Chapter 365

There are moments in life when time seems to come to a screeching halt, stretching an instant (the blink of an eye) into what feels like eternity.

This could be in the face of life-threatening danger, or when someone or something more precious than life itself is at risk.

Or perhaps, when one has fallen head over heels in love.

Such was the miraculous moment that came to Ryu Mangyeok (a member of the Golden Guard’s special troop, thirty-seven years old, married) as he arrived at the warehouse, wondering if there might be a beautiful woman inside due to the stirring sounds from within.

As the woman turned around, perhaps mistaking him for someone she knew, a warm smile lit up her face and seemed to etch itself into his eyes.

That moment dragged on as if it were perpetual.

A true beauty is beautiful from every angle; here stood the world’s most stunning maiden, slowly turning in the endlessly prolonged time.

Her sizeable eyes, which seemed to plunge into oblivion, were adorned with long, delicate lashes that waved like petals, greeting him from above and below.

Ryu Mangyeok could only stand there, feeling utterly lost, staring blankly.

For him, it was a tremendously dramatic moment.

For Qing, it was not.

What’s with this guy?

I thought he was free-spirited, but instead, a clueless dude is just standing there gaping like a fool, his eyes glazed over and his expression a dazed mess locked onto my face.

Though he’d disguised himself with a hat and scarf while pulling the cart, swimming in the river left his face exposed and drenched, revealing his true self.

Qing knew she was pretty.

But just how devastating her beauty could be—especially the impact it could have on a man’s heart and mind—she had no idea.

Only a slack-jawed expression hinted that he knew she wasn’t a resident here.

Such a dapper fellow wearing silk in this rustic village was simply a rarity. Especially if he carried a sword.

When Qing’s expression darkened, Ryu Mangyeok finally snapped out of his daze.

*Cough* Ahem, Young Lady. This warrior isn’t a bad man. Please, don’t glare at me like that.

“Have you seen anyone claim they’re bad and *actually* be bad? Ah, plenty of them do.”

Those scoundrels take pride in their wickedness.

Thanks to that, Qing had seen her share of poor fellows who were bragging about their sins only to get themselves into trouble right in front of her.

Of course, numbers don’t lie.

Qing’s gaze drifted to the three characters floating above the warrior’s head.

Given the density of these characters, she could at least make out the number one.

But the first character indicating his status was so densely weighted that it surely exceeded one hundred ninety-nine points.

“Well, anyway, who are you?”

“I am Ryu Mangyeok of the Jeongjeong Ryu clan. Might you be aware of the Jeongjeong Ryu clan?”

“Is that a famous family?”

“Indeed. While it may sound like boasting, we are one of the renowned families of Beijing, owning a manor with one hundred fourteen rooms, the prime estate in the Jeongjeong area. Moreover, I own seven rooms in Beijing.”

What is this? Bragging? Is he seriously boasting about himself?

“And I’m with the Golden Guard’s special forces.”

Ryu Mangyeok introduced himself like that.

Honestly, if you’re at the level of the Golden Guard, an introduction is basically already a pickup line.

Great family, residing in the capital, holding status, having a generous salary, with work that relies on being outdoors more than at home.

Truly the cream of the crop for a suitor!

Yet Qing’s expression stayed sour.

So what do you want from me?

And wasn’t the Golden Guard the same bunch that had chased us earlier with murder in their eyes?

Seeing Qing’s expression, Ryu Mangyeok realized he might have come off the wrong way.

Is this someone who has no idea just how impressive we are because she lives in a village?

“The Golden Guard consists of the finest generals who serve only the Emperor’s commands. I happen to be a special forces officer among the elite; it’s as easy as breathing to get promoted.”

Qing looked at Ryu Mangyeok.

This guy didn’t come here alone, did he?

He had quite a few people with him earlier; where did they all go?

In this state, is it even possible to escape? That fuming guy with the fire in his hands was probably a master of transformation; one-on-one might work, but now they’ve got backup, and I’m all alone here.

“There’s no need to be on guard. Honestly speaking, I fell for you at first sight. Will you be my wife?”

Qing’s eyes bulged at this.

A sudden marriage proposal upon first meeting?

In a pumpkin storage shed, no less?

What the heck? Is he a fool?

It would be more accurate to say he treats Qing like she’s a naive fool, thinking she’d shed tears of joy and followed him because he offered to take her as a wife instead of a concubine.

Goosebumps prickled down her spine.

Regardless, it was a good opportunity to gauge the current situation.

While exploring the truth through physical contact could be far more pleasurable, it took a long time and the trustworthiness of that information is not exactly high.

“Hmm, we are just meeting for the first time; how could you know to suddenly tease a young lady like me?”

“Ah! I didn’t even ask for your name. My apologies. Might I have the honor of learning your esteemed name?”

With that, Qing brightened, responding,

“I’m Unyeonjeong, sometimes known as Jinju’s Unyeonjeong.”

Now it was a name that flowed out without hesitation.

—-

For the rare occasion of selling Unyeonjeong’s name, it didn’t bring any satisfaction.

Because when Ryu Mangyeok legs it to the afterlife and tells King Yama, “Unyeonjeong killed me! That bad girl!” it would likely be recorded as “died from shock due to multiple fractures and organ damage inflicted by Seomun Qing.”

Yet one should always confirm before crossing the bridge.

Even if he was a guy destined to die anyway, Qing showed remarkable caution by using a pseudonym to protect herself against any unforeseen dangers.

Though it might have looked as if Ryu Mangyeok was trying to butter her up, falling into his own trap.

At least that path felt relieving to take.

Currently, there were twenty-four members of the Golden Guard near the North Gate.

