An Extraordinary Proposal
Pang Man-so sighed inwardly.
‘The threads of fate are tough and enduring.’
As Jeong Gwang had said, it wasn't something he could avoid forever.
How much time had passed, and in what manner?
The Crown Prince standing before him was no longer the child from a decade ago.
He had grown into a tall, handsome young man.
“Master!”
Calling him by the same old title.
“Master! Have you been well?”
As the Crown Prince kept calling him “Master,” Pang Man-so dropped to his knees.
“Your Highness. How can a criminal like me be called Master? Please take it back.”
The Crown Prince rushed forward to help him up, but the Vice Commander blocked him.
“Your Highness. You mustn't.”
“Because of that guy?”
Glaring at Jeong Gwang, the Crown Prince received a transmission from the Vice Commander.
> Don't provoke him. He's an unknown.
While the Crown Prince hesitated on what to do, Pang Man-so stepped forward.
“Young Master Hyeokryeon. Would you mind stepping into the room? I'll clear up the misunderstanding.”
“Completely?”
“Yes. I'll clear it up thoroughly.”
Jeong Gwang entered the room and shut the door.
Pang Man-so scolded the Vice Commander, who was still glaring at the door.
“Jeong Cheon-ho. Enough. He's no enemy.”
Called by the title from ten years ago, the Vice Commander turned to Pang Man-so.
His hands clasped together as he bowed deeply at the waist.
“It's been too long, old lord.”
“Indeed, it has.”
Gazing at the Vice Commander with eyes full of emotion, Pang Man-so turned to the Crown Prince.
“Your Highness. Please, come inside.”
“Understood, Master.”
Letting out a quiet sigh at the persistent “Master,” Pang Man-so led him into the room.
Watching Pang Man-so limp along, the Crown Prince bit his lip hard.
As the Vice Commander closed the door from outside, the Crown Prince spoke up at once.
“Why not a single letter in all this time?”
“How dare a criminal presume...”
“Criminal? Don't say that.”
After a moment of silence, Pang Man-so spoke gravely.
“This servant failed to protect Your Highness. If not a criminal, then what?”
“Failed to protect? I'm alive solely thanks to you, Master!”
“...”
“Is it that scar on my chest? Just that little thing?”
“...This servant failed to protect Your Highness.”
“Hah!”
The Crown Prince's heart ached.
Not from the sword wound of ten years past, but from his master's lingering guilt.
‘He carried it all this time.’
In the past, Pang Man-so had battled Mongol forces on the steppes for over half his life.
His merits earned him a post in the palace, where he was appointed Vice Commander of the Imperial Guard.
And tasked with protecting the young Crown Prince.
To those innocent eyes, his aura and martial prowess had seemed utterly awe-inspiring.
The Crown Prince fell for him, calling him Master and following devotedly.
In return, he doted on the boy, teaching him basic fist and foot techniques.
He was an invincible giant.
Until one of his trusted subordinates attempted to assassinate the Crown Prince.
Ten years later, the grown Crown Prince voiced the words he'd harbored so long.
“...Master. The imperial laws have their absurdities.”
“Your Highness! Such words!”
“Casting aside the master who saved me over a mere chest wound—isn't that laughable?”
“But...”
“Hear me out to the end. That subordinate's betrayal wasn't your fault.”
“...”
“When we first met, you promised to protect me. You upheld that vow magnificently. It wasn't betrayal.”
“...”
“Palace affairs mustn't leak out—that's the law. The world knows nothing of your merits. But I do. I'll cherish it forever.”
“...”
Tears welled in Pang Man-so's eyes.
The Crown Prince held his back—he who would one day rule the world couldn't show such weakness.
A moment later, Pang Man-so asked in a hoarse voice.
“Your Highness. What brings you here?”
The Crown Prince sighed inwardly.
Despite assurances of no fault, his master wouldn't accept it.
‘He needs more time.’
Smiling to shift the mood, the Crown Prince replied.
“They say your Pang Clan—Master's family—has joyous news. Who knows when I'd get another chance, so I hurried over.”
“Your visit alone fills me with gratitude. Please don't linger in this humble place—head back now.”
“Hah. After so long apart, how could I leave already? I'll stay till the feast ends.”
“But, Your Highness.”
“Master. You know my stubbornness. Say no more.”
“...”
Pang Man-so's mind grew tangled.
Normally, he'd have no choice but to accept. But not now.
‘The True Jade Dragon's return to the main house means something big is brewing. His Highness can't stay here.’
Yet the Crown Prince's will was tougher than tempered steel.
Comparable to Jeong Gwang's.
To sway it would take the current Emperor or Crown Prince himself.
‘Then...’
Pang Man-so's gaze shifted to the Vice Commander.
He'd likely reached a realm close to Pang Man-so's in the past, but it wasn't reassuring enough.
‘Even with the secret bodyguards, it's unsettling.’
There was one solution.
The eve of the feast—today—and the day itself—tomorrow.
Two days. He needed to assign a reliable master to guard the Crown Prince.
“Your Highness. If you insist on staying, grant me one request.”
“Haha. To think Master would ask something of me. Name it—anything.”
The Crown Prince answered boldly, beaming with joy...
But Pang Man-so called an unexpected name.
The remarkably kind-looking young man from moments ago: Jeong Gwang.
“Master. Why him...?”
“Just a moment, Your Highness.”
Pang Man-so turned to Jeong Gwang.
And pleaded earnestly.
“Young Master Hyeokryeon. Could you serve His Highness for just two days?”
Jeong Gwang's reply was swift.
“If the pay's right.”
It was a carefully considered response.
