Chapter 106: The Hidden Power of the Imperial Family (1)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 106: The Hidden Power of the Imperial Family (1)
King Gyeong did not hide his delight at the sight of the two princes sprawled unsightly on the ground. He seemed extremely satisfied to have neutralized everything King Jin and King Yeong had prepared so effortlessly.
King Jin seemed to have given up, but King Yeong shouted as if he couldn't understand the situation at all.
"Did His Majesty bestow this girl upon you?"
What is he talking about?
As I wondered, King Gyeong snorted and replied.
"Does His Majesty look like the type of person who would do that?"
"Then how can that girl use such ridiculous martial arts...?"
Slap!
Before he could finish his sentence, King Gyeong’s palm struck King Yeong’s cheek. To the stunned prince, King Gyeong said, "She is my favored Guardian Warrior. She is not someone for the likes of you to call 'girl' so carelessly."
"She's just one girl..."
"Have you forgotten that this 'girl' just crushed everything you and Brother Jin built?"
Grit!
King Yeong bit his lip so hard it bled, his face contorted with resentment. King Jin, having already abandoned hope, merely let out a series of sighs. Accepting that the situation was beyond his control was, in fact, the right choice.
"Do you think this is the end?"
King Gyeong let out a mocking laugh at King Yeong's words.
"Yeon-saeng rescued the Northern Warrior from prison. By now, he should be suppressing the Imperial Guards under his command."
Before coming here, I had stopped by the Imperial Palace’s Golden Prison. Northern Warrior Bo Won-chan would handle the Imperial Guards spread throughout the Outer and Inner Palaces, and since the army from the Five Tiger Governor's Office was reportedly marching toward the capital, King Gyeong had effectively seized victory.
King Yeong’s eyes darted around before he spoke to me urgently.
"I apologize for calling you a girl, Guardian Warrior Yeon."
"I don't mind."
"Help me. If you help me, I will grant you anything you desire."
He must have been desperate, trying to win me over right in front of King Gyeong. Then again, if he could sway me, he would be stripping King Gyeong of his greatest asset, so his logic made sense.
King Yeong continued, thinking he had found the right angle.
"How about this? I will make you my Empress. If that happens, you will hold the power of the Great Yan Empire, second only to me."
"Ha!"
At King Yeong's proposal, King Jin, who was standing nearby, couldn't help but snort. I was equally dumbfounded.
It seemed all three princes were cut from the same cloth. Since they thought I was a woman, they assumed the ultimate bribe was to appoint me as Empress.
"Hahaha! You fool."
King Gyeong mocked King Yeong.
"What?"
"Yeon-saeng is... not a woman someone like you can covet."
He had clearly been about to reveal I was a man before changing his words. Then, as if to provoke him further, he casually draped an arm over my shoulder, acting intimate.
"Ugh!"
King Yeong ground his teeth in irritation at the sight. King Gyeong really seemed to enjoy taunting him.
This isn't what's important right now.
Regardless of their bickering, I approached the place where King Yeong’s subordinates lay unconscious. I had inspected them before suppressing them with the Transformation Eye Scripture.
Are they among them?
There were individuals among King Yeong’s forces who were not palace officials. These were the men wearing bamboo hats. If the Golden Emperor or Noejangjo had stepped forward personally, they would likely be with King Yeong.
Swish!
With a light wave of my hand, their bamboo hats were removed.
!?
It wasn't the Golden Emperor or Noejangjo. All five were faces I had never seen before. I checked behind their ears to see if they were wearing human skin masks, but they weren't.
Strange.
Based on their attire, they definitely weren't officials. Then who were they? I approached King Yeong and asked.
"Who are these people?"
"Them?"
"Did you not bring them yourself, Your Highness?"
"Who are they? Why are they with me...? Argh!"
King Yeong, who had been looking at the unmasked men with a confused expression, suddenly furrowed his brow. He grabbed his head as if a sudden migraine had struck him.
"Ngh... aaaargh."
"What is wrong with you?"
