Chapter 73: You Should Have Done Better When You Had the Chance Part 1

The noisy incidents within Cheongdo Palace had come to an end, and before anyone realized it, late autumn with its creeping chill had arrived.

During that time, Cheongdo Palace was filled with various annual events. The majestic and huge Cheongdo Palace was always bustling with activities throughout the year, so none of its members had a moment to spare.

I should have adapted to life in this palace by now… but I still feel so tired every time.

The mistress of the White Tiger Palace White Princess Ha Wol had this thought as she left the Vermilion Bird Palace after attending the tea gathering that took place twice a month.

As she led her maids back to the White Tiger Palace, she noticed the last few remaining leaves clinging to the branches and swaying gently.

“……”

She paused for a moment, observed the scenery near the inner palace walls, and sighed for reasons she couldn’t quite understand.

Lately, she had been having strange nightmares from time to time, but that aside, the other palace mistresses didn’t seem to be in great condition either.

To put it bluntly, it seemed that more people were paying attention to Seol Tae Pyeong who had become the Bright Moon General.

This included not only the Azure Princess but also the Vermilion Princess who increasingly mentioned Seol Tae Pyeong when discussing state affairs. On the other hand, the Black Princess seemed to be at ease, as if she had given up much of her thoughts about him.

Indeed, I never thought that man would rise to power so quickly… but is it really necessary to make a fuss over it?

The White Princess carefully tidied the long sleeves of her robe, picked up a fallen leaf from the ground, and twirled it by its tip while lost in thought.

Yes, while everyone is floundering like this… it might just be the perfect opportunity to seize greater power…

White Princess was a snob among snobs who would do anything to gain even a little more power.

She was simply waiting in the shadows and biding her time for the right moment to come.

“Bright Moon General, may I offer you a piece of sincere advice?”

Bright Moon General Seol Tae Pyeong. In the fall of my 20th year in this world.

Quite some time had passed since I became the Bright Moon General.

Now that I had reached the rank of a Lower Third Rank official, I truly felt like I had joined the ranks of high officials, especially when various opportunists within Cheongdo Palace flocked to me.

It was rare for a completely new high official who wasn’t connected to any existing faction within Cheongdo Palace to emerge.

The internal corruption had festered to such an extent that most who rose to high positions had backing from powerful factions.

I too had the support of the Heavenly Maiden, but it was a different kind of backing compared to having a high official with real power as a patron.

In any case, to make your voice heard in the council, you needed to gather support from many high officials… so it was necessary to align yourself with someone.

As a result, I received countless messages from various civil and military officials within Cheongdo Palace who were all eager to align themselves with me.

Of course, I avoided most of those whose schemes were obvious and only kept those around me who were at least somewhat trustworthy.

Even if one rose to a position of power, bringing just anyone into one’s circle could later lead to major problems. Those brought in had to be chosen carefully.

As a result, people started offering me bribes which complicated the situation further.

Naturally, to avoid future trouble, I made it clear that under no circumstances should bribes be accepted.

Absolutely!

Under any! Circumstances!

Bribes must not! Be! Accepted! This applied not only to me but also to my subordinates.

Fortunately, my close aides were not the type to be swayed by such things.

My right-hand man who was already known to the public was adjutant Bi Cheon, and my left-hand man was the Black Moon Leader Cheong Jin Myeong.

They were both highly skilled and trustworthy men who would not hesitate to speak their minds when necessary. They were very loyal people, so after taking them under my command, I took them with me wherever I went.

At this moment, my left-hand man Black Moon Leader Cheong Jin Myeong was offering his honest advice.

“…It might be good to diversify the menu a bit.”

“…….”

The setting was my home’s dining room.

Since I began my role as the Bright Moon General, I have often felt that I have been greatly influenced by my master White Immortal Lee Cheol Woon.

Although my position required me to exert a great deal of authority, when it came to meals I would eat with even the lowest-ranked individuals.

