324. Settling Accounts Cleanly (2)
Soon they drew their swords and charged.
"I'll tear you to shreds and feed you to the wild beasts! Raaah!"
There were about ten of them.
When they'd first ambushed us, it felt like there were twice that many.
Since we hadn't shown our true strength in the initial clash, they still seemed clueless about our real power.
That must be why they were charging in, deluded by their numerical advantage and their own skills.
Well, my guards and I were the unusual ones here.
It wasn't easy to gather so many first-rate or peak experts at our age.
Sure, you can measure lengths to compare, but sometimes you know without even trying.
Like right now.
Thwack!
"Oof!"
Slash!
"Gah!"
Our attackers crumpled in an instant.
I strolled leisurely toward the one who seemed to be their leader.
"I won't say a word. Just kill me!"
"From what I overheard earlier, you seemed to know who your superiors are. You really won't talk?"
"That's right."
Hmm, playing tough, huh... What to do with him?
After a moment's thought, I grinned.
Why was I even agonizing over this? If he won't talk to me, I'll just make him talk in front of someone else.
"Bind him tight."
"What do you plan to do with him?"
"Gift him to His Majesty the Emperor. He'll like that, won't he?"
At my words, the man's face drained of color, and he quickly tried to bite his tongue.
Thud!
"Urk!"
Not so fast.
I struck the back of his head to stop him, then sealed his acupoints to immobilize him.
"What about the others?"
"We'll take them along. Isn't it common courtesy to bring back a little souvenir from a trip? Perfect gifts for His Majesty."
Two had died in the fight, leaving eight.
Conveniently, we numbered eight as well, so dragging them bound wasn't much trouble.
"Shall we finish dinner, then?"
I'd only gotten one bite of that roasted venison earlier.
We tied up the black path thugs so they couldn't try anything, hanging them from trees.
Then we gathered around the campfire again and resumed eating the venison.
"Palgap, got any wild sesame leaves?"
"Yes, young master."
"Sprinkle some on. Let's make it tasty."
Wild sesame was pricey, but nothing beat it for cutting gamey smells.
Might as well enjoy it properly.
Gulp!
We ignored the swallowing sounds from behind and finished our meal.
The next morning, we arrived at Nanzhou ferry.
While looking for a boat, we spotted a welcome face.
"No way! Isn't that the Swordsman Beauty Daehyeop?"
It was the captain and crew from the boat we'd taken to Nanzhou before.
"Good to see you again."
"And who's trailing behind?"
"Ah... black path warriors. We're escorting them."
He nodded as if grasping the situation.
"You'll need a safe, fast vessel, then."
"Exactly. We're headed to Kaifeng."
He broke into a bright smile.
"Fate's given me a chance to repay your kindness. How about our boat? We can leave for Kaifeng right away."
"But we won't fill the quota, so wouldn't you take a loss?"
"Repaying a favor means accepting the cost, doesn't it? Please don't refuse."
I appreciated that. I'd tip extra when we arrived.
"Then we'll impose on you."
We'd come straight to the ferry, so we weren't prepped to board.
We needed provisions and supplies, but the bound prisoners were an issue.
With acupoints sealed and ropes tight, they should be fine, but you never know.
Then I remembered something I'd received recently.
"This stuff?"
"Yes. If there's any left, share some. Might come in handy."
"You worked hard this time. Here."
"Thank you."
The sleeping poison from Bang No-sa. Perfect for feeding to these guys.
According to Bang No-sa, half a grain of rice's worth knocked you out for ten hours straight.
Hence, sleeping poison, not just a sedative.
The stronger the effect, the worse the side effects from overdose.
You'd sleep days without waking, then feel dreamlike and foggy-headed. Naturally, days of immobility led to malnutrition, muscle atrophy, weakness.
But hey, easier for me, right?
They'd earned those side effects.
As Bang No-sa said, they succumbed to the sleeping poison instantly.
To check if they were faking, I poked them with needles—no reaction. Definitely out.
Still cautious, I had Jin Yu Warrior and Chang Un Warrior guard them while the rest of us bought supplies.
"This time we're going downriver, so it'll be much faster. But rougher—hold on tight."
"Got it."
With that, the boat set off.
He had a nightmare.
A terrifyingly handsome ghost was tormenting him.
"Dog-tired oritang soup, dog-tired stir-fried noodles, dog-tired dumplings, dog-tired liquor. Dig in."
"No! No more dog-tired anything!"
"Eat up. If you don't, all that dog-tired suffering was for nothing."
"Waaah!"
He screamed himself awake.
But he had to blink in shock.
He'd jolted awake from some horrifying words... and that handsome ghost was right there.
"Gh-ghost! Aaaah!"
"Hey, time to snap out of it."
"Uwaaah! G-ghost!"
Slap!
His cheek burned, finally clearing his head.
"There we go, calmed down. Side effect?"
The young man—Eun Seo-ho—muttered something incomprehensible.
"We're here. Beijing."
At Eun Seo-ho's words, he stared blankly.
