Life Goes On
The throng that had filled the plaza had scattered.
In the distance, the personnel of the main temple of the House of Benevolence finished the cleanup after the memorial service and began to depart.
And off to one side stood Yeon So-hyeon.
"……"
Clang, clang—the laborers’ hammers struck their chisels.
The inscription upon the memorial stele was being carved, stroke by stroke. The calligraphy was exceedingly elegant, and the expression on Yeon So-hyeon’s face as he watched was endlessly gentle.
It was as if, in that single moment, time itself had come to a halt.
Jeong-a wished she could watch her master’s face forever.
But she could not.
[…Master.]
Jeong-a, who had been quietly guarding his back alone, sent a voice transmission.
[One person has been watching this way for some time now.]
Within the detection range of her Dragon Eyes, she could see a middle-aged man in the distant shade pacing restlessly back and forth.
[…I know. Have you identified him?]
Jeong-a searched the facial records stored in her mind and found the man’s identity.
[He is the Sixth Bureau Chief of the main family’s Law Protection Court.]
At her words, Yeon So-hyeon gave a bitter smile.
[…Understood.]
Leaving that transmission with her, Yeon So-hyeon approached the memorial stele.
“First Young Master.”
The artisans at work withdrew their hands from the stone and stepped back. No one asked what the matter was. They too had been among the impoverished laborers who had risen in revolt, and their deference toward Yeon So-hyeon was absolute.
"……"
Standing before the memorial stele, Yeon So-hyeon extended a hand toward the cut face of the massive boulder. His touch was careful—as if he were daring to touch something that ought never be touched. His hand hesitated several times in the empty air before finally stroking the stone.
“…Spring does not simply come.”
Yeon So-hyeon quietly read the phrase from the memorial text he himself had written, then withdrew his hand.
A memorial service is for those who remain alive. It is meant to help those who survive continue living.
The memorial service was over.
The time allotted to the human Yeon So-hyeon was over.
Now it was time to return once more as Yeon So-hyeon, First Young Master of the Luoyang Sword Family.
“Summon the Sixth Bureau Chief of the Law Protection Court.”
“Yes, Master.”
The expression on Yeon So-hyeon’s face as he turned away from the stele was no longer gentle.
Jeong-a found it regrettable.
Following behind Jeong-a, the Sixth Bureau Chief of the Law Protection Court nearly tripped over his own feet more than once.
Damn it.
If a man who had cultivated enough martial skill to spark Triple True Flame and set New Year’s firecrackers alight were to stumble over his own legs, what an undignified spectacle that would make.
Fuck.
Yet he lacked the mental leisure even to picture such an unsightly self.
Why me…
He gazed at Yeon So-hyeon seated beneath the memorial stele. The figure of the boy sitting in the shade cast by the massive arena, looking into the distance, was beautiful.
Why must I come all this way to deal with that First Young Master?
But to him, the First Young Master’s profile looked like the profile of the God of Death.
“So, shall we all wallow together in that mud?”
The words of his senior, the First Bureau Chief, rose unbidden in his mind.
Think of your family.
As if heeding that advice, he had done his utmost until now to steer clear of the Sword Family’s succession struggles.
This matter too was merely an investigation mission taken on the orders of the Supreme Operations Committee.
Yet somehow, before he knew it, the First Young Master was here. And he was in a situation where he had no choice but to face that First Young Master.
“Are you the Chief of the Sixth Bureau of the Law Protection Court?”
Yeon So-hyeon was the first to acknowledge him.
"……!"
Only then did the Sixth Bureau Chief realize he had been rude.
“I-I apologize.”
He clasped his hands in greeting.
“So-and-so of the Law Protection Court greets the First Young Master of the main family.”
The point where his clasped hands met was damp with sweat.
“Yes. I am the First Young Master, Yeon So-hyeon.”
The First Young Master turned fully toward him. The Sixth Bureau Chief carefully shifted his steps and approached. The place he stood was the shadow of the massive arena building, yet somehow that shadow felt like Yeon So-hyeon’s own.
He wanted to flee from this spot that very instant. But he could not.
He squeezed his eyes shut and began.
“Yes, First Young Master. I am….”
Yeon So-hyeon raised a hand and stopped him.
“Before I hear your business.”
His eyes of unfathomable depth fixed upon the Sixth Bureau Chief.
“First, how is the investigation into the insubordination incident that occurred here proceeding?”
“…Regarding the currently ongoing investigation—”
“You cannot speak of the currently ongoing investigation. I understand.”
