– Your Highness, from this moment on, you will be used by me.
In the ruthless world of politics, anything that could be exploited to achieve a goal must be exploited. Be it power, connections, or resources.
Once a target is set, everything at one’s disposal must be mobilized.
This political arena of Cheongdo was a place where a single moment of hesitation or respect could cost you your life.
– As an aide of the Heavenly Maiden, I intend to use the authority of the Heavenly Maiden to conceal assassins and infiltrate Taehwa Pavilion. You, Your Highness, have no choice but to be involved, since your life is under threat.
– ….
It was a blasphemous statement.
Yet Heavenly Maiden Jin Cheong Lang understood that Seol Tae Pyeong was not one to speak lightly.
If he were resorting to such measures, there had to be a compelling reason.
When she learned that all this chaos was to dethrone the Chief Councilor, Jin Cheong Lang covered her lower lip with her sleeve and her expression turned grave.
– Vice General, are you fully aware of the actions you are about to take?”
– Yes. That is why I am seeking to use your authority, Your Highness.”
Taehwa Pavilion would undoubtedly be heavily guarded, given that it hosted a gathering of high officials.
However, even with such tight security, they would not dare to thoroughly inspect the carriage of the Heavenly Maiden, nor would their vigilance remain high.
Few in Cheongdo Palace would be willing to go along with such a reckless plan.
That is why it was quite dangerous to say such things to the Heavenly Maiden, who was the highest-ranking member in the inner palace.
Seol Tae Pyeong was placing his trust in her.
When she realized this, Jin Cheong Lang nodded her head briefly before raising her voice once more.
– Vice General, you have greatly disappointed me.”
– ….
– To think you would use the Heavenly Maiden of the country, treat her as a puppet, and make her a tool for rebellion.
No matter how favorable her opinion of Seol Tae Pyeong might be, Jin Cheong Lang was still the Heavenly Maiden of Cheongdo.
Attempting to exploit her was tantamount to blasphemy.
Just as Seol Tae Pyeong began to lower his head, thinking he might have asked too much—
– Perhaps you act this way because you fear that if things go wrong, I might be implicated in your crimes. Leaving me as an innocent victim until the end…. this is your own kind of kindness in worrying for my sake.
Jin Cheong Lang lowered her sleeve and smiled gently.
Seol Tae Pyeong found himself momentarily flustered by her completely unexpected reaction.
– To be used, threatened, and dragged into rebellion as a tool by the Vice General? The fact that you would treat me in such a way is deeply disappointing.
– That is…
– If you truly trusted and believed in me, you would never have proposed something like that.
The Heavenly Maiden who was supposed to be manipulated and exploited by the ruthless rebel Seol Tae Pyeong rejected that convenient role with her own two feet and declared:
– If we’re going to do this, let’s overturn the country together.
The spiritual energy emanating from her body settled coldly onto the floor of the chamber.
***
Bang!
Crash!
The outpost to the southwest of the White Immortal Mountain fell in an instant.
The assassins jumped from the Heavenly Maiden’s palanquin and quickly spread out. They quickly scaled the watchtower and overpowered the five soldiers guarding the beacon.
Before the stationed soldiers on the ground could even cry out, the Black Moon Unit’s swift movements subdued them completely.
These soldiers were the elite forces of the Black Moon Unit, personally trained over several years by Seol Tae Pyeong and Cheong Jin Myeong.
“V-Vice General! What is… this…!”
The platoon leader who had been commanding the outpost troops clutched his sword tightly. His eyes were wide in disbelief.
Judging by how swiftly he deflected the blades of two Black Moon Unit soldiers charging at him, his skill was clearly exceptional.
“Platoon Leader Jeong Rip, isn’t it? I’ve heard that among the military officers of the Red Palace, your abilities far exceed your rank.”
“Vice General! What is the meaning of this? The guards tasked with protecting the Heavenly Maiden are attacking outpost soldiers…. how could this happen?!”
Jeong Rip swallowed hard the moment his gaze locked with Seol Tae Pyeong’s eyes.
Quickly assessing the situation, he scanned his surroundings. He had to escape immediately and report this to the officials of Taehwa Pavilion.
But the area was already silent, entirely engulfed by the Black Moon Unit.
The precision and agility of their movements revealed a meticulously executed plan.
“What are you thinking, Vice General? Where… where is the Heavenly Maiden?”
“The Heavenly Maiden is safe.”
“Prove it to me so I can believe you!”
Jeong Rip’s trembling hand drew his sword, though he already knew. Deep down, he realized that Seol Tae Pyeong was an opponent far beyond his ability to defeat.
When faced with a superior opponent, dragging the fight into a prolonged battle was a death sentence.
Unless he could settle the situation in a single stroke with sheer luck, there was no scenario in which Jeong Rip could triumph over Seol Tae Pyeong.
“Show me the Heavenly Maiden’s condition!”
