Chapter 598
Chapter 598
Chapter 598. Good for the Emperor, Good for Me (3)
So, in other words, seven people who went to investigate the matter in Hainan Island had gone missing?
This is more serious than I thought…….
Judging from Master Jin Yeong’s reaction, there is no way those missing people are civilians or civil officials.
In other words, it means that seven dispatched Royal Guards or members of the Eastern Depot have gone missing, no, been eliminated.
For people who had learned martial arts and even received special training to end up like that means…… this matter is more dangerous than I thought.
“Take this.” (Jin Yeong)
Master Jin Yeong handed me a scroll.
“It is an official order.” (Jin Yeong)
“…….” (Eun Seoho)
Can I not accept this?
But the die had already been cast.
If I said here, ‘I will not go,’ then what would happen afterward…….
I do not even want to think about it.
I shook my head to drive away my thoughts and respectfully accepted the scroll.
But I could not help grumbling inwardly.
Damn it, could you not have told me that in advance?
“And take this as well.” (Jin Yeong)
“What is this?” (Eun Seoho)
“Information on the Royal Guard who will help you. Memorize it here and burn it immediately.” (Jin Yeong)
“Understood.” (Eun Seoho)
If it was information about someone on a top-secret mission, that was only proper.
If his information were to leak, he would be put in danger.
After I read it and burned it, Master Jin Yeong urged me once more.
“His Imperial Majesty has great expectations for this matter. Please take care of yourself.” (Jin Yeong)
“Yes. I will do so.” (Eun Seoho)
“Then have a safe trip.” (Jin Yeong)
Perhaps because he was busy, Master Jin Yeong left immediately after finishing his business.
I saw him off and let out a sigh.
“Phew…….” (Eun Seoho)
Palgap, who approached me, asked.
“What is the matter, sir?” (Palgap)
“There is something like that. It feels like I discovered a spiritual herb that could bring enormous profit, and I agreed to receive half the value of the herb in exchange for bringing it back myself, only to find out that the herb happens to be hanging from a cliff that drops a thousand gil.” (Eun Seoho)
“In a word, you are saying it is a screwed situation, sir?” (Palgap)
“……Yeah.” (Eun Seoho)
“But Young Master, you survived perfectly well even after falling from a cliff, sir.” (Palgap)
Ah…….
That was true.
On the way to rescue Brother Jinho, an earthquake had suddenly occurred, so I sent Brother Jinho up and fell down the cliff in his place.
At that time, I survived by a hair’s breadth.
I still do not know exactly how it happened.
And there I obtained the Silver Mist Sword and met Geumryeong.
I put my hand into my sleeve and stroked Geumryeong’s soft fur.
This calms me down a little.
I calmly thought over this plan.
Mm, it seems a little revision will be needed.
“Palgap.” (Eun Seoho)
“Yes.” (Palgap)
“Prepare some incredibly flashy clothes. And prepare a flashy carriage too.” (Eun Seoho)
I returned to the office again.
Miss Seohyang was looking over documents, and when she saw me, she slightly lowered her head.
At first, she had stood up and greeted me every time I came in, but then work efficiency would drop.
So I had asked her to replace it with a light nod instead.
I waited for Miss Seohyang to finish the work on the document she was currently looking at, and soon she held the document out to me.
“Young Captain, please review and approve this.” (Miss Seohyang)
“Thank you.” (Eun Seoho)
I accepted it, placed it on the desk, and said.
“Vice Officer Gwak, I have something to ask of you.” (Eun Seoho)
“Yes. Please speak.” (Miss Seohyang)
“I would like you to go with me to Hainan Island.” (Eun Seoho)
In truth, Miss Seohyang had been scheduled to remain in Beijing this time.
The trip to Hainan Island would take a long time, and the journey would be quite difficult as well.
At my words, Miss Seohyang nodded without being flustered.
“I already knew.” (Miss Seohyang)
“Ah, is that so?” (Eun Seoho)
“I saw it when we were working earlier.” (Miss Seohyang)
I explained the detailed situation to her.
“......Therefore, I am hesitant to take you with me into such a dangerous situation, Vice Officer Gwak, but that is precisely why I need your ability all the more. And we also need a disguise.” (Eun Seoho)
I continued speaking.
“I intend to disguise myself as the idle young master of some wealthy family. So…… I think you will need to disguise yourself not as my vice officer, but as my woman.” (Eun Seoho)
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After talking with Miss Seohyang, I returned to my room, washed, and lay down on the bed.
I had to leave tomorrow morning, so I had to sleep early.
But…….
Why does Miss Seohyang keep flickering before my eyes?
In truth, if what I needed was Miss Seohyang’s ability, I could just send Geumryeong regularly and receive advice.
But I had chosen disguise so as not to arouse suspicion from the officials of that region.
In that case, there would be nothing better than having a woman beside me.
So I had also considered taking a female warrior of the Eunpung Unit or a female information agent of the Intelligence Unit, but I soon dismissed that thought.
Because when I imagined another woman touching my body, I felt an unknown sense of aversion.
