Seeing The Demon (5)

A letter had been sent ahead, so gate guards were already deployed at the Merchant House’s main gate, led by Gate Captain Gwak Gu.

Kkiiik.

The carriage door opened, and Jin-hyeon and Han Cheol-sang stepped down.

Taking Gyeong Hang’s hand as he helped him down last, Jin-hyeon stared quietly at the Merchant House gate.

‘It’s been a long time.’

He felt it too.

It was different from when he infiltrated through the back and met Gyeong In-geol. Even with his face covered, walking boldly to the front gate brought back fresh, green memories.

‘Nothing’s changed.’

The massive gate and outer wall, like a small fortress gate, and even the signboard looming overhead were just as they used to be.

‘The outside hasn’t changed, but…’

Jin-hyeon looked at Gwak Gu.

His looks were striking despite the severe atmosphere. Even at middle age, he was handsome enough to make young women turn their heads.

But.

‘The man has changed.’

A shadow named bewilderment and tension lay over Gwak Gu’s face.

Jin-hyeon understood instinctively. Most of the people in the clan, not only the gate guards, had been brought under Gyeong Do-cheon, except the blacksmiths.

Naturally, the Swift Wind Unit, the only true martial force, must have fallen into Gyeong Do-cheon’s hands as well. It was already shocking that Gong Cheong of the Trade Routes Department had brought in Heo Jang-un to make him the Swift Wind Unit’s captain.

‘No. Maybe it had been like this long before I died. Back then, I just didn’t see them clearly.’

Either way, the fight had begun.

Gwak Gu bent at the waist.

“We greet the Supreme Patriarch.”

At that, all the gate guards dropped to their knees.

“We greet the Supreme Patriarch!”

Gyeong Hang nodded.

Despite his kind expression, his words were strict.

“What is this?”

“Pardon?”

“An old man comes home, and all the gate guards gather. What do you think you’re doing?”

Gwak Gu spoke calmly.

“You are Divine Iron’s elder, the Supreme Patriarch. We must greet you accordingly……”

“What crime did the guards on rest commit? I clearly told In-geol to be strict about the underlings’ rest and pay, and that except for formal clan events, he must not encroach on the minimum living conditions the clan members are meant to enjoy.”

“!”

“Don’t tell me my son was working you like this?”

Gwak Gu lowered his head.

“That isn’t so. We only thought it a great honor to see your revered face…”

“Gate Captain Gwak’s words are quite strange. If the Patriarch acted as I told him, then does that mean you gathered in a group against the Patriarch’s orders and the proper rules?”

Gwak Gu’s expression didn’t change, but he seemed a little flustered.

“My apologies. I committed a foolish act, failing to grasp the great intent of the Patriarch and Supreme Patriarch. Please forgive me.”

Gyeong Hang shook his head.

“Anyone can make a mistake. What matters is not repeating it. Send back the gate guards who should be resting right now.”

Gwak Gu grew even more flustered.

Things were unfolding differently than expected. Originally, he and several gate guards were to take Gyeong Hang and headed for the Patriarch’s Hall.

But the moment he met him, Gyeong Hang was invoking ‘the Patriarch.’ In principle, you could ignore the words of a Supreme Patriarch who had ceded power, but before the criticism that he wasn’t following the Patriarch’s will, he couldn’t act rashly.

“What are you doing?”

Gwak Gu bit his lip slightly and ordered the gate guards.

“Open the gate. And as the Supreme Patriarch said, those not on shift, go in and rest.”

“By your command!”

Kurureung.

The main gate opened, and many gate guards filed into the outer courtyard.

Jin-hyeon walked in, supporting Gyeong Hang.

Then Gwak Gu blocked their way.

“Who are you?”

“Step aside.”

“My apologies, Supreme Patriarch. As Gate Captain, I am responsible for identifying the names, affiliations, and intentions of those entering the clan.”

Anger flickered on Gyeong Hang’s face.

