Chapter 68: Chapter 68

Chapter 68: That Kind Person Did That

"The Guild Leader was passing through Kaifeng. Wasn't visiting the branch, but I thought he'd stop by. But time passed without the Guild Leader appearing."

The conversation is still left to Jayeong.

"Tracking traces, Guild members' corpses who escorted Guild Leader were discovered in a secluded alley."

"Right. Also, bloodstains continued."

"Where did they continue?"

"Couldn't track far. Continued to nearby residential district."

After the Guild Leader's death, Rogues' Guild falls into long chaos—the three elders who entered Kaifeng with us also returned to the sect then.

The person who finally settled that chaos was Han Sanha—definitely possessed unusual capability and guts.

"Even confirming to residential district, can't find?"

For capable person, isn't he too helpless?

"That very residential district is my lifelong wish, and probably Beggar's Gang's wish too—such a place."

"Because it's a place where neither Rogues' Guild nor Beggar's Gang built information networks."

Han Sanha clenched fist.

"Offering this old body, I pledged to definitely plant Rogues' Guild members inside during my generation. But repeatedly failed. For Guild Leader to enter there of all places..."

A place in the city where Rogues' Guild's and Beggar's Gang's eyes don't reach exists openly?

Looking at Jayeong's face, she also seemed hearing first time.

"Where is that place?"

"That place is residential district where nobility, clans gather."

"Mm? Rather, don't our Guild members work much in such places?"

I agree with Jayeong's doubt—servants, maids, porters, sedan-chair carriers, delivery workers—just thinking briefly, many places for Rogues' Guild members to enter.

That such natural flow isn't happening means—

"Because one group dominates that place."

As expected—obstructing people existed.

My turn to step in—wuuuung, Mukheun cried.

"What sect? I overthrew countless sects in Luoyang."

Han Sanha shook his head.

If few numbers, even better—I have a good friend to make conversation work.

"Right here, Mukheun—"

Branch Leader brought out the group's name.

"Kaifeng Mothers' Association."

Brief awkward silence flowed.

I quietly put down Mukheun—oooong, Mukheun also quieted.

"Seems very difficult to deal with."

"Actually so. Precisely called 'Kaifeng Noble Clan District Virtuous Mothers' Association.' They don't let even beggars near the district, only employ those loyal for generations."

So neither Beggar's Gang nor Rogues' Guild could enter.

An organization beyond imagination appeared.

Black Path stronger or mothers stronger? I'd side with mothers.

Demonic Cult stronger or mothers stronger? Also side with mothers.

Though completely different character between two groups, feeling is so.

Yet now I must face Mothers' Association?

Branch Leader's explanation continued.

"Surrounded district with high walls, only one entrance. Though walls can be jumped over, clan warriors' level is high, so easily noticed."

"Must have tried directly confronting saying you're looking for someone?"

"Of course. Got door refusal. Said no one entered."

At his last words, Jayeong and I looked at each other's faces again.

Entering district is certain—yet district says no one entered.

I listed possibilities.

Injured but mobile Rogues' Guild Leader either—"Hid somewhere."

Or someone hid the Rogues' Guild Leader unable to move freely.

Quietly reviewed the past.

During Demonic Cult's rampage period, Kaifeng's martial world suffers devastating damage.

No one expected it—because Kaifeng is where Beggar's Gang headquarters exists.

That very headquarters was attacked, with Gang Leader critically wounded retreating.

However, the city itself continued prospering regardless of martial world's flames of war.

Especially heard Kaifeng's prominent families produced talent ascending.

Seems prominent families in stories are precisely these noble clans.

Among them, does someone have reason to hide Rogues' Guild Leader?

"Ultimately must directly examine inside."

Whether Guild Leader hid or someone hid him, doesn't seem like situation where he can just come out.

Then what methods to employ examining inside?

But Branch Leader brought out unexpected words.

"There's one method."

Didn't he say until now couldn't send Rogues' Guild people inside?

"Method possible if Ink Sword Great Hero."

Branch Leader following unexpected words made unexpected action—suddenly bowing.

"No face before Iron Bead. Also a bow requesting Ink Sword Great Hero."

We couple reached hands trying to raise him.

"Guild Leader's safety leaked."

Right—enemies knew where and how Rogues' Guild Leader moved. Not waiting at unavoidable locations but attacking when entering small alley.

"There might be spy inside Rogues' Guild. So couldn't receive outside people. Actually, even people under me were difficult to completely trust."

"I understand. Couldn't speak easily."

"But Iron Bead and husband aren't so."

While saying so, raised only head from bowed posture looking at us.

"Previous Guild Leader selected several people right before passing. Don't know how he knew me, but appointed me Kaifeng Branch Leader. Until then, I had no big position within sect."

Was that why? Even Jayeong who assisted Guild Leader visiting various places said she didn't know Han Sanha.

"Told those appointed then to assist new Guild Leader well."

Seems even Jayeong didn't know this fact. Updates are released by novel·fire.net

Previous Guild Leader raised wandering Jayeong siblings even passing Guild Leader position—even work before death was selecting people to help Guild Leader.

"Such me in Kaifeng having Guild Leader face crisis—no face to meet Previous Guild Leader, no face to meet Iron Bead. And now can only request Ink Sword Great Hero enter inside district."

Request? No, not that.

"That's what I should naturally do. Because I'm family."

Jayeong's husband, Guild Leader's brother-in-law—and sword-holder.

