Chapter 60: Have You Upheld Your Convictions? Part 1

The next morning, the council meeting addressed the issue of the kidnapped Inner Swords Commander

After a brief exchange of opinions among the high officials, an imperial decree was issued for the military officers of the Red Palace to begin a search operation.

In addition to that, numerous diplomatic and domestic issues were swiftly handled. After about two hours, the council meeting concluded and the officials streamed out.

Among them was a man walking while discussing current issues. This man was surrounded by a group of high-ranking officials.

It was Shim Sang Gon, the Under Councilor.

He was the third-highest-ranking official in this Cheongdo Palace. He was certainly a person whom even most senior officials had to pay attention to.

One might wonder if a dignified bear had transformed into a human and was now walking with them. His broad shoulders and sturdy jawline made him look more like a military officer than a civil one.

His voice was gruff, and every time he spoke, it felt as if he was intimidating his counterpart. His sheer presence made third-rate civil officials tremble by his side.

After stroking his beard a few times while talking, he exited the main palace at a brisk pace.

When he looked up at the sky, the sun was high overhead.

Shim Sang Gon dismissed his guards and entered the Hall of Scholarship.

It was a place deep within the main palace where civil officials gathered to manage the books circulating inside the palace.

One of the main duties of the Hall of Scholarship was overseeing the printing of various classics within Cheongdo Palace. Because of this, entering the Hall of Scholarship meant encountering rows of wooden printing blocks, which emitted a strong scent of fresh wood.

When the high-ranking Under Councilor personally entered the Hall of Scholarship, the most senior craftsman there stepped forward and bowed deeply.

“Oh my, Under Councilor, what brings you all the way here?”

“I came to check on the craftsman I introduced and brought into the Hall of Scholarship last time. Since I personally recommended him, I need to ensure he’s working well for my reputation’s sake. How is he? Is he doing a good job?”

“Ah… that man… where is he…”

The Under Councilor looked around.

The craftsmen were startled by his sudden visit and stopped what they were doing, but in a corner a man continued to carve with a knife and chisel in hand.

The Under Councilor approached the man and stood behind him. The man who was focused on his work slowly turned his head.

That dignified face was familiar.

It was none other than the Black Moon Leader, Cheong Jin Myeong.

With the Under Councilor’s protection, he had secretly taken on the role of managing the printing of classics within the Hall of Scholarship.

“Did Commander Seol Tae Pyeong know about me?”

In the back of the Hall of Scholarship, the Under Councilor received a report from the Black Moon Leader after dismissing his guards.

A major event was imminent in this Cheongdo Palace. And the Under Councilor issued more detailed instructions as it drew closer.

Make sure to detain Seol Tae Pyeong to avoid any major incidents, and if possible, create a commotion both inside and outside the palace.

When attention was drawn to the missing commander, it became easier to carry out the plan because the palace’s security forces were limited.

“Yes, and he also knew that the one who helped me infiltrate the palace was the Under Councilor.”

“How on earth… I see, and did you detain him?”

“Yes, we have him restrained in a cabin on the hills near Hwalseong District…. but there are a lot of things that make me uneasy.”

Rather than saying he was restrained, it was more accurate to say he allowed himself to be restrained.

Before Cheong Jin Myeong could finish speaking, his head jerked sharply to the side.

His cheek stung. He didn’t even rub his swollen red cheek.

He just stood up straight, with his head down again.

“I gave you lowly bounty hunters roaming the borders a chance to get rich quick, and this is the best you can do?”

“……”

“I warned you beforehand. Commander Seol Tae Pyeong is someone even the palace’s ghost hands struggle to handle. I told you several times to move cautiously, whether with poison or drugs. And this is the result? He allowed himself to be restrained? We don’t know what he’s planning, and with the event very close, does that make sense?”

The Black Moon Unit was the most secretive yet most capable group that Shim Sang Gon found after searching the entire continent.

However, since their opponent had the qualities of a sword master, it was only normal that they couldn’t fully display their skills.

Still, Shim Sang Gon did not hold Seol Tae Pyeong in such high regard.

He had simply been born with a bit more talent in martial arts and could be subdued with some cunning tricks.

Though Cheong Jin Myeong felt a bit wronged, he did not make any elaborate excuses.

