Chapter 200
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 200
Chapter Title: Fiancée's Prowess
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Yeon Mi-ho's martial arts were surprisingly impressive. They were on par with the later-generation talents who appeared at the Dragon-Phoenix Assembly.
Of course, they weren't at a level comparable to those hailed as dragons or phoenixes, but they were certainly enough to put up a good fight in the preliminaries.
Even at the Dragon-Phoenix Assembly, the participation rate of female experts wasn't all that high.
To begin with, unless one possessed an overwhelmingly superior martial prowess worthy of being called a dragon or phoenix, they rarely even entered the event.
In that sense, Yeon Mi-ho was no different.
In fact, most of the women still remaining in the guest hall were those confident in their own martial arts to some degree.
When considering the entire martial world, they belonged to sects in the upper echelons, and they had trained systematically from a young age.
Among them, the ones who stood out by far were Hwang Ga-hee and Yeon Mi-ho.
“…….”
Bing Su-hye lightly stepped back while eyeing the daggers flying sharply at her from both sides.
“Hmph, you can dodge…….”
The moment Yeon Mi-ho altered the trajectory of her daggers to press forward.
Bing Su-hye's chain sword moved.
Sching!
Clang!
“Ugh!”
Both daggers were deflected simultaneously.
A powerful shock transmitted through the daggers into her hands. It was an intense impact like striking a boulder.
‘Sh-She's putting that much power into a chain sword?!’
Bing Su-hye, who had withdrawn, swiftly closed the distance and thrust her chain sword forward.
Swish!
It was a piercing thrust sharp enough to raise goosebumps in an instant.
“……!”
Startled, Yeon Mi-ho hurriedly recovered her deflected daggers to defend.
Clang!
She barely managed to block, but her body was pushed back.
“Ugh……!”
After that, it was one-sided.
Clang clang clang clang!
Bing Su-hye indifferently swung her chain sword, and each time, Yeon Mi-ho struggled desperately to defend.
If not for the advantage of dual blades in defense, she would have lost already.
The spectating women were wide-eyed.
“Amazing swordsmanship!”
“Miss Yeon can't use her strength at all.”
“The skill gap is pretty big.”
“As expected of the North Sea Divine Fist's fiancée, I suppose?”
Among them, one who coldly observed the match was Hwang Ga-hee.
‘Her speed and momentum aren't that impressive. ……But she's losing in compatibility.’
Yeon Mi-ho's dual sword style had speed and sharpness as its strengths.
In contrast, Bing Su-hye's swordsmanship was powerful swordplay, and once she gained momentum, Yeon Mi-ho's dual swords couldn't stand against it.
‘A shame. If Yeon Mi-ho had gone all out from the start, she wouldn't have been pushed so easily.’
But there was one fact she overlooked. If Bing Su-hye were truly a master of powerful swordplay, she never would have used a chain sword.
Hwang Ga-hee watched the match with shining eyes.
‘Hold on just a bit longer, Yeon Mi-ho. Let me observe Bing Su-hye's swordsmanship more.’
She hoped at least to wear down her stamina.
But Yeon Mi-ho, cornered in a disadvantageous position, surrendered.
“St-Stop! I lose!”
Thud.
Bing Su-hye's incoming chain sword halted right in front of Yeon Mi-ho's nose.
‘Eek!’
Toward the terrified woman, Bing Su-hye delivered a cold remark.
“To crumble at just this level. How disappointing.”
“…….”
Yeon Mi-ho wore a resentful expression but ultimately withdrew without a word.
Clap clap clap!
It was Hwang Ga-hee's applause.
“Impressive! As expected of martial arts you're so confident in.”
“…….”
“But still, that's a bit lacking. May I challenge you this time?”
Yeon Mi-ho's quicker-than-expected defeat was regrettable, but it wasn't as if Bing Su-hye hadn't expended any stamina at all.
Thus, her intent was to challenge as soon as possible before recovery, to start with even a slight advantage.
Whether Bing Su-hye knew her thoughts or not, she nodded.
“I don't mind.”
“Then I won't hold back.”
Facing her, Hwang Ga-hee drew the sword from her waist without giving even a moment's respite.
Sring!
“Here I go.”
Hwang Ga-hee's swordsmanship was the Quick Sword of Radiant Truth, one of the Hwang Family's martial arts.
Generally, in a matchup between powerful sword and quick sword, the one who seizes the initiative first has the advantage.
Knowing this well, Hwang Ga-hee charged forward and thrust with full power.
Swoooosh!
Her momentum and speed were undoubtedly superior to Yeon Mi-ho's.
‘I’ll overwhelm her with absolute speed!’
Seeing this, a faint smile rose on Bing Su-hye's lips.
Soon, her chain sword moved.
Clang!
Hwang Ga-hee's sword was immediately deflected, and Bing Su-hye's sword speed was in no way inferior to hers.
“……!”
Then, the chain sword created countless sword shadows.
Swish swish swish swish swish!
Hwang Ga-hee's eyes widened.
‘Il-Illusory Sword? It's not powerful sword?!’
Faced with the sword shadows filling her vision, Hwang Ga-hee felt dizzy.
‘Ah…….’
There was nothing she could do with her skill level.
Flash!
The sword shadows vanished like a lie, and before she knew it, Bing Su-hye's chain sword had stopped at Hwang Ga-hee's throat.
“With this level of skill, you aimed for the wife of the North Heaven Fortress Lord? Quite greedy.”
“……!”
Hwang Ga-hee could make no retort.
Only then did she realize that Bing Su-hye was a master incomparable to herself.
‘To think she's this strong…….’
Sheathing her sword, Bing Su-hye turned away. No one spoke until she vanished from sight.
“Waaah! Truly amazing swordsmanship.”
