The Lost Ones (5)

“…”

Seomun Hoe’s face was unusually serious as he read the report.

Dam Jun stood with his hands politely clasped. For half an hour already, Seomun Hoe had checked the same report and several documents countless times.

Only after another half a quarter of an hour passed did Seomun Hoe open his mouth.

“Did you find this?”

“Yes.”

Dam Jun’s face was no less serious than Seomun Hoe’s.

“At first I had no intention like this. I wondered why we should dig up a case from over ten years ago now. I thought to tidy it roughly and take a rest…”

“…”

“Hasn’t each and every thing Mr. Jin does caused such a great ripple?”

“It has. It will continue to be so.”

Seomun Hoe shook the papers.

“You did well catching the parts one could have passed over.”

“I was only able to find it after reviewing it for over two hours. Even then it was because I was convinced there was something we did not know. In contrast, Mr. Jin seemed to sense something was off just by skimming once.”

“He is an extraordinary person. Apart from the Black Society’s rise or fall, he is someone we must keep on good terms with going forward.”

Dam Jun gave a slight smile.

“Because he is also the merchant guild’s greatest investor.”

“Of course.”

Seomun Hoe tapped the table with his index finger.

After careful thought, he tidied the documents and asked,

“Where is Mr. Jin now?”

“In the marketplace of Jayang. He is with a man whose identity is unknown.”

“A man of unknown identity?”

“I have not investigated separately. Shall I dig?”

“No. I am going anyway, so it is fine. If it is worth investigating after I see for myself, it will not be too late then.”

“They call it Manguwi Street, the ‘Street of a Thousand Mouths.’”

Jin-hyeon’s face was full of interest as he walked the market street.

The crowd was not even half that of the market street in front of the Seol clan, yet Manguwi Street here was very lively as well. Rather, that side could be called the abnormal one.

The market’s scale itself was large. It was longer and wider than the Seol side, and if you turned keeping to the right, there was a big market. It only looked quiet, but if you gathered them into one place the number of people would be similar.

“It is the name the people here attached to this street. They say it has been called that for a hundred years.”

Jeong Gyo silently nodded.

“How is it, Brother Jeong? Is it not nice, this place?”

“It is nice.”

Although he had asked to be treated like a younger brother, Jeong Gyo still did not drop honorifics.

Jin-hyeon did not mind. He did not wish to fuss over such things now.

“There are more storefronts than I thought. Look around well and tell me if a spot seems good.”

Jeong Gyo spoke with an awkward expression.

“It is not particularly that I want to open a shop.”

“Do it even briefly. As I see it, Brother Jeong has talent for that side. Open roughly at the start of the hour of the horse and wrap up before the hour of the monkey, how about it?”

“You are telling me to open only for lunch?”

“If it proves fun, you can extend the hours.”

“There will be no customers.”

“If you take out the formation array, it will be a big hit. You are not thinking about laying it again, are you?”

“…”

“Hey now, you rascal.”

Jeong Gyo looked around and said,

“By the way, it is interesting.”

“What is?”

“Even seeing the Patriarch’s white hair, people do not pay much attention.”

Jin-hyeon’s eyes popped slightly.

“Huh?”

“It is not as much as the Seol side, but I think the people here are very diverse. There are so many unique people that the Patriarch’s white hair is not anything particularly unusual.”

“Patriarch?”

“Yes?”

“Uh… you said Patriarch?”

Jeong Gyo knit his brows.

“I cannot call you by name.”

“No, well, I do not mind even so.”

“You founded a clan and call yourself its master, and I also belong there for the time being, so I should call you Patriarch. Is that not so?”

Unconsciously, Jin-hyeon scratched his head.

Being actually called Patriarch by Jeong Gyo felt ticklish and awkward.

At the same time, the thing called responsibility, as small as a fingernail, crept up and stuck out its belly. Rather than excitement, the first thought was ‘I am in for it,’ which made him feel that taking responsibility for others is no simple matter.

‘It is different.’

It was surely a different feeling from when he was the Eight Wastes Alliance Leader, parched for conquest.

In the end, Jin-hyeon laughed.

“It sounds nice, being called Patriarch.”

“Is that so?”

“It sounds nice, but it makes me tense. To take responsibility for my people, I truly must cultivate strength proactively.”

Jeong Gyo’s eyes sparkled.

