Ghostly Tomb Market (7)
I grinned at the elixirs laid out before me.
This was why I'd bid so lavishly at the Ghostly Tomb Market auction.
I could make back far more than that anyway.
And I wouldn't even have to pay a dime for them.
Just then, I sensed Jin Yu Warrior's presence.
"My lord, it's Jin Yu."
"Come in."
The door opened, and Jin Yu Warrior entered.
"That man has been taken away by the Ghostly Tomb Market's people."
"I see."
Now it was time for the North Sea Ice Palace to step in.
"Oh, and word got out that he'd been dragged off by the Ghostly Tomb Market folks. The ronin guards are fleeing."
I'd expected that.
Ronin worked for money, not loyalty to their employers.
That's why we'd kidnapped his escorts, explained the situation, and watched them bolt without a backward glance.
"Perfect."
With the interlopers gone, we could wrap this up quickly.
"One more thing for you to handle."
"Yes, my lord."
"Relay this to the Young Palace Lord: capture Im Cheong-mil and take his statement. Tell him the threats to his life are gone."
"Understood."
"And as soon as you secure that statement, head to wherever they've taken that Cho fellow and claim his custody."
"Yes, sir."
I'd used the Ghostly Tomb Market to drag him into the pit, but I had no intention of handing him over for good.
He'd harmed the North Sea Ice Palace.
It was only right they dealt with him themselves.
Bing Hae-rin smirked upon hearing Eun Seo-ho's message.
Handing the culprit over to the Ghostly Tomb Market's master didn't sit well with her.
Claiming his custody was only proper.
She commanded her disciples.
"Capture Im Cheong-mil immediately."
"Yes, Young Palace Lord!"
They rushed out of the inn and returned shortly with him in tow.
Im Cheong-mil trembled at the sight of her and kowtowed.
"Y-Young Palace Lord... Im Cheong-mil of the Im Merchant Group greets you."
"So you know who I am. And yet you pulled that stunt..."
Her expression turned icy.
"Did you really think we wouldn't notice your trick—swapping our disciples' entrusted elixirs for fakes while pretending to appraise them?"
This was the method Eun Seo-ho had revealed.
Her words drained the color from his face, and he prostrated himself deeper.
"F-Forgive me! I've committed a grave sin!"
Watching him, Bing Hae-rin recalled Eun Seo-ho's advice.
"Interrogation works best with a mix of the whip and the carrot."
Time to sheath the whip and offer the carrot.
"But we know this wasn't your idea alone. You've traded with us for years, haven't you?"
She softened her tone.
"Lift your head and look at me."
Im Cheong-mil cautiously raised his gaze.
"Last time, your compound was crawling with more warriors than usual. Were you being threatened?"
"Well..."
"Speak up. We might show leniency if you do."
"..."
"The men occupying your home fled all at once, didn't they? You're safe to tell the truth now."
He nodded and confessed.
"It was about two months ago. He burst into our merchant group with terrifying experts. He subdued our guards in seconds and threatened me: obey, or he'd kill my family and dishonor my wife and daughter."
His voice cracked with sobs.
"I don't mind dying unjustly. But my mother raised me alone after Father died early—I couldn't let her go in misery. And what have my wife and children done to deserve this?"
"So you did as they commanded."
Im Cheong-mil nodded.
Bing Hae-rin pointed to the scar on his neck.
"That wound—from him, I presume. You couldn't have inflicted it yourself."
"Yes."
He wiped his tears.
"I beg you: even though I was coerced, I deceived the North Sea Ice Palace. Punish only me. Spare my family and merchant group—they're innocent."
He kowtowed again.
Bing Hae-rin eyed him with conflicted eyes, remembering Eun Seo-ho's words.
"Frankly, the North Sea Ice Palace isn't blameless here."
"Us?"
"Yes. Why target Im Cheong-mil? Because we had an exclusive deal with you."
"That's..."
"I'd target you too, in their shoes."
"..."
"If we'd traded with multiple groups, would he have threatened you?"
It was true. So...
"We'll decide your punishment later. First, tell us about the ringleader. Who is this bastard?"
"He's a man living next to our compound. Name's Cho Seok."
In one of the Ghostly Tomb Market master's buildings in Yonyeong, brutal coercion was underway.
"Where'd you stash the real elixirs? Huh?"
"I handed them to the goblin-masked man... Aaaagh!"
"You've tarnished the Ghostly Tomb Market's reputation!"
"I-I'm innocent... truly innocent!"
Cho Seok felt like he was going mad, jumping out of his skin.
The bone-grinding pain should have dulled by now, but it only intensified without respite.
They'd douse him awake whenever he passed out from torture—over and over.
He wanted to beg for death.
Then—
"P-Problem, sir."
"Problem?"
"Yes. The North Sea Ice Palace showed up out of nowhere, demanding this man's custody."
"What the hell?"
The auction overseer scowled, then said,
"Bring them in first."
"Yes! Where to?"
Cho Seok shouted,
"I-I've met the North Sea Ice Palace's Young Palace Lord! I bought elixirs from her earlier!"
The overseer replied,
"Escort her here."
"Understood."
Moments later, Bing Hae-rin arrived.
Seeing her, Cho Seok cried out desperately,
"P-Please, save me! Didn't I buy elixirs from you earlier, Young Palace Lord?"
