Chapter 32. Fate of the Guardian
Several pure white carriages traveled along a quiet forest road.
It was Beopsindang's procession, moving toward its next destination after visiting the sacred sites of the Hui Kingdom.
Rows of trees covered in brilliant autumn colors stretched along the road.
“The day we're supposed to meet the Heavenly Maiden at the Buddhist Holy Land is approaching. Let's hurry.”
At the front of the procession, Manwoo cut away branches blocking the road with his sword while encouraging the lower-ranking priests.
He stared for a long moment into the shadows of the forest, wondering whether the letter he had sent to Seongha had arrived safely.
[Seongha, have you been well? Quite some time has passed since you left Beopsindang.]
[Our delegation safely obtained the seals from each sacred site, and we're now traveling toward the Buddhist Holy Land.]
[I can already imagine how badly you're tormenting your subordinates while preparing for the ceremony. They must be missing me terribly.]
Meanwhile, three masked assassins were watching from within the thick forest.
After confirming that their target was passing by, they quietly exchanged hand signals.
The final carriage was decorated with elaborately embroidered cloud symbols.
The Heavenly Maiden had to be inside.
Through the small window, they could see a beautifully dressed woman sitting alone.
There were no attendants or maids around her.
It was the perfect opportunity.
Using long, hanging branches to conceal themselves, the assassins quietly approached the carriage.
The man who appeared to be their leader landed on the carriage roof and slipped inside.
[The only troublesome thing is that people keep appearing everywhere we go trying to harm the Heavenly Maiden.]
The assassin moved behind the seated woman and reached out to cover her mouth.
Then he saw her hand.
He froze.
“What the hell? This is an old woman!”
The hand emerging from beneath her sleeve was deeply wrinkled.
The old woman removed the cloth covering her face and smiled.
She was Nuchin, Beopsindang's head maid.
Without hesitation, Nuchin struck the man's chin with her bare hand, snapping his head sideways.
Then she drove a sharp needle into his neck.
He collapsed with foam pouring from his mouth before he could even resist.
[Nuchin has been working hard dealing with these assassins that swarm around us like flies. As you already know, her skills are quite extraordinary.]
Nuchin dragged the assassin from the carriage and bound him tightly.
“These bastards really never give up. I've lost count of how many attacks this makes.”
Manwoo arrived while dragging the remaining two assassins behind him.
“I caught the ones keeping watch.”
“Young Master, well done. I've only just finished dealing with this one.”
Manwoo inspected the symbols carried by the attackers.
His expression became serious.
“It's hard to believe you're retired. You took down an intruder at close range as if it were nothing.”
Nuchin bowed respectfully.
“This old body may have aged, but until the day my life ends, I will protect the members of the Son family and you, Young Master.”
Then she added,
“Young Master's skills haven't dulled either.”
Manwoo released a long sigh.
“When I was young, Father always told me that if I wanted to become a great landowner, I needed to know how to deal with thieves stealing from the granaries and poor tenant farmers who refused to work.”
Manwoo usually acted foolish in front of others.
But he was still a member of the great Son family.
Naturally, he possessed enough martial skill to protect himself and even had his own secret guards.
“Running a farm looks peaceful from the outside, but there's a war happening inside it every single day.”
“...”
“To protect crops, people pull weeds, kill insects, and drive away wild animals. And then there are the tenant farmers who are controlled with whips.”
Manwoo scratched his neck.
Perhaps he felt embarrassed after revealing such serious thoughts.
“I hate complicated things... That's why I turned my back on worldly matters and chose to live as a priest of Beopsindang.”
Nuchin smiled gently.
“Perhaps that's why you and Priest Jin became such close friends.”
Having served the Son family as head maid for many years, Nuchin understood her young master's heart better than most.
Her words struck exactly where they needed to.
Manwoo stared into the distance.
“But even after coming somewhere to escape conflict, unwanted battles keep finding me. Maybe one day... I'll have to move as well.”
“Have you thought of something?”
“There is something I want to do.”
Manwoo gave a bitter smile.
“But perhaps the reason I can't bring myself to act is because I'm a coward.”
Sometimes, Manwoo found his own gentle nature frustrating.
But soon he pushed those thoughts aside.
His usual friendly smile returned as he began organizing the lower-ranking priests.
The Beopsindang procession started moving again.
Nuchin's gaze remained on Manwoo's back for a long time.
As his longtime loyal servant, she silently watched the changes taking place in her young master's heart.
Meanwhile, countless birds flew into the rear garden of Beopsindang's Administrative Office.
Seongha opened the window and welcomed one bird he had personally trained.
The bird had completed a dangerous journey while avoiding traps placed by people trying to intercept letters.
Seongha gently stroked its beak with his long fingers in thanks.
He sat straight at the desk and opened Manwoo's letter.
The contents were unbelievable.
[You probably already noticed something was strange... and you'll probably blame me for this...]
[But I've finally decided to tell you the truth. The Heavenly Maiden and I have actually been traveling separately from the delegation and visiting the sacred sites from the very beginning.]
Only then did all the strange events Seongha had questioned finally begin fitting together.
Considering Manwoo's personality and Cheongyeon's nature, neither of them normally knew how to lie.
Yet somehow...
Seongha had been completely fooled.
How long had he worried alone after receiving no news?
