Chapter 162
Chapter 162
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 162
Chapter Title: Great King Namsaeng
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Geom Mojam's chilling tone alone sent shivers down Woo Hyo-dong's spine, and he prostrated himself, pleading desperately.
"I was wrong. Please, just spare my life."
"Save your apologies for your dead subordinates. You filthy traitor."
I raised my hand to intervene, thinking he might actually kill the man. Seeing Geom Mojam grimace and step back, I turned to Woo Hyo-dong.
"I've never seen that guy get this worked up before. I'll try to hold him off, but it might not work. So make it good—say something that suits me."
"A-anything you want. Please, just let me live."
It was strange that he still thought he could survive this mess. But for now, I asked the question that had been nagging at me.
"Was it the governor's aide who paid you for the information? Or someone else?"
Woo Hyo-dong hesitated, so I glanced at Geom Mojam. As the grumbling man approached, Woo Hyo-dong let out a scream.
"I-I'll tell you. It was one of the governor's close aides."
"Who? The one in the mask, limping on one leg?"
I clicked my tongue at his startled expression.
"You think we wouldn't know since we caught you? This is just the final check. If your story doesn't match what we already know, you won't leave here alive."
"I-it's true. That man... I mean, that person paid me."
"How did you contact him?"
"I passed wooden tablets with the information to merchants traveling between Yuseong and here, once every few days."
"And some of those were from the Maemul Merchant Guild."
"Yes. One day, a Chief of Central Administration came from Chang'an Fortress. He seemed to be looking for lost wolves, so he told me to keep watch. After he left, I reported it straight to Yuseong. I never dreamed they'd mobilize an army to attack."
"That doesn't matter much. What matters is I nearly died, and a ton of my men got killed. Sure, we smashed the ones at Balchika Lake, but that's not enough to quench my anger. Spill the identity of the bastard who paid you for intel."
"I've only met him a few times myself. And he was always masked, so I had no way of knowing who he was."
'Damn, does he lack confidence in his looks?'
As I frowned, the terrified Woo Hyo-dong quickly spoke up.
"Th-there is a way to meet him."
"How?"
"He gave me a token to summon him whenever I needed."
"A token?"
"Yes, a red household registry plaque."
"Household registry plaque?"
"Yes. He said if I brought it to him, he'd meet me anytime."
"Where is it?"
"It was taken when I was captured."
I looked at Ariyeong, who nodded.
"One of my men confiscated a red household registry plaque among his possessions."
Hearing her, I turned back to Woo Hyo-dong.
"What do I do with it to meet him?"
"G-go to Yuseong and head to the market outside the east gate."
"The market?"
"Show it at the stall selling pork from a one-eyed butcher, and he'll guide you to him."
"Where do you meet?"
"They blindfold me and take me somewhere. I don't know where, but we went down narrow, low stairs, so it's definitely underground."
"Is this the truth?"
"Why would I lie when things have come to this?"
Ariyeong whispered as she watched the sniveling Woo Hyo-dong.
"It could be a trap."
But his eyes weren't turning red. At least, he believed it was the truth. After a moment's thought, I asked,
"You said you've met him before?"
"Tw-twice, but always masked in the dark—that's all."
"How did you know his leg was bad?"
"Like I said, it was dark, and he was masked, so I couldn't see his face, but his leg looked off."
"His voice?"
"Small and raspy."
"Did he speak Chinese? Or the nomad tongue?"
"The nomad language—I could understand it."
"His accent? Did it sound like a real nomad?"
"His voice was so soft I could barely hear, but it felt off."
I crossed my arms after hearing Woo Hyo-dong's confession. I was curious about the identity and motives of the one using Tang's power to undermine Goguryeo's forces. Leaving him be would make him a huge headache if war broke out.
"Looks like I can meet the guy."
Geom Mojam whispered at my words.
"Let me go fetch his head."
I shook my head and replied.
"We're going together. I need to meet him myself."
"You're heading to Yuseong? That's too dangerous."
Ariyeong tried to dissuade me in surprise, but I wouldn't budge.
"We have to drag this guy along anyway. If someone else takes him, they might just kill him midway."
It was half a joke, but there was a sliver of truth to it. As I chuckled, Woo Hyo-dong burst into sobs, begging for his life.
A few days later, at dawn, we slipped out of Buyeo Fortress: me, the battered-faced Woo Hyo-dong, Geom Mojam, Yang Man-chun, Adokbang, and the rest of the group. We'd swept up all the spies we knew of, but there might be others we didn't. I faked being bedridden with sudden illness at the inn, and trusted aides like Itain and Godolbal would come and go to spread the word.
We set out in the dim predawn and rode until the sun rose. While resting the horses, Yang Man-chun approached.
