Book 13: Chapter 8: Crack

“Eldest Young Master.”

First, walking ahead.

“I have prepared a reception room over here.”

Watching the Department Head of the Sixth Department of the Law Enforcement Court volunteer to guide them like a subordinate, the Bank Director of the Sword Family Bank was inwardly astounded.

‘I did not think that the Eldest Young Master would boast without any preparation, but…’

Watching Yeon So-hyeon walking leisurely with his hands behind his back, the Bank Director stroked his beard.

‘Even so. The Department Head of the Sixth Department of Law Enforcement?’

Even if he was the youngest among the department heads.

He was a department head of the Law Enforcement Court, the largest investigative agency of the Luoyang Sword Family.

‘Reflected in his eyes…’

The Bank Director's wrinkled gaze turned toward the back of the Department Head of the Sixth Department.

‘To make that youngest department head stab a sword into the back of his direct and highest superior, the Lord of the Law Enforcement Court…!’

The corners of the Bank Director's eyes trembled slightly.

‘…And that, in front of everyone.’

The actions of the Department Head of the Sixth Department in a public place were.

Insubordination.

It was something the Lord of the Law Enforcement Court could never just let slide.

Nor was it an act he should let slide.

‘However…’

What the Bank Director was paying attention to was not merely the back of the Department Head of the Sixth Department, but his attitude.

A somewhat stiff but stable stride.

The way he held his neck straight and guided them ahead was as if…

‘Did he not seem to not worry about the future at all?’

A way to make the youngest of the pack behave so confidently even after committing treason against the leader.

Even on the extremely dirty battlefield of money.

For the Bank Director who had experienced all sorts of hardships…

‘…I cannot even imagine it.’

The old man shook his head and looked at the back of Yeon So-hyeon.

‘However, there is a question.’

At that time.

Almost as soon as he thought of that question, Yeon So-hyeon glanced back.

“You are wondering why there was a need to cross the Lord of the Law Enforcement Court at this of all times, aren't you?”

The Bank Director forced a bitter smile on his stiff face.

“Did my expression show it so blatantly?”

“No.”

“Then…?”

Until he forced a bitter smile, the Bank Director's expression was difficult for anyone to read.

It was hard to even guess his mood, let alone his thoughts.

“Because once you analyze the entire situation, naturally that part would remain a question.”

At the sight of Yeon So-hyeon shrugging casually, the Bank Director shook his head.

“…As expected of you, Eldest Young Master.”

At that time.

As if perfectly on time, the Department Head of the Sixth Department stopped his steps.

“It is here.”

As the close associates of the Department Head of the Sixth Department opened the door of the reception room, Yeon So-hyeon smiled with his back to the sunlight leaking from the room.

“I was not the one who crossed the Lord of the Law Enforcement Court first.”

“…Then?”

Looking at Yeon So-hyeon's twisted smile, the Bank Director found the answer.

“Did the hand he extended not mean peace?”

“That is correct. It was rather…”

Yeon So-hyeon nodded.

“A mere smokescreen to put us off guard and target our backs.”

“……!”

Yeon So-hyeon's eyeballs, with his back to the sun, glistened in the backlight.

“If we had taken the hand he offered, he would have dragged out the time until your treatment was decided.”

“…….”

The Bank Director was not surprised by the fact that a powerful man plotted behind their backs.

“The Lord of the Law Enforcement Court has not been on my side since I had friction with the Inner Courtyard, and was one of the hidden core figures who tried to prevent me from ending my confinement.”

Just how did the Eldest Young Master know those facts?

Things from before his influence and prestige reached this point.

Things that were happening at the very top level.

How could he know them as if he had witnessed them in person?

“The Lord of the Law Enforcement Court, he…”

Yeon So-hyeon's eyes, glistening in the backlight.

From the past to the present.

Seemed to pierce through everything.

“He did this because he could not even imagine that I knew the internal affairs of the Law Enforcement Court down to the very last mousehole.”

“…I see.”

Before he knew it, the old man wiped the cold sweat starting to flow on his forehead.

Anew.

The surrounding scene came into his view once more.

Although the Sixth Department's side had thoroughly finished preparations to welcome the guests.

Once Yeon So-hyeon started speaking in the hallway, as if this hallway was the reception room they had prepared.

They simply, naturally controlled the hallway and secured the space.

“…….”

Even the Department Head of the Sixth Department merely listened attentively to the Eldest Young Master Yeon So-hyeon's words from a step behind.

As if there was not the slightest doubt in all of Yeon So-hyeon's actions.

There was not the slightest dissatisfaction on each of their faces.

If Yeon So-hyeon said he would drink tea on the floor of this hallway.

Their attitude was that it should naturally be so.

‘…Just when did the Eldest Young Master's control, his influence, begin to reach so deep into the Law Enforcement Court?’

