Chapter 234
Chapter 234
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 234
Chapter Title: A Quiet Respite
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The two warriors who had followed Hyeok Mulin to the Blood Heaven Divine Palace, Jeok Mu-gun and Jeok I-gyeom, were comfortably staying in the guest quarters provided for them.
They occasionally went for walks nearby and sometimes strolled along the paths of the Blood Heaven Divine Palace.
During these leisurely days, Jeok I-gyeom lay reclined in the lodging and spoke up.
"It's been so long since I've felt this at ease."
In truth, the guest quarters they were given weren't particularly grand or luxurious. After all, they were merely guests attached to Hyeok Mulin.
Size-wise, the space was less than half the residence Jeok I-gyeom had occupied as an executive in the Four Evils Gorge, but the peace of mind here was incomparable.
In the Four Evils Gorge, he had been like a bird chained in a massive cage. Now, the shackles that had bound him were gone.
"Brother was right after all. It's been days already, and no assassins from the Four Evils Gorge have come."
He had half-doubted his brother when Jeok Mu-gun said there was no need to worry about the future.
Jeok I-gyeom knew the power of the Four Evils Gorge better than anyone, having spent so long there.
Not even a major sect or clan staking their all could guarantee victory against them.
Yet his brother's lord had supposedly handled it, which was hard to believe.
'And it turns out it wasn't a lie.'
The Four Evils Gorge forgave mission failures depending on circumstances but never tolerated traitors.
If anyone fled, they hunted them down relentlessly, slaughtering not just the escapee but everyone around them.
Yet here Jeok I-gyeom was, still alive. And with no news from the Four Evils Gorge anywhere, he now believed his brother's words.
"Just who is this lord you serve, brother, to make something like this possible?"
Jeok Mu-gun merely smiled in response.
From that silent expression, Jeok I-gyeom realized it.
His brother already held considerable loyalty toward his lord.
Even if he revealed the lord's identity, his brother knew he wouldn't go blabbing about it.
Yet still, he chose silence.
Even to his own brother's question, without orders from his lord, he kept everything under wraps.
'To think my brother would show such devotion.'
Jeok I-gyeom felt a twinge of envy.
To have someone worth devoting oneself to completely.
If only I could meet someone like that, he thought, curiosity about this lord rising within him.
"It seems the one you serve has ties to the Little Palace Lord of the Blood Heaven Divine Palace. What's the connection?"
Jeok I-gyeom had itched to ask about their relationship the whole time, but surrounded by the palace warriors, he'd kept his mouth shut.
They hadn't even ridden in the same carriage the entire way here.
And as a man and woman alone.
But Jeok Mu-gun shook his head.
"I don't know the details myself. I haven't been serving the lord for long."
"I see."
Jeok I-gyeom nodded at his brother's even tone, then suddenly recalled something.
"But... is he alright on his own?"
"What do you mean?"
"This is the Blood Heaven Divine Palace's home ground. Your lord is moving alone, isn't he? What if someone harms him? Shouldn't we provide protection...?"
Jeok I-gyeom spoke with genuine concern.
According to his brother, it was this lord who had saved him from the hellish chains of the Four Evils Gorge.
So if there was anything he could do, he wanted to help.
But Jeok Mu-gun lightly shook his head at the worry.
"No need. The lord ordered us to wait. We stay put until he calls for us first."
Jeok I-gyeom felt a flicker of doubt.
'Weren't you assigned as his bodyguard?'
Yet even separated from him, his brother showed no worry, not even a hint of anxiety.
As if reading his thoughts, Jeok Mu-gun spoke again, lips curving.
"And if—hypothetically—someone dares approach the lord..."
He closed his eyes slowly.
Several possible scenarios flashed through his mind.
And the conclusion at the end was.
"It's not the lord who needs worrying about."
Opening his eyes steadily, Jeok Mu-gun gazed at the mountain they were on and continued.
"This Blood Heaven Divine Palace should be the one concerned."
Because they would hope it didn't crumble.
"What the hell are you?"
The street froze at the man's voice, thick with hostility.
The road was wide enough.
But blocking Yeon Jeok-hwa and Hyeok Mulin's path made his malicious intent obvious to all.
The sudden storm drew nearby people to hold their breath and watch intently.
Especially toward Hyeok Mulin, who bore the brunt of the man's enmity.
Then.
"...!"
Everyone's eyes widened.
Thud. Thud.
Hyeok Mulin, who had paused briefly, resumed walking right past him.
As if nothing had happened.
Utterly ignored to his face, the man's forehead bulged with veins from boiling rage.
'Some unheard-of punk dares ignore me?'
His sharp eyes gleamed with killing intent as he slowly turned his head.
The moment he reached out to grab Hyeok Mulin's shoulder.
"Pavilion Lord Go, what is the meaning of this rudeness?"
Yeon Jeok-hwa seized his wrist.
Her icy gaze and clipped tone carried a clear warning: cross the line, and I won't stand by.
