Chapter 608
Episode 608
Episode 608. An Unexpected Clue (4)
After searching the surroundings thoroughly with the two bodyguards, I found something suspicious.
It looked like a bracket for hanging a torch, but this place had night pearls embedded in it, so there was no need for torches.
Even so, there were signs it had been used.
When I pulled it downward, a door opened with a rumbling sound.
In any case, installing all this must have cost quite a bit of money.
As soon as the door opened, the scent of blood struck my nose thickly.
And since it was the scent of rotting blood at that, it seemed it had been left unattended for quite some time.
What on earth happened here?
Warrior Seowoo and Warrior Yeo Eungam, who were accompanying me, also seemed to realize something was ominous, because their faces hardened.
Unlike this place, the inside was dark.
But I have night pearls.
I took out three night pearls made to be worn around the neck from my pouch and handed two to the warriors.
Each of us hung a night pearl around our neck and went inside, and I sensed the qi of the black path within.
The number of black path warriors I sensed inside was three.
* Let us each take one person. (MC)
* Understood. (Warrior Seowoo)
For a moment, we covered the light of the night pearls, charged in stealthily, and knocked the black path warriors unconscious.
I no longer sensed any other black path qi.
While Warrior Yeo Eungam tied them up, Warrior Seowoo and I searched the surroundings.
Several caves had been dug around the area, and from one fairly large cave, a groan could be heard.
“Uuuh……” (Unknown Person)
Following the thick scent of blood strong enough to make my nose ache, I saw someone hanging from the wall.
Uh……
Is that really a person?
It was such a horrifying sight that such a thought flashed through my mind.
I had no idea what had been done to him, but his naked body had not a single intact place.
As I approached him, I had no choice but to flinch and bite my lip.
Because I could sense the distinct qi of imperial palace martial arts from him.
Perhaps sensing someone’s presence, he raised his head.
But because his vision seemed to have been damaged by torture, he did not recognize who had come.
“Ha! Who has come this time? I only wish you would stop doing useless things and hurry up and kill me.” (Royal Guards Master)
His voice was terribly hoarse.
I spoke to him.
“Master Jinyoung is very worried.” (MC)
At my words, he flinched.
“My name is Eun Seoho. Eun Seoho of the Eunha Merchant Guild. His Majesty the Emperor sent me to resolve the abuses on Hainan Island.” (MC)
But instead, he raised his voice.
“How dare you use His Majesty the Emperor’s name! And Jinyoung? I know no such person.” (Royal Guards Master)
“Whether you believe me or not is your freedom.” (MC)
In any case, should I consider it fortunate that Master Jangwon did not see this first?
If Master Jangwon had seen it, he probably would have been quite shocked.
“Warrior Seowoo.” (MC)
“Yes.” (Warrior Seowoo)
“Go outside and tell Warrior Myeongjong and Warrior Changwoon to bring reinforcements here.” (MC)
“Understood.” (Warrior Seowoo)
“While you are at it, please tell them to bring one Master of the Royal Guards as well.” (MC)
“Yes.” (Warrior Seowoo)
In any case, judging from his condition, it seemed he had to be treated quickly, but ordinary wound medicine would not do……
There is no choice.
Seeing Warrior Seowoo head outside, I approached a nearby place being used as both a dining table and a tea table.
I picked up something shaped like a bowl from on top of it and took Geumryeong out of my sleeve.
* Now, Geumryeong. This is the gold character I promised you before. (MC)
* Kku! Kkui! (Geumryeong)
At the sight of the glittering gold character, Geumryeong’s eyes sparkled, and it panted.
Naturally, drool poured from its mouth.
Yikes!
I caught it in the bowl, and when it had filled to a certain extent, I gave Geumryeong the gold character.
* Kkui! (Geumryeong)
Geumryeong put the gold character in its mouth and went back into my sleeve.
I could feel its tail flapping inside my sleeve, so it seemed to be really pleased.
I gave a small laugh, then took the bowl containing Geumryeong’s drool and approached the man hanging from the wall.
Then I spread it evenly all over his body.
He tried to reject my hand, but since he could not move, well……
Hmm…… could it perhaps be effective on eyes too?
This is also an external injury, so who knows.
Thinking that, I spread Geumryeong’s drool on his eyes as well.
As for what was left, I emptied one of the liquor bottles and put it inside.
A liquor bottle……
Come to think of it, they said the young merchant guild head of the Mu Trading Company was also caught drinking bootleg liquor.
So he would receive aggravated punishment.
Tsk, he should have held back a little. The prohibition order will be lifted soon.
It was then.
“Uum?” (Royal Guards Master)
When I turned my head at that sound, the Master of the Royal Guards was blinking his eyes.
Focus had returned to his gaze.
Wow…… Geumryeong’s drool has amazing efficacy, doesn’t it?
My, what a praiseworthy little thing.
I approached him and asked carefully.
