Chapter 436
Hwa-jeong, the Palace Lord who had been about to begin the meeting, suddenly wore an expression as if she had been slapped across the face.
At the very moment the meeting was to commence, Jeok Mu-mi, the Young Palace Mistress, abruptly entered and declared that she had found the Fire Wheel Divine Flute—the sacred relic of the Blazing Flame Holy Venerable, their Founder.
Not only that, but she had also obtained the martial arts left behind in the Secret Palace.
It was a shocking announcement.
—The long-cherished wish of this palace has always been to reclaim the Fire Wheel Divine Flute and the Hot River Great Essence True Qi of the Blazing Flame Holy Venerable, our Founder. Whoever retrieves them shall become the Palace Lord of this sect.
This had been an ironclad rule passed down through generations in the Blazing Flame Sacred Palace.
Yet now, out of nowhere, Jeok Mu-mi had accomplished both?
If so, didn't that mean Hwa-jeong had to step down from her position as Palace Lord?
"If that is true, then it would be a blessing for our palace. May I see the proof?"
At Hwa-jeong's question, Jeok Mu-mi wordlessly extended her right hand.
A crimson radiance spread from her palm, and soon, a flute-shaped scarlet rod began to materialize.
Merely revealing its form unleashed a scorching heat that could melt the earth in an instant, spreading in all directions.
There was no doubt—this was indeed the Fire Wheel Divine Flute, forged from the Blazing Flame Sacred Qi.
—The Fire Wheel Divine Flute! The return of the Blazing Flame Holy Venerable!
—At last, the Holy Venerable's martial arts and sacred relic!
Witnessing this spectacle, the high-ranking officials of the Blazing Flame Sacred Palace all wore expressions of ecstatic joy.
With the lost relic and martial arts recovered, the Blazing Flame Sacred Palace would reclaim its former glory.
"Congratulations."
In the end, Hwa-jeong nodded with a smile.
"Since the Young Palace Mistress has recovered the Founder's sacred relic and martial arts, it is only right that she ascends to the position of Palace Lord."
Her voice was calm, and her expression appeared sincere.
"Now that the Fire Wheel Divine Flute and the Hot River Great Essence True Qi have been reclaimed, the prestige of our palace will soon resound throughout the world."
"I appreciate that."
As Jeok Mu-mi responded with a smile, Hwa-jeong clasped her hands together.
"Though our relationship may not have been the best until now, I will continue to strive for the sake of this palace."
No matter how long-standing the tradition was, relinquishing the position of Palace Lord simply because someone had recovered the sacred relic and martial arts was no easy feat.
Yet Hwa-jeong showed not the slightest hint of reluctance.
Instead, she displayed a magnanimous and resolute attitude, willingly yielding her position to Jeok Mu-mi.
Moved by her demeanor, the high-ranking officials in the meeting hall erupted in admiration and praise.
"Well said!"
"Let us forget the past and forge a new history for our palace!"
Hwa-jeong nodded again with a smile.
"Then my final command as Palace Lord shall be to hold a grand feast."
At this, the faces of all those present in the meeting hall broke into smiles.
With such a smooth transition of power between the old and new generations... the Blazing Flame Sacred Palace was destined for even greater prosperity.
But how could they have known?
A shadow had already fallen over the Blazing Flame Sacred Palace—one too deep to be easily swept away.
Before the Fire Wheel Pavilion of the Blazing Flame Sacred Palace.
A grand feast, attended by all the high-ranking officials of the palace, had been ongoing for three days.
With the recovery of the lost sacred relic and martial arts of the Blazing Flame Holy Venerable, none of the disciples could contain their excitement.
The power of the Fire Wheel Divine Flute could pierce through one's meridians in an instant, achieving Ren Meridian Opening. And with diligent training in the martial arts, one could even transform into a Sacred Fire Body.
Once that happened, the level of their martial prowess would skyrocket, and the prestige of the Blazing Flame Sacred Palace would soar to unprecedented heights.
Bu Eun-seol, who had been imprisoned, was also released—thanks to Jeok Mu-mi's intervention.
However, his release came with one condition: he must leave the Blazing Flame Sacred Palace immediately.
Given the joyous occasion and the potential for unrest, it was a necessary measure.
Officially, it was to "preserve the unblemished reputation of Palace Lord Hwa-jeong."
Murmur, murmur.
