Monopolizing Fortunes (127)
Monopolizing Fortunes (127)
Namgung Seol-rin gripped her sword and asked.
"Should I kill him?"
"He's not worth dirtying your blade with blood."
Do Tong-dal shoved First Prince into the pit with his foot. Then he covered him with dirt just like that.
It was a live burial. A miserable death, but considering the atrocities First Prince had committed, it was a fitting one.
The burial was finished by covering the dirt and then scattering fallen leaves over it. Do Tong-dal took Ja Su-yeong into his arms.
"Let's go."
Just in case, they did not take a direct route but circled around toward the boulder at the mountain peak.
By the time they reached the boulder and about two ke had passed, Won Dae-yeon arrived first, and shortly after, Jang Yu-seom appeared.
Bloodstains were visible here and there on their bodies, but all of it belonged to the Embroidered Uniform Guard, and they did not have so much as a small scratch.
"What about First Prince?"
At Jang Yu-seom's question, Do Tong-dal answered, "I buried him alive on the way here."
Do Tong-dal had even Ja Su-yeong use Reverse Riding, and they descended the mountain on the opposite side from where they had climbed up.
When they arrived at the secret residence, the anxious Yang Su-pan was waiting. He was startled at the sight of Do Tong-dal's group, then let out a sigh of relief once they released the Reverse Riding.
"What happened? We agreed to carry out the operation at the pleasure house!"
"Plans are bound to change. It was handled perfectly, so there's nothing to worry about."
"First Prince is definitely...... dead?"
"Yes."
"Since you're the one vouching for it, I can trust that. Then I'll go to the imperial palace and deliver this news."
"There must be no mistake in the matter of Second Princess."
At Do Tong-dal's words, Yang Su-pan let out a soft sigh.
"I don't know whether it's right for even the princess to get involved in this affair."
"It's something she wanted, and this part is simple."
All she had to do was pace around Second Prince's residence holding a sword wrapped in white cloth. Since Do Tong-dal, with his weapon wrapped in white cloth, had abducted First Prince, Second Prince was certain to come under suspicion.
"Isn't that too obvious? If it were me, I'd immediately suspect someone had framed him."
At Namgung Seol-rin's words, Do Tong-dal nodded.
"If it were me, I'd think the same as you. But will everyone think like us? Some people will consider it decisive evidence, and some will want to think that way. When the throne is at stake, plenty of people's reason gets paralyzed, so all we have to do is scatter seeds here and there. The people who dislike Second Prince will sprout them, water them, and tend them."
Do Tong-dal spoke to Yang Su-pan.
"The imperial palace matter is wrapped up for the first stage, so we'll be going to the martial world. If you need to contact us, send a carrier pigeon there."
"Understood. Anyway, we've crossed the biggest mountain."
"Only halfway across. You know public opinion is what matters from now on, right?"
"Don't worry about that. I'm making every preparation."
"Then we'll leave now."
"Be careful. You are the center of this operation."
They boarded the prepared carriage and headed for Muche in Shandong Province. That was because Ja Su-yeong would be most comfortable and safe staying with Wang Chil's group.
"Don't do anything that foolish again."
Only after the carriage departed and two ke had passed did Do Tong-dal say that to Ja Su-yeong.
"It was fun in its own way."
"You could have died. You were this close to death."
Ja Su-yeong narrowed the gap Do Tong-dal had made with his index finger and thumb until they were nearly touching.
"Actually, it was this close. So it was even more thrilling."
Ja Su-yeong said it with a smile, but she could smile only because it was now in the past.
"It was something you didn't have to do."
"It was something I could do. Just like Sis Seol-rin helps beside you, Coordinator."
Ja Su-yeong had always envied Namgung Seol-rin, who stayed constantly at Do Tong-dal's side. She had even had the absurd thought, 'Should I start learning martial arts now?'
So she could not let slip this opportunity to do something for Do Tong-dal.
Because of Ja Su-yeong, their journey became quite long. Even though they hurried, it took two days to reach Shandong Province.
Everyone was as glad to see her as if they were meeting a separated family member after ten years. Yeon Ja-yeon in particular held Ja Su-yeong's hand and even showed tears.
She said, "I'm so glad you're safe. Truly glad," ten times over. On the other hand, Seon Hye-min, seeing her husband for the first time in a long while, offered only the simple greeting, "You look healthy."
