Teacher, Time to Get Discharged - 5
She insisted I at least have some tea before leaving, so Jwa Do-eosa held me back. It was a fine excuse—treating her hardworking subordinate to refreshments—but we both knew, as did even the passing Jwa Bu-do-eosa, that it was just that: an excuse.
"So, just the southern regions left now?"
"Yes, that's how it stands."
Neither she nor I had the leisure to leisurely enjoy tea and snacks. No matter the pretext—tea, a meal, whatever—getting held back by Jwa Do-eosa meant business talk with high probability. Bitter as it was, there was no helping it. Honestly, discussing work with one's superior was the norm; avoiding it entirely for purely personal chit-chat would be its own problem. What private matters did I even have to discuss with Jwa Do-eosa?
"You've worked hard. Running around diligently, and now the end's in sight."
"It's thanks to His Majesty's virtue blanketing the realm and the merit subjects steadfastly upholding the greater good. If I'd tried to handle it all alone, I'd still be stuck in Habuk."
At my ritual humility, Jwa Do-eosa let out a soft chuckle.
"Sounds like you're up for it. Maybe you should make another round, then."
Her words sent my blood pressure skyrocketing—a horrific suggestion. This damn woman. Married to her work instead of a person, she couldn't even recognize ritual courtesy?
"Of course, showing our faces too often as central officials would undermine our dignity. Once this inspection tour ends, you should be able to stay in Kaepyeong for a while."
My surging anger subsided as if by magic at her follow-up. From Jwa Do-eosa's own mouth came the word Kaepyeong. Just the southern regions left—a few more areas—and this infernal Central Plains pilgrimage would be over.
"I'll give it my all to the end."
"Don't dive into danger like last time. Though the south shouldn't pose any risks to you."
I nodded vigorously at Jwa Do-eosa's chiding. Thinking of my family, or the emperor's S++ rating stamped on me, I had no intention of stirring up trouble twice. Besides, as she said, Daesong's south was held firm by two kings and the Baekryeon Cult Leader. No matter how I spun worst-case scenarios, I couldn't imagine a situation threatening me there.
"Oh, right. Thanks to you collapsing at Jiayu Pass, Yangyang Wang personally visited Qinghai—"
Jwa Do-eosa, sipping her tea as if it had just occurred to her, beckoned. A letter from her desk flew through the air toward her. I had no lingering attachment to martial realms, but that air-grab technique—I envied it. How much smoother life would be with that.
"Fortunately, no issues in Qinghai."
"Qinghai's always been such a quiet place. Even if there were problems, they'd be too cowed by His Highness Yangyang Wang's presence to show their faces."
I nodded at her follow-up. Qinghai was a remote frontier among frontiers, only recently incorporated into the Central Plains. Its distance from the center and cultural disconnect made it ripe for trouble. But Qinghai had an advantage that covered those flaws in one fell swoop.
No people, no problems.
Debatable as a "strength," but sandwiched between the Gansu desert above and the Tibetan mountains below, Qinghai wasn't exactly inviting. Sparse population meant little fuss. And despite that, it hosted Kunlun Sect, a merit subject sect. A place quiet on its own, backed by a merit sect—what more could you want? Kunlun leaned reclusive, sure, but their presence versus absence was worlds apart.
"Indeed. Who would dare lift their head with His Highness there?"
With a casual nod, Jwa Do-eosa handed me the letter.
"The western regions have been in turmoil since the founding war anyway. With their biggest threat silenced, we won't need to worry about the west for a while."
"If only the Mongols would fight among themselves."
"Their khan's authority still holds strong. We've even eliminated the factions that could rebel, so expecting infighting is a stretch."
I gave a wry smile at Jwa Do-eosa's words. The past clash between Kublai and Ariq Boke over the great khan throne—Kublai's victory locked it down for his line, but Ariq Boke's remnants lingered in Mongol west. And we'd wiped out some of those ourselves. We'd inadvertently stabilized the enemy regime; Yangyang Wang must've ground his teeth over it for ages.
"Still, our objective strength remains superior. Whether they unify or fracture, Daesong's realm stands firm."
"Well said."
Of course, Mongol stability didn't make them stronger than Daesong. Better weak foes, sure, but we didn't need their infighting to hold the edge—the situation wasn't that dire. Mongols were defeated rabble north of the Great Wall; ideally, they'd scrap among the steppes rather than eye the south again. That was best for the realm, hence the wish for division.
