Chapter 105: The Imperial Palace (3)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 105: The Imperial Palace (3)
“You’re saying you can take the Divine Healer of Ten Thousand Ailments with you?”
“That is correct.”
“I am well aware of your martial prowess, but that statement is arrogant beyond belief. This is the Imperial Palace.”
Indeed, the security here was incomparable to any other place.
In response to Prince Gyeong’s somewhat cold attitude, I replied in a polite tone.
“I believe Your Highness is well aware that disguising oneself as another is not a particularly difficult task.”
At those words, Prince Gyeong stared at me intently before nodding as if he found the explanation plausible.
“Ah, I momentarily overlooked your abilities.”
It seemed he hadn't factored in my ability to disguise myself as someone else.
Then, Prince Gyeong’s eyes widened slightly as if something had occurred to him.
“Could you perhaps... His Ma—”
He stopped right there.
Shaking his head, he spoke to me again.
“No. That is out of the question.”
For some reason, I felt I knew what Prince Gyeong was about to say. He was likely going to ask if I could disguise myself as His Majesty—the Emperor.
—As the Emperor?
Yes. Rather than mobilizing a vast army, a single imperial edict from the Emperor would resolve everything.
—Oh? That’s one way to do it.
However, the fact that he stopped himself suggested he didn't want to become the Crown Prince through such deceptive means.
Actually, since he was someone who had killed Prince Jin and Prince Yeong to secure his position, I wondered if he might even target the current Emperor, but that wasn't the case. Regardless of political justification, it seemed he still recognized him as his father.
Shaking his head, Prince Gyeong changed the subject.
“However, I do not know if you will truly be able to do as you wish.”
“What do you mean by that?”
“In all my time, I have never seen those known as spies who entered the Inner Palace walk back out alive.”
The Inner Palace.
It was true; none of the spies from our Cult had ever successfully infiltrated the Inner Palace. Or rather, they entered, but all contact was severed shortly thereafter.
Because the reason remained unknown, the Cult had attempted to enter the Inner Palace several times before eventually refraining from doing so.
—Could it be related to the hidden power of the Imperial Palace?
Perhaps. Seol Baek had also told me that if even the Golden Emperor, who was once the Emperor himself, didn't send his subordinates directly into the Inner Palace, there must be some secret hidden within.
—The fact that the Ground Shrinking Technique doesn't work might be for the same reason.
Most likely. I decided to probe Prince Gyeong, as he might know something.
“Does Your Highness happen to know the reason why?”
“Hehe. I cannot tell you that.”
“Pardon?”
“No matter how much I favor you, how could I reveal all the secrets of the Imperial Household?”
“...I see.”
That made sense. Divulging such a secret could become a weakness. If he were to become Emperor, that hidden power would belong entirely to him, so it was only natural that he wouldn't share it.
“In any case, the fact that you boarded this carriage with me even after refusing my proposal means you want something, does it not?”
He was quick-witted. To begin with, receiving only the Divine Healer of Ten Thousand Ailments didn't balance the scales. It was because those targeting the Healer weren't just the enemies of the Imperial Household.
Since there was no reason to hide it, I spoke plainly.
“There is something you must know first.”
“What is it?”
“That man has made his move.”
“That man? Surely you don't mean...”
“Yes. That is correct. The man Your Highness is thinking of is currently manipulating Prince Yeong.”
At these words, Prince Gyeong’s expression became grave. He had already faced trouble when that man sent spies under his command to kill him and manipulated Prince Jin.
“Is he targeting the Divine Healer of Ten Thousand Ailments like you are?”
“At first, I thought that was all, but now it seems to be more than that.”
“More than that?”
“As Your Highness mentioned, I suspect it is related to the fact that all the princes were summoned in the middle of the night.”
And the fact that the palace security had become even tighter was likely related as well. It wouldn't be strange for anything to happen tonight.
Prince Gyeong clicked his tongue and said, “I thought it was quite a coincidence. That you would appear at a time like this, of all times.”
“I feel the same way.”
I had only intended to extract the Divine Healer of Ten Thousand Ailments, yet I ran into Prince Gyeong here, whom I thought would be in Wuhan. All of this couldn't be a mere coincidence.
Prince Gyeong seemed to realize this as well, frowning before letting out a snort.
“You certainly know how to increase your ransom.”
“I told you because you needed to know.”
“It seems I am the one in a disadvantageous position now. Fine. Tell me what it is you want.”
“There are three things.”
