Chapter 93: The Courtesan's Divine Authority (2)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 93: The Courtesan's Divine Authority (2)
“A courtesan?”
The King of Qin was incredulous at the chaotic shouts echoing from outside.
How could a mere courtesan, who should be entertaining at a drinking party, break through the government troops—the elite of the imperial army?
“What nonsense are you spouting!”
Unable to believe it, the King of Qin finally stepped out of the tent to see for himself.
His commanders and officials followed closely behind to escort him.
‘!?’
The moment he stepped outside, the King of Qin was momentarily speechless at the sight before him.
A woman dressed in fluttering green military attire was charging toward them with unstoppable momentum, effortlessly taking down the government troops trying to block her path.
“Ugh!”
The soldiers rushing at her were frequently sent flying or knocked unconscious by a single gesture of her slender hands.
It was like watching a fight between an adult and children.
“That girl... is she truly a courtesan?”
The King of Qin could not take his eyes off her.
One of the commanders watching the scene clicked his tongue and spoke.
“She does not seem like an ordinary courtesan.”
“Then what is she?”
“One cannot handle trained regular troops like that without having mastered martial arts.”
“Are you saying she is a member of the martial world?”
“It appears so. I did not know Gyeongwang had a woman with such martial prowess under his command.”
At those words, the King of Qin asked curiously, “Then what is her level?”
There were several martial artists among the King of Qin’s entourage as well.
Half of the commanders present had mastered martial arts, and the eunuch in blue official robes beside him was an Inspector, said to possess the greatest martial prowess in the Eastern Depot, second only to the Admiral.
The youngest among the martial-trained commanders spoke up gallantly.
“She’s quite something for a mere girl. She seems to be at least at the First-rate level. If Your Highness gives the word, I will subdue that girl immediately.”
“Hohohoho.”
As soon as he finished speaking, someone let out a high-pitched, trilling laugh.
The young commander’s expression hardened as he looked at the source.
“Inspector Go?”
The owner of the laughter was the Eastern Depot Inspector.
The eunuch, referred to as Inspector Go, covered his mouth with his hand and spoke.
“Thousand-Man Commander Jang’s words have merit, but in my view, that girl has easily surpassed the level of a First-rate master.”
“What?”
The young commander could not hide his embarrassment.
“Inspector Go. I, too, could handle that much...”
“A First-rate master like Thousand-Man Commander Jang could certainly handle dozens of trained regular soldiers, but not with such ease as she does.”
The young commander, who had been so confident, bit his lip hard.
The King of Qin showed interest in Inspector Go’s assessment.
“Are you saying that courtesan girl is a master of the Peak Realm?”
“It appears so, Your Highness.”
“How interesting. I don’t believe any of the few female Imperial Guards in the palace have reached such a level, yet such a girl is under Gyeongwang’s command...”
Just a moment ago, the King of Qin had intended to order the death of the courtesan in green.
However, setting aside her status as a courtesan, the thought that a woman with such exceptional martial prowess was under the command of Gyeongwang—whom he considered insignificant—stirred a strange emotion in him.
Staring intently at her, the King of Qin commanded, “Subdue that girl and bring her before me.”
At those words, Inspector Go chuckled inwardly.
His old habit is acting up again.
The King of Qin was never satisfied unless he seized anything desirable held by the other princes.
Looking at that greedy gaze now, it seemed the same was true.
It was understandable.
Anyone would want a woman with such a pretty face and exceptional martial prowess by their side.
Inspector Go gestured and commanded the three Poison Masters he had brought along.
“Hohoho. You heard His Highness’s command.”
“Yes, sir.”
With high-pitched voices, the three Poison Masters stepped forward.
They were among the top five in martial prowess out of the fifty Poison Masters stationed under Inspector Go.
Since they were masters of the Peak Realm, he believed they would be more than capable of subduing the courtesan.
The oldest middle-aged man among the commanders spoke up.
“It has been a while since we’ve seen the skills of the Eastern Depot’s Poison Masters.”
“Since General Mun says so, our Poison Masters must show His Highness their divine authority after all this time.”
Opportunities like this did not come often.
The Poison Masters understood what Inspector Go was implying.
It was a golden opportunity to earn merit.
Swish!
The three Poison Masters blurred into motion, racing toward the courtesan in green.
As if competing to see who would subdue her first, each unleashed the ultimate techniques of the martial arts they had learned from the Imperial Treasury.
But then, something unbelievable happened.
