Chapter 367

The expressions of the warriors grew tense.

The Cheongangno is the cutting-edge weapon of the Central Plain.

It’s a monstrous contraption that pierces steel plates with incredible tension, and it can fire five steel bars in one charge.

But Makseok just scoffed.

“Ha! A mutt like you is really showing your true colors. How dare you confront this esteemed Makseok who serves the Emperor?”

“The Northern Army also serves the Emperor, you know.”

“You filthy mutts guarding the yard dare to dine with the servants? You pathetic creatures are as expendable as common beasts.”

You just have the rank of a mere Cheonhojang, a rank easily replaceable.

Only the Golden Guards are worthy of the Emperor’s attention.

“That naive fool has never even laid a finger on those barbarian invaders. All bark and no bite, huh? What can a useless bum do but waste food while the dogs guard the house? Is running away the gratitude of the useless?”

Nearby, incompetent fools loitering around, wasting the national treasury, chatter away.

What do the cowards who’ve fled the battlefield know about being servants?

In the midst of this deadly standoff, Qing pondered.

Who said it?

That when enslaved, you boast about your leashes? Was it leashes? Chains? Anklets?

A competition to see who is the Emperor’s faithful dog?

But Qing’s attitude wasn’t right.

Culture is relative, and one must respect differences.

The spirit of Zhonghua can be summarized in two lines.

“Anyone who doesn’t want to be a slave, stand up!”

“If you stand up, nothing will happen!”

Thus, only those wishing to be slaves remained in Zhonghua, making it commonplace for them to flaunt their leashes and shackles as a cultural norm.

The character “shi” (士), meaning gentleman, originally depicted a person lying prostrate on the ground in submission, stretching out their limbs in humility.

It’s a posture known as “Ochetuji,” where the whole front of the body should touch the ground entirely (if done correctly, the forehead would smash into the dirt), representing complete submission.

By the way, the eastern barbarians mistakenly interpret the Ochetuji posture as a deep bow.

So among such lowly beings, even the gentlemen prostrate themselves before dogs.

Therefore, when it comes to bragging about leashes, it’s not just a habit of the Central Plain, but the very essence of Zhonghua.

However, Qing could not understand.

And so, he felt somewhat deflated.

Are we just going to bark words after drawing swords?

Who barks more loyally, hmm? Well, they say barking dogs don’t bite…

But hey, not fighting and retreating is also a decent option.

Two precious goods were loaded onto the cart.

You first make sure they are safe before doing anything else, right?

If only he were healthy, he would have already delivered a thorough beating, but given the wounded spring rights, he couldn’t do that either.

It’s gloomy, very gloomy.

Qing, filled with deep frustration, began to crunch on a sweet potato in anger.

Anger is my strength! I chew through this world like a sweet potato! Ahh, why’s it so hot?

Qing chomped away at the sweet potato as if it was the world.

Makseok, among the Golden Guard’s turbulent forces, was trembling.

He had started an argument only for his own heart to itch, unable to control his rage.

‘How dare you, how dare you…!’

It wasn’t that Makseok’s mind was weak that he trembled.

To him, the general was merely a subordinate and a lowly peasant in his eyes.

Normally, when insulted by someone beneath him, it can really grind his gears.

Comparatively, since the general was just a Cheonhojang, getting insulted by the Golden Guard’s official wouldn’t faze him much.

After all, getting insulted by a bunch of guys who just throw insults around hardly stings.

And so, Makseok couldn’t find anything to grab onto, genuinely looking to cause a scene while keeping his eyes peeled.

And he kept seeing Qing, who was nervously crunching sweet potatoes.

“You, you!”

Makseok instantly recognized Qing.

A bear-like figure buckled in a chest strap, backing the cart—had to be her.

And then, his brain exploded.

“You lot are plotting a revolt, a revolt!”

“Mind your words. Revolt? It seems the Golden Guard is misguided in its attempts to link innocent folks to a revolt for your rise. This isn’t just some baseless rumor.”

“Don’t talk nonsense! Didn’t you just threaten the Golden Guard with a blade through her?”

Makseok pointed accusingly at Qing.

The general followed the finger and let out a heavy sigh, shaking his head.

“That wench? Do you have a problem with your eyesight? Where’s the wench? You’re just grasping at straws now.”

“Ahem. Well said.”

Qing chimed in with a man’s voice.

However, Qing’s voice was still the most charming.

Even trying to make his voice deeper, it was still too sweet and melodious for the ears.

If one thought they heard a man, they might dismiss it as just a softer voice.

But once doubt creeps in, it’s easy to tell it’s a feigned voice.

“Damn it, was that a real woman? No wonder that strong-willed official felt feminine. You were planning to slip away from the start, huh? Official, that’s got nothing to do with our Cheonho.”

“Oh.”

Hold on, the atmosphere suddenly turned hostile.

You’re flaking out on me?

Qing quietly placed a hand on the chest strap.

“Ha, don’t make me laugh! I saw that wench carrying your flag on the cart. Are you telling me you just tossed the regiment’s flag to someone with no ties to you?”

“That’s…”

“That wench dared to ambush the Golden Guard, killing six and severely injuring two! And you still insist you’re not rebels?”

“Speak clearly? We were just pulling the cart peacefully when you attacked us out of nowhere. We thought you were bandits! I clearly heard that scrawny soldier demanding we capture or kill that flag!”

Qing attempted to sow discord.

Made-up story or not, it surprisingly resonated as truth.

