Chapter 662
Episode 662
Episode 662. The Emperor’s Secret Order (3)
I was climbing the cliff.
Because I had not given my escort warriors any hint beforehand, I had no choice but to climb up alone.
Thanks to Master’s training, my stamina and strength were fairly strong compared to warriors of the same level, and thanks to that, I could easily climb the dizzyingly high cliff even with a corpse on my back.
Ah, my fingers hurt.
I was deliberately not protecting my fingers with inner arts.
If I climbed up the cliff and looked too perfectly fine, my skills could be suspected.
And I needed to gain sympathy from the others for this matter to be wrapped up smoothly.
After struggling up the cliff like that for about two hours, I was able to climb up to the place where I had fallen.
Tap.
At that moment, someone grabbed my hand.
“Liege.” (Jinyu)
“Ah, Warrior Jinyu.” (Eun Seoho)
Perhaps because I had been too focused on climbing the cliff, I had not even noticed Warrior Jinyu approaching.
Though it might also have been because his realm was the same as mine.
“Hold my hand and come up.” (Jinyu)
“Yes.” (Eun Seoho)
I took that hand and climbed up onto the cliff.
“Haa, haa.” (Eun Seoho)
Breathing roughly, I saw the Crown Prince running from far away.
“Young Company Head Eun! Young Company Head Eun Seoho!” (Crown Prince)
“Th-this humble merchant is sorry to have caused Your Highness the Crown Prince worry.” (Eun Seoho)
“What are you saying? It is fortunate enough that you returned alive like this…….” (Crown Prince)
I untied Ajeong’s corpse, which I had fastened to my back, and said.
“This is Eunuch Ajeong’s corpse. Through heavenly luck, I was able to survive by grabbing a tree root, but Eunuch Ajeong fell onto a rock……” (Eun Seoho)
“…….” (Crown Prince)
“Please punish this humble subject for failing to save Eunuch Ajeong.” (Eun Seoho)
As I tried to kneel with my trembling body, I deliberately collapsed to the side.
Thud.
And then I closed my eyes just like that and pretended to faint.
“Young Company Head Eun!” (Crown Prince)
“Liege!” (Jinyu)
At that moment, Warrior Seou checked my pulse and said.
“It seems he overexerted himself for a long time while under too much tension. His pulse is unstable, so I think he must rest comfortably in a quiet place!” (Seou)
“Move him to the tent at once!” (Crown Prince)
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.
.
When I felt that the surroundings had grown quiet, I slowly opened my eyes.
This is inside the tent where I was staying.
“Young Master, you may open your eyes comfortably now, sir. I know you deliberately pretended to faint, sir.” (Palgap)
Well, since Warrior Seou checked my pulse, he must have noticed I was healthy.
He had merely expressed it as though I were ill in order to match my rhythm.
At Palgap’s words, I blinked and raised my body.
Tap!
But I could not raise my body.
Palgap laid my body back down and whispered softly.
“I said to open only your eyes, sir. I did not say to raise your body.” (Palgap)
“I-I see.” (Eun Seoho)
I lay back down on the simple cot.
“So, what happened, sir? Do you know how worried we were, sir?” (Palgap)
Palgap kept whispering nagging words into my ear, and I had no choice but to lie there helplessly and listen to that nagging.
Thanks to that, I learned something.
Even if it is the same nagging, listening to it while lying down as it is whispered in your ear is truly difficult.
Of course, he was saying it out of concern for me.
“Sorry. There was no helping it. There were parts I decided on the spur of the moment, but if I had matched stories with you in advance, it might have shown.” (Eun Seoho)
I let out a sigh and continued speaking.
“You know too, don’t you? How sharp-eyed the people attending the Crown Prince are.” (Eun Seoho)
“I do know that, sir.” (Palgap)
At that moment, Warrior Jinyu, who was beside me, asked by telepathy.
