Chapter 250: Princess Gyeonghwa-3
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 250: Princess Gyeonghwa-3
"It is far too dangerous!"
Chief Ma shouted urgently upon hearing Princess Gyeonghwa’s words.
A seal? It was an act of utter madness.
What exactly was a seal? It was a restraint that forcibly suppressed one's internal energy. It was absolutely out of the question.
Princess Gyeonghwa was a woman with many enemies. From the moment she first appeared until now, her role in protecting the Imperial Court had naturally resulted in a mountain of foes. The bureaucrats, in particular, loathed her, as they believed her very existence served to bolster the Imperial power.
And now, such a woman intended to have her internal energy sealed?
It was as perilous as a beautiful maiden walking stark naked into a den of iniquity.
"Hmph, is there anything in this world truly devoid of risk?"
In the face of Chief Ma’s opposition, Princess Gyeonghwa continued speaking with a composed expression. Of course, she understood the reasons behind his protest better than anyone. She had many enemies, and those enemies were simply waiting for her to show a moment of weakness.
When rumors had previously spread that she could no longer control the Extreme Yang Flame Emperor Demonic Art, how many assassins had come knocking at her door?
At that time, she had merely lost control over the flames produced by the technique; using her martial arts was not difficult in the slightest. Consequently, every assassin who visited her ended up taking a one-way trip to Mount Bukmang.
However, if her internal energy were truly sealed, the situation would be entirely different. Her combat power would plummet to that of an ordinary woman who had never touched a martial arts manual.
Of course, since her mind, qi, and body were in such perfect harmony that she was on the verge of reaching the Profound Realm, she would still be far stronger than a commoner. But against those who had properly mastered martial arts, she would stand no chance.
As Chief Ma said, it was a situation fraught with extreme danger.
"You cannot do this! Your Highness has too many enemies! The moment they learn that a seal has been placed upon you, countless assassins will descend like a flood!"
Chief Ma raised his voice at her, forgetting for a moment that he was in the presence of royalty. It was a grave breach of etiquette, but it served as proof of how vehemently he opposed the idea.
Princess Gyeonghwa watched Chief Ma in silence. She was well aware of why he was protesting so fiercely. He was worried for her safety in a situation where all manner of dangers might be lurking.
While she found his loyalty touching, she had no intention of changing her mind.
"Can we not simply go and return without anyone knowing?" Princess Gyeonghwa asked him, her expression remains calm.
"There are likely countless spies even now within this detached palace! How do you expect to deceive them all and head for the North Sea?" Chief Ma replied, his face twisted with frustration.
His words were true. Though their identities were unknown, the palace was undoubtedly crawling with spies reporting Princess Gyeonghwa’s every move. Deceiving them to leave for the North Sea seemed an impossible task.
"Do not worry. I shall use the pretext of closed-door meditation and place a body double in the underground training hall."
"A body double!?" Chief Ma asked, stunned by her words.
A body double? It was something he had never even considered.
"In truth, I had already secured someone to act as my double so that I could leave for the North Sea at any time."
Princess Gyeonghwa continued her explanation with a serene face.
"............"
Chief Ma’s jaw dropped. She had already secured a double? That meant she had been preparing to leave for the North Sea for quite some time. Contrary to what he had thought, it seemed she hadn't just been waiting idly.
"Once she is sent into the closed-door training hall, I will be able to slip away in secret."
"Your Highness," Chief Ma called out to her in a serious tone.
"Speak."
"If you leave for the North Sea in secret, you will not be able to receive a proper escort. A large-scale movement of troops would be discovered immediately," Chief Ma said, his voice heavy with concern.
"Hmm."
Princess Gyeonghwa lowered her head slightly, appearing lost in thought. As he said, moving the palace guards to act as an escort would almost certainly be discovered. Yet, she could not travel without any protection while her internal energy was sealed. She was far too beautiful, and her appearance would undoubtedly draw unwanted attention.
She needed an escort. A trustworthy one who could, if necessary, use their own internal energy to break her seal.
Princess Gyeonghwa slowly raised her head. She looked at Chief Ma and offered a faint smile.
"Chief Ma."
"......Yes, Your Highness."
Seeing her smile, Chief Ma felt an inexplicable shiver of dread run down his spine.
"Do you not wish to go on vacation?"
"I... I am fine!" Chief Ma answered hastily.
"No, I believe you truly do want a vacation. And to the refreshingly cool North Sea, no less."
Despite his refusal, Princess Gyeonghwa continued to say what she wanted.
"Truly! I am truly fine!"
Chief Ma began to refuse vehemently. He was a newlywed, a man who looked forward to going home to his wife every single day. He couldn't possibly go to the North Sea. A round trip would take at least half a year. How could he leave his wife alone for that long? It was absolutely impossible.
"If you accompany me on this journey to the North Sea, I shall double your monthly salary."
Faced with his repeated refusals, Princess Gyeonghwa made an offer he couldn't ignore.
Gulp.
At her enticing proposal, Chief Ma reflexively swallowed hard. Double the salary? It was more than surprising; it was unprecedented. He already earned a substantial salary as a Chief, but because property prices in Beijing were so exorbitant, he hadn't even been able to secure a proper home for his new marriage.
To him, the offer of a doubled salary was incredibly tempting. With that kind of money, he might be able to buy a decent house in Beijing within three years—and live quite comfortably at that.