“Can you see a little now?” (MC)
“You are?” (Royal Guards Master)
“Did I not explain earlier?” (MC)
“……Was it true?” (Royal Guards Master)
“Yes.” (MC)
“I apologize.” (Royal Guards Master)
His speech became polite at once.
I shook my head.
“No. I fully understand the circumstances.” (MC)
Looking at the three black path men whom Warrior Yeo Eungam had tied up, he said.
“When one cannot see, one only grows suspicious.” (Royal Guards Master)
“That is true. Please wait just a little. The Imperial Army will arrive soon.” (MC)
At my words, he looked surprised.
“Then does that mean the true nature of the man called Cheon Cheonbok has been revealed?” (Royal Guards Master)
“Of course. He has already been arrested and imprisoned.” (MC)
“Then what about the Jibu here?” (Royal Guards Master)
“He is also in prison.” (MC)
“And Guangdong Province……” (Royal Guards Master)
“The Chief Clerk and the County Magistrate of the Mu Trading Company, as well as a man named Mogyeong, are all in prison.” (MC)
“Ha…… truly remarkable. I think I understand why His Majesty the Emperor favors you.” (Royal Guards Master)
“…….” (MC)
That…… is a good thing, right?
The Emperor always gives more work to those he favors.
I smiled bitterly inwardly and said.
“I was lucky. The pirates Cheon Cheonbok had summoned happened to invade Hainan Island, and our Eunha Merchant Guild’s merchant ships dealt with them.” (MC)
“I see.” (Royal Guards Master)
I asked him.
“Are there any other survivors?” (MC)
“I do not know. First, examine the caves here. If you are lucky, some might still be breathing.” (Royal Guards Master)
Resignation was buried in his tone.
It meant the possibility of the others surviving was slim.
Since Warrior Seowoo had just returned, I ordered him and Warrior Yeo Eungam to search the nearby caves.
“And…… there is a writing desk over there.” (Royal Guards Master)
“Yes.” (MC)
“Open the drawer beside that writing desk.” (Royal Guards Master)
At that, I immediately approached it and opened the drawer.
Hmm……
Inside were piles of papers stained with blood, and I took them out and read them.
Since they were not official records, the writing was very rough, but it was not difficult to understand.
[Since those above requested information about the Royal Guards, we began interrogations to find it out. We pulled out fingernails and toenails……]
Written there were the tortures they had carried out, as well as the information learned from those they had tortured.
It makes my teeth chatter.
Those fucking bastards.
The people they had interrogated were not only Royal Guards, but also members of the Eastern Depot.
But compared to that effort, what they had learned was not much.
Well, not every Royal Guard or member of the Eastern Depot is a traitor like Mogyeong.
A short while later.
The Imperial Army arrived, and someone fairly high-ranking among the Royal Guards came with them.
“No! Are you not Agent Oh Samryeong?” (High-Ranking Royal Guard)
“To see you alive like this! It feels like a dream.” (Oh Samryeong)
As expected, he recognizes him.
“Thank you! Truly, thank you! If not for you, we might have failed to find our comrade right under our noses and let him slip away.” (High-Ranking Royal Guard)
He thanked me again and again.
“There is another survivor here!” (Bodyguard)
My bodyguards found one more survivor in the cave, and he was a member of the Eastern Depot.
And in another cave, they found bones, and it seemed the dead had been burned.
I had the survivor from the Eastern Depot treated with Geumryeong’s drool, which I had put into the liquor bottle earlier.
Through their testimony, this matter proceeded at rapid speed.
Among those involved, those who had not yet been brought in were arrested and dragged in.
And I began recovering, one by one, the wealth they had steadily gathered.
The amount of wealth recovered like that was enough to surprise even me.
At this level, it would be enough to exempt Hainan Island and Guangdong Province from taxes for several years.
“Junior Merchant Guild Head Eun Seoho.” (Crown Prince)
“Yes, Your Highness.” (MC)
“My, I do not know whether I should be pleased or angry.” (Crown Prince)
The one who spoke to me was the Crown Prince.
To handle this matter, the Emperor had dispatched the Crown Prince, and he had crossed over to Hainan Island yesterday.
Since this was a case involving even high-ranking officials of Guangdong Province, sending an ordinary official probably would not have been enough to handle it.
And soon, the Crown Prince would be dispatched to Nanjing.
Since Guangdong Province falls under Nanjing’s jurisdiction, the intention was probably to have him clean things up in advance while he had the chance.
“You may do both.” (MC)
At my answer, he said with an empty expression.
“If not for you, they would have continued draining this empire’s wealth.” (Crown Prince)
That is not true.
They would have cleaned things up and left soon.
But I could not say that, so I nodded and agreed.
“Even so, it is truly fortunate. His Majesty the Emperor sent me before it was too late, and the Royal Guards and Imperial Army also moved in time.” (MC)
“I knew you would say that.” (Crown Prince)
Saying that, the Crown Prince held out a scroll to me.
A splendid scroll of gold and red.