This rule applied to Bi Cheon and Cheong Jin Myeong as well, so today I was sitting at the table in my home while eating pork rice soup with them.

Bi Cheon who was eating rice soup beside me seemed to perk up at the suggestion.

If I wasn’t mistaken, Bi Cheon also wanted to say this for several days but seemed unable to speak up because of who I was.

In the meantime, Black Moon Leader Cheong Jin Myeong… took the plunge and spoke to me with a determined expression on his face.

Please, let’s stop eating rice soup…

“……”

“……”

When the usually serious Cheong Jin Myeong offered such earnest advice to me with a solemn expression on his face, I couldn’t help but bow my head.

Damn it.

Even you two don’t understand my aesthetic…

….

“If we want to properly develop the outskirts of the Hwalseong District, we need to wipe out all the lower demonic spirits in the area first.”

After finishing the meal, we moved to the porch where I received a report on the conditions of the Hwalseong District.

Cheong Jin Myeong who had taken a look around the area with the Black Moon Unit members suggested that we should first clean up the foundational environment.

He always wore a white hood while working, as if concealing his identity had become second nature for him. Indeed, given the tasks he often undertook behind the scenes, it was more convenient to keep his identity hidden as much as possible.

“How long do you think it will take to clear out the lower demonic spirits in the area?”

“The cleanup itself doesn’t take long, but taking into account travel time and so on, with the demonic lairs scattered over so many places, I think it will take a month.”

“Well, clearing out demonic spirits is your specialty, so I’ll leave it to you. Just make sure there are no casualties, even if the work takes a bit longer.”

“Understood.”

I waved my hand nonchalantly at Cheong Jin Myeong who was bowing his head.

“There are quite a few people who wish to visit today. Here is the list.”

Next, Bi Cheon approached and handed me several documents written on bamboo slips.

Nearby local lords and famous merchants would bring valuable goods and come to make their presence known.

Usually, I would just check their faces and send them away, but recently, even that was taking up so much time that it became difficult.

“Let’s handle them all in the afternoon. Also, if there is any information on the tax situation, organize it and bring it to me.”

“That’s…”

“What is it? Is there a problem?”

“It might be difficult to handle everything in the afternoon. I’m terribly sorry, but my speed in processing tax documents is quite slow.”

“……”

Indeed, Bi Cheon was someone who could quickly adapt and handle any task given to him…. But even as a temporary measure, it was not good to assign menial tasks like document organization to a military officer.

It was a leader’s responsibility to create the conditions in which subordinates could develop to their full potential.

“You’re right, Bi Cheon. It looks like we need to bring in a civil official who is proficient in paperwork and internal management.”

I rested my chin on my hand and fell into deep thought for a moment.

The higher my position in Cheongdo Palace, the more adjutants I would need to handle my affairs.

While it is said that people naturally follow those with good character and leadership, it was difficult for someone like me, who had just embarked on the path of a high official, to accept many people at once.

There may be many willing candidates, but selecting the right person was not easy.

I should consult Yeon Ri… no, Her Highness Ah Hyun about this.

Now that the major work has been completed, I think I should visit the Heavenly Dragon Hall if only to discuss the aftermath of the Under Councilor incident and the matters that need attention going forward.

The problem was that as my authority grew, so did the number of eyes watching me.

Since I received the Bright Moon General position, I always had attendants following me, and whenever I entered the Great Star Gate to visit the Cheongdo Palace, a nearby military officer would come to escort me.

It felt like being inside Cheongdo Palace meant that every move I made was reported. With greater rank came unavoidable inconveniences.

However, it was troubling for me that even private meetings with Heavenly Maiden Ah Hyun became inconvenient.

Since I had the Heavenly Dragon Tablet, I could show it to Headmaid Lee Ryeong and enter the Heavenly Jade Pavilion inside the Heavenly Dragon Hall without any problem.

But after becoming the Bright Moon General, there were many formalities and it became impossible to secretly enter and exit the Heavenly Dragon Hall.

