Unexpected Clue (2)
I turned my head to see where the arrow had come from.
Countless ships dotted the sea, and I was stunned by the flag flying at the lead vessel.
It was the flag of the Eunhae Merchant Group.
That meant the ship at the front was one of our trading vessels.
So these arrows must have been loosed by our archers, masters of the Thousand Breaking Bow, a technique befitting gods of archery.
I hadn't realized their prowess during training observation, but in real combat, it was utterly terrifying.
Ah, this isn't the time!
Pak!
Paak!
The arrows embedded in the ship reeked of oil.
Staying aboard was suicide.
They were firing from such a distance, unaware of our presence—they probably thought the ship was still pirate-held.
I called out to a Hae-nam Sect warrior who had come to provide support.
"What's the retreat signal?"
"Pardon?"
"We need to pull back immediately. Now!"
Reading the urgency in my voice, he quickly blew on his flute.
Piiik! Pii! Piiik! Pii!
No sooner had the shrill notes echoed than the Hae-nam Sect disciples aboard other ships shook off the pirates and leaped overboard.
Arrows were thudding into the ships on either side, creating just enough chaos for our escape.
We jumped ship as well.
But leaving it at that felt like a waste.
I charged at full speed toward the pirate captain and struck his vessel with a resounding blow.
"Gah!"
The captain crumpled, knocked out cold from the impact.
Grabbing him by the scruff, I plunged straight into the sea.
The pirates tried to block me too late—fat chance.
"Get him!"
"He's got our captain!"
Right on cue, fiery arrows rained down on the ship.
"Aaaagh!"
"D-Damn it! Fire!"
Ignoring the pirates' panicked shouts, I swam furiously through the water and reached the shore.
"Are you all right, young master?"
"Yes, I'm fine."
Clasping the hand extended by the Seo-u Warrior, I hauled myself out and handed over the pirate captain I'd dragged along.
"He's an important witness. Make sure he doesn't get a chance to take his own life."
"Understood."
The other Hae-nam Sect warriors had all made it back too, and Dojin Daeju and Cheongryu Musang approached me.
"Whew, that was close. What in the world just happened?"
I answered Dojin Daeju's question.
"Ah, that was one of our Eunhae Merchant Group trading ships."
"Pardon? Why would a trading ship have that kind of firepower...?"
"It's built for trade with Dai Viet, but we beefed up its defenses against pirates."
"And that is 'beefed up'?"
I gave an awkward smile and looked away at his question.
Even I have to admit, that's an understatement.
"By the way, it seems the pirates already knew our operation plan."
Their faces hardened at my words.
"You're right. This is grave. Our plans have never leaked before, so for these pirates to know..."
"Someone must have tipped them off."
They clenched their fists, as if they'd suspected as much.
Now, pirate raids at this timing, plus an inside job...
They must be wrapping things up and planning to bolt.
From the perspective of those committing the corruption, the biggest thorn in their side was the Hae-nam Sect.
Not just their martial prowess, but the overwhelming support and respect they commanded from the island's residents.
To cash out their ill-gotten gains and slip away, they'd have to evade the sect's watchful eyes.
Hence, deploying pirates to divert attention elsewhere.
But heaven was on our side—the timing aligned perfectly with our trading fleet returning from Dai Viet.
Spotting the pirates, our ships attacked without hesitation and sailed off leisurely.
Worth instructing them to preemptively eradicate any pirates they encountered en route.
I'd have to pass along my thanks later.
Talk about perfect timing. If they hadn't shown up, we'd have been like dogs chasing chickens, staring helplessly at the rooftops.
Then I wouldn't have had the leverage to push for docking our ships here.
Meanwhile, the pirates who'd landed and pushed inland had been mostly mopped up.
It looked brutal—severing necks without mercy and dumping the bodies into the sea—but it was the best approach.
Pirates had this weird romantic notion; imprison them, and their comrades would bust them out to resume pillaging.