He knew as well that Gwak Gu had become Do-cheon’s man. He needed to stay calm like before, but the pressure in Gwak Gu’s words made his temper rise for a moment.

Then Han Cheol-sang stepped forward.

“We came from the Investigation and Defense Court. You can tell by our attire.”

“You could be a group impersonating constables. Show proof.”

Gyeong Hang spoke in a lowered voice.

“Are you saying I’m traveling with men impersonating constables, Captain Gwak?”

Gwak Gu bowed respectfully.

“My apologies. I don’t mean to insult you, Supreme Patriarch. I’m only doing my duty. In principle, even if the other party is the Heavenly Will Alliance Leader, the gate guards must still verify his identity.”

What he said was true. The back of Gyeong Hang’s neck slowly reddened.

Han Cheol-sang took a letter from his robes and handed it over.

“This is a letter written personally by the Investigation and Defense Court Master.”

Gwak Gu checked the letter’s contents.

As expected, his expression didn’t change. But Jin-hyeon could see his gaze shaking violently.

The Investigation and Defense Court Master was not a rank a Merchant House gate captain could handle easily. It was a natural reaction.

Han Cheol-sang spoke again.

“Open the gate.”

“What proof is there that this letter was written by the Court Master?”

“Do we have to go back to the Court just to confirm that?”

“If necessary, then yes.”

Just as Gyeong Hang was about to speak.

“We’re special constables, working in a secret inspection unit under the Court Master.”

A secret inspection unit.

It wasn’t a word he could dismiss. Gwak Gu flinched without meaning to.

Jin-hyeon continued.

“If you want verification, send your warriors to confirm it. Right now.”

Gwak Gu cursed inwardly.

If it was someone like Gyeong Hang, it wouldn’t be shocking even if he had ties with the Sichuan Branch Chief, not just the Court Master. But the men he brought claimed to work in a secret inspection unit.

He was arguing principles, but if this leaked, his footing could shake. He had to smooth it over at a reasonable point.

“Fine. As Gate Captain, I should uphold principle. But the escort carriage clearly looks like it belongs to the Court, so we’ll end the identity check here.”

Jin-hyeon nodded.

“Do so.”

“However, even if you are constables, I can’t let you in.”

Gyeong Hang snapped.

“Gate Captain!”

“My apologies, Supreme Patriarch. They haven’t stated their purpose for entry. And it’s the middle of the night……”

“The Court Master appointed them personally as my guards. Do they need to state another purpose beyond that?”

Damn it.

Gwak Gu realized he couldn’t push any further.

He’d been losing from the start. Dragging it out this long meant he’d done his part.

But he had to make one thing clear.

“If the Supreme Patriarch needs a guard, we will handle it on our side. The Court handles civilian security, and regardless of the organization, we can’t simply allow them in without an official document.”

Gwak Gu bowed his head.

“Please understand.”

He wasn’t wrong. Gyeong Hang glanced at Jin-hyeon.

Jin-hyeon spoke.

“Let’s do that.”

“Thank you for understanding.”

“But you must save our face as well.”

“What do you mean?”

“We were personally chosen as his guards. Our superior values thorough handling. If we don’t confirm with our own eyes that the Supreme Patriarch made it safely to his quarters, we’ll catch hell.”

“That’s not our problem.”

“Fair enough.”

Jin-hyeon jerked his chin at Han Cheol-sang.

“Let’s go. If we report that the gate captain strongly denied our escort of the Supreme Patriarch, he probably won’t blame us too hard.”

“You think so?”

“Ah, but we’ll have to report who this bastard is…”

Jin-hyeon asked Gyeong Hang.

“Please tell me his age, affiliation, name, and residence, so I can report it in detail. If possible, tell me his family relations too.”

Gyeong Hang’s mouth opened so fast it made one wonder if this was all right.