Meeting Heavenly Maiden Ah Hyun now required several hours of purification rituals and bathing ceremonies. Besides the annoyance of it, the growing interest of high officials in my actions was also a problem.

I had no desire to attract the attention of high officials unnecessarily, so I had to find another way to meet Heavenly Maiden Ah Hyun.

Suddenly…my eyes fell on the white hood worn by Black Moon Leader Cheong Jin Myeong.

“… That white hood … looks good.”

“Huh?”

Later, the Bright Moon General, who clearly seemed destined to rise to the rank of grand general, joined the ranks of high officials.

As soon as the news spread, various factions inside Cheongdo Palace were desperate to recruit the Bright Moon General.

This was because it was rare for new talent to suddenly appear in Cheongdo Palace.

Personnel of the Third Rank already had their affiliations well established, so everyone already knew to which faction they belonged to.

Therefore, the meteoric rise of Seol Tae Pyeong was an exceptional case.

In the political landscape of Cheongdo Palace, where expanding one’s influence required poaching others’ people, the presence of an unaffiliated high official was bound to become a hot topic.

Not only the high officials of the council, but even the high officials’ adjutants had no choice but to keep a close watch on the Bright Moon Genral’s movements.

The political climate of Cheongdo Palace was always tumultuous like the sea during a typhoon, but if you take it for granted, you will be drowned before even realizing it.

The political world was a place where the diligent survived.

That obvious premise…naturally applied to Ha Gang Seok, the head of the Inbong clan.

“The council was noisy with talk about Bright Moon General Seol Tae Pyeong.”

White Princess Ha Wol was sitting in the inner courtyard of the White Tiger Palace while having a talk with the head of her clan, Ha Gang Seok.

Since the unfortunate dismission of the fourth consort Ha Chae-rim, White Princess Ha Wol had become the one who observed the palace’s dynamics most closely for the Inbong clan.

The reason the fourth consort caused such a commotion and tried to keep the White Princess in check was to prevent this outcome, but in the end, the one who survived was the White Princess.

“Is that so?”

The White Princess tilted her head as she listened to Ha Gang Seok’s story. She gently brushed her chin with a fan made of soft feathers.

Indeed, whether it was the tea gathering or the council meeting, the talk was always about Seol Tae Pyeong.

The reason Ha Gang Seok had come personally to see the White Princess was undoubtedly to ask various questions about Seol Tae Pyeong.

As befits his role as the representative of the Inbong clan, Ha Gang Seok was an opportunist and a power-oriented person.

He was someone who would use anything to climb higher.

By now, the White Princess felt no disappointment toward such a person. The Inbong clan was full of people like that, and the White Princess herself was a woman who would do anything for power.

“I thought he was an extraordinary person, but I didn’t expect him to gain real power so quickly…”

The White Princess was lost in thought for a moment.

Since the Heavenly Dragon Festival, she had been entangled with him in various matters, but he was as flawless as the Vermilion Princess which made it hard to find any weaknesses.

“I heard that Ha Wol has some connection with that Bright Moon General. When Ha Chae Rim acted like that on her own, that Bright Moon General once defended you.”

“I don’t know him very well. It’s just that…”

The White Princess briefly brushed the tip of her fan before picking up her words again.

“Just that…?”

“Hmm… No, I think I made some assumptions.”

There were a few crown princess consorts who were infatuated with Bright Moon General, Seol Tae Pyeong.

It seemed better that only the White Princess knew this fact.

No one could predict how the opportunist Ha Gang Seok would use this information if he found out.

It was better for the White Princess to keep such a powerful weapon to herself. She didn’t trust even her clan head, Ha Gang Seok.

“Anyway… the vassals and aides of the noble clans inside and outside the palace were sending him various things as bribes. I can’t do nothing, so I was thinking of sending some silk. What do you think?”

“…Well. I don’t think that’s a good idea. That man, Bright Moon General, isn’t someone who would be pleased with bribes. I also heard that he returns most of them.”

