“My lord Grand Young Master!”

At the Sixth Department Head’s cry, Yeon So-hyeon glanced back over his shoulder, but he did not break his stride.

“My lord Grand Young Master!” the man called again, a note of desperation in his voice.

Scrambling to catch up, the Sixth Department Head fell into step behind Yeon So-hyeon’s long, unhurried gait.

“Isn’t it a bit early to have already made up your mind?” Yeon So-hyeon remarked without turning around.

The Sixth Department Head, his face a mask of unconcealed anxiety, addressed the young lord’s back. “Why me?”

A soft chuckle was the only reply for a moment. “That is the wrong question.”

Yeon So-hyeon’s steps came to a halt. He turned, his unreadable gaze locking onto the man. “What you should be asking yourself is not why I, the Grand Young Master, have chosen you.” His eyes seemed to pierce straight through him. “You must find the reason within yourself. The reason why you must pledge your loyalty to me.”

“Do you mean—?”

“That is enough.” Yeon So-hyeon raised a hand, stopping the Sixth Department Head as he took another step forward to press his question. “I am on my way to an important meeting and must be going.”

As if to punctuate his words, the Grand Young Master’s head handmaiden moved to intercept the man, positioning herself between him and her master.

“But—!”

“Life, as always, is not a problem to be solved,” Yeon So-hyeon said, his voice calm and philosophical. One cannot find answers in life, for there are no correct answers to be found. “Therefore, as I said before…” He raised a finger and pointed to the Sixth Department Head’s temple. “It is all a matter of choice.”

With that, Yeon So-hyeon turned and resumed his walk.

***

Within the residential district of the Luoyang Sword Clan, the Sixth Department Head gave an order.

“Let me out here.”

“But sir, we are still quite a ways from your residence.”

“It’s fine. I need to walk and clear my head.”

The Sixth Department Head stepped down from the carriage and began to walk. He couldn’t go home with this expression etched onto his face. The Grand Young Master’s proposition carried with it a risk far greater than any venture he had ever undertaken in his life.

“…Hmph.”

He finally arrived before his home and took one last, deep breath as he gazed upon it. It was a modest mansion, not large by any means, but it possessed a quiet, refined elegance. This is it. The place where my family, whom I must protect, resides.

Steeling his expression one last time, he stepped through the main gate.

“Dear!”

He found his wife in the courtyard, directing the servants as they tended to the garden. Her initial look of surprise quickly melted into a bright, welcoming smile.

“What a surprise! What brings you home at this hour?”

“I have a meeting soon…”

“Ah!” Before he could finish, she held up a finger knowingly. “You’ve come to change your clothes before the Court of Judiciary’ regular meeting.”

She was a perceptive woman. He offered his wife, who had never once disappointed him since their wedding day, a look of profound gratitude.

“…Thank you.”

Though she seemed to read something in his weary face, she showed no sign of it. Instead, she helped him into a fresh set of clothes, a gentle smile on her lips.

“Speaking of which, I have some wonderful news.”

“Good news?”

After smoothing out the creases in his attire, his wife gave him a meaningful smile. “It’s about our daughter.”

“Don’t tell me…”

“It’s exactly what you’re thinking. I’ve just been told that our daughter’s name was on the list of promotions at Sword Clan Construction[1].”

The Sixth Department Head’s eyes widened. “Truly?”

“She was promoted ahead of all her peers! This is the first step on the road to success!” His wife showed him the letter from their daughter, which had arrived via a courier from the Sword Clan Postal Service[2].

“I’ll see her this evening. Did the little rascal really need to send a letter?”

“She’s surrounded by rivals, I imagine. She must have wanted to boast to us as soon as she could.”

The letter was written with such uncontainable excitement that he couldn’t help but smile, picturing his daughter’s beaming face.

“If she continues like this, she’ll become the youngest department head in the history of Sword Clan Construction!”

Listening to his wife’s effusive praise, the Sixth Department Head let out a sigh of genuine relief. “This is wonderful, truly wonderful…”

The day had begun with a dreadful secret order from the Head of the Court of Judiciary, followed by the Grand Young Master cornering him with a horrifying choice. Yet, it seemed the world wasn’t entirely composed of misfortune.

He found himself murmuring aloud, “With this, now all that’s left is to solve my father-in-law’s financial problems…”

It was a slip of the tongue.

His wife’s expression instantly froze.

“…”

“My apologies,” he said quickly. He had spoiled what should have been a perfect day for her with his careless words. “My mind is a mess today. I spoke out of turn. I promise I will try to resolve the matter soon.”

“…That’s not it.” She came to him and took his hands in hers. “Why are you worrying about my family’s problems? The financial issues with my family’s merchant guild are for my father, the head of the house, to resolve.”

“But your father so earnestly pleaded with me to help him secure a loan from the Sword Clan Financial Bureau[3]…”

“My dear.” She stepped closer, gently lifting his slumped shoulders as she offered him a soft smile. “You don’t have to solve every problem in the world yourself.” Then, with a playful glint in her eye that belied her age, she added, “Besides, my family is rich. Even if we go bankrupt, we’ll have enough to live on for three generations. Don’t you worry about it.”

