Why Did It Turn Out Like This? (2)
We moved as quickly as possible and arrived at Chunggyeongseong.
"Who might you be?"
"Outsiders are currently restricted from entering."
When the gatekeeper didn't recognize me, I made a show of being deeply offended.
"That's hurtful. Do you have any idea how much money I donated to this Chunggyeongseong? And you don't even know my face?"
I pointed to the boxes carried by Seo-u Warrior and Hanseok Daehyeop.
"Should I just leave, then?"
At that moment, the gates flew open, and someone came rushing out. It was one of the men from the envoy group.
"Wh-what is the meaning of this rudeness? To our great benefactor and daehyeop!"
He gave me an awkward smile.
"Hahaha! Sorry about that. There was an unfortunate incident inside the fortress recently, so security has been tightened."
"An unfortunate incident?"
He nodded and whispered as he approached me.
"I'll explain the details once we're inside."
On our way to the city lord's residence, we learned in detail about what had happened in Chunggyeongseong.
"So, there was a fire at the residence, the military strategist's prized shoes burned up, and Jin Dae-cheol smuggled the prince out of the prison cell?"
"That's right."
"But... the prince was in the prison cell?"
At my question, the envoy looked at me with tense eyes before letting out a sigh.
"We had no choice. For our great cause, we absolutely needed His Highness the Prince's cooperation, but he's so stubborn... We had to grit our teeth and do it."
Huh, gritting your teeth, my ass.
You tortured him so badly that only his face was intact—every other part of him was mangled—and you call that 'gritting your teeth'?
But I couldn't show my anger.
"Well... there must have been circumstances that left you no choice. Still, this is serious. If His Majesty the Emperor finds out you imprisoned His Highness..."
"I know. That's why we're pouring everything into hunting down that Jin Dae-cheol."
We arrived at the residence in the meantime, and I was left speechless.
"......"
Whoa, they really torched the place. I asked for a distraction when rescuing the prince, but I didn't expect this level of destruction...
He gave me a wry smile.
"Shocking, isn't it? It's a total mess."
Of course, it was a misunderstanding.
I was inwardly thrilled.
"So, where are you staying now?"
"With the main residence burned, we're making do in the annex and the pavilion."
"And the people who originally lived there...?"
"What do we care? We moved them elsewhere; they'll manage."
I smiled to myself.
Besides diverting attention while I rescued the prince, there was another reason I started the fire.
To lure the household servants out of the residence.
It would be easier to rescue them from outside the manor.
"Is the city lord safe?"
He hesitated slightly at my question but nodded.
"Yes, he's unharmed."
"That's a relief. Can I see him?"
"He's out inspecting other areas right now. You can meet with the military strategist instead."
"Very well, then."
......
......
......
After meeting with Military Strategist Gong Ho and offering perfunctory condolences, I handed over the funds.
Gong Ho's mouth fell open in delight at the sight of the money.
"Just a bit of friendly advice: you should keep those funds secure."
"Of course. But... it feels like there's more to your words."
"Do you remember the man who escorted me here?"
"Naturally. He's an eunuch of His Majesty the Emperor and the envoy to Chunggyeongseong."
"The way he eyed the funds I brought was suspicious. There's a risk they could end up lining someone else's pockets."
"Understood. I'll be careful."
"Then I'll take my leave."
I stood and headed to my quarters. The loss of those shoes must have hit him hard.
His face looked like death before he saw the money I'd brought.
As I entered the annex where I was staying, Palgap hurried over to greet me.
"Welcome back, young master."
"Yeah, no issues while I was gone?"
Palgap nodded at my question.
"Nothing too serious."
That meant there were minor issues.
Palgap explained what had happened in my absence.
Thanks to me and my group leaving through the gates in plain view, no one suspected us...
It went according to plan, but one question lingered.
By his account, we could've pulled it off without stealing those prized shoes.
Why did Seo Hyang Sojeo give me that advice?
I pondered it every which way, but no clear answer emerged.
Whatever, I'll find out eventually.
Having a good item in hand isn't a bad thing.
"Gather everyone."
"Yes, sir."
Soon, everyone assembled in my room.
"Glad you're safe."
Kwon Jik Daehyeop replied to my words.
"There were a couple close calls where our identities nearly got exposed, but your escort warriors bailed us out each time."
So there were issues after all.
But we made it through unscathed; I'll hear the details later.
"Good to hear."
I nodded and briefed them on the outside situation.
"First off, His Highness the Prince has been safely escorted to the imperial palace. And right now, five thousand Gold Guard are en route here."
"Pardon?"
"Five thousand Gold Guard?"
The Gold Guard daehyeops jumped in surprise.
Understandable.
Deploying the Gold Guard in such numbers was rare.
It meant the Emperor was furious.
If I were him, I'd have done the same.
"They'll arrive in about half a month."
"But won't they get wind of such a large force moving and flee beforehand?"
"That's why they're splitting into small units and moving covertly. Without a top-tier intelligence network, they won't know."
I explained and changed the subject.
"By the way, how did things go with that Jin Dae-cheol fellow?"
He nodded at my question.
"The ones who killed the two comrades led by the Mosan Sect Taoist... they were Gold Guard dispatched here."
"......As expected."
