Settle Accounts Cleanly (3)
I diligently explained to the Emperor the legitimacy of my expenditures.
"To be honest, I had no intention of spending such a fortune. But once I learned there were people chasing me, it became extremely difficult to fulfill Your Majesty's request without using that money."
In other words, the reason I'd spent so much was entirely because the Emperor hadn't given me the full details on the dangers or circumstances of this mission.
So, whose fault was that?
"Staying at high-end inns was to catch my pursuers off guard. And using that sum on forged gold in Kaifeng was to lure them elsewhere..."
Midway through my explanation, the Emperor raised his hand.
"Enough."
"Yes, sire!"
"Tsk tsk. It was my mistake to even ask for reasons."
The Emperor clicked his tongue and grumbled.
"Since I failed to explain the details of this matter to you, I'll let it slide this time."
"Your benevolence is as vast as the sea."
I bowed politely, hiding my regret.
Too bad. I could've padded the costs a bit more as hazard pay.
But since the other party was His Majesty the Emperor, this was as far as I could push.
"Oh, and I brought a small gift for Your Majesty. There was a slight issue along the way, though."
"A gift? Ah... you mean those black道 thugs who ambushed you?"
"Exactly."
He already knew. That meant he was also aware of what happened during the handover of that gift.
Thanks to subduing even the Gold Guards I'd pinned down, the gift had doubled in value.
"It was a fine gift indeed."
A smile played on the Emperor's lips.
"I'm sorry for the unpleasantness along the way."
He was smiling, but the chill in his voice wasn't my imagination.
"They'll pay the appropriate price."
"......"
"And it cost you a perfectly good outfit."
Having fought personally, his clothes were a bit torn.
"I'll cover the clothing costs generously."
"I am deeply grateful for your grace."
"And on a personal note, I'm thankful you handled my request so admirably. I entrusted this to you because I believed you could resolve it perfectly."
I could feel the Emperor's profound trust in his words.
"I'll ask you again next time."
"......"
What?
For a moment, my heart, which had been swelling with emotion, shattered into pieces.
Ah... Your Majesty. No, please don't.
Don't call on me next time, I beg you.
The words rose to the tip of my tongue, but I couldn't let them slip out.
"Ah, and this is the reward promised for your service."
"......?"
I received a scroll from the eunuch and unrolled it respectfully. I nearly failed to keep a straight face.
Huh?
"What's wrong? Don't like it? I can take it back if—"
"No! I was just so thrilled I forgot my words for a moment. I'll accept it with utmost gratitude."
Are you insane?
Why on earth would I return this?
"You must be tired. Go rest."
"Yes, this humble merchant shall take his leave."
I quickly paid my respects at the Emperor's dismissal and left the chamber.
.
.
.
"You've come out?"
"Yes."
As I emerged from the palace, the Seo-u Warrior and the Mingjong Warrior were waiting.
"But..."
The Seo-u Warrior's gaze sharpened.
"What's with your clothes?"
"Ah, this?"
As expected of the Seo-u Warrior. He noticed right away.
No hiding it.
"Truth is, there was a bit of trouble inside. It's not something to discuss here—let's talk back at the quarters."
"......Understood."
And so we returned to our temporary lodgings.
"Young master, you're back?"
"You've worked hard, young master."
The Hyeonpung Nation folk staying there greeted me.
"Everyone well in my absence?"
"Of course."
Their faces practically glowed with luster.
Envy-inducing. I come back exhausted from the Emperor's errand.
Oh well. It's my fate.
"Back to your duties, then."
"Yes."
I entered my room, and Palgap emerged.
"Young master, I've drawn a hot bath for you."
"Ah, thanks."
"Eek?"
Palgap startled upon seeing me.
"What happened to your clothes? Did you trip in the palace courtyard?"
"Sigh, there's a story behind it."
Conveniently, the Seo-u Warrior was here too. Might as well explain.
"Truth is, handing over those black道 warriors felt off somehow. So..."
I recounted the whole ordeal.
"Anyway, I subdued them safely and handed them to the Gold Guards."
The Seo-u Warrior nodded at my words.
"The adage holds true: never let your guard down until the end."
"Quite right."
I bathed in the warm water Palgap had prepared and sat at my desk.
I hadn't contacted Father on the way to Gansu, unsure of what might happen.
It had been urgent, after all.
But now that I'd returned safely, I needed to report the details.
And mention what the Emperor had given me.
I took out paper and ink to write a lengthy letter about the mission.
"Geumryeong, come out."
At my call, Geumryeong poked out from my sleeve. But it had something in its mouth.
Huh? That's a silver ingot?
"Where'd you get that silver?"
Geumryeong hopped onto the desk and gestured animatedly to explain.
"Hm, so... back at the palace? Ah..."
Earlier at the palace, I'd tossed silver to subdue the Gold Guard about to swing his sword at the ones I handed over.
I'd forgotten to retrieve it, but Geumryeong had picked it up.
Ha! What a clever little guy.
"Go ahead and eat it."
Geumryeong's eyes sparkled.
But I spotted something dark on it and held out my hand.
"Hand it over for a sec?"
