Chapter 6
The emperor’s eyes sank heavily. It was something he hadn’t fully grasped.
“Moreover, the matter is far from trivial. It isn’t limited to the shrine alone. Your Majesty, I fear that if this becomes widely known, it could unsettle the people.”
I had no legitimacy.
The emperor’s own father had been stripped of his royal status for a minor mistake. If the late emperor had not died without an heir, if the Jang family had not sought a puppet, the current emperor would never have even set foot in the palace.
If a ruler without legitimacy were stripped of even the title of Son of Heaven and representative of the Celestial Emperor… and if even the divine revelations were meant to admonish the ruler…
“What, then, am I to do?”
“Allow me to go. I shall visit Seochang and investigate the matter myself before taking any action.”
The emperor looked around.
Jang, Jang, Jang’s hunting dog, Jang, Jang’s hunting dog… everyone present belonged to the Jang faction. Not a single ally of mine was here.
In this situation, the only person I could trust was Jang Yeheon, the heir to the Jang family. Isn’t it absurd?
“Do as you will.”
“Your kindness is boundless.”
Since this was apparently the last item on the agenda, no one would stop me from leaving. I didn’t want to stay here any longer. No, I didn’t want to stay in the palace.
Ah, I want to leave.
It was market day. The streets were crowded. The tavern was no different.
Even amidst so many people, Yeheon stood out. If the magistrate sitting across was like a simple painting in a commoner’s fan, Yeheon was a finely sculpted piece fit for the palace.
“What is it about his face that shines?”
Even young Idam noticed the man’s uniqueness. A man like that must have plenty of women, right? But then again, what use is that? One sister alone was more than enough.
It had been a while since we went out without Baek Ihan. I couldn’t waste this precious time with my sister simply watching some man.
“Sit, sister. You said you wanted to eat out today.”
Sometimes, she craved unhealthy food. Taking advantage of the fact that father was away at the Munui Assembly, I had brought her to the tavern.
“Sister, what are you thinking? Why do you look so dazed?”
From the moment Layun stepped into the tavern, her gaze never left Yeheon.
A member of the Jang family.
Certainly, a face she had never seen before. Though exceptional looks were typical of the Jang clan. Deep black hair, pale skin like Idam’s—those traits fit the pattern.
But certainty didn’t come from that. Instinct, intuition, told her.
He is definitely from the Jang family.
“Who is that man?”
Idam tilted his chin.
“I don’t know… why?”
We had been in Seochang for two years. During that time, Idam and I were always together. If I didn’t know, neither would he. Naturally.
“Did you come to see him too, young master? Ah, miss, you’re here too.”
A local youth spoke up. He usually just exchanged greetings with Idam.
“See him?”
Idam asked back.
“That man. All the young women in town are talking about him. They say he’s from the capital.”
“For what reason?”
Layun quickly asked, refusing to let the topic change.
“Recently, there was a fire at the shrine, right?”
The young man lowered his voice.
“They say he’s an inspector who came to investigate that incident. He’s apparently from the Jang family.”
Layun covered her mouth. A wise choice—she had almost shouted without realizing it.
“He came to investigate the incident?”
She whispered.
“He even asked the magistrate about the shrine.”
“What… did he ask?”
At that moment, Yeheon suddenly rose from his seat.
“This place has many ears. That won’t do.”
“Huh?”
Yeheon’s eyes curved at the corners. Even someone like Layun, who loathed the Jang family, couldn’t help but think the man was stunning. Small gasps from women echoed around.
“Let’s go.”
The magistrate hurriedly stood. The tavern wasn’t that spacious. Spectators quickly made way so Yeheon could leave.
Everyone except Layun, who stared at him as if mesmerized.
“Do you know who this is? Step aside…”
The magistrate stopped mid-sentence when he saw Idam. The boy was the eldest grandson of the Baek family. The girl with him was clearly Baek Yun-gi’s niece. Not someone to scold recklessly. Yet it was awkward to leave the sentence unfinished.
Yeheon raised his fan in a calming gesture. The magistrate silently sighed in relief.
“It’s alright. That will suffice.”
Even his voice was gentle and sweet. Yet his gaze was sharp and penetrating.
“I apologize.”
Layun bowed hurriedly, offering a quiet apology. Yeheon slightly furrowed his brow, then nodded.
“Let’s go.”
After Yeheon left, murmurs lingered. Praises for such a handsome man did not cease. Not long ago, they may have been cursing the Jang family for ruining the country.
“Sister, are you alright?”
Idam whispered cautiously. Layun nodded lightly, then turned back to the youth.
“Excuse me.”
“Yes?”
“That inspector, what did he discuss with the magistrate?”
As if asking out of innocent curiosity. The youth didn’t seem suspicious.
“Nothing much… just when the shrine was last used, how many rituals were held, that sort of thing. Oh, and he asked how many shrines had been built since the new magistrate arrived.”
“And?”
“When I said four, he seemed surprised. Didn’t expect that many, he said.”
The youth shrugged.
“Not sure if it changes anything, though.”
“Oh, but at least he’ll know how hard we’ve worked. Maybe things will change then.”
A local woman joined in. Perhaps she was enchanted by his appearance.
“Don’t be silly. His name is Jang Yeheon.”
Jang Yeheon. Layun repeated the name in her mind.
“The magistrate is Jang Minheon, so probably a close relative. Cousin, or sixth cousin maybe. What’s the point of knowing him?”
The name seemed familiar. Layun repeated it over and over.
It wasn’t a face she recognized—otherwise she would remember it. But the name sounded familiar. Where had she heard it?
“Definitely a familiar face…”
Yeheon tapped my left palm with his fan, muttering to himself.
