The Sixteen Imperial Capital Families (7)

Before Yeon So-hyeon returned through the Jeam Jincheon Scripture, Daseonrang had already achieved the monumental feat of becoming one of the Ten Great Merchant Groups of the Central Plains.

And through their own independent investigation, they exposed the truth that it was the Emei Sect who had assassinated one of their own in the past.

"To cut straight to the conclusion — the Emei Sect never intended to assassinate every member of Daseonrang."

"Then what?"

Yeon So-hyeon inclined his head.

"Yes. They meant to use shock therapy — to break and tame Daseonrang."

He cast a meaningful smile across the former family heads gathered before him.

"As for the effectiveness of such shock therapy, the gentlemen present here would know better than anyone."

At those words, some among the old masters wore sly smiles, others bitter ones; a few merely nodded in quiet acknowledgment.

"…So originally, the Emei Sect planned to eliminate a portion of Daseonrang through assassination, then 'protect' the survivors and escort them back to Sichuan."

Even without invoking the power of attorney they had extracted by threatening the girls' parents, handling a Daseonrang that had just watched friends die before their eyes would have been trivially easy. No matter how steeled their resolve for the journey to Luoyang, these were still young women raised in the peaceful streets of Chengdu — the kind who could be thrown into chaos by a single engagement. Even if they had tried to resist and insist on continuing to Luoyang, that resistance would have been feeble. Feeble enough to be talked down.

"The critical element of this plan was having someone close at hand who could care for them properly after the incident."

It was the sort of work that required an expert — someone who could wrap the traumatized targets in warmth, soothe them, coax them, and gently guide them in the desired direction.

"But according to your account, hasn't the Emei Sect been in constant conflict with Daseonrang?"

Yeon So-hyeon offered a wry smile.

"Our investigation turned up just such a person."

Outside the mansion, on the main thoroughfare.

"Oh no, this is terrible…"

A martial nun of the Emei Sect.

"Where on earth have the Daseonrang girls gone? Has anyone seen the housemistress?"

The woman the Daseonrang girls had called their self-defense instructor craned her neck this way and that, eyes full of pitiable anxiety. Sensing the movement, soldiers of the Second Imperial Guard Brigade glanced back over their shoulders.

"For heaven's sake, stay still…!"

The housemistress nun riding in the same carriage nearly had a fit trying to restrain the self-defense instructor.

"The soldiers have every carriage completely surrounded — of course you can't see anything…!"

At the housemistress's low, sharp rebuke, the self-defense instructor wilted and hung her head.

"This isn't right… This isn't right at all…"

That child at the abandoned house is such a gentle soul… The housemistress watched her begin to mutter, brow furrowing.

I've sensed it now and then before, but there's something off about this one.

A crawling unease prickled at the nape of her neck — the feeling of looking at someone twisted at the root.

"…I see. The Emei Sect is more capable than I thought. I'd dismissed them as nothing more than some martial arts sect."

"Ever since they 'converted into a business enterprise,' their weight in Sichuan has been growing heavier by the day."

Amid the murmured conversation, one of the former family heads turned to Yeon So-hyeon.

"…Had it succeeded, the effect would have been excellent. Still, it strikes me as a method that accepted considerable risk."

"They had no luxury of time."

Yeon So-hyeon smiled bitterly.

"Daseonrang had been steadily and firmly rejecting their 'suggestions' — suggestions that were anything but optional. And then, of all things, they received an invitation from the Fourth Young Master of the Luoyang Sword Family and set out for Luoyang."

"…They believed the Fourth Young Master of the Luoyang Sword Family was about to snatch Daseonrang away from them."

In truth, Daseonrang had demonstrated enough initiative to hand over their entire stake to Yeon So-hyeon. The former family head nodded in acceptance and moved on to his next question.

"That aside — even if it was little more than a formality, the fact that you set the Dali Duan Family in motion before the assassination attempt, not after, is remarkable."

Yeon So-hyeon smiled.

"That is because the letter carrying that information was delivered by His Highness, the Prince of the Blood."

