The Suspicious Escort
Gwak Yeon's eyes widened.
The Pang Family of Hebei was one of the Central Plains' Seven Great Families.
Among them, the rumor that one of them was entangled with the Blood Cult—the noble sect that had joined the alliance—was already well known.
"The Pang Family of Hebei?"
"Yes. According to the letter pigeon sent by the Cheonhae Merchant Group last night, that's what they said. Young Master, the convoy this time you are to escort is said to be a shipment of sample goods bound for the Pang Family."
"Sample delivery before the bulk transaction."
"Correct."
"Cleaning up the martial artists… I understand what you mean."
Gwak Yeon nodded, his expression calm and composed.
He understood the context instantly.
Even from a Central Plains perspective, the Pang Family, famed for its broad-mindedness, placed immense importance on the martial path.
This had been the same in his previous life.
Those who befriended people would inquire about their martial skills, and when rumors of strong experts circulated, they would never let the matter rest until they had verified it for themselves.
The rumor of Gwak Yeon, who had defeated Baek Jung-hyeok of the Jusan Baek Family—the successor of one of the Seven Great Families—was bound to have reached their ears.
"Even though you were assigned as an escort for the convoy, the Pang Family will surely react when they see you."
"Of course."
"By showing them a favorable side, you will greatly increase the possibility that the Seoho Gwak Family will be nominated as a candidate for the Seven Great Families. And that 'favorable side' will almost certainly be confirmation of your martial skill."
"Correct."
Yong Jong-gwan nodded, then added, "The story that the Moyong Wol-un elder has already taken a liking to Young Master has spread far and wide. If the other families among the Seven Great Families lend their support as well, the Seoho Gwak Family's chance of claiming the final seat will rise even higher."
"I understand."
"And…"
Yong Jong-gwan raised a single finger and deliberately lowered his voice.
"The possibility that the Pang Family is entangled with the secret forces pursued by the family should not be completely ruled out."
"I am aware."
"Of course, you will not actively seek out clues. It is far too dangerous for that. The best course is to keep it in mind and form an appropriate relationship for now."
"Exactly the kind that weaves through martial arts."
"Yes."
Yong Jong-gwan nodded and handed him a slip of paper.
"Here is the rest of the information regarding the convoy departing in two days. The list of attendees and schedule, along with everything Young Master must prepare, is written here. Please read it."
"I will."
Gwak Yeon took the paper, examined it in silence, then folded it and tucked it away. With a faint smile, he murmured, "The Cheonhae Merchant Group truly are amusing fellows. Not content with merely escorting, they even try to evaluate us to the end."
"Why do you think that?"
Yong Jong-gwan's eyes widened slightly at the words.
Gwak Yeon continued without pause, as if it were the most natural thing in the world.
"It is obvious. They had plenty of time to speak face-to-face with the convoy and chose to wait until now to speak. Seeing that I received the gold plate from Moyong Wol-un, they are looking to see if I can form good relations with yet another family among the Seven Great Families. Namely, the Pang Family."
"…I think the same."
"Nevertheless, do not worry. There will be no problems with the convoy."
With those words, Gwak Yeon began to rise.
Yong Jong-gwan watched him, hesitated for a moment, then spoke.
"Young Master."
"Has something else occurred to you?"
"I have delivered everything without the slightest falsehood."
"?"
"Therefore… if, truly, if you would be so kind as to…"
His eyes met Gwak Yeon's, and he paused.
With a deep sigh, Yong Jong-gwan barely managed to voice the request.
"When assembling the escort for this convoy, might you be willing to bring Young Master Gwak Ho-shin along?"
* * *
In the office after Gwak Yeon had left.
While sorting through the mountain of documents on either side, Yong Jong-gwan pondered whether he had spoken too hastily.
The feeling he had wanted to convey to Gwak Yeon was the fairness of the young master competition.
Although he was the third young master and had the name of Samhogak on his register, matters related to the family head would be handled with fairness. He had wanted Gwak Yeon to understand that clearly.
'Will there be backlash? No, I still had to point it out.'
He had come to recognize Gwak Yeon as a competitor to Gwak Ho-shin, unlike before.
Or perhaps more than a competitor.
His skill with martial arts was one thing, but the moment he heard about the Cheonhae Merchant Group's schemes tied to this convoy, he had quickly grasped the situation. He was quite perceptive.