Helping for free felt awkward, didn't it?
Of course, he'd already resolved to protect the Crown Prince in case that pig stirred trouble. Still, claiming due compensation was only natural—the way of the world.
That was the Dao.
As a Taoist, Jeong Gwang simply followed the Dao...
‘Why the reaction?’
The stern-faced middle-aged Vice Commander looked ready to swing his blade any second.
The Crown Prince stared at Jeong Gwang with his mouth slightly agape.
Only Pang Man-so, who knew Jeong Gwang, nodded as if he'd expected it.
“What do you want?”
“Nothing more to gain from the Pang Clan.”
“...Meaning?”
“The Crown Prince is way richer, right?”
The words barely landed before the Vice Commander bellowed.
“You insolent cur! What nonsense is this?”
“Wasn't talking to you.”
As the righteous Vice Commander moved to unleash his killing intent—
The Crown Prince burst into clear laughter.
“Hahaha! You're right. I am quite wealthy.”
“See?”
Jeong Gwang chimed in crisply, and the Crown Prince's smile deepened.
His mind raced.
‘Why is Master assigning him to me?’
He was exceptionally perceptive—almost excessively so.
He grasped that Pang Man-so sensed some threat to the clan and was concerned for his safety.
‘In that case...’
The wise move was to leave the Pang Clan immediately.
Pang Man-so wasn't one for rashness. If he deemed it dangerous, it was no ordinary peril.
‘But that's not an option.’
He'd already declared he'd stay until the feast ended.
Backing down wasn't in his nature.
He'd gathered supporters through the weight of his words and their fulfillment, earning his title as Crown Prince.
For the day he'd don the imperial crown and ascend the throne, he could bend when needed—but doing so now would shake his hard-won foundation.
‘Who is this guy? If Master trusts him so, he must have remarkable skills.’
The Crown Prince wasn't one for beating around the bush.
“Who are you?”
As Jeong Gwang opened his mouth to say “Hyeokryeon”—
Pang Man-so cut in swiftly.
“He's Jeong Gwang, a Taoist of the Kunlun Sect.”
“Hey, elder. Why spill that?”
“Deceiving His Highness is unthinkable. It's for your sake too—understand.”
“Argh, seriously. Still...”
Jeong Gwang grumbled at Pang Man-so, then sensed something off.
Slowly turning, he found the Crown Prince staring at him in shock.
“What?”
“You're that famous True Jade Dragon?”
“Huh? My name's already reached the palace?”
“Indeed! Just as rumored.”
The Crown Prince slapped his knee in admiration, leaving Jeong Gwang utterly baffled.
“What on earth did you hear...”
“Hahaha. Nothing but the finest rumors—rest easy.”
The Crown Prince laughed heartily.
‘Of all people, the True Jade Dragon.’
He'd always taken a keen interest in the martial world.
Lately, one rumor dominated: Jeong Gwang.
The world's top genius!
The future supreme master!
A Taoist of unpredictable temperament, ruthless in combat, insufferably arrogant, and greedily money-obsessed!
Countless fierce tales swirled around him, but one caveat always followed.
‘No matter his deeds, reflection reveals true heroic righteousness.’
Heaven-blessed talent, acting on whims—that became xia.
Exaggerated, no doubt.
But even a fraction true made him extraordinary.
‘Hm? One thing doesn't match the rumors.’
Staring intently, he asked.
“Not as handsome as they say. In disguise?”
“Yeah. Wanna see?”
The Crown Prince waved him off with exaggerated fuss.
“No need. They say seeing your true face plunges one into self-loathing.”
“Hmm. At your level, it wouldn't sting that bad.”
“What? Hahaha!”
As Jeong Gwang noted, the Crown Prince was strikingly handsome.
Though not quite Jeong Gwang's equal.
“Thanks for the praise. Shoulders lifting already—flattery from the True Jade Dragon.”
The Crown Prince bantered freely with Jeong Gwang.
Watching, the Vice Commander felt his hostility toward Jeong Gwang fade.
Learning he was a disciple of the prestigious Kunlun Sect helped, too.
‘His Highness laughing so freely. How long since...?’
The Crown Prince had grown up in the palace—a deadlier thicket of blades than any knife mountain or sword forest.
No—survived it, still clawing to survive.
One moment's lapse there meant a plunge off a cliff.
Always on edge, and only today did he find a peer to chat and laugh with at ease.
‘True Jade Dragon... Rumors aren't all glowing, but no threat.’
Pang Man-so assigning him meant he'd sensed danger.
The Vice Commander trusted his old superior's judgment.
And his own.
Thus, he thrilled at Jeong Gwang's immeasurable realm.
‘Worthy of the title greatest genius of all ages. Must bring him under His Highness.’
Thoughts settled, he sent a transmission.
> Highness. Seize this chance to recruit him.
Unable to transmit due to weak internal energy, the Crown Prince gave a subtle nod.
He'd been coveting him already.
Where else to find such talent?
Knowing how to handle people, he spoke first.
“Vice Commander. I trust you. Yet here's one your equal.”
“Retract such impudence, Your Highness. He's a superior talent to this one.”
“Haha. Overly humble.”
Turning to Jeong Gwang, majesty rose in his eyes like a towering mountain.
“True Jade Dragon. I'll give whatever you desire. Will you stay by my side?”
From the Crown Prince's own lips.
A truly extraordinary proposal!
Jeong Gwang's reply was equally extraordinary.
“Sure.”
“Thank you! Uhahaha!”
“But just two days.”
“Hahaha... Huh?”
The Crown Prince, laughing as if he'd conquered the world, froze in bewilderment.