King Yeong’s condition didn't look like a simple headache. Cold sweat poured down his face, and the veins on his forehead were turning black.
This is...?
Seeing this, I whispered to King Gyeong.
"It's Illusion Demon Poison."
The symptoms were no different from those of Baek Ryeonha or Seobok. The memory anomalies, the poison spreading to the brain, and the intense headache were all identical.
King Gyeong asked back, "Illusion Demon Poison?"
"Those afflicted by this poison are placed under a suggestion and move according to the will of the one who poisoned them."
"Such a poison exists?"
"Yes. It is a poison he ordered to be manufactured."
"What!"
King Gyeong clicked his tongue in disbelief. Even though they were his descendants, he hadn't expected the man to use such a method on members of the Imperial Family. He had used the Illusion Demon Poison without hesitation.
I said to King Gyeong, "The only hope for a cure for the Illusion Demon Poison is the Divine Healer of Ten Thousand Ailments."
"Ha! So that's why he's after the Divine Healer?"
"That's not all. Why else would he use the Illusion Demon Poison on a prince who could potentially take the throne?"
His intention was clearly to control the Imperial Family itself. If King Yeong had taken the position of Crown Prince, the villain would have been halfway to success.
"How dare he!"
King Gyeong could not contain his rage. However, it seemed we didn't even have the luxury for that right now.
"He is nowhere to be seen. These men seem to be a distraction."
"Then we must hurry."
"Yes."
"Understood. The Divine Healer is said to be guarding His Majesty, so let us enter Okhyeon Palace at once."
There was a high probability that the enemy had diverted our attention and entered the palace, so we had to move fast.
"W-What are you trying to do?"
"You should just go to sleep."
"What?"
Tap-tap-tap-tap!
I used a pressure point technique to knock King Jin and King Yeong unconscious.
"Step aside."
Slash! Slash!
However, King Gyeong slit their throats without a moment's hesitation. The two princes died in their sleep, never knowing they were being killed.
"Why? Do you think I am cruel?"
At King Gyeong's question, I shook my head. They had been after King Gyeong's life anyway, and leaving those with a claim to the throne alive would only leave trouble for the future.
"It is better than seeing more blood later."
"Heh. As expected, I like you. Do you have any intention of continuing to serve me...?"
"Stop talking and let's go."
"Ahem. Fine."
I headed toward Okhyeon Palace with King Gyeong. Upon entering, a massive corridor stretched out before us like a main road. King Gyeong pointed to the end of the hallway.
"That is the Great Hall. Beyond the Great Hall are His Majesty's office and chambers."
"It seems we won't have to look far."
"What do you mean?"
I could sense a significant number of presences inside the Great Hall. Among them were the energies of ordinary people who had not trained in martial arts; they were likely the Emperor and the Divine Healer.
We entered the Great Hall. Supported by massive pillars, the hall was large enough to hold thousands of people. At the far end, on a raised platform, sat an old man in a dragon robe with hair as white as snow.
Is that him?
The old man on the throne appeared to be the Emperor. He was the bold man who had sanctioned the bloody war between the princes. Even though he hadn't trained in martial arts, his dignity and aura were extraordinary. He wasn't called the Emperor for nothing.
The Divine Healer!
Beside him was a familiar face. It was the Divine Healer of Ten Thousand Ailments, looking quite haggard after not seeing him for a long time. Seeing his state, it was clear he had been held against his will. The Divine Healer was also looking at me, but since I was in the form of Yeon-saeng, he naturally didn't recognize me.
"Fortunately, it seems we aren't too late. Let us first pay our respects to His Majesty."
King Gyeong whispered to me, then prostrated himself toward the throne.
"Your son, King Gyeong Ju Yun-gyeong, greets His Imperial Majesty."
Following his lead, I also bowed for the time being. Since King Gyeong, who held a higher status than me, was present, there was no need for me to speak.
Thirteen.
