Chapter 93: The Courtesan’s Divine Authority (1)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 93: The Courtesan’s Divine Authority (1)
These bizarre beings, their skin a mottled mix of bronze and silver, were undoubtedly fashioned from human corpses.
The black blood they spilled reeked of the putrid stench of decay, and no pulse throbbed in their hearts or throughout their bodies.
“Do you have any idea what these monstrosities are?”
As the head of the last one was severed from its torso by my hand, Gyeongwang approached, clicking his tongue in disbelief.
“I cannot be certain, but I believe they are what people call Jiangshi.”
“Jiangshi?”
The character Jiang (僵) in Jiangshi (僵尸) carries the meaning of standing stiffly. In other words, it refers to a corpse that walks.
Gyeongwang stared at the fallen monsters as if finding it hard to believe. “Jiangshi? I thought they were merely rumors.”
Rumors in this world rarely arise from nothing. Having experienced so much, I had simply grown accustomed to such things, my senses somewhat dulled. To an ordinary person, the sight of a moving corpse would be terrifying.
“Still, you are truly remarkable. To think even these Jiangshi were no match for you. You are the real monster here.”
I responded to Gyeongwang’s praise with a faint smile.
In truth, the Jiangshi I had just faced possessed bodies so hard they were nearly at the level of the Indestructible Diamond Body. Furthermore, their monstrous strength was comparable to that of a Supreme Peak Master. Since they felt no pain while attacking, they were dangerous enough to cause even a master who had broken through the wall to suffer a disastrous defeat if they let their guard down for even a moment.
It was only because of my past experiences that I could deal with them so smoothly. From the start, I had synchronized my Middle and Lower Dantians to cause my internal power to explode, then aimed for their heads—their primary weakness.
Indeed.
Regardless, hiding Jiangshi like these inside stone sarcophagi was a calculated move to ensure no one could let their guard down. It was a clear sign of the lengths someone had gone to prevent the secret of immortality from falling into the wrong hands.
“How is your body feeling?” I asked.
Gyeongwang looked at me with wonder. “What exactly did you do? The pain in my limbs has subsided so much that even my mind feels clear.”
“I cleared half of the major meridians that were blocked by Yang energy.”
Gyeongwang could not hide his shock. “Is that true?”
“Even if it is only half, the flow has become smoother, which should have alleviated the pain to some extent.”
“It is as you say. The pain hasn't vanished entirely, but at this level, I feel I can endure it even without wine.”
“I wanted to clear all the meridians, but I feared Your Highness’s physical strength would not hold out, so I had to stop midway.”
Gyeongwang’s excitement was palpable. “Th-then, if you clear all the meridians, can I be fully cured?”
It pained me to dampen the hope in his eyes, but I had to tell him the truth.
“I am sorry, but I fear that is unlikely.”
“Unlikely? Even the one they call the Divine Healer could not alleviate the pain this much. If you clear all those meridians...”
“Your Highness’s condition is innate.”
“What does that matter?”
“If your body naturally produced Yang energy within the range of a normal person after the meridians were cleared, there would be no problem. But Your Highness’s body is different.”
“...Are you saying it will recur?”
“Yes.”
The flush of excitement faded from Gyeongwang’s face, replaced by unconcealed disappointment. Deep down, he must have hoped that his body could be cured even without the elixir of immortality.
Since I had given him the negative news, I felt I should offer something positive.
“However, do not be discouraged.”
“What?”
“As long as you receive consistent management before the Yang energy grows enough to block the major meridians again, Your Highness will not suffer a short life due to the Solar Severed Meridians.”
“Is that true?”
“I am not a physician, so I cannot say it is absolute, but from what I have observed, it seems highly likely.”
“Ah...!”
Gyeongwang’s face flushed again, and his eyes grew misty. He seemed overwhelmed by the rekindled hope. Humans feel the most intense emotions when a single ray of hope rises from the depths of despair. I, too, had felt such emotions when I regained the ability to practice martial arts after being told it was impossible.
Overcome with gratitude, Gyeongwang formally offered a fist-and-palm salute.
“Your Highness?”
“Thank you. I wanted to offer this greeting not as a King or a Prince, but as one person who has received help from another.”
Regardless of his status or rank, he was a truly decent man. The more I got to know Gyeongwang, the more I felt this way.
Releasing his hands, Gyeongwang smiled at me.
“Since I have offered my thanks as a man, I wish to reward you as a King—no, as a monarch who will one day sit upon the Dragon Throne of this nation. Is there anything you desire?”
“You are not yet fully recovered, Your Highness.”
