Send Me Away - 3
I worried that if I told Ak Wang everything that happened at Jiayu Pass, he might flip out and come rushing over to chew me out. Given his fiery temper, it wasn't an unlikely scenario.
But Yangyang Wang was already holding the fort at Jiayu Pass. Having two kings gather at a border fortress was unprecedented since the founding wars—maybe that would calm the blaze raging in Ak Wang's chest. I had held out a sliver of hope.
"Your face looks better than I expected."
Unfortunately, that hope fizzled out. It had only been a few days since Yangyang Wang sent the letter. Considering the speed of the express messenger and the distance from Kaepyeong to Jiayu Pass, he'd come barreling here at top speed the moment he got the news.
"I never imagined I'd rush to the border not because of those Mongol bastards, but for my granddaughter's husband."
"I have nothing to say for myself..."
It stung. His gaze burned so fiercely I wanted to crawl into a hole. What made it worse was that I was still lying in bed. If I'd been up and about, looking hale and hearty, it might have dulled his rage a bit. Instead, here I was, greeting a king flat on my back.
"Of course you don't. Any man with a shred of sense wouldn't."
Thanks to that, I was facing the full brunt of a king's fury, a Hwa-gyeong master's fury, and the wrath of my fiancée's grandfather—all three fused into one devastating storm. Surviving even one would drive anyone mad.
"You gonna be okay? Might even prefer passing out again."
Suddenly, I recalled what Yangyang Wang had said before sending the letter. You were right, Yangyang Wang... I'd rather black out again. If I'd only used Silence Hell three times, none of this would have happened.
"I can't wrap my head around it. A mere First-rate baring his teeth at a Hwa-gyeong? A kid who hasn't even hit his twenties, with no attachment to life?"
"No, Your Highness. I'd never do that."
"Or did you see that woman and the other experts laughing it up in front of you, and figure a Hwa-gyeong was a pushover?"
"That's a misunderstanding. I'm a martial artist myself—how could I think that?"
Every word was a dagger twisting in my gut. I truly had nothing to say. The only excuse that came to mind was that I'd never intended any of it—and even that was a stretch for such a reckless stunt.
"Yangyang Wang."
"Yes, speak."
After glaring down at me for a long stretch, Ak Wang turned to Yangyang Wang, who had been standing silently by. Though both were kings, an unspoken wall existed between the Ilja Kings and Iseongwangs of Daesong. Yangyang Wang bowed his head respectfully and responded.
"This fool must have given you no end of grief."
I caught Yangyang Wang's eyes flickering busily at those words. At least it seemed Ak Wang's anger wasn't aimed at him. It wasn't "What the hell did you do to turn this kid into such a mess?" but "You've had it rough too." Still, Yangyang Wang would be torn—agree meekly or defend me?
"Not at all. The Left Vice Inspector General stepped up courageously for the soldiers at Jiayu Pass and the people of Gansu. I've dumped a duty that was mine onto a much younger subordinate, so I beg Your Highness to withdraw your words."
After a brief internal struggle, he chose the latter.
"Is that so."
Ak Wang merely furrowed his brow and said no more. Yangyang Wang's words amounted to "I got him hurt." With a fellow king admitting fault and apologizing, even a hothead like Ak Wang couldn't press further without ignoring a peer's plea.
"Right. You were away on the Emperor's orders, and this one mustered the courage to protect the realm's people."
Ak Wang muttered that, then let out a small sigh.
"Step out for a bit, would you? I want to talk to him alone."
"Of course. Call if you need me."
Yangyang Wang left without a backward glance at Ak Wang's dismissal. I hated being left alone with him, but I didn't stop it. He'd felt some responsibility for my injury and spoken up for me—that was favor enough.
"I kept it from Yeon-i."
The moment Yangyang Wang was gone, Ak Wang sat in a nearby chair and continued flatly. Or rather, it was a voice suppressing raw emotion to sound flat.
"She was already fretting since you didn't send word. If I'd left in a hurry on top of that, she'd suspect something. I told her your grandfather came looking for you."
"I'm grateful for Your Highness's consideration."
Ak Wang bringing up my biggest worry first brought a sigh of relief. Of course, I planned to tell Ak I-yeon the truth eventually. Secrets don't last forever in this world—I'd have to explain why I hadn't written. But that had to be done face-to-face. Hearing it through a letter or someone else's mouth would crush her with betrayal and shock. Even if it meant taking a slap, I'd tell her myself.
"You damn fool."
Reading my mind, Ak Wang's sky-high eyebrows lowered—just a fraction.
