As the Crown Prince took his seat beside the King, the King looked up at the port officers and asked, “So, are you saying that my son framed you?”
“N-no, *Jeonha*!” the officers blubbered, trembling in absolute terror.
“Then who is behind you?” the King demanded.
“We do not know, *Jeonha*! They only contact us through letters!” they wailed.
The King raised a hand coldly.
“Continue the torture.”
The royal guards resumed the interrogation, and the screams of the officers echoed through the hall well into the afternoon.
Seeing that the port officers truly knew nothing more, the King finally signaled for the torturers to stop.
“Whether you know the mastermind or not is no longer my concern,” the King declared, his voice cutting through the heavy air.
“A few months ago, a group of armed mercenaries attacked the Crown Prince and me because someone supplied them with weapons and detailed maps of the palace. Therefore, by my authority as the King of Joseon, upholding heavenly justice, I sentence you all to death by beheading.”
The port officers broke down into desperate wails and weeping.
“Consider this an act of mercy,” the King added impassively.
“Your families shall be exonerated from treason and merely reduced to government slaves.”
The King then gestured for the Right State Minister to step forward.
“See to the execution.”
“Yes, *Jeonha*,” the Right State Minister replied, bowing low.
The King rose from his throne alongside the Crown Prince and their personal guards.
The entire assembly of ministers bowed deeply as the royal party walked away from the interrogation grounds.
Once they stepped outside the royal bureau compound, the King paused and turned to his son.
“Now that you have poked the ministers directly in the eye, watch your back.”
“Yes, *Aba-mama*,” the Crown Prince replied respectfully.
“The full moon arrives in two days,” the King continued.
“You and your guards will be officially initiated into the organization.”
“Thank you, *Aba-mama*.”
The Crown Prince, Pung, Woon, and Chae-woo bowed as the monarch departed.
“So… what becomes of the port officers now?” Chae-woo asked softly.
“Well, you heard my father,” the Crown Prince replied grimly.
Meanwhile, as the King returned to his private quarters, his Royal Head Eunuch approached him cautiously.
“*Jeonha*, a letter has arrived from the Chief Royal Secretary,” the eunuch reported.
“Did he come in person?” the King asked.
“No, *Jeonha*. He dispatched the message through the shadow organization’s network.”
The King took the sealed missive from the eunuch, entered his private study, and broke the wax seal.
The letter read:
> *Jeonha, I pray you are in good health.
Your loyal vessel submits this report regarding the special assignment granted to me by your late father.*
> *The Ming Empire is currently massing a vast army of young men, and their blacksmiths are working day and night forging weapons.
According to the spy I planted deep within the Ming imperial court, the Emperor is preparing to wage a full-scale war against Joseon.*
> *Your Majesty must act swiftly.
Secure a military alliance with the Karkhu tribe residing in the icy wilderness of Mount Baekdu and the Hamgyong peaks.
Their cold-adapted warriors and northern territory will provide Joseon with an unbeatable strategic advantage.*
> *Furthermore, I urge you to fortify and expand the walls of Hanyang during the upcoming winter, extending our defenses across Seong-jung and the Seongjeosimni buffer zone.
I sense a catastrophic conflict drawing near—just as foretold in the prophecy by the shaman your royal father once consulted.*
> *When the time is right, I shall appear before you with full details.*
>
The King finished reading, held the paper over a burning candle, and watched the words turn to ash.
Turning to his Chief Royal Guard, he commanded, “Before two days pass, bring me the true identity and background of Pung and Woon.”
“Yes, *Jeonha*,” the Chief Royal Guard answered before vanishing into the shadows.
Meanwhile, as the high court ministers walked toward the palace gates, the Chief State Minister, Left State Minister, and Minister of War fell into step alongside the Right State Minister, the Minister of Personnel, and the Minister of Taxation.
“Ah, *Dae-gam*,” the Chief State Minister sneered with a mocking laugh, “it seems the young Crown Prince is already giving you quite the headache!” Visit g.com for the full chapter.
The Right State Minister scoffed, his eyes darkening.
“So much for sending assassins into the palace…” he muttered quietly, before walking away from the laughing faction.
Once out of earshot, the Right State Minister turned to his allies.
“Find out everything about those guards standing beside the Crown Prince. Trace their origins using our shadow network.”
“Yes, *Dae-gam*,” the Minister of Taxation replied.
“And instruct the merchant guilds not to trade anything outside of their registered, legal goods until I give the order,” the Right State Minister added sternly.
“I do not know what game the Crown Prince is playing, but inform the merchants that any unauthorized moves will cost them their heads.”
“Of course, *Dae-gam*,” the Minister of Personnel agreed.
“Dirty rats…” the Right State Minister growled under his breath.
Two days later, Pung, Woon, and Chae-woo arrived at the East Palace.
After completing their morning shifts, they helped the Crown Prince organize the ancient scrolls and books in his study.
Around the Hour of the Rooster (7:00 PM), at the Crown Prince’s instruction, they changed into plain civilian clothes and stealthily departed the palace grounds, making their way up the dark trails of Mount Bugaksan.
“Where are we heading, Your Highness?” Pung asked quietly as they hiked.
“Have you ever heard of the shadow organization that protects the throne?” the Crown Prince asked.
“Yes, but I always assumed it was just a myth,” Pung replied.
“On paper, it does not exist. But in reality, it is very much alive,” the Crown Prince explained.
“So?” Woon asked, unbothered.
“You will see when we arrive,” the Crown Prince said.
Woon remained silent for a moment before speaking up.
“Your Highness, I was wondering… is there a way to look up records of past military officers and their deeds?”
“Of course. All military records are preserved in the royal archives inside the palace,” the Crown Prince answered, glancing at him.
“Why do you ask?”
“It is nothing,” Woon replied coldly.
They reached an ancient, secluded temple hidden deep within the mountain crags.
The Crown Prince stepped forward and pushed open the heavy wooden door.
*Light fades.*