– I will never swing a real sword against another person again.
This was during the time when the White Immortal Lee Cheol Woon was ordered by Emperor Woon Sung to raid a bandit hideout on the outskirts of the imperial capital.
After leading a group of guards into the hideout, what the White Immortal witnessed there was a cave drenched in blood.
Dozens of severed limbs were scattered around the place and the stench of blood was so overpowering that it could easily induce nausea to the weak.
The sight of entrails emitting smoke and bandits with faces frozen in terrible fear and their heads rolling around was enough to make one squint in disgust.
In the midst of this horrific hell was a boy covered in blood who was trembling with an old iron sword in his hands.
And there was a girl who was hugging the boy and reassuring him that everything would be alright. Even though her own hands were trembling with fear, she held the boy tightly with clenched teeth.
They couldn’t have been more than ten years old, and perhaps even younger.
At such an age, he had single-handedly slain over sixty bandits.
The warriors accompanying the White Immortal Elder shuddered at the horrific scene. Even veteran warriors couldn’t help but tremble at such a sight.
At that moment, upon noticing the White Immortal’s robe and recognizing him as someone from the Cheongdo Palace, the girl was startled and she quickly stood up.
She then positioned herself between the White Immortal and the boy with her trembling arms raised while pleading for him not to come closer. She desperately explained that they had to kill to survive.
Her words were true. The bandits in this cave were notoriously cruel, which is why the White Immortal had come to deal with them himself.
– I will never swing a real sword against another person again.
The boy who was clutching an iron sword muttered to himself
The gravity of the lives he had cut off with his own hands was weighing down on the shoulders of the boy who committed his first murder.
To have killed not one but sixty. The fear and pain seen in the eyes of each victim were too much for someone who had just taken their first life.
The White Immortal stepped into the sea of blood and crouched down to examine the boy more closely and he inevitably swallowed hard.
There wasn’t a single wound on the boy’s body. The blood covering him belonged entirely to the bandits.
The faint signs of fever at the tips of his fingers.
And the chill emanating from his gaze. An innate sensitivity to the sword’s spirit. He couldn’t control it, but he was aware of it.
The White Immortal felt there was no middle ground in this boy’s life.
There were only two paths: to become a master of the sword or a murderer.
– I will never… swing a real sword against another person again.
Yet the boy’s compulsive repetition of those words seemed to make a plea to the White Immortal.
To live an ordinary life.
To work less and earn more. And sometimes to eat delicious food.
Sometimes he would look up at the sky and admire the scenery, chat with old friends, think about what to do tomorrow, and fall asleep while looking at the moon. He yearned for such a relaxing life.
This, he believed, was the essence of a life worth dreaming of.
***
“The duel shall be fought with real swords, and the one to first slice through the opponent’s garment shall be deemed the victor.”
“…. Then wouldn’t the Vermilion Princess with her fancy court clothing be at a disadvantage?”
“To speak frankly, it’s not really that important.”
When you breathe in the clear air of White Immortal Mountain, you can feel your head start to clear. As it was a mountain that stood tall next to the imperial palace, it was also a place leading to the famous Azure Mountain within the Cheongdo Empire.
As time passed, the day of the birthday ceremony finally arrived.
The chill of winter was in full swing, but with hundreds of people gathered in the same place, the place was rather warm
The scale of the stage set up on the spacious beautiful clearing halfway up the mountain and the numerous banquet tables spread out in front of it was astonishing. At the edge of the cliff, a pavilion had already been erected where Emperor Woon Sung was sharing drinks with high officials.
The Taihwa Pavilion was erected on the slopes of the White Immortal Mountain solely for this event. It was just a pavilion built for entertainment, but it was larger than the main house of most wealthy families.
The banquet dishes that were served in the center of the room were enough to last for three days and three nights, and the array of prepared liquors included rare beverages that even the greatest connoisseurs might never have tasted before.
Considering the effort of the eunuchs and maids who had to carry all this up the mountain, one might well close their eyes in gratitude.
“Well, that’s right.”
I responded to Hyeon Dang, the headmaid of the Vermilion Bird Palace.