Jeong Rip shouted with a firm voice. But before Seol Tae Pyeong could respond, Jeong Rip kicked the wooden barricade blocking the outpost entrance.
At the same time, he slashed the binding ropes holding the beams together, causing the huge barricade to collapse with a loud rumble, stirring up a cloud of dust.
He’s quick to grasp the situation. It’s clear why he’s considered one of the skilled warriors of the Red Palace.
Even so, Jeong Rip knew that directly confronting Seol Tae Pyeong was not an option.
And so, Jeong Rip had to quickly obscure Seol Tae Pyeong’s view to launch a surprise attack or find an opening to escape and report the situation to Taehwa Pavilion.
Regardless of how chaotic the political schemes in Cheongdo Palace might be, the military officers of the Red Palace truly live up to their reputation.
Seol Tae Pyeong silently applauded Jeong Rip’s precise and calculated judgment.
However, that was the limit.
Hwaak!
Just as Jeong Rip tightened his grip on his sword and moved to ambush Seol Tae Pyeong from behind, the cloud of dust surrounding him suddenly dispersed, vanishing in an instant.
At that moment, confusion flashed across Jeong Rip’s eyes.
The dust which defied the laws of physics had disappeared so quickly that it felt unreal. With the clear view now before him, Jeong Rip knew that there was no chance of victory in a direct confrontation.
Though Seol Tae Pyeong hadn’t moved a muscle, this inexplicable phenomenon had occurred. The reality of it was hard to grasp.
Amid his confusion, Jeong Rip caught sight of someone out of the corner of his eye. It was Heavenly Maiden Jin Cheong Lang stepping out of her palanquin.
The faint blue glow in her piercing gaze made it clear. She had summoned her spiritual energy to dispel the dust cloud surrounding them.
Why…?
Thud!
Without hesitation, Seol Tae Pyeong grabbed Jeong Rip by the nape and slammed him into the dirt.
“Cough… Ack!”
Jeong Rip tumbled across the ground, then rolled several times before finally coming to a stop.
Gasping for breath, he looked up at Vice General Seol Tae Pyeong with an expression of disbelief.
Jeong Rip was a man who had entered the Red Palace as a military officer and diligently honed his skills. He had admired Seol Tae Pyeong, who had risen to great heights through countless contributions to the Cheongdo Empire.
To Jeong Rip, Vice General Seol Tae Pyeong was the epitome of what all military officers of Cheongdo Palace should strive to become. He had often spoken of Seol Tae Pyeong as a model. He even decided to one day follow in his footsteps and serve the country as a general-level officer.
That’s why seeing Seol Tae Pyeong now leading assassins toward Taehwa Pavilion shocked him to his core.
This is no time to be caught off guard. I need to focus on what I can do….
Jeong Rip couldn’t deny the vast difference in their abilities.
Seol Tae Pyeong didn’t even need to draw his sword to subdue him. It was no surprise that he couldn’t match Seol Tae Pyeong’s skill in martial arts. He was not even at the tips of his toes.
However, an even more despairing realization dawned on him.
Sssshk.
Step, step.
“Heavenly Maiden…?”
A petite figure took quick, deliberate steps.
She seemed like someone entirely devoid of dignity at first glance.
Yet, there was not a single person in the Cheongdo Empire who dared to treat her disrespectfully.
The Heavenly Maiden stepped gracefully out of the lowered palanquin, as always covering her mouth with the collar of her court robe. She moved quietly and positioned herself behind Vice General Seol Tae Pyeong. Her gaze betrayed neither fear nor confusion.
With a calm expression, as though everything happening was entirely expected, she observed Vice General Seol Tae Pyeong’s condition.
To anyone who witnessed the scene, it would appear undeniable that the Heavenly Maiden Jin Cheong Lang had been involved in Vice General Seol Tae Pyeong’s rebellion.
The entire history of Cheongdo Palace could be overturned. This must be reported to Taehwa Pavilion immediately.
It was at the moment when Jeong Rip gritted his teeth and prepared to run.
Whoosh!
Jin Cheong Lang’s Taoist art had already rooted his feet to the ground, forcing him to collapse once again.
As he struggled desperately to escape, his vision settled squarely on Seol Tae Pyeong.
***
“We’ve lost contact with the southwestern outpost.”
At the entrance to the path leading to Taehwa Pavilion.
The one overseeing the guards stationed at the White Immortal Mountain was Jang Rae, the Warrior Commander of the Red Palace.
Jang Rae, who had been monitoring the soldiers from the guard headquarters, furrowed his brows as soon as he heard the report.
During such a critical period when key figures were gathered even the slightest disturbance demanded careful attention.
“The southwestern outpost… isn’t that where the Heavenly Maiden is expected to arrive?”
“Yes, that’s correct.”
“I repeatedly instructed them to be thorough in guarding and examining the key figures….”
