Surviving in a Romance Fantasy Novel - Chapter 43

When I entered the inner chamber, the White Immortal who had already finished his meal was sitting with his back supported by a chest.

Although he was an old man who rarely showed it, he looked very tired. It was clear he had spent the night dealing with demonic spirits somewhere.

In one corner of the room, Yeon Ri was spreading out the bedding.

Though it had been brought in in a hurry, the bedding looked fresh and dry, which only went to show how impeccable Yeon Ri was at preparing things.

“Elder, I’m entering the inner chamber.”

“Yes, Tae Pyeong-ah, come and sit.”

The White Immortal didn’t stand on ceremony when only members of the White Immortal Palace were present. It was unusual enough that he even shared meals with a third-rate guard like me.

As I entered the inner chamber and kneeled in front of him, the White Immortal was scratching his back with a bent bamboo stick.

Considering the formal demeanor he had when he first arrived at the White Immortal Palace covered in blood, he now almost seemed like a different person.

“……”

When I remained silent, the White Immortal asked as if to confirm.

“I heard there were many incidents that happened during the Heavenly Dragon Festival night.”

“Ah, yes… I am truly ashamed. Because of my involvement with the White Tiger Palace…”

“So, did you achieve your objective?”

As always, the White Immortal didn’t ask for detailed explanations.

What he was curious about was always the same.

He repeatedly asked the same question, one he had been asking since I was a child, whenever I returned from enduring great hardships somewhere.

Did you achieve your objective?

Did you uphold your convictions?

“…I achieved it, but it wasn’t perfect.”

“Well, did you uphold your convictions?”

“…That too is uncertain.”

“Ah, tsk tsk…”

The White Immortal clicked his tongue as if to say that was enough, glanced at Yeon Ri who was briskly spreading out the bedding, and spoke again.

“Was there anything else?”

“Anything else?”

Make sure to keep the Cold Iron Heavy Sword with you.

I recalled what the White Immortal had instructed me to do.

After thinking about it a bit, I could roughly guess his intention behind that order.

“…No demonic spirits appeared.”

When I gave this response based on my conjecture, the White Immortal let out a derisive snort.

His expression seemed to say, “This guy is as stubborn as they come.” Having spent many years as the White Immortal’s guard, I often found myself able to roughly guess his thoughts.

I hesitated for a moment before asking again.

“Were you worried that the demonic spirits from White Immortal Mountain would come down to the Imperial Capital?”

Indeed.

It was a night of festivals with lanterns flying and fireworks bursting.

However, the Heavenly Maiden’s condition was unusually poor which caused the heavenly dragon’s energy to weaken significantly, which in turn led to the reappearance of demonic spirits in the White Immortal Mountain.

Although we couldn’t deal with them in time during the last birthday ceremony, this time, the White Immortal personally stepped in and eradicated all the demonic spirits beforehand.

However, he was worried that some of the demonic spirits might appear near the Cheongdo Palace, where people were heavily gathered.

So, as a precaution, he had instructed me to keep the Cold Iron Heavy Sword ready. Surely, he had also warned others within the palace to stay vigilant.

At any rate, considering the Heavenly Dragon Festival ended well, it seemed the White Immortal had managed to handle all the demonic spirits.

But… it wasn’t possible for the White Immortal to deal with such a multitude of demonic spirits alone forever.

“Tae Pyeong-ah.”

The White Immortal scratched his back vigorously and then spoke honestly.

“What use is there in hiding it? Probably… my life, granted by the heavens, is nearing its end.”

There was no trace of dignity as he scratched his ears, picked his nose, and vigorously scratched his back.

However, the White Immortal’s voice had grown more serious than I had expected.

“Elder.”

“When I leave this world, the people of White Immortal Palace whom I personally selected will be scattered here and there. Yeon Ri, Wang Han, and even Eunuch Young Seok will each find their own way to survive… but what will you do, Tae Pyeong?”

The White Immortal’s question weighed heavily.

Yeon Ri who was a senior maid was exceptionally skilled and would perform well no matter which palace she belonged to.