“She could have earned the dragon-phoenix title if she'd gone to the Dragon-Phoenix Assembly.”
“With a fiancée like that…… Her beauty and martial arts are unmatched.”
“Haa. Maybe I should just give up and go home.”
There were women whispering while looking at the dazed Hwang Ga-hee.
“Hwang Ga-hee is weaker than I thought?”
“Yeah. It ended so quickly. She didn't last as long as Yeon Mi-ho.”
“Isn't she weaker than us?”
Hearing that, Hwang Ga-hee's face stiffened.
‘Those wenches!’
Her instant defeat wasn't so much due to lacking skill compared to Yeon Mi-ho, but because Bing Su-hye had shown a bit more of her ability, and Hwang Ga-hee had let her guard down, convinced it was powerful swordplay.
“…….”
But ultimately, it was a complete loss. Even if she had known Bing Su-hye's swordsmanship properly, the result wouldn't have changed much.
The skill gap between them was that vast.
Hwang Ga-hee's shoulders slumped inevitably.
* * *
Two days later, the North Heaven Fortress's regular meeting proceeded with Bing Su-hye in attendance.
It was with Seol Hwa-un's special permission at her request.
No one had any complaints.
The leadership already inwardly accepted Bing Su-hye as Seol Hwa-un's wife.
After several reports, discussions on agenda items followed.
“…….”
Up to that point, Bing Su-hye hadn't said a word, merely observing the meeting quietly.
“……Then let's conclude this matter that way. Any suggestions?”
At the end of the meeting, as Seol Hwa-un spoke, Bing Su-hye quietly raised her hand.
“Miss Bing.”
“May I make a few suggestions?”
Naturally, all eyes turned to Bing Su-hye.
“Speak. We'll consider if they're reasonable.”
“The first matter I'd like to raise concerns the commoners working at the North Heaven Fortress. They're voicing considerable inconveniences.”
“……?”
The executives looked puzzled. After all, those working at the North Heaven Fortress already received the best treatment.
Their wages were over thirty percent higher than elsewhere, and rest times were guaranteed.
The Bangwon Brigade Leader spoke up.
“Inconveniences? What do you mean?”
“First, the manpower is insufficient compared to the workload.”
“So we pay them sufficient monthly wages, don't we?”
Bing Su-hye shook her head.
“Money isn't everything. You stewards know the manpower is short. That's why we're steadily recruiting.”
Bing Cho-pung nodded.
“That's right.”
“But with such good treatment, have you considered why there are so few applicants?”
“……!”
The executives' eyes widened slightly.
‘Come to think of it…….’
‘We keep recruiting, but applicants are fewer than warriors. Why?’
“Moreover, quite a few are quitting.”
Seol Hwa-un asked with a gentle smile.
“What do you think is the reason?”
“The first is accessibility. The North Heaven Fortress is too far from the city streets or residential areas.”
“……!”
Indeed, the North Heaven Fortress was built in an open plain. Roads and buildings were being constructed around it, but progress was minimal.
“No matter how good the working conditions, commuting is exhausting and takes too much time. Especially for commoners ignorant of martial arts, the inconvenience must be even greater.”
Yu Gong-seon, who had been listening attentively, said.
“We're already building residential structures not far from the fortress. However, it consumes too much time and funds…….”
“Simply providing residences won't solve it all. There needs to be a town to handle food, clothing, and shelter.”
“Of course, you're right. But that's not something resolvable in a short time, is it?”
Several inns had already sprung up around the North Heaven Fortress, and commerce was slowly forming.
But given the massive scale, the slow progress was unavoidable.
Bing Su-hye said.
“There is a way to accelerate the process.”
“……!”
“What is it?”
“Attracting a five-day market to the North Heaven Fortress.”
“……!”
Five-day market.
A periodic market held every five days, mainly in small towns lacking the scale for permanent markets.
“If we offer various benefits to the peddlers gathering at the five-day market and secure cooperation from the Seomun Family to procure local specialties, it will take root quickly.”
“A five-day market.”
“The Lord already has connections with the officials, so it shouldn't be difficult.”
Yu Gong-seon smiled faintly.
‘Haha, even thought that far?’
“Handling residences and shops entirely under the North Heaven Fortress has limits. Expenditures are too high, and it takes too long.”
“That's true.”
“Once a market forms, people will gather naturally, and the area around the North Heaven Fortress will develop on its own without our extra effort.”
“……!”
The executives exchanged glances and nodded.
Seol Hwa-un, who had been silent, asked.
“What do you think of Miss Bing's proposal?”
“It's a highly rational and practical suggestion.”
“We should implement it as soon as possible.”
Most showed positive reactions.
“I agree. Good. The two stewards will draw up a detailed plan.”
Yu Gong-seon said.
“We'll do that. However, regarding this matter, I have one request.”
“What is it?”
“May we proceed with this alongside Miss Bing? Since she made the suggestion, she'll be of great help in many ways.”
Seol Hwa-un turned to look at her, and Bing Su-hye gave a slight nod.
“Do so.”
Thereafter, Bing Su-hye raised a few more issues.
She sharply pointed out easily overlooked problems like uniforms, the female servants' grievances, and warrior quarters assignments.
Not only that, she presented solutions alongside them, revealing just how thoroughly she had investigated and pondered.
The Bangwon Brigade Leader asked in admiration.
“Impressive! Miss Bing, how did you come up with all this?”
“It's nothing special. I merely observed and imitated what the palace maids did in my home palace.”
“I see!”
Though unspoken, the executives already believed Bing Su-hye fully qualified as the North Heaven Fortress's lady.
Seol Hwa-un nodded quietly.
‘Hye-mae. You've already proven your worth before even a fortnight in the fortress.’
A pleased smile graced his lips.