Chapter 151
Chapter 151
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 151
Chapter Title: Setting the Trap
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Yellow Dragon Merchant Group Leader Yeom Yu-gwang.
After being thrown into prison, he had barely been released thanks to the Empress. Vowing revenge, he bolstered his forces with martial artists. His first target was, naturally, Wang Ji-kyeong.
“The Great Prince just entered the Song family estate.”
“Wang Ji-kyeong is there too?”
“Yes.”
Yeom Yu-gwang shook the teacup in his hand back and forth and let out a cold laugh.
“You thought you could survive by clinging to the Great Prince? Dream on.”
“What if the Great Prince protects Wang Ji-kyeong? Won’t things get complicated? The Golden Army might even step in, Leader.”
“No need to worry about the Great Prince. The one we should focus on is the Crown Prince. We cut off Wang Ji-kyeong’s lifeline before that bastard returns.”
“Understood. Then we’ll deploy the assassination squad when Wang Ji-kyeong leaves the Song family and heads home.”
“Handle it perfectly. No matter which agency investigates, they mustn’t trace it back to us. Got it?”
“Yes, Leader.”
Once his subordinate withdrew, Yeom Yu-gwang sank deep into his chair and fixed his gaze on Hwang Po-in, who sat across from him.
“You’ll need to help out, Family Head.”
“I think our boys can handle it on their own.”
“This is a man who must die without fail. Even for contingencies, step in personally. That way, my mind will be at ease.”
“Understood. If you’re that anxious, Leader, I have no choice but to go myself. I’ll be off then.”
Yeom Yu-gwang stared at Hwang Po-in’s retreating back and sneered coldly.
“Wang Ji-kyeong, next year today will be your death anniversary. Even if you go to the afterlife, don’t hold it against me. Heh heh heh.”
* * *
Yi Hwan heard from Wang Ji-kyeong that Yeom Yu-gwang had been released.
‘He’s done quite a lot while sending us to the front lines. Though that might have been the goal from the start.’
Yi Hwan emptied his wine cup. Yi Yeong immediately refilled it.
Pour.
“The Yellow Dragon Merchant Group is tied to my sister too, so I’ll handle it. In the meantime, stay here tonight and tomorrow.”
“Pardon?”
“The Crown Prince will return soon. Yeom Yu-gwang, desperate for revenge on you, will try to kill you before then. Stay here until the Crown Prince arrives, and no danger will come.”
Wang Ji-kyeong glanced at Song Cheon-ho and Yi Yeong.
Song Cheon-ho nodded.
“We have plenty of empty rooms, so make yourself at home.”
“Thank you. Then I’ll impose on you.”
Wang Ji-kyeong’s tense face finally brightened. Yi Hwan turned to him and asked,
“Are you still recruiting martial artists through the Spring Guest Inn?”
“I’ve heard it’s not as good as before. Martial artists have become scarce lately. With the war against the Zhao Kingdom breaking out, many have joined as mercenaries, so supply is short.”
It was true.
Due to the war with Zhao, a significant number of martial artists had enlisted as mercenaries. Mercenary work was a major source of income for them.
Especially since contracts with the state ensured prompt payment, it was extremely popular.
“Can you gather as many martial artists as possible?”
“How many do you need?”
“The more, the better, no limit. Of course, I’ll provide benefits that offset the costs.”
Wang Ji-kyeong seemed to ponder for a moment, then readily nodded.
“Understood. If that’s what the Great Prince wants, I’ll start tomorrow. But why are you gathering martial artists?”
“I’ll tell you the purpose later.”
“Ah, yes.”
“Oppa, eat first.”
The proper meal began.
Considering Yi Yeong’s care, Yi Hwan ate more than usual. Perhaps because it was a proper meal after so long, Cheol Mu-ok, Ju Tae, Go Mi, and the others couldn’t stop their chopsticks.
As the banquet progressed and the mood peaked, Yi Hwan asked Wang Ji-kyeong something unexpected.
“Did you come by carriage?”
“Yes, Great Prince.”
“Perfect.”
Yi Hwan turned to Yi Yeong.
“Is there anyone among the household guards with a build similar to Lord Wang?”
“Hmm.”
As Yi Yeong tilted her head, Song Cheon-ho spoke up.
“Not quite as big as Lord Wang, but we have a fairly burly fellow.”
“That’ll do. Mu-ok.”
“Yes?”
“Have them swap clothes with Lord Wang’s escorts to match numbers.”
“Is the Yellow Dragon Merchant Group moving tonight?”
Yi Hwan emptied his wine cup.
Thud!
“The Crown Prince returns soon. For Yeom Yu-gwang, thirsting for revenge on Wang Ji-kyeong, time is short. So he’ll likely target when Lord Wang heads home tonight.”
“If Yeom Yu-gwang knows the Crown Prince’s return schedule, tonight is the most probable.”
“He’s backed by the Empress and the Fourth Prince. We can’t let a guy like that run loose, so we’ll throw him back in prison. Prepare.”
“Understood.”
Cheol Mu-ok and Ju Tae headed out.
Yi Yeong said with a face full of worry,
“You can’t even rest comfortably and now you’re diving into danger again.”
“If we let him be, it’ll cause trouble for your Song family too. Of course, it’ll disrupt business.”
“I’m sorry, Oppa.”
“I’m doing this to make things easier for me, so no need to apologize. By the way, this wine’s pretty good. Shall we have another bottle?”
“Wait just a moment. I’ll get it right away.”
After Yi Yeong left the room, Yi Hwan looked straight at Song Cheon-ho and asked,
“You look a bit thinner. Is something wrong? You barely touched your food.”
“Ah!”
Song Cheon-ho seemed to have forgotten something, then beamed.
“She’s suffering from severe morning sickness.”
