Schedule Change
The next morning, Yeon-hoo headed to the Elder Council.
The guards on duty recognized him and cupped their fists in salute.
"I've come to see the Council Chairman."
"Did you make an appointment in advance?"
"No. So please inform him now."
"...Please wait a moment."
One of the warriors dashed inside. Yeon-hoo surveyed the surroundings of the Elder Council. It was as grand as the Jijeon Palace, though positioned just slightly below it. No matter how prestigious the Elder Council was, they couldn't build higher than the Jijeon Palace.
What caught Yeon-hoo's attention was the massive construction underway at one side of the hall. They were expanding the existing structure by attaching another building to it.
Yeon-hoo asked the warrior, "Are they rebuilding the hall?"
"No. This is to make the hall's size comparable to the Jijeon Palace."
Yeon-hoo could guess Seomunhoe's intentions. It was undoubtedly to elevate the Elder Council's scale to rival the Jijeon Palace and bolster his own prestige.
The greater his ambition, the harder it will be for the Great Earth Sovereign to avoid becoming a figurehead.
A short while later, the warrior who had gone inside returned.
"Please enter."
Yeon-hoo passed through the main gate of the Elder Council. It was his first time entering since arriving at the White Night Cartel.
The moment he stepped in, chilling auras emanated from all directions.
They're trying to suppress my presence?
Yeon-hoo ignored it and followed the warrior deeper inside. Soon after, the guide departed, and a middle-aged man appeared.
He bowed to Yeon-hoo and said calmly, "You must surrender your sword."
Yeon-hoo drew his blade and handed it over. "Here."
After entering, Yeon-hoo passed through two gates and a garden before finally reaching the main hall.
The Elder Council itself is a massive fortress. Even the Jijeon Palace isn't this fortified...
Not only the buildings but even the statues that seemed passable were arranged in formation patterns. Hidden traps were everywhere, ensuring that any assassin unfamiliar with arrays would lose their life without accomplishing a thing.
"Welcome, Family Head."
A clear, resonant voice rang out as Seomunhoe emerged from ahead.
The look in his eyes as he regarded Yeon-hoo was no different from how he viewed others. To him, Yeon-hoo was merely the head of one of the Eight Great Families—nothing more, nothing less.
Yeon-hoo approached, stopped, and cupped his fists. "I greet the Council Chairman."
"I've long wished to meet the Family Head, who has become the lord of two forces. Seeing you now, your vitality seems even greater than before—truly a splendid sight."
"I'm grateful for your kind words."
"Please, sit."
Yeon-hoo's seat was naturally positioned below the upper seat, forcing him to look up at Seomunhoe. It was highly irritating. Even the Great Earth Sovereign sat on equal footing with the heads of the Eight Great Families outside the grand hall.
"The trial begins tomorrow, so what brings you to visit this old man first?"
Yeon-hoo cut straight to the point. "Regarding the mediation case, I'd like to handle it today in a simplified manner with both parties present."
"Is there some urgent matter?"
"As you know, with the situation between Geomga and Hwangha Suryeon growing dire, there are overlapping control zones between the North and Hwangha Suryeon. I need to return swiftly."
"Hm. That issue was often raised even during Lord Wi's tenure. Understood. Given your circumstances, we'll proceed with the trial today."
"Thank you, Council Chairman."
It was unexpected. Yeon-hoo had prepared an additional measure in case of refusal.
"Since pacifying the Northwest, the feared incidents haven't occurred, for which I'm truly grateful. I hope your mercy toward the Northwest holdouts remains unchanged."
"They're part of the North now, so it's only right."
"Hearing that puts my mind at ease. Heh heh heh."
Seomunhoe's endlessly benevolent and warm smile evoked the image of an old traveler concerned for the world's well-being. But Yeon-hoo couldn't help doubting whether it was genuine.
"Then I'll take my leave."
"Since you're here, have some tea before you go."
"No, thank you. With the schedule moved up, I have preparations to make... Farewell."
Yeon-hoo promptly exited the Elder Council and returned to his lodgings.
Meanwhile, Seomunhoe gazed at Yeon-hoo's retreating figure through the window, stroking his chin beard. The middle-aged man who had greeted Yeon-hoo at the entrance approached.
"He reminds me of your father in his youth."
"But Yi Yeom ultimately devolved into an incompetent lord, didn't he?"
"Are you saying that young friend will end up the same?"
"Wouldn't it be best if he did? For your sake, Chairman."
"Mindless talk. Don't spout such nonsense elsewhere."
"...My apologies."
Seomunhoe returned to his seat and sipped the tea the middle-aged man had just brought.
Clack.
The middle-aged man spoke again. "There was a major brawl last night at an inn in the marketplace. About ten people lost their lives, and the Intelligence Division is investigating."
Twitch.
"Daring to spill blood within the cartel's domain... Their guts must be swollen with audacity."
"We'll punish them once the investigation reveals the culprits."
"Of course. Ah, and go personally to inform Leader Wang. The schedule has been advanced to today."
"May I ask one thing first?"
"What?"
"Why grant that man's request so readily? Shouldn't we prioritize Leader Wang over the North?"
