Chapter 484

Chapter 484
## Chapter 484. Conditions of Hatred (2)

—

“Um… didn’t you mention earlier that we were here to perform an audit?”

**Song Ye-seol** inclined her head, looking puzzled.

“Why is it that you suddenly want to examine the ledger books?”

Perhaps this was the unique misery of being the only person alive who carried knowledge of what was to come. Whenever these situations presented themselves, words frequently failed him, making him feel utterly foolish. Furthermore, if he provided some poorly constructed pretext, it would likely only invite unwanted suspicion.

“A sect’s finances possess a unique way of exposing its hidden realities. Regardless of how insignificant an amount of coin might seem, tracing its path allows you to uncover precisely what everyone is up to.”

“……”

**Song Ye-seol**’s gaze shifted, becoming distinctly wary.

“Are you going to give me a straight answer or not?”

I cast a meaningful glance toward **Gwak Su-san**. In circumstances such as these, it was precisely his responsibility to step in and offer support—

“**Dan-ju**, if I remember correctly, among all the various organizations we have audited up to this point, we have never once demanded to look at their accounting records, have we?”

“???”

…What in the world did this idiot think he was doing?

“Huh? Did I say something wrong? Why are you glaring at me like that…”

While I was internally debating whether to roast **Gwak Su-san** alive or simply tear him limb from limb.

“Very well. I shall show you the way.”

**Song Ye-seol** let out a weary sigh, inadvertently saving the fool’s life.

“Pardon?”

“Eh?”

I had been desperately racked with worry over what alternative pretext to concoct because of **Gwak Su-san**’s sheer mindlessness.

“Weren’t you eager to inspect them? Have you changed your mind?”

**Song Ye-seol** walked forward without any further resistance.

What was the meaning behind this sudden compliance? Even though I was the one who had made the initial demand, I could only stand there with a bewildered look on my face.

“Are you not going to inspect them now?”

**Song Ye-seol** pressed him once more.

“Ah, I will look at them. No, I absolutely must. But… is this truly acceptable?”

This was no ordinary request; the actions I was taking right now were practically indistinguishable from an outsider behaving as though they owned the entire place.

“Goodness, you truly are an impossible person to read, **Gong-ja-nim**.”

Instead of growing angry, **Song Ye-seol** offered a defeated chuckle.

“If **Gong-ja-nim** insists that he needs to examine them, then surely there must be a valid purpose behind it. I will simply view it in that light.”

“……”

“……”

**Gwak Su-san**, who was trailing behind them quietly, mumbled under his breath.

“It honestly feels as though our **Dan-ju** has practically become a member of Hwapoong Manor…”

What nonsense was he spouting now?

She abruptly halted in her tracks, her countenance turning rigid as she murmured in a hushed tone.

“However… you ought to prepare yourself. The individual overseeing the funds possesses a temperament that is an absolute do—no, it isn’t precisely… pleasant.”

The Chief Accountant of Hwapoong Manor was an outsider who had been brought into the fold. Rumor had it that he had spent his earlier years preparing for the imperial civil service exams. Having cleared the provincial assessments, he was studying for the final metropolitan examinations when he took over the administrative affairs of Hwapoong Manor, yielding to the desperate pleas of the **Jang-ju**.

Consequent to that arrangement, despite being significantly younger than the **Jang-ju**, **Gongson Myeong**, he commanded an equal level of seniority within the hierarchy due to his status as a non-clerical disciple.

And her warning proved to be entirely accurate.

“Wh—no, what did you just say?”

His disposition appeared utterly dreadful from the very start.

“Have you lost your mind? No, you actually intend to review our financial ledgers? Does the **Yongbong-jihoe** honestly mistake itself for the Grand Elder of Hwapoong Manor or something?”

The venom in his words was explicitly aimed at **Song Ye-seol**, though the intended recipients were clearly us.

“These pieces of sh—no, furthermore, where were all these people when Hwapoong Manor was on the brink of total ruin? By what authority do they barge in here now demanding an audit!”

“**Sasuk-nim**, these gentlemen are essentially the saviors of Hwapoong Manor.”

“Utter bullsh—no, if someone saves your life, do you hand over your very garments the moment they ask for them?”

“……”

As his remarks crossed an unacceptable boundary, I took a step forward.

“This is our first proper introduction. I did not catch a glimpse of you while the battle was raging at its peak; did you have more pressing matters to attend to elsewhere? Or did you perhaps flee the scene entirely?”

“…What business is that of yours?”

“Given that you chose to hurl insults at our conduct, I was merely inquiring whether you possessed the moral right to do so.”

