Chapter 649
649
Chapter 649. Wrapping Up (2)
Judging from Palgap’s expression, something urgent had definitely happened.
“What is it?” (MC)
“They say Miss Hyangok is in danger right now.” (Palgap)
“What? Tell me in detail.” (MC)
At my words, Palgap briefly explained.
“They say Miss Hyangok went to subjugate a Green Forest Bandit mountain keep this time, and was surrounded by the enemy.” (Palgap)
“What? She is surrounded?” (MC)
“More than half of those who went on the subjugation were surrounded, and according to someone who barely escaped, it happened because the baekho leading them insisted stubbornly.” (Palgap)
Haa, so this was what the Emei Sect disciples were talking about earlier.
They said she had volunteered of all things, and now it had come to this.
“Is there no response to it? What about the Provincial Surveillance Commissioner?” (MC)
“His Highness the Crown Prince and the Provincial Surveillance Commissioner are recruiting a rescue party to save them.” (Palgap)
The fact that they were recruiting a rescue party instead of forming one meant the current situation was not very optimistic.
Then I could not just stay like this.
“Palgap. Tell all the guards to gather.” (MC)
“Understood.” (Palgap)
First, I finished writing the letter to Father, then asked Geumryeong to deliver it.
“Kkui!” (Geumryeong)
Geumryeong tied the letter to her tail and headed for Hubei Province, and I came out of the tent.
All the guards had already gathered, and I said to them.
“You must have heard, but Noona Hyangok has fallen into danger. And I intend to go save her.” (MC)
Looking at those who were silently staring at me, I continued.
“Will you help me?” (MC)
At that, Warrior Seowoo stepped forward and said.
“You say something only natural. Wherever our liege is, that is where we must be.” (Warrior Seowoo)
The other warriors also nodded and expressed agreement.
“I am grateful that you say so.” (MC)
I clasped my hands and expressed my thanks, then said to Palgap.
“Palgap. You stay here.” (MC)
“Pardon? What do you mean? I will……” (Palgap)
“Protect Assistant Officer Gwak. If you protect Assistant Officer Gwak, I think I can feel at ease.” (MC)
At my words, Palgap nodded.
“Understood.” (Palgap)
It was then.
The members of the Eun Wind Corps approached our side.
They were the ones who had accompanied us when we came to Sichuan.
They had not had much chance to be active because we had come with those dispatched by the imperial family, but from the start, when organizing the relief party, military force was needed to protect it, so the Eun Wind Corps members had been included in the relief party as well.
And they had done relief work with us.
It seemed they had come like this after hearing the news that Noona Hyangok was in danger.
“Although Miss Hyangok is a disciple of the Emei Sect, before that, she is a member of the Eunha Trading Company’s household. The very reason the Eun Wind Corps exists is to protect that household and the Trading Company. So how could we remain still?” (Eun Wind Corps Member)
“That is right. We will also volunteer for the rescue party.” (Eun Wind Corps Member)
“Please take us with you.” (Eun Wind Corps Member)
One warrior among them spoke to me.
“If it is cutting off the enemies’ heads, I am confident.” (Warrior Min)
His identity was Warrior Min, Captain Yong’s older brother.
“Please give me a chance to be active.” (Warrior Min)
I hesitated for a moment, but after seeing their eyes, I nodded.
If we fought the Green Forest Bandits, there could be sacrifices, but I could not refuse them for that reason.
Because that would be an act of trampling on their pride.
It was not as if they had volunteered without knowing it would be dangerous.
“Good. Let us go together.” (MC)
I turned my head and asked Palgap.
“Where is His Highness Prince Seongbo?” (MC)
“He is at the medical pavilion, looking after patients.” (Palgap)
I headed there.
