126 – 26. Do you know the Tao?
“…I suddenly came at this time, Ra.”
Tap.
Late at night, while he was about to go to bed, the emperor, who received an urgent report, hovered around the bedroom.
Reports that Namgoong Min, who did not come last Chuseok, suddenly came to the Korean Empire alone with the princess.
The target was caught in a trap, but the emperor only frowned.
“…The foresight was astray.”
The future whispered by ‘that being’ has never been wrong.
Thanks to this, he, who was just a face in a country with a constitutional monarchy, was able to gain imperial power to the extent of suppressing even the National Assembly.
Even though the opportunity to meet was not good, the emperor and ‘that being’ were using each other.
‘That being’ whispers the future to the emperor.
And the emperor sometimes solves what ‘the being’ wants.
It was a deal I liked and a deal I could trust.
However.
“In the end, the fortuneteller…Didn’t come during Chuseok.”
The future that that being whispered was wrong.
Unfortunately, the prince declared war that very day, so I forgot about it for a while, but the fact that my foresight was wrong was a very serious problem.
It doesn’t just end in “Wrong,” It also raises doubts about future predictions.
So far, ‘that being’ hasn’t spoken to me since Chuseok, so I’m just thinking about it alone.
Still, since a fortune teller came to the Korean Empire, should we consider it as such?
Trading with ‘that being’ is too useful to be cut off with a single miss.
More than anything, if I break up with Yeji now, my wife……
[Your Majesty, I have your convictions.]
“…Okay, it’s you.”
Chijik.
The emperor, who had been wandering around his bedroom, sat down at his desk and tapped on a communication artifact.
The only communication artifact that can be used in a bedroom protected by dozens of artifacts.
Only three people even have it directly.
Captain of the shadows, , .
Among them, the shadow leader who was entrusted with handling the fortune teller spoke in a polite voice.
[The goal has been confirmed. Now that you have finished engraving it with Soshin’s skill, you will be able to find it wherever you go.]
“…Tracking is important, but if it stops breathing, there is no need to worry about it. Implement it urgently.”
[…] ……….]
“…Is something going on?”
The leader of the shadows that the emperor knows is a person with clear public and private knowledge.
The only reason I don’t answer right away is when there are such variables.
[The goal is a little…… It’s strange.]
“Strange?”
[He suddenly came into contact with one of the shadows, saying that he was wearing fancy clothes like a shaman, that he was treating the princess like a servant, that he believed in the Tao, or something.]
“…There are a lot of things I want to ask, but first, you came into contact with one of the shadows?”
[It was a shadow disguised as an airport employee. According to our investigation, the target does not have detection skills, so it is believed to be a coincidence.]
“Then…What did the princess say?”
[…] …… The princess is bowing down and worshiping her target. He follows her around like a maid or a nain.]
“……………….”
[…] … Your majesty?]
“……First of all, complete your purpose. I don’t know what he did to the princess, but it can be resolved once you kill him.”
[Okay. “Captain! I keep hearing that the Heavenly God whispers about the future. What should I do!?” Be quiet, I am in contact with His Majesty. Sorry, Your Majesty. Aiming straight for the target──]
“──No, wait a minute.”
[Your Majesty?]
Heavenly God? Whisper the future?
…… No way?
“Are you saying that the fortuneteller is whispering about heaven or the future?”
[Yes. He talks about how he is the incarnation of the Heavenly God, that he has received orders from the Heavenly God, and that he can see the future…….]
“……………….”
[Your Majesty, please tell me what to do.]
“…The existing order is cancelled. Bring the target and the princess to the imperial palace. Just in case, do not cause any harm and guide them naturally.”
[I will obey your orders.]
Click.
“……………….”
If.
If the thought that suddenly occurred to me is correct.
What if ‘that being’ held the hand of a fortuneteller instead of the emperor?
…… What should I do?
“……Honey.”
As expected, I need you.
I miss you every day……
*
“Sister, can we go this way?”
“Oh, that’s right.”
“That’s what they say. Let’s go, Kim Eun-ha.”
“…Yes, Master.”
This.
What is this situation now?
The shadow that suddenly followed the pseudo-fortune teller and the princess cursed for an unknown number of times.
As a shadow under the Emperor’s Majesty, I had trained to withstand torture and pain several times, but this was my first time experiencing such novel pain.
When I looked at it, I felt like my head was pounding!
“Uh, Taoist?”
“If you are talking about someone who is a descendant and incarnation of the Heavenly God, a savior who descended on the human world, and the leader of all things, then I am correct.”
“Um…Rush. But why are you called Taoist?”
“The way of a Taoist is the way, and the Master is a teacher. As such, I am also called a Taoist in order to become the path and teacher that guides people like you.”
No, the original Taoist character is not that Chinese character.
Are you a Taoist and not a Taoist?
While Moon Shadow was gritting his teeth and maintaining a poker face, Namgoong Min, who was walking ahead on the deserted night street near the airport, suddenly looked back.
