Chapter 105: The Imperial Palace (4)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 105: The Imperial Palace (4)
“I knew I could trust you, Yeon-saeng.”
I couldn't help but chuckle inwardly at King Gyeong’s rapid change in attitude.
Just moments ago, he couldn't hide his anxiety, but now that he realized I could still use my martial arts, his expression had completely transformed.
I suppose this is a relief.
For some reason, whatever was causing the internal energy to scatter—much like the effects of Energy Dispersal Poison—seemed unable to dissipate my Original Qi.
Then again, the Innate True Qi in my Middle Dantian was closer to Original Qi; if that were to scatter, it would be no different from death itself.
Even half my strength should be more than enough.
Though Essence-Energy Unity was impossible for now, I was still someone who had surpassed the wall of a Superhuman using only Innate True Qi.
“Urgh…”
When all the Imperial Guards collapsed unconscious from a mere flick of my finger, Southern Warrior Donghyeon stood frozen, bewildered by the turn of events.
As King Gyeong started to approach him, I held out a hand to stop him.
“What is it?”
“That man can also use martial arts.”
“Martial arts?”
Among the Imperial Guards who had surrounded us, he was the only one capable of using his techniques.
I had sensed it through my Qi Sense from the very beginning.
I wasn't sure how he could use internal energy while I was relying on Innate True Qi, but this Southern Warrior was quite formidable. He had reached the Supreme Peak Realm, after all.
“You said you were the Southern Warrior? How are you able to use martial arts?”
At my question, the man replied in a voice filled with disbelief.
“Guardian Warrior… How can you use martial arts without the permission of the Jade Seal?”
“Permission of the Jade Seal?”
“Blast!”
Realizing he had said too much, the man clamped his mouth shut and immediately attempted to flee.
Swish!
“Yeon-saeng! He’s getting away!” King Gyeong shouted urgently.
It was a wise choice on the warrior's part. He had realized he was no match for me since he couldn't even track my movements.
But did he really think he could escape?
Slide!
“Heh!”
I cut him off in an instant and delivered a kick to Southern Warrior Donghyeon’s shin. He tried to lift his leg to block, but the bone snapped instantly upon impact with my foot.
Crack!
“Aaargh!”
Before he could recover, I slammed my elbow into his face.
Thwack!
“Gah!”
His jaw twisted to the side, and the Southern Warrior went rolling across the floor with a scream. I expected an Imperial Guard to have a higher pain tolerance, but apparently not.
“Ggggh…!”
Tap, tap, tap, tap!
I stepped toward the writhing man and struck his pressure points.
I glanced at King Gyeong, signaling that it was safe, and he approached. Realizing that escape was now impossible, Southern Warrior Donghyeon looked up at the King with a face full of resignation.
King Gyeong picked up a sword from the floor, pointed the tip at the man’s throat, and asked, “What happened to the Northern Warrior?”
“...He has been imprisoned in the Golden Prison.”
“The Golden Prison? So you didn't kill him?”
“Once Your Highness is dead, the Northern Warrior will have no choice but to follow the orders of the new Emperor anyway.”
The Southern Warrior answered quite candidly. King Gyeong, clearly displeased by the blunt mention of his own death, pressed the sword tip against the man’s neck.
“It wouldn't be my brother, the King of Qin. Is it King Yeong? Or is it Her Majesty the Empress? Who ordered you to do this?”
“.......”
At those words, the Southern Warrior wore a strange expression. What did that look mean?
King Gyeong pressed harder, his voice growing heavy. “Speak if you want to live.”
In response to the threat, the Southern Warrior uttered something cryptic.
“I did choose His Highness King Yeong… but do you truly believe everything happening within the Imperial Palace right now is solely by his will?”
“What?”
King Gyeong’s face stiffened.
I, too, found something odd in the Southern Warrior’s words. All the officials had reportedly seen the Emperor appearing healthy in the Great Hall. If the Emperor were truly that well, there was no way the Empress or King Yeong could openly attempt to assassinate the other princes within the Inner Palace.
Normally, one would assume the Emperor is incapacitated, but if what the Southern Warrior says is true…
Then, King Gyeong spoke in a trembling voice.
“Are you saying… that this entire situation is happening with His Majesty’s sanction?”
King Gyeong seemed to be desperately hoping it was a lie. However, Southern Warrior Donghyeon did not deny it; he simply nodded.
‘!!!’
*
Okhyeon Palace sat at the very heart of the Inner Palace.
The Great Hall, where state affairs were usually discussed, was empty of officials, as it was the middle of the night.
However, there was one presence that filled the vast, empty hall all by himself.
An old man in dragon robes sat upon the throne. Though his hair was white and his face lined with wrinkles, his eyes were filled with ambition and majesty.
He was the current Emperor, Ten Thousand Emperor Ju Geumbok.
Beside him, a handsome middle-aged man was placing acupuncture needles into his head. This was the Divine Healer of Ten Thousand Ailments.
Ju Geumbok, receiving the treatment, spoke up.
“You truly are the greatest physician, as even the palace doctors admit. Every time I receive these needles, I feel my vitality returning.”
