“Keuha…!”
Governor Zhuche.
‘By now, the soldiers should have reached the So Ga Po Mok Jeom!’
Zhuche chuckled to himself as he recalled the image of the Black Cat he had seen long ago. Although she was still young and had not yet blossomed, he was certain that she would become unparalleled beauty in the world in the future.
Since then, Zhuche had been eyeing So Yeon-hwa to take as his third wife, but he lost her to the Cheon-ho Sect’s rumor leader Dong Bo-wi, and in the chaos that followed, So Yeon-hwa disappeared somewhere.
Thus, upon hearing the news of So Yeon-hwa’s return along with the Cheon-ho Sect’s announcement, Zhuche promptly sent soldiers to the So Ga Po Mok Jeom.
Everyone invited to the banquet was praising So Yeon-hwa’s beauty, so there was no reason to hesitate!
It didn’t matter to Zhuche that So Yeon-hwa, who had disappeared, was actively engaged in the Martial World under the name of Black Cat or that she had been working closely with the Brain Knife Outcast for an extended period.
Having traveled together for a long time and visited the So Ga Po Mok Jeom side by side, one could easily guess that So Yeon-hwa and the Brain Knife Outcast were in a romantic relationship, and the chances of her rejecting a marriage proposal were pretty high, yet he thought otherwise.
If she were to reject the proposal, he would just have to make it impossible for her to refuse.
Using the power of the governor, he planned to completely isolate the So Ga Po Mok Jeom with the royal guards. A shop with no one coming in or out would inevitably wither away. Even in such a situation, would So Yeon-hwa really be stubborn?
He had heard that the famous Brain Knife Outcast was at the So Ga Po Mok Jeom, but after all, he was just a mere martial artist and an individual.
“What could that guy do in front of the governor’s authority!”
‘Besides, I’m not just any governor; I’m the governor of Honam!’
In his territory, the governor was almost like a king. However, that didn’t mean he could wield his power freely.
If he engaged in actions too out of line, he wouldn’t be able to avoid scrutiny from the center.
Yet, Zhuche wasn’t afraid of such scrutiny.
What was in Honam? There was Dongjeong Lake and Ak-yang Tower. Such places were considered sacred grounds among scholars and officials.
Thus, a trip to Dongjeong Lake was a mandatory stop for scholars and officials, and those who visited Dongjeong Lake would naturally build connections with the local governing officials, making the position of the governor in Honam a seat that naturally attracted connections without any effort.
Certainly, mobilizing soldiers to pressure merchants was a clear abuse of power, and if it involved a romantic relationship, it could be deemed a violation of proper etiquette and a potential disgrace to the officials, but Zhuche believed that even if this reached the ears of the center, he could manage it through his connections.
While Zhuche was lost in thought, the official who had left with the marriage proposal returned.
“What’s the result?”
“I’m sorry, Governor!”
“Keuha… I knew it would be like that. I command you in the name of the governor! There was a great commotion at the So Ga Po Mok Jeom, so from now on, seal off the So Ga Po Mok Jeom tightly and allow no one to enter! Understand?”
“Yes!”
As he watched the official and royal guards leave to carry out the command, Zhuche thought to himself. Just how long could So Yeon-hwa hold out?
Despite knowing he had feelings for So Yeon-hwa, she had fled to the Central Plains like a coward. And the owner of the So Ga Po Mok Jeom, Son Mi-ok, who had pushed her away, was on the list too. It was time to clearly establish the hierarchy.
“So Yeon-hwa! I’ll see how long you can last! Hahaha!!”
Zhuche grinned as he imagined Son Mi-ok’s humiliating expression while sacrificing her daughter and the lovely figure of So Yeon-hwa.
However, there was something Zhuche hadn’t anticipated.
“Hah.”
The presence of Hyeok Gi-rin, the princess of Huang Nation, who was brushing her hair while observing the royal guards sealing off the So Ga Po Mok Jeom.
*
The atmosphere at the So Ga Po Mok Jeom sank in an instant.