Before the Fire Wheel Pavilion, the high-ranking officials gathered around Jeok Mu-mi, the soon-to-be Palace Lord, engaging in endless conversation.
Unlike before, they now maintained an unceasingly friendly tone and demeanor toward her.
After all, she had recovered both the sacred relic and the secret arts of the Blazing Flame Holy Venerable and inherited them—soon, she would become the second coming of the Holy Venerable.
The future of the Blazing Flame Sacred Palace was bright, and in a few years... it would be nearly impossible to find anyone in the martial world who could stand against her.
Amidst the lively festivities—
Whoooosh.
Meanwhile, the massive Fire Wheel Vessel was cutting through the waves toward the docks of Zhurong Island. Among the six ships owned by the Blazing Flame Sacred Palace, this was the finest—the flagship reserved for the Palace Mistress herself.
Inside the vessel, over a hundred assassins clad in black exuded razor-sharp auras.
The guards stationed at the dockside outpost frowned in confusion as they spotted the approaching ship.
"The Palace Mistress is only returning now?"
Since the inauguration ceremony had yet to take place, Hwa-jeong still held the title of Palace Mistress.
And during the feast...
...she had personally sailed beyond Zhurong Island to prepare for Jeok Mu-mi's ascension.
But why would she return so late, and so abruptly?
THUD.
The Fire Wheel Vessel docked, and soon after, Hwa-jeong descended in her resplendent crimson robes.
"Palace Mistress."
The guards emerged from the outpost and bowed deeply. She acknowledged them with a nod.
"You've worked hard."
Then—without warning—she extended both hands.
BOOM! BOOM!
Deafening explosions erupted. The guards who had been paying their respects suddenly widened their eyes before blood sprayed from their seven orifices, and they collapsed to the ground.
In an instant, she had unleashed overwhelming Palm Energy, slaughtering them all.
"Palace Mistress—what is the meaning of this?!"
The remaining guards shouted in shock, but—
SWISH! SWISH! SWISH!
The assassins who had disembarked swarmed the outpost, cutting down the guards in a single breath.
THUD. THUD.
In the blink of an eye, every warrior in the outpost had been reduced to headless corpses littering the ground.
[Has the preparation been completed?]
At that moment, a Masked Man stepped forward from among the assassins, radiating an eerie glow.
The Messenger of the Three Realms.
"The Blazing Flame Sacred Palace's High Command is gathered in the banquet hall, and most of the troops have been stationed outside."
She had arranged a feast in the Fire Wheel Pavilion for the leadership while ordering the bulk of the palace's forces to drink outside the city walls.
"If we eliminate the High Command in one strike, the disciples will have no choice but to submit."
Taking a deep breath, she spoke coldly.
"Slip in quietly and slaughter them all."
Her plan was simple: infiltrate the banquet hall with the Three Realms' assassins, wipe out the leadership in one fell swoop, and reclaim the Blazing Flame Sacred Palace.
Maintaining her position as Palace Mistress was just as crucial as obtaining the Fire Wheel Divine Flute.
Unless the palace was crushed by force, it would be impossible to install another ruler who suited her tastes.
"All except one."
These men had not only ingested Artificial Dantians—they had refined them to a considerable degree, ensuring they could handle the task without issue.
"Jeok Mu-mi, the one who possesses the Fire Wheel Divine Flute, must not be killed."
[Hmm. To think the Fire Wheel Divine Flute isn't a Sacred Relic but a condensed form of refined energy stored within the body...]
The Messenger shook his head and commanded the assassins behind him.
"Jeok Mu-mi—spare her. But leave not a single ant alive inside the banquet hall."
No matter how formidable an army was, without its commanders, it became useless.
The Blazing Flame Sacred Palace had long remained withdrawn from the Martial World, and its disciples lacked combat experience.
In other words, if the leadership was eliminated, the massive palace could be seized with ease.
Inside the banquet hall, the High Command of the Blazing Flame Sacred Palace was drinking and enjoying themselves.
Then—like sand pouring through an hourglass—over a hundred assassins seeped into the hall.
"Who are you?!"
Jeok Mu-mi shouted upon spotting them, but the assassins only encircled the leadership, their crimson eyes flashing.
"Huff... Huff..."
Their pupils burned red, and ragged breaths escaped through their masks.
An indescribably sharp Killing Intent emanated from their entire bodies.
Artificial Dantians.
Every one of these assassins had ingested them, and with their terrifying power, they had carried out flawless executions time and again.
