Chapter 249: Rebellion (1)
I was the one who ended up flustered by my master's reaction.
"What's wrong, Master?"
"Did you just say... Yang Eun-jik?"
"...Ah, yes."
I nodded.
"Haa... Why on earth did you meet that man? No, where did you even meet him? And why are you asking about him in the first place?"
"......"
My master was usually so taciturn, but this side of him felt a bit unfamiliar.
Why is he acting like this?
"Please calm down, Master."
"Do I look like I can calm down right now? That man's a latent fish of the Murim Alliance."
"A latent fish?"
Latent fish.
It referred to fish hiding deep in the water, but in the martial world—no, among those affiliated with the Murim Alliance—it carried a different meaning.
It meant those who schemed in secret from hidden places.
No one knew their true purpose.
They simply followed orders from above.
How did I know this?
Because in my previous life, I'd encountered one.
His target wasn't me back then, but something suspicious drew my attention, and investigating him revealed it.
The existence of these latent fish within the Murim Alliance.
So I stopped there.
My instincts told me digging deeper would be dangerous.
In any case, I needed to calm my master down a bit.
"So you're saying this Yang Eun-jik is one of the Murim Alliance's latent fish?"
"...!"
At my question, Master flinched and let out a sigh.
"My apologies. I got too worked up and made a fool of myself. For the Palace Lord of the Snow Wind Palace to lose his composure like this..."
"It's fine. I understand."
"But... do you know what a latent fish is?"
Master's eyes seemed to pierce right through me.
I calmly shook my head.
Admitting I knew would definitely raise suspicions.
"No, I don't."
"Haa, if I don't explain after you've said that, you'll probably charge headlong into danger."
I already knew about it, so I wouldn't this time... but still.
Master knows me too well.
"Latent fish are those affiliated with the Murim Alliance who carry out covert operations for it."
"So they're dangerous individuals?"
"Before that, I have a question. How do you know about him?"
I quickly made up an excuse.
I couldn't say I'd learned it in my previous life.
And this time, I had a perfect alibi with the Gold Guard.
"Actually, I happened to learn about Yang Eun-jik when I was in Luoyang last time. And I only found out more while helping the Gold Guard warriors with their duties. The Gold Guard had been monitoring him, suspecting ties to subversive elements."
"Subversive elements?"
The term "subversive elements" from the imperial palace meant forces plotting rebellion.
That explained Master's shock.
"A member of the Murim Alliance involved in treason... This doesn't seem like an ordinary matter."
I nodded at Master's words.
Master seemed startled again and asked me,
"But... you're not puzzled that the Murim Alliance would do such a thing?"
Because I already know how filthy the Murim Alliance is.
But I couldn't say that, so I needed a suitable excuse.
Mentioning the Jegal family or Sacheon Tang Clan might be tricky...
Then a name popped into my head.
"I heard about it from Jin Yu Warrior."
"...I see. Then you must know well that while they pretend to be righteous on the surface, their insides are rotten to the core."
"Yes. I know to some extent."
"That makes things quicker, then. Jin Yu Warrior should know plenty about the latent fish."
Ah!
Come to think of it, Jin Yu Warrior was an assassin for the Murim Alliance. He'd operated in the shadows too.
So he should know about the latent fish—and probably about Yang Eun-jik as well.
"Thank you for the advice."
"I'll see you next time."
"Yes. Take care."
Master left the temporary quarters.
But...
I hadn't told him I was here—how did he know to come?
As I pondered that, I chuckled inwardly.
Those people watching over me must have informed him.
After obtaining Investigator's arrangements from the North Sea Ice Palace, my skills had grown even stronger.
Thanks to that, on my way back to headquarters, I noticed things I'd missed before.
The presences always watching over me from nearby.
I detected three in total.
At first, I wondered what they were, but observing them revealed a familiar energy.
It was the energy of the Great Yin Ice Sea Divine Art.
Meaning they were from the Snow Wind Palace. But why were they guarding me?
The reason was obvious. Master must have ordered them to protect me.
I could tell it was protection, not surveillance, from their energy.
If it were surveillance, their auras wouldn't feel so serene.
And Master, knowing my talents, wouldn't bother with something so easily detectable.
Dishonest Master...
Was this disciple really that worrisome?
In any case, I didn't need to worry about them.
I entered the room I used as my private office, thinking.
Had the Murim Alliance ever plotted rebellion in my previous life?
Racking my brains, I recalled some treason attempts, though I wasn't sure if they involved the Alliance.
That was why groups like the Gold Guard and the Eastern Depot existed.
I shook my head.
Even if the Murim Alliance was plotting treason, they wouldn't let it leak out—not when they'd mobilized their latent fish.
I said to Palgap,
"Tell Jin Yu Warrior I need to see him briefly."
"Got it."
A short while later, Jin Yu Warrior entered the room.
"You called for me?"
"Yes, have a seat."
"No, I'll stand."
"If that's more comfortable, fine. But the talk might drag on... and my throat's a bit sore."
Only then did Jin Yu Warrior nod and sit.
"Do you know about the Murim Alliance's latent fish by any chance?"
At my question, he sighed and nodded.
"Of course."
"Is Yang Eun-jik one of them?"
"Yes, he's one of the latent fish."
