Chapter 86
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 86
Chapter Title: Baek Ri-seol's Arrival
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Sounds of people holding their breath echoed from every corner of the guest hall.
Her beauty was literally breathtaking, and her fully blossomed allure only fanned the flames in the already rowdy branch hall.
Seo Mun-ha recalled the day he first met Baek Ri-seol.
It had been over three years now.
He seemed to have felt something similar back then too, but she had a knack for startling people with her sudden appearances.
"What brings you here, Lady Baek Ri?"
It wasn't really something he should have said.
Correcting himself and adopting a more courteous tone, Seo Mun-ha gazed at Baek Ri-seol with renewed wonder.
Her poised elegance was matched by an aura of refined energy.
He swallowed his surprise at how she had surpassed yet another boundary in her martial prowess, though for him, the reversal from that day left a somewhat bittersweet aftertaste lingering in his mind.
"You're as impassive as ever, Young Master Seo Mun."
Baek Ri-seol showed a hint of disappointment at his businesslike tone.
Even if their bond was tied only by family alliances, shouldn't shared years of ups and downs warrant at least a little joy at seeing each other?
She inwardly sighed at his oblivious, emotionless response.
"My apologies. I just arrived myself and haven't had a moment to catch my breath."
Speaking without any ulterior motive, Seo Mun-ha expressed his honest admiration.
"You've become so beautiful... I almost didn't recognize you."
It hadn't been that long since their last meeting at the gathering, after all.
They said a woman changes day by day.
More astonishing than her daily leaps in martial skill was her beauty, hailed as the realm's finest. Even her slight frown was deemed more captivating, making her the talk among the servants.
Twitch.
Despite how trite the compliment was in comparison, her ears flushed red at the unexpected words.
It must have been something she heard endlessly, yet it didn't seem to displease her coming from him.
"Lady Baek Ri?"
As if hiding her inner thoughts, Baek Ri-seol forced an awkward smile.
"Ah! It's nothing."
From ancient times, beauties gathered in the imperial palace, and in his past life crossing those halls, Seo Mun-ha had encountered countless stunners.
Only now did he truly appreciate why she was called Jiangsu's Number One Beauty. Her smiles seemed more frequent these days, and even that lingering awkwardness warmed his heart.
Just as she had once boasted about him at some gathering surrounding the Later Generation Assembly.
"Anyway, I'm glad to see you're doing well, Lady Baek Ri."
Back when she was trapped in the Cold Snow, her expression had been dominated by that of a martial artist.
Now, after time had passed, her newfound maturity felt more human, which pleased him. Pride swelled in him for her growth as both warrior and woman, easing a corner of his heart.
"May I ask the reason for your visit to the branch...?"
Putting their brief reminiscence aside, Seo Mun-ha turned his gaze.
"That's..."
"I'll explain that."
A man past his forties stepped forward, placing a hand on Baek Ri-seol's shoulder as if he'd been waiting.
"I'm Baek Ri-jeong, Seol-a's uncle."
"Seo Mun-ha."
Offering a formal cupped-fist salute, Seo Mun-ha mulled over the name.
"I've heard a lot about you here and there."
Radiant White Sword Baek Ri-jeong.
Known for his forthright nature, he was far from ordinary—a martial artist ranked among the world's top hundred masters, despite his casual introduction.
"You have quite the connection with that friend Jeong-ryong too."
Moreover, he was one of the Baek Ri Clan's foremost representatives in Jiangsu.
"With Uncle Jeong-ryong...?"
"You must have been startled by our sudden arrival, so let me get to the point."
Pointing behind him, he spoke on behalf of Baek Ri-seol and the warriors.
"Our clan has been urgently dispatched to support this branch."
They were the Baek Ri Clan's elite vanguard.
"It seems the clan head holds you in high regard. The letter was full of worries about that heartless rascal."
With a wry expression, Seo Mun-ha pieced together their origins.
'Father did?'
There hadn't been a word about aid from the Baek Ri Clan.
Stung as if slapped, he rubbed his tingling nape and reflected on himself, a hollow chuckle escaping at the parental irony.
