"Ding~. It is midnight."
As the bell from the clock tower announced the hour, Kwon Bu-wee informed Hyang that it was now midnight.
"I heard it. That clock is also pointing to midnight."
"They probably won't be able to come in. There are many walls to cross to reach the East Palace. Not to mention the guards stationed there..."
Just as Kwon Bu-wee reported that they would not be able to enter, a soft voice came from outside the door.
"Still, the master of the East Palace has called, so they should come."
Startled by the sudden voice, Kwon Bu-wee and the inner guards gripped their swords and stood beside Hyang.
"If you've come, then come in."
"Yes."
With a quiet reply, three men entered.
Dressed entirely in black from head to toe, Hyang spoke up.
"Remove your masks."
"Yes, Your Highness."
The leaders of the Sword Guild respectfully bowed deeply to Hyang after removing their masks.
"We, the humble leaders of the Sword Guild, greet His Highness the Crown Prince."
"Please, sit comfortably in the chairs over there."
"Thank you very much."
Once the leaders of the Sword Guild were seated, Hyang got straight to the point.
"Which areas of Hanyang do the guilds you lead control?" In response to Hyang's question, the leaders spoke of the regions where they held influence.
"I lead the guild in the Bukchon area."
"I am from Dadong..."
"I am from Unjongga..."
"Hmm... So, the east, west, and north of the central area of Hanyang. Is there none in the south?" 'Simply put, they are like gangsters dividing up the prime real estate of 21st-century Seoul's Gangnam.' The leaders explained the reason for the absence in the south.
"There are no guilds in the south, as there are no noble families, and the 51st district is there, so no guild has settled. Ah! Those who are leeching off the soldiers in the 51st district are called 'gibu' (妓夫) and are just a bunch of useless people."
"Is that so? I see. The reason I called you today is..."
Hyang got straight to the main topic.
The areas Hyang intended to utilize them for were 'monitoring the officials' and 'preemptively detecting unwholesome groups.' "Isn't there the Office of Inspector General and the Office of Censor?" "There is, indeed. However, through several incidents, I've come to realize something. By the time the Office of Inspector General or the Office of Censor notices something, it is usually too late to handle the situation. But, if it were you, wouldn't you be faster? There must be many things coming from the gisaeng house."
"That is true."
As the Dadong leader nodded, the Bukchon leader posed a question.
"I understand what you mean by 'preemptive plotting of unwholesome groups,' but why are you entrusting such an important task to us?" "Isn't the dark side your specialty?" "..."
At Hyang's words, the leaders fell silent.
It was true that they could hear various matters in the gisaeng house, and it was common for them to use that information to seize opportunities or extort wealth.
"If we take on this task..."
The Dadong leader began, but Hyang interrupted and answered immediately.
"There will be no official rank or title bestowed upon you and your members for the time being. No, to be honest, even during my father's reign and when I inherit the throne, there will be little chance for you to step into the public eye. Your existence will be known only to my father, me, and a very select few. However, if you happen to be killed or seriously injured while doing this work, I will take full responsibility."
At Hyang's words, the leaders' expressions turned serious. 'Perhaps it would have been better not to cross the wall at all?' All three regretted crossing the wall, but there was no turning back now.
The psychological hunger from being left out in the cold was too much to bear.
"Do we need to give you an answer right away?" "I think I've given you enough time already?" "..."
At Hyang's remark, the leaders fell silent once more.
Hyang's words were indeed true.
It had been more than ten days since they learned of Hyang's true identity.
Many among the guild members were intelligent, and the conclusion they reached from their discussions was quite similar to the proposal Hyang had just put forth.
And from that, the answer had already emerged.
"We will follow Your Highness's proposal."
"Thank you!" As the leaders accepted the proposal, Hyang finally leaned back in his chair and relaxed.
In the softened atmosphere, the Dadong leader joked with Hyang.
"But aren't you being a bit careless? What would you have done if we had any ill intentions?" "Well, I have guards beside me..."
Hyang pushed aside two books that had been laid out on the desk.
