Chapter 146: Visiting the Hao Clan-2
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 146: Visiting the Hao Clan-2
Seo Hwan hurried downstairs.
His face was flushed red like a ripe persimmon, a clear sign of his intense excitement.
Hehe, quite the big catch.
Seo Hwan chuckled to himself.
The guest who had visited Hwanhui Pavilion today was no ordinary customer. He was a jackpot—a man who casually tossed out banknotes worth thousands of nyang.
When Seo Hwan first saw the man’s appearance, he hadn't expected much. Though the man was dressed neatly, he didn't give off the impression of being wealthy or possessing formidable martial arts. He wasn't draped in expensive silks, nor did he wear a single piece of gold or silver jewelry.
Furthermore, his temples—which usually bulge according to a martial artist's realm—were as flat as could be. Far from being a titan of the Murim, he looked like a complete nobody.
Seo Hwan had been excited to receive a Gold-grade guest for the first time in a while, but the man seemed to fall short of his expectations. However, being the seasoned professional he was, Seo Hwan had greeted him with a polite smile.
Even if he looked like a nobody, he was someone who knew the Gold-grade secret code. He couldn't be treated lightly. Seo Hwan asked for the necessary information and politely suggested a background check. Most people, burdened by the fact that information fees doubled without one, usually agreed to prove their identity.
But the man refused, stating he didn't care how much it cost.
This was where Seo Hwan’s suspicions began. Information consisted of nothing more than a few documents and words, but depending on its quality, it could be worth a thousand pieces of gold. And yet, the man didn't care if the price doubled?
Did he simply not understand the value of information?
Though it was a rude gesture, a suspicious Seo Hwan demanded proof of funds. In truth, asking a martial artist or a merchant if they actually had money was a blow to their pride. However, the man’s overly agreeable attitude made Seo Hwan wonder if he was just a naive novice who had just stepped out into the Murim.
But when the man produced banknotes worth thousands of nyang, Seo Hwan cheered inwardly. He knew instinctively: this was the big catch he had been waiting for.
After promising to return shortly, Seo Hwan left the room immediately. He had to report this to the branch office at once.
*
Upon arriving at the Yoseong Branch of the Hao Clan, Seo Hwan immediately sought out the Vice Branch Leader, Do-chil.
Part of him wanted to keep the spoils for himself, but a job this big was too much for one person to handle. Moreover, he needed a certain level of martial support, so he sought out Do-chil without hesitation.
"Ho? You're saying he had a stack of thousand-nyang banknotes?"
"Hehe, yes. It seems I've hooked a big one after all this time."
"Is that so?"
Do-chil, the Vice Branch Leader, sounded intrigued.
"Judging by how casually he tossed those notes around, he must have even more tucked away in his robes!" Seo Hwan added with certainty.
The man had placed a thousand-nyang note on the table as if it were nothing. It was proof that a few thousand nyang meant very little to him.
"Did he look like he practiced martial arts?"
"He had calluses on his hands, but his temples were completely flat. He’s likely either a manual laborer or someone at the Third or Second-rate level at best."
Seo Hwan answered Do-chil’s question with confidence.
What was the most important trait for those who dealt in information? It was a keen eye. The ability to deduce and infer from the smallest clues came solely from one's natural observation skills.
As an organization specializing in information, the Hao Clan preferred those with innate sharp eyes over those with high martial prowess. Seo Hwan, an executive of the Yoseong Branch, was one of those with exceptional observation skills. In that brief encounter, he had analyzed the man’s appearance and behavior in his own way.
"Furthermore, his posture wasn't overbearing. That means he isn't someone used to commanding others."
The man had been polite. Usually, in the Murim, people looked down on the Hao Clan. Unless they were highly disciplined masters of the Orthodox Faction, they tended to be quite arrogant. But this man showed no such signs; he was kind. This meant he wasn't someone who sat in a high position of power.
"What about the possibility of him being an Orthodox master?" Do-chil asked.
"None. He refused to prove his identity. Why would an Orthodox master refuse to do that?"
"He refused the background check?"
"Yes."
"Did you tell him the fee would double?"
