novelraw Chapter 143 : Chapter 143
Chapter 143 : Chapter 143
Chapter 143 Treason (6)
While the 13th Division of the Embroidered Uniform Guard was excitedly continuing their drinking party, the inn door opened with a loud noise once again.
THUD!
In an instant, the gazes of everyone inside the inn simultaneously turned to the door.
A single warrior in a blue official robe stepped into the inn. The warrior, who was wearing a flamboyant veil, soon threw it off.
Just as the Embroidered Uniform Guard, startled by the sight of the Eastern Depot's distinctive makeup, tried to raise their energy, Jaun calmed the surroundings and slowly rose from his seat.
Looking at the trembling Squad Leader Jo, Jaun shrugged his shoulders.
"You..."
Squad Leader Jo's hands trembled as he raised a finger toward Jaun.
"Quiet. Everyone is enjoying themselves, so let's go outside to talk."
At Jaun's words, Gwak Jong-do shot up from his seat.
"Thousand Households Commander. Going out alone is too dangerous..."
Jaun patted Gwak Jong-do's shoulder.
"Don't worry and drink to your heart's content. I know him."
As Jaun strode towards the inn's entrance, Squad Leader Jo bit his lip and followed him.
The two who walked out of the inn avoided the gazes of passersby and walked towards the back of the inn. After rounding to the back, the two soon entered a secluded warehouse in a corner.
The moment Jaun stepped into the warehouse, Squad Leader Jo's sharp voice rang out.
"...What is the meaning of this?"
Jaun slowly turned around and looked at Squad Leader Jo with a calm face.
"What on earth have you done! A day before the grand plan, to do such an absurd thing...!"
"The absurd act was started by that bastard, Squad Leader Hyuk. He tried to kick us out of the inn with just a single word while we were having a perfectly fine dinner."
Hearing Jaun's words, Squad Leader Jo burst out laughing as if in disbelief.
"Thousand Households Commander Ma, Thousand Households Commander Ma. You foolish bastard. It's not just anyone, it's Squad Leader Hyuk! He's the Admiral of the Eastern Depot's closest aide! For such a person to want to use the inn..."
"I might understand if it were the Admiral of the Eastern Depot, but does someone like Squad Leader Hyuk have the power to move a thousand Embroidered Uniform Guards?"
At Jaun's confident reply, Squad Leader Jo flinched and stared at Jaun. After staring at Jaun for a long time, Squad Leader Jo shook his head in disbelief.
"...What on earth are you relying on to act like this? Don't you know better than anyone here that once the grand plan succeeds, the era of the Eastern Depot will begin?"
"The era of the Eastern Depot, you say. Well. Isn't that something we'll have to wait and see? Whether the era of the Eastern Depot will begin, or the era of the Embroidered Uniform Guard commanded by this body will."
As Jaun deliberately exuded his presence, Squad Leader Jo, who had been looking at Jaun with a puzzled expression, soon opened his mouth with widened eyes.
"This energy is...? Don't tell me, you've broken through the wall of the Red Blood Art that was blocked?"
When Jaun grinned and nodded, Squad Leader Jo's lips trembled.
"Someone like you. How could a bastard like you be faster than me..."
"I was lucky. Should I say it was an enlightenment gained at the brink of death?"
Squad Leader Jo spat on the ground, glaring at Jaun resentfully. At that sight, Jaun grinned once more and took a step closer to Squad Leader Jo.
"By the way. What's the reaction within the Eastern Depot?"
"What do you think? They're in an uproar. To a mere Thousand Households Commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard's 13th Division..."
"It's not bad that the Eastern Depot is in an uproar. At that rate, it will soon reach the ears of the Commander."
Squad Leader Jo whipped his head around to look at Jaun.
"...What on earth is 'not bad' about it! You've just drawn everyone's attention at once!"
"Squad Leader Jo."
Jaun looked at Squad Leader Jo intently.
"Look at the big picture. If I catch the eye of the higher-ups through this incident, the 13th Division and I will be assigned to guard the Emperor from a closer position. Wouldn't that be helpful for the grand plan?"
