Became a God-Level M Chapter 233 : The Princess's Banquet (2)

Chapter 233: The Princess's Banquet (2)

The princess looked at Jin Seong-un with a face of intrigue and asked,

"You're young, handso, and even strong—so why are you wasting your life running an inn?"

It was a question asked out of genuine curiosity.

But depending on how one took it, it could easily be seen as an insult, which caused several mbers of the Orthodox Faction, including Sama Baek, to show uncomfortable expressions.

The person in question, Jin Seong-un, however, answered nonchalantly.

"Running a business is hard enough as it is. There are always people interfering."

As he said that, he briefly glanced toward Ha Joo-myeong.

After all, the greatest obstacle to the Seong-un Inn at the mont was none other than that unlucky face, Ha Joo-myeong.

Ha Joo-myeong smiled subtly, as if sothing amused him, and Jin Seong-un stared back at him with emotionless eyes.

Sensing the strange atmosphere between the two, the princess spoke.

"You’ve t Ha Joo-myeong before, haven’t you?"

"Yes, we have."

"I’d like to see those within the comrcial world getting along."

It was almost a command. Her tone implied that even others’ relationships were hers to shape at will.

Of course, any ordinary person would lower their head and obey without question—but Jin Seong-un was widely considered anything but ordinary.

"I don’t want to."

A brief silence filled the room.

In that stillness, voice transmissions between mbers of the Orthodox Faction buzzed more actively than ever.

– H-Hey, Poison Lord. Is that guy insane?

– Hoho, a man should at least have that much backbone.

To soone’s question, the Poison Lord of the Tang Clan replied while outwardly suppressing a laugh.

Voice transmissions poured toward the Chief Strategist as well.

– Chief Strategist, how on earth are you planning to bring such a dangerous fellow into the Murim Alliance?

– It’s not sothing I can do just because I want to.

– I an, seeing how he’s acting in front of the princess, it doesn’t look like he’d listen to even the Alliance Leader or you.

– Hohoho...

Sama Baek, instead, found the whole thing pleasing and simply responded with a chuckle.

While the Orthodox mbers busily shared opinions, the princess asked again.

"You don’t want to? Tell

why."

"Because he treats human life as if it’s nothing. A rchant should deal in people’s hearts. That man is no rchant."

Jin Seong-un had a talent for calmly delivering blunt criticisms.

Everyone anxiously waited for the princess’s reaction.

But contrary to their concerns, the princess didn’t seem particularly bothered.

"So, it seems you and I differ in opinion. Well, how could I possibly force soone’s heart? Do as you will."

She soon appeared to lose interest in Jin Seong-un.

Feeling sowhat relieved, Jin Seong-un scanned the hall once more.

His master, the rchant King, had said the treasure was hidden in the emperor’s chambers. But given the passage of ti, there was no guarantee. Therefore, he planned to thoroughly inspect every possible location.

With Sama Baek and other powerful martial artists present, he carefully controlled his sensory qi.

Then, suddenly, he made eye contact with a man quietly standing behind the princess, a little ways off—like a shadow.

‘Hmm...’

Jin Seong-un silently let out a low hum.

He had clearly seen the man enter with the princess, yet had completely forgotten his presence for a while.

For soone as highly skilled as Jin Seong-un to forget the presence of another expert in the sa space—such things were rare.

The implication was clear.

This man’s level was so high that he could erase his own presence completely.

‘Is he even human?’

He resembled a well-carved wooden doll to the point where such a thought ca naturally.

Even when he heightened his senses, nothing changed.

The man himself was far too silent.

There was no sound of breathing, no heartbeat, no hint of presence.

Though he was in plain sight, he seed like soone who’d disappear the mont one closed their eyes.

It was hard to gauge his odds of winning against such a figure—he had to be at least in the Huajing realm.

However, none of the Twenty-Seven Stars of the World, who represented Huajing-level experts, included anyone from the imperial palace. In other words, the imperial court’s true strength was completely shrouded in mist.

‘Well, of course.’

