Chapter 532
Chapter 532
Chapter 532. Carelessness Is Forbidden (3)
Bewitching Soul Incense.
The reason it is called wicked is because it has the ability to suppress another person’s will and use them however one pleases.
It is the same as the puppet that Seomseogal possessed before.
I do not know why such an artifact came to be made, but in the future I know, it was in the hands of a black blade, not a pirate.
Because of that, many innocent people suffered harm.
I had heard that when Bewitching Soul Incense is used, the scent of roses remains there for quite a long time.
It is not yet the season for roses to bloom, so I had thought it strange that there was a rose scent, but to think it was because of that.
I had failed to think that far.
Grind.
When I ground my teeth, Geumryeong tapped my arm from inside my sleeve as if telling me to calm down.
“Kkui! Kkui!” (Geumryeong)
It’s all right. My reason is sharper now than ever before.
I asked the former pirates.
“Do they perhaps have any weaknesses?” (Eun Seoho)
In truth, I know about the Blood Claw Gang. However, I am asking because they may know things I do not.
“A weakness…….” (Former Pirate)
“We do not know that much, but he is a tremendously greedy bastard.” (Former Pirate)
“That is why he would come all the way up to the port and do such things.” (Former Pirate)
“Originally, pirates live long only when they stay quiet at ports.” (Former Pirate)
At their words, I nodded.
“I see. If there is anything you know about them, I would like you to tell me all of it. If you cooperate, I will provide a special meal for dinner tonight.” (Eun Seoho)
A short while later, I entered my quarters.
Then I poured tea into a teacup, chilled it with ice arts, and drank it down repeatedly.
Then I opened my mouth.
“I intend to wipe out the pirates called the Blood Claw Gang. If I simply leave alone those who cause me losses in that way, someone else will suffer harm again.” (Eun Seoho)
“That is so.” (Warrior Seowoo)
I recalled what I had heard from the former pirates earlier.
Those bewitched and controlled by the Bewitching Soul Incense used by the Blood Claw Gang are said to remember nothing about it.
That is why they did not remember anything about the cart being switched out.
Moreover, since the cart had been switched out by those who were being controlled, naturally, no energy of the black blade could be felt either.
“They say those bastards are greedy. Since they have already tasted success once, if we shake bait in front of them again, they will surely bite.” (Eun Seoho)
I continued speaking.
“Palgap. Bring Vice Chief Yeochang.” (Eun Seoho)
“Understood, sir.” (Palgap)
Soon, Vice Chief Yeochang entered my room.
“Did you call for me?” (Vice Chief Yeochang)
“Yes.” (Eun Seoho)
“I am truly sorry about this matter. I should have guarded it properly…….” (Vice Chief Yeochang)
“Now is not the time to blame yourself.” (Eun Seoho)
I shook my head and cut off his words.
“Listen carefully to what I say.” (Eun Seoho)
“I will listen attentively.” (Vice Chief Yeochang)
“Our Eunhae Trading Company lost the gifts to be presented to the king of Dai Viet, so we prepared liquor cups made of gold. Those liquor cups are being strictly guarded in a warehouse at the port.” (Eun Seoho)
“Pardon? Is that true?” (Vice Chief Yeochang)
“Believe it is true and act that way. Do you understand what I mean?” (Eun Seoho)
At my words, Vice Chief Yeochang’s eyes shone, and he clasped his hands and bowed his head.
“I understand. I will do so.” (Vice Chief Yeochang)
“Only you, Vice Chief Ye, are to know the true meaning of this.” (Eun Seoho)
“Yes.” (Vice Chief Yeochang)
“Then please go out and move immediately.” (Eun Seoho)
“I receive your command.” (Vice Chief Yeochang)
Vice Chief Yeochang left my quarters, and I said to everyone,
“Then we should move as well.” (Eun Seoho)
And we came out of the guest room. At that moment, the door of the guest room next to mine opened, and Miss Seohyang came out.
“Ah, Adjutant Gwak.” (Eun Seoho)
“I heard the news. I am sorry.” (Miss Seohyang)
At her apology, I looked at her for a moment.
“Let us go inside and talk for a moment.” (Eun Seoho)
“Yes.” (Miss Seohyang)
I guided her into the room and sat down.
“Why are you saying you are sorry to me?” (Eun Seoho)
“That is because I did not see the future about it…….” (Miss Seohyang)
Ah, as expected…….
It was not that she did not say anything because it would be resolved well, but because she had not seen it.
Well, her ability to see the future is extremely fragmentary, and she cannot decide or know in advance what she will see.
I felt I knew what she was thinking.
“Adjutant Gwak.” (Eun Seoho)
“Yes.” (Miss Seohyang)
“Are you blaming yourself because you could not help me with that ability?” (Eun Seoho)
At my words, she flinched.
“Are you a fool?” (Eun Seoho)
“Pardon?” (Miss Seohyang)
“I thought you were intelligent.” (Eun Seoho)
I sighed.
“It is true that I receive help thanks to your ability, Adjutant Gwak. And I am deeply grateful. Thanks to you, we were able to save many people this time as well.” (Eun Seoho)
I continued speaking.
