“You must know very well that you have committed a sin worthy of capital punishment?”
The Azure Princess was absolutely furious.
It wasn’t hard to understand her feelings since the person responsible for Seol Tae Pyeong’s kidnapping was standing right in front of her, but from Seol Tae Pyeong’s perspective, it was a headache.
I have to handle this somehow…!
The assassination plot against the Crown Prince, led by Under Councilor Shim Sang Gon, was essential for Seol Ran’s rise to power.
It was an incident that Seol Tae Pyeong hoped would happen because there would be no casualties anyway and it would be an opportunity to get rid of the thorn in their side—the Under Councilor. But…
“…I have committed a grave sin.”
The Black Moon Leader Cheong Jin Myeong kneeled and bowed his head.
Cheong Jin Myeong’s judgment was extremely rational and logical.
In the presence of Seol Tae Pyeong, Po Hwa Ryeong, and Jin Cheong Lang, even the Black Moon Unit known for their outstanding skill, couldn’t stand a chance against these three warriors blessed by the divine fever.
No matter how much effort and resources had been poured into the assassination plot led by Under Councilor Shim Sang Gon, it was impossible to deal with such formidable opponents right in front of them…!
Even the heavens were indifferent… It was as if the emperor of heaven hated Cheong Jin Myeong.
As a result, the choice Black Moon Leader Cheong Jin Myeong made was unconditional surrender. And this news was truly shocking to Seol Tae Pyeong.
“If you wish, I will tell you everything I know.”
Jin Cheong Lang, with her sleeves hanging down, looked down at Cheong Jin Myeong with a cold gaze.
In front of her, Cheong Jin Myeong who was bowing his head quietly continued in a resolute voice.
“If you want my life, I will give it to you. However… even if you take my insignificant life… can you at least spare the lives of the Black Moon Unit members who were only following my orders?”
Cheong Jin Myeong pleaded in a tone that abandoned even his pride.
Having lost his family, his wife, and even his daughter to demonic spirits, the Black Moon Unit members who were his lost hometown comrades were all Cheong Jin Myeong had left.
Being implicated in the plot to assassinate the Crown Prince made it difficult to keep his life. He would likely meet the most dreadful end imaginable.
And so he seemed to have shifted his focus to at least saving the Black Moon Unit members. This was the only choice Cheong Jin Myeong could make.
“…You dare to make a plea after committing such a crime.”
However, the voice of the Azure Princess chilled the room. Cheong Jin Myeong realized for the first time today that a person’s voice could contain such a bitter coldness.
The Azure Princess seemed to be a woman with two faces.
When dealing with Seol Tae Pyeong or her maids, she seemed like a lively woman of her age, but when she needed to assert her authority, she would cast a cold gaze over her sleeves.
Each time she did, the commoners standing before her realized it. Time had not only aged her but also instilled in her the dignity of the mistress of the Azure Dragon Palace.
The palace customs, which once felt like distant stories, now seemed so close and tangible. The Azure Princess was a person who quickly absorbed whatever she learned.
“Do you think you are in a position to negotiate? How arrogant of you”
A mysterious energy flowed from the sleeves of the Azure Princess’s clothes. It was like a pure white chill or the mist of early dawn, and it filled the narrow cabin in an instant.
It seemed almost like a demonic energy to Cheong Jin Myeong’s eyes.
If the Azure Princess willed it, taking Cheong Jin Myeong’s life would be a trivial matter. And Cheongdo Palace would not hold her accountable for it.
Although that fact felt unfamiliar to his senses, Cheong Jin Myeong managed to steady himself despite his trembling body.
Cheong Jin Myeong felt as if he had reached a dead end here.
Whether he followed the Under Councilor or bowed his head to the Azure Princess here, there was no way to save his Black Moon Unit members.
Following a foolish leader was your only sin. Ending the tiresome wandering by participating in the plot was everyone’s will, but as your leader, I should have made a more careful decision.
Cheong Jin Myeong closed his eyes tightly and quietly waited for the Azure Princess’s verdict. There was nothing more he could do.
“Ho-How about we just observe the situation for a while, Azure Princess?”
At that moment, an unexpected and almost absurd suggestion was voiced.
Cheong Jin Myeong shuddered and turned to see who had spoken.
It was Seol Tae Pyeong who was now completely unbound.
Azure Princess Jin Cheong Lang and Black Princess Po Hwa Ryeong.
The man who was flanked by the mistresses of the Black Tortoise Palace and Azure Dragon Palace… was none other than the Inner Swords Command Seol Tae Pyeong, whose rank was insignificant compared to their authority.
Cheong Jin Myeong had to repeatedly question whether what he was seeing was real or if he was hallucinating at this early hour.
The Azure Princess and the Black Princess were listening to the words of a mere Commander.
“Uh, Mhmm…?”
The expression of the Azure Princess, who had looked ready to devour Cheong Jin Myeong just now, suddenly softened.