Wang Han who was quick-witted and adept at strategy could rise to a high position as a civil servant.

The old Eunuch who was devoid of worldly desires and who was already quite old wouldn’t have grand ambitions anyway.

But… what about me?

The truth is, my reason for staying in Cheongdo Palace was to watch over the White Immortal in his final moments.

If the White Immortal passed away… well, there wouldn’t be much reason for me to remain in Cheongdo Palace.

Of course, if I wanted to, I could find reasons to stay.

Living in the imperial palace while receiving a decent salary was comfortable, and my sister Seol Ran would continue to stay in Cheongdo Palace.

It might be a bit snobbish to say, but if she became the Heavenly Maiden in the future, it’s unlikely that her younger brother wouldn’t receive some benefits in some way…

However, given the recent circumstances, I’ve been considering whether it might be best to leave the imperial palace entirely.

Seol Ran would try her hardest to stop me, but she probably wouldn’t be able to prevent me if my life was truly at risk.

Also, when I watched her, despite all the trials and variables thrown at her, continue to win over the male leads one by one thanks to her natural charm as a romance fantasy heroine… it didn’t seem like she needed my help at all.

Seol Ran, whether I was in Cheongdo Palace or not… she would continue her path as the heroine of the Heavenly Dragon Love Story. Honestly, there were many times when I felt that my presence was more of a hindrance than a help.

“…I think I could just leave Cheongdo Palace and travel around the world for a few years.”

There was a moment of silence after those words.

Yeon Ri who was tidying up the blanket nodded her head with a regretful smile.

“……”

Even if it hurt my pride, I had to admit the truth.

White Immortal Lee Cheol Woon was like a father to me.

He took me in when I was wandering aimlessly, gave me a martial uniform in the White Immortal Palace, and created the conditions for me to settle down in the palace.

I thought it was the least I could do to stay by his side until his last moments.

Deciding how to live after paying my respects was something I could think about when the time came.

“Alright. I don’t have the energy to argue about such things. However… I am worried about the condition of the Heavenly Maiden.”

Even if the Heavenly Dragon’s energy has faded a little now, the power of the White Immortal could still suppress it to some extent.

But if the White Immortal could no longer perform that role and the energy of the Heavenly Maiden remained weak, a great disaster might occur in the imperial capital.

A few lower demonic spirits appearing in the civilian area could be easily exterminated by a few strong men.

However, if a night parade occurred like during the birthday ceremony, or if an intermediate or a higher demonic spirit appeared, the number of casualties would completely change.

The White Immortal seemed to be worried about such a situation.

“I heard that His Majesty hasn’t properly met the Heavenly Maiden yet. She’s so critically ill that she almost never leaves her inner chamber.”

“Is it that serious?”

“Yes…. We thought it might be Divine Fever or Flower Fever, but from what the Headmaid of the Heavenly Dragon Hall said, it doesn’t seem to be that either. If it were a simple illness, they would have called in a physician to treat her, but since they haven’t, there must be a reason.”

Depending on the circumstances, even the story about her critical condition might just be an excuse, and she could be in a completely different situation.

The White Immortal added these words and then spoke to me.

“You should go and check on the Heavenly Maiden.”

“… Me?”

Why was I suddenly being brought up?

It was such an expected response that the White Immortal answered before I could ask.

“Have you ever had an audience with the Heavenly Maiden, even once in your life, Tae Pyeong-ah?”

“Not even once.”

“That’s right. However, I sometimes feel that the Heavenly Maiden strangely seems to be protecting you. There must be a reason for that.”

After he said this, the White Immortal sneezed a few times and looked at me with sharp eyes.

“Go and find out the reason yourself. You might be able to have an audience with her.”

Indeed, I always felt a peculiar sense about it.

Originally, Seol Ran and I who were from the Huayongseol clan could stay in Cheongdo Palace because Heavenly Maiden Ah Hyun showed us mercy when we entered the palace.

The reason may have been explained in some way later in the Heavenly Dragon Love Story, but I couldn’t figure out the reason at this point.

