Chapter 595: Zhuge.

Tzuh-zuh-juk.

A cracking sound is heard from somewhere.

Cracks appear in space, and pressure is seen rising.

An overwhelming aura.

Yuri’s body started trembling uncontrollably under a pressure completely different from the first time she saw it.

“Hhng… Hhngg…”

I can’t even breathe properly.

It was a ghastly killing intent I’d never felt before.

“Princess…!”

Seeing Yuri’s reaction, Wooseok tries to move, but.

“Stop.”

Another person in front speaks.

It was the figure known as the guard of the Red Feathers.

“If you move. I’ll cut you.”

The emotion contained in the voice was genuine.

Wooseok felt this and couldn’t move easily.

The meaning of ‘cut’ wasn’t directed at him.

Wooseok could see.

That the author’s gaze was fixed on the Little Princess.

Can I block it? Wooseok had to bite his lip as he assessed the opponent.

‘I can’t block it.’

At least, not with my current self.

I feel my arms going numb with every movement.

The opponent was far stronger than expected.

It meant I lacked the confidence to protect the Little Princess under such pressure.

‘To think a warrior from the Central Plains would be this strong….’

Biting my lip, I grasped the grim reality.

The opponent’s full strength far exceeded my expectations.

The swordsman in front, and the woman blocking my younger brother.

‘As I felt last time.’

The skill to approach and aim for the neck in an instant.

A face that didn’t show killing intent, yet different hand movements.

It showed they were extremely skilled night raiders.

Even if I had sustained internal injuries….

No.

‘Even if I hadn’t sustained internal injuries in the first place.’

Not to mention the martial artist in front.

Could I have protected the Little Princess from that woman’s fingertips?

I wasn’t sure.

Wooseok had to swallow his groans recalling this.

‘…Does this mean it’s not just Baek Yeo-woo.’

He had heard there were many people in the Central Plains comparable to those in the Northern Sea, but.

He hadn’t known people of this caliber existed.

Not very old.

How could they reach such a level?

‘Moreover.’

Wooseok’s gaze looked towards the very edge of the table.

The owner of the fighting spirit filling the room.

A young man, in a tense situation, was looking here with a smirk.

Resting his chin on his hand, smiling.

Emitting such chilling killing intent.

‘What is this.’

Wooseok felt the hair on his entire body stand on end.

Leaving aside the warrior in front, that person was on a different level.

It wasn’t simply a matter of winning or losing.

It was the difference between living and dying.

The Ice Palace Lord who rules the Northern Sea.

The ten Great Generals who guard the Ice Palace beneath him.

Wooseok could be sure.

That person possessed the aura of a Great General.

Otherwise, the current pressure was incomprehensible.

‘The Red Feathers of the Central Plains….’

The being whom Baek Yeo-woo and Bihoe-gun (費外君) praised so highly.

Wooseok could understand why those two had praised the Red Feathers.

A presence that made one’s legs tremble just by looking.

Pressure that felt like it could make an opponent kneel with just a glance.

That person was someone born with the qualities of a ruler and the talent to support him.

Although the owner of this place seemed to be the Baekhwa Merchant Guild Leader.

It was clear with just a little observation that it wasn’t so.

That the actual master of this room was that young man.

‘Dangerous.’

It was truly dangerous.

More dangerous than the risks faced when escaping the Northern Sea.

This time was several times more dangerous.

You could tell by the eyes.

That person.

‘Would have no hesitation in killing the Little Princess.’

Being from the Outer Martial World, and kin of the Ice Palace.

It wouldn’t matter to that person.

Such a sense was clearly felt.

“Hhng…”

Yuri lets out a painful groan.

From her distorted expression and flowing cold sweat, one could tell how much pain Yuri was in.

Seeing this, Wooseok bites his lip.

He shifted his gaze and looked around.

Only I, Woobeom, and Yuri were suffering.

The expressions of the others showed only slight bewilderment, no pain.

This means.

‘They are controlling their energy completely.’

Controlling it so as not to harm those around them.

Even while delivering such rough and suffocating pressure.

How is that possible?

It was an overwhelmingly vast difference.

“Hey.”

A chilling voice pierces Yuri.

“Answer.”

“…”

Yuri’s pupils shake at the words she hears.

For her, this was definitely an opportunity.

It was the moment she could figure out what the opponent wanted.

She had clearly grasped what the Red Feathers cared about.

No, there was no need to grasp it.

Because it was no different from what the opponent had told her.

If she used this, there was a possibility of appeasing the Red Feathers.

‘…Hhng… Hng….’

The Red Feathers was speaking through his aura and eyes.

[If you mess around, you die.]

This was a clear warning.

What should I do?

She had to choose.

Either take a step forward here and attempt appeasement.

Or retreat from this aura as is.

