The Plague Demonic Spirit was sealed at the bottom of the Heavenly Dragon Hall.
When the time came, the Plague Demonic Spirit would descend, destroy Cheongdo Palace, and plunge the imperial capital into the depths of ruin.
The ending Ah Hyun had confirmed countless times had never once changed.
Even the blade known as Seol Tae Pyeong who was honed to his ultimate edge had only ever cornered the Plague Demonic Spirit. He had never succeeded in cutting it down.
But this time, perhaps it would be possible.
Throughout countless cycles of reincarnation, she had seen Seol Tae Pyeong innumerable times, but never before had the conditions been as favorable as they were now.
Lost in these thoughts, Yeon Ri could only feel that her mind had become confused after witnessing the White Demonic Spirit’s last moments.
There is a manifestation of… the Plague Demonic Spirit… in the main palace?
Since the beginning of these endless cycles, the battle of nerves with the Plague Demonic Spirit has never ceased.
While its bizarre body might be sealed deep underground, its mind and soul could very well be roaming the world above.
Thinking back on everything that had happened, it wasnโt such a strange idea.
Within these cycles, there must have been a reason why it had managed to sabotage things so perfectly.
It would also explain how it could send out the White Demonic Spirit, Sun Demonic Spirit, and Moon Demonic Spirit with such perfect timing if one accepted that premise.
If someone, somewhere, was observing the situation within the palaceโฆ and was doing everything possible to bring her down โฆ
Then just who could that person be?
Considering that even the arrogant White Demonic Spirit had shown them respectโฆ. they must be of noble status or at least widely respected.
It was likely someone with enough knowledge of Cheondo Palaceโs inner workings to easily grasp the situation and someone who could operate beyond the sight of others.
People within Cheongdo Palace with the authority to monitor even the happenings in the Heavenly Dragon Hallโฆ There arenโt many people like that.
Yeon Riโs usually calm expression hardened for a moment.
In her many cycles of reincarnation, she had come to believe that she had met nearly everyone she could possibly encounter in every corner of Cheongdo Palace.
How many people held a position that allowed them to observe the inner workings of the Heavenly Dragon Hall?
The Heavenly Dragon Hall was the residence of the Heavenly Maiden. There were few who possessed the rank to monitor the Heavenly Maiden’s affairs, few enough to count on two hands.
Emperor Woon Sung.
Crown Prince Hyeon Won.
Chief Councilor In Seon Rok.
Central Councilor Chu Beom Seok.
Strategist Hwa An.
Grand General Seong Sa Wook.
General Hwang Su.
And Vice General Seol Tae Pyeong.
If there was an incarnation of the Plague Demonic Spirit among them.
Whoever it turned out to be… had to be eliminated.
That was, in fact, the quickest way to break free from all these shackles.
***
โTell the Vice General that I regret my earlier rudeness.”
A man with a cotton cloth wrapped around his face was bowing his head in front of the tea room.
This man was known as the most skilled demonic spirit hunter in Hwalseong District. He was the trusted subordinate who pledged his loyalty to Vice General Seol Tae Pyeong.
While Seol Tae Pyeong had no shortage of talented subordinates, few were as direct a force on the battlefield as Black Moon Leader Cheong Jin Myeong.
Not being an official affiliated with Cheongdo Palace meant Cheong Jin Myeong faced no particular restrictions on his movements. This allowed him to handle a wide range of tasks.
From hunting demonic spirits to engaging in direct combat, from physical labor to acting as a messenger, he was highly skilled at hiding himself and was adept at covert operations and deceit.
As long as the Hwalseong District was maintained, Black Moon Leader Cheong Jin Myeong would never lose his position as Seol Tae Pyeongโs most trusted subordinate.
Because of this, the Black Princess who held Vice General Seol Tae Pyeong in special regard, couldnโt treat his subordinate Cheong Jin Myeong carelessly.
After all, social life was always a game of aligning oneself with the right people.
Choosing the right person to serve under meant that even a low-ranking aide without an official title could still earn the respect of a crown princess consort.
