Chapter 473 : Founding the Nation (7)

Several ‍​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​​​‌​​​‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​​​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌​​​​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌​​‌​​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​​​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌​​​​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌​​​‌‌‌​​‌‌‌​​​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌​​​‌​​​‌​​​​‌​​‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​​‌​​​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​‌‌‌‌​​​​‌​‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​​​​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​‌​​​​‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​​​‌​​‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌​​​​‌​​‌​‌​​​​​‌​‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​​​‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​​​‌​​​‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​​​‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌‌‌​‌‍days later, a long procession departed westward from Beijing

It ‍​‌​‌​​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‍was the caravan carrying those who had been residing in the Forbidden City to Xi’an.

After ‍​‌​‌​​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‍several days of traveling by carriage, Xi’an finally came into view.

As ‍​‌​‌​​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‍Ilmok's carriage rolled through the city gates, the newly completed Imperial Palace rose before him.

“Quite ‍​‌​‌​​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‍magnificent.”

Jin ‍​‌​‌​​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‍Hayeon added her own appraisal to Il-mok’s brief remark.

"I think it's even more impressive because it isn't drowning in excessive luxury."

“They definitely skipped out on all the gaudy decorations.”

“T-they seem to have used almost no gemstones or g-gold.”

As Jeong Hyeon squinted with her eagle-like eyesight to confirm the details, Hyeokryeon Seon-ah nodded and threw her own comment into the conversation.

“I believe it is an Imperial Palace truly befitting the teachings of the Divine Cult. Instead of wasting gold and jewels to adorn the palace, does it not reflect the state’s intention to spend that wealth on caring for the masses instead?"

Il-mok replied with a faint smile. "It certainly does align with the doctrines of our Divine Cult."

However, his agreement wasn't because he believed the palace lacked luxury.

‘At that size, it must have cost a fortune even without any gemstones.’

While the palace isn’t exactly extravagant, it certainly isn’t lacking in terms of size and majesty.

Towering walls enclosed both the Inner and Outer Palaces, while every hall and manor had been built with imposing proportions and sharp architecture.

Rather than a traditional Imperial Palace, it looked more like a colossal military fortress, which somehow made it peculiarly well-suited to the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult.

"They built this entire palace in barely two years. The construction crews must have worked themselves to the bone.”

"Bringing in the beggars from all across Xi'an as laborers was a brilliant move, but calling in the veteran artisans from Gansu was undoubtedly the key to their success."

“T-They’ve done this before after all. These are t-the people who built o-our Maitreya Maitreya Luminous Cult’s estate in Lanzhou and the H-Hall of Art in Pingliang County.”

Il-mok nodded in agreement with Jeong Hyeon.

The craftsmen had spent years working on the Maitreya Luminous Cult’s massive construction projects. Compared to those, raising an Imperial Palace from scratch in two years was simply another job for them, albeit a far grander one. That experience was likely the reason the project had advanced so quickly.

Though calling it finished was a bit of a stretch.

"At this pace, the whole complex should be completed within a few years."

For now, only the essentials had been completed.

Among the completed buildings within the Inner Palace, only the palaces in which the Holy Emperor would reside and hold audience with his ministers, and the offices of the Hidden Guard Pavilion and the Dark Shadow Pavilion were already completed.

The Outer Palace was no different.  Only one or two halls or estates had been erected for each ministry, the bare minimum needed for immediate use.

More than half of both the inner and outer compounds still stood empty.

Because of that, more than half of the prime real estate inside the palace walls was just empty dirt.

But it couldn't be helped.

They could not postpone the relocation of the capital indefinitely.

As Il-mok reflected on Jeong Hyeon’s words, a memory suddenly resurfaced.

“Speaking of the Hall of Arts, didn't you once perform the theatrical duels in Pingliang County, Miis Jeong? Any thoughts of taking the stage again?”

The mere mention of the time when she had played as the Jade-Faced Young Master instantly drained the color from Jeong Hyeon’s face.

“A-absolutely not.”

Seeing her frantically shake her head in denial, everyone inside the carriage burst into laughter.

* * *

That afternoon, the formal ceremonies began.

This was not merely an event to mark the relocation of the capital.

Proclaiming the Emperor and Establishing the Nation (稱帝建元).

This was also the day on which Wi Jin-hak would formally declare himself emperor and announce the founding of the nation.

Dressed in a resplendent yellow-colored Dragon Robes, Wi Jin-hak carried out each step of the ceremony exactly as he had rehearsed.

