Sponsorships and Secrets
"What are you staring at?" Yeom Seo-rin asked Bing Ok-yeon, her posture slanted as she scribbled with her brush.
Bing Ok-yeon let out a soft chuckle. "Welcome, Lady Yeom."
"Hmph..." came the reply. Yeom Seo-rin's official role was that of a scribe. Bing Ok-yeon wondered why she hadn't applied to be a guard, but what could she do? The woman had refused. After all, we still need time to get to know each other.
She was different from Jin Ak-pung, who already knew something of her past. If Bing Ok-yeon had met him here for the first time, she would never have given him a second glance. Yet knowing his history and seeing how pitiful he had become had actually put her at ease. He's too conspicuous in the worst way. The chance he's a plant is almost zero.
She could simply give him direction. Once he had a goal, he would find the will to change on his own.
"Haah..." Then there was the other one. Baek Yeon-hwa still required watching. Bing Ok-yeon had summoned her because of her suspicions about Yi Cheon-woo. If Yi Cheon-woo was also a demonic human like Jin Mu-gak, then Baek Yeon-hwa was equally suspect. She hoped the woman wasn't a disguised enemy. Unlike the other two with their poor attitudes, Baek Yeon-hwa at least seemed sincere.
"Do we really have to work with a man like this?"
Even if he had extreme tendencies—
"I'm so glad to have people who will protect me! Let's all get along. We're a team now, after all."
"I recommend starting with mental discipline training, Branch Head."
"Mental discipline? I'll remember that."
"...I look forward to working with you from now on."
She would be a sincere person. After surveying the newly hired staff, Bing Ok-yeon found her target.
"Branch Head?"
"W-why are you here again...?"
Jin-pa trembled the moment she saw Bing Ok-yeon. She had been enjoying the quiet of the past few days.
"How much funding do I have available to use?"
"Keh... Why are you asking that out of nowhere?"
"Hmm, there are some people I'd like to sponsor."
"Sponsor? People?!"
"It won't require that much, you know?"
"That much?!"
Jin-pa recoiled in shock. She resented Cheong-san. The woman was so strict with her, yet so lenient toward Bing Ok-yeon. Someone gets to spend money like water while I scramble to save every last coin...
"What did you just say?"
"I didn't say anything!"
"Here, I'll give you the list. Please review it carefully, Branch Head, and sponsor them for as much as you can."
"Kuh...! Why do you always prepare so thoroughly for nonsense like this?!"
Bing Ok-yeon handed over the letter she had prepared. Jin-pa's hands shook as she examined the list.
Jo Myeong-don, second son of the Cheontong Escort Agency.
"No, wait a moment! If he's the second son of the Cheontong Escort Agency, he must be drowning in money! Why sponsor him?"
"Oh my, keep reading."
"Krrgh..."
Recently invested a large sum in an escort agency whose goods were all lost. We know the location of the loss and the culprit, so there is investment value.
"Haha... I-I see. Yes, well, you must have your reasons, my lady. Right, of course. Yes, I trusted you. You're sponsoring them because recovery is possible, aren't you? Of course you are~ Hoo, hoo. Next, next."
Jeong Il-cheong. Disciple of the Gongdong Sect.
"Just a disciple... No, I've heard of Jeong Il-cheong. No, no—if it's the Killing Demon Jeong Il-cheong, he already has more sponsors than he can count?!"
Exceptional potential. Worth sponsoring.
"Even the reason is flimsy!"
Of course, not every entry was as half-hearted as Jeong Il-cheong's. Most, like Jo Myeong-don, had solid justifications. The problem was that many of the names were already famous, and the number of people she wanted to sponsor exceeded ten.
"Haha, would you mind splitting my head open once, my lady?"
"Why?"
"I'm curious what's inside."
"They're all promising individuals. Wouldn't it be nice if we all prospered together?"
Bing Ok-yeon smiled brightly. At that guileless smile, Jin-pa felt her stomach burn. Ever since Bing Ok-yeon appeared, things had gone smoothly, so she regarded her as a symbol of good fortune. Yet these unreasonable demands made her want to drink herself to sleep at night. Whatever Bing Ok-yeon had done to win Cheong-san over, the woman granted every one of her excessive requests. Back at headquarters, the favoritism had been so heartbreaking that Jin-pa had wept openly.
