The delegation meets trouble

The delegation had been on its arduous journey for almost a month now, fatigue creeping into their bones. Yet, their spirits remained high, fueled by the anticipation of witnessing the marriage of the beloved young Han Miss.

On this particular day, the weather took a turn for the worse. Dark storm clouds swallowed the sky, blotting out the sun's rays for days. Now, the heavens unleashed their fury, the rain cascading down like a torrential downpour. The once solid pathways transformed into treacherous mires of mud, making every step a challenge for the weary travelers.

An air of unease settled among the entourages. The rain threatened to impede their progress, and the looming possibility of being stranded in the unforgiving forest weighed heavily on their minds.

"His Grace instructed us to wait until the rain subsides! Let us find more stable ground!" A soldier shouted above the roar of the rain, his voice barely audible.

"Why is the bridal sedan so far away?" questioned another, his frustration evident in his tone as he struggled to maintain his footing in the soggy mud.

"Don't move away from His Grace! Come closer!" urged another, his voice tinged with anxiety.

"The second unit of guards is utterly useless. Why are they even here?" grumbled another.

A young soldier volunteered to fetch the Young Miss's sedan, his voice laced with urgency. "Maybe they can't hear us. I'll go and retrieve the Young Miss's sedan. You all continue ahead."

As the young soldier approached the bridal sedan, his steps faltered. Something was amiss. Standing in front of the sedan, blocking its path, was the commander of the second unit, a respected and trusted figure among the guards. "Hey! What are you doing? Move the Young Miss's sedan!" the soldier called out, his voice tinged with both confusion and concern.

Amidst the relentless rain, the tension in the air thickened. Narrowing his eyes, the young soldier raised his voice, "Unit Two! Can't you hear me? Move the Young Miss's sedan!"

But before he could receive an answer, a sudden hush fell over the surroundings. Figures dressed in black materialized out of the shadows, forming a menacing circle around the second unit and the bridal sedan. The soldiers' hands instinctively reached for their swords, ready to defend their charges against this unexpected threat.

The men in black did not make any sudden moves. With an eerie coordination, they began walking in circles around the second unit of guards, gradually tightening their formation. The sound of their footsteps splashing in the mud added an unsettling rhythm to the scene.

The soldiers huddled around the sedan, their cloaks soaked through. The raindrops bounced off their swords and armor, cold droplets traced icy paths down their necks, their nerves standing on the edge.

"Someone, help!" the young soldier cried out, his voice lost in the pounding rain.

Panic and confusion spread through the second unit like wildfire. They found themselves torn between defending the sedan and fending off the encroaching assailants.

And then, as if orchestrated by some unseen force, the men in black made their move.

Swords clashed against swords as the guards attempted to hold their ground against the mysterious attackers, but the men in black moved with an uncanny agility, eluding their strikes with ease.

In a daring move, the commander of the second unit, unsheathed his sword and, to everyone's shock, thrust it into the side of the bridal sedan.

The men in black froze for a moment.

Sensing an opportunity, the guards intensified their assault, driven by a mix of confusion and determination. However, the men in black swiftly adapted, their movements becoming more fluid and elusive, skillfully evaded the guards' desperate attempts to halt their advance.

With each passing moment, the rain intensified, obscuring vision and adding to the soldiers' predicament. Seizing the advantage of the deteriorating weather, the men in black pressed against the guards' defense even harder, their actions growing bolder and more audacious. Amidst the chaos, they managed to capture the commander of the second unit, his capture serving as a grim reminder of their prowess.

In a synchronized surge, they vanished into the heavy rain, leaving no trace of their escape route. It was as if they were mere phantoms, appearing out of nowhere and disappearing just as swiftly.

The guards in disarray and shock, attempted to give chase, but the rain reduced visibility to a mere blur.

The young soldier rushed to the sedan, he heart pounding against his chest with fear for the safety of the Young Miss.

Anxiety gnawed at his insides as he pulled back the curtains.

"T-th-this?!"

What he beheld inside the sedan struck him with disbelief and horror. His eyes widened, and he staggered back several steps, struggling to comprehend the scene that unfolded before him.

Footsteps splashing in the mud causing fear to grip ahold of the soldier's entire being. He slowly turned around to face Prime Minister Han, who stood behind him, his countenance both calm and unnerving.

Despite the friendly smile on Prime Minister Han's face, there was something unsettling about his gaze. With a pat on the soldier's shoulder, Prime Minister Han's spoke with an undertone of authority that sent a shiver down the young soldier's spine, "Let's keep going, shall we."

In the gloomy weather, Prime Minister Han's sturdy features took on a foreboding presence, it did little to ease the soldier's growing fear..

The scar on his face stood as a reminder of his past. Prime Minister Han was no delicate flower; he dyed his hands in blood fighting relentlessly in Jeontu's most gruesome battles for over a decade, always emerging victorious. This was a man who would not hesitate to erase the existence of a mere guard without batting an eye.

The young soldier's gaze wavered, a mixture of fear and confusion clouding his mind. He glanced back at the sedan, his heart heavy.

Just what had Prime Minister Han prepared for them all?

Only time would reveal the true intentions of Prime Minister Han and the nature of the threat they faced. Till then, the answer remained shrouded in mystery, as impenetrable as the veil of rain that continued to pour down upon them.