Chapter 574
Yeon Ja-gang visited Tae Mu-ryong's office at the exact same time the following day.
"To cut to the chase, he refused."
Yeon Ja-gang licked his dry lips as he spoke.
"From the hall master's perspective, leaving such a promise in writing could cause problems later."
What if it came to light that the hall master had made a deal with Tae Mu-ryong using evidence that Seon-u Jin was a spy?
Even if it wasn't a grave crime, it would deal a fatal blow to Yong Myeong's moral standing.
"Then there's nothing we can do."
Tae Mu-ryong's voice was icy.
"Let's pretend this never happened. You should focus on gathering evidence yourself, my lord."
"Instead, we've agreed on this."
Yeon Ja-gang quickly continued.
"We can't put it in writing, but he'll meet you in private and make the promise directly."
"A private meeting?"
"The lord of the Dragon Coil Hall has agreed to personally confirm that this old man's words are not lies."
Tae Mu-ryong pondered for a moment before nodding.
"Very well. Let's proceed that way."
"Then can you show me the evidence?"
With a reluctant expression, Tae Mu-ryong retrieved a small wooden box from his robes.
Inside was the secret letter Bu Eun-seol had once received from the Seonhwa Merchant House.
"Do not touch it. Examine it with your eyes only."
Tae Mu-ryong's expression was grave.
"If I sense even the slightest attempt to take it, I'll destroy it immediately."
To Tae Mu-ryong, this was a lifeline—the only thing that could save his unit members.
What if Yeon Ja-gang snatched it away?
The lord of the Dragon Coil Hall would have no reason to honor his promise to Tae Mu-ryong, and everything would crumble to nothing.
"Don't worry. I'll only look."
Yeon Ja-gang pulled out a transparent orb from his robes.
Holding it before his eyes, he carefully examined the letter inside the wooden box.
'It's the real one.'
Through the glass orb, he could see the secret mark he had left on the letter's surface long ago.
"It's genuine."
"What exactly is that?"
When Tae Mu-ryong asked, Yeon Ja-gang tucked the orb away and replied,
"It's called an Intent-Sealing Pearl. If you hold it against a letter under sunlight, the paper is subtly scorched, leaving a trace."
"..."
"And that trace can only be seen again through this pearl."
"Such a thing exists?"
Tae Mu-ryong's jaw dropped.
He had never even heard of a mysterious orb like the Intent-Sealing Pearl before.
If Yeon Ja-gang was to be believed, even a master with the sharpest senses wouldn't be able to detect the mark.
"I've heard there are many strange artifacts in Murim, but I've never heard of such a pearl."
"Murim is full of precious artifacts unknown to the world."
Yeon Ja-gang, as if suddenly remembering something, pointed at the letter and asked,
"But why did you keep this letter separately? To you, it must have seemed completely ordinary at first glance."
"When I received it from the unit chief, the letter was stained with the oil used by Demonic Path spies when writing in their secret language."
Tae Mu-ryong's expression turned somber.
"Perhaps the unit chief was so shocked or in such a hurry that he couldn't wipe it off."
"Is that so? I'd have to see it to be sure."
"You absolutely must not touch the letter."
Yeon Ja-gang waved his hand dismissively.
"Don't worry. My neck is on the line—I won't act recklessly."
"Good."
Yeon Ja-gang scrutinized the letter in the box once more.
It was undoubtedly the letter sent by the Seonhwa Merchant House back then...
And just as Tae Mu-ryong had said, it carried the faint scent of the oil used by the Demonic Path's spies—the oil of the snakevine.
"Heh heh heh. Hahahaha!"
Having confirmed everything, Yeon Ja-gang burst into raucous laughter.
"It's true. It's really true. Seon-u Jin—that bastard was a spy for the Demonic Path."
His laughter cut off abruptly as he gritted his teeth.
"Then my failure back then must have been his doing too."
"What will you do now?"
"I'll immediately request a Chief Department Heads Conference from the Vice Alliance Leader."
Tae Mu-ryong frowned.
