Teacher, You Must Be Discharged - 4
I left the Geum-ui-wi Commandant behind and stepped into the Shadowless Hall. If the Emperor was waiting, I couldn't dawdle. The plan was simple: hurry in, bow my head, receive whatever was coming, and get out.
"Long live His Imperial Majesty! Left Vice Censor-in-Chief Han Un comes before Your Majesty!"
Just like that. Truth be told, it felt a bit embarrassing even to say I'd "seen" him. The moment I set foot in the Shadowless Hall and caught a glimpse of that imperial dragon robe in the distance, I'd already bowed my head. I couldn't even tell if the Emperor was actually sitting on that jade throne or if it was just the robe draped over it.
"Raise your head."
The voice came from the direction of the throne, so I knew someone was there. Anyway, at that deep yet gentle voice from the throne, I slowly lifted my head.
"Come closer, Left Vice Censor-in-Chief. I'm delighted to finally see you in person."
"This humble subject is deeply honored, Your Majesty."
His expression matched his voice—mild and warm. I nearly bowed my head again. Compared to all those eccentric, cantankerous kings, this was astonishingly kind. It was hard to imagine him as the sovereign ruling over kings and governing all the people under heaven; he looked so soft.
Of course, the kings were monsters who'd survived chaotic times, so their prickliness was natural. And since the realm today leaned more toward peace than chaos, a gentle emperor like this was probably best for the land.
"No need to be so honored. As my eyes and ears, you've been patrolling the realm diligently. I should have summoned and commended you long ago. It's my own failing that I've only seen you now."
"Your Majesty, how can you say such things when you personally oversee all matters with perfect wisdom? This subject is already overwhelmed with gratitude that Your Majesty deigns to praise my meager efforts—tears well up at the thought."
"Hearing that eases my mind."
The Emperor let out a soft chuckle and straightened up from his reclined position on the throne.
"Left Vice Censor-in-Chief."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
"Truth be told, I hadn't planned to grant you the title of Vice Minister of Self-Governance."
My eyes widened involuntarily. The bitterness from that unexpected promotion faded, replaced by clarity. Right— I'd only become a rank-3 noble recently. It didn't make sense for a bureaucrat like me to receive a commendation title on top of that. The Emperor was utterly rational and reasonable—
"I barely held back from appointing you Junior Vice Minister and settled for this commendation instead."
Or not. He was even more extreme than I'd thought.
"I appointed you Junior Vice Minister of the Central Bureau for your immense accumulated merits. But no sooner had I bestowed that fitting reward than you displayed your valor. Naturally, you deserve to advance to full Vice Minister... but"
The Emperor paused, then chuckled lightly before continuing.
"Regrettably, the Minister of Revenue dissuaded me, so I settled for commending you as Vice Minister of Self-Governance."
"Even this is far too generous for my trivial achievements, Your Majesty."
"How is standing before a Hwagyeong master as a first-rate martial artist trivial? I know your humble nature, Left Vice Censor-in-Chief, so stop undervaluing your own feats."
With that, the Emperor reached out to the eunuch beside him, who respectfully handed over a scroll.
"Hear this, Junior Vice Minister of the Central Bureau and Left Vice Censor-in-Chief Han Un."
"Left Vice Censor-in-Chief Han Un receives His Majesty's solemn decree!"
I bowed my head again as the Emperor unfurled the scroll and proclaimed it.
"In the past, there were wicked bandits known as the three great masters of the world, who sowed chaos across the land and filled the people with terror. Two were executed by our exalted Founder's great campaign to uphold heaven's mandate, but Koke Temur alone survived and fled to the northern steppes. Yet Koke Temur was not content with mere survival and dared set foot in the Central Plains once more. How can we not lament this deeply?"
Koke Temur, suddenly branded a wicked bandit, took a thorough beating even in that short decree.
"However, the Left Vice Censor-in-Chief bravely stood against that villain. Unbound by the limits of first-rate cultivation, he rose fearlessly to protect the realm from the fiend. This merit is no small thing and shall serve as an example to all martial artists."
As the commendation ended, I heard the Emperor rising from the throne. Then came the sound of footsteps approaching from the dais.
For a split second, a voice screamed in my throat: Don't come closer! Wouldn't it be better for everyone if he just finished the commendation from the throne?
"Thus, I commend Left Vice Censor-in-Chief Han Un's achievements and bestow upon him the title of Vice Minister of Self-Governance. Continue to strive for the people of the realm."
"I shall surely live up to Your Majesty's overly generous and profound trust!"
