Chapter 16 - The Princess (3)
The Princess (3)
Translator : Elizabeth
I explained everything about what had just happened.
At that, the Emperor laughed for a long time. Guffaw— While laughing frivolously, he didn't stop laughing.
Only after clapping his hands once—Clap!—did he rub his eyes and stop laughing.
"Mumyeong, Gong always exceeds Jim's expectations! To think you would beat that Cheon-do-seong's disciple to a pulp."
The Emperor rested his chin on his hand again. His expression became quite serious.
"Didn't you say you would definitely leave the Golden Dragon Palace? Why did you break the rules?"
"I apologize, but did I cause a big problem?"
The Emperor groaned—Hmm—and rubbed his chin.
Honestly, I roughly expected it.
Well, if they have a symbiotic relationship with the Imperial Family, they must hold corresponding power.
"Well. It could be a big problem, or maybe not."
He spat out vague words.
That human, he's having quite a bit of fun, isn't he?
"I said it before, but the Cheon-ui-won has an inseparable relationship with the Imperial Family. Furthermore, the Cheon-do-seong. Jim has met the Cheon-do-seong too. That person was born with a nature as peculiar as yours."
"What, is he eccentric?"
"Sorry to say, but that is a truly accurate assessment. However, he is eccentric in a different way from you."
Phew, I barely held back a sigh.
"Even so, there will be no punishment for you. Jim will put some effort into this matter."
Kuh. I trusted you! Indeed, he's a pretty cool old man.
Just then, the Emperor continued.
"However, Jim also has no idea what the Cheon-do-seong will do. You handle that person yourself."
I didn't expect that much anyway.
"That alone is more than enough. Your grace is immeasurable."
"Oho, what is there between Jim and Gong. You don't need to mind such things."
The Emperor waved his hand, then suddenly stopped.
"Ah, but Gong has incurred a debt to Jim with this, right? I heard you also used the identification plaque Jim gave you?"
"Ah, yes. That is true, but."
"Hmm. Well, Jim is different from petty eunuchs who get angry after doing one good thing. After all, Jim is merciful."
"...Yes."
"By the way. There is a saying called Eun-won (Grace and Grudge) in the world, isn't there?"
That is true.
I am Baek Si-woo. Now Mumyeong.
A man who does not forget grace.
The most important thing in Wuxia is this Eun-won.
That means?
Fuck.
I squeezed my eyes shut.
"Enough. I say again, Jim is different from those stingy guys. Just think comfortably. Comfortably."
"...What should your subject do?"
The Emperor tapped the armrest as if he had been waiting.
"Oho, isn't Gong the noble person who cut the evil spirit of the Hyeonmu Palace? Let's consider it resolved with that."
Since I already received this Cheong-roe-geom, I couldn't do that.
I tapped my sword hilt with a miserable feeling.
"Didn't your subject already receive the reward for that?"
"Huh. Truly perplexing. If Gong says so, it seems like that too."
The Emperor stood up and clasped his hands behind his back.
"Jim does not want to hinder Gong's path ahead. But if Gong's will is such, I cannot ignore it either, can I? Then it can't be helped."
"Give me your command."
"...Perform a mission just one more time."
My fist trembles.
Don't tell me, was it a setup up to here?
Knowing that the disciple of the Cheon-do-seong would appear, you sent the Princess and me to the Cheon-byeong-gak?
Thinking that, I soon shook my head.
No matter if he is the Emperor, he can't predict the future. Could that be possible?
Besides, not more, not less, just once.
Honestly, I thought I would be completely tied to this Golden Dragon Palace, so this is a luxurious punishment.
"Yes. Understood."
"Do not worry. Once you fulfill your duty just this once, after that, Gong may live as your heart desires. Jim does not break promises."
"Yes, I do not know where to put myself at Your Majesty's grace vast as the sea."
"Hohoho. Jim also has the same heart toward Gong. We will discuss the mission gradually, so go rest now. Your mind must be troubled anyway, right?"
The Emperor gave a dismissal order with a benevolent smile.
I bowed my waist.
Ah, seriously. It's become annoying.
Just as I was about to turn around completely drained of strength, the Emperor opened his mouth again.
"The Princess has something to discuss separately, so remain."
"...Yes, Royal Father."
I glanced back at the Princess.
She was just rubbing her poor palms continuously.
"Ah, I forgot this word."
The Emperor's eyes looking at me deepened.
"Mumyeong, thank you truly. For protecting the Princess."
He is expressing his gratitude to me sincerely.
I raised the corners of my mouth and bowed lightly.
As soon as Mumyeong stepped out, the Princess pressed her forehead to the floor.
"This girl could not live up to Royal Father's expectations. Therefore, I am truly sorrowful. Please give me any punishment. I will accept it sweetly with an atoning heart."
"That is enough. Is your body okay?"
"Yes, thanks to Lord Mumyeong stepping forward."
"That is fortunate."
Monotonous words.
With that short phrase, the Princess's eyes turned red.
"Really, I am sorry... I apologize again."
"I said it is done."
The Emperor looked down at the small Princess.
It is still vivid before his eyes. When that child toddled towards him with a body smaller than that.
Those days were good. Truly good.
