Heading Back to Kaepyeong - 1
In Anhui, we'd thoroughly shaken down the Namgung family, the ringleaders, and successfully subdued them. In Jiangnan, we'd mobilized the garrison's fiercely loyal troops for a show of force and intimidated them into submission. In Shandong, my prospective in-laws said they'd handle things themselves. All our tasks were complete, and no less than the King himself had issued orders to return to Kaepyeong. Finally, I had legitimate grounds to head home.
My dear home... how I've missed you. Tears welled up just thinking about it. Leaving a perfectly fine house behind to wander the Central Plains in circles—what a heartbreaking ordeal. I now had a faint inkling of the hardships and loneliness those undercover inspectors of old must have endured.
"Wi-cheo."
"Yes, my lord."
"We're going home."
Jo Wi-cheo's usually stoic face lit up instantly at those words. I'd suffered, but he'd been through the wringer too. Regular inspectors might not stay in the capital, but they only had to manage their assigned regions. Wi-cheo, though? The whole country was practically his beat. He never said it outright, but he'd probably drafted his resignation a dozen times a day. Now, that torment was finally over. Sure, we'd be shipped back out to the provinces in a few days or weeks, but at least we could rest at home for a little while.
"Once this is wrapped up, we're heading straight to Kaepyeong. Get ready."
"Understood."
Jo Wi-cheo nodded solemnly, his eyes burning with resolve—the kind that promised to crush anyone who dared block our path to Kaepyeong.
We launched over ten ships on the river and fired dozens of cannons at them, wrapping up the show of force. We'd burned through a ton of gunpowder, no denying it, but since it was a military operation to cow the parakho, no regrets.
That should quiet things down in Jiangnan for a while. I kept saying it, but if anyone still bucked up after that display, I'd respect their guts. Of course, I'd repay that courage—with extermination for picking fights with the government instead of the Mongols.
"Leaving already?"
"Haha, when His Highness the Ak Wang summons me, what choice do I have?"
The provincial commander, whose job satisfaction had skyrocketed from the show of force, looked genuinely disappointed to hear we were heading out.
"I've wanted to wipe out Jiangnan's parakho for ages, but His Majesty the Emperor, in his boundless mercy, regards even them as subjects of the realm. How could I, as a loyal servant, commit such disloyalty against the Emperor's people?"
I nodded at the commander's mild grumbling. That was why officials who despised murim with a passion still refrained from massacring martial artists wholesale. The current Emperor had ordered observation unless the parakho started trouble first, and even the late Emperor up in heaven—unless they were the kind who'd colluded with the Mongols—had left instructions not to punish them. What could anyone do? The merit subjects, elders, and high officials who ground their teeth at murim could only hunker down and wait for a chance to legitimately crush them.
"But thanks to you, Vice Inspector, we've crushed their spirits. I'm nothing but grateful and thrilled. If you ever return to Jiangnan, I'll host you grandly."
"What are you saying? Next time, you should come to the capital, Commander."
"Haha! Music to my ears!"
The commander burst into laughter at my wish for his promotion to a central post. It was almost awe-inspiring. When we first met, his dark circles hung down to his cheeks like he was on death's door. Now, after firing off a few cannons, his face shone like the sun. Had he purified his stress with gunpowder?
"Farewell then, Vice Inspector. May your path always be bright."
With an ecstatic send-off from the commander—who looked like he'd ascended to paradise—we departed Jiangnan.
"Wi-cheo."
"Yes, my lord."
"No rest until we reach Kaepyeong."
The abrupt declaration didn't faze him; he mounted the spirit deer with grim determination, as if it were exactly what he'd hoped for. Stopping at inns for meals or beds was a luxury. Every delay just pushed back our homecoming. So we ate on deer-back and slept on deer-back. Their smooth gaits meant we wouldn't tumble off if we were careful.
"To Kaepyeong! Let's go!"
- Kki-iiing!
- Kki-oooong!
With the two deer's spirited cries echoing, we set off for Kaepyeong. Our adventure was finally over!
Our Ak Wang household are descendants of the great Ak Chungmu Wang, Ak Bi. We are one of the foremost merit families in the restoration of Daesong. We are a martial house that rose up fiercely when the northern barbarians oppressed the people, and a loyal clan that stabilized the realm. These achievements are the pillars upholding our Ak Wang house and the pride we must carry lifelong.
I too live bearing that pride. After our homeland fell to the Mongol scum and our house declined, I revived it with my own hands. I ensured my children could live not in persecution, but in respect. This pride will never fade until my dying day. What a truly happy life.
As a warrior, I raised the realm with my sword; as a king, I earn the Emperor's trust and the people's reverence. No one could call it lacking.
Yes, a life with no lacks... except one.
"When the hell is that boy coming?"
Just one thing grated on me.
"If I summon him, he should be here within an hour at most!"
My prospective grandson-in-law should be showing his face daily to foster ties between our two royal houses—yet here he was, touring the provinces without even a letter first. Outrageous. I could forgive his absence since he was tirelessly working for the realm, but no letters at all? That was callous. Our Yeon-i had spent countless sleepless nights anxiously awaiting his mail.
