Chapter 199
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 199
Chapter Title: Challenge from the Rivals
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Bing Su-hye spent the next few days diligently inspecting the interior of North Heaven Fortress. She conversed not only with the regular martial artists but also with the workers.
“…….”
Afterward, she went out and checked the surroundings of North Heaven Fortress as well.
‘So that’s how it is.’
In the process, she gradually came to understand what North Heaven Fortress needed—and what she herself needed to do to provide it.
‘Hmm… I need something more concrete…’
Lost in such thoughts as she made her way back into North Heaven Fortress, Bing Su-hye suddenly halted. Someone had stepped into her path.
“……?”
There were six of them in total—all women staying in the guest hall.
Hwang Ga-hee, standing at the forefront, asked with a gentle smile.
“Are you Bing Su-hye, the one who’s the Fortress Lord’s fiancée?”
“And what if I am?”
“Pleased to meet you. I’m Hwang Ga-hee of the Hwang Family.”
Bing Su-hye replied flatly.
“I see. Then why are you blocking my way?”
“Oh my, blocking your way? I’m sorry. That was never my intention.”
“…….”
“We’re all candidates to become the lady of North Heaven Fortress, aren’t we? Why not get along as friendly rivals?”
She seemed to be speaking politely with a smile, but she was casually treating sensitive matters as established fact.
It was the kind of statement that would irk any fiancée. Yet Bing Su-hye showed not the slightest agitation.
“An interesting story. But I’m not interested. I’m in a hurry, so could you step aside?”
“……!”
Stunned by her utterly composed attitude, Hwang Ga-hee and her group froze in place, speechless. Bing Su-hye moved first.
“Since you don’t seem inclined to move, I’ll just go around.”
With that, she sidestepped them and walked off.
“…….”
Watching her retreating figure, Hwang Ga-hee’s face hardened.
“What a brazen wench. She won’t be easy to deal with.”
Yeon Mi-ho, standing beside her, spoke up.
“She’s so arrogant. Does she think she’s above us just because she eats dinner with the Fortress Lord every day?”
“Don’t read too much into it. We have to account for the connection they formed back in the North Sea.”
“What are you going to do about it, sister?”
Hwang Ga-hee bit her lip.
“I didn’t expect her to react like that, so I was a bit caught off guard… but it’s fine. The plan is still in effect.”
A chill emanated from her face.
“She’s not going anywhere, so we’ll bide our time for another chance.”
* * *
The next morning.
By coincidence, Bing Su-hye ended up eating breakfast alone.
Even setting aside Seol Hwa-un, who always ate very early, Bing Cho-hyeon or Bing Cho-pung had usually joined her in the past.
But Bing Cho-hyeon had returned to the North Sea Ice Palace, and Bing Cho-pung happened to have business that morning, leaving her to eat by herself.
“…….”
Bing Su-hye didn’t mind in the least. She had often eaten alone back in the North Sea, and she viewed this as simply part of adapting to North Heaven Fortress.
But apparently, that was just her perspective. No sooner had she taken her seat in the dining hall than people surrounded her—as if they’d been lying in wait.
It was the same women who had blocked her path the day before.
“…….”
One might expect her to be flustered, but Bing Su-hye showed no reaction whatsoever, silently focusing on her meal.
Hwang Ga-hee, seated across from her, smiled faintly.
“Oh my. We meet again, Lady Bing.”
Looking at Hwang Ga-hee, she said,
“What is this about?”
“I’m not trying to do anything in particular. I just wanted to get closer, but you seem so guarded, Lady Bing.”
“…….”
“It’s fine. We’re not going to do anything to you. Who would dare lay a hand on someone from the North Sea Ice Palace here in North Heaven Fortress?”
Bing Su-hye paused mid-bite. Then, as if struck by a sudden thought, she smiled oddly and spoke.
“…Fine. What do you want to talk about?”
“Hee hee hee, looks like you’re finally in the mood to chat with us. I’m delighted.”
Hwang Ga-hee replied, her smile unwavering.
