“Hmm?”
A voice came from ‘above.’
“Was he not in here?”
The voice was muffled, coming from beyond the wall, making it difficult to discern the words. But the identity of the speaker, the owner of that frosty voice, was unmistakable even without catching the content.
The White-Haired, White-Eyed demon… Dokgo Ya-yeon!
He had heard all too often during his long career in the Sword Clan what became of those dragged away by the Central Inspectorate, and what horrors they endured before they met that end.
How did it come to this?! How?!
Afraid that even the sound of his breathing might be heard, the Treasury Vice Director clamped a hand over his own mouth, holding his breath.
Where? Where did it all go so wrong?!
The Treasury Vice Director was hiding in a small, secret compartment beneath the bed in the inner chamber. The space was absurdly cramped, forcing him to fold his body into an agonizingly tight and uncomfortable position, but he was in no position to complain.
“Hmm? I was certain I confirmed he was in here just a moment ago.”
The owner of that voice was the First Department Head, the very man who had been pressuring him. They were in the inner chamber, searching for him.
“First Department Head. This matter is as good as over. Please, cooperate peacefully…”
The First Department Head sounded flustered. “I…! As you said, we’ve come this far! What reason would I have to hide him now…?”
Listening to their conversation, the Treasury Vice Director seethed.
Those cursed bastards from the Court of Judiciary…! They use people when they’re useful, and the second they’re not, they sell them out without a second thought?!
The one who had told him about this secret location was none other than one of the corrupt Yeon Clan elders.
“This mechanism is known only to a select few within our bloodline. It was built in secret during the Council of Elders’s construction. Not even the Head of the Council of Elders knows of it.”
The elder’s words echoed in his mind.
“We’ve stocked it with enough food and water. Hold out. We’ll watch for an opportunity and get you out.”
He and the corrupt Yeon Clan elders were in the same boat. And though the Yeon Clan had joined hands with the Court of Judiciary, they had never trusted them. The Treasury Vice Director had used that mistrust to his advantage, securing a separate lifeline that the Court of Judiciary knew nothing about.
‘A wily rabbit has three burrows.’
The saying went that a rabbit never digs just one hole. Having weathered every storm imaginable to rise to the rank of Treasury Vice Director, he had more than one means of survival.
I will not end like this…!
He clutched the ledger hidden in his robes, swallowing his humiliation and rage.
As long as I have this secret ledger, the Yeon Clan has no choice but to cooperate in keeping me alive…!
Even if he became a wanted man by the Luoyang Sword Clan, as long as he had this ledger, he could use the power of the corrupt elders recorded within it to rise again, somewhere, anywhere.
I will survive…! I will survive…! I will—!
Just then, a voice he never, ever wanted to hear again… another voice… drifted down to his ears.
“No need for either of you to raise your voices.”
A man who could speak so dismissively to both the Head of the Court of Judiciary’s First Division and the Head of the Central Inspectorate.
“The delicious smell is coming from right here.”
There was no need for deduction. He would never forget that voice, not even in his nightmares.
Clack. Clack.
The sound of some mechanism being operated.
That sound…?!
Grrr… With a groan, the secret door directly above his head began to open.
“A truly simple mechanism.”
A head emerged from the darkness. The man’s downward gaze met the Treasury Vice Director’s upward-staring one. It was a face of exquisite beauty, easily described as a ‘Handsome Noble’. However, to the Treasury Vice Director, it was the face of the God of Death.
“Didn’t I tell you to resist with all your might?”
Yeon So-hyeon revealed his sharp teeth in a cold smile. “I told you to put your life on the line and drag down everyone you could in your struggle.” A soft click of the tongue. “Is this… this… really the best you could do?”
A pale white hand descended… …and seized the Treasury Vice Director’s hair.
“K-Kuaaaaargh!”
A scream of pure agony tore from his lips.
“To think… a little rat like this was gnawing away at my family for so long.”
The power in that grip was immense. It felt as if his head were caught between a carriage wheel and the ground, about to be split apart.
“Kuaaaaaah, aaaack!”
The Grand Young Master, Yeon So-hyeon… no, the God of Death… his eyes blazed with an ethereal blue fire as he delivered the sentence.
