CH 5
A generous evaluation came from Gyeomsaik.
So it was someone he’d sent after all. Sahae-ryeong’s delicate brow furrowed. She tapped her finger once on the table. One more tap, and Narak’s dagger would slice through the air before her eyes.
“At that level, he must be someone Gyeom Daesu cherishes. But why does he look so displeased?”
“Because… he’s a damn bastard, that’s why.”
Gyeomsaik pressed his temples as if the mere thought gave him a headache, then added:
“Did you extort money from him?”
“Excuse me?”
“Or… did you strike him?”
“What nonsense are you—”
“At least that’s a relief. So it’s true he’s been tailing the Third Princess?”
Sahae-ryeong’s eyebrows twitched upward before settling. Did he truly know nothing? She withdrew her raised finger and instead gripped the water glass on the table.
“The matter is under investigation.”
“This is troubling…”
“Are you worried for your subordinate?”
“For both of them.”
“Meaning?”
“Do you know his nickname among the intelligence operatives?”
“Should I?”
“‘Mad Dog.’”
Not a title she’d wanted to hear. Sahae-ryeong’s brow tightened in distaste, but Gyeomsaik pressed on.
“A dog, but mad. Master, elder—it matters not. If crossed, he’ll sink his teeth into anyone.”
This from Gyeom Daesu, who’d once shot birds from the sky mid-flight in the Demonic Sect. For him, this counted as high praise. What had the man been doing?
Though reluctant to admit it, she felt curiosity stir.
“Continue.”
“Hwanik—third-rank noble, deputy leader of the Flying Dragon Gang. The spy incident he was involved in.”
Sahae-ryeong nodded impatiently. The case had been too prominent to ignore.
“The actual spy wasn’t Hwanik, but his nephew. The fool fell for Sado-ryeon’s tricks at a Henan gambling den and leaked information.”
“Is that so?”
This detail was new. As Third Princess, she often received only summarized reports—this had been one.
“Yes. Hwanik tried to bury the incident by rampaging through the intelligence bureau—breaking property, assaulting agents. Since I was away on duty at the time, the one who confronted him was…”
“Jang Iseo. Of course.”
“Precisely. Hwanik’s fatal error was provoking him. Jang Iseo offered the nephew a deal: freedom in exchange for every scrap of information on Hwanik.”
Is he insane? Sahae-ryeong struggled to comprehend. A mere seventh-rank squad leader meddling with third-rank intelligence? The disparity was absurd.
“And?”
“The investigation revealed Hwanik’s ties to his nephew’s gambling den.”
“You mean…”
“The real spy was Hwanik all along. He’d used his nephew as a disposable pawn.”
So that was the truth. Both Sahae-ryeong and Narak hid their surprise. Yet—
“A coincidence, surely.”
“Such ‘coincidences’ follow him like shadows. What matters isn’t the spark, but whether Jang Iseo chooses to bite. Personally… I’d avoid being bitten.”
Gyeomsaik chuckled into his water glass. Sahae-ryeong’s mood curdled. Was he implying she needed protection?
From some seventh-rank ant she could crush like dried leaves? Even a prized child appears dull if overpraised.
“It seems Lord Gyeom has lingered too long on the frontier.” Her disappointment hung thick.
The once-legendary man had rusticated as Daesu for years. Small wonder his judgment frayed. Yes—that explained it.
“Avoid entanglement with him at all costs. Consider this advice from your former mentor.”
Sahae-ryeong rose with regal indifference.
“I’ll apprehend Jang Iseo shortly for interrogation. If innocent, he lives. If not… consider him forgotten.” She’d have no further use for him anyway.
At her glance, Narak folded his hands discreetly. The plan was set—capture the target, extract answers.
Why investigate Mao? Who ordered it?
Then—
“Daesu! Your humble servant arrives!”
The booming voice from the hallway froze Gyeomsaik mid-sip. “Jang Iseo…?”
Sahae-ryeong halted. Him?
“Why’s he here during his leave?…”
Speak of the devil. What wretched timing. She snorted—perfect. She’d take him now.
But—thud! A rough shove between her shoulder blades.
“Out—now! If he finds us together, he’ll bolt straight to the Grand Prince! Move!”
“What are you—”
“Narak! Escort her!”
The aide tilted his head, confused—a fatal delay.
“Daesu! May I enter?”
The thunderous knock rattled the door.
“After years apart… you still disappoint.” She turned to leave.
“Stop! Hide!”
“Hide? You ordered me out.”
“Behind the screen! Narak, move!”
Ignoring their baffled stares, Gyeomsaik herded them behind the partition, flung it wide, and sat coughing into his fist as the door burst open.