Yeon So-hyeon nodded as if the answer were expected. In any case, the sect leader of Hyeongsan Northern Flow who had been the ringleader was dead, and the Third Young Master’s side had been forced to withdraw their hands from this place. That the investigation would quietly fizzle out was something he had already anticipated.
“Rather than that, congratulations on your formal appointment as the legal affairs officer of the Investigation Surveillance Unit.”
The encampment from which the Third Young Master’s side had all departed had now become the encampment of the forces dispatched by the Supreme Operations Committee. Their formal designation was now the Yongbongjihoe Arena Construction Site Investigation Surveillance Unit.
The purpose of the Investigation Surveillance Unit was the identification of every impoverished laborer who had taken part in the uprising, along with their surveillance and evaluation.
And the Sixth Bureau Chief, after handling the insubordination investigation, had been appointed as one of the officers in charge of that unit.
“Th-thank you.”
Even as he offered thanks, doubt lingered in his eyes.
How does the First Young Master already know that I have been appointed legal affairs officer?
It was a fact that even he himself, the appointee, had only just learned through an appointment letter whose ink had barely dried.
Before he could continue the thought, the First Young Master spoke on.
“The Yongbongjihoe is a major affair even for the main family. Participating in such a matter will be of great help to your evaluation for future promotion.”
Though a smile hung at the corners of Yeon So-hyeon’s mouth, the Sixth Bureau Chief felt not a shred of goodwill within it.
“…It is an honor merely to be of help to the main family’s event.”
Yeon So-hyeon felt not a shred of truth in those words. The Sixth Bureau Chief, entangled with the First Young Master as he now was, would want nothing more than to abandon even his newly obtained position and flee at once.
“Yes. An honor, no doubt.”
Yeon So-hyeon gave a short, dry laugh.
“How is the investigation into the impoverished laborers proceeding?”
“Thanks to your favor, it is proceeding without incident. As they are offering full cooperation, the identification of persons is going smoothly.”
“Good. So….”
His tone remained calm, and just as casually as before he asked the Sixth Bureau Chief,
“What is it that the Head of the Law Protection Court desires of me?”
"……"
Momentarily speechless, the Sixth Bureau Chief swallowed hard.
Does the First Young Master already know everything…?!
With trembling eyes he looked at Yeon So-hyeon.
No… perhaps it will be easier to converse if he already knows—
As if reading the man’s inner thoughts, Yeon So-hyeon said,
“Yes. I have already surmised that you have come under the secret orders of the Head of the Law Protection Court. That would make conversation with me easier for you, would it not?”
“…Yes.”
“Then speak.”
About to open his mouth, draw a deep breath, and deliver the Head’s secret orders, the Sixth Bureau Chief realized from Yeon So-hyeon’s next words that “speak” did not mean what he had thought.
“Why does the Head of the Law Protection Court overlook the materials I sent regarding the corruption of Yeon clan bloodline members, and then seek goodwill from me?”
"……!"
His words were completely blocked. Yeon So-hyeon clicked his tongue at him.
“The Head of the Law Protection Court desires my cooperation in the investigation of the murim people who joined the revolt force, does he not?”
At this point the Sixth Bureau Chief simply stopped thinking. In any case he was currently no more than a messenger of the Head of the Law Protection Court.
“…Yes, that is so.”
Then he spoke exactly as the Head had instructed.
“Those murim people are ones who regard the law lightly, and there are circumstances suggesting they have already been involved in several incidents of a similar nature.”
It seemed the Law Protection Court had not yet uncovered even the organization name Spring of Luoyang. But they had grasped the danger.
“It is ascertained that they have already formed a single organization, and investigation shows they greatly intervened in this incident as well, exerting influence upon the laborers.”
Even under Yeon So-hyeon’s scorching gaze, the Sixth Bureau Chief steadfastly continued.
“It is the position of the Head of the Law Protection Court that they must be uprooted at the source before they become a major problem for the maintenance of order in Luoyang.”
Yeon So-hyeon shook his head.
“They have already had their crimes mitigated by the name of the Luoyang Branch and the name of the Supreme Operations Committee.”
“No.”
The Sixth Bureau Chief said firmly.
“That order was issued targeting the laborers; it did not target the antisocial murim group.”
"……"
That was, in a way, mere wordplay—yet it was also a thrust that precisely struck a weak point. Yeon So-hyeon twitched his brows and asked,
“Is that the thinking of the Head of the Law Protection Court?”
“Yes, that is so.”
“That cannot be.”
Yeon So-hyeon looked into his eyes and asked once more.
“Is that truly purely the personal thinking of the Head of the Law Protection Court alone?”
“…As far as I know.”
Yeon So-hyeon, still seated, looked up at the sky and spoke.
