Chapter 148
Chapter 148
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Translator: Ace
Chapter: 148
Chapter Title: Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors
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The sea breeze sliced through the air as we arrived on Japanese soil, and I followed Miho as she raced across the vast plain. The scenery and architecture of Japan struck me as utterly novel—something I'd never seen before in the Central Plains or Goryeo. The tiles, the overall shape—everything was different.
Miho spoke up.
"The most powerful man in Japan right now is a figure named Tokugawa Ieyasu. As a lord, he was the one who ultimately quelled the wars of the land, and it's been about twenty years since he took control."
"Japanese names are so bizarre."
"Hee hee. This is an island nation, after all, with a fiercely independent culture."
I watched Miho silently as she sat by the water's edge, splashing her bare feet playfully.
"You bewitched the Emperor, right? So is this Tokugawa Ieyasu guy the Emperor?"
Miho shook her head.
"No, they're entirely separate entities."
"......? Isn't the Emperor supposed to be the most noble bloodline in Japan?"
"Well, yes."
"So you're saying the heavens can stand divided in two?"
Miho giggled.
"Hee hee... That's the fun part. Simply put, the Emperor is a puppet monarch—a spiritual symbol at best. Tokugawa Ieyasu, on the other hand, is the top power in the current shogunate, wielding true authority. Got it?"
"......???"
I crossed my arms, pondering in confusion. Then I asked,
"Wasn't there a revolution that overthrew the dynasty...? Why hasn't Tokugawa Ieyasu wiped out the Emperor's line?"
"Hahaha! I told you—he's a spiritual pillar. The Emperor's bloodline is treated as a living god, not quite human. Tokugawa holds the real power, but there's no reason for him to touch the Emperor."
"It doesn't make sense to me."
"It's a different concept from the Son of Heaven in the Central Plains. This land's a bit strange like that."
I tilted my head. Japan really was an odd place. Even Goryeo shared much in common with Chinese culture, making it easy to adapt, but this felt like true barbarian territory on the frontier.
"Miho. Then why bother bewitching a puppet like the Emperor? Wouldn't it be better to enchant Tokugawa Ieyasu directly?"
"True, but I have no intention of risking danger to wield power here in Japan. I'm just playing around in the mortal world, so toying with the Emperor is easier and safer."
A sudden thought occurred to me, and I asked,
"What about those onmyoji? The ones who could exorcise you?"
"Exactly. The Tsuchimikado clan, descended from Abe no Seimei, are quite a nuisance. Even I'm keeping a low profile these days."
"Hmm..."
It seemed Japan had its own equivalent to the Twelve Laws—a group of sorcerers. I'd heard from Monk Jiyul that Japan had unique spellcasters called onmyodo practitioners. The memory of getting backstabbed by Jiyul soured my mood, and Miho noticed.
"Originally, Tokugawa Ieyasu, who unified the Warring States era, didn't think highly of the Emperor. He planned to neglect him into poverty. But I helped the Emperor secure a residence and a proper status. Now, the Emperor even wields considerable influence over the shogunate."
"Is that impressive?"
"Ugh... Prostrate yourself and bow! Hmph!"
Miho turned away in a huff. I quickly reassured her.
"No, I just don't know much. Anyway, you're saying you could exert real influence over Japan's court if you wanted? That's amazing."
"Hee hee, all thanks to my power."
Miho's mood lifted instantly, her face beaming with pride. It seemed she'd spent years using her enchantment arts to plant allies in the shogunate, cultivate pro-Emperor sentiment, and build her own faction. For all intents and purposes, Miho was Japan's real power broker.
I got to the point.
"So how does that help me master the Phantom Soul Step?"
Miho had transformed into a seductive beauty. She wrapped her ample bosom around my head from behind, her soft touch overwhelming.
"Do you know where we're headed right now?"
"Not really."
"The Kyoto Imperial Palace. It's the heart of the Emperor's power and the best place for me to use my enchantments effortlessly."
Miho's delicate jade hand slipped under my tunic, caressing my chest briefly before she continued.
