Chapter 20: The Special Unit Part 2

“Hmm~. The spring breeze is refreshing!”

Perched atop the outer walls of the imperial city, the Black Princess Po Hwa Ryeong, let her court robes flutter in the wind as she gazed down upon the streets below.

From this vantage point, the lives of each individual below seemed fleeting amidst the vast expanse of the city.

Her hair tied in two bundles and flowing down her back danced pleasantly in the breeze. The wildflowers tucked elegantly into her hair were varied. Poppies, roses, goldthread flowers, irises, orchids, marigolds, and daylilies…

Although she wore a luxurious dark gray silk robe and skirt, her pure white feet were bare. They twirled playfully in the air, embracing the cool breeze in their natural state.

When she opened her light green eyes, she seemed to bloom with vitality, much like the wildflowers in spring. Merely looking at her brought a sense of energy.

Her radiant smile and the blossoming cheerfulness on her face were like a symbol of this girl.

Po Hwa Ryeong was a girl whose name was highly regarded among the herbalists who climbed the slopes of the White Immortal Mountain.

Although she was now the unclaimed mistress of the Black Tortoise Palace, it wasn’t easy to bring a girl from the mountains, who had little interest in worldly affairs, into the confines of the palace.

Because she was adept at acting, she could play the delicate and dignified role of a crown princess consort with ease. However, she wished to convey that suddenly placing her in the inner chambers of the Black Tortoise Palace would be inconvenient for her as well. There were still many tasks she had yet to complete outside the palace walls.

“Oh! It’s time to get moving!”

Whoosh!

She leaped from the city walls and plummeted for a long while. As her court robes fluttered in the descent, she landed gracefully on the tiled roof with her white feet but there was no shock from the impact.

It was as if a single sheet of paper had gently descended onto the roof; the girl seemed weightless. Her skill in manipulating spiritual energy and her lightness of foot were so advanced that even the most seasoned warriors would stand in awe.

Rumors of Po Hwa Ryeong, the girl who traversed the mid-slopes of the White Immortal Mountain barefoot, were widespread among the herbalists.

She was a girl beloved by the Emperor of Heaven. (TN: Emperor of Heaven or Tiandi is a god, not the heavenly emperor.)

Between the fluttering folds of her court robes, a birthmark on her thigh could be seen.

This mark was a trace and proof of divine fever.

***

The capital of the Cheongdo Empire was a vast planned city.

The grand Great Sar Gate of Cheongdo Palace situated to the north served as the dividing line between the eastern and western sections of the city, with the western part being roughly three times larger than the eastern.

The city was composed of square blocks each containing a mix of facilities, structures, and homes, arranged in a grid pattern. When you look at it up close, it is so complicated that the blocks are hard to see, but when you climb to the top of the White Immortal Mountain and look down at the imperial capital, you get the feeling that it is a well-planned city.

The main palace managed 120 of these blocks, with a recorded population exceeding 700,000. Including those unrecorded, it was widely accepted that the total population was nearly 1 million.

In addition to Cheongdo Palace, there were four other palaces of considerable size within its walls. The city was accessible through six gates: four on the eastern and southern walls and two on the western wall.

Even if you search the entire continent, you cannot find a city of this size.

It was a city that stood as a testament to the greatness of the Cheongdo Empire. This all-powerful force in the heart of the continent that naturally teemed with people wherever you went.

In such a place, searching for a single individual with only fifty warriors was like finding a needle floating in the vast ocean.

However, this imperial capital had a huge commercial districts and markets in the north, south, east and west. Known as the Vermilion Bird Market, the Azure Dragon Market, the Black Tortoise Market, and the White Tiger Market, these were the hubs where most information converged.

These markets were key.

Jang Rae was a man skilled in managing groups efficiently.

He divided the fifty warriors into five teams of ten. He dispatched each group to one of the four major markets to gather information, while he personally led the remaining team on their search.

Their daily routine involved combing through all the commercial districts, collecting any sightings of the Black Princess, and then as the day waned, they would gather in front of the Puxian Pagoda at the heart of the imperial capital to compile their findings.

Because this entire operation had to be carried out secretly, all members of the special unit had separate lodgings, and the person who relayed the collected information to Jang Rae changed every day.

Every member of the special unit was used to his fullest potential under Jang Rae’s command.

The rumors of his great skills in command were not unfounded after all.

Moreover, each member of the special unit was a warrior burning with the desire to distinguish themselves. What a highly motivated group it was. Observing them in action, one couldn’t help but burst into applause.

And just like that, as a proud member of this spirited unit, I Seol Tae Pyeong …

“Server! A bowl of pork rice soup here!”

