Chapter 19: The Special Unit Part 1

“Vermilion Princess, I’m not sure I understand what you’re saying…”

I could feel the color draining from my face.

Not quite sure what expression I was wearing, I decided to just keep my lips tightly sealed for now.

“What I said stands as it is. Ah, after all, I too am a woman, and I am thus prone to fleeting feelings and needless thoughts at times. This could be seen as a natural occurrence… It’s, it’s not something to make a fuss over.”

“But, but still…”

“Please be considerate of my feelings as I say this in front of you… And as I mentioned, think of this as fleeting feelings… It’s an issue that will resolve itself with time.”

Anyway, since my life was at stake here, the other party was also talking seriously.

While I appreciate the honesty, it’s hard to come to terms with the reality that’s been thrust upon me so suddenly.

“What am I supposed to say to this?”

“Don’t say anything… Just don’t say anything for now… Let me sort out my thoughts first…”

“…….”

“And don’t come too close. Keep some distance between us.”

Although there was no one but us in the training grounds, the Vermilion Princess unnecessarily scanned the surroundings.

It was a matter best left unheard by anyone, as it would surely not bode well for us.

“I have made a promise to you that I will continue to step forward even if the Azure Princess does something unexpected in the future. Do not worry about such matters. I am one to keep my word.”

“W-Well, I would like to thank you for that…”

“But…”

Do not be too relaxed even when it comes to dealing with me.

Those words came directly from Vermilion Princess’s own lips. Was this something that she should be saying herself?

After all, emotions often have a way of acting independently of reason, and she must have thought it wise to forewarn me.

In this regard, maintaining a cool and rational mind was typical of the Vermilion Princess, but from my point of view, it was as if another blade had been pointed at me.

“For the time being, there’s no need for you to come clash swords with me. Once my head has cooled and my thoughts are in order, I’ll call upon you later.”

“I-I understand. But I might still visit occasionally to check on the protective charms of the Vermilion Bird Palace…”

“That should be fine. It’s not uncommon for the people of the White Immortal Palace to enter the inner palace to verify the protective charms. Don’t take my rationality too lightly.”

“Vermilion Princess…”

“Do not look at me with such eyes full of such complicated feelings. It makes me want to die all over again.”

So what am I supposed to do in this situation?

The Vermilion Princess must be aware too that I haven’t done anything wrong in the current circumstances.

“I think the Taoist magic lesson of the Azure Princess might have already ended. You should head back to the White Immortal Palace now.”

“Y-yes. Understood.”

The Vermilion Princess seemed eager to send me on my way.

With those words, I found myself hurriedly escaping as if being pushed out.

As I left the training grounds of Vermilion Bird Palace, I glanced back to see the Vermilion Princess standing alone in the middle of the empty grounds with her head hung low.

The fact that she looked like just an ordinary girl rather than a mistress commanding the Vermilion Bird Palace … I couldn’t get used to that discrepancy.

I was then led by headmaid Hyeon Dang to the exit of the inner palace.

Just as I was about to leave, my heart nearly stopped when I encountered the Azure Princess, who seemed to have finished her Taoist magic lesson, in front of the inner palace.

Is this what it feels like to have your breath taken away?

The Azure Princess, who was returning to the Azure Dragon Palace with her maids from the White Immortal Palace, walked leisurely in the spring sunlight.

She let down the long sleeves of her dress, looked at me with wide-open eyes, and then she spoke.

“So you were in the inner palace after all.”

A crown princess consort had made her way out of the White Immortal Palace without a single escort warrior which was a serious breach of protocol.

But the Azure Princess showed no concern for such matters and greeted me with an oddly warm expression as soon as she saw me.

Noticing that Hyeon Dang from the Vermilion Bird Palace was my guide, she quietly lowered her gaze.

“I see you’ve entered the Vermilion Bird Palace in such a short amount of time.”

“I’m sorry… that I couldn’t escort you on your return journey…”

“What fault lies with you? I don’t pay much mind to such minor ceremonial details.”

The young voice of the Azure Princess sounded subdued for some reason.

“Besides, there was nothing you could do. If the Vermilion Princess herself decided to take you, you couldn’t have raised any objections.”

“Ah, that’s… how it turned out…”

“I just didn’t expect the Vermilion Princess to be so fleet-footed. It’s not as if the inner palace and the White Immortal Palace are close by…”

The Azure Princess had agreed with the Chief Councilor to bring only a minimal number of maids in consideration of the other servants when entering the White Immortal Palace.

Even now, you could tell by seeing her accompanied only by headmaid Hui Yin and a few senior maids.

However, the Vermilion Princess suddenly arrived with a grand entourage of dozens of maids. The Azure Princess’s gaze turned cold, perhaps because she was particularly concerned about that point.

