Moon-Shadow Sword Emperor

Special Side Story Episode 15

“I’m sorry, but you cannot meet the palace lord.”

Accommodation for VIPs in the Beast Palace.

I was convinced by the sight of Woo Ho-beop resolutely shaking his head.

Prince Yasu, the supreme king of the South and the pinnacle of all warriors, has already passed away.

‘It wasn’t in that good condition when I last saw it. It didn’t seem strange even if he died at the end of his life.’

If he were still alive, he would have felt a sense of discomfort.

It was a common occurrence.

The Murim faction, which has not yet concluded the succession competition, hides the death of its leader without announcing it to the outside world.

Under the pretext that his illness has deepened, he blocks contact with outsiders.

It was the most standard way to buy time until the next palace lord was decided.

“……”

Woo Hwayeon made a sad expression.

You must have expected it to some extent.

Before leaving Namman and heading to Jungwon.

The face I saw at that time was probably the last sight of my father while alive.

“If you need anything, call any of the warriors guarding the door. “I will tell you to accommodate as much as possible.”

“thank you.”

Woohobeop leaves the dormitory.

Left alone with Woo Hwayeon, I was lost in thought with my arms crossed.

The atmosphere was not good.

According to what I heard from Mu Jin-cheon, the Beast Palace was currently in a critical situation.

It wasn’t strange when the wind and blood blew.

‘The clash between Beast Palace and Doggok is not far away.’

As this Confucius succeeded in uniting the forces within the palace, a major change occurred in the succession competition structure.

The faction that supported Prince Shi was completely driven out of the Yasu Palace.

Currently, Dokgok’s side is taking charge of his personal affairs and protecting him.

The three princes, who formed a powerful faction with the support of the chieftains who led influential tribes, gave up their status as Lord of the Little Palace.

Instead, he negotiated with this Confucius and was promised the position of deputy palace lord.

It was a decision he could make because he was a person like Samgongja, not someone else.

Usually, the end of the competition for the position of supremacy is stained with blood, but those with backgrounds that cannot be ignored survive even in the midst of it.

Even if he ascended to the throne of the palace in the future, this prince would not be able to easily dismiss the three princes.

If you antagonize the chiefs of large tribes, who are the backbone and core of Southern Man society, it will be tiring in many ways.

‘Either this Confucius or Dokgokju. It doesn’t really matter which side wins. From my perspective as a midfielder, that’s not what’s important.’

The point is to prevent the new ruler of Namman from doing anything foolish.

Of course, there was no answer through peaceful methods such as negotiation or persuasion.

Since we have already signed a non-aggression pact, what more can we do here?

In the end, there was only one thing I had to do.

“Sozer.”

“yes?”

“It’s a bit weird to ask now, but what do you think?”

“What does it mean.”

“I hope that the power struggle currently taking place in Namman will be resolved in some form.”

“……well. To be honest, I don’t particularly support either side.”

I nodded inwardly.

It was exactly the answer I expected.

Considering the background in which she was born and raised, it was inevitable.

Woo Hwa-yeon is the wife of Lord Yasu and the granddaughter of Lord Dokgok.

Currently, Yasu Palace is led by her brother and Dokgok is led by her grandfather.

It would not have been possible to pick one side and cheer for it.

“I just hope that the damage from future fights will be as minimal as possible. “I hope that innocent Namman residents will not suffer.”

“great. “It puts my mind at ease when you say that.”

“……?”

“I was worried that I might disturb Sojeo, but now I can work with peace of mind.”

“What on earth are you trying to do?”

“Do not worry. Even if a problem arises, it wouldn’t be a problem to leave here with just one Sozer.”

There is only one companion, Woo Hwa-yeon.

The number of people was kept to a minimum in case anything went wrong.

‘If it were me now.’

Even if he was trapped in the middle of the Cheonnajimang (天羅地網) spread by the southern Manchurian warriors, he was able to escape leisurely.

