I Became the Crown Prince of a Ruined Country

45 – Those Who Leave

King Jin’s death didn’t just bring condolences from all over the world.

Death was serial. The death of King Jinsoyang did not mean the death of only that one person.

The death of the loser who reigned for over half a century and visited the world symbolized the end of an era.

The death of an nemesis who fought for a lifetime. The sudden loss of an adversary.

It was like a tug-of-war that was being pulled tight from one side.

Pyeongwon-gun did just that. Hearing of King Jinsoyang’s death, Pyongwongun let go of the line on the other side and rapidly weakened like a person who fell into trouble.

Pyeongwon-gun’s health began to deteriorate rapidly.

He devoted his life to defending the Zhao nation against King Jinsoyang.

King Jinsoyang was an old enemy that Pyeongwongun devoted his whole life to.

Although it was a long time after his accession to the throne that King Jin Soyang took the lead in ruling the country, King Jin Soyang’s name was written in the footprints of the Qin Dynasty that he left behind all over the world.

His death made Pyeongwon-gun’s guilt and tension melt away for an instant, and Pyeongwon-gun couldn’t hold back the string once it was untied.

From Jo Nara’s point of view, it was like a lightning bolt from the dry sky.

Thanks to Gunsingun volunteering to serve as an envoy, it was not too long ago that the issue of condolences was barely passed.

King Jo personally went to Pyeongwongun’s residence and even sent a royal robe, but there was no improvement.

Pyeongwongun was bedridden, Geonsingun was not in the country, and Hanhyang was executed, so the administrative power of the Zhao Dynasty was almost cut in half.

And this incident brought great confusion to me as well.

My brain was on the verge of bursting about Jeong’s life and future, but I couldn’t help but care about Pyeongwon-gun, so it seemed like the accident would stop at any moment.

Although they seemed to be isolated from each other on the outside, Pyeongwongun secretly helped me. As much as I still believe that I owe him grace, I personally took the news of Pyeongwon-gun.

“How is Pyeongwon-gun?”

“From what I’ve heard from Mr. Chu…”

Hankyung shook his head excitedly with a gloomy face. The appearance of Hankyung, who couldn’t bear to finish talking behind his back, was representative of how bad the state of Pyeongwon-gun was.

I felt uncomfortable, as if the organs in my stomach were twisting.

Pyeongwon-gun was the first ally I acquired in this unfamiliar country.

I was sent to a faraway country before I even felt the warmth of his parents. For me, he was an adult I could rely on more than anyone else.

Now, Shinneung-gun is there, and Nogu-cheon has become a reliable partner in its own way, but the kindness and consideration that Pyeongwon-gun has shown me so far has a depth that is incomparable to others.

“I can’t do it. I’ll have to go and see it myself.”

“Young master! Calm down. Young master going away will only harm the reputation of Pyeongwongun?”

It’s hard.

It was painful enough that Jeong might be Qin Shi Huang, but it was frustrating to have no choice but to watch Pyongwongun die.

Without being able to do this or that, I just passed the time without being able to come up with a clear answer.

Even with Jung, I don’t know how to deal with it, and I can’t get my hands on the work of the upper ranks.

However, it seems that these feelings were not one-way.

“I didn’t come here to harm Young master, so get up quietly.”

The voice that suddenly appeared by my bedside was familiar.

‘This voice….’

He is the most trusted man by Pyeongwon-gun and is bolder than anyone else among the diners. It was Mosu who was in charge of escorting Pyeongwongun.

“Pyeongwon-gun is looking for me?”

“I like Young master because he is quick-witted.”

There wasn’t even a knife stuck to my throat, so I got up comfortably.

I couldn’t spare the time to dress properly, so I put on whatever I could find.

“Let’s go.”

Mosu’s movement was unusual.

If Jing Jia’s appearance when he rescued Zheng was like a gale, Mo Su was like a silently growing shadow.

‘Within ten steps, you can be assured that the opponent’s life is in your own hands.’

Mosu declared that also against the King of Chu.

When Handan was surrounded and went to get reinforcements with Pingyuan’s army, Mosu threatened the time-consuming King of Chu that your life was now in my hands, and quickly received reinforcements.

As someone who said he would teach Jingga, Mosu’s level seemed to have reached a considerable level even to me, an outsider in martial arts.

There was no hindrance in Mosu’s footsteps, even with the country’s luggage.

