Chapter 245: I Shall Obey the Imperial Command
The atmosphere inside the hall shifted oddly at the Emperor’s order to bring the Myriad Gold Manor Master.
The Princess and Royal Guard Commander Jang Gyeong glanced sideways at Ha Joo-myeong.
Ha Joo-myeong, however, remained composed. After moistening his throat with tea, he spoke calmly.
“I shall obey the command. I have already mobilized the full financial might of the Myriad Gold Manor to search for my father day and night, but I shall redouble my efforts out of loyalty to Your Majesty.”
The Emperor stared fixedly at Ha Joo-myeong.
The position of Emperor of a nation was not simply handed down.
From birth to ascension, and even after becoming Emperor, how many layers of checks and sches had he endured to beco this seasoned?
Because the forr Emperor had not wielded particularly strong imperial authority, the current Emperor had clawed his way to the throne through relentless intrigue and strategy.
The Emperor could see it clearly in Ha Joo-myeong’s eyes. They were the eyes of soone who deceived others, plotted sches, and lied with ease.
It would not be wise to recklessly rebuke soone like that.
Instead, the Emperor smiled softly and said,
“You’ve poured in all of the Manor’s strength?”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
Ha Joo-myeong also smiled faintly.
Two n, seated at the pinnacles of wealth and power, looked upon each other.
Ha Joo-myeong continued, ever composed,
“Since the matter has been brought up, may I dare to make a humble request?”
Princess Yeongan stared at Ha Joo-myeong as if he were mad. Even she, the Emperor’s own daughter, had to approach him with extre caution.
Until he fell ill and took to bed, every court official and imperial bloodline within the palace had feared even the sound of the Emperor’s breath.
Soone making a request of the Emperor?
That was sothing unthinkable.
Yet the Emperor nodded as if to encourage him, even his eyes showing interest.
Ha Joo-myeong went on,
“Even after pouring the money and manpower of the Myriad Gold Manor, we have not been able to find my father. However, if the Imperial Household—who overlooks all under heaven—takes the lead, he can certainly be found. I beg of you, please bring my father before my eyes.”
In response to the Emperor’s command to bring the Myriad Gold Manor Master, Ha Joo-myeong instead asked for the Emperor to bring him forward.
Moreover, his voice and expression were unmistakably filled with the sorrow of a son who had lost his father.
The Emperor let out a hollow laugh.
He could read the true intentions behind it, but without tangible evidence, there was no justification to press further. The Emperor’s voice turned cold.
“Jang Gyeong.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
Jang Gyeong lowered his head and listened attentively.
“You heard him. He wants the Myriad Gold Manor Master found. Use any ans necessary—bring him before .”
“Use any ans necessary.”
That ant: search every corner of the Manor, uncover the truth no matter what it took. That was the Emperor’s real order.
Ha Joo-myeong, who had imprisoned his own father with his own hands, responded with the attitude: “Try and find him if you can.” anwhile, the Emperor, who held all the power and information in the realm, intended to do just that—since that was what Ha Joo-myeong wanted.
With a mild smile, Ha Joo-myeong stood and bowed deeply.
“I am most grateful for Your Majesty’s grace.”
The Emperor scoffed and returned to his al.
Ha Joo-myeong, too, refrained from further provoking him. He was not afraid even if the Royal Guards or Eastern Depot ca searching the Myriad Gold Manor.
The Emperor tried to probe Ha Joo-myeong.
Ha Joo-myeong, in turn, opened himself willingly to scrutiny.
With Jang Gyeong ready to draw his sword at any mont.
While the three n endured the heavy, awkward atmosphere...
Unable to bear the tension any longer, the Princess suddenly opened her mouth.
“Father, I heard that a massive hot spring has recently been discovered in Eonsa Prefecture.”
“So I’ve heard.”
The Emperor nodded indifferently. He had received detailed reports of all recent events upon rising from his sickbed.
The Princess continued with a cautious tone.
“As expected, the authorities are sending an official overseer. One of the major trading companies from the Central Plains will be granted the developnt rights, and one of the orthodox martial factions will be tasked with maintaining order.”
“Since it’s near Sung Mountain, Shaolin or the Murim Alliance will take that role. The Alliance Leader still hasn’t shown his face?”
“No, he’s truly shaless…”
“He is a man capable of such things. Refrain from rash criticism.”
When the Emperor defended the Murim Alliance Leader, the Princess had no choice but to fall silent.
She still seed to have more to say, however. After hesitating and gauging the mood, she delicately tore apart a piece of braised beef and placed it atop the Emperor’s rice before speaking.
“So, I was thinking—wouldn’t it be best if the Myriad Gold Manor oversaw the developnt? Since Father also enjoys hot springs, wouldn’t the finest trading company ensure elegance and refinent...”
