Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!
Jin and Jang flew through the night like shadows, heading straight for Prince
Baekje's palace.
At Prince Baekje's Palace
"La~ la~ la~ la~,"
someone hummed cheerfully while cooking.
Swish!
Jin and Jang landed quietly behind him.
Bong Hoon Seok–Yunuko Bong, age 60.
Yunuko nearly jumped. "Good heavens! Who are you people?!"
"I am Jin!"
"And I am Jang!"
"We are the King's Shadow Guards," the twins said in unison.
"What business do you have here?"
"You," they answered.
"Me? What does His Majesty want?"
"The prince was invited to dine with the King and Queen, but he prefers your cooking. So Their Majesties order you to come and prepare the meal for them."
"…Is that so?"
"Then prepare the carriage."
"As you command."
The two vanished...
...An hour later, the carriage arrived and Yunuko was escorted toward the royal palace.
Along the road, he met one of the King's sons—a child born outside the palace walls.
"Hey! Baekyoong!"
Wang Baekyoong, age 17.
Mother: Ahn Heeyoong.
"Yunuko Bong!"
"Where are you headed?"
"To see Father."
Hearing that, Yunuko sighed deeply.
"Why are you visiting?"
"I wish to stay with Father for a few days—just two nights and three days."
"Oh dear… another time, please."
"Why? Wherever Father is, the Queen never gets angry when I visit. Do you know why?"
"Why?"
"Because I massage their backs and feet." Baekyoong whispered.
"…Still, I want to keep you away from trouble."
"Trouble?"
"The First Prince has returned."
"The First Prince? You mean Hyung Baekhwa?"
"Prince Baekhwa, son of Consort Gu Yihwa—the second highest woman after the Queen."
Baekyoong's face stiffened. "Then… I should go home." He walked until he arrives on their house.
---
Baekyoong's House
"Son, why are you home so early? Why do you look sad?" His mother asked.
"I wanted to stay with Father for a few days, but I couldn't. They said the First Prince has returned."
"The God of War?"
"Yes. His divine name is Je, and he bears the name Baekje."
"…So he was named after a war deity?"
"Be careful if you meet him, my son."
"Why, Mother?"
"He was gone for fifteen years. No one knows his mind now. He may see you as an enemy… for the throne."
"…I understand." He replied.
They fell silent as darkness slowly covered the land.
---
At the Queen's Palace
When the carriage arrived, Yunuko bowed deeply.
"Your Majesty the King, Your Majesty the Queen, Prince Baekje—may heaven bless you with long life and good health."
"Rise."
Yunuko carefully placed the dishes on the table.
"Mmm… it smells wonderful," the Queen said.
"No wonder my son likes your cooking."
"If so," the King added, "you shall serve as palace chef for the Queen and Prince Baekje."
"Thank you, Your Majesty."
"Rest for now. Tonight, prepare another meal."
---
Among the Consorts and Concubines
The consorts gathered on one side, the concubines on the other.
After lunch, whispers began.
"Lady Yihwa, have you heard?" Dayin asked while massaging her back.
"Heard what?" Answering a cold tone.
"The First Prince has returned."
"Not only that," Sorim added. "He also caused chaos at the gates."
"They say he strangled a horse with his bare hands," Rinjin whispered,
"then climbed the gate and warned the guards."
"Because they shut the gates on him," Sorim continued loudly.
"They said they didn't care even if he was king of another nation."
Everyone trembled...except for Consort Yihwa who looked cold in demeanor with fierce gazed on them.
"He said," Sorim went on; 'If you run, you will wish for death—because your loved ones will die first.'"
Fear spread among the women.
Only Consort Yihwa watched coldly from afar.
---
Back in the Queen's Palace
"Son… remove your mask," the Queen said softly.
"Mother, dismiss the servants first. Let only Yunuko remain."
After everyone left, they ate together in peace.
"Remove it," the Queen pleaded, touching his cheek.
"I want to see your face." His mother said but he replied..."Mother…"Prince Baekje grabbed his mother's hand and kissed them.
"The wound on my face has not fully healed… even after ten years."
The King's voice trembled. "What happened to you back then?"
Yunuko covered his lips in thought. "Prince?"
"Yes, Yunuko?"
"I have invented a kind of ointment… something that can remove scars."
"Really?"
"Yes. Once I find it, I will apply it to you so your face may heal."
"Thank you."
"For you, my prince, I would give even my life."
Prince Baekje smiled faintly and hugged him. "That is why I cherish you, Yunuko Bong."
Then they drink until they drop...
---
[Wang Baekje — thirty years old, the firstborn son of the King and Queen of Baekje.
From a very young age, he was trained to wield power and knowledge. At the age of three, he was already studying literature. By four, he was taught how to use a bow. At five, he learned the laws and regulations of the kingdom he would one day rule. On his seventh birthday, he began martial arts training and learned how to absorb qi and mana into his body. By eight, he had already mastered the highest levels of qi and mana, using them to strengthen the force of every attack he released.
At nine, he trained with the sword. At ten, he studied medicine. By twelve, he could already treat injuries and identify every known type of poison. At thirteen, his training intensified—his stamina and physical body were pushed beyond limits, breaking old records again and again.
At fourteen, Baekje wrote a book called Ethics of the People, along with other works about how a person should live properly, behave with dignity, and deal wisely with different kinds of people. He also wrote about leadership and righteous governance. These writings became popular among the people, and because of them, Baekje's rule and the relationships within the kingdom grew more harmonious and just.
As the eldest prince, all eyes were on him. The King and Queen did everything to mold him into the perfect ruler of Baekje. However, the price was isolation. No one was allowed to see him except a few officials, tutors, servants, and of course, his parents.
At fifteen, he was finally brought into the palace. There, he witnessed the schemes and hidden ambitions of its residents.
So this is why I was kept away, Baekje thought.
So I could grow properly and become a respected leader someday… to guide the nation toward a better future and lift it from poverty.
One day, Baekje saw several children playing in the courtyard. They were princes—his half-brothers, born of different mothers.
"Let me join your game," Baekje said.
But they mocked him.
"We don't need someone like you," Baekhwa sneered.
The others burst into laughter.
Anger surged through Baekje. He began throwing stones at them relentlessly until, one by one, they fell to the ground.
The incident reached the King's ears. As punishment, Baekje was sent to the borderlands for inspection and exile-like duty. Yet the result was the opposite of what anyone expected. The border became like his own kingdom. Because of his intelligence and overwhelming ability, no one with evil intentions could enter Baekje territory.
The people revered him as a hero.
From that day on, Wang Baekje earned a fearsome title—
The God of War.]