Chapter 67
Chapter 67
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 67
Chapter Title: Part 17: The Noose Tightening with Guilt
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“As per your instructions, we’ve opened the ledger repository to the inspection investigators.”
“…You’ve done well.”
“No, no. That young fellow’s mind is so sharp—he grasped everything in an instant. I didn’t need to explain or assist at all.”
“He’s the investigator personally selected by the Eldest Young Master. They say he’s the top genius among those who passed the preliminary exams with honors.”
“With talents like that flocking to the Luoyang Sword Clan, the future looks bright. It puts my mind at ease.”
“Accounting Secretary. You’re one of those talents yourself.”
“Haha. Even the Chief Administrative Secretary says so—it makes me feel good.”
“…I won’t forget your efforts.”
“Leave the rest to me.”
“I’m counting on you.”
As the middle-aged Chief Administrative Secretary left the office, seven gold thread tassels swayed at his waist.
Alone in his office, the Accounting Secretary’s gaze lingered on the desk.
A small bundle of cloth, received through the Chief Administrative Secretary, sat there.
* * *
Silence hung over the waiting room.
Seomun Housekeeper, who had briefly closed and opened her eyes, asked Inspector Gang Ho.
“…As long as we don’t leave the inner residence, that’s fine, right?”
Gang Ho nodded readily.
“Yes, exactly.”
She glanced at the ledgers on the table, then let go of any lingering attachment.
This was no time for primitive solutions.
Without even greeting Yeon So-hyeon, she turned and left the waiting room.
The other housekeepers followed behind her.
Gang Ho polished his glasses and spoke.
“Absolutely do not leave the inner residence.”
“...”
Seomun Housekeeper paused for a moment, let out a low scoff, and departed.
Gang Ho shook his head.
“The shamelessness of those in power is the same everywhere….”
Ilryeong asked him.
“Is it really okay to let them go like that?”
“Ah, yes. It’s fine. They’re not criminals yet, and since we issued the order in the name of the Inspection Department, if they violate it, we can immediately issue an arrest warrant.”
“I’m more worried about what they’ll scheme behind the scenes.”
“Haha. No need to worry about that.”
He stood from his seat and bowed properly to Yeon So-hyeon.
“Eldest Young Master, I must return to make my report. The situation appears more serious than anticipated.”
“Do so.”
Gang Ho’s gaze turned to the ledgers on the table.
“These ledgers…”
Yeon So-hyeon nodded.
“It’s safer if I keep them for now.”
Gang Ho glanced at the swords hanging at the waists of the maids, then bowed to Yeon So-hyeon.
“Yes, my apologies—given my low cultivation, considering any contingencies, that seems best.”
“Understood.”
“Then, I’ll return as soon as I finish reporting.”
Yeon So-hyeon glanced at his retreating figure, then addressed the ceremonial housekeeper trembling in the corner.
“What are you doing there?”
“I-I…”
“Never mind. Go prepare some food. It’s already lunchtime.”
“Yes! Yes! Right away!”
He rushed out, only to trip over his own feet and fall flat.
But no one smiled or laughed at the sight.
“Well then…”
Yeon So-hyeon sank deeply into his chair.
“Inner Residence Chief Steward. How far are you prepared to cut away?”
His eyes gleamed.
The Triplet Maids instinctively shrank back.
Yeon So-hyeon’s demeanor was utterly serene.
No killing intent, no pressure.
Yet it felt more terrifying than the night he had brutally assaulted Elder Yeom’s housekeeper.
* * *
Inner residence, a secluded spot.
Seomun Housekeeper looked at the other housekeepers.
“You’re all familiar with the emergency action protocols, right?”
“Yes, of course.”
“Then we need to do everything we can from here on.”
She brushed back a stray lock of hair.
“We landed the first blow on that bratty investigator, but we haven’t even started yet.”
“Exactly.”
She regarded the housekeepers.
“Don’t even think about stopping that bratty investigator from reporting. He seems to have backing. But we must prevent the Inspection Department’s full investigation from starting, no matter what.”
The housekeepers nodded with resolute expressions.
“Let’s give that Swordless One a taste of his own medicine.”
She issued a curt order.
“Everyone, move.”
The housekeepers scattered in an instant.
They were thoroughly prepared for such situations—knowing exactly how to act, whom to seek help from, and whom to placate.
In the now-empty spot, the room housekeeper remained, looking at Seomun Housekeeper with trembling eyes.
“…Who will you meet first, Seomun Housekeeper?”
“The highest person I can see right now.”
Seomun Housekeeper eyed the room housekeeper.
“You send word to the elders of the Bang family within the main house.”
“Yes, Seomun Housekeeper.”
Once even the room housekeeper vanished, Seomun Housekeeper set off.
It was time to head deeper into the inner residence.
‘Swordless One, you bastard… I’ll repay this humiliation someday, no matter what.’
She had been caught off guard earlier, allowing the first strike.
Once they wielded their full influence, a crisis like this was easily overcome.
At least, that’s what she believed.
* * *
Elder Yeom was having lunch with his family and closest aides who could attend.
True to his warrior origins, the meal was exceedingly simple for a Luoyang Sword Clan elder.