“……!”
“Our family finally has a child on the way.”
‘She’s conceived…….’
“Oh! Such joyous news…… Congratulations! Truly, congratulations! Haha!”
Wang Ji-kyeong rejoiced as if it were his own.
Yi Hwan felt a strange mix of emotions. Strictly speaking, Yi Yeong shared not a drop of blood with him.
But since he had to live in this body, it meant gaining a niece he never had in his previous life.
“Can’t the physician do anything for the morning sickness?”
“They say there’s no real cure. But it doesn’t harm the health much, so don’t worry too much.”
“Anyway, congratulations.”
“Thank you, Great Prince.”
Just then, Yi Yeong entered with the wine.
Had she overheard outside? With a shy expression, she uncorked the bottle and filled the empty cups.
Pour.
“You’re a precious guest, so take extra care of your health.”
“Yes. I’m being careful.”
The drinking session lasted longer than planned.
Yi Hwan downed three bottles. Though he didn’t feel it himself, he smiled pleasantly throughout.
* * *
Clop! Clop!
A pitch-black night.
The carriage carrying Wang Ji-kyeong moved slowly along the official road. The eyes watching it gradually filled with murderous intent.
“We attack where the road curves.”
“Understood.”
They were cloaked head to toe in black masks.
Forty in total, twenty hidden on each side of the road, waiting for Wang Ji-kyeong’s carriage.
Behind them stood a ghostly figure: Hwang Po-in, whom Yeom Yu-gwang had called Family Head.
He too wore a mask, eyes fixed on the carriage.
“The escorts seem fewer than expected.”
“They have no idea you’re moving tonight, Leader Yeom. Or it’s a small elite group.”
“Given Wang Ji-kyeong’s wealth, the latter’s more likely. Still, no need for you to step in personally, Family Head.”
“We took a fortune, so at least some blood on the blade.”
Hoot— Hoot—
An owl hooted nearby.
After about an incense stick’s time, Wang Ji-kyeong’s carriage reached the curved section.
“Strike.”
Whoosh!
At the command, masked figures leaped from both sides of the road. Moonlight-glinting swords slashed toward Wang Ji-kyeong’s escorts with eerie menace.
* * *
Yi Hwan quietly stared at Hwang Po-in standing beyond the leaping masked assailants.
‘That one’s the leader.’
Just then, Cheol Mu-ok and Ju Tae charged at the oncoming masked foes.
Flash!
Thud!
“Argh!”
“Ugh!”
The Yi Wang lineage warriors disguised as Wang Ji-kyeong’s escorts drew their swords in unison and blocked the attackers.
Three more burst from the carriage.
Clang!
Crunch!
“Argh!”
“Ugh!”
The once-silent road echoed with agonized death cries.
Hwang Po-in’s leisurely gaze shifted when he saw his supposedly overwhelming subordinates dying miserably instead.
“……!”
Clang!
Crunch!
“Argh!”
“Ugh!”
“What kind of bullshit is this?!”
Shing!
Hwang Po-in drew his sword.
That was when it happened.
“Stay right there.”
A nonchalant voice rang out, followed by someone dropping forward.
It was Yi Hwan.
Hwang Po-in flinched and raised his sword.
Above his head, seven lights hovered silently. But Hwang Po-in noticed nothing.
The lights had been floating there before Yi Hwan even descended.
“Sent by Yeom Yu-gwang?”
Hwang Po-in didn’t reply. Instead, he spread his legs slightly wider than shoulder-width and gripped his sword with both hands, letting it hang low.
The moment he saw Yi Hwan, instinct told him: one wrong move, and he’d die here.
“Planning to keep the secret even in death, eh? But it won’t go your way.”
“You talk too much. Come on!”
“I was going to anyway.”
Whoosh!
Yi Hwan moved.
Hwang Po-in swiftly adjusted his sword to track. Right then—
Thud thud thud!
“……!”
Hwang Po-in’s eyes bulged, freezing like a statue in place.
Yi Hwan approached with a cold smile.
‘Caught him too easily.’
Live capture was the goal from the start. He’d floated the seven lights first, then created a situation to focus the enemy solely on him.
The initial move was a feint, and it succeeded brilliantly.
“Guhhh…….”
A guttural groan escaped Hwang Po-in’s mouth. In that brief instant, his acupoints were sealed, even the mute one. Having dealt with poison-pill suicides multiple times, Yi Hwan sealed it preemptively.
Staring into Hwang Po-in’s eyes shaking with disbelief and horror, Yi Hwan said impassively,
“You have two choices. One: answer my questions obediently. Two: die very, very slowly in agony no human could endure.”
Tremble……
“Of course, choose the first, and I won’t kill you. But first, watch your subordinates die. I’d spare them, but witnesses are a problem.”
“……!”
Flash!
Clang!
“Argh!”
“Ugh!”
His eyes intact, the gruesome deaths of his men etched vividly into Hwang Po-in’s pupils. His strained eyelids tore, blood trickling down.
“Guhhh…….”
Yi Hwan casually sat on a rock beside Hwang Po-in, arms crossed.
“Guhhh…….”
Hwang Po-in tried to look at Yi Hwan, but could only move his eyeballs, failing to see him.
“No use. You’ll know who I am soon enough.”
Yi Hwan leisurely watched the slaughter. The survivors began fleeing.
A few resisted to the end.
Thud!
“Argh!”
The last one’s head burst like a watermelon, ending the massacre.
“Don’t pursue.”
Cheol Mu-ok and Ju Tae approached.
The Yi Wang lineage warriors followed, blood-soaked, looking like demons fresh from hell to Hwang Po-in.
Ju Tae stepped forward.
“Shall I interrogate him?”
“Grill him thoroughly.”
“Understood.”