The Start Of The Cleanup (1)

The next day.

“Damn it!”

Kwaang!

The sound of furnishings breaking rang out again.

Baek San sighed inwardly.

‘He’s still at it.’

After last night’s gathering ended, Ha Jun got roaring drunk and smashed up parts of the manor.

And after sleeping it off, he was at it again.

‘The Association Leader always said one cannot become great without governing one’s heart.’

It was truly a weary business. Pity for the Second Young Master aside, Baek San would rather have guarded the First Young Master than the Second.

In Baek San’s eyes, Ha Jun was destined for third place. He was outdone in martial skill by his elder brother and in strategy by his younger sister.

The First Young Master and Third Young Lady already served as pillars of the Cheongyang Association. The Second Young Master had yet to receive any substantial post.

Of course, this was not known outside. Had it been, the heirs of the Eight Houses might not have attended yesterday’s gathering.

‘That fellow, what is he thinking?’

Baek San thought of Jin-hyeon.

He had heard the name Jin-hyeon, yet had not paid it much mind.

In the Kangho one sees many such people. Prodigies of unknown origin who shine for a brief moment, only to be swept away and lost in the great current of history.

Baek San knew it well; he had once dreamed of such a life himself. Looking back, he had only survived because he managed to latch onto the Cheongyang Association. If he had just drifted through the Kangho like any other man, he would have ended up forgotten.

‘Tsk. What use is skill. He will disappear before long.’

That aside, his sheer pressure had been extraordinary.

‘Who taught him? To have such skill at that age is no ordinary talent.’

Just then.

“Baek San.”

Ha Jun, now somewhat calm, called to him.

“Yes, Second Young Master.”

“When is the duel?”

“At noon sharp. It may be slightly earlier depending on the schedule.”

“Let no one in until then.”

“Understood.”

At that moment,

“Guard Baek.”

“What is it?”

“A letter has come… from the Seol clan.”

Baek San’s eyes wavered.

As he debated whether to read it,

“Bring it.”

He entered, handed the letter to Ha Jun, and closed the door.

A moment later.

“That bitch dares!”

Ujikkeun!

The table’s splintering rang out crisply.

“You are here.”

The In siblings looked more at ease than yesterday.

“Congratulations on advancing to the main round.”

“Congratulations, big sis.”

Seol So-ha shook her head.

“I heard you advanced as well, Young Master In. Congratulations.”

In Jong-seop scratched his head.

“I barely won. My opponent yielded in time, so I managed it. Compared to you, Lady Seol, I am ashamed.”

“Truly. The opponent was stronger than I expected. There are many strong ones in this world. Brother should train harder.”

At In Hye-dan’s words, In Jong-seop cleared his throat.

“Indeed. I thought my level was not bad, but I was too complacent.”

“Still, my brother excels at self-reflection.”

“You rascal.”

In Hye-dan covered her mouth and laughed.

She was brighter and more cheerful than her brother, and she had backbone, judging by how she landed a blow on Song Geon in yesterday’s awkward gathering.

Seol So-ha still thought well of the siblings. Hye-dan aside, Jong-seop had prudence and kindness fit to lead the Beak-Star Saber Sect.

“By the way, why did you call us?”

“You are not the only ones I called.”

Just then.

“My.”

Gu Hee entered the side chamber with a smile.

“The two from Beak-Star arrived first.”

Behind her came Yeom Hang, his stiff face a sharp contrast to hers.

Seol So-ha indicated seats.

“The tea is already brewed. Please sit.”

Seated, Yeom Hang spoke evenly.

“I will be frank. This meeting makes me uncomfortable. I hope you will come to the point.”

He showed his discomfort openly, yet Seol So-ha found his candor refreshing.

The Black Bamboo Fort had one of the cleaner reputations among the Eight Houses. Whatever they might have done behind the scenes, people from the Black Bamboo Fort, as a rule, seemed to make an effort not to cause trouble.

It was the same for Yeom Hang. After what had happened just last night, being invited by one of the people who had ruined the gathering was bound to make him uncomfortable. Of course, a large part of that was because he had to mind the Cheongyang Association.

Sitting, Seol So-ha said,

“It seems all who should come are here, so I will speak plainly.”

None from the Cheongyang Association or Divine Spear House came. Everyone’s eyes sharpened.

She continued,

“I invited those who were there yesterday despite the unpleasantness because I wish to warn you to be cautious.”

In Hye-dan asked.

“Cautious of what? The Cheongyang Association…?”

“Not that.”

A chill passed through Seol So-ha’s eyes.

The gathered prodigies felt a shiver. It was no easy thing to set people on edge with eyes alone.

“The other day, the Teacher and I were attacked by Lee Yong-geum and Lee Yong-dan, remnants of the Mighty Tiger Merchant Guild.”

“?!”

Everyone was startled.

Swallowing, Yeom Hang said,

“The two brothers with warrants on them?”

“Yes.”

“B, but why would they target you… No, how did they appear so suddenly?!”

The others seemed no less shocked than he.

Seol So-ha shook her head.

“The Mighty Tiger’s fall was their own doing, yet the one who exposed it and saved the innocent was Teacher Jin.”

“You don’t mean?!”

“Yes. The brothers came for revenge.”

Mouth agape, In Jong-seop hurriedly asked,

“What became of them?”

“They fled.”

“They fled?!”