“This bast—no, when did I ever hurl an insult!”

Though it was plain to see he had never trained in a single day of martial arts, his voice was incredibly piercing, grating painfully against my ears.

“Was that not an insult? Though, to be perfectly fair, you failed to execute your profanity ‘properly.’”

“……”

“Even so, you would do well to tread lightly. Among those who have dedicated themselves to martial arts, you will find many who are incredibly vindictive.”

I intentionally paused in my speech, letting a faint, cold smirk grace my face.

“I, too, frequently find myself described in such a manner.”

An immediate hush blanketed the room. The Chief Accountant glared at me through narrowed, venomous eyes, spitting curses beneath his breath, but I simply chose to ignore him. There was absolutely nothing to be gained by entangling myself further with a man who was nothing more than a walking monument of conceit and bigotry.

“Whether you hold affection for us or not is of no consequence, but this endeavor has been formally sanctioned by the **Jang-ju**. I ask for your compliance.”

The Chief Accountant, gnashing his teeth in fury, snorted heavily, blowing sharp bursts of air from his nostrils.

“Whether you wish to inspect or audit, do whatever the he—no, do precisely as you damn well please!”

The Chief Accountant crossed his arms over his chest and took a couple of paces backward.

“To begin, could you provide the accounting books that would illustrate our most recent financial movements?”

“I haven’t the slightest clue.”

“Excuse me?”

“On account of the chaos surrounding Blood Heaven Fort, people turned this place upside down and scattered records everywhere. They ought to be buried somewhere within this room.”

The Chief Accountant gestured carelessly toward the interior of the study. The room was in a state of absolute chaos, packed to the brim with random volumes, account books, scrolls, and assorted junk.

“Sorting through this disaster will require months, so if you are truly hell-bent on conducting an audit, return when it is finished.”

“……”

Upon closer inspection, it became evident that the office was not a shambles merely because people had panicked during the recent conflict. Judging by the ancient grime and the disorganized piles crammed onto every single shelf and desk, the room itself resembled a refuse bin that had never seen a day of tidying since its inception. Pinpointing the exact records I required from this mountain of trash appeared to be an nigh-impossible endeavor.

“**Sasuk-nim**… the **Jang-ju** issued an explicit command that we are to cooperate fully with the operations of the **Yongbong-jihoe**.”

Hearing **Song Ye-seol**’s interjection, the Chief Accountant’s countenance flushed a vivid crimson.

“You shameless hussy! To which master do you owe your allegiance!!! Are you not a child of Hwapoong Manor! Or what? Now that the immediate danger has passed, have you grown starved for the company of men?! Is that it!”

Despite the incredibly vile nature of his insults, **Song Ye-seol**’s face remained entirely unbothered. It was clear evidence that she had been subjected to this sort of mistreatment on numerous occasions before.

“Even **Jang-ju** **Gongson Myeong** has never presumed to recklessly rummage through my financial records!!! Yet you expect me to lay bare these accounts to these nameless bastards who just wandered in from God-knows-where? Just how unprincipled have you become to…”

However, experiencing this torrent of abuse for the first time, I found it impossible to remain passive.

*Thump!*

Channeling my inner reserves of energy, I slammed my palm down onto the wooden desk. As the concussive force vibrated at its maximum, the sudden tremor violently rattled the Chief Accountant.

“Urgh!”

The Chief Accountant, whose innards seemed to twist uncomfortably from the bizarre sensation—a feeling entirely foreign to his pampered life—scowled and glared at me with pure, murderous intent.

“You… do you truly dare to use martial intimidation against me!”

“I certainly do.”

“Wh—what? You do?”

The Chief Accountant looked utterly stupefied, as if he had just heard words that defied his very understanding of reality.

“I said yes. If you have no desire to be beaten into a bloody pulp, I suggest you shut that wretched mouth of yours.”

“Ha… Haha… To think that the world-renowned Murim Alliance’s **Yongbong-jihoe** is nothing more than a pack of low-class brutes!”

He had claimed earlier that he had no idea where we had come from, yet it appeared he was well aware of our background.

“Fine, have it your way, dig through them until your heart is content. I have no intention whatsoever of lifting a finger to assist you bastards.”

With those words, he tightly folded his arms and took up a post directly behind us, a smug expression plastered across his face. Faced with this impasse, neither **Song Ye-seol** nor **Gwak Su-san** knew how to proceed.

“**Hoe-ju**, those accounting books stacked at the very back. Pass those over to me first.”

“Eh?”

Simultaneously, I began aggressively turning the pages of whatever records I could get my hands on.

