Chapter 127
Chapter 127
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 127
Chapter Title: Unraveling the Truth
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“What about the courtesan?”
“Hmm... I'll need to investigate further, but it seems she ingested poison mixed into something like tea, wine, or water.”
“...!”
At Hyang-i's words, Jang Il-san's eyes widened.
...It was tea. She had drunk the tea he offered to calm her nerves, only to vomit blood and die.
But he had only said she was poisoned, not that she had drunk tea. How could she possibly know?
“How did you know that at a glance?”
Jang Il-san asked in astonishment, and Hyang-i replied with a nonchalant expression.
“That's a trade secret.”
“What? What did you say?”
“It's company policy.”
“...”
As Hyang-i winked and smiled, Jang Il-san's face contorted.
“Haha, Il-san. Why do you ask such things?”
“Grandmaster.”
“The Demonic Cult has its own ways. We shouldn't try to pry into them.”
“But... the Demonic Cult hasn't been cleared of suspicion yet. The fact that she knew just by looking...”
“Enough! Not that again.”
“...”
When Jang Il-san couldn't shake his suspicion, Jin San cut him off with a scolding tone.
“My apologies.”
“It was a reasonable suspicion. I don't mind.”
“Thank you.”
After apologizing to Neung Un-bi, Jin San looked at Hyang-i.
It was simply astonishing. What kind of life had this young girl lived to be able to grasp everything in an instant?
Things even he was unsure about...
“Hyang-i.”
“Yes.”
“Can you figure out the culprit's identity?”
“Are you going to keep working me to the bone?”
“Because you're the best.”
“...”
Although Neung Un-bi praised her highly, Hyang-i pouted and turned her head away, as if refusing to be swayed again.
“Oh, right, where is my mind? I forgot I asked the Master of Sinpyeong Brewery to brew some Taibai wine for you in advance. Isn't that right, Master of Sinpyeong Brewery?”
“Huh? Ah, of course. I poured my heart and soul into it...”
Neung Un-bi nudged him in the side, and Hwang Ja-seong quickly caught on and nodded. At that, Hyang-i's throat moved as if she were swallowing her saliva.
At the same time, her eyes were already examining the body.
Such an incorrigible glutton... and a drunkard.
“Let's see. Judging by the wound, the blade was about an inch wide? The fact that it broke bone and pierced through in one go means the culprit has considerable strength. If they have internal energy, it's likely between the Rushing and Profound levels. The wounds on the chest and back are strangely twisted... hmm, something like this?”
Hyang-i, who had somehow produced a dagger, thrusted it straight into the air and then twisted it slightly.
*Thrust, twist.*
She repeated the motion several times.
Watching her, Jang Il-san's eyes glinted with a sudden realization.
“Huh? That's...”
“What is it?”
“No, it's just that I think I've seen that kind of sword technique before.”
“Hmm? You've seen it?”
“Yes.”
Jang Il-san nodded with a grim expression.
“The White Cloud Hall of Zhongnan, which I belong to, often operates in the field.”
“...”
The White Cloud Hall of Zhongnan. It was responsible for managing all places where the Zhongnan Sect had vested interests, from merchant guilds and escort agencies to inns.
“I've seen a similar motion before.”
“A similar motion?”
“That's right. There was a murder where the culprit was unknown, so we requested an investigator from the Beggars' Sect. The person who examined the wound performed the exact same motion.”
“Oh? Then it might be the same culprit?”
“Perhaps...”
“Hmm.”
After pondering Jang Il-san's words for a moment, Neung Un-bi nodded.
“Then it's highly likely this murder was a hired job.”
“A hired job?”
“Yes. The probability of multiple people using a sword technique that creates such a specific wound is low. Also, if Hyang-i is right that it was someone the victim knew... it probably means there was one more person at the drinking party.”
“Ah!”
“Well then, it seems we have a grasp of the situation.”
Neung Un-bi nodded and stood up.
“Lord Yeom.”
“Yes? Yes?”
“Will you cooperate with us?”
“O-Of course.”
At Neung Un-bi's words, Yeom Seong-in took the bait, oblivious to the noose tightening around his own neck.
In truth, the answer was already decided.
