Chapter 51: My Sense for the Big Picture Has Dulled
If the Taesu and Cheongsu Gate's Hwa Cheon-un knew each other...
Won Seung inwardly cheered.
The three-way duel he was pushing for suddenly seemed much easier.
"Would it be a problem if your identity came out?"
"Haha. What's so grand about my status that I'd need to hide it? I just used a false name to avoid needless hassle."
He couldn't very well tell the Taesu not to go blabbing his mouth around.
It all started when he'd impersonated someone from Seongwangbu, and things had snowballed from there. No turning back now. Best to play it off boldly.
Won Seung brushed it off casually, and the Taesu accepted it naturally.
"But why fake your disappearance and go into hiding?"
So Yeonggwan asked, curiosity plain on his face.
He'd been at the Privy Council in Huangdo. Part of their duties included tracking the movements of imperial clans and high officials. That's how he knew a bit about the incident at Won Mansion. Rumors had swirled about the eldest son vanishing, then it all went quiet.
When Hwa Cheon-un came asking about a Seongwangbu collateral named Seung, it jogged his memory and pieced together Won Seung's identity.
"There were circumstances."
He couldn't very well say he'd been kidnapped in his sleep and trained as an assassin.
Imperial clans and high officials hated family matters leaking beyond the walls. They even kept the number of children secret. Unless absolutely necessary, they never revealed identities—assassins were a real threat.
Knowing that custom, So Yeonggwan didn't press. What really piqued his interest was whether Won Seung truly carried Won Guksa's intentions.
"Is Priest Won Guksa well? I haven't seen him since he came down to Sangyang."
"He's hale and hearty."
Won Seung lied smoothly, hoping it was true.
Sensing Won Seung's reluctance to dwell on Won Guksa, So Yeonggwan nodded and changed the subject.
"As you know, Seong Wang is stirring up Gwancheonbang to strike at Cheongsu Gate. That's why the four great families have gathered."
Just as I thought.
"The Hwa brothers are martial folk. They hate getting dragged into court affairs, but Cheon Il-hae is different. He doesn't hesitate to borrow outside power."
So Yeonggwan's eyes suddenly flashed sharp.
"Yet he accepts a painting as a gift from Gwancheonbang's lord? It doesn't add up. What could it mean?"
Won Seung flinched.
What the hell? That gaze is like a blade. Sharp as a martial artist's.
But he didn't look away.
Straightening his back, he countered.
"Let me ask first. Do you support Cheongsu Gate, Taesu?"
"It's not outright support... I have some acquaintance with their third lord. Thanks to your friend So Sansan and Hwa Yeo-wol, I've been kept in the loop."
Acquaintance? What kind of ties does a governor have with martial artists? Unless there's profit involved.
He must have stakes in one of Cheongsu Gate's riverside ventures. They had plenty.
"What's the four families' stance?"
"The lead house seems allied with Gwancheonbang. The rest just want the conflict to end."
Won Seung nodded. With the situation clear, the rest should be straightforward.
"You know about Yong Jo-un challenging Cheongsu Gate's Hwa Cheon-gang and stirring things up?"
"I've heard."
So Yeonggwan composed himself, sensing the main point, and nodded gravely.
"Truth is, Hwa Cheon-gang wants to accept, but Gwancheonbang makes it impossible. They'd stab him in the back."
"Hmm. And?"
He already knew from Hwa Cheon-un, but feigned fresh interest.
Why's this guy so invested? Does Won Guksa care about Sang River's dominance?
Ignoring So Yeonggwan's motives, Won Seung pressed on eagerly.
"That's why I'm mediating. Turns out Yong Jo-un holds a grudge against Gwancheonbang's lord too—something about him running off with Yong family assets. So, put all three on the duel stage at once: Gwancheonbang lord, Hwa Cheon-gang, and Yong Jo-un."
"A three-way duel? Who'd agree to that? No one would."
So Yeonggwan shook his head skeptically at the absurd proposal.
"I've already convinced Gwancheonbang's lord and Yong Jo-un. Hwa Cheon-gang will accept too."
"Why tell me this?"
"You're the only one who can judge it fairly, Taesu."
"Listen, I'm an official. I can't stop private grudges, let alone encourage them."
Won Seung grew serious.
"If we leave it, Sangyang will run red with blood. Dosanrim and Geom Yak Jong are getting involved. When they clash, who knows—a few civilian homes could vanish in seconds. And you'd bear all the blame. If Cheongsu Gate and Gwancheonbang go to full war..."
"I get it. You're saying if public order collapses, it's on me."
"Well, is it really your fault? But the people don't know that. They trust only you, so the resentment falls on you."
So Yeonggwan pondered, then eyed Won Seung.
"Is that really all?"
Won Seung felt a twinge at the Taesu's words. That gaze was deeper, sharper than before.
Something's up.
A thought flashed. He lowered his head, lifting his teacup to buy time, mind racing.
Then it hit him.
Idiot...
