Book 8: Chapter 21: Trust and Loyalty

In front of the main gate of the Sword Family Bank headquarters pavilion.

Under the light of oil lamps brightly illuminating the area in front of the main gate, figures in red uniforms were rapidly gathering.

And there was no one who did not know that the red uniform signified the Inspection Department of the Luoyang Sword Family.

"W-what is the Inspection Department doing here?!"

The guard captain guarding the main gate did not even dare to draw his sword.

Toward him, Hwa-bok, who stepped forward, spoke in a low voice.

"We are from the Central Inspection Department. Resistance will not be tolerated." "……?!"

Those words were enough.

The opponent was not just from the Inspection Department, but the notorious Central Inspection Department.

"L-listen! All guards disarm and cooperate with the Central Inspection Department!"

At the guard captain's command, the guards discarded their weapons without the slightest hesitation.

Some even raised their hands above their heads.

"Those guys…?"

Amidst this, Hwa-bok pointed to those who were still blocking the main gate.

Far from disarming, those wearing the martial uniform of the Luoyang Sword Family were instead gripping the hilts of their swords.

"H-heek?!"

The flustered guard captain hurriedly retreated toward Hwa-bok and shouted.

"T-they do not belong to the guard unit, but are warriors dispatched by the Main Family to protect the Sword Family Bank!"

Hwa-bok bared his teeth.

"Do you dare to block the path of the Central Inspection Department?!" "……."

There was no answer from the four warriors.

They merely secured space to swing their swords at the entrance, sharply revealing their honed momentum.

Accordingly, the members of the Central Inspection Department also immediately assumed the Sword Drawing Stance. "……."

In the standoff where flesh-chilling killing intent intersected, the guards who lacked internal energy could only chatter their teeth and tremble.

"Everyone, those—."

Just as Hwa-bok opened his mouth to order the suppression.

"My, my."

Right next to him, the voice of a boy rang out.

"Are they warriors who offered their swords to that Second Young Master fellow?"

Even though the voice was heard from right next to him, not a single trace of presence could be felt. "……?!"

Hwa-bok was greatly shocked and reflexively tried to draw his sword, but the sword would not come out.

It was because the owner of the voice was pressing down on the end of his sword hilt.

"To think he has already infiltrated his subordinates among the warriors dispatched to the Sword Family Bank."

Although Hwa-bok's sword, filled to the brim with internal energy, struggled inside its scabbard, it could not leave the scabbard by even an inch.

"That Second Young Master fellow is indeed quick-handed."

Sensing the gaze of the person who was gently pressing down on the end of the sword hilt turn toward him, Hwa-bok raised his head to look at the owner of the gaze.

"Isn't that so?"

A boy with fathomless pitch-black eyes and handsome features was looking at Hwa-bok, seeking agreement.

"…Y-yes, that is correct."

The moment Hwa-bok met eyes with the boy, he felt a presence that he had not felt until now suddenly overwhelm him all at once. "……!"

A presence as if he were facing the Chief of the Inspection Department, a key figure of the Luoyang Sword Family.

A cold sensation of cold sweat running down his back was chilling.

It was to the extent that it was impossible to understand how he could have missed the presence of a person with such a presence.

"…Eldest Young Master."

In the past, Hwa-bok had boasted to his direct superior that he would investigate the Eldest Young Master's background.

'I would like to face the Eldest Young Master at least once, though.'

And at this very moment, he realized that the boast he had made was nothing more than foolhardiness.

The warning of his direct superior, Dokgo Ya-yeon, came to mind.

'Do not crawl into a place of death on your own accord.'

Yeon So-hyeon, who took his hand off Hwa-bok's sword whose internal energy had dispersed, stepped forward with a relaxed expression.

"Separate from the Central Inspection Department's investigation, this Eldest Young Master has visited the Sword Family Bank due to a prior appointment."

Stepping forward with his hands clasped behind his back, he looked as if he were just taking a stroll.

Conversely, the warriors blocking the entrance felt their breath hitch.

"But there is no way you would obediently step aside, is there?" "……."

No answer returned.

As the pressure felt from the Eldest Young Master grew larger, the warriors lowered their stances and added to the sharpness of their momentum.

"Indeed…"

Yeon So-hyeon looked up at the darkened sky for a moment in the face of their momentum.

His voice was close to a sigh.

"Changing one's attitude depending on the situation and the opponent is not befitting of a warrior of the Sword Family…"

Even if what stood before their eyes was the Central Inspection Department, or even the Eldest Young Master.

They would only silently execute the command issued by the lord to whom they had offered their swords.

They did not care about anything, be it the disciplinary action, disadvantage, or punishment they might receive later due to their actions.

Are they not truly loyal?

'Although the Scripture of Controlling Darkness and Shaking the Heavens says that karma after death does not exist.'

In Yeon So-hyeon's gaze as he looked up at the black sky, a deep regret brushed past.

'They are another karma that I must bear in this current life.'

