Chapter 80. Red Evil Yang (5)

After Jochashik fled, we searched his room, hoping to find evidence that could prove his connection to the next target, Baeksongrim. However, we were unsuccessful. No matter how thoroughly we searched, nothing came up.

“Ugh...”

It turned out that Jochashik was a very meticulous person. There was no physical evidence. Even after turning the room upside down like a tax audit, nothing came up.

‘There’s no connection to Baeksongrim, just a bunch of tax evasion evidence.’

I couldn’t use this to accuse the magistrate, and it was really frustrating. I sighed and put down the hidden land deed. Gang Pyodu, who was searching the warehouse, came over and asked me.

“Did you find anything?”

“Nothing at all.”

Gang Pyodu sighed and returned to the warehouse. It seemed like there was no difference there either.

After a while, Baekreunghwa, who had been watching us, shook his head and said decisively,

“Let’s withdraw for now. Let’s go back to the branch.”

“Are you sure?”

When I asked cautiously, Baekreunghwa shook his head.

“We can’t waste any more time.”

Indeed, searching further wouldn’t bring out any evidence that wasn’t there, and it seemed there was nothing we could do.

“I’ll leave the cleanup of the Fengyun Wuguan to Miss Bukgung. I’ll send someone soon to help with the cleanup.”

“I’m at a loss for words... Thank you so much.”

Bukgung Lin bowed her head in gratitude, and Baekreunghwa nodded and held her hand.

“We have a long road ahead in Mayang County. I’ll appreciate it if you can thank me then.”

“Yes...”

After entrusting the cleanup to Bukgung Lin, we returned to the branch and held several meetings.

We discussed whether to conclude this matter as it was or to engage in a battle with the Jeolgeum School.

The meeting’s conclusion was straightforward.

“We must drive the Jeolgeum School out of Mayang County this time.”

“Master Gang is right. It’s frightening to think what endless troubles might arise if we leave the Jeolgeum School as it is.”

Thus, it was decided to engage in a decisive battle with the Jeolgeum School. After the meeting, we sent a final ultimatum to the Jeolgeum School.

‘This incident involving the Fengyun Wuguan is clearly related to the Jeolgeum School. You must hand over Baeksongrim, who is suspected of being the mastermind behind the incident.’

In fact, there was no solid evidence, so it was essentially an empty threat. However, it was something the Jeolgeum School couldn’t ignore.

Only we knew whether there was any evidence or not, and even if they thought it was a bluff, considering the scale of the Baekyun Escort Agency and the Jeolgeum School, they couldn’t afford to ignore it.

Sealing the letter with his stamp, Baekreunghwa said with a worried voice,

“I wonder what choice Baeksongrim will make.”

At this time, when the head of the Jeolgeum School, Baekhyuncheol, was ill, the only remaining child and de facto leader, Baeksongrim, being handed over to us was a simple matter.

‘It means they’re going to take down the sign.’

Honestly, we had shed a lot of blood, and we didn’t want to shed any more, so we hoped they wouldn’t fight. However, we didn’t know what choice the Jeolgeum School would make.

‘Will the Jeolgeum School choose to live by bowing down or die by standing up...’

No matter what choice they made, it was a situation we could understand.

The mediation proposal, which was almost a final ultimatum, was delivered to the Jeolgeum School, and the next day, a surprising visitor came to the branch.

When Baekreunghwa and Gang Pyodu saw the visitor, they bowed deeply.

“Greetings, Senior.”

The visitor was Yunmong Shinong, a heavyweight in the martial arts world and a former elder of the Martial Arts Alliance, whose reputation still resonated in the martial arts world.

Although he was now retired, he could be compared to a former three-star general in the military.

‘A huge figure has stepped in.’

I stood a distance away, watching Yunmong Shinong, thinking this.

Yunmong Shinong, stroking his long beard, smiled and began to mediate between us and the Jeolgeum School.

I was honestly surprised.

