Chapter 594: Zhuge.

A day passed.

Night gave way to the rising sun, and just as noon arrived.

Yuri, accompanied by her guards, left the lodging provided by the merchant guild and was heading to the meeting place.

It wasn’t a long distance.

Yuri’s expression as she walked wasn’t particularly good.

Deep shadows were cast across her face.

As if she hadn’t slept at all, her face was etched with fatigue.

“Hoo…”

A sigh escaped her lips naturally.

It was because she had to spend the night planning instead of sleeping.

How could she change the mind of Red Feather?

She had focused all her attention solely on that thought.

As a result.

‘Three things…’

She had managed to derive three outcomes.

The contract the Bing Palace Lord-nim had made with Meng for Yuri to come to this land.

Furthermore, she had revised the terms originally intended for the merchant guild, creating conditions so favorable that the other party might wonder, ‘Can we really give this?’

Upon hearing this, the guards tried to dissuade Yuri, but she firmly pushed forward, judging that this much was necessary.

‘This is the best I can do.’

He wouldn’t be swayed by moderate measures.

She had to do this much.

Even this might not work.

But.

‘Somehow…’

She had to change his mind, somehow.

That was the only thought she held.

“Princess-nim… Are you truly alright?”

Woobeom asked.

Yuri didn’t answer, merely nodding slightly.

It wasn’t a question of whether she’d be alright, but that she had to be alright.

‘I can do this.’

She had to approach it with that mindset.

Yuri bit her dry lips and organized her thoughts.

Before long, they arrived at the merchant guild.

A member of the merchant guild, who had been waiting for Yuri’s arrival, came out and guided them.

It wasn’t the high floor where they had talked yesterday.

A floor that seemed a bit wider.

It appeared to be a space the merchant guild used for meetings with others.

Soon, they arrived before a large door.

Before opening the door, Yuri took a breath inwardly to compose herself.

‘Let’s not be too scared.’

She seemed overly tense because of what happened yesterday.

Even if her impatience had been revealed, she had prepared ways to smooth things over.

She kept recalling.

She would find a way, no matter what, to steer things in her favor.

Yuri resolved herself to that, but.

Screeeech-!

The door opened.

“…!!”

Seeing the situation inside, Yuri had to immediately erase the thought she had just had.

At the end of a wide table.

The owner of the merchant guild, Baekhwadanjoo, was seated, and next to him, amidst several women, sat Red Feather.

‘…What is that….’

Yuri had to forcibly hide her trembling body as she looked at him.

She knew it the moment the door opened.

That the air in this large room felt somehow heavy and stifling.

Red Feather, looking this way with his chin propped on his hand.

An immense aura was emanating from his body.

And what about his gaze?

It was just a steady gaze, yet Yuri felt it would be impossible to meet his eyes for long.

Scary.

Frightening and chilling.

A complete predator.

The current Red Feather was like a hungry beast, and Yuri herself was no different from a weak prey.

“You’ve arrived.”

Red Feather spoke towards Yuri.

“…”

His voice was clearly the same as yesterday, yet for some reason, something sticky was wrapped around it.

That sensation gradually climbed Yuri’s body, suffocatingly binding her.

Something was wrong.

“Come sit.”

Yuri definitely felt that way, but.

By the time she felt that way.

“I had quite a few things I wanted to ask you during the night.”

It was already far too late.

******************

The subsequent conversation didn’t last long.

Honestly, it would be difficult to even call it a conversation.

Yuri would unilaterally bring up topics, and they would just listen.

“…So, if you agree to the contract where you will provide treatment, the exclusive trade rights with the Northern Sea…”

“Little Princess-nim.”

“Yes, Guild Master.”

“I think we need a clear designation for the recipient of the treatment. Who is it you wish to have treated?”

“…It is the Bing Palace Lord-nim.”

“Confirmed.”

Even during conversations, Madam Mi mostly handled everything, so I just watched.

Yuri, having broken the mask she wore, was showing a completely different personality from before.

If I were to compare, not only her appearance but also her actions felt closer to Moyong Heea.

However, perhaps Moyong Heea seemed a bit more outstanding.

This might just be me thinking that way because I’m biased.

“I have a question.”

“Please speak.”

“First of all, the conditions are all very pleasing…”

I nodded inwardly at Madam Mi’s response.

Yes, the conditions were good.

The exclusive trade rights with Bing Palace, which had been blocked due to the relationship between Meng and the Northern Sea until now.

