Seon-il couldn’t answer.
“It’s not true, is it?”
“…”
“Think carefully.”
“Just who is this person you serve?”
“You don’t need to know that.”
“And you expect me to do this without even knowing…”
“But I’ll show you proof.”
“Proof?”
“You’ll see what that proof is when you get home.”
“…”
“Let’s go back. The others are waiting. Wipe that look off your face.”
With that, Du Jin patted Seon-il on the shoulder and headed back into the teahouse.
After a brief moment of thought, Seon-il followed.
I bit my lip, sinking deep into thought.
There was a reason why, despite being called a near-top scorer, Seon-il had ranked near the bottom in the palace exam.
He’d been blackmailed.
The Murim Alliance used him to plant one of their own in a high position within the imperial court.
But… was this disgusting scheme really just a one-time thing?
Once they knew he’d cave to threats, they must’ve kept pressuring him again and again.
Naturally, that would’ve slowly turned Seon-il cynical and jaded.
And he likely lost all motivation as well.
So it was from this moment the Murim Alliance became an obstacle for the Eunhae Merchant Group.
Even if Aunt married into another family, she’s still one of us. She’s part of the Eunhae Merchant Group. And she adored me ever since I was little.
Knowing that the Murim Alliance’s filthy schemes twisted Seon-il’s character—and that it brought Aunt so much heartache—made me furious.
Wait…
But why does the Murim Alliance want to plant someone inside the imperial court?
For what purpose?
Suddenly, a major event from about thirteen years later popped into my mind.
The very incident that allowed me to prevent the poisoning of the Zhuge Clan’s Grand Elder.
The Empress Poisoning Incident.
The consort beneath the Empress rose to take her place afterward, but countless people suffered in the process, and the culprit was quickly caught.
But whether that person was truly the culprit… no one knew.
All they confessed was that they held a grudge against the Empress.
It was from then on that the imperial court began quietly tolerating the Murim Alliance’s arrogance.
Just looking at it now, it was clear.
Seon-il had gotten tangled up in something incredibly troublesome.
“Ah, damn it.”
“Is something wrong?”
Lee Pil asked, noticing my reaction. I let out a sigh.
“Something troublesome is about to happen.”
Still, I couldn’t just sit by and watch.
If they pulled this off, the Murim Alliance’s influence would only grow.
For someone like me who’d sworn revenge against them, this was the perfect opportunity to blow up their plans.
Stopping the Murim Alliance was important.
But more than that, I couldn’t let Seon-il suffer emotional scars because of this.
For Aunt’s sake, I had to intervene.
.
.
.
When I returned home, something felt off.
“What’s going on?”
Palgap quickly answered.
“It’s… a few of the Yeonjun Merchant Group’s trading partners suddenly cut ties.”
“…What?”
This must be the ‘proof’ Du Jin mentioned to Seon-il.
Backed into a corner like this, Seon-il had chosen his merchant group and family.
So they were playing dirty, huh?
The next day.
I instructed Escort Guards Yeo Eung-am and Lee Pil to tail Du Jin.
That evening, Lee Pil came looking for me.
“He’s finally moving.”
“Let’s go.”
I immediately followed Lee Pil.
Then I picked up the trail Yeo Eung-am had marked.
It was a secret tracking sign that only Eunpoong Division escorts could recognize.
Soon, I reunited with Yeo Eung-am.
“You’ve arrived.”
“Yeah.”
“He took a boat and headed that way.”
There was a wide lake. Du Jin was sailing toward the center.
From the other side, another boat was approaching his.
There was no doubt this was a secret meeting.
I wanted to eavesdrop.
But if we approached by boat, they’d spot us.
The moment they did, the meeting would be called off.
A technique Master taught me surfaced in my mind.
Ice Sea Assimilation Method and Ice Sea Water Severance Technique.
Looks like… I’ve gotta do this myself.
I took off my outer robe and handed it to Lee Pil.
“Hold this for me.”
“Huh? What are you…”
“I’ll be back soon.”
I took a deep breath.
Then I activated the Ice Sea Assimilation Method and slipped into the water.
