The closer they got to the inner keep, the thinner the crowds became. Even with the gates thrown open, it was clear that entry into the heart of the fortress was restricted.
That worked in their favor. With some distance now secured between themselves and Hae-hyun, Jae-ha risked a glance upward—and his breath caught. The towering wooden structures, their silver-gray roof tiles stacked tier upon tier, soared so high it hurt his neck just to look. Backed by mountains, clouds, and elegantly grown trees, the whole sight resembled a living painting. Awe slipped out unbidden.
“Wow… it’s beautiful.”
It felt less like infiltration and more like a cultural tour. First Hae-hyun’s estate, then Seo-cheon, then Myeongheoseong—he’d been dragged, willingly or not, from one opulent traditional mansion to the next.
A little farther on stood a gate leading deeper into the fortress, guarded by armored soldiers. Without looking back, Su-min spoke quietly.
“Once we’re inside, some people may greet me. I’ll handle them. You just keep your head lowered. And if anyone tries talking to you, just act like you don’t understand.”
“Alright.”
Jae-ha’s reply came soft and tense. He’d never done anything like this before—sneaking into a place where one wrong move could cost him his life. His whole world had flipped genres overnight, and he was still struggling to keep up.
“If anything happens, I’ll protect you. Don’t worry.”
The words came from Hae-hyun, whispered with unexpected firmness.
“You’ve done this before?” Jae-ha asked.
“Of course not. Who would do this often? I’m no spy. It’s my first time too.”
“…I see.”
It wasn’t the wrong answer. Whether intentional or not, Hae-hyun’s nonchalance eased the tension. Jae-ha felt his shoulders lighten, and a faint smile crept onto his lips.
“Still, be careful. If you get hurt, I’ll feel awful.”
He said it lightly, but he meant every word. Hae-hyun’s steps faltered just slightly before resuming.
“…Okay.”
The reply came softer than usual, almost gentle.
Getting through the gate turned out easier than expected. Su-min muttered something, pulled an item from his pocket, and showed it to the guards. They immediately bowed and swung the gates wide.
But Hae-hyun was stopped.
“This one is with you as well?”
Exactly what Su-min had feared. Suspicious eyes raked over Hae-hyun. Jae-ha felt his chest tighten, but Hae-hyun remained unflinching.
“Yes. I serve as the young master’s attendant.”
“Yet your aura is anything but ordinary.”
“I’ve trained a little, only to better protect him.”
“That seems a rather high level for an attendant.”
“Since when are attendants forbidden from learning self-defense?”
“What was that?”
The air grew taut. Su-min finally stepped in—not deliberately late, but clearly shaken and only now recovering.
“He’s telling the truth. He is my attendant.”
“…My apologies.”
The guard immediately saluted and stepped aside. The gate opened, and they were through. Connections carried real weight here. For all its rigid hierarchy, it wasn’t all that different from Korea in the end.
Once they were far enough inside, Jae-ha jabbed Hae-hyun lightly in the ribs.
“You really stand out. Everyone can tell you’re strong.”
It wasn’t just the guard. Hallakung had noticed, and even Su-min had said the same. Jae-ha himself couldn’t sense aura, but clearly Hae-hyun’s presence alone gave him away.
“Maybe a little.”
Though he avoided Jae-ha’s gaze, Hae-hyun answered firmly, a faint shade of pride slipping through. He’d lied smoothly enough a moment ago, but here he couldn’t hide it. Jae-ha smirked silently and turned forward—
And gasped.
“Wow…”
If the inner castle had been pretty, the main keep was something else entirely. Jagged cliffs enclosed the cityscape, elegant trees swayed in the breeze, flowering branches cascaded in riotous bloom. The scene was otherworldly, as if immortals truly lived here. Even the stones paving the paths gleamed as though polished daily.
They crossed the dreamlike gardens and entered the building. The guards at the entrance let them pass without issue, and just like that, the three were inside.
From outside, Jae-ha had only thought the structure tall. Within, its sheer size became clear. It was like Hae-hyun’s home, but stacked upward layer upon layer, grand and sprawling.
Following Su-min, Jae-ha admired the refined carvings and elegant decorations. Others walked the halls too—guests, judging by their leisurely strolls and easy laughter. Their clothing radiated wealth. Clearly, like Su-min, they belonged to the kind of status that granted access here.
Su-min’s presence drew glances. Some even recognized him.
“Well, if it isn’t the Yellow Dragon’s Ishi-mi*.”
“Greetings, Sir Hago. It’s been a long time.”
Su-min bowed politely to the middle-aged man who raised his hand in greeting. Jae-ha and Hae-hyun followed suit. The man stroked his neatly trimmed beard, smiling warmly.
“To come to Myeongheoseong at a time like this—quite the mischievous one, Ishi-mi of Hwang-ryong. Does the Yellow Dragon know you’re here?”
“I’ve nothing to hide from Lord Hwang-ryong.”
“Hahaha, then enjoy yourself. Surely Lord Hwang-ryong isn’t so cold-hearted. Word is, some formidable generals have gathered this time.”
“…I’m looking forward to it. May I ask which general you favor, Sir?”
“Why, the great General Dae-un I brought, of course! He’ll be a sight. Ah, though with General Gyosa here, who knows… hm.”
After a few more words, Sir Hago finally left, strolling toward the gardens. Watching him go, Su-min resumed walking, a touch faster than before.
“Something’s wrong.”
Only once they’d put distance between themselves and others did he mutter it. Jae-ha frowned, and Su-min glanced back, unease clouding his eyes.
“Didn’t Sir Hago’s phrasing sound strange to you?”
“Strange?”
Jae-ha’s careless reply made it clear he hadn’t noticed. Su-min’s brows drew down slightly, prompting Jae-ha to replay the conversation. Nothing had seemed odd—except maybe the implication that Hwang-ryong already knew Su-min was here.
“…Wait.”
“Lord Su-min? Did you come here following Lord Hwang-ryong?”
The voice cut in, calm yet sharp. Su-min blinked and slowly turned. Jae-ha noticed his hand tremble.
“…General Gyosa.”
There was a faint quiver in his voice. Jae-ha’s instincts screamed: we’re screwed.
“It doesn’t sound like Lord Hwang-ryong was expecting you. When did you arrive?”
“I—I was just on my way to pay my respects.”
“Perfect. I was about to return myself. Let’s go together.”
“…I suppose.”
The silence before that answer said everything. Catching Hae-hyun’s eye, Jae-ha edged closer to Su-min.
So Hwang-ryong really was here at Myeongheoseong. Just how precious were those Baeksa fruits, to draw this much attention?
“Should we split off?” Jae-ha whispered.
Su-min gave the slightest nod.
If Hwang-ryong saw Su-min, he would instantly recognize that Jae-ha and Hae-hyun weren’t attendants. Then the questions would begin—who they were, what they were doing here.
And this was right after Hwang-ryong had scolded Su-min for recklessly forcing aura into Jae-ha, which had already drawn complaints from the Guardian Agency. If he caught them together again… there was no telling how far Hwang-ryong’s wrath would reach. One thing was certain: kneeling for days wouldn’t even come close to enough.
*Note: Ishi-mi – another term for Imoogi.
