Chapter 32

Chapter 32
To Hire You (1)

After arriving back at the branch office, Baek So-cheon made his way toward Yeom Jeong-gil.

The moment Baek So-cheon stepped through the doorway, Yeom Jeong-gil, sitting inside the interrogation chamber, glared at him with undisguised irritation.

“What do you want?”

“If seeing my face bothers you so much, I can simply turn right back around.”

Baek So-cheon made a motion to depart, prompting Yeom Jeong-gil to snap in anger.

“Insolent punk! Quit playing games and take a seat.”

Baek So-cheon took a chair directly opposite him.

“You hardly showed up out of sheer goodwill. Why are you here?”

“I debated with myself for quite a while over whether I should even bother coming.”

“Spare me the useless chatter.”

“Division head Wang Gon was released just moments ago. It crossed my mind that you might still be in the dark, so I came to let you know.”

“What did you say?”

Yeom Jeong-gil sat frozen, utter astonishment spreading across his features.

“What kind of nonsense are you babbling?”

“He has been freed. Division head Wang Gon, I mean.”

“I am asking you what that is supposed to mean!”

Yeom Jeong-gil’s roar echoed in the room.

Having spent days confined inside this grim interrogation cell, his temper was already at its breaking point. To a man already teetering on the edge of utter rage, learning that Wang Gon was walking free struck him like oil thrown onto a raging blaze.

“Every suspicion tied to this matter was cleared for division head Wang Gon, so they allowed him to walk out.”

In Yeom Jeong-gil’s ears, those words sounded entirely like an accusation: *You are the only one kept locked up here because you are guilty.*

“Great Hero Yang Chu stated that your matter requires further questioning.”

Yeom Jeong-gil’s face turned stony and dark. Reasoning dictated that if Wang Gon was set free, there was zero justification for holding him in custody any longer.

“Tell me every single thing you know.”

“The main headquarters has its eyes pinned directly on the incident involving Yang Chu.”

“I am already well aware of that! I want to know how the hell Wang Gon managed to get himself released!”

Baek So-cheon paused, acting reluctant and muttering beneath his breath.

“Start talking right now if you value your life!”

“Talking to me like that doesn’t exactly make me eager to share.”

Just as Yeom Jeong-gil looked ready to burst into violent fury once more, he forcefully swallowed his rage.

“Work with me, and I will ensure you are handsomely rewarded. Wang Gon is nothing more than a lowly division head. I, on the other hand, stand as one of the four great warriors of Shin-hwa-bang.”

“And yet, that very same ‘lowly’ division head managed to step outside before you did.”

Yeom Jeong-gil’s gaze turned dangerously sharp. Yet Baek So-cheon retained the very same insolent, flippant manner he had shown from their initial encounter. That unyielding, consistent boldness served to wash away any remaining doubt about his motives.

“Very well, I will tell you. Division head Wang Gon bribed squad leader Jeong-pung.”

“What?”

“Wang Gon uncovered that Jeong-pung planned to lay the blame for the murder of Yang Chu on one of your shoulders. So he took the initiative and secured his release ahead of you.”

“Where on earth did he learn of such a scheme?”

“I passed the word to him.”

“Why, you little wretch—!”

“There is no reason to direct your fury at me. My loyalty belonged to division head Wang Gon as my employer.”

It was a valid point. Pointlessly venting his outrage at Baek So-cheon would accomplish nothing.

Throughout his existence, Yeom Jeong-gil had never known fear. Yet in this dark room, dread crept into his heart. Powerful as Shin-hwa-bang might be, they were in no position to openly oppose the Murim Alliance.

The absolute silence and inaction from Shin-hwa-bang while he sat trapped in confinement served as undeniable evidence of that reality.

He had no way of knowing that Jong-sun-saeng, sent specifically to resolve this crisis, had already been wiped from existence. Because of that ignorance, his heart smoldered with deep resentment toward Shin-hwa-bang’s apparent neglect and cold disregard.

What if the Murim Alliance decided to forcefully pin the entire crime on his head as a scapegoat? Would Shin-hwa-bang truly risk everything and go to war just to shield his life?

He could not guarantee it in the slightest.

