The Meaning of Advice (1)
That evening.
We borrowed one of the spaces in the Yunnam branch and began the meeting.
"How could this happen..."
They grasped the situation and erupted in anger.
"To betray His Majesty and their comrades!"
"This is unacceptable!"
I watched them quietly. I could fully understand their rage.
But I worried they might act rashly because of it.
Then Kwonjik Daehyeop spoke to me.
"In a situation like this, I'm glad we came as per Young Unit Leader Eun's advice and under his guard. Thank you."
"No need to mention it."
I smiled softly, humbly.
"I hate to say it, but we should put off the anger and grief for now and focus on our core mission."
I continued, looking at each one in turn.
"If even we fail, His Majesty will be deeply disappointed. Regardless of the others, we must rescue Crown Prince Juhyeon, mustn't we?"
They nodded at my question.
"You're right."
"We serve at His Majesty's command! We can't let personal feelings get the better of us."
Soon, they composed themselves.
The atmosphere shifted in an instant.
As expected of Gold Guard elites—they all had that level of mental fortitude.
Still, something felt off...
"Then let's discuss ways to infiltrate Chunggyeong Castle."
At Kwonjik Daehyeop's words, the other Gold Guard daehyeops offered various ideas.
But no solid conclusion emerged, so we agreed to gather more information before the next meeting and adjourned.
Back in my room, Gold Bell was perched on the desk.
"You just got here?"
"Kkwi!"
Gold Bell hopped around on the desk.
As per Seo Hyang Sojeo's instructions, I'd been sending Gold Bell to her periodically. It was later than usual this time.
I gently stroked Gold Bell and unfolded the letter.
"True acting means fooling even yourself."
— Seo Hyang Sojeo —
Hm? What did this mean?
True acting fools even yourself?
"Kkwi! Kkwi!"
Gold Bell tapped the desk with its front paws, urging me. It had done its errand and wanted its silver.
"Got it, got it."
I pulled a silver ingot from my pouch and handed it over. Gold Bell took it, licked it gleefully, and rolled around.
Lately, unlike before, it savored the silver or gold before swallowing.
Did that mean it had some leisure now?
Suddenly, something I hadn't mentioned at the meeting came to mind.
Crown Prince Juhyeon was also of imperial blood.
It wasn't impossible that those in Chunggyeong Castle weren't holding him hostage but had instead elevated him as their puppet emperor.
Chunggyeong Castle, tightly controlling outsiders, must be short on supplies and struggling.
But they wouldn't release the resources they'd plundered for that.
At that moment, the silver in Gold Bell's paws overlapped with my new idea, completing a plan.
The next day.
After breakfast, I gathered the Gold Guard daehyeops.
Once everyone was in the meeting room, Kwonjik Daehyeop asked me,
"So, what's this about?"
"First off, we need to infiltrate Chunggyeong Castle, right?"
"Indeed."
"I thought of a good way last night, so I called you all."
"Oh? What is it?"
"We provide them with funding."
"What?"
Soun Daehyeop snapped at my words.
"Funding those vile scum? Are you sane?"
"Calm down!"
Kwonjik Daehyeop soothed him.
"Hear him out first before getting mad."
"...My apologies."
"Continue."
I smiled faintly and went on.
"Everything in the world needs money. Especially their grand cause—it demands a fortune."
"True enough."
"This all happened suddenly. And with outsiders locked out, they're pinched for supplies and cash. Isn't it a place they've been plundering?"
Everyone nodded.
"If the Eunhae Merchant Group approaches offering funds in that situation, it'll shake them."
"In other words, a deception ploy."
"Exactly."
Soun Daehyeop, who'd bristled earlier, cleared his throat awkwardly.
"Ahem, sorry."
"No problem. It was natural from your perspective."
Looking at him then, Seo Hyang Sojeo's letter suddenly made sense.
True acting means fooling even yourself.
Once we enter Chunggyeong Castle, they'll have to act.
As Gold Guard, not my escort warriors.
And escorts follow their lord's will. If they kept this up inside, it would be trouble.
Our lives could be at risk.
That's why Seo Hyang Sojeo advised me. True acting fools even yourself.
This was the source of my unease.
So I had to make it clear here and now.
I fixed him with a cold stare.
"But once inside Chunggyeong Castle, do you plan to flare up and act on emotion like that?"
"...?"
"We all know your loyalty, Soun Daehyeop. No need."
I continued.
"If you react like that inside, we'll all be in danger. In the end, wouldn't it make you no different from those who killed the two daehyeops before?"
"Don't lump me with them!"
"No, to me, you're the same. Your comrades must pity having a fellow like you."
With that, Soun Daehyeop drew his sword and swung at me.
I'd prodded him on purpose, but he scratched easier than expected.
My escorts jumped up.
"Don't interfere!"
At my command, they bit their lips and stepped back.
I dodged Soun Daehyeop's sword.
"Eek!"
