Chapter 334
Chapter 334
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 334
Chapter Title: Chu Prince's Mansion (2)
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A river painted with a single brushstroke flowed majestically between the layered mountains that resembled folding screens.
Framing the view with my fingers like a picture frame turned the scenery into a Song Dynasty landscape painting I'd once seen in a curio shop.
"What a stunning view."
I set aside thoughts of the Black Scale Earth Dragon's inner core and the Chu Prince's Mansion for a moment, purely admiring the sight.
Then my master spoke up.
-Guilin's mountains and waters are unrivaled under heaven—it's not an empty saying, is it?
'I figured it was exaggerated, as these things often are. You seem quite knowledgeable about Guilin, Master.'
-Of course. It's called Guilin for its abundance of osmanthus trees, and when the flowers bloom, it's even more breathtaking. And... never mind.
'...Why stop mid-sentence?'
-It's nothing.
'If it's nothing, then say it. It's bothering me.'
-...They make famous osmanthus tea by mixing the flowers with tea leaves, and osmanthus wine too.
'Aha. So that was your real interest— the wine. Got it.'
-What do you know! I held back precisely because I knew you'd react like this!
'Well, they'll have it at the Chu Prince's Mansion, right? I meant I'd grab one bottle for you, Master. Should I not?'
-...Make it two.
After admiring the expansive Guilin scenery for a bit, I turned to Yin Xia Lian.
"Miss Yin."
"Yes?"
"How much farther is Xing'an County from here?"
People lumped it all together as Guilin, but the Guilin region was fairly vast.
Among its territories, the Chu Prince's capital was in Xing'an County, not Quan County where we'd just arrived.
"You won't be rushing, right?"
"No urgent business, and no need to draw attention. No point."
"Hm. About half a day, then?"
"Let me see... That means we're arriving quite a bit earlier than planned..."
"We said around the fifteenth, so five days early."
"Best to send word now."
"Yes. They'll have accounted for some leeway, but it's the polite thing."
Since contacting via the Alliance Leader, we'd taken no further security measures.
At this distance, it was time to check in.
"Senior Haesu, lend me writing tools."
"Of course, Junior."
I dashed off a quick message on the spot.
Then I called down Yeong-ung, who was gliding overhead.
"Yeong-ung."
Huluk!
"You scouted the Chu Prince's Mansion back when you were learning messenger duty, right? Take this there and back."
Hululuk!
With that, I sent Yeong-ung off to the Chu Prince's Mansion.
A good while after resuming our march...
The official road merged with side paths into a wide pass.
Clop-clop—
Clop-clop—
With paths converging, merchant caravans and escort wagons from other routes were visible.
Soldiers manned a checkpoint ahead.
Beyond it loomed a sizable city cradling a palace complex at its heart.
Yin Xia Lian pointed at the city.
"That's Xing'an County from there on."
Wu Sorung spoke up at the sight.
"So that fortress there is the Chu Prince's Mansion? Looks like a rocky peak jutting up inside the walls—about twenty zhang high?"
Jeonghyeon answered.
"Probably Lone Show Peak."
"Lone Show Peak?"
"Yes. Amid flatlands, it stands sharply alone. A Southern Song scholar named An Yeonji named it for its singular excellence. Nowadays, it's where the Chu Prince's royals hold heaven-worship rites."
Just then...
One soldier among the guards at the pass—a captain in a gleaming helmet—called out to us.
"Hey, you!"
Questions from checkpoint soldiers were routine.
The problem was their rude attitude.
"Us?"
"Yeah! If you heard, get over here and bow your heads. What're you questioning?!"
His intent was clear.
'They see our fine swords and want to hassle us for heavy tolls.'
We'd encountered this plenty on the road, but this was especially brazen.
"Hah."
My eyebrow twitched involuntarily, and my siblings grabbed my sleeves in unison.
Yin Xia Lian spoke.
"...Don't."
"I know. But acting all high and mighty just to squeeze money—it's infuriating."
"Yeah, fair."
I spoke loud enough for them to hear, then stared down the captain.
"We're not cutting in line or bribing to skip inspection. Why harass honest folk like this?"