“But Elder, I heard that the Heavenly Maiden is such a noble shaman that even His Majesty has to purify himself before meeting her. No matter how official the reason is, a mere third-rate warrior like me can’t just ask for an audience with her.”

“…You’re right. So you’ll need to get permission from the mistresses of the four palaces. It won’t be easy.”

The Heavenly Dragon Hall where the Heavenly Maiden resides.

Why was that building right in the center of the inner palace?

It’s because that place has the strongest yin energy in the palace, and it’s where the energy of the Heavenly Dragon can be most powerfully harnessed under the protection of the four divine beasts.

The story goes that the reason the crown princess consorts received the energy of the Four Divine Beasts and built their palaces in the north, south, east, and west… was to receive the energy of the Heavenly Dragon more strongly.

The mistress of the eastern Azure Dragon Palace, Princess Jin Cheong Lang.

A young fairy skilled in Taoism and Spiritual techniques, with eyes that can see through a person’s energy.

The mistress of the southern Vermilion Bird Palace, Princess In Ha Yeon.

A monarch born with the most noble bloodline and the talent for leadership.

The mistress of the western White Tiger Palace, Princess Ha Wol.

A politician skilled in scheming and manipulation, able to see through the thoughts of ordinary people.

The mistress of the northern Black Tortoise Palace, Princess Po Hwa Ryeong.

A philosopher who observes the world freely, unbound by rules and conventions.

These four princess consorts carried the story of the Heavenly Dragon Love Story.

Each one ruled their palace and commanded many servants because they harnessed the energy of the Heavenly Dragon.

Normally, it would be impossible for a third-rate warrior to have an audience with the Heavenly Maiden of the Heavenly Dragon Hall…

“But if you gain the recognition of the mistresses of the four palaces intertwined around the Heavenly Dragon Hall, the story would be completely different.”

That’s right.

The mistresses of the four palaces carried their respective wooden tablets in their arms to hand over to those who had received their recognition.

The Vermilion Bird Tablet, the Azure Dragon Tablet, the Black Tortoise Tablet, the White Tiger Tablet.

If someone showed all four Tablets, not even the Headmaid of the Heavenly Dragon Hall could block their way.

The White Immortal sneezed a few times and continued the conversation.

“Haah… Yes… I know how ridiculous this sounds, Tae Pyeong-ah. How could a mere third-rate warrior receive the tablets from the four princess consorts?”

“………”

“Still, we must do everything we can. Fortunately, the Azure Princess owes me a favor. I’ve helped her with some Taoist techniques, so I’ll ask if she can give us the Azure Dragon Tablet in return.”

The White Immortal seemed eager to check on the state of the Heavenly Maiden before his life ended.

To meet the Heavenly Maiden, whom even the Emperor could not easily see, such preparation was necessary.

“As for the other Tablets… we’ll think about how to get them slowly.”

Each of those tablets was as precious as gold… obtaining them all seemed like a very difficult task.

The White Immortal whose lifespan was not long couldn’t help but feel anxious. Still… no matter how distant the goal was, he believed in making every possible effort.

“…Um… Elder.”

“What is it?”

I lowered my gaze hesitantly and spoke with difficulty.

“Could you… perhaps… wait until the next tea gathering?”

Crash.

The day after the tea gathering ended.

I entered the inner palace using the White Immortal’s instructions as an excuse and poured the tablets of the four princess consorts before the White Immortal Elder.

The Vermilion Bird Tablet, the Azure Dragon Tablet, the Black Tortoise Tablet, the White Tiger Tablet.

Each of these wooden tablets was lavishly decorated like a precious treasure…. So they were unmistakably genuine to anyone who saw them.

“……”

“……”

The White Immortal looked at me in disbelief for a long while.

“What are you, Tae Pyeong-ah?”

“…”

I just stood there awkwardly and kept my head down.

“Yo-You’re coming to the Heavenly Dragon Hall?”

It had been a long time since I met Seol Ran.

We had both been extremely busy. Especially during the Heavenly Dragon Festival, she must have been preoccupied with running errands as a maid and going on a great adventure with An Cheon.