"That's all from me. I'd love to share south intel, but nothing's come up. Best confirm it yourself on-site."
"Understood. I'll do that."
A positive note at last—I sighed inwardly in relief. I didn't expect the populous south to be trouble-free—where five people gathered, one was trash, after all. But no madness reaching Jwa Do-eosa's ears in the capital? That was huge comfort.
A massive banquet was underway upon arriving at Akwangjeo.
"Son-in-law's here?"
As I stood blankly amid the bustling retainers, Father-in-law approached with a hearty laugh.
"Ah, Father-in-law."
"Yeon-i and the Inspector Escort returned ages ago, but you're a bit late, son-in-law."
"Sorry. Got held up at Dochalwon..."
"Haha, not blaming you—don't worry. I know how busy you are."
Buooo!
A familiar cry rose from Father-in-law's feet as he patted my shoulder.
"Instead, this little one's been pining for you. Must've bonded with all that affection you show it."
It was Buong.
"Did this guy bother you, Father-in-law?"
"Nonsense. Rare chance to play with a spirit beast—made me happy."
Father-in-law burst laughing again, fiddling with Buong's snout. That squishy nose had addictive texture—natural touch. Buong didn't shy from it either, so they'd clearly had fun while I was away.
"Grew up seeing treasures as a royal scion, but four spirit beasts in one spot? First time."
"No idea how I ended up like this myself."
His smile deepened at my words. People always took such lines as jokes. As sincere as could be.
"Loved by spirit beasts means loved by heaven. Still, trust you won't neglect our Yeon-i chasing them."
"Of course. The beasts follow Yeon-i too—if I upset her, they'd punish me first."
"Reliable indeed."
Nodding in satisfaction, Father-in-law walked with me. The ongoing banquet celebrated Ak I-yeon's entry into officialdom, stepping into the world. Skulking in corners wasn't respectful to her.
Honestly, I wanted to ask if she could return her plaque now. Didn't want her enduring my hardships. But it was her first decision post-qi deviation agony. Akwangjeo's flower taking her place in the world.
Couldn't stop it? Then don't sabotage. Best failed—settle for second best.
Her official life begun; I'd support from the side. Fiancé's duty.
Three nominal stars: Ak I-yeon, Junior 7th Rank Clerk and Dochalwon Recorder Escort. Jo Wi-cheo, promoted from Regular 7th Rank Literary Forest Attendant to Junior 6th Rank Military Affairs Attendant. And me, receiving Autonomous Regional Governor—a 3rd Rank honor.
Of us three, only Ak I-yeon was genuinely thrilled. Promoted Jo Wi-cheo silently drank; emperor-certified next-gen slave me just smiled ritually.
Neither Jo Wi-cheo nor I showed displeasure. Wrecking the mood over personal gripes was childish.
"Gaga, look! My official plaque!"
Even if we had, Ak I-yeon's beaming energy would've swept us into smiles anyway.
"Looks finer than mine. Plaques take after their owners, huh."
I smiled at her sparkling plaque boast. Hands itched to snatch and chuck it, but mouth praised diligently. Best failed—second best. Couldn't dissuade? Support...
"All thanks to Grandpa. Without him, how could I be an official?"
Ak Wang's lip twitched. He'd agonized to the end, yet grinned at praise. Few loved granddaughters like him.
"Short on experience and skill, but I'll work not to hinder you or Inspector Escort-nim."
"...Pardon?"
Jo Wi-cheo flinched, side dish halfway to mouth. Understandable. -nim from a royal to Inspector Escort? Sky falling for him.
"Inspector Escort-nim outranks me and has long served Gaga. Natural to honor—"
"We're equals under Left Vice Inspector General. You're not my subordinate—you're a colleague assisting him with me. Please, speak freely."
"Right. Just three of us—picking hierarchies is silly. Be casual."
I backed him swiftly at Jo Wi-cheo's unusually quick interjection. Ak I-yeon treating him deferentially risked stress-ulcer collapse in our strongest asset. Catastrophe to avoid.
"Still, to a senior..."
"Then just 'Inspector Escort,' no -nim."
Key point to hesitant Ak I-yeon. Honorifics were courtesy; -nim was overkill. Emperor used mutual respect privately with elder kings, never "Giwang Highness" or "Ak Wang Highness."
"W-well, alright?"
Thankfully, she nodded, convinced. Jo Wi-cheo's lifespan secured.