Chapter 54
Chapter 54
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 54
Chapter Title: Everything As Desired
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Wang Ji-kyeong set off once more toward the Song family mansion.
Yi Hwan and Cheol Mu-ok trailed behind, just as they had last time.
[Do you think that guy will really give up the principal?]
[He came back after just a day, so probably. Still, let's watch and see.]
[If so, it'll look like the Yellow Dragon Merchant Group is helping the Great Prince.]
[That's life for you. Keeps things interesting.]
Yi Hwan was certain.
The desperate Wang Ji-kyeong would forfeit both principal and interest from the Song family.
‘The Crown Prince's Palace should have sent someone by now…’
The remaining question was whether the Crown Prince's Palace had dispatched someone to the Song family. Ideally, they would arrive before Wang Ji-kyeong did.
It was then.
[The Crown Prince said to proceed as the Great Prince desires.]
A transmission voice suddenly flowed into Yi Hwan's ear.
Yi Hwan turned around.
A figure in a deep bamboo hat blended into the crowd behind him. The man slightly lifted his hat and bowed his head.
It was Go Mi.
‘A woman who never disappoints.’
Yi Hwan smiled faintly and sent a transmission back to her.
[Well done.]
[No further orders?]
[There's a guy named Mount Sang Blood Blade in the Yellow Dragon Merchant Group. Dig into him.]
[Understood.]
With that, Go Mi vanished into the crowd. Yi Hwan stared at the carriage carrying Wang Ji-kyeong and smiled vaguely.
‘I’ll get to see someone happy to give up a hundred thousand silver taels.’
Could there be a person who would rejoice at forfeiting a hundred thousand silver taels? It would surely be a rare sight.
Yi Hwan was convinced he would witness that rare scene soon.
* * *
Yi Yeong and Song Cheon-ho stood in the courtyard.
Wang Ji-kyeong bowed toward Yi Yeong. She received him with her usual icy expression.
“If this is about yesterday, just leave.”
“No, Your Highness. I’ve come back because I have urgent business to discuss.”
“Come in.”
“Thank you, Your Highness.”
Wang Ji-kyeong glanced at Yi Hwan.
“Let’s go.”
Yi Hwan handed his sword to Cheol Mu-ok and entered with Wang Ji-kyeong.
Moments later, the three sat facing each other across a table. Unlike yesterday, Yi Hwan took a seat at a table off to one side of the room.
Wang Ji-kyeong cleared his throat and got to the point.
“I apologize, but what I wish to say is no different from yesterday. However, I have one additional proposal.”
“Listen to me, Lord Wang!”
Yi Yeong’s voice turned chilling once more. At that moment, Song Cheon-ho stepped forward.
“It might be best to hear him out first, my lady.”
With Song Cheon-ho intervening, Yi Yeong reluctantly backed down. Song Cheon-ho asked Wang Ji-kyeong.
“Very well. What is this new proposal?”
“Well…”
It was as Wang Ji-kyeong opened his mouth to speak.
Song Cheon-mu’s voice drifted in from outside.
“Your Highness, someone from the Crown Prince's Palace has arrived.”
A faint smile played at Yi Hwan’s lips at that instant.
* * *
Yi Hwan was mildly surprised as he watched the entering figure.
‘He came himself.’
The man stepping inside was Jang-su, a trusted retainer of Crown Prince Yi So.
Yi Hwan subtly altered his gaze, just in case.
Even with a human skin mask, a master could recognize someone by their eyes alone. No room for carelessness.
‘The Crown Prince is fully committed. Then again, with ties to the Second Prince, he had no choice.’
Otherwise, they wouldn’t have sent a general on par with the Left General.
Jang-su bowed toward Yi Yeong.
“I greet Your Highness.”
“Come in, General.”
“Please, come in, General.”
“I hope I’m not interrupting with guests present.”
Yi Yeong turned to Wang Ji-kyeong and said.
“I’m sorry, but we’ll have to postpone our talk. Please leave for today.”
“……”
Wang Ji-kyeong rose from his seat in a daze.
Then Song Cheon-mu stepped up.
“See yourself out.”
“Then I shall take my leave.”
As Wang Ji-kyeong bowed and headed out, he suddenly flinched.
Jang-su and mounted soldiers gathered at the main gate—one soldier’s armor catching his eye.
The armor signified command over ten thousand troops, a very high rank.
If such a general was mere escort, how high was the rank of the one in the annex?
Then Yi Hwan’s mutter flowed into Wang Ji-kyeong’s ear.
“What brings the Crown Prince’s retainer here?”
“What did you say? That general is the Crown Prince’s retainer?”
“When the Crown Prince's Palace made an offer before, I saw him from afar once. Someone said then that he’s the one the Crown Prince trusts most—like a second self. Wonder how he ended up here.”
“Is that true?”
“Why would I lie?”
Thump, thump.
Wang Ji-kyeong’s heart pounded.
His fists clenched tight.
Crunch.
‘The Crown Prince sent his own retainer, valuing the princess this much. Then I must win the Song family’s favor, even if it costs more than a hundred thousand silver taels! It’s the only way to stand against the Yellow Dragon Merchant Group!’
Yi Hwan watched Wang Ji-kyeong and smiled faintly.
‘It must feel like a ray of hope shining through.’
* * *
Yi Yeong pressed her hand gently to her chest.
Her face flushed red as a peach blossom. Song Cheon-ho smiled at her.
“Well done. Your acting was so natural, even Lord Wang didn’t suspect a thing. Haha.”
“I’m too embarrassed to show my face.”
In truth, even Jang-su’s entrance had been perfectly timed in advance. Of course, Jang-su had arrived at the Song family mansion half a shichen earlier.