*Chrrr-r-r-ck.*

*Chrrr-r-r-r-ck.*

*Chrrr-r-r-r-r-ck.*

Before even a brief fraction of an hour had slipped away, as I cast aside a tenth completed ledger, **Gwak Su-san**, who had been staring in sheer bewilderment, looked at me with a look of profound disbelief.

“**Dan-ju**, what in the name of heavens are you doing?”

“What does it look like? I am reviewing the financial records.”

My skull would likely throb painfully for days to come because of this exertion, but I would gladly suffer a massive nosebleed rather than sit back and watch that arrogant Chief Accountant bastard gloat in his petty victory.

“Didn’t you tell me to do as I pleased? I am about to show you exactly what it means to be utterly ruined.”

I directed my words toward the Chief Accountant while casually wiping away the crimson stream trickling down my lip.

It took less than half a day to meticulously pore over every single ledger present in the chamber. Throughout that grueling ordeal, my nose bled twice and a wave of severe dizziness washed over me roughly four times, bringing me to the absolute brink of unconsciousness, but I held my ground with stubborn resolve and successfully mapped out the entire financial history of Hwapoong Manor spanning the last decade.

And then.

“Thi—This is a lie!! I-It’s a fabrication! It is completely impossible for anyone to uncover all of this in a mere half day!!!”

However, regarding his extensive embezzlement, we had already summoned the chief representatives of three local merchant guilds to verify the discrepancies. Immediately preceding the conflict with Blood Heaven Fort, he had been actively making arrangements to shift the properties of Hwapoong Manor into his private possession.

“Despicable… To think he was only plotting his own escape while his martial brothers were bleeding and dying in battle.”

“I truly believed that even if his manner was abrasive, it was all for the greater good of Hwapoong Manor…”

Furthermore, throughout that investigation, the sheer extent to which he had been steadily draining Hwapoong Manor’s coffers was brought into the light of day.

“It’s a frame-up! **Jang-ju**! **Jang-ju Gong**! Say something! Think of how much I have sacrificed on behalf of Hwapoong Manor all these years! How can you turn on me like this!”

His true character, which had historically forced severe austerity and financial deprivation upon the disciples of Hwapoong Manor, stood revealed as a monstrous entity—one that went so far as to pinch pennies from the meals of young children just to feed his own insatiable avarice.

“Sigh… The gravest threat to Hwapoong Manor was never Blood Heaven Fort; it was festering right within our walls.”

Had he been a true denizen of the Jianghu, it would have been fitting to settle accounts through the brutal customs of the martial world. However, **Gongson Myeong** chose to grant him one final act of clemency, delivering him bound to the local magistracy instead.

Even though they succeeded in reclaiming only a fraction of the riches the Chief Accountant had squirreled away, Hwapoong Manor managed to secure enough immediate capital to begin reconstruction on the courtyard and pavilions that had been devastated during the recent assault.

“He truly managed to hoard an astronomical sum.”

The deep anxieties of **Gongson Myeong**, who had been losing sleep over their desperate cash flow until their gold mine could be fully excavated, vanished in an instant. The **Jang-ju**, whose worn face seemed to hover between profound relief and absolute exhaustion, turned to address me.

“How did the investigation conclude? Did it reach a satisfactory end?”

Given that my primary objective from the start had been to thoroughly demolish that miserable Chief Accountant, I could confidently say it was a massive success.

“In that case, we must organize a grand feast.”

“No, that would be improper. We cannot celebrate while we are still honoring our dead.”

“Please, do not speak such words. You delivered Hwapoong Manor from the clutches of Blood Heaven Fort and even purged the corrupt leech that was draining our lifeblood from within. If we fail to show proper hospitality to such a savior, the people of the Jianghu, along with our fallen brethren in the afterlife, will surely look upon us with scorn.”

The **Jang-ju**’s stance was mirrored by the inner elders and the various hall leaders, leading Hwapoong Manor to host a celebration, albeit an appropriately subdued one. The martial artists from the regional branch had already journeyed back toward the Kaifeng office, following a leader who was still consumed by indignation, but the remaining warriors of the **Cheongryong-gak** were presented with an unexpectedly lavish bounty of fine liquor and enjoyed a marvelous evening.

The companions of the **Yongbong-jihoe** were similarly indulging…

“**Dan-ju**, I hold you in the absolute highest regard.”

What now? What was wrong with this fellow this time?

“I am completely serious, **Dan-ju**.”

A thoroughly intoxicated **Gwak Su-san** draped himself heavily over my arm.