“From this moment, in the Central Inspectorate, you will taste a living hell.”
The instant he finished speaking, the Treasury Vice Director was yanked up by his hair.
“Guaaaaaaaargh—!”
Leaving behind only a long, futile scream, much like his long, futile lifeline, the cramped, dark, and secret space remained untouched, with the abandoned food and water.
“Drag him away.”
“By your command!”
At Dokgo Ya-yeon’s command, the red-uniformed agents of the Central Inspectorate swiftly apprehended the Treasury Vice Director.
“Pl-Please!”
His shoulders pinned down, the Treasury Vice Director struggled, his hands reaching desperately for anything within his grasp.
Crash! Smash!
Tables, porcelain, and everything in his path toppled over and shattered, plunging the room into chaos.
“S-Save me! Please, Grand Young Master! Just one more chance…!”
Not a single person in the lounge spared a glance for a man who was already as good as dead.
“…My congratulations on your victory, Grand Young Master.”
The Head of the Court of Judiciary, the first to speak, emphasized the importance of strategic planning and patience. He reminded everyone that there are no permanent enemies or allies. In the world of politics, the key to survival lies in avoiding unnecessary conflicts and maintaining alliances. Despite his internal preparations, the Head of the Court of Judiciary forced a composed smile onto his face.
“…It was a brilliant match.”
“My thanks, Head of the Court of Judiciary.”
As if savoring the Head of the Court of Judiciary’s humiliation, Yeon So-hyeon smiled, his attention focused on the secret ledger in his hands. It was the very ledger that had been the Treasury Vice Director’s final lifeline.
“…But, how did you know such a secret space existed?”
At the Head of the Court of Judiciary’s question, the gazes of Dokgo Ya-yeon and the First Department Head, who had been wondering the same thing, also turned to him.
“I didn’t.”
“…Pardon?”
Yeon So-hyeon continued to flip slowly through the ledger as he replied. “I didn’t find the secret space because I knew it existed. I found the secret space because I knew he was in here.” It was an answer, but not one that could be understood by anyone who didn’t know about Scripture that Commands the Dark and Quakes the Heavens.
“…What does that mean, my lord?”
Instead of explaining further, Yeon So-hyeon just let out a small peal of laughter.
Though the Head of the Court of Judiciary extended his congratulations on his victory, his gaze remained fixed on the secret ledger in Yeon So-hyeon’s hands for an entire moment. “The opportunity to profit from aiding the corrupt Yeon Clan has vanished…”
Yeon So-hyeon grinned at the Head of the Court of Judiciary. “But if you had this secret ledger, you could apprehend the corrupt Yeon clansmen and recover your losses from this incident, wouldn’t you?” Yeon So-hyeon deliberately lowered his voice, making it subtle. The Head of the Court of Judiciary’s wrinkled face twitched. “The Head of the Inspectorate Bureau has already secured his share from this game. If you walk away empty-handed, it’ll be worse than just a bad taste in your mouth.”
Dammit…
The Grand Young Master emerged as the undeniable victor, yet he found himself in a precarious position, compelled to seek the favor of the winner.
“If you demonstrate this generosity, I won’t forget it,” the Head of the Court of Judiciary clasped his hands, his voice as respectful as he could muster. “Although I’ve suffered a significant defeat this time due to your divine calculations, as long as I hold the position of Head of the Court of Judiciary, I’ll be able to provide you with substantial assistance in the future.” Of course, the Head of the Court of Judiciary’s true thoughts were quite different from his words.
‘A gentleman’s revenge is never too late, even after ten years.’
‘The one who laughs last is the true victor,’ he continued. ‘What did this momentary humiliation matter?’
Yeon So-hyeon, who had been thoughtfully tapping the ledger, finally nodded. “Indeed,” he said. “I will certainly need the Court of Judiciary’s help in the future.”
Yes…! Color rushed back into the Head of the Court of Judiciary’s face.
“Take this.”
The First Department Head deftly caught the ledger that Yeon So-hyeon tossed over and bowed his head. “Thank you, Grand Young Master.”
