Chapter 66: Sichuan Tang Family (2)
Chapter 66: Sichuan Tang Family (2)
"A rare guest has come to visit. Have you come because you wish to enroll in the academy again, Young Master Peng?"
"Haha, it has been a while."
Scholar Yu gave a thin smile as he looked at Ju Woo-rin and me, then turned his gaze toward Jin Seung-gyeom.
Jin Seung-gyeom sat with his arms crossed before his teacup.
Both men looked as though they had taken the brunt of the last seven years head-on.
Unlike Jin Seung-gyeom, who was a martial artist, Scholar Yu—who had already been middle-aged back then—now had noticeably more wrinkles.
"You already know Young Master Peng, so I shall skip the introductions there. This is Cheon U-rin. He was recently reappointed as a Junior Compiler of the Hanlin Academy and currently serves as a Scholar. He is the finest talent our academy has ever produced."
"I have heard much of Scholar Cheon’s reputation. I heard he is a strong candidate to become the next Chancellor of the Hanlin Academy. Since I am not without acquaintance with Grand Eunuch Cheon Seong-deok, it is a pleasure to meet you."
"Haha, the honor is mine, Grand Eunuch Jin. I did not expect to meet the man closest to becoming the Admiral of the Eastern Depot in a place like this."
"Indeed. Though, meeting me frequently is rarely a good sign for anyone in the Hanlin Academy."
Jin Seung-gyeom gave a short, dry laugh and lifted his teacup.
Watching him, I felt a slight prickle of nervousness.
Jin Seung-gyeom was undeniably a master of the Super Peak Realm.
A martial artist of that caliber does not rely solely on their eyes to perceive things. They are monsters with an incredibly heightened sense of qi.
Was there truly a way to hide one's gender and dress as a man before such a being without being caught?
However, by all appearances, Jin Seung-gyeom failed to see through Ju Woo-rin’s disguise.
The Eastern Depot, which surveilled the entire martial world, surely possessed some specialized ocular techniques, so this meant…
Ju Woo-rin must have something up her sleeve.
I lifted my teacup, keeping my expression neutral.
Then again, there was no way she would stroll into the Imperial Palace—a place teeming with masters—without some kind of precaution.
The Pure Stream faction must have done something to her disguise.
If I hadn't already known she was a woman, I would have simply dismissed her as an annoyingly handsome man.
This wasn't just a simple disguise; something in the realm of mystical arts was placed upon Ju Woo-rin. Something capable of evading even the eyes of a Super Peak master.
"Now then, I assume you did not ask to meet me simply to exchange pleasantries?"
"My, diving straight into business, are we?"
"Our acquaintance is not deep enough to waste time on idle chatter. Furthermore, I am not a man with enough leisure to be summoned by a mere youth just to hear such things. If that were truly the case, my disappointment would be great."
"I shall ensure you are not disappointed."
Jin Seung-gyeom certainly seemed busy.
He didn't even touch his tea, cutting straight to the point the moment I arrived.
In medieval China, this was considered incredibly rude behavior.
However, neither I nor anyone else at the table pointed it out.
Beyond status and rank, we could guess the reason for his impatience.
The reconstruction of the Western Depot was imminent.
And just like seven years ago, the Eastern Depot was bound to be sensitive about it. The very fate of their organization was at stake.
In the midst of this, I—the one who had thwarted the founding of the Western Depot seven years ago—had requested a meeting. It was only natural he would come.
"I have requested this audience with Grand Eunuch Jin regarding the matter of the Western Depot. As a commoner with no knowledge of governance, I worry that offering my thoughts on official affairs might be perceived as an impertinence."
"On the contrary, such excessive modesty is hard to accept. I have long admired the Head of the Peng Family as a martial artist, and given our past loyalty, there is no need for further formalities between us."
As expected, Jin Seung-gyeom’s expression brightened significantly the moment I mentioned the Western Depot.