Furthermore, upon completion of the task, Bing Palace would hand over a substantial reward and three precious items.

Besides these, the conditions Yuri brought were unbelievably good offers, but.

She hadn’t mentioned the biggest problem.

“What about the guarantee of safety and the current situation unfolding in the Northern Sea?”

“…”

At Madam Mi’s words, Yuri bit her lip.

This was the biggest problem.

Even with such good conditions attached, no matter how much she tried to give.

‘There’s a lack of certainty about whether they can give it.’

In a situation lacking trust, it ultimately amounts to mere words.

If these words had come out yesterday, before she caught on to the Bing Palace situation, she might have eagerly accepted them.

However.

“Isn’t it different now?”

It’s a point where they clearly know something has happened at Bing Palace.

Moreover, the current ruler, the Bing Palace Lord-nim, has encountered a problem.

In such a situation, accepting a request based on those mere words? That’s impossible.

“…That’s correct.”

Yuri readily admitted this as well.

However, if Madam Mi or I hadn’t pointed it out, she probably would have glossed over it.

I don’t see that as a bad thing.

It was an essential part of business negotiations.

“I am fully aware of your concerns… however, if the Palace Lord-nim’s condition improves, then…”

“That’s merely an assumption. It’s a promise that doesn’t protect them in case of failure or if something goes wrong during the process.”

What Yuri desired was nothing else.

For me to go to the Northern Sea, treat the Bing Palace Lord, and return.

Madam Mi was cutting this off sharply.

The reason was simple.

‘It’s different from the original story.’

The letter received through Meng stated that the Little Princess was being sent for treatment.

Now, the problem is that she has to go directly to the Northern Sea.

‘Though the initial purpose was likely the same in the end.’

To confirm if treatment was possible with Yuri’s body.

If it was confirmed that treatment was indeed possible, she would have tried to bring them to the Northern Sea with specific conditions attached.

And there, she would have omitted mentioning that the Northern Sea was in a dangerous state.

And.

‘This matter must be unknown to Meng.’

Naturally.

The Northern Sea being in peril could, in a way, be seen as fulfilling the conditions for invasion.

Although Meng might not be that aggressive.

It was something that could be dangerous for Bing Palace at any time.

It’s obvious they would have moved on to a different story with Meng.

This means.

The risk regarding information, and the possibility of Meng itself becoming an enemy if things went wrong.

On top of that, having to travel to a dangerous foreign land after hearing conditions that might or might not be fulfilled.

Those two things are overlapping.

“There are simply too many problems to accept the Little Princess-nim’s request.”

“I have prepared a safe passage for travel. So, safety…”

“If you have such a safe passage, then why did you engage in combat?”

Squeeeeze.

Yuri clenched her fist at Madam Mi’s words.

Here, the internal injuries sustained by the guards became the issue.

Observing Yuri’s reaction, Madam Mi’s eyes grew cold.

It was over.

Madam Mi’s judgment was final, and unfortunately, not in Yuri’s favor.

I immediately looked to the side.

Moyong Heea was sitting next to me.

Her expression wasn’t much different.

She showed no interest.

Meaning it was a pointless discussion.

No matter how profitable the deal was, judging by the circumstances, it was a request that didn’t need to be accepted.

This would have been the same even if the original me had heard it.

‘Hmm.’

I watched this and let out a sigh.

I knew that, but the situation was different now.

It seemed I had to step in.

“This discussion–“

“I have something I want to ask.”

I interjected just as Madam Mi was about to finish speaking.

But when I opened my mouth, Yuri seemed to flinch in surprise for some reason.

Why is she acting like that?

As I looked at her with a questioning expression.

Swish.

I felt a touch on my fingertips.

It was Tang Xiaoye’s hand.

“…Young Master-nim, your aura is too strong.”

“Ah.”

At her words, I finally realized.

I was trying to kill them, but my power was leaking out uncontrollably.

Hearing her, I controlled my aura.

Whoosh-!

A slight breeze swirled in the space.

I gathered my aura into one point and sent it out the window.

“Hoo… hoo…”

Then Yuri let out a breath.

She must have been quite stifled.

Was that why she kept glancing at me nervously?

‘It wasn’t exactly intentional.’

It truly wasn’t intentional.

I was just that irritated.

Seeing Yuri looking exhausted, I asked.

“What’s the current situation with Bing Palace? Explain that first.”

“…Well…”

“If unnecessary personal remarks are mixed in, the deal is off.”

At my brief warning, Yuri immediately started speaking.

