Chapter 681
Chapter 681
Chapter 681. Killing Two Birds with One Stone (4)
At the request of the Gold Rooster Pavilion mistress, I readily nodded.
"Of course." (MC)
Then I rose from my seat and followed after the pavilion mistress.
The place she guided me to was the tavern's backyard.
If we had not met secretly from the start, meeting in a public place and going to the pavilion mistress's room was not a good choice.
Our relationship might be suspected, and all sorts of rumors might spread.
In that sense, the backyard was an appropriate choice.
Since there were people coming and going, no strange stories would arise, yet our conversation would not reach people's ears.
Seeing this, the Gold Rooster Pavilion's pavilion mistress was no ordinary person either.
That must be why she moved a legendary assassin and married him.
"Thank you for still remembering and enjoying our Gold Rooster Pavilion's spicy braised chicken." (Pavilion Mistress)
"Not at all. It is that delicious a dish." (MC)
"By the way, rumors have been quite widespread these days. They say the mountain purchased by the Eunha Merchant Guild is a whetstone quarry?" (Pavilion Mistress)
"That is correct." (MC)
"It seems the people dressed in blue are suffering quite a stomachache over it." (Pavilion Mistress)
People dressed in blue with stomachaches…….
Who else could it be? It was obvious.
"They would be." (MC)
Because they had intended to exercise influence using the whetstone producing mountain monopolized by the Baekcheon Trading Company, but had become unable to do so.
"They say they will go fox hunting. Tomorrow night at midnight." (Pavilion Mistress)
"……I see. Thank you." (MC)
I bowed my head and expressed my thanks.
Because that was extremely important information.
I had expected it, but to think they would move this quickly…….
If she had not told me, I might have suffered great damage.
By the way, fox hunting, huh. Then am I the fox?
Well, they might think so.
From their perspective, I have been picking out only the most hateful things to do.
Hmm…… what should I do?
As I thought for a moment, a good idea came to mind.
After eating with the people dispatched from the Beijing branch, I sent a telepathic message to Warrior Jin Yu and Warrior Yeo Eungam.
* I have a favor to ask. (MC)
* Please speak. (Jin Yu)
* I heard that tomorrow at midnight, the Namgung Clan will raid the quarry. (MC)
* What? (Jin Yu)
* Is that really true? (Yeo Eungam)
* Yes. So I am trying to find out whether that information is true. Please use the help of the intelligence squad here in Jinan to confirm it. (MC)
* Understood. (Jin Yu)
Since it was information told to me by the Gold Rooster Pavilion mistress, it would not be completely wrong, but I had to find out as much detail and certainty as possible.
Only then could I set up the plan precisely.
Then I took everyone and headed to the quarry.
After explaining the overall situation to the chief clerk and the Silver Wind Squad leader who had come from the Beijing branch, I also introduced them to the person working there.
The people sent by the Baekyeom Trading Company were still working hard there, after all.
Then, after guiding them to their lodgings, I returned to the Hwangbo Clan.
Warrior Jin Yu and Warrior Yeo Eungam returned just before dinner.
"Liege, we have finished the investigation and returned." (Jin Yu)
"You have worked hard. What is the situation?" (MC)
"The information you told us, Liege, was true. People hiding their identities are secretly gathering near the quarry. Their number appears to be a little over one hundred." (Jin Yu)
"Most of them are wanderers, but we also saw people who appeared to be members of the Namgung Clan." (Yeo Eungam)
So they were not merely making a request, but had stepped forward themselves as well.
"Then we will have to respond too." (MC)
I called Palgap.
"Palgap!" (MC)
"Yes! Did you call for me?" (Palgap)
"Go ask whether I can meet the Clan Head. Tell him it is an extremely urgent and important matter, and that I would very much like to see him today." (MC)
"Understood." (Palgap)
It was that night when the Clan Head's attendant came to find me.
I followed that attendant to the Clan Head's office.
