Book 10: Chapter 2: Neither Monk nor Layman

“Eldest Young Master!”

At the shout of the Department Head of the Sixth Department, Eldest Young Master Yeon So-hyeon glanced back. "……."

However, he did not stop his steps.

“Eldest Young Master!”

The one who grew urgent was the Department Head of the Sixth Department.

He caught up with Yeon So-hyeon's loose stride with quick steps.

Toward the Department Head of the Sixth Department who was catching up behind him, Yeon So-hyeon spoke.

“It seems a bit early to make up your mind already?”

With a face unable to hide his anxiety, the Department Head of the Sixth Department asked toward Yeon So-hyeon's back.

“Why is it me?”

The sound of Yeon So-hyeon, who was walking while looking straight ahead, chuckling was heard.

“That is the wrong question.”

For a moment, Yeon So-hyeon's steps stopped.

“What you need to think about right now is not why I, the Eldest Young Master, chose you,” yeon So-hyeon's unreadable gaze turned toward him.

“but why you must be loyal to me. You will have to find that reason within yourself.”

“Does that mean—” as the Department Head of the Sixth Department tried to ask a question while taking another step closer, Yeon So-hyeon raised his hand to block his approach.

“That is enough.”

“I must go now as I have an important meeting from here on.”

As if representing his words the Eldest Young Master's head maid stood between Yeon So-hyeon and the Department Head of the Sixth Department.

“But—!”

“As life always is anyway, this is not a problem of finding an answer.”

An answer could not be found in life.

Because there was no correct answer in life.

“Therefore, as I said earlier,” yeon So-hyeon pointed his finger at the Department Head of the Sixth Department's head.

“everything is a matter of choice.”

Yeon So-hyeon moved his steps again.

* * *

Luoyang Sword Family, residential district.

“Let me off here.”

“But there is still a long way to your residence, sir?”

“It is fine. I have some thoughts to organize while walking.”

The Department Head of the Sixth Department got off the carriage and walked.

He could not enter his house with this face.

The Eldest Young Master's proposal accompanied greater danger than any adventure he had undertaken in his life so far.

"…Huu."

Arriving in front of his house, he took a deep breath one last time and looked at his home.

Although it could not be called large it was a small residence with an elegant charm.

'This is the place where my family, whom I must protect, lives.'

Composing his expression one last time, he entered the main gate.

“Dear!”

He met his wife, who was managing the servants in the yard to tend to the garden.

After looking bewildered for a moment, his wife welcomed him with a bright smile.

“What brings you here? For you to come home at this hour?”

“There is a meeting soon…”

“Ah!”

Even before he could properly speak, she raised her finger.

“You came to change clothes before the regular meeting of the Law Enforcement Court.”

She was a wise woman.

He expressed gratitude to his wife, who had never disappointed him even once since they married.

“…Thank you.”

Although she seemed to have read something from his face she did not show any sign of it.

Personally helping him change into new clothes, his wife smiled.

“Come to think of it, there is good news.”

“Good news?”

The wife, who adjusted his clothing, wore a meaningful smile.

"Our daughter is the one.”

“No way…?”

“Yes, that 'no way' is correct. They said our daughter's name was on the promotion list of Sword Family Construction announced just now.”

The Department Head of the Sixth Department's eyes went wide.

“Really?”

“She surpassed all her peers and got promoted first! It is no different from getting on the fast track to success!”

The wife showed him the daughter's letter received through a courier of the Sword Family Postal Bureau.

"We will see her in the evening, yet the kid even sent a letter?”

“Since she is surrounded by competitors, she must have wanted to brag to us as quickly as possible.”

It was content that naturally brought a smile, imagining the face of their daughter who was so excited she did not know what to do.

“If she keeps going like this, she will become the youngest department head in the history of Sword Family Construction!”

Listening to his wife's fussing voice, the Department Head of the Sixth Department let out a sigh of relief.