"He didn't care. No matter how I look at it, he doesn't seem like someone with a clean background."
"Is that so?"
"Indeed."
At Seo Hwan’s confident reply, a smile spread across Do-chil’s face. It was a persuasive argument. If the man were truly an Orthodox figure, he would have gone to the Beggar Sect, revealed his identity honorably, and requested information there. There would be no need to crawl into the Hao Clan and pay an exorbitant price.
That was proof enough that the man was hiding something.
"Let's take him for ourselves."
Do-chil pretended to think for a moment before making his decision. Normally, they should have reported to the Branch Leader, Samcheok, before providing the information, but Do-chil had no intention of doing so.
Usually, when an information fee was collected, two-thirds went to the Hao Clan headquarters. The remaining third stayed with the branch, but most of that typically ended up in the Branch Leader’s pocket under the guise of "management expenses." The ones doing the actual legwork only received a few measly coins.
It was unfair. But such was the nature of the Hao Clan.
However, this time was different. The Gold-grade brat who had come to them had an unclear identity, seemed to have weak martial arts, and appeared to be loaded with cash. That meant they could make him disappear, and no one would ever know. They could just report to their superiors that some ignorant brat had caused a scene and ended up dead.
Of course, for a perfect crime, it would be better to involve the Branch Leader, but that man had the courage of a flea and would never agree to it. Samcheok was the type who would rather settle for a safe one-third than risk everything for the whole pot.
Besides, this could be worth thousands, maybe even tens of thousands of nyang. The fewer people to share with, the better.
A thick smile played on Do-chil’s lips.
"Hehehe. Seo Hwan, I'll send a few boys who know how to keep their mouths shut and their blades sharp."
"Hehe, thank you."
"Just make sure you finish it cleanly."
"Of course, without a doubt."
The two men grinned at each other. The thought of the money coming their way gave them a flutter of excitement, as if they were about to meet their first love.
Seo Hwan bowed to Do-chil and stood up. He quickly turned and headed back out. If he kept the guest waiting too long, the man might get suspicious or simply leave. He couldn't let that happen.
The smile on Seo Hwan’s face deepened.
*
"Yaaaawn."
Sun-woo let out a long yawn.
A significant amount of time had passed since Seo Hwan had left. Yet, there was still no sign of him returning. Perhaps it was because he had been waiting so long, but boredom washed over him, prompting another yawn.
When is he coming?
Sun-woo stared blankly at the door.
Creak.
Just then, someone opened the door and stepped inside.
"Oh my, Young Master, I apologize for the long wait."
It was Seo Hwan.
"It's fine," Sun-woo replied curtly.
"More importantly, let us move to a different location. The Branch Leader has requested to meet you personally."
"The Branch Leader?" Sun-woo asked, sounding puzzled.
He had only asked for a few scraps of paper regarding the Tang Clan; why did he need an audience with a Branch Leader?
"As you know, until just a few months ago, the Tang Clan was a prestigious family known as the greatest in the Central Plains. Given the gravity of the matter, the Branch Leader wished to see you himself."
Was information about the Tang Clan really that serious?
Sun-woo felt a sense of doubt. He wasn't asking for some grand secret; the current status of the Tang Clan should have been enough. Why was this getting so complicated?
"The Hao Clan branch isn't far from here, so it won't take long."
Seeing the flicker of doubt in Sun-woo’s eyes, Seo Hwan quickly added more words. He had to move the man before the seeds of suspicion could sprout.
"Please, follow me."
Having said his piece, Seo Hwan immediately turned and began walking out. Though Sun-woo was suspicious, he stood up and followed.
He had his doubts, but this was the Hao Clan. Though it was a place where the dregs of society gathered, they had their own set of rules. Surely they wouldn't betray a customer who came with a pile of money to buy information?
Sun-woo followed, watching Seo Hwan’s back.
*
Leaving Hwanhui Pavilion, Seo Hwan began leading the way into a damp, dark alleyway behind the building.
A persistent smile remained on Seo Hwan’s lips. Just a little further and the hired blades would be waiting. The man would meet his end at the edge of a sword, and thousands—no, tens of thousands—of nyang in banknotes would fall into his hands. The mere thought made it impossible to stop smiling.