It would be disastrous if displeasure showed on my face without me realizing it.
But if it was Miss Seohyang, it was all right.
Perhaps because she was almost always by my side, even if she touched me, I did not feel any physiological aversion.
So I made that request, and she accepted.
“Then I should make myself up a little prettily.” (Miss Seohyang)
Her face as she said that and smiled kept flickering before my eyes.
Sigh…….
Since it seems sleeping is out of the question, I should review the plan one more time.
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The next dawn.
I rose from the bed.
Still, since I was tired, sleep did come.
Did I sleep about one and a half shichen?
After lightly circulating my qi through breathing exercises, my mind became a bit clearer.
Creeak.
When I opened the door and went outside, I felt a cool wind.
Before I knew it, it was the end of the tenth month.
My birthday is soon. Then will I become twenty-four?
It has already almost been nine years since I began living my new life.
In that time, the things I have accomplished are quite numerous.
But I am still far away.
Making the Eunhae Trading Company the world’s best Trading Company, and taking revenge on the Baekcheon Trading Company and the Martial Alliance.
Until I accomplish all those things, I cannot stop my steps.
A short while later.
After finishing preparations, I headed to the carriage yard.
As I had requested, a flashy carriage had been prepared.
The carriage had my and Miss Seohyang’s Jugang horses harnessed to it.
“Neigh!” (Jugang Horse)
They looked somehow dissatisfied.
That was only natural. They were proud Jugang horses. They were saying that they were not bodies meant to pull a carriage.
Whether they carried people or pulled a carriage, was it not all the same?
At that moment, Geumryeong came out from inside my sleeve, toddled over, and gently sat on the head of one of the Jugang horses.
And said one word.
“Kkui?” (Geumryeong)
“…….” (Jugang Horse)
Now they have become docile.
What Geumryeong said just now…… it would be better if only I knew.
Geumryeong returned to me, sat on my shoulder, and kkui-ed.
Are you asking if you did well?
“You did well, of course.” (Eun Seoho)
“Kkui!” (Geumryeong)
Then you want money? You have to eat well if you are going on a long journey?
Listen, Geumryeong?
You are just going comfortably inside my sleeve?
I was slightly dumbfounded, but I smiled and took out a silver coin for her.
Geumryeong nimbly bit the silver coin and went back into my sleeve.
Well, simply, she was cute.
And thanks to Geumryeong putting the Jugang horses in line, we would be able to go without hardship.
In truth, carriage accidents are quite dangerous.
Just then, Miss Seohyang’s voice came from beside me.
“Am I a little late?” (Miss Seohyang)
“No.” (Eun Seoho)
The moment I said that and turned my head, I could not continue speaking.
She had dressed herself up flashily as I had requested, but she was dazzlingly beautiful.
Uh…… is this not a little dangerous?
She came up to me and asked.
“I dressed up a little as you requested. Is it strange?” (Miss Seohyang)
“No. You did well.” (Eun Seoho)
Honestly, I wondered if this was all right, but if I had dressed flashily and the woman following me as my woman dressed plainly, that would make no sense.
Well, to be honest, her beauty was not something that would be hidden by dressing plainly anyway.
We set off for Hainan Island while being seen off by Brother Jinho, the Beijing Branch Manager, and the people of Hyeonpung Bureau.
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After a journey of nearly a month, we arrived in Guangdong Province.
Ordinarily, it was a distance that should have taken longer, but when there were no people, we had increased our speed through the Jugang horses.
Since the carriage could break if we went at that speed, we temporarily stored the carriage in the vault at such times.
In any case, on the way here, my birthday had also come, so we stopped by cities and behaved in eye-catching ways, holding grand banquets and the like.
Now that we were in Guangdong Province, Hainan Island was right in front of us.
Our clothing was completely different from when we had set out.
When we departed Beijing, we had been wearing thick clothes because of the chilly autumn weather, but here, it was warm spring weather.
Guangdong Province was part of the same empire, but its climate was completely different from Beijing’s.
Because of that, there were also many things that were hard to see in Beijing and the surrounding Hebei region.
The representative example was fruits like lychee.
It was now past the harvest season, so fresh ones would be hard to eat, but dried ones or ones preserved in sugar should be obtainable.
“It is quite hot, sir.” (Palgap)
At Palgap’s words, I chuckled.
“It is only this much because it is now. If we had come in summer, it would have been hot enough to steam us to death. Hainan Island is especially hotter. Hotter than Yunnan Province.” (Eun Seoho)
“Oh, no matter what, how could the weather be that bad, sir?” (Palgap)
Palgap, who had experienced Yunnan Province’s weather, said that with a laugh.
Because the hottest weather he had experienced was Yunnan Province’s weather.
At this, Miss Seohyang smiled and said.
“It is just as the Young Captain says.” (Miss Seohyang)
Since she was from south of the Yangtze River, she must have heard of it, even through rumors.
At this, Palgap tilted his head.
“But how do you know that, Young Master? You have never been to Hainan Island, have you?” (Palgap)
What do you mean, never?
In my previous life, I had gone to Hainan Island and suffered quite a bit in the hot weather.
