International Chaos City - 1
The grand banquet held at Ak Wangjeo concluded successfully, with even the Giwang household joining in. Everyone offered heartfelt congratulations and encouragement, praying for the safe journeys of sons and daughters-in-law, or daughters and sons-in-law alike.
That part was fine. But just as we were about to leave Ak Wangjeo, a small problem arose.
"What do we do about this?"
"Indeed..."
The three of us pondered a minor but crucial issue: what should we ride?
- Kki-ing!
- Kki-ong?
Kki-ing-i and Kki-ong-i, who had been milling about in front of me, Ak I-yeon, and Jo Wi-cheo, tilted their heads and expressed their own dismay.
I usually rode Kki-ing-i, while Jo Wi-cheo took Kki-ong-i. Adding another person meant someone would have to ride a different beast.
It was a straightforward matter—no need for overthinking. We'd prepared an extra horse, planning to have either Ak I-yeon or Jo Wi-cheo ride it. Of course, Jo Wi-cheo, ever mindful of his lower status, had volunteered first, so we'd found a sturdy mount suited to his build.
But...
"It'll be tough traveling together like this."
No matter how robust, it was just an ordinary horse. It couldn't match the speed or endurance of spirit beasts.
Kki-ing-i and Kki-ong-i were extraordinary creatures. They wouldn't flinch at anyone short of a Hwagyeong master. Even with their beast-repelling auras, they were monsters capable of toppling an entire merit sect. And they had the seasoned experience of traveling the Central Plains with me.
They boasted speeds and stamina incomparable to regular animals. An ordinary horse trying to keep up with them wouldn't last two days before collapsing.
"We can't exactly slow down to the horse's pace, right?"
"Even if we ignore the extra travel time, those two would hate it."
Jo Wi-cheo was right. I turned to see Kki-ing-i and Kki-ong-i pawing restlessly at the ground. Point taken. Demanding a leisurely pace from those bundles of energy would only make them buck and rear in frustration. No doubt about it.
"What about riding Buong-i, then..."
- Buooong?
"A few more years before that's feasible."
A pang of guilt hit me—like I'd nearly committed child abuse. I fiddled with Buong-i's snout. Mounting this little guy would be an atrocity even a condemned prisoner wouldn't attempt.
"Why not leave the two of them in Kaepyeong and ride horses through the south?"
- Kki-iiing!
- Kki-oong!
"They're not having it?"
"Then we'll have to bring them along, sir."
Jo Wi-cheo, who'd offered the suggestion, quietly backed down at the spirit beasts' protests. What a headache.
If only we'd had a spare spirit beast, we wouldn't be agonizing like this. But spirit beasts—especially rideable ones—weren't exactly common.
'If only they'd had offspring.'
Hell, I was even thinking that. If they'd produced foals earlier, all three of us could have ridden spirit beasts. But that was a heartless thought, so I shoved it aside.
The reason they hadn't bred was entirely my fault. How could they, with their master dragging them all over the Central Plains?
"No helping it."
After much deliberation, I climbed onto Kki-ing-i's back.
"I-yeon, ride with me."
I extended a hand to Ak I-yeon. Fortunately, Kki-ing-i was robust in both size and stamina. With a bit of cozy squeezing, two people could manage.
"Y-yes? Really?"
"Indeed. The two of you can share Kki-ing-i, sir."
Ak I-yeon startled at my invitation, but Jo Wi-cheo astutely backed me up. Thanks, Wi-cheo. You're the best subordinate a guy could ask for.
"T-two of us... together..."
Ak I-yeon's face flushed crimson as she darted her eyes around, flustered. It was an unexpectedly shy reaction.
We'd shared a room during her convalescence, after all, and I'd planted kisses on her forehead and cheeks at every opportunity to show affection. Riding the same deer hardly seemed like a big deal now.
"Are you embarrassed to be seen with me—"
"Absolutely not! You're someone I could boast about to anyone!"
Her passionate response touched me deeply. A fiancée I could proudly show off to the world. How heartwarming.
"I was just worried Kki-ing-i might tire out carrying both of us..."
- Kki-ing!
Kki-ing-i shook its head vigorously, flexing its powerful build—as if to say its only injury was a broken antler, and everything else was fine.
"If you don't ride, Kki-ing-i will feel left out. I'd be a little sad too."