And while he was trapped in such peril, Wang Gon had slipped out of the cage first. It was obvious that Wang Gon understood the terrifying reality better than anyone else.

“Are you truly certain that division head Wang Gon bought off Jeong-pung?”

“He leveraged his own estate to obtain a tremendous sum of wealth. With such undeniable proof staring you in the face, what reason would I have to fabricate lies?”

Yeom Jeong-gil dug his nails into his clenched fists. Baek So-cheon recognized the look immediately—at this very second, Yeom Jeong-gil had resolved to take Wang Gon’s life. In a predicament where only one of them had to pay the ultimate price, handing over bribes to escape alone was no different from passing a death sentence onto the partner left behind.

“Why bring this information to me? Weren’t you acting as Wang Gon’s closest subordinate?”

“How long have I even served him for me to be considered his ‘closest subordinate’?”

“Then why turn on him like this?”

“I handed him the decisive piece of intelligence that bought his freedom, but do you have any idea what that cheap bastard handed me as compensation?”

Baek So-cheon raised his forearm, showing off the ornament encircling his wrist.

“Only this trinket. Are you kidding me? What kind of insult is this?”

Yeom Jeong-gil instantly identified the band as the very accessory Wang Gon wore without fail.

*Turning his coat over something so completely insignificant!*

Yet Baek So-cheon’s past behavior made it entirely plausible.

Back on their first meeting, Yeom Jeong-gil had actually given Wang Gon a word of caution: that Baek So-cheon had the look of a man who would turn on his master before five years were up—and that he would likely aim for Wang Gon’s throat in less than three.

Exactly as he had foreseen, Baek So-cheon had abandoned his master over a petty insult without a single flicker of hesitation. Wholly convinced that his own sharp judgment had been proven right, Yeom Jeong-gil felt all suspicion regarding Baek So-cheon’s disloyalty evaporate completely.

“So you wish to hop aboard a different vessel?”

“A sensible person seeks passage on a vessel that is sturdier and far more pleasant to ride, wouldn’t you say? Naturally, that depends on whether the captain welcomes me.”

Yeom Jeong-gil let out an audible, mocking scoff.

“Treacherous bastards like you make my stomach churn.”

“Which makes this an ideal arrangement. You will require someone of my nature to handle all the foul tasks you despise touching.”

When Yeom Jeong-gil lapsed into quiet contemplation, Baek So-cheon pushed back his seat and stood up.

“If the offer holds no appeal, then consider it forgotten.”

As he took his steps toward the exit, Yeom Jeong-gil called out.

“Step aboard. Onto my ship.”

He spoke with casual indifference, yet the bitter sting of clinging to an insignificant raft like Baek So-cheon while his own vessel was sinking tasted utterly humiliating.

“What is it that you require of me?”

“To begin with, break me out of this cage.”

With the Murim Alliance central authorities scrutinizing every movement of this trial, expecting any rescue from his clan’s headquarters was a fool’s hope. In this dire hour, Baek So-cheon was the sole lifeline Yeom Jeong-gil possessed.

“I care not how it is done—fabricate accusations against Jeong-pung, seize his offspring, use whatever dirty trick you must. Just ensure I am set free. That will serve as your fare to board my ship.”

Baek So-cheon was finalizing his passage.

Unfortunately for Yeom Jeong-gil, that passage would only carry him aboard a vessel bound straight for the fires of damnation.

—

“Set Yeom Jeong-gil free? Are you truly suggesting we let both men we dragged in walk away cleanly?”

Jeong-pung stared in shock at the proposition Baek So-cheon had laid before him.

“Precisely. Grant Yeom Jeong-gil his freedom tomorrow evening.”

To release him on the spot would inevitably spark doubt. It was vital to display an appearance of effort, pretending that securing his freedom took considerable time and maneuvering.

Furthermore, another day trapped in suffocating isolation would only stoke the furnace of Yeom Jeong-gil’s wrath.

The reason for releasing him under the cover of darkness was straightforward. Where would a man like Yeom Jeong-gil, boiling with unrestrained vengeance, direct his steps after clearing the prison threshold? Would he rest at a nearby tavern? Would he hurry back toward his home faction in the middle of the night? Not a chance—he would march straight toward the residence of Wang Gon.