“His name is Gwak Gu. I don’t know if he’s forty-two or forty-three. He’s the Divine Iron Merchant House gate unit captain, and as for his residence, I don’t know, but his brothers are probably…”

Flustered, Gwak Gu shouted without meaning to.

“S-stop!”

“What?”

Gyeong Hang glared daggers at Gwak Gu.

“You’ve become completely lawless! Even if I have no authority, do you have no respect for the Supreme Patriarch? Where did you learn that mouth!”

Gwak Gu squeezed his eyes shut and gritted out.

“…Only to his quarters.”

Jin-hyeon snorted.

“You have a real talent for making things difficult. If a mere merchant house treats the Court this lightly, how will order hold in Sichuan?”

“…”

“Gwak Gu. I’ll remember that name.”

A hidden killing intent rose on Gwak Gu’s face, then vanished.

“Please go in, Supreme Patriarch. We will accompany you as well, along with the constables.”

And so the three, Gwak Gu, and four gate guards moved with Gyeong Hang.

Maybe because it was night, the outer courtyard was quiet. No workers or servants passed by, only a few escort warriors guarding the main buildings.

How long had they walked?

“Do we need to go all the way into the inner court?”

At Jin-hyeon’s almost joking words, Gyeong Hang nodded with a wry smile.

“The Gyeong family’s quarters are all in the inner court.”

“It’s quite big.”

There was a wistfulness in Jin-hyeon’s voice that only someone who knew would recognize.

Gyeong Hang’s heart ached. In his grandson’s eyes and voice, returning home after a long time, he felt the regret of an old man returning after decades away.

Then Han Cheol-sang pointed to a small path to the right. It was a narrow road made through bamboo.

“What is that place?”

“It’s a walking path. Longer and more winding than you’d think.”

“If we walk that way, can we still reach the inner court gate?”

“Of course, though it’ll take a bit more time. Why? Do you want to walk?”

“Would that be all right?”

“We’re not in a rush. Go ahead. It’s been a long time for me too.”

Gwak Gu spoke carefully.

“Supreme Patriarch, it’s cold. Rather than a walk at night, tomorrow……”

“If you don’t like it, you may withdraw.”

“…No.”

And so the party turned onto the bamboo path.

At the moment they passed the entrance, where it felt like the path would bend left.

Fwoosh!

Han Cheol-sang, blending into the darkness, streaked through the bamboo grove like lightning.

Tudududuk!

Small impact sounds popped in succession. It was the sound of the lives of Do-cheon’s assassins, secretly watching this place, being cut off.

As a startled Gwak Gu was about to open his mouth.

Peobeobeobeok! Kwaduk!

Jin-hyeon knocked out the gate guards even faster than Han Cheol-sang, then grabbed Gwak Gu by the throat and pressed his paralyzing point.

“Keok!”

With a strangled groan, Gwak Gu’s face flushed red.

It was brute strength. His feet left the ground, and with the point pressed, he couldn’t even move.

“Captain Gwak.”

“!!”

“Did you never learn to rein in killing intent? Or were you really thinking of killing us?”

Gwak Gu wanted to say no, it was a misunderstanding, why are you doing this to me.

Of course he couldn’t. His airway was cut off, and foam began to bubble at his lips.

Staring up at Jin-hyeon with bloodshot eyes, Gwak Gu suddenly felt goosebumps rise over his whole body.

A bit of moonlight pierced the bamboo grove, and Jin-hyeon’s eyes gleamed in it like a wild beast’s.

‘N-no!’

Kwaduk!

His neck snapped at a right angle, and blood foam rose from Gwak Gu’s mouth.

Jin-hyeon carefully set Gwak Gu down and said to Han Cheol-sang,

“Protect the Supreme Patriarch.”

Fwoosh!

Stepping off the path, Jin-hyeon melted into the darkness and knocked out the guards standing watch one by one.

Familiar with the outer courtyard, Jin-hyeon took less than fifteen minutes to knock them all out.