Imperial Silk Supply Competition (8)
We suppressed our presence and crept as close as possible.
If our operation could be summed up in one sentence, it would be: 'There was no kidnapping.'
I had briefly considered asking for the Emperor's help, but quickly dismissed the idea.
Without solid evidence, it would only cause unnecessary uproar and risk losing his trust.
Worse, the Imperial Silk Supply Competition might even be halted or canceled.
We, the Eunhae Merchant Group, were in the lead—no way could we let that happen.
The reason I'd come to Beijing was to stand in for Jeong Ho and ensure this competition ended in victory.
For our future, Eunhae had to win.
So the competition had to continue.
That didn't mean I'd let this slide, of course.
How could I? They'd pulled this stunt on my birthday, of all days.
After Nangong Bo choked down the bitter cup of failure in the competition, he'd pay the price.
We observed their movements from as close as we could without being detected.
That's when one of the kidnappers opened the door, apparently to check on Geum Haengsu's condition.
With everyone's attention momentarily distracted, this was our chance.
Now!
The Seo-u Warrior and Jin Yu Warrior sprang forward in unison, and I followed right behind.
"Wh-who...?"
"Gahk!"
We showed no mercy.
These were kidnappers—and even if they weren't, they were Black Path scum.
Not practicing orthodox White Path martial arts didn't automatically make someone Black Path.
It was their litany of vile deeds that defined them.
So there was zero hesitation in cutting them down.
Besides, silencing these kidnappers was key to completing my plan.
I didn't want to dirty my hands, but this time, there was no choice.
Whether their skills were poor or ours were superior, the fight was over in seconds.
I wiped my sword clean of blood—or tried to. There wasn't a single drop on the Silver Mist Sword.
Now that's a fine blade.
Opening the door, we entered the room to find Geum Haengsu and the Silver Wind Squad warrior bound to a pillar.
"Is everyone all right?"
"...!"
The two widened their eyes in shock at the sight of me.
Soon, the Seo-u Warrior approached and removed their gags.
"S-Small Division Leader?"
"Small Division Leader!"
"I've come to rescue you."
Tears welled in their eyes at my words. Was it really that moving?
Hm... yeah, it kind of is.
The Seo-u Warrior cut the ropes binding their limbs, freeing them at last.
"You've been through a lot."
"We're sorry, Small Division Leader."
"We failed to protect Haengsu properly—please forgive us."
I shook my head at their apologies.
"The enemy was no pushover; you couldn't have helped it. If anything, I'm sorry. That villain was after me. You suffered because of it."
"Don't say that, Small Division Leader. You're part of Eunhae Merchant Group, and so am I."
I chuckled inwardly at Geum Haengsu's words.
Hearing that from someone who'd once bared his fangs at me? Life sure had its ironies.
"We'll hear the details later."
Supporting one each, the two warriors exited the room.
Thankfully, their limbs were intact, so they could walk on their own soon enough.
We quickly cleaned up the site.
We tossed the bodies into the house, erased the bloodstains and footprints.
Then I sprinkled the oil I'd prepared beforehand and lit it with a fire starter.
Whoosh—!
Flames erupted instantly, devouring the house.
"Let's head back."
Rescuing them was one thing, but we couldn't just stroll into the Yeonjun Merchant Group compound.
I needed to be "inside" the house right now.
"From here on, listen carefully to my instructions."
I explained to Geum Haengsu and the warrior exactly what to do, then tasked the Jin Yu Warrior with watching them discreetly.
"See you later, then."
"Yes, sir."
I vaulted the wall back into the Yeonjun compound. Thanks to Shadowless Steps, no one spotted me as I slipped into my room.
"Whew..."
Changing clothes, I opened the door with a worried expression.
"Geum Haengsu still hasn't returned?"
"Ah! Young master!"
Palgap eyed me, asking silently if everything had gone well.
I nodded with a faint smile, feigning deep concern.
"Did Geum Haengsu really get kidnapped? What do we do?"
Quick on the uptake, Palgap feigned relief while "comforting" me vigorously.
That's when it happened.
"Huh? Small Division Leader, what are you doing out here?"
Geum Haengsu approached from the direction of my quarters.
"Huh? Geum Haengsu? Weren't you kidnapped?"
"Kidnapped? What are you talking about?"
"Someone dropped off this letter earlier."
I showed him the note. Reading it, Geum Haengsu trembled with rage.
This was no act.
"Th-this! Those dog bastards!"
"Looks like someone was playing a prank."
"Still, it's a huge relief you're safe."
That evening,
as my aunt had promised, a feast celebrated my twentieth birthday.
"Happy birthday."
"Congratulations."
My uncle and aunt showered me with gifts and well-wishes.
"Ahem, happy birthday."
"Congrats, brother."
Sun-il hyung and Sun-mi followed suit.
Was it because we'd foiled Baekcheon Merchant Group's scheme and rescued Geum Haengsu unscathed?
This birthday party felt happier and more joyous than my twentieth in my previous life.
The next morning,
after my usual breathing exercise, I stepped out to find Palgap waiting.