When I entered the office, the Clan Head was looking over documents.
That busy figure did not feel like someone else's business.
"Sit comfortably. Would you like tea?" (Clan Head)
"Yes." (MC)
The Clan Head told the attendant to bring tea, while instructing him to bring only one person's share.
"You will need tea as well, Clan Head." (MC)
At my words, the Clan Head tilted his head, but soon nodded and told him to bring his teacup as well.
Soon, the attendant brought tea and poured it before us.
"Drink." (Clan Head)
"Thank you." (MC)
Mm, as expected of tea the Clan Head drinks, it is delicious.
"Now then, what is the matter?" (Clan Head)
"You are busy, so I will speak directly." (MC)
"That is what I want." (Clan Head)
"I believe you have received reports that suspicious people are gathering in Jinan." (MC)
"……." (Clan Head)
The Clan Head looked at me silently, then soon nodded.
"Correct. There was such a report." (Clan Head)
"It is the Namgung Clan. I am told that the Namgung Clan has hired wanderers and plans to launch a raid to seize the quarry I purchased this time." (MC)
"So it was them after all." (Clan Head)
"So, would you not like to take revenge on the Namgung Clan?" (MC)
"Revenge, you say……." (Clan Head)
The Clan Head drank his tea, then put the teacup down hard.
Tak!
"It is not even worth saying! They are the ones who made me turn my own grandson into that with my own hands!" (Clan Head)
"And should you not also prevent that quarry from falling into the hands of the Namgung Clan?" (MC)
"Of course. I will support you with warriors from the main family." (Clan Head)
"Thank you." (MC)
"How many do you need?" (Clan Head)
"Around fifty should be sufficient." (MC)
"……Will that be enough?" (Clan Head)
If we mobilized more warriors, the Namgung Clan could notice.
And the Hwangbo Clan's influence over my quarry might grow larger.
After weighing this and that, that number was exactly right.
"It is sufficient. With that said, where is Master Hwangbo Seonyu?" (MC)
"He is probably resting at his residence." (Clan Head)
"Then please call him as well." (MC)
At my words, the Clan Head summoned an attendant and gave the order, and a short while later, Master Hwangbo Seonyu entered the Clan Head's office.
"Did you call for me?" (Hwangbo Seonyu)
"Yes, sit." (Clan Head)
He looked puzzled at seeing me here, then sat down.
"It was not I who called you. Master Seonhyeop Mirang here asked me to call you." (Clan Head)
"Is that so?" (Hwangbo Seonyu)
I drank some tea and moistened my mouth before speaking.
"Did you not reproach yourself before for not having been of help to the Hwangbo Clan, Master?" (MC)
"I did." (Hwangbo Seonyu)
At those words, the Clan Head spoke.
"You need not think that way. You are doing more than well enough even now." (Clan Head)
"Father……." (Hwangbo Seonyu)
Looking at that affectionate sight, I smiled slightly.
"Thus, something has come up with which Master Hwangbo Seonyu can help." (MC)
"Something I can help with?" (Hwangbo Seonyu)
"Yes." (MC)
I explained the whole story, and at my words, Master Hwangbo Seonyu flared up.
"How dare they! Those vile bastards!" (Hwangbo Seonyu)
"Please calm yourself. This is something you must approach coldly." (MC)
"Hoo, my apologies. You are right." (Hwangbo Seonyu)
I calmed Master Hwangbo Seonyu and brought up the main point.
"Master, I understand that there are Masters of the Royal Guards in Jinan." (MC)
"Are you saying we should use the other Royal Guards now?" (Hwangbo Seonyu)
There was a chill in his voice.
He must not like the idea of using other Royal Guards for the sake of his own family.
I grinned.
