**Chapter 90: The Outsiders (1)**
Having been rebuked by Sejong and leaving the palace, Hyang let out a small sigh.
"Hoo~. And so the merit has slipped from my hands... It will be somewhat difficult so His Majesty and the ministers will have to suffer a bit, but what can be done? It's not something I can personally intervene in... No, even if I did intervene personally, it would be difficult, nay, nearly impossible. I have no talent in this area..."
"Your Highness, what did you say?"
"Just talking to myself. Talking to myself."
Hyang replied briefly to the eunuch following behind and sighed again.
"Hoo~. Being Crown Prince is good in many ways, but there's no private life, no private life..."
Grumbling to himself, Hyang suddenly turned to look at the eunuch as if something had just occurred to him.
"Come to think of it, how many days are left until the fifteenth of this month?"
"Five days, Your Highness."
"Five days? Something to look forward to."
Muttering to himself again, Hyang turned his gaze beyond the palace walls.
* * *
Hyang's appearance itself was an unexpected event for the gibang.
"Those who have not yet undergone the coming-of-age ceremony cannot enter this place."
Hearing that a young child dressed in expensive, finest silk robes had come to the gibang, the head gisaeng personally came out to block Hyang's way.
At the head gisaeng's words, Hyang tapped his gat with his finger and replied.
"Do my gat look like mere decoration to your eyes?"
"Pardon? But still..."
As the head gisaeng continued to hesitate, the commander of the escort warriors who had accompanied them stepped forward.
"His Highness has sufficient qualification."
"If that is the case..."
Pressed by the imposing presence of the escort warriors, the head gisaeng stepped back, and Hyang and his party were able to enter the gibang.
"Show us to the largest room."
"Yes."
After sending Hyang's party inside, the head gisaeng gave orders to another servant.
"Tell the jangsa to prepare, just in case."
"Yes."
"Just who is that young master?"
Even after sending gisaeng into the room where Hyang's party had entered, the head gisaeng sat by the door and observed the situation inside. Her eyes were focused entirely on Hyang.
'He is absolutely not just some spirited young master from an ordinary noble household!'
Having observed Hyang's demeanor, the head gisaeng was reaching a definite conclusion.
The head gisaeng's conclusion had basis.
Hyang was far too natural in commanding those beneath him. And it wasn't simply the manner of one accustomed to ordering slaves, but rather the manner of one accustomed to commanding those of status, those who appeared distinguished, just like those seated with him.
"I wonder if today might become a day of trouble..."
With a thoroughly tense face, the head gisaeng nervously chewed her fingernails.
Meanwhile, inside, a somewhat enjoyable time was continuing.
"The juxiang is excellent!"
At Hyang's exclamation after merely smelling and setting down his cup, the gisaeng seated beside him smiled and replied.
"Not juxiang, but chaxiang."
"Chaxiang?"
"His Majesty the King has issued a prohibition on alcohol, so how could we recklessly brew spirits? We merely steep gukcha."
"Hm? Hahahahaha!"
At the gisaeng's answer, Hyang laughed heartily and genuinely.
Since Sejong's accession, there had not been a single year without famine. Because of this, Sejong had to issue a prohibition on alcohol every year. As water management projects progressed throughout the country, the situation began to improve little by little, but the alcohol prohibition was still being issued.
Thanks to this, the gibang employed a workaround.
"We are not selling grain alcohol, but grain tea!"
It was "turning a blind eye," but the situation was overlooked due to the nature of the gibang.
* * *
Having visited the gibang and observed the gisaengs' appearances, Hyang, when the atmosphere had sufficiently ripened, changed the subject.
"Since this is my first time at a gibang, but if trouble breaks out, there are those who handle such things, are there not?"
At Hyang's question, the gisaeng seated beside him answered coquettishly.
"There are. Very strong jangsa."
"Could I see them?"
"Pardon?"
"I recently heard a rumor. That there are men so formidable that they could cow even the officials of the Saheonbu, famous for their fierce spirit, with their eyes alone. I wanted to see what kind of men they are."
"Oh my~. That is not our gibang."
"Even so, I would like to see what kind of jangsa they are. Please call them."