At that age, being called to a high post, one usually gets excited and brags. Yet this young Patriarch worried about responsibility first.

‘Indeed.’

It may be a small matter, but small things gather to make great achievements.

He did not know how great a goal Jin-hyeon held, but if he did not lose his way in the middle, it seemed it would become quite a credible clan.

Jin-hyeon, for his part, steeled his heart.

‘I am advancing toward the goal and at the same time walking that path.’

It felt as if an edge formed on his spirit. Even so, he was not greatly tense.

He only needed to live as if flowing, naturally yet passionately.

“By the way, Brother Jeong, are you free the day after tomorrow?”

“There is nothing that will not do.”

“Then let us go to the Radiant Sword Festival together.”

Jeong Gyo’s eyes wavered.

“The Radiant Sword Festival, you say.”

“Yes. I will go with the Seol Clan’s eldest daughter. Why? Is there a problem?”

“Not particularly.”

Jin-hyeon knew why Jeong Gyo hesitated.

People cannot live separated from the past. Because of the infamy of being the Mad Demon, Jeong Gyo still found peaceful daily life difficult. He feared he might see the wretched state of the people harmed by him.

Jin-hyeon knew yet pretended not to.

“Then let us go together. As you said yourself, if the Patriarch goes, there should at least be an attendant, right?”

“That is true.”

“You are the first family member, a bodyguard, the combat unit’s captain, and the head cook and also the steward. So let us live with responsibility.”

Jeong Gyo’s eyes went round.

“I have been granted tremendous posts without my knowing.”

“Let it slide roughly.”

“Run a clan like that and it will collapse within three months.”

“What is exceptional is bound to look foolish.”

“You are not truly being foolish, are you?”

“It the clan’s policy. Do not worry, let us run with it.”

Inwardly, Jeong Gyo sighed. The person seemed fine, but at times he behaved in ways hard to handle.

Jin-hyeon smacked his lips.

“It has not been long since we ate, yet I am already hungry. Let us go in somewhere for an early dinner…”

Just then.

Jin-hyeon’s eyes went to the alley beside the bazaar. Naturally, Jeong Gyo’s gaze turned there too.

At the mouth of the alley stood an old man of solid build with a white beard. The old man looked at Jin-hyeon with deep eyes.

Jin-hyeon pointed at the old man with his chin.

“Let’s go.”

“Who is it?”

“Someone, a gloomy fellow.”

A moment later.

When the two reached the alley, the old man turned his body. In that instant, the old face became that of an ordinary middle-aged man. It was Seomun Hoe.

Jin-hyeon grumbled,

“Why do you people keep using alleys?”

“Why do you always ask when you know?”

“I know, but I am telling you to please stop it.”

“Alleys are places people live too. Let us not be too harsh.”

Jeong Gyo silently looked at Seomun Hoe’s back.

The eyes of Seomun Hoe, who walked in front, trembled minutely.

‘This person is…’

The gaze felt from behind was like a blade. It was so sharp that his spine felt chilled.

Seomun Hoe was by nature sensitive to others’ martial arts. Until now the only person he could not read properly was Jin-hyeon.

And now, the second person had appeared.

‘A tremendous master. At least on par with the leaders of the Sichuan Eight Martial Houses.’

Where had he seen him? He turned out to be the dumpling shop owner where Jin-hyeon was a regular. To think he was such a great master.

‘He surely looked ordinary then… why could I not see now what I could not see then.’

He was surprised inwardly, but did not show it.

Walking unhesitatingly through the alley, Seomun Hoe took several turns. Jin-hyeon and Jeong Gyo followed behind without a word.

After about a quarter, a modest tavern appeared.

“Oh.”

A woman standing with her back turned at the tavern entrance caught Jin-hyeon’s eye.

It was an unexpected meeting. He had not thought they would meet in a place like this.

Seomun Hoe said evenly,

“She was released yesterday. Having nowhere to go, she wandered the streets, so we personally brought her in.”

“I am obliged. Thank you.”

“…I think it is the first time I have heard such words from you.”

Passing Seomun Hoe, Jin-hyeon approached the woman.

The woman slowly turned.

Her expressionless face resembled Seol So-ha’s. Only, it was more human than that.

It seemed she had not suffered great hardship. Except for having lost a bit of weight, she looked quite neat.

