Chapter 32: The Young Mistress of Sunghwa Palace 1

The cold energy of the White Flower Divine Art swallowed Lee Gon’s Heaven-Shattering Flame Technique in an instant.

Lee Gon’s face instantly turned pale.

The mental shock of being overwhelmed by a young man was far greater than the physical strain.

Moreover, the cold seeping in showed no sign of stopping at his hands. Before he knew it, it had risen to his forearms, and his entire arm was stiffening as if it had lost all sensation.

Lee Gon felt a bone-deep despair he had never known in his life as a dominant force. Yet even then, he thought of the Young Princess.

‘No matter how strong the Young Princess has become, it would be better to delay.’

Only one option remained for Lee Gon.

Detonate the Heaven-Destroying Flame Weapon inside his own body.

Before the ice energy Baek Moo-jin unleashed consumed his entire body, perishing together with him was the only remaining option.

He calculated that while his own body would be shattered to pieces, Baek Moo-jin wouldn’t escape unscathed either.

Moreover, it would be his way of repaying the Palace Master.

Lee Gon’s gaze sank deeply.

‘Your Highness, and Young Princess… This left-hand attendant takes his leave.’

Seeing Left Minister Lee Gon, who had been wearing a bewildered expression until now, suddenly shift to a resolute look, Baek Moo-jin’s gaze changed as well.

As Lee Gon pushed the Heaven-Shattering Flame Technique to its limit, a crimson glow began to envelop his entire body, save for his right arm.

Baek Moo-jin instantly grasped Lee Gon’s intent. This was a realm requiring no explanation.

‘He’s prepared to die. How foolish…’

No matter what move Lee Gon made, it would be difficult for him to die alongside Baek Moo-jin. In a way, Lee Gon’s loyalty was so profound it was almost admirable.

At that moment, a woman’s voice began strangely far away, yet by the time she finished speaking, it had already reached the vicinity of Baek Moo-jin and Lee Gon.

“Stop immediately, Lord Left Minister. This is an order.”

The Left Minister’s expression, set on self-destruction, wavered at the voice of the Young Princess.

The Young Princess, who had approached the two men, spoke again to the Left Minister in a stern tone.

“Stop.”

“······.”

Zuo Sha was unable to speak, struggling against Bai Muzhen’s internal energy.

Only then did the young princess belatedly notice the relaxed expression on Baek Moo-jin’s face and the seriously frozen look on Jwa Sa’s. Her startled face gave way to an unexpected plea.

“Master! Stop! Please show mercy to Lord Baek. It is my fault that this happened here. I will apologize.”

Baek Moo-jin stared expressionlessly at the young princess before abruptly releasing his pressure.

But the moment Baek Mujin’s pressure vanished, Jusa let out a gasp, his right arm slumped limply as he spilled a handful of blood onto the floor. He had already pushed himself to the limit, recklessly manipulating his energy to self-destruct, and Baek Mujin’s icy coldness had penetrated his entire body, causing internal injuries.

The fact he hadn’t collapsed was proof of just how stubborn Yi Gon was.

Before anyone noticed, the young princess approached, placed her hand on Zuo Sha’s shoulder, and forced him to sit on the ground by infusing him with her inner energy.

Zuo Sha spoke urgently, yet collapsed under the overwhelming force.

“I’m fine…”

“Don’t speak.”

As the young princess’s energy surged toward him, Zuo Sha quickly shut his mouth. Moments later, having received her vital energy and weathered a dangerous crisis, he began regulating his own qi. He tried to forcefully push her energy outward. But instead of being repelled, his energy was being swept into hers like a wave.

No matter how badly injured he was, Zuo Si felt utterly pathetic that he couldn’t resist the Young Palace Master’s energy.

‘Lee Gon, how pathetic.’

Closing his eyes for a moment, Lee Gon suddenly recalled the young form of the Palace Master, who had called him “Master” for the first time in an incredibly long while.

As the Young Palace Master poured her energy into him, she said to Zuo Sha,

“You’ve done something unnecessary.”

Zuo Sha remained silent, his eyes still closed.

2.

Baek Moo-jin stared blankly at the two. Just then, as the martial artists of Sunghwa Palace closed in, forming a circular defensive formation, the Young Master, without even turning his head, said stiffly.

“Stop.”

Baek Moo-jin glanced over and saw those forming the encirclement halt simultaneously.

Only then did Zuo Sha open his eyes and speak.

“It’s alright now.”

As Jusa tried to rise, the Young Palace Master supported him. Jusa seemed burdened by her support, waving his hand away and speaking in a dejected voice.

“I’m sorry.”

The Young Lady looked into Jusa’s eyes and said.

“Whatever you say will just be an excuse. I’ll hear the details from Lord Baek. That’s the only way to understand the situation clearly. You should go and wait.”

Zuo Si bowed respectfully and replied.

“I will withdraw. Take care. As you can see…”

“Understood.”

With her reply, the young princess shook her head as if to say, “Don’t speak.” Even without words, she knew exactly what the left minister was thinking.

After taking a few steps, the Left Minister turned back. It was pointless now to tell the Young Princess not to confront Baek Moo-jin. He had likely expended considerable energy infusing her with his inner strength.

