Chapter 287
Chapter 287
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 287
Chapter Title: An Unexpected Betrothal
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Several more days passed.
Bu Eun-seol, who had been sitting in his office writing a letter, rushed out of Jam-ma-gak.
He had received word that Baek-yeon, the Lord of Pung-un of Nang-ya-gak, had come to visit in person.
“My lord.”
As Bu Eun-seol hurried out to meet him, Baek-yeon smiled warmly and made a joke.
“To think the successor to the Demonic Palace would rush out to greet me so eagerly. It seems I haven’t lived my life in vain.”
“What brings you here without any word?”
“Hahaha.”
Baek-yeon spoke with a proud expression.
“You may be staying here as the successor to the Demonic Palace, but are your roots not as a disciple of our Gak?”
It was an odd answer, but Bu Eun-seol earnestly clasped his hands together.
“Of course.”
He had never been intoxicated by the power of the Demonic Palace, nor had he ever forgotten his origins as a disciple of Nang-ya-gak.
“Please, come inside first.”
Bu Eun-seol personally guided Baek-yeon to a guest hall within Jam-ma-gak.
After taking a seat, Baek-yeon took a sip of the Dragon Well tea a servant brought and smiled faintly.
“I hear you’ve accomplished another great feat. The entire martial world is abuzz with tales of your exploits.”
“It was nothing special.”
“Hahaha. It seems you’re starting to have secrets you can’t even tell this old lord.”
“How could I dare?”
As Bu Eun-seol was about to speak, Baek-yeon held up a hand.
“I was just teasing. There’s no need to report every little thing.”
He then offered a benevolent smile.
“Are you not the successor to the Demonic Palace now? It is both natural and expected for you to operate your own intelligence organization.”
Baek-yeon’s gentle smile was very similar to Yeop Hyo-cheon’s.
But the nature of it was different.
While Yeop Hyo-cheon’s smile was a mask to hide the truth, Baek-yeon’s was one of genuine pride in Bu Eun-seol.
Seeing that smile, a sense of ease washed over Bu Eun-seol.
“But what brings you here without any prior notice?”
“Ah, right.”
At Bu Eun-seol’s question, Baek-yeon finally placed the bundle he was holding on the table.
“What is this?”
“A collection of portraits.”
“Portraits?”
“I’ve gathered portraits of all the outstanding young ladies from the demonic houses who might be a good match for you. I mobilized all of Pung-un’s manpower and intelligence networks for this.”
For a moment, the focus vanished from Bu Eun-seol’s eyes.
But Baek-yeon, seemingly oblivious, continued in a powerful voice.
“No matter what, you are still a disciple of our Gak. Should your marriage be arranged by the Demonic Palace?”
‘That I’m looking for a bride…’
Bu Eun-seol’s eyes gradually narrowed.
He realized this was all Yeop Hyo-cheon’s scheme.
*Sam-in-seong-ho.*
An idiom meaning that if enough people repeat a lie, it becomes accepted as truth.
Yeop Hyo-cheon had clearly spread the rumor that Bu Eun-seol was seeking a bride to pressure him into an engagement as soon as possible.
“There’s no need to worry. I and the exceptional members of Pung-un all worked together to select these.”
Misinterpreting Bu Eun-seol’s stiff expression, Baek-yeon spoke with a confident voice.
“Of course, the women of the Demonic Palace are fine. But you are a warrior of Nang-ya-gak. A young lady from a prestigious family who can support you from behind the scenes would be a better fit.”
He was getting way ahead of himself, counting his chickens before they hatched.
Baek-yeon smiled as he slowly unwrapped the bundle.
For a moment, Bu Eun-seol’s eyes nearly popped out of his head.
The pile of portraits on the unwrapped cloth easily looked to be over three or four hundred.
“You came all this way just for this?”
“Of course. Is marriage not one of life’s most important events?”
Baek-yeon smiled with satisfaction and patted Bu Eun-seol’s shoulder.
“My lord, I have no intention of starting a family yet.”
Bu Eun-seol shook his head, but Baek-yeon quickly cut him off.
“Yes, that’s what I’m saying. There’s no need to rush.”
He then slowly rose from his seat.
“You must think carefully and then think again.”
With an incredibly serious expression, Baek-yeon patted Bu Eun-seol’s shoulder and nodded.
“Take your time and look through them whenever you have a moment, then let me know.”
