They say the first round should be light, and the second should be deep. Isn't it about time to wrap up the first round?"
"Who's there!"
A waiting guard threw the door wide open.
"...!"
So Yeonsim and Hong Wi-mun's eyes wavered.
Beyond the open door stood Seo Ryang, a bottle of wine in his hand and a young fox perched on his shoulder.
"It may be cheap white liquor, but the cups are clean. So, what will it be? Are you coming over, or will you continue to enjoy yourselves there?"