Though it was just a fleeting moment, Kyeong'ui saw a flicker of surprise in Jin's eyes. She felt a surge of confidence.

Kyeong'ui casually set down her teacup. "I'll take that as a confirmation," she said. "Don't insult my intelligence with such a flimsy deception."

Jin took a long drag from her pipe, exhaling a plume of smoke that curled and dissipated into the air. Kyeong'ui, despite her outward composure, felt a growing sense of urgency. She had nothing but Mahnry's testimony, no concrete evidence to support his claims.

"Lead me to the Myeonghyeons," she demanded.

Jin hesitated. Is the princess bluffing? Or did she have something more up her sleeve? Kyeong'ui's confident demeanor unsettled her. She couldn't be sure how much the princess knew. If she was aware of Wicheong Palace, then protecting House Myeonghyeon could put all of Nahmgyo at risk.

"It is my duty to protect all those who live within these walls," Jin replied evasively.

Kyeong'ui took her vague response as confirmation. "They run a merchant company within this fortress," she accused. "They deal in illicit goods and exploit the people with exorbitant interest rates. If your claims of loyalty to the people are true, you should have dealt with them long ago."

"Such practices are not illegal in Nahmgyo," Jin countered calmly. "If we restricted trade and prohibited high-interest loans, this island would be no different from any other backwater town on the mainland. As you may know, there are few fortresses on the mainland that are as prosperous as Nahmgyo. Within these walls, only those who break our laws are punished. That is the autonomy granted to us by the founder of Dahn."

"Protecting traitors who defied the founder's orders is a different matter," Kyeong'ui retorted.

"They are merely survivors who sought refuge on this island," Jin argued. "They abandoned their noble titles and have lived as merchants for generations. Their descendants have no allegiance to Wi. How can you call them traitors?"

"They should never have been born," Kyeong'ui said.

"That's a rather harsh statement, Your Highness."

Jin paused, her eyes narrowing. "What do you want?" she finally asked.

Kyeong'ui smiled. "Definitely not their heads," she assured Jin. "I simply wish to meet them."

"You could have asked your informant for their location," Jin countered. "Is it truly wise to seek my help?"

"I have other questions for you," Kyeong'ui replied.

Jin chuckled, her wrinkles deepening. "Very well," she said, urging Kyeong'ui to continue.

"Are you protecting the Myeonghyeons?" Kyeong'ui asked.

"Didn't I say that all those within Nahmgyo are under my protection?" Jin replied with a hint of amusement.

"They weren't always residents of this fortress, were they?" Kyeong'ui pressed.

"Though you may think me heartless," Jin said, her voice softening, "I'm not one to behead those seeking refuge and deliver their heads to the king. Myeonghyeon Sahn, who first sought asylum here, may have defied the founder, but he was a man of honor and virtue. I helped him out of compassion."

"And I'm sure you've developed a fondness for his descendants."

"I've watched them grow up within these walls," Jin admitted.

"And you wish to continue protecting them?"

Jin didn't answer.

"I know a way for everyone to find happiness," Kyeong'ui said.

"Everyone?" Jin echoed.

Kyeong'ui smiled reassuringly. "If you're concerned for their safety, you can rest assured. I have no intention of harming them."

Jin chuckled and shook her head. "I've lived too long to trust such promises," she said. "Surely you know that delivering the heads of those who defied the founder would earn you great favor with the king."

This story is posted elsewhere by the author. Help them out by reading the authentic version.

Kyeong'ui scoffed. "Such deeds are for soldiers. I am a princess."

"Even a princess can benefit from such merits."

"Perhaps," Kyeong'ui conceded. "But a living, loyal subject is worth more than a salted head."

"Are you planning to offer them to the king?" Jin asked. "Loyal subjects serve their king, do they not?"

"They can serve a worthy ruler," Kyeong'ui countered, her gaze meeting Jin's.

"I need the Myeonghyeons," she continued. "Just as the founder needed them."

"The founder sought their support because of their virtue and reputation," Jin said. "Their descendants possess neither."

"Then perhaps I should seek out House Moonseong," Kyeong'ui replied with a playful challenge.

Jin burst into laughter. When her amusement subsided, she looked at Kyeong'ui, her gaze lingering on the young woman's face. Kyeong'ui was intelligent, ambitious, her eyes shining with a fiery determination that reminded Jin of the king. It was a youthful, dazzling ambition, both naive and dangerous, and Jin found it strangely captivating. If Kyeong'ui truly meant no harm to the Myeonghyeon siblings, perhaps they could find a new path, a new purpose.