He hadn't considered the Taesu's position. So Yeonggwan already knew his identity.
Won Guksa and Seong Wang were at odds. In such times, the worst off were neutral officials and local powers not picking sides.
What So Yeonggwan was really asking was Won Guksa's stance.
It clicked why he'd called Won Seung with the four family heads present—to probe which ones were already swayed.
Stuck in the mountains, my sense for the big picture has dulled.
He'd never really thought about it before, but he chided himself anyway, sipping tea. A smug pride crept in too.
From eavesdropping under his father's office window as a kid, to now being a key player in the scheming.
Time to pull the Taesu to my side.
But he knew nothing yet—no room to maneuver.
So Yeonggwan had risen by his own wits. Recklessness could backfire.
First, figure out why Seong Wang coveted Sang River's control.
Won Seung set down his cup, face calm.
"Better handle one thing at a time, no? Settle Gwancheonbang and Cheongsu Gate first, then discuss the broader picture."
"Hmm..."
So Yeonggwan scanned Won Seung's expression but couldn't pierce that brazen facade. Truth be told, it wasn't a bad option for him. He wanted to delay as long as possible.
"Fine. You're saying push the three-way duel, and ask me to judge fairly?"
"Yes. Make it fair, and everyone will accept."
"Good. Let me know when it's set."
As Won Seung rose, So Yeonggwan suddenly asked.
"By the way... do you know a Pung Un-seung?"
Won Seung startled but quickly tilted his head.
"Sounds like my alias. Don't know him."
"The lead house thinks you're Pung Un-seung."
"Must've misheard the name."
Won Seung played dumb. But So Yeonggwan saw through it.
He knew we'd trace him and used that alias. Clever bastard.
Won Seung would grow to rival Won Guksa, he thought.
Back at Jong Mansion, Jong Iji sought his son Jong Wonbo.
Jong Wonbo's neck was wrapped in bandages. The hole in his throat had healed, but he still couldn't speak.
Useless fool...
His eldest, once hailed a prodigy as a child, with high expectations. But he'd grown dimmer by the year.
His foster father Yang Dae-hyeon was one of the Three Prodigies of the Realm, yet this one...
Unaware his harsh comparisons crushed the boy, Jong Iji only berated him. Day by day, Jong Wonbo lost confidence, turning into a dullard.
Under his father's disapproving glare, Jong Wonbo shrank, head bowed.
Jong Iji gave his son a cold look, then turned wordlessly and headed to his study.
Moments later, he summoned the steward.
"You called?"
"Pass this to Cheon Mu-in."
Jong Iji handed over a sealed letter.
The steward flinched, fear flickering across his face.
Cheon Mu-in was Jong Iji's fixer for dirty work. Flawless record, never failed.
"Understood."
Best not to ask. Knowledge is poison. The steward replied curtly and left.
Jong Iji stroked his goatee.
Seeing that brazen face at the Taesu office, he couldn't stomach it. Even if the kid was on Seong Wang's orders... revenge was inevitable.
His son's throat hole had sealed his resolve.
Cheon Mu-in would kill silently.
"Now I can sleep straight."
Jong Iji never forgot even petty grudges. He muttered with relief.
"Fooling the Jong family deserves death..."
As Won Seung entered Baekhwa Pavilion, he caught Ogu handing money to some thugs. They were obviously low-level Black Dao hoodlums, recognizable at a glance.
Once they left, Won Seung asked.
"Who were those guys?"
"Uyangjeong folks. This area's their turf."
"Cow and sheep managers taking payoffs from a painting shop—not even a butcher's?"
"Name's Uyangjeong, but it's really a black society front."
Sangyang native Ogu whispered low, though no one was around.
"As you know, to do business here, you pay tribute to the black society—keeps it amicable."
"I thought Sangyang was split between Gwancheonbang and Cheongsu Gate?"
"Riverside, yeah. Markets are different. Even with tigers in the hills, you've got wildcats and foxes too."
"Haa..."
Leeches everywhere. Won Seung sighed in dismay when someone shoved the door open.
"When'd this place open?"
A squinty-eyed official barged in, glancing around haughtily. Dark face, pale lips—chronic drunk, arrogant to the core.
A subordinate trailed him. Outside bustled with soldiers, no doubt.
The subordinate asked Ogu.
"Where's your permit?"
"Permit?"
Ogu glanced at Won Seung—Where'd we put it?
They had none, obviously. Mountain dwellers like Won Seung and Jong Bi weren't on good terms with officials.
Come to think of it, during assassin training, he'd heard you needed permits for branches or inns.
Weird how worldly rules like that slipped his mind fast.
Catching on, Ogu went to the counter, grabbed silver from a drawer, and approached the subordinate.
Ah, my silver...
Won Seung's eyes twitched irritably, but Ogu ignored him and slipped it over.
"We were just drawing up the papers."
The subordinate made a fuss.
"You need the permit first, then operate. What's the point otherwise?"