My role was merely to engage the Vermilion Princess in a display of sword dance on the stage. It was a role that could be played with a reasonable amount of tact where we were to exchange about twenty moves before I graciously conceded defeat.
“……”
“Is there anything else you wish to ask about?”
With her short hair cascading down, Hyeon Dang pressed her sleeves together, bowed her head, and spoke.
It was a bit strange; the headmaid of the Vermilion Bird Palace I knew of was not this person. Although she had a minor role in the story, the headmaid I had seen in the “Heavenly Dragon Love Story” had a more subdued demeanor and a completely different name.
So who exactly was this woman?
“May I ask how long you have been working in the Vermilion Bird Palace?”
“I entered the Vermilion Bird Palace as a maid at the age of nine. It’s been over twenty years since I dedicated myself to the Vermilion Bird Palace. But why do you ask?”
“No reason.”
Not just anyone could be appointed as the Vermilion Princess’s headmaid.
Was I misunderstanding something? I thought about it while resting my chin on my hand. I eventually shook my head and decided it didn’t matter.
“Why has the Vermilion Princess decided to have me perform on the stage with her?”
“…….”
“…….”
It was a question that was asked without much thought, but the head maid shook her head for a moment and thought about it before answering.
“I wouldn’t presume to understand the Vermilion Princess’s intentions, but I suspect it might be to shake off her heart demons.”
“Heart demons?”
“Warrior Seol is a man of the Huayongseol clan, right?”
She cut straight to the heart of the matter unexpectedly. Indeed, it seemed that those from the Vermilion Bird Palace were as straightforward and spirited as rumored.
“While the Vermilion Princess is a sage who forgives everything and cares deeply for her people, she simply cannot bring herself to accept anyone from the Huayongseol clan. Ever since her beloved uncle, whom she regarded as a mentor in life, passed away, the rift between her and the Huayongseol clan has only widened beyond repair.”
And it seemed that headmaid Hyeon Dang who loyally served the Vermilion Princess was no different.
Her dealings with me were strictly professional as if to say that she was performing minimum courtesy.
“So she thinks that subduing warrior Seol who is a man of the Hwayongseo clan with a sword is an act of completely breaking away from her own heart demons. It might seem like a mere act of self-satisfaction, but…”
“It’s strange then. Doesn’t the Vermilion Princess understand better than anyone that such a match on the stage is just for show? What importance does winning a staged duel hold? I would think the Vermilion Princess is well aware of this…”
“I agree with you but…”
It seemed there must be some underlying reason for the Vermilion Princess. At least Hyeon Dang appeared to think so too.
Frankly, the intentions of the Vermilion Princess were of little concern to me.
“Well, anyway, don’t worry. This is rather my area of expertise.”
“Huh?”
“You’ll be quite surprised… I’ll lose in a definitive and clean manner. It’ll appear as though she had been fighting half-heartedly, and then I’ll get knocked down without even the princess consort getting a real chance to exert her true strength. Hahaha….”
…Office politics!
Despite changes in era or location, the essence of navigating social environments remains the same.
Moreover, the art of tact and diplomacy is something that every person surviving through life must inevitably master.
Whether one becomes the crown princess of a nation, a department head in an office, or anyone from any era, dealing with those in higher positions is an inescapable part of human existence. After all, humans are social beings who live among others!
Of course, exaggerated and clumsy flattery can make one look cheap. Especially to someone upright and forthright like the Vermilion Princess, such behavior might be most despised.
But so what… if that’s exactly my aim!
Finding a way to incur the Vermilion Princess’s displeasure without facing severe punishment seems, from my perspective, like something to be wholeheartedly welcomed.
I’ll show what true flattery is all about.
Indeed, a man of honor should not resort to cheap flattery or pleasing words, but when one’s life is at stake, the situation is entirely different, isn’t it…?
While I was thinking about this, the musicians on the stage began to play their instruments.
The high-ranking officials, who were sitting in the pavilion enjoying their wine and talk, exclaimed in admiration and turned their attention toward the performance.
