The 31st Piece Turns the Tables
chapter-255

The 31st Piece Turns the Tables

Chapter 255

“Oh my god…”

“That’s Seol Hong, isn’t it?”

“Th-that’s Seol Hong?”

It was Seol Hong who exited the carriage led by black horses.

Step…

The baby blue traditional clothes she wore gave her an aura of elegance she had previously lacked.

Her braided hair, fixed in place with a golden hairpin, was complemented by an additional layer of clothing that modestly concealed any exposed skin.

Though her attire was not flamboyant, it still drew glances from everyone around her.

Seol Hong slowly looked up from the ground.

“Woah…”

“She did makeup, too?”

“R-Right…?”

Seol Hong's naturally nice skin, enhanced by light makeup, was more than enough to garner attention from others.

A few seconds later, someone else exited the carriage as well.

It was Chi Woo, who was also dressed exceptionally well.

“It’s Chi Woo?”

“Did Chi Woo say he was coming?”

“I think I heard something about it, but…”

“Damn it…”

Chi Woo then held Seol Hong’s hand to lead her into the banquet.

Seol followed them a step behind, exiting the carriage quietly after Seol Hong and Chi Woo.

- I’m so happy~

- I feel like a dad at his daughter’s wedding!

- Stop being weird LOL

- I’m so proud of her! 😭

- Everyone’s watching them hahaha! They both look good!

Though the viewers were exaggerating a bit, they weren’t completely wrong.

Even those who were uninterested in Seol Hong and Chi Woo stole glances here and there as they clearly stood out.

- Kukuku… Where there is light, there is darkness…

- Snowman is a shadow as always…

- Snowman is in his Scottie Pippen mode…

The first step was a success.

However, Seol Hong, nervous, continued to glance back at Seol.

Though Seol responded with a gentle smile each time, Seol Hong still looked nervous, as if she were walking on thin ice.

Seol followed Seol Hong and Chi Woo into the banquet hall as well.

And after a while… people were already swarming around Seol Hong and Chi Woo.

This was a good sign, though.

‘Is it because Tae Yul isn’t here?’

If Tae Yul, who stood firmly at the top, had been here, these people would have clung to his side instead.

However, he hadn’t been invited to the banquet. As such, rumors about why Zhe Gak chose not to invite Tae Yul swirled around the banquet hall.

Regardless, thanks to that, Seol Hong and Chi Woo ended up receiving all of the attention that would have normally gone to Tae Yul.

‘Ah, she was here too, though.’

Shin Yo, the Dragon’s Flower who, was just a single step behind Tae Yul.

In fact, she had no flaws, even when compared to Tae Yul.

Not only was she beautiful, she was careful and prudent.

As such, a lot of people had gathered by her side as well.

It was natural that they would, but…

Compared to Seol Hong, she was much less responsive to individuals who wanted to get to know her.

After all, those approaching her were people who knew little about her, merely trying to force a connection after having met her once before.

Seol then turned back around to look at Seol Hong.

Though she was awkward at first, likely due to her nerves, she seemed much better now.

In fact, she was even beginning to make jokes while effortlessly talking about what happened to her during the Dragon War.

‘Maybe I’m the one who can’t adapt?’

As it was also Seol’s first time at a banquet, only having joined them through his pieces in text, he was unfamiliar with the rules he needed to follow.

But it was exactly for those reasons that he was thankful to Chi Woo.

In truth, there was no reason for Chi Woo to take such good care of Seol Hong. Even if he chose to forgo the Dragon War, his position as second in strength among the Dragon’s Flowers would have easily allowed him to become close to anyone.

However, Chi Woo chose to help Seol Hong gradually acclimate to the banquets, despite how cumbersome it might be.

‘What is he thinking…’

As Seol watched them from afar, he overheard the jealousy of the nobles beside him.

“L-Look at that sly fox wagging her tail right next to Lord Chi Woo!”

“I know, right?! She would’ve just sat alone in a corner if it wasn’t for him, how dare she!”

Seol then took a second to glare at the two of them.

“Urgh…”

“Why does my stomach…”

Seol’s aura was more than enough to make ordinary people feel an immense amount of pressure.

“D-Did you see that? He just looked at me.”

“No, he looked at me.”

