Chapter 143

A pure white-haired beauty, the princess of the North Sea Ice Palace.


Seol Wonhwa followed Sososo, who came to see Sima Mantian.


She excitedly shared her heroic tales.


“The evil Demon Sect caused fires everywhere, but my Ice Divine Palm went ‘Pwah-pwah-pwah-pwah!’ and pushed them back! And my brother too! ‘Pwah-pwah-pwah-pwah!’ unleashed his cold energy!”


Her golden eyes sparkled as she chattered.


“You should’ve seen Sima Mantian too! A white snowstorm heading towards the Demon Sect! Pwah-pwah-pwah-pwah!”


In summary, it was all ‘Pwah-pwah-pwah-pwah-pwah!’


Well, she looked happy, so it didn’t matter much.


Sososo smiled apologetically at Sima Mantian.


“Prince Sima, I’m sorry for visiting while you were resting.”


“No, I also wanted to see Namgung Nuna and Wolhwa.”


Not Namgung Hyung, but Nuna.


A faint blush spread across Sososo’s cheeks as she quietly repeated the title Sima Mantian used.


“Nuna…”


Only when they were alone or with Wolhwa, who knew Sososo’s situation, but still, it made her happy.


Her toes wiggled unconsciously.


“I heard you did great against the Blood Church. The Martial Alliance will likely contact you soon.”


The Martial Alliance leader who favors Sima Mantian.


With Jaro Grandpa around, it shouldn’t be a problem…


Sososo’s eyes briefly turned cold.


If the Martial Alliance factions who dislike Sima Mantian try to downplay his achievements, she would use her family’s influence to ensure he gets the recognition he deserves.


Though she usually dislikes flaunting her family’s power…


Sososo, who naturally exudes courtesy and humility in her words and actions, but when combined with the domineering education she received from Namgung Cheon as a child and her feelings for Sima Mantian…


She turns into a little tyrant when it comes to matters involving Sima Mantian.


And Sima Mantian, who at least noticed Sososo’s softness towards him, had planned to consult her today about his Thunder God Technique’s breakthrough and the Ten Thousand Swords’ Pure Hook.


But due to Wolhwa, who was rolling around in the snow like a baby seal, he decided to consult her later.


“But I can’t just lose like this! I’ll return to the North Sea Ice Palace and train!”


In the martial world, the North Sea Ice Palace is roughly Lake Baikal.


It takes an age to go back and another to return, so if she leaves now, they might not meet again.


“Of course, you can’t stay in the Martial Alliance forever. …Given the distance, it’ll be hard to meet, but let’s definitely meet again someday.”


As I prepared to bid farewell with a wistful look.


“Uh… I get that you’re sad about parting with me…”


Wolhwa looked both happy and made a strange expression.


“But you can come and go by boat. It’s not like we can’t meet.”


“Huh? Boat?”


Is there a boat route from Lake Baikal to the Central Plains? Isn’t it just the Mongolian desert and grasslands?


“Yes, there’s a boat route from the North Sea to the Central Plains.”


When I made a puzzled expression, Sososo and Wolhwa, finding it odd, showed me a map.


Thinking about it, I’ve only seen maps of the Central Plains.


This was the first time I saw a map including such remote regions.


…And it defied my common sense.


A long river route from Lake Baikal, cutting through the Mongolian grasslands and desert, leading directly to Yangzhou in the west, close to the sea—the North Sea.


“Uh… this is…”


Staring blankly at the map, which showed a completely different geography from what I knew.


“Hehe~ You seem shocked by the North Sea’s grandeur. It’s even more impressive in person.”


Wolhwa proudly chattered, her eyes sparkling.


“Legend says it’s a gift from the North Sea Dragon King.”


Long ago, in ancient times.


The four dragon kings ruling the seas—East, West, South, and North. The North Sea Dragon King, Oh Soon, fell in love with a woman from the Ice Palace.


At her request, Oh Soon personally created the river route.


A gift to the Ice Palace, which struggled to interact with the Central Plains due to the desert and grasslands.


“………”


A sigh escaped from deep within my heart.


‘Ah~ Guhae’s father! Father-in-law! It’s you again!’


Changing the terrain because of love!? Seriously, out of control!!


Even though she fell into the water, taking Guhae’s mother straight to the dragon palace…


People… no, dragons are really out of control.


Well, thanks to that, I could meet Guhae…


Anyway, it made me realize once again how different this world is from what I knew.


After that, Wolhwa talked about the North Sea Ice Palace’s scenery.


She insisted we go sightseeing and have fun together later, then prepared to leave.


Of course, before Sososo stepped out the door.


