Book 6: Chapter 5 |
A few days ago at the meeting.
Yeon So-hyeon opened his mouth.
“Yeon Ha-eung.”
Yeon Ha-eung responded immediately.
“Your invitation to the Daseollang has been officially approved through proper procedures in the External Affairs Department.”
“And the request for an escort force to prevent ‘any potential incidents’ in advance?”
“As you commanded, I followed the proper procedures and submitted a request to Elder Yeom, one of the heads of the main family’s military organizations.”
When his father was mentioned, Yeom Baekha answered next.
“Elder Yeom, having officially received the request from the External Affairs Department, requested support from various military units from the War Department to flexibly prepare for ‘any potential incidents’.”
“What about the escort request to the outskirts of Luoyang?”
“The Seoan Governor has accepted the cooperation request.”
“Good. Make sure there are no small problems with the official requests, so as not to give our enemies any justification.”
“Understood.”
Yeon Ha-eung and Yeom Baekha answered simultaneously.
“Cheongsu.”
Cheongsu, who had been blankly listening to the conversation at the meeting, responded immediately.
“Yes, Lord.”
“If the enemies focus on a single target, it will be the Daseollang. Their protection is entrusted to you.”
“As you command.”
Cheongsu was originally from the command warriors of the organization that protected the clan head from the closest proximity.
No further words were needed.
“The Emei Sect is nothing but a minor sect compared to the Luoyang Sword House.”
Yeon So-hyeon said to everyone.
“And the Emei Sect members accompanying the investment group are weaker in power even compared to our side.”
Luoyang was unfamiliar territory for them, and those accompanying the investment group were only a fraction of the Emei Sect’s total forces.
“They will know that very well too. Therefore, when responding to the Emei Sect, what we need to be cautious of is not armed conflict.”
Yeon So-hyeon affirmed.
“They will thoroughly engage in the tactics of the weak.”
***
Luoyang Sword House, inner castle area.
As the sun gradually set, lanterns were lit one by one in the well-maintained high-rise pavilions lining the street.
Welcoming the procession of the investment group, who were admiring the beautiful appearance of the high-rise pavilions rarely seen in the capital due to geographical conditions, was Elder Yoo from Sagong Ja’s side.
“You must be tired from the long journey.”
At the sight of her, Dang Gogyu leaped from the roof of the carriage.
“E-Elder Yoo-!”
He ran towards Elder Yoo in a single breath, but Elder Yoo didn’t even look at his face.
“Kuh-huk!”
As she elegantly dodged the charging Dang Gogyu, he tumbled straight to the ground.
“Now, this way.”
Whether he rolled or not, Elder Yoo spoke to the investment group members peeking out the window with a dignified smile.
“We are preparing a banquet in the reception hall to relieve your fatigue.”
At her words, the investment group applauded and cheered.
Isn’t there a saying that if you don’t like banquets, you’re not a Sichuan person?
Of course, there are always exceptions.
“We would like to be guided to our accommodations first.”
It was the Emei Sect.
Refusing the banquet invitation could be seen as a breach of etiquette, but considering what they had gone through today, it couldn’t be called outright rude.
“Of course. We are preparing the finest accommodations in the reception hall.”
At that moment, the door of the Emei Sect’s carriage opened, and the Head Priestess appeared.
“It’s been a while, Elder Yoo.”
Although Elder Yoo was older than Elder Yeom, she was still junior to the Head Priestess of the Emei Sect.
“Ah, Head Priestess. It’s been a long time.”
Even with the Head Priestess’s appearance, Elder Yoo’s expression remained unchanged.
She had already obtained information through Yeon Ha-eung’s messenger pigeon that the Head Priestess was in charge of the Emei Sect.
“Elder Yoo…”
“One moment.”
Elder Yoo politely but firmly raised her hand to stop the Head Priestess’s words.
She had no intention of engaging in a battle of wits with the white-haired, lonely old demon in the middle of Luoyang Sword House’s main road.
“First of all, blocking the way goes against the main family’s etiquette, so let’s move to the reception hall first.”
“…”
A brief silence flowed.
“Very well.”
The Head Priestess unexpectedly nodded and got back on the carriage.
“Since we’ve come to the sword house, we should follow the sword house’s rules.”
What was her ulterior motive?
At that unexpected response, Elder Yoo’s eyebrows twitched.
In any case, it wasn’t a bad thing if the Head Priestess obediently followed their control.
“Now then, please follow me to…”
“Ah, come to think of it…”
However, the Head Priestess’s words were not finished.
“This humble nun has a prior engagement and must head that way.”
The Head Priestess’s voice continued from inside the dark carriage.
“I hope keeping a prior engagement doesn’t go against the sword house’s etiquette?”
As expected, it wouldn’t be that easy.
“Of course not. It’s just…”
Elder Yoo swallowed a sigh inwardly and asked.
“I heard the Head Priestess is new to the main residence, so if you need a guide…”
The Head Priestess scoffed at Elder Yoo’s intention to gently pry out her destination.
“They said they would come to receive me, so you don’t need to worry about me. Please take good care of our children.”
“Of course.”
Although it would take some time, the Head Priestess’s destination within the Luoyang Sword House was bound to fall into Elder Yoo’s hands eventually.
“Now then, I ask the investment group to follow my lead.”
Despite a brief dispute, the investment group procession began moving without any major issues.
***
Yeon So-hyeon said to Elder Yoo.
“Elder Yoo, please guide the investment group to the reception hall by any means necessary.”
“By any means?”
“By any means.”
Yeon So-hyeon smiled.
“If that happens…”
***
The formation of the Emei Sect’s carriages and horse-riding nuns following the investment group was disrupted.
