Chapter 75. To Retrieve the Wuguan (4)

It might be a bit premature, but I thought the character '乙' (yi) in the ledger resembled the shape of a snake.

'Could it be...?'

Did Fengyun Wuguan hire the Black Four League to attack the Baoyun Escort Agency while it was guarding the Zhengjia Merchant's convoy?

The thought made me feel tense all over.

If that were true, it would be a serious issue. However, there was a significant problem with my hypothesis.

Zhao Chashi had no motive.

'Why would Fengyun Wuguan do this?'

As far as I knew, there was no reason for Fengyun Wuguan to be involved with Zhengjia. What could have happened between the Wuguan head who came to Meiyang County a few years ago and the local magnate, the Zhengjia head?

Well, there could be some grudges. I don't know everything about the world.

In detective comics, there are cases where someone kills another over something trivial like a coat hanger. There could be some hidden grudges between Zhengjia and Fengyun Wuguan that I don't know about.

Still, it doesn't make sense.

One hundred thousand taels of silver is equivalent to about 1.5 billion yuan in modern terms. Even if there were deep-seated grudges, spending 1.5 billion to settle them? That's absurd. Unless Zhao Chashi was betrayed by Zhengjia in some way.

'And a martial artist of Zhao Chashi's caliber wouldn't need to do that.'

If there were such grudges, he would have confronted them directly with a sword, not spend so much money to orchestrate things from behind.

'Then what about our escort agency?'

But that made even less sense. I knew our agency well, and there was no reason for Baoyun Escort Agency to be involved with Fengyun Wuguan. Absolutely none.

'Why?'

I shook my head, thinking it might be too premature, and decided to focus on the patrol.

'...Let's just do the patrol for now.'

So I continued patrolling. With no intermediate guards left at the branch, I couldn't rest, so I patrolled almost full-time.

I also couldn't sleep well.

Despite the fatigue, the ledger and thoughts about Zhao Chashi kept swirling in my mind.

'Why?'

***

The next morning, the escort agency was in chaos. It was due to Zheng Chui's arrival.

'People's faces can turn that red.'

Anyone would think he had been boiled.

Zhengjia head, Zheng Chui, turned beet red upon hearing that his convoy was completely destroyed. He came to the branch early in the morning and caused a commotion.

Bailu Hua tried to remain calm. Since nothing had been clarified yet, it was premature to discuss compensation, so he was extra cautious.

But Zheng Chui demanded immediate compensation from Baoyun Escort Agency, foaming at the mouth and jumping around like a mad jellyfish.

'Rather, it would have been better to leave it to Juejian Sect! This has never happened before! Do you even know how much this is worth?! I didn't ask you to let the bandits burn it down, I asked you to protect it!'

'...Head, please calm down for a moment.'

He was so agitated that even the chief manager of Zhengjia had to try to calm him down. Of course, Zheng Chui didn't calm down.

'Can I look calm? Would you be calm in my place? If I calm down now, I'd be the crazy one! Completely crazy! That's even more dangerous!'

He had a point. With such a large sum lost, staying calm would be crazy.

Anyway, while saying such things and jumping around, his body twisting, he looked like he was performing the legendary Kunlun Sect's Yunlong Daba Shi (Cloud Dragon Great Eight Techniques).

In the end, Zheng Chui's blood pressure rose so high that he grabbed his neck and collapsed, and was carried back to Zhengjia on a stretcher.

Bailu Hua watched this with a gloomy expression all day.

'Hmm... ...'

We all shook our heads at the sight.

We all waited for the search team to return, hoping they would bring some evidence that could help.

After waiting anxiously, the search team finally returned in the evening, looking extremely exhausted.

"We have returned, Branch Head."

"Hmm... Well done."

"...Thank you."

They had been searching all day, and Gang Biadou looked extremely drained, but he didn't waste a moment and immediately went to the main hall to report to Bailu Hua.

As I observed the exhausted search team members, I noticed Wei Zhiyan standing in a corner. I greeted her warmly.

"Miss Wei!"

"Ah... Guard Cheng."

"Thank you for your hard work."

