The Youngest Son of the Eunhae Merchant Group - Chapter 665

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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The Youngest Son of the Eun Hae Trading Company Chapter 665

Chapter 665. The Emperor’s Secret Decree (6)

The Crown Prince had already emerged into the courtyard and was waiting for us.
Cheong-su Taoist approached the Crown Prince and bowed respectfully.
“This humble Taoist pays respects to Your Highness the Crown Prince. Ten thousand years! Ten thousand years! Ten thousand eternal years!”
“Rise.”
“Your grace is boundless.”
The Crown Prince spoke to the Taoist as he stood.
“It is a pleasure to meet you this way. Are you the Taoist who will conduct this ritual?”
“Indeed. I am Cheong-su of the Moshan Sect.”
“I am grateful. Lately, I cannot sleep at all.”
“How difficult that must be. Though my abilities are limited, I shall do my utmost.”
“Thank you.”
Cheong-su Taoist shook the ritual bell again, circling the courtyard round and round.
Thanks to this, an appropriate atmosphere was created.
He’s performing even better than I expected—quite satisfactory.
Before long, all around had grown completely dark, and the ritual began in earnest.
“Bring forth the belongings of the deceased.”
At this, Jang Chief Eunuch brought a box and placed it upon the table.
Cheong-su Taoist opened the box himself.
Inside were garments.
Cheong-su Taoist took a bottle that had been prepared nearby and poured its contents over the clothing.
Glug, glug, glug, glug.
Normally it should have been wine, but since wine could not be used now, tea water served as a substitute.
Then he lit candles and lit incense, placing it in the incense burner, before beginning to chant sutras in earnest while shaking the bell.
While pretending to concentrate on his performance, I observed the people present.
Apart from myself and my companions, only those from Jocheon Palace were gathered here.
Beyond those I had heard about from Ajeong Eunuch, I noticed several others who possessed impure spiritual auras.
I would need to eliminate all of them this time.
How much time had passed?
Ting, ting, ting….
The hand of Cheong-su Taoist shaking the bell stopped. Everyone looked at him with tense eyes.
“Ah Jung… Is that the name of the deceased eunuch?”
I answered.
“That is correct. You are truly remarkable, Taoist. I had never mentioned the name of the deceased eunuch….”
“He is now desperately calling out his own name before me.”
At this, Palgap stuck even closer to my side.
No, Palgap.
Doesn’t it look like our roles have been reversed?
And Palgap should know that what I’m performing right now is a theatrical act… actually, no.
I never told him.
I scratched the back of my neck and looked at Cheong-su Taoist again.
Moshan is a sect that specializes in corpse resurrection techniques and sorcery, and among the sorceries they practice is spirit summoning.
Looking only at these aspects, they seem no different from Wudang, but there is a very significant difference.
Moshan does not serve spirits, so there is no divine possession.
Most of the techniques used by Moshan are based on martial arts.
And their purpose is not private gain, but the pursuit of world peace.
Returning those who died abroad to their homeland is part of that purpose.
Because of this, when the nation suppressed Wudang, Moshan was able to escape that persecution.
It is because of these circumstances that this theatrical act appears genuine to those watching the ritual now.
Cheong-su Taoist spoke toward the empty air with a sorrowful expression.
“Oh my! He fell from the cliff and died.”
“That is correct.”
I deliberately wore a pained expression.
“If only I had not told him that the Eternal Fruit was located there, he would never have gone to the cliff.”
“But he says he does not resent Eun Seo-ho. He says his own death was his own fate.”
“No! If only I had possessed greater martial skill… ugh!”
I bowed my head in anguish.
Not resent? Nonsense.
He died under torture by my hand—how could he not resent it?
Well, it’s a theatrical act coordinated with Cheong-su Taoist anyway.
“He says he is glad that the Small Guild Master survived.”
“Indeed, Ajeong Eunuch’s heart remains beautiful even in death.”
Cheong-su Taoist turned to face the Crown Prince.
“He says he is sorry for not being able to bring the Crown Prince a fruit of longevity and health.”
At this, the Crown Prince wore a sorrowful expression.
“To still harbor such regret! How foolish of him….”
Certainly, the Crown Prince’s acting is also of high caliber.
One might think he received separate training from the Imperial Court.
“But I wonder why he appears in my dreams saying he feels wronged.”
At this, Cheong-su Taoist shook the spirit bell several more times before answering.
“It is because he died without being able to repay the grace the Crown Prince bestowed upon him.”
“Oh my….”
Then Cheong-su Taoist’s expression darkened.
“Ajeong Eunuch says there is a fact he wishes to reveal. In truth, he was receiving separate instructions from the Murim Alliance.”
“What? Is that true?”
The Crown Prince’s eyes widened. His face was utterly astonished.
Well, it was certainly shocking news.
“Yes, so I’ve heard.”
Cheong-su Taoist continued speaking.
“He says there are colleagues who entered Jocheon Palace under orders from the Murim Alliance, aside from himself. He wishes to repay the Crown Prince’s kindness by revealing their identities.”
“Speak at once, then!”
The Crown Prince was furious.
“How dare you betray both my father and me, acting as a spy in this place? Even flaying you alive would be insufficient punishment!”
Flaying was a punishment that stripped the skin from the body—its horror was beyond description.
And the Crown Prince’s anger now was no act.
Who could remain unmoved upon learning such a fact?
When I first heard it, I hadn’t been angry only because I was prepared for it.
Thus the atmosphere around us was as thin and treacherous as ice.
“So who is it?”
Well, this should suffice.
I drew upon my inner energy and sent a gust of wind toward the candle as planned.
Whoosh!
The candle extinguished, and Cheong-su Taoist sighed before continuing.
“Oh dear! My sincerest apologies, Your Highness. The time for summoning the spirit has expired.”
“What? Then summon another Taoist at once!”
“I beg your pardon, but a summoned spirit cannot be called again until twelve hours have passed.”
“Is that so?”
“Yes. I shall resume the ritual at this hour tomorrow.”
“Very well. See that you do.”
The Crown Prince glared around the room, his words dripping with venom.
“By this hour tomorrow, I shall know precisely who the traitor is.”
Thus the ritual concluded for the day.
And I could see those around us growing anxious at the Crown Prince’s words.
Some fidgeted nervously, others lowered their heads and bit their lips in secret, still others watched someone with trembling eyes.
In other words, the performance was working.
Now they would each act according to their own thoughts.
Some would attempt to kill Cheong-su Taoist, others would try to flee, and some would wait and observe, seeking an opportunity.
Which meant I would be quite busy tonight.

