Book 13: Chapter 6: Law Enforcement

“Just how much this Yeon So-hyeon's prestige has changed in the main family. From now on, see it for yourself.”

The Bank Director quickly got ready and stepped out of his office.

As soon as the door opened, what he saw was a middle-aged warrior with a clearly lethargic and annoyed expression.

“…….”

Even if the current position of the Bank Director of the Sword Family Bank was precarious.

He was still one of the highest authorities of the Luoyang Sword Family.

“…….”

Upon discovering the Bank Director, he did not say a word, only slightly.

Greeted him with a nod of his head, did he not?

“…….”

However.

None of the proud high-ranking officials of the Sword Family Bank who were present dared to question the middle-aged warrior's rudeness.

The warriors of the Sword Family Bank even.

“…….”

“…….”

Stood out of his line of sight, as if afraid of catching the middle-aged warrior's eye.

The sight of him wearing as many as 'five swords' loosely hanging.

From the way he suppressed everyone around him just by standing askew.

The Bank Director could easily guess the identity of the middle-aged warrior.

‘Life-Snatching Ghost Sword.’

Called the Blood God Evil Ghost, the Five Swords Madman, and the Nightmare of Jiangnan.

The warrior who had made the enemies of the Luoyang Sword Family tremble in fear.

‘…The information that the Sword Family's most ferocious sword offered his sword to the Eldest Young Master was true.’

“You have come out.”

The focus on the Life-Snatching Ghost Sword was only brief.

The Bank Director's gaze turned to the young man who was welcoming the Eldest Young Master.

“Kang Ho.”

The young man's name was mentioned from the mouth of the Eldest Young Master Yeon So-hyeon.

“Yes, Eldest Young Master. The Eldest Young Master's message, all of it. Has been delivered.”

The young man bowed politely and cupped his hands to report to the Eldest Young Master.

‘The name Kang Ho. I have certainly heard of it in the reports.’

Even though he might be curious about what the Eldest Young Master's message was.

The Bank Director's gaze was directed towards the young man named Kang Ho.

“If you are Kang Ho, could you be from the Kang family…?”

Kang Ho pushed up his glasses and smiled slightly awkwardly.

“Ah, yes. That is correct, Bank Director. I am Kang Ho, though lacking, who is in charge of the Eldest Young Master's secretary. And…”

He bowed his head as if embarrassed and added.

“My grandfather is serving His Majesty the Emperor in the Imperial Capital.”

“As expected…!”

That expression.

Saying that he served His Majesty the Emperor was a humble expression.

Kang Ho's grandfather, Jiang Shang.

He had already served as Prime Minister across two Emperors.

Since he returned to the post of Prime Minister not long ago.

Not just a family, but an individual who had served as Prime Minister three times, making him one of the most powerful men in the State of Zhongyuan.

He was a figure whose name even the Director of the prestigious Sword Family Bank dared not mention lightly.

‘…Is the Eldest Young Master employing the grandson of such a figure as a mere secretary?’

The grandson of the Prime Minister.

Even giving him a significant title and maintaining a proper distance would be burdensome enough.

The Eldest Young Master Yeon So-hyeon had made such a figure his secretary, keeping him close and employing him like his own limbs.

“…….”

The Bank Director looked at the Eldest Young Master with a dumbfounded expression, but.

Yeon So-hyeon ordered those around him with an indifferent expression.

“What are you doing? Move.”

* * *

On a certain main street of the Luoyang Sword Family.

All members of the Sword Family moving within the Sword Family must walk on foot unless there was a special reason.

That was the most representative rule showing the martial spirit of the Luoyang Sword Family.

However.

At the same time, because of that, it was also true that the wide main street suffered from congestion in various places due to the colorful processions of those who wanted to show off their power.

“Ahem, it would be fine if your side avoided to the right just a little…!”

“What do you mean! Couldn't your side just wait a little and then go?!”

Although they wore different attire, those who appeared to be butlers raised the veins in their necks and pointed fingers at each other.

“No, do you know who the person I am serving is right now?! How dare you…!”

“How dare I? 'How dare you' is what this side should say! Do you know who the person I am serving is?!”

With their faces flushed red, the subordinates of the processions blocking each other's way spat saliva.

The sight of their respective warriors fiddling with their swords and exchanging intense gazes.