“Se-gyeong.”
The Emperor called the Princess by na in a dry tone devoid of emotion.
She flinched and lowered her head.
The Emperor continued.
“I hear that is the Crown Prince’s responsibility. Why, then, do you propose it to
before he does? Do you desire it for yourself?”
By “that,” the Emperor was referring to the Crown Prince’s authority over the hot spring developnt in Eonsa Prefecture.
It did not matter whether it was a hot spring or sothing else. What truly mattered was that it was the “Crown Prince’s jurisdiction.”
The Emperor asked bluntly. Was the Princess coveting the Crown Prince’s authority?
The Princess, now pale, hurried to deny it.
“…I would never an such a thing. How could I ever covet what belongs to the Crown Prince?”
“As you should.”
With those words, the Emperor looked at the Princess and Ha Joo-myeong in turn, then resud his al.
No one else spoke after that, and the al ended in profound silence.
---
Beijing.
Back in his bedchamber, the Emperor was alone with Royal Guard Commander Jang Gyeong.
Jang Gyeong asked in his characteristically low and steady voice.
“Do you intend to empower the Crown Prince?”
A question that could easily be deed impertinent.
But Jang Gyeong’s unique position made it permissible. He had served the Emperor in the Royal Guards for decades.
The Admiral of the Eastern Depot, Heo Chung-won, was similar. Their bond with the Emperor went beyond re subject and sovereign.
The Emperor nodded without resistance.
“This seems to be the last opportunity.”
“…What do you an by that?”
“Do I not know my own body? I am not in a state to live long. By all rights, I should have died. But perhaps there is a reason why an immortal spared .”
Upon awakening, the Emperor had repeatedly asked if anyone other than the Admiral had entered his bedchamber at dawn.
Before awakening, he had seen soone place a hand on his body and infuse it with warmth.
Naturally, no one could enter the Imperial Palace so easily. Aside from the Admiral, no intruders had been found.
Thus, the Emperor considered it a dream. He believed an immortal had visited him in a dream and revived him.
In truth, it was not an immortal, but the innkeeper of a certain guesthouse in Yichang—but the Emperor had no way of knowing that yet.
“Jang Gyeong, how long has it been since you joined the Royal Guards?”
“I first joined the Royal Guards when I was twenty-three. That makes exactly forty years this year.”
“You’ve certainly held on for a long ti.”
That was why the Emperor could speak so candidly with Jang Gyeong. Like himself, Jang Gyeong also had little ti left in this world.
Jang Gyeong gave a small chuckle, the kind that looked awkward—like soone laughing for the first ti in ten years.
“Heh… I, too, wish to step down now. But when I think of my successors…”
He let out a deep sigh.
Just thinking about it seed to weigh on him.
Subordinates always appeared lacking in the eyes of their superiors—needing guidance, reprimands, and constant watching over.
The Emperor let out a faint laugh at the sight.
“That may just be your misconception. Do you think a position in the Royal Guards is one easily obtained? They’re all hiding their claws in your presence. Once you retire, soone suitable will surely erge to lead the Guards. History has always been that way…”
The Emperor gazed into the air, his eyes suddenly deepened. Noticing sothing different about him, Jang Gyeong cautiously asked,
“Your Majesty, are you all right?”
“Commander Jang Gyeong.”
The Emperor’s voice rang low and solemn.
At once, Jang Gyeong dropped to his knees on the aged joints and bowed his head.
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
“Whose subject are you?”
“I am, without question, Your Majesty’s subject.”
“Truly? Not the Princess’s?”
“Such a thing could never be.”
“Wouldn’t it be wiser to align yourself with the Crown Prince? My era will last only a few more years at best. The future belongs to him.”
“Never. The only one I serve is Your Majesty, and no other.”
“Is that so.”
The Emperor nodded as he looked at Jang Gyeong.
This man was old indeed—too old to seek favor from the Crown Prince or the Princess.
When the Emperor eventually stepped down, this man, loyal to the point of foolishness, would also return to his hotown to end his days.
The Emperor then spoke.
“This is my final command. Carry it out above all else, no matter whose it is.”
“Give the order, Your Majesty.”
Commander Jang Gyeong of the Royal Guards was a man who could shoulder the weight of any imperial decree with composure.
When he listened without wavering, the Emperor continued.
“Ensure that the Crown Prince becos Emperor. Use any ans necessary.”
A glint flashed in Jang Gyeong’s eyes.
“Is this order for the Royal Guards alone? Or is it to be carried out by the Guards, the Eastern Depot, and all agencies under the Imperial Household combined?”
The Emperor had always maintained balance by pitting the Royal Guards and the Eastern Depot against one another.
