Volume 6 Chapter 5 – Unpredictable (1)

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Translated by Rain

Read it only at Novelbyu.com & Utoon.net

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A meeting a few days ago.

Yeon So-hyeon spoke.

“Yeon Ha-eung.”

Yeon Ha-eung replied immediately.

“My eldest brother’s invitation to the Tea Fan Maiden has been officially approved through the Outer Courtyard.”

“What about the request for escort troops to prevent any ‘unexpected situations’ in advance?”

“As ordered, we went through formal procedures to submit a request to Elder Yeom, one of the military group leaders of the Main Family.”

When her father was mentioned, Yeom Baek-ha answered next.

“Having received the formal request from the Outer Courtyard, Elder Yeom requested support of various troop types from the War Department to flexibly prepare for any ‘unexpected situations’.”

Since it was an official meeting place, Yeom Baek-ha referred to her father as Elder Yeom.

“What about the request for an escort to the outskirts of Luoyang?”

“The Governor of Xi’an accepted the request for cooperation.”

“Good. To ensure no pretext is given to the enemies, there must not be the slightest problem with the official request.”

“Understood.”

Yeon Ha-eung and Yeom Baek-ha answered simultaneously.

“Cheongsu.”

Cheongsu, who had been listening blankly to the words exchanged in the meeting, replied immediately.

“Yes, my lord.”

“If the enemies concentrate on a single target, that target will be the Tea Fan Maiden. I leave their escort entirely to you.”

“I obey your command.”

Cheongsu was originally a commanding warrior of the Institution who guarded the Patriarch at the closest distance.

No more words were needed.

“The Emei Sect is merely a minor sect compared to the Luoyang Sword Family.”

Yeon So-hyeon spoke to everyone.

“And the Emei Sect members accompanying the investment delegation have weak military strength compared to our side as well.”

Luoyang was a foreign land to them, and those accompanying the investment delegation were only a fraction of the Emei Sect’s total strength.

“They must know that very well too. Therefore, when responding to the Emei Sect, the point we must be careful of is not a military clash.”

Yeon So-hyeon concluded.

“They will thoroughly fight a weakling’s battle.”

* * *

Luoyang Sword Family, Inner City Area.

As the sun gradually set, oil lamps were lit one by one in the tall pavilions lined along the well-maintained streets.

The one who greeted the investment delegation’s procession, which was marveling at the beautiful sight of the tall pavilions rarely seen in Chengdu due to geographical conditions, was Elder Yu of the Fourth Young Master’s side.

“You have worked hard traveling such a long distance.”

At her appearance, Tang Go-gyu jumped down from the roof of the carriage.

“E-Elder Yu—!”

He ran toward Elder Yu in a single breath, but Elder Yu did not even look at his face.

“Keu-heo-heok!”

As she evaded Tang Go-gyu charging at her with an elegant footwork, Tang Go-gyu rolled on the ground just like that.

“Now, this way.”

Regardless of whether he rolled or not, Elder Yu spoke with a graceful smile to the members of the investment delegation looking out the window.

“We are preparing a banquet at the Reception Hall to relieve your travel fatigue.”

At her words, the investment delegation clapped and cheered.

Is there not a saying that if you dislike banquets, you are not a person of Sichuan?

Of course, there was bound to be an exception among them.

“Please guide us to our lodgings first.”

It was the Emei Sect.

Refusing the invitation to the banquet was in some ways discourteous, but considering what they experienced today, it could not be deemed entirely rude.

“Of course. We are preparing the finest lodging in the Reception Hall.”

Just then, the door of the Emei Sect’s carriage opened and the Abbess of Administration revealed herself.

“It has been a long time, Elder Yu.”

Elder Yu was older than Elder Yeom, yet her seniority was still lower compared to the Emei Sect Abbess of Administration.

“Ah, Abbess of Administration. It has been a long time.”

Even at the appearance of the Abbess of Administration, there was no change in Elder Yu’s expression.

Since she had already obtained information via Yeon Ha-eung’s carrier pigeon that the Emei Sect’s person in charge was the Abbess of Administration.

“Elder Yu…”

“Wait a moment.”

Elder Yu raised her hand with a polite yet firm attitude to stop the Abbess of Administration from speaking.