“Don’t we need some time to get to know each other? How about this? We take turns asking questions we’re curious about.”
Bing Su-hye resumed eating.
“Sounds good. I have nothing I’m curious about, so you ask away. No limit on questions, but only until I finish my meal.”
Hwang Ga-hee’s eyes narrowed.
‘She’s not flustered in the slightest. As expected, not an easy mark. Fine, I’ll make you regret this.’
“Very well.”
She signaled to one of the other women with her.
“I’ll ask the first one. When did you get engaged to Fortress Lord Seol?”
“About five years ago.”
“Wow, has it really been that long already? Then why haven’t you held the wedding yet?”
“…….”
Bing Su-hye’s eyes changed subtly. Hwang Ga-hee didn’t miss the flicker.
‘Hee hee, hit a nerve, did I?’
She didn’t know the exact details, but she was aware the engagement had been going on for quite some time.
‘There must be some fatal flaw she can’t speak of. Otherwise, it makes no sense.’
In Hwang Ga-hee’s view, Bing Su-hye was far too beautiful. No man she knew would turn down a woman like that.
‘Either this wench has some critical shortcoming, or Fortress Lord Seol has greater ambitions.’
That was why she hadn’t given up despite hearing about the fiancée.
Hwang Ga-hee was convinced Seol Hwa-un wanted to form a marriage alliance with a prominent Central Plains faction rather than some North Sea woman.
‘That explains everything.’
Countless matchmakers and women had visited North Heaven Fortress, but not a single one from the Nine Great Sects or Eight Great Families.
From their perspective, it wasn’t worth considering an “outer realm” man as a son-in-law.
‘But Fortress Lord Seol thinks he’s at least that worthy.’
That was why he’d emphasized the fiancée in front of everyone and sent the others away.
Hwang Ga-hee was confident.
Excluding the Nine Great Sects and Eight Great Families, there weren’t many sects comparable to the Hwang Family.
In fact, in Hebei Province, the Hwang Family boasted one of the top three powers, surpassed only by the Peng Family.
‘In the end, he’ll choose me.’
Even setting aside her family, among the remaining women, only Yeon Mi-ho could compare to her.
‘If I can create a justification to break off Bing Su-hye’s engagement, I’ll end up as Fortress Lord Seol’s wife.’
Grinning, Hwang Ga-hee asked,
“Is it hard to answer?”
“It’s a personal matter between Fortress Lord Seol and me. Nothing worth disclosing.”
“Oh~ Is that so?”
Hwang Ga-hee didn’t miss how Bing Su-hye’s face darkened slightly.
‘See? My theory was right!’
Another woman chimed in.
“Fortress Lord Seol is so dashing. I’ve never seen a man so handsome and refined.”
“Exactly. He’s the type to steal your heart at first sight. Not just anyone could marry a man like that.”
“I agree. He deserves a capable woman as his match.”
Hwang Ga-hee seized the moment.
“What do you think, Lady Bing?”
Bing Su-hye nodded readily.
“I agree. That’s why I’m working hard to become someone worthy of him.”
“……!”
Hwang Ga-hee had hoped Bing Su-hye would bristle and snap something like, “Are you saying I’m not good enough for the Fortress Lord?” She felt disappointed.
‘Does she really believe that? She’s not taking the bait at all.’
No choice now.
‘I’ll have to be more direct.’
“Admirable thinking. But if effort alone made the impossible possible, what couldn’t we achieve? Fortress Lord Seol is already of marriageable age, so when do you think you’ll be qualified, Lady Bing?”
“I’ll just keep doing my best.”
“How frustrating. For his sake, haven’t you ever thought of stepping aside?”
“If someone truly worthy appears, I’ll consider it. But…”
Bing Su-hye glanced around at the women surrounding her.
“So far, I haven’t seen anyone like that.”
Her gaze implied they were nowhere near qualified.
“……!”
Now it was Hwang Ga-hee and the others who bristled.
“Are you saying none of us even measure up to you, Lady Bing?”
