So This Was the Real Reason (2)
At that sound, everyone tensed and reached for their swords, but I calmly sipped my tea.
Mm, this tea is delicious.
Tea drunk while listening to the rain pattering away had a certain poetic charm to it.
"Hey, don't you hear that eerie bell tolling?"
"I do. But there's no need to worry. A Taoist from the Mosan Sect is just guiding some unfortunate souls who met their end at an inn."
And there was one more reason I was so relaxed.
I couldn't sense any black path energy.
Still, given all these missions we were on, weren't we bound to run into Mosan Sect Taoists now and then?
They're reacting like it's their first time.
I asked just to be sure.
"Have you gentlemen never seen a Mosan Sect Taoist guiding unfortunate souls before?"
Kwonjik Daehyeop answered my question.
"That's right. We don't get dispatched outside all that often, and even when we do, we avoid people as much as possible."
Ah, so that's why.
In truth, encounters with Mosan Sect Taoists weren't all that common.
So even if they'd heard about it, actually coming face-to-face would naturally put them on edge.
And if they were moving in strict secrecy, they'd avoid Taoists even more.
"I see."
"You seem awfully familiar with it."
"Yes. When traveling as a merchant, you run into them once every few years."
"I see."
"And we merchants have no reason to avoid people, after all."
But then, a bit of a tricky situation arose.
The Mosan Sect Taoist's energy suddenly shifted direction, heading straight toward us.
I set down my teacup and asked their permission.
"And there's an unwritten rule: when you meet a Mosan Sect Taoist leading the departed, you treat them with hospitality. So, would it be all right if I hosted the Taoist for a bit?"
They looked troubled at my words.
"Well..."
"I know about your circumstances. But if we don't reveal who we are, the Taoist won't know either."
I continued.
"Besides, treating a Mosan Sect Taoist often brings unexpected fortune—whether it's heaven's blessing or not, who knows."
Convinced, Kwonjik Daehyeop gave his approval on their behalf.
"All right. Let's do that."
Ding-a-ling, ding-a-ling.
The bell tolled louder and louder, then abruptly stopped.
A bearded middle-aged man stepped into our cave shelter.
A Mosan Sect Taoist.
"Pardon the intrusion. I am Hae-eul of the Mosan Sect. Might I take shelter from the rain here for a moment?"
"So you're Hae-eul Taoist."
I rose and paid my respects.
"Please, sit. Have you eaten?"
"Circumstances didn't allow it."
At that, I glanced at Palgap, who jumped up at once.
"We haven't had dinner yet either. Join us."
"Thank you."
Palgap soon whipped up a steaming pot of soup, and we all gathered around to eat.
With dried pancakes mixed in, it was savory and delicious.
The Gold Guard daehyeops were all impressed by the quick meal.
I couldn't help but puff up with pride.
Palgap's skills are top-notch, as always.
After the meal, as we drank tea, I asked Hae-eul Taoist,
"Where are you coming from, Taoist?"
"From down below."
"From the Guizhou area, then?"
"Yes. More precisely, the Yun'nan region."
Perfect.
The dye on Hae-eul Taoist's robes could only come from a grass that grew near Yun'nan.
So I'd asked on a hunch, and sure enough.
"How are things there?"
Hae-eul Taoist shook his head gravely at my question.
"Not good, I'm afraid. Other areas are fine, but they're strictly guarding against outsiders in Chunggyeong Castle to the west."
"Strange. Yun'nan may be remote, but it's still imperial territory. Blocking outsiders entirely?"
"I'm not entirely sure, but word is the castellan of Chunggyeong Castle vanished not long ago."
"What?"
"His son has started handling affairs in his stead. In my view, this seems more the son's will than the castellan's."
"Could be."
And so we gleaned information about Yun'nan from Hae-eul Taoist.
Details would come once we reached Yun'nan Castle, but any prior intel was welcome.
"But..."
He glanced at the Gold Guard daehyeops behind me and said,
"The energy of the departed I'm guiding feels similar to those gentlemen's."
At that, the Gold Guard daehyeops shot him looks that screamed, What nonsense is this?
They'd schooled their expressions well enough, but not well enough to fool my eyes.
But this wasn't something to brush off lightly.
I immediately grew serious and asked,
"Similar energy, you say?"
"Yes."
Hae-eul Taoist's realm was around peak first-rate.
Plus, the Mosan Sect's expertise with jiangshi honed their energy sense.
His words likely meant the departed carried the unique aura of imperial palace martial arts.
"Not long ago, I fished some corpses from the river. But their lingering attachments and regrets are so strong, they won't specify their hometown. They're desperately heading to the imperial palace, but I'm not sure if it's right..."
"The imperial palace?"
"Yes. If it's not too rude, could you confirm if you know them?"
Ah...
I now understood why the Mosan Sect Taoist had veered toward our cave.
We'd been the target all along.
And if even he was saying this, we had to check.
I glanced at Kwonjik Daehyeop, who nodded gravely, clearly feeling the need as well.
"Of course."
Whoosh.
The rain still poured relentlessly.
I followed Hae-eul Taoist out of the cave with Kwonjik Daehyeop and Hanseok Daehyeop.
Beneath a rock overhang by the cave mouth stood two jiangshi.
Sheltered from the rain by the boulder above.
Pale-faced jiangshi, soaked from the river.
Palgap would've made a huge fuss if he saw those.
But Kwonjik Daehyeop's face hardened at the sight. Hanseok Daehyeop too.
"H-How... how..."
They couldn't continue and sank to the ground.
"You know them?"
Kwonjik Daehyeop answered hoarsely.