“Three? Ha! Don't you think you're being too greedy?”
“One, as you already know, is taking the Divine Healer of Ten Thousand Ailments. Another is for you to tell me even a little about the secrets I should be wary of in the Inner Palace, as I must protect His Majesty’s person.”
“The secrets of the Inner Palace...”
“In the end, there is only one thing I truly want.”
Prince Gyeong clicked his tongue at my words.
“You are likely the only one who would play such obvious tricks against me.”
“I am honored.”
Shaking his head, Prince Gyeong asked me, “Fine. What is it that you want?”
In truth, I didn't have anything specific I wanted from him. After all, Prince Gyeong had already declared non-aggression between the Martial World and the Government. Therefore, I wanted to resolve a certain curiosity I had regarding a rumor.
“I have heard that the Imperial Treasury contains countless treasures from all over the Central Plains. I understand that among them are various spirit medicines and lost martial arts manuals.”
Prince Gyeong chuckled at this.
“Do you wish to enter that place?”
“Would it be alright if I entered and took what I wanted?”
“Permission to enter the Imperial Treasury is granted only to His Majesty and his successor, the Crown Prince.”
“And that Crown Prince will be decided tonight.”
At my blunt remark, the corners of Prince Gyeong’s mouth curled up slightly. He didn't seem particularly offended. Prince Gyeong nodded and spoke readily.
“Very well. If we make it through today safely and I ascend to the position of Crown Prince, I will grant you entry to the Imperial Treasury and allow you to take out as much as you can carry.”
“As much as I can carry?”
“Did you think I was so small-minded? I am saying you may have whatever you can hold in your hands.”
‘!?’
At Prince Gyeong’s words, I suppressed a laugh. To think he would make such a promise when I only asked for one thing.
—Pwahahahaha! You’re going to pack so much in there.
I could fill my Bottomless Pouch to the brim before leaving. Without showing any of this on my face, I spoke.
“I am honored. Please be sure to keep that promise.”
“Just don't try to drag a cart in there.”
I simply smiled at Prince Gyeong’s joking remark. Just then, the carriage, which had been traveling deep into the palace, came to a halt. This signified only one thing.
“We are entering the Inner Palace now.”
The Imperial Palace could be divided into the Inner Palace and the Outer Palace. The Outer Palace housed various ministries and agencies, while the Inner Palace contained all buildings related to the Imperial Family, including the Great Hall. Hearing it described this way might not convey the scale, but I knew the Inner Palace alone was massive, spanning well over a million pyeong.
—From here, we, the Imperial Guards, will escort you.
A voice came from outside the carriage. It seemed to be the Imperial Guards, the personal guard under the direct command of the Emperor, who were responsible for the Inner Palace. Those holding official positions in the palace could move freely through the Outer Palace as long as there were no special issues, but from the Inner Palace onward, only members of the Imperial Family and those with permission could enter.
—Knock, knock!
A voice was heard along with a knock on the carriage door.
—I am Wi Gung-hyeon, a Cheonho of the Inner Palace Guard. Prince Gyeong, I will briefly inspect the inside of the carriage.
At his words, Prince Gyeong sent me a glance before replying.
“Proceed.”
Soon, the carriage door opened, and a rugged-looking Imperial Guard entered. After bowing respectfully to Prince Gyeong, he stared at my face with questioning eyes. It was likely because I, appearing as a woman, was wearing the armor of a Guardian Warrior.
To this, I said, “The hierarchy of the Imperial Guards has truly crumbled.”
“What?”
“How dare you look at me like that after seeing my official uniform?”
At my words, the Cheonho named Wi Gung-hyeon looked disgruntled, his lips twitching, before he finally performed a fist-and-palm salute. My current rank was a Junior Fourth Grade official, a position of which there were only seven in the Imperial Guards. Since I was one rank higher than him, it was only natural for him to show respect.
After reluctantly greeting me, Cheonho Wi Gung-hyeon scanned the inside of the carriage and reached out his hand toward me in a blunt tone.
“I will collect your sword.”
At this, Prince Gyeong frowned and spoke.
“How dare you confiscate the sword of a Guardian Warrior who is my escort?”
“It is His Majesty’s command.”
“His Majesty’s command?”
At the mention of the Emperor’s command, Prince Gyeong fell silent. If that were the case, he had no authority to refuse. I immediately handed over the Guardian Warrior’s sword that had been leaning beside me to Cheonho Wi Gung-hyeon. Since this sword wasn't mine anyway, I didn't mind handing it over.