The Red Feathers quietly watched Yuri.

With eyes that seemed to force a choice.

Her deliberation wasn’t long.

Yuri was quick-witted.

“…Baek Yeo-woo…”

If I go further, I’ll die.

Her entire body’s instincts were telling her so.

“Was… my guard.”

The moment Yuri spoke those words.

Hwaak-!

The aura emanating from the Red Feathers subsided.

Only then could Yuri gasp for the breath she had been holding.

“Huk…. Heuh… Huk…”

“Baek Yeo-woo?”

The Red Feathers tilts his head.

While catching her breath, Yuri closely observed his reaction.

“…We called her that.”

“It feels fitting yet unfitting.”

He says, and he laughs.

It was a completely different laugh from the one he’d given them earlier.

It was even slightly innocent.

Seeing that, Yuri realized Baek Yeo-woo and the Red Feathers were quite close.

“A guard… She was your guard?”

“Yes.”

“How did that happen?”

“…It was something the Palace Lord arranged, so I don’t know the details.”

It just happened that way.

Guards often change anyway.

At first, I harbored doubts about an outsider being a guard.

But she was someone my friend brought, and the Palace Lord had permitted it, so I didn’t harbor any objections.

“A guard…. I wondered what she was up to…”

After hearing this, he seemed lost in thought for a moment.

Then he looked back at Yuri and spoke.

“So, what’s the answer to the question I asked earlier?”

“…”

The question asked earlier.

Is it due to the aura’s influence? My head isn’t working properly.

The hazy mind is bothersome.

Immediately, Yuri raised her hand.

Jja-ak-!

“!!”

“Princess–!!”

Everyone except the Red Feathers stared at Yuri with surprised eyes.

Because she had slapped her own cheek hard.

Jureureuk.

She had hit herself so hard that blood trickled from the corner of her mouth.

Yuri immediately wiped the blood with her sleeve.

Now, my head felt a bit clearer.

“I apologize. I was feeling a bit dizzy.”

“Hmm.”

As everyone looked at Yuri with bewildered eyes.

Interest flickered in the Red Feathers’ eyes.

“You were asking if Baek Yeo-woo was involved in the incident at the Ice Palace.”

“That’s right.”

“I don’t know well.”

At Yuri’s answer, the Red Feathers strokes his lips with his hand.

He shows no other reaction.

Explain more.

Yuri thought that action meant just that.

“Before I came to the Central Plains, Baek Yeo-woo remained at the Palace.”

“You said guard. The reason?”

“It was her choice.”

“She made that kind of choice?”

“Yes. The letter I received was from back then. It said to deliver this if I met you in the Central Plains.”

“…”

The Red Feathers’ brow furrows upon hearing Yuri’s words.

There was no lie in her words.

Yuri conveyed it as it was.

As he had said, playing games could lead to unknown consequences.

However.

She just didn’t speak falsehoods.

She hadn’t told everything.

“I immediately fled to the Central Plains afterward. I don’t know what happened to Baek Yeo-woo after that.”

“What’s the current state of the Ice Palace? You said there was a rebellion. Explain more precisely.”

“…”

Taking a moment to catch her breath, Yuri quickly racked her brain.

“…The Ice Palace has ten outstanding warriors who guard the palace. Immediately after the rebellion broke out, three of them met their deaths.”

“More might have died by now. Is the situation that bad?”

“Yes.”

Jjaeng.

As Yuri gave her answer.

The water glass next to the Red Feathers breaks in half.

Geu-geu-geuk-.

Additionally, a vibration echoed through the room.

Although it wasn’t the killing intent or fighting spirit from before.

It was clear this aura was also being emitted by the Red Feathers.

“So, it’s a damn shitty situation.”

The Red Feathers says with a laugh.

Yuri found that smile scarier than a blank expression.

“In such a dangerous situation. You tried to drag me along?”

“That…”

“Ah, that doesn’t matter. It’s not important, so just ignore it.”

It was words she absolutely couldn’t ignore.

As if it truly didn’t matter, the Red Feathers waved his hand.

Then he speaks.

“What was the request? Was it to accompany you to the Northern Sea?”

Yuri’s eyes widen at the Red Feathers’ words.

No way.

“Don’t get happy thinking I’ll go. It’s annoying.”

“…”

Yuri immediately nodded at his cold words.

“Tsk.”

Seeing that, the Red Feathers clicked his tongue briefly.

“One day. I’ll give you an answer within a day, so wait patiently.”

“…!”

As if going between heaven and hell, Yuri’s expression kept changing rapidly at the Red Feathers’ words.

Before Yuri could say anything in response, the Red Feathers stood up.

Then he looked at the Baekhwa Merchant Guild Leader and said.

“I’ll take my leave first. There’s something I need to look into.”

