I Know You're a Natural Pushover, But (2)
Im Choong headed straight to the Heo Clan Sword House with Beon Saeng.
The head of the Heo Clan Sword House was Heo-sa. Originally, the Heo Clan had been the strongest sect in Jeol-gang Province. But then Shin-hwa-bang had burst onto the scene like a comet, shoving them into second place.
"What brings the branch leader here?"
"I have something important to discuss, so I came to see you."
"Speak, then."
"Are you aware of the tragedy that befell Great Hero Yang Chu not long ago?"
"Of course. It was a truly tragic affair."
"I came to ask if you know anything related to that incident."
Heo-sa hadn't expected Im Choong to come sniffing around about this. In his mind, Im Choong was just some backwater branch leader barely clinging to his post.
"It's regrettable, but I don't know anything special about it."
Im Choong had anticipated he wouldn't spill easily. It was time to play his trump card.
"To be frank, I believe Shin-hwa-bang is involved in that matter."
If Wang Gon was released like this, he wouldn't let it slide. If they were going to strike anyway, better to seize the chance for a counterattack.
At the mention of Shin-hwa-bang, Heo-sa flinched visibly. It was the kind of reaction that suggested he knew something about the incident.
"We even arrested him today. But with insufficient evidence, we have to let him go."
"Such a thing happened?!"
Heo-sa grew suspicious. The Mun-seong Branch he knew didn't have the guts or the capability to arrest Wang Gon.
"Is what you're saying true?"
"Why would I lie about something that's bound to come out anyway? If Shin-hwa-bang is proven to be involved, they're finished."
Heo-sa stared at Im Choong. Whether cornered or burning with a sense of justice, this wasn't the Im Choong he remembered.
"Why come to me?"
"Help me."
"How?"
Im Choong's eyes burned with resolve to crack this case as he made his plea.
"Tell me everything you know."
Back at the branch, Im Choong and Beon Saeng went straight to Baek So-cheon.
"The Heo Clan Sword House gave us info on Yang Chu."
Im Choong's face was flushed with excitement.
"What kind of info?"
"They said Yang Chu had been investigating Shin-hwa-bang's new venture recently."
"How did the Heo Clan know that?"
"Apparently, they asked him to do it. Knowing Shin-hwa-bang was planning some big project, their house head Heo-sa personally requested Yang Chu look into it."
It was solid testimony—a key lead to unraveling the case. Investigating on behalf of a rival sect and getting murdered? It created reasonable suspicion that Shin-hwa-bang had killed him.
"What was this new venture?"
"Ah, you wouldn't know."
Im Choong explained Shin-hwa-bang's new business in Mun-seong to Baek So-cheon. Since he was now deeply involved, he needed to know all the facts.
After hearing it out, Baek So-cheon tilted his head.
"So their new business is building a massive forge in Mun-seong?"
"They plan the largest forge in the Central Plains."
"That's really odd, then."
Beon Saeng chimed in.
"What's odd about it? Shin-hwa-bang said they'd pivot to the forge business going forward."
It was what he'd heard from Heuk-su last time.
"That's why it's odd."
"Huh?"
"Building a forge in the southernmost part of Jeol-gang Province? Shipping weapons across the Central Plains would cost a fortune. If they're serious about expanding, they'd build in Henan or Hubei for the geographic advantage."
"Whoa! Now that you mention it!"
Beon Saeng looked at Im Choong, as if it were a valid hunch.
Im Choong offered another possibility.
"Maybe it's just for internal supply?"
"The scale's too big for that."
"Or to avoid clashing with other forges?"
"Shin-hwa-bang doesn't strike me as that considerate."
Im Choong nodded without much thought.
This time, Beon Saeng spoke up.
"Okay, say that's true. I still don't get it. Investigating a forge business is reason enough to wipe out his whole family?"
"He probably uncovered something he wasn't supposed to."
Im Choong answered.
"Then why kill the whole family, not just Yang Chu?"
Im Choong had no answer for that.
Beon Saeng's questioning gaze turned to Baek So-cheon.
"Why keep asking me?"
"We got nothing. You seem like you know everything."
"I don't, I said. If I were smart, I would've grabbed a book, not a sword."
"Even saying you're not smart sounds smart."
"Enough. But one guess: they might've wanted to frame it as personal grudge against Yang Chu."
Im Choong and Beon Saeng nodded. Massacring a whole family screamed personal vendetta. If that was the case, it showed truly vicious hearts.
"Plus, a warning to Yang Chu's backers. 'Step out of line, and your families end up the same.'"
If so, it had worked.
Jo Jin, Yang Chu's close friend and head of the Jo Clan, was terrified. Even the Heo Clan Sword House had testified but stayed passive.
"They promised more evidence and testimony on Yang Chu if we strengthen the case."
"They'll help, but not stick their necks out."
One step forward, but still just circumstantial—no smoking gun.
Then another subordinate reported.
"Captain Cheon is looking for Warrior Baek."
"Me?"
"Yes. He said bring you to the interrogation room."
