Chapter 260: Luoyang Shadows (4)
Returning to the inn, I hung the light blue cloth over the window.
The next morning.
A letter arrived. It instructed me to come to the alley between Yumi Restaurant and Chaeil Restaurant before lunch.
I prepared myself and headed there.
As I waited in the alley for a moment, an old woman approached me.
Ha…….
I couldn't help but let out a gasp of admiration.
If not for the faint trace of youthful energy, I would have truly taken her for an old woman.
She spoke to me.
"Quite an interesting incident occurred at this banquet, didn't it?"
"Yes, but I was displeased. The man he targeted is a close friend of mine."
Palgap and even the escort warriors looked startled by our conversation.
Seo-u Warrior shook his head in particular.
Well, with disguise skills like these, it made sense that she knew about the imperial palace affairs and could report them to my father.
Chunil sighed at my words.
"I'd always known he was greedy and would cause a major scandal someday……."
"But…… both you and that man from yesterday have remarkable disguise skills."
Chunil nodded.
"We had no choice. We learned under the same master."
That explained it.
So that's why he's so good at disguises.
"What about your master, then?"
"He got caught stealing from a noble clan's treasure vault and died. He barely escaped, but his wound from the sword festered."
"……."
I cleared my throat awkwardly.
"Ahem. So, how many disciples were there?"
"Just that stubborn one and me—only two. Strictly speaking, I'm his senior brother."
"I see. But is his name really Geunseong?"
"Yes. Master named him that because of his tenacity."
Just as I'd suspected—but it was true?
As I looked dumbfounded, Chunil furrowed her brow and added,
"But something feels off."
"……?"
"He's greedy, sure, but with his skills, he could have swept up all the silver plaques without resorting to such risks……."
Hm?
"Before I backed off, we took turns cleaning out the silver plaques."
Now that she mentioned it, it did seem strange.
His disguise skills rivaled Chunil's.
He could have easily disguised himself as a harmless errand boy or servant and stolen them without issue. So why go to the extreme of kidnapping and impersonating one of the attendees at the Hundred Great Merchants' gathering?
I pondered briefly, but the answer came quickly.
The silver plaques weren't the real goal.
There had to be another objective, but the problem was figuring out what it was.
"Can you investigate any accomplices who might have worked with him on this?"
"Of course."
I pulled a gold ingot from my pouch and offered it. Chunil's eyes widened at the sight of it gleaming in the sunlight.
"Wh-what is this?"
"Isn't this a personal commission? Consider it my fee."
Chunil tucked the ingot into her bosom and prostrated herself on the spot.
"I pledge my loyalty."
"Ah, and……."
"Yes, speak."
"What's the weakness of this Geunseong fellow? I might need to blackmail him a bit."
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That day,
after lunch, I headed to the inn where Sub-branch Leader Bokyun was staying.
We could have met for lunch together, but it wasn't prearranged.
Some might say that close friends can just drop by and eat together, but I believe even close relationships require certain courtesies.
So I'd sent word to Palgap before lunch and received permission to visit.
"Come in!"
Sub-branch Leader Bokyun greeted me warmly.
"Did you enjoy your lunch?"
"Yes. I had some simple dumplings."
"Dumplings are always delicious. Come in and have some tea."
The inn where Sub-branch Leader Bokyun was staying was also a fine establishment. Not only the Gwangjun Merchant Group but other merchant groups were lodged there as well.
Even in a grand city like Luoyang, there weren't that many inns fit for the Hundred Great Merchants.
I exchanged greetings with the other sub-branch leader and entered Bokyun's room.
"Does the tea suit your taste?"
"It's excellent tea. Full of flavor."
"I'm glad it suits you. But…… you didn't come just to chat, did you?"
"What makes you say that?"
"Aren't you busy? Especially now, with the Dragon-Phoenix Martial Assembly approaching and your group handling the medicinal herbs."
Indeed.
While the Eunhae Merchant Group had expanded into various fields, it was originally renowned for its herbs.
And with the martial assembly producing countless injuries, demand for herbs soared.
Participants brought basic supplies, of course.
But they often needed more, or their stock spoiled.
For our merchant group, it was a prime season.
"Honestly, yes. Still, I wanted to see my friend's face more than anything."
"Your words alone are thanks enough. So, what's the business?"
"I'd like to meet the fake who impersonated you yesterday. I've uncovered his identity, but it looks better if you, the victim, confront him."
He nodded at my words.
"Truth be told, I'd like to see his face too. We'll need to send a letter to arrange it."
"Ah, I already did. And got permission."
"……You're quick."
We headed to the Sebin Merchant Group's local branch.
Sebin had a branch in Luoyang, where they were staying.
"Welcome."
Young Master In, whom I'd seen at the gathering, greeted us.
"My grandfather and father are occupied, so I've come out in their stead."
"No need to apologize. We're grateful for your welcome."
"Would you like some tea?"
"Thank you, but I'd prefer to see that man from yesterday first."
"Understood. Follow me."
Under Young Master In's guidance, we went to the detention cell. Officially, private individuals couldn't hold prisoners, but there were ways around it.
