Chapter 252: Commandery Princess Gyeonghwa Becomes Neung So-hwa
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 252: Commandery Princess Gyeonghwa Becomes Neung So-hwa
"What? You decided we would join an escort mission?"
Commandery Princess Gyeonghwa asked Chief Ma with a look of utter bewilderment.
"That is correct."
Chief Ma replied, looking apologetic at her questioning tone.
"And why is that?"
Gyeonghwa pressed him, unable to understand his reasoning. Her journey to the North Sea was neither for sightseeing nor a simple excursion. It was a quest to find the Ice Essence, the greatest treasure of the North Sea. Why on earth would they tag along with some random escort caravan?
"There are several reasons," Chief Ma continued, his expression remaining humble. "First and foremost, it was due to the lack of Blood-Sweating Horses."
"Blood-Sweating Horses?"
"Yes. Immediately after you gave the order, I scoured every horse market in Beijing to find them, but they were nowhere to be found."
He lowered his eyes as if ashamed of his failure.
"If there are no Blood-Sweating Horses, could we not simply take other fine steeds?" Gyeonghwa asked, still puzzled. If one type of horse was unavailable, they could surely find others; why was he so fixated on that specific breed?
"Because ordinary steeds cannot cross the North Sea. Any horse other than a Blood-Sweating Horse will immediately slow down when hit by the North Sea’s freezing snow winds and wait for the gale to stop. We would be unable to make a proper crossing."
Chief Ma explained the necessity of the specific breed in response to her question.
"Was it truly impossible to obtain them?"
"Even when I offered a premium, no one was willing to sell," he replied calmly.
"Hmm..."
Gyeonghwa let out a low hum, falling into thought. She was clearly reluctant to travel with an escort agency. To find the Ice Essence, she might need to act independently at a moment's notice. Being tied to a caravan would impose significant restrictions on her movements, making a proper search difficult.
"Can we not take a few Blood-Sweating Horses from the Imperial Palace?" Gyeonghwa finally asked, looking at Chief Ma.
"We cannot."
"And why not?"
"If we were to smuggle Blood-Sweating Horses out of the palace, your movements might fall under suspicion."
His tone was firm. He was right. Blood-Sweating Horses were famous, legendary steeds. If she took not just one, but several from the palace, people would grow suspicious. They might discover that her claim of entering closed-door meditation was a lie and that she had actually left for the North Sea. Thus, taking them from the palace was out of the question.
"Do not worry too much, Princess," Chief Ma said, sensing her concern. "Traveling with an escort agency does not only have disadvantages."
"Then what possible benefits are there?" she asked, genuinely curious. How could there be advantages when her freedom of movement would be so restricted?
"First, escort agencies employ professional guides. They will likely be able to enter the North Sea faster than anyone else. Furthermore, you won't have to worry about getting lost in the North Sea, where the snow winds howl and everything is a blinding white."
Chief Ma’s eyes sparkled as he spoke. Escort agencies typically hired expert guides because the presence of a guide determined the safety and speed of the mission. In the North Sea, where the weather was treacherous and the landscape was nothing but endless white snow, the guide's role was paramount. The shelters they maintained at various points served as vital havens from the snow winds. Moreover, it was easy to lose one's sense of direction and get lost while staring at the white expanse, a worry a guide would alleviate.
"And if we pay a little extra, they will handle all the chores like starting fires and preparing meals. Think of how much more comfortable that would be."
"Hmm."
Hearing Chief Ma's explanation, Gyeonghwa began to think that joining the caravan might not be so bad after all. With a guide, they would reach the North Sea much faster, and if others handled the menial tasks, both she and Chief Ma would be spared the discomfort.
However, she soon shook her head. There was still a disadvantage significant enough to outweigh all those benefits.
"There is a problem," Gyeonghwa said, looking at Chief Ma with a steady gaze.
"What is the problem, Princess?"
"Our purpose in going to the North Sea is not travel or sightseeing. It is a journey to find the Ice Essence. I will undoubtedly need to act on my own. If we are tied to an escort mission, my actions will be restricted."
"You need not worry about that. My plan is to travel with them only until we enter the North Sea, and then we shall go our separate ways."
Chief Ma reassured her.
"Then what about the Blood-Sweating Horses?"
"I have arranged to borrow them from the escort agency."
"Then why not just borrow the horses from the start?" Gyeonghwa snapped, her temper flaring slightly. If that was the case, they could have just borrowed the horses and been on their way. Why bother traveling with them at all?
"They refused that option. Most of the goods being transported from the Central Plains are bulky or heavy, so they said they couldn't spare any Blood-Sweating Horses for rent."
Chief Ma looked awkward as he answered her question.
"Then what about when we return from the North Sea to the Central Plains?"
"They said the goods purchased in the North Sea are neither bulky nor heavy. They mentioned they could easily lend us three or four horses then—provided we pay a premium, of course."
Chief Ma began to explain in detail what he had heard from the Head Escort. Usually, goods going from the Central Plains to the North Sea consisted of ceramics, weaponry, silk, and timber—items of considerable volume and weight. That was why they couldn't lend the horses out. Conversely, goods purchased in the North Sea were mostly rare precious metals, liquor, or handicrafts. Compared to the goods from the Central Plains, their volume was inevitably smaller. Therefore, they were willing to lend the horses for a fee. Of course, a deposit equivalent to the price of the horses would have to be paid upfront.