“Are you satisfied now?”
At Prince Gyeong’s question, Cheonho Wi Gung-hyeon carefully inspected my uniform. He seemed to be checking if I had any hidden daggers or short swords. However, following Prince Gyeong’s signal, I had long since tucked the Lesser Conversation Sword into the Bottomless Pouch inside my robes. Unaware of this, Prince Gyeong had a tense look in his eyes, fearing I might be caught.
After staring at me for a long time, Wi Gung-hyeon bowed to Prince Gyeong and said, “Then, I shall escort you to the Inner Palace.”
Prince Gyeong let out a faint breath of relief at those words and asked him, “Where is the Northern Warrior?”
“I believe he is at the Great Hall.”
“I see. Very well.”
“Then, I will close the carriage door.”
Cheonho Wi Gung-hyeon closed the door and withdrew. I heard rustling sounds, suggesting the coachman at the front was being replaced by an Imperial Guard. And soon, with the sound of the Inner Palace gates opening, the carriage moved forward.
Prince Gyeong spoke to me in a quiet voice.
“That was fortunate. I’m glad even your dagger wasn't discovered.”
Not just that—all my weapons were inside my robes. Since there was no reason to tell him that, I simply gave a light nod. As the carriage crossed the drawbridge of the gate, it made a rattling sound even louder than when it was traveling on the ground.
Prince Gyeong said to me, “Did you say you wanted to know the secrets of the Inner Palace?”
“Because I must protect Your Highness.”
“If what I have heard is correct, you will find out as soon as we cross this drawbridge.”
It was hard to understand what he meant. Soon, the rattling sound diminished as the carriage seemed to touch solid ground. At that moment, I couldn't help but furrow my brows in bewilderment.
‘My internal power?’
The internal power in my Dantian was dispersing as if I had been poisoned by Energy Dispersal Poison. It was useless even when I tried to circulate my energy to stop the dispersion.
At my reaction, Prince Gyeong clicked his tongue and said, “The rumors are true.”
“Pardon?”
“I heard that within the Inner Palace, no one can exert the power of internal energy, except for members of our Imperial Family and a few who guard His Majesty.”
“......”
Just what kind of power was at work here? I had thought something was strange since the Ground Shrinking Technique didn't work, but I never expected an effect like Energy Dispersal Poison to occur just by entering the Inner Palace.
Prince Gyeong said to me, “But for a peerless master like you, wouldn't your external martial arts also be exceptional?”
“I won't deny that.”
“Then everyone is in the same situation.”
As Prince Gyeong said, if internal energy couldn't be used in the Inner Palace, it would be the same for everyone.
“Yeon-saeng, you only need to protect me. Everything else will be handled by the Northern Warrior, Bo Won-chan.”
“Ah...”
This was what Prince Gyeong was relying on. Within the Imperial Guards, there were two top experts known as the Southern and Northern Warriors. Above them were the Gamsa, the Comrade, and the Regional Military Commander of the Senior Second Grade, but they were closer to civil officials; the actual authority lay with these Warriors. Since he had recruited one of the Warriors serving the Emperor, he could afford to be this relaxed.
In that case, it wouldn't be an exaggeration to say that the Imperial Guards under the Northern Warrior’s command were aligned with Prince Gyeong.
“The inspecting Cheonho was not, but I have already instructed the Imperial Guard driving the carriage to tell Bo Won-chan to be ready, so you can rest easy.”
Prince Gyeong had made thorough preparations in his own way.
“Then is the carriage heading to the Great Hall now?”
“Since His Majesty has summoned us, it likely is—”
It was at that moment.
—Screech!
The carriage, which had been moving forward for some time, suddenly came to a halt. The voice of the Imperial Guard driving the carriage was heard from outside.
—Your Highness, we have arrived. Please step out.
“What?”
Prince Gyeong frowned at those words. They hadn't been traveling for long, so it was only natural to feel suspicious when told to get out so suddenly.
Prince Gyeong spoke to me in a grave voice.
“It seems an unexpected variable has arisen.”
“It appears so.”
“...Can you protect me until we reach the Great Hall?”
“I promised, so I will keep it.”
“Good. Then look for an opportunity to seize the carriage.”
With those words, Prince Gyeong boldly opened the carriage door and stepped outside. I followed him out, only to find ourselves surrounded by at least a hundred Imperial Guards. I had expected a situation like this to some extent, so it didn't bother me, but the surroundings were the problem.