So what happened? Was he truly a collaborator of the Asura Blood Cult? (Jinyu)
Yes. He was. (Eun Seoho)
As expected……. (Jinyu)
Not only that, he said he cast the Soul Bewitching Art on His Highness the Crown Prince and made him choose him as his attending eunuch. (Eun Seoho)
What? Then even now……. (Jinyu)
No, that is not the case. It seems the Soul Bewitching Art was released because of my energy. (Eun Seoho)
After hearing the whole story, Warrior Jinyu nodded and left the tent to pass the information to the other escort warriors.
I lay quietly and organized my thoughts.
But perhaps because I was tired, my eyes kept trying to close.
Honestly, I had been a little sleep-deprived lately too.
In the midst of that, the Crown Prince’s voice could be heard.
“Young Company Head Eun Seoho! I will come in for a moment.” (Crown Prince)
Thanks to that, I woke up completely.
Soon, the tent flap was drawn back, and the Crown Prince entered.
“Your Highness the Crown Prince…….” (Eun Seoho)
I deliberately made a pained expression and rose from my place.
“There is no need to observe formalities! Just remain seated.” (Crown Prince)
“N-no. How could I……” (Eun Seoho)
“You may remain seated.” (Crown Prince)
The Crown Prince forcibly pressed down on my shoulder, and I lay back down on the cot.
“This humble merchant begs Your Highness for punishment. Because I failed to properly inspect the surroundings, such a thing ended up happening. If only my martial arts skill had been just a little better, if it had, I could have saved Eunuch Ajeong…… Hngh…….” (Eun Seoho)
I wore a grief-stricken expression and shed tears.
“All I could do was recover his corpse and return.” (Eun Seoho)
“No, you have done more than enough with that alone.” (Crown Prince)
Then he stroked my bloodied hands and said.
“Did you not climb that cliff to return, until your hands became this ruined? If we are to assign fault, this happened because I said I wished to see the surrounding scenery.” (Crown Prince)
The Crown Prince continued.
“If we are to discuss fault, more of the fault lies with me.” (Crown Prince)
“No. It is because this humble merchant failed to attend you well.” (Eun Seoho)
At this, the surrounding guards and the one remaining eunuch knelt in that place and said.
“It is our fault.” (Guard)
“Please punish us.” (Eunuch)
The Crown Prince shook his head and said.
“No. Rise now.” (Crown Prince)
Then he continued.
“We should at least mourn him properly. Have his corpse taken care of well and sent to Beijing. Since his manhood is in Beijing, it would be best to bury them together.” (Crown Prince)
“Your Highness’s grace is truly as vast as the sea.” (Eunuch)
What is most important to eunuchs is the jar containing their manhood.
Without it, it would hinder their promotion.
And because they believed that when they died, they had to be buried with it to be reincarnated in the next life in a complete form without defects.
“It is truly fortunate that at least you are safe. Then rest now.” (Crown Prince)
“Yes.” (Eun Seoho)
The Crown Prince left the tent, and I let out a sigh.
Fortunately, it seemed everyone thought of it as an “unfortunate accident.” Just as I had intended.
But I had not thought of it in advance.
That there would be very many people besides the Crown Prince who would come to visit me while I was ill.
“Liege. Young Master Hong Seonil and his wife have come.” (Jinyu)
“Ah…….” (Eun Seoho)
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.
.
Before I knew it, evening had come, but I was still lying on the cot.
I was not lying down because I was sick, but because I was exhausted, I had no choice but to lie down.
“Palgap. Why am I this popular?” (Eun Seoho)
“Are you complaining about being popular, sir? You would do well to be grateful for being popular, sir.” (Palgap)
“I know that too.” (Eun Seoho)
I let out a sigh.
I also know how fortunate that is for a merchant.
“I was just trying to whine once, yet you do not even understand that. I am upset.” (Eun Seoho)
At my words, Palgap wore an expression of not knowing what to do and only rolled his eyes round and round.