"Ye-es."
At Hyang's words, the gisaeng went outside and relayed Hyang's request. After a while, the gisaeng returned with a somewhat troubled expression and spoke to Hyang.
"The jangsa said to tell you 'they are not performers of sadangpae.'"
"How rude!"
At the gisaeng's answer, the escort warriors seated together raised their voices in anger and stood up from their seats.
"Sit back down."
"My lord!"
"Now!"
"Yes."
At Hyang's restraint, the warriors sat back down.
"Drink your gukcha. But do not become intoxicated by the fragrance."
"Yes, my lord."
At Hyang's command, the escort warriors emptied the cups before them. Watching this, Hyang turned to look at the gisaeng seated beside him.
"Gukcha and performers... How amusing."
"Yes, ye-es..."
At Hyang's words, the gisaeng answered with a frozen expression. The gisaeng was realizing that she was currently with very dangerous people.
'Just who is this child!'
The gisaeng grew curious about the identity of the young master seated beside her.
After a while, the words that slipped from Hyang's mouth made the gisaeng's face turn pale white.
"Go and tell those jangsa this. 'You are merely dogs guarding the gate while eating scraps that fall from the feast table, yet you have much to say.'"
"My lord!"
The gisaeng hurriedly tried to stop him, but Hyang's expression remained unchanged.
"Convey my words exactly as I said."
* * *
After a while, the jangsa guarding the gibang appeared.
"Just who is this b—"
Appearing with great bravado, ready to cause an uproar while spewing curses, the jangsa stopped mid-sentence and tensed up immediately.
It was because of the appearance of those seated in the room.
All the men except for Hyang, who sat at the highest seat, were emanating extraordinary qi while glaring at him.
'If I'm not careful, today next year might become the death anniversary of me, Kang Samtae!'
Samtae tightly gripped the hilt of the changpo sword he carried in his bosom and opened his mouth.
"Which person sought this humble one?"
"Are you the head of the jangsa guarding this place?"
At Hyang's question, Samtae replied.
"Are you seeking the Daehyeong?"
"Bring that man here."
At Hyang's words, which were the height of condescension, Samtae felt a surge of anger, but clenching his teeth at the imposing presence of those seated with him, he answered.
"I will bring him."
After a while, a man who looked extraordinary at first glance appeared following behind Samtae.
"I heard you sought this humble one."
"Come inside."
At Hyang's words, Daehyeong strode into the room.
"I have matters to discuss with him. You all wait outside."
"Yes."
At Hyang's command, the gisaengs all went outside.
Once the gisaengs left, Hyang gave the same order to the escort warriors and eunuchs.
"You all also wait outside for a moment."
"My lord! Absolutely not!"
"It will be fine, so wait outside."
"I will leave two behind."
When the commander of the escort warriors stood firm, Hyang nodded.
"Do so."
Thus, only Hyang, the commander leading the escort warriors, one subordinate, and Samtae and Daehyeong remained in the room.
"Why did you seek this humble one?"
At Daehyeong's question, Hyang asked with a slight smile.
"Judging by your appearance, you seem like a son of a noble household. Are you a concubine's son?"
"That is so."
"Are you satisfied with your current life?"
"As you said, what can a dog that eats scraps falling from the feast table hope for? I suppose I'm satisfied as long as I don't go hungry."
"Hmm..."
Hyang let out a slight nasal sound and looked at Daehyeong, who sat firmly before him.
'This is a cliché, but he seems usable.'
"There will be holes in my face. Why do you stare so intently? Surely you don't favor men?"
"Unfortunately, I am normal. Do your jangsa have a gye?"
"Why do you ask that?"
"If there is a gye, convey this to the gyeju. Even the same dog can have its circumstances change, so tell him to find me at midnight on the fifteenth of this month."
At Hyang's words, Daehyeong made an expression of disbelief.
"Hah! Do you know who I am?"
"If you cannot do even that much, you will have to spend your whole life guarding the gibang gate."
Having finished speaking, Hyang emptied the cup before him.
"Hoo! It's quite strong!"
Setting down the cup, Hyang rose from his seat and went outside.
