Monopolizing Fortunes (137)
Monopolizing Fortunes (137)
At the end of that thought, a chuckle escaped him. He had no intention of straying from his goal of becoming the emperor of the night, so it didn't seem like a bad thing either.
"Then what do you want to become?"
"I just need to get revenge on the Revenge Society for my mother."
In a way, it was like fate that an organization created for revenge had become the target of revenge.
"What about after the revenge is over?"
"Do you think I'll even be able to get revenge?"
Do Tong-dal didn't know exactly what history Jang Yeon-seon had. He could only guess from the fragments he had heard.
If Jang Yeon-seon had a reason to seek revenge and it was advantageous to Do Tong-dal, he would gladly help her with her revenge.
"Of course. I'm with you. While you're at it, make the revenge a spectacular one."
"Then should I become the head of the Revenge Society?"
"Huh?"
"Wouldn't it be nice to tear down my enemy and become the leader there?"
"Aren't you too young? Unless you spread the revenge out over ten years or so."
"There are so many advantages to being young."
She had a point, since no one would ever suspect a ten-year-old kid of carrying those kinds of thoughts in her head.
Do Tong-dal, who had been pacing in the courtyard, turned his gaze toward the gate.
"It's about time word came that we're leaving soon."
"We'll probably go to Hunan Province. The Hwangdae Merchant Company branch there is the biggest. Father is a man who absolutely cannot endure discomfort."
But Jang Yeon-seon's prediction missed the mark beautifully. Jang Yeon-seon was startled by what Seo In-sik, who had come on an errand from Jang Bu-ok, told her.
"We're going to Shaanxi Province?"
"Yes, miss. You must prepare quickly. You as well, Sir Bae."
"I brought nothing with me, so I can leave as I am."
When Seo In-sik left, Jang Yeon-seon muttered.
"Why Shaanxi? The Hwangdae Merchant Company branch there is the smallest one."
"We're probably not going to a Hwangdae Merchant Company branch."
"Then where?"
"Most likely a place arranged by the Revenge Society. That works out well for us."
Jang Yeon-seon nodded.
"That's true. We can cut off the Revenge Society's limbs one by one, just as you planned, mister."
"We might also get important information about the Revenge Society. Hurry and get ready to leave."
Because the members of the Hwangdae Merchant Company must not know they were leaving, they did not send for servants, and Jang Yeon-seon packed the luggage herself.
Jang Yeon-seon let out a sigh as she headed to Jang Bu-ok's residence.
"My conscience is pricking me. If the imperial palace attacks, the people left behind at the Hwangdae Merchant Company will suffer."
It was a thought unbefitting a ten-year-old.
"That's how the world is."
The only reason he could say it so dryly was because it was the truth. To the poor and powerless common folk, the world was always harsh.
When they arrived at Jang Bu-ok's residence, five wagons were waiting. One was a carriage for people, and four were cargo wagons shaped like boxes.
The Company Head's family was to ride in the carriage draped in red and blue adornments, and the rest of the people were to split up among the four cargo wagons.
"Here comes the fox woman."
Do Tong-dal turned his head toward where Jang Yeon-seon's gaze was directed. A woman in splendid silk clothes was approaching with most of her face hidden behind a fan.
Jang Bu-ok personally opened the carriage door for her. The woman, who had been about to climb the carriage steps, looked at Do Tong-dal as if by chance.
She walked over to Do Tong-dal and Jang Yeon-seon.
"You're the warrior Bae Cheong-dong who saved the Hwangdae Merchant Company from disaster, aren't you?"
Since she was clearly Jang Bu-ok's wife, Do Tong-dal gave a light bow.
"I didn't do anything that remarkable."
"Ho ho ho! So modest. I'd like to treat you to a meal sometime......"
Even with Jang Bu-ok present, she openly smiled with her eyes and flirted.
"Given the times, I'm not sure an opportunity will arise."
Even at Do Tong-dal's tactful refusal, the smile never left her eyes.
"Opportunities can be made. Don't you think?"
Snap!
The fan folded, revealing her face. With the sultry beauty of a woman in her thirties, she had looks that anyone would acknowledge.
At her silent provocation of "You're going to refuse even after seeing my beauty?", Do Tong-dal bowed his head and answered.
"If you arrange a meeting, it would be my infinite honor."
"Ho ho ho! Then let's meet again soon. My name is Go Seon-hwa."
