Chapter 105: The Imperial Palace (2)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 105: The Imperial Palace (2)
The Yikyang So Family of Yulrang County, Hunan Province.
The Yikyang So Family estate, which had been deathly quiet of late, was now bustling with activity.
This was because Lady Yang, the primary wife of the Family Head So Ik-heon and mistress of the Jagyang Hall, was hosting a grand banquet. She had been bedridden for months with an illness of the heart, one that no physician could cure.
But now, she felt as light as if she could fly.
The reason was simple: that eyesore, So Woon-hwi, had vanished.
Though she had worried he might reappear, his seven-month absence had convinced her that such a thing was utterly impossible.
It feels as though a throbbing tooth has finally been pulled; I couldn't be happier.
Furthermore, her eldest son, So Yeong-hyeon—who had previously given up on entering the Martial Alliance as a rising star—was now heading to the capital for the Great Leader Election. This brought her unparalleled joy.
"Lady Yang, my congratulations."
"Oh, has the Matriarch of the Johang Song Family arrived?"
The stout, middle-aged woman offering her congratulations was the matriarch of the Johang Song Family.
"You've thrown such a feast; of course I had to come."
The attendees were influential local gentry and members of martial families from across Hunan Province. They were all well aware of what had caused Lady Yang’s heart-sickness, and they had come to celebrate her recovery.
"I hear your sons are joining the Yellow Dragon Hall, led by the Young Family Head of the Moyong Family?"
"It just so happened to turn out that way," Lady Yang replied, trying to sound nonchalant.
She spoke as if it were nothing, but she had invested heavily in the Moyong Family to make this happen. Thanks to those efforts, her eldest son, So Yeong-hyeon, was promised a position in the Yellow Dragon Hall the moment he entered the Martial Alliance.
To form a connection with one of the Five Great Families and have a path to success opened—what could be better?
"Hohoho. It is a joyous day, so please, eat your fill."
"I’ve already instructed my people to prepare sleeping quarters in the guest house for tonight."
"You did well."
There was another who enjoyed the banquet as much as she did: So Jang-yun, the second son of the Yikyang So Family.
He, too, had lived in fear of So Woon-hwi since that incident. He had stayed holed up within the estate, even giving up his beloved alcohol, but now there was no longer any need for such caution.
"Hahaha! Drink up, everyone! Once I leave for the Martial Alliance, it won't be easy to see my face!"
"In that case, I must drink plenty now to prepare for the future!"
"Drink until your noses go crooked today!"
As So Jang-yun raised his glass, the other young martial artists followed suit with cheers.
While everyone else was making merry, there was one man drinking alone with a heavy expression: So Ik-heon, the Family Head.
Back when news of So Woon-hwi’s rising fame reached him, he had been deeply distressed by the reality that his own biological sons were achieving nothing. But now that the "throbbing tooth" was gone and his sons finally had their chance, he didn't feel better. Instead, his heart felt heavy with guilt toward his beloved Lady Ha.
"Your father seems to be in a foul mood."
"Hmph. Just leave him be."
Lady Yang and her children harbored resentment toward So Ik-heon. Their affection for him had withered ever since he failed to take action when the primary wife and her children were humiliated by So Woon-hwi, the mere son of a concubine.
Just you watch. I will climb higher than that lowly bastard ever could.
She believed that when that day came, So Ik-heon would regret his choices forever.
As the banquet continued, the gatekeeper of the So estate came running in, shouting breathlessly.
"Family Head! The County Magistrate has arrived!"
"Oh! The Magistrate is here? Show him in at once!"
It was Lady Yang, not So Ik-heon, who answered.
"Understood!"
He actually came.
Lady Yang was thrilled, though she didn't let it show. Having the County Magistrate attend their banquet was a massive boost to the family's prestige. She had sent an invitation just in case, not expecting much, but his arrival truly saved her face.
Before long, the County Magistrate of Yulrang appeared in the rear garden where the feast was being held.
So Ik-heon, Lady Yang, and So Jang-yun all stepped forward to greet him.
"Welcome, Your Honor."
"Family Head So. It has been a long time since the Lunar New Year."
The Magistrate offered a smile. Lady Yang gestured toward the seat of honor and spoke politely.
"Hohoho, we are deeply moved that you would grace us with your presence. Please, take a seat."
The Magistrate clasped his hands in a fist-and-palm salute.
"I must offer my congratulations first. To the Family Head, and to you, My Lady."
Lady Yang felt a flicker of confusion. The martial artists present knew the circumstances and thus knew why they were celebrating, but to a civil official like the Magistrate, her son entering the Martial Alliance shouldn't be such a monumental event.
"You must be delighted to have such a magnificent son."
