Chapter 41 Red Winter Part 7

The four most famous ministers of Tangzang were sitting in a beautiful hall, having a decent conversation. After the dancers perform their dance. Minister Lee waved to the dancers. The dancers and maids in the room quickly left the hall.

Minister Lee said, "Thank you all for coming to chat with me. It has been a long time since we had a gathering like tonight."

Minister Tang nodded and said, "I thought I lost my head."

Minister Choi said, "Last time we acted hastily and spoke too early, which made His Majesty angry."

Minsters Yan said, "I heard that His Majesty has left the capital and is heading south with the mages and the Chief Keme."

Minister Lee looked at Minister Yan in shock, "You mean, His Majesty is not in the palace anymore?"

Minster Yan nodded. "I heard from His Majesty's personal servants." He looked around the room to make sure that there was no one else around except the four of them. "I also heard unspeakable news."

Minister Tang asked, "What is it?"

Minister Yan looked at the people sitting at the table, and said, "The same maid told me that when General Bayarmaa returned to the capital, His Majesty often went out to General Bayarmaa's mansion late at night."

Minister Yan said, "That's normal. Everyone knows that His Majesty loves and favors General Bayarmaa the most."

Minister Yan lowered his voice. "His Majesty and General Bayarmaa are," he said, clasping his hands together and slowly moving his right hand up and down.

The ministers sitting at the tables gasped.

Minister Choi said, "No wonder His Majesty passed such a law." He smiled. "So that's how it is... His Majesty and General Bayarmaa have this kind of relationship, so this is why His Majesty has always favored General Bayarmaa."

Minister Lee said, "Then we have a problem."

Minister Choi asked, "What's the problem?"

Minister Lee said, "Ever since His Majesty became the ruler of Tangzang, His Majesty has not appointed a queen. If His Majesty has formulated such a decree, is it possible that His majesty wants to appoint General Bayarmaa as His Majesty's queen?"

Ministers Yan said, "That is not right… A queen has always been female, so having a male queen, the heavens will be furious and punish Tangzang."

Minister Lee said, "If His Majesty wants to appoint General Bayarmaa, who will dare to speak out against him?"

Minister Tan said, "Although our sons and daughters may all serve in the imperial court, the Bayarmaa family has always been the highest among them. If General Bayarmaa became Queen of Tangzang, there would be no place for us to stand in Tangzang."

Minister Yan asked, "What shall we do? Are we going to kill the Great Grand General Bayarmaa or His Majesty, or both?"

Minister Tan said, "Appointing a new general is much easier than appointing a new ruler."

Minister Choi said, "Besides, General Bayarmaa is very skilled. It will be difficult to kill him, but the security around General Bayarmaa is lighter than that of His Majesty."

Minister Lee suggested, "If..." He looked at the three people at the same table with a smirk. "What if we borrow His Majesty's hands to do the killing?"

Minister Choi smiled and said, "It's a brilliant idea." He looked around at the people sitting at the table and smiled. "We can do it without incriminating us."

Looking down at the number of fish swimming in the crystal-clear river, it is unimaginable for Haneul. He's excited that the mages have done something extraordinary. Haneul stood up and looked across the river, where he could clearly see the people by the river. He sighed with a heavy heart; though he had created the magical river, Haneul found it hard to believe that the little river could protect his kingdom from invaders.

Chief Keme asked, "Your Majesty, what's the matter with the long face?"

Haneul said, "We were concerned that the river would not deter the intruders from invading our kingdom."

Chief Keme said with a smile, "Your Majesty, don't be afraid, this small river will make Tangzang the safest place in this land." Chief Keme saw a group of hunters walking with pheasants on their backs. They also carry bows and arrows. "Young hunters."

The hunters turned to look at Chief Keme. One of the hunters asked aloud, "Are you talking to us?"

Chief Keme smiled and said, "Yes."

The hunter shouted arrogantly, "What do you want?"

Chief Keme looked at Haneul and shouted at the hunters. "If any of you can hurt this man." He pointed at Haneul. "You'll be richly rewarded."

Sukh looked at Chief Keme, "Chief, the life of His Majesty's can't be joked like that."

Chief Keme said, "His Majesty does not believe that this river can protect Tangzang from invaders, so I just want to prove that this magical river can."

