Tae So couldn't think of a reason for the magistrate's unexpected visit. It wasn't unusual to see Magistrate Hong Gi in his compound, since as the Minister of Environment from the capital coming to Jo when it wasn't his hometown, it was likely that his visit to his residence was for official business which made the Magistrate to show up but something felt off. The man's expression was dark, and his escort carried no gifts of welcome, an ominous sign.
The Magistrate dressed officially with black horse hair hat, a deep red long, wide-sleeved robe with a straight collar, the robe was adorned with an embroidered chest patch, a broad belt around his waist made of leather and decorated with metal fittings. He wore a white cotton socks black silk shoes with upturned tips, And it seemed like he was dressed in full official attire, as if prepared to make an arrest, yet the idea of a mere magistrate apprehending a Prime Minister was unheard of.
Tae So check to see he carried no command plate, taking careful steps forward, Tae So bowed in greeting and when he raised his head, his mouth fell slightly agape when only the escort acknowledged him by bowing deeply. Hong Gi stood still, head held high, rigid as a tree, his scornful gaze making it clear that, to him, Tae So wasn't even worth the dirt on his shoes.
Tae So felt the urge to spin dramatically, and if he had the power to freeze time, he would have gladly used it to deliver a well-deserved slap to the rude man who had just strolled into his compound.
"Where is Song Joo?" The deep, commanding voice cut through the air.
Tae So's eyes widened. Did Hong Gi just refer to the Prime Minister by name? The audacity stunned him. By rank alone, Song Joo was leagues above a mere magistrate. Even in appearance, Song Joo was the elder, while Hong Gi, young and gallant carried himself with the arrogance of a prince.
But what angered Tae So more was Hong Gi's blatant disrespect. This was his home. He had legally purchased this land, complete with documents tucked away in his secret compartment. Yet, Hong Gi acted as if he owned the place. This was their first meeting, so at the very least, he deserved the respect he was due yet Hong Gi behaved as if they were longtime enemies, unable to stand the mere sight of him.
From the moment they set foot on the road to Jo Town, nothing had gone smoothly. Trouble seemed to be lurking in every shadow, and Tae So had no clue what mess they were about to stumble into and his heart had been restless.
He turned slightly, expecting Song Joo to have followed, but the Prime Minister hadn't bothered to do that.That left only him to deal with Hong Gi. His lips pressed into a thin line, switching at the corner. He wasn't sure if Song Joo even wanted to see the magistrate, he needed to find a room to accommodate Hong Gi while he consulted Song Joo to see if he was willing to meet the unexpected visitor.
"Please, come inside and have a seat," Tae So gestured toward his study. The other part of his residence.
Hong Gi's gaze darkened, his lips curling in disdain.
"I'm not here to see you. Don't pretend we are friends." His words were clipped, sharp.
Tae So clenched his fists at his sides. As the MinisterofEnvironment, his rank might not have been grand, but it certainly outshone that of a provincial magistrate. In court, he stood before the King, attended royal meetings, and wielded influence. Meanwhile, Hong Gi remained in his small town, playing ruler of his little domain. If anything, he should be the one bowing in reverence, rolling on the floor to welcome them.
Before Tae So could voice his irritation, a quiet but firm voice interrupted.
"Let him in."
Tae So's breath caught in his throat. He almost doubted his ears. Did the Prime Minister just invite Hong Gi inside? For a moment, he wondered if he should double-check his land documents because, in just one day, too many people were treating his home as if they owned it.
Hong Gi strode past him without another glance, entering the meeting room. Tae So followed quickly, watching as Song Joo remained perfectly composed, his expression unreadable.
Surprisingly, Hong Gi offered a bow, not the deep, formal kind Tae So expected, but a bow nonetheless. Tae So didn't miss the fact that he had received none.
"We're not close enough for you to offer me courtesies," Song Joo said, his voice cool. "No need to fake respect, it doesn't suit you. You already made your disdain clear outside."
His words were calm, yet they held weight, carrying an underlying warning.
Tae So blinked. He had heard more words from Song Joo today than he had in all the years he'd known him. And it seemed there was more to come. But just as he was about to settle into a corner, Song Joo's gaze shifted to him.
"You should leave us."
Tae So almost turned around to see if someone else stood behind him, but no, it was him. He was being dismissed. In his own home.
The night was becoming more unpredictable by the second. With a slow breath, he stepped back, bowed, and quietly left.
Once outside, he exhaled deeply, his frustration simmering beneath his skin. Moving swiftly, he entered his private study, sat on the floor cushion beside his table, and closed his eyes, inhaling deeply. He needed to compose himself. His face hardened as the anger he had concealed moments ago began to surface.
"Woong."
"Yes, Master."
A tall, lean man entered the room, a sword strapped to his waist. His serious expression never wavered, and his high ponytail was neatly secured with a single ribbon. A trusted guard, sharp and disciplined.
"Why is Hong Gi here?" Tae So asked as he began to tap the table with his index finger. He hoped Hong Gi hadn't appeared to turn the impossible into reality by attempting an arrest.
Woong stepped closer and inclined his head slightly. "He's likely here to investigate the Goblin's death." He said as he straightened up. "He died tonight, on stage, while telling the tale of The Next General." He elaborated.
Tae So's expression remained unreadable, but inside, he was reeling. The Goblin? Dead? The so-called immortalstoryteller, a man who had told countless tales, even of the late great King, without consequence suddenly died in the middle of narrating a simple story?
Something wasn't right.
"How did he die?" "Tae So asked, slightly regretting that he hadn't taken the initiative to leave his residence and visit the Light of the House. Perhaps then, he might have witnessed how the Goblin met his end.
"A single, precise cut across the neck," Woong replied. "No one saw who did it. It's a tightly guarded secret, known only to a handful of performers and guards. No one else is aware of his death."
Tae So inhaled sharply. Anassassination.
His mind whirled with possibilities. He leaned in slightly, lowering his voice as he signaled for Woong to move closer. "Do you think… the Prime Minister ordered his death?"
Woong hesitated before nodding. "It's very likely, Master. The man who entered earlier… I've never seen him before, but he carried a commandplate."
Tae So's mouth went dry.
A command plate meant one thing: royal authority. The man was either sent directly from the palace or acting under the orders of a high-ranking official. Perhaps even the King himself or the Queen Dowager.
This was bigger than he had imagined. Far more dangerous.
His jaw tightened. He needed answers.
"I want you to investigate," Tae So ordered, his voice firm. "Find out who was at the HouseofStories tonight specifically, anyone unfamiliar. Discover what the Prime Minister and Hong Gi are discussing right now. And…" He paused, his brows furrowing. "Find out the true nature of their relationship."
If he was caught in the middle of something much larger than himself, he needed to understand why.
Being the Minister of Environment didn't guarantee safety. And a man like SongJoo, whokepthiminthedarkdespitetheirsharedtravels was not someone he could trust blindly.
Tae So would have to rely on himself.
Money could loosen lips. A few well-placed bribes, and the truth would begin to unravel.
"Yes, Master," Woong said, bowing sharply before slipping out into the night.
"Your excellency." A servant called outside. "Your servants are here with your excellency meal and to prepare the bath."
That was what he should be hearing, the way his servants and guards addressed him, reminding him of his title and the respect he commanded. He needed to reclaim his authority, to remind Hong Gi that disrespecting him was a mistake. If Hong Gi thought he could simply push him aside, he was gravely mistaken. It was time to even the playing field.
It seemed the moment had come to call upon his shadow guards.