A letter sent by the First Young Master of the Luoyang Sword Family — a man with enough influence to move a prince of the blood. That was the persuasive force that had stirred the Dali Duan Family into action before the incident ever occurred.

"…Moreover, they merely reserved their alliance. They still have not fully committed."

"Precisely."

Yeon So-hyeon elaborated.

"I've been told that the Emei Sect, whose influence has grown considerably, has been grinding against the Dali Duan Family beneath the surface for some time. The Duan Family has long handled the Emei with a high hand."

"…Even if the assassination never took place, it would have been enough to remind the Emei of their place."

"Indeed."

Another family head addressed the agreeing Yeon So-hyeon.

"The assassination attempt did, in fact, take place. But the Dali Duan Family will inevitably demand additional evidence. How do you stand on that point?"

Yeon So-hyeon stroked his chin.

"The very first piece of evidence is the carriage itself."

"The carriage?"

"During the surprise attack by the assassin band known as Blue Night, poisoned arrows were found only on Daseonrang's carriage — not on any of the other carriages belonging to the investment party."

Both Daseonrang's and the investment party's carriages were being held under strict custody by the Luoyang Sword Family as evidence. That was precisely why, today, Daseonrang had ridden in carriages provided by Yeon So-hyeon rather than their own.

"Poisoned arrows struck only Daseonrang's carriage?"

"Yes."

During the engagement with the assassin band.

"Hmm. Enemy fire has ceased, and Elder Yeom looks ready to counterattack. As expected of the Sword-and-Evil Demolisher."

Cheong-su cracked open the window and peered outside, then thrust a hand through and plucked an arrow embedded in the carriage wall.

"Oh?"

The young ladies of Daseonrang fixed their eyes on her as she examined the arrow, but Cheong-su offered no answer — merely stowed it with careful hands.

A poison arrow, is it…

Yeon So-hyeon continued.

"Those poisoned arrows were all recovered, and the toxin was entrusted to the finest expert for analysis."

The previous evening. Immediately after Daseonrang's arrival.

"This is the arrow."

Cheong-su drew the poisoned arrow from a specially crafted pouch and handed it over. ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠The Fourth Young Master accepted it without the slightest hesitation and licked the arrowhead.

"Mmm."

Rolling the poison about his mouth as though savoring the bouquet of fine wine, the Fourth Young Master nodded.

"A synthetic poison of the Black Swallow-Beak."

"…Ah. That's quite the peculiar name."

"An instantaneous toxin that induces massive internal hemorrhaging. Highly volatile, and undetectable in the body after death — favored by a certain class of assassin who specializes in unusual commissions."

"…Assassins who specialize in staging accidental deaths."

The Fourth Young Master nodded.

"Well done. Because you used a special pouch, none of the toxin evaporated. It's still fully intact."

He ordered his subordinates to prioritize recovering every arrow lodged in Daseonrang's carriage. The poison would be dwindling, but some should still remain. He further ordered that all traces left by the poisoned arrows on the carriage receive specialized preservation treatment.

"I merely followed what I was taught at the Agency."

Despite her words, Cheong-su's faintly self-satisfied air drew a wry smile from the Fourth Young Master.

How is it that Eldest Brother always attracts exactly the talent he needs, precisely when he needs it?

"Didn't you say the Emei Sect only meant to eliminate a portion of Daseonrang?"

"And then they rained poisoned arrows on the carriage?"

"Those Blue Night fellows — I thought they had something of a name in Henan, but hearing this, they sound thoroughly sloppy. What were they planning to do if the entire Daseonrang party died?"

Yeon So-hyeon shook his head at the former family heads' exchange.

"The original plan was almost certainly different."

The previous evening. After Daseonrang arrived at Wongak Pavilion and settled in to rest from the journey.

"That was unquestionably a marksman."

At No-gunsa of the War Advisory Group's words, Elder Yeom nodded as well.

"I concur. If you examine the after-action report, the clustering of the arrow impacts should make it easier to accept."