"I suppose the clan head didn't give you any prior notice."
Setting aside the affectionate intent, he couldn't help but admire his father's insight into his son's nature and the hidden plans.
"Well, I hope he hasn't taken a liking to tormenting his son in his later years."
It was Seo Mun-ha's modest wish not to end up like someone from the imperial grand general's household.
"If this is more than a simple request—a deal between clans—then we have much to discuss."
"No need to worry about us. Zhejiang isn't far from Jiangsu."
"Understood."
Perfect timing, thought Seo Mun-ha as he continued.
"We were just discussing that. Shall we relocate?"
Not just the seating, but the participants needed changing too.
"Seo-gyeom, escort them and arrange accommodations."
"Yes, Young Master."
"Yang Jeong, keep the servants in line. Gu Chil, head to the office with Steward O."
Having issued brief orders, Seo Mun-ha turned toward the exit.
"Everyone else, follow me."
Baek Ri-jeong, Baek Ri-seol, and the additional warrior attending the uncle and niece stared at Seo Mun-ha's back.
Step.
Baek Ri-seol moved ahead to follow him, while behind her, the warrior aligned shoulders with Baek Ri-jeong.
"He's more ordinary than I expected."
"Is he?"
"Yes. He doesn't match what the young lady described."
His aura around unexpected events and news was utterly commonplace.
"Don't you think?"
"Hm, I heard this is his first time taking a position like this."
"That's true."
"And yet."
Baek Ri-jeong glanced back at the sharply vigilant Seo Mun Clan warriors.
"I wouldn't call someone who tamed his peers in such a short time ordinary."
"......"
"Especially at his age."
Setting aside the differing assessment, Baek Ri-seol turned to the steadfast pair as they walked.
"Uncle?"
With a smirk, Baek Ri-jeong stepped forward.
"Let's go. We'll see for ourselves."
The office, now without its master.
Next to the room where Second Young Master Seo Mun-u had handled affairs was a modestly equipped space for meetings.
O Seok-jeong, who had taken over guidance duties, sat across a worn table from the group.
The neglected state of the room, unused for so long, made it clear the Hangzhou branch operated entirely at Seo Mun-u's discretion.
"......"
Leaving the head seat empty as per custom, Seo Mun-ha reviewed the reports at eye level with the others.
Thud.
It didn't take long. Setting down the stack of papers, he pinched his brow.
Unknown.
The documents were riddled with the same vague term, and before these three who could no longer be treated as mere guests, Seo Mun-ha singled out O Seok-jeong.
"The main clan dispatched warriors here three times. Yet not only their fates, but no trace of their movements at all?"
"That's correct."
Those many people had vanished into thin air upon entering the branch, their whereabouts still a mystery.
"No records whatsoever? The reports make it hard to believe they even set foot in Hangzhou."
"That was Second Young Master's order."
"My brother's?"
"He commanded everything be erased."
That explained why no substantial intelligence had come from Shandong despite losing the clan's main force.
"He said if your communications cut off, lock the main gates first and then follow the main clan's directives."
O Seok-jeong revealed what he knew with a somber face.
'If communications cut off?'
Seo Mun-ha repeated the words.
It meant Seo Mun-u had anticipated danger to himself.
"Anything else my brother left behind?"
"Nothing, but..."
Trailing off, he pondered deeply, pulling a hazy memory fragment under the expectant gazes.
"Come to think of it, before leading the warriors out, he said something."
It was Seo Mun-u's last mutter, etched in memory.
"He said he could surpass First Young Master and claim the young clan head position."
Exposing the family's affairs, O Seok-jeong gauged reactions.
With Seo Mun-ha and outsiders present, caution was necessary.
"If this matter succeeds, that is..."
"Uncle?"
"Grand Commander Jeong-ryong seemed unaware.
Or perhaps he knew but pretended not to.
Though Seo Mun Jeong-ryong had shown no interest in the young clan head competition among the candidates from the start, nor interfered.
'Back to square one.'
In this situation of unknown cause and culprit, Seo Mun-ha tapped the table and turned to Baek Ri-jeong opposite.
