Vol. 1 Chapter 3.4

From then on, a tedious stream of talk followed. Yeon occasionally locked eyes with Cheon-gang, killing time by admiring his handsome face. When she got too bored, she had staring contests with Namgung Ji-hyun.

Then finally, a topic came up that caught Yeon’s interest.

“Next, we will move on. This agenda concerns the dispute between the Baekha Escort Agency and the Jeokhwa Merchant Group…”

Jeokhwa Merchant Group. A newly formed merchant group backed by the Jeokhwa Sect. Later, after the Cult of Baehwa rose to power, it would change its name to Hyulhwa Merchant Group. Not because they were converted but because the Jeokhwa Sect had been the cult’s puppet all along.

In the original novel, this agenda would be buried, and the Jeokhwa Merchant Group would go on to thrive. Changing that outcome was the real reason Yeon had attended the gathering.

I need to step in at the right moment.

Just as Yeon was gauging the situation, a commotion broke out outside, accompanied by a clattering noise.

“What impious behavior is this? Benefactor! Benefactor!”

The doors of Lixue Pavillion flew open, and someone threw themselves inside. It was a gaunt woman with a haggard face. She wore black clothes… so dark that one could believe they were mourning garments.

Right behind her, two warrior monks rushed in. Specially assigned for the gathering’s security, they pressed their palms together with troubled expressions.

“Abbot, we apologize. This benefactor forced her way in no matter what we said…”

If the woman had been a villain or a bandit leader, the monks would have stopped her even at the cost of their lives. But because she was a helpless ordinary person, they couldn’t. Especially since she had charged in without caring for her own safety.

Damdeok signaled to the monks that it was alright and let out a soft sigh.

“What circumstances gave you the courage to do this, benefactor?”

Instead of interrogating her identity or lecturing her on the importance of this gathering, the abbot first asked her story. His compassion surprised not only the woman but also Yeon, who was watching.

After catching her breath, the woman spoke.

“First, I apologize for causing a disturbance. But I had no other choice. I know this is wrong, but…”

“Ha! If you know it’s wrong, you should identify yourself first. How dare you? Do you know where this is?”

The one who spat out these angry words was Peng Ho-mok. Acting in direct opposition to the abbot’s consideration, his behavior made Yeon’s brow furrow.

Ugh, that guy. Like father, like son. Seriously.

Perhaps embarrassed by Peng Ho-mok’s reproach, the woman trembled, her small fists clenched tightly. Then she finally spoke.

“…I am Baek Ju-a of the Baekha Escort Agency.”

“Hm?”

“What?”

The assembly stirred at her identity. Wasn’t the Baekha Escort Agency the very party involved in the agenda they had just been discussing?

Yeon didn’t miss the person whose expression hardened dangerously. He had looked displeased ever since Baek Ju-a entered.

Who was that again?

Searching through Hwangbo Yeon’s memories, she soon recalled him. Han Sa-uk.. the young sect leader of the Mount Heng Sect.

Just then, Peng Ho-mok suddenly stepped forward. He snorted loudly, making sure everyone could hear, and addressed the crowd.

“Everyone, I, Peng Ho-mok, don’t even know where the Baekha Escort Agency is located. But I don’t need to hear why this woman Baek Ju-a is here. Am I the only one who feels this way?”

“Ahem…”

Uncomfortable murmurs arose from here and there. Frankly, it was inevitable. For a party involved in a dispute to show up here seemed like an attempt to influence the outcome in some way.

Meanwhile, Han Sa-uk, the young sect leader of the Mount Heng Sect who had been gauging the mood, raised his hand. His dark expression had been completely wiped clean.

“Actually, the dispute between the Baekha Escort Agency and the Jeokhwa Merchant Group occurred in our Mount Heng Sect’s territory. I hadn’t intended to step forward, but it seems I need to provide an explanation.”

At his words, Baek Ju-a’s eyes wavered. She looked anxious. Conversely, Han Sa-uk didn’t even glance at her.

Outwardly, he seemed to advocate fairness, but Yeon had an uneasy feeling.

“The Jeokhwa Merchant Group was formed by merchants seeking to revive the commercial district of Hunan. Fortunately, they share common goals and operate without major issues. However, they have yet to influence northern Hunan.”

So far, nothing seemed problematic.

“Because the Baekha Escort Agency, the center of northern commerce, has refused to join the group. The reason is a conflict of interests…”

“That’s not true!”

Baek Ju-a’s urgent cry cut off Han Sa-uk’s words. He frowned slightly but then turned his gaze toward her.

“Is there something incorrect in what I said?”

“We didn’t refuse to join because of interests. It was because we found the Jeokhwa Merchant Group’s actions suspicious.”

Han Sa-uk let out a short sigh.

“For that reason, you requested an investigation from our Mount Heng Sect. But in the end, no issues were found. You remember that, don’t you?”

“That’s because you didn’t investigate properly…”

At Baek Ju-a’s words, Han Sa-uk’s eyebrow twitched.

“Are you now questioning the Mount Heng Sect’s handling of matters?”

“That’s not what I..”

“Enough! I can’t listen to any more of this.”

It was Peng Ho-mok again.

“From what I see, you’re making a fuss over a finished matter. Not even worth discussing. The Mount Heng Sect has already conducted a thorough investigation. Isn’t that so?”

Naturally, no one objected. As Han Sa-uk had said, to argue otherwise would be to challenge the Mount Heng Sect’s work. But Yeon’s suspicion only grew.

This feels like Peng Ho-mok and Han Sa-uk are colluding. Could the Peng Clan and the Mount Heng Sect also be connected to the Cult of Baehwa?

She couldn’t tell for sure. Perhaps there were ties she didn’t know about. What was certain was that in the original story, this had probably been swept under the rug just like this.

Then Baek Ju-a spoke, her voice trembling.

“Finished matter? The head of the Baekha Escort Agency was assassinated. How can you call that finished?”

Assassination? She said he was assassinated? Does that mean her clothes really are mourning garments?

Just as her desperate voice stirred the crowd, Han Sa-uk quickly spoke up.

“The death of the Baekha Escort Agency’s head was concluded as a suicide, was it not? Afterward, corruption was even uncovered. I was deliberately not mentioning that, but…”

“My father’s death was not a suicide! And he never committed any corruption!”

Han Sa-uk shook his head as if exhausted. He was acting as if Baek Ju-a was throwing a tantrum.

Finally unable to wait any longer, Yeon stepped forward.