"They fired on pre-designated targets."

As Yeon So-hyeon read the combat report, No-gunsa added a further detail.

"Yes. Additionally, according to testimony gathered at the scene, that location is the first point along the approach to Luoyang where Yellow Lake becomes visible."

Yeon So-hyeon clicked his tongue lightly.

"A place where everyone would inevitably crowd the carriage windows to look at Yellow Lake."

The day before, just prior to the engagement, on the outskirts of Luoyang.

Testimony of Jeong Ryung of the Xi'an Silk Road Guerrilla Unit.

"Ah — look there!"

Every gaze in Daseonrang turned toward the windows.

"Waaah!"

Without exception, they pressed themselves against the glass, craning to look out. As the girls clustered all at once against the windows, the carriage's center of gravity shifted so abruptly that it lurched for a moment.

"A lake!"

In the distance, a vast lake was gently revealing itself.

"From the start, the assassin band intended to snipe specific designated members of Daseonrang."

The preliminary findings coming in from the Fourth Young Master's side pointed the same way.

"Yes — my speculation matches that as well."

Elder Yeom nodded.

"Most likely, the assassins intended to abandon the contract once they saw that Xi'an's government troops were escorting Daseonrang — and then that our family's forces arrived as well."

No-gunsa took up the thread.

"But they were forced into engagement by the signal arrow of that Seo Rim-cheong."

Yeon So-hyeon tapped the desk.

"So the snipers who had originally been positioned to target specific members of Daseonrang had no choice but to fire on the carriage itself."

Especially since Cheong-su had already evacuated every Daseonrang member who had been outside into the carriage.

"To summarize at this point…"

No-gunsa offered the final synthesis.

"Under the original plan, they would have mixed their volleys among ordinary covering fire, sniped the designated members of Daseonrang to complete the mission, and concealed the fact that the attack was an assassination specifically targeting Daseonrang."

The present.

"And additionally, we have secured both the band leader and deputy leader of the assassin group. Within a few days, we should have clear testimony as well."

At Yeon So-hyeon's words, the former family heads' eyes widened.

"…Even so — the band leader and deputy leader of an assassin group. You believe they will talk?"

Yeon So-hyeon nodded with absolute confidence.

"A true expert has taken charge of them."

"Gyaaaaaaah!"

Not even understanding what was being done to him, the band leader of Blue Night screamed.

"Please! Please! I'll talk! I'll tell you everything!"

Even at that desperate, wretched plea, Seo Rim-cheong shook her head.

"Oh no~, not yet~."

She knew far too well that he would not yet have coughed up anything truly useful.

"My, look at the time — it's already mealtime~."

Flicking blood from her hands, Seo Rim-cheong smiled.

"I'll just pop out for a bite. Do enjoy yourself a little longer while I'm gone~."

As she closed the iron door behind her, the Blue Night band leader's screams rang out. The moment the door sealed, every cry vanished.

"Hup~!"

And when Seo Rim-cheong opened the iron door of the neighboring cell, a tremendous scream poured out.

"I'll tell you everything! Please! Please stop this agony!"

It was the deputy leader's voice.

Having heard the full account of the Daseonrang assassination attempt, the former family heads nodded as one.

"Hmm. Indeed."

"First Young Master — if you have such a skilled 'expert,' might you introduce us?"

"Quite so. This Gongsun Na-gang would like to meet them at least once."

At that, Yeon So-hyeon smiled thinly and shook his head.

"The person's own will is paramount. They are not suited for work of great consequence."

In truth, that was merely an excuse.

If Seo Rim-cheong met these people, she'd start by ripping out their cervical vertebrae.

As Yeon So-hyeon smiled bitterly to himself, the former head of the Yang Family spoke.

"In that case, once the evidence is sent, the Dali Duan Family will set things in motion."

"No."

"Then?"

"Something hot off the press, arrived at dawn today."

Yeon So-hyeon drew a letter from his robes.