At that time, the Cheondo Kingdom was peaceful. Without any strife, discord, or tricks, there was such a brilliant time here when the Emperor's reign of peace seemed eternal.
However, since when was it?
Scenes where they do not trust each other, kill each other, and point swords at each other.
When did it begin?
"Hwa, raise your head."
The Princess slowly raised her head.
Her blue eyes met the Emperor's gaze.
Bloodkin who inherited his blood.
Even this, the Emperor could not fully trust.
Perhaps, does she harbor resentment towards him?
Will those clear eyes one day become turbid light and devour him?
Such thoughts often filled the Emperor's head.
Isn't it so?
Hwa is his flesh and blood, but she was also born with lowly blood.
How can he fully trust her, in whom only half of the golden blood flows?
However, this was also his sin.
The Emperor did not mistreat her.
Determination settled in the Princess's eyes looking at the Emperor.
"...I will succeed somehow. The marriage with Lord Mumyeong."
Right, he had given such an order.
In truth, he didn't expect marriage. Because of her unique position, the Princess had never had contact with a man until now.
Which son of a prestigious family would covet a half-blood Princess? Besides, it is a fact known to everyone under heaven that going near her means falling out of the Empress's favor.
So he deemed it sufficient just to delay Mumyeong's steps a little.
The next thing was something to discuss seriously with the Chancellor.
In the first place, he hadn't even thought as far as marriage.
But a variable occurred.
The disciple of the Cheon-do-seong. Yang-baek.
The Emperor was also well aware of this person's behavior.
However, the Emperor did not possess enough military power to restrain this, comparable to the Cheon-ui-o-seong.
Because originally, the Cheon-ui-won was a group dominated by capable military officials, and the Imperial Family was a group dominated by capable civil officials.
Even so, the Emperor wasn't such a half-wit that he didn't know this strange system was wrong.
Even when it was peaceful, the Emperor thought this was an absurd governance system, so he had tried to break it several times.
However, entering the era of chaos.
The Cheon-ui-won strongly resisted claiming legitimacy, and numerous conflicts occurred inside the palace.
The Emperor's reform failed in the end.
The Emperor was an incompetent king. Because he eventually knelt before three hundred years of legitimacy.
What appeared in the meantime was Mumyeong.
A man whose next step cannot be predicted.
A madman who hunted the Spirit Creature Black Tiger, cut an evil spirit, and this time beat the disciple of the Cheon-do-seong to a pulp.
The current world needed such a madman.
This absurd common sense must be broken.
Only then could the Cheondo Kingdom change.
Whether it prospered or perished, the result was not important.
Now was a time when any change was necessary.
The Emperor said.
"It is enough now."
"But—"
"—Hwa, the purpose has already been achieved."
"..."
The Princess lowered her head.
Hasn't a small purpose been achieved in some form now?
The Emperor was the king of a country, but also a father.
Therefore, he didn't want to give her a useless burden.
The air became heavy at once.
The Emperor cleared his throat—Ahem.
"More importantly, Mumyeong. How was it seeing his martial power in person?"
Indeed, this was a topic that aroused quite a bit of interest.
Because the Emperor had never seen Mumyeong's martial arts directly.
"...He was like a ghost."
"A ghost? I don't get a sense from that alone."
The Princess's eyes narrowed.
"This girl does not have deep knowledge of martial arts, but Lord Mumyeong's martial power was definitely different from others. Who under heaven could break Yang-baek's saber so easily?"
"...Ha, he broke that guy's saber?"
"Yes, and it was in one exchange. Giving three moves, and the moment he drew his sword. Yang-baek collapsed vainly."
"Hmm."
The Emperor hid his surprised feelings and leaned back.
"Then it should be fine. Cheon-do-seong, I don't know how that person will come out. But at least he won't die vainly."
At the Emperor's words, the Princess opened her eyes wide.
"Royal Father, is the Cheon-do-seong coming down?"
"Hwa, that person is like fire."
Cheon-do-seong.
Probably there is no human as crazy as him under heaven, the Emperor thought.
At this, the Princess was silent for a moment.
"...I apologize, but may this girl withdraw now?"
"Yes, do so. By the way, where are you trying to go so urgently?"
"Actually, since it happened because of this girl, I want to take responsibility."
The Emperor was genuinely surprised.
That Hwa?
Who never coveted anything and never stepped forward.
Hwa, who only moved as determined like a doll, showing such will.
"Perhaps, have you already fallen for him?"
The Emperor was genuinely curious.
Because this was a truly strange thing.
Coming out of the Golden Dragon Hall, I looked up at the innocent sky.
Honestly, I don't regret it. Even if I knew the result, I would have acted the same.
However, feeling shitty was the same.
If I knew this would happen, I would have beaten him more. I controlled my strength for nothing.
It was when I was sighing deeply while sitting on the stone stairs.
Shing—! A blade stopped near my neck.
It was a long saber. Longer and shinier than Yang-baek's saber.
"Aren't you scared?"
I turned my head slowly.
I already knew someone was approaching behind me.
However, I just stayed still because I didn't feel any killing intent.
"What if you died?"
A woman wearing a bamboo hat (Satgat) was laughing fiercely.