Since Go Seon-hwa would already know who he was, Do Tong-dal didn't bother introducing himself.
Go Seon-hwa spoke to Jang Yeon-seon.
"Shouldn't you get into the carriage now?"
Jang Yeon-seon answered coldly.
"I'm going to ride in a cargo wagon."
"Is it uncomfortable for you to ride with me?"
"It's not uncomfortable at all!"
"Then I'm glad. A mother and daughter should be close. Don't you think?"
Jang Yeon-seon only glared at Go Seon-hwa without a word. Go Seon-hwa bowed to Do Tong-dal, then climbed into the carriage.
Jang Bu-ok, climbing in after her, glanced at Do Tong-dal, but his expression wasn't particularly displeased.
'He's unfazed even when his wife openly flirts with another man, which means there's no affection there. He's probably seen plenty of this sort of thing.'
He was watching the carriage door close and thinking when Jang Yeon-seon's sharp voice reached him.
"You can't take your eyes off the fox woman. The carriage door's already closed, you know."
"Huh?"
"Honestly, men lose their minds the moment they see a pretty woman."
"Have you ever seen the most beautiful woman under heaven?"
"Who is the most beautiful woman under heaven?"
"There is one. A person like that."
No one could deny that Ha Su-ran was the most beautiful woman under heaven.
"Compared to her, Madam Go is......"
When Do Tong-dal shook his head, Jang Yeon-seon asked.
"You really didn't fall head over heels for the fox woman's looks?"
"I know at least four women prettier than Madam Go."
"Wow—! You playboy!"
"No, I said I know them. How does that make me a playboy?"
"You're saying you just know those beauties without any relationship with them?"
"Well, not exactly......"
"Wow! Playboy!"
Do Tong-dal was about to say something when a loud voice rang out.
"Everyone, board the wagons!"
The people gathered in the courtyard hurriedly climbed onto the cargo wagons.
"You're coming along too, I see."
The person who spoke to Do Tong-dal was Ju Pyeong-seong, the head of Inpyeong Hall, whom he had met when he first came to the Hwangdae Merchant Company.
"I'm currently regretting that maybe I should have just run away."
"If the enemy is the imperial palace, that might be the wise decision."
"Should I run away even now?"
Ju Pyeong-seong chuckled.
"A man who would run away from here wouldn't have risked his life fighting those ruffians in the first place."
His life hadn't actually been at risk, but it was fortunate it had looked that way. Do Tong-dal lowered his voice and asked.
"Is the Hwangdae Merchant Company really not involved in the assassination of the First Prince?"
"We're merchants. Why would we do such a thing? I don't know how things got tangled up, but the road ahead is going to be rough."
Ju Pyeong-seong asked Jang Yeon-seon, who was trotting along toward the cargo wagons.
"Miss, are you planning to ride in a cargo wagon?"
"My escort is here, so I should go with him."
Ju Pyeong-seong glanced at the splendid carriage that was just beginning to move, then nodded.
"Do as you wish."
There wasn't a person in the Hwangdae Merchant Company who didn't know that Jang Yeon-seon and Go Seon-hwa were like cats and dogs.
They officially became cargo and slipped out of the Hwangdae Merchant Company.
'They're following well, right?'
He couldn't see with his own eyes because there were no windows, but Namgung Seol-rin, Jang Yu-seom, and Won Dae-yeon would be tailing them covertly.
That they would flee like this once the imperial palace's attack was reported was all within Do Tong-dal's expectations.
Only after leaving the village did the wagons begin to pick up speed. Even at the fastest, it would take three days to reach Shaanxi Province.
'The operation against the Hwangdae Merchant Company should be wrapped up by then. Censor Yang had better do his job properly.'
* * *
The Hwangdae Merchant Company did not dare think of resisting the government troops. The workers who had flattened themselves on the ground were gathered together, and those who looked to have rank were bound.
While the government troops searched the Hwangdae Merchant Company, Yang Su-pan sought out the highest-ranking person among those who remained.
"What is your name?"
The middle-aged man bound in rope answered meekly.
"Won Chi-myeong."
"Your position?"
"I am the head of Seongu Hall. But why in the world have the Embroidered Uniform Guard and government troops stormed into our Hwangdae Merchant Company?"
"Are you asking because you truly don't know?"
"Of course I don't know. We are merchants. What quarrel could we possibly have with the imperial palace?"
