Book 9: Chapter 25: Life Goes On

The crowd that had filled the square dispersed.

Far away, the personnel from the headquarters of the House of Benevolence and Love were leaving after finishing clearing up after the requiem.

And on one side of it.

Yeon So-hyeon was standing. "……."

Clang, clang, the hammers struck by the workers hit the chisels.

The inscription of the monument to the spirits was being engraved.

The handwriting was extremely elegant and Yeon So-hyeon's expression looking at it was boundlessly soft.

It was as if time had stopped at that moment.

Jeong-ah wanted to watch that expression of her master forever.

However, she could not do so.

[…Master.] his region of the back was quietly guarded by Jeong-ah alone, who sent a sound transmission.

[One person has been continuously watching this way since a short while ago.] within the detection range of the Dragon Eyes, she could see a middle-aged man anxiously walking back and forth in the shade far away.

[…I know. Any identification?] jeong-ah found the middle-aged man's identity from the portraits in her head.

[He is the Head of the Sixth Department of the Law Enforcement Court of the Main Family.] at her words, Yeon So-hyeon wore a bitter smile.

[…I see.] leaving that sound transmission for her, Yeon So-hyeon approached the monument to the spirits.

“Eldest Young Master.”

The artisans who were working stepped back from the monument to the spirits.

There was also no one who asked what was going on.

Since they were also poor laborers who had raised the uprising, their attitude toward Yeon So-hyeon was extremely polite beyond comparison. "……."

Standing in front of the monument to the spirits, Yeon So-hyeon reached out toward the flat surface of that giant rock.

His touch was cautious.

Like someone touching something that they dared not touch.

After hesitating several times in the air, his hand stroked the monument.

“…Spring does not just come.”

Yeon So-hyeon quietly read the phrase of the requiem text he wrote and took his hand off the monument.

The requiem was for those who survived.

It was to help the survivors continue to live.

The requiem was over.

The time for the human, Yeon So-hyeon, was over.

It was now time to return to Yeon So-hyeon, the Eldest Young Master of the Luoyang Sword Family, once again.

“Call the Head of the Sixth Department of the Law Enforcement Court.”

“Yes, Master.”

Turning away from the monument to the spirits, Yeon So-hyeon's expression was no longer soft.

Jeong-ah felt sorry for that.

* * *

The Head of the Sixth Department of the Law Enforcement Court, who was walking behind Jeong-ah, almost tripped over his feet several times.

'Damn it.'

How embarrassing would it be if a person who had learned enough martial arts to trigger Samadhi True Fire to light a cigar fell over by tripping on his own legs?

'Damn it.'

However, he lacked the peace of mind too much to even imagine such a clumsy appearance of his.

'Why did I…'

He looked at the appearance of Yeon So-hyeon sitting below the monument to the spirits.

The appearance of the boy sitting in the shade created by the giant stadium and looking far away was beautiful.

'Why do I have to come all the way here and deal with that Eldest Young Master?'

However, to him, that profile of the Eldest Young Master looked like the profile of a death god.

“So, you want us all to plunge into that mud and roll around?”

The words of his senior, the Department Head of the First Department, came to mind.

'Think of your family.'

As if following the words his senior had spoken.

He had been doing his best to avoid the succession issue of the Sword Family until now.

'Even this matter was merely taking charge of the investigation duty following the command of the Supreme Executive Council.'

For some reason, the Eldest Young Master was here before he knew it.

And he was in a situation where he had to deal with that Eldest Young Master.

“Are you the Head of the Sixth Department of the Law Enforcement Court?”

Yeon So-hyeon acknowledged him first. "……!"

Only then did the Department Head realize that he had committed a rudeness.

“S-sorry.”

He clasped his hands and greeted.

“This nobody of the Law Enforcement Court greets the Eldest Young Master of the Main Family.”

The point where his two clasped hands touched was damp.

“Yes. I am the Eldest Young Master, Yeon So-hyeon.”

The Eldest Young Master turned around to face him.

The Department Head cautiously moved his steps and approached him.

The place where he set foot was the shadow of the giant stadium building, but for some reason, that shadow felt like the shadow of the Eldest Young Master, Yeon So-hyeon.

He wanted to flee from this spot right away, but he could not do so.

He closed his eyes tightly and broached the subject.

“Yes, Eldest Young Master. I…”

Yeon So-hyeon raised his hand and stopped his words.

“Before I hear your business.”

His eyes, whose depth could not be known, turned toward the Department Head.

“First, how is the investigation of the insubordination incident that took place here going?”

“…Regarding the investigation currently in progress.”

“You cannot speak about the investigation currently in progress. I understand.”

Yeon So-hyeon nodded his head as if he understood.

