Dispatch (2)
Cheon-geuk stood by the window on the second floor of Daroo Tea House, gazing outside.
A group of about twenty riders galloped past after exiting the Alliance gates.
Leading them was Baek So-cheon.
Fearing he might spot her, she hurriedly crouched low, peeking out with just her eyes above the sill.
Then Dong-seong spoke from behind her.
"They won't see this place from horseback."
"You never know. That man's eyes are sharp as ever."
"Weren't you hoping Master Baek would notice you?"
Cheon-geuk whipped around fiercely, startling Dong-seong.
"Eek! Forgive me. I spoke out of turn."
She relaxed her expression, feigning playfulness.
"You're right. I was standing here hoping he'd see me. But now that I think about it, it'd just be embarrassing if he did. Where did he say they were heading again?"
"Jeol-gang Branch."
"That backwater's always stirring up trouble."
She vividly recalled heading to Jeol-gang Province at Baek So-cheon's summons, as if it were yesterday.
Staring down the empty road where he'd vanished, she asked,
"Worried about me?"
"What do you mean?"
"That I'll get so smitten I neglect Alliance business?"
Dong-seong finally voiced what he'd been holding back.
"Quite the opposite."
"Opposite?"
"It's about time you slacked off a bit. You've given your youth to the Alliance already."
"Hm. So my youth's all spent? Fair enough. At my age now..."
"No, no! I spoke out of turn again."
His stuffy nature made him perfect for teasing.
She turned back to the window. Looking up at the cloudless sky, she murmured,
"Wonder when the snow'll come again."
Dong-seong replied from behind.
"It's been heavy this year."
Without turning, Cheon-geuk flashed a bright smile.
"Alright, time to prep for the evening rush?"
Baek So-cheon's Hyun-cheon-dae arrived near Jeol-gang Branch.
"Wang-ho and Beon Saeng, with me. The rest, stand by here."
Baek So-cheon took only his first and youngest to the rendezvous point.
Waiting was Kang Jung-myeong, Jeong-pung's attendant warrior who'd sent the urgent message to headquarters. Baek So-cheon had contacted him separately to meet here.
"Hyun-cheon-dae Captain Baek So-cheon."
"Kang Jung-myeong."
He was an ordinary warrior, handling Jeong-pung's office and assisting him.
"What happened to Branch Leader Jeong?"
"He stopped talking much lately, and a few days ago, his face got injured. He claimed he bumped into a door, but that wound was clearly from a blow. There were bruises on his arm too."
A Murim Alliance branch leader beaten? Unthinkable. Worse, he'd hidden it.
"Any guesses?"
"He never shared personal matters... but he seemed deeply troubled recently."
After a few more questions, Baek So-cheon sent him off.
"Act normal when you return."
"Yes, sir."
He left first.
Baek So-cheon turned to Wang-ho.
"Send men to investigate Branch Leader Jeong and his circle. With Am-yeong-gak's Jeol-gang Branch help, we can check his finances."
He could handle it himself, but this gave his subordinates real combat experience. They'd had varied missions before, but syncing as Hyun-cheon-dae was new.
He might reclaim Bi-gak soon—the Lord and On Byeok-hwa hoped so.
Even then, with the Lord's permission, he'd run Hyun-cheon-dae separately—as his direct unit and strike force.
"Investigate Kang Jung-myeong too."
Not suspecting him—anyone malicious wouldn't lure them here. But attendants rarely sent messages alone, so include him.
Baek So-cheon's real worry: Black Heaven Alliance or Blood Cult behind this. They'd tried recruiting here before.
"Meanwhile, I'll meet Branch Leader Jeong."
"Baek warrior. What brings you here?"
Jeong-pung was startled to see Baek So-cheon.
"Forgot already? Didn't you invite me to drop by?"
"I remember, but..."
He hadn't expected Baek So-cheon to actually come.
"We talking with you standing?"
"Ah, sit, sit."
Baek So-cheon sat across from him.
"Heard about you. Taking Hyun-cheon Pavilion's org chart too?"
"Grand Strategist gave me a spot out of old sentiment."
"Reconciled with the Lord?"
"You know everything."
"Who doesn't?"
Rumors of Baek So-cheon had spread through headquarters. A branch leader like Jeong-pung couldn't miss them.
Their talk stuttered—not from unfamiliarity, but Jeong-pung's distraction. His face bore the wound, and he seemed uneasy.
No deep bond, but good memories for Baek So-cheon. Whatever plagued him, Baek hoped it wouldn't ruin his life.
"Thought our ties ended back then."
Baek So-cheon smiled faintly at Jeong-pung's words.
"Guess they're tougher than that."
"How'd you come?"
"Passing through. Let's grab a drink."
"Got an important appointment tonight."
"Tomorrow?"
"...How long you staying?"
His face soured reluctantly.
"Few days."
"I'll reach out."
"Good. At the biggest inn by the branch."
