After leaving just the two people behind, what transpired in the Training Hall and what conclusion was reached remains a mystery.
I was simply holed up in my room afterwards.
And without any way of knowing the outcome, the next morning, the Court Ladies swarmed in, bustling about.
“Tomorrow, His Majesty the Emperor shall hold an audience,” they announced.
They had to pick out formal garments, and the practice for the audience—which had been on hiatus—kicked off in a last-minute frenzy. The ladies returned to their previously stern selves, and I frantically absorbed the necessary knowledge for the audience.
My curiosity about what conclusion Yoo Gyeong and Hyeok Gi-rin had reached, and how much Hyeok Gi-rin had progressed, was practically unbearable, but the intensity of the training overshadowed even that.
From dinner until the moment I fell asleep, I was so worn out that I crashed into bed, and before I knew it, the day of the audience had arrived.
It was only when I was fully suited up in the audience attire and about to leave the Imperial Palace that I managed to meet Hyeok Gi-rin. As I opened my mouth to speak, the Court Ladies shot me glares, so I couldn’t utter a word. However, Hyeok Gi-rin’s expression showed no sign of worry, which put me somewhat at ease.
I failed to discern Hyeok Gi-rin’s martial arts level.
As a so-called top-tier martial artist, it should be impossible for me to gauge someone of peak stage martial arts, anyway. Regardless, he seemed to have gathered a bit more Qi, indicating he had made significant progress.
Whether he had reached Hwa-gyeong was yet to be seen.
If an Iryu martial artist requires ten steps to reach the top tier, one could argue that those of peak stage need to walk a thousand steps. Achieving realization at the lower levels might result in an immediate enhancement in level, but those above peak stage often only see their martial prowess rise.
“Please remain tranquil.”
A real Eunuch appeared—not a fake like Dujak or Samahwi-gyeong—to lead us to the waiting room. Just when I thought I could finally talk to Hyeok Gi-rin, we were ushered into another personal chamber.
Seeing Hyeok Gi-rin made me even more curious about how yesterday’s events had concluded. I wanted to know what conclusion Hyeok Gi-rin, Dujak, or rather, Yoo Gyeong, had arrived at.
If it had ended positively, wouldn’t the time to prepare for the audience in the Imperial Palace have been extended to the maximum? I mean, if the two had reconciled, they would surely hope for an extra day together. At the very least, they could have dragged it out a few more days, yet the sudden decision for an audience was hardly a good omen.
Yet, Hyeok Gi-rin’s face was completely serene.
Could it be that Hyeok Gi-rin had decided to sever ties with the Imperial Family and live as a martial artist?
It wasn’t impossible.
If that happened, I’d be the one who had caused Yoo Gyeong and Hyeok Gi-rin to cut ties.
Hmm.
Should I also consider that there’s a possibility that a great war awaited at the center?
As thoughts of the audience filled my mind, all sorts of ridiculous worries began to bubble up.
“Soon, it will be your turn. Please prepare.”
The Eunuch delivered his final instructions rapidly.
“After moving three steps forward to the designated position, bow, and do not raise your head until His Majesty speaks.”
And so, Hyeok Gi-rin and I stood side by side, ready to enter the great hall. I wondered what happened to the Sun Sword I usually wielded, but seeing the enormous crown perched atop my head, I figured it would fit in there somewhere.
Right before entering the great hall, I took one last look at Hyeok Gi-rin. If he had a falling out with the big brother, I wished he would at least give me a signal. I needed to prepare myself emotionally, after all.
But when our eyes met, Hyeok Gi-rin only smiled.
“Your Majesty! The audience seekers are waiting!”
“Let them in.”
A familiar voice rang out, and Hyeok Gi-rin and I bent forward at the Eunuch’s gesture, staring only at the ground. The Eunuch led us, and we reached our proper spots.
“Presenting! The audience seekers should show their respects!”
Hyeok Gi-rin and I prostrated ourselves and shouted,
“Long live! Long live! Long long live! Sacheon Outcast Ho Cheon-an presents himself to His Majesty, the Sun Emperor of the Great Huang Nation!”
“Long live! Long live! Long long live! Jeomchang Faction disciple Hyeok Gi-rin presents himself to His Majesty, the Sun Emperor of the Great Huang Nation!”
“Hmm. Relate their achievements.”
A familiar voice echoed.
“These two have assisted Governor Samayeom in upholding the laws and principles of Sacheon City, and disciple Hyeok Gi-rin of the Jeomchang Faction…”
For a long while, phrases detailing our accomplishments continued without end.
Honestly, the audience was more boring than I had imagined. I thought I’d be able to see everyone’s faces and take in the splendid hall, but in reality, the only thing I could see was the woven pattern on the mat below.
All in all, laying there and prostrating, I finally felt the reality of my time in the Imperial Palace coming to an end. It felt like standing at a graduation ceremony.
“…thus, the people of Sacheon rejoice, and the laws of Sacheon are reinstated, so one can say the contributions of these two are not insignificant!”
The lengthy proclamation finally concluded, and the hall fell into a momentary silence.
“Your efforts have been considerable.”
“Thank you, Your Majesty!”
“Thank you, Your Majesty!”
“Although the two of you are not officials, the courageous actions you took in restoring the laughter of the people of Sacheon and upholding the country’s laws deserve this commendation.”
“Thank you, Your Majesty!”
“Thank you, Your Majesty!”
“Raise your heads.”
I lifted my head. Not just casually.
‘My heart is racing and I wish to gaze upon the Emperor’s face, but should someone like me even dare to look upon His Majesty’s dignified face? Yet since His Majesty has decreed, I must comply. Ah, Your Majesty, please allow me the glory of three lifetimes!’
