“Anyway, about that. An unfortunate accident… Is it really an accident? To me, it seems related to the elder…”
Namgoong Cheon smiled instead of answering, and that became his answer.
Guess he killed them directly.
I suppose he knew that much.
No matter how much the law prohibits interference, being on friendly terms with the current emperor and crown prince is definitely beneficial for the Namgoong Clan, so Namgoong Cheon at that time would have had no reason to refuse.
“The royal family thoroughly concealed that matter. After all, the Sword Saint was just a kid who probably had no interest in power or politics, so she would have just accepted any official position or gold the royal family offered without a second thought.”
“Hahaha…”
“Looks like she doesn’t really know what mess she’s gotten into.”
“As a righteous rogue, she must have shown a truly splendid figure.”
“That’s true.”
However, once she goes wild, no one can handle the aftermath, so from people’s perspective, avoiding a deep relationship with the Sword Saint is probably the better option. Namgoong Cheon shook his head.
“At least the Doje can stand up to her. The rest just avoided her.”
“Hahaha…”
“But still… It’s not like she did anything that she shouldn’t have done as a righteous rogue, so there wasn’t any talk of making her a criminal. That sort of brat… Seriously. Is that what they mean by love being a storm?”
Mumbling as if in disbelief, he loosened up.
“You’ll hear the detailed story directly. I won’t hide anything from you.”
Namgoong Cheon chuckled, saying what he just mentioned was only the tip of the iceberg.
“She even said she’d tell me everything once she sorted out her feelings.”
Namgoong Cheon smirked and poured liquor into my cup. He then calmly said to me after I took a sip.
“That kid may act recklessly, but she’s deeply kind and caring. And she carries a great pain. I believe you’re aware of what happened at Hongseong.”
“Yes. I know.”
I had seen how deep her pain was from her Simma. Yet, even when using her strength, she didn’t lose her composure, so it can’t be said that the Sword Saint has a bad temperament.
“Yes. When I saw her at the funeral, it was truly…”
Namgoong Cheon said with a bitter voice, lightly raising his cup.
“But in the end, she found her match. She can rest easy up in the sky.”
The Thunderbolt Sword King nonchalantly downed his drink.
While drinking, I had already told Namgoong Cheon about my request. I asked if I could stay at the inn while visiting the royal palace.
Fortunately, he readily agreed, and there were no issues with bringing along the Sword Saint, Hongryeon, and Chaejin.
And this time, Sayoon would also be participating.
“Um… Is it really okay for me to come along?”
It was my suggestion to bring Sayoon along.
It was me who did it.
Naturally, the capital of the Empire was a famous place that any martial artist would want to visit at least once. Especially the experience of entering the imperial palace wasn’t something everyone could have, so I wanted to give them that experience.
“It’s okay.”
“Hehe… This is amazing. I can actually enter the imperial palace! I heard even Yura and Chaeran can’t go in there.”
In Heavenly Bright Moon, when I visited the capital, I could see the palace from a distance, but entering it was impossible. Of course, if you build connections with the royal family through events, access does get a bit freer, but…
At Sayoon’s level right now, it was definitely impossible.
“When you meet your friends later, brag about it. You’ll get a souvenir when you visit the royal family, you know.”
“Huh? Really?”
“Yes.”
It seems Hongryeon and Chaejin didn’t know this since it was their first time entering the palace as well. They widened their eyes and looked at me before quickly turning to the Sword Saint, who shrugged her shoulders.
“For martial artists, it’s a weapon. For scholars, you can get pens, fans, clothes—whatever you want. Since it’s provided by the royal family, the quality is superb.”
“Wow. So, did you receive something too, Master?”
“Ahem. Well, I did receive something… it should be in the storage.”
Even if it was nice, it was just a souvenir in the end. Compared to the weapon the Sword Saint uses, it would be downright shabby.
“I see…”
Just as everyone nodded their heads, the carriage arrived. The Seongju must have put in some effort because the carriage was quite big and lavish. This two-horse carriage, which could fit six people, also came with a coachman, so there seemed to be no issue fighting over who would sit up front with me.
“Alright. Let’s go.”
It’s been a while since I set off on a long journey.
Nothing weird is going to happen, right?
Was it because the Green Forest got wrecked? The road to the capital was spectacularly pleasant.
Plus, since I was riding in a carriage meant for high-ranking officials, there were no troublemakers when using the main roads.
Even if we stopped by towns for supplies or rest, everyone was too busy bowing their heads to cause any issues, so if something went wrong, that would be the weirder part.
Of course, while some Evil Monsters jumped at us, what kind of problem could that be with three superhumans around?
Thanks to that, we could comfortably head towards the capital.
“Riding on the main road really is fast.”
“If we didn’t take the main road to the capital, it would take over a month. Now, Sayoon, look over there.”
I opened the window connected to the top of the carriage. From there, I could see a castle much larger than Seomha Fortress or Yangwi Fortress.