"Hmm."
Gyeonghwa sank into deep thought. Soon, a satisfied smile touched her lips. It wasn't a bad deal. In fact, it was quite a good one. If she could endure the slight discomfort of traveling with others, a significantly more comfortable journey to the North Sea was guaranteed.
"It is not bad. In fact, the conditions seem quite favorable." She looked at Chief Ma and added, "You have worked hard."
"It was nothing, Princess," Chief Ma replied humbly.
"Is there anything else I need to prepare?"
"The merchant guild will prepare all the basics. We will simply be renting everything from them. You only need to prepare your clothing, Princess."
"I see." Gyeonghwa nodded.
"Also, I believe you should choose a pseudonym."
"A pseudonym?"
"We cannot address you as 'Princess' out in the world."
"..."
Gyeonghwa fell silent. A pseudonym was something she had never even considered.
"You choose one for me."
"I... How could I possibly!" Chief Ma asked, startled.
"I am quite unskilled at coming up with such names," Gyeonghwa replied calmly.
"Hmm..."
Chief Ma fell into deep thought. He had no idea what kind of name to give her. He couldn't just pick anything, considering it was a name for the Commandery Princess. He looked up and began to observe her.
Her fiery red hair and eyebrows, her dignified gaze, her straight nose, her red lips, and the incredibly luxurious golden light armor she wore... She was breathtakingly beautiful, like a goddess from myth. The brilliant harmony between her crimson hair and golden armor was particularly striking.
'Ah!'
Seeing her, Chief Ma let out a soft exclamation as an idea struck him. He spoke slowly.
"How about Neung So-hwa?"
"Neung So-hwa?"
"It is a red flower that blooms in summer. It is so beautiful that it is also called the Geum-deung-hwa, the Golden Vine Flower."
Chief Ma gazed at her blankly as he spoke. Looking at her, he had been reminded of the Trumpet Creepers that bloom in summer. Though the flower was more orange than pure red, seeing her with her red hair and golden armor naturally brought its beauty to mind.
"It is not bad."
Gyeonghwa gave a small smile. She seemed to quite like the name he had chosen.
"Then shall we go with Neung So-hwa?"
"Let it be so."
"Then, during the journey, I shall address you as Lady Sohwa. Please forgive my insolence."
Chief Ma bowed his head apologetically. Addressing the Princess as if she were a common young lady felt like a transgression.
"I do not mind," Gyeonghwa replied simply. As long as her departure for the North Sea remained a secret, such trifles didn't matter at all.
"Thank you, Princess."
Chief Ma expressed his gratitude. He was thankful that she had overlooked what could have been a blow to her pride with such generosity.
"When do we depart?"
"In three days."
"That is tight."
Gyeonghwa frowned slightly. It was sooner than she had expected. She had told everyone she would enter meditation in five days, but now the schedule had been moved up by two.
"You can simply say you entered meditation early," Chief Ma suggested.
"No. To completely dispel suspicion, I must enter in front of everyone." Gyeonghwa shook her head. "Gather the people tomorrow. I will show them myself as I enter the training hall."
"As you command."
Chief Ma bowed and withdrew. Gyeonghwa was left alone in the room.
"Neung So-hwa... So-hwa..."
Left alone, she repeated the name several times, as if savoring the lingering feeling it left behind.
"Young Master Jang, please try some of these! I picked them myself."
One of the Qingcheng martial artists handed Sun-woo some wild berries.
"No, try mine first! I caught this fellow myself!"
Another Qingcheng martial artist next to him chimed in, offering him the head of a fish.
"No! Try this first!"
"No, mine!"
It wasn't just them. Numerous Qingcheng martial artists surrounded Sun-woo, each vying to offer him something to eat. Sun-woo looked troubled by the unexpected situation.
How did it come to this?
It had started with Cheongsong. He had offered Sun-woo some seasoned wild greens he had foraged nearby. Touched by the gesture, Sun-woo had readily accepted and thanked him. That had been the trigger. From then on, every time they stopped for a meal, the Qingcheng disciples began a relentless campaign of hospitality.
The moment the carriage stopped, they would bolt outside to find something to eat. Some foraged for wild greens, others picked fruit. Some caught rabbits, and some even scoured the mountains for deer or wild boar—all to serve Sun-woo.
Sun-woo was flustered and even distressed by their excessive kindness. He couldn't understand it. Why were they treating him with such favor when he was the one who had so miserably defeated Un-jeok-ja, their pride and joy?
Yet, he didn't think their kindness was a facade. They looked at him with the expectant eyes of puppies waiting for praise after bringing a treat. How could such gazes be fake? But because it was genuine, it was all the more difficult to handle.
"Mine first...!"
"No, mine...!"
"Get out of the way!"
"You get out of the way!"
Their desire to show favor had escalated into bickering amongst themselves. Sun-woo felt a headache coming on.
"Will you not cease this at once!"
A thunderous shout rang out, directed at the Qingcheng disciples. They immediately shut their mouths and lowered their heads.
"Can you not see that Young Master Jang is uncomfortable?"
The one shouting was the First Sword of Qingcheng, Un-jeok-ja.