Chapter 83

Chapter 82. Late Arrival (2)

[The subordinates had already been informed about the information on Geum Man-jung.]

[Make contact with Geum Man-jung, a usury business operator.]

As the text appeared before his eyes, the people who had stopped began to move again.

It was a strange phenomenon, even after seeing it several times.

The momentary halt in time that had drained the vitality now resumed, bringing life back.

And right next to him,

Yo-rim took something out of his pocket and casually spoke.

"Boss, there happens to be a branch managed by Geum Man-jung nearby. I heard he mostly stays in his office, so if we go now, we can meet him right away. This is his portrait."

Seol-hwi took the parchment Yo-rim handed over.

It depicted an old man with chubby cheeks and a long, sharp nose.

While Seol-hwi was looking at the portrait, Jeok-song spoke up.

"Based on the internal information from the Yin Ying Dan, most people contacted Geum Man-jung through secret codes. I think it would be better to use that method rather than going directly."

Secret codes.

It's a good method.

It would be better than just showing up unannounced.

While they were discussing this, Yong-jin added his opinion.

"I think it would be better to meet him directly. Geum Man-jung is from the main school, but more specifically, he is one of us from the Yin Ying Dan. There's no need to go through complicated procedures."

Seol-hwi nodded.

That's not a bad idea.

However, Jeok-song's advice seemed more appropriate for the situation compared to the opinions of Yo-rim and Yong-jin.

No matter how close they are, it wouldn't be pleasant to just show up and demand money.

Following proper procedures would be the basic courtesy, wouldn't it?

"I have a different opinion."

At that moment, So-ryeong joined the conversation.

"The Education Master instructed us to make contact with him first, but for such cases, we need to consider the possibility of any unexpected situations. If Geum Man-jung has colluded with the righteous factions, wouldn't we be the ones in danger?"

'...!'

Seol-hwi's brows furrowed.

This was a problem he hadn't deeply considered.

He hadn't thought to doubt someone from their side.

That's why he missed it.

Seol-hwi looked at So-ryeong anew.

'Bringing everyone along was a good decision.'

Not only for the information they gathered, but also because each of them had different perspectives, which was helpful in various ways.

Especially, So-ryeong's words, given her ability to predict, needed to be taken seriously.

"Hold on... But, didn't Eum-moo come?"

Seol-hwi asked, puzzled, and the squad leaders fell silent.

He noticed So-ryeong, who looked particularly uncomfortable, and followed her nod to where she was pointing.

"..."

Seol-hwi's expression hardened.

Eum-moo was already there.

Just not in this room, but in another.

"Really, what a bold woman! Haha!"

A laughing voice.

It was unclear if he was in disguise or using a transformation technique, but he was giggling in a corner.

"Let me go get him."

Jeok-song, who had been watching, finally tried to stand up.

"No. Let's wait and see."

Seol-hwi stopped him.

It wasn't just to protect him.

Eum-moo, as Seol-hwi had observed, acted unconventionally but wasn't foolish or stupid.

Given that he was openly mingling with them during the conversation, there must have been some intention.

After some time,

"He's coming."

Yong-jin sighed and shook his head.

Eum-moo, who had been talking loudly, was returning to the room.

As the squad leaders and Seol-hwi looked up,

"Boss. I found out."

Eum-moo said with a bright smile.

"Where Geum Man-jung stays, where he sleeps, who he's meeting these days, and what he's interested in recently."

"Huh?"

"Hmm."

The two squad leaders showed a slightly surprised reaction.

"And..."

But that wasn't all.

Eum-moo leaned in and whispered into his ear.

"About Bae Yang-cheon as well."

* * *

Bae Yang-cheon.

A 38-year-old lay disciple of the Huashan Sect, he is already recognized as a rising star in the Sichuan region.

Originally from Yunnan, he mainly studied literature and was known as a "Single-hearted Scholar."

At the age of 20, he entered Huashan to learn martial arts and, at 32, descended the mountain and gathered a following.

His martial arts competitions were quite famous, though Seol-hwi, who was unfamiliar with the news from the Central Plains, didn't know much about it.

