Chapter 564
Chapter 564
Chapter 564. Divine Transformation Art (3)
At my question, the Emperor gave a faint laugh.
“Why? Are you afraid I might do something to your Master?” (Emperor)
“That is not it.” (Eun Seoho)
“Hm?” (Emperor)
“My Master may get caught up in some affair, but he is not someone who would cause trouble. And if there were a problem, you would not have summoned me. The Royal Guards or the Imperial Army would have stormed in instead.” (Eun Seoho)
“Tch! Tsk! What a boring fellow!” (Emperor)
“Thank you for praising me so.” (Eun Seoho)
The Emperor made his expression serious and got to the main point.
“This time, I entrusted commissions to several escort agencies. And among them, the only one who delivered the goods accurately and on time was Head Escort Gwak Myeonghyeon of Changin Escort Agency. That is why I am asking about him.” (Emperor)
At those words, memories from my previous life suddenly came to mind.
While I was learning martial arts from Master, he suddenly left and introduced Gwak Junha to me.
He said Gwak Junha would teach me martial arts in his stead, but it had been a kind of request to find him employment.
So I made him my guard warrior.
Because that was the better way to keep him by my side and learn martial arts from him.
And according to him, Master had left for Beijing.
He said Master had been receiving some request since before, and had eventually accepted it.
Now I felt like I knew what that request was.
It had been the Emperor’s request.
The Emperor had probably confirmed Master’s abilities through this test, then worked tirelessly to draw him in as one of his own people.
But Master is the Palace Head of Seolpung Palace.
That must have been why he did not accept the Emperor’s request.
Why did Master, who had refused the Emperor’s summons for years, answer the Emperor’s call back then?
Could it be… that he learned the culprits who destroyed Seolpung Palace were the Martial Alliance?
If so, then to face the Martial Alliance, whose status was overwhelming, he would have had no choice but to put the imperial palace’s power behind him, so he must have answered the Emperor’s summons.
“So, what I mean is…” (Emperor)
At the Emperor’s continuing words, I quickly came back to my senses.
Yikes!
To be lost in other thoughts in front of the Emperor! I have to focus.
One wrong move and I’ll be devoured.
“What sort of character does your Master have?” (Emperor)
“I would ask that Your Majesty question me in more detail. Character is something vague and broad in scope, so as a dull-witted person, I find it difficult to know what sort of answer Your Majesty desires.” (Eun Seoho)
Of course, I think I know what question the Emperor wants to ask.
But I am only confirming it in detail, just in case.
“That is true.” (Emperor)
The Emperor nodded and asked more specifically.
“Is he a man of trust?” (Emperor)
Just as I expected.
Trust, huh…
“Of all the people I know, he is the one whose trust runs deepest.” (Eun Seoho)
“I see!” (Emperor)
He looks rather pleased. But I believe it is a bit early.
“I do not know what task Your Majesty intends to entrust to my Master, but I hope it is not a dangerous one.” (Eun Seoho)
I put strength into my voice and continued.
“He is my one and only Master. If something happens to Master, I will not hesitate to take revenge.” (Eun Seoho)
At that, the Emperor’s brows furrowed slightly.
“Are you threatening me right now?” (Emperor)
“What do you mean by that? How could this humble merchant commit such an irreverent act?” (Eun Seoho)
“It sounds like a threat.” (Emperor)
I shook my head.
“The targets of my revenge would be those who harmed my Master. There is no way that could be Your Majesty the Emperor, is there?” (Eun Seoho)
“If I were to harm your Master, would you take revenge on me?” (Emperor)
“Your Majesty.” (Eun Seoho)
I smiled as I asked.
“Are you that idle?” (Eun Seoho)
“……” (Emperor)
The Emperor, who had closed his mouth for a moment as though at a loss for words, soon burst into loud laughter.
“Hahahahahaha!” (Emperor)
The Emperor, who had been laughing as he tapped the armrest of the chair he sat in, looked at me and said,
“You impudent fellow. As you said, I am not a body with that much leisure. That is why I need clever fellows to help with my work all the more. Fellows like you.” (Emperor)
The Emperor continued.
