I Became the Owner of the Heavenly Flower Palace-Chapter 55: Respect and Affection

Seoan was a great city with a long and storied history.

Beyond its massive ancient walls, remnants of a bygone era, the raw and immediate life of modern-day people was laid bare.

The influx of people and goods was complex and diverse beyond comparison with border towns. Major administrative and judicial offices were also concentrated here.

As such, it was also a city overflowing with all manner of incidents, accidents, and countless stories.

Clip-clop, clip-clop.

Amid the bustling flow of people and carts, a red carriage moved forward slowly.

Inside it, Jincheon was eagerly observing the streets of Seoan.

Everywhere he looked, something caught his eye.

“So this kind of place existed? Oh, and what’s that?”

He had passed through Seoan once before on his way to the Heavenly Flame Palace, but hadn’t stayed long.

He’d been short on money, and after a long journey, he’d just wanted to reach Mount Giryeon as soon as possible.

Naturally, he hadn’t had a proper look around.

Not at this grand, historic city—Seoan.

“Sunday.”

His attendant, Sunday, immediately drew her horse closer to the carriage window.

“Yes, my lord.”

“Is there an auxiliary palace here as well?”

“Since Seoan is part of Zhongyuan, we do not establish royal lodgings here, in accordance with custom.”

That meant it had never been customary to do so in the first place.

‘Well, this is the Shaanxi region, and it’s not like the Heavenly Flame Palace can have auxiliary residences everywhere.’

Now that he thought about it, having had auxiliary residences at all until now was the more unusual thing.

“Then are we staying at an inn?”

“No, my lord.”

Jincheon was puzzled. If not an inn, then where were over seventy people supposed to sleep?

“What do you mean?”

“This is Seoan.”

Well, of course Jincheon knew that. Seoan was spread out before his very eyes—how could he not?

“We declared ourselves as the Heavenly Flame Palace, and they opened the gates. The one who opens the gates must then reveal themselves. From that, we shall know how they intend to receive us.”

Jincheon couldn’t understand what Sunday was saying. There were too many pronouns, too many unclear expressions.

But one thing was certain—her tone had changed. She no longer spoke as if the Heavenly Flame Palace was the master of all things.

‘Well, this really is the heart of Zhongyuan, after all.’

Its administrative structure was different, its history distinct, and the cultural differences were vast.

Even people’s appearances were different—the brilliant hair colors and exotic beauty of the seven attendants still drew the stares of passersby.

“These people you’re talking about, who exactly—”

He was about to ask when—

“Oh my, what’s going on here?”

“Why are you stopping all of a sudden? What’s this?”

A murmur rose from up ahead. But the commotion didn’t last long.

People stopped grumbling and began stepping aside to either side of the road.

Carts turned off the main path, and people pressed themselves together, bearing the discomfort.

The once-crowded street split in two in an instant.

Only Jincheon’s entourage remained on the road.

A group of more than ten mounted soldiers approached down the now-empty street.

Clip-clop, clip-clop.

The surroundings fell silent.

Flags raised high for all to see, and uniforms of impressive authority left no doubt—these were senior military officers.

One of them stopped in front of Yu Hyerin, the Commander of the Rat who led Jincheon’s procession.

Shfft.

He turned his gaze toward Jincheon’s carriage. Then, bowing slightly, he offered a formal greeting.

“We are here to receive you.”

The low, firm voice was unmistakably directed at Jincheon.

Jincheon nodded in return, for now.

Seeing this, Yu Hyerin responded.

“Proceed.”

The officer furrowed his brow—but only for a moment. He turned his horse with practiced ease.

Clip-clop, clip-clop.

The officer led the way, and Jincheon’s procession followed behind.

The mounted soldiers who had accompanied the officer kept the crowds at bay with fierce glares.

Only after Jincheon’s carriage and his guards had fully passed did they release the area and depart in formation.

The carriages that had stopped began moving again, and the people whispered in curiosity about the extravagant carriage and the beautiful women who had just passed.

But the noisy bustle of the city and the rush of daily life quickly smothered that brief moment of intrigue.

And so, another indifferent day passed in the great city of Seoan.

****

The place Jincheon’s group arrived at was a residential district of Seoan.

The stately black-tiled roofs and long walls made clear that this had long been a wealthy neighborhood.

The officer leading them stopped in front of one of the larger estates.

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Creaaak.

The heavy gate opened with an old, groaning sound.

Once it had, the officer offered a slight nod of courtesy toward Jincheon’s carriage, then rode off.

The ten or so mounted soldiers followed behind him.

Huh.

Jincheon had meant to return the officer’s gesture, but found himself staring, caught off guard, at the house now before them.

Next to the open gate, an elderly man—presumably a servant—stood with head respectfully bowed.

“Shall we enter?”

Sunday’s voice reached him.

“Let us do so. Ah, I’ll dismount here.”

Entering someone’s estate still in one’s carriage was no way for a guest to behave.

They had received such a polite welcome—how could he not show them the same respect in return?

“Understood.”

Sunday bowed her head and accepted the command.

Click.

The carriage door opened, and Jincheon stepped down.

The rest of the escort dismounted as well, all but the ten or so guards still keeping watch on the perimeter.

Jincheon approached the open gate.

Sunday and the other six attendants flanked him. North Wind Commander Neung Gayeon and East Wind Commander Ak Mujin followed behind, along with Gi Seoran and Po Eunryeong.

Step. Step.

Half anxious, half expectant, Jincheon stepped into the estate—and quietly murmured in admiration.

“Hooh.”

The estate embodied everything about historic Seoan.

The buildings and decorations had the air of great age, and even the layout followed the designs of ancient architecture.

The place he entered felt like a small garden—trees, flowers, and oddly shaped stones were arranged with a rough but deliberate delicacy.

As Jincheon stood captivated by the garden—

Rustle.

A person stepped out from the inner gate of the estate.

Jincheon turned his head instinctively—and was momentarily taken aback.

He’d expected another high-ranking provincial official to greet him, just like before.

But the one before him was a woman.

She wore a pink veil that covered her nose and mouth, making it impossible to see her face.

Rustle. Rustle.

Jincheon noticed that her attire was quite unusual.

The embroidered patterns were subtle, and the overall design elegant and antique—as if it belonged in the palace.

Rustle.

She stopped walking.

Standing before Jincheon, she bowed low.

Swish.

She knelt on one knee and bowed her head, not caring that her garments touched the ground and became soiled.

The one surprised was Jincheon.

“Uh, no, why are you—”

“This girl, Huimun, greets the Palace Master.”

The golden butterfly in her hair trembled lightly.

In a composed voice, she continued,

“On behalf of the Imperial Household, I welcome you to Seoan.”

“...Pardon?”

Jincheon reflexively responded. He couldn’t help it.

The Imperial Household? What was she suddenly talking about?

“Excuse me, but what did you just—”

Shfft.

She raised her head. Then lifted a hand and untied the veil that had been hooked behind her ear.

The pink fabric slipped down like a feather, revealing sparkling eyes and a sharp, elegant nose.

She was a beauty. And moreover, very young.

“And personally, thank you for declaring yourselves as the Heavenly Flame Palace at the city gate. Had you not done so, I would have been in quite the awkward situation.”

As she looked up at Jincheon, her eyes curved in a teasing, playful smile that was deeply charming.

Jincheon momentarily forgot how to speak. But he soon pulled himself together.

He reflexively glanced at Sunday, but like the six other attendants, she was preoccupied watching the kneeling woman.

“Ahem. It was nothing. Just what ought to be done, of course... No, please—do rise.”

“Thank you.”

She responded softly and rose to her feet.

Her movement was so natural and graceful it looked like a scene from a painting.

“Would you come inside?”

At her invitation, Jincheon nodded before he even realized it. Then a thought crossed his mind, half like an excuse:

‘Can’t stay standing here forever...’

He had been invited—of course he should enter.

And yet, the need to rationalize it to himself was likely because he had been subtly swayed by her words.

“The rest of your party has separate quarters prepared, but for now, it may be best if you accompany me.”

At her suggestion, Jincheon looked back at Neung Gayeon, the North Wind Commander.

She gave a slight nod, as if to say he should decide as he pleased. Jincheon then answered the woman:

“Very well.”

“Understood. Then, this way, please.”

Rustle.

She stepped slightly to the side and led the way.

Jincheon followed after her. Then suddenly, he realized—he still didn’t know who she was.

“By the way, earlier you said your name was...?”

“Huimun,” she replied with a gentle smile.

Jincheon thought it was an unusual name—but her voice continued without pause.

“I am the daughter of King Gyeongsun’s household, and by the Emperor’s grace, I’ve been given the honor of presenting his gifts to the Palace Master.”

Jincheon instinctively stopped walking.

The woman who’d introduced herself as Huimun looked at him in confusion, but Jincheon didn’t care.

“Wait... what did you just say?”

“Huimun,” she repeated calmly.

“No, not that—who is sending what?”

“These are gifts from His Majesty the Emperor.”

Jincheon was at a loss for words.

He had heard her say she represented the Imperial Household earlier.

He had briefly forgotten, distracted by her presence—but now she had said it directly: His Majesty the Emperor.

There was no way he had misheard.

“...The Emperor?”

“Yes.”

She smiled faintly as she replied.

“As a sign of respect and affection.”

Jincheon’s mouth fell open.

A thousand thoughts flooded his mind in an instant.

Maybe this young woman was insane. Or maybe this place—like the Heavenly Flame Palace—just operated on its own peculiar version of common sense.

But no, even Jincheon knew that couldn’t be it.

This was the heart of Seoan, and this estate had been secured through escort by Seoan’s military forces. There was no way something absurd was happening.

‘What in the world is going on...?’

He couldn’t make any sense of it.

As a result, he didn’t notice the amused smile on the woman’s face or the way Sunday furrowed her ➤ NоvеⅠight ➤ (Read more on our source) brow at the smiling woman.

“You didn’t know?”

Of course he didn’t.

When Jincheon gave a distracted nod, she asked again.

“Really? That’s strange.”

She tilted her head slightly, puzzled.

“Are you truly the Palace Master of the Heavenly Flame Palace, standing before me right now?”

Once again, Jincheon nodded.

After all, for now, that’s what they were calling him.

“Haaah.”

The young woman let out a sigh of relief.

“That’s good. For a moment, I was worried I had the wrong person.”

She smiled.

Under the Seoan sunlight, her smile bloomed with a freshness that could not be overstated.