The hunters laughed. The hunter asked again, "Are you sure?"

Haneul said, "Shoot me to death, if you succeed, I will give each of you ten thousand gold leaves."

One of the hunters quickly drew his arrow and pointed it at Haneul, and the hunter released the arrow without thinking. The arrow circled in the air and went straight to Haneul. Sukh jumped quickly in front of Haneul, but as soon as the arrow crossed the magic river, it seemed to disappear without a trace. Suddenly, from the other side of the river came the grunting pain from the hunter who released the arrow.

The elder hunter stood up and shouted frantically, "You shot my brother."

Chief Keme said, "We didn't shoot your brother, he shot himself with his own arrow. If you don't believe me, look at the arrow."

The hunter quickly checked the arrow, and it turned out to be his brother's arrow. "You dare to joke with us. I'll swim over and cut off your head." The hunter roared frantically. "You wait."

Chief Keme said, "I advise you not to swim across this river, otherwise you will be wandering in this magical river forever."

Chief Keme's warnings fell on deaf ears. The angry hunter took off his gear and jumped into the river. The hunter and Tanzanie on both sides waited for nearly an hour, but from the moment the hunter jumped into the river, they never saw the hunter appear again.

Haneul said, "Chief Keme, you have proved that this river is trustworthy."

Chief Keme said, "If it will reassure His Majesty. Allow me to move the Kukungga people to live here."

Haneul smiled and said, "We believe in you. We don't doubt your royalties to us. We will return to the capital and inform your people to move here." He sighed. "Not only that, but we are declaring that this land will be a sacred site and that no one will be able to remove the Kukungga from this land without our authorization."

Chief Keme fell to his knees. "Thank you, Your Majesty."

Haneul said, "Chief Keme, the soldiers will stay here for another month, and if all goes well, we will be able to live in peace for many years to come." He sighed. "Let's go back to the capital."

On the way back to camp, Sukh turned his head to look at Haneul and asked, "No more seeking… the whole north is yours. Now is the time for peace and rule over the land you conquered with compassion."

Haneul looked at Sukh and said with a smile, "Since the entire northern hemisphere is ours, there is no reason to seek more. Also, I want to spend the rest of the time with you. Think about it, I spent my youth fighting wars, forgetting to enjoy myself, and now that other Kingdoms want to wage war against me, or maybe I became old enough to understand that I don't need much in this life. I just need you by my side."

Sukh said, "Your Majesty, I have already told you. I will not agree to marry you into the palace."

Haneul said with a smile, "I assure you; I will not force you, but please come back to the capital with me."

Sukh suddenly stopped and said, "Haneul… If I were a woman, I would enter the palace with you without hesitation."

Haneul turned to look at Sukh. "I wouldn't like you so much if you were a woman," he said with a smile. "I love you for who you are." He took two steps closer to Sukh. "I won't trade you for anything." He stretched out his head to kiss Sukh, but Sukh backed away quickly. "Ah...I forgot; you don't allow me to kiss you in the open." He giggled and walked ahead of Sukh.

After Haneul, Sukh, Chief Keme, and the four hundred mages return to the capital. Haneul has appointed Chief Keme as Duke of the Southern Border, and issued an edict to designate the southern border as a holy place for the Kukungga people. Many ministers were not satisfied with Haneul's decision, but there was nothing they could do.

Four months after returning to the capital city, Sukh and Chief Keme stood face to face on a grassland outside the capital city. Chief Keme smiled at Sukh and said, "No matter how many miles you send us, we still have to separate in the end, let's split up here."

Sukh said, "Godfather, have a safe journey."

Chief Keme asked, "Are you sure you're not coming with us?"

Sukh shook his head and said, "I promised His Majesty that I will stay in the capital. I will visit you."

Chief Keme laughed, "You didn't keep your promise to me, but you will keep your promise to His Majesty at all costs."

Sukh said with a smile, "That's because your temperament is much better than His Majesty's."

Chief Keme jumped on his horse. "Would you regret staying with him?" he asked.

Sukh shook his head and said, "No."

Chief Keme smiled and said, "Good." He rode his horse to chase the other Kukunggas who were walking ahead.

Sukh stood watching the Kukungga people until he could no longer see the last person in the queue. He sighed and was about to turn around when he saw two dark shadows quietly approaching behind him.