Chapter 120
Drrek. The side door connecting to the next room slid open.
Seosang-gung, who never appeared before male guests unless Liwoon was present, showed her face and took a seat.
“May I say a word?”
“Go ahead,” Liwoon replied.
“I happened to overhear the guests’ conversation. I hadn’t thought deeply about it until now, but I suddenly realized something and wanted to report it.”
“Yes, go ahead,” Hwanghee said.
“Are the three deceased high officials—Minister of Personnel Kim Duryum, Chief Censor Park Hyukgwon, and Deputy Minister of Justice Jeong Hyeonju—the ones who died at the hands of the Hyungjeok?”
“That’s correct.”
Liwoon’s expression grew grave.
“The three officials were not directly related to the current Crown Prince.”
“Exactly. That’s why I wonder—why did the Cheonin-dae kill them?”
“They were all involved back when His Majesty was appointed Crown Prince.”
“Excuse me?”
“The current king is the second son. Back then, he defeated the eldest legitimate heir, Prince Utak, and was appointed Crown Prince. These three officials played a decisive role in that appointment.”
For a moment, the four members of Somakdang were struck speechless. They lost their words in shock.
Miyu spoke slowly.
“It seems the Cheonsang Sect leader is not focused on the present, but on those involved in the Crown Prince’s appointment in the past.”
“Is this some act of revenge for past grievances?” Liwoon murmured to himself.
“All those involved at the time were killed,” Hwanghee replied to his murmur.
The four members of Somakdang were astonished. The Cheonsang Sect leader seeks to avenge a grievance from when His Majesty became Crown Prince?
“Is it connected to that incident 22 years ago?”
“Isn’t that person too old to hold a grudge?”
“Besides, all the people involved would have been dead already…”
“Maybe it’s revenge for parents or family,” one of the men suggested.
At this, Miyu’s mind immediately jumped to one name: Choi Woo-young.
The widely respected governor of Pyeongyang.
And the son he supposedly killed with his own hands.
Could a father really kill his own son? Was the mother there? Would she let her husband kill the child? Even if branded a traitor, the child still had a future. If he’s alive… could the Cheonsang leader be Choi Woo-young’s eight-year-old son? …No, that’s too far-fetched.
Miyu was about to ask if anyone had verified the child’s corpse when she noticed Liwoon’s face pale as white as a sheet. He looked frozen, as if he might shatter like glass.
Liwoon sat in a daze, lost in thought. Then he clenched his fists to stop his hands from trembling and slowly shook his head.
“What are you so deeply lost in thought about?” Hwanghee asked.
“Your face looks shocked,” Byun Ha-yeon added.
Miyu wasn’t the only one who noticed something unusual about Liwoon.
Suddenly, Liwoon’s pale face twisted into a grim smile. It was the kind of smile reserved for someone so unforgivable that even anger felt wasted.
He took a deep breath, meeting the eyes of his companions one by one with a calm, cold gaze.
“I know where Cheonmasan is.”
A calm voice, yet it hit like thunder.
Byun Ha-yeon and Hwanghee froze.
“Did he just say he knows Cheonmasan?”
“Is that true?”
Liwoon nodded firmly.
“And I also realize who’s behind all of this.”
He looked into Miyu’s eyes, seeing her shocked reflection in them.
Miyu waited patiently as Liwoon continued.
His voice lowered as if confessing:
“The mastermind behind Cheonindae is probably the mining magnate Choi Jaeyo.”
“Choi… Jae… Seo?”
Miyu felt the strength drain from her body.
Liwoon swallowed repeatedly before speaking decisively.
“I think the Cheonsang leader is also that person. Most likely.”
Liwoon then turned to Byun Ha-yeon and Hwanghee.
“It’s not Cheonmasan in Yangju, but Cheonmasan in Kaesong.”
“Cheonmasan in Kaesong?”
“Mining magnate Choi Jaeyo?”
Byun Ha-yeon and Hwanghee groaned.
“No doubt about it,” Liwoon said.
“Isn’t Choi Jaeyo the one who visits Bunjeon? To request an audience with the Grand Queen Dowager?” Byun Ha-yeon asked.
“Why?” Miyu asked, her face thoughtful.
“Didn’t I mention I had heard the name Cheonmasan somewhere?”
“Yes, you did.”