As the Guild Leader nodded, the Red Feathers immediately disappeared.

Seong-yul and Tang Soyeol, who had been blocking Wooseok and Woobeom, also sheathed their swords and disappeared after him.

The room instantly became quiet as the gust disappeared.

About ten seconds passed like that.

“…Ugh…!”

Yuri covered her mouth with her hand and gagged.

Her guards immediately rushed over to attend to Yuri.

It was the aftereffect of enduring the aura while pretending to be fine.

“I’m fine…. I’m fine.”

Yuri stopped them and forced a smile.

Her hands were still trembling, but she could smile.

It was because she had a feeling things might turn out for the better.

---

Leaving the merchant guild, I headed straight for my residence.

My steps quickened. I was that anxious.

[Was… my guard.]

Yuri’s words echoed in my mind.

‘Guard.’

That Namgung Bi-ah, who left for the Northern Sea, was guarding the Little Princess.

Why did things suddenly turn out that way?

‘She just said she was going for training.’

She brushed off my pleas not to go, headed to some random place.

Why is she acting as a guard for some clueless girl?

Annoyance surged.

Perhaps.

‘I thought maybe, just maybe, I could see her.’

When I heard someone was coming from the Northern Sea.

I had a sliver of hope.

It was around the time she should be returning, and the timing of someone arriving from the Northern Sea coincided perfectly.

Maybe she had returned?

I had harbored such expectations.

But.

‘Things turned out like this.’

A bloodbath is occurring in the Northern Sea.

And it seems Namgung Bi-ah is involved in it.

Kka-deu-deuk.

Just thinking about it made my blood boil.

If it were up to me, I’d rush to the Northern Sea immediately to assess the situation, but.

‘The timing is bad.’

The timing couldn’t be worse.

Meeting Cheonma in Hanam was also like that.

I cannot go to the Northern Sea right now.

Not to mention the plans I had set, the situation dictated it.

‘The martial arts tournament is just two months away.’

Two months, or perhaps a little more.

After that, the martial arts tournament will be held in Hanam.

I absolutely had to participate there.

Moreover.

‘The timing to attack Hanam also overlaps.’

Around the time the martial arts tournament ends, there’s a harvest I must reap by attacking Hanam.

This is something that will form the basis of my future plans, so it’s something I absolutely must accomplish.

But leave for the Northern Sea in this situation?

‘How far is it to the Northern Sea?’

I hadn’t considered going, so I hadn’t calculated the distance.

My mind is a mess.

Or, what about the option of going after the martial arts tournament ends?

‘It’s at least two months away.’

Go to the Northern Sea after that time passes.

Is that even possible?

From what I’ve heard, it’s not just some ordinary rebellion.

It was at the level of driving out the Palace Lord and dreaming of reform.

If Namgung Bi-ah is involved in that situation, and I hesitate for two months before going to the Northern Sea.

‘What if Namgung Bi-ah is harmed?’

Just imagining it makes me suffocate.

That was unacceptable.

I need to find a way.

I need to think fast.

Find a way within a day.

If there’s no way.

‘I’ll ignore everything and go to the Northern Sea.’

Even if my current plans are important.

If asked whether Namgung Bi-ah’s life is more precious, my choice is clear.

Grinding my teeth, I returned to my residence.

First, I need to go to my room and contact Amwang separately….

“You’re back.”

“…!”

Just as I was about to enter my room, I froze at the sensed presence.

I had been thinking so hard that I hadn’t even noticed the presence nearby.

And the person was just an ordinary person.

Seeing him, I said.

“…Elder?”

“You’re late.”

The entrance to my room.

Shin-ui was standing there.

Why on earth was he here?

I tried to ask, but Shin-ui spoke before I could.

“Your expression doesn’t look good. Is something wrong?”

“…No. It’s just that there’s a bit going on.”

This wasn’t the situation to chat with Shin-ui for long.

I had to make plans immediately.

Hearing my answer, Shin-ui says.

“Then the situation must have been bad.”

His voice carried the same weariness as mine.

“…What is it?”

I asked with a question, and Shin-ui hesitantly began to speak.

“I came because I have a favor to ask of you.”

“…”

Hearing Shin-ui’s words, I couldn’t help but frown.

Of all times, now.

Forcing myself to manage my expression, I said to Shin-ui.

“I’m sorry. Right now, such…”

“…Soon, something big will happen in Hanam.”

Mmeomchit.

My mouth, about to refuse, shut tightly at Shin-ui’s words.

Something big in Hanam?

“I know your situation isn’t good, but… I really hope you’ll grant this favor, as those with ill intentions towards Hanam-“

“Those words.”

Cutting off Shin-ui, I grabbed his hand.

Shin-ui looked surprised.

Looking into Shin-ui’s eyes, I said.

“Please elaborate a bit more.”