“Oh my, congratulations!”
Hyeok Gi-rin smiled broadly, congratulating Black Cat. I too showed my surprise and applauded. Black Cat’s shoulders lifted a bit at our praises.
“Hmph. This is all thanks to my training!”
Seeing Black Cat with her nose in the air made me smirk. After all, she had been standing at the threshold of a breakthrough since her time in the Jeomchang Faction… she had certainly struggled quite a bit.
I let out a big sigh of relief.
Since Black Cat had reached Peak Stage by her own strength, it was certain she’d ascend to Hwa-gyeong as well. Even if her limits were Peak Stage, as long as she achieved Realization, she’d be able to enter Hwa-gyeong.
Of course, there’s always the question of whether the true realization is actually contained within the database…
“Um… by the way, has Hyeok Gi-rin become this strong? Has the elevation opened your eyes?”
“Hmm. Not sure.”
“Hmph! But it’s a good thing!”
Black Cat rushed over to Hyeok Gi-rin and rubbed her cheek against him. After being alone for just over a week, it seemed she really enjoyed being with Hyeok Gi-rin.
“So it’s all wrapped up now, right? Let’s go sightseeing in Nangyang from tomorrow!”
“Hmm… I do have something to say about that.”
Just when I was about to tell Black Cat about becoming the external advisor of the Golden Guards, Hyeok Gi-rin interjected.
“I have something to disclose to Black Cat.”
“Hmm?”
Hyeok Gi-rin recounted what had happened in the imperial palace. He revealed that he was of royal blood and a sibling to Dujak. Dujak had gone on a rampage with Ho Cheon-an, leading to a sibling conflict, and that was how he had achieved Realization. He also mentioned that to express gratitude and suppress rumors about me, he became the external advisor of the Golden Guards.
Dujak being the Emperor and himself being a prince was all he left out.
“So Hyeok Gi-rin is actually of royal lineage…”
“Yes. That’s correct. I’m sorry for deceiving you.”
“It’s fine. I figured there’d be some backstory when I found out you were cross-dressing. By the way, the smoke screen thrown by the imperial family wasn’t bad at all.”
Mumbling like that, Black Cat immediately started scolding me.
“Senior! Really! I can’t take my eyes off you! You caused that huge incident in the Jeomchang Faction and on top of that… Ugh!”
Black Cat exclaimed loudly.
“But since it was given to Hyeok Gi-rin, I guess I can overlook it!”
“Hohoho, thank you, Black Cat Miss.”
Black Cat clung to Hyeok Gi-rin and asked.
“So when does your work as the external advisor of the Golden Guards start?”
“I think I’ll need to show my face starting tomorrow.”
Now that an outcast has received the Emperor’s decree, it would only be right to get to work immediately.
“When do you plan to pretend to enter seclusion, Hyeok Gi-rin?”
“Once I finish up with the Nangyang sightseeing.”
“Ugh~ I don’t want to part~”
Black Cat hugged Hyeok Gi-rin tightly. Hyeok Gi-rin, looking troubled and apologetic, gently patted her back.
“Please understand. The time has come to repay the debts I’ve neglected for so long.”
“…Ugh. Instead, have fun during the Nangyang sightseeing.”
“Hoho, yes. It’s a promise. And… there’s something I need to say…”
“Hmm?”
“Oh, never mind. First, let’s plan today.”
“Great! Senior Ho will join us after work, so let’s have fun starting from dawn!”
Hyeok Gi-rin’s expression seemed to dim for a moment, but he soon smiled again at Black Cat’s excitement.
“Oh, and there’s something I hope you both can confirm.”
Suddenly, Black Cat closed her eyes and began to concentrate.
As I glanced at her for a moment, Hyeok Gi-rin’s eyes met mine. He looked at Black Cat with an apologetic expression, but when he locked eyes with me, he smiled wryly.
Well.
So many things have happened over the past week, both at the imperial palace and involving Black Cat, that we have to convey facts about the incidents to each other, resolve misunderstandings, and also go sightseeing—it’s absolute chaos.
“Senior, what’s the most suspicious part of my attire?”
“Hmm…”
Honestly, it looked suspicious from head to toe; it’s just that her appearance makes it believable. If I walked around like that, people would think I was up to no good! But since Black Cat’s looks are so stunning, I guess people just assume she’s hiding for some reason.
“Well, covering the entire face is a bit much.”
Generally, even when wearing a veil, the eyes are usually left exposed. This is to ensure visibility while going out, after all. Black Cat’s veil usually covers her whole face with a hat, but that’s definitely not how it’s meant to be used.
“Well, that’s true. Looks like ‘my eyes’ were the biggest issue.”
Black Cat took off her veil. It had been a while since I saw her bare face after the underwater cave. I thought I had gotten used to it, but seeing it again, it felt strangely new.
“This is…”
Hyeok Gi-rin uttered in half astonished awe, staring at Black Cat. Was this the first time he was seeing her bare face?
“You two are fairly resistant to my Qi, so you’d be suitable as test subjects.”
Black Cat opened her eyes. Hyeok Gi-rin’s mouth dropped open as he observed her face. It really was shocking.
I too appreciated—no, I observed—Black Cat’s stunning looks after a long time.
“Hmm…”
Her looks were captivating as ever, so I put down my racing heart and scrutinized her.
