Duty Calls - 1
Though I was an unfilial grandson who only now, in my mid-twenties, came to pay respects to my grandmother for the first time, I was fortunate enough to put on a performance that would at least somewhat please her.
"Buong. Eat up any bad energy around the grave."
Buooo~
At my words, Buong scampered over to the grave, circling it round and round.
Truth be told, Maek was a spirit beast that devoured nightmares, not negative energy. Nightmares could be seen as negative in a broad sense, but it was ambiguous to equate them directly. Still, wouldn't positive energy—heavenly energy—settle over the grave if a spirit beast patrolled it like this? A tomb watched over by spirit beasts meant heaven itself was watching over it.
'Good call bringing them along.'
Kki-ing-i and Kki-ong-i lay sprawled on either side of the grave. Buong circled the perimeter. Ppiae stared intently at Grandmother's name on the tombstone. Kkieak munched on the weeds growing around the mound, acting as an eco-friendly trimmer.
Shiiik.
Sieeeek.
Shiuuuk.
As I watched the scene, Samshik slithered out from my sleeve and approached the grave. Though unintended, we'd ended up staging a spirit beast performance for Grandmother.
Over twenty years of neglect as an unfilial grandson were now offset by the beasts' blessings and attention.
'Please forgive me with this.'
Realizing I hadn't yet bowed at the grave, I quietly prostrated myself on the ground.
'From now on, I'll come alone if I have to.'
I hadn't known where Grandmother lay until now, but that was no longer the case. At minimum, I'd visit twice a year to pay respects. Once a season if I had the time.
'Ah.'
As I rose with that thought, Yi Yeon had quietly come to my side and bowed toward Grandmother. Another excuse came to mind for seeking forgiveness.
If I hadn't come because I wanted to show her my proper wife instead of visiting alone... would she understand?
"Heh heh, having such a fine grandson means even the daughter-in-law lives well."
Honestly, even I thought it sounded more like an excuse than a reason, but Grandfather just chuckled, clearly pleased to see his grandson and granddaughter-in-law bowing side by side.
"Even I haven't seen so many spirit beasts showering attention like this."
To be precise, it was the beasts making him pleased, not us. But just as a subordinate's merits count toward their superior's, the virtues accumulated by one's pets become the master's own. If these guys made Grandfather happy, it was as good as me doing so.
"Un-a."
"Yes, Grandfather."
"From now on, you manage this."
Grandfather retrieved the sword planted before the tombstone, caressed it briefly, then carefully handed it to me.
"Gr-Grandfather. This is far too precious for me to manage."
The unexpected gift caught me off guard, and I waved my hands frantically. An unfilial grandson like me, paying respects for the first time today, had no right or shame to accept Grandmother's keepsake—especially one imbued with her will and cherished by Grandfather.
If objects could be spirit beasts, this sword was a spirit sword. It wouldn't be odd if it bore heaven's chosen auspicious energy.
"Too precious? Nonsense. When I die, it'll go to your father or you anyway. I'm just handing it over a bit early."
"No, even so—"
"No more chatter. Take it. This sword would prefer hanging out with a fresh young face over some old codger it's seen a million times."
Despite the bizarre logic, Grandfather's expression and tone were firm. What to do? He was insisting so strongly that I had to accept, but I still wasn't sure if I should.
It felt like snatching a keepsake right in front of Grandmother.
Kkii-ing~
"Huh?"
While I wrestled with my conscience deep in my chest, Kki-ing-i, who had been blankly lying by the grave, slyly approached and took the sword in its mouth. Then it nudged the sword into my arms.
As if telling me to quit overthinking and just take it.
"My goodness, even heaven agrees with me. One cannot refuse the will of heaven, so accept it you must."
"...I will cherish it without forgetting Grandmother and Grandfather's will."
At those words, Grandfather gave a deep smile and patted my shoulder.
"Don't forget it, but don't let it devour you either."
"Pardon?"
"No need to understand right away. When the time comes, you'll grasp it naturally."
"Ah, yes."
As Grandfather said, I couldn't comprehend it now, but I nodded in a daze. If Grandfather said so, it must be true.
If I ever got a nickname, it'd probably be something like Kaepyeong Twin Swords. My usual sword, plus this one inherited from Grandfather. Two swords at my waist from now on.
'Can't just carry one.'
