Chapter 268
Chapter 268
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 268
Chapter Title: Noble Person (5)
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"Your Highness. Eon Yong-un of the Eon Family has arrived."
"Let him enter."
As Prince Chu's voice flowed out, the guiding eunuch stepped aside and opened the door.
"Please, enter."
Seeing the eunuch like that, my master posed a question.
- But why haven't you put away your sword? Do you trust that Gonghon fellow that much?
'That must be a big part of it. Even though you formed a life-saving bond with him when you were young, you've never once asked for a favor, right? Didn't you hear that too, Master?'
As I answered my master's question, I moved inside.
In the inner chamber, Prince Chu and the Alliance Leader were sharing drinks.
"Ah, I thought I was done for that time, utterly doomed. But then Honorable Alliance Leader Gonghon came to my aid."
"Anyone would have done the same."
"Not just anyone, you know? Was that ordinary turbulence? I was in disguise at the time. Honorable Alliance Leader Gonghon's loyalty saved me."
"You bring it up every time we meet, and it embarrasses me."
"Well, you don't visit often, so that's my only fond memory. Come by more frequently."
"I'll keep that in mind."
As I entered and bowed my head, Prince Chu, who had confirmed my presence, gave a glance to the nearby eunuch.
The eunuch bowed politely, then took something from a drawer in the chamber's furniture and presented it.
It was a pouch made from deer leather, one of the precious tribute items.
"I am deeply grateful."
I received the pouch with the customary words.
Prince Chu immediately spoke up.
"Open it."
Inside the pouch was a single plaque.
Made of ivory, with dragons carved along the edges, a red horse in the center on the front, and the characters "Prince Chu's Household" engraved on the back.
- Isn't that a horse plaque?
'...It is.'
In my previous life, the horse plaque was seen as a symbol of the secret royal inspector.
In reality, it was something any official, from prime minister to the lowliest clerk, used when traveling on duty.
However, I wasn't an official.
I tilted my head and spoke.
"Can a mere civilian like me, who never passed the imperial exams, accept something like this?"
Prince Chu chuckled and replied.
"You must have mistaken it for the horse plaques officials use. This is given to nobles."
"Nobles?"
"Yes. The quality is different, isn't it?"
"It is."
"Prince Chu's seal is a mandatory stop for envoys from southern kingdoms heading to the capital with tribute, so foreign diplomats often receive them... but I bestow it specially on those I hold dear. Think of it like the silver and gold plaques exchanged in the jianghu."
Not similar at all.
That single horse depicted wasn't ordinary.
This horse plaque could be used anywhere under heaven, premised on Prince Chu's household remaining strong.
"...Hm. I'm not sure if a mere civilian like me qualifies to be called a noble by Your Highness."
"Didn't you say you'd bring me vivid tales of the jianghu and the lives of the common folk?"
"Ah."
"Was it just fancy words? Have you mocked me?"
"Absolutely not."
"Then you qualify."
With those words, Prince Chu grinned and continued.
"I may not boast about much else, but I pride myself on judging people. I know you won't misuse it, so I'm giving it to you. Any matters arising from your use of this plaque will be handled by Prince Chu's household."
With him saying that much, adding anything more would just be superfluous chatter.
I bowed politely and tucked away the horse plaque.
The Alliance Leader and Prince Chu watched the scene with satisfaction.
As I straightened up after securing the plaque, Prince Chu asked the Alliance Leader.
"Honorable Alliance Leader Gonghon. Last summer, you went to Liaodong over the Han Cheol-gil matter, didn't you?"
"Yes. I went to negotiate with the Mo Yong Clan."
"Any gains?"
"No major achievements. I warned the Mo Yong Clan and took some measures with nearby clans to prevent similar incidents. That's all."
At the mention of the Mo Yong Clan, I perked up my ears.
Mo Yong Clan.
They were major culprits behind the chaos across the jianghu and the disturbance at the North Sea Ice Palace.
"If even the Alliance Leader went personally and came back with so little, there must have been reasons preventing more, right?"
"The title of Murim Alliance Leader sounds grand, but it doesn't give me the power to crush a clan ranked among the Five Great Families..."
"Not that. There's another reason."
"......"
"Since you're holding back, I'll say it. Prince Yan, my younger brother, is secretly backing the Mo Yong Clan."
"That's correct."
"Prince Yan even sent assassins after me before, and he's completely crossed the line of the longstanding taboo between officials and martial artists in Liaodong... My conclusion is we can't let the Mo Yong Clan and Prince Yan's household influence the world any further. So, I have a proposal."
Having heard this much, the Alliance Leader looked at me and spoke to Prince Chu.
"Your Highness. Shouldn't the rest of this discussion happen without Yong-un present?"
"You don't think of him as your successor? If the praises you sang aren't empty flattery, he's quick-witted and skilled in military strategy, isn't he?"
"That's true, but..."
"I'm fine with it. I'd like to hear a young talent's opinion too. Eon Yong-un, is it burdensome? If so, you may leave."
Prince Chu directed the question at me.
I answered immediately.
"No. If you'll permit it, I'd like to stay."
At that, the Alliance Leader's gaze shifted back to Prince Chu.
"...I shall listen attentively."
"If I move directly, Prince Yan's side will act first, so I can't make the opening move. I'd appreciate the Alliance Leader's help."
"How specifically?"
"I know the Mo Yong Clan's Patriarch's 80th birthday banquet is coming up soon."
"Correct."
"Attend it and secure the support of the Mo Yong Clan's elders. If you help with that, I'll handle Prince Yan. Let's redraw the line of no interference between officials and martial artists in Liaodong."