“They did not come alone. They brought masters of uncertain origin. They were likely warriors of the Oh Family Merchant House. None were recognizable to my limited knowledge, so they were probably hired blades.”

Silence fell for a time.

Cautiously, Gu Hee asked,

“Did you and… Young Master Jin drive them off?”

“To say we ‘defeated’ them would be imprecise. Frankly, without Teacher Jin it would have been dangerous. By his wits we escaped, yet we might have lost our lives.”

Koong!

In Hye-dan smacked the table, disgust and anger on her face.

“Those scum came to Sichuan again for revenge? How vile…!”

She cursed, and then sighed. In the end, the one who had joined hands with those scum for illicit business was her own father.

Gu Hee quickly asked,

“Then they are…?”

“From this point, I must ask you to keep a secret.”

Looking around slowly, Seol So-ha spoke softly.

“Right now the Investigation and Defense Court’s Chief Constable is secretly deploying top constables to pursue them.”

“!”

“This must remain absolutely secret until they are apprehended. Beyond catching the fugitives, if confusion arises during arrest, the Investigation and Defense Court may express their regret to the various clans and sects.”

Tension rose on all faces.

It was one thing to mention the Investigation and Defense Court, but to name its Chief Constable. No one could stay calm.

“Startling news.”

Yeom Hang’s voice was stiff.

“I understand this is a secret, and it is fortunate you are unharmed. Yet I wonder. Why tell us this at all?”

“Because a message came from the Chief Constable.”

“?!”

“The Lee brothers hate not only our clan and the Teacher, but the Eight Houses as a whole. According to the Investigation and Defense Court’s intelligence, they intend to kidnap the heirs.”

“W, what?!”

“As you saw yesterday, Teacher Jin’s martial arts are no less than my father’s. Even a master of Sichuan’s Ten Great Swordsmen deem it risky enough to withdraw.”

Clear tension rose on Seol So-ha’s face as well.

“I do not think this is something everyone here can handle.”

Someone’s swallow echoed in the chamber.

Cautiously, Gu Hee said,

“Surely not here in such a crowded place…”

“Yes. They tried to kill the Teacher and me in a place this crowded. It was truly shocking.”

Gu Hee closed her mouth.

Worried, Yeom Hang asked,

“Then you want us to simply wait? If masters of that level are lurking, should we not take our own measures?”

“That is why I ask this under secrecy. The Chief Constable said they can be caught before tonight ends. So please, do not go out at night and remain with your attendants in your lodgings.”

“Tonight?”

“Yes.”

“…I cannot imagine what kind of arrest plan that is.”

“Nor can I. Yet if the Chief says so, he must be confident.”

One does not become the Investigation and Defense Court’s Chief Constable through connections alone. Real ability is required.

The gathered men and women looked somewhat relieved, yet their unease did not vanish.

In Jong-seop asked.

“So we only need to wait?”

“Yes.”

“Mm. Understood. Surprising, but if matters have gone that far…”

“We have done enough. Now there is only waiting.”

“What do you mean?”

After wetting her throat with tea, Seol So-ha said calmly,

“According to the Chief Constable, the Lee brothers slipped into Sichuan past the Sichuan Branch because one of the Eight Houses joined hands with them.”

“!!”

Those who had relaxed flinched at the bombshell.

“Yesterday, we accepted Cheongyang Association’s invitation and the Teacher came along. He pressed hard there because he suspected the Cheongyang Association of colluding with them.”

“Gasp!”

“The Teacher said he could not be certain, though he still finds the Cheongyang Association suspect.”

Yeom Hang’s eyes widened.

“Nonsense! What does the Cheongyang Association lack that they would do that?!”

“We are not certain yet. We cannot know their internal affairs.”

Her voice lowered.

“That too will be revealed soon. The Investigation and Defense Court already seems to have a rough idea which House joined them. Once the Lee brothers are caught, it will be clearer.”

“!!”

“Everything will come to light tonight. Please place your and your attendants’ safety first.”

With that, the prodigies returned to their quarters.

Watching from afar, Han Cheol-sang turned to Jin-hyeon.

“Will they bite the bait?”

“It’s not just any bait.”

“It feels a bit loose as a plan.”

“A plan that fits too neatly only breeds dissonance. Besides, it is true that a House sent the brothers a letter. Upon hearing this, it is certain that they will move.”

“If they are certain they cannot be caught, they may not move.”

“If they were that certain, they should not have done this in the first place.”

That was true.

Han Cheol-sang knit his brow.

“Well, we’ve even gone so far as to use the Investigation and Defense Court’s Chief Constable’s name. I wonder if this is alright.”

“If it is found out later, I’ll just apologize.”

“You are awfully carefree.”

“You will face this sort of thing often from here on. Get used to it, Brother Han.”

Han Cheol-sang chuckled and said,

“So, whom do I seize and sniff around?”

“You take the Black Bamboo Fort.”

Jin-hyeon looked to Im Yeo-wol.

“Your first assignment. Keep close watch on the In siblings.”

“Understood.”

Just then,

“I greet the Teacher.”

A Black Society informant, disguised as a commoner at the Radiant Sword Festival, prostrated before Jin-hyeon.

“For the matter you mentioned, we obtained the authorization. It will begin before sundown today.”

“Well done.”

Praising him with a pat on the shoulder, Jin-hyeon rose and glanced toward Gu Hee.

“Come. Let’s go set the net.”