At the same time, the Princess and Gun Hye-rin answered the question written all over my face—what exactly was a Yuan-Tuo?
“A softshell turtle.”
“A crocodile.”
But they each gave a different answer.
Looking at each other with raised eyebrows, they then followed up in perfect unison:
“That’s also correct.”
“That’s also right.”
'What are they even saying?'
I blinked at the both of them.
“Softshell turtle” refers to a type of terrapin, and “crocodile” is, well, a crocodile.
So how could both be wrong and right at the same time?
“Huh?”
Seeing my confused expression, the Princess smiled and explained.
“So-ryong, you’re an expert on beasts and insects, but I guess you’re not familiar with old terms? Yuan-Tuo is an ancient word that refers to either a large terrapin or a crocodile. Especially the really big ones.”
“Yeah, the big ones.”
“Aha.”
So it was a word that could mean either a giant crocodile or a giant terrapin—or both.
Immediately, my mouth began to water.
'I’m salivating already.'
No, of course it wasn’t because I thought it’d taste good.
Crocodile and turtle are rumored to be excellent for men’s health, but I’d rather die of weakness than eat those cute little creatures in front of Hwa-eun.
I was excited because, based on their explanation, it could be a massive crocodile or a massive terrapin—or even a spiritual hybrid of both.
Judging from fossil remains and skeletal evidence found in the Central Plains, it’s likely that many crocodiles once lived here. But in recorded history, only one crocodile species is known to have survived—the Yangtze Alligator (Alligator sinensis).
Also called the Chinese alligator, it’s one of only two remaining alligator species in the world.
These relatively mild-tempered creatures grow to about 1.5 to 2 meters long.
Similarly, based on fossils and ancient remains, several types of giant terrapins are believed to have once existed—but in the modern era I came from, only one survived: the Yangtze Giant Softshell Turtle.
It’s the world’s largest freshwater terrapin, reaching up to one meter in length and over 100 kilograms in weight.
Neither species is inherently venomous, but if this Yuan-Tuo was a spirit beast like Geumdo, it might very well have venom—and in any case, both are reptiles.
Plus, both species are highly aggressive, which made me even more excited.
'There’s always a thrilling edge to raising crocodiles or turtles.'
I’d never raised a crocodile due to the massive enclosure requirements, but I had raised terrapins before.
They might not kill people with venom, but they have absolutely insane temperaments.
That’s what makes raising them so thrilling.
Especially because of their jaw strength—terrapins boast terrifying bite force.
There’s a saying that if a terrapin bites your finger, you’ll lose it—and that’s not an exaggeration.
PSI, or pounds per square inch, is a unit of pressure, and according to biological studies, a terrapin’s bite force measures around 1,000 PSI.
That’s even stronger than the 700 PSI of a tiger or lion.
Crocodiles, meanwhile, are in a league of their own—up to 2,000 to 5,000 PSI.
“Ooooh, terrapin! Crocodile!”
When I shouted joyfully, Geum Gi-ryung burst into laughter.
It’s always a good thing when the recipient of a gift is happy—the giver ends up feeling good too.
A great reaction is the best reward for a great gift.
“So-ryong, I figured you’d be delighted! Hahaha!”
Then came the voices of the Princess and Gun Hye-rin in tandem.
Both turned to Geum Gi-ryung and asked the same question:
What exactly had he prepared?
“So, which one is it?”
“Yeah, which one is it exactly?”
“Ah, what I’ve prepared is—”
As he opened his mouth to answer, I cut in with a shout.
“Hold it!”
All three of them jumped and looked at me.
I quickly shook my head and said,
“It’d ruin the fun if we found out now, wouldn’t it? Let’s keep it a surprise until we see it with our own eyes. Only Guildmaster Geum gets to know for now.”
You don’t read the last page of a mystery novel first.
How dare they ask for a spoiler?
That was truly crossing the line.
'Have they both gone mad? Why would they ask that!?'
Seeing the stern look on my face, Geum Gi-ryung hesitated and looked to the Princess as if to ask, Shouldn’t I answer since Your Highness asked?