It was indeed a familiar face—but from where? How often would he see such a young girl?
He may have seen children from other households at gatherings, but then he would have remembered. Yeheon rarely forgot a face he had once seen.
Moreover, I was still very young, but when grown, I might be praised as a beauty of the realm. Not a face easily forgotten.
And this was my first time in Seochang. I wasn’t from here. I couldn’t have brushed past him before.
“Who are you talking about?”
It was a soft murmur, yet the magistrate noticed.
“Oh, nothing. By the way, is it far to the office?”
Not being on a secret mission, he naturally needed to meet the magistrate officially. But before that, he wanted to gauge public sentiment, hence the tavern. The magistrate must have sent him.
“Not far. Almost there.”
As he said, Yeheon soon arrived at the office.
Seochang magistrate Jang Minheon was Yeheon’s sixth cousin. They were the same age, but family expectations were vastly different. Compared to Yeheon, anyone would seem less capable. Yeheon was regarded as the heir of the Jang family.
“Long time no see, cousin.”
Minheon seemed uneasy. His trembling voice betrayed it. He knew he’d done wrong.
“Long time no see, magistrate.”
Yeheon greeted him formally, emphasizing his official role.
“Why so formal between us, hmm?”
“I am here as an inspector. Please forgive me for not showing personal affection.”
Annoying fellow. Minheon swallowed the words he wanted to say.
“Understood. Then please tell me how I may assist you, Inspector.”
Precise, deliberate address revealed his true thoughts. Yeheon despised this naive cousin but did not hate him. Among the cunning Jang family, he was unusually easy to handle.
“I heard there was a fire at the shrine recently. His Majesty sent me to investigate, concerned about the incident.”
Minheon laughed awkwardly.
“I apologize for causing His Majesty concern. Shrines are sacred places for worshiping heaven and earth. I took it seriously, but this is the dry season, and accidents happen….”
“They say even letters appearing as divine signs were recalled.”
Minheon waved his hand dismissively.
“Divine signs? Such impious talk…”
“Divine signs? Such impious talk,” Minheon waved his hand dismissively. “It must simply have been a coincidence or a trick of the light. Nothing more.”
Yeheon’s gaze, sharp and unwavering, fixed on him. “Do not dismiss what His Majesty fears lightly. This is not merely coincidence.”
Minheon swallowed nervously, realizing that formalities would not suffice here. “I… I understand, Inspector. Truly, I take it seriously. But the shrines have been standing for generations. Fires are rare. I cannot imagine who would deliberately cause such a thing.”
“Then you will allow me to inspect them personally?” Yeheon asked, voice calm yet firm.
Minheon nodded quickly. “Of course. I will arrange everything immediately. Please, Inspector, follow me.”
The two of them departed the office, with Yeheon walking silently, his steps measured and precise. The streets of Seochang were busy, but his presence commanded a subtle authority that made people instinctively step aside. Layun and Idam watched from the side, hearts pounding—not only from curiosity, but from the weight of the man’s aura.
Even in the midst of a bustling market, Yeheon’s movements seemed almost ceremonial, every step deliberate, every gesture controlled. It was clear that he was not merely a visitor, but someone trained to command attention without demanding it.
“This… that man,” Layun whispered to Idam, “he’s… different from anyone I’ve ever seen.”
Idam nodded, wide-eyed. “I know. Even from afar, I feel… like he could see right through me.”
At the first shrine they arrived at, Yeheon examined the burned beams and charred wood silently. His eyes flicked over every detail, taking in the patterns of the scorch marks, the soot residue, even the angle of the collapsed rafters. He touched the wood lightly, as if testing its memory.
“Do you have records of who maintained this shrine?” Yeheon asked.
Minheon hesitated. “Only the caretaker’s ledger. But it’s… minimal. Routine offerings, dates of ceremonies… nothing more.”
“Bring it.” Yeheon’s voice was soft, yet it carried an undeniable authority.
As Minheon scurried to retrieve the ledger, Yeheon crouched near the remains of the altar, running his fingers along the scorched edges. He murmured to himself, words almost lost to the wind.
“A trace… faint, but deliberate. Not accidental.”
Minheon froze, unsure if he should interrupt. “Inspector… what do you mean?”
Yeheon rose, eyes meeting Minheon’s directly. “This fire was no accident. Someone intended to send a message. The question is—who, and why here?”
The inspection continued throughout the day, each shrine revealing subtle signs of tampering—small scratches, carefully placed embers, inconsistencies only an expert could detect. Yeheon noted every detail in his mind, committing the patterns to memory.
Finally, as the sun began to set, he turned to Minheon. “Ensure the shrine caretakers are questioned discreetly. Do not alert the townspeople. If this becomes public, panic will spread, and the purpose of the arson will be lost amidst chaos.”
Minheon bowed deeply. “Yes… yes, Inspector. I will follow your instructions precisely.”
Yeheon’s gaze softened slightly, almost imperceptibly. “Good. That is all for today. You may rest. Tomorrow, I shall continue my investigation at the other shrines.”
As Yeheon departed, Layun and Idam trailed quietly, hearts still racing.
“That man…” Layun whispered, eyes wide. “He isn’t just from the Jang family… he’s… extraordinary. Not like anyone else I’ve met.”
Idam nodded solemnly. “I felt it too. Even just being near him… it’s like he sees everything. Even thoughts you don’t speak aloud.”
Layun clenched her fists. “And yet, he’s here for an investigation. Something bigger is at play. I can feel it.”
The streets of Seochang, once familiar, now seemed smaller, crowded with whispers of intrigue, mystery, and the quiet but undeniable presence of Jang Yeheon—the heir of a powerful family, an inspector of divine matters, and a figure no one could ignore.