“Good, very good…”

Although he had received a terrible secret order from the Lord of the Law Enforcement Court since morning, and the Eldest Young Master had dropped him at a chilling crossroads of choice as expected, there seemed to be no law that only bad things happen in the world.

He muttered to himself without realizing it.

“With this, now, if only my father-in-law's funding issue is resolved…”

It was a slip of the tongue.

His wife's face stiffened. "……."

“I am sorry.”

It must have been the best day for his wife, yet he ended up speaking of useless things.

“Since my mind is distracted today, I spoke of what I should not have. I will try to resolve that problem without fail sometime soon.”

“…It is not that.”

His wife came over to him and took his hand.

“Why do you worry about my family's affairs? The funding issue of my family's merchant group can be resolved well enough by my father, who is the patriarch.”

“But your father begged me so earnestly to resolve the loan issue of the Sword Family Bank…”

“Dear.”

She stepped closer, straightening his slumped shoulders, and wore a gentle expression.

“You do not need to try to solve every problem.”

She then wore a playful smile hard to believe came from a middle-aged woman.

“Besides, my family is rich. Even if we go bankrupt, we will live comfortably for three generations, so do not worry about it.”

What words were needed?

He expressed gratitude to his wife.

“…Always thankful to you.”

“Not at all, I always want you to—” what interrupted his wife's words was the sound of a polite knock on the door.

“I am terribly sorry for the interruption, but…”

The butler opened the door, came in, and spoke.

“A courier sent from the Sword Family Bank is outside right now.”

* * *

Eldest Young Master Yeon So-hyeon's ironclad fortress was running on the street.

“Master.”

Il-ryeong scanned his reaction and spoke with difficulty.

“Although I usually do not ask even a single question about Master's words and actions…”

“Speak.”

As Yeon So-hyeon, who was reading documents, gave permission, Il-ryeong asked a question.

“Why are you trying to obtain the Department Head of the Sixth Department of the Law Enforcement Court?”

Sensing that her question was insufficient, she added.

“He is someone who climbed to that position all by himself, so except for his wife's family, his background is mediocre, and the position of a first-year department head in the Law Enforcement Court is…”

Yeon So-hyeon answered on behalf of her as she searched for words.

“The position of a first-year department head in the Law Enforcement Court is also a position that can be replaced at any time.”

As Yeon So-hyeon spoke her mind for her, Il-ryeong took a bit more courage and said.

“Furthermore, he is…”

“unlike those until now, a person without loyalty, is that what you mean?”

Il-ryeong quickly nodded.

“Not only does he lack loyalty, but doesn't he also not possess noble ideals or a noble character?”

Yeon So-hyeon nodded.

“That is certainly true.”

As he laid the documents down on the seat beside him, Il-ryeong pulled herself close to the edge of the seat.

Laying the documents down meant Yeon So-hyeon would answer her question seriously.

She had to listen to his words even more seriously than her master.

“However.”

Yeon So-hyeon asked her in a calm tone.

“Which side is greater in number?”

“Pardon?”

* * *

“Pardon?”

The Department Head of the Sixth Department asked back.

The headquarters of the Sword Family Bank of the Luoyang Sword Family.

“Surely the department head of the Law Enforcement Court is not asking because he failed to understand what I said?”

An executive of the Sword Family Bank shrugged his shoulders.

“No, I mean…”

The Department Head of the Sixth Department, who touched his forehead for a moment, asked again.

“Has the loan for my father-in-law's merchant group been approved?”

“It would be better to watch your words. The reason we approved the loan is not because that merchant group is run by Department Head's father-in-law.”

The executive of the Sword Family Bank frowned.

“For someone who has been in legal affairs all his life, that is a very reckless choice of words.”

“Understood. I apologize. But, in any case.”

The Department Head of the Sixth Department spoke, waving his hand.

He did not understand the current situation.

“A loan that was said to be absolutely impossible has suddenly been approved so easily. What on earth happened?”

“As I explained along with an apology from the beginning…”

The executive of the Sword Family Bank replied, pushing up his glasses.