Without waiting for a reply, he turned and left just as abruptly as he had come.
Baek-yeon had rushed over in a flurry, worried that Bu Eun-seol might end up engaged to a woman arranged by the Demonic Palace.
“…”
Bu Eun-seol’s face felt numb, as if he had been slapped.
“So this is how terrifying rumors can be.”
To think that a rumor about his engagement would make the incredibly busy Baek-yeon rush all the way to the Demonic Palace.
It was absurd, but in a way, he understood.
Nang-ya-gak was, for all intents and purposes, Bu Eun-seol’s home.
How disappointed would the people of Nang-ya-gak be if they thought he was suddenly starting a family within the Demonic Palace?
Of course, that would never happen.
“Is anyone there?”
At Bu Eun-seol’s call, a guard from outside hurried in.
“You called, sir?”
“Get rid of these immediately.”
“Yes, sir.”
But Bu Eun-seol could not have imagined it.
The truly terrifying part was only just beginning.
***
Yu Un-ryong was now a full-fledged strategist for the Sa-yeong-jeon.
When he wasn’t training the members or practicing his martial arts, he was in charge of all the paperwork within Jam-ma-gak, including finances and accounting.
As a result, his office was piled high with all sorts of books and documents.
While Yu Un-ryong was wrestling with his books, brush in hand…
Myo Cheon-u, Won Se-mun, Wi Cheon-gyeong, and Jo Nam-cheon had gathered in front of his desk.
They were all lords leading the Sa-yeong-jeon and could be considered Bu Eun-seol’s closest aides.
Though they all had strong personalities and didn’t particularly like each other, they were united by their shared devotion to Bu Eun-seol.
Today, however, that unity was shattered, and they were glaring at each other as if ready to kill.
“This is wrong.”
“What do you mean, wrong?”
“I can’t explain it, but this is just wrong.”
“Lord Myo. If you’re going to speak, speak clearly.”
While Myo Cheon-u and Wi Cheon-gyeong argued with sharp gazes,
“Are those eyes on your face just for decoration?”
“And I suppose that head on your shoulders isn’t just for show?”
Won Se-mun and Jo Nam-cheon were busy tearing each other down.
On the table where they sat was the massive pile of portraits that Baek-yeon had brought.
The very same portraits Bu Eun-seol had ordered to be thrown away.
“You really don’t know the Commander at all.”
Won Se-mun snorted, pointing at the portrait Jo Nam-cheon was holding.
“The Commander barely says a word or two a day. How could he possibly get along with a daughter of the Nam-yeong family, who live by their wits and words?”
The portrait Jo Nam-cheon had ultimately chosen was that of Nam-yeong Dong-ri, the daughter of the Nam-yeong family, known as the “Demonic Zhuge.”
“You blockhead.”
Jo Nam-cheon pointed at the portrait Won Se-mun had put down, a look of disbelief on his face.
“So you’d recommend a daughter from the Ak-jeong family to the Commander? Are you insane?”
“You don’t know anything. The Ak-jeong family’s daughter is known as the ‘Ice-Clear, Fine Jade.’ It means she is not only beautiful but also very understanding.”
“You idiot! She got that nickname not because she’s understanding, but because the martial art she practices is the Ice-Clear Jade Belt Art!”
As it turned out, they had gathered in Yu Un-ryong’s office and were diligently vetting bridal candidates on Bu Eun-seol’s behalf.
“Ugh…”
At that moment, Yu Un-ryong, who had been working at his desk, trembled with frustration.
“If you’re going to fight, take it outside!”
He shot up from his seat and shouted.
“Why are you all huddled in my office doing this nonsense?!”
Myo Cheon-u and the others, who had been staring at the portraits, froze like ice as they looked at the shouting Yu Un-ryong.
“Well… you’re the strategist of our Sa-yeong-jeon, aren’t you?”
After a moment of silence, Won Se-mun quickly nodded in agreement with Myo Cheon-u’s words.
“That’s right. Brother Yu, you’ve got the sharpest mind among us.”
Jo Nam-cheon added another word.
“Besides, you have a knack for understanding our Commander’s thoughts.”
At that, Yu Un-ryong’s face, which had been red with anger, gradually softened.
“What does that have to do with this?”
“The Commander may be outstanding in martial arts and strategy, but he’s indifferent when it comes to women, isn’t he?”