“Ha!”
Prince Gyeong was dumbfounded. And for good reason—behind the Imperial Guards surrounding the carriage were several large carts, and corpses were piled high upon them. Those corpses were dressed in the attire of princes, just like Prince Gyeong.
Perhaps he hadn't expected such a bold move to be made as soon as they entered the Inner Palace, for Prince Gyeong trembled with rage.
Someone walked through the surrounding Imperial Guards. There was a middle-aged man clad in magnificent armor, and following behind him like an assistant was the rugged-looking Imperial Guard, Cheonho Wi Gung-hyeon.
“Southern Warrior!”
Prince Gyeong raised his voice as he looked at the middle-aged man. That man seemed to be the Southern Warrior, one of the two top experts.
“I, Donghyeon, the Southern Warrior of the Imperial Guards, pay my respects to Prince Gyeong.”
As he bowed, Prince Gyeong shouted at him.
“Is it the Empress Dowager? Or is it Prince Yeong?”
At the direct question, the Southern Warrior straightened up and spoke.
“Would knowing who it is change anything?”
At his sneering tone, Prince Gyeong’s expression turned icy. Despite his anger, Prince Gyeong did not lose his reason and said to him, “Is this how a Warrior who protects His Majesty should behave?”
“I don't believe those are words Your Highness should be saying.”
He was pointing out the fact that Prince Gyeong had recruited the Northern Warrior.
—Shring!
Southern Warrior Donghyeon drew his sword and spoke.
“I merely follow the command of the owner of the Jade Seal. Please do not resent me.”
As he gave a hand signal, the surrounding Imperial Guards closed the distance. And Wi Gung-hyeon, who was beside him, drew his sword and strode toward me, speaking.
“You certainly had a lot to say earlier, girl.”
It seemed he had quite a grudge against me for that incident. He spoke in a mocking voice, pointing his sword at me.
“Strip.”
“...?”
“How dare a mere girl wear the official uniform of the great Imperial Guards, which doesn't suit her at all. Strip right now and crawl between my legs naked.”
“How dare you!”
At those words, Prince Gyeong was the one who couldn't contain his fury. Regardless of whether I was a woman or a man, the man had dared to say such things to someone he had appointed as a Guardian Warrior.
Regardless of Prince Gyeong’s feelings, Cheonho Wi Gung-hyeon continued to spout his nonsense.
“Who knows? If you crawl demurely between my legs, I might just spare your life. Hahahahaha!”
Following his lead, some of the Imperial Guards also let out mocking laughs. Even in this humiliating situation, Prince Gyeong sent me a secret glance. His eyes were directed toward the carriage. He was telling me to seize it.
At this, I spoke up.
“Would it be alright if I dealt with all of them before we head to the carriage?”
“What?”
Prince Gyeong looked at me with an expression that asked what on earth I was talking about. At that moment, Cheonho Wi Gung-hyeon charged at me with a roar.
“This arrogant girl still hasn't grasped the situation and is spouting—”
—Crunch!
It was before he could even finish his sentence. His body stumbled, spraying blood like a puppet with its strings cut, before collapsing to the ground. Before anyone knew it, Wi Gung-hyeon’s severed head was held in my hand.
“Phew. Quiet at last.”
‘!!!’
The Imperial Guards were struck with horror at this sight that had unfolded in the blink of an eye. This was the same for Prince Gyeong.
“...How?”
He likely couldn't understand how I could exert such power when internal energy couldn't be used within the Inner Palace. Of course, I couldn't use internal energy either. However, separate from that, the Innate True Qi in my Middle Dantian had not dispersed.
“K-Kill her!”
After a moment of panic, Southern Warrior Donghyeon pointed at me and shouted. At this, the hesitating Imperial Guards all tried to rush forward. I tossed aside Wi Gung-hyeon’s head and lightly snapped my fingers.
—Snap!
In that instant, the hundred or so Imperial Guards who were about to charge all rolled their eyes back and collapsed to the ground.
—Thud! Thud!
I had wondered if it would work, but fortunately, I was able to use the Transformation Eye Method.
“W-What on earth is this...”
When the situation of all the Imperial Guards collapsing in an instant occurred, the face of Southern Warrior Donghyeon, who had been so triumphant and mocking just a moment ago, turned pale.
On the other hand, Prince Gyeong spoke to me with a face that had regained its color.
“I knew I could trust you, Yeon-saeng.”