“Right away, dear customer! Coming up!!”

… was slurping down pork rice soup at a restaurant near the entrance of the Black Tortoise Market.

“…Burp.”

Sitting at a table in front of the market, patting my full belly, I looked up at the blue sky for a moment while digesting my food.

The air of spring remained warm and pleasant.

“…Not that tasty. I think mine would have been better.”

It was the fifteenth day since I had joined Jang Rae’s special unit.

Truly, this was what they called “stealing a salary”.

***

There seemed to be no sign of the Black Princess being caught.

Even considering that she might be hiding within the vast crowds while wandering the imperial capital, there had to be a limit. It was strange that we as a well-trained and organized group had been searching for over two weeks without even a hint of a lead.

I remember the look on Jang Rae’s face when I went last time to report back at the Puxian Pagoda … He appeared deeply troubled. It seemed as if fatigue was already at its peak with the worry and concern etched on his face.

“Hmm… I never thought it would be this hard to catch her…”

I sat quietly at one corner of the market while shaking my head.

I pretended to gather information and went out while feigning inquiries here and there, only to end up indulging in a bowl of hot stew and enjoying the scenery before retiring to my lodging.

To be honest, at first I was so satisfied with this comfortable life that I couldn’t help but hum tunes of joy, but as fifteen days passed by, I began to wonder if it was okay to be like this.

At first, my fellow team members were eager to distinguish themselves in this mission and had scoured the city with gritted teeth. But before long, their faces had lost their vigor.

“Damn it! There’s just too little information about the Black Princess …! We only know about her facial features through word of mouth; finding a single person in this vast imperial city seems impossible…!”

“Still… shouldn’t we at least be able to find a clue? Surely the Black Princess dressed in her unique and splendid court robes would stand out. With nowhere specific to go, she must be wandering about somewhere!”

When I went to see my fellow team members in the evening, they too were scratching their heads in frustration.

Indeed, she was a girl dressed in such fancy clothes wandering aimlessly with no particular destination in sight.

Her appearance alone, seemingly full of untold stories, was bound to attract people’s attention. But it was so suspicious that there was no eyewitness information.

“Let’s comb through every inn in the city tomorrow.”

Our team was led by Han Cheon Seon, the vice warrior commander of the Red Palace.

With his short-cut hair and rugged body, he was truly a sturdy warrior. He seemed to be acting as the right-hand man for warrior commander Jang Rae and he certainly seemed like an excellent person to be a right-hand man.

Following Han Cheon Seon’s decision to focus the search on inns, the assembled warriors dispersed to their respective lodgings.

I also strolled through the nocturnal streets of the imperial city with the clanking of my sword accompanying me.

It’s taking a lot longer than I thought…. Is it possible that we might not find even a single lead by this time…?

Certainly, the Black Princess wasn’t the kind of person who could be caught easily… but it was strange that it was taking this long.

As days passed, the stack of pork rice soup bowls at the noodle shop near the entrance to Black Tortoise Market grew taller.

My main activity had become indulging in pork rice soup.

“Server, a bowl of pork rice soup, please!”

“Ah, you’re back again, dear customer! Don’t you ever tire of pork rice soup?!”

Even though the server said this, I did accompany the patrolling warriors through the markets and helped gather information around the town. I was even drafted for dawn patrols and often engaged in conversations; I also have at least some conscience.

However, my days invariably concluded with a bowl of pork rice soup at the Black Tortoise Market noodle shop.

No matter how busy I was, I never skipped this ritual. Ah, this is also very important.

“Server, a bowl of bean sprout rice soup this time!”

“Yes, dear customer!”

……

….

..

The next day.

Take a walk around the market. Meet with the warriors and gather eyewitness information. Travel around the city and collect information.

And before returning to the lodging, I had a bowl of pork rice soup.

“Server, a bowl of pork rice soup!”

“Yes, dear customer!”

……

….

..

The next day there was a downpour of rain.

“Server!”

“Will it be pork rice soup today, dear customer?!”

“No, bean sprout rice soup!”

“Oh! I thought I had it right today!”

……

….

..

“Ser…!”

“Here’s your pork rice soup, dear customer!”

“…….”

……

….

..

“…….”

“Bean sprout rice soup today, right, dear customer?”

……

….

..

“How can someone leave absolutely no trace behind!”

Vice warrior commander Han Cheon Seon clenched his fists tightly. His body was trembling with frustration.

“At the very least, there should be signs of life—eating, changing clothes, finding a place to sleep… How can there be absolutely no trace despite our diligent search?”