After sharing the joy of reunion in the yard, they went inside and sat with warm tea in front of them.
"I heard news of First Prince's disappearance...... Is he dead?"
Wang Chil asked, lowering his voice as much as he could. They said rumors travel faster than words, and sure enough, they had.
"Yes."
"I see. Well, everyone was thinking that way. Word is spreading that the culprit is Second Prince. Some people even say they saw someone from the same group as the culprit who abducted First Prince at Second Prince's residence."
It was a rumor caused by Ju Seo-in, who had wrapped white cloth around her sword scabbard, and this kind of rumor was exactly what Do Tong-dal had wanted.
"I've thrown a stone into the lake, so waves will rise on that side on their own. For the time being, we need to focus on the martial world."
"You mean the fight against those hidden forces?"
"Yes. The Beggars' Sect says they've caught their tail."
"Be careful. The most frightening thing in the world is a knife behind your back."
"Don't worry about me. Just take care of yourself, Brother."
"For me, the scariest thing is dying of boredom."
Yeon Ja-yeon spoke.
"Don't worry about us. Worry about the people heading to the battlefield. Not even one of you can get hurt."
They wanted to talk more, but there was no leisure for it. Do Tong-dal urged Jang Yu-seom to stay a few more days, but Seon Hye-min pushed him out the door.
Her reason was that a man carrying out a great undertaking must not suffer setbacks because of the womenfolk.
Just as Do Tong-dal was about to step out the main gate, he saw a carrier pigeon flying into the house and stopped. Judging by the direction it came from, it had been sent by the Beggars' Sect.
"I'd better check that letter before leaving."
Do Tong-dal took the letter from the pigeon's leg. Unrolling the letter, which was rolled up to the length of a little finger, Do Tong-dal frowned.
"Looks like an earthworm crawled across it after dipping itself in ink."
Wang Chil spoke.
"This is why I couldn't read letters."
Receiving everyone's gaze, Wang Chil asked, "Why?" as if he had no idea what they meant. Everyone averted their eyes, which only fueled Wang Chil's bewilderment.
After reading the letter, Do Tong-dal's brow furrowed.
"The Beggars' Sect was following the trail, but it seems they've hit a wall."
Won Dae-yeon asked.
"They lost them?"
"No. It's a major merchant in Henan Province, but there's been no movement."
"How big a merchant?"
"It's the Hwangdae Merchant Company, one of the Five Great Merchants of Henan Province, and they can't advance any further there. They didn't have much paper, so they couldn't write the details, but they probably intend to seize the Hwangdae Merchant Company's Clan Head and interrogate him."
"What do you think?"
Do Tong-dal, who had been thinking deeply on the spot, immediately wrote a reply and sent the carrier pigeon off.
"I told them to wait for now, and we need to go to Shanxi Province."
"Why Shanxi Province?"
"The Northern Unorthodox Alliance is there."
* * *
With a thwack, Wang Du-sik, who had retreated hesitantly, rolled his neck this way and that, then charged in again.
Gong Ja-pyeong clicked his tongue at the sight. The people who had withstood his Blue Wave Fist, loaded with seventy percent of his power, with their bare bodies could be counted on one hand so far, and all three of them were masters far above him.
But Wang Du-sik was absolutely not a master above him. Although he had improved a great deal compared to the beginning, his fist and foot techniques still had many openings.
Compared to his fist and foot techniques, which showed slow progress, Wang Du-sik's Vajra Body-Acquisition Art showed such rapid advancement that the phrase "improving day by day" seemed inadequate.
Seeing Wang Du-sik grow tougher by the day, Gong Ja-pyeong could not help but admire him. When Hwangmi Dal had ordered daily sparring, Gong Ja-pyeong had answered, "Wang Du-sik might die," but that never happened.
'Still, I have the dignity of a Northern Unorthodox Alliance Hall Master!'
Even if he could not kill him, it seemed he needed to at least knock him out in one blow to save face. So Gong Ja-pyeong raised his power to ninety percent.
After letting Wang Du-sik's fist slide past above his head, he thrust his own fist toward Wang Du-sik's chest. But Wang Du-sik blocked his attack with his left arm.
Wang Du-sik, who had shown no interest in anything but charging attacks like a wild boar, had defended.
Gong Ja-pyeong flinched in surprise when a foot flew toward his side. Startled, he dropped his elbow to block the leg.