โConsidering that I directly asked the Vice General to withdraw, and yet he still sent his aide… it must be quite urgent. Knowing his personality, I doubt heโd typically handle his subordinates this wayโฆ.”
Feeling a sharp headache, the Black Princess sat at the low table and pressed her fingers to her temples.
She had spent the entire night sorting through various concerns and was utterly exhausted. Even though she had dressed herself to meet with this guest, she couldnโt muster the usual energy she put into her appearance.
โVice General is in a difficult situation right now.”
The man who had lowered his head spoke in a low voice.
The moment she heard his voice, the Black Princess’s fingers trembled slightly. For some reason, the voice felt vaguely familiar.
Under normal circumstances, her senses would have been sharp enough to immediately identify the source of the discomfort, but the man had used concealment techniques to cloud her perception with the help of the White Princess.
The inside of the cloth tightly wrapped around his face was covered with numerous talismans.
But what was the need to hide? He introduced himself as Black Moon Leader Cheong Jin Myeong, yet the face concealed beneath that cloth was someone elseโs. There was no need to say whose face it really was.
If he could not meet Po Hwa Ryeong as the Vice General, he decided that he would rather use Cheong Jin Myeongโs identity to convey what he had to say.
โThe Vice General is in a difficult situation?โ
โYes. It seems His Majesty intends to entrust him with an important role, but the General worries that any additional duties may cause him to neglect his existing responsibilities… so he is trying to find a respectful way to decline His Majestyโs request.โ
โIndeedโฆ knowing Vice Generalโs personality, he certainly wouldnโt want to take on anything more.”
“Soโฆ please make it clear to the mistresses of the Four Palaces that the Vice General has reached his limit with just the work of the Inner Palace Inspector and the position of Heavenly Maidenโs aide.โ
“Was that the Vice Generalโs job?”
“Yes, thatโs correct.”
The Black Princess let out a deep sigh and almost rested her head on the tea table.
Right now, she was in the midst of a report from the Vice Generalโs subordinate. Showing any sign of unrest would only cause unnecessary concern for Seol Tae Pyeong.
“That should be something I can do. Iโll try to bring it up with the crown princess consorts at the next tea gathering and suggest that he be allowed to focus more on his work as the Inner Palace Inspector.”
“โฆโฆ!”
The man, who had been bowing deeply, trembled slightly at his fingertips.
He looked as though he had just received good news he wasnโt expecting. It was clear he had the loyalty of a true subordinate.
Seeing his masterโs hopes fulfilled brought him joy as if it were his own.
They say good subordinates are drawn to good people.
Indeed, Black Moon Leader Cheong Jin Myeong was a capable subordinate who matched the reputation of Seol Tae Pyeong.
At that point, Po Hwa Ryeong became a little curious.
“Could I ask how the Vice General has been doing lately?”
Po Hwa Ryeong asked the man who lowered his head as if she was subtly probing.
“The Vice General? Heโs doing well.”
“Is that so? He hasnโt shown any signs of undue worry; no hint of concern anywhere?”
“Why, why would he have any reason to? The threat of the demonic spirits has been handled, and since there was a bit of a disturbance in the inner palace, he seemed to be worried about the health of the mistresses of the Four Palaces.”
“Hmmโฆ worriedโฆ.”
The Black Princess paused and ran her fingers along the rim of her teacup. Then, even though she knew how ridiculous the question was, she couldn’t help but ask it.
“Wh-Who does he worry about the mostโฆ?”
“Huh?”
“I-I mean, specifically, who has he been most worried forโฆ After all, the Vice General is only humanโฆ Worry isnโt something that can be perfectly divided into four exact pieces, donโt you think?”
The manโs reaction was as if to ask, “Why would she ask something like that?” In reality, even the Black Princess didnโt quite understand why she was asking such an irrelevant question.
But she couldnโt help her curiosity. Human curiosity is, after all, bound to be unreasonable.
Yes, it was just curiosity.
Living amidst the chaos of the inner palace, where conflict and schemes were ever-present, it was only natural for one to be a bit curious about where Seol Tae Pyeong’s gaze might be directedโฆ!
