Chapter 47: The Brand of Heresy
"Sister, what the hell did you just say?"
"You heard me right. Just hand me over."
"What kind of bullshit is that?!"
I locked eyes with Ok Geum-ran, firing off transmissions back and forth in a frenzy. Hand over a person just to snag one informant? If that's how it was gonna be, I was no better than Yong Baek-heon.
"Handle your chat with Tae Sa-rok yourself. Stay out of it, sister!"
"No. Listen to me this time, Ho-sam. Anything else is fine, but that man cannot set foot in Wayong Hall."
Damn, this is frustrating.
If she was just jealous about her old flame shacking up under the same roof, that I could understand. But pushing me to hand her over instead? What kind of twisted math was that? My brow furrowed at the sheer illogic of it.
Right then—
"Looks like I should step away for a bit. You two talk freely. Eating noodles alone isn't so bad anyway."
Tae Sa-rok picked up his bowl and stood, heading to a distant table to sit alone and start slurping away with his chopsticks. He'd caught us mouthing silent words right in front of him—clearly transmissions flying back and forth.
But that wasn't the point. I pressed on with Ok Geum-ran.
"Give me a proper reason. Why can't we let Tae Sa-rok into Wayong Hall?"
She hesitated, then spoke aloud instead of transmitting. "That man is dangerous, Young Master."
I'd asked via transmission, but she'd answered out loud—like she wanted Tae Sa-rok to hear. Sure enough, his chopsticks paused mid-air.
She followed up telepathically. Tae Sa-rok's capable, and thanks to Taesa Clan's info network, he knows a ton. He'd make a solid informant. But keeping him close? Way too risky.
So why exactly?
From what I know, he's crossed paths with Yong Jin-seok before.
[Ahem... that guy again?]
Yong Jin-seok—the former Vice Cult Leader who'd tumbled from his seat after clashing with me right in front of the Grand Cult Leader. His name popping up here wasn't coincidence or shock; the guy had tangled with everyone during his Vice days.
To me, it felt like opportunity knocking. I was already sniffing around a conspiracy between the Gye Clan Manor and Yong Jin-seok.
Exactly. So maybe Tae Sa-rok's here on Yong Jin-seok's orders, digging for your weaknesses. He's the perfect spy!
I mulled it over in silence, and Ok Geum-ran piled on, sounding anxious. I came to a snap decision.
"If he's dangerous, we make him not dangerous. I get your concerns, Guard Ok—now withdraw."
"Young Master!"
"Didn't you hear me? Get out!"
"……."
I channeled Yong Baek-heon full throttle, barking at her like she was nothing. Lips bitten tight, Ok Geum-ran had no choice but to back off—though not without one last warning glare.
I smirked inwardly. Bong, you think I can't handle myself?
[Hahaha! It's a sister's worry for her brother—take it in stride.]
I grabbed my bowl and sauntered over to Tae Sa-rok's table, shoveling in a heaping mouthful before speaking.
"Forgive the rudeness. As you saw, Guard Ok's my loyal dog—worries too damn much."
"……Yes."
"But her advice ain't something to blow off. She knows your 'seniors' real well. Why'd she call you dangerous? Gotta wonder."
I poked at him with my street-smart drawl, not forgetting to flash my Ghostly Spirit Wall Eye with a blue glow.
Tae Sa-rok just smiled faintly. "Guilty as charged. I've rubbed elbows with your rival—the former Vice Cult Leader. No wonder Guard Ok's on edge."
He owned his dirt upfront, flaunting honesty to dodge any attacks.
Bongmareung muttered again. [Not your average punk. Educated types got that edge...]
Hey, Bong—quit fanboying. Whose side you on, anyway?
I wasn't out to corner Tae Sa-rok. Nah, time to butter him up.
"Honest, eh? So you know plenty about my great-uncle too?"
"Of course."
"Good. I've crunched the numbers. If you're crashing at Wayong Hall as a guest, that's extra grub, extra firewood—costs add up."
"Young Master, Taesa Clan can cover—"
"I'm saying let's balance the scales."
I was game to take his deal and house him in Wayong Hall. But I wasn't handing over a room for scraps like "Doggo Clan blood vault info." No sucker moves here.
Gotta squeeze more, test his chops too.
Tae Sa-rok got it instantly and nodded. "Fair enough. Ask away—I'll answer what I can."