“…In the Northern Sea, there are broadly three families.”

Unlike yesterday when we spoke casually, she was using polite speech again.

Perhaps it was to clearly establish her position.

Three families responsible for each region.

In the Northern Sea, they were called nobles.

“They are places where warriors who uphold the bloodline and protect Bing Palace for generations reside.”

“Hmm.”

Unlike the Four Great Families… no, the Three Great Families, affiliated with orthodox sects through agreements with Meng.

Those families seem to be specifically for protecting Bing Palace.

“…One of those families rebelled and turned their swords against Bing Palace.”

Hearing this, I stroked my chin with my finger.

The Northern Sea is a different world from Meng.

While Meng repeatedly installs new martial artists after the succession of the Meng Lord.

Bing Palace passes down its lineage through bloodline succession.

It meant absolute royal authority.

However, to ignore this and show hostility towards the Palace itself.

“A rebellion?”

“…Yes.”

It must mean they intend to seize the throne.

My question here is.

“Why has it come to this when the rebellion was started by just one family, not three?”

If all three had joined forces, perhaps.

It’s incomprehensible that they can’t suppress an incident started by just one family.

To this, Yuri said.

“…It’s because those who rebelled are the ones responsible for the military strength.”

At those words, my brow furrowed deeply.

“They handle the military strength from only one place?”

What kind of crazy talk is this?

It was an absurd statement.

That statement means that the current troops and military strength in the Northern Sea are handled by a single family.

“And despite doing such a crazy thing, no rebellion has occurred until now?”

It’s even stranger that the royal authority has been maintained until now despite concentrating power in one family.

It wasn’t strange that it could happen anytime, not just now.

As long as one possesses power, the desire for authority can arise at any time.

Yet, Bing Palace has maintained its succession generation after generation.

How could that be possible?

As I asked with such doubt, Yuri gave this answer.

“Because the Northern Sea can only be maintained if Bing Palace is maintained.”

“What does that mean?”

“…I cannot say more than that.”

Yuri swallowed the most crucial words.

Should I probe further?

I pondered that, but decided to hold back.

If it’s something she can’t say even after coming this far, then it must truly be unspeakable.

‘That’s not what’s important.’

How Bing Palace’s royal authority is maintained.

I have no interest in that at all.

Who cares?

None of that was important to me.

What’s important now is….

“Then, the next thing I’ll ask about is this.”

I took out the letter I received yesterday from my pocket and showed it to Yuri.

“The person who sent this to me, what’s their relationship with you?”

“…?”

Yuri’s expression changed at my question.

It was an expression asking why I would be curious about that.

So I added a word.

“Is the owner of this letter involved in the current events in the Northern Sea?”

“…!”

Yuri’s eyes widened upon hearing my words.

And hope flickered in her eyes.

I think I understand what she’s feeling.

She understood the meaning behind my words.

That I, the person who sent this letter.

Showed that I cared greatly about Namgung Bi-ah.

By specifically asking if it was related to the current events engulfing Bing Palace, that was the implication.

Therefore, Yuri must have thought.

That perhaps she could entice me by using this.

She might have even thought she could discover my weakness.

Even though I knew that well, I spoke it.

There was only one reason.

It simply wasn’t the time to calculate such trivial matters.

Yuri, having confirmed my reaction, spoke.

“Regarding that matter, we should discuss it separately…”

“Let me tell you in advance.”

She seemed like she was trying to make a deal with it.

So I spoke first.

“Don’t think about playing games with this.”

I opened my heart and unleashed my aura.

The energy flowed explosively through my acupoints.

My internal injuries hadn’t healed, and I felt pain.

I ignored it.

Through my body, my fighting spirit was unleashed.

Whoooosh-!!

The room filled with a fighting spirit and killing intent incomparable to before.

“Hngh…!”

Yuri’s body stiffened upon receiving the aura.

Clank-!

Immediately, the guards beside her tried to assume a defensive posture to protect Yuri, but.

Shing.

Seongyul’s sword was at the neck of the person named Wooseok.

Tang Xiaoye had already arrived before Woobeom.

“My patience is wearing very thin right now.”

I was restraining myself from lunging forward immediately.

I tensed my body. I had to hold back my arm, which was involuntarily flexing.

If I didn’t, I felt like I would grab the neck of that woman called Yuri at any moment.

I asked with a forced smile.

“Answer me properly. This is your last chance.”

Otherwise.

Today, the star of the Northern Sea will die by my hand.

This was sincere.