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Chapter 594: Zhuge

A day had passed.

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

Yuri was leaving the lodging provided by the Upper House, accompanied by guards, heading towards the meeting place.

It wasn’t a long distance.

Yet, Yuri’s expression as she walked was far from pleasant.

A deep shadow loomed over her face.

It seemed she hadn’t slept at all, as exhaustion was evident upon her features.

“Hmm…”

A sigh escaped her lips.

She had to devise plans instead of sleeping at night.

How could she win over the Red Feather’s heart?

That thought consumed all her attention.

As a result.

‘Three things…’

She could derive three outcomes.

The contract between the Ice Palace Lord and the Beggar Clan for her to come to this land.

Moreover, she revised the tasks that were originally to be given to the Upper House and created conditions that seemed almost too generous to accept.

The guards tried to dissuade her after hearing this, but she was resolute, believing this was necessary.

‘This is the best option.’

He wouldn’t sway with anything less.

It had to be done.

Even this might not work.

But.

‘Somehow….’

She had to turn his heart around, no matter what.

That single resolve consumed her.

“Lady… are you really okay?”

Woo Beom asked.

Without a reply, Yuri slightly nodded her head.

It wasn’t just about being okay; she absolutely had to be okay.

‘I can do this.’

She needed to approach this with that mindset.

Yuri bit her dry lips and organized her thoughts.

Before long, she arrived at the Upper House.

The personnel who had been waiting for her’s arrival came out to guide them.

It wasn’t the high floor from yesterday.

It appeared to be a slightly larger floor.

Probably a space used for meetings among the others in the Upper House.

Soon, she reached a gigantic door.

Before opening it, Yuri took a moment to steady her breath.

‘Don’t be too scared.’

It seemed her nerves were heightened due to yesterday’s events.

Even if her impatience showed, she had enough means to smooth it over.

She kept reminding herself.

No matter what, she would steer things in her favor.

But as Yuri maintained that resolve.

Creeeak-!

As the door opened.

“…!!”

Upon seeing the scene inside, she immediately had to erase the thoughts that flooded her mind.

At the head of a long table sat the leader of the Upper House, Baek Hwa Danju, with the Red Feather among the women beside him.

‘…What is this….’

Yuri had to force herself to hide her trembling body.

The moment she stepped in, she could sense it.

The atmosphere in this spacious room felt suffocatingly heavy.

Red Feather propped his chin and looked over.

An overwhelming energy radiated from him.

His gaze was steady but, somehow, Yuri felt she couldn’t hold it for long.

It was terrifying.

Fear coursed through her, sending chills down her spine.

A true predator.

The current Red Feather resembled a famished beast, while Yuri herself felt no different from a feeble prey.

“You’ve come.”

Red Feather said as he looked at her.

“…”

His voice was definitely the same as yesterday, yet there was something sticky about it.

That feeling gradually wrapped around Yuri, choking her.

Something was definitely wrong.

“Sit down.”

Yuri felt that command palpably.

But by the time she sensed it.

“I’ve got a few more things I want to ask you about from last night.”

It was already way too late.

The conversation that followed didn’t last long.

Honestly, it was hardly a conversation at all.

It was mostly Yuri speaking while he simply listened.

“…So, if you agree to treat him, I’ll get the exclusive trading rights with the North Sea….”

“Young Princess.”

“Yes, Head of the Upper House.”

“I believe we need a clear name for whom you’re treating. Who is it that you’re referring to?”

“…It’s the Ice Palace Lord.”

“Got it.”

Even when they talked, most of the conversation was led by Lady Mi, leaving Yuri just to observe.

Having shattered the mask she once wore, Yuri displayed a demeanor completely different from before.

In fact, she seemed to be more like Moyong Hi-ah in both appearance and behavior.

However, it felt like Moyong Hi-ah had the edge.

But perhaps that was just my subjective opinion.

“I have a question.”

“Go ahead.”

“Firstly, I certainly like all the conditions very much, but….”

Nodding appreciatively at Lady Mi’s remark, I agreed.

Yes, the conditions were excellent.

The exclusive trading rights with the Ice Palace, which had been blocked by the relationship between the Beggar Clan and the North Sea.

Additionally, upon completion, she would receive vast compensation and three treasures from the Ice Palace.