If the number of people had been increased to ensure a good assortment, movement would have been restricted accordingly.

I turned my back on Woo Hwayeon, who was looking at me with an anxious expression.

He then spoke to the guest beyond the door who came without a word.

“Please come in.”

“…!”

I approached him after killing him, but was he surprised when I was easily discovered?

I felt the man twitch his shoulders.

The door opened and a masked man with a sharp expression politely bowed to me.

“It’s called Ilyoung (一影).”

“Did this Confucius send you?”

“yes. “He said he wanted to meet the elder.”

“I haven’t even unpacked my bags at the accommodation yet.”

“Leave the petty work to your wives. We have prepared the best dancers and famous liquor in Namman. “You must have had a hard time coming this far, so shouldn’t you relieve your travel fatigue?”

I burst out laughing.

It seemed like it was quite urgent.

I knew he was going to try to contact me in some way, but he showed such a lack of composure.

Even so, I had no idea that I would be invited to a banquet as soon as I arrived at the Beast Palace.

‘Well, if I can finish the business quickly, it’s good for me.’

I nodded and extended my hand to Woo Hwayeon.

She, who was sitting on the edge of the bed with a shocked expression on her face, grabbed my hand and stood up.

“By the way, isn’t that our old face?”

“……yes.”

“I was indebted to you before.”

The man who introduced himself as Ilyoung quietly averted his gaze with one sharp word.

In the past, he tried to kidnap my subordinates under the orders of this Confucius.

Although he was deceived by Hwang Bo-kyung’s plan and was subdued.

“I was sorry back then.”

“Not twice.”

“I’ll keep that in mind.”

I followed him across the hallway, exchanging nonsense.

Some time passes.

Okay.

He opened the large door and gestured with his hand to invite Woo Hwayeon to enter.

As I walked forward, a gorgeous banquet hall came into view.

Tiding. Ding.

A unique tone that was clearly different from playing on a central instrument penetrated my ears.

Dancers were dancing on a circular platform placed in the center.

All kinds of alcohol and food were set out on the tables surrounding the outside of the podium.

This Confucius, who was sitting at the head table and exchanging pleasantries with the people around him, stood up and greeted me.

“welcome.”

“Thank you for your hospitality.”

“Isn’t this a place to welcome the elders of the Murim Alliance? “Is it okay to be negligent in hospitality?”

The attitude towards me was different from before.

No matter where I looked, it only seemed like a formality.

Although he is not yet the Lord of the Beast Palace, he is in fact the current ruler of the Beast Palace.

It was definitely strange for him to be so condescending to me.

‘Bending down this much to come in means that you want something from me.’

The high-ranking figures of the Beast Palace who were around this Confucius spoke to me one after another.

I felt anticipation in some people’s eyes, caution in others, and hostility in others.

I pretended to smile and sat down in the empty seat.

It was a place where I could see Confucius face to face.

Woo Hwayeon carefully sat down next to her and took a deep breath.

The person who is most nervous here right now is not me or Confucius, but her.

“Eat as much as you want.”

“I will not decline.”

Even so, I was hungry.

My appetite was whetted by the delicacies from the mountains and the sea prepared before my eyes.

I grabbed the food without hesitation and shoved it into my mouth.

It was a delight to the eyes and ears as the dancers danced to the exciting music.

“…….”

Unlike me, who had an iron plate on her face, Woo Hwayeon did not even take a sip of water to her mouth.

Just quietly exchanging glances with her brothers.

When the banquet atmosphere was ripe.

Finally, Confucius got to the point.

“So, Elder, why did you visit the Beast Palace at this time?”

“There is one thing I would like to tell you when I meet you, the palace lord.”

“Well. The palace lord is unable to leave his residence due to his worsening illness. On the other hand, you cannot receive guests.”

“Friendship also said so. “It’s just a pity that a meeting with him is impossible.”

“Thank you for your understanding.”

