Chapter 64
Chapter 64
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 64
Chapter Title: Pruning Branches (3)
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Yellow Dragon Merchant Group Leader Yeom Yu-gwang had come seeking the governor.
As always, the governor's mouth split into a wide grin at the gifts Yeom Yu-gwang had brought.
"Hahaha! What, more gifts like this? Come, sit down."
As Yeom Yu-gwang took his seat, he asked point-blank,
"What happened with Wang Ji-kyeong?"
"I sent a summons, but he claimed to be bedridden and didn't respond. So I sent my nephew, but there's still no word. The drunkard's probably off somewhere having a drink."
"A man who lives off spiritual medicines using illness as an excuse? He must truly fear the summons. Why not just ignore him and drag him in by force?"
"Wang is no ordinary man, and his connections are formidable. How could I? It might backfire, so let's resolve this calmly. It's all within the Buddha's palm anyway, isn't it?"
Just then, a maid entered with tea, pausing their conversation.
After taking a sip of tea, the governor asked,
"I've heard there were several clashes with your rivals. Quite a few casualties in the process, they say. What exactly happened?"
"Such things happen often between competitors. Just ignore it, sir."
"Is it really nothing for me to worry about?"
"Once Wang Ji-kyeong is dealt with, no more such incidents will occur. I trust only in you, Governor."
Yeom Yu-gwang calmly sipped his tea.
It was Dragon Well tea he had gifted the governor. In the past, it had been supplied by the Song family and was renowned as the finest in the world.
Clink.
"Have you met with the Second Prince?"
"I entered the palace but didn't see him. I'll visit again next time."
"Lately, it seems he's grown wings. His support base is expanding, and with one of his men recently appointed as commander of the Southern Legion, he now wields immense influence over the military too. Truly a tiger with wings."
"Then when does the grand plan begin?"
"Oh!"
The governor's eyes widened.
He then covered his mouth with his hand and whispered,
"Watch your words."
"My apologies. I'll be careful."
The governor continued in a deliberately stern tone.
"When the time comes, you'll be informed, so focus on your role, Merchant Leader."
"I'll keep that in mind."
It was then.
A general entered through the door.
"Governor, an imperial censor has arrived."
"An imperial censor, now?"
"Yes. You should go out at once."
The governor's eyes bulged wide.
"Why an imperial censor all of a sudden..."
The imperial censor, known as the blade of the inspectorate, was the most dreaded figure among all officials. They never came bearing good news.
"Quick, clear these gifts away first."
"Yes, sir!"
The general gathered up Yeom Yu-gwang's gifts. At that moment, people entered through the opening door.
"Steward, set down what you're holding."
"......!"
* * *
Go Mi held out the censor's badge toward the governor.
The governor's flustered expression changed in an instant. He had confirmed it was a censor appointed by the Crown Prince's Palace.
Could a man's face change so quickly? Far from it, the governor raised his voice.
"How rude! Even a censor can't just barge in like this!"
Go Mi's eyes were cold as ice.
But the one who stepped forward was not her.
"To dare insult His Highness the Crown Prince."
Gwan Ji-baek of the Crown Prince's Palace exuded an aura like raging fury as he continued.
"Isn't treating the censor's badge with such discourtesy the same as insulting His Highness the Crown Prince himself?"
"Y-You... how..."
Recognizing Gwan Ji-baek, the governor's eyes bulged even wider. Though of equal rank, even the governor had to tread carefully around the man called the Crown Prince's shadow.
Meanwhile, Yeom Yu-gwang inwardly tensed at the sudden turn of events.
How could he not know what an imperial censor was?
'What in the world is this? An imperial censor storming in just when I arrive.'
Feeling ominous, Yeom Yu-gwang struggled to maintain his composure.
Watching him impassively was Yi Hwan, disguised as a censor's guard.
Beside him were Ju Tae and Cheol Mu-ok, also dressed as guards.