“But the reason I keep you by my side is not because of that ability. Honestly, there is also your father’s request, and you are my adjutant, but before that…… it is because you are Adjutant Gwak.” (Eun Seoho)
“Pardon?” (Miss Seohyang)
Uh…… Why did those words come out?
I cleared my throat.
“Ahem, ahem. In any case, I have a duty to protect you, Adjutant Gwak. So it means you do not have to feel compelled to be of help to me. Do you understand?” (Eun Seoho)
“…….” (Miss Seohyang)
“Your answer?” (Eun Seoho)
“Yes.” (Miss Seohyang)
I smiled faintly and said,
“So do not worry too much and wait. As you have seen until now, I am rather extremely capable.” (Eun Seoho)
“That is true.” (Miss Seohyang)
At that moment, she said,
“Ah…… You must destroy that necklace no matter what.” (Miss Seohyang)
I smiled faintly once more.
“So it was a necklace.” (Eun Seoho)
.
.
.
A short while later.
I took my party and went around Nanjing’s marketplace, buying liquor cups made of gold.
And I did not forget to lament to people.
“Sigh…… Because that disappeared, just how much of a loss is this!” (Eun Seoho)
“Oh dear! I do not know what words of comfort to offer.” (Merchant)
“This time, I intend to guard it thoroughly. So I also purchased a fairly sturdy warehouse.” (Eun Seoho)
“I pray it will be safe this time.” (Merchant)
In that way, we bought suitable liquor cups, packed them in a conspicuous manner, loaded them onto a cart, and headed to the port.
After taking the cart to a warehouse at the port, I ordered those guarding the warehouse.
“Everyone, keep this in mind. You must protect those liquor cups no matter what.” (Eun Seoho)
“We receive your command.” (Guards)
I returned to my quarters again.
Now all that remained was to wait for the rumor to spread and reach their ears.
Those bastards made a mistake.
To dare touch what is mine.
---
It was night.
This place, where only the sound of lapping waves could be heard, was the port where ships departing for foreign trade were moored.
There, people appeared wearing shoes to which animal fur had been attached so they made no sound.
They crept toward a certain warehouse.
“Is that the warehouse?” (Jeonjung)
“Yes. There is no mistake.” (Pirate)
At that answer, one man smiled in satisfaction.
His name was Jeonjung. He was the captain of the pirate crew, the Blood Claw Gang.
Jeonjung looked at the warehouse that warriors were guarding thoroughly.
“Judging by the level of the guards, that place must be where the gold liquor cups are being stored.” (Jeonjung)
They had heard in the marketplace that Young Master Eun Seoho of the Eunhae Trading Company had bought as many as one hundred gold liquor cups.
They had come like this today to target those liquor cups.
“Stupid bastards. No matter how many warriors they station there, it is useless.” (Jeonjung)
He smiled faintly and took a necklace out from his neck.
The name of that necklace was Bewitching Soul Incense.
It had the ability to control others with its fragrance as he pleased.
Yesterday, he had already used this to divert one cart.
Inside that box were several small liquor bottles.
They seemed to be quite valuable, so he had not touched them yet, and today, from what he heard, those were goods prepared to be presented to the king of Dai Viet.
Since it was liquor that was only a few mouthfuls at most, it had been awkward to touch it.
In the midst of that, he heard news about gold liquor cups, so he had no choice but to come like this.
In order to earn his subordinates’ loyalty and rule above them, Bewitching Soul Incense alone was not enough.
He had to steadily distribute rewards.
And yet these were as many as one hundred gold liquor cups.
Even if he handed out one to each of them, dozens of gold liquor cups would remain for him.
Jeonjung controlled the Bewitching Soul Incense.
Saaaaaa.
Soon, its fragrance spread to all the people guarding the warehouse.
“You saw nothing.” (Jeonjung)
“We receive your command.” (Guards)
“Those guarding the warehouse door are to open the warehouse immediately and bring the cart inside.” (Jeonjung)
“We receive your command.” (Guards)
At his order, those guarding the warehouse door opened the warehouse door as if possessed and went inside.
Then they brought out the cart containing the gold liquor cups.
This time, he did not do the bothersome act of switching out the cart.
At that time, he had done such a complicated thing because he had intended to stay here for the time being, but this time there was no need.
Because he intended to take just this and return to his base.
“You return and guard the warehouse again. And forget everything.” (Jeonjung)
“We receive your command.” (Guards)
In that way, they returned to their original positions.
The Blood Claw Gang pulled the cart toward the ship they had secretly moored.
They arrived at the shore and opened the box on top.
They saw gold liquor cups glittering brightly in the moonlight.
“Hehehe, goodness, these pretty things!” (Pirate)
“With this, we can play around and eat our fill for a while.” (Pirate)
“Hehehe, that’s right.” (Jeonjung)
The captain of the Blood Claw Gang closed the lid of the box and gave an order.