"Do you know anything else, Senior Baek Ri?"
By protocol, several meetings should have preceded this.
No need to bare the family's shame so openly.
Skipping the formalities, Seo Mun-ha had shared the clan's full circumstances right there.
Information distorted through layers of people and sessions, regardless of intent.
By conveying raw details and exposing vulnerabilities, he showed trust in their aid—thanks above all to Baek Ri-seol's presence.
"Hm."
Stroking his chin, Baek Ri-jeong shook his head.
"Nothing. Sorry if I raised expectations, but even the main clan has no further intelligence."
"......"
"You called it a deal, but it might wrap up quicker than thought."
Glancing at his niece, Baek Ri-jeong reciprocated the trust with candor.
"To be frank, we accepted the Seo Mun Clan's request for one reason."
"And that is?"
"We're in the same boat. Contact with Seol-a's older brother, recently headed to Hangzhou, has been lost."
The Baek Ri Clan's direct heir, much older than Baek Ri-seol and the young clan head no less, had gone missing.
"Our clan isn't as familiar with Hangzhou as yours."
Hence a top hundred master had mobilized.
"What we seek is news of that child and priority protection for his safety."
"Understood."
Then one man raised his hand.
"If it's a fiend, could it be the Demon Cult?"
A Baek Ri Clan warrior, Neung Jo-un, offered his view.
"I heard similar cases happened in Shandong before."
"Not the Demon Cult."
"We can't rule it out entirely, but the timing differs."
Seo Mun-ha and Baek Ri-seol spoke in turn.
The Seo Mun Clan's warriors had started vanishing before the Shandong upheaval.
With that spark extinguished and new victims emerging, the Demon Cult was unlikely.
'Not the authorities, then... the Iron Arms Castle?'
Seo Mun-ha considered Hangzhou's current scene, swollen with unorthodox experts.
Narrowing suspects to prominent groups, he quickly collated scant info.
'Or entirely different group or individual.'
No word from Jiangsu to Hangzhou was too quiet.
That many skilled folk passing through should stir some rumors.
Even if Seo Mun-u controlled information, his reach didn't blanket all Hangzhou.
Yet civilian life remained unchanged amid such events, suggesting someone with immense power was suppressing news.
'Can't jump to conclusions.'
Down the Yangtze, only authorities or Iron Arms Castle wielded such influence.
That kept them as candidates, but given the gravity, Seo Mun-ha opted for primary intelligence gathering.
"Steward O, tighten internal security as before."
The Present Heaven Unit's core duty was uncovering the truth.
"As you command, Third Young Master."
"Also, compile records of clan funds outflow over the past three years."
Where people went, money followed—clues would emerge.
After External Steward bowed, his arms Gu Chil and Yang Jeong awaited orders.
"Gu Chil, stand by at the branch with one squad. Yang Jeong, head to Sang Man Escort Agency."
The name of the escort agency was one he hadn't heard in ages.
'Sang Man Escort Agency?'
Setting aside Yang Jeong's nostalgic look, Seo Mun-ha explained to the curious, led by Eom Pung.
"We aided them once before, albeit modestly. Might yield various insights."
It was escorting cargo to Hebei previously.
Recalling the young leader with future promises, no cold shoulder awaited.
"What of you, Senior Baek Ri?"
"Hm?"
"I have no authority to command your group."
"We're in the same boat now—don't draw lines. Unless it's dire, I'll follow your lead."
"Then have the Baek Ri Clan warriors guard the branch."
"Agreed."
"Gu Chil, one squad to patrol main clan territories."
Whether the countless branch plaques under Seo Mun Clan were intact.
With woefully few warriors, it was about tending neglected folk like this meeting room.
"That's it for now. Regather when news comes."
With orders conveyed, Seo Mun-ha dismissed them.
People departed one by one, each harboring thoughts.
Creeeak.
As the old floorboards groaned underfoot, Seo Mun-ha called back the last one with unfinished business.
"Lady Baek Ri."
"...Yes?"
"Tonight. Could you help me separately?"