Aside from that, Yuri’s conditions were ridiculous enough to be seen as absurdly favorable.

However, they hadn’t mentioned the most significant problem.

“What about the Safety Guarantee and the current situation with the North Sea?”

“…”

Yuri bit her lip at Lady Mi’s words.

That was the foremost concern.

Despite the generous conditions presented, no matter how much was offered.

‘There’s a lack of assurance on whether or not you can actually deliver.’

In a situation lacking trust, those were merely empty words.

Perhaps if they hadn’t noticed the situation concerning the Ice Palace yesterday, they may have eagerly accepted the proposition.

But now.

“It’s different now.”

She was acutely aware of the issues currently surfacing in the Ice Palace.

Moreover, the existing ruler, the Ice Palace Lord, was experiencing problems.

In such a situation, how could one accept an entrustment based on mere words? That was utterly impossible.

“…Indeed.”

Yuri easily acknowledged this.

Yet, if neither Lady Mi nor I pointed it out, it would have been overlooked.

I certainly didn’t perceive it negatively.

It was a crucial aspect when talking business.

“What you’re worried about, I’m fully aware of… but, should the situation of the Lord improve….”

“That’s only speculation. Should there be a failure or complications in handling this, you won’t be offering any assurances, will you?”

What Yuri desired was simply this.

For me to go to the North Sea and treat the Ice Palace Lord.

To which Lady Mi was firmly blocking.

For the simple reason of.

‘It’s different from the original discussion.’

The letter I received through the Beggar Clan stated that they were sending the Young Princess to treat him.

Now, the issue had become that I had to go directly to the North Sea.

‘The initial intent was likely the same too.’

To confirm whether Yuri could administer treatment on her own.

And should it be proven that treatment could indeed occur, they would place specific conditions to take her to the North Sea.

Of course, they omitted the dangerous situation now present in the North Sea.

Furthermore.

‘The Beggar Clan likely isn’t aware of this either.’

That much was obvious.

The precariousness of the North Sea could potentially signal the conditions for invasion.

Though the Beggar Clan wouldn’t act aggressively.

From the standpoint of the Ice Palace, it could be a dire risk.

They likely moved on to another topic entirely.

This meant that, regarding the risks related to information, failure could turn the Beggar Clan into foes.

Also, having to venture into a dangerous foreign land based on conditions that could not be firmly assured.

Those two concerns intermingled in this situation.

“It’s far too problematic to accept the Young Princess’s request.”

“I’ve prepared a route to ensure safe passage. Therefore, safety is….”

It ended there.

Lady Mi’s judgment was conclusive. Unfortunately, it was unfavorable.

I immediately glanced to my side.

Sitting beside me was Moyong Hi-ah.

Her expression was not significantly different either.

She seemed utterly indifferent.

Signifying it was a worthless discussion.

Regardless of the gains present, when factoring in the situation, it was a request that bore no necessity.

This would have remained the same even had I heard this originally.

‘Hmm.’

Watching this unfold, I sighed. Knowing that, but the situation had changed dramatically.

It seemed it was time for me to step in.

“This matter—”

“I have something I want to ask.”

I interrupted Lady Mi just as she was about to finish her sentence.

However, as I opened my mouth, I noticed Yuri flinch.

What was that about?

Looking at her with curiosity, I felt a touch at my fingertips.

It was Tang Soyeol’s hand.

“…Prince, your energy is too strong.”

“Ah.”

Realizing her words, I understood.

I had been unleashing my aura without restraint, perhaps excessively.

Hearing her, I steadied my energy.

Hooosh-!

A gentle breeze swept through the room as I concentrated my energy and released it outside the window.

“Phew… huh….”

Yuri let out a breath.

Clearly, she had been feeling quite suffocated.

Was that the reason she had been subtly monitoring me?

‘It wasn’t intentional.’

It wasn’t deliberate at all.

I was simply irritated to that extent.

Observing Yuri, I asked.

“What’s the current situation at the Ice Palace? Explain that first.”

“…That would be….”

“If you mix in unnecessary details, this conversation will be over.”

At my terse warning, Yuri began to speak immediately.

“…There are three major clans in the North Sea.”

Unlike yesterday’s conversation, she was back to using honorifics.

This was probably to clarify her position.

Three clans responsible for their respective regions.

They said they were referred to as nobles in the North Sea.