The most beautiful flowers of Cheongdo Palace. It was time for the crown princess consorts of the four great palaces to showcase their talents.
***
The crown prince’s birthday ceremony was an opportunity to see high-ranking officials and nobles up close. These were people who were otherwise out of sight on ordinary days.
Seated in the most splendid area of the magnificent Taehwa pavilion was Emperor Woon Sung draped in his dragon robe.
The image of him wearing a robe and sweeping his beard in a humble manner seemed to waft the energy of a heavenly emperor.
Below him sat crown prince Hyeon Won who was firmly holding the position of the future emperor. His eyes were clear yet, in a way, empty.
It’s exactly as I imagined.
I sighed inwardly as I looked at Prince Hyeon Won, who was the protagonist of this event at the young age of fourteen. The emptiness in his gaze was not something that should be present in the eyes of a boy his age.
Crown Prince Hyeon Won of Cheongdo could not see colors.
Having devoted himself to the study of scriptures from a young age, at some point, he became unable to see any color other than the white of paper and the black of ink.
Yet, living like a puppet in accordance with the imperial family’s strict protocols, he had become someone who could not even marvel at the beautiful landscapes of Cheongdo, let alone find meaning in life. His existence as the crown prince was glamorous but far from happy.
And it was Seol Ran who brought color into the desolate eyes of Crown Prince Hyeon Won.
Was it around the third volume of the Heavenly Dragon Love Story?
In this scene, Seol Ran, after sneaking out of the palace, led Crown Prince Hyeon Won by the hand up the tiled roofs of the prince’s palace to show him the panoramic view of Cheongdo Palace.
It was there that Crown Prince Hyeon Won realized for the first time that Cheongdo Palace, where he had lived all his life, was truly a beautiful place.
As he took in the sight of cherry blossoms fluttering across the outer palace, the world finally began to fill with color.
When he gazed at Seol Ran laughing in that moment, he realized she was the connection he had been searching for all his life.
Seol Ran had become the new direction for his life, which had been like that of an empty puppet.
It’s something that I often say, but…
Indeed, being the protagonist of a romance fantasy novel… is not something just anyone can do…
The same was true for this birthday ceremony.
The energy had been disturbed in the White Immortal Mountain. And then the story said that Seol Ran, who was carrying refreshments, ended up getting caught in a landslide due to the demonic spirits’ attack…
Seol Ran managed to keep Crown Prince Hyeon Won alive while they were trapped between rocks and waiting for rescue for more than three days.
During this time, Seol Ran did not reveal her name… The wistful look on Crown Prince Hyeon Won’s face as he silently recalled the maid from his memories was one of the interesting points in the early part of Heavenly Dragon Love Story.
…This setup, somehow feels familiar…
“Haha, will there ever be another day as good as today! Look here! On such a joyous occasion as the Crown Prince’s birthday, bring out even finer wine! Hahaha!”
Below are the high-ranking officials… Chu Beom Seok of the Secretariat, In Seon Rok of the Department of State Affairs, Shim Sanggon of the Chancellery, and even General Seong Sa Wook with Strategist Hwa An….all under the direct escort of commander warrior Jang Rae.
It’s rare to see such esteemed individuals gathered together like this.
The more esteemed the assembly, the more daunting it became to take the stage.
But…
– Wow… As expected of the mistress of the White Tiger Palace.
– Merely standing there, she seems like a fairy that descended from the heavens.
– Incredible… It’s as if she belongs to another world…!
The sound of the court ladies murmuring came to my ears.
The White Princess who was performing the Heavenly Dragon Dance on the stage was captivating the audience’s full attention.
She had been the mistress of the White Tiger Palace for less than a month.
Managing the maids and gauging the atmosphere of the inner palace would have been overwhelming enough, yet she had mastered the Heavenly Dragon Dance for the ceremony in this short time.
The White Princess’s elegant movements permeated the noble scenery of White Immortal Mountain.
The sight of pure white court robes with many gold thread embroideries fluttering in front of the mountain looked like clouds flowing along the mountainside.
Her hair, whiter and paler than silver, fluttered in the air. And because it was tied back for the dance, her elegant neckline was poignantly exposed.
