Chapter 466
The Youngest Son of the Silver Sea Trading Company Chapter 466
Chapter 466. Why is this happening? (2)
We moved as quickly as possible and arrived at Chunkyungseong.
“Who are you?”
“This place is currently restricted to outsiders.”
When the gatekeeper didn't recognize me, I acted disappointed.
“This is disappointing. I've given so much money to Chunkyungseong, and you don't even recognize me.”
Then, he pointed at the box that Seo Woo and Master Han Seok were carrying and said, “Are you sure you want to go?”
“Should I just go?”
At that moment, the gate burst open and someone rushed out. It was a member of the envoy.
“What is this disrespect! To our great benefactor, Master!”
Then he looked at me and smiled awkwardly.
“Hahahaha! I'm sorry. There has been an unfortunate incident in the castle recently, so security has been tightened.”
“An unfortunate incident?”
He nodded and approached me and whispered.
“I will tell you the details inside.”
On our way to the Magistrate's residence, we heard the details of what had happened in Chunkyungseong.
“So, there was a fire at the residence, the military officer's shoes were burned, and a man named Jin Dae-cheol kidnapped the prince who was imprisoned in the prison?”
“That's right.”
“But... was the prince really in prison?”
The envoy looked at me nervously and sighed.
“We had no choice. The prince's cooperation is essential for our cause, but he is so stubborn... So, with tears in our eyes, we had no choice.”
He's happy with tears in his eyes.
You tortured him so badly that only his face is intact, but the rest of his body is completely ruined, and you're happy?
But I can't show my anger.
“Well... I'm sure you had no choice. Anyway, this is serious. If His Majesty finds out that you imprisoned His Highness in prison...”
“I know. That's why I'm doing everything I can to find Jin Dae-cheol.”
Meanwhile, we arrived at the mansion, and I was speechless.
“...”
Wow, they really set it on fire. I did ask them to, but I didn't think they would go this far...
He looked at me and smiled bitterly.
“You're surprised, aren't you? It's a mess.”
Of course, it was a misunderstanding.
Right now, I was feeling very satisfied inside.
“Then where are you staying now?”
“My wife's house burned down, so I have no choice but to stay at my guest quarters.”
“Then what about the people who used to live there?”
“How should we know? They were sent elsewhere, so they'll manage on their own.”
I smiled to myself.
I had another purpose for setting the fire besides distracting everyone's attention while I rescued the prince.
I wanted to get the people of Chunkyungseong out of the mansion.
It would be easier to rescue them outside the mansion.
“Is the Magistrate safe?”
He hesitated slightly at my question, but soon nodded.
“Yes, he is safe.”
“That's good to hear. May I see him?”
“He is away on business. You can see the military commander.”
“I will do that.”
.
.
.
After meeting with the military officer Gongho and offering him some consolation, I handed him the money.
Of course, Gongho was delighted to see the money.
“I don't mean to be nosy, but you should keep that money safe.”
“Of course I will. But... I feel like you're saying that for a reason.”
“Do you remember the person who brought me here just now?”
“Of course. Isn't he the emperor's chamberlain who came to Chunkyungseong as an envoy?”
“He looked at the money I brought with me with a suspicious look. If we're not careful, the money I brought could be used to enrich someone else.”
“I understand. I'll be careful.”
“Then I will take my leave.”
I got up and headed for my quarters. By the way, it seems that my shoes being burned was quite a shock.
His face was grim until he saw the money I brought.
When I entered the annex where I was staying, Pal-gap ran up to greet me.
“Are you here, young master?”
“Yes, everything okay?”
Pal-gap nodded in response to my question.
“Nothing serious happened.”
That meant that something not so serious had happened.
Pal-gap explained what had happened while I was away.
Thanks to my party and I leaving through the castle gate when everyone was looking, no one suspected anything...
Everything went according to plan, but one question remained.
According to his explanation, even if I hadn't stolen the shoes, my plan would have worked.
Why did Miss Seo give me that advice?
I thought about it over and over, but I couldn't come up with a satisfactory answer.
I guess I'll find out later.
It can't hurt to have a good piece of equipment.
“Tell everyone to gather here.”
“Yes, sir.”
In no time, everyone gathered in my room.
“I'm glad you're all safe.”
Master Kwon Jik replied to my words.
“There were times when our identities were almost revealed, but we were able to escape thanks to the help of Captain Kwon's bodyguards.”
I guess there were some problems after all.
Still, I'll have to hear the details later.
“I'm glad.”
I nodded and explained the situation outside.
“First, we safely escorted His Royal Highness to the Imperial Palace. And now, five thousand Royal Guards are on their way here.”
“What?”
“Did you say five thousand Royal Guards?”
The Royal Guards were startled.
It was understandable.
It was rare for such a large number of Royal Guards to be dispatched.
It meant that the emperor was extremely angry.
Come to think of it, I would have taken the same measures if I were the emperor.
“They are scheduled to arrive in about a month.”
“But if such a large army is on the move, won't they hear about it and flee?”
“That's why they are divided into small groups and moving secretly. It will be difficult to find out unless you have a good information network.”
I explained and changed the subject.
“By the way, how did your meeting with Jin Dae-cheol go?”
He nodded in response to my question.
“The men who killed the two companions led by Master Mosanpa the other day were the Royal Guards dispatched here.”
“...I knew it.”
“Then... what should we do now?”
I calmly explained to Master Cheong-ak.
“If you try to do something rash, you may arouse suspicion. So, just act as if nothing has happened, as you have been doing.”
“I understand. But it's frustrating to do nothing.”
I chuckled at his words.
“When did I tell you to do nothing?”
