Book 8: Chapter 25: Three Days

Luoyang Sword Family, Second Young Master's Camp.

"…The patriarchs are tied down at the Sword Family Bank?"

Rendering her prettily painted purple nails meaningless, veins stood out sharply on that hand, which was trembling.

"What on earth is going on?! Are they not saying that the Cheong Family and the Kong Family are attacking our allied families in the meantime?!"

The mother of the Second Young Master.

At the angry shouting of Grand Madame Ouyang of the Luoyang Sword Family, the elders seated at the meeting table avoided her eyes.

"For what reason on earth is that damn Kong Family moving their entire family?!"

Her shrill voice echoed, making the spacious meeting room feel small.

"Although we are still verifying…"

An elder of the Luoyang faction carefully opened his mouth while avoiding her gaze.

"According to rumors, he had a personal friendship with the old horse of the Kong Family, Gong Ryang, from the past…"

Another elder chimed in slightly while watching her reaction.

"And unlike what was known of his retirement, it is said that the current patriarch might still be the old horse Gong Ryang. So, unlike other Sixteen Imperial Capital Families, the entire family is moving—."

"Furthermore!"

Grand Madame Ouyang's voice cut off the elder's voice.

Normally, the interrupted elder would have let out a few dry coughs in embarrassment.

Right now, he was merely busy avoiding Grand Madame Ouyang's gaze like the others.

"Why are the forces within the Main Family, who were originally supposed to join hands with us and move on this occasion, keeping so silent?!"

"That is…"

As the gazes of the surrounding elders converged on him, the elder in charge of internal cooperation work sighed and replied.

"After the Sword Family Bank was raided by the Central Inspection Department, the rumors within the Main Family are unusual."

"…Rumors, you say?"

The meeting room turned as cold as if frost were falling.

"Are you saying that the organizations of the great Luoyang Sword Family are now frightened merely due to rumors?"

Her eyes began to dye bright red like burning coal.

"T-that is. The rumor is not just a general rumor."

Other elders also quickly joined in.

"According to rumors, that Inner Courtyard Chief Manager has begun to move, and there is talk that his first target will be the eradication of corruption in the Sword Family Bank!"

"So there was also an interpretation that the Central Inspection Department had made the first move under the tacit approval of the Chief of the Inspection Department!"

Although it was an interpretation where the order of events was reversed, that was originally the purpose of those who 'made' and spread the rumors.

"Since stories are spreading that there might be a massive crackdown and investigation within the Main Family with this incident as a trigger…"

"So we identify that everyone is laying low while cleaning their own house!"

* * *

Luoyang Sword Family, Administration Department.

The Administration Department, where servants working in all kinds of places within the Luoyang Sword Family gathered for various reasons, was busy with people entering and exiting even as the night deepened.

"You guys. Did you hear?"

Even among the servants, they had their own rankings according to the importance of the places they worked at.

"Did something else happen?"

"I did hear about the Sword Family Bank, though."

Depending on how important the place they worked at was, the rumors they encountered were also fast and accurate.

"Fufu. Your news is slow, indeed."

Therefore, the servants would display a sense of superiority by being the first to mention the rumors they had heard.

Since rumors were just rumors anyway, merely talking about them would not lead to punishment under the strict internal regulations.

"Aha. Fine, fine."

As the people gathered around pestered him, the one who brought it up unleashed the rumor as if he had no choice.

"Following the previous Inner Courtyard book price incident, everyone probably knows that the Sword Family Bank is going through a major event this time."

"Ah, stop stalling and tell us quickly!"

The surroundings immediately fell into an uproar.

The one who fully enjoyed that uproar brought out the main point.

"Ahem. So, I heard that on this occasion, the high officials of the Supreme Executive Council might mobilize all judicial organs within the family to start a massive internal inspection of the organizations of the entire Main Family."

"I-internal inspection?!"

"And of the entire Main Family at that?!"

Except for those whose work locations were nothing more than the laundry room or environmental sanitation, the rest of them jumped in surprise.

"Did you just say Supreme Executive Council?!"

"Can you take responsibility for that statement?"

The one who was spreading the rumor immediately frowned at those words.