Since it would not be strange even if this place was Pavilion of Perfect Enlightenment instead of the Law Enforcement Court.

Naturally, the words Yeon So-hyeon had spoken echoed in the Bank Director's head once again.

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

“But if so…”

The Bank Director shook his head, struggling to focus on the subject again.

“…Was there all the more reason to reveal the card of the Department Head of the Sixth Department right now?”

With this, the Lord of the Law Enforcement Court would thoroughly exclude the faction of the Department Head of the Sixth Department.

Along with disadvantages, even the incoming information would be cut off.

“Is that so?”

“Is it not so?”

At the Bank Director's questioning back, the smile hanging on Yeon So-hyeon's face deepened even further.

At that sight, a bolt of lightning seemed to strike inside the Bank Director's mind.

“Could it be…?!”

“Indeed. It is as you expect.”

Yeon So-hyeon chuckled and continued.

“Do you think the Department Head of the Sixth Department is the only limb of mine in this Law Enforcement Court?”

Goosebumps ran all over the Bank Director's body.

* * *

At that time.

The Law Enforcement Court.

Outside the office of the Lord of the Law Enforcement Court, a silent battlefield was unfolding.

“Just where did all the department heads go…?!”

The closest aide of the Lord of the Law Enforcement Court, lowering his voice as much as possible, trembled all over as he pressed his subordinates.

“Why are the department heads not responding to the Lord's emergency meeting convocation?”

The closest aide of the Lord of the Law Enforcement Court.

And the subordinates of that aide.

They.

Had not doubted until a moment ago that they grasped this entire Law Enforcement Court clearly.

Until the Eldest Young Master visited…

“I—I do not know. They say the Department Head of the Third Department left the main estate due to a sudden family misfortune…”

“…The Department Head of the Fourth Department is blocking our entry on the grounds of urgent duty.”

“The Department Head of the Fifth Department is absent without even letting us know the reason.”

Without exception.

They were dripping with sweat all over their bodies, as if they had been soaked in a summer shower.

“Just what on earth is going on…?!”

At the reports of his subordinates, the closest aide of the Lord of the Law Enforcement Court clutched his head.

“Just what in the world is happening to this Law Enforcement Court right now…?!”

* * *

The office of the Lord of the Law Enforcement Court.

“…….”

“…….”

Only smoke was thick in the air, and the cups placed on the table had long since grown cold.

“…In the end.”

It was the Lord of the Law Enforcement Court who broke the heavy silence.

“Out of the six department heads, four did not respond to the call.”

Since he became the Lord of the Law Enforcement Court.

It was an unprecedented situation.

“…Not all of them would be traitors.”

An elderly woman, the Department Head of the Second Department of Law Enforcement.

She took her mouth off the long pipe and released her organized thoughts along with the smoke.

“Many of them are likely watching the situation for now, given the rapidly changed circumstances.”

The Department Head of the First Department nodded as if agreeing.

“If the entirety of them had betrayed us, the interior of the court would not be this quiet.”

The Lord of the Law Enforcement Court slowly nodded in agreement.

“…That must be so.”

If they had secured sufficient numbers, instead of hiding to avoid the call.

They would have already stormed this place to impeach the Lord of the Law Enforcement Court.

“But their watching the situation means—” the Department Head of the First Department smacked his lips as he looked at the Second Department Head's tobacco pipe.

“That the appearance shown by the Eldest Young Master was just that shocking to them.”

The Department Head of the Sixth Department, from whom he always borrowed tobacco to smoke, was not here.

He had stabbed a sword into the back of the Lord of the Law Enforcement Court in a public place, but.

That was not all.

“…A crack has begun in the Law Enforcement Court.”

“Now…”

The Department Head of the Second Department took over, exhaling a long puff of smoke as if to show the Department Head of the First Department.

“…Whether this crack will be merely patched up, or—” with a click of his tongue.

The Lord of the Law Enforcement Court clicked his tongue, cutting off her words.

“Or lead to collapse.”

The eyes of the Lord of the Law Enforcement Court gleamed fiercely, but even that could not prevent the empty seats from feeling hollow.

“…….”

“…….”

Breaking the heavy silence that returned was.

“Lord Court Lord.”

The closest aide of the Lord of the Law Enforcement Court, who entered cautiously after making his presence known.

He reported to the Lord of the Law Enforcement Court with a face that was not even wet with sweat.

“People from the Third Young Master's side and the Yeon family relatives' side have arrived, and continue to request to see you.”

At that.

The Department Head of the Second Department clicked her tongue softly.

“…Those fellows heard the news quickly.”

“…Perhaps that too was the Eldest Young Master's doing. Damn it.”

The Department Head of the First Department spat a quiet curse and let out a sigh.

“The large-scale tectonic shift within the main family caused by the Eldest Young Master was a great benefit to our Law Enforcement Court, but.”

His words were true without exaggeration.