“The fact that there is improvement is enough to be grateful for. Moreover, had it not been for you, Yeon-saeng, I would have lost my life here to these traitors.”
He seemed determined to reward me. However, there was nothing I wanted at the moment.
“I am grateful for Your Highness’s words, but there is nothing I desire.”
“Nothing you desire?”
Gyeongwang burst into a hearty laugh. Then, he spoke again.
“You are the first of your kind I have met. Or is it because the secret of immortality is already before you that you desire nothing else?”
“...To be honest, I have no lingering attachment to immortality.”
What joy is there in living for an eternity? Besides, I was already in a state of semi-immortality myself. My only goal was to prevent it from falling into the hands of that most dangerous individual.
“Then why do you seek to claim that secret?”
“To prevent it from falling into the hands of one with twisted ambitions.”
There was no need to tell him everything. However, Gyeongwang spoke words I hadn't expected.
“To stop a twisted individual... The one those dead bastards referred to as 'His Majesty,' could it be the Golden Emperor?”
“How did you...?”
“Did you forget that I hadn't fainted earlier?”
Ah...
I had forgotten for a moment. He must have overheard when I was interrogating Ghostly Bow Chosa. Unintentionally, the name of the Golden Emperor had reached his ears. This could be problematic.
The Golden Emperor was known as a tyrant, but he was still an Emperor of the Great Yan Empire. In other words, he was one of Gyeongwang’s ancestors. I wasn't sure how he would react to learning that this sinister mastermind was the 6th Emperor of his own dynasty.
As I stood there awkwardly, Gyeongwang asked me seriously, “Is the Golden Emperor you speak of truly the 6th Emperor of the Great Yan Empire?”
I couldn't explain away the title of 'Emperor' by claiming it was just a coincidence of names.
What else could I do? Since things had come to this, I had to provide a plausible explanation. Eventually, I nodded in affirmation.
“That is correct.”
Gyeongwang spoke as if he couldn't believe it. “How can such a thing be possible? The Golden Emperor passed away from illness over three hundred years ago.”
“...He did not die. He has simply been hiding his presence for a long time.”
“Hiding his presence? Why would the Golden Emperor do such a thing...?”
“The Golden Emperor, known as a tyrant, sought to annihilate all martial artists of the Central Plains. I believe Your Highness is aware of this.”
“...Yes. I am.”
It was likely recorded in the imperial annals of the Great Yan Empire, so he couldn't be ignorant of it. Since I couldn't reveal the full details, I had to keep the story brief.
“The Golden Emperor had a purpose beyond erasing the martial world.”
“And what was that?”
“His circumstances differed from Your Highness’s, but the Golden Emperor also dreamed of immortality.”
Gyeongwang clicked his tongue. “I do not know what you might think, but in truth, there has never been an Emperor who was not interested in immortality.”
“That may be so. However, he was a tyrant who slaughtered countless martial artists and commoners.”
“...I cannot deny that.”
“Despite being such a man, an opportunity for immortality presented itself to him, just as it has for Your Highness.”
Gyeongwang asked in surprise, “An opportunity for immortality? Then, did the Golden Emperor achieve it?”
“No. He was on the verge of it, but his luck ran out. At that time, the successor of the Sword Immortal appeared and thwarted his ambitions.”
“The Sword Immortal? You mean the one called the Number One Sword Under Heaven, the living legend?”
“That is correct.”
“But no such record exists in the official histories.”
“Of course not. That incident would have been the ultimate humiliation and source of fear for the Golden Emperor.”
It felt a bit embarrassing to say this with my own mouth, even if I was speaking as if it were someone else's story.
“...How do you, Yeon-saeng, know of things not recorded in history?”
“I have a connection with the current successor of the Sword Immortal and heard it from him.”
“I see.”
Even I thought I was becoming quite adept at lying. The words flowed smoothly to fit the situation. Gyeongwang groaned at my explanation before speaking again.
“If, as you say, the successor of the Sword Immortal stopped the Golden Emperor’s ambitions, why do you speak as if he is still alive?”
“He is alive. Albeit in a state of incomplete immortality.”
“Incomplete immortality?”
In response to his question, I pointed toward the pentagonal stone chamber.
“You can think of it as having only half of the secret hidden in there.”
Gyeongwang’s expression turned grave. “Then, are you saying the Golden Emperor used and even tried to kill me just to obtain the complete secret of immortality?”
“To put it simply, yes. Ah! And seeing as he is connected to the King of Qin, it seems he also intends to place him upon the Dragon Throne.”
“What?”
“The King of Qin, while perhaps not to the same extent as the Golden Emperor, wishes to suppress the martial world and eradicate the Evil Faction. His will aligns most closely with the Emperor's.”