“So, what you are worried about is that your Master might be placed in danger?” (Emperor)
“That is part of it, but I am also worried that I may be unable to answer Your Majesty’s summons because I am avenging my Master.” (Eun Seoho)
“This bastard even makes threats in an elegant way.” (Emperor)
“I say again, I harbor no such irreverent intent.” (Eun Seoho)
Seeing the eunuch beside him staring into empty air with a transcendent expression, it seemed he had now given up advising the Emperor about his rough speech.
“There is no need to worry. I intend to use that Master of yours as a discreet and urgent messenger. It is not much different from the work that man named Gwak Myeonghyeon, a Head Escort, has been doing.” (Emperor)
“Even if you tell me, it is something Master will choose for himself.” (Eun Seoho)
“That is true.” (Emperor)
“And…” (Eun Seoho)
No, it is nothing.
When I hesitated, the Emperor rebuked me with a displeased look.
“What is it? Why are you stopping midway through speaking?” (Emperor)
“It is nothing.” (Eun Seoho)
“Say it obediently while I am still speaking kindly.” (Emperor)
The Emperor has taken the bait.
I smiled broadly inside and opened my mouth.
“I was slightly concerned that Your Majesty might give my Master an order without compensation.” (Eun Seoho)
“……” (Emperor)
“But since you are the one man above all beneath heaven in the empire, I realized there was no way you would act so stingily, and that was why I hesitated to bring it up.” (Eun Seoho)
The Emperor clicked his tongue as if fed up.
“You little brat, you take care of your Master damn thoroughly.” (Emperor)
“Surely you were not thinking of making him work without compensation?” (Eun Seoho)
“How could that be?” (Emperor)
“As expected of Your Majesty the Emperor. To be able to serve such a Your Majesty at your side! I do not know how great an honor this is.” (Eun Seoho)
“You dreadful fellow. When I hear flattery from you, hives break out on my body.” (Emperor)
“Flattery? It is an entirely fitting statement. Is it not, Great Eunuch?” (Eun Seoho)
At my question, the eunuch standing beside him hurriedly answered.
“It is so.” (Eunuch)
The Emperor shook his head from side to side, and I laughed faintly inside.
I will protect my Master.
And I will stop him from being worked cheaply too.
“You rascal.” (Emperor)
“Yes, Your Majesty the Emperor.” (Eun Seoho)
“I understand well what you want to say, so hurry up and go.” (Emperor)
At His Majesty the Emperor’s order to leave, I quickly stepped backward to withdraw.
“Ah! Wait.” (Emperor)
“Why?” (Eun Seoho)
“I nearly let it pass because of the story about your Master, but surely the matter of running an errand for the Martial Alliance Leader is not something to be spoken of so vaguely and left at that, is it?” (Emperor)
“……” (Eun Seoho)
.
.
.
It was that evening when I returned to the Beijing branch.
Drained completely from the tug-of-war with the Emperor, I lay down on the bed as soon as I returned.
It was truly exhausting.
The Emperor must be playing tug-of-war on flat ground, but I am playing tug-of-war on top of a rope.
It feels as though my lifespan has been shortened by about five years.
That cannot happen.
In this life, I have to live a long and healthy life without dying a sudden, unnatural death.
Sigh.
But I, who can play tug-of-war with the Emperor, have to work hard for Master, so what else can I do?
Once the Emperor has made up his mind, Master cannot escape from the Emperor’s grasp.
Because he is someone whose greed for talent reaches the heavens.
If so, I must make sure Master benefits from it as much as possible.
Since I went this far, the Emperor will not use Master carelessly or anything like that.
Several days passed.
The transmission of the Divine Transformation Art went smoothly.
Master said there seemed to be about half left now, so it should be finished in a few days.
This evening, I reserved a tavern, intending to comfort the people of the Beijing branch and nourish their bodies as well.
Of course, Master’s party would be with us too.