Just as Master said.
And if Jin Yu knew, this might resolve more easily.
"I actually saw him at the wedding banquet in Beijing. I was debating whether to report it."
He bowed his head to me.
"My apologies for not reporting sooner."
"It's fine. I understand it was hard to judge. I'm not the type who can't comprehend that. So let me give a formal order: If anything like this comes up in the future, report it immediately."
"Understood. But... how did you learn about him?"
"The Gold Guard warriors were watching him. I heard the name from them and asked Master about it."
"I see."
He nodded and continued.
"Yang Eun-jik hasn't been a latent fish for long—about five years, as far as I know. But he's succeeded in several major operations. We don't know each other's missions, though..."
"That makes sense."
"But I know about ones I was involved in, or others. So his swordsmanship, his realm, his weaknesses..."
He knew more than I'd expected.
"And he's the type who'll use any means necessary for his goals."
.
.
.
A few days later.
Jin Yeong Daehyeop came to see me.
"This junior greets the great hero."
"Thank you for the warm welcome."
"Why say such distant words?"
"Hahaha."
But his expression wasn't all that bright.
Did something happen?
"Truth be told, I came to you for help."
"My help?"
"It seems Yang Eun-jik has caught on that we're onto him."
"Pardon?"
"We lost track of him. Must've been a mistake on our side."
"......"
Damn! They lost him?
After I even told him I was a martial artist?
I sighed but quickly composed myself.
Even without me, that warrior must have gotten an earful for the blunder.
"We can't find him now. He's definitely the linchpin, so we need him to root out the traitors for sure..."
"So you're asking me to track him down?"
"Yes."
"But if even the Gold Guard can't find him, how could a mere merchant like me?"
"Ah, sorry. Misunderstanding. I want you to speculate on where he might be hiding."
"Narrowing the search area."
"Exactly. Our manpower isn't infinite."
But it still didn't make sense.
Yang Eun-jik was a martial artist; the Gold Guard, with their ties to the martial world, should know better.
I looked at Jin Yeong Daehyeop with that doubt.
Seeing the dark circles under his eyes, I could guess their plight.
They'd exhausted every option.
Half desperation, half faint hope—that's why he'd come.
Honestly, I couldn't fathom the Murim Alliance's goal.
Craving power?
But they couldn't be ignorant of the palace's might—not just military and finances, but more supreme masters than the Alliance itself.
They had to know this attempt would fail.
Then why...?
Maybe they wanted chaos?
Rebellion's success or failure would bring turmoil. It'd mean countless deaths and rivers of blood.
They weren't the Blood Cult, mad for blood...
The Blood Cult had been eradicated by the Murim Alliance long ago. Extreme Heaven Sword, who used Heavenly Flow Ice Sword as his signature, had led the charge.
New cult leaders had emerged since, but their power had waned; they were effectively gone.
Speaking of which, the Blood Cult Lord sealed in the Wudang Clan...
Thud.
Jin Yeong Daehyeop set the bundle of documents he'd brought on the table, snapping me from my thoughts.
"Here are the files."
"Isn't this classified?"
"It is. But aren't you an inspecting envoy? You have clearance."
"......"
"I beg you."
"I'll do my best."
I picked up the documents and began reading intently. It seemed he wouldn't leave until I said something.
And truthfully, I didn't like the Murim Alliance's schemes either.
This was a chance to strike them using the palace's blade.
Fortunately...
I'd been wondering how to share what Jin Yu Warrior told me, and now they handed me these files.
Relaying it directly would be risky.
They were favorable now, but who knew for how long?
I'd taken Jin Yu Warrior in at first due to the Formless Sword Sect's head's request.
But now he was my man.
I had to protect my own.
And Yang Eun-jik was dangerous.
Even from what Jin Yu knew, he'd already killed several innocents.
In this life, it was best if he vanished around now.
Who knew what disaster he'd cause next...
Just imagining it gave me a headache.
"Hm..."
Flipping through the files, I set them down and spoke.
"Jin Yeong Daehyeop, have you looked into tunnels?"
"Tunnels?"
"Yes. See here—a report says Yang Eun-jik's hem had dirt on it."
"Right. But couldn't it just be from walking around? It rained recently."
"Look closely: the dirt's at the very end of the sleeves. Martial artists always keep their arms raised, not dangling."
I continued.
"Don't Gold Guard warriors do the same?"
Jin Yeong Daehyeop moved his arms experimentally, his face lighting up in realization.
"Heavens! You're right! I didn't notice—we do it unconsciously."
"Anyway, dirt only at the ends of both sleeves means dirt on both sides."
I went on.
"Think about it: what narrow, dirt-walled path would soil both sleeve ends?"
"A tunnel!"
"That's what I think."
This was my own deduction. Maybe from finding the real Tang Yeon-chil in the Sacheon Tang Clan before?
Now, time to pass on what Jin Yu Warrior said.
I flipped through the files, subtly weaving in Jin Yu's info.
"Hooh..."
Jin Yeong Daehyeop's eyes sparkled.
"Truly grateful! Coming to you was the right call!"
"Hahaha, glad I could help."
Seeing his brightened face, a ominous thought crossed my mind.
He won't try to drag me to the palace by force for being so capable, will he?
Hahaha, no way.
Right...?