Chapter 150
Chapter 150
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 150
Chapter Title: Great King Namsaeng
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Ariyeong arrived at the government guesthouse in Buyeo Fortress just as the sun was dipping low. The moment the weary woman stepped inside, she asked,
"Have you found them?"
"It seems so."
She gave a short reply, took a seat, and continued.
"Khitan tribesmen selling horses at the far northern end of the market—they're suspicious."
"Why?"
"Khitan tribesmen treasure their horses like nothing else and never sell them cheap. But they were unloading them at nearly half price. On top of that, they were slyly bundling in jewelry."
"That's not conclusive on its own."
"I dug deeper, and the horses weren't ones the Khitans had bred."
"Then?"
"Khitans breed horses with thick ankles and thick, flowing manes. But these had slender ankles and neatly trimmed manes. They'd even smeared dirt and manure over the spots on their rumps. Spotted horses like that are mostly raised by the Gomukhae tribe."
"Can you really tell them apart?"
"Merchants who deal in horses are spot-on. One mistake means massive losses."
"Is it that odd for Khitans to sell horses they didn't raise themselves?"
Ariyeong nodded at my question.
"Nomads like the Khitans dote on their horses. They don't breed them recklessly—they're meticulous, and the Khitans especially so. Plus, the Khitans and Gomukhae aren't on friendly terms."
"So, stolen or robbed horses, then."
"Exactly. No reason to drag them all the way here and sell cheap. And..."
She let out a brief sigh before adding,
"One of our merchants who haggled with them said they don't seem like Khitans at all."
"What?"
"They speak Khitan, but the accent's off. They don't know much about Khitan customs either."
"You sure?"
"He's traded with Khitans for over a decade—he wouldn't be wrong. He said they showed up out of nowhere about a month ago and have been periodically dumping horses cheap before vanishing."
I glanced at Yang Man-chun, who'd been listening with his arms crossed. He unfolded them and spoke.
"Sounds like the ones we've been hunting."
"What now?"
"Raid 'em, grab 'em, wring confessions—one option."
Adokbang, standing by the window, shot it down right away.
"Lost wolves don't betray their pack."
"Torture breaks everyone."
Adokbang shook his head at Yang Man-chun's words.
"Miss the promised day, and they bolt without waiting."
I clicked my tongue listening to them.
"They'll just slip away while holding out under torture."
"Right. Tail them instead."
"Follow in open plains where everything's in plain sight?"
"Not everywhere around here's like that. Get some distance, and it's mountains and valleys. Light traffic too—footprints make tracking easy."
Geom Mojam chimed in after Adokbang.
"Some of the retainers who came this time are ex-hunters. They can handle the trail."
After hearing out Ariyeong and the others, I thought it over briefly and spoke.
"We follow once they wrap up their deal and head out."
Ariyeong reacted to my words.
"Then I'll seal the trade and get them moving fast."
"Too late today—tell 'em morning tomorrow. They slip away at night, we lose 'em."
"I'll pass it on."
Ariyeong hurried off. I issued the necessary orders next, then turned in early.
The next morning, I disguised myself as a trader and headed to the northern market in Buyeo Fortress. My men bustled about on my instructions. I went to the market's edge with Ariyeong, dressed as a male merchant. Unlike the choked center teeming with horses, people, and goods, the northern fringe was quiet.
"Easy spot to bolt from if things go south."
Ariyeong replied to me.
"That's why they call it the Thieves' Market."
"Thieves hawking stolen wares?"
"You could trade way more goods deeper in, but they stick here for one reason."
I advanced slowly, listening to Ariyeong. Summer was closing in, but several nomads sported deep triangular fur hats. Ariyeong reined in her horse and peered ahead.
"There. Fat guy in the gray fur hat, and the one with the wide bark-brim hat."
I looked carefully without drawing notice. Sure enough, the two Ariyeong described were haggling with a merchant. Even mid-talk, they kept scanning around.
"Look jittery."
"Horse sellers usually take their time haggling, arriving relaxed. Show you're in a rush, they slash the price—so even rushed, they play it cool."
"Time to tail 'em once we're done."
"Told 'em to pitch goods when I show."
