Chapter 23
Chapter 23
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 23
Chapter Title: Great King Namsaeng 23
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After enduring all sorts of hardships, I had finally returned to Goguryeo.
The ship docked at the harbor, but I was so exhausted that I had to be carried off on a stretcher. In the end, I was carted straight to Jang'an Fortress while lying flat in the wagon.
'Damn, these rattling wagon wheels are making my head hurt even more.'
But I lacked the energy to even sit up, so I just gritted my teeth and endured the ride.
A shout announced our arrival at the estate in Jang'an Fortress, and only then could I breathe a sigh of relief.
The curtain was drawn aside, and I was carried inside still lying down. The sound of my waiting family wailing reached my ears.
'Good grief, I'm not dead yet.'
I wanted to tell them to stop crying for a bit, but I didn't have the strength for that either.
I was promptly carried to the bed in my quarters and laid down. Only when I sank into the silk blanket stuffed full of cotton could I finally breathe properly.
'Looks like I've been under too much stress ever since possessing this body.'
Geom Mojam's face appeared above me. He gazed down with deep worry and said,
"Rest well, my lord."
I lacked even the energy to reply and simply nodded before losing consciousness.
When I opened my eyes again, there was someone above me once more. I thought it might be Geom Mojam or my wife, but it was a somewhat unexpected figure.
"Father?"
Father Yeon Gaesomun sighed deeply after hearing my story.
"Are you feeling a bit better now?"
I tested by moving my body slightly. What had felt as heavy as a thousand tons now moved light as a feather.
Startled, I tried to sit up, but Yeon Gaesomun shook his head.
"Lie down a while longer."
"How long have I been like this?"
"Two days."
He sighed again, and I noticed tears welling in his eyes.
In the history books, he was portrayed as merciless, and in reality, he was utterly ruthless. Yet here he was, fretting over his unconscious son to the point of shedding tears.
'If I ever return to the modern day, we'd have a lot to talk about.'
Of course, he might not believe me.
As those thoughts crossed my mind and I caught my breath, Yeon Gaesomun said something unexpected.
"It wasn't seasickness that ailed you."
"Then what was it?"
"You were poisoned."
"What?"
Shocked, I sat up without realizing it.
"It was the doing of Ham Bok-saeng from the Maemul Merchant Guild that transported you."
"That old man?"
Yeon Gaesomun nodded at my question.
"He slipped poison into the rice balls you ate."
"But I was fine when we disembarked."
"It's a poison that takes effect during seasickness. It wouldn't raise suspicion if it hit on the way there, so he timed it to strike on the return voyage."
"Go Jeong-ui and I shared those rice balls."
"It was more than a lethal dose, but you survived thanks to our ancestors' grace."
"Is Go Jeong-ui alright?"
"He's been up and about since yesterday."
I sighed in relief at the news. In history, Go Jeong-ui barely got a mention. But from the circumstances and meeting him in person, he was a strategist surpassing even Zhuge Liang.
His memory was sharp, and he judged situations swiftly and coolly.
His youth made him a bit cocky, but that was the only issue.
"Sharing the rice balls with Go Jeong-ui probably saved us both."
"That could be."
As I listened to Yeon Gaesomun's calm response, a question arose.
"But how did you find out?"
"Anan-su, the head of Maemul, sent Ham Bok-saeng's head along with a wooden tablet expressing his apologies."
I recalled our conversation at the ship's rail.
I remembered his expression when he showed me his scars and spoke of the events at Umyeong Fortress.
"Ham Bok-saeng was a longtime port captain for Maemul. What could have driven him to such an act?"
"According to Anan-su's tablet, the old man changed after living with a young woman."
"A young woman?"
"His son and grandson died on the battlefield, his daughter-in-law and daughter to plague. He was living alone until then."
"Are you saying she approached him deliberately, Father?"
Yeon Gaesomun nodded at my question.
"The woman's gone into hiding. She's either back with whoever sent her or buried somewhere at their hands."
Chills ran down my spine at his words.
I came from the future knowing history, with special abilities to boot, yet I'd nearly been assassinated.
If Go Jeong-ui hadn't snatched my rice ball.
'His eyes never turned red.'
And throughout our time together, Ham Bok-saeng's eyes never reddened even briefly.
Had they changed color for a moment, I would have noticed. The thought that coming from the future didn't guarantee smooth sailing made me tense up.
Yeon Gaesomun took my hand as I pondered. The warmth startled me.
'It's so warm.'
Unaware or not of my inner thoughts, Yeon Gaesomun patted the back of my hand.
"After you collapsed, I went to the shrine and knelt to our ancestors for the first time, begging them to save you."
"They granted your wish."