I expressed this feeling through the motion of raising my head.
For the past week, I had been intensely practicing that exact gesture, as if possessed by some spirit, alongside the Court Ladies.
The key was to take in only the Emperor’s toes.
As I held that position, I was engulfed in a mystical sensation.
I had seen Yoo Gyeong’s face enough. When she came to persuade me at the heavenly brothel, we spent half a day unraveling the false gambling claims, and after getting flustered by Hyeok Gi-rin, she even consulted with me, so why do this now?
Seriously! I? Sneaking across the Imperial Palace with the Emperor! Gambling at the heavenly brothel! Consulting worries! I had done it all!
While such thoughts crossed my mind, I still focused on the audience, unwilling to let the time I invested in the Imperial Palace go to waste. How many times had I practiced for this audience procedure over those seven days? At least several hundred times.
“Raise your heads; I will allow you to see my face.”
“Thank you, Your Majesty!”
“Thank you, Your Majesty!”
I gazed at Yoo Gyeong, adorned in her imperial robes, radiating the weight of being the Emperor—this was a different sight than the Eunuch Yoo Gyeong. Is this what it means to be the Emperor? She wore a gentle smile.
Seeing that, my thoughts became tangled.
What conclusion had the two reached, considering that both Yoo Gyeong and Hyeok Gi-rin were smiling, and why had the audience been moved up?
Either way, I lowered my head again with a slight nod from Yoo Gyeong.
“His Majesty shall grant you both a golden reward of one hundred nyang, along with treasures! You will be given the privilege to enter and exit the Imperial Palace freely for one week! Furthermore, you will receive spiritual medicine from the Imperial Palace!”
“Thank you, Your Majesty!”
“Thank you, Your Majesty!”
The procedure was over. Though a short time to consider it the result of a week’s wait, such events are inherently brief. I had announced my achievements to the Emperor, the Emperor praised us, we had seen His Majesty’s regal face, and the list of rewards was revealed.
Now, all that remained was to stand up and leave.
At least until Yoo Gyeong asked me a question herself.
“Did you say your name is Ho Cheon-an?”
I felt the atmosphere in the great hall shift. I gulped down an ominous sensation. Yoo Gyeong’s action was beyond the scope of the audience.
“Yes, Your Majesty! I am Ho Cheon-an!”
“An Outcast who made contributions to this end, I found myself curious and investigated a bit.”
“Um, Your Majesty, what is the reason for this?”
“I heard you assisted the young lady Yeo Il-ye of the Jeomchang Faction in enhancing her martial arts. It was said that you granted her that realization.”
Without thinking, I turned to Hyeok Gi-rin. He simply gazed back at me calmly. His eyes didn’t convey any threat. Had an agreement been reached between Yoo Gyeong and him on this matter?
“…it was just a meeting with Miss Yeo Il-ye, and she achieved her realization on her own.”
“Oh? Is that so…Commander of the Golden Guards, what do you think?”
Suddenly, why was the Commander of the Golden Guards being brought into this? Why was his opinion suddenly important?
“Commander Song Chang-sik reports. Given that the Outcast has abundant practical experience, isn’t it likely that Miss Yeo Il-ye was inspired by him?”
“Oh? Is that so.”
“Indeed, Your Majesty. Although the Outcast may not have a solid foundation, those who have undergone numerous real battles possess fierce and practical techniques, sometimes even eccentric. Although he is an Outcast, he has aided Governor Samayeom in significant work for Sacheon, demonstrating his outstanding skills. It is well within reason to believe that the young lady Yeo Il-ye received inspiration from him.”
No way! Why are you all doing this to me?
The Emperor and Song Chang-sik began an odd exchange back and forth.
“I hear that the lack of practical combat experience in the Golden Guards has become a significant issue.”
“Indeed, Your Majesty! The peace of the world should naturally delight those who protect the Huang Nation. However, as soldiers sworn to defend it, we also worry about the dulling of our blades!”
“Indeed. What a serious problem. The fact that the blades guarding this palace may become dull is truly concerning… So, how about inviting an external advisor with abundant practical experience?”
“Indeed! That’s a brilliant strategy!”
“Ha ha ha! Could it be that the ancestors have guided me? A suitable candidate seems to have appeared right before my eyes.”
Cold sweat ran down my back.
Even though I focused my eyes on the patterns of the woven mat on the ground, I could sense the atmosphere in the great hall shifting. The bewilderment of the attendants was palpable in the air, indicating the Emperor’s unilateral decision.
“Indeed, someone who can inspire even a disciple of the renowned Jeomchang Faction from the Martial World would surely benefit the Golden Guards! Moreover, since they helped Governor Samayeom in the great governance of Sacheon, they can be trusted, making them the ideal candidate!”
The hall fell into silence. It was nothing more than an unspoken pressure to await my ‘voluntary support’.
“Your Majesty…! Having an external advisor for the Golden Guards is surely…”
Someone attempted to break the silence, but their words trailed off. Perhaps Yoo Gyeong silenced them with a look. Her intentions were crystal clear.
If a mere Outcast were to flatly refuse the Emperor’s proposal right here, it wouldn’t be surprising at all if she exclaimed, “How dare you refuse my proposal? Bring the guillotine!”
“It is… such a tremendous honor for me!”
“Haha! Do not be so humble. You have proven your qualifications through your actions in Sacheon, so I shall appoint you, martial artist Ho Cheon-an, as the external advisor of the Golden Guards! Is there anyone who opposes this?”
“Thank you, Your Majesty!”
“Thank you, Your Majesty!”
While everyone’s inner feelings surely varied, the resonance of agreement in support of Yoo Gyeong’s choice filled the air.
Suddenly, I found myself as the external advisor of the Golden Guards.