Lady Yang beamed inwardly at the Magistrate's words. It sounded as though he wished to maintain a friendly relationship with the Yikyang So Family.
However, his next words left her speechless.
"The youngest-ever Alliance Leader has been born right here in our Yulrang County. How could this not be a cause for celebration?"
"!?"
Everyone present doubted their own ears.
The banquet hall erupted in murmurs. The youngest-ever Alliance Leader? What on earth was he talking about?
Lady Yang asked, her voice trembling with bewilderment.
"Your Honor... surely you must be mistaken?"
"Are you not aware yet? That your son has become the Leader of the Martial Alliance?"
"What?"
So Jang-yun, emboldened by alcohol, raised his voice in disbelief. What kind of nonsense was this? His brother, So Yeong-hyeon, had only just left for the capital; how could he have become the Alliance Leader already?
"O-Our Yeong-hyeon is the Alliance Leader...?"
"Ah. It seems there has been a misunderstanding."
"A misunderstanding?"
"I am speaking of the pride of Yulrang County, the third son of the Yikyang So Family—the Lesser Sword Immortal, So Woon-hwi. He has become the Leader of the Martial Alliance."
"!!!"
The garden fell into a chaotic uproar.
So Woon-hwi had been missing for nearly seven months. The news that he had suddenly become the Alliance Leader was something no one could easily believe.
"S-So Woon-hwi?"
Lady Yang’s heart sank. Her hands and feet shook as she repeated the name.
"Hahaha, indeed! To think that the Leader of the Orthodox Martial Alliance and the Number One Sword Under Heaven would hail from our Yulrang County... I couldn't be happier!"
This is impossible!
So Jang-yun stared at the boisterously laughing Magistrate in utter shock. The brat he thought was dead was now the Alliance Leader? And what was this ridiculous title, "Number One Sword Under Heaven"?
Judging by the Magistrate's genuine joy, it clearly wasn't a lie.
So Woon-hwi, what the hell are you...? W-Wait... then what happens to So Yeong-hyeon?
His brother had already left for the capital. He looked toward his mother in a panic, only to see her face turn deathly pale.
"Aaaah..."
Lady Yang collapsed onto the ground in a dead faint.
"Mother! Mother!"
Unaware of why they were reacting this way, the Magistrate laughed and spoke to the Family Head.
"It seems the Lady was quite overwhelmed with shock. Hahaha. Well, anyone would be in her position."
"......"
So Ik-heon could not find the words to reply. He was just as shocked as the rest of them.
That boy is the Alliance Leader?
So Woon-hwi had vanished, only to reappear as the head of the entire Martial Alliance. It was absurd. It was an event that could only be described as a miracle in the history of the Orthodox Martial World.
Looking at the fallen Lady Yang and the panicked So Jang-yun, he let out a long sigh.
"Haa..."
Ha-ryeong... is this the punishment you are giving me?
If So Woon-hwi had become the Alliance Leader, then the path to success for his biological sons, Yeong-hyeon and Jang-yun, was effectively blocked for the rest of their lives.
Perhaps this was the karma for failing to protect So Woon-hwi as Ha-ryeong had requested with her final breath.
*
Inside Prince Gyeong’s imperial carriage.
"What exactly was that technique you just showed me? How can you enter a closed carriage without even opening the door?"
Prince Gyeong asked me, his voice filled with admiration.
I adjusted the fit of the Guardian Warrior uniform I had taken from the real Yeon-saeng.
"It is merely a trivial talent."
Prince Gyeong clicked his tongue.
"How can you call that trivial? To appear so suddenly without a hint of presence... that is a terrifying technique that could allow anyone to be assassinated."
Despite his surprise, his insight was sharp. He immediately recognized the danger of the Ground Shrinking Technique.
"Do not worry. To master this talent, one must cultivate the Way for hundreds of years."
"!?"
Prince Gyeong’s eyes widened.
"Then... just how...?"
He seemed to want to ask how old I was. I simply gave him a beaming smile. If he misunderstood and found me more intimidating, all the better for me.
Regardless, wearing this Guardian Warrior uniform was much better than the thin, translucent light armor Yeon-saeng had been wearing—the kind of thing a gisaeng might wear. At least these were pants and not a skirt.
—Please halt for a moment.
A voice came from outside. It seemed the guards at the palace gate checkpoint had stopped the carriage. Once the general escorting Prince Gyeong showed the identification plaque, we would be able to enter the Outer Palace.
"The atmosphere outside the palace is more somber than usual."
Even though it was night, there were far more soldiers than I had seen before. According to what I heard from Song Jwa-baek, the Great Yan Empire should be celebrating.
"We are essentially in a state of war, so the guard is being kept tight."
"A state of war?"
