Ice Sea Water Severing Technique (3)
I left the government office with the report I'd received from Ji-hyeon in hand. As I walked, I let out a sigh and turned to Palgap.
"Palgap. Think you can get ready to depart in about half a shichen?"
"Of course, young master."
"Then prepare for departure. I've got somewhere to go alone for a bit."
"Understood."
I then sent a sound transmission to the escort warriors.
Don't follow me.
And to Seo-u Warrior alone, I added, Keep an eye on me from a distance.
But unless my life is truly in danger, don't intervene—just watch.
Excluding Jin Yu Warrior, who wasn't here, Seo-u had the highest martial prowess and the strongest self-control.
With that, I headed deep into a secluded alley.
.
.
.
This should be far enough, right?
I stopped in a place where hardly anyone passed by.
I'd sensed killing intent directed at me while walking from the office, so I'd laid out this bait.
There was only one group that wanted me dead.
Honestly, even though that massive shipwreck could have sunk their fleet, I'd saved everyone, sparing the Daegeon Merchant Group from major losses.
Yet instead of gratitude, they pull this?
This was my test for the Daegeon Merchant Group.
Fail it, and I'd toss them straight into hellfire.
Thud.
Thud thud.
Figures in black night clothes and face masks appeared around me.
Hellfire confirmed.
"Wh-who are you people?"
I sighed inwardly but feigned a terrified expression.
One stepped forward. "You're going to end your life right here."
"Wh-what do you mean?"
"Even with a secret imperial order, there are things to investigate and things to leave alone. Your stupidity in not knowing the difference sealed your fate."
I bit my lip and asked, "How did you know I had a secret order?"
"We have our ways."
"Ji-hyeon?"
He sneered. "Ji-hyeon? That spineless fool wouldn't spill a word."
"Then?"
"If even he acted like that, it means the order came from way above—somewhere he couldn't defy."
"……."
This guy's awfully chatty.
"We've told you enough—you won't die feeling too wronged. Finish him!"
"Yes!"
The other masked men rushed me, binding my hands and feet, then gagging my mouth.
"Mmph!"
I played the frightened part and stayed quiet.
Dragging me off bound like this meant they wanted no evidence of murder.
A small mercy they weren't killing me on the spot.
Otherwise, I'd have had to get my hands bloody here.
That might be easier, but staining my hands with scum like theirs wasn't appealing.
After running who-knows-how-far, the carriage stopped.
The lapping of water nearby—not far off.
As expected, they'd brought me to Dongting Lake.
I felt the sack I was in being lifted, then hurled into the air.
Splash—!
Water rushed into the sack with the sound.
I calmly circulated the Ice Sea Assimilation Heart Technique.
Did Master anticipate something like this and teach me this aquatic art?
Unlike what I'd learned from my other master, this water technique let me move freely underwater.
I channeled inner energy to my hands and gripped.
Snap—!
The ropes binding my hands snapped easily.
I drew a dagger from my bosom.
The gift from my two brothers on my first business trip—used like this, huh.
I gave a wry smile, slashed the foot bindings and gag, tore the sack, and emerged.
Riiip.
Something felt heavy, so I looked down—a large rock tied to the sack.
These bastards really went all out to hide the body.
Far from amateur work.
Come to think of it, several threats to Daegeon had gone missing—handled this way?
A sudden thought hit me.
Why hadn't they done this to Manager Gang Seung?
Pondering, the answer came.
Too safety-first, too beloved by those around him—hard to pull off.
So they'd schemed to seize his branch instead.
If they're this desperate against me, Gang Seung needs to watch his back.
Better tell him to lay low for a while.
You never know what a cornered rat might do.
Lost in such thoughts underwater, I cautiously surfaced.
No one in sight now—no signs of life.
I swam leisurely to shore, where Seo-u Warrior approached.
"You've emerged, young master. I was worried when you didn't come up for so long."
"Sorry to worry you. But this was necessary."
"I know. To lure out their carelessness, right?"
I nodded. "Yes. It went as planned, luckily. Time to head back."
"Understood."
I relayed orders through Seo-u to Palgap and the escorts.
Pretend to search frantically for me for half a day.
Then I rejoined them with a heartbroken expression and headed to Beijing.
* * *
The head of the Daegeon Merchant Group heard the report from his aide, O Jin-chuk.
"As you ordered, sir, we've dealt with the brat."
"Good work. What of his companions?"
"They were in a frenzy searching earlier, but seem headed back to Hubei now. Probably to report to Eunhae."
"Likely."
"But is this wise? If Eunhae mobilizes to find him, they might grab our tail."
The leader smirked. "Any evidence?"
"None."
"Then what's to worry? Act like nothing happened, as always. What can they do without proof?"
"True enough."
The leader had grown uneasy at Ji-hyeon's sudden shift and his zealous investigation after.
He'd pinpointed Eun Seo-ho's visit as the trigger, deciding after much thought to drown him in Dongting Lake.
His backing worried him a bit, but leaving him alive was riskier.