"Why request a Chief Department Heads Conference from the Vice Alliance Leader?"
"Seon-u Jin isn't just someone recognized by the Sixth Hall Master—he's also acknowledged by the Chief Strategist."
Yeon Ja-gang narrowed his eyes.
"He's close to the high command. If we rashly submit the evidence to the Disciplinary Hall, they might quietly sweep it under the rug."
Then, in a chilling voice, he added,
"We must present it before all the hall leaders. And someone higher than Hall Master Yuk or the Chief Strategist must personally verify the evidence."
The Martial Alliance operates on hierarchy and influence.
Even if Yeon Ja-gang brought solid evidence, recklessly exposing it could lead to it being dismissed outright.
That was why Yeon Ja-gang intended to hold a Chief Department Heads Conference, convened by Vice Alliance Leader Bukri Seung, with all hall leaders in attendance.
His plan was to publicly lay bare Seon-u Jin's crimes one by one and present the evidence there.
"Then will Hall Leader Yong also attend?"
"How could that be? He will only request the conference."
In the end, the Dragon Coil Hall's leader would not step forward himself.
Only after Yeon Ja-gang brought down the Hall of Ascending Martial's leader and Seon-u Jin would he fulfill his promise.
"How convenient. When you hold a high position, all you have to do is order those beneath you around."
When Tae Mu-ryong sneered, Yeon Ja-gang snorted.
"Isn't that natural? That's why we all claw our way up to higher positions."
Yeon Ja-gang's gaze grew distant.
"The view from above and the view from below... are worlds apart."
He was a man who had risen from a lowly martial artist to the position of hall leader.
Because he knew all too well the sweetness of authority that came with a high position—
He was now straining every nerve to climb even higher.
"To do that... I suppose I'll have to take this with me."
Yeon Ja-gang swept a sharp glance over Tae Mu-ryong.
"Now that the Chief Department Heads Conference has been called, what if you change your mind? Wouldn't Hall Leader Yong be in a difficult position?"
He was no pushover.
In case Tae Mu-ryong betrayed him at the critical moment—he intended to set up a firm safety measure.
"Are you breaking your promise now?"
"Not at all. This is a show of my unwavering will to keep that promise."
Yeon Ja-gang continued,
"Frankly, there's no trust between us, is there? What if you suddenly change your mind and don't bring this evidence to the Chief Department Heads Conference? Then not only I, but even Hall Leader Yong would be ruined."
"..."
"Don't worry. Instead, I'll keep the evidence safe. And when the conference is held, I'll personally reveal it."
Yeon Ja-gang thumped his chest as he spoke.
"This evidence is as vital to me as it is to you. I won't act recklessly, so trust me on this."
Tae Mu-ryong seemed to consider something before replying in a low voice,
"Then I'll forgo a private meeting with Hall Leader Yong. Instead, why don't you write me a written pledge guaranteeing you'll fulfill your promise?"
"A written pledge?"
"Yes. After all, Hall Leader Yong will also... break his promise, just as you are now."
Tae Mu-ryong met Yeon Ja-gang's eyes with absolute certainty.
"Isn't that right?"
"You've come to understand the nature of authority quite well."
Yeon Ja-gang readily admitted it.
"You're right. Even if I bring the evidence, the hall leader would never keep his word."
After staring intently at Tae Mu-ryong, he nodded.
"Very well. I'll give you the pledge."
Yeon Ja-gang pulled out an envelope stamped with the Dragon Coil Hall's official seal from his robes.
"This is the pledge the hall leader gave me."
'This sly old fox. He's been deceiving me all along.'
Tae Mu-ryong frowned.
Now it was clear—Yeon Ja-gang had already secured the pledge from Yong Myeong.
"Both the envelope and the letter inside bear the hall leader's seal. You can keep the envelope."
"That alone won't do. Either write a line of the pledge on the envelope yourself, or—"
"You're quite distrustful."
"Didn't you teach me to be?"
"Fine, fine."
Yeon Ja-gang smiled bitterly.
