Chapter 593: Zhuge.

Red Feather.

He was a famous figure in the Northern Sea for a time, or more precisely, within the Ice Palace.

[There’s no one in the Central Plains who doesn’t know that friend.]

The ‘friend’ explaining the story to him wore a particularly joyful expression, his own face relaxed.

Although they met after more than ten years, he was still bright and refreshing.

[Anyway, he’s quite the friend, isn’t he?]

Perhaps it was because time had passed.

His friend, who used to live completely immersed in his own self-importance, had lost that air and was now busy boasting about a new friend he’d made.

[That guy is definitely going places. That’s why no one in the Central Plains doesn’t know him already.]

[You mean Red Feather?]

[Right. Red… pfft. Feather.]

Although the snort in the middle was a bit jarring, he didn’t bother paying it any mind.

Because his friend was always a strange one.

However.

If even that strange friend praised him so highly.

Yuri felt a certain interest sparking.

So, he decided to ask.

[White Fox.]

When Yuri called, the ‘guard’ behind him turned her head.

She had a tall stature for a woman and a slender build.

Yet, her voluptuous curves stood out.

She was the individual commonly known as White Fox.

She always wore a white fox mask, and no one knew the face beneath it.

His friend had said something about her having been burned as a child, hiding a hideous scar, hadn’t he?

Having heard that, Yuri hadn’t insisted on her removing the mask.

[Do you know about Red Feather too?]

[…]

When asked, White Fox nodded.

She was exceptionally taciturn.

Yuri himself didn’t talk much, but she spoke even less.

That actually made things easier.

She didn’t put on any unnecessary airs, nor did she show any signs of hardship.

Moreover, wasn’t she a martial artist from the Central Plains who possessed immense power?

Yuri liked White Fox.

So much so that he wasn’t pleased to hear she was leaving for her hometown again soon.

[…If even you know him, he must be quite famous.]

[She would have known Red Feather well, even if he wasn’t famous.]

[Hm?]

Yuri tilted his head at his friend’s words.

Wondering what he meant.

[Well, it’s because the two of them…]

Chul-leok.

Just as his friend was about to say something.

A sound came from White Fox’s waist.

She had already gripped the hilt of her sword.

Seeing that, his friend flinched slightly.

[…They’re… close.]

[Ah.]

Yuri hadn’t noticed this.

[Close, huh.]

So White Fox is also a famous figure in the Central Plains?

That was possible.

After all, how could such an outstanding person not be famous?

Yuri nodded and asked his friend.

[Are you famous too?]

[Me…]

His friend pondered Yuri’s question for a moment.

[…A little?]

[Mm. I see.]

If that’s what he said, then that must be the case.

Yuri believed his friend.

He thought his friend wouldn’t lie, at least.

That’s why he was curious.

Was this Red Feather fellow really that amazing?

How amazing, exactly?

Such curiosity arose.

[What kind of person is he?]

These were the words Yuri asked White Fox.

Since he heard they were close, he thought she might know something.

Upon hearing this, White Fox paused in silence for a moment.

[A dog.]

[…Hm?]

She suddenly uttered.

It was an unexpected statement.

[A cute dog.]

For some reason, her tone was resolute.

Unlike what his friend had said, this gave a rather refreshing impression.

Did it mean he was pure and kind despite his strength?

Just as Yuri was about to perceive him that way alone.

[Pfft… Poo-eup… Keuk-keuk…!!]

The friend beside him turned his head and started suppressing laughter.

His shoulders shook, showing how hard it was to hold back.

Knowing his friend wasn’t quite right in the head anyway, Yuri didn’t bother paying it any attention.

[A dog…]

[Cute.]

Yuri’s mind was simply left with White Fox’s words.

A superhuman who wielded flames.

A kind soul who couldn’t pass by the weak and injured.

A hero aiming to save the world, and at the same time.

A great genius destined to be remembered in history.

And a man possessing the cuteness of a dog.

[I’m curious.]

Saying that, Yuri smiled.

Stories from the Central Plains were always interesting.

That’s why he hadn’t expected it at all.

A few days after this.

A blood wind would sweep through the Northern Sea.

And that he would end up going to the Central Plains searching for the man called a cute dog.

Sitting at the now quiet table, Yuri muttered.

“…He said cute dog.”

His tone was filled with indignation.

How could he not feel indignant?

“Forget a dog, there wasn’t a viper as venomous as him.”

Where in the world was the dog?

At best, he was a ferocious beast; at worst, he was no different from a demon.

Yuri had never encountered such a violent person in his life.

And what about his speech and gaze?

He looked like he could flip everything over at any moment if things went wrong.

Self-important.

Or a degenerate.

