Non-Interference Between Court and Martial World Yields to the Tide (2)
[A moment later, Seongnakwon.]
There is a saying called Gwanmu Bulgachim. It means that the court and the martial world each have their own domains, and neither should recklessly invade or harm the other's territory.
But here's one question. Who is it that shouts "Gwanmu Bulgachim"?
"The martial world cried out Gwanmu Bulgachim to ensure its own survival."
As the Sword Saint, gazing at a tree in Seongnakwon, put it, it was the martial world that invoked Gwanmu Bulgachim.
"The imperial court didn't leave the martial world alone because it couldn't scheme against it. It just didn't bother."
The court could scheme against the martial world anytime it wanted. But in this peaceful era, it had refrained because deploying the hundreds of thousands of troops meant for repelling foreign invaders against martial artists would be far too wasteful.
"But now, the situation has changed."
The Sword Saint turned to face me.
"Physician Seok, you have become a target even for the imperial palace. And it's not just because of your treatment for Jeolmok Jeong, but thanks to the medical arts you possess."
"Yes, and now other factors are piling up as well..."
"It won't end with your alliance with the Hubei Peng Clan. The greatest 'threat' right before Moyong Sega's eyes isn't the Five Great Clans or the Nine Great Sects—it's the imperial palace in the capital."
Gwanmu Bulgachim? Up until now, the imperial palace had no reason to meddle in the martial world, so it stayed quiet. But if a reason arises, it will intervene, no matter what pretext it fabricates.
Whether by threatening a martial clan in the name of the imperial court, branding them as rebels to plot their downfall, or mobilizing the full resources and might of the state to erase a single faction from the map entirely.
Fortunately, that's impossible.
"The silver lining is that I, whom the imperial palace itself hails as a hero, am here."
"I am deeply grateful."
Because the Sword Saint, Moyong Cheon—hero of the martial world—is here.
He's not just a hero of the martial world, but of the entire nation. He purged the Magyo spies lurking in the palace and saved countless lives by eliminating the Heavenly Demon and his Magyo horde who turned western Shaanxi into a wasteland.
"Sometimes, people wonder: if a Hwagyeong or Hyeongyeong master fought a regular army, how many could they kill?"
"At least ten thousand, I would think."
"Exactly."
One might call the number exaggerated. But this is based on actual events—the most recent statistics, no less.
"The Heavenly Demon single-handedly slaughtered ten thousand garrison troops in Shaanxi. It was a massacre over three days, but in those three days, ten thousand regular soldiers were brutally slain by his hand."
This demonstrates the power a Hyeongyeong master can wield against a nation.
People had only ever compared it in idle talk, but no one in the Central Plains martial world had ever unleashed martial arts against imperial troops in a massacre. It was unprecedented.
Magyo ignored Gwanmu Bulgachim and all that nonsense; to dominate not just the Central Plains martial world but the entire Central Plains, they showed their power.
And the Sword Saint defeated that Heavenly Demon. The imperial court even fervently offered to appoint him as the "Greatest General Under Heaven."
"If I weren't a member of Moyong Sega but merely a wandering swordsman of some ordinary surname, the palace would have dragged me into the imperial family by any means necessary. Probably by marrying me off to one of their princesses."
"You were the hero who felled Magyo's leader, but they couldn't be certain such a calamity as the Heavenly Demon wouldn't repeat if you weren't an ally. I understand."
"Yes. Back then... I was hounded quite a bit. Fortunately, the palace recognized my sincerity, and since I'd helped them to some extent, they felt reassured having Moyong Sega by their side."
"Ah, you mean the revival of the Royal Guard."
"Precisely."
Unofficially, of course, but the Sword Saint serves as a martial arts advisor to the two imperial forces handling 'martial' affairs: the Eastern Depot and the Royal Guard.
Officially, Gwanmu Bulgachim prevents any open acknowledgment, but behind the scenes, he holds a quasi-official position in the court with some influence.
Hell, if the Sword Saint marched into the palace right now and declared himself the Greatest General Under Heaven, who could stop him? There's no martial artist in the palace who could block someone who can fly through the skies on his sword and land in the courtyard.
"Even so, once the imperial palace learns of the boundless potential of your Geukyang Jihwan, they will naturally start approaching, one by one."
"Up to now, there hasn't been much movement of that sort, has there?"