Failure was failure. A competent officer did not attach unnecessary excuses to his failures.

“I apologize.”

“He allowed himself to be captured? That clearly means he’s trying to dig up something from within the Black Moon Unit. And he’s aware of the connection between us and the Black Moon Unit? If that’s the case, he might have figured out the entire plan, right?”

That was exactly the point.

It was impossible to understand what trick he had used.

Commander Seol Tae Pyeong had not only uncovered the secret relationship between Shim Sang Gon and the Black Moon Unit but also the plot surrounding Crown Prince Hyeon Won.

Although it seemed ridiculous in common sense, this actually happened. So this was something they couldn’t overlook.

However, Seol Tae Pyeong possessed an absurdly powerful martial strength, so he was a variable that could not be controlled at all. If he wanted, he could expose the entire plan to the Emperor.

But he did not do so.

Instead, when the Black Princess appeared on the scene, he said to the bewildered Cheong Jin Myeong,

– If it’s the quick-witted and wise Black Princess, she may just figure out the whole truth in an instant. I’ll handle the Black Princess… so go ahead and carry out your grand plan. I won’t stop you.”

– What… did you say…? Do you expect me to believe that?

– If you really don’t trust me, I’ll remain tied up here until everything is over. After all, you don’t have a choice, do you? If the plan fails, you will be abandoned by Under Councilor Shim Sang Gon.

Cheong Jin Myeong was utterly confused.

From what he knew, Inner Swords Commander Seol Tae Pyeon was a righteous and spirited man who would not tolerate such sinister schemes. It was hard to believe that someone like him would turn a blind eye to this.

Nevertheless, Seol Tae Pyeong personally put on his white hood, subdued the Black Princess, and then pretended to be held hostage alongside her as if he never stepped a foot outside the cabin.

He was a completely mysterious man. There was no way to guess what thoughts he harbored.

All Cheong Jin Myeong could do was report everything as it was to Under Councilor Shim Sang Gon.

“It seems he doesn’t care whether our plan succeeds or fails.”

Thud!

Crash!

As soon as Cheong Jin Myeong finished speaking, Under Councilor Shim Sang Gon kicked him in the stomach and sent him sprawling to the ground.

Shim Sang Gon then stomped on Cheong Jin Myeong several more times as he lay in the dirt and spoke in a voice full of rage.

“Do you think this is some kind of child’s play? What? You’re saying I should ignore him since he doesn’t care? Do you plan to carry out our work relying on such apathy and incompetence? Do you even understand the gravity of what we’re doing?”

Thud, thud, thud.

Despite being thoroughly beaten, Cheong Jin Myeong somehow managed to get back up and stand properly.

Shim Sang Gon who was now panting heavily grabbed Cheong Jin Myeong by the collar and said,

“Do you realize that if he speaks up, we’re all dead?”

“Ugh… huh…”

“You must find out immediately how he knows about the upcoming plan. And then, kill him.”

“Forgive me for saying this, but…”

Cheong Jin Myeong who was covered in dust managed to reply.

“I cannot kill him. His level is so high that I cannot catch him off guard.”

“To think I brought such a pathetic bastard to handle this task. This is truly my greatest mistake.”

Shim Sang Gon slapped Cheong Jin Myeong’s face several more times, but his anger still wasn’t appeased, so he threw his bamboo fan to the ground.

“Hmph… right… I shouldn’t have expected so much from a lowly man who makes a living by killing demonic spirits.”

“.……”

“Haaah… fine, I apologize. I momentarily lost my temper.”

The Under Councilor barely managed to regain his composure and he dusted off Cheong Jin Myeong’s shoulders a few times.

Under Councilor Shim Sang Gon was always like this.

Whenever something displeased him, he would beat you senseless, and only later would he regain his senses and comfort you. He wasn’t an easy person to follow, but Cheong Jin Myeong didn’t have many options.

“Yes… considering the plight of the Black Moon Unit, who have lost their homeland and are just wandering, we cannot let everything fall apart like this.”

Shim Sang Gon had made a promise to the leader of the Black Moon Unit.

Once everything was done, the Black Moon Unit would be branded as high treason criminals. In exchange, they would be given a ship to sail to a distant foreign land and enough gold to clear new land and establish a settlement to make it their home.

