Episode 40: Choose the Fox or Join Hands with the Wolf...
Won Seung waved his hand with a smile.
"You needn't worry, Governor. Why do you think the na of the painting studio is Hundred Flowers Pavilion?"
With that, he went inside and brought out a rolled-up scroll, hanging it in the place where the Painting of the Xiang River Flowing Clouds and a Single Sail had been.
"Oh, oh!"
Exclamations of admiration ca from all around as everyone gathered in front of the new painting.
Even So Yeong-gwan couldn't help but look.
"This painting is a reproduction by the Wildman Wind-Cloud Young Master of Yi Cheongsan's lost masterpiece, the Painting of Many Waterfalls at Duryunsan."
Won Seung introduced the artwork.
"I heard the original Painting of Many Waterfalls at Duryunsan was lost long ago... Is this a fake?"
Jong Won-bo examined the painting with a skeptical eye.
"No, it's genuine. The original was in the Imperial Family's possession. The Previous Emperor gifted it to an official, but it disappeared when the official was implicated in treason and fell from grace. This looks exactly like the one I saw."
He then scrutinized Won Seung.
He didn't ntion the na of the official who received the gift because it was the current State Preceptor who uncovered the treason.
'Your family took it!'
Simultaneously, mories of the State Preceptor's past flashed through his mind.
Coming from a poor family in Suzhou, he achieved the highest score in the Imperial Examination and married the Princess as his legitimate wife.
Lady Ju was the youngest sister of the Previous Emperor, who adored her as if she were a princess. As the sister of the Hegemon King, she wielded considerable power, which the State Preceptor used to eliminate many political opponents.
The most astonishing fact was that he never personally stained his hands with blood. Though he was suspected of being behind several incidents, they remained re rumors.
Such a person should not be made an enemy. However... the Hegemon King is no pushover either.
The Hegemon King is known for his ruthlessness. He once beheaded an official who insulted the Imperial Family on the spot, a story still told in bureaucratic circles.
'Choosing the fox or joining hands with the wolf... that's the dilemma.'
So Yeong-gwan realized it was ti for him to make a choice. Smiling at Won Seung, he said, "The Hundred Flowers Pavilion is truly remarkable. I'd love to admire the paintings more, but I ca unexpectedly today, so I must take my leave."
The only one who noticed the slight change in So Yeong-gwan's tone towards Won Seung was Yang Dae-hyun.
As the Governor prepared to leave, the Guards controlled the street outside.
Won Seung and Yang Dae-hyun's group followed to see them off.
"I'll inform you when we acquire more valuable paintings. Please visit us anyti."
Unaware of So Yeong-gwan's inner thoughts, Won Seung bowed deeply, delighted at the prospect of a prosperous future for the Hundred Flowers Pavilion, having just bribed the Governor.
"Paintings...?"
Valuable paintings are always worth seeing.
"If you have such paintings, could you bring them to the Governor's residence?"
As a Governor, he couldn't be seen frequenting a painting studio. Pleased with the expected response, Won Seung replied imdiately.
"I will do so."
"Let's go."
So Yeong-gwan urged his daughter into the carriage. So San-san cast a longing glance at Won Seung before entering the carriage.
"Hyah!"
As the coachman flicked the reins, the four-horse carriage moved, with the Guards following behind.
"Whew. Even the Governor ca...."
Moon Yeok-su shook his head in amazent.
As they watched the carriage depart, Jong Bi approached and discreetly handed over a silk pouch.
'Right. I almost forgot about this rascal!'
Jong Won-bo continued to bow towards the Governor's carriage, now a re dot in the distance.
"Let's head inside now."
As Won Seung passed by Jong Won-bo, he untied the silk pouch.
Buzz!
Several angry hornets, trapped in the narrow silk pouch, flew out, drawn to the strong scent of honey on Jong Won-bo.
"What?"