I'd built plenty of bond rolling through the Central Plains with my old sword, and this new one had passed from Grandmother to Grandfather to me. No way I'd leave it gathering dust.
Of course, I didn't carry a sword 24/7, but whenever I did, I'd have to bring both.
'Evolve to three-sword style?'
The crazy thought flashed, but I shook it off. Three-sword style? What the hell. A civilian official toting two swords was eyebrow-raising enough; three would make me a spectacle for every military officer. Knowing Grandfather's lineage, they'd say I'd finally lost it too.
The provincial kings might even hear and come gawking. They'd mock a civilian dripping with sword lust. Worst case, they'd try molding me into a proper three-sword warrior.
'Just stick to Kaepyeong Twin Swords.'
Ignoring the echoing phantom laughter of Gi Gangwang in my ears, I caressed Grandmother's sword. The cherished blade of the inaugural Ugeom and Seraphic Breeze Sword, safeguarded by the second Ugeom and Hwagyeong master Giwang. Such a priceless treasure now in my hands—a Giwang family heirloom worthy of the name, in a mere individual's grasp.
"Don't forget it, but don't let it devour you."
Grandfather's words as he handed it over lingered. Even back at Giwangjeo, I still didn't know what he meant. Don't forget Grandmother and Grandfather's will, but don't be devoured? Did it mean walk my own path? But if so, he wouldn't have given me the sword. Accepting it made me the third Ugeom, practically.
Stubbornly forging my own path wouldn't be Ugeom-like.
"Why did he give it to me?"
Shiiiik?
"You know?"
I stroked Samshik's head—heads, actually, three of them—chatting idly. With three heads thinking together, it was wiser than most spirit beasts.
Shiik, shiiiik.
"You don't?"
Shiik!
Of course, intelligence was parallel processing, not cumulative. Ten heads or a hundred, at similar levels, it was all the same.
'I'll figure it out in time.'
I chuckled and stroked all three heads. Right, Grandfather said I'd understand when the time came. He never lied, even if cryptic. If it was inevitable, it'd dawn on me without fretting. The question was whether that "someday" was years or decades away.
Yi Yeon's wedding, Jo Wi-cheo's surprise marriage plans, my first visit to Grandmother's grave. Three big events in a row meant even the good days flew by.
Report for duty three days from now.
The rare taste of freedom and peace since becoming a bureaucrat was finally over. At least it wasn't "tomorrow"—three days gave some breathing room. A one-day notice would've kept me up in rage. Even Jwa Do-eosa had a shred of conscience left.
"No word on me?"
"Huh, you're right. Why not?"
The mix of bitterness and relief in my heart turned to puzzlement at Yi Yeon's words.
She was a Dochalwon official too. Like me, on leave for marriage, so if I was summoned, she should be too. But the missive only called me, silent on her. Jo Wi-cheo made sense with his impending marriage, but why skip Yi Yeon?
'Whatever.'
If uncalled, great. When I roamed the Central Plains, she had to be an official to join me, but now I was Central staff in Kaepyeong. Yi Yeon waiting at home after work? No need to drag her into bureaucracy too.
"I'll go alone first. If Jwa Do-eosa says nothing, you keep resting."
"Is that okay? Wouldn't it be better if I—"
"Rest while you can."
Yi Yeon blinked blankly at my firm tone. I felt a twinge showing my husband ugly side right after marriage, but it was sincere. Dochalwon duty meant nationwide reports piled high. Easier than touring personally, but synthesizing them wasn't simple. I wanted Yi Yeon out of that hell if possible.
"My lord. As instructed, the summons to Deputy Right Censor-in-Chief has been sent."
"Good work."
Jwa Bu-do-eosa nodded and unrolled the next scroll.
"Something wrong?"
Feeling his gaze even as he read, I looked up.
"Is it alright summoning only the Deputy Right Censor-in-Chief?"
"Ah, that's what puzzled you."
I set the scroll down at his question. True, his wife was Dochalwon staff too. Protocol called for both.
"We must give time for new life to take root in the wife's womb."
"Ah."
But they were newlyweds striving for heirs. If successful, she needed time for it to settle. Tired newlyweds might delay Giwangga's great-grandchild.
'Then His Highness Giwang would rampage.'
Ak Wang might voice regrets too. Better overload the soon-returning groom with two or three persons' work.