Wei Zhiyan also looked tired. I handed her the black tea I had prepared.

"Please have some. It's black tea. It's good when you're tired."

"Is that so? Hmm... Thank you."

Wei Zhiyan took it and drank it, smiling slightly. She slowly sipped the black tea, and I watched her for a moment before asking.

"Would you mind telling me about the search?"

I thought there might be some clue connecting the Black Four League and Zhao Chashi. When I asked, Wei Zhiyan, who had just taken a sip from her water flask, shook her head heavily.

"There was nothing unusual. I tried to infer from the wounds on the bodies, but they were common techniques used in the martial world. The weapons were all swords, nothing special."

"Hmm... ..."

Generally, experienced martial artists can infer the type of weapon and technique from the wounds on a body. It's a basic form of examination.

'But everything was common... ...'

However, Wei Zhiyan said that the opponent used only common swords and techniques to prevent identification.

In other words, the opponent had the martial skills to easily slaughter intermediate guards while hiding their unique techniques.

'They're definitely not just bandits.'

If they could kill a martial artist of the second rank while hiding their skills, they were likely at least first rank, or close to a master.

Such people becoming bandits in the fields?

It was an impossible story.

I felt more and more suspicious of the Black Four League and asked.

"How about the other damages?"

"The silk and cotton were mostly burned. The remaining items were also unusable due to soot."

In other words, the entire trip was a complete loss.

'There will be chaos.'

There's no insurance in this line of work. In this case, Baoyun Escort Agency would have to compensate a certain amount for the cargo.

I don't know what contract they had with Zhengjia, but considering the dead guards, the compensation would be enormous, enough to shake the branch.

"Are you okay?"

"Ah... ..."

I must have had a dark expression, as Wei Zhiyan asked me with a worried look. I looked at her and nodded.

"I'm fine."

We needed to find the culprit quickly. After much thought, I decided to confide in Wei Zhiyan about my suspicions regarding 'yi' and the current situation.

'Let's talk to Wei Zhiyan once.'

If there was anything unusual, she might point it out.

"Um... Actually, I have something to tell you."

I explained what I had found to Wei Zhiyan. I was a bit hesitant as it might sound silly, but she listened attentively from start to finish and nodded when I finished.

"Yi... It could mean that."

"Yes. But it doesn't connect to Fengyun Wuguan. There's no motive, right?"

"Hmm... That's true."

Motive was important. While there are madmen who do things without reason, this case seemed different. Wei Zhiyan sighed.

"Indeed... Even if it were Juejian Sect, there's no reason for Fengyun Wuguan to do this. There's no motive at all."

"Right... ..."

Wait a moment. Juejian Sect?

I paused, agreeing with Wei Zhiyan, but a thought flashed through my mind.

'...Let's see. It was definitely like that.'

I recalled what Beigong Lin had said a few days ago when she asked me to take on the mission.

"After losing the Wuguan's share to Zhao Guan, my master wandered around, complaining about the injustice... but Juejian Sect, which had a close relationship with Zhao Guan, kept interfering. So my master couldn't stay in Meiyang County any longer..."

Recalling Beigong Lin's words, I felt a tingling sensation at the back of my head.

'Then, could it be... Xue (Snow) is Juejian Sect, and Juejian Sect, through its close relationship with Zhao Chashi, hired the Black Four League?'

It might be a leap in logic, but it made the story coherent. As I stood there in deep thought, Wei Zhiyan, who was beside me, asked cautiously.

"Um... Guard Cheng? Why are you suddenly like this?"

I didn't answer and stood there for a moment, then made a decision and said to Wei Zhiyan.

"I'll go to Longmen Inn for a bit."

"Huh? Why the inn all of a sudden?"

"I need to talk to Miss Beigong."

After much thought, I decided to talk to Beigong Lin and report to Bailu Hua. Wei Zhiyan, looking puzzled, asked.

"Why Miss Beigong all of a sudden...?"

"I need to know more about the relationship between Juejian Sect and Zhao Chashi."

"Ah, ah... ..."

It was urgent. I roughly explained and hurriedly headed to Longmen Inn.

