Book 10: Chapter 22: The Bat

The Valley of Sin, Patrol Headquarters.

The building, made by weaving together several bizarrely extended houses in the Valley of Sin, was difficult to grandly call a "headquarters" even under a favorable view, but still, thanks to the skilled artisans of the House of Benevolence and Love, a fairly comfortable environment for activities had been built inside.

“……”

However, despite such a comfortable environment, the expressions of the patrol headquarters personnel were not bright.

The possessor of a huge build, who was looking down at the entrance of the valley from the watchtower.

Among those known as the Four Heroes of Hwangho, it was Gong Dam-ung, the next successor of the Kong Family.

“…I wish we could get through this without any major trouble.”

In the direction he was looking, countless lights were flashing in the distance, like a river reflecting the sunlight.

“Are those all troops?”

The one who asked him was the superintendent nun of the Emei Sect, who had climbed the watchtower with him.

“That is correct.”

They had been working together to maintain order in this Valley of Sin over the past few days.

“The weapons of the troops are reflecting the sunlight and flashing.”

Unlike before when the armor they wore was infinitely awkward, it now looked as if it fit their bodies perfectly.

“…There are many.”

The superintendent nun toyed with her scabbard and frowned.

“Actually…”

Gong Dam-ung shrugged his shoulders, scanning the movements of the troops without taking his eyes off the distance.

“Their numbers are not the problem.”

“Right.”

The superintendent nun nodded slightly to express her agreement.

She spoke like a sigh.

“The problem is that they are not underworld thugs whom it does not matter if we cut down at will—” gong Dam-ung picked up the words.

“It is the point that they are the official security forces of Luoyang.”

“If we end up fighting the government forces…”

Gong Dam-ung did not bother to answer.

The superintendent nun did not bother to look for an answer either.

Since there was no need to speak to the end about a matter that would only lead to a bad conclusion either way.

“……”

The conversation cut off there.

The two monitored the movements of the troops in anxious silence.

That was all they could do right now.

'…Is it the only consolation that we can grasp the movements of the troops inside out?'

It was also easy to defend.

Due to the topography of the valley, the tactical advantage lay with them.

'However.'

If they collided with the authorities, the damage would be severe in many ways.

'It would be the best plan to get past without fighting…'

His gaze turned toward the 'Eldest Young Master-Fourth Young Master Joint Business Headquarters.'

“…How long has it been since the District Chiefs went in to meet the Eldest Young Master?”

At the question of the superintendent nun, who looked in the same direction as his gaze, Gong Dam-ung answered.

“It has been about fifteen minutes now.”

“…Has it only been that long?”

In anxiety, time flowed exceptionally slowly.

The sweat running down the faces of Gong Dam-ung and the superintendent nun was not merely because the afternoon sun was hot.

'Great Hero Yeon…'

Gong Dam-ung swallowed hard.

'He must have some plan this time as well, right?'

Even while harboring expectations toward the Eldest Young Master, on the other hand, he felt frustrated.

'Is this all I can do, just relying on Great Hero Yeon like this?'

The tower built with the heads of merchants.

The Valley of Sin, which still had no meaningful change.

The political arena of Luoyang under upheaval.

The intensifying conflict between the successors of the Luoyang Sword Family.

'I do not properly know or understand a single thing.'

Recently more than at any other moment, now.

Gong Dam-ung was realizing his own insignificance.

'Both the accumulated internal energy and my cultivation are utterly powerless before the waves of the world.'

In his mind, Yeon So-hyeon's voice came to mind.

“Feel ashamed before those who have nothing left in the world to rely on but their own two fists.”

At that time, he could not properly understand those words.

“You were born with a great background unlike them, but you are merely dropouts who chose the easy way because you could not control your own temper.”

But now, he felt he understood.

'To me, simply swinging my fists at the injustice before my eyes was an easy task.'

That was right.

It was not truly because he wanted to solve the problem.

He had merely chosen the easy way, just as Yeon So-hyeon had said.

'I am not someone who has only two fists left—' the Kong Family, one of the Sixteen Imperial Capital Families.

He was Gong Dam-ung, the next successor of such a Kong Family.

'…When this matter is over, let us visit Grandfather.'

In that way on top of the watchtower located in the slums of Luoyang gong Dam-ung, a figure who would later leave a great footprint in history, was tearing the shell surrounding him and beginning his emergence.

* * *

“Eldest Young Master.”

The District Chief of the Tanryung District said in a low voice.

“First. I would like to express my regret that we are meeting the Eldest Young Master of the Luoyang Sword Family for the first time in such a situation.”

“Is that so?”

At those words, Yeon So-hyeon wore a bitter smile.

“Then, wouldn't it be fine if you withdrew the forces?”

“Naturally, that is impossible.”

