A Naive Scholar's Resolve
The naive rookie, Yeol Hayun. Having just passed the civil service exam last year to begin her career as an official, the conversation she had shared with the Left State Councillor went like this.
First, after explaining that a certain incident was unfolding in Kaesong and that the King was looking for someone to dispatch there, the Left State Councillor had said, "I have recommended you for the position."
"I—I shall perform the duty entrusted to me by His Majesty flawlessly, Aunt."
She addressed her as "Aunt" because they were currently in the private residence of the Left State Councillor.
Yet, despite Yeol Hayun's spirited response, the Left State Councillor shook her head.
"Investigating what occurred in Kaesong is not of primary importance."
"Pardon?"
"What you must do is investigate the gisaeng who will be accompanying you."
"Do you mean the gisaeng currently residing in Changdeokgung Palace?"
"Indeed."
The Left State Councillor grimaced, as though speaking of something utterly filthy.
As her niece, Yeol Hayun was well aware of her aunt's extreme fastidiousness, so she was not surprised.
"His Majesty intends to make that gisaeng his personal confidant. You must observe him closely during this trip and..."
The Left State Councillor paused, pondering her choice of words. If I speak in political metaphors, will this child even understand? Is Hayun even old enough to marry yet... In her eyes, the girl was still a green youth. As a politician, she was not even a toddler.
"...find any flaws that could serve as a blemish on his character."
"Flaws, you say?"
"Yes. Flaws. Shortcomings. Weaknesses. However, be cautious."
The Left State Councillor narrowed her eyes.
"From what I gather, that gisaeng is undoubtedly a terrifying, seductive creature who is highly skilled in bewitching the hearts of others."
Yeol Hayun swallowed hard.
"You may have passed the exams by diligently studying the teachings of the ancient sages, but surely you know that even the greatest scholars have fallen prey to the wiles of a cunning man?"
"Yes, Aunt. I shall remain vigilant and exercise the utmost caution."
"Good. Splendid."
Knowing that a mere verbal command lacked gravity, the Left State Councillor placed a heavy pouch of money on the table with a thud. Inside was an amount equivalent to a newly appointed official's monthly salary.
"Use it on your journey, and you may keep whatever remains for yourself."
"Th—thank you, Aunt."
Yeol Hayun reached out to pick up the pouch, only to clumsily knock it over. The brass coins spilled across the floor with a loud, clattering racket.
"I am so sorry...! I am so sorry!"
Yeol Hayun crouched on the floor and began gathering the scattered coins one by one.
The Left State Councillor felt a headache coming on.
...Should I recommend someone else even now?
Could this naive child truly dig up anything meaningful against a gisaeng more fearsome than a fox or a serpent?
In the end, the Left State Councillor had no choice but to send Yeol Hayun.
Yet, surprisingly, Yeol Hayun's almost comically naive nature had successfully served as a defense for a long time.
"It is a beautiful flower. Do you have a favorite plant, My Lady?"
"..."
No matter how much Han Seojin tried to strike up a conversation, she resolutely refused to answer.
"..."
"..."
Whenever he tried to quietly draw closer, she would retreat by the exact same distance. Physical distancing. It was a simple, brutish method, but its effectiveness was undeniable.
To use a metaphor, she was like a novice gamer who, fully aware of their lack of skill, practiced and repeatedly spammed only a single combo.
Sigh... Han Seojin let out a quiet sigh.
If only I had some kind of combat cheat, my life would be so much easier right now.
Becoming the sole strong man in a gender-reversed world. Ah, what a thrilling life that would be.
In reality, his body was weak and delicate, no different from any other man in this world.
Oh Jayeon glanced back at him.
"What are you thinking about now, Young Master?"
"Would you like to hear, My Lady?"
"...Judging by your tone, it seems better if I do not."
And in the end, Oh Jayeon had to offer her back to him this time.
"As expected, riding with you is the finest experience in the world, My Lady."
"I shall repeat myself: I am only carrying you to the next post station. This is strictly because there are no other horses available for hire."
"Of course, My Lady. At the next station, I shall dismount immediately and switch to another horse."
"...Do so. You must absolutely do so."
"Of course..."
"?"
"Even if there are horses at the next station, their condition might not be very good."
Oh Jayeon's tail flicked to the left.
"Since I am merely a gisaeng, I know nothing of horses. I shall leave the judgment to your keen eyes, My Lady. I will do exactly as you bid."
Flick to the right.
