Although White Immortal Lee Cheol Woon was renowned as a famous Taoist and a close friend of the late emperor, the time he spent as the White Immortal at Cheongdo Palace wasn’t long.
Although the late emperor tried to give him the position of White Immortal several times during his lifetime, it was not easy to tie him down to the White Immortal Palace as he had a strong wandering spirit and wandered around the country’s green mountains.
Only after the emperor passed away after enjoying a full life, did White Immortal Lee finally appear at Cheongdo Palace.
Standing casually in front of the large memorial service table, he poured himself a drink and then casually asked if the White Immortal position was still vacant.
Following the late emperor’s wishes, the chief councilor appointed him as the White Immortal. Attempts were made to assign numerous guards and maids to him, but he declined them all.
And he entered the magnificent White Immortal Palace alone and began to live alone in the inner chamber. He was truly an extraordinary figure among extraordinary figures.
Time passed.
Various officials visited the White Immortal Palace and proposed that he have at least a minimal set of guards, but the White Immortal found it all too bothersome and declined every time. At first, the officials were worried that the White Immortal’s authority would fall to the ground, but they eventually adopted an indifferent attitude.
During his time in Cheongdo Palace, he only brought four people with him.
They were the senior maid Yeon Ri, apprentice warrior Seol Tae Pyeong, eunuch Chu Yeong Seok, and scribe Wang Han.
What the White Immortal saw in these individuals from Cheongdo Palace who were all from different ranks and backgrounds remained a mystery to the public eye.
The White Immortal’s eyes seemed to see something that ordinary people could not see. Perhaps that is why, for a while, there was widespread speculation among people that the people of White Immortal Palace might have some unique qualities.
In fact, last winter, there was a buzz about an apprentice warrior from the White Immortal Palace named Seol Tae Pyeong who had vanquished hundreds of demonic spirits in a single night.
Certainly, there was something special about the people of the White Immortal Palace.
Perhaps it was the mystical aura of a place inhabited by immortals that turned the White Immortal Palace into such a mysterious and fog-enshrouded space in people’s minds.
…….
“Elder.”
“What is it?”
“The rice… we’ve run out of it”
“……”
The provisions supplied from the main palace were allocated based on the number of people.
There were only five people in this magnificent White Immortal Palace. Unless I dipped into my own funds or went hunting for food, I usually managed our provisions frugally.
“Tae Pyeong, this isn’t like you. Weren’t you handling our provisions well?”
“Yeon Ri was unable to hold back her frustration and she decided to cook rice herself, but ended up turning it into soaked grains instead of properly cooked rice.”
“Isn’t that still edible?”
“I tried a few spoonfuls, but it felt like I was chewing on stones.”
“How on earth can a maid not even cook rice properly?”
“This is exactly why I am here in the kitchen, knife in hand.”
When I stood up and swung open the door to the inner room, I saw Yeon Ri kneeling on her knees and facing the wall.
Her eyes filled with tears held a deep resentment. She was unable to endure the continuous streak of 27 bowls of rice soup so she had taken matters into her own hands and secretly cooked some rice.
Yeon Ri was known for bringing back exotic recipes from all over the place, like mixed offal stew or skewered meats, but she ironically lacked skills in cooking herself. That’s why, whenever she heard of a new recipe among the maids, she’d rush to me.
Apart from cooking, her abilities as a maid were excellent. But cooking, that was the issue.
She herself was fully aware of this fact and she usually resigned herself to whatever was served, but occasionally, she would grow frustrated and make a scene.
Today was one such day.
“It seems we’ll have to buy rice from outside the palace for a while.”
“I’ll go buy some along with a few basic spices. I have some money left from the last reward, so we’re in a bit of a comfortable spot. Hoho.”
“That’s fine. Take what you need from the chest in the inner chamber.”
“…Ah, yes…”
With that said, I strapped on my sword and stepped out of the White Immortal Palace.
The sun was bright, the sky vast. The air was cool but not cold.
Yes, it was spring.
The spring of the regular warrior Seol Tae Pyeong. It was the spring of my 16th birthday.
By the time I reached Cheongdo Palace, cherry blossoms were in full bloom everywhere.
***
Exiting Cheongdo Palace turned out to be an unexpectedly complex process.
Unless one was among the few maids tied to the inner palace, moving in and out of the palace wasn’t exactly forbidden by the rules. However, the real issue was that this Cheongdo Palace was so ridiculously vast.
In fact, the Heavenly Dragon Hall where Seol Ran worked was the size of a village, and yet it was only part of the inner palace which in turn was dwarfed by the main palace.
With the large imperial garden stretching along the right side of the outer wall, one would have to follow the main thoroughfare, Taicheon Boulevard, straight out of the main palace. Along the way, one would pass through the Long Circular Gate, the Ripe Gate, and the Red Palace, and finally pass through the Renxia Gate. Only after undergoing a body check there could one finally leave the outer palace.
But that didn’t mean one was outside Cheongdo Palace just yet.
