Chapter 100 : Letter
Namgung Hui, as soon as he unfolded the letter, realized that the sender was not his brother but someone else.
'It was a letter from On Yuha of the Hao Faction. Come to think of it, she said she would send it when I was at the estate, but it was delayed more than I thought.'
On the one hand, he understood.
Since he had asked her to investigate the person called the General of the Heretic Practitioners' Alliance or the black market.
As much as he was shrouded in mystery, it was bound to take time.
Because it also meant that the secret the General held was that great.
Namgung Hui read the letter with a slightly excited heart.
The content written was quite long.
[Youngest junior brother. I investigated the person called the General as you asked, but it took more effort than I thought, so I'm late. First, I want to say I'm sorry.]
As the apology came out first, Namgung Hui's eyebrows twitched.
A somehow ominous premonition.
As if that wasn't wrong, as he read the letter, there was no particularly good content.
[Even though I mobilized as many as five of our Hao Faction's high-ranking agents, nothing came out. It seems the best I can mobilize are high-ranking agents, so I'm thinking of asking my master for permission and deploying special agents.]
'Of course. There's no way that guy called the General would leak information to a mere disciple of the Hao Faction.'
[Still, it's not that there were no results at all. Since the officials also knew about the person called the General, he seems to be a person with connections to the government or the imperial palace.]
Then the probability that the General was a person of the Hoicheon Association increased.
How on earth were the Heretic Practitioners' Alliance and the black market, as well as the government, intertwined?
The more he dug into the identity of the person called the General, the more complicated it became.
But he believed that he would be able to get a clear answer at the end of the investigation.
[And important information! I found out the name of the disciple of the Heretic Practitioners' Alliance leader that my master asked you to find. His name is Ji Yeongcheong. He's probably using a pseudonym and a disguise there, but keep it in mind. Then I'll send another letter when I find out more information about the General.]
[From your very caring senior sister, On Yuha]
'She's emphasizing 'senior sister' a lot. By the way, Ji Yeongcheong is a man's name, right? But he could be cross-dressing, so I'll have to look at everyone carefully.'
Namgung Hui nodded at the rather good information and put the letter in his bosom.
Then Baek Seolhwa, who was peeking from the side, asked softly.
"The handwriting is a woman's."
"It's from a woman, so of course it's a woman's. Why?"
"No. I was just wondering if there was a woman who would send you a letter."
"Is there a reason why I can't receive a letter from a woman? I'm at least handsome, aren't I? Isn't that right?"
As Namgung Hui spoke and brought his face close to Baek Seolhwa, she took a step back and said.
"You're so weird. Forget it. If you're done with your business, let's go."
Before Namgung Hui could even answer, Baek Seolhwa hurriedly left the office.
Since Namgung Hui had actually finished his business, he just gave a nod to Jegal Geon and came out.
As Namgung Hui and Baek Seolhwa disappeared side by side, Jegal Jihye asked Jegal Geon.
"Brother Geon. Is that person really Brother Hui?"
"As you can see."
"But he's a little different from the Brother Hui I knew."
"Well, since the person came back from the dead, it's a relief that he's only changed that much. Didn't his family almost get ruined? But I heard that there was a conflict between the Hebei Peng family and a member of the Black Tortoise Squad here?"
No matter how different the squads they belonged to were.
Jegal Geon, a squad leader, was of a higher rank than Heon Wonsu, a mere member of the Black Tortoise Squad.
That was why Heon Wonsu cupped his fists with discipline and continued.
"Because I was lacking..."
"That's enough of the lip service. It was a matter related to my Jihye, so it's not someone else's business. That's why I'm saying, I'll give you a mission. That is..."
* * *
As Namgung Hui followed Baek Seolhwa and came out, the setting sun was already dyeing the surroundings purple.
That sunset was also cast on Baek Seolhwa's face, and with a faint blush on her white face, this was also the height of beauty.
Namgung Hui was lost in admiration of her beauty for a moment, but he soon came to his senses and spoke to her.
"The day goes by really fast. It's already evening. Where do you want to eat?"
"The Martial Alliance is somehow suffocating, so let's go out and eat."
"Alright. When the kids come out, let's all go to the inn together."
"..."
The conversation stopped, and a moment of silence flowed.
Then Baek Seolhwa stealthily glanced at Namgung Hui and opened her mouth.
"You, you got something from Young Hero Jegal earlier, right?"
"What? Ah, you mean the list of marriage partners?"
"Yes... Maybe later..."
Just as Baek Seolhwa was about to start.
The group rushed out of the office.
"Brother! Sister! Let's go eat! This younger brother didn't even get to eat lunch!"
"Brother Yelu. Wait a moment. I think Seolhwa has something to say, so let's listen and then go."
"No. It's fine. I'll say it next time. It's not important content."
"Really? It didn't seem like that to me. Well, if you want to say something, you can say it anytime. Not only my ears but also my heart is open to you."
"...Alright. Everyone's waiting, so let's go eat."
Namgung Hui gave Baek Seolhwa a broad smile and then said to Jegal Jihye, who was looking at him with a strange gaze.
"Jihye. You know this area best, don't you? Lead us to a delicious inn. I'll treat you today."
"Oh~ Really? It's okay if it's a little expensive, right?"
