Wolhwa did not miss the subtle defiance permeating Yunseol’s tone.
The goodwill she had felt only moments ago visibly cooled.
This woman—her spirit was far too lofty.
If she could not be brought into her grasp, she was the sort who would surely become a source of trouble in the future.
A streak of coldness passed deep through Wolhwa’s eyes.
“If Your Majesty has nothing more to say.”
Yunseol spoke calmly.
“Then this subject and Martial Artist Yuk shall take our leave. It seems there are several links we must unravel ourselves.”
At those words, Wolhwa’s brows furrowed ever so slightly.
Yunseol’s attitude subtly grated on her nerves.
Even knowing that an enemy stood before them and that she could not be swayed by personal feelings, the sight of Yunseol making excuses to keep Yunseo close remained unpleasantly fixed in her mind.
At that moment.
[Ding.]
[UR Card — “The Empire-Toppling Empress Kang Wolhwa” bond increased to 97/100.
Hostility toward So Yunseol increased, control intensity strengthened.]
[Ding.]
[SSR Card — “The Isolated Fierce Tiger of the North, So Yunseol” bond increased to 65/100.
Emotional change toward the Player has occurred.]
Wolhwa’s gaze grew even sharper.
“We shall go as well.”
It was an unexpected declaration.
But Yunseol immediately shook her head.
“Your Majesty’s body is more precious than a thousand pieces of gold. This journey may be dangerous. Moreover, the court’s ears and eyes are spread everywhere. If Your Majesty acts personally, the matter may instead grow larger.”
“Impudent.”
Wolhwa’s eyes narrowed.
“Are you attempting to instruct Us on what to do?”
The air froze taut in an instant.
At that moment, Yunseo quickly stepped forward.
“Your Majesty, please quell your anger.”
His voice was calm.
“What General So says is also what this subject feared. Your Majesty’s safety is the safety of all under heaven. Even if this subject were to die ten thousand deaths, I could not allow Your Majesty to be placed in danger. All of this is so that one day, Your Majesty may truly seize all under heaven.”
Wolhwa gave a scoff.
A strange light gathered in her eyes.
“Yuk Yunseo.”
She asked quietly.
“Surely you have not developed other feelings for that woman and are deliberately shielding her?”
Yunseo let out a laugh mixed with a sigh.
“How could Your Majesty say such a thing?”
He bent deeply at the waist.
“Heaven and earth shall bear witness to this subject’s heart. The hour grows late. Please permit us to withdraw first.”
Wolhwa knew.
Yunseol and Yunseo had no choice but to move together.
Even so, for some reason, one corner of her chest felt unsettled.
In the end, she nodded.
“Go.”
After the two withdrew.
Wolhwa stood in place for a long while.
The night air of Geumneung brushed past the window and seeped in.
Her gaze, too, sank coolly like that cold air.
As soon as they left the palace, Yunseol spoke.
“Brother Yuk.”
Her voice carried suppressed irritation.
“If possible… could you proceed with important matters while keeping the Empress a little farther away from now on?”
Yunseo paused.
“Why would you say such a thing?”
“I have no intention of betraying her.”
Yunseol spoke coldly.
“However, I also have no intention of willingly becoming a slave.”
Only then did Yunseo read her emotions.
It was not a matter of loyalty.
It was a matter of pride.
The gaze that looked down from the emperor’s seat.
That attitude was what she found hard to endure.
But Wolhwa had been born a ruler.
She had never learned how to lower herself like an ordinary person.
If so, he had to soothe the other side.
“Yunseol.”
Yunseo spoke gently.
“Your nature is upright. That is why I trust you. But His Majesty’s situation now is at the edge of a cliff. Her emotions cannot help but grow rough. Let us bear with it a little more.”
Yunseol swallowed her words and closed her mouth.
Her heart was not at ease, but she did not want to put Yunseo in a difficult position.
In the end, she nodded.
That night.
Yunseol took Yunseo to make contact with her former subordinates.
A shabby courtyard on the outskirts of the palace.
The men’s gazes swept over Yunseo all at once.
Suspicion and wariness.
“This one?”
Someone muttered lowly.
“He’s too pretty.”
“With a face like that, he says he’ll help with our work?”
“Can he really clear General So’s injustice?”
Just as Yunseol was about to step forward, Yunseo quietly raised a hand to stop her.
A faint smile appeared at the corners of his mouth.
Then his aura slowly began to rise.
The air trembled subtly.
And then—
He extended his palm toward the empty air.
“Bang—!”
A thunderous roar burst out.
The thick, large tree standing beside them was shattered to pieces in an instant.
It was not merely the outer bark.
Even the core within had been completely ground away.