But the Emperor was already before me, personally placing a hand on my shoulder. Touching the Emperor's hand left me like a lowly private shaking hands with a division commander. What heavy trust.
Even before this lavish commendation, I'd been rolling around like a dog. Now, with this thick trust and a personal touch, how miserably would I have to toil? Any hint of slacking reaching the Emperor's ears would earn me a charge of insolence.
"Left Vice Censor-in-Chief."
"...Yes, Your Majesty."
"I'm pleased to have young, capable retainers like you."
I instinctively nearly blurted out how honored I was, but my mouth wouldn't open. His words of pleasure carried not rote praise, but a complex, subtle sincerity.
"I'm a man who sits on the throne without the qualifications of an emperor."
"Y-Your Majesty! How can you say—!"
"Listen to me now."
His gentle rebuke sealed my lips, though my eyes trembled wildly. Damn it. How could I stay silent while the Emperor questioned his own worth before a mere retainer? And he spoke so softly even the eunuchs couldn't hear.
"As you know, the Late Emperor's successor was meant to be my elder brother, not me."
I nearly teared up at the Emperor casually dropping bombshells like that.
"Only because my brother chose the seat of Baekryeon Cult Leader over the throne did I, the second son, become crown prince."
I knew that. No high official in Daesong was unaware. The Baekryeon Cult was the core ideology of Daesong's revival, with the Founder's lineage holding the cult leader position for generations. The current leader had chosen to uphold the cult's will, renouncing throne rights and imperial privileges. Thus, the second son—the current Emperor—unexpectedly became crown prince, though luckily without controversy.
"Thankfully, the merit subjects who helped the Late Emperor rebuild Daesong trust and follow me. That's how this inadequate man plays at being emperor."
The Founder, Baekryeon Cult Leader, the kings, and other founding merits had all wished for his ascension.
"Your Majesty, you possess virtue vast as the heavens and wisdom towering like Mount Tai—that's why you succeeded the Late Emperor. The merits follow you because they know it, not because their support put you on the throne."
Because a wise ruler loving the people was needed for peaceful times, not survivors of war.
"No need to console me, Left Vice Censor-in-Chief."
The problem was the Emperor ignoring a truth even I knew. Of course, I understood. The label "second son enthroned by the eldest's concession" was indelible, no matter his efforts. Everyone under heaven might believe in their emperor, but he didn't believe in himself. That's why he was anxious.
Why drag this heavy topic... right here... in front of me...?
"This inadequate emperor wears the crown only by the merits' support. But they are old retainers who endured the wars and chaos. Regrettably, they can't serve me forever."
With a smile, he personally helped me stand.
"That's why I was more pleased than ever when Giwang suggested the civil path for you. It wasn't just my belief that the world should be governed by brush and virtue. A scion of the royal houses will aid me in leading the realm."
The anxiety in my heart grew. What should have been a quick commendation was dragging on strangely.
"You are the symbol of a new era. A fine talent who will serve me not with the sword, but the brush."
More words followed. He was glad for young talents alongside the Geum-ui-wi Commandant. Pleased that the kings' heirs were fulfilling their roles. Relieved that Ak Wangga's treasure had spread its wings again. So many words.
But I soon grasped his true intent.
He's branding me.
Expectations: work hard. Not stopping at commendation—he'd push relentlessly. When the elders retire and generations shift in Daesong's court, you'd lead the charge, rolling desperately.
Damn it.
Tears nearly came. I was dying already, and now the Emperor personally stamped me with top-tier slave status. I should have realized when he announced the commendation. Sure, I'd shown courage against a Hwagyeong master, but calling it a "merit" was debatable. Treating it as one and granting the title—that's when I should have caught on. Even if I'd noticed, I couldn't dodge the brand, but at least it might have hurt less.
Damn...
I even felt a twinge of resentment toward the Emperor. With "1++" grade seared on my forehead like prime beef, I exited the Shadowless Hall.
"You're back."
Staggering into the Dochalwon building, the Left Censor-in-Chief greeted me personally.
"Bright expression. Of course—receiving a commendation from His Majesty is a glory unmatched in the world."
I bit my lip at her natural provocation. My face couldn't possibly be bright, yet this twisted spinster deliberately called it that. No wonder she was still single. A Hwagyeong master censor-in-chief should have suitors lining up.
"Oh. The Inspector Escort and Recorder Escort just left."
"Already?"
"You took too long. Listening to His Majesty's commendation for so long—I'm envious."
I closed my eyes somberly at the barrage of jabs. Me, who should have just grabbed the commendation and left, outlasted promoted Jo Wi-cheo and newly titled Ak I-yeon. How long had the Emperor held me there...?