The Meaning of Advice (4)
The next morning.
“Young master, are you up?”
“Yeah.”
“You should have breakfast.”
We ate breakfast and took a walk under the pretense of sightseeing around the area.
Then, naturally, we gathered again for lunch.
“There are more troops here than I expected, branch leader.”
“I checked too, and it looks like outside forces have been added.”
“Outside forces?”
I nodded at Kwon-jik Daehyeop's question.
“Yes, black path factions from the martial world.”
“……”
At this point, it would be hard to resolve this with just our own strength.
We needed additional support…
Just then, a voice came from outside.
“My lord, someone wishes to see you.”
This aura… one of the guys who was watching Yeon Yu-mun yesterday?
I calmly opened the door and stepped out.
“What is it?”
“The castle lord has returned. He says he'll write the proof of authentication we discussed yesterday.”
“Good, that's perfect.”
“Before that, the man in charge of the castle lord's troops wants a word with you.”
A short while later.
I was led to one of the mansion's rooms.
A fairly luxurious chamber.
According to Yeon Yu-mun, this was the castle lord's quarters.
Inside, a man greeted us.
“Welcome. I am Gong-ho, the castle lord's strategist.”
“Eunhae Merchant Group's branch leader, Eun Seo-ho.”
“Please, sit.”
I took the seat he offered, and behind me stood the Seo-u Warrior and Yeo Eung-am Warrior.
“The reason I wanted to meet you, branch leader, is to personally express my gratitude.”
He continued.
“The current situation wasn't looking good, but your support will be a tremendous help.”
“I'm grateful for your words, but as you know, there is a price for this. I'm a merchant, after all. I don't do business without profit.”
“Of course. I haven't forgotten that.”
A faint smile crossed his face as he replied.
From him emanated a thicker black path aura than the one who had guided me earlier.
More precisely, a black path aura laced with the stench of blood.
This guy's the black curtain behind this mess, and a latent shadow of the Murim Alliance.
I fanned my face languidly with my fan and said,
“By the way, I have one question. Could you clear up my curiosity?”
“Please, speak.”
“Why did you claim that outsiders were being controlled in Yun-nam to protect the envoys from assassins? When I arrived here, I was quite shocked to hear that.”
“Ah, you're talking about that.”
He nodded.
“It was to buy us time to prepare for this affair. As the saying goes, the enemy closest at hand is the most fearsome, isn't it?”
“Indeed… you're right. Your strategy impresses me once again, strategist.”
“Oh, it's nothing special.”
He feigned humility, but his face brimmed with satisfaction and glee.
This bastard's starved for recognition.
No wonder—latent shadows can't boast even when they succeed.
How itchy must his tongue be?
I scratched that itch just right, and he looked utterly pleased.
Naturally, I dropped my teacup to the floor.
Thud.
“Ah! Sorry.”
I bent down to pick it up, taking the chance to inspect his shoes.
Because Seo-hyang's miss had advised me, 'Check his shoes.'
I didn't know who 'he' was, so I'd been checking everyone's shoes until now.
This time too, following her advice, but the tablecloth blocked the view, so I had no choice.
“……”
Then, Geum-ryeong's voice echoed in my mind.
- Kkwi!
Huh? Geum-ryeong's reacting?
“Are you alright?”
“Ah, I'm fine. Luckily the cup didn't break, but the tea spilled and dirtied the rug.”
“No problem. We can replace it.”
I made a relieved face and changed the subject.
“My apologies. Anyway, when can we get that notarized document?”
“No later than this evening.”
“Then, could you tell me the number of troops stationed here?”
My question narrowed his eyes.
“As you know, troop numbers are classified information. Why do you ask?”
“I know it's confidential. But I need to know to decide whether to send more support or if it's enough without.”
“……”
“Don't worry. We're in the same boat now, aren't we? I need this to succeed too.”
“Hmm, fair enough.”
“If you still have doubts, tell me after handing over the notarized document.”
“Very well, then.”
I left the room and returned to my quarters, recalling the shoes of that so-called strategist I'd just seen.
They looked ordinary at a glance, but something felt off.
And crucially, Geum-ryeong reacted to them. That meant the shoes were a spiritual artifact.
What kind?
Seo-hyang advising me meant there was good reason.
Something important, something I mustn't overlook.
Lost in such thoughts, I arrived at my quarters, where Kwon-jik Daehyeop was waiting.
“I heard you called for me.”
“Yes, we need to talk. Gather everyone.”
A short while later, everyone assembled in my room.
“What did you call us for?”
The Gold Guard daehyeops' polite speech.
It had felt awkward at first, but now it was natural. People adapt, after all.
“He wanted to thank me, but it felt like he was also probing me.”
“I see.”
“Anyway, we'll get the troop details after receiving the notarized document.”
“Really?”
“Yes. Then, using that as an excuse that we need more support, I'll step out… and take His Highness the Prince with me.”
Everyone stared at me in shock.
“Does that mean you already know where His Highness is?”
“Yes.”
But I didn't mention that the prince was currently being tortured and in poor condition.
They'd rage if they knew, and that could ruin everything.
“First, we'll escort His Highness to safety, then request reinforcements. Most of you will stay here to avoid suspicion.”
Kwon-jik Daehyeop raised his hand first.
“I'll stay behind. I'm in charge here. I can't sacrifice others for my own safety.”
Good man.
Though staying might mean sucking honey—or poison.
“But please take So-un with you. This place is dangerous, isn't it?”
That sparked a question in my mind.