“If that is the plan, why did we apprehend him in the first place?”

“The intent behind detaining him has already borne its fruit. Setting him loose now will serve to fulfill our subsequent objective.”

“And what objective might that be?”

“Tomorrow night, I intend to finish off both individuals. Though when it comes to Wang Gon, I may not even have to dirty my own hands.”

Jeong-pung’s breath caught in his throat for an instant. That implied manipulating Yeom Jeong-gil into doing away with Wang Gon. Worse, Baek So-cheon seemed utterly positive that Yeom Jeong-gil would butcher Wang Gon without hesitation.

After fixing his gaze on Baek So-cheon for several moments, he whispered in a voice shaken by unease.

“You are entirely in earnest about this.”

“Did I not make it plain before? Every single soul tangled up in this affair must perish.”

“Yet those figures hold significant standing within Shin-hwa-bang.”

“When speaking of a mound of filth, the ‘significant’ pieces are simply the foulest reek in the pile, are they not? It is far better to clear away the whole mess at once.”

Weighed down by mounting anxiety, Jeong-pung fell into a troubled silence.

“Jeol-gang is under your jurisdiction. Wouldn’t you take pleasure in having it thoroughly scrubbed clean?”

“That very fact is why I worry so much. If only this chaos had unfolded across Fujian or Anhui instead.”

Baek So-cheon tilted his head toward Jeong-pung, watching him heave a deep breath.

“Does terror grip you?”

“Could anyone in my position avoid being afraid?”

“Cast it aside. When all is said and done, they are merely petty scoundrels.”

“Petty only to someone like you…”

From his own perspective, those adversaries were an overwhelming tempest, a monstrous wave threatening to swallow everything.

Jeong-pung’s true dread lay not with the villains, but with having Baek So-cheon as an associate. In days gone by just as now, Baek So-cheon recognized no boundaries. The moment these figures fell, opponents possessing power beyond imagination would surely rise to take their place.

“Squad leader Jeong.”

“Yes?”

“Have you ever nurtured an ambition to ascend to headquarters?”

Jeong-pung flinched at the abrupt mention of the central authority.

“What makes you bring that up?”

“Merely wondering. How do you feel about it?”

“Who could possibly refuse such an honor? And yet…”

“Bring this case to a flawless conclusion, and a path toward headquarters may very well open before you.”

“There is no need to dangle such bait before me. I will stand beside you until the curtain falls on this matter. When everything has concluded, return ahead of me. Just be sure to revisit Jeol-gang sometime before your years run out, so we can drink and look back upon the past.”

Baek So-cheon gave a quiet laugh at Jeong-pung’s words.

As Baek So-cheon turned his back to leave the room, Jeong-pung voiced the lingering worry in his mind.

“Are you completely certain you can pull this off?”

“What concerns you?”

“Yeom Jeong-gil ranks among the four elite masters of Shin-hwa-bang, a warrior of the Peak realm. Even with your martial skill, subduing him will be no simple endeavor.”

“I am not the one who will be facing him. Someone else will see to it.”

“Who could that be?”

Rather than offering a name, Baek So-cheon pointed toward the furniture and tossed a parting remark over his shoulder as he walked away.

“Branch leader, you’ve stashed a jug of liquor behind that cupboard door.”

“Answer my question!”

Yet Baek So-cheon had already vanished into the corridor.

Letting out a heavy sigh over the endless troubles ahead, Jeong-pung reached into the cupboard and produced the hidden jar of wine.

“I truly cannot fathom him.”

—

Stepping into the courtyard of his quarters, Baek So-cheon cast his gaze toward the shadows cloaking the outer perimeter wall and spoke aloud.

“Reveal yourself.”

At his words, Cheon-geuk dispelled her concealment and materialized, resting lightly atop the stone wall.

“You lack internal arts, yet your senses trace me like a spectral hound. Did you secretly sway one of my protectors to your side? Could they be the ones whispering of my arrival?”

“What reason do you have to linger around my quarters so frequently?”

