Victory Ceremony (2)
In the martial world of Kangho, even the auras of transcendent masters varied wildly.
Some, like those of the Daoist or Buddhist sects, drew their presence inward as they ascended realms, approaching an almost ordinary demeanor. Others, following the path of hegemony, brazenly unleashed their overwhelming auras without restraint.
Emperor Ryu Taehyeon of the Samhan Empire fell into the latter category.
Even in everyday actions—walking calmly, turning his head indifferently, or gazing steadily—his presence leaked out inexorably.
He didn't draw upon mana.
He didn't activate any skills.
He didn't emit killing intent or pressure.
His mere existence dominated those around him.
Charisma incarnate.
The coughing patient from the hospital room was gone without a trace.
The Hegemonic Emperor, sovereign of the path of conquest.
Grand Master Ryu Taehyeon.
The absolute monarch who had ruled the empire for sixty years.
Even Kim Taeju couldn't help but admire him.
Who else matched this level of inaction mastery?
He fell short of the Heavenly Demon.
Yet he far surpassed Peng Dojung, patriarch of the Peng Clan.
He could stand shoulder-to-shoulder with the sect leaders of the Nine Great Sects.
And compared to himself?
At the 9th Stage of Hunwon Musang Dokryeong Gong, Taeju was slightly inferior.
To truly contend, he'd need the 10th Stage Great Completion.
After a brief greeting with Taeju, the emperor ascended the podium.
Toward the crown prince, who still hadn't regained his composure.
"Hand over the list of meritorious contributors."
"H-Here it is, Your Majesty."
The emperor took the list and stood at the front of the podium.
Silence blanketed the ceremony hall.
Only the sounds of people swallowing nervously echoed from all sides.
The assembled generals, corporate leaders, and high officials were tense to the breaking point.
The victory ceremony itself was nothing.
The aftermath was the real issue.
With the emperor publicly demonstrating his vitality, the empire would inevitably face the fallout in one form or another.
Scanning the list, the emperor let out a hollow laugh.
"Heh."
Then—
Riiip!
He tore the paper in his hand to shreds.
"What a shameful affair. The empire's justice crumbles in an instant."
The emperor fixed the crown prince with a cold glare.
"Jinyoung."
"...Y-Yes, Your Majesty."
"You've botched the list of merits. Do you truly not grasp the importance of rewarding contributions? You've omitted those who deserved inclusion and buried others in the 4th or 5th grades."
"I-I'm sorry."
"I've just been reminded how quickly a fool of a ruler can ruin a nation. I can see why you'd want to turn the imperial system into a republic."
Crown Prince Ryu Jinyoung was a Master.
But under the emperor's pressure, he whimpered like a dog desperate to relieve itself.
"And that's not all. Listing your failings one by one would tire my mouth. Your actions are frivolous, filled with selfishness, and you only look after your own circle—who would ever see you as the crown prince of Samhan?"
"Uh..."
"Take responsibility."
The emperor issued his decree.
"From this day forward, I strip Prince Ryu Jinyoung of his qualifications as crown prince of the Samhan Empire."
Startled, Empress Choi shot to her feet.
"Your Majesty!!!"
"What? Dissatisfied?"
"Of course! So suddenly? And what of your own responsibility?"
"It's precisely because I know my responsibility that I'm doing this."
"..."
The crown prince's face drained of all color, as if he'd lost everything.
Meanwhile, the other empresses and princesses inwardly cheered while struggling to maintain neutral expressions.
The emperor smirked at them.
"You're all so foolish. Did you think I'd let you off easily? The other princes and princesses as well. From now on, all support from the imperial palace is cut off."
Their expressions shifted in an instant.
Cutting off support meant...
"You've lived too comfortably under palace protection. Now, all of you will leave the palace."
They were being expelled.
"The empire's taxes are too precious. Earn your own keep. It might be wise to look for jobs—join a private guild, enlist in the military. Forge your own paths."
This was tantamount to stripping their status in another sense.
But the emperor didn't stop there.
"The so-called patrons who've clung to the princes and princesses like rats will face the same. Return all the special privileges you've received."
The faces of those gathered at the ceremony paled.
They were mostly the backing factions of the princes and princesses.
"We'll start with tax audits and police investigations. If there's any wrongdoing, it won't be overlooked. Unjust? Try any tricks, and I'll show you what true injustice looks like."
They wouldn't dare resist.
Who was the emperor?
He was the man who could bankrupt even a mega-corporation overnight.
There were plenty of precedents.
His gaze turned to Empress Yeom.
Caught in his sudden stare, she couldn't even meet his eyes.
"Empress Yeom."
"Y-Your Majesty!"
"Did the principles of Samhan amuse you so much?"
"...What do you mean?"
"What did you promise Honda Kazuo?"