Jong Won-bo, caught off guard by the sudden swarm of hornets, waved his hands in panic. Already agitated, the hornets attacked fiercely.
One hornet stung Jong Won-bo precisely on the honey-scented hair behind his ear. Another stung the finger that had touched the honey.
"Ah!"
Jong Won-bo's vision blurred with heat, and he soon lost consciousness from the overwhelming pain. The stung areas swelled rapidly.
Yet, the hornets did not relent.
Jong Won-bo scread in agony.
"Argh!"
"Young Master!"
Jong Won-bo's Guard, standing nearby, rushed over.
Jong Won-bo collapsed, unable to stand, gasping for air, his eyes bulging as if they would pop out.
Yang Dae-hyun hurried over to assess the situation and shouted.
"He was stung on the neck. If left untreated, his airway will close, and he'll die. Get him to a doctor imdiately."
The Guards lifted Jong Won-bo and ran.
"I'll go with you. This could turn serious."
Moon Yeok-su said with a worried expression and followed.
Having been stung multiple tis on the neck, even reaching a doctor might not save him.
Won Seung spoke with feigned concern.
"Senior Brother Jong seems to attract hornets. Last ti, his Guard was stung, and now he's the victim."
Yang Dae-hyun, observing Won Seung, chuckled inwardly.
'This rascal... he released the scent on purpose, didn't he?'
He was one of the Three Talents Under Heaven, so he naturally realized it was Won Seung's doing.
*
Ohgu, having been hastily shoved into the latrine by Jong Bi, suffered from a dung infection. Jong Bi frowned at Ohgu's skin, which was now covered in reddish welts.
"Even after washing, why does he still have a faint dung sll? Has the dung infection seeped into his very marrow?"
You were the one who shoved in there!
Ohgu felt wronged, but Won Seung reassured Jong Bi.
"It's our own dung. Don't be too harsh."
"The sll makes it hard to eat. Let's book him a room at an inn for a while. He can co back once the sll is gone."
Jong Bi's cold suggestion made Ohgu panic.
"No, please. If the Heavenly Observation Pavilion spots , I'm as good as dead."
"Hmm?"
Watching Ohgu frantically refuse to leave, Won Seung realized there was a slight flaw in his plan.
'If they find out Ohgu is alive, the Heavenly Observation Pavilion won't leave him alone... That would be troubleso.'
It had been over two months since he left the Red Blood Mountain Assassin Training Camp. In four months, he would have to return, and then Supervisor Jong Bi would also return to Red Blood Mountain.
Soone needed to guard the Hundred Flowers Pavilion, and currently, Ohgu was the only option. It would be problematic if he were captured by the Heavenly Observation Pavilion.
Won Seung scrutinized Ohgu's features.
"Ohgu, we'll need to change your identity and alter your appearance."
Ohgu felt uneasy. The idea of altering his appearance made him anxious. He asked cautiously.
"What do you an by altering my appearance?"
"It's not too difficult. You have a plain face, so just a few tweaks will do."
"So, what exactly do you an by tweaks...?"
"Let's do it right away."
Won Seung went inside and returned with a leather pouch filled with various needles and knives.
Ohgu's face turned pale.
'Those are torture tools, aren't they? Are they going to carve up my face so no one recognizes ?'
Seeing the sharp small knife, Ohgu trembled and asked.
"Can't I just use a human skin mask? I've often used disguises while living in hiding...."
"Wearing that all day isn't good for your skin. You know that. I'll make it so you won't need to disguise yourself."
During training at the Assassin Training Center, wearing a human skin mask all day often resulted in breakouts.
Won Seung couldn't subject Ohgu to such discomfort.
Ohgu looked distressed.
"Then, after I recover...."
"Since you're already injured, let's get it over with while you're healing."
Ohgu tried to protest again, but Won Seung suddenly jabbed a needle into an acupuncture point.
Gurgle!
A phlegmy sound ca from Ohgu's throat. Whatever point was struck, he couldn't move.