“What do you mean by ‘frequently’? This marks the very first occasion I have come without practical business. Besides, since when did you and I become strangers?”

“Are you implying we share an intimate bond?”

“Well, naturally. We are neither casual companions nor mere passersby. So what else would you call us?”

“Think whatever pleases you. Why did you drop by? Do you have no duties to occupy your time?”

“None whatsoever.”

“Then the entire jianghu is blessed with tranquility.”

“Must you always bite with every word?”

“Be on your way. I must cleanse myself and retire for the night.”

Baek So-cheon walked toward the inner chambers.

Cheon-geuk gave a small shake of her head and threw her words toward the shadows where her four hidden guardians remained concealed.

“Honestly, he drives me mad! Would it be so wrong if I arranged an execution contract on his head? Well?”

Her four protectors could only swallow quietly in the dark, far too intimidated to voice an answer.

In truth, her irritation was mostly a facade. Being dismissed in such an offhand manner felt surprisingly novel. In all the realm, no one dared address her with such casual indifference.

“Is there an enemy you desire dead? I could grant you half off the standard fee.”

Baek So-cheon’s response floated out from within the chambers.

“None.”

“Tch.”

At the very least, he had deigned to reply.

Remaining upright in the quiet courtyard, she tilted her chin toward the silver glow of the round moon.

Duty demanded that she take her leave, yet her steps refused to carry her away.

Just then, a private voice transmission from Dong-seong, commander of the Sa-cheon-sal, echoed straight into her mind.

—You may linger and recuperate within Mun-seong for a time. The business concerning the alliance can be set aside for now.

A subtle grin touched Cheon-geuk’s lips. That keen insight was precisely the reason he held the mantle of commander—sharp beyond measure.

“Come, let us depart on our own. We can find a cup of wine.”

Before she could take a step, Baek So-cheon’s voice called out from the window frame behind her.

“What would it cost to retain your services for a single day?”

Whirling around, she discovered him leaning against the sill, peering down at her.

“You mean to hire me?”

“Indeed, you.”

“Employing me, is it…”

Naturally, she was not someone who carried out mercenary requests for coin, but entertaining the concept was harmless.

“My price is extraordinarily steep.”

“Did you not offer a half-price concession just a moment ago?”

“Even reduced, it remains exceedingly steep.”

“What would you say to a thousand nyang?”

“Out of the question!”

Cheon-geuk stared up at him as though he had completely parted with his sanity.

“A thousand nyang represents the exact measure of your worth.”

“Have you completely lost your wits?”

“Consider the logic. Sharing a night in your embrace would demand an expense of one hundred thousand nyang, correct?”

“Who on earth brought up the subject of sharing a bed? But fine, suppose that were the figure.”

“Taking the life of a single scoundrel versus spending a night in your bed—which carries greater value?”

“Sharing a night in my embrace, without question.”

“Naturally. So by what multiple should it exceed the other? A hundredfold?”

“What?”

“Do you disagree? Are you claiming that a night in your arms holds less value than a hundred times the life of a vile criminal?”

“Of course… it is worth vastly more than that.”

“Which is precisely why the fee stands at a thousand nyang. In fact, declaring it to be worth only a hundred times more is an insult. A night with you should rightly command a thousand times that amount—making this task worth a hundred nyang. Does that satisfy your pride? My apologies for estimating your worth so cheaply.”

“No, it is acceptable.”

Cheon-geuk blinked several times in a daze. She had once again walked straight into the web of Baek So-cheon’s twisted logic.

“I have a destination for us tomorrow evening. I shall see you at that hour.”

Leaving those final words behind, Baek So-cheon pulled away and vanished from the window frame.

From the dark perches nearby, the four hidden guardians secretly traded rapid voice transmissions.

—Someone must warn her that she is being thoroughly swindled!

—Our lady is the sharpest intellect under heaven. She is merely indulging his antics.

—Can you truly be certain of that?

Whether she caught wind of their hushed communication or remained completely oblivious, Cheon-geuk began softly humming a melody as her steps carried her forward.

“Indeed, spending a night in my embrace must be worth a thousand times that sum at the very least. What is keeping the rest of you? Hurry up, let us go drink!”