"...You! Weren't you spouting off about the Prince's Mansion?!"
"That was praising Lone Show Peak's beauty, and I spoke deferentially of the royals throughout."
"......"
"His Highness would approve, I think. So, second time: why harass honest folk?"
Stiffening my tone, the captain snorted.
"Those swords at your waists scream third-rate martial artists. Think officials can't touch warriors lets you insult a general? With His Highness tolerant of your kind, every dog and cur swarms here..."
"You're the one believing in officials can't touch warriors, Captain."
"What?!"
"And don't you dare speak His Highness's name lightly. How'll you handle the fallout?"
"You've been babbling like you're bosom buddies with His Highness. Who do you think you are?"
"Someone who could report the northern gatekeeper's embezzlement to him."
"Y-You brat! I've heard no word of such nobles visiting Xing'an! If you're connected to His Highness, I'll chop off my own hand!"
Then he ordered his men.
"What're you waiting for?! Surround them! Insulting the imperial army—they need a taste of cold stone cells to wise up!"
Shick-shick-shick-shick!!!
As reluctant soldiers gripped spears and advanced...
Clatter! Clatter! Clatter!
Clatter!
Urgent hoofbeats approached.
-Isn't that young general coming with Yeong-ung the one you thrashed before, Yong-un—the Chu Prince's Mansion officer?
'Yes. Chief Commander Yang Jin-mu. That's him.'
Yang Jin-mu, the Chu Prince's prodigy, with Yeong-ung on his shoulder.
He leaped from his horse and rushed over.
The captain greeted him.
"Ah, Chief Yang—perfect timing. I've caught some highly suspicious types..."
But Yang Jin-mu blew past him and saluted me.
"Greetings, Great Hero."
"Long time. Chief Yang."
Then he roared at the spear-wielding soldiers.
"What do you think you're doing?! These are guests of the Mansion!"
"S-Sir?! We just followed Captain's orders!"
The soldiers paled and pointed at the captain.
Ashen-faced, the captain removed his helmet, tucked it at his waist, and bowed low.
"Th-This lowly officer failed to recognize nobles..."
"And tried to levy unauthorized tolls."
"Th-That..."
"Duty aside... isn't a man's word worth a thousand gold?"
"...Pardon?"
"You said you'd chop off your hand."
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Passing the checkpoint, we headed to the Chu Prince's Mansion.
Along the way, I greeted Yang Jin-mu.
"Too hectic earlier to say—your timely arrival wrapped things up before more hassle. Thanks."
"No thanks needed. It was my duty. If anything, I was late—reporting procedures... My apologies."
Last year, he'd lunged with his spear all brutish; now so polite, I wanted to tease.
"Why act different our first meeting? You skipped the obvious then. Knew we were guests and still charged?"
I prodded.
Hasheng chimed in from the side.
"Got a nosebleed for it."
"...Ahem. I was foolish then, claiming loyalty to Your Highness with rudeness."
Teasing Yang Jin-mu as we walked, we soon reached the Chu Prince's Mansion.
My siblings and I completed brief checks and were assigned guest quarters.
After bathing and changing into formal robes,
eunuchs guided us to the banquet hall.
"Please wait here briefly; His Highness will arrive shortly."
"Thank you."
The hall was a vast square with a huge rectangular table inside a border frame.
Cheonangho drooled at the pre-set fruits.
"Slurp. Fruits alone hint at the feast ahead... Brother Yong-un, maybe I've lived for this day."
"You whined a hundred times about tagging along."
His quick shift made me chuckle.
Meanwhile, Wu Sorung sat rigidly tense.
"Sorung, you've met him before—why so nervous?"
"H-Haha. He's so highborn; one meeting doesn't make it routine."
Dang Ok-gi added,
"Psh. He's noble-hearted and generous, and the prince is cute."
Namgung Yun scowled.
"Judging His Highness's character? Calling the Young Highness 'cute'? Mind your words, Dang Ok-gi."
"Ack. We're close enough! You don't even know!"
As they bickered, Yang Jin-mu's voice boomed.
"His Highness the Chu Prince arrives."
In swept the Chu Prince and his consort in dragon robes, followed by the prince in azure bamboo crown and martial attire.