Instead, I focused on the presences hidden within the Great Hall. There were people hiding their bodies and auras behind the pillars; they seemed to be the eunuchs of the Inner Palace responsible for the Emperor's safety. The one hidden closest to the throne had even broken through the Wall. That person was likely the strongest master in the Imperial Palace.
Then, the Emperor's voice echoed through the hall.
"You have exceeded my expectations, Ju Yun-gyeong, by setting foot in Okhyeon Palace."
"Your grace is immeasurable."
Come to think of it, he had said that whoever entered Okhyeon Palace would be made Crown Prince. In effect, King Gyeong had all but secured the position. Seeing his body tremble slightly, he seemed to be filled with anticipation.
However, words I never expected came out of the Emperor's mouth.
"But you have committed an act that deviates from the rules I set."
"Rules?"
King Gyeong questioned him softly, sounding confused. I, too, had no idea what the Emperor was talking about.
"It is amusing to see you feign innocence. Both of you, lift your heads."
At the Emperor's command, King Gyeong and I slowly raised our heads. Before we knew it, a bald old man leaning on a staff was standing beside the Emperor.
What?
He was the only one whose presence I hadn't detected. Considering the master who had broken the Wall was still hidden near the Emperor, it wasn't him. Then who was this old man? Looking at his face gave me a strange feeling. It was the same feeling I had when standing before my masters at the Absolute Sword Sense.
The Emperor spoke again.
"Why did you do such a thing?"
"Your Majesty, your son does not understand what you are referring to."
The Emperor looked at King Gyeong with narrowed eyes, then turned his head to speak to the bald old man.
"He says so. What does the Flying Immortal Elder think?"
"The Flying Immortal Elder!"
At the mention of the name, an exclamation escaped King Gyeong's lips. Looking at his face, he seemed quite shocked to learn the old man's identity. King Gyeong whispered to me.
"That man is the hidden power of the Imperial Palace who protects His Majesty."
He is the hidden power of the Imperial Palace?
Was this old man, called the Flying Immortal Elder, that legendary existence? He looked like an ordinary old man, but the fact that I couldn't feel any energy from him meant he was perfectly concealing his qi.
Then, the old man called the Flying Immortal Elder looked at me and spoke.
"Which of the nine's Taoist gate are you from?"
"Taoist gate?"
What did that mean? I couldn't understand the meaning of being from "one of the nine's Taoist gates."
Tap! Tap!
The Flying Immortal Elder walked toward King Gyeong and me, leaning on his staff, and spoke again.
"Did you not come from the place where the peach blossoms are in full bloom?"
!?
I couldn't help but be shocked inwardly. The metaphor of a place where peach blossoms are in full bloom could only mean the Absolute Sword Sense. To think that the name of the Absolute Sword Sense would come from the mouth of the man called the hidden power of the Imperial Palace.
I asked him in a serious voice.
"Who exactly are you?"
"I asked first. Since you have mastered the Immortal Origin Breath Control Method, you must be from one of the nine... Ah. Right. It couldn't be nine."
The Flying Immortal Elder shook his head and spoke again.
"Which of the eight's Taoist gate are you from?"
...Which of the eight?
I finally understood what he was saying. He was asking which of the eight Taoists who led the Absolute Sword Sense I was a disciple of. I could have answered honestly, but I had my doubts. Since I didn't know this old man's true identity, mentioning the Absolute Sword Sense myself carried a significant risk.
"I cannot answer your question carelessly. First, so that I may know if you are someone I am permitted to speak to..."
"Silence!"
The Flying Immortal Elder let out a sharp shout. Along with it, a massive pressure of wind erupted and surged toward King Gyeong and me.
Oh no!
I quickly lunged forward and extended my fingers in a sword formula.
Boom! Crash!
The intense wind pressure was split by my sword formula, shattering the pillars on either side. The area behind me, centered on me, remained intact in a fan shape, while everything around it was a mess. At this sight, King Gyeong shouted in surprise.
"W-Why?"
"Hold your tongue!"