Like a person who knows all the alleys of Handan, I went through unfamiliar roads several times, and to my surprise, Pyeongwon-gun’s mansion appeared in front of my eyes.

Upon entering the mansion, Mosu stopped his steps and took a step aside.

“From now on, Young master was ordered to come alone.”

“Thank you for taking me there”

“It’s not just following orders.”

Leaving behind Mosu, who responded bluntly, I headed to the main house where Pyeongwon-gun was waiting.

I had such a strong desire to find it, but something made it difficult to take my steps. What kind of face will Pyeongwon-gun, who will be standing in front of us, have?

My hands were shaking. I raised my trembling hand and tapped on the door.

“Pyeongwon-gun, this is Heedan.”

“Come in.”

The determination not to be taken aback no matter how Pyungwon-gun’s appearance changed began to waver the moment he faced Pyeongwon-gun in the room.

“Pyeongwon-gun…”

Pyeongwon-gun was so haggard that he wondered if he was the person who looked healthy until recently.

Her complexion was extremely pale, and the sunken shadows cast dark shadows under her eyes. How much weight had she lost? Her cheeks were hollow.

I know someone who showed a similar aspect to Pyeongwon-gun. In my previous life, I had watched from the sidelines as he collapsed so suddenly, became a crippled person in a short time, and died without being able to properly use his hands.

The disease that drove them to death was called cancer in modern times.

‘Pancreatic cancer….’

When it comes silently and the symptoms are directly revealed, it is the worst cancer that the god of death is already by your side.

Although I am not a professional doctor, the name of the disease flashed through my mind instinctively.

I only saw a pancreatic cancer patient once, but it was such an intense experience.

Maybe I’m overlapping it.

However, no matter what the name of the disease was, what was clear was the harsh truth that the time left for Pyeongwon-gun was really just a passing moment.

“How long are you going to stand there? Let’s sit down.”

“…Yes.”

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I was so shocked that I froze still.

I finally regained my composure and sat down in front of Pyeongwon-gun.

“It’s been a while since I’ve seen Gongja and the two of us like this.”

“I see. It’s really fortunate that I can see you again like this.”

“hahahaha. I see. Young master has grown up a lot. But it’s not awkward. Is it because I kept hearing about Young master from Chuyeon and his sister-in-law?”

Pyeongwon-gun was so calm that it was hard to believe that he was about to die.

“I’ve been paying attention to Young master’s actions, but all I can say is that he’s amazing. To be honest, if it were me, I wouldn’t have done as well as Young master. If it were my sister-in-law, I wouldn’t know.”

“Pyongwon-gun was also amazing. I still have a long way to go to imitate Pyeongwon-gun.”

“hahahahaha, at an age close to death, if you’re not even that good, you shouldn’t even pay attention to the upper ranks.”

The conversation, which continued in a light atmosphere, was cut short as a cough mixed with blood came out of Pyeongwon-gun’s mouth.

“Kuluk kuluk, kuhuhh…Heouk, as Young master sees, the time left for me is running out.”

“Pyeongwon-gun…”

Even if I wanted to say that it was not so, the words did not come out of my mouth when I saw Pyeongwon-gun’s condition.

Pyeongwon-gun wiped the blood from his hands on his clothes and spoke quickly as if he was nervous.

“I heard that you are trying to spread your influence over Yan.”

“If you heard it from Lord Xinling, it’s true.”

“Do you want to become King Yeon?”

“If it’s a job given to me, then I should.”

In the middle of the conversation, I gradually approached Pyeongwon-gun and supported him as he staggered from the side.

Pyeongwon-gun continued to say, pushing away my hand that was trying to lay me down on the bed.

“Young master was like that on that day. Even if I forget Young master, Young master will remember the pact with me.”

“Obviously it was.”

Pyeongwon-gun lamented that the great cause shared with me had collapsed, but I vowed to keep my promise, even alone, without forgetting the grace he had given me.

“Young master…”

“Pyeongwon-gun.”

“Do you remember the answer Young master gave me when I asked him why he wanted to take the child?”

“I remember. I replied with compassion.”

Fair love to all without discrimination.

To me, who was reaping affection under the pretext of love, Pyeongwon-gun was a Mohist, or he was immersed in sorrow.

“Then…”

Pyeongwon-gun grabbed my arm that was supporting him. He doubted whether it was the right tooth that seemed about to collapse just now, and his grip was so strong that his arm hurt.

“In Young master’s love, is our Zona also present?”