The Divine Healer replied, “It is only a temporary phenomenon.”
“Even if it is merely the final glow of a dying ember, it is fine. It is better than lying in bed, wasting away with my eyes and ears closed.”
“........”
The Divine Healer did not respond. Looking at his haggard face, it was clear he had suffered much recently.
Ju Geumbok said to him, “I only need to hold on until my successor is decided. Before I close my eyes, I will ensure you can leave the palace with your foster daughter.”
“........Understood, Your Majesty,” the Divine Healer replied with a sigh.
The only reason he had been held here for so long was because of his foster daughter. If she hadn't been captured, he would never have treated the Emperor against his will.
As he focused on the needles, a voice reached the Emperor’s ears.
“A message has arrived stating that King Gyeong has also entered the Inner Palace.”
At those words, the corners of Ju Geumbok’s mouth curled upward.
An old man walking with a cane entered from one side of the hall. He was completely bald; his face looked a hundred years old in some lights, yet possessed the innocence of a child in others.
“Then I suppose all my children have entered the Inner Palace?”
The Emperor’s voice, which had been full of majesty just a moment ago, now carried a hint of politeness. Who was this old man that even the Emperor, the man above all others, would show such courtesy to?
The old man walked closer to the throne and spoke. “Your Majesty. Must you really go this far?”
“Are you getting soft-hearted now? Did you not agree to follow my will, Flying Immortal Elder?”
“Sigh...”
The Flying Immortal Elder let out a long sigh and shook his head.
“How can a father personally set the stage for his children to harm one another?”
“It is what would happen anyway once I am dead.”
That was how the Imperial House had always been. Whenever a reigning Emperor drew his last breath, an internal war broke out to produce the next one. Historically, it was extremely rare for a Crown Prince appointed by the Emperor to ascend the throne peacefully.
“Even so...”
“They are creatures who would kill all their siblings just to sit on this throne. I was the same.”
Ju Geumbok had also ascended the throne in that manner. It was the price paid in blood.
“Rather than having their subordinates shed blood to prop them up, it is better they decide the succession among themselves.”
“.......”
The Emperor’s resolve was absolute. The old man had neither the authority to refuse nor the power to stop him. This was the destiny of the Imperial House.
It was then.
A eunuch from the Inner Palace entered the hall and announced, “Your Majesty. His Highness the King of Qin and His Highness the King Yeong have arrived outside the palace. Both request an audience with Your Majesty. How shall we proceed?”
Ju Geumbok muttered, “As expected.”
He had anticipated this situation to some extent. The King of Qin and King Yeong were the ones who already held most of the actual power. They hadn't been granted their titles for nothing.
I suppose that child is dead.
Inwardly, Ju Geumbok had expected King Gyeong to show up as well. He knew King Gyeong was acting like a profligate and was secretly gathering his own strength. He thought the boy might even overcome the mountains that were the King of Qin and King Yeong, but it seemed his prediction was wrong.
“Your Majesty?”
At the eunuch’s call, Ju Geumbok spoke.
“Go out and deliver my word.”
*
Hundreds of people were facing off in front of Okhyeon Palace.
On the left stood the King of Qin, accompanied by the Admiral of the Eastern Depot, along with inspectors, poison masters, and about three hundred eunuchs armed with weapons.
On the right was King Yeong, accompanied by several mysterious figures wearing bamboo hats, Eunuch Gonggong of the Western Depot, and about three hundred Western Depot inspectors, poison masters, martial eunuchs, and a hundred Imperial Guards.
The tension was so thick that it wouldn't have been strange if a war broke out right then and there. However, the reason they only stood in confrontation was because Okhyeon Palace was the Emperor’s domain; no one dared move recklessly.
You’ve prepared well during this time.
The King of Qin clicked his tongue as he looked at King Yeong’s side, which had secured more men than his own. He had also been gradually securing power within the Inner Palace, but looking at the current situation, King Yeong held the advantage.
King Yeong spoke to the Imperial Guard beside him. “Comrade Yang.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
“When can the rest of the Imperial Guards join us?”
“There are quite a few guards led by Northern Warrior Bo Won-chan, so it will take at least half an hour to suppress them.”
“It can't be helped, then.”
“My apologies, Your Highness.”
“It’s fine. The fact remains that we have the upper hand.”
He had a numerical advantage of about a hundred men. If a battle broke out, he would ultimately be the victor. And if that happened, the throne would be...
Creeeeeak!
Just then, a eunuch from the Inner Palace walked out of Okhyeon Palace. These eunuchs only stayed by the Emperor’s side and moved only on his command.
The eunuch shouted at the top of his lungs, “I shall deliver the Emperor’s royal edict!”
At the mention of a royal edict, everyone, including King Yeong and the King of Qin, dropped to one knee in respect. Once they had shown proper etiquette, the eunuch delivered the message.
“Only one person may enter Okhyeon Palace. That person shall be appointed as the Crown Prince.”
‘!!!’
The eyes of everyone present sharpened. The meaning was clear: the prince who entered Okhyeon Palace alive would be the successor.
A cruel smile spread across King Yeong’s lips.
