Chapter 81
Chapter 81
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: uly
Chapter: 81
Chapter Title: Part 6: The Agency
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Far off, the snow blanketing the famed peaks of rugged Mount Song gleamed blindingly white in the morning sun.
Cascades of waterfalls plunged from sheer cliffs, scattering brilliant gold light and painting rainbows in the air.
Lush mountain forests flowed down to gentle plains, merging into the groves of Won-gak Pavilion, known as forbidden grounds.
Mist rising since dawn clung to the fresh forest air, enveloping Won-gak Pavilion, while the scent of rice cooking wafted from its kitchen chimney, drifting far and wide.
It was the perfectly peaceful dawn scene of Won-gak Pavilion, as always.
“…From the Agency?”
“That’s right.”
But from Won-gak Pavilion’s front gate onward, that peace was shattering.
“From this moment, you are all under the Agency’s control.”
Though phrased politely, it was an unmistakable command that brooked no refusal.
“All personnel on guard duty at Won-gak Pavilion, surrender your weapons and cease your current tasks.”
The Life-Seizing Ghost Sword scowled, glaring at the man.
“…You won’t tell me what’s going on, I suppose?”
“Special Mission Captain. You lack authorization to handle information related to the Agency’s operations.”
Not a shred of warmth emanated from the man draped in a gleaming golden cloak-robe.
Behind the smooth golden mask, cold eyes flashed sharply.
“This area is now under Agency control. Comply immediately.”
“…Hah, damn it. What the hell this early in the morning?”
“Well, works for me. Let’s call it an unexpected vacation.”
The Special Mission Unit members, who had never yielded to anyone before, meekly surrendered their weapons and stepped back.
And in their place stood those clad in golden cloak-robes, faces hidden by masks.
The Agency’s command warrior spoke again.
“Special Mission Captain.”
His gaze was utterly devoid of emotion.
The Life-Seizing Ghost Sword stared at the outstretched hand, grinding his teeth.
“You have no right to refuse. Cooperate immediately.”
The shift in tone was a warning.
“Captain…”
His comrades’ worried gazes turned toward the Life-Seizing Ghost Sword.
A razor-sharp tension settled in as heavy silence.
“…Damn it.”
In the end, the Life-Seizing Ghost Sword let the strength drain from his eyes and sighed.
He unfastened the weapon at his waist.
“…I’m also in charge of the Eldest Young Master’s personal guard duty, so let me enter Won-gak Pavilion.”
The Agency command warrior who received his weapon nodded.
“On one condition. Do not stray from our sight.”
* * *
The Triplet Maids stared at the intruders while in the midst of cooking rice and preparing meals.
“Cease all activities and submit to control.”
One of them brandished her ladle and snapped.
“Hey, what does your mission have to do with us cooking?”
“We’re preparing breakfast for the Eldest Young Master!”
“Dispose of everything.”
As the Agency warrior in the cloak-robe waved dismissively, the others sprang into action.
“Hey!”
“What the—!”
They doused the hearth with water and sprinkled ash over the pots, ruining all the food.
They even dusted ash over dishes that had already been finished and covered.
“Hey! Are you insane?!”
The Triplet Maids exploded at the sight of their dawn labors—prepared with such care and sweat—being destroyed.
“We could’ve just covered them! Why ruin them with ash, you bastards?!”
“You think you can do whatever just ‘cause you’re from that fancy Agency?!”
Furious, Ilryeong shoved an Agency warrior, but she was the one sent tumbling back.
It wasn’t internal energy or anything like that.
It was simply the immense weight of the heavy armor they wore.
“...”
Seeing the top-tier heavy armament peeking from beneath the golden cloaks, they ground their teeth.
“From now on, all your daily tasks will be controlled through the Agency.”
* * *
In the courtyard before Yeon So-hyeon’s quarters, the Agency command warrior unfurled and displayed an order.
“As of this moment, Won-gak Pavilion enters full lockdown, declared in the name of the Main Family’s Supreme Operations Council and the Agency.”
On that peaceful morning, Won-gak Pavilion was sealed shut just like that.
* * *
“And for personal errands unrelated to daily duties, a female warrior from our side will act as head maid, so inform her first and strictly follow her oversight.”
As Jeong-a handed over her sword, she asked.
“Even for using the latrine?”
The Agency warrior nodded impassively.
“State your business, and the assigned female warrior will explain on the spot.”
A female warrior stepped forward.
“For the latrine, you must use it with the door open and never out of my sight.”
Jeong-a shrugged at her.
“Tough job you’ve got.”
The female warrior replied calmly from behind her mask.
“You lack authorization to handle information related to the Agency’s operations.”
Jeong-a eyed the ones rummaging through her room.
“Is everything they’re doing necessary for your mission?”
“Yes.”
Agency warriors were yanking her undergarments from the wardrobe.
She hadn’t checked personally, but no doubt the Triplet Maids’ rooms were getting the same treatment.
“Hey! You bastards…!”
Hearing the shout, Jeong-a peered out the window.
Agency warriors were digging up part of Won-gak Pavilion’s fields.
Vibrantly growing vegetables were uprooted and tossed everywhere.
“Those are vegetables we grew with our own hands!”
Samryeong tried to stop them, but the Agency warrior holding her didn’t budge.
“That too?”
“Yes. All part of the mission.”
Jeong-a fixed her dragon eyes on the Agency warrior answering so impassively and nonchalantly.