Following the open Heavenly Punishment Boulevard with soldiers training in view, the largest gate of Cheongdo Palace, the Great Star Gate, would come into sight. However, it would be a mistake to think it was close just because it was visible.
This huge open space with a stone floor was called Truth Insight Terrace. I crossed this place and headed toward the Great Star Gate, but there was no way they would bother to open such a massive gate for a mere warrior.
After verifying my identity at a relatively smaller side gate, I finally stepped out of Cheongdo Palace.
Considering the time it took to navigate through various procedures and walk out, which was about an hour, it was understandable why the high-ranking officials residing within the palace hardly bothered to leave its confines.
Stepping out of this gate finally brought me into the vast expanse of the Imperial Highway, the heart of Cheongdo’s capital.
The distance was far too great for just buying a sack of rice. The thought of having to return with heavy bags of rice on my way back was enough to make me deeply sigh.
“I feel very uncomfortable when you sigh so loudly, Tae Pyeong.”
“……”
“Sorry for making you come all this way with me, let’s not harbor any more grievances…”
Still, it felt good to be outside the palace after a while. It felt even more enjoyable because it was a clear spring day.
“Thinking back, there was quite a commotion during the birthday ceremony, but it’s been peaceful since then…”
“Yes. Things at White Immortal Palace were always on the quieter side, but there haven’t been any major incidents either…”
Yeon Ri and I enjoyed the spring atmosphere as we entered the Cheongdo marketplace.
There was a moment when I was very worried about what would happen next after the Azure Princess started liking me. But whether it was the intervention of the Vermilion Princess or merely my own unfounded concerns, nothing further happened afterward.
It was peaceful until the winter ended and spring came… How fortunate.
Living leisurely and enjoying the scenery at White Immortal Palace, following my motto of working less and earning more, felt like paradise. I even thought I’d like to live this way until the end of my days.
“Did you hear? I got this from the maids; seems like there’s a reason the selection for the new princess consort has been delayed.”
“Hmm?”
“After that elaborate selection process, someone finally was chosen to become the Black Princess, but guess what? She didn’t want the position and ran away… Now they have to start the whole process over, and I’ve heard the high officials have been looking gloomy all day.”
After saying this, Yeon Ri grimaced and imitated the high officials’ expression. I was caught off guard by her impression and couldn’t help but burst out laughing.
“…I was just imitating, but now I feel offended that you laughed…”
“…Wasn’t it supposed to be funny?”
“I shouldn’t look the same as them…!”
“…….”
“…….”
“…….”
Truthfully, there was no way Yeon Ri who was in her youthful prime could ever perfectly imitate an old high official.
Yet, I felt an overwhelming urge to tell her it was an exact match. It seems wiser to hold back, lest she truly gets upset and stomps her feet in earnest here.
“Anyway… It’s amazing, there are all kinds of people in this world. To think someone would reject the role of the mistress of the Black Tortoise Palace and run away… I’d like to experience being the mistress of such a grand palace just once in my life…”
“Well, they have a world of their own, don’t they? What’s the use of envying those high and mighty all the time?”
“You’re right, Tae Pyeong. Here we are, running out of rice and having to rush out of the palace… Who are we to envy anyone….”
“That’s all because of you, you know.”
“…I, I said I was sorry…”
As we exchanged such lighthearted banter, we made our way into the marketplace. Having not ventured outside the palace in a while, it seemed like a good idea to stop somewhere along the way… especially with the weather being so pleasant.
I wish I had time to spare~. As I recited these carefree thoughts, I started feeling better.
This means… the Black Princess hasn’t been selected yet ….?
The story of the Heavenly Dragon Love Story was set to start before long, so I never thought that the position of the Black Princess would still be vacant at this point.
In the narrative of Heavenly Dragon Love Story, the roles of the consorts are significant. Because it was a court drama to begin with.
In due time, the consorts of the Four Great Palaces would settle into their respective places and each would start to carefully shape their own domains.
Personally, I had hoped to avoid any further entanglements with the inner palace. While dealing with the Vermilion Princess and the Azure Princess was one thing, the Black Princess was difficult to deal with, and the White Princess was simply unpredictable. It seemed best to avoid getting involved altogether.
Perhaps as long as I help the Vermilion Princess practice her sword and ask her to keep an eye on the inner palace… there won’t be a big problem.
Yes… things have been peaceful so far.
Since the birthday ceremony, the past winter had been the embodiment of the peaceful life I had envisioned.
Living at leisure, appreciating the beauty of nature, and tending to the White Immortal Palace. This is to be content with one’s lot, to be satisfied with small desires, to find joy in a humble life, and to live in peace and tranquility…
This is what life is about.
I took a deep breath of the cool air and smiled happily.
Was there a need to struggle so desperately for survival while living on the edge at every moment? Surely, it was best to have no such concerns at all.
Yes,
This is
Life.
“Kuhuhu.”
“What are you so happy about all by yourself… Tae Pyeong…”
As I enjoyed life while gazing at the clear sky, Yeon Ri looked at me with a bewildered expression on her face.