Kugh, even if I add up all the requested amounts, it's still a drop in the bucket compared to the profits she's brought in since arriving...
She decided to endure it once more. That was, until she reached the bottom of the list.
"Jin Cheong-myeong, Jin Hyeon, Namgung Seong, Yi Cheon-woo...??"
"Please review them carefully."
Bing Ok-yeon wore an embarrassed expression, knowing her request was excessive—though the veil hid it.
"Kaaagh...! Why sponsor people who are already famous enough?!"
"They must have their own troubles, don't you think?"
"Whether those bastards have troubles or not!"
Bing Ok-yeon glanced sideways at Baek Yeon-hwa. At the very least, Yi Cheon-woo's lack of funds was obvious just by looking at her. Through Seol-hwa, she had learned that none of the others were entirely without need of sponsorship either. Of course, some of those needs might stem purely from personal ambition. Namgung Seong, for instance, had gained a major sponsor years ago and successfully entered the main Namgung household, yet he was still not part of the clan's inner circle. He would be overjoyed to receive support. Jin Hyeon was a disciple of the Wudang Sect, a Taoist order as detached from worldly affairs as the Buddhists. As a result, he had few personal sponsors. His skills were not the best even among Wudang's later-generation disciples, so he drew little attention. With his age, he was nearing the limit of being called a later-generation disciple, so he must have many worries.
The real problem was Jin Cheong-myeong. He was already so successful that people called him a great hero, and sponsorships poured in from all directions. But he was cut from the same cloth as Jin Mu-gak. He was a man who took great interest in Bing Ok-yeon. If she sent him sponsorship, he would surely accept it with delight.
"Ah, and also—"
"Stop! Enjoy your amusements back at headquarters!"
"It's not amusement, it's investment. And this time, it's not about sponsorship."
"Really?! It really isn't?!"
"Of course. I actually have work to do."
"Uwaah! You're lying!"
The demands must have been quite excessive. She would have to handle this matter more properly.
"When does the renewal negotiation for the Murim Alliance supply contract begin?"
"...!"
Jin-pa rushed over with a tearful face. She grabbed Bing Ok-yeon's hands tightly and spoke in a coquettish voice.
"My lady~ Please take care of it~?"
"I already said I would."
"Are you going to flirt and seduce them with your body like always to get what you want?"
"...When have I ever done that?"
"Ah, my apologies. That slipped out. Could I ask you to handle it~?"
Bing Ok-yeon flared up for a moment. She had moved in ways that might invite such a misunderstanding, but bringing it up directly felt wrong. Besides, most of what she had accomplished at headquarters had been achieved through information warfare, intimidation, and strategic support. Nothing had been obtained through her body.
"You can increase the supply volume, right?! And the items too!"
"I'll have to try, won't I?"
"I'm begging you! If this works out, I'll approve all the sponsorships and everything else!"
"Oh my, then may I also call in some distinguished guests and hold a gathering?"
"Of course!"
"I'd also like to invest in some pleasure houses."
"As a merchant, you naturally have to entertain clients! I was already planning to secure pleasure houses of the second rank or higher!"
"Wonderful. I'll go flirt my heart out."
"Uwaah! I love you, Lady Bing!"
***
Murim Alliance Leader Wi Mu-jin loved the daughter he had obtained late in life dearly. He had been nearly fifty when she was born, and there had been no more children after Wi Won-ye. How could he not cherish her?
"So, our vice-leader! Do you have something to say to your father?"
"Stop calling me vice-leader. It's been days already."
Wi Won-ye wore a displeased expression. Wi Mu-jin, who had been delighted by the title, looked bewildered.
"Is something the matter?"
"It's nothing."
"Tell me. Perhaps your father can resolve your worries."
"I don't want anything from you, Father."
Yet despite her words, Wi Won-ye's expression remained dark. Wi Mu-jin fretted, constantly watching his daughter's mood.
"Haa, Father."
"Yes! Speak!"