Why did the Scripture of Controlling Darkness and Shaking the Heavens send him back to now, when ten years had passed since his seclusion, rather than when he was younger?

What was the reason for not returning him to a point in time when he could have correctly pieced everything together from the very beginning? "……."

Yeon So-hyeon lowered his gaze from the sky.

'…I merely make the most of what has been given to me.'

I let go of the road not taken.

I focus entirely on the present moment.

Was that not why he could proudly proclaim before the Scripture of Controlling Darkness and Shaking the Heavens that the master of his destiny was himself?

"Warriors of the Sword Family…"

That those loyal and simple-hearted warriors came to offer their swords to the Second Young Master was his own karma.

If so, the one who must face those warriors' swords had to be none other than himself.

That was why he stepped into a spot that the Central Inspection Department could have easily broken through even if he had just watched.

"Come."

He raised his hand and took a starting stance.

The swords of the warriors aimed at Yeon So-hyeon all at once.

* * *

"All members of the Central Inspection Department, secure the suspects immediately!"

Through the main gate, figures with fluttering red uniforms rapidly entered.

They did not even dare to make eye contact with the Eldest Young Master.

"Quickly subdue anyone who resists!"

"Lethal force has been authorized!"

Since the other entrances would have already been penetrated, there was no time to delay to match their breathing and tempo.

"I shall take my leave as well."

Finally, Hwa-bok bowed his head toward the Eldest Young Master and went inside.

In his gaze, an awe as if looking at a 'monster' was harbored. "……."

The Eldest Young Master raised his hand to respond to his greeting, but his gaze did not drift from the four corpses lying at the main gate.

They had merely fought silently until their lives faded away, and did not reveal their relationship with the Second Young Master's side.

"Although I was prepared for strong resistance…"

Toward his back, the desolate voice of a middle-aged woman was heard.

It was the Chief of the Central Inspection Department, Dokgo Ya-yeon.

"I did not expect casualties to occur already at the main gate."

From Yeon So-hyeon's fist, the blood of the dead warriors dripped, staining the floor in dots.

"…Help with the internal suppression."

Yeon So-hyeon spoke to her without turning his gaze.

"It seems the Second Young Master's side had planted warriors."

A command that was not quite a command.

Normally, she would have snapped at him about the right to command, but at this moment, she merely bowed her head and headed inside. "……."

After staring at the corpses for a moment, Yeon So-hyeon stepped into the pool of blood created by their bodies and headed inside.

Red footprints followed behind him.

* * *

"Get out of the way!"

"B-block them!"

The commotion coming from outside was gradually drawing closer.

'How crazy…! To think they could only buy this much time?!'

The anxiety in the eyes of the person burning documents in the incinerator furnace grew, and his hands moved faster.

The things that could cause major problems had already been processed.

It was because his superior, the Deputy Bank Director, had given him a heads-up beforehand about what might happen.

However, since he could not know how deeply the Central Inspection Department would dig, he was burning everything that could even slightly be a problem.

'Useless martial artist bastards…!'

In the first place, who would dare to hold out against the armed suppression of the Central Inspection Department?

They were the elite of the elites, and the Central Inspection Department possessed the military power to even fight against the Inner Courtyard of the Luoyang Sword Family.

"Ggakh!"

Along with a chilling sound, those who were desperately blocking the door tumbled down all at once.

Chests were split open, arms were severed, and fresh blood was scattered all over the office along with the shattered door.

"Will you not stop that hand?!"

"E-eek?!"

At the cry filled with killing intent, he squeezed his eyes shut and shoved the documents into the furnace all at once.

There was no way they would all burn properly, but this was no time to be picky. "……?!"

No, he tried to shove them in.

If his wrist had still been attached, he would have been able to put the remaining documents into the furnace.

"K-kiaaaa?!"

Ignoring him as he rolled around letting out a shriek, the member of the Central Inspection Department holding a sword secured the documents first.

"Suspect spotted!"

Subsequently, those who rushed in behind tightly bound his severed wrist to stop the bleeding and then bound him.

"Secured! Suspect secured!"

"Aaargh…! P-please, just spare my life!"

He was dragged out while bound, screaming.

The resistance continued.

The red uniforms of the Central Inspection Department became dyed even redder due to the splattering blood.

Suspects and materials to reveal the corruption they had committed were being secured one after another.

* * *

The Deputy Bank Director's office.

The Deputy Bank Director of the Sword Family Bank barked at the Central Inspection Department members blocking the entrance.

"You rascals! Who do you think these esteemed guests are, that you dare block the way?!" "……."

The figures in red uniforms scowled as if it were noisy, and then simply closed their eyes altogether.

"Aha! Look at these rascals."

Although the Deputy Bank Director pointed his finger at them, his insides were burning.

'That Inspection Department Chief fellow said he wouldn't intervene, yet…?!'

To think that the Central Inspection Department would move without permission.

Perhaps it was something done under the tacit approval of the Inspection Department Chief.