โI know that given my lowly status, I have no right to question such things, but I cannot help but ask for the sake of my lordโs safety. Black Princessโฆ why did you ask such a questionโฆ?โ
โB-Because I was curious. Do I really need to justify every little curiosityโฆ?โ
โIfโฆ if you put it that wayโฆ Ah, I understand.โ
He didn’t dare to ask her outright why she was curious.
After all, the Black Princess, as the mistress of the Black Tortoise Palace, held a rank second only to the Heavenly Maiden in terms of court hierarchy. How could a mere adjutant of the Hwalseong District question someone of her status?
All he could do was answer whatever she was curious about, with no other options.
The real issue was that the man hiding his face behind the mask wasn’t actually Cheong Jin Myeong.
Yet it was said that even a dog thatโs been around a school for three years will learn to recite poetry.
No matter how little interest Seol Tae Pyeong had in pleasing others or engaging in court politics, he still knew what the right response was in such a situation.
After all, it was the Black Princess standing before him.
Soโฆ saying he was worried about the Black Princess seemed the most socially appropriate answer.
โB-Black Princess has suffered a great deal, and considering all that she endured because of the demonic spirit power, he was very concerned for her.โ
โMe?!โ
โY-Yesโฆ So, umโฆ wellโฆ Black Princessโฆ you are, after all, quite close to the Vice Generalโฆ He said, as the saying goes, the arm bends inward, so he was deeply concerned about whether you had suffered any serious harm.โ
โโฆWellโฆ yesโฆ I suppose thatโs trueโฆ! We are rather closeโฆ!โ
All of a sudden, it was as if flower petals were blooming behind Po Hwa Ryeong.
Though she lowered her voice as if to maintain her dignity, her tone lifted at the ends of her words. It was clear how happy she was.
The man behind the mask never expected her mood to brighten so much, so he found himself sweating nervously.
โNoโฆ no, thatโs not right! The Vice General must be so strange~!โ
โโฆโฆโ
โWith all the troubles piling up and the other noble princess consorts caught up in all this chaosโฆ why would he be most worried about me~? Strange~ Really strange~.โ
โโฆโฆโ
โOh! Come to think of it, I didnโt even offer the Vice Generalโs adjutant a cup of tea! Would you care for some tea?!โ
โFor a subordinate to directly receive tea from the mistress of the Four Palacesโฆ that would be most disrespectful.โ
โAhaha, you really are Tae Pyeong-ahโs subordinate, arenโt you? So strict with rank and decorumโฆ! Ah, noโฆ I mean, not Tae Pyeong-ahโs subordinateโฆ the Vice Generalโs subordinateโฆ.โ
She quickly brushed off her slip of the tongue and gave a small shrug as she looked at the man for his reaction.
Clearing her throat, Po Hwa Ryeong straightened herself.
She had heard it so many times in her imperial etiquette lessons that it practically rang in her ears. If one is a crown princess, one must display dignity rather than familiarity.
Though she was never entirely at ease with such things, she had to maintain some level of authority in front of someone so far below her in rank.
Yetโฆ it was so hard to hold backโฆ!
Black Moon Leader Cheong Jin Myeong was one of Vice General Seol Tae Pyeongโs most trusted subordinates.
Always stationed nearby, he likely knew many details about Seol Tae Pyeong that others wouldnโt know.
If only I could find out just a little moreโฆ!
But she snapped out of it and suddenly slapped her own cheek as if she was startled.
What on earth am I thinkingโฆ!
At this point, there was no denying it.
Black Princess Po Hwa Ryeongโฆ didnโt see Seol Tae Pyeong as just a friendโฆ!
However, Po Hwa Ryeong had no desire to stir up any unnecessary trouble among the princess consorts. Knowing her place well, she didnโt want to burden Seol Tae Pyeong with needless pressure.
She didnโt want to see Seol Tae Pyeongโฆ in a romantic lightโฆ!
If she did, wouldnโt it be like losing her closest friend?
Just like the other crown princess consorts, she too would end up becoming just another burden in Seol Tae Pyeongโs life.
So, harboring any passionate feelings would only serve to bring him nothing but harm.
It was just a ripple in her heart, which until now had been as calm as a mirror-smooth lake.