What more could he say? He simply looked at his wife with gratitude.

“…Thank you. Always.”

“For what? I’m always on your—”

A soft knock at the door cut her off.

“My sincerest apologies for the interruption,” the steward said as he entered. “There is a courier from the Sword Clan Financial Bureau here to see you.”

***

The Grand Young Master Yeon So-hyeon’s ironclad fortress rolled through the streets.

“Master.” Yi-ryeong, his head handmaiden, began hesitantly, choosing her words with care. “It is not my place to question your words or actions, but…”

“Speak,” Yeon So-hyeon permitted, not looking up from the document he was reading.

Thus encouraged, Yi-ryeong posed her question. “Why are you so intent on acquiring the Sixth Department Head of the Court of Judiciary?” Realizing her question might be insufficient, she elaborated, “He rose to his position on his own merits and, aside from his wife’s family, has no significant background. And his post as a first-year department head…”

Yeon So-hyeon finished her thought for her. “Is a position from which he can be replaced at any time.”

With her master having voiced her own unspoken conclusion, Yi-ryeong grew bolder. “Furthermore, that man…”

“Is not a loyal man, unlike the others you’ve dealt with before. Is that what you mean to say?”

Yi-ryeong nodded quickly. “Not only does he lack loyalty, but he possesses no noble ideals or virtuous character to speak of, does he?”

Yeon So-hyeon nodded. “You are certainly correct.” He placed the document on the seat beside him. Yi-ryeong immediately straightened up, moving to the very edge of her own seat. The gesture was a clear signal that her master was about to give her question his full attention, and she, in turn, had to listen with even greater seriousness.

“But tell me,” Yeon So-hyeon asked, his tone even. “Which group is more numerous?”

“Pardon?”

***

“Pardon?” the Sixth Department Head repeated.

Inside the headquarters of the Luoyang Sword Clan’s Financial Bureau, an executive shrugged. “Surely a man who holds the title of Department Head in the Court of Judiciary is not asking because he failed to comprehend my words?”

“No, I mean…” The Sixth Department Head pressed his fingers to his temple for a moment before asking again, “Are you telling me the loan for my father-in-law’s merchant guild has been approved?”

“You should be more careful with your words,” the executive said, his face tightening. “The reason we approved this loan is not because the guild is run by your father-in-law.” He frowned with disapproval. “For a man who has spent his life in Legal Affairs[4], that is a very reckless choice of words.”

“I understand. I apologize. But in any case,” the Sixth Department Head said with a wave of his hand, still struggling to grasp the situation. “How could a loan that was deemed utterly impossible be approved so suddenly and easily? What on earth happened?”

“As I explained from the beginning, with my apologies…” The executive pushed his glasses up the bridge of his nose. “There was a simple clerical error in the paperwork during the review process. We are merely correcting that error.”

“A clerical error… you say?”

“Yes. A clerical error.”

“To be perfectly frank,” the Sixth Department Head said, shaking his head in disbelief, “my father-in-law’s—no, that merchant guild’s financial situation is dire. In layman’s terms, it is on the verge of collapse.”

“That is certainly true,” the executive replied, glancing at the documents once more, his expression still placid. “However, finance is the art of investing not in present value, but in future potential.”

The Sixth Department Head struck his own chest in frustration. “And I am telling you frankly that there is no future potential to speak of!”

He should have been elated. A loan of this magnitude would keep his father-in-law’s guild afloat for years. It would be the most incredible gift he could give his wife. But this… this felt wrong.

“This is a waste of time.”

Thump.

The executive placed the documents down and rose from his seat, causing the Sixth Department Head to flinch.

“So, will you be accepting the loan?” The man’s eyes, obscured behind his spectacles, stared blankly at him. “Or not?”

“…”

***

Yeon So-hyeon posed the question again. “The loyal, the noble, and the virtuous, versus those who are not. Which side holds the majority?”

The answer was so obvious it barely required thought.

“The latter, of course,” Yi-ryeong replied without a moment’s hesitation.

“Correct.” Yeon So-hyeon nodded. “Those who are not loyal, whose spirits are not noble, and whose actions are not virtuous, constitute the majority in this world. But does that make them all villains?”

“…No, Master.” Yi-ryeong considered this, then continued, “They are merely ordinary people.”

“Yes. The ordinary are the absolute majority.” Yeon So-hyeon gazed out the window at the blurred cityscape rushing past. “And even in the upper echelons of this Sword Clan, such ordinary people are not so rare.” He continued, almost as if speaking to himself, “They are not competent enough to carve their own path through this harsh world, nor are they strong enough to bear its weight alone.”

***

In the rear garden of the Court of Judiciary, the regular executive meeting had just concluded.

“…Dammit.”

The Sixth Department Head, having sought out a secluded corner of the garden, rummaged through his pockets, but his fingers found no cigarettes. He must have left the case on his desk. I’ve been completely out of sorts all day.

