“Hurry up!”
“Yes, my lord!”
The Minister of Rites, Yuk Ji-san, urged his servants to hasten their preparations as dawn broke. A triumphant smile crept across his face as he boarded the cart.
“Heh heh heh, you made a big mistake! Emperor Yoo Gyeong! And Princess Yuya!”
At last, the opportunity had come.
A chance to reclaim the power seized from him by Emperor Yoo Gyeong.
Thinking of this, Yuk Ji-san recalled the recent past.
Princess Yuya had disappeared into the Martial World.
Her abrupt vanishing had crumbled the power structure of the Huang Nation in an instant.
This was nothing less than a bolt from the blue for the ministers who supported her.
A princess running away to become a martial artist was not something a member of the royal family should do, and the moment this fact leaked out, her hopes for ascension were completely dashed.
Thus, it was crucial to return Princess Yuya to the royal court unnoticed, but that was impossible.
In a situation where he could not openly wield power, how could he even find Yuya, who had vanished into a Martial World eager to distance itself from any sign of collusion with the rulers?
Even if he spent years searching, the longer Yuya spent in the Martial World, the deeper her flaws would become. There was simply no answer.
As a result, those who supported Yuya fell apart helplessly.
The disbandment of Yuya’s faction was not a positive development for the ministers loyal to Yoo Gyeong either.
One must have achievements to claim rights.
Even if Yoo Gyeong were to become emperor, his supporters had done nothing in the process, leaving them with nothing to gain.
From that point onward, it was Yoo Gyeong’s solo performance.
With a stable throne, he diminished the power of the influential nobles and strengthened imperial authority.
Feeling the threat, the powerful nobles, regardless of faction, banded together to oppose Yoo Gyeong, but the tide had already turned in Yoo Gyeong’s favor and could not be reversed.
In that scenario, the only path left for the nobles was to endure quietly and wait for a chance to reverse the situation.
Yuk Ji-san was certain that today was that time for reversal.
This was due to Princess Yuya’s appearance in the heart of Nangyang yesterday, where she revealed her past in full.
What a bizarre event it was for a princess of a great nation to don men’s clothing, roam the Martial World, and wield a sword!
It had become patently clear that Princess Yuya’s conduct was well outside the bounds of royal propriety, a fact any simple farmer from a backwater could recognize.
The deposing of Princess Yuya was, for all intents and purposes, a certainty, and current Emperor Yoo Gyeong could not escape responsibility.
Yuk Ji-san contemplated how to pressure the emperor.
“First, I must get rid of that thorn in my side, the Secret Advisor. They must have mobilized their influence to cover up Princess Yuya’s private life, giving me ample justification.”
Of course, he could not just ignore the Golden Guards. Local talents selected from outside the influential circles were always a headache. While he couldn’t get rid of the Golden Guards like the Secret Advisor, he certainly had to make the Commander of the Golden Guards step down.
“Hahaha!!”
Lost in his fantasies, Yuk Ji-san burst into laughter, unable to contain himself anymore. The humiliation of constantly being on guard, not knowing when he might lose his post as Minister of Rites, was over. Now it was time to reclaim power and wealth as one who could bend the emperor’s will!
“Your Majesty! This time, even if the heavens are on your side, you won’t be able to escape!”
As Yuk Ji-san laughed, it suddenly stopped.
He saw a line of people through the cart’s window.
“What the…?”
Yuk Ji-san unintentionally mumbled. There was only one place where such a procession could be found.
The Imperial Palace.
Realizing this, he leaned out the window subconsciously, and soon found his mouth agape.
“W-What is this…?”
A vast crowd had gathered in front of the imperial palace.
*
It had been a week since Hyeok Gi-rin took to the proclamation stage to reveal his past.
In that week, chaos reigned in Nangyang each day.
Guests pouring out from the Chilbong Inn stirred up a storm in Nangyang. Many had instantly found items worthy of tribute, and their actions sparked rumors.
People said they brought tributes to save Princess Yuya after hearing Geum Myeong-wol’s explanation. This news rapidly spread throughout Nangyang, and those arriving from various places were inspired by the actions of the Chilbong Inn guests and joined their ranks.
Such actions from the locals further ignited the citizens of Nangyang. If even those coming from the countryside moved with such fervor for their princess, how could the residents of Nangyang remain still?
“We will protect our princess too!”