"Under heaven, no feast lasts forever. It's time to see the conclusion."
"Palace Mistress Hwa-jeong?"
The High Command couldn't hide their bewilderment.
Why was the Palace Mistress calmly walking out from among these assassins?
"Palace Mistress. What are you doing?"
"Surely you're not playing some kind of prank?"
As the leadership rushed forward, Hwa-jeong smiled coldly and swept her gaze across the room.
"You're so deep in your sweet dreams, you don't even realize how the situation has turned."
Jeok Mu-mi glared at her and spoke icily.
"What are you doing?"
"What am I doing?"
Hwa-jeong laughed, her voice frigid.
"To become Palace Mistress and find the Sacred Relic, I had to play the role of leader for over a decade. I even endured living with that stinking old man for three years. And now his brat of a daughter wants to take my place—do you think I'd just stand by and watch?"
The High Command paled at her words.
Hwa-jeong had always maintained an air of elegance, appearing benevolent and gracious even after becoming Palace Mistress.
But now, her tone and expression were anything but—like a noble saintess transforming into a wicked Witch.
"Hwa-jeong."
Jeok Mu-mi's voice was stern.
"By saying that, you admit you're a traitor to this palace."
"There's nothing to admit."
Hwa-jeong replied indifferently.
"From the start, I seduced that old fool Jeok-sa just to steal the Sacred Relic."
The faces of the High Command hardened like stone.
Hwa-jeong had firmly secured the trust and support of the Blazing Flame Sacred Palace's high command with her magnanimity and grace.
That was why the Young Palace Lord, who had maintained an arrogant attitude solely because she had obtained the sacred relic, found herself facing unexpected discontent. Far more people than anticipated were dissatisfied with the idea of Jeok Mu-mi becoming the new palace lord.
But now, to learn that Hwa-jeong—whom they had trusted so deeply—was actually a spy who had infiltrated to steal the sacred relic?
—Just what in the world...
As the members of the Blazing Flame Sacred Palace stood frozen, unable to believe what they were hearing, Hwa-jeong spoke coldly.
"There's no need for lengthy words. Cut their throats in one swift motion."
Srrrk.
At her command, the assassins immediately drew their swords.
Not only were the sword blades stained black, but a foul stench wafted through the air—proof that they had been drenched in a vicious poison.
"Hmph."
As the assassins unsheathed their blades, the killing intent radiating from their bodies grew even thicker.
Likely due to having melted a significant portion of their internal cores, an explosive bloodlust surged forth.
"I didn't expect you to have assassins prepared as well."
"If you had known, you would have stretched out your necks obediently."
"Tch. You dare say such things while facing this palace's elite?"
"Elite? You think these are mere ordinary assassins?"
"Hmph."
Jeok Mu-mi scoffed and raised her hand.
Whoosh.
The moment she did—
Rumble—
Suddenly, over a thousand martial artists began pouring out from around the Fire Wheel Pavilion where the banquet was being held.
Their eyes gleamed with pure energy, and their bodies overflowed with Extreme Yang Qi, as volatile as an active volcano.
"What is the meaning of this?!"
Hwa-jeong was utterly shocked.
She had confirmed that the Blazing Flame Sacred Palace's main forces had left Zhurong Island before making her move.
So how could a thousand disciples have been lying in wait near the Fire Wheel Pavilion?
"I see. You used the mechanisms of the Secret Palace."
Hwa-jeong bit her lip as if realizing something.
"The Blazing Flame One-Heaven Sword Secret Pill..."
"You're well-informed."
As Jeok Mu-mi smirked coldly, Hwa-jeong swallowed hard and muttered,
"Radiant Yang Adept... That old man's lifelong wish has finally been fulfilled."
Then, her eyes narrowed sharply.
"You pretended to accept the banquet to buy time, and in the meantime, you used the Fire Wheel Divine Flute."
"Of course. You're a spy from the Three Realms, a supposedly formidable organization. I had to prepare for your last desperate struggle."
Hwa-jeong was stunned.
Until now, the name of the Three Realms had never been revealed in Murim, and the people of the Blazing Flame Sacred Palace, holed up on Zhurong Island, would have had no way of knowing about it.
Yet Jeok Mu-mi was aware of the Three Realms?
"I see. That Martial Alliance bastard must have tipped you off."
Hwa-jeong narrowed her eyes as if everything had become clear.