She had never passionately loved anyone to the point of creating rumors. She simply acknowledged that Seol Tae Pyeong was a good man and that there were aspects of him that naturally drew her in on an emotional level.
Waitโฆ I feel my head heating up too muchโฆ
The Black Princess quickly shook her head back and forth to clear her thoughts.
The Black Moon Leader, who was bowing his head cautiously asked if she was alright, but she didnโt respond.
She was too overwhelmed, just trying to sort out her own thoughts.
โHmm, Black Moon Leader, listen carefully. It would be troublesome if you misunderstood.โ
After struggling to collect her thoughts, the Black Princess finally managed to speak.
โYou are the closest aide that Vice General Seol Tae Pyeong genuinely trusts, arenโt you?โ
โYes, that is correct.โ
โWhatever happens, you work solely for the Vice General, and you would be ready to sacrifice anything for his sake, wouldnโt youโฆ?โ
โYes, I wouldโฆ but why are you asking me thisโฆ?โ
The Black Princess was breathing heavily.
When shame reaches its limit, it can completely destroy a personโs composure.
In the mess of everything she had shown in front of Seol Tae Pyeong, it was no easy task to sort out her feelings toward him.
Because of thatโฆ she needed to do something, anything, to make Seol Tae Pyeong put some distance between them.
Yet it was too embarrassing to say it outright.
Butโฆ if it were spoken from the mouth of a subordinate that Seol Tae Pyeong deeply trustedโฆ who knowsโฆ
โG-Go and tell the Vice General yourself, tell him that Black Princess Po Hwa Ryeong might, possibly, have romanticโฆ fe-feelings toward himโฆ Iโm not certain, but it could be possibleโฆโ
โโฆWhat? Wh-What do you mean, Black Princessโฆ?โ
โThereโs no such thing as just friendship between a man and a woman. So, pass along a warning to be careful around the Black Princess.โ
โBut if I just suddenly say such a thingโฆโ
โJ-Just do it if I say soโฆ! Iโd rather die than do it myself!โ
When the Black Princess forced the words out, the man couldnโt bring himself to argue any further.
Like it had been said many times before, the difference in status between the two was so great that it was a great disloyalty to ask a question.
Were it not for the Black Princess’s tendency to overlook formalities, he would have been punished for his rudeness by now.
In any case, the Black Princess hung her head low and clutched her hair in frustration.
Now that she had actually said it aloud, her back was burning even more than sheโd expected. Still, it was far better than confessing directly to him.
Thud!
โI apologize, Black Princess!โ
I see you as a man.
Just saying those words had taken a tremendous amount of courage.
Still, it wasn’t as if she had said them directly to Seol Tae Pyeong’s face. With all the determination she could muster, she could manage to let someone else convey that much.
Understanding how much courage it had taken for her to say those words… Seol Tae Pyeong couldn’t hide behind the cloth any longer.
When the Black Princess looked up, she saw the man who had torn the cloth which was covered with talismans inside bowing low in front of her.
That face was all too familiar.
โโฆ…โ
โItโs justโฆ it was too urgent from my perspectiveโฆ No matter how I tried, you wouldnโt meet with me, so I had toโฆ resort to these meansโฆ.โ
Seol Tae Pyeong knew exactly how much courage and noble determination the Black Princess had summoned to say those words, and he couldnโt stand by quietly in response.
If he had been a less sincere man, he mightโve pretended not to understand.
“Ah, so she likes me~” he could have thought and just pretended not to know, then walked away to keep his pride and put some distance between them.
But Seol Tae Pyeongโฆ was not that kind of personโฆ!
He was simplyโฆ this kind of man.
At that moment, Seol Tae Pyeong could not hold back any longer. He bowed his head deeply and apologized, which was so typical of Seol Tae Pyeong.
โAhโ!โ
The Black Princess who remembered all the foolish behavior she had displayedโฆ.
She felt her heart clench in embarrassment.
If there were ever a day when the Black Princess, the ever-cheerful and bright Black Princess, might consider ending her own lifeโฆ
It would probably beโฆ right nowโฆ
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