Chapter 13
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Translator: volt
Chapter Title: Night Chase and the Emperor
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Clatter.
The carriage rocked violently.
I wondered if a wheel had come off, but fortunately, it kept rolling forward.
"Ugh... ugh..."
The boy's face was pale as he trembled.
He curled up as if he might die any moment, eyes squeezed shut, shaking uncontrollably.
"Hurry, keep going! Faster!!"
The old woman holding him shouted urgently at the coachman.
Though dressed in palace maid's clothes, her unbound hair and ornate hairpin hinted at her true identity.
At the very least, she was no ordinary servant.
"T-Too late! They're coming!"
The coachman yelled.
The one driving the horses wasn't even in coachman's garb but wore the robes of a court official.
"Chase them—!!"
Someone shouted from behind as they closed in.
Like wolves hunting prey, they rode in a pack, pursuing relentlessly.
"G-Grandmother...!"
The boy clutched at the old woman's collar, trembling violently.
"A-Are we... going to die...?"
"Nonsense!"
The old woman shouted forcefully, pulling the boy into a tight embrace.
"We won't die. But if they catch us, who knows what horrors await—"
"My lady! Ahead!!"
The coachman pointed forward.
"What...!!"
There, an even larger force than the pursuers was charging down the night road.
Their movements were disciplined even in the darkness, more precise than any capital troops.
"The Imperial Army...?"
It reminded her of the army she'd seen in her youth long ago.
Crack!
The carriage lurched again.
Something snapped, and then the rear shattered as an object embedded itself there.
"Eek!!"
"You insolent...!!"
The old woman shielded the boy with her body, grinding her teeth.
"...?!"
Through the broken rear, the cavalrymen's faces looked strangely urgent.
Like fishermen watching a hooked fish about to slip away.
"Ah."
A rider raised his spear high.
The old woman clearly saw the tip aimed not at her, but the boy—and she spun, shoving him forward.
Even if pierced, let it be this old body—
Clang—!!
"Whoa."
The terrified boy gaped in shock.
As if witnessing a divine feat, his fear vanished in an instant, replaced by awe.
"..."
Following his gaze, she saw an arrow knocking the spear aside, sending it clattering down.
Had he just shot the spear tip mid-thrust to disarm the rider?
"Protect the carriage—!!"
A booming voice rang out.
The old woman—and the boy—saw it:
hair flowing like silk even in the dark night.
"Master. What's so special about the emperor?"
Back when I called myself Chun-sik, I asked my teacher.
"What?"
He dropped his chopsticks into the appetizers I'd prepared, mouth agape.
"What did I just hear?"
"What's the emperor to us? Just another lump of flesh and blood like anyone."
"You've finally lost it, you scoundrel. Trying to become a traitor? That's the most irreverent, unfilial thing I've ever heard."
That was the moment my usually composed teacher cursed me out.
"No, but isn't it true? Are kings, nobles, generals born any different?"
"Urk!"
"M-Master!"
He clutched his neck and collapsed.
"If I were still at court, and didn't know your temperament from teaching you, I'd have denounced you as a rebel right then!!"
"That serious, huh...?"
"'That serious'? No—!!"
I barely revived him, but the reanimated master now looked at me like the world's biggest villain.
"I wonder what's in that head of yours. I've never met anyone who spouts such things so openly!"
"If you say 'openly,' doesn't that mean others whisper it in secret?"
"..."
My teacher scowled openly at me but wiped his dropped chopsticks with a handkerchief from his sleeve and picked up more food.
"Hmph. Let me make one thing clear to you."
He finally set down his chopsticks with a clack, rubbing his temples, and spoke.
"The emperor is the supreme ruler of this land, father to all the people. Insulting him is like insulting your own parents—utter filial impiety."
"..."
"So that's how you think. No—the emperor shares not a drop of blood with me, so why?"
"Yes."
"That's your view. But people in this country, this era, don't see it that way."
He drilled the era's mindset into me time and again.
"You bow your head before the emperor as a matter of course. You never turn your back on him. It's obvious, but since I have to explain it to you, let me be clear."
It felt like reciting scenes from a Joseon dynasty sageuk drama.