There was no way Jeok Mu-mi could have known about the Three Realms on her own—nor was she the type to be this meticulous.
'A mere third-grade commander dares to know about our realm?'
Swallowing her bewilderment, Hwa-jeong spoke.
"So even sending that man away was part of the plan."
"You catch on quickly."
Jeok Mu-mi curled her lips.
Just as Hwa-jeong had guessed, everything up to this point had been orchestrated under Bu Eun-seol's instructions.
—The Three Realms would never allow Hwa-jeong to relinquish her position as palace lord. But they can neither mobilize a large force nor reveal themselves openly...
Bu Eun-seol had told Jeok Mu-mi:
—They will surely take advantage of the banquet to subdue the high command in one fell swoop.
Given the Blazing Flame Sacred Palace's current state, removing the high command in one strike would easily allow them to reclaim the palace lord's seat.
And during the banquet, Bu Eun-seol had used the power of the Fire Wheel Divine Flute to complete the Blazing Flame Sacred Palace's supreme elite formation—
The Blazing Flame One-Heaven Sword Secret Pill, which Radiant Yang Adept had prepared.
[Wrong.]
From the shadows, the Messenger of the Three Realms, who had been observing everything, shook his head.
Not only had all thousand martial artists who poured out of the Fire Wheel Pavilion achieved Ren Meridian Opening...
But he had also discerned that Jeok Mu-mi's body contained not a trace of Blazing Flame Sacred Qi.
[She distributed the power of the Fire Wheel Divine Flute entirely among her disciples.]
The messenger gritted his teeth.
With things having turned out this way, his plan to obtain the power of the Fire Wheel Divine Flute had evaporated like foam.
"Have you also trained in the Extreme Yang Arts?"
Hearing the messenger's muttering, Jeok Mu-mi raised an eyebrow.
"Given that you can sense Blazing Flame Sacred Qi, it seems you have."
[This one has sought the Fire Wheel Divine Flute for years. How could I not recognize the power contained within it?]
The messenger's voice was laced with bitterness.
He had devoted years of effort to obtaining the Blazing Flame Sacred Qi within the flute—
Only for the flute to fall into another's hands, its power now divided among a thousand disciples.
"No more delays. Wipe them out in one stroke!"
At Jeok Mu-mi's command, the martial artists of the Blazing Flame One-Heaven Sword Secret Pill swiftly began overpowering the assassins.
Whooosh—!
The reason the Blazing Flame Sacred Palace's martial arts were so formidable was simple—their might was incomparable to ordinary Extreme Yang Martial Arts.
No force could withstand it—not only did it carry the Extreme Yang energy, but it was also accompanied by tremendous vibrations.
Whether it was a person or an object, it could incinerate everything within.
The martial prowess of the assassins who had consumed the Artificial Inner Elixirs was formidable, but the disciples had long been trained by the Radiant Yang Adept.
There was no way they could stand against the thousand elite disciples who had obtained the Blazing Flame Sacred Qi and achieved Ren Meridian Opening.
[Hmph.]
The envoy snorted and shook his head.
Had the Blazing Flame Sacred Qi still remained within Jeok Mu-mi's body, he would have captured her alive, even if it meant annihilating the Blazing Flame Sacred Palace.
But now that the Blazing Flame Sacred Qi had already been distributed among a thousand disciples... it was meaningless.
[The only way to complete a flawless Artificial Inner Elixir...]
The envoy's sole objective was the Blazing Flame Sacred Qi contained within the Fire Wheel Divine Flute.
Only with that could he create a perfect elixir—one without side effects.
But now that the Fire Wheel Divine Flute was gone, even if he wiped out the Blazing Flame Sacred Palace, there would be no gain.
Moreover, the justification for eliminating the Heir of the Demon Hall—who had repeatedly disrupted the balance between the Infinite Realm and the Azure River Realm and clashed with the Three Realms—had also vanished.
'It seems it's still not the right time.'
And now that there was no longer any reason to prevent the creation of Human Blossoms, it wouldn't be long before lost souls began sprouting up like mushrooms across the Murim world.
[Well, I suppose this too is fate.]
Just as the envoy muttered indifferently—
"I'll kill you first!"
Jeok Mu-mi charged forward, unleashing the Supreme-grade Absolute Arts of the Blazing Flame Holy Venerable in a single breath.
[A pointless effort.]
The envoy flicked his sleeve lightly, and the scorching heat Jeok Mu-mi had unleashed vanished instantly.