His master, the Noble Enchantress, and others had voiced their concerns about the imperial court’s danger many tis.

Even if the palace was a snake pit crawling with schers, no one would worry so much unless it also had powerful martial artists.

Just as Jin Seong-un nodded to himself—

"His Highness the Crown Prince arrives!"

Everyone stood up at once.

After all, the crown prince was destined to one day ascend the Dragon Throne. Technically speaking, he was an even higher authority than the princess, who was the current power within the imperial family.

Even Jin Seong-un's eyes flashed with interest. He had heard from Lee Seowon that the one behind the hot springs trading district was none other than the current crown prince.

All eyes turned to the door, and soon the massive doors parted to reveal a figure.

‘...Younger than I thought.’

That was Jin Seong-un’s impression.

He’d heard from Lee Seowon that the crown prince was around ten, but from appearances alone, he looked barely different from Choe Jeong-myeong, who was only seven.

"I heard there was a banquet, so why wasn’t I invited? I feel left out!"

The crown prince’s voice was cheerful as he strode confidently across the banquet hall. While everyone bowed deeply, a cool voice cut through the air.

"Crown Prince, open your mouth."

With their heads bowed, most couldn’t tell what kind of conversation this was supposed to be.

After a mont of silence, the princess continued.

"Are you ignoring my words now?"

"N-No, that’s not it..."

"Open your mouth."

At her command, the crown prince hesitantly opened his mouth, revealing a piece of candied fruit he hadn’t finished eating.

The princess let out a long sigh of irritation.

"I’ve told you ti and again—no sweets at this hour. Soone who cannot control even a minor craving like this—how could they possibly bear the burden of an empire in the future?"

Each of the princess’s words stabbed into the crown prince like a dagger.

His spirit deflated imdiately, and he hung his head.

Everyone’s minds raced.

Sama Baek believed the princess was intentionally displaying this side of herself.

To show who the true authority in this nation was—who had the power to discipline even the crown prince.

Technically speaking, the princess had no right to impose bans upon the crown prince.

The crown prince was, after all, the future emperor. Except for the current emperor, everyone else should be bowing their heads to him.

However, with the emperor bedridden and the only other royal being a sister almost twenty years his senior, the princess was acting as regent.

In other words, she was both the crown prince’s sister and his guardian in place of their parents.

In a Confucian state, no one could interfere with a guardian disciplining a child of the clan.

"Spit it out."

The princess held her palm before the crown prince’s mouth. Internally, everyone was shocked.

No matter what, treating him like a re child in front of everyone was borderline disrespectful to the crown prince.

But no one present could stop the princess.

After a brief hesitation, the crown prince spat the candy into her hand.

With a displeased face, the princess set it aside and said,

"The comrcial world and Murim are things the crown prince must also learn to govern. Watch closely. Quietly."

The crown prince, who had entered so energetically, now sat ekly beside the seat the princess provided.

"Please, continue."

Only then did everyone straighten their backs and return to their seats.

The crown prince watched everyone—especially the martial artists—with great curiosity.

However, the Orthodox mbers including Sama Baek avoided eye contact with him. They instinctively sensed the princess wouldn’t take kindly to it.

Only one man held the crown prince’s gaze without turning away.

Of course, it was Jin Seong-un.

Suddenly, the crown prince asked the princess,

"Sister, why is that man sitting all alone, way off in that corner?"

"Because he’s a lowly man."

"He doesn’t look that way to . And if he were truly lowly, I don’t think you’d have allowed him in here..."

When the princess glared, the crown prince promptly shut his mouth.

She continued,

"It was due to the repeated pleas of the Murong Clan Head. And also because he recently uncovered and suppressed a plot by the Demonic Cult."

The princess subtly refrad the collusion between the Demonic Cult and the Myriad Gold Manor as a re sche by the Demonic Cult.

While everyone was still mulling over the princess’s cryptic words, the crown prince spoke brightly, his face beaming with childlike innocence.

“The Demonic Cult! A spy! A subjugation! Then he’s a hero, isn’t he?”

