Chapter 95 – Returning to the Palace (2)

After indulging in Ju Yun-hui for three days, on the fourth day, Yu-jin headed to the grand hall where the imperial court meeting was held. Today was the important day he would be recognized as the Prince Consort.

The ministers, still unaware that Yu-jin had returned safely, entered the hall with their minds firmly set on choosing a Prince Consort.

Admiral Mun Won-sang, who held the authority to command a million soldiers, looked at the armored man standing behind him and spoke.

“Are you that displeased? That you were not chosen to be the Prince Consort?”

“No, sir.”

The man replied in an indifferent tone, but Mun Won-sang knew well that his answer was a lie. He had long been aware of the man’s feelings for Ju Yun-hui, but Mun Won-sang could not allow them to be together.

The man was destined to inherit his faction one day. For that reason, he could not let him become the Prince Consort, a position that required severing all ties with politics. Instead, he had pushed his own son for the role.

“I heard your father passed away.”

At Mun Won-sang’s words, the man clenched his jaw and balled his fists. He had postponed his duties to hold the funeral because of it.

In truth, he should still have been there, but he had no choice but to return, as there was too much to be done.

“They say he was murdered. Not only that, but the culprit also killed my younger brother and the clan’s warriors. Thank you for your help, Admiral.”

Mun Won-sang was already well aware of what the man said. That was why he had deliberately extended a helping hand to the clan, which had been on the verge of annihilation, and helped prevent its fall.

Fortunately, a competent chief steward remained, so it was no difficult task to steady the faltering clan. The man, too, knew that Mun Won-sang had used his power to help his clan, so he could not show any emotion.

“You are the man I consider my successor. It is only natural that I help. So, have you found out who the culprit is?”

At that, the man shook his head. All he had learned was that the culprit was a master of martial arts, had a handsome face, and was always accompanied by numerous women.

“Will you avenge your father?”

A note of concern laced Mun Won-sang’s question. The man was a talent he truly cherished. It was certain he would one day reach the Transformation Realm, and he was nothing short of perfect in all other aspects, including military strategy and scholarship.

Thanks to the man’s existence, Mun Won-sang had no worries about a successor. Why else would he send his own son to be a mere figurehead of a Prince Consort? But if the man were to retire from the military to seek revenge for his father, there would be no greater predicament.

“Of course. But do not worry. I will never give up this position. The culprit’s martial prowess surpasses my own, but he will learn that martial skill is not everything.”

His clan hoped that the man would one day return to them, but in truth, he had no intention of going back.

Instead, he planned to rise to the highest position in the military. And that resolve had only grown stronger after losing his father.

Even the man himself could not guarantee victory against his father, who had reached the pinnacle, and a hundred warriors who could move like an army.

And yet, the culprit had apparently slaughtered them all with ease. To kill such a powerful individual, one needed to possess immense authority.

‘I will find the culprit and take his head.’

The name of the man vowing revenge was Han Won-ha, the Young Lord of the Black Fortress.

* * *

“His Imperial Majesty, the Emperor, arrives!”

At the eunuch’s cry, all the ministers bowed their heads. And then, the Emperor slowly walked in and sat upon the throne.

A smile brighter than any they had seen before graced the Emperor’s face, leaving the ministers bewildered. It was a completely different sight from when his face had been contorted with frustration over the selection of the Prince Consort.

The ministers were puzzled, but it did not take long for their curiosity to be satisfied.

“Today, I have come to share joyous news with you all. Kang Yu-jin, who went to the great Bukri clan of the Northern Sea under my command, has fulfilled my order and returned.”

“Gasp!”

The ministers, who had believed Yu-jin to be dealt with, had been engaged in heated debates over the position of Prince Consort, pitting Admiral Mun Won-sang’s son, Mun Je-ho, against Sa Do-cheong, one of Prime Minister Jo Cheong-won’s top disciples.

But now, for Yu-jin, whom they thought dead, to return—they couldn’t help but be shocked.

Soon, the doors of the grand hall opened, and as Yu-jin slowly walked in, the ministers realized the Emperor’s words were true.

‘The Divine Sword Dragon, Kang Yu-jin. I wondered who this man making a name for himself in the martial world was, and it was him?’

Han Won-ha, who had not yet seen Yu-jin’s face, gazed at him. The man who would become the husband of Ju Yun-hui, the woman he had fallen for at first sight.

Naturally, he couldn’t help but dislike him, but for now, Han Won-ha had set aside all such feelings. All that remained in him was the thought of killing the culprit and the desire to rise to a higher position.

‘Well, it has nothing to do with me now.’

Han Won-ha thought as much and averted his gaze from Yu-jin. But contrary to his will, his eyes did not turn away so easily.

He, too, was a man. It was impossible to feel good about the woman he loved becoming another man’s. No matter how much his desire for revenge consumed him.

‘I want to know what kind of man he is.’

If he were a worthless man, it would feel somehow unjust. In the meantime, Yu-jin performed the highest etiquette and spoke.

“I, Kang Yu-jin, have returned after completing the order given by His Imperial Majesty. The great clans of the north will no longer covet the Empire. They have promised to establish friendly relations with the Empire. Here is the letter containing their intent.”

As Yu-jin finished speaking and held up a letter from his robes, the Head Eunuch quickly approached, took the letter, and handed it to the Emperor.