They never reformed, even after serving time—that was their nature.
Considering that, outright execution benefited everyone.
Watching the soldiers execute the pirates, I could see just how much suffering they'd endured.
I had my own pirate to deal with, so I dragged the one I'd captured toward the Hae-nam Sect.
It was the ideal spot for an uninterrupted, serious interrogation.
On the way, I asked Yeo Eung-am Warrior for a favor.
Bring Jangwon Daehyeop here from hiding with Seo-hyang Sojeo.
He had a knack for interrogations, and since this involved imperial orders, handling it solo would be unwise.
Sharing credit and intel with the Gold Guard prevented backlash.
Plus, it'd pave the way for future assistance.
Arriving at the sect, I requested a private room from the sect leader.
"No trouble at all. There's a detached pavilion over there we rarely use."
Under Cheongryu Musang's guidance, I took the pirate there, bound him to a pillar, and stepped back.
He struggled desperately to escape, but no one was coming to save him.
Soon enough, Jangwon Daehyeop arrived at the pavilion.
"Oh! I heard—you successfully wiped out the pirates!"
"Yes. One of our Eunhae Merchant Group ships happened by and lent aid."
"Fortunate indeed."
He continued,
"But why summon me? Who's this fellow?"
I explained the whole situation.
Jangwon Daehyeop grasped it immediately.
"I see. He's the pirate captain, and since there's a traitor colluding with them on Hae-nam Island, you captured him. And you called me to uncover the traitor."
"Exactly."
"Got it."
Jangwon Daehyeop cracked his knuckles.
Eudeuk! Udeuk!
"Leave him to me. Time to show my skills."
Sensing what was coming, the pirate captain's face twisted in terror.
I left the pavilion with a final warning for him.
"Spill everything you know, truthfully and fast—that'll make it hurt less."
.
.
.
I left the captain with Jangwon Daehyeop and stepped outside.
Then Yeo Eung-am Warrior approached me.
"Young master, Seo-hyang Sojeo asked me to pass on a message."
A message from Seo-hyang Sojeo?
"Go ahead."
He relayed her words, and upon hearing them, I gave several instructions to my guards.
Then, with the Seo-u Warrior, I headed to the seaside.
The spot where the burning pirate ship had sunk.
"Why here?"
"Ah... I hated leaving the loot on that pirate ship behind."
"Pardon?"
"When I boarded earlier, Geumryeong-i reacted to a good haul aboard. Figured I'd retrieve it. Can't let it go to waste."
The Seo-u Warrior nodded at my explanation.
"Wise, but the ship's sunk deep offshore. How do you plan to recover it?"
"I've got aquatic arts."
"Ah... right you do."
"So don't worry—just keep watch."
I asked the Seo-u Warrior to guard the perimeter, donned my night clothes, and dove in.
The hood covered my head fully, letting me slip into the sea without hair getting in the way.
Truth be told, one of the Hae-nam Sect's signature arts was aquatic kung fu.
Based on an island, they needed mastery over the waves for true freedom.
But their version had limits.
It couldn't reach the depths.
How did I know?
Ships sunk in shallow coastal waters had no treasure left, but those that sank far offshore into the deep still held their booty untouched.
My Ice Sea Assimilation Heart Method and Ice Sea Water Severing Art, however, let me plunge to any depth.
Geumryeong-i was splashing about happily in the water with its stubby limbs.
I'd promised it a gold coin.
Darting through the sea like a fish, it stuffed every valuable from the sunken ships into my dimensional pouch.
Can't wait to see what's inside later.
After thoroughly looting the wrecks around the area, I returned to shore.
"Finally back?"
The Seo-u Warrior approached, his expression showing real concern.
"You were worried?"
"Yes, you didn't surface till dawn."
Fair enough—dawn had broken, meaning I'd been down there for hours.
"Hahaha, sorry. Treasure hunting was more fun than I expected; lost track of time."
