Entering the Palace (2)
The emperor had three wives.
When he decided to secure an heir, he welcomed all three empresses at once.
There was no distinction between principal wife and concubine.
All held the equal status of empress.
And all were mana compatibles.
The first empress, Choi Empress, bore him two sons: the crown prince and Second Prince, bitter enemies since childhood who still clashed even as adults.
The second, Yeom Empress, gave him one son and two daughters: Third Prince, First Princess, and Third Princess.
The third, Joo Empress, bore two sons and one daughter: Fourth Prince, Fifth Prince, and Second Princess.
Today, Honda Mitsui and Kim Ungbang stood before Gate 2 to meet the second wife, Yeom Empress.
They weren't alone.
Honda Kazuo, Kim Ungbang's father-in-law and father to Mitsui, had come with them.
Japan-origin factions within the empire were aligning with Yeom Empress.
Her late father, who had changed his name to Yeom as part of a surname reform, was a Japanese-origin general.
The emperor had accepted her as empress to promote ethnic unity.
Honda Kazuo and his group had come to court her favor.
They had begged three times just to secure this reluctant audience.
But Kim Taeju had gone straight through Gate 1 upon arrival.
Mitsui had been waiting since morning,
and that wasn't all.
Her husband Kim Ungbang's attitude.
The way he looked at Kim Taeju.
The affection he directed at him.
It was driving Honda Mitsui mad.
"You look wronged."
"...No, I'm just angry."
Honda Kazuo sidled up and murmured to her.
"Can't blame you. We're dying of boredom waiting for our names to be called at Gate 2 to cozy up to Yeom Empress, while that punk waltzes right in for a private audience with the emperor."
His tone sounded almost teasing.
"I'm curious what Kim Taeju's discussing with the emperor."
Kazuo continued regardless of whether his daughter listened.
"He's got it all. Made a fortune, runs a thriving company, has loyal followers... but there's one thing he lacks."
Mitsui finally turned to her father.
"What? What does he lack?"
"Land. A foundation to build his own power base."
"...Hmm."
Mitsui caught her father's drift.
"He's already been kicked out. He's a stranger to my husband now."
"We can appeal to the courts to restore his family registry."
"That's settled law. Can't be undone."
"You think you can stop him if he begs the emperor? The guy's loaded. In court, he'll win hands down. Whose side do you think the judges will take?"
"..."
Suddenly!
"Kyushu lord Major General Honda Kazuo and party, please enter the palace via Gate 2."
Kazuo smirked and stepped forward.
"Think it over. But time's short."
In truth, Honda Kazuo wasn't too worried.
No matter what Kim Taeju discussed with the emperor.
He knew the emperor's condition all too well.
Only a tiny elite knew.
The emperor who hadn't appeared even during the Black Evil Dragon's northern advance.
Rumors said his illness ran deep.
Too deep for daily life.
His days were numbered.
Even if Kim Ungbang died in some freak accident, he wouldn't spare a thought.
When the emperor died, the empire would sink into a quagmire of succession strife—that was their chance to abandon Kyushu and settle in Paju.
Taeju followed the secretary's guidance through Gate 1.
He had met his father.
But it felt flat.
No resentment lingered.
If anything, he wished him happiness.
Was that so special?
Plenty cut ties with parents and lived on.
Maybe one day, after much time passed and emotions faded, he'd visit.
But not now.
Independent now, he had to prioritize his followers first.
That's why he'd come to the palace.
He'd investigated the emperor beforehand.
Estimated age: 200.
Yet he looked like a man in his forties.
He'd also secured unpublicized intel.
Via phone with Leaders Club's Igor Baranov.
Ill? A grand master? What illness could do that?
Igor alluded to the throne struggle.
He'd know soon enough.
Truly ill, or faking it?
As these thoughts swirled,
"We'll take the elevator."
Up to the palace tower's top floor.
Through winding corridors to a steel door blocking the way.
Soon, the emperor.
As he approached, the door slid open silently.
Inside: a small room with white walls on all sides.
"We're here. This is as far as I go."
"Pardon? Here?"
As Taeju entered, Seo Pilmyeong closed the outer door and left.
At the same moment—
Vrrrrm!
The walls parted.
Beyond: a central bed amid medical equipment, a middle-aged man propped up on his upper body, guarded by Geum Suhu.
Security's tight.
What else for the emperor's quarters?
Not a simple room.
More like an ICU.
Rumors were true.
Geum Suhu spoke gravely.
"Show respect to His Majesty. Kneel at once—"
"Ahh!"
The emperor cut him off.
"Enough. Why force others to do what you don't?"
"I prostrated fully at first."
"Not anymore."
"But Chairman Kim's a first-timer. Unfair—"
The emperor waved off Geum Suhu mid-sentence and beckoned Taeju.
"Cough cough, don't just stand there awkwardly. Come closer."
"Yes."
"I'm not well, so I'll be brief."
He caught his breath.
"Geum Secretary told you, but We grant you lifelong governorship of Gurye. No need to worry. Same as a fief grant—"
Straight to business.
But Taeju barely heard.
A foul stench had wafted since entering.
One only he could smell: ugly, sticky demonic qi reek.
The emperor...?
No.