***
Spring had arrived in the courtyard of the Azure Dragon Palace.
Not long ago, the remnants of snow that had not yet melted lingered in the shaded parts of the garden. But during the few days she had been engrossed in reading, it seemed as if a full-blown spring had made its entrance.
Seasons change more swiftly than one expects. Carrying this small realization, the Azure Princess came out to the courtyard to practice her Taoist magic.
However, what confronted her was an unexpected declaration.
“I have nothing more to teach you.”
This was said by a Taoist priest who had spent over 12 years in seclusion in the Hanha Mountains to the south of the Cheongdo Empire. He was bowing his head in humility as he said so.
It had been only two months since he started visiting the Azure Dragon Palace to teach the Azure Princess Taoist magic at her request.
The techniques of controlling fire, water, wind, and earth seemed as if she knew them even before being taught.
As for the Taoist magic related to illusions and delusion, she was more skilled than the priest himself to begin with.
She absorbed teachings on formations and spiritual energy so quickly that the teaching Taoist priest found himself sweating profusely and swallowing his dry saliva.
He had rushed to the Azure Dragon Palace, eager to take the Azure Princess as his disciple, only to find that he couldn’t properly fulfill the role of a teacher.
Watching her instantly absorb everything he taught like a sponge made him feel like he was a mere book transmitting information to her rather than a guiding teacher.
And she herself seemed utterly unaware of the extraordinary nature of her own actions.
The Azure Princess who was seated on the porch listened to the Taoist priest’s declaration, and as she always did, she covered her mouth with her sleeve and tilted her head.
Seeing her bluish hair spread out on the porch like a fan, the headmaid approached and swiftly tidied it up.
While her hair was being arranged, the Azure Princess spoke in her quiet voice.
“I don’t recall learning anything particularly remarkable…”
The Taoist priest, with his hands clasped and head bowed, gulped down his saliva. This young lady was a disciple beyond his capabilities.
“Please seek guidance from someone far more advanced than I. I am still too inexperienced to presume to be a teacher for the Azure Princess.”
“Weren’t you the most renowned Taoist priest in the vicinity of Hanha Mountain?”
“That is…”
At the Azure Princess’s words, the priest found himself at a loss for words.
There was no sense of reprimand or sarcasm in her youthful voice; it was merely pure curiosity.
Though she didn’t ask directly, the implied question was clear enough.
Was the level of the most renowned Taoist priest near Hanha Mountain really just this?
Though this innocent girl may not have said this with malicious intent, her sheer purity made her words all the more daunting.
“From tomorrow, I will depart for Hanha Mountain and work harder.”
Seeing the Taoist priest bow his head as he spoke, the Azure Princess could only nod her head in agreement.
After sending off the priest, the Azure Princess sat quietly on the porch of the Azure Dragon Palace for a long while.
“Hui Yin.”
“Yes, Azure Princess.”
“When is the next meeting of the high officials…”
“Are you referring to the council meeting? It’s scheduled for the next new moon in the main hall of the palace. May I ask why?”
“Hmm… I see… Then, I must obtain permission directly from the chief councilor.”
“What for, if I may ask?”
The Azure Princess adjusted the collar of her blue court robe and stood up from the porch and she seemed to be sorting out her thoughts.
Hui Yin became anxious for no reason and swallowed nervously. Even though the Azure Princess was very young and lived only half as long as the other maids, there were times when this young girl displayed a startling level of intelligence and sharpness.
“Of course, I must learn Taoist magic directly from the White Immortal.”
“……”
“They say even high-ranking officials can’t easily approach such a distinguished and busy person, right? I might have been clueless about the basics of Taoist magic before… but now, it seems I’ve learned enough. So, perhaps it’s time to seek teachings from the White Immortal.”
One month of self-study, two months of instruction.
Anyone who didn’t know the Azure Princess might wonder how someone could be so arrogant, but Hui Yin who has watched everything from the sidelines couldn’t take these words lightly.
“Right, if the White Immortal doesn’t come, then I must go to the White Immortal Palace myself to ask for guidance.”
Saying so, she let her robe fall loosely and walked steadily across the porch. A peculiar sense of anticipation trailed behind her.
It was the excitement characteristic of her age akin to visiting a friend’s house that she longed to see. Her light and brisk steps were proof of that.
Seeing this, Hui Yin squeezed her eyes shut and thought.
Ah… so, in the end, our mistress can’t hold herself back any longer…
She’s really going to seek out Seol Tae Pyeong…
To those who didn’t know anything, the situation might look like the fluffy, sweet, and round heart of a dreamy girl planning an adventure beyond the inner palace.
But if Seol Tae Pyeong had seen it, it would have looked like a grim reaper holding a scythe of death and approaching him.
Death was coming.
Which hairpin should I wear? The iris one might seem too childish…
Ho….I wonder if I’m getting too carried away by myself… The council meeting hasn’t even started yet… I feel a bit embarrassed …
The inevitable death that reaps the lives of all mortals was drawing near…
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