The general’s face twisted in response.

“So you mean you attacked because you saw the Dae-sun Army’s flag? Official? What’s going on here? You mean to tell me those who serve the Emperor attacked the Emperor’s troops for no reason?”

“Hmph! I distinctly saw the flames reaching the fire line with my own eyes and ordered a retreat. Despite that, you insolently flapped the flag while trying to run away?”

“Hmm.”

The general let out an uncomfortable groan.

An order to die is still an order, so it was true that they committed an act of disobedience.

With that great concern weighing down, Makseok’s morale lifted.

However, as was evident from Makseok’s words and actions, they were just servants and dogs guarding the Northern Army.

Servants never consider the prospect of being bitten by dogs.

Thus, having thought it was merely the general’s concern, Makseok was sure the momentum was failing.

But unbeknownst to Makseok, the general’s dilemma was different.

If they immediately attacked upon seeing the flag, then for reasons unknown, it became evident that the official harbored a deep-seated hatred for the Dae-sun Army.

If left alive, it could breed trouble.

Even if it meant attacking the Emperor’s closest servants, survival mattered.

Unaware the general was genuinely wrestling with the concept of treason, Makseok stood proudly.

“Yes! You dogs are suspicious beyond belief. Now, answer me this—who were you trying to sneak away with on that cart?”

“…I told you it has nothing to do with the Dae-sun.”

“Really? I bet there are definitely rebels in that cart. Did you know that rebels disguise themselves, bringing henchmen to plot a revolt? That wench is probably one of their rebel henchmen.”

A distinct crease formed between Qing’s eyebrows.

Is he out of his mind, henchmen?

Am I being belittled by someone who’s reached a peak in martial arts due to spilling blood?

“Did you just say it has nothing to do with you? Then prove your innocence by personally executing the traitors.”

Soldiers encircling Qing swiftly took a step back, aiming their spears.

Yeon Pa pushed Jayu into the cart while casting a sharp glance at Qing.

A determined look suggesting she should leave, take Jayu, and flee.

Qing let out a deep sigh.

Now there’s truly no way out.

And so Qing exhaled profoundly and said—

“How dare you? Who do you think you’re looking down on? You daringly kneel before the bloodline of the Emperor.”

“Ha! Now the true colors show! You dare invoke the title of a prince? Oh, please, your master is just a common rebel. Even after death, they wouldn’t lose their title, but tell your master to bow down gracefully.”

Initially, would it even work invoking the authority of a prince on those here to capture Deokhyeon?

Qing naturally understood this.

“You can’t recognize your master even if you had eyes, so it seems I must get you out of the way. The one you’re holding is Yeonsul, the princess who has been favored by you lot. The true heir of the imperial family is right before you—why are you still standing with your knees floating in the air?”

I am the princess of the realm!

Qing’s voice boomed with authoritative reproach.

That’s right! Qing’s true identity was indeed the esteemed bearer of the imperial bloodline, Princess Yeonsul!

A chilling silence enveloped the room.

Caw, caw.

At the opportune moment, hungry winter crows screeched, cutting through the sky.

“…?”

The Golden Guard warriors exchanged glances as if to confirm whether they had truly heard correctly.

“…?”

The Northern Army wore expressions of utter disbelief.

“…!”

Jayu, who had been curled beneath the blanket, looked as if he’d realized something.

Oh my, this wild little brat! A giant like a wild boar! Why didn’t I think of this earlier?

“…Hah.”

Yeon Pa slapped her forehead.

“Oh? What? I’m the princess, you hear? There’s a princess here, and you dare not kneel?”

The two leaders shook their heads slowly.

“You! Um, this wild wench turned out to have some impressive martial prowess—looks like the madness is reaching her head. Tsk, tsk.”

“No wonder she showed great courage; it seems she’s not in the right mind.”

Looks of pity passed between them.

Qing turned around.

They’re saying nobody would believe me just because I’m a princess, right? So disappointing, looking at me like that?

What’s wrong with wanting to act like a princess?

After all, she was a disheveled figure, an oversized fluff with a plump garment awkwardly tumbling to one side.

On top of that, wearing a chest strap.

With a half-eaten raw sweet potato in one hand.

And continuously munching it throughout the dispute like it was a treat.

Plus, everyone gathered here saw the powerful figure of a rickshaw puller.

Now if she were to say she’s a princess, who’d buy that nonsense?

Qing, disregarding her appearance, behavior, and words, felt her anger swell, blood rushing to her head.

Qing turned around and began rummaging through her bag, her movements frantic.

Perhaps she was having trouble finding something; with a tiny, lady-like sound, she flipped the bag over and dug until her head nearly touched the ground.

Everyone watched in disbelief, half-expecting her to try something ridiculous.

Finally, Qing found something and with a swift motion, tossed it through the air toward Makseok.

In a daze, Makseok caught what landed in his hands.

An intricately carved jade medal.

The color drained from Makseok’s face.

A jade medal inscribed with dragons and peacocks.

The dragon has five fingers!

The peacock’s tail feathers number nine!

And braided in six different colors—white, black, red, gold, blue, and the rare color of purple!

This is a symbol that can only be worn by one person in the realm—namely, the beloved Empress, the mother of the entire nation.

Makseok blinked, rubbed his eyes, and even shamelessly touched the emblem with his hands.

“Why is this… why is this real…?”

Because it really is the Empress’s token.

It’s just the heart of a mother thinking of her daughter.

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