"Settle the bill."
"Yes, my lord."
While the eunuch settled the bill, Hyang looked back at the head gisaeng and Daehyeong.
"Observe well and leave. And do not take my words lightly."
Having finished speaking, Hyang walked away stridently with the escort warriors and eunuchs.
Watching Hyang's back as he disappeared into the distance, Daehyeong gave an order to Samtae.
"Follow him."
"Yes, Daehyeong."
However, after a while, Samtae returned and had to bow his head in apology.
"We lost him."
"How?"
"The trail ended at Unjong Street."
"Unjong Street?"
At Samtae's words, Daehyeong briefly recalled the layout of Hanseong.
'Disappeared at Unjong Street? Where to? That direction has nothing but government offices... Wait, government offices? If government offices, they connect to the palace, and if the palace...'
Daehyeong immediately recalled one fact.
'If it's the rumored Crown Prince, he would be about the same age as the boy I just saw!'
"When the fire in Hanseong was being repaired last time, the Crown Prince personally directed the work, right? Are there any of our people who saw the Crown Prince's face then?"
"Oh my, Daehyeong! Our people are all owls who sleep during the day and roam at night, aren't they?"
"Damn!"
Having cursed, Daehyeong scratched his head vigorously and reached a conclusion.
"I must tell the gyeju."
It took three days for Hyang's identity to be revealed after his gibang visit.
On the fourth day, as Hyang walked, he asked the escort warrior beside him.
"Deputy Commander Gwon, you said the place we're going to is Hwawolru? This place is famous?"
"Yes, it is the finest in Dadong."
"You know it well?"
"In my youth..."
"You'll ruin your household at this rate."
"Hahat!"
Continuing their conversation mixed with jokes and serious words, Hyang arrived at the gibang in question and let out a chuckle.
"I've been found out. Well, the tail was long..."
In front of the wide-open gates of Hwawolru, the head gisaeng of Hwawolru and the man who appeared to be Daehyeong stood side by side.
"It is an honor to serve your lordship."
Upon seeing Hyang, the head gisaeng moved as if flying and performed a deep bow, and Daehyeong beside her also offered a proper bow according to etiquette.
"Hmm?"
Receiving Daehyeong's bow, Hyang made a surprised expression. The bow Daehyeong was offering now followed proper etiquette precisely. This meant there was a high possibility that Daehyeong of Hwawolru was a member of an extraordinary household.
In any case, Hyang moved forward to see what he had intended.
"Thank you for the welcome. I look forward to it."
* * *
The promised fifteenth. As midnight approached, Hyang gave orders to the eunuchs guarding Donggungjeon.
"Leave the door open and wait outside. A guest will come."
"But..."
"It is a command. Do not ask and obey."
At Hyang's strong command, the eunuchs had no choice but to withdraw.
"The Naegeumwi Commander must also withdraw."
"I will not comply."
"Naegeumwi Commander!"
Hyang's voice grew louder, but the Naegeumwi Commander did not back down.
"Even when my subordinates reported, I did not report to His Majesty out of respect for His Highness the Crown Prince's request. This alone is an unforgivable great crime, yet I cannot leave His Highness the Crown Prince alone!"
"If the Naegeumwi Commander stands blocking the way, will matters go well with them?"
"Your Highness! Even so, it cannot be done!"
"Naegeumwi Commander! This is for His Majesty and for this Joseon! For this, my life is a small price to pay! It is a command!"
After that, the verbal dispute between Hyang and the Naegeumwi Commander continued for a while, but Hyang's stubbornness could not be broken.
Eventually, the Naegeumwi Commander proposed an alternative.
"Then only two shall remain. I cannot yield more than that! If you refuse this as well, I will report to His Majesty immediately!"
At the Naegeumwi Commander's firm stance, Hyang sighed.
"Very well. Let us do so."
"I am eternally grateful!"
Having paid his respects to Hyang, the Naegeumwi Commander left the room, leaving behind Deputy Commander Gwon and one Naegeumwi guard.
"That man and his stubbornness..."
While Hyang grumbled, Deputy Commander Gwon and the other one complained inwardly.
'As if Your Highness is any different.'