She had no intention of engaging in a battle of nerves with the Old Poison Fiend in the middle of the Luoyang Sword Family’s main street.

“First of all, blocking the road goes against the etiquette of the Main Family, so let us move to the Reception Hall first.”

“…”

A brief silence flowed.

“Understood.”

The Abbess of Administration nodded surprisingly cooperatively and climbed back into the carriage.

“Since I have come to the Sword Family, I must follow the laws of the Sword Family.”

What was her scheme?

At that unexpected sight, Elder Yu’s brow twitched.

In any case, it was not a bad thing if the Abbess of Administration cooperatively followed the control.

“Well, then, follow me to move…”

“Ah, come to think of it…”

But the Abbess of Administration’s words did not end.

“This poor nun has a prior engagement from now on and must head there.”

From the dark carriage, the Abbess of Administration’s words continued.

“You would not say that going to keep a prior engagement is against the etiquette of the Sword Family, would you?”

Indeed, there was no way it would go smoothly.

“Of course not. Only…”

Elder Yu swallowed a sigh inwardly and asked.

“I know the Abbess of Administration is visiting the Main Family for the first time; if you need guidance…”

The Abbess of Administration scoffed at Elder Yu’s intention to gently probe and find out her destination.

“Since they decided to come meet me, there is no need to worry about me. Just look after our children.”

“Do so, then.”

Although it would take some time, the destination of the Abbess of Administration moving within the Luoyang Sword Family would eventually fall into Elder Yu’s hands anyway.

“Now, then, investment delegation, please follow my guidance.”

There was a brief tussle, but the investment delegation’s procession began to move without major issue.

* * *

Yeon So-hyeon spoke to Elder Yu.

“Elder Yu, guide the investment delegation to the Reception Hall by any means.”

“By any means, you say?”

“By any means.”

Yeon So-hyeon smiled.

“If that is done…”

* * *

The array of the Emei Sect’s carriages and mounted martial nuns starting after the investment delegation was disrupted.

The carriage of the Abbess of Administration, carrying their central figures and moving in another direction, also halted.

“What is it?!”

When the Abbess of Administration’s scolding flew in, the Dean Nun in charge of escorting the Tea Fan Maiden replied hastily.

“The Tea Fan Maiden’s carriage…!”

The Tea Fan Maiden’s carriage was already moving in the exact opposite direction of their procession.

“Follow them immediately!”

Just as the Abbess of Administration was about to turn her carriage around, the person who had come to meet her arrived.

“What is going on here?”

A level difficult to measure.

The Abbess of Administration spoke to the expert who had clearly crossed the wall at least.

“Wait just a moment.”

The expert frowned, but stepped back cooperatively.

However, he did not forget to add a word either.

“Lady Abbess of Administration. I do not know how urgent your business is, but the people waiting on our side are not idle people either.”

Ignoring his words, the Abbess of Administration concentrated on sending a sound transmission to the Dean Nun.

[I must not miss this appointment. So I will instruct you from now on. You must follow these instructions.]

* * *

“The Emei Sect’s person in charge is said to be Emei’s Starry White Hair, the Old Poison Fiend.”

At Yeon So-hyeon’s words upon receiving Yeon Ha-eung’s letter, Elder Yu sighed.

“If that old woman clings to the Tea Fan Maiden, it will not be easy to separate them.”

Being well aware of the old woman due to having served in Sichuan in the past, Elder Yu said.

“So, Elder Yu, do exactly as this Eldest Young Master said.”

“You meant only to guide the investment delegation to the Reception Hall by any means, right?”

Yeon So-hyeon smiled.

“That old woman is one who moves strictly under thorough plans, so she must have scheduled appointments to meet influential people even before arriving at the Main Family.”

* * *

The Emei Sect hurriedly turned their procession’s direction and caught up with the Tea Fan Maiden’s carriage, which was driving ahead leisurely.

“Advisor Yeon! What kind of situation is this!”

“What kind of situation, you ask?”

At the Dean Nun’s shout, Yeon Ha-eung, who had moved to sit on the roof of the Tea Fan Maiden’s carriage, acted slyly.