“The impressions we have of the individual may very well be meaningless by now.”

After a long time, the special unit members had all gathered within the Puxian Pagoda.

It was late in the morning, as it was obvious that a gathering of close to fifty armed men would attract attention.

It had been exactly one month since we began the search for the Black Princess.

For the most part, the initial speculation and passion have died down, and doubts have begun to surface. Words were beginning to emerge about whether the information we had was all meaningless by now.

Jang Rae sat in front of us and he looked to be in deep thought.

He was also wondering whether it was an impossible task to capture the Black Princess with only fifty special unit members in such a vast and grand city after all.

Nevertheless, there seemed to be some good news to share today.

“The Chief Councilor has heard of our struggles in searching for the Black Princess.”

“Will we receive reinforcements?”

“No. As I mentioned at the beginning, if the size of the search becomes too large, the job will become more difficult because we will then be easier to detect.”

“I see… “

“However, it’s been decided at the council meeting. Whoever finds the Black Princess will be awarded a Great Star sword.”

Silence swept through the crowd following Jang Rae’s words.

The Great Star sword, a reward bestowed only by Emperor Wun Seong himself to those who are worthy of it, is considered the highest honor for any military officer below the second rank.

There were only about two or three military officers who could hold the Great Star Sword each year, and the sword itself served as a battle flag to prove the military officer’s ability. Once you received that sword, joining the Red Palace if you wanted to would be a piece of cake.

“………”

However, I already had a Great Star sword from last time for rescuing the Vermilion Princess. It was carefully kept within the inner chambers of the White Immortal Palace.

It’s not like having two swords doubles one’s strength so it’s not a very attractive bait from my perspective. I didn’t have any desire for success in the first place.

“Is that true…!”

“A Great Star sword…!”

Yet, among the other warriors competitive spirits flared anew.

The prospect of wielding a Great Star sword seemed to embolden them to capture not just the Black Princess but even a tiger from the White Immortal Mountain if needed.

“However, we have been away from Cheongdo Palace for too long.”

It seemed there wasn’t only good news. As the leader of the group, Jang Rae had to address the reality of our situation as well.

“I never expected it would take this long. Since everyone has been recruited from various parts of the palace, our absence will soon begin to take effect on our original duties.”

Those words jolted me awake.

Days filled with leisurely strolls along spring-scented streets, idle chatter with fellow warriors, exploring every corner of the Black Tortoise Market, and rounding off with a bowl of hearty rice soup.

While I spent my days in such a carefree manner, I’d almost lost touch with the goings-on at my true home, the White Immortal Palace.

My old friend Wang Han would have taken up the slack in my absence, but even so, filling the void for such a long period of time wouldn’t be easy.

And then…there’s the White Immortal, whose time is drawing short.

Wasn’t the very reason I was guarding the White Immortal Palace to be there at the end for the White Immortal?

Even though he was a weird and mysterious old man, I owe much to that man.

That being said, there was nothing I could do for him, that’s why I remained at the White Immortal Palace with the intent of simply making his passing more comfortable and offering nods of support by his side… That was my intention.

But here I am, inhaling dust on the streets of the capital while doing nothing. This situation… it makes me wonder if it’s right.

I was in a life-threatening situation and ran out to the imperial capital, but when I think about it, almost a month had passed.

By now, both the Azure and Vermilion Princesses should have calmed down, and with some luck, their feelings might have waned as well. Only by reducing physical distance will the distance of the hearts also increase, after all.

Above all, I realized that it was a fact that I had not been to the White Immortal Palace for such a long time, and I closed my eyes again.

Is that so.

Yeon Ri, the old eunuch, Han, and the White Immortal Elder.

As was often the case, I just sat within the inner chambers of the White Immortal Palace and simply lived to the best of my ability. But a part of me was worried because I hadn’t seen the palace for such a long time.

Perhaps the people of the White Immortal Palace were also counting the days until my return, given the backlog of work that must have accumulated.

In the end, I realized that I truly belonged to the White Immortal Palace.

“Server!”

“Ah, yes! Today it’s… um, bean sprout rice soup, right, dear customer! Ehehe!”

At dusk, in a large rice soup restaurant near the entrance to the Black Tortoise Market.

The place was filled with the cheerful chatter of common folk relaxing over a meal after another exhausting day.

I nodded my head to the server, who cheerfully headed back to the kitchen, and took my usual seat at the restaurant’s table.

Had it been over a month already?

Despite the continued peace and quiet of my days, I couldn’t help but feel that it was time to wrap things up.

