As soon as they entered, Jang Munyeon immediately ordered someone to prepare wine and side dishes.
As if to ease the awkward atmosphere, he spoke first.
“Lord Yuk. What happened at court earlier was merely a difference of opinion in an official setting.”
He added with a smile.
“There were no personal feelings involved, so do not take it to heart.”
Yunseo let it pass with a light laugh.
“Why would I take it personally?”
His expression was full of composure.
“If the Chancellor truly meant to harm me, surely you would not have used such a crude method.”
For a moment, Jang Munyeon could not continue.
An uneasy chill sank through him for no reason.
But if he tried to explain here, it would only deepen suspicion.
Soon, he laughed loudly and brushed it aside.
“As expected, you are a man of great capacity. I cannot help but admire you.”
Then he naturally changed the subject.
“There is something I wish to ask.”
The Chancellor’s eyes narrowed.
“Have you ever heard the saying that a fine bird chooses a fine tree?”
Yunseo answered without the slightest hesitation.
“We are subjects who serve Her Majesty.”
He continued calmly.
“Where else could we possibly place our reliance?”
The corners of Jang Munyeon’s mouth twisted upward.
“For those who harbor desires in their hearts, places to rely on can be found anywhere.”
He raised his wine cup and added.
“It is precisely those who desire nothing… who are all the more dangerous.”
Yunseo said nothing.
He had already seen through the meaning behind those words.
Those with greed could be controlled.
But those who desired nothing could turn their backs at any time.
That was why they were more dangerous.
Inwardly, he swallowed a short breath.
Disgusting.
But the moment he revealed that emotion, he would instead expose an opening.
Just then, Jang Munyeon smiled again and let the words drift out.
“I merely said it in passing. Do not take it too seriously.”
He set down his wine cup as if nothing had happened.
“After all, this realm belongs to Her Majesty, does it not?”
On the surface, it was a light joke.
But hidden behind it was a blade.
Yunseo knew.
This was all a test.
He was trying to judge him by what answer he gave.
If he misspoke, a leash would be fastened around his neck at once.
For a moment, silence flowed.
And then—
“Are you worried?”
Yunseo spoke first.
His voice continued without the slightest tremor.
“About what I might say.”
Jang Munyeon’s eyes narrowed slightly.
This seasoned old man had already realized that Yunseo understood everything.
He smiled meaningfully.
“This is my house. Words exchanged in a private setting could hardly make their way outside, could they?”
He said so, but even to himself, those words were not convincing.
Yunseo lowered his gaze as if unconcerned.
Then he answered quietly.
“I have nothing to say.”
That single sentence severed everything.
“It is not a subject’s place to pass judgment on Her Majesty.”
His gaze struck down at Jang Munyeon with contempt.
“Her Majesty is the sovereign, and I am her subject.”
Briefly.
Firmly.
“I need only do the task entrusted to me.”
In that instant, Jang Munyeon’s smile clearly warped.
It was a perfect evasion.
One that could not be caught on either side.
And yet—
It naturally tossed the burden back to him.
This bastard knows everything.
Inwardly, he clenched his teeth, but outwardly, he smiled as if nothing were wrong.
“A fine answer.”
And he immediately changed the topic.
“Then allow me to ask one more thing.”
Jang Munyeon’s eyes deepened.
“Her Majesty ordered the silver to be recovered.”
After choosing his words for a moment, he opened his mouth.
“Did she say nothing about… how this enormous hole is to be filled?”
Yunseo answered without an inch of hesitation.
“If it is you, Chancellor, you already know.”
His gaze remained fixed on Jang Munyeon without falling away.
“Her Majesty looks only at the result.”
Jang Munyeon’s complexion visibly worsened.
Only at the result—
As expected, the Empress intended to make the ministers bear the responsibility themselves.
He fell silent for a moment, as if lost in thought.
Yunseo did not miss that opening and quietly rose.
“If you have nothing more to say, I will take my leave.”
Just as he was about to turn away—
“Wait.”
Jang Munyeon’s voice caught Yunseo.
“Lord Yuk.”
He took a step closer.
His face wore a forced smile.
“Would it not be a pity to send you off like this?”
Jang Munyeon’s breathing slipped ever so slightly out of rhythm.
“Why not stay and talk a little longer?”
Silence settled.
And then—
“Have you no thought of becoming my man?”
The air stopped.
“If you do, I will raise you to an even higher position.”
His voice sank low.
