Chapter Twenty-Two: A Dangerous Summon

Dan-Bi adjusted his sleeves, standing still before the grand doors of the War Minister's residence.

A summon from him?

Suspicious.

It was rare for a mere scholar to be called by such a high-ranking official. And even rarer for it to be done in secret.

The guards pushed the heavy doors open.

Dan-Bi stepped inside.

The chamber was dimly lit, a single candle casting flickering shadows along the wooden walls.

At the far end, the War Minister sat with his hands folded before him, expression unreadable.

Dan-Bi bowed deeply.

"You summoned me, Minister?"

The man did not respond immediately.

Instead, he studied Dan-Bi with sharp, assessing eyes.

A slow, deliberate silence.

Then—

"You are rather bold, aren't you?"

Dan-Bi blinked. "I do not understand."

The minister leaned forward.

"You speak freely before the Crown Prince. You challenge your seniors without hesitation. And now, it seems, you have gained… his favor."

The last word was spoken with careful emphasis.

Dan-Bi's fingers curled slightly.

So that was what this was about.

He had seen the way the prince had slipped in court today.

Revealing too much.

And now, the ministers had taken notice.

"I am merely a scholar," Dan-Bi replied smoothly. "I have done nothing to warrant such assumptions."

The minister chuckled—a dry, humorless sound.

"You are intelligent," he said. "But do not mistake intelligence for safety."

A pause.

Then—

"You do understand, don't you? What happens to those who grow too close to power?"

Dan-Bi held his gaze.

Unflinching.

Unshaken.

Even as the weight of the warning settled heavily between them.

This was not just about today.

This was a threat.

A reminder.

And an unspoken command—

Stay away from the prince.

Dan-Bi bowed again, lower this time.

"I appreciate your concern, Minister."

The man hummed, watching him closely.

"Good. Then you will tread carefully."

Dan-Bi smiled faintly.

"I always do."

And with that, he turned and walked out of the chamber.

Heart steady.

Expression calm.

But inside—

Inside, he knew.

This was only the beginning.

And the real danger had just begun.