“First, the two of you should cleanse yourselves with a bath to purify your bodies.”
The Emperor is the pillar of the Huang Nation.
There are many procedures to go through to meet the Emperor. First, do you have any diseases that can be transmitted to the Emperor? Is your hygiene up to par? Are you hiding anything that could harm the Emperor?
Are you someone who can influence the Emperor’s mood? Or someone who could shake the Emperor’s thoughts and concepts?
Everything is checked thoroughly.
Under the watchful eyes of the court ladies, I completely undressed and made sure I was hiding nothing.
As a group of beautiful court ladies attended to my bath, my feelings became a bit complicated, but seeing their stern gazes quickly cooled my mood.
Their eyes seemed determined to find even the slightest hint of suspicion in my every move.
I felt my preciousness, who was already exhausted from the pressure of those relentless stares, surrender completely.
After the bath, my clothes had vanished, and I was provided with guest attire.
“Today, just relax from your travel fatigue. Starting tomorrow, I will explain the basic laws regarding the imperial family’s interactions.”
From the court lady’s mouth, a torrent of warnings about the protocols at the Gongcheongjeon flowed forth. It was stated that one must not approach guests recklessly and must obtain permission to enter any other guest room.
You may practice martial arts, but you must ask permission to use the training hall, and it’s naturally impossible to leave Gongcheongjeon. Wherever you go, at least one court lady must accompany you.
It was suffocating.
Nodding in understanding, the middle-aged court lady gave a light bow and left the room.
I worried about how Hyeok Gi-rin’s cross-dressing situation was resolved, but this place is practically Hyeok Gi-rin’s own backyard—the imperial palace. I figured they would handle it well.
Ultimately, all I could do in this cramped room was practice Qi healing.
Even though I could use the training hall, the swords there were likely just wooden or practice swords. Practicing my forms with swords that aren’t mine would probably dull my instincts.
Instead, it was better to invest time in healing the remnants of the five spiritual medicines within my body.
For a while, I thought about focusing on Qi healing to regulate my insides.
With that thought, I immediately sat down in a lotus position.
* *
“I will be going on an undercover mission. Prepare yourself.”
“Understood.”
Yoo Gyeong’s eunuchs prepared for the mission without any words. The destination of the undercover mission was obvious. It was to visit the Gongcheongjeon where Hyeok Gi-rin was staying.
The fact that Hyeok Gi-rin was living as a martial artist to avoid the power struggle was a well-known secret among those familiar with the palace’s affairs.
The eunuchs busily moved, creating an invisible path that would not attract attention from anyone except those involved.
Yoo Gyeong entered Gongcheongjeon with anticipation.
The court ladies of Gongcheongjeon quietly welcomed the Emperor.
“Proceed with the protocol at Gongcheongjeon as long as possible.”
“We will act according to Your Majesty’s wishes. As outsiders, we will be even more thorough in fulfilling our duties at Gongcheongjeon.”
Yoo Gyeong nodded and stood in front of Hyeok Gi-rin’s room.
“Hyeok Gi-rin daehyup, a guest has arrived.”
“At this hour…? Let them in.”
Yoo Gyeong faced Hyeok Gi-rin. Hyeok Gi-rin’s eyes widened, and Yoo Gyeong looked at Hyeok Gi-rin with excitement.
“Yoo Ya…”
“Older brother, I have come to see Your Majesty.”
Yoo Gyeong gestured, and the eunuchs cleared all the court ladies and shut the door. Only the two of them were left.
Yoo Gyeong hurriedly helped Hyeok Gi-rin to his feet. She grasped Hyeok Gi-rin’s hand and took in his appearance. Hyeok Gi-rin left the imperial palace at the age of fourteen. After that, she had only seen him briefly at a public event when he was of age.
It had been six years since that fleeting moment passed.
Holding hands like this was a reunion after a whole twelve years.
“Ha ha… you’ve grown a lot, Yoo Ya…”
“Older brother, you have gained a lot of experience as well.”
Hyeok Gi-rin joyfully welcomed her brother, but Yoo Gyeong’s heart ached. It hurt to see that at an age when she should be blossoming as a woman, Hyeok Gi-rin was in men’s clothing with a cap on.
“I’m sorry for my lack of strength…”
“Don’t say such things. I’m doing well in the Jeomchang Faction.”
“… I see. I’ve heard the news often.”
The fact that Princess Yuya was living among martial artists was both a joy and a sorrow for Yoo Gyeong. Hyeok Gi-rin distinguished herself in martial arts and was recognized as a true martial artist by everyone.
While feeling proud of achieving so much through hard work rather than relying on the imperial bloodline, there was also worry about Hyeok Gi-rin living a difficult life filled with the turbulent world of martial artists instead of enjoying a peaceful and comfortable life as a member of the imperial family.
“Recently, you’ve accomplished something great. That’s truly commendable. You’ve upheld the morals of the people and punished evil, contributing to the state’s laws. Moreover, by splitting the bellies of the villains, you have filled the national treasury. That’s quite an achievement.”
Hyeok Gi-rin, who initially tried to deny the praise with a wry smile, soon reconsidered her thoughts.
