Chapter 49
Chapter 49
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 49
Chapter Title: [Secret Clinic] Killing the Chief State Councillor (1)
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“Wha... what is this?”
“You'll figure it out when you see it.”
This was the intel that Jang Taesu, the bodyguard from the Chief State Councillor's residence during our last contact, had brought.
Ledgers of the Chief State Councillor's corruption, lists of spies, and irrefutable evidence of the plot to assassinate the Queen Consort.
“Ah...”
“You need to deliver this to His Majesty. Once the King learns of the Chief State Councillor's plans, he won't sit idly by.”
“His Majesty?! Th-that's impossible! The guards around Gangnyeongjeon are airtight—no fly could slip through! Even if I flew like the wind, I'd end up a pincushion the moment I stepped foot there!”
“What? Didn't you say you were confident in your thieving skills?”
“There's a limit to everything! They say not even a rat could get in there!”
Cheonbong glanced around cautiously before speaking up.
“How about you infiltrate yourself, Master Taoist? With some kind of stealth spell or... don't you have anything like that?”
If I were a real Taoist who could use techniques like the Thunder God's incantation, maybe, but sneaking into a place even Cheonbong couldn't breach wouldn't be easy.
“Even as a Taoist, I'm still in training. I can't use every spell there is.”
“I see...”
Cheonbong looked a bit disappointed.
Hey, that's unfair.
“Cheonbong, you punk. What's with that look?”
“Huh? Wh-what look...?”
“What look? You're practically radiating disappointment.”
“No, sir! How could I ever think that of you, Master Taoist...”
“Tch! Don't lie to me. Be honest.”
“J-just... a little...?”
Cheonbong eyed me warily, then brought his hand to his face, forming a tiny circle with his thumb and index finger.
A gesture that could get you labeled the wrong way these days if misused.
Good thing he made it round—safe.
“Alright, Cheonbong, listen up. You've only heard old tales about Taoists, right?”
“Yes, that's true.”
“Those Taoists in the stories show off all sorts of tricks, but they don't reveal everything. At most two or three, maybe six if they're generous. They're all still in training too. They just show what they can.”
“Ah! You're right—the Taoists in stories only demonstrate that many skills.”
Exactly.
Just look at the real Hong Gil-dong in the tales—not a fake like me. Weather manipulation, transformation, stealth, shrinking earth technique, cloud-riding, illusions. That's six.
What I've shown: summoning items from inventory, body enhancement for shrinking steps and pseudo-flight, muffling sounds with mana, voice alteration, and finally, bear-repellent spray as fire magic.
Six exactly.
I'm Gil-dong level.
“Good, as long as you get it. So, no way around it then?”
At my question, Cheonbong pondered.
“There might be a way.”
“What way?”
“His Highness takes a stroll in the rear garden of Changdeok Palace every day around noon. He loves admiring the scenery near Buyongjeong Pavilion.”
“Oh?”
“It's in the middle of a pond, so at night, the guards only patrol the perimeter.”
“Perfect. Buyongjeong it is. We can leave it there.”
“Hide in the woods, and as long as you dodge the patrols...”
“Yeah. That's all you need to do.”
Right after, Cheonbong seemed to catch on and spoke up.
“Kuhuhu! Master Taoist, you're downright ruthless! No, brilliant!”
He figured it out.
Not a complicated plan anyway.
“You get the idea?”
“Of course! Once the slush fund ledger and spy list reach the King's hands, he'll suspect the Chief State Councillor and search his residence... and that's when they'll find this stolen box!”
Only then did Jang Taesu grasp the core of my scheme, looking at me with a shiver.
“Master Taoist... a plan that would make ghosts weep. The Chief State Councillor won't escape this one.”
“It's a sure thing.”
Stealing medicine to sabotage the Queen's treatment, plus the slush funds? That's high treason locked in.
I took the medicine box, sure, but does the King care?
The Chief State Councillor won't be able to explain where the ingredients went. Done.
“What's a 'sure thing'?”
“Taoist lingo. Like a heavenly net—escape-proof.”
“Aha! Heaven and earth's web! Can't run, can't hide. Totally a sure thing!”
Lies are coming easier now.
Gonna unlock a skill at this rate.
“Anyway, you both understand your roles? Cheonbong scouts the garden and the Councillor's place. Jang Taesu waits outside the prison. I'll extract Kim Naegwan.”
“Yes, sir!”
“Then let's move.”
Taoist Yi Gil-dong and his merry band plunged into the darkness.
We split up under the palace wall.
“Good luck.”
“Got it! You too, Master Taoist! And you, sword-for-hire.”
“You too, Cheonbong.”
We've been through enough together—they're actually looking out for each other now.
Soon, thief Cheonbong vaulted the wall with practiced ease toward the garden, while Jang Taesu and I headed for the Royal Secret Police headquarters.
The prison was on the palace outskirts, lit by torches everywhere, with constables standing guard sternly.
“Master Taoist, there. Beyond that wall is the prison.”
Jang Taesu whispered.
“Hmm... seems tighter than on Cheonbong's map.”
“Makes sense—they're holding a high treason convict due for execution soon.”