“This place is famous for its roast duck.” (Eun Seoho)
“Ah, this must be the place Hyeongjin mentioned.” (Gwak Myeonghyeon)
Previously, when I brought Gwak Hyeongjin and Seok Ilsong to Beijing so that they could keep Brother Seonil company in my place, we had eaten here.
It seemed Gwak Hyeongjin had told his father about that time.
“And I have heard about it from clients as well. Though this is my first time coming here myself.” (Gwak Myeonghyeon)
At those words, I realized my mistake.
“I am sorry, Master. I should have brought you here first. Please forgive your unfilial disciple.” (Eun Seoho)
“It is all right. I know well the heart you have for me.” (Gwak Myeonghyeon)
When we entered the tavern, a waiter greeted us warmly.
“Welcome.” (Waiter)
“I am Eun Seoho of the Eunhae Trading Company. I reserved the third floor for dinner.” (Eun Seoho)
“Ah! Please go right up. I will guide you to the third floor.” (Waiter)
We were guided up to the third floor.
The Beijing seen from there was truly beautiful.
“I will bring out the meal.” (Waiter)
“Yes.” (Eun Seoho)
When reserving this place, I had also ordered the food in advance.
Not only does roast duck take especially long, but if I am reserving for this many people, the food must also be ordered in advance.
Only then can everyone eat together.
The food that had been prepared was set on the table one dish after another.
The dishes I had ordered in advance were three kinds of dishes made with oven-roasted duck, and five-colored dumplings.
This place is superb not only at roast duck, but at five-colored dumplings as well.
And I ordered tea that paired well with roast duck.
The prohibition had not yet been lifted, and Master also does not drink alcohol.
“I hope it suits your taste, Master.” (Eun Seoho)
“I think it will suit me well. I will enjoy it.” (Gwak Myeonghyeon)
I rose from my seat and spoke to everyone.
“Today is a place I prepared for all of you, who have worked hard until now. I hope it will be an enjoyable banquet.” (Eun Seoho)
“Thank you.” (Branch Member)
“I will enjoy the food.” (Branch Member)
Thus the banquet began, and we wrapped all sorts of vegetables and roasted duck skin in thin wheat pancakes, dipped them in a sweet sauce, and ate.
It really is delicious.
Judging from Master’s brow, whose expression almost never changed, it seemed Master also liked the food.
I should bring him here often from now on.
After finishing the meal like that and drinking tea, I felt a familiar presence.
Master set down his teacup with a tense air and placed his hand on the hilt of the sword at his waist.
Warrior Jinyu also seemed to have sensed that presence, because he glanced in that direction.
His senses had originally been the sharpest, but after reaching the supreme peak, they had become far sharper.
The reason Master and Warrior Jinyu reacted like that was simple.
Because experts had suddenly rushed into this inn.
And as the familiar presence drew closer and closer, telepathy came to me.
Come to the osmanthus room in the annex with your Master, Young Captain Eun Seoho. (Jinyoung)
“……”
It is Great Master Jinyoung.
I let out a sigh and rose from my seat.
“Master, there is somewhere you need to go with me for a moment.” (Eun Seoho)
A little while later.
We headed to the osmanthus room in the annex of this tavern, and I sent telepathy to Master.
Master. I heard there was a commission that took you all the way to Beijing this time. (Eun Seoho)
Yes. There was. (Gwak Myeonghyeon)
Did you not feel anything strange about that commission? (Eun Seoho)
At my question, Master thought for a moment, then nodded.
Now that you mention it, there were several odd points. But as the Young Captain also knows, if one nitpicks every such thing, one cannot conduct escort missions. (Gwak Myeonghyeon)
That is true. (Eun Seoho)
Among escort missions, there is also something called a covert escort.
It is an escort mission that asks nothing at all, and the escort fee is quite expensive.
In any case, the fact that he is calling me and Master like this means the Emperor has made up his mind.
I decided to give Master some advance notice and sent telepathy to him.
In truth, the escort mission you took on was related to His Majesty the Emperor. (Eun Seoho)
For an instant, Master’s eyebrow twitched. That meant he was extremely surprised.