Her gaze was so piercing that I found myself swallowing dryly in response.

“Still, it’s truly fortunate to have stumbled upon you like this.”

“Huh?”

“I… I was rude just now… I didn’t know that… I tend to tear up easily… I really wanted to say that…”

The Azure Princess lowered her eyes and bowed her head. She seemed embarrassed.

“If I ask you to forget about it, would it… would it be too much to ask?”

“I shall act as if nothing happened.”

“But don’t truly believe that nothing happened…”

“……”

“Perhaps… pretend to forget on the surface but keep a subtle memory deep inside… How would that be…?”

“……”

I was genuinely confused at this point.

The flustered Azure Princess seemed to lose track of her own words. She then shook her head vigorously and pressed her sleeve to her nose.

“Anyway… let’s talk more about it next time I visit the White Immortal Palace. For now, I should head inside.”

With that, the Azure Princess quickly hid her face beneath her sleeve and rushed into the inner palace.

……

“Tae Pyeong-ah, how did things end up like this…”

When I returned to the White Immortal Palace, Yeon Ri and Seol Ran were waiting for me on the porch with very pale looks on their faces.

As soon as I returned to the White Immortal Palace, weary from the day’s events, the two of them ushered me to the porch to check if my head was still in its place.

An incident like the Vermilion Princess’s sudden visit to the White Immortal Palace could perhaps be brushed under the rug without much fuss if it happened once or twice.

However, if this continues to happen, no one knows how things will progress in the future.

Fortunately, it seemed that the Vermilion Princess was aware of this fact too.

“Ran-noonim… were you also at the White Immortal Palace?”

“I heard that our Tae Pyeong became a regular warrior so I came to congratulate you… But what is this mess…?”

“It… turned out this way…”

I couldn’t bring myself to explain the details, but the situation was clear enough without words.

Yeon Ri who was observing from the side shook my shoulder and asked,

“What were you doing at the Vermilion Bird Palace, Tae Pyeong?”

“Just… had a… talk…”

“A talk? With the Vermilion Princess? What about?”

“…….”

“…….”

“…….”

“…….”

“Oh, heavens.”

Yeon Ri sat on the porch with her head on her hands while Seol Ran’s face turned a shade paler.

The fact that I didn’t want to answer her was tantamount to affirming that it was exactly as Yeon Ri had imagined.

“Maid Yeon, what do we do now…?”

“Don’t worry, Court Lady Seol. I’ve been thinking about various things.”

After all, Yeon Ri was an expert in these matters. Isn’t she someone who prides herself on understanding the psychology of young girls better than anyone else?

And considering she had managed to grasp the true feelings of the Azure Princess to some extent, her credibility was quite solid.

“First of all… only by reducing physical distance will the distance of the hearts also increase. For the time being, it would be a good idea to stay out of Cheongdo Palace until the two crown princesses’ feelings calm down.”

So, we gathered around Yeon Ri and started listening to her advice.

It was a fairly plausible advice.

***

Mornings at the Red Palace come early.

Since it was a place where those desiring to make a name for themselves among the warriors of Cheongdo Palace gathered, most of the Red Palace’s warriors were diligent and hardworking.

As if to prove this fact, the training grounds and sparring grounds were already crowded with warriors, even though dawn had not yet fully broken.

Jang Rae, who had been wandering around since that early hour observing the state of the warriors’ training, picked up a few warriors and brought them to him.

He informed them of the plans to assemble a special unit heading towards the imperial capital soon and invited them to be part of it.

The warriors selected by Jang Rae cupped their fists tightly and declared with determination that they would dedicate themselves wholeheartedly to the task.

Being part of a special unit under Jang Rae’s command was not an opportunity that came by often. Moreover, since it was said to be a special unit that acted on imperial decree, there were not many opportunities to make such achievements.

In addition, being chosen for Jang Rae’s personal unit was a matter of prestige among the warriors of the Red Palace, and that subtly increased their confidence.

After all, being men of the martial world, none would pass up the chance to solidify their standing among their peers.

There were still too many unanswered questions regarding the disappearance of the Black Princess.

Even assuming she had somehow managed to escape over the walls of Cheongdo Palace on her own, it was baffling how she could have slipped away from this vast palace that was heavily guarded by numerous soldiers.

Furthermore, the reasons behind her decision to forsake her esteemed position as the mistress of Cheongdo Palace and flee, as well as her current whereabouts, remained a mystery.

Honestly speaking, locating the Black Princess within the vast imperial capital would require more than a small unit; it would require the mobilization of a large army, given the years it might take to search on a case-by-case basis.

However, Chief Councilor In Seon Rok believed that in order to find the Black Princess, it would be much better to collect information and move in a small unit rather than just mobilizing a large number of people.

