Settlement Cleanly (4)
The eunuch continued.
"As a token of gratitude, His Majesty the Emperor has bestowed this upon you."
"His Majesty the Emperor's grace is as vast as the sea."
It wasn't something I desperately needed, but since it had been given, I decided to accept it graciously.
There would surely come a day when it would prove useful.
"Young Master Eun's decisive action moved not only His Majesty but also the warriors of the Gold Guard. I suspect the Commander will soon pay a visit to express his thanks."
Cough!
I felt the snack I'd just eaten catch in my throat.
The "Commander" the eunuch had mentioned must be the head of the Gold Guard.
He carried a different weight than Jin Yeong Daehyeop, whom I'd met before.
"No, please. If he insists on coming, do try to dissuade him. Even facing His Majesty makes this humble merchant's heart race."
"Understood. I'll convey that."
"Thank you truly."
I bowed my head, letting out a sigh of genuine relief.
"Ah, and we've uncovered the masterminds behind those who attacked Young Master Eun."
"Already? As expected of the Gold Guard."
This was important, so I listened closely.
"Yes. One of their accomplices worked in the Edict Office."
The Edict Office was where imperial decrees were proclaimed—close to the Emperor himself.
"And not just there; we've found their collaborators scattered in various places."
"You found them remarkably quickly."
"It was largely thanks to Lord Bang, the new Minister of the Court of Judicial Review."
Lord Bang—formerly Bang Nos a—was known for pressuring foes subtly without formal accusations and swiftly gathering evidence.
"According to their confessions, they took bribes to act, and the ones behind it all were a black path group called Yeokcheon-do."
Yeokcheon-do (Reversing Heaven Path)?
I'd never heard of them.
"That name..."
"Indeed. Just as it implies 'changing the heavens,' they're the ones plotting to replace His Majesty the Emperor."
That afternoon, I went to visit Jin Yeong Daehyeop.
I'd heard he'd been granted a month's leave by the Emperor.
"Glad you made it back safely."
"I'm pretty capable, after all."
Jin Yeong Daehyeop burst into laughter at my cheeky remark.
"Hahaha! True enough."
"But... is it okay to laugh like that? Won't it reopen your wounds?"
He shook his head at my words.
"No need to worry. Thanks to the elixir you used, I'm already fully healed."
He continued.
"Back then, I went along with your talk of jeongan-su, but honestly, I didn't believe it."
"Pardon?"
"You're not the type to just pray and leave it to fate, are you? You're the sort who puzzles it out and finds a solution. You must have used a precious elixir for our sake."
"......"
Jin Yeong Daehyeop had me pegged exactly right.
"This time, His Majesty sent the royal physician. He says a month of rest, and I'll be back to wielding my sword without issue."
"That's a relief."
"All thanks to you. Using such a valuable elixir on us... I'll never forget this favor."
I felt a bit embarrassed.
But I had no intention of revealing it had been Gold Spirit Saliva.
"By the way, what about Lord Bang?"
"Hm? Ah, you mean the Minister of the Court of Judicial Review."
"Yes, exactly."
"I see you've heard already. His Majesty summoned him personally and appointed him. And thanks to this incident, there was no opposition."
I could guess why the Emperor had ordered Minister Bang to investigate Jin Yeong Daehyeop's group.
"I actually meant to visit, but he seemed too busy."
"He would be. He's one of the five busiest people in Beijing right now."
Nothing to be done.
I'd have to see him later.
Time passed, and it had been nearly a month since my return from Gansu Province.
Already the fifth month.
With all the backlog cleared, I finally felt like I could breathe.
"Young master, Jin Yeong Daehyeop is here."
At Palgap's words, I hurried to the reception room.
"Daehyeop!"
I lit up at the sight of his uniform—the garb of the Gold Guard.
Jin Yeong Daehyeop truly looked best in it.
"Back to duty now?"
"Have to be. My month's rest is up. And I can't afford to dawdle."
We shared tea and chatted idly.
"But... is something wrong? You don't look well."
"Do you know of Yeokcheon-do?"
I nodded at the question.
I'd heard from the eunuch who delivered the Emperor's gift.
"Yes, I do."
"We've identified their leader."
"Really?"
"And... it's His Highness Prince Se-gyeong."
"......Pardon?"
I doubted my ears for a moment.
"Who did you say?"
"His Highness Prince Se-gyeong."
Prince Se-gyeong was the Emperor's cousin.
From what I knew, he wasn't the type to crave the throne enough to do such a thing.
How did I know?
I'd met him in my previous life.
"There's already ample evidence; he's being escorted to the palace."
"I see."
But Jin Yeong Daehyeop's expression was complicated.
He knew it too.
That Prince Se-gyeong wasn't the sort to get involved in this.
"Hard to believe, but what can we do? All the evidence points to him."
After a moment's thought, I cautiously spoke up.
"Might I join the investigation?"
"You?"
"Yes. I was their target, and I helped capture them. Doesn't that give me some right to investigate?"
Besides, I still held the Emperor's warrant as an inspector.
Jin Yeong Daehyeop pondered briefly before replying.
"No reason not to. Go see Minister Bang. He's handling it now."
"Is he free now?"
"Not 'free,' but more so than a month ago."
In truth, even after clearing my backlog, my work never ended.
Still, I had reasons to get involved.
First, since it concerned me, I wanted to see it through properly.
Second, my gut told me the case was fabricated.
