When the Enemy Reaches Out (2)
"You took that money?"
Im Choong and Beon Saeng were stunned.
"I did. I stopped by the Continental Battlefield on the way back and handed it off."
"Why'd you take it? That's bribery!"
"It went down smooth and tasted sweet. Guess that's why everyone takes the bait."
This time, Im Choong stepped forward.
"Didn't you tell me I did the right thing by turning it down?"
"That was because you couldn't handle it."
"Even for you, brother, taking bribes could cause problems."
"Bribery means doing something in return for the cash. All I've got for that bastard is ruin—what's he gonna get out of that?"
The word ruin made the two men flinch. Heuk Su and Cheon Yang-ho were already buried side by side in the courtyard. This wasn't a joke or metaphor; it was the literal meaning.
"We settle things before they become problems."
Bribe or not, Wang Gon would be dealt with soon enough.
"Besides, he never truly meant to take me on as a subordinate."
"Then why give you the money?"
"To get out of this mess. He's using my 'employment' from headquarters to cover for losing Heuk Su and Cheon Yang-ho."
Surprisingly, Baek So-cheon had pinpointed the enemy's intent exactly.
"I'm planning to use Wang Gon to find out who commissioned the Seven Swords Society. Secure the one who placed the order on their behalf under the Shin-hwa-bang Lord's command, and we've got proof the Seven Swords Society pulled this off."
It was the surest, swiftest way to keep his promise to Cheon-geuk.
Extracting a confession from the captive? That was Cheon-geuk's domain. Making someone spill the truth was the Sal-su Yeon-maeng's specialty among the jianghu's many alliances.
"Ah, so that's the deeper meaning."
But there was more to it than that.
Baek So-cheon turned to Im Choong.
"As long as I'm in bed with Wang Gon, they won't touch your family."
Im Choong felt a wave of relief and gratitude, realizing his family's safety was part of why Baek So-cheon had allied with Wang Gon.
"Thank you, brother."
"Save the thanks for your son. I'm only watching out for him 'cause he's cute."
Beon Saeng chimed in slyly.
"You know, brother acts all shameless, saying whatever, but he sucks at taking credit."
"Insult or compliment? Sounds like an insult with that 'shameless' bit."
"Compliment, obviously a compliment."
Im Choong scolded the chuckling Beon Saeng.
"You punk, quit messing around with brother."
"'Brother' coming out of the branch chief's mouth sounds more natural than from me now."
Im Choong couldn't deny it, so he just smirked. Truth be told, when he'd first heard Beon Saeng swear loyalty to Baek So-cheon as brother, he'd thought it pathetic.
Now here he was, saying the same.
"What do we do next?"
"You two keep doing what you're doing. Wang Gon's too fixated on me to bother you."
"We'll help too. Just give us orders."
Im Choong and Beon Saeng exchanged glances, steeling their resolve. The war with Shin-hwa-bang had truly begun.
"I need rest. Get out."
"Yes, sir."
As the two left, the room fell silent, from marketplace clamor to temple hush.
Today was for recovery, so Baek So-cheon pulled a manual from his satchel and read quietly. Only the bright moonlight knew his dogged efforts to restore his dantian—and how far he'd come.
Two days later, a urgent summons came from Wang Gon.
Someone from headquarters had arrived in Mun-seong, and Wang Gon called Baek So-cheon in haste.
"Aren't you sick of dragging a busy official around like this?"
Wang Gon was furious. Was this the attitude of someone who'd pocketed that much silver?
But now wasn't the time to nitpick Baek So-cheon's demeanor.
"I called you for something crucial."
"What's the big fuss?"
"Someone's arriving soon. I plan to introduce you."
"Who?"
"Yeom Jeong-gil, the great hero. One of headquarters' four great warriors."
Wang Gon froze stiff. He'd expected an investigator, but not Yeom Jeong-gil.
Of all people, him!
The one he least wanted to see had come.
Most were hot-tempered and sloppy, but Yeom Jeong-gil was meticulous to a fault.
Local probes usually sent juniors, not him. Sending Yeom Jeong-gil meant they viewed this seriously.
Probably over the iron ore business.
Either way, he had to convince Yeom Jeong-gil that Baek So-cheon was more valuable than Heuk Su or Cheon Yang-ho. His future hung on it.
"I know you're impressive, but watch your words around Great Hero Yeom."
"Why so scared?"
"He's no ordinary man. One slip, and you're done."
Baek So-cheon spotted opportunity in Wang Gon's anxiety.
"Fine. I wouldn't pick a fight with someone like that anyway. But one question."
"What?"
"Why'd you wipe out Yang Chu's whole family? I've been dying to know."
Wang Gon flinched.
"What're you talking about?"
"Heuk Su spilled it before dying. Said you massacred them."
Baek So-cheon pinned it on Heuk Su.
Wang Gon's face twisted.
That stupid bastard!
Desperate to live, he'd blabbed everything.
"Shut it! Say that again, and you're dead."
A warning—and admission.
"Who's gonna kill me?"
"Who? You think headquarters will let you run your mouth?"
It'd be negligence in managing his men, splashing back on Wang Gon too.
"Where would I blab? Just here."
"Not even here!"
"You're awfully jumpy. Don't trust me?"
"I do. But not with this."
"I can't stand mysteries. What if I get drunk and it slips out?"
"Threatening me?"
A subordinate reported from outside.
"Great Hero Yeom has arrived."
"Bring him to the guest hall."