"You're out, young master?"
"Yeah."
Today was the final stage of the Imperial Silk Supply Competition.
Following the documents from the eunuch, we headed to the palace amid everyone's cheers, accompanied by the haengsus.
Several merchant groups had already arrived when we reached the palace.
"Eunhae Merchant Group."
The eunuch marked his paper at my words.
We waited in front of the palace. Then, familiar figures approached from afar.
Baekcheon Merchant Group's crew.
Why were they welcome? Obviously, because I'd get to watch Nangong Bo's triumphant face drain of color.
"...!"
Nangong Bo froze mid-stride toward the palace gates.
Spotting us, his face twisted in bewilderment. His trembling hands suggested he refused to accept the reality before him.
At the appointed time, the eunuch announced,
"We'll now enter the palace."
The venue was familiar—the site of the third and fourth rounds.
While waiting, the eunuch informed us that the Empress, concubines, princesses, and ministers were arriving.
We bowed in respect.
"Rise, everyone."
The Empress spoke softly, surveying us.
"Today is the final round. Show us your best so you don't disappoint me or the judges."
Her gaze shifted, and eunuchs brought five tables, placing one box atop each.
Hm?
These boxes... they looked familiar.
I scanned them quickly and realized their purpose.
These were silk storage boxes.
Silk was vulnerable to moisture, so they used special ventilated yet impermeable containers.
Which meant each held a bolt of silk?
Glancing around, the other groups seemed to catch on, tension rising.
"This fifth round is about selecting an appropriate price."
"...?"
"As you guessed, each box contains one bolt of silk—five in total. You'll have half a shichen to inspect them and submit your proposed delivery price."
They hadn't announced the theme beforehand for a reason.
Pre-warning would let groups prepare, obscuring true capability.
Once again, this differed from my previous life.
There, the final round had been describing each silk's traits.
Baekcheon's Min Haengsu had shone then, or so I'd heard.
Eyeing the haengsus beside Nangong Bo, I spotted the middle-aged man with the mole on his chin—Min Haengsu.
A talent wasted at Baekcheon.
The Empress spoke.
"The criterion is appropriateness of price. Open the boxes."
Eunuchs opened them, placing numbered wooden plaques in front.
"Begin."
Another eunuch lit incense to time us.
Merchant groups swarmed the tables; we followed suit.
We began examining the silk slowly.
Then, one group's representative raised his hand.
"I object."
"What is it?"
"Three of these five bolts are Shu silk. Doesn't that favor our Sichuan group, specialists in Shu?"
The Empress turned to the others.
"Do you agree?"
"Well..."
I stopped our Yeong Haengsu from stepping forward.
He retreated with a puzzled look.
"You all look like you have much to say. Do you think I failed to account for that?"
"...My apologies."
The representative wilted under her natural aura of authority.
Just as I expected.
I resumed inspecting the silk.
We moved to our assigned table and began discussing—in hushed tones, the distance ensuring privacy.
"You stopped me earlier, Small Division Leader, but this is unfair. Three out of five Shu silk?"
Yeong Haengsu finally vented.
He still didn't get it.
I smiled leisurely and explained.
"Yeong Haengsu, that's not how to see it."
"What do you mean?"
"As a silk expert, you've traded in Sichuan plenty."
"Of course—over ten times, at least."
"How much did shipping from Sichuan cost?"
"A fortune. The routes are treacherous."
"Exactly. But Shu silk brings massive profits. That's why others brave those paths to source it."
I grinned.
"Sichuan silk merchants don't even need to leave—they profit as middlemen."
"Ah!"
"Would they truly understand transport costs better?"
I smiled.
"The Empress said 'appropriate price.' What does that imply?"
Seok Daenhaengsu smiled faintly.
"Impressive insight, Third Small Division Leader."
As expected of Seok Daenhaengsu.
"Half a shichen wasn't arbitrary."
"Right. Factor in protection and transport costs for a fair price."
I glanced at the Empress.
"The palace knows rough costs. Too low seems greedy; too absurd backfires."
Geum and Yeong Haengsu marveled.
"Brilliant! As expected of you."
"I'd have messed up without you."
I gave a slight smile.
"Shall we run the numbers?"
Meanwhile, Nangong Bo was in foul spirits.
Eun Seo-ho, whom he'd expected absent, sat smugly present.
And Geum Haengsu, who should've been kidnapped, stood right beside him.
How? This can't be!
The plan to kidnap Geum Haengsu, lure Eun Seo-ho, and eliminate him—Nangong Bo had devised it himself.
But he couldn't get his own hands dirty.
How could someone of his noble lineage stoop to that?
So he'd hired suitable thugs.
Ten taels of silver upfront, with a thousand more from Eun Seo-ho upon completion.
Merchant folk were weak in martial arts anyway.
They'd handle Eun Seo-ho and pocket the rest, he'd figured.
But...
How the hell did he sway them?
Nangong Bo never imagined Eun Seo-ho had slaughtered the kidnappers and rescued Geum Haengsu.
He assumed bribery and escape.
Damn it! The plan's in ruins.