"Eon Yong-un of the Pearl Eon Family greets His Highness the Chu Prince."
We bowed deeply with cupped fists.
The Chu Prince received our greetings warmly.
"Enough formalities. Thanks for answering my invitation amid your busy affairs."
"We are deeply honored."
"No need. You fulfilled that prior favor, and it lets me stand tall as a father before the prince. All around, I'm grateful. Save the talk— you must be hungry. Let's feast. Servants."
"Yes, Your Highness."
"Serve the dishes. Summon the performers."
At his command, palace servants brought lavish delicacies.
The performers' outfits felt familiar—
'Blue robes with horned foreheads like dragons, black robes with full-body paint and ox-horn brows...'
The performers took the central stage and began Dragon Rain Ensnared Tiger, scripted by Ye Haesu.
"Manu the man-eater, who sold his soul to netherworld demons and learned the taste of human flesh, now preys on the realm's people?!"
Chu Prince's retainers and servants watched rapt.
Face burning, I muttered,
'...Why this.'
My master snickered.
-Self-inflicted, that.
Swallowing food unsure if it went mouth or nose amid the heat, for a while.
The prince descended from the head seat.
"Goryong, displeased with the Mansion's fare? You've kept your head down."
"Ahem. No. Just pondering. The food was excellent."
"Really?"
To steady my face, I pointed at distant Namgung Yun.
"Really. Right, Namgung Yun?"
"Yes, truly delicious. An honor to taste such novel fruits, Young Highness."
"Yun of the Eyeglasses Namgung Clan—I saw you greet earlier. Wanted to meet you since hearing you were the realm's top young talent!"
"...Me, Your Highness?"
"Yes! Wondered who held that title before Goryong!"
"......"
His unexpected reply cracked Namgung Yun's composure; laughter erupted.
Chuckling with my siblings, I addressed the prince.
"You've grown taller."
"Yes! A bit. You noticed!?"
He wriggled happily, then pointed at his eunuch.
"Osmanthus wine brewed by the Mansion's palace maids—may I pour you all a cup?"
"An honor."
I downed the first cup.
Eyes on my waist, the prince continued.
"The performers mentioned it—you pour wine on Regret after such journeys, right?"
"...Y-Yes."
His eyes sparkled intensely.
Reading his wish, I said,
"...Want to try it yourself?"
"Can I!?"
"...Sure."
I drew Regret from my waist.
Master protested.
-My say? Yong-un! Kid! This feels off!
'Self-inflicted.'
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ As the banquet warmed, the Chief Inner Eunuch summoned me privately.
Following him,
His Highness the Chu Prince awaited before Lone Show Peak, forbidden to non-royals.
"Eon Yong-un..."
"Skip it. We did formalities. Let's climb this peak together."
Dismissing my bow, he stepped onto the peak's stairs.
I followed.
"I heard only royals ascend here."
"Misunderstanding—it's for heaven rites, but not strictly. Think: would the high priest haul offerings alone? My chief eunuch joins every time. Ministers too, sometimes."
"True."
"You wrapped up Liaoning neatly... Good work. Sent covert backup expecting clashes with Prince Yeon. How'd you manage?"
Ascending, he queried from the Liaoning request onward:
Northern Sea Ice Palace, steppe khanates, Sichuan affairs.
I summarized briefly.
"...That's how it went."
Our talk ended atop Lone Show Peak.
A shrine stood at the summit; Guilin sprawled below.
Gazing out, the Chu Prince said,
"From here, Guilin lies at a glance."
"So it does."
"But not the life within."
"......"
"Heard you faced embarrassment en route."
"Minor scuffle."
"Even my lands have such rot—others worse. Vast realm, many people, central court's distant; officials fester inevitably."
He shook his head, patted my shoulder.
"Laws are far, fists near—true enough. This land needs righteous fists. Great hopes on you."
Glancing back at the building,
"Chief Eunuch, open the treasury."
The eunuch unlocked the shrine, triggering inner mechanisms.
Swords, sabers, spears, bows, shields—
Divine artifacts gleamed within.
The Chu Prince smiled, hands behind back.
"Choose one."