'But it is fine.'

He ground his teeth.

'They will not be able to find any evidence linking back to me.'

Just in case, based on the information leaked from the Law Enforcement Court, he had already destroyed all physical evidence pointing to himself.

'But just how many people do those crazy bastards of the Central Inspection Department intend to arrest?!'

From outside, screams were continuously heard.

Judging by that, he could only guess that this was not an operation meant to arrest just one or two people.

'Dokgo Ya-yeon…! If you jump into the successor struggle in this manner, do you move without even considering what repercussions there will be for you later?!'

"…Deputy Bank Director."

At the voice calling him from behind, the Deputy Bank Director turned around, trying to appear calm.

"…Haha. You distinguished guests do not need to worry."

The ones sharing his office were the patriarchs of influential families who had established an alliance with the Second Young Master's side.

"We are not worried about such things."

No matter how great the Central Inspection Department of the Luoyang Sword Family was, there was no way they could touch the patriarchs of 'external' influential families without the decision-making of the entire Luoyang Sword Family.

If they did, the Central Inspection Department itself would fall into a crisis of survival.

"Since we know we have temporarily been caught up in the internal affairs of the Sword Family."

What hovered in the eyes of the patriarchs was clear dissatisfaction.

"However, it cannot be helped that this is unpleasant."

"Do you properly know how urgent the situation is right now?"

"Even at this very moment, that Eldest Young Master must be targeting our families!"

Once burst out, the complaints showed no sign of stopping.

"No, we dropped by in a hurry because the Second Young Master's side offered to lend us funds to fight against the Eldest Young Master, but if we are tied down like this, is it not counterproductive?!"

"Take some measures immediately so that we can return!"

Surrounded by their shouting, the Deputy Bank Director's face gradually flushed red.

"I-if you could wait just a moment—."

His voice was drowned out by the shout of the Central Inspection Department members blocking the entrance.

"Greetings to the Eldest Young Master of the Main Family!"

"Right. You all are working hard." "……?!"

At that voice, the Deputy Bank Director's eyes widened as if they would pop out.

The Eldest Young Master, who was passing through the hallway, looked inside as if by chance and wore a surprised expression.

"Oh my…!" "……."

Although his expression was calm, for some reason, it felt as though the entire office was freezing over.

"Well, some precious guests are gathered here."

Truly fearsome killing intent.

To the point that even the members of the Central Inspection Department took a step away from the Eldest Young Master without realizing it. "……."

The patriarchs did not dare meet his eyes and averted their gazes.

"Deputy Bank Director."

"Ah, yes! Eldest Young Master…!"

At his hasty response, Yeon So-hyeon wore a twisted smile.

"…Try your best to resist, so that the warriors who lost their lives do not feel aggrieved."

"…Pardon?"

Seeing his foolish expression, the twisted smile on Yeon So-hyeon's lips twisted even wider.

The Eldest Young Master's hook-like hand grabbed the Deputy Bank Director by the back of his neck.

"C-cough…!"

His airway was choked off.

"Struggle with your life on the line."

Meeting him forehead to forehead, the Eldest Young Master spoke in a chilling voice.

"Drag in every crowd you can and resist."

Deep within Yeon So-hyeon's eyes, blue ghost fire flared up.

"Lest you fall into hell lonely all by yourself."

As Yeon So-hyeon gave him a light push, the Deputy Bank Director's old body tumbled to the ground on the spot.

Ignoring the Deputy Bank Director who was only opening and closing his mouth like a fish out of water, Yeon So-hyeon clasped his hands behind his back and turned his gaze to the patriarchs.

"I wish you all a hard struggle as well." "……."

Perspiring cold sweat, the patriarchs merely swallowed their dry saliva.

Only now did they properly understand whom they were dealing with.

Yeon So-hyeon, whom they had only encountered through information until now.

Through that short conversation, they were able to vividly realize what kind of person Yeon So-hyeon was.

"Then, excuse me. I have a prior appointment." "……."

After scanning them once, Yeon So-hyeon moved his feet.

Just as Yeon So-hyeon's figure disappeared and the patriarchs were about to breathe a sigh of relief inwardly.

"Ah. Come to think of it."

Yeon So-hyeon suddenly poked his head back in.

"I am sorry, but by now, the Kong Family and the Cheong Family are probably attacking your families."

He put on a feigned look of regret.

"Since you all, who are practically the commanders, are absent, there might be some damage. I hope you can return to your respective families as quickly as possible."

His lips wore what was clearly a sneer.

"Though you will have to wait for a double hour for the blockade to end."

Leaving those words behind, Yeon So-hyeon disappeared, and the patriarchs rushed at the Central Inspection Department members all at once.

"Get out of the way this instant!"

"I said step aside!"

* * *

Yeon So-hyeon reached the end of the long hallway.

"Greetings to the Eldest Young Master of the Main Family."

The person waiting bowed their head deeply.

"The Bank Director is waiting for you."