"Then... what do we do now?"
At Cheongak Daehyeop's question, I explained calmly.
"Acting rashly could draw suspicion. Keep behaving like nothing's happened, just as before."
"Understood. But doing nothing feels frustrating."
I chuckled at that.
"When did I say to do nothing?"
"Pardon?"
"I said not to move rashly, not to do nothing at all."
I continued with a smile.
"We have work to do now: sow seeds of doubt among them."
Just like I did with the Murim Alliance's sleeper agent, Gong Ho.
"Make them suspect each other."
With the meeting adjourned, Souun Daehyeop approached me.
"Um... I have a question."
"Go ahead."
"Is... His Highness Prince Ju-hyeon alright?"
"Yes. No threat to his life."
He sighed in relief.
"Thank goodness. And thank you. I'll repay this favor."
I'd saved Prince Ju-hyeon's life, but it wasn't enough to move a Gold Guard daehyeop to this extent.
I was just following orders.
What gives?
But my thoughts were interrupted by a voice calling from outside.
The caller was one of the traitors.
Baek Seon, was it? An eunuch who'd accompanied the prince and was part of the envoy.
"What brings you here?"
"I have urgent business. Got a moment?"
"Perfect timing. Come in."
He entered my room and glanced at my escort warriors.
"I'd like to speak privately."
"Of course."
I agreed readily and dismissed the escorts.
"Go rest outside."
They bowed slightly and left. I sent a sound transmission to Jin Yu Warrior.
-Monitor from above.
-Understood.
Outwardly calm, I said to Baek Seon,
"Tea? I have some I brought from outside."
"Sure."
I brewed it myself and poured him a cup.
"Please."
He sipped and nodded in satisfaction.
"Delicious."
"Glad it suits you. Now, what is it?"
Baek Seon cleared his throat.
"In your view, does this plan stand a chance?"
"Why ask?"
"You heard. Jin Dae-cheol smuggled the prince."
"Yes, I know."
He sighed at my reply.
"He volunteered to torture the prince himself. I should've suspected him then. There must've been some deal between them."
"Since you're being frank, I'll be too. I'm a bit worried. If he botches things, the losses won't be small."
"Sigh, exactly. And we can't find him anywhere..."
Of course you can't.
He's in a secret room known only to the city lord and Yeoyu Gate.
According to Kwon Jik Daehyeop, his tendons were severed, and he's dangling from the ceiling.
Self-inflicted karma.
I feigned distress.
"We need to find him quickly."
"The Gold Guard lives up to its name—they've vanished like ghosts. No progress at all."
"Troubling."
"That's why..."
He glanced around and leaned in to whisper.
"I have a favor to ask."
"What is it?"
"Eliminate the others here."
I widened my eyes in mock shock.
"What do you mean?"
"I've heard about you. His Majesty favors you, right? He'll believe you implicitly."
"You want me to commit mass murder?"
"Yes. Dead men tell no tales. Pin all the crimes on them."
"But Jin Dae-cheol might strike first."
"We can say we acted separately."
He pressed on.
"So, take out the others here."
The disappearance of Jin Dae-cheol and the prince must have rattled him badly.
To think he'd ask me to eliminate his fellow traitors.
Did this guy orchestrate the plan in my past life that got the prince tortured to death?
Very possible.
I put on a grave expression.
"Sorry, pretend I didn't hear that."
"Why?"
"Their forces here are formidable. Beyond what I can handle."
"Nonsense! Your escorts can do it. I'll help too."
"Sorry."
"Aren't you anxious too? If this drags on, we'll all be executed by the Emperor!"
Absurd.
If you're that scared, why betray him in the first place?
"Still, I..."
"Right, you're a merchant. You don't move without pay."
He continued.
"I've amassed a fortune. Half of it is yours."
I let my eyes gleam greedily.
"How much exactly? As you said, I'm a merchant. We like precision."
"......Five hundred gold nyang."
I barely suppressed a laugh.
An eunuch's salary couldn't amass that in a lifetime.
How much did he extort from Chunggyeongseong?
And how much blood and tears did its people shed...?
Same scum.
Instead of rage, I pretended to mull it over, then shook my head.
"Sorry, still no."
"Not enough pay?"
"No, the price is fine. But... what if you don't keep your word?"
"You don't trust me?"
"Apologies, but haven't you already betrayed His Majesty? Once a traitor, always a traitor."
"......"
He bit his lip.
Can't deny that, huh? Tsk...
"Give me the fortune first, or tell me where it is, and trust will follow."
"Wh-what? Why should I trust you..."
"Then what should I trust to grant your request?"
"......"
I refilled his teacup.
After endless deliberation as the tea grew cold, he spoke.
"Fine. I'll tell you where my fortune is hidden."
"Then I'll retrieve exactly five hundred gold nyang from there."
With that, we concluded, and Baek Seon left.
But soon, another visitor arrived.
An eunuch, as expected.
Eunuchs mostly handled envoy roles.
I welcomed him warmly, as if no one had come before.
"What brings you?"
He said cautiously.
"Join hands with me?"
"Pardon?"
"Eliminate the others. I'll give you half my fortune."
"......"
Did they rehearse this? Exactly the same pitch.
No need for my plan to sow discord—they're already falling apart.