Chapter 24
Chapter 24
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 24
Chapter Title: Entering the Imperial Palace
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No visitors shall be allowed except for His Imperial Majesty the Emperor.
This was the order given by Crown Prince Yi So upon regaining consciousness. The imperial physician relayed it to Yi Hwan, who actually felt relieved.
‘Now that I’ve shown my face, I can head back.’
There was nothing more for him to do in the Imperial Palace right now, so staying longer would just be a waste of time. And with no real affection between family members, there was no reason to linger.
Just as Yi Hwan decided to leave the Imperial Palace at once, an unexpected situation arose.
“His Highness the Crown Prince summons you.”
A general entered and delivered the message.
Yi Hwan, who had been sampling some novel dish he’d never tried before, set down his chopsticks and stared at the general.
“I heard no visitors were to be allowed. And yet he’s summoning me?”
“Yes. Upon hearing that the Great Prince had returned to the Imperial Palace, His Highness immediately ordered us to bring you.”
“Has anyone visited His Highness before me?”
“No. This morning, the Second Prince came, but he was turned away.”
‘The Second Prince gets sent packing, but he summons me?’
Though reluctant, Yi Hwan draped his outer robe over his shoulders and stepped out the door.
The general spoke quietly.
“Please leave your sword behind.”
Clang.
Yi Hwan handed the sword in his hand to Song Hoe.
Moments later, Yi Hwan followed the general’s lead deeper into the palace.
A chilling aura lurked in the unseen shadows.
“Isn’t your residence a bit too secluded?”
“After His Highness fell gravely ill, he moved further inside for enhanced protection.”
“Are there perhaps martial artists inside?”
“……!”
Yi Hwan couldn’t see the general’s face from behind, but he must have been quite startled. The general likely believed he couldn’t sense the auras lying in wait around them.
“Just asking.”
“……Yes.”
The residence was quite far.
On the way, the general asked,
“How has life in the army been treating you?”
“Not bad.”
“His Highness was greatly worried when he heard you were injured. Seeing you in such fine health now, he’ll be overjoyed.”
‘Overjoyed? Yeah, right.’
Moments later, Yi Hwan halted before a door of unusual design.
“The Great Prince has arrived. Open the door.”
Ssssh.
The doors parted to reveal two warriors in white robes. They bowed their heads toward Yi Hwan.
“Please, enter.”
Yi Hwan strode inside.
The moment he did, a thick medicinal fragrance assaulted his senses.
“You’re here?”
A feeble voice drifted from beyond the door.
It was Crown Prince Yi So’s voice.
* * *
Yi Hwan stared at Yi So. Though his face bore the pallor of illness, the aura he exuded was undoubtedly extraordinary.
When Yi Hwan awkwardly bowed his head, Yi So, reclining on his bed, offered a faint smile.
“Have you fully recovered?”
“Yes.”
It was a first. Responding with formal deference to someone.
“Good. Seeing you so healthy puts my mind at ease at last.”
“Were you poisoned, Your Highness?”
Yi So let out another faint laugh at the blunt question.
Yi Hwan had sensed the stark difference from the old Yi Hwan in an instant.
“They say you changed after brushing death’s door. It’s true. When it’s just us, speak freely like that. But mind your words and actions in front of others. Even the tiniest flaw can be magnified into a mountain to use against you.”
“Yes, understood.”
‘This feels so awkward.’
Speaking formally felt like holding a blade in his mouth. Yet even at his arrogance, Yi So continued to smile.
He spoke softly toward the outside.
“Bring it.”
Ssssh.
The door opened, and the general who had escorted Yi Hwan entered, holding a golden box.
“Help me sit up.”
“Your Highness.”
“I’m fine. Hurry.”
The general assisted Yi So into a sitting position.
Yi So opened the golden box. A soft golden glow emanated from within.
“It’s yours. I meant to give it to you later, but circumstances have changed.”
Yi Hwan looked down at the box. It contained a single pill wrapped in gold leaf.
“What is this?”
“Great Prince, your words…….”
“It’s fine. Leave us.”
“……Yes.”
Once the general left, Yi So continued.
“It’s a spirit pill made from Nine-Fingered Immortal Leaf Herb. Since you practice my internal arts, taking this will greatly benefit you.”
