The next morning.
“Young Master, are you awake?”
“Yeah.”
“You should eat breakfast.”
After breakfast, we looked around the area under the pretense of taking a walk.
Then, as naturally as possible, we all gathered in one place for lunch.
“There are more troops here than I expected, Deputy Merchant Lord.”
“I looked into it too. It seems they’ve brought in outside forces.”
“Outside forces?”
At Gwon Jik’s question, I nodded.
“Yes, Unorthodox Sect forces from the martial world.”
“…”
At this point, there was no way we could handle this with our strength alone.
We needed additional support, but…
Just then, someone’s voice came from outside.
“My lord, someone wishes to meet with you.”
That presence… one of the men watching Yeon Yu-mun yesterday?
I calmly opened the door and stepped outside.
“What is it?”
“The Fortress Lord has returned. He says he’ll write the document he mentioned yesterday.”
“That’s good to hear.”
“Before that, the man in charge of the Fortress Lord’s forces says he’d like to speak with you for a moment.”
A short while later,
I was led to a room inside the estate.
It was a rather luxurious room.
According to Yeon Yu-mun, this had been the Fortress Lord’s room.
A man received us there.
“Welcome. I am Gong Ho, the Fortress Lord’s strategist.”
“I’m Eun Seo-ho, Deputy Merchant Lord of the Eunhae Merchant Group.”
“Please, sit.”
I took the seat he offered, while Escort Guard Seo Wu and Escort Guard Yeo Eung-am stood behind me.
“The reason I wanted to meet you like this, Deputy Merchant Lord, is because I personally wished to thank you.”
He continued.
“The situation here has been quite dire, so your support will be a tremendous help.”
“I’m grateful you see it that way, but as you already know, I trust you understand there is a price attached to this. I’m a merchant. I don’t do business that brings me no profit.”
“Of course. I haven’t forgotten.”
He answered with a faint smile.
The Unorthodox Sect Qi coming from him was even thicker than the one I sensed from the man who escorted me here.
More precisely, it was an Unorthodox Sect Qi laced with the stench of blood.
So this was the true mastermind behind everything here – and a sleeper agent for the Murim Alliance.
I lightly fanned my face and said,
“By the way, there’s one thing I’m curious about. Would you mind clearing something up for me?”
“Go ahead.”
“Why was it that outsiders were being restricted in Yunnan under the excuse of protecting the envoys from assassins? When I first arrived here, I was quite taken aback by that.”
“Ah, so that’s what you’re asking about.”
He nodded to himself.
“That was simply to buy us time to prepare. After all, isn’t the enemy closest to you the most dangerous?”
“That’s certainly true. Once again, I can’t help but admire your strategy, Strategist.”
“Oh, it’s nothing. I’m not that impressive.”
He put on a humble front, but his face was full of satisfaction and delight.
This bastard was starving for recognition.
Well, it made sense. Men like him couldn’t boast that their successes were their own even when a job went perfectly.
So how badly must he have wanted someone to acknowledge him?
As I gently scratched at that itch for him, he looked thoroughly pleased.
Then I casually let my teacup fall to the floor.
Tap.
“Oh! My apologies.”
I bent down to pick it up and took a look at his shoes.
Lady Seohyang had advised me, ‘Watch his shoes.’
I hadn’t known who ‘he’ was, so I’d been checking everyone’s footwear whenever I met them.
I had planned to inspect his shoes the same way this time too, but the tablecloth was in the way, so this was my only option.
“…”
And then Geumryeong’s voice rang through my head.
– Kui!
Huh? Geumryeong’s reacting to them?
“Are you all right?”
“Ah, I’m fine. Fortunately, the teacup didn’t break, but the tea spilled and stained the rug.”
“It’s fine. We can replace it.”
I put on a relieved expression and smoothly changed the subject.
“My apologies. By the way, when do you think I’ll be receiving that notarized contract?”
“At the latest, by this evening.”
“Then may I ask how many troops are currently stationed here?”
At my question, his eyes narrowed.
“You know as well as I do that matters concerning troop strength are confidential. Why ask?”
“Sure, but I need to know that before I can decide whether to send further support, or whether what I’ve already provided will be enough.”
“…”
“Don’t worry. We’re in the same boat now, aren’t we? I need this matter to succeed too.”
“Hmm. That’s true enough.”
