Chapter 56
Chapter 56
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 56
Chapter Title: The Contract is Concluded
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“What in the world! Why!”
Wang Ji-kyeong’s face flushed bright red.
He simply couldn’t understand it. He had offered terms so outrageous it wouldn’t be an exaggeration to call them insane, yet the response was that they’d think about it.
Yi Hwan watched him leisurely.
‘Those who make money truly think differently from the start.’
For the first time today, Yi Hwan acknowledged Wang Ji-kyeong, whom he had previously dismissed as a mere pebble in his path.
Waiving the interest and principal, plus investing a million taels of silver without conditions. No matter how wealthy one was, it wasn’t something anyone could do lightly. It was a decision only those who had handled unimaginable sums could make.
‘In any case, he’s properly hooked. Now to prepare for what’s next.’
Gulp, gulp!
Wang Ji-kyeong downed the liquor straight from the bottle.
Yi Hwan subtly cautioned him.
“It would be best to stop drinking now. Who knows when Her Highness the Princess might come up, and you reek of alcohol?”
He froze!
Wang Ji-kyeong promptly set down the bottle.
That was when it happened.
Yi Yeong, who had gone downstairs, returned.
Wang Ji-kyeong quickly composed his expression and posture. Yi Yeong delicately furrowed her brow.
“I see you’ve been drinking.”
“Ah, just a few cups, nothing more.”
Yi Yeong sat across from Wang Ji-kyeong. She looked him straight in the eye and said,
“I’ve decided to accept your terms, Lord.”
Wang Ji-kyeong’s eyes widened like a calf’s.
“Thank you! Your Highness!”
“But first, let’s make one thing clear.”
“Please speak!”
“I’ll connect you to the Crown Prince’s Palace, but you take full responsibility for the outcome. Don’t come blaming me. Do you understand?”
“Of course! Your Highness need only bridge the connection to the Crown Prince’s Palace! That’s all I ask!”
“Very well. Shall we draw up the contract then?”
“Yes! Your Highness!”
Yi Hwan smiled faintly as he brought his cup to his lips. Cheol Mu-ok stared at him with an expression of utter disbelief.
‘Making money is a piece of cake.’
Shortly after, the contract was sealed with stamps, and the deal was done. Despite spending an enormous sum, Wang Ji-kyeong grinned nonstop. Yi Yeong’s expression, however, showed no change whatsoever.
“I’ll personally deliver the investment funds to your residence soon.”
Yi Yeong rose.
“I hope it leads to good results. Rest easy before you go.”
Yi Yeong headed downstairs.
Wang Ji-kyeong grabbed the bottle and chugged again. He was in the most exhilarated state of his life.
Gulp, gulp!
“Yellow Dragon Merchant Group, you dog bastards! Just you wait!”
* * *
Tremble...
Yi Yeong’s hand shook faintly as she clutched the contract.
At the part about investing a million taels of silver without conditions, she couldn’t contain her inner turmoil, her eyes trembling too.
Song Cheon-ho was no different.
In a quivering voice, Yi Yeong said,
“I did as my brother instructed, but I can’t tell if this is a dream or reality.”
“Indeed. Whew, this is something.”
Song Cheon-mu beamed as he spoke.
“Congratulations.”
“I’m not sure I deserve congratulations. How did the Great Prince know things would turn out this way?”
“It’s not that he knew; he orchestrated it from the shadows. That’s what I think. In any case, congratulations again! Now I can return to the Southern Legion with peace of mind.”
Yi Yeong asked,
“You’ll stop by the camp before returning to the army, right, Brother?”
“Of course. The Great Prince misses Your Highness greatly too.”
Yi Yeong’s eyes reddened.
Unlike when dealing with Wang Ji-kyeong, in moments like this, she was the picture of a fragile woman.
Meanwhile, Song Cheon-mu’s mouth itched so badly he felt like he’d go mad. Yi Hwan was upstairs right now. Knowing that and holding it in was no small torment.
At the same time, he felt immense gratitude.
‘Thank you. I’ll never forget this favor until the day I die, Great Prince.’
* * *
Some men entered the first floor of the inn.
They ordered dishes and eyed Yi Yeong and the others with strange looks.
Moments later, two more joined them at the table. One whispered lowly.
“Wang Ji-kyeong is on the top floor.”
“Did you confirm the escorts?”
“Yes. The ones Lord Blood Blade warned us about are with Wang Ji-kyeong too. By the way, why is Wang Ji-kyeong spending the night at this inn? Isn’t this place run by the Song family, who are no better than blood enemies to him?”
“I was just thinking the same. No matter how urgent, why choose this modest inn over a larger, grander one?”
“What if there’s some scheme afoot?”
Another chimed in.
“The Princess came down from upstairs just now. Could she have had a secret talk with Wang Ji-kyeong?”
“Debtors don’t have secret talks. Still, better keep eyes on them just in case.”
“Understood.”
“Your orders have arrived.”
The conversation cut off as the server brought the food.
That was when it happened.
Wang Ji-kyeong descended the stairs.
Soon after, Yi Hwan and Cheol Mu-ok appeared. They set down their chopsticks, eyes gleaming.
[They’re heading home. Report it quickly.]
[Yes.]
One rose first and slipped out of the inn.
Eyes watched the scene. It was Go Mi, disguised in a human skin mask.
She sent a transmission to Yi Hwan.
[Yellow Dragon Merchant Group people are watching.]
Yi Hwan turned to Go Mi.
