Chapter 297
Chapter 297
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 297
Chapter Title: Operation (2)
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The place where Go Mi and her group entered was an inn in the marketplace. The inn was located in a bustling central area with many people coming and going.
Hwa Ryeong wore a surprised expression.
“No way that inn is their hideout, is it?”
“Let’s watch a bit longer.”
Go Mi strode toward the inn.
Hwa Ryeong followed beside her and asked.
“Are we going in?”
“We have to if we want to confirm for sure.”
“Then since they won’t recognize us anyway, let’s have a drink while we’re at it.”
“Sure. Just don’t drink too much.”
“Of course.”
A moment later, the two women entered the inn.
“Come on in!”
Go Mi deliberately chose a seat where the stairs to the upper floor were clearly visible.
“One plate of pork belly and a bottle of fiery liquor, please.”
“Isn’t fiery liquor a bit too strong for ladies like you?”
“It’s fine. Bring that.”
“Yes! Please wait a moment!”
It was just like any other inn. Most of the customers were ordinary folk.
Go Mi first scanned the first floor, then gazed up at the stairs. But due to the angle, she couldn’t see properly.
She called over the waiter.
“Excuse me.”
“Yes?”
“Is there an empty seat on the upper floor? It’s a bit noisy here…”
“Ah, then let me guide you up there.”
“Thank you.”
Go Mi and Hwa Ryeong headed to the upper floor.
[They’re guiding us up so readily, so they must be on the third floor.]
[Probably.]
Hwa Ryeong casually asked.
“Should we just go to the third floor?”
“This floor seems quiet enough.”
“Ah! We’re not taking guests on the third floor today. Reserved guests are coming soon.”
“I see.”
[The third floor is definitely it.]
A moment later, Go Mi and Hwa Ryeong sat by the window on the second floor. But all their attention was focused on the stairs leading to the third floor.
‘I need to confirm if this is their main base or just one of their outposts…’
Go Mi pondered for a method. But nothing suitable came to mind. She couldn’t just charge up to the third floor and beat it out of them.
If she did that and this turned out to be just a minor outpost, it could ruin the entire operation.
‘Let’s wait for now.’
A moment later, the waiter came up with the pork belly and fiery liquor. The two exchanged drinks while focusing on the third floor.
How much time passed like that?
Someone came down the stairs.
[That’s a completely different guy?]
It was a burly man who wasn’t part of Hwang Po-in’s group. However, his overall aura wasn’t ordinary, and he wasn’t carrying a box either.
The burly man soon left the inn and headed north through the marketplace.
Go Mi felt a pang of regret.
‘It would’ve been great if they split up.’
Then at least one of them could have tailed him.
Pour.
Hwa Ryeong filled an empty glass with liquor.
Go Mi was about to bring the glass to her lips but suddenly sharpened her gaze.
[The guys at the opposite table look suspicious, so be careful. For now, let’s chat casually so we don’t arouse suspicion.]
[Got it.]
Clink!
“Where should we travel next?”
“We’ve seen enough around here, so how about heading to the capital? I hear there are tons of famous sights there.”
“Won’t it be noisy?”
“Well, we can check out the men too.”
“Sounds good, then.”
[Whoa, good acting.]
Hwa Ryeong grinned.
Go Mi brought the glass to her lips again while observing the men at the opposite table.
They wore white and blue robes. With their unusually sharp eyes and swords propped beside their chairs, they were undoubtedly martial artists.
Hwa Ryeong asked.
[Why do those guys seem suspicious?]
[Just a hunch.]
[…]
Hwa Ryeong, who had been staring blankly, soon pouted playfully and asked something out of left field.
“Do you have anyone you love?”
“Of course not.”
“Really?”
[Let’s change the subject?]
Hwa Ryeong ignored her.
“What about him?”
Go Mi, knowing exactly who she meant, gave a wry smile.
“You know full well he has zero interest in women, not even a fingernail’s worth.”
“He might be hiding his feelings.”
[Enough already?]
As Go Mi slightly furrowed her brow, Hwa Ryeong stuck out her tongue and popped a piece of pork belly into her mouth.
It was then. Someone else was coming down from the third floor stairs.
Go Mi’s eyes flickered.
[It’s him.]
It was Hwang Po-in, who had entered carrying a box. But instead of going down to the first floor, he headed toward the two men at the opposite table.
“Did you check the amount?”
“It was a bit short, but not enough to be a problem.”
Gulp, gulp!
Hwang Po-in, chugging straight from the bottle, muttered in an angry voice.
“Damn thief bastards…”
Snicker.
The white-robe and blue-robe men sneered.
“Don’t laugh. Even if you fought them, one of you would’ve ended up dead.”
Gulp, gulp!
Hwang Po-in finished the rest of the liquor and shot to his feet.
“Wake me if anything happens. I’m going to bed.”
Hwang Po-in went down to the first floor and headed north through the marketplace, just like the previous burly man.
[It looks like their base or another outpost is that way.]
[Let’s go.]
Go Mi stood first.
“The food here doesn’t suit my taste at all. Let’s go to another inn.”
“Shall we?”