“If it’s still hard for you to trust me, you may tell me after you hand over the notarized contract.”
“Then we’ll do that.”
I withdrew from the room and headed back to my quarters, thinking about the strategist’s shoes.
They looked ordinary on the surface, but something about them felt different.
And more importantly, Geumryeong had reacted to them. Which meant those shoes were an Artifact.
What kind of Artifact were they?
If Lady Seohyang had warned me about them, then there had to be a reason.
They were definitely important – or at least something I absolutely couldn’t afford to overlook.
Lost in that thought, I arrived at my quarters and found Gwon Jik waiting for me.
“I heard you called for me, so I waited.”
“Yes, I think we need to discuss this together. Please gather everyone.”
A short while later, everyone was assembled in my room.
“What did you call us for?”
The Embroidered Guard warriors were speaking to me with formal politeness.
It had felt awkward on both sides at first, but now it sounded natural. People really could get used to anything.
“He said it was to express his thanks, but from what I could tell, he was also trying to size me up.”
“I see.”
“For now, he said he’ll tell us about this place’s military strength after we receive the notarized contract.”
“Really?”
“Yes. So after I hear that, I’ll use the excuse that I need to step out briefly to secure additional support. And then… I’ll be taking His Highness Prince Ju Hyeon with me.”
Everyone stared at me in shock.
“You mean you already know where His Highness is being held?”
“That’s right.”
But I didn’t mention that the prince was being tortured, or that his condition was poor.
If they learned that, they’d be furious, and that anger could ruin everything.
“First, we’ll get His Highness to safety, then request reinforcements. Most of you will remain here. That’s the only way to avoid suspicion.”
At that, Gwon Jik was the first to raise his hand.
“I’ll stay behind. I’m the one responsible for this operation. I can’t sacrifice someone else for my own safety.”
What a decent man.
Though staying behind here might turn out to be the easy assignment.
“Still, I hope you’ll take So Un with you. This place is extremely dangerous, isn’t it?”
That made me pause for a second.
I’d been thinking it for a while now, but the Embroidered Guard warriors seemed oddly protective of So Un.
And unlike the others, he’d taken my provocation far too easily.
It didn’t feel like it was just because he was young, or because he was the youngest among them.
There had to be another reason, but that wasn’t what mattered right now, so I pushed the thought aside.
“This job requires speed above all else. And outside may be even more dangerous than inside. If someone falls behind, I’ll leave them.”
“Then take Han Seok with you. He’s the fastest among us.”
“Fine. Then only Han Seok will accompany me.”
“Understood.”
After that, I gave the rest of them detailed instructions on how they were to behave.
“You’re dismissed.”
“Yes.”
Once everyone had left, I sat alone, sipping tea and thinking.
The plan was in place, but I still hadn’t reached a clear conclusion about Gong Ho’s shoes.
My plan was to carry the prince and run all the way to the Imperial Palace at full speed.
A River-Crossing Horse might be fast, but it couldn’t possibly outrun my Lightness Skill.
But those shoes… ah?
As I reviewed the plan in my head, one thought suddenly flashed through my mind.
Were those Artifacts meant to let someone run at incredible speed?
Only then did I finally understand what Lady Seohyang’s warning had meant.
It meant I’d get into trouble because I failed to realize his shoes were an Artifact.
If I wanted this plan to go smoothly, I had to get rid of that Artifact.
How should I do that?
After thinking for a moment, I let out a small laugh.
A precious Artifact like that shouldn’t be carelessly destroyed.
No.
I’d steal it.
Stealing wasn’t exactly something I enjoyed, but if the target was a Murim Alliance sleeper agent, that changed things.
Having made up my mind, I began thinking about how to steal the shoe Artifact.
If it was that valuable, he probably wouldn’t even take it off to sleep.
And unless I got him to take it off first, I wouldn’t be able to steal anything.
Just then, Palgap came in grumbling.
“Hah, just like I thought, Yunnan is crawling with bugs.”
“Of course it is. It’s the perfect place for them.”
“Exactly what I’m saying.”
Right, that would work.
The moment I saw Palgap, a splendid idea suddenly came to me.
“Hey, Palgap. I need a favor. Could you catch me about ten ants?”
“Huh?”
“And I hear your training’s been paying off lately, right? Show me what you’ve got.”
.
.
.
That afternoon, after lunch, I returned to the strategist’s room and received the notarized contract.