“Up until now, after receiving nothing but hostile glares during every single audit, I was plagued with doubts about why I had ever enlisted in the **Yongbong-jihoe** to begin with, but through observing you, **Dan-ju**, I have finally grasped the true righteousness of our mission.”

“……”

Curious to hear what kind of nonsense he had conjured up, I remained quiet and allowed him to speak.

“Through the power of inspection, we shield the innocent and bring ruin to the corrupt. That is the ultimate purpose of an audit.”

“Is that right?”

“From this night forward, I shall audit with even greater ferocity. Even if the world despises me for it, I will do it as loudly and publicly as possible just to make a point. Mark my words. I will defend the righteous people like those of Hwapoong Manor, and as for those who harbor malice in their hearts…”

**Gwak Su-san**, slurring his words in a drunken haze, finally lost his balance and slumped over the table.

“**Da-Dan-ju**, grab my hand… the entire room is spinning, I find myself unable to stand…”

And having collapsed in such a pathetic state, **Gwak Su-san** drifted off into a deep slumber, muttering nonsensically in his sleep.

“Is this gentleman going to be alright?”

In that precise moment, accompanied by the sweet, delicate fragrance of evening primrose that felt entirely out of place among a rowdy gathering of men, **Song Ye-seol** walked up.

“He has passed out. Just let him sleep it off.”

“**Da-Dan-ju**, my hand… I beg of you, lend me your hand…”

“…Is he genuinely asleep?”

Trading her customary martial tunic for alternative attire, she was currently arrayed in the elegant garments of a noble court lady. It lacked the ostentatious flair favored by the high-born ladies of the Murim Alliance, yet it was a style that complemented her natural beauty perfectly.

“If it is not too much trouble, would you care to step outside for some fresh air?”

“Huh?”

“A-Ah, never mind, if you are disinclined, please do not feel obligated.”

Observing her anxiously twirling her fingers as a deep blush crept up her neck, I pushed myself up from my seat. I was thoroughly eager to escape **Gwak Su-san**’s endless drunken babbling in any case.

Stepping out of the main pavilion, which was thick with the suffocating warmth and noise of the celebration, the crisp night air washed over me, feeling as though it were washing away the stagnation in my chest.

“It is quite a modest courtyard when measured against the grand estates of the Murim Alliance, is it not?”

The architecture and atmosphere of Hwapoong Manor brought back vivid memories of the **Tae-eul Sect** from my past existence.

“Even so, to me, it remains an incredibly dear place.”

A modest garden path and weathered, frequently repaired structures. Yet despite the lack of luxury, the souls who resided here could find genuine joy in a solitary flask of wine and share laughter over a simple jest.

“It holds a very fond place in my heart as well.”

“Really?”

The outer walls were easily scaled and they suffered a shortage of winter firewood every single year, yet there was never a moment where I failed to feel a sense of true comfort. Hwapoong Manor served as a constant reminder of that very **Tae-eul Sect**.

“I am simply saying that I am quite fond of it.”

“……”

**Song Ye-seol**, momentarily struck speechless, lightly tapped the dirt with the tip of her embroidered shoe.

“I have been told that down in Wuhan, where the grand headquarters of the Murim Alliance rests, there are sprawling estates infinitely more breathtaking than this cramped, rustic courtyard. And the women there as well.”

“I can certainly appreciate grand, extravagant landscapes, but truth be told, my soul feels a far stronger connection to a setting like this.”

“……”

For reasons unknown to me, **Song Ye-seol**’s cheeks flushed a deep, brilliant crimson.

“My goodness… they always say that the smooth-talking rogues of the Jianghu possess a terrifying talent for captivating a woman’s heart… just how many poor girls have you left weeping in your wake, **Gong-ja-nim**?”

“……”

I understood perfectly well the sort of romantic tears **Song Ye-seol** was implying, but I found myself utterly unable to provide an answer. Simply because no such romance had ever occurred in my life.

“It appears you are laboring under a massive misconception. I have never once participated in a romantic courtship.”

“What did you say??? But I was under the impression that the moment you enter the great academy, anyone who fails to find a companion is viewed as an absolute laughingstock…”

I was well aware of that particular reputation. I had, on occasion, observed various students who were engaged in courtships. However, that did not imply that romance was a universal occurrence among every single young man and woman there.

“The curriculum at the academy is incredibly demanding, and when one is entirely consumed with devoting every waking hour to rigorous martial training, pursuing a romance? That is an utterly preposterous notion.”

“……”

“It is the absolute truth. Those are merely baseless fabrications.”

**Song Ye-seol**, who had been quietly taking in my explanation, suddenly inquired.

“By any chance, are you weeping right now?”