In any case, the sect leader of the Northern Hengshan Sect, who was the ringleader, had died, and the Third Young Master's side had to take their hands off this place.

That the investigation would fizzle out was something he had already guessed.

“Rather, let me congratulate you on being officially appointed as the legal officer of the 'Investigation and Surveillance Group.'” the campsite where all of the Third Young Master's side had left.

That campsite was now the campsite of the troops dispatched by the Supreme Executive Council.

And now their official name became the 'Dragon and Phoenix Gathering Stadium Construction Site Investigation and Surveillance Group.'

The purpose of the Investigation and Surveillance Group was, and the Department Head had been appointed as one of the leaders of that Investigation and Surveillance Group, following the investigation of the insubordination incident.

'the identification, surveillance, and evaluation of all the poor laborers who had raised the uprising.'

“Th-thank you.”

Even while offering his gratitude a question was present in the Department Head's eyes.

'Why on earth does the Eldest Young Master already know that I have been appointed as the legal officer?'

Even he himself, who had been appointed, only found out about this fact through the appointment letter whose ink had barely dried just now.

Before he could even continue his thoughts, the Eldest Young Master continued speaking.

“The Dragon and Phoenix Gathering is a major event even for the Main Family. Participating in such a thing will be of great help to the evaluation for your promotion later.”

Although a smile hung on the mouth of Yeon So-hyeon who spoke like that the Department Head was feeling that there was not a single shred of goodwill in it.

“…I am honored just by being able to help with the Main Family's event.”

Yeon So-hyeon was feeling that there was not a single shred of truth in those words.

The Department Head would probably want to throw away his newly acquired position and flee right away, just by the fact that he was involved with the Eldest Young Master now.

“Yes. It must be an honor.”

Yeon So-hyeon smirked at those words and spoke.

“How is the investigation of the poor laborers going?”

“Thanks to you, it is proceeding without trouble. Since they are giving full cooperation, the identification is going smoothly.”

“That is good. And so…”

His tone was calm, and as if it were nothing just like until now, he asked the Department Head.

“What is it that the Lord of the Law Enforcement Court wants from me?” "……."

The Department Head, who was speechless for a moment, gasped.

'Does the Eldest Young Master already know everything…?!'

He looked at Yeon So-hyeon with trembling eyes.

'No, maybe. It might be better to talk if he already knows—' as if reading his inner thoughts, Yeon So-hyeon spoke.

“Yes. I have already guessed that you came with a secret mission from the Lord of the Law Enforcement Court. That way, it will be easier for you to talk to me, right?”

“…Yes.”

“Then, speak.”

He, who was about to open his mouth, take a deep breath, and state the secret mission of the Lord of the Law Enforcement Court, realized from Yeon So-hyeon's subsequent words.

“Why does the Lord of the Law Enforcement Court,” that the words 'speak' were not telling him to state the secret mission.

“pretend not to see the data regarding the corruption of the Yeon family blood relatives that I sent, and yet expect goodwill from me?” "……!"

His speech was completely blocked.

Yeon So-hyeon clicked his tongue at him.

“The Lord of the Law Enforcement Court probably wants cooperation from me regarding the investigation of the martial artists who joined the rebel forces, right?”

At this point, the Department Head stopped thinking.

In any case, he was currently nothing more than a messenger of the Lord of the Law Enforcement Court.

“…Yes, that is right.”

Subsequently, he spoke exactly as the Lord of the Law Enforcement Court had instructed him.

“Those martial artists are people who hold the law in contempt, and there are circumstances suspecting that they have already been involved in several incidents of a similar nature.”

Although the Law Enforcement Court did not seem to have found out the organization name 'Spring of Luoyang' yet they seemed to have grasped their danger.

“They have been identified as already forming a single organization, and the investigation shows that they intervened heavily in this incident as well, influencing the workers.”

Even under Yeon So-hyeon's stinging gaze, the Department Head steadfastly continued what he had to say.

“It is the stance of the Lord of the Law Enforcement Court that we must eradicate them root and branch before they become a major problem in maintaining the order of Luoyang.”

Yeon So-hyeon shook his head.

“They have already had their sins commuted by the command of the Governor of Luoyang and the command of the Supreme Executive Council.”

“No, it is not.”

The Department Head said firmly.

“That command was issued targeting the laborers, not targeting the anti-social group of martial artists.” "……."

That was in a way mere wordplay, but it was also a statement that precisely pierced the loophole.

Yeon So-hyeon twitched his eyebrow and asked him.

“Is that the thinking of the Lord of the Law Enforcement Court?”

“Yes, that is right.”

“There is no way that is so.”

Yeon So-hyeon looked into his eyes and asked once more.

“Is that truly and purely the personal thinking of the Lord of the Law Enforcement Court?”

