Chaotic Nights — Chapter 121. Barracks

Translator: Atlas

Weekly Chapter 5/5

On a night when even the moon was hidden in the clouds, a man emerged from the barracks and stood under a tree. The ground was soaked from the rain that had fallen all day. A fishy smell mingled with the blowing wind.

The drowsy-looking man was a warrior. Despite his rigorous training, he failed to notice the signs around him.

A black shadow appeared over the man’s head when he turned around, but immediately someone hit him in a vital spot.

Yuljae, who had half of his face covered with a mask, knocked the man unconscious. Shortly after, two Shadows arrived to secure the area.

He took the man’s manggeon from the man.

“It’s them.”

His eyes turned fierce as he rubbed his temples.

“The Lord was right.”

Yuljae nodded, then climbed the tree. He noticed that there were over 30 barracks.

The day the false Shadow appeared, Jihak ordered Yuljae to find out who bought the most grain in Harye. Someone buying so much grain meant food for many people.

The merchants pointed to the courtesan house. It was not strange that a place that sold laughter would buy so much grain.

Yuljae even secretly investigated the herbs the courtesan house bought.

Then the darkest shadows were cast.

And the rain clouds reappeared in the sky. Yuljae, gazing into the darkness, adjusted his mask further. They had to move before dawn.

“Let’s go back.”

***

Early in the morning, Jihak rubbed his eyes. He definitely felt her warmth throughout the night. Their skin touched, even their breaths.

When did she leave the room? Did I sleep so soundly?

He couldn’t quite explain why, but he felt uneasy.

“My lord, I will enter.”

Yuljae approached him with a serious expression on his face.

“I guess you found it.”

“Yes. I found some barracks in the forest connected to the East Tower. There are more than 30 barracks, so I guess there are more than 300 soldiers. And I also found this.”

Jihak looked at the emblem Yuljae showed.

It was not suspicious that the courtesan house bought so much grain because many people visited that place. That is why the Defense Minister chose the courtesan house as a cover to enlist private soldiers.

“It’s a conspiracy, my Lord.”

Yuljae’s voice trembled. Jihak smiled.

“It can’t be considered a conspiracy with 300 soldiers.”

They were not true Shadows.

The Defense Minister had no valid reason for his anger. His boldness in hiring private soldiers indicated that someone had influenced him to feel that way.

“Yuljae. Who do you think told Yoon Jongshin about the Shadows? Only my uncle and His Majesty know about the Shadows, right?”

He had practically asked him who was trying to kill him.

Yuljae turned pale.

“Seems like I’ll need to inquire with them.”

“You really want to ask His Majesty?”

“I wonder how widely the news has spread that I can see.”

“My Lord.”

“I’m tired of the scent of blood, Yuljae.”

Normally, he would have lit his pipe, but he opened the window to let in the damp wind. It began to rain again at dawn.

He could hear the attendants’ footsteps. Of course, he did not hear Eunha’s footsteps inside. Jihak suspected where she was.

“Is the Yongi girl leaving today?”

“Yes, and I doubt she’s returning to Yoon Shihoon’s house.”

“She doesn’t seem foolish.”

Jihak stared at the surroundings.

“Help that girl escape. She just needs to promise that she won’t come back.”

There was a slight cynicism in his calm tone.

“…Four days is not necessary for that.”

Yuljae’s shoulders shuddered at his cold stare.

“Then what do you want me to do?”

He walked toward the bookshelf.

“I haven’t gone mad yet. Not yet.”

Yuljae clasped his hands.

Jihak, who selected the seventh book, turned with a renewed expression.

“Today, you must attend to me. The final salute needs to be executed correctly.”