Chapter 39
Chapter 39
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Translator: Ace
Chapter: 39
Chapter Title: Embroidered Uniform Guard
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Following Liu Tianhu, the squad leader of the Sixth Squad, we arrived at a remote palace somewhere among the ninety-nine buildings of the imperial palace. I had a rough grasp of the layout from the imperial palace map that Mangnyang had given me, but trailing behind Liu Tianhu made it clear that I couldn't fully trust that map.
The overall structure was as expected, but the finer details differed. There were side paths and uneven corridors everywhere, making it feel like a maze. And if this complex building shifted like a living organism according to Strange Gate Formations, any intruder would be utterly helpless.
'No wonder even with the imperial palace map, you'd need to memorize it perfectly to have any chance...'
At the same time, I was glad I'd studied Qimen Dunjia. Liu Tianhu was sticking to the main paths now, but just a few steps away, the terrain turned into dead ends. Even pretending not to notice while walking, I realized this was a natural fortress where even knowing all the paths wouldn't save you from the dual traps without knowledge of Strange Gate Formations.
The warriors and palace maids working in the palace probably all followed predetermined routes.
This palace was unusually devoid of any guard warriors. Liu Tianhu led me down the stairs to the underground chamber, where ten experts awaited. They were all dressed in black uniforms, just like Liu Tianhu.
Liu Tianhu introduced me to them.
"This is the new recruit Baek Woong. He'll be the youngest in the Sixth Squad from now on, so take good care of him."
"Understood, Squad Leader."
They were the Sixth Squad, and Liu Tianhu was their squad leader. It was a simple, straightforward organization where one Tianhu led one squad.
"Pleased to meet you, seniors."
"Yeah."
I cupped my fists and greeted each member of the Sixth Squad one by one. They didn't seem particularly friendly or hostile toward me. Midway through the greetings, I noticed something odd.
"......?"
Something was off. Earlier with Guo Tianhu, and generally, Embroidered Uniform Guards wore unique martial uniforms based in white with intricate golden embroidery. But Liu Tianhu and the rest of the Sixth Squad were all in black uniforms?
I'd thought Tianhu-level members just had freedom in attire, but that wasn't it. The entire Sixth Squad wore black.
Moreover, these black uniforms looked familiar somehow. A horrifying thought crossed my mind, but I tried not to show it. Any suspicious behavior could make this place my grave. Once the introductions ended, Liu Tianhu explained the mission.
"Our mission this time is the same as last. Escort the ritual and handle the preparations. Everyone's mentally prepared, right?"
The Sixth Squad Embroidered Uniform Guards responded in unison, their voices weary yet resolute.
"Yes!"
"Of course."
Escort the ritual? Preparations?
I stared at them blankly, having no idea what they meant. Liu Tianhu turned to me.
"Our Sixth Squad's missions are a bit special. Each squad takes turns on special assignments, and this half-year cycle, it's our turn. It's an extremely unique mission that requires strong mental fortitude."
"I'm ready for any mission."
"Hah... Everyone here thought the same at first. But it's no ordinary task, so before we proceed, I'll give you some preliminary training."
Liu Tianhu smiled bitterly and ordered the rest of the squad.
"Everyone, head to the Imdong region. Cheoljeon Village is the target, so prepare to infiltrate for the preparations."
"Understood!"
They left the palace without a backward glance. With the target confirmed, there was no hesitation. As I watched them go, Liu Tianhu said,
"Take a seat there."
"Yes."
It seemed he was about to get serious. Facing each other across a table, Liu Tianhu spoke gravely.
"Baek Woong. What is most precious and important to you?"
This was from the earlier training. Embroidered Uniform Guards had only one permitted answer in any situation.
"The peace and eternal glory of His Majesty the Emperor and the imperial family."
"Good. You've learned well."
Satisfied, Liu Tianhu continued.
"Then, what do you think poses the greatest threat to the imperial family's safety?"
"Not northern barbarians or eastern savages?"
"Hmm... That could be true. The northern savages have been a constant massive threat since the dawn of Central Plains history. But they've never truly dominated China, and protecting the imperial family from them is essentially the job of generals leading hundreds of thousands of troops. Even as Embroidered Uniform Guards, we don't fight savages directly."
"Then power-hungry ministers?"
"His Majesty handles disciplining and controlling them. Sure, keeping them in check is a main duty of ours, but there's something even more important."
I was intrigued. What could threaten the imperial family more than barbarian invasions or ministerial rebellions? I asked,
"Then what is it?"
His next words were shocking.
"The martial world."
"......!!"
What was this? Was an Embroidered Uniform Guard Tianhu even allowed to think that way? But Liu Tianhu spoke without hesitation.
"Do you know the anecdote of Taizu Hongwu Emperor and Zhu Wu Liang?"
I nodded. I'd studied enough history.
"I know Zhu Wu Liang was Taizu's greatest rival when founding the Ming, and he ultimately lost to Hongwu Emperor."
"Right. There's a bit of backstory there."
