Chapter 27
If He Had Not Changed His Mind
“The Chief of the Zhejiang Provincial Division came personally?”
Yeom Jeong-gil frowned at Baek Socheon’s report.
“He came down to investigate Cheon Yangho’s disappearance himself.”
“Damn it. Of all times.”
Wang Gon clicked his tongue in annoyance, but inwardly he was overjoyed.
This is actually a relief.
When Yeom Jeong-gil had first issued that insane order, Wang Gon had only hoped Baek Socheon would somehow pass the test.
But thinking about it rationally, having the Martial Alliance Branch Chief murdered within the territory he managed would do him absolutely no good. A different kind of test would be far better for him.
“Cheon Yangho was one of the Provincial Division’s most influential men. It makes sense that the Division Chief would come personally.”
“Isn’t this all because of him?”
As Yeom Jeong-gil shot him a displeased glare, Baek Socheon defended himself.
“That’s because Cheon Yangho tried to kill me.”
When Yeom Jeong-gil glared even more fiercely, as though warning him not to speak carelessly, Baek Socheon deliberately looked away as if intimidated.
His unusual behavior was intentional.
People tended to focus on a person’s attitude rather than what lay beneath it.
Wang Gon cautiously offered a suggestion.
“I think we should postpone eliminating Im Chung until after the Division Chief leaves. If the Branch Chief is murdered while the Division Chief is staying at the branch, he'll stop at nothing to catch the killer. If that happens...”
Yeom Jeong-gil cut him off firmly.
“Kill him anyway.”
Wang Gon was stunned.
He had never expected Yeom Jeong-gil to insist on carrying out the order even under these circumstances.
A hopeless lunatic, as always!
In contrast, the man receiving the order seemed as though he had been waiting for it.
“Very well. Since we’ve come this far, let’s do it properly.”
Baek Socheon turned and strode toward the door.
Yeom Jeong-gil did not stop him.
Only when Baek Socheon was about to open the door did Yeom Jeong-gil finally speak.
“How do you intend to eliminate him?”
Baek Socheon turned around.
“I’ll sneak into the Branch Chief’s residence in the dead of night and kill him.”
“I heard he has a family.”
“I’ll kill them all. That way it will look like the work of the same murderer who wiped out Yang Chu’s family. A ruthless killer who slaughters entire households. Then no one will suspect us.”
The very threat Wang Gon had once used against Im Chung had now come full circle as Baek Socheon repeated it to Yeom Jeong-gil.
Having finished speaking, Baek Socheon once again started toward the exit.
At that moment, Yeom Jeong-gil’s test came to an end.
“We’ll postpone this matter for now.”
Ironically, it was Baek Socheon who now insisted on carrying out the order.
“Since we’ve already discussed it...”
“This is not a suggestion. It is an order.”
Only after Yeom Jeong-gil barked at him did Baek Socheon relent.
“Understood.”
He left the room without another word.
As he walked away with his back turned, a cold smile spread across his face.
That decision just saved your life.
Yeom Jeong-gil had no idea.
Had he not changed his mind just now, Baek Socheon would have found a way to kill him.
The only reason Yeom Jeong-gil was still alive after ordering Im Chung’s death was because Baek Socheon still considered him useful in tracking down Mister Jong.
Once Baek Socheon disappeared from sight, Yeom Jeong-gil muttered coldly,
“What a piece of trash.”
He did not completely trust Baek Socheon.
But when Baek Socheon had spoken of breaking into Im Chung’s house and slaughtering even his family, Yeom Jeong-gil had sensed genuine killing intent.
To radiate such killing intent despite having no internal energy...
Which meant only one thing.
The man was a true villain.
Every one of those traits disgusted Yeom Jeong-gil.
And yet, paradoxically, they also made Baek Socheon seem more believable.
If he were hiding something, he would have tried much harder to curry favor with him.
Of course, that did not erase all suspicion.
It merely stripped away one thin layer of caution.
“He’s someone worth watching more closely.”
Now, it was no longer because of Wang Gon.
Yeom Jeong-gil himself had begun to develop an interest in Baek Socheon.
***
Baek Socheon went straight to Im Chung and informed him.
“The order to kill you has been suspended.”