By now, the pirate captain must have cracked.
"Let's head to the Hae-nam Sect."
"Yes, sir."
I went to the sect, shed my night clothes, and changed back into my regular attire.
Then I headed to the pavilion.
"Heh heh, about time."
Jangwon Daehyeop was waiting out front.
"You've had a hard time of it."
"Nothing to it. He spilled easier than expected. Come on in."
I entered with him and saw the pirate captain dangling from the ceiling.
"......"
No wonder he cracked so fast.
I reaffirmed my resolve.
I'll never get on the Gold Guard's bad side.
"As you suspected, there was a traitor. A man named Cheoncheonbok seems to have orchestrated things using the pirates."
"From what I know, the Jibu Daein is backing Cheoncheonbok."
"Arrest Cheoncheonbok and interrogate him, and the Jibu will surface."
"Likely. But do we need to go step by step? Since we're grabbing them anyway, why not hit them all at once?"
"Fair point. In that case, I'll take the Jibu Daein. I'll lead the Gold Guard already in Seomunhyeon and apprehend him."
"Then I'll handle Cheon the merchant lord."
"Need backup...?"
"No need. I've got a plan."
After Jangwon Daehyeop left, we kept things quiet, as if nothing was amiss.
We couldn't afford to tip them off prematurely and snatch defeat from victory.
A few hours later, Jangwon Daehyeop returned with the Gold Guard and entered Hae-nam Island.
Hearing the news, I headed straight for the Chaehong Merchant Group.
Black道 warriors—pirates he'd summoned—guarded the front.
"Eun Seo-ho of the Eunhae Merchant Group. Is the merchant lord inside?"
"One moment."
They were visibly on edge now.
With their pirate band annihilated overnight, anxiety was inevitable.
That's why they weren't picking a fight like before.
"You're clear to enter."
"Thank you."
I went inside and waited in the reception room.
Soon Cheoncheonbok entered, unease flickering in his eyes.
"To what do I owe the visit? The pearl jewelry is still far from finished..."
I smiled inwardly at his demeanor.
He must be wondering what happened to his pirates, wiped out in a single night.
They were likely crucial to him and his ilk.
Losing that key piece so suddenly would sow chaos.
"I realized I never properly thanked you for introducing those fine pearls. Thought I'd drop by for a meal to express my gratitude."
"That's very kind of you."
"Shall we go?"
Luring him out with this white lie was to avoid needless clashes.
If they went berserk, innocent civilians would suffer.
I led him out of the Chaehong Merchant Group to a pre-arranged restaurant.
"Welcome."
Palgap had reserved a private room, so we were ushered straight there.
But no food was laid out.
"Wh-What is this...?"
Sensing something amiss, he tried to bolt.
But,
Peok!
My fist was faster.
Subduing Cheoncheonbok, I loaded the unconscious man into a palanquin and headed to the Hae-nam Sect.
To the pavilion where the pirate captain hung—and strung Cheoncheonbok up beside him.
Bang!
The door flew open as Jangwon Daehyeop entered.
His expression was grim, though...
"My apologies."
"What happened?"
"They got wind of it. The Jibu's Gold Lion Dog already fled Hae-nam Island."
These types always have that sixth sense.
A moment later.
I strode openly to the government office.
No need to hide my identity anymore.
I dispatched some Gold Guard to the Chaehong Merchant Group to subdue the black道 warriors there.
Not many remained at the office.
I headed to Gold Lion Dog's quarters.
Signs of a hasty packing were everywhere.
Fleeing toward Guangdong Province? Futile.
The Gold Guard blanketed the area—no refuge there.
No matter.
He was already in my grasp.
Seo-hyang Sojeo's tip had prepared me for this.
I smirked at one item in his room.
An empty box.
The very one that once held the golden toad I'd taken as collateral from the Mu Merchant Group.
In his panic, he'd pegged it as his biggest prize and snatched it up.
But what a shame.
It was a fake.