Liu Tianhu poured tea from the pot into his cup. When he offered to pour mine, I accepted politely with both hands. He took a sip of the warm tea and continued.
"Taizu nearly died at Zhu Wu Liang's hands more than once or twice. Especially the warriors from Huguang who followed Zhu Wu Liang—they were always a thorn in his side. Taizu originally planned to put all Huguang people who'd followed Zhu Wu Liang on Red Ships, never allowing them to set foot on land again. Had that happened, Huguang folk would have wandered as the lowest of the low their whole lives—men as beggars, women as prostitutes.
By making such a powerful example, a safe and vast Ming Empire would be complete. Ensuring no one dared challenge imperial authority would prevent countless rebellions and bring the peace we all enjoy."
"......"
I had plenty to say but held my tongue. My life was too precious. Even with knowledge to argue all night for a day or two, right now survival came first.
"But Taizu couldn't follow through to the end. The would-be rebels on the Red Ships were soon released to the mainland and became commoners, most heading south. Why do you think that was?"
"No idea."
"It was the White Lotus Cult. A mere martial sect and religion restrained Taizu's actions and even drew those refugees into their fold. That was possible because the White Lotus Cult Leader possessed transcendent martial arts, rendering even a million-strong army meaningless. The Cult Leader personally confronted Taizu and demanded the Red Ships' release, leaving Taizu no choice but to comply."
Martial arts meaningless against a million troops? Unimaginable.
Was that even human?
The White Lotus Cult's power seemed far greater than I'd thought.
'No wonder the Thunder God Style abandoned revenge against the White Lotus Cult.'
I figured every word from Liu Tianhu could be imperial blasphemy. The Emperor yielding to a single martial sect was a state secret in itself. But for an Embroidered Uniform Guard Tianhu, sharing this for training might be routine. To serve the imperial family's dark side, you needed to know such things.
Liu Tianhu went on.
"About one hundred fifty years have passed since then. In that time, the imperial family expanded its forces relentlessly, including the Embroidered Uniform Guard, Eastern Depot, Western Depot, and Five Armies Battalion—especially growing the initially modest Embroidered Uniform Guard enormously. I'm confident our current strength rivals the Nine Great Sects and Eight Schools."
I thought he had reason to say that. Even the lowest Embroidered Uniform Guard was a first-class martial artist on par with late-stage disciples in the martial world. With deputy commanders and Tianhus at peak expert level, sheer numbers justified it. The commander was probably transcendent peak. No martial organization matched this average prowess and unity.
If the Embroidered Uniform Guard seriously targeted the Nine Great Sects and Eight Schools, they could wipe out two or three in an instant. Even those sects couldn't handle such a massive force alone.
"To protect His Majesty from the White Lotus Cult?"
"Exactly. We don't know the current Cult Leader's level, but the mere existence of someone with national-level might is terrifying."
Somehow, it made sense.
Mobilizing a million to exterminate the White Lotus Cult would be futile. If a transcendent being could pierce even Hongwu Emperor's prime million-man army to assassinate the Emperor single-handedly, what would be the point? And if they could freely kill the Emperor, imperial kin, nobles, and ministers, that alone created monstrous deterrence.
Come to think of it, Triple Excellence Lee Gwang had mentioned the White Lotus Cult's Sacred Lotuses. Special elixirs unique to them—consumers gained immense inner power. If the cult overflowed with peak experts who'd taken Sacred Lotuses, it was a fearsome sect even without the leader.
Liu Tianhu said,
"But finally, we Embroidered Uniform Guards—no, the imperial palace—have found a way to counter the White Lotus Cult. This grand plan is our lifelong pursuit. That's the special mission we'll undertake."
"What mission?"
His next words made me gasp.
"Summoning demons from another realm and using them to ultimately gain the power of a demon god."
"Huh?!"
"Thanks to the great sorcerer aiding us, it's possible."
I couldn't help but be stunned.
Now it was certain.
'These... these black-uniformed bastards are the ones behind the human sacrifices! The Emperor's protectors, the Embroidered Uniform Guard, committing massacres?!'
My worst suspicions confirmed, darkness clouded my vision.
I'd hoped it wasn't true. I'd suspected it talking with Mangnyang, but for a rosy future, I clung to denial all the way to Luoyang.
But facts were facts. The imperial family and Embroidered Uniform Guard were the demons orchestrating the human sacrifices.
At the same time, I was glad I'd acted immediately in this life without waiting for the atrocity. If the Embroidered Uniform Guard were behind it, peril would abound.
"Not surprising. Everyone reacts that way."
Fortunately, Liu Tianhu saw my shock as normal. He spoke bitterly.
"A few commoners will sacrifice in the process, but that's inevitable. We must be prepared to go to hell for the imperial family. Our actions will bring happiness and peace to the ten million souls of the Great Ming Empire."
"Th-that..."
"Steel yourself! I'll explain more at the mission site, but you're already an Embroidered Uniform Guard who lays down his life for the imperial family. Discard all mundane ethics and morals for His Majesty."
My stomach churned...