“What?”
“I said not to act rashly, not to do nothing.”
I smiled and continued.
“There is something we must do from now on. That is to sow suspicion among them.”
Just as I had done with Gong Ho, the sleeper agent of the Martial Alliance.
“Make them suspicious of each other.”
As we finished the meeting and were about to leave, Master So-woon approached me.
“Um... I have a question.”
“Go ahead.”
“Joo-hyun... Is the prince all right?”
“Yes. His life is not in danger.”
Hearing my words, he sighed with relief.
“I am so glad. Thank you very much. I will repay your kindness.”
I saved Prince Joo-hyun's life, but it's not something that would make a Master of the Royal Guards so emotional.
I was just doing my job.
What is going on?
But I couldn't think about it any further. Someone was calling me from outside.
It was one of the traitors.
His name was... Baek Seon? He was one of the eunuchs who had accompanied the prince and was also one of the envoys.
“What is it?”
“I have something important to tell you. Do you have a moment?”
“I have some time. Come in.”
He entered my room and glanced at my bodyguards before saying,
“I want to talk to you alone.”
“Yes, let's do that.”
I readily agreed and dismissed my bodyguards.
“Go out and rest.”
At my command, they bowed slightly and left the room. I sent a telepathic message to Jin-yu.
- Watch from above.
- Yes, sir.
Then, with a calm expression on my face, I said to Baek-seon.
“Would you like some tea? I brought some with me when I went outside.”
“Yes, please.”
I brewed the tea myself and poured it into a teacup.
“Please, have some.”
He took a sip of tea and nodded with satisfaction.
“It's delicious.”
“I'm glad you like it. Now, please tell me what you want.”
At my words, Baek-seon cleared his throat and said.
“Do you think this plan will succeed?”
“Why do you ask?”
“You must have heard that Jin Dae-cheol kidnapped the crown prince.”
“Yes, I know.”
He sighed at my answer.
“He volunteered to torture the crown prince himself. I should have been suspicious when he volunteered. There must be some kind of deal between the two of them.”
“Since you are being honest with me, I will be honest with you. I am a little worried. If he ruins everything, the damage will be immeasurable.”
“Yes, you're right. We can't find him anywhere...”
Of course you can't.
Right now, he's in a secret place known only to the Magistrate of Chunkyungseong and Yeon Yoo-mun.
According to Master Kwon, he's hanging from the ceiling with his tendons severed.
He has only himself to blame.
I continued with a troubled look on my face.
“We need to find him quickly.”
“The Royal Guards seem to be hiding on purpose. We're not making any progress.”
“This is troublesome.”
“About that...”
He looked around, then leaned toward me and whispered.
“I have a favor to ask of you.”
“What is it?”
“Get rid of the other guys here.”
I widened my eyes in surprise.
“What do you mean?”
"I've heard about you. You are favored by His Majesty the Emperor, aren't you? Then he will believe everything you say.“
”Are you telling me to kill them?“
”Yes, the dead cannot speak. We will frame them for all their crimes.“
”But Jin Dae-cheol may strike first.“
”Just say that you were working separately from him."
He continued.
“So, get rid of the others here.”
He must have been quite anxious about the disappearance of Jin Dae-cheol and the crown prince.
I never thought he would ask me to get rid of his fellow traitors.
Could it be that he was the one who planned the torture and death of the crown prince in his previous life?
It's highly possible.
I deliberately put on a serious expression.
“I'm sorry. I'll pretend I didn't hear that.”
“Why not?”
“The people here are very powerful. It's beyond my capabilities.”
“What are you talking about? With your bodyguards, it's entirely possible. I'll lend a hand too.”
“I'm sorry.”
“Aren't you feeling uneasy right now? If things continue like this, we will all be executed by the emperor!”
This is ridiculous.
If you are afraid of that, why did you do such a thing?
“Still, I...”
“Well, you are a merchant, so you won't do anything without compensation.”
He continued.
“I have accumulated quite a fortune. I will give you half of it.”
I deliberately asked with sparkling eyes.
“How much exactly? As I said, I am a merchant. Merchants like to be precise.”
“...Five hundred pieces of gold.”
At those words, I barely managed to suppress a laugh.
That was a huge amount of money that I couldn't save up in a lifetime with my monthly salary as a court official.
How much did he extort from Chunkyungseong?
And how much blood and tears did the people of Chunkyungseong shed...
× Bastard.
But instead of showing my anger, I pretended to think about it for a moment and then shook my head.
“I'm sorry, but I can't do it.”
“Is the reward not enough?”
“No. The reward is sufficient. But... what if you don't keep your promise?”
“You don't trust me?”
“I'm sorry, but haven't you already betrayed His Majesty the Emperor? Once a traitor, always a traitor.”
“...”
He bit his lip.
He couldn't say no. Hmm...
“If you give me the treasure first or tell me where it is, we can build trust between us.”
“What? How can I trust you?”
“Then how can I trust you and grant your request?”
“...”
I poured another cup of tea.
He pondered long and hard until the tea had cooled down, then said.
“All right. I will tell you where I have hidden my treasure.”
“Then I will go there and take exactly 500 pieces of gold.”
With that, Baek-seon left.
However, after a while, someone else came to see me.
He was also an eunuch.
Eunuchs mainly served as envoys.
I pretended that no one had come and welcomed him warmly.
“What is the matter?”
He replied cautiously to my question.
“Will you join me?”
“What?”
“Help me get rid of the others. Then I'll give you half of the fortune I've accumulated.”
“...”
Did they all conspire together? How can they be so similar?
I think I can scrap my plan to sow discord among them.
They're already divided.