“I will change your bandages.” (Prince Seongbo)
“Your Highness, how can Your Highness do such lowly work……” (Patient)
“How could caring for a patient be lowly?” (Prince Seongbo)
“Your grace is immeasurable.” (Patient)
“Please recover quickly.” (Prince Seongbo)
I looked at Prince Seongbo personally changing a patient’s bandages and smiled in satisfaction.
Mm, he is doing well as I told him.
I approached Prince Seongbo.
“Your Highness.” (MC)
“Ah! Junior Merchant Leader Eun. What is it?” (Prince Seongbo)
“I think I must leave the Qingcheng Sect for a while and go to the northwest.” (MC)
“Did something happen? Why so suddenly?” (Prince Seongbo)
“I am told that my cousin noona has fallen to a cowardly scheme by the Green Forest Bandits entrenched in the northwest and is currently surrounded.” (MC)
“What? Such a thing happened?” (Prince Seongbo)
“Yes. Noona and the Green Forest Bandit subjugation force are trapped, so I intend to volunteer for the rescue party to save them.” (MC)
“Will you be all right?” (Prince Seongbo)
At his worried question, I nodded.
“Yes. I will be all right. You need not worry.” (MC)
I answered with confidence.
“Thus, I would like to entrust this place to Your Highness.” (MC)
“Understood. Do not worry, and return safely.” (Prince Seongbo)
“Yes, Your Highness.” (MC)
After explaining the situation to Prince Seongbo and asking for his understanding, I also told the Sect Leader.
And immediately, I led the guards and the Eun Wind Corps members toward the Provincial Surveillance Commissioner.
We soon arrived where the Provincial Surveillance Commissioner was.
It was the temporary camp of the Green Forest Bandit subjugation force, and as we approached, I saw many Emei Sect disciples.
Noona Hyangok’s master, the Heartless Sword, Nun Haecheong, saw me and approached with a surprised expression.
“No! Master Seonhyeop Mirang, how did you come here?” (Nun Haecheong)
“I came to volunteer for the rescue party to save Noona Hyangok.” (MC)
“You yourself?” (Nun Haecheong)
“Yes.” (MC)
I looked back at those who had followed me and said.
“And they, too, came here with the same heart as mine.” (MC)
Her complexion brightened.
“Truly, thank you. Truly, thank you.” (Nun Haecheong)
“Is the situation very bad?” (MC)
“It is. Most of our core forces are surrounded, so the rescue party’s fighting strength is far too insufficient.” (Nun Haecheong)
Well, even in my previous life, I had heard that not a little damage occurred while subjugating the Green Forest Bandits.
It must mean that even among the Green Forest Bandits, there were some who were not easy opponents.
I should deal with them this time before leaving.
I said to Nun Haecheong.
“Please guide me to the Provincial Surveillance Commissioner.” (MC)
“Come this way.” (Nun Haecheong)
The Crown Prince, who was with the Provincial Surveillance Commissioner, spotted me and rose from his seat with a surprised expression.
“No! You!” (Crown Prince)
“This humble merchant, Eun Seoho, greets His Highness the Crown Prince.” (MC)
“Put aside such formalities. Why in the world did you come here?” (Crown Prince)
“Naturally, to volunteer for the rescue party to save my noona.” (MC)
“You yourself?” (Crown Prince)
“Yes.” (MC)
“Huh, this is extremely dangerous.” (Crown Prince)
“I know as well. But when my cousin noona’s life is hanging by a thread, how could I stay still?” (MC)
At that moment, the Provincial Surveillance Commissioner spoke.
“You are Seonhyeop Mirang.” (Provincial Surveillance Commissioner)
“This humble merchant greets the Provincial Surveillance Commissioner.” (MC)
“Are you truly volunteering for the rescue party?” (Provincial Surveillance Commissioner)
“I am. Not only I, but also the Eun Wind Corps, the military force of the Eunha Trading Company, will accompany me.” (MC)
“Those who went to subjugate them at my request have fallen into danger, leaving me in a difficult situation. If someone of your fame steps forward, it would truly be something to be grateful for.” (Provincial Surveillance Commissioner)
“Then please explain the situation.” (MC)
At that, the Provincial Surveillance Commissioner spoke to the Crown Prince.
