I Hate These Chain Quests - 4: No Hand Covers the Sky, No Power Silences the Masses
No matter how hard you try to cover the sky with your hands, or silence the people's mouths with any authority, it's impossible. Thanks to that, rumors were spreading even among the common folk that the tomb unearthed in Hoju-bu might actually belong to the King of Western Chu.
In the midst of all this, I returned not to Giwangjeo but to the estate of the Jo family.
"It looks like the excavation will proceed before your wedding."
It wasn't my fault, but as someone deeply involved in the incident—and a friend of Jo Wi-cheo—I'd come to explain the situation.
Damn it.
I couldn't help sighing even as I laid it out. Honestly, the King of Huainan was a famous martial artist, sure, but he was a rebel executed for treason 1,600 years ago. He might pique some curiosity, but he wasn't the kind of figure to draw the attention of the entire realm.
The King of Western Chu was different. Even now, 1,600 years after his death, he was hailed as the greatest martial artist of past and present—a monster who'd still hold that title another 1,600 years from now. Unlike the King of Huainan, who rebelled with his bold dream of becoming emperor, the King of Western Chu had actually seized the world in his grasp. If his tomb was discovered and excavated, it was bound to capture the eyes of all under heaven.
Hell, even the Jo family was probably more focused on the King's tomb than the wedding.
"The emergence of the King of Western Chu's tomb is heaven's will. Why should you bow your head, my lord? Please, make yourself comfortable."
Even Jo Wi-cheo, the groom himself, waved off my expression of regret. To an outsider, it might look like humble deference to a superior, but I could tell. His expression, his eyes, his voice, his gestures—they all screamed sincerity, not mere politeness.
He was happier about the King's tomb appearing right before his wedding than the wedding itself.
What a martial arts fanatic.
I'd half-expected it, but seeing it play out exactly as anticipated left a strange taste in my mouth. Sure, with help from the Public Purity Faction's elixirs, Jo Wi-cheo had reached the Chojeoljeong realm at a young age. With a twenties Hwagyeong master like the Geum-ui-wi Ji-hwi-sa around, a thirties Chojeoljeong might seem unremarkable—but objectively, he was one of the most promising martial artists in all of Daesong.
A guy already at Chojeoljeong with limitless potential. For someone that obsessed with martial arts, of course he'd be thrilled about the King's tomb. And this marriage was a political arrangement even for him.
His passion lay more with the King of Western Chu than—
"My fiancée, Jeong Sa-yeon, is deeply interested in this matter too."
"What?"
"She's always been fascinated by history and artifacts. How could she not rejoice at the discovery of the King of Western Chu's once-in-a-millennium tomb? She even called it an auspicious omen right before our wedding."
I quietly lifted my teacup to my lips. If Jo Wi-cheo was a martial arts maniac, his bride-to-be Jeong Sa-yeon was a history-obsessed scholar.
Birds of a feather.
It was a sudden political marriage, yet they'd somehow matched perfectly. Was this a blessing or a shame? No, definitely a blessing. When Jo Wi-cheo first met her, he knew nothing of her tastes or hobbies. Now he clearly understood his fiancée's interests. Even if it started as politics, they were growing closer.
"If you see it as an auspicious sign, then that's fortunate."
With that soft murmur, I said nothing more.
"My lord."
"Yes?"
"Might I join the excavation as well?"
"Get permission from the elders of the Jo and Jeong families first."
I'd tried to say nothing at all. But dragging the groom-to-be to a dig site right before his wedding? Even newlyweds would hesitate; rolling a prospective husband in the dirt was crossing a line.
Ten days later, the dead King of Huainan was screwing over the living crown prince.
"That's a lot of people."
"Indeed. It feels like every martial artist south of the Changgang has gathered."
Thanks to the fastest messenger hawks—and Hwagyeong masters personally delivering the most urgent news—a massive excavation team had assembled. In just ten days, no less. The scale and quality were staggering.
Is this really an excavation team?
A prickling chill ran over my skin, drawing out a hollow laugh. With seven Hwagyeong masters gathered, the very air pressed down oppressively. This wasn't an excavation crew; it looked like an army staking the nation's fate.
If this force marched east or north, even troublesome Goryeo and the Mongols would panic.
"Crown Prince Giwang."
"We greet Crown Prince Giwang."
The crushing pressure wasn't just on me. Even with Ilja Wang and the crown prince present, only two among the throng of martial artists stepped forward to greet us: Hyeon-seung, abbot of Shaolin, and Taegyeok Geomgong, head of Wudang. The only two Hwagyeong masters among them.
