Book 10: Chapter 21: The One Who Laughs Last

“From the beginning…”

The Fourth Young Master could not hide his dumbfounded expression.

“Eldest Brother. Which beginning on earth are you talking about?”

“…Well.”

Yeon So-hyeon muttered, looking out the sunny window without giving a glance to anyone.

“Since when was it?”

The dust floating in the air in the sunlight was shining in golden hues.

“…From when you ended your seclusion?”

“……”

There was no answer.

The Fourth Young Master wiped the sweat running down his face and began to list the periods one by one.

“When you visited the Inner Courtyard due to the book price commotion?”

“……”

The expression of Yeon So-hyeon, his Eldest Brother as seen by the Fourth Young Master Yeon Bi, was unusually unfamiliar.

“If so, could it be…”

The day Yeon So-hyeon changed.

The Fourth Young Master eventually recalled that day, which was the beginning of all this.

“Is it the day you drove out all the servants of Pavilion of Perfect Enlightenment who were behaving loosely, Eldest Brother? That beginning?”

“……”

In the end.

The Fourth Young Master failed to hear an answer from Yeon So-hyeon.

Even so, Yeon Bi's expression, his mood, was not bad.

No.

It was rather good.

'This person…'

Yeon Bi's gaze turned to Yeon So-hyeon.

'This person is my Eldest Brother!'

A Great Peng leisurely looking down at the earth from a place higher than the clouds.

He wanted to open the door and run out right away, boasting to everyone he met.

In the ears of such a Fourth Young Master, an old man's voice was heard.

“…I think we have had enough of personal talks by now.”

A voice that made one feel as if a bucket of ice water had been poured over them in the middle of winter.

“Since a lot of time is already being delayed…”

It was the voice of the Chief Manager of the Inner Courtyard.

Whatever he felt from the conversation between the Fourth Young Master and the Eldest Young Master.

His posture became even more upright than before, and his expression hardened further, to the point of appearing inhuman.

“It would be better to get back to the main point now.”

Come to think of it, the one who had read such thoughts of his Eldest Brother was none other than this old monster in front of his eyes.

“I, I see.”

The Fourth Young Master, who had stood up without realizing it, sat back down carefully in his seat.

It was an expression that he would not interfere with the meeting of the two in the slightest.

'There are many things I do not know in this conversation. Above all—' as if reading his thoughts.

His Eldest Brother asked the Chief Manager of the Inner Courtyard.

“Even after seeing through all of my schemes, what is the reason for the Chief Manager of the Inner Courtyard to personally come here?”

At that question, the Fourth Young Master's gaze turned to the Chief Manager of the Inner Courtyard.

The sight of his skin, which seemed to have withered away long ago, writhing was even bizarre.

“Of course. It is to ensure that 'this time,' the Sword Family's assets do not evaporate.”

The Fourth Young Master managed his expression and groaned inwardly.

'He is talking about the assets that the Yeon family blood relatives were smuggling out of Luoyang.'

The Fourth Young Master's gaze briefly scanned the Chief Manager of the Inner Courtyard again.

'Perhaps, the Chief Manager of the Inner Courtyard has also been chasing those assets on his own for a long time…?'

And probably.

He must have been beaten to the punch by Yeon So-hyeon.

Without even giving a glance to such a Fourth Young Master, the eyes of the Chief Manager of the Inner Courtyard were fixed on the Eldest Young Master as if nailed.

“The funds embezzled by Grand Madame Ouyang through the Great Immortal Merchant Group were originally all of the Sword Family.”

Solely for the Luoyang Sword Family.

Solely for the Patriarch of the Luoyang Sword Family.

The eyes of the old monster, who had dedicated his entire life to serving, seemed to gleam bright yellow.

“Therefore, everything belonging to the Sword Family must be returned to the Sword Family, without missing a single copper coin.”

At that moment.

The clever Fourth Young Master realized it.

'Ah…!'

He was about to move his lips unconsciously, but quickly shut his mouth.

'I finally understand the meaning of what the Chief Manager of the Inner Courtyard said…!'

In his mind, the words of the Chief Manager of the Inner Courtyard came to mind.

“Rather, wouldn't the one who wants to hide the meeting with this old man be the Eldest Young Master?”

Why did the Chief Manager of the Inner Courtyard not hide that he was here?

It was the moment that reason was understood.

“That is so.”

At the gaze of the Chief Manager of the Inner Courtyard, the Fourth Young Master answered unconsciously.

“…What?”

“I said the Fourth Young Master's guess is correct.”

The old monster's words were as if he was looking directly into Yeon Bi's head.