It stated that I had assisted in Springview Fortress’s affairs, and in return, I would be granted exclusive trading rights with Springview Fortress for the next ten years.
“Excellent.”
“And here, this is what you were curious about. Read it here, then burn it.”
“Understood.”
I opened the document.
Damn… two hundred martial artists brought in from outside? Yeon Yu-mun told me it was around a hundred.
They’d scraped together quite a crowd.
But there were still people not included here.
The Eastern Depot and Embroidered Guard traitors.
And Gong Ho, the man standing in front of me.
From what I’d seen, his realm was around first-rate. That alone made him a considerable force.
I firmly committed it all to memory, then held the document to the candle flame.
Fwoosh!
Then, after pretending to think for a moment, I said,
“No matter how I look at it, the wealth I agreed to provide this time won’t be nearly enough. I’ll step outside and gather more.”
Then I continued.
“But it wouldn’t be good for other people to notice, so I plan to move with only a few men.”
“You mean you won’t be taking all of your escort guards?”
“Yes. I intend to take only two or three with me. So while I’m gone, I’d appreciate it if you’d look after the rest. I’ve spent quite a bit of money and time gathering and raising them.”
“Very well.”
“I’ll move quickly, so I won’t be gone long.”
Gong Ho returned to his quarters and couldn’t help breaking into a broad grin.
“Heh heh heh, stupid fool! I was on edge because of his reputation, but he’s just another bastard obsessed with money.”
Greed had filled Eun Seo-ho’s eyes during their meeting just now.
After that conversation, Gong Ho had completely thrown away all suspicion toward Eun Seo-ho.
Grinning to himself, he opened a chest sitting in one corner of the room.
It contained the wealth Eun Seo-ho had brought with him.
“Heh heh heh, just how much is all this worth?”
Gong Ho was one of the Murim Alliance’s sleeper agents.
The orders he’d been given were simple. Either seize control of Springview Fortress, or wipe the place out completely.
He didn’t know why.
His job was simply to do whatever his superiors told him to do.
He had become a sleeper agent for one reason.
Money.
Each successful assignment brought him a hefty reward, and if he completed ten jobs, he could be released from the contract and regain his freedom.
But once people got money, they wanted to spend it.
Because of that, he hadn’t managed to save up nearly as much as he’d expected.
Which meant he needed to make a killing on this job.
And then an unexpected fortune had dropped into his lap, with even more on the way.
He closed the chest, sat down in a chair, and propped his feet up on the desk.
Then he looked at his shoes and smiled in satisfaction.
His shoes were an Artifact called the One-Step Thousand-League Shoes (一步千里鞋).
Just as the name suggested, they were an Artifact that allowed the wearer to run at extraordinary speed.
He had obtained them by chance, and they had become the treasure of his life.
Night fell.
He lay down on his bed and went to sleep with the shoes still on.
They were too precious for him to take off, even while sleeping.
Then someone entered the room.
It was practically the same as barging straight in, yet no one noticed the bear-sized man.
He pulled a bottle from his clothes and tipped it toward Gong Ho’s shoes.
A moment later, ants began crawling out of the bottle.
They were ants found only in Yunnan, and if an ordinary person got bitten, the pain was intense.
But for a first-rate martial artist, it would only feel unbearably itchy.
And itchiness could drive a person crazier than pain ever could.
Before long, it started.
Gong Ho felt the itch and began scratching at his shoes.
But there was a reason people said scratching through your shoes was useless.
“Damn it! What the hell!”
When the itch refused to ease, he finally tore off his shoes and frantically scratched the soles of his feet.
Only then did he get some relief. Right at that moment, a scream rang out.
“Fire! Fire!”
“There’s a fire!”
Bang!
The door to Gong Ho’s room flew open, and the traitors rushed in, shouting.
“Hurry and evacuate! The fire is spreading this way right now!”
Gong Ho jumped up in alarm and started searching for his shoes, but the room was so dark that he couldn’t find them right away.
“What are you doing?”
“I have to find my shoes!”
“You’re about to burn to death and you’re worried about shoes? And we need you alive!”
The others dragged him away, and the One-Step Thousand-League Shoes lying abandoned on the floor were quietly picked up by the bear-sized man.
That man had been there the entire time, yet not a single person had noticed his presence.
He awkwardly scratched his head for no reason, then headed back to his master.
–TL Notes–
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