Empress Yeom rose from her seat, knelt on the floor, and bowed her head low.
"I-It’s a misunderstanding, Your Majesty."
"You didn't think you'd get away unscathed for colluding with a traitor?"
"Ah!"
The word "traitor" had escaped the emperor's lips.
This was judgment and branding.
"I've shown leniency to certain Japanese-descended imperial citizens out of pity. I understand the sorrow of lost lands. But this time, you've crossed the line. Trying to seize Paju Territory, which I personally granted to my vassal? If that's not rebellion, what is?"
Empress Yeom trembled violently.
She'd become a rebel overnight.
"I will confine you to a detached palace. You shall not meet anyone for at least ten years."
"...Y-Your Majesty! Please show mercy."
"This is the greatest mercy I can grant you."
The emperor didn't even glance at her.
He turned to Third Prince Ryu Jinpyo.
"Jinpyo."
"...Yes, speak, Father."
"What a disappointment. If I stripped you of your princely status, what would be left?"
"Aaa..."
"If you want your name to remain in the imperial genealogy, you must change."
Third Prince Ryu Jinpyo was half out of his mind.
This implied he could even be struck from the family register.
Whatever slim hope he'd clung to evaporated.
Who would reach out to a prince who'd heard such words?
"Pl-Please have mercy."
Dismissing it as worthless, the emperor turned to Geum Suhu.
"Summon Paju Lord Kim Ungbang."
"Yes."
At Geum Suhu's gesture, Lieutenant General Kim Ungbang entered through the open ceremony hall doors and knelt before the podium where the emperor stood.
"You've suffered greatly. I owe you an apology. It's all my failing."
"No, it's my own inadequacy."
"Your resolve to relinquish Paju Territory remains unchanged?"
"I've already decided."
"I see. Then what do you desire?"
"Send this humble servant to the frontier. I don't mind lacking a command position. I simply wish to serve the empire as a common soldier."
"As a common soldier... Very well. I respect your choice."
"Thank you."
Taeju wasn't surprised.
He'd known his father's decision in advance.
It wasn't a bad path.
He'd watched him since childhood.
His father had devoted his life to managing the territory.
Yet the results had been lackluster.
Paju Territory might have become shackles holding him back.
The tragedies he'd endured stemmed from the territory as well.
Thus, casting off those shackles and choosing a completely different life was, in a way, a wise decision.
'Before he leaves, I should give him a parting gift.'
To help him adapt to his new environment.
The emperor's blade dance continued.
His judgment on the Japanese factions colluding with Empress Yeom and the third prince was merciless.
Just as it was starting to grow tedious—
"TJ Bio Chairman Kim Taeju, ascend the podium."
If called, he had to go.
"Now, let's proceed with a ceremony befitting a victory celebration."
The emperor's tone shifted dramatically—gentle and warm.
"Without the new medicine you invented for the Great Wall Wave, we might have lost the war. Even if it was for profit as a businessman, no one can deny that it saved countless imperial soldiers."
"Before that, your mosquito poison antidote and cooperation with the Jirisan Monster Defense Legion enabled the successful Great Purge of Jirisan monsters, nipping the wave threat in the bud."
"And that's not all. You single-handedly eliminated Gurye's trio of mines, captured the mine that appeared in New Seoul alive, and with the Imperial Audit Office, subdued the mine in Hapbin Prison—contributing greatly to the empire's peace."
Listening to it, his accomplishments piled up impressively.
"Thus, by the authority of the Samhan Empire's emperor, I bestow upon you the lifelong mayoral position of Gurye."
Lifelong mayor.
A brand-new title unprecedented.
He'd known about it in advance, so no surprise there.
"And I also grant you the now-vacant position of Paju Lord."
"...Pardon?"
Suddenly?
"Though there were unfortunate events, the rightful heir to Paju was always TJ Bio Chairman Kim Taeju—you. I hope you'll carry on your father's unfinished work and develop Paju Territory."
This wasn't right.
Taeju shot the emperor a look demanding explanation.
But the emperor artfully avoided his gaze.
"...Ahem. Additionally, along with the medal, I bestow a modest reward. Secretary Geum Suhu!"
"Yes, Your Majesty!"
Geum Suhu ascended with a pre-prepared box containing the medal and prize.
The emperor first pinned the medal to Taeju's chest.
Taeju leaned in close and whispered.
'Your Majesty? I didn't hear about Paju Territory.'
'Come on, just roll with it. Others would kill for land like that.'
'That's why it's a burden.'
'As I said before, just use the right people.'
'You make it sound easy.'
'Try it. Easier than you think. Suhu will help if it's tough.'
Geum Suhu, who'd been listening silently, lowered his voice and chimed in.
'While we're at it, appoint me as Paju administrator, Your Majesty.'