Phew, I should stop teasing him.
“Forget it. I just said it once.” (Eun Seoho)
I grinned and rose from my place, sitting on the edge of the cot as I spoke.
“I’m hungry. Let’s eat dinner.” (Eun Seoho)
That night.
Ajeong’s corpse was burned.
They could simply send the corpse to Beijing, but since it might become a problem later, they are cremating it here.
The corpse rotting is a problem, but there are not no ways to prevent that.
Just like that, his corpse eventually left only ashes and bones, and they were placed in a box and sent off to Beijing.
The next day, we departed for Nanjing again.
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Several days later, we arrived in Nanjing.
“This humble subject greets Your Highness the Crown Prince.” (Military Commissioner Ak)
Nanjing’s Military Commissioner Ak came out to greet us.
“Thank you for receiving us like this.” (Crown Prince)
“You flatter me. I shall escort you to the palace.” (Military Commissioner Ak)
In Nanjing, there was a palace where the Emperor could stay.
Because the Emperor would sometimes come to Nanjing and inspect the southern part of the empire.
Thus, though it was smaller than the imperial palace in Beijing, there was a palace more magnificent than most princely estates.
Its name was Jocheon Palace.
Since the Crown Prince was to stay in Nanjing for quite some time by the Emperor’s command, that was why we were going to Jocheon Palace.
“Is this Jocheon Palace, sir?” (Palgap)
“Yeah. I suppose so.” (Eun Seoho)
In truth, this is not my first time coming to Jocheon Palace.
Because I had come here in my previous life.
But in this life, it is my first time, so I could not act as though I knew it.
At that moment, the Crown Prince spoke.
“Everyone, go inside.” (Crown Prince)
“Yes.” (Eun Seoho)
Because it was an official invitation from the one who had become the master of Jocheon Palace, all of us were able to enter the palace.
Even so, we could only enter the building for receiving guests, and staying there was not permitted.
However, Seonil Hyung-nim and Princess Sinaa were exceptions.
Because they had received the Emperor’s command to stay at Jocheon Palace until departure.
“We greet the new master of Jocheon Palace.” (Eunuchs and Court Ladies)
All the eunuchs and court ladies living in Jocheon Palace paid their respects to the Crown Prince.
“It is good to meet you all. I will be in your care from now on.” (Crown Prince)
“We shall serve you with all sincerity.” (Eunuchs and Court Ladies)
“These are the people who attended me all the way here. I wish to hold a banquet for them this evening, so prepare it.” (Crown Prince)
“We obey your command.” (Eunuchs and Court Ladies)
And the Crown Prince looked at me.
“Young Company Head Eun Seoho.” (Crown Prince)
“Yes.” (Eun Seoho)
“See me for a moment.” (Crown Prince)
“…….” (Eun Seoho)
I followed the Crown Prince inside alone.
Because it was not a place where escort warriors could follow.
The interior looked fairly complicated, but he did not lose his way.
Well, he must have come here several times.
The Crown Prince entered a place that looked like an office, then urged me to sit at the tea table.
“Sit.” (Crown Prince)
“Your grace is boundless……” (Eun Seoho)
“Just sit.” (Crown Prince)
“Yes.” (Eun Seoho)
I sat at the tea table, and the Crown Prince sat across from me.
At that moment, a eunuch entered and set down tea.
“Clear the surroundings.” (Crown Prince)
“Yes.” (Eunuch)
Whether the eunuch faithfully carried out that order, soon I could not sense anyone’s presence nearby.
By the way, I have no idea what exactly the Martial Alliance is scheming.
Because they are plotting something by moving not only the black path but even the people of the Asura Blood Cult.
“I worried a great deal this time.” (Crown Prince)
At the Crown Prince’s words, I quickly came to my senses and looked at him.