I never really enjoyed pure historical dramas.
But as a kid, I'd nod off beside my father watching TV before bed—those brief moments stuck with me.
A world where one wrong word before the king meant losing your head.
This era was supposedly even worse.
"The emperor is heaven... No, that won't mean much to you. Just remember this: the emperor is a god."
"Ah!"
I got it.
"An inviolable realm you must never touch carelessly!"
"Exactly."
My teacher said.
"If you think, 'What is the emperor doing while the country's in such chaos?'"
Guilty as charged.
"Or, 'If the emperor can't properly govern, why serve or revere him while bandits roam and disorder reigns?'"
"..."
"You'd think that. I did once too."
"As expected!"
"But you must never say it aloud."
He smiled bitterly, gazing at the sky.
"The emperor... what people call the Son of Heaven... isn't just one man."
He avoided calling the emperor a mere person.
"The supreme power ruling all the land's people. A word from him can fell birds in flight. Or rather, that 'position' might resonate more with you."
He called the emperor a 'position'.
"The emperor changes. Dynasties rise and fall. But in this land's history, there's never been a moment without an emperor, a king."
Like how Joseon's kings ruled for 500 years.
Like the ministers in dramas and films crying 'Execute him!' at the king's word.
"The emperor is absolute."
In this era, this land, the emperor truly reigned as sovereign.
"That's the way of the world."
"Defy it, and you'll be caught."
"For treason."
"However..."
"Yes. I know what you're thinking."
My teacher said.
"There are sage kings, wise rulers, tyrants—and emperors like the current one, burying their heads in eunuchs' skirts."
"Isn't that irreverent?"
"I submitted a memorial on it, got imprisoned, and dismissed. I can say that much."
"Fair point. I concede."
"A teacher conceded by his disciple. The world's upside down."
He chuckled wryly at my offhand slips sometimes.
"Yes, world-shaking. Your view of the emperor would upend heaven and earth for others."
"..."
"Remember this. You needn't follow any particular emperor. Others might share your view."
He foresaw it.
"If the current emperor passes... whoever becomes Son of Heaven next is unknown, but local warlords will scorn the throne and act like kings in their domains."
The rise of regional warlords.
"Some will serve the emperor to become supreme commander of the court."
"Is that right below the emperor?"
"Not exactly, but think of it as such since details won't click yet. But if not loyal, some will puppet the emperor as prime ministers."
The emergence of villains seeking to seize the court through the emperor.
"And perhaps some will install an emperor to their liking."
"You said the emperor is supreme—how?"
"If imperial blood heirs are ten-year-old children, why not crown one who suits and rule the realm?"
The rise of power-hungry overlords wielding might greater than the emperor.
"Utterly irreverent, but as you say—no special seed for kings and nobles. Though denying the current state, even Liu Bang started as a rogue."
"Hmm..."
"Warring States, Spring and Autumn—many states, many kings. This land's lasted centuries, but that era could return. In a decade, or when you're my age."
"So someone could try becoming emperor?"
"Nothing stopping them."
He taught me.
"As you say, anyone could. Those who couldn't lacked power."
"Ah."
It hit me.
"Succeed, you're emperor. Fail, you're rebel."
"Abdication or revolution by the stars. Dynasties are set by Heaven's Mandate. Remember, disciple."
"Yes, Master."
"There can be unworthy kings."
His voice lowered, but the words rang clear in my ears.
"Ones unfit to serve as emperor yet kind-hearted; or born with conqueror's traits to revive the land, like the one who rebuilt from Wang Mang's tyranny."
"What do you expect of me?"
"People must judge for themselves through experience."
He imparted wisdom.
"When you meet the emperor, experience and judge."
"..."
"If worthy of loyalty, be a faithful minister. If inept and manipulable, seize control as court-overlord. If all fails, abdicate or conquer as you will."
"Master."
"The choice is yours; the responsibility wholly so."
He poured tea into my cup as if it were wine.
"I won't demand blind loyalty. But until you judge, never reveal such thoughts."
The cup filled.
"Your mindset is a dagger at your back to them. Your weakness isn't force, but ideology and words."
"I'll remember."
"Good. In short..."
He raised his cup.