"Guards, control all entry and exit!"
"Yes, sir!"
Cheol Mu-ok and Ju Tae locked the doors and stood firmly in front. Yi Hwan, belatedly realizing his own role, slipped back discreetly.
Go Mi stepped forward.
"Are you Yeom Yu-gwang?"
"......Yes."
"Arrest this man!"
"Yes."
Yi Hwan stepped up.
'Was my response too quiet?'
As Yi Hwan had this random thought, Yeom Yu-gwang cried out in shock.
"What crime have I committed to deserve this? Tell me the reason first!"
"The crimes you've committed are legion; we'll detail them later! Come quietly!"
"What have I... Ack!"
Yeom Yu-gwang let out a sharp groan and dropped to his knees. Yi Hwan had forced him down. He then deftly bound the man's arms.
"Steward, open that!"
The office steward hurriedly unpacked what he held. Two large golden toads emerged, gleaming brilliantly.
'Damn it...'
Yeom Yu-gwang squeezed his eyes shut.
How could he not know? He was now utterly trapped, with no escape.
As Go Mi pressed her interrogation, surprisingly, the governor admitted it readily. Though he insisted it was a gift, not a bribe.
But that was just the beginning.
Drawing on all the information gathered thus far, Go Mi presented evidence of every corruption between the governor and Yeom Yu-gwang, intensifying her grilling. Yet the governor kept his eyes closed without responding, and Yeom Yu-gwang did the same.
They knew arguing here was pointless and resolved to keep silent until they reached the palace.
Watching them, Yi Hwan smirked inwardly.
'The Empress and Second Prince can never save you now.'
* * *
Twitch.
Second Prince Yi Tae-ji's eyebrow curved like a blade.
"What did you just say?"
"His Highness the Crown Prince exposed the governor and Yellow Dragon Merchant Group's corruption. His statement in court has prompted the Prime Minister to bring it to public debate."
Baek Po-in's trailing words came with a grave expression. Yi Tae-ji's face hardened as well.
"That bastard attended the court assembly?"
"Yes. This lowly one only learned after the fact."
In the current Yeon Kingdom's Imperial Palace, all high and low officials were required to attend court assemblies. Surprisingly, it was the Empress, not the Emperor, who had enacted this reform.
"How much has the Crown Prince's Palace uncovered?"
Anxiety crept onto Yi Tae-ji's face.
Leaving the governor aside, if the Yellow Dragon Merchant Group fell, the fire could spread to him.
He shot to his feet.
"I must see Her Majesty!"
"Her Majesty the Empress has not yet returned to the palace."
"......!"
Yi Tae-ji sat back down.
He had momentarily forgotten the Empress was at Mount Baek enjoying the hot springs.
Baek Po-in continued.
"For now, we'll use the Golden Imperial Guards to find out how much information the Crown Prince's Palace has secured. If they've grasped enough to make it difficult for us to intervene..."
Baek Po-in trailed off.
He let out a quiet sigh, then spoke in a resolute tone.
"You may have to abandon the Yellow Dragon Merchant Group."
* * *
The escort began.
Yeom Yu-gwang kept his eyes closed, racking his brains for a way out of the crisis. His composure, shaken by the sudden event, had already returned.
'If the Second Prince steps in, this will resolve easily.'
This was why he had invested a fortune in such a powerful backer. Yeom Yu-gwang trusted that backer implicitly. The question was why this had happened now.
'Things started going wrong after getting involved with Wang Ji-kyeong. Could that bastard have the Crown Prince's Palace as his backer?'
Gwan Ji-baek was known as the Crown Prince's shadow. His movement was as good as the Crown Prince's own. Thus, Yeom Yu-gwang couldn't help suspecting collusion between Wang Ji-kyeong and the Crown Prince's Palace.
'Rumors were swirling that Wang Ji-kyeong recently made massive investments in the Song family. Could that be linked to this incident?'
His suspicions grew.