At my final words, Gyeongwang’s expression hardened formidably. Whatever his motivations, he intended to become Emperor. I had intentionally provoked him to see how he would react if a predecessor like the Golden Emperor stood in his way, and the result was exactly what I had hoped for.
“How could one who abdicated so long ago do such a thing!”
“Power is not something easily relinquished once it has been grasped.”
“Even so, to hide one's existence through a faked death and then interfere in the affairs of the current Imperial Family... it is no different from a shadow government.”
Come to think of it, the Golden Emperor’s ultimate goal might indeed be the throne. Once he achieved true immortality and dealt with me—his nemesis—he would have nothing left to fear in this world. In that case, he might seek to reign as an eternal Emperor.
Gyeongwang, visibly displeased, said to me, “If what you say is true, then the secret of immortality must never fall into his hands.”
“The best solution is for it to fall into no one's hands.”
Immortality was essentially a cheat. Giving such power to a tyrant would do more than just throw the world into chaos; it would put its very existence at risk.
Gyeongwang asked, “Then what will you do with the secret?”
“I will destroy it. So that no one can have it.”
That was my goal. I had no interest in a life without death.
Gyeongwang chuckled at my words. “That is the right answer. It is fitting that the secret is in the hands of someone like you.”
“Since the Golden Emperor has been delayed long enough to send reinforcements, I must destroy the secret now.”
“Do so.”
I stepped into the blood-stained pentagonal chamber. Since all the Jiangshi in the sarcophagi were dead, I hoped there were no more traps.
However, as I approached the sarcophagi, I was taken aback.
...What is this?
The opened sarcophagus was empty. Did the lack of anything mean there was no secret of immortality? Or was it related to the dead Jiangshi?
As I stood there puzzled, I suddenly noticed something on the inner wall of the stone coffin.
What’s this?
A unique shape was engraved into the wall of the sarcophagus. It was precisely the shape of a sword.
The Blood Demon Sword?
The shape was identical to the Blood Demon Sword. Even the patterns matched, suggesting the sword could be slotted into the stone.
Could it be...?
I moved to another sarcophagus. There, too, was a sword-shaped indentation. But it was a different shape. The third sarcophagus bore a pattern identical to the Evil Connection Sword, designed so the sword could be inserted into the engraving.
I returned to the sarcophagus with the indentation resembling the Blood Demon Sword.
...Let’s find out.
I pulled the Bottomless Pouch from my robes and drew the Blood Demon Sword. As soon as it emerged, its grumbling voice echoed.
Sorry, but it’s not like I can hide you anywhere else.
I unsheathed the Blood Demon Sword and brought it toward the engraving in the sarcophagus. Immediately, a powerful suction force pulled at the blade. I let go of the hilt.
Clang!
The Blood Demon Sword left my hand and slotted perfectly into the engraving. Suddenly, the entire chamber, including the sarcophagi, began to rumble as if an earthquake were occurring, and the sound of mechanical gears turning echoed from within.
What’s happening?
I expected some major change following the sound of the mechanisms. But that was it. The chamber remained the same.
I stepped back from the sarcophagus holding the Blood Demon Sword and moved to the center of the pentagonal chamber. I carefully surveyed the area around the sarcophagi.
Something was flowing across the floor of the chamber. It was a black, liquid-like substance, and it was tracing a shape. It wasn't a pattern or a character; it looked like the outline of a map.
I should.
I drew the Evil Connection Sword and inserted it into its corresponding engraving.
Clang!
...Stop saying weird things in that voice.
Regardless, as soon as the Evil Connection Sword was slotted in, the sound of mechanisms echoed again, and more liquid rose from the floor to form another line. However, it stopped at the point where the outline became clearer.
Looking at this outline...
Is it Sichuan Province?
Based on the shape, it was undoubtedly Sichuan. The fact that this map appeared after inserting two swords meant that the complete map would only be revealed once all five swords were in place.
Not exactly. At the very least, I now knew that for the Golden Emperor to obtain the secret of immortality, he would have to seize my two demon swords as well as the Calamity Slaughter Sword held by Jue Xin, one of the Five Great Villains.
Knowing that was a significant achievement. It meant that as long as he couldn't take my two swords, his dream of immortality would never be realized.
Clang!
I retrieved both the Blood Demon Sword and the Evil Connection Sword from the walls. Curiously, as soon as I removed the swords, the liquid on the floor seeped back down and vanished.
Destroy it?
No, I have to leave it. That way, I can lure him out.
If he learns the secret of this place, he’ll try to take the swords from me by any means necessary. That will be the perfect opportunity to draw him out and kill him.