"Wherever, whenever—watch your words."
Standoff.
We faced those guarding the carriage and those targeting it, weapons trained.
This is insane.
Visible enough in the dark, but no banners readable.
Everyone hiding their identities?
Hou Cheng once said: In the capital, you'd see military banners often— if hanja's hard, memorize via drawings or diagrams.
I did for key ones, but none here.
"Who are you?!"
The pursuers' leader aimed his spear at us.
"Reveal yourselves!"
"..."
I stayed silent.
The cavalry commander and men held quiet, spreading to shield the carriage.
We had numerical superiority.
But the court wasn't won by sheer numbers, they said.
What if one wrong word drags us into factional strife?
"..."
I think.
Mountain chase: female expert fleeing, four men pursuing. Who to save?
In wuxia, usually rescue the pursued woman.
But modern tales twist: "Turns out she's a demonic killer; pursuers righteous beggars!"
Don't judge by appearances.
Gather info first.
"We've been asked to identify—common courtesy to answer."
I step forward.
"But if asking identities, shouldn't you reveal first?"
"What?!"
"Unarmed carriages, yet you smash them with weapons?"
The carriage halted.
Coachmen gulped, scanning me and the Bing Province troops; passengers inside held breath, watching.
They stopped—that's key.
Fleeing ones halted upon seeing us.
Not knowing who we are? The commander's banner flutters behind him.
"We are—"
Slightly sorry, but better safe.
"Soldiers rushing to the capital on Bing Province Governor Ding Yuan's orders, hearing of unrest."
Not a lie.
"Subduing Black Mountain Bandits near the capital, en route as commanded. Saw your attack—seem innocent folk..."
"What?!"
The pursuer leader sneered.
"Bing Province hicks, huh!"
"..."
I know.
That golden pattern on the carriage.
Master said:
—Only the emperor bears the golden dragon.
Golden embroidery on the carriage.
Dragon-like, serpentine.
Clearly fled in haste—changed clothes, not disguised the carriage.
Figured out.
Don't know who, but vital imperial figure for sure.
"We've introduced ourselves. Who are you?"
"Ha! No time to tangle with you! Out of the way!"
"..."
Infuriating.
Face flushed like he'd downed a drink—obnoxious.
"Come to think—"
I slowly maneuvered my horse, positioning the Fangtian Halberd beside me.
"Heard some Black Mountain Bandits impersonate officials for plunder."
"...!!"
······?
Overly sensitive reaction.
"You... really?"
Just probing if bandits; for real?
"Black Mountain scum daring to impersonate officials and attack?!"
"Y-You!! Frontier trash, do you know who we—"
"Who're you?"
"What!! Insolent tongue! No manners!!"
His tone carried the court's elite arrogance.
Before departing.
Song Xian and Wei Xu warned: Please, no making enemies in the capital.
But.
Need manners against unarmed old woman and boy attackers?
No.
"Reveal or we'll deem you bandits and cut you down."
"Y-You—!"
"Three."
I aim the Fangtian Halberd.
"Two."
"...Bing Province troops, prepare to charge."
Cavalry commander raises hand; all behind me ready spears, poised to surge.
"One."
"I-I...!"
As I went to spur my horse—
"Hiiiiiyaaaaaaaah!!"
An elder's roar shook the horses in fright.
Like a lion's roar from wuxia—ecstatic, joyous bellow.
"Your subject Ding Yuan has arrived—!!"
Ding Yuan suddenly charged toward us on horseback—not alone, but piggybacked on his general's mount.
"What are you doing! Pay respects to His Majesty!!"
Ding Yuan rushed to the protected carriage, knelt, and bellowed.
"..."
I lowered the Fangtian Halberd, blocking the pursuers; Bing Province troops withdrew spears on command, dismounting in unison.
"Your Majesty, this Ding Yuan, Governor of Bing Province Ding Jianyang...!"
"Not His Majesty."
"...Pardon?"
Behind me.
"I am... Empress Dowager Dong."
The old woman rose from the carriage, straightening proudly.
"And this is not His Majesty, but Prince Imperial... the 'Prince of Chenliu'."
"..."
Ding Yuan's face twisted.