He thought it unwise to engage a formidable foe when his physical condition was less than optimal.

Then it happened. Just as Zuo Si turned to walk a few more steps, he suddenly collapsed forward. Startled, his subordinates rushed over, hoisted him onto their backs, and vanished toward the direction of the Jin Family Manor using their lightness skills.

Seeing the remaining subordinates still waiting, the Young Princess gave an order in a cold tone.

“All of you waiting here, withdraw.”

“Understood.”

Once the men had vanished, the young princess turned to look at Baek Moo-jin and defended the situation.

“I received reports that quite a few subordinates had slipped away, so I followed them.”

Baek Moo-jin nodded expressionlessly, and the young princess continued.

“I was unaware. I will severely reprimand the left guard later…”

She stopped herself before finishing the sentence.

It wasn’t something reprimands could fix.

Moreover, since he was the master who had taught her martial arts since childhood, reprimanding him was practically impossible. Seeing him collapsed like that, it seemed he had suffered severe injuries at Baek Moo-jin’s hands.

The young princess stared at the ground, momentarily defeated.

Baek Moo-jin remained silent.

In a word, she felt like she was watching a bizarre scene unfold.

‘The Sunghwa Palace is truly strange,’ she thought, yet the uniquely peculiar relationship between the Young Princess and the Left Minister was deeply striking.

‘A master and a disciple…’

The two were, as Baek Moo-jin had thought, both master and servant, and simultaneously teacher and disciple.

Only then did the Young Palace Master lift her head and look at Baek Moo-jin.

Somewhat absurdly, the two stood silently, staring at each other. Yet the thoughts in their heads were similar.

‘How did the Baek family head overpower the Left Minister? I can’t believe it.’

‘Is the Young Princess stronger than the Left Minister?’

They stared at each other like that for quite some time.

It was a strange situation, filled with a serious yet somehow awkward atmosphere.

3.

An equally peculiar scene unfolded on the table.

Next to the wine cup lay Baek Moo-jin’s white long sword, and next to the tea cup lay the red long sword the Young Palace Master had brought.

They had moved to a nearby inn at the young princess’s suggestion. Only then did the young princess quietly reveal her identity.

“I am Jin Zhaohui, the Young Princess of the Holy Palace.”

“I am Baek Moo-jin of the Baek Clan of Seol Mountain.”

Ah! Would it be accurate to call this the height of awkwardness?

After speaking, both felt their faces grow uncomfortably warm. Jin Sohye had stated she would formally apologize for Zuo Si acting alone without informing her, and suddenly, the two found themselves awkwardly exchanging greetings across the table.

Baek Moo-jin nodded and forced out the words.

“You’re the Young Princess, aren’t you?”

“Yes, I understand you are the head of the Baekmu Clan.”

Silence fell again.

Moreover, when a handsome couple entered and exchanged sparse whispers, the inn, which had been bustling, suddenly felt quieter.

Despite the considerable number of people inside the inn, a peculiar stillness lingered for a moment.

“···························.”

Baek Moo-jin glanced around discreetly. Everyone clearly seemed intent on eavesdropping on the couple’s conversation.

Baek Moo-jin cleared his throat and sighed inwardly.

‘What on earth is this atmosphere…’

The awkwardness flowing between the two could be described like this.

If pressed, one might say they were both a kind of fool who, until now, had found interest in nothing but martial arts training.

It was only natural they didn’t know what to say when faced with the opposite sex.

The problem, however, was that Jin Sohye was exceptionally beautiful. Baek Moo-jin was quite handsome himself, but compared to Jin Sohye’s beauty, he paled in comparison.

Therefore, from the moment Jin Sohye entered the inn, she drew the attention not only of the men but also of the women.

Add their mutual awkwardness to that, and it was hardly surprising the inn had fallen deathly silent.

Baek Moo-jin was in a slightly better position.

There was wine to drink on the table.

He felt no shame whatsoever compared to Jin Sohye.

Jin Sohye, on the other hand, hadn’t even touched the liquor and was caught between a rock and a hard place. She had to sit there, dejected and out of character, having ordered tea, which didn’t suit her at all.

Jin Sohye spoke up.

“I apologize again for the matter with the Left Minister. I had no idea he would orchestrate something like this. It seems only right that I hear the details from Lord Baek himself. If I listen to the Left Minister, he’ll surely start with all sorts of excuses first.”

Baek Moo-jin nodded and explained briefly.

“While we were traveling together using lightness skills, darts flew at us. They also rained down on Jusa. I hadn’t suspected anything until then, but Jusa interfered when I pursued the dart throwers. Only then did I realize the dart throwers were warriors from the Seonghwa Palace.”

“I see.”

Baek Moo-jin poured himself a drink and sipped it slowly. Jin So-hye looked at him and asked.

“Are you hurt anywhere?”

“No.”

“Yes.”

“But Your Highness, you just infused your internal energy into the left attendant. Are you alright?”

“I’m fine too.”

Both nodded simultaneously, and Baek Moo-jin spoke again.