Even the moment she squinted her eyes to strike a pose seemed to slow down time. Her bluish-green eyes revealed their full beauty. Watching her white hair and clear bright eyes, one could believe a White Tiger of a thousand years had transformed into a human form.
As the musicians’ performance intensified, the Heavenly Dragon Dance drew the audience in even deeper.
Then with a clean and crisp conclusion, it left the audience longing for more.
As the White Princess gracefully bowed her head to express her gratitude, even the high-ranking officials had no choice but to abandon their dignity and applaud. Some of them even stood up.
If a fairy were to descend to the earth, she would surely take the form of the White Princess. Such high praise was given and the applause seemed endless.
“It’s truly astonishing. The White Tiger Palace has acquired a treasure, Your Majesty.”
“The Azure Princess who is to perform next will surely find it difficult to follow.”
“The Azure Princess is still young, and just the experience of ascending the stage will be valuable for her. Let’s encourage her greatly and give her a resounding applause. The golden hairpin can wait until next year.”
The birthday ceremony was an occasion for the princess consorts of the four palaces to showcase their talents in front of the high officials and nobles.
The princess consort who presented the most noble demeanor would receive a golden hairpin directly from Emperor Woon Sung which was a token considered one of the most valuable treasures within the inner palace. Often, the princess wearing the golden hairpin until the next year’s ceremony was regarded as the most prestigious.
With the position of the Black Princess still vacant, the high officials expected the most prestigious princess to receive the golden hairpin. However, the White Princess’s Heavenly Dragon Dance was so mesmerizing that no one would have objected if she were to receive the hairpin immediately.
Yet, what followed with the Azure Princess was even more remarkable.
The Azure Princess, Jin Cheong Lang, did not bring anything with her when she ascended the stage. She just came up wearing beautiful court clothes like all princess consorts do.
Sitting gracefully on a straw mat in the center of the stage, she covered her mouth with her sleeve and began to speak softly.
“I am truly humbled that you have gathered here on White Immortal Mountain to witness my modest talents.”
“I hope that, even if it’s just a fleeting dream, I can brighten this auspicious day.”
The moment she spoke these words, flowers began to bloom.
It was winter. It was a time when the branches of the trees were stark and barren while waiting for the spring to arrive.
And yet starting from the trees around Taehwa Pavillion, flowers began to bloom, and soon this wave of blossoming spread throughout the entirety of White Immortal Mountain.
The vegetation regained its vitality, and the sky seemed to rise higher. As if the cold and harsh winter had never been, butterflies fluttered their wings, and deer started to frolic.
From behind the stage, the White Immortal Mountain appeared desolate. But when they came to their senses, the officials saw that the foliage was lush and vibrant flowers had bloomed, bringing forth a warm spring day.
The high-ranking officials could hardly believe their eyes. The Azure Princess Jin Cheong Lang had brought spring to White Immortal Mountain.
“How… How did this happen?!”
“What’s going on?!”
The civil officials were startled and they looked around in surprise.
The peaceful scenery of White Immortal Mountain was so dazzling that it felt like they had entered paradise. The view of Cheongdo Palace spread out below the mountain seemed much vaster than they knew.
The grandeur of Cheongdo Palace, stretching to the horizon, seemed to command the world.
The parade of spreading flower petals further enveloped the world in beauty.
If there was a land of eternal happiness and peace, it surely must be this place.
Such was the profound beauty of the scene.
At that moment, just as the high-ranking officials stood agape…
They came to and found themselves back in the winter of White Immortal Mountain.
A hush fell over the assembly.
“In the benevolent reign of His Majesty Emperor Woon Sung, I believed that Cheongdo Nation would one day become a spring paradise like this.”
“I wanted to show you a glimpse of that vision.”
The voice of the Azure Princess, Jin Cheong Lang, once again settled calmly.
The high officials could hardly believe what they had experienced. The entire scene was just an illusion created by the Azure Princess’s Taoist magic.
She had shown the same scene to hundreds of people gathered here at once. Even for those who had received the teachings of the White Immortal, this was a feat of Taoist magic that not even the White Immortal himself could easily display.