The courtesan in green struck the chin of the first Poison Master to reach her with her knee. Then, she instantly caught the wrist of another Poison Master, who was unfolding a flashy palm technique, using the Golden Snake Hand technique and slammed him into the ground.
“Ack!”
The Poison Master slammed into the ground was knocked unconscious instantly.
Before they could even properly exchange moves, two Poison Masters were taken down in a single strike. The only remaining Poison Master could not hide his bewilderment.
Is this girl hiding her true strength?
Based on his Qi Sense, she definitely possessed the aura of the Peak Realm.
Yet, she had subdued two Poison Masters of nearly equal strength to his own as if they were children.
Unless one was a master on the level of Inspector Go, such a feat should be impossible.
A girl who looks barely twenty is a master of the Supreme Peak Realm? That’s impossible.
He was in a terrible predicament.
Regardless of her actual prowess, it was impossible for him to subdue this courtesan with his own skills.
But if he were to be defeated like the other Poison Masters right in front of the King of Qin, the humiliation would be...
Slide!
Before he could even finish his calculations, he realized the courtesan had already closed the distance to right in front of his nose.
Startled, he tried to leap backward, but—
Thwack!
Her kick landed squarely on the left side of his neck. The Poison Master fell unconscious without even being able to scream.
“How can this be!”
“They were no match for her at all.”
The commanders who had mastered martial arts were struck with disbelief.
No one had expected that those three, famous for being the best among the Eastern Depot’s Poison Masters, would not even be able to put up a fight.
‘No.’
Inspector Go, who had confidently sent his subordinate Poison Masters, was the most flustered.
He had clearly judged her to be a master of the Peak Realm.
However, by having his Poison Masters subdued instead, the Eastern Depot’s reputation had been thoroughly dragged through the mud.
Just what is that girl?
It made no sense for a woman with such martial prowess to be a mere courtesan.
If so, it meant Gyeongwang had been deceiving everyone all this time.
Inspector Go glanced at the King of Qin.
Contrary to his fears, however, the King of Qin’s gaze was fixed intently on the courtesan.
“Ha!”
Seeing her deliver kicks with her smooth, exposed legs while wearing a fluttering skirt, the King of Qin let out a genuine exclamation of admiration.
That gaze and face as she faced her enemies were bolder than any other woman he had ever seen.
It felt as if his lifelong standards for women were being shattered into pieces.
Every single one of her movements seemed to be etched into his eyes like jewels.
...Now I see why that rogue kept this girl so well-hidden.
He wanted her.
She was a woman far too good for someone like Gyeongwang, who cared for nothing but wine and women.
“Your Highness?”
At the sound of Inspector Go’s voice from beside him, the King of Qin snapped out of his thoughts.
Inspector Go bowed his head and said to the King of Qin, “Your Highness, it seems I have misjudged. I shall personally step forward and bring that girl to Your Highness.”
There was only one way to make up for this.
He, an Inspector, had to step in personally and subdue her gracefully.
However, he wasn't the only one asking to step forward.
“Your Highness. Please give this subordinate a chance. Since this happened because of me, I will bring that courtesan girl before Your Highness.”
It was the Five Thousand Commander.
The King of Qin stared at him with narrowed eyes.
As the man assigned as his personal guard, it was no exaggeration to say his martial prowess was the highest among those present.
Though displeased, the King of Qin wanted to speak with that girl as soon as possible.
“Very well. Then, Five Thousand Commander...”
It was right then.
“Eh?”
“Your Highness... look over there!”
At the words of several commanders, the King of Qin turned his gaze.
A conspicuous group was visible in that direction.
“.......That fellow Gyeongwang.”
While the courtesan in green was running wild, Gyeongwang was making a leisurely procession into the middle of the camp in a sedan chair.
Coming into a military camp, he wasn't even wearing armor and looked completely at ease.
[As the Emperor’s old age and chronic illness deepen, the struggle for the Dragon Throne is becoming intensely fierce. I myself have faced three assassination attempts in the last two months.]
[In just two months?]
[If it’s like this now, it’s obvious they will openly try to kill each other if His Majesty were to collapse.]
[So you want me to display divine authority as Yeon-saeng?]
[I cannot hold onto you, but what if the real Yeon-saeng, not you, remains by my side?]
Having received such a request, I am displaying divine authority as Yeon-saeng for the last time.
As Gyeongwang said, even if I leave, if the real Yeon-saeng stays, all the figures in the Imperial Palace who hear this rumor, including the King of Qin, will increase their wariness of her.