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ The rather long discussion ended, and as we returned to the banquet hall, Yin Ha-seong looked me over and spoke.
"What did Prince Chu want, calling you aside? Did he bestow something good?"
"Curious? Prying into royal decrees can be dangerous, but want me to tell you?"
Yin Ha-seong quickly shook her head.
Wu So-rung, standing nearby, covered her eyes and ears entirely.
"I didn't see or hear anything."
I couldn't help but chuckle at the sight, but Yin Xia Lian was missing from the group.
"Where's Lady Yin?"
Tang Ok-gi answered my question.
"Ha-yeon was summoned by Her Majesty the Princess Consort."
"Why?"
"How should I know? She asked me to come along, but the etiquette is tricky, so I didn't."
"Good job."
"Ack! Why bring up 'good job' now?!"
As we spoke, Jeong Hyeon pointed to the right side of the building I'd come from.
"Here she comes."
Yin Xia Lian spotted me first, her face lighting up with joy as she ran over.
"Eon Gongzi!"
"You look happy."
"Of course! Her Majesty the Princess Consort asked me to expand the news network all the way to Prince Chu's domain in Guangxi and promised full support!"
"Guangxi lacks prominent sects, so securing the deep areas with the express pigeon network was a concern. This works out well."
"And more than that, being officially recognized by Prince Chu's household will have tremendous effects!"
"Whoa, your eyes are turning into silver and gold plaque shapes."
"It's your imagination."
"...Wipe your drool first, then say that."
And so the night passed.
The next morning, visitors arrived.
After a lavish breakfast reception, we stood behind the Alliance Leader.
The Alliance Leader bowed to Prince Chu and said,
"Your Highness. We shall take our leave."
"I'd love to ask you to stay longer, but I can't hold busy people indefinitely."
"I'll send word separately regarding what Your Highness mentioned."
"Do so."
With the Alliance Leader finishing the formal farewell on our behalf, the Princess Consort spoke to the young prince.
"Prince. If you have words for these young heroes, say them now. For this moment, forget decorum and etiquette."
The young prince swallowed hard, squeezed his eyes shut, and raised his voice.
"When I grow up, I want to become a hero like the Dragon Hero! And put lots of illustrations in the news gazette! I'll be waiting! It was great meeting everyone!"
Leaving the young prince's voice behind,
We exited the manor and boarded a boat heading to Duankang Port.
On the boat, I took a position at the bow.
Standing at the prow, watching the parting waves for a moment, the Alliance Leader, who had approached unnoticed, spoke to me.
"Why did you do that yesterday?"
"What do you mean?"
"When Prince Chu told you to come to Prince Chu's household. You hemmed and hawed so much—I thought you'd eagerly agree!"
"......"
"And speaking so eloquently just makes people not want to take you along. Who'd introduce you anywhere after that scare?"
"Sheesh. So that's what you meant."
"By the way, your martial arts have improved since I saw you in Huseong."
"Not quite an advancement, just pondering various things."
"Don't push yourself too hard. Your achievements are already unprecedented. As I said before, even experts need rest."
"Understood. But I have something to say as well."
"What?"
What I wanted to say concerned the discussion in the inner chamber yesterday.
No one was around, but just in case, I began with a transmission.
[About the Mo Yong Clan Patriarch's 80th birthday banquet. What if we went along?]
[I just said people need rest, and it's going in one ear and out the other.]
[Just as Prince Yan would notice if Your Excellency moved, wouldn't the Mo Yong Clan tense up if you went personally?]
[...Keep going for now.]
[If we move in your shadow, things might go more smoothly. We're juniors, after all.]
The Alliance Leader stroked his chin, deep in thought.
"Hm."
"Since I've become Student Council President, it gives us a pretext to pay respects."
"...There's still time. I'll consider it carefully, so focus on academy life."
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ After finishing the outing schedule and returning,
Dean Kyung Hye sent a graduate student senior to invite me for tea.
Heading to the dean's office, Dean Kyung Hye smiled amiably and spoke.
"Have a safe trip back?"
"You seem to know where I went."
"The Alliance Leader gave me a heads-up."
I did bloody a nosy Golden Army frog's nose, but that's minor enough.
"Yes. No incidents; we returned safely."
"And?"
"Pardon?"
"Whenever the Alliance Leader goes near Cadet Eon Yong-un, something happens. What is it this time?"
Dean Kyung Hye supported my intentions, but I couldn't reveal everything discussed with Prince Chu.
Still, to go to Liaodong for the Mo Yong Clan's 80th banquet, we'd need luck on our side.
"No need for such vigilance. The Mo Yong Clan Patriarch's 80th banquet is soon, so I just asked the Alliance Leader if I should attend."
At my words, Dean Kyung Hye sipped her tea, chuckled softly, and replied.
"The Mo Yong Clan Patriarch is indeed a great elder of the murim."
"Right?"
"But. Cadet Eon Yong-un going to offer congratulations to the Mo Yong Clan? That's a scenario this old woman never imagined."
"......"
"There's definitely more you're not telling me, right?"
Her sharp gaze evoked the days she was called the Demon Exterminator Dean.
I pondered how to defuse this, then smiled faintly.
"Haha."
"Don't try to laugh it off."
"......"
"I know where you've been, so I understand there are things you can't casually reveal. This is something to discuss with the Alliance Leader. However!"
"......"
"Cadet Eon Yong-un must fulfill his duties as a cadet. You know how your last trip to the North Sea delayed everything right up to Huseong, nearly messing up your entire schedule?"
"That..."
"This time, you've even taken on Student Council President. Handle all the agenda items and submit assignments ahead of time. Only then will this old woman give permission."