"If I wanted, I could manipulate the Edo shogunate from the shadows and summon Japan's finest warriors here to Kyoto. They're all masters of the blade, so they could help with that Phantom Soul Step that's giving you trouble."
"I see..."
"And even without that, won't your soul remember the Imperial Palace from your past life? Two birds with one stone."
Her hand brushed my lower abdomen, and my face flushed hot.
"Gasp."
It wasn't my will—Miho's enchantment had strongly aroused my body. She gave a sly smile and burst into laughter.
"Still too young and unripe~"
Teasing me again!
"Quiet! Give me five years, and it'll all grow in."
"Kyahaha!"
I felt awkward watching Miho laugh like her lungs might burst. Inwardly, I grumbled. This fox acts like a cunning thousand-year-old gumiho most days, so why does she sometimes play around like a child?
Three days later, Miho and I arrived at the Kyoto Imperial Palace. She'd shifted into the guise of a refined consort, and I was dressed as her guard. The palace guards greeted her with utmost courtesy, and we entered without resistance.
The Emperor awaited Miho inside. His eyes glazed over as he shuffled toward her.
"Ooh... You've... come..."
Miho smiled lightly and waved her hand before his eyes. He collapsed like a puppet with cut strings, falling asleep on the spot.
"Now we can relax."
"He's completely under your spell."
"He's the most important mortal in Japan. I used a stronger enchantment on him than on ordinary humans."
Miho lifted the Emperor and laid him on the bed, then turned to me.
"Hee hee... Anything you desire? Women or otherwise—name it."
She said it confidently.
I thought for a moment before replying.
"But if my past-life self shows up at the Imperial Palace out of the blue, won't he try to kill me? Got any good ideas?"
"Hmm..."
Miho pulled up a nearby chair and sat.
"Tell him the Queen Mother of the West sent you. He'll probably believe it."
"Hmm."
"To be honest, I don't fully trust you yet. I'm still observing. But your actions inspire confidence, so I'm watching."
I sensed Miho still had her walls up. It was only natural—we weren't close enough for more than our contract. I nodded and pressed on.
"Specifically, how can the shogunate's swordsmen help me?"
"Simple. No one knows the conditions for mastering the Phantom Soul Step, right? We'll experiment through trial and error."
"You don't mean..."
Miho's eyes curved like crescent moons.
"The shogunate's loyal swordsmen are renowned geniuses of the blade—top talents in Japan. Teach them the Phantom Soul Step, then compile the common traits and experiences of those who succeed. Wouldn't that work?"
"......!!"
I let out a groan.
'That's an approach I could never take myself.'
She was right. We might uncover even Gukho's unknown transmission conditions. These shogunate swordsmen would all have exceptional talent, revealing the step's true secrets through them. Sure, leaking Thunder God's secret techniques was a downside, but that could be handled later. Nothing to lose, so I nodded.
"Fine, let's do it."
"Ahem... Then I'll appoint you as the Imperial family's martial instructor and pull strings with the shogunate to summon the swordsmen. You can guide them here in the palace—perfect."
"Got it. How many?"
"Ten in total. That covers the era's most famed Japanese sword heroes and martial artists."
I agreed to Miho's plan.
I briefly visited Mangnyang and briefed him. He was cultivating when he heard my report and grinned.
"Newlywed life sounds fun."
"W-what newlywed life?"
Flustered, I shot back, and Mangnyang roared with laughter.
"Haha, just a joke. More importantly, I approve of Miho's scheme. It's an experiment impossible in the Central Plains, but with her controlling Japan's Imperial family, it's feasible."
"Nothing I can help with right now?"
"Worried about General Hwang Yeon's family?"
"Yes."
It had been nagging at me since before.
"Frankly, it's not that urgent."
"What do you mean?"
"Hwang Yeon himself isn't counting on their rescue. He knows how hard it is to breach the Imperial Guards' defenses and risk treason to save them. If we succeed, he'll owe us; if they're slaughtered or held hostage, it'll harden his enmity toward the current dynasty."
