Chapter 82: Hell Part 4

Rumors about the Hwalseong District didn’t take long to spread among the Cheongdo Palace officials.

The district where anyone who entered lost contact soon began to be regarded as the graveyard of officials.

On the day Bright Moon General Seol Tae Pyeong entered Cheongdo Palace to work as an inspector of the inner palace, everyone avoided meeting his eyes.

They feared they would be dragged to the Hwalseong District if they caught his attention.

Bad rumors always spread quickly.

Even the technicians from the Jeongseon clan lamented their fate of being dispatched to the Hwalseong District… Even the head of the Jeongseon clan In Seon Rok had to think a bit.

I have trust in him since Ha Yeon recommended him, but it is certainly strange that those taken to the Hwalseong District never show up in the main palace.

While working at the office of the chief councilor, he kept an eye on Bright Moon General’s status but it didn’t seem like Seol Tae Pyeong was planning anything significant.

The news was that he was simply managing the Hwalseong District as instructed and spending his time training his martial arts.

Anyway… I will soon inspect the Hwalseong District on behalf of the emperor, and the conclusion will come quickly. I just hope he isn’t up to anything unnecessary.

“Are you saying not only Ha Si Hwa but also the officials from the Inbong clan who went in with her have all lost contact?”

“Yes. Considering the recent rumors circulating within Cheongdo Palace, it seems certain that something is happening in there.”

When the White Princess replied like that, the head of the Inbong clan Ha Gang Seok couldn’t help but furrow his brows.

The people Bright Moon General Seol Tae Pyeong took this time were quite skilled even within the Inbong clan.

Of course, only those who are that competent can firmly establish their position under Bright Moon General and try to influence him. However, if all five of them lost contact at once, the loss would be substantial.

People are assets.

When assets are lost, the cause must be found and identified.

“Could it be that someone from the Jeongseon clan is playing some tricks?”

From the beginning, it was suspicious that Seol Tae Pyeong who knew everything readily accepted the people from the Inbong clan.

If, in fact, Seol Tae Pyeong and the Jeongseon clan were in cahoots, and they played a trick to keep the skilled people of the Inbong clan in check…

… Considering that the Vermilion Princess and Seol Tae Pyeong were acquainted, it wasn’t entirely impossible, but it seemed strange to go to such lengths just to keep in check half a dozen officials of the fifth rank or lower.

“You know well that the Jeongseon clan is not the type to play tricks like that. If they were to act, they would do it more covertly, not so openly. Even the fact that they dispatched their technicians to Hwalseong District to keep us in check is quite an aggressive move for them.”

“…So does this mean Bright Moon General himself is up to something?”

“…It seems I need to see Ha Si Hwa’s face, even if by force.”

Even the White Princess had investigated the woman named Ha Si Hwa to some extent.

The woman was naturally gifted in architecture and design and she had ambitions fitting for a member of the Inbong clan. It wouldn’t be surprising if she someday threatened the White Princess’s position inside the clan.

Just as Ha Chae Rim once did, would the White Princess also have to kick away the ladder to prevent someone beneath her from rising?

To say there was no such pressure would be a lie, and the White Princess was always ready to kick away that ladder. To her, life was a constant struggle.

“I will personally… No, the head of the clan should send the letter directly. Regardless, if the head of the Inbong clan makes direct contact, she won’t be able to ignore it.”

—————

I am doing well.

I still have nothing worth reporting about Bright Moon General Seol Tae Pyeong.

I will continue to diligently fulfill my duties.

Sincerely yours, Ha Si Hwa.

—————

“……”

The letter that arrived the next day was so brief that it felt inappropriate.

When she first entered the Hwalseong District, Ha Si Hwa meticulously reported every move of Bright Moon General Seol Tae Pyeong in hopes of catching the attention of the Inbong clan’s leaders.

She wrote such detailed reports every day that it was difficult to verify each one.

Yet now, even though the head of the Inbong clan sent her a personal letter, she responded with only this brief reply.

Something was definitely going wrong.

The White Princess felt an urgent need to forcibly investigate what was happening inside the Hwalseong District.

The building of the Hwalseong District government office had just been framed.

In a room so small that it was embarrassing to even call it a meeting room, four people sat around a large shabby wooden table.

They were Bright Moon General Seol Tae Pyeong, the lord of this Hwalseong District, and his three closest aides.