“He’s not bad, but he’s not my type. You can have him.”

“He’s not my type either, okay?”

- Snowman is getting “that’s your boyfriend lol”’d

- I have never been so humiliated!!!!

- I’llkillthemI’llkillthemI’llkillthem

Pause.

The music in the banquet hall paused momentarily as the musicians prepared for their next song, causing the lively atmosphere to dip into a brief lull.

“Why don’t you smile, Seol Hong?” said Chi Woo.

“L-Like this?” said Seol Hong, forcing a smile.

It looked just a little ridiculous.

“Hahaha! That’s pretty funny, too. Maybe you can stay like that.”

“D-Don’t make fun of me.”

Only then was Seol Hong able to laugh normally.

Seol Hong was finally able to relax now, enjoying the scenery all around her.

After all, this was her first introduction to this world—a world she still had to learn a lot about.

Whether their gazes were filled with jealousy, dislike, or affection, she had to grow accustomed to them.

She was slowly becoming more and more natural with her movements.

With the Dragon’s Flowers by her side, Seol Hong was turning into a noble.

She now led the conversations fluently, effortlessly steering the topics as she wanted to.

Seol Hong smiled brightly, surrounded by the other Dragon’s Flowers and influential figures. She then locked eyes with Seol, who had been watching over her from afar.

She paused for a second.

- I-I feel weird…

- She was stolen from us! Give us Seol Hong back!

- Stop being so obsessed with her! Just let her go!

- Ahhhhhhhh 😭😭😭😭😭

Seol did not react at all.

In fact, there was no need for a conversation at all. He knew more than anyone what Seol Hong was thinking as she stood there at the banquet.

- We will now begin our deep debate of whether we should allow Seol Hong to go or not.

- She can’t! She can’t! Sir, please give me more time to explain why!

- You are allowed. What do you have to say?

- I oppose it! We can’t let her go! No!

- Okay.

[‘The End of the Long Journey’ has donated 2000 Madness!]

[Seol Hong… I’m proud of you… I…]

- Don’t die! Not yet!

- Don’t die, please!

[‘MLD’ has donated 1500 Madness!]

[My Little Dragon’s Flower Seol Hong… 😭]

- Why are you guys acting like this when Snowman did all the work? LOL

- We were together in our hearts!

- But you didn’t help him!

- We can leave all the work to Snowman! He takes care of it fine!

Seol thought to himself while looking at Seol Hong from behind.

‘Is this what Yu Hwa would have wanted?’

Though he thought hard about it, he was unsure of the answer.

‘Maybe I should ask the hand mirror later. Though it’s impossible to know whether she’d answer or not.’

Was she satisfied now?

How high would Seol Hong have to fly for her to be satisfied?

And if she does answer him…

And if she is satisfied…

‘What should I do?’

Would it be best to leave immediately once Seol received Yu Hwa’s unfulfilled desire? Is that what she would have wanted?

‘If it’s Yu Hwa…’

No, Seol was Yu Hwa.

And for that reason, he was able to find the answer.

Seol Hong is still able to soar much higher.

If Seol continued to look after her, she would eventually gain the strength to move waves. It was clear that Yu Hwa wanted Seol to watch over her just a bit longer.

Slide…

“What are you thinking so hard about during a banquet like this?”

Seol turned around, seeing a large man and a woman.

“Haha! If you keep that serious expression, people might start thinking you’re the main character of this banquet. You know you’re quite eye-catching, right?”

It was Shin Yo and Jang Du.

If Seol Hong was a star on the rise, Shin Yo was the moon that had been illuminating the night sky.

The true main character of this banquet was Shin Yo, Seol Hong was only stealing a portion of that interest.

‘She still has much more to go.’

Shin Yo then asked Seol a question, noticing that he was thinking about something else.

“Do you dislike banquets?”

“No, I don’t.”

“Haha! I’ll have you know that Lady Shin Yo came to this banquet to see you specificall—”

Woosh!

As Shin Yo waved her hand to cast a Daoist spell, she covered Jang Du’s mouth with a puff of smoke.

Bwrgh…

Jang Du couldn’t finish his sentence.

“Watch what you say, Jang Du. I came here to meet Seol Hong.”

Nod.

