Chapter 595: Zhuge (3)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 595: Zhuge (3)
Crack.
A sharp, fracturing sound echoed through the room.
Cracks spiderwebbed through the very air as the pressure built to a visible density. It was an overwhelming, suffocating aura. Under a weight far heavier than anything she had felt during their first meeting, Yuri’s body began to tremble uncontrollably.
“Huu… Huuu…”
She couldn't even draw a proper breath. It was a viscous, predatory killing intent, the likes of which she had never experienced.
“Young Lady…!”
Seeing Yuri’s distress, Useok tried to move, but—
“Stop.”
A voice cut him off. It was one of Red Feather’s escorts standing directly in his path.
“Move, and I’ll cut you down.”
The cold conviction in his voice was genuine. Sensing the immediate threat, Useok froze. The warning wasn't just for him; the man’s gaze was fixed intently on the Young Lady.
Could I even stop him? Useok bit his lip, desperately assessing his opponent.
I can’t.
At least, not in his current state. His arm throbbed with every micro-movement. The opponent was far stronger than he had anticipated, meaning he had zero confidence in his ability to protect the Young Lady under this crushing pressure.
I never knew the warriors of the Central Plains were this powerful…
He gritted his teeth, forced to swallow the grim reality. The strength of these people exceeded his wildest expectations. The swordsman blocking him and the woman obstructing his comrade were no different.
I felt it last time, too.
The skill to close the distance in an instant and aim for the jugular. An expression that betrayed no killing intent, yet a hand gesture that spoke of lethal efficiency. She was an incredibly skilled assassin. Even if he weren't suffering from internal injuries…
No.
Even if I were at my peak.
Could he have protected the Young Lady from that woman’s fingertips, let alone the martial artist standing before him? He wasn't sure. Useok suppressed a groan of frustration.
…Does this mean it’s not just White Fox?
He had heard rumors that the Central Plains held masters who rivaled the legends of the North, but he never imagined he would encounter people of this caliber. They were so young—how could they have reached such heights?
And more importantly…
Useok’s gaze shifted to the far end of the table, toward the source of the fighting spirit saturating the room.
A young man watched them, the corners of his mouth curled into a smirk despite the tension. Resting his chin on his hand, he radiated a chilling, murderous intent.
What is this monster…
The hair on Useok’s body stood on end. Beyond the warriors guarding him, this man was on an entirely different level. This wasn't a matter of winning or losing; it was the fundamental difference between life and death.
Useok thought of the Lord of the Ice Palace, the ruler of the North, and the Ten Generals who protected the palace. He was certain of one thing: this man possessed an aura on par with a General. If he didn't, the pressure Useok was currently feeling would be incomprehensible.
Red Feather of the Central Plains…
The one White Fox and Biwegun had praised so highly. Useok finally understood why those two had spoken of him with such reverence. He possessed a presence that made one’s knees weak with a single glance—a pressure that could force an opponent to their knees through sheer will.
This man was born with the qualities of a monarch and the talent to sustain them. The master of this place appeared to be the Leader of the White Flower Merchant Association, but one only had to look for a moment to realize that was a facade.
The true master of this room was that young man.
Dangerous.
Truly dangerous. This was several times more perilous than the escape from the North. Useok could see it in the man's eyes.
He wouldn't hesitate to kill the Young Lady.
The fact that she was a foreigner, or that she carried the bloodline of the Ice Palace, meant nothing to him.
“Hnngh…”
Yuri let out a pained groan. Cold sweat poured down her face, her features contorted in agony. Useok bit his lip, scanning the room.
The only ones in pain were himself, Ubeom, and Yuri. The others looked surprised, but they weren't suffering.
Which meant…
Is he perfectly manipulating his aura?
He was controlling the output so precisely that it only targeted them, sparing everyone else in the room—all while unleashing a fierce, suffocating pressure. The gap in power was simply too vast.
“Hey.”
A cold voice pierced through Yuri’s haze.
“Answer me.”
“...”
Yuri’s pupils trembled. This was an opportunity—a moment to discern what her opponent truly wanted. She had grasped what Red Feather cared about. No, it was more than that; he had practically told her. If she played her cards right, she might win him over, but…
…Huu… Hhh…
Red Feather’s aura and eyes were delivering a silent, lethal message:
[Play games with me, and you die.]