Due to the thrashes of the Eldest Young Master Yeon So-hyeon, numerous powerful figures within the main family had lost their positions.

Or were undergoing investigations regarding charges.

The Third Young Master's side, due to the riot incident at the 'Dragon and Phoenix Gathering arena construction site'.

The Yeon family relatives, due to the massive corruption case surrounding the Sword Family Bank.

It was natural that the influence of the Law Enforcement Court, the center of all those investigations, grew and everyone's attention was focused on it.

“Should we send them back somehow for now?”

“…About that.”

At the Department Head of the First Department's words, the closest aide of the Lord of the Law Enforcement Court shook his head with an embarrassed look.

“They do not seem likely to retreat easily. They are half-threatening us by openly mentioning the 'transaction' with them.”

'Good things are often accompanied by trouble.'

As the Department Head of the First Department swallowed his sigh again, the Lord of the Law Enforcement Court spoke.

“…Second Department Head.”

The gaze of the Department Head of the Second Department turned toward the Lord of the Law Enforcement Court.

“Take care of them.”

“…That is.”

The Department Head of the Second Department made a bitter expression at those words.

At that reaction, the Lord of the Law Enforcement Court ground his teeth.

Although the Department Head of the Second Department responded to the emergency convocation, her attitude was.

Clearly different from usual.

At least.

It felt different to the Lord of the Law Enforcement Court.

“…Second Department Head. Were you not aiming for the position of Elder?”

At those words, the Department Head of the Second Department glanced at the Department Head of the First Department as if glaring.

“…….”

The Department Head of the First Department shrugged his shoulders.

The Lord of the Law Enforcement Court and the Department Head of the First Department were Elders of the Luoyang Sword Family.

Currently.

At this place, the only one who did not belong to the Elders' Council was the Department Head of the Second Department herself.

“…You will have to pay a high price for this case.”

Watching her depart, the Lord of the Law Enforcement Court spoke to the Department Head of the First Department.

“For a moment. I leave the back to you.”

“Of course, but.”

The Department Head of the First Department rose from his chair, following the Lord of the Law Enforcement Court who stood up from his seat.

“Where are you planning to go…?”

* * *

The Law Enforcement Court, VIP reception room.

“Eldest Young Master. It is urgent news.”

As Yeon So-hyeon was heading indoors, someone approached and handed him a note.

“Thank you.”

When Yeon So-hyeon took the note, before the Bank Director could even check the person's face, they left the room.

“As expected.”

A chuckling sound came from the mouth of Yeon So-hyeon, who was reading the note.

“They say the Lord of the Law Enforcement Court secretly left with only a very small number of personnel.”

“……!”

To receive immediate word of the secret departure of a figure of the Lord of the Law Enforcement Court's stature.

And that.

Was this not a period when the Lord of the Law Enforcement Court was raising his tension to the extreme?

‘Just how many eyes and ears has the Eldest Young Master planted…?!’

The Bank Director's sharp eyes did not miss the brief pause in the Department Head of the Sixth Department's movements.

‘Even the Department Head of the Sixth Department, who belongs to the Law Enforcement Court, does not know all of the Eldest Young Master's limbs.’

It was as if Yeon So-hyeon's shadow was encroaching upon the entire Law Enforcement Court.

“For the Lord of the Law Enforcement Court to leave in this situation. What could the reason be?”

It was the Bank Director who answered the question of Kang Ho, who had remained silent.

“Since the Department Head of the Sixth Department has stood on this side. Is there not only one investigative agency left related to the Sword Family Bank case?”

“Ah.”

At those words, Kang Ho clapped his hands.

“It must be the Inspection Department.”

The Bank Director slowly nodded in agreement with Kang Ho's reasoning.

“Indeed. If he wishes to exert influence on this case, all that remains now is the Central Inspection Department, which raided the Sword Family Bank in the beginning.”

And the Central Inspection Department belonged to the Inspection Department.

The Bank Director narrowed his eyes with a hum.

“In all likelihood. It seems he plans to meet the Lord of the Inspection Department.”

First the Lord of the Law Enforcement Court, and next the Lord of the Inspection Department.

No matter how much Dokgo Ya-yeon, the Chief of the Central Inspection Department famous for being a thoroughly neutral figure, tries to keep her convictions.

She will not be able to ignore the pressure from the Lord of the Inspection Department.

‘My goodness…’

In a situation where the phrase 'mountain upon mountain' could not help but come to mind, the Bank Director groaned.

“…It is not easy.”

“Is that so?”

However, was Kang Ho not smiling broadly?

“……?”

At that moment, the person who had arrived in advance and was waiting inside the reception room stepped forward.

“Nice to meet you, Bank Director.”

He introduced himself to the Bank Director with a seemingly friendly smile.

“I am Hwa-bok, belonging to the Central Inspection Department.”

“…Why is the Central Inspection Department here?”