"I suppose I'm no longer a figure worthy of blind trust, so I have no choice but to earn it like this."
He then took the brush, ink, and paper from the table and wrote a pledge on the envelope.
But even there, he made no mention of the Dragon Coil Hall's leader.
He was determined not to leave behind any evidence implicating him.
"Satisfied now?"
"Yes."
Tae Mu-ryong took a deep breath and held out the wooden box he had been carrying.
"Take it."
"You've made the right choice."
As Yeon Ja-gang accepted the box, Tae Mu-ryong spoke again.
"That is as vital as our lives, so you must guard it well."
"Don't worry. Until the day of the conference, I won't reveal it to anyone—not even Hall Leader Yong. I won't let it leave my side for a single moment."
"I'll trust you, then."
When Tae Mu-ryong nodded, Yeon Ja-gang smiled faintly and shrugged.
"Then let's begin our work."
Yeon Ja-gang was a scheming man, but he did keep his promises.
He met with the Dragon Coil Hall's leader, Yong Myeong, informed him that the evidence had been secured, and even let him see it with his own eyes.
With his own eyes—literally.
—It's certain.
Yong Myeong was deeply satisfied and demanded the evidence for himself, but Yeon Ja-gang refused.
He didn't fully trust Yong Myeong either.
Just as Tae Mu-ryong had said—their lifeline rested solely on this single piece of evidence.
"This is an item I absolutely cannot hand over, as it is essential for fulfilling our agreement. I humbly request the Hall Master's generous understanding."
Though inwardly displeased, Yong Myeong couldn't afford to let this golden opportunity slip away. Suppressing his irritation, he gave a stiff nod.
"Then I shall immediately request the Vice Alliance Leader to convene the Chief Department Heads Conference."
As soon as Yeon Ja-gang secured the evidence, Yong Myeong arranged a private meeting with the Vice Alliance Leader, Bukri Seung.
Then, he relayed the matter Yeon Ja-gang had entrusted to him, presenting the evidence.
"I had a personal connection, so I met with him privately—and he brought forth such evidence. It was difficult to believe, but... the proof was undeniable."
Yong Myeong emphasized that he was only proceeding with this matter at Yeon Ja-gang's request.
This was to distance himself from any fallout should things go awry.
"If that is indeed the case, wouldn't the Ten Righteous Assembly suffice for deliberating punishment?"
Bukri Seung frowned slightly, his expression dubious.
"This hardly seems like an issue grave enough to warrant a Chief Department Heads Conference."
Seeing his skepticism, Yong Myeong pressed further.
"Commander Seon-u enjoys not only the trust of Hall Leader Yuk but also that of Gongson, the Chief Strategist—someone who could be considered part of the Alliance's high command, no?"
Then, with a troubled look, he added:
"A disciplinary hearing presided over by the Disciplinary Hall Master through the Ten Righteous Assembly would struggle to mete out proper judgment in his case."
"Hmm."
"If the Vice Alliance Leader does not take charge, there's also the possibility that Chief Strategist Gongson herself might chair the conference."
Bukri Seung's brow furrowed.
"But are you absolutely certain about this evidence? Do you truly have irrefutable proof of Commander Seon-u's crimes?"
"Yes. I saw it clearly with my own eyes."
At Yong Myeong's firm reply, Bukri Seung let out a deep sigh and nodded.
"Very well. I have no choice."
Five days later, under Bukri Seung's leadership, the Chief Department Heads Conference was convened—ostensibly to discuss the issue of rooting out spies within the Martial Alliance.
Murmur, murmur.
The grand meeting hall of the Justice Pavilion was packed with all the Alliance's Hall Master-rank figures.
The conference had been called far too abruptly, and with only whispers of it being about uncovering infiltrators, the atmosphere in the room was tense and somber.
The Hall Masters exchanged hushed words among themselves without pause.
"Let us begin the conference."
Bukri Seung's cold voice cut through the murmurs as he surveyed the assembly.
