GMLS Ch 66

3 years. That was the amount of time I could buy for Muryun. It was also the amount of time I thought would be enough for that person to finish preparing his response. There was no way Tanakhan didn’t know him. Facing the upright Yihwa, he frowned.

“You’re cruel.”

“All those with something precious are cruel.”

“And that precious something for you would be the emperor?”

It wasn’t a question expecting an answer. Tanakhan’s eyes gleamed cruelly.

“In three years, I will definitely kill your emperor.”

“In any case, that means you will accept the deal.”

Yihwa was unshaken. Tanakhan laughed in dismay. He couldn’t refuse Yihwa’s deal. Even now, a voice was ringing inside his head. Incessantly, relentlessly, it tormented him.

Tanakhan had inherited a great power. The royal bloodline, which had only been diluting over time, had suddenly flared up in his generation. At the same time, the curse-like imprinting also grew stronger.

There is no power without a price. Tanakhan had long suffered from an obsession and headaches that gnawed at his mind. How could he refuse the person who offered him a hand, someone who could relieve him, even if only for a while. What’s more, as if giving him a taste of the reward in advance, the headache that had been tormenting him had completely disappeared the moment he faced Yihwa.

To think his head could be this clear and comfortable. Tanakhan sighed. Would this be how a person who had a tube in their mouth their whole life felt breathing on their own for the first time? Tanakhan was more than satisfied with the ‘state of no headache’; he was thrilled.

“Let’s write a contract.”

Yihwa agreed.

There were three copies of the contract in total. One for Tanakhan, another for Yihwa, and the last one for notarization, to be kept by Tanakhan’s subordinate.

Yihwa didn’t think much of it. After all, two copies with both of their seals were enough. And seeing Tanakhan’s reaction, there was little chance he would break the contract.

“And swear an oath in the name of the Sangseon.”

After drafting the contract, the two faced each other and took an oath.

Yihwa shall go to Tanakhan of The Jihan Kingdom before the end of this year, and should he fail to do so, Tanakhan will immediately declare war on The Geum Empire. If Yihwa fulfills the condition, Tanakhan will not cause any harm to The Geum Empire for the next three years, regardless of Yihwa’s life or death.

“And as a token, give me one of the hairpins you have.”

Yihwa, who was gathering the contract papers, flinched.

The bribed handmaiden had told Tanakhan. That Yihwa carried two hairpins. One of them was likely a donggot, bought from a night market. Tanakhan already knew this, as he had heard it from a subordinate who had followed the two from a great distance, too far to be sensed.

He had only heard a description of the other one, but from the description alone, Tanakhan could read the story behind the hairpin.

Tanakhan grinned slyly. Yihwa didn’t know it, but Tanakhan had just placed Yihwa’s fate on a scale. The outcome would be determined by whether he handed over the donggot or the hairpin.

“Why should I do that.”

“The contract didn’t have a confidentiality clause, did it now?”

“……You’re ruthless.”

“All those who harbor desire are ruthless.”

From Tanakhan’s serious eyes, Yihwa realized he had no intention of backing down. He was determined to receive one of the two.

“For your information, I want the donggot. It’s engraved with a magnolia, isn’t it? I can fully guess the reason why you bought something with your name in it. I also already know who its owner is.”

“You’re asking for it even though you know?”

“Of course. If I didn’t know, I wouldn’t have asked. I’m not the type to wave goodbye and wish them well just because the person I love loves someone else. I’d rather quietly scheme behind the scenes, kill the rival, and embrace my love.”

Yihwa stared silently at Tanakhan, who spoke of such chilling things so casually. He shrugged.

“But in reality, everything got exposed before I could even do anything. So shouldn’t I try a different approach?”

Hearing that, Yihwa handed over the hairpin without a second thought. As if their business was done, Yihwa then leapt over the window and departed like a swift bird.

Clutching the hairpin, Tanakhan smiled ambiguously. With a metallic clang, the scale tipped.

⊹ ࣪ 💮⊹₊

The second week of September. The delegations returned to their respective countries.

Everyone in the imperial palace let out an internal cheer. The first requirement was exceptional perceptiveness. After that, the palace staff, specialized in organizing and cleaning up, moved with perfect discipline. A spirit that overwhelmed even well-trained warriors emanated from them as they tidied up.

After that, it was back to daily life. Muryun was still busy. Especially with the words Tanakhan had left behind, there wasn’t enough time no matter how hard he tried.

I didn’t know, but while Tanakhan was still staying as a delegate, The Geum Empire had requested a private audience regarding the war several times. Tanakhan refused them all. Even when they did meet, he would only talk about other things, completely silent on the matter of war.

I heard later that he had said only one thing. That if he didn’t return, war would break out immediately, and if he did return, and if luck was on their side, the war would be postponed for three years.

