After Entering the Palace (1)

After finishing his audience with the emperor, Kim Taeju stepped outside to find Seo Pilmyeong, the palace secretary, waiting for him.

"Chairman, allow me to escort you. Where to? If you're heading to Gurye, I can take you to the station..."

Taeju did plan to return to Gurye today, but since he was already in New Seoul, he figured he'd meet a few people first.

"No, not the station—could you drop me at Leaders Club instead?"

"Of course."

And so they arrived at Leaders Club.

As the limousine pulled up to the front gate and Taeju stepped out,

"Huh?"

"Whoa!"

"Q-quick!"

The guards suddenly buzzed into action.

Taeju exited the limo and entered the club.

"Welcome."

As the door opened, Igor Baranov came sprinting from the far end.

"Ch-Chairman! N-no, member!"

"Long time no see."

"You should've called ahead. Heard you entered the palace?"

"Word travels fast, huh?"

"Hahaha, you have no idea. It's all over the place."

No surprise there.

He'd drawn eyes from the moment he entered the palace.

"Just stopped by to show my face before heading to Gurye."

"Perfect timing. Why not stay a few days and relax..."

"Haha, too much work."

"Come on in, let's talk. This way!"

Taeju stood with Igor in front of the diamond-member exclusive elevator.

Ding!

The doors opened, and people stepped out.

In that instant!

"...Huh?"

"Ah!"

A white-haired elder's eyes widened in shock.

"K-Kim Chairman!"

"Chairman Jeong."

It was Baekdu Group's Jeong Ukcheol.

"You rascal! You should've called me first after your business."

"I was planning to."

"Hoho, let's go up together."

It had been a while since receiving diamond status, but this was only his second time in the exclusive lounge.

And the first visit, he hadn't even sat down—too busy dealing with the mine Sergei.

The three settled into the plush sofas.

Taeju, Jeong Ukcheol, and Igor Baranov.

"Well, I've heard the rumors. You entered the palace?"

"I did."

"Did you meet His Majesty?"

"That was the point of the visit."

Jeong Ukcheol glanced at Taeju before whispering,

"How was he?"

"What do you mean?"

"His Majesty. You must've heard the rumors—uhm, that his health isn't great."

Igor looked curious too.

All eyes were on Taeju.

What to do?

Geum Suhu had said to brush off questions about the emperor's health by ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠saying he was fine.

But that might actually become the truth.

If the emperor had eaten the fairy peaches.

'Gave him two, so he must've eaten at least one.'

He'd definitely opened the case and caught the scent—impossible to resist.

So it was safe to tell the truth.

It wouldn't betray Geum Suhu's request either.

"He's in good health."

Not right now, but soon.

"Hmm, really?"

"Why would I lie here?"

"Hoo, it's just... the rumors paint a different picture. His illness is supposedly severe—practically accepted as fact."

Igor nodded in agreement.

"Chairman Jeong is right. Everyone thinks that. Other members are lining up contacts everywhere."

Both looked skeptical.

Understandable.

The current imperial succession struggles stemmed from the emperor's illness.

"Anyway, that's the truth. His Majesty is healthy. Believe it or not, up to you."

"...Hmm."

"Foo."

Their deliberation didn't last long.

Igor acted first.

"I should warn our members. Lots bet on the emperor's illness or early death rumors... Is that okay?"

"Do what you need."

"Thank you. But I won't disclose the source."

Baekdu Group's Jeong Ukcheol pulled out his smartphone right there.

"It's me. That proposal today? Scrap it. ...Do it! I'll take responsibility."

After hanging up, to Taeju:

"Truth is, the Third Prince's side approached me today."

"Why?"

"Mirinae Group was their sponsor, but they're cutting ties."

"Hm."

"The Third Prince is ruthless. After Lee Gieon ended up in ICU, Mirinae's in trouble, so he's dropping them cold... Ultimately abandoned."