The woman who had been like the very embodiment of coldness now bore an innocent gaze befitting her age, and she tilted her head as she looked at Seol Tae Pyeong.
“Tae Pyeo… no, Commander Seol. Do you mean to say that you will forgive the leader of this brutal bandit group even after you have been kidnapped to this remote mountain?”
“It doesn’t matter much to me. However, he is of use to us.”
Seol Tae Pyeong stood up, brushed off his seat, and looked down at Cheong Jin Myeong who was kneeling.
Seol Tae Pyeong who had already shed his boyish image and was now of an age to be called a young man stood quietly. Even just standing there, he exuded a certain pressure and Cheong Jin Myeong quickly lowered his head to avoid his gaze.
The difference in their positions was clear. It was best not to provoke any unnecessary conflicts here.
For Seol Ran to succeed and remove the Under Councilor as planned, the assassination plot of Crown Prince Hyeon Won had to happen.
However, since the Black Princess and the Azure Princess both arrived at the scene… there was no way they would just stay silent after witnessing all this.
In that case, there was only one way to resolve this situation…
“Black Princess seems to have guessed it, but in fact, I deliberately allowed myself to be captured by the Black Moon Unit.”
“Deliberately…?”
“So-So it was like that after all, Tae Pyeong-ah…? But why on earth?”
Tongue…!
To untangle this twisted situation, he had no choice but to use his tongue skillfully…!
Fortunately, the two princess consorts still didn’t know that the Black Moon Unit’s plan was the treacherous act of assassinating Crown Prince Hyeon Won.
This provided an opportunity to align the unfolding chaos.
“I discovered that there is a certain connection between the palace’s Under Councilor and the Black Moon Unit.”
Spin, brain. Spin like a carousel that would never stop.
Seol Tae Pyeong who was feeling his mind nearing overload reflexively kept his tongue moving.
“Under Councilor… Shim Sang Gon…”
At the mention of the Under Councilor’s name, both women furrowed their brows.
If one of the three highest-ranking officials of the palace was involved, the situation could escalate more than expected. It wasn’t just a matter of a rogue group of bandits.
It could be an issue that overturns the entire Cheongdo Palace.
“That’s right… I allowed myself to be captured here to turn him into a double agent.”
Up to this point, he hadn’t lied. He had already made the proposal.
However, the leader of the Black Moon Unit who decided to be loyal to one person only had not fallen for Seol Tae Pyeong’s persuasion.
But… the situation now changed drastically.
With the mistresses of Azure Dragon Palace and Black Tortoise Palace present, the weight of the matter was entirely different.
“Black Moon Leader Cheong Jin Myeong. I know you have a connection with Under Councilor Shim Sang Gon. If you cooperate with us as an insider to expose his corruption… I can’t guarantee your life, but I can save the lives of your Black Moon Unit members.”
Cheong Jin Myeong’s eyes trembled greatly.
Seol Tae Pyeong was making him an offer he couldn’t refuse.
The weight of this proposal was entirely different.
For some reason, both the mistresses of Azure Dragon Palace and Black Tortoise Palace seemed to trust him completely.
Overwhelmed by their aura, Cheong Jin Myeong was unable to answer right away.
This man…
Cheong Jin Myeong looked down at Seol Tae Pyeong’s feet with his head bowed.
This man is trying to save me.
Although he couldn’t understand the reason, it seemed Seol Tae Pyeong was throwing him a lifeline to escape this situation.
Cheong Jin Myeong couldn’t help but feel puzzled by this fact.
The other party knew that Cheong Jin Myeong intended to kill Crown Prince Hyeon Won.
Even being involved in such a grave crime could lead to a horrific execution, so how could Seol Tae Pyeong think of releasing him?
If Cheong Jin Myeong were to be released and actually killed Crown Prince Hyeon Won…
Or if he reported everything he heard here to Under Councilor Shim Sang Gon and betrayed Seol Tae Pyeong… what then? How could Seol Tae Pyeong do such a reckless thing without hesitation?
They said those with extraordinary vision could not be measured by the gaze of ordinary people.
However, this seemed more reckless than extraordinary.
Unless… there was another motive.
“This man cannot be trusted.”
Before Cheong Jin Myeong could respond, the Azure Princess interjected.
Judging by the way the ends of her blue-gray hair were shaking, it seemed she was shaking her head violently.
“If you release this man, he might join Under Councilor Shim. A double agent can only be used if we can guarantee that he’s on our side. Tae Pyeo… no, Commander Seol, your thinking is too reckless.”
The Azure Princess then calmed herself and looked down at Cheong Jin Myeong with cold eyes.
It seemed as if she was ready to take him to the palace and start torturing him immediately. The only reason she wasn’t acting was that Seol Tae Pyeong was against it.
“I respect your opinion, but this choice could endanger your life. While Under Councilor Shim is not yet openly hostile, if he starts plotting in earnest, it will become too troublesome. It might be better for us to strike first before he becomes aware of the situation.”
The Azure Princess buried her face in her sleeve and looked up at Seol Tae Pyeong with concern.