* * *

Deep into the night.
Someone moved in secrecy.
He arrived at a warehouse within Jocheon Palace.
As he entered, the one waiting inside greeted him.
“Welcome.”
“My apologies for the delay. I had to avoid the eyes of others, which took considerable time.”
“I understand. I had my own difficulties sneaking here.
“Sigh… I still don’t understand what this is all about.”
“Neither do I.”
“Ajeong—that bastard was troublesome even in life… and troublesome in death as well.”
In truth, Ajeong had never been a good colleague.
He would seize the work of others, then boast that he was compensating for their lack of ability, constantly irritating everyone around him.
When I heard he had died in an accident, my heart felt lighter.
But then suddenly hearing that his vengeful spirit was tormenting the Crown Prince—I wondered what was happening… and now this catastrophe.
They never suspected that this was all a theatrical performance orchestrated by Eun Seo-ho.
And indeed, Moshan, the headquarters of the Moshan Sect, lay mere steps away from Nanking.
Therefore, they had ample opportunity to hear of the exploits of the Moshan Sect Taoists.
“But how should we handle this? If tomorrow Ajeong that bastard reveals everything about us…”
“We’re finished.”
He pondered for a moment before speaking again.
“We need to buy some time first. I’ve heard that a Taoist from the Moshan Sect is currently staying within this palace.”
“I’ve heard the same.”
“If we kill him, we can buy ourselves some time. We’ll use that opportunity to contact those above us.”
“Understood.”
They were Imperial Guards of Jocheon Palace.
Therefore, they could carry weapons within the palace and possessed considerable martial skill.
“But how are the others moving?”
“Hah, they’ll handle their own part. Aren’t we just different squad members?”
“That’s true.”
The Murim Alliance had infiltrated more than just these two into Jocheon Palace.
Generally, they were paired in twos, forming several squads, though no one knew the exact number.
Because they served to monitor one another, betrayal was impossible.
Ajeong, who had acted alone, was an exceptional case.
They could only fear the ruthlessness and thoroughness of the Murim Alliance that had placed them here.
“Then, let’s move.”
“Yes.”
They moved in secrecy as decided and headed toward the quarters where Cheong-su Taoist was staying.
Jocheon Palace was as familiar to them as their own home, so their movements encountered no obstacles.
Shortly after.
They stopped at a place where they could see Cheong-su Taoist’s quarters.
He had already fallen asleep, and no light was visible from within the chamber.
The problem was the Soldier Guard standing watch outside.
As I pondered how to deal with him, the Soldier Guard’s voice suddenly rang out.
“Damn it! Why isn’t he coming back? I’m dying to take a piss!”
He twisted his entire body, clearly desperate to relieve himself.
“Hell, I can’t hold it any longer. I have no choice.”
Unable to resist any further, he grumbled and abandoned his post.
The two figures exchanged glances and nodded at each other.
They quickly approached the Quarters and quietly opened the door, slipping inside.
Then they approached Cheong-su Taoist lying on the bed and swung their blades toward his neck.
Thwack!
In that instant, I sensed something amiss.
Not only was the sound wrong, but the sensation was not that of a blade cutting through flesh and bone.
“Curse it! It’s a trap!”
He cried out and tried to flee, but it was already too late.
Thwack!
Crack!
They collapsed instantly from the sudden impact to the back of their necks.