"Mr. Song, lift him onto the table. Strip him down."
While Jong Bi laid Ohgu on the table and stripped him naked, Won Seung sterilized a dagger in boiling water.
Soon enough.
Having sterilized all the tools, Won Seung stood before the makeshift operating table where Ohgu lay.
"Hmm... The dark skin can be treated with dicine, but first, let's fix the eyes. Changing the eye shape will definitely alter the impression."
As the startled Ohgu blinked, Won Seung inserted a needle. Now, even his eyelids couldn't move.
Won Seung carefully sliced Ohgu's eyelids with the dagger. Blood trickled from the slightly cut eyelids.
"Are you going to gouge out his eyes?"
Jong Bi watched with interest and asked.
"Then he wouldn't be able to see. I'm just cutting the eyelids. It requires a very delicate touch."
After cutting Ohgu's eyelids, Won Seung instructed Jong Bi.
"Now, apply the wound dicine to the eyelids and cover them with a cloth."
While Jong Bi followed up, Won Seung examined Ohgu's features and pressed down on the bridge of his nose. There was a crunch as the nasal bone broke.
Adjusting the broken nose, Won Seung comnted.
"It was slightly hooked, giving a fierce look. Straightening it will completely change the impression."
Just a mont ago, he said it was a plain impression....
Won Seung also trimd the area behind the ears to make the earlobes droop a bit.
The paralyzed Ohgu couldn't move, but he knew his face and body were being altered.
'Ah... I've walked into hell.'
Ohgu finally lost consciousness.
Regardless, Won Seung continued to work on Ohgu's body.
"A mole here is unlucky."
He removed a mole from his back and transplanted it to his buttocks.
"Short fingers make one look unskilled."
He cut between the fingers and wrapped them in cloth.
After working on various parts, Ohgu ended up completely wrapped in bandages.
Initially intrigued, Jong Bi left midway, finding it too grueso.
After finishing his work on Ohgu, Won Seung soaked the bandages in dicine.
"Ohgu, you're becoming a new person. You'll thank when you wake up."
Having indulged in his long-desired human experintation, Won Seung was satisfied as he pressed the pressure point on the bandaged Ohgu.
*
Rumors of the Governor's visit spread, gradually increasing the number of visitors.
"Hmm. It truly resembles the genuine article. Such a sha... that this work is a reproduction."
"What does it matter if it's a reproduction? As long as it's good."
Two well-dressed individuals whispered among themselves before approaching Jong Bi at the counter.
"Excuse , how much is this painting?"
"Ah, it's your first ti at our store."
Jong Bi approached and pointed to the paper attached next to the scroll.
Three palm-sized papers were attached, each with an amount written on it.
- Five Hundred Nyang
- Five Hundred Fifty Nyang
- Six Hundred Nyang
"Hmm. So is it five hundred nyang or six hundred nyang?"
"That's not it. The amounts are bids from those interested in purchasing. After ten days, the painting goes to the highest bidder."
"What? This isn't an auction house...."
"There are so many interested buyers that we had no choice but to adopt this thod. Please understand."
"Hmph! What a bold business practice. Let's go!"
The slightly plump man huffed and suggested leaving, but the shorter man hesitated and wrote six hundred fifty nyang, sticking it next to the painting.
The plump man remarked.
"You shouldn't put it up now. What if soone cos and raises the price in the anti? You should post it ten days later."
"Ah, you're right!"
The shorter man was about to remove his bid when Jong Bi spoke.
"If no one offers a higher price within three days of posting, you can take it imdiately."
"Hmm. Clever way to fleece us. This is...."
The plump man grumbled continuously, but the shorter man, after so thought, removed his bid of six hundred fifty nyang and wrote seven hundred nyang. He raised it by one hundred nyang in one go.
"Why are you doing this? Why add fifty more nyang?"
"To hold it for three days, of course."
The shorter man explained. He wanted to take it as soon as possible.
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