They included his adjutant Bi Cheon, the Black Moon Leader Cheong Jin Myeong, and Manager Ha Si Hwa…. They would all have their own places if they went to the main palace of Cheongdo Palace, but here they were, sitting in a dusty construction site, and discussing some matters.

“The cleanup of lower demonic spirits around the outskirts of the Hwalseong District is almost finished. Everything should be cleared within a week, and as long as we properly handle the blood of the demonic spirits, we can start erecting new buildings.”

“Black Moon Leader, a week seems too long. Can you finish it within three days? The materials are arriving tomorrow, and it’s not good to leave them outside for too long.”

“Manager, I understand your enthusiasm for the job, but demonic spirit subjugation is a matter of life and death. No matter how tight the schedule is, it cannot be handled carelessly.”

“You know that every day of delay in construction causes significant losses. If this keeps happening, we’ll be in trouble. If we start wasting just because we have a bit more budget, weaknesses will appear in other areas.”

“Both of you, please calm down. We gathered here to find a compromise regarding the schedule.”

Bi Cheon awkwardly tried to mediate the argument between Ha Si Hwa and Cheong Jin Myeong.

Bright Moon General Seol Tae Pyeong who was sitting on the table with his arms crossed, listened and then roughly mediated between them.

After arguing for a while, they finally concluded that the preparatory work would be completed within five days.

“You heard that the Chief Councilor is coming next month, right? To avoid any mistakes then, we need to prepare a lot, so let’s work hard until then. Is there anything else to report, Manager?”

“Yes, there’s quite a lot to report. We need more timber to reinforce the support in the eastern mining area, and we’re also planning to create a market section in the Hwalseong District, which will require more people to clear the path.”

“The timber will arrive soon, and it seems like we’ve already used up all the available manpower…You can take the maids and servants in my house and use them.”

“Y…Yes…?”

“They might not be thrilled about being suddenly dragged to the construction site, but I’ve already explained everything to them, so let’s just endure this for a while. Make sure to assign them their tasks properly, make sure no one gets heatstroke, and have the women focus on more delicate tasks rather than heavy labor.”

“But… if we use those people, who will attend to Bright Moon General’s needs?”

When Ha Si Hwa asked this, Bright Moon General Seol Tae Pyeong responded with a look of disbelief.

“Hey, how old do you think I am? Do you think I can’t handle eating meals, doing laundry, and making my bed by myself? There’s a limit to how much you can underestimate your lord. Are you kidding me?”

“T-Tthat’s…”

It was the first time she had heard a third-rank official say he would cook his own meals, do his own laundry, and make his own bed. No matter what, there is a certain dignity to his position.

He said to use as many people as needed, but she never expected he would go so far as to offer all of his own household staff.

Not only Ha Si Hwa but also Bi Cheon and Cheong Jin Myeong were left dumbfounded.

“Why are you making that face like you’ve seen something you shouldn’t? Don’t tell me… did you really think I couldn’t handle that much on my own?”

“T-That’s not what I meant…”

“Guys… I’m not that helpless…”

Ha Si Hwa quickly bowed her head and tried to hide her embarrassment.

Ha Si Hwa was a well-recognized and capable official.

However, capable officials inevitably attract numerous enemies, even if they don’t seek them out. She had never felt resentful about this because she grew up in an environment where it was simply natural to think that way.

The Inbong clan where Ha Si Hwa belonged was such a place.

The most capable reign, but everyone who’s slightly less capable must struggle to avoid being purged.

Until you ascend, it’s best to hide your abilities, and even when they’re revealed, you have to lower yourself to avoid becoming a threat.

It’s a place filled with people who, rather than supporting the capable, must first be on guard against them.

The most important thing for someone who had reached a high place was to distinguish who was the enemy and who was the ally. That person’s ability was something to be considered later.

Therefore, Ha Si Hwa couldn’t help but feel uneasy about the extent to which Bright Moon General supported her as if he would be willing to give her everything. She was flustered for a moment.

“Ah, right… You mentioned dividing the market district by creating a main road centered around the government office, correct?”

“Yes. It will be more convenient later if we also start naming places now.”

“The manager should decide on the names yourself. Since you designed it.”

“M-Me?”

“Yes. Name it after yourself or your family, whatever you like. Just make sure it’s clear and has a good meaning.”

Ha Si Hwa looked down at the numerous blueprints and district maps spread out on the desk.