Words Yuri had never associated with anyone before came to mind.

He was someone Yuri would have definitely executed if he’d seen him in the Northern Sea.

“Of all people…”

But of all people.

Yuri needed him now.

Thump.

He struck the table with his slender hand.

“Young Lady.”

At Yuri’s action, the person before him.

Woo-beom spoke cautiously.

“I apologize….”

His apology came first.

Yuri shifted his gaze at Woo-beom’s apology.

“I failed to handle things properly.”

Unlike his earlier disruptive behavior, Woo-beom’s attitude was serious.

Seeing that, Yuri said.

“Don’t apologize. It’s all my fault.”

“How…!”

“I failed to grasp the situation correctly.”

Everything had gone wrong.

Because the actions he’d taken to appear foolish hadn’t worked at all.

“…Even the situation Woo-beom worked hard to create. I ruined it all.”

The path to the merchant guild, the situation where they could have escaped – that was thanks to the power of the artifact and the efforts of Woo-beom and Woo-seok.

The subsequent situation was also ultimately Woo-beom’s sacrifice.

Woo-beom deliberately acted like a conceited and arrogant person to draw people’s attention.

There were several reasons for this.

One was to make people perceive her as a foolish young lady traveling with such a guard.

The second was to divert attention from Woo-seok, who was injured internally.

All of this was intended to lead the negotiations in a favorable direction, but…

“…Nothing went right.”

“Young Lady…”

“I really didn’t expect it.”

In addition to the fact that this Red Feather fellow wasn’t a cute dog.

“He was much smarter than expected. And persistent.”

This, too, was his own mistake.

He had made several mistakes in his actions, and the opponent noticed every single one.

This meant that…

‘He’s madly arrogant, but not incompetent.’

He clearly knew he was strong and talented, maintaining a somewhat arrogant attitude.

But he possessed the power to back it up.

This was troublesome.

Yuri thought he was a difficult and repulsive person in a different sense.

‘Those born as emperors.’

Usually, people with this aura were mostly like that.

Those destined to sit above others.

Those destined to become the head of a dragon.

They were the beings Yuri feared the most.

Yes, just like…

‘…the Palace Lord.’

The Red Feather Yuri met was like his father.

The way he looked down at him.

The aura he exuded.

Even the confidence that nothing could stop him.

Yuri couldn’t forget the impression of the young man he had just met.

[Young Lady.]

Before heading to the Central Plains.

His father’s words came to mind.

His father’s warning not to get involved with the Martial Alliance.

There were words he spoke afterward.

[If you happen to go to the Central Plains and meet the one who wields fire from the west.]

[Flee far away, no matter what.]

Yuri should have been surprised to hear that.

His father, who always expressed that he should fight back no matter what.

To think he would tell him to run.

[He must be in his middle years now. A man who wields flames. Remember this.]

His tone was much more serious than when he spoke about the Martial Alliance.

Having heard that, Yuri couldn’t help but ask.

[Just who is he, that you speak of him like this?]

Why would the ruler dominating the Northern Sea speak like this?

As Yuri voiced his question.

[He…]

The Ice Palace Lord told Yuri.

[Is the supreme ruler of the Central Plains.]

His tone was incredibly firm, as if he would never accept any rebuttal.

Perhaps that’s why.

For some reason, the memory from that time surfaced.

He heard Red Feather also wielded flames.

From the west.

Where did he come from? Such a thought flashed briefly, but…

‘He said he was in his middle years, so it can’t be him.’

Comparing their ages, it definitely wouldn’t be him.

It was much earlier when his father went to the Central Plains with his grandfather.

It was probably even before Red Feather was born.

The person his father had warned him about couldn’t be that young man.

‘Now is not the time to worry about this.’

Yuri repeatedly wiped his face as if exhausted.

Just like his thoughts, now was not the time to worry about such things.

“Haa…”

At the point where all plans had fallen through.

To Yuri, whose situation was tangled and twisted, Red Feather spoke up.

[It seems the situation has changed a bit. Wouldn’t it be better to discuss the details tomorrow?]

His voice held laughter.

And Yuri couldn’t help but know that laughter was mockery.

He knew.

[If you intend to ‘negotiate,’ you should prepare what you’ll say.]

That the situation had completely changed.

At first, it was a situation where he came as a client.

When things turned out like this, it changed from an ‘order’ to a desperate plea.

It meant their positions had changed.

From client and contractor.

To the relationship of superior and subordinate.

Naturally, Red Feather would be A, and Yuri would be B.

“Haa.”

This wasn’t good.

It would make negotiations difficult.

What’s more, the opponent knew, didn’t he?

‘…that the Northern Sea is currently in chaos.’

