The Unexpected (4)
Such a thought suddenly crossed his mind, but he couldn't let it show in front of Kwon Jik the great hero.
"I see. It's truly a wondrous treasure. No wonder His Majesty the Emperor bestowed it."
"Exactly."
As they chatted, the break time came to an end.
They returned to their positions and resumed the excavation work.
By the way, could that red cloth wrapping the books and letters in the box I found really be the treasure?
Gold Bell reacted to it, but I can't tell if it was the gold bars, the books, or the cloth itself.
Maybe it reacted to all three.
I'd love to test if the cloth is the treasure, but using it here might give me away, so I'll have to hold off.
Time passed, and the excavation finally wrapped up.
They'd toiled endlessly, yet everyone left empty-handed.
If anything, perhaps the true essence of Monk Hyeolgonseong's sword mound?
Or maybe fodder for drunken tales over drinks once the alcohol ban lifted?
But no one showed a trace of regret.
The excavation had drilled into them just how gruesome it would've been if they'd gotten trapped inside.
They were simply relieved to leave in one piece.
The Heavenly Demon Cultists departed first.
No farewell—just gone by morning.
Once the unorthodox fighters followed suit, only the Murim Alliance and orthodox sect members remained.
After a simple lunch of dumplings, they held a meeting.
About what to do next.
"Our faction plans to withdraw tomorrow," Elder Gyeong Sanja announced, surveying the group.
"I'll make sure to report everyone's generous support to the Alliance Leader."
"What about Monk Hyeolgonseong's remains?"
"We'll take them to the Murim Alliance first, then hand them over to Shaolin Temple there."
In other words, they'd transport the monk's body to the Alliance, but leave the rest to Shaolin.
"Everyone, you've worked hard."
The next morning, after breakfast, Eun Seo-ho and the Yeongseonminga crew bid farewell to Elder Gyeong Sanja and the others.
"I thought you'd head to the Alliance with us. Shame."
"I'd love to, but leading Yeongseonminga ties my hands. I hope you understand."
"Can't be helped. Safe travels."
With that, they parted and descended Yeonji Mountain.
Thus ended the matter of Monk Hyeolgonseong's sword mound.
Though Eun Seo-ho's personal business was far from over.
As they descended, he sank into thought.
What to do about those two Gold Guard heroes.
Report them straight? Their fate was obvious.
But withhold it from the Emperor?
Impossible.
His Majesty would see right through any deliberate omission.
"Nothing at all? I know your capabilities. If you're truly clueless, maybe I've overestimated you. In that case... shall I reclaim your rights to the carrier pigeons first?"
Just imagining it was horrifying.
"Ugh..."
He shuddered, prompting Seo-u Warrior to ask, "Are you unwell, young master?"
"I'm fine. No need to worry."
He spurred his horse onward.
Yeah, the Emperor would do exactly that.
Sigh. No helping it.
They knew the risks of detection meant death, and treason carries the death penalty.
So they wouldn't die unjustly.
But reporting it outright still nagged at him.
In his past life's memories, no imperial rebellion had stirred around this time.
The Emperor kept the royals on a tight leash—rebellion was unthinkable.
Anyone pulling it off would earn his genuine applause.
Jin Yu Warrior, guided by the gold bell, had traced the carrier pigeon's destination and reported back.
Changseong Wang's residence in Jungkyung.
Odd, too.
Changseong Wang was the Emperor's son, loyal to father and brothers till the end.
Then... ah!
You slimy old serpent!
He nearly cursed the Emperor aloud.
Thankfully, he held his irreverent tongue.
This was the Emperor's test of him.
Not just his abilities, but his trustworthiness.
And how he'd handle it.
Whoa...
Without past life memories, I'd have fallen for it hook, line, and sinker.
Truly terrifying.
How could he deceive so flawlessly?
Gold Guards lived up to their name.
Looking back, inconsistencies piled up.
Kwon Jik spilling about the treasure so freely, no greed in his eyes.
Those risking death for treason usually chased personal gain.
They cloaked it in grand ideals, but selfishness drove most.
Another oddity: Kwon Jik's mutter.
"Why seek that treasure so desperately... It won't put you on the throne."
If a test, Kwon Jik knew he was there and muttered it deliberately.
But with Eun Seo-ho's superior realm, he shouldn't have sensed him.
"Young master."
Palgap called then.
"Yeah?"
"Bit embarrassing to ask now, but... have you found a sweetheart?"
"Sweetheart? What're you on about?"