"Th... they're my comrades."
As I thought... those jiangshi were Gold Guard daehyeops.
Hae-eul Taoist's senses were spot on.
Kwonjik Daehyeop clenched his fists and asked Hae-eul Taoist,
"You found them in the river?"
"Yes."
"Tell me... the details."
"I found them with abdominal wounds, discarded in the river."
Abdominal wounds? But I didn't see any...
Sensing my doubt, Hae-eul Taoist explained further.
"They were stripped bare at the time, so I found clothes for them. Even the departed wouldn't want to return home naked, right?"
"Thank you. Truly, thank you."
"Then, where should I guide these souls?"
Kwonjik Daehyeop hesitated.
He probably wanted to send them straight to the palace. But that was impossible.
Plenty of people would faint at the sight of walking corpses thudding along.
That's when a good idea struck me.
"There's a place in Hubei called the Three Winds Inn. If you tell the innkeeper your situation, he'll take the departed in."
Kwonjik Daehyeop whipped around, startled, his face asking how I knew.
"Ah, Jin Yeong Daehyeop told me."
"I see."
"Were these two on mission when they became departed?"
"They were sent ahead to our destination."
"..."
After a moment's thought, I asked Kwonjik Daehyeop,
"It might be disrespectful to the fallen who gave their lives for the imperial family, but may I examine their bodies?"
"Is it necessary?"
"I understand your grief at losing two comrades. But I believe the best course now is preventing more losses."
"Coldly put."
I gave a wry smile.
"Revenge demands a cool head."
"Revenge... yes, you're right."
Kwonjik Daehyeop nodded, flames of fury igniting in his eyes.
"Do it."
"Thank you."
As I grasped the collar, Hanseok Daehyeop spoke up.
"I'll... help."
Kwonjik Daehyeop nodded.
"I'll inform the others."
"Understood."
Kwonjik Daehyeop returned to the cave, and Hanseok Daehyeop and I began examining the corpses.
They stood rigid as jiangshi, but I couldn't ask to release the technique.
They'd collapse otherwise.
As I inspected, I noticed something odd. This trace looked like flesh had been sliced away?
On a hunch, I checked the other corpse.
The same—flesh excised.
Different spots, but similar size.
No way?
I asked Hanseok Daehyeop,
"Daehyeop, do you have a tattoo on your body?"
"A tattoo? What kind?"
I glanced at Hae-eul Taoist and sent a sound transmission.
—The tattoo marking Gold Guard status.
"...!"
His widening eyes said it all.
.
.
.
As if wondering when the downpour had started, the rain stopped.
Stars dotted the sky.
"The rain's cleared, so I'll be on my way."
Mosan Sect Taoists moved mainly at night, so with dawn still off, it was time.
I pulled a pouch from my bosom and offered it.
"It's not much, but may it aid the departed on their way home."
"Thank you."
Kwonjik Daehyeop handed over a money pouch too.
Chipped in by the other Gold Guards.
"Please, take good care of our comrades."
"I'll fulfill my duty."
Hae-eul Taoist shook the bell.
Ding-a-ling. Ding-a-ling.
Chanting dirge-like scriptures, he departed, the two Gold Guard jiangshi following.
The Mosan Sect's arts ensured even jiangshi reached their families.
I had no idea how it worked. I'd have to be a Mosan Sect Taoist to know.
Those Gold Guard departed surely had families too. They should head there.
But they'd insisted on the palace.
That desperate wish.
Whether loyalty to the Emperor or bond with fellow Guards, I couldn't say.
But clearly, they'd been true to their Gold Guard duty.
The brief squall passed, leaving our cave thick with grief and rage.
Sitting by the fire, I said,
"Daehyeop, I think those two wanted to reach the palace for a reason. Maybe to warn the others to stay vigilant."
"Vigilant? What do you mean?"
I continued at Kwonjik Daehyeop's question.
"The flesh where their tattoos were had been sliced away."
Hanseok Daehyeop picked up,
"It's the mark of Gold Guard status. But civilians wouldn't know."
I nodded.
"Also, the fatal wounds were stabs from the front. The Gold Guard daehyeops died instantly, without reacting. What does that imply?"
"They trusted the attacker. And that foe deliberately removed the marks before dumping them in the river."
"Why erase the tattoos, then?"
"...No idea."
Kwonjik Daehyeop shook his head, but another daehyeop spoke up.
One of the newcomers.
Cheongak Daehyeop, if I recalled.
"I think it's because the killer didn't want others knowing they were Gold Guards."
Cheongak Daehyeop elaborated.
"The murderer hid their identity this way. If the corpses aren't identified as Gold Guards, no one knows what mission they were on."
"True enough."
Kwonjik Daehyeop nodded.
"But questions remain. If so, why not just burn the bodies? Why slice and dump in the river?"
Seo-u Warrior provided the answer.
"Probably the weather. That area's extremely humid this season, with heavy rain. If you're not used to it, burning corpses is tough."
"Makes sense."
Kwonjik Daehyeop summed up.
"So, we must beware our own ranks."
Hanseok Daehyeop bit his lip.
Recalling that prior betrayal, no doubt.
Cheonggwan, the ally-turned-enemy, had nearly killed them.
I swallowed a bitter inward smile.
I'd been burned by a so-called ally in my past life too.
But something still nagged at me.
That excised flesh meant more than that, I felt...
Then, a bulge stirred in my sleeve.
I excused myself for a moment, stepped out, and retrieved Geum-ryeong.
A letter was tied to its tail.
A reply from Seo-hyang Sojeo.
I unfolded it.
Huh?