The answer came from the District Chief of the Gahyo District, who was sitting with the District Chief of the Tanryung District.

“Why is that?”

Avoiding Yeon So-hyeon's gaze directed at him, he clicked his tongue.

“Eldest Young Master. You have escalated the matter too grandly. To make things like this, when it could have ended with a mere economic retaliation…”

“Moreover, far from hiding it even a bit, to go so far as to build a tower with the heads of merchants…”

The District Chief of the Tanryung District also waved his hand as if it could not be helped, along with a dry cough.

“The Eldest Young Master did not give us a choice.”

“Is that so?”

“Did I not say so?”

The District Chief of the Tanryung District answered almost in annoyance, but coughed dryly again upon receiving the silent gaze of the Fourth Young Master.

“Ahem…!”

He quickly wiped the sweat that ran down his forehead.

The intimidating pressure naturally flowing from the Eldest Young Master grew stronger as the conversation progressed.

“……”

Moreover, since a while ago, just how uncomfortable his mood was.

The Fourth Young Master, who remained silent, was glaring at them as if he would tear them to death right this instant.

'His eyes, despite being a young lad, are like looking at some killer.'

Perhaps something had happened with the Chief Manager of the Inner Courtyard, who was said to have visited here just before.

'Did he take a blow from that old monster of the Sword Family?'

Before his thoughts could connect, Yeon So-hyeon asked them.

“So, in what way do you want this Eldest Young Master to cooperate with you?”

The District Chief of the Gahyo District answered immediately.

“Cooperate fully with the investigation into the mass slaughter that occurred in broad daylight.”

The District Chief of the Tanryung District went a step further.

“Since you must understand the charges well enough, if you surrender quietly, we will try to make efforts for favorable consideration.”

“……!”

At the word surrender, the Fourth Young Master was about to have a fit, but there was Yeon So-hyeon's hand gesture restraining him.

“Favorable consideration…”

A voice settling low.

The two District Chiefs swallowed hard at the same time.

Their lips grew dry.

However there was no way they would back down.

The District Chief of the Cheonghak District, who had the Walnut Village as his administrative district.

They knew that he had been beaten to the point of losing consciousness while interfering with Yeon So-hyeon's event.

Subsequently, they knew all too well that the Lee Family had been annihilated.

And that the most powerful families of Luoyang were waging a bloody war on behalf of the Eldest Young Master and the Second Young Master they knew to their very bones.

Nevertheless, the two District Chiefs quietly exchanged glances.

'our actions are extremely neutral and also justified.'

'This is a grave the Eldest Young Master dug for himself.'

As the highest-ranking officials of Luoyang, they were doing what they rightfully ought to do.

'In our actions, there is no problem whatsoever procedurally, terms of justification, or in political neutrality.'

That was why they were able to bare their venomous fangs at Yeon So-hyeon despite all that pressure.

'Now.'

The two looked at Yeon So-hyeon with eyes like venomous snakes.

'What will you do now, Eldest Young Master.'

Will you cooperate quietly and receive the investigation into the heinous charges?

Or will you resist the justified execution of public duties with force and throw the reputation that was rising sky-high into the dung heap?

'Choose.'

Amid their focused gazes, Yeon So-hyeon massaged the back of his neck.

“Well now.”

An expression and action indicating that he had fallen into trouble.

The two District Chiefs smiled triumphantly in their hearts.

'We have caught the Eldest Young Master—!'

The thoughts of the two could not reach their end.

“Since you two do not speak so honestly, we have no choice but to bring up the honest talk from our side first.”

The expressions of the District Chiefs crumpled.

“…What do you mean by that?”

“What do you mean we are not honest?”

“It is not because of the mass slaughter in broad daylight, District Chiefs.”

The Eldest Young Master spoke in a relaxed tone, toying with his teacup.

“Did you not come here for your own 'survival'?”

Almost simultaneously, the two District Chiefs immediately denied Yeon So-hyeon's words.

“Survival? What nonsense is—” the crescent curve of Yeon So-hyeon's eyes was infinitely gentle, but for some reason, they were tongue-tied and the words would not come out.

“We are, to the end, to execute public duties—” upon making eye contact with Yeon So-hyeon, they forgot the excuse they were about to make.

“I mean… that is.”

“Ahem.”

Their efforts to somehow continue speaking were completely ended by the words of Yeon So-hyeon that followed.

“That you two came because of the 'dirty money' you received from the Great Immortal Merchant Group…”

A smile hung on the corner of Yeon So-hyeon's lips.

“this Eldest Young Master knows all too well.”

“……!”

“……!”

While the two District Chiefs screamed silently, the smile that hung on Yeon So-hyeon's lips grew even deeper.