"Anyway—"
As he started to continue, he glanced around the room. There was Samshik, coiled on my forehead staring at him; the baby mak snoring atop the bed; and Kki-ing-i and Kki-ong-i still poking their heads through the window. The humans had retreated, but the spirit beasts held their ground. Ak Wang let out an incredulous chuckle.
"It's been decades since your great-grandfather rose up for the cause, and I've roamed the Central Plains ever since. But this circus? First time for everything."
"I never imagined it'd come to this either."
I gave an awkward smile in reply. Truth be told, I'd never pictured assembling a Bremen Town Musicians crew of spirit beasts. Meeting Kki-ing-i and Kki-ong-i felt like it'd used up my lifetime's luck— who could've guessed two more would tag along? Ak Wang must be baffled too. Last he'd seen, I only had the two deer; now I'd picked up a three-headed snake and a baby rhino to boot.
"Hmph."
Ak Wang's gaze lingered on Kki-ing-i as he surveyed them, then he pulled a small spirit pill from his robes and tossed it over.
- Kki-ing!
Kki-ing-i snatched and swallowed it without hesitation.
"Your Highness?"
"Compressed millennium hasu-o. The beast sacrificed its antler for its master—deserves this much."
I glanced at Kki-ing-i. Hasu-o might be common as spirit herbs go, treated more like a tonic than treasure, but it was still a spirit herb. And a millennium-old one, no less—tossed like summer samgyetang on Dog Days. Felt weird.
Is this the power of a royal house?
Come to think of it, I'd grown up munching hasu-o as a kid too.
"Han Un."
"Yes, Your Highness."
As I watched Kki-ing-i munch away, I turned back at his call.
"...With Yangyang Wang's words, I won't blame you further. If you weren't Yeon's husband-to-be, I'd probably praise you as Daesong's brave son."
"I'm sorry for causing you worry."
"Don't forget that sentiment. If it happens again, not even the Emperor could stop me from snapping your spine."
His words rang with utter sincerity—I swallowed hard. Ak Wang was the type to turn me into a human folding phone for real.
"Your grandfather would lock you up before I even got the chance."
Ah.
That brought Grandfather to mind. He might have a free spirit and laissez-faire streak, but he wouldn't stay calm hearing his grandson nearly died to Mongols. The report would've reached the Emperor, so surely Grandfather knew too?
"Your grandfather's in Sichuan—hasn't heard yet."
Sensing my question, Ak Wang filled me in first. Wait, why was Grandfather in Sichuan? The pillar guarding Kaepyeong and the capital had gone all the way there?
"Even the Emperor gave up tying that man down. Think that's why you see two kings in Kaepyeong?"
His irritated tone nearly made me burst out laughing. Grandfather was basically off the grid, leaving Ak Wang to hold down the fort.
"Grandfathers and grandsons, always gallivanting about."
"If His Imperial Majesty permits, I'd gladly stay in Kaepyeong forever."
But I couldn't let him lump me with Grandfather. I didn't roam for fun.
"Good. Then once you're mobile, return to Kaepyeong with Yeon."
"...Pardon?"
The unexpected words drew an involuntary echo. Return to Kaepyeong? Suddenly? I still had tons of places left to inspect!
"You planning to wander in that state? Focus on recovery in Kaepyeong for a while. Yangyang Wang handled the initial response well, so it won't drag on, but better than loafing on the frontier."
His matter-of-fact tone made my heart race. Wait, was this... surely not...
"Your Highness. After recovery, then...?"
"Back to work."
Nope. Got my hopes up for nothing. I'd half-expected "Stay central and behave—no more beatings on provincial tours." But Daesong's bureaucracy was ice-cold. Use you once, squeeze you dry.
...Hold on.
Resting in Kaepyeong sounded fine at first—but reason blared alarms. Jiayu Pass to Kaepyeong? Great for me. Resume duties post-recovery? Disappointing but fair. But resuming the paused duties from Jiayu Pass?
Next stop was Qinghai.
A chill ran down my spine. Resuming meant heading straight from Kaepyeong to Qinghai. No detours through Shaanxi or Gansu—just beeline to Qinghai. All to check a sparsely populated backwater with few murim sects.
No way. Fuck no. Jiayu Pass was convenient for Qinghai; straight from Kaepyeong was exile.
"Your Highness."
"Speak."
"Your kindness is overwhelming, but after resting here at Jiayu Pass, I'd like to resume duties immediately—"
"Nonsense."
Ak Wang cut my plea short with iron resolve. Sliced to the heart, I wept inwardly.