At the mention of Nine-Fingered Immortal Leaf Herb, Yi Hwan’s eyes lit up.
‘Heaven is aiding me.’
“Don’t refuse. I made it for you from the start.”
“I gratefully accept.”
Yi Hwan tucked the golden box into his bosom.
Yi So opened a drawer at the head of his bed and pulled out a thin book. He handed it to Yi Hwan.
There was no title on the cover.
But from the blackened edges, it appeared to be an ancient manual.
“It contains the essence of the Imperial Palace Martial Arts. Only those of imperial blood can cultivate it. Right now, you couldn’t master even a single form, but combined with this spirit pill and the medicine I sent you before, you can make every technique in this manual your own.”
‘The medicine he sent before?’
“That medicine enhances internal energy?”
“Didn’t you feel a change in your dantian?”
“I thought it was just a tonic and took it casually.”
“You didn’t discard it?”
“No, I just left it in my tent.”
Yi So let out a hollow chuckle.
“Take it as soon as you return. Don’t consume it all at once—it could backfire. Divide the doses.”
Yi So suddenly spoke in a resolute tone.
“Become a master. Help Commander Hwang Ho prevent the Southern Legion from falling into the Empress and Second Prince’s hands. If it does, the entire border region with the Zhao Kingdom could fall under their influence.”
“Are they plotting rebellion?”
“I can’t tell you yet. But in time, you’ll know everything. Until I summon you again, devote yourself fully to mastering this manual.”
Yi Hwan looked down at the manual.
‘Not that I need it.’
Imperial secrets or not, he was confident no martial art in this world surpassed his own. Even after all these years, that confidence hadn’t wavered.
‘For the gesture, I’ll pretend to take it.’
“Are you listening to me?”
Yi Hwan countered.
“I have a favor to ask.”
“Speak. If it’s within my power, I’ll grant it.”
“Could I borrow the East Depot’s intelligence network?”
“The East Depot isn’t mine to command at will. Why do you suddenly need their intelligence?”
“There’s someone I must find. The only clue is their appearance, but with the East Depot’s resources, it should be possible. If you agree, I promise to do my utmost to aid Commander Hwang.”
Yi So laughed again.
“You’ve truly changed. Proposing a deal so shamelessly.”
“Guess that’s what coming back from the brink does.”
“You’re fully recovered now?”
“Yes.”
“I worried greatly when I heard you were hurt. Seeing you healthy eases my mind. As for the East Depot…….”
Yi So trailed off into silence. Yi Hwan silently watched him, awaiting a response.
Moments later, Yi So spoke.
“Very well. I’ll do it.”
“One more thing. Could you let me into the Imperial Palace Treasury?”
“That’s impossible. The Imperial Palace Treasury is a forbidden realm accessible only to His Majesty. Why do you want to go there?”
“Just curious about something……. Understood. Then I’ll take my leave. I’ll send the description of the person I seek via messenger.”
“Leaving already?”
“Had it not been for your illness, Your Highness, I never would have returned.”
Yi Hwan turned to go.
“Little brother.”
He paused.
“This brother believes in you.”
Yi Hwan’s eyebrow twitched slightly. He lowered his hand from the door handle and turned back to Yi So.
“Recover quickly. The future master of this land can’t be swayed by a pack of jackals.”
He was referring to the Empress and the Second Prince.
Yi So, of all people, understood.
“Hahaha!”
Yi So burst into laughter, then clutched his chest and grimaced as pain surged.
“It’s been ages since I laughed like this. I shouldn’t, yet the laughter won’t stop. Hahaha!”
Watching Yi So’s smile persist through the pain, Yi Hwan felt an inexplicable emotion stir within.
‘This fool…… He truly sees me as blood kin.’
Moments later, Yi Hwan left the Crown Prince’s Palace.
Though he’d obtained an unexpected spirit pill, his mood wasn’t pleasant. It was because of Yi So.
Then, something he’d forgotten to ask came to mind.
‘Might not come back, so I should ask before I go.’
Yi Hwan reentered Yi So’s residence. The general’s eyes widened in surprise.
“Why have you returned?”
“Something I’m curious about.”
Yi Hwan headed straight inside.
“Another favor?”