With the revelation that Geum Myeong-wol was actually Princess Yuya, the competitive spirit that previously surged in vying for Geum Myeong-wol transformed into something more unified.
As the days passed, the lines of citizens wishing to offer tributes to Princess Yuya continued to grow, and consequently, tributes piled high at the imperial palace.
The wishes of the people echoed as if they were the will of the heavens. So numerous were they that it felt audacious to even use the phrase “the will of the people.”
“We support Princess Yuya!”
While the citizens eloquently voiced their support, the fate of Hyeok Gi-rin remained uncertain. For the influential nobles of the past, this was their last chance to regain their honor, and they were fighting vigorously against it.
However, this attempt faltered as rumors spread through Nangyang that the very nobles who had once driven Princess Yuya into the Martial World were now tormenting her again for their own greed.
That was the saga of the past week, and today was the very day Princess Yuya’s fate was publicly declared.
Princess Yuya’s punishment was determined to be two weeks of house arrest, which, under the strict interpretations of royal law, was virtually a declaration of innocence.
“Long live His Majesty the Emperor!”
“Long live Princess!”
Thus, upon hearing this news, everyone, indeed the whole of Nangyang, erupted in joy, transforming the moment into a celebration.
“I heard Princess Yuya only received a light punishment of house arrest!”
“That’s great! Good news!”
“This is all thanks to our fellow Shanxi people!”
“What nonsense! The people of Shaanxi cared for Princess Yuya the most!”
“Hah! If the capital were in Shaanxi, there would have been an even bigger celebration!”
Although such minor squabbles erupted amid the festivities, the real point was that they were sharing in Hyeok Gi-rin’s joy as if it were their own.
The affection they now held for Geum Myeong-wol likely stemmed from a desire to produce a Martial Hero from their region, but it stood as proof that now they wished to draw closer to the adorable Great Hero, Hyeok Gi-rin.
Whether it be a hero from their territory or their royal princess, a sense of belonging formed around Geum Myeong-wol.
As I gazed at the merrymakers drinking to their hearts’ content, I couldn’t help but chuckle. The vibrant festival atmosphere filled me with joy as I wandered through the streets of Nangyang.
There were already many individuals flaunting the figure of Seo Gong in court attire around me. How much would all that be worth? It was amusing to think about how the potential profits were circulating around Nangyang.
Ah! Easy money! The sweetness already filling my mouth made me worry about my teeth rotting at this rate.
As I enjoyed this pleasant feeling, I found myself gazing at the imposing palace halls. As always, the Chilbong Inn exuded its usual prominence. Just as I absorbed the sight, my feet instinctively turned in its direction.
I was curious about Jang Yi’s news. I had no doubt that the performance by Jang Yi and I would have become a legend at the Chilbong Inn. Therefore, if I went to the Chilbong Inn, I’d surely hear something about Jang Yi.
I thought about casually settling at the Chilbong Inn, but even before entering, I could hear the news I sought.
“For the Sun Guardian Society! For our leader Jang Yi! For Princess Yuya!”
“For the Huang Nation and Geum Myeong-wol! And for Seo Gong!”
Cheers echoed over the walls of the Chilbong Inn. Eventually, it seemed a fan club for Hyeok Gi-rin had been formed around Jang Yi. The guests at the Chilbong Inn were assembled from across the country, and if they returned to their localities and absorbed the fandom created in bookstores or teahouses, a massive nationwide organization would emerge.
Could Jang Yi lead this formidable group called the Sun Guardian Society well? I pondered for a moment and nodded.
After all, as long as they were united by a single cause, their passion could surely see them through. Jang Yi, with his deep sense of fandom, would navigate it well.
Having affirmed the last concerns clouding my mind, I headed back to the imperial palace. Just a day ago, I had been sneaking through secret passages like Seo Gong. Now, I could officially enter the palace as a guest of Princess Yuya.
In other words, I could now enter proudly through the main gate.
As I entered the palace receiving the salute of the imperial army, I finally felt a sense of reassurance as if the final piece of a puzzle had fallen into place. It felt like everything that had gone wrong had finally been set right. Being in the heart of the Huang Nation, the imperial palace, without needing to hide or deceive anyone was refreshingly liberating.
It’s really over now.
Honestly, this whole affair had been incredibly exhausting. Not so much physically, but mentally taxing.
Because I had no certainty.