Taeju could guess the situation.

"They offered to transfer Mirinae's special privileges to us in exchange for a partnership with the Third Prince's faction and Baekdu Group."

"Did you sign?"

"Said we'd review it. Just scrapped it."

"Good call."

"They'll crawl back to Mirinae now. Our business might suffer a bit."

"Don't worry about that."

The emperor's illness and early death rumors still dominated.

They originated from the palace itself.

Leaked by those closest to him.

Empress, princes, princesses.

Almost no one claimed the emperor was healthy.

Except Taeju.

Igor's warning message might circulate, but who would believe it?

'Whatever, their call.'

Then.

Bzzzzt.

'It's here.'

Taeju stood from the sofa.

"Excuse me, restroom."

Heading there, he opened his infinite storage.

Check the delivery first.

'Whoa! Jackpot!'

Piles of precious fairy peaches.

The shared warehouse must've expanded—over 150.

Combined with before, nearly 300.

One a day from now on.

'No letter this time.'

No time to write, probably.

Window open so briefly.

Taeju slipped ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠into the restroom, pulled peaches from the shared warehouse, and loaded his prepared gifts.

Always-ready return gifts for Dang Gunak.

Added Beyond elite mana crystals too.

A bit shameless, but to ask Dokseon to process them—the immortal who made the divine spirit tablet might help.

And a long pre-written letter.

From the soul link to now: how he'd lived, what he'd done, uses for the gifts, current Hunwon Musang Dokryeong Gong progress.

'Wish we could meet in person.'

Dang Gunak to Earth, or him to the immortal realm.

'...Impossible, right?'

Taeju returned and chatted with Jeong Ukcheol and Igor until night, then headed somewhere quiet and summoned his flying sword.

Train up, but flying down this time.

Palace secretary Geum Suhu wheeled in a tray of spore poison camel goral steak to the emperor's sickroom.

His infuriating lord had hogged all the premium peaches, but meals were still needed.

Slid through the outer door, geeeeng, inner door too, entering—

"Your Majesty! Meal prep... Gasp!"

Geum Suhu startled.

The emperor stood on his own two feet, off the bed.

"M-my lord! What in the world?"

"No fuss. Just pulled one stake."

"H-how?"

"What do you think?"

"...No way?"

"Right. Thanks to Kim Chairman's peaches."

Geum Suhu couldn't close his gaping mouth.

After the mine attack, years bedridden in this room.

Two peaches, and he's up?

"Should I ask Kim for more?"

"Tsk tsk, more of those ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠treasures? Make me a shameless ruler? Already agonizing over repaying this favor."

"Still, eyes closed..."

"Two premium peaches suffice. Mana stakes weakened a lot. Just time before they're gone."

"Aaaah!"

Geum Suhu beamed, deeply moved.

"I'll tell the Empresses right away."

"No, don't. Kids too—just wait. See at the victory ceremony."

He knew why.

"Hm, you're wicked."

"What?"

"Want to see the Empresses, Crown Prince, princes, princesses faint in shock?"

"Kekekeke, Suhu, you get me. Shock therapy, sort of."

The emperor approached the tray, slicing the well-grilled goral steak.

"Kids grow fighting, but lines must be held. Wives are trouble too—time to rein in the house."

"Yes, family harmony starts at home."

"So,"

"Your command."

"Delay the victory ceremony schedule. Leak it's due to my poor health."

And that day.

Imperial secretariat sent official notices to agencies.

Press releases too.

Rumors spread uncontrollably.

Growing daily.

Crown Prince, princes, princesses requested audiences on father's worsening condition—all denied.

Empresses too.

Days later, emperor's illness became ironclad fact.

Immortal Realm.

Over a dozen immortals gathered in Dang Gunak's tent theater.

Geomseon had been released safely and joined.

Long in thunder prison—looked grubby.

Should've washed up, even if rushed.

"Hey, Dokseon! Got tofu?"