Different from a mine's stench.
Normal mana mixed in.
Forced injection?
Likely.
Explained the sickbed.
The emperor paused, eyeing Taeju curiously.
"Something wrong? You aren't listening."
"Ah! Sorry."
He was here for Gurye governorship,
but he had to check.
"Your Majesty. If I may..."
"Hm? What is it?"
"One question."
"Ask freely."
"Is your illness due to a mine?"
Emperor and Geum Suhu flinched.
"...How?"
"Demonic qi stench clings to you."
"Heh, stench... I heard, but you didn't think me a mine?"
"I can tell the difference."
The emperor nodded admission.
"Correct. Hit during a mine fight. Arrogant fool like a thunderbolt punk—got my comeuppance."
Taeju was stunned.
A mine strong enough to do this to the empire's strongest?
"A demonic stake remains in me. In my mana circuits, heart, brain. Like a time bomb."
He got it.
The method he'd used on Lee Gieon.
"Remember Our letter warning you?"
"Yes."
"I know you caught a mine at Hapbin Prison recently. But beware—mines are no joke. I can't lose empire talent."
"..."
"Don't worry about it. You're not here for My illness."
The emperor seemed decent.
Regal bearing shone through.
Should I heal him?
If hale, the empire stabilizes.
Force it out with Hunwon Musang Dokryeong Gong...
Grasp pulse, inject poison qi via mana circuits to shatter the stake.
But his body was too frail.
Brutal force required—could he endure?
Two ways to remove stakes: self-dissolve or the implanter reclaims.
One more, though...
Most reliable.
Good I brought it.
After today, the emperor changes.
The emperor shifted topics.
"Well? Accept Gurye lifelong governorship? Still no answer."
True.
Undecided.
Heavy responsibility daunted, yet he yearned to elevate Gurye—his second home—to empire's finest city.
"I worry if my abilities suffice for such a grand city."
"Hahaha, you're more than enough. False humility's hypocrisy. Even if lacking, your people skills cover it."
People-wise, he lacked for nothing.
"Look at Me. Bedridden years, yet the empire runs smoothly. Use people right. Just set policy direction."
Taeju decided.
"Yes, I accept."
"Wise choice."
Grasp power.
The strength to stand unbowed amid tempests.
"Victory ceremony soon. You'll be summoned. I'll attend somehow, invest you then."
"I am deeply honored."
Taeju bowed, placed his bag on the table.
"Here..."
"What's this?"
"Gift for our first meeting. Can't come empty-handed."
"...Goralani meat? I meant to thank you. Revived my appetite."
"Not goralani. Better. Two inside. Share with Geum Secretary."
"Hm?"
"Truly rare... priceless. Might aid your illness..."
"What is it?"
Business done.
Brief well-wishes exchanged, Geum Secretary escorted him out.
"Keep His Majesty's condition secret. Say he's hale if asked."
"No worries, Geum Secretary."
Taeju left.
Geum Suhu asked softly.
"Impressions?"
"As rumored, impressive. Just seeing him tells. Even at My best, victory uncertain."
"Why always think fighting? That's why you're suffering."
"...Enough prattle. Open the bag."
Geum Suhu shook his head, opened it.
A heavenly aroma filled the room.
"What?"
"Peaches. Huge ones."
"...Peaches?"
Emperor looked disappointed.
"Chairman Kim's smaller than thought. Expected elixir."
"Tsk, war riches scraped, yet mere..."
"Scent's divine. Bring here."
Geum Suhu placed the bag before the emperor.
"Oh! So massive. You take one."
"I'll grab it leaving."
No thrill.
Rare peaches, still peaches.
His gesture's enough...
Emperor took one, bit in.
Crunch.
Juice burst in his mouth.
Slurp.
He tilted his head, chewed again.
Crunch, munch.
Now nonstop.
Crunch, crunch, crunch...
Peach-eating spectacle.
How delicious.
Gulp.
Geum Suhu salivated watching.
One's mine, right?
Hand sneaked for the handle.
But—
Grab!
Emperor snatched his wrist mid-bite.
"What're you doing?"
"One's mine. You said try it."
"When?"
"...Pardon?"
Emperor's demeanor flipped.
"That look? Treating Me like a thief."
"Ch-Chairman Kim said share..."
"Didn't hear."
"..."
How brazen!
But the emperor now knew why rare.
"I'm older, frailer—yet you steal this treasure? Chairman said it'd help Me!"
"B-but still..."
"Sigh, lived too long. Should've died then, now just burden."
"...Take both."
Emperor smiled satisfied.
One gone, he grabbed the last.
Crunch, crunch, crunch...
Geum Suhu finally spoke.
"Um, j-just one bite..."
Emperor ignored.
Long friends, but no yielding this.
This unearthly peach was no ordinary fruit.
One bite, auspicious energy flooded his body.
Outshines any elixir.
Years bedridden, never felt lighter.
Could leap up now.
Done already?
The emperor didn't know.
These were Seondo—immortal peaches.
Fruits bearing seonki from the celestial realm.
Faint, but seonki repels foul energies.
Nemesis to turbid mine mana.
Thus, the demonic stake lodged in his mana circuits—
Crack!
A tiny fissure formed.