The mastermind behind this grand design was not me but Hyeok Gi-rin, and it was Hyeok Gi-rin’s charm that swayed the hearts of the people, not my directing.
I had simply placed Hyeok Gi-rin’s charm, which I had unknowingly fallen into, atop a pedestal for all to see.
Everything from Jang Yi to the tributes made as a way for the people to express themselves, the performances at the Chilbong Inn, and then Jang Yi’s comrades stoking the competitive spirit of the people of Nangyang were all unplanned.
Thus, even at this moment, I couldn’t shake my tension.
But now, I could truly relax.
“Ahhhh…”
Thinking this, a long sigh slipped from my lips. This sigh was likely a residue of uncertainty and anxiety that had been with me until now. I felt my chest broaden as if the content feeling was finally breaking free.
Thus, since my heart was finally lightened, I decided to shake off every trace of worry.
So.
I would fill my eyes with Hyeok Gi-rin, whom I hadn’t seen in a week. That very Hyeok Gi-rin would smile brightly, and I would rejoice in that.
And afterward… hmm. Maybe I’d hug him, pat his head, and then go for a kiss. I wanted to pinch his cheek too, but perhaps I should restrain myself.
I would likely propose to him officially.
Throughout this ordeal, I had felt a lot of unease, and the outcome that had played countless times in my mind due to that anxiety. Maybe because it had become almost like a brainwash, I was walking ahead without any hesitation even in this nerve-wracking situation.
And so, I stepped into the Baekhwa Palace where Hyeok Gi-rin lived as Princess Yuya.
“Welcome back!”
However, the one who welcomed me was not Hyeok Gi-rin, but Emperor Yoo Gyeong.
“Hahahaha! The treasure of the Huang Nation! The hero of the Martial World! You have truly, truly worked hard until now!”
Yoo Gyeong’s grin was wide enough to seem as though he might ascend to the heavens. After all, was there ever a moment for Yoo Gyeong as blissful as this? It was the day he cleaned up the issue of Princess Yuya’s status and uprooted the influential nobles who had plagued him for a lifetime.
“You should have seen the decrepit expressions of the noblemen! Watching them tremble and acknowledge their defeat felt like a lifetime of frustration was finally washed away! Wahahahaha!”
“I congratulate you, Your Majesty.”
“Ehehe! Thank you!”
Yoo Gyeong burst into hearty laughter. I wanted to share in his joy, but for some reason, my lips just wouldn’t budge.
In Baekhwa Palace, there was no sign of Hyeok Gi-rin. Instead, there was Yoo Gyeong.
I had a feeling I was beginning to grasp what the current situation signified.
“Ah, and by the way! That Jae Sang-hae you expelled when he was still an instructor? He’s quite a talent! I plan to give him a position among the nobles who’ve begun to crumble, and I’ll cultivate him!”
“That is indeed wonderful news.”
“Hahahaha! How is it that you are so good at identifying talents! Your existence truly is our Huang Nation’s blessing!”
“I merely took Jae Sang-hae into my service, but I feel I’m getting too much praise. But Your Majesty…”
“Hahaha! Your abilities are now widely recognized throughout the world, and even your modesty exists at such levels! You have really got it all, my dear!”
“Where is Princess Yuya?”
Yoo Gyeong’s laughter came to an abrupt halt. An unexpected silence fell. In that silence, Yoo Gyeong stared at me, and I stared back at him.
Ha, Cheon-an. Ho Cheon-an. You foolish fellow. Did you really not foresee something this obvious?
“Haha, Yuya, huh? I regret to inform you that she has already been placed under house arrest. How can residing in the palace be considered house arrest? After moving her to another palace, where ‘a single mouse may not enter’ under strict guard, you won’t see her for one month.”
This pathetic and terminally ill Emperor Yoo Gyeong wouldn’t allow me to kiss and confess to Hyeok Gi-rin.
“Your Majesty, may I express my honest feelings?”
“Absolutely not.”
“How disgraceful. Your Majesty.”
“Hah! What difference does it make? I will never allow Yuya! She’ll live with me in the palace for all eternity!”
“I’ve already promised to wed her, Your Majesty.”
“Ahhh! I can’t hear you! I didn’t hear anything! Marriage promises made outside are null and void! I will never acknowledge it!”
It seems there is one more hurdle to overcome in order to marry Hyeok Gi-rin.