This was his way of saying, 'From now on, we’re partners.'
In the Chinese system of guanxi, it was the lowest level of acquaintance, but he had essentially set the stage for us to speak freely.
I never thought I’d end up being 'friends' with a Grand Eunuch of the Eastern Depot, but if it was someone as reasonable as Jin Seung-gyeom, there was no harm in being close.
"I have received secret word that a group of martial artists from Chengdu, Sichuan, has arrived in Beijing. I suspect their purpose is far from auspicious."
"I imagine so. I am already aware that the Sichuan Tang Family has been secretly contacting several eunuchs."
"In that case, Grand Eunuch Jin and I can make a fine deal."
"A deal, you say?"
Jin Seung-gyeom tilted his chin, signaling me to continue.
"It is impossible to stop commoners from entering Beijing, and if the eunuchs are the ones leading them, it is only natural that the Eastern Depot cannot arrest them. Is that not so?"
The reason the Hao Clan couldn't find the Tang Family martial artists was exactly the same as the Western Depot incident seven years ago.
Eunuchs do not frequent taverns or brothels, so they easily slip through the Hao Clan’s information network.
Even the Hao Clan, which holds information on most Beijing officials, cannot easily obtain intelligence on the Eunuch Bureau or the Eastern Depot.
Nor could I rely on the Beggars' Sect.
The Beggars' Sect members in Beijing were barely clinging to life. If they stood out even a little, the Hao Clan or the Hebei Peng Family—those 'ruthless Orthodox' bastards—would happily split their heads open.
Therefore, the organization with the best intelligence in Beijing was, naturally, the Eastern Depot.
I didn't know the specific purpose behind the Western Depot's establishment, but as long as it was being spearheaded by eunuchs, there was no way the Eastern Depot wouldn't sense it.
However, just like seven years ago, the Eastern Depot was in a position where they knew but didn't dare touch it.
They were a government organization, and the Eastern Depot was technically a subordinate branch of the Eunuch Bureau.
If the headquarters decided to open a new subsidiary, how could an existing subsidiary interfere? Even if they knew the new branch would lead to their ruin, what could they do? Go on strike?
For the record, in this era, striking was a crime punishable by death.
Considering labor rights didn't even exist in the 20th century, it was non-existent here.
Thus, a subcontractor had to step in.
"However, as you know, Grand Eunuch, the Sichuan Tang Family is a sect with a deep-seated grudge against my family. Privately encroaching upon each other's territory is, in the ecology of the martial world, tantamount to a declaration of war. If you would turn a blind eye, I wish to ease your worries."
"So, I simply need to tell you where the Tang Family members are staying?"
"If you do, you will never find those scoundrels with the surname Tang inside the walls of Beijing again."
Do you know why only Black Path gangs exist in Shuntian Prefecture?
This is the reason why even the Imperial Court, which cannot tolerate martial sects openly raising private armies, does not eradicate all the Black Path gangs.
It is a form of symbiosis—a deal where they handle the tasks that high-ranking officials cannot do directly, in exchange for various interests.
No, I’d rather call it a mutually beneficial trade relationship.
Having read my intent, Jin Seung-gyeom smiled warmly and finally lifted his teacup.
"With so many young and valiant talents like yourself, I can only say your family is blessed with great fortune. Indeed, the hero of your youth has grown up well."
"You flatter me, Grand Eunuch Jin."
"Haha, if you ever face difficulties in the future, do not hesitate to speak. I shall personally see to it that you are helped. I hear you are currently staying as a guest at Scholar Cheon’s residence. I will send word once things are arranged."
"Safe travels."
I watched Scholar Yu as I spoke.
The fact that the Eastern Depot already knew I was staying at Ju Woo-rin’s house was quite a subtle threat.
Jin Seung-gyeom, truly a busy man, finished his tea quickly and took his leave.
Scholar Yu and the rest of us shared small talk for a while after he left, only bringing up the main topic much later.