The Head of the Court of Judiciary, now beaming, also bowed his head to Yeon So-hyeon. “Grand Young Master, I will ensure you never regret this decision.”
And yet.
For some reason.
“With that secret ledger and the cooperation of the Central Inspectorate, that should be enough, wouldn’t you say?”
“Yes, it will.”
The Grand Young Master wasn’t even looking at him. He was engaged in a conversation with the First Department Head. The First Department Head, maintaining a composed demeanor, meticulously reviewed the ledger he had received from the Grand Young Master.
“The powerful individuals who have been embezzling the Main Clan’s assets… and not just any powerful individuals, but those who have been actively dismantling the corruption within the Yeon Clan itself…”
The First Department Head nodded in agreement, “That would indeed be more than enough to be considered a significant ‘accomplishment.’”
“Indeed,” the Grand Young Master smiled at the First Department Head, expressing his approval. “And considering the magnitude of this accomplishment, coupled with the illustrious career you have built, it would be more than sufficient for you to be inaugurated as the ‘new’ Head of the Court of Judiciary.”
The first department head bowed deeply once more. “Thank you, Grand Young Master.” He continued, his head still lowered. “I promise, once again, that from this day forward, the Court of Judiciary will conduct its investigations without fear of any sacred ground.”
“I look forward to it.” Yeon So-hyeon stepped forward and patted his shoulder. “There will be a final review and decision from the Supreme Operations Council, but leave that to me. Don’t worry.” The Supreme Operations Council, that inscrutable body. The Grand Young Master spoke of its notoriously difficult procedures as if they were nothing. “You just leave all that political nonsense to me. You simply need to be faithful to your duties.”
The First Department Head swallowed dryly and nodded. “I’ll keep that in mind.”
“Congratulations,” came the voice from behind. It was Dokgo Ya-yeon, who had been observing. “I look forward to collaborating on future investigations.”
The First Department Head turned to her and replied with equal politeness. “I, too, look forward to working with you.”
They were all exchanging pleasantries as if this were the most natural thing in the world.
However, there was one man who could neither follow nor accept the situation.
“…What… is this?”
It was the Head of the Court of Judiciary.
“What is the meaning of all this…?”
A man of his political acumen couldn’t have failed to grasp the situation.
“What… is going on…?”
He just couldn’t accept it.
“You two must have a lot to talk about.”
Yeon So-hyeon shot him a small, pitying smirk, then turned and exited with the Head of the Central Inspectorate.
“I’ll see you in the Grand Assembly Hall.”
“Yes, Grand Young Master. I will be there shortly.”
With his usual carefree demeanor, the Grand Young Master waved over his shoulder and disappeared down the corridor. The one to break the silence was the Head of the Court of Judiciary, who appeared to have aged ten years in that short time.
From the very beginning, the First Department Head had been on Yeon So-hyeon’s side.
“Yes,” he replied. “From the very moment this entire affair had started.”
The Head of the Court of Judiciary slowly sat down in his chair, though it seemed more like he had collapsed onto the floor. “You sold yourself when your value was highest. Well done,” he said, lifting his eyes to praise the man who had been his right arm. “You have now become a fine politician, a true elder of the Main Clan.”
At those words, the First Department Head shook his head firmly. “No, sir.”
“No need for false modesty. You—“
The First Department Head interrupted him. “The moment I am inaugurated as Head of the Court of Judiciary, I will be relinquishing my position as an elder.”
“…What?” The Head of the Court of Judiciary was utterly dumbfounded, his expression conveying his inability to comprehend what he was hearing. “What… What did you say?”
“The head of an investigative body cannot simultaneously serve as a member of the Council of Elders and engage in political maneuvering,” the First Department Head declared. “This is the very thought that has been occupying my mind for so long… the very words the Grand Young Master had spoken to me when we met, as if he had read my thoughts.”
“From this day forward, within the Main Clan, there will be no more investigative agencies that become political entities in their own right,” the First Department Head continued, his voice filled with conviction.
To the man gaping at him, his mouth hanging open in a foolish expression—his former Head of the Court of Judiciary—the First Department Head offered one last, profound bow.
“I have gained a great deal from your guidance.”
“Thank you… for everything.”