Chapter 67
Chapter 67
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 67
Chapter Title: People Aren't Something You Fix and Reuse
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The room fell silent as if cold water had been poured over everyone.
No one had imagined Ak Muyoo would sever Hyeokse Jin-geol's head. Especially since Hyeokse Jin-geol hadn't even drawn his weapon.
Ak Muyoo silently regarded the guards.
‘Here it comes again.’
Seo Haran's eyes widened.
An intangible energy was emanating from Ak Muyoo's body. It wasn't the kind of aura emitted by a martial artist with profound inner strength. It wasn't rough or oppressively forceful. Yet it made breathing difficult and instinctively made one shrink back.
“Is there someone else here who doesn't like me?”
A low voice flowed from Ak Muyoo's lips.
The guards shook their heads without realizing it.
“If you keep a low profile until tomorrow morning, there won't be any problems. And if you ever feel like breaking down the door and charging out, take another look at this guy first.”
Ak Muyoo pointed at Hyeokse Jin-geol.
Then he turned and walked away.
As he left, the others followed suit.
Arak Cheonjang, who emerged last, locked the stone gate so it wouldn't open.
“Arak Captain.”
Ak Muyoo called out to Arak Cheonjang.
“Yes.”
“Raise the drawbridge and seal the castle gate. Destroy all the mechanisms for raising and lowering it.”
“Understood.”
“Go on.”
“Have a good evening.”
Arak Cheonjang bowed and departed.
“It's impossible to eliminate all the ones hiding in the forest, right?”
He asked Ageukta.
“They're all gathered together, so we'd be spotted right away.”
“For now, leave them be. We can't just wipe out people who haven't done anything.”
Ak Muyoo nodded.
He returned to the main hall with his group.
Arak Jangha was waiting in front of the main hall doors.
“Get some food for these people.”
“Understood. Great General, you should head inside.”
“Got it.”
Ak Muyoo entered.
The interior had a high ceiling. Dozens of ornate lanterns hung along the walls, and a red carpet covered the floor.
“Are those portraits of past kings?”
Ak Muyoo pointed to the portraits on the wall.
“Yes.”
Arak Jangha nodded.
The birthday banquet was in the hall to the right. Ak Muyoo entered the banquet hall.
“The Great General has arrived!”
Arak Jangha announced loudly.
Everyone inside turned to look at the two men. Ak Muyoo scanned the room. There had to be at least two hundred people.
“This way.”
Arak Jangha led him further in.
“Come on in.”
Ak Muyoo was greeted by Luha and Queen Arak Siru. Dressed to the nines, Arak Siru was dazzlingly beautiful. Standing beside her was her daughter, Arak Haru. When their eyes met, Arak Haru raised her hand slightly and waved it side to side.
“Happy birthday, Your Highness.”
Ak Muyoo bowed politely.
“Thank you for coming.”
Arak Siru beamed.
“Please, sit.”
Arak Siru indicated a seat. Ak Muyoo and Luha's places were right next to the queen's.
“Sit here.”
Arak Haru pointed to the spot beside her.
“May I?”
“It's always been your seat, Uncle.”
“Thank you, Princess.”
Ak Muyoo sat next to Arak Haru. At that moment, Luha and Arak Siru stepped into another room connected to the banquet hall.
“Do you know Aunt Luha brought Mom clothes as a gift?”
Arak Haru whispered.
“Clothes?”
“Yeah.”
“People give clothes as birthday gifts often?”
“No? Clothes are only for special occasions.”
“Like what?”
“Giving clothes means approving a marriage.”
“So...”
“It means you're going to be my dad.”
“You mean... that's how it works?”
“Yeah.”
“So I can call you Dad now, right?”
‘This is insane. First a wife, now a daughter too.’
Ak Muyoo shook his head.
“This is soft and delicious. Want some?”
Arak Haru scooped food onto a plate and set it in front of Ak Muyoo. It was lamb, braised tender with seasonings.
Ak Muyoo took a bite of the lamb.
There was no gaminess at all, and it melted smoothly in his mouth.
“You can have some wine too.”
“No wine for me.”
“Why not?”
“Might have urgent business tonight.”
“What kind of urgent business?”
“Don't those guys have wives?”
Ak Muyoo pointed to the heads of the three families. Everyone else was seated with their spouses, but those three were men alone.
“They do.”
“Then why aren't they here?”
“They said they're sick?”
“Ah!”
Ak Muyoo nodded.
Just then, Luha and Arak Siru emerged from the inner room. Arak Siru was now dressed in pure white.
“Wow... she's so pretty! Right?”
Arak Haru said.
“Yeah? Yeah.”
Arak Siru approached the table where Ak Muyoo and Arak Haru sat. All eyes focused on her.
“I've decided I can no longer delay. I've chosen my husband. I propose marriage to Cha Ak Muyoo, head of the Cheonjung Goseongcha Clan and Great General.”
“Mmm!”
“Urgh!”
“Woooah!”
“Whoooaaa!”
Cheers and groans intermingled. The family heads groaned, while the oblivious crowd cheered. All gazes turned to Ak Muyoo.
―‘I, Cha Ak Muyoo, joyfully accept the proposal.’ Just say that.
