Chapter 666
Chapter 666
Chapter 666. The Emperor’s Secret Order (7)
We moved immediately.
First, we secretly released trustworthy palace people and spread rumors throughout Jocheon Palace.
“Do you know there’s chaos right now?” (Court Lady)
“Huh? What chaos?” (Court Lady)
“Yesterday, the Taoist from the Mount Mao Sect said he would reveal the names of the traitors tonight. But those traitors struck first. They kidnapped the Taoist.” (Court Lady)
“What?” (Court Lady)
“So now, not only have the Imperial Guards been mobilized to find the Taoist, even we eunuchs are being mobilized too.” (Court Lady)
“Seriously! What kind of suffering is this because of those bastards!” (Court Lady)
It was then.
A group of soldiers came rushing in, and among them, one eunuch shouted.
“All those staying in your quarters are to come outside! If you do not come out by the time I count to five, you will be regarded as having colluded with the enemy and arrested. One! Two…” (Eunuch)
At that stern order, the eunuchs hurriedly came outside.
That was only natural, since that eunuch belonged to the Inspection Office.
If the Censorate was the place that inspected officials, the Inspection Office was the place that inspected eunuchs and court ladies.
And those who were marked by the Inspection Office would often disappear without a trace.
“Then, from now on, search every room!” (Eunuch)
“Yes!” (Soldiers)
Watching that sight, one eunuch’s heart sank.
Because one “letter” was hidden in his quarters.
No matter how well he had hidden it, if the Inspection Office came forward this seriously, there was no way they would not find it.
He recalled what the Crown Prince had said yesterday.
“They dared betray Father and me and act as spies here? Even flaying them alive would not be enough!” (Crown Prince)
If the Inspection Office found that letter, he was certain to be sentenced to flaying.
He tried to sneak outside.
However…
“Stop!” (Soldier)
“I, I have urgent business right now!” (Eunuch)
“There was an order that no one can leave Jocheon Palace without His Highness’s command.” (Soldier)
At that moment, from behind him came the sound of a group of soldiers running over.
“Arrest the criminal!” (Soldier)
“Yes!” (Soldiers)
In other words, it meant they had found that letter.
In the end, he collapsed to the ground on the spot.
. . .
At that time.
I was listening to Warrior Jinyu report on the current situation inside Jocheon Palace.
“Thus, we discovered evidence that they were communicating with the enemy, and in the midst of that, we arrested three people who had been watching for a chance and tried to flee.” (Warrior Jinyu)
“Good.” (Eun Seoho)
I nodded.
There were several reasons I had the order given to search every quarters.
The first was to find evidence proving that those who had suddenly disappeared were in fact rats.
The second was to clean up those who were watching for an opening.
And lastly, because I had to make the court ladies dissatisfied with the current situation as well and direct that toward the traitors.
The eunuchs had been forcibly mobilized in the search for Taoist Cheongsu, but the court ladies could not be mobilized for the search because they could not recklessly leave the palace.
So I had drawn out the resentment of the court ladies in this way.
As far as I knew, court ladies hid all sorts of things inside their rooms.
Since those things had been discovered in this search, they would be punished for them until Taoist Cheongsu was found.
From what I heard, they would have to kneel in the courtyard and beg forgiveness.
I laughed softly.
“Their anger must be enormous.” (Eun Seoho)
“It is beyond words.” (Warrior Jinyu)
“Then shall we start moving soon?” (Eun Seoho)
They say when a woman harbors resentment, frost falls even in May and June, but moderation is best in anything.
And now, all the disloyal elements in Jocheon Palace had been eliminated.
We immediately launched ourselves toward the place where the Crown Prince was.
The Crown Prince, armed, was personally directing the search operation from the front.
It was to show the people of Jocheon Palace the sight of finding Taoist Cheongsu and punishing the traitors.
Now this play is gradually approaching its end.
I ran to the Crown Prince.
“Your Highness the Crown Prince. I have discovered a suspicious place.” (Eun Seoho)
“Is that so? Let us go there right now!” (Crown Prince)
“Yes!” (Eun Seoho)
I guided the Crown Prince to a nearby cave.
And when we went straight into that cave, we could find Taoist Cheongsu tied to a pillar.
Around him, there were people holding weapons and keeping watch over the surroundings.
At that, the Crown Prince shouted.
“You are surrounded! If you do not surrender right now, death is all that remains!” (Crown Prince)
Seeing us, they fell into confusion, and among them, one who seemed to be the leader shouted at us.
“Nonsense! If you do not release this encirclement, this Taoist’s life is forfeit!” (Traitor)
“Damn it!” (Crown Prince)
The Crown Prince burst out in anger, and at that moment I said,
“I will save Taoist Cheongsu. So do not worry and attack.” (Eun Seoho)
“Understood.” (Crown Prince)
The Crown Prince’s guards were also highly skilled in martial arts, but they could not recklessly leave the Crown Prince’s side.
So I had no choice but to take on the mission of rescuing the Taoist.
