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Chapter 188. Eight Years of Hardship and Suffering (9)

“Haha, fine. Let’s go inside. His Highness the Crown Prince is waiting.”

Woo-Moon had come to the Forbidden City once before. Granted, it had been to assassinate someone at night, but at any rate, he at least knew more or less where he was going.

However, Yeo-Seol and the others continued to look around in amazement, looking like country bumpkins visiting the bustling city for the first time.

A eunuch looked at Yeo-Seol as if she was an idiot and burst into giggles. Naturally, that did not escape her notice. Blushing in shame, she looked at Woo-Moon with a sullen expression.

“To think they’d laugh at us just for being amazed by a new place, how rude.”

Her appearance resembled Ah Hee at the moment, with a hint of frostiness and arrogance at the same time. However, every single action she took was still so cute to Woo-Moon.

He stroked her head.

“It\'s okay. Why does it matter if others laugh at us or not? Don’t worry, I’ll never laugh at you, Yeo-Seol. And I’ll teach them a lesson if they do that again.”

“Okay, Gege! You’re the best!”

At first, Woo-Moon had deliberately tried to distance himself from Yeo-Seol out of guilt toward Si-Hyeon and Ma-Ra. However, now that he had to accept her, he no longer hid any of his feelings and instead expressed them all.

After a while, they arrived in front of the crown prince’s palace.

There, a group of people were waiting for them.

“Huh?”

Woo-Moon looked surprised as he saw someone in the crowd.

Princess Mok Yong was standing at the very front, and she was blushing.

The princess was dressed in formal attire rather than the traveling clothes that she had worn while out in the Central Plains. Although she was not quite there compared to Ma-Ra and Yeo-Seol, she was still beautiful, especially as she presented herself in the richly embroidered official garment. Moreover, her youth and freshness only added to her beauty.

Although Princess Mok Yong wasn’t saying anything, it was as if she was blatantly expressing her feelings, asking Woo-Moon through her appearance, ‘What do you think about me?’

She looked at Woo-Moon with a wild sparkle in her eyes, her face flushed.

‘I know I’m not dressed up properly when traveling, but there’s no way you won’t fall in love with me when you see me dressed up properly like this!’

Woo-Moon greeted her, speaking respectfully for once.

“I greet the Princess. You’ve become even prettier in the time we’ve been apart.”

Although it was just a casual remark, Princess Mok Yong felt as though she was floating on a cloud, and she was overjoyed.

“Hehe.”

In front of all of the court ladies and eunuchs, Princess Mok Yong laughed and squirmed in a place like a lovestruck girl. The Formless Flying Sword quickly stepped between them, covering her with her body, preventing Woo-Moon from seeing her act in such a distasteful manner.

“The Crown Prince has been waiting. Please come in, Young Hero Song,” she interjected.

“What are you doing? Move!” Princess Mok Yong shouted. However, Yoon Ha-Rin didn’t flinch in the slightest, sending her a voice transmission instead.

—Denied. I told you that if you behaved like this, I would not listen to your orders.

The imperial family supported those who wanted to learn martial arts, even though it wasn’t compulsory, and Princess Mok Yong had been interested in martial arts since she was a child. She had zero combat experience—after all, who would fight a princess in earnest?—but she was technically a Peak Class martial artist, so she could at least use voice transmissions to some extent. Thus, Princess Mok Yong responded in kind.

—Hmph! What am I supposed to do about liking him?! It\'s not like I can control my emotions!

—Young Hero Song is equivalent to the martial father of the gangho. He doesn’t suit you, Princess.[1]

—A Paragon isn’t just the martial father of the gangho. He is someone who can do whatever he wants. Even an Absolute Master can demand any position in the imperial government! Moreover, it’s because he’s a Paragon that Father has called him over to give him an official position!

Princess Mok Yong was, in fact, right, so Yoon Ha-Rin changed her tactics.

—Even so, Young Hero Song already has two women by his side. Are you really willing to become one of his many wives with your status?

—And what’s wrong with that? I’m okay with it! Screw wife, I don’t even mind being a concubine! That’s how much I love him! Furthermore, a Paragon can have as many wives as they want, including princesses! Mother and Father would both welcome him with open arms.

—Hmm...

