As the bell from the clock tower rang out, signaling midnight, Kwon Buwi informed Hyang.
"I heard it. The clock over there is also pointing to midnight."
"They probably won't be able to come in. There are many walls to climb to get to the Donggung Hall, and the inner guards on duty are not few either..."
Just as Kwon Buwi was reporting that they wouldn't be able to come in, a low voice was heard from outside the door.
"Even so, if the master of the Donggung Hall calls, we must come."
At the unexpected voice, Kwon Buwi and the inner guards gripped their swords and stood on either side of Hyang.
"Come in if you're here."
"Yes."
With a low reply, three men entered. Hyang spoke, seeing that the men were dressed in black from head to toe.
"Take off your masks."
"Yes, Your Highness."
The leaders of the Sword Guild removed their masks and bowed deeply to Hyang.
"We, the humble leaders of the Sword Guild, pay our respects to the Crown Prince."
"Sit comfortably in the chairs there."
"Thank you, Your Highness."
As the leaders of the Sword Guild took their seats, Hyang got straight to the point.
"Which areas of Hanyang do you control?"
The leaders of the Sword Guild explained the areas where they exerted their influence.
"I lead the guild in the Bukchon area."
"I lead the guild in Dae-dong..."
"I lead the guild in Yunjongga..."
"Hmm... So, the eastern, western, and northern parts of the central Hanyang. There's no one in the south?"
'In simple terms, they're like the gangsters who divided the prime areas of 21st-century Gangnam, Seoul.'
Hyang asked, and the leaders of the Sword Guild explained the reason.
"The south has no noble families and the 51st district, so no guild has established itself there. Ah! There are some scoundrels called gibu who extort money from the soldiers guarding the 51st district and nearby areas, but they are worthless."
"I see. I see. The reason I called you today is..."
Hyang got straight to the point.
The field he wanted to use them in was 'surveillance of officials' and 'preventing the formation of subversive groups.'
"Isn't there the Office of Censors and the Office of Remonstrance for the surveillance of officials?"
"There are, but through several incidents, I've learned something. By the time the Office of Censors or the Office of Remonstrance notice, it's usually too late to fix the situation. But, you could act faster, couldn't you? There must be many things you hear from the courtesan houses."
"That's true."
As the leader of the Dae-dong guild nodded, the leader of the Bukchon guild asked a question.
"I understand what 'preventing the formation of subversive groups' means, but why entrust such an important task to us?"
"Aren't you experts in the shadows?"
"..."
The leaders of the Sword Guild were silent at Hyang's words. Indeed, they heard many things in the courtesan houses and often used this information to seize opportunities or extort wealth.
"If we take on this task..."
As the leader of the Dae-dong guild began to speak, Hyang interrupted and answered immediately.
"For the time being, there won't be any official ranks or appointments for you and your guild members. To be honest, even if I ascend the throne, you won't be able to act openly. Almost no one will know of your existence except for my father and me, and a few others. However, if you die or are seriously injured while working, I will take full responsibility."
The leaders of the Sword Guild became serious at Hyang's words.
'Maybe we shouldn't have climbed the wall?'
All three regretted climbing the wall, but it was too late. The protection they received from the courtesan houses only filled them with psychological hunger.
"Do you need to answer immediately?"
"I think I've given you enough time already."
"..."
The leaders of the Sword Guild were silent again, knowing Hyang was right. It had been over ten days since they learned of Hyang's true identity. Many of the guild members were intelligent, and the conclusion of their discussions was almost identical to Hyang's proposal. The answer was already clear.
"We will accept Your Highness's proposal."
"Thank you!"
As the leaders of the Sword Guild accepted the proposal, Hyang finally leaned back in his chair, relaxing.
Unlike the initial tension, the atmosphere became more relaxed, and the leader of the Dae-dong guild made a joke to Hyang.
"But weren't you a bit careless? What if we had harbored ill intentions?"
"Well, I have guards here..."