It was a clear, final warning. She had to choose: take a step forward and attempt to manipulate him, or retreat before his overwhelming will.
Red Feather watched her silently, his eyes forcing the choice. Her deliberation was brief. Yuri was nothing if not quick-witted.
“…White Fox…”
If I push any further, I’m dead. Every instinct she possessed was screaming it.
“She was… my escort.”
The moment those words left her lips, the atmosphere shifted.
Fwoosh!
The crushing aura pouring from Red Feather vanished instantly. Yuri finally exhaled the breath she had been holding.
“Hah... Heo… Hahk…”
“White Fox?” Red Feather tilted his head.
While catching her breath, Yuri carefully observed his reaction.
“…That is what we called her.”
“It feels like it suits her and doesn't at the same time,” he remarked, letting out a short laugh. It was a completely different sound from his earlier smirk—it was, if only slightly, genuine.
Seeing that, Yuri realized that White Fox and Red Feather were incredibly close.
“An escort… She was your escort?”
“Yes.”
“How did that happen?”
“…It was decided by the Palace Lord. I do not know the specifics.”
It had just happened. Escorts were changed frequently, after all. At first, she had been skeptical of an outsider taking the role, but the woman had been brought by a friend and approved by the Palace Lord, so Yuri hadn't objected.
“An escort… I was wondering what she was up to…” Red Feather fell into thought for a moment before looking back at Yuri. “So, what’s the answer to my earlier question?”
“...”
The earlier question. Her mind was hazy, likely an aftereffect of the aura. She couldn't think straight, and the frustration was mounting.
Suddenly, Yuri raised her hand.
Smack!
“!!”
“Young Lady!”
Everyone except Red Feather stared at Yuri in shock. She had just slapped her own cheek with everything she had.
Drip.
A thin trail of blood trickled from the corner of her mouth. Yuri wiped it away with her sleeve. The sharp pain had cleared the fog in her head.
“My apologies. I was feeling a bit dizzy.”
“Hm.”
While the others were bewildered, a spark of interest flickered in Red Feather’s eyes.
“You asked if White Fox was involved in the incident at the Ice Palace.”
“That’s right.”
“I do not know.”
At her answer, Red Feather stroked his lip. He didn't react further, but the gesture was clear: Explain.
“Before I fled to the Central Plains, White Fox remained at the palace.”
“You said she was your escort. Why didn't she come with you?”
“It was her choice.”
“She chose to stay?”
“Yes. She gave me the letter then. She asked me to deliver it to you if I happened to encounter you in the Central Plains.”
“...”
Red Feather’s brow furrowed. There were no lies in her words; Yuri was reporting the facts exactly as they were. As he had warned, she knew better than to play games now. However, while she wasn't lying, she wasn't telling him everything either.
“I fled immediately after that. I do not know what has happened to White Fox since.”
“What is the current state of the Ice Palace? You mentioned a rebellion. Give me the details.”
“...” Yuri took a moment to steady her breathing, her mind racing. “…The Ice Palace is protected by ten exceptional warriors. Immediately after the rebellion broke out, three of them were killed.”
“And more might be dead by now. Is it really that dire?”
“Yes.”
Crack.
The water cup next to Red Feather snapped in half. A low vibration rumbled through the floor. It wasn't the same killing intent as before, but the raw power was still radiating from him.
“So. It’s a fucking shitty situation, is what you’re saying,” Red Feather said with a smile.
To Yuri, that smile was far more terrifying than his cold indifference.
“And in the middle of such a disaster, you were trying to drag me into it?”
“That’s…”
“Ah, never mind. It’s not important, so forget it.”
They were words she couldn't possibly ignore, but Red Feather waved his hand as if the matter were trivial. Then he added, “What was the request again? To go with you to the North?”
Yuri’s eyes widened. No way.
“I’m not saying I’ll go, so don't look so happy. It’s annoying.”
“...” Yuri immediately nodded, suppressing her hope.
“Tsk.” Red Feather clicked his tongue. “One day. I’ll give you an answer within a day, so just wait quietly.”
“…!”
Yuri’s expression flickered between hope and despair with every word he spoke. Before she could respond, Red Feather stood up. He glanced at the Leader of the White Flower Merchant Association.