Beon Saeng jumped.
"Why the interrogation room of all places?"
Baek So-cheon saw through it instantly.
"To pressure me. From the moves, Captain Cheon's likely on their side."
"Don't go! Interrogation rooms make you say things you shouldn't under pressure."
Baek So-cheon chuckled at Beon Saeng's plea. Once they learned his real history, they'd see how funny that was.
"It's fine. The interrogation room's cozier than my own quarters. I've been through a few in my day."
"Bragging again! Back in the day, I drank with the Ten Great Evils in the Murim Alliance's underground prison!"
"They're all dead now. Just two left, and one loves his booze."
"What? This isn't the time for jokes!"
Baek So-cheon was already out the door.
Alone with Im Choong, Beon Saeng asked worriedly.
"He'll be okay, right?"
"Who knows."
Baek So-cheon could fight, sure. But internal politics wasn't just about fists.
If Cheon Yang-ho had dirt or used rank, trouble could brew.
"Let's go too."
Beon Saeng was anxious. Cheon Yang-ho wasn't like him or Im Choong—watered-down types. What if he messed with Baek So-cheon?
Im Choong, half-enlightened, stayed calm.
"Don't rush. Your proud big bro won't die from a snakebite."
"From Cheol-geom-dan?"
Figuring out Baek So-cheon's involvement had been easy through branch warriors. He'd been there for Heuk-su's arrest and Tae-jeong's death.
"Yes."
Not a direct superior, so he could answer casually.
"Rank?"
"Squad leader."
"A Cheol-geom-dan squad leader."
That cleared some doubts. An elite from Murim Alliance's top unit could take a careless Heuk-su.
One hit, they said. Less skill gap, more complacency. Heuk-su was tough even for him.
"Why demoted here?"
"Do I have to say?"
"You're central to this case."
"Demoted for disobeying orders."
His attitude fit, thought Cheon Yang-ho.
"Fine. Next: how'd you know about the century-old snow lotus in the box?"
"Smelled it."
"Sharp nose."
"Eyes are sharper."
"Answer only what's asked."
"Got it."
Cheon Yang-ho chalked the insolence to 'Cheol-geom-dan squad leader.' Expected from elites. This bias blinded him.
"Heard you shone at Shin-hwa-bang?"
"I'll take that as praise."
"Thanks later. They might report you for excessive force."
"Let 'em."
Baek So-cheon fired back.
"Heard Shin-hwa-bang's bribing Jeol-gang Branch warriors. Know anything?"
"No, didn't know."
Cheon Yang-ho's voice wavered slightly—caught off guard.
Baek So-cheon was guessing here.
If bribing Im Choong, others too. Cheon Yang-ho's cover-up attitude screamed he'd taken bribes.
"Where'd you hear that?"
Baek So-cheon stared him down.
"Does it matter?"
"Need to verify facts."
"Verify through audits, not exposing sources. You think they'll sit still?"
"True."
"Once Wang Gon's guilt is proven, every bribed warrior gets dragged in."
"Naturally."
Cheon Yang-ho felt control slipping.
'This guy's no ordinary punk.'
An inexperienced warrior would squirm, avoid eye contact. He'd called him here to pressure, but now he was the one grilled.
"That's enough for today."
Cheon Yang-ho stood. He knew enough; dragging it out hurt him.
'Wang Gon poked a real thorn.'
As Cheon Yang-ho left, Beon Saeng and Im Choong entered.
"What'd he say?"
"Might report me for excessive force."
Im Choong added from behind.
"Won't happen."
As superior, he'd shield Baek So-cheon and Beon Saeng.
Beon Saeng said worriedly.
"From the vibe, without hard evidence, Wang Gon and Heuk-su walk."
"I'll stake my position to hold them a few days."
Beon Saeng sighed self-reproachfully.
"My fault. Hitting Tae-jeong-pa made this mess."
Baek So-cheon, heading out, turned at the door.
"I know you're a natural pushover, but don't say it's your fault. This is all on those maggots."
Cheon Yang-ho was a maggot too now.
"They're chasing their own gain, so why beat yourself up? Stay a pushover—don't go full idiot."
Harsh, but it comforted Beon Saeng. He nodded vigorously.
"Got it, bro!"
Baek So-cheon was already gone.
Beon Saeng told Im Choong.
"A few days ago, who'd think we'd be in this?"
"No clue."
"Without bro, we'd be screwed."
"Doubt it."
"Huh?"
Beon Saeng looked at Im Choong. He sighed lightly, standing.
"Nothing would've happened."
Things that should've blown up just fizzled.
Baek So-cheon entering that life shook them both.
But... could they handle it? He and Beon Saeng were ordinary folk—easily swayed, easily hurt. Not Baek So-cheon.
Lost in thought, Im Choong paused outside the interrogation building.
Beon Saeng caught up, standing beside. He got what Im Choong meant by "nothing would've happened."
"So... I'm using this chance to change my life."
Im Choong smiled and nodded.
In their year together, they'd never shared such depth. These days had brought them closer.