Ak I-yeon's cheeks burned even brighter. Of course, if I'd let it go at a mere blush, I wouldn't have suggested it. This southern pilgrimage was themed as an intimate date with my fiancée.
"Then... if you'll excuse me..."
Finally steeling herself, Ak I-yeon took my hand. It felt like a thrilling new beginning.
"So you're finally off."
Ak Wang grumbled as he watched the whole scene. A miraculous moment: the grandfather witnessing his granddaughter and her future grandson-in-law's affections firsthand.
Given his temperament, I'd half-expected a bellowed order to scram. But fortunately, he didn't want to spoil his granddaughter's first outing and held his tongue.
"Damn brat. Some of us have to be parted from our granddaughters for a while, yet you have no idea how an old man's heart feels, pulling all these stunts."
He was just grumbling out of reluctance now that departure loomed.
"My apologies, Your Highness. But you've had I-yeon with you all this time. Won't you yield her to her future grandson-in-law now?"
"Hmph. Can't even keep your mouth shut."
Ak Wang snorted softly and approached Ak I-yeon, who sat in front of me on the mount. He gently stroked her hand.
"A warrior's resolve cannot be broken, even by family. You've chosen to venture into the world, Yeon-ah, so this old man prays for your safety and peace."
"Thank you, Grandfather."
"If anything happens, send word immediately."
"Yes, I will."
"If that fool pulls anything untrustworthy, come straight back to Kaepyeong. I'll handle the aftermath."
"That won't happen."
Ak Wang chuckled at her smile-tinged, resolute reply. It brimmed with faith that I wouldn't betray her trust—and with determination never to waver, no matter what arose.
"Travel safely."
With that, Ak Wang fell silent, merely watching us depart.
Our first destination was Zhejiang. Though the route passed through several regions—Hubei, where we'd quelled the mad water bandits sparking conflict between Wudang and the Je-gal clan; Anhui and Jiangsu, where we'd staged flashy shows of force—no need to revisit them twice. Straight to Zhejiang would suffice.
But Ak I-yeon, stepping into the world for the first time, showed keen interest in the cities she'd only known from books and rumors.
"They say 'Heaven above, Suzhou and Hangzhou below.' How stunning must they be to inspire such words?"
She was especially drawn to Suzhou and Hangzhou. It reminded me fondly of my own rookie days. I'd been daunted by the order for a nationwide ramble, but I'd comforted myself with the perk of sightseeing famous spots on official funds.
That comfort had crumbled quickly against harsh reality, but I didn't want to sour Ak I-yeon's experience so soon.
"Both are beautiful cities, steeped in history."
I voiced agreement while wrapping an arm around her waist. Suzhou and Hangzhou had been renowned since the Spring and Autumn period—at latest, the Three Kingdoms era. They boasted traditions and heritage rivaling any Central Plains city.
"They're right on our way. Shall we take a look?"
Suzhou technically lay in Jiangsu, not Zhejiang, but it was en route. Stopping at the cities that caught her eye was no hardship.
"N-no, dear. How could I prioritize personal whims over official duties?"
She shook her head hastily at my suggestion. Her ears pinked slightly—she seemed to think she was forcing me to alter our schedule.
"Whims? Inspecting bustling cities full of people is part of our job. Crowds breed incidents, and one mishap sparks others."
A grave misunderstanding. This Central Plains pilgrimage wasn't about achieving specific results for reports. It was a brute-force task: wander endlessly, handle whatever cropped up.
Even slacking off went unnoticed. Ignore central directives or linger too long in one spot, and it might raise flags—but craft a solid alibi, and no one could tell if I was slacking or working.
I'd hustled like a dog only to return to Kaepyeong sooner. No need to rush now, with Ak I-yeon along.
"Once this pilgrimage ends, we'll stay in Kaepyeong for a while."
Crucially, we'd definitely return post-southern tour. No sense overdoing it and leaving her with bad memories. Our first outing together deserved only good ones.
"Besides, Suzhou's the heart of Jiangsu, and Hangzhou's where His Highness Dong-gu Wang resides. Passing them by would be rude."
"I-is that so?"
"Of course. Dong-gu Wang might take offense."
I felt her resolve waver under my persuasion. The modest joy of dating my fiancée on government coin. Who else could savor such bliss?
The Giwang and Ak Wang households' wealth could fund plenty without it, but dwelling on that would just feel pathetic. Bureaucracy had to have some perks, or my life would seem like utter trash.