"Hope you enjoy your stay, Sun An-ssi..."
"I will surely enjoy it, Governor! You've provided more than I deserve, honestly!" Sun An gave a respectful bow to the governor.
With the help of a man who happened to be one of the governor's men, Sun An had managed to infiltrate the house with surprising ease. It seemed that people in this town really admired anyone from the capital.
Too much admiration, perhaps!
"I'll have the helpers bring all the financial documents to your room for you to study. Take your time, though—there's a lot!" The governor waved his hands dramatically, his large belly jiggling with each gesture.
It wasn't the most flattering sight.
"I hope everything is included in those documents—rental agreements, purchase receipts, business transactions, and more," Sun An said, keeping his tone casual.
"Don't worry," the governor reassured him. "We've been thorough with our records. It's important, right? The kingdom's finance department takes it very seriously, and so do we."
His attempt at reassurance felt overly exaggerated.
Sun An nodded slightly, then excused himself, heading toward the room the governor had arranged for him. His eyes discreetly scanned the surroundings, noting key areas and possible places where someone might be hiding something.
"Your room is right here, Sun An-ssi," said a maid, snapping him out of his thoughts. He looked at the door, noticing the room was tucked away from the main areas. It was near the record room, making it convenient for his mission.
"Meals will be provided twice a day, as you requested," the maid added before leaving Sun An to settle in.
Once inside, Sun An began unpacking his bag. At first glance, it appeared filled with harmless books. But beneath the surface, hidden away, were ropes, knives, and black clothing.
Everything he'd need.
Sun An sat down, pulling out a piece of paper and spreading it across the bed. It was a map of the governor's residence and the coded office at the back—just a few yards away from his room. His gaze shifted to the knives, checking the blade. It was sharp—sharp enough to kill if necessary.
But that wasn't his plan.
He was here for a prison break.
***
"I think it's better if I stay instead of you, Sun An," Dan said. They were gathered inside Woo's herb shop, discussing the next steps after the clue given by the little girl.
"I don't think that's a good idea, hyung-nim," Sun An replied firmly. "They know who you are. It'll raise suspicion if you show up. It's too obvious!"
Dan looked at Sun An, studying him closely.
Is this really the same timid boy from the Phoenix discussion a few days ago?
"You've surprised me, Sun An. I did expect something from you, but never to this level of enthusiasm. Makes me wonder if this is the real you or someone else."
Sun An gave a small smile. "Honestly, I'm not that timid. I just act that way around my seniors so they won't feel threatened. I respect their status and don't want to overstep. My father pushed me into the officer's exam. I wanted to join the Hwarang, but he was against it."
Dan patted Sun An's shoulder. "If this plan works, you should reconsider joining the Hwarang. Don't waste your time on something you're not passionate about."
Sun An smiled again, feeling the warmth of Dan's encouragement. He knew Dan was right. But his family needed him, and joining the Hwarang wouldn't provide enough to support his aging parents and younger siblings.
"So, what's next?" Sun An asked, getting back to business.
***
If they've captured Woo Wesungmoo, then Gongju and Uk-ssi are in serious danger. The culprits must be keeping them somewhere close to the governor's residence. It's easier to hide them there, right under their noses.
Dressed in black from head to toe, Sun An checked the door to ensure it was locked. It was time to begin his investigation.
***
"What do you want?!" the man stammered, stumbling over his feet as Asura, Indra, and two other financial officers stood at his door.
"We're from the finance department. We're here to collect the town's records," one of the officers said, showing him an official document.
"I don't know anything about that—"
"Trying to run away?" Indra interrupted sharply. The man froze, his face going pale, cold sweat forming on his brow.
"N-no!" he stammered, panic creeping into his voice.
"Then what's with the large travel pouch?" Indra's voice dropped lower, more menacing.
Without another word, the man tried to slam the door shut, but Indra was quicker, forcing his way in. Asura darted toward the back of the house, while the other two officers followed. They found a pile of documents stacked in a corner, ready to be burned.
One officer pulled a document from the pile and inspected it. "This is a farm rental record. The farms were gifts from the kingdom. This shouldn't exist."
His colleague grabbed another document, quickly scanning it. "They even forged the finance minister's signature..."
"How do you know it's fake?" Indra asked, his voice stern.
"They used black ink instead of red. Only the finance department uses red ink for official signatures. It's a way to mark the most important documents."
"So, the ones signed in red are genuine, while the black-signed ones are fake," the other officer confirmed.
After sorting through the documents, Asura reappeared, dragging the auditor by the collar. He tossed him roughly toward Indra, who glared down at him.
"Do whatever it takes to get the truth from him. Just make sure he stays alive," Asura instructed coldly.
Indra nodded, his eyes narrowing as he looked at the trembling man. "You're lucky they want you alive. But not lucky enough to escape me," Indra growled. He tilted his head, staring into the man's eyes.
"Now, tell us the whole truth."
***
Sun An moved like a shadow, slipping through the dark hallways of the governor's residence. He avoided the guards with ease, blending into the quiet night. His eyes were sharp, scanning for the hidden entrance he knew was somewhere near the back of the house.
He froze as he spotted two men approaching a seemingly empty wall. One of them pressed against the surface, revealing a hidden passage. They entered, and Sun An waited until they were out of sight before stepping forward. He pressed the same spot, and the door opened.
Pushing it open, Sun An found a narrow passageway. He moved swiftly, keeping his footsteps light as he ventured deeper into the secret area.
Just like that, Sun An had found the hidden space inside the governor's house.