Two were heavily injured, leaving twenty-three, with a master of transformation among them, five supreme masters, and the remaining seventeen were peak masters.

All of them have been graced by the Emperor’s special favor, which Qing knew meant they’ve been subjected to some blood-sucking sorcery that toughened them up.

The warrior said they were trained in the Huang Eunsung Blood Technique.

It apparently comes from the genuine blood of the Emperor, a supreme blessing, bestowed only on the highest-level experts.

The other warriors allegedly participated in the Huang Eun Bang Blood Technique, which meant their blessings were inferior but derived from royal blood nonetheless.

This is why those warriors are grouped as special forces.

But seriously, is royal blood like some magical elixir? Can I just drink mine and toughen up?

Yet according to Grandpa Dook, the Grand Elder of the Tang Family, wasn’t it originally the nefarious technique of the Blood Sect?

They said the essence of human blood was collected and mixed, so one could deduce that they sprinkle in a drop of royal blood for effect.

Similarly, they’ve probably stolen martial arts and twisted their names into these royal techniques.

So, with bodies fortified through such macabre practices, and possessing those powers that rendered women almost senseless, those warriors’ loyalty must be through the roof.

While I have no desire to ponders on such grotesqueries, a warrior who boasts about it in front of women is utterly lost.

No wonder when they haul their carts, their wicked deeds are stuffed into those carts too; they’re all bunch of lowlifes that deserve to die.

But aside from that, the warriors’ capabilities are far from average.

Of course, they’ve been slowed down due to the side effects of those techniques.

Initially, there were thirty-one men struggling to keep up with a single cart, sounding like a serious side effect.

But thanks to that, Qing’s complexion turned serious.

Side effects or not, when a crowd of robust guys charges at you, you’re still out of luck.

“The Golden Guard has infiltrated the village. (Chomp chomp) We managed to catch one, but we’re out of time, so we need to get out right now. Ugh, how can sweet potatoes taste this good raw? Are they the pumpkin kind?”

Qing said, her expression somber, chewing on raw sweet potatoes.

She had no time for roasted sweet potatoes, so she made do with them raw instead.

Even though the situation was serious, seeing her munching on sweet potatoes made it feel oddly unreal.

Yeon Pa thought.

Well, hmm, maybe it’s to stock up energy?

To save Wang Ya, she’s even saving time by devouring raw sweet potatoes…

But that can’t be right.

Just earlier, she had cooked a pot of porridge overflowing with ingredients and devoured more than half, and now she’s chewing on raw sweet potatoes like that.

Trying to give her any points with that thought, Yeon Pa found it impossible, giving up that notion altogether.

With just a little water left in the glass, clinging to the thought that at least there’s still something, no matter how scant; but being in a completely dried-up state surely has its limits.

“So, what are your plans?”

“I plan to just sneak out. They mentioned heading to the northern Suyong County, so if we go around the mountain’s foot to the west, we should be fine.”

It was a rather simple plan to sneak away while the Golden Guard took a break.

“I happened to bring a cart with me.”

At this, free-spirited and Yeon Pa turned pale.

Again? Another cart?

And then Qing grinned.

“Ah, this time, I’ll make sure it’s comfortable. Don’t hate it too much. Just throw a mattress on it and cover it with blankets.”

With that, Yeon Pa snapped back to reality.

Is now really the time for complaints about the cart?

“Wait, you’re going to pull another cart? With a mattress on it?”

“Well, it’d be better for you to recover, and it’d be more comfortable for you too, right?”

With this, moisture welled up in Yeon Pa’s eyes.

That persistent talk of recovery!

How could a woman born into this life take joy in pulling a cart like a donkey?

It would not be strange to feel seething rage for being treated like a mare or a cow while vowing vengeance while scowling away.

Yet here she was, volunteering for the task.

Even in this weakened state.

How can one’s heart be so pure and beautiful?

The new lady’s heartfelt intentions earned a hundred points.

Jayu could still faintly recall the alabaster back of Qing whenever he closed his eyes.

Surely, it would not be easy to forget that vision, one of the most beautiful sights in his life.

Yet tied with that image was the ghastly wound to her side, like a putrid sweet potato inflated as big as a pumpkin (now confirmed by the lingering sight of the sweet potatoes).

And yet, there was no other option to consider.

Having already lost several subordinates who felt like family, he did not wish to lose Yeon Pa as well.

This was truly the depth of his helplessness.

A thick shadow loomed over Jayu’s expression.

“Hmm. Friend, I’m sorry. I can’t refuse because Yeon Pa is in such a poor state.”

“Ah, what do you mean by friend?”

“A friend, huh….”

“Alright then, let’s pack up the things. I’ll put just a mattress on the cart, so you need to prep for adjustments as well. I reckon it won’t be as sturdy as a military cart…”

Making adjustments to the cart isn’t that hard.

Because Qing’s strength isn’t called the best in the world for no reason; she’s the kind of girl who would make even the mighty General Han Yu blush.

Adding in the prowess of the budding carpenter, without needing tools, adjusting a cart is a piece of cake.

Thus, the cart designed for optimal sitting comfort was born.

“This is surprisingly…”

“This girl has a remarkable knack. Well, any skill is a good thing.”

Ten points were added for the new lady’s skills.

Nevertheless, it seemed the cargo was satisfactory.

However, whether it was due to the relentless hardships it faced or an unforeseen curse of Cart One—

Or perhaps he became engrossed in the modifications, making it a bit too elaborate, the instances of preparing for something often lead to it never being used.

As soon as Cart One was ready, they exited through the South Gate only to run smack into a heavily armed army.

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