“……”

At his words, the princess furrowed her brow and gave a small shake of her head—an expression of pure exasperation.

“There are no heroes beneath the Son of Heaven. He is rely one of many Murim martial artists.”

The princess corrected the crown prince.

Regardless, the crown prince kept his gaze fixed on Jin Seong-un, completely captivated, his bottom already halfway off his seat.

Leaning further toward Jin Seong-un, the crown prince asked,

“You look young, but you’re amazing! Will you teach

martial arts too?”

Before Jin Seong-un could respond—

The princess’s cold voice ca first.

“Crown Prince, swords are dangerous. Shedding blood is sothing for the lower ranks to do. If those noble hands develop calluses, how could this sister possibly bear it?”

Though her tone sounded like concern for his well-being, the atmosphere was stern and icy.

Despite his age, the crown prince seed to have so sense—he instinctively knew that saying anything more would cause his sister to explode, and he quietly sat back down.

Jin Seong-un spoke suddenly.

“If it’s just an internal arts thod, there’d be no danger in learning. Especially at the Crown Prince’s age, it could ensure a lifeti of health—”

“Pointless words.”

The princess cut him off as sharply as a blade.

Jin Seong-un could not understand her.

Even for soone who wasn’t a martial artist, practicing inner arts could lead to a long, vigorous life.

In fact, at the Martial Studies Hall of Wudang Sect, they were currently developing an internal thod specifically for hundreds of children brought from the Martial Palace, solely for health purposes.

‘Is there any reason to oppose it?’

As Jin Seong-un pondered that—

The princess let out a sigh and shifted the topic.

“Given the recent unfortunate incident, it is only right to closely monitor the movents of the Demonic Cult from now on.”

“Yes, Princess,”

replied Chief Strategist Sama Baek, speaking for the group.

The princess nodded and said,

“The situation is not ideal, so the comrcial world and the Murim should avoid clashing and instead unite their hearts to serve the nation loyally.”

Though she spoke at length, her ssage was clear—she would not allow the Murim Alliance to fight against the Myriad Gold Manor.

More precisely, she was telling them to withdraw their sword from Myriad Gold Manor.

Sama Baek showed hesitation and said,

“Now that their collusion with the Demonic Cult has co to light, an investigation is unavoidable. That is the core purpose of the Murim Alliance.”

“The person involved is dead—is that not enough?”

The princess looked at Sama Baek with even colder eyes. But the seasoned strategist responded without the slightest sign of flinching.

“We must determine whether the person involved was rely the eldest daughter of the Myriad Gold Manor, or whether others were also involved.”

“If the Murim Alliance conducts an investigation, the intensity will likely be high. Is it right to treat a man who recently lost two family mbers and now stands alone in such a manner?”

“The Murim Alliance does not conduct harsh investigations. And I have no plans to question the eldest son, Ha Joo-myeong, but rather the Lord of the Myriad Gold Manor directly.”

Just as the princess and Sama Baek were exchanging words while managing their emotions—

Ha Joo-myeong, who had been observing the conversation at a slight remove like a theatergoer, finally spoke.

“I agree on that point.”

Sama Baek turned his gaze toward him.

Unlike the way he looked at the princess, Sama Baek stared at Ha Joo-myeong with cold indifference, as if he were filth.

“You would so eagerly step forward to have your father investigated?”

“Haha, that’s not it. Do you really think I’d be such a disgrace? My father recently left behind only a letter and vanished without a word. Whether it’s an investigation or sothing else, please use the Murim Alliance’s information network to help find him.”

As the unexpected words stirred murmurs throughout the hall, Sama Baek’s eyes narrowed.

“That’s the first I’ve heard of it.”

“There’s no benefit in making it widely known that the head of a trading company has disappeared, is there? Naturally, I’d appreciate it if those present could keep this matter confidential.”

Sama Baek’s gaze remained calm and unshaken. So composed, it was hard to believe he was likely calculating hundreds of possibilities and counterasures in his mind.

anwhile, Jin Seong-un was silently impressed.

