LIGHTNOVELONLINE Chapter 253
Chapter 253: To Protect You
The night before heading to Joseon.
I received the Imperial Summons and headed to the Royal Chamber where she resided.
As always, the Empress had sent everyone away, leaving just the two of us.
I bowed my head as I met her gaze.
“Your Majesty, you called for me?”
Hug!
She nestled into my arms.
Since that day when I accepted her confession, she had called me for private tea time every day.
And today was the last day.
“…Noya.”
Her voice trembled.
She looked up at me, tears shimmering in her golden eyes, flowing down her cheeks.
“If it were up to me… I wouldn’t want to send you to Changbai Mountain… I want to command you to stay by my side.”
The Empress spoke with a quiver, tears streaming down her face.
We both knew.
I had taken a colossal risk in sharing our martial arts, disregarding the ways of the martial world.
But still, I could not guarantee victory against the Demon.
All Flows Return to One.
I didn’t think that was the Demon’s ultimate mastery.
There would be a mysterious, overwhelming technique I didn’t know about, that the Demon was cultivating. So at this moment, I could not guarantee my victory.
I continued to wipe the Empress’s tears with my hand.
“I also wish to remain by Your Majesty’s side. However, it isn’t possible.”
“W-why not?”
The Empress asked, biting her lip. I gently patted her head.
The reason for not avoiding the fight with the Demon was clear.
“It is to protect you and your realm.”
In this medieval version of Ming Empire, there was no such thing as patriotism.
But there was loyalty and affection for the Empress.
For her sake, I could sacrifice everything.
As a grown man, it was only right to do so.
Upon hearing my words, the Empress’s gaze shook. She burrowed into my embrace.
“I understand… I know it too. But…”
“As a man, I must stabilize the realm. How can I call myself a grown man if I cannot secure peace?”
To protect the Empress’s realm.
And to rid the world, nay, all of the Central Plains, of the Demon to become a hero.
Then I would live happily at the Three Storey Tea House’s Wine Pond and Meat Forest.
What a perfect ending!
Thus, for my dream, the Demon had to fall.
If the Demon existed in this world, I couldn’t achieve the Three Storey Tea House’s Wine Pond and Meat Forest.
“…Ugh…”
The Empress let out a soft moan. Despite being the most cool-headed and calm Empress, she often lost her composure around me. I patted her head.
“I’m worried about you, Your Majesty. I heard you’ll be departing for Liaodong soon.”
Not long after I leave, the Empress would also depart from Beijing.
The Liaodong expedition.
It would confront the Qing Dynasty’s army, where the Eight Banners Army and the Blood Sect’s masters joined forces.
Of course, the Empress wouldn’t be at the frontline since she was the foundation of the Ming Empire, but I felt uneasy just knowing she would be away from me.
“…I cannot sit back in comfort while you struggle. I made this decision because I want to contribute my humble strength to you.”
The Empress wiped her tears as she spoke.
The whole Liaodong first strike operation aimed to pin down the Qing Dynasty’s forces at the front lines. The real main force was the squad of martial experts from Hyeongyeong, including me, fighting the Demon.
If I were to express it in modern terms, we were the Demon raid party.
Unlike other wars, this one would essentially end in victory if we defeated the Demon.
Everyone was aware of that fact.
Yet, that didn’t mean the Empress wouldn’t face danger at the Liaodong front.
Even if we defeated the Demon, it didn’t mean the Qing Dynasty would suddenly collapse.
To conquer Manchuria, their stronghold, and eradicate the enemy, an army was necessary. Thus, the Liaodong front was just as crucial as the Demon raid party.
However, there was no need for the Crown Princess to be there. There was no guarantee that the same situation wouldn’t repeat itself, like when the legitimate emperor was captured by the Oirat.
That’s what made me anxious. But the Empress’s gaze was resolute. With such determination, no one could deter her.
“I understand. But please don’t overexert yourself. Please take care of your health, Your Majesty.”
“Yes, I will heed your words… But you must also…”
The Empress’s face reddened. She grasped my hand, and our couple’s ring clinked together on her ring finger.
She stood on her tiptoes.
Her soft lips brushed against mine. After a brief, sweet kiss, she pulled away.
She rubbed her lips and lowered her gaze.
“…Since I’ve taken your first kiss… you must return alive. It’s a promise.”
My face burned.
It wasn’t my first kiss.
My sister-in-law had once kissed me while under the influence of the Spring Drug.
But this was my first voluntary kiss with someone clear-headed.
As she gently pushed against my chest, she said.
“…Now you must go. I must prepare for my journey as well… and other women are also waiting for you. Make sure to meet them all… and say your greetings.”
The Empress stammered, turning her head. Her earlobes were flushed.
I bowed to the Empress.
“Yes, Your Majesty. I shall definitely protect your realm.”
“…Noya, please take care.”
I turned my back to the Empress as she saw me off from the Royal Chamber.
Suddenly, blood rushed to my face. My cheeks flushed. Unconsciously, I touched my lips. They felt hot as if they had been burned.
The Empress.
Even though I accepted her confession, I had instinctively thought of her as a daughter.
It had been 50 years. The time spent together as a family was long. Just because I accepted her confession didn’t mean my perception would change immediately.