"They had to. I threatened to burn the shrine down otherwise."
He flashed a cold smile, back to his old self. I shook my head, thinking typical.
"But how did Maemul learn of Ham Bok-saeng's betrayal?"
"I didn't ask that far. He said he'd come apologize in person, so I told him to wait."
"What do you plan to do?"
"If you'd died, I would've gone myself to collect his apology."
He didn't specify the method, but I could guess. It wouldn't be verbal, nor would the head stay attached to the body.
"The real issue is who's behind it."
"We've been targeted before, but it's intensified lately. And it's aimed at you."
"Because I'm your heir?"
"I've already warned the likely suspects among the high officials. If any plot against my son is uncovered, they won't get off lightly."
"It won't be them."
"I think so too. But those around them will report back."
"The Great King or Chief of Central Administration are suspects, but we should rule them out."
"Why do you think that?"
I paused at Yeon Gaesomun's question before answering.
"It's not the Chief of Central Administration's style. And if an attempt on me were exposed, even the Great King or Chief couldn't handle the fallout."
"Naturally. Not just me—the other high officials wouldn't stand for it either."
"You just said you warned them."
"We may not get along, but if they draw swords on us, we'll fight together. If it were the Great King, he'd pin it on the Chief and feign ignorance."
"The Chief knows that better than anyone. Even if the Great King ordered it, he wouldn't act directly."
"Getting ambushed by Silla's navy near Hyeolgu Island is suspicious too. How did they know you were disguised as a merchant heading to Baekje? Even if they did, preparing their fleet in advance is impossible."
"Maemul could."
"Those merchants?"
Father Yeon Gaesomun's eyes flashed.
"Yes. Maemul launches countless ships for trade with Baekje. They could send a fast vessel ahead from my ship to Danghang Fortress. But..."
I swallowed dryly and continued.
"Maemul has no reason to. They're merchants. It's probably that woman living with Ham Bok-saeng. She knew our departure time."
Father Yeon Gaesomun nodded, sharing my view.
"I think so too. Power struggles are someone else's problem to them. But Maemul's been acting suspiciously lately."
"What kind of movements?"
"They're expanding trade routes to Baekje and even Wa, plus Tang. The old Maemul expanded slowly and cautiously. But it's changed drastically in just a few years."
"I heard Ariyeong, Anan-su's daughter, recently took real control."
Father Yeon Gaesomun replied to my words.
"That's my understanding. And they're helping us despite no prior ties."
"Expecting something in return?"
"Merchants always do. But we hold no territory or influence north of Jang'an Fortress. Nothing connecting us to their southern operations."
Ham Bok-saeng had piqued my curiosity about Ariyeong. I wanted to meet her now that I was back in Jang'an Fortress. But given the circumstances, that would have to wait.
"Best to shelve this for now."
"You nearly died."
"But I didn't."
Father Yeon Gaesomun chuckled at my response.
"Fine. What's next on your agenda?"
"I'd like to head north. To the Liaodong region."
"Why there?"
"To check our preparations against Tang. And..."
I hesitated before speaking.
"Someone I want to meet."
"Who?"
I couldn't bring myself to say Yang Manchun. Fortunately, Father Yeon Gaesomun, concerned for my condition, didn't press.
"Move when you're better."
"Don't worry."
"Your wife slaved over death's porridge all night. Eat up and regain your strength."
"I will, Father."
Father Yeon Gaesomun rose and left. As I caught my breath, my weary-looking wife entered with a bowl of porridge. She'd been waiting outside.
"You look worse off than I do."
I thought it a witty jest, but she apparently didn't.
My wife sat silently on a chair and felt my forehead.
"I was terrified something terrible had happened."
"My body digests poison like it's nothing. No need to worry."
"You're cracking jokes now?"
Her indignant look was endearing.
"I'm alive, so I can joke."
I patted my wife, who looked ready to cry, and took a spoonful of the porridge she'd brought.
It carried a sincerity absent from the store-bought stuff back in the modern day.
"Delicious."
She seemed to brighten at the compliment. As I ate, my mind cleared.
Someone was persistently after my life. Perhaps someone who knew my true identity. I finished the bowl in no time, and my wife rose to fetch another.
While she was gone, I got out of bed. My soles stung, but I could walk.
"I've crossed one hurdle. Time to walk again."
Things had gone smoothly so far, making me complacent. But this time, I'd nearly died without a clue. Along with relief came a vow: no more such mistakes.
And time might be shorter than I thought. It was definitely the early to mid-630s AD. Yeon Gaesomun's coup was imminent, and war with Tang a few years off.
"I've met Baekje's Crown Prince Uija."
The next person I was dying to meet was Yang Manchun, lord of Ansi Fortress.