The most distinguished person in the world resides in the Forbidden City.
And now, in the deepest chamber of the Forbidden City, a woman known as Mangwibi listened lazily to the report from Wangjik, the head eunuch of the Xichang.
“Are the Murim people planning a mass protest outside the Seungcheon Gate?”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
“How could such ruffians gather in front of the Forbidden City where His Majesty resides?”
“However, they have their own reasons, so we can’t just easily brush them aside.”
“Reasons?”
“Recently, there was an uproar because a certain Jeongalgyun, the leader of the orthodox Murim, declared that Weijichun, the former lord of the Murim Association, was merely a spy planted by the imperial family and exposed his wrongdoings. This protest is a formal protest to our imperial family, who placed such a Weijichun at the pinnacle of the orthodox Murim, breaking the principle of non-interference.”
In other words, they have no basis to easily dismiss their protest.
“Is the principle of non-interference really that important?”
“Well, it was established from the negotiations between the late Emperor Taizu and the Murim people. The Murim are stronger than regular folk due to their rigorous training from a young age; when Taizu founded the Ming Dynasty, he received significant help from them, therefore he set up this principle of non-interference while also employing a strategy of infiltrating their ranks.”
After all, they could become a terrifying presence when turned into enemies.
“Wangjik, what do you think is the best course of action?”
“Currently, I’ve thought of about three approaches.”
As Wangjik said this, he held up three fingers.
“First, we wait until they tire themselves out and give up.”
After all, they are also subjects of the Ming Dynasty. If we don’t respond, they’ll have no choice but to relent.
If they eventually grow tired and draw their swords, we can use that as a basis to sweep them away.
“But what if word of them reaches the Emperor’s ears?”
Hearing Mangwibi’s query, Wangjik nodded thoughtfully.
“Thus, the second option is to throw out a satisfactory bait.”
“Satisfactory bait?”
“What the Murim people want is an apology for violating the principle of non-interference and measures to prevent recurrence after laying waste to innocent sects and clans for the collection of yangsaeng methods. In other words, we fabricate a scapegoat and cut off their tail.”
“But they’re not fools; they’ll surely notice if we cut off a tail. If they’ve gathered here to protest, it means they likely have solid evidence.”
“Of course, we cannot overlook that possibility. Hence, we have prepared a third strategy.”
Using one enemy to deal with another.
“To catch Murim people, it’s best to use Murim people.”
“…What does that mean?”
“There are not only orthodox sects in the Murim. The opposite side, the unorthodox faction, also exists. I plan to involve them in this matter.”
Fundamentally, the orthodox and unorthodox factions are like rivals.
“No matter how justified the orthodox may be, if we promise the unorthodox benefits, they’ll surely take our side.”
“Hahaha! That’s a brilliant idea!”
As Mangwibi clapped her hands in admiration, Wangjik lowered his head with a smirk on his lips.
“Then let’s proceed with the third plan for this matter.”
“I’ll take my leave as commanded.”
Wangjik replied and then retreated from the chamber.
*
“What should we do, Mangwibi-nim?”
“Hmph, that’s obvious. You know how much the Emperor hates anything that makes him look bad, so naturally, we must order to stop the protest.”
Wangjik and Yangbang.
Under the favor of Emperor Shun, they were among the true powerbrokers in the current court.
After Wangjik met with Mangwibi, the two had a discreet meeting apart.
“The grand plan is nearing its final stages. Thinking back, it seems we were able to establish ourselves so easily thanks to the past troubles caused by a Taoist named Ijarong stirring things up in the palace.”
“Indeed, it was truly heaven’s help.”
“Haha, you speak rightly.”
As Yangbang sipped his tea, Wangjik squinted and asked.
“So this time, we can proceed without mistakes, right?”
“I’ve already sent someone to make contact with Cheolhyeol Majon. We should receive a response shortly.”
“This time, we can’t afford any mistakes like before. Those barbaric fools need to understand what happens when they bare their fangs at the emperor’s subjects.”