Jin-hyeon said calmly,

“Did you take the remaining charges as your due?”

“…I do not know.”

The woman answering awkwardly was precisely Im Yeo-wol.

He had thought she would be released soon with consideration, but it was even faster than expected. Perhaps she had stayed in a clean cell, as her complexion was not bad.

“So, are you still confused?”

“…”

“You have nowhere to go, right? You do not particularly know what you should do either.”

Im Yeo-wol did not answer. Only her faintly trembling eyes suggested the answer.

Looking at her quietly, Jin-hyeon grinned.

“Hey, if you incurred a debt, you should have come to find me right away. Why were you wandering the streets? Did you think I could not find you?”

“It is not that.”

Her already awkward face became more awkward. Still, compared to last time when she was soaked in rain and confusion and hard to look at, she looked considerably better.

“It is not some other debt but a life debt. I will collect with interest. Got it?”

There was no reply this time either.

Im Yeo-wol did not know how to interpret Jin-hyeon’s words. From his expression and speech there was no malice, yet since he stressed the debt, she also worried he might make her do something vicious.

But it could not be helped. As he said, she had nowhere else to go, and she was not yet ready to stand alone.

Decisively, she had to repay the debt. Somehow, by some means.

“I understand.”

“Good. From now on you are the head cook’s assistant, the combat unit’s deputy, and acting steward.”

“…Pardon?”

Im Yeo-wol blinked. What was this all of a sudden?

Jeong Gyo shook his head and turned his body.

“There is such a thing. Anyway, congratulations on joining us. Do not worry, I’ll make sure to set your monthly pay well.”

“Ah, yes.”

“Now that I said we will take care of the pay, you finally answer at once.”

Im Yeo-wol slightly lowered her head. It was unclear whether she was embarrassed or had nothing to say.

Jin-hyeon spoke to Seomun Hoe.

“Seeing you mind even things I did not ask, it seems there is something you want.”

“It is only a bit of fawning to our largest investor. Consider it my effort for a friendly relationship.”

“I do not believe it, but let us say so for now. So what is it?”

“…”

“For bringing a debtor, it is unlikely that someone of your standing moved personally.”

Seomun Hoe smiled wryly. He was sharp as ever.

“There was something I wanted to ask, but I will just ask later. It is also something we can handle ourselves.”

“As you please.”

Seomun Hoe looked at Jeong Gyo.

Though his back was turned, he seemed to feel the gaze at once. Jeong Gyo turned to Seomun Hoe.

Seomun Hoe bowed his head.

“I am a person doing business with Mr. Jin. I use the surname Seomun.”

It was fairly bold. He did not state his name, but for him to give his surname would not have been easy.

“Ah, I…”

Flustered, Jeong Gyo looked to Jin-hyeon.

Jin-hyeon nodded.

“It is fine. You can tell him.”

“Understood.”

“But, say your real name.”

“?!”

“If he sets his mind to it, he is someone who could guess even the color of the underclothes we are wearing today. You can tell him.”

Jeong Gyo’s eyes wavered.

“Did you know?”

“Would you, being so cautious, have said your real name right away? I had that much in mind too.”

His tone said it would not be a problem at all. In fact, it was so.

Watching Jin-hyeon with a trembling gaze, Jeong Gyo clasped his fists toward Seomun Hoe.

“I am Han Cheol-sang. Pleased to meet you.”

Seomun Hoe’s eyes flashed.

“It is a good name.”

“…”

“I am someone who meets Mr. Jin often. We will be seeing each other often, so I ask for your favor.”

“Ah, yes. Likewise.”

Seomun Hoe asked Jin-hyeon,

“Will you be going to the Radiant Sword Festival?”

“How did you also know that?”

“The Radiant Sword Festival is one of Sichuan’s foremost festivals. Any person of the Murim cannot help but be interested.”

“I see.”

“In case it is needed, I will appoint someone to go with you. If there is something you are curious about, you can handle it through him.”

“That’s reassuring. Then, see you later.”

“Take care.”

Thus Jin-hyeon left the alley with Jeong Gyo, no, Han Cheol-sang, and Im Yeo-wol.

After standing there for a long while, Seomun Hoe spoke.

“Gold Guard.”

“Yes, Gold Pillar.”

“Tell Dam, the Stone Pillar, to gather every scrap of information on the Divine Blade Sect.”

“Yes.”