This Confucius’ eyes narrowed.

I felt him scanning me with his snake-like gaze, as if searching.

I pretended not to notice and lifted the golden goblet to my mouth.

“If you don’t mind, why don’t you tell me? “What were you trying to tell the palace lord?”

“To this Confucius?”

“It’s a shame, but I’m currently taking the vacancy of the palace lord.”

“okay. All right.”

I nodded as if I had been waiting, put my hand on Woo Hwayeon’s shoulder and pulled her towards me.

Surprised by the sudden situation, Woo Hwayeon’s face soon turned red.

“I would like to take a princess as my companion.”

“…!”

“The reason I came to the Beast Palace is to ask for that permission.”

The corners of this Confucius’ lips curled up.

Judging from his perspective, it seemed like he had expected it to some extent.

If it wasn’t for this kind of business in the first place, there would be no reason to bring Woo Hwayeon to Namman, so you could say it was natural.

“Is that true?”

“Could it be that I came all the way to the Beast Palace just to make a pointless prank?”

“It’s a ramp. My younger brother is getting married to a hero from the martial arts world in the central plains. There is nothing happier than this. The palace lord will also be pleased.”

“Thank you for saying that.”

This Confucius moistened his lips with his tongue.

I could tell just by looking at his narrow, curved eyes.

That he’s up to something.

“However, just as there is a central culture in the central plains, there is a southern culture in southern Manchuria.”

“……?”

When this Confucius raised his hand, the musicians all stopped playing.

The dancers, who were dancing with the hem of their clothes fluttering in the sky, went down to the podium and performed the ceremony.

Heavy air enveloped the entire banquet hall.

“Generally, the groom who welcomes a companion sends a gift to the bride’s family.”

“I know what you’re saying. “When we return to the central plain, we will prepare the gift immediately.”

“no. There is no need to go through the hassle. Instead…….”

“Instead?”

“The current situation in the Beast Palace is not very good. “I think it would be of great help if the elder could give me some help.”

Well then.

It was a revealing statement.

In any case, his sinister personality was the same as before and now.

‘Are you going to drag me into the war against Dokgok under the pretext of an arranged marriage?’

I didn’t answer right away and poured a drink into my empty glass.

Wu Hwa-yeon, Confucius, and high-ranking officials of the Yasu Palace.

Everyone held their breath and waited for the answer I would give.

I drank my drink while enjoying the gaze pouring in from all directions.

widely.

After putting down the neatly emptied glass on the table.

“I don’t like it.”

I tilted my head crookedly and spoke firmly.

Did I not know that he would reject me so coldly?

Confucius’ expression momentarily cracked.

“Could you please reconsider?”

“Why do I regret interfering in other people’s affairs?”

“I said it a little while ago, but in the South, there is a culture of the South…”

“What is there to know? “A transaction can only be established when both sides can offer equal compensation.”

The atmosphere in the banquet hall suddenly became tense.

The middle school students looked very confused as they saw me suddenly change and leave.

It didn’t take long for my embarrassment to turn into anger.

‘That’s right.’

I was expecting this situation.

All of my words and actions up until now have been a stepping stone for the current situation.

As I said a moment ago, what I had to do was not negotiation or persuasion.

‘Show off your overwhelming power and crush Namman’s warriors.’

Demonstration of force.

I came to Nanman for that.

Not to become the new ruler of Namman, but to make sure that all of Namman’s warriors do not dare to cross the central plains.

Confucius warned in a voice that oozed suppressed emotions.

“Please observe the minimum manners, Geomje (劍帝). Aren’t you here on behalf of the Murim Alliance?”

“You were the one who crossed the line first.”

I laughed as if it were ridiculous and put one foot on the table.

The table caved in with a loud bang.

The broken plate fell to the floor and made a loud noise.

visor!

One of the warriors who was watching this reckless attitude could not bear it and pulled out the curved sword tied to his belt.

“dare!”