Even after he left the academy, one couldn't be too careful with the hearing of a Super Peak master.
I looked at Scholar Yu, who was still wearing a sly smile, and lightly tapped the hilt of my sword.
"I believe an explanation is in order."
"Between Jin Seung-gyeom and me? You should already know that."
"Cheon U-rin didn't seem to know. He even knew my whereabouts. If the Eastern Depot is this deeply interested in the Pure Stream faction, and this was kept from Cheon U-rin, then the story changes."
Despite my words, Ju Woo-rin remained silent.
Her faded eyes slowly scanned Scholar Yu.
Scholar Yu chose his words carefully before speaking.
"I hope you don't misunderstand. What do you think the Pure Stream faction is?"
"At the very least, the Pure Stream faction involved in 'this matter' would be scholars resisting the Noble Consort's tyranny, would they not?"
"That is true, but we are not from a single family like you. And even within your family, surely there are those with different thoughts and intentions."
I had no choice but to fall silent at that.
The Hebei Peng Family was a single power, but internally, it was not so simple.
The Outer Hall and Inner Hall were distinct, and even within them, various martial units competed for merit.
And above all, my own brothers were weaving schemes to promote their own achievements in different ways.
If we ever moved with a single heart, it was either by the command of my grandfather, the Family Head...
Or because a clearly hostile external force was launching a massive invasion.
Unless it was such a situation, even our family, born of the same bloodline, did not act with a completely unified purpose.
How much more so for the Pure Stream faction—men of letters and power?
There must be countless branches even within the same faction.
Political monsters who resisted the Emperor and the Noble Consort while refusing to let go of their own power could not possibly trust each other and unite with a single heart.
Which meant...
"We cannot all trust each other, and considering our 'goal,' that is quite fatal. As you know... our 'will' can be toppled by the betrayal of a single person."
"That is not an answer."
"Indeed, considering Jin Seung-gyeom is a high-ranking official of the Eastern Depot, this is extremely dangerous. But sometimes, that is exactly why things must be brought into the open. Those people make a living out of doubting everyone; the more you hide, the easier it is for them to suspect. That is also why we had this child enter the Hanlin Academy."
If one was to operate in Beijing, one could not avoid the eyes of the Eastern Depot.
And if their eyes could not be avoided, it was safer to move boldly in the open.
That was why, despite the risk, they showed Cheon U-rin’s face without hesitation.
Just enough to be perceived as the 'protection of a promising Confucian talent.'
It was a gamble on the edge of a blade, but it had succeeded. I couldn't deny that. But...
I swallowed my words as I looked at Ju Woo-rin, whose eyes looked like rusted metal.
What must it be like to have one's life put on the line, to have one's entire existence disguised and put on display?
"The reconstruction of the Western Depot is a burden for us as well. The Eastern Depot alone is troublesome enough; can you imagine how chaotic the state affairs will become if a new surveillance agency is established and forced to compete within Beijing? Do you know how much wealth those loyal to the Noble Consort within the Eastern Depot extort in a single year? If the Western Depot is completed and begins to operate without any restraint, how terrible will the corruption be?"
"Peng Hyeon-hwi."
"Yeah?"
Ju Woo-rin, who had been listening quietly, turned to me and smiled.
"Would you like to head home first?"
"Didn't you say you wouldn't hide anything from now on?"
"It's not that I'm trying to hide it; it's more like I'm trying to protect it. If you intended to stay in the world of scholars, it wouldn't matter, but at the very least, I do not wish for you to enter this kind of world."
Ju Woo-rin said, gently pushing my cup aside.
It was a clear dismissal, but I didn't feel like arguing.
Ju Woo-rin was only smiling with her mouth.
"So, you do what you must. I will do what I must. Isn't that better for the both of us?"
"For the both of us, huh."
I soon stood up, fastening my sword to my waist.
After a brief farewell to Scholar Yu, I stepped outside.