"Please do not worry. How could I not know of your concern, Master?" (MC)
"Then?" (Hwangbo Seonyu)
"Therefore, this matter is good for the sister and good for the brother-in-law, catching crayfish while clearing the ditch, and finding money while sweeping the yard." (MC)
"In what sense?" (Hwangbo Seonyu)
"As you know, Master, His Majesty the Emperor is displeased by the Martial Alliance encroaching on the Imperial Palace, is he not?" (MC)
"He is." (Hwangbo Seonyu)
"And the ones leading the current Martial Alliance are the Namgung Clan. In this situation, what would happen if members of the Namgung Clan attacked the Royal Guards?" (MC)
At my words, Master Hwangbo Seonyu's eyes gleamed.
"That matter could be regarded as treason." (Hwangbo Seonyu)
"Correct." (MC)
I continued speaking.
"In other words, through this, His Majesty the Emperor will obtain a card with which to pressure the Namgung Clan. Also, the Royal Guards who render great service in this matter will be able to solidify His Majesty's trust." (MC)
"Hmm, indeed. That is true." (Hwangbo Seonyu)
"What do you think? Does it sound somewhat enticing?" (MC)
"You." (Hwangbo Seonyu)
Master Hwangbo Seonyu spoke with serious eyes.
"I would like to specially recruit you into the Royal Guards." (Hwangbo Seonyu)
"Hahaha. I have heard that sort of thing often." (MC)
Cold sweat ran down my back, but I continued speaking shamelessly.
"But I will accept only the sentiment. Rather than this, you should move quickly. Should you not land a blow on that hateful Namgung Clan?" (MC)
"Indeed." (Hwangbo Seonyu)
He rose from his seat with a chilly smile on his face.
"Father, I will take my leave first." (Hwangbo Seonyu)
"Do so." (Clan Head)
Master Hwangbo Seonyu hurriedly left his greeting and exited the Clan Head's office.
Watching him, the Clan Head stuck out his tongue in amazement.
"You are truly a frightening person." (Clan Head)
"Thank you for the compliment." (MC)
Then shall I get moving now?
---
It was a moonless night.
Thanks to the season nearing the end of May, it was not very cold even at night.
A group of people was moving busily under cover of darkness.
The number of those moving like that was about a hundred.
Soon, they arrived at the entrance of a certain mountain.
With torches illuminating here and there, a group of people could be seen sitting in a circle and eating a late-night meal.
"Roe deer meat is delicious when eaten like this too." (Warrior)
"It certainly is." (Warrior)
"This meat hammer released by the Eunha Merchant Guild really is a strange little thing." (Warrior)
Listening to that conversation, a man smiled. His name was Namgung Mok.
He was the one in charge of the operation to raid the Eunha Merchant Guild's quarry and then obtain the quarry on the grounds of poor management.
Recently, the Namgung Clan had been pressuring the Hwangbo Clan using the monopoly rights to the quarry that the Baekcheon Trading Company had acquired as a weapon.
That was why they reacted sensitively to the existence of a new quarry.
As soon as the main family received report of this fact, they ordered him to obtain that quarry.
From the Namgung Clan's perspective, it was quite unwelcome news.
That was why the Namgung Clan had stepped in despite it being a matter of the Baekcheon Trading Company.
He spoke to the man who had come with him.
"We must succeed in this matter no matter what. If even this fails, the disappointment of those above will be great." (Namgung Mok)
"That is likely. We will probably be discarded like them too." (Namgung Clan Member)
The ones he mentioned were those who had recently coaxed Hwangbo Wook and carried out an operation against the Hwangbo Clan.
They had ultimately been discovered, and the Hwangbo Clan had carried out their executions.
However, the Namgung Clan was said to have feigned ignorance, saying, "We know nothing about it."
Therefore, to avoid being discarded like them, they had to succeed no matter what.
When the promised time arrived.
Piiiiiik!
Namgung Mok blew the whistle. That was the signal.
The wanderers he had gathered rushed at the warriors guarding the quarry.
"Strike!" (Wanderer)
"Kill them all!" (Wanderer)
But the people of the quarry responded without panicking.
