The Eastern Depot safehouse in White Rooster County, disguised as a merchant guild, was an impenetrable fortress. The walls were high, and the security maintained by the Eastern Depot agents stationed everywhere was as strict as any government office. Masters like Pae-gok were on standby nearby.
Yet, Corporal Punishment Thousand Household Commander Baek Jung-yeon could not easily fall asleep. It was a night strung tight with tension, more suited to secret schemes and assassins than rest and peace. By the window, Baek Jung-yeon wiped the moonlight-soaked blade with an oiled cloth and absently stroked his chin.
The stubble that had grown in over the past few days was quite rough. Frowning in annoyance at the thought of having to shave again, he grimaced. Until he returned to the Imperial Capital, no one would say anything if he let his beard grow.
He could just shave clean before meeting the Admiral, but his subordinates believed his face was naturally hairless. If he grew a beard and then shaved, whispers would follow, just as they had in the Embroidered Uniform Guard, and his authority would be greatly diminished.