Although his achievements as a young master still ranked at the bottom among the three young masters, there was always a chance he might surge forward at any moment.
'Or perhaps I… no.'
A fleeting thought crossed Yong Jong-gwan's mind: perhaps he should have used his position as manager to restrict information. He shook his head vigorously.
He might be petty, but he was not the kind of man who would go that far.
Moreover, this concerned the family's great plan.
The family head, Gwak Seo-ryong, had already scheduled a visit to the Namgung Family—one of the Seven Great Families.
After seeing the possibility of joining the Seven Great Families, the plan was to form relations with the other families while probing for secrets.
He was not foolish enough to plant "pepper" here to disrupt the family's overall growth merely to fill his own purse.
'Damn it, at least he should know that this weighed heavily on me!'
A feeling of eagerness bloomed within him.
But.
'Still… it will be difficult, I suppose.'
He did not expect too much.
The convoy escort was a chance he had taken after defeating Baek Jung-hyeok of the Jusan Baek Family.
'Even as his younger brother, the young master competition's opponent. He will not relinquish the opportunity to score points with the top merchant group in Zhejiang.'
For that reason, the bitter smile that twisted Yong Jong-gwan's lips was filled with disbelief.
The answer he had received earlier: "I will think about it once."
* * *
Step. Step.
Walking across the courtyard, Gwak Yeon suddenly turned his head and, seeing the now-distant building, let out a small laugh. What now.
"Bring Ho-shin along."
The request had been to include Gwak Ho-shin, who had lined up for this convoy.
'It is not difficult.'
From the beginning, Gwak Yeon had no intention of becoming the family head of the Seoho Gwak Family, nor did he wish to deprive Gwak Ho-shin of the chance to shine before the merchant group.
Instead, he wanted to dig up the roots of the great evil he had seen in his previous life. Of particular importance was pursuing the Blood Cult, at least to the extent of the information he had already obtained.
Therefore, the destination of this convoy—the Pang Family of Hebei—was far more crucial.
One of the Central Plains' Seven Great Families entangled with the Blood Cult.
Forming a relationship with the Pang Family would allow entry into that iron fortress of a sect alliance, making it far easier to uncover each family's hidden secrets.
Of course, the possibility that the Pang Family was linked to the Blood Cult was not to be dismissed.
Whether that was the case or not, Gwak Yeon thought it could only benefit to include Gwak Ho-shin in the escort.
Step. Step.
Gwak Ho-shin, a warrior who shared the same goal as a member of this sect, was a formidable opponent.
Although he operated another pavilion competing for the young master title, Gwak Yeon did not believe the man was truly trying to push him aside.
'Instead, if there is ever a shortage of escort personnel, he offered to help.'
In truth, finding the roots of the great evil was never easy alone.
In his previous life, the Silent Thunder Ghost who had died together with him had also tracked the traces of the Shadowless Hall organization he led, along with his comrades, until he caught the tail.
"Over there! There he is! Those trash are over there!"
"Kuk, this first strike is mine!"
"I am number one, you fools!"
"You idiots! If this old man hadn't found the clue first, you wouldn't have gotten this far!"
"The first trash is on me!"
"Chuk chuk! Then the first civilian is mine!"
"Stop it, you bastards!"
Suddenly, Gwak Yeon recalled the fierce memory of his previous life, where he and his comrades had slashed through evil and monsters alike.
A bitter smile formed on his lips.
Because the memory of that time—when he had cut through the vicious ones like a competitor—now intertwined with the current situation.
But.
'…No, it should be even hotter than then.'
He shook off the temptation to sink into the recollection.
In plain terms.
He had only discovered the existence of the great evil at the very last moment, even after his body had been swapped.
If its roots continued to spread and formed the current vast secret force, the situation was far more serious than in his previous life.
Step. Step.
Continuing his walk, Gwak Yeon thought again.
The conclusion he had drawn before learning that the convoy's destination was the Pang Family of Hebei was that even if he only had Heoksijo and Cheon Gang for the escort, it would be sufficient.
For a matter involving one of the Central Plains' Seven Great Families, including someone of Gwak Ho-shin's caliber was not a bad idea.
So Gwak Yeon decided to grant Yong Jong-gwan's request.
Given his attitude earlier, the man would no doubt feel deeply moved by this acceptance.
Step. Step.
After finalizing his thoughts, Gwak Yeon reached the entrance of Iyeongak.