“Hmm… is that so…”

The White Princess who had some contact with Seol Tae Pyeong could certainly confirm that part.

But it wasn’t possible to do nothing.

Ha Gang Seok quietly stroked his chin, thought for a moment, then changed his expression and spoke.

“I think it’s best to leave this matter to Ha Wol after all.”

“…Huh?”

“From my perspective, it’s difficult to gauge what kind of person this Bright Moon General is. I’ve heard he has some connection with the Heavenly Maiden, so we can’t take this lightly… If we’re going to recruit him, it’s better for someone who knows him better to do it.”

After saying that, Ha Gang Seok took a sip of tea and then added in a more assertive tone.

“Use any means necessary to make him accept our Inbong clan’s bribes.”

“……”

“If we can stain that Bright Moon General somehow, it could greatly benefit the Inbong clan in the future.”

The White Princess barely managed to conceal her surprise.

The clan head Ha Gang Seok rarely entrusted such tasks to others. It seemed he needed someone to safeguard the family’s interests now that fourth consort Ha Chae Rim was gone.

White Princess Ha Wol was the perfect candidate for this position.

It was an opportunity to seize control of the Inbong clan.

The usually sharp-eyed White Princess saw a glimmer of opportunity… but she soon found herself deep in thought again.

Recruit Bright Moon General Seol Tae Pyeong.

How could she persuade that upright man who was steadfast in his principles and beliefs from head to toe?

“Use any means necessary, Ha Wol. You are a very charming woman.”

“…Huh?”

“I heard from Headmaid Ye Rim that at one time, that Bright Moon General had feelings for you. It’s a thing of the past now, but isn’t having a debt of the heart a huge advantage?”

Whether using charm or sowing discord, it didn’t matter. The task was to recruit the Bright Moon General.

It seemed an inappropriate thing to say to a princess consort of the realm, but the Inbong clan was a den of people who didn’t care about methods or means. These were people who could do anything as long as it was not made public.

“……”

When she thought about Seol Tae Pyeong, usually a loud voice and a spirited attitude came to her mind.

However, as she recalled memories of Seol Tae Pyeong, the most memorable scene was eventually…

– The appearance of the White Princess I saw at that time literally looked like a fairy had come down to earth. Even when I fall asleep, the image of that time glimmers in my dreams, and even when I close my eyes, the image of that time seems to be engraved on my eyelids… !!!

– Yes…! I, Seol Tae Pyeong, merely a third-rate warrior…! Since that day, I have harbored feelings for the White Princess…!!

“Hiic…!”

“…Ha Wol-ah?”

“I-It’s nothing. I just remembered something from the past.”

There was a limit to how manly one could be.

No matter what his objective at that time was, the fact that the man came all the way to White Tiger Palace, kneeled before the White Princess, and immediately confessed his feelings, was… astonishing, to say the least.

Thinking about it carefully, it was the first time she had ever been courted in such a manner, so it was natural for the White Princess to blush and stammer her words.

Should it be called manly or reckless? Now that she thought about it, it was a truly ridiculous situation, but…

When she thought about it carefully…. until that point, the White Princess was certainly in a superior position.

However… one never knows how things will turn out in life…

…To recruit the Bright Moon General…?

For her to reach greater heights, she had to become an indispensable figure within the Inbong clan. Someone who was capable of controlling the entire clan.

For that to happen, the person known as Bright Moon General Seol Tae Pyeong was someone she needed.

How…?

Indeed… everything in life has two sides.

A coin has a front and a back; if there is an uphill, there is a downhill.

When morning comes, night follows, when there is a first half, there is also a second half, and when it is time to eat, there is also a time to throw up …

Life never flows in a single direction… like everything else, anything can happen at any time.

Changing positions…

Switching roles…!

Ah…

The White Princess lowered her head and rubbed her face with dry hands.

No one can predict how the course of life will unfold.

And so, this time,

The operation name…

was “Wolf Hunt”…

TN: Lmaooo!!!