“The rumor of this old man being here must be spreading right now, centered around the high officials who are targeting this place.”

For the story about the meeting between the Eldest Young Master and the Chief Manager of the Inner Courtyard to flow even to the Second Young Master's side.

It had now become a matter of time.

If it were anyone else, they would have worn a meaningful smile on their lips at this moment.

“Now that things have turned out like this, it will be impossible to strike the Great Immortal Merchant Group without the cooperation of our Inner Courtyard.”

However.

The Chief Manager of the Inner Courtyard acted as if it were nothing.

With a completely flat expression, he declared a checkmate.

“…Ha.”

The Fourth Young Master, without realizing it.

Leaned back with a sigh deflating from his lungs.

“Then, what the Chief Manager of the Inner Courtyard wants is…?”

“To accompany the Inner Courtyard personnel in the upcoming raid on the Great Immortal Merchant Group by the Central Inspection Department.”

The Chief Manager of the Inner Courtyard moved his lips and formulated his position.

“The entire recovered amount must return to the Main Family's safe without being diverted at all.”

Only his voice quietly resonated in the room.

“After that, you must cooperate with the Inner Courtyard in the Central Inspection Department's investigation into Grand Madame Ouyang.”

“It seems the Chief Manager of the Inner Courtyard is misunderstanding something right now, but the Central Inspection Department is not an institution under anyone's control.”

The Fourth Young Master first denied the part he could deny immediately.

“Therefore, speaking of cooperation regarding the Central Inspection Department's investigation at this place is meaningless—” the Chief Manager of the Inner Courtyard cut off the Fourth Young Master's words, as sharp as a newly forged blade.

“No.”

“Fourth Young Master, that is not the case.”

“What do you mean by that…?”

Toward the Fourth Young Master who was playing innocent to the end, the Chief Manager of the Inner Courtyard rolled his eyes.

“There is no way that Eldest Young Master would target the feast called the Great Immortal Merchant Group with a power he cannot control.”

“Although the Central Inspection Department and my Eldest Brother are sharing investigative information and cooperating closely on this matter…”

At that chilling gaze, the Fourth Young Master swallowed hard and shook his head.

“The Central Inspection Department maintains political neutrality to the end—” this time as well, the Chief Manager of the Inner Courtyard cut off the Fourth Young Master's words with a single stroke.

“This old man knows.”

“The Eldest Young Master received the loyalty of the Chief of the Central Inspection Department, Dokgo Ya-yeon.”

“……!”

The Fourth Young Master felt as if his breath was caught in his throat.

How on earth did this old monster know that fact…!

Just then, a short sound transmission was heard in his mind.

[Do not be fooled. He is guessing.] '…!'

At his Eldest Brother's sound transmission, the Fourth Young Master screamed inwardly once again.

'A bluff suddenly at this point?!'

It was a 'guess' by the Chief Manager of the Inner Courtyard that came at a moment absolutely no one expected.

Using his notorious reputation throughout the State of Zhongyuan and the capability he showed in this place.

A guess to turn the suspicion he held into certainty by piercing the opponent's gap.

'What a crazy…!'

Truly, the level was different.

“Putting aside the misunderstanding about the Chief of the Central Inspection Department for now…”

On behalf of the Fourth Young Master who could not find words, Yeon So-hyeon naturally spoke.

“What about the credit for this matter?”

Only when the gaze of the Chief Manager of the Inner Courtyard left him could the Fourth Young Master breathe.

The Chief Manager of the Inner Courtyard looked at Yeon So-hyeon and said.

“Of course, it will be the credit of the Inner Courtyard.”

For a moment, the Fourth Young Master.

Felt the illusion that a smile had passed across the lips of the Chief Manager of the Inner Courtyard.

“In such a situation, is it not an achievement that cannot be accomplished without the cooperation of the Inner Courtyard?”

“That is nonsense!”

The Fourth Young Master sprang up from his seat.

“You are incredibly shameless, Chief Manager of the Inner Courtyard!”

Due to anger, a green light flashed in his eyes.

“Revealing that you are here, making it so that the matter cannot be resolved properly without the cooperation of the Inner Courtyard…!”

From the Fourth Young Master's mouth, a shouting full of force that did not suit his age at all erupted.

“And yet, you say you will take the credit on the grounds that it is an achievement that could not be attained without the Inner Courtyard?!”

If someone had been there.

Even if it were an elder of the Sword Family, it was an intimidating pressure that would make them flinch instantly.

“This is an act of mocking us brothers!”

But the Chief Manager of the Inner Courtyard did not blink an eye, let alone flinch.

“If you felt that way, this old man apologizes.”