And that had been a strike with his power restrained.
Had he used his full strength, nothing but debris would have remained there.
Silence descended in an instant.
The men who had been sneering just moments ago collapsed to their knees where they stood.
Their faces went pale.
This man—
He was far above So Yunseol.
If he turned into an enemy, they could not handle him.
They could no longer take the name Yuk Yunseo lightly.
Right there, the men prostrated themselves all at once.
They bowed repeatedly until their foreheads touched the ground.
“We did not know Martial Artist Yuk’s martial arts were this extraordinary! We would not dare compare ourselves to you. Please forgive us!”
Only after seeing that their spirits had been completely crushed did Yunseo open his mouth.
“I already know that you gentlemen are men of spirit.”
His voice was low, yet clear.
“At present, His Majesty is being shackled by the schemes of treacherous officials and cannot carry out the great affairs of the nation. This is truly lamentable.”
The men prostrated on the ground looked at one another.
After hesitating for a moment, one person spoke first.
“If Martial Artist Yuk is sincere… there is a place in Geumneung where news travels fastest.”
Yunseo’s gaze narrowed.
“Where?”
“Cheongugak in the south of the city. Outwardly, it is a shop that deals in high-class works of art… but in truth, it is a place where information is exchanged. It is also one of the important footholds Myeongwollu has placed in Gangnam.”
Yunseo immediately asked.
“How does one meet the people there? Is there some contact password?”
The men shook their heads.
“There is no password. If one pays silver and one’s identity is certain, the transaction is made.”
Yunseol spoke beside him.
“I will go with you.”
Worry was visible in her eyes.
“Rumor has it that Cheongugak’s demands are peculiar. Not a few have suffered disgrace at its threshold. You must be careful.”
Yunseo shook his head.
“You cannot catch a tiger without entering its den.”
And the moment Yunseol was about to speak again, he added firmly.
“Right now, His Majesty is alone. She needs someone to remain by her side.”
His eyes faced her directly.
“I will go to Cheongugak. You stay beside His Majesty. Trust me. Nothing serious will happen.”
Yunseol bit her lip.
She did not like it, but she also knew she could not break Yunseo’s resolve.
“Understood. Do so.”
Only then did Yunseo turn away.
Yunseol watched his back for a long while, then quietly let out a sigh.
She, too, could not be certain whether this choice was right.
Cheongugak.
As soon as Yunseo stepped over the quiet threshold, someone approached.
A pale white silk robe like moonlight.
Though dressed as a man, the lines hidden beneath the hem were far too graceful, and the eyes that held the moonlight contained an unmistakable sensuality that could not be concealed.
Clearly, it was a woman.
“Young master, your face is unfamiliar.”
Lightly waving a fan, the person spoke.
“Where have you come from, and what do you seek?”
Yunseo did not conceal it.
“I am Yuk Yunseo, a guard martial artist personally appointed by the Emperor.”
His gaze remained fixed steadily on the other party.
“What I seek is all information on Prince Jeongan, who has committed treason.”
The youth laughed lightly.
“You may be disappointed. Prince Jeongan is currently the hottest name both inside and outside the court. If you want all information on him… do you intend to squander your entire fortune?”
“You are mistaken.”
Yunseo’s left hand moved slightly.
In that instant—
The teacup on the table rose into the air.
The cup turned upside down, yet not a single drop of tea inside spilled out.
After a moment, the teacup settled back into its place as though nothing had happened.
The youth’s eyes changed.
“Is this… a threat?”
The fan stopped.
“Surely you are not unaware of the reason Cheongugak has endured in this chaotic Geumneung. We are not afraid.”
Yunseo smiled.
“Can you remain that calm even before a martial arts master?”
A brief silence.
Only then did the youth feel it.
This man bore no malice.
Instead, he had an intention.
“Young master.”
The youth folded the fan.
“Do not hide your true thoughts. Cheongugak does not distinguish between enemies and allies. What is it that you want?”
Yunseo’s eyes deepened.
“You sell information to the present Emperor. I protect Cheongugak.”
His voice was composed.
“It should be a better bargain than receiving silver.”
The youth did not answer immediately.
“How can you be certain I will accept that offer?”
“It is a trade in which you suffer no loss.”
Yunseo spoke calmly.
“You will have no choice but to report it to Cheongugak’s master.”
The youth’s eyes wavered subtly.
Yunseo went one step further.
“I will give you one day. That is all for today.”
He turned away.
“I will return at this hour tomorrow.”
The moment he stepped out the door, the air within Cheongugak grew even heavier.
The youth stared at his retreating back for a long time.
The currents of Geumneung were preparing to change direction once again.