He hated the North Sea Ice Palace, but they were his only lifeline now.
He didn't know.
They never let those who harmed them go lightly.
"Is what he says true?"
Bing Hae-rin nodded.
"Yes, it's true. He bought them from me for thirty thousand nyang in silver. That's all I know—I have no idea what he did with them."
She continued,
"Maybe he tried to scam others like he did us."
"...!"
Cho Seok's heart plummeted.
If true, his scheme was exposed.
"He threatened us to swap the real elixirs we entrusted for appraisal with fakes."
"I see!"
The overseer nodded vigorously.
"A serial scammer."
"Thus, the North Sea Ice Palace demands custody of this man who harmed us."
"..."
The overseer let out a groan.
The North Sea Ice Palace.
To Yonyeong folk near the North Sea, it was an object of awe and terror.
The Ghostly Tomb Market's master inspired fear too, but the palace was on another level.
If they marched into Yonyeong, they'd crush the master effortlessly.
And the master, Blood Sea Dark King, had drilled it into them: if you value your life, never cross the North Sea Ice Palace.
Their prestige was absolute here.
But they couldn't just yield.
He'd dared scam them and sully the Ghostly Tomb Market and Blood Sea Dark King's name.
"Let's settle this peacefully, then."
A chilling aura emanated from Bing Hae-rin.
After agonizing, he proposed a compromise.
"For peace, how about we yield just one arm?"
"Fine."
As she agreed, the overseer drew his sword and severed Cho Seok's arm.
Slash—!
It happened in an instant.
"Gaaahhh!"
Cho Seok screamed in agony.
But Bing Hae-rin calmly sealed his acupoint to staunch the bleeding and told her disciples,
"Don't forget the gag."
"Yes!"
When I returned to the Gwangjun Merchant Group, Palgap was bustling about packing.
"Huh? What's this?"
"Packing up, sir."
"Suddenly?"
"Yes. Deputy Kwak said we're leaving at dawn tomorrow."
Deputy Kwak did?
Then everything went smoothly.
Jin Yu Warrior approached and relayed,
"She said she's heading out first."
"Got it."
To tie up loose ends perfectly, the North Sea Ice Palace would secure Cho's custody and depart ahead.
"Also, a blue ribbon is hanging from the third floor of Yeongryeong Inn."
They wanted to see me.
Shortly after,
I headed to Yeongryeong Inn and entered the room with the ribbon.
Black curtains hid our faces.
But the aura marked him as the auction overseer.
As I entered, he stood and bowed.
"My apologies. We couldn't recover the real items in the end."
"I see. Truth be told, I tried to acquire them myself, but it wasn't easy."
"I understand."
I said this to build trust.
"Guess we'll have to let it go."
"Truly sorry."
"It's fine."
My calm demeanor drew a puzzled tone from him.
"You're calmer than expected."
"Do I seem calm? Haha. I'd love to raise hell, but I'm holding back. Starting a ruckus here would cost me my head! Damn it!"
"...Wise."
"Anyway, got it."
"One request."
"What?"
"Can you keep this incident secret?"
"Worried about the reputation hit?"
"Pretty much."
Music to my ears.
I'd used the Ghostly Tomb Market too—no need for headaches.
But.
"Just your word?"
Slide, clunk.
He pushed something across the long table.
"This?"
"Dark Blood Dagger. A treasure that conceals its murderous intent."
"Not bad. Deal."
"Visit again. I won't disappoint next time."
"Will do."
I slipped the dagger into my sleeve and left.
A hidden figure watched from the ceiling of that room.
I'd have noticed.
He was curious about my face. But he didn't see it.
Why? My face-concealing fan hid my features.
Thus, matters here concluded.
Wonder what punishment Bing Hae-rin gave Im Cheong-mil.
She's cold and ruthless, but not cruel.
Probably something fitting.
.
.
.
The next morning,
we set off toward the North Sea Ice Palace again.
"Man, why'd it take so damn long?"
Jin Ho hyung scolded me, but I just smiled. This was our secret.
He'd gripe about being left out.
"Just helped the North Sea Ice Palace."
"Oh? Guards said their disciples came? Hey, where's the Young Palace Lord?"
"She left last night with her group. They'll catch up soon."
"Huh?"
Ha Pyodu nodded, sensing something.
Soon, the North Sea Ice Palace disciples appeared ahead.
We joined them.
I approached Bing Hae-rin and quietly asked,
"What'd he say?"
"Cho Seok bore a grudge. His father once forced himself on one of our disciples; we punished him when we found out. He claims he used family as hostages to threaten one of ours this time."
"Like father, like son."
"The issue... he insists someone helped him. Planned it and supplied fake elixirs. But when he contacted them after trouble with the Ghostly Tomb Market, no one answered."
I bit my lip.
His statement rang true. No way he cooked up something so elaborate alone.
That black道 aura I'd sensed—probably backed him, then fled when things soured.
Tch.
"Oh, and belatedly: Protector Seol Seo-yun is coming to greet us."
"Pardon?"
Protector Seol Seo-yun... Wait, Jin Ho hyung's mother-in-law?
Gotta tell him quick...
I let out a hollow chuckle at the distant dust cloud.
Ah, too late.
Sorry, hyung.