"Manager."
It was then that Sun-woo spoke up.
"Yes, what is it?"
"This is supposed to be a branch of the Hao Clan. Is it right for it to be located in such a narrow alley?"
Sun-woo, following behind, asked with a hint of confusion. A Hao Clan branch storing vast amounts of information should surely be of considerable size, yet Seo Hwan was leading him deeper into a cramped alley. He began to wonder if this man was truly leading him to the branch office.
"Hahaha, is the Hao Clan not composed of those who live in the shadows? We cannot exactly be out in the open, can we?"
"I suppose so."
Sun-woo accepted the nonchalant answer. After all, the Hao Clan was an underworld sect formed by those at the bottom of the social ladder. It did seem more natural for them to be hidden away rather than standing prominently in the light.
Hehe, suspicious bastard.
Seo Hwan smiled with satisfaction, seeing that Sun-woo seemed convinced. It appeared the man had fallen hook, line, and sinker for his effortless lie.
After walking for a while longer, Sun-woo and Seo Hwan arrived at a dead end. Reaching the wall, Seo Hwan turned around.
"We're here," he said, looking at Sun-woo.
"What?" Sun-woo asked, puzzled.
Step. Step. Step.
As soon as he finished speaking, the sound of multiple footsteps reached Sun-woo’s ears. Soon, the owners of those footsteps revealed themselves behind him. In their hands, well-honed blades glinted with a sharp, murderous intent.
"And how am I supposed to interpret this?"
Sun-woo scratched his head and looked at Seo Hwan.
"Khehehe, you really are slow on the uptake."
Seo Hwan let out a sinister chuckle. Seeing Sun-woo fail to grasp the situation even when cornered like this made him want to laugh. There was nothing quite as thrilling as swindling a greenhorn.
Meanwhile, Sun-woo wore a dazed expression. He was genuinely bewildered. Even if the Hao Clan wasn't a prestigious Orthodox sect, it was still a reputable information organization. They couldn't have earned such a reputation if they went around stabbing their customers in the back like this. Being betrayed so openly left him feeling a bit stunned.
"Sigh."
Sun-woo let out a deep sigh.
He was already in a complicated situation after the major incident in Gyunhyeon. That was why he had been extra cautious in Yoseong. He had made the two peerless beauties—who were bound to cause trouble—wear veils and left them quietly in a rented annex before heading out alone.
Furthermore, since he wanted to avoid revealing any identity related to the Tang Clan, he had specifically sought out the Hao Clan, who were known to provide any information as long as they were paid. He hadn't even minded when they asked for double the fee.
Sun-woo wanted to avoid conflict as much as possible. That was why he hadn't blamed Seo Hwan for making him wait so long, and why he had followed without a word.
In truth, he had been suspicious from the moment Seo Hwan mentioned meeting the Branch Leader. The man had led him into a dark, damp alley, and the number of people trailing them had steadily increased.
But Sun-woo had trusted Seo Hwan and the Hao Clan, thinking, Surely not.
The result was a knife in the back.
Sun-woo felt a surge of irritation rising from deep within. But he quickly calmed himself down. Didn't they say that three acts of patience can prevent a murder?
Counting the long wait and this betrayal, he had endured twice. He only needed to endure one more time.
"I think there's been a misunderstanding. I am willing to pay a sufficient amount of money, and I have no intention of being your enemy," Sun-woo said in a soft tone.
He had no desire to get tangled up with the Hao Clan on top of his already messy situation.
"Hehehe, it's because that 'sufficient money' is so tempting. Don't take it too personally. You'll have plenty of time to receive your punishment in hell."
Despite Sun-woo’s gentle words, Seo Hwan only mocked him.
Twitch.
Sun-woo’s brow furrowed. The man’s way of speaking was just too damn foul.
"Still, why don't you reconsider?"
"No need. Boys, gut him."
Seo Hwan flatly rejected Sun-woo’s plea and gave the order to his subordinates.
Step. Step.
The Hao Clan thugs silently began closing in on Sun-woo.