"His Majesty, who has been ill, has not only appeared in public but has also issued a secret order for all princes to return to the palace immediately."
Ah... so he issued such an order?
What I had learned through my spies was the former part—that the Emperor had recovered significantly and made an appearance. He had announced before his ministers that this was all thanks to the Divine Healer of Ten Thousand Ailments, whom he had invited from outside, and that he would bestow a great reward upon him. That was how I discovered the healer's whereabouts.
"Yeon-saeng, what do you think of His Majesty's summons?"
I remained silent for a moment at his question before answering.
"It seems he intends to decide on a successor."
The corners of Prince Gyeong’s mouth curled upward.
"Clever, as expected."
"He never appointed a Crown Prince, despite his long illness."
The Emperor had failed to name a successor throughout his long ailment. That was why, in the history I knew, Prince Gyeong eventually raised a massive army to seize power.
However, the history I knew seemed to have changed significantly. Originally, the current Emperor never received treatment from the Divine Healer and died without naming a successor. At that time, the King of Qin, who was in the palace, seized the Imperial Seal and clashed with King Yeong, while Prince Gyeong marched on the capital with the Northern Defense Army and two divisions of the Five Tiger Governor's Office.
—Everything is happening much faster.
Indeed. It seemed every one of my actions was having a significant impact.
The King of Qin was no longer a threat; he had been terrified since the previous incident. For Prince Gyeong, the immediate dangerous rivals would be the Empress Dowager and King Yeong.
—Those two will surely try to oust Prince Gyeong.
Most likely. If the princes hadn't been summoned by a secret order, I might have thought it was just about appointing a Crown Prince. But given the current situation, it felt like something more.
"However, there is no way to know if it was truly my Imperial Father who called us, or if there is some hidden motive at play."
Prince Gyeong voiced the very thought I had predicted. He, too, had foreseen the situation to some extent. That was likely why he had brought "Yeon-saeng" along as a Guardian Warrior, even if it was partly for show.
"So you've judged that it might be a trap."
"Yes. If I let my guard down today, my life may be in danger."
Prince Gyeong’s voice turned grave. It was only natural to be tense when one didn't know what might happen inside the palace.
I spoke to him.
"But the fact that you are following the Imperial command so calmly... is it because you have a contingency plan?"
A man as cunning as him wouldn't walk into a deadly situation without some form of protection.
Prince Gyeong gave a faint smile.
"Correct. This is why I covet you as a talent."
"Please fold that thought away and keep it to yourself."
"Fufu. You don't give an inch, do you? Regardless, I have someone to guard me in the Inner Palace, and since you arrived just in time, I can say I am relieved."
Prince Gyeong said he felt more at ease, but the look in his eyes suggested he was still in a state of battle readiness.
—You may enter.
The gate opened, and the carriage began to move inside. Once we entered the Outer Palace, Prince Gyeong questioned me.
"But why did you come looking for me? Surely it wasn't because you missed me."
"I need the Divine Healer of Ten Thousand Ailments."
Prince Gyeong’s voice rose in surprise.
"What? The Divine Healer? He is currently serving as His Majesty's primary physician."
"I know."
In fact, I was planning to practically kidnap him. I was curious to see how Prince Gyeong would react. After all, the Emperor was his father before he was his sovereign.
"I have a matter that requires me to take him with me."
At my words, Prince Gyeong’s lips curled into a smirk.
"You intend to do something just as dangerous as I am."
Just as dangerous as him?
I looked into Prince Gyeong’s eyes. Based on what he just said, it seemed he wasn't planning to stop at just protecting himself.
I asked him in a serious tone.
"......Are you planning a bloodbath?"
Prince Gyeong leaned back, resting his chin on his hand, and spoke nonchalantly.
"If the other side intends to see blood, shouldn't I strike first?"
Ha! So this was the true nature of Prince Gyeong.
In history, his coup was remembered as a revolution because it succeeded, but he possessed the raw ambition of a man who would plot what others would call treason.
Come to think of it, did she say that man was moving King Yeong?
Seol Baek had mentioned that after the incident at the Tomb of King Ping of Chu, the Golden Emperor had given up on the King of Qin and was now in contact with King Yeong. If so, there was an extremely high probability that he or Noejangjo were with King Yeong right now. They would also be after the Divine Healer.
It was a striking coincidence.
"Help me. If you do, I will ensure the Divine Healer is safely placed in your hands. Isn't that a fair trade?"
Prince Gyeong stared at me, stating his requirement. He seemed certain I would accept his proposal.
I replied firmly.
"I refuse."
Prince Gyeong looked at me with an expression of utter incomprehension.
"......Why?"
"Regardless of whether Your Highness gives him to me or not, I can take the Divine Healer whenever I please."
"!?"