This time, Wi Cheon-gyeong spoke up.
“The Commander’s wife will be the one we must serve as well. If he marries the wrong person, we could be the ones caught in the crossfire.”
There was some logic to his words.
Bu Eun-seol was not a bad superior. But what if he ended up with a terribly wicked wife?
It would be a living hell for his subordinates.
“Hmm.”
Yu Un-ryong grunted and nodded as if he had made a decision.
“In that case, get rid of the portraits.”
Yu Un-ryong sighed and said.
“None of the women in there have a chance anyway.”
“What do you mean?”
Myo Cheon-u asked, and Yu Un-ryong crossed his arms.
“The person rumored to be in marriage talks with Bu Eun-seol is Jin Sang-hwa, Jin Seol.”
“What?”
As everyone present expressed their shock, he spoke in a low voice.
“So it would be better to look into Jin Sang-hwa’s character than any of the women in these portraits.”
“The marriage talks were with Jin Sang-hwa!”
The faces of Won Se-mun and Jo Nam-cheon, who cried out at the same time, turned ashen.
The two had been smitten with Jin Seol at first sight when she came to the Privy Council not long ago to deliver their lordly robes.
Although they knew she was a tree they could never hope to climb… to think she was in marriage talks with Bu Eun-seol, the man they served with their lives.
“Well, they do make a fine pair. If it’s for the Commander, I have no choice but to yield.”
“Miss Jin. May you be happy.”
While Won Se-mun and Jo Nam-cheon were muttering nonsense,
“Hmm, if it’s Jin Sang-hwa, that changes things.”
Myo Cheon-u said, crossing his arms.
“Her beauty and grace are beyond question, and her status as Sang-hwa is excellent. She’s favored by the Demonic Emperor, the Elder Lord, and the Grand Commander.”
“I hear she is well-versed in academics and skilled in the four arts.”
Wi Cheon-gyeong nodded in agreement.
“As a partner for the Commander, she lacks nothing.”
“So, are we all decided on Jin Sang-hwa?”
Just as the four men were looking at each other with very serious expressions and nodding,
“Lord. This is Mu Gwang.”
The voice of Yu Un-ryong’s adjutant, Mu Gwang, came from outside the door.
“Enter.”
Mu Gwang, who entered the office, was startled to see the pile of portraits on the table and the lords gathered around.
“I didn’t realize you were in a meeting. My apologies.”
“No need to mind them. What is it?”
Mu Gwang bowed his head and said.
“Someone from Shin-nyeo-gung has been sent to see the Commander.”
Yu Un-ryong frowned.
“From Shin-nyeo-gung? Why?”
“They say they have something to discuss with the Commander.”
“Then you should have sent a message to the Commander, why come to me?”
“Well… the Commander said to have you handle it and send them away.”
“Me?”
As Yu Un-ryong frowned, Mu Gwang lowered his head.
“He said… that you, my lord, possessed a firm and determined heart, and would be able to refuse her request.”
“He wants me to refuse her request?”
Yu Un-ryong’s eyes widened, and Mu Gwang bowed his head once more.
“It’s just… the Young Mistress of Shin-nyeo-gung is at the gate of the main hall right now.”
In that instant, a chilling wind swept through the office.
Yeon So-ha, the “Thousand Gold Glance.”
She was one of the Three Beauties Under Heaven, a peerless beauty so renowned that a single glance from her was said to be more precious than a thousand pieces of gold.
Moreover, while Shin-nyeo-gung was a sect between the Orthodox and Unorthodox Factions, hadn’t it walked the path of righteousness for generations?
Why would the Young Mistress of such a place come here?
Yu Un-ryong’s brow furrowed.
“She came in person?”
“Yes. She has already had a private audience with the Grand Commander and is now on her way to Jam-ma-gak.”
“Don’t tell me, is it about an engagement?”
As Myo Cheon-u’s eyes widened and he interjected, Mu Gwang shook his head.
“I do not know the exact circumstances.”
“If he doesn’t want to see her, he could just send her away. Ah, I see.”
Myo Cheon-u slapped his knee as if he’d realized something.
“Shin-nyeo-gung may be a sect between factions, but it’s essentially a deeply rooted Orthodox sect. For their Young Mistress to boldly visit the main hall… he can’t just turn her away.”
Yu Un-ryong sighed, as if in agreement with Myo Cheon-u’s words.