"It's about Wi Won-hyang."
He had been ready to grant his daughter's request without hesitation. Now Wi Mu-jin felt a sense of dread. Anything but Wi Won-hyang. She would clash with Wi Won-ye.
"G-go on..."
"Why did you even bring her here?"
"Isn't that a bit harsh... She's a pitiful child."
"The pitiful ones are the people who died because of her!"
"It isn't that child's fault. You know that too. She is a victim."
"Isn't it only natural for a Murim criminal's entire clan to be executed? How is she a victim?"
"We are not the imperial family. It would not be right to speak of exterminating three generations."
"Even if not three generations, she..."
"Haa..."
It was truly a difficult matter. He understood Wi Won-ye's feelings. If he had experienced the same thing in his youth, he would have reacted exactly the same way. Moreover, bringing Wi Won-hyang in had not been born of a sense of fairness. The reason had been a tiny shred of conscience buried beneath years of accumulated dust—a final act of conscience born of his own shame. That was why he had told no one the reason. He had never imagined it would affect his daughter so badly.
"Listen. Wi Won-hyang, that child—"
He had agonized over it for a long time, but Wi Won-ye's hatred toward Wi Won-hyang showed no sign of fading. The daughter who lived with justice in her heart acted like a petulant child whenever that girl was mentioned. In the end, it was Wi Mu-jin who raised the white flag first. He resolved to reveal the truth so he would not feel ashamed before his daughter.
"Alliance Leader!"
But there was an interruption.
"Strategist. What is the meaning of this rudeness? Is this not my private quarters?"
"My apologies. There is something urgent I must report..."
Being disturbed during his private time with Wi Won-ye annoyed him for a moment, but upon reflection, this was not something to brush aside. For the usually composed Sama Ryung to come running in such haste, it had to be no ordinary matter.
"I'm sorry, Ye-ah."
"It's all right, Father. I'm sorry for interrupting. Then..."
Wi Won-ye bowed and left. Wi Mu-jin gazed regretfully at the seat she had occupied before straightening his posture. In that instant, the atmosphere in the room changed completely. The doting father who had fretted over his daughter was gone, replaced by the aura of a grandmaster who commanded the Murim, filling the room.
"Speak, Strategist."
"Hoo, the thing is..."
"I won't be surprised, so don't drag it out."
"Elder Cheongpung has passed away."
"...What?"
He had said he wouldn't be surprised, but this was something no one could remain calm about.
"Was it you?"
"If it had been me, I wouldn't have come running like this."
"Right, of course. I keep making mistakes. Tell me in detail. What happened?"
"Elder Cheongpung was found brutally murdered at his place of seclusion. His upper and lower body were separated, and the area looked as though it had been struck by a thunderbolt, utterly mangled."
"A thunderbolt? If one had exploded, the authorities would have gotten involved."
"No. I said it looked as though it had been struck, not that one exploded. His residence was indeed splattered with blood and flesh, but..."
"No damage to the building? There was an impact strong enough to tear off chunks of flesh?"
"It means it was the power of a person, not a thunderbolt."
"Is there someone who uses such mad martial arts?"
"There are a few I can guess at."
"The fact that you're saying that means you're not certain."
"None of them were near Henan. We're currently tracking their whereabouts."
"Given how conspicuous and cruel the technique is, it must be from the unorthodox or demonic factions. Will tracking be easy?"
"We have to investigate everyone. So far, there are no strong suspects within Henan."
"Haa, truly. Any witness information?"
"There are reports of women coming and going from Elder Cheongpung's residence."
"He never changes his old habits. They'll be investigated too. The culprit and the technique are both unknown. But the way you're speaking..."
"Yes. There were no signs of resistance."
"A Transcendental Peak expert couldn't even resist once? Damn it all. He hadn't fallen that far. You're probably considering the worst possibility. What is the worst case in your mind?"
"We had been steadily suspecting that Elder Cheongpung might be a demonic human puppet. No, we were almost certain of it."
Sama Ryung continued with a hardened face.
"The Demonic Cult has finally fully recovered its strength. It may have reached the point where it can easily extend its hand all the way to Henan. That is what we are anticipating."