The portions were absurdly large to match his bulk, but
Just then, a subordinate entered, handed him a note, and left.
“Hmm.”
He set down his spoon.
All eyes turned to him.
“…News about the Eldest Young Master?”
Without lifting his gaze from the note, Elder Yeom replied to his aide’s question.
“You brat. No matter what, you address him as ‘Eldest Young Master’ with respect.”
“S-Sorry.”
Elder Yeom clicked his tongue.
“Everywhere you look, people look down on the Eldest Young Master.”
Yeom Baekha, the Law Enforcing Maiden eating her porridge alone in the corner, sighed.
“Pathetic fools….”
Her murmur was a mere whisper, but Elder Yeom’s aides swallowed dryly.
Only White Tiger was oblivious, tearing into a hunk of meat on the floor.
“The inspection investigator summoned by the Eldest Young Master has returned to the Inspection Department.”
“He’s probably reporting to his superiors by now.”
“Yeah. Things won’t end quietly now.”
He looked at his aides.
“I know how much you all usually underestimate the Eldest Young Master.”
The aides avoided his gaze.
Even though Elder Yeom, who had met the Eldest Young Master in person, had described Yeon So-hyeon exactly as he felt him, they still harbored doubts.
“So use this chance to see clearly. See what kind of person the Eldest Young Master is.”
He picked up his spoon again.
“The Swordless One wouldn’t let things escalate like this. The Swordless One wouldn’t blow it up.”
As he chewed his food noisily, he continued.
“Those who thought that way—especially those who claimed to know the Eldest Young Master well—will see their delusions shatter in the most ridiculous fashion.”
Yeom Baekha stroked White Tiger, who was whining for more meat.
“What a shame. If I were healthy, I’d rush to the inner residence right now.”
She whispered softly.
“Then White Tiger, you wouldn’t have to worry about meals for a while.”
His aides froze, chopsticks unmoving for a long time after hearing her words.
* * *
“Is the Accounting Secretary inside?”
The Third-Rank Housekeeper guarding the Accounting Secretary’s office bowed.
“Yes, he is. But he said he’s not receiving visitors.”
“It’s urgent.”
“No exceptions.”
The housekeeper was seated at her desk, processing documents.
“I’m saying it’s urgent for me and the Accounting Secretary alike.”
He didn’t even glance at her.
“I said no exceptions.”
Seomun Housekeeper bit her lip.
She hadn’t expected him to meet her willingly when she was already entangled in this mess.
But among those in the inner residence handling budgets, the Accounting Secretary was the highest authority her kind of practical staff could reach.
He would have several ways to slip out of a situation like this.
If luck was good, she could ride his coattails; if bad, he could still avert the worst.
“…I’ll inform him inside first. You can face reprimand later.”
The Third-Rank Housekeeper shrugged.
Do as you please.
If he truly meant to bar visitors, he would have posted warriors at the entrance.
“Accounting Secretary. It’s Seomun, the Fourth-Rank Housekeeper on the Budget Committee with you.”
She knocked several times, but no response came.
“If there’s no answer, he’s truly in a bad mood—best to just leave…”
Ignoring the Third-Rank Housekeeper, Seomun Housekeeper flung open the door.
“...”
The Third-Rank Housekeeper gaped, stunned at her audacity in entering without permission.
“This crazy…”
The Third-Rank Housekeeper sprang up and followed her in.
Rushing into the office, he spotted her collapsed on the floor.
“Accounting Secretary, forgive us! This one barged in without—”
His voice trailed off.
“Wh-what is this?!”
His legs trembled uncontrollably.
Staggering, he stumbled out of the office and fled.
“Is no one around?! Anyone there?!”
The Third-Rank Housekeeper’s frantic cries faded into the distance.
But Seomun Housekeeper showed no sign of rising from where she had slumped.
Her gaze fixed across the dark room—sans a single oil lamp—toward the Accounting Secretary’s desk.
Beneath the beam, a hanged corpse swayed slowly.
The stench of filth spilled from the body filled the room.
Through the tightly shut shutters, a few rays of sunlight pierced in.
One ray reflected off the gold thread tassels at the corpse’s waist, glinting brightly.
Six gold thread strands.
The corpse was the Accounting Secretary’s.
“…Th-this can’t be.”
Seomun Housekeeper’s voice cracked feebly as it escaped.
“This can’t be happening. It can’t…”
What the Accounting Secretary’s corpse implied.
He bore final responsibility for Won-gak Pavilion’s budget, yet he was in a position to evade that easily.
She tried to stand abruptly.
Her knees buckled, and she collapsed again.
Instead, she crawled.
Crawling to the window, she clutched the wall and rose, flinging open the shutters.
Bathed in the flooding sunlight, the Accounting Secretary’s face came into view.
Pale-faced, eyes rolled back, tongue protruding long.
Nearly collapsing again, she spotted a small silk pouch on his desk.
Elegant yet hiding ornate flair.
With trembling hands, she picked up the silk pouch.
Inverting it over the desk, a black object tumbled out.
It was a shattered pair of obsidian scissors.
The intricately inlaid mother-of-pearl, crafted by a master artisan, lay broken and scattered.
The sunlight reflecting off the mother-of-pearl dazzled like jewels.