By this point, it seemed as if even the Black Princess herself lacked the will to assume her role, which made it perplexing why there was such a determined effort to place her in the position of the Black Princess in the first place. It was speculated that she must be a person of significant worth.

Regardless, Jang Rae was not in a position to judge. His role was to execute the orders given to him.

He assumed the high officials had their reasons and focused solely on assembling a capable special unit.

He gathered several capable individuals from outside the Red Palace and believed that with a few more from within, he could form a quite good special unit.

While he wasn’t sure what kind of trickery the Black Princess managed to escape from Cheongdo Palace, it was hard to believe that she would be able to resist the pursuit of a special unit composed of well-trained warriors. The challenge, however, lay in pinpointing her whereabouts.

It seems I won’t be able to take that White Immortal Palace warrior with me.

Jang Rae thought as he inspected the training of the warriors during his rounds through the palace.

He had planned to assess that young warrior’s abilities following Vice General Jeong Seo Tae’s advice and possibly take him along if he proved useful.

Since he couldn’t exactly use the White Immortal Palace’s warrior as his own subordinate, Jang Rae had considered enlisting him for a task such as this where an imperial decree was issued.

However, after the Vermilion Princess openly took him with her, there was no justifiable reason for Jang Rae to draft him now.

Once the master of the Vermilion Bird Palace had laid claim, there was nothing Jang Rae could do at his level. In fact, no one could lay a hand on him unless a high official intervened.

Since he prefers leading a relaxed life while guarding the White Immortal Palace, he probably wouldn’t like being drafted into such a special unit.

Wasn’t it said his motto was to work as little as possible and earn as much as he could?

He was the exact opposite of warriors who seek to go up the ranks by earning merits; he was a man with a completely different disposition. And honestly, Jang Rae thought it a waste of his talents.

Being the warrior commander, he wanted to gauge the extent of his abilities. It was part of his duties to clearly understand the caliber of the warriors under his command.

Despite recognizing him as a valuable asset, there was little he could do if the individual himself lacked motivation.

Jang Rae clicked his tongue with a hint of regret as he walked past the main gate of the Red Palace when an argument caught his attention.

“Warrior commander Jang Rae-nim is busy with his inspections! Do you think he’s someone you can meet whenever you please just because you wish to?”

“But, if you could just convey my message… I’ve met him once before…”

“That was because Jang Rae-nim summoned you for a private meeting! Just because you throw a tantrum about wanting to meet him doesn’t mean you get to meet him. Why don’t you try and meet the Emperor himself while you’re at it?!”

“Really… It’ll only take a moment, just a quick moment…”

An argument was unfolding near the Red Palace’s main gate.

Jang Rae’s eyes flickered for a moment. The person arguing with the guard was none other than Seol Tae Pyeong.

He had come running to the Red Palace this early in the morning.

“Ja-Jang Rae-nim…! Jang Rae-nim!”

Seol Tae Pyeong cried out in desperation when their eyes met.

“Aren’t you that guy from the White Immortal Palace?”

“Good heavens! Jang Rae-nim! I can’t express how happy I am to see you! Do you remember me?”

At those words, the guards from the Red Palace flinched and their eyes widened in shock.

Unbeknownst to Seol Tae Pyeong himself, rumors had circulated overnight among the Red Palace’s warriors about a madman from the White Immortal Palace who had slain hundreds of demonic spirits in a single night.

As Seol Tae Pyeong had little to do with the Red Palace, this was the first time the warriors here had actually seen him in person.

Jang Rae looked at Seol Tae Pyeong and his eyes widened with astonishment.

This was the same warrior who was completely detached from martial arts and passion and focused only on living a laidback life.

However, today, there was a spark in his eyes.

“What brings you here?”

“Co…Could there… possibly be a spot left in the special unit? If you grant me a position, I will show you what true passion is by giving my all…!!”

“…What?”

“Despite how I may seem, I do get things done when it’s needed…! This Seol Tae Pyeong…! If you take me with you, I won’t disappoint you…!! Just trust me, Jang Rae-nim!!!! I will prove my loyalty to Emperor Woon Seong!!”

…. Wasn’t his goal to work less and earn more….?

The desperation in Seol Tae Pyeong’s voice was so intense and he was devoid of his usual nonchalance.

It felt as though a sword was hanging over his head.

Jang Rae might not have known the reason, but he found no reason to refuse.

He was well aware of Seol Tae Pyeong’s abilities.

– Tae Pyeong-ah, for now, join the special unit that is going outside to the imperial capital. Go and spend some time there doing a proper search under the command of Jang Rae-nim and bide your time. It’s important to distance yourself for a while.

– But who will take care of the White Immortal Palace in the meantime? It would be troublesome if there were no warriors left.

– Don’t worry. Han will return from work tomorrow. Although he’s a scribe, he’s still a man capable of physical work.