“Alright. You wait here. Muffle any noise and hide. When I toss Kim Naegwan over, catch him and bolt. Got it?”
“Understood. Good luck.”
Leaving Jang Taesu behind, I approached the headquarters.
To avoid detection, I pulled my bamboo hat low.
Activated [Body Enhancement], channeled mana to my feet to silence my steps.
Used [Mana Detection] to map the guards, slipped through blind spots, and leaped the wall.
“I'm dying of boredom. Doesn't that Kim Naegwan ever sleep?”
“Guy's got death coming—sleep? Tch tch.”
The two guards at the entrance were chatting.
I snuck up silently and struck their napes.
Sorry, just sleep it off.
Thwack! Thwack!
They crumpled without a sound.
Snatched the keyring and entered the prison.
Damp, musty air.
Groans of prisoners echoed down the dark corridor.
There he is.
Deepest cell, special block: Kim Naegwan.
Treated special for a traitor.
Stripped of his official robes, clad only in white undergarments, hair disheveled.
He'd aged years in days, staring blankly at the wall.
Clank.
The lockpick noise startled him; he jerked his head up.
“Wh-who's there? Execution time already?”
“Execution? Three days left.”
“You... you're...?”
Black plain clothes, bamboo hat.
The nightmare outfit.
“M-Master Taoist?!”
“Yeah, Yi Gil-dong. Came to see your face before you croak.”
“Is this a dream? Am I hallucinating?”
Kim Naegwan pinched his cheek.
Not grasping reality, huh.
Time to make it real.
Slap!
“Aaaack!”
He yelped and tumbled.
“Hurts?”
“Y-yes! It hurts so much!”
“Good. Not a dream anymore.”
Finally snapping to, he clutched my pant leg, sniffling.
“Waaah! Master Taoist! Save me! Please! I'm innocent! I didn't steal anything!”
Sobbing so pitifully, snot dripping.
Thinks I'm here to judge him, probably.
A bit awkward since I came to rescue him, but... gross.
“I know. I know better than anyone you're not the type to steal.”
“R-really? As expected of the Master Taoist! Please get me out! I'll repay this debt for generations!”
“Quiet. Stop crying.”
Muffling sound costs mana too.
“Snf!”
He clamped his mouth shut with his hands. I tapped the wooden collar on his neck—infused with mana.
It shattered from the inside out with a crack.
“Let's go.”
“C-can I really leave?”
“Not leaving? Wanna stay and get your head chopped?”
“N-no! I'm going!”
Kim Naegwan scrambled on all fours.
Probably from beatings—his walking was off.
Or from my slap earlier.
Only days passed; not fully healed.
“Here.”
“Huh?”
No way he'd crawl out fast, so I slung him under my arm like luggage.
“Listen. My man's waiting outside. Follow him, stay hidden till it's over.”
“O-over? What do you mean?”
“You've got work to do alive. Obey, and you'll live. Shut up and follow.”
“Yes! Yes! I'll remember! Thank you, Master Taoist! You're my lifesaver!”
Shut up already.
Talks too much.
Tempted to ditch him.
Slipped out of the prison.
Guards still out at the entrance.
Big fuss later.
Guards on a traitor's cell—major alert.
Worry later.
If all goes well, no issue.
Over the wall to the meetup alley—Jang Taesu waited anxiously.
“Master Taoist!”
“Catch.”
Tossed Kim Naegwan his way.
“Eek!”
“Lord Kim Naegwan!”
“J-Jang Taesu? What are you doing here...?”
Kim Naegwan, caught in his arms, gawked at the face.
Recognizes the Chief's direct bodyguard.
Guy in another guy's arms—kinda gross.
And he's a eunuch.
Not quite man or woman—worse.
“Explanations later. Jang Taesu, take him somewhere safe and run.”
“Got it! Lord Kim, let's go.”
“Th-thank you! Master Taoist! And you too, Taesu!”
Jang Taesu nodded to me, hoisted Kim Naegwan over his shoulder like a sack, and vanished down the alley.
I trust him.
Definitely not gay.
Affinity for Jang Taesu up a notch.
Kim Naegwan's safe now.
Two things left.
Ruin the Chief State Councillor and treat the Queen Consort.
Hoping Cheonbong pulled it off.
Need to check if Cheonbong succeeded.
And ideally, make sure the King knows I orchestrated this.
Easier to snag [Trait: Royal Physician] later.
Next day, noon.
Wrapped up morning tasks, told Master I'd gather herbs, and headed out.
Alright then.
Changdeok Palace, let's go.
Changed to black plain clothes, donned the bamboo hat.
Leaped the palace wall.
Buyongjeong.
Pavilion in the Joseon kings' garden.
Blended with a beautiful pond—where the current King should be now.
Cheonbong better have placed it right.
He'd better have.
Traveled treetops, evading soldiers.
Not as tight as the King's chambers, but still heavy guard for a royal stroll spot.
After stealing Kim Naegwan from prison last night, makes sense.
Lucky lots of trees—easy infiltration.
Made it to a tall tree overlooking the pond's edge.
Let's see.
Focused mana in my eyes—just in time to see a man in gonryongpo ascending Buyongjeong Pavilion.
Is that the King of Joseon?