"Un isn't a Hwagyeong master like Father; how could he get from Jiangnan to Kaepyeong in an hour—"
"Shut it!"
"Please, Father, break the habit of yelling when you have nothing to say..."
I ignored my son's complaint and downed my tea. The fiancé of our precious Yeon-i, whom I wouldn't mind poking my eyes out for. A mild-mannered boy you wouldn't believe carried Giwang's stubborn blood. Talented, virtuous, noble pedigree—no shortcomings there. I acknowledged that.
But watching him burn the Ak Wang house's insides like this made me wonder if he was just recklessly banking on it.
If only he weren't in the Dochalwon.
I pictured Giwang lounging like a wastrel, guzzling wine. If that old man hadn't shoved his grandson into the Dochalwon, none of this would've happened. Had he walked the straightforward path of a military officer as befitting Gi Chungmuwang's heir, or guarded Kaepyeong, he wouldn't be traipsing the country. Whenever something weird cropped up, nine times out of ten, that guy was the root.
Born in chaotic times, he'd earned merits—otherwise, in peaceful eras, he'd have lost his head to the executioner's axe dozens of times over.
"When will that Giwang bastard finally kick the bucket?"
My mutter drew a deep sigh from my son.
"In my view, Father, if you don't control your temper, you'll go before His Highness Giwang—"
"Shut it!"
"No, seriously!"
Outraged at his insolence in predicting his father's death, I got only defiance in return instead of reflection. What an age. The realm had found peace, yet my house was in shambles.
"Your Highness."
Then, a voice broke through from beyond the door.
"The Vice Inspector has returned."
The news we'd desperately awaited.
"Faster than expected. I figured it'd take three more days."
"If he hadn't shown by tomorrow, I'd have gone fetch him myself."
I rose with a gruff reply to my son's approving mutter. He wasn't wrong, though. For an ordinary warrior, this speed showed effort. Not satisfying, but not infuriating either.
"A guest is coming soon. Prepare the welcome."
"Yes, Your Highness."
So, we must host the prospective grandson-in-law without skimping.
We raced nonstop from Jiangnan to Kaepyeong. Possible only because Wi-cheo and I were trained martial artists, and our mounts were spirit beasts. Plus, for smooth travel, we swapped out the carriage horses at post stations regularly. If they collapsed from exhaustion, the carriage would turn into dead weight in seconds.
Can't abandon what I dragged all the way from Shiwandaishan.
During our trip to Shiwandaishan for Dong-gu Wang's side errand, the Baekryeon Cult Leader's gift had followed us through Hunan, Hubei, Anhui, and now Jiangnan. No way I'd ditch it midway out of spite. This wasn't for my pocket—it was tribute for my fiancée.
I was too neglectful.
I grimaced wryly, recalling Ak Wang's letter. With the Left Censor-in-chief's recall order, meeting in person was impossible, but letters were doable. If I'd picked up a brush during those idle carriage moments, I'd have sent dozens. But I hadn't. Every stop brought incidents that scattered my thoughts—I plain forgot.
Excuses, of course. No wonder Ak Wang had finally issued a direct summons.
When I see him, first thing: headbutt.
My engagement wasn't just personal. It symbolized Giwangga and Akwangga's friendship. A screw-up on my part would earn fierce scoldings from Grandfather and Father.
"Giwangga's grandson Han Un pays respects to Your Highness Ak Wang."
Thus, upon arriving at Akwangjeo, I prostrated myself deeply.
"You've come."
Ak Wang's voice, seeing that, was calmer than expected.
"I wondered why you were so slow—you brought all this."
His eyes fell on my carriages, and he muttered contentedly. I was saved. From "the bastard who didn't even send his granddaughter a letter" to "the kid who knows he's sorry"—my reputation had upgraded.
"Next time, come quick and empty-handed."
"I'll remember, Your Highness."
Ak Wang turned and vanished with those words. It might seem like snubbing a guest, but
"Don't mind it. He's pleased you brought gifts as an honored visitor—that's why he spoke that way."
Ak Wang's eldest son—my future father-in-law—smiled warmly, patting my shoulder.
"Plus, one word from you asking not to hate Yeon-i too much, and he'll soften right up."
"I know full well Your Highness Ak Wang is kinder than anyone."
"Haha, good. He won't end up hated by his grandson-in-law."
Chuckling softly, my prospective father-in-law nudged me toward Ak Yeon-i's quarters.
"But if you don't see Yeon-i soon, she might badmouth you to Father."
His subtle pressure drew an awkward smile from me. If Ak Wang was a granddaughter fool, this man was no slouch as a daughter fool. Guess I had been neglectful too long.
"My lady, seeing you at last feels like the rain in my heart has stopped and the clouds have parted."
Ak Yeon-i, usually bedridden, greeted me with exaggerated formality, bowing deeply.
"This worthless woman receives your gaze—what regrets could I have, even in death?"
I quietly closed my eyes as she dabbed her eyes with her sleeve.
What book is she reading this time?
She was picking up weird stuff and twisting it oddly. We were the same age—she wasn't some "young lady"—
"Gaga?"
"My sole wish is to grow old with you—how dare you speak of death so lightly."
Her voice chilled; I hurriedly opened my mouth. Seeing her beam, it was the right call.