“…As far as I know.”

Yeon So-hyeon opened his mouth while looking up at the sky in his sitting posture.

“What organization was helping the laborers here and in what manner they sympathized has not yet been reported even to the Supreme Executive Council. But the Law Enforcement Court knows about it?”

“How does the Eldest Young Master know that…?”

The Department Head, who was throwing the question, shut his mouth.

Elder Yeom.

He, famous as the mediator of political deals with the Eldest Young Master, Yeon So-hyeon, was the general manager here.

Even if all reports that should have gone up went through Yeon So-hyeon, it would not be strange.

Ignoring him who was groaning, Yeon So-hyeon continued speaking.

“Even so, it is too early for you to grasp that. I know very well how pressed you are with the investigation of the insubordination incident and the identification of the laborers.” "……."

The Department Head chose to listen carefully to Yeon So-hyeon's words.

Just how the Lord of the Law Enforcement Court had come to know that fact was something he was also curious about.

“Then, it can only be said that the Lord of the Law Enforcement Court heard the information from someone who knows the circumstances here well.”

The Department Head said as if sighing unconsciously.

“…It must be the Third Young Master's side.”

Those who grasped the situation here well and were placed in a position where they had no choice but to investigate the Spring of Luoyang, which was becoming an obstacle.

And those who possessed the ability to conduct a 'proper' investigation.

Yeon So-hyeon nodded his head.

“Yes. The Left and Right Grand Tacticians of the Third Young Master's side.”

“…So they breathed wind along with the information to the Lord of the Law Enforcement Court.”

Only now could the Department Head know how the situation was turning.

“Yes. For the Lord of the Law Enforcement Court, it is an opportunity to build merit, and at the same time, it is also an opportunity for the Left and Right Grand Tacticians to land a blow on me.”

If Yeon So-hyeon did not cooperate, they would immediately release the relevant materials and publicly criticize Yeon So-hyeon.

“Furthermore, that is not all. Later, when their organization causes a similar problem again…”

“They will point to me as the force behind their organization.”

Indeed, the Left and Right Grand Tacticians were not ones to be taken lightly.

Even in a situation where their own main base was extremely chaotic, they had thrown a snare at Yeon So-hyeon.

'Although they were defeated in battle, do they not plan to withdraw just empty-handed?'

Yeon So-hyeon wore a bitter smile.

“They are trying to subject me to 'cooking the hound after the hare is dead'.”

Meaning that after the hare hunt was over, the hunting dog was boiled and eaten.

It was a strategic move to damage Yeon So-hyeon's reputation, which was growing uncontrollably from the bottom of Luoyang society, by making him cooperate in capturing the righteous martial artists.

“…At this point, 'cleaning up' them might rather be a method with less damage to the Eldest Young Master.”

The Department Head scratched his head, speaking as if persuading Yeon So-hyeon.

“Those people called righteous martial artists or chivalrous swordsmen are merely stubborn. Since the Eldest Young Master is also their benefactor, they might remain quiet for the time being, but in the end, they will cause a bigger problem later…”

The tongue and lips of the Department Head, who was trying hard to persuade Yeon So-hyeon, stopped.

“What is wrong? Why do you not keep speaking?”

This was because he saw a smile hanging on Eldest Young Master Yeon So-hyeon's mouth before he knew it.

'Come to think of it…'

The Eldest Young Master had already guessed the fact that he came having received the secret mission of the Lord of the Law Enforcement Court.

And he had also guessed even its contents.

'If so…!'

Perhaps, the Eldest Young Master.

Might have even prepared a response to that.

As his thoughts reached that point, a chilling coldness ran down the Department Head's spine.

“Well, it does not matter even if you say you will not speak.”

Yeon So-hyeon shrugged his shoulders.

“Since I also have a reputation to protect, I cannot cooperate with you fully, but that does not mean I can block the investigation of the anti-social martial arts group. Investigate as much as you like on your own.” "……."

Although he obtained what he wanted so smoothly the Department Head's expression only hardened further.

“But what do you intend to do if, as a result of the investigation, the existence of their organization is not confirmed here at all?”

Yeon So-hyeon's smile grew even thicker.

“So, what if I claim they were not here from the beginning?”

The Department Head's gaze wavered.

“Are you saying that those martial artists have already left this place?!”

Yeon So-hyeon shrugged his shoulders.

“I do not know how those who did not even exist here could have left.” "……."

The Department Head racked his brain while breaking out in a cold sweat.

'The outskirts of this place are still being thoroughly monitored. There should be no way to escape?!'

Those who can access this place are.

The associates of the Luoyang Sword Family and those of the House of Benevolence and Love who visited this place for the humanitarian support of the poor laborers…

“The House of Benevolence and Love?!”