“Attack!” (Crown Prince)
“Yes!” (Soldiers)
At the Crown Prince’s command, everyone rushed at the traitors there.
In the meantime, I took a dagger from my chest and threw it at the one who was trying to harm Taoist Cheongsu.
“Aaargh!” (Traitor)
And without missing that opening, I ran to Taoist Cheongsu and untied his bonds.
“Are you all right?” (Eun Seoho)
“I am all right.” (Taoist Cheongsu)
Taoist Cheongsu shook his head with a bitter smile.
“I even get to experience something like this. Life truly is amusing. Hahaha.” (Taoist Cheongsu)
Seeing him use telepathy, Taoist Cheongsu really had reached a realm above the pinnacle after all.
It was only that he did not use that skill for fighting, but for corpse arts or exorcism instead.
At that moment, the one who had collapsed after being hit by my dagger opened his eyes and sent a telepathic message.
“Will this be enough?” (Warrior Yeo Eungam)
“Yes.” (Eun Seoho)
He was Warrior Yeo Eungam.
He had used the Divine Transformation and Disguise Art to disguise himself as one of the traitors and pretend to try to harm Taoist Cheongsu.
The ones who had acted flustered earlier were also my escort warriors, and with the Divine Transformation and Disguise Art, they had acted as if they were traitors planted by the Martial Alliance.
He quietly got up, took out the corpse of the real traitor that had been hidden in advance, and changed into a soldier’s clothes.
Once he even put on a helmet, there was no one who could recognize Warrior Yeo Eungam’s identity.
In the meantime, the Crown Prince’s side was also cleaned up.
Those whom the Crown Prince personally cut down were the real traitors.
He had cut down those whose blood points had been sealed so they could not display their true skills.
Of course, my escort warriors quickly sent them forward, fell back, and then disguised themselves as soldiers.
Those who had entered as spies of the Martial Alliance were people who would die by execution anyway.
We let them choose between playing along with the play and dying from a single stroke, or being flayed alive and dying.
They unanimously chose the first option.
“Taoist Cheongsu! Are you all right?” (Crown Prince)
“Yes. I am all right. To think you came personally to rescue this humble Taoist! I do not know how I could repay this grace.” (Taoist Cheongsu)
“Not at all. Rather, because of my request, you suffered such hardships while performing the ritual. I am the one who is sorry.” (Crown Prince)
And the Crown Prince looked around at everyone and spoke.
“We have saved Taoist Cheongsu! Everyone, return to the palace.” (Crown Prince)
“Yes!” (Soldiers)
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.
.
The people of Jocheon Palace chanted the Crown Prince’s name and welcomed his return.
That was only natural, because everyone had been suffering because of Taoist Cheongsu’s kidnapping incident.
Hoo, does this settle the matter for now?
In truth, there had been a few small holes in this plan.
For example, there was the matter of not requesting support from the Mount Mao Sect even though Taoist Cheongsu had been kidnapped.
But since the incident had been resolved, those were matters that would be forgotten.
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.
That evening.
As scheduled, the ritual began again.
Jingle. Jingle.
Taoist Cheongsu shook the bell for a long while, then said to the Crown Prince,
“He says that since all the traitors have disappeared from this Jocheon Palace, there seems to be no need for him to speak of it himself.” (Taoist Cheongsu)
“I see.” (Crown Prince)
“He says he will now go comfortably to the next world. So he says he hopes you live a long life in health.” (Taoist Cheongsu)
“Thank you.” (Crown Prince)
Along with those words from the Crown Prince, I moved my energy and extinguished the candle.
Whoosh!
Thus, the long play came to an end.
The next morning.
I arrived at Jocheon Palace and first headed to Taoist Cheongsu’s quarters.
Because Taoist Cheongsu was still staying in Jocheon Palace.
It was to thank him for helping with this matter, as well as to offer him a small reward.
“Taoist, may I enter?” (Eun Seoho)
“Please come in.” (Taoist Cheongsu)
The Taoist had already packed his belongings. Had he not only just eaten breakfast?
“Are you trying to leave this early?” (Eun Seoho)
“There is another connection seeking this humble Taoist, so if I stay here for long, that connection will grieve.” (Taoist Cheongsu)
“Then I cannot hold you back.” (Eun Seoho)
With a regretful expression, I gave him a clasped hands greeting.
“I sincerely thank you for helping with this matter.” (Eun Seoho)
“Not at all. It was not very difficult. And if such people had remained in Jocheon Palace, they would have had a bad influence not only on Nanjing, but on the whole of Jiangsu Province.” (Taoist Cheongsu)
“Thank you for thinking of it that way.” (Eun Seoho)
I held out a wallet to him.
“This is not much, but it is a token of my sincerity for this matter.” (Eun Seoho)
“I will gratefully accept it.” (Taoist Cheongsu)
As expected, he does not refuse.
“Thanks to those who protected me this time, I was able to remain safe. I was moved that you gave me beings like your own hands and feet.” (Taoist Cheongsu)
“You came because of my request, so of course I had to protect you.” (Eun Seoho)
But I felt something strange and hesitated.