“Of course, we must.”
Yangbang chuckled, but Wangjik stood up with a look of unease.
“Well then, I have another appointment, so I’ll be leaving first. You take your time.”
“Go on in, old friend.”
With that, Wangjik closed the door behind him, leaving Yangbang alone in the room, who murmured coldly as if nothing had just happened.
“It seems it’s time to tidy up this identity.”
*
The morning we left Myoseondong had an oddly subdued atmosphere thanks to Wolhyang.
While eating breakfast prepared as usual, I cautiously asked,
“Um… Teacher, are you feeling unwell?”
“Me? What about me?”
Wolhyang replied, momentarily startled by my reference to her.
It seemed she hadn’t realized she was picking at her food.
I forced a bitter smile and said,
“If it’s because we’re leaving today, don’t worry, we’ll come back.”
Wolhyang waved her hands in denial.
“No! I’m okay! Really!”
But she looked anything but alright, and as I watched her with concern, she hurriedly continued eating, insisting she was fine.
“…….”
Seeing her like that, Baek Yujin, who was sitting nearby, remarked,
“They say rabbits die when they get lonely.”
“Lady Yujin!”
Wolhyang yelled in a startled manner, and Baek Yujin shrugged, “Alright, alright.”
Eventually realizing that this teasing wouldn’t end any time soon, Wolhyang sulked and explained,
“I just got a little attached. I’ve been living alone here for decades.”
I quietly stared at her, then suggested,
“Then why don’t you, Teacher, try living outside?”
“Me?”
Wolhyang blinked in surprise, as if she hadn’t expected such a suggestion at all.
But I was serious.
“After all, isn’t a sage’s lifespan immensely longer than that of a human? Wouldn’t it be alright to mingle with people for a bit?”
“Wh-what if I become a burden to them?”
“Not at all.”
In the first place, Wolhyang was a sage with immense power, yet she had lived in seclusion for decades farming—essentially harmless.
Her personality was friendly, so I truly didn’t think she’d cause trouble in human society.
“That doesn’t sound bad. Wolhyang, being cooped up for decades must be frustrating.”
Hearing our discussion, Baek Yujin encouraged her to think about it, and Wolhyang’s expression became increasingly complicated.
“Well, I’m not saying I need to decide right now. I just wanted to let you know that such an option exists.”
“R-really?”
“So I’ll expect an answer after you return from Beijing.”
“Uh, that’s too short a deadline.”
“This kind of decision must be made promptly, you know. You’re my second teacher now.”
“…Okay! Got it!”
With the title of ‘teacher’ suddenly lifting her spirits, Wolhyang perked her rabbit ears and nodded eagerly.
I felt reassured that we could leave Myoseondong without worry.
*
“Then there’s no need for a formal goodbye, right?”
Baek Yujin asked as she pulled out a scroll from her robe.
“Yeah, we’ll see each other soon anyway.”
As I shrugged, Wolhyang, who had come out to see us off, hesitated for a moment, then pulled out something.
“Here, take this.”
“?”
What Wolhyang handed me was a necklace made from carved rabbit feet.
“They say rabbit’s feet bring good luck. I made this whenever I found the time.”
“…Thank you, Teacher Wolhyang.”
As I lowered my head in gratitude, Wolhyang smiled behind her clasped hands.
“Then, let’s get going.”
Baek Yujin said as she untied the knot of the scroll.
When the dazzling light enveloped us and I briefly shut my eyes, I opened them to find we were already outside Myoseondong.
“…It feels incredibly old and worn.”
I murmured, looking around at the inn we’d used to avoid drawing attention when entering Myoseondong after not being maintained for two years.
“It hasn’t been tended to at all.”
With a blank expression, Baek Yujin opened the dusty window wide.
As the bright sunlight poured in, she nodded in satisfaction and said to us,
“Let’s set out as soon as we’re ready.”
We had planned to meet the others in Beijing.