Squad Leader Jo clamped his mouth shut and chewed on his lips.
"I didn't intend to go this far from the beginning, but Squad Leader Hyuk went too far. It was an unavoidable choice for the morale of the soldiers. Right now, there's much more the Embroidered Uniform Guard can do than the Eastern Depot, which has lost its trust, isn't there? So, I think what you should be doing right now is not blowing this incident up and covering it up well."
"...You reckless bastard. Even so, you shouldn't have done that to Squad Leader Hyuk. This is not something that can be covered up just by covering it up. The news will definitely reach Prince Yeomseong's ears."
"Are you thinking of reporting this situation as it is? Wouldn't it be better to come forward first and say it was an act to help the grand plan? Do you really want the rumor to spread that the Eastern Depot's leadership was crushed by a mere 13th Division Thousand Households Commander?"
"...You."
Squad Leader Jo ground his teeth and glared at Jaun. His powdered white face twitched here and there.
After glaring at Jaun for a long time, Squad Leader Jo finally let out a big sigh and lowered his head. And after being lost in thought for a while, Squad Leader Jo opened his mouth.
"...The grand plan is tomorrow. I don't have time to bicker with a bastard like you. For now, as you said, I'll handle this matter somehow."
"A wise decision."
When Jaun grinned and nodded, Squad Leader Jo whipped his head around.
"Don't think that you can just get away with this. Once everything is over, you will pay the price you deserve."
Squad Leader Jo, with his jaw clenched, turned around first and left the warehouse.
'A just price, you say. As for who will pay it... we'll see.'
Jaun, who was looking around the empty warehouse, shrugged his shoulders once and then walked back into the inn.
***
"My lord."
"Hm?"
A servant from the manor found Jaun, who was resting in his quarters after the dinner.
The servant bowed deeply to Jaun, who opened the door and stuck his head out, and then opened his mouth.
"General Hwang is looking for you."
"...General Hwang?"
Jaun frowned slightly and then nodded.
"I understand. Tell him I'll get ready and come soon."
As soon as the servant left, Jaun got up from his seat and put on his gold uniform.
'General Hwang. Is he thinking of discussing tomorrow's matters?'
Jaun, who had hastily dressed, left the house and began to move toward the inner court of the Imperial Palace where General Hwang was staying.
Although he had already met him at the pharmacy, he had killed all his senses except for his hearing at that time, so this could be said to be his first proper meeting with General Hwang.
Jaun walked quickly through the main street, thinking that he should speak as little as possible to avoid revealing his identity.
Before long, Jaun arrived at the manor where General Hwang was staying, and after briefly tidying up his clothes, he carefully entered the manor.
"Have you arrived, Thousand Households Commander?"
A small old man approached, greeted Jaun, and began to lead the way. Following the old man, Jaun expanded his senses and scanned the interior of the pavilion he was heading towards.
'...Hm? There's someone else besides General Hwang.'
He was not much inferior in presence compared to General Hwang.
'At this level, he must be a general. Well, I'll know when I go in.'
Jaun, led by the old man, arrived at the pavilion and entered without hesitation.
CREAK
"...Ma Ryun-hoe."
As Jaun entered the room, a man of huge build turned his head, holding a golden sword.
From his voice, he could tell that he was General Hwang.
General Hwang, of a massive build and perfectly clad in golden armor as if he were about to go to war at any moment, felt like a divine general from a legend.
Jaun slowly bowed his waist and paid his respects to General Hwang. General Hwang, who nodded once and received Jaun's greeting, turned his head to the side.
The small-statured old man sitting next to General Hwang slowly raised his head towards Jaun.
"I greet you, General."
At Jaun's greeting, General Hwang nodded.
"I've heard. This is General Myo Han-pyo, who is in charge of the 6th and 7th Divisions. You probably haven't had a chance to see him before."
As Jaun bowed to General Myo once again, General Myo nodded.
