“Did you hear that they called for the officials from Hubei Province to gather in ten days at the Tumen?”
I hurriedly met with Gi-mun Hyang-ju along with Im Ha-yeon after receiving this rare news from the Gi-mun.
“Gather? Really?”
Despite officially hiding in the Gi-mun, it seemed like Ha-yeon was hearing this for the first time, just like me, since news from the Tumen comes through the Gi-mun.
“I understand there’s a ceremony when a new Hyang-ju is appointed at the Tumen. They must be gathering for that ceremony.”
“Could it be that there’s something else they have to do?”
How annoying! Sending out invitations and pulling off heists! Those corrupt officials are entirely stripped of their souls! Is there really more to do?
“They say it’s a formal ceremony to introduce the new Hyang-ju to the doors of the Tumen. I’m not familiar with Tumen affairs, but I heard in the Ma-mun that the new Hyang-ju takes the previous Hyang-ju on a carriage ride around Wuhan.”
“So it’s like a coronation of sorts.”
A gathering of thieves?
“That sounds about right. And once the ceremony is over, they’ll be the new Hyang-ju.”
“Is that confirmed?”
I asked with a tone that lacked confidence.
How long must I prove myself as the Shadowless Thief to be acknowledged as the Tumen Hyang-ju? After countless nights devising plans and scaling walls, I had been waiting anxiously for news to arrive.
It felt like walking through a cave with no exit, contemplating if I should dare hope upon seeing a light in the distance.
“You both did well.”
Gi-mun Hyang-ju praised us with a proud glance.
Is it really true? Ha-yeon is going to become the Tumen Hyang-ju?
“Finally! Ha-yeon! It’s all coming to an end!”
I grabbed Ha-yeon’s shoulders with a smile on my face.
“You… really… we really…”
Don’t cry. Ha-yeon seemed to be on the verge of tears, unable to believe it either.
“Whew. It’s too early to get excited. There are still problems.”
Gi-mun Hyang-ju poured cold water on the heated atmosphere, exhaling like a smoking chimney.
Yeah. There’s no way everything would be smooth sailing.
“Are they going to deal with the Do-mun?”
“The news about the new Hyang-ju has spread everywhere. The Do-mun Hyang-ju must be aware of it too.”
“And they know that the Shadowless Thief is Im Ha-yeon?”
“They probably can’t be sure.”
“Really? Wasn’t it announced by the Tumen?”
When our boss is about to take office, isn’t it customary to introduce their achievements?
“If thieves don’t keep secrets from each other, why would they even belong to the same sect?”
That’s true. If I go around exposing identities, it’s like obstructing business.
“Is the Do-mun still grasping the details about the new Tumen Hyang-ju?”
“All that’s confirmed is the news that the Shadowless Thief from Wuhan has been appointed as the new Hyang-ju.”
“If we can just hold out until then, everything will be over.”
Just ten days. I feel like telling them to just wait patiently since the Do-mun Hyang-ju will only sleep eight nights before returning.
But the problem is that the Do-mun Hyang-ju isn’t someone who will sit idly.
“There will be a meeting of the Hubei Province Hao-mun Hyang-ju. Eight days from now. Just two days before the Tumen Hyang-ju appointment ceremony.”
As expected, a final hurdle remained.
“About the Hyang-ju meeting?”
I took a sip of the tea the courtesan provided, trying to calm the previously excited atmosphere.
“It’s a gathering that occurs when a new Hyang-ju is almost confirmed. It’s a celebration for the retirement of the current Hyang-ju and the birth of the new one.”
“Is it a must for Im Ha-yeon to attend?”
Is it some welcome party that every member has to attend?
“That’s precisely why it’s being held.”
Right.
“Can’t we just postpone the meeting and say we’re busy? Ha-yeon can attend after becoming the Hyang-ju.”
What era is it that a group dinner is mandatory?
Let’s do it team-wise. Each team should meet separately. I’ll treat at the Yungi Inn. If anyone wants to leave after one round, they can. I’ll even cover the carriage costs.
If a new era has arrived, we should also do company dinners in a new way.
“I had to attend when I had to personally crush the skull of the previous Gi-mun Hyang-ju and rebuild the entire Gi-mun of Hubei Province.”
“There are no exceptions, huh?”
“Such is the nature of rituals. You follow them even if they’re unreasonable.”