"What is this?" (Warrior)
"Have these bastards gone mad?" (Warrior)
"Huh! They really came?" (Warrior)
Clang! Clang!
Klang! Kkagagang!
Soon, the quarry was filled with the sound of cold weapons clashing.
It was then.
"You all know what you are doing right now, don't you?" (Royal Guard)
"We are doing this for money too. So please die quietly. Heehee." (Wanderer)
"What bullshit. You bastards!" (Royal Guard)
The people of the quarry roughly took off or tore away the upper garments they were wearing.
Then, underneath, gleaming golden clothes were revealed.
"Ugh!" (Wanderer)
"Heugh!" (Wanderer)
Thanks to the bonfire, the raiders who recognized those clothes could not help but be shocked.
That was only natural, because those clothes were proof that they were Royal Guards.
"To dare attack the Royal Guards, they must be traitors plotting treason! Arrest them all!" (Royal Guard)
"Yes!" (Warriors)
At the same time as that shout, the Silver Wind Squad warriors and the Hwangbo Clan warriors who had been hiding in the rear rushed out.
"Uwaaaaa!" (Warriors)
"Protect the Masters of the Royal Guards!" (Warriors)
"They are traitors!" (Warriors)
At the situation in which they were branded traitors in an instant, the wanderers shrank back in fear.
"W-what? What is going on?" (Wanderer)
"We did not know either!" (Wanderer)
Naturally, they poured resentment and criticism toward Namgung Mok.
"These fuckers! You said we only had to deal with the quarry's warriors!" (Wanderer)
"You deceived us?" (Wanderer)
"We are pulling out now! Do you not know that the ones in this world you must not touch are the Royal Guards?" (Wanderer)
As the wanderers said, attacking the Royal Guards was an utterly taboo act.
They would have to face the most persistent pursuit of the Royal Guards, and a bounty would be placed on them as well.
In other words, even if they were alive, they would no longer be living people.
And the wanderers had no reason to accept a request from the Namgung Clan while bearing such a risk.
In an instant, the wanderers scattered and fled, and before long, only the Namgung Clan's people were left.
"Damn it!" (Namgung Mok)
That meant there was no way to escape this situation.
If it were revealed in this situation that he was a person of the Namgung Clan, nothing could be worse.
Namgung Mok bit his lip and took a poison pill from his robe.
And just as he was about to put it in his mouth.
Thwack-!
"Keurgh!" (Namgung Mok)
A hidden weapon pierced through his hand, and the poison pill fell to the ground.
Sssk.
And there was someone who stepped on that poison pill and crushed it.
"Where do you think you are cowardly running off to?" (Hwangbo Seonyu)
"……." (Namgung Mok)
"You are precious trophies to be offered to His Majesty the Emperor, so how could you run away?" (Hwangbo Seonyu)
Hwangbo Seonyu grinned and glared at them.
---
I was at the quarry wearing the clothes of a Silver Wind Squad member.
Because I wanted to watch comfortably.
And seeing Master Hwangbo Seonyu pressure the people of the Namgung Clan, I gave a bitter smile.
This is the first time I have seen him look that excited.
I looked toward the opposite side and clicked my tongue.
So why did they have to covet another person's property? Tsk, tsk.
Then shall I slowly wrap this up now?
The plan was to handle this matter entirely as Master Hwangbo Seonyu's achievement.
Because the Baekcheon Trading Company and the Namgung Clan were involved in this matter.
It would be troublesome if I stepped forward unnecessarily and their wariness grew.
For now, I still had to appear as nothing more than the reasonably capable Young Captain of the Eunha Merchant Guild.
And His Majesty the Emperor is the sort of person who gives you more work the better you do.
So it was also a trick to make His Majesty the Emperor give me less work.
I do not know whether this will work, though.
* Kkui? (Kkui)
Be quiet. You are making me sad. (MC)