As if the formidable aura of the Fourth Young Master felt like a mild spring breeze.

“However…”

He offered the apology and leisurely continued speaking.

“Even at this very moment, time is ticking away.”

'…Ugh!'

The Fourth Young Master ground his teeth.

'This crazy old monster…!'

Yeon Bi shouted.

“If things go wrong due to the unreasonable demands of the Chief Manager of the Inner Courtyard, the one who laughs in the end will be Grand Madame Ouyang!”

He dug into the opponent's gap as sharply as he could.

“You claim to be loyal to the Main Family and father, yet you mean to say it does not matter if you ruin the work for the normalization of the Main Family for your own petty desire for fame?!”

“Well.”

The Chief Manager of the Inner Courtyard answered immediately as if he had expected it.

“From this old man's perspective, the result is the same even if that massive sum of money laundered through the Great Immortal Merchant Group ends up in the pocket of some 'other person,' you see.”

“How dare you speak of Eldest Brother—!”

“I will make only one thing clear.”

The Chief Manager of the Inner Courtyard waved his skeletal branch-like hand, blocking the Fourth Young Master's words.

“Anyone who diverts that money externally in any manner will eternally be the enemy of this old man and the Inner Courtyard.”

That was a declaration.

From those words, the Fourth Young Master felt the line that the Chief Manager of the Inner Courtyard could absolutely not compromise.

“And that enemy will never again sleep soundly with both legs stretched out.”

From the body of the old monster, pressure like never before boiled over.

“Until their breath is cut short, that is.”

That meant, no matter who took possession of that money in what way.

Until that money returned to where it originally belonged.

It was the oath of the Chief Manager of the Inner Courtyard to chase that person to the ends of hell.

“……”

The Fourth Young Master looked at the Chief Manager of the Inner Courtyard with a stunned expression.

In this way, all paths that Yeon So-hyeon and he could seek were blocked.

And now, only one remained before their eyes.

The path that the Chief Manager of the Inner Courtyard himself wanted.

'Is this that Chief Manager of the Inner Courtyard…?'

The figure who, during a time that young himself could not dare fathom had navigated through matters that young himself could not dare imagine.

From that vast experience, years, and the countless polished skills the young genius felt a wall.

“How is it, Eldest Young Master?”

Confirming that the Fourth Young Master was completely speechless, the Chief Manager of the Inner Courtyard lost interest in him and turned to Yeon So-hyeon.

“The decision is the Eldest Young Master, your part—” even before his words ended.

“Very well.”

Yeon So-hyeon, who had been sitting like wood and stone, nodded.

“Do as you wish for this matter, Chief Manager of the Inner Courtyard.”

“Indeed…”

So easily.

At the readily given consent, even the Chief Manager of the Inner Courtyard stuttered for a moment.

“Is that really true?”

Yeon So-hyeon confirmed it once more.

“That is so.”

Yeon So-hyeon ignored the narrowed eyes of the Chief Manager of the Inner Courtyard and stood up.

“No matter who takes the credit.”

Yeon So-hyeon continued speaking with a nonchalant smile.

“This person is simply happy if the Main Family is normalized even slightly.”

He lightly raised his hand to point to the exit.

“Then, since I will completely withdraw from this raid, please share the details with the Chief of the Central Inspection Department.”

It was an order for guests to leave.

* * *

On the way to meet the Chief of the Central Inspection Department.

“……”

Watching the complexion of the Chief Manager of the Inner Courtyard inside the running carriage of the Inner Courtyard, the Chief Manager's Secretary spoke cautiously.

“…If we received consent from that Eldest Young Master, isn't it as good as finished?”

Now, there was nothing more to hesitate about.

It was time to clear the name of the Inner Courtyard, which had been stained by the previous book price incident.

Therefore, his question was valid.

“But why is your expression so dark?”

“Finished?”

Closing his eyes in the shade of the carriage roof, the mouth of the Chief Manager of the Inner Courtyard, who was sitting cross-legged, opened.

“Against that Eldest Young Master, we must never let our guard down until the very end.”

In his heart, the smile Yeon So-hyeon had worn at the end of the meeting felt like a thorn caught in his throat.

“Because, this fight—”

* * *

Looking at the Inner Courtyard's carriage moving away through the window, Yeon So-hyeon muttered as if to himself.

“Because the winner of this fight is the one who laughs last.”

The Fourth Young Master, who had been lost in thought, suddenly snapped out of it and asked.

“Yes? What did you say, Eldest Brother?”

“It is nothing.”

Turning around, Yeon So-hyeon spoke toward the Fourth Young Master.

“Go. Bring in the District Chiefs who were said to be waiting since a while ago.”