'...Huh?'
'Honestly, isn't managing two territories at once too much for Chairman Kim? If I assist by his side...'
'Heh heh, think I don't know your game? Scraps from the table, eh?'
'Sigh! Why can't you stand to see me thrive?'
And what were those scraps?
Sundo and Immortal Wine, of course.
So the emperor replied,
'What about Secretary Seo Pilmyeong? He's far superior to Suhu at handling affairs.'
'Hmm.'
'Dispatch him to Paju for five years.'
It didn't sound half bad.
'Fine, I'll accept.'
'Good!'
He handed Taeju the box.
Not a weapon—far too light.
'What's this?'
'A sub-space magic bag. You wanted one.'
'Oh!'
Perfect timing.
He'd been planning to buy one anyway.
Why need it with infinite storage?
Truth be told, compared to the sub-space magic bag, the immortal spell of infinite storage excelled in every way.
Size went without saying, along with ease of storage, item limits, and its ever-expanding nature unbound by fixed capacity.
But ever since sending items to Dang Gunak, one nagging thought persisted.
The shared warehouse was too small.
It grew with time, but space always ran short.
With a sub-space bag?
Stuff it full of miscellaneous items and store the bag in the shared warehouse?
That would allow far more goods.
He needed to test it soon.
Please work.
But when would this ceremony end?
※ ※ ※
The Immortal Realm.
Among the dramas watched by immortals, many were from Earth three hundred years past.
Earth's current civilization had developed by restoring or reviving its once-glorious past.
Thus, little difference existed between dramas from three centuries ago and modern Earth culture.
TVs were no exception.
An 85-inch ultra-high-definition large-screen TV made its debut in the Immortal Realm.
Great Pillar Immortal hurriedly crafted three stands.
The immortals sat clustered together, watching Dang Gunak set up the TV.
"What a grand and beautiful TV."
"It should be wall-mounted, but the tent is a shame."
"Let's build a proper structure quickly."
"Indeed. No need for extravagance from the start. Anything better than a tent."
"These chairs are too uncomfortable. We need cushions stuffed with cotton for softness."
He placed the TV on the stand, plugged in the power, connected the small smartphone Taeju had sent via cable, and set it to external input.
Click!
The screen lit up large.
"It's on!"
"Can we watch now?"
"Let's play something random first."
The smartphone held videos optimized for 85 inches—4K UHD.
Large files meant few contents.
Dang Gunak played one at random.
A movie began.
"Ooooh!"
"So incredibly sharp."
"Nothing like a beam projector."
"Worthy of ultra-high-definition indeed."
"What's that number up top? 18? The title?"
The film started.
Characters appeared.
"You can see every pore on their faces."
"They look like real, living people."
"I could believe there's another world inside."
It had been ages since he'd watched a movie.
Genre: crime investigation thriller.
The speaker bar delivered booming sound.
Detectives investigating and dismantling a drug cartel formed the core plot.
The immortals gasped at intervals, debated the story heatedly, and immersed themselves fully.
Meanwhile, Dang Gunak left the TV running and sank into thought alone.
This shipment included Sundo, a tablet with Geomseon's Demon-Slaying Sword demo, and hidden weapons crafted by Iron Palm Immortal from Beyond elite mana crystals.
They hadn't even filled the shared warehouse.
Earth always sent it packed tight.
He wanted to send more.
Maybe visit the Immortal Realm for a tour sometime.
The Spirit Beast Realm where Yeongsu lived, and the Demon Realm of yokai too.
Having just ascended, he hadn't properly explored this vast realm.
'I hope the immature immortals didn't disappoint him...'
Immortals utterly faithful to their desires.
Of course—they'd dwelled here for centuries short, millennia long.
Part of him wanted to understand.
How monotonous and boring their lives must have been.
They raved over commonplace Earth films.
But...?
'...Huh?'
Suddenly, the immortals fell silent.
They held their breath, not exchanging a word.
What scene had appeared?
"Gasp!"
On the 85-inch 4K UHD TV, a feast of flesh tones.
A naked man and woman, lewd moans.
An embarrassingly explicit scene filled the screen.
"Damn it!"
Dang Gunak snatched the remote hastily.
Click!
The screen went black.
"Wh-Who?!"
"Dokseon, you?"
"...Why turn it off?"
Dang Gunak wiped cold sweat and explained.
"It's embarrassing—let's skip this scene."
Complaints poured in.
"Come on! We can't watch this? How old do you think I am?"
"Do you even know how crucial that scene is to the plot?"
"Why would the director include it? There must be a reason."
"We're immortals! Think it'll shake us?"
"Tsk tsk, don't judge superficially—understand the context."
"Dokseon! I'm disappointed. You don't even know films."
In the end, he had no choice but to resume.