After rejecting the governor’s proposal, the royal guards allowed neither customers nor the workers at So Ga Po Mok Jeom to enter.
Anyone could see that the current situation was a retaliatory act for rejecting the marriage proposal, leaving the So Ga Po Mok Jeom in a funeral-like silence.
And the mood in the lodging where I and my party were staying felt less like a funeral and more like a cold winter chill, mainly due to Hyeok Gi-rin’s furious expression.
The atmosphere was so tense that not only my companions but even Seo Gong was buried in my arms, holding their breath.
“When the messenger arrives… I will… Hmph. No, it’ll be a command from the governor, so first, I need to deal with the governor…”
“Do you think you can abuse power just because you have connections in the center? How arrogant. So arrogant…”
Even though her anger was not directed at me, it sent chills down my spine.
Zhuche seemed no longer worth worrying about.
Whatever request Hyeok Gi-rin had made to the messenger, the moment it returned, Zhuche would either lose his title of governor or just become Zhuche.
“I’ll meet with my mother and the Black Cat for a moment.”
As I stepped out of the lodging, Seo Gong peeked out from my front garment as if finally able to breathe.
Patting Seo Gong’s head, I arrived at the room where the Black Cat and my mother-in-law were staying.
“Oh, senior.”
“You have arrived, Great Hero.”
Squeak!
Seo Gong hurriedly escaped into my embrace as soon as she saw me, while my mother-in-law affectionately petted her. After exchanging light greetings, my mother-in-law lowered her head with an apologetic expression.
“I’m too much trouble for the Great Hero, the Brain Knife Outcast…”
“No, it’s fine. I should have foreseen this, but my determination was lacking.”
I shook my head at my mother-in-law’s apology.
The Poison Doctor had recognized the Black Cat as a national beauty. Anyone who met that beauty could easily lose their senses and rush towards her, which I should have anticipated, but my preparations fell short.
I thought those who knew my fame would naturally keep their distance.
“Do not worry about my mother. As for the governor’s matter, Miss Hwang So-wol is handling it. Just see it as a chance to take a break from your busy routine and comfort your family.”
“I’m just thankful for that.”
My mother-in-law’s face, although bright, was edged with worry.
In reality, the governor holds the pinnacle of power in that region. The center might have means to control such a governor, but due to distance, they could only deal with matters after everything was settled.
Thus, mobilizing connections to restrict the governor was quite unpredictable.
Of course, Hyeok Gi-rin commanded power, not just connections, so there was no need for worry, but my mother-in-law had no way of knowing that, so it was only natural for her to feel anxious.
Squeak!
Feeling my mother-in-law’s unease, Seo Gong snuggled up to me. The sight of Seo Gong’s cuteness melted away my mother-in-law’s expression of worry.
“Hehe, thank you for the comfort. How can you be this cute?”
Squeak!
My mother-in-law hugged Seo Gong as she gently stroked her. The Black Cat looked at the two with a contented expression before rising.
“I’ll be back shortly from the lodging.”
Perhaps feeling her heart melt at Seo Gong’s cuteness, my mother-in-law nodded immediately. I followed the Black Cat as we exited the room together.
As soon as we left the room, the vivacious expression of the Black Cat dulled.
“Thank you for your hard work.”
“…No, it’s nothing. You are the one working harder. And so is Young Hero Hyeok Gi-rin.”
The Black Cat sighed with concern on her face. Her own efforts to keep a bright demeanor to reassure my mother-in-law seemed to have taken a toll on her, making her appear rather gloomy.
“Don’t worry too much. And sorry for saying this when you look like that, but… do you have any information on the kind of people who might cause trouble?”
The Black Cat shook her head.
“I’m sorry, senior. I haven’t established a network in Ak-yang.”
“Really?”
“I regret it now. If I had established a network…”
I placed my hand on the back of the Black Cat’s head as she bit her lip and lowered her gaze. Startled, she looked up at me. As I met her gaze, I gently patted her head.
“Well, if you had, you might not have been able to bear it up to now. If you approached too hastily, who knows what might have happened, right?”