‘The response was really quick.’

It was impossible to bring Yunmong Shinong here in just one day, which meant the Jeolgeum School had insurance in place.

It seemed they had lobbied the Martial Arts Alliance in preparation for such an event, probably for a long time.

‘Baeksongrim is not an ordinary person.’

I realized that Baeksongrim had set up thorough safety measures before starting all this. Honestly, even though he was an enemy, I wanted to respect him.

‘If he had used his talents to help his brother...’

Then this situation wouldn’t have arisen.

In any case, the mediation proposal, facilitated by Yunmong Shinong, was as follows:

1. The Fengyun Wuguan incident has nothing to do with the Jeolgeum School and was the result of Jochashik’s independent actions.

2. However, it seems that Jochashik’s actions were influenced by his friendship with the Jeolgeum School.

3. Therefore, the Jeolgeum School will take moral responsibility and leave Mayang County by the end of this month, earlier than the previously agreed period.

It was a somewhat unsatisfactory conclusion, but we also gained something from it.

“Lift your head, Senior.”

“If you can save my face, I will certainly inform the alliance and support the Baekyun Escort Agency.”

Yunmong Shinong bowed and made this request. It was impossible to be stubborn when a senior in the martial arts world bowed and promised to do something beneficial in the future. It wasn’t like we were in a one-day business.

‘And we can take over the properties the Jeolgeum School is selling at a discount.’

We couldn’t take the buildings and pavilions with us, so they had to be sold at a low price. If we bought a few businesses and sold them after some time, it would certainly be a profitable deal.

“I understand, Senior. I will follow your words.”

“Thank you. I appreciate you saving my face.”

Although it was a somewhat unsatisfactory mediation proposal considering the Jeolgeum School would remain, Baekreunghwa ultimately accepted it. There was no reason to refuse mediation and tarnish Yunmong Shinong’s reputation.

A few days after accepting the mediation proposal, the instigator of the incident, Baeksongrim, visited the agency. He had the same cold and stern expression as before.

“I regret meeting you here.”

When Baekreunghwa greeted him reluctantly, Baeksongrim, who had come to sign the mediation proposal, bowed slightly and said,

“I feel the same.”

Although Baeksongrim came alone without any attendants, no one dared to look down on him. His aura was that powerful.

‘It’s not just his martial arts; he’s just that kind of person.’

Even though it was the second time I saw him, the oppressive aura was overwhelming. It didn’t seem to be due to his martial arts but rather his natural presence.

To put it bluntly, a person who stands above others is probably like this.

The signing ceremony was simple. In the presence of Yunmong Shinong, Baeksongrim and Baekreunghwa signed the mediation proposal, announcing their agreement to everyone.

“Then, I will take my leave.”

“I won’t go far. Cheng Biao, see him off.”

“Yes, Chief.”

Since it wasn’t a matter to be widely publicized, the ceremony ended early.

It seemed awkward, so Baekreunghwa and other officials decided to welcome Yunmong Shinong, leaving me to see off Baeksongrim alone.

“Please follow me. I’ll guide you.”

“Hmm...”

Baeksongrim, who had been looking me up and down, followed me and suddenly spoke.

“Wasn’t it you?”

“Pardon? What do you mean?”

When I turned and asked, Baeksongrim looked at me with a piercing gaze and said,

“The one who killed my foolish younger brother.”

“...”

I was surprised he remembered.

Not knowing what to say, I remained silent, and he continued,

“You don’t seem to be from Mayang County. Where are you from?”

“I’m from a remote area.”

Not wanting to talk much, I gave a vague answer. Baeksongrim looked me straight in the eye and said coldly,

“Your name is Seong Rajun, right? I remember.”

I didn’t feel comfortable that he remembered my name. I bowed and said humbly,

“It’s an honor that the deputy head of the Jeolgeum School remembers my name.”

But my voice sounded sarcastic. I tried to control it, but it was difficult with Baeksongrim in front of me.