The atmosphere demanded it, didn't it? With everyone gathered here looking at him, how could he say no?
“Thank you.”
Having secured his permission, Neung Un-bi turned and immediately began issuing orders.
“Wang Cheon.”
“Yes, my lord.”
“You will immediately cooperate with the Zhongnan Sect and find the local Beggars' Sect members.”
“The Beggars' Sect?”
“Investigate all the hired assassins operating in this area. Identify those with characteristics similar to the culprit Hyang-i described, take a squad from the Crescent Moon Division, and capture every last one of them.”
“Yes, sir!”
As soon as Wang Cheon replied and stepped outside, Neung Un-bi's commands continued, faster than ever.
“Ju Seung.”
“Your orders.”
“Take the Crescent Moon Division and immediately interrogate everyone from the Blue Cloud Carpentry Guild who is under lockdown, regardless of their status. Find out exactly what they were doing on the day Gong Tae-seok died.”
“I will carry out your command!”
Ju Seung replied and immediately rushed out.
“Branch Manager Gwak.”
“Yes, my lord!”
“You will investigate Gong Tae-seok's acquaintances outside of the Blue Cloud Carpentry Guild. Uncover every detail, from financial ties to anyone who might have held even the smallest grudge against him.”
“I will find them without fail!”
After the orders were given and Gwak Hui-yeong had also departed, the murder scene felt empty.
“Haha, such decisiveness... The more I see of you, the more remarkable you seem.”
“You praise me too highly.”
“Not at all, not at all. Truly level-headed.”
Jin San repeatedly praised Neung Un-bi.
And for good reason. Watching Neung Un-bi handle matters, one could only be impressed. From the start of the investigation to his analysis, conclusion, and issuing of commands, there wasn't a moment of hesitation.
He even began to wonder if this young man was perhaps Cult Leader Dam Un-cheon's most favored disciple.
“Hyeon.”
“Yes, Master.”
“There is much to learn from him.”
“...It seems so.”
“While you are with him, do not miss a single one of his actions, not even a single word.”
“I am already engraving every detail into my mind.”
“Good, that is the right attitude. What does it matter if he is from the Demonic Cult? It has long been said there is no royal road to learning. If necessary, one must even learn to beg from a beggar.”
“Yes! I will take it to heart.”
At Jin San's instruction, Ung Hyeon stared at Neung Un-bi with burning eyes.
...It's hot. Take your damn eyes off me.
Neung Un-bi sighed deeply and looked at Yeom Seong-in.
“Lord Yeom.”
“Yes?”
“Shall we be going?”
“G-Going where?”
“What remains is the investigation into the courtesan's death, is it not? Since she was poisoned after drinking tea, there must be traces left behind.”
“Does that mean you're going to the Blue Cloud Carpentry Guild...?”
“Of course. Lord Yeom, you must have been through a lot. Please rest well until the investigation is over.”
“Yes... I-I will do that.”
Neung Un-bi gave him a warm smile, but inwardly, his intricate scheme was unfolding perfectly.
First, give him some breathing room.
Squeezing him too tightly would be a problem. You have to give him an occasional opening so he'll make a move.
As the investigation continues, he will grow more anxious and eventually act on his own.
In his haste, he will likely leave behind numerous clues.
From that point on, all I have to do is pick them up.
“Hyang-i, let's go.”
“...Don't tell me you're going to make me investigate the courtesan's poisoning, too?”
“Why not?”
Neung Un-bi asked calmly, and Hyang-i gritted her teeth and forced a smile.
Of course, it went without saying that her eyes were gleaming with killing intent.
*Hey! This bastard... I give him an inch and he takes a mile. Do I look like your subordinate?*
*Come on, why are you being like this again? This is for the good of everyone.*
*Bullshit! I ought to just rip your head off. I was only ordered to protect you! Not to help you with your work!*
She was right. Hyang-i was not his subordinate.
Besides, hadn't even the Cult Leader said he had to *ask* her?
*Taibai wine...*
*Shut up, you bastard! Do you think I'm possessed by the ghost of someone who died of thirst... gulp... for a drink?*
She was acting annoyed, but she still swallowed her saliva.