"Evidence has surfaced that a key figure within our Alliance—one who could be considered a pillar of our organization—is in fact a spy of the Demonic Path."
Murmur, murmur—
The unexpected declaration sent a ripple of shock through the room.
"This Chief Department Heads Conference has been convened to verify this evidence and deliberate on the appropriate punishment."
His words cast a heavy silence over the hall, as if cold water had been poured over the gathered officials.
It was no great secret that the Alliance harbored spies from the Demonic Path or informants with outside connections.
After all, even the Head of the Nectar Bureau—responsible for drafting the Alliance's regulations—had been exposed as a spy by Law Enforcement Magistrate Jongjeong Yak, though the matter had been kept from public knowledge.
"If there is definitive proof of a Demonic Path spy, shouldn't the Disciplinary Hall Master handle the punishment?"
Nak Seung-cheon, Hall Master of the Three Lives Hall, who sat close to Bukri Seung, tilted his head in confusion.
"With evidence already in hand, is there truly a need to convene a Chief Department Heads Conference?"
"Allow me to explain."
At that moment, a figure who had been standing humbly in the corner of the hall stepped forward.
It was Yeon Ja-gang.
"You—"
Nak Seung-cheon's expression turned awkward.
"Yeon... What brings you here?"
Though he had since stepped down from his position and become a mere clerk in the Azure Spirit Pavilion, Yeon Ja-gang had once been the Hall Master of the Coiling Dragon Hall under the Hall of Martial Ascension.
Facing him now in this setting made it unclear whether to address him as "Hall Master" or simply as a clerk.
"The suspected spy is someone who enjoys the trust of the upper echelons."
Ignoring Nak Seung-cheon's uncertain gaze, Yeon Ja-gang spoke respectfully.
"If we were to immediately send the evidence to the Disciplinary Hall, there is a high probability the matter would be suppressed."
"The trust of the upper echelons?"
"Precisely. That is why we requested this Chief Department Heads Conference."
"Then who, exactly, is this spy?"
Yeon Ja-gang answered flatly:
"The Commander of the Absolute Pinnacle Unit—Seon-u Jin."
The hall erupted into chaos.
Seon-u Jin was one of the Alliance's most outstanding rising talents, a future Grandmaster in the making.
And yet—he was a spy of the Demonic Path?
Hadn't he undergone rigorous vetting by numerous high-ranking officials when he was promoted to First-Rate Commander?
"If it truly is Commander Seon-u... then this conference is indeed justified."
At Nak Seung-cheon's words, the other Hall Masters nodded in agreement.
Not only was Seon-u Jin favored by the Hall of Martial Ascension's leader, but rumors had long circulated about his close ties to Chief Strategist Gongson.
If he were a spy—
There was every chance someone of her standing could sweep the matter under the rug.
Only a conference of this scale could ensure a fair deliberation on his punishment.
"Commoner Yeon."
At that moment, Bukri Seung addressed Yeon Ja-gang.
"Have you brought evidence proving Commander Seon-u is a spy?"
"Of course."
Yeon Ja-gang withdrew a wooden box from his robes—the very same box Tae Mu-ryong had delivered containing the assignment slip. To ensure this Chief Department Heads Conference succeeded, he hadn't let it leave his person for a single day. He'd even shown it to Yong Myeong only once.
"Here lies proof of Commander Seon-u exchanging communications with a figure from the Demonic Path."
Yeon Ja-gang respectfully presented the box to Bukri Seung.
"Please verify it yourself."
With a composed expression, Bukri Seung opened the box. After examining its contents at length, his brow furrowed deeply.
"What exactly am I supposed to confirm here?"
"The letters bear traces of the highest-grade akebia vine oil used by Demonic Path spies when writing in their secret language."
"Oil?"
"Indeed."
Bukri Seung, who had been scrutinizing the box intently, frowned again.
"Commoner Yeon. Can you actually detect any oily residue on these letters?"
"What do you mean?"
"See for yourself."
Bukri Seung extended the box toward him.
"What in the world am I supposed to find here?"
