Rebellion (3)
To catch Yang Eun-jik, they first had to find the fugitive.
How could they track him down...
Oh, right. Just as I said, they really found that tunnel, and he was hiding there.
Which means there might be something belonging to this Yang Eun-jik left behind in that place.
"Seo-u Warrior."
"Yes."
"Please tell Jin Yeong Daehyeop that I'd like to see the tunnel myself. Say I'll offer my full cooperation."
"Understood."
A short while later.
As expected, Jin Yeong Daehyeop returned to the physician's residence.
His face was slightly flushed, a sign that my proposal had pleased him quite a bit.
"I heard from your bodyguard."
"Upon reflection, I realized that until we catch him, Beijing won't know true peace."
I continued.
"Even if our Eunhae Merchant Group's branch here is completed, how could we focus on business with a man like that running wild?"
"You're right."
Jin Yeong Daehyeop nodded.
"Follow me. I'll show you to the tunnel."
"Thank you."
We trailed behind Jin Yeong Daehyeop and soon arrived at a shop on the commercial street.
Gold Guards stood watch with grim expressions.
"This is the place."
At the sight of Jin Yeong Daehyeop, the Gold Guards bowed deeply. It was a stark reminder of his high rank.
"We found it purely by chance. We were inspecting the floor, thinking it was an underground tunnel, but then I noticed something odd about these bookshelves. One book was completely dust-free."
"To spot that! Impressive, sir."
At my praise, he waved it off with an embarrassed smile.
"If you pull this book like so..."
Clunk.
"...the shelf rotates like a revolving door, revealing the passage."
Sure enough, one bookshelf spun around like a hidden door.
Behind it lay an unmistakable underground tunnel.
"Let's go in."
"Yes."
Jin Yeong Daehyeop ordered a nearby Gold Guard to fetch torches, and the man soon returned with them.
The daehyeop lit one and handed a couple to us.
He entered first, and we followed, torches in hand.
The gently sloping passage was just wide and tall enough for one person holding a torch to pass.
I wondered why we needed torches, he thought. But there's not a single ray of light inside.
A tunnel right in the heart of Beijing—talk about dedication.
After walking for about half a gak, a large open space appeared before us.
Jin Yeong Daehyeop hung his torch on the wall.
The chamber lit up immediately.
Ah, mirrors placed to maximize the light. Clever.
It was a rectangular room built for efficiency, walled with rammed earth bricks on all sides.
"This is where they gathered. Looks like they even ate and slept here."
Sure enough, traces were everywhere: bowls, utensils, pots, and more.
Which meant there was a good chance something of Yang Eun-jik's was left behind.
A super first-rate master could track someone's energy to find their belongings...
But I wasn't at that level yet, so deduction it was.
Let's see...
Yang Eun-jik had been hiding here when Gold Guard warriors raided suddenly. He'd fled in a panic.
Did he have time to grab his things?
No.
That's why his personal items were scattered about.
The money pouch over there hadn't even been taken in his haste.
And...
The Yang Eun-jik I'd seen today wasn't wearing a yugeon headscarf.
"...!"
I smiled.
There, by what could be called the head of the room—a simple bedding setup—lay a fallen yugeon.
The very one he'd worn to Seon-mi’s wedding before.
I glanced at Palgap and subtly pointed at Jin Yeong Daehyeop.
The quick-witted Palgap smoothly positioned himself between me and the daehyeop.
In that moment, I slipped the golden spirit beast from my sleeve.
"Remember this scent."
"Kku..."
Thump.
I quickly clamped my hand over its mouth and whispered.
"Quietly."
After letting it sniff the scent, I stood as if nothing had happened.
Anything else worth salvaging?
I scanned around and soon shook my head.
The Gold Guards had already searched thoroughly. Time to go.
That's when it happened.
"My lord. Take a look at this."
At Jin Yu Warrior's words, we approached. He pointed to a smooth section of wall.
Bricks stacked tight.
"What's this?"
He glanced at Jin Yeong Daehyeop behind me before answering.
"While examining the wall, I accidentally pressed on it and found this. If you push this brick like so..."
Jin Yu Warrior pressed one brick.
Rumble.
The brick slid back, and another below it popped out.
But it wasn't a brick.
It was a brick-shaped drawer.
Papers inside. I picked one up and unfolded it.
"... "
I handed it to Jin Yeong Daehyeop, who read it.
"...!"
His eyes widened.
"Looks like we've found something crucial."
"Y-Yes, indeed."
It was a blood oath document, signed by those plotting rebellion.
The names were more illustrious than expected.
The recently dismissed former Ministers of the Household and Works had signed it.
And an unexpected one: Prince Chungjin.
The current Emperor's cousin.
He'd been the frontrunner for the throne until the previous Emperor named the current one successor, dashing his hopes.
Anyway, this document was so vital they'd hidden it here.
The others were equally damning: future plans, detailed orders, and more.
"I must see Commander Yeong immediately."
"Yes, please do."
"Thanks for today."