A strange feeling washed over me. Liu Tianhu's words were utter nonsense—any normal person would scoff no matter how much he preached. Yet his words carried an eerie power, dazing my mind, making it hazy. I knew rationally it was bullshit, but it sounded plausible somehow.
Had I not witnessed the atrocity myself, I'd be half-convinced by now. But having seen the human sacrifices and demons firsthand, I couldn't agree. How could anyone justify such inhuman devilry?
'What the hell? Something's wrong. His words themselves carry strong power.'
Dizziness hit me, so I pretended to stand.
"Sorry, my head's spinning..."
"Sit down! I'm not done. Do you not serve His Majesty? Are you fine with enemies threatening him? Is that what an Embroidered Uniform Guard says?"
"......"
Unlike his earlier kindness, now came stern scolding. Probably starting the carrot-and-stick in earnest.
"Listen well. All is permitted in His Majesty's name. We are blades—we don't think beyond that. Your only job is eliminating vermin and completing the mission."
Then I realized the dizziness's source.
Word spirit brainwashing.
My long study of Qimen Dunjia let me see it. Liu Tianhu's speech flowed with strange intonations, and this palace bore odd glyphs everywhere.
'He can use word spirits. Of course—word spirits don't need special supernatural powers.'
Word spirits infused power into speech like incantations. Liu Tianhu was casting them to weaken mental resistance, repeatedly imposing in this enclosed space. Enhanced hypnosis.
Prolonged exposure would convince even steadfast martial artists. Tianhus probably handled ongoing brainwashing for new recruits.
I pretended to comply, glazing my eyes.
"Yes... Understood..."
"I'll say it once more. Listen well..."
For a full hour after, I endured Liu Tianhu's repetitive chants and word spirit impositions in the sealed room. Feigning brainwashing stopped it there. Satisfied his [training] was done, he smiled.
"Not fully satisfactory yet, but you'll understand our cause soon, Baek Woong. Now we'll head to the mission site, Imdong's Cheoljeon Village. Follow closely."
Trailing him, I thought,
'Damn it... What the hell do I do?'
Knowing the atrocity's truth from reports, I resisted the brainwashing. Others might fall to word spirits, but secretly reciting the Thunder Essence Scripture from Qimen Dunjia rendered them useless.
My headache now was how to act from here. His words were bullshit, but following him meant periodically joining village massacres and human sacrifices.
Was that right?
Defy him, and I'd be branded a traitor or executed on the spot. The secrets I'd heard—state secrets on demons and plans—meant they wouldn't let me live.
Some Embroidered Uniform Guards might ignore it despite resisting brainwashing, valuing their lives and positions.
Clop clop
"......"
Riding behind Liu Tianhu, I pondered endlessly. Then Mangnyang's words flashed in my mind.
[Baek Woong. That atrocity you saw will someday strike countless innocents on a scale dwarfing that village's tragedy. You planning to just flee on luck then? Or become the powers' dog and handle their dirty work?]
Power's dog.
Dirty work.
"......"
Clop clop
Mid-ride under moonlight rippling on a lake, Liu Tianhu spoke to me.
"You're a lucky bastard."
"Pardon?"
"Special mission right on entry... After one ends, the squad gets massive rewards. Twenty guan of gold and land grants near Luoyang. Plenty of other Embroidered Uniform Guards secretly hope for another special mission."
I was dumbfounded.
"They want to do it again...?"
"We don't execute it—the sorcerer does. We just monitor and watch."
Not a shred of guilt or hesitation in Liu Tianhu's words. Ignoramuses might shrug it off, but I knew the details: human sacrifice, fanaticism, heart extraction, cannibalism, mass slaughter. Chilling that Embroidered Uniform Guards craved repeating such demonic acts.
If it were just the great sorcerer, Present Heaven Daoist and I could stop it. But with Embroidered Uniform Guard oversight, no one could halt the village slaughters. After a moment's thought, I asked,
"No civilian sacrifices? Wouldn't you feel guilty?"
Liu Tianhu laughed instead.
"Hahaha! Guilt? Every other Embroidered Uniform Guard does it too. It's for the greater good. They're necessary sacrifices for His Majesty."
"......"
Mangnyang's words echoed again.
[No one knows the imperial family's nature better than I. Working at the observatory, I saw it. They treat this world like a lid. Their doings will surely bring unimaginable, horrific calamity someday. Block it when you can, obviously?]
He was right.
The horrific calamity was already here.
"Half-year cycle" meant sacrificing one village every six months. Since my reincarnation five years ago, at least ten villages had burned. An blatant abnormality, yet unknown to the world—proof the Embroidered Uniform Guard hid it all.
What had I been thinking?
What was a happy life?
"...Hahat."
I chuckled lowly. Liu Tianhu grinned.
"Good! If you're doing it, go positive."
"Yeah. Got to be positive."
I declared firmly.
"I'll go all-in, positively, staking my life."
Head bowed on horseback, Liu Tianhu probably didn't see my face. Good thing. Hardened resolve twisted my features like a murderous fiend—I couldn't let him see that.