Was by no means a very pleasant sight.

Nevertheless.

“Ahem.”

“Ahem, ahem.”

Those who were their masters stood with their hands behind their backs, merely watching the spectacle.

When powerful people of similar stature clashed like this, they could not back down even for the sake of their pride.

That was.

The moment congestion began on this wide main street of the Luoyang Sword Family.

However.

“Clear the way!”

All of that.

“The Eldest Young Master of the main family is arriving!”

Was cleared up with that single shout.

“The, the Eldest Young Master?!”

The butlers who had been raising the veins in their necks turned their heads in surprise to check their respective masters' intentions.

Since the opponent was the Eldest Young Master, even if they had to clear the way.

If they cleared the path first without their master's permission, they could be severely beaten later.

“What on earth are you doing?!”

However, their masters were actually the ones who were most flustered.

Turning pale, they forgot their dignity and quickly retreated to the roadside, shouting.

“Should you not open the way immediately?!”

“Clear the road quickly!”

As soon as they hurriedly cleared the way, the Eldest Young Master's procession arrived.

“…….”

“…….”

The masters who had been putting on airs bowed their heads as if they were touching the ground, lest their faces be seen.

“…….”

“…….”

The subordinates did not dare to even straighten their backs and fell flat on the ground.

And that scene was not unfolded only in that one place.

“Everyone, clear the way!”

Even high-ranking outsiders who visited the Luoyang Sword Family in carriages.

Even any influential figure who put weight on their shoulders in the Luoyang Sword Family.

“The Eldest Young Master is arriving!”

On every main street where the Eldest Young Master Yeon So-hyeon's procession passed.

Dared, no one.

Blocked his path.

Far from blocking, they did not even walk beside him to avoid him.

No one forced it, but.

Without exception.

Everyone stepped aside to the roadside to bow deeply and quietly waited for the procession of the Eldest Young Master Yeon So-hyeon to pass.

“…….”

In the middle of that procession.

Although the Bank Director of the Sword Family Bank did not show it outwardly.

‘That Eldest Young Master, now…’

He clearly felt the emotion boiling up from the depths of his chest.

The sight of the powerful and strong who bowed their heads so low that their faces could not be seen.

What was clearly felt from their appearance was, without a doubt.

Fear and respect toward the Eldest Young Master Yeon So-hyeon.

Namely, awe.

“Are you deeply moved?”

Yeon So-hyeon, who was walking among the armed maid division, asked with a smile.

“Deeply moved indeed.”

The Bank Director shook his head with a smile on his wrinkled face.

“From the time winter was ending until now, it has only been about half a year…”

Even at the beginning of this year.

No one thought of Yeon So-hyeon as a powerful figure in the Luoyang Sword Family.

Far from a powerful figure, not even those who treated him as the successor could be seen.

The Eldest Young Master Yeon So-hyeon, who had received such treatment.

During this short period.

Had not only made his presence known, but had now reached a position where no one dared to deny that he was the Eldest Young Master of the Luoyang Sword Family.

“…To think that you have reached the point where you can feel it just by walking down the main street. You are amazing, Eldest Young Master.”

Yeon So-hyeon chuckled and smiled at the Bank Director who spoke like that with a laugh.

It was his characteristic arrogant smile.

“Do not be surprised by just this much. None of the Bank Director's problems have been resolved yet, have they?”

Indeed.

He had only walked the main street with the Eldest Young Master Yeon So-hyeon so far.

Left neglected and entangled in various ways, none of his problems that had only been deepening had been resolved.

“That is true. However…”

The Bank Director could answer with a much lighter face.

“For some reason, even if everything unravels smoothly from here, this old man feels like he would not be surprised anymore.”

“Oh?”

Yeon So-hyeon stroked his chin and said.

“That you will not be surprised anymore?”

And.

By the time their procession arrived at the destination.

“Wait, Eldest Young Master. This place is…”

Contrary to what he had just said.

The Bank Director could not help but be surprised.

“Is this not the Law Enforcement Court?”

“It is.”

Against the backdrop of the splendid and grand pavilion, Yeon So-hyeon shrugged his shoulders.

“Just as you said, this is the Law Enforcement Court that investigates and inspects all crimes within the Luoyang Sword Family.”

The Bank Director could not hide his flustered expression.

