Book 13: Chapter 10: Crime and Punishment

Luoyang Sword Family, Law Enforcement Court.

The corridors of the main building of the Law Enforcement Court were filled with personnel busily moving back and forth for work.

“…….”

“…….”

That was the usual sight.

No matter how publicly disgraced the Lord of the Law Enforcement Court was by the Eldest Young Master.

It was because there was no way the work of the Law Enforcement Court would stop.

However.

“…….”

“…….”

Even in the midst of that work.

There was definitely something clearly different, clearly alien compared to usual.

“…Then, that case…”

“…Understood. The report…”

As if the entire pavilion was weighed down by heavy air.

The voices of the Law Enforcement Court personnel communicating for work were close to whispers.

Unlike usual, no one shouted at errors in work.

“…….”

“…….”

Even casual, minor small talk could not be heard.

Even gossip about superiors, or even minor grumbles, never came out of their mouths.

Even.

*Clatter.* when those startled by the small sound turned to look in the direction it came from.

“……!”

“……!”

“…I—I apologize.”

The one clearing away empty teacups was so startled without realizing it that they bowed their head to apologize.

‘…Good grief.’

Watching the scene inside his office, a middle manager of the Law Enforcement Court clicked his tongue inwardly.

The Law Enforcement Court.

The largest investigative agency of the Luoyang Sword Family.

Those belonging to such a Law Enforcement Court were regarded as uncomfortable and fearsome existences.

And naturally, because of that, the Law Enforcement Court had its nose pointing as high as the sky.

‘The atmosphere of our Law Enforcement Court…’

Perhaps because even the clattering sound of a teacup bothered them now, everyone was not even drinking the tea they used to live on.

‘To change the atmosphere of such a Law Enforcement Court overnight like this…’

The cause of this, without a doubt…’

“…….”

The middle manager slightly turned his chair, pretending to look at papers.

He cast his eyes out the open window.

And.

He was not the only one paying attention to the outside of the window.

“…….”

“…….”

Those moving through the corridors.

Those passing through the office spaces.

Those in the interrogation spaces.

“…….”

Without exception, they.

Unconsciously.

“…….”

Glanced out the window while working, without realizing it.

As if they would be scolded if caught looking by someone.

As if they were looking down on something they dared not look down on.

“…….”

Over there.

Within the vast grounds of the Law Enforcement Court, there stood a clearly luxurious pavilion.

The VIP reception pavilion of the Law Enforcement Court.

Inside it, currently.

The Eldest Young Master of the Luoyang Sword Family.

Yeon So-hyeon was present.

* * *

The Law Enforcement Court.

VIP reception room.

With the Eldest Young Master Yeon So-hyeon at the center, and the personnel sitting around a prepared large table.

The Bank Director of the Sword Family Bank could not take his eyes off Hwa-bok, who belonged to the Central Inspection Department.

‘For the Central Inspection Department to be loyal to the Eldest Young Master…’

To be precise.

Through him, he was thinking of Dokgo Ya-yeon, the Chief of the Central Inspection Department.

If it was Dokgo Ya-yeon, who was called the ghost of white hair and white eyes.

She was a person who would rather break than bend.

‘…That Dokgo Ya-yeon has offered her sword.’

What the Bank Director himself had hoped for.

Was merely that it would be good if the Chief of the Central Inspection Department supported the Eldest Young Master.

Yet, to think that she had offered loyalty, far exceeding mere support.

With this, the Eldest Young Master Yeon So-hyeon.

Had gained immense influence over both of the two major investigative agencies within the Luoyang Sword Family, the Law Enforcement Court and the Inspection Department.

‘Haha, you are truly amazing.’

What other thoughts could there be?

He could only marvel.

“…….”

Noticing the Bank Director's gaze, Yeon So-hyeon gave him a slight nod, then spoke to the Department Head of the Sixth Department.

“Let us begin.”

Yeon So-hyeon added briefly.

“Straight to the main point.”

* * *

Within the Luoyang Sword Family.

A certain garden.

The conversation between the Lord of the Law Enforcement Court and the Lord of the Inspection Department was also entering the main point.