"......!!"
"Of course, I won't abandon them—I've already made moves. Don't worry about it."
I was reminded anew how terrifying Mangnyang could be. His upright nature kept him on the righteous path, but if he ever unleashed his strategies without restraint, no one could stand against him.
He continued,
"If there's one thing I'd ask of you right now, it's this."
"Hm..."
"Very important."
I tensed, fixing my gaze on his lips. Mangnyang unfurled a fan with a flourish and said gravely.
"Bring back some Japanese specialties as souvenirs...!!"
"......"
"The expensive stuff."
I noted Mangnyang's request and returned to Japan.
"Take this."
"What's that?"
Back in Japan, Miho handed me a yellow mirror. Curious, I eyed her, and she reclined languidly on the bed.
"It's the Chujin Mirror, one of the Ten Sacred Treasures passed down in the Japanese Imperial family. A replica of the Yata Mirror I gave you before. In Central Plains terms, it's a high-grade dharma treasure."
"Chujin Mirror..."
"Carry it daily, and your language comprehension and learning speed will skyrocket. Your magical power will grow too."
Stunned, I asked,
"For real? So I can learn languages faster with this?"
"Yes. The Emperor uses it when he needs to pick up Goryeo or Central Plains tongues."
"Hoo..."
I felt both amazed and a bit resentful. If I'd had this earlier, I wouldn't have slaved away for over a decade learning Goryeo in my past life. Should've gotten closer to Miho in my tenth life.
Thanks to a Japanese scholar summoned for the purpose, I mastered the language and script in just three days at an astonishing pace. It felt ten times faster than learning Goryeo, and already I could vaguely grasp Japanese intonation.
'Amazing... At this rate, three months to fluency.'
ゑゐ の ....
In a mere ten days and nights, I grasped basic conversation, script, grammar, and even advanced vocabulary. I also understood the language's traits.
'Similar to Goryeo...'
The grammar overlapped heavily, and many words felt like branches of the same root. Learning one first or the other wouldn't matter much. But delving deeper revealed a chasm—especially in pronunciation.
A month in, I could converse fluently. Miho stared at me intently and spoke in Japanese.
"Can you understand?"
"Of course."
"Then it's time to summon the sword heroes."
Soon after, the sword heroes Miho had pre-summoned to Kyoto were escorted in. Miho appeared as a consort, with the Emperor seated sternly behind her. I stood quietly before the throne as the Emperor spoke.
"I have a special decree for you all."
"Yes! Command us!"
Ten sword heroes filled the hall. Under the enchantment, the Emperor slowly scanned them.
"Train under the martial instructor here... Baek Woong in this special movement art... Hone it diligently and report your results to Instructor Baek Woong."
The heroes exchanged puzzled glances, heads bowed. Being suddenly summoned to the palace for secret techniques would shock anyone. But the eldest swordsman at the front replied calmly.
"Your servant Kamiizumi Nobutsuna dares to inquire."
"Speak."
"Baek Woong's skill is remarkable for his age, but has he truly glimpsed the ultimate in martial arts...?"
Miho looked troubled. Her enchantment could manipulate the Emperor's reason freely, but nuanced debates were harder—it required loosening for autonomy or full puppetry.
She chose the former, easing the spell to heighten his reasoning. The Emperor stroked his chin thoughtfully before replying.
"I know you're called the Sword Saint, the finest warrior. But frogs in a well see no progress in the martial way. Baek Woong has come from distant Central Plains to share and advance martial arts—heed his sincerity."
Kamiizumi Nobutsuna's face lit with realization. He bowed deeper.
"I failed to grasp Your Majesty's intent. I shall serve with my life."
"Good. I entrust it to you."
"Your will!"
From that day, I began teaching Japan's sword heroes the Phantom Soul Step.
To expand my practice time, uncover its hidden transmission conditions, and ultimately unravel its secrets—by leveraging others' talents through power.
============================ Author's Note ============================
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