Because it was bestowed by the Emperor, I quickly rose from my chair, knelt, and received the imperial edict with both hands.
Then I opened it.
[I have heard of your accomplishments. Well done. As expected of my person, you have not disappointed my expectations. In commendation of that merit, I officially permit the establishment of the naval base you wanted and the installation of a berth for the Eunha Merchant Guild there.]
I shouted for joy inwardly.
Seeing this imperial edict made it feel as though all the hardship of the past days was washing away.
Why did I go through all this damn suffering!
I carefully placed it into my sleeve and sat down in the chair.
“By the way, Junior Merchant Guild Head Eun. I heard your wife came with you as well. When did you marry?” (Crown Prince)
But at the Crown Prince’s following words, I nearly spat out the tea I was drinking.
“Cough!” (MC)
“Oh dear! Are you all right?” (Crown Prince)
“Cough! Cough! I am fine.” (MC)
I took out a handkerchief and wiped myself as I hurriedly explained.
“In truth, I presented it that way to make them lower their guard and to protect my adjutant.” (MC)
“Ah, I see.” (Crown Prince)
I was already twenty-four.
In the empire, I was more than old enough to be married.
That was why even when I introduced Miss Seohyang as my wife, everyone had naturally accepted it.
“You looked better together than I expected.” (Crown Prince)
The Crown Prince smiled playfully, then said to the eunuch attending him.
“Bring what I mentioned.” (Crown Prince)
“Yes.” (Eunuch)
The eunuch left the room and returned, and in his hands was a luxurious box.
“Take it.” (Crown Prince)
“What is this?” (MC)
“You will know when you open it.” (Crown Prince)
I received the box from the eunuch and opened it.
Huh? This is?
It was a hairpin beautifully arranged with pearls.
And the pearls used here were the pearls Miss Seohyang had personally chosen.
To me, who was slightly surprised, the Crown Prince said.
“An artisan came to the Chaehong Trading Company, saying that Cheon Cheonbok had commissioned it. And in the writing desk, we found the commission form you had submitted.” (Crown Prince)
“Ah……” (MC)
I explained about it.
“I was suspicious of the Chaehong Trading Company, so I did that in order to examine the place.” (MC)
“I do not suspect anything unnecessary, so you need not explain.” (Crown Prince)
If they had disguised themselves as a merchant guild dealing in pearls and had not been discovered until now, it meant they were outwardly a flawless merchant guild dealing in pearls.
So that must be why this was made like this and brought by the artisan.
“But why give this to me?” (MC)
“It is a gift.” (Crown Prince)
“Pardon?” (MC)
“I paid the price for it. Also, that much can be taken out under my authority.” (Crown Prince)
“But……” (MC)
“Ahem, I am disappointed. Are you saying I cannot even do that much?” (Crown Prince)
“N-no, of course not!” (MC)
“Then take it. Take it and gift it, throw it away, or do whatever you wish with it.” (Crown Prince)
.
.
.
After discussing what came afterward with the Crown Prince, I returned to the inn where I was staying.
“You have returned?” (Miss Seohyang)
Miss Seohyang greeted me warmly.
Seeing that she was on the first floor, she seemed to have already known I would come.
“Has nothing happened?” (MC)
“Yes. I am safe. And Palgap Soi took very careful care of me.” (Miss Seohyang)
I turned my head and said to Palgap.
“You worked hard. Thank you.” (MC)
“I only did what I ought to do. You are saying too much.” (Palgap)
Seeing him rub his nose, I could not help but give a small laugh.
Meanwhile, other people began coming out one by one and gathering around me.
It was as if they had been waiting for me to come.
“We heard! You fought together for our sake.” (Chieftain)
“I do not know how we should express our gratitude.” (Chieftain)
“This is a thank-you gift from our tribe.” (Chieftain)
They were the chieftains of several tribes living on Hainan Island, and they gave me various gifts.
A frog carved from stone, clothing made by weaving cloth with splendid patterns, and a brightly painted dagger.
As I received them, I realized that I had achieved one of my intended goals.
The gifts they gave me were things that outsiders were not permitted to possess.
In other words, it meant they sincerely intended to accept me as a member of this place.
I thanked each of them individually and sent them back.
“Whew, then I should go upstairs and rest now.” (MC)
“Yes. Please do that.” (Miss Seohyang)
“Um…… Adjutant Gwak. There is something I wish to say to you. Please come with me to the guest room for a moment.” (MC)
I entered the guest room together with Miss Seohyang.
“What is this about?” (Miss Seohyang)
At her question, I held out the box I had personally brought with an awkward expression.
“It is a gift.” (MC)
She received it, opened it, and looked startled.
“Oh my! This……” (Miss Seohyang)
It seems she did not see even this.
I picked up the pearl hairpin and placed it in her hair.
“It suits you well.” (MC)
Her face turned red.
Whew, it suddenly feels hot.
I suppose I will have to bathe in cold water.