Chapter 32 (2/2)
“Are their warriors similar to me in strength?”
“No that’s pushing it too far. You can probably wipe out ten of them on your own. Although their real professional might prove challenging.”
The doctor looked between Gyeongwan and Yoo before continuing.
“You guys are considered to be on the stronger side. You guys are equivalent to most from the elite households. Your skills are probably around the commanders or second in common of the lower rank soldier
But both Yoo and Gyeongwan took his words with a pinch of salt.
As they had realized their own limits during their recent fight with the Jong clan warriors.
Would they still have been able to fight them if they weren’t aware of their weaknesses?
“Don’t compare to the Jong clan warriors you encountered at the Yeon residence. They are a little unique.”
“Then are the Jong clan stronger as compared to other elite households? That is excluding their weaknesses?”
“No. The ones that you saw at the Yeon residence were exceptionally stronger. They must have been trained with great attention.”
The doctor laughed out loud.
“I bet the head of the house would have been pretty mad since you guys beat them to a pulp.”
The doctor’s comments made them even more curious.
“Then even to have one or two professionals in each of these establishments is considered a lot, isn’t it? Just where did they find these professionals….”
“That is what we have to look into now. If it had been as I expected it to be then the answer to it would be simple.”
The doctor complained, with a look of dissatisfaction.
“What did you expect it to be?”
“I thought the Jong clan were providing the professionals.”
“Was that not the case?”
“No, it was not. The Jong clan and Cheon Geum Ryeon are working together, but they did not provide them with the support of any professionals. They work in a silo.”
All of their faces became serious.
This could potentially mean that Cheon Geum Ryeon had other allies than just the Jong clan.
An ally that had the capability to move several of their professionals collectively.
“This…is becoming rather complicated.”
The doctor smiled.
“So let’s change the subject and talk about something more fun.”
***
On a front porch of one of the Golden wall merchant buildings.
Byeok Woohang was seated opposite his son Byeok Sangil.
“We were lucky. Weren’t we?”
Sangil nodded to his father’s comment.
“Yes. We were very lucky. Had the incident not happened in the Jong clan we would have been done for even before we could do anything about it.”
“A small matter that was overlooked and left unattended for too long has grown into a bigger one.”
Sangil sighed.
“It’s quite a bind we’re in. All the merchants from the Moo and Bangpa clans that we’ve formed an agreement with say they find it difficult to help out…”
It was to be expected but whenever there was a difficult situation the large merchants in the area like the golden wall, Moo, and Bangpa merchants would help one another out.
They would provide financial assistance and be supported by them in times of need.
The golden wall merchants were well aware that these relationships were easily broken so they had raised their own military forces, but they were still far off to be self-dependent.
It was after they had heard of the incident in the Jong clan and preparing for it when they realized the change in behavior of the other merchants.
If they had an issue with the Jong clan and they were to clash it would be detrimental.
They could no longer fully rely on the others.
The Jong clan placed high importance on their own reputation so they wouldn’t attack them without a sensible reason.
It seemed that they had called Taesan to the Yeon residence to create an opportunity to make a reason.
“I’m relieved that nothing happened to Taesan. I was shocked. To think that they had hidden intentions.”
He was referring to Gyeong and Gal.
These two had been commissioned by the Jong clan to offer their services to the golden wall clan.
They had anticipated the golden wall clan to reach out for help and planned meticulously ahead.
“There is no way that this was the Jong clan acting out alone. They don’t have enough funds to win over those two.”
“It must be Cheon Geum Ryeon.”
Sangil was so adamant that his father formed an unexpected expression.
“You seem so sure. We have not confirmed anything yet.”
Sangil took out several letters from his inner pocket.
“What is this?”
“Information I had received from someone.”
Byeok Woohang read through each of the letters slowly and in detail.
His eyes clearly had signs of surprise.
“Who gave this to you.”
Sangil smiled bitterly.
“I do not know. I went to the office this morning and found it on my desk. I tried to investigate who had placed it there but wasn’t able to find out.”
“Hmm. Have you confirmed if it is true.”
“I confirmed whatever parts I could. Based on which I believe this information is true.”
Woohang stood up from his seat with a firm expression.
“It seems I need to discuss this matter with the head of the house.”
The contents of the letter were surprising.
It mentioned in detail the strategy that the Jong clan and Cheon Geum Ryeon were collaborating to bring down the golden wall clan.
For this amount of detail, the source had to be someone who had been directly involved in the planning of this from the Jong clan.
It seemed to be someone who was aware of the bigger picture but only knew the details from the Jong clan’s point of view.
It even mentioned that Cheon Geum Ryeon was likely to be collaborating with another clan besides the Jong clan.
Byeok Woohang’s mind was complicated as he hurriedly rushed to Byeok Taesoo’s office with the letters in his hand.
‘Who had shared this information, and how did they find out.’
No matter, it was important that they were aware of it now.
If they had not known they would have been attacked blindly, but as long as they knew. They could come up with a contingency.
Of course, there was a possibility that the content of the letters was false and actually a trap.
Byeok Woonhang’s mind became more complicated as he approached the head of the house’s office.