Whether he entered the candidate list of the Seven Great Families or uncovered the Blood Cult's traces within the sect.
The convoy of the Cheonhae Merchant Group was undoubtedly an important schedule for his plan.
The convoy in two days.
What had to be done by then was clear.
Until then, he would continue his training and find a way to grow while using the vampire's abilities just enough to avoid drawing attention.
And, in the gaps between, he would keep a steady eye on the city's shadows while collecting clues about the great evil.
In that light, purging the dark paths and evildoers throughout Hangzhou remained a meaningful choice.
"Wait, rest! Rest!"
……Gwak Yeon's heightened hearing caught the voices coming from within Iyeongak.
"Huff, hah."
"I admit it."
"Now I really won't hold back! It's true!"
"Amusing! If I had used a weapon, it would have ended already, you brat!"
"Same here! Same here!"
"……"
"Are those two… really all right?"
Gwak Yeon let out a soft laugh and turned his steps.
Twirl.
'They should be fine. Both have straight natures.'
Even if the roots of the great evil are still hidden, having many reliable companions is good when pursuing them.
One caveat.
The question of how long to keep this body's abilities secret from them, lest they suspect sorcery, was a problem.
'Hmm. Heoksijo has already seen it once, so perhaps we can manage it somehow…'
Gwak Yeon, deep in thought, soon shook his head.
'…I will have to consider this slowly.'
Until the convoy after two days.
It was important now to keep finding clues about the Blood Cult and experimenting with the vampire's abilities while raising his martial strength.
With that firm resolve.
Step.
Leaving the sect, he headed toward the center of Hangzhou, where dark paths were thick.
* * *
Somewhere in Hangzhou.
A misty secret manor.
Clang! Clang!
Ha Mu-won, hammering iron in the blacksmith's shop, sighed and raised his head. He wiped the sweat on his forehead with his thick arm and roared in displeasure.
"Is your brother working so hard while you are fooling around alone?"
"Haha, what do you mean by fooling around?"
From the pavilion rising above the distant pond, Ha Baek-gyeong answered.
Contrary to his words, the long hair resting on his clean white scholar's robes looked leisurely to anyone who saw it.
"I am carefully repairing the formation array."
"How can one pour one's heart into something that does not even produce sweat?"
"Haha, that is a fair point?"
"Damn brat."
Although he said as much, Ha Mu-won knew, thanks to his brother, that this secret manor had been maintained between Hangzhou's premier teahouses and wine houses.
While the formation and mechanism were said to be the finest in the world thanks to the Jegal Family, that was a matter of groups.
When narrowed to individuals, Ha Baek-gyeong's skill could rival the high experts of the Jegal Family.
"By the way."
Ha Mu-won, in the mood for a bit of mischief during a break, shared the news from Hangzhou that each had heard.
"Did you hear about that Jang Po guy?"
"Yes. I am still undecided. I heard he massacred a group of dark-path experts after the Shadowless Valley's master was removed, but I do not know if he is a saint or an evil person."
"That matches what I heard. Then what about the rumor of suspicious talismans circulating?"
"Talismans made from a person's blood, right?"
"Yes."
"I heard it, but I cannot confirm if it is true. It was a rumor tied to Hangzhou's secret auction house."
"This is troublesome."
Ha Mu-won sighed.
A large-scale secret auction.
The rumor that rare or bizarre items were separately circulated in Hangzhou's underworld was still unconfirmed in reality.
The rumors claimed that only the mighty among the dark-path forces of Hangzhou could attend, that the location changed every time, or that merely knowing the information could invite assassination threats. But… the Ha brothers still did not even know whether the place actually existed.
Their goal was always to secretly observe Hangzhou's situation, not to reveal their own presence.
"I am dying of curiosity. Is it really there, or just another lie from those bastards? If the entire rumor is true, just reducing the goods that pass through there would make Hangzhou ten times cleaner."
"Ah…"
"What is that damn rumor-"
"A more reliable source of rumors has arrived."
"What?"
Instantly, Ha Baek-gyeong raised the fan in his hand and pointed across the room. Following his gesture, Ha Mu-won's gaze turned.
At the end of that gaze lay the dispersing mist.
And beyond it, a figure.
That is to say.
"……It seems the young hero who is to receive the escort for the Zhejiang top young master has arrived."
Ha Baek-gyeong smiled and recited the freshly updated rumor.