Luha transmitted to him.
Ak Muyoo stood.
“I, Cha Ak Muyoo, joyfully accept the proposal.”
Cheers erupted once more.
“Damn it!”
Hyeokse Ul-myeong's face twisted.
He had anticipated it, but her declaration of marrying into the Great General's clan ignited his fury.
“So that's how you want to play it.”
He clenched his fist tightly.
―Shouldn't we stop the marriage?
Hyeon Ul Cheol-ryeong's transmission reached his ear. Hyeokse Ul-myeong turned to look at him.
―We wait until deeper into the night.
―Midnight it is.
―I'll inform the Manju and Mujak heads.
Hyeokse Ul-myeong transmitted to Manju Jeokhwa and Mujak Cheolli.
―Understood.
―Got it.
As their eyes met, the two nodded.
Manju Jeokhwa sat with Geo Hwa.
“Aren't you jealous?”
Manju Jeokhwa asked.
“Of what?”
Geo Hwa replied.
“That guy's martial arts are mediocre, and he has nothing to his name. Yet he became head of the Cheonjung Goseongcha Clan, and now the queen proposes to him?”
“He called himself the clan head himself.”
“It was just formality. Does that mean she'd marry any man? If you were in her position, would you marry just anyone?”
“You're saying she's marrying him because he's decent?”
“What do you think?”
“I don't know about the rest, but one thing's for sure.”
“What's that?”
“He's the only man who'd bring precious medicine as a gift while searching for his mother in the Chacha Kingdom.”
“True. That guy's got nothing but balls, yet he's confident. Unhesitating, no lies. From what I've learned, he's got top-notch charisma and is surprisingly thoughtful.”
“When did you investigate him?”
“You can never know too much about your enemies.”
“Everyone's gathered, so why not hold the wedding right here?”
“Pfft!”
Manju Jeokhwa chuckled.
It was a bold, unexpected declaration.
Originally, they planned to eliminate only the Cheonjung Goseongcha Clan and leave the queen and her family untouched. Not out of pity, but because having the queen abdicate would face less public backlash.
They set tonight specifically to act before the wedding. Killing the queen's husband—effectively her father-in-law—was one thing; killing her fiancé was another.
‘She caught on.’
Manju Jeokhwa glanced at Hyeokse Ul-myeong. His face was contorted.
Wedding preparations began immediately.
A large table was set up, draped in red cloth at the head. Wedding foods were placed atop it.
As the musicians played, Arak Mumu—the eldest of the Arak Clan and high priest—entered to officiate.
The ceremony proceeded swiftly.
Less than an incense stick's time later, Arak Mumu declared Ak Muyoo and Arak Siru husband and wife.
As the two stood side by side, guests from each family offered congratulations in turn.
Manju Jeokhwa and Geo Hwa lined up to greet them. Soon it was their turn.
“Congratulations, Your Highness.”
Manju Jeokhwa bowed.
“Thank you, Manju Clan Head.”
“Congratulations to you as well, Prince Consort.”
Now she greeted Ak Muyoo.
“Thank you. Are you two mother and daughter?”
Ak Muyoo glanced between Manju Jeokhwa and Geo Hwa.
“Yes.”
Geo Hwa bowed.
“No wonder I thought she was such a stunning beauty. She inherited her mother's looks perfectly.”
“Hahaha! The Prince Consort sure knows how to flatter.”
Manju Jeokhwa laughed.
“This is a secret, but isn't that silver tongue what blinded the queen?”
“Heh heh heh! Impressive either way.”
Manju Jeokhwa shook her head.
“Mind if I borrow your ear for a moment?”
Ak Muyoo leaned close to Manju Jeokhwa's ear.
He whispered,
“Should I cut off Hyeokse Ul-myeong, Mujak Cheolli, and Hyeon Ul Cheol-ryeong's heads? Or try fixing them? I know people aren't something you fix and reuse, but I don't know much about these three. If you were in my position, what would you do?”
“Exactly.”
Manju Jeokhwa replied.
“They'd just break again even if fixed. Understood.”
Ak Muyoo nodded.
Arak Siru and Ak Muyoo continued receiving greetings. It took half a shichen before they finished.
Even as Ak Muyoo ate, he kept watch on the three. Hyeokse Ul-myeong was the first to leave, claiming a trip to the restroom. Half a gak later, Mujak Cheolli followed, then another half gak and Hyeon Ul Cheol-ryeong.
The three who left never returned.
―It's me.
Ageukta's transmission arrived.
Ak Muyoo pointed at Luha with his cup, signaling to transmit to her.
―Someone just fired a signal arrow from the ramparts. Troops are marching on the palace.
Luha relayed Ageukta's report to Ak Muyoo.
“What about the forest...”
No need to ask. The ones hiding in the palace forest were emerging one by one, assembling by the pond.
Boom!
With a dull thud, the palace gates exploded open.
“Waaaah!”
“Kill them!”
Cheers and murderous shouts rang out together.
Clang! Clang clang! Clang clang!
“Argh!”
“Aaack!”
Boom!
Screams echoed, then the banquet hall doors burst open as armed men poured in.