Three-tenths of it had already been paid in advance, and more than half of the ship had already been transferred to the Black Moon Unit. If they could somehow receive the remaining money, the Black Moon Unit could start a new life.

He couldn’t let his fellow Black Moon Unit members who were from his hometown continue risking their lives fighting demonic spirits forever.

Therefore, Black Moon Leader Cheong Jin Myeong had chosen the assassination of Crown Prince Hyeon Won as his final mission.

“However, if you handle things this way, I too will lose my temper. You need to stay focused. You can’t just die meaninglessly like your wife or daughter, right? How long do you plan to make a living hunting demonic spirits?”

At the mention of his wife and daughter, Cheong Jin Myeong’s brow furrowed slightly before they relaxed again.

His family had all been killed by demonic spirits.

There was a woman he met while wandering the world, a woman named Wi Ji Yeon. She too had lived as a wanderer following Cheong Jin Myeong until one day she was killed by demonic spirits.

He also had a daughter from his relationship with her, a beautiful girl named Cheong Seo Rin. She lived as a wanderer hunting demonic spirits alongside her father, but at the age of seventeen, she too was killed by demonic spirits.

Mentioning them was like stabbing at Cheong Jin Myeong’s most bloody spot.

However, Cheong Jin Myeong gritted his teeth and bowed his head.

The remaining members of the Black Moon Unit flickered before his eyes.

Now, his only goal was to retire all of them.

Even if he had to live as a vengeful spirit in the dark underground, he wanted the Black Moon Unit members to live above ground.

“There’s no turning back now. The people we’ve arranged for the plan are already inside Cheongdo Palace, and the environment we’ve built over the years cannot be maintained forever. It would be better if we were to move quickly before things get out of hand, but… there are still too many things to worry about.”

“Then what should we do about Seol Tae Pyeong?”

“Just like I said, we need to kill him. However… we should gauge his intentions first…”

Seol Tae Pyeong had said he would turn a blind eye to the assassination plot of Crown Prince Hyeon Won.

This seemed impossible considering his character, but if they talked to him about it, things might change.

There were three reasons the Under Councilor wanted to kill Crown Prince Hyeon Won.

To keep in check Strategist Hwa An who was the guardian of Crown Prince Hyeon Won.

To pin the crime on Chief Councilor In Seon Rok and get rid of him.

To place an imperial family member whom they could control in the vacant Crown Prince position.

It had taken years to prepare for these three objectives. They had to recruit many people, bring them in without catching the enemy’s eye, and confirm the right timing multiple times.

If everything went according to plan… the person who would sit at the top of the Cheongdo Palace’s civil official in one night would be none other than Shim Sang Gon.

If a point of mutual interest could be found, they might be able to recruit Seol Tae Pyeong.

If that happened… the plan could proceed without major hitches.

“So, where is this Seol Tae Pyeong, and what is he doing?”

“That is…”

In such an extreme situation where the plot to assassinate Crown Prince Hyeon Won was right under our noses.

In such an imminent situation where Cheongdo Palace might be turned upside down overnight, what was I and Po Hwa Ryeong doing with solemn expressions on our faces?

“Um… so, is that a plant?”

“No, it isn’t.”

“Correct answer! It’s a frog!”

“It isn’t. You have two chances left.”

“Ugh… Ugh… Correct answer! A lizard?!”

“No, this is your last chance.”

“Ah! Wait a minute… Is there really a correct answer? This is strange…”

We were playing the twenty questions game….

Black Princess Po Hwa Ryeong was a variable that the Black Moon Unit couldn’t control.

The reason Po Hwa Ryeong suddenly appeared in a place like this was probably to find me.

So… it seemed best to keep her occupied so she wouldn’t get any other ideas.

As she remained restrained, Po Hwa Ryeong, who had been making a fuss at first, little by little regained her composure, and what followed was a long period of boredom.

In the end, we had to spend our time doing something, and while we were restrained, there was only so much we could do to pass the time.

“The correct answer is the Rufous-tailed Scrub Robin…”

“………”

“Black Princess…. please refrain from making such facial expressions for the sake of your dignity… Your lips are protruding too much…”

“Don’t make up an animal that doesn’t exist.”