Weeping? Who? Me?

“No. A speck of dust simply found its way into my eye.”

Curse it all, why did my eyes have to choose this exact moment to burn and tear up so inconveniently…

“……”

Come to think of it, why am I living out this current life in such an identical fashion? Even if I can excuse my past life on account of having been an absolute, single-minded fool.

“At any rate, that is the reality of the matter.”

“From my perspective, that actually comes as quite a relief…”

“What do you mean by that?”

“A-Ah, it’s nothing! It is merely that the lingering sorrow I felt over never being able to attend the academy has lessened quite a bit.”

**Song Ye-seol**’s entire countenance illuminated with genuine happiness.

Is it not said that the evening primrose unveils its beauty only as the sun dips below the horizon? Her radiant smile harmonized beautifully with the gentle glow of the moon.

“Ever since my mother and father departed this world, Hwapoong Manor has served as both my guardian and my kin.”

“Ah…”

“Because of that, I never harbored any grand expectations regarding what life might look like within the Murim Alliance.”

There was no opportunity for me to offer standard words of condolence. She already appeared entirely unburdened by her past, as though she had built up a thick armor against the need for pity.

“On this occasion, I approached the **Jang-ju** with a request. Once the affairs of Hwapoong Manor have settled into order, I intend to venture out to the Murim Alliance.”

“For what purpose?”

**Song Ye-seol** turned her gaze directly into mine. That incredibly clear expression. Those vibrant, crimson lips. That porcelain-white skin. Every single detail etched itself into my mind with a clarity far sharper than anything before.

“Because I possess a deep desire to truly understand **Gong-ja Jin**.”

Her completely straightforward declaration struck me like a physical blow. I was not facing down a mortal foe, yet at her completely unprompted words, my pulse began to hammer wildly against my ribs.

“Do you, perhaps, find my presence distasteful?”

“A-Ah, no, that—that is absolutely not the case.”

It was an undeniable truth that my attention had been uniquely drawn to her ever since our very first encounter. However—

*‘I must first understand my own heart before I can offer a proper response.’*

I found myself entirely unable to categorize the sensation swelling within me. Because it was a fundamentally different feeling from the adoration I had uniquely held for **Moyong Seol** during my previous life.

To a man like me, the words delivered by **Song Ye-seol**, propelled by raw and earnest sentiment, struck my chest with a precision far more lethal than the most expertly thrown concealed blade. I could do nothing but stammer like a complete simpleton.

“Hehehe…”

Staring at my bewildered state, **Song Ye-seol** erupted into a melodic, cheerful laugh.

“Hehe, hahaha! Goodness me, whatever has made you so terribly flustered? A renowned warrior such as yourself.”

“As I mentioned, I may be a man, but…”

“But not a grand warrior?”

“It seems you have already seen right through me.”

Her features, illuminated by the silver moonlight, bore a striking resemblance to a solitary evening primrose.

“…I wish to discover so much more. Regarding **Gong-ja Jin**…”

In the exact instant my eyes naturally tracked down toward the smooth expanse of her pale, elegant neck. A faint, crimson line resembling a thin silk thread manifested across her skin.

“Regarding… regarding… regar—?”

Just as she, mid-sentence, attempted to pivot her head as though recognizing that something felt profoundly wrong. The thread-like crimson line burst violently apart, and a torrent of blood came spraying out.

“Uh… what?”

Her face, failing to register the mortal horror of the situation in time, froze entirely in that final expression.

*Splat!*

She, who had looked precisely like a beautiful evening primrose only a heartbeat before, collapsed limply to the earth, her life force draining away in a crimson tide as though she were a flower suddenly withered.

“This… what madness is this…”

*Thud.*

Directly behind the fallen form of **Song Ye-seol**, a dark figure could be perceived smoothly returning a blade to its scabbard.

*Gush, gush, gush.*

“Go—**Gong-ja**…”

The last remnants of light flickered out from the eyes of **Song Ye-seol** as she lay pooling in blood.

I snapped my head upward. And I unsheathed my blade. I swore a blood oath within my soul. That I would tear this murderer apart. No matter what justification they might offer, no matter how exalted their bloodline or position might be, nothing in heaven or earth would ever suffice to earn my clemency.

*Grit—*

I threw myself forward with every ounce of physical power I possessed, charging toward the loathsome killer.

“**Yong So-ah**!!!!”

The **Red Light Sword** transformed into a blinding streak of destructive radiance, tearing through the air directly toward that individual.

==========

**Author’s Note**

??? : Is the true female lead finally making her grand entrance?

**Yong So-ah** : Not on my watch.

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