***

I rushed to Longmen Inn. When I entered the room, Beigong Lin was leaning against the wall, dozing off.

'Why not just sleep in the bed?'

Why is she sleeping like this?

Did she stay here all night?

Feeling a bit sorry for her, I gently shook her shoulder to wake her up. Beigong Lin opened her eyes with a dazed look.

"Wha... What? Guard Cheng? Is the job done?"

"No, I need to ask you something. It's important."

I shook my head and explained the current situation to Beigong Lin.

She seemed a bit disoriented from just waking up, but after I explained calmly a couple of times, her expression darkened as she understood.

"Could Zhao Guan really...?"

"It's possible. Do you know anything about the relationship between Zhao Guan and Juejian Sect?"

Beigong Lin, deep in thought about the past, nodded slightly.

"Well... Zhao Guan and the head of Juejian Sect, Bai Xian Tie, have been close friends since long ago. The reason Zhao Guan set up Fengyun Wuguan in Meiyang County was because Bai Xian Tie was here. Juejian Sect also invested in the establishment of Fengyun Wuguan."

So they were that intertwined.

I nodded, finally understanding the connection.

"I see."

"Right. Although the head of Juejian Sect, Bai Xian Tie, is currently ill, I know that the acting head, Bai Song Lin, is also close to Zhao Guan."

That would mean Bai Song Lin and Zhao Chashi were working together to ruin Baoyun Escort Agency. This made the motive clear.

'They want to make the Zhengjia convoy protection job disappear.'

Originally, after transferring all of Juejian Sect's business to Baoyun Escort Agency, they planned to move elsewhere, but from Juejian Sect's perspective, that wouldn't be favorable.

Leaving the area where a sect is based is not an easy task. Moving itself is difficult, and losing all the foundations built in the area over the years is even harder.

That's why sects often choose to go into seclusion rather than move. Seclusion is cheaper.

'But Juejian Sect chose to move so easily.'

It was suspicious, but I thought it was because of some wrongdoing. However, if they had been working behind the scenes to sabotage Baoyun Escort Agency, it made sense.

'An incident of this magnitude could make the business transfer null and void.'

Bai Sheng Yi, the issue, was dead, and if I were Zhengjia head, I would likely just hand the job back to Juejian Sect. There's no guarantee that another incident wouldn't happen if I entrusted it to Baoyun Escort Agency again. Trust is that important.

I nodded and said to Beigong Lin.

"Now I understand the whole story. Let's go to our branch with me right away."

"Um... I understand."

Beigong Lin nodded cautiously. Then, unexpectedly, her stomach growled.

"..."

I was at a loss for how to react, and Beigong Lin, blushing, explained.

"Um... I haven't eaten all day."

"But the inn is right downstairs. Why not?"

"Because I didn't have any money... ..."

I looked at her in confusion, and Beigong Lin quickly explained that she had left without any money, having hastily gathered the ledger. After that, she waved her hand and said.

"It's fine. I can go two days without eating."

"Let's eat first. I'll treat you."

I shrugged and said, and Beigong Lin, blushing, nodded slightly.

"Then... I'll be a bother. Thank you."

"It's no bother. Let's go. The duck soup here is really good."

Even if you're busy, you have to eat to live.

After all, you eat to live, not the other way around.

***

After eating, I took Beigong Lin to Bailu Hua. Bailu Hua, perhaps for security reasons, was sitting in the middle of the main hall with the door wide open, looking exhausted as he handled business.

I quietly bowed and greeted him.

"Branch Head Bai."

"Hmm? Guard Cheng. What is it? And who is the young lady behind you?"

"This is Miss Beigong, who teaches at Fengyun Wuguan. Please meet her."

I introduced her, and Beigong Lin bowed politely.

"Nice to meet you. I am Beigong Lin, a teacher at Fengyun Wuguan."

"Ah, yes... Nice to meet you. I am Bailu Hua, the branch head of Baoyun Escort Agency. What brings you here...?"

Bailu Hua looked puzzled by the current situation. I cautiously asked first.

"Branch Head. Did the search team find any clues?"