“No, it really exists.”

“Really? I’ve memorized the entire bird guide in the library… I’ve never heard of that name…”

“It’s mainly found in mudflats, and it eats crabs and worms from holes in the mudflats with its long, curved beak…”

“Does it really exist?”

“It really exists…”

“Really, really exist?”

“Really, really exists.”

That’s right.

Extreme boredom makes people get excited about useless things even in this serious situation.

Boredom. The age-old enemy of humanity…

“Well, if Tae Pyeong says it exists, then it must. Ah well, that makes it one-to-one.”

Even though it had been a while since we had talked, the Black Princess was surprisingly calm.

As the mistress of Cheongdo Palace, she must have been treated with utmost respect over the years, yet her fundamental character had not changed at all.

They say that people change when their environment changes, but the Black Princess seemed to defy this rule completely.

“The morning sun will rise soon. This reminds me of the old days when we used to wander outside the palace. We spent days wandering around the Imperial Capital together.”

“…It’s already been more than three or four years.”

“Yes. Back then, I insisted on finding an old woman, and Tae Pyeong went along with it. Looking back now, it was quite something. Facing off against a special force led by warrior commander Jang Rae, even drawing your sword against them… we really didn’t know what would happen at the time.”

The Black Princess lowered her tied arms and looked at me with a big smile.

“It seems like Tae Pyeong hasn’t changed since then.”

“…Is that so?”

“Look at this… we’re caught by the Black Moon Unit and we don’t know what will happen, yet here you are playing twenty questions without any serious concern.”

“I’d like to return those words to you. Aren’t you afraid? You’re captured and bound by an unknown group of assassins…”

“Tae Pyeong, when you seem so relaxed, I feel at ease too. You have a way of giving a strange sense of safety to those around you. No matter how bad things get, it makes me think, ‘Oh, he’ll handle it somehow…’ It’s really amazing, isn’t it?”

“………”

The Black Princess shook her bound hands a few times before speaking calmly.

I could sense some kind of trust in the way she closed her eyes and smiled softly.

“Do you know that, Tae Pyeong-ah?”

“Yes?”

“Sometimes…. you act like you already know the future.”

Ah.

For a moment, I couldn’t breathe.

Black Princess Po Hwa Ryeong’s insight sometimes hit the mark without her even realizing it.

“You always have confidence in everything you do, and you trust your own judgment without a doubt. You assure yourself that you won’t regret whatever you do… so, it might seem like you know the future.”

Is this what they mean by interpreting dreams better than the dream itself?

I wiped the cold sweat from my forehead and nodded vaguely.

“Actually, I came looking for you just to tell you that. While you were hunting demonic spirits around the northern border, I spent a lot of time gaining various kinds of knowledge as I thought about you.”

“Is that so…?”

“Yes. You may not realize it Tae Pyeong-ah, but… but being treated like a noble in the palace can get a bit lonely at times.”

While leaning against the old cabin’s wall, Po Hwa Ryeong looked just as she did before.

The green hair that reminded me of bright leaves, the flowers that were beautifully embroidered on the sides of her hair… everything looked the same as before.

However, there were many times when it was impossible to tell just by looking at the outside what changes the other party had experienced inside.

“Walking around the palace with its splendid tiled roofs, leading the maids… I sometimes think about the times I played alone on the White Immortal Mountain.”

The endlessly long corridor of the Black Tortoise Palace.

When she trudged around there, she would turn her head and see a garden with a few pretty hydrangeas or orchids in bloom.

When the wind blew through the corridor, causing her hair to flutter, she would sometimes recall the view of looking down at the Imperial Capital from the top of the White Immortal Mountain.

The girl had played in the wide world as if it were her own room.

Even now, she would sometimes run out of the Black Tortoise Palace when she was bored, but due to her status, she could only stay out for a night at most, and that only happened a few times a year.

“There were times when I felt like the old days when I played alone among the tiled roofs on moonlit nights, but it was strange. It used to be fun just doing that, but nowadays, I sometimes feel an odd emptiness.”

“The reason is…”

“Mhmm. I guess I missed you, Tae Pyeong-ah.”

Direct and piercing words were Black Princess Po Hwa Ryeong’s signature move.