Fully enraged, he swung again. The other daehyeops tried to stop him, but his eyes were rolled back, beyond reason.
Hm, first-rate level, maybe?
This in a cramped meeting room was a nuisance.
Bam!
I flung open the door and headed to the courtyard. He followed.
The rushing escorts evacuated the others.
Still, Soun Daehyeop's fury showed no sign of abating.
"You insolent brat!"
"Yes. Realizing my insolence now?"
"You lowly merchant, daring to speak like that to me!"
"Then shouldn't you have acted better to avoid hearing it from a lowly one like me?"
"I'm not like those scum! Different!"
"That's why I'm telling you to act right."
"Arrrgh!"
I dodged nimbly, needling him further.
Hm, this should do it.
"His Majesty's decree stated that in this mission, I hold equal rank to you daehyeops. Meaning, even if I strike you, it's not treason."
Of course, the decree said no such thing.
But it had burned away—who'd know?
I drew my sword, infusing it with Taeum Binghae Singong energy.
A heavy sword that crushes the foe with immense energy.
"Guh, guhuk!"
Soun Daehyeop couldn't withstand my sword and dropped his.
Thud.
But my sword didn't stop, flattening him to the ground.
"Hah, huff, huff."
I squatted before him.
"Ready to listen now?"
"Y-You... what the hell are you?"
Terror filled his eyes.
No wonder—he'd never felt such overwhelming pressure.
His casual speech had shifted to formal; he'd come to his senses.
I extended a hand.
"Get up. A noble like you shouldn't roll in the dirt."
"Ah, yes."
He stood, and I brushed the dirt from his clothes. He couldn't meet my eyes.
I hadn't pressed that hard...
Had some emotion slipped in unconsciously?
No matter. He'd been bristling at my words anyway; this would make things smoother later.
Seo Hyang Sojeo advised that true acting fools even yourself.
But what if someone can't manage it?
Simple: force them.
"Soun Daehyeop, let me speak seriously. Maintaining composure is crucial. If you can't, stay here."
"N-No, I'll be careful. Sorry."
I smiled.
"Why apologize to me? Your lack of self-control nearly harmed your comrades. And swinging at me put you in an awkward spot."
He turned, gasping.
The others wore displeased expressions or sighed at him.
"Gasp! S-Sorry!"
He clasped hands in salute, bowing deeply.
"I'll be mindful."
Kwonjik Daehyeop said coldly,
"We'll trust you once more."
I nodded at the scene.
"To lighten the mood, let's rest and resume the meeting later."
"Agreed."
As the others headed to their rooms, Kwonjik Daehyeop approached.
"I owe you again. Soun's young blood runs hot sometimes."
I'm young too.
Ah... but with my past life's experience, I'm not that young.
"I'd planned to discipline him someday, but with timing like this, I held off."
"Right. We're trusting each other to enter the tiger's den—no room for grudges."
"Sorry for making you the villain."
"It was necessary. As an outsider, I was the right one for it."
"Grateful you see it that way."
"No problem."
Kwonjik Daehyeop chuckled.
"Anyway, I've decided: never make an enemy of you."
"Pardon?"
Had he sensed my true power?
"Fighting you, I'd die not from your sword but from my guts exploding at your barbs."
"..."
"Next time, teach me how to needle like that."
Ch, praise?
Definitely praise.
"See you later."
As Kwonjik Daehyeop left, Seo-u Warrior approached.
"That was shocking."
"Yeah, but you all held back well."
"We know your strength, my lord. And we saw you provoking him on purpose."
Of course—years together had honed their instincts.
They wouldn't have survived otherwise.
I smirked and turned.
"We'll enter there. You might split off and act with the daehyeops. If trouble arises, prioritize your lives."
"Pardon?"
"That avoids issues, right?"
"We'll handle that. But you're what's important to us."
They looked moved.
"Of course, save and aid them if possible. I'll charge dearly for it."
I smirked.
"But no overdoing it. Got it?"
"Understood."
The six Gold Guard were gathered in one room.
One stood with head bowed.
"Truly sorry."
"We get it."
"...I won't act rashly again."
Seeing Soun's sincere remorse, they didn't press further.
"Always pair that heart with cool reason. Our loyalty burns hot, but we must stay rational."
At Kwonjik's words, he replied firmly.
"Yes! Understood."
As talk wrapped, Cheongak asked Soun,
"That Eun Seo-ho Young Unit Leader—so strong? You couldn't even fight back?"
Soun shuddered at the question.
"Terrifying beyond words."
"Terrifying?"
"Immense pressure. Like facing... His Majesty."
"That much?"
"Yes. But with His Majesty, I clearly felt him as my lord. With Eun Seo-ho, it was different."
He continued.
"Like prey about to be devoured. Hunted."
That reminded Kwonjik of the Emperor's words when receiving this mission.
Kwonjik nodded.
His Majesty's words were spot on.
Good thing he'd heeded the advice. Otherwise, he'd be the one rolling on the ground.