“Ah, it’s all thanks to Governor Samayeom’s efforts. True to form, he calculated all the circumstances and patiently waited for the right moment.”
“Right, his slyness is reassuring when he’s on our side. Though sometimes it can be quite annoying…”
“Ha ha, Governor Samayeom is working tirelessly for Sacheon, so let’s not speak too harshly.”
They naturally shifted the conversation to the events taking place in Sacheon. Hyeok Gi-rin, the Grand Master of the Jeomchang Faction. Yoo Gyeong, the Emperor. They didn’t have many topics to discuss as they had already diverged greatly in their life paths.
Moreover, the operation of Ho Cheon-an in Sacheon was certainly an exciting story anyone would want to hear.
Except for the fact that Ho Cheon-an had devised the plan, Hyeok Gi-rin only talked about how the incident unfolded.
“Hahaha! So the Tang Clan’s heir and Samayeom executed a proper strategy! Overwhelming a small force with a large army is the essence of military tactics.”
Yoo Gyeong chuckled at the tale of the bandit suppression. Although she had received reports from the intelligence agency in the imperial palace, which collected information from Dongchang or read Samayeom’s memorial, unlike the rigid formal writing meant for reports, Hyeok Gi-rin’s storytelling was full of life.
“Have you heard what the Sacheon Outcasts have been up to?”
“I did some research this time. Quite interesting characters they are.”
Hyeok Gi-rin’s story kept flowing. She spoke about how the ceremony took place and how the various factions in Sacheon adapted to the ranking system—it was indeed quite intriguing.
“Ha ha, giving everyone easily recognizable ranks to stimulate competitiveness. It’s not an idea I would expect from Samayeom. But its ripple effect is remarkable.”
“Indeed.”
Hyeok Gi-rin shared the amusing incidents that unfolded in Sacheon because of the Hero Badge and the belts, and Yoo Gyeong listened with delight. The current transformations surrounding the successfully completed bandit suppression were also great topics to discuss.
‘It seems you are living a completely different life.’
Within those stories, Yoo Gyeong felt Hyeok Gi-rin rather than Yoo Ya. The life of Hyeok Gi-rin, Grand Master of the Jeomchang Faction. It contained a life of a martial artist that solves problems by wielding a weapon instead of the way a powerful person employs others.
Watching Hyeok Gi-rin chatter away brought a weight to Yoo Gyeong’s heart.
“Yoo Ya.”
“Yes? …What is it?”
“Will you not return to the imperial palace?”
Hyeok Gi-rin’s expression grew serious.
“Older brother, I live as a martial artist.”
“I know that. That’s why I’m saying this.”
Yoo Gyeong felt a sense of urgency. Hyeok Gi-rin, whose identity should be the Princess Yuya, was enjoying life as a martial artist. And the life of a princess…
“Is there a man you fancy?”
“W-What do you mean all of a sudden?!”
Yoo Gyeong sprang up at Yoo Gyeong’s unexpected question. She reflected on her words and found a glimmer of hope. Indeed, pretending to be of the opposite gender must be a burden. Known by the alias Okryong Sinhyeop, it was said that countless admirers follow her wherever she goes.
“I’ve never thought about it, let alone have any feelings for someone…”
Seeing Hyeok Gi-rin’s words trailing off, Yoo Gyeong burst into laughter.
“Come on! Who is it?”
“Huh?”
“What sort of useless scoundrel is he?!”
“…Older brother.”
Yoo Gyeong snapped back to reality due to Hyeok Gi-rin’s icy gaze. Wait a minute. What was I even doing? Wasn’t I supposed to be persuading Hyeok Gi-rin to return to the imperial palace?
Yoo Gyeong’s son, Yoo Chan, is fourteen this year. Once he turns twenty, the justification to make Hyeok Gi-rin Emperor will be completely shattered. In other words, the line of succession would be perfectly stable.
At that time, it wouldn’t be a problem for Hyeok Gi-rin to leave the life of a martial artist and return as a princess. However… if she continues to live as a martial artist for another six years, the likelihood that Hyeok Gi-rin will completely become a martial artist will increase.
Right now. If I don’t capture her now, the Yoo Ya in front of me is likely to live as Okryong Sinhyeop, not the Princess.
Yes. I am currently persuading Hyeok Gi-rin. To bring her back to the palace as a princess, I need to create a family, and to establish a family, the man who will take Hyeok Gi-rin away…
A man who would look after my precious younger sibling…
Ugh.
I had to hold back. A sacrifice for the sake of the lineage. This was the only means to return Hyeok Gi-rin as a princess right now. I needed to instill the dream of creating a peaceful family as a woman, something that is unattainable for the cross-dressing Hyeok Gi-rin, and bring her back to the imperial family.
“Haha, haha! Hahaha! So there seems to be someone you have a crush on! Ahahahaha!”
But the human heart doesn’t always move the way one wishes it to.
“Haaa… Older brother.”
“Wahaha! So, what’s the name of that guy… Um… Ugh… just say it! I’m curious too!”
“There’s no way I’d say it! I said there’s no one from the start!”
Yoo Gyeong was thinking.
I must find out who it is and manage to intervene… I mean, I need to fuel the romantic front with Hyeok Gi-rin.