He then shifted his gaze to the men she subtly indicated. Just then, the ones staring at him met his eyes and quickly looked away.
[Why is that guy looking at us? He hasn’t noticed, has he?]
[No way. Just coincidence.]
They casually wielded their chopsticks. But their attention was fully on Yi Hwan.
* * *
Hum, hum.
Wang Ji-kyeong wouldn’t stop humming. He even added little dances now and then. Riding horseback instead of a carriage, he was utterly elated.
Yi Hwan transmitted to Cheol Mu-ok.
[From now on, protect the real Wang Ji-kyeong. Focus so not a single hair is harmed.]
[Understood.]
He had gained more than expected.
Of course, recovering the trade routes lost to the Yellow Dragon Merchant Group remained, but Wang Ji-kyeong had shifted from an enemy to be eliminated to an ally to protect at all costs.
[Will it be alright to stay away from camp so long?]
[Don’t worry. Qin Kingdom is still poking at Zhao Kingdom’s nerves.]
The variable was how long the clash between Zhao and Qin would last. Fortunately, the two nations were still trading barbs at Guizhou Fortress. That meant the Zhao army facing the Southern Legion wouldn’t attack.
Splash.
The rain grew lighter.
But so much had fallen that landslides occurred here and there, with some areas flooded. Yi Hwan had anticipated this and chosen horseback over carriage from the start.
They took a route through the city center, not the outskirts, for maximum safety from those targeting Wang Ji-kyeong.
That was when it happened.
Thud, thud!
A single horse and rider charged from behind. The escorts swiftly blocked around Wang Ji-kyeong.
Yi Hwan eyed the rider and his eyes flashed.
‘Why is the Moon Lord here...’
Her hat was pulled low, but it was unmistakably Go Mi. As she neared, the escorts drew swords.
Clang, clang!
“Just a passerby. Sheathe your swords.”
“How do you know?”
“Do as I say.”
“......”
Thud, thud!
Go Mi simply rode past them.
Of course, she didn’t just pass.
[Mount Sang Blood Blade is moving!]
The escorts relaxed and sheathed their swords; the tense Wang Ji-kyeong finally sighed in relief.
Yi Hwan transmitted to Cheol Mu-ok.
[Mount Sang Blood Blade is moving, so stay sharp.]
[Understood.]
Mount Sang Blood Blade wasn’t the fear. What worried Yi Hwan was their numbers. If they attacked with several times more men, problems could arise.
Yi Hwan ordered the escorts.
“Keep the lord in the center as we move.”
“Got it!”
They resumed.
That was when it happened.
Thud, thud!
Three more riders approached from behind.
Everyone halted again, surrounding Wang Ji-kyeong.
[It’s my line.]
Yi Hwan turned to Cheol Mu-ok.
[Did you call them?]
[No, Lord. I instructed them to approach via Spring Guest Inn as you ordered, but I don’t know why they’re here so soon.]
Clang, clang!
The escorts drew again.
Wang Ji-kyeong’s face stiffened with tension once more.
“They’re ours, so sheathe your swords.”
“What do you mean ours?”
“Wait and see.”
Neigh!
The three reined in before them.
“We have orders from Her Highness to escort you safely home!”
“Oh! Is that so!”
Wang Ji-kyeong lit up.
Yi Hwan transmitted.
[Did the Princess really send you?]
[Yes, Lord. There were suspicious people at the inn, and she had a bad feeling, so she sent us. Of course, she doesn’t know you’re here yet.]
Yi Hwan thought of Yi Yeong and smiled faintly.
‘Not bad. Wang Ji-kyeong will be deeply moved. Heh heh heh.’
* * *
The three from the Blade King’s line moved ahead with Cheol Mu-ok.
Though not visible from behind, they exchanged transmissions and chuckled occasionally.
Yi Hwan brought up the rear, scanning surroundings.
His eyes flashed at a gently curving road—perfect for an ambush.
“Stick to the edges.”
Everyone hugged the roadside. Yi Hwan warned Wang Ji-kyeong.
“Keep your horse steady so it doesn’t spook.”
“Got it.”
“Everyone, draw swords now.”
Clang, clang, clang!
Yi Hwan ordered Cheol Mu-ok to the center.
Cheol Mu-ok and his three shifted to the middle. They’d fight first if ambushed.
Yi Hwan transmitted to the three.
[No holding back—kill whatever comes.]
[Yes, Lord.]
[Yep!]
The three exchanged grins.
* * *
“They seem to have noticed.”
“Notice or not, it changes nothing. So the three from the Princess’s inn joined? Something’s definitely up between them.”
“If they’re from the Imperial Palace, won’t that be serious?”
“Kill them all, and there’s no problem.”
Mount Sang Blood Blade smirked coldly at the approaching group.
“Dark Emperor? I’ll send you and your pawns to eternal darkness soon, Wang Ji-kyeong. Heh heh heh.”
At his gesture, everyone donned cloths over their faces.
Gulp, gulp!
Mount Sang Blood Blade took a swig from his flask, then covered his face.
Behind him, over fifty men stood ready to charge.
Mount Sang Blood Blade stepped forward.
He eyed not Wang Ji-kyeong, but Yi Hwan.
‘The world ranks me equal to the Black-White Twin Swords, but nonsense. I’ll prove here I’m far stronger.’
Sizzle.
Light trailed along the blade.
Rain hitting the glow hissed, steaming white. Mount Sang Blood Blade spoke coldly to all.
“Don’t let a single one escape alive. Understood?”
“Yes!”