“I’ve heard martial artists are gathering around the Second Prince. Do you know?”
“How could I not?”
“Then why let it be?”
“It’s not letting it be—it’s that I can’t stop it. The Second Prince has already stepped out from under my shadow. The only one he fears in this world is Her Majesty the Empress.”
Was it emotion flaring? Yi So’s eyes trembled faintly.
Yi Hwan looked down at him and continued.
“If you let more martial artists gather, it’ll become a serious problem—especially here in the Imperial Palace.”
Yi So spoke in a resolute tone.
“I’m biding my time. When it comes, I’ll expel all martial artists from the palace. Their place isn’t in the political arena but in the vast jianghu, after all.”
“There seem to be quite a few martial artists here too.”
“What can I do? To balance the power, I have no choice but to borrow theirs.”
Yi So suddenly smiled faintly.
“Talking like this with you feels strangely good. I should have called you sooner. Weren’t you resentful of this brother all this time?”
‘The kid never had time to resent you. He was too busy surviving the brutal abandonment.’
Instead of answering, Yi Hwan asked again.
“You said when the time comes, you’ll expel the martial artists. What does that mean?”
“Until just decades ago, the court and the martial world acknowledged each other’s existence under the spirit of Non-Aggression between Court and Martial World established by Taizu, strictly maintaining boundaries. That allowed coexistence with little of the chaos we see today. I intend to restore that. If those with superhuman might seize power too, this world will plunge into unparalleled turmoil.”
At the words “Non-Aggression between Court and Martial World,” Yi Hwan’s eyes flickered slightly.
‘If he plans to revive that spirit…….’
Suddenly, Yi Hwan sensed that Yi So feared the martial artists.
‘Well, in the past, rulers saw them as untamable beasts.’
What rulers crave most is absolute loyalty from their followers. Without it, power cannot be maintained.
In that sense, the court officials would pledge loyalty to the ancestral shrines and state. They’d been raised that way from youth.
But expecting loyalty from martial artists would be difficult. What they followed and pursued was always martial prowess.
As Yi So said, if a martial artist with overwhelming might seized power, who could stand against them?
“Even upon ascending the throne, will your thoughts remain the same?”
“The throne…….”
Yi So’s face suddenly took on a wistful hue. He quickly composed himself and continued.
“If I ascend, I will make it so. It’s for the peace of the court and the imperial house.”
Yi Hwan’s expression gradually changed.
So did his gaze upon Yi So.
‘Is that how it is?’
For different reasons than his own, but still, learning that Crown Prince Yi So desired Non-Aggression between Court and Martial World was an unexpected gain.
Just this made coming to the Imperial Palace worthwhile.
“All I need to do is prevent the Southern Legion from falling into the Second Prince and Empress’s hands?”
“I’ll soon send capable men who can lend strength. But some matters can’t be solved by force alone. If you bolster Commander Hwang, nothing would help more.”
“Understood. And as I said again, don’t become a tiger swayed by mere jackals.”
Yi So smiled faintly.
“Yes, I won’t.”
Yi Hwan promptly left the Crown Prince’s Palace.
* * *
The general entered Yi So’s chambers.
“Are you all right, Your Highness?”
“Laughing like that after so long has cleared my chest.”
“Because of the Great Prince?”
“Yes. Thanks to that child.”
“He’s changed so much it left this subordinate quite flustered. What about him pleased Your Highness?”
Yi So merely wore a faint smile and said nothing. The general cautiously asked something else.
“Shall we not keep eyes on the Great Prince?”
“If I don’t trust him first, how can he trust me? More importantly, send word to Commander Hwang. Tell him to treat that child as he treats me from now on.”
“Understood.”
“I need some rest. Ah, later, stop by the East Depot and say I wish to see them.”
“Why summon the East Depot?”
“My brother asked a favor, and only they can handle it. I want to help.”
“Your Highness, if your connection to the East Depot is exposed, the Second Prince’s side will prepare countermeasures. Isn’t that why you’ve held them in reserve for this critical moment?”
“To gain one thing, you must give another. Right now, preventing the Southern Legion from going to the Second Prince is the top priority. Say no more.”
“Yes, understood.”
Once the general left, Yi So quickly fell asleep.