Suddenly, he felt a fierce urge to go to the North Sea.
Thud.
"Loyalty! I shall follow your command."
Almost before she had finished speaking, Chief Ma quickly dropped to one knee and addressed her.
"How lamentable. This is a task one should volunteer for out of loyalty, yet you move only for money?"
Princess Gyeonghwa clicked her tongue at the sight.
"It is not because of the money. I was moved by Your Highness's firm resolve, and thus made this decision of my own volition."
Chief Ma spoke smoothly, without a hint of shame.
"Then perhaps I should put the salary increase on hold?" Princess Gyeonghwa asked playfully.
"............"
Chief Ma remained as silent as a stone.
"Very well."
Princess Gyeonghwa let out a small chuckle. She thought to herself that he was truly a man who couldn't lie, and it was that very quality that made him trustworthy.
"You are on leave starting today. A grand, long-term vacation, in fact. A full year."
"Is it truly alright to grant such a long leave?" Chief Ma asked, looking aghast.
"I am the one granting it; who would dare say otherwise?"
Princess Gyeonghwa looked at him as if he were asking the most obvious question in the world. Chief Ma quickly conceded. Though they were on relatively informal terms, she was, after all, the officially appointed General Geumo. Granting a long-term leave was well within her power.
"Your Highness."
"Speak."
"May I ask one favor?" he asked cautiously.
"Let me hear it first."
"Since... since I will be away for at least half a year... I would like an advance on my salary."
Chief Ma spoke with an embarrassed expression. It wasn't easy to bring up the topic of money, but he couldn't just let it slide. Monthly salaries weren't paid during vacation periods. This meant his income would be cut off for at least six months. If that happened, his wife back in Beijing might starve.
"Do not worry. I shall provide a generous amount under the guise of vacation expenses."
Princess Gyeonghwa nodded calmly. She knew Chief Ma was the head of a household, and she understood how difficult it would be for him if his income were cut off.
"Thank... thank you."
Chief Ma bowed deeply, expressing his gratitude for her consideration.
"It is nothing."
She waved her hand dismissively. She had no interest in being thanked for doing what was only natural.
"But Your Highness," Chief Ma continued, looking at her.
"Speak."
"When do we depart for the North Sea?" he asked with a questioning look.
"In exactly seven days and nights."
"Is that not far too soon!?" Chief Ma asked in shock.
Seven days and nights? That was a blink of an eye. There would be so much to prepare for a journey to the North Sea; how could she set such a tight deadline?
"We are going anyway, so why delay?"
"But there are so many things to prepare..."
"Those seven days include the preparations. If no preparation were needed, I would have departed tomorrow."
She spoke with a firm expression.
"......Then, who will handle the preparations?" Chief Ma asked, looking puzzled again.
"Naturally, you must do it, Chief Ma."
Princess Gyeonghwa spoke as if it were the most obvious thing in the world.
"How can I possibly—!?"
Chief Ma was stunned. Since she had already prepared a body double, he assumed she would have finished the travel preparations as well. But now she was suddenly dumping the task on him? Weren't there other servants and maids?
"Well, since you and I are the only ones who know of this journey, who else could do it? Were you planning to make me do it?"
Princess Gyeonghwa looked momentarily offended.
"No... of course not."
Seeing her angry expression, Chief Ma quickly lowered his head. As she said, this journey required absolute secrecy. It wasn't something that could be entrusted to others.
Sigh.
Chief Ma let out a deep sigh inwardly. The thought of preparing for a trip to the North Sea in just seven days made the sigh escape involuntarily. To go to the North Sea, an immense amount of preparation was required: food, water, blankets, cotton clothes, and other daily necessities. They would also need a carriage capable of blocking the frigid winds of the North Sea and sturdy horses resistant to the cold to pull it.
Procuring all of that within a week would be difficult even if he ran until his feet bled.
"The cost does not matter. Just ensure everything is ready within seven days and nights."
Princess Gyeonghwa spoke with a stern expression.
Thud.
"Loyalty! I shall obey your command."
Chief Ma bowed his head once more. Princess Gyeonghwa nodded with a satisfied smile.
"Then, I shall take my leave now."
Chief Ma straightened up and spoke with a sense of urgency. The deadline was so tight he felt he had to start preparing this very second.
"Go ahead."
As soon as she gave her permission, Chief Ma turned and hurried out of the room. Princess Gyeonghwa was left alone.
"Whew."
Once he was gone, she let out a sigh of relief. She had been anxious that he might refuse. Currently, Chief Ma was the only person she could truly trust. He had been her subordinate since she was first commissioned as General Geumo. While she could have simply ordered him, she wanted him to make the choice himself, as the journey to the North Sea would be no easy feat.
Fortunately, Chief Ma had accepted her proposal, and she now had a Peak Martial Artist as her escort. Although his realm was incomparably lower than hers, he would certainly prove his worth as a guard. Despite his lower cultivation, he was a veteran who had distinguished himself on many battlefields. Furthermore, in an emergency, she could ask him to break her seal.
She stared blankly into the void, a flicker of unease dancing in her eyes. If everything went according to plan, the journey should be perfectly safe, yet a strange sense of foreboding lingered.
"Whew."
Princess Gyeonghwa let out another long sigh.