Hyeok Gi-rin and I managed to stop Yoo Gyeong’s ambition (?), but what remained was an ambiguous month of time that was neither here nor there.

The major issues surrounding Hyeok Gi-rin’s identity were resolved. How the world would accept Hyeok Gi-rin remains uncertain, and there’s still the question of how the martial world will treat him, but both aren’t major problems.

As long as there were members of the Sun Shield Society scattered across various regions, the public opinion would likely not spiral into the worst-case scenario. Unless Hyeok Gi-rin and I started expanding our influence in the martial world with the power of the court behind us, no sect would dare touch us first.

The martial world was more sensitive to public sentiment than even the imperial family. Even if the public opinion wasn’t great, as long as the Sun Shield Society existed, it wouldn’t be easy for the martial sects to criticize Hyeok Gi-rin.

However, that didn’t mean I could just sit back and relax. I wanted to soothe the emotions of the martial world, but… a month was far too little time to stir up trouble.

Besides, I couldn’t afford to waste more time.

Right now, I had just defeated Yoo Gyeong, but did anyone really think she would give up on Hyeok Gi-rin? When Hyeok Gi-rin’s period of restraint ended, if I wasn’t there, she would surely come up with schemes to delay their marriage.

“Sigh.”

They say that haste makes waste. Rather than wasting a month feeling sorry, I decided to take a deep, leisurely break. After all, I hadn’t really rested properly while managing Wolbok-dang and my classmates.

Let’s take this opportunity to fully relax.

Lying flat on my bed, I felt at ease. Truly, what kind of person am I? It seems I need to diligently indulge in my laziness.

Well, I’ve worked hard enough, right? I deserve a break.

Alongside me, my companions who had stood against the Blood Sect and pushed their own problems aside to help me. Hadn’t we solved their problems one by one?

The black cat, who had left home in her childhood to become the lord of Wolbok-dang, had now regained her name, So Yeon-hwa, and reunited with her mother.

Hyeok Gi-rin, who had been burdened with the irreconcilable identity of being both royal and a part of the martial world, had also found his place.

Dokgo Yeongcheon’s ambition to gain something through Dokgo I-seol had also been crushed.

Yeo Il-ye’s past and resentment had already been settled back in Sacheon City, so now there was only one remaining issue to build a happy life with my companions.

That was to go to Moyong Clan’s main house with Moyong Yeon-hwa, who joined us almost like she was running away, to seek forgiveness and formally receive permission for our marriage.

Well… it shouldn’t be that hard. The Moyong Clan owed me quite a lot, and Moyong Yeon-hwa’s actions weren’t something that would cause major problems.

In fact, having been with me, she had raised the honor of the Moyong Clan, so they would surely praise her instead of reprimanding her.

So there was no need to rush; I should just relax for a month. With that thought in mind, when I closed my eyes to take a nap, Sa Ma Gyeong-hwi came to find me.

“The Bicheongmacha has arrived in Nangyang.”

It seemed I wasn’t destined to rest.

*

“Senior Ho, it’s been a long time!”

“Indeed, Brother Tang! You look… healthy…”

I was about to say the usual pleasantries of ‘you look healthy’ when I halted and closed my mouth.

Tang Do-gyeong’s cheeks were hollowed out, making it clear to anyone that he wasn’t looking healthy at all. Tang Do-gyeong realized his own shabby appearance and displayed a faint smile.

“Hehe, it seems I have been on the Bicheongmacha for too long.”

“…Ah.”

I bowed my head under the tide of guilt washing over me. The Bicheongmacha had been pursued relentlessly since the rumor of Geum Myeong-wol being Hyeok Gi-rin spread. Naturally, Tang Do-gyeong, who was riding with me, would have had to live a life of fleeing as well.

The reason the Bicheongmacha had raced to Nangyang was likely for that same reason. They had ears and would have realized that everything would be settled here in Nangyang.

“Hehe, still, it feels good to have arrived in Nangyang. No one is chasing us anymore, and it feels like ages since I could rest comfortably…”

Tang Do-gyeong, wearing a face that looked like he might attain enlightenment just by resting at an inn, made me lower my head once more.

“My disciple. You’re treating your master like a rag and look splendid yourself.”

“Yes? Ah, well that’s true.”

For some reason, I didn’t feel particularly sorry for Tang Do-yeon, who had suffered alongside us. Perhaps sensing my mood, Tang So-yeol muttered something under his breath, but I didn’t pay much attention.

“Hahaha! If there’s something pleasant like this, call me anytime!”

Tang Do-yeon’s skin was radiant. Sure, she had ran wild on the Bicheongmacha for a while; she was probably enjoying one of the happiest moments of her life.

“By the way, I was surprised. I anticipated Hyeok Gi-rin Great Hero’s status would be extraordinary, but I never imagined she would be a princess of the Huang Nation.”

