Chapter 139
Chapter 139
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 139
Chapter Title: The Prince's Last Stand
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I replied triumphantly, and Prince Ko Bok-deok looked up at me with a groan.
"After the assassination attempt, the one thing I was most curious about was why the Great King would approve such a bold and dangerous plan. If it failed, it would deal a huge blow to him."
At that moment, the Japanese warrior—who had collapsed with throwing stars embedded all over his body—suddenly sprang to his feet. He let out a monstrous roar and charged at me. But before he could take more than a few steps, a barrage of throwing stars rained down, forcing him to his knees and sending him sprawling. His final twitch ended with a star-shaped star lodging deep into the back of his hand. I added to Prince Ko Bok-deok, who stared at the scene with a dazed expression.
"And then I realized it when the Great King abandoned Yeon Jeong-du to clean up this mess."
"You mean my existence?"
I nodded at Prince Ko Bok-deok's question.
"Who could be so precious that the Great King would abandon his closest confidant, Yeon Jeong-du? I figured it had to be his own family—his son. That's how you came to mind."
Prince Ko Bok-deok was a figure who appeared only in Japanese records, known as the son of King Yeongnyu and half-brother to Crown Prince Hwan-gwon. It was said he fled to Japan after Goguryeo's fall and lived there. But in reality, he had gone to Japan long before the fall. It seemed his half-brother Hwan-gwon had arranged it, likely because he was clever and ambitious.
"But I never expected you'd try to assassinate me the moment we met. So don't think you'll get an easy death. You need to watch your father kneel and suffer because of you."
"Do not insult His Majesty the Great King."
"Then you shouldn't have challenged me. If you hadn't messed with me, none of this would have happened."
"What king could sleep soundly with a clever minister like you at his side?"
His defeated words irritated me.
"So I plotted rebellion? If you'd just left me alone, I would've done my job and been done with it."
As my anger flared, the wound in my lower abdomen throbbed even more. Seizing the moment while I winced, Ko Bok-deok drew a hidden dagger from his sleeve and slashed his own throat. A gruesome tearing sound accompanied the blood spraying out like a fountain.
"Damn it! I'll cut off your head and toss it in front of the Amyeong Hall."
Ko Bok-deok looked at me and smiled faintly.
"Don't get cocky. This is just the beginning."
"What a joke. Beginning? It's over. Over!"
I was truly furious, right down to my core. Ever since possessing this body, my sole goal had been to avoid living as the traitor who doomed Goguryeo. Yet the Great King never understood my intentions and always got in my way. He even went so far as to target my life. Though we'd only met after my possession, I nearly died twice in a row despite having a loving wife and two sons waiting for me. If I hadn't quietly tipped off Geom Mojam just in case, it really could've been the end.
While I ranted, Prince Ko Bok-deok breathed his last. The Japanese warriors he'd brought to kill me had all turned into porcupines bristling with throwing stars. Channo, who had protected me, was nowhere in sight. I took a deep breath and pondered how to handle the aftermath.
After sorting through the situation in my mind, I dragged the dead prince's body to the door and pounded on it with my fist. The sound of the bolt being undone followed, and the door swung open. The guard warrior and old eunuch peering inside jumped in shock.
"What?!"
"Why? Surprised a dead man came back to life? Where's the Great King?"
"His Majesty the Great King?"
I snapped at the old eunuch's question.
"When I give the signal, the Eastern Division and other forces will attack the palace. If you don't want to see Goguryeo fall, do as I say."
The guard reacted first to my words, his hand going to the Hwandu greatsword at his waist. But a throwing star from Channo, watching from somewhere, grazed his helmet. I spoke to the guard, frozen in surprise.
"Take your hand off the sword and step back. I won't warn you twice."
The guard hesitated between his life and loyalty, then slowly retreated. The old eunuch bowed his head—perhaps to hide his fear—and turned toward the Amyeong Hall. The Great King stood near the pond by the hall. He must have believed Ko Bok-deok would kill me and report back. But when I appeared instead, his face twisted.
"Your Majesty, I had a good talk with the strategist."
"I-see."
The stern, charismatic Great King was so shocked he stammered.
"The strategist deeply regretted how his scheme failed and tarnished Your Majesty, so he took his own life."
"W-what?!"
"I tried to stop him, but the Japanese warrior by his side drew his sword to protect him, so I couldn't get close."
The Great King flew into a rage, as if he might collapse.
"That's absurd! How could he take his own life? You—you!"
"I did my best to stop him. But he did it himself."
