Chapter 38
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 38
Chapter Title: The Little Prince's Proposal
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Boom.
The middle-aged man's shout carried an intense pressure that bore down on Seol Hwa-un. It was a force that would have made even a skilled expert buckle at the knees.
“…….”
But Seol Hwa-un merely flinched for an instant before holding his posture firm.
The middle-aged man's eyes widened slightly.
‘This guy?’
“How dare you before the Little Prince…….”
Seol Hwa-un said coldly.
“I’m not from the Central Plains. The emperor you speak of is the Central Plains emperor, not the North Sea emperor, isn’t he?”
“What?!”
“Royalty or not, you can’t force me to submit.”
Seol Hwa-un circulated his inner energy, repelling the warrior’s aura.
Bang!!
“Ugh!”
A burst of air exploded, and the warrior’s body shook for a moment.
The middle-aged man was startled by Seol Hwa-un’s energy, which was far superior to what he expected. But his anger surged first.
“How dare you!”
At that moment, Ju So-cheon raised his hand.
“Yong Escort. That’s enough.”
The middle-aged man’s name was Yong Bul-gun, one of the top experts in the imperial palace. He immediately bowed his head.
“My apologies, Little Prince.”
Ju So-cheon smiled as he spoke.
“I’ve been rude. Allow me to apologize, Little Palace Lord.”
Yong Bul-gun cried out in surprise.
“Little Prince!”
“It’s fine. Will you accept my apology?”
There wasn’t a trace of pretense on Ju So-cheon’s face. A glint of interest appeared in Seol Hwa-un’s eyes.
‘They called him royalty, but he’s more interesting than I thought.’
“Very well.”
“Thank you.”
As Ju So-cheon offered him a seat, Seol Hwa-un sat across from him. Yong Bul-gun stood silently behind Ju So-cheon.
‘Yong Escort. He’s quite the expert.’
He seemed stronger than the elders of most prestigious sects. His gaze turned to Ju So-cheon.
‘To have someone like that as an escort. This Little Prince isn’t ordinary…….’
As if reading Seol Hwa-un’s thoughts, Ju So-cheon smiled and said.
“I belong to the Ho Prince’s Residence.”
‘If he’s the Little Prince of the Ho Prince’s Residence…….’
Seol Hwa-un’s eyes widened.
“You don’t mean you’re the son of Prince Ho?”
“That’s right.”
Prince Ho, Ju Geum-seon.
Even Seol Hwa-un, who came from the Outer Realm, had heard of him. Ju Geum-seon was that famous a figure.
The current young emperor struggled to manage state affairs due to his age. Before his passing, the previous emperor had asked his younger brother, Ju Geum-seon, to act as regent.
But Ju Geum-seon refused and remained the emperor’s strongest supporter.
As a result, he gained even greater trust and became the real power behind the throne under the emperor’s protection.
‘No wonder…… With that much influence, he can use the city lord’s office freely.’
Ju So-cheon spoke calmly.
“Your declaration that you’re not from the Central Plains and thus unbound by Central Plains customs was quite striking, Little Palace Lord. You’re not wrong.”
“…….”
“But breaking the laws of the Central Plains is still a problem, no? Even if you’re not from here.”
Seol Hwa-un’s face hardened. He instinctively knew this referred to the Black Wind Gang incident.
“Hahaha, no need for that look. I have no intention of threatening you with it.”
“Then why did you summon me?”
“Truth be told, I saw you discipline the Black Path Tyrants yesterday.”
Seol Hwa-un had his suspicions.
‘The gaze I felt from afar—it was this guy.’
More precisely, Yong Bul-gun’s gaze.
“And they said something very interesting.”
“There are many bad people in the world. But killing them all would just make you a murderer. There must be clear standards.”
It was what Seol Hwa-un had told Dong Ho-won and Eom Mu-hwi.
“I heard the standard is martial prowess. Is that right?”
“Yes.”
“Could you elaborate?”
“It’s not difficult.”
Seol Hwa-un’s eyes gleamed as he continued.
“If one practices martial arts, they’re a martial artist. And that comes with responsibility. As a martial artist myself, I can’t forgive their atrocities. Especially using martial arts against defenseless commoners.”
“…….”
“As the saying goes, ‘Well water does not intrude on river water.’ The crimes of those who learn martial arts should be handled by the martial world. Other injustices are for the authorities to deal with.”
Ju So-cheon nodded.
“The Black Path Tyrants are indeed ambiguous in that regard. But was wiping out their entire gang necessary?”
“You know they came after me first.”
“That’s true.”
“I simply settled a martial grudge.”
“Isn’t exterminating them over that a bit excessive? Even in the martial world, completely destroying a sect over a grudge isn’t common.”
Seol Hwa-un gave a wry smile at Ju So-cheon’s sharp question.
“……You’re right. My personal decision played a part in the Black Wind Gang matter.”
Ju So-cheon looked intrigued.
“That’s exactly what I wanted to know. That’s why I brought you here, Little Palace Lord.”
Seol Hwa-un’s gaze sharpened.
“I was cleaning house.”
“Cleaning?”