Only after I reached the street could I finally breathe.
I do not wish for you to enter this kind of world.
A world where a three-inch tongue could exterminate nine generations. A world where no one could be trusted, and no one should be trusted.
A world where one's entire life is stolen, yet one must live on with a smile.
Harassed by assassination threats since birth, surviving only by discarding both name and gender.
And even then, living a life mortgaged forever for things she never even wanted.
The smile of that faded brat, who thinks she’s already all grown up...
"It's rotten."
I walked through the streets of Beijing, my fingertips twitching against my sword.
Tall buildings were rare in Beijing.
While grand estates with high walls or sprawling grounds weren't uncommon, buildings with many stories were few, except for a few brothels and taverns.
In this ancient city, even expanding a building required official permission, and all such permissions were strangled by age-old regulations.
Thus, the daytime streets should have been bathed in bright sunlight beneath the city's low skyline.
However, because of the towering palace complexes visible from anywhere in Beijing, deep shadows stretched across the streets.
Whenever I turned my head, the Forbidden City was always looking down upon Beijing.
"Seriously. It's rotten."
I let go of the hilt I had been half-gripping and moved on.
*
"Do you trust Peng Hyeon-hwi that much?"
"Trust? What a funny word."
Ju Woo-rin gave a thin smile as she looked at Scholar Yu with her dull eyes.
"Was it not you, Scholar Yu, who taught me that a ruler should rightfully trust no one?"
"Are you trying to rebuke me?"
"How could I dare? I simply thought... that things have become interesting."
"Interesting... you say?"
To that question, Ju Woo-rin did not say that it was quite pleasant to see a man—who had avoided her so much during their three months of interaction seven years ago—show her the kind of compassion no one else had ever shown her in her life.
Instead, she simply said, "Yes, truly."
And she smiled.
He was a direct descendant of the Hebei Peng Family, the most powerful martial force at Beijing's doorstep.
When the Pure Stream faction actively tried to recruit him, they certainly had such intentions.
If they could fully win over such formidable martial power, it would surely be a gain.
Furthermore, if they could support the youngest grandson, who was far down the line of succession, and place him in the position of Family Head, he would become their light.
There were even rumors that Peng Hyeon-hwi had been brilliant in Confucian studies since childhood, and having met him, his knowledge was indeed not shallow.
If they could place such a reasonable man in their debt, it would return as a great power. The Pure Stream faction's judgment was correct.
Ju Woo-rin agreed with this as well.
Besides, what was there to lose? Unlike herself, Peng Hyeon-hwi clearly harbored the ambition to become the Family Head.
He was a clever and ambitious man. If she could keep him by her side, it would be a relationship beneficial to both him and herself.
But now, Ju Woo-rin was inwardly hesitating.
Even though it was an emotion she had never felt in her life.
The desire not to bind that man—who roamed the world so freely—to this blood-soaked, wretched world.
Even a commoner raising cattle or pigs feels pity when slaughtering their livestock.
Yet, when she saw these monsters who used her as bait and calmly calculated profits and losses without a shred of guilt, a sudden wave of loathing washed over her.
In this vast and grand city.
Between those who wanted to hunt her down and kill her.
And those who wanted to use her to seize great power.
And the vast majority of commoners who didn't even know she existed.
It suddenly felt absurd that there was only one person who looked at her not as the Hanlin scholar Cheon U-rin or the treason-tainted Princess Yeonhwa...
But simply as Ju Woo-rin.
"Extremely."
Ju Woo-rin smiled, finished the rest of her tea, and stood up.
"Scholar, please finish what you were doing. After the contact with the Eastern Depot, Hyeon-hwi and I will handle the matter of repelling the Tang Family, so do not worry."
"Stay safe."
"You as well."
The moment she turned her back and closed the door, the smile vanished from her lips.
Ju Woo-rin looked at the academy once with her clouded eyes before walking away.