She had devoted herself to the project for some time and even neglected food and drink for it, and most of it was already in place.

Among them was the name of the area that would become the central street of the future development.

Usually, such names were derived from the official in charge or chosen to emphasize loyalty to the emperor.

However, Seol Tae Pyeong casually tapped the blueprints on the desk and said,

“It’s your creation, after all.”

Ha Si Hwa’s eyes widened in surprise at those words.

“Anyway, it seems the work is progressing well, so let’s eat and then return to our posts. If there are any more reports, send them in.”

Seol Tae Pyeong decided that there was nothing more to report, grabbed his sword, slung it over his waist, and left the meeting room.

After checking all the reports, he had to go to the main palace and perform his duties as an Inner Swords Commander, so he was very busy.

After he received farewell greetings from Bi Cheon and Cheong Jin Myeong, Seol Tae Pyeong hurried off to his next task.

“……”

Ha Si Hwa, however, stood still. Her eyes were wide as she stared at the blueprints.

How many years had it been since she started working as an architectural inspector?

She had inspected buildings, studied construction layouts countless times, and handled the work diligently… but had her efforts ever been properly acknowledged?

While running her fingers over the district maps…. Ha Si Hwa murmured as if in a trance.

“My creation…?”

Seeing Ha Si Hwa like that, Bi Cheon and Cheong Jin Myeong couldn’t help but feel bewildered.

It had been over a month since they had properly contacted Ha Si Hwa.

At this point, the Inbong clan couldn’t just sit back. Soon, the technicians of the Jeongseon clan would enter the Hwalseong District, and if they continued to remain passive, there was a high chance they would lose control of the situation.

Ha Gang Seok who had a strong inferiority complex towards the Jeongseon clan fervently hoped to avoid a situation where even the Bright Moon General would be handed over.

“Wol-ah, we can’t leave all the responsibilities to Ha Si Hwa any longer.”

The White Princess also agreed with the head of the Inbong clan’s opinion.

Before the Jeongseon clan could firmly establish themselves in the Hwalseong District, it was necessary to make sure that Bright Moon General Seol Tae Pyeong could not let go of the Inbong clan’s hand.

Though it might be somewhat reckless and radical…. they had to find a way to grasp him. There wasn’t much time.

“Should we perhaps send more people from the Inbong clan? I’ve heard that because of the large-scale civil engineering projects in the Hwalseong District, even the servants of Bright Moon General have all run out to work there…. If we help now, it could yield significant benefits in the future.”

In any case, the best the White Princess could offer was a compromise.

However, the head of the clan shook his head.

“It seems the time for such lukewarm persuasion has passed. Now, we need to take strong control.”

With that, the head of the clan took out a few bamboo slips and spread them out on the wooden table.

The White Princess looked down at the bamboo slips with a bewildered expression on her face, then furrowed her brows instantly.

“Clan head… this is…”

“We are scheduled to enter the Crown Prince’s palace next month to present our tribute. We will use that opportunity to carry out the plan.”

“Clan head… This…I’m against this…”

Seeing the White Princess express her opposition without a moment of hesitation, the head of the clan frowned deeply.

No matter how much she had grown, he never expected her to display such open displeasure before the head of the Inbong clan.

However, from the White Princess’s perspective, it was a desperate matter.

“Every person has a ‘reverse scale’ that must never be touched. If you recklessly provoke it, it could lead to serious repercussions.”

“Living comfortably in the White Tiger Palace for several years seems to have softened you quite a bit, Ha Wol-ah.”

“Clan head.”

“When it comes to controlling people, if you start considering human emotions, there’s no end to it. Must I remind you of this obvious truth again? Have you already forgotten the teachings of the Inbong clan? Now that you’ve risen to a high position, do you truly believe you are noble and pure?”

“That’s not it… It’s just…”

“We don’t have time. Do we have the leisure to discuss this?”

The White Princess reread the contents of the bamboo slip with trembling fingers.

The document was filled with personal information about Seol Ran, who was a senior maid of the Crown Prince’s palace…. These pieces of information were clearly not obtained by clean means.

“……”

Seol Tae Pyeong cherished Seol Ran more than anyone else.

It wasn’t that the White Princess hadn’t laid a hand on Seol Ran because she was unaware of this fact.

Nor was it because she was swayed by some moral principle that harming family was against the natural order.

It was simply better not to touch Seol Ran.

The White Princess’s sharp intuition had only resonated that way.

