Chapter 59
Chapter 59
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 59
Chapter Title: Go Mi Becomes the Crown Prince's Palace Inspector
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Go Mi came to see Yi Hwan.
For her, slipping in and out of Wang Ji-kyeong's mansion undetected was no great feat.
"I've looked into what you asked."
Go Mi held out a few sheets of paper. They detailed the collusion between the Yellow Dragon Merchant Group and the Second Prince.
Checking the contents, Yi Hwan realized the situation was even graver than he'd thought.
"At this rate, the Song family's trade routes have all but fallen into the Yellow Dragon Merchant Group's hands."
"Yes. They've seized control of the markets and routes with meticulous precision, and there was even government intervention midway. Most of the city officials have been bought off by the Yellow Dragon Merchant Group."
"What has the Crown Prince been doing all this time?"
"We confirmed they never sought help from the Crown Prince's Palace. The Princess flatly refused."
Yi Hwan thought of Yi Yeong.
From what he'd observed of her so far, it was entirely in character.
'She needs to learn when to ask for help.'
On the other hand, he could understand.
The Crown Prince's Palace had shown the Song family nothing but cold indifference up to now. No matter the intentions, if you don't express them, the other side can't know.
In Yi Yeong's memory, the Crown Prince probably hadn't been much different. That must be why she couldn't even reach out for aid.
"How's your arm?"
"I told you, I took the hit on purpose."
"Did you get what you wanted?"
"Quite a bit."
"...I'm glad."
Yi Hwan took a sip of tea and asked about something else.
"What about the Zhao and Qin Kingdoms?"
"Contrary to expectations, the conflict seems to be escalating. Rumors say both sides have thrown in large numbers of martial artists."
"Then we've got plenty of time on our hands."
"Yes. As long as this holds, you won't need to worry about the Southern Legion for a while."
Yi Hwan nodded silently, sinking deep into his chair.
"With Wang Ji-kyeong practically in my pocket, next up is dismantling the Yellow Dragon Merchant Group."
"You'll do fine."
Heh.
"You can say that too?"
"......"
Yi Hwan fell silent for a moment. Go Mi quietly watched him.
'He's truly unfathomable. Taming that notoriously stubborn Wang Ji-kyeong in just a few days.'
"Moon Lord."
"Yes."
"You'll come with me to the Crown Prince's Palace."
"When?"
"Tomorrow morning."
"But why me...?"
"Don't you want to?"
"That's not it."
"Then see you in the morning."
"......"
* * *
The next morning.
Yi Hwan left the mansion, telling Wang Ji-kyeong he had personal business.
Go Mi was waiting for him in the marketplace.
Yi Hwan mounted the horse she'd prepared and headed for the Imperial Palace.
"When we enter the palace, say I'm a Moon Pavilion warrior."
"Understood."
Go Mi finally realized why Yi Hwan wanted her along. He was hiding his identity as the Great Prince in meeting the Crown Prince.
Yi Hwan moved at a steady pace, scrutinizing the city streets. Go Mi, finding it odd, asked.
"What are you looking at so closely?"
"It might become a battlefield in the future, so best to scout it now."
"Pardon? What do you...?"
"I'll tell you later."
"......"
It was always like this. Yi Hwan never explained anything upfront. Go Mi felt a twinge of frustration but couldn't press him.
Whoosh!
The wind was hot. The humidity was high, leaving them both drenched in sweat before long.
How far had they gone?
Thud thud thud!
A carriage and several riders approached rapidly from behind, so Yi Hwan and Go Mi pulled to the side. Yi Hwan's eyes gleamed when he spotted the Yellow Dragon Merchant Group's banner fluttering on the carriage roof.
Thud thud thud!
Yi Hwan narrowed his eyes slightly, staring at the group kicking up dust as they sped by.
"Heading to the palace?"
"Seems like it."
"Can a mere merchant group enter the palace like that?"
"The Yellow Dragon Merchant Group can. I hear the Second Prince granted them exemption from inspections. It's been years now."
'They're flaunting their collusion this openly, and the Crown Prince's Palace just watched? The Yellow Dragon Merchant Group is their biggest funding weapon to pressure him.'
Yi Hwan almost asked Go Mi about it but held back. He'd see the Crown Prince Yi So soon enough and ask directly.
Pop!
Steam rose briefly from Go Mi's body.
It was from using internal energy to dry her sweat.
"Get in the habit of conserving your energy. Sometimes a handful can mean life or death."
"......Yes."
* * *
"Come in."
Yi So greeted Yi Hwan with a bright smile.
The general standing beside him bowed his head.
"Welcome, Great Prince."
"You worked hard back then."
"No, sir. I merely followed your orders."
Soon after, Yi Hwan and Yi So sat facing each other.
Go Mi joined them. It was more uncomfortable than sitting on thorns, but Yi Hwan had insisted.
Yi So spoke first.
"I was shocked to hear you were here. How did it go? Everything to plan?"
"Wang Ji-kyeong is in hand. Now I'm planning to cut off the Yellow Dragon Merchant Group, but first, one question."
"What is it?"
"You knew they were colluding with the Yellow Dragon Merchant Group to gather funds, yet you let it slide?"
Yi So furrowed his brow.
"It's not so much letting it slide as not getting to it in time. By the time we figured out their ties, it was too late."
"Even if you learned late, you should have acted before it grew this big. Leaving them be only let the Yellow Dragon Merchant Group bulk up. Now they're giving the Second Prince wings."