“Wow…”
Even from a distance, it was impressive, so I could only imagine how amazing it would be up close. I gave Sayoon a playful poke on the back.
“There’s a lot to see in the capital of the Empire. You might come here often when you start your martial arts journey.”
“When we embark on our martial journey, we might end up visiting here quite often.”
“As it’s the capital, there are certainly many events that must be attended. There are also quite a few clues to be gathered here.”
“So it’s better for me to inform you well about the capital this time.”
“Do you know much about the capital?”
The Sword Saint looked at me with curiosity, and not just her, but also Hongryeon and Chaejin.
I smiled at them and said, “I only know what I know.”
“You’re doing it again. You always say that, but you know everything, don’t you?”
Hongryeon poked my side repeatedly with a grin.
But really, I only know what I know…
Before I knew it, our carriage arrived near the capital’s main gates while we were chatting.
Being the capital, there were quite a lot of people trying to get in, but since we were in a carriage, we could use a different entrance.
“Welcome, Elder Sarae Tongsa.”
As soon as we passed through the gate, a military officer greeted me politely. It seems they already got the news? After giving him a slight nod, I asked,
“I sent the entry personnel in advance. Has permission been granted?”
“Yes, everyone is allowed entry.”
That’s a relief.
Well, it’s not just me, but the Sword Saint, Hongryeon, and Chaejin have all been a great help in battling those from the Demon Cult.
And being of extraordinary talent, I’m sure the Emperor would want to at least see their faces.
But I was worried that Sayoon’s entry might be rejected, luckily that didn’t happen.
“Why is that?”
I inadvertently looked at the Sword Saint. When our eyes met, she cutely squinted and tilted her head.
…Could it be that they granted permission because of her?
Anyway, the important part is that we can enter, so let’s not delay and head in.
“Let’s handle our business after entering, and then we can tour the capital. There’s a lot I’d like you to see. And…”
I glanced at the box I brought along. It contained the horn I obtained from the Dragon Temple and materials I got through the Cheonghoe Merchant Guild.
If I take that to the palace’s clothing section, I can have a new outfit made for the Sword Saint.
However, making that outfit requires a considerable amount of fame… But maybe with my level, it could be possible.
If not, I can just ask the Sword Saint for help.
We headed straight for the Imperial Palace. A gigantic castle at the center of the capital, perhaps dozens of times larger than my inn, and the closer we got, the fewer people there were.
“Looks like you really can’t just walk in here.”
“That’s right.”
“And there are a lot of people hiding around as well.”
Chaejin calmly placed her hand on the hilt of her dragon-shaped sword. Upon seeing that, Hongryeon slightly raised the corners of her mouth.
“Don’t go causing any trouble, okay?”
“I know.”
It seemed that Sword Saint flinched a bit, so I held her hand.
“It’s alright.”
“Y-yeah? Ugh…”
As we walked along the avenue and finally arrived in front of the castle, a group of people in standard army attire awaited us.
Among them, a middle-aged general strutted forward, looking like he was ready to draw his weapon at any moment.
I recognized him.
The chief of the palace guard, Kwon Jang-ho.
He was quite high up in the military hierarchy.
“Nice to meet you. I am Yu Wol, the representative.”
“Hmm. Pleased to meet you. I am Kwon Jang-ho, chief of the palace guard. Welcome to the imperial palace. Now, let’s go inside.”
His gaze fixed on the Sword Saint. After a small sigh, he addressed me.
“Representative. If… the Sword Saint happens to go berserk…”
“That won’t happen.”
I raised the hand of the Sword Saint, and she blushed a deep crimson.
Kwon Jang-ho stared back and forth between us, mouth agape, before clearing his throat.
“W-was the rumor true? Ahem. Well, if that’s the case…”
He seemed more at ease and led us onward; I then released the Sword Saint’s hand.
Meanwhile, Hongryeon and Chaejin, the two transcendent beings, stared at us, then subtly shifted their eyes away.
I could see clearly what they were thinking.
“I can hold your hand anytime, so don’t cause any trouble.”
I held both of their hands, and finally, they looked satisfied and beamed with smiles.
The officer watching us clicked his tongue.
“Handling three transcendent beings so easily… Ahem. The fame of Shinsan Seonja is no lie.”
“Hahaha…”
“Anyway, this way.”
He led us to the grand hall. After how long, we finally entered a place that had only been accessible during the event when meeting the Emperor in Heavenly Bright Moon.
“Everyone, bow!!”
The loud shout of the eunuch resonated. I immediately dropped to one knee, and everyone followed my lead in showing their respects. How long did that last?
Footsteps could be heard.
The elderly man climbed onto the throne with the support of the eunuch and spoke with a voice filled with reluctance.
“Representative Yu Wol, raise your head.”
As I looked up, the Emperor stared at me and then chuckled softly.
“I’ve never met anyone like you in my life. Surely…”
He slowly pointed a finger at the Sword Saint and said in a smooth tone,
“Who would have thought someone would wish to marry three transcendent beings?”
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