"Yes. I've got two new younger brothers. And I've met Jihye after a long time, so what's a meal? It doesn't matter how much it costs."
"Really? Don't blame me if you regret it."
* * *
Namgung Hui's group, who had finished their meal at the inn, patted their full stomachs and left the inn.
Now the setting sun had disappeared, and a pitch-black darkness had come, and instead of the sunset, lanterns were lighting up the surroundings.
Namgung Hui, without even having time to admire the brilliant lanterns, looked at his slightly lightened purse and let out a deep sigh.
'Phew... Why is the food so expensive? 20 silver coins?'
He hadn't drunk expensive liquor.
And he hadn't called a courtesan to dance, but just because he had eaten on the second floor of the inn, a whopping 20 silver coins had been spent.
Well, since it was the so-called peak season, it couldn't be helped, but it was also unavoidable that he felt a pang in his heart.
'Still, it's a relief that Seolhwa seemed to have eaten well.'
Namgung Hui still had a lot of silver, and since he could just earn more money in the future, he shook off his lingering attachment and followed the group.
"Brother. You spent a lot of money because of me, right? I'm sorry. Actually, it's not this expensive usually, but I guess it's because of the Martial Alliance tournament. We'll treat you next time."
"Forget it. I know that the Jegal family is frugal, so when will you guys treat me? And Brother Heonwon. Didn't you say you had something to say after we ate?"
Heon Wonsu looked at the bustling marketplace and answered.
"It would be difficult to say it in a crowded place like this. I'll say it when we're alone."
"Then let's do this. Since it's late at night, the women will get a room, and we men will talk for a while and then go in. How about that?"
Since Eun Seolrin was not a person who had learned martial arts, she was tired.
There was bound to be a difference in stamina between sitting at a desk and concentrating on work and moving one's legs like this.
"Yes. I should go back and get some rest."
Since Baek Seolhwa was in charge of Eun Seolrin's escort, she had no choice but to follow Eun Seolrin.
Having no choice, Tang Soso also followed them, and Jegal Jihye whispered something to Heon Wonsu for a moment and then followed them.
As all the women headed for their rooms, Heon Wonsu nodded and whispered softly.
"Brother. Since it's just us men left. Let's move to a nice place."
"A nice place? Where are you talking about?"
"There is such a place. Come on. This time, just trust me and follow me."
Namgung Hui and Yelu Guang, who had no idea, looked at each other and then had no choice but to follow Heon Wonsu.
And as he had boasted, the place where his steps stopped was a scenic spot with a truly wonderful view.
Heon Wonsu climbed onto a rock and pointed at the lights spread out on the ground.
"Isn't it really wonderful?"
"Yes. As you said, the view of the city from above is a spectacle in itself. I didn't see it before because I was distracted, but with the lanterns gathered like that, it's the height of splendor."
The lanterns gathered together were hung at regular intervals, as if they had been built according to a plan.
It wasn't just that the intervals were spaced out, but since the harmony of colors was also taken into account, a sense of harmony was exuded, and the sight of the colorful lights embroidered was a spectacle in itself.
It was worth it for Heon Wonsu to claim it was a wonderful place.
"Then, since we've moved to such a quiet and secluded place, bring out what you had to say earlier."
"I heard from Squad Leader Jegal's office earlier that you needed information about the Black Tortoise Troupe Leader."
"Why? Do you know something?"
"Of course, since I'm also a member of the Black Tortoise Squad, how could I not know?"
"On the contrary, how much would a mere member know? No, is someone talking bad about me? Why is my ear so itchy?"
As Namgung Hui dug his ear with a bored expression, Heon Wonsu opened his mouth with a slightly flushed expression.
"Brother! I really know something! And a very suspicious part at that!"
Only then did Namgung Hui return to a serious attitude and listen to his words.
"Suspicious. Let's hear it. How much do you know?"
"Ahem! I trust that Young Hero Yelu will also keep the secret."
"I'm from the countryside, so I have nowhere to go and tell. Please rest assured and speak."
"Then. Where should I start? Ah, that would be good. Do you happen to know that Squad Leader Im Daepung is single?"
"I heard that from the Hao Faction. He even refused marriage for the sake of the martial world, right? Goodness, I'm speechless."
Some people even participated in a tournament like this to marry a kind-hearted and beautiful young lady.
And some people refused all good marriage proposals and dedicated their bodies to the martial world.
Of course, it wasn't that there were no such people in his past life, but to think that there would be such a person in the current martial world.
'Well, putting everything else aside. The fact that the Dark Shadow Squad Leader mentioned his name and died is very concerning. Since it was a situation where even a restriction was activated.'
Heon Wonsu nodded, confirming what Namgung Hui knew, and continued.
"But contrary to the known rumors, a suspicious act was recently captured."
"What is it?"
"The Black Tortoise Troupe Leader, who was known to be single, was secretly meeting a woman."
"Of course. As expected, he was also a man. But how did you find that out? The Black Tortoise Troupe Leader wouldn't be so clumsy as to be caught by you."
"Ahem. You can ask Sister Hye about that later. Anyway! I even found out the identity of that woman, so how about you follow her?"
"Oh. That's a really good idea. For some reason, Brother Heonwon has such a commendable idea. So what's her identity?"
"Her name is Yewol. She's a courtesan of the Full Moon Pavilion."
(End of Chapter)