“I don’t want to make a choice that might put you in danger.”
“That… is true…”
The Black Princess fully agreed with the Azure Princess’s words.
Seol Tae Pyeong had a rough idea of what was to come, but the two women did not.
And so, they had no choice but to make the least risky decision.
Indeed, to keep Cheong Jin Myeong alive and release him, it was necessary to convince these two.
Damn it… I didn’t expect it to come to this…
Thud!
In the end, Seol Tae Pyeong kneeled down.
With his arms resting on his knees and his head bowed, his straightened back displayed the dignity of a true man.
“Co-Commander Seol…?”
“Tae Pyeong-ah…?”
“Your words are absolutely correct! However… This Seol Tae Pyeong…has decided to trust this man, Cheong Jin Myeong, just this once…!”
When he suddenly pushed forward with such conviction, not only the two women but even Cheong Jin Myeong was taken aback.
When had they ever seen him push so hard? Cheong Jin Myeong was so taken aback he couldn’t close his gaping mouth.
“As I have inherited the keen eye for people from the late White Immortal Elder, I am confident that Cheong Jin Myeong will make the right choice at this critical juncture!”
“Ho-How can you know that, Tae Pyeong?”
“Eyes! A man can tell by looking into another man’s eyes! Those clear and bright eyes are remarkably similar to those of the Black Princess and the Azure Princess!”
Not only the two women but even Cheong Jin Myeong could do nothing but gape in astonishment.
“Of course, I understand the gravity of the situation… If things go wrong, this Seol Tae Pyeong will stake his life. I will take full responsibility.”
“I-I’m not telling you to die. It’s just that we don’t know what might happen, so how can we release him?”
“Please, trust this Seol Tae Pyeong just this once…!”
However, there were things that could and couldn’t be achieved with sheer determination.
“No matter how earnestly you ask for it, Tae Pyeong…!”
“If you turn a blind eye just this once… this Seol Tae Pyeong will do anything! You can hold me to any promise! I will do whatever you ask, so please, will you trust my judgment?!”
“No, even if you say that suddenly…!”
When Seol Tae Pyeong shouted that, the two crown princess consorts were momentarily at a loss for words.
…Anything?
He would do anything.
If it was something Seol Tae Pyeong with his upright character would never do, he could be made to do it just this once.
His proposal which opened up limitless possibilities made the two of them shudder involuntarily.
In the first place…an upper fifth rank commander should obey any command given by the crown princess consorts without question…!
But there were limits…! The laws of the palace and Seol Tae Pyeong’s personal ethical boundaries clearly existed…!
However, if he said he would do anything…
If they could move Seol Tae Pyeong without regard to court law or ethical limits…!
“Understood.”
“Azure Princess, p-please think carefully before answering!”
And so, Cheong Jin Myeong narrowly escaped his crisis.
Who is this Inner Swords Commander… What…? What is he predicting…?
He owed his life to Seol Tae Pyeong.
Even though it happened right before his eyes, he couldn’t believe it.
“Maid Seol, I… I am so hungry…”
And just like that, the day of the grand event arrived.
White Taoist An Cheon who was imprisoned in the Great Prison Hall was eating a rice ball given to him by Seol Ran.
If one were to look at his long white hair fluttering, he looked just like a large dog hungrily devouring its food.
“Ugh …”
Seol Ran sat in front of him with her chin resting on her hand and a deep worried look etched on her face. Her only brother had been missing for days, so she couldn’t sleep at night and couldn’t eat during meal times.
“You seem full of worry and concern, so it might not be the right time to say this, but…”
“Yes…? Why do you ask for so much, Taoist An…?”
“No, but please listen to me just this once… Something big is about to happen in the palace, so I must get out of this prison… Please help me one more time… For the sake of old times during the Heavenly Dragon Festival…”
“…….”
Seol Ran sighed deeply and checked on An Cheon’s condition.
He was once a member of the Black Moon Unit but then left and he seemed to possess some mysterious powers that occasionally granted him strange insights.
“Inner Swords Commander Seol Tae Pyeong.”
A familiar name came from his lips.
“Tae, Tae Pyeong?! That’s my, my brother’s name. He recently went missing…!”
Seol Ran quickly grabbed the bars and leaned her face in.
An Cheon who had rice grains scattered around his mouth sighed and responded.
“He is a man destined to achieve great things in the future, but if I don’t act now, he might die. It seems he has experienced death several times already…”
“… What? What do you mean, Taoist An?!”
“Moon Demonic Spirit ‘Yoran’.”
The Sun demonic spirit, the Moon demonic spirit, and the White demonic spirit.
These demonic spirits were like the hands and feet of the Plague Demonic Spirit whom the Heavenly Maiden tried to kill by rewinding time again and again. Since they couldn’t be placed in the same league as other demonic spirits, they were classified as special demonic spirits.
“That mysterious Moon Demonic Spirit…. has infiltrated the Cheongdo Palace.”
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