The journey to Seopyeong was proceeding smoothly.
After all, we had been racing down the imperial road the entire time without encountering any incidents.
If we had taken the faster but rougher mountain road, we might have run into a couple of bandits, but the imperial road was regularly patrolled by imperial troops, and the Pyo Security Agencies, who always traveled with numerous guards, frequented it, so it wasn’t an ideal place for bandits to operate.
“Everything feels normal.”
“Yeah, it’s normal.”
“Isn’t being normal a good thing?”
“On the contrary, it could also mean we’re not drawing attention, making it easier to hide.”
According to the information passed on by Haowen Sect, there was a rumor that one of the estates here was suspected of being a secret branch of the Demonic Sect.
On the surface, they acted like normal merchants, but there were many suspicious aspects.
And it wasn’t clear where all the money earned from their businesses was going…
“Hye-ryeong, where do you think the丐帮 (Beggars) branch is located?”
“Uh, maybe in a secluded place? Poor neighborhoods are usually on the outskirts, right?”
“You’re right, Miss Hye-ryeong. The places where beggars live are generally out of sight.”
True, beggars wouldn’t be in the city center.
We headed directly to the outskirts of Seopyeong and made our way toward the beggars’ enclave.
“Ugh, the smell.”
“Ah, Mister, I feel dizzy…”
“…It’s a terrible stench.”
What else is new with beggars’ enclaves?
With dozens of beggars staring at us, there was no way the smell wouldn’t be strong.
Ignoring the sight of these beggars who looked like they could damage my eyesight, I pressed forward. If we were weaker, some might have tried to trouble us, but naturally, none of the beggars here had the audacity.
After walking for a while, we found the building with the marking we had seen earlier, which belonged to the Beggar Sect. Without hesitation, we approached and pulled aside the fabric that served as a door.
“Is this the Beggar Sect headquarters?”
“Ahh, important guests have arrived.”
A middle-aged man with an unusually large head greeted us with an unpleasant smile. It wasn’t intentional; his face just naturally carried an uncomfortable expression.
“Do you recognize me?”
“Lion Sword Hero. If we didn’t, we’d be of the Demonic Sect.”
Is my reputation that well-known?
“Ah, if you know, it will make things easier. We’ve learned that there is a branch of the Demonic Sect in this town.”
“Hmm, there were indeed suspicious places. Where did you get your information?”
“I will not divulge it for privacy reasons.”
“Haowen Sect, I presume.”
Indeed, the Beggar Sect was sharp. I nodded to acknowledge it. It seemed the branch leader was merely curious as he didn’t press further and moved directly to the main topic.
“There’s a merchant in this city named Yang Mun-pyeong. He’s been here for about twenty years and runs a moneylending business and owns mines. However, for some reason, the high-quality ores and money seem to be flowing out of here.”
“Could it be some sort of trade?”
“He claims he is sending the money to his family back home.”
Even after seeking assistance from other branches, and after tracking it, the trail vanished somewhere near the Qinghai region.
“The beggars we sent from our other branches also disappeared. It seems they are heading further west, but there’s really no reason for them to transport ores and money that far, right?”
“Suspicious indeed.”
“Indeed suspicious, as Eun-gong said.”
“However, there’s no way to know if they are part of the Demonic Sect since we don’t have clear evidence.”
“Can’t the Beggar Sect’s intelligence network find out?”
In response, the branch leader chuckled and said, “Even the Beggar Sect cannot arbitrarily investigate someone just on suspicion alone. Without solid clues, it is very easy to provoke backlashes. Especially here, our branch is still fairly new.”
“Clues…?”
“It’s also an issue that we, as beggars, attract too much attention. A tavern owner might be able to overhear information while eating scraps, but Yang Mun-pyeong doesn’t normally show his face to the public.”
So there are limitations to using beggars for information gathering.
“I understand. So, there isn’t solid evidence… right?”
“That’s right.”
This is getting troublesome.
The documents handed over by the Haowen Sect only listed suspicious activities without any definitive proof.
Did we come all the way here for nothing?
“I understand. We’ll take a look from our side.”
“How do you plan on checking?”
“Recently, I captured a lackey of the Demonic Sect. Do you remember?”