Dead men tell no tales.
With it done smoothly, he felt satisfied with his choice.
"Now, time to deal with Hwaryeon Branch too. Still clinging to my failed venture? No manners. Don't you think it's time to correct that?"
"Well said, sir."
Then—
"S-sir! Urgent report!"
Another aide's voice from outside.
"Come in."
The door opened; he bowed deeply.
"S-sir, Manager Gang Seung at Hwaryeon Branch says he's closing temporarily."
"Closing? Why suddenly?"
"A physician visited... said his health's deteriorated badly and needs rest. He's giving leave to guards and sailors too."
"Is that so?"
The leader's eyes gleamed.
"Heaven's granting me an opportunity."
The massive loss from the sunk ship—bought at great cost—stung, but with the rival stepping back, this was his chance.
* * *
Beijing.
I now stood before the Emperor.
"I heard you brought the inspection report."
"Yes, Your Majesty. An urgent matter arose, so I requested this audience."
I handed the report to the eunuch beside him, who passed it to the Emperor.
He began reading.
"Hm……."
Finished, he stared at me impassively—no anger, just blank.
"At the end, it mentions attempted murder of an imperial inspector under my orders, but lacks details."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
I reported the assassination attempt and my escape.
With some embellishment, of course.
"……And so I was thrown into the depths of Dongting Lake."
"How did you survive?"
"My escort sensed something amiss and tracked them, saving me by the skin of my teeth to stand here before you."
I kept my martial arts secret.
No ordinary water technique could escape that. Ice Sea Water Severing Technique was special.
Nor did I want to reveal my level.
"……I see."
"No evidence remains. But I experienced it firsthand, witnessed by all creation."
"I believe you. You're not one to fabricate such things."
Still impassive.
Hm?
The eunuch beside him looked off—pale, sweating coldly.
No way?
"So diligent in your duties. I chose well."
"Merely repaying Your Majesty's grace with loyalty."
"Enough flattery."
He tapped the armrest. "For one who braved death in my service, how shall I avenge you?"
"Pardon?"
"Stuff him alive in a sack and toss him in Dongting, like you? Or add insolence and give him the five mutilations?"
"……."
His blank face mentioning torture sent chills down my spine.
I bowed deeply, polite. "I harbor personal grudge, yes, but avenging my petty feud against such a reckless fool—how would that aid Your Majesty's virtue?"
"And?"
"I merely beseech you to use this to exalt your virtue and demonstrate the law's majesty."
"So you forgo your revenge?"
"My personal grudge is trivial. Their judgment under the law suffices."
I glanced up.
The impassive Emperor now smiled faintly.
"Where did such a fellow drop from?"
The eunuch looked calmer too.
"If I intervened personally, as you say, it would undermine the discipline I've restored."
"……."
"Eunuch Jeong, summon Honam's Inspector General to the capital at once."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
The Inspector General oversaw a province's judiciary and prisons.
Calling him meant a thorough probe.
The Emperor eyed me. "Well done. Without you, I'd have overlooked this."
"Merely my duty as your appointee."
"The report had an intriguing name. Scholar Hwang Bon-ji was aboard."
"You know him?"
"Sharp mind, strong spirit—never backed down before me. Like you."
More favored than I thought.
No wonder he'd ordered the probe himself in my past life.
"Exiled after that mess, but I planned to recall him soon. His name here means the time has come."
He ordered Eunuch Jeong to send Hwang a writ.
"This report differs from the last."
His insight was sharp—noting another hand from the report alone.
"Yes, not my writing."
"Oh? Whose work is this clear, methodical report?"
"Well……."
I seized the chance, crediting Ji-hyeon directly.
The Emperor's eyes sparkled.
"Such talent stuck as a mere clerk? Summon him to court too."
As I'd hoped.
Not bad for Ji-hyeon—tougher work, but in the Emperor's favor.
And better pay.
"You may go."
The natural dismissal.
"I take my leave, Your Majesty."
I bowed properly and exited.
This doomed Daegeon, as in my past life.
My hand guided it, but self-inflicted.
They wouldn't have drawn my eye without scheming against Hwaryeon.
And after overloading the ship to capsize, they even tried assassinating me.
Such conscienceless scum had no place in the Hundred Great Merchant Groups.
They disrupted trade and harmed common folk.
Anyway, I learned something.
The Emperor goes blank-faced when angry.
.
.
.
Back at Eunhae handling work, news of Daegeon arrived.
The Emperor's appointed Honam Inspector General ransacked them.
Every corruption and crime surfaced; Daegeon vaporized. Its leader and aides executed.
My prior charges were grave, but drowning rivals in Dongting—like me—sealed it.
Cheon Deuk-yeo, original owner of Hwaryeon's shop, got scorched when their contract surfaced.
He begged mercy; I spared him for folding under our group.
Now he trembles at Gang Seung's word—must feel like a century's indigestion cured.
Yes, folks like Gang Seung thriving makes the world worthwhile.