Golden Buddha Statue (1)
Our boat began to slow down gradually.
At that moment, the ship’s captain approached and said,
“We’ll arrive in Luoyang in about half a shichen.”
His early notice was also a reminder to pack our belongings ahead of time.
Rushing to gather things at the last minute often led to delays or forgetting something important.
“Thanks to you, it was a comfortable journey.”
“Hahaha, no need for such words. How could we ever repay the grace you showed in saving our young master?”
I gave an awkward smile.
“And our young master has a message for you.”
He handed me a letter.
I took it, unfolded it, and smiled faintly.
It was filled with worried admonitions to be careful, along with instructions to contact the Luoyang branch of the Baekyeom Merchant Group if I ever needed his help.
What a good guy, I thought.
Our boat soon docked at Luoyang’s wharf.
“You’ve worked hard.”
“Safe travels.”
Since our boat carried only our group, we’d been able to travel without worry.
But from here on, it was time to stay alert.
“Let’s rest here for a day before heading back to the Murim Alliance,” Team Leader Won said.
I nodded.
“Understood.”
I wanted to rush straight to the Murim Alliance, but it was getting late, and we needed to check the horses’ condition.
Of course, my group’s and my superior warhorses were still full of vigor—we could set off immediately if needed.
As I pondered which inn to stay at, an idea struck me, and I decided right away.
We were on Alliance Leader’s orders, after all, so it didn’t matter if his eyes and ears were around.
No—in fact, I planned to use them to my advantage.
“Everyone must be tired, so let’s stay there.”
Team Leader Won flinched at the place I pointed to. It was the most expensive inn at Luoyang’s wharf.
He whispered to me,
“Ahem, ahem. It does look nice, but… what about somewhere else?”
I knew what worried him.
“Don’t worry about the cost. I’ll cover it.”
“B-but…”
“No need to fret. It’s just one night. The mission funds from the Alliance won’t stretch that far anyway, right?”
“Ahem, true enough.”
Even if the Murim Alliance was wealthy, it had plenty of expenses.
They provided generous mission funds, but not enough for a place this luxurious.
“What do the rest of you think?”
At my question, the team members swallowed hard, glancing at Team Leader Won.
The inn I’d chosen was the sort only wealthy merchants or nobles from great clans would frequent.
They wanted to accept, but couldn’t ignore their superior’s gaze.
I chuckled inwardly at the sight.
“You’ve all worked hard, so doesn’t a place like this for one night sound perfect for shaking off the fatigue? And when else will I get to treat the great heroes who’ve protected me all this way?”
In the end, Team Leader Won yielded to my persuasion.
“Ahem, ahem. Then we’ll gratefully accept.”
The team members erupted in cheers.
Refusing now would only erode his authority further in front of his subordinates, especially since he probably wanted to stay here too.
And so, we entered the Golden Prosperity Inn, the priciest luxury inn near Luoyang’s wharf.
“Welcome.”
“We’d like a room for the night.”
I hadn’t chosen this inn just to relax in luxury.
There were several reasons.
For one, as the top-class establishment, it was guarded by high-level warriors, and its guests were mostly verified individuals.
I couldn’t relax until I delivered the Golden Buddha Statue to the Alliance Leader.
The real one was in my secret pouch, but the fake was with Team Leader Won, so we needed to keep it secure.
The fake was part of my plan too.
I could always get another if it was lost, but that’d be a hassle.
This place was surely under the Murim Alliance’s watch—news of our arrival would have reached the Alliance Leader by now.
Even so, he wouldn’t try anything here.
If a theft occurred in an inn like this and they failed to catch the culprit, its reputation and trust would plummet.
They’d lose their ability to gather intel from big shots.
Best to rest easy before entering the tiger’s den.
I wondered what face the Alliance Leader would make upon hearing we were staying here.
That night.
The Alliance Leader was receiving a report.
“So, Team Leader Won and Sub-team Leader Eun Seo-ho’s group have arrived in Luoyang?”
“Yes, that’s right.”
“It’s late, and the horses need rest, so they’re staying at an inn near the wharf. Which one?”
“The Golden Prosperity Inn.”
“……What?”
“The Golden Prosperity Inn. That ridiculously expensive one.”
He furrowed his brows and asked,
“Did we give Team Leader Won’s group enough funds for that?”
“No. We paid according to standard mission rates.”
“Then how are they staying there?”
“According to the inn’s errand boy, Sub-team Leader Eun Seo-ho paid the full bill.”
“……I see.”
Then they’d arrive tomorrow or the day after.
“I have an external appointment tomorrow?”
It wasn’t something he could return from quickly.
“Postpone it a few days for now.”
“Understood.”
Once his aide left, the Alliance Leader stood and gazed out the window.
Humidity mingled with the breeze through the open window.
The rainy season was about to begin.
I’m looking forward to how he’ll answer the question I posed.
His response would determine my decision about him.
If it was fake, I’d handle it accordingly; if he’d brought the real Golden Buddha Statue, I’d welcome him with open arms.
That statue could solve the problem plaguing me.
Satisfied with how smoothly things were progressing, the Alliance Leader smiled.
The reports were spot on. He really does love high-end inns…
Dawn broke.
I went down to the first floor for breakfast.
As I descended with my group, an errand boy greeted us politely.
“Did you have a good night?”
“Yes, thanks to you.”
“This way, please.”
We took our seats at tables as guided.
Team Leader Won and a few team members were already eating at a nearby table.
I exchanged brief greetings with them.