“…That’s true.”
The Black Cat’s head wobbled and then lightly tapped my forehead.
Apparently, it had been quite mentally exhausting for her.
Well… it was understandable. Returning to the So Ga Po Mok Jeom held significant meaning for the Black Cat.
However, the moment she regained her real name, young men that flocked to her caused the So Ga Po Mok Jeom to suffer from a severe upheaval, and after the marriage proposal and royal guards barged in, the So Ga Po Mok Jeom, once thriving, fell into complete silence.
It was only natural for the Black Cat, who could only watch that unfold, to feel heartbroken.
All I could do was keep gently stroking the Black Cat’s head.
As we arrived at the lodging surrounded by silence, I met Hyeok Gi-rin, who still hadn’t quelled her anger.
“Black Cat Miss!”
At the sight of the Black Cat’s lackluster appearance, Hyeok Gi-rin rushed over.
“Why do you look so down?! Don’t worry! The moment the messenger arrives, I’ll kick that Zhuche’s butt! For a governor who rules this Huang Nation in place of the Emperor, it’s absolutely unacceptable to disrupt proper etiquette and abuse his power!”
Hyeok Gi-rin was bouncing around, while the Black Cat gazed at her with a blank expression.
“I will make that guy pay, and fully make up for the losses incurred at the So Ga Po Mok Jeom! One can tell ten just by looking! Seeing him abuse his power so quickly, this isn’t the first time he’s done it! I’ll shake him down and… just…?”
Hyeok Gi-rin’s furious speech halted abruptly.
“Thank you.”
Suddenly, the Black Cat embraced Hyeok Gi-rin.
Hyeok Gi-rin, who had appeared startled for a moment, soon smiled gently and returned the hug.
“It seems you’ve been troubled a lot.”
“Rather than troubled… I feel sorry.”
“What do you mean?”
“It’s a burden to you too, Young Hero Hyeok Gi-rin. This situation.”
The Black Cat’s words held truth.
Punishing or replacing a local governor was no ordinary task.
However, upon hearing the Black Cat, Hyeok Gi-rin instead burst into laughter.
“Haha, what are you saying? It’s the duty and responsibility of the royal family to oversee officials who abuse their power. If it weren’t for you, Black Cat, we wouldn’t have known Zhuche’s true nature, so I owe you gratitude.”
Hyeok Gi-rin continued, patting the Black Cat’s back as if to reassure her.
“Have you and the So Ga Po Mok Jeom done anything wrong? The one at fault is the person who obstructs this reunion and pushes ahead with an inappropriate marriage proposal while knowing there is a partner, and it’s a fault of the country that put such a person in high office.”
So she urged the Black Cat to not feel any guilt, looking at her with warm eyes.
“So, please rest easy and just wait a little. I’ll take care of everything right away.”
“Th…!”
“Oh!”
The Black Cat, about to express her gratitude, flinched at Hyeok Gi-rin’s sudden outburst and after a moment’s hesitation, finally leaned more comfortably against Hyeok Gi-rin.
A satisfied smile finally appeared on Hyeok Gi-rin’s face. Yeo Il-ye, watching the heartwarming scene, opened her mouth.
“I may not be able to aid directly in punishing the governor, but if the royal guards withdraw, there may still be trouble. When that time comes, I, Miss Yeo Il-ye, will also lend a hand, so I hope it becomes a source of comfort for you, Black Cat.”
“I’ll help too.”
“Count me in as well.”
Following Yeo Il-ye, Dokgo I-seol and Moyong Yeon-hwa both spoke, prompting the Black Cat to look around.
“…Thank you, everyone.”
The expression on the Black Cat’s face was significantly more relaxed than when she first returned to the lodging, allowing me to feel more at ease.
Later.
Screech!
After waiting three days, Hyeok Gi-rin received the messenger, and as she untied the pouch hanging from the messenger’s leg, she looked at me and said,
“Let’s begin.”
“Yes.”
Hyeok Gi-rin and I stepped out of the lodging to catch Zhuche and give him what he deserved.
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