Yi So smiled faintly at Yi Hwan's cool tone.
"There were unavoidable circumstances."
Meanwhile, Go Mi was inwardly astonished.
Not just Yi Hwan's tone and demeanor toward the Crown Prince Yi So, but Yi So's endlessly warm response to the rebuke—it was simply stunning.
"Anyway, what brings you here?"
"Could you grant the Moon Lord authority to inspect the governor?"
Go Mi was the most shocked by this.
'Why give me such authority...?'
"I can't grant inspection rights over the governor—that's solely His Majesty's prerogative. But why do you need it?"
"Most officials, starting with the governor, have been bought by the Yellow Dragon Merchant Group. No doubt with the Second Prince's influence. To handle the details, we need to block official interference first, but I can't reveal my identity."
"Hmm......"
The general stepped forward then.
"There might be a way."
All eyes turned to him.
He continued.
"Appoint the Moon Lord as Your Highness's inspector. A Crown Prince's Palace inspector can oversee even the governor and city lord."
"Oh!"
Yi So slapped his knee.
"Yes, that works."
"Are there separate inspectors for the palace and Crown Prince's Palace?"
"His Majesty created it to bolster the Crown Prince's authority after I took the title. It caused quite a stir back then. Come to think of it, I've never used it once. Very well. I appoint the Moon Lord as my inspector."
Go Mi stared at Yi Hwan in shock.
He met her gaze.
"Why give me such a heavy responsibility...?"
"Cutting off the Empress and Second Prince's funding line? After that, we'll need close coordination with the Crown Prince's Palace. Who better than the Moon Lord, who can come and go freely?"
"......"
"Not confident?"
"It's not that—I'm afraid I might botch what you're doing, Great Prince."
"Just do as you've been doing. No need to worry."
"......Yes."
Yi So asked.
"Anything else?"
Yi Hwan asked abruptly.
"Why have you been so neglectful toward your sister?"
"......"
Yi So was momentarily speechless.
"Pay her some attention from now on. She's more pitiable than I am."
"Alright, I will. Anything else?"
"I'll ask as things come up."
* * *
Yi Hwan conversed with Yi So for quite a while before leaving the Crown Prince's Palace.
The general saw him off.
Before Yi Hwan exited the palace, the general said.
"His Highness worried about the Princess a great deal. He just couldn't show it, fearing harm from the Second Prince's side."
"If you don't show your heart, how's anyone to know?"
"True enough."
The general smiled faintly.
"Until next time."
"Take care, General."
The general bowed deeply.
He watched Yi Hwan and Go Mi pass through the gates, a soft smile on his lips.
'To build such presence in so short a time. What on earth has he been through?'
* * *
"Now I suppose I should call you Inspector."
"Please, just call me as before."
"You'll need to get used to it. Plenty of work ahead with that title."
"Inspectors monitor covertly, so it's best not to flaunt it normally."
"Is that so?"
"Yes."
"Got it."
That was Go Mi for you.
* * *
Somewhere in the Imperial Palace.
Early fifties, perhaps?
His face was utterly ordinary. But his pitch-black eyes, like a snake's, sent chills down the spine.
"You look a mess."
"My apologies. I have no face to show you."
The one bowing before him was none other than Mount Sang Blood Blade.
"Why? I told you to handle it quietly. Instead, you made a racket all over town."
"Wang Ji-kyeong had experts at his side I couldn't ignore, so I had to commit more men."
"Were the Black-and-White Twin Swords experts you couldn't ignore?"
"They're dead. The ones who replaced them as his guards..."
The middle-aged man's eyes flashed.
"The Black-and-White Twin Swords are dead? How?"
"Unknown assailants, they say."
"So the replacements made you this state and killed dozens of your guards?"
"......Yes."
Twitch.
The middle-aged man's brow curved slightly. Mount Sang Blood Blade's face hardened at the sight.
It was astonishing.
Someone overwhelming the fearsome Mount Sang Blood Blade with a mere expression.
"Found their identities?"
"We're investigating every angle. The Spring Guest Inn's owner connected us, and they called themselves Divine Sword and Blood Sword, but that's all we've confirmed. Too many in the world use those nicknames..."
"Once identified, recruit them or eliminate them. One or the other. Understood?"
"Yes, Merchant Group Leader."
The middle-aged man was the head of the Yellow Dragon Merchant Group.
Famous across the land yet shrouded in mystery, few had seen his face.
"Leave me."
Mount Sang Blood Blade backed out of the room. Then the man behind him stepped forward.
"The Song family took over two major inns?"
"Yes. They started operations recently, and sales are impressive."
"Did they have that kind of capital?"
"That's what struck me as odd, so I ordered a probe into the funding source."
"Cut the connection the moment it's traced. We don't want the Song family reviving and giving us headaches."
"Understood."
Then.
A eunuch entered.
"The Second Prince says he can't meet today—come back another time."
"What reason did he give?"
"None."
Twitch.
The brow curved again.
It seemed a habit when annoyed.
"He's taking our money, and he refuses without even a reason!"
"......"
Thud!
The Yellow Dragon Merchant Group Leader slammed the table and shot to his feet.
"I'm leaving!"
Exiting the palace, the Yellow Dragon Merchant Group Leader headed straight to the city center. Through the carriage window, gazing at the capital, a subtle fury etched his face.
'Making me visit three times for one meeting. That brat thinks he can tame me? A greenhorn who doesn't know the power of gold.'