Record of the Dragon Chapter 47

Zhuge Yeon had a serious face.

"But no matter how I look at it, it's strange."

Woonhyun, who had been gaping, quickly ca to his senses.

"What is?"

"It's about Young Master So. There are no traces, but there are too few."

"That's because that guy is good at hiding."

Zhuge Yeon shook her head.

"It's not just any place, it's the Thousand Li Unit. It's the Thousand Li Unit that even the Flying Swallow Pavilion of the Orthodox Justice Alliance yields to. No matter how well Young Master So knows about the Thousand Li Unit, it doesn't make sense that they can't even find a trace for ten days."

Thinking about it, it was strange. It was because it was close to impossible for even a considerable master to completely avoid the eyes of the Thousand Li Unit. It was sothing that even the Orthodox Justice Alliance Leader, Jinsan, could not guarantee. The eyes and ears of the Thousand Li Unit were that densely spread.

"So? What do you want to say?"

"I think we've misjudged."

"Huh? What? What did we misjudge?"

"It's about Young Master So. We only thought he had left the Orthodox Justice Alliance, but we never even thought that he might be hiding in the Orthodox Justice Alliance."

"So what you're saying is..."

Woonhyun's eyes narrowed. However, the thought that it was unrealistic ca first. Woonhyun shook his head.

"I don't think that's it. That guy has a brain too, if he's in his right mind, there's no way he's hiding in the Orthodox Justice Alliance..."

However, Cheon Youngyoung had a different thought.

"No. I think Yeon's words have a point. You heard it too, didn't you? That Moogyeol is well-versed in the Thousand Li Unit. Wouldn't he know best that his tail would be caught as soon as he left the Orthodox Justice Alliance?"

"Is that so?"

Woonhyun had a tempted face. It was because after hearing Cheon Youngyoung's words, it seed like that could be the case. Woonhyun, who was using his head, suddenly looked at Tang Somun.

"What do you think?"

"?"

"Yes."

Tang Somun scratched his head. However, he soon organized his thoughts and opened his mouth.

"It's not like we'll be of any help even if we stay here. In that case, wouldn't it be better to just search the Orthodox Justice Alliance as Miss Zhuge said?"

None of the four were from Kaifeng. They knew nothing about Kaifeng. Even if they stayed, all they would do was follow the Beggars' Sect mbers. As Tang Somun said, they wouldn't be of any help.

"That's true. Then, as you said, Yeon..."

"Let's do that. We have nothing to lose."

Woonhyun finally nodded.

"Alright."

***

"Your Excellency, it is Zhao Gao."

At the sight of Zhao Gao bowing deeply, wrinkles ford around the eyes of the Eastern Depot's Admiral, Wang Zhi. Although he didn't know if it was an appropriate expression for a man, he thought that he had aged gracefully.

"Yes. What brings you here?"

His voice was also gentle. If you just looked at his gracefully aged appearance and gentle voice, you would wonder if he was really a man, even if he was a eunuch. That's how much of a warm atmosphere Wang Zhi exuded.

However, Zhao Gao was rather even more tense.

'A dagger hidden in a smile.'

It was a saying that was secretly circulating in the Imperial Palace. It ant that he had hidden a knife in his smile, and he couldn't find a more suitable word for Wang Zhi than that. In the first place, the position of Admiral of the Eastern Depot was not a position that could be occupied with just a smile. So Zhao Gao, being more careful with his deanor, opened his mouth.

"A ssage has co from the Orthodox Justice Alliance."

"From the Orthodox Justice Alliance?"

"That's right."

"What is it?"

"A request for support has been received. They asked us to kill a child."

For a mont, a look of displeasure flashed across Wang Zhi's eyes. However, Wang Zhi quickly ford wrinkles around his eyes again.

"For what reason?"

"He said that his position in Zhongnan might be shaken because of that child. He said it was a necessary thing to remain in the Orthodox Justice Alliance."

That much was enough to understand. There was no need to know more in detail than this. Wang Zhi nodded.