Bing Su-hye smiled faintly.
“Who knows? I never said that.”
Unable to hold back, Yeon Mi-ho jumped in.
“Hmph! Aside from your pretty face, what do you have to boast about, Lady Bing?”
“I wouldn’t know about my face, but I’m confident I’m better in every other way.”
Hwang Ga-hee flushed red and raised her voice.
“Fine! We’re all daughters of martial families, so let’s settle this with martial arts!”
Bing Su-hye set down her chopsticks.
*Paak!*
At the same time, a burst of pure white chill emanated from her body.
*Tszz tszz tszz.*
“……!”
The women recoiled at the biting cold, putting distance between themselves and Bing Su-hye.
Her eyes gleamed sharply.
“If that’s what you want, I’ll oblige.”
* * *
Hwang Ga-hee’s group and Bing Su-hye moved to the training ground in the guest hall.
Word spread quickly to the other women in the guest hall.
“Did you hear? Hwang Ga-hee and Bing Su-hye are going to duel!”
“Yeon Mi-ho’s with them too, apparently?”
“Oh my, this’ll be fun!”
The women in the guest hall were all from the martial world. They couldn’t help but be interested.
As the women gathered, Bing Su-hye stepped into the training ground.
Surprisingly, it had been Bing Su-hye herself who suggested holding the spar in the guest hall’s training ground.
She glanced around subtly.
‘I’ll let you all know who I am.’
She had the other women in the guest hall in mind as well.
Standing in the center of the training ground, she heard Yeon Mi-ho say,
“Sister Hwang, let me handle this insolent wench.”
Hwang Ga-hee nodded.
“Do that. Just make sure she doesn’t get hurt too badly.”
“Hee hee hee, I’m a little angry right now, so I’m not sure I can hold back.”
“…….”
Facing Bing Su-hye, Yeon Mi-ho held short daggers in both hands.
The Twin Gate Swords—one of the Bright Tiger Gate’s techniques best suited for women—was her specialty.
Yeon Mi-ho said confidently,
“Swords have no eyes, so watch yourself.”
“…….”
Bing Su-hye offered no retort.
‘Hmph, acted all bold earlier, but now she’s scared?’
Yeon Mi-ho had no intention of going easy.
‘I’ll humiliate her properly.’
She didn’t intend to go that far, but she secretly hoped Bing Su-hye might end up with a scar on her face during the spar.
“…….”
There was a reason Hwang Ga-hee hadn’t stepped up herself and let Yeon Mi-ho take the lead.
‘That qi she showed in the dining hall was impressive.’
It had made even her flinch involuntarily.
‘She’s clearly put effort into cultivating her divine art. But actual combat is different. It requires moving your body.’
She doubted Bing Su-hye’s slender frame had undergone proper training. Still, she remained cautious.
‘I don’t know the extent of this Ice Family wench’s skills exactly. Even if Yeon Mi-ho loses, it’ll give me valuable insight.’
Of course, that was a one-in-a-million scenario. She didn’t truly believe Yeon Mi-ho would lose.
Yeon Mi-ho’s skills were only half a level below her own.
If Yeon Mi-ho won, it would prove Hwang Ga-hee’s superiority without her needing to lift a finger.
‘I can’t wait to see how long she lasts. I’ll embarrass her so badly she’ll have no choice but to slink back to the North Sea.’
The thought of mocking the defeated Bing Su-hye already lifted her spirits.
At that moment, Bing Su-hye drew her sword from her waist.
*Shuuk!*
The flexible blade straightened rigidly.
*Paht!*
‘A soft sword?!”
They didn’t know it, but it was the mate to Seol Hwa-un’s own soft sword.
Hwang Ga-hee’s face stiffened slightly.
‘If she can wield a soft sword, she’s at least a certain level…’
Bing Su-hye’s stance was utterly natural.
In that instant, Yeon Mi-ho charged.
“Yaap!”
*Shuuuk!*
Her twin swords flew in from both sides.