The Irritating Fellows Are the Culprits - 4
The Prefect facing me wore a complex expression blending bewilderment and dismay. It was shocking enough that the Right Deputy Censor-in-Chief had shown up unannounced, but to deliver two martial artists straight to his doorstep like kidnapped parcels? From the Prefect's perspective, this had to feel like some absurd nightmare. If I'd just brought along some ordinary commoner, he might've chalked it up to a grievance or petition—something sympathetic enough that even I might've pitied the poor soul. But Yeon Ji-un and Ju Gang weren't commoners; they were martial artists. In Daesong, since the founding, encounters between warriors and officials almost always meant trouble had erupted. Never anything good.
"What an unexpected guest—I'm delighted," the Prefect said, quickly composing himself with a forced smile. "And not alone, but with companions no less. My heart races wondering what news you've brought."
His gaze lingered briefly on Jo Wi-cheo before settling much longer on Yeon Ji-un and Ju Gang. A silent question: Officials are one thing, but why these two unaffiliated warriors? An earnest plea for a detailed explanation he'd actually buy.
"I'm sorry to drop in so suddenly, Excellency, and grateful you've welcomed these unfamiliar companions as well."
I could understand his feelings all too well, so I bowed first. If I were in his shoes, I wouldn't feel easy either. During wartime, an inspector descending from Kaepyeong was practically a calamity. And not just any inspector, but one dragging along warriors who screamed "event trigger"? My heart would be pounding. Hell, I'd probably clutch my neck and collapse.
"That said, their spirited debate was truly impressive—too good to keep to myself."
Understanding was one thing; business was business. My bow was to build momentum. I laid it all out: what had gone down in his front yard of Muchang, what bombshells these two had been tossing around.
"Heavens."
Learning the topic—"the people first, or order first?"—the Prefect let out a soft sigh. "A truly striking debate, as you say." Then came the hollow chuckles, as if imagining how to handle this mess was pure entertainment. Misery—no, joy—loves company, after all. Seeing him revel in it like this made my efforts feel worthwhile.
"Yeon Ji-un of Yeonga, and Ju Gang of Juga, was it?"
Wiping that grin, he rubbed his brow and turned to the two standing rigidly behind me.
"Yes, Excellency!"
"That's right!"
At the Prefect's call, Yeon Ji-un and Ju Gang bowed deeply, barking responses like thunder. If he felt uneasy seeing them, they must be terrified of him. These days, officials were the natural predators of martial artists, and the Prefect sat at the apex of Hobuk's bureaucracy. One word from him, and Yeonga or Juga could crumble to dust. No wonder they trembled at even a casual name-check, their inn bravado a distant memory.
This is normal.
I had no intention of mocking or blaming them for it. Anyone with a proper sense of values and character would react that way. Shrink before an official, watch your step lest you get hauled in—that's the standard response. Yes, that's the right way. Raising your voice unchecked before officials or even the Emperor? That's the aberration.
"Such spirited young men. Saving the people first, or upholding order first? Not an easy question to answer. But one we can't shy away from pondering, no matter how tough."
"You're too kind, Excellency! We're just reckless fools flapping our gums without acting! How could you call that spirit?"
"Exactly! If we were truly spirited heroes, we'd have joined the bureaucracy as military officers or sought spots in sects that served Grand Progenitor himself! We're nothing but lazy idlers living off family wealth!"
Oh...
Correction needed: these two were a cut above the norm. Sure, modest humility greased the wheels of society, especially before the man who gripped Hobuk's reins. Even haughty local powers would fold like flip phones. But their reactions went beyond that—fervent, as if they genuinely saw themselves as worthless idlers and despised living that way.
"Hmm."
Noticing the subtle discord, the Prefect stroked his beard, eyeing the bowed duo. "Not acting is worse than acting, true enough."
Rising, he approached them. "But knowing shame is better than not acting at all. You didn't move, yet you shame yourselves for it—how could that not be admirable?"
He patted their shoulders himself, offering praise and encouragement. For mere youths—not even clan heads or officials—it was lavish treatment. What followed was the Prefect's one-man show.
"Yeonga predates Daesong's founding, while Juga came after?"
"Yes, Excellency. But the gap's only a few decades. Our Yeonga was founded late in the Yuan era; Juga right after Grand Progenitor's great achievement."
"I see."
Alternating questions, praise, and well-wishes, he wore them down, teasing out details bit by bit.
Pre-founding and post-founding.
From the info he drew out, I could guess why their views clashed. A clan predating the Founding War that even I didn't know? Yeonga must be one of those that stayed silent amid the chaos, paying the price now. Ignoring the people's suffering and the realm's turmoil—that explained Yeon Ji-un's push for the folk first. Born into a branded house, if his nature prized righteousness and chivalry, that stain would burn like humiliation. Especially knowing what fate awaited a clan that never rose in such times.
Juga shouts order because they've got no stain.
Juga, born after the war, earned no merits but suffered no persecution. Untouchable by officials? Irrelevant to them—they'd likely been ordinary folk tormented by murim back when that held sway. Juga and Ju Gang grew up in an era where the bureaucracy rightfully managed the Central Plains and kept murim in check. Nothing trumped the state's solemn laws and order. So Yeon Ji-un's call to bend rules for the people? Utterly incomprehensible.
They've got their reasons.
Hearing the full story, I got where they were coming from. Yeon Ji-un wanted to scrub the past stain; Ju Gang, preserve the present order.
"Curious, though."
After a thoughtful silence, I spoke up. "Your spirit rivals the heroes who once stirred the old Central Plains. You even know true service to the realm means joining the state—yet you linger as wild recluses?"
Want to help the people? Become an official and make it happen. Prize order? Do it legally as one. No surer path. Yet here they were, still vagrants, just hot air at an inn. Peaceful debate marked top-tier character, sure—but with that, they'd have gone military ages ago.
"Ah, well..."
At my question, Yeon Ji-un flinched. "...A few years back, I took the military exam but fell off my horse and failed."
"What."
"T-too nervous. And it wasn't just riding—you had to do all sorts of maneuvers up there... My grip slipped."
I was stunned but bought it quick. The exams did include equestrian acrobatics. Martial artists didn't always ride well, and even if they could, those stunts were brutal.
"My mother heard about young master Yeon's mishap and forbade me from even trying."
"I see."
Another sigh escaped me at the sad tale. Makes sense—a mother sending her son to an exam where peers had tumbled off? Especially when Ju Gang could idle forever on family coin.
"The result was poor, but attempting it at all is something. If everyone succeeded first try, Daesong would have over a million officers."
"He's right. 'Defeat adorns the brave,' as they say—failure's just part of life. Challenge again, and you'll pass to become Hobuk officers. I look forward to it."
Our encouragement had their heads bowing anew.
"One more thing I'd like to ask."
"Ah, yes, Excellency. Go ahead."
"You didn't shout for the people out of nowhere. Something happen near Muchang lately?"
The Prefect's eyes sharpened. Turmoil in his own backyard? He'd need to know. And if mere warriors knew what he didn't, time to shake down the underlings.
"Water bandits lurk near Muchang. They've been quiet as mice, but with Daesong troops heading north, won't they stir again?"
Water bandits—explanation accepted. They spawned wherever water flowed. Not surprising near Muchang. What impressed was Yeon Ji-un spotting them and calling for preemptive strikes.
Gu Gangwang would love this kid. Why bother with the exam and a fall? A visit to his estate would've been instant pass.