“You know very well… what position I hold at court.”
So the old fox finally shows his true colors.
Yunseo slowly turned around.
And he neither answered.
Nor refused.
He merely stood still, looking at Jang Munyeon.
The longer that silence stretched, the one who wavered first was instead Jang Munyeon.
What in the world is he thinking?
If what happened today leaked outside, even ten heads would not be enough.
That was why Yunseo’s choice in this very moment mattered more than anything.
Jang Munyeon took another step forward.
And once more, he extended his hand.
“Lord Yuk.”
His voice flowed out gently.
“You are a man who harbors great ambitions.”
He paused for a moment, as if testing the waters.
“But the current Her Majesty is still young. Moreover, she is deeply suspicious. Do you truly think such a sovereign… will sincerely be of help to you? You may be sitting in the seat of Inspector Censor now, but—”
His gaze subtly sank before he spoke again.
“Everything you do is done with your life on the line.”
Even after hearing that, Yunseo showed no reaction at all.
Instead, as if intrigued, he tilted his head and asked back.
“…With my life on the line? Why would my head fly when I am working for Her Majesty?”
At that one sentence, Jang Munyeon’s eyes flashed for an instant.
I have him.
This was the reaction of someone shaken.
He was certain of it inside.
There was no person who did not fear death.
This was an entirely natural reaction.
Jang Munyeon did not miss the opportunity and continued with a short sigh.
“It seems you do not know.”
His voice lowered.
“The current Her Majesty has beheaded ministers for suspicion alone. Have you ever considered what it means… to serve as Inspector Censor under such a sovereign?”
Yunseo said nothing.
He merely listened in silence, then soon asked back.
“Then if I work for the Chancellor, will my head remain attached?”
Jang Munyeon’s expression grew more relaxed.
“If you come under this old man—”
He spoke in a voice filled with certainty.
“I can sufficiently hold back even the likes of Her Majesty. More than half of the court’s military authority is in my hands.”
At that moment, the air seemed to freeze.
Yunseo’s gaze also stopped where it was.
And then—
“So.”
The word fell very quietly.
“You mean to stand above Her Majesty?”
Before those words had even ended, Yunseo’s hand moved.
Flash—
A sharpened sword pointed straight at Jang Munyeon’s throat.
It was a distance where he would be cut if he moved even an inch.
Jang Munyeon’s body instantly stiffened.
Only then did he realize the situation.
His life was on the line right now.
“…What do you want?”
His voice had noticeably sunk.
The force he had shown until just moments ago had vanished without a trace.
Yunseo spoke like a man who had already decided on his answer.
“It is simple. Do not drive Her Majesty into a corner.”
His gaze drove sharply into Jang Munyeon.
“And stop putting needless pressure on her at court.”
The tip of the sword dug faintly into his skin.
“That is all you need to keep.”
Jang Munyeon clenched his teeth.
“In the end…”
He laughed low.
“You are saying you will stand on Her Majesty’s side. Yuk Yunseo.”
His face twisted harshly.
“Do you think you can bear it? Half the court is your enemy. Do you think you can face that alone?”
Yunseo’s expression did not change.
“That has nothing to do with you, Chancellor.”
He stepped a little closer to Jang Munyeon.
“Bear this in mind.”
His voice flowed out, low and sunken.
“On the day Her Majesty’s mood is made unpleasant—”
The tip of the sword pressed deeper into the skin.
“The Chancellor’s head will fall first.”
Jang Munyeon closed his eyes as if resigned, then opened them.
After briefly steadying his breath, he spoke.
“…Fine. Let us say today never happened.”
His gaze turned toward Yunseo.
“I will accept helping Her Majesty take hold of the court. But what can that possibly change?”
A faint sneer spread in his eyes.
“The court is already split as far as it can be. What do you intend to do in that state?”
Yunseo spoke without withdrawing his sword.
“That is not something the Chancellor needs to know.”
And finally, he added.
“Remain as a subject should. If you overstep beyond that—”
The killing intent Yunseo had kept hidden quietly revealed itself in his eyes.
“Then I will truly cut you down.”
The corner of Jang Munyeon’s mouth twisted.
“You are risking your life for the Empress.”
He scoffed faintly.
“It will not end well. A sovereign is never an easy existence. A sovereign cuts down those closest to them first. Surely you know that.”
Yunseo gave no answer.
He merely withdrew his sword and turned away, as if there was nothing more worth seeing.
Then he walked straight toward the door.