Chapter 52
Wang Zhijing’s Anger
Yi-hwan and his spouse sat across from Song Cheon-mu.
On the table lay two pouches of money.
“The Grand Duke instructed me to deliver this to you. Ah! Next time, he said he would give even more.”
Yi-young let out a sigh.
“Is he really too busy to spare even a moment?”
“Yes. But he said he would come to see you as soon as possible.”
At that moment, Song Cheon-ho opened the pouch and his eyes reddened. It wasn’t just the money—it was the gesture that Yi-hwan had cared for them that moved him.
Song Cheon-mu’s eyes also reddened in response.
“Don’t cry, brother.”
“Are you truly unharmed?”
“Of course. The Grand Duke is perfectly fine. Master Cheon is shadowing him closely, so you have nothing to worry about, both of you.”
“Oh my! Look at me. I’ll prepare the meal shortly, so continue your conversation.”
“Take your time. From today, we will stay at home for a while. That’s what the Grand Duke instructed.”
“Oh! That’s perfect.”
Yi-young smiled brightly.
“Then I’ll prepare something delicious, so please wait a little.”
“Yes!”
After Yi-young left, Song Cheon-ho held Song Cheon-mu’s hand.
“Honestly, I was worried when sending you to the Grand Duke. I wondered if I had done something that went against your principles. But seeing how happy you are now, I feel relieved.”
“To be honest, at first, I worried about how the soldiers in the camp would view me. But now, I don’t think about that at all. As I said before, the Grand Duke now enjoys the respect of the Southern Corps.”
“You must stay by his side to support him. Understood?”
“Yes, brother.”
Song Cheon-ho thought of Yi-hwan.
Although he hadn’t mentioned it to Song Cheon-mu, when he first sent Yi-hwan to the Grand Duke, he had worried about burdening him. Rumors were already running rampant, so his concern was understandable. Nevertheless, he sent Yi-hwan, hoping only for his safe return. Even a powerless and frail Grand Duke is still the Grand Duke—he judged Yi-hwan would be safer than other warriors.
“Why has such a remarkable person lived the way he has until now?”
The question brought both curiosity and sorrow. With his talent, even a child of low status would not have been treated so cruelly.
“Brother, what are you thinking so deeply about?”
“Nothing. Now, shall we have a rare drink together?”
“Sounds good!”
A crescent moon sharp as a blade rose in the night.
Yi-hwan met Gomi on the roof.
“I’ve obtained new information.”
Yi-hwan examined the paper Gomi handed over. It contained detailed information about those in conflict with Wang Zhijing.
The part that caught his eye was the Huanglong Trading Company.
Recalling Wang Zhijing’s anger earlier at the manor, Yi-hwan calmed his gaze.
“So that’s why.”
This was highly useful information. Using it, he could devise a better plan.
Yi-hwan tucked the paper safely and looked directly at Gomi.
“Looking at Wolju, I have a thought.”
“What thought?”
“What if Wolju became the head of the Golden Guard? I think he’d do very well.”
“Not a chance, nor do I want that.”
“If an opportunity arises, think carefully. A person as upright as Wolju leading the Golden Guard could bring many positive changes. Information is a powerful weapon.”
“I’ll be going now.”
Before Yi-hwan could respond, Gomi disappeared into the darkness.
He chuckled softly.
Gomi, diligent in her duties yet blunt in refusing what she disliked, was a rare type of subordinate, even compared to his era.
Yi-hwan lifted his gaze to the crescent moon, which seemed sharper tonight than usual.
“I’ve hated that crescent moon so much.”
The sight of it reminded him of those who resisted him on his path to unify the world, and of the forces they led.
“I may have been reincarnated, but he must have long since turned to dust.”
Whooosh!
Yi-hwan let the wind brush over him for a moment, then spun around like lightning to check a pavilion below.
But there was nothing on its roof.
A faint tremor…
‘Detecting movement on this street? Impossible.’
Two narrow eyes of a wandering swordsman watched Yi-hwan from the darkness.
He had almost been discovered. The distance allowed him to observe without suspicion until now.
He watched Yi-hwan descend from the roof, calming his gaze.
“This isn’t just protection. That one is plotting something right now.”
The swordsman had been disappointed in Yi-hwan when he saw him as a protector of corrupted nobles, but he reconsidered.
“I’ll drop my prejudice and observe from the beginning. But not for long.”
Whooosh!
A gust of wind rustled the leaves, and the swordsman disappeared into the darkness.
No one suspected Yi-hwan as he entered his residence. He had disguised his movements as if returning from the outhouse rather than the roof.
Before opening the door, he glanced toward Wang Zhijing’s residence. Lights were brightly burning despite the late hour.
“So even the Dark Emperor cannot handle Huanglong Trading Company under the protection of the Empress and the Second Prince. Then I shall help you… though it will cost you dearly.”
Click.
As he entered, Cheol Mu-ok awaited.
“Why aren’t you asleep?”
“Have you met Wolju?”
“Well done. I almost tried to deceive you too.”
Yi-hwan handed Cheol Mu-ok the paper. Upon reviewing it, Cheol Mu-ok’s eyes widened slightly.
“So that’s why he was angry earlier today.”
“Very useful information. If we use it well, the results could exceed expectations.”
“How do you mean?”
