Chapter 64
Chapter 64
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 64
Chapter Title: A Secret Meeting
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“And?”
“He took them.”
“Hmm…”
Late at night.
Jong Se-in’s brow furrowed deeply as he received the report from Lee Do-seong, the Patrol Hall Master.
He was completely different from his usual self.
As he looked down at Lee Do-seong, who knelt to deliver the report, his demeanor was exceedingly arrogant and cold.
The report in his hand, detailing recent activities, was filled with information about the Third Young Master, Neung Un-bi.
Neung Un-bi’s inspections had begun the very day after his visit.
His first destination was the Internal Affairs Office, which managed the finances of the Heavenly Elixir Gate, followed by the Patrol Hall, which monitored external affairs.
The inspection wasn’t very thorough. No, it was so cursory it could hardly be called an inspection.
However, according to the head of internal affairs, he had deduced a great deal just from checking a single ledger.
He had noticed it was newly written and had even observed the complexions of the scribes who wrote it?
He had a keen eye for a young disciple with so little experience.
But his attitude suggested he didn’t care about things like embezzlement; on the contrary, he had even demanded a bribe.
Tieguanyin from Anxi. While not as expensive as gold, the highest quality was comparable. It was a tribute item offered even to the emperor, so the only one who should have tasted it was the Cult Leader himself.
He had demanded an entire canister of such tea. It was a clear signal that he would take a bribe and turn a blind eye.
Well, how many of the Demonic Cult’s branches in the Central Plains didn’t skim some of their profits?
They needed something like that just to survive. To live in hiding in this godforsaken Central Plains.
A hot-blooded young disciple was unlikely to understand such things, but if he was the type to accept bribes, that was all the more welcome.
Crooks have to stick together, after all, so they don’t wrinkle their noses at each other’s stench.
But… the Patrol Hall?
It would be one thing if nothing had happened, but wasn’t he aware of the issue with the Heavenly Pillar Gate?
He had asked about the various illegal activities the Heavenly Pillar Gate had engaged in and learned the locations of their secret operations. He certainly didn't seem like he was going to stand idly by.
“It seems he’s going to stir things up for no reason. And after I worked so hard to keep things quiet.”
“What should we do?”
“Hmm…”
At Lee Do-seong’s question, Jong Se-in sank deeper into his chair and closed his eyes.
What to do?
Letting him be wouldn’t cause any problems. He wouldn’t be able to discover the connection to him.
But what if the Heavenly Pillar Gate found out his true identity?
“That would be troublesome.”
There was a certain… intimacy between the Heavenly Pillar Gate and them that could never be revealed to the outside world.
“A while ago, you said the Heavenly Pillar Gate made an inquiry?”
“Yes. They asked if our Heavenly Elixir Gate knew anything about someone helping the displaced people escape.”
“And?”
“I naturally told them we didn’t. They don’t know about us, do they?”
Jong Se-in organized his thoughts with his eyes still closed.
Could the assailant who attacked the Heavenly Pillar Gate’s prison… be the Third Young Master?
It might be a stretch.
Why would he help displaced people with whom he had no connection?
Just for the name of the Demonic Cult?
A smirk played on Jong Se-in’s lips, his eyes turning cold.
“Patrol Hall Master.”
“Yes, Gate Master.”
“You said the Third Young Master’s whereabouts were unknown before he came to the branch, correct?”
“That is correct.”
“Investigate it in detail. See if there’s any evidence he passed through Jucheon on his way here.”
“Yes, sir.”
“And tell every department to serve the Third Young Master without fault during his inspection.”
“Yes. I will take my leave.”
A moment later, left alone, Jong Se-in pondered for a while.
Lee Do-seong knew nothing.
No, no one in the branch knew the full story with the Heavenly Pillar Gate. They only knew that the secret relationship was a means to build a slush fund.
Of course, a portion of that slush fund went into their own pockets.
Because of that, they had their own skeletons in the closet, which was why they were reporting on the Third Young Master’s movements as he had ordered.
But what if the Third Young Master got too deeply involved in matters related to the Heavenly Pillar Gate?
“Our spirited disciple is getting a little too carried away. For now, I have no choice but to send a warning to the Heavenly Pillar Gate.”
* * *
A day had passed since the visit to the Patrol Hall, and I was continuing my perfunctory inspection activities.
“Dammit, what kind of inspection is this?”
“…”
Wang Cheon, who was following behind me on the way back from inspecting the training grounds, grumbled with a sharp tone.
He was clearly displeased. Even Ju Seung, loyal to a fault, was sulking with a long face, though he said nothing. It was no surprise that Wang Cheon wouldn’t stay quiet.
Aside from his ambition, wasn’t he as stubbornly principled as they come?