“By the way, I’m glad that you are awake. Usually, foolish people do not realize their own foolishness and do not accept my salvation.”
“Ha, hahahahaha. Right, right?”
If the mission hadn’t suddenly changed, I would have killed you, you bastard.
The shadow smiled after fiddling with the dagger hidden at his waist for a moment.
‘Escort, not assassination? You want me to guide you to the imperial castle as well?’
As a shadow, I know that questioning orders is not permitted.
But if completely contradictory orders were given, wouldn’t it be enough to be suspicious?
Especially in this situation where even the ‘prophecy’ that His Majesty spoke of was wrong.
‘Even if you secretly leave and complain to the captain, nothing will change…’ ….’
In fact, he ran away to the back of the airport, saying he was going to the bathroom, and it was creepy that he recognized me like a ghost and came back.
I’m glad I didn’t say anything, it would have been difficult if I had been questioned.
‘Even if you try to pretend to be sharp, you’re just a kid.’
While the other shadows were watching the target and the princess from a distance, the lone shadow wearing a dumbbell maintained an unwavering expression like a professional.
“But Master, where are you going now?”
“Now that I’m in the Korean Empire, I should visit the appropriate tourist attractions.”
“I see.”
Myeongsora.
In that case, it would be difficult to lead people to Hwangseong naturally.
First, I countered, and then I saw an opportunity──
“Well, first of all, what about Namsan…”
“──When it comes to famous places, it’s the Imperial Palace, isn’t it?”
“…Yes?”
“There’s a bus to the imperial palace over there, so we can take it. Let’s go, Eunha.”
“Yes…”
Namgoong Min and the princess walk toward the bus marked ‘To the Imperial Palace’.
Of course, there is no way a bus like that would be running at this late hour. It was a bus prepared by the shadows, just in case.
Amman Still, you ride a bus that has been prepared for convenience like that without any suspicion?
‘Isn’t my head like a flower garden?’
…… No. If you try to guess what the cult is thinking, you will only lose out.
What on earth does the princess like about a guy like that that she follows him around like that?
Rumbling.
Of course, they were the only ones on the bus that followed the pseudo-princess and the princess.
A shadow sighed inwardly as she watched her pseudo-boy get on the back of the wide bus and sat down next to her.
First of all, for now I have to pretend to really follow that young guy.
It bothers me that the princess sits a little far away…… Honestly, it took a lot of courage to sit next to this young pseudo.
Colorful and colorful hanbok, red hat and feathers attached to it.
When you think of a shaman, the fortune teller looks just like you would think of, and gave off an aura that made it difficult to get close to him.
Nevertheless, unlike ordinary shamans, he has a rather handsome face with a smile on his face, which makes the viewer somewhat like him.
‘It’s still a fake.’
No matter how handsome a man is, it is normal for his affection to drop when asked, ‘Do you know the Tao?’
I spent a few minutes thinking about such nonsense and just trying to fit in with the few words the cult said.
From Noble mtl dot com
After the bus that had departed earlier entered a tunnel under the surveillance of shadows.
The pseudonym, who had been speaking lightly, suddenly began speaking in a serious tone.
“Sister. Do you believe in fortune telling?”
“…If it’s what a Taoist monk does, then of course I believe it, hahahaha.”
“You don’t believe it at all.”
“Is that so?”
“Of course, I can see everything. It’s a bit out of place here, so why don’t we talk in a more atmospheric place?”
…… What, are you flirting with me now?
Immediately after briefly turning a blind eye to the words of a pseudo-person who seemed to be trying to do something.
The pseudo-fortune teller snapped her fingers.
Just right!
In the darkness of the tunnel.
The inside of the bus was definitely lit up with lights.
“……Huh?”
At some point, the shadow was in an unknown space.
Black blackout curtains are drawn everywhere, and purple lights flicker.
When I quickly looked around, I saw crystal skulls and glowing tarot cards decorated everywhere.
And if you look straight ahead.
“Why are you doing this, sister?”
“This, this…”
The pseudo-person, still dressed as a shaman, is smiling across the table.
It’s definitely the smile I saw before…… Is it because of the atmosphere that it feels a little creepy?
‘What on earth is it? Artifact? No, then you can’t avoid the captain’s eyes. Then…… ‘Skill?’
Skill to create a new subspace.
Although it is extremely rare to report, it is a skill that exists.
The problem is that there was no information that this cult had such a skill.
However, Shadow, suppressing his agitation to a minimum, sat down on the chair in front of her.
“Sister, you look worried.”
“Do you see it that way?”
I am worried because of you. I haven’t been able to get off work for a few days.
That’s why I’m staying at home──
“You must be so worried because your younger brother at home came to work even though he was sick.”
“…Huh?”
──What?
How to do that?
“W-what are you talking about…?”
“Most diseases that are caught after entering the gate are difficult to cure with modern medicine. Life-sustaining treatment is all that is available, so the family must be heartbroken.”
“……….”
How on earth did they know that? … ?