Like borrowing the cell under the pretext of assistance.
On the way, Young Master In gave a brief explanation.
"We've interrogated him thoroughly, but he's stubborn—insists it was a solo act."
"I see. Quite the tough one."
We soon reached the cell and saw the man I'd grabbed by the collar and thrown.
His body, chained to the wall, was covered in wounds—he'd been interrogated harshly.
As we approached, he opened his eyes.
"Ah, we've learned his name. Geunseong."
Exactly as I'd heard yesterday.
I met his gaze as I listened.
After I'd exposed him and slammed him down, leading to this state, I expected his eyes to burn with hatred toward me.
But instead, they were filled with relief.
That confirmed the silver plaques weren't his main goal.
I said to Young Master In,
"I'd like a moment alone with him."
"That's……."
He looked troubled, but I offered a suitable excuse.
"It might involve sensitive business matters. I hope for your understanding."
"……."
After a moment's hesitation, he nodded.
"Very well. But tell me anything you learn."
"Of course."
Once Young Master In and Sub-branch Leader Bokyun left, I approached Geunseong.
"I heard you targeted the silver plaques. But my personal informant says you could have swept them up without such risks."
He bit his lip.
"So, what was the real goal?"
"……."
He clamped his mouth shut, but I had information from Chunil.
"You have a younger sister."
"……!"
His eyes widened.
Chunil had told me Geunseong, an orphan, had a sister.
He'd turned to thievery to support her.
"You're enduring this without cracking, so she's being held hostage?"
"Gasp!"
"Who is it? Who forces family into this?"
"I-I can't say. If I do, he'll…… kill my sister."
"I'll protect her."
Chunil had shared this knowing I'd help his sister.
Despite everything, he cared for his junior brother.
"He hired a master called Ghost Hand Sword."
Ghost Hand Sword?
From memory, a black path warrior who wielded the sword ruthlessly, like a ghost's hand.
Infamous for taking any dirty job for the right price.
That made the motive even more puzzling. Hiring someone like him for this…….
"Because he's a peak expert?"
"Yes."
I chuckled and picked up an iron stake from the scattered debris, handing it to Seo-u Warrior.
"Cut this."
It was as thick as my forearm.
Normally, striking it with a sword would just damage the blade. But with sword qi, it was different.
"Got it."
Seo-u Warrior took the stake and hurled it at the wall.
Thud-!
He swung his sword at the embedded stake.
Slash-!
Thud.
Geunseong's jaw dropped as the stake fell like tofu.
"This should be enough to take down Ghost Hand Sword, don't you think?"
He composed his shock and pleaded desperately.
"Promise me you'll protect my sister's family."
"Of course."
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That night.
I took Seo-u Warrior and Jin Yu Warrior to the location Geunseong had revealed.
Since it required stealth, only the two warriors accompanied me on this midnight venture.
Geunseong's sister's home.
She had married and was living ordinarily.
Suppressing our presence, we approached and sensed the watcher.
Disgusting.
I instantly knew it was Ghost Hand Sword.
Of all places, in Luoyang…….
Did he fear the Murim Alliance? Or was he that confident?
Well, they wouldn't bother with small fries like him unless he caused real trouble.
—Let's go.
Seo-u and Jin Yu Warriors nodded at my sound transmission. Seo-u approached him.
"Who are you?"
Without a word, Seo-u swung his sword.
Ghost Hand Sword was at the peak realm.
I didn't care why someone with such skill stooped to filth.
His reputation held true—he dodged.
"Damn it!"
Jin Yu joined, launching a pincer attack.
I didn't stand idle either.
There were others watching besides him—black path aura clung to them.
No mercy needed. That much darkness meant they'd committed atrocities.
I drew Silver Mist Sword and charged.
"Gasp! Who…… Ack!"
Their words cut short as my sword slit their throats.
Then, one slipped through a gap.
As if.
The fourth form of Twelve Snow Sword Style, Snow Wind, merged with the ninth, Snow Light, erupted from my hand.
Lightning sword atop swift sword.
Silver Mist Sword shot out invisibly fast, embedding in his skull.
Splat-!
I retrieved it. By then, the fight with Ghost Hand Sword neared its end.
Stab-!
Jin Yu's sword pierced his heart from behind, and Seo-u's, fluttering like a butterfly, severed his neck.
Thud.
I glanced coldly at the corpse.
"Good work."
Geunseong's sister's safety was secured.
Now, to catch the mastermind through him.
Report to the authorities first.
We'd say we found the bodies on the road.
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A few days later.
Palgap brought new information.
"Yeongssi Merchant House has been turned upside down."
Not Hundred Great level, but a sizable Hubei merchant group I knew by name.
"Not just officials—Murim Alliance warriors raided them too. Evidence linking to the black path's Ghost Hand Sword."
I already knew from Geunseong's confession.
"Why resort to such folly……."
Then, I sensed a group entering the inn.
Father's voice followed.
"Seo-ho! Sebin Merchant Leader is here."
As the door opened, Sebin Merchant Leader rushed over and seized my hands.
I'd expected a visit, but sooner than thought.