“The Tea Fan Maidens are guests invited by the Eldest Young Master of the Main Family, so they are naturally heading to the Eldest Young Master’s residence.”

The Dean Nun flared up.

“Since men and women are distinct, how can you say you will have men and women stay in the same residence together?!”

Yeon Ha-eung exaggeratedly expressed his ‘what do you mean’ attitude with gestures.

“The same residence? The Eldest Young Master’s Pavilion of Perfect Enlightenment matches the scale of a small manor. It is not merely a single pavilion.”

“…”

In that instant, the Dean Nun was tongue-tied.

Not even the Patriarch’s residence, but how could a young master’s residence be of a scale equal to a small manor?

Seizing that opening, Yeon Ha-eung began to chatter away whatever came to his mouth.

“Pavilion of Perfect Enlightenment is equipped with all the facilities and preparations to host distinguished guests. It has the highest quality maids and servants in the Main Family, and at the same time, is a region so safe that it would be sad if ranked second in the Main Family…”

“W-wait a moment!”

“And how beautiful the scenery of Pavilion of Perfect Enlightenment is. Those who wish to see that scenery are countless even in Luoyang’s social circles…”

Riding her horse, the Dean Nun snapped and shouted.

“The Emei Sect has the responsibility of protecting the Tea Fan Maiden!”

Yeon Ha-eung shrugged his shoulders.

“I think I have told you previously as well, but to say it again…”

Looking straight ahead, he smirked and continued speaking.

“I am merely an advisor belonging to the Outer Courtyard, so I only move as requested.”

“Ugh…!”

The Dean Nun’s face flushed red as if about to explode.

Even while the two were engaged in such a debate of sorts, the Tea Fan Maiden’s carriage was galloping toward Pavilion of Perfect Enlightenment.

And the mounted Emei Sect martial nuns and carriages also pursued closely behind them.

* * *

“You cannot.”

The main gate of Pavilion of Perfect Enlightenment.

The attitude of the maid who identified herself as Il-ryeong was resolute to the extreme.

The Dean Nun claimed once more that they must stay in Pavilion of Perfect Enlightenment together with the Tea Fan Maiden as their escorts.

“What cannot be, cannot be.”

“…!”

The Dean Nun, whose thick skin was second to none even in the Emei Sect, was momentarily tongue-tied.

How dared a mere maid be so confident toward a disciple of the great Emei Sect.

In that instant, anger flared up to the top of her head.

“…”

However, the moment she saw the arrogantly cold eyes of the maid named Il-ryeong, who was accompanied by servants, her head cooled down.

Where was this place?

Was it not the residence of the Luoyang Sword Family’s Eldest Young Master?

Cooling her head, she could soon recall the instructions the Abbess of Administration had sent via sound transmission.

* * *

[We are weak, but the pretext is certainly on our side as well.]

[You must not miss it and must latch onto that point persistently.]

* * *

The Dean Nun shouted in a loud voice as if appealing to the people waiting in front of Pavilion of Perfect Enlightenment to catch a glimpse of the Tea Fan Maiden.

“Please cooperate so that we, the teachers of the Emei Sect, can help the young Tea Fan Maidens by their side!”

At her cry, the whispering of the crowd grew louder.

Taking out a document from her chest and displaying it, the Dean Nun continued to appeal.

“This document is a letter given to us by the parents of the Tea Fan Maidens! This document contains their earnest request for our teachers to protect the Tea Fan Maidens by all means by their side! And also…”

As her appeal continued, the heads of the crowd gradually began to tilt toward her side.

At that sight, the Dean Nun shouted in an even louder voice.

“…Therefore, although we did not receive the Eldest Young Master’s invitation, please accept this point with broad tolerance somehow, and allow us to be together with the Tea Fan Maiden!”

It was an appeal with quite a persuasive pretext.

As the crowd nodded and showed signs of agreement with her shout, a look of embarrassment crossed the face of the Pavilion of Perfect Enlightenment maid.

‘Good. If I keep pushing like this…!’

Concealing a triumphant smile, the Dean Nun was about to continue her appeal.

“…So, please, Eldest Young Master!”

At that moment, there was a voice that cut her words off.

It was a voice that rang out so clearly through the commotion.

“Who is making such a racket in front of someone else’s house?”