Hyang moved two books that were on his desk. Under the books were two loaded muskets.
"At least two of you wouldn't have made it out alive."
As soon as Hyang finished speaking, the voice of the head of the inner guards was heard.
"None of you would have made it out alive."
"Huh?"
Hyang and the leaders of the Sword Guild turned their heads toward the source of the voice and froze.
The head of the inner guards and a group of inner guards were aiming their muskets at them, and behind them stood Sejong.
Sejong looked at Hyang with eyes full of killing intent.
"Crown Prince, you've certainly been up to something interesting, haven't you?"
"Ahem!"
* * *
Hyang's room was now filled with people. The inner guards, holding their muskets ready to fire, watched the leaders of the Sword Guild, while Sejong moved to Hyang's seat.
"Sit down."
"...You and I need to have a serious talk later."
"...Yes."
Sejong, with Hyang standing beside him, sat down and looked at the three leaders of the Sword Guild who were prostrated before him.
"So, you are the leaders of the Sword Guild, who control the night in Hanyang?"
"Yes, Your Majesty."
"It is an honor to see Your Majesty in person. Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor!"
"However, I am not pleased. The Sword Guild... How should I judge you?"
"..."
The leaders of the Sword Guild were silent at Sejong's question.
While they called themselves the Sword Guild, they were known as the 'Killer Guild' among the common people, instilling fear.
After a moment of silence, Sejong spoke.
"If you follow the two orders I am about to give, I will guarantee your lives. Moreover, I will give you honor, though not officially."
The leaders of the Sword Guild looked up at Sejong.
"The two orders you must follow: one is to fully carry out the orders the Crown Prince just mentioned, and the other is to make the night in Hanyang safe."
"What does making the night in Hanyang safe entail?"
"There will always be crime in a city as large as Hanyang. However, crimes that harm human lives, especially those like the recent great fire, where innocent people's homes and lives are taken for the sake of theft, are unforgivable! Therefore, you must prevent such incidents from happening. That is the second order you must carry out."
"Are we to eliminate the roots beforehand, or report to the police?"
"That is your choice. If you have the time, report to the police. If not, act first and report later. However, if it turns out to be a false accusation, the punishment will be severe!"
The leaders of the Sword Guild were silent, deep in thought.
"We accept Your Majesty's orders."
"We accept!"
"We accept!"
As the leader of the Dae-dong guild made the decision, the other two leaders followed, accepting Sejong's orders.
"Good. Start implementing the orders from tomorrow. And... the person who will communicate with me will be selected and informed soon."
"We accept!"
"Then, go! And keep today's events a secret until the day you die!"
"We accept!"
The leaders of the Sword Guild bowed deeply and left the room respectfully.
Watching them leave, Hyang felt a familiar sensation.
'Is this a Joseon version of Las Vegas?'
* * *
Las Vegas, from its inception, was a place where the influence of the mafia was strong.
To attract tourists to Las Vegas, the mafia's method was surprisingly 'strengthening law and order.' Scammers, prostitutes operating in unauthorized areas, and drug dealers disappeared into the nearby desert sands without a trace.
* * *
"Follow them and determine where they entered."
"Understood!"
The inner guards followed the leaders of the Sword Guild out of the room, their faces serious.
After Hyang's visit to the courtesan house, the head of the inner guards had been more vigilant about the palace's night security. Today's breach was a significant issue.
If the cause of today's breach was a simple human error rather than an unknown weakness, there would definitely be wailing and gnashing of teeth starting tomorrow.
* * *
Meanwhile, in Hyang's room, only Sejong, the head of the inner guards, Kwon Buwi, and another warrior remained.
"Do you carry several extra lives with you? Did you really think you could pull off such a stunt with just those two muskets?"
Sejong's tone was stern, and Hyang smiled in response.
"Surely not."
"How can you laugh in this situation!"
Realizing the seriousness of the situation, Hyang quickly removed the eunuch's hat he was wearing and presented it to Sejong.