"I understand."

However, Zhao Gao was still watching his mood.

"I am planning to mobilize the Shadow Unit."

The Shadow Unit was a unit suitable for secretly plotting things. It was because not many people even knew of its existence within the Eastern Depot. Since he was mobilizing such a unit, he was watching Wang Zhi's mood. However, Wang Zhi still had a smiling face.

"Do as you see fit. There's no reason for you to get my permission for everything you do, is there?"

"But, Your Excellency..."

However, Wang Zhi waved his hand.

"Forget it. All you have to do is to clean the path His Majesty will take. Isn't that your job? If you need anything, just use it."

Zhao Gao bowed his head deeply.

"Thank you, Your Excellency."

"I said there's nothing to be thankful for. Is that all then?"

Zhao Gao hesitated for a mont. It was because he recalled Wang Zhi's displeased gaze. Although he had tried to erase it quickly, if he didn't have that much sense, Zhao Gao would not have been able to rise to the position of Grand Eunuch.

'Incompetence or disloyalty?'

No matter what he chose, he would be out of Wang Zhi's favor. But if he chose incompetence, he would be able to live a long life, and if he chose disloyalty, he might be able to aim for Wang Zhi's position. Although it seed like a difficult problem for soone with ambition, the answer was surprisingly not difficult.

"The Heavenly Demon Fortress has also requested financial support."

Zhao Gao chose incompetence. If you wait, an opportunity will co. It was important to live a long life.

"From the Heavenly Demon Fortress?"

"Yes. I suppose before the great event, to be sure..."

Wang Zhi waved his hand again.

"I said do as you see fit."

"But..."

As Zhao Gao tried to add an unnecessary word, Wang Zhi's face contorted and he cut him off. Zhao Gao quickly lowered his head.

"I understand."

"Is there more?"

"No. The rest are trivial matters."

Wang Zhi nodded.

"Then you may go now."

"Then I'll be on my way."

Zhao Gao bowed deeply and then walked backwards with small steps. By the ti Zhao Gao's presence had completely disappeared, Wang Zhi opened his mouth again.

"Zhen'er."

"Yes, Father."

The young eunuch who was attending to Wang Zhi's side replied with a pretty smile. The boy, who was prettier than a girl, with impressive dimples that naturally appeared when he smiled, was Wang Zhi's adopted son, Wang Zhen. A satisfied smile unknowingly blood on Wang Zhi's face.

"Find out if there is a suitable person to take charge of the Directorate of Ceremonial."

A question appeared in Wang Zhen's eyes.

"The Directorate of Ceremonial?"

It was because the one in charge of the Directorate of Ceremonial was the just-disappeared Zhao Gao.

"Yes."

"But Eunuch Zhao is...?"

His wide-open eyes were very pretty. Wang Zhi, without realizing it, raised his hand and stroked Wang Zhen's head. As if he liked the touch, Wang Zhen giggled and rubbed his head.

"Hehe..."

"You brat. Such a baby..."

Wang Zhi glared without malice. However, he soon composed his expression and said in a calm tone.

"Zhen'er."

"Yes, Father."

"For the work we are doing now, we need soone who is good at their job."

"Soone who is good at their job?"

Wang Zhi nodded.

"As you know, now is the most important ti."

The founding emperor of the country had a negative perception of eunuchs. So he had strictly limited the scope of the eunuchs' activities. Naturally, they had to endure all sorts of humiliation and contempt. It was to the point where one wondered if there had ever been a ti in the thousand-year history of the Central Plains where eunuchs had been so oppressed.

"It is thanks to the grace of the late emperor that we are living like people."

But an opportunity ca during the ti of the late emperor. The late emperor, who had seized the throne through a coup, had a weak legitimacy. The late emperor, who had turned away from the civil officials who believed in Confucianism, needed a place to lean on. The eunuchs, not missing that gap, had dug in.

"If we slip, we'll have to crawl on the floor like dogs again."

Although they had barely seized the opportunity, it was still unstable. They had just taken one step. And even that, the stepping stone was not solid. They had to pave the ground.