—Seeing how he works you to the bone, this King is quite something himself.
Well, this much is within an acceptable range.
Since the Golden Emperor’s path is changing more and more because of me, it’s hard to say for sure that even the history of the Imperial Family won't change.
If it helps Gyeongwang even a little, it’s not bad for me either.
'This should be enough.'
I looked around.
I had knocked down nearly several hundred soldiers while making my way to the center of the camp.
I could have used the Transformation Eye Scripture, but I refrained from doing so to focus Yeon-saeng’s divine authority solely on fist and kick arts.
However, since I took down most of the soldiers in a single strike, I think I’ve shown enough of that authority.
I could tell just by seeing the soldiers hesitating to approach out of wariness.
When I looked at Gyeongwang, he nodded, signaling that it was enough.
At that, I joined the group of courtesans.
“Sister, you were so cool.”
“How can you fight so well?”
The courtesans whispered to me.
They already knew that I wasn't the real Yeon-saeng.
However, perhaps because they themselves had trained in various martial arts including assassination, they showed a lot of interest in me instead.
They were all calling me "Sister."
I felt like I had suddenly become the leader of the courtesans.
—If Sama-yeong, your future wife, saw this, I wonder what she’d say.
The Lesser Conversation Sword snickered and spoke to me.
I thought it was a very good thing that only I could talk to you.
Then, Gyeongwang stepped down from the sedan chair, clasped his hands, and gave a polite bow.
“Gyeongwang offers his greetings to his Royal Brother.”
The person Gyeongwang was greeting was none other than the King of Qin.
Gyeongwang had mentioned that he might be at the Wuhan City camp, and that prediction turned out to be correct.
That man is quite bold too.
To come here personally and even target Gyeongwang’s life.
Looking at that, it seemed certain that the current Emperor no longer had the strength left to run the state.
“Hmph.”
Gyeongwang looked around and gave a light snort.
Even though they were followers of the King of Qin, not a single person bowed their head despite the arrival of another prince, Gyeongwang.
It was a situation that would justify Gyeongwang being angry.
However, having lived as a rogue for a long time, he did not show any more emotion than that.
Then, the King of Qin walked forward with his hands behind his back.
“What brings my brother here in the middle of the night to cause such a ruckus?”
Even though they were half-brothers, his tone was hostile.
The King of Qin got straight to the point.
Looking at the King of Qin, Gyeongwang smiled brightly and said, “I did not realize my Royal Brother was here at the Wuhan City camp, which is less than ten li from the Tomb of King Ping of Chu, where I am in charge of the excavation.”
“Does not realizing it absolve you of that responsibility?”
The King of Qin came on strong.
When he raised his hand, government troops swarmed from all sides and surrounded them.
Seeing them move in an orderly fashion despite being intimidated by my divine authority, it seemed their military discipline was well-maintained.
“How strict.”
Nevertheless, Gyeongwang, trusting in me, spoke without losing his composure.
The King of Qin was displeased by his attitude.
It seemed he was unhappy that Gyeongwang, who had always acted like a rogue and hadn't even dared to lift his head before him, was showing such an attitude.
“I suppose you’re acting like that because you trust that girl.”
The King of Qin’s gaze turned toward me.
At his words, Gyeongwang smiled and made a gesture.
Then, soldiers from behind the sedan chair dragged someone forward.
It was the government soldier who had entered the tomb, tried to kill Gyeongwang and me, failed, and then used the King of Qin’s name.
‘!?’
The King of Qin’s eyes sharpened when he saw him.
I thought he would feign ignorance, but he didn't try too hard to hide it.
He must have something to rely on.
I looked back and forth between the eunuch in blue official robes and the general in the Five Thousand Commander’s armor standing on either side of the King of Qin.
“That eunuch over there is an Eastern Depot Inspector.”
One of the courtesans whispered to me.
I had heard that the Eastern Depot was led by the Admiral, and below him were two Inspectors who could be considered his successors.
That eunuch with the white-powdered face must be one of them.
His martial arts were no joke.
He had reached a level comparable to a sect leader or an elder of a major sect.
There were some martial artists by Gyeongwang’s side as well, but seeing as the King of Qin even had an Eastern Depot Inspector—who should be in the Imperial Palace—as a guard, it seemed the Emperor considered him the next in line for the throne, likely because he was the eldest son born to the Empress.
After making the bound soldier kneel before him, Gyeongwang spoke.
“This man claimed that my Royal Brother ordered him to kill me, so I have committed the discourtesy of coming here to find out if that is true.”