Beneath the books lay two pistols, already cocked and ready.
"At least two of you wouldn't have returned alive."
Just as Hyang finished speaking, the voice of the inner guard captain rang out.
"No one would have returned alive."
"Huh?" Hyang and the leaders turned their heads toward the source of the sound and froze.
The inner guard captain and a group of inner guards were aiming their pistols, and behind them stood Sejong.
Sejong looked at Hyang with eyes filled with a chilling aura.
"Crown Prince, you've truly stirred up an interesting situation, haven't you?" "Gulp!"
Before long, Hyang's room was filled with people.
The soldiers of the inner guard, ready to shoot at any moment, glared at the leaders of the Sword Guild, while Sejong walked toward Hyang's seat.
"Please, have a seat."
"You... we will talk seriously later."
"Yes."
Standing beside Hyang, Sejong sat down and looked at the three leaders who were bowing before him.
"So, you are the leaders of the Sword Guild, who control the nights of Hanyang?" "Y-yes, Your Majesty."
"It is an honor to meet Your Majesty in person. Long live! Long live! Long live!" "However, I must say, I am not pleased. The Sword Guild... how should I judge you?" "..."
At Sejong's question, the leaders fell silent.
Among themselves, they referred to each other as the Sword Guild, but to the common people, they were known as the Sword Guild and instilled fear.
After a moment of silence, Sejong spoke.
"If you follow the two commands I am giving you now, I will guarantee your lives. No, while it may not be official, I will also grant you honor."
At Sejong's words, the leaders looked up at him.
Sejong spoke sternly to the leaders.
"The two commands you must follow are: one, to carry out the orders just mentioned by the Crown Prince to the best of your abilities, and the other, to ensure the safety of Hanyang's nights."
"What do you mean by ensuring the safety of Hanyang's nights?" "In a city as populated as Hanyang, crime cannot be avoided. However, crimes that take lives, especially those that harm innocent lives and homes, like the recent great fire, cannot be tolerated! Therefore, you must prevent such occurrences! That is your second command."
"Are you ordering us to preemptively eliminate threats, or to report to the police?" "That will be your choice. If you have the luxury, report to the police; if not, it is acceptable to act first and report later. But! If it turns out that there was no basis for the accusations, the consequences will not be light!" The leaders fell silent, deep in thought at Sejong's command.
"I will follow Your Majesty's orders."
The first to make a decision was the Dadong leader.
"We will follow your orders!" "We will follow your orders!" As the Dadong leader made his decision, the other two leaders followed suit and accepted Sejong's command.
"Good. Then, starting tomorrow, carry out the orders immediately. And... I will soon select someone to communicate with me and let you know."
"We will follow your orders!" "Then you may leave! And keep today's events a secret until you die!" "We will follow your orders!" The leaders bowed deeply in response to Sejong's command and respectfully retreated from Hyang's room.
Watching them leave, Hyang felt a sense of familiarity. 'Is this the Korean version of Las Vegas?'
Las Vegas had been heavily influenced by the mafia since its inception.
To attract tourists to Las Vegas, the mafia's method was surprisingly simple: 'strengthening security.' Swindlers, gamblers, and those engaging in prostitution in unauthorized areas would mysteriously disappear into the sands of the nearby desert, thanks to the mafia.
"Follow them and find out where they entered."
"Yes!" At the inner guard captain's command, the inner guard soldiers followed the leaders out of the room.
The expressions of the inner guards following the leaders were serious.
After Hyang's visit to the gisaeng house, the inner guard captain had been paying more attention to the palace's night security.
In such a situation, a breach had occurred today.
If the cause of today's breach was not a weakness that no one knew about but simply human error, there would surely be wailing starting tomorrow.
Meanwhile, in Hyang's room, only Sejong, the inner guard captain, Kwon Bu-wee, and one other warrior remained.
"Do you carry two or three lives with you? Did you really think you could pull this off with just those two pistols?" At Sejong's words, Hyang smiled and replied.
"Surely not."
"You find this situation amusing?" Realizing that Sejong's mood was serious, Hyang hurriedly took off the traditional hat he was wearing and handed it over.