Throb!
As a headache hit, Yeom Yu-gwang exhaled deeply and opened his eyes. Then he flinched.
His gaze met Yi Hwan's, who was moving alongside the cart.
'Why does this guy's eyes seem so familiar?'
* * *
'No use scheming your way out. Even if you died and came back a hundred times, you couldn't escape.'
Yi Hwan leisurely turned his gaze forward. The day was so bright it was almost blinding.
His carefully laid plan was unfolding without a single deviation, making it seem all the brighter.
Yi Hwan stared at Go Mi's back as she moved ahead. Her role in this scheme was the most crucial, and she had executed it flawlessly.
'It would've been a real headache if it were the Second Prince's side.'
A faint smile played on Yi Hwan's lips.
Soon, the Imperial Palace came into view in the distance. Yi Hwan glanced back at Yeom Yu-gwang and the governor.
Unlike Yeom Yu-gwang, who sat motionless with eyes closed, the governor was actually smiling.
[He must trust the Second Prince like iron.]
A transmission came from Cheol Mu-ok.
[Yeom Yu-gwang aside, that one is definitely dead. If the Second Prince has any brains, he'll kill him before the scandal reaches him. Well, since we're not targeting the Second Prince himself, his odds of dying are even higher.]
[Wouldn't it have been better to keep that one alive and use him later to strike at the Second Prince?]
Yi Hwan shook his head.
[Cutting off the Second Prince's funding is the priority now. We can always find another like him. Maybe even snag a bigger fish.]
[May I ask something?]
Cheol Mu-ok asked immediately.
[Have you done a lot of this before?]
[Why do you ask?]
[Everything's unfolding exactly as you wish. It's honestly astonishing. Without experience, isn't it nearly impossible?]
[First time.]
"......!"
In his own era, he never needed to step in personally. His subordinates, including the Three Kings, handled everything.
[Watch and learn. You'll be the ones doing this in the future.]
* * *
There were no issues entering the palace.
Word had spread, drawing a crowd and causing some delay, but that was all.
The governor and Yeom Yu-gwang were imprisoned not in the Golden Imperial Guards' or East Depot's cells, but in Moon Pavilion's prison.
Criminals captured by the Censorate were normally held in the Golden Imperial Guards' prison.
But with the Golden Imperial Guards aligned with the Second Prince, they had no choice but to use Moon Pavilion's.
Yi Hwan headed straight to the Crown Prince's Palace.
Go Mi accompanied him, with Cheol Mu-ok and Ju Tae following.
Yi So came out to greet them in front of his residence.
"Come in."
"I'm starving. Got anything?"
"I've prepared a feast. Come on in!"
Entering Yi So's residence, Yi Hwan first removed his human skin mask. Hastily made, it was thick and stifled airflow, leaving his face drenched in sweat.
"How did the court assembly go?"
"Just as we hoped. The censor will conduct the investigation personally, so no variables there. Everyone, great work."
Smiling happily, Yi So looked at Cheol Mu-ok and Ju Tae and asked,
"If you've brought them to my residence, you're not Censorate guards. So, your subordinates?"
"More like close comrades than subordinates."
"From the way you speak of them, they must be very important. Take good care of my younger brother."
"Yes, Your Highness."
Cheol Mu-ok and Ju Tae bowed their heads.
In truth, both were inwardly shocked. By Yi Hwan's demeanor toward the Crown Prince.
Just before, Ju Tae had asked Cheol Mu-ok,
[Is it okay to act like that in front of His Highness the Crown Prince?]
Cheol Mu-ok hadn't answered then. He was thinking the same.
Yet strangely, there was no sense of incongruity. It felt perfectly natural.
[Well, as the successor of the castle lord, he should be like that.]
Only after a while did Cheol Mu-ok respond.
Ju Tae nodded.
[I agree.]
[But didn't we agree to drop formal speech?]
[Should we?]
[Yeah.]
[Sure.]