“My disciple probably knew, that rascal.”

Despite saying they were surprised, neither Tang Do-yeon nor Tang So-yeol looked overly shocked. After all, we weren’t total strangers; they likely had some inkling.

Considering Tang So-yeol’s intuition, it was quite possible he had figured out long ago that Hyeok Gi-rin was of royal blood.

I subtly changed the topic.

“Have all the talisman deliveries been completed?”

“Yes. Phew, now that the major task is settled, I’m planning to relax at the inn and stroll around Nangyang before heading back slowly.”

As he was using the trip to Nangyang as an excuse to prepare for their escape from the Bicheongmacha.

He had surely been through a lot.

Having been alone with the anxiety-ridden Tang Do-yeon in the Bicheongmacha alongside that annoying Tang So-yeol, it must have been miserable. I was surprised by how much compassion I had as my sensitivity, which usually was nonexistent, suddenly came to life.

“Thank you for your hard work, Brother Tang!”

“My disciple, your expression is quite unpleasant to look at.”

While curling his face, Tang So-yeol brushed the ash from his pipe and pushed fresh tobacco into it.

“I heard you’re staying with the imperial family? Since I’ve come all the way to Nangyang, I might as well sneak a peek at the palace.”

Although he casually mentioned entering the palace like it was a stroll in the neighborhood, considering his status, Tang So-yeol had every right to enter.

Ultimately, the reason my party had become guests of the imperial palace was due to my ties with Hyeok Gi-rin. Tang Do-yeon and Tang So-yeol, who had lived and traveled together on the Bicheongmacha, also had sufficient qualifications.

“Well, if it’s you and Miss Do-yeon, it’s likely a yes, but…”

But it might be a bit tough for Tang Do-gyeong. Perhaps noticing my gaze, Tang Do-gyeong waved his hands in refusal.

“I’ll be satisfied just resting at the inn.”

The opportunity to visit the palace was rare. I expected he would feel regret for missing the chance, but instead, he seemed relieved.

It appeared he planned to escape while Tang Do-yeon and Tang So-yeol entered the palace.

How miserable.

In the end, only Tang Do-yeon and Tang So-yeol entered the palace.

They met the current emperor, Yoo Gyeong, toured the imperial family’s premises, and enjoyed a guest’s treatment in the palace.

Their reactions were the extreme opposites.

“Phew…”

With a content smile, Tang So-yeol lounged back in his chair, while Tang Do-yeon was unable to hide her anxious expression.

“Miss Do-yeon, please calm down.”

“I’m sorry. Black Cat sis. I just can’t adapt to being away from the Bicheongmacha…”

Tang Do-yeon was voicing her separation anxiety. Feeling anxious just because she was away from the Bicheongmacha… My party and I were dumbfounded, but it was true that Tang Do-yeon was feeling anxious, so I made various efforts to comfort her, but nothing seemed to help.

The only thing that triggered a reaction was when we shared stories of the times we had parted after saying goodbye to Tang Do-yeon.

Maybe she was just curious, but she did lend an ear, and thus my party continued to tell her about what happened after we separated.

…And that very point became problematic.

“So, you’re saying the union between Moyong Yeon-hwa and Ho Cheon-an Great Hero has not been finalized yet?”

“Yes. That’s right. Once the princess’s period of restraint ends, I plan to visit the Moyong Clan.”

“This is it!”

Tang Do-yeon suddenly jumped up and shouted. Everyone was taken aback by her sudden outburst, staring blankly at her as she turned to Moyong Yeon-hwa.

“I will escort you!”

“…Huh?”

“After all, we’ve got almost a month, no wait, just 25 days left. If we head to the Moyong Clan within those 25 days, it will all work out! Hahaha! With the Bicheongmacha, it’s definitely a doable schedule.”

“Ah… um…?”

At her reaction, I finally grasped her intentions and let out a long sigh. She had found the angle to drive the Bicheongmacha!

“Ah, but what about the bridal gifts…”

“Hahaha! We’re in the heart of the Huang Nation, Nangyang! We can get bridal gifts with just determination!”

“No, but you’ve endured so much until now…”

“It’s alright! It’s fine! How can I be selfish when it comes to my friends’ marriages? The timing is perfect! It seems Yeon-hwa really likes this place, so she can relax for a month while I make the trip to the Moyong Clan and reunite with Hyeok Gi-rin, no, with the princess! How splendid! Hahaha!”

…Oh no.

There were all kinds of words swirling in my head, but there was no excuse that would surpass her noble aspiration of “working tirelessly to drive the carriage for my friend’s marriage.”

“Hahahaha!!!”

Thud thud thud thud thud!!!

Squish! Screeeech!

In the end, I, Moyong Yeon-hwa, and Seo Gong had no choice but to board the speeding Bicheongmacha.