"I had my own preparations."
Sejong, receiving the hat, was surprised by its weight and turned it over to inspect it.
Inside the hat was a layer of iron plating.
"The head is one thing, but..."
At Sejong's words, Hyang quickly loosened the ties of his ceremonial robe.
Inside the robe was armor protecting his chest, and a larger collar was designed to protect his neck.
"It's great that the ceremonial robe has enough room."
"Huh..."
Listening to Hyang's explanation, Sejong let out a long sigh and spoke.
"Choose. A hundred days of document organization or a beating right now."
"Should I bring a stepping stone?" "Hah..."
At Hyang's words, Sejong sighed and pointed to the desk.
"... This is your father's first and last warning. I understand the importance of what you want to do and that you must keep it a secret. However, I will not forgive you for hiding it from me. If you get caught again, I will have you organize all the documents of the Ministry of Personnel and the Ministry of Internal Affairs!" "Yes! I will definitely report to you, Father!" At Sejong's warning, Hyang stood up and answered, forgetting the pain in his calves.
As the one who created the document organization punishment, he was well aware of its notorious reputation.
"Then, go to your quarters."
"I am deeply grateful."
Following Sejong out of the East Palace, the inner guard captain asked Sejong a question.
"If I may be so bold, how could you accept the rascals of the Sword Guild?" "Like cures like, they say. The Sword Guild might be useful in some way."
"Do you think they have the ability?" "Considering they managed to breach the inner guard, they must have some level of skill."
"I will train the inner guards even more. Grit!" At Sejong's words, the inner guard captain ground his teeth.
Today's incident was a disgrace to the inner guard.
"Then, this is the end."
"I am deeply grateful."
"Make sure that today's events do not spread outside."
"They are trustworthy subordinates."
"That's a relief."
As Sejong walked, hearing the inner guard captain's response, he suddenly brightened his eyes.
"Hmm... I just thought of a good way to test the Sword Guild's abilities."
Five days later, Kwon Bu-wee entered the gisaeng house where the Dadong leader was staying.
"I have come to meet the leader."
"Who should I say is here?" "Tell them I come from Unjongga."
"Yes."
A moment later, upon hearing that someone was looking for him, the Dadong leader appeared, hesitating for a moment upon seeing Kwon Bu-wee's face, then approached and bowed.
"It has been a long time since we last met."
"Thank you for remembering me. I will probably come often. If not me, say I come from 'Bukhak.'" "Bukhak... I understand. What brings you here today?" "First, I have come to share this secret code, and second, the elder wishes to see you."
"The elder?" Kwon Bu-wee silently raised his right index finger.
"Ah! When will it be?" "Three days from now, at midnight. I will leave the north side gate of the palace open, so come through there. If you cross the wall like last time, the inner guards will warmly welcome you. The last time you caused trouble, the inner guards had a bit of a cleansing." "... Understood."
"Then I will take my leave."
"Please have a drink before you go."
"I will be frequenting gisaeng houses, so I must build some goodwill with my wife first."
At Kwon Bu-wee's words, the Dadong leader laughed and replied.
"Hahaha! When you come next time, I will prepare a drink that will help your vitality!" "I appreciate it!"
Three days later, at midnight.
The leaders of the Sword Guild, who entered through the north side gate of Gyeongbokgung Palace, met Sejong in the Gangnyeongjeon Hall.
"Did you call for us?" "Yes. You have work to do."
"What is it?" "It is related to the Crown Prince. You are aware that the marriage ban has been issued, right?" "Yes, Your Majesty."
"The Crown Prince, that audacious one, has presented a rather troublesome task."
"Yes?" Sejong explained to the leaders the criteria Hyang desired for a Crown Princess. "... Thus, we are establishing a marriage office and looking for suitable candidates, but it is not easy. Therefore, you should look for them." "... Yes."
"This is also a test of your abilities. The one who brings the best results in the shortest time will be guaranteed a higher position."
At Sejong's words, the leaders responded with bewildered expressions.
"We will do our utmost!"