Chapter 27
Chapter 27
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 27
Chapter Title: Suspicions at the Sima Clan
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His features were sharp. He was handsome, but at first glance, his appearance resembled a wolf.
His insulting tone. His arrogant demeanor.
Number 20 shot to her feet.
"What did you just say?"
"I said you're a bunch of bastards who believe ridiculous rumors. Bitch."
"Are you officially calling us, who came from the Blood Demon Squad..."
"Should I treat bastards like humans? Not particularly inclined to."
The patriarch of the Sima Clan.
Sima Ak looked at me.
"Colluding with the righteous sects? Bringing baseless rumors and insulting the Sima Clan is already an outrage. You bastards."
"......"
"If you want, search away. Do whatever you like. If it bothers you that much, fabricate some evidence and bring it to me. I'll gather it all and shove it into a pit of fire."
A subtle fury laced his words. I could hear the grinding of his teeth now and then.
"You've picked the wrong opponent. The Sima Clan won't forget this insult. Get out. You bastards. Bark around all you want, as you desire."
An order to leave.
We were pushed out by the warriors without uttering a single word.
Number 20 trembled with rage.
"What kind of fucking asshole is that...!"
"At least we secured the right to investigate."
"You're not pissed off?!"
"I am pissed."
Quite a bit, honestly. It did rub me the wrong way.
But we'd come here to do a job. Putting personal feelings first wouldn't do.
The Sima Clan patriarch's first impression was the worst. His smug, arrogant face grated on me too.
So, I'd channel this personal grudge into the official investigation.
If the enemy was guilty, exposing it would be revenge enough.
"Number 20."
"What?!"
"If he doesn't sit well with you, we can reprimand him through our work, can't we?"
"......."
"Let's comb through everything. See if the Sima Clan is truly colluding with the righteous sects. If they've done wrong, they won't keep up that attitude."
"...Ugh."
"Put emotions aside for now, for later."
Number 20 let out a sigh.
"You're not wrong. If we do our job thoroughly, it'll clear Sima Ak's name too. So, Number 30, where do we start investigating?"
"Split up and check. Start with the servants."
"Got it. See you at night."
"Keep personal feelings out and be gentle..."
"I'm not a kid? I'll handle it, don't worry."
We parted ways with Number 20. Using interrogation as an excuse, I gathered information from the servants in the Sima Clan.
Most were hostile toward me. But invoking the Blood Demon Squad's name forced their mouths open.
"...The Sima Clan's situation isn't as good as before, sir. If they were colluding with the righteous sects, their wealth should be growing, right?"
"How exactly is it not good?"
"Not long ago, a merchant caravan run by the Sima Clan's Finance Pavilion was raided by bandits and lost its goods. Near the Kunlun Sect, no less. If they were colluding with the righteous sects, wouldn't those sects protect them instead?"
"Hmm..."
"The Sima Clan's prestige is declining day by day, sir. As finances worsened, hired warriors left, leaving them short on strength to defend their territory. Nearby sects have been subtly encroaching on Sima territory. If they were colluding with the righteous sects, none of this should happen. If collusion caused this, why would they do it when it only brings losses?"
"Is the financial strain due to these bandit raids?"
"...I don't know the details. But I've only heard rumors that things have deteriorated greatly, sir. The Sima Clan has done nothing wrong."
Most spoke in their defense. When Number 20 returned at night and we compared notes, nothing substantial emerged.
"It's certain the Sima Clan's in a rough spot. Bandit raids, someone stole a manual, famous guest warriors left for elsewhere."
"Did you find out why?"
"No. Servants and guards all say the same: 'Bad luck.' On the bright side, there's the Heavenly Peak Sect supporting the Sima Clan."
"...Heavenly Peak Sect?"
"Yes. One of the sects backing them. The biggest one, actually... Unlike others turning away as they weakened, the Heavenly Peak Sect is the only one still supporting them."
Heavenly Peak Sect, huh.
The next morning, we headed there early. Dropping the Blood Demon Squad's name got us straight to the sect leader.
An elderly man who looked kindly in his old age. He sipped his tea and spoke.
"The Sima Clan. A fine family. Thanks to them, people here can sleep soundly. An old house even in the Divine Cult, isn't it? For such a family to collude with the righteous sects..."
"Do you know the rumor's source?"
"No idea. First time hearing the Blood Demon Squad is investigating. Ah..."
The Heavenly Peak Sect leader sighed deeply.
"Surely... surely a misunderstanding. The Sima Clan is a fine family. Even if times are tough, they wouldn't dare reach for the righteous sects..."
"Times are tough?"
"Common knowledge around here. A string of misfortunes hit the Sima Clan. Merchant caravan raided and goods stolen, someone made off with a manual... Rumors spread among guests too."
"Rumors like what..."
"The same as before. Colluding with the righteous sects. Nonsense. I sent people right away, but couldn't trace the source."
"......."
"My eldest daughter even married into the Sima Clan early on. This thunderbolt in such times... Ah..."
The Heavenly Peak Sect leader fiddled with his teacup.
"...I'll cooperate as much as I can. We'll send people out separately to gather info."
"No need to go that far..."
"No. This is about proving the Sima Clan's innocence widely. As a subordinate sect, it's our duty. Leave it to me."
We left the Heavenly Peak Sect. Number 20 muttered.
"Nice guy. Reliable to have at your back."
"...Hmm."
"What, Number 30?"
"Doesn't it seem off?"