With that, we exited the tunnel. I stopped by the physician's to pick up Yeo Eung-am Warrior and returned to my quarters.
"Jin Yu Warrior."
"Yes."
"Finding that pressing one brick pops out another—was that really a coincidence?"
He nodded at my question.
"No, I didn't know the exact spot, but I knew the method. It's one way they hide important documents."
"I see. I'm so glad we have you."
"... "
But at my words, Jin Yu Warrior fell silent, staring blankly at me.
"Did I say something wrong?"
"No. It's just... I've never heard words like that before."
Never heard something like that...
I could imagine the harsh life he'd led.
I need to say things like this more often.
"Looking forward to working with you."
"That's my line."
I couldn't help but wonder what the Martial Alliance Leader's reaction would be if he learned his own assassin was thwarting his plans.
"By the way, does Yang Eun-jik know your face?"
He nodded.
"I always wore a mask during operations. Few know my face, and he's not one of them."
"Good."
Relieved, I told Jin Yu Warrior to gather everyone.
Then I pulled out Goldie and offered a silver coin.
"Kkwi?"
"Here, eat this and find the owner of that yugeon I mentioned."
Goldie's eyes sparkled at the silver coin.
It hopped up, gulped the coin from my hand, sniffed around, and bolted out the window.
Meanwhile, Jin Yu Warrior brought the others.
About one gak later.
Goldie returned through the window, panting. I caught it gently in both hands.
One gak...
Not too far, but not close either.
He fled farther than I thought.
"Shall we go?"
* * *
Yang Eun-jik sighed as he surveyed the forest around him.
"They won't follow this far."
He sat on a tree stump to catch his breath.
"How the hell did they find that place?"
A few days ago, he'd sensed he was being tailed.
Gold Guards.
He'd expected them to catch on eventually, but not so soon.
By his calculations, they should've realized only after he'd finished the job and cut ties.
By then, the plot would be in motion, and they'd be too busy containing it.
Anyway, he'd slipped into the tunnel fast.
Perfectly concealed despite years of existence, it had never been exposed.
So he'd felt safe... until the Gold Guards burst in, sending him fleeing in terror.
Now all he had was his sword.
"Whew, that was close. What do I tell him..."
At least there was no word about the documents he'd hidden.
They must not have found them. How could they know I stashed them there?
So it wasn't a total failure yet.
There was still a chance to salvage things.
He was the Martial Alliance's assassin.
His role this time: linking the former Ministers of the Household and Works with Prince Chungjin, the Emperor's cousin.
Chungjin's support was weak.
The ex-ministers harbored grudges against the Emperor who ousted them but lacked legitimacy.
His mission was to stoke them into uniting for rebellion.
Not to make it succeed—but to spark it.
He knew it wouldn't.
Honestly, he wondered why bother with a doomed plot.
But he guessed the Alliance Leader disliked the palace's growing power.
A civil war would cost the Emperor dearly. And it'd reveal the palace's true strength.
Sure, many would die, but he didn't care.
As long as he advanced, what did it matter?
He was first-rate, stuck at a wall for years.
Then the Leader made an offer.
"Follow my orders on a few tasks, and I'll teach you a martial art."
"A martial art, my lord?"
"One I created myself. It should break your wall and take you to the pinnacle realm."
Pinnacle realm.
Beyond that wall, even becoming a division leader wasn't a dream.
After a brief rest, he stood and dusted his clothes.
They won't search forever. I'll retrieve them after they pull out...
The documents were important, but not urgently needed.
First, report and contain the damage.
That's when it happened.
A chilling energy from behind.
Instinctively, he drew and swung his sword.
Clang-!
The attacking blade bounced off. He glimpsed his assailant's face.
Not bare-faced.
A smiling face... mask?
That's right! The Baekroe Company disappearance!
The Ma Clan lord of Henan Taekyung had invested heavily in the Alliance's escort business.
But the funds vanished en route.
The Ma guards claimed smiling-masked figures stole it.
They'd been drugged, dismissed as hallucinations.
Half of Baekroe Company was dispatched... and vanished.
Yang Eun-jik's gut screamed.
The guards told the truth. And Baekroe's half...
These guys did it!
But he couldn't dwell.
The four masked ones were better than expected.
He gritted his teeth.
Damn, first-rate level. If I were pinnacle...! I'd sacrifice an arm to escape...
The gap between pinnacle and first-rate was vast.
Clang-!
Clang-clang-!
Thud-!
Swords clashed fiercely.
He dodged and countered desperately, but wounds accumulated.
Good they're not pinnacle. I'd be dead already.
He chuckled inwardly.
Pinnacle masters weren't common, especially not ambushing here.
Still, their combined assault was brutal.
Surviving a gak without fatal injury was miraculous.
That miracle birthed another.
Woooong-!
His sword blazed with light. Sword aura—the mark of pinnacle realm.
He exulted.
Pinnacle! I broke through! Finally, pinnacle...
Stab-!
But in that instant, a blade protruded from his gut.