“Oh, dear customer! You must really like our rice soup! Here you go, freshly served! Since you’re a regular here, we’ve got to make it just right for you! Let me know if you need more rice soup!”

I stirred the rice soup a few times with my spoon before taking a sip.

“Do you need anything else, dear customer?”

“It’s been quite a long outing, huh.”

“Huh?”

– I miss the scent of cherry blossoms at Chunhyang Pavillion…

In the Heavenly Dragon Love Story it was a habit of Black Princess Po Hwa Ryeong to say that at the tea gatherings of the Four Great Palaces.

Her demeanor was so dignified and beautiful when she said that I had mistaken the name Chunhyang Pavillion for that of a famous scenic spot known for its landscapes.

After slurping down the rice soup a few more times, I turned my head and looked at the wooden sign at the entrance to the store.

Chunhyang Pavillion.

Once I knew the name, finding it was not particularly difficult.

Hiding in plain sight…. It was more a case of not seeing what was right under one’s nose rather than it being outright hidden; after all, no one could have imagined that the mistress of the Black Tortoise Palace would be here serving food.

Who would think that this server, wearing kitchen clothes with her sleeves rolled up, her hair tied back, and a towel wrapped around her, is the crown princess consort.

“Let’s return to the Cheongdo Palace now, Black Princess Po Hwa Ryeong.”

“…….”

Indeed, there really was no reason to frequent this tasteless rice soup restaurant like a regular customer.

I had another purpose for my daily visits to this place.

“………………..”

The server who was serving rice soup soon began to break out in a cold sweat.

“Did…Did you know from the very beginning?”

“Please dispense with the formalities, Black Princess Po Hwa Ryeong. I am but a mere warrior.”

***

A month had passed since Seol Tae Pyeong left the White Immortal Palace.

According to the news that reached the palace, the search operation by the special unit was making little progress and this meant that the drafted warriors would not be returning anytime soon.

“…….”

Whoosh! Thump! Thump!

Creak!

Yeon Ri, who was hanging laundry in the courtyard of the White Immortal Palace, heard the creak of a door opening and ran quickly to the inner chamber.

It was one of the days the Azure Princess was taught Taoist magic by the White Immortal twice a week

It seemed like today’s lesson was over and Azure Princess Jin Cheong Lang stood on the porch of the White Immortal Palace with her sleeves hanging loosely.

“Th-This senior maid Yeon Ri is at your service, Azure Princess.”

For the mistress of the Azure Dragon Palace to visit the White Immortal Palace personally twice a week was quite a pressure for a maid.

Before her arrival, the inner chamber had to be cleaned each time, and if the Azure Princess appeared while she was working, she had to rush out to greet her and any inconveniences had to be dealt with quickly.

Although the Azure Princess usually moved with five maids in tow, there were certain tasks that only the maids of the White Immortal Palace could handle.

Yeon Ri was always on edge as she was worrying that the Azure Princess might find something discomforting.

And in fact, the Azure Princess who just came out of the inner chamber looked somehow displeased.

…. Actually, Yeon Ri knew of the reason behind it.

“Esteemed Azure Princess! You have worked hard today as well! I, Wang Han, the scribe of the White Immortal Palace, will dedicate my utmost efforts to ensure that you can arrive at the inner palace without any worries today!!!”

“Cast aside all concerns!!! With the sharpness of my eagle eyes, I shall fend off any danger!! Hahahahaha!!!”

The chubby scribe, Wang Han, bowed deeply while making a big fuss as usual. He was a man who would leap at any opportunity to climb up the ranks.

The Azure Princess was covering her mouth with her sleeve, silently looked Wang Han with narrowed eyes.

“……..”

She almost blurted out, “Get rid of this pig for me and bring in Seol Tae Pyeong” — not that she had any real justification for such a demand.

However, her glare was as good as saying it outright.

Then she slumped her shoulders and looked dejected like a puppy that had just returned from a walk. If she had animal ears or tail, they would have drooped sorrowfully.

No matter how one looked at it, it seemed increasingly clear that the Azure Princess’s regular visits to the White Immortal Palace were not mainly for learning Taoist magic.

Yeon Ri bowed her head and started silently praying to herself.

Tae Pyeong-ah… not yet… it’s still not the time…!

You shouldn’t…. you shouldn’t come back yet, Tae Pyeong-ah…!

Heaven seldom seemed to heed Yeon Ri’s wishes. If anything, it often appeared to do quite the opposite of what she prays for.

But that doesn’t mean that will always be the case.

From what she heard, Seol Tae Pyeong still needed some time to return to the White Immortal Palace.

This was a stroke of luck from Yeon Ri’s perspective.

Perhaps.