Chapter 73
Chapter 73
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 73
Chapter Title: Case Closed (Part 2)
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Gang Ho tore at his hair.
The Central Inspection Pavilion had launched its own full investigation.
The Protector Court Lord, who had schemed with the Inner Court Chief Eunuch to split the credit, had no choice but to deploy two divisions.
"Otherwise, we'd lose most of the credit to the Central Inspection Pavilion!"
"It should have been something the Protector Six Divisions could have handled alone."
"So in the end, Young Master, you moved the Central Inspection Pavilion just by summoning me alone, and forced the Protector Court to mobilize two entire divisions?!"
He cried out in anguish.
"And you even compelled the Inner Court Chief Eunuch not to cover it up, but to swiftly and efficiently excise the rotten shell!"
Yeon So-hyeon shrugged.
"That old man judged it the best course when he realized he couldn't bury it anyway."
"It can't be... it just can't..."
Gang Ho paced the room, muttering to himself.
"Wait, the classified report!"
He had thought the Inspection Department Lord assigned him the secret mission due to his grandfather's close ties.
Yeon So-hyeon smiled.
"Didn't I tell you?"
Gang Ho recalled Yeon So-hyeon's words.
"Whoever gave you this chance seems to have considerable ties to your grandfather..."
In truth, it was Yeon So-hyeon who had given him the opportunity.
He slumped into his seat.
Ignoring the gazes around him, he muttered to himself while sitting.
At the sight, the Triplet Maids covered their mouths and whispered.
"Is he, like, losing it?"
"He seems to be comparing himself to Zhou Yu meeting Zhuge Liang or something."
"Hmm. From what I see, that young master doesn't look all that impressive like Zhou Yu."
Just then, Gang Ho snapped his head up and jumped to his feet.
"...Then how did you know I would respond to the summons, Young Master?!"
He rushed forward and knelt before the Eldest Young Master.
His glasses were already missing somewhere, and his robes were a mess.
"My direct superior, who recommended the preliminary investigation, clearly told me this! That if I didn't want to, they would never force me!"
The Inspection Department Lord couldn't force him into a dangerous probe due to his grandfather's connection.
"Because I knew you were investigating the Inner Court's irregularities regarding Yuan Court Affairs all by yourself."
"H-how...?!"
Come to think of it, Yeon So-hyeon had casually asked him earlier.
Whether the stewards involved in Yuan Court Affairs' corruption were ones who had risen rapidly over the past dozen years or so.
He had known all along.
Jeong-a, who had been listening quietly, spoke up.
"Inspector Gang Ho. Is that really the important part right now?"
"Yes?"
Jeong-a spoke to him softly and steadily.
"From what the master said, it sounds like Inspector Gang Ho was walking right into the jaws of that old monster, the Inner Court Chief Eunuch, all alone."
The Triplet Maids nodded.
"Now that you mention it."
"Our master bestowed a life-saving grace."
"As expected of the master. He couldn't just leave his friend's grandson to his fate."
Hot tears welled up in Gang Ho's eyes as he knelt before Yeon So-hyeon.
"Y-Young Master... for someone like me you barely know..."
"What I did wasn't for you. You just happened to be in my path."
"That doesn't matter... Without you, Young Master, I would have blundered like an idiot and dropped dead."
Yeon So-hyeon patted his head.
"You have a way to repay the favor."
Gang Ho steeled his expression.
"Just say the word! This man Gang Ho will stake his life on it!"
Yeon So-hyeon chuckled.
"No, nothing like that. First, hand over everything you remember from the Inner Court's ledgers to me."
"Yes?!"
"And then we'll draft the classified report for the Elders' Assembly together. How about it?"
"Th-that's..."
Fierce conflict raged within him.
It meant surrendering all classified details on the Inner Court's ledgers to Yeon So-hyeon, who would then write the report as he pleased.
"Tsk tsk. Where'd that guy go who just vowed to stake his life right here?"
"Men these days are all talk. There's only one like our master."
"What a pitiful man. Not even worthy of being called a real one."
At the Triplet Maids' words, Gang Ho slammed his forehead to the floor.
"Man Gang Ho! From now on, I will follow only the Young Master's words! Henceforth, Gang Ho shall serve the Young Master as his lord!"
The provocation had worked too well.
"No, that's not necessary..."
"No! If it's not needed, then take this one's life right here!"
He had inherited his grandfather's temperament perfectly.
Yeon So-hyeon gave a wry smile and patted his shoulder.
"Gang Ho. You have more to do in the Inspection Department ahead than by my side."
"Am I to become the Young Master's informant planted in the Inspection Department? If commanded, I shall memorize and relay every secret stored there!"
"No, no. Nothing that serious."
He forcibly pulled Gang Ho to his feet.
"One thing at a time. One by one."
"Yes! Command me!"
"First, do what I said earlier, then carry on as usual afterward. Got it?"
"You're telling me to prove my worth by rising first, then serve you? Understood!"
Yeon So-hyeon gave up.
"...Fine. Just don't die as a guest somewhere chasing merit. Always report to me before acting on any missions?"