“Your Highness the Crown Prince. I know Your Highness cherishes Master Seonhyeop Mirang, but the current situation is urgent. Please allow Master Seonhyeop Mirang to be included in the rescue party.” (Provincial Surveillance Commissioner)
“Please allow it.” (MC)
When I clasped my hands and bowed deeply, the Crown Prince eventually gave his reluctant consent.
“The situation is urgent, so there is no choice. Very well.” (Crown Prince)
“Your grace is immeasurable.” (MC)
We expressed our thanks, and the Provincial Surveillance Commissioner explained the situation to me.
“First, the Boss of the mountain keep that surrounded the subjugation force is a man called the Blood-Eyed Sword Ghost.” (Provincial Surveillance Commissioner)
Blood-Eyed Sword Ghost, then…….
It was a name I had heard.
Because of the martial art he had learned, his eyes were red, so he was called the Blood-Eyed Sword Ghost.
“Currently, the subjugation force is trapped inside a cave.” (Provincial Surveillance Commissioner)
Then they are in a situation where they cannot budge, but how does he know that?
“Was there someone who conveyed that situation?” (MC)
“The Green Forest Bandits sent a letter tied to an arrow to threaten us. The letter contained the current situation of the subjugation force, and it said that if we want to save them, we should give them thirty thousand seok of rice.” (Provincial Surveillance Commissioner)
Thirty thousand seok of rice?
That was a tremendous amount.
But it was not an amount that could not be prepared.
Then there must be a reason they were forming a rescue party instead of meeting their demand.
“It seems that was not the only condition they set.” (MC)
“As you say.” (Provincial Surveillance Commissioner)
The Provincial Surveillance Commissioner nodded and continued.
“They are also demanding a hundred people they can enslave, as well as autonomy.” (Provincial Surveillance Commissioner)
Mad bastards.
I almost cursed without realizing it.
From the Provincial Surveillance Commissioner’s perspective, these were conditions he absolutely could not accept.
They must be doing this because they knew the Crown Prince had come here, but the Crown Prince also absolutely could not accept this.
“Negotiation is impossible, so we must save those trapped inside the cave somehow.” (MC)
“That is right.” (Provincial Surveillance Commissioner)
“Then we do not need many people. We will just go by ourselves.” (MC)
“Just yourselves?” (Provincial Surveillance Commissioner)
“Yes. Instead, there is something I need the Provincial Surveillance Commissioner to do.” (MC)
.
.
.
I immediately headed for Chengdu.
There was still time left before the time the Green Forest Bandits had proposed.
So I had come to prepare to rescue Noona and the others who were being held.
The first place I headed was the Sichuan branch of the Eunha Trading Company.
“Seoho!” (Uncle)
When I arrived at the Sichuan branch, Uncle, who had heard of it, came running to me.
“Aigo, Seoho! Our Hyangok is……” (Uncle)
“I heard. So please calm down.” (MC)
I deliberately spoke coldly.
Because what mattered now was not comforting Uncle, but preparing to save Noona Hyangok.
I took a map from my breast pocket and unfolded it.
“Currently, Noona is said to be held in the cave here. Is there anyone who knows this geography well?” (MC)
“I will find out right away.” (Uncle)
“Please.” (MC)
Because I had to know the details of the cave Noona was in to establish a concrete plan.
And when it came to finding someone who knew about places like such caves, the Trading Company was faster than the troops dispatched locally.
Because they also traveled around such places directly, and had wide connections.
“I will find someone as quickly as possible. And thank you.” (Uncle)
Fortunately, we were soon able to find someone who said he knew about that cave.
He was an herb gatherer affiliated with the Trading Company.
He looked at the map and spoke with a confident expression.
