Something's Off
Two weeks had already passed since he'd kicked off his full schedule in Jiangsu Province.
Something's off.
That was the conclusion he'd reached.
Yeah, no matter how he sliced it, something was seriously wrong.
General Joo Hyejin had seen him off from Hangzhou with this worried look, like she was abandoning a kid by the riverside. But come on, he wasn't that helpless.
Sure, he'd been kicking back safely back then, but now that he was out here in this distant backwater—unlike his Zhejiang days—he was keeping his head on straight, always on high alert.
The moment word came that pirates had hit the lodging, he'd bolt to the scene like lightning.
"…We missed them again."
"What? I rushed out the second the alert hit—how'd they vanish that fast?"
How many times was this now? Back in Zhejiang, misses like this were rare enough to count on one hand.
At minimum, every dispatch had to smash a dozen pirate ships just to break even. Here? Coming up empty was the default.
Those bastards were way too good at running. Hell, they even had the spare breath to taunt the troops mid-escape.
What the hell? He'd run the variables a million times—dispatch distance, response time, their ships, their organization. Nothing different.
So why?
"Big trouble!"
"What now?"
"The security forces in Bupyeong got routed by a pirate raid."
"…?"
What the—? Regular troops losing to pirates? This place was a circus.
He stormed the barracks and grilled the officers. Was this for real?
Their answer? Pure gold: "What are we supposed to do about it?"
—Hmm.
Should I just kill 'em?
Bijong caught the murder in his eyes faster than anyone and talked him down—good thing, too. He'd nearly blown the barracks roof sky-high.
"Let me apologize on their behalf. The on-site commanders are short-staffed, and most troops are pulled for external duties. It's not normal."
"Hmmm."
Fine, fine—but why you apologizing? The screw-ups were obvious.
With things dragging like this, everything started looking shady. Only one variable stood out in his mind:
These assholes aren't doing their jobs.
Nothing else fit.
Bijong's crew? He'd watched them enough to trust 'em. The others? Who knew.
But whenever he shot them a meaningful glare, Jiangsu's soldiers would sweat bullets and avert their eyes.
Suspicious. Real suspicious.
Everything reeked of it. And yet Jo Unhyeon's faction had begged for his help with the pirates first—made no sense they'd sabotage now.
Just incompetence? Nah, major incompetence?
He'd rated them decently at first, so this felt like a total mindfuck.
He kept an open mind, ran every scenario, but no answers.
Puuu, puuu!
"Pirate fleet sighted just now! Nantong coastal area."
"…."
Damn it—believe this one? How many false alarms since morning? Not like the boy who cried wolf.
He debated internally but couldn't bail—duty called. What if this was legit and he skipped?
"I-I'm just a lowly messenger. Don't look at me like you're gonna kill me… it's scary."
"Oh, sorry."
Guess his face slipped from all the bullshit. Fair enough—you're just doing your job, no fault there.
But cut him some slack too. Not day two—this was week two, and today's tally was already three since breakfast.
Still, he packed silently and headed out. One more time. This better be it.
.
.
.
"Another bust!"
"M-My lord, hold it!"
In Zhejiang, under the general's wing, he'd have beaten the scouts senseless. Hallucinations? This bullshit plausible?
Suspicious. Real suspicious.
Couldn't be true, so he just threatened them hard. They swore innocence.
Believe that? Their reactions too genuine—what to do?
The soldier beside him, hands clasped nervously. At first, he'd pitied him—no fault. Now? No bandwidth.
Here in Jiangsu, he was the outsider—no hierarchy, nowhere to vent.
Keep eating this for a month? Shoulders knotted without a workout.
What now? Brainstormed fixes, but zilch. That day ended with three more wild goose chases.
*
"You look like death warmed over."
"Ha, tell me about it."
Gwakssi, the misc shop uncle he'd chatted with before.
They clicked surprisingly well, so he'd drop by for talks during market runs with the escorts.