It is said that those who overcome the suffering of the divine fever become extraordinary
Those living ordinary lives seldom even have the chance to feel it.
She was just sitting in her place as always with her mouth covered and head lowered… but to cast hundreds of people into the same illusion…
It meant being able to walk out alive and proud even in front of hundreds of troops.
Therefore, even the high officials who had applauded and cheered for the White Princess’s heavenly dragon dance… this time were just standing with their mouths agape. The sweat on the backs of their necks was visibly flowing.
Even after a while, there was no sign of their mouths closing.
The assembly was so quiet, it was as if time had stopped.
***
I was among the guards looking at the extraordinary display by the White Princess and the Azure Princess.
All I could do was swallow my dry saliva.
Could it even be possible… The skills of the crown princess consort, who hadn’t even undergone her coming-of-age ceremony, was such that they could make craftsmen who had honed their crafts for decades take a step back in admiration. Was this the level one needed to reach to be a crown princess consort?
No matter how skilled the Vermilion Princess was in her upcoming sword dance, the thought that she could surpass these kinds of talents seemed utterly inconceivable. How could merely wielding a sword compare to the marvel of illusion techniques that could turn the entirety of White Immortal Mountain upside down?
This is why the order of performances in a show is so crucial. Had it been me, I would have been so breathless that I’d have simply abstained.
“Are you ready?”
Hyung Dang came to fetch me. I nodded and picked up the ceremonial sword I had placed near the stage.
It looked like a real sword but had no edge. After all, there was no scenario in which I would be slicing at the crown princess, so any sword would seem similar from a distance.
The Vermilion Princess ascended the stage and greeted the audience. Indeed, her dignified presence seemed well suited for the position of a princess.
I followed onto the stage, cupped my fists, and extended them forward in greeting to the audience. “I am Seol Tae Pyeong, an apprentice warrior of the White Immortal Palace.” Despite speaking so boldly, no one paid much attention to me.
Everyone knew I was merely a supporting actor, brought up to highlight the Vermilion Princess’s sword dance.
“On such a joyous occasion, I am deeply honored to have the opportunity to showcase my sword dance.”
“May my performance today, on this joyous birthday ceremony blessed by the heavens, align with the will of the heavenly emperor and bring everlasting peace to the future of Cheongdo Country.”
Well, there really wasn’t any need to worry about the Vermilion Princess anyway. After all, she was a noble lady from a powerful clan and the most authoritative crown princess within the inner palace.
Stepping into a gathering filled with high-ranking officials was a new experience for me. Our backgrounds were worlds apart after all.
As I mulled over this, the moment came to draw my ceremonial sword after offering my greetings.
After holding the hilt of my sword, I suddenly trembled. I couldn’t help but doubt my eyes at what I saw at the end of my gaze.
…She is trembling?
Since it was right in front of me, I could clearly feel the quivering of her fingertips holding the sword
The Vermilion Princess In Ha Yeon had trembling hands as she gripped her sword.
Her expression was as relaxed and graceful as ever. Her appearance combined with the Vermilion Bird Palace clothing was reminiscent of the majestic poise of a resting Vermilion Bird with its wings folded.
Yet, her fingertips continued to tremble.
“…….”
Right… She is only nineteen.
In the middle of the majestic palace, she stood with her back straight, dressed in a splendid court robe and accompanied by numerous maids. Her fiery eyes and young spirit made her worthy of being called the Vermilion Princess, and all the maids in Cheongdo Palace looked up to her with admiration.
But her age. She was only nineteen.
Even for the esteemed Vermilion Princess In Ha Yeon, the flower of the inner palace, escaping the universal emotions all humans feel seemed impossible.
Was she scared of the expectations placed upon her, burdened by the need to prove herself, and terrified of failure?
It was then that I seemed to understand why the Vermilion Princess title was a symbol of courage.
Courage isn’t about being fearless.
It’s about going forward despite the fear.
From being born as a member of the Jeongseon clan to coming here, this girl has passed through numerous trials.
Her casual disregard for the tremor at her fingertips was proof of that.