“The Eldest Young Master revealed that he holds the Sixth Department of Law Enforcement and the Central Inspection Department.”

“…And with that, he blatantly pushed both you and me out.”

As the Lord of the Inspection Department nodded his cloth-wrapped face, the Lord of the Law Enforcement Court spoke again.

“What he intends to do by pushing us out is—” anger was laden in the low voice of the Lord of the Inspection Department.

“Undoubtedly.”

“The Eldest Young Master intends to show the entire family that he can declare whoever he wants 'innocent' without our influence.”

* * *

“Witness Number Twenty-Four was scheduled to testify that 'the Bank Director condoned the corruption of the Yeon family relatives surrounding the Sword Family Bank.'” at the words of the Department Head of the Sixth Department, Yeon So-hyeon asked calmly.

“A hostile witness.”

“How was it handled?”

The Department Head of the Sixth Department answered immediately without any delay.

“Witness Number Twenty-Four chose to live a slightly early retirement life with a generous sum in hand.”

He added without any hint of a smile.

“He is no longer a 'hostile witness'.”

“Good, keep watching him.”

“Yes.”

Without leaving any room for anyone to intervene, the meeting of the two continued.

“Next.”

As Yeon So-hyeon turned to the next page of the documents, the room was momentarily filled with the sound of everyone turning pages.

“Suspect Number Six is currently in custody, and is one of the key figures who played a decisive role in the Yeon family relatives' embezzlement of the bank's funds.”

“The problem?”

“The problem is that the person is claiming, 'I certainly reported it to the Bank Director.'” Yeon So-hyeon chuckled dryly.

“He seems to think that if he grabs the Bank Director's coattails, he might survive for now.”

“Yes.”

“If so, we must give him a way to live.”

The Department Head of the Sixth Department nodded.

“Therefore, this time, through a 'plea bargain', we gave him the opportunity to be released without charges.”

It meant that in exchange for releasing him without charges regarding this matter, he brought in a bigger case.

“Even so.”

Yeon So-hyeon stroked his chin.

“Letting one of the main culprits go just like that is not quite to my liking, though?”

“I will report on that part.”

As Hwa-bok, the closest aide of the Chief of the Central Inspection Department, spoke, everyone's gaze turned toward him.

“During this inspection, we discovered a separate instance of corruption committed by Suspect Number Six.”

He continued with a good-natured smile.

“He will be constantly tracked, and a few months later, he will be arrested and detained by our Central Inspection Department to be punished for the separate case.”

“Good.”

Yeon So-hyeon slowly nodded in satisfaction.

“True despair is felt when one falls after experiencing a brief moment of freedom.”

As Yeon So-hyeon turned the page, the room was filled with the sound of turning pages once again.

“Next, Witness Number Fifty…”

“So, the handling?”

“The one operated by his brother-in-law…”

Without a moment's rest, and without any waste of time, the meeting continued.

Kang Ho, who was only listening silently, felt his head spinning.

No, the entire, incredibly luxurious room.

Felt as if the ceiling, the sky, was turning upside down.

‘Th-this is…’

Although he had also belonged to the Inspection Department in the past.

As someone who was merely a low-ranking official, it was his first time seeing such a sight.

‘Is this precisely what is called judicial power…?’

The fate of everyone associated with the Sword Family Bank's corruption.

Felt as if it was being decided right here at this spot.

“In the case of Suspect Number Ten, he seems to have been recruited by the other side.”

“The handling?”

“That is for our Central Inspection Department to…”

If necessary, erasing the crime.

If necessary, fabricating the crime.

If there was a need to silence a mouth, silencing it.

If there was a need to open a mouth, making it open.

“…If so, Witness Number Thirty-Three and Witness Number One Hundred Sixty-One will stand as witnesses as scheduled…”

“…Suspect Number Nine must receive the extreme penalty…”

Deciding who should give what testimony.

Determining who should receive what punishment.

For matters that would be a burden to the Sixth Department of Law Enforcement, the Central Inspection Department assisted.

For matters that the Central Inspection Department wished to avoid, the Sixth Department of Law Enforcement took charge.

“Kang Ho.”

