Rebellion: The Hidden Tunnel
Jin Yeong Daehyeop arrived at a shop in the marketplace.
It was the place where the Gold Guard had lost track of Yang Eun-jik.
In truth, they had interrogated several people who had met with him and secretly learned the location of their agreed-upon rendezvous.
They had planned to disguise themselves as those people's proxies and attend.
But an absurd mistake had tipped off Yang Eun-jik to their presence, derailing the raid as well.
Naturally, the commander had thrown a fit, and the one responsible had been beaten to a pulp.
'And yet his limbs are still intact... that old man sure is something.'
Jin Yeong had come here on Eun Seo-ho's advice.
'A tunnel...'
Honestly, he had come grasping at straws.
Eun Seo-ho's insight was no joke, but this felt like a whole different league.
Yet after glancing at the reports, he had suggested the possibility of a tunnel within moments.
Jin Yeong had half-doubted its existence.
A tunnel right in the heart of Beijing...?
But if he didn't try something—anything—the next one getting thrashed by the commander would be him.
He ordered the Gold Guard.
"Search every inch around here!"
"Yes, sir!"
"Egmonim!"
"Aigoo!"
The shop's staff shrank back under the Gold Guard's fierce momentum.
At that moment, one employee protested.
"Didn't you already tear the place apart last time? It took forever to clean up... why again?"
"It's unavoidable for the sake of the nation."
Jin Yeong replied coldly and stepped inside. As he poked around, something caught his eye.
A massive bookshelf flush against the wall.
'Like books, do they?'
Inspecting the shelves, he saw dust piled thick on the books.
'Just for show, then.'
He recalled hearing that some merchants stocked books just to look refined.
'What a waste.'
He grumbled and started to move on—then froze. One book had no dust.
'Why this one...?'
Jin Yeong pulled it out.
But it stuck at about two-thirds, caught on something.
Clunk.
"...!"
Instead, a mechanical clunk echoed.
Sure enough, he pushed the shelves, and one slid back—a revolving door.
He immediately called a subordinate.
"Yes! You called, sir?"
"Request reinforcements right now."
"Pardon?"
"Hurry! This might be more than we can handle alone."
"Yes, sir!"
Watching his subordinate rush toward the palace, Jin Yeong marveled.
'Eun Gongja was right...'
Now he understood why the Emperor coveted him so.
'Should I just drag him into the Gold Guard?'
* * *
"Ugh..."
I shuddered involuntarily, a sudden chill running through me.
"What's wrong, young master?"
I shook my head at Palgap's question.
"Nothing. Just felt a cold draft out of nowhere."
"No way you caught that summer cold even dogs don't get?"
"...I don't get colds."
"Ahem, right you are."
"You're sneakily poking at me, huh?"
"Misunderstanding, young master."
"Yeah, sure."
I shouldn't feel chills like this... weird.
Feeling stiff all over, I stood from my seat.
Sitting too long—my back ached.
Should I ask Gongmil to make a back-friendly chair?
"What time is it?"
"You-si, young master."
"Dinner time. Wanna go out for something tasty for once?"
"..."
"No answer? Fine if you don't want to..."
Turning, I saw Palgap already at the door.
"What're you waiting for? Coming or not?"
Palgap might look slow, but he's quick on the uptake.
.
.
.
I gave the Hyunpoong Company staff generous dinner funds and sent them off to eat well.
My group headed to a nearby duck restaurant.
Roast duck tonight.
This place was a favorite from my previous life.
And the same spot I'd taken Kwak Hyeong-jin and Seok Il-song before.
Anticipating the meal as we walked, my senses picked up something off.
This is killing intent?
Seo-u Warrior and Jin Yu Warrior swiftly surrounded me.
Yeo Eung-am Warrior and I-pil Warrior turned back-to-back with me.
Focusing my senses, I heard clashing cold weapons.
Sounded serious.
A blade fight here in Beijing, not far from the palace?
As I wondered, the sounds grew closer.
We ran into clashing groups—one familiar face among them.
Gold Guard daehyeops.
Then the others...?
"...!"
Another familiar face, in a different way: Yang Eun-jik.
Are these the treason plotters?
They spotted us, encircled us with swords drawn, and yelled at the Gold Guard daehyeops.
"Don't come any closer!"
"One more step, and these hostages die!"
The Gold Guard faltered.
I chuckled inwardly.
Hah, so now we're hostages to the rebels?
Things twist up just like that, huh?
But get this?
We have two peak experts—no, three including me.
I sighed.
"This qualifies as self-defense."
"I agree."
Clang-!
With those words, the sword aimed at me flew off.
Thud-!
Seo-u Warrior kneed his chest, sending him airborne.
That sparked it.
We always wear long robes that hide our swords when heading to restaurants—no intimidating other diners.
They must've thought we were civilians.
Bold enough to take us hostage.
Soon the other warriors joined, flipping the battle in seconds.