“An honor...”

Hearing this, Baeksongrim slightly lifted the corners of his mouth in a self-deprecating smile and asked,

“Your voice doesn’t sound good. Is there something bothering you?”

“...”

I trailed off.

‘If he sends the Black Gang, it would be a big problem.’ I wanted to say this but swallowed it.

There was no point in provoking someone who had come to surrender.

Baeksongrim laughed lightly and said,

“You can relax. I have no intention of causing you harm.”

It was a bit chilling to hear this from someone whose eyes weren’t smiling. I quickly responded as if nothing was wrong,

“Harm? What do you mean?”

At that moment, I heard a telepathic message.

[The Black Gang is too expensive.]

“...”

I hoped he wasn’t sending something cheap.

***

To say it’s an epilogue, I’m not sure what to call it, but the Jeolgeum School moved out of Hubei Province as agreed.

‘They’re really quick.’

Additionally, the old buildings of the Jeolgeum School were completely sold and dismantled. Some of the Jeolgeum School members might have stayed in Mayang County, but they all followed Baeksongrim to the new location.

Seeing how easily they left their hometown to follow Baeksongrim, it seems his charisma is quite strong. Or perhaps it’s a form of fear politics.

In any case, this incident ended with the lingering issues of Baeksongrim and Jochashik. It was a somewhat unsatisfactory conclusion, but it was inevitable.

Politically, it was a significant burden for the Baekyun Escort Agency and the government to completely eliminate a long-standing family and school in the region.

‘I hope I don’t see him again.’

That was my honest feeling after seeing Baeksongrim.

In any case, the matter was concluded, and we were busy with cleanup, so there were no escort missions for a while. We focused on reorganizing the agency.

The biggest task was to fill the vacancies left by those who died or were injured. Since the Taeho branch was completely destroyed, we needed to send a large number of escorts to get it running again.

After sending a large number of reinforcements, our branch was naturally left empty.

‘This isn’t just robbing Peter to pay Paul.’

In any case, we had to recruit more escorts again. I don’t know how many times we’ve done this.

This time, my task was to post recruitment notices. I directed the new recruits and junior escorts to post the notices around the county.

But this was a task that made me sigh.

“Will it be visible if we post it like this?”

Yongjae, who had posted the notice crookedly, looked at me and asked. I sighed and said to him,

“It won’t be visible if you post it like that. If you post it crookedly like that, no one will see it. Look.”

I took down the notice Yongjae had just posted and repositioned it.

“It needs to be at eye level. If you just stick it anywhere, it won’t work. Look. Isn’t this different from before? It’s right at eye level, isn’t it?”

Yongjae, with his innocent eyes, nodded quickly and exclaimed,

“It does look different!”

“Good. Phew... You, go over there and quickly post the remaining notices and return to the agency. Don’t be late. Hurry, got it?”

“Yes! I understand.”

Watching Yongjae run off with the remaining notices, I sighed deeply and prepared to return to the agency.

‘The response isn’t very good.’

That was the biggest problem.

Thanks to the successful public relations campaign after the recent attack, the image of the Baekyun Escort Agency wasn’t damaged. However, the fact that many escorts died in the attack couldn’t be ignored.

In Mayang County, the Baekyun Escort Agency was perceived as a dangerous job. Even Samayul was scolded by his sister-in-law for the danger involved.

‘Some solution is needed.’

While I was thinking about this, I saw Wang Xi walking towards the Dragon Gate Inn, carrying a lot of things.

I waved my hand and greeted her,

“Miss Wang! It’s been a while.”

“Ah, Seong Gongzi?”

Wang Xi, trying to wave back, accidentally dropped the things she was carrying.

“Ah...!”

“Is everything okay?”

I ran over to help her pick up the things. After picking up the items that had fallen to the ground, Wang Xi bowed and thanked me.

“Thank you. Really, carrying these things is so troublesome...”

“What are you carrying so