After reading the letter, the Emperor began to laugh heartily.

“Hahaha! Excellent! Truly excellent! To achieve what everyone said was impossible!”

The louder the Emperor’s laughter grew, the more the ministers’ faces contorted. Though they did not show it openly, they could not stop the blackening dread that burned within them. The Emperor erased his smile and spoke.

“Prime Minister.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

At the Emperor’s call, Prime Minister Jo Cheong-won quickly stepped forward.

“You said it yourself. That if Yu-jin could persuade even one of the external powers to form an alliance with the Empire, you would no longer oppose him becoming the Prince Consort. Do you remember?”

“I… I remember, Your Majesty.”

Jo Cheong-won’s body trembled as he spoke. The Emperor, aware yet feigning ignorance, looked at the ministers and continued.

“The ministers also agreed with the Prime Minister’s opinion. Did you not?”

“We did, Your Majesty.”

The ministers gritted their teeth, bowed their heads, and answered. The Emperor nodded in satisfaction and drove the final nail in the coffin.

“The Prince Consort has been decided. It is Kang Yu-jin. Anyone who objects further will be punished for a crime equivalent to treason!”

A crime equivalent to treason could only be dealt with by beheading. In other words, the Emperor was indirectly saying he would kill them.

The ministers’ faces twisted like demons. But there was only one answer they could give.

“Yes, Your Majesty!”

It was the ministers’ complete defeat, and the victory of the Emperor and Yu-jin.

* * *

Having been recognized as the Prince Consort, Yu-jin walked back toward Ju Yun-hui’s bedchambers. He had already indulged in her for three days, but he could never get enough of her body. Just then, Yu-jin’s senses detected someone approaching.

“Lord Prince Consort.”

At the address, Yu-jin slowly turned. Although they weren’t married yet, the Emperor had made the declaration, so there was no particular issue with being called that.

Turning around, Yu-jin saw a man clad in ornate armor. His face seemed slightly older than his own.

‘Hoh?’

His aura was powerful, and his eyes were filled with a sharp light. Yet, they also showed a firm resolve. It was quite difficult to find such a man, even in the martial world.

“I am Commander Han Won-ha.”

The rank of Commander was of the junior fifth grade. To have reached such a position at a young age meant that Han Won-ha’s abilities were anything but ordinary.

However, Yu-jin focused more on Han Won-ha’s name than his rank.

‘You… You bastard! The Black Fortress is behind me! And Han Won-ha, a general of the Empire, is my elder brother! If you touch me, the wrath of an Imperial general will fall upon you.’

The words Han Jin-ha had shouted before he died. He never imagined he would see that man here. Seeing Han Jin-ha, he had assumed his brother would be nothing special either.

But Han Won-ha was strong enough to surpass even his father, Han U-hyeok.

‘But he doesn’t just have strength.’

Yu-jin could sense a wisdom befitting his strength from Han Won-ha.

‘Interesting. Is this what they call fate?’

“Is there something you need?”

Yu-jin smiled inwardly but put on a puzzled expression as he asked.

“My family is involved in the martial world, and I too was once a martial artist. That is why I wished to meet the Divine Sword Dragon, who is hailed as the pinnacle among the Eight Dragons and Five Phoenixes, the most outstanding of the younger generation.”

“Oh, you flatter me. It is but an empty reputation.”

Yu-jin shook his head as he spoke.

“Not at all. In fact, I believe the rumors do not do you justice.”

“I thank you for your kind words.”

They were exchanging pleasantries, but the tension between them was far sharper than it seemed. Of course, only Han Won-ha thought so.

“If there is nothing else, may I be excused? The Princess has summoned me.”

At Yu-jin’s words, Han Won-ha’s eyebrow twitched slightly, and Yu-jin caught it precisely.

‘Hoh? Now this is interesting.’

It was a fleeting reaction, but that alone was enough for Yu-jin to discern what kind of feelings Han Won-ha held for Ju Yun-hui.

“I see. Then I shall take my leave.”

With those words, Han Won-ha bowed his head and withdrew. Watching Han Won-ha disappear, Yu-jin’s eyes glinted as he muttered quietly to himself.

“Fate is truly amusing. The way things can connect like this is just so interesting.”

Yu-jin was Han Won-ha’s enemy. For such an enemy to be the man of the woman Han Won-ha adored, what could be more amusing than this?

When Han Won-ha finds out he is his enemy, will he spare him for the sake of the woman he loves? Or will he not?

It was an amusing thought.

“Then the Black Fortress must not have fallen either.”

He had left the Black Fortress alone because he judged that it would disappear on its own without him needing to lift a finger.

The warriors Han U-hyeok had brought with him were the entirety of the Black Fortress’s power. With all that power gone, the Black Fortress was bound to be crushed and disappear under the heel of other clans and families.

But if a man like him existed, there was a high probability that the Black Fortress would survive, even if only as a remnant. Of course, that alone would not be enough to do anything to Yu-jin.

“I will enjoy watching how you try to find your enemy and exact your revenge. But remember this: even if you use everything at your disposal, the victor will always be me.”

As Yu-jin murmured those words, a golden light flashed once and vanished. Then, Yu-jin resumed his walk toward Ju Yun-hui.