Guess today's flops showed on his face.
Gwakssi eyed him worriedly.
"You hit that clinic I told you about? Best in Jiangsu."
"Went, but they barely started my upper body and the guy's already half-dead."
"Figures—with those monstrous muscles and that massive frame, no average doc could handle it."
Chiropractic? A few sessions proved it: best for post-waigong recovery.
But the Jiangsu clinic? Lacked… everything. Touch, strength, skill.
Zhejiang's court doc—scrawny old man—delivered bliss with one twist. Here? Meh.
"That big a skill gap?"
"Yeah. Never seen anyone match my guy's technique anywhere."
Small sample, but high-end? You know it.
Gwakssi marveled at Zhejiang's miracle healer.
"Anyway, a buddy left this baijiu. Fancy a shot? Beats any fatigue cure."
"Thanks."
"No thanks needed—you know it's not free. Help with some heavy lifting after."
Merchant through and through—even small stuff got tallied.
Top-shelf premium—even premium couldn't buy it these days. He soaked it all in, history and perks.
Why butter him up? Not even a regular. But soon, baijiu lore filled his head.
He downed the glass Gwakssi poured.
Hot trail down his throat—real deal. Smooth burn eased the day's stress.
"Kuh, more!"
"So what's eating you?"
"Ah, well…."
In Zhejiang, he'd vent to the general or inspector. Here? No one. Guess he was bottled up.
"Nonstop wild goose chases lately."
Should he spill? But the vibe pulled it out anyway. No secrets, just gripes.
"Every dispatch? Bust. Lucky to glimpse their tails."
"…Hm?"
He ranted freely.
Gwakssi's face looked… off. Weirded out? Say something wrong?
"…You really don't know?"
"Know what?"
"…Hmm."
Gwakssi muttered, face troubled. Happened sometimes—made things awkward.
He sipped quietly; uncle went silent, then:
"Not one to mix with the military, but a lifetime merchant's wisdom: Organizations aren't just one flag."
What? Spit it straight—nuance lost on him.
His puzzled look drew a sigh; uncle rephrased.
"Don't fixate on words. Pirates gotta be Japanese? Nah—people flock to profit. …Heard it somewhere."
"Ah."
Clear now.
…Colluders!
How'd he miss it? Wary of Jo Unhyeon, but auto-assumed pirates' foes were allies.
Docu? Pirates diverse—profit over origin.
Applied to wokou too. "Wok" didn't mean all Japanese—prejudice.
Jurchens, Vietnamese, even Filipinos collabed. Korea and Ming? Duh.
With troops flailing? Insider for sure. High up.
…But why?
Felt off. No good intent, but Jo Unhyeon pushed anti-pirate hard.
Someone bucking that—feuding with the boss? Jiangsu power player?
Who could…
Bijong, deputy high rank, was grinding. Who dares buck Inspector General? Only Commander Yugu Su.
What? Not Jo's crew? Thought same crown prince faction. Hidden drama?
Headache.
Thinking sucked. Smash with body, cannon—boom. Easy.
Sigh, but harvest gained.
How's uncle so spot-on? Like he knew.
Suspicious.
"Ungrateful punk!"
Slap! He smacked his own cheek for the rude thought.
"…You okay?"
"Fine."
"Body or mind?"
"…."
Paranoia creeping? Suspecting everywhere.
Can't doubt a helpful advisor. Not like sleazy murim scum.
Uncle's connected merchant—heard rumors, sure.
—Plan:
First, solid ally.
One trustworthy in Jiangsu military: Bijong.
Not just game knowledge—short time confirmed it.
His lover ruined by pirates? Pure hate. Rock-solid here.
Worry: Pre-trauma him risks politics?
Folks cling to status till cornered.
Self-shade too—Zhejiang fun times.
Ask first.
With that, he hit the barracks, asked around, beelined for Bijong's deputy office.