She was right again. Forget about feeling offended, both the emperor and the crown prince would cry in joy and thank the heavens if the only price for having a Paragon on their side was marrying her off.

But, Yoon Ha-Rin, who considered Princess Mok Yong as her own little sister, didn’t want her to marry Woo-Moon. After all, the life of a martial artist was the furthest thing from stability and safety.

Even with Woo-Moon being a Paragon, a single slip-up could cost him his life. Moreover, wasn’t Woo-Moon trying to fight a massive force like Martial Heaven?

Suddenly, she had a great idea.

—Yes, I guess you’re right. But what if Young Hero Song doesn’t like you back?

Princess Mok Yong felt her heart sink, and her face turned pale.

‘W-what do I do if he really doesn’t like me back? What am I supposed to do?’

However, she quickly composed herself.

—N-no, that can’t be! I’m going to become the crown princess soon, and I’m this pretty! Do you really think he can turn me down when I’m this accomplished? Young Hero Song is still a man, after all, and there’s no way he’ll turn me down. Yeah, there’s no way!

—Would you really still like Woo-Moon if he really was someone who’d accept women just because they’re pretty?

Yoon Ha-Rin finally looked triumphant, confident of her victory.

However, she still hadn’t realized how deeply and blindly Princess Mok Yong already loved Woo-Moon.

—Yes! I don’t care, even if he did collect women based on their beauty.

Yoon Ha-Rin, who was yet to find someone she could even start to consider eligible to be her husband, was completely dumbfounded. Princess Mok Yong was not only shattering her expectations, but also every bit of common sense and propriety.

Woo-Moon, who was waiting for them to finish, finally interjected.

“Umm... Can I go in now?”

Woo-Moon felt extremely uncomfortable right now. Not because the two women’s conversation was too long, but because he had overheard every bit of it.

As a Paragon, he was able to perfectly sense and control the movement of all qi around him and could thus hear any and all transmissions of those around him, apart from those of other Paragons or peak Absolute masters.

‘Why does Princess Mok Yong like me so much... hmm.’

It seemed like more troublesome things would happen in the future.

He had been reluctant to hold an official position within the imperial government previously, assuming that it would be a hassle. However, he had come on this trip to the imperial government having reconsidered his position, thinking that it would be helpful in his future battle against Martial Heaven.

However, Princess Mok Yong’s feelings were like a foreshadowing of something much more troublesome.

Yoon Ha-Rin remembered where they were and hastily spoke up.

“Let’s go in. Oh, by the way, we have to ask everyone other than Young Hero Song to wait in the reception room, as the Crown Prince has asked to meet Young Hero Song alone.”

Yeo-Seol felt it was a pity. But, since it was something they couldn\'t do anything about, Woo-Moon just comforted her.

“I’m sorry. It won’t be much fun, anyway. Wait for me here; I’ll finish things quickly.”

It wasn’t that Yeo-Seol felt that it was a pity she couldn’t get to meet the Crown Prince. Rather, she was just sad because she didn\'t want to be separated from Woo-Moon, even for a moment.

After walking a little further, Yeo-Seol, the Ten Swords of the North Sea, and Yu Yu entered the reception room.

As Woo-Moon tried to walk forward again, the Formless Flying Sword stopped him.

“What is it? Aren’t we supposed to hurry?”

Then, Yoon Ha-Rin pointed to the empty space above Woo-Moon.

“That young lady should be somewhere by your side, right? She has to stay here, too.”

“Ahem. Well, let’s not be too stiff about the rules... Moreover, it’s not like His Highness even knows Ma-Ra exists anyway.”

However, Yoon Ha-Rin didn’t back down.

Seeing her not move, Ma-Ra suddenly appeared in front of Woo-Moon.

“Woo-Moon and I are one unit. We go together no matter what.”

Woo-Moon was somewhat embarrassed when he heard Ma-Ra openly say that they were one unit.

“M-Ma-Ra, you...”

Had she gotten corrupted by his shamelessness?

Although Yoon Ha-Rin felt flustered, she didn’t let it show and kept her face expressionless, while Princess Mok Yong blushed for some reason.

‘I’m jealous. I wish I could have a relationship like that with Young Master Song.’

Yeo-Seol, who was watching the situation from outside the reception room, was stimulated by Ma-Ra’s bold words and jumped up. Then, she also went and stood next to Woo-Moon.