True to her word, the drawn-out haggle wrapped up. The Maemul Merchant Guild's trader handed over silk and jewelry, and the fake Khitans mounted up in a flash. No other companions—they rode straight out of the market. Ariyeong and I followed. Geom Mojam and the retainers, merchant guise and all, picked up speed to keep pace.
Yang Man-chun waited at the market entrance, dressed like a drifter swordsman. Shabby leather armor, short spear in hand—he rode at a casual distance, like he was just passing through. Plains or not, roads were few, and traffic decent. We trailed from way back, slow and steady. Far as they were, Geom Mojam's horsefolk-blooded retainer spotted them easy.
'Like modern Mongols.'
I knew nomads had killer eyesight for distance, but seeing it up close hit different. The chase dragged till the sun hung high. They dismounted, lit a campfire, and ate. We halted to match. But Adokbang eyed them and said,
"Not stopping for grub."
"Then?"
"Post-deal, they push hard for home. Halting this early for food..."
Adokbang frowned, adding,
"Means they're checking for tails."
"They've clocked us too—halt together, and we're made."
"Yep. Old trick from my days."
"Cunning bastards."
"Plenty of enemies."
An unforeseen snag—I mulled it over. Then a ploy from a modern novel popped up. I called Geom Mojam.
"Asilbul's not on our tail?"
"Nah, sent word—they're close."
"Dispatch a runner: raid 'em."
"Those two?"
"Yeah. Threaten light, no kills—pull back when we roll in. Rescue seals it."
"Smooth approach."
"Exactly. Scout their destination, offer escort."
"Life-savers won't suspect. Even if they do, lies won't fly."
"Won't spill the lair, but we get close."
"Damn right. Asilbul's got a hundred Haeryang tribesmen, we've got over a hundred—worst case, we mop 'em up."
"I'll play Central Administration official from Chang'an, scouting Great Wall sites. You lot my crew."
Geom Mojam summoned a retainer and barked orders. Adokbang spoke up.
"Might get recognized—I'll split."
"Link with Asilbul, shadow us."
Tasks set, we waited—then the runner Geom Mojam sent to Asilbul galloped back, winded from the hard ride. Gasping, he reported,
"Asilbul says he'll fake an ambush with his men past Silpi Pass to the right."
No sooner said than Asilbul and his crew crested a small hill abutting Eomri Daesu. Swords out, they bellowed war cries charging downhill. They closed on the campfire crew. Caught off-guard, the pair got ringed in seconds. Asilbul's men swung bent blades, poised to lunge and hack. The two yanked their swords in futile resistance. I watched, then bellowed,
"Now!"
Yang Man-chun and Geom Mojam surged ahead of me. The retainers ringed Ariyeong and me, throttling up. Geom Mojam and Yang Man-chun yelled; retainers echoed.
"Who the hell are you! Back off!"
Asilbul's bunch heard, beat a hasty retreat. So damn convincing, even I nearly bought it. They blew away toward Silpi Pass like mist; we claimed the spot. Ariyeong hung back with the Maemul Guild's guards. We closed in—the fat gray-hat stepped up, fumbling Goguryeo.
"Who're you?"
Geom Mojam jabbed a thumb at me behind him.
"This is Elder Yeon Gun-hae of Chang'an's Central Administration Bureau. Out inspecting Great Wall build sites, saved your hides. Who're you?"
The gray-hat groveled at Geom Mojam's reply.
"Sorry—sudden raid rattled us. I'm Khitan Palryunja; this runt beside me's my pal Monkey."
Monkey bobbed his head. Monkey-faced to a tee. The one dubbed Monkey whipped off his hat and bowed too. Names down, I pressed,
"Where you headed?"
"Back to our tribe. Sold horses in Buyeo—guess they trailed us for it."
I smacked my tongue loud at Palryunja's answer, feigning outrage.
"Daylight plains raid? What the hell's Buyeo's watch doing!"
I laid into Buyeo's security with pitying eyes. Palryunja tested the waters, then spoke.
"Plains hit—tough pinning guards. No loot lost, we're good."
"Fair. Hate our turf birthing this mess. Least we can do: escort you near your turf."
"No need, really."
As expected, Palryunja waved it off. But I stayed cool.
"Can't just shrug off foreigners prowling our lands, right? We're tracing Eomri Daesu to Chaesung Fortress."
Palryunja mulled my words, then opened his mouth.