Jang-su asked.
“When will the Great Prince arrive?”
“He sent word he’ll stop by soon.”
Yi Yeong’s eyes reddened.
“To think the Crown Prince cares for us this much—I don’t know where to put myself.”
“His Highness has always worried about Your Highness. He apologizes for not even sending proper word amid the circumstances.”
“Thank you.”
Tears streamed down Yi Yeong’s cheeks.
Song Cheon-ho patted her shoulder. His own eyes were already moist.
The Crown Prince was a different existence from Yi Hwan.
For the future ruler of this land to step forward for their family surpassed mere gratitude.
Meanwhile, Jang-su gazed through the window at Yi Hwan’s retreating figure passing the main gate.
‘Why does that back look familiar?’
Song Cheon-ho approached.
“What are you looking at?”
“Oh, nothing. But who is that man?”
“Lord Wang’s bodyguard. Rude as his master, but today he at least tried to show some manners.”
“What happened?”
Song Cheon-ho chuckled.
“Yesterday his attitude was poor, so my lady gave him a proper scolding.”
As the two conversed, Yi Hwan passed through the main gate. Jang-su soon lost interest and turned back to Yi Yeong.
“What did the Great Prince say to do next?”
“Refuse three times and wait until Lord Wang makes the first offer.”
“Do you know where the Great Prince is now?”
“I only know he’s nearby. He said he’d drop by soon, but…”
Yi Yeong trailed off.
Jang-su continued.
“It seems he’s orchestrating Lord Wang’s departure. Which means he’s watching all this…”
Jang-su trailed off, his expression suddenly changing as he rushed outside. He leaped toward the main gate.
Yi Yeong and Song Cheon-ho exchanged puzzled glances at his actions.
At the main gate, Jang-su stared at Wang Ji-kyeong’s group running far ahead, his eyes narrowing.
‘Could it be…?’
* * *
Whoosh!
Rain suddenly poured down.
They had reached the city outskirts, leaving no shelter.
Yi Hwan, who hadn’t prepared an umbrella, got utterly soaked.
Clatter, clatter!
The carriage slowed.
Slipping on the wet road could prove dangerous.
Rumble!
Crackle!
Thunder followed by lightning webbing down from the not-so-distant sky.
How long had they traveled like that?
“The road ahead is completely blocked by a landslide!”
A lead escort returned, shouting.
The sudden downpour had caused earth to collapse, sealing the road.
Neigh!
The carriage halted. The driver shouted to Wang Ji-kyeong.
“My lord! We should turn back to the city!”
Thud!
Wang Ji-kyeong opened the window and stuck his head out.
“Can you turn the carriage in this narrow space?!”
“Apologies, my lord, but you’ll have to ride as well.”
“I can’t go soaked like this—clear the dirt quickly!”
“There’s too much; it’ll take half a day! Best to head back to the city!”
“What a mess!”
Amid the sudden commotion, Yi Hwan slowly scanned the surroundings. For a brief moment, his eyes flashed.
Cheol Mu-ok sent a transmission.
[Did you see?]
[Yes.]
In that instant, he had glimpsed shadows moving beyond the woods.
[After Wang Ji-kyeong?]
[I hope so.]
[Pardon?]
[Reminding him of the fear of death anytime will solidify his trust in us. If they attack, show overwhelming power.]
[Understood.]
Yi Hwan hoped they were indeed after Wang Ji-kyeong as he watched him. Wang Ji-kyeong was still debating whether to turn back in the rain.
Yi Hwan slowly approached the carriage.
“Best to be cautious in weather like this. If I were after you, I’d strike in conditions like these.”
He pointed to the right side of the road.
“If turning back is impossible, shelter there until the rain stops. Better for escorts than the open road.”
Yi Hwan pointed to a manor overgrown with vines on the walls, seemingly abandoned.
“Got it. Then to that place.”
As Wang Ji-kyeong opened the carriage door to step out.
Swoosh!
An arrow flew with a whistle.
In that instant, Cheol Mu-ok drew his sword, forming a sword barrier.
Clang, clang!
Blocked arrows scattered; those piercing through embedded in the carriage.
Thud, thud!
Yi Hwan called out lowly.
“Assassins! Form up!”
The escorts swiftly surrounded the carriage.
Figures rose from behind the woods just then. Wang Ji-kyeong froze like a stone at the sight.
Shing!
Yi Hwan slowly drew his sword.
About twenty assailants charging, faces cloth-masked.
‘The Yellow Dragon Merchant Group sent them. Good for me.’
Yi Hwan pressed close to the carriage window.
Wang Ji-kyeong said in a trembling voice.
“Shouldn’t you, the strongest, step in?!”
“My duty is guarding you. The rest is for him.”
Clang!
“Argh!”
“Ugh!”
The fight began.
The first two to charge were mercilessly cut down by Cheol Mu-ok.
Cheol Mu-ok was a tiger unleashed among sheep.
No one could match him; those fleeing him clashed with the other escorts.
‘They hired some decent ones.’
Then.
“Argh!”
One escort fell, spraying blood.
The masked killer who slew him bolted toward Yi Hwan like lightning.
“Gasp!”
Wang Ji-kyeong cried out in horror from the window. Yi Hwan struck the side of the incoming blade.
Clang!
He seized the stumbling masked man’s neck and smashed him into the carriage.
Splat!
The head burst like a watermelon, blood and brains splattering onto Wang Ji-kyeong’s face. Yi Hwan crossed his arms again, relaxing.
“You alright?”
“Don’t worry. No matter who comes, they won’t touch a hair on your head.”