It was truly astonishing martial prowess.
[Let's end this dull fight, shall we?]
The envoy stared straight at Jeok Mu-mi, his voice devoid of enthusiasm.
[If my assassins fight to the death, the Blazing Flame Sacred Palace will also be reduced to ruins.]
"So you're saying you'll just dust off your hands and leave because you can't have your way in someone else's territory?"
[Try me.]
In the past, Jeok Mu-mi's temperament would have undoubtedly led her to fight to the death, determined to wipe out these assassins.
But she had already heard everything about the Three Realms from Bu Eun-seol.
Their faction was formidable, but they loathed revealing themselves.
And if they failed to obtain what they wanted, they would retreat without hesitation.
'There's no need to fight them to the death and sacrifice my disciples.'
The Three Realms' assassins, enhanced by the Artificial Inner Elixirs, were as strong as the disciples who had achieved Ren Meridian Opening.
Though they had the advantage in numbers, if those assassins chose to fight to the last man—
The Blazing Flame One-Heaven Sword Secret Pill would also suffer considerable losses.
"Fine. But."
Jeok Mu-mi's voice was cold and unwavering.
"Tell your leader this: No matter how far you extend your monstrous reach, this palace will never yield."
[How pointless.]
The envoy scoffed and raised his hand.
At once, the assassins halted their movements in perfect unison, as if they had been waiting for this signal.
Swish.
As the envoy turned, the assassins followed, slowly withdrawing from the Blazing Flame Sacred Palace.
A deathly silence filled the banquet hall.
With the assassins gone, only Hwa-jeong remained, left behind like a discarded husk.
"Seems you weren't an important figure in the Three Realms after all."
Hwa-jeong let out a derisive snort at Jeok Mu-mi's mocking words.
"You think you've won?"
She spoke calmly, as if none of this mattered.
"They possess infinite power and authority. Victories like this, defeats like that—to them, it means nothing."
"If they're so great, why aren't they saving you?"
At Jeok Mu-mi's question, Hwa-jeong looked up at the distant sky with bitter resignation.
"Because they don't reach out to failures."
Whoosh.
Suddenly, her eyes widened, and blood gushed from her chest.
There was nothing left to say, nothing left to do. Cornered, Hwa-jeong severed her own Heart Meridian and took her life.
Thud.
She collapsed, her eyes wide open in eternal resentment.
Jeok Mu-mi gazed at her for a moment before turning to the high command and declaring in a loud voice:
"The traitor Hwa-jeong has been dealt with. And from now on, no external forces will interfere with this palace."
Jeok Mu-mi now carried herself with the composed, unshakable dignity of a palace lord.
And she had the Blazing Flame One-Heaven Sword Secret Pill—an elite force that could stand against any sect.
"From this day forth, this palace will rise as the undisputed pinnacle of the Murim world!"
The high command exchanged dazed glances.
Jeok Mu-mi, who had always been stubborn and single-minded, had uncovered the Blazing Flame Holy Venerable's legacy.
She had seen through the treacherous schemes of the traitor Hwa-jeong and eliminated them in advance.
A leader's true worth is proven in times of crisis.
Now, Jeok Mu-mi stood as the rightful lord of the Blazing Flame Sacred Palace—her authority and competence beyond reproach.
Crunch.
The High Command all bowed their heads in unison, paying their respects.
They believed without a doubt that she would restore the palace's former glory—that a new Palace Mistress had truly been born.
Having concluded everything, Jeok Mu-mi turned her steps toward the entrance of the secret cave leading outside the Blazing Flame Sacred Palace.
And there, before the cave, a carriage stood waiting, with a man clad in white garments standing tall before it.
It was none other than Bu Eun-seol—the man rumored to have fled to the Martial Alliance.
"Everything has gone as expected."
Jeok Mu-mi smiled.
Every event up until now had unfolded under Bu Eun-seol's orchestration.
"Had it not been for your counsel, the High Command of this palace would have been wiped out in an instant."
The moment Bu Eun-seol heard that Hwa-jeong had hosted a three-day feast, he had deduced her plan—to secretly withdraw the palace's forces and swiftly subdue the leadership in one stroke.
He had not left the Blazing Flame Sacred Palace. Instead, he had watched as Jeok Mu-mi handled and resolved the situation.
There were two critical reasons why he absolutely could not intervene in this matter.