Yi-hwan silently stared at Cheol Mu-ok.
“Why are you staring at me like that?”
“Can I tell you tomorrow?”
“Ah… sorry. Go rest for now.”
Cheol Mu-ok returned to his room. Yi-hwan shrugged off his clothes and lay on his bed.
The bed, imported from the Western Regions, offered a comfort he had never felt before.
“Quite a luxury.”
Two days later, he set out again with a protective escort.
This time, the destination was the Song family mansion. Due to the short distance and passing through the city, the number of guards was halved.
Along the way, Wang Zhijing stopped at an inn. Yi-hwan took a seat at the table beside him while the other guards waited outside.
It was an extraordinarily luxurious inn. Most patrons were the city’s elite.
[Who shall we meet here?]
[We’ll know soon enough.]
Yi-hwan and Cheol Mu-ok drank tea. They had eaten beforehand, knowing Wang Zhijing would rise shortly. Yi-hwan watched his expression carefully.
Even after two days, Wang Zhijing was still visibly angry.
After a while…
“Apologies for my delay.”
A middle-aged man sat at Wang Zhijing’s table, while presumed guards remained standing behind him.
Wang Zhijing raised his voice immediately.
“How is this possible? How can Huanglong Trading Company engage in usury in my territory? Do they have no business ethics at all?”
“Please lower your voice.”
“Answer me!”
“I merely follow the instructions of the trading company head. I heard that the Second Prince personally asked what he thought about engaging in usury.”
“…!”
At the mention of the Second Prince, Wang Zhijing’s face flushed red, and he clearly became more cautious in speech. Yi-hwan smirked internally.
‘That guy again.’
The middle-aged man continued:
“All I can say is that even Huanglong Trading Company cannot go against the Second Prince. Who would dare disobey his will?”
“Did the Second Prince really command this?”
“I told you, I only follow the head of the company. I only heard rumors that the Second Prince intervened.”
Slap!
Wang Zhijing slammed his palm on the table in anger. The middle-aged man observed and smirked faintly.
“If my answer suffices, I shall take my leave.”
As he rose, the man added:
“I heard the Heukbaek swordsmen have died. Late as it is, my condolences. Farewell.”
“Wasn’t that Huanglong Trading Company’s doing?”
The man laughed aloud at Wang Zhijing’s question.
“Hahaha. It seems you’ve misunderstood. Why would we do such a thing? Perhaps you overestimate yourself.”
“What did you say?”
“Goodbye, then.”
The man left the inn, flanked by two guards who coldly glared at Yi-hwan and Cheol Mu-ok before following him.
Yi-hwan fixed his gaze on Wang Zhijing, who exhaled roughly, his face red like an apple.
“Damn it…”
Yi-hwan asked quietly:
“Do you think Huanglong Trading Company killed the Heukbaek swordsmen?”
“That’s none of your business!”
“If it happens again, it may involve us directly. Surely you should know.”
“Hmmph!”
Wang Zhijing drank a bowl of cold water, then spoke.
“This has happened before. Each time, I suspected Huanglong Trading Company, but lacking evidence, I had to let it go. But now it’s clear. The timing is perfect!”
“So you mean they sought to eliminate you to control the usury market?”
“That’s how I see it!”
“That makes sense…”
Cheol Mu-ok calmly added:
“Then they will likely send assassins again.”
“If I were the head of Huanglong Trading Company, I would. Eliminating the strongest competitor makes profits easier.”
Yi-hwan asked again:
“Will you remain passive? Ah, if the backers of Huanglong Trading Company are the Empress and the Second Prince, you have no choice.”
“How do you know that?”
“It’s common knowledge in the city. Anyway, if evidence proves Huanglong Trading Company’s involvement, what options do we have?”
“If I can secure evidence, I’ll expose them even to the Crown Prince’s palace!”
Yi-hwan perked up at the mention of the Crown Prince’s palace.
“You have ties to the Crown Prince’s palace?”
“No ties, but I know His Highness is troubled by the Second Prince. Exposing the Second Prince’s corruption would certainly be useful to him!”
Slap!
“If I can secure the evidence, I won’t let my Huanglong Trading Company go unpunished! Those bastards!”
Yi-hwan smiled inwardly at Wang Zhijing’s indignation.
‘Unexpected conflict works in my favor. Heh heh heh.’
At the Song family mansion, Yi-hwan took a quiet breath as he crossed the front gate. Song Cheon-ho and Yi-young led the way. Wang Zhijing bowed to Yi-young.
She was no different from Yi-hwan. Though despised in the palace, outside, she was untouchable as imperial blood.
Song Cheon-ho greeted Wang Zhijing.
“We received your message and waited. Let’s go inside.”
“You shall wait here.”
Yi-hwan furrowed his brows.
If he sat at the table, Wang Zhijing would realize his purpose. Yi-hwan had a plan.
[There are rumors of suspicious people entering this mansion recently. Keep close to him just in case.]
Startled, Wang Zhijing’s eyes shifted briefly before nodding.
He said to Song Cheon-ho:
“This is my trusted aide. Is it acceptable for him to sit with us?”
Song Cheon-ho looked at Yi-hwan.
Yi-hwan kept his gaze calm to avoid causing suspicion.
“Let it be so.”
‘Phew…’
