Teacher, It's Time for Discharge - 1
After the great battle, Grandfather said nothing out of the ordinary, but from that day on, his mind seemed much more at ease. He was the kind of man who would fly into such a rage that he'd threaten to cripple his own grandson's dantian. He'd lost his reason in that moment, but he was able to fully explain it to his grandson—and at the same time, give a stern warning to the foolish boy who'd gotten himself beaten up while meddling where he shouldn't. It was only natural that Grandfather's anger and frustration would ease.
Beyond that, another notable change was that he spent more time strolling in the garden or the rear garden. And then there was Kki-ing-i's horn from Jiayu Pass, which had broken off. "Was it supposed to grow back this fast originally?" It was growing back noticeably day by day.
Of course, it wasn't fully grown yet. Kki-ing-i's horns had been so massive and sturdy that it had only regrown to about a third of their original size. But wasn't the complete break a recent thing? If it had already recovered this much, it wouldn't be long before they were fully restored. I'd felt heartbroken every time I saw those empty sockets, so this was a relief.
"You're resting well here too, huh."
- Kki-iing~
At my words, Kki-ing-i let out a pleased cry and licked my face. This was the deer who had broken off its own horn for its master. Thanks to that decisive action without hesitation, Ak Wang had taken special care with Kki-ing-i's feed, and the household staff at Akwangjeo were deeply moved by the tale of the loyal deer, showering it with affectionate attention.
So Kki-ing-i was eating well, getting plenty of attention, sleeping soundly, and not working at all. It was in the perfect environment for recovery, spending its days like that.
'Looks like it's put on a bit of weight.'
I chuckled softly as I looked at Kki-ing-i, who seemed plumper than when we'd been at Jiayu Pass. It was a rare break—what was a little weight gain? It'd burn off quick enough once we started roaming the Central Plains again. Think of it as preemptive calorie storage for smooth travel; nothing strange about that.
- Kki-ong.
"You're resting well too, right?"
- Kki-oong~
As I absentmindedly rubbed Kki-ing-i's side, Kki-ong-i, who was nearby, came over and licked my face too. Her movements were softer and more affectionate than usual, so I stroked her head. After I collapsed at Jiayu Pass, aside from family, Kki-ong-i must have suffered the most mentally.
Her master had suddenly vomited blood and collapsed, and her mate Kki-ing-i had broken a horn. An animal with Kki-ong-i's intelligence and emotions couldn't help but feel stressed.
"You must have felt the same as I Yeon-i."
A wry smile came naturally at the thought. Kki-ong-i cherished Kki-ing-i just as Ak I-yeon cherished me. Born and raised together on Hengshan, they'd never been apart since becoming spirit beasts. It wouldn't have been strange if Kki-ong-i had fainted when Kki-ing-i's horn broke.
"I won't let anything like this happen again."
So I apologized to Kki-ong-i too. Come to think of it, I'd showered Kki-ing-i with thanks and apologies, but said little to Kki-ong-i.
- Kki-oong.
Hearing my apology, Kki-ong-i looked at me with clear eyes and started licking my face again. Good, she seemed to forgive me.
- Shiiik! Shii-iik!
- Buooo!
And in response to Kki-ong-i's forgiveness, Samshik from my bosom and Buong at my feet cried out too. My loyal little ones forgiving their worthless master nearly brought tears to my eyes.
My convalescence was nearing its end. With the royal family's devoted care, recovery was only natural, but the thought of resuming the endless national tour afterward made my vision go dark.
"Gaga, here."
But in front of Ak I-yeon, I didn't show my mixed feelings. For various reasons, she'd fainted just seeing me carried in on Jo Wi-cheo's back. She'd only just recovered from the mental shock—if the patient started sighing heavily? A second faint or worse was inevitable.
"Thanks. I'll drink it well."
So I smiled warmly as I took the tea she'd personally brewed.
"I don't know if it'll suit Gaga's taste. You've tried all the famous teas of the Central Plains..."
"None of them were brewed by I Yeon-i. To me, this is the finest tea in the Central Plains."
I couldn't say I drank more liquor than tea, so I offered the obvious compliment. And it was sincere. Tea you could buy with money anywhere paled next to that brewed by my fiancée in the rear garden pavilion. Besides, Akwangjeo's stored leaves were top-grade, selected from the best across the Central Plains. Even a neighborhood kid could brew something excellent with them.
"Gaga, you're too much. Such exaggeration."
Ak I-yeon beamed at my praise anyway.
"I served it to Grandfather and Father before, but they always just said it was good... so I lacked confidence."
"They'd happily drink even plain water."
"Hehe, true?"