“If So-ryong says no, then don’t answer.”
“Hahaha! Then I’ll keep my lips sealed until the reveal.”
At her words, Geum Gi-ryung scratched his head and smiled sheepishly.
Then Gun Hye-rin stuck out her lip and muttered:
“Lately, even hearing words like that just annoys me.”
How could she say that when this was such a thrilling line?
That kind of hook was the bread and butter of my streaming days, and hearing her talk that way actually made me feel a little disappointed—but then again, her reaction told me something useful.
It meant that Gun Hye-rin’s affection was dropping when I acted like this.
'Oh ho. I’ll just have to say it more often, then.'
Yup, I definitely had to do it more.
***
[So-ryong, I couldn’t ask in front of the Princess, but... where is Hwa-eun? And why are you traveling with those two? I mean—not that I’m suspicious of you or anything, it’s just... you know...]
On the way to see the spirit ⊛ Nоvеlιght ⊛ (Read the full story) beast Geum Gi-ryung had secured—
As we followed the guide, he subtly pulled me aside and whispered this question.
I guess it looked suspicious for a married man like me to be running around with two other women.
To make things worse, the Princess herself wasn’t exactly single, was she?
Geum Gi-ryung was probably thinking this whole situation could destroy two families at once.
A married man and a married woman traveling together was an absolute taboo in this era.
I couldn’t let my only friend’s opinion of me drop, so I smoothed it over.
[Hwa-eun’s at my home base right now, guarding the other spirit beasts. These two are just guests. We happened to be working together while searching for another spirit beast. Oh, and the lady over there—Miss Gun—is actually Hwa-eun’s close friend.]
[Ah, I see!]
Geum Gi-ryung nodded as if relieved.
But then he leaned in again, speaking in a conspiratorial whisper.
[Um, So-ryong... are you close with the Princess?]
[Why do you ask?]
[Well... ahem. I was thinking of expanding my business a bit in the Hangzhou region, and... well, isn’t Your Highness the Princess technically the Governor of Zhejiang Province? So I was wondering if you might... help make an introduction...]
[If you do, I’ll give you the spirit beast for free.]
I narrowed my eyes and looked at him.
[For free?]
[Yes, for free. If you’ll do me that favor, what’s a spirit beast in comparison?]
'Wait a minute—was he really going to charge his friend for this? Gi-ryung, seriously?'
I almost felt a little hurt by Geum Gi-ryung’s words, but then I remembered: I was the one who’d told him that in the first place.
I told him no matter the cost, just secure the spirit beast.
Besides, the one footing the bill would be my in-laws, the Tang Clan.
'Still, if he’s giving it for free, I won’t say no...'
It seemed like Gi-ryung was planning to expand his business in Hangzhou and needed government backing to do it.
If Seo Bin-ak hadn’t been such a scumbag and was still alive, I might’ve been able to help—but right now, the Governor of Zhejiang Province seat was vacant.
A new appointment would probably be announced soon.
Thinking it over, I figured it’d be better to ask the Princess—save some money for my in-laws.
After all, the Tang Clan’s money is Hwa-eun’s money, and Hwa-eun’s money is my money.
[Hold on a moment. I’ll ask my princess via telepathic message.]
[Ooooh! T-thank you, So-ryong.]
Leaving the silently thrilled Gi-ryung behind, I moved to stand beside the Princess and sent a message to our private group chat.
『“Princess?”』
『“Yes, So-ryong?”』
『“I feel bad asking this, but a friend of mine is trying to expand in Hangzhou. It seems he needs a connection in the government. Would you be able to offer a bit of help?”』
The Princess turned slightly and glanced at me before replying with a question of her own.
『“How close are you two?”』
That was a tricky question to answer.
Technically, we weren’t that close. But if he’s handing over a spirit beast, then yes—we’re absolutely close.
I turned my head to look at Geum Gi-ryung, who was giving me an awkward smile.