“I have something to discuss with you two later.”


I whispered secretly from behind, making a promise to consult about the Thunder God Technique.


I’ll visit again later.


“Just the two of us… secretly…”


I bowed my head, muttering, and saw Sososo blushing and Wolhwa waving her hand proudly at the gate.


“Then, I guess I’ll train for now.”


I walked towards the garden, now turned into a training ground, leaning on my cane.


A cute face with pretty green eyes.


A cute literary girl with a healthy figure hidden under her fluttering skirt.


I ran into Poong Ran.


“Ah! Poong Ran!”


I raised my hand and greeted her cheerfully.


“Ah…”


Poong Ran flinched and ran away.


***


Poong Ran, who ran away from Sima Mantian, placed her hand on her chest and quietly exhaled.


“Haa… I ran away.”


But she couldn’t bring herself to face Sima Mantian.


She couldn’t talk to him like before. She didn’t feel worthy of having a cheerful conversation.


When she was kidnapped by a Blood Church executive…


She was really happy when Sima Mantian came to rescue her like a prince on a white horse.


But because of that…


Sima Mantian was badly injured. Covered in wounds.


“………”


He almost lost his life. And…


‘I’m not a princess.’


The small folded wings inside her clothes drooped down.


When she was emotional, being held in Sima Mantian’s arms felt good, but as time passed…


She realized again.


She couldn’t help the Young Master, got kidnapped, and only caused trouble relying on his kindness.


She had no right to stay by his side.


A mere supporting character shouldn’t stay by the protagonist’s side.


As she thought these foolish thoughts.


“Poong Ran, let’s talk for a bit.”


A seemingly ordinary servant, actually Sima Mantian’s guard and Iron Bee, Jang Sambong, approached.


Though they appeared to be just acquaintances.


Since Jang Sam often brought her home when learning under Poong Baek, she knew Jang Sam’s true gender was female.


They were somewhat close privately.


“Ah… yes.”


So Poong Ran nodded and followed Jang Sam.


Unaware of the Sima Family’s despicable trap.


In a quiet clearing.


Jang Sam made a somewhat awkward expression and spoke.


“Ran, be careful. There’s talk behind your back.”


“…Huh?”


Poong Ran’s eyes widened at Jang Sam’s sudden words.


A direct warning from Jang Sam, a close aide to the Sima Family Head.


Countless thoughts raced through her mind.


…Well, it was only natural.


As a daughter of a subordinate family of the Sima Family, she endangered the Young Master.


And on top of that, her presumptuous feelings.


It was inevitable that there would be talk.


“Hiiing~!”


And now, she actually heard the sound of a horse.


“Huh?”


A horse’s neigh? Poong Ran blinked.


Clip-clop~ Clip-clop~!


The sound of hooves echoed as Sima Mantian rode into the clearing on a splendid brown horse, and Jang Sam, finding it absurd, chuckled and said to Sima Mantian.


“See? Totally a kid… I brought the horse as promised. Satisfied?”


“Hahaha! Totally satisfied.”


I got off the horse and approached Poong Ran, who was frozen with wide eyes.


“Poong Ran, I’m kidnapping you.”


“Huh? Huh?”


I picked her up and sat her on the horse’s saddle.


When running from a wolf, the worst thing to do is show your back and run.


I got back on the horse.


Reaching out to hold the reins, I naturally embraced Poong Ran’s slender body.


Capturing the cute chick who dared to run away from me.


“Young Master! Let me down!”


Flustered by the sudden situation, Poong Ran blushed and flailed.


“No, I won’t let you down.”


Sima Mantian refused with a self-satisfied smile.


“Ran, I don’t do push-and-pull.”


If you take a step back, I’ll take two steps forward.


“If you run, I’ll chase you as far as you run.”


Poong Ran had her own worries, but regardless.


It was about time to make it clear to her.


Once you’re involved with me, you can’t escape, I’ll never let you go.


It’s trashy talk, but…


I’m trash, so I’ll do it.


Poong Ran is already a member of my harem.


“I heard from Jang Sam. You’re going to thank Mo Yongbok today. He’s not dangerous but a bit odd, so I’ll go with you.”


I whispered kindly in her ear, offering her a chest to lean on.


“…Yes.”


Poong Ran couldn’t refuse. She bowed her head deeply, enduring her embarrassment, and nodded quietly.


And Jang Sam, who watched the whole scene from the side.


Felt a mix of emotions and quietly thought to herself.


‘Just the other day, you were all gloomy and getting comforted by me! And now you’re already flirting with a girl!?’


Jang Sam’s feelings were complicated.