“You said you wished to spar with me?”

“That is correct.”

“I was a bit surprised to hear you defeated martial arts masters at such a young age.”

“Is that so? I don’t think there’s much age difference between me and Lord Baek.”

Baek Moo-jin nodded as he spoke.

“Twenty-two.”

“Twenty.”

The ones enraged by this cringe-worthy conversation and situation were none other than the unlucky drunks in the inn. At first, the inn was too noisy to hear their words clearly. But people, intrigued by their conversation, had fallen deathly silent. Soon, three or four martial artists who had begun listening to their exchange looked at each other as if they couldn’t hold back any longer, then burst out laughing simultaneously.

“Hahahahaha!”

“Hahahahaha!”

“Eehehehehehehehe!”

“What on earth is that supposed to mean?”

“What do you mean? A man and a woman meeting and getting all lovey-dovey… Kwahahaha.”

“Stop laughing! You bastards! Kwahahahaha!”

Yet amidst the boisterous laughter, one man stood out. He stared at Baek Moo-jin without expression, while his eyes burned fiercely as he looked at Jin So-hye.

Yet that gaze was like a serpent’s tongue, slithering and lapping, mingled with a lecherous lust as if he were licking Jin Sohye’s face with his tongue.

The moment that man’s gaze shifted back to Baek Moo-jin, he slammed his fist down on the table without even realizing it.

CRASH!

The liquor bottles and cups flew off, and the table split in half.

Baek Moo-jin had met his gaze directly, wearing a look of utter contempt. What’s more, even as he glared, Baek Moo-jin didn’t flinch, merely watching him with a sneer.

One of his companions frowned and said to the man who had slammed the table.

“Here we go again?”

The other men chuckled, glancing back and forth between the man and Baek Moo-jin.

In a situation where anyone could see a fight was about to break out, Jin So-hye asked Baek Moo-jin in a quiet voice.

“What do you usually do in situations like this?”

Baek Moo-jin replied in a disinterested tone.

“Well… this is my first time experiencing something like this. What would you do, Miss Jin?”

Jin Sohye answered Baek Mujin’s question expressionlessly.

“Usually, I kill them all.”

Jin Sohye’s words instantly silenced the room. Then came the sound of a chair being kicked roughly aside, followed by a man who had smashed a table stomping over. He stood beside Baek Moo-jin and Jin Sohye, looking down at them.

He was quite large.

But Baek Moo-jin, paying no attention to the man who had approached right beside him, spoke as if instructing Jin So-hye.

“There’s no need to kill them all. It’s not the right way.”

At those words, Jin So-hye, who had immediately stepped forward to kill the man, raised both eyebrows.

“Not the right way?”

Baek Moo-jin glared at Jin So-hye with a serious expression.

“We can’t kill every vermin in the world. Killing this one will provoke his comrades, and that will only lead to more bloodshed. From what I see, there are bandits here, and some belong to the Bangpa faction. It’s best not to keep staining our swords.”

As Jin So-hye pondered Baek Moo-jin’s words, the man standing beside her swung his left arm toward the back of Baek Moo-jin’s head.

His intent was to grab Baek Moo-jin’s head and slam it onto the table.

But how could the man possibly seize Baek Moo-jin’s head? Baek Moo-jin lightly extended a finger and tapped the man’s stomach. Simultaneously, with a thud, the man’s knees hit the inn floor.

Baek Moo-jin placed his right hand on the man’s shoulder and looked at Jin So-hye.

The man struggled to rise but couldn’t budge an inch. Baek Moo-jin’s technique had already struck him, sending a terrible chill coursing through his entire body.

Then, Jin Sohye smiled faintly for the first time and said to Baek Moo-jin.

“So how should we handle this to keep things quiet?”

Baek Moo-jin replied indifferently.

“Well, we’ll have to handle it properly.”

Baek Moo-jin injected the White Flower Potion into the man’s shoulder. The man’s entire body began to tremble violently. His companions all rose to attack, but one of them stopped them. He sensed something was terribly wrong. He was the quickest to catch on.

The patrons in the inn all stared, their faces filled with shock, alternating their gaze between Baek Moo-jin and the man kneeling before him.

The man’s jaw began to rattle loudly, then suddenly, white saliva dripped from his mouth onto the floor. And that wasn’t all. The tears streaming down his face were hardening into crystals, and white mist was escaping from his half-open mouth.

“Spare… spare me…”

Before he could finish, silence fell once more.

The man remained frozen, not moving an inch.

Only then did Baek Moo-jin address the man’s companions.

“Take him away.”

His companions swarmed over, lifted him up, and carried him away on his knees.

Taking that as their cue, the people who had been looking around nervously began to slip out of the inn one by one.

Baek Moo-jin was frightening enough, but the woman speaking with such lethal intent seemed no ordinary person either. The thought that getting involved could lead to a violent death made the inn instantly deserted.

Jin Sohye asked.

“In the end, did Lord Baek kill that man too?”

Baek Moo-jin took a sip of his drink and replied.

“He’s probably still alive. Most likely…”

Jin So-hye quietly repeated Baek Moo-jin’s last words.

“Probably.”