Jin smiled and rose from her seat. "Lead the way, Your Highness," she said, gesturing towards the door. "I will guide you."

Kyeong'ui, finally allowing herself a genuine smile

"Very well."

Kyeong'ui rose from her seat and exited the office. Jin watched her leave, then turned to one of the guards stationed outside.

"Did you hear everything?" she asked, her voice low.

"Yes, My Lady."

"Go out the back and inform them," she instructed.

Hongyoo and Hyeok, who had been waiting anxiously in the courtyard, rushed towards Kyeong'ui as she emerged.

"What did you discuss with her?" Hongyoo asked.

"She's agreed to lead us to House Myeonghyeon," Kyeong'ui replied, a triumphant smile on her face.

"So they are here," Hongyoo mused.

"And it seems Mahnry was telling the truth about their connection to Lady Seolyo," Kyeong'ui added. "Her expression changed the moment I mentioned them. It was only for a fleeting moment, but I saw it."

"That cunning old woman?" Hyeok scoffed.

"Watch your tongue," Kyeong'ui snapped. "Seolyo Jin is a respected leader."

Hyeok bit his lip, then continued his grumbling. "What's the point of going to the Myeonghyeons now?" he asked. "We won't achieve anything with just the three of us. Jin knows that, which is why she agreed to help. Even if we return with reinforcements, they'll either be gone or the gates will be closed."

"What did you expect me to gain from this visit, Young Master Gahngyun?" Kyeong'ui asked.

"I assumed you intended to bring them back to Sunyahng," Hyeok replied.

"If that were my goal, I would indeed be returning empty-handed," Kyeong'ui said.

"Then why did you come to Nahmgyo?" Hyeok pressed. "With such a large force?"

Kyeong'ui smiled enigmatically. "It's a secret."

"What?" Hyeok exclaimed, his brow furrowed in confusion.

Kyeong'ui, leaving Hyeok speechless, strode towards the exit. Jin emerged from the office and led them through the maze of alleys and courtyards. They retraced their steps, passing through the bustling marketplace and back towards the south gate. Jin stopped abruptly in front of a building Kyeong'ui recognized from their earlier procession - a gaudy establishment with a rather worn sign hanging above the entrance. Yeonyahng-Gahk(戀陽閣). Kyeong'ui's face hardened as she realized where they were.

"Is this the place?" she asked with disbelief.

Jin nodded nonchalantly. "Do you doubt my memory, Your Highness?"

"This is a brothel." Kyeong'ui mused.

Hongyoo stepped forward. "My Lady," he warned, "such disrespect towards the princess will not be tolerated."

"Now, now, Royal Attendant," Jin chuckled, "I'm not so eager to offend the princess that I would bring her all the way here for a joke."

She turned to Kyeong'ui. "Despite your surprise, Your Highness, this is indeed where you'll find House Myeonghyeon."

Kyeong'ui stared at the entrance, speechless. Jin bowed her head.

"I'll take my leave here, Your Highness," she said. "I have certain obligations to uphold, and I'm not so keen on witnessing this awkward encounter. I do hope your efforts prove fruitful."

With that, she turned and headed back towards the government office. Kyeong'ui, abandoned and bewildered, stared at the bustling inn. Merchants and courtesans swarmed through the entrance, its facade adorned with colorful banners and crudely painted signs. Laughter and shouts, punctuated by unfamiliar foreign phrases, spilled from within. Men with their chests bared, their bodies glistening with sweat, swaggered past, their belts laden with an assortment of weapons. Half-naked courtesans clung to drunken patrons, their laughter echoing through the streets. Could the descendants of noble House Myeonghyeon truly reside in such a place? Kyeong'ui's gaze fell upon the blue flag hanging above the entrance, its silver sun partially eclipsed. She recognized House Myeonghyeon crest, a subtle detail hidden in plain sight. This was indeed their establishment.

Gahngyun Hyeok stepped forward, blocking her path. "Your Highness," he insisted, "you cannot enter this place."

Hongyoo, who had been about to voice the same concern, nodded in agreement. "Please wait here, Your Highness," he urged. "I'll bring them out. This is no place for a princess."

As they spoke, a group of courtesans, their faces painted and powdered, leaned against the doorframe, their eyes raking over the newcomers. Kyeong'ui's black robes didn't seem to faze them, their gazes bold and inviting. Kyeong'ui was both shocked and disappointed by the scene before her. But she reminded herself that her father wouldn't have achieved his ambitions without venturing into the darkest corners of their kingdom. She pushed past Hongyoo and Hyeok.

"No," she said. "I'm going in."

Hongyoo hesitated, but Kyeong'ui pushed him aside and stepped through the doorway.