Of course, doing something to Tanakhan, who had come as a delegate, was never an option. He was someone who had come to celebrate the coronation, of all things. To lay a hand on such a person would be a disgrace that would go down in history.

Above all, it was the worst possible move, one that might require them to face an enraged Jihan Kingdom and the five southern nations, who would have gained a just cause, all at once.

The current state of the empire was that of an old man, large in body but frail. It had a big frame and accumulated power, but like an old body, it was decaying in places. On the other hand, The Jihan Kingdom, though small in stature, was glaring at the empire with a proper sword in hand.

The odds of victory that Yeo Yulleong had predicted in his lifetime were less than 40 percent. Those odds increased the longer time passed. With enough time to prepare, the empire would never lose to The Jihan Kingdom. Based on that judgment, I made this choice. It was a life that would wither away anyway. I thought there could be no better use for it than for Muryun.

I smiled bitterly. I had decided to stop acting based on my own usefulness, yet as if led by an unseen hand, it ended up like this.

“What are you thinking so hard about?”

Muryun, who was attended by me, gently took the sleeve of my robe. In his other hand, he still held a document.

“I was thinking of Your Majesty.”

Since I was thinking of using my life for you, it wasn’t entirely a lie. Hesitation now came quite naturally. I swallowed a bitter smile.

“I was thinking of you, too.”

Muryun put the document down with a thud.

“The palace staff were chattering that the first autumn leaves have appeared in the palace. I thought it would be lovely to go boating with you. Yihwa, won’t you go boating with me?”

“Aren’t you busy with work?”

“That’s why we should go somewhere close.”

The Jaryeon Palace naturally came to mind. The palace that the timid emperor, who was restless whenever the empress left him to go far away, had built for her.

“How about getting some sleep during that time instead? You look very tired.”

“Do you not want to spend time with me?”

I was startled and shook my head.

“What are you saying? I want to spend every minute and every second with Your Majesty.”

“Me too. If I don’t get enough sleep, I’m just a little tired, but if I don’t get enough time with you, my heart becomes gloomy.”

He was so cute I almost wanted to swear.

I wonder if the nameless empress of old felt this way when she looked at her husband. He is surely an august and supreme being. Someone who can do what he will with a castle or two with a single word. Someone who commands the court with a stern, jade-like voice.

“Yihwa?”

He was cuter than a puppy playing under the spring sun.

“For which day should I schedule it.”

Muryun grinned.

“Don’t schedule it. I’ll keep it a secret from the Ministry of Rites.”

This man is really going off the rails. Monghyul, who had been treated as if he wasn’t there but had been in the same room with the two all along, let out a deep sigh.

⊹ ࣪ 💮⊹₊

The interval between my coughing up blood shortened by two days. I now threw up blood once every four days. I wrapped the cloth I had held to my mouth tightly and placed it in a corner. I intended to dispose of it when I returned. I had thrown up blood today, so I was safe for the next three days.

“Is there no pain?”

I flinched at the sudden voice. I turned my head and saw Wi Junghyuk standing by the door, having arrived at some point.

“No, there isn’t. I heard I might feel it later when my internal organs start to decay, but not yet for me. More importantly, why did you come so stealthily?”

For a moment, Wi Junghyuk’s expression turned strange. He narrowed his eyes and said.

“I’m sure I told you to send word, but there has been no news.”

“I was busy with work.”

“Is there anyone who receives a state salary who hasn’t been busy lately?”

“I was about to contact you soon, as I should have a bit more free time from now on.”

Wi Junghyuk continued, as if saying, ‘Fine, I’ll let that slide for now.’

“What happened to your senses?”

“Pardon?”

“I didn’t particularly hide my presence when I came. Yet you didn’t notice me approaching?”

Understanding his meaning, my face stiffened. Wi Junghyuk, who had the same thought as me, voiced it.

“It’s because of the poison.”

“It’s not strange. It’s already been over three months.”

“What do you mean? Is there a significance to three months?”

“The person who lasted the longest after being afflicted with this poison was someone who survived for three months. He was a first-rate warrior. Both the Shangshuling and I were speculating that it seems to be affected by one’s internal energy.”

Wi Junghyuk’s eyes widened in horror. I smiled bitterly.

“Experiencing it with my own body, it seems to be true. Since I’m a supreme-class.”

“You… You… foolish thing!”

The same words I had heard before flew at me, this time in a more agitated tone. Wi Junghyuk, who had let out a roar, strode over and grabbed my wrist. His whole body expressed his frustration. But as if he didn’t know what to say, he fell silent once he came closer.

“I can’t help being foolish. I’m doing this because I believe it’s for the best.”

I said calmly. Wi Junghyuk was utterly dumbfounded. Looking at him, one would think he was the one who was poisoned. The thought was amusing, and I chuckled softly.