Jang Rae let out a deep sigh, rose from his seat at the outpost, and gazed silently toward the distant southwestern ridge.
“No signal fire has been lit. There’s certainly something amiss.”
“What should we do? We’ve already sent someone to investigate.”
“I’ll go myself.”
“There’s no need for that.”
Jang Rae was the type who wouldn’t rest until he had verified even minor matters with his own eyes. He was about to grab his sword and order a horse when someone stopped him.
The clear voice that interrupted him sounded vaguely familiar. This prompted Jang Rae to instinctively turn his head toward the entrance of the outpost.
Standing there was a woman with a face he recognized.
Though her clothes were not as luxurious as they had been in the past, the dignified elegance of her modest clothing still exuded an air of nobility.
At her side was a blade, the Jade Leaf Sword, which Vice General Seol Tae Pyeong had entrusted to her personally.
The sword was a relic left behind by White Immortal Lee Cheol Woon. It was not something that could be lent to just anyone.
Who is that person…?
The members of the Black Moon Unit, who had gathered from the foothills of the White Immortal Mountain, were now converging behind her.
At the forefront, leading them, was a woman who had once been the mistress of the Vermilion Bird Palace. It was In Ha Yeon.
“Vermilion… no, what brings you here, Lady Ha Yeon?”
Though the question was posed politely, the hand of Jang Rae was already resting on his sword’s hilt.
Exhaling a breath into the cold winter air, In Ha Yeon gripped her Jade Leaf Sword by its scabbard. Her usual graceful smile was playing on her lips.
“You’ve endured much hardship in this cold weather, outpost leader.”
“I asked why you’ve come all the way out here.”
“I wanted to see my father.”
It was a strange statement.
As a member of the Jeongseon clan, she could meet her father anytime she wished.
However, her sudden appearance at this place, at this particular time, and with the Black Moon Unit in tow, was anything but ordinary.
Even the soldiers gathered at the outpost swallowed nervously. Their dry throats betrayed their unease.
The number of soldiers here was not particularly large.
It was difficult to mobilize a significant force solely for escort duty, especially since the troops had been dispersed across various points of the White Immortal Mountain.
Most had been stationed at key chokepoints requiring tight security, while others were concentrated near the banquet hall, leaving inevitable gaps in their defenses.
Srring.
Whoosh! Whhooo!
A cold wind swept through the midsection of the White Immortal Mountain.
As In Ha Yeon drew the Jade Leaf Sword from its scabbard, the tension among those gathered increased palpably.
In one hand, she held the sharp gleaming blade. In the other hand, she held the now-empty scabbard.
The glinting edge of the sword occasionally caught the light as it flickered through the fluttering folds of her clothes.
“Lady Ha Yeon, what are you thinking?”
“Since my days as the mistress of the Vermilion Bird Palace, I’ve crossed swords with countless warriors. Yet none ever showed their true skills against me. They always held back.”
Did she lose her mind?
She wasn’t someone who would fail to understand the implications of drawing a sword in such a place.
Even so, In Ha Yeon gave the Jade Leaf Sword a sharp flick and spoke to Jang Rae.
“Now that I am nothing more than an ordinary woman, would you dare point your sword at me? There’s no longer any reason to hold back.”
“I have no reason to do so.”
“You’ll soon have one.”
At her next words, the soldiers stationed at the outpost couldn’t help but widen their eyes in shock.
“If you’re a loyal officer of the Red Palace, you can’t possibly stand by and let a traitor raising a rebellion against Cheongdo Palace go unchecked.”
***
The operation is beginning.
Yeon Ri silently muttered to herself with a solemn expression.
Soon, Tae Pyeong’s subordinates will rise and clear out the areas surrounding Taehwa Pavilion.
Once the path is open, Tae Pyeong will enter the banquet hall and take control of the scene….
After apprehending the high officials, we will hunt down the Plague Demonic Spirit in earnest.
The midday sun hung high in the sky as if to mock them, but the biting chill of midwinter remained.
Every so often, the breath she exhaled formed a mist that left a damp sheen on her clothing.
It was a historic moment.
If not now… there won’t be another chance….
Yeon Ri wiped away the moisture and entered the kitchen, then opened the food storage.
Inside, there was a heap of meat dumplings stashed away, likely hidden by Seol Tae Pyeong to use as ingredients for soup.
I have to eat them now!!!!!!!
In the empty mansion of the Hwalseong District, Yeon Ri who was sitting alone decided to finish her meal.
The fact that the greatest act of treason in the history of Cheongdo Palace was unfolding at the White Immortal Mountain was, for now, a matter entirely unrelated to the meat dumplings before her.
As she chewed through the dumplings, tears of gratitude welled up in her eyes.
Anyone who saw her might have wanted to ask how terrible the situation needed to be for her to finally take things seriously.
However, in her own way, Yeon Ri was being serious at that moment.
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