"You've had this lovely fragrance the last few days. It's the kind ladies adore. Means you got a scent pouch from that girl on Yeonji Mountain! Confess!"
Eun Seo-ho stared in disbelief.
"You're barking up the wrong tree. When would I have had time for romance?"
Palgap looked sheepish, turning away. "...True enough."
Seo-u Warrior tilted his head. "But why assume that from a scent no one else notices?"
"Smells normal to me."
The other warriors agreed.
What? Palgap sensed a scent no one else could?
"I thought it seemed familiar..."
Yi Pil Warrior, the only one not chiming in, spoke up.
"It started a couple days after arrival. Only those with special training detect it."
"No way—tracking fragrance?"
"Yes. And among those there, Kwon Jik carried it too."
"..."
"The mystery is how they got it. Export's forbidden."
Sichon Tang Clan's tracking fragrance, then.
Forbidden or not, against the Emperor? Hand it over.
"I considered mentioning it but wasn't sure. My apologies."
"No harm done."
Ah, so that's how he knew.
Kwon Jik caught his presence via the fragrance and muttered on purpose.
No wonder he spoke up loud.
"What's their goal?"
"Guess I just caught his eye. Anyway, how do I get rid of this scent?"
"Fades in a month, but for instant removal, need some herbs. Easy to find in Nanzhou."
"Please handle it."
"Will do."
Tang Clan's tracking fragrance, huh?
Didn't they send support too?
Did they notice it on him?
Yi Pil shook his head at the quiet question.
"This version's for direct kin only. No direct Tangs came, so unnoticed."
Good...
He sighed in relief, then frowned.
Only specially trained direct Tangs detect it, right?
So how did Palgap notice?
He eyed Palgap suspiciously.
"I-I just guessed wrong! Don't look at me like that—it's embarrassing!"
No self-awareness, as expected.
Anyway...
Wonder if he knows I blew up the sword mound.
Unlikely—he was escorting the water-fetchers then.
Testing me like this...
The Emperor wouldn't test without reason.
Word was, he probed like this before major assignments.
"...!"
Now the Emperor's intent clicked.
This was to elevate him for heavier roles.
That thought vaporized any urge to retaliate.
An alarm blared in his mind.
Run?
Like, really run—fervently, sincerely, wholeheartedly, desperately.
But...
Why do I feel like I forgot something?
With Eun Seo-ho and Yeongseonmiga gone, others departed one by one.
"We're ready to leave."
Kwon Jik told the reporter to hold.
"Wait. We'll go slow."
"Understood."
As he left for the group, Kwon Un approached.
"What're you thinking?"
Kwon Jik smirked. "About Eun Seo-ho."
"Ah... you like him, huh."
"Why say that?"
"You're smiling."
He touched his mouth—yep, grinning.
"Haven't seen you smile in ages, brother."
"Amusing guy."
Honestly, he couldn't grasp why the Emperor trusted and kept Eun Seo-ho close.
Grateful for saving Jin Yeong Daehyeop and the Gold Guards, sure.
So when ordered to test him, he'd resolved to probe hard.
Eun Seo-ho better brace himself.
He wouldn't go easy.
But watching closely... the kid earned the Emperor's faith.
When that immature Seoryunhaegongzi insulted him and his maternal clan, he'd expected a beating.
Instead, Eun Seo-ho made him train with fifty-geun weights.
And somehow swayed his uncle to oversee it.
A few hits would've hurt less—pure hell.
He'd turned a potential brawl-fest meeting fair by splitting zones three ways, pushing it through.
And more: appearing wherever trouble brewed, smoothing it over.
Without him, they'd never be prepping to leave now.
Days ago, escorting water-fetchers down the mountain, his heart sank.
Tracking fragrance present, but no Eun Seo-ho aura.
Meant superior to him.
Reason for the Emperor lending it.
Now he'll report the culprits accurately to His Majesty—we'll meet often.
A boy dashed past.
Hm?
Seoryunhaegongzi Ha Jun, panting laps around camp, weights still on.
"Three laps left!"
Uncle cheered; Ha Jun looked doomed.
Diligent kid.
The treasure wasn't here, as expected.
His tale to Eun Seo-ho about the cloth was true—likely still inside.
Good the mound collapsed, blocking entry.
So sudden, though...
Eun Seo-ho seemed to anticipate it—calm amid panic.
Did he collapse it?
Nah, he shook it off.
How? Ridiculous.
Ha Jun lapped back.
Then it hit: Eun Seo-ho never told him to stop training.
Forgot? Or deliberate?
Only he knew.
Harmless—it's good for him.