And third—though it hadn't happened yet—in my past life, I'd received a favor from Prince Se-gyeong.
He held fiefs in Jiangxi Province and had no interest in politics or power.
His passion was solely flowers and plants.
Tending his vast gardens was his only joy.
In my previous life, during a business trip to Jiangxi, my acting steward suddenly fell ill.
After consulting many physicians, we learned it was a rare local disease.
I sought the herbs needed, but strangely, none could be found.
The Eunhae Merchant Group specialized in herbs; no rarity should stump us. Something was off.
Investigation revealed a rival guild had intervened.
I pleaded and even knelt before them, but they were merciless.
Time was critical; even rushing someone from headquarters would be too late.
As I despaired, an envoy from Prince Se-gyeong appeared—with the very herbs I'd sought.
The gratitude I'd felt then...
I'd sworn to repay it someday.
Ah, and that vile rival guild? I handled them later.
When I later thanked him and asked why he'd helped a stranger, Prince Se-gyeong smiled gently.
"I'd heard of your loyalty to your people, and it moved me. Nothing more."
Whatever the reason, a received favor must be repaid.
In a mansion in Beijing, Bang Hyo-myeong sighed.
"Aigoo, this is baffling..."
He couldn't make sense of it.
Digging into the masterminds behind the attack on Eun Seo-ho for the Emperor's letter had led straight to Prince Se-gyeong.
'He's not the type...'
Yet the evidence was ironclad.
That's why he racked his brains so.
"Sigh. Maybe some meat will get the wheels turning. Seok-baek."
"Yes, my lord?"
"Fire up the charcoal in the yard. Time for some grilling."
"Right away. What meat shall I prepare?"
"Today..."
He decided after a moment.
"Beef it is!"
Soon, charcoal blazed in one corner of the yard.
He loved meat so much he'd built a small brick oven there for grilling.
Some said it unbecoming for a high official, but he ignored them.
Meat was his strength, the fuel for his sharp mind.
Sizzle!
Beef sizzled enticingly on the grate.
Then a servant approached.
"Uh, a guest has arrived."
"A guest?"
His face soured at the timing—just before eating.
"Who?"
"Eun Seo-ho, the young branch head, said to announce him."
"Eh? Eun Seo-ho?"
He quickly added,
"Bring him here."
"Yes, sir."
Moments later, a handsome young man approached.
He grumbled at the sight of the meat.
"This is too much. Planning to eat all this delicious beef alone?"
"Enough chatter—sit."
"Yes, sir!"
Eun Seo-ho plopped down eagerly, and perfectly grilled beef was placed before him.
"Dig in."
"Yes."
They ate and talked.
"Heard you came to Beijing a month ago. Should've reported in pronto!"
"I was swamped too. Back home, work piled up. And I did send a letter."
"Oh, right?"
"Did you read it?"
Ahem.
Bang Hyo-myeong cleared his throat awkwardly. Truth was, he'd been too busy to check his mail.
Eun Seo-ho smiled and continued.
"Anyway, this position suits you. You look brighter than last time."
"You mocking me?"
"Why take offense? When have I ever teased you, Minister?"
"As if I'd bicker with you. Sigh. Just eat."
Once they'd filled their bellies somewhat,
"I heard. The Yeokcheon-do culprits' backer is His Highness Prince Se-gyeong."
"Whew, that's exactly what's giving me this headache."
Bang Hyo-myeong shook his head.
"From what I know, he's not the type. And... he was the one His Majesty relied on most."
"Must weigh heavily on His Majesty."
"Indeed."
"Knowing His Majesty's anguish, I can't stand idle. So, may I join the investigation?"
"You?"
"I believe I qualify."
Bang Hyo-myeong couldn't help but laugh. He'd already seen Eun Seo-ho's skills from the prior case.
He'd even thought, despite grasping the Emperor's intent, 'This kid could've handled it alone—why drag me in...'
Such talent volunteering to help? Laughter bubbled up.
"You rascal! You pretty rascal!"
"Pardon?"
"Fine! When do we start? Right now? Eat up, then work!"
I was dumbfounded.
Was my offer to help that welcome?
More importantly... was this meat not free after all?
Still, it was delicious, thanks to that servant Seok-baek's grilling.
Anyway, I'd planned to join regardless.
"Let's head to the palace now."
"Now? Right this instant?"
But Minister Bang—no, Lord Bang Nos a—his drive was impressive.
"Now! Time's wasting."
"Do you know what time it is?"
"I know it's zi shi—midnight. But clearing an innocent's name trumps time."
I had no retort to Lord Bang Nos a's words.
For the falsely accused, every hour was torment.
His eagerness to lift the injustice even a moment sooner left me humbled.
Lord Bang Nos a was a good man.
I followed him to the Court of Judicial Review.
A duty officer startled at our arrival.
"Minister! What brings you at this hour?"
"Need to review some files."
"I see. And the gentleman with you?"
"My assistant."
"Ah, understood?"
Thus, I entered the records building easily.
At his rank, no permission was needed for an aide.
The taste of power?
Lord Bang Nos a dumped a stack of documents on the table before me.
Thud!
The weight was evident from the sound.
"Go through these. Speak up if anything seems off."
"......Yes."
The sheer volume made me regret inserting myself—just a tiny bit.
Still, favors must be repaid.
Even if only I remembered it, that didn't erase it.
And settlements of grace and grudge must be clean.