When Yeon Ja-gang accepted the box, his eyes widened in shock. The letters that had been perfectly intact just yesterday were now nearly completely dissolved.
"No, this was definitely—"
As he fumbled to inspect the remnants, Yeon Ja-gang finally noticed the box's unusual construction. Ordinary wooden boxes were simply made of wood. But this one's interior was lined with metal, wasn't it?
'Don't tell me—'
A bizarre thought flashed through his mind. Tae Mu-ryong had deliberately used this specific box—had he installed some mechanism to destroy the evidence at a predetermined time?
'To create an inescapable trap?'
Bukri Seung's solemn voice cut through his thoughts.
"Commoner Yeon. Explain this."
"That's... this is a conspiracy." Yeon Ja-gang desperately argued, "Examine the remaining fragments in the box. These letters were clearly dissolved by a special chemical. Why would I lie in such an assembly?"
"Commoner Yeon. This isn't about whether you're lying or not." Bukri Seung's expression grew graver than ever. "Have you forgotten where we stand?"
Only then did Yeon Ja-gang snap to attention. This was a disciplinary conference where all department heads of the alliance had gathered solely to examine evidence and determine its validity. Without any evidence at all—even if the alliance leader ordered it—no punishment could be enacted.
"Pardon my intrusion."
At that moment, a woman in deep indigo martial robes entered the conference hall. Though her features were exquisitely beautiful, her gaze carried an inexplicable sharpness and chill. It was Jongjeong Yak, formerly a Law Enforcement Magistrate and recently appointed Deputy Leader of the Disciplinary Hall.
"What is it?"
"The confession statement from the Deputy Unit Leader of the Absolute Pinnacle Unit admitting to his crimes."
"Confession statement?"
"Indeed. He insisted this be delivered before the disciplinary conference began."
Bukri Seung looked perplexed. The Deputy Unit Leader of the Absolute Pinnacle Unit confessing? What madness was this?
"This—"
As Bukri Seung read the letter, his pupils dilated impossibly wide.
"Commoner Yeon."
Setting down the document, Bukri Seung spoke with utmost gravity.
"Did you fabricate this evidence to deliberately frame Commander Seon-u? By coercing and threatening the Deputy Unit Leader of the Absolute Pinnacle Unit into compliance?"
"What are you saying?"
"See for yourself."
Bukri Seung handed Jongjeong Yak's letter to Yeon Ja-gang. As he read, cold sweat began pouring down Yeon Ja-gang's face like rain.
—[Excerpt from preceding text]... Unable to refuse Hall Leader Yeon Ja-gang's demands, I collaborated to manufacture this false evidence. However, I cannot in good conscience burden our Unit Leader—who has genuinely cared for me and our unit members—with such slander. Therefore, though belatedly, I confess to rectify this injustice... [Excerpt ends].
Yeon Ja-gang rubbed his eyes. Worse yet, the confession's conclusion implied higher authorities had ordered this scheme—demanding a full investigation.
'Tae Mu-ryong!'
Only now did Yeon Ja-gang realize he'd been deceived, his eyes bulging.
'You're taking all the blame yourself?'
Knowing full well Seon-u Jin was the Demon Hall's spy, yet shouldering the entire crime? Why pledge loyalty to a Demonic Path infiltrator?
"Based on this confession, I request the immediate imprisonment of Yeon Ja-gang, Clerk of the Azure Spirit Pavilion, for investigation."
At Jongjeong Yak's request, Bukri Seung nodded.
"Indeed. Investigate thoroughly."
"Understood."
Guards moved to arrest Yeon Ja-gang.
"This is unjust! Tae Mu-ryong orchestrated this!"
"Any grievances will be uncovered during the Disciplinary Hall's proceedings."
Meeting Bukri Seung's stern gaze, Yeon Ja-gang lowered his head. No words would help now. Protesting would only worsen his standing.
"...Very well."
With a final bow, Yeon Ja-gang allowed himself to be led away by the Disciplinary Hall's enforcers.