“The mine operated by Choi Jaeyo is in Cheonmasan,” Liwoon continued.
“Do you know him personally?” Hwanghee asked.
“No, I’ve only heard of him. But I’m certain.”
Liwoon lied; as a royal prince, he could not claim personal knowledge.
“In any case, Cheonmasan with the Cheonindae and matchlock rifles is the Cheonmasan in Kaesong, and Choi Jaeyo is the Cheonsang Sect leader and the head of Cheonindae. But just because there’s a mine in Cheonmasan doesn’t automatically prove it’s the same place… I don’t even know if what I’m saying makes sense.”
“From where I see it, that’s a premature conclusion,” Hwanghee agreed.
“Let’s hear Miyu’s opinion,” Liwoon said.
The three men stared intently at Miyu.
It didn’t take long for her soft lips to open.
“In my opinion… I think it is Choi Jaeyo.”
Byun Ha-yeon and Hwanghee immediately changed their stance.
“So it really is the mining magnate Choi!”
“Unexpected to think a mining magnate,” Hwanghee muttered.
Indeed, Miyu had never misled them before. The three men of Somakdang now trusted her judgment completely.
“When I thought of Cheonmasan, I assumed it was the nearest Yangju. But Kaesong isn’t far either.”
“Tomorrow, we should lead troops and attack immediately!”
Liwoon couldn’t help but chuckle at the two men’s excitement.
“So, Bunjeon’s visit was a way to use Miyu’s skills to curry favor with the Grand Queen Dowager.” Byun Ha-yeon explained.
“The Grand Queen Dowager is the enemy of the Empress!”
“And she’s unaware of his true identity and ambitions,” Liwoon added quickly to prevent misunderstanding.
“I see,” the two men nodded and stared intently at Liwoon.
“How do you know that?”
“Hmm?”
“How do you know the Grand Queen Dowager’s intentions?” Byun Ha-yeon pressed.
“Actually, Liwoon is…”
Miyu smiled at him and then explained to Byun Ha-yeon and Hwanghee:
“He is the aide of the Grand Prince Ja-ga.”
“Huh? So that’s why he’s been quiet lately, acting on the Grand Prince’s orders?”
“Not like the Liwoon we know,” Byun Ha-yeon remarked.
Hwanghee clicked his tongue.
“He’s not an aide, just assisting. His mind has been unsettled by recent events…”
“Is he paid for it?”
“What? Why would I take money from him?” Liwoon shouted.
“So he’s not an aide. If you acted as one, you’d be out of place as our comrade. Right, Hwanghee?”
“That’s right. You’re impressive in the garden, but politics isn’t your strength.”
“I… I know,” Liwoon stammered.
Miyu laughed, tilting her head lightly.
“But we still need to verify everything,” she said.
“Right, we should.”
“Cheonmasan alone isn’t enough…”
Byun Ha-yeon and Hwanghee remained skeptical.
Liwoon replied, frustrated:
“He also approached the Grand Queen Dowager. It’s to use her.”
“Use her? She’s too old to have power.”
“She sided with Prince Hye-an during the Crown Prince appointment but failed, didn’t she?”
“He may not be loyal, but there are still a few close ex- and current officials.”
Liwoon didn’t mention the secret proclamation.
“For example, the head of the current Censorate, along with the officials petitioning from the Office of the Inspector General, follows the Grand Queen Dowager closely.”
“That means…” Hwanghee’s face darkened.
“Yes. Whatever it is, this Yangsa coalition is Choi Jaeyo’s plot. The Grand Queen Dowager and the head of the Censorate were likely dragged into it unwittingly.”
“So the Grand Queen Dowager and the Censorate head are being manipulated by Choi Jaeyo?”
“Most likely. What do you think, Miyu?” Liwoon asked.
“Yes. From what I’ve seen, the Grand Queen Dowager had nothing to do with the murders or the hexes. She was surprised by the three deaths as well.”
“That’s right. But she told the Grand Prince two days ago that he would become king.” Liwoon added.
Two days ago, she had said that a bright world was coming, and he would become king. He should drift along like a paper boat, while she would ensure he got along with Choi Jaeyo when he entered the palace.
Liwoon continued:
“In other words, she knew the petitions were coming in and believed the Grand Prince could become king through them.”