“That the pressure applied by the Second Young Master's side to catch this Eldest Young Master could work on you…”

Now the one with the snake-like gaze was Yeon So-hyeon, and the District Chiefs had become mice before a python.

“is it not all because you have been receiving dirty money from the Great Immortal Merchant Group in the meantime?”

The two District Chiefs quickly shook their heads.

“Suddenly, what on earth is—!”

“Th-that is absurd—!”

Denying it was only natural.

“If not, it cannot be helped.”

Yeon So-hyeon ignored their words and brought up what he had to say.

“You must be aware that the Great Immortal Merchant Group is hurriedly moving funds. However, right now, the Inner Courtyard of the Main Family and the Central Inspection Department will raid the Great Immortal Merchant Group.”

“……!”

'As expected, was that the reason the Chief Manager of the Inner Courtyard sought out the Eldest Young Master?!'

Their faces turned pale white.

“Well, if it is a story unrelated to you, it wouldn't matter anyway.”

Admiring those faces, Yeon So-hyeon continued speaking in a gentle tone.

“If, however, by any chance you have something weighing on your conscience…”

Yeon So-hyeon whispered like a demon.

“In the large-scale investigation that will follow the raid, I can omit your names. What do you think?”

“……”

The two District Chiefs froze like stone statues.

“……”

Yeon So-hyeon also did not open his mouth any further.

Since excessive pressure would only build the opponent's animosity.

He simply leaned back comfortably and savored the aroma of the tea rising from his teacup.

The two District Chiefs wanted to keep denying the fact that they received dirty money.

If Yeon So-hyeon had clear evidence he would not have tested them like this.

“…Eldest Young Master.”

However, to them, Yeon So-hyeon's offer was far too sweet.

“what is it that the Eldest Young Master wants?”

* * *

The place where the two District Chiefs had departed.

“Eldest Brother.”

The Fourth Young Master, who had been lost in thought, spoke with difficulty.

“…Your little brother. Even watching from the side, I do not understand it well.”

In the Fourth Young Master's eyes looking at Yeon So-hyeon, a deep question was present.

“Do you believe that the raid on the Great Immortal Merchant Group by the Inner Courtyard and the Central Inspection Department will fail, Eldest Brother?”

Yeon So-hyeon asked back mysteriously.

“Why do you think so?”

Yeon Bi cried out in a strong tone.

“Otherwise, there is no way you would make a deal to exclude those corrupt officials from the investigation, is there?!”

“No.”

Yeon So-hyeon shook his head.

“The raid on the Great Immortal Merchant Group will succeed.”

“Then…?”

“However,” yeon So-hyeon's words were not finished.

“the investigation that follows will fail.”

“The investigation will fail…?”

“Yes.”

Yeon So-hyeon nodded.

“If so…”

The Fourth Young Master opened his mouth slightly.

“They are making a deal with me and paying a price to avoid an investigation into themselves that would not have existed anyway.”

“……”

The Fourth Young Master, who had been in a daze, snapped out of it at a sudden flash of thought.

“By any chance, then. Is that also the case for readily handing over the credit to the Inner Courtyard…?!”

He asked with a shocked face.

“Is it because you knew the investigation would end in failure in the end?!”

“Indeed.”

“…Che.”

At the barely audible voice, Yeon So-hyeon asked.

“Hm? What did you say?”

Looking at Yeon So-hyeon with a blank face, the Fourth Young Master said.

“How on earth… does my Eldest Brother even know the outcome of an investigation that has not even started yet?”

It was a matter that had already surpassed the scope of prediction.

“Does my Eldest Brother truly read the future, like the rumors say?”

To the Great Peng, could even the shape of the future beyond the horizon be visible?

Since it was closer to precognition than prediction.

“Reading the future?”

Yeon So-hyeon laughed and waved his hand.

“Even if it is me, how could such a thing be possible?”

“Then how…?”

“Sometimes,” yeon So-hyeon said, looking out the window.

“it is more important to shape the process so that the desired future is realized, rather than predicting the future and preparing for it.”

* * *

The entrance of the Valley of Sin.

“Everyone, prepare for battle!”

When the commander of the government troops, who received orders from the District Chiefs, shouted, despair fell upon everyone's faces.

“Attacking the Eldest Young Master of the Sword Family?”

“Fuck, what an absurd thing to do…!”

A commotion broke out here and there.

“From now on, we…!”

But the commander's words were not finished.

“will cooperate with the Eldest Young Master's side of the Sword Family to thoroughly sweep away all the underworld bastards settled in the Valley of Sin!”

What did this mean?

Why suddenly strike the underworld?

“As a result of the District Chiefs looking into it themselves!”

Amid everyone's bewilderment, the commander continued speaking words that even he did not believe.

“The attacks on the merchants this time were entirely instigated by the underworld bastards of the Valley of Sin!”