At that time, I had not been as proficient in the Great Lunar Ice Sea Divine Art as I was now, so I remembered struggling quite a lot.
But I could not say that, so I quickly glossed over it.
“I saw it in a book.” (Eun Seoho)
“A book again, sir? You really have seen all sorts of things.” (Palgap)
“It is good to read a lot. Now, now! Then let us set off again!” (Eun Seoho)
“Yes.” (Palgap)
The place we were headed was where the helper Master Jin Yeong had told me about was staying.
And from now on, we would move at about the same speed as other people.
“Let us go very leisurely.” (Eun Seoho)
“Understood, sir.” (Palgap)
It would make no sense for a wealthy young master born under a fortunate star to move in a hurry.
I rode in the carriage, fluttering a fan while admiring the scenery beyond the window and eating delicious things as we traveled for about two days.
The place we arrived at like that was an inn located on the coast of Guangdong Province.
[Haega Inn]
It means Song of the Sea.
“Welcome.” (Waiter)
As soon as the carriage I was riding stopped at the inn, two waiters came out and welcomed us.
I got down from the carriage, turned around, and held out my hand.
Holding my hand, Miss Seohyang got down from the carriage.
I drew her naturally to my side and said to the waiter.
“We plan to stay here today.” (Eun Seoho)
“I will show you inside.” (Waiter)
We took the best room at the inn.
The waiter who showed us to the room asked us.
“How would you like your meal? Shall we bring it to your room? Or will you eat in the dining hall?” (Waiter)
“We will eat here.” (Eun Seoho)
“Understood.” (Waiter)
“Ah, can we order a special dish?” (Eun Seoho)
“Of course. If it is a dish the cook can make and the ingredients are available, it is possible.” (Waiter)
“Then please give me a steamed fish made by placing three spoonfuls of rice inside the belly of a fresh fish, and Gujeong tea.” (Eun Seoho)
“Understood.” (Waiter)
“Seohyang, what do you want to eat?” (Eun Seoho)
It felt awkward to call Miss Seohyang like that, but this was acting.
At my question, Miss Seohyang also acted coquettishly as she answered.
“I want to try what they call the finest delicacy of this region.” (Miss Seohyang)
“All right, we will have that.” (Eun Seoho)
Cantonese cuisine was quite famous.
I raised my head and looked at Palgap and the escort warriors.
“You all order for yourselves.” (Eun Seoho)
“We will do so, Liege.” (Escort Warrior)
And so each of us ordered our food, and the waiter took the orders and left the room.
And a short while later.
“Liege, a waiter has come because there is an order he needs to take again.” (Escort Warrior)
“Let him in.” (Eun Seoho)
The door opened, and a waiter entered.
But he was not the waiter who had taken our orders earlier.
“Who is the one who ordered steamed fish with three spoonfuls of rice?” (Waiter)
“I am.” (Eun Seoho)
At my words, he approached me, and soon his expression changed.
“This is surprising. I heard about you from above, but honestly, I did not expect you to come dressed like this.” (Jang Won)
That was right.
This was one of the inns managed by the Royal Guards, and the order for the special dish I had just mentioned was a code indicating that I was someone who had come under the Emperor’s command.
I rose from my seat and greeted him with clasped hands.
“It is a pleasure to meet you. I am Eun Seoho, here by command of His Imperial Majesty.” (Eun Seoho)
“I am Jang Won, of the Royal Guards.” (Jang Won)
“I apologize if I startled you. I heard this was a matter in which seven people had gone missing so far, so I tried disguising myself this way.” (Eun Seoho)
“Certainly, looking like that, no one would think Master was someone sent by His Majesty.” (Jang Won)
“Master, you say!” (Eun Seoho)
“Are you not Master Seonhyeop Mirang of the Eunhae Trading Company?” (Jang Won)
“I am called that, but…….” (Eun Seoho)
“The rumors have already spread widely not only throughout Hainan Island but even here. Hahaha.” (Jang Won)
At Master Jang Won’s hearty laughter, I tilted my head.
“Yes? Rumors? What rumors are you speaking of?” (Eun Seoho)
“That you achieved excellent results in the friendly Martial arts competition at this Murim Grand Banquet. And that although you could have advanced to the finals, you were injured while saving people at the scene of a fire, so in the end, you were unable to climb higher.” (Jang Won)
“……You know it accurately. The events that happened in Luoyang have already spread all the way here?” (Eun Seoho)
He nodded.
“The Hainan Sect, which attended the Murim Grand Banquet, returned, and through their mouths, this rumor spread. And…….” (Jang Won)
And what?
“They say the Hainan Sect bought a great deal of food, and while distributing it to the residents of Hainan Island, they said that Seonhyeop Mirang had heard the story of Hainan Island and donated while shedding tears. So right now, praise for the Eunhae Trading Company and Seonhyeop Mirang is very widespread on Hainan Island.” (Jang Won)
“……Pardon?” (Eun Seoho)
Ah, no, Sect Leader…….
What I asked for was good rumors about the Eunhae Trading Company, so why did you put me in there too?