Since the White Immortal Palace has so few members, the absence of even one person creates a significant gap. The absence of Seol Tae Pyeong, who was responsible for much of the physical work, would surely cause difficulties.

But Seol Tae Pyeong’s life was of paramount importance. Spending time outside the Cheongdo Palace would hopefully cool the heated minds of the crown princesses and help them regain their senses.

– W-Well…. I feel a bit sorry for Han, but I must request Jang Rae to allow me to join the special unit for a while. Since it’s an imperial decree, the White Immortal Elder will surely agree.

– Right… In the meantime, we’ll keep an eye on the crown princess consorts’ movements. With Court Lady Seol working in the inner palace, we’ll surely catch wind of any rumors.

– Thanks, Yeon Ri! When it comes to these matters, I just need to follow your lead! Listening to you is like finding rice cakes in my dreams!

– Yes…! Trust me, Tae Pyeong!!!!!!!

The White Immortal Palace was left without Seol Tae Pyeong.

Yeon Ri who had taken on the task of repairing the floorboards alone which was a job usually done by Seol Tae Pyeong, stopped for a moment, and her fingers trembled slightly.

…But, why do I feel so worried…

The senior maid Yeon-ri was clearly well-versed in the psychology of young girls. She was incredibly perceptive, tended to find the right answer in most situations, and most of what she said was sound.

Moreover, as a colleague who genuinely cared for Seol Tae Pyeong, it was perhaps natural for Tae Pyeong to trust Yeon Ri wholeheartedly.

…However, the road to hell is often paved with good intentions.

***

The following morning, the warriors gathered at the training grounds of the Red Palace.

They were the special unit to be dispatched to the imperial capital under the command of Jang Rae. For some reason, the Chief Councilor had instructed them to handle the matter with utmost discretion, so they had to move very early on.

There were roughly fifty of them. Useful warriors had been selected from each palace, and about a dozen were from the Red Palace itself.

“From what I’ve heard, the Black Princess seems to be very astute in grasping situations and adept at quick thinking, so we must move without drawing too much attention. Otherwise, she might notice something is amiss and escape.

The Black Princess had fled not long after her arrival at the palace.

Therefore, not many were familiar with her personal details. Only by relying on the testimonies of the maids from the Black Tortoise Palace and the high officials could they gather some basic information.

As for me… I have read the Heavenly Dragon Love Story so I had a rough idea of what kind of person she was.

The mistress of the Black Tortoise Palace, Po Hwa Ryeong, appeared harmless at first glance, but she was skilled in stealth and assassination, quick-witted, and keenly perceptive.

She was originally an herbalist who roamed the mountains as if they were her own home, her movements were agile, and she was an excellent actor. This made it difficult to detect her even in disguise.

She also had a knack for not forgetting what she had seen, so once she got a good look at you, there was no fooling her. This made her a difficult target in many ways.

The decision to move in a special unit rather than conducting a large-scale military search was likely taken considering Po Hwa Ryeong’s traits. Organized movements could have been more of a hindrance than a help in pursuing her.

The problem is… why did she run away?

This part of her past was not mentioned in the Heavenly Dragon Love Story.

Or perhaps, I hadn’t read that far…

However, the Po Hwa Ryeong I had seen in the Heavenly Dragon Love Story didn’t seem to have a tomboyish personality like this.

Escaping over walls, dodging the soldiers’ searches to roam around the imperial capital?

Did she always have that kind of rebellious personality?

The Po Hwa Ryeong I knew…. seemed calmer, more composed, and gentle in spirit…

That did raise some questions.

“First, we’ll split up and scatter throughout the imperial capital to gather information. In the process, be careful not to arouse any suspicion from the Black Princess.”

Jang Rae continued with an indifferent expression like always.

“The Under Councilor will personally reward those who have made great contributions to finding the Black Princess… I hope everyone will search with the utmost diligence.”

With those words, the gathered warriors cut through the dawn air and walked out towards Cheongdo Palace.

This marked the beginning of a thorough search.

Well, considering the storyline of the Heavenly Dragon Love Story, even if I didn’t make any special contribution here, the Black Princess should be captured and returned to the palace. The story must proceed with the Crown Princess Consorts of the Four Palaces taking their rightful positions after all.

I simply joined this special unit to stay as far away from the White Immortal Palace as possible, so all I had to do was achieve that goal.

Indeed, this turn of events has brought me some peace of mind.

Are you listening, Yeon Ri?

Are you listening, Ran-noonim?

Being part of this special unit… truly brings me peace…

It’s warm here…

It feels like… returning to the homeland of my heart…

In this way, the ethereal dawn air seemed to restore peace to my soul.

There are no life-threatening dangers here.

This was true inner peace.

*********

TN: Man just keeps raising flags…