This time, the Flying Immortal Elder scolded him without using force. Then, he pointed his left hand at me and raised his voice.
"The Absolute Sword Sense made a sworn oath with the Imperial Family long ago. Therefore, the Taoists should not be able to interfere in the affairs of the Imperial Family and the government. Why did you help King Gyeong?"
Ha!
This old man even knew about the sworn oath between the Absolute Sword Sense and the Imperial Family. I had also heard that the eight Taoists had left the secular world in the past because they had made such an oath with the Imperial Family. But did it not end with just leaving?
Who exactly was this old man? He didn't seem to be related to the Golden Emperor, and seeing as he was called the hidden power of the Imperial Family, he seemed far removed from Jagyeongjeong as well. Then who was he?
"Flying Immortal Elder. I don't know what you're talking about..."
"I told you not to interfere, King Gyeong."
He even went so far as to scold the prince. As the old man known as the Flying Immortal Elder truly revealed his aura, the surroundings became filled with true qi. He pointed the head of his staff at me and said, "If you received teachings from the Absolute Sword Sense, there is no way you wouldn't know of this oath, and you wouldn't break it so carelessly. From this moment on, I shall suppress you in accordance with the oath."
Flash!
The Flying Immortal Elder's figure closed the distance to me in an instant. As he waved his left hand, King Gyeong, who was behind me, floated into the air and was blown further back.
"Whoa!"
It seemed he wanted to move him out of harm's way before suppressing me. This was truly troublesome. I hurriedly sent him a sound transmission.
[I find it difficult to answer because I do not know if you are an enemy of the Absolute Sword Sense or not. If you reveal your identity first...]
"Are you saying that without knowing what kind of punishment a Taoist who breaks the oath receives!"
The Flying Immortal Elder scolded me and swung his staff. Feeling the immense innate true qi loaded into the staff, I used my footwork to retreat and sent another sound transmission.
[I received teachings at the Absolute Sword Sense, but I have not been initiated into the Taoist gate, so I have nothing to do with the oath you speak of.]
Even if I didn't know his identity, wouldn't it be okay to say this much? However, at this sound transmission, the Flying Immortal Elder could not hide his rage and shouted.
"You are not a Taoist of the Absolute Sword Sense!"
"What are you talking about?"
"What kind of Immortal would teach the Way to someone who hasn't been initiated? Ha! You have fallen into your own trap!"
Papapapapak!
As soon as his shout ended, the Flying Immortal Elder's staff bent into dozens of strands as if it were alive, attempting to suppress me in one go. I knew he wasn't ordinary, but I hadn't expected him to be this powerful. If I didn't take this seriously, I would be in real trouble.
I have no choice.
I unleashed the Snow Sound Flower Sun Dance, which was loaded with hot Yang Steel Internal Energy, toward the Flying Immortal Elder. Flames flickered on my fists as they collided with the staff that was splitting into dozens of strands.
Whoosh! Crackle!
As the two ultimate techniques collided, the Flying Immortal Elder frowned.
"Snow Sound Flower Sun Dance?"
Surprisingly, he recognized the technique. I didn't stop there and this time unleashed a palm technique that embroidered the air like mist. The Flying Immortal Elder's eyes widened.
"Nine Clouds Myriad Flower Palm?"
He recognized this technique as well. If so, even though I didn't have a spear, would he recognize this technique performed with my hands? I used my footwork to avoid the changing tides of his staff and immediately performed a spear technique that curved like a snake.
Thud!
The Flying Immortal Elder didn't block the technique but instead increased the distance between us by five paces. He was so shocked that he sent me a sound transmission in a trembling voice.
[What? Even the Golden Spear True Scripture? Who... who on earth are you to have mastered the skills of not just one, but three Immortals?]
As expected, showing was faster than telling. I sent a sound transmission to the man who was beyond shocked and into the realm of bewilderment.
[It's not just three.]
[What?]
[I received teachings from all eight.]
[!!!]
At those words, the Flying Immortal Elder wore an expression of genuine, utter disbelief.