Yet today, after receiving that kiss, I realized.
I could no longer view the Empress as family.
This won’t do. I need to cool my face down. Thinking so, I headed to the lakeside. The cool lakeside breeze wrapped around me, cooling off my heated face.
As I was taking a deep breath…
“Brother.”
A familiar voice reached my ears. I turned around.
It was her. Seoharin. My sister. A girl with platinum blonde hair shining under the moonlight, now smiling naturally.
“I heard you’re setting off on a long journey with Elder Yu.”
Was Seoharin the other woman the Empress spoke of?
I nodded.
“Yeah.”
“…”
Seoharin bit her lip after hearing my answer. Her eyes were on me. Suddenly, she grasped my hand.
“…Come back safely. Everyone is waiting. I’ll be here, as always… protecting the place you return to. I won’t cry. You’re… someone who will definitely return.”
Despite her words, Seoharin wore an expression holding back tears. I gently patted my sister’s head.
After becoming the main disciple, she had attended to the Gongdong Sect’s affairs. I had always felt grateful to her.
From handling matters at the Gongdong Inn to the Orthodox Faction Competition, she had spent countless years alongside me as part of the Gongdong Sect. Whenever I left, she kept the sect intact.
The one guarding the place I could return to was Seoharin.
My little sister was also precious to me.
“Indeed.”
“…Seomun and the Submaster are also waiting to see you off. Let me guide you.”
She took my hand, leading me to the guest Separate Residence. Although it was called a Separate Residence, it was a mansion larger than most villas owing its grandeur to its royal heritage.
There, I came face to face with everyone.
So Cheonma Baek Cheon-hwa, Geombong Seomun Cheong-ha, Heuksaryong Wi Soryeon, So Geom-hu Cheon Sobin, and even the quack Goeui Dang Yeong-ryeong were all gathered.
“…Are you finally here? Goeryong. You’re slow.”
The first to speak was So Cheonma Baek Cheon-hwa. Leaning against a pillar, one eye closed, she directed her gaze toward me.
With her golden ponytail and striking blue eyes, Baek Cheon-hwa said to me.
“You are the man recognized by both me and my father, the Sects Leader of the Heavenly Horse Church. I believe you won’t fall to someone like the Demon. Return alive. Come back and settle our unfinished duel. I’ll make you strip my clothes off then.”
Baek Cheon-hwa spoke seriously.
Strip my clothes off?
Why in the world would she say that?
It sounded ridiculous.
Especially in such a serious atmosphere; it felt even weirder. The others around were trying hard to suppress their laughter.
“…Uh, sure…”
If I don’t play along, it’d become bothersome, right? Upon hearing my reply, Baek Cheon-hwa seemed satisfied, closing her eyes again.
Of course, I had no intention of stripping anyone’s clothes. I had no idea where that misunderstanding came from.
“Hmph! Listen well, good sir. If you lose to that Demon, you won’t be getting any soup! Got it?!”
Next came the voice of Seomun Cheong-ha, the Geombong. Having lost a bet with me, she had now completely integrated into the Gongdong Sect family, even helping with our internal affairs thanks to her friendship with Seoharin.
I nodded at Seomun Cheong-ha’s words.
“No way I’ll lose. I’ll definitely win.”
If I don’t win, I’ll die.
I don’t have confidence, but there’s no need to show any signs of weakness here.
As a man, it’s my duty to reassure the women.
“Great!”
With that, Seomun Cheong-ha sealed her lips, as if she had finished her part.
“…Goeryong. Please take care of our Master. You must come back with him.”
Following suit, the familiar voice of So Geom-hu Cheon Sobin came through. After our conversation that day, her personality had softened considerably.
Geom-hu.
I had no plans to let her die, even if I had no idea myself. I nodded.
“Of course.”
Upon hearing my answer, Cheon Sobin smiled softly.
At that moment.
“Hmph! If you die, Yeong Ryeong will be in trouble, so you absolutely cannot die. Otherwise, I’ll cry like a baby.”
The quack added her input. What in the world did she mean by crying like a baby? I sighed internally and replied.
“I won’t die, so stop whining.”
“Uh-huh, I’m not whining!”
Although I ignored the quack’s complaints, someone suddenly grasped my hand. Turning, I found her.
Heuksaryong Wi Soryeon.
Her black bob sparkled in the moonlight. She spoke.
“…O, Older Brother…”
Wi Soryeon’s face turned crimson. She said, “Jiyagi and I… we must return together. You are… my older brother, and Jiyagi is my… my daddy…”
She hesitated with her words.
The Sosumahu regarded me as a father and Wi Soryeon truly saw her as a mother.
Regardless of the Sosumahu’s misunderstanding, once I caught sight of Wi Soryeon’s tearful eyes…
I couldn’t disregard her words.
I nodded.
“Yeah. I’ll definitely return with Jiyagi.”
After hearing my words, the Heuksaryong broke into a beaming smile. Her tomboyish demeanor gave way to a girl-like smile.
I stared into her face for a moment, then smiled back.
Thus, I bid farewell to everyone that day.
The next morning, I set off with my companions towards Shandong Province, where the ship to Joseon awaited.