Seol Tae Pyeong, who looked kind and had his own set of beliefs and convictions … was the kind of person who could abandon all morals and rules and become utterly furious if pushed too far.

It was best never to think of laying a hand on her.

“To control your opponent, you must wield a weapon that befits the task. Ha Wol, the more valuable the person is to your opponent, the more suitable they are as a hostage.”

“……”

“Do you think you can continue to dominate by only compromising and conceding?”

However, Ha Gang Seok only spoke with a solemn expression as he stood up.

If he couldn’t control his opponent with the warmth of the sun, he needed to summon the cold wind.

That was Ha Gang Seok’s way.

“Bi Cheon, let’s go eat rice soup.”

“……”

“Answer.”

“Yes…”

After finishing his duties as an Inner Swords Commander, Seol Tae Pyeong headed out for a meal with his adjutant Bi Cheon.

Although Bi Cheon had recently shed his position as an apprentice warrior, he still handled various tasks under Seol Tae Pyeong.

While Bi Cheon had no complaints, Seol Tae Pyeong was concerned enough to assign a couple of apprentice warriors to assist him.

Though he felt quite uneasy about receiving two successors so soon after shedding his apprentice warrior position, he decided to be genuinely grateful since his lord Bright Moon General had personally taken care of the situation.

Leaving the Red Palace and coming to Hwalseong seemed like a good decision. However…

Seol Tae Pyeong walked ahead of Bi Cheon. His back gave off an air of reliability as he trudged along.

And yet… his shoulders seemed strangely heavy after he took on the title of Bright Moon General.

Rather than being this serious, he used to be a person with a stronger human side… but lately, he seemed to have had to save face more often because he was carrying the Bright Moon General title.

It was inevitable. A position shapes a person, or rather, a person must adapt to their position.

Still, Bright Moon General must be holding back a lot.

Above all, since Bi Cheon became his adjutant, he had never seen Seol Tae Pyeong lose his temper.

There were times when he issued stern reprimands, but he never completely lost his cool …It seemed that people adapt like that when they rise to a high position.

It was when Bi Cheon and Seol Tae Pyeong entered the unfinished government building.

The moon was high in the sky that night.

Ha Si Hwa was sitting in one corner of the empty meeting room.

“…….”

“Just like the day I was born, should I name it Full Star City? Or should I boldly name it Si Hwa City? Since it’s the central market of Hwalseong District, maybe a simple name like Star City would be better… No, something with more character might be better… Since it will be a place where technicians gather, a more formal name might be good… But I do want to leave a bit of my mark… Hmm… Ha Si, Ho Si, Hae Wol Si… None of these feel quite right…”

She was bowing her head while looking at the district map.

It seemed like she had come running as soon as she finished her day’s work and was naming the street that would become the central market.

Even though it was late at night, she didn’t seem tired and she was scribbling numerous names under the lantern light… all of them candidates for the central market’s name.

There were so many candidates that the broad wooden desk was covered with bamboo slips full of names. There were so many it was almost laughable.

“…….”

After pondering for a long while, Ha Si Hwa looked up and suddenly met Seol Tae Pyeong’s eyes.

“…….”

“Ah…!”

She started trembling as if she just got caught doing something she absolutely shouldn’t. Her eyes were darting around in panic.

“Ge-Ge-Ge-Ge-General Seol …”

“…Why are you still here when it’s so late? Are you planning to fall asleep at work tomorrow?”

“N-No… It’s just that… there are still things I need to think over…”

Ha Si Hwa who was flustered hurriedly gathered the bamboo slips spread out in front of her. She stammered in a way that wasn’t like her.

“You’re still thinking about names??”

“That’s… While I’ve done a lot of architectural designs… I’ve never named anything before, so my thoughts are all over the place…”

“If it’s that hard, I’ll decide for you. Let’s see…”

“No, no! It’s fine! How could I trouble you, my lord, with such a task? I’ll do it! Absolutely!”

It wasn’t really much trouble, but somehow Ha Si Hwa looked desperate.

When Seol Tae Pyeong nodded, Ha Si Hwa who had just broken out in a cold sweat sighed deeply and gathered all the bamboo slips from the desk into her arms.

“Th-Then… I’ll take my leave…”

Watching Ha Si Hwa stagger out of the office, it was easy to guess she’d continue the same behavior even at home.

Although she was a manager under his command… he really couldn’t understand her.