Go Mi and Hwa Ryeong naturally left the inn. Fortunately, the white-robe and blue-robe men paid no attention to them leaving.
They tailed Hwang Po-in. With so many people around, they had to stick close to avoid losing him.
How long did they follow?
Hwang Po-in entered another inn at the end of the marketplace.
“Going in again?”
“That one’s tricky. Look over there.”
Go Mi pointed to the street vendors lined up in front of the inn. Hwa Ryeong’s eyes widened.
“Why the vendors?”
“Just before that guy entered the inn, they exchanged glances. Could just be acquaintances, but if they’re in cahoots, it could throw off our operation.”
“Well, we can always run if it goes south, right?”
“Escaping wouldn’t be hard. But if they think someone’s tailing them, they might go completely underground.”
“Oh…”
“We’ve confirmed an outpost, so let’s head back and consult the Great Prince.”
“Got it.”
Go Mi turned away, swallowing her regret at not pinpointing the main base. Acting rashly could make them all vanish, forcing a start from scratch.
As they walked, Hwa Ryeong said.
“A peaceful era can only happen if scum like them disappear. Kidnapping people for ransom? What kind of evil is that? Tsk, tsk, tsk.”
“They’re probably securing funds for some goal, so we need to be extra careful. The Reverse Heaven Society is as dangerous as the Dark Heaven Cult.”
“You’re sure it’s the Reverse Heaven Society?”
“Based on the info so far, it’s almost certain.”
“Those bastards still haven’t learned after getting wrecked like that. They know what happened to the Dark Heaven Cult, yet they strut around without fear?”
“What the Dark Heaven Cult and Reverse Heaven Society have in common is they’re armed with near-religious fanaticism. People like that don’t break easily. That’s why the Great Prince is moving quickly—he knows it too.”
A moment later, reaching a quiet spot, Go Mi and Hwa Ryeong unleashed their lightness skills.
Not long after they left, people entered the marketplace. They were the Reverse Heaven Society’s leadership.
* * *
People were steadily entering the Golden Army headquarters. Among them were imperial clansmen.
They all entered the command room. Soon after, Yi Hwan entered.
Everyone rose from their seats and bowed their heads. Except for the imperial clansman.
He asked.
“Why did you summon us, Great Prince?”
Yi Hwan sat without a word and pulled out a paper to unfold it.
Realizing the odd atmosphere, they exchanged glances and sat down.
After examining the paper for a moment, Yi Hwan looked up, sweeping his gaze over the room, and asked.
“You all here recently had family members kidnapped. Correct?”
“Yes.”
“That’s right.”
“So I ask you this.”
Yi Hwan’s eyes turned icy.
“Why didn’t you report it to the Golden Army first?”
The imperial clansman answered.
“They threatened to kill the children if we reported it. We had no choice.”
“You all thought the same?”
“Yes, Great Prince.”
They all wore expressions wondering what they’d done wrong.
Yi Hwan continued immediately.
“If even one of you had reported it first, these subsequent incidents might not have happened. Didn’t you think that giving in to their demands would make our Yeon Kingdom citizens ongoing targets for these criminals?”
“…!”
“You had the wealth to pay ransom, but those who don’t would lose family without recourse.”
The room grew chillingly cold.
Yi Hwan called out lowly toward the outside.
“Bring him in.”
A moment later, Minister of Revenue No Gyeom entered.
Yi Hwan addressed the room.
“The Minister of Revenue also had his daughter kidnapped. But unlike you, instead of yielding to the criminals’ demands, he reported it thinking more citizens shouldn’t suffer. He put the greater good above his precious daughter, obtained after passing forty.”
The room sank into heavy silence. No one dared even breathe loudly.
But most still refused to acknowledge their fault. Anyone would be the same.
Yi Hwan unfolded the paper again. Then he began calling names one by one.
Six people were named, all holding government positions.
“Those named are dismissed from their posts effective today. Take note and leave.”
“…Great Prince!”
“This is outrageous! We’re the victims, yet we get dismissed?!”
“When you take office, public good comes before private matters. Have you forgotten the oath you swore to His Majesty?”
“…!”
“If you don’t want a harsh punishment, just go.”
With his tone shifting, no one dared argue further.
Yi Hwan rose from his seat. Then he simply walked out.
“What is this absurdity! Why should we victims suffer such injustice?!”
“Rightly said!”
They unleashed their pent-up grievances.
Watching them, Deputy General Yu Woo-seong spoke sternly.
“Return home. Now.”
“You bastard! Who do you think you’re talking to with that arrogance?!”
The imperial clansman bellowed in rage.
At that moment, warriors poured in. Seeing them fully armed, the outraged men’s faces stiffened instantly.
Finally, they all recalled one fact.
How ruthless and cruel Yi Hwan became when angry. And the thousands of heads hung north of the capital.
“L-Let’s go home.”
Yu Woo-seong let out a low sigh as he watched them file out in a group.
‘I still have a long way to go.’
In truth, he and all the Golden Army generals hadn’t grasped the meaning of this incident at all.
That’s why when Yi Hwan issued orders tantamount to a criminal manhunt, they’d all been puzzled.