“What would you like for breakfast?”
The errand boy handed over a crisp sheet listing the morning options.
My group and I each ordered what we wanted.
“I’ll have porridge.”
“Noodles for me…”
Meals were included in the inn’s rate. As the errand boy headed to the kitchen with our orders, Team Leader Won remarked,
“Luxury inns really are the best.”
“Exactly why I like them.”
“We can set off after breakfast. Though we might have to wait upon arrival—the Alliance Leader is a busy man.”
“True.”
I said that, but my thoughts were the opposite.
We’d probably be summoned immediately upon reaching the Alliance.
That was part of why I’d chosen this inn.
It was one the Murim Alliance kept a close eye on.
News of our stay would have reached the Alliance Leader already.
Which meant he knew roughly when we’d arrive.
He still didn’t know if I carried the real Golden Buddha Statue or a fake.
If it was real—the one he’d been eagerly awaiting—he had no reason to delay.
“Team Leader.”
“Yes, speak.”
“On the way to the Murim Alliance, someone might target the Golden Buddha Statue. With you brave heroes here, we’d repel them easily, but I’m still worried about it. So, how about this?”
“Go on.”
“We prepare a fake that looks just like it. I’ll carry that one.”
“A decoy operation?”
“Something like that.”
Team Leader Won thought for a moment before replying,
“Good idea. But can you get one right now?”
“Of course. It won’t be hard.”
“Then let’s do it.”
His ready agreement gave me the perfect excuse to retrieve the real one.
“I’ll go get it right away.”
The team members chimed in,
“If you need escorts, we’ll go with you.”
“We know Luoyang like the back of our hands.”
Staying at this top inn had clearly earned me more goodwill.
But going with them would be inconvenient.
“It’s fine. Enjoy the inn a bit longer, heroes.”
With that, I left the inn with my group and soon returned—with the Golden Buddha Statue strapped to my back.
The real one from my secret pouch.
“Is that the new one?”
“Yes. Good enough, right?”
“Looks real enough. Mind if I take a peek?”
“Of course.”
I unwrapped the cloth around the real Golden Buddha Statue from my pouch and showed it. Team Leader Won was impressed.
“Incredible. To procure something like this in such short time—it looks more real than the other one.”
In truth, he’d mistaken the fake for real earlier.
He wasn’t at a level to tell them apart.
But saying this now… maybe he had good instincts.
“Shall we head out then?”
“Yes.”
We left the Golden Prosperity Inn and set off for the Murim Alliance.
With the Murim Alliance’s armed squad banner flying, no one dared interfere, and we arrived swiftly.
We halted before the Murim Alliance gates, where a guard approached.
“Halt. Identity check.”
“Dragon Fang Squad Sixth Team Leader Won Eop.”
He presented his badge.
“Ten members, including myself, returned safely!”
“Confirmed.”
The guard returned the badge and cupped his fists.
“Congratulations on your return.”
“Thank you.”
“And the group beside you?”
Team Leader Won explained,
“This is SeonhyeopmirangEun Seo-ho and his escorts. They accompanied me on the Alliance Leader’s orders.”
“Understood. Please enter.”
We proceeded into the Murim Alliance.
I gripped my reins tighter. This wasn’t my first time here—not since the Yongbong Martial Assembly.
But the stakes were different now. I had to strike at the Alliance Leader’s blind spot.
If the heavens watched over me, everything would go smoothly without a hitch.
We reached a building and dismounted.
Horses weren’t allowed deeper inside.
“Welcome.”
As we got off, a voice called from behind.
Turning, we saw a young man greeting us. Team Leader Won murmured,
“The Alliance Leader’s attendant.”
“I see.”
He approached and cupped his fists.
“You’ve all worked hard. The Alliance Leader wishes to see the two of you immediately.”
“He knew we’d arrive right now?”
“Yes. He’s been waiting.”
I nearly laughed.
Just as I’d planned.
“The others, please wait here.”
We followed the attendant inside.
Things are getting tense, I thought.
Soon, we reached the Alliance Leader’s chamber.
“Alliance Leader, Team Leader Won and Seonhyeopmirang have arrived.”
“Let them enter.”
The attendant turned.
“Please.”
He opened the door, and we stepped in.
The Alliance Leader waited with a benevolent expression.
No different from what I’d seen at the Yongbong Martial Assembly.
We bowed respectfully before him.
“Dragon Fang Squad Sixth Team Leader Won Eop pays respects to the Alliance Leader. I have completed your orders and returned.”
“Eun Seo-ho of the Eunhae Merchant Group pays respects to the Alliance Leader. It was an honor to carry out your command.”
“Well done. Sit.”
“Thank you.”
We took seats opposite him.
The large table and many chairs suggested this room hosted meetings with elders.
“Any troubles on the journey?”
Team Leader Won replied,
“We nearly had a big problem from eating poisonous herbs by mistake, but Seonhyeopmirang here saved us.”
“Such an incident? My thanks.”
“Not at all. I’m glad my meager skills could help.”
“No other issues?”
“No, none.”
“Good. Now, the Golden Buddha Statue.”
At his words, Team Leader Won produced it and placed it on the table.
At the same moment, I did the same.
“Here it is.”
The real Golden Buddha Statue and the fake.
Seeing two at once, the Alliance Leader couldn’t hide his surprise.
“Why are there two?”
I answered,
“I prepared an extra, in case someone targeted it.”
“So one is real, and one is fake?”
“Yes.”
Well then, did I bring the real Golden Buddha Statue? Or the fake?