That trembling, it was all too similar to that of a boy shivering in the midst of a bandit’s den.
The shock and fear of taking a life for the first time, the despair that shakes one to the core. Overcoming such grief time and again imbues a person with a certain nobility.
That was the spirit reflected in her fiery eyes.
“…….”
I bowed my head in silence.
I am ashamed.
A man.
Is not just someone who was born with a stick between his legs.
I had thought only of exploiting that noble spirit. To flatter her in moderation, to deceive her just enough to preserve my own life.
All the things I had been complaining about were nothing but my own problems. Treating the genuine grievance of the Vermilion Princess with the Huayongseol clan as a mere tool. Have I discarded any semblance of respect for someone who has lived every moment sincerely, just to survive?
Can I even be called a man?
At least, I, Seol Tae Pyeong, did not live in such a manner.
Though I might have lived a miserable and wretched life, I lived as a man.
And I took pride in that, holding my head high.
I lifted my head. There, in my sight, stood the Vermilion Princess with her sword in hand.
What did the Vermilion Princess need at that moment? Ultimately, it was a stage where she could outshine everyone else.
“What are you doing? Come.”
“Understood.”
Clang!
Before the words were fully spoken, the sword had already been drawn.
***
The Vermilion Princess almost reflexively blocked the sword.
She hadn’t even seen Seol Tae Pyeong draw his sword. It was almost a reflexive action as a result of years of relentless training.
Though she managed to block it, the Vermilion Princess couldn’t help but widen her eyes in astonishment.
It was unclear to the rest of the audience, but Seol Tae Pyeong’s eyes when he drew his sword seemed to glow like a wild animal.
What is this man?
Just moments ago, the princess had been nervous.
But now, she had to focus entirely on Seol Tae Pyeong. Otherwise, even blocking a single strike would be overwhelmingly difficult.
Clang! Clang! Clang!
I can block this!
The limit of her swift swordsmanship was such that she couldn’t even see the incoming strikes. However, she could predict the direction of the sword by understanding his movements and weight distribution. It was almost a precognitive prediction and it was necessary to block even a single one of his powerful strikes.
The Vermilion Princess felt sweat trickling down her cheeks.
From every direction, it was impossible to predict where the next strike would come from. Seol Tae Pyeong’s movements, as he darted back and forth, were not just technically flawless but also possessed an air of unrestrained wildness.
He was clearly no novice to the sword. That much was unmistakably clear.
This man… is skilled with the sword…!
A spark flashed in the Vermilion Princess’s eyes, soon followed by a burning fervor as if she had met a worthy opponent. It was akin to the spirited vigor of a general who has encountered a strong rival.
Clang! Clang! Clang!
“H-Heavens, what is that?”
“I-I can’t see the sword…”
“What…Ho-How is she blocking that? I can’t even see it…!”
As the Vermilion Princess parried the invisible strikes, a wave of tension swept through the audience.
Among the guards, Jang Rae’s eyes as he watched the battle on the stage grew sharper.
***
“Eek!”
“Wh-What’s wrong, Seol Ran-ah…?”
Clang! Clang! Clang!
And while the sword dance was taking place, Seol Ran was quickly tidying up the bowls to replenish the fallen refreshments. Even though she was ordered to do such things under the guise of being an apprentice court lady, her positive nature meant she didn’t show any signs of dissatisfaction.
It was disappointing, however, that she couldn’t see the performances from her position which was directly opposite the stage.
Suddenly, a chill ran down her spine and Seol Ran trembled.
When a fellow court lady expressed concern for her, Seol Ran shook her head vigorously and forced a smile.
“Uh, it’s nothing.”
Why am I feeling anxious? Is Tae Pyeong up to something unnecessary again?
Surely, he wouldn’t be recklessly charging into danger, all in the name of some misguided spirit of a man. Especially when considering that his life was on the line.
My Tae Pyeong wouldn’t be that foolish… Hmm…
While musing to herself, Seol Ran gathered the tea bowls and headed towards the Taehwa pavilion.
She tried to brush off her unfounded worries as they only served to wear on her mind.
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