"Well, a small fry like you might not know. All the important figures have fled, so you, left behind here, must be a nobody in the Hwangdae Merchant Company, aren't you?"
Unable to answer, Won Chi-myeong's face only flushed red.
"Still, there is an important task you can do."
"What could I possibly do?"
Yang Su-pan bent down and whispered into Won Chi-myeong's ear.
"Shouldn't you take revenge on the ones who abandoned you and ran?"
The word revenge sounded grandiose, but considering the anger Won Chi-myeong felt right now, it wasn't wrong.
They had lured him away from another escort agency to the Hwangdae Merchant Company, worked him to the bone for three years, and then shoved him into the jaws of the government troops and fled.
If the imperial palace had brought this many government troops, they would surely fabricate crimes even where none existed.
"What should I do?"
"Wait a little while and you'll find out."
That "little while" turned out to be about one ke. Two Embroidered Uniform Guard guardsmen in gold clothes came carrying two boxes.
"Censor Yang, we have found evidence."
Dang Seo-yang, an Embroidered Uniform Guard guardsman who had decided to side with the Third Prince, said, puffing out his chest.
The boxes the two guardsmen had brought contained white masks, the clothes worn by those who had attacked the First Prince, and six swords in white scabbards.
"Oh ho! Aren't these the clothes the criminals wore, the masks they used, and the swords they wielded when they assassinated His Highness the First Prince?"
"That is correct. With this much, it is clear proof that the Hwangdae Merchant Company was in league with those who assassinated His Highness the First Prince."
Won Chi-myeong, catching Yang Su-pan's gaze, wore a stunned expression. The reason they had stormed in from the imperial palace was to catch the criminals who had assassinated the First Prince?
"I...... I don't know anything!"
Yang Su-pan grinned.
"I doubt no one knows anything. Have you, by any chance, ever seen someone wearing these clothes meeting with the Company Head?"
"No......"
Yang Su-pan cut off Won Chi-myeong's words abruptly.
"Think carefully. Your life depends on whether you cooperate."
Won Chi-myeong swallowed hard. This was clearly a signal to him. The First Prince was dead, so they had to catch the culprits somehow.
If they couldn't catch them, the imperial palace's position was that they had to arrest someone even if they had to fabricate the culprits.
"Th...... that...... I th...... think I might have seen it......"
"Right? Then you must have heard what they were talking about too."
Won Chi-myeong whispered.
"What should I have heard?"
Yang Su-pan pulled Won Chi-myeong to his feet.
"We'd better go somewhere quiet to talk about that."
* * *
Dongui Martial Hall.
Do Tong-dal, having arrived in Shaanxi Province, looked up at the signboard bearing those four characters.
"This is a martial hall?"
The martial halls he had seen in Hangzhou were at most two hundred pyeong at the largest, places that scraped by on the pocket money of neighborhood kids.
But Dongui Martial Hall seemed to have a single wall that was fifty jang long.
'It's a Revenge Society secret base, so there's no way it would be ordinary.'
When they went inside, long black-tiled buildings stood to the left and right behind the courtyard.
The person who came out to guide them at Dongui Martial Hall was a sharp-featured man in his mid-thirties.
"I'm Hwang Jang-su, in charge of guiding you all. Come this way."
There was no courtesy at all in his manner, like a homeowner admitting uninvited guests.
After passing six buildings large and small, they arrived at a shabby hall deep inside Dongui Martial Hall.
It contrasted so much with the clean and respectable buildings they had passed that Jang Bu-ok's face twisted sharply.
"This is our lodging?"
Hwang Jang-su answered with an indifferent face.
"It is."
Hwang Jang-su was about to say something when Go Seon-hwa stepped forward.
"You mean I have to stay here?"
Hwang Jang-su treated Go Seon-hwa differently from the others. His back bent, and his voice became polite.
"Separate quarters have been prepared for you, miss."
She was married and clearly another man's wife, yet the form of address was "miss."
At the special treatment, Go Seon-hwa's face turned satisfied.
"That's more like it. I can't stay in a filthy place like this. Where are my quarters?"
Hwang Jang-su called over a woman in her late teens.
"This is Jeong So, who will attend you during your stay. Please follow her."
Jeong So bowed and gestured.
"You may go this way."
Go Seon-hwa asked Jang Bu-ok.
"Will you come with me?"
* * *