To be fair, it wasn’t his fault. Everything seemed to fall into place at the most exquisitely opportune moments.

After the meeting, the Head of the Court of Judiciary had been preparing to berate him about the investigation into the “anti-social martial artist group,” but he was suddenly called away on an urgent matter.

“Excuse me, sir…”

An elderly servant, who had been tidying the garden, approached him. “Are you in need of a cigarette?” The old man produced one from his own pocket and offered it to him. “It’s a cheap brand, but if you’d like…”

“Thank you.” The Sixth Department Head gratefully accepted it. At this point, anything he could smoke would do. “This is exactly what I needed right now.”

“Indeed it is.” As he exhaled a long plume of smoke with a satisfied sigh, the gardener smiled, his face weathered and dark. “As you said, sir, wasn’t today an unusual day for things to happen exactly when they were needed most?”

“…You.” The cigarette fell from the Sixth Department Head’s fingers. “Who are you?” His eyes narrowed, internal energy beginning to coil within him.

“As you know, I am but a humble servant of the Court of Judiciary. Who I am is of little importance.” The man had worked here longer than he had been a department head. Only those who had proven their loyalty over long years with a tight lip remained in the Court.

“Then what’s important is who sent you.”

The old man shrugged. “I believe you are beginning to realize that for yourself, sir.”

“…”

The Sixth Department Head fought the urge to speak the name that had been echoing in his mind. It was too dangerous to utter that name here, in the garden of the Court of Judiciary.

“A letter, which I was instructed to deliver to you.”

After a moment’s glare, the Sixth Department Head took the letter and unfolded it.

[Was the shade cool enough, and did the river quench your thirst?]

…So it was him.

His daughter’s promotion, despite her lack of connections. The loan for his father-in-law’s guild, which should have been impossible. The Head of the Court of Judiciary, who was supposed to be breathing down his neck, being suddenly called away. All the pieces of his day that had inexplicably fallen into place…

…So this is the Grand Young Master.

He had heard the rumors, but to experience it firsthand…

He’s insane.

Shaken from his deep thought, he quickly scanned his surroundings.

“…”

The old servant was long gone.

…In the end, he said it was all a matter of choice.

He began to walk, his steps now firm with a new, unshakeable resolve.

***

Somewhere in the old district of Luoyang, Yeon So-hyeon’s ironclad fortress came to a stop. It had reached its destination.

When the armored door swung open and the Grand Young Master emerged, the crowd that had gathered erupted in thunderous applause.

“Thank you all for the warm welcome.”

Yeon So-hyeon raised a hand in greeting, and the applause only grew louder. The peculiar thing about the scene was that every single one of the dozens of people gathered there was a martial artist, and each one wore a different mask.

“It is an honor to meet with the most righteous vigilantes from all across the Central Plains.”

As Yeon So-hyeon began to speak, the tireless applause naturally subsided.

“And to meet all of you for the first time at this gathering…”

Someone from the crowd shouted, “I already had the honor of meeting you in that hellish place! To think you wouldn’t remember me just because I’m wearing a mask… I’m hurt!”

Another voice immediately retorted, “Who would want to remember your ugly mug? Be thankful for the mask!”

The jest sent a wave of laughter through the assembly.

“Of course, I remember,” Yeon So-hyeon said, sharing in their laughter. “How could I ever forget? More than half of the vigilantes present here today, I have met before.” With a smile gracing his lips, he slowly surveyed the masked faces before him. “In my memory, they are true warriors who fought against the Sword Clan without fear of death.”

At his words, the masked figures looked at one another and smiled. Who else in Luoyang could speak of justice with such authority?

Yeon So-hyeon addressed them all, his voice ringing with conviction. “You are the heroes who will bring a true spring to Luoyang.”

Indeed. They were the Spring of Luoyang.

And the place where Yeon So-hyeon stood was the secret assembly of their order.

“To be attending this assembly for the first time—”

“Master.” Yi-ryeong approached and handed him a small note, delivering a telepathic message at close range. [This information just came from the Administrative Pavilion[5] of the Supreme Operations Council[6].]

Yeon So-hyeon unfolded the note.

“…”

A smile touched his lips.

[Now do you see why we will need more of these ordinary people in the future?] he sent back to her.

Yi-ryeong’s reply was immediate. [Because they will become the shields that protect the loyal, the noble, and the virtuous.]

Yeon So-hyeon gave a slight nod of approval before turning back to the assembly.

“I am overjoyed that I can deliver some timely news to all of you, at the very moment I am first participating in this assembly.” His clear, resonant voice filled the hall. “Just now, the Sixth Department Head of the Court of Judiciary, the man in charge of legal affairs at the Dragon and Phoenix Assembly construction site, submitted his initial investigation report to the Supreme Operations Council.”

Yeon So-hyeon held up the note for all to see. “The contents of the report are as follows.”

Every eye and ear in the room was fixed on him.

“‘Initial investigation suggests that the information about an anti-social martial artist group operating in the area appears to be false.’”

As his words continued, jaws began to drop throughout the masked crowd.

“‘No further investigation is deemed necessary.’”