“Still, I don’t understand. Of all places, Shin-nyeo-gung.”
Shaking his head, Yu Un-ryong nodded at Mu Gwang.
“I understand. I’ll go meet her and send her away myself.”
As Yu Un-ryong headed out, Myo Cheon-u and the others exchanged glances and followed him out in a group.
Three women, each with a short spear slung across their back, stood before the main gate of Jam-ma-gak.
Behind them stood a woman in a white robe, her posture perfectly straight.
Though she wore a veil, her eyes were so beautiful that their clear gaze could be seen distinctly even from ten leagues away.
“Pardon me, young lady.”
Yu Un-ryong approached the beauty in white and clasped his hands.
“I am Yu Un-ryong, a strategist of the Sa-yeong-jeon.”
“I am Yeon So-ha, the Young Mistress of Shin-nyeo-gung.”
When the beauty in white, Yeon So-ha, spoke, the faces of the nearby guards flushed.
Her voice was so clear and soft that it felt as if she were whispering in their ears.
“What brings you here…”
Yu Un-ryong, carefully observing Yeon So-ha’s surroundings, tilted his head.
As the Young Mistress of one of the Seven Great Unorthodox Palaces, she should have arrived with guides and a loud procession.
But she had come to the Demonic Palace alone, with only three escorts?
“I came to see Sir… no, Young Master Bu.”
‘Young Master Bu?’
Yu Un-ryong thought for a moment before clasping his hands and speaking politely.
“My apologies, but the Commander is currently away from the Gak. If you send word in advance next time…”
Yu Un-ryong couldn’t finish his sentence.
From the eyes of the veiled Yeon So-ha, pearl-like teardrops began to fall.
“Young Mistress.”
As the flustered Yu Un-ryong stammered, Yeon So-ha shook her head and wiped her tears.
“I’m sorry. I lost control of my emotions and made a scene.”
“Not at all.”
As Yu Un-ryong shook his head, Yeon So-ha took a deep breath.
“Please, just deliver one message to Young Master Bu. No, to Commander Mu-hon.”
Then, with a long sigh, she spoke in a whisper.
“Ask him if he intends to abandon the marriage vow we made in the secret grotto of my palace.”
“A marriage vow in a secret grotto…”
As Yu Un-ryong stammered, the middle-aged women with spears in front of her spoke to Yeon So-ha.
“Young Mistress, let’s just go back!”
“That’s right. Why would you give your heart to such a heartless man?”
“We never should have come here without the Palace Lord’s knowledge in the first place!”
Yu Un-ryong, flustered, took a deep breath.
It wasn’t just the words of these spear-wielding women; more importantly, Yeon So-ha did not seem to be lying.
‘The Young Mistress of Shin-nyeo-gung wouldn’t come all this way to lie, would she?’
Yu Un-ryong collected his thoughts and asked again.
“Are you saying you were engaged to the Commander?”
“Yes. I waited for a long time at Shin-nyeo-gung for his return, but…”
Yeon So-ha’s eyes reddened again. But as if suppressing her emotions, the tears did not fall.
Watching her, Yu Un-ryong’s head spun.
Bu Eun-seol always maintained an indifferent attitude, but…
Was he actually the type of man to possess a woman and then coldly cast her aside?
‘That can’t be right.’
Yu Un-ryong shook his head.
If Bu Eun-seol were that kind of person, he would have had countless romantic scandals by now.
His looks were handsome enough to make any beauty fall for him.
But during his time in the Demonic Palace, which was full of beautiful women, hadn't he always regarded them as indifferently as a Buddhist monk?
“Are you saying our Commander cast you aside like an old shoe?”
“The Commander was a womanizer who plucks beautiful flowers only to discard them?”
Won Se-mun, who had been watching from behind, jumped and came to stand beside Yu Un-ryong.
“What is the meaning of this? Lord Yu.”
Won Se-mun was known as the biggest troublemaker in the Sa-yeong-jeon.
Yu Un-ryong immediately shot a look at Myo Cheon-u behind him.
“Myo Cheon-u, get this man out of here now!”
Yu Un-ryong turned his head, shouting coldly, and his mouth fell open.
Myo Cheon-u, too, had clenched his fists and was trembling with a furious expression.
‘You believe it too?’
The light faded from Yu Un-ryong’s eyes.