"I was prepared, Your Majesty."
Sejong took the hat and was surprised by its weight. He turned it over to inspect the inside.
There was a metal plate inside the hat.
"Even if your head is protected..."
Sejong's words prompted Hyang to quickly untie the sash of his dragon robe. Inside, a metal chest plate protected his chest, and a larger piece of armor around his neck served as a neck guard.
"The generous fit of the dragon robe is truly beneficial."
"Hmm~."
Sejong sighed deeply and spoke.
"Choose. Either 100 days of document sorting or a beating with a cane right now."
"Should I call for the cane?"
"Ha~."
Sejong sighed again and pointed to the desk.
* * *
"...This is your father's first and last warning to you. I understand the importance of what you're trying to do and the need for secrecy. However, hiding it from me is not forgivable. If you do it again, I will make you sort all the documents from the Ministry of Personnel and the Ministry of Rites!"
"Yes! I will definitely report to Your Majesty!"
At Sejong's warning, Hyang, who was the creator of the document sorting punishment, stood straight and answered, forgetting the pain in his calves.
"Then, go to your quarters."
"Your kindness is boundless."
As Sejong left the Donggung Hall, the head of the inner guards asked a question.
"Your Majesty, how could you accept the outlaws of the Killer Guild?"
"Lee Duk-je-dok, Lee Yi-je-i. The Killer Guild has its uses."
"Will they be capable?"
"Considering they managed to breach the inner guards, they must have some skill."
"I will train the inner guards even more. Brrr!"
At Sejong's words, the head of the inner guards gritted his teeth. Today's incident was a disgrace to the inner guards.
"Indeed."
"Also, make sure today's events don't leak out."
"My subordinates are trustworthy."
"Good."
As Sejong listened to the head of the inner guards, his eyes suddenly lit up.
"Hmm... I just thought of a good way to test the Killer Guild's abilities."
* * *
Five days later, Kwon Buwi, who had been promoted from a miscellaneous 8th rank official to a regular 8th rank official, entered the courtesan house where the leader of the Dae-dong guild was staying.
"I've come to see the leader of the guild."
"Who should I say is here?"
"Tell him I'm from Yunjongga."
"Yes."
A moment later, the leader of the Dae-dong guild appeared, hesitating for a moment when he saw Kwon Buwi, then approached and bowed.
"It's been a while since we last met."
"I'm glad you remember me. I will likely be the one coming here often. If it's not me, I'll say I'm from 'Bukak.'"
"Bukak... I understand. Why are you here today?"
"First, to give you this code word, and second, because an elder wishes to see you."
"An elder?"
Kwon Buwi silently raised his right index finger.
"Ah! When?"
"Four days from now, at midnight. The northern side gate of the palace will be left open, so come through there. If you try to climb the wall again, the inner guards will greet you very warmly. They've been itching to settle the score from last time."
"Understood."
"Then, I'll take my leave."
"Please have a drink before you go."
"From now on, I'll be visiting courtesan houses frequently, so I need to build up some goodwill with my wife first."
"Ha ha ha! Next time you come, I'll prepare a medicinal wine to boost your energy!"
"Thank you!"
* * *
Four days later, at midnight.
The leaders of the Sword Guild entered through the northern side gate of Gyeongbok Palace and met Sejong at the Gangnyeong Hall.
"Did you call us, Your Majesty?"
"Yes. There's a task for you."
"What task, Your Majesty?"
"It's related to the Crown Prince. You must know about the royal marriage decree."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
"The Crown Prince, that reckless one, has given a truly troublesome assignment."
"?"
Sejong explained the criteria for the Crown Princess that Hyang wanted.
"...So, we've set up a marriage office and are looking for suitable women, but it's not easy. Therefore, I want you to find someone."
"..."
"Consider this a test of your abilities. The one who brings the best results the fastest will be guaranteed a higher position."
The leaders of the Sword Guild answered with a stunned expression.