Out of countless martial artists in the excavation team, only they could move freely. Awe-inspiring—and terrifying. How heavy was the atmosphere that only Hwagyeong masters dared speak? How many had stood in tense silence, gauging the mood before Grandfather and I arrived?
"Oh, it's been ages since I've seen you both. Doing well?"
"His Majesty's boundless grace leaves no room for discomfort."
"Spare me the empty words. I know you haunt the Repentance Cave daily."
Grandfather's quip drew an abashed chuckle from Hyeon-seung.
"There was a time, but not anymore. Thanks to the crown prince, I've cut ties with it."
"Oh ho? Is that so?"
Suddenly, Grandfather, Hyeon-seung, and Taegyeok Geomgong's gazes turned to me. I shot Hyeon-seung a mildly resentful look. In a place like this, the best was to breathe quietly and blend in—but he'd thrown me under the bus.
"Patron. It's been a while. I trust you've been well?"
"His Majesty's boundless grace has kept me comfortable."
"Ah, what a pointless question."
I echoed his earlier line, and Hyeon-seung let out a soft laugh. My faint grudge melted away. He'd once worn a gloom he couldn't hide, but now he smiled naturally. Unintentionally, Kkieak and I had helped him lay down his burdens—no point in chiding him now.
"Come to think of it, you know Taegyeok Geomgong too, don't you, patron?"
"Ah, yes. I happened to meet him once in Hobuk."
"'Happened to meet' feels a bit cold. We fought on the same battlefield as comrades."
Taegyeok Geomgong smiled faintly as he spoke. Battlefield, huh. We'd crushed those water bandits stirring trouble between Wudang and the Je-gal family together, so yeah, same battlefield. Though it felt like the Je-gal family head handled it solo. Taegyeok Geomgong and I had mostly watched.
"Heh. Un-i has no peers his age, but plenty of elders for friends."
Amid it all, Grandfather dropped a heartbreaking line with a grin. I lack peers because of work; my elder connections are from work too...
So unfair.
Plus, Grandfather's presence made befriending elders easier than youths. Both Hyeon-seung and Taegyeok Geomgong knew him, so to them I was "his grandson"—an instant in.
"Ah, we've held up busy folks too long. Head into that tent."
The elders had been catching up when Hyeon-seung belatedly pointed to a tent.
"They're all in there. But why are you out here?"
"Discussing excavation plans inside. We're guarding against outsiders, so we waited out here."
I glanced at the tent, guarded by dozens of Chojeoljeong masters. A surreal sight. Hwagyeong masters could shrug off an assassin ambush from those guards. Did they even need protection?
"Hm? Isn't Jwa Do-eosa handling the perimeter too?"
"Well—"
Hyeon-seung flinched at Grandfather's sudden question. "The officials must have business among themselves. We should head in too."
"I see."
I steered Grandfather's attention back, grasping the situation. Why was Jwa Do-eosa—meant to control the perimeter with Hyeon-seung and Taegyeok Geomgong—inside the tent? Why with Dong-gu Wang, Gi Gangwang, and Yangyang Wang?
She's playing the junior role.
She's the top dog in Dochalwon, but realm-wide, she's a newbie bowing to kings. What choice did she have? To her, Hyeon-seung and Taegyeok Geomgong were senior warriors and founding merits.
...And once we're inside, I'll be the junior?
Suddenly, I didn't want to go in. Should I just hang outside with Shaolin and Wudang?
Entering the tent, four pairs of eyes turned our way. "Oh, you're here already?" Gi Gangwang greeted Grandfather on their behalf.
"Already? Saying that to the last arrivals is just teasing."
"Heh heh, we were nearby in Hoju-bu. Jwa Do-eosa arrived the day before."
I shuddered at the unimaginable zeal. Showing up early was one thing; the previous day was madness. I couldn't do that.
"Come in, Han Un. We keep crossing paths lately."
"Tell me about it..."
I nodded bitterly, unable to deny it. Court debates, my wedding to Yi Yeon, the King of Huainan tomb—now the King of Western Chu. No one saw this chain of events coming.
"Ubu Do-eosa. Sorry to dive into work right away, but how many spirit beasts did you bring?"
Dong-gu Wang cut in before my bitterness could settle.
"Just Samshik for now."
"For now?"
"Yes. The other five are en route with the Gamchal Eo-sa. No more than two sichen out."
At "Gamchal Eo-sa," Dong-gu Wang chuckled, as did Yangyang Wang.
"Ha! That guy's a martial artist through and through!"
Gi Gangwang clapped and burst out laughing. I got it—I hadn't expected Jo Wi-cheo to actually get both families' permission to join.
What a sly bastard.
How flawless was his logic to convince the Jo and Jeong elders side by side?