The Censor Heads to the Provinces - 1
Ever since Grandfather's surprise visit, Ak Wang's expression had been downright sour. Of course, one couldn't exactly call his usual demeanor cheerful, but even accounting for that, his mood had clearly plummeted.
What's going on?
I racked my brain again today while watching the two deer munching grass in the rear garden. Ak Wang might be gruff, but he wasn't the type to show displeasure without reason. For him to wear it so openly meant there had to be something substantial behind it. But what?
The likely culprit—Grandfather—had left right after his private meeting with Ak Wang, and Ak Wang had only clammed up with a stony face. Something a king would deliver in person... No matter how hard I thought, nothing came to mind. I'd even toyed with the absurd idea that Ak Wang was just upset at the sight of Grandfather's face.
Kki-ong?
"Oh, it's nothing. Keep eating."
Sensing my intense stare, the female deer tilted her head before burying it back in the grass.
"You'd think they'd get tired of the same old stuff, but they sure pack it away."
Ak Yeon-i, peering through the window, let out a soft chuckle. Unable to raise even a small pet due to the qi leaking from her dantian, she couldn't help but find these spirit beasts adorable—the way they munched on plants warped by her energy without a care and wandered freely nearby.
Ironic, really. Back when we'd first encountered them at Hengshanpa, I'd thought there was no fiercer beast than those little monsters.
"What looks like the same grass to us might taste different to them."
"Hee hee, could be."
As I toyed with Ak Yeon-i's hand resting on the windowsill, she guided mine to her cheek. So warm. I could've spent the whole day pinching and prodding it.
Gaga?
"Ah, sorry."
And just thinking it made me act on it.
"It's fine. If it's Gaga..."
As I hurriedly pulled back, she pressed my hand firmly to her cheek with a beaming smile. Above all, it was a warm smile.
Watching Yeon-i and her grandson-in-law in such harmony, I couldn't help a faint smile. As expected, that boy suits her side best. She'd brightened noticeably since he arrived.
I'd planned to keep him here another week.
But that satisfaction soon soured into irritation. Even as a king, I couldn't arbitrarily detain an imperial official under the Emperor's command. And his duties—roaming the Central Plains to crush rebellious murim factions—were truly noble work for the realm's peace and the people's happiness.
I'd steeled myself for the day they'd part. But that was on my terms, under my plan. Sending him off due to outside forces? Unavoidably vexing.
Damn those northern barbarians.
Like the news Giwang had brought about Khokha Temur, for instance.
...Khokha Temur.
Just recalling that accursed name set my teeth on edge. When Taizu rose to right the world, this fiend—one of the Mongols' premier generals—had blocked his glorious path. Back then, he'd strutted under the arrogant title of one of the Three Great Masters of the World, much like our own Twelve Great Masters today.
That bastard's on the move again.
Ominous. After the deaths of the other two—Chalhan Temur and Tatal Temur—he was the Mongols' sole pillar and shield. Having lost his mind to Taizu in defeat, their leader clung to him beyond the Gobi Desert.
Yet now his forces had crossed the Gobi, approaching Shanhaiguan... only to withdraw without a single clash?
What the hell for?
I still couldn't make sense of it. A battle would've been dismissed as typical barbarian nonsense. No sighting at all? Licking wounds from defeat. But this?
"Even the Shanhaiguan Commandant looked baffled. These guys who charge in blindly just loitered within sighting distance before slinking off. Did we ever see that in our fights?"
"Scouting, maybe?"
"Nah, doesn't fit. Scouts don't parade like that."
Recalling my talk with Giwang, I let out a rough sigh. The on-site commandant, Giwang, and I—we were all stumped. If this was meant to rattle us mentally, it'd be a resounding success.
Bastards who piss me off just by existing.
Then I recalled the recent imperial summons. The meeting sparked by the massive human sacrifice traces Han Un and Gu Gangwang found at Hengshan. There, we'd learned the Mongols used sorcery to mass-produce artificial qi, which—uncontrolled—had spread to Hengshan, birthing spirit beasts.