"Yes."
As footsteps faded, Wang Gon muttered low.
"We'll talk later."
"Ask in front of Great Hero Yeom? Or ask him directly?"
Wang Gon nearly roared.
You mad bastard!
But with Yeom Jeong-gil here, urgency overrode rage.
"Not now. We can't keep him waiting."
"You act like this, and I get stubborn. Guess I'll tag along."
Baek So-cheon stressed it was mere stubbornness, not ulterior motive.
"You trying to die?"
"Kill me then."
Panicked, Wang Gon yielded.
Pressure mounted. Another shout from outside.
"You should hurry."
Yeom Jeong-gil's temper was flaring from the wait.
Baek So-cheon pretended to back off.
"Fine, reason's top secret. Who did the killing?"
Was the reason the only secret? But Wang Gon was desperate. Yeom Jeong-gil exploding could ruin everything.
Finally, a name slipped from Wang Gon's lips.
"Seven Swords Society."
"You commissioned it directly?"
Having started, the rest came quick.
"No, Teacher Jong did."
"Teacher Jong?"
"Don't know his name. When Shin-hwa-bang has issues, Teacher Jong handles it. Satisfied? Let's go."
"Feels good getting it off my chest. Why hold back on something so simple?"
Wang Gon swallowed boiling rage and bolted out.
Damn you! I'll kill you for sure!
Baek So-cheon followed, whistling cheerfully.
Teacher Jong.
He'd finally unmasked the commissioner.
Wang Gon left Baek So-cheon outside and entered the guest hall alone.
Yeom Jeong-gil's mood chilled the air like frost.
"You must be very busy."
"Sorry. An urgent matter came up."
"Murim Alliance arrested some of yours? Heuk Su missing, Tae-jeong of Tae-jeong-pa dead too."
As expected, no pleasantries—just straight to it.
"Tae-jeong-pa will be handled soon."
"Cheon Yang-ho's missing too?"
"Yes."
"Total mess. How'd you run this branch?"
"My apologies."
Wang Gon bowed in admission. Once Yeom Jeong-gil calmed, he'd pitch Baek So-cheon.
"What happened to the missing two?"
"Look dead."
"By whom?"
"A powerhouse dispatched to the Murim Alliance's Mun-seong branch. Incredible skill."
"Killed Heuk Su and Cheon Yang-ho? Impressive."
"I've already handled him."
"Handled? You killed him?"
"No."
Wang Gon called loudly to the back.
"Come in."
The door opened, and Baek So-cheon entered.
Baek So-cheon gave a respectful cupped-fist salute to Yeom Jeong-gil.
"First time meeting. Baek So-cheon."
Many elder masters knew the name. Yeom Jeong-gil did too—the Orthodoxy-Great War's top hero. But post-war, rumors had faded.
A forgotten legend.
Never having seen him, Yeom Jeong-gil couldn't link this twenty-something youth to that man. Even if aged, he wouldn't expect the Baek So-cheon here.
Anyway, the killer of Heuk Su and Cheon Yang-ho entering shocked Yeom Jeong-gil. And more shock to come.
"This Baek warrior has pledged to serve me and headquarters from now on."
Without a single question, Yeom Jeong-gil dismissed Baek So-cheon.
"Wait outside."
Once gone, Yeom Jeong-gil glared.
"Are you insane?"
"He's too valuable to lose."
"You know who he is and still took him in?"
"I checked his background via Murim Alliance contacts before Cheon Yang-ho died. Identity's solid."
"Branch Lord Wang, can you vouch for him?"
"Yes!"
"Stake your life?"
"Yes. I stake it."
Wang Gon declared boldly. Having played the Baek So-cheon card, weakness wasn't an option.
With life on the line, Yeom Jeong-gil cooled slightly. Not to bulldoze blindly. If Wang Gon pushed this hard, verification was needed.
"Where's he from in the Murim Alliance?"
"Former Cheol-geom-dan squad leader."
"Cheol-geom-dan!"
The name intimidated warriors.
"Why's someone like that here?"
"Top talent, but dantian damaged—demoted here."
"Dantian injured?"
"Yes."
"And he still killed Heuk Su and Cheon Yang-ho?"
"That's why I recruited him. True powerhouse. He'll aid headquarters greatly."
"Hidden weapons or poison?"
"No."
"Sure?"
"Yes."
Not entirely. Cheon Yang-ho had hyped Baek So-cheon's skill so much, Wang Gon assumed no tricks.
"Handling something this big without reporting to superiors?"
"Was about to, then heard you were coming. Waited to tell you in person."
Wang Gon stayed deferential yet firm.
"We can test if he's useful or not."
Wang Gon caught on: Yeom Jeong-gil would test Baek So-cheon.
Useless? Wang Gon would bear solo responsibility, compounding prior errors—severe punishment inevitable.
Baek So-cheon, it's on you.
Yeom Jeong-gil and Wang Gon stepped out.
Yeom Jeong-gil grabbed Baek So-cheon's wrist meridian without preamble, confirming no inner power.
"No inner power, confirmed."
No deception there; Yeom Jeong-gil eased his guard a fraction.
Staring at Baek So-cheon, Yeom Jeong-gil said,
"If you're one of us, prove it."
"Your command."
"Kill someone. Succeed, and I'll trust you."
"Who?"
Then came the unexpected name from Yeom Jeong-gil's mouth.
"Murim Alliance Mun-seong branch chief, Im Choong."