“Um… but how do you know so much about the Grand Queen Dowager?”
“Indeed. You speak as if she were your own grandmother.”
Liwoon broke into a cold sweat, stammering:
“N-no… I’m close to the Grand Prince, that’s all.”
“I see. Well, it looks like a secret has been uncovered.” Byun Ha-yeon laughed it off.
Each of the four fell into deep thought, quietly drinking.
Among them, Liwoon was most deeply shocked.
The Grand Queen Dowager is in Choi Jaeyo’s hands. You may think otherwise.
Liwoon recalled Miyu’s conversation from the day she visited Choi Jaeyo’s house:
“Are you in the mining business?”
“Yes. All the workers are recruited, and production will start soon.”
“Where is it located?”
“Cheonmasan, Kaesong. The Grand Queen Dowager’s help was crucial. Without her, it would have been difficult to obtain the gold mining rights.”
At their first meeting, Choi Jaeyo said “house.”
“You will have a good house,” he said to Miyu.
Did “good house” mean the palace? Was he declaring he would replace the Crown Prince?
“Shouldn’t a true man be wary of mosquitoes, flies, and common folk?”
A true man wary of the people is speaking about himself, not me.
“Should the Grand Prince simply remain like a paper boat?”
Follow passively and let him make you king? Even then, he controls everything from behind the scenes.
“What does Mr. Choi want if I succeed?”
“Someone blinded by money desires nothing else.”
But it wasn’t money. Liwoon vividly recalled Choi Jaeyo’s first impression. He didn’t seem like a mere merchant. His presence was either ominous or magnificent.
From the start, he approached the Grand Queen Dowager and me deliberately.
Joseon was already in his grasp.
Secret society Cheonindae training.
Secret religion Cheonsang Sect founding.
High officials’ serial murders.
Hexes and written charms.
Smuggling matchlocks.
Access to Grand Queen Dowager and Grand Prince.
Petitions from Sarim scholars.
Coalition of Censorate and Office of the Inspector General.
Choi Jaeyo aimed to devour Joseon. If things continued, he could succeed.
Shiver.
Liwoon’s whole body trembled. A monstrous force blocked his path, staring down at him. Equally frightening was the reality of Joseon.
Echoing in his ears were the Grand Queen Dowager’s words:
The problem isn’t the Crown Prince, but what surrounds that child!
Don’t you see the treacherous selling of offices, the disregard for the king, and the manipulation of governance?
If their Crown Prince becomes king, what will become of this country? The people will suffer, and the ancestral rites be imperiled. And you? You want to live quietly? Freely? Do you think this is acceptable for a royal prince?
If you miss this chance, you won’t regret it, but the country and its people will.
Liwoon gripped his thighs to steady his fear.
What is the right thing to do?
At that moment, Miyu’s voice pierced his thoughts:
“What are you worrying about?”
Liwoon glanced at Byun Ha-yeon and Hwanghee before replying:
“As I said, even if we catch Choi Jaeyo, his accomplices, and the Cheonindae, will that really end it?”
“You know well that as long as in-laws dominate politics, the country and the people won’t improve,” Miyu said.
“I don’t know what to do,” Liwoon admitted.
Should he close his eyes and pretend not to see? Would that be for the good of the country and the people?
What about his half-brother? Would he become king? Even if so, the country wouldn’t belong to him—it would belong to Choi Jaeyo. Crown Prince Geonho’s life would be in grave danger.
The choice was agonizing.
“Can you give me a few days?” Miyu whispered.
“You said you want freedom but can’t have it. Let’s find a way.”
“This isn’t like running a business or solving a case. The fate of the country hangs in the balance,” Liwoon said.
“I understand,” Miyu replied.
Liwoon let out a long, slow sigh and opened his eyes wide.
“I will do as you say, Lady Miyu.”
“Can you give us a little time?”
“What kind of time?” Hwanghee asked.
“Just a few days—don’t lead troops to Cheonmasan yet. Wait, so we can resolve this complex matter properly,” Miyu explained.
Byun Ha-yeon and Hwanghee glanced at each other, then nodded to Miyu and Liwoon.
“All of this progress is thanks to Lady Miyu. We should wait.”
“We’ll follow your orders obediently.”
“Good!” Miyu said brightly and began giving tactical orders like a commander.
