Chapter 92: A Rare Heart in the Palace

“The construction schedule was delayed longer than initially planned, but it is well that it has been finished successfully.”

“I would like to look into whether there are any other areas requiring repair before the summer monsoon begins; what is your opinion, Minister?”

“I shall issue orders not only to the capital but also to each local province and submit a report as soon as possible.”

“See to it.”

As Gangcheon dismissed him, Seok-hwan appeared suddenly before the throne and knelt on one knee.

“Speak in detail.”

Seok-hwan provided a detailed report stating that Song-jae had discovered something suspicious while trailing the Minister of Rites’ gatekeeper.

He added that while it was unknown what happened after he separated from Byeol-gyu, no belongings were found on the body when it was discovered in a waterway near the marketplace.

“It is unlikely a member of the Black Shadow Unit was taken down by a mere bandit.”

“Has an autopsy been performed on Song-jae’s body?”

“An akisal¹ was embedded in his heart.”

“An akisal?”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

An akisal was a significantly shorter arrow compared to others, used by placing it inside a secondary guide tube on a bow or crossbow.

Because it was short and light, it was faster than a regular arrow and difficult to block, but its usage was quite tricky due to frequent misfire accidents.

To be struck in the heart with a single shot by an arrow that only a handful of experts could master…

“Could it be that an arrow from the Imperial Army was used?”

There was a single akisal platoon within the Imperial Army.

The platoon Gangcheon had trained while stationed at the border originally had sixteen marksmen; two had died in battle, three or four had returned to their hometowns, and now only about ten remained in the Imperial Army.

Although they continued to train new officers, misfires were so common that deaths or severe injuries during training were frequent.

Consequently, no one else had emerged who could truly be called proficient.

If even the officers who trained regularly were like that, the number of people in private life who could properly fire an akisal would be countable on one hand.

Thus, it was suspicious whether someone from the Imperial Army had conspired with the Minister of Rites to carry out the deed.

To avoid detection, they likely wouldn’t have used an official Imperial arrow, but since akisal were rare, obtaining them was no easy task either.

They could only be found in the armory of the Bureau of Military Equipment, so one would have to carve them personally or place a custom order.

“It was not an Imperial Palace arrow… but the shaft is said to be made of ojuk².”

Arrows for the Imperial Palace were made using ojuk—black bamboo—which was thinner and harder than regular bamboo.

Unlike ordinary bamboo, its growing regions were limited, and the entire supply was delivered to the Imperial Palace; this meant the one who killed Song-jae was, at the very least, someone with a connection to the Palace.

“The inventory of ojuk is also managed by the Bureau of Military Equipment.”

“Seize and interrogate the person in charge of that inventory.”

Gangcheon issued another command to Seok-hwan with a frigid expression.

“It is an irredeemable disgrace that a member of the Emperor’s Black Shadow Unit was taken down by a mere assassin.”

“Summon the members, relay this sternly, and ensure no one acts alone from now on.”

“Yes, Your Majesty. I am deeply sorry.”

Gangcheon exhaled a small sigh and asked about the books Song-jae was said to have intercepted.

There was no way to track the book that went from the Minister of Rites’ house to the book-lending shop, but the book the gatekeeper had received separately was reportedly being kept in the Minister’s room.

“Keep a close watch, and if there is any sign of evidence being destroyed, retrieve it immediately.”

“Until then, wait and see. Have you stationed enough Black Shadow members near the Minister?”

“Fifteen men are rotating in shifts, morning and night.”

“There must be no openings.”

“I shall keep that in mind.”

“Mmm,” Gangcheon hummed in thought and instructed Seok-hwan.

“Conduct Song-jae’s funeral generously. If he has family, provide them with ample consolation money to soothe their grief.”

“After his only remaining grandfather died following the war, he had no one left to call family. Thus, I intend to place some travel money for the afterlife in his coffin when we bury him.”

After smacking his lips with a sense of bitterness, Gangcheon listened to additional reports regarding the Consort’s Palace and the Empress’s Palace before falling into thought.

“Is the amount of information coming from Head Court Lady Yang’s side not too meager?”

Even though he had personally given separate instructions.

“Head Court Lady Yang and the Empress’s inner circle rarely leave their posts. Therefore, the information that can be overheard is inevitably limited.”

“Even though I assigned new court ladies to them?”

“I am told they are sticking together even more tightly. It seems they are wary of the new court ladies.”

Gangcheon let out an involuntary chuckle.

“Their loyalty to the Empress is quite something.”

“I am told that additional stipends are paid to the court ladies of the Empress’s Palace from his Privy Purse.”

“One of the court ladies said that when her father was ill, the Empress gave her a generous amount of money, telling her to buy even just one more dose of medicine. I heard there have been many such instances.”

Gangcheon snorted and clicked his tongue.