"See you."
Baek So-cheon rose.
Instead of leaving, he hid in a thick tree branch overlooking Jeong-pung's office.
With him visiting after so long, he'd cancel other plans—postponing meant tonight's was crucial.
But Jeong-pung stayed put till nightfall after work.
Sighing at his desk, visible. Not an appointment—just no heart for drinks.
What deep troubles weighed on him?
Confirming Jeong-pung headed home, Baek So-cheon returned to his waiting subordinates.
They'd shed Hyun-cheon-dae uniforms, disguising as ordinary martial artists and escort agency guards in small groups—twenty together would draw eyes.
Wang-ho reported joint findings with Am-yeong-gak Jeol-gang Branch.
"No issues with Kang Jung-myeong who sent the message. Problem's Branch Leader Jeong."
"What?"
"He withdrew huge sums from the exchange recently."
"How much?"
"Ten thousand four hundred nyang total. Two five-thousands, two two-thousands."
Jeong-pung wasn't corrupt, by Baek So-cheon's knowledge. That sum was likely his life's savings. All withdrawn short-term?
"Heard he has family?"
"Yes. Very family-oriented."
A family man pulling life savings fast meant dire straits.
"Family issue?"
"Doesn't seem so. Family's living normally."
"Send kids to check Jeol-gang Province gambling dens for Jeong-pung visits. Two surveillance experts on him. Check women around too—could be that."
"Got it."
Wang-ho left.
Baek So-cheon walked to the window. Jeong-pung's daytime face resurfaced.
'Hope it's something I can fix.'
Jeong-pung moved after next day's work.
Glancing back repeatedly for tails, he reached a nearby mountain logging site.
Dozens of shirtless men—disguised as loggers, but no civilians.
Logging camps hid warriors well; dozens raised no flags.
Waiting for Jeong-pung: a thirties man named Seok-gyeon, frivolity etched in his face.
"Got the money?"
"Told you that's all."
"Heh. What now?"
"What can I do with nothing?"
"Branch leader so long, and that's it? Believe you?"
"Wasn't born one. Can't make what isn't there."
"No guts? Fine. Expose your deeds then."
Jeong-pung's face hardened.
"What if family learns? Still husband? Father?"
He ground his teeth, silent.
Seok-gyeon coaxed charitably.
"Fine! I'll yield. No cash? Info then."
"What info?"
"Steal branch internals. Sell that for cash."
"No!"
Jeong-pung bellowed, glaring.
"Never!"
"Even if I expose you?"
"Still no!"
"Think we kill only you? I'm trash, outright. Money makes me do anything."
"You bastard!"
As Jeong-pung lunged, a man blocked swiftly.
His bare torso furred like a monkey.
His striking looks matched his skill—above Jeong-pung. Others outclassed Jeol-gang warriors too. Like three Iron Sword Unit squads combined.
Seok-gyeon soothed.
"Sell info, get all money back. Need funds for family, right?"
"No. I'd die first."
"Your family's crime?"
"Still no."
"What then?"
Then—a voice from above.
"And you? What're you scheming?"
Both turned.
Baek So-cheon sat casually atop stacked logs.
"Who's that punk?"
At the hairy man's shout, loggers drew weapons, swarming.
Baek So-cheon asked Jeong-pung,
"Ditched our drink to do what?"
"How'd you...?"
Seok-gyeon to Jeong-pung:
"Know him?"
Silent, Jeong-pung stared at Baek So-cheon. Of all people.
His presence here meant...?
"So you knew... and came."
"Not details. Learning now."
Baek So-cheon added sincerely,
"Was on edge. Feared you'd accept."
"Not that guy."
"Good enough."
Baek So-cheon leaped down.
Thirty-odd swordsmen encircled him.
He scanned them.
Top was the hairy one. Their auras mixed savagery.
'Unorthodox arts!'
Black Heaven Alliance, or rogue unorthodox warriors.
Hairy man assumed Jeong-pung brought Baek So-cheon.
"Not hurt enough, huh? Pulling stunts like this."
Baek So-cheon knew he'd beaten Jeong-pung.
"You?"
"Yeah. Blockheads need beatings to open up."
"Black Heaven?"
Hairy man flinched.
"How?"
"How? Guessed."
"What?"
His face darkened.
"Your lord quit Jeol-gang. Which branch lingering?"
Baek So-cheon knew Yeom Hwa-sin well. He'd abandoned Jeol-gang over Shin-hwa-bang. Sneaking back for this? Not his style—petty didn't fit.
"Still Black Heaven?"
No big reaction to Yeom Hwa-sin's name pointed to one man.
"Yeom Sa-won! You're his dogs."
Only his son defied him freely.
"Fittingly sleazy look and deeds."
"Shut your trap before I rip it!"
Hairy man's rage confirmed. Yeom Sa-won's crew.
Baek So-cheon to Jeong-pung:
"You tangled with a vile cur."