“It’s nothing special, really… I just thought about you from time to time. Back when we wandered around the Imperial Capital together. It was only about a month, but it meant a lot to me. Hehe. It’s a bit embarrassing to say.”

We fled from pursuing soldiers around the Four Great Markets, asked many people about the old woman, sat near the firewood we lit and chatted, or took shelter under the abandoned house when it rained.

Those days were tough and frightening, but in hindsight, they became beautiful memories.

Even the grueling and horrible memories of the military became memories in the distant future, and the experiences of poverty in childhood could now be seen as romantic… because they were all things of the past.

That’s what it meant for something to have passed.

“Just…. thinking about those times helped me endure the stifling life in the palace. In that sense, I received a lot of help from you, Tae Pyeong.”

“It’s an honor. And the fact that you’ve adapted well to life in the palace is due to your own efforts, Princess.”

“Hmm… Anyway…”

Swish

The Black Princess lowered her voice and dramatically raised both arms. As if she was performing a magic trick.

…Wait, both arms?

“…How did you undo your bindings?”

“I always keep a silver dagger hidden under my thigh~. By now, the guards outside the cabin must have let their guard down quite a bit~. The noise coming from outside has noticeably decreased.”

After she said this, the Black Princess pulled out her silver dagger and approached me. It seemed like she was ready to cut the ropes binding my arms.

“This time… I’ll save you, Tae Pyeong-ah…!!!”

It was as if flowers were blooming in her eyes. Her lively and radiant appearance lit up every corner of the cabin.

However, that sun-like warmth… Was like a poison to me.

“Let’s escape together, return to the main palace, and report everything we’ve seen to the high officials…!”

“……”

“Tae Pyeong has finally returned to the main palace after such a long time, but I can’t believe you’re going through this kind of trouble! We have to punish these bad guys! Right?! Hehe, who else but me can help you?!”

Ah… No…

That shouldn’t happen…

The Black Princess’s burning eyes were filled with a sense of justice determined to save me. Her resolve was enough to bring tears of gratitude to my eyes, but…

If the Black Princess saves me and returns to the main palace, all the plans will be ruined…!

“Come on, Tae Pyeong-ah…! Give me your arms! I’ll untie the ropes! Once your arms are free, we can easily handle the low-ranking Black Moon guards outside, right?!”

The sweet and lovely Black Princess’s kind gesture rushed toward me…!

In a way I never wanted…!

“Th-that… Black Princess.”

“Mhmm?”

“Maybe it’s because I’ve been in the same position for so long… My arms are numb and I can’t move them well.”

“Don’t worry! Just turn your body and I’ll cut the ropes!”

“No, it’s just that my body isn’t moving well… and…”

“Oh no! Ma-Maybe…. it’s because the blood isn’t flowing well …! We need to cut the ropes quickly!”

The Black Princess approached me with a deeply worried expression on her face.

I darted my eyes around, racking my brain to the limit, but I couldn’t come up with a good excuse…!

“Oh no…! I can’t feel my legs either; I can’t move my body! If you touch me, it hurts. W-wait, Black Princess.”

“But we still need to cut the ropes! Hold on!”

I tried to buy some time by making a desperate excuse, but the Black Princess approached me with an even more serious face and pushed against my body with all her strength. When my body wouldn’t budge, she climbed on top of me and started struggling.

Finally seeing my bound arms, she began to cut the ropes with her silver dagger.

“W-wait, Black Princess!”

“Bear with the pain! I’ll definitely save you! If we just stay still and you end up not feeling anything, it’ll get worse!”

“Just wait a moment! Please, don’t do this!”

“Judging by how quiet it is outside, the guards must be dozing off. Now is the best time to move!”

And just like that, the Black Princess who was sitting awkwardly on top of me started to untie the ropes binding my hands one by one. Her actions were swift and determined.

Creeak

It was at that moment.

Someone opened the door and entered the cabin.

Perhaps the commotion inside had been loud enough to be heard outside.

The Black Princess who was sitting on top of my waist swiftly turned her head toward the door. Her face turned pale.

It was understandable to be so startled by the sudden intrusion of a Black Moon Unit member. As I tried to figure out how to handle the situation, I turned my head toward the door.

But unexpected events always came without warning.