“Ah...!”
For a moment, Im Chung was speechless.
No matter how much he trusted Baek Socheon, his life had still hung in the balance.
“Thank you. Once again, you’ve saved me, Hyung-nim.”
“What are you thanking me for? I feel guilty for not dealing with Yeom Jeong-gil immediately. If I moved too hastily, the Shinhwa Gang might become cautious.”
“So you truly intend to take on the entire Shinhwa Gang.”
“I told you before. Either ignore them completely, or if you're going to act, finish the job properly.”
“Yes.”
“Don’t be afraid. People who pull this kind of stunt usually turn out to be insignificant in the end. Think about it the other way around. How pathetic must they be to resort to something like this?”
This time, Im Chung answered with far more conviction than before.
“I have one favor to ask.”
“Just give the order.”
“We've answered their move. Now it's time for us to make one of our own.”
“You need to shake up Jeong Pung.”
Im Chung entered his office, now occupied by Jeong Pung.
“I came because there is something I'd like to discuss.”
“What is it?”
“I think we should ask a friend of mine at headquarters for assistance in solving this case.”
The mere mention of headquarters made Jeong Pung grimace.
“What kind of assistance?”
“No matter how I look at it, this case is extraordinary. If someone murdered a Martial Alliance Unit Leader, then headquarters should become involved.”
“Branch Chief Im.”
“Yes, Division Chief.”
“Unit Leader Cheon belonged to my Provincial Division. He served directly under me. That means this case should be handled by us. If I can't even resolve something like this myself, what will headquarters think of me?”
“And what if the situation grows beyond your control?”
“You've changed.”
Jeong Pung's gaze turned cold.
“Pardon?”
“You weren't like this before. Surely you haven't become arrogant just because you dealt with one small gang?”
“Please don't misunderstand. That's not the case at all.”
His tone softened slightly.
“I appreciate your determination to solve the case, but this matter must be resolved by the Provincial Division.”
When Im Chung attempted to continue, Jeong Pung gestured for him to leave.
After bowing politely, Im Chung stopped at the doorway and turned back.
“If you truly intend to solve this case, seek Martial Warrior Baek's assistance. He's hiding something from me, but I'm certain he knows more than he's letting on.”
***
A short while later, Baek Socheon entered the office.
Rather than visiting Baek Socheon himself, Jeong Pung had summoned him instead.
His pride would allow nothing else.
As soon as Baek Socheon entered, Jeong Pung got straight to the point.
“You know who murdered Yang Chu's family, don't you?”
“I have my suspicions.”
“Then why haven't you told me?”
“Then let me ask you one question. You knew the Cheuk Society had been oppressing innocent civilians, didn't you? Why did you leave them alone? Was it because you suspected the Shinhwa Gang was backing them?”
“What nonsense are you talking about?”
Their voices rose almost immediately.
“Why should I tell someone like you who murdered Yang Chu's family?”
“You have a duty to report such information.”
“Branch Chief Im must have told you. Yang Chu was investigating the Shinhwa Gang's new business venture before he died. Did you hear that?”
“I did.”
“Then you should have begun investigating the Shinhwa Gang immediately. Instead, you summoned me here to lecture me about duty. And you expect me to trust you? Tell me honestly. Are you taking money from the Shinhwa Gang?”
“Silence! You may think I'm incompetent, but I am not corrupt.”
Judging by his reaction, he did not appear to be taking bribes.
Even so, Baek Socheon refused to trust him completely.
Experience had taught him that true villains were often excellent actors and consummate liars.
“If you're truly innocent, investigate the Shinhwa Gang first.”
“The Shinhwa Gang is an orthodox sect.”
“So? Does that automatically mean they couldn't have committed such crimes? Or is it simply easier to believe that than to involve yourself in something dangerous and troublesome?”
The latter was much closer to the truth.
Jeong Pung remained silent.
“You said I was the sort of man who couldn't rest until he'd seen blood.”
Baek Socheon nodded.
“Perhaps you're right. But don't assume the blood won't be yours. Yes, that was a threat. So either help with everything you've got, or return to the Provincial Division. Just don't get in my way.”
