Chapter 70
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 70
Chapter Title: War of the Stars
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Hyeonjong's mouth fell open in a wide grin.
It was praise that perfectly scratched at his insecurities about authority and masculinity.
Elina cautiously reached out and took Hyeonjong's hand, pressing it to her cheek.
Hyeonjong flinched in surprise. Her skin was ice-cold, yet as soft as silk. A strange sensation spread from his palm through his entire body.
"Hahaha... You even speak the imperial tongue. Well done, truly well done..."
Hyeonjong was already completely disarmed. He stroked Elina's hair, at a loss for what to do.
That was the moment.
Elina subtly moved her hand within her sleeve.
It was the special incense Cheonwi had prepared in advance. 'Dream Dust,' the powder Western gypsies supposedly used for hypnosis.
A faint purple mist dispersed into the air.
The particles were so fine they were nearly invisible to the naked eye, but the effect was immediate.
"Uh...?"
The moment the scent brushed his nose, Hyeonjong's pupils dilated.
A dizzying vertigo swept over him like the world was spinning, accompanied by an overwhelming drowsiness. His body felt as heavy as a waterlogged cotton ball, yet the sensation was ecstatic, like walking on clouds.
Elina didn't miss her chance.
She lifted her head and stared straight into Hyeonjong's eyes.
Blue.
Her endless, abyssal blue eyes filled his vision.
"Look into my eyes, Your Majesty."
Elina's voice was different now. Low and resonant.
"Deep as the ocean... peaceful, isn't it?"
Hyeonjong couldn't resist. No, he didn't want to. He only felt the urge to be sucked into those blue depths and swim forever.
"Mmm... peaceful... so... peaceful..."
Hyeonjong's head nodded. His eyelids grew impossibly heavy.
"Sleepiness... is coming..."
"Don't sleep."
Elina whispered into Hyeonjong's ear, her lips brushing it.
"This is just the beginning. Come with me... to paradise in your dreams. There, Your Majesty can have everything you desire."
"Everything...?"
"Yes. Show me the virility befitting the master of the world."
Elina's hands undid the ties of Hyeonjong's dragon robe.
Swish.
The emperor's symbolic red dragon robe slipped powerlessly to the floor. But Hyeonjong stood motionless like a doll. His soul had already left his body, stepping into the illusion Elina had crafted.
Cheonwi, who had watched the entire process, smiled in satisfaction.
'Perfect.'
The dish was complete.
From prep work (preliminaries) and seasoning (dream incense) to plating (Elina's performance). A masterpiece of fine dining.
Now, all Hyeonjong had to do was pick up the spoon and eat. Of course, what he was devouring wasn't real food, but a drug called delusion.
But if it made him happy, wasn't that enough?
Cheonwi quietly backed away.
From here on, no spectators allowed.
Creeeak.
As Cheonwi closed the door and stepped out, Jo Eunuch, waiting in the corridor, jumped in alarm and approached.
From inside leaked only Elina's low whispers and Hyeonjong's dazed laughter.
"My lord! What... what have you done to His Majesty inside?"
Jo Eunuch's face had gone pale. He looked ready to burst in at any moment.
Cheonwi blocked the door.
The businesslike smile from earlier was gone from his face. Instead, a cold, sharp killing intent pierced Jo Eunuch.
"Jo Eunuch."
"Step aside! This is overstepping! I must attend to His Majesty myself..."
"From today, strictly control access to His Majesty's bedchamber."
Cheonwi's voice was low, but the power within it was immense.
"His Majesty is currently in a 'special lesson,' learning advanced Western knowledge. Dare a mere eunuch interfere?"
"Special lesson? That's sorcery..."
"Shangsen."
Cheonwi called to Jo Eunuch. Shangsen—the title for the highest eunuch in the inner palace—but from Cheonwi's lips, it sounded like mockery.
Cheonwi took a step forward. Jo Eunuch recoiled under the overwhelming pressure.
"A long tongue gets cut off. Know your place."
"......!"
Jo Eunuch gasped.
This was no joke. Cheonwi's eyes smiled, but deep within them flashed a cold blade.
If he pushed further here, he might vanish without a trace. Terror crawled up Jo Eunuch's spine.
In the end, Jo Eunuch bowed his head.
"Un... understood."
Only then did Cheonwi smile amiably again.
"Wise choice. Night deepens. Retire and rest. His Majesty embarks on a long journey tonight."
The meeting ended.
The frenzy of approvals as regent for the emperor passed, and the ministers fled the hall like escaping rabbits.
The empty audience chamber.
Cheonwi remained alone, gazing up at the throne. The golden dragon head glared imposingly down at him. But to Cheonwi, it was just an expensive, uncomfortable chair.