My body slowly turned cold.
I submerged completely.
Then I quietly approached Du Jin’s boat and hid behind it.
Soon after, another boat pulled alongside.
It was a dark night.
And thanks to the water technique derived from the No-Trace Step that Master taught me, no one noticed my presence.
“You’re here.”
“How did it go?”
“I fully explained our position to Hong Seon-il and gave him a proper warning.”
“If he’s smart, he’ll get the message. And we sent the proof too.”
“Yes. It’ll go exactly as that person wishes. By the way… what name is Hong Seon-il supposed to write on the exam paper?”
“Song Chi (宋致).”
“I thought there were two names?”
“Go Seong-il (高成一) will be handled by someone else.”
A few more words were exchanged, then the boats began to drift apart.
I could feel my breath running short.
Time to head back.
I quickly swam back toward the lakeside.
“Sir.”
The escorts rushed toward me, but I raised a hand to stop them.
Then I slowly activated the Supreme Yin Ice Sea Divine Art to raise my body temperature.
“Whew…”
Once I’d fully exhaled, I spoke.
“Let’s go back.”
Thank heavens I’d learned the water techniques Master taught me.
My body suffered a bit, but it was well worth it.
And I gained some critical information.
Song Chi.
Go Seong-il.
I committed those names to memory.
Wait a second… the name Song Chi…
I’ve heard that before…
Ah… that’s right.
When the Empress was poisoned, wasn’t there a man named Song Chi serving in the Ministry of Justice (刑部)?
I remember it because he personally visited our merchant group to request assistance back then.
He acted unbelievably arrogant.
I also remember that during our conversation, he revealed that he’d taken the palace exam the same year as Seon-il and was the Zhuangyuan.
What the hell…
So he didn’t even earn that title on his own merits but still acted like he was something special?
And the fact he worked in the Ministry of Justice…
That means… he was in a position to tamper with the investigation when the Empress was poisoned.
Normally, Zhuangyuan starts their career in the Hanlin Academy. But him being in the Ministry of Justice…
It was deliberate.
Unbelievable.
When I returned to my quarters at Aunt’s house, Palgap asked in surprise.
“No, young master! Where in the world have you been to come back soaking wet like this?!”
“Oh… just went for a swim. It was hot.”
Seeing my expression, Palgap let out a sigh.
Sharp as ever.
“I’ll prepare water for your bath.”
After finishing my bath, Palgap spoke.
“Uh… someone from the palace came by earlier.”
“From the palace?”
“Yes. You’ve been summoned to the palace tomorrow.”
“Is that so?”
I grinned.
A perfect way popped into my head—one that would both mess with the Murim Alliance and cleanly resolve this.
.
.
.
The next day.
I headed for the palace.
When I announced my arrival at the gate, a group of eunuchs came out to greet me.
“Are you Eun Seo-ho of the Eunhae Merchant Group?”
“That’s me.”
“Please, follow me.”
I followed the eunuch toward where the Emperor awaited. Ever since last time, they no longer treated me like some merchant to be mocked; they even provided me a sunshade.
Nice and cool. I like it.
Soon, I arrived at the Hall of Supreme Harmony and was granted audience with the Emperor.
The matters regarding the salt trade and the Windcraft Fan weren’t brought up in front of the ministers.
I went straight to the Emperor’s office for that.
“Your humble subject, Eun Seo-ho of the Eunhae Merchant Group, pays respect to His Majesty, the merciful ruler of this Central Plains. Long live the Emperor, ten thousand years!”
As I bowed, the Emperor’s voice soon followed.
“Raise your head.”
“I am unworthy of Your Majesty’s grace.”
I lifted my head and saw the Emperor’s face.
Still young and healthy—no different from two years ago.
This Emperor remained on the throne even at the time of my death in my previous life.
“I’ve read the report you submitted. It seems the Merchant Lord Wu is doing well.”
“Yes, that is correct.”
I pulled out another report I had prepared in advance.
“This contains some additional matters I failed to include previously.”
“Bring it here.”
At the Emperor’s command, a eunuch took the scroll from my hands and delivered it.
The Emperor unfurled it and scanned its contents.