"It's not too late to turn back now."
"To prove I'm a coward?"
"It's not just me—everyone feels the same."
Yang Man-chun sighed heavily and glanced at Woo Hyo-dong, who was resting under watch.
"It could be a trap."
"Look at him—you can tell it's not. Besides, this might be a golden chance to take out someone even more dangerous than the governor's aide."
Yang Man-chun grumbled about my stubbornness and turned away. I understood his concern, but I wanted to finish this myself.
'I want to come back with a clear conscience.'
After a short break, we pressed on toward Yuseong. A few days later, we arrived. It lived up to its reputation as the governor's seat and hub of northern trade: towering fortress walls surrounded dense clusters of houses, narrow alleys snaking like capillaries. Tang people and nomads mingled in the crowds, along with Central Asians with distinctly different skin tones. Adokbang's face grew complicated at the sight.
Before entering the market outside the east gate, we all disguised ourselves as Goguryeo merchants. While the higher-ups prepared for war with fierce covert battles, merchants passed freely overhead. The plan was simple, but we reviewed it one last time.
"Woo Hyo-dong shows the plaque at the butcher shop, and they'll take him to the boss. We follow as fellow travelers or tail them discreetly, pinpoint the leader's hideout, go in, and take him out."
Everyone nodded silently. I looked at Woo Hyo-dong, who had regained some composure over the days but now tensed up again.
"From their side, you're already a traitor. Betray them again, and you're dead."
"I-I know."
"If they suspect a tail, they'll kill you first. Get what I'm saying?"
"Of course."
"Once we eliminate their leader, you're free—go wherever. Thanks me later."
"Th-thank you."
"Lead naturally. My men will follow. Don't try anything stupid."
Woo Hyo-dong swallowed hard and nodded. We split off from the tailing group, and I, Yang Man-chun, and Geom Mojam followed as he led the way.
The market assaulted us with spice scents and raucous voices. Low jackets and pants differing from Goguryeo and Ma styles were mostly brown. Most heads were wrapped in turbans. Merchants balanced loads on long poles jostled shoulders with monks chanting sutras as they walked. Seeing the brick-and-tile row houses, I muttered under my breath.
"Feels just like a historical drama set."
Yang Man-chun shot me a confused look, and I inwardly cringed. Luckily, Woo Hyo-dong halted up ahead.
"There it is."
He pointed to a butcher shop at a street corner. Pork cuts hung from hooks under the eaves, with pig heads piled below. At a round wooden board stood a one-eyed man in a leather apron. He expertly hacked at the carcass with a large cleaver, eyes constantly scanning the surroundings. He seemed to be waiting for customers, but it felt more like he was watching for threats. I grabbed Woo Hyo-dong's arm for one last warning.
"Yang Man-chun understands and speaks Chinese. Say anything funny, and your head's gone."
"I'll do exactly as told."
The terrified Woo Hyo-dong scanned around and headed to the one-eyed butcher. The man paused his chopping at the sight.
"What're you doing here?"
"Came to see the boss. Where is he?"
The one-eyed man slammed his cleaver into the board.
"Why the boss?"
"Got a bone to pick. Set it up now."
"What bone?"
As the man glared, Woo Hyo-dong shot back undaunted.
"You idiots botched the job, so the Chief of Central Administration survived and came back. Now our tracks are blown—everyone got caught, and me and a few barely escaped."
The one-eyed man showed no reaction. Woo Hyo-dong barked.
"Last time, the boss said he'd take responsibility. So guide me already."
The bald man gripped the cleaver stuck in the board and glared at Woo Hyo-dong. Just in case, Geom Mojam slipped a hand into his sleeve—ready to hurl a dart. Fortunately, the man released the cleaver. Then he eyed us behind.
"Who's the trash behind you?"
"My men. Only these survived the bunch."
The bald man crooked a finger.
"You come alone. The rest wait outside."
Woo Hyo-dong looked back at us. I'd heard the exchange via Yang Man-chun's whisper-translation and nodded. Woo Hyo-dong entered the shop. The bald man shoved his back and told us,
"Don't hang around here—go somewhere else and come back in an hour."
Yang Man-chun said he'd understood and turned. He scanned nearby and pointed to a wooden watchtower.
"Up there."
We entered the tower at once. No guards, so we climbed straight to the top, breathless. Geom Mojam, panting hard, pointed toward the butcher shop.
"They're coming out."
We saw the bald man, apron off, leading a blindfolded Woo Hyo-dong out the back door. Woo Hyo-dong leaned on a staff, arm gripped by someone else. I said,
"Track their direction and follow."
They both nodded, but then nausea hit me again.