Geumryeong obediently dropped it into my palm. I wiped it clean with a handkerchief.
"It's got dirt on it. Here. Eat up!"
"Kkwi!"
"Now, do me a favor? Deliver this letter to Father."
"Kkwi! Kkwi!"
Thrilled from the silver, Geumryeong nodded eagerly.
I tied the letter to its tail, and it shot out the window like an arrow.
Then I turned to my backlog of work.
As expected, piles of it. To clear it all...
Ten days without sleep might do it?
.
.
.
The next morning.
When I opened my eyes, I was slumped over the desk.
"Ugh."
My whole body ached.
When did I pass out?
Roughly Insi hour (3-5 AM), maybe.
So, about one sichen of sleep.
I rose, changed, and headed to the courtyard. No matter how tired, I couldn't skip daily training.
"Young master, sleep more."
Yawning at Palgap's words, I replied,
"Master'll scold me if I skip training."
As I descended to the yard, the other guards greeted me.
"Please guard the law."
"Understood."
I sat on a courtyard rock and circulated my qi.
Whether from the cold yin qi of the circulation or the unique energy of the Great Yin Ice Sea Divine Art, vitality surged through me, sharpening my mind.
Finishing, I opened my eyes to find Geumryeong sitting before me.
"Back quick?"
I gave it a silver piece, untied the letter from its tail, and unrolled it.
"......"
What a tumultuous spring it's been. But I'm relieved you returned safe and healthy.
It's truly joyous that His Majesty holds you in high regard. Yes, joyous. It must be joyous. Surely.
— Your Father
It was far longer than mine.
Father already knew the rough details—likely from a report by the Beijing branch's silver deputy manager.
Yes, Father. A truly tumultuous spring.
Reading the letter, which opened with concern for me, I couldn't help but smile.
He couldn't outright write "I hate the Emperor for working you so hard," but I felt his worry.
It covered news of the household and merchant group as well.
Finally, it addressed the "reward" from the Emperor.
That item you received will prove immensely useful for operating the Beijing branch. Well done, despite the hardships.
I folded the letter carefully.
Reading Father's words felt like sinking into a warm quilt.
Time to start the day energetically.
After breakfast, I summoned the silver deputy manager.
"Safe travels?"
"Yes, quite."
"How were the sights of Guangdong?"
He still believed I'd gone to Guangdong.
"Wonderful. But how many know I went there?"
"Quite a few. Had to explain your absence."
"I see."
Good that I'd announced the Guangdong trip. Otherwise, endless headaches from the start.
"No issues with the Beijing branch construction? Been away long; curious about progress."
"Funds ample, skilled laborers plenty—no major problems, but..."
"There is one."
He sighed.
"Yes. The higher-ups keep hinting they expect... this."
I chuckled at his rubbing thumb and forefinger.
"You know: feed 'em scraps or they become a pain."
I'd anticipated this.
In the empire, buildings required official reports.
Not all—just those of a certain scale with tiled roofs.
Because such structures paid quarterly property taxes.
Officials inspected for defects and sturdiness before occupancy or other use.
The catch: even flawless builds might get no inspection if officials weren't pleased—dragged out indefinitely.
Stuff them full, though, and they pass without looking.
Some even allocate half the budget to bribes, building with the rest.
Thus, provincial and Beijing officials were wealthier than you'd think.
But I knew their future.
In about half a year, Beijing houses would collapse suddenly.
Not one or two—many.
The Emperor ordered probes; foundations found shoddy.
Questions arose: why skim foundations? How'd they pass inspection?
Our Emperor wouldn't overlook it.
Ignoring bribery warnings cost dearly.
They吐 out everything, faced trials.
Bribers too.
But half a year off.
Branch finishes before; needs inspection then.
Wait? Can't use the building. Frustrating.
Bribe? Don't want entanglement.
But I had the Emperor's scroll.
"Silver deputy."
"Yes."
"Ignore those demands. If issues arise, I'll handle them."
No—His Majesty will.
.
.
.
That afternoon.
An inner eunuch from the Emperor visited my quarters.
"Welcome."
I led him to the reception room; Palgap served tea.
"Please."
"Thank you."
After some tea and chat, he got to the point.
"First, from His Majesty."
He handed me an envelope.
"May I open it?"
"Of course."
I did—and grinned involuntarily, quickly composing myself.
Inside: a voucher for a massive sum.
Amount matches Young Master Eun's request precisely—including costs for damaged attire.
"Verify it. Matches your requested amount?"
I checked the voucher.
Spot-on: my full claim, plus eerily precise compensation for yesterday's torn clothes.
"And this is personally from His Majesty."
"Pardon?"
He offered a box. I opened it.
Inside: a precious elixir pill.
Excellent for healing internal injuries.
"A rare pill superb for internal recovery."
"Why this?"
"We heard Young Master Eun used precious spirit medicines on the Gold Guard masters. His Majesty granted this upon learning it allowed them to keep their swords."
I understood.
So the Emperor thought I'd used my elixirs on the Gold Guard masters and lied about Jeongan Water to spare them embarrassment.
In truth... it was Geumryeong's saliva.