"Tofu? You've watched too much drama."

"Heh heh, just a few episodes."

Juseon Ta Baek suddenly recalled something, asking Dang Gunak,

"Oh! That green-bottle liquor from the dramas—when can we try it?"

"...Ah, soju. Too cheap; Taeju won't send it."

"No pricey or cheap—any Earth booze is treasure. Write Taeju for beer too; let's try somac."

"For free?"

"200 fairy peaches for immortal liquor?"

"Deal!"

"Me too! Bringing booze jars now."

Geomseon chimed in slyly.

"How long we camping in this shabby tent?"

"What's wrong with the tent?"

"Dramas show Earth humans in fancy buildings for movies—no law against a multiplex here."

"...Multiplex?"

"Yes, chains freed by judge's weight—no holding back."

Dang Gunak's eyes widened.

Geomseon was right.

Why hadn't he thought of it?

But obstacles.

"How to build that giant thing? No manpower or equipment."

Geomseon grinned slyly.

"Manpower: traitors kneeling outside. Equipment: spells instead."

"Aha!"

"Pity ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠them on closer look. Use for construction; forgive if they work well."

Dang Gunak agreed.

All immortals eventually.

Planning pardons soon.

'Ask Taeju first.'

Then.

Bzzzzt.

"It's here!"

Dang Gunak's shout—

"Gasp!"

"It's come!"

"Here, here!"

Dozen immortals rushed over.

First, calmly transferred shared warehouse items.

Seowangmo's premium and grade-A fairy peaches stacked in; Juseon's high-grade immortal liquor jars too.

Then, about to read the letter—

'Too long.'

Taking forever.

Write to Taeju first.

Dang Gunak pulled fountain pen and paper.

Thanks for treasures; planning multiplex—what think?; immortal liquor maker wants somac, etc.

Quickly done, into warehouse—light vanished.

'Phew, close.'

Then read Taeju's letter.

Long, but read carefully.

'Haa!'

Mundane daily life, but tears welled reading.

Parallel self suffering so.

'Mines...'

Not exact, but this world's damn demonic cultists.

'And Beyond elite monsters.'

What beast needs 9th stage Hunwon Musang Dokryeong Gong and talismans to fell?

'Earth's no peaceful world.'

Shh!

Dang Gunak drew the Beyond elite mana crystal Taeju sent.

'From that thing.'

Immortals' eyes widened.

"Hm?"

"Huh?"

"...This?"

"Yeouiju-like."

"No, too weak and murky for Yeouiju."

"Dragon chewed and spat?"

Dang Gunak to Cheoljang Immortal,

"Cheoljang, can you forge a weapon from this? Plenty peaches."

"Possible, but too impure."

Gwigok Seonin stepped up.

"Purify it. I'll do it."

"Then I'll forge."

To Geomseon too.

"Geomseon."

"Speak."

"Any sword arts humans could learn?"

"Why? Your parallel self?"

"No. Taeju's subordinates. Absolute Poison Demon learning swordplay? Pointless."

"Hey! Same soul, same arrogance—downplaying sword arts."

Geomseon pouted, but

"Have or not?"

"Tons. Write a manual?"

"No need—record and send."

"Record?"

Show beats explain.

Dang Gunak pulled a tablet from infinite space.

"Huh? Movie watcher."

"Other uses."

Launched camera app, short video demo—

"Ooooo!"

"Amaz-ing."

"Insane!"

"...What world's Earth?"

Suddenly!

Geomseon's face lit up.

"Wait! Record my swordplay with this?"

"Exactly."

"Other world's humans see me?"

"Send whole tablet—they can."

"Hoo."

Suddenly!

Poof! Geomseon vanished.

Moments later,

Poof!

Back: elegant daoist robes, beard trimmed, hair neatly bound, gleaming sword in hand.

"Ready."

Perfect immortal demeanor.

End of After Entering the Palace (1)