But now, he made his intentions clear.
“This is the task of the Royal Guards alone. It is the exclusive authority I grant to you.”
Jang Gyeong inhaled deeply.
The Emperor’s command just now ant that all actions taken by the Royal Guards moving forward would be justified.
His eyes—aged and softened with ti—now shone with the sa clarity and sharpness they held forty years ago when he had first received his commission.
A sword dulled by ti had just been reforged by the Emperor’s own hand.
“Jang Gyeong, Commander of the Royal Guards, shall obey the imperial decree.”
---
Henan Province, Eonsa Prefecture.
Situated between Luoyang and Zhengzhou, Eonsa was a strategic point connected in all directions. Yet ironically, both major cities had drained away all its comrcial power, leaving it a hollow rural shadow.
After passing through the dusty streets of Eonsa and stepping inside the high-walled estate, it was as if entering another world entirely. This was Cheongryuwon, built by a forr Minister of Rites who had retired to the countryside.
A quiet and luxurious villa seldom visited by outsiders, it now saw a flood of guests for the first ti in ages.
“Goodness, is the Daepyeong Trading Company participating as well?”
“Haha, how could any rchant ignore such a golden opportunity?”
The rchant responded with a warm smile as he clasped his hands behind his back and stepped into the estate.
The Daepyeong Trading Company was one of the top five in the realm.
As its master, the middle-aged man commanded utmost respect wherever he went. Even his smallest gestures exuded refinent.
Of course, that haughty air quickly vanished the mont he entered and saw who was already seated inside.
The Daepyeong Company Master hastily unclasped his hands and searched for his seat with a respectful deanor.
‘Heavens… To think even Her Highness the Princess and His Highness the Crown Prince are here.’
The Princess and the Crown Prince were seated at the head table.
To their left sat the eldest son of Myriad Gold Manor, the top trading company of the era, and next to him the Chairwoman of the Jiangnan Comrce Association, which ranked second only to Myriad Gold.
The Jiangnan Comrce Association was a powerful alliance ford solely for profit, uniting the three major trading companies that dominated the affluent Jiangnan region.
Each rchant held a wooden placard marked with a number.
They appeared to be for the auction, and it seed the numbers reflected their stature: Myriad Gold held One (一), Jiangnan Comrce held Two (二).
It was a gathering of those who made the entire realm tremble—everyone exchanged polite smiles, while others inwardly searched for opportunities.
Just then, a slight commotion was heard from outside.
“…What did you say?”
Soone was arguing with the gatekeeper.
Soon, a sharp yet intelligent-sounding young voice was heard. The gatekeeper yielded, and two young n entered the estate.
All eyes turned toward them.
Both Ha Joo-myeong and the Princess, who had looked down on everyone with confidence, showed a montary shift in their expressions.
Jin Seong-un calmly surveyed the gathering with composed eyes. He locked eyes with Ha Joo-myeong but betrayed no emotion.
While all eyes focused on Jin Seong-un, Lee Seowon, who had co as his steward, approached the placard distributor and began a lengthy argunt.
Eventually, Lee Seowon managed to secure a placard from a middle-aged official and handed it to Jin Seong-un.
Jin Seong-un looked at the placard for a mont.
It bore the number Fifteen (十五).
There were fifteen rchants present, including Jin Seong-un—his placard marked him as the lowest of the low.
Hearing the exchange between Lee Seowon and the distributor, so rchants muttered in disbelief.
“An inn? Did he say an inn?”
Amid top-tier trading companies and associations, a re inn had arrived with a placard in hand.
It was utterly absurd—and offensive—but with the Princess, Crown Prince, and even the heir of Myriad Gold remaining silent, no one dared voice a formal objection.
Still, so sneered or whispered their doubts under their breath.
The Daepyeong Company Master muttered as well.
“Is this a child’s ga...? How does an inn plan to handle this developnt?”
“How did they even buy the right to participate?”
Most of the gathered rchants reacted similarly.
They were rchants, after all—with eyes and ears. The na Seong-un Inn, and the alias Guest Dragon, were widely known.
But this developnt project was on a whole other level. The funds required were so massive that even they had to stake their company’s very future.
More importantly, the entry rights to this auction were so exorbitantly priced that only trading companies of renown could even dream of securing one.
Even Ha Joo-myeong felt a flicker of doubt. He had strangled every one of Seong-un Inn’s financial lifelines—so how had they made it here?
Thud—!
A heavy sound silenced the rchants.
Jin Seong-un had placed a chest atop his table.
He opened the wooden chest and said,
“Looks like we’re the last to arrive. Let’s begin.”
Inside the chest, gold shimred under the sunlight—so bright it dazzled the eyes of all the rchants present.
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