“Hangzhou has both government offices and Martial Alliance branches. Yet the Black Path Tyrants ran rampant, and everyone turned a blind eye.”
Ju So-cheon looked troubled.
“There are complicated reasons for that…….”
“Of course I know. But if you nitpick everything, nothing gets done. The suffering commoners are the only ones who pay the price.”
“…….”
“That kind of thing doesn’t happen in the North Sea.”
Indeed, the North Sea was under the North Sea Ice Palace’s iron protection. Strict governance left no room for Black Path Tyrants to arise, allowing commoners to live in peace.
“It wasn’t so much about caring for Central Plains folk as it was my nature—I couldn’t just stand by. So I erased the Black Wind Gang.”
“But Black Path Tyrants are like weeds. Even if they disappear for a moment, they’ll sprout again soon enough.”
Seol Hwa-un sneered.
“So you leave them be since you can’t eradicate them completely?”
Ju So-cheon frowned.
“No, it’s about managing them. Keeping them from crossing the line…….”
“That’s a cowardly excuse. It’s just ignoring the commoners who suffer because of them.”
“……!”
“As long as Black Path Tyrants cause havoc, we must eradicate them again and again. It may be brief, but at least the commoners get some peace during that time.”
Ju So-cheon’s face stiffened.
‘He’s thought it through that far?’
“Compromising with evil may seem rational and convenient at first, but it only brings greater harm in the end.”
Ju So-cheon fell silent in thought.
‘It’s a lone general’s mindset…… but it makes sense.’
He gazed at Seol Hwa-un with newfound respect.
‘I heard he’s just past thirty…… To have such convictions. Even “North Heaven Dragon” doesn’t do him justice.’
He turned to Yong Bul-gun and asked.
“What do you think, Yong Escort?”
Yong Bul-gun stared at Seol Hwa-un and replied.
“His insolent attitude rubs me the wrong way…… but I can’t deny his righteous heart.”
“Hahaha, I agree. We need to rethink the Black Path Tyrants not just in Hangzhou, but everywhere.”
Yong Bul-gun unwittingly frowned.
“That…… won’t be easy. We can handle their ties with the government, but wiping them out entirely……”
“I’ve thought of that. There are plenty among the Black Path Tyrants who practice martial arts. We can use that as a pretext to seek cooperation from local sects, the Martial Alliance, and the Orthodox Heaven Alliance.”
“Ah!”
“If they refuse, so be it. Nothing ventured, nothing gained.”
“It’s a brilliant idea, Little Prince. They won’t easily refuse your request.”
“It was inspired by what the Little Palace Lord said. Thank you.”
Seol Hwa-un looked surprised.
‘He decides something this major so casually?’
The Little Prince’s authority was far greater than he’d imagined.
‘Now that I think about it, it really is a good idea. If this had been implemented when I was Alliance Leader…….’
But back then, the unspoken rule of non-interference between government and martial world was too entrenched for such thoughts.
Clap!
Ju So-cheon clapped to lighten the mood.
“We’ve been too serious. Little Palace Lord, could you spare a bit more time?”
“I have no pressing matters, but I don’t see the reason. Is there something else you’re curious about?”
“Yes.”
“Hm?”
“My interest in you personally, Little Palace Lord.”
Seol Hwa-un turned serious.
“I’m sorry, but…….”
“Hahaha. What are you thinking? I just want to chat more casually with you.”
“In that case, sure.”
Tea was soon brought, and the two engaged in relaxed conversation.
They shared thoughts on politics, society, culture, and more.
Despite their youth, both displayed remarkable insight. Even Yong Bul-gun, watching, was amazed.
‘The Little Prince is one thing…… but what’s this Little Palace Lord of the Ice Palace?’
To Seol Hwa-un, Ju So-cheon seemed more cheerful and unpretentious than expected. He didn’t wield royal authority and treated Seol Hwa-un as an equal.
He was a man brimming with human charm. This came as a fresh shock to Seol Hwa-un.
‘I thought all royalty were arrogant and obsessed with face…… This one’s different.’
Unbeknownst to himself, Seol Hwa-un was gradually drawn to Ju So-cheon.
Ju So-cheon felt the same.
‘He seems cold on the outside, but harbors a burning sense of justice within. His convictions are firm…… A rare man.’
How long had they talked?
Yong Bul-gun cautiously spoke up.
“Little Prince.”
“……Hm?”
“The hour of the Rooster has passed. You should get going…….”
“What? Has it gotten that late already?”
Seol Hwa-un looked slightly surprised too.
‘Time flew this much?!’
“I’ve kept you too long, Little Palace Lord.”
“No. It was a valuable conversation.”
Ju So-cheon looked regretful.
“I’d love to have dinner together, but I have a prior engagement.”
Seol Hwa-un felt a twinge of regret too.
“No helping it.”
“…….”
As Seol Hwa-un rose to leave, Ju So-cheon called him earnestly.
“Little Palace Lord.”
“Yes.”
“I hate to part like this.”
After a brief hesitation, Ju So-cheon spoke with resolve.
“Will you become sworn brothers with me?”