Ak I-yeon giggled softly and carefully poured tea into her own cup.
"That's why I kept practicing for years, no matter what they said. So one day I could make tea that would truly delight Gaga."
I downed the tea without hesitation. Heat was no obstacle to me. My fiancée had practiced solely for me, even from her qi deviation days when she could barely move. What man would hesitate after hearing that?
"G-Gaga?"
Ak I-yeon panicked at my otherworldly gusto. Well, I'd gulped down freshly brewed tea—still steaming—like cold water.
"Delicious. Better than the tea His Highness Dong-gu Wang gave me."
I brushed off her worry with a natural smile. Whether I'd actually drunk tea from Dong-gu Wang, or what it tasted like, was hazy. Meeting a king meant headaches, so who could remember the tea? But a troublesome king's tea couldn't compare to my beloved fiancée's—it was the way of the world, plain truth. Anyone who disagreed was a power-blinded monster.
"Now I'll crave this every day. I'll have regrets and won't be able to leave Kaepyeong."
"R-Really?"
"Of course. Can't come back to Kaepyeong daily for it."
Ak I-yeon's face flushed briefly at my exaggeration, and she gave a small cough. Time to stop. Praise was good, but too much embarrassed her—
"Then... may I bring you tea every day?"
"Huh?"
"If you can't stay in Kaepyeong, I'll just follow you on your national tour."
"...Huh?"
What was that supposed to mean, I Yeon-i? Follow me on the national tour? Not even as a joke.
'That's no life for a person.'
I didn't want to turn my fiancée into human livestock. Jo Wi-cheo and I were enough victims of the times.
After the uproar at Jiayu Pass, the northern border had entered a state of emergency. Mongols had drawn a massive ritual circle near Jiayu Pass, and when Yangyang Wang's strike force entered the plains, Hwakgokcheopmoka appeared at the pass. Though it showed itself and withdrew without major clash, the Mongols' sole Hwagyeong master had entered Dasong territory. This was no small matter.
One intruder didn't guarantee no repeat. It could appear at Shanhaiguan, target Guyongguan, or infiltrate elsewhere. All frontiers bordering Mongolia were on high alert, considering every possibility.
Fortunately, no clashes or even sightings of Mongol forces yet—but vigilance couldn't slack.
"No anomalies in Habuk or Shanxi."
Thus, Dochalwon monitored the north via inspectors scattered nationwide. Suspicious officials? Negligent ones? Traitors colluding with Mongols?
"Gansu was recently visited by His Highness Yangyang Wang himself, so no need for inspectors."
"Good."
I nodded calmly at Jwa Bu-do-eosa's report. Yangyang Wang and Weiguk Gong had visited side by side. With Gansu's strong anti-Mongol sentiment and martial fervor, their presence would steel resolve—no unrest there.
"Seomseo?"
"Still checking, but with Zhongnan and Huashan there, no great worry."
True. Seomseo's border was narrow for tight defense, and even if breached, war-veteran sects Zhongnan and Huashan held firm. Safest region, practically.
'No chance of the border crumbling from within.'
Habuk, Shanxi, Seomseo, Gansu—all clear. A relief amid misfortune; I sighed softly. Nothing more humiliating than borders falling to internal chaos over external pressure.
"But, Jwa Do-eosa."
As I pondered tighter inspections around border forts, Jwa Bu-do-eosa spoke.
"What is it?"
"Ak Wang mentioned Jwa-cheom Do-eosa's convalescence is nearing end."
I sighed more deeply.
"He somehow survived and recovered."
"Indeed. Young and sturdy, it seems."
Jwa Bu-do-eosa's joke to lighten the mood fell flat; my lips didn't twitch. That madman. A first-rate daring to challenge a Hwagyeong.
'Even I'd struggle against Hwakgokcheopmoka.'
Not all Hwagyeong were equal. Hwakgokcheopmoka was a mature warrior who'd reached it before Taizu's uprising; I only after Dasong's founding. Vast experience gap. Same nominal realm allowed combat, but even I worried—how dare a first-rate?
'If he'd died there...'
The thought dizzied me. A talented subordinate dying by barbarian hands? Unbearable agony. I'd rage fiercest. But before me, two kings would erupt in madness. Two Ilja Kings rampaging together—what chaos?
"...Ah, Jwa Bu-do-eosa."
"Yes, sir."
"His Majesty will grant Jwa-cheom Do-eosa the title of Vice Minister of Justice. Prepare; He'll bestow it personally upon full recovery."
"Ho, already Vice Minister?"
"For risking life before a Hwagyeong."
Jwa Bu-do-eosa nodded. An official brave against a Hwagyeong deserved honors no one else could claim.