Beijing? What's that? Sounded familiar...
"Gasp!"
He remembered drinking tea from Eun Seo-ho.
Then drowsiness... a quick nap? And now Beijing?
Unbelievable.
"You must've been exhausted. Slept like a rock the whole way."
That mocking smile.
Truth be told, he'd cheered inwardly at the boat ride.
His secret skill was aquatic prowess—unknown to the others.
He'd planned to slip away at an opportunity, but it was too late.
"Take him."
"Yes!"
Gold Guards gagged and dragged him again.
A sudden thought struck him.
If he'd spilled about his superiors when Eun Seo-ho asked, he'd probably have gotten a merciful death.
I glanced at the prisoners being hauled off by the Gold Guards.
That sleeping poison from Bang No-sa was incredibly effective. I'd ask him for more.
Then Palgap spoke up.
"Why'd that guy scream 'ghost' at you, young master?"
"Still half-asleep, probably. Anyway, I'll head to the palace. Go to the lodgings first."
"Yes, sir."
I followed the eunuch into the palace, but a queasy sensation hit me.
Couldn't explain it—just felt wrong.
Did those guys have something I didn't know about?
"Wait!"
I rushed toward where the black path group had been taken.
"Huh?"
No trace of them.
Where? Where'd they go?
The eunuch caught up, panting.
"I know the way to the prison is this way. But where'd they go?"
"N-now that you mention it, that's odd."
The eunuch looked flustered, scanning around.
He clearly knew nothing about this.
I closed my eyes, focusing my senses. Fortunately, I knew their auras.
That repulsive black path energy.
Where? Where are they?
"...!"
I opened my eyes.
"That way!"
I pointed and ran.
The eunuch kept pace—must be from the Eastern Depot.
The place I reached was a secluded corner of the palace.
There, Gold Guards were swinging swords at the black path men I'd handed over.
What the hell?
I had to stop them now, but there was a problem.
No weapons allowed in the palace inner grounds.
Aha!
I pulled silver coins from my pouch, infused them with inner power, and hurled them.
Whoosh!
Clang!
The coins clashed with swords, ringing out loudly.
"What do you think you're doing?"
They panicked at my arrival, murmuring.
"D-damn."
They hesitated, then charged me all at once.
Spotting I was unarmed, they aimed to kill and silence.
Think I'd let that happen?
Whoosh!
Thud!
I dodged and subdued them using palace martial arts.
Without weapons, palace techniques were my only option.
I had Master's arts and Extreme Yin Soul Ice Palm, but showing them openly was risky—too domineering for palace use.
My goal was to restrain or stall, so palace arts sufficed.
Thud!
Wham!
Odd. There were eight Gold Guards initially—where'd the other four go?
Anyway, I took down all four.
It took time, limited to immature palace arts without weapons.
These were definitely accomplices, trying to silence my captives.
I finally understood why the Emperor summoned Bang No-sa to the palace.
Factions opposing him had grown bold enough for intrigue inside the palace.
To crush them, he needed specialized talent.
Bang No-sa was perfect.
I'd suspected as much since leaving the palace with that letter last time.
But who were these factions?
Then the eunuch arrived with Gold Guard reinforcements.
So that's where he'd gone—calling backup.
"Young Master Eun Seo-ho! You alright?"
"Y-yeah, fine."
"What happened?"
I explained everything.
"...So I subdued them."
"Such a thing in the palace! My deepest apologies."
The eunuch and Gold Guards apologized, then bound the ones I'd downed.
They prepared to haul everyone off.
Then the black path leader shook his head violently, trying to write on the ground with his foot.
He had something to say?
I requested his gag be removed; a Gold Guard obliged briefly.
Angry at his superiors' betrayal? Or heard something he shouldn't?
He spat out harshly.
"I'll tell everything."
"Pardon?"
"About this whole affair—everything! All of it!"
Looks like his superiors made a big blunder this time.
After wrapping that up, I soon had an audience with the Emperor.
"Your subject Eun Seo-ho, returned after fulfilling Your Majesty's command."
Time to work that silver tongue.
As I thought that gleefully, the Emperor snorted.
"So, how much do you plan to squeeze out of me?"
"Pardon? What do you mean?"
"Think I don't know you? You're plotting to wring something from me."
Caught.
In this situation, denying it—"What harsh words, Your Majesty? I wouldn't dream"—would just prompt, "Oh? Alright then," and he'd shut me down cold.
No way!
After all the money I'd spent.
I decided to go bold.
"As expected of the wise Emperor. You see right through my heart—tears well up."
I thought sad thoughts and let a tear drop.
"Bullshit."
He spotted the forced tear. Haha.
His words were sharp, but his expression wasn't annoyed. Seemed grateful, even.
"So, how much are you claiming?"
"I've prepared a list."
I pulled another paper from my sleeve.
Costs tallied before entering the palace.
"Heh, thoroughly prepared."
The Emperor took it via the eunuch and examined it.
Then he narrowed his eyes at me.
Choose words carefully.
"Merciful Emperor. Every expense has its reason."