Like those deer placidly grazing now. Chilling stuff. The sheer madness of such large-scale sacrifices, the immense qi volume potent enough to spawn spirit beasts... and pulling this stunt right after we learned of it.
"What if there was a human sacrifice up north around the same time as Hengshan? That's why they're stirring now."
"Like the spirit beasts at Hengshan, they've finally seen results?"
"Not certain, but can't rule it out."
Giwang's speculation rang true. Verifying their sorcery's fruits might've broken their long silence.
"Then why approach and retreat without attacking?"
"Beats me."
Of course, that didn't explain simply showing their faces. But one thing was clear.
"Trouble's brewing soon."
If we sat idle, they'd come first.
Then that boy'll be busy too.
With bittersweet eyes, I gazed at my grandson-in-law. The Emperor would know our thoughts. Thus, to uproot "internal worries ahead of potential military clashes"—as resolved last time—he'd be run ragged.
A messenger pigeon could arrive any moment.
Still, as a grandfather, I'd prefer tomorrow. At least then I could warn Yeon-i to prepare her heart.
Ah. Ah...
Damn it.
Hardly into a refreshing morning, despair hit. A messenger pigeon flapped in from the palace direction, diving straight for me without hesitation. The calamity I'd prayed against had arrived.
No wonder they fed me so well last night.
Suddenly, yesterday's lavish dinner came to mind. Ak Wang always treated me grandly, but last night's feast was exceptionally opulent. As if he'd known this was coming.
If he did, why not warn me?
A fleeting resentment faded fast. I knew myself—if told mid-meal, I'd lose my appetite amid the delicacies or suffer indigestion despite stuffing myself. Ak Wang's consideration, in his way. Besides, he was the benefactor who'd summoned me to Kaepyeong.
Resenting one's benefactor was shameless.
Left Vice Censor-in-Chief Han Un is to report to Dochalwon at the wu hour today.
With a wry pang, I read the missive—not banishing me to the provinces outright, but ordering a Dochalwon visit.
The wu hour.
Roughly 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Maybe lunch with Jwa Do-eosa after ages.
Entering Ak Yeon-i's room, I found her demurely kneeling on the bed.
"My lady bids farewell to Gaga."
She bowed gracefully as I entered.
"...You knew?"
"Grandfather said yesterday not to leave regrets."
Her words unsettled me. Starting my nationwide tour, who knew when I'd return? I'd write faithfully as promised, but letters weren't the same as seeing her.
"Sorry, my lady. Leaving you alone while that wretch Jeong U-rok roams free."
"If you shunned me for personal reasons, I'd grieve. But this is for the realm, isn't it? I'm proud of you, Gaga."
"Words like that hurt even more."
"Then you'll think of me all the more, right?"
I smiled back at her chuckling warmly. No gloomy goodbyes when parting now.
Thud. Thunk.
A familiar shadow crossed the window, followed by horn tapping the wall.
"Oh, right—we should say goodbye to those kids too."
Ak Yeon-i, still smiling, opened the window. The deer thrust their heads toward her.
Kki-iiing...
Kki-ooooong...
"My, my."
They nuzzled her hand or licked her cheek like spoiled pets. They'd grown attached to her in our time here.
... Wait.
I hadn't said a word to them yet. Had they sensed the mood on their own?
"A bit sad. First time with such cute companions."
As I marveled again at spirit beast intelligence, Ak Yeon-i murmured wistfully.
"I'd love to keep one, but..."
Kki-ing?
Kki, kki-ooooong...
"Can't make these children endure a couple's parting pain."
The deer rubbed heads fiercely, flaunting affection. I got it—nearly torn asunder, hearts racing.
"So, our Kki-ing-i and Kki-ong-i, take good care of Gaga for me."
The deer flinched at her otherworldly naming sense.
Kki-ing, Kki-ong...
I bit my lip to stifle laughter. Over-the-top names, but straightforward and spot-on. From now on, that's you two.