“... I understand.” To the suggestion of using Gongson Su as bait to hunt down the assassins, Heukyoung nodded her head without hesitation, contrary to the fierce opposition that was expected.
Baeksuryong looked at her with a surprised expression. “Really? I thought it would be quite difficult to persuade you.”
“I apologize to you, elder... but as someone trained as an assassin, I believe that method is currently the most efficient.” Instead, Heukyoung looked at Baeksuryong with a curious expression.
The Baeksuryong she knew was someone born under the teachings of his righteous father and mother, trained in the orthodox martial world.
How could he understand the psychology of assassins so well?
‘Moreover, in the fight just now... he showed no hesitation at all in taking a life, regardless of martial skill.’ Many questions arose, but there was no time to ask them in detail now.
As if reading her thoughts, Baeksuryong smiled and said, “To teach a student, one must know everything well.”
“I don’t think this is something to just brush off... but what’s important now isn’t that, so I won’t ask further.” The two exited the building.
Since Baeksuryong had already dealt with the surrounding assassins before entering, there were no signs of life around them.
“I will contact the palace secretly right away.”
“I will gather trustworthy people. It’s impossible for just the two of us to stop all the assassins. How much time do we have?” It was likely that the fact that Cheonyeong had failed had not yet reached other assassin organizations.
But it was only a matter of time.
“At most, one shichen. Within that time, the fact that Cheonyeong’s assassins were wiped out will be known to other assassins.” In other words, they had to come up with a plan to protect Gongson Su and hunt down the assassins within one shichen.
After gauging the remaining time, Baeksuryong nodded.
“Alright. Let’s move quickly.”
“Understood. Then...” Just as Heukyoung was about to leave, she stopped and looked at Baeksuryong. “... Should I inform the elder about all this right away?”
“What do you think we should do?” In the past, she would have reported everything to the elder without a second thought, but now Heukyoung was different.
Now, she was not just a guard protecting Gongson Su, but a daughter supporting her father’s dream.
“... Should I tell him after the competition exam?” Baeksuryong smiled and nodded.
“Let’s do that. It won’t change much if the elder knows. For now, let’s not distract him with anything other than the exam.” And it would be more natural for the elder not to know, so Baeksuryong chuckled playfully.
Seeing that smile, Heukyoung felt a bit more at ease, and her expression brightened.
Though the situation was serious, looking at Baeksuryong’s smile made her feel that nothing bad would happen. “... Understood. After I contact the palace, I will head straight to Cheongryong Academy.” Heukyoung spread her lightness and quickly disappeared.
Baeksuryong watched her figure for a moment before turning back.
“First... I need to persuade the most trustworthy person at Cheongryong Academy.” However, Baeksuryong’s expression was not very good.
He already anticipated the other party’s reaction.
“Are you telling me to believe that?” Maegeuknyeom raised one eyebrow as he looked at his only grandson.
His white beard trembled slightly.
This brat had been late by nearly one shichen for his patrol duty, and now he was making excuses...
Flames surged in Maegeuknyeom’s eyes.
“What? The Prime Minister? Assassins? Cheongryong Academy is burning and people are being captured one after another? Are you mocking me?” He didn’t draw his sword, but he approached Baeksuryong with the intent to devour him whole.
“If you’re late, you should apologize first. Why are you coming back drunk and babbling nonsense in broad daylight?”
“F-Father! It’s not nonsense. I know it’s hard to believe, but it’s all true!”
“Do you really need to taste the bitter flavor...?” Just as Maegeuknyeom was about to draw his sword, he paused.
He caught the scent of blood on Baeksuryong as he got closer.
Then he noticed the faint traces left on the edge of his sleeve and the marks from the scabbard and sword.
“Could it be...?” The swordsman’s keen eyes missed nothing.
Maegeuknyeom’s expression grew serious. “... How much of this is true?”
“It’s all true. If anything, it’s an understatement, not an exaggeration.” Baeksuryong’s expression was extremely serious.
It was not the face of his mischievous grandson who usually acted cheekily while being mindful of his grandfather.
Maegeuknyeom finally realized that the situation was dire.
“W-What exactly is going on...?”
“There’s no time. The assassins will soon target the Prime Minister. We need to prepare before that.”
“...”
“Father.” At Baeksuryong’s quiet call, Maegeuknyeom, who had been silent for a moment, finally spoke. “Do you have a plan?”
“Yes. I’ve called a few people.” Shortly after, Akyeonho, Myeongil-o, Jeonggalsoyeong, and Heukyoung arrived at their location.
“Brother?”
“If you called us suddenly for something urgent...”
“If it’s not really important, I should go back right away. I snuck out without telling Teacher Namgung.” Everyone was unhappy with the sudden summons, but as soon as Baeksuryong conveyed the situation, they were all taken aback.
“No way!”
“This is insane...”
“Y-You’re joking, right?” Their reactions were understandable, but there was no time to calmly persuade them.
Clap! Baeksuryong clapped his hands to gather everyone’s attention and spoke quickly. “While the entrance exam is taking place, we must protect the Prime Minister from the assassins. Furthermore, we will hunt down the assassins targeting the Prime Minister.” Baeksuryong spoke with a serious expression that they had never seen before.
The intensity of his demeanor left no room for doubt.
“I’ve gathered only those I can trust here. You all must help protect the Prime Minister and Cheongryong Academy.”
“...” No one doubted Baeksuryong anymore.