“Move them to the main ship.” (Jeonjung)
“Yes!” (Pirates)
“If any of you drop this into the sea, I will tie you to the bow until you die!” (Jeonjung)
“Hiiik!” (Pirates)
At that threat, the members of the pirate crew handled the boxes with great care.
After moving the boxes onto a small boat, they headed for the main ship.
The main ship could not be moored on the shore.
The shore was not as deep as the port, and if someone discovered them, it would be a disaster.
Thus, the main ship had been anchored nearby and left moored.
Swaaa, swaaa.
After rowing up to the main ship, they used ropes to raise the boxes upward.
Then the rest climbed the ladder and boarded the ship.
The captain called out to those who had been waiting on the ship and shouted heartily.
“Hahahaha! You bastards! I brought something very good for you! Look!” (Jeonjung)
The pirates who saw the sparkling gold liquor cups responded joyfully.
“Waaaaaaa!” (Pirates)
“As expected of the captain!” (Pirate)
“We cannot just sit still on a day like this. Today, we feast!” (Jeonjung)
“Uwaaaaaa!” (Pirates)
The prohibition on alcohol had not yet been lifted in the empire, but the pirates paid no attention to such things.
Soon, alcohol was brought out from the storage room, and the pirates drank as they enjoyed the feast.
Meanwhile, the boxes containing the gold liquor cups that the captain had brought were moved to the captain’s cabin.
Since the captain’s cabin was a place where not just anyone could enter, it was safe.
Because one of the pirates might have his eyes turn over at the sight of the gold liquor cups and steal them.
---
Sseuk, sseuk.
After confirming that the surroundings had grown quiet, I cut through the side of the box and emerged from it.
From outside came loud, boisterous sounds, and a strong smell of alcohol drifted in.
These bastards are excited.
Yes, play hard. Today is your final day.
I tapped on the box.
Knock, knock, knock, knock, knock, knock.
Twice each, six times.
It was the signal to come out.
At this, the sides of the boxes were cut, and my escort warriors came out from inside.
We had been hiding inside the boxes containing the gold liquor cups.
There were ten boxes in total, and I, Warrior Seowoo, Warrior Jinyu, and Warrior Yeo Eungam were inside the four boxes placed at the very bottom.
The six boxes placed above contained real gold liquor cups.
Taking into account that they had little time, I had placed boxes containing real gold liquor cups only on the upper part of the cart.
Because the weight of the gold liquor cups was greater than expected, they did not suspect us even though we were inside the boxes.
The remaining escort warriors were waiting on the shore.
Because they had a separate task to do.
We slowly searched the surroundings.
Since this place was the captain’s cabin, there was a high chance our goods they had taken would be here.
Ah! Found it.
A familiar box placed near the bed.
When I opened the box, it was still being kept intact.
“Fortunately, they did not touch it.” (Eun Seoho)
“Geumryeong.” (Eun Seoho)
“Kkui?” (Geumryeong)
“Put all this small-bottle liquor here and those gold liquor cups over there into the Vigo.” (Eun Seoho)
“Kkui!” (Geumryeong)
But…….
“Kkui…… kku?” (Geumryeong)
“All right. I will give you one gold liquor cup. Instead, though…….” (Eun Seoho)
I asked Geumryeong for one more separate thing.
“Kkui!” (Geumryeong)
It is your specialty, so I should not worry?
Geumryeong quickly became excited and wiggled his bottom.
At that sight, I ended up smiling faintly.
But my eyes as I looked beyond the captain’s cabin were cold.
“Hoo…… Let us go.” (Eun Seoho)
“Yes.” (Escort Warriors)
We gripped our swords. Then we left the captain’s cabin and immediately began swinging our swords.
Slice!
“Aaagh!” (Pirate)
Slash!
“Keuk!” (Pirate)
The feast that had been merry with liquor and food was stained in an instant with the pirates’ screams and blood.
If you look at it this way, we seem like the villains, but they are people who have no value in being kept alive.
They are vicious enough that even the former pirates in the prison of Nanjing’s Regional Military Commission stuck out their tongues at them.
They will be subjugated by the Emperor several years later.
They say only the captain barely escaped, so a black blade must have taken the Bewitching Soul Incense from that captain.
When that time comes, they will be subjugated in due course, but if I think of the people who will suffer in those few years, these people must disappear here.
Soon, the pirates who regained their senses tried to counterattack, but those who were already staggering from being heavily drunk could not easily counterattack.
To begin with, the difference in skill was also vast.
But then a voice rang out.
“You made a mistake!” (Jeonjung)
When I turned my head, the captain was standing there, guarded by other pirates.
“I do not know how you infiltrated this place, but you will not die nicely!” (Jeonjung)
And in that instant, the scent of roses reached my nose.
He ordered,
“Throw away your weapons and kneel before me!” (Jeonjung)
Hoo, why do you think I came so boldly while knowing of the existence of that Bewitching Soul Incense?
Because something like that is completely useless against me.
I grinned and spread the energy of the Great Yin Ice Sea Divine Art in all directions.
Soon, the rose scent vanished.
“You were the one who made a mistake first.” (Eun Seoho)
I will take your life as payment for it.