If he won't show himself, I’ll have to force him to.
I returned to Gyeongwang, who was waiting outside the chamber.
“Did you obtain the secret?”
“Yes. I destroyed it immediately.”
I said that on purpose. It wasn't that I didn't trust Gyeongwang, but I had to be careful. If he stayed stationed here to keep the King of Qin in check, he would be exposed to danger. Since I couldn't stay by his side at all times, it was better for him to believe the secret of immortality was gone.
Gyeongwang looked at me with admiration. “You are truly remarkable. To think you could destroy such a treasure without a moment's hesitation, no matter how little interest you have in immortality.”
“It was a dangerous thing; what else could I do?”
“Even so, it is impressive. If you had any interest in a government post, I would want you by my side.”
“I am honored, but I am a man of the martial world.”
Gyeongwang smacked his lips in regret. Then, as if remembering something, he spoke.
“Ah! Come to think of it, there is something I wish to ask you.”
“Please, ask.”
“Where is the real Yeon-saeng?”
“She is sleeping under the bed in the tent at the encampment. You need not worry.”
“So she is safe.”
I wouldn't kill an innocent woman just for a disguise. Gyeongwang nodded in relief, then glanced at the unconscious soldiers whose pressure points had been struck before turning back to me.
“May I ask one more favor of you?”
“What favor is that?”
At my question, Gyeongwang gave me a meaningful smile.
“Become Yeon-saeng just one more time.”
*
A place barely ten li from the Tomb of King Ping.
On the plains there, an encampment of nearly five thousand soldiers had been established. A flag with the word 'Wuhan' written on it flew over the central tent. These were the soldiers of Wuhan.
Inside that central tent sat an unexpected figure. It was none other than the King of Qin.
In addition to the King of Qin, several military commanders and officials dressed as eunuchs were present. The King of Qin, seated in the place of honor, spoke to a middle-aged general with a long beard.
“What exactly is in that tomb that you sent the subordinates of Commander In Ocheon?”
“I beg your pardon, but even I do not know.”
“If you do not know, why did you send them?”
“I merely followed the orders I received from him.”
The King of Qin clicked his tongue. “I cannot tell if you are my man or his.”
“I am merely fulfilling the order to assist Your Highness.”
“That again.”
The King of Qin was displeased. Despite being his subordinate, Commander In Ocheon was a man of many secrets. Had it not been for his exceptional martial prowess and the promise made with that man, the King of Qin would not have wanted him by his side.
Only until I ascend the Dragon Throne.
When that time came, he would deal with all those who sought to use him. As he was thinking this, the sound of someone running urgently toward the tent was heard.
“Your Highness! I have urgent news!”
“What is it?” one of the commanders asked on his behalf.
The answer came from outside. “Prince Gyeongwang is outside the camp, requesting to see the officer in charge.”
“Gyeongwang?”
At those words, the King of Qin narrowed his eyes and looked at Commander In Ocheon. The commander also seemed flustered, his brow furrowing.
The King of Qin spoke in a heavy voice. “So, Gyeongwang has come here alive.”
“...There must have been some mistake.”
“Not only did you boast that the men he planted could handle everything, but you even sent your own subordinates, and now Gyeongwang has arrived here...”
“I will handle it. Your Highness should quickly leave the camp...”
Before he could finish, the King of Qin stood up abruptly. “Enough. I am sick of entrusting things to a man who isn't even a real commander. Is someone there?”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
“Did Gyeongwang come with an army?”
“No, Your Highness. He brought only about a hundred personal guards and some women who appear to be courtesans.”
The King of Qin’s lips curled into a smirk at the report.
“He brought courtesans? Ha! How like him. It seems my concerns about that wastrel were misplaced.”
The King of Qin had feared he might have brought an army. That could have led to war. But with only that many men, he felt he could either appease Gyeongwang and send him away, or, if necessary, deal with him quietly.
Step, step, step!
Just then, the sound of someone else sprinting toward the tent echoed from outside.
“Y-Your Highness! Disaster has struck!”
The King of Qin frowned and demanded, “What is the meaning of this commotion?”
“A woman—a kisaeng in green military attire—has stormed the camp! She’s cutting through the ranks and heading straight for us!”
“What? A kisaeng?”
At the soldier’s report, the King of Qin and the officials inside the tent exchanged bewildered looks, unable to make sense of what they were hearing.
“Are you mocking me?” the King of Qin spat, his voice dripping with disbelief. “What kind of nonsense is—”
Suddenly, a chorus of frantic shouts erupted from outside the tent.
“St-stop her!”
“Seize that kisaeng!”
!?