“The warriors who uphold the bloodline and have protected the Ice Palace through generations are located there.”

“Hmm.”

Unlike the Righteous Faction, which was affiliated with the Beggar Clan via a pact of the Four Great Clans… No, perhaps the Three Great Clans were a group formed explicitly for the protection of the Ice Palace.

“…One of those clans has raised a rebellion and turned its blades against the Ice Palace.”

As I listened, I stroked my chin with my fingers.

The North Sea was a different world compared to the Beggar Clan.

While the Beggar Clan continuously replaced martial artists whenever a new clan leader ascended.

The Ice Palace, however, operated under a system of hereditary succession.

It implied a complete monarchy.

Yet, to ignore that and declare hostilities against the palace itself meant.

“Is it treason?”

“…Yes.”

It seemed they intended to contend for the throne.

The question that arises is.

“Only one clan is instigating rebellion, not all three. What’s the reason behind this?”

If they were to unite, it could be understandable.

But to have only one clan fail to suppress inward dissent seems illogical.

Yuri provided an explanation.

“…It’s because those instigating the rebellion are the ones responsible for leading the military forces.”

That statement made my brows furrow deeply.

“Only one clan is shouldering the military might?”

What kind of madness was this?

It sounded utterly ridiculous.

That declaration meant that the military presence and might in the North Sea were entirely managed by that single clan.

“How could they maintain power without a rebellion all this time despite concentrating everything in one clan?”

It was bizarre that the royal authority had sustained itself until now while yielding all the power to just one clan.

Anytime would have been a fine moment for rebellion.

Once power is grasped, ambition for authority can emerge at any time.

Yet, the Ice Palace had maintained their lineage through the years.

How could that be?

I expressed my curiosity, and Yuri responded.

“The Ice Palace’s maintenance is essential for the North Sea’s stability.”

“What do you mean by that?”

“…I can’t disclose that much.”

She swallowed the most critical details.

Should I press her further? I pondered, but ultimately decided against it.

If she couldn’t speak about it after reaching this point, it was truly a matter she couldn’t discuss.

‘What truly matters is something else.’

How the Ice Palace’s sovereignty endures.

Such things held no interest for me.

I didn’t care about trivial matters like that at all.

What was truly pressing was….

“Then let me ask you next. This one.”

I pulled out the letter I received yesterday and showed it to Yuri.

“Who sent this to me, and what is your relation to them?”

“…?”

Yuri’s expression changed at my question.

Her look conveyed a sense of confusion as to why I sought that information.

So, I added a word.

“Is the owner of this letter connected to the current happenings in the North Sea?”

“…!”

Her eyes widened at my words.

Hope flickered within her gaze.

I understood that feeling.

She grasped the implication of my words.

It indicated that I was keenly interested in the individual who sent this letter.

Namely, Nangong Bi-ah.

It hinted that I was closely monitoring the events unfolding around the Ice Palace.

Now, Yuri was likely contemplating.

If she could use this as leverage, perhaps she could win me over.

Or maybe she thought she might discover a weakness of mine.

Even though I knew that, I couldn’t hold back my words.

There was only one reason.

It was simply not the time to account for such trivialities.

As Yuri gauged my reaction, she responded.

“For that matter, we should talk separately….”

“I’ll preface this.”

It felt as if she intended to barter with what she knew.

So, I spoke first.

“Don’t even think about playing tricks with this.”

I opened my heart, unleashing my aura.

My energy surged explosively through the Blood Qi.

Pain shot through me, unresolved due to my internal injuries.

I overlooked it.

My physical body began to bristle with energy.

Whoooooosh-!!

The room filled with an overwhelming wave of aura and killing intent, far beyond before.

“Guh…!”

Yuri’s body stiffened under the pressure of the energy enveloping her.

Clank-!

Immediately, the guards nearby revealed their stance to protect her.

But.

Swish.

Seongyul’s sword was at Woo Seok’s neck.

Tang Soyeol had arrived before Woo Beom in a blink.

“I’m currently lacking in patience.”

I was struggling to contain my desire to lash out immediately.

I clenched my fists, my body radiating involuntary strength.

If it continued, I might just grab Yuri’s neck without second thoughts.

I forced a smile and asked.

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

If not.

Today, the star of the North Sea would meet its demise at my hands.

That was my honest intention.

 

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