Those I had sent to protect Taoist Cheongsu were Palgap and Geumryeong.
But Geumryeong was not visible to the eye, so it would be correct to say one like my own hands and feet, not beings like them.
Could it be… he really noticed?
I played dumb and tested Taoist Cheongsu.
“I only sent one person, though…” (Eun Seoho)
Taoist Cheongsu answered with a faint smile.
“There is no need to be so wary. I already know of that one’s specialness.” (Taoist Cheongsu)
Ah…
“That one will become a precious close friend to you.” (Taoist Cheongsu)
At those words, I smiled and answered.
“That one is already a precious close friend.” (Eun Seoho)
Geumryeong, this guy, must be embarrassed.
Judging from how there is no reaction.
“I see. By the way, did young Palgap not come with you?” (Taoist Cheongsu)
“Yes. He cannot enter all the way here, so he is staying at an inn.” (Eun Seoho)
Up until yesterday, it had been a special situation, so he had been permitted entry, but starting today, it had gone back to how it was before.
That was why only I could enter Jocheon Palace.
Then the Taoist rummaged through his chest, took something out, and held it out to me.
“Please take this.” (Taoist Cheongsu)
“What is this?” (Eun Seoho)
“Young Palgap seemed to have a great deal of fear.” (Taoist Cheongsu)
At those words, I laughed softly.
“That is true. Unlike his build, he is a bit timid.” (Eun Seoho)
“So I prepared it for young Palgap.” (Taoist Cheongsu)
Did he hear me say that if Palgap protected Taoist Cheongsu diligently, he would give him a gift?
I had simply been planning to get him a small gift myself and say it was from the Taoist.
What the Taoist gave me was a bracelet woven from several colors of cotton thread.
“I placed my power into it, so it will protect the wearer from evil things.” (Taoist Cheongsu)
“Palgap will like it very much.” (Eun Seoho)
We headed to the Crown Prince together.
Taoist Cheongsu gave his farewell to the Crown Prince there, and I decided to see Taoist Cheongsu off.
Once one reached the level of emperor or crown prince, one was in a position where one could not recklessly see off a subordinate.
And the Crown Prince seemed busy as well.
Before long, we passed through the courtyard where the ritual had been held.
“By the way, your acting was truly realistic. I still remember what you said while shaking the bell as soon as you first entered Jocheon Palace.” (Eun Seoho)
But at my words, the Taoist’s expression turned strange.
“Did that look like acting to you?” (Taoist Cheongsu)
“…Pardon?” (Eun Seoho)
But the Taoist did not answer my question and strode out of the palace.
No, Taoist…
You should tell me what that means before you go.
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Several days passed.
Now, with the departure date soon approaching, goods were being loaded one by one onto the Eunha Merchant Guild’s ship.
I stood in front of a certain room at the inn and knocked on the door.
“Young Captain Seong, may I enter?” (Eun Seoho)
“Please come in.” (Young Captain Seong)
When I went inside, Young Captain Seong was sitting in front of the table and looking over documents.
Currently, Young Captain Seong was suspicious of the corruption of the Mingming Merchant Guild’s managers.
So even after arriving in Nanjing, they had remained holed up in this inn and refrained from going outside.
Because if they were discovered by the Mingming Merchant Guild’s managers, they would no longer be able to uncover the corruption.
That was why I was personally conveying outside news to them.
“There are three days left until departure.” (Eun Seoho)
“I see.” (Young Captain Seong)
Young Captain Seong organized the documents and spoke.
“Then we can move around tomorrow evening.” (Young Captain Seong)
He thought for a moment, then asked me,
“By any chance, was there any strange sign from the Mingming Merchant Guild’s managers?” (Young Captain Seong)
“Other than the fact that they are unusually close, there did not seem to be anything particularly strange.” (Eun Seoho)
“Is that so?” (Young Captain Seong)
Managers are in a relationship of competition with one another.
The number of people who can rise to become chief manager is fixed, so they have no choice but to compete.
When a manager becomes a chief manager, the most important thing is performance.
Since they have to compete over that performance, they cannot be close.
Of course, since they belong to the same merchant guild, they would not be hostile, but it is difficult for them to be closer than necessary.
But if they are excessively close, it means there is a high possibility that they are in the same boat over something.
Young Captain Seong seemed to have grasped the hidden meaning in my words as well.
“Are you not curious why I am going this far?” (Young Captain Seong)
“Is it not only natural to catch those who have committed corruption?” (Eun Seoho)
“That is true, but it is because I want to pass down a good merchant guild to my son.” (Young Captain Seong)
That face was the face of a father thinking of his son, Mister Seong Yujin.
I smiled gently and said to him,
“The Mingming Merchant Guild will become a good merchant guild.” (Eun Seoho)
I could guarantee that.
Because afterward, the Mingming Merchant Guild would solidify its position by distributing not only pepper, but also medicinal herbs produced in the Great Viet Kingdom.
In my previous life, those profits were intercepted by the wrong people, but that will not happen this time.