"What does?"
Too...
Too proactive, isn't it?
But it could just be loyalty. I closed my opened mouth.
Nothing certain. If he's helping out of goodwill, questioning it would be rude in this situation.
"Let's hit the Finance Pavilion, Number 20."
"Check the ledgers? Got experience there?"
"...No."
"Hmph."
Number 20 puffed out her chest.
"I do. I read well, do numbers fine."
Just bragging?
"Impressive, Number 20."
"Right?"
"With just Number 20, nothing to fear."
"Ahem! Of course! Trust only me!"
We arrived at the Finance Pavilion.
Faced with the stacks of ledgers from the clerk, Number 20 hiccuped.
"Th-this is way more than I thought..."
I patted her back.
"I believe in you."
"I-it's quicker to learn than you think? S-so, together..."
"I believe only in Number 20."
"...Urk."
Number 20 dove into the books. I requested a meeting with the Finance Pavilion Master.
The middle-aged man openly showed hostility.
"...What do you want to know?"
"Heard there've been several incidents at the Sima Clan."
"Nothing to say."
"Wouldn't cooperation be best? We might even clear your name..."
"Aren't you already deeming us cult traitors while investigating?"
The Finance Pavilion Master stood.
"We gave you the ledgers as requested. Look moderately and leave."
We roamed the Finance Pavilion demanding more info, but unlike servants, its staff gave no leeway, mouths shut tight.
Only curt "I don't know"s no matter how much we prodded.
Number 20, buried in piled books, finally snapped.
"Nothing! Seems like nothing! Damn it! Nothing!"
"You read them all?"
"No anomalies on paper! Probably! No weird money leaks! All properly accounted for! So..."
Number 20 waved ledgers around.
"...It all matches perfectly. Every amount. No margin for error. Too precise, suspiciously so."
"......"
Too perfect to be normal.
Nothing more to probe, we left the Finance Pavilion. Barred from info pavilions, we headed to the Martial Pavilion.
Where Sima Clan warriors trained and martial arts were refined and advanced.
The ground shook under stomping feet. Few in number, but quality seemed undiminished.
Among the crowd, a familiar face: the Sima Clan's escort warrior who'd visited us yesterday.
Chui Escort.
"...How's the investigation going?"
"In progress."
"Found anything?"
"No substantial info yet."
"I see."
Chui Escort wiped sweat with a towel. His sword looked fierce.
Heavy, tempered muscles. Obvious at a glance.
His martial depth was no shallow thing.
...Could I win sword-to-sword? No confidence.
"I have nothing to tell you."
Chui Escort walked away crisply. Nothing gained at the Martial Pavilion either.
Warriors ignored us. Unlike elsewhere that at least answered, they glared murderously, swords itching to swing.
Number 20 growled back.
"Those damn eyes. We're just doing our job, fuck! Unbelievable!"
I dragged her out before she exploded. We checked other Sima buildings, but no leads.
Days passed fruitlessly. Passing by, the Sima patriarch sneered at us.
"Heard you're scurrying around like your soles are on fire. Bastards."
"......."
"Bark harder, you idiots."
Number 20 nearly lunged at his venom but bashed her head against a wall.
"Ugh! Wanna split my skull!"
"Endure it, Number 20."
"...Think I'm getting rage sickness. Gonna get some air."
A towering wall blocked the path ahead, hiding what lay beyond.
The stalled probe tilted toward no collusion. Then, the Heavenly Peak Sect suddenly requested a meeting.
Without the out-for-air Number 20, I entered alone. The waiting sect leader's face twisted.
"...What to call this."
"What happened?"
"...Found evidence."
The Heavenly Peak Sect leader handed me documents.
"Not long ago, early dawn, one person left the area far away. Definitely one of the Sima Clan's escort warriors."
"......."
"Left with porters, returned alone. Seems they moved internal supplies... elsewhere."
"Where to... exactly?"
"......."
The Heavenly Peak Sect leader sighed.
"Confirmed headed Kunlun way. Circumstantially... probably some deal with the Kunlun Sect..."
"...Sent goods to the righteous sects?"
At a time like this?
That urgent? Still, unknowns remained.
For what purpose?
"What did the Sima Clan gain in return for the goods?"
"...Don't know. But my guess... embarrassing, but..."
The Heavenly Peak Sect leader lowered his gaze.
"The Sima Clan's situation isn't easy now."
"Right."
"Our sect provided some support. But it might not have been nearly enough..."
"Collude with righteous sects for funds? Why bother...?"
"Perhaps. Just speculation... They send tribute goods to the main cult. Every subordinate sect must."
"Tribute goods?"
"Think of it as taxes. But exemptions exist: natural disasters, stolen wealth. And bandits abound nearby. Wasn't the Sima caravan raided recently?"
The sect leader leaned in.
"What if they deliberately diverted supplies, then staged a raid? Doesn't it fit?"
"...You have wide reach, Sect Leader."
"Tampering with cult tribute is rebellion against the Cult Leader. As a leader... if a charge crosses the line, must I not block it? It could wipe out not just them, but all around. Not stepping in would be the odd thing."
Not wrong. I examined the documents.
Contents neatly summarized. If true, Sima Clan colluded with righteous sects, no doubt.
"If I was wrong from the start, the goods would still be in Sima warehouses. Only their people can access. Just check."
I pondered. Only one way to verify truth.
Compare warehouse goods against ledgers.
"...I'll check."
I folded the documents into my bosom.