*Now, now, don't do that. A pretty face looks ugly when it's scrunched up.*
*What?*
Her cheeks turned slightly red.
Indeed, master or not, she was still just a sixteen-year-old girl.
“Hyang-i. You'll help me, right? Won't you?”
“...”
He winked and gave her a sheepish grin. Hyang-i's eye twitched before she whipped her head away.
“After this is over, let's have a good, long drink. Alright? Who else could I entrust this investigation to? In this field, you're the best among us. Aren't you?”
“Shurrup, Third Young M'ster.”
“Alright, alright. Just this once, okay?”
“...”
Neung Un-bi placated Hyang-i with all sorts of flattery.
Sigh, what a life.
What good is being the Third Young Master of the Demonic Cult? I'm stuck placating a sixteen-year-old pubescent master.
“Master of Sinpyeong Brewery.”
“Yes?”
“May I ask you to handle the funerals for these two people?”
“...”
“They died unjustly. Please ensure their final journey is not a sorrowful one.”
“I understand. Leave the funerals to me.”
“Yes.”
Seeing him take care of the after-death arrangements for both Gong Tae-seok of the Blue Cloud Carpentry Guild and an unrelated courtesan, Jin San nodded in satisfaction.
Then, a thought suddenly struck him as odd.
“Say, Young Master Neung.”
“Yes.”
“That... girl named Hyang-i, her position is 'maid,' correct?”
“Yes. She is my personal maid.”
“Hah... The more I think about it, the more incredible the Demonic Cult seems.”
“Hmm?”
“Just think about it. Not only does her aura feel like it could rival my own, but she also has the skill to assess a crime scene in an instant... What kind of maid possesses such abilities?”
“...”
At Jin San's words, Neung Un-bi couldn't help but let out a small laugh.
To think he was surprised by just that.
If he knew that Hyang-i's greatest goal in life was to kill the Cult Leader, he would probably faint on the spot.
* * *
As the Demonic Cult's investigation began in earnest, the Blue Cloud Carpentry Guild was turned upside down.
People were called in day after day to endure grueling interrogations, and through these various investigations, the true face of the Blue Cloud Carpentry Guild began to be revealed, one piece at a time.
“Hah, what in the world... Are you saying the Blue Cloud Carpentry Guild did all of this?”
At Jin San's irritated voice, Jang Il-san couldn't hide his dismay.
“So our Zhongnan Sect formed ties with and lent strength to such lawless men!”
“Th-That is...”
“Hah... Bunch of fools! What are you doing! Summon the sect leader and the elders here at once!”
“G-Grandmaster.”
“Do my words mean nothing to you! Send the message immediately!”
“...”
Jin San roared, his face flushed red like heated iron.
It was because of the corruption within the Blue Cloud Carpentry Guild that had been 'coincidentally' discovered during the investigation.
Neung Un-bi, putting on a deliberately troubled expression, carefully informed Jin San of the facts.
*Look. These are the kinds of people you were backing.*
*You, who paraded around as the orthodox faction, provided a solid backing for these wicked men to commit their corruption even more diligently.*
Jin San's face instantly contorted.
If he, a member of the Demonic Cult, were to reveal the Blue Cloud Carpentry Guild's corruption to Zhongnan, the matter would likely be swept under the rug. They wouldn't be pleased to have their shame exposed by the Demonic Cult.
On the contrary, they might even curse him in unison for meddling in unnecessary affairs.
But Jin San was different.
Wasn't he a martial artist who held more pride in Zhongnan than anyone else?
And he was a great elder. If he were to wield the rod, he would do so firmly.
And the harsher that switch, the faster Zhongnan would change.
Into a true orthodox sect...
“Elder... I don't know if I should show you this...”
“...”
“There's this, too. Please take a look at this one, and that one... These are related to Zhongnan, so I set them aside without others knowing. I thought it wouldn't be good if rumors spread...”
“Th-Th... These bastards!”
As Jin San took the documents Neung Un-bi handed him one by one, his hands trembled with rage.
*The Blue Cloud Carpentry Guild is one thing... but Zhongnan, you're in big trouble now.*
*You know what that old man Jin San's temper was like in his youth, don't you?*