* * *

I watched them crumple to the floor.
“That makes six now.”
“Indeed.”
“The bait worked well. Seeing so many caught like this speaks volumes.”
Seo-woo Warrior let out a quiet chuckle at my words.
“Weren’t you always skilled at fishing, my lord?”
“Was I?”
Just then, Yeo Eung-am Warrior, dressed in a Soldier Guard’s uniform, approached.
“Shall I continue standing watch?”
“Yes, thank you for your efforts.”
Earlier, Yeo Eung-am Warrior had noticed their arrival and deliberately feigned the need to relieve himself to vacate the post.
Whether he inherited the talent from my parents who belonged to a theater troupe, his acting was truly masterful.
“Then, let’s dispose of them.”
“Yes.”
The other Warriors hoisted them onto their shoulders and silently vanished into the darkness.
Cheong-su Taoist is not here at this moment.
What lies on the bed is an illusion I created using the Void Mirror Technique.
Cheong-su Taoist is resting safely in the adjacent chamber to the Crown Prince, receiving ironclad protection.
That protection comes from Geumryeong and Palgap.
I coaxed Palgap, who was frightened, by promising him that if he did his utmost to protect Cheong-su Taoist, he would receive some gift.

And so the night gave way to dawn.
I made my way to the Crown Prince.
“The Small Merchant Guild Master has….”
“Just sit.”
“Yes.”
I settled myself before the tea table and spoke.
“Did you sleep well last night?”
“Are you mocking me? I was too curious about the situation to get any rest.”
“You must be exhausted. Allow me to give you a brief report first.”
I continued calmly.
“Six men attempted to assassinate the Taoist, and eight fled under cover of darkness.”
“Fourteen in total? This is absurd.”
The Crown Prince exhaled a weary sigh, his expression hollow.
“I apologize, but there is more.”
“Those who decided to observe the situation.”
“Precisely.”
“Then we perform the ritual again tonight?”
“No, that is not it.”
“It is not?”
“No. A theatrical performance is only entertaining if the narrative is dramatic, is it not?”
“That is true.”
“During last night’s ritual, Cheong-su Taoist declared he would summon the spirit of Ajeong Eunuch the following day to reveal who the traitors are. Yet he was abducted that very night. So tell me—who would be responsible?”
“Those who fear their betrayal will be exposed.”
“Here is where Your Highness steps in personally to rescue Cheong-su Taoist.”
The Crown Prince fell silent for a moment, then smiled broadly.
“Ah, I see—you mean to redirect the emotions surrounding these sudden disappearances in a different direction. And in doing so, craft a heroic tale about me as well?”
The Jocheon Palace is currently in chaos due to the sudden disappearance of over a dozen people.
Since I can guess why they vanished, they must feel betrayed.
If we add the process of the Crown Prince moving about frantically to rescue Cheong-su Taoist, they will grow angry.
It is natural for anyone to resent those who cause them hardship.
When that irritation reaches its peak and the Crown Prince resolves it, their anger toward the traitors will transform into loyalty to the Crown Prince.
“Precisely.”
The Crown Prince regarded me for a moment, then spoke.
“I am truly fortunate that you stand with me.”
I smiled and replied.
“Rest assured. As long as Your Highness remains my ally, I shall remain yours.”
“That is a frightening thing to say.”

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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