Chapter 88
Chapter 88
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 88
Chapter Title: Part 13: Cup of Celebration
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Luoyang Sword Clan, Third Young Master's camp.
Two men sat facing each other on the top floor of a massive five-story hall.
The elder in crimson silk robes possessed an air of immortal grace and otherworldly poise, his deep eyes brimming with profound mysteries.
The middle-aged man opposite him wore white silk robes. He was a dignified beauty, his eyes flashing with keen insight.
Behind each of them, crimson-robed scholars and white-robed scholars prostrated themselves.
A falcon flew in through the open window.
It was the Third Young Master's messenger hawk.
A crimson-robed scholar soothed the hawk, while a white-robed scholar secured the letter and respectfully spread it out between the two great strategists.
The white-robed middle-aged man spoke first as he peered at the letter.
"Sima Teacher. The Supreme Operations Council has kept its promise."
The elder in crimson robes, addressed as Sima Teacher, stroked his beard.
"As Zhuge Brother predicted, they lifted the Eldest Young Master's confinement but took the Family Head Seal in exchange."
The white-robed middle-aged man, called Zhuge Brother, bowed his head.
"This time, it was simply my good fortune as strategist."
Sima Teacher nodded slowly.
"Does Zhuge Brother believe that from now on, we must respond to the Eldest Young Master directly ourselves?"
The middle-aged man called Zhuge Brother took a sip of tea and fell into thought for a moment.
"...From the records, the Eldest Young Master was undoubtedly a threat. But back then, he had the Family Head's full backing. Now, he's just one man with no proper faction to speak of."
"I agree. For the time being, the most he can do is rely on personal schemes, like that inner courtyard incident."
"And without peering into his mind, predicting his moves is exceedingly difficult."
Those prostrated behind them diligently recorded their conversation in unison.
"Then...?"
"For now, a policy of reactive measures should suffice. Without the Family Head Seal, he poses no decisive threat."
"...You are right. Seizing the Family Head Seal from him has essentially resolved the greatest issue. Right now, he's less than even the Fourth Young Master."
"Then continuing to discuss this further would be a waste of time."
"Take a short break, then move to the next item."
The two great strategists' opinions aligned.
The crimson-robed scholars and white-robed scholars descended the stairs in unison to relay the instructions they had received.
They would convey the great strategists' directives to the strategists filling the five-story hall.
Sima Teacher, sipping his tea, looked at the middle-aged man.
"Zhuge Brother. Something weighs on your mind?"
"No, it's just..."
Sima Teacher sipped his tea calmly, waiting for the man to continue.
"...Everything has gone exactly as expected, so I'm a bit disappointed, that's all."
A shadow of gloom crossed his handsome face.
"Is the Eldest Young Master, whom so many in this Sword Clan feared, truly capable of only this much?"
Sima Teacher burst into laughter.
"Don't worry, Zhuge Brother. The Eldest Young Master is no longer confined, is he? There will be ample opportunity ahead for him to meet your expectations."
"I hope so."
The scholars returned and presented the next item.
Sima Teacher unrolled the scroll and spoke to him.
"For now, we must focus on the Second Young Master, the greatest threat."
"They are the true danger."
The sunset cast its glow from outside.
* * *
Second Young Master's camp,
Strategist Han Myeong-hwi's office.
Pacing restlessly in the otherwise empty office, Han Myeong-hwi shouted at the sound of a knock.
"Come in!"
"Pardon the intrusion."
The door opened, revealing none other than Elder Son.
"Elder! I apologize for my rudeness...!"
Elder Son waved it off.
"It's fine. It's my fault for coming unannounced. Don't worry about it."
He then handed a note to Han Myeong-hwi.
"You said the problem was that strategists have limited access to information?"
Han Myeong-hwi took the note with a bewildered expression.
"This is...?"
Elder Son smiled kindly.
"Han Strategist. This is a victory report for you."
At his words, Han Myeong-hwi hurriedly unfolded and read the note.
"...Eldest Young Master's confinement lifted. Family Head Seal sealed. Congratulations, Han Strategist. Second Young Master, Yeon Ja-cheong."
A thrill shot through him.
Han Myeong-hwi let out a silent cry in that instant.
Elder Son chuckled heartily at the sight, then pulled a small porcelain jar of liquor from his bosom and held it up.
"It's Zen River Grand Melody, bestowed directly by our lord as victory wine. Exceedingly rare stuff. Do you have cups?"
Han Myeong-hwi hurriedly rummaged through his drawer and pulled out two cups.
Elder Son personally poured into the cup he held.
A crisp, sharply pungent aroma filled the room.
The two immediately clinked cups in celebration and downed them in one gulp.
Elder Son leaned casually against the desk.
"Our lord is greatly pleased with your service this time. Thus, he has decided to appoint you as the Eldest Young Master specialist going forward."
The victory wine was sweet.
But the reward was even sweeter.
"I will continue to give my all."
"Just keep doing as you have been."
Elder Son refilled his empty cup and continued.
"As the Eldest Young Master's first move, everyone points to the slum development project with the Fourth Young Master. Is that your prediction as well?"
"Yes."
Elder Son nodded.
"Then for this matter, cooperate closely with Choi Strategist—the Fourth Young Master specialist—and his private division to see it through."
"I was already working with Choi Strategist on one matter."
Han Myeong-hwi smiled.
"Oh? What's that?"
