The Divine And Demonic Doctor [EN]: Chapter 356

As Dan-Akseon disappeared with the Three Divine Masters, Neung Somil finally breathed a sigh of relief.

He had been on edge throughout the event, worried that some unfortunate accident might occur.

The three of them exuded such a volatile and incredibly dangerous aura.

Regaining his composure, Neung Somil began to converse with the honored guests.

The discussions mainly revolved around the future operations and policies of the Muwigwan [Martial Arts Association].

He clearly outlined the direction in which the Muwigwan would move forward, while also proposing specific projects to gain their cooperation.

He would initiate the discussion, and then the practical matters would be handled by Samusim, the administrator, and So Jeoksan, the head of the trading company.

Amidst all the hectic activity,

someone stopped Neung Somil in his tracks.

“……?”

Neung Somil tilted his head, noticing Princess Youngsun conversing with guests in the distance.

Among the numerous distinguished guests who had visited today, she was undoubtedly the one with the most outstanding background and highest status.

Yet, she remained even after Dan-Akseon had left.

It was certainly unexpected.

Everyone in Sinmagok [New Devil Valley] knew that her reason for visiting was Dan-Akseon.

Moreover, she wasn’t just sitting there aloofly.

She was moving around the inner quarters, continuing conversations with the guests, who couldn’t help but feel honored each time.

‘What on earth are they talking about?’

Neung Somil couldn’t suppress his innate curiosity.

Eventually, pretending to exchange pleasantries with someone else, he naturally approached them.

As he got closer, he began to hear the conversation between Princess Youngsun and her companion.

‘Huh?’

Neung Somil was momentarily taken aback.

She was directly assuring the Western merchants that the imperial family guaranteed the Sinmasangdan [New Devil Merchant Group], instilling confidence in them.

As the emperor’s sister, no one would doubt her words.

It was a situation he hadn’t anticipated.

It was also then that he made eye contact with someone.

“……!”

A gaze fixed intently on him.

A resolute look that conveyed a determination not to tolerate any foolishness.

‘Was it Yangjeon?’

A member of the Eorimchinwi [Imperial Guard], responsible for the princess’s protection.

Neung Somil had prided himself on becoming quite strong after the joint training at Sinmagok, but the other man was on a higher level.

It was impossible to completely deceive him.

‘Well, no matter.’

Since he had been caught, Neung Somil decided to be more brazen.

Neung Somil smiled and strode towards Princess Youngsun.

It was also about time to wrap up the opening ceremony, so there were plenty of excuses.

“Sin Neung Somil has something to say to Your Highness.”

“Ah! Neung Jiju [Prefect Neung], welcome. I was just discussing you with these people.”

Neung Somil gained a little more confidence at Princess Youngsun’s welcoming demeanor.

“Oh my! So that’s why my ears have been itching all day. Still, if any unflattering remarks about me brought joy to Your Highness, it would be the glory of three lifetimes for me.”

“Unflattering remarks? On the contrary, everyone was praising Neung Jiju. They were saying that you consider everything from the perspective of the people rather than asserting authority, and that you are a truly rare and upright official.”

“Haha. Is that so? Well, if they incur my displeasure, they’ll have to worry about their dinner menu tonight.”

“Neung Jiju, you certainly have a way with words, just as I’ve heard.”

Unlike Princess Youngsun, who laughed genuinely and cheerfully, the guards, including Yangjeon, cast disapproving glances.

Neung Somil got straight to the point.

“If I may be so bold, there is no separate guest house here in Muwui [county], so I have prepared accommodations for Your Highness at the government office.”

Guest houses were places where imperial tablets were enshrined and where officials or envoys visiting government offices stayed.

However, Muwui had only recently been promoted to a directly governed prefecture, so public facilities were still inadequate.

Surprisingly, Princess Youngsun didn’t seem to mind much.

“I understand. Then I’ll look around the village a bit more before heading there.”

“You must be tired from today’s journey…….”

“No, it’s alright. I’m just enjoying myself. Rather, I feel sorry for Neung Jiju.”

“Yes?”

“You must have had a lot to worry about because of me. Thank you for your hard work.”

Neung Somil smiled at Princess Youngsun’s praise.

A demeanor that considered and cared for the position of subordinates.

Moreover, it wasn’t something artificially or forcibly put on, but a natural attitude that was ingrained in her.

Neung Somil quite liked Princess Youngsun.

“If you’re going to look around the village, I’ll accompany you.”

Princess Youngsun shook her head at Neung Somil’s offer.

“No, there’s no need. You’re already busy enough. As the person in charge of organizing the event, you need to take care of the *mamuri* [finishing touches]. Then I’ll take my leave first.”

Princess Youngsun left the venue, leaving everyone’s greetings behind.

As she exited the Muwigwan, the soldiers of the Muwuiyeong [Muwui Garrison] who had been waiting outside naturally escorted Princess Youngsun and the guards.

“Where would you like to go?”

At Yangjeon’s question, she stopped walking and looked at one place.

“Are you the commander of this garrison?”

The military officer who received Princess Youngsun’s gaze flinched.

It was Cheokgyeongtong, the Wiji Hwisa [Garrison Commander], who held the rank of Jeongsam 품 [Third Rank].

Originally from Bongraehyeon, Deungjubu, Sandongseong [Shandong Province], he had been hastily dispatched here as the commander of the newly formed military camp when Muwui was suddenly promoted to a directly governed prefecture.

So he was usually full of complaints.

He had to leave his hometown in a hurry, so the connections and influence he had built up were of no use.

In addition to those complaints, he had been avoiding Neung Somil due to their conflict.

