Chapter 39

Chapter 39:

Even after that day, Wei Yan-ho’s daily life continued to unfold quite comfortably.

Prince Lee and Moon Yu-hwan seemed to be frantically busy dealing with the aftermath of that day’s events, but such matters had nothing to do with Wei Yan-ho.

Moon Eun-ji tried her best to find some fault with Wei Yan-ho, but since she had already made a firm promise with her own mouth, she could neither act nor refrain from acting, and could only seethe inwardly.

Had it been Wei Yan-ho, he would have naturally ignored any promise made in a moment of urgency, but Moon Eun-ji, who had been strictly educated by Moon Yu-hwan, found it extremely difficult to break a promise she had made with her own lips.

Thanks to this, Wei Yan-ho was enjoying the most comfortable and peaceful life he’d had since entering the Hanrim Grand Academy.

Delicious meals were brought to his room for every meal, and there was no one to nag him about sleeping.

It was truly paradise!

“Paradise couldn’t be any different from this.”

As a cool breeze blew through the open window, Wei Yan-ho covered himself with his blanket and lay down comfortably.

His eyes began to close drowsily.

Sleep seemed like one of those things—the more you indulged in it, the more it came seeking you out.

‘Well, I’ve already eaten breakfast, so just until dinner comes…’

Slam!

Just then, the door opened.

Wei Yan-ho frowned and looked toward the door.

Moon Eun-ji walked in with a nonchalant expression.

“Get up.”

“……”

“I know you’re not sleeping, so stop pretending to sleep and get up.”

“Why?”

“Father is calling for you.”

“What about my day of rest?”

“I’m not the one calling you—Father is calling, so go argue with him directly. Surely you’re not saying that after rolling around in bed for seven days and nights, you can’t even go when called briefly?”

“Well, that’s not what I’m saying, but…”

Moon Eun-ji didn’t doubt for a moment that Wei Yan-ho would get up.

But Wei Yan-ho’s reaction always exceeded her expectations.

“It’s bothersome, so couldn’t you tell him I’ll see him later?”

“Kyaaaah!“

Moon Eun-ji grabbed the blanket that Wei Yan-ho had wrapped around himself and lifted it up.

Wei Yan-ho rolled around and thud, fell to the floor.

“Ow!”

“How can a person not come out of their blanket even once for seven days and nights! Don’t you see the imprint left in this blanket?”

“But blankets naturally get imprints, don’t they?”

“Gasp…”

Moon Eun-ji staggered with a look of despair on her face.

How had such a human being ended up taking residence in her house?

Whether she liked it or not, Wei Yan-ho slowly got up from his spot.

Others might not believe it, but he too was human and had something called shame.

Even dogs wag their tails at those who feed them, and he couldn’t just ignore Moon Yu-hwan who was feeding and sheltering him when he called.

“Where to?”

Moon Eun-ji glared at him.

“You’re planning to go like that?”

“Then what?”

Wei Yan-ho asked back while brushing off the crust stuck around his eyes.

Moon Eun-ji forced a smile while veins bulged on her forehead.

“Still, you’re going to meet the elders, so how about washing up a bit?”

“Hmm?”

Wei Yan-ho pulled at the clothes he was wearing and sniffed them.

“Sniff sniff, seems fine to me?”

Moon Eun-ji’s face trembled.

If clothes worn while rolling around for a week were fine, then what clothes in the world wouldn’t be fine?

‘If he were actually a beggar, I’d at least applaud him for finding truly suitable work.’

But he didn’t seem to be a beggar.

If Moon Eun-ji had known that Wei Yan-ho was someone who could cause shock even in a beggars’ den, she wouldn’t have had such thoughts.

“If you don’t want to wash, you don’t have to.”

“Really?”

“Yes. Because today I’m going to give this entire room a thorough cleaning with water!”

“Should I step out?”

“No need. I’ll clean it together with you. I’ll polish you sparkling clean with the rags used for the outhouse.”

“I’ll wash up.”

“Good thinking.”

Wei Yan-ho grumbled as he headed toward the bathroom.

“Why must humans soak their bodies in water?”

What was the point of the troublesome use of water when one could just wipe down adequately with a dry cloth?

It was utterly inefficient.

But once he soaked his body in the heated water, he found himself humming naturally. From the water’s perspective, having to soak Wei Yan-ho of all the countless humans might be unfortunate, but that wasn’t something Wei Yan-ho needed to worry about.

Wei Yan-ho washed his body for the first time in a while and changed into the clothes Moon Eun-ji had prepared.

Wearing pristine white clothing and tying up his hair, he underwent a complete transformation into quite a handsome young man.

“……”

“Why are you staring at me like that?”

“I’m amazed.”

“Why? Because I’m handsome?”

Moon Eun-ji surprisingly nodded obediently.

Wei Yan-ho shrugged his shoulders at Moon Eun-ji’s unexpected reaction.

“I am pretty handsome.”

“I’m amazed at how dirty you must normally be for a person to change this much just by washing. You must have been several times filthier than I thought.”

Wei Yan-ho became dejected.

“I’m not really that dirty…”

Moon Eun-ji cleanly ignored Wei Yan-ho’s nonsensical words.

“Let’s go for now. The adults are waiting.”

“Tch.”

Wei Yan-ho followed Moon Eun-ji toward Moon Yu-hwan’s quarters.

“Father, I’ve brought that person.”

“Come in.”

When the response came, Moon Eun-ji carefully opened the door and entered. Wei Yan-ho also followed her inside with a reluctant expression.

Moon Yu-hwan and Prince Lee were seated in the room.

“You’ve done well. You may go.”

Moon Eun-ji bowed and went outside.

Wei Yan-ho also bowed and stepped outside.

“Not you!”

Prince Lee shouted irritably.