“If it is this place, then it is definitely the cave I discovered while digging herbs.” (Herb Gatherer)
“Have you ever gone inside?” (MC)
“Yes. It rained, so I went in to avoid the rain.” (Herb Gatherer)
“What is the environment like?” (MC)
“The entrance is narrow, but once you go inside, there is quite a spacious area. And there is a spring inside as well. However, there did not seem to be any way to find food.” (Herb Gatherer)
That is a relief. For now, if there is water, then no one should have collapsed yet.
“And there is one more important thing.” (Herb Gatherer)
“What is it?” (MC)
“That cave has another passage leading outside. There is not only one entrance.” (Herb Gatherer)
At those words, I nearly cheered, but I managed my expression and asked.
“Do you perhaps remember where that entrance is?” (MC)
The herb gatherer pointed at the map with his hand and said.
“It should be around here. It is hidden by a thicket, so it is hard to see, and it is only large enough for one person to barely crawl through, so it probably would not stand out.” (Herb Gatherer)
“Thank you for this precious information. I will make sure you are sufficiently rewarded.” (MC)
The herb gatherer left with a pleased face, and I sat in the reception room and fell into thought.
First, finding an escape route was something to rejoice about, but there was no guarantee we could enter quietly through this place and escape safely.
Do I have no choice but to use this small passage?
“Kkui!” (Geumryeong)
“Ah!” (MC)
Geumryeong was flailing as she climbed in through the window.
I quickly stood up and caught Geumryeong.
“Did you go to Father and come back?” (MC)
“Kkui!” (Geumryeong)
I untied the letter attached to Geumryeong’s tail and read it.
The letter said that he would soon send the construction firm to Sichuan.
“Kkui! Kkui!” (Geumryeong)
“You ran an errand, so you want me to give you silver coins? Yes, I should.” (MC)
Geumryeong looked at my face as I held out the silver coin, tilted her head, and asked.
“Kkui! Kku?” (Geumryeong)
“Hm? Am I worried about something? My expression does not look good? You heard earlier too before you left, right? About Noona Hyangok?” (MC)
I explained the whole story of what had happened until now, and after hearing my words, Geumryeong nodded.
“Kkui.” (Geumryeong)
“Yes, I am very worried.” (MC)
“Kkui? Kku!” (Geumryeong)
“Hm? So the problem right now is that I just need to get to Noona Hyangok safely? Well, in principle, yes.” (MC)
“Kku! Kkui! Kkui!” (Geumryeong)
“Why am I not using the treasure I have? What I have should be enjoyed? What do you mean?” (MC)
“Kkui! Kku!” (Geumryeong)
“Am I planning to leave the Mystic Road Map sitting around and trade it for taffy?” (MC)
Ah! Right! I had that!
Why had I forgotten that?
The Mystic Road Map was an artifact that showed the safest path one could take.
In other words, if I knew the safest path to Noona Hyangok, it also meant I could escape safely.
I immediately took out the Mystic Road Map and unfolded it.
As if expressing its displeasure that I had not sought it out all this time, its corners fluttered.
“I did not forget you. It was just that there had not been a suitable time to use you.” (MC)
Flutter, flutter.
“It is not an excuse, it is true. Hoo…… anyway, I am sorry.” (MC)
Sway, sway.
It seems its sulking has eased a little.
“Show me the path to Noona Hyangok.” (MC)
At my words, the drawing on the Mystic Road Map changed, and the terrain of the cave I had to go to was drawn.
And a red line was drawn over it.
Huh? This means there is a third passage?
It was a good thing I took out the Mystic Road Map.
“Thank you, Geumryeong.” (MC)
Looking at that path, I quickly formed a plan.
I immediately went outside and spoke to the guards and the Eun Wind Corps warriors.
“I have found a way. From now on, please follow my instructions.” (MC)
Without complaint, they moved busily according to my instructions.
Noona Hyangok.
Please wait just a little.
I am coming to save you now.