“I am sorry to have caused you worry.” (Eun Seoho)
“No. Rather, I only feel sorry that I seem to have made an unreasonable request of you.” (Crown Prince)
“How could you say that? If it had been an unreasonable command in the first place, I would have told you on my side that it could not be done.” (Eun Seoho)
“True……” (Crown Prince)
The Crown Prince nodded.
“You are someone who says no when something cannot be done. But I do not yet remember ever hearing you say no to me?” (Crown Prince)
“Ah…… that is.” (Eun Seoho)
I spoke with an awkward expression.
“It is because there has been nothing impossible so far.” (Eun Seoho)
At my answer, he laughed.
“I think I understand why Elder Hwangbo asked you to become my adviser.” (Crown Prince)
The Crown Prince drank the tea the eunuch had placed there earlier. Seeing that, I too took a sip of tea.
Perhaps because it is tea from the imperial palace after all, its fragrance is extremely fine and its flavor deep.
After drinking tea silently for a while, I called the Crown Prince.
“Your Highness the Crown Prince. I have something to tell you.” (Eun Seoho)
“What is it?” (Crown Prince)
“Are you good at catching rats?” (Eun Seoho)
At my question, the Crown Prince’s expression changed.
“……What do you mean by that?” (Crown Prince)
Since we were alone now, it should be fine to say it.
“In truth, while dealing with him, I interrogated him a little. Was he not an important person of interest?” (Eun Seoho)
I continued speaking.
“Thanks to that, I learned something. That there are people secretly operating in the imperial palace and in this Jocheon Palace as well.” (Eun Seoho)
“Is that truly so?” (Crown Prince)
“Yes. His Majesty the Emperor will handle the matter of the imperial palace well. But Your Highness the Crown Prince must take charge of this Jocheon Palace.” (Eun Seoho)
The secret order the Emperor gave me went only as far as dealing with Ajeong.
So there was no need for me to handle what came after.
“Just as you hardened your heart when dealing with him, I believe you will be able to do well this time too.” (Eun Seoho)
“I am afraid. Are rats not omnivorous, and do they not gnaw on people as well?” (Crown Prince)
“That is true, but they do not bite a moving person. Because they are timid, they instead scurry away and hide.” (Eun Seoho)
I continued speaking.
“The reason a tiger cub fears a rat is because it has never encountered one. Likewise, the reason a rat does not fear a tiger cub is because it does not know that a tiger is frightening.” (Eun Seoho)
“Is that so?” (Crown Prince)
“Yes.” (Eun Seoho)
“Still, I want you to help me.” (Crown Prince)
I shook my head and spoke gently.
“Your Highness the Crown Prince. You must not fear staining your hands with blood. Will not Her Highness the Crown Princess and the young prince soon come to this Jocheon Palace? Will you let them suffer the same thing you suffered?” (Eun Seoho)
“That, that will not happen.” (Crown Prince)
“Your Highness the Crown Prince. The only person who can protect them is Your Highness the Crown Prince.” (Eun Seoho)
So handle the work after this yourself.
Do not push the work onto me.
The reason I say this is that the Crown Prince has more than enough ability to accomplish such things.
Until now, he probably pretended to be appropriately innocent because standing out too much would make things difficult.
But where could bloodline go?
The Emperor is not an easy person, but the Empress is also by no means an easy person.
Born inheriting the bloodline of those two, the Crown Prince is also not an easy person.
Though the Emperor worried, calling it an atavism.
So if I am dragged around by the Crown Prince from now on, things will become very difficult for me.
But if I only coldly refuse, that would be a bit much too…….
“If it seems absolutely impossible, then I will give you a little help at that time. Or I will at least drink tea with you.” (Eun Seoho)
Honestly, my heart is far too soft.
Kkui? (Gold Bell)
Hm? Gold Bell, you are full? (Eun Seoho)
Kku! Kkui! (Gold Bell)
You just said I was spouting nonsense?
That my heart is extremely soft, like silk?
You do understand after all.