So far, in the five departments Neung Un-bi had inspected, all he had done was receive tea leaves, take bribes, and line his own pockets.
Wang Cheon was making a fuss because he thought I was doing a shoddy inspection after taking bribes.
But did I ask for them?
What am I supposed to do when they’re the ones slipping it to me?
“Do whatever you want. If this becomes a problem later, I’ll just say I didn’t see anything. Got it?”
“…”
Whatever.
I wonder who it was that shared and drank all that Tieguanyin tea with me.
Shaking his head at the grumbling Wang Cheon, Neung Un-bi paused as he opened the door to his quarters.
“What? What is it? Did I say something wrong?”
“…No.”
“Then why are you staring at me like that?”
“I want to be alone.”
“…”
Wang Cheon’s eye twitched at Neung Un-bi’s words as he turned his head, his hand still on the door.
“Goddammit! Fine, be that way!”
He finally spun around in a huff, leaving Ju Seung flustered.
“Guard Captain Wang! You’re being too rude to our lord…”
“Rude my ass! Didn’t you see, Lunar Eclipse Division Leader? Was I the only one?”
“Well…”
“Let’s just leave him. He clearly doesn’t want to hear my nagging. Come on, hurry up.”
“…”
At Wang Cheon’s outburst, Ju Seung glanced back and forth between him and Neung Un-bi before sighing again.
He looked like he had a lot to say.
But it was too soon to speak.
It was obvious they would raise their hands in opposition if they found out what I was up to.
Sometimes, it’s better not to know.
They’ll find out eventually.
And I’ve long been used to being pointed at.
“Then… rest well, my lord. I will be on standby outside.”
“Alright.”
Though he wasn’t ignorant of their feelings, Neung Un-bi immediately entered the room and closed the door.
Why?
Because something was there that shouldn’t be.
“…”
Sitting at the table, Neung Un-bi picked up a small piece of paper that lay upon it.
*Jong Se-in has secretly headed to a place called Cheongjin Hermitage on the outskirts of Jucheon. Twelve men follow him.*
That was all that was written on the folded paper.
It was undoubtedly sent by that nameless man and woman.
And it wasn't hard to guess the meaning behind it.
Would a master of that caliber really leave a note like this for something trivial?
Jong Se-in was of the Demonic Cult.
Jucheon was the territory of the Orthodox Faction.
The twelve followers were surely the trusted guards who protected his residence.
“Well, well… so these bastards are having a little meeting, are they?”
I had only prodded him a little to see his reaction, and wasn’t he overreacting quite a bit?
A misinterpretation? Unlikely.
There were plenty of hermitages near Mount Qilian.
If he wanted to organize his thoughts and cultivate his mind, it would make more sense to choose a place on Mount Qilian, not in Orthodox territory.
And he had moved secretly?
That was suspicious, no matter how you looked at it.
Of course, I could be overthinking it. His actions might have nothing to do with the Heavenly Pillar Gate’s master.
And even if they were meeting, so what?
A Demonic Cult branch master living in the Central Plains having a secret relationship with an Orthodox or Unorthodox sect wasn’t necessarily something to find fault with.
Perhaps he went to confront him about tarnishing the Demonic Cult’s name.
“…”
Dammit, this is so damn complicated.
That’s why I’ll go see for myself.
My gut told me they were in it together. That was the only way to resolve every last “why” I’d been wondering about.
The reason the Heavenly Elixir Gate didn't act even when the displaced people were framed as Demonic Cult followers to build merit, and the reason the Heavenly Pillar Gate didn't immediately assume the Demonic Cult was behind the attack, despite being assaulted.
And the reason Jong Se-in went so far as to feign death to shut me up when I mentioned the Heavenly Pillar Gate.
So you two had to have been on the same side from the beginning.
And I’m on my way to confirm that right now.
If you two are meeting, you won’t just be having a friendly chat, but I hope you have nothing to do with this.
Because if you do, you’ll have to pay the price for destroying the lives of those people.
Crumpling the paper in his hand, Neung Un-bi’s eyes gleamed with a blue light.
It was time to move.
As Neung Un-bi, the disciple of the Cult Leader.
*Creak.*
As Neung Un-bi opened the door and stepped outside, Wang Cheon shot him a sharp glare.
“Where are you going now?”
“What’s it to you?”
“What do you mean? What’s wrong with a guard asking about his lord’s whereabouts?”
“Guard? Heh, don’t make me laugh. You barely listen to a word I say.”
“Whatever. I won’t permit anything other than a piss break, so don’t even think about it.”
“You’re going to try and stop me again?”
“Don’t even dream of getting away. Ju Seung, myself, and the entire Lunar Eclipse Division will risk our lives to stop you.”
“…”
He offered up his life so cheaply. At this rate, he wouldn't get a fair price even if he set up a stall in the market to sell it.