First—Jeok Mu-mi could not afford to be seen as having ascended to the position of Palace Mistress through external aid.
That would have severely undermined the dignity of the ruler meant to command the Blazing Flame Sacred Palace.
Second—he was, after all, still merely a Unit Member of the Martial Alliance's Third-rate Corps.
He could never reveal his true identity, nor could he display abilities beyond his supposed station before so many witnesses.
"But will they retreat so easily?"
The Blazing Flame Sacred Palace had long been in decline. Only now had they reclaimed the Blazing Flame Holy Venerable's secret arts and completed the Blazing Flame One-Heaven Sword Secret Pill.
Restoring the palace's former glory would still require much time.
"It will be fine. What the Three Realms desired was the power of the Fire Wheel Divine Flute."
Bu Eun-seol spoke calmly.
"They only ever seek to obtain or manipulate what they desire. Had they wished to dominate a sect, they would have seized control long ago."
Bu Eun-seol understood the nature of the Three Realms well.
"Because they wish to reign eternally over the world, they never reveal themselves. They do not directly rule over sects."
"Then that Masked Man... he isn't a key figure of the Three Realms?"
"Correct. They only ever dispatch agents—messengers—to relay their commands and manipulate everything from the shadows."
Jeok Mu-mi's lips parted slightly.
The Masked Man had been the previous Palace Master—her father—and possessed energy surpassing even Jeok-sa's.
Yet even such a Master was merely a messenger carrying out orders?
"If they had learned that the Blazing Flame Sacred Qi remained within the Palace Mistress's body, the Three Realms would have sought to seize it at any cost, no matter the sacrifice."
They had spent three years scheming to steal the Blazing Flame Sacred Qi.
If that power still resided within Jeok Mu-mi's body, they would never let it be.
Which was why Bu Eun-seol had done this—instead of pouring all the power of the Fire Wheel Divine Flute into Jeok Mu-mi, he had left only enough to maintain its form.
The rest, he had evenly distributed among the elite warriors of the Blazing Flame One-Heaven Sword Secret Pill—those whom the Radiant Yang Adept had prepared with all his might.
"You need not worry. Now that they know the Blazing Flame Sacred Qi has been dispersed among the disciples, they will never touch the Blazing Flame Sacred Palace again."
"Doesn't that... pain you?"
Jeok Mu-mi smiled at Bu Eun-seol.
Having pierced the bloodlines of a thousand disciples, the Blazing Flame Sacred Qi that had resided within his body had vanished entirely.
"It was never mine to begin with. I had no need to master Extreme Yang martial arts anyway."
"Thank you."
Jeok Mu-mi smiled.
"As promised, I will make peace with the Martial Alliance."
"I am grateful."
"And in the future..."
Jeok Mu-mi's voice lowered.
"If you ever need this palace's strength, call upon me."
Bu Eun-seol's expression turned puzzled.
"What do you mean?"
"Do I seem so foolish to you?"
Jeok Mu-mi smiled.
"I would stake everything on the fact that your true identity is not that of a Third-grade Commander of the Martial Alliance."
If nothing else—the ability to contain within oneself the Blazing Flame Sacred Qi, enough to awaken a thousand disciples?
That alone proved Bu Eun-seol's capabilities far surpassed those of a mere Third-grade Commander.
"You must be working toward something grand, aren't you?"
Jeok Mu-mi's pupils burned as though she had swallowed the sun.
Despite her youth, she had stood against Hwa-jeong and led the Blazing Flame Sacred Palace with extraordinary talent and instinct.
And with her keen perception, she had glimpsed—behind that gentle face—the bearing of a hero.
"That is my condition for making peace with the Martial Alliance."
Bu Eun-seol was moved.
Even knowing he had another identity—even knowing he was not truly of the Martial Alliance—she had shown him such profound loyalty.
"Thank you."
"You don't think it's just out of obligation, do you?"
"What do you mean?"
"This palace has certain unspoken rules and precepts."
"Which rules are you referring to?"
Jeok Mu-mi's eyes glittered like gemstones reflecting brilliant light.
"Let's save that story for the next time we meet."
For some reason, his chest tightened. Swearing inwardly that there would be no next time, Bu Eun-seol clasped his hands together.
"Understood. Then—"
He quickly boarded the carriage.
Jeok Mu-mi watched the departing carriage with a faint yet radiant smile—as though welcoming the return of Bu Eun-seol in the distant future.