The river that had been raging ferociously regained its calm as if it had all been a lie.
The massive ship of the Sim family, which only moments ago had been on the verge of sinking, had now become the safest means of crossing the river.
The attitude of the Sim family official surnamed Ju had also changed completely.
The arrogance he had shown at first had vanished without a trace, and now he was so respectful that he seemed almost reverent.
He personally escorted the three of them aboard and guided them to the largest and most luxurious guest chamber on the top floor.
“Please rest here for a while. Tea and refreshments will be prepared shortly.”
Administrator Ju spoke with a deep bow.
He did not know Gang Wolhwa’s true identity, but judging from her extraordinary bearing and her relationship with Yunseo, he had decided that she was someone who must never be treated lightly.
“There is no need for excessive courtesy. I merely helped by chance.”
Yunseo answered with a calm smile.
At that, Administrator Ju cried out with an even more moved expression.
“It may have been a small matter to you, sir, but to our Sim family, it is a life-saving grace!”
From his bosom, he took out a silk box he had been carefully protecting and presented it with both hands.
“This is a token given only to honored external guests who receive the highest courtesy from the Sim family—the ‘Sim Family Jade Plaque.’”
“One who holds this plaque may freely use all of the Sim family’s shops, money houses, and ships, and may receive the highest level of support and information.”
A subtle depth entered Yunseo’s gaze.
‘As expected of the richest family in Gangnam.’
Information and funds.
Those two things alone made this jade plaque worth as much as several thousand troops.
Especially now, when he needed to establish a foothold in Geumneung, this was an absolute trump card.
He accepted it calmly without refusing.
“Then I shall accept it with gratitude.”
[Ding!]
[Acquired core faction token: ‘Sim Family Jade Plaque’]
[Gangnam Sim Family favorability: Worship (Fixed)]
[Securing support faction for entry into Geumneung complete]
When Yunseo accepted the plaque, a smile bloomed across Administrator Ju’s face like a flower.
He bowed deeply once more, then withdrew to organize matters aboard the ship and calm the family members.
Only the three of them remained in the guest chamber.
Wolhwa sat on a sandalwood chair covered with a soft cushion, quietly looking at the jade plaque in Yunseo’s hand.
Her expression was complicated.
The reality that the emperor of Daejeong had to borrow the power of a merchant family.
A corner of her heart could not help but ache.
At the same time, however, she knew that all of this was the result Yunseo had won with blood.
Her gaze gradually shifted from the golden token to Yunseo.
His dignified yet humble attitude.
His calm judgment.
And the absolute presence he had shown upon the river.
As all of it overlapped, her heart began to beat faster.
Wolhwa lifted her teacup and hid her face behind the steam as she asked, pretending to be indifferent.
“The Sim family certainly knows how to repay a debt.”
“That plaque… how do you intend to use it?”
Yunseo put the jade plaque into his bosom and naturally approached her side, picking up the teapot.
The hand with which he poured the tea was especially gentle.
“The Sim family has roots throughout Gangnam, and they possess abundant funds and information.”
“Since we are setting foot in Geumneung for the first time, they will be of great help in settling down and gathering intelligence.”
After a brief pause, he added,
“Most of all, they can handle matters that would be difficult for Your Majesty to personally step forward for.”
The faint discomfort that had remained in Wolhwa’s heart slowly melted away.
“……I see.”
She nodded quietly.
Yunseol, who had been sitting by the window and looking out at the river, had seen all of this.
Without realizing it, she tightened her grip on the hilt of her sword.
The indescribably intimate air flowing between Yunseo and Wolhwa.
It made her heart feel stifled.
Yunseol took a deep breath.
Suppressing the emotion she could not understand, she rose from her seat and approached Yunseo.
“Brother Yunseo.”
Yunseo turned his head.
Yunseol had already changed into clean warrior’s robes.
Her straight figure and valiant aura stood out even more, but because of the wound on her shoulder, her movements were somewhat stiff.
“How is your wound?”
Yunseo asked worriedly.
“It is all right now. Thank you for your concern.”
Yunseol lifted her head and looked at him with clear, unwavering eyes.
“Brother Yunseo….”
She took a step closer and cautiously opened her mouth.
“What you showed on the river… it was as fast as lightning and as unstoppable as a surging flood. I was truly amazed.”
After choosing her words for a moment, she lowered her gaze.
“…If you have time… would you be willing to look over my sword once?”