“Hmm…”
Then he rolled it back up and placed it on his desk.
“Understood. I’ll review it further.”
Hearing that, I smiled inwardly.
The Emperor continued.
“The reason I summoned you is because I have a few questions.”
“Please, ask anything.”
After a round of questions and answers, the Emperor asked me,
“By the way, do you not take vacations?”
“Regrettably, no, Your Majesty.”
“Haha… I see. Well, since you’re here, think of this as a vacation. I’ve heard that the moonlight reflected on Seokwol Lake (石月湖) during the early Hai hour (亥時: 9–11 p.m.) is quite a sight.”
“I shall do as you suggest.”
“Good. You may take your leave.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
I exited the Emperor’s office.
.
.
.
That night.
I headed for Seokwol Lake.
The extra report I handed to the Emperor contained nothing of importance.
It was simply a subtle way to convey my desire for a private audience.
When the Emperor said, “I’ll review it further,” that was his way of accepting.
And his casual mention earlier was really an invitation.
A secret meeting. At Seokwol Lake. During the early Hai hour.
Seokwol Lake is a lake located slightly outside the palace grounds.
It’s named Seokwol—Stone Moon—because only when a crescent moon rises does its reflection appear clearly on the water.
As I stood there waiting, someone approached.
It was Jeong, the eunuch who served closely at the Emperor’s side.
“Follow me.”
Without a word, I followed him.
A man stood a little distance away from the lakeshore.
He wore plain clothes, but there was no mistaking who it was.
“Shall I perform a formal bow?”
“I’ve no interest in drawing attention unnecessarily.”
“Didn’t expect you to come out in plain clothes for a secret walk.”
“If anyone finds out you requested a private audience, it’ll be a real headache. That’s why you hinted at it in that report, didn’t you?”
As expected of the Emperor.
His perception is razor-sharp.
“I’m curious why you requested this private meeting.”
I wonder… how will the Emperor react when he hears what I have to say?
“Your Majesty… please change the procedures for the palace exam.”
Hong Seon-il let out a deep sigh.
‘I should go…’
Today was the day of the palace exam—the final stage of the civil service exam.
He wondered what the point was anymore.
Even if he went, he wouldn’t be able to perform at his true level.
All because of what his long-time friend Du Jin had said to him.
“For this palace exam, write a different name on your paper. There’s someone I serve. That person needs to plant someone in the imperial court… with top exam results.”
Then came the threat.
“If you help, that person will reward the Yeonjun Merchant Group greatly. But if you refuse… they’ll destroy your merchant group in an instant.”
When news arrived shortly after that a major client had cut ties, Hong Seon-il made his decision.
No matter how precious his conscience was, it didn’t compare to the lives of his merchant group and his family.
He rose from his seat.
Even if it meant being someone’s pawn, he had to go take the exam.
“Do your best.”
“Don’t be too nervous.”
“Just do what you can.”
“Brother, good luck!”
Usually, the family’s encouragement before an exam filled him with strength.
But not today.
Today… their words weighed heavy on his shoulders.
His steps felt like lead.
“Seon-il.”
“…?”
He looked up to see his maternal cousin, Eun Seo-ho.
Beside him stood Gwak Hyeong-jin and Seok Il-song, his sworn younger brothers.
They’d originally planned to leave early but ended up staying longer due to unforeseen matters.
“May you achieve great results, brother.”
“I’m sure you’ll do well, brother.”
At their encouragement, Seon-il silently nodded and patted their heads.
Then Eun Seo-ho spoke.
“Brother, the weather’s really nice today, isn’t it?”
“Yeah… it is.”
The weather really was beautiful.
Part of him wished it would just rain.
“Feels like something good’s going to happen today.”
“Stop being silly… I’m off.”
Seon-il forced a smile and made his way toward the palace.
After completing the entrance procedures, he entered the exam hall.
He sat at his assigned seat.
Soon, the Emperor arrived at the hall, and he quickly stood to offer a bow.
Sitting on his throne, the Emperor suddenly spoke.
“This palace exam… will be conducted differently.”
–TL Notes–
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