The Head Priestess’s carriage, carrying the senior members, also stopped as it was moving in a different direction.
“What’s going on?!”
As the Head Priestess’s shout rang out, the supervisor nun in charge of the Daseollang’s protection hurriedly answered.
“The Daseollang’s carriage…!”
The Daseollang’s carriage was already moving in the completely opposite direction of their procession.
“Follow them immediately!”
Just as the Head Priestess was about to turn her carriage around, the person who had come to receive her arrived.
“What’s happening?”
A level that was hard to gauge.
The Head Priestess spoke to the master who had definitely surpassed the wall.
“Please wait a moment.”
The master frowned but obediently stepped back.
However, he didn’t forget to add a comment.
“Head Priestess. I don’t know how urgent your business is, but the people waiting for us on our side are not idle either.”
Ignoring his words, the Head Priestess focused on sending a telepathic message to the supervisor nun.
[I cannot miss this appointment. So from now on, I will give you instructions. Make sure to follow these instructions.]
***
“The person in charge of the Emei Sect is a white-haired, lonely old demon.”
Upon hearing Yeon So-hyeon’s words after receiving Yeon Ha-eung’s message, Elder Yoo sighed.
“If that old woman sticks to the Daseollang, it won’t be easy to separate them.”
Elder Yoo knew the old woman well, having previously worked in Sichuan.
“So Elder Yoo, just do as the young master said.”
“You told me to guide the investment group to the reception hall by any means necessary, right?”
Yeon So-hyeon smiled.
“That old woman only moves within a thorough plan, so she must have made appointments to meet influential people even before arriving at the main residence.”
***
The Emei Sect, who had hurriedly changed the direction of their procession, caught up with the Daseollang’s carriage, which was leisurely leading the way.
“Advisor Yeon! What on earth is happening?!”
“What’s happening, you ask?”
Yeon Ha-eung, who had moved to sit on the roof of the Daseollang’s carriage, feigned ignorance.
“The Daseollang are guests invited by the young master of the main family, so naturally, they are heading to the young master’s residence.”
The supervisor nun exploded in anger.
“How can you say that men and women should stay together in one residence when they should be kept separate?!”
Yeon Ha-eung exaggeratedly gestured as if to say, “What nonsense are you talking about?”
“One residence? The young master’s Wongak Pavilion is comparable in scale to a small estate. It’s not just a single pavilion.”
“…”
For a moment, the supervisor nun was at a loss for words.
Not even the clan head’s residence, but what do you mean a young master’s residence is the size of a small estate?
Seizing that opportunity, Yeon Ha-eung began to chatter away whatever came to his mouth.
“Wongak Pavilion has all the facilities and preparations to accommodate distinguished guests. It has the highest-level maids and servants in the main family, and at the same time, it’s the second safest area in the main family…”
“Now, wait a minute!”
“And the scenery of Wongak Pavilion is so beautiful. There are countless people in Luoyang’s social circles who want to see that scenery…”
The supervisor nun shouted while riding her horse.
“The Daseollang are under the protection of our Emei Sect!”
Yeon Ha-eung shrugged his shoulders.
“As I mentioned before, and to say it again…”
He continued, grinning while looking straight ahead.
“I am merely an advisor of the External Affairs Department, so I simply move as requested.”
“You…!”
The supervisor nun’s face turned bright red as if it would burst.
While the two of them were engaged in a quarrel that wasn’t quite a quarrel, the Daseollang’s carriage was heading towards Wongak Pavilion.
And the Emei Sect’s horse-riding nuns and carriages were also chasing after them as if in pursuit.
***
“No.”
At the main gate of Wongak Pavilion.
The attitude of the maid who introduced herself as the Head Maid was uncompromisingly firm.
The supervisor nun insisted once again that they should stay with the Daseollang at Wongak Pavilion as their escort.
“What cannot be done, cannot be done.”
“…!”
Even the supervisor nun, who was second to none in the Emei Sect in terms of thick-skinned persistence, was momentarily at a loss for words.
How could a mere maid be so brazen to a disciple of the great Emei Sect?
For a moment, anger surged to the top of her head.
“…”
However, the moment she saw the Head Maid’s coldly arrogant gaze, accompanied by the other maids, her head cooled down.
Where was this place?
Wasn’t it the residence of the Luoyang Sword House’s young master?
Cooling her head, she soon recalled the instructions the Head Priestess had given her through telepathy.
***
[We are the weak, but we clearly have justification on our side as well.]
[Make sure not to let go and persistently hold onto that point.]
***
The supervisor nun shouted loudly as if appealing to those waiting in front of Wongak Pavilion to catch a glimpse of the Daseollang.
“Please cooperate so that our Emei Sect’s teachers can assist the young Daseollang by their side!”
At her cry, the murmuring of the crowd grew louder.
The supervisor nun took out a document from her bosom, holding it up, and continued to appeal.
“This document is a letter given to us by the Daseollang’s parents! It contains an earnest request for our teachers to take care of the Daseollang by their side! And also…”
As her appeal continued, the crowd’s heads gradually began to tilt towards her.
Seeing that, the supervisor nun shouted even louder.
“…Therefore, even though we have not received an invitation from the young master, please accept this with broad generosity and allow us to be with the Daseollang!”
It was quite a persuasive justification and appeal.
As the crowd nodded and showed agreement with her cry, the maid of Wongak Pavilion’s face showed a hint of difficulty.
‘Good. If we keep pushing like this…!’
The supervisor nun, hiding a triumphant smile, was about to continue her appeal.
“…So please, young master!”
At that moment, a voice interrupted her words.
It was a voice that resonated too clearly through the commotion.
“Who is making such a ruckus in front of someone else’s house?”