“Me too! I’m also one with Gege, so where he goes, I go!”

Seeing Yeo-Seol also burst out like that, Princess Mok Yong could feel the urge to do the same. Eventually, she succumbed to her impulsive thoughts and tried to step forward. However, Yoon Ha-Rin noticed her intentions first, and using her Absolute Qi, she prevented Princess Mok Yong from taking a single step.

—Please show some self-respect!

“Hmph.”

After stopping her annoying little sister, Yoon Ha-Rin shook her head with a stern look.

“Absolutely not. Young Hero Song, you must go in alone.”

After looking at Ma-Ra and Yeo-Seol with a slightly embarrassed expression, Woo-Moon then put on a straight face and nonchalantly said, “Then, there’s nothing we can do. I’ll just go back now.”

Yoon Ha-Rin’s jaw dropped as Woo-Moon turned around and made to leave the room.

“W-wait!”

“What is it?”

Yoon Ha-Rin bit her lip for a moment before turning around and heading to the Crown Prince\'s chambers.

“I’ll ask him first and return. Please wait for a moment.”

“Well, fine. Okay.”

As Woo-Moon passed the time telling jokes to Ma-Ra and Yeo-Seol, Yoon Ha-Rin quickly returned.

“He has given you permission. Please enter.”

So Woo-Moon, Ma-Ra, and Yeo-Seol entered the Crown Prince\'s chambers.

The Crown Prince was a man in his mid-thirties with an extremely handsome appearance, a clear explanation as to where Princess Mok Yong\'s beauty had come from.

He stood up with great enthusiasm as soon as Woo-Moon entered.

“So you’re the rumored Undefeatable Sword Hero! It’s nice to meet you.”

“I greet His Highness the Crown Prince.”

Although he had shown proper etiquette to Princess Mok Yong, Woo-Moon only cupped a fist in a strong-willed manner to the crown prince.

‘As expected, I can’t. I don’t feel like kneeling before a man.’

The only men to whom Woo-Moon could even consider kneeling were his deceased grandfather, his father, and the one he considered his master, the old Daoist Immortal.

The crown prince’s and Yoon Ha-Rin\'s expressions turned strange, while as Princess Mok Yong pranced to the crown prince\'s side with a gentle gait as Woo-Moon cupped a fist.

"How—”

Just as Yoon Ha-Rin was about to yell at Woo-Moon for his audacity, the crown prince burst into laughter, interrupting her.

“Hahahaha! That’s how a man ought to be! I like you even more now. Then, I’ll also greet you in the gangho manner,” the crown prince said, cupping his fist.

It looked somewhat awkward; clearly, he had never done it before. Even so, Woo-Moon thought that it was pretty impressive of the crown prince to humble himself in order to settle a situation that could easily lead to a breakdown in relations.

The soon-to-be emperor pulled out a chair and sat down, offering Woo-Moon and the two girls a seat as well.

“Now, let’s sit.”

After everyone was seated, the crown prince began the conversation with a smile.

“I’m so excited and happy to be able to meet the hero who solved the issue of the Cruel Sandstorm Riders in person. Moreover, I was surprised to see that you are wiser and more mature than I had heard.”

“I appreciate the compliment. However, I wasn’t the only one who participated in the extermination of the Cruel Sandstorm Riders. The Kunlun Sect, the North Sea Ice Palace, and Princess Mok Yong were also incredibly helpful.”

Hearing Woo-Moon praise her, Princess Mok Yong became even more excited, squirming in place as she blushed.

The crown prince wasn’t an oblivious person and could immediately understand how his daughter felt.

‘You little brat. And here I thought that she would stay a child her whole life. To think that the day would come when she would fall in love like this. Well, considering who he is, it makes sense.’

Grumbling to himself, the crown prince turned to Ma-Ra and Yeo-Seol, who were sitting on either side of Woo-Moon.

“So, are these two fairies your wives?”

Ma-Ra stayed expressionless at the question while Yeo-Seol turned bright red.

1. The emperor is called the father of the nation, and in turn, the strongest person in the murim can be called the martial father of the realm.He has the same status as the emperor himself, so it wouldn’t make sense for him to lower his status by marrying the emperor’s granddaughter. ☜