But did he think I’d fight him again just because he tried to stop me?
I hadn’t the slightest intention of doing warm-up exercises under the moonlight.
“Wang Cheon.”
“Yes?”
“You’re the Guard Captain, right?”
“…Of course.”
Wang Cheon tilted his head at the sudden question about his title.
“Ju Seung, you’re the head of the guard unit?”
“I am.”
“Then what is your duty?”
“To protect you, my lord.”
“You know well. Then start doing your duty.”
“Pardon?”
Something seemed different. An air of authority suddenly colored Neung Un-bi’s expression and voice.
“Lunar Eclipse Division Leader!”
“Yes? Sir!”
“Allowing rats to scurry about the residence of the disciples who have come to inspect on behalf of the Cult Leader would be a dereliction of duty, wouldn’t it?”
Ju Seung’s expression hardened at the low murmur, a smile playing on his lips.
Rats…
Had he known?
About the eyes that had been watching their every move since they began their stay at the Heavenly Elixir Gate.
“I am displeased. By the fact that someone is watching me.”
“…!”
That single sentence was enough.
Even if they had been disrespectful to Neung Un-bi recently, it was only because they were worried his actions would leave a stain on his name.
But this was different. For the first time, their lord was expressing the anger he felt.
“Lunar Eclipse Division!”
Ju Seung’s resolve changed in an instant, and at his command, the warriors of the Lunar Eclipse Division leaped in different directions.
“Dammit! Get away!”
A voice erupted from somewhere.
*Thwack! Crack!*
Two sounds rang out simultaneously: the sound of impact and groans of pain.
In that single moment, the rats Jong Se-in had planted were dealt with, and a cold smile touched Neung Un-bi’s lips.
The main cult’s elite, tasked with protecting the disciples.
Did So Seol-ok-su really assign idiots to guard someone like me, who already had so many enemies?
The only reason the Lunar Eclipse Division hadn’t been able to stop me before was because they were hesitant, unable to use lethal force against the object of their loyalty, just as Ju Seung had been.
The branch’s warriors against them, now that they were serious?
…They didn’t stand a chance.
“Ju Seung, Wang Cheon. Protect me from this moment on. Lunar Eclipse Division, guard our rear. There will be no one following me.”
“Yes, my lord!”
Ju Seung answered as the order was given, and at the same time, Neung Un-bi vaulted over the wall.
“My- my lord! Ugh, dammit, what is he up to now?”
Even as he grumbled with a long face, Wang Cheon leaped after him as if he had no other choice. Seeing this, Ju Seung suddenly grew curious.
“Excuse me, Guard Captain Wang.”
“What is it?”
“I’ve been wondering for a while… why do you always oppose the lord’s will?”
“What about it?”
“Well, you are his Guard Captain, after all…”
At Ju Seung’s words, Wang Cheon let out a smirk.
“I do it because I’m his Guard Captain.”
“Pardon?”
“If everyone just follows him, won’t he always think his actions are right?”
“…”
“That will one day become stubbornness, then self-righteousness.”
“Ah!”
“It was the same when he fell into qi deviation while practicing a forbidden demonic art. He decided alone, without consulting anyone, and acted alone. And he nearly lost everything in an instant.”
“…”
“I don’t want that. I don’t want to lose my lord like that again. So at least I have to object. That way, won’t my lord take a moment to consider what he might have missed? Won’t he be wary of even the smallest danger?”
“Hmm…”
“I’ll keep objecting in the future. Even if I’m hated for it and cast aside later… I will help my lord make the right decisions. I believe that is my role.”
“…I see.”
Ju Seung, feeling he understood Wang Cheon’s heart, nodded.
He knew well, having watched from the side.
Though he grumbled and objected to his face, he was the one who followed Neung Un-bi’s will more diligently than anyone.
Just as good medicine is bitter, perhaps his objections and nagging were possible only because he cared for Neung Un-bi more than anyone else.
And perhaps his willingness to be scolded for his actions stemmed from the anxiety and self-blame born from the experience of nearly losing Neung Un-bi.
It seemed Neung Un-bi understood this, which was why he accepted it without getting too angry.
Ju Seung stared intently at Wang Cheon’s back as he chased after Neung Un-bi.
He found himself envious of their easy rapport.
And today, for some reason, Wang Cheon’s back seemed to be firmly supporting Neung Un-bi’s.
A presence to watch someone’s back.
Even if he was just a nagging dissenter, Wang Cheon was that kind of person.
It’s truly a relief that a guard like you is by my lord’s side…
“That damned lord… if he jeopardizes my career ambitions in the slightest, I swear I won’t let it slide.”
“…”
Of course, there was that reason too…
At Wang Cheon’s muttering, Ju Seung’s respect diminished just a little.