However, he couldn’t help but show his face at the arrival of Princess Youngsun, who held a high rank in the imperial family.

“Let’s walk somewhere with fewer people. Commander, please come with me.”

Cheokgyeongtong lowered his head and cautiously began to follow Princess Youngsun.

How long had they walked like that?

“When will Muwui be stable?”

“Yes? What do you mean by that……?”

As Cheokgyeongtong was flustered by the sudden question, Princess Youngsun furrowed her brow slightly.

“I heard that the officials who should be working together to promote the well-being of the people according to His Majesty’s will are not only at odds with each other, but also competing for petty pride.”

“Th, that’s…….”

“Moreover, I heard that one side has already extended a hand, but the other side has rejected it, is that right?”

Cheokgyeongtong’s complexion turned pale in an instant.

Princess Youngsun’s eyes, which were openly rebuking him, were filled with a completely different dignity and force, with her gentle appearance nowhere to be found.

With the added pressure from the Eorimchinwi, Cheokgyeongtong couldn’t come to his senses for a moment.

In fact, Neung Somil had recently opened an educational center and provided educational opportunities for the children of the soldiers here.

But no one had applied.

No matter how good the opportunity, it was the nature of the military to be mindful of superiors.

And Princess Youngsun was pointing this out accurately.

“If you look closely at the situation, there are many aspects where we are wronged.”

He hurriedly shut his mouth as he continued to make excuses.

It was because he had witnessed the Eorimchinwi’s gaze flashing coldly.

Princess Youngsun, who had been silently staring at Cheokgyeongtong, smiled.

“Then shall we check?”

“Yes?”

“Let’s gauge the truth of your statement through the reactions of the people here.”

Before he could stop her, Princess Youngsun had already started walking ahead.

Cheokgyeongtong hurriedly followed her.

As Princess Youngsun entered the village, she could feel the disapproving gazes from all directions.

Not only ordinary people but also those who seemed to be Murim In [Martial Artists] were the same.

They politely showed her the utmost respect, but their gazes towards the military personnel contained blatant rejection.

“It’s not for nothing that they say the people are the mirror of the officials.”

“There are reasons for this…….”

Cheokgyeongtong, who was making excuses in a daze, was rendered speechless by Princess Youngsun’s subsequent words.

“Are you saying that I made the wrong judgment?”

“……No, I’m not.”

Princess Youngsun, who had directly confirmed the people’s discomfort with the military personnel, warned him strongly.

“I will not intervene directly in this matter. So, Commander, you must take care of it properly.”

Since the princess said so, Cheokgyeongtong had only one answer to give.

“I will do so.”

“Keep in mind. I clearly gave you a chance.”

“I will never forget your grace, which is as vast as the sea.”

“If you disappoint me this time as well, I will personally tell His Majesty about the situation here.”

Cheokgyeongtong trembled as he bowed his head.

Even if he was slow to judge the situation, he was not foolish enough not to guess her intentions.

“Then, Commander, you may take your soldiers and return.”

“Yes? But…….”

“This is not the time to be leisurely, is it? Shouldn’t you put out the fire that has fallen on your feet right away?”

Cheokgyeongtong hurriedly bowed his head at the indirect order to leave.

Then he gathered his subordinates and left the area.

Princess Youngsun, who had been watching them disappear, asked Yangjeon.

“Was I too harsh?”

Yangjeon couldn’t answer easily.

It was clear that she had crossed the line to say flattering words.

No matter how high she was in the imperial hierarchy, questioning and instructing personnel related to the military was a separate matter.

“Do you have a purpose?”

“A purpose?”

“I ask because I think I can answer your question only if I know what Your Highness intended.”

“Just because.”

“Yes?”

“I just did what was right. From the bottom of my heart, I hope that the people of Muwui will enjoy peace and happiness under His Majesty’s reign.”

Yangjeon smiled slightly and bowed his head.

“Then you are not wrong. His Majesty will surely be pleased as well.”

It was then that Princess Youngsun brought up an unexpected topic.

“Of course, there’s also a little bit of a desire for that person to know about me.”

Yangjeon, who paused for a moment, opened his mouth with an extremely cautious attitude.

“Do you perhaps have feelings for that boy?”

“I wonder.”

Princess Youngsun wore an ambiguous smile.

“I’m still getting to know him. But so far, the *moseup* [image] he has shown has been nothing short of wonderful. So much so that I feel *chora* [insignificant].”

“Excluding His Majesty and the elders of the imperial family, no one in the world can make Your Highness feel *chora*.”

“If that’s the case, then that’s a relief, but…….”

Princess Youngsun trailed off, organizing her thoughts.

And it was after some time that she spoke again.

“Perhaps my stay in Muwui may be a little longer.”

“I will prepare.”

“But next time, I should go around in disguise.”

“Disguise…… are you saying?”

“I don’t want the people to be uncomfortable because of me.”

Yangjeon, who was examining Princess Youngsun’s expression, slightly curled up his lips into a smile.

She was trying hard to hide it, but it was impossible to escape his keen eyes.

Yangjeon said to her, who was full of anticipation.

“*Mibokjamhaeng* [Incognito Travel]. You are finally fulfilling your wish.”

“Did you notice?”

Yangjeon nodded at Princess Youngsun’s embarrassed smile.

In the past, Emperor Yo would leave the palace in ordinary clothes to observe the people in order to confirm his good governance, which was called *Mibokjamhaeng*.

She had always stayed within the walls of the imperial family since she came of age.

Perhaps that’s why she had a particular fantasy about spending everyday life with ordinary people.

Princess Youngsun wore a bright smile at Yangjeon’s reply.

“Then let’s prepare that together as well.”