With a thwack, his body floated up and flew a full one jang before he could set himself down. He had nearly made an unsightly spectacle of himself by rolling on the ground.
"You little bastard!"
It was a considerable impact, enough to make not only the arm that had been hit but even his side throb.
"Let's start for real from now on!"
"Fine! I won't go easy on you anymore!"
But their sparring, which looked as if it would become a fight to the death, had to stop there.
"Wang Du-sik! The Alliance Leader summons you!"
Wang Du-sik held no position in the Northern Unorthodox Alliance and was no one's disciple, so he was simply called by name.
"Tch! It was just getting good."
Grumbling, Wang Du-sik went to Hwangmi Dal's residence and met a welcome face.
"Brother—!"
Wang Du-sik ran to Do Tong-dal and threw his arms around him.
"Hurk—! Th-this...... let go a little......."
"Why are you only coming now! Didn't you miss this little brother of yours?"
It looked like a scene of separated family members reuniting, but Do Tong-dal did not feel anything close to that toward Wang Du-sik.
But Wang Du-sik had used the address Brother for the first time, and he had experienced an intense emotional upheaval as if he had truly gained an older brother.
So to Wang Du-sik, Do Tong-dal was the first person from whom he had ever felt true affection in his life.
As Wang Du-sik expressed his joy without restraint, Do Tong-dal felt a little sorry. Because the plan he had made would not be welcome to Wang Du-sik.
Wang Du-sik bowed deeply to everyone in Do Tong-dal's group. Being polite to people stronger than himself was basic for him.
After the noisy moment passed, Ha Su-ran asked Do Tong-dal.
"What brings you here today?"
"I came to check whether Du-sik has gotten stronger."
Wang Du-sik pounded his own chest.
"I've gotten stronger! You won't beat me like before, you know?"
Ha Su-ran praised Wang Du-sik.
"I heard about it too. They say his fist and foot techniques are a little slow to develop, but his Vajra Body-Acquisition Art has improved by leaps and bounds."
"My fist and foot techniques have gotten better too. Brother, let's spar!"
Do Tong-dal chuckled.
"It hasn't even been six months yet."
"I can beat you even now!"
Hwangmi Dal chimed in.
"It's not entirely without possibility."
"Do you really think so?"
"Because, as Su-ran said, you've improved a lot."
"Want to make a bet?"
At the word "bet," Hwangmi Dal quietly tucked his tail.
"I said there's a possibility. Not that you'd beat him......."
Wang Du-sik cut in eagerly.
"Let's do it! A bet!"
Do Tong-dal brightened.
"Really?"
"Yes! If I win, take me out of here with you!"
"Huh? You don't like it here? Is that old man giving you a hard time?"
Hwangmi Dal burst out shouting.
"Giving him a hard time! It's a good house, good food, and they even teach him martial arts!"
"It's boring because all I do is train martial arts every day! Why won't you let me go to the pleasure house!"
"During internal training, alcohol and women are poison! Poison!"
"It's different for everyone! For me, they're medicine! Medicine!"
"You little brat!"
When Hwangmi Dal raised his hand, Wang Du-sik hurriedly raised his arm to block.
"Always trying to hit me at the drop of a hat......."
Do Tong-dal cut in.
"Why do you teach kids by hitting them?"
"For brats who don't listen, the stick is medicine."
"Could it be that when you were learning martial arts, you got hit by your master so much that now the old man's condition is......?"
"Condition...... what?"
Depending on the answer, the raised hand might have been directed at Do Tong-dal.
"That you became a master."
Do Tong-dal also had the flexibility to know when to back off.
"But what if you lose?"
At Do Tong-dal's question, Wang Du-sik answered confidently.
"I'll do anything Brother tells me to do!"
"Anything?"
"Yes! If you tell me to die, I'll die! But you wouldn't really tell me to die, right?"
"How could I? You know how much I like you."
"Right? Hehe!"
"Let's spar first! I haven't thought of anything yet, but I'll think it over as we spar!"
Of course, that was a lie. The reason he had come all the way here was because of Wang Du-sik.
"It won't be as easy as the first time! If I win, you have to keep your promise to take me with you!"
"Of course!"
Do Tong-dal intended to take him along even if he won. They went out to the yard where they could spar.
Warriors passing by stopped in their tracks, curious about this situation that had drawn even the Alliance Leader out.
* * *