"Yes. Is this the Thousand Households Commander who caused a big incident today?"
"That's right. He's Ma Ryun-hoe, in charge of the 13th Division. He went on a northern subjugation a while ago and came back half-dead, but I don't know what kind of tonic he took, but he recovered in three days and finally caused trouble today."
Although General Myo described it as an incident, a satisfied smile was on General Hwang's face.
The Thousand Households Commander under his command had completely suppressed Squad Leader Hyuk, who was none other than the closest aide of the Admiral of the Eastern Depot, without a single scratch. This was no different from his own prestige being greatly enhanced.
General Myo looked Jaun up and down and then nodded.
"His frame is sturdy and his will seems strong. He was a man you could trust and entrust work to. It doesn't show much on the outside, but seeing that you've discovered such a talent, you have a considerable eye."
"...Ahem."
General Hwang let out a pleasant cough, then got up from his seat and approached a large wooden cabinet placed on the side.
General Hwang, who was humming a small tune and looking at the weapons placed inside the cabinet, took out a spear with a flamboyant pattern and threw it at Jaun.
CLANG
As Jaun, who had caught the spear, looked down at his own hand with a puzzled expression, General Hwang returned to his seat and opened his mouth.
"...Tomorrow, at the Heaven Worship Ceremony, the 13th Division's position will be moved to the front. If that happens, you might catch the Emperor's eye, so you should be holding a proper weapon."
At General Hwang's words, Jaun's eyes widened.
"Hehe. We can't push the guy who beat up the Eastern Depot's Squad Leader Hyuk to the back."
"Thank you."
As Jaun bowed his waist deeply, General Hwang continued to speak.
"Since you have the skill to easily beat down the Admiral's henchman, I thought it would be better for you to aim for the Five Swords yourself. So I made a proposal. Prince Yeomseong has also given his permission, so you can proceed with that tomorrow."
Jaun was lost in thought for a moment and then nodded.
"I am lacking, but I will do my best."
At Jaun's words, General Hwang nodded with a satisfied expression.
The mission originally assigned to Thousand Households Commander Ma was to ambush the Thousand Households Commanders of the Embroidered Uniform Guard gathered in the rear.
Thousand Households Commander Ma had a friendship with the other Thousand Households Commanders, so he could approach them more easily than anyone else.
The original mission was to ambush the Thousand Households Commanders who did not participate in the grand plan, disrupt the command system, and tie down the Embroidered Uniform Guard.
However, with this incident, his skills were proven, and his mission was changed so that he could directly aim for the Five Swords who were guarding the Emperor most closely.
'In the end, the goal of Prince Yeomseong and the Blood Cult is to eliminate the Emperor, so if I can be close to the Emperor, it will be easier to stop their movements.'
Jaun cheered inwardly as things were unfolding as he had thought.
"It will not be an easy task. The Five Swords guarding the Emperor's side are on a different level compared to other generals. But if you can handle them properly, your contributions will be properly recognized after this is over."
"I will keep that in mind."
When Jaun answered, gripping the spear tightly, General Hwang looked at General Myo.
"How are the preparations on your side?"
"Don't worry. I've already installed the item at the promised location yesterday."
"Hehe. Good. The Eastern Depot guys also said there are no problems, so all that's left is to execute it. In the meantime... we've endured for a very long time."
General Hwang gripped the sword that shone with a golden light and looked out the window.
"...If tomorrow's work is successfully completed, the heavens will change, and our lives will be completely different. Failure means death. We must succeed in tomorrow's grand plan by any means necessary."
General Myo looked at General Hwang intently and then nodded.
"It's something we've waited for a long time, and everything we've planned is proceeding without any major problems. We just need to do well tomorrow as we have so far."
A smile appeared on General Myo's face.
"Besides, meeting Thousand Households Commander Ma in person gives me even more confidence. I'm counting on you for tomorrow's work."
Jaun, who was looking at General Myo, lowered his head slightly.
'What should I do? It won't be as easy as you guys think.'
Jaun clenched the spear in his hand tightly.