At Gyeongwang’s words, the King of Qin stared at him and then let out a smirk.
Even when confronted with a witness, he maintained such an attitude; he clearly still thought he held the upper hand.
The King of Qin looked at the bound soldier and said, “I do not know this man. Surely you don't believe his words?”
“Do you truly not know him?”
“Did I not say I do not know him?”
“I see. So what this man said was a lie.”
At Gyeongwang’s questioning, the King of Qin’s face hardened as if he were offended.
“Do you dare to doubt me?”
As soon as the King of Qin finished speaking, one of the commanders raised his hand, and the archers among the surrounding soldiers drew their bows and notched arrows.
As a rain of arrows became imminent, the courtesans and the soldiers Gyeongwang had brought could not hide their tension.
Gyeongwang spoke in a low, grounded voice.
“Not only are you denying it, but you are even threatening the life of your own brother.”
Looking at Gyeongwang, the King of Qin replied with a smile.
“My brother has not only committed a discourtesy but even doubts his elder brother, so what else can I do? I must teach him a lesson for his insolent behavior.”
“.......Are you going to teach me a lesson with my life?”
At that question, the King of Qin curled his lip and said, “Would I really try to kill my brother just to fix his behavior?”
“Then please lower the bows.”
“That depends on you, brother.”
“.......What do you mean by that?”
At those words, the King of Qin pointed his finger at me and said, “You have quite an interesting girl under your command.”
“She is a girl with exceptional martial arts.”
At Gyeongwang’s answer, the King of Qin gestured toward me and said, “Hand that girl over to me. If you do, I will not question the wrong you committed today.”
‘!?’
Gyeongwang was speechless at the words that came out of the King of Qin’s mouth.
The same was true for me.
Since I had displayed my martial prowess and posed a threat, I thought he would harbor resentment or wariness toward me, but I didn't expect him to suddenly ask for me to be handed over.
The King of Qin was even sending a strangely greedy gaze my way.
—Pwahahahaha!
The Lesser Conversation Sword burst into laughter, finding the situation hilarious.
Even if they are half-brothers, it seems brothers are brothers after all.
There’s no difference in their eye for women.
"Pfft."
Gyeongwang’s lips were twitching.
Seeing the King of Qin making the same mistake he had made when he thought I was a woman, he couldn't help but laugh.
The King of Qin raised an eyebrow and raised his voice at Gyeongwang’s reaction.
“Are you laughing right now?”
Gyeongwang spoke while barely holding back his laughter.
“So, Royal Brother, you are telling me to give you this girl?”
At his words, the King of Qin snorted and said, “She seems like a girl far too good for you.”
Then he turned his gaze to me and asked, “What is your name?”
I clasped my hands and bowed to the King of Qin as I answered.
“I am called Yeon-saeng.”
“Yeon-saeng...... I like the name. Come to my side.”
He spoke in a soft tone, but it gave me goosebumps all over my body.
Ignoring this, the King of Qin reached out his hand toward me and told me to come closer.
“I am Prince Gyeongwang’s person.”
“Your brother’s life depends on your choice today. No matter how great your martial prowess, do you think you can protect him against thousands of soldiers and my generals?”
With those words, the King of Qin raised his hand.
As if in response, the archers’ bowstrings tightened even further.
“If I lower this hand, the arrows will fly. If you truly want to save your master, stop being stubborn and come.”
“Whew.”
I let out a deep sigh.
Then I turned my head and looked at Gyeongwang’s face.
At my reaction, the King of Qin let out a smirk as if to say there was nothing I could do.
Then, he spoke softly as if to coax me.
“It seems your heart is not easily moved since I am asking you to come by holding your master’s life hostage. Then, I shall make you an offer.”
“An offer, you say?”
“I shall make you my Consort. I am offering you a position that cannot even be compared to serving my brother as a mere courtesan.”
The King of Qin wore a triumphant expression, as if asking me what I thought of such an offer.
At this, I smiled brightly and replied.
“Your offer is even stingier than Prince Gyeongwang’s.”
“What?”
Slide!
In that instant, I used the Shape Transformation technique to appear behind the King of Qin in a flash.
No one present could track my movement.
While they were turning their heads to find where I had gone, I grabbed the back of the King of Qin’s neck and pressed down, forcing him to his knees.
“Y-You, how...”
I whispered into his ear as he turned pale with shock.
“Why don't you try lowering your hand and see what happens?”
'!?'