Jang Du was forced to nod along.

“But I do want to have a conversation with you,” Shin Yo said, despite Jang Du’s insidious expression.

Seol felt a bit awkward after seeing that.

“Jang Du,” grumbled Shin Yo. “I’ll kill you.”

“I feel a sudden lack of training, hahaha! Young people should talk with young people! I’ll go over there and have a meal.”

- Nice, Jang Du.

- He’s very quick at reading the mood!

- Lady Shin Yo, I love you! Please marry me 😭

After another suspicious laugh, Jang Du carefully walked away.

“Haah, that fucking… fuu… It’s not something like that. In fact, it might even sour your mood.”

“I think I might be more upset if you left me hanging, though.”

“Then, fine.”

- I know that feeling, though. Having someone suddenly stop talking feels…

- ANNOYING! Right?

- Good job!

The banquet filled with music once more, almost as if it were trying to ease Shin Yo’s mood.

“What do you think waits at the end of the Dragon War?”

“......”

Her question was still heavy, regardless of the music.

“The entirety of Khan. Whoever reaches the end of the Dragon War will receive all of Khan. That is what it means to follow in Hong Cheon’s footsteps.”

Shin Yo, currently, did not address Hong Cheon as the Dragon Emperor.

She, intended or not, had brought down Hong Cheon from his lofty title.

Or in other words… She believed that she could reach Hong Cheon. It was a bold claim, especially considering that she said it to Seol, whom she didn’t know well.

Seol quietly laughed.

“They do not receive everything.”

“...What?”

“They will shoulder everything.”

“......”

“That was what you meant, right?”

A wry smirk formed on Shin Yo’s face.

She had lost count of the number of different expressions Seol had made her make.

“You might be right. How interesting. So, I will ask you this.”

“Go ahead.”

Despite talking to each other, the two kept their gazes on Seol Hong, who was enjoying the banquet.

“What do you think about using the power you are using for Seol Hong… for me?”

“......”

“I recognize your strength.”

“Lady Shin Yo, Lady Seol Hong needs time.”

“So you refused right away. Still, I do have another question. If you believe that she needs time, you are admitting her incompetence, are you not?”

“She at least has a generous heart.”

“...You are only able to say that because you do not know of Seol Hong’s weaknesses.”

“Then do you know about them, Lady Shin Yo?”

“I do… I even know things that you don’t.”

Shin Yo then began recalling a memory from long ago, so that Seol may hear it as well.

“S-Stop it…”

“I’m sorry… Stop…”

A young Shin Yo stood next to an even younger Seol Hong.

As Shin Yo glared coldly at a group of kneeling children, Seol Hong was unsure what to do.

Seol Hong had been harassed and bullied by the kneeling Dragon’s Flowers because she lacked even the most basic of protection. After witnessing this, Shin Yo used her Daoist spells to crush them.

Was it to help Seol Hong?

Not necessarily, it could have also just been her taking out her frustration.

Though driven by a desire to rid the world of its unsightly elements, she avoided taking responsibility for her actions and instead shifted it onto Seol Hong.

“You decide, Seol Hong. What should I do with them? Do you want me to do to them what they did to you?”

“...them.”

“...What?”

Seol Hong begged her.

“Forgive them, please, Elder Sister Shin Yo.”

“......”

“Please. I don’t want people to be in pain because of me…”

…

“Are you done?” said Seol, ending her flashback.

“After that, I no longer got involved with Seol Hong, and the other Dragon’s Flowers also ceased their harassment, scared of me. But… was that the right decision?”

“......”

“Seol Hong can only take one path, she always has. But do you think that’s ‘good’? If she continues to be weak, then…”

“That is not guaranteed to always be the case. Lady Seol Hong is learning right now.”

“Are you… sure about that?”

“Just as flowers grow through the rain, everything has the potential to flourish. Lady Seol Hong has potential as well.”

Shin Yo resolved her expression before turning around.

“...Interesting. It was an enjoyable conversation.”

A little while after Shin Yo left, just as the banquet was starting to quiet down, individuals, including Jang Du, approached the Dragon’s Stones.

Step…

“Lord Zhe Gak has prepared a gift.”

“A gift?”

A gift had arrived for Seol as well.