So even if you come to meet His Majesty the Emperor, I hope you will not be surprised. (Eun Seoho)
Soon we arrived at the osmanthus room.
The waiter standing in front of it saw me, then nodded and said,
“Please follow me.” (Waiter)
“Yes.” (Eun Seoho)
Master’s telepathy came to me.
That waiter’s bearing is not ordinary. (Gwak Myeonghyeon)
Of course.
I had not known before, but after becoming entangled with the Royal Guards often in this life, I learned the truth.
This tavern, too, was one of the places where the Royal Guards gathered information.
There were such circumstances behind the fact that the chef’s skills had been well passed down and the place had been run without major trouble.
Soon, I faced a welcome face.
“I have brought the two of them.” (Waiter)
“You have worked hard.” (Jinyoung)
I clasped my hands to him.
“I greet Great Master Jinyoung.” (Eun Seoho)
At this, Master also clasped his hands and bowed his head.
“Gwak Myeonghyeon, Head Escort of Changin Escort Agency, greets Great Master.” (Gwak Myeonghyeon)
“Good to meet you. I will say this out of an old woman’s concern, but do not even think of letting what you see and hear here leave your mouth.” (Jinyoung)
“I will keep that in mind.” (Gwak Myeonghyeon)
After entering the osmanthus room like that, we soon saw the Emperor, dressed in plain clothes, sitting before a table.
“He is His Majesty the Emperor.” (Jinyoung)
The reason Great Master Jinyoung said that was for Master’s sake.
We lowered our voices and paid our respects to His Majesty the Emperor.
“We greet Your Majesty the Emperor. May you live ten thousand years, ten thousand years, ten thousand times ten thousand years!” (Eun Seoho and Gwak Myeonghyeon)
“Rise and take your seats.” (Emperor)
“Your grace is immeasurable.” (Eun Seoho and Gwak Myeonghyeon)
Perhaps for our sake, another tea table had been prepared in front of the Emperor.
“Head Escort Gwak Myeonghyeon.” (Emperor)
“Yes, Your Majesty.” (Gwak Myeonghyeon)
I glanced at Master. He was quite tense.
Well, is there anyone who would not be tense in front of His Majesty the Emperor?
Even His Highness the Crown Prince says he gets nervous in front of His Majesty the Emperor.
“The reason I came here so secretly is because there is something I wish to ask of you.” (Emperor)
“By ask, you mean?” (Gwak Myeonghyeon)
“Become my messenger.” (Emperor)
“When you say messenger, what exactly do you wish to have delivered?” (Gwak Myeonghyeon)
Master continued speaking.
“I dare to ask because my ability to do it may change depending on what it is.” (Gwak Myeonghyeon)
At that question, the Emperor burst into loud laughter.
“Hahahaha!” (Emperor)
“……” (Gwak Myeonghyeon)
The Emperor looked at me and spoke teasingly.
“How can Master and disciple be so exactly alike? Meticulous. Very meticulous.” (Emperor)
“I am sorry.” (Gwak Myeonghyeon)
“No. That is why I like you even more.” (Emperor)
The Emperor made his expression serious and continued.
“What I want is for letters to be delivered secretly and quickly. I have heard there is something called covert escort among the work you do. Think of it as something similar to that.” (Emperor)
“……” (Gwak Myeonghyeon)
“It is not very different from the work you have done until now, and I am not telling you to stop doing that work either. Rather, since you have the work you are doing now, it is all the better. You will be able to evade their eyes that much more.” (Emperor)
At this, Master asked calmly.
“When you say I must evade their eyes, whose eyes exactly do you mean?” (Gwak Myeonghyeon)
“The Martial Alliance, and those who seek to overthrow this empire.” (Emperor)
“……” (Gwak Myeonghyeon)
“Ah, of course I will not work you for free. Your disciple is watching with both eyes wide open, so I am too frightened to do such a thing.” (Emperor)
Cough! Y-Your Majesty…? (Eun Seoho)