Branch Leader nodded.

"Must really hold selection competition to pick instructor? Isn't it troublesome?"

Inside Kaifeng Noble Clan District—rear garden of some great mansion.

Large carp inside pond ate well having vivid five colors risen.

Surrounding trees dyed beyond five colors into seven, eight colored autumn leaves.

This place gathering all colors the season called autumn could have.

However, not the end here—one group of women gathered in pavilion at pond's center.

Their clothing colors boasted easily over ten colors per person.

"The instructor selection competition?"

"Yes. Two martial arts instructor positions for elementary class became empty. Holding competition to select is too troublesome, isn't it?"

The questioned madam lowered voice.

"But Madam Hahou wants only outsiders for martial arts instructors. Just arriving now."

As they mentioned Madam Hahou, Association President of Kaifeng Virtuous Mothers' Association entered pavilion, and many madams swarmed.

"Hohohoho. Madam Hahou, husband is still magnificent. That imposing appearance truly worthy calling Jade Qilin."

"Not only that. Madam Hahou's children took first place in district's mock exam again—how wonderful."

"Daughter also bright? Already showing distinction in elementary class."

Even inside madams decorating themselves this splendidly, leaders appear and groups form.

Even equal round table was useless—anyone could see other madams lowered themselves toward Madam Hahou.

Hair braided high with six hairpins—three each side—stuck in, appearance beyond splendid to overwhelming was precisely Hahou Seojin.

Family power also strongest among these—only Madam Yang could compete with her and family power.

But she with family troubles sat silently as usual.

When Madam Hahou gave signal, other madams closed mouths.

"We had something to discuss today?"

Madams exchanged glances—they fully knew today's gathering reason.

Madam Jeong always advancing first following Madam Hahou's words came out agreeing today too.

"Of course. This district that must be perfectly controlled for children."

As she started, other madams followed.

"We don't tolerate even small mistakes."

"Natural that Madam Hahou summoned assembly."

One madam had uncomfortable expression—Madam Hahou gave her glance.

"Madam Hyeong, heard you let vagrant into your house?"

"Pitiful appearance, so briefly let in. Just to feed one bowl of porridge."

Giving food to poor was magnanimous action—if told to people, would receive respect.

Though Madam Hahou just called calmly, Madam Hyeong shrank.

"Shall we think again?"

Madam Hahou didn't directly criticize—gave Madam Hyeong time to think.

While all madams at round table stared.

Must say something—sense of pressure.

Madam Hyeong opened mouth first but—actually couldn't know what part of her action was wrong.

Why? What's wrong with giving vagrant one bowl of porridge?

As she couldn't answer, Madam Jeong no different from Madam Hahou's attendant interjected.

"Letting inside is the problem. Don't you know our principle? Should have sent away or given outside."

Only then could Madam Hyeong understand why Madam Hahou was angry.

"Yees, yes. That was my mistake. Sorry to all madams. Must be careful going forward."

Quickly admitted the mistake—then sneakily checked Madam Hahou's mood.

Madam Hahou made a small smile.

"Madam Hyeong's virtuous heart brought small mistake. Just small mistake. Will be fine being careful."

Following words accepting Madam Hyeong's apology—other madams also smiled speaking to Madam Hyeong.

"Madam Hyeong has high virtue. Make so many donations to temples. Hohohoho."

"Of course, of course. Kaifeng's temples put up new roofs daily thanks to Madam Hyeong. Hohoho."

Amid coming and going laughter, Madam Hyeong's tension also eased—she also laughed together discussing temples.

Madam Hahou asked casually.

"You sent out the vagrant?"

Madam Hyeong somehow drawled lowering head.

"Yes! Of course! Sent out."

Only after hearing confirmation did Madam Hahou smile again.

"Well done. Just be careful next time. Remember—we must perfectly control the district. Perfectly controlling district means perfectly controlling Kaifeng. Furthermore."

She made eye contact with all madams.

"That's creating environment for children."

At those words, madams raised voices together.

"Right. Because we're Virtuous Mothers' Association for children."

"Madam Hahou's words are right hundred times. This district is precisely Kaifeng."

Madams smiled nodding—faces overflowing with pride as mistresses of families influencing the great city called Kaifeng.

Faces also full of ambition raising children befitting such families.

Control—education through control—Virtuous Mothers' Association moved for this.

"Must we really hold selection competition? Isn't introduction cases more certain?"

One madam expressed doubt—the selection competition picking outsiders as instructors didn't make sense given the control purpose.

"Children also need opportunities encountering outside people. Instructor selection is one of few opportunities."

"Yees. But martial artists are so imposing... Heot."

The questioning madam swallowed empty air—Madam Hahou's smile deepened. But deepened smile somehow felt scary.

Confidante Madam Jeong interjected.

"Don't worry. Weren't martial artists whose contracts expired this time also like that initially? Use that method and all solved."

"Oh my, madam hasn't been married long, so doesn't know well?"

"We have very good method. Hohohoho."

Other madams also smiled at Madam Jeong's words—Madam Hahou's smile also deepened.

Madam Jeong concluded.

"This time too, will select obedient and kind instructor."

"Here's application."

The clerk receiving selection competition application read alias and name.

"Ink Sword Hero Jin Yeomyeong."

The man who submitted application already turned walking back—heungeolheungeol—humming new life's motto.

"Explode, let go, freely."

Heungeolheungeol—it was Jin Yeomyeong who 'was' obedient and kind.