When she raised her head, her eyes were serious.
“Our So family’s Army-Breaking Sword is powerful, but… it lacks flexibility. After seeing your footwork and sword movements earlier… I realized something.”
On the surface, it was a question about martial arts.
But her true feelings were different.
She wanted to exchange even a few more words with him.
She wanted to stand even a little closer to him.
It was the method she had chosen, as someone who could not stand by his side as naturally as Wolhwa did.
Yunseo let out a small laugh.
An SSR-grade renowned general card was approaching him first. There was no reason to refuse.
“You praise me too much, General So.”
He answered gently.
“The Army-Breaking Sword is a sword created for the battlefield. That very heaviness is already a great strength. It is also good to gain insight by crossing blades with one another.”
He readily accepted.
“Then… it is a promise.”
A rare brightness passed across Yunseol’s face.
It was then.
Wolhwa’s hand, which had been holding her teacup, stopped.
Yunseol’s eyes.
The admiration and expectation contained within them.
And Yunseo’s smiling acceptance.
The emotion she had barely managed to suppress a moment ago raised its head once more.
Wolhwa quietly set down her teacup.
A clear sound rang softly through the guest chamber.
Both of their gazes turned to her at the same time.
“General So is truly diligent.”
Her tone was calm and unwavering.
“However, the wound on your shoulder has yet to fully heal… and Yunseo has also just endured a great battle.”
After a brief pause, she added,
“As for crossing swords… is there any need to hurry right now?”
On the surface, her words showed consideration for their physical condition, but within them lay a clear restraint.
Do not come between us.
Now is not your turn to approach.
And—
His side is already my place.
Yunseol’s brows narrowed ever so slightly.
Just as she was about to say something.
Yunseo spoke first.
“Her Majesty is right.”
It was a gentle mediation.
“General So, your wound comes first. After you have recovered… once we arrive in Geumneung and settle down, it will not be too late to spar at leisure then.”
He gave an answer that upheld both of them.
Preserving Wolhwa’s dignity, while not refusing Yunseol’s request. By postponing the promise to a later date, he avoided the clash that might have occurred between the two of them.
Yunseol looked back and forth between them.
Then she lowered her head.
“…I was hasty.”
“Brother Yunseo… you should recover first as well.”
She retreated back toward the window.
But her gaze still turned toward Yunseo intermittently.
Wolhwa felt a little relieved. In the end, Yunseo had followed her will.
Yet as she looked at Yunseol standing by the window, she thought she could not let down her guard again.
Admiration still remained in that gaze, and something deeper than that was beginning to sprout.
Once they arrived in Geumneung.
Without fail.
She had to solidify Yunseo’s position.
So that no one could covet him.
So that no one would even dare to let their gaze linger on him for long.
At that moment.
A system window appeared.
[Ding!]
[UR Card — Nation-Toppling Empress Gang Wolhwa]
[Active approach by SSR card detected]
[Sense of crisis · possessiveness increased]
[Complexity of bond structure increased]
[Ding!]
[SSR Card — Northern Isolated Fierce Tiger So Yunseol]
[Voluntary interaction attempt]
[Admiration for the strong → Transition to favorability stage]
[Bond stability increased]
Outwardly, Yunseo maintained a composed expression as if nothing had happened, but inwardly, he swallowed a hollow laugh.
Inside the guest chamber.
One person was elegantly giving him her heart.
One person was slowly inclining her heart toward him.
Two women of outstanding beauty.
And himself standing at the center.
‘The road heading south… is becoming more and more interesting.’
A few days later, the scenery of Geumneung finally came into view.
They had not yet even reached the harbor, but the pier was already a magnificent sight.
Flags rippled, armor flashed beneath the sunlight, and civil and military officials stood in rows.
An honor guard filled the front, while the drums and horns of the military band resounded through the streets.
Countless military banners covered the sky.
For welcoming an exiled emperor, the scale was far too grand.
Wolhwa, standing at the head, had already changed into temporarily prepared imperial robes embroidered with a phoenix pattern.
Though she had endured storms and hardship.
The dignity of an emperor had returned to her eyes.
Behind her on either side, as she radiated an overwhelming presence,
Yunseo and Yunseol took their places respectively.
When the ship reached the pier, the two elderly retainers standing at the very front knelt at the same time.
“We, your subjects, welcome Your Majesty!”
“Long live Your Majesty! Long live! Long, long live—!!”