“There was merely a clerical error in the documents during the approval process. And we are currently correcting it.”

“Clerical error…, you say?”

“Yes. A clerical error.”

“To be honest.”

The Department Head of the Sixth Department shook his head with an expression showing he still did not understand.

“My father-in-law's—no, that merchant group's financial situation is very critical. In plain terms, they are on the verge of total ruin.”

“That is certainly true.”

The executive of the Sword Family Bank looked into the documents once again and replied with an still calm expression.

“A bank is a place that must invest based on future value, not current value.”

The Department Head of the Sixth Department thumped his chest as if frustrated.

“Am I not honestly telling you that there is no such future value?”

If he could get the loan, what more could he wish for?

With a loan of this scale, his father-in-law's merchant group could endure for several years without trouble and for his wife, it would be the best possible gift.

However.

No matter how he thought about it, this was strange.

“This is a waste of time.”

Tak.

The Department Head of the Sixth Department flinched slightly at the sight of the Sword Family Bank's executive setting the documents down and rising from his seat.

“So, will you take the loan?”

Under his glasses, his eyes stared emotionlessly at the Department Head of the Sixth Department.

“Or will you not take it?” "……."

* * *

Yeon So-hyeon asked again.

“Those who are loyal, noble, and virtuous, and those who are not. Which side is greater in number?”

It was an all too obvious question.

Il-ryeong answered without a moment's hesitation.

“Is it not naturally the latter?”

“Indeed.”

Yeon So-hyeon nodded.

“Those who are not loyal, whose spirits are not noble, and whose actions are not virtuous are the majority of this world. Are they all evil because of that?”

“…No, Master.”

Il-ryeong thought deeply and continued her answer.

“They are ordinary people.”

“Yes. Ordinary people are the absolute majority.”

Yeon So-hyeon stared out the window where the scenery passed by in a blur.

“And at the upper levels of this Sword Family, even such ordinary people are rare.”

Yeon So-hyeon continued as if speaking to himself.

“Those who are not competent enough to venture out and roam the harsh world alone, nor strong enough to bear the weight of the world by themselves.”

* * *

The backyard of the Law Enforcement Court of the Luoyang Sword Family.

The regular executive meeting ended.

“…Damn it.”

The Department Head of the Sixth Department, who sought a corner in the backyard, searched his chest pocket, but could not find any tobacco.

Apparently, he had left his tobacco case on the desk.

'I am truly out of my mind all day today.'

Honestly it was not his fault.

'Everything seemed to match up perfectly, coincidentally, at every single moment.'

After the meeting ended, the Lord of the Law Enforcement Court intended to urge the Department Head of the Sixth Department regarding the investigation into the anti-social martial artist group but due to a sudden important business, he had to leave his seat.

“Excuse me…”

At that moment, an elderly servant who was cleaning the backyard spoke to him.

“Do you need tobacco?”

The old man took out tobacco from his chest pocket and offered it to him.

“It is cheap, but if you need it…”

“Thank you.”

He readily accepted the tobacco.

Right now, as long as he could smoke, anything was fine.

“This was precisely the moment I needed it.”

“Indeed.”

When he blew out smoke long and wore a satisfied smile, the gardener with a sun-blackened face smiled along.

“As you said, didn't what was needed happen exceptionally at the moment it was needed today?”

“…You.”

The tobacco dropped from the Department Head of the Sixth Department's hand.

“What is your identity?”

Gathering his internal energy, the Department Head of the Sixth Department's eyes instantly grew fierce.

“As you know, I am merely a servant of the Law Enforcement Court. So who I am is not very important.”

The opponent was a servant whose time working at the Law Enforcement Court was longer than his own as a department head.

Those who had proven their loyalty with tight lips over those long years, and thus remained in the Law Enforcement Court to this day.

“Then it would be important who sent you, wouldn't it?”

The old man shrugged his shoulders.

“Aren't you also realizing it by now, Department Head?” "……."

The Department Head of the Sixth Department suppressed the urge to utter the figure who had been constantly lingering in his mind since earlier.