"Until now, it was miracles happening to women. But from here on, things change."
"Ah."
I understood.
"The court—the imperial palace—is a place that operates on an absolutely male-centric structure."
There are almost no Jeolmok Jeong patients in the imperial family. Even if there are, they're hushed up, and none are on the verge of death.
Sure, some women might dream of rejuvenation, but they're not martial artists. Those craving youth see rejuvenation as a martial world thing; men who lust after young women just summon fresh beauties to their beds rather than hoping their aged concubines regain their youth.
"Among the court ministers in the palace, there are those suffering from baldness."
"Up until now, it wasn't their personal concern, but now that it is, they'll move aggressively."
"Indeed. So, you have two tasks."
The Sword Saint held up two fingers.
"In the process of Moyong Sega joining hands with the palace, prepare a stockpile of Balmo Hwan."
"Like how the Emperor's hair grew lush, make the court ministers' locks grow long as well?"
"Yes. Moyong San will vet their suitability."
"If it's the deputy patriarch's discernment, I can trust it. As long as they're not the type to spread rumors outside... even if they trigger the so-called side effect of Geukyang Jihwan, it won't be a big issue."
"Exactly. Besides, officially, they're not coming as allies of Moyong Sega. They're inspectors dispatched on a national level to manage the great chaos in Yodong stemming from events at Moyong Sega."
"Is that permissible? If word gets out that Moyong accepted imperial inspection, others might slander us."
"Those who slander Moyong for 'bowing to the court' are just looking for any excuse to tear us down. Better to show a proud, upright stance even against the palace—one that leaves no room for shame—and deter the rabble from touching us lightly."
In the end, Gwanmu Bulgachim is merely an age-old "tradition."
"The times have changed, and if the era demands it, the court and martial world no longer need to pretend not to see each other—they can walk together."
"......."
"Those who cling to tradition, who reject court intervention, will point fingers at Moyong. 'How can you become the court's dog?' they'll yap. But a dog's bark doesn't stop the Yangtze from flowing."
"...Understood. In the end, all this is for Moyong."
The Sword Saint is a martial artist too. Yet he made this choice for one reason alone.
"To protect Young Lady Moyong Seol, I'll do my utmost to ensure the court folk won't dare touch Moyong Sega—and to make them step up to shield us first. I'll craft the perfect incentive with Geukyang Jihwan."
The Sword Saint's decision was to protect Moyong Seol, Moyong Sega, and me as one of its members.
For me to prattle on about Gwanmu Bulgachim or whatever would be to disregard his resolve.
"But, patriarch. Even if the court learns the information, how should we approach them?"
"There are ways. You know the patients' details. Provide treatment so they accept it fully, ensuring the miracle manifests solely for them."
The Sword Saint pointed to the open field south of Seongnakwon.
"We'll build a new medical hall there. Not like the one where we treated Seol-i before, but a new one solely for examinations and prescriptions."
"And those who come there... will be people with grave illnesses they can't reveal publicly."
"Yes. Ones resolved to sneak into Moyong Sega to cure their hidden affliction by any means."
Soon, if a building rises there, the consultation room will hold only me and that patient.
"As the first target, we'll summon Yeocheong, the Empire's Foremost Sword."
"......Her."
"Physician Seok. What do you think is Yeocheong's illness?"
"...Last time I saw her, she didn't seem to have any particular ailment."
She had infiltrated disguised as a musician, revealed her true self upon hearing of the Jeolmok Jeong cure, assessed the situation, and left—the imperial inspector.
"Or perhaps she's seeking treatment for a suffering family member, relative, or loyal subordinate?"
"No. She has one very serious condition."
"A serious condition...?"
"Yes. In the past, Magyo assassins raided the palace, and she threw herself to save the Emperor."
The Sword Saint pointed below his abdomen.
"That's when the assassin's sword struck a most unfortunate spot."
"No way...."
"Is it possible?"
"...If such a tragedy befell her, I'll find a way even if it seems impossible. If that's what the Empire's Foremost Sword desires most."
I can do it. I must.
"Hasn't it already been verified through Geomhu?"
Treating infertility is a physician's duty too.
"Like Geomhu, I'll make it a body where she can confirm the possibility once a month."
Geomhu. No, Geomhui. Right now, she rejoices in her menstrual cramps.