“However, the Sword Family Bank is currently under investigation by this Law Enforcement Court…”

Ordinarily, the relationship between the Sword Family Bank and the Law Enforcement Court, as a bank and an investigative agency.

Was like a cow and a chicken, completely indifferent to each other, but.

Now that the Sword Family Bank was the subject of investigation, was it not no different from a dragon's den or a tiger's lair?

“Bank Director. Did not the issue of your accountability that has emerged now start from this investigation process?”

“That is so, but—” looking at the flustered Bank Director, Yeon So-hyeon continued with a playful expression.

“Therefore. Naturally, if we are to untie that knot, we must first untie it at this Law Enforcement Court.”

“Eldest Young Master… but!”

Even though Yeon So-hyeon had regained his dignity as the Eldest Young Master.

The Law Enforcement Court was by no means an easy place.

To the point where if one clumsily brought scissors to untie the knot, instead of cutting, they would be tied up in reverse.

Was not an investigative agency precisely something tangled and twisted by the interests among powers?

“Approaching a transaction with an investigative agency carefully after sufficient preparation is—” it was true.

“You do not have time for that, do you?”

The vote of no confidence against the Bank Director by the Elders' Council was today.

Sufficient preparation and a cautious approach were impossible.

“Even so, Eldest Young Master—” the Bank Director's words could not be finished.

“Open it.”

As Yeon So-hyeon nodded, the main gate of the Law Enforcement Court opened wide.

And.

“……!”

Making the words he had spoken pale in comparison.

The Bank Director could not help but be surprised once again.

“…I greet the Eldest Young Master of the main family.”

The one who came out to the main gate to welcome Yeon So-hyeon was none other than.

“It has been a long time, Lord of the Law Enforcement Court.”

The Lord of the Law Enforcement Court.

The chief official of the Law Enforcement Court, one of the most powerful figures in the Sword Family, and one of the pillars of the Elders' Council.

“…It has been a long time since I last saw you, Eldest Young Master.”

It was because that Lord of the Law Enforcement Court came out in person to the main gate to greet the Eldest Young Master Yeon So-hyeon.

“Indeed. It seems to be the first time since this Eldest Young Master ended his confinement?”

The Lord of the Law Enforcement Court had a bitter expression.

And Yeon So-hyeon had a twisted smile on his face.

The gazes of the two crossed in the air.

However, in the end, the Lord of the Law Enforcement Court had no choice but to open his mouth to answer.

“…That is correct.”

The expression of the Lord of the Law Enforcement Court became even more bitter.

Since the end of the confinement, in all those incidents, the Law Enforcement Court.

Had never once handled matters in Yeon So-hyeon's favor.

Although they did not openly hostileize Yeon So-hyeon because of that.

They were by no means.

On good terms.

“This Eldest Young Master only notified that he would visit the Law Enforcement Court. For the Lord of the Law Enforcement Court to come out in person to greet me like this.”

Yeon So-hyeon laughed heartily.

“This is an honor.”

The Lord of the Law Enforcement Court forced a smile with a stiff face.

“…Since the Eldest Young Master said he would visit, of course I should come out in person.”

And watching this, the Bank Director could feel it.

‘This appearance—’ the unacknowledged Eldest Young Master of the Sword Family.

And the Lord of the Law Enforcement Court, one of the highest authorities of the Sword Family.

It was a scene showing their reversed relationship.

“…Eldest Young Master. Please, come inside.”

The Lord of the Law Enforcement Court extended his hand and gestured toward the inside.

“I will guide the two of you in person.”

The Bank Director narrowed his eyes at the sight.

‘Is this the Lord of the Law Enforcement Court's own way of expressing his intentions?’

An indirect expression that he had no intention of engaging in a messy fight over the current Yeon So-hyeon and the Sword Family Bank.

‘Thank goodness… Will things work out somehow?’

Feeling as if he had placed too much of a burden on Yeon So-hyeon, the Bank Director felt his heart lighten slightly.

“Thank you.”

However.

Yeon So-hyeon's words did not end there.

“But this Eldest Young Master has neither the intention nor any reason to receive your guidance, Lord of the Law Enforcement Court.”

“……!”

It was Yeon So-hyeon, trampling upon the intention of peace extended by the Lord of the Law Enforcement Court.