Looks like the Hao-mun is a black company. This is why you have to work for a righteous faction if you want to ensure benefits.
“If the three Hyang-jus together can create a new disparity?”
“I already suggested postponing the date. The Do-mun Hyang-ju disagreed.”
“With everyone having equal rights, how can one Hyang-ju’s disagreement matter?”
With three executives, couldn’t one voice be simply ignored?
“The Do-mun’s external martial artists are moving into Wuhan.”
I didn’t want to hear that news.
“Is it internal strife?”
“No one knows what that crazy horse will do. They probably have some suspicion about who the Shadowless Thief really is.”
The Do-mun Hyang-ju seems unsure if Ha-yeon is the new Tumen Hyang-ju. But it looks like he’s not the lazy type who does nothing just because he’s unsure.
“If Ha-yeon shows up at the meeting, he’ll definitely try to grab her.”
They would definitely use force to capture Ha-yeon, and that would nullify all our efforts.
“And even if she doesn’t show up, it won’t be good either. It would make it seem like we acknowledged the new Tumen Hyang-ju.”
If the new Tumen Hyang-ju isn’t Ha-yeon, then there’s no reason to refuse participation.
It’s a tough spot either way.
“If I show up at the meeting location, they will definitely try to secure me.”
Ha-yeon seemed to understand how the situation was evolving; she wore a troubled expression.
“If things go wrong, blood will spill. Since 60% of the Hao-mun in Hubei Province supports the Do-mun, we need to prepare ourselves.”
It seems like it’s a lopsided power struggle of 3 to 1 at first glance, but in reality, the Do-mun Hyang-ju alone could easily overwhelm those three.
How troublesome.
It feels like we finally see the finish line of a marathon. It’s like watching a madman charging toward the finish line.
Do-mun Hyang-ju, come on! Haven’t you used every conceivable means yet? Isn’t it time to accept the reality? Stop with the fake Shadowless Thief! Wait! Hold on.
“What about a fake Shadowless Thief?”
I suggested a sudden thought to Gi-mun Hyang-ju.
“A fake Shadowless Thief?”
“More accurately, we can claim to represent the Shadowless Thief. If it’s a Hyang-ju meeting, there shouldn’t be any outsiders. If the three of you pretend to be oblivious, we could easily fool the Do-mun Hyang-ju.”
They say three people can create a tiger. If the three Hyang-jus together call a fake the Shadowless Thief, it’d be easy to mislead the Do-mun Hyang-ju.
“It’s a good idea, but the someone from Tumen attending will oppose it. Isn’t it an event to introduce the Tumen Hyang-ju?”
Wasn’t it just a gathering for the Hyang-jus?
Should I give up? No, Gi-mun Hyang-ju acknowledged it as a good method. We just need to overcome one obstacle. What could be the way to silence the opinions of Tumen folks?
Ah-ha.
“What if it’s by the wishes of the Tumen Hyang-ju?”
There’s a way to silence their opinions.
“What do you mean?”
“I’ll go instead. As Ha-yeon’s representative.”
I pulled out a black token from my pocket.
Evidence of who I am as the Shadowless Thief. The Black Token.
“Seriously? You want to be that kid’s representative?”
“You’re going to step up, huh?”
I nodded at the two people’s surprised faces.
“I am the agenda of the current Tumen Hyang-ju, the Shadowless Thief. In Hubei Province, there’s no one better than me to represent the Tumen Hyang-ju’s will.”
I can totally do this.
The Tumen Hyang-ju allowed it. Just let me be the fake Shadowless Thief for one day.
What proof? If you doubt my words as the agenda, it means you’re ignoring the Tumen Hyang-ju’s word as well. What’s your name? I’m the agenda of the retiring Hyang-ju and the lover of the new Hyang-ju, okay?
“Indeed… However, just the Black Token alone won’t be enough for the Tumen to recognize you as the agenda.”
While the Hyang-jus will easily believe me because of my relationship with Ha-yeon, it’s different for the Tumen people.
If I show up claiming to be the agenda of the current Tumen Hyang-ju, it’ll surely take a long time to convince them.
Unless I had some compelling proof.
“I’ve mastered the Shadowless Body Technique. It’s a martial art only someone from the family can possess.”
