Incompatibility

Geonil was a noble.

All but one of the Five Great Families, swept up in the Great Upheaval, now barely retain even their foundations. Even they would not dare casually lay a hand on the Two Great Houses under Heaven, which had rendered great service to the Empire since its founding.

Even if he could not compare with such illustrious great families, he came from one of the foremost houses that held sway over the north.

That was why interpreting the etiquette and precedence among nobles, and the sharp meanings hidden behind the words they uttered with smooth tongues, was no challenge.

'It has hardly been any time since I sent my reply, yet you came all the way from Anmun in a single bound. I'm delighted that my anticipation hasn't even had time to fade.'

The words Choran, the young head of the Sang clan, had spoken when she welcomed them earlier were not merely a greeting. They meant, 'Judging by how you came running the moment I called, you have no sense of dignity.'

Someone might think that was too much of a leap, but Geonil knew the Sang family—and Choran—well. Even within her own clan, she had a habit of cleverly skirting around what she truly wanted to say.

"What about the person who came with you?"

"My name is Yoo Hyun."

"Oh my! Surely you aren't the Great General of the Water Mirror Guard, whose fame has been spreading lately?"...