This is exactly what I wanted.
He already possessed far superior military strength. Furthermore, he was confident of victory because he had three people capable of using martial arts: himself, Comrade Yang (the former Southern Warrior), and Eunuch Gonggong of the Western Depot.
Just as the eunuch finished the edict, both sides rose and drew their weapons.
Clang! Clang!
The front of Okhyeon Palace was on the verge of becoming a battlefield.
Right at that moment.
Clatter! Clatter!
Everyone’s gaze turned toward the main road leading to Okhyeon Palace. A single carriage was rolling in.
Everyone was bewildered by the appearance of a carriage. It came to a halt right in front of the two opposing factions.
Click!
The carriage door opened, and someone stepped out. Upon seeing him, the King of Qin and King Yeong both frowned and spoke simultaneously.
“King Gyeong?”
“King Gyeong!”
Unlike the King of Qin, King Yeong—who had sent Southern Warrior Donghyeon and the Imperial Guards with orders to kill King Gyeong—was utterly dumbfounded to see him alive.
“How can this be?”
At his sharp questioning, Comrade Yang of the Imperial Guards replied, equally confused. “This shouldn't be possible. We cut off all of King Gyeong’s support...”
They had imprisoned Northern Warrior Bo Won-chan and his subordinate thousand-man commanders. Furthermore, weren't they currently suppressing all the Imperial Guards who followed him?
Eunuch Im, the Admiral of the Western Depot, spoke cautiously to the furious King Yeong. “Your Highness, why worry? The Emperor’s edict has been given. Even if he has made it here, nothing changes.”
“Right. You’re correct.”
Eunuch Im was right. Even if King Gyeong had arrived safely, the Emperor’s command stood. Only the one who entered that palace alive could become the Crown Prince.
King Yeong shouted toward King Gyeong, who had stepped out of the carriage. “Brother! Why have you come all this way? If you’ve managed to keep your life, you should have fled the palace instead!”
At the provocative words, King Gyeong snorted. “You’ve prepared quite a lot, little brother.”
“I had to do at least this much to deal with my two older brothers, didn't I?”
“Indeed. I suppose you did.”
“His Majesty said he would give the position of Crown Prince to the one person who enters Okhyeon Palace. What kind of nerve do you have to come here alone? Hahahaha!”
King Yeong laughed at him loudly. It was enough to make anyone angry, but King Gyeong simply smiled brightly and said, “I have Yeon-saeng.”
‘!?’
King Yeong found the statement absurd. Within the Inner Palace, no one could use martial arts except for those specifically chosen. And yet, he was acting this way while relying on just one person?
“Yeon-saeng? Ah, you mean that kisaeng-turned-Guardian Warrior girl who supposedly troubled Brother Qin?”
“You, King Yeong!”
The King of Qin, who had been staying quiet, couldn't contain his rage at being dragged into the conversation. He still hadn't forgotten the humiliation from that time.
King Yeong sneered at him. “To be humiliated by such a girl... Brother, your vessel is far too small to inherit the throne.”
Enraged by King Yeong’s provocation, the King of Qin roared, “I shall not forget the merit of whoever brings me that man’s head! Attack!”
“Waaaaaaaah!!!”
As soon as his order fell, the eunuchs of the Eastern Depot attempted to charge all at once.
“Protect His Highness King Yeong!”
“Take the King of Qin’s head!”
“Waaaaaaaah!!!”
As if they had been waiting, the Western Depot eunuchs and the hundred Imperial Guards following King Yeong also charged forward to meet them.
King Yeong, however, pointed at King Gyeong and said to Eunuch Im, “Bring me my brother’s head.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
Eunuch Im drew a chain sword from his belt and blurred forward.
It was at that very moment.
As he lunged, someone suddenly dropped from the sky.
BOOM!
A massive explosion coincided with a thunderous sonic boom. The moment the shockwave rippled through the air in all directions—
Thud! Thud!
The forces of both sides, who were about to clash, all rolled their eyes back and collapsed to the ground simultaneously.
Thump! Thump! Thump!
Even Eunuch Im, who had been flying toward King Gyeong, was sent tumbling across the ground, showing no sign of getting back up.
‘!!!’
The eyes of the King of Qin and King Yeong widened at the sudden turn of events. Their gazes turned toward the newcomer.
A beautiful woman in the uniform of a Guardian Warrior stood there with her hands behind her back. The ground beneath her feet had been gouged out nearly ten feet deep.
“Ye-Yeon-saeng...”
The King of Qin, recognizing her face instantly, reflexively took a step back.
King Yeong simply couldn't comprehend the situation. “How... in the Inner Palace...”
Before he could even finish his sentence, Yeon-saeng reached out both hands as if pulling something. The bodies of King Yeong and the King of Qin were lifted into the air by an unknown force.
“W-what?!”
“What on earth is this...!”
They were forcibly dragged forward through the air. Flying against their will, they landed face-first in an unsightly heap right in front of King Gyeong.
King Gyeong looked down at the two kings groveling before him, his mouth splitting into a wide, triumphant grin.
“Did I not tell you? I have Yeon-saeng.”