บท 2: THE LADY IN RED

TWENTY YEARS LATER

"Your majesty, it's the lady in red, she has been spotted at the market." A guard rushed into the palace door explaining.

The Emperor who sat on the throne furrowed his brows in frustration "The lady in red ??? why haven't you guys captured her yet are you worthy to be called palace guards."

Seeing the frustration of the Emperor, the Guard gulped in fear, the Emperor was known for his ruthlessness throughout the land and wouldn't hesitate to kill a low life like him, even the court minsters were scared of the Emperor because no one could know what was going on in his mind, leading their country the Chi nation to be the greatest amongst the rest.

The guard summoned up his courage and replied kneeling before the Emperor with his head bowed "We have thought of that too but there is anything we can do, as the lady in red only kills criminals and anytime we almost close in ,she escapes."

Hearing this the Emperor became even more furious and yelled pointing at the guard with ferociousness "Are you even worthy as men, you can't even catch a mere woman."

Knowing that if he stayed longer his head would be rolling on the ground soon enough, thinking of ways to escape but suddenly the Royal Concubine Song entered into the courtroom standing at the door while the steward went in to announce her presence.

Even after the Empress died the Emperor refused to bestow the title on anyone else, Song Minhyun was frustrated as she had tried using the honey trap many times but the results were always futile.

"The Royal Concubine seeks your audience my lord." The steward announced.

"Greetings your majesty." Song Minhyun bowed to the Emperor after he permitted her entrance.

"You may rise." The Emperor Han Jisung said looking at the woman who just arrived.

Song Minhyun was the daughter of the neighbouring Qi Kingdom, due to her beauty she had many suitors who had wanted her hand in marriage, but after laying her eyes on the Emperor of Chi nation she wanted him to herself persuading her father to give her hand in marriage to him, Song Minhyun made her father bribe the court officials of Chi nation to present her for marriage after she attempted suicide.

"Your majesty, if you are not upset I overheard the conversation between you and the guard outside and would like to drop a suggestion." Song Minhyun looked directly into the Emperor eyes knowing he likes brave women.

"Speak." Emperor Han Jisung said coldly looking at the woman before him.

"What if you place a bounty on the lady in red's head, that way seeing that the palace is after her the people's love for the lady in red may decline, and also even if it doesn't decline no one can resist the lure of money and in no time The lady in red shall be in chains kneeling before you." Song Minhyun suggested bravely after seeing a hint of appreciation in the Emperor eyes, she believed she won his favour, she secretly bowed her head staring at the emerald green floor realizing a smirk.

Han Jisung after much thought gave the guard a glance, "Follow the Royal Concubine suggestion and place a bounty on the Lady in red, make sure to put in the slumps where the people cannot resist the urge to earn money and also send the edict to the Court ministers."

The guard nodded understandingly and let to carry out the orders he had just received grateful he has been saved from the Emperor's wrath.

Even if Chi kingdom was one of the greatest kingdom there were still some parts that had people who struggled to eat and live in slumps and parts that were highly infested by criminals who has been reduced to nothing by the lady in red,so they would definitely be tempted by the offer.

Watching the guard leave Song Minhyun felt that it was the right time to speak about she came for, "Your Highness, You haven't visited our son the crown prince in a long time, he talks to me on how much he yearns for his father."

The Emperor on hearing about his son, his eyes softened, Han Jiwoo has inevitably made the the country proud, he was the best archer and swordsman in the whole of the land.

"I have been busy with the state affairs lately." Han Jisung stated simply still feeling distraught about the lady in red, why did she have to challenge his power.

Seeing that her plan to get the Emperor to visit her court yard did not work Song Minhyun could only leave reluctantly.

Song Minhyun took out her frustration on the servant that waited on her after reaching her Palace slapping and hitting her as she likes.

"Mother!" a young boy rushed into the room trying to prevent her from hitting the maid, "What if you are spotted by anyone." He continued as their courtyard was close to the palace gates they could easily be seen by anyone.

Song Minhyun pushed the boy away " Leave me alone you Vagabond, if you were only you are good enough I wouldn't have to worry everytime."

The boy took a deep breath in as if trying to collect himself back, yes he was indeed lacking in health from birth but was disguised as a perfect son for the Emperor by his mother so he could ascend the throne and has been trained to become cold blooded ever since, his name was Han Jiwoo.

_______

A middle aged man walked into a shed yelling his lungs out, "You little brat how many times have I told you not to go out now the Palace is after you....."

Before he could complete his statement he was interrupted by a young lady on a tree wearing a red dress which was swaying gracefully along with the wind while she held a bottle of wine in her hands "It's not the first time."

The middle aged man was practically emitting steam out of his ears he thundered "this time it's different, a bounty has been placed on your head I saw the posters in the village myself."

A smirk forming on the Lady's face " let them come, it's not like they can do anything to stop me any way."

The middle aged man was frustrated at the youth's response he sighed, "can you at least take things serious here, you are making me regret teaching you martial arts, cause I feel you want to torture me with it, and how many times have I warned you not go up there drinking, can't you pity this old man."

Hearing the frustration in his voice the Lady jumped off the tree and landed smoothly on the ground before going to meet her master , she patted his shoulder, "I think you forgot my name, I am Bogsu(1) and until I achieve that no one in this world could restrain me except if am willing, understood, now let me go exercise with those bounty hunters, Master remember you told me to always train."Bogsu uttered coldly.

After saying that Bogsu disappeared into thin air, Bogsu's Master sighed resignedly, he knew her story he couldn't blame her and that's why he thought Bogsu martial arts in the first place, but the girl had a deranged way of thinking and any day she goes berserk may God help them.

Looking at the people sprawled on the floor Bogsu could only shake her head disappointedly, so this was the best that man could offer they couldn't even last a minute with her and to think they were motivated with money.

A cold glint flashed in her eyes one more time as she glanced at the people on the floor, surprisingly they are the same set of people that praised her for the good deeds she had done to the kingdom and yet they could do this for money "tch, pathetic." she said out loud for them to hear.

Hearing her voice the people who didn't mind their injury at all held each other to escape the demoness they just faced.

Seeing their back scurrying away she had a thought, why not visit the old man directly it would save her the trouble.