“Ahh, that incident?”
I see you’re aware.
“Also, you’ve heard that there were spies of the Demonic Sect within the Haowen Sect who caused uprisings?”
“…What are you talking about?”
“I have just finished eliminating all the spies. Their nicknames were Blood Drinker, Water Devil, and the Twin Ghosts.”
“Hmph… I’ve never heard of Blood Drinker or Water Devil, but the Twin Ghosts joining the Demonic Sect? What a surprise.”
“Do you know them?”
“A chaotic demon who caused countless troubles. They were already being ostracized by the martial sects, so it’s no wonder they ended up joining the Demonic Sect.”
Indeed.
In any case, using the information from the incident with the Haowen Sect, we should be able to find out whether Mr. Yang is a lackey of the Demonic Sect or an innocent merchant.
“For now, leave this to me. I’ll verify it. If he’s innocent, we will leave it alone.”
“You truly seem dedicated to eradicating the Demonic Sect.”
“How can I ignore the Demonic Sect?”
My words made him nod in agreement.
“I understand. We’ll assist as much as possible from our side. Although our branch is brand new and our capabilities are limited…”
That’s understandable.
Given the lack of information, it makes sense.
“Leave the investigation to me. If it turns out this is indeed a branch of the Beggar Sect, prepare some helpers just in case.”
“What do you intend to do?”
“There aren’t many options when it comes to what we can do.”
Whether through infiltration or covert investigations, we’ll need to search in places the beggars couldn’t reach.
Additionally, if my memory serves me right, there should be a branch of the Haowen Sect here too.
“I’ll see you later.”
“Sorry for not being of more help.”
“You can help later. Later.”
We turned around and left the beggars’ enclave.
—
“Mister, are we going to infiltrate now?”
“Let’s consider it.”
We need to consult with the Haowen Sect first. As I thought about this, I absentmindedly touched Hye-ryeong’s cheek, who was leaning on me, as we waited for the meal.
“Eun-gong, we need to be cautious with this mission. A single misstep could lead to embarrassment without finding the Demonic Sect branch.”
“I understand. That’s why I intend to seek help from Haowen Sect.”
Given the nature of Haowen Sect’s loose organization, not all information would reach the sect leader. Also, considering the traitors had been active for a long time, it’s likely the crucial information hasn’t been relayed.
Even the information provided by Haowen Sect was somewhat vague.
Almost too vague.
“I didn’t expect to use the silver token so soon.”
I subtly placed the silver token on the table. This was the method Haowen Sect taught me—laying it down discreetly so the waiter could confirm it and summon someone related to the sect.
After placing the token and waiting for about a moment, the waiter serving the dishes approached us with plates in hand.
The waiter carefully laid down the food in front of us. Then, noticing the silver token, they froze like a broken machine and cautiously confirmed my face before speaking softly.
“Welcome. Righteous Friend.”
“After the meal, I would like to speak with the branch leader here.”
“I will report ahead.”
Good, good.
Things are unfolding smoothly. As the waiter walked away, I picked up my chopsticks.
“Let’s enjoy a warm meal, it’s been a while.”
“Ahhh!”
This girl is getting more daring each day.
I placed the well-seasoned piece of grilled meat into her mouth.
“Hehe. I’ve always wanted to try this! My mother used to cook it for my father when I was a child!”
…They must have had a very happy marriage.
“You should eat too.”
“Mm-hmm.”
Like a baby bird feeding off its mother, Hye-ryeong eagerly swallowed the piece I had fed her. I then felt an uncomfortable gaze, so I glanced at Mok-kyeong.
“Do you have anything to say?”
“A-Ah, no…just…nothing.”
Judging by her expression, she seemed unsettled by Hye-ryeong’s affectionate actions toward me. While it seemed she felt awkward, telling Hye-ryeong to stop would be too much. Thus, I ignored the gaze and quietly enjoyed the moment.
After finishing our meal, we waited for the waiter. The waiter, noticing we had set down our chopsticks and were looking at him, quietly approached and whispered,
“Please follow me.”
What kind of person will the branch leader turn out to be?
With mild curiosity, we followed the waiter.