“How long can such emotions last? No matter how much you pamper them, are they not black-haired beasts who will only climb over you when the time comes? My heart burns because the Empress is nothing but gentle.”

Seok-hwan stole a glance at Gangcheon’s mood before bowing his head and speaking.

“How can treating people with benevolence be considered a fault? Furthermore, since the one bestowing the kindness seems to have no thought of being repaid, is that not enough?”

Gangcheon burst into a hollow laugh, as it was quite foreign to hear Seok-hwan express his thoughts like this.

“To think you would say such a thing. The Empress’s character must indeed be quite good.”

“Even before Your Majesty ascended the throne, your servant witnessed all the filth of the Imperial Palace. Even to my lowly eyes, a person with such a disposition is truly rare.”

“If you knew he was that precious, you should have tipped me off sooner. You are also a problem for having no flexibility.”

“I did not have the opportunity to speak. When the Empress first arrived, Your Majesty was wary of him in various ways, were you not?”

“That is true. I see now that I lacked an eye for judging people.”

Seok-hwan looked directly up at Gangcheon and continued calmly.

“How about Your Majesty utilizes the Empress more preciously? No matter how flexible a branch is, if you bend it with all your might, it will eventually break.”

“To make a branch round, should one not deep-soak it in water to make it soft before gradually bending it while exposing it to heat?”

“So you mean to say I am the fire, and the Empress is the water.”

“If the fire is only strong, the branch is likely to turn to ash. Once it is all burnt away, will nothing remain? Of course, the Black Shadow Unit would follow even if Your Majesty intended to burn everything down.”

Seok-hwan, who had been staring with a heavy gaze, bowed his head deeply once more.

“Please consider that we, too, are the people of Yeoran. If possible, we wish to protect what can be protected.”

Gangcheon replied to him with a short sigh.

“I have no intention of burning everything. I am merely sorting out the bad charcoal and casting it away. Must it not become high-quality white charcoal to burn well for a long time?”

Though he was merely clearing away what offended his eyes, Gangcheon reassured Seok-hwan with kind words.

The man’s words were also correct.

The members of the Black Shadow Unit surely had their own families and people they wished to protect.

Just as Gangcheon wished to protect his own life.

“I shall surely repay your loyalty before I die. That heart has not changed since the moment I decided to entrust my life to you all.”

“We did not follow Your Majesty in hopes of repayment.”

Gangcheon allowed a subtle smile to grace his lips toward the solemnly responding Seok-hwan.

“I know. But are you not my comrades-in-arms? The Black Shadow Unit is my only group of friends. Is it not the duty of a great man to fulfill the wishes of his friend?”

Gangcheon teased Seok-hwan with a voice laced with a laugh.

“I cannot believe you said such a thing to me. I thought you were always just blunt and barely human, but I suppose people really do become more endearing the longer you look at them.”

Seok-hwan had not been a man of many words since their days on the battlefield.

He was a man who used to say that a soldier had no need for a brain to think.

To think the man who used to run to carry out any order of Gangcheon’s while shouting his compliance had now reached the point of saying such things.

It was both admirable and amusing.

‘Come to think of it, was Han Su-yong—who has watched the Empress for a long time—the same?’

Gangcheon narrowed his eyes, recalling how Su-yong had suddenly come to him saying he wanted to guard the Empress’s side.

It was quite strange.

He felt he should feel as though his own person had been snatched away, yet it wasn’t particularly unpleasant.

“I apologize.”

Seeing Seok-hwan bow his head again, Gangcheon wore a deep smile.

Gangcheon also knew that his people were precious. It was just that there were so few of them.

“If a peaceful reign is what you all desire, I shall grant it. Let us create a world together where your families can live in peace.”

“I, Yoon Seok-hwan, shall follow Your Majesty’s lead even at the cost of my life.”

Honestly, the position of Emperor was a job with far too much work and too many nuisances.

‘But it cannot be helped.’

Gangcheon let out a chuckle and scolded Seok-hwan’s words.

“If you die before me, are you saying I should be left alone to be plagued by state affairs until I die? Do not even think of dying in peace before me. Survive to the end and help me.”

“I shall keep that in mind, Your Majesty.”

Gangcheon wrapped up the conversation with Seok-hwan and rose from his seat.

Speaking of the Empress with Seok-hwan made those round eyes he hadn’t seen for a few days flicker in his mind.

‘I wonder what kind of expression he will wear today.’

He suddenly wished to see those eyes that revealed so many different emotions whenever they met his.

“Manchul. Prepare for my departure to the Empress’s Palace.”

¹ Akisal (아기살): Literally “baby arrow.” A very small, high-speed arrow unique to traditional Korean archery.
² Ojuk (오죽): Black bamboo. Historically prized for its strength and aesthetic, often used for high-quality items and imperial goods.

📚 Also on NHV Novels

The Price of Stardom

ModernRomance

Read Now →
Not interested