Seeing the black pearl ornament tucked behind Seol Ran’s skirt, it seemed that the events of the Heavenly Dragon Festival night had unfolded just as I knew them.

The black pearl of Jangrim that An Cheon gifted her was a rare treasure that could protect its owner from most forms of illusions. Although I don’t think Seol Ran is aware of its powers, just wearing it should render her immune to most illusions.

“Yes, Noonim. I think I’ll have time to visit after the next council meeting.”

“Tae Pyeong-ah is coming to my workplace?! Why couldn’t you come three months later!”

“…What?”

“In three months, I’ll officially become a junior maid! Aah! It would’ve been the perfect opportunity to show off my new maid uniform and my impressive work!”

Given that Seol Ran had spent all her time in the palace as a maid, it was natural for her to yearn for the outfits of the official maids.

Come to think of it, Seol Ran had indeed reached an age where she could assume the position of a regular maid.

It was surprising that Yeon Ri had already attained the rank of a senior maid at her young age. Typically, at Seol Ran’s age, becoming a junior maid was already a sign of considerable skill.

“By the way, why are you coming to the Heavenly Dragon Hall? It’s not a place a warrior of the White Immortal Palace can visit! Is there a problem with the protective charms there?”

“No, it’s not that… I think I will have an audience with the Heavenly Maiden directly.”

“Hmm… wouldn’t that be difficult? Even I who is a member of Heavenly Dragon Hall haven’t seen the Heavenly Maiden in a long time… Her condition has been really poor lately…”

The words of Seol Ran who knew the situation at the Heavenly Dragon Hall better than anyone else were credible.

Still, considering I had gathered all the wooden tablets of the four palaces and the Heavenly Maiden had been strangely attentive to me, it might be possible to see her face briefly.

Then I would take the opportunity and tell her. That the White Immortal was greatly concerned about her condition.

The White Immortal had little time left, and his last worry was the illness of the Heavenly Maiden.

He feared that when he could no longer protect the imperial capital from demonic spirits, the Heavenly Maiden would be overwhelmed by the burden.

With that…. I hope I can get some response.

In truth, it felt somewhat pointless from my perspective.

As I had repeatedly said, Heavenly Maiden Ah Hyun would remain in her place and stay alive until the main story of the Heavenly Dragon Love Story began. I knew this fact in advance, so I was also aware that the White Immortal’s concern was unfounded.

Nevertheless, my objective here was to ease the White Immortal’s worries.

I wanted to make his final moments as comfortable as possible, so I thought it best to do everything I could.

“Anyway…! I was worried when I heard you were badly injured during the Heavenly Dragon Festival, but it seems you’ve recovered completely!”

“If it weren’t for my recovery ability, I’d be a corpse long ago, noonim.”

“Still, you shouldn’t take getting hurt for granted! You know how important your health is!”

Seol Ran jumped down from the porch, made eye contact with me, and started scolding me while grumbling.

She rattled off her usual nagging, saying I relied too much on my strong body and should also take care of myself while maintaining my beliefs.

Indeed, Seol Ran was always confident and energetic in any situation.

I was certain that even if I were to leave Cheongdo Palace, she would manage well on her own.

Yes, that was true.

After the White Immortal passed away, I would have no reason to remain in Cheongdo Palace.

Wandering the world for a while, forgetting about the affection of the crown princess consorts and all, and spending time broadening my horizons… it would be better for me and for this Cheongdo Palace.

Yes, I had made my decision.

Despite everything, I had received a lot of help from the crown princess consorts of the Four Palaces. I should at least thank them.

Once the matter with the Heavenly Maiden was resolved and the final respects for the White Immortal were paid, I would leave Cheongdo Palace.

With that resolve in mind, I left the White Immortal Palace.

And looking up at the high sky, I saw that summer was ending.

Before I knew it, the only remaining seasons were autumn and winter.

Warrior Seol Tae Pyeong. The year of my sixteenth birthday had flown by in a blur.

And… before long… I would completely abandon my plan to leave Cheongdo Palace.

It was all beyond my control.

TN: Easiest task in the world was getting those tablets. lol