"Responsibility, my foot… In the first place, did I not say it was a rumor? If I knew accurate information rather than a rumor, I would be working as an agent of the intelligence department."

"Well, that is true…"

Since it was correct, everyone had no choice but to agree.

"However, even if it is just a rumor, this is no time to be doing this!"

Servants serving some important figures were already running out as if their tails were on fire.

Because they had to somehow quickly deliver this rumor to those they served.

"Now, starting the training…?"

A moment later, the butler of the Administration Department who entered the training room for regular training wore a bewildered expression.

"What? Where did everyone go?"

Those remaining in the training room were not even half.

* * *

Having heard the report from the person in charge of regular training, the Head of the Administration Department flew into a rage.

"What?!"

At the shout of the Head of the Administration Department, who was famous for being demanding, thorough, and even perfectionistic normally, the opponent bowed his head frantically.

"You have recorded the names of all those insane things who skipped the regular training without permission, right?!"

"Yes, yes. Of course, Head of the Administration Department."

"We must round up all of those fellows later and flog them! What on earth do they think this Administration Department's regular training is, that they dare to be absent without permission?!"

"Y-yes, absolutely."

Rendering the effort to appease him to the best of his ability meaningless, a thunderous scolding fell upon the person in charge of training.

"But why are you still standing here, what are you doing?! Is this your office?!"

It felt as if he were breathing fire from his mouth.

It was obvious that if it caught fire one step further, an inkstone would fly.

"No, it is not! I-I will go and check the situation myself immediately!"

As he left the room as if escaping, the maids of the Administration Department who knew the Head of the Administration Department's temperament quickly ran and closed the office door.

As soon as the door was closed and the outside noise was cut off, the person visiting the office giggled, unable to hide his laughter.

"For the very culprit who spread the rumors and made the servants go report to fly into such a rage."

That youth was none other than the rumor with legs, Yeon Ha-eung.

"That is that, and this is this, is it not?"

The Head of the Administration Department snorted with a cold expression and sat back in his seat.

"By the way, this is also thanks to Advisor Yeon's guidance."

At the words of the Head of the Administration Department, Yeon Ha-eung set down his teacup and waved his hand.

"Ah. What help could someone like me be, for you to say such a thing?"

"Thanks to you, rather than just collecting internal information of the Sword Family."

Without even pretending to hear his humility, the Head of the Administration Department continued with what he had to say.

"We have even become able to carry out operations using rumors…"

Yeon Ha-eung wore a bitter smile.

"…Although it feels like the work has increased threefold thanks to that, though."

The person he met after being dragged away by the triplet maids in the past was none other than the Head of the Administration Department in front of his eyes.

Meeting him, who was building an information network inside the Luoyang Sword Family at the time, he had continued their cooperation to this day.

The secret intelligence organization of the Head of the Administration Department, which aimed to gather information from the very bottom, had become capable of even carrying out information operations through rumors, thanks to Yeon Ha-eung's assistance.

"These days, my body is really wearing out."

As Yeon Ha-eung shook his head, the Head of the Administration Department drank the cold tea in one gulp and snorted.

"You are saying it is hard because the work is busy?"

"Why are you…?"

As the sharp gaze of the Head of the Administration Department directed toward him, Yeon Ha-eung winced with a frightened expression.

"Advisor Yeon. By now, how about you stop spouting such insincere words?"

At his words, the expression of Yeon Ha-eung, who had been 'acting' a persona, changed like a lie.

"…Is that so?"

As Yeon Ha-eung's posture straightened, his impression changed as if he had become a different person.

Simply by assuming an upright posture, he, who was as tall as the famous giants of the Luoyang Sword Family, closest to the giants of the Sword Family, came to look down on the Head of the Administration Department.

"And that is despite the fact that we have only shared a few personal conversations."

Even his voice, which used to feel only frivolous, sank low.

Yeon Ha-eung revealed his original personality as if shedding a skin.

"To think you detected my acting, which no one else besides the Eldest Young Master has ever noticed, you are indeed great."

When a snake sheds its skin, a snake must emerge.