Judging by the reactions, no one else had known. And yet, from that little inn, Lee Seowon had deduced from minimal information that the Lord of the Myriad Gold Manor was either dead or missing.

As the tension between Ha Joo-myeong and Sama Baek chilled the air further, a sigh tinged with annoyance escaped the princess, tightening the atmosphere.

Everyone halted their thoughts and awaited her next words.

At last, the princess looked toward the martial artists and declared in a firm tone,

“If we assu the Demonic Cult and the Myriad Gold Manor were in collusion—what, then, were those gathered here doing? Do you understand why the imperial family tolerates the existence of Murim factions?”

Martial artists who wore swords at their waist, ford factions, lived off that strength, and exerted influence—in strict terms, it was nearly equivalent to challenging the imperial authority.

Yet the imperial court tolerated it.

The Orthodox Faction, throughout its long history, had never once committed treason. In fact, they upheld public order in areas beyond the imperial reach and paid substantial taxes.

The princess continued,

“As the Chief Strategist said, the greatest purpose of the Murim Alliance is to stop the Demonic Cult. And yet, the one who actually stopped them wasn’t the Alliance or the Orthodox Faction gathered here, but that humble innkeeper over there. Then what is the Murim Alliance’s purpose now?”

Sama Baek swallowed hard.

The situation was turning strange.

The princess was now questioning the very worth of the Murim Alliance and the Orthodox martial world.

She was asking whether there was any reason for the imperial court to continue permitting the existence of the Murim.

It was a question that could shake the very foundation of the Orthodox Murim. So while everyone racked their brains, the princess seed uninterested in hearing their answers and imdiately continued.

“I understand the Chief Strategist’s position, but consider mine as well.”

Her tone softened.

She continued,

“The Myriad Gold Manor is, without question, the driving wheel of the Central Plains’ gold veins. If your investigation halts that wheel and shakes the nation’s foundation—can the Murim Alliance bear that responsibility?”

“……”

“I have a duty to stabilize this nation in place of His Majesty, who remains bedridden, and the young Crown Prince. So I ask that you abide by my will. That is what loyalty to this country ans.”

By now, no one dared say a word. To object to such a statent could easily be construed as treason.

Sama Baek was inwardly impressed.

Wasn’t the young princess’s skill in handling people extraordinary? She wielded the carrot and stick with flawless precision.

‘Now is the ti to retreat.’

With his years of experience, Sama Baek did not panic.

He had seen countless people tumble into inescapable pits by rushing forward a step too quickly.

Sama Baek simply bowed his head and said,

“I will follow your words, Princess.”

Only then did the princess’s face reveal a satisfied smile. The stern, icy expression she had worn the entire ti softened, calming those who saw it. It was likely yet another calculated political gesture.

As the mood began to settle—

Only after diating between the Myriad Gold Manor and the Orthodox Murim did the princess turn her gaze back to Jin Seong-un.

She blinked, montarily dumbfounded.

“Don’t tell … you’re asleep?”

Jin Seong-un slowly opened his eyes.

In truth, he had closed them to concentrate while spreading his sensory qi more discreetly—but unable to say that, he simply nodded.

“The imperial palace is warm even in winter.”

Indeed, the banquet hall was kept toasty with a steady fire.

The princess let out a small, incredulous laugh, then said,

“In any case, since you’ve done a great service, I shall grant you one wish. Anything you like—just say it.”

Everyone was stunned.

The princess’s authority was known to reach the heavens. Even the crown prince got scolded for sneaking sweets.

As many envied the opportunity given to Jin Seong-un, Sama Baek grew anxious upon realizing the princess’s true intent.

‘She’s testing Seong-un.’

If he wished for sothing too grand, the princess would deem him dangerous.

If he asked for sothing too trivial, it would appear as if he scorned her favor.

Ha Joo-myeong, too, watched Jin Seong-un closely, as if anticipating his answer.

With everyone’s eyes on him, Jin Seong-un spoke in a casual tone.

“I wish to have an audience with His Majesty, the Emperor.”