So I answered her question:
『“You could say we’re very close friends.”』
『“Hmm. Is that so?”』
Hearing my reply, the Princess beckoned Gi-ryung over with a casual flick of her hand.
Gi-ryung rushed forward and bowed his head.
“Yes, you called for me?”
“You need help with the Governor of Zhejiang?”
“Yes, Your Ladysh—uh...”
“Just call me Lady Yoo.”
“Yes, L-Lady Yoo.”
Flustered by not knowing how to address her, Gi-ryung scrambled to adjust once she provided the correct title. The Princess then got straight to the point.
“Since you’re So-ryong’s friend, I’ll tell you directly. The Governor of Zhejiang is dead.”
“W-What!?”
Gi-ryung was visibly shocked, and turned to me with an expression of disbelief.
His eyes were clearly asking, 'Is this real?'
I asked the Princess out loud:
“Are you really okay just saying that out loud?”
“It’ll be public knowledge soon enough. The court has to officially announce his death before a new governor can be appointed.”
“I see.”
“It will be reported that he died of illness.”
The Princess continued calmly, while Gi-ryung, who clearly didn’t understand the subtext, kept his lips tightly shut.
When the Princess turned to look at him, he straightened his back and said seriously:
“I will remember only what I am commanded to remember.”
As expected of one of the top guildmasters in the Central Plains—Gi-ryung had good instincts.
He was signaling that even if he’d heard something he shouldn’t have, he’d erase it from memory if ordered to do so.
The Princess nodded approvingly.
“You’ve got good instincts for a friend of So-ryong’s.”
'What’s that supposed to mean? Of course he has good instincts—he’s my friend, after all.'
It felt a bit like she was low-key insulting me as some tactless idiot. Still, the Princess turned back to Gi-ryung and said:
“Just give him the spirit beast as a gift.”
She must’ve overheard us talking earlier about asking for it as a favor, because now she was straight-up demanding it without shame—like a highway robber.
Gi-ryung flinched in surprise, quickly bowing his head.
“O-Of course, Lady Yoo. I was planning to give it to him anyway. I only brought it up just in case. My apologies.”
So he wasn’t planning to give it away after all, but now he was pretending like he was.
I stepped in to smooth it over.
“No matter how close we are, I can’t take something from a friend by force. Please retract that request.”
'You’ll make him cry, Princess.'
The Princess chuckled, then addressed Gi-ryung again.
“Guildmaster Geum.”
“Yes, Lady Yoo.”
“You can consider the price of the spirit beast covered by a letter.”
“A letter, milady?”
“If you bring it to the Crown Prince, it will likely be of use.”
“G-Guh—!”
Gi-ryung’s eyes went wide in absolute shock.
She wasn’t going to help with his Hangzhou plans—but she was offering a connection to the Crown Prince himself.
Which meant... a direct line to the future imperial court.
“I—I’ll never forget this grace!”
While Gi-ryung trembled with joy, the Princess turned to me with a sly smile.
“That should be enough to pay for the dagger, wouldn’t you say?”
At that, I realized just how screwed I was.
I had no idea how much symbolic weight she’d placed on that street-market dagger I’d bought her.
'Why did I even buy that stupid dagger!? This is way worse than I thought.'
From now on, I’d better just keep my mouth shut and breathe quietly.
***
The place Geum Gi-ryung brought us to was a large siheyuan estate in the heart of Taean.
The wooden structures were painted in bright colors—it looked like he’d spent quite a bit.
“This is my home.”
“Ooh, you got yourself a new place?”
“Yes. I’ve got to get married someday, after all.”
It seemed he’d finally moved out of the inn and bought himself a house. He led us to the rear garden, where a pond lay nestled in the courtyard.
“Here we are. I’ve placed it in the pond.”
“This pond?”
As we approached, the water was completely opaque with green algae—nothing visible.
That was normal; ponds tend to get like that.
As I raised my inner sight and began scanning the area, Gun Hye-rin apparently spotted something before I did and shouted out:
“There it is, Master!”
I quickly turned my head.
The surface of the pond was bubbling—and something was starting to rise.