Cheonwi slowly ascended the steps.
One step, one step.
The sanctuary only the emperor could tread. Yet in this moment, no one could stop him.
Cheonwi ran his palm over the throne's armrest. Cold, smooth metal. Was this the feel of power?
"Big brother, sitting here just hurts your back. Rest easy. I'll handle all the headaches."
Cheonwi turned and plopped onto the throne.
A scene from a historical drama: becoming king and commanding the realm.
He crossed his legs and propped his chin, surveying the empty hall at a glance.
"Hmm..."
Cheonwi frowned and shifted his hips.
"Everything's great, but this chair's too uncomfortable. Need to add some cushions. Memory foam."
An ancient chair with zero ergonomics. No wonder emperors had bad tempers after sitting there all day.
Cheonwi slouched crookedly on the throne, deep in thought.
The emperor was confined to his chambers, the court secured. He had the imperial seal and solid funds.
Having replaced the emperor's 'doubts' with 'pleasure,' nothing could stop him now.
The grand banquet hall, heart of the Imperial Palace.
Normally a sacred space where stern ministers debated national fate or hosted dignified banquets for foreign envoys. The ceiling bore vibrant paintings of dragons ascending with flaming pearls, the floor gleaming marble where even footsteps echoed cautiously.
But now, the air filling this vast space was utterly different. Eerily so.
Tension hung thick instead of silence, heady scents of sweet, lethal perfumes from diverse beauties dizzied the mind instead of incense.
At the center of the empty hall, massive round seats arranged in a circle.
Not occupied by bearded nobles.
Peerless beauties who could shake the empire—or Cheonwi's world.
"Hmmm."
Cheonwi stood on the podium, overlooking the scene. His lips twitched in a smile.
In the central seat lounged Empress Yeonhwa, leaning back arrogantly, belly round and protruding like she cradled the world.
To her right sat Snowflower Princess, demure with northern chill, glancing warily. To her left, the iron-blooded general, battlefield blood her perfume, arms crossed in heavy silence.
And opposite.
Amazon Queen Tira in black maid attire flaunting sexy bronze skin, and the Sword Queen staring coldly into space.
A war of stars—no, a battlefield of flowers.
Cheonwi cleared his throat and picked up the gavel from the podium. The kind used by chairmen or MCs.
He tapped the podium twice.
"Ah, ah. Mic... er, voice test. Can you hear me?"
His flippant voice shattered the silence. Five beauties' gazes locked on him. Senses sharp enough for an ant's step. Any ordinary man would wet himself, but Cheonwi shrugged, relishing it.
"Thank you for attending despite your busy schedules. We now commence the 1st Cheonwi Love-Sharing Banquet... wait, correction."
Cheonwi theatrically swung the wooden gavel in the air.
"The 1st 'Harem Regular General Assembly' cum 'Emergency Countermeasures Meeting'!"
His declaration punctuated by another podium tap.
Tap! Tap! Tap!
The crisp sounds made listeners' faces flush.
Then, Yeonhwa in the center snapped her fan shut and spoke.
"Too long a preamble."
The empress's dignity.
One phrase, yet it weighed on the room. Stroking her swollen belly, she shot Cheonwi a languid glare.
"Get to the point. You didn't gather us just to admire faces, did you?"
"Of course not, Your Majesty. This gathering addresses a most crucial matter."
Cheonwi straightened with a serious expression.
"His Majesty the Emperor is currently... um, unable to attend to state affairs or palace internals due to 'personal circumstances.' Thus, your roles in managing the palace have never been more vital."
"So?"
"Therefore, my proposal is..."
Before Cheonwi could continue, Yeonhwa raised a hand to silence him. Yawning lightly in boredom, she glanced around.
"No need for roundabout talk. Ultimately, it's deciding who manages 'Cheonwi oversight' while I'm on maternity leave, right?"
She hit the nail on the head. Cheonwi clapped in mock surprise.
"As expected of Your Majesty. Such insight. Especially after the uproar from last time's rotation among you three."
"Hmph, knew it. Should've expanded the rice bowl sooner."
Yeonhwa sank deeper into her chair, shooting a dissatisfied look. The confidence of the primary wife. She knew her hand: official 'empress' status and the invincible card of bearing Cheonwi's child—not the emperor's seed.
No one here could challenge her. At least not in principle.
"Then allow me to summarize. While I rest, we need a proxy to monitor and manage Cheonwi, ensuring no wandering eyes."
Yeonhwa's gaze swept left and right.
"Who shall it be?"
No sooner had she spoken than Iron Blood leaned forward with a heavy clank of armor.
"If it's management, leave it to me. Your Majesty."