…The person standing there was Azure Princess Jin Cheong Lang who was covering her lower face with the sleeve of her court robe.

Illusion art.

Even those who have mastered high-level Taoist techniques often cannot advance beyond the basic level of the Illusion art.

The power to cloud a person’s mind cannot be acquired through mere hard work. Only those with exceptional talent in Taoist magic could barely master it.

Azure Princess Jin Cheong Lang had reached the pinnacle of this Illusion art.

Many within the palace were unaware of this power’s existence, as she rarely used it for personal purposes.

And since she understood the potential dangers of Illusion art, she refrained from using it recklessly.

Just by using this art a few times, she could drain the minds of those around her and even allow her to issue simple commands easily.

And so, Azure Princess Jin Cheong Lang walked out of the Azure Dragon Palace without anyone to stop her.

No maid or guard she encountered could stop her.

Not only that, they even forgot they had seen the Azure Princess altogether.

Even the sensation of someone reaching deep into their heart and twisting it as they pleased… remained just a small sense of discomfort for them.

Only time can kill a fairy (immortal).

There was a reason such a saying had been passed down.

Capturing the young fairy of Azure Dragon Palace by force was impossible no matter how many troops were brought.

Even the Black Moon Unit members who encountered the Azure Princess while searching for Seol Tae Pyeong in Hwalseong District couldn’t match her Taoist magic.

From the perspective of the Black Moon Unit, it was truly unfair.

Who would have expected to see three people blessed by the divine fever, which rarely occurs even once in a lifetime, in one place?

Instead of subduing her, they had to reveal everything about where they had taken Seol Tae Pyeong. They were completely under the influence of the Illusion art.

And the same went for the Black Moon Unit members who were guarding the cabin in the wild hills of Hwalseong District.

As always, with her mouth covered by her sleeve and the hem of her robe fluttering, that tiny girl walked leisurely… they couldn’t even draw their swords.

She just kept walking and walking, yet no one could block her path.

It was said that on the path an immortal walks, trees part to make way, the sea opens itself, and mountains bow down.

As if to prove those words, the only ones who could stop the Azure Princess who kept walking… were those holding treasures like the “Black Pearl of Jangrim” that could resist the Illusion art.

Indeed, just before Cheongdo Palace fell into chaos. In a situation akin to the calm before the storm,

At a moment of imminent crisis that would be recorded in history,

Everyone in the palace felt an ominous foreboding.

At the training ground of the Vermilion Bird Palace, the Vermilion Princess who was quietly swinging her sword when she anxiously looked up at the sky.

At the porch of the White Tiger Palace, the White Princess who silently gazed at the courtyard.

At the Great Prison Hall, Seol Ran who was worried about Tae Pyeong when she was startled by the sudden words of White Taoist An Cheon who was in prison.

Warrior Commander Jang Rae who was inspecting the guards of the Crown Prince’s Palace.

Even the high officials of the council. Black Moon Leader Cheong Jin Myeong. And even the Crown Prince with his empty eyes.

Each one of them felt an ominous foreboding in their respective places.

Yet, the one who faced the greatest ominous foreboding was someone else.

– Black Princess… you shouldn’t be doing this…!

– Wait, Tae Pyeong-ah. Just trust me!

– B-Black Princess… really, you shouldn’t be doing this…!

– Do-Don’t move, Tae Pyeong-ah. I’m a bit clumsy because it’s my first time. I might get hurt!

– You shouldn’t be the one getting hurt, Black Princess!

– A-Aah… I’m bleeding…! I should have been more careful…

– Are you alright? That’s why I said you should stop…

– I’m fine. This kind of injury is nothing! Just wait… Tae Pyeong-ah… I’ll do it slowly and carefully… trust me with your body…

– No…Black Princess… you really shouldn’t be doing this…

Creeak

“……”

It was the Azure Princess who discovered the Black Princess “attacking” Seol Tae Pyeong.

“Ah…”

“A-Azure Princess…”

As soon as the Black Princess who was sitting on Seol Tae Pyeong’s waist made eye contact with the Azure Princess, the blood on her face completely drained.

And the Azure Princess had the same reaction.

Silence followed.

It felt as if time had frozen over like a sheet of ice…

Even the cold of midwinter was not this bad.