At Yeon So-hyeon's voice, Kang Ho jumped in his place.

“Yes, yes! Eldest Young Master!”

The gaze of Yeon So-hyeon looking at the dazed Kang Ho was heavy.

“Focus.”

He snapped out of it.

“Yes, understood…!”

As Yeon So-hyeon's command fell.

Kang Ho, snapping to attention, focused on the meeting with all his might.

Though he was Yeon So-hyeon's secretary.

He was the one who had no role in this place.

However, precisely because of that.

Yeon So-hyeon was currently.

Letting Kang Ho himself experience a valuable experience that could not be obtained anywhere else.

* * *

“Eldest Young Master.”

Eventually, the meeting ended.

Those who were about to rise from their seats temporarily stopped their movements at the Bank Director's voice.

“What is it?”

As Yeon So-hyeon replied while setting the papers down on the desk, the Bank Director asked Yeon So-hyeon in a slightly trembling voice.

“According to what I have watched of the meeting so far…”

The old man who had experienced all kinds of hardships.

The Bank Director, even in Kang Ho's eyes, could not hide his agitation.

“…From the very beginning, the Eldest Young Master intended to rescue this old man.”

The Sixth Department of Law Enforcement.

And the Central Inspection Department.

All those things they had prepared for this meeting today were not things that could be achieved overnight.

The Eldest Young Master, without a doubt.

Must have been progressing this matter since a long time ago.

“If this old man had rejected the Eldest Young Master's invitation today, collapsed in his seat, and given up everything as originally thought…”

If so.

“If so, all of these efforts of the Eldest Young Master would have gone to waste.”

“No.”

Yeon So-hyeon answered immediately.

“That is not so. Even if you were dismissed from the position of Bank Director, I would have cleared you of all these absurd charges.”

Doubt hung on the Bank Director's wrinkled face.

“Even if this old man had not dared to take the Eldest Young Master's hand, the Eldest Young Master would have saved this old man's life.”

The Bank Director's eyes shook.

“Are you saying that right now?”

“Of course.”

Yeon So-hyeon nodded at once and continued.

“To you, who has supported the time of the Patriarch's absence as the honest pillar of this Sword Family, that much is what I ought to do.”

Yeon So-hyeon's words continued.

“I am neither a judge of this court, nor a member of this family's investigative agencies.”

At the conversation between the two that they dared not interrupt, the gazes of those who had only been listening focused on Yeon So-hyeon.

“However, I.”

Yeon So-hyeon spoke as resolutely as a honed blade.

“As the Eldest Young Master of this Luoyang Sword Family. I believe your loyalty must be rewarded.”

* * *

“So, if.”

The Lord of the Law Enforcement Court summarized the situation.

“If the Eldest Young Master actually succeeds in clearing the Bank Director of charges outside of our influence…?”

The Lord of the Inspection Department shook his head.

“The opponent is that Eldest Young Master. Not 'if he succeeds', but 'he has succeeded'. We must assume so and move.”

“…Indeed.”

They were gradually catching up to the method of the person named Yeon So-hyeon.

“There is no way that Eldest Young Master would reveal such valuable cards as the Department Head of the Sixth Department and the Chief of the Central Inspection Department without that level of confidence.”

“He must have prepared everything long ago.”

Although it was merely a guess without clear evidence.

Because the opponent was Yeon So-hyeon, rather.

They could have certainty even without any evidence.

“If so, the place we must focus on immediately is…”

“Not the inside of the Law Enforcement Court and the Inspection Department where the Eldest Young Master has already made all his moves, but…”

Their gazes turned toward the far distance at the same time.

Beyond the grove of trees.

What lay in that direction was.

“The place where the vote of no confidence against the Bank Director will proceed today regardless of the verdict.”

“The Elders' Council.”

* * *

The exit of the Law Enforcement Court.

A massive structure visible far in the distance.

Looking at the majestic Elders' Council that made one feel its authority and power, Yeon So-hyeon was smiling.

“Now, is it time to look at the faces of those insolent elders?”

Since ending his confinement.

Yeon So-hyeon's first visit to the Elders' Council began.