“I truly dislike you... but this time, I'll stay. For the sake of proving my innocence.”
“My friend, at least say you're staying to uncover the truth behind the innocent people who died.”
Bang!
Unable to contain his anger any longer, Jeong Pung slammed his fist onto the desk.
The desk Im Chung treasured split apart with a loud crack.
Only after pushing him to his limit did Baek Socheon's attitude soften.
“Very well. I'll assume you're innocent and share one piece of information.”
“What is it?”
“Yeom Jeong-gil is currently in Munseong.”
“Hero Yeom?”
Jeong Pung knew Yeom Jeong-gil well.
He was one of the Shinhwa Gang's Four Great Martial Masters, a man who rarely moved unless the matter was of the utmost importance.
Before leaving, Baek Socheon drove home one final point.
“You've watched them grow stronger in Zhejiang Province over the past several years. So ask yourself honestly. Are they truly a sect worthy of your trust?”
Jeong Pung could only watch Baek Socheon's retreating figure in silence.
***
That night, Cheon Geuk visited Baek Socheon's residence.
“I heard the Provincial Division Chief came personally.”
“We're the ones who called him.”
“I thought as much. It seemed strange that he would move personally.”
In other words, she knew Jeong Pung's personality well.
“So you're still keeping tabs on us.”
“Let's call it customer service.”
“Not victim management?”
“You don't know this, do you? Your Martial Alliance constantly commissions work from us. It sounds ridiculous, but it's true.”
“There are enemies the Martial Alliance cannot deal with directly. If we act ourselves, it could provoke the Cheukcheon Alliance. That's why we leave those jobs to people like you.”
“So you knew.”
“It's simply using poison to fight poison. Don't compare the Martial Alliance with people like you.”
“Listen to you—the proud and noble ordinary Martial Alliance martial artist.”
Cheon Geuk stared at him for a long moment.
“You called me here, yet you're not saying anything.”
“Why do you defend the Martial Alliance so much? They abandoned you.”
“Can someone abandon you without you even realizing you've been abandoned?”
“If it's unrequited love, I suppose they can.”
Silence fell between them.
Cheon Geuk chose not to provoke him any further.
She didn't know the details of his past.
But she understood one thing.
To Baek Socheon, the Martial Alliance was something he both loved and hated.
“Oh, right. Why did you call me?”
“I found out who arranged the contract.”
“What?”
Cheon Geuk's face lit up.
“There's a man in the Shinhwa Gang called Mister Jong. He's the one who directly hired the Seven Swords Society. That should be enough for you to handle the rest. I kept my promise. Now keep yours.”
The promise was to take him to Gwangsal.
“Since you're already helping, why not help all the way? If I move now, the Seven Swords Society may become suspicious.”
“And what will you give me in return?”
In truth, Baek Socheon wasn't in a position to meet Gwangsal right now anyway.
Yeom Jeong-gil was watching him closely, and now the Provincial Division Chief had joined in.
“Can't you just help without conditions? Wouldn't that make you look incredibly cool?”
“What good would it do me if I looked cool to you?”
“You never know. Maybe I'll... sleep with you.”
“Forget that. Pay me instead. One hundred thousand taels.”
Cheon Geuk's expression instantly froze.
“That is unbelievably insulting!”
“Listen. One hundred thousand taels. That's the value of giving up the chance to spend one night with you. How is that insulting?”
For a brief moment, Cheon Geuk was genuinely confused.
Ah... was that what he meant?
It sounded strangely convincing.
Of course, for the sentiment to make sense, the situation should have been reversed.
If she had offered him one hundred thousand taels, and he had replied that he'd rather spend one night with her than take the money...
Only then would it have been romantic.
But Cheon Geuk didn't think that far.
“Fine. One hundred thousand taels it is.”
“I'll deliver Mister Jong to you personally. What you do after that is your problem.”
“That will be more than enough. But the payment comes afterward.”
“Deal.”
Baek Socheon had deliberately started at one hundred thousand taels, expecting her to bargain him down to around thirty thousand.
Instead, she accepted so easily that he was the one left bewildered.
As Cheon Geuk left his house, she hummed happily to herself.
One hundred thousand taels... So that's how much he thinks a single night with me is worth.