"We have to make His Majesty rely on us. We have to make it so that he cannot do anything without going through us."

Wang Zhen, as if he had felt sothing, nodded.

"So that's why we need soone who is good at their job. To be as Father said, the things His Majesty wants must be achieved first."

"Yes. A dog to guard the house can be found anywhere as long as it doesn't fall out of His Majesty's favor. In fact, there's probably no need for that. Who would dare to touch what belongs to His Majesty?"

"Ah! That's right."

His wide-open eyes were so cute that he thought they were adorable. Wang Zhi, who was looking at Wang Zhen with a pleased face, suddenly, as if a thought had struck him, snapped his fingers.

"Yes. That would be good. Zhen'er."

"Yes?"

"Why don't you take charge of the Directorate of Ceremonial?"

"Yes? ?"

"Yes. You try it."

Wang Zhi had a face that said he was having the ti of his life. However, Wang Zhen was in a difficult position.

"But..."

"Of course, there will be soone to replace you. Since you are of your age, it would be impossible to be at the forefront."

Wang Zhen still had a hesitant face. Wang Zhi could easily guess Wang Zhen's heart.

"You seem anxious."

"...Yes."

They say that out of sight, out of mind. This was not limited to the problem between n and won. The relationship between a monarch and his subjects was the sa.

"I suppose if I take charge of the work of the Directorate of Ceremonial, I will have to leave His Majesty's side often..."

He was afraid that another guy would take his place in that gap. It would surely be so.

"Zhen'er."

"Yes, Father."

"Many have guarded His Majesty's side. But His Majesty only favors you. Do you know why?"

Wang Zhen's brow furrowed. Thinking about it, it was because Wang Zhi's words were correct. But nothing ca to mind at first glance.

"I don't know that well..."

"I did that. Except for you, I didn't give any other child the ti to catch His Majesty's eye."

"Ah!"

He had wondered why the eunuchs who attended to the emperor changed so often. Since they changed so often, no one remained in his mory.

"So that's why."

Wang Zhen was purely admiring. It was because it was sothing he could not have thought of himself. However, a sense of anxiety still remained on Wang Zhen's face. Wang Zhi, who had confird that, called Wang Zhen again.

"Zhen'er."

"Yes, Father."

"Didn't I tell you? That we have to make it so that His Majesty cannot do anything without going through us. If it becos like that, there will be no way for you to fall out of His Majesty's favor. Rather, he will only look for you."

Wang Zhi only said that much. Wang Zhen, with his eyes wide open, just stared at Wang Zhi for a long ti. Then, as if a thought had struck him, his eyes curved like a crescent moon in an instant. It was a face that had found a fun toy.

"Anything?"

Wrinkles also ford beautifully around Wang Zhi's eyes.

"Yes, anything."

***

Seomun Gyeong, who had confird the face of the person he wanted, cupped his hands.

"You've co."

"I'm late. I'm sorry, Seo..."

Lee Cheonggang suddenly shut his mouth. It was because this was the library. The library was one of the few places in the Orthodox Justice Alliance, which was like a city that never sleeps, that did not light up at night. Although it was a place that stored many books, there was not a single important book among them. The important books were stored by each individual, and the library was rely for the sake of appearance. So it was a convenient place to plot secret things. And when doing secret things, it was better not to ntion each other's identities.

"Oh. I've made a mistake. I'm sorry."

"It's alright. I ca in advance and looked around, and it seems there's no one."

"Then that's a relief."

Lee Cheonggang, while speaking, looked around. However, there was no particular presence. Only then did Lee Cheonggang look at Seomun Gyeong with a slightly more relaxed face.

"By the way... what brings you here at this hour?"

"That's... of course, it must be the most urgent matter right now."

"The most urgent matter?"

Lee Cheonggang had a puzzled face. Seomun Gyeong's smile deepened a little more.

"Shouldn't we pull out the thorn stuck in our fingertip?"

(End of Chapter)