Bailu Hua shook his head with a dark expression.

"Not really. I'm considering sending a second search team for a more thorough investigation."

"Indeed. Before that, please look at this."

I handed the ledger from Fengyun Wuguan, which I had received from Beigong Lin, to Bailu Hua.

"I have some suspicions, and I came to explain them."

"Suspicions?"

"Yes. I'll explain now."

The situation was quite complex, so I took my time to explain everything in detail. After listening to the entire story, Bailu Hua said in a puzzled tone.

"That's... Hmm. Let me think. Indeed... ..."

"Perhaps it's all just a misunderstanding, but isn't it suspicious?"

"Hmm... ..."

Bailu Hua flipped through the ledger several times, looking troubled, and then fell silent.

"..."

After a time that felt like a whole incense stick had burned, Bailu Hua finally spoke.

"Indeed, it is suspicious. Very suspicious."

"Then, should we go to Fengyun Wuguan right away...?"

Bailu Hua shook his head, looking very regretful.

"But we can't accuse Fengyun Wuguan with just this. The ledger is all in code, and if Zhao Guan denies it, that's it. We lack evidence."

"..."

Bailu Hua had a point. Regardless of the source of the ledger, this was not enough evidence.

The Black Four League was just a suspicion, and the idea that Zhao Chashi had orchestrated the attack on Juejian Sect's orders was also just a suspicion.

Of course, in the martial world, sect wars sometimes start based on suspicions alone. But this case couldn't be handled that way.

'There's no justification or strength for that.'

Some people think the martial world is ruled by power alone, but that's not true. It's only when you have the power to override public opinion and justification.

Baoyun Escort Agency could easily defeat Juejian Sect and Fengyun Wuguan with its current strength. But the aftermath would be impossible to handle.

Without justification, acting on mere suspicions could ruin Baoyun Escort Agency's reputation.

I sighed and said.

"Then we need more evidence."

It was a daunting task. I couldn't think of a way to find more evidence. Then, Bailu Hua said cautiously.

"Yes. But it would be different if we had an insider's testimony."

An insider's testimony?

I looked at Beigong Lin, then turned to Bailu Hua, wondering what he meant, and immediately asked.

"An insider, other than Miss Beigong?"

"Yes. If another reliable witness testifies, wouldn't that be evidence?"

Indeed... Testimony is also a form of evidence, and an insider's testimony would be even more convincing.

'But Beigong Lin wouldn't do.'

If we used Beigong Lin, Zhao Chashi would likely dismiss her as a troublemaker with a grudge, making her testimony unreliable.

We needed another witness, a reliable one.

'But who?'

Who could we bring in as a reliable witness?

As I thought about this, Bailu Hua suddenly opened the ledger and asked Beigong Lin with a gleam in his eye.

"Does Zhao Guan write the ledger himself?"

Beigong Lin shook her head.

"Not that I know of. The chief manager mainly handles the writing and storage."

Bailu Hua nodded, as if confirming his expectations. It's rare for a head to write the ledger themselves; they usually delegate it to subordinates.

"Then the chief manager would know the flow of funds, including the connections to the Black Four League and Juejian Sect."

"Probably. Are you thinking of approaching the chief manager and persuading him?"

"Yes. Wouldn't that be a good approach?"

Beigong Lin shook her head.

"That won't be easy. The chief manager rarely goes out, and his room is in the innermost part of the Wuguan."

Beigong Lin drew a rough layout of the Wuguan and explained. Looking at the layout, it was clear that it would be difficult to infiltrate someone.

"Also, his room is right next to Zhao Guan's, so it's hard to approach him without anyone noticing."

"Hmm... I see."

That means we need to send someone who can avoid the keen senses of a high-level expert like Zhao Chashi to persuade the chief manager.

'That won't be easy.'

We can't just go to a labor market and say, 'I need one stealth expert.' Finding such a skilled person is not easy.

Bailu Hua looked at the layout for a long time, deep in thought, and then spoke with a troubled expression.

"Then, what about forcibly bringing him in?"

"Excuse me?"

Forcibly?