Unable to think of a proper retort, Oh Jayeon simply shut her mouth.
A brief silence ensued—one that was amusing to me, and embarrassing to Oh Jayeon.
"...Young Master Han."
"Yes, My Lady?"
"What is your ultimate goal?"
"Naturally, it is to be by the King's side."
Their relationship had progressed to the point where he could share this much with her. She would have figured it out anyway, even if he hadn't said it.
"Do you not realize that you are walking a perilous path?"
"Of course it is perilous."
"Then—"
"Does that concern come from you, My Lady, a military official?"
Oh Jayeon's eyes widened.
"Whether the Jurchens invade from the north, the Japanese pirates raid from the south, or a rebellion erupts somewhere across the eight provinces, you must personally march onto the battlefield. You must risk dying from arrows, spears, and swords, or face the ignominy of being captured as a prisoner."
"That is the way of a military official."
"Then this is the way of a gisaeng."
"...Ha."
Oh Jayeon looked slightly impressed. I could feel her estimation of me rising a notch through this exchange. The declaration that I would not back down from a fight despite knowing the mortal danger seemed to have struck a chord deep within the warrior's heart.
I didn't even intend for it to sound like that.
She truly was a martial artist to her very bones.
"Heheh."
"What do you find so amusing?"
"You will make a splendid, loyal subject, My Lady."
"...Why the sudden praise? It is rather frightening coming from you."
Even without looking at her Desire, her tail was honestly wagging left and right in response.
"Do not worry. That compliment came straight from the heart."
"Does that mean all your other compliments until now were lies?"
"You truly are adorable, My Lady."
If only I possessed Oh Jayeon's martial prowess. Since I don't, I'm winning her over to my side instead. In the end, one must simply do their best with what they have.
And...
Glancing back, his eyes met Yeol Hayun's. She was diligently scribbling something in a small notebook with a slender brush.
Well, she technically is an adult herself.
She had that distinct aura of a fresh rookie. Her body was fully grown, but she was visibly tense upon entering society.
I suppose I can wrap up my observations now.
They were scheduled to arrive in Kaesong tomorrow. And, right on cue, the sky was turning overcast. It would start raining before long.
"Lady Oh."
He pointed toward a mountain path.
"I believe that way is a shortcut to Kaesong. Let us head that way so we do not get caught in the rain on the open road."
"What if it starts raining before we get there?"
"That will be fine as well. There is a small hermitage in the mountains. It should easily accommodate three people and a horse to shelter from the rain."
A beginner's single, repetitive combo was bound to be countered before long.
Shhhhh... Shhhhhhh...
Half despair, half bewilderment. Yeol Hayun's face was painted with those two emotions as she stared at the pouring rain.
"It seems we have no choice but to rest here until the rain stops."
It was a small hermitage. It had a roof and a room, but it seemed to be a space meant solely for a single monk's solitary meditation—there was nothing else. At the very least, they were fortunate to have a wooden veranda.
Even after seeing Han Seojin and Oh Jayeon enter the room, Yeol Hayun did not follow them inside. Instead, she sat on the edge of the veranda.
I will stay out here until the rain stops.
She would absolutely not step foot inside that room. This veranda was her safe zone. Since this was a Buddhist hermitage, to put it in Buddhist terms, it was the Saha world where she could escape from Mara, the bringer of defilements.
...Wait, is it the Saha world? In truth, Yeol Hayun knew very little about Buddhism. She might have gotten the terms completely backward.
Shhhhh... Shhhhh... The rain poured down.
The air was thick with the distinct scent of wet earth brought by the rain. A light mist began to spread. With the visibility reduced, it felt as though this small area was floating in isolation. The air grew chilly.
Yeol Hayun glanced toward the room, then wrapped her arms around herself.
Ugh... Yeol Hayun's face flushed hot.
How can someone look so breathtakingly beautiful?
Well, of course. One could not become Pyongyang's top gisaeng without exceptional beauty. It was only natural for a person to feel drawn to someone so stunning just by looking at them.
Yet, Yeol Hayun had been diligently observing the most exquisitely beautiful man she had ever met in her life. For days now. In that time, her affection had steadily grown...
This is a defilement!
Yeol Hayun slapped her own cheeks with a sharp smack.
"Defilement... I must shake off this defilement—"
A voice whispered in her ear just as she let her guard down. A warm breath brushed against the chilled tip of her long, pointed ear.
"What is it that defiles you, My Lady?"