"The Abbess of the Emei Sect has sharp instincts. This is Emei's letter of surrender — accepting every single one of our demands."

Through the Luoyang Sword Family's emergency external-office network in Chengdu, the letter had reached Yeon So-hyeon with a speed that rivaled even the imperial courier system.

At that very hour, in a holding cell somewhere within the Luoyang Sword Family estate.

"Th-this… this is… what is this…"

The Grand Abbess's liver-spotted hands trembled uncontrollably as she accepted the letter delivered through the external office.

"No… this can't be…"

Yeon Ha-eung, who had delivered the letter, arranged his features into a look of pity.

"Oh dear. It seems something unfortunate has occurred."

Acting on Yeon So-hyeon's orders to deliberately delay the letter, he ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠shook his head.

"But I have even worse news."

At those words, the Grand Abbess turned on him with eyes of cold, mad blue. Yeon Ha-eung remained utterly unperturbed.

"This letter bears the official seals of the Emei Sect, the Dali Duan Family, and the Chengdu Provincial Governor. It requests the cooperation of the Luoyang Sword Family."

Behind him, warriors of the Luoyang Sword Family poured into the room. Yeon Ha-eung addressed the Grand Abbess with an expression stripped of all humor.

"Grand Abbess of the Emei Sect. I am placing you under arrest as the principal conspirator in the Daseonrang assassination attempt."

The Grand Abbess of Emei began to summon her internal qi — then recognized where she was, and lowered her hands.

"Y-you…!"

Shaking from head to foot with uncontainable fury, the Grand Abbess was all but dragged from the room. Yeon Ha-eung bent and picked up the letter that had fallen ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠to the floor.

Reading those words, a cold sneer settled on Yeon Ha-eung's face.

The famed Self-Nature Divine Nun of the Emei Sect had been defeated by a First Young Master she had never once met face to face — defeated before she could even begin to act.

Yeon So-hyeon had judged that the Emei Sect might attempt something once they received the Abbess's letter. That was why, this morning, he had had the Emei personnel join the procession — separating them from the Grand Abbess.

It was obvious the Grand Abbess would try every means to attach her people to Daseonrang.

And he had separated those Emei personnel — who might already have received some prior directive — from Daseonrang as well.

By now, the Emei people may have noticed that Daseonrang's carriages have vanished.

"First Young Master."

The former family heads regarded Yeon So-hyeon with eyes far more aflame than before.

"We understand the intent to humiliate the Emei Sect — but the method seems rather complicated and cumbersome."

"Is there some meaning ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠in all of this?"

Yeon So-hyeon nodded.

"There had to be."

Then he drew a stack of luxurious envelopes from within his outer robe.

"Because only this way could I obtain these operator-selection rights."

He set the envelopes containing the selection rights upon the table.

"Ohh…!"

The moment he laid them down, the former family heads nearly threw themselves across the table. Yeon So-hyeon brought his hand down with a sharp slap, pinning the envelopes, and looked at them with an expression of pure exasperation.

"First Young Master…?"

Yeon So-hyeon clicked his tongue.

"As I said earlier — all of you are far too blinded by the profit right in front of your noses."

Even though he had subtly lowered his register, not one of the former family heads pointed out his tone.

"…What do you mean by that?"

Yeon So-hyeon picked up a single envelope.

"Take one of these, and what do you have? One per person. One per family."

He continued.

"All you can do with it is select some suitable family in Sichuan or Yunnan and exercise influence through them."

Exactly as the Dali Duan Family of Yunnan had once exercised influence over Sichuan through the Emei Sect.

"W-well, that is true, but…"

"At best, it means the gentlemen here processed something faster than the current family heads of your respective houses. Nothing more."

"Then what?"

Yeon So-hyeon bared his teeth in a smile.

"Should you not become something indispensable to your families — something that cannot be done without — regardless of whether you hold the title of family head or not?"

The former family heads' eyes went round.

"There is a way to do that?!"

Yeon So-hyeon nodded.

"Of course there is."

And to himself, he murmured:

Now — one step forward.