Episode 205:
Although he was bedridden due to old age, he was an absolute expert.
I was able to see through this state with just one glance.
I wasn’t embarrassed because it was something I expected.
I pointed in the direction of Dang Sang-jin with a hand gesture and continued my introduction.
“This is Dang Sang-jin Daehyeop, the head of the Taesang family of the Sacheon Dang family.”
“Poison King?”
There was interest in the Beast Palace Lord’s eyes.
The guards leaning against the walls on both sides flinched and trembled their shoulders.
It seemed that the value of the name Sipcheonje was popular even in the martial arts world.
“So, why did the head of the Sacheon branch of the Murim League and the Taesang family of the Tang family come to visit me?”
“I’ll tell you straight. “The Murim Alliance hopes for peace with the Beast Palace.”
“Reconciliation?”
“To be more specific, I hope to sign a treaty stipulating that we will not invade each other’s territory for the next ten years.”
“In short, we want to conclude a non-aggression pact.”
“That’s right. “I think it’s a mutually beneficial proposition.”
“We benefit each other...”
The Beast Palace Lord’s lips drew a line.
A meaningful smile.
He got off the bed with slow movements and stood on the ground.
Hobeop, who was waiting leaning against the wall on the right, quickly approached him and helped him up.
After lying in the hospital bed for a long time, his physical condition did not seem to be very good.
His complexion was pale, his limbs were dry, and his waist was slightly bent.
Because he already had a small physique, he looked even smaller.
‘If you think about it, the Beast Palace Lord’s second son also had a relatively small body.’
It seemed to be a genetic trait.
For an instant, the gazes of the Beast Palace Lord and the Guardian crossed.
It felt like they were having a conversation by sound.
The Beast Princess approached in front of me with slow steps and said, pointing outside the window.
“Let’s change seats.”
“Are you sure you don’t mind? “It looks like you have trouble moving around.”
“Don’t worry about me. “I want to get some fresh air outside after a long time.”
* * *
A pavilion located in the middle of a well-maintained garden.
As I sat down across from the Beast Prince, I took out a small wooden box from my pocket and placed it on the floor.
“First of all, before we start talking in earnest, I would like to give you the gift I have prepared.”
“A gift?”
“Somyeongdan (小明丹). It is a top-class internal medicine that is said to be made only in Wudang Mountain in the central plains. “It is said to be a medicine for internal injuries, but it is also very effective in increasing energy.”
It made no sense for a delegation dispatched by the Murim Alliance to visit the Beast Palace without bringing any gifts.
Since I had visited the Beast Palace to make peace, there was a need to show at least some courtesy.
At first, I thought about preparing a reasonable amount of gold and silver treasures and silk, but then I remembered that the Beast Princess was lying in a sick bed, so I decided to give two pieces of Somyeongdan.
This would save money and show off a lot.
‘It may be a bit of a waste, but if you complete the mission later and report it to the headquarters, you will receive a corresponding reward.’
One of the city guards stationed behind the Beast Palace Lord picked up the wooden box and checked its contents.
“.......”
He nodded silently, closed the lid of the wooden box, and handed it to the Beast Palace Lord.
The Beast Palace Lord put it down on the seat next to him without even checking the contents of the wooden box.
“I will accept the gift gratefully.”
“That’s right. These are the belongings that the assassin had with him. Please check it out.”
As the matter was a serious matter, only the facts had to be conveyed as objectively as possible.
If private opinions were included, it could have acted as a catalyst for conflict.
The guardian who took the summons list earlier accepted the items I offered and delivered them to the Beast Palace Lord.
After examining the items in silence for a while, the Beast Prince sighed and asked.
“Is this the only evidence?”
“There are a few more things. “There is some information obtained by interrogating captured demons, but it would be difficult to gain the palace lord’s trust if I were to convey it verbally here.”
“.......”
“Do you know that a delegation recently went out to subdue the demonic cultists who invaded the territory of the Harel tribe?”
“I heard the story.”
“Why do you think they entered Nanman at this time?”
“...Is it to contact you?”
“That’s right. The destination they were heading to was none other than the Beast Palace. They were trying to contact the fourth son under the order of the Demonic Cult leader. “The schedule went awry and we ended up in conflict with the Harel tribe.”
“Umm... ... .”
Beads of sweat formed on my forehead.
It wasn’t easy for the absolute master to make a decision and apply pressure.
As I was staring at the Beast Palace lord who was lost in worry with a complicated expression, I continued talking as if driving a wedge into my mouth.
“They have captured their leader. “If you want to hear the testimony, let’s bring him here.”
“.......”
The Beast Palace Lord sighed deeply and slowly raised her left hand.
At the same time, the energy that had been irritating my skin disappeared like a lie.
‘I guess I’ll live a little longer.’
I massaged her shoulder with my left hand and quietly observed the Beast Prince’s reaction.
He was immersed in thought while rubbing his chin and opened his mouth with a heavy expression.
“This is not an issue that can be taken lightly.”
“I think the palace lord has some idea of what the demonic lord would have asked for in return for supporting his fourth son.”
“After seizing the hegemony of Nanman, lead your warriors to attack the Wulin army in the central plains. “I would have made roughly that kind of request.”
“If, by any chance, my fourth son ascends to the position of palace guard, the warriors of Southern Manchuria will be driven to the battlefield again before they can even recover from the damage caused by the civil war. “Shouldn’t we avoid such situations?”
“.......”
“If the Beast Palace and the Murim Alliance sign a non-aggression pact, we will be able to prevent the worst situation.”
In order to persuade the Beast Palace Lord, various cases were assumed.
I was worried that he might listen to what I said and still protect his son because we were blood relatives, but fortunately, that didn’t seem to be the case.
‘It worked out somehow.’
There was no difference between Jungwon and Namman in that there was a widespread atmosphere of rejection of Magong and Magyo.
If the Beast Prince was a person with common sense, he would never refuse an offer of peace.
“We recognized the need for a non-aggression pact.”
“If you do...”
“There is just one problem.”
However, the answer given by the Beast Palace Lord was completely different from what I expected.
I tilted my head and asked.
“Are you saying it’s a problem?”
“I’m sorry for betraying your expectations, but right now I don’t have the authority to make peace with the Murim Alliance on my own.”
“...What does that mean?”
You don’t have permission.
If the Beast Palace Lord, the pinnacle of Namman, does not have authority, then who does?
“I mean it literally. “As someone who entrusts the affairs of the palace to the military and stays in a separate room, I cannot represent the Beast Palace.”
A bitter smile appeared on the Beast Palace Lord’s lips.
I ended up making a dumbfounded expression at the unexpected story.
‘What kind of ghost talk is this?’