Family martial arts are never taught to outsiders. Let alone the Ascending’s Skill Shadowless Body Technique, it’s impossible for any outsider to learn.
To really learn it, one must at least be recognized as the agenda of the Shadowless Thief.
“You have mastered the Shadowless Body Technique? Is that true?”
Gi-mun Hyang-ju seemed surprised to hear that I knew the Shadowless Body Technique. He almost dropped his pipe.
“Yes. It’s been some time since I learned it. I’ve been practicing it since Yi-chang, so I can probably convince the Tumen folks.”
“There are very few martial arts in the entire Central Plains that can match your father’s techniques. Teaching family martial arts to a male… So you must’ve been planning this for a long time.”
“That’s…”
Ha-yeon lowered her face, unable to meet Gi-mun Hyang-ju’s incredulous gaze as he raked her over the coals.
“I’m not entirely lying when I say I’m the Shadowless Thief. If you think about it, I’m also the Shadowless Thief. While Ha-yeon might be the one climbing over the walls at night, I’m the one who plans everything.”
“Yes. That’s right.”
Ha-yeon nodded in agreement, supporting my idea.
Considering how well the Shadowless Thief was established, I could probably stake a claim of around 30% ownership. When it comes to the final settlement, I can demand half of Ha-yeon’s assets.
No, I suppose claiming the total ownership might be difficult at a 30% stake.
“Both of you are the Shadowless Thief…”
“In fact, we have to merge to become the Shadowless Thief. Am I wrong, Ha-yeon?”
I turned to Ha-yeon, trying to instill confidence in Gi-mun Hyang-ju as I pressed her for confirmation.
“Ha! Merge? Wh-what kind of nonsense are you saying in front of Gi-mun Hyang-ju?”
“Yikes!”
A slap of embarrassment from Ha-yeon caught me off guard.
That’s not what I meant. Don’t you know what merge means? Oh wait, thinking back, I guess the term merge only has that one certain meaning.
“Take the love fights home.”
“Ha ha. Sorry about that.”
“I apologize.”
I bowed my head in the cold stare of Gi-mun Hyang-ju.
“As mandated by the previous Hyang-ju, the agenda of the Hyang-ju will attend the meeting as the lover and aide of the new Hyang-ju. If there’s a justification and evidence, it might pass as an excuse.”
As Ha-yeon awkwardly patted my back, wondering why I said something strange, Gi-mun Hyang-ju nodded as if accepting it.
“Well then…”
“The problem still remains. How will you fool the Do-mun Hyang-ju? They might recognize your face.”
“Isn’t it standard for a thief to disguise themselves?”
I guess I’ll just throw on a mask.
“Excessive disguise can raise suspicion.”
“There’s no need to completely deceive them. Just creating confusion will be enough.”
This doesn’t require absolute perfection.
“Just creating confusion?”
“From now on, it’s a race against time. The Hyang-ju meeting is two days before the appointment of the Tumen Hyang-ju. Well, if the Hyang-ju meeting goes past midnight, it’ll be a day and a half before Ha-yeon becomes the Tumen Hyang-ju.”
“If we can mislead them even if they get suspicious, that’s the point?”
I nodded at Gi-mun Hyang-ju’s statement.
“Yes. The Do-mun Hyang-ju will be thinking: ‘Is the true Tumen Hyang-ju Im Ha-yeon? Or is it a new person? How can I pull that Hyang-ju to my side? What should I do?’ As the Do-mun Hyang-ju ponders over the unexpected arrival of an unknown individual, time will continue to flow.”
Only a few people know I am the agenda of the Shadowless Thief. If someone like me poses as the Shadowless Thief, it’s bound to take time for them to verify the facts.
“In two days. Just two days of deception.”
“And once the moon rises two more times after that…”
I gazed out the window toward the bright moonlight.
“That child will become the new Hyang-ju.”
“Yes. All problems concerning Im Ha-yeon’s escape from being a courtesan and the schemes of the Do-mun Hyang-ju will come to an end.”
Gi-mun Hyang-ju and I looked toward the future Tumen Hyang-ju to be appointed in ten days.
Having passed through the cold winter when I met Ha-yeon, spring has come, and soon the summer heat is disappearing.
Just ten days. After all those long days, just ten days remain.
Both Ha-yeon and I, along with the Hyang-jus, had plenty of time left to squeeze out that final bit of strength.
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