The Gold Guard daehyeops snapped to and attacked.
Then—
"Kuh!"
"Yeo Warrior!"
Yeo Eung-am's foes were tough; he took a hit.
He barely dodged follow-ups with Naeryeo Ta-gon techniques, but looked precarious.
Damn!
I kicked off and flew to him.
Clang-!
Blocking the incoming sword.
"Isn't that a bit too cowardly?"
"Cowardice means nothing before death."
"Surviving comes first!"
"Fair point."
I smirked, channeling qi.
Cheonryu Binggeom, first form.
Qi lashed out like a whip from my sword, striking them.
"Kuhk!"
"Grooo!"
"Guh!"
They flew back, crashing into walls, vomiting blood and collapsing.
But...
"Yang Eun-jik's escaping!"
"Pursue him!"
As the Gold Guard daehyeops scrambled, their leader approached us.
"Must've been startling—thanks for the help."
"You're serving the nation; of course we'd assist. But..."
I asked him.
"Any good trauma doctors nearby?"
My gaze was on Yeo Eung-am Warrior. Blood dripped from his arm.
His face was streaked too, grazed by a blade.
"Oh no, looks bad. Luckily, there's a skilled physician close by. I'll assign someone."
"Thank you."
I turned to Yeo Eung-am.
"Can you walk, Yeo Warrior?"
"Don't worry. No issue moving."
"Good."
"Sorry. My shortcomings..."
"No, I should've stepped in sooner... I'm the sorry one."
A Gold Guard escorted us to the physician—who knew me.
"Huh? Who’s this? Young Master Eun Seo-ho?"
"Good to see you, elder."
He was one of the doctors we supplied herbs to for Eunhae Merchant Group.
The Gold Guard escort startled at my name.
"E-Eun Seo-ho? Of Eunhae Merchant Group?"
"Yes."
"Oh!"
He bowed hastily.
"Truly sorry. Our incompetence injured your comrade."
"..."
I didn't say it was fine.
It wasn't.
The doctor was already treating Yeo Eung-am. The wound looked deeper than thought.
"Sword... can I still wield it?"
The doctor nodded.
"No worries. Missed the vital meridians. Rest a fortnight, and you'll grip it fine."
"Relief."
Yeo Eung-am's first question: about his sword.
I got it—duty as my guard.
Still...
The gash hurt to see.
I told him.
"Take a month off."
"Doctor said half a month..."
"Rest fully for a month. No arguments. If you want to keep guarding me, no sword for that month."
"..."
"Defy me, and I'll have Palgap wheel you around in a wheelchair."
"Ugh!"
His brow furrowed.
Wheelchairs—wheeled chairs for the immobile or weak—sold like hotcakes.
More need than expected.
Knowing I follow through, he nodded.
"Yes, I'll do that."
As the doctor bandaged, I stewed in anger.
Daring to injure my guard?
"Sorry. Failed to stop his escape."
I shook my head at Jin Yu Warrior.
"I told you—he's slippery."
"True, but..."
Then Jin Yeong Daehyeop arrived, tipped off by our escort.
"Daehyeop, you're here."
"What a twist of fate. That... your guard okay?"
"Arm injury—needs a month rest."
"Awful..."
He looked genuinely apologetic.
"As you said, there was a tunnel. Found some hiding there during the search."
"..."
"Fight broke out; they fled via another exit. Chasing them led to this."
"Catch Yang Eun-jik?"
"...Slipped away."
He sighed.
"What's done is done. Blame bad luck—we were just walking there."
I sighed too.
"Apologies belong to the injured, not me."
Jin Yeong nodded.
"You're right."
He approached Yeo Eung-am and apologized.
That showed his character—hard for someone of rank to bow like that.
"I'll take my leave."
"Safe travels."
"...Hoo, truly sorry."
One last apology, then he hurried off.
I approached Yeo Eung-am—bandages on, treatment done.
"Seo-u Warrior, Jin Yu Warrior."
"Yes."
"Let's handle something together."
I continued.
"You know me—I don't let slights slide."
They nodded.
Regret gnawed at me now.
Jin Yu had warned Yang was dangerous, but I hadn't ended him early—feared drawing Murim Alliance attention.
Left it to Gold Guard, stayed hands-off.
My caution got my guard hurt.
Even reliving life, regrets persist—bitter.
Once is enough.
Seo-u spoke.
"My liege, calm your anger. Yeo Eung-am's injury is partly our fault. We're not strong enough..."
"If you say that, what can I say?"
I-pil scratched his head.
"I was too weak. My apologies."
"I'll train harder."
Their apologies drew a chuckle from me.
"If anyone's apologizing, it's me—for dragging us to dinner..."
"No way! Eating's vital, young master!"
Palgap's quip lightened the mood—we all laughed.
"True, eating matters."
"Yeah."
Anger eased.
I breathed deep, facing them.
"Anyway, we catch that bastard."