Wei Yan-ho poked Moon Eun-ji in the waist.

“They’re saying you should stay?”

“……It’s you, you!”

“Me?”

When Wei Yan-ho glanced back, Prince Lee was glaring at him with a look that could devour him.

Wei Yan-ho quietly returned to the room and sat in front of Prince Lee.

Click.

The door closed and a strange atmosphere circulated in the room.

Moon Yu-hwan looked back and forth between Prince Lee and Wei Yan-ho with a subtle expression, while Prince Lee looked Wei Yan-ho up and down with a face like he’d chewed on bugs and let out deep sighs.

Wei Yan-ho, regardless of all this, was blatantly showing his annoyance-filled face, indicating he wanted them to hurry up and state their business.

Anyone watching would think mortal enemies were facing off against each other.

“Your Highness.”

When Moon Yu-hwan, unable to bear it any longer, spoke up, Prince Lee let out a deep sigh.

“Sigh.”

Prince Lee shook his head and reached into his robes, then took something out.

A small golden dagger.

Instantly, Wei Yan-ho’s eyes lit up.

But Prince Lee only took out the dagger and took no further action, hesitating and making his hand holding the dagger twitch several times.

“Your Highness.”

“I know! I know!”

Prince Lee irritably threw the dagger in front of Wei Yan-ho.

“Here!”

Wei Yan-ho silently picked up the dagger that had fallen to the floor and stored it in his robes.

Prince Lee watched Wei Yan-ho quietly and then spoke.

“Do you know what that is?”

“No.”

“Then what were you thinking, taking it without a word?”

Wei Yan-ho answered with a delighted smile.

“Because it looked valuable.”

“……Is that so?”

“Yes.”

Prince Lee hung his head low, and Wei Yan-ho grinned.

“My master said that if something looks like it could be worth money, I should grab it first without question.”

“Urgh.”

Prince Lee covered his face with both hands.

‘This is wrong somehow. I need to change my thinking even now!’

Prince Lee removed his hands and raised his head to examine Wei Yan-ho carefully.

Whether Moon Eun-ji had dressed him up, his outward appearance was quite that of a handsome gentleman. Considering that appearance and the divine skill he’d shown that night, anyone would have to say he possessed the bearing of a young hero.

But knowing the lazy, cunning, and damned true nature hidden within that young hero’s bearing, Prince Lee simply couldn’t view Wei Yan-ho favorably.

“That sword is…”

“No take-backs! That’s petty!”

“No, that sword is…”

“Surely someone of Prince Lee’s stature wouldn’t tell someone who’s not even a child to return something they’ve given them? Surely not?”

“No, what I’m saying is…”

“Ptoo ptoo ptoo! I’ve already spit on it. Since I’ve spit on it, it’s mine now. So!”

“Let me speak, you damn bastard! You deserve to have your three generations exterminated!”

The room shook thunderously and Wei Yan-ho’s neck instinctively shrank.

Prince Lee was seething with anger but barely regained his composure at Moon Yu-hwan’s restraint.

“Grrrr!“

Prince Lee, blatantly emanating displeasure, spoke half in anger.

“That sword is a sacred object of the Censorate. Wherever you go, if you show that, they will treat you with a position equivalent to mine.”

“……”

“What? Is there some problem?”

“Is that all?”

“Hmm?”

“No, I mean something that’s actually beneficial, you know. Something that can buy food, buy a house…”

“And so?”

“Come on, why would someone of your understanding act this way? Still, I’ve done something, so if you try to settle it with something like this, that’s a bit troublesome. That’s how the world works. If something goes out, something should come in. In today’s world, something more material and realistic than this, so… Hah! This is really troublesome. It’s nice, but I can’t say it directly…”

Prince Lee’s face trembled.

“Money?”

Wei Yan-ho clapped his hands as if impressed.

“Wow! You understand well! As expected, you didn’t reach that position for nothing!”

“So you want money instead of the Censorate’s sacred object?”

“……Well, it’s difficult to say it that directly. I’m also someone who’s learned manners, after all.”

Smack!

Suddenly, the inkstone on Prince Lee’s desk flew through the air toward Wei Yan-ho.

Thunk!

Wei Yan-ho lightly caught the flying inkstone and set it down on the floor.

“Are you giving me this too? It looks expensive?”

“Ahem, that’s…”

Moon Yu-hwan was flustered.

It seemed to be a precious inkstone.

Prince Lee let out a deep sigh.

“I don’t know if this is the right thing to do.”

Prince Lee realized it was beneficial not to pay attention to Wei Yan-ho’s reactions and continued speaking.

“Let me say this once more: that is a sacred object of the Censorate. You will be able to receive the same treatment as me at any government office. In other words, it means I’m granting you an official position equivalent to Inspector General.”

“……”

“You said you’re traveling the world. If you have that, you won’t need to pretend not to see worldly corruption.”

“Simply put, my work is increasing.”

“I’m giving you an official position.”

“Isn’t that the same thing?”

“It’s different.”

“In what way?”

“……If I say it’s different, then know that it’s different.”

At Prince Lee’s grinding teeth reaction, Wei Yan-ho slightly backed away. But even so, he didn’t forget to leave a parting comment.

“Since I must respect my elders, I’ll say that’s so.”

Prince Lee touched his ears. By now, smoke was probably billowing from his ears.

Moon Yu-hwan continued speaking in place of the agitated Prince Lee.

“The Censorate has long been dispatching undercover inspectors to the Central Plains. The position has been vacant for a while, but from now on, we’d like you to take on that role.”

“With just this?”

“I’m not saying to settle with this! I’m not! I’m giving you a reward! I’ll sell my house if I have to and give you a reward! You turtle-like bastard!”

Prince Lee’s cry covered the entire Hanrim Grand Academy.