Yuri wondered how he figured that out in such a short meeting, but…

The secret was already out.

The Northern Sea was in chaos.

It was twisted by conspiracy and rebellion, and the cold winds were mixed with bloody gales.

‘The reason it became like this is all….’

His father, who had firmly held his position.

The problem was the anomaly that occurred in the Ice Palace Lord’s body.

They tried to hide and block it somehow, but time was running out.

To change their current position, the ability Red Feather possessed to lift curses.

That ability should have been a lie, but…

It couldn’t be.

In fact, the problem was precisely that it couldn’t be.

With the growing complexity, Yuri felt increasingly exhausted.

“…I suppose I’ll have to think about it.”

Although it was a brief conversation.

Yuri could clearly discern one thing from looking at Red Feather.

He…

“isn’t someone who acts out of righteousness or cooperation.”

He was far from the hero his friend had described.

He was an extremely rational and cold individual.

Someone who wouldn’t act unless it benefited him.

Conversely.

‘If it would cause harm, he’d become crueler than anyone.’

Yuri could tell just by his gaze, let alone his words and actions.

He was definitely not a benevolent person.

‘He’s not the type to act merely on sympathy or circumstances.’

To persuade him, one would need rational conditions that could sway his heart.

Without those, it would be meaningless.

Yuri looked out the window.

The daytime had already given way to sunset.

He had suggested discussing things in detail tomorrow at noon.

That meant there wasn’t much time left to think.

So, he decided to accept it for now.

He needed to accurately realize his position and understand the subject matter.

Only then could he make a more precise judgment.

‘The night is short.’

He had to figure it out before noon arrived.

Somehow, he had to think during this short night.

Specifically, how to gain his cooperation.

---

Around the time Yuri was racking his brain like that.

Gu Yangcheon had just returned to his lodging.

His originally planned schedule included having a meal with Madam Mi later, or taking Tang Soyeol and Moyong Hi-ah sightseeing around the county, but…

Gu Yangcheon had to abandon all of it and return to his lodging.

“Hmm….”

His expression was somewhat serious.

His fierce eyes seemed even more narrowed, making him look particularly intimidating.

With narrowed eyes, Gu Yangcheon was looking at something.

An unknown piece of paper held in his hand.

This was the reason Gu Yangcheon had turned back.

Around the time he had just finished talking with the Young Lady.

It was the moment he was about to leave, saying they should talk tomorrow.

[…Wait a moment.]

Just then, Yuri stopped Gu Yangcheon.

Gu Yangcheon looked at Yuri, wondering if she had more business, when she took out this letter from her bosom and handed it to Gu Yangcheon.

[What’s this?]

He stared at Yuri with a strange expression at the unexpected item.

[Your friend sent it.]

At Yuri’s words, Gu Yangcheon’s eyes widened.

The friend she mentioned.

Someone with enough connections to send him a letter in the Northern Sea.

Those individuals immediately came to mind.

How did the Young Lady end up with this?

Then, an unpleasant thought occurred to him.

It was something that had been bothering him already, hearing that there was trouble in the Northern Sea.

Gu Yangcheon took the letter right then and there and opened it.

[…!]

After reading the words, he had to frown deeply.

It was the kind of message that warranted such a reaction.

Thanks to it, he had to cancel all his plans and hole up in his lodging.

“…”

Sa-rak.

Inside the room, which was dark because the lights weren’t on.

Gu Yangcheon’s blue eyes shone clearly.

It was so dark that none of the writing on the letter was visible, but that didn’t matter to Gu Yangcheon.

Even though darkness spread before him, he could see it all too clearly.

So he read it again and again.

[Sorry. I’m late.]

A short line.

[But don’t worry.]

And a second line.

That was all.

A message containing merely two lines.

Though the words seemed insignificant at first glance.

“…”

As Gu Yangcheon looked at it, he could feel his heart gradually growing cold.

There was only one person who would send him a letter like this.

Someone who had become more precious than his own life.

The wicked woman who had brushed aside his pleas not to leave and departed.

It was precisely a letter sent by her.

If you ask why he reacted this way to a short message that seemed to have no issues, the reason is simple.

The words written in the letter.

[Don’t worry.]

That was the problem.

What exactly was the problem with this?

The problem was that the words didn’t suit her.

Words as unreliable as those he himself uttered.

This struck a deep chord within him.

Early this year.

Or rather, by spring, or at the latest by summer, she had said she would come.

‘And now suddenly she’s late?’

Thinking this as he looked at the letter.

Could it be?

‘Is she involved in the incident that broke out in the Northern Sea?’

The moment he thought that.

Ppa-deuk.

A rough sound came from his clenched fist.

It was a very unpleasant premonition.