"Lately, Uncle Yong Jin-seok's cozying up to Gye Clan Manor. Know anything? If not, what's your guess?"
I didn't spill everything I knew. Tae Sa-rok pondered, then fired back.
"More likely Doggo Clan Manor than Gye. Doggo Yeong's the elder statesman of the Eight Great Clans—perfect to puppet your uncle and scheme with Gye."
"Scheme what?"
"Plots to screw you over. One's already in play, right?"
His eyes slid slyly to Gye So-hee. He knew her power too. First test: passed.
"Good. So, what plot might Doggo head and little uncle be cooking up with Gye Clan Manor?"
"Small scale: feeding your weaknesses. Big scale: rallying their political muscle. The kind of scheme they could pull... "
He sank into thought again, landing where I had.
"Messing with the challenge rules. Since you dominated round one, they'd flip it as a lesson."
"……."
"Something wrong?"
"Nah, nothing."
I fought a grin—my lonely theorizing validated. Second test: passed.
Sharp mind on this guy.
[See? Educated's different!]
We slurped our noodles in silence. Bowls empty, he slid a slim booklet onto the table.
"Doggo Clan Manor map and blood vault details, all compiled. Take a look."
"……."
I didn't touch it yet. Tests passed, but deal wasn't sealed.
"One more question. Then our scales balance."
"Greedy."
"In return, mornings of Guard Ok's cooking, all you can eat."
"Shoot—I'll decide after."
I steepled my fingers on the table—projecting confidence, hiding any tremble. Simple question.
"Tell me everything you know about my father."
Owner of the Myriad Changes Ghost Face, Yong Dae-seok. Banned from mention by the Crimson Heaven Demon's edict, no records left. But a Taesa Clan man? He'd know something. I was sure—and he opened slow.
"Info on Lord Yong Dae-seok? That balances the scales. But where to start... From what I know, he was..."
Casual as when he'd jabbed at Wayong Hall's decrepitude. Tae Sa-rok began.
……!
* * *
Servants laden with gear streamed over Wayong Hall's gate, stacking it neatly. Taesa Clan folk.
Gye So-hee, mid-sweep, sidled up and muttered, "Guest's got way too much luggage."
True enough—she'd come with one bundle. No reason to refuse, though. Wayong Hall was empty anyway; Taesa filling it up? Fine by me.
"How's your wound?"
"Much better. It's fine."
"Then wash the bedding. Someone else's stink on my bed is torture."
"Yes……."
I'd slipped, asking after her like a normal guy. Yong Baek-heon the maniac wouldn't. So I dumped laundry duty on her.
Truth was, my head was spinning. Tae Sa-rok's words echoed.
—Lord Yong Dae-seok was a heretic.
Heretic—in the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult, that meant a demonic heretic deemed corrupt, a reactionary. Hard to swallow.
The Grand Cult Leader's firstborn, a heretic?
Bongmareung exploded. [What nonsense! The Heavenly Demon's heir a rebel? Bullshit!]
But Tae Sa-rok's tale wore me down.
—Lord Yong Dae-seok believed the Cult needed reform. Radical stuff.
What kind?
He pushed for moderation to operate in the Central Plains.
Moderation?
Yes. Said a powerful martial group has a duty to protect the common folk.
That's...
Righteous sect thinking. It got shot down, branded heresy. He left the Hundred Thousand Mountains.
Taesa Clan kept tabs till he married some Central Plains woman. Records thinned after.
Don't know about his death. My father or uncles might...
Pause, then: To dig that deep? You'd pay big, Young Master. Tough bargain. Satisfied?
Plenty. Bring your luggage.
Deal done. Tae Sa-rok called in his servants. Ok Geum-ran watched the piling gear with deep worry, still wary.
Me? Unfazed.
"……."
I pieced new hypotheses from the intel. Tough to judge solo—about to bounce off Bongmareung when—
"Huh?"
Among the Taesa crew, a familiar face: a youth directing porters. Paeng Bi-cheong.
What? That's how it is?
Amusing. I grinned and turned away.
Time flew. That day arrived.
"Gye Clan Manor sends a challenger! Wayong Hall, accept!"
Gye Cheon-bing led a crew over the gate. I narrowed my eyes at the lead judge.
Just as I figured.