Holding his cup, Han Myeong-hwi pulled out one of the documents piled on the desk and spread it open.
"Lately, the Eldest Young Master delayed things, but I've been tracking the lost Sword Clan Bronze Token."
"Indeed."
"And I've also been tracing the external origins of the rumors about the Eldest Young Master."
Han Myeong-hwi pointed to one part of the document.
"Meanwhile, Choi Strategist has been tracking the Fourth Young Master's business plans from outside, replacing the 'ears' we lost internally."
A sly smile spread across Han Myeong-hwi's lips.
"He and I both arrived at the same name simultaneously."
Elder Son read the spot he indicated.
"...Crescent Moon Pavilion Master?"
As Elder Son tried to recall, Han Myeong-hwi waved it off.
"It's not someone noteworthy enough for you to remember, Elder. Just an informant with a bit of a name in Luoyang's markets."
"And you're saying such a person is connected to all this?"
"We'll have to hear the details directly from her."
"Push forward immediately."
Han Myeong-hwi pointed behind Elder Son.
"Already in motion."
At his words, Elder Son glanced around the empty office.
"...So that's why the office was cleared out!"
A thick smile played on Han Myeong-hwi's lips.
"By now, my men should have Crescent Moon Pavilion surrounded."
* * *
As night fell.
Luoyang, near Crescent Moon Pavilion.
"The encirclement is complete. Not even a rat could slip out now."
A Luoyang Sword Clan warrior reported to Han Myeong-hwi's closest strategist.
"Good. Maintain the encirclement until further orders."
Though the encirclement succeeded, the closest strategist frowned for some reason as he gazed at the hall housing Crescent Moon Pavilion.
"...This is supposed to be just an informant's hall?"
Nearby intelligence strategists from the Great Immortal Merchant Association reported.
"They originally rented two floors in the central district, but recently bought this entire hall outright."
"Even selling info on the Eldest Young Master and Fourth Young Master's business like hotcakes lately doesn't add up financially."
"Shall we investigate the funding source separately?"
The closest strategist shook his head.
"No. We can confirm directly with her. Order them to open the way."
The warriors stormed in first, and resistance was pathetically absent.
In this land of Luoyang, anyone who resisted upon seeing the Luoyang Sword Clan's insignia was either a Demonic Cultist, a rebel, or suicide seeker.
Leaving behind the Great Immortal Merchant Association members concealing their identities for covert missions, Han Myeong-hwi's closest aides entered the hall.
"The Crescent Moon Pavilion Master is in her office."
They headed straight for the office.
The warriors flung the door open.
A single desk lamp illuminated the neatly arranged office.
Han Myeong-hwi's strategist addressed the woman seated at the desk.
She was without flaw as a beauty.
If there was one blemish, it was the overwhelming aura of ferocity she exuded.
"You're the bitch called Crescent Moon Pavilion Master?"
At his insulting words, the guard standing shadow-like behind Crescent Moon Pavilion Master flinched, but she raised a hand to stop her.
"Yes. I am the Crescent Moon Pavilion Master."
Her single eye turned toward them from her relaxed posture, lounging in the chair.
"...So you're the famous Second Young Master's Jiangnan Division?"
At her casual use of the Second Young Master's title, this time the Luoyang Sword Clan warriors placed hands on their swords.
"Not a bad informant if you go around calling yourself one."
Crescent Moon Pavilion Master Se-ah faintly smiled, putting the long pipe in her hand to her lips.
"Of course. I'm a top informant. I even know you're part of the division under that 'Han Strategist.'"
"...A mere informant bitch knows too much."
Not all of Han Myeong-hwi's closest aides were strategists.
"We planned a simple interrogation here, but I've changed my mind. Escort her to the Sword Clan."
One of them gripped his Japanese sword and approached her.
His aura swept silently through the office, but she exhaled smoke leisurely.
"From the way you hold that Japanese sword, you're Blade-Hunting Dog, the Fuzhou murder hound."
She taunted the man called Blade-Hunting Dog.
"Aren't you still wanted in Fujian Province? Report you and I'd pocket some pocket money."
Blade-Hunting Dog's killing intent exploded.
Even faster, his Japanese sword shot out in a draw.
"...!"
His blade, meant to slice her nose in one stroke, halted before fully unsheathing.
It was the work of the expressionless woman who had stood shadow-like behind Crescent Moon Pavilion Master.
She had struck the sword's guard to halt the draw, then pressed the blade to Blade-Hunting Dog's throat.
Twin Swords, Torrent.
The moment an integrated offensive-defensive technique severed the opponent's attack flow, suppressing and countering with the remaining momentum.
The Luoyang Sword Clan warriors drew their swords in unison, aiming at the two women.
Han Myeong-hwi's strategist stared at Crescent Moon Pavilion Master in disbelief.
"What the hell makes you dare attack Luoyang Sword Clan personnel?"
"What do I trust?"
She grinned.
"This."
She picked up an object from the desk and showed it to them.
"Th-that's a Sword Clan Bronze Token?!"
Crescent Moon Pavilion Master rose from her seat, holding the Sword Clan Bronze Token.
"By the way, check the serial number—it's not the one Golden Week had."
"Th-then...?!"
The smile on her lips deepened.
"No obligation to tell thieves who barge in at midnight."
She pointed at the door with the hand holding the Sword Clan Bronze Token.
"Get out all of you before I formally protest to the Luoyang Sword Clan."