"Don't lie! I'll tear you apart and avenge him."
"You've tried to kill me twice and failed both times. Did you think I'd walk in here unprepared?"
"This is the palace. One flick of my finger, and you'll never leave alive."
"And my father and the other ministers will just sit by?"
"Those who defy imperial command—"
"Do you think you can withstand the fury of parents who've lost their son? That rage will burn the palace to ashes."
I shouted with my life on the line. The Great King clenched his fists and trembled, shocked by my words.
In truth, aside from Channo's help, I had nothing. I had to talk my way out. Fortunately, the shock of losing his son seemed to cloud his judgment.
"My greatest regret is not killing you sooner."
"Same here."
It was incredibly insolent, but it was my honest thought. Living in the 7th century with a 21st-century mindset was a massive handicap. I'd spared those I should have killed and settled for draws when I should have won. The people of this era treated me their way—some as friends, some as enemies. After two assassination attempts from the Great King, even I lost my reason. He stared at me, stunned by my reply.
"Insolent."
"Why should I be loyal to someone who points a sword at me and tries to kill me? Give my signal, and my father and the other division leaders will storm the palace and raze it."
"You're admitting to treason!"
"Why call it treason? The crown prince has come over to our side."
"What?!"
"Deposing a tyrannical ruler and enthroning the crown prince preserves the royal house. How is that treason?"
"The crown prince—the crown prince!"
Of course, it wasn't true. But the Great King, in shock, seemed to believe it.
'Well, when things don't go your way, you end up hating everyone around you.'
It was something I'd experienced plenty in the 21st century. That's why I knew it better than anyone. As I fixed him with a cold stare, the Great King looked utterly defeated. His masterstroke scheme had failed twice, and he thought even his life was now at risk. I acted like I knew everything and was fully prepared. It was my only way to survive. I glared at him a moment longer, then slowly turned away.
'Time to get out.'
I had to make it out alive and see my family. The old eunuch trailing behind hesitated.
"Lead the way."
My quiet command made his eyes widen.
"I said lead. Want to die?"
At my second threat, the old eunuch cleared his throat loudly—perhaps for the Great King's benefit. But the Great King just leaned against a pillar in a daze. Resigned, the eunuch turned and headed for the Amyeong Hall's main gate. I followed casually, exiting the hall, then walked slowly toward the palace gate. Part of me wanted to knock the old eunuch out and run, but I held back. Clutching my anxiety and complicated thoughts, I stared ahead. The eunuch leading the way kept glancing back. I tensed, bracing for trouble, when his voice reached me.
"Please spare me. I only did as I was told."
Half puzzled, half relieved—I was sure now I'd make it out alive.
"Fine, I'll let you live. Hurry up."
Instead of answering, he bowed his head deeply and quickened his pace.
The palace gate came into view in the distance. Perhaps because they didn't know what had happened in the Amyeong Hall, everything looked normal. Seeing that, the old eunuch slowed. It must have been his instincts from years in the palace.
'Damn.'
The eunuch stopped completely. I closed in and whispered.
"Keep walking. Try anything, and you won't get away with it."
He hesitated before replying.
"You're too composed."
"Do those look like real guards to you? We swapped them out on the way in."
"You went that far?"
"How else could I have killed Prince Ko Bok-deok?"
"Prince Ko Bok-deok?"
"Yeah. Keep quiet and walk if you don't want to die."
The hesitating eunuch nodded and resumed walking. Armored guards with spears stood at the gate, eyeing us. Their gazes sharpened, sensing something off. Amid the guards, I spotted Yi Maengjin. I hesitated—glad to see him, but unsure of his intentions. His eyes weren't red, so I approached.
'Just get through the gate, and it's over.'
Meeting Geom Mojam outside would get me clear of danger. Channo would shadow and protect me, but first I had to pass this. I walked toward the gate as calmly as possible. The eunuch hurried along with his head slightly bowed. As we got close enough to talk, Yi Maengjin acknowledged me.
"Did the audience go well?"
"Of course."
I forced a smile in reply, and Yi Maengjin said loudly enough for all the guards to hear.
"Then head back safely. The Great King will summon you again soon."
The exchange felt natural, and the guards moved to unbolt the gate without suspicion. As I started to exhale in relief, the old eunuch beside me shouted.
"By the Great King's command! Kill him!"
The guards froze mid-bolt, then drew their swords in unison. A throwing star from the roof felled one, but there were too many guards, and they were too close.
'This really is the end.'
As I backed away in despair, Yi Maengjin's shout rang out.