The moment she becomes a shadow, her records are erased from the Korean Empire. It means becoming a puppet completely loyal only to the emperor without any human rights.
In return, the shadow family receives the highest level of treatment.
She also became a shadow for her younger brother, who entered her gate and suffered from an illness of unknown origin.
Of course, the information about the family, which can be said to be the evil of the shadows, is information that only the emperor can confirm.
“Hmm? You look quite surprised.”
“…Oh? Did I say that…?”
Was I so embarrassed that I couldn’t even manage my facial expressions?
Well, it was worth it.
At this moment, the shadow in front of my eyes is a pseudo…… Because I felt afraid.
If you know information about the family, it would be possible to threaten them with that family.
But this may all be a bluff.
The shadow adjusted its expression as much as possible and opened its mouth.
“As expected, you are a Taoist monk. I work at the airport…”
“What do you mean, airport?”
“Yes?”
“I know that the shadows that work in the dark doubt me, but this lie is so obvious that I’m sick of it.”
“………!!”
If you know about shadows and the family of shadows.
The other person was taught that it was one of two things.
It is either His Majesty himself, the Emperor who knows everything──
‘This is crazy!’
──Or he is an agent who has been delegated all authority by His Majesty the Emperor.
Shadow quickly grasped the situation and quickly stood up and bowed.
“A lowly shadow has disrespected His Majesty’s representative!”
“…No, you did the obvious thing. Please sit down for now.”
“You don’t have to use polite language!”
“This is an occupational disease. Do you want to discipline me?”
“It’s not even possible!”
Hearing the words of the agent who seemed a little offended, I hurriedly raised my head and sat down in the chair.
Of course, while maintaining your posture as politely as possible.
“Still, the education is good. Your Majesty will be satisfied.”
“It’s an honor!”
“As you may have already noticed, this mission is a fake.”
“I see…!”
Rather, why didn’t I notice it until now?
Common sense tells us that His Majesty’s prophecy cannot be wrong, so it is probably not a true prophecy, but rather an attempt to test us.
‘In an unexpected situation where the prophecy was wrong, the target arrived late at night. Plus a sudden change in mission.’
It is clear that he was trying to see the response of shadows in various situations.
I never thought I would have been able to think of even the slightest possibility, even after seeing the hint that a mere fortuneteller was treating the princess like a servant.
‘If you are not an agent of His Majesty the Emperor, there is no way you can treat the princess like that.’
She didn’t even notice it was a test, but since she didn’t make any mistakes, wouldn’t she get a decent grade?
The agent also spoke favorably, so it seemed like I got through it without incident.
“Where are the other shadows and the captain?”
“Yes! A total of 13 shadows, including me, are watching the bus from afar! And the captain is driving the bus disguised as a bus driver!”
“What are the countermeasures for sudden situations?”
“First, I step forward, and the other shadows snipe from a distance! The basic plan is for the captain to make a surprise attack after that!”
“Hmm…What about the princess’s safety?”
“Yes? Well, that’s…”
In the first place, there was no assumption that the goal was to come with the princess, so there was no special plan.
Above all, Princess Kim Eun-ha is much stronger than the shadows, so there is no need to worry about her escort or safety.
But if I say it like that, I will definitely be out, so what should I do…? … ?
“hahahaha, it’s a joke. Even if we all attack, one punch from the princess would send them flying away.”
“Yeah, right?”
“Of course. It is important to point out that since Amman is a member of the imperial family, there is no minimum security system.”
“I’m sorry!”
“There is nothing to be sorry about. If anything happens, please take full charge of the princess.”
“…Huh? What’s happening?”
“What if, what if? For example, if the bus suddenly overturns, will you protect me, not the princess?”
“Oh, sorry!”
“Please be careful. More than anything, recently… He is not in a good mood.”
“When you say it’s him…?”
“
Consul . I belong to his faction, but isn’t the interior of the imperial family in disarray these days? As the matter is a matter of concern, the Emperor is very concerned about His Majesty’s personal safety, so I was dispatched.”
“Ah, I understand!”
“In particular, do not even approach the princess’s palace. Even if there is an explosion or vibration. What I am saying… Do you understand?”
“Of course!”
The princess’s palace, as its name suggests, does not even house the princess, but it is an area managed by seven ministers.
Of course, it is a place where the prince’s faction gathers, and if a conflict occurs, whether political or physical, it will occur in a place where there are no people.
‘I must never intervene.’
The Emperor’s direct shadow is usually outside of political matters.
The imperial family is currently in a sensitive situation where the emperor and the prince are in open conflict.
If you’re not careful, even your shadow could be sacrificed or cut off by the prince’s faction.
‘I absolutely have to report this to the captain.’
Especially if you are a captain who hates political fights, you will behave well.
The shadow bowed its head again and again to the agent who gave him the grateful information.
“Thank you for your valuable advice!”
“Nothing much to say. I am serving the same lord, so this amount of help is not a big deal. Shall we go back to the bus soon? I hope you act well until the end.”
“Yes!”