“Some truth to it, but you’re questioning it yourself. Is this necessary security protocol, or are you just following someone’s orders?”
“All security protocols.”
He answered as naturally as possible, but Jeong-a sighed and shook her head.
“I need to see the Young Master.”
Agency warriors blocked her as she tried to leave the room.
“We cannot permit that.”
“…I’m starting to regret handing over my sword.”
The Agency warriors in the room snickered.
“We’ll grant your confidence. But remember, we of the Agency receive direct orders from the Main Family’s Supreme Operations Council.”
His gaze turned to Jeong-a.
“We have authority for summary execution of anyone who draws a blade against us, regardless of status, Head Maid.”
* * *
“It’s just tea.”
Ilryeong of the Triplet Maids glared up sideways at the Agency warrior blocking her path.
“Your access ends here. Hand over the tray and return.”
She shoved the tray with two cups of tea into his hands and grumbled her way out of the building.
Her twin sisters were already squatting on the stone steps outside.
Agency warriors in golden cloak-robes were posted at every corner of Won-gak Pavilion in their view.
Even more were combing through the entire pavilion like lice.
“…It’s like a full occupation force.”
“Ah… Today’s dishes were my masterpieces.”
“They’re tearing through Won-gak Pavilion like it’s their own home.”
“Their own home? Would anyone trash their house like this…?”
“I’d love to smack one of those ugly masks.”
She pitched it loud enough for the warriors behind them to hear, but they showed no reaction.
At that, the sisters sighed in unison.
* * *
Yeon So-hyeon reached for the teacup on the tray carried in by an Agency warrior.
“Hold on. If you’ll excuse me.”
The command warrior sitting across from him gestured, and a warrior behind lifted Yeon So-hyeon’s cup.
He lifted his mask aside and took a careful sip, inspecting the tea.
Yeon So-hyeon scoffed.
“So? What tea is it, oh expert?”
The warrior silently and respectfully returned the cup.
Instead, the command warrior spoke.
“Please don’t blame him too much. We’re merely carrying out our duties for the Eldest Young Master’s safety…”
Yeon So-hyeon cut him off.
“Not my safety. It’s for the safety of the ‘Supreme Operations Council’ that summoned me.”
A document summoning him lay before Yeon So-hyeon.
It bore the clear seal denoting the Supreme Operations Council.
“...”
The command warrior, silent for a moment, finally spoke.
“As you know, the Agency is the Luoyang Sword Clan’s sole shield—the supreme and final shield—and every member…”
Yeon So-hyeon interrupted again.
“…never forgets, in any situation, for any reason, that they exist to protect the Luoyang Sword Clan’s Family Head.”
It was the Agency’s oath.
Yeon So-hyeon sank deep into his chair.
“…You know the Agency’s oath.”
“I do.”
Yeon So-hyeon twisted his lips in a smile.
“And I know it’s been revised lately.”
“...”
“Not to protect the Family Head, but the Luoyang Sword Clan’s core.”
Yeon So-hyeon’s sharp gaze seemed to pierce the command warrior’s mask.
“What you’re protecting now isn’t Father, the Family Head, but the Supreme Operations Council’s top members.”
The Agency was originally the Luoyang Sword Clan’s guard detail for its supreme decision-maker: the Family Head.
For that mission, it held top operational authority.
“To be precise…”
The eyes behind the mask subtly avoided Yeon So-hyeon’s stare.
“The Family Head you mention has retired to become Supreme Patriarch, and the Main Family is currently under the ‘Supreme Operations Council’ as acting head…”
“Yeah. Legally, I’m also the Main Family’s acting Family Head, not just Eldest Young Master.”
“You weren’t formally recognized as acting Family Head through proper procedures, so you can’t claim those powers:”
“Yeah?”
Yeon So-hyeon drew the Sword Clan Family Head Seal from his bosom and placed it on the table.
“Say that again about powers.”
The command warrior let out a groan at the sight of the gleaming Sword Clan Golden Seal reflecting the sunlight.
“Go on, say it.”
He sighed.
“…Just as rumored. I can’t hope to match your eloquence, Eldest Young Master.”
It was sarcasm, but Yeon So-hyeon brushed it off.
“Then cut the nonsense and take me to the Supreme Operations Council.”
He lifted his teacup and continued.
“And stop harassing my household needlessly.”
The command warrior shook his head behind his mask.
“As you must know, we merely follow our directives.”
Yeon So-hyeon scoffed.
“Bullshit. What you’re doing here in Won-gak Pavilion blatantly violates standard procedures.”
“Regarding Agency procedures…”
Yeon So-hyeon idly stroked the Family Head Seal, and he fell silent.
“Obvious, isn’t it.”
Staring straight into the command warrior’s eyes, Yeon So-hyeon spoke.
“One of those idiot top councilors trying to break my spirit before the summons, right?”
“...”
Yeon So-hyeon bared his teeth.
“I can tell from sending a command warrior who’s never met me. Anyone who knows me wouldn’t pull this crap.”
A warrior behind the command warrior coughed pointedly at the slur against a top councilor.
But none dared act rashly with the Family Head Seal before them.
“...”
Yet Yeon So-hyeon said no more.
His gaze lingered on the hand signal the command warrior was making ‘subtly.’
-Wait and standby-
It was a signal known only to Yeon So-hyeon himself and ‘his friend,’ now departed from the world.