"Yes! I shall keep it in mind!"
Just then, Jeong-a reported to Yeon So-hyeon.
"Master. Someone is approaching."
The Triplet Maids rushed to Gang Ho, fixing his hair and straightening his robes.
Gang Ho blushed and said to them.
"Um, do you happen to know where my glasses are...?"
"Your glasses?"
"Yes, without them, I can't see a thing properly..."
He had already returned to his usual self.
The Triplet Maids sighed.
And shortly after.
The protocol secretary visited to inform them that temporary bedrooms had been prepared.
* * *
Early evening.
Luoyang, a large workshop.
From the same place the Protector Court had passed through an hour ago, two men emerged.
Just like an hour earlier, the guards were as quiet as if their mouths were sealed with honey.
The two men looked dangerous at a glance, and they didn't seem in a good mood.
The scar-faced man spat curses.
"Fuck. The mission's already a bitch, and now this shit..."
He roughly stuffed the document recording info from the workshop owner into his shoulder bag.
The bald man grimaced at the sight.
"Hey, you know we'll have to reorganize that later, right?"
The scar-faced man grimaced back.
"I'll reorganize it if needed, so don't fuck with me now. I'm about to explode."
His weapons clinked at his waist.
The bald man snorted.
"With that temper, you'll never climb the ranks."
"Not your business."
Exchanging sharp words, they entered a deserted alley.
Their line of work didn't benefit from prying eyes.
"Where to next?"
The scar-faced man asked the bald man, who was checking the visit list.
There was no answer.
"...!"
The scar-faced man instinctively reached for his weapons.
But he couldn't draw them.
Blades hovered around his neck.
He rolled his eyes to assess the situation.
"Don't roll your eyes."
At the icy voice laced with clear killing intent, he removed his hands from the weapons and raised them.
"...Whatever this is, I won't resist. Ask what you want."
A woman's cold voice came from behind him.
"To dare investigate behind the Protector Court's probe in the Luoyang Sword Clan's territory—you must have balls of steel."
At the mention of the Luoyang Sword Clan's Protector Court, the scar-faced man's breathing grew ragged.
"Th-there are circumstances! Hear us out, and you'll understand!"
The woman laughed coldly.
"Speak."
"We are from the Great Selection Merchant Association."
An odd name for a merchant group.
"...Great Selection Merchant Association. Proof?"
Sensing she knew the name, the scar-faced man inwardly relaxed a fraction.
"There's a badge in my bosom."
"Take it out. Very slowly. Move a hair faster, and your head rolls first."
The scar-faced man slowly drew out the badge.
"It's genuine."
The woman ordered her subordinates.
"All personnel, sheathe swords and head to the next rendezvous."
"Protector Lion, but these guys..."
"Does my command sound like a joke?"
"No, ma'am!"
As the others vanished, the black-clad woman, the Protector Lion, sent a transmission to the scar-faced man.
*A crow crying alone on a lone pine?*
He hurriedly transmitted back.
*The great mountain is far, but weep not.*
The Protector Lion chuckled.
"For mere hunting dogs, you've learned martial arts."
"...."
"Good timing. I was too busy to make time, but running into you works out."
She tossed a bundle of documents from her bosom at the unresponsive scar-faced man.
*Deliver this upward.*
Before he could reply, the Protector Lion vanished.
"Cough, cough...!"
The bald man, dumped in the corner and acupointed, coughed violently as he rose.
She had released his points with a finger flick as she left.
"...Fuck. Lost ten years of life there."
Feeling his body drenched in cold sweat, the scar-faced man hastily hid the documents in his bosom.
* * *
Luoyang Sword Clan.
In an office of the Second Young Master's faction.
"This is intelligence classified as 'high-grade' from the Great Selection Merchant Association, delivered immediately."
The bundle of documents delivered to the office was neatly spread out on the desk by the men.
"...Internal Protector Court intel."
The Second Young Master's strategist, Han Myeong-hwi, stroked his mustache.
One of his close aides examined the documents and spoke.
"A substantial volume of investigation records. We'll merge them with the existing files right away."
As the aides carried the documents out, the wide space opened up.
Dozens of personnel there toiled through the night.
They compiled information flooding in from all directions.
"Investigation intel from a Protector Six Divisions informant."
The man who received the bundle dashed to a wall lined with filing racks.
He slotted it into the Protector Division compartment, and soon an analyst pulled it out and moved it along.
The condensed single sheet, sorted by the analyst, returned to Han Myeong-hwi's office in another's hand.
Handled by an aide, it was affixed to the proper spot on the wall already filled with such sheets.
Han Myeong-hwi narrowed his eyes at the wall illuminated by lanterns.
"...Whose stage is this incident playing out on, exactly?"
Time passed.
Personnel bustled, and sheets multiplied on the wall.
Dawn broke, but Han Myeong-hwi's gaze remained fixed on the wall.
His parched lips parted.
"Inner Court Chief Eunuch..."
Strong doubt toward the answer he had uncovered etched his face.
"And the Swordless One...?"