Black Cat’s clear eyes met mine.
And in that moment, I could feel Black Cat’s transformation.
I’m not sure if it’s right to say this, but… every time I first saw her bare face on Jeongnam Mountain and when we shared glances in the underwater cave, there was something I felt.
Every time I locked eyes with Black Cat, I could see a night sky filled with stars.
Of course, that’s metaphorical.
If one were to fit knowledge into it, her eyes, which had the manifestation of the energy of the moon phase, were probably showing something beautiful in a way that I would perceive it as beauty. Much like how an array formation shows illusions.
“Oh.”
But today, I could only see the Big Dipper.
“Is this the result of reaching Peak Stage?”
“What do you think, Senior?”
“It’s definitely diminished. But I’m not sure if it’s safe to show your eyes.”
“It’s fine! Just being able to control this energy is an achievement in itself. I’m curious to see how long I can maintain this state, so I’ll stay like this.”
“Alright.”
Lost in thought as I gazed at Black Cat, Hyeok Gi-rin seemed to snap back to reality and spoke.
“Really… incredible. I had guessed you were a beauty, but…”
“Hehe! I really wanted to show you my face, Hyeok Gi-rin! We should at least know each other’s faces!”
“Of course. Your beauty is enough to understand why you would cover it up.”
Then Hyeok Gi-rin looked at me and asked.
“Have you seen Black Cat’s face before, Senior Ho?”
“Yes. Well, I’ve had a few chances to.”
“…And you didn’t become a wreck?”
“Excuse me?”
“Oh, never mind. Haaa…”
Hyeok Gi-rin looked at me as if he hit a wall, then gazed at Black Cat, looked back at me, and sighed again. As question marks floated over our heads, Hyeok Gi-rin smiled wryly.
“I just think both of you, Senior Ho and Black Cat Miss… are unique and not easily dealt with.”
At that, both of us exchanged bewildered looks.
* *
The day of starting work at the Golden Guards had arrived.
“Senior! If you finish early, join us!”
“Have a good day.”
“Yes. Please take good care of Black Cat.”
Black Cat grabbed Hyeok Gi-rin with enthusiasm and disappeared. Inside the cart, Hyeok Gi-rin wore a suspicious smile or had a strangely drained expression after seeing Black Cat’s face.
However, it seemed after planning the sightseeing for Nangyang with Black Cat, he regained his spirits and showed a clear smile this morning.
With Hyeok Gi-rin back to normal, it meant someone would be there to rein in Black Cat’s overflowing energy. Seems like it’ll be alright to go to work this time.
Watching the two of them walk away excitedly chatting, they appeared lively enough. It should be fine.
I too headed towards the Golden Guards department.
“There will be a brief inspection.”
Wearing just plain combat attire, not formal robes, I got stopped right at the entrance leading to the Royal Guard. Showing the insignia in my bosom to the two stern-faced Imperial Army soldiers, I said,
“You’re the external advisor of the Golden Guards, aren’t you? My apologies.”
It seems the role of being the external advisor of the Golden Guards is actually a higher position than I thought.
After passing the suddenly polite Imperial Army soldiers, I made my way to the Golden Guards department. Although I wasn’t familiar with the geography of the Royal Guard, it wasn’t hard to find the Golden Guards’ area.
In the Royal Guard, I could see Golden Guards everywhere, and asking them for directions sufficed. Upon arriving at the Golden Guards department and showing my insignia, I was quickly brought before Commander of the Golden Guards, Song Chang-sik.
“Nice to meet you! I’m Commander of the Golden Guards, Song Chang-sik! You’ve likely heard of my voice!”
“I’m the Sacheon Outcast Ho Cheon-an. It’s an honor to meet you, Commander.”
Commander of the Golden Guards, Song Chang-sik, was someone you could describe in one word.
A tank of a man.
He had a huge frame, bulging eyes, and a mane of hair and beard that sprouted haphazardly.
“I got a rough explanation from that kid. You understand the circumstances, right?”
“Yes. I do.”
“Right. Do you know how new personnel are filled in the Golden Guards?”
“I’m not sure.”
“There are various ways to become part of the Golden Guards, but the most common is selecting elite personnel from the imperial army across the country. You’ll become the instructor for one of those Golden Guards candidates.”
“Hmm… about that.”
The identity of the external advisor of the Golden Guards I currently held was to keep the fact that I could grant Realization hidden. So I thought I’d just be stalling for time until I get kicked out, but it seems to be more serious than I expected.
More importantly, if I take on the role of instructing these candidates, they might be in for a bombshell…
“Right. I can understand what you’re thinking. You’re worried about how you’d be trampling on the lives of young people who want to become Golden Guards. However, the group of candidates you’ll be in charge of are originally problematic individuals, so they have no chance of passing.”
“Is that so?”
Did the uneasiness show on my face? Song Chang-sik smiled and added.
“Unfortunately, due to their backgrounds, martial arts levels, and personalities, they each have distinct disqualifying factors that make them ill-suited for the Golden Guards. They’re merely receiving training and taking the exam thanks to the efforts of local officials who pushed them up.”
So it sounds like they have a spot in training despite needing to be eliminated originally.
That eased my anxiety a bit.
“Right, so today, just take a look at the candidates and then head home.”