In summary, people evaluated him as someone who excelled in both literature and martial arts, suggesting his martial skills were considerable.

The fact that he defeated a promising direct disciple of the Huashan Sect before descending the mountain indicates he was not an easy opponent.

Seol-hwi instructed his subordinates to gather information at the inn.

To formulate a proper strategy, they needed to know the current situation of Geum Man-jung.

How much he earned and how much money he sent to the Yin Ying Dan each year, for example.

He assigned the financial investigation to Yo-rim.

It would take some time, so he instructed him to report back in about a week.

Jeok-song was tasked with investigating the Changlong Gate, where Bae Yang-cheon was located.

In the worst-case scenario, if they had to kill Bae Yang-cheon, understanding the building structure and personnel layout would be crucial.

Yong-jin was assigned to investigate the ongoing or planned businesses of Geum Man-jung.

Understanding the scale of the business would help grasp the flow of funds.

So-ryeong was instructed to investigate Geum Man-jung's activities over the past year.

Knowing his past would help hold him accountable if any issues arose.

Eum-moo was tasked with investigating Bae Yang-cheon's network.

This would be the most critical issue when killing him.

Ensuring Geum Man-jung's safety to secure the funding was also part of the Yin Ying Dan's mission.

* * *

"So..."

Five days later, Seol-hwi gathered his subordinates.

"Is it true that the funding from the Yin Ying Dan decreased after Bae Yang-cheon demanded protection money?"

Seol-hwi looked at Yo-rim, who nodded.

"Yes. Bae Yang-cheon has been demanding 200 silver taels from Geum Man-jung every month. They have already signed an agreement."

200 silver taels is half of the monthly operating funds for the Yin Ying Dan.

The reason Geum Man-jung reduced his funding was due to this.

"Then there's no need to look further."

If so, the problem wasn't Geum Man-jung but ultimately Bae Yang-cheon.

"What about the Changlong Gate?"

Seol-hwi asked, and Jeok-song answered promptly.

"Yes. The Changlong Gate has 322 members. About 200 are trainees, so they're not much of a concern. The problem is the 120 warriors, of which about 30 are skilled."

"How skilled are they...?"

"Except for about five instructors, they don't seem particularly threatening."

"Hmm."

In other words, the five instructors were likely on par with the squad leaders.

"And this... is the layout of the Changlong Gate."

Seol-hwi took the map Jeok-song handed over.

After a brief look, he turned to Yong-jin.

"Is there any problem with Geum Man-jung's business?"

"There are no problems; in fact, it's thriving. He has not only expanded his usury and rental businesses but also bought several shops. His wealth has multiplied compared to the past."

"Hmm."

This could be a problematic aspect.

It seemed the Yin Ying Dan hadn't fully grasped the overall economic situation of Geum Man-jung's business.

Regardless,

"What about Geum Man-jung's activities?"

He asked So-ryeong this time.

"There don't seem to be any major issues, but there is one curious point."

"What is it?"

"For the past two months, almost no one has detailed information about his activities."

"His activities are suspicious?"

"Yes. Typically, a businessman doesn't leave his designated area. However, he has been frequently absent and often sets up late appointments."

"Hmm. Anything else?"

"Yes. He has replaced all the warriors who usually guarded him."

"Replacing the bodyguards..."

Seol-hwi pondered for a moment.

While it was still at the suspicion stage, it was valuable information.

Knowing such details beforehand could lead to unexpected discoveries during conversations.

"And, Eum-moo. Are there any groups in Bae Yang-cheon's network that we should be concerned about?"

Seol-hwi turned to Eum-moo, who spoke eagerly.

"Yes."

"Which ones?"

"He is connected to the Huashan Sect."

"Isn't that natural since he's a lay disciple?"

"No. Typically, lay disciples have little contact with the sect after descending the mountain. However, Bae Yang-cheon has maintained ongoing interactions with Huashan Sect members, including some elders."

"..."

Seol-hwi's eyes widened.

This was unusual.

For a lay disciple to have connections with Huashan Sect elders was suspicious.

Seol-hwi looked at Jeok-song and said,

"Have you made contact?"

"Yes. You can go now