"Whether today or tomorrow, we'll give Leader Wang what he wants. Now go."
"...Yes."
As the middle-aged man withdrew, Seomunhoe fiddled with his beard out of habit.
"A fierce young tiger against a sly old fox caked in grime..."
"Where the hell has that bastard gotten to and what is he doing...?"
Wang-jeok's face flushed red. His nephew, sent on an errand the night before, still hadn't returned.
He was furious, but anxiety gnawed at him even more. No matter the resentment, it was still his nephew. What worried him most was that the boy had gone without even a guard.
At that moment—
"It's me, Leader."
"Come in!"
A yellow-robed man opened the door and entered.
"What happened?!"
"Well... He hasn't gone to the branch."
"What?"
"I've sent the branch members to search, so please wait a little. And Leader."
The yellow-robed man continued immediately. "There was a big incident last night at an inn in the marketplace—several people killed. Just in case, I've sent some kids there too."
Flash.
Wang-jeok's eyes shifted to those of a completely different person for an instant before returning to normal. The change was so fleeting the yellow-robed man missed it.
"If you'd heard of it, you should have gone yourself!"
"My apologies. I only learned after returning to the cartel..."
"Go back to the streets now, find witnesses, and if anyone saw him, track it down personally!"
"...Understood."
As the yellow-robed man left, Wang-jeok murmured lowly toward the curtained back wall.
"You'll have to investigate. If our assassins are involved, contact the branch head immediately and tell them Yi Yeon-hoo must not act until he leaves the cartel."
"Understood."
A sinister voice replied as the curtain rustled.
Alone again, Wang-jeok pressed his temples as a nonexistent headache surged.
Then—
"It's me, Leader."
A thick voice came from outside. Recognizing it, Wang-jeok composed his expression and gaze.
"Enter."
The middle-aged man from the Elder Council stepped in. Wang-jeok asked in feigned sternness,
"What brings you to humble me at such an early hour?"
"The matter with the North has been advanced to today. That's why I came to inform you."
"...What?"
"The North's lord requested it due to concerns over Geomga and Hwangha Suryeon's clash affecting the North. The Chairman accepted, so it happened. He asked for your understanding for not notifying you sooner."
Wang-jeok seethed inwardly but couldn't show it. If Seomunhoe had agreed, he had no choice but to comply. Offending Seomunhoe could ruin everything.
"Ahem! If the Chairman accepted, of course we must follow."
"Thank you. By the way, is something wrong? I saw your warriors rushing about like they were chasing something."
"Nothing serious. I sent my nephew on an errand last night, and the rascal hasn't returned—probably passed out drunk somewhere. I told them to find him."
"I see. By the way, there was a deadly brawl in the marketplace last night. I hope your nephew wasn't caught up in it. Farewell."
As the middle-aged man left, Wang-jeok's face finally twisted.
All preparations were set for tomorrow's banquet...
"Someone outside!"
"Yes, Leader!"
A guard rushed in.
"Go to the kitchen and tell them the fish arrives today. Deliver it discreetly so no one suspects."
"Understood."
As the guard hurried off, Wang-jeok strode to the window and flung it open.
Creak!
Gazing toward Yeon-hoo's lodgings, he quelled his eyes.
Just wait a little longer. I'll turn this place—the safest in the world, the White Night Cartel—into your grave.
The venue for the North and Golden Merchant Group's mediation was not the Elder Council but the Enforcement Court.
Yeon-hoo arrived on time. Only one guard was permitted, so Cheol-u naturally accompanied him.
Upon reaching the main gate, the Golden Merchant Group's guards already there glared at him in unison.
Yeon-hoo and Cheol-u passed them without a care and entered the Enforcement Court.
"Welcome."
A middle-aged man greeted them and extended both hands toward the interior. "Follow me."
Yeon-hoo followed, observing the Enforcement Court. Its atmosphere differed starkly from other White Night Cartel institutions. At least during trials, it was the most powerful entity—not the Jijeon Palace or Elder Council.
Recalling Songhak's words, Yeon-hoo followed silently.
How much further did they walk? A savory aroma wafted ahead, stimulating his senses. The kitchen was right there.
Knowing Wang-jeok's poisoning plot, Yeon-hoo's gaze inevitably turned. But the door was firmly shut, hiding the interior.
Moments later, the middle-aged man halted before a massive door shaped like a dragon's maw.
"The North's lord has arrived."
"Bring him in."
The voice from beyond wasn't Seomunhoe's.
"Please enter."
As Yeon-hoo stepped forward, the doors parted automatically, revealing the interior.
Rumble...
The hall that decided the life and death of the guilty. It was the Enforcement Court's Criminal Hall.
Yeon-hoo entered. Wang-jeok was already there. But Seomunhoe was absent.
"Welcome."
A aged voice echoed. Yeon-hoo glanced at Wang-jeok before looking up at the elderly man on the dais.
Enforcement Court Chairman Yeotaeryang. Thus began his first meeting with one of the White Night Cartel's twin pillars, alongside Elder Council Chairman Seomunhoe.