“What organization was helping the laborers here, and in what manner they cooperated, has not yet been reported even to the Supreme Operations Committee. Yet the Law Protection Court knows of it?”
“How does the First Young Master…?”
The Sixth Bureau Chief who had begun the question closed his mouth.
Elder Yeom—famous as the political intermediary for dealings with First Young Master Yeon So-hyeon—was the overall person in charge here. Even if every report that should have gone upward had first passed through Yeon So-hyeon, it would not be strange.
Ignoring the man as he hummed in thought, Yeon So-hyeon continued.
“That said, it is also far too early for you yourself to have grasped it. I know well how hard-pressed you are with the investigation of the insubordination and the identification of the laborers.”
"……"
The Sixth Bureau Chief chose simply to listen. How the Head of the Law Protection Court had come to know that fact was something he too was curious about.
“Then one can only conclude that the Head of the Law Protection Court heard the information from someone well acquainted with the circumstances here.”
The Sixth Bureau Chief spoke without realizing it, almost as if sighing.
“…It would be the Third Young Master’s side.”
Those who had thoroughly grasped the situation here, who had been placed in a position where they had no choice but to investigate the Spring of Luoyang that was becoming an obstacle, and who possessed the ability to conduct a proper investigation.
Yeon So-hyeon nodded.
“Yes. The Left and Right Great Military Advisors of the Third Young Master’s side.”
“…They must have blown the wind into the Head of the Law Protection Court along with the information.”
Only now could the Sixth Bureau Chief understand how the situation was turning.
“Yes. For the Head of the Law Protection Court it is an opportunity to earn merit, while at the same time it is an opportunity for the Left and Right Great Military Advisors to land a blow on me.”
If Yeon So-hyeon did not cooperate, they would immediately make the related materials public and denounce him openly.
“Moreover, that is not all. When later that organization causes a similar problem once more….”
“They will point to me as the backer of that organization.”
Indeed, the Left and Right Great Military Advisors were not ones to be taken lightly. Even while their own main camp was in extreme chaos, they had cast a noose upon Yeon So-hyeon.
Though they lost the battle, they do not mean to withdraw empty-handed, is that it.
Yeon So-hyeon gave a bitter smile.
“They mean to make me cook the dog after the rabbit is dead.”
The meaning of boiling the hunting dog once the rabbit hunt is finished. The scheme was to force Yeon So-hyeon to cooperate in arresting the righteous heroes, thereby dealing a blow to the reputation that was swelling uncontrollably from the bottom of Luoyang society.
“…It may be that ‘tidying them up’ at this point is the method that would cause less harm to the First Young Master.”
The Sixth Bureau Chief scratched his head and spoke as if trying to persuade him.
“Those who call themselves righteous heroes or chivalrous knights are nothing but single-minded. Though for a time they may keep quiet since the First Young Master is their benefactor, in the end they will later cause even greater problems….”
The tongue and lips of the Sixth Bureau Chief, who had been earnestly trying to persuade Yeon So-hyeon, stopped cold.
“What is it? Why not continue speaking?”
It was because he had seen a smile hanging at some point on the mouth of First Young Master Yeon So-hyeon.
Come to think of it…
The First Young Master had already surmised that he had come under the secret orders of the Head of the Law Protection Court. And he had even surmised the content.
Then…!
Perhaps the First Young Master had prepared the response as well.
As the thought reached that far, a chilling cold raced up the Sixth Bureau Chief’s spine.
“Well, it does not matter if you will not speak.”
Yeon So-hyeon shrugged.
“I too have a reputation to uphold, so I cannot give you full cooperation. But neither can I block the investigation into an antisocial murim group. Investigate as you please to your heart’s content.”
"……"
Too smoothly. Though he had obtained what he wanted, the Sixth Bureau Chief’s expression only grew more rigid.
“But if as a result of the investigation the existence of their organization is not confirmed here at all—what do you intend to do then?”
Yeon So-hyeon’s smile grew denser.
“So if from the beginning I claim that they were never here?”
The Sixth Bureau Chief’s gaze wavered.
“Do you mean those murim people have already slipped out of this place?!”
Yeon So-hyeon shrugged again.
“I do not know how ones who never even existed here could have slipped out in any fashion.”
"……"
Even as cold sweat broke out across his skin, the Sixth Bureau Chief turned his mind.
The outskirts of this place are still thoroughly under surveillance. There should be no corner to slip out through!
Those who could enter and leave this place were the related personnel of the Luoyang Sword Family—and the people of the House of Benevolence who had visited for humanitarian support of the impoverished laborers….
“The House of Benevolence?!”