When Yeon Ha-eung shed his skin, what emerged from there was not Yeon Ha-eung, the Wind Envoy of the Crescent Moon Pavilion, but Yeon Ha-eung, the rightful successor of the Kaifeng Yeon family.

"It seems my cultivation is still lacking."

"We have been doing this work together all this time, so I should at least notice that much."

Even upon seeing this appearance, the Head of the Administration Department was not surprised at all, but rather snorted quietly.

"Since there is no way the Lord would keep someone who is a mere playboy this close, is it not obviously natural?"

At the words of the Head of the Administration Department, Yeon Ha-eung also raised his chin and looked down on him.

"Indeed. The renowned Head of the Administration Department. A person who should have become an elder long ago is indeed different."

The one who could have become an elder but for some reason lowered his posture and remained in his current position.

And the gaze of the one who had been inwardly sharpening a blade to reclaim the family that kicked him out clashed in the air without retreating even an inch. "……." "……."

What broke that touch-and-go tension was the laughter escaping from the mouths of the two men.

"Indeed, indeed."

Soon, the office was filled with laughter.

"I feel good that I can finally exchange sincere conversations with the Head of the Administration Department."

At Yeon Ha-eung's words, the Head of the Administration Department replied with a smile.

"I was lonely because there was no one near the Lord who could properly hide their heart. We will be able to build an even better relationship in the future."

"I look forward to working with you in the future as well."

The insidious smiles the two wore on their lips resembled each other amazingly.

It was the moment when the two, who were similar at their core, achieved harmony.

"Then, this person must move at least one more step to reinforce the rumors further."

As Yeon Ha-eung rose from his seat, the Head of the Administration Department nodded.

"The more thorough the work is, the better."

"I do not quite know why the phrase 'too much is as bad as too little' exists."

"I agree."

Although they were two people whose appearance, growth background, or origin did not match properly in any way, for some reason, they clicked amazingly well.

"Hehehe."

"Hehehe."

* * *

Second Young Master's Camp.

"If it becomes like this, will not the plan to smash that Yeon So-hyeon fellow completely fall apart?!"

As Grand Madame Ouyang struck the meeting table, the thick table split clean in two.

"What on earth is there that the ones called elders do properly?!"

The assembly fell as quiet as a dead mouse. "……."

While no one could easily open their mouth, Elder Hahou, who had been standing back with crossed arms until now, stepped forward.

"Grand Madame."

"What is it?"

Grand Madame Ouyang's burning gaze directed toward him.

With his single remaining eye, he looked calmly at Grand Madame Ouyang.

"It is merely the second day."

"…What is merely the second day?"

Elder Hahou picked up his report, which had fallen to the floor as the table was shattered.

"It means it has been only two days since the Eldest Young Master made his first official outing."

He glanced slightly at the clock hanging on the wall and added.

"Since midnight has passed now, it has become the third day." "……."

"It is now barely the third day."

Grand Madame Ouyang shut her mouth at those words.

It was so.

It was not that their response was lacking.

As soon as abnormal signs were seen, the Second Young Master had personally headed to the Imperial Capital, and they had been steadily mobilizing what they could do for two days.

Only.

It was just a problem that their opponent, that Eldest Young Master, was blocking their moves as if he had become a prophet.

"…It cannot be helped."

Grand Madame Ouyang spoke, pushing back her loose hair due to her anger.

"We must make a deal with the Yeon family blood relatives within the Main Family."

At those words, the assembly was in a stir.

"…Grand Madame, please reconsider."

"It could become a case of trying to catch a mountain fox only to drag in a tiger."

"What demands they will make… the political price to pay will be considerable."

Even Elder Hahou kept silent. "……."

In response to the reaction of the assembly, Grand Madame Ouyang spoke in a cold tone.

"To catch that Yeon So-hyeon fellow here, we have no choice but to mobilize stronger moves. At this rate, we will only continue to be dragged around by him."

She scanned the assembly and asked.

"Or do you all have an alternative?"

Everyone shut their mouths.

"Make contact with the Yeon family blood relatives and arrange a meeting in secret."

Her purple lips wore a twisted smile.

"Because at this point, those fellows will also want to push that Yeon So-hyeon fellow off the cliff as much as we do."