Lately, I'd noticed the Gold Guard daehyeops fussing over So-un Daehyeop unusually.
And unlike the others, he'd fallen for my provocations easily.
Not just because he was young or the baby of the group.
There was something else, but it wasn't important now, so I set it aside.
“This mission requires speed. And outside might be riskier than here. If you lag, I'll leave you behind.”
“Take Han-seok, then. He's the fastest among us.”
“Han-seok Daehyeop, you're with me.”
“Understood.”
I gave detailed instructions to the rest on how to act.
“Dismissed.”
“Yes, sir.”
Once everyone left, I sipped tea alone, deep in thought.
The plan was set, but I still couldn't pin down that Gong-ho's shoes.
I planned to carry the prince at full speed to the imperial palace.
Even Jukangma was fast, but not faster than my peak Super First-rate lightness skill.
But the shoes… Ah?
Reviewing the plan, a thought flashed through my mind.
Is that artifact something that lets him run super fast?
I finally grasped Seo-hyang's advice.
If I didn't realize his shoes were an artifact, I'd be in trouble.
To execute my plan safely, I had to neutralize that artifact.
How?
I pondered briefly, then chuckled.
It's a precious artifact—can't just destroy it carelessly. No.
Steal it!
I'm not fond of thieving, but against a Murim Alliance latent shadow? Different story.
Resolved, I pondered how to steal those shoe artifacts.
Something that valuable, he probably sleeps in them.
First, get him to take them off.
Then I can steal them.
Just then, Palgap entered, grumbling.
“Whew, Yun-nam really has tons of bugs, huh.”
“Obviously. Perfect environment for them.”
“That's what I'm saying.”
Yes, that'll do it!
Seeing Palgap sparked a brilliant idea.
“Hey, Palgap. Got a favor. Catch me about ten ants?”
“Pardon?”
“And you've made good progress in training lately, right? Show me.”
……
……
……
After lunch that day, I went back to the strategist's room and received the notarized document.
It stated that I'd helped with Chun-gyeong Castle's affairs, and in return, they granted me exclusive trading rights for the next ten years.
“Good.”
“And here—this is what you were curious about. Read it and burn it.”
Secret Troop Deployment Memo
Additional warriors brought separately: 200 men
Yeon Yu-mun's group: approximately 100 men
(Note: Excludes Murim Alliance defectors and Gold Guard turncoats)
“Understood.”
I unfolded the document.
Whoa… two hundred extra warriors? Yeon Yu-mun said about a hundred.
They scraped together quite a lot.
But this misses some: the defectors from Dong-chang and Gold Guard.
And Gong-ho in front of me.
His realm was about first-rate. Even that was significant firepower.
I memorized it all and burned the paper in the candle flame.
Whoosh!
Pretending to think, I said,
“Looks like the funds I promised won't cut it. I'll go outside and fetch more resources.”
I continued.
“But to avoid eyes, I'll move with a small group.”
“Not bringing all your guards?”
“Yes. Just two or three. Take care of things while I'm gone. They're quite the investment in money and time.”
“We'll manage.”
“Won't take long—I'll be quick.”
Gong-ho returned to his quarters. He couldn't help bursting into laughter.
“Hahaha, fool! I was tense because of his reputation, but he's just a money-grubber.”
In Eun Seo-ho's eyes just now, greed had shone bright.
That meeting had erased all his doubts about Eun Seo-ho.
Grinning, he opened a chest in the corner.
The resources Eun Seo-ho had brought.
“Heh heh, how much is all this worth?”
Gong-ho was a latent shadow of the Murim Alliance.
His orders: dominate Chun-gyeong Castle or raze it flat.
He didn't know why.
He just followed orders from above.
He'd become a latent shadow for the money.
Each success brought hefty pay, and ten successes meant freedom from the contract.
But people spend what they earn.
He hadn't saved as much as expected.
So he needed a big haul this time.
And unexpectedly, a fortune had arrived—with more coming.
He closed the chest, sat, and propped his feet on the desk.
Gazing at his shoes, he smiled contentedly.
His shoes were a spiritual artifact called One Step Thousand Li Shoes.
As the name implied, they allowed blinding speed—one step covering a thousand li.
He'd acquired it by chance, and it became his lifelong treasure.
Night fell.
He lay on his bed, shoes still on, and fell asleep.
Precious things stayed with him even in sleep.
Then, someone entered.
As bold as could be, but no one noticed the bear-like bulk.
He pulled a jar from his bosom and tilted it toward Gong-ho's shoes.
Moments later.
Ants crawled out from the jar.
Yun-nam natives—stinging badly even for ordinary folk.
For a first-rate warrior, just intense itching.
Itchiness drives people madder than pain.
Soon, the reaction began.
Gong-ho started scratching at his shoes.
But why the saying about itching in leather shoes?
“Argh! Damn it!”
Unable to relieve it, he finally kicked off the shoes and scratched his soles furiously.
Ah, sweet relief. Then screams erupted.
“Fire! Fire!”
“The place is burning!”
Bang!
The door to his room flew open, and defectors rushed in, shouting.
“Evacuate now! The fire's spreading here!”
Gong-ho jumped up frantically, searching for his shoes, but the dark room made it hard.
“What are you doing?”
“I need my shoes.”
“We're about to burn alive, and shoes are your priority? We need you!”
Dragged away by the others, the discarded One Step Thousand Li Shoes were quietly pocketed by the bearish man.
He'd been there all along, but no one noticed.
A bit embarrassed, he scratched his head and returned to his master.