Though he often annoyed people with his cheeky and sly behavior, there was always a reason behind the serious demeanor he occasionally showed.
Akyeonho tightly gripped his spear and asked, “What should we do?”
“First...” Baeksuryong quickly explained the plan.
Based on his outline, Heukyoung and Maegeuknyeom occasionally interjected to supplement the plan.
At that moment, Jeonggalsoyeong timidly raised her hand and asked, “But... shouldn’t we inform the Academy Head about such an important matter?”
Baeksuryong shook his head. “I’ve thought about it too. I think it’s better not to tell the Academy Head.”
“... Why not?”
“He cannot act recklessly. If he does, the enemies will catch on immediately.” That was the superficial reason, but the real reason was different. ‘Noh Gunsang is a variable I cannot control.’
Noh Gunsang, the head of Cheongryong Academy, was undoubtedly a great master and usually held goodwill towards Baeksuryong, but Baeksuryong could not fully trust him. ‘Education and politics are completely different matters.’ Moreover, given his position, there was no guarantee that he wouldn’t have connections with the powers in the palace.
Baeksuryong could not easily predict how Noh Gunsang would react once he learned of the situation. ‘Namgung Jehak, who was beside him, is also suspicious.’ Did the Namgung family truly know nothing about this matter? Even if they didn’t, wouldn’t they try to politically exploit this fact if they found out, being one of the families closest to power among the five great families?
It might be excessive speculation, but it wouldn’t hurt to be cautious. “For now, a small elite group that can move quietly is much better.”
“I think so too.” With Heukyoung agreeing, Jeonggalsoyeong no longer asked further.
Maegeuknyeom sighed as he looked around at the gathered people. “So, the six of us here are all the forces we can mobilize.”
“No, there’s one more.” At Baeksuryong’s words, everyone’s faces showed confusion.
One more person? But no particular face came to mind.
“Who are you talking about?”
“Normally, he’s a bit untrustworthy, but...” Baeksuryong thought of the face that would be beside Gongson Su and chuckled. “I’ll have him pay his debt this time.”
“Ugh...”
“Won Gang-sunbae, why do you look like a puppy that needs to poop since earlier?”
“M-My expression? What’s wrong with my expression? Do I need to poop? I don’t need to! I’m not going to the bathroom!”
“... Seeing you talk nonsense, you must really be sick or something.”
“W-Who’s sick! Worry about your own body!”
“Why should I worry about my body?”
“Sunbae, are you really not feeling well?”
“That tea I spilled earlier was suspicious too. Sunbae, since it’s just us, be honest. From the way you’ve been glancing around since a while ago... is there a girl you like here?”
Gongson Su asked playfully, and Heon Won-gang sighed deeply. “... It’s nothing. Just focus on the exam.”
Heon Won-gang grumbled as usual at the two who knew nothing.
But inside, he was going crazy. ‘Suddenly assassins! Are they insane!’
The three were having a meal and tea together.
Heon Won-gang was trying to ease the tension of the two before the final competition exam in the afternoon.
As a senior who entered Cheongryong Academy before them, he intended to give them various helpful advice.
That was until he heard Baeksuryong’s premonition.
[Won Gang, there are assassins targeting the elder.]
“Puh!” The moment the tea burst from his mouth was so powerful that everyone in the teahouse turned to look.
[Act naturally.
From now on, do not tell the elder or Cheonyeong about this, just keep it to yourself.]
...
And the following story was more absurd than anything he had ever read in martial arts novels for fun. ‘Is he trying to mess with me?’ For a moment, he thought Baeksuryong might do that, but the seriousness in his voice was too real.
[We will hunt the assassins without revealing ourselves.
So, we can’t get too close to the elder.
The assassins will be on guard.
But since you are naturally beside the elder, the assassins will be less wary of you.
After all, you’re just a seventeen-year-old kid from Cheongryong Academy.]
Though there was an unpleasant evaluation mixed in, that wasn’t what mattered right now.
[We will block most of them in advance, but if we fail, you must protect the elder.
I believe you can do it.]
That was the end of the premonition.
Heon Won-gang thought there might be more instructions, but there was no further word.
“Ugh...”
That was why Heon Won-gang was fidgeting like a puppy that needed to poop.
“Haha. It seems that Won Gang-sunbae is feeling anxious. You’ve eaten well and had tea, so let’s take a stroll around before the exam.”
“No, I’m not anxious...” Gongson Su was already walking out cheerfully.
Heon Won-gang closely followed beside him.
“Hmm? Why are you sticking so close?”
“Because it’s cold.”
“... Huh?”
Even he thought it was a ridiculous excuse, but Heon Won-gang shot a strong glare, signaling not to ask further. ‘Naturally.
Naturally.’
The three left the teahouse and stepped onto the street.
Due to the entrance exam at Cheongryong Academy, people were bustling everywhere.
Heon Won-gang’s expression darkened at the sight.
“W-Wouldn’t it be better to move where there are fewer people? We might get into trouble for no reason...”
“Where would there be fewer people on a day like today?”
“But if we look carefully...”
“Come on, let’s enjoy today! A day like today won’t come again!” Gongson Su wandered the streets with a childlike innocent expression.
Unaware of anything, Wi Jicheon walked beside him, while Heon Won-gang followed a step behind with a frown.
‘Naturally.
Naturally.’
Though he thought he was acting naturally, those who made eye contact with Heon Won-gang hurriedly stepped aside.