Staring at her blankly, the man eventually relaxed and spoke.
"Rudeness? I just spotted a stranger by the Little Palace Lord's side and suspected he might be a righteous sect spy out to harm you."
"He's my personal guest. Refrain from baseless assumptions."
"......"
The man glanced past her at Hyeok Mulin's retreating back.
Not even bothering to look back amid the commotion, he ground his teeth and exhaled hot breath before addressing Yeon Jeok-hwa.
"Understood. Since you say so, Little Palace Lord, I'll let it slide this time. However."
His dry gaze fixed on Hyeok Mulin, now farther away.
"Understand that if suspicious behavior is confirmed, I'll act personally."
Yeon Jeok-hwa frowned at the lingering unease but turned and left.
She knew further talk would change nothing.
"Wait up!"
She caught up to Hyeok Mulin, who had been walking at a moderate pace, and resumed guiding him.
As they headed toward the inn, Hyeok Mulin spoke.
"A vigorous young blood, that one."
"Ugh, speak for yourself—I can't stand the sight of him."
"Seemed like you two have history."
"History, sure. Bad history. He's after my position as Little Palace Lord to serve his own ambitions."
He was Go Myeong-su, Pavilion Lord of the Blood Tyrant Pavilion, which oversaw the palace's elite warriors.
Also Patriarch of the esteemed Dang Jeok-go Clan, a pillar of the Blood Heaven Divine Palace's history, he had risen smoothly since childhood and held immense influence.
Yet he was someone Yeon Jeok-hwa absolutely did not want to face.
Beyond coveting her position, his reasons were deeply impure.
"What ambitions?"
Yeon Jeok-hwa hesitated at Hyeok Mulin's question.
Her voice faltered like someone whose throat was blocked.
As Hyeok Mulin's brow furrowed in puzzlement, she bowed her head and mumbled ant-like.
"He wants... me."
Haa.
Letting out a deep sigh, Yeon Jeok-hwa continued.
"Pavilion Lord Go is infatuated with me. Not genuine affection, mind you—just possessive desire because I'm the Palace Lord's daughter."
Hyeok Mulin had half-expected as much.
It wasn't unusual.
Objectively, Yeon Jeok-hwa's beauty ranked among the top he'd seen.
Especially that red hair—no other woman suited it so perfectly.
'They call her the Fairest Beauty of Guizhou, was it?'
Her renowned looks weren't limited to Guizhou City but spread across the Central Plains, so Go Myeong-su's greed was understandable.
However, Hyeok Mulin felt no threat from him.
It was just a male's territorial puffing up in anger.
"Well, not a bad strategy. Marrying the Palace Lord's daughter would give him real sway over the Blood Heaven Divine Palace."
"Absolutely not."
Yeon Jeok-hwa rejected it outright.
Startled by her own firmness, she quickly added.
"Pavilion Lord Go's conduct is scandalous. He's left dozens of palace women in tears."
Even if she lost her position as Little Palace Lord, she prayed no one like him would take it.
And crucially.
"I won't yield the Little Palace Lord seat to anyone."
She was resolved to earn her father's recognition and defend it herself.
Hyeok Mulin's lips curved lightly at her determination.
"I'll root for you."
"Thanks."
With that casual exchange, they arrived at the inn.
The exterior and interior exuded refinement, and the guests' attire was upscale—it wasn't for common folk.
More like a high-end restaurant than a mere inn.
As Yeon Jeok-hwa and Hyeok Mulin entered, all noise ceased instantly.
Guests froze mid-bite, staring at the entrance.
Gazes quickly scattered with clinking utensils, but their covert glances couldn't be hidden.
"This way."
Ignoring the stares, Yeon Jeok-hwa headed to the top floor.
There was only one table there.
After they sat, dishes soon appeared one by one without ordering.
Just sitting triggered a parade of rare delicacies.
Once sufficiently fed, they set down their utensils and rose.
Outside the inn, Yeon Jeok-hwa glanced at Hyeok Mulin.
"Did the food suit your taste?"
"Not bad at all."
Just "not bad" after those exquisite dishes.
This inn was one even she visited rarely, maybe a few times a year.
The pile of exorbitant fare made it daunting even for her.
Yet he had perfect etiquette throughout, unfazed by novel specialties, eating calmly.
It only deepened her curiosity about his background, but she swallowed the question.
Pushing too far might make him leave.
With their meal done, Yeon Jeok-hwa turned to head back to their quarters together.
Then.
She froze.
The red ancient trees across the mountain were all darkening at once.
Simultaneously, leaves rained down, swirling as if to shroud the world.
"Ho."
As Hyeok Mulin watched with interest, Yeon Jeok-hwa spoke urgently.
"We need to head back now."
Her voice was tense, her eyes deadly serious.
"It seems the Palace Lord..."
Looking at Hyeok Mulin, her gaze held tension and tremor for what was coming.
"Has completed the ritual."