The risk was too great to mention that name in the backyard of the Law Enforcement Court.

“This is a letter he asked to deliver.”

The Department Head of the Sixth Department glared at the old servant for a moment, then took the letter and opened it.

[Was the shade cool enough, and did the river water quench your thirst enough?] the promotion of his daughter who had no good background.

'…It was indeed so.'

The loan for his father-in-law's merchant group that could not possibly have happened.

Even the fact that the Lord of the Law Enforcement Court, who should have choked him and pressured the investigation, suddenly left due to urgent business.

The reason all his affairs went strangely smoothly like that.

'…Is this the Eldest Young Master?'

Although he had heard countless rumors experiencing it in reality, having been lost deep in thought, he suddenly snapped out of it and looked around.

'It is insane.' "……."

The old servant had disappeared long ago.

'…In the end, was it said that everything is a matter of choice?'

He moved his steps.

His footsteps were resolute somehow.

* * *

Somewhere in the old town of Luoyang.

The ironclad fortress ridden by Yeon So-hyeon stopped.

Because it had arrived at its destination.

As the door of the ironclad fortress opened and Eldest Young Master Yeon So-hyeon revealed himself from within everyone gathered there sent thunderous applause.

“Thank you all for the warm welcome.”

As Yeon So-hyeon raised his hand to greet those sending applause, the sound of applause grew even wilder.

If there was something unique, it was that all of the dozens of people there were martial artists and each of them was wearing a different mask.

“It is an honor to meet the most righteous heroes from all over the State of Zhongyuan like this.”

As Yeon So-hyeon began to speak, the tireless sound of applause naturally subsided.

“And at this place where I meet you heroes for the first time…”

Someone among them shouted.

“Did I not already see you in that hellish place? It is disappointing that you say you do not remember just because I am wearing a mask!”

Then another person retorted.

“Who would want to remember your ugly appearance? It is a relief that you are wearing a mask.”

Everyone burst into laughter at that joke.

“Of course I remember.”

Sharing a laugh with them, Yeon So-hyeon continued.

“I cannot forget. How could I forget? More than half of the heroes here must be acquainted with me.”

With a smile on his lips, Yeon So-hyeon slowly scanned everyone.

“In my memory, they are true fighters who fought against the Sword Family without fearing death.”

At those words, everyone looked at each other and smiled.

Who indeed could easily discuss righteousness in Luoyang, excluding them?

Yeon So-hyeon spoke toward them.

“You all are indeed the heroic figures who will bring the true spring to Luoyang.”

It was so.

They were the Spring of Luoyang.

And this place where Yeon So-hyeon stood was the venue where the secret meeting of the Spring of Luoyang was held.

“To attend this meeting for the first time—” il-ryeong, who approached, handed him a note and transmitted a telepathic message at close range.

“Master.”

[This is information that just arrived from the Administration Pavilion of the Supreme Executive Council of the Main Family.] yeon So-hyeon opened the note and looked. "……."

A smile played on his lips.

[Now you understand why we will need even more of those ordinary people in the future, right?] il-ryeong replied via telepathy.

[Because they will protect those who are loyal, noble, and virtuous.] yeon So-hyeon after nodding to show his acknowledgment, spoke to the gathering.

“I am extremely pleased to be able to deliver news for you, matching perfectly with the moment I participate in this meeting for the first time.”

Yeon So-hyeon's resonant voice rang out.

“Just now, the Department Head of the Sixth Department of the Law Enforcement Court, who is the legal head of the construction site of the Dragon and Phoenix Gathering stadium, submitted the first investigation report to the Supreme Executive Council.”

Yeon So-hyeon spoke to them while opening the note.

“The contents of the report are as follows.”

Everyone's eyes and ears were focused.

“According to the initial investigation results, the information about the anti-social martial artist group said to have been active in the corresponding area appears to have been false.”

As Yeon So-hyeon's words continued, everyone's mouths gradually fell open.

“It is judged that additional investigation will be unnecessary.”