“I’ll be taking my leave. There’s something I need to look into.”
The leader nodded, and Red Feather vanished instantly. Seong Yul and Tang Soyeol, who had been blocking the escorts, sheathed their weapons and followed him.
The whirlwind was gone. The room fell into a heavy silence.
Ten seconds passed.
“…Ugh…!”
Yuri covered her mouth and retched. Her escorts rushed to her side immediately. It was the physical toll of pretending to be fine while enduring that monstrous aura.
“I’m… I’m fine,” Yuri whispered, forcing a smile through her trembling hands.
She could smile because she had a feeling—a gut instinct that things were finally moving in the right direction.
* * *
I left the merchant association and headed straight for my residence. My pace was hurried; I couldn't shake the anxiety gnawing at me.
[She was… my escort.]
Yuri’s words looped in my mind.
An escort.
Namgung Bi-ah had left for the North, and now she was acting as a bodyguard for some Young Lady? Why the hell did things turn out like that?
She told me she was just going to train.
She had ignored my pleas to stay and headed off to the literal edge of the world. Why was she escorting a girl I’d never even heard of? A surge of irritation washed over me.
To be honest…
I thought maybe, just maybe, I’d get to see her.
When I heard visitors had arrived from the North, a sliver of hope had sparked in me. It was about time for her to return, and the timing of their arrival was perfect. I had hoped she might be among them.
But for things to turn out like this…
A bloodbath was unfolding in the North, and it seemed Namgung Bi-ah was right in the thick of it.
Grit.
Just thinking about it made my blood boil. If I had my way, I’d sprint for the North this second to see what was happening, but…
The timing is terrible.
It wasn't just bad; it was catastrophic. I had the meeting with the Heavenly Demon in Henan to consider. I couldn't just abandon everything and leave for the North right now. My established plans aside, the current situation wouldn't allow for such a detour.
The Martial Arts Tournament is in two months.
Maybe a little more. After that, the tournament would be held in Henan, and my participation was non-negotiable.
Besides…
It overlaps with the window I need to strike Henan.
Around the time the tournament ends, there is something I must obtain by attacking Henan. It is the foundation for all my future plans—something I absolutely have to accomplish. But to leave for the North now?
How far is it to the North?
I’d never considered going there, so I hadn't even bothered to calculate the distance. My head was a mess. Could I go after the tournament?
That’s at least two months away.
Heading to the North after two months… was that even viable? From what I’d heard, this wasn't some minor skirmish. It was a full-scale coup aimed at ousting the Palace Lord. If Namgung Bi-ah was caught in that, and I hesitated for two months…
What if something happens to her?
The thought was suffocating. It was unacceptable. I had to find a way. I had to think fast.
One day. I told them I’d find a way in one day. If there was no other option…
I’ll drop everything and go to the North.
No matter how vital my plans were, if you asked me whether they were more precious than Namgung Bi-ah’s life, there was only one answer.
Gritting my teeth, I reached my residence. I needed to get to my room and contact the Dark King privately—
“You’re here.”
“…!”
I froze at the entrance to my room. I had been so buried in thought that I hadn't even sensed someone nearby. And to think, the person was an ordinary man.
I looked up. “…Elder?”
“You’re late.”
Standing at my door was the Immortal Healer. What was he doing here? I was about to ask, but he spoke first.
“Your expression is grim. Did something happen?”
“…No. It’s a minor matter.”
This wasn't the time for small talk. I needed to start planning immediately.
The Immortal Healer sighed, his voice laced with a weariness that mirrored my own. “Then the situation must be quite bad.”
“…What is it?” I asked.
The Immortal Healer hesitated, his expression troubled. “I came because I have a favor to ask of you.”
“...”
I frowned instinctively. Of all times.
I forced my expression into a neutral mask and began to decline. “I’m sorry, Elder. Right now, I’m not in a position to—”
“…In a short while, a major incident will occur in Henan.”
I froze. The refusal died in my throat.
A major incident in Henan?
“I know your situation is difficult… but I truly hope you will grant this request. There are those with malicious intent in Henan who—”
“Those words.”
I cut him off, grabbing his hand. The Immortal Healer looked startled. I looked him dead in the eye.
“Tell me everything. In detail.”