In truth, Wi Jin-hak had wanted a black-colored dragon robe.

However, tradition dictates that he wear a yellow-colored one since the Yellow Dragon represented the Center of the Five Elements.

With that settled, the ceremony began.

After the Sacred Flame was kindled, prayers were offered to the Heavenly Demons of generations past.

A prayer was also recited to soothe the spirits of those who had perished in the recent war.

When all the preceding rites had finally been completed and twilight began to settle over the sky, Wi Jin-hak ascended the platform alone.

With his internal energy laced within his voice, he proclaimed to every minister and soldier who had assembled to witness the ceremony.

“I was once the Cult Leader of the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult. The only reason I stand before you today is because the Han Dynasty was rotten to its core and because of the Eastern Depot that enabled it."

He began by condemning the old dynasty's corruption and incompetence.

It was the customary rule for any new ruler to declare that the throne had not been seized out of ambition, but wrested from those who no longer deserved to rule to establish the legitimacy of the new regime.

“...Even now, after casting down the Han dynasty, my resolve remains unchanged. In accordance with the teachings of the Great Heavenly Demon Divine Cult, I shall wield the Martial Path to punish evil, thereby bringing salvation and peace to the masses. I shall spread the teachings of the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult throughout the world and bestow an age of peace and prosperity upon all its people. To that end, I hereby designate Xi’an as the heart of the Central Plains and the capital of the new empire. And this new empire shall be named Hong (弘)!”

When Wi Jin-hak’s lengthy proclamation came to an end, everyone assembled there bowed before him in unison.

“The Heavenly Demon Descends!”

“Ten Thousand Demons Obeys!”

Listening to the slogans resounding on every side, Wi Jin-hak swept his gaze over the ministers and soldiers before proclaiming once more.

“Today shall mark the dawn of a new heaven and shall be commemorated as the founding day of the Great Hong Dynasty! Henceforth, Founding Day shall be declared a public holiday each year, so that all people may rest without worry! Furthermore, as this year marks the opening of a new heaven, festivities shall continue for three days. Together, rejoice in the peace we have won!"

This had not been decided on Wi Jin-hak’s whim.

The celebration had been planned from the very beginning.

That was why the capital's relocation had been delayed for several days after the essential palace buildings were completed. They had needed time to distribute the food and goods required for three days of celebration throughout the Central Plains.

And now the preparations bore fruit.

Across the Central Plains, identical proclamations hung on walls and notice boards.

Officials dispatched by the Hong Dynasty also read those proclamations aloud to the people on Wi Jin-hak’s behalf.

"The next three days are declared a national festival!"

“Eat and drink to your heart’s content!”

As soon as the announcement ended, the officials began handing out the provisions that had already been delivered in advance.

Naturally, cheers praising the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult and Wi Jin-hak erupted everywhere.

“Glo~ ry! Glory! O’ Divine Cult!!”

“I’ve got peace like a ri~ver! I’ve got peace like a ri~ver!”

One hymn after another echoed across the land.

On that day, you couldn't find a single person on the entire land with a bad word to say about the Hong Dynasty.

* * *

Two days later.

Two days later, the festival reached its final day, and the Imperial Palace was hosting the empire's last and grandest celebration.

An imperial wedding.

This day marked the official wedding ceremony of the Holy Emperor Wi Jin-hak and Empress Zhuge Eun-yeong.

The two had been wed in a time of turmoil, so their wedding had been reduced to a simple ceremony.

Now that peace was finally restored, they could finally hold a wedding ceremony they deserved.

“Hahaha.”

Zhuge Mun watched the ceremony with an expression of unfiltered joy.

Naturally, the rest of the ministers also kept bright and incredibly warm smiles plastered on their faces the entire time.

After all, no one would dare look anything less than pleased at the Emperor's wedding.

Yet several of the ministers harbored a tangle of complicated thoughts within.

News of the imperial wedding spread across the Central Plains in no time.

“Long Live His Majesty the Holy Emperor! Long Live Her Majesty the Empress!”

Still swept up in the joy of the festival, the people raised their voices as one, offering heartfelt blessings for the couple's lifelong happiness.

Children ran about singing hymns, while adults sang them with faces flushed from drink.

“On a dark, dark night~ In the pitch-black night~.”

“Listen to yourself! That's not even the right tune!"

“Wahahaha! Who cares about the tune? It is the heart that matters! Are you saying my gratitude to His Majesty isn't heartfelt enough? Hahaha!"

The city was filled with liveliness, and everyone was having the time of their lives.

Meanwhile, later that night.

Within the newly built Imperial Palace, beneath its outward calm and hidden bustle, stood a residence near the gate leading to the Inner Palace.

It was the residence of Il-mok, who had been appointed Grand Preceptor.

Inside, Il-mok sat across from Jin Hayeon.

More accurately, he had summoned her to his quarters.

Maybe she already had a hunch about what he was going to say. Or maybe, she just didn't care what the topic was as long as she was with him. But as expected from her, Jin Hayeon didn't say a single word. She just sat there, staring at Il-mok with that signature tranquil gaze of hers.

Il-mok held her gaze for a moment before a faint smile tugged at his lips.

‘Then again, she has always been like this.’

Except during the earliest days after Il-mok had entered the Divine Cult, Jin Hayeon had always behaved this way.

Whenever he summoned her or entrusted her with a task, she accepted it without question.

And even when she asked questions, it was merely because she did not understand some part of his instructions.

She had rarely opposed his judgment.

‘...No. That's not quite true. I guess she also has changed a little.’

It was a very subtle difference.

In the past, her eyes had always carried an inhuman indifference. But now, her gaze was merely tranquil.

It suddenly occurred to him that they had known each other for a very long time.

It’s been over a decade since they first met.

Even excluding the two years they were separated while he attended the Hall of the Demonic Way, it had still been over ten years.

Looking at the silent Jin Hayeon,  Il-mok spoke first.

“Miss Jin, do you remember the promise I made long ago?”

“...I remember.”

Il-mok gave an awkward smile before offering an excuse that was only half an excuse.

“I’m sorry. I told you we'd talk again once the war was over. But the country's barely on its feet, and even His Majesty has postponed his own wedding. I couldn't very well rush into mine."

It sounded like an excuse, but it was also the truth.

Wi Jin-hak was both the Holy Emperor and Il-mok’s Eldest Brother.

When even a man such as he had postponed his wedding to stabilize the nation, Il-mok could hardly hold his own marriage ceremony first.

Things might have been different in the modern world, but that was how matters stood in this one.

Jin Hayeon studied him in silence for a long moment before finally speaking.

“As I said before, if you are doing this out of a sense of responsibility or guilt regarding what happened back then, you really don't have to force yourself for my sake."

Il-mok shook his head.

"That's not it."

Come to think of it, the relationship between her and Ilmok had changed so gradually that neither of them had noticed.

“You are the person who knows me better than anyone.”

That certainly hadn't been how he'd seen her in the beginning.

Back then, just being in the same room as her had put him on edge.

To him in his youth, she had been nothing more than a brainwashed zealot. A watcher assigned by his late Master to keep an eye on him.

"You're the person who always gives everything you have for my sake."

But somewhere along the way, things changed.

"The person whose company alone puts me at ease."

She had gradually melted the ice around her own heart.

She no longer obeyed his Master’s order and came to Il-mok’s side by her own free will.

And without ever realizing it, he had changed as well.

By that time, having her by his side put his heart at ease.

"If I were to spend the rest of my life with someone, I'd want it to be someone like you."

Saying all this incredibly cheesy dialogue out loud made him cringe inwardly with embarrassment, but he forced himself to swallow it down and brace his heart.

Because in a moment like this, you just had to commit and push all the way through.

"If I ever marry, there's only one person I could imagine beside me. And that person is you, Jin Hayeon.”

With those words, he reached into his sleeve and drew out something he had bought in advance.

It was a hairpin.

It was not some ornament bedecked with gaudy design or precious stones.

Instead, it possessed a refined and elegant air.

The moment he had laid eyes on it, he'd thought of Jin Hayeon and bought it without a second thought.

With the hairpin in his hand, Il-mok asked one final question.

“Jin Hayeon, will you marry me?”

For a moment, Il-mok sat there with his head lowered, awkwardly holding out the hairpin.

Then, Jin Hayeon’s pale fingertips gently grasped the other end of the hairpin. He thought he saw them tremble ever so slightly.

Looking up at last